~*~Chapter 15~*~

Lily resumed going to classes the next day and the whole school was grateful for their renewed friendship. It was getting old watching the 1st years most popular people always fighting.

Surprisingly, by May, the four of them were on top of all their classes by many points again. The boys didn't have to work hard, but Lily was so far behind that she had to resort to drastic measures. She did unendless extra credit and many of the teachers liked her so much that Lily convinced them that during the past months, she was mentally delusional because Sirius hit her over the head accidentally, causing her to forget to take her medication prescribed to her by her psychologist. They all accepted her story and let her do all of her bad work over again.

The brilliant form of persuasional mind tactics earned her a spot in their secret mischief-making club, Lambda Epsilon, for which she received an induction ceremony.

"Lambda Epsilon? What's with the Greek letters?" She asked.

"Some weird American thing called a Frat." Remus said.

"Yeah, it's a Frat-nerdy," Sirius added.

Lily snorted and laughed, knowing it was a Fraternity, in which girls were not allowed, but she thought it too funny to correct him. "Is that so?"

"Yep!" He replied proudly, not realizing how stupid he sounded as Lily continued to laugh.

~~~~~~~

"Oh my gosh, Remus. I can't believe this class! Talk about Snore Central." Sirius complained in Professor Figg's Care of Magical Creatures class. "Lily told me to behave or else, and I'm trying my best...but I don't think I can handle listening to her drone on and on."

"You're telling me. This weeklong 'special' on muggle animals is more than I can stand. I didn't know cats could possibly be so boring!"

Remus and Sirius eventually hid copies of 'Quidditch Through the Ages' in their textbooks. James, on the other hand, decided to engage in a more entertaining game.

Hey Lily. He wrote on a piece of parchment and passed it to her.

She rolled her eyes upon receiving the note. Hey James.

So...Lily...doing more extra credit work?

The kept writing back and forth.

No. I'm presently trying to listen to Professor Figg, unlike someone I know.

Oh. Ok. DId you have a good breakfast?

This question caused Lily to give him a strange look. Uh...sure. My eggs weren't quite fluffy enough and the crumpets needed more sugar.

I'll tell the chef.

You do that.

How'd you sleep last night? No nightmares?

Lily scowled when she read the idiotic question. He was causing her to miss parts of the lesson. What the hell are you playing at Potter? Just tell me what you want to tell me. It's over obvious that you're stalling.

Geez. No need to get profane.

James Potter, if you don't either spit it out or stop writing me notes all together, I'll personally see to it that it'll get knocked out of you.

Fiesty today, aren't we?

I'm warning you. You're treading awfully close to No-Man's-Land.

Alright. Point taken. Do you like Snape?

Professor or Student?

Severus Snape

Ok. Do I like him in what way?

Now looks who's stalling!

Will you just answer the question!?

Fine Lily. Don't go psycho on me. Do you like Snape as a friend?

Of course I do.

WHY!?

Lily laughed at how outraged he looked. Because he was nice to me when you guys weren't.

BUT HE'S A SLYTHERIN!!!

So is Peter. And besides, they're not contagious.

But he's a Snape! Son of Professor Snape! Friend and ally of Malfoy! Mortal enemy of Lambda Epsilon! And above all, the biggest moron ever!

Lily could barely restrain herself from laughing. You're loony.

Well, onto the next question, which is so vile that if you anwser yes, I may be forced to strangle Snape with my bare hands. - Do you like him as a boyfriend?

Lily stretched her leg across the table and kicked him.

"Owww!"

"Mr. Potter! Miss Evans! What, may I ask, is the meaning of this?" Professor Figg snapped. "Give me that, please."

"Oooooooooooooh!" The whole class taunted.

Her eyes scanned its contents. "This has got to be the most brainless waste of time I have ever read. And I'm sure neither of you paid much attention to today's lesson, so in that case, you will remain here after class to take a quiz on the material we covered. Detention will also be served tonight from 8 to 10."

"Ma'am, I can't come to your dentention," James said.

"And why is that?"

"I have one scheduled already for Professor Loritz."

"You seem to have a knack of getting yourself into trouble. Well then, both of you will serve me detention on Saturday afternoon."

"But that's the final Quiddicth match! Gryffindor against Slytherin!"

"Nevertheless, you will be here cleaning out the cages of these animals. I'll be sure to go to the game to give you a thorough report." With that, she returned to teaching.

"Nice going, smart one!" Lily whispered angrily to James, who looked like he could have cried.

Saturday came and the whole common room emptied to go to the last Quidditch game of the season which would determine who got the Quidditch Cup.

"Be sure to tell me everything that happens!" James begged.

"We will pal," Remus promised.

"Ever detail down to the last whack of the bludger." Sirius added.

"Thanks. Well, we'll see ya in 2 hours," he said as Lily dragged him in the direction of Prof. Figg's class.

"Good afternoon students!" The teacher said cheerily.

"Afternoon, Professor. This day isn't worthy enough to be labeled as 'good'."

"Indeed. I put all the muggle cleaning suplies on that desk over there. Miss Evans, you're muggle born. I'm sure you know how to use them. I placed an anti-magic charm on this room, so no wands. The door is also charmed to let you out in 2 hours time. Now, I must make my leave. I can't miss the Quidditch match! Ta ta!" And she left.

"What a prat. Could she have rubbed it in even more?"

"Possibly. Let's get to work," Lily suggested.

"Fine. I'll start with the rabbits while you begin with the snake."

"Snake!? No way Potter!"

He laughed. "It's only a gardener snake! They're harmless...I think."

"Then YOU get the reptile while I take on the cute little bunnies."

"NO! I am not touching that thing!"

"So you'd rather have me do it? You're impossible. We'll do the snake together."

"Have it your way. I'll start with the parrot then, but not before planting some handy-dandy Zonko's products in her desk."

"James, when knowing you're coming into their classroom, any sane teacher would lock everything up. Plus, we don't have the use of our wands."

"How amateur do you think I am? Numero uno, Figg isn't sane and is muggle-born. She locks her drawers with a key, not a spell. Numero dos, there's more than one way to shave a Hippogriff. May I?" He plucked a bobby pin out of her hair and started picking the lock on her desk.

"Very impressive. I can't believe you know a muggle trick! Good job on the miniscule bit of Spanish as well."

"Why thank you. Now, if you don't mind, please be quiet so I can hear this lock."

"Yes sir!" And she worked on the rabbit cage, which really smelled foul.

In 5 minutes, James had a drawer open. "Take a look at this!" She sighed and walked over to him. "It's not every day a teacher has a polyjuice potion locked in her classroom, don't you think?"

"I guess, but maybe she's experimenting to see if she can make it work on animals."

"Lily, unless you work in a certain part of the ministry and have a license for it, that's illegal. I think we should tell the headmaster."

"NO! Then he'd know we were snooping around in her stuff."

"You're right. Let's just forget we found it."

"Good idea." Lily agreed and they got back to work.

Two hours later, just after putting the last bit of hay in the hampster cage, they heard the door unlock.

"Yes! We can go!" James yelled, dropped everything, and pulled Lily out of the room. "Finally we get to go watch the Quidditch game!"

"James! Slow down and put your brain into gear!" Lily panted. "Have you not noticed that the while school is here!?"

He halted and looked around. "The game's over?"

"Looks that way Sherlock."

"Who's Sherlock?"

"Nevermind. Let's just go back to the common room"



"WHAT HAPPENED!? WHO WON!?" James yelled upon walking through the portrait hole.

Sirius and Remus ran up to them. "No one won."

"What do you mean no one won!?" He was furiuos.

"The two seekers were in a steep neck-to-neck dive for the snitch, then just as we had it, Madame Hooch blew the whistle!"

"Why?"

"Four cloaked people were walking along the field aiming curses at all the teachers!"

"And Tristan Hitt broke his broom across his knee and is trying to drown himself in the locker room showers."

"The game is going to rescheduled, right?"

"No. All the teachers are going crazy and running around frantically. Your dad's here James, to take the cloaked people to the ministry to be questioned. Apparently, their goal was to kill Dumbledore."

"No Quidditch Cup this year? We were about to win!!!" James locked himself in the dorm and started hitting the walls.

The whole school was in an uproar about there being no Quidditch Cup, especially the Gryffindors who were seconds from winning it. They hadn't won the cup in 10 years and this could have been the end of their losing streak.

Everyone quieted down in a couple of days. That was, until the Daily Prophet announced more news...



"Yes! My first issue of the Daily Prophet!" Lily shrieked as her owl, Viggo, dropped it in front of her. "I was hoping Daddy would suscribe me!"

"Why do you want to read the newspaper?" Sirius asked, bewlidered.

"Why wouldn't you?"

"It's so boring!" Remus said.

"Quite the contrary. It can be very interesting. Plus, there's comics."

"OOH! First dibs on comics!" James said excitedly.

"Here ya are. Peanuts and Garfield are my favorites."

"Peanuts? It must be a muggle comic, but Garfield's in here. A muggle-born wizard created it and submits it to both magical and non-magical papers." He read Garfield which was on the top. "This dog of his is so stupid! What's his name? Odie! He keeps falling off the side of the table." The three boys were cracking up.

Lily saw the front headline of the paper and gasped. "Oh my gosh! Guys! Look at this! 'Ministry Officials Attacked'!"

"Attacked!?" James shouted, worried about his father.

"Shh. Let me read it to you.

This past Monday at 3:18PM during a secret meeting of high-rank aurors, there was a massive attack.
Sources reveal that there was a flash of orange light and a short, violent earthquake followed my the appearance of 9 cloaked persons, attempting to curse the aurors who fought back couragously. It is believed that these terrorists were after confidential documents and the life of Head Auror and Minister of Magic, Carson Potter."

She stopped and glanced over at James whose eyes were wide with fear, then continued.

"The aurors fought and captured 6 of the 9 and were immediately questioned and sent to a life sentence in Azkaban. Unfortunately, 3 got away and there is reason to believe that 1 is a man and 2 women."

She was going to keep reading, but Dumbledore stood to make an announcment and everyone went quiet. "I am sure many of you have already heard about yesterdays unfortunate events, but I am happy to say that no one was killed and only one hurt. The wounded person was one of the terrorists." James breathed a sigh of relief. "The ministry has everything under control, due to amazing dueling and logic done by Minister Potter. Also, I will be temporarily teaching your Care of Magical Creatures Class as Professor Figg has left urgently to tend to a terminally ill aunt. Now, you may return to your meal. Thank you."

"Good! Figg's gone! No more muggle animals!" Remus cheered.

"Good for you! I had a couple questions about my extra credit work I needed to ask her." Lily sighed.

"Do you never stop working?" said Sirius.

"Occasionally. At least I don't good off and get detention thrice a week."

"We count on you to keep us somewhat in line."

"Emphasize the 'somewhat'. Anyway, you shouldn't be jumping up and down with joy that she's gone."

"Why not?" inquired James.

"Because she left to nurse her dying aunt. It isn't a time for celebration."

"Awww...Lily. You ruin all the fun with your psychological persuasion," Remus wined.

"It's more popularily known as common sense," Lily replied dryly.

"You know pals," James clapped them on the back. "I really think that's what we're lacking."

Lily rolled her eyes as Ashley and Kristy laughed merrily from down the table.

~~~~~~

Before they knew it, it was the middle of May and all the students were receiving their results from the end-of-term exams.

Professor McGonagall was handing them out to all the Gryffindors and stopped when she got to them. "Evans, Potter, Lupin, and Black. Professor Dumbledore and I would like to meet with you in his office."

"Yes Ma'am," they said and follewed her into the hall.

They made sure they were a ways behind her before whispering.

"Why didn't she give us our scores? Maybe we did really bad," said James, hoping that wasn't the case. His father would murder him.

"Maybe she noticed that we didn't study," Remus thought outloud.

"YOU DIDN'T STUDY!?" Lily bellowed.

"No. None of us did. We didn't need to...at least, we didn't think we needed to."

"I can't believe you all! You're senseless."

"Yeah, well that's coming from someone who's been studying for end-of-term exams since the term started!" Sirius pointed out.

"Well, I wanted to be prepared!"

"And you think we're crazy? Pff..."

"Students! Please keep up!" McGonagall scolded.

They soon arrived at the gargoyle statue and entered the headmaster's circular office.

Sirius shivvered violently. He did not like this room one bit. It held the one memory and act of stupidity that he knew would haunt him forever. When he saw the phoenix, he wanted to kill it on the spot; it was because of that bird that he saw the elixir in the first place. But, no one needed to ever know that.

Lily felt him shake. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm good," he lied.

"I'm sure you know why I have asked you four to come here," Dumbledore said.

"Because we didn't study for our exams and got really bad grades," said Sirius.

Dumbledore laughed as McGonagall's eyes narrowed. "You didn't study!? That is very irresponsible...yet...scarily unbelievable!"

"How is that unbelievable? This is James, Sirius, and Remus we're talking about here. I don't think I've ever seen them study." Lily smiled.

"Yeah, and Miss Brilliance here has been preparing since January." Remus told them.

McGonagall smiled crookedly, then started chuckling. It was the first time any of them had ever seen her display happiness.

"What's so funny?" James asked curiously, looking at Dumbledore. He was so old and was laughing so hard he thought he was going to have a heart attack.

"Merely the fact that Miss Evans has been studying since January and that you three, who didn't study at all, got the highest scores I have seen in a long, long time!"

"WHAT!?" They all shouted.

"Yes, that is correct. You have some of the highest marks I have ever seen. Your combined average is 106%...except in Potions which is a 92%. Why is that?"

"Because Snape is out for our blood and illegally changes our grades," Sirius blurted out our hypothesis before thinking.

Lily elbowed him, but the headmaster just chuckled.

"But, I am willing to overlook that slightly low, yet still remarkably high score. I have a proposition to make."

"And what's that?" Asked Lily.

"If you and your parents agree, I would very much like it if you all would accept the privelage of skipping your second year."

They gasped.

"As in, go straight to third year in September?"

"Yes, Mr. Lupin. I feel I would be wasting a year of your life if I denied the fact that you are very brilliant and gifted children and need to be challanged more."

Lily looked as though she had inherited a library, been declared ruler of the universe, and had discovered a spell to make everyone speak Spanish. Her parents would be so proud of her and she would be able to flaunt her smarts to her dreadful sister.

"So, I want you to give these letter to your parents when you return home so they don't think this is a joke and just owl your reply as soon as you can. Understand?"

"Thank you Professor Dumbledore!" They were so excited and started jibbering as soon as they left his office.

"This is so awesome!"

"Wicked!"

"Starting June 1st, we're third years, baby!" James yelled, feeling as if he had won the Quidditch Cup.

"Should we tell everyone?"

"Naw...Just Peter, Kristy, and Ashley. We'll surprise everyone else."

As soon as the portrait hole was in view, Lily, who had been skipping down the corridors, blurted out the password and sprinted up the stairs to her dorm.

"Kristy! Ashley! Guess what! Guess what!!!"

"What happened?"

"My grades were really high, meeting with Dumbledore, I need challenged, I'm skipping second year!" She said at the speed of light.

"English please?"

"I'M GOING STRAIGHT TO THIRD YEAR!!!"

They hugged her as hard as they could.

"Isn't it great?"

"It's wonderful, Lily! I always knew you were a genious!"

She laughed. "Thanks Ashley. James, Remus, and Sirius are skipping too! I'm so happy!"

"WOW!"

"But...Lily? Since we're not coming up with you and won't be rooming with you anymore...you won't forget us will you?" Kristy asked.

"Forget you? Of course not! How could I? I'm not moving to a different country! I'll see you all the time except during classes."

"Ok! As long as we still stay friends, I give you my permission to do it." Kristy grinned.

"Kristy, she would have done it with or without your permission." Ashley giggled.

"Too true, but at least not, she won't feel eternally guilty."

"Yah...I'm sure," she teased.

"Just don't tell ANYONE! You're the only ones other than Peter who know." Lily begged.

"We're honored to be the keepers of your important secret!"

"Thank you!"

~~~~~~

Lily did nothing for the next couple of weeks except hang out with Kristy and Ashley. She knew that no matter how hard she tried, they wouldn't ever be as good as friends as they used to. She couldn't keep the inevitable from occuring.

All too soon, the hundreds of students were boarding the Hogwarts Express to return home for the summer holidays.

"Can you believe our first year is already overwith?" Sirius asked, munching on candy in the last compartment.

"I can. These were some of the most miserable months of my life with the huge fight and Lily almost dying. Yet, the other months were also the best of my life." James said.

"I'm just glad I'm alive and able to see the Hogwarts Express again. Although, being in a coma was kinda cool...endless dream land."

"Please don't say that. It was awful for us."

"Oh ok. Just eat the candy slower. You'll end up choking on it and I'll feek responsible."

"We'll try, but no promises."



An hour later, the train stopped and they stepped off and ran to hug their parents, whom they hadn't seen for a whole year. Lily saw Petunia in the car and grinned. This had been a great, action-filled year and the summer would be even better. The boys would be coming over and staying with Lily and would bring bags of Zonko's stuff to prank Petunia. She couldn't wait!