Disclaimer: Not mine!
AN: I am so sorry for the delay! I give you all permission to take your Firebolt and hit me over the head as many times as you like. It's been what, four weeks? I always told myself I wasn't going to be one of those annoying authors that only update once a millennia. But alas, that is what I have turned into. I can't even promise you an extra long chapter. This is only something like five pages or so.
A million and one things have crept up at once, and my time for fan fiction writing has greatly diminished. I'll try to update at least twice a month, but please understand that sometimes that very annoying thing called real life can occasionally get in the way. If it takes as long again, I encourage you to e-mail me and tell me to get my butt into gear and write! Sometimes a demanding reader can greatly improve the speed for which an author writes.
I hope you all enjoy. I don't particularly care for this chapter, but I hope it doesn't annoy all my readers too much.
Thanks to my wonderful beta! And happy Valentines Day to all!
Another day in the life of the Marauders, another day of misery for myself. I have discovered yet another fact that I previously overlooked-every single one of them is obsessed with Quidditch.
Well, that is exaggerating a bit. More precisely, Black and Potter are obsessed with Quidditch. I suppose this is not altogether surprising as both are members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. While not an avid follower of the game, I do enjoy the sport and attend all of Hogwarts' matches. But, I have recently discovered that I will be expected to also attend all of Gryffindor's team practices.
They say too much of a good thing makes it a bad thing, but way too much of a good thing makes it a horrid, revolting, and obnoxious thing. My only saving grace was Lupin, who I talked about schoolwork with for some length of time.
I have discovered he is quite an enjoyable conversationalist, if somewhat timid on certain subjects. Sadly, he left halfway through the practice saying he had a previous engagement.
This left me with Pettigrew, who I talked to about cheese.
As idiotic as the subject may seem (and believe me, I felt very silly discussing the different attributes of our favorite fungus), Pettigrew seems to be very knowledgeable on the subject, and the time spent talking with him was not wholly unbeneficial.
In the middle of our discussion concerning cheddar (which is better: sharp or mild?), the practice ended, and I soon found myself again walking in the halls, flanked by Potter and Black. Apparently I was not also expected to be there, but to also pay attention. For after the practice Black and Potter continuously asked me questions as to how I thought the practice went.
As I didn't have the faintest idea what a "double-corkscrew-handoff" was, (and I have long since learned to never ask a Quidditch fanatic a question about the game, as they will then give you a very lengthy explanation about something you don't particularly care about in the first place),I quickly changed the subject.
Upon inquiring as to Remus' whereabouts, I was told that he rarely stays for the entire practice, and prefers to spend that time in the library, studying. I immediately informed them that that was where I would be spending that time as well. They both protested, but could not make me do otherwise, for I would still be spending time with a Marauder.
I face tomorrow with a bit less uneasiness than previously, for I will not have to watch another hour of unnecessary Quidditch, and we have a test in Herbology.
Dear Diary,
Hogsmeade was a bizarre mixture between a nightmare, a daydream, and some sort of warped reality.
During the trip there, the Marauders informed me that they would be giving me a tour of the town. I assured them that I knew Hogsmeade as well as any other sixth year, but they left me no choice in the matter, saying that no one had truly experienced Hogsmeade until they had went through it with them.
I had ample reason to be scared spitless.
Our first stop was Zonko's, a store that I had heard plenty about, and had no intention of stepping inside the building. I was not about to ruin my reputation ever more so than it already was by entering a store notorious for lining the pockets of troublemakers.
The matter was taken out of my hands when Black gave an exasperated sigh, picked me up and carried me into the store. I protested profusely, but as we already know, my pathetic kicks do not seen to deter Black in the slightest.
For the first time in my life I was glad at seeing another Marauder, for when Potter saw my position, he grew rather red and demanded I be placed back on my feet. After another series of over-dramatic sighs, Black did as Potter bid.
I must have looked like a cockroach scampering away from the light (not one my most flattering comparisons to be sure). I darted away from Black, not wanting to be picked up again, and decided the best course of action would be to pretend that I was interested in the store, in the hopes that none of them would feel the need to "encourage" me further.
The rest of the time there passed without notable occurrence, and after watching Potter spend more money than I normally do during the entire year, we left the store.
That was when the tour began.
Pettigrew assumed the role of "tour guide", doing a horrendous impersonation of a safari driver. It seemed the Marauders thought I either could see around their 6'3" and above frames in the non-existent-crowd, or that I needed bodyguards.
They positioned themselves around me in such a manner that while I was most assuredly protected from…well I'm not really sure from what, but I could not see anything beyond their forms.
I commented on my predicament, to which Black replied, 'Well, I suppose I could carry you again."
I decided that maybe I didn't really need to see what Pettigrew was droning on about.
Upon passing Robinson's Robes and More, I informed them that I would have to leave them for a time, as I needed to purchase a few articles of clothing. They waved my objection aside, saying that they had no qualms with being inside a woman's clothing store.
I assured them that the process of shopping would be much easier and progress much faster if I was alone. I was not about to have the four of them watch while I picked out undergarments!
I believe Lupin finally figured out what I was subtly hinting at, for he said, "Let her be for an hour. But at twelve we're going to be back, and you better be here, got it?"
I nodded and hurried them away, running into Robinson's.
While searching around the store I came across Lisa. I demanded to know why she hadn't come with us. She had not agreed to, but I thought it was the Gryffindor thing to stand by your friends when they were being slowly tortured.
She made a disbelieving noise and said it couldn't possibly be that bad. I related to her the incident at Zonko's.
Her green eyes grew wide, "He actually carried you into the store?"
I nodded, and noticed that she suddenly seemed much more nervous than before.
"What is it?" I asked, knowing that anything that made an easy-going person like Lisa nervous was generally something that should make me terrified.
"Well…you see…I just finished talking to Skeeter – you know, that Hufflepuff that's always carrying that camera around- and she was telling me about some wonderful pictures she got earlier at Zonko's…Maybe it wasn't you. It could have been some kid who grew antlers or something."
"I highly doubt that, Lisa."
"Oh come on, lots of people go through Hogsmeade every day. What are the odds that–"
"Substantially, less than you might think. Based on the average student attendance from Hogwarts, combined with the typical Saturday business, divided by the number of people who actually enter that atrocious store –"
"Stop! I don't really care what the odds are. It's just a figure of speech."
"How was I supposed to know that?"
"Only you, Lily, could turn a simple conversation into an Arithmacy lesson." She glanced at her watch, "You better hurry up. It's 11: 58 right now. And if what you told me is true –"
"Oh! I have to go." I turned to leave the store, "By the way, why didn't you come with us?"
Lisa flushed, "Well, while I was in the Medical Wing a few days ago, Amos Diggory was there too–-I think a stray bludger or something–-anyway, we talked a bit, ya know, small talk. Well, we sort of hit it off, and he asked me out!"
"Amos Diggory? The conceited, stuck-up Hufflepuff seventh year?"
"Yep." Said Lisa a tad too dreamily for my comfort, "We just separated for a while so each of could go clothes shopping. You better hurry up! I think Potter's about to storm in here."
I saw that this was true, and hurried out to where the four of them stood, each with identical frowns on their faces.
"I'm hungry!" complained Black
"What took you so long?" asked Potter, ignoring Black's enthusiastic hand-waving.
I frowned, "Took so long? What are you talking about. It's not a minute past twelve–"
"–forty-five." Finished Lupin, "You're forty-five minutes over do!"
I glanced at a nearby clock, "Nonsense, it's… twelve forty-five."
"Look, right now I don't care what bloody time it is, I just want to fill my stomach before I die of starvation!"
I rolled my eyes, "Black, the human body can survive for weeks without a crumb. It's been what, four hours since your last meal?"
He dutifully ignored my comment, leading the way to the Three Broomsticks while muttering something about, "Bloody women and their bloody lack of time perception."
I in turn, ignored his comment, and before long we were seated comfortably (or as comfortably as you can be when seating five people at a four person booth. I was luckily on the two person side) Madam Rosmerta soon walked up to our table, "What would you lads – oh, I'm sorry and lady – like this fine fall afternoon?"
After our orders were placed, the conversation turned to Quidditch. After approximately fifteen minutes of hearing about chaser stats, I turned my attention to the window directly left of me. A maple in the not too far distance was just starting to change it's leaves. One particularly yellow leaf separated itself from it's leaf-mates and drifted slowly to the earth.
It looked terribly lonely, the only leaf on the ground, almost completely hidden by the tall grass in need of a good mowing. I found myself quite entranced by the leaf, and watched it for who knows how long. I therefore nearly screamed in fright when a foot seemingly materialized out of the air and squashed the leaf into the ground.
I looked up to see the offender's face, only to find that it was Amos Diggory, smiling charmingly as Lisa laughed, apparently at one of his jokes. I quickly averted my gaze, not wishing to watch further, and came face to face with eight curious eyes.
"What?" I snapped, still somewhat off kilter from the leaf incident.
"You just screeched, Lily." said Potter, a concerned look growing on his face.
"I did not screech. Screeching is something girly-girls do when they see a mouse. I gave a cry of surprise."
They all snickered at this. I sent them all my "Glare of Death" as I had so named it-and they snickered harder. Perhaps I still need to work on that glare a bit more.
"Fine, fine." Said potter between chortles, "Your cry of surprise then. What's got you all in a bundle?"
Giving up on my "Glare of Death", I settled for a withering glance, "It's none of your concern, Potter."
"I would say it is. We are here to give you a tour, after all." he countered, "And it is our duty to see to it that you have an enjoyable time-"
I couldn't help it. Enjoyable time? Since when did they care how enjoyable my time spent with them was? They had to threaten me to spend time with them in the first place! I let out a giggle.
Potter frowned, "What's so funny?"
Another giggle.
He frowned again, "Lily, you have to tell us what the matter is or we'll-"
What they would do, I never did find out.
I was met with a full giggle attack.
They all frowned at me, "What's funny, Evans?" Black demanded, reaching across the table to shake me slightly. This only encouraged my giggles further, and before long I was leaning against the wall for support.
The four exchanged looks, "I think she's lost it." Said Black, looking at me as if I was some sort of rat contaminated with the plague.
I shook my head, desperately trying to calm my laughter, and not succeeding in the slightest.
Then Lisa walked in…with Amos Diggory.
My giggles stopped.
Trying to see what has stopped an apparent mad-woman, Black twisted in his seat to see who had just come in.
He looked at me, a smirk forming, "I see how it is."
I frowned, "How what is?"
"You're jealous."
"What are you on about?"
He shrugged, "It's obvious. Your best mate has a boyfriend, and you don't!"
"You are clearly mistaken. I am not – "
"That's what they all say, honey." He leaned back, a victorious air about him.
"Oh, of course I'm jealous!" I cried in exasperation, throwing my hands up in the air, "I've always wanted a conceited, bratty, Hufflepuff who isn't smart enough to differentiate between a bludger and a quaffle!"
"Huh?" James looked at me in confusion.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Look, I've spent five hours with you guys. That's more than enough for one day. I'm leaving."
Before they could protest, I was out the door.
Lily Evans
AN2: To all you readers that aren't reviewing! (Yes, I know who you are – don't you just love that stat button?) I command all of you to review! I promise that I don't bight! In fact, if you're very nice, I might give you chocolate fudge! (yummm…) Reviews encourage me, and when I get encouraged I write faster, and when I write faster….you get the picture. Review!
Reviewers! I love you all!
Blink182Rox - I updated! It took me a while, but I updated!
Soccerchic1989 – I'm really glad you liked the last chapter! I had a lot of fun with that one. I'm not too sure about this one, I just don't think it's as good as I can do, but I couldn't really think of a way to improve it. You always have something interesting to say. You have no idea how much I look forward to reading your reviews!
Dazed and Utterly Confused – I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for the review!
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