Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its inherent information. It belongs to the one and only J.K. Rowling!

Chapter Two: Billingsgate - coarsely abusive language

Lily Evans boarded the Hogwarts Express with a spring in her step as she started to find her friends to spread the good news. She was Head Girl! It was one of the most prestigious positions at Hogwarts and a paragon of excellence as well as of magical standing.

Still, underneath her outward jovial appearance, she felt extremely nervous about the year to come.

It was her final and most important year as she had to balance NEWTS, the responsibilities of a Head Girl, and the duties of a Charms teacher assistant for Professor Flitwick.

Also, the added headaches of the Marauders as well as the danger of Voldemort and his Death Eaters brought her almost to a nervous breakdown.

Yet, as Lily thought about these things, she felt drawn to the presence of something hidden deeper. This was something important that Lily would not be able to figure out for several months as she hadn't been able to even comprehend in the previous 6 years.

After thinking a while, deep down, she had just realized that her one and only dream was unfulfilled, despite all her previous wonderful accolades.

One of her youngest and longest lasting dream was to grow up to be just like her mother. Sure, it was great to have a well-paying job, as well as living in one of the nicest districts in London, but Lily felt an affinity towards the feeling that made her mother brighten at one single thought.

She was in love, still after so many years, Lily could only hope to dream of something similar. Lily dreamed and dreamed, yet in reality she couldn't find anything.

Normally an outgoing and friendly person, she didn't have very many close friends other than Alice who couldn't quite relate as she was dating Frank Longbottom.

Sure in her year, there were plenty of good looking guys, nice personality guys, and very intelligent guys, but there was something missing, perhaps that no one guy was the epitome of all three.

Lily liked listening to muggle music and in one of the songs, it was quite apparent to her that she would have to try "making love out of nothing at all," if she was to fulfill that dream of hers.

At the same instant Lily Evans was boarding the train; a certain James Potter was regaling through the train to find his best mates. He had to tell his friends the opportunity of the lifetime, being Head Boy.

There was no doubt in James's mind who Head Girl would be as James once snuck into Professor's McGonagall's office as well as Headmaster Dumbledore's to compare notes to the candidates for Head boy and Head Girl.

He had crept into both offices using a multitude of silencing charms, his invisibility cloak, as well as pulling a major prank to pull the whole staff toward the other side of the castle. Oh how he paid the ultimate price as Lily Evans was livid after that display of trickery.

Still, it was worth it as James found out that all he needed was to become more active in the well being of all students, including Slytherins, which would put him in the lead for Head Boy. Despite his number of detentions as well as rules broken, James finally felt his life was actually worth something.

At his home, he couldn't quite experience the joys of teenage-hood as his father was an Auror while his mother was an Unspeakable. Both highly paying jobs, yet also time consuming, James often felt that he couldn't quite be himself as he was expected to be born 17, all mature and responsible.

Perhaps, now that he actually was 17 instead of the perceived 13 or 14, James decided to start acting his age. Acting his age, was one thought that immediately brought to his mind the lovely subject of Lily Evans.

It was quite a mystery as no one could understand why the most eligible bachelor in all of Hogwarts had never had a girlfriend in his life. The subject of Lily Evans baffled him and everyone else.

He tried so hard to be nice, defending her when she was being insulted by Slytherins, as well as trying to correct the injustices of corrupt Slytherin Head of houses through winning Quidditch games.

Even the pranks weren't harmful as the tension between purebloods and other wizarding folk needed to be relieved through laughter. Without the pranks, the students would go mad at the daily ins and outs of the black owls, magicked to bear bad news.

If it weren't for the fact that the Marauders were so carefree and helpful, everyone would dread every morning or night when owls would come instead of rushing in to find the next joyous prank. What was the reason for James continual interest?

Well James certainly felt that through his devotion he could make love out of nothing at all. He would have Lily fall in love with him and maybe not in the physical sense of forcing, but that she would have no other choice if she valued what he valued.

He weighed everything as a grain of salt as he looked at his love interests. Everyone else paled in comparison to Lily Evans who was stunningly attractive, beyond intelligent, extremely wise and funny, as well as being one of the friendliest girls at Hogwarts, except maybe to him.

On the other hand, he found himself trying his hardest to be the perfect guy to match the perfect girl. He knew he could maintain high scores although it didn't seem like he studied. He actually did, but with the help of his photographic memory, it didn't take as long as it did other people.

James found himself truly wishing for a miracle for his extremely difficult situation as there was nothing between him and Lily. There wasn't quite open hostility, but there was nothing positive between them. He would have to make love out of nothing at all.

Love Story Interlude

It was just a normal day during the term and my day had gone pretty well. I had just received some good news on achieving an Outstanding on my Defense Against the Dark Arts exam and essay when I spotted you in the hallway.

Time slowed to a stop.

I could see the smile and laughter on your face as you laughed at some joke. Around me I could sense one of my friends rushing towards the Great Hall for lunch, little first years crying or laughing about their friends or enemies, seventh years complaining about NEWTS or discussing job offers, yet somehow, you stood out from it all.

I'm not sure if it's a bad thing or a good thing, but there's just something about you that keeps me staring. I know staring is indecent and somewhat animalistic in its basest form, but sometimes I think of it as something as appreciating art.

People marvel, gather around, and analyze great pieces of work, the painting of the Mona Lisa by the Wizard Leonardo Da Vinci, who cast a confundus charm on it to keep muggles from realizing its true beauty. Other great works of art like the Silver Arrow, one of the first brooms to allow true competition in speed, grace, and skill.

I realize that you are worth more than a million of these same pieces of work because you are priceless, the most wonderful magical being on this planet, at least to me.

I have doubts to whether or not I should be admiring you in this way, but it seems as if something that perfect(you) should be admired and respected. Maybe that's why I'm so high-strung around you because somehow I know I can't match up with you or to you. Maybe that's why I act so defensive around you because simply I have no idea how to act around you.

You walk past me and although I'm not sure if you notice me or not, but for each second that you are in my line of sight, the same amount of time passes as I spend imprinting your image in my mind.

It's not all about lust, although you are extremely, fascinatingly, enchantingly, attractive, and even in Hogwart's robes, you look amazing. I think what keeps love different from lust, is the feeling behind the actions. I would love you, try to hang around you, try everything to help you even if you did not look as you do.

It's more than your wonderful personality too because a lack of passion is something that hinders love. When I think of love or anything similar, I think of passion. Not anything vulgar or obscene, but the passion that you can find in listening to the Wizarding Wireless, or the passion in watching a Quidditch game, or the passion in simply performing good magic.

In all of these things, I see myself, my friends, and even you drawn into the captivating activities that fill you with passion. To me, it may seem a little harsh, but true love has to have passion.

I'm not necessarily talking about like tangible or visual passion, but the type of devotion that never wavers. Sure, people make mistakes because no one is perfect, but what can be perfect is love itself.

Besides, even if it isn't, one sure as well can try to make it so close that there is no difference. Part of the reason there are so many single witches and wizards out there is that there is no true love out there. People get discouraged too easily. Even those who choose not to fall in love or not to believe in true love, find themselves, at certain instances filled with passion for something similar to lust.

Now that I think about it, lust is only wrong, is only harmful if it is lust and lust alone. Lust is a type of feeling that is harmful by itself, but harmless and even beneficial with something else.

It's just like certain types of magic. Using the unforgivables by itself is a crime that should never be committed. However, with a purpose, even the so called "dark" magic can be used for good. How are dark wizards killed if not by using a killing curse or any other harmful means that would kill any other person?

Sometimes it becomes difficult even for me, who is devoted to you, to keep things from going out of control.

There have been people who have liked me, but I try to keep you in mind. I guess that's meaning of trying to make love perfect. I've probably made some mistakes before, especially in how I have treated you, but I just hope that my heart is in the right place, in your hands.

So this is just one day out of the 17 years of my life existing, but existing for you. It seems all too dream-like in some ways. Like nothing is personal until the first time love hurts you or love helps you. That's part of the essence, I suppose of being in love. Even if I get rejected once or twice, it just makes it seem more real.

I mean how can you feel happy if you've never felt sad before? Trying to be with you is worth the challenge, not because you're some prize to be won, but just because you're special enough for me to devote my time.

Sure I do my own things, I have my own aspirations, but it's nice to know that there's something worth living for and something that truly touches deep down inside. Love is one of these things that can allow anyone to keep going. This is my love story for you and it will always only be for you.

End Interlude

After walking over half the length of the train, Lily Evans found her best friend, Alice staring out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of Frank Longbottom, her steady boyfriend for over 2 years.

The compartment was special as Lily, Alice, and Frank met each other in this exact compartment in their firsts and third years, respectively. Lily had chosen her friends quite well as befriending an older Hogwarts student, Lily and Alice could both escape the embarrassing as well as the hubbub of the first year.

Alice and Frank were meant to be together from the first day they met, like Lily and James, although Lily did not realize this.

Alice suddenly returned from her longing gaze out the window and was surprised to see Lily sitting across from her with a smirk on her face.

"Lily!" exclaimed Alice, as she went over to hug her esteemed friend. "Why are you smiling all funnily at me?"

"I was merely enjoying the sight of someone so in love that she is oblivious to the world around her!" replied Lily. "I just don't understand, if it weren't for you and Frank proving me wrong, I would say that true love doesn't exist and will never exist."

"Don't say that Lily! So, how was your summer vacation?" asked Alice quickly as Lily would often get depressed thinking about love and the relationship between Frank and herself. Alice often wondered if Lily felt left out since Frank and her had gotten together.

Lily was the type of person, Alice noted, that could be so astute in almost everything in her life, except the one thing that mattered most to Lily herself, love. Various guys at Hogwarts asked Lily out and all, but it seemed as if Lily would never accept.

Alice, being a dorm mate for the past 6 years found deep within Lily that she was looking for the perfect man. What she was looking for, which was her gravest mistake, was the perfect man, although she should have been looking for the perfect man for her.

Alice, after thinking about this, when she first accepted Frank's timid question to date, was that Frank was truly perfect for her, although he was far from being perfect. They complemented each other well, fairly bright and brave, as they were both Gryffindors. They had almost everything in common.

Perhaps, that was the mistake between Alice and Lily. Lily judged everything off of what she had been told, either from her parents, or from fantasy novels, or just by judging Alice's relationship. Alice hoped that Lily would find her own way of loving, without all the influences of other people.

If there was one thing that Lily couldn't do, it would be deep down, forming her own opinion of love and acting on it.

Lily was headstrong at times, but it wasn't necessarily part of her character. The shell that surrounded Lily most of the time was tough and hard to break through, yet to both Alice and Frank, Lily could surprise them at any time of the year. Coming back to the conversation, Alice noticed that Lily had begun one of her favorite hobbies, talking about the muggle world.

"...and there were these muggles handing out AIDS ribbons at a rally for promoting safe sex" spoke Lily adamantly, trying to suppress a giggle. "Alice, you do remember what I told you about the muggle world right? I think that all this hush hush about sex is all too trivial. We're all 17 years old and basically Wizarding adults. People like you, need to get out more and stop being so shy. Anyways back to my funny story. You remember what condoms are right?"

"Is it called plakstick?" asked Alice.

"Yes, it is made of plastic, but it is put into small packages made of paper. Anyways, there were women and men of all adult ages handing out condoms with the AIDS ribbons on them. You know the funniest part? They were stapled together so that each person would get both a condom and a ribbon that showed that you were for finding a cure for AIDS and for AIDS prevention!" finished Lily as she started laughing at her own funny story.

"Staples?" questioned Alice.

"Oh Alice! I thought you took Muggle Studies! A staple is this piece of aluminum, which is a metal that pokes two holes through something. Then it goes through the two holes and will keep two things together. The funny part of the story is that now the condom had two holes in it! So the sperm wills till be able to get through. The whole rally was so ironic!" said Lily vehemently.

"Oh, haha!" laughed Alice, although she felt stupid for not understanding it earlier, Lily truly was too straightforward for her tastes.

"Alice, do you think that you and Frank are going to get married?" asked Lily suddenly.

"MARRIED! Where did that question come from? I'm not even out of school yet and you want to see me married!" exclaimed Alice.

"Well, I just wanted to know your opinion on how long do you think your relationship is going to last. Will it last forever? In my personal opinion, if I was to love someone, I would love them forever. Oh look at the time! I have to run to the Heads Compartment. See you later Alice" shouted Lily as she rushed out of the compartment.

Alice began to look out the window again and pondered about the question that Lily just asked. Is Lily worried about getting left out? I hope she finds love...

Meanwhile in the last compartment of the train, James Potter was sitting around with his 3 chaps, blokes, mates, basically the rest of the infamous Marauders. Currently in the compartment that looked like a tornado had just passed, sat one short stocky blonde haired boy enjoying the joys of summer sweets.

On one side of the compartment sat two devilishly, ruggedly attractive young men pondering over a chess game. One of them was playing as white and had sandy-brown hair in addition to an attitude that seemed to contain an inner strength that didn't match his friendly and sensitive attitude. On the black side of the chess board, a dark skinned, dark-haired teenager just finished capturing the white queen. With a contemplative thought, the owner of the white pawn captured a black night, which brought the game to an end.

"CHECKMATE with a lowly pawn!" exclaimed the esteemed Sirius Black.

"Sorry, Padfoot, you really shouldn't just rely on the pieces that move a lot like the rooks and the queen." replied Remus Lupin who was chuckling at the antics of Sirius, who now stood up and tried to replay the match, which was a total of 15 moves.

"Moony, how dare you! I challenge you to another game after the sorting" exclaimed Sirius who rarely ever lost when he played black, as his surname meant more than coming from a black family. Sirius was black in many ways, the black sheep of the family, or literally a white sheep as his whole family was dark.

All of a sudden Sirius caught sight of James who was nonchalantly trying not to laugh at the dismal display of chess. Sirius quickly then started wrestling James as he didn't want to be embarrassed, even though Remus almost always won and James was his best friend, meaning no harm.

Sirius ended up pinning James to the ground, but James shot a jelly-legs jinx at Sirius incapacitating Sirius's ability to move steadily for the moment. After the brief scuffle, all four boys finished what they were currently doing and began a conversation about their respective summers.

"So Prongs, get any action lately? I heard that you spent your summer off the coast of France?" asked Sirius quirking his eyebrow to engage James to tell the truth.

"Well, I went there to play quidditch and to get a head start on my career in the future as the French are one of the best duelers of the world, although they almost always concede because they have prior engagements. Why would have time to waste my time of French ladies when I'm already devoted, Padfoot." replied James, a twinkling coming to his eyes as he thought about Lily.

"Man, James you really need to give up on Evans. It's been 6 years and she still hasn't let you go out with her." exclaimed Sirius, twirling his wand between his fingers.

"Prongs is just sensible, unlike you Sirius. I mean you don't even remember the names of the girls that are your dates because you've booked every hour of the year for snogging" said Remus, interjecting.

Peter, although he would betray the Potters in the future, did indeed have some courage and some qualities of Gryffindor as he joined in on the conversation. "I think that Sirius should engage all of the ladies' attention. I mean we all live only once. Besides, there's no harm done, Sirius does what he wants and James can do what he wants."

"Thanks Wormtail, it is quite a lovely thing to be the center of all the attention of all those exotic women!" said Sirius dreamily.

Meanwhile, in James mind, drifting to the subject of Lily always made him look a bit dazed as if he had just seen a miracle occur. To him, a miracle happened every day when he could be a part of Lily Evan's life. To him, that was all that he needed.

As Sirius had brought up the topic of James's summer, the women in France were amazingly stunning, some with even red hair similar to Lily's.

It was embarrassing enough to act stupefied while thinking and daydreaming about Lily alone, but being caught staring at women just because they had hair the same shade as Lily's was preposterous. Although the women in France were exceedingly pretty, as well as appreciative enough to invite James to their hotel rooms, James's heart wasn't into meaningless flings.

James knew about the physical attraction that he had, as well as the fact that Sirius lived on the physical contact between him and the opposite sex.

James had nothing against displays of affection because he really wasn't in any position to lecture about what people did. If Sirius wanted to hit a home run, as long as he had necessary protection, he could go as far as he wanted.

For James however, he was completely focused on the attention of Lily Evans. He started thinking about how much he loved Evans. Looking out the window, he began to think. I think that if Evans and I ended up together, it might just last forever.

On the other hand, I don't think forever's enough for me. I would love her beyond forever, because everyone uses always and forever, so wouldn't it be more special if it lasted beyond forever?

"PRONGS! You have to get to the Head's compartment now! Now go find Evans and snog her senseless!" exclaimed the rest of the Marauders. James suddenly woke up from his musings and started towards the Heads' compartment. All the while, he was thinking, forever's not long enough, but it'll do for now...

Whew, I made it in time! The Head Boy hasn't shown up! I wonder who it is. I don't think Dumbledore would make Remus Head Boy even though I love him to death. I don't think the staff would like a werewolf, no matter how nice he is.

The Board of Governors does have a say in who becomes Head Boy after all. I guess that gets rid of Gryffindor. I doubt that anyone in Slytherin can achieve this position from all of their belongings and homework being destroyed by the Marauders.

Also their retaliation hasn't improved their standing in the Professors' eyes. Oh could it be the Ravenclaws...CRASH

"Hey Evans! Fancy meeting you here" said a grinning James Potter as he just obviously crashed through the compartment door.

"POTTER! How dare you break the school property? Why are you gallivanting around in the Heads compartment for that matter? Don't you need to be planning the prank for the Welcoming Feast?" asked an irritated Lily.

"Reparo. There, the door is fixed. It looks like I made it just on time. I'm the new Head Boy, if you didn't see my badge. wink. Now then, I believe it is time for the meeting.

I'm going to head to the Prefects compartment and get started on preparing for the meeting and our annual speech." said James calmly trying not to laugh at the shocked look on Lily's face.

Potter's Head Boy. POTTER'S HEAD BOY! Wait, he already left! I will not let Potter make a fool out of myself. This must be some sort of a cruel joke!

"...that concludes your Prefect duties for this term. We will have bi-weekly meetings to update the status of the school. Now that our lovely Head Girl has graced us with her presence we can go ahead and begin discussing the special activities of this year. As you all know, Professor Dumbledore has given us certain new responsibilities this year." said James, remarkably quite professional-like.

"Wait a minute Potter, Dumbledore didn't tell us anything before. I haven't heard of a single thing about any special activities." said Lily half-surprised at how mature James was and half-suspicious about these so called special activities.

"I guess Professor Dumbledore forgot to owl you about it. All the prefects and head students were owled with notices containing certain special duties for this year. We will be having several celebrations and balls this year as well as a new training program for Ministry-bound careers. We need to make a good impression for the ministry so we will have to team up to split the work. Each prefect will be partnered with a prefect of another house. This hopefully will promote some house unity because when all of you graduate, you all will have to work with other people. The Head Boy and Girl will also be working together in this year long assignment." finished James as he was thinking about all the opportunities to be with Lily.

Lily was thinking the exact same though about how she would have to spend all this time with James Potter. Hoping to contribute at least a little to the meeting that she was too stunned to arrive on time for she gave a last reminder and dismissed the prefects. She gave a noncommittal reply to Potter about meeting some time afterward, and she walked down to her compartment.

James who felt extremely relieved that things had gone so well literally skipped back to his compartment.

The Sorting

(A/N: I was going to write my own, but I didn't have enough time. I've already switched from poetry to stories.)

'Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can top them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a steady mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!'

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'd like to open this year with a few announcements before the feast is to begin. First, the forbidden forest is as usual forbidden to all students. The Whomping Willow as it is fairly new still needs to avoided at all cost as maybe next time more than an eye will need to be replaced. Now, this year we will be visited by the ministry to start a new system of apprenticeship. Some course available will be Auror Training, Healing/Mediwitch Training, International Magic Cooperation Training, Magical Games and Sports Training, and Individual subject apprenticeship. There will be a notice in each of the Common Rooms later in the year. Now a few words! Oeuvre! Earwig! Hie! Fusty! Let the feast begin!" said Dumbledore.

As each year goes by, I keep thinking the Headmaster gets crazier every year. Hmm, now where is Lily sitting.

"Prongs! It's time for our debut! Stop daydreaming about Evans!" yelled Sirius.

As it was tradition, the Marauders all stood up as everyone made a clear space. Their prank every year during the Sorting was always the same one. Although it had been inadvertently cast during their first year as James and Sirius were playfully dueling with Remus and Peter with their new wands, it created a splendid effect. Lily had mentioned that James needed to prepare earlier, but it just didn't occur to her that they had pulled off the same prank every year.

In their first year they missed each other and had each spelled a different thing suited to their wands. James, as his wand was good for transfiguration had transfigured a forest. Peter as he was good at Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had caused the forest to become complete with animals to pop up around the Marauders.

Remus as his best subject was Defense Against the Dark Arts had used a complex ward and shield that lit up the great hall in a golden color as the dome surrounded the Marauders. Sirius excelled in Astronomy as his name was the Dog Star allowed shooting stars to come down from the dome and had the constellations imprinted.

The miraculous achievement was not a prank for nothing as no matter how far the students ran, random people were turned into each of the things that the Marauders had done. Some became the trees of the forest, looking like the Ents in Lord of the Rings.

Others had become furry animals such as Severus Snape turning into a rabbit, while Mrs. Norris became a fox chasing after the rabbit. Others were carried into the sky and shot down as shooting stars, experiencing something as exhilarating as flying.

Remus's job wasn't too important except for the fact that it kept it from hurting them and allowed the students inside the dome to not be affected by all the teachers' spells except Dumbledore's.

With a last wave of a wand, four jets of light combined to display MARAUDERS over the dome. As everyone returned to their natural state, although for some odd reason, Severus Snape still had the bunny tail, Dumbledore stood to address the Hall.

"Ah, the Marauders, whoever they are twinkle so that the First Years will try to find you, thank you for such enjoyable entertainment. Now it is time to go to bed."

James Potter awoke to the sounds of elephants drowning as he climbed out of his red and gold four-poster bed. After realizing that it was the normal hubbub of his dorm mates, he headed to the bathroom to avoid the morning scuffle for who gets it first. As he started taking off his pyjamas, he could hear the yelling and noise of objects flying across the room as his dorm mates had just woken up.

"JAMES, HURRY UP IN THERE. I HAVE A BREAKFAST DATE TO CATCH." yelled Padfoot, most likely in no rush at all.

"DON'T LISTEN TO HIS EXCUSES PRONGS! I'M NEXT IN LINE!" shouted a frantic Peter as most likely Sirius was chasing him around the room.
James ignored his friends as it was the only response he could give and soon finished all of his morning routine. Walking outside the bathroom he noticed that although his bed wasn't touched, being closest to the bathroom, the dorm still looked a mess.

"Thanks Prongs," said a smiling Remus as he stepped into the bathroom unnoticed.

"Moony! How dare you just wake up and waltz into the bathroom..." said a muffled Sirius as he had just been whacked by Peter with a pillow before he finished his sentence.
In retaliation Sirius turned into padfoot and jumped on top of Peter slobbering all over his face.

"ARGH, padfoot, get off of me! Who knows where your mouth's been!" yelled a laughing Peter as he was being frisked by the massive paws of the Grim-like dog.

James began getting ready to head down to breakfast, but before doing so, he conjured up two bouquets, one of roses and the other of lilies and magicked them away. As it was accustomed for his precious Lily to wake up to the smell of fresh flowers, James started to walk down to breakfast.

Sirius, who realized that he had showered the night before after a late night, let Peter go into the bathroom next and rushed down to breakfast. He arrived before James did and after looking into the pleading eyes of some brown haired Hufflepuff, gave her a good 5 minute snog and returned to the Gryffindor table.

The four Marauders dived into their food, sending what was supposed to resemble breakfast, but actually just looked like flying multicolored goo all around them. After a quick scourgify, the crowd around them just rolled their eyes as they knew that it just marked the beginning of a year just like all other years.

Professor McGonagall had begun to hand out the schedules for the Gryffindors while the Marauders cleaned up the supposedly never-ending plates of food on the breakfast table. After Professor McGonagall had given the Marauders their timetables, she started to hand out ones for the lower years.

Unbeknownst to her, four different jets of light hit her in the back as the Marauders had said their spells silently and awaited the results.

All of sudden Professor McGonagall could be seen with brown wavy hair with red and yellow highlights down to her shoulders, with red and gold dress robes that seemed to make her look younger, with makeup ordaining her glasses less face, and with a moving mannequin all dressed up to look like Dumbledore in blue and yellow starred robes.

Totally unaware of what was happening, she found the entire Great Hall laughing at the new Professor and she heard several wolf whistles and calls. She quickly conjured a mirror and looked at herself, dropping the mirror in shock. She whipped around to find all the marauders rolling on the floor laughing, and she suddenly tried to undo the spells that they had cast.

After starting to shout about being expelled and never-ending detentions, Headmaster Dumbledore threw sparks into the air to get everyone's attention.

He kindly remarked, "Now boys, ten points will be taken from Gryffindor because it was only harmless fun, but you will all receive a detention to be determined by Professor McGonagall."

Addressing the professor in the next statement he said, "My, Minerva, I've always liked it when your hair was down."

Then he started to chuckle and vanished the food away from the tables. Professor McGonagall stared in shock and tried to alter the spells that the Marauders had cast.

Knowing that it was futile because all of the Marauders pranks lasted exactly 24 hours, she hurried to her first class.

"Never knew Minnie would be such a knockout eh, Prong?" remarked Sirius as he walked to their first class Charms.

James started to reply, "Definitely didn't think ol' McGonagall was capable of making her and Dumbeldore blush. Do you think that they ever had teacher..."

"JAMES POTTER! What are you insinuating about our headmaster and head of house! Do you want to get in more trouble! That was a very insincere thing you did to Professor McGonagall. If Dumbledore hadn't already punished you, I would have taken at least 40 points away and double detentions! Why can't you ever leave people alone" said an infuriated red head.

"Why good morning Evans!" mocked a grinning Sirius, but he soon shut up as he received one of the famous glares that would rival Snape's.

"Well, it seemed that all the students enjoyed it, as well as the staff, considering the laughter of the Headmaster. Why couldn't you enjoy it too Evans? Did the flowers not smell nice enough to you? Is that why you're in such a bad mood?" asked James with a neutral look on his face.

"I'm sick and tired of all this attention! Why can't you get it through your thick bigheaded skull that I don't want anything to do with you? If it weren't the fact that my parents love living in London, I would have transferred to France or America to get away from your Head that's as big as this country!" yelled Lily.

With a hurt look on his face, which Lily missed as she started to walk off, James found himself gazing between his friends and Lily.

"You'd think she'd have at least some kind of sense of humor, right James" Peter asked tentatively.

"Well, I know that she has a sense of humor because I've heard her laugh, but I think she was more angry at herself for the fact that James was able to make her laugh." explained Remus.

"Ahh, so she wants nothing to do with James eh. I don't see why not! I mean those flowers that James gives her every day. Doesn't she realize that they last forever because of the magic that James puts in it?" said a Sirius joining in their walk to Charms.

"Forget it mate, I'll figure something out." said James who had started to smile again at the thought of another plan, another prank, another way of showing his affection, which most likely would turn out the same way.

Unknown to all of them, the tiny crack that had been in James heart from his first rejection had grown a tiny bit each time an occasion like this had occurred. With the recent belittling words, a one inch gap had occurred, while only a few more would break James's heart straight through.

I'm not a bad person. I'm really not. I just do things my own way. There are things that I am ashamed of, but I'm a guy. Aren't I supposed to be immature, a jerk, and stupid? Why do people expect me to be perfect? There are some things that I feel are my responsibility and my responsibility alone. I love you and I try to do a lot of things for you. If it goes wrong, isn't the thought supposed to count? I guess there are a certain aspects of myself that I wish I could address.

After chasing you for six years, it disheartens me to say that I've never been given the time of day. For example, being an eleven year old boy, how does one gain the attention of one who resembles his beautiful mother?

Why, by acting the same way as attracting the attention of a mother. Either being a spoiled brat, or an irritating son. These qualities are usually overlooked because a mother understands this behavior, but you on the other hand act as any other girl.

I don't blame you for it, but I guess that misunderstandings like that have happened far too long. Maybe in my First year I deserved to be yelled at because the Marauders wreaked havoc everywhere.

In second year it was similar, but we matured a little. We started to look at our friendship more. We figured that something was happening to one of our best friends. I still gave you all my attention, but I guess I was just considered annoying.

Hogwarts was a place to have fun and I guess I was acting arrogant. Wouldn't you feel at least somewhat proud that you could do this spell first or for that matter all of your spells with speed and quality?

In third year, I had started to notice that there were a lot of people who were being mean to my friends and certainly to you. I tried to help you without letting you know because I just felt that it was worth a gift without anything to be received in return. I tried to stop those who picked on you and others similarly treated.

Also, I tried to help out a friend in need. As you know already, Remus is a werewolf and so during that year we broke so many rules just so we could find ways to help Remus.

We've researched werewolves already in class and you should understand the pressures and consequences. Because we Marauders have faith in Remus, we have to make him feel like he's on top of the world. I guess that leads to the next point.

I always try to look the best, act the best, and be the best just for you. Because of all the points and detentions that we Marauders get, we try to make up for the points in any way we can. For me that revolves around Quidditch. I'm sorry if I act like I'm the best, but I'm just trying my hardest to improve the conditions that are getting worse everyday.

Throughout fourth, fifth, and sixth year I listened to what you say more and more, but as Voldemort started to attack more and more families the school became withdrawn. Our pranks helped solve that problem and for me, I felt that if it only hurt my nonexistent love life while helping the general morale, then it would be worth it. I guess I'm not sure why I'm thinking so much about the past and how I've chased after you, but it's just helping me sort my feelings out.

I believe that I still love you, but maybe it's time that I ease up a bit. I certainly don't care about the money I've spent in a relationship. I don't care about the time that I've used up because you're more than well worth it. I don't really call this a futile attempt because I've come to know love a bit better. I probably will still love you when I die, but I think I can live my own life now.

I'm not a bad person. I'm really not. Would you consider hating your family being a bad quality in a person?

I guess there are two things wrong with my life: my never-ending dissatisfaction and my eternal unsatisfactory view of family through experience and my insatiable compulsiveness.

What does this all translate to in simple terms? I've led and had a bad family life as I am different from the rest of them. The other thing I guess can be seen if you know who I am. Sirius Black. The one who will never be seen alone. I'm the shallow popular eligible bachelor. I'm either with my friends the Marauders or with a girl trying to find a good place for a snog.

Why am I analyzing my life when I have awesome friends, a never-ending supply of cute and attractive girls, and no responsibility of a home life? I guess it's the fact that there's always a looming expectation of me.

When I grew up, I was expected to be the perfect kid. Always obeying, always learning, always hating because I was a Black. There is no exception to the rule if you are a Black. After I grew out of those expectations, between fights, disownment, and running away, I felt that I was finally free of this expectation.

Then I realized that life wasn't just one battle to be won by running away. There was Voldemort who is hundred times worse than my family still out there killing and torturing.

So now, my expectation is one that I've put on myself. My expectation consists of me, trying my best, to somehow change the world for the better.

Usually I'm not characterized as the epitome of seriousness, so unlike my name, but it's just to add some fun in life because it's so serious. I've never grown up with too much love because it wasn't quite on the list of family values. It was always stoicism and prejudice until the very end as long as tradition was upheld.

I guess this leads me to my next topic: release. Every teenager experiences maturing and understanding the full responsibilities and rights of Real Life. Each adolescent finds a way of release.

My friend James releases his tension, his anger, and his unwanted emotions while he flies as well as through his efforts in going after Evans.

I really think he's a daft git, only chasing after one girl. I see how it deeply pains him although I doubt he'll admit it. He's only lying to himself because Evans barely thinks that he's human because he's done so many "wrongful" acts.

For me it's different. I go out with so many girls not for the sake of breaking people's hearts. I think of myself as a lot simpler than that.

Affection from the opposite sex does indeed release the tension and the worries of my life. From all the unsatisfactory actions in life, I have to find some fun other than pranks and Quidditch.

I'm just so handsome and perfect that girls line up to just sit next to us Marauders. I don't want their feelings to go wasted just like my best friends so I take them up on a deal.

It may seem like I'm stringing them along, but what people don't know because I swear them to secrecy is that I make the girls realize before hand what it's like to be with me. I do consider myself dangerous because from experience and other stories, I can truly affect a girl's emotions.

That's why I'm always careful about explaining my way of relieving tension. Sometimes it's in the chase, sometimes it's the reward of snogging, and other times it's just the platonic rewards, but every girl realizes that it will be a while before I will settle down.

I guess what bothers me most about it is that it is detrimental to my health and always to others. I often daydream about certain girls and I get tired because of my late night escapades, but how else do I relieve tension?

How else do I fill the emotional gap inside me? James has Lily and I envy him for that because he truly has something to warm him up and make him smile everyday. Although he might feel the pain of heartache, he's enjoyed so much more by just experiencing the effects of adoration.

For me, it's simple. I need release and I do try to think about the feelings of the girls and how hurtful it feels for me too. I go into all of this knowing what I'm about to commit.

I guess it's a bad habit. I realize that I will gain some sort of experience, but I can just picture a girl's face crying. It's one of the things that I fear the most, making a girl cry. I guess that's why the girls love me so much because I'm just an all around perfect guy.

On the outside and most of the time, I'm carefree, humorous, and impulsive, but sometimes I will really listen to people's problems. It's the only way to keep Prongs sane: listening to his problems day in and day out.

Oh, I need to go get ready for a date soon. I've had a bad enough day with all the homework and a fight between Wormtail and I so hopefully tonight will be fun. The Sirius Black laid open for all to see. Do you think being introspective helps to pick up girls faster?

James woke up at the sound of a shower, wondering why he wasn't the first one to awake today. It didn't matter as he started waking up the other Marauders by transfiguring their beds into alarm clocks.

"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG"

"AHHH! PRONGS! What'd you do that for?" yelled a Sirius as he threw the clock out the window, then realizing that it was his bed, he summoned it back and transfigured it back.

Peter on the other hand just pulled it behind his pillow and kept on sleeping. All of a sudden his pillow was turned into a cat, which of course is a mouse's' worst enemy, so he woke up with a fright. He turned the cat back as well as the alarm clock and looked at his two laughing friends.

Gritting his teeth at first from the wake-up call, then smiling, he addressed his friends "hey, are we still on for tonight? I think that's why Moony beat you James."

"Of course! You think we'd leave our buddy hanging? I can't believe he was all by himself during the first years without us." solemnly said Sirius.

James looked somber too, but then he broke into a smile as he said "well, I guess we should make it good now that we can be with him! We have to be more careful though... right padfoot?"

Sirius, after remembering the horrible prank on Snape that he didn't think would fall for, replied "yeah, I really screwed up there mate. So, breakfast anyone?"

James stood idly outside the boy's dormitory as he waited for his friends to come down. During this time he was sitting in one of the chairs just looking at the wall separating him and the girl's dormitory. Trying to imagine what bed that his beloved Lily would be in, he kept squinting and waving his arms trying to draw out this picture.

Suddenly he noticed that there were two people staring at him, one which of course due to his luck, was Lily Evans herself. Sheepishly turning to face the window, James almost jumped out from embarrassment.

James thought to himself that he must really be becoming careless to be caught in such an act.

Soon, the marauders arrived at the breakfast table and jumped into their food. James finished before the others and started daydreaming again. It was remarkable that James was as highly ranked as a wizard at Hogwarts because he didn't believe he deserved it because he hardly tried.

Of course he studied when he needed too, sometimes he was just as random and passionate about grades as the next bookworm, but he just didn't show it as much. Sure he had to be smart to get by through 6 years of pranking, animagus training, and others, but James wasn't known for being smart. I guess it was something hidden by his quidditch and pranks.

If only people could see the real me, then maybe Lily might like me. At Hogwarts, it was all about gossip and rumors because teenagers liked to talk and make up stories.

If only the world would see past his appearance, his quidditch performance, and how he acted during school, which seems almost to leave him with nothing else important.

But James, was deeper than most people, and even without all those things, if you were his friends, you'd be fascinated by how loyal, trusting, nice, and so protective of all the things that he loves.

But back to his daydream, thoughts of Lily seeped into his mind as he could just imagine the red and green, mixing together hypnotizing himself. He was suddenly brought out of his dream when he felt something sharp jab into his ribs.

"Prongs, where's your head today? Hurry up, we have classes then quidditch practice! Let's go! Moony, try to get Prongs from his daydream and into class! We can't let our esteemed Head Boy be late!" said Sirius as he began smirking.

The day went on fairly nice for James, besides the embarrassment from the morning, which James quickly got over. Divination was hilarious as Professor Trelawney almost burnt down the tower with her fireplace blowing up due.

James and Sirius got out early and went wandering along the halls. Sirius thought it would be a funny prank if James spooked unsuspecting people by putting on a suit of armor, while dancing with Sirius. Then James could scare people by himself.

Unfortunately, as James was halfway stuck in the armor he noticed that he was standing right outside the Arithmancy corridor... and found none other than Lily Evans cracking up at the sight of him.

Although James was happy to provide the means to make Lily smile that great smile of hers, he didn't quite want it to happen as it did. Too late, James got himself out of the suit of armor and went to get his broom for quidditch practice after lunch.

Lunch was a casual affair as they planned their next prank along with a secret surprise for Moony later that night.

As soon as lunch was over, James went outside to begin practicing Quidditch. He was captain and chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, hoping to win the Quidditch Cup in his last year at the school. Each subsequent year since his 2nd year Gryffindor was always 2nd place.

Sometimes Slytherin became first, to the disgust of three fourths of the population while Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff would even squeak by with a final win.

Perhaps it was because the captain before James, who had just graduated had the crazy notion that a player from each position, one beater, one chaser, and one keeper would help the seeker find the snitch because that would mean an automatic 150 point win!

The plan seemed like a good idea in principle, but playing without a keeper became obvious to the other team. Most of the time Gryffindor would win, sometimes by a large margin, others by a small, but when the opponent knew the basics of your team, it was hard to win.

James was the only one who rebelled from the captain as he was able to steal some passes and score on the keeper despite having sometimes being assigned to look for the snitch.

This year however, James had composed a series of plays that they would train hard for because this year Gryffindor would win for sure. James set up three stations, one for chasers, one for beaters, and one for the keeper to go over the plays.

The seeker would be practicing with charmed fake galleons that flew around glinting like the snitch. Because James was so motivated for his team, each time the seeker caught 10, they would become 1 galleon for him to keep. James started the practice, but found himself drifting off every few minutes.

He could smell the freshness of the green grass below him, feel the wind blowing through his hair, making it look gorgeously like he had just woken up.

But it really wasn't that feeling that made him feel carefree, it was the fact that he had seen Lily Evans again for a few minutes as she was in muggle clothes enjoying the time outside.

Most people wouldn't think of just seeing a person as being so influential, but it all came down to how James felt about Lily because each feeling was multiplied. Lily Evans was extremely pretty and having the chance to notice what was underneath the Hogwarts robes that she wore most of the time, was an enormous blessing.

For James, it was like he had been blind, deaf, mute, and dumb, but now he was perfect and that was the feeling that Lily gave him. James's vision was something flawed because in his eyes Lily was perfect when she wasn't perfect at all.

Part of the reason that Lily never liked James was because she thought that he was false, hoping that he had some secret beneath his arrogant, proud, attractive, prankish nature.

He had to be somewhat smart to become Head Boy and certainly had some talents at quidditch, but instead of realizing that James's nature was something positive that caused all this, she looked around for mistakes or something negative that motivated him. Maybe she thought that he was wasting his potential.

Is it bad not to recognize the mistakes of the one you care for? It seemed to everyone that James was just being superficial and selfish, just ignoring her faults so he could be with her.

To James, it wasn't the fact that he saw her as perfect, and shirking her mistakes as something negligible, but it was the fact that he could see how her mistakes made her perfect. It was why no matter how she looked, she was beautiful to him.

It was why no matter what happened to her, he would always love her for that special part of her was eternally perfect.

James's vision was a whole lot more human than a lot of other people's because he was willing to acknowledge that no one is perfect and so he looked for the next best thing. James's vision was also more human in that he was willing to not lie to himself, to truly show how he felt.

He pitied the guys who would feel somewhat the same as him, but who wouldn't for the life of themselves act upon their feelings.

They were good guys, extremely well in the standards of love and care, but they were too shy. James suddenly got hit with a quaffle because he couldn't see it as it had already become dark. After realizing that he was blessed with brilliant multi-tasking skills, he called the practice to an end. The Marauders with the exception of Moony went to prepare, shower, and get ready for the night while Remus wondered why his friends were all gone.

He ate his dinner quietly when Lily Evans suddenly walked up to him and sat down next to him.

"So how was your day Remus?" asked Lily who was a good friend of Remus's but could hardly talk to him alone anymore because James became Head Boy.

"It was okay, I feel a bit sick and I'll probably feel better by tomorrow," said Remus as he had to give an excuse to why he was gone for the night.

"Remus, I've been noticing that you either get sick or something bad happens and I admire your strength. I think it's wonderful that you can still maintain such high grades even with all your absences. Sometimes I wish that you would become Head Boy and not that Potter." said Lily between bites of her dinner.

"Lily, can I ask you something? Oh, and it's not about James, so don't give me that irritated look. I was wondering what you truly think of me as a person?" asked Remus because he was willing if Lily answered correctly to tell her that he was a werewolf.

"What I think of you? Well, that's kind of abrupt, but I guess I can give you an answer.

Well because you are my friend, you must be a good person, just kidding Remus! You are a very good friend because you listen to the person instead of jumping in with your ideas. You are also extremely nice to people even when it's not something that is required," said Lily.

"I love it how just for any thing wrong you just help other people. I've seen you in your various classes using the levitating charm on objects that people drop as common courtesy and even for Slytherins! I think you are very intelligent because you always get the best grades in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I think you are a great Gryffindor and I would love to stay your friend. Why do you ask?" replied Lily.

Remus mentally sighed. It wasn't the fact that he wasn't grateful for all this adulation, but it was the fact that he had heard it so many times before. True, nobody and sometimes not even the Marauders knew the depths of Remus Lupin.

He wasn't just an intellectual nice guy because he hated how nice guys would most of the time finish last. It was also partially the fact that he would never be the nice guy because he was a werewolf.

Remus was smart and nice, true, because he cared about things, but he also gave a lot of thought to public opinion. He wasn't as attractive as Sirius or James, but they were like gods on earth, divine beauty was a gift for them.

Remus tried his best not to look to shabbily, but his pride kept him from accepting any clothes or anything else from his dear friends. Remus thought to himself whether he should tell Lily about his secret. It was one he feared most because Lily thought of him as such a nice guy and it would most likely crush her for her to see him like this.

He figured that he would tell her some of the secrets that he had kept from the Marauders for a while.

"Well Lily, I wanted to tell you something, which even my friends don't even know and I want you to know that what I tell you won't change anything about me. Okay?" asked Remus.

"Alright Remus. You're a really good friend to me, and you still will be no matter what you've done before." replied Lily.

"Well one of the first things I want to tell you is that I was partially adopted because my parents separated at an early age. I was fairly impressionable at this time, and so I took to doing things that wouldn't be considered nice. I had always had a wiry strength about me at times and because I lived near the forest, it was in a muggle neighborhood. I tried going to certain gyms to exercise so I wouldn't be so weak, sick, and pale-looking, but it wasn't working. So I tried sports and martial arts. I was getting pretty good at this except when I disabled a boy who was about my age into living in a wheel chair. It was some of my unnatural strength coming through and I became a danger to the people around me. I hope you can understand that my nice appearance is something that I've been working on since I arrived at Hogwarts. Just as a fair warning, I'm not as one sided as most people think I am, and I have a lot of secrets that make me seem more human, if that's okay with you."

"Oh, Remus! You have certainly gone through a lot in your life! I never would have dropped you as a friend because you had done some bad things. It's not what you are or what you've done, but to be able to go through all that suffering. I'm more worried about the pain that you would have lingering as a child! Oh Remus you know you can tell me anything right? Good! Well I have to go back to my dorm to study. I hope you feel better. Bye Remus! Come talk to me some more when Potter's not around okay?"

"Okay," mumbled Remus as he thought about what she had said. He was glad that she wasn't keen on finding out the rest of the secrets because what she had said was more like the answer that he was looking for earlier.

Remus hurried to the Whomping Willow so he would be able to transform and not be in the company of other students.

Remus entered the shrieking shack and was stunned! The Marauders had gone all out and when it comes to the Marauders who have connections everywhere, all out is a whole bunch of stuff.

The shrieking shack had been magically enlarged to the size of the Great Hall and boy was it a spectacular sight. The shack was illuminated in all the colors of the rainbow. Noisemakers and Halloween decorations were put up there to mask the howls that Remus might make.

A section of the shack was made into a hunting environment, but instead of live animals, it was things like enlarged candy, vegetables, chew toys, cheese, things that would be funny, tasty, but not harmful.

Another section was built into an on the ground quidditch arena as there were bewitched balls that a stag, wolf, and dog could play with.

It was Remus's dreams to be able to all things available to him and being able to do this while being a werewolf was extremely lifting. The Marauders thus had one of their best memories eating, playing games, and while all in their respective forms.

Remus felt that if nights happened like this, being a werewolf wouldn't be so bad. He decided that he should probably tell Lily because she was almost as good of a friend as the Marauders as she knew some secrets that they didn't know. As the sun went down, they all slept peacefully in their forms, awaiting the next week's adventure.