Chapter 4: Secret Slipped

'Cause baby,

There ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you

(Ain't No Mountain High by The Temptations)

"Wow!" I exclaimed. "I never would have known."

"Yeah," replied James quietly.

"I mean I never would have guessed that anyone would have ever come up with that idea," I said quickly before James could get mad at me.

"Well, I am going to head back to the room. I'm really tired," said James with a yawn.

"See ya," we replied.

"Bye," James said then took off down the hallway.

"Gosh L.J., you made that sound like that's the only smart thing James has ever down!" complained Sam.

"It probably is," I said.

"You don't know James half as well if you don't think he is brilliant," added Sirius. "He is very smart."

"He's an animagi! So what!" I shouted as Sirius clapped his hand over my mouth.

"How do you know that?" he hissed.

"I saw him rescue Snape last year from Remus," I answered. "Then he turned back into his stag and went back under the tree. If he can turn into an animagi anyone can."

"It's not that easy!" argued Sirius.

"If it isn't," I said, "how come we can?" Then it registered to what I had just said. "Damn!"

Sirius gapped at me, "Your... you're an animagi too?"

"We all are," spoke Sam.

"But why?" asked Sirius curiously.

"It was a stupid dare," complained Sam. "In third year Amber and Morgan dared us six to become animagus."

"It took the most part of third year to become one," I added. "We were only 13 at the time."

"Bloody hell," whispered Sirius. "That's really advanced for 3rd years."

"But you can't tell anyone," pleaded Sam.

"On one condition," grinned Sirius. "Our little miss redhead over here must go out with Prongs at least once."

"Ugh! Fine," I agreed. "But only because no one can know our secret."

Sam did a victory dance.

"When do I have to?" I asked.

"Whenever your little heart desires," sang Sirius.

I moaned.

"It's not that bad," said Sam. "Now me snogging Sirius is much worse."

"Do you want to test your theory," said Sirius smugly.

"I'd rather not," said Sam. She turned and began to run. "Bye L.J.!" Sirius pelted after her. I decided to head back to my room and finish up on some of my homework.

Gryffindor Common Room

"Sami! You are so dead!" shouted Sirius as they bounded into the common room, twenty minutes later. They had been chasing each other halfway around Hogwarts. Only did they stop when McGonagall spotted them chasing each other. But then Sirius chased Sam all the way back to the common room. Gasping for breath Sam fell onto the couch where Remus and Em sat holding each other. Sirius followed suit and landed in Sam's lap.

"Ugh, Sirius get off!" screamed Sam.

"No, I am rather comfortable," he said. Sam pushed him off her lap easily.

Sam looked at the pair sitting in front of her. "Um, is there something we should know?"

"Oh yeah," started Emily, "we are..."

"Going out," finished Remus.

"Score Emma!" exclaimed Sam. "Congrats. So now that's three down, three to go."

"Huh?" asked Sirius.

"Three of the Metals; Em, Mac, and Lana, all now have boyfriends," Sam explained. "Tay, Lily, and I don't."

"I see, and Lily will be four soon," smiled Sirius.

"I doubt it will happen soon," sighed Sam.

"Are we missing something now?" wondered Remus.

"Well, on are way back from the prefect meeting, Lily kind of blurted out a big secret," said Sam.

"Then I told them I would keep it a secret, on one condition," Sirius added. "That Lily must ask James out or go out with him."

"Serves her right," huffed Sam.

"Yeah," said Emmy, "you guys gotta keep this a secret okay?" Gesturing to Remus and her.

"Why?" asked Sirius.

"Are you playing dumb today or something?" said Sam sarcastically. "Because of Voldemort."

"Yes, if he gets wind of this," started Remus.

"We are in huge danger," shook Em. "Plus my parents are very popular Aurors, just like James'."

"Okay, I think I get it!" exclaimed Sirius.

"Wow, took you awhile," smirked Sam. "Yeah, so just don't act like you're together around people we don't trust or like."

"Alright," agreed Emmy. "I am going to hit the bed. Good night Remus, Sam, and Sirius." she gave Remus a peck on the cheek and climbed up the stairs to the girl's dormitory. Remus soon retired to bed too. Other people lingered and soon went off to slumber land. Later, Sam and Sirius were the only people up. They were pouring over a transfiguration essay about animagus.

"Why are we doing this if it isn't due until Tuesday?" asked Sam tiredly.

"What's your animagi form?" asked Sirius out of the blue.

"Um, snow leopard," answered Sam, "why?"

"Just curious," said Sirius. Then after a couple seconds he asked, "Can I see your animagi form?"

"If I can see your form," replied Sam resting her head on the table.

"Okay," he said. "I'll go first."

Sam lifted her head a little to see Sirius having a malicious grin plastered on his face. Sam wondered what he was up to. She laid her head back down as Sirius "transformed".

"Okay, done," said Sirius grinning.

She looked up and saw Sirius had taken his shirt off and started laughing.

"What's so funny?" asked Sirius.

"Is that all you can change into?" cried Sam from laughing so hard.

"You said you wanted to see my form," winked Sirius.

"Wow, you are a dolt," laughed Sam.

"Whatever, this is my real animagi form," he said then changed in to a large, shaggy, black dog. Sam went over to pet Sirius and he jumped up and licked her face.

"Sirius," she panted laughing even harder. "Ow!" she shouted.

Sirius changed back into a human and kneeled over Sam, "What's wrong?"

"You kinda bit me," shouted Sam.

"I didn't mean too," he whispered. "Here, let me help."

Sirius pulled her up onto the couch in front of the fire. He wrapped some of his robes around her wound.

"Thanks," muttered Sam.

Sirius sat down next to Sam and looked into the fire, "I am truly sorry. I would never intentionally hurt you."

"Why not?" Sam asked curiously.

"Well, you're my friend," he said looking at same, "and I really like you."

"Seriously?" questioned Sam.

"Yes I am Sirius," said Sirius.

"Well I'm tired and I'm gonna go to bed," Sam said yawning.

"Alright see yah," said Sirius.

Heads Room

'I am going to kill Sirius!' I thought to myself. He makes me so angry sometimes.

"Patronus," I huffed at Godric Gryffindor's portrait before he could as for the password.

I stomped into the room, knocking someone over in the process.

"Sorry," I mumbled as I helped James up from the floor.

"What's got you all worked up?" asked James coolly.

"Sirius, who else," I said which made me smile a little.

"What did he do this time?" he laughed picking up hi parchment and setting it on the table. James lay down on the couch.

"Well, it wasn't what he did, rather what I said," I said taking a squishy armchair by the fire.

"What did you say?" asked James propping himself up on one elbow.

"What is this, twenty-one questions?" I giggled. "I slipped out a big secret because I was mad at you."

"What's the secret?" he asked his eyes wide with amusement.

I bit my lip, 'Sirius already knew it can't hurt telling James too.' "Well, my friends and I are animagi."

He gaped at me, "For how long?"

"Since third year."

"Wow, that's really advanced for third years. We learned in fifth year," he said slowly. "What does that have to do with Sirius?"

"Well, he promised he wouldn't tell," I started, "if I go out with you sometime."

"He is such a prat sometimes," laughed James. "He needs to accept the facts that were never going to be together."

My smile faded, "How would you know?"

"You mean there is actually a chance for us?" he wondered.

I moved and sat down on the floor next to James' head on the couch. "Maybe, but you can't tell anyone about the animagus thing," I begged.

"Do I get something out of this?" asked James grinning stupidly.

"Not today," I smiled sneakily. "I'm too tired."

"Aww party pooper," he whined. I stood up and swayed to my door. "Goodnight," I called over my shoulder. I slipped onto my bed and fell into a deep sleep...

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Dream

"Come on this ride!" shouted Emily as we neared a big roller coaster.

"Looks bloody wicked!" agreed Sam; she bounded away to the line as Sirius, Em, and Remus trailed after her.

I looked up from my perch. A sign above my head read 'Kennywood'. We were at an amusement park in Pennsylvania.

"You coming L.J.?" asked James. He stood there taller than ever gazing down at me.

"Of course," I replied entwining my fingers with his.

We walked slowly to the line. The others were already up ahead. I could just make out Emily's amazing diamond ring that was planted on her left hand. Remus had finally proposed to her just a month ago. Everyone was ecstatic for them.

James steered me over to a fountain instead of the line. There was a gazebo in the center of the lake. We stepped onto the boardwalk...

End of Dream

I awoke in a cold sweat. 'What the heck. That seemed so real, and Em and Remus, way weird.' a/n remember Lily doesn't know about them yet

My watch read 6:30 am. Breakfast would start soon and I climbed out of my warm bed. I took a quick shower and got dressed, then gathered my books for Monday morning.

The Great Hall was already brimming with people. My friends came down from the Gryffindor Tower a couple minutes after me. Luckily Ala sat on my right and James on my left so if Isaac had a back up plan for getting together with me, it wouldn't work. Em and Remus sat next to each other, Sam next to Em and Tay next to Sam. Sirius sat across from Sam and next to James. Mac sat next to Ala. Peter was nowhere to be found.

Whenever I looked at Emmy I would remember my dream from last night. I couldn't help but think that I was missing something. Every time Remus looked at Em his eyes started to sparkle. They must not be telling me something. I tried to put my thoughts aside. The auditions started this week; maybe we could do them today.

"Girls, do you wanna go to auditions today?" I asked.

"Sounds good, we could go during double Herbology," suggested Mac.

"Anything to get out of Herbology," stated Em, "I hate it."

"Alright," we all agreed.

"Oh sweet Lily," sang Isaac. How did I know this was coming.

"What?" I asked.

"I think that someone is sitting in my spot," said Isaac towards James. Ala was trying to contain herself from bursting out laughing.

"What spot?" I asked, "Does it have your name on it?"

"Well no but," he stuttered.

"Bye Isaac," I sang. Ala couldn't hold it in any more and burst out into hysterics. Next to her Mac had her hand clamped over her own mouth.

Isaac looked like he just got hit by a bludger. He turns and goes to sit down by, my sis, Clover. She pulls Jason closer to her so Isaac can't sit down. 'I've taught her well,' I laugh silently to myself.

"Let's get to Charms," suggested Tay as she rose from her seat. Everyone followed her suit and stood up. We walked out of the Hall then Sam and Mac linked arms and started to sing;

"Lookin' back on the things I've done. I was trying to be someone. Played with my part, kept you in the dark. Now let me show you the shape of my heart."

The rest of us girls joined in on singing with them. Soon we were singing all their songs. The Marauder's just gawked at us.

James finally asked after we finished singing another song. "How the hell do you know them?"

"Who doesn't know them!" answered Emily.

"They rock!" exclaimed Mac.

"And they are hot!" added Sam.

"We could never forget that," smiled Ala.

"Of course not," I said.

"Just thinking of them hurts my eyes!" a/n my friend said that and I thought it was hilarious said Tay covering her eyes with her hands.

"Who's your favorite?" Sirius asked Sam.

"A.J.," she said automatically.

"Mine's Brian," I said dreamily. "He's a hottie."

"So is Nick!" exclaimed Emmy.

"Kevin is fine," stated Lana.

"And we love Howie!" Tay and Mac said simultaneously.

"Wonderful," said James slyly.

"Hey do you think there's anything between them?" I asked James pointing to my sister and his brother as they walked ahead of us in the corridor.

"I don't know," smiled James. "I thought I taught him to steer clear of any Evans'."

"Oh you git!" I smacked him playfully.

"Watch it Evans," joked James. "I know where you sleep."

"Of course you do Prongs," cooed Sirius. He bolted away as soon as he said it. James followed him closely.

We stepped into Professor Flitwick's classroom and took our usual seats. I sit with Em, Sam and Tay, and Mac and Ali sit together. The Marauder's are right behind us this year. James and Remus said behind Em and I. Then Sirius and Peter next to them and behind Sam and Tay. Tiny Professor Flitwick stood upon his stool squeaking at the class to settle down. I am rather good in Charms, actually it my best subject.

This lesson we learned about, or rather reviewed, cheering charms. They were most likely to come up in our N.E.W.T.s. Most of the class came out pretty cheery. Only poor Remus came out extra cheery since he got partnered with Peter. Charms weren't Peter's area of expertise. Remus was actually more lively than usual. Em and Mac were cracking up at the mere sight of him.

"Hey, at least he'll be cheery for double potions," Sirius pointed out sarcastically.

"Double potions!" exclaimed Remus, "sounds wicked!"

"See what I mean," muttered Sirius.

"If Moony acts like that in front of Mundy, he might as well start cleaning the trophies," stated James.

"Hopefully it will wear off in five minutes," said Tay, checking her watch.

"Yeah, hopefully," sighed Emmy. "I have to sit next to him, and if he doesn't shut up I am going to be laughing the whole class."

We all laughed. Apparently Professor Mundy, our potions teacher, didn't put much thought into our seating arrangements in first year. Of course known of us knew we would all end up becoming friends. In our first year Mundy but Remus and Em at one desk, Peter and Mac, Ala and Ryan, Tay and Isaac, Sam and Sirius, and James and I. Mundy wasn't all that bad of a potions teach. He was a pretty good guy, but he mostly favored the Slytherin's'. We were unlucky to have them in class with us, but at least we didn't have to sit next to any of them.

Today we were brewing a love potion. Once Mundy announced that most of the girls went all giggly. All the boys groaned, Em, Sam, and Mac did too. They weren't for all the girly stuff like Ala. Tay and I weren't far from Ala with the whole girly act.

At the end of class everyone was exhausted from the two hours and a half of potions. We all corked our purple potions and left them by the cauldrons we were working at. Remus was as giddy as before. We headed for the Great hall to have some lunch. We entered the Great Hall and seated ourselves next to Lo and Jason.

"Hey Lo," I said cheerfully taking up a seat next to her.

"Do I know you?" asked Lo playfully.

"Of course," I said. "I'm your sister remember?"

"Oh yeah, Lily is it?" said Lo. "Jeeze sista I haven't seen you in a month."

"Oh come on Lo," I started, "I see you every day at breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

"I don't care about that right now," she lowered her voice to a whisper so I could only hear her. "Jason and I were talking and he says that he is having trouble with Charms. I told him that you are the Queen of Charms, so he was wondering if you could tutor him."

I looked over at Jason who was talking with James. He looked like a good student so I said, "Sure when?"

"You're the best L.J.! Probably a week after next on November 4th. I think that's a Tuesday," said Clover.

"Okay, just remind me because, I'll likely forget," I smiled.

The rest of the break period the Metals and I were frantically figuring out all the stuff we needed for the auditions later. We just need to bring our music.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Auditions

"Alright, Lily, Emily, Samantha, Makala, and Alana," called Professor McGonagall. "You're up!"

We went out and did our dance to the song we chose.

"Excellent girls!" exclaimed Professor Flitwick.

"You girls are defiantly in," stated McGonagall.

"What do you call yourselves?" asked Flitwick.

Em laughed, "We are the Metals."

"Okay thank you," said McGonagall, "you may head to dinner now."

We left the auditorium in high spirits. We made our way to Gryffindor Tower and dropped off our bags. Then we walked back down singing a dong.

"Ain't no Mountain high, ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough baby!"

"You guys must watch all these American movies," stated Sirius as the Marauders fell in step with us.

"American movies rock!" shouted Tay.

"Yeah," said Sam. "What movies have the 'Marauders' seen?"

"Well, we have seen Remember the Titans, Lord of the Rings, Hidalgo, Seven, Darkness Falls, Signs, and Pirates of the Caribbean's," explained James.

"That's all?" asked Emily bewildered.

"You mean you haven't seen the Ring?" asked Mac.

"No," answered Sirius.

"Oh my gosh," exclaimed Sam, "We need a meeting girls."

We gathered in a circle.

"We must have them watch it," demanded Tay.

"I know, but when?" I asked.

"And how?"

"We can do it this Saturday after the Ball on Friday," stated Ala.

"But how?" wondered Mac.

"We can put this spell on a TV so we can watch it," I explained, "We can also use the room of requirement."

"Of course Lily, Charms is your best subject," added Sam.

"Yes and after we watch the Ring we can watch a happy movie," suggested Em.

"Like what?"

"Like ...um... Legally Blonde?" suggested Ala.

"Too girlish," said Sam. "How about... Daddy Day Care?"

"That's a funny movie," I said, "it's perfect."

We went back to the Marauders who looked thoroughly confused.

"Okay," started Mac, "we have decided."

"Decided what?" interrupted Sirius.

"Shut up and listen," proclaimed Sam.

"Anyways," continued Mac, "we have decided that since you guys have never seen the Ring that we are going to watch it on Saturday. Then after that we are going to watch Daddy Day Care. It will make you laugh after the scary movie."

"Okay, where?" asked Remus.

"Room of Requirement, 6:00 pm. L.J. is going to charm a TV so it will work inside of Hogwarts," said Em.

"We will be there," stated James.

Later

"See you guys later," I said to my friends as I left the Great Hall after dinner.

I was heading towards the Head Tower. I was walking down the hall when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around but no one was there, so I kept walking. Then I heard them again, but they were moving faster. Still, no one was behind me. Suddenly, my arm was grasped and something flew over my mouth so I couldn't speak. I was dragged down flights of stairs and outside onto the grounds. I got knocked out somewhere along the way.

James

James was sitting in the Head's Tower wondering where Lily was. She wasn't one to walk around after hours. After ten minutes he got impatient and dug out a piece of blank parchment.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," mutter James then touched the blank parchment. Instantly the Hogwarts castle appeared from the tip of the wand. He searched for a black dot named 'Lily Evans'. He found it moving very fast to the shrieking shack by...

James gasped and swore at the same time. He immediately left the tower with the map and his invisibility cloak.

Another chap finished! Sorry for the long wait! School has been one heck of a time waster. Plus I have basketball tryouts this week and I'm going to Disney world this weekend for thanksgiving. I don't know when I am going to be able to write again. You'll just have to wait....

Thanx firewalker for being the best reviewer!!

Questions to Ponder

Why does James gasp?

Why is Lily kidnapped?

Upcoming

a rescue

once defied

a letter

Luv yaz

Sammay;)