Chapter 4- The first true rumour
James had been waiting at the barrier of platform 9 and 3/4 for about 30 minutes. He was waiting for Lily. Everytime he saw a flash of red his heart skipped a beat. And finally after at least half the school had gone past him, he saw her. She was chatting away to her parents as they helped her push her trolley.
She smiled wildly when she laid her eyes on James. He stepped forwards and shook hands first with Mr the Mrs Evans.
"I would just like to thank you for hospitality over the summer." James started. The Evans both smiled noting how much better James now presented himself. "I would not have gotten through this hard time with out your support. Please allow me to treat you to dinner at Christmas. I will be staying at my sisters."
"Why James, that is a lovely offer. We would be delighted to attend. Lily such a fine young man you have here. No lees than what she has told us, mind you." Mr Evans said merrily.
"We're so glad you're feeling better dear." Mrs Evans smiled.
"Thank you. Now let me take Lily's things." James insisted. He kissed Lily on the cheek and waited for he to say her good byes. She hugged and kissed both parents in turn. For some reason she didn't want to let go, she had a strange feeling of foreboding and was very hesitant as to leaving them.
"Don't worry dear, we'll see you at Christmas. James do treat her well."
"I wouldn't treat her any different." He replied leading Lily through the barrier to the awaiting platform. "So where's the others?" Lily questioned James as he loaded he things onto the train.
"They said they'd meet us in our usual compartment." James replied. "You know the end one? Us boys have been meeting in there since our first year." He explained after sensing her confusion.
"Ow." She smiled "I never knew."
"You mean I haven't told you the story?"
"Nope." They had reached the compartment. "Hey Prongs, Pongsette." Sirius greeted, "What's up?"
"I was about to tell Lily about the day the marauders were formed!" James stated proudly puffing out his chest.
MEMORY
"On the very same date 7 years previous, a little boy stumbled onto the train. He was 11 years old and it was his first year of wizard schooling. His oldest sister would rather associate with the dirt on her shoes then help him find his way and his other sister offered to help him but he didn't want to be a nuisance. So he went and settled himself in the very end compartment of the train hoping to go UN noticed. This however didn't last. As 5 minutes later a boy with sandy coloured hair came in.
"Mind if I join you, only I don't know anybody?" Remus Lupin said. James of course agreed. They sat and talked for a while finding they had a fair bit in common. It was a few hours later and James had gotten his exploding snap cards out.
*BANG! * They laughed at each other's singed eyebrows.
"So have you learnt any spells yet?" Remus asked. James' eyes lit up mischievously.
"Just a couple of *COUGH* hexes." Remus arched an eyebrow and smiled, his eyes twinkling.
"Hexes hey? I know who to stay friends with then."
*BANG* the boys looked down at the cards- they were still in tact? Then they realised that it was the door swinging open. A small boy ran in squealing, swearing on Merlin's beard. Another boy came in chasing him. He muttered a word pointing out his wand and the small boy began this time squealing with laughter.
"Locamortor!" James said pointing his own wand at the second boy, who fell to the floor, arms and legs pinned to his sides.
"What the hell do you think you are doing, chasing that poor little boy in.. BLACK?" he muttered the counter curse.
"POTTER?" They grinned simultaneously and embraced each other in a brotherly hug.
"I thought you got shipped off to Durmstrang!" Sirius said.
"And I thought you were off to BEauxbatons!" James replied in a mocking tone.
"Nah." They both laughed, glad to know someone- their best mate.
"Sirius, this is Remus Lupin. Remus, this is Sirius Black. Believe me you 2 will get on well! And what's up with you?" He rounded on the small boy.
"The little critter thought it would be funny to tell Snape about the dungbomb I hid in the hood of his robes. Then he set off the wet start fireworks in my hand. Hence my less than perfect appearance. Mind Snape got a face full too!"
"Snapes here?" James growled, Sirius nodded.
Then James grinned. "If you can prank Black, my mate." He turned back to the small boy. "Then you can prank anyone! Welcome to the group! What's your name?"
"Peter Pettigrew!"
And thus the Marauders were formed!
*MEMORY END*
The guys and Lily chatted for another few minutes, and then James jumped up grabbing Lily's hand.
"I just remembered, we get our own compartment. Let's go check it out!" He pulled her from the back of the train all the way to the front, like a child excited for Christmas. They ran down the long corridor screaming and giggling in their element. This of course attracting allot of attention. James was once again to be the gossip of Hogwarts, this time though Lily was accompanying him. No doubt everybody of magical heritance had read the daily Prophet and James had been a headliner topic in it quite a few times over the holidays. What everybody wanted to know was- How did James have a girlfriend? Most still thought he was gay. The problem was, nobody could find him. He wasn't in his usual compartment and the train was unusually quiet. Normally there would be screams and shouts- and that was just from them pranking the Slytherins.
Meanwhile in the head compartment Lily and James were having a great time. James was obviously wrong in thinking it couldn't get any better then being a prefect. In this compartment there were 2 sofas facing each other, a table in the middle, filled with all sorts of goodies. But mainly sweets. Out the window, instead of the usual countryside they were under water. They could see mer people, grindylow, Black Kappas and all other types of fish, from Muggle to magical. There was even one which changed colour to camouflage itself to it's surroundings. On the back of the door was a poster of all the Hogwarts rules and the heads duties. And finally there was a clock against the wall. On the face it read; "We're at Hogwarts!" on the 12 O'clock place. Then round it, it said "Relax and chat." "Check the rules", "Discuss this years plans", " Check the prefects list", "Patrol the hall", "change into Hogwarts robes". The hand changed to what they needed to do, when they needed to do it. Also at the base of the clock laid two watches. They had on them; "time for bed" on the 12 O'clock position, then "Everyone up", "Class in 5 minutes", "Patrol corridor", "assist professor..." and by this a little symbol standing for each subject would show up. "Hold meeting" and "Assist Dumbledore" One watch had "James Potter" Was inscribed in the middle of the face and the other had "Lily Evans". They put them on.
Lily began to read the notice on the back of the door whilst James decided to make good use of the sweets and tucked right in. After a good 5 minutes he lost interest and began to round on Lily. He walked up slowly behind her.
"Surely you know those rules off by heart by now?" He whispered, enjoying scaring her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leant his head against hers. "You know you are so beautiful." He told her, moving a hand up tilting her chin towards him.
"Why Mr Potter, you aren't trying to seduce me now, are you." Lily asked teasingly.
"Of course not, Miss Evans. Would I do such a thing?" He paused then whispered "Is it working?" Lily smiled mischievously and pulled him to the couch.
"No." She whispered, yet moved closer towards him. Lily was now sitting on James' lap.
"It's not working then?" He asked seriously, "Then how about if I told you, you were the most gorgeous thing I ever laid eyes on?" He once again placed a hand under her chin and pulled it towards his face gently.
"No, still not working." She whispered very gently. Closing her eyes. He leant in till their lips were just touching. Lily pulled away smiling like the Cheshire cat.
"Mr Potter, Tut tut tut." She said smoothly touching her lips where his had just touched, then placing the same finger lightly on top of James' lips. He kissed it lightly, the gently rose his hand up to it and placed both on her cheek.
"You know, playing hard to get just makes me want you more." He breathed.
"I know." She smiled, moving back. But too late, he had pushed her backwards and began tickling her mercilessly.
"OK. OK. I give!" She shouted. "Kiss me already!" James smiled triumphantly and leant over her kissing her sweetly on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his strong neck and deepened the kiss. This was the closest the couple had ever been to each other. James was taking in all of Lily's sugary sweet scents.
"Maybe we should, err, cool down a little." Lily said after a few minutes of kissing.
"Yeah, your right." James gave her a final kiss and got up reluctantly, straightening himself out. He sat on the opposite couch and picked a notepad up. "So... ER... What do you want to arrange for the school then?" he asked. The clock on the wall changed to "Discuss this years plans".
"Well..." Lily started. "We have the leaving ball to arrange. Then threes Hogsmeade, we need to decide when the trips should be. And finally there are the additional plans we should have. What do you think?" James looked at her blankly.
"Sorry, I'm finding it hard to concentrate." Lily grinned and was about to reply when she was cut off by a loud voice.
"WE WILL BE ARRIVING AT HOGWARTS IN 5 MINUTES"
"Oh my gosh, I need to get changed. You don't mind if I get changed in here do you James?"
"Not at all." James said getting up and heading for the door.
"You don't have to leave." Lily smiled. James turned round grinning.
"I don't do I?" He asked.
"No... as long as you face the wall!" Lily replied cheekily. James had a lopsided grin.
"Too much temptation I'm afraid my dear." He left the compartment and headed down the corridor to his friend's compartment. He left the compartment and headed down the corridor to his mate's compartment.
"Ah so Romeo returns does he?" Sirius joked. "All alone in a compartment that nobody else could get into? (Believe me I tried) I wonder what you two got up to?" he said sarcastically.
"Well wondering is all your going to be able to do, isn't it! Cause I'm not going to tell you." James replied. "I've come to get changed and to see what you guys are doing."
"Well we haven't pranked one single student today and it all your fault!"
"You don't need me!"
"Well Moony doesn't feel like it and Wormtail is off with Crystal.again! Even if he was here he would probably muck it up anyway." The boys continued arguing whilst they got changed. Well it wasn't really an argument- just a playful one. Then when the train came to a halt they got off and James met Lily. Together they pointed little lost first years towards Hagrid, reassuring them that he would not eat them (as a certain 7th year * cough * Sirius had told them). They stopped a Griffindor 2nd year and Slytherin 3rd year from cursing each other to pieces. They also had to make sure that no one slipped out of the station and into Hogsmeade itself. James mainly took care of that one as he knew every trick in the book (Yes the "PG"- "The Marauders Mahusive Mischief Making Prank Guide!" I do hope nobody has forgotten what that is! Cough. I didn't.) They made sure that every student was in one of the carriages and they grabbed the final one which had waited especially for them. James noticed that instead of the normal horseless one, there was and enormous winged creature pulling it. From his care of magical creatures grade 7, which he had briefly glimpsed, he knew it was called a Thestral. He knew that Thestrals could only be seen if you had witnessed someone die (He hadn't been made head boy for nothing) His mothers death came flooding back to him for a second, but Lily grabbing his hand pulling him into the carriage made him forget.
They entered the great hall emerged deeply in conversation, not noticing when they entered the hall had fallen silent looking at them.
"POTTER!" someone shouted, snapping James out of the conversation.
"What?" James shouted back. He looked away from Lily to the source of the yell. It was coming from the Slytherin table.
"Why are you holding Evans hand?" Rabastan Lestrange, a 7th year Slytherin who was sitting next to Snape, pried.
"That is what one usually does with their girlfriend." He replied sarcastically.
"A Potter going out with a Mudblood!" Lestrange laughed. "Ludicrous!" James growled.
"Don't let him provoke you." Lily whispered effectively calming him.
"Anyway." Rabastan piped up. "A very reliable source convinced me that you were gay!" The whole hall went silent. It was obvious that the whole school didn't know who the believe. Even with Lily hanging from James' arm and all of the current news paper articles.
"Ok," James started grimly. "I just want to clear this up once and for all. I never have and never will be gay! That was a nasty rumour spread by some conceited idiot who couldn't take rejection!" He looked pointedly towards Gillian who looked down. "I am however dating miss Evans here and have been for over a year!" As if to prove his point he kissed Lily lightly on the lips.
She beamed up at him. "And to top it off, I would like to take 5 points from Slytherin as Mr Lestrange insulted both the head boy and head girl, using offensive language at the same time." He turned his back on the rest of the hall and led Lily to the seats at the Ravenclaw table by her friends, then left her for his mates at the Griffindor table. All the occupants of which were clapping.
The rest of the feast went quite smoothly, minus a few pranks from the Marauders. ("What it's not my fault Snape looks like a gorilla? I didn't mean to drop that potion into his goblet on my way to the bathroom?" Sirius defended himself. Obvisly he wanted to show the school that eve though he had been away nearly 4 months, which he was still at large!) And after brief congratulations from Dumbledore, James dropped Lily off to the Ravenclaw common room and headed for his own Griffindor one.
James had been waiting at the barrier of platform 9 and 3/4 for about 30 minutes. He was waiting for Lily. Everytime he saw a flash of red his heart skipped a beat. And finally after at least half the school had gone past him, he saw her. She was chatting away to her parents as they helped her push her trolley.
She smiled wildly when she laid her eyes on James. He stepped forwards and shook hands first with Mr the Mrs Evans.
"I would just like to thank you for hospitality over the summer." James started. The Evans both smiled noting how much better James now presented himself. "I would not have gotten through this hard time with out your support. Please allow me to treat you to dinner at Christmas. I will be staying at my sisters."
"Why James, that is a lovely offer. We would be delighted to attend. Lily such a fine young man you have here. No lees than what she has told us, mind you." Mr Evans said merrily.
"We're so glad you're feeling better dear." Mrs Evans smiled.
"Thank you. Now let me take Lily's things." James insisted. He kissed Lily on the cheek and waited for he to say her good byes. She hugged and kissed both parents in turn. For some reason she didn't want to let go, she had a strange feeling of foreboding and was very hesitant as to leaving them.
"Don't worry dear, we'll see you at Christmas. James do treat her well."
"I wouldn't treat her any different." He replied leading Lily through the barrier to the awaiting platform. "So where's the others?" Lily questioned James as he loaded he things onto the train.
"They said they'd meet us in our usual compartment." James replied. "You know the end one? Us boys have been meeting in there since our first year." He explained after sensing her confusion.
"Ow." She smiled "I never knew."
"You mean I haven't told you the story?"
"Nope." They had reached the compartment. "Hey Prongs, Pongsette." Sirius greeted, "What's up?"
"I was about to tell Lily about the day the marauders were formed!" James stated proudly puffing out his chest.
MEMORY
"On the very same date 7 years previous, a little boy stumbled onto the train. He was 11 years old and it was his first year of wizard schooling. His oldest sister would rather associate with the dirt on her shoes then help him find his way and his other sister offered to help him but he didn't want to be a nuisance. So he went and settled himself in the very end compartment of the train hoping to go UN noticed. This however didn't last. As 5 minutes later a boy with sandy coloured hair came in.
"Mind if I join you, only I don't know anybody?" Remus Lupin said. James of course agreed. They sat and talked for a while finding they had a fair bit in common. It was a few hours later and James had gotten his exploding snap cards out.
*BANG! * They laughed at each other's singed eyebrows.
"So have you learnt any spells yet?" Remus asked. James' eyes lit up mischievously.
"Just a couple of *COUGH* hexes." Remus arched an eyebrow and smiled, his eyes twinkling.
"Hexes hey? I know who to stay friends with then."
*BANG* the boys looked down at the cards- they were still in tact? Then they realised that it was the door swinging open. A small boy ran in squealing, swearing on Merlin's beard. Another boy came in chasing him. He muttered a word pointing out his wand and the small boy began this time squealing with laughter.
"Locamortor!" James said pointing his own wand at the second boy, who fell to the floor, arms and legs pinned to his sides.
"What the hell do you think you are doing, chasing that poor little boy in.. BLACK?" he muttered the counter curse.
"POTTER?" They grinned simultaneously and embraced each other in a brotherly hug.
"I thought you got shipped off to Durmstrang!" Sirius said.
"And I thought you were off to BEauxbatons!" James replied in a mocking tone.
"Nah." They both laughed, glad to know someone- their best mate.
"Sirius, this is Remus Lupin. Remus, this is Sirius Black. Believe me you 2 will get on well! And what's up with you?" He rounded on the small boy.
"The little critter thought it would be funny to tell Snape about the dungbomb I hid in the hood of his robes. Then he set off the wet start fireworks in my hand. Hence my less than perfect appearance. Mind Snape got a face full too!"
"Snapes here?" James growled, Sirius nodded.
Then James grinned. "If you can prank Black, my mate." He turned back to the small boy. "Then you can prank anyone! Welcome to the group! What's your name?"
"Peter Pettigrew!"
And thus the Marauders were formed!
*MEMORY END*
The guys and Lily chatted for another few minutes, and then James jumped up grabbing Lily's hand.
"I just remembered, we get our own compartment. Let's go check it out!" He pulled her from the back of the train all the way to the front, like a child excited for Christmas. They ran down the long corridor screaming and giggling in their element. This of course attracting allot of attention. James was once again to be the gossip of Hogwarts, this time though Lily was accompanying him. No doubt everybody of magical heritance had read the daily Prophet and James had been a headliner topic in it quite a few times over the holidays. What everybody wanted to know was- How did James have a girlfriend? Most still thought he was gay. The problem was, nobody could find him. He wasn't in his usual compartment and the train was unusually quiet. Normally there would be screams and shouts- and that was just from them pranking the Slytherins.
Meanwhile in the head compartment Lily and James were having a great time. James was obviously wrong in thinking it couldn't get any better then being a prefect. In this compartment there were 2 sofas facing each other, a table in the middle, filled with all sorts of goodies. But mainly sweets. Out the window, instead of the usual countryside they were under water. They could see mer people, grindylow, Black Kappas and all other types of fish, from Muggle to magical. There was even one which changed colour to camouflage itself to it's surroundings. On the back of the door was a poster of all the Hogwarts rules and the heads duties. And finally there was a clock against the wall. On the face it read; "We're at Hogwarts!" on the 12 O'clock place. Then round it, it said "Relax and chat." "Check the rules", "Discuss this years plans", " Check the prefects list", "Patrol the hall", "change into Hogwarts robes". The hand changed to what they needed to do, when they needed to do it. Also at the base of the clock laid two watches. They had on them; "time for bed" on the 12 O'clock position, then "Everyone up", "Class in 5 minutes", "Patrol corridor", "assist professor..." and by this a little symbol standing for each subject would show up. "Hold meeting" and "Assist Dumbledore" One watch had "James Potter" Was inscribed in the middle of the face and the other had "Lily Evans". They put them on.
Lily began to read the notice on the back of the door whilst James decided to make good use of the sweets and tucked right in. After a good 5 minutes he lost interest and began to round on Lily. He walked up slowly behind her.
"Surely you know those rules off by heart by now?" He whispered, enjoying scaring her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leant his head against hers. "You know you are so beautiful." He told her, moving a hand up tilting her chin towards him.
"Why Mr Potter, you aren't trying to seduce me now, are you." Lily asked teasingly.
"Of course not, Miss Evans. Would I do such a thing?" He paused then whispered "Is it working?" Lily smiled mischievously and pulled him to the couch.
"No." She whispered, yet moved closer towards him. Lily was now sitting on James' lap.
"It's not working then?" He asked seriously, "Then how about if I told you, you were the most gorgeous thing I ever laid eyes on?" He once again placed a hand under her chin and pulled it towards his face gently.
"No, still not working." She whispered very gently. Closing her eyes. He leant in till their lips were just touching. Lily pulled away smiling like the Cheshire cat.
"Mr Potter, Tut tut tut." She said smoothly touching her lips where his had just touched, then placing the same finger lightly on top of James' lips. He kissed it lightly, the gently rose his hand up to it and placed both on her cheek.
"You know, playing hard to get just makes me want you more." He breathed.
"I know." She smiled, moving back. But too late, he had pushed her backwards and began tickling her mercilessly.
"OK. OK. I give!" She shouted. "Kiss me already!" James smiled triumphantly and leant over her kissing her sweetly on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his strong neck and deepened the kiss. This was the closest the couple had ever been to each other. James was taking in all of Lily's sugary sweet scents.
"Maybe we should, err, cool down a little." Lily said after a few minutes of kissing.
"Yeah, your right." James gave her a final kiss and got up reluctantly, straightening himself out. He sat on the opposite couch and picked a notepad up. "So... ER... What do you want to arrange for the school then?" he asked. The clock on the wall changed to "Discuss this years plans".
"Well..." Lily started. "We have the leaving ball to arrange. Then threes Hogsmeade, we need to decide when the trips should be. And finally there are the additional plans we should have. What do you think?" James looked at her blankly.
"Sorry, I'm finding it hard to concentrate." Lily grinned and was about to reply when she was cut off by a loud voice.
"WE WILL BE ARRIVING AT HOGWARTS IN 5 MINUTES"
"Oh my gosh, I need to get changed. You don't mind if I get changed in here do you James?"
"Not at all." James said getting up and heading for the door.
"You don't have to leave." Lily smiled. James turned round grinning.
"I don't do I?" He asked.
"No... as long as you face the wall!" Lily replied cheekily. James had a lopsided grin.
"Too much temptation I'm afraid my dear." He left the compartment and headed down the corridor to his friend's compartment. He left the compartment and headed down the corridor to his mate's compartment.
"Ah so Romeo returns does he?" Sirius joked. "All alone in a compartment that nobody else could get into? (Believe me I tried) I wonder what you two got up to?" he said sarcastically.
"Well wondering is all your going to be able to do, isn't it! Cause I'm not going to tell you." James replied. "I've come to get changed and to see what you guys are doing."
"Well we haven't pranked one single student today and it all your fault!"
"You don't need me!"
"Well Moony doesn't feel like it and Wormtail is off with Crystal.again! Even if he was here he would probably muck it up anyway." The boys continued arguing whilst they got changed. Well it wasn't really an argument- just a playful one. Then when the train came to a halt they got off and James met Lily. Together they pointed little lost first years towards Hagrid, reassuring them that he would not eat them (as a certain 7th year * cough * Sirius had told them). They stopped a Griffindor 2nd year and Slytherin 3rd year from cursing each other to pieces. They also had to make sure that no one slipped out of the station and into Hogsmeade itself. James mainly took care of that one as he knew every trick in the book (Yes the "PG"- "The Marauders Mahusive Mischief Making Prank Guide!" I do hope nobody has forgotten what that is! Cough. I didn't.) They made sure that every student was in one of the carriages and they grabbed the final one which had waited especially for them. James noticed that instead of the normal horseless one, there was and enormous winged creature pulling it. From his care of magical creatures grade 7, which he had briefly glimpsed, he knew it was called a Thestral. He knew that Thestrals could only be seen if you had witnessed someone die (He hadn't been made head boy for nothing) His mothers death came flooding back to him for a second, but Lily grabbing his hand pulling him into the carriage made him forget.
They entered the great hall emerged deeply in conversation, not noticing when they entered the hall had fallen silent looking at them.
"POTTER!" someone shouted, snapping James out of the conversation.
"What?" James shouted back. He looked away from Lily to the source of the yell. It was coming from the Slytherin table.
"Why are you holding Evans hand?" Rabastan Lestrange, a 7th year Slytherin who was sitting next to Snape, pried.
"That is what one usually does with their girlfriend." He replied sarcastically.
"A Potter going out with a Mudblood!" Lestrange laughed. "Ludicrous!" James growled.
"Don't let him provoke you." Lily whispered effectively calming him.
"Anyway." Rabastan piped up. "A very reliable source convinced me that you were gay!" The whole hall went silent. It was obvious that the whole school didn't know who the believe. Even with Lily hanging from James' arm and all of the current news paper articles.
"Ok," James started grimly. "I just want to clear this up once and for all. I never have and never will be gay! That was a nasty rumour spread by some conceited idiot who couldn't take rejection!" He looked pointedly towards Gillian who looked down. "I am however dating miss Evans here and have been for over a year!" As if to prove his point he kissed Lily lightly on the lips.
She beamed up at him. "And to top it off, I would like to take 5 points from Slytherin as Mr Lestrange insulted both the head boy and head girl, using offensive language at the same time." He turned his back on the rest of the hall and led Lily to the seats at the Ravenclaw table by her friends, then left her for his mates at the Griffindor table. All the occupants of which were clapping.
The rest of the feast went quite smoothly, minus a few pranks from the Marauders. ("What it's not my fault Snape looks like a gorilla? I didn't mean to drop that potion into his goblet on my way to the bathroom?" Sirius defended himself. Obvisly he wanted to show the school that eve though he had been away nearly 4 months, which he was still at large!) And after brief congratulations from Dumbledore, James dropped Lily off to the Ravenclaw common room and headed for his own Griffindor one.