Chapter Seven: Prank Kings of the Fifth Year

Upon arrival at Hogwarts, the Marauders (they had figured out how to become an Animagus over the summer) set their first plan into action.

"Padfoot, you know what to do," said James, smiling. Sirius smiled back and head towards the kitchens,

That night at dinner, their first prank of the year became evident—suddenly all the Slytherins had billywigs inside of their food, which had just been transfigured from the Fizzing Whizbees. Dumbledore sighed, turning the Slytherins' food back into the normal feast—with a side touch of Fizzing Whizbees and butterbeer.

"I apologize for Mr. Black's arrogance. Now we may eat!" said Dumbledore, and Sirius sulked.

The fifth year passed quite quickly, to say the least. OWL exams were coming up, so the teachers were putting more and more work upon the students. But you could always trust Sirius and James to lighten the mood. At the Halloween feast, all the Slytherin boys were suddenly only clothed in towels, and the girls in a robe.

Before Christmas, James had found out the password into the Slytheirn Common Room. On Christmas Eve, they got into the common room and used their excellency at Transfiguration to their advantage: they turned all of the gifts into shampoo and dog food.

Around Valentine's Day, James had heard that Lily was meeting up with Snape. To make sure that Snape showered before being seen with Lily and actually cleansed himself, he got into the water pipe area and changed all the water into shampoo and conditioner. It was impossible not to have heard Snape's scream when the 'water' had touched his skin—after all, Mr. I-Never-Clean-My-Hair needed his reputation to remain intact! When Snape showed up in Hogsmeade, however, it wasn't Lily he went to—it was a Slytherin girl. Lily was with Remus!

Chapter Eight: Deaths

"REMUS?!" exclaimed James upon seeing them together in the Three Broomsticks. They both flushed a deep scarlet.

"Hello," said Remus finally.

"Can I talk to you Mo-Remus?"

"Sure. Be right back Lily," said Remus, as James pulled him aside.

"Why are you here with Lily?" James asked him once they were out of earshot of Lily.

"I remember that a guy is allowed to go out with a girl," Remus responded.

"Yeah, but not when his best friend happens to li—oh, nevermind."

"Yes, mind. What were you just about to say?"

"Nothing!" said James, stalking out of the Three Broomsticks.

Remus returned to Lily.

"What was that all about?" she asked him.

"I don't know—James has been acting strange lately," said Remus, looking away.

"Are you another prat who just thinks I'm too stupid to pay attention?" asked Lily, hurt.

"No, I just think James may have an itsy bitsy crush on you, Lily."

"What rubbish," said Lily, as she grabbed her books and walked out.

That night in the common room, James had found out that Remus and Lily had been doing nothing else than a bit of innocent studying,

"Moony, you know how I feel about her. Please, PLEASE, resist the temptation I know she gives off and leave her for me?"

"I did nothing besides study with her, Prongs. Calm down."

James couldn't help but feel there was more than innocent studying going on.

The next few months flew by eventless—until the eve of the Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL exam. Lily received a letter that night.

Dear Miss Evans,

We regret to inform you that your mother has passed away after her many months of being in a coma We offer our dearest sympathies, but must also add in that your father seems to have gone with her. Your sister has been sent to a Muggle boarding school, but the consequences for you are not as bad.

You have a great friend out there Miss Evans, named Vanessa Prewitt. Her family has agreed to take you in until you get out of your schooling and are old enough to live alone.

Your mother has left her house to you, along with her fortune, and your father has left his money to you and house to your sister Petunia.

With Sympathy,

The Ministry of Magic

At least twenty five people were signed underneath.

Lily's eyes swelled up, tears forming within them. She wanted to cry, but she didn't dare—not when James Potter could easily find her and make fun of her for it, making her day even worse.

Lily was in the common room at the time and was unable to move her legs. As she started to cry into the pillow, she heard voices coming in the common room.

"Quiet!" said one, and Lily recognized the voice—Remus'.

"Is anyone in there?"

Lily quickly curled up, hiding underneath the blankets.

"Someone's here, I can feel it."

"Who then?"

"Evans. COME OUT EVANS!"

"She's not here, come on just take off this damn cloak," came Sirius' voice, and soon four bodies materialized in the common room: James', Remus', Sirius', and Peter's.

Three of the boys hurried right up the stairs, whereas one of them stayed. Lily suddenly felt a huge lump sitting on top of her…