WHEN TIME STANDS STILL
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Most people suggested that unless I have something specific to say or a question to answer, I just list the people I want to thank for reviewing, so that's what I'm doing now. If you want an individual reply just say so in the review.
Thanks to
girlknight, deb-sampson, babyjayy, PrOnGs Da GrEaT, missprongs, Kaaera, Lily and James Potter, colorado-chick, supernova8610, SPASH Panther, volleypickle16, PadfootandProngs91, blip-dragon, The Vampire Story Hunter, Constance Truggle, Amandinka, The Lady Reaper of the Shadows, Tanydwr, Neo- Queen Serenity, Musicstarlover (and no, you're not a pain), Kelsey, Lilyluver, Silvercrystal77 and silvernightshade.
An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: You like Snape? I hope you don't hate me for letting James and Sirius be so vicious about him!
Indiangurl: Pure poetry? That has to be one of the nicest compliments I've ever received. And I'm posting so fast because I'm going out of town at the end of April, I won't be back until June, and I'd like to have the last chapter up before I leave. (And yes – the end is coming, and soon.)
Japonica: In India. Most of the year the weather is pretty predicatable, but in March and April... well, let's just say that this morning was sweltering, but there is currently a thunderstorm raging outside, which will probably turn into a hailstorm shortly.
CHAPTER 17 – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A MARAUDER
"Good," Remus said cheerfully, looking up from his essay on the uses of newts in Potion-making. "I was wondering when you'd have the sense to do that."
"To do what?" Peter asked, coming in and sitting by the fire. He had a very large, heavy book called 'Aircraft: the Muggle Alternative to Broomsticks' under one arm.
"Aircraft?" Sirius said interestedly. "Like those flying ships they have in Durmstrang?"
"What? Oh. No... Muggles use fuel... oil, you know... and some people don't like Muggle flying, I believe."
"No surprises there," James said. "My Great-Aunt Philomela was sick when we went on a flying carpet in Egypt two years ago."
"I always thought she liked flying."
"She likes broomsticks, yes, but she didn't like the carpet."
"Your Great-Aunt Philomela?" Peter said. "What does that have to do with what Moony said about you two getting sense?"
"Moony? Nothing. I don't think he's even met her – have you?" James asked Remus.
"No. I've only met her sister... what's her name, the one who used to play Quidditch for England?"
"Great-Aunt Emmeline," James said.
"Is she the one who turned Lucius Malfoy's grandfather into a polecat because he stepped in her azaleas?"
"Yeah," James said, with a grin. "I was there that day – cool bit of Transfiguration; it took me two weeks to persuade her to teach me how to do it."
"Oh, that's where you learnt that trick," Sirius said. "I always thought you found it in a book."
"Me? A book? Are you out of your mind, Padfoot?"
Sirius chuckled. "What were you saying, Peter?"
"Moony just said you had the sense to –"
"Sense?" James said, sounding offended. "We have a lot of sense, thank you."
"Except when you see Snape," Remus said.
"Oh, come on, hexing Snivelly doesn't count."
"I'm sure he doesn't think so."
"Since when could Snivelly think?" Sirius demanded.
Remus rolled his eyes.
"And you actually think these two have sense, Wormtail?"
"I didn't – I don't – that is... you said... oh, never mind!"
Peter pulled out a quill and started writing an essay. Remus, James and Sirius looked at each other uncomfortably. They didn't like hiding things from their friend, but Harry had been very insistent.
*~
"What are you doing?" Lily said disapprovingly, as she reached the Gryffindor table for breakfast.
"Oh – the essay on the effects of being near a Dementor for Professor Williamson – don't look at me like that! I completely forgot."
Harry scribbled feverishly.
Lily eyed the thirteen inches he had written.
"You're managing quite well without a textbook."
"No time for a textbook – don't worry, I've seen enough Dementors to last me the rest of my life. I know what they do."
"Seems awfully pleasant where you come from, if seeing Dementors is a regular activity."
"Oh, it is. Dementors are the least of everyone's troubles."
"Mm... done?"
Harry stuffed his quill into his bag.
"Done. That should keep him happy."
Lily bent over the parchment.
"Oh, it will... you haven't forgotten anything else, have you?"
"No... no, I really haven't. I finished the Potions essay –"
A sudden flash of light made Harry start and reach for his wand.
"Relax," Sirius's voice said. "It's only me. I said I wouldn't hex you."
But Harry was staring at him in horror. He had a camera.
"You didn't just take a picture of us, did you? Tell me you didn't."
"Of course I did. Something to trigger our memories after Dumbledore Obliviates us. Good idea, isn't it, Evans?"
"Sirius," Harry protested. "You can't... you can't do things like that, you have no idea what could happen to the future."
"Don't worry," Lily said. "Professor Dumbledore's not stupid. I'm sure he'll have thought of this. He'll confiscate all photographs, books, bits of parchment and anything else that Black and Potter might use to keep their memories... meanwhile, if it keeps him happy, let him take pictures."
Sirius made a face.
"Helpful, Evans."
"Where's Potter, anyway? It must be months since you were last seen not plotting mischief with him."
"He's coming."
"That's no answer."
"It's all the answer you're getting, Evans."
Lily eyes flashed dangerously.
"I hope you two aren't planning to accidentally curse Snape again, because if you do..."
"No, we're not. But what's life without some fun?"
Lily sighed and helped herself to some bacon.
*~
"Today," Professor Cawdor said, "we will begin brewing Polyjuice Potion. The instructions are on the board. Please keep in mind that this potion is immensely complex and dangerous, and making the smallest mistake could have unpleasant consequences. Begin."
Harry grinned into his cauldron.
"What?" Sirius demanded. "Have you done Polyjuice Potion already?"
"Not in class."
James turned, interested.
"Where, then?"
"Er..." Harry glanced at Snape and lowered his voice.
"In an out-of-order girls' bathroom, with my friends."
"Why'd you want to brew Polyjuice Potion?"
Harry dropped his voice further, so that James and Sirius had to lean towards him to hear.
"To sneak into the Slytherin Common Room."
Peter looked around at them. He was too far away to hear what they were saying, but he was obviously wondering why Harry was no longer on the most- hated-people list. James, Sirius and Remus had only told him they'd made their peace.
Remus nudged Peter and he busied himself with his cauldron again.
"You snuck into the Slytherin Common Room?" Sirius whispered eagerly.
"But how'd you get the ingredients? I mean, half the stuff you need is only in the Professor's store cuboard – or has Snivelly changed that?"
"Oh..." Harry looked furtively at Snape.
"Don't worry; no one can hear."
"Er... I threw a firework into a Slytherin's cauldron. While Snape was busy sorting things out my friend Hermione snuck into his office."
"Wow," James said proudly. "You do take after me, too, don't you? I thought you were exactly like Evans."
"Poor McGonagall," Sirius chortled. "Just imagine, when we leave school she'll be all delighted that she's free of us at last, and then Harry'll come along to cause even more trouble. Probably makes her remember the good old days of the Marauders."
"Harry," James whispered suddenly, "don't."
Harry paused in the act of adding powdered bicorn horn to his potion.
"What's wrong?"
"Trust me, Harry. Keep stirring."
"What have you done?"
"Keep stirring," Sirius said. "You'll know soon enough."
Harry looked at them suspiciously, but he did as they said.
Sure enough, in a few minutes, there was an odd gurgling noise from Snape's cauldron, followed by an explosion.
"Mr Snape!" Professor Cawdor said. "What have you done? Did I not tell you not to add the lacewing flies yet?"
He hurried across the dungeon towards Snape, but then another of the Slytherin's brews exploded.
Professor Cawdor turned around.
"You too, Mr Parkinson? Oh –"
Peter's cauldron went up in a puff of green smoke.
"The idiot," James hissed. "I told him not to do anything... oh, no! I forgot to tell –"
Remus's potion exploded too. One by one, all the cauldrons in the dungeon began to gurgle, smoke and erupt.
"What is happening?" Professor Cawdor demanded, looking around furiously. "Have you all forgotten how to read? Out, out! Everyone out! Mr Lupin, find Mr Filch and send him down here. The rest of you, OUT!"
The class ran.
"What did you do?" Harry demanded as soon as they were in the corridor.
"Oh, nothing," Sirius said. "Last night Prongs and I went to see what he had in his store cupboard."
"The labels on the bottles of powdered bicorn horn and powdered bezoar were crooked. We took them off to straighten them..."
"And we may have put them back wrong. A pity, but the explosions were nice, weren't they?"
Harry couldn't help laughing.
*~
"Protego!" Lily said.
Harry surveyed her for a second, then pointed his wand at her.
"Expelliarmus!"
Lily made an angry noise as her wand flew out of her hand.
"How do you do it, Harry? I was sure I had it right!"
"Try again," Harry said, throwing her back her wand.
"All right – Protego!"
Harry raised his wand.
"Expelliarmus!"
He ducked, but not quickly enough – the rebounding spell sent his own wand spinning.
"At last!" Lily said, sounding delighted, as she used a Summoning charm to retrieve Harry's wand from on top of a cupboard. "Your turn – no there's no point giving you a turn; I know you can do it properly. Try me again."
She tossed Harry his wand and lifted her own.
"Protego!"
Neither Harry nor Lily, nor anybody else in the Charms class, saw James and Sirius wave their wands, or the soft whisper of, "Finite Incantatem."
Harry's Disarmer hit Lily hard and sent her wand flying across the class. Other students were not so lucky; they had been practicing with jinxes.
A few Ravenclaw boys were lying Stunned on the floor; Alice McKinnon had sent an Engorgement Charm at Frank Longbottom and his nose was the size of a coconut. Remus Lupin's partner, a Ravenclaw whom Harry did not know, had sprouted fur all over his face. Practically every curse Harry had taught the DA had been used.
"Oh dear," Professor Flitwick said, through the sudden silence. "You can't all have got it wrong at the same time!"
Lily turned to James.
"What did you do?" she hissed.
"Me? Why, nothing!"
She glared at him.
"If you must know Evans," he said softly, "Sirius and I used Finite Incantatem."
"Honestly, you two! Harry told me about Potions this morning. Isn't that enough damage for one day?"
"In the normal course of things, Evans, yes. But Harry's only here for a very short time, and if I show him all this in the future you'll probably kill me. Harry – keep all this in mind for when you return, especially in Snape's class."
"And remember," Sirius whispered solemnly, "if ever you want to throw something at Snivelly, be sure to use your Potions textbook – don't glare at me, Evans! It's my responsibility as godfather to teach him the basic facts of life."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Most people suggested that unless I have something specific to say or a question to answer, I just list the people I want to thank for reviewing, so that's what I'm doing now. If you want an individual reply just say so in the review.
Thanks to
girlknight, deb-sampson, babyjayy, PrOnGs Da GrEaT, missprongs, Kaaera, Lily and James Potter, colorado-chick, supernova8610, SPASH Panther, volleypickle16, PadfootandProngs91, blip-dragon, The Vampire Story Hunter, Constance Truggle, Amandinka, The Lady Reaper of the Shadows, Tanydwr, Neo- Queen Serenity, Musicstarlover (and no, you're not a pain), Kelsey, Lilyluver, Silvercrystal77 and silvernightshade.
An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: You like Snape? I hope you don't hate me for letting James and Sirius be so vicious about him!
Indiangurl: Pure poetry? That has to be one of the nicest compliments I've ever received. And I'm posting so fast because I'm going out of town at the end of April, I won't be back until June, and I'd like to have the last chapter up before I leave. (And yes – the end is coming, and soon.)
Japonica: In India. Most of the year the weather is pretty predicatable, but in March and April... well, let's just say that this morning was sweltering, but there is currently a thunderstorm raging outside, which will probably turn into a hailstorm shortly.
CHAPTER 17 – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A MARAUDER
"Good," Remus said cheerfully, looking up from his essay on the uses of newts in Potion-making. "I was wondering when you'd have the sense to do that."
"To do what?" Peter asked, coming in and sitting by the fire. He had a very large, heavy book called 'Aircraft: the Muggle Alternative to Broomsticks' under one arm.
"Aircraft?" Sirius said interestedly. "Like those flying ships they have in Durmstrang?"
"What? Oh. No... Muggles use fuel... oil, you know... and some people don't like Muggle flying, I believe."
"No surprises there," James said. "My Great-Aunt Philomela was sick when we went on a flying carpet in Egypt two years ago."
"I always thought she liked flying."
"She likes broomsticks, yes, but she didn't like the carpet."
"Your Great-Aunt Philomela?" Peter said. "What does that have to do with what Moony said about you two getting sense?"
"Moony? Nothing. I don't think he's even met her – have you?" James asked Remus.
"No. I've only met her sister... what's her name, the one who used to play Quidditch for England?"
"Great-Aunt Emmeline," James said.
"Is she the one who turned Lucius Malfoy's grandfather into a polecat because he stepped in her azaleas?"
"Yeah," James said, with a grin. "I was there that day – cool bit of Transfiguration; it took me two weeks to persuade her to teach me how to do it."
"Oh, that's where you learnt that trick," Sirius said. "I always thought you found it in a book."
"Me? A book? Are you out of your mind, Padfoot?"
Sirius chuckled. "What were you saying, Peter?"
"Moony just said you had the sense to –"
"Sense?" James said, sounding offended. "We have a lot of sense, thank you."
"Except when you see Snape," Remus said.
"Oh, come on, hexing Snivelly doesn't count."
"I'm sure he doesn't think so."
"Since when could Snivelly think?" Sirius demanded.
Remus rolled his eyes.
"And you actually think these two have sense, Wormtail?"
"I didn't – I don't – that is... you said... oh, never mind!"
Peter pulled out a quill and started writing an essay. Remus, James and Sirius looked at each other uncomfortably. They didn't like hiding things from their friend, but Harry had been very insistent.
*~
"What are you doing?" Lily said disapprovingly, as she reached the Gryffindor table for breakfast.
"Oh – the essay on the effects of being near a Dementor for Professor Williamson – don't look at me like that! I completely forgot."
Harry scribbled feverishly.
Lily eyed the thirteen inches he had written.
"You're managing quite well without a textbook."
"No time for a textbook – don't worry, I've seen enough Dementors to last me the rest of my life. I know what they do."
"Seems awfully pleasant where you come from, if seeing Dementors is a regular activity."
"Oh, it is. Dementors are the least of everyone's troubles."
"Mm... done?"
Harry stuffed his quill into his bag.
"Done. That should keep him happy."
Lily bent over the parchment.
"Oh, it will... you haven't forgotten anything else, have you?"
"No... no, I really haven't. I finished the Potions essay –"
A sudden flash of light made Harry start and reach for his wand.
"Relax," Sirius's voice said. "It's only me. I said I wouldn't hex you."
But Harry was staring at him in horror. He had a camera.
"You didn't just take a picture of us, did you? Tell me you didn't."
"Of course I did. Something to trigger our memories after Dumbledore Obliviates us. Good idea, isn't it, Evans?"
"Sirius," Harry protested. "You can't... you can't do things like that, you have no idea what could happen to the future."
"Don't worry," Lily said. "Professor Dumbledore's not stupid. I'm sure he'll have thought of this. He'll confiscate all photographs, books, bits of parchment and anything else that Black and Potter might use to keep their memories... meanwhile, if it keeps him happy, let him take pictures."
Sirius made a face.
"Helpful, Evans."
"Where's Potter, anyway? It must be months since you were last seen not plotting mischief with him."
"He's coming."
"That's no answer."
"It's all the answer you're getting, Evans."
Lily eyes flashed dangerously.
"I hope you two aren't planning to accidentally curse Snape again, because if you do..."
"No, we're not. But what's life without some fun?"
Lily sighed and helped herself to some bacon.
*~
"Today," Professor Cawdor said, "we will begin brewing Polyjuice Potion. The instructions are on the board. Please keep in mind that this potion is immensely complex and dangerous, and making the smallest mistake could have unpleasant consequences. Begin."
Harry grinned into his cauldron.
"What?" Sirius demanded. "Have you done Polyjuice Potion already?"
"Not in class."
James turned, interested.
"Where, then?"
"Er..." Harry glanced at Snape and lowered his voice.
"In an out-of-order girls' bathroom, with my friends."
"Why'd you want to brew Polyjuice Potion?"
Harry dropped his voice further, so that James and Sirius had to lean towards him to hear.
"To sneak into the Slytherin Common Room."
Peter looked around at them. He was too far away to hear what they were saying, but he was obviously wondering why Harry was no longer on the most- hated-people list. James, Sirius and Remus had only told him they'd made their peace.
Remus nudged Peter and he busied himself with his cauldron again.
"You snuck into the Slytherin Common Room?" Sirius whispered eagerly.
"But how'd you get the ingredients? I mean, half the stuff you need is only in the Professor's store cuboard – or has Snivelly changed that?"
"Oh..." Harry looked furtively at Snape.
"Don't worry; no one can hear."
"Er... I threw a firework into a Slytherin's cauldron. While Snape was busy sorting things out my friend Hermione snuck into his office."
"Wow," James said proudly. "You do take after me, too, don't you? I thought you were exactly like Evans."
"Poor McGonagall," Sirius chortled. "Just imagine, when we leave school she'll be all delighted that she's free of us at last, and then Harry'll come along to cause even more trouble. Probably makes her remember the good old days of the Marauders."
"Harry," James whispered suddenly, "don't."
Harry paused in the act of adding powdered bicorn horn to his potion.
"What's wrong?"
"Trust me, Harry. Keep stirring."
"What have you done?"
"Keep stirring," Sirius said. "You'll know soon enough."
Harry looked at them suspiciously, but he did as they said.
Sure enough, in a few minutes, there was an odd gurgling noise from Snape's cauldron, followed by an explosion.
"Mr Snape!" Professor Cawdor said. "What have you done? Did I not tell you not to add the lacewing flies yet?"
He hurried across the dungeon towards Snape, but then another of the Slytherin's brews exploded.
Professor Cawdor turned around.
"You too, Mr Parkinson? Oh –"
Peter's cauldron went up in a puff of green smoke.
"The idiot," James hissed. "I told him not to do anything... oh, no! I forgot to tell –"
Remus's potion exploded too. One by one, all the cauldrons in the dungeon began to gurgle, smoke and erupt.
"What is happening?" Professor Cawdor demanded, looking around furiously. "Have you all forgotten how to read? Out, out! Everyone out! Mr Lupin, find Mr Filch and send him down here. The rest of you, OUT!"
The class ran.
"What did you do?" Harry demanded as soon as they were in the corridor.
"Oh, nothing," Sirius said. "Last night Prongs and I went to see what he had in his store cupboard."
"The labels on the bottles of powdered bicorn horn and powdered bezoar were crooked. We took them off to straighten them..."
"And we may have put them back wrong. A pity, but the explosions were nice, weren't they?"
Harry couldn't help laughing.
*~
"Protego!" Lily said.
Harry surveyed her for a second, then pointed his wand at her.
"Expelliarmus!"
Lily made an angry noise as her wand flew out of her hand.
"How do you do it, Harry? I was sure I had it right!"
"Try again," Harry said, throwing her back her wand.
"All right – Protego!"
Harry raised his wand.
"Expelliarmus!"
He ducked, but not quickly enough – the rebounding spell sent his own wand spinning.
"At last!" Lily said, sounding delighted, as she used a Summoning charm to retrieve Harry's wand from on top of a cupboard. "Your turn – no there's no point giving you a turn; I know you can do it properly. Try me again."
She tossed Harry his wand and lifted her own.
"Protego!"
Neither Harry nor Lily, nor anybody else in the Charms class, saw James and Sirius wave their wands, or the soft whisper of, "Finite Incantatem."
Harry's Disarmer hit Lily hard and sent her wand flying across the class. Other students were not so lucky; they had been practicing with jinxes.
A few Ravenclaw boys were lying Stunned on the floor; Alice McKinnon had sent an Engorgement Charm at Frank Longbottom and his nose was the size of a coconut. Remus Lupin's partner, a Ravenclaw whom Harry did not know, had sprouted fur all over his face. Practically every curse Harry had taught the DA had been used.
"Oh dear," Professor Flitwick said, through the sudden silence. "You can't all have got it wrong at the same time!"
Lily turned to James.
"What did you do?" she hissed.
"Me? Why, nothing!"
She glared at him.
"If you must know Evans," he said softly, "Sirius and I used Finite Incantatem."
"Honestly, you two! Harry told me about Potions this morning. Isn't that enough damage for one day?"
"In the normal course of things, Evans, yes. But Harry's only here for a very short time, and if I show him all this in the future you'll probably kill me. Harry – keep all this in mind for when you return, especially in Snape's class."
"And remember," Sirius whispered solemnly, "if ever you want to throw something at Snivelly, be sure to use your Potions textbook – don't glare at me, Evans! It's my responsibility as godfather to teach him the basic facts of life."