Quick! Look! It's another update! I should take vacation time from work more often, huh? LoL. Okay, I'll keep this as short as I can this time. I DO have good news; yes I have my whole story planned out in my mind, I know where we are going at all times (so we're never lost) BUT, the next three, yes THREE chapters after this one- Totally worked out. In progress. Going through beta reading as we speak. I really should take vacation more often. LooL.
Liz • ::smiles:: Aw, I'm glad you liked the ending! Yes, of COURSE, I need my pokes and prods from you. Thank you, doll.
Julie • Aww!! I'm soo glad you got to read and you like it! Thank you! Gah, I blushed reading your review. LoL, well, hey, then I have a believable character! And yes, I know, thank you for the CC. I'm teeeerible at grammar and spelling; ask Liz. You should see it before it even goes to her. LoL. It's awful. ::hugs:: ::eats cookies and dances in confetti::
Sam • Aww! You doll! Thank you! (when you get here- ::wink::) That means a LOT ::is blushing again:: Aw, you can still do a back n forth ficcy, I'd love to read how someone else would do it. Luv ya!
Pia • ::laughs:: Gah, what would my life be without you? I don't want to know! Thank you millions! Luv ya, Crazy.
MeyaRose • Why thank you, Baroness. I'm glad my cliffy was good, then. Thank you!! ::sneaks some cookies to MeyaRose::
Kelli (with an i- aka Sugar Plum) • ::huge huggles and smiles:: I think you're the only one who's been okay with James and Kineta. LoL. But where's the drama in James just waiting around, huh? I like drama! Besides…::wiggles eyebrows:: Yes, that's all I shall say. And oo! Me too, I like nail polish. In fact, ::looks at toes:: I need to repaint my toenails.
JesserZ • Ohmy! How you made me BLUSH! Just…Eee! You gave me warm and fuzzy's. Thank you, you goose. I didn't even think about me having that much humor in here, after you said that, I ran off and asked my beta if I was, in fact, funny at all. (she laughed at me for asking that-Gotta love my Be-ta) Thanks, Jess! ::luvs n hugs:: Beep beep!
Rylee • Welcome! Thank you!! ::gives out cookies:: Aw, I know who you are, you have the Simpson's siggy, right? (I love that.) Wow, thank you soo much. I'm trying to make sure that nothing's really just…there for no reason. It's one thing I adore JKR for, so…with her as the obvious inspiration…LoL. And yes, I agree. I don't think Lily was any more perfect than the Marauders were.
Michelle • Shelly-Belly! Aww! Well, that was definitely sprinkles, marshmallows, and chocolate filled! Thank you! I made you cry?!? Aww! That's why I loved the idea of the back and forth, I thought it would make it way more dramatic. ::winks:: Yes, I know, Kineta and James…no one liked that. LoL. And the book reader…well…carry on, m'luv and read. does the chicken dance real quick
Cindy • I make you proud?!?!? ::tugs on leash:: Eeek! ::dances:: Oh, the fuzzys you give me. Thank you!! You really just don't know how much what you said means to me. Thannnk you so much. ::giggles:: Whenever I do any fluff scenes, I think of you and Erica. =)
Lydia • ::laughs:: WoW, poor Kineta, No one likes her! I don't understand, she's a sweet girl, really. Just your average sporty lil shy girl who's gone through a terrible loss at the same time James has. But…thank you Lyds. pokes I'm postin', I'm postin'!
Erica • Eee! ::super, extra fluffy huggles:: That was…just like…the best review ever in the history of reviews. You made me blush SO much you'd not be able to tell me apart from a fire engine, seriously. (and bring back Sirius! I need him! LoL) You are just unbelievable. And ::cough:: you are on to things, m'dear. You are so on to things. Very close. ::Pandora like smile:: Thank you so incredibly much for every word you say- it means so much. And yes- I'll have that James and autographed book for ya. Thank you so much for the compliments on my writing- it IS hard and, well, you know how it goes, the rewrites and hair pulling. Just. I can't thank you enough. ::showers with cookies:: And Psst, I told you, you'd review, you'd get a chapter. And this one's long!
Extra Shout out To Lizaloo: You gave my my 64th review!! Do you know how much that rocked my world?!?! (psst, 64 is like, the coolest number in the world) You just, you rock. Triple fudge THANK YOU to you, ::pokes:: for everything you do to help me with this. IF IT WAS NOT FOR LIZ- YOU WOULD NOT BE READING THIS! She's just…one of the coolest people in the world. ::winks::
Seriously—I need to stop here and give Liz credit. You all just don't understand- she's practically a co-writer on this, she does so much editing and working with me on it. Ideas back and forth- I can't begin to be satisfied with anything unless she's looked at it. I run to her for everything with this story- so, ::pokes n prods:: You are so my wind beneath my wing on this.
Alright. Minus author's note= 20 pages on word. ::Winks:: Also-- Fair warning- There are a few words, ::cough:: that are not so nice, I apologize to anyone who dislikes that sort of language. I only use it when it fits the purpose well. I didn't feel there were enough to up my rating, though. Okay.
On with the drama, my luvs.
::passes out popcorn and soda::
Chapter 9 – October 1976
"Friends and Foes"
Kineta's heart was racing as her lips met the soft and tasteful ones of James Potter. If it wasn't for the irresistible scent of James, she was sure the butterflies fluttering in her stomach would have caused an ugly mishap.
But as her mind melted into the feeling of the Marauder's unruly hair between her fingers, her body relaxed.
She was kissing James Potter.
. . . .
James gasped when he felt Kineta's lips on his own. He almost squirmed when she seemed to take this as an open invitation to deepen the innocent kiss. He hadn't kissed anyone in a while…he felt her fingers playing with his hair and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
What am I doing? He suddenly thought. Why am I kissing Kineta? She was…such a good friend to him…someone who understood what he was going through. She listened without question or worry when anger took over his body…she was his partner in leading the Quidditch team.
She didn't have flaming red hair or sparkling green eyes. She didn't have a temper and she certainly didn't hate him with a passion. She wasn't Lily Evans.
James pulled away from Kineta. He was almost breathless; she had made it so…passionate. Well, he'd had a part in it, as well; after all, he was male.
He watched as Kineta backed down off her toes. She bit her bottom lip and looked up to him, a face mixed with worry and lust. The longer the two looked at one another, the more worry overtook any sign of happiness.
"Kineta," James sighed, taking her hands into his own. "I…" he gulped, looking for the right words. The last thing he wanted to do was cause any pain for the already tortured girl. But he just wasn't sure. How could he be? Any remote form of a relationship he'd ever had in his short sixteen years had never meant anything. In the end, he couldn't completely open up to any girl because only one would ever really posses his mind fully. Too bad she wanted nothing to do with him.
It was Kineta's turn to take a nervous swallow as her hands let go of James's. She couldn't hide the disappointment from her face. What did I just do? She screamed inside her head. Here was this perfectly great guy willing to be her friend and help her though the worst time in her life and she goes and ruins it by kissing him? Of course he didn't have feelings for her that way…they were friends, they joked around, talked about the brains and beauties of Hogwarts. Besides, she hadn't had a boyfriend before, what would make her think James 'Quidditch hot-shot Marauder' Potter would be her first?
"James, I'm sorry," Kineta found herself saying. "I just…the moment--and you…"
"No, Kineta, don't apologize," James stopped her mumbling. "You just…caught me by surprise…th-that's all. I just wasn't expecting," he took a deep breath and grabbed her hands again. "I wasn't expecting for you to make a move like that."
Kineta formed a smile. He wasn't going into convulsions over the mere sight of her! He was just surprised! She giggled, "Oh, well…um."
"Prongs!"
James looked up when he heard his nickname yelled in a distraught sounding voice. He saw Remus coming out of the Fat Lady's portrait door; a grave expression on his face.
"Shit," James instantly got worried at what the latest news was going to be. He dropped Kineta's hands and ran off towards Remus, leaving Kineta to just stand there.
"James," Remus looked pale, his eye darting around the hall. "I-I found something…and it's just…I mean-- I don't-- James! Someone KNOWS!"
James glanced around the hall as he pushed Remus towards a corner near a statue. Kineta nodded towards him and headed back to the Common Room without them. James saw a few seventh years sneaking their way back into the Tower, too, as it was past curfew by now. They glanced over toward the two when Remus yelled, but had the sense enough to keep going rather than over-hear a Marauder's conversation that was obviously not meant to be over-heard.
"Moony, calm down," James told him. "Where's Padfoot?"
"Upstairs," Remus took a few deep breaths. "James…she can't find out."
"Who?" James looked at him quizzically.
"Oy! You found Prongs!" Sirius leapt out of the portrait door, equipped with James's Invisibility Cloak. "Let's find Wormtail and get started."
"Get started on what?" James eyed him.
"Our plans. Hey, Moony, what's wrong?" Sirius noticed the ill look upon Remus.
They heard snickering down the hall- more Gryffindors sneaking back in. James grabbed the cloak.
"Come on, let's got get Wormtail and head out. We can't talk here."
¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤
Lily shot up in bed. She was sweaty but cold. Something had woken her with a start, but she couldn't figure out what. It was dark. She glanced at the clock. It was just after one. She felt uneasy about something, but her mind, still drifting between sleep and consciousness, wasn't cooperating.
Lily pulled the curtains back and climbed out of bed. She stood there, in the dark, staring at nothing for a moment. Her eyes wandered and rested upon her roommates' beds. Everyone's curtains were drawn. She could just hear Audrey's quiet snoring.
Lily wandered to her window and looked out at the night sky. The rain had cleared, leaving a bright and endless array of stars. The moon was just visible over the Forbidden Forest.
She suddenly shivered. Backing away from the window, she bumped into her own nightstand, making her jump.
Get a hold of yourself, Evans. She scolded. She grabbed her fluffy olive green rob and slippers and headed out to the common room. She'd been reading a book earlier and left it downstairs somewhere. Maybe one of the Marauders was up and could sneak down to the kitchens for her.
Lily made sure to shut the dorm room door quietly not wanting to wake her fellow sleeping Gryffindors. As she started down the stairs, she heard talking and stopped. She knelt down behind the round pillar at the top of the stairs and peered around to see who it was.
Of course it was the Marauders. And it looked like they were sneaking back into the Tower.
She started to stand, fully intending on giving each of them a piece of her mind, especially Remus, a fellow Prefect, but she froze when she heard her name.
"I still don't think you have anything to worry about even if Lily knows," James said, as he threw down the cloak and fell onto the couch.
"Where's this book at, anyway?" Sirius asked, looking around the fireplace.
Remus sat down near James with a loud sigh, "It's still not something I want people to be randomly finding out. Merlin…I know she's trustworthy James, but still. You…you don't know how people will take…this."
"We took it fine," Sirius said, picking through books lying around.
"It's right there," Remus pointed. "Well, not everyone is like you, Sirius."
Sirius picked up a book, a book that looked an awful lot like the one Lily had been reading, and plopped down in an arm chair while Peter took to his usual floor position, "Well, why not? I'm a perfectly wonderful person."
James threw something at Sirius who made a barking sound back to him. Lily heard James mutter something back, making Sirius smile, Peter look anxious and Remus sighed.
"Moony, we've exhausted every possibility that there could be. I think Prongs is right. Even in the worst scenario, the most horrible thing you'd probably have to worry about is Audrey knowing," Sirius said. "And this isn't something you just go around telling people."
"Unless you're aghast that Dumbledore would let someone like me go to school here. And then you realize I could be a possible threat and I shouldn't be allowed here," Remus replied dryly.
James sighed, putting his head back, "Look, why don't we just get some sleep and worry about this in the morning. You don't even know for sure that she even suspects anything. She could just be reading it for…pleasure, like she always does. And you aren't even sure it was her reading it."
"I hope it was her and not some random Gryffindor," Peter said. "At least Evans, we know her."
Sirius chuckled, "You don't know Evans, Wormtail. Not even Prongsie knows Evans. Now…we never did get a direct answer; where were you all evening, James?"
"Out on the pitch, don't worry about it," James answered quickly. "Hey, what's that?"
Sirius looked at the necklace that had fallen out of the book and picked it up. "Aw, would you look at that? Who ever is reading this is a dog lover. Quite lovely taste, if I do say so myself."
"See, Moony, maybe they just have an interest in our pad footed friends," Peter shrugged. "All of them."
James sat up and squinted at the necklace, "I think Lily does have one like that. Pandora's mentioned something about a picture of a dog by her bed."
Sirius laughed and tossed the necklace at James, "You know too much, mate. Too much."
Remus sighed again as James chuckled and pocketed the necklace. Great, Lily thought, now he's got a piece of my personal property. Disgusting!
"Okay, seriously, Moony, you don't know for sure why she was reading this," Sirius said in a serious voice Lily was unaccustomed to hearing. "Besides that, even if she was on to you, I think Evans is a pretty non-judgmental person. Well, aside from any opinions about Prongs, here. I don't think she'd just assume anything."
"Well she does assume that I'm a terrible, conceited prat," James said bitterly.
Remus shook his head, "You are. Conceited and a prat, anyways."
Sirius laughed while it looked like James sulked some more. Lily cocked an eyebrow, happy to know that at least his friends saw him for what he really was too. She was still a bit confused as to what was going on- her sleepiness still hadn't completely worn off.
What had she been reading? It was a book about beasts in the Wizarding world…she remembered that much.
"Why are you so apprehensive that someone is going to find you out?" Peter asked. "First you thought Izzy knew and now Lily?"
"Whoa! Pete! Where'd you learn that big word?" Sirius poked fun at Peter.
Peter rolled his eyes and looked back to Remus.
"They are friends," Remus stated slowly.
"I thought they all weren't talking that much still," James yawned while speaking.
"But they are still friends. I mean, think about it, Lily is probably the smartest witch of our year, if not in all of Hogwarts right now. If Izzy suspects it, surely she'd go to her friend for help in figuring it out for sure," Remus rationalized.
"We're worrying for nothing," Sirius yawned, throwing a pillow at James. "Damn contagious yawns."
James stood up and stretched, "Either way, there's nothing we can do about it right now. I have to get up early and finish that damn charms essay."
"No wonder you're almost failing that class, Prongs. You do have to do your homework," Sirius teased his best friend as he followed James towards the stairs.
Peter sighed and followed the two bickering pranksters. As they walked up the steps arguing, they kept trying to trip each other.
"Oy, Moony? You coming?" One of them yelled as they tore off down the hallway, obviously chasing each other.
Remus stood and glanced out the window before following, yelling at them to be quiet.
Moony.
Lily stood. Why hadn't she put this together sooner? It all made so much sense now.
Her body fully awake now, she ran down the stairs and grabbed her book. She flipped through the pages till she found one that looked familiar.
Not that page, she flipped a few more. There, Werewolves. Lily reread the few pages. It all fit. Everything. For as long as Lily could remember, he disappeared every once in a while, he always looked pale and weak when he returned; scratched up and bruised. And of course, back when they'd talked about werewolves in DADA, he'd known a lot about them. He never offered the information though; he had to be called on. He also knew a lot about the moon and its phases when they'd discussed that in astronomy.
Remus Lupin, the man she thought she fancied, was a werewolf?
¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤
Lily couldn't get back to sleep that night. She kept thinking of all the signs she'd been missing for the past five years. Well, he had done a rather decent job at hiding it; an amazement considering who his friends were.
When morning came, and the girls were climbing out their beds, ready to start their day, Lily was still lying in her own bed, curtains drawn, staring at nothing. She heard the others go in and out of the bathroom, complaining about unfinished homework, their hair, and how hungry they were; Lily still never stirred.
Eventually, as it was starting to get late and she was getting very hungry, Audrey decided to find out what was wrong with Lily. In one rushed motion, she pulled back the hangings and was ready to pounce on her best friend to wake her when she found Lily's green eyes were staring right back at her, fully awake.
"Why haven't you gotten up?" Audrey looked at her confused. "It's time for breakfast."
"Aud," Lily pulled Audrey to her bed and spoke in a hushed voice. "I…I know something that I don't think I should know."
Audrey nodded, "Okay. That's usually fun, the reason behind gossip you know. So? What is it? Out with it."
Lily looked around the room and noticed the last one left was Isadora who was currently in the bathroom.
"I've been reading this book about beasts in the Wizarding world, right?"
"Yeah?" Audrey's eyebrows rose. What was her friend on about now?
Lily took a deep breath, "Well…I think, no, I'm pretty positive that there is a beast amongst us. Like…in Gryffindor."
Audrey looked at Lily as if she were insane, "What are you talking about? There are no beasts in Gryffindor, Lily."
"Audrey, I'm serious. Think about the characteristics of…say a werewolf."
"Okay," Audrey thought a moment. "No one howls at the full moon…except maybe Sirius when he's had too much butter beer, or whatever they spike it with."
Lily sighed, "Doesn't Izzy have…ohmigosh."
"What? Doesn't Izzy have a what? Lily, did you have a strange dream or something?"
"Doesn't Izzy have an uncle who's a werewolf? She'd know the signs then, right?" Lily's hand was hovering over her mouth. Did Isadora think the same thing? Was that why she was always around Remus? She had heard Peter say that Remus had been paranoid about Isadora knowing something as well.
Audrey thought about it, "Nah, she's got some uncle who is mentally retarded or something. I don't remember her saying she's got a beast for an uncle. Isn't that why she wants to work at St. Mungo's?"
"No…Audrey, I'm right. I know I am," Lily told her.
Just then, the bathroom door opened and Isadora come out. She walked to her bed and gathered her things, humming some muggle song under her breath.
"Well, let's ask her, I'm sure I'm right," Audrey told Lily.
"Hey, Izzy, can I ask you something?" Audrey waved Isadora to Lily's bed.
Isadora grabbed her bag and walked over to Lily's bed, "Sure, what's going on?"
"Don't you have an uncle that's mentally…well, not right?" Audrey asked.
Isadora smiled, noticing Lily's blush at the possibly awkward question, "Well, he's not really mental nor is he really my uncle. He's this wonderful old man; he was a wizard that didn't have any family left once the war was over fighting Grindelwald. My dad found him and he'd been messed up by the Cruciatus curse while fighting. My dad took a liking to him and brought him home. He wasn't so bad that he needed to stay at St. Mungo's, but affected enough that he really couldn't take care of himself, either. So my grandparents took him in. But I've always loved him like an uncle. Why?"
Audrey gave Lily an 'I-told-you-so' look, "I thought that's what you had said. Lily here thought you had an uncle that was a werewolf."
Izzy looked around the dorm. Noticing no one else was around, she nodded, "I did. He…passed away when I was eleven, not long before I came here. Uncle Tad." Izzy's face turned somber. "He was my favorite uncle; the most kind and gentle man. He saved my mum's life when she was pregnant with me, that's why my name is Isadora."
Lily's face expression was unreadable as Audrey shrugged, "Oh, wow…I'm sorry to hear that he passed then. You know what? I am starving. Let's get to breakfast, already."
Audrey jumped off Lily's bed, grabbed her things and skipped her way out of the dorm. Isadora still stood there, looking at Lily, trying to read her expression.
"That's how most people take it. Not so bad since it's not me and he's dead, but they still…stay away once they know," Isadora said quietly.
Lily swallowed, "You said he was the most kind and gentle man?"
Isadora smiled reminiscently, "Yeah. He'd always take my cousins and me out for picnics. Taught us how to ride broomsticks before we were supposed know, even spells. And he always had the best bedtime stories, fairytales of every kind. And whenever something was bothering you, he was just that type that you could talk to. He'd listen and never judge you. He was killed, in a small village in Africa. He had been visiting an old friend when he transformed. His friend's wife freaked out…ran out screaming, waking up the whole village. Uncle Tad's friend couldn't do anything…he couldn't control Uncle Tad…"
"Izzy, I'm so sorry," Lily stood and gave her a hug.
"Yeah, well, you can't change society, can you?" Isadora hugged her back. "Why all the questions?"
Lily sighed, "Oh…just…it's nothing. I'm sorry that we intruded into your personal life."
Isadora looked at Lily intently, "Lily…I was kind of getting the impression that you have a crush on someone…that maybe I've stepped in your way?"
Lily's eyes grew wide and she blushed. Isadora had to know! If she went from talking about her Uncle Tad to talking about Remus- she'd put Lily's connection together.
"Um…do you…I mean-"
Isadora sighed, "Do you like Remus, Lily?"
Lily sat back down on her bed, "Isadora, I think you two would make a really great couple. I…I don't think that I'd have a chance, besides, he's a Marauder and we all know how I despise them."
Isadora sat next to Lily on the bed, "Is he why you're asking me all these questions?"
Lily looked into Isadora's eyes, "Do you think he's…?"
Isadora shrugged, "Well, it was a thought that has crossed my mind, but…you see, it's a really scary thing, you know? To be one. I mean, my uncle has so much criticism and he could never hold down a job…having to leave once a month…and then if it was found out why. I mean…Remus is one of the sweetest men I've ever met…just like my uncle was. And all the evidence fits, don't you think?"
"I think he knows."
"He knows what?" Isadora looked at her.
"That we know or that we think we know."
"How do you know that? Remus and I have talked at length and this subject has never come up. I haven't wanted it to, to scare him or anything."
"Do you like him?"
"A lot."
"He found the book I was reading last night…bookmarked on the werewolf page…and last night I couldn't sleep so I was going to go and get my book when the Marauder's were downstairs…I overheard them talking."
"And they think we know?"
"Sort of," Lily glanced at the picture of her beloved dog on her nightstand, thinking of her necklace that now James Potter had in his possession. "I think the others were just thinking that Remus was paranoid, but…we do know."
"This isn't something that scares you, is it, Lily? I mean, you aren't going to go around and…tell people, are you? Did you tell Audrey?"
"Oh, no!" Lily reassured Isadora. "I mean, it's not my business to tell and…Remus has been nothing but kind and sweet to me. He's a really good friend. I can't imagine him being…harmful."
"He's not," Isadora said. "Remus is not harmful…his werewolf form may be…but my guess is that's why he disappears every month, the full moon? Why the other three go with him, I don't understand. Even though he's him, in his werewolf form he's not going to recognize a friend from a foe. And I can't figure out where he goes."
"Have you thought to ask him?" Lily asked her.
"Oh, Merlin, no. Like I said…his lycanthropy is probably why he's such a timid person. If I asked him…I'm sure he'd over-react and…well, I don't know."
Lily smiled, "You really do like him, don't you?"
Isadora smiled back, "I do. And I don't care if he is a werewolf. Uncle Tad was my most favorite person in the world- and Remus is so much like him. Only…well he's Remus." The girls giggled at the thought of how good-looking the Marauder was. "Hey, Lily?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry for all the things I said at the beginning of the year. I was really mean."
Lily shrugged, "You were just being honest, though. I understand that now. I couldn't be luckier to have an honest friend. I'm sorry I took it so…Lily like."
Isadora laughed, "I wouldn't have wanted you to take it any another way, really."
Lily smiled, "Did you know they call my informative explanations 'Lily Lectures'?"
Isadora started laughing so hard she had to clutch her stomach. Lily did not find this quite as amusing as Isadora seemed to and hit Isadora with a pillow.
"Lillian, seriously," Isadora smiled at her. "I think that if you knew all the nicknames the Marauders have for you, you might have a reasonable explanation to tell me why you hate them so much."
"WHAT?" Lily looked shocked and angry, her cheeks flushing.
Isadora couldn't stop laughing, "Lily, it's only because James likes you so much. So Sirius likes to pick on you, too! And Peter, he just goes along with it because they do. Remus just…well, he doesn't approve, but he's not going to stop them when he knows that even the angriest attention James receives from you is good enough for him."
Lily growled, "I hate him! The prat. And Sirius too! Why was I cursed with those two to be around me?!?"
Isadora, still laughing, stood from the bed, "Come on, let's get to breakfast. You want me to wait for you while you change?"
Lily sighed, "No, class is going to start soon. You go on. I'll catch up with you later."
"Alright," Isadora winked. "Thanks Lily."
"For what?" Lily looked at her friend as she grabbed her robes to head to the bathroom.
Isadora just smiled, "For being Lillian Evans."
Lily wasn't quite sure what that had meant, but she smiled anyways.
¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤
The day of Halloween finally arrived with much anticipation from the students at Hogwarts. Halloween made the day fun, even with the classes. From the ghosts acting out their stereotypical roles in scaring and Peeves having just an ounce more fun- the Muggle-borns telling stories of past Muggle Halloweens to the magnificent feast in the Great Hall- it led to one of the most prized days at the school.
This year held no exceptions. Even the professors seemed a little more light-hearted (more than likely due to the recent events outside of Hogwarts), and let the students off with light work that day.
And, of course, no one had more fun on Halloween than the Marauders. Left and right, backwards and forwards, they were unleashing pranks like the world was about to end. Not a single student got away without being, at the very least, a witness to a prank. They even succeeded in getting a smile, albeit a small one, out of Professor McGonagall.
Yet, Sirius was still insisting that the school had seen nothing yet. He hadn't let the other three in on his plans, but promised a fun-filled evening.
When the feast finally arrived, even those who'd been attending Hogwarts for years gaped at the fashionably decorated hall; the flying jack-o-lanterns, the cobwebs, the real bats flying around the creepy-clouded sky-for-a-ceiling, and, of course, the food.
Without a doubt, the Marauder's plates were filled with all the goodies available. Everyone was in light-hearted spirits, talking and laughing with their friends. Everyone seemed to be getting along; even the awkwardness thrown between certain people was forgotten, if only for a short time.
"Hey, Evans," James called down the table. "Do you think you could transform my goblet into an apple?"
The boys snickered, and Sirius, noticing the anger seeping into Lily's eyes, decided to add his own comment, "I wouldn't ask her, mate, she might miss the goblet and turn you into a worm."
"Sod off, you arsehole," Lily growled back at the two.
Sirius and James exchanged a look of accomplishment and Kineta poked James in the arm.
"That was mean," she told him only slightly annoyed, as she did have a small smile.
James laughed, "Nah, nothing's more fun that rattling Lily up a bit."
"Come on, mates, finish up the grub, we've things to do," Sirius stated, suddenly seriously.
"I'm afraid to ask," Remus groaned with a look to James who shrugged.
"We've only received two detentions all day- I think they're asking for it," James winked. "Hey, Peter, are you going to eat that last Pumpkin Pastie?"
. . . .
"Gah! I can't believe they still have not let that go! I am not all that bad at Transfiguration! And for goodness sake, it happened last week!" Lily grumbled. She rolled her eyes as she picked up her own goblet to take a drink. Realizing what was in her hands, and that Potter and Black were snickering at her again, she slammed it back down.
"Lily, relax, enjoy the feast," Audrey coaxed her. "Forget them for one night."
"Right, Aud, easier said than done," Lily sighed.
"Lily, it's Halloween, let's do something crazy tonight after the feast," Greta suggested.
Lily's eyebrows rose, "Like what? Greta, I'm a Prefect, you know I'll be busy stopping people like them from doing crazy things."
"FORGET Black and Potter," Audrey rolled her eyes. "If I can forget Sirius for one night in order to spend it with my ladies, then I think you can manage to forget the two prats you detest the most."
"Wait, Aud, you said that like something is going on between you two," Isadora looked at Audrey.
Audrey blushed, "Yeah, I wish. Still, I'm not thinking about him tonight. So, Greta, what did you have in mind?"
Greta shrugged, "I dunno. I was hoping one of you would have an idea. Maybe we could hang out with the Marauders? I'm sure we'd have an unforgettable evening then?"
"No," Lily said, harshly. "I will NOT hang out with them. I mean, I have things to do! In fact, I should head to the library pretty soon."
"Lily?" Isadora passed her a look. "Maybe they'll be done pranking and just sit around with us in the Common room."
Lily swallowed, "Hmph…we'll see. In the meantime, I do need to find something in the library. See you guys in a while."
Lily didn't wait for a response and quickly headed out of the Great Hall. The three girls exchanged curious glances.
"What's been wrong with her these past few days?" Greta asked. "She's been very…edgy."
Audrey sighed and shrugged, "I'm not sure. She won't tell me anything. I think she had some dream the other night. She woke up all in a fret."
Isadora cleared her throat, "You know, she's just stressed. What, with Transfiguration giving her problems and us, always bugging her…Prefect duties…the usual."
"The usual?" Greta laughed. "The girl just needs to have some fun."
"She does!" Audrey stuck up for her best friend.
Greta winked at Audrey, "I meant some real fun. Now if you girls will excuse me, I'm going to go see if I have a chance at having some fun myself later this evening with Gaspard."
"Gaspard Shingleton? That seventh year boy in Ravenclaw?" Audrey giggled. "You get him, tiger."
. . . .
Just as Lily was heading towards the library, the Marauders were headed out of the Great Hall. Sirius still hadn't told them what this prank was, but he was very excited about it. It'd be the prank of all pranks, so he said. No one at Hogwarts would forget this Halloween for years.
They were just a bit behind Lily, apparently heading to the same place. Sirius was thinking as he walked, a feat in and of its self for him, while James and Remus were discussing the almost completed map. Peter, following along as always, was the one to notice the Slytherins who'd cornered Lily in the hall.
"Guys," Peter tapped James on the shoulder and pointed.
"Damn wankers," James muttered under his breath. "Hey, Snivellus, did you find some friends?"
"Ah, Potter," Severus Snape turned to face him. "I suppose you and your nasty little sidekicks think you're off to pull another prank?"
"It's not like they can do anything else," Walden Macnair chuckled. "Evans here won't give Potter the time of day. Or night." He added, snickering unpleasantly.
The other Slytherins laughed, James rolling his eyes towards Sirius as they both went for their wands. Bellatrix Black noted the movement.
"Aw, my filthy little cousin wouldn't be thinking of hexing us, would he? Charming us, perhaps? Or having Evans transfigure us?" She joked.
"I'd suggest you all get to where you were going," Remus took a step closer, his Prefect badge shining bright.
"Ooh, I'm shaking in my boots now," Rodolphus Lestrange chided. "Two Gryffindor Prefects threatening us."
"Yeah," Regulus Black chuckled. "One Mudblood and a half."
"Why don't you leave them out of it, and we'll have a talk, Reggie?" Sirius suddenly was in Regulus's face.
Severus rolled his eyes at the sibling fight ensuing and looked back at Remus, "And when do you plan your monthly little trip? Hasn't it been a while since you've had to leave?"
James stepped up then, "Get the fuck out of our faces, Snape."
"Or what, Potter?" Snape snarled. "Are you going to whip out your broom and chase me away?"
James didn't hesitate to knock a full blown punch into Snape's face. He was beyond hexing now. Everyone, including Sirius and Regulus, froze and looked at what was going on.
Snape, shocked from the blow, crouched down, holding his nose. James took the opportunity to kick him, forcing him to fall to the ground. James heard the squeak of Lestrange's shoes, beginning to come to aid for his fellow Slytherin. James looked up and pointed his wand towards him.
"Take one step closer. I dare you," James glared.
Rodolphus cackled, "And what is Potter going to do? The way I hear it, if it wasn't for some half-blood fifth year, you'd have failed half your classes this term. Are you still a little sad over the summer events, Potter?"
Lily let out a small whimper in her corner, forgetting for a moment that she was a courageous Gryffindor. The sparks that flew out of the wands lit up the darkened hall. Lily lost track of which spark belonged to who- the Marauders and the Slytherins were in a full-blown duel.
Except for Snape.
Lily didn't see him amongst the trifle. She was looking up and down the hallway, wondering where he'd gone, wondering why no one else seemed to be coming down the hall…wondering what exactly she, as a Prefect- as a Gryffindor Prefect- should do.
"What's wrong, Evans?" Bellatrix sneered at her. "Scared?"
"Of you?" Lily scoffed. "Please."
Bellatrix pointed her wand at Lily, but Lily muttered a charm so fast that Bellatrix hardly had a moment to think of an incantation; her wand went flying into the air, hovering above Bellatrix just out of her reach.
Lily next pointed her wand and muttered the same charm towards Walden Macnair. As wands started to hover, Lily heard the rushed footsteps of Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Medeia, the Potions professor and head of Slytherin.
The fighting stopped as soon as the three adults were spotted. James moved to the side and pushed Lily to leave, muttering something about trusting him under his breath.
Lily, seeing the damage that had been done and the pushy stares coming from James and Remus, snuck off as quickly and quietly as she could.
"Just what is going on here?" Professor Medeia shouted, Dumbledore putting out his hand to quiet her.
"I told you, Professors, they were ganging up on us, their idea of a prank, I suppose," Snape looked fiercely at James.
"We weren't ganging up on them," Sirius argued. "They started it."
"And just what did they do to provoke this nonsense?" McGonagall asked impatiently, embarrassed at her house.
"With the charmed wands in the air, I'd not believe that story," Prof. Medeia growled.
James and Remus looked at one another, realizing they had no provocation with Lily having fled now. Dumbledore looked around at the group, his eyes resting on James.
"Perhaps it's best if everyone heads back to their house common rooms. James, I'd like to see you in my office, please. Professors, would you be kind as to accompany us?" Dumbledore spoke.
James sighed, put his wand back in his pocket and began following the Headmaster to his office. Why is he singling me out? He thought. He looked back to his mates, who all had sour looks upon their faces.
McGonagall ushered the remaining Marauders to the Gryffindor tower, reminding them that if they were found out of the tower without permission they'd be facing serious consequences. Medeia simply scowled at the Slytherins and pointed towards the Dungeons.
. . . .
"Now what?" Peter asked, falling onto a couch. Most of the students were still in the Great Hall enjoying the feast.
Sirius, who looked the most upset by all this, kicked the end table, "This is shit! Why'd we get in trouble? Why'd Dumbledore take James to his office? We have the match this weekend! He can't take James out!"
"Padfoot, settle down, we don't know anything yet," Remus reminded him.
"All this because they were surrounding Evans?" Peter rolled his eyes.
"That better have been more of a statement rather than a question, Wormtail," Sirius eyed his friend. "A Slytherin was obviously messing with another student, Evans or not. Besides, all that shit they said?! They deserved every spell that hit them!"
"Which I don't think was much. The worse damage was done by Prongs when he punched Snape," Remus sighed. "That's why James had to go to Dumbledore's office."
"The slimeball deserved it," Sirius sighed, finally sitting down.
"Well, we all get what we deserve, don't we?" Peter mumbled as students started flowing into the common room.
. . . .
"James, would you care to explain why you insisted upon punching Mr. Snape?" Dumbledore asked, as the four sat in his office.
James sighed, looking at his feet he answered, "He just made me lose my temper, saying stuff, that's all."
"Mr. Potter, we do not use violence as a way of settling things in this school-" Professor McGonagall started.
"Nor do we use magic in the hall ways or outside of classrooms," Professor Medeia interrupted.
James swallowed, waiting for the inevitable punishment to come.
"Professors, I shall leave it up to you on how you will each punish those in your houses that were involved, I will, however, be forced to take fifty points from both houses. "
"Fifty points from Slytherin?" Medeia was not happy about this at all. "My students, Headmaster, were cornered!"
"That, Professor, may or may not be true, however, they did fight back," Dumbledore reminded her. "Now, if you will excuse me, Mr. Potter and I need to have a talk."
Both Professors nodded curtly at the Headmaster and left his office. James fumbled with the candy in his pocket, waiting for Dumbledore to tell him he couldn't play in the upcoming game.
"James, I understand that you are going through a lot at the moment, and I do understand that you and Mr. Snape detest each other- but it is not your place to fight in the halls of Hogwarts," Dumbledore spoke gently.
James nodded his head, silently waving his white flag on this one.
"I feel that there is more to this than you care to share with me? Perhaps, another involved?"
James looked at the old man, not understanding how he always knew, "Um, look- the other person, they didn't do anything; if anything they were trying to stop us."
Dumbledore smiled, "Very well. An additional twenty points from Gryffindor for you bad choice of judgment, James. However, five points will be awarded back for courage to," he winked. "Stand up for what you believe in."
James just looked at the headmaster with utter disbelief. That was it?
"Go on, now, I do encourage you to stay within the confinements of Gryffindor Tower for the evening, and I shall see you tomorrow evening, here, for your detention? I wouldn't want the other three to think you got off that easy," he winked one last time before standing.
"Yes, sir," James nodded and scrambled out of his office.
Never in a million years, would James understand the Headmaster.
. . . .
"What?" Sirius was still outraged. "We get a weeks' detention and lose fifty points because of them and you get a detention with Dumbledore and lose fifteen points? It wasn't our fault!"
"Sirius," Remus sighed.
"THEY RUINED MY NIGHT!" He yelled at his friends. "THOSE DAMN SLYTHERINS WILL PAY FOR THIS!"
"Was it really that big of a deal, Padfoot?" James gave his friend an annoyed look. "We'll pull the prank another time."
Sirius, from the look on his best friends face, calmed down just a bit, "It's more than that, Prongs. Just…never mind."
Sirius left the Common room and headed up to the dorms. Snivellus was going to pay. It was he that had turned them in, he that had set them up, Sirius just knew it. He was playing on James' losses, his desires…this was his best friend that they were messing with.
Sirius smiled. I'll get him back in such a way that he'll never even think about following us around again.
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