Chapter 3: Padfoot Takes The Heat

(a/n: Everyone having fun, I hope. I sure am!)

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"Alright" said McGonagal sharply, "Who swung first?"

James gave his friends the 'Well-It-Was-Nice-Knowing-You' look. He was about to speak up. This was the end. No more being Head Boy or getting a chance with Lily.

"Mr. Potter, I'm sure you understand, that if you did indeed throw the first punch, you will get to miss out on some very important Head Boy opportunity's" said McGonagal, eyeing all four boys.

"I did" said Sirius, getting up, "Put me in chains, throw me to Filch. Just don't take away Prong's badge."

"Very well, Mr. Black, three weeks detention for you. One week for the lot of you. Every evening at mid-night, meet me in the great hall...Understood?"

"Yes maim", they all said in monotone.

"Very good. And for you Mister Potter, be careful. One more mess up like this and that's the end of Head Boy title. You're dismissed."

All four boys pretended to look guilty as they walked out of McGonagal's office. As soon as they were out of earshot, is when James burst with the question.

"What did you do that for, Padfoot? Now you have detention for three weeks."

"We didn't want you to lose your badge Prongs. What about the 7th year dance?" asked Sirius.

"7th year dance? Mustn't have got the memo" said James sarnotailicailly.

"Didn't get the memo? Prongs, surely your pulling our legs," said Remus.

"Nope, never heard of it." James sighed.

"We are having a 7th year dance in three weeks, Prongs. Its Hogwarts tradition for the Head Boy to take the Head Girl." Remus smiled.

James grinned like Remus had given him a million galleons and Lily. "You're NOT kidding, right?"

"Not joking."

"Speaking of Lily" said Peter quietly.

"Lily! Oh yes Lily. Thank you Wormtail!"

James turned around and ran.

"Should we follow him?" asked Sirius.

"Nah, let him go" assured Remus.

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"Lily, come out of that stall" said Tammy, tapping lightly on the door with her knuckles.

"Never" said Lily with a sob.

"Come on Lil's, its not all that bad?" asked Sam looking at Tammy who nodded her head.

"No, I'm not coming out" spat Lily.

"I didn't want to have to pull this card," said Sam and Tammy shook her head in agreement.

"You know Sam, its been at least three weeks since they cleaned that stall" started Tammy.

"That's not going to work this time, you two," said Lily with another sob.

The bathroom door swung open and James slid in.

"This is a GIRL'S bathroom James! Get out" shrieked Sam.

"I don't care," said James simply.

He composed himself enough to say, "Lily, its okay, I'm here."

"And that's going make her feel better?" said Tammy sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"James, get out" said Lily in nothing higher than a whisper.

"Not until you talk to me" he replied, his hands, palm-down on the door.

"Not now" she said simply.

Suddenly what McGonagal said came floating into his brain. He ran out the door of the girl's bathroom.

"That git left" said Tammy.

"And in a hurry" commented Sam.

Lily unlocked the bathroom stall and sauntered out. She went over to the mirror to wash off the mascara and apply new. Lily redid all her make-up, not even glancing at her friends.

"You can't ignore us forever", said Tammy.

"I'm not ignoring you" she said pushing them out of the way and walked out of the girl's bathroom and right into James.

"Talk to me Lily" he said, blocking the way.

"There's nothing to talk about. You saw what happened, the whole school did" she said, holding back the tears warning to leak out the side of her eyes.

"Oh, Lily" said James about to pull her into hug, when Lily ducked. Forcing James to hug the air.

"What the?" he said seeing Lily walking towards the common room.

"Let her go Prongs" said Sirius clamping a hand on James shoulder.

"Alright" said James, head hung low.

"I have three weeks to get Lily to fall for me, three hopeless weeks."

"That does not sound like the Prongs I know", said Remus.

"Maybe the Prongs you know wasn't so heart-broken." "We'll help you" offered Sirius, "If Lily isn't yours by the night before the dance, let me die."

James smiled. "Thanks Padfoot."

"Anything for a friend."

"Anything for a friend who wants to snog Lily Evans" said Peter trying to keep a straight face.

All four boys cracked up.

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Sorry it's not very long. It shall get longer, I hope. Once again, I'm being sneaky.

~ Emily a. k. a IluvSurius ~