Chapter Three:
"Ah, it feels jolly good to be back!" Sirius grinned, standing at the entrance of Hogwarts School with the rest of the Marauders. They watched the throng of anxious students piling in and heading towards the Great Hall.
"And this year we'll really get to rule the school, Padfoot m'boy!" James laughed as a second year girl almost walked into a pillar in the process of staring at them.
"Just remember Prongs, you're Head Boy now. I don't think you should pull any more crazy stunts like you did at the train station." Remus said wisely. Peter looked down at James's HB badge in awe.
"You get your own common room, don't you James?" he asked excitedly. James frowned.
"It's not exactly my own, I have to share it with.with the Head Girl," he replied quietly. Sirius processed the thought in his head, and his eyes grew large.
"Prongs! That means."
"I know what it means!" James snapped irritably. Peter looked at them in confusion.
"What does it mean?" he asked.
"Nothing! It's just Sirius thinking with his hormones as usual," James replied, dismissing the matter. The Marauders stepped into the Great Hall and took their usual places at the Gryffindor table. Almost immediately, a flock of girls had surrounded them.
"Oh James, you said you'd write to me over the summer!"
"Sirius! Do you fancy my new haircut?"
"Oh, you didn't keep in touch at all!"
"Hullo Remus, how have you been keeping?"
"Peter what ARE you staring at?"
"James, are you even listening? I said I sent you three owls, and I never got a reply! Surely you got them--"
"DO YOU EXPECT I JUST SIT AROUND AT HOME ALL SUMMER WRITING BACK TO YOUR BLOODY OWLS?" James suddenly shouted. The entire Gryffindor table went quiet, eagerly watching James's wrath unfold. The brown-haired girl who he had shouted at looked petrified, as her eyes filled with tears. James, suddenly feeling guilty, looked away and started talking to the flabbergasted third-year sitting next to him.
"Sorry about that, dear. He's in a bit of a bad mood," Sirius apologized to the girl. The girl smiled weakly and nodded.
"Can't even apologize for yourself, Potter? No, I suppose you're too good for that. You get other people to do everything for you. Does Sirius hold your hand while you go to the loo as well?" Lily said coolly, standing behind James. By this time the entire Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables had gone silent as well, while the Slytherins snickered loudly. James stood up, towering over Lily before Sirius could stop him.
"Do you have a problem with keeping out of other people's business? It's a bit annoying, really," he said, struggling to remain calm.
"I have a problem with you thinking you're some kind of celebrity and that you can do whatever you please, even if it means hurting other people." Lily replied.
"I CAN do whatever I please, Evans. No one has stopped me so far." James smirked. Sirius groaned. Clearly James had forgotten about deflating his head. Lily looked at James with a determined glare.
"Well things are about to change for you, Potter. I'm Head Girl now and you can be sure that I'll be around to stop you," she said firmly. James looked at her with a curious expression on his face.
"I'm sorry, but, are you threatening me?" he asked in amusement. Lily tried very hard not to squirm as she looked up at James's challenging eyes.
"All I'm saying is that you better watch yourself. . . or you'll find yourself with much more problems than you could have ever imagined." Lily started to turn around, but James grabbed her arm tightly. He was about to say something when suddenly someone cleared their throat loudly. The students all turned their heads to see Professor Albus Dumbledore standing at the front of the room, his blue eyes twinkling. James let go of Lily's arm and slumped back down into his seat, ignoring Remus's disapproving look.
"My dear students, welcome back to Hogwarts!" Professor Dumbledore's kind voice rang throughout the Great Hall. Lily quickly took a seat next to her three best friends - Kailyn Saratay, Bridget Riveter and Annabelle Retstun.
"It pleases me to see that you are all well. In a few moments, of course, we shall begin our feast. But first, I have some announcements to make." Dumbledore said fondly. "This year's Head Boy and Girl, who were kind enough to present us with that fascinating introduction a few moments ago, James Potter and Lily Evans!"
The students clapped nervously, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of James and Lily, who were both scowling furiously in opposite directions.
"Secondly, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that new punishments for breaking any school rules have indeed been enforced. A list of these punishments can be found outside his office. And lastly, as a treat for our seventh years who will be leaving us next year, I have decided to try something new. During the week of Halloween, I invite all seventh-years' families to visit us here at Hogwarts!"
The Great Hall immediately broke out in chattering as students excitedly discussed this news.
"Settle down, please, I am almost through. A letter has already been owled to every seventh-year's family explaining this event. All families will be welcome to stay in our guest tower here at Hogwarts for a week, opening with a spectacular Quidditch match and ending with our legendary Halloween feast! Now that all that has been said, let the feast begin!"
Suddenly hundreds of plates appeared on the tables in front of the students. The endless chatter resumed as the hungry students piled their plates high with an assortment of food.
"Hey, this is wicked! My mum has always wanted to see what Hogwarts was like!" Peter exclaimed, stuffing his face with some steak-and-kidney pie.
"Yeah, I reckon my mum would love to see it too," Remus agreed.
"Hope your sister comes as well!" Sirius grinned. Remus shook his head, but joined in the laughter anyway. The boys looked over at James, who was glaring down at his plate angrily.
"Better stand back," Sirius whispered to Peter and Remus jokingly, "Er, Prongs?" James continued to glare at his plate. Sirius cleared his throat and said a bit louder, "Prongs?"
"What?" James grumbled.
"Well what do you think about the family visiting week?" Peter piped up timidly.
"What's there to think about it?" James growled. Peter looked a bit offended and taken back.
"Right!" Sirius said brightly. "So who's up for some dessert?"
* * *
"Fishwiggle," Lily said in front of the portrait of a fat lady with a pink dress. The portrait swung open, and Lily and her friends walked into the Gryffindor common room. Lily fell onto one of the couches while her friends gaped at her.
"I still can't believe you actually told off James Potter in front of the whole school!" Bridget shrieked. Lily rolled her eyes and groaned.
"I know! JAMES POTTER! I could NEVER tell him off! One look into those beautiful hazel eyes." Annabelle sighed dreamily.
"Guys, snap out of it! He's not some kind of prince! He's just an arrogant, selfish pig!"
"Ooh Anna, didn't Sirius look amazing?" Bridget cried, clearly not hearing a word Lily had said. Annabelle nodded frantically.
"I just love the way his hair falls over his eyes."
"You were great, Lil. It was about time someone showed him that he's not God." Kailyn said, giving Bridget and Annabelle dirty looks.
"Thank you! At least one of you is still on my side," Lily said gratefully. Bridget smiled and slipped her arm through Lily's.
"We're still on your side, Lil! We're just a bit."
"Shocked?" Annabelle supplied. She sat on the couch next to Lily.
"Yeah, I'm still a little shocked too. But he was getting on my last nerves!" Lily cried. Kailyn shook her head.
"That boy's a hell of a Quidditch player, but he has the biggest head I've ever seen," she said. Kailyn had been the Keeper for the Gryffindor Quidditch team since third year. She greatly admired James for his skill as Seeker and Captain, but there were many times when the two would end up in a heated argument in the middle of Quidditch practice. She looked over at Bridget and Annabelle who were, to her great annoyance, still talking dreamily about James and the rest of the Marauders.
"Okay, he's not THAT good-looking!" she yelled. Bridget and Annabelle frowned at her, then continued with their conversation. Lily smiled at Kailyn sympathetically.
"I agree with you completely, Kaily," she said, "Stupid idiot always messing up his hair, trying to look cool." She looked at Bridget and Annabelle, who were now grinning at her like idiots.
"Didn't I tell you?" Annabelle giggled.
"Yeah, I don't know how I didn't see it!" Bridget grinned. Kailyn shrugged as Lily looked to her for help. Lily looked back at Bridget and Annabelle in annoyance.
"What?" she demanded. Bridget tried to put on an innocent face.
"Well, we couldn't help but noticing that over the past year, a great deal of your conversations have been about James," she said sweetly. Lily looked at her in disbelief.
"Because the boy is so IRRITATING!" she shouted. A group of first- year girls sitting at a nearby table jumped in surprise.
"Yes well, we get the feeling that there might be. . . another reason." Annabelle said slowly, with the same innocent face that Bridget had. Lily glared at them back and forth.
"And what would that reason be?" she asked through clenched teeth. Bridget and Annabelle looked at each other.
"Er. . . that you, perhaps, fancy him?" Annabelle said meekly.
"FANCY HIM?" Lily roared, this time causing everyone in the common room to jump.
"Lily, just hear us out." Bridget began.
"YOU'VE BOTH GONE MAD!" Lily screeched, "COMPLETEY, ABSOLUTELY MAD!" At this point Bridget and Annabelle looked quite scared.
"Now you've gone and done it," Kailyn muttered to them. Lily got up and stormed towards the girls' dormitory.
"Mad! They've all gone mad!" she laughed sarcastically.
* * *
James and Sirius sat silently in Professor Dumbledore's office, waiting for Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall to finish their meeting. Sirius cast a worried glance at James, who had his head buried in his hands. He leaned closer to James.
"Prongs?" he said quietly. James jumped, causing his and Sirius's heads to collide with a loud crash. Sirius jumped to his feet, holding his head in pain.
"Damn Prongs, Lily was right, you do have a thick head!" he exclaimed, rubbing his head frantically. James, who was in an equal amount of pain, punched Sirius hard in the arm. Professor McGonagall walked into the room, and froze at the sight in front of her.
"Your head is just as thick as mine, Padfoot!" James shouted.
"Well what did you have to go and punch me for? I always say you have a thick head!" Sirius shouted back. "Just because this time I said I'm agreeing with."
"Gentlemen!" Professor McGonagall interrupted, her face stern. James and Sirius turned to look at her, still clutching their heads.
"Sorry Professor," they both mumbled as they sat down. Professor Dumbledore then entered, and sat behind his desk. He looked rather amused, which was quite the opposite of Professor McGonagall's expression.
"Professor McGonagall has informed me on what occurred at the train station." Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes still twinkling. "What you did to Severus Snape was very wrong indeed, and you both ought to be ashamed." James and Sirius exchanged glances.
"We're very sorry, sir." James said solemnly. Dumbledore looked at him and smiled.
"Mr. Potter, you are now the Head Boy of Hogwarts. I must say I expect more mature behavior from you in the future," he said.
"I'll make sure James behaves from now on, sir." Sirius said, trying not to smile. Professor McGonagall let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Ah yes, Mr. Black. You be sure to do that." Professor Dumbledore said in amusement. "However, as you were not in either Hogwarts or the Hogwarts Express when the incident occurred, I do not find myself to be in the position of issuing you a punishment. After all, you were still technically on summer holidays. Just be sure nothing of this sort happens ever again." Professor Dumbledore's face was still kind, as he looked at the two boys fondly.
"Thank you, sir!" James and Sirius said together. They stood up and were escorted down by Professor McGonagall.
"Detention wouldn't have done either of you much good anyway. Sometimes I get the feeling that you boys rather enjoy it." Professor McGonagall said, with the slightest hint of a smile, before strolling down the corridor towards her office. Sirius's grin faded when he saw the glum look on James's face.
"Hey Prongs, what's wrong?" he asked in concern, "Don't worry, we'll get another detention!" James looked at him and tried to smile.
"I'm just tired, Padfoot," he said. They walked along the corridor in silence for a few minutes.
"You really like Lily a lot, don't you?" Sirius finally asked.
"No. I just don't get why she doesn't like me." James said, a bit defensively. Sirius sighed.
"I told you James, she's not impressed by you showing off. She's. . . different from the other girls," he explained. James frowned.
"She's not worth it," he muttered.
"Ah, it feels jolly good to be back!" Sirius grinned, standing at the entrance of Hogwarts School with the rest of the Marauders. They watched the throng of anxious students piling in and heading towards the Great Hall.
"And this year we'll really get to rule the school, Padfoot m'boy!" James laughed as a second year girl almost walked into a pillar in the process of staring at them.
"Just remember Prongs, you're Head Boy now. I don't think you should pull any more crazy stunts like you did at the train station." Remus said wisely. Peter looked down at James's HB badge in awe.
"You get your own common room, don't you James?" he asked excitedly. James frowned.
"It's not exactly my own, I have to share it with.with the Head Girl," he replied quietly. Sirius processed the thought in his head, and his eyes grew large.
"Prongs! That means."
"I know what it means!" James snapped irritably. Peter looked at them in confusion.
"What does it mean?" he asked.
"Nothing! It's just Sirius thinking with his hormones as usual," James replied, dismissing the matter. The Marauders stepped into the Great Hall and took their usual places at the Gryffindor table. Almost immediately, a flock of girls had surrounded them.
"Oh James, you said you'd write to me over the summer!"
"Sirius! Do you fancy my new haircut?"
"Oh, you didn't keep in touch at all!"
"Hullo Remus, how have you been keeping?"
"Peter what ARE you staring at?"
"James, are you even listening? I said I sent you three owls, and I never got a reply! Surely you got them--"
"DO YOU EXPECT I JUST SIT AROUND AT HOME ALL SUMMER WRITING BACK TO YOUR BLOODY OWLS?" James suddenly shouted. The entire Gryffindor table went quiet, eagerly watching James's wrath unfold. The brown-haired girl who he had shouted at looked petrified, as her eyes filled with tears. James, suddenly feeling guilty, looked away and started talking to the flabbergasted third-year sitting next to him.
"Sorry about that, dear. He's in a bit of a bad mood," Sirius apologized to the girl. The girl smiled weakly and nodded.
"Can't even apologize for yourself, Potter? No, I suppose you're too good for that. You get other people to do everything for you. Does Sirius hold your hand while you go to the loo as well?" Lily said coolly, standing behind James. By this time the entire Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables had gone silent as well, while the Slytherins snickered loudly. James stood up, towering over Lily before Sirius could stop him.
"Do you have a problem with keeping out of other people's business? It's a bit annoying, really," he said, struggling to remain calm.
"I have a problem with you thinking you're some kind of celebrity and that you can do whatever you please, even if it means hurting other people." Lily replied.
"I CAN do whatever I please, Evans. No one has stopped me so far." James smirked. Sirius groaned. Clearly James had forgotten about deflating his head. Lily looked at James with a determined glare.
"Well things are about to change for you, Potter. I'm Head Girl now and you can be sure that I'll be around to stop you," she said firmly. James looked at her with a curious expression on his face.
"I'm sorry, but, are you threatening me?" he asked in amusement. Lily tried very hard not to squirm as she looked up at James's challenging eyes.
"All I'm saying is that you better watch yourself. . . or you'll find yourself with much more problems than you could have ever imagined." Lily started to turn around, but James grabbed her arm tightly. He was about to say something when suddenly someone cleared their throat loudly. The students all turned their heads to see Professor Albus Dumbledore standing at the front of the room, his blue eyes twinkling. James let go of Lily's arm and slumped back down into his seat, ignoring Remus's disapproving look.
"My dear students, welcome back to Hogwarts!" Professor Dumbledore's kind voice rang throughout the Great Hall. Lily quickly took a seat next to her three best friends - Kailyn Saratay, Bridget Riveter and Annabelle Retstun.
"It pleases me to see that you are all well. In a few moments, of course, we shall begin our feast. But first, I have some announcements to make." Dumbledore said fondly. "This year's Head Boy and Girl, who were kind enough to present us with that fascinating introduction a few moments ago, James Potter and Lily Evans!"
The students clapped nervously, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of James and Lily, who were both scowling furiously in opposite directions.
"Secondly, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that new punishments for breaking any school rules have indeed been enforced. A list of these punishments can be found outside his office. And lastly, as a treat for our seventh years who will be leaving us next year, I have decided to try something new. During the week of Halloween, I invite all seventh-years' families to visit us here at Hogwarts!"
The Great Hall immediately broke out in chattering as students excitedly discussed this news.
"Settle down, please, I am almost through. A letter has already been owled to every seventh-year's family explaining this event. All families will be welcome to stay in our guest tower here at Hogwarts for a week, opening with a spectacular Quidditch match and ending with our legendary Halloween feast! Now that all that has been said, let the feast begin!"
Suddenly hundreds of plates appeared on the tables in front of the students. The endless chatter resumed as the hungry students piled their plates high with an assortment of food.
"Hey, this is wicked! My mum has always wanted to see what Hogwarts was like!" Peter exclaimed, stuffing his face with some steak-and-kidney pie.
"Yeah, I reckon my mum would love to see it too," Remus agreed.
"Hope your sister comes as well!" Sirius grinned. Remus shook his head, but joined in the laughter anyway. The boys looked over at James, who was glaring down at his plate angrily.
"Better stand back," Sirius whispered to Peter and Remus jokingly, "Er, Prongs?" James continued to glare at his plate. Sirius cleared his throat and said a bit louder, "Prongs?"
"What?" James grumbled.
"Well what do you think about the family visiting week?" Peter piped up timidly.
"What's there to think about it?" James growled. Peter looked a bit offended and taken back.
"Right!" Sirius said brightly. "So who's up for some dessert?"
* * *
"Fishwiggle," Lily said in front of the portrait of a fat lady with a pink dress. The portrait swung open, and Lily and her friends walked into the Gryffindor common room. Lily fell onto one of the couches while her friends gaped at her.
"I still can't believe you actually told off James Potter in front of the whole school!" Bridget shrieked. Lily rolled her eyes and groaned.
"I know! JAMES POTTER! I could NEVER tell him off! One look into those beautiful hazel eyes." Annabelle sighed dreamily.
"Guys, snap out of it! He's not some kind of prince! He's just an arrogant, selfish pig!"
"Ooh Anna, didn't Sirius look amazing?" Bridget cried, clearly not hearing a word Lily had said. Annabelle nodded frantically.
"I just love the way his hair falls over his eyes."
"You were great, Lil. It was about time someone showed him that he's not God." Kailyn said, giving Bridget and Annabelle dirty looks.
"Thank you! At least one of you is still on my side," Lily said gratefully. Bridget smiled and slipped her arm through Lily's.
"We're still on your side, Lil! We're just a bit."
"Shocked?" Annabelle supplied. She sat on the couch next to Lily.
"Yeah, I'm still a little shocked too. But he was getting on my last nerves!" Lily cried. Kailyn shook her head.
"That boy's a hell of a Quidditch player, but he has the biggest head I've ever seen," she said. Kailyn had been the Keeper for the Gryffindor Quidditch team since third year. She greatly admired James for his skill as Seeker and Captain, but there were many times when the two would end up in a heated argument in the middle of Quidditch practice. She looked over at Bridget and Annabelle who were, to her great annoyance, still talking dreamily about James and the rest of the Marauders.
"Okay, he's not THAT good-looking!" she yelled. Bridget and Annabelle frowned at her, then continued with their conversation. Lily smiled at Kailyn sympathetically.
"I agree with you completely, Kaily," she said, "Stupid idiot always messing up his hair, trying to look cool." She looked at Bridget and Annabelle, who were now grinning at her like idiots.
"Didn't I tell you?" Annabelle giggled.
"Yeah, I don't know how I didn't see it!" Bridget grinned. Kailyn shrugged as Lily looked to her for help. Lily looked back at Bridget and Annabelle in annoyance.
"What?" she demanded. Bridget tried to put on an innocent face.
"Well, we couldn't help but noticing that over the past year, a great deal of your conversations have been about James," she said sweetly. Lily looked at her in disbelief.
"Because the boy is so IRRITATING!" she shouted. A group of first- year girls sitting at a nearby table jumped in surprise.
"Yes well, we get the feeling that there might be. . . another reason." Annabelle said slowly, with the same innocent face that Bridget had. Lily glared at them back and forth.
"And what would that reason be?" she asked through clenched teeth. Bridget and Annabelle looked at each other.
"Er. . . that you, perhaps, fancy him?" Annabelle said meekly.
"FANCY HIM?" Lily roared, this time causing everyone in the common room to jump.
"Lily, just hear us out." Bridget began.
"YOU'VE BOTH GONE MAD!" Lily screeched, "COMPLETEY, ABSOLUTELY MAD!" At this point Bridget and Annabelle looked quite scared.
"Now you've gone and done it," Kailyn muttered to them. Lily got up and stormed towards the girls' dormitory.
"Mad! They've all gone mad!" she laughed sarcastically.
* * *
James and Sirius sat silently in Professor Dumbledore's office, waiting for Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall to finish their meeting. Sirius cast a worried glance at James, who had his head buried in his hands. He leaned closer to James.
"Prongs?" he said quietly. James jumped, causing his and Sirius's heads to collide with a loud crash. Sirius jumped to his feet, holding his head in pain.
"Damn Prongs, Lily was right, you do have a thick head!" he exclaimed, rubbing his head frantically. James, who was in an equal amount of pain, punched Sirius hard in the arm. Professor McGonagall walked into the room, and froze at the sight in front of her.
"Your head is just as thick as mine, Padfoot!" James shouted.
"Well what did you have to go and punch me for? I always say you have a thick head!" Sirius shouted back. "Just because this time I said I'm agreeing with."
"Gentlemen!" Professor McGonagall interrupted, her face stern. James and Sirius turned to look at her, still clutching their heads.
"Sorry Professor," they both mumbled as they sat down. Professor Dumbledore then entered, and sat behind his desk. He looked rather amused, which was quite the opposite of Professor McGonagall's expression.
"Professor McGonagall has informed me on what occurred at the train station." Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes still twinkling. "What you did to Severus Snape was very wrong indeed, and you both ought to be ashamed." James and Sirius exchanged glances.
"We're very sorry, sir." James said solemnly. Dumbledore looked at him and smiled.
"Mr. Potter, you are now the Head Boy of Hogwarts. I must say I expect more mature behavior from you in the future," he said.
"I'll make sure James behaves from now on, sir." Sirius said, trying not to smile. Professor McGonagall let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Ah yes, Mr. Black. You be sure to do that." Professor Dumbledore said in amusement. "However, as you were not in either Hogwarts or the Hogwarts Express when the incident occurred, I do not find myself to be in the position of issuing you a punishment. After all, you were still technically on summer holidays. Just be sure nothing of this sort happens ever again." Professor Dumbledore's face was still kind, as he looked at the two boys fondly.
"Thank you, sir!" James and Sirius said together. They stood up and were escorted down by Professor McGonagall.
"Detention wouldn't have done either of you much good anyway. Sometimes I get the feeling that you boys rather enjoy it." Professor McGonagall said, with the slightest hint of a smile, before strolling down the corridor towards her office. Sirius's grin faded when he saw the glum look on James's face.
"Hey Prongs, what's wrong?" he asked in concern, "Don't worry, we'll get another detention!" James looked at him and tried to smile.
"I'm just tired, Padfoot," he said. They walked along the corridor in silence for a few minutes.
"You really like Lily a lot, don't you?" Sirius finally asked.
"No. I just don't get why she doesn't like me." James said, a bit defensively. Sirius sighed.
"I told you James, she's not impressed by you showing off. She's. . . different from the other girls," he explained. James frowned.
"She's not worth it," he muttered.