Disclaimer: I'm already getting sick of writing these.... *Sigh* I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. ALSO- The "Hogwarts Song" that was sung by the students in the previous chapter is from The Sorcerer's Stone (Ch. 7). Therefore, I did not write it nor do I own it....
Potterchick1: Thank you for your kind words!
Amandinka: Thanks for reviewing! What do you think of the fic so far?
Centaur219: Thank you! and thanks for reviewing me back- of course I'll return the favor ~_^
*______________________________________*
James Potter was in a rush. Actually, that was an understatement. He was feverishly trying to pack before it was time to go. However, he wasn't the only one. Sirius, too was running around the boys' dormitory trying to pack before it was it was time to leave. James was trying to use his summoning charm to put everything in his trunk, but he kept pointing his wand at the wrong things. Sirius, meanwhile was having trouble finding his wand.
"WHERE could it be?!" Sirius was now tossing all his robes, books, supplies, and pajamas carelessly on the bed, frantically searching for his wand.
"Try under the bed," suggested James who was rushing downs the stairs to the common room, trying to look for "The Advanced Wizard's Guide to Transfiguration".
"Moony, have you seen my wand- nine inches and made of ebony?" Sirius asked, walking over to Remus' four-poster.
Remus was sitting on top of the things in his trunk, in an effort to flatten them so that he could close his trunk. "No I haven't... Sorry."
"What's it look like?" asked Peter, as he closed his monogramed trunk and locked it with a dry click.
Sirius began to crawl under the beds. His voice sounded muffled, "It's rather short... dark and unusually thick-"
"Like you," said James, playfully. Sirius crawled out from under the four-poster and grinned back.
"Anyone remember that spell?" Remus asked, as he stood in front of his trunk. He had managed to close it, however, black robes were still poking out.
"Exactly WHAT spell?" Peter had started to drag his trunk down the stairs.
"You know- the one that makes everything light-"
"I think it's light enough in here, Moony," said Sirius.
"Light as in weight, Padfoot," responded Remus ," So we won't have to carry our trunks like that." He turned his face to Peter, who had now slipped and was sliding down the stairs on his stomach, with his trunk following him.
James immediately retrieved his wand from his pocket and pointed it at his trunk. "Levis Motus!"
"Why didn't you do that to MINE before I was heading downstairs?" whined Wormtail, clutching his stomach and groaning.
James ignored Wormtail. An air of agorrance was sorrounding James as he performed the spell on the cage of his owl and Sirius' trunk as well.
"Thanks, Prongs," said Sirius with genuine gratitude.
"What are you going to do about your wand?" asked Remus.
Sirius rubbed his chin in thought. Then he said lackadaisically, "I can always get a new one in Diagon Alley, can't I?"
Remus shrugged in reply as he performed the spell on his own baggage.
"Let's go!" called Peter from the bottom of the staircase. After Sirius had managed to quickly throw his clothes and books back into his trunk, the Marauders picked up their now-feather-light trunks and marched solemnly down the steps.
____________________________________
"So are we taking our usual compartment or what?" Lily was already walking down the aisle on the Hogwarts Express.
"Lily!" Vaness put her hand on Lily's shoulder, "Nadine and I were just talking about something-"
"What is it?" Lily looked imploringly at the tall, curly-haired brunette.
"Well, I know you're pretty keen when it comes to noticing small things so I'm sure you noticed that 'thing' going on between Sirius and Sasha the other day..."
Lily's lips turned up into a sly grin. "Of course I did. So, let me guess- instead of the four of us sitting together as usual you want to make sure she and Sirius end up in the-"
"-same compartment." they chorused.
"That's the plan," Vanessa said. "But, Lily- there's another part. You know how Sirius is best friends with-"
At this point, Lily's smile dropped. Vanessa continued, not discouraged.
"-Potter. And you know I can't make a decent conversation with either one... I like Remus a lot better. He's really nice and friendly. And Wormtail- well.. I'd still prefer him."
Lily sighed. "Fine, 'Nessa."
"Thanks a million, Lily!" Vanessa hugged her and walked down the aisle with Nadine following her.
Sasha came up behind Lily. "Where are they going?" Sasha wrinkled her brow as she watched Nadine and Vanessa enter a compartment.
"They said they have something important to discuss," Lily invented, as she worked hard to make her eyebrows furrow in that especially clueless way.
Lily wasn't sure what to do next. How do you guarantee yourself a compartment on the train with James Potter and Sirius Black? The only thing she knew was that they usually came running breatlessly and were always the last to board the train. They usually got the last compartment which Remus and Peter saved for them. But this time, Vanessa and Nadine were going to take those empty seats... Yes, Lily thought to herself, it would all work out perfectly...
"Let's get a compartment," said Sasha, who was beginning to bite her bottom lip impatiently.
Her words had just pulled Lily from her musing. "What?" she looked at Sasha a bit more bewildered than she had meant to.
"A compartment?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry- lost in deep thought back there," Lily said, her face a bit flushed as she followed the blonde.
"And I'm sure I know about whom-" she teased.
"Oh, Sasha!"
They lugged their trunks and Lily's owl behind them as they took a compartment. They stowed away the trunk and Zephyr and sat down. Sasha began to make small talk but Lily was barely listening. She was anticipating the sound of footsteps. Running footsteps. The ones of James Potter and Sirius Black, to be exact. Lily looked at her wristwatch. The train was going to leave any minute. They were going to MISS THE TRAIN! Didn't Potter have the slightest bit of sense?
They were moving. The train were really moving. Where were they? However, the train had only moved two or three yards when they abruptly stopped. Lily heard voices from the front of the train. Very angry voices, indeed.
"Next time, we will NOT be stopping the train!" she heard the conductor say. Then the train sped up again.
She detected the rhythm of two feet walking down the corridor. They were obviously dragging trunks behind them. Occasionally they seemed to stop and Lily heard compartments being opened. More voices and then the compartment closed, and the footsteps moved on. Finally, the footsteps stopped in front of their compartment and the door slid open. Sirius' head poked in.
"D'you have any room?" He asked, politely smiling at Sasha.
"Sure!" Sasha lightened up immediately.
"You have room for James, too, don't you?" asked Sirius, looking at Lily.
"Well-" Lily wasn't exactly sure whether she should say no since Sirius had actually given her a choice. But what if he had just asked out of politeness and was expecting her to say yes? Well, he had taken the time to actually ASK her, so wouldn't it be only fair if she said yes? But before Lily could make up her mind, Sasha replied.
"Of course!" Sasha said, still smiling brightly at Sirius.
"Thanks," Sirius opened the compartment all the way and quickly put his trunk up next to Lily's. James walked in and put his on the other side, next to Sasha's, as well as the cage for his owl.
Almost as if they had planned it, Sirius took a seat next to the ecstatic Sasha, while James plopped down next to Lily.
"You're pretty late, aren't you?" Sasha asked, turning herself partially to face Sirius.
Lily perked up and decided to listen in. She was very curious what they had been doing.
"Well," Sirius said, "James and I had some business to take care of before we left." He winked at James.
"What exactly..?" Lily tried to plaster an indifferent smile on her lips.
"Well-" Sirius started, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Ò-It had something to do with a certain CARETAKER...Ó said James, his eyes sparkling.
Lily and Sasha exchanged glances. "What do you think they did?" Sasha mouthed to Lily when Sirius and James started trying to hex their hair exotic colors. Lily shrugged her shoulders and watched Sirius and James instead.
ÒCapillus Anaranadus!Ó Sirius said, pointing to JamesÕ dissheveled black hair. Nothing happened.
ÒWere you trying to turn it orange?Ó Lily asked Sirius.
ÒErhm.. yes. Oh, well. I donÕt think orange would have suited you anyway, James.Ó Lily and Sirius chuckled lightly. ÒSo what are you planning this summer, McGovern?Ó Sirius asked, turning to Sasha. The two started a very lighthearted conversation about summer plans which left Lily and James sitting quietly next to each other.
ÒWhat are your plans, Evans?Ó James asked, wondering if she had forgotten about their meeting at Hogsmeade and the unpleasant incident.
Lily did not answer, only shot him a dirty look.
Apparently, she WASNÕT the forigiving type, James thought to himself. WouldnÕt she at least talk to him? He felt frustrated; here was his best friend, scoring big with the girl he was pining after, and here he was- the famous sought-after James Potter, rejected by Lily Evans more times than he could count. Was there something hopelessly wrong with him? Was he hopeless after all, like she had said? Maybe he should just ASK her why she was so angry with him. James sighed and stared at the ceiling of the train. Then licked his lips and swallowed.
ÒAre you still mad at me, Evans?Ó James twiddled his thumbs nervously.
Lily gave an exasperated sigh. Ò You spied on me!Ó Lily felt slightly guilty as soon as she had said it but comforted herself by noting that she hadnÕt actually MEANT to spy on them and overhear things; and besides, she had only overheard something about his friend, not him. She continued, ÒThen, when I tried to confront you, you ran off! Gave me no explanation, at all! And THEN, in the hospital wing, you acted like nothing had happened.Ó
"Ehrr... I'm sorry, Evans...."
She snorted in reply. "yeah, right," she muttered under her breath. She watched him, his coal-black hair disheveled in the back again and his robes looked as if he had just gotten out of bed and carelessly thrown them on without second thought. His skin was naturally rather pale, she observed. However, playing quidditch had tanned his arms and his face, too. He had a lean and athletic build, most definitely from quidditch. And Without a dout, he would be just a little less than a foot taller than she, standing up. But those eyes!- she looked at them again, only to find them staring curiously back at her.
"Evans?"
"I've told you before that you're just not my type," Lily remained firm.
"Why don't we make a truce, then? To just be friends?" James held out his large, square hand and Lily shook it hastily.
"Alright, Potter- friends."
"Did I just see what I thought I saw?" Sirius stopped his conversation with Sasha and turned to face Lily and James.
"Just a truce, Black. Nothing beyond that," said Lily cooly.
"Hopefully it'll be more than that, someday," James said, grinning from ear to ear.
Lily shot him another dirty look.
"Who's up for a game of exploding snap?" asked Sasha suddenly. She didn't wait for anyone to reply, but immediately got out her cards, shuffled, and passed them out. They played seven games of exploding snap, until Sirius and James started moaning about not wanting to play again. They tried to amuse themselves by looking out the window and counting certain things they saw.
Lily had counted thirteen flocks of geese, nine wild swans on sixteen various lakes, eighteen herons, twenty-eight solitary cottages, as well as one-hundred forty-six clouds by the time it was lunch. The four of them splurged their money on candy which they divided equally amongst themselves. Lily and Sasha ate just enough to feel full, but the boys stuffed themselves with candy until they felt sick.
Sirius and James were clutching their stomachs when Remus and Vanessa opened the compartment.
"Hi guys! How ar-" Vanessa stopped mid-sentence when she saw Sirius and James. "What happened?" chocolate frog cards were strewn on the ground and three half-opened bags of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans were lying next to James and Sirius.
"They splurged on candy. James said he could eat more than Sirius could- and well- you know..." Lily said, rolling her eyes.
"Ahh.. well-" Remus said. "We were wondering if anyone had a deck of cards- we're bored to death-"
"Didn't you bring cards, Sasha?"
"Yeah- do you want to borrow them, 'Nessa?"
"That'd be great! Thanks!"
"Sure," Sasha said, reaching to open her trunk and pull them out. As she finally got them, something else fell out of her trunk. A wand. Nine inches, made of ebony, dragon heartstring at the core.
Sirius sat up immediately, "My wand!"
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A/N: Hmmm... don't think that was one of my better chapters. I think it was a little long and tedious. Let me know, please, what you think- Click that button ^.^ !! Thanks!
Potterchick1: Thank you for your kind words!
Amandinka: Thanks for reviewing! What do you think of the fic so far?
Centaur219: Thank you! and thanks for reviewing me back- of course I'll return the favor ~_^
*______________________________________*
James Potter was in a rush. Actually, that was an understatement. He was feverishly trying to pack before it was time to go. However, he wasn't the only one. Sirius, too was running around the boys' dormitory trying to pack before it was it was time to leave. James was trying to use his summoning charm to put everything in his trunk, but he kept pointing his wand at the wrong things. Sirius, meanwhile was having trouble finding his wand.
"WHERE could it be?!" Sirius was now tossing all his robes, books, supplies, and pajamas carelessly on the bed, frantically searching for his wand.
"Try under the bed," suggested James who was rushing downs the stairs to the common room, trying to look for "The Advanced Wizard's Guide to Transfiguration".
"Moony, have you seen my wand- nine inches and made of ebony?" Sirius asked, walking over to Remus' four-poster.
Remus was sitting on top of the things in his trunk, in an effort to flatten them so that he could close his trunk. "No I haven't... Sorry."
"What's it look like?" asked Peter, as he closed his monogramed trunk and locked it with a dry click.
Sirius began to crawl under the beds. His voice sounded muffled, "It's rather short... dark and unusually thick-"
"Like you," said James, playfully. Sirius crawled out from under the four-poster and grinned back.
"Anyone remember that spell?" Remus asked, as he stood in front of his trunk. He had managed to close it, however, black robes were still poking out.
"Exactly WHAT spell?" Peter had started to drag his trunk down the stairs.
"You know- the one that makes everything light-"
"I think it's light enough in here, Moony," said Sirius.
"Light as in weight, Padfoot," responded Remus ," So we won't have to carry our trunks like that." He turned his face to Peter, who had now slipped and was sliding down the stairs on his stomach, with his trunk following him.
James immediately retrieved his wand from his pocket and pointed it at his trunk. "Levis Motus!"
"Why didn't you do that to MINE before I was heading downstairs?" whined Wormtail, clutching his stomach and groaning.
James ignored Wormtail. An air of agorrance was sorrounding James as he performed the spell on the cage of his owl and Sirius' trunk as well.
"Thanks, Prongs," said Sirius with genuine gratitude.
"What are you going to do about your wand?" asked Remus.
Sirius rubbed his chin in thought. Then he said lackadaisically, "I can always get a new one in Diagon Alley, can't I?"
Remus shrugged in reply as he performed the spell on his own baggage.
"Let's go!" called Peter from the bottom of the staircase. After Sirius had managed to quickly throw his clothes and books back into his trunk, the Marauders picked up their now-feather-light trunks and marched solemnly down the steps.
____________________________________
"So are we taking our usual compartment or what?" Lily was already walking down the aisle on the Hogwarts Express.
"Lily!" Vaness put her hand on Lily's shoulder, "Nadine and I were just talking about something-"
"What is it?" Lily looked imploringly at the tall, curly-haired brunette.
"Well, I know you're pretty keen when it comes to noticing small things so I'm sure you noticed that 'thing' going on between Sirius and Sasha the other day..."
Lily's lips turned up into a sly grin. "Of course I did. So, let me guess- instead of the four of us sitting together as usual you want to make sure she and Sirius end up in the-"
"-same compartment." they chorused.
"That's the plan," Vanessa said. "But, Lily- there's another part. You know how Sirius is best friends with-"
At this point, Lily's smile dropped. Vanessa continued, not discouraged.
"-Potter. And you know I can't make a decent conversation with either one... I like Remus a lot better. He's really nice and friendly. And Wormtail- well.. I'd still prefer him."
Lily sighed. "Fine, 'Nessa."
"Thanks a million, Lily!" Vanessa hugged her and walked down the aisle with Nadine following her.
Sasha came up behind Lily. "Where are they going?" Sasha wrinkled her brow as she watched Nadine and Vanessa enter a compartment.
"They said they have something important to discuss," Lily invented, as she worked hard to make her eyebrows furrow in that especially clueless way.
Lily wasn't sure what to do next. How do you guarantee yourself a compartment on the train with James Potter and Sirius Black? The only thing she knew was that they usually came running breatlessly and were always the last to board the train. They usually got the last compartment which Remus and Peter saved for them. But this time, Vanessa and Nadine were going to take those empty seats... Yes, Lily thought to herself, it would all work out perfectly...
"Let's get a compartment," said Sasha, who was beginning to bite her bottom lip impatiently.
Her words had just pulled Lily from her musing. "What?" she looked at Sasha a bit more bewildered than she had meant to.
"A compartment?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry- lost in deep thought back there," Lily said, her face a bit flushed as she followed the blonde.
"And I'm sure I know about whom-" she teased.
"Oh, Sasha!"
They lugged their trunks and Lily's owl behind them as they took a compartment. They stowed away the trunk and Zephyr and sat down. Sasha began to make small talk but Lily was barely listening. She was anticipating the sound of footsteps. Running footsteps. The ones of James Potter and Sirius Black, to be exact. Lily looked at her wristwatch. The train was going to leave any minute. They were going to MISS THE TRAIN! Didn't Potter have the slightest bit of sense?
They were moving. The train were really moving. Where were they? However, the train had only moved two or three yards when they abruptly stopped. Lily heard voices from the front of the train. Very angry voices, indeed.
"Next time, we will NOT be stopping the train!" she heard the conductor say. Then the train sped up again.
She detected the rhythm of two feet walking down the corridor. They were obviously dragging trunks behind them. Occasionally they seemed to stop and Lily heard compartments being opened. More voices and then the compartment closed, and the footsteps moved on. Finally, the footsteps stopped in front of their compartment and the door slid open. Sirius' head poked in.
"D'you have any room?" He asked, politely smiling at Sasha.
"Sure!" Sasha lightened up immediately.
"You have room for James, too, don't you?" asked Sirius, looking at Lily.
"Well-" Lily wasn't exactly sure whether she should say no since Sirius had actually given her a choice. But what if he had just asked out of politeness and was expecting her to say yes? Well, he had taken the time to actually ASK her, so wouldn't it be only fair if she said yes? But before Lily could make up her mind, Sasha replied.
"Of course!" Sasha said, still smiling brightly at Sirius.
"Thanks," Sirius opened the compartment all the way and quickly put his trunk up next to Lily's. James walked in and put his on the other side, next to Sasha's, as well as the cage for his owl.
Almost as if they had planned it, Sirius took a seat next to the ecstatic Sasha, while James plopped down next to Lily.
"You're pretty late, aren't you?" Sasha asked, turning herself partially to face Sirius.
Lily perked up and decided to listen in. She was very curious what they had been doing.
"Well," Sirius said, "James and I had some business to take care of before we left." He winked at James.
"What exactly..?" Lily tried to plaster an indifferent smile on her lips.
"Well-" Sirius started, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Ò-It had something to do with a certain CARETAKER...Ó said James, his eyes sparkling.
Lily and Sasha exchanged glances. "What do you think they did?" Sasha mouthed to Lily when Sirius and James started trying to hex their hair exotic colors. Lily shrugged her shoulders and watched Sirius and James instead.
ÒCapillus Anaranadus!Ó Sirius said, pointing to JamesÕ dissheveled black hair. Nothing happened.
ÒWere you trying to turn it orange?Ó Lily asked Sirius.
ÒErhm.. yes. Oh, well. I donÕt think orange would have suited you anyway, James.Ó Lily and Sirius chuckled lightly. ÒSo what are you planning this summer, McGovern?Ó Sirius asked, turning to Sasha. The two started a very lighthearted conversation about summer plans which left Lily and James sitting quietly next to each other.
ÒWhat are your plans, Evans?Ó James asked, wondering if she had forgotten about their meeting at Hogsmeade and the unpleasant incident.
Lily did not answer, only shot him a dirty look.
Apparently, she WASNÕT the forigiving type, James thought to himself. WouldnÕt she at least talk to him? He felt frustrated; here was his best friend, scoring big with the girl he was pining after, and here he was- the famous sought-after James Potter, rejected by Lily Evans more times than he could count. Was there something hopelessly wrong with him? Was he hopeless after all, like she had said? Maybe he should just ASK her why she was so angry with him. James sighed and stared at the ceiling of the train. Then licked his lips and swallowed.
ÒAre you still mad at me, Evans?Ó James twiddled his thumbs nervously.
Lily gave an exasperated sigh. Ò You spied on me!Ó Lily felt slightly guilty as soon as she had said it but comforted herself by noting that she hadnÕt actually MEANT to spy on them and overhear things; and besides, she had only overheard something about his friend, not him. She continued, ÒThen, when I tried to confront you, you ran off! Gave me no explanation, at all! And THEN, in the hospital wing, you acted like nothing had happened.Ó
"Ehrr... I'm sorry, Evans...."
She snorted in reply. "yeah, right," she muttered under her breath. She watched him, his coal-black hair disheveled in the back again and his robes looked as if he had just gotten out of bed and carelessly thrown them on without second thought. His skin was naturally rather pale, she observed. However, playing quidditch had tanned his arms and his face, too. He had a lean and athletic build, most definitely from quidditch. And Without a dout, he would be just a little less than a foot taller than she, standing up. But those eyes!- she looked at them again, only to find them staring curiously back at her.
"Evans?"
"I've told you before that you're just not my type," Lily remained firm.
"Why don't we make a truce, then? To just be friends?" James held out his large, square hand and Lily shook it hastily.
"Alright, Potter- friends."
"Did I just see what I thought I saw?" Sirius stopped his conversation with Sasha and turned to face Lily and James.
"Just a truce, Black. Nothing beyond that," said Lily cooly.
"Hopefully it'll be more than that, someday," James said, grinning from ear to ear.
Lily shot him another dirty look.
"Who's up for a game of exploding snap?" asked Sasha suddenly. She didn't wait for anyone to reply, but immediately got out her cards, shuffled, and passed them out. They played seven games of exploding snap, until Sirius and James started moaning about not wanting to play again. They tried to amuse themselves by looking out the window and counting certain things they saw.
Lily had counted thirteen flocks of geese, nine wild swans on sixteen various lakes, eighteen herons, twenty-eight solitary cottages, as well as one-hundred forty-six clouds by the time it was lunch. The four of them splurged their money on candy which they divided equally amongst themselves. Lily and Sasha ate just enough to feel full, but the boys stuffed themselves with candy until they felt sick.
Sirius and James were clutching their stomachs when Remus and Vanessa opened the compartment.
"Hi guys! How ar-" Vanessa stopped mid-sentence when she saw Sirius and James. "What happened?" chocolate frog cards were strewn on the ground and three half-opened bags of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans were lying next to James and Sirius.
"They splurged on candy. James said he could eat more than Sirius could- and well- you know..." Lily said, rolling her eyes.
"Ahh.. well-" Remus said. "We were wondering if anyone had a deck of cards- we're bored to death-"
"Didn't you bring cards, Sasha?"
"Yeah- do you want to borrow them, 'Nessa?"
"That'd be great! Thanks!"
"Sure," Sasha said, reaching to open her trunk and pull them out. As she finally got them, something else fell out of her trunk. A wand. Nine inches, made of ebony, dragon heartstring at the core.
Sirius sat up immediately, "My wand!"
*_________________________________________*
A/N: Hmmm... don't think that was one of my better chapters. I think it was a little long and tedious. Let me know, please, what you think- Click that button ^.^ !! Thanks!