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Chapter 5: If the World Should Stop Revolving

James couldn't help smiling as Lily came breezing into the common room, whooping. Remus was right behind her, his face glowing with the same joy.

"What's the occasion, Evans? You're oddly happy today," James drawled.

"She perfected some practice problems Vector gave us," Remus put in excitedly.

"You did, Lily? That's great!" Sirius exclaimed. The Marauders all knew about Lily's Arithmancy troubles.

James high-fived her. "Way to go, Evans! This definitely calls for a celebration. How 'bout we grab some butterbeer and sweets?"

Lily knew about the Marauders' secret passageway, though she had never used it. Remus had once revealed that secret to her.

"That sounds terrific," she said. "On one condition."

"What's that?"

"I'm coming along."

"No."

"Why not?"

"It's dangerous, Lily. If we get caught, it'll be the end of us," Sirius explained seriously.

"I won't get caught. I'm just as capable at sneaking around as you boys."

"It's very difficult!" Remus tried once more to dissuade her. "We've gotten into some bad scrapes ourselves."

"I'm in a euphoric, risk-taking mood today. Let me take a crack at it. I won't slow you down, promise!"

The Marauders huddled together.

"Should we?" Sirius whispered.

"We-ell, Lily has proved she can take care of herself quite well," Remus admitted.

"All in favor?" James summed up the discussion.

They all nodded slowly.

"But you all know what we have to do. If anything happens--we keep to the code," Sirius concluded.

"Alright, Evans, you can come," James muttered grudgingly. "But this is at your own risk. This is an every-man-for-himself operation. Once you fall behind, you stay behind."

Lily, Remus, James, and Sirius stopped in front of a statue of a one-eyed old witch.

"OK, this is the entrance to the passageway to Honeydukes," Sirius intoned. "We will enter this old crone's hump. Then we will slide a considerable way down on a stone slide to land upon damp, cold earth, so please don't try this if you're a neat freak or obsessed with your hair. We will thereafter go through a twisting and turning tunnel until we reach some hundred or so stone steps which will lead us to a trapdoor (watch your head) and into the cellar of Honeydukes. Got all that?"

"Let's rock and roll," Lily replied.

"Best stay close to us, Lils. We don't want you getting lost," Remus added.

James tapped the statue's hump with his wand. "Dissendium!" he declared.

Instantly, the hump slid open. James hopped in, followed by Sirius. Remus helped Lily in, and then slid down after her. Lily had just picked herself up off the ground when Remus came sliding out, inadvertently knocking her over. He landed directly on top of her instead of in the dirt.

For one long second the world stopped. All Remus could see were Lily's green eyes and all he could fathom was that she was so very close...

"Whoa."

Remus came crashing back down to earth. He quickly jumped off Lily, then extended his hand to pull her up. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Oh, I'm alright," she said, rubbing the back of her head. "At least I don't think anything is broken."

Sirius and James were standing with their mouths hanging open. Remus and Lily stared at them until they seemed to come back to their senses.

"Oh, um, OK, let's move," James finally commanded.

"Whoa," Sirius said again.

They trekked through the long passageway, which was very dark. All of them had their wands out and emitting light. At last, James paused before a set of steps.

"This is a pretty exhausting climb. Are you quite positive you're up for this, Evans?"

Lily nodded. "I'm game."

"All righty, then."

They began the long ascent up to Honeydukes.

AN: My thanks to:

Dei- Thanks. Me glad you think so. :)

Miss Lady Padfoot- Yeah, I love making Jamesie all funny and jealous! :) It's very entertaining. Thank you! :)

Silvarius- Thanks! :) I'm glad you thought they were in character.

MutantJediBauer- Yeah...I happened to remember seeing him on TV when I wrote this chappie, so I decided to use him. Very cool guy. Thanks! :)

Haunted Shadows- Oh, it did, it did...a teeny bit. :)

Lindsey- Aw, I'm touched. :)

Carmel March- Thank you! :) Glad you think so! :)