A/N: We're BACK!!!  We both had an awesome time in Wisconsin. I won't bore

you with facts about our 'vacation' that you really don't want to hear. On

with the story

Really Big Disclaimer: We do not own any characters you recognize. We do own

the plot as well as Genny Vallier, Caleb Smith, Kary Mesner, Daniel East,

Autumn Balley, Christian Grant, Cheri Lindinstarne, Kirke Ogden, Camelle

Plimy, Selina Treneman, Ian Wendell, Wendy Wendell, Professor Crick,

Professor Faust, and Professor Alberich. –I think that's all ; )

Before the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 5

Crime and Punishment

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"Arrgghh!" came the strangled cry of a suit of armor as it walked through

the Great Hall Sunday morning.

James and Sirius exchanged evil grins while Remus sat looking worried as did

Lily-he must've told them something about it.

The two boys stood up and blocked the suit of armor's path to towards the

Slytherin table.

"So…Snivellus…what misfortune must've befallen you on this lovely Sunday

morning that you are now stuck in a suit of armor?" said Sirius

"Itwasyouandyouknowit"

"I'm sorry, we can't understand you…you're trapped in a suit of armor."

"You'regoingtobeinsomuchtroublewhentheteachersfindout"

"Excuse me good sir, but as you know you are not allowed in the Great Hall

whilst the students are dining." said Professor Crick as he came striding up

to them.

"Professorit'sme"

"MR. SNAPE?!" Professor Crick immediately recognized one of his favorite

students. "What happened to you?"

Finding it too difficult to try and talk Snape raised an arm and pointed

straight towards James and Sirius.

"POTTER, BLACK, 30 POINTS FROM GRYFINNDOR! AND DETENTION!! YOU WILL MEET

WITH PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL LATER TO DISCUSS WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING!" They left

to take Snape to get magiked out of the armor by Madam Pomfrey.

McGonagall wasn't the only the two of them would have two answer to.

Lily was now standing outside of the Great Hall with her arms crossed as

James and Sirius left breakfast.

"I can't believe you two!" said Lily in outrage

"What?" said James innocently as he approached Lily.

"You know perfectly well what!"

"What makes you think we did it?"

"Because the ear-to-ear grins on your faces makes it all too clear" said

Lily still in a huff

She didn't particularly like Severus but she absolutely loathed James and

Sirius, she couldn't see for her life why Remus liked them so much. Not only

did Lily loathe James and Sirius, she also despised mean-spirited pranks.

The two combined made a completely awful mix.

"That doesn't prove anything," said James in continuation of their argument

"I have far more important things to do than to stand here and discuss this

subject…especially with a girl." and he led Sirius off to McGonagall's

office.

"A GIRL?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH GIRLS?!"

Lily went back into the Great Hall and sat back down next to Genny so she

could fume.

"Those two make me so angry!"

"Yes I know." Genny had heard this a few times before even though it had

only been a week.

"I can't believe they think they can go and pull those mean-spirited pranks

and get the rest of us in trouble! It took me all last week to earn those 30

points and they loose them just like that…"

"Lily, you're ranting again, we'll go upstairs and play cards or chess or

something to get your mind off them."

"Alright then," sighed Lily Genny grinned and led her back to the dormitory.

 James and Sirius made their way to Professor McGonagall's office. They had

been there twice…already.

"Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, please take a seat." The two boys did as they were

told. "It has come to my attention that Mr. Snape is now trapped in a suit

of armor."

They nodded their heads

"And he says that it's your fault"

They just sat there.

"Well…was it?"

"You see Professor, I understand why he thinks it's us…because…er…we were

walking down a corridor… and he was walking down a corridor…the same

corridor…and…er…there was a suit of armor…in the corridor…and we…um…started

talking…and Snape turned around to face us…while we were talking…and he was

still walking…so, he was walking backwards…in the corridor…that the suit of

armor was also in…"

"Spit it out Mr. Black"

"…and he backed into the suit of armor…er…and…fell…er…in." finished Sirius

"Mr. Black. That has to be the worst excuse I have ever heard! And believe

me when I say I've heard a lot of them." James couldn't help but silently

agree with her. "For detention, you will help me, a few of the other

teachers, and some other students serving detention as well. We will be

planting a willow on the grounds Wednesday night. You will be meeting me in

the Entrance Hall at 8 pm sharp."

"Yes Professor." They replied in unison

"And you will need to bring your dragon hide gloves as well as these," she

reached under her desk and brought out two helmets. "See you on Wednesday."

James and Sirius walked out of Professor McGonagall's office wondering what

in the world they would need helmets for when they were just planting a

stupid willow tree.

"Maybe they're having us plant it in the middle of the Forbidden Forest. And

there is currently a plague running through the forest creating sick

unicorns that will infect us then trample us leaving us to our doom. And it'

ll be a full moon and so they're also afraid about werewolves, as well as a

clan of angry centaurs with beards and hair on their backs."

"Don't be silly Sirius, full moon's not for two weeks, plus, that's just

plain ridiculous. It's because of all the rabid squirrels sent from the

trees by the Druid spirits whose only wish is to torment not quite so

innocent first years who in turn their only wish is to torment certain

greasy haired someones."

"Yea, sure James…that one's probable," snorted Sirius.

They stopped in front of the portrait but before they could say the password

the portrait swung violently open knocking James in the forehead as

Professor McGonagall whisked out of the common room.

"How on earth did she beat us?" questioned James

"I dunno." The two of them walked into the common room, baffled, to find a

crowd of students around the notice board a few older students walking away

disappointedly.

James and Sirius went up to find out what had been posted. The piece of

parchment now on the board read:

Flying Lessons

Gryfinndor:

First years: Tuesday, 2:00pm

Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm

Slytherin:

First years: Tuesday, 2:00pm

Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm

Ravenclaw:

First years: Thursday, 2:00pm

Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm

Huffelpuff:

First years: Thursday, 2:00pm

Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm

Up in her dorm Lily was not happy about the announcement. She was born a

muggle who liked keeping her feet on the ground, and even as a witch she

would still like to keep it that way.

"…and besides, Genny, it's with the Slytherins! I hate the Slytherins!"

"Don't we all Lily, now listen, it won't be…"

"I'm so sure that I'm gonna just fall off the broom right onto my face! In

front of all the Slytherins, and…" she gasped, "James Potter as well! He'll

be there to, as well as Black! Oh they'll all just have a grand time

laughing at poor ol' Lily…"

"LILY!"

"WHAT?"

"Calm down, take a deep breath and sit down" Lily did as she was told. "I am

sure everything will be just fine, you'll do alright and you'll show all of

them what a muggle-born witch can do."

"You're right Genny. I'll show them!"

The days before Tuesday were long and drawn out. Every first year that wasn'

t James and Sirius were very nervous. The two of them were doing their

absolute best to look superior to the other first years. This wasn't helping

Lily at all.

"Pssssst, Lily," hissed James during Potions on Monday

"Shut up Potter, I'm trying to get something out of this class," Lily hissed

back

James didn't seem to hear that; "I can't wait for our flying lesson

tomorrow. Of course it's not like I really need a teacher for that."

"Be quiet Potter, I'm sure I'll walk out of that class not only the best

muggle born flyer there but the best one all together!"

"Yeah, sure, but have you had years and years of practice? I have, and I'm

sure I could best you in anything!"

Lily gave a sigh. This confirmed, for the hundredth time, that James did

indeed have an overly large head. James turned around and faced the other

direction much to Lily's relief.

"Pssssst, hey Snivellus…."

Tuesday came all too soon for Lily in a few minutes she'd be walking out

onto the grounds to learn to use a broom.

There were two rows of brooms stationed out on the grass no one but James,

Sirius and some Slytherins had dared approached them.

"Well, what are the rest of you bumpkins waiting for? Step up to a broom."

The class then did as it was told. "Now, stick your wand arm over the broom

and say 'Up'"

There were shouts of "Up!" heard from all the students a round total of only

4 of the 11 brooms rose to meet the student that had called them. Lily's

just rolled over knocking Peter in the heel. Genny's was one of the four

that had risen.

"Miss Vallier!" Genny dropped her broom in surprise.

"Yes Madam Hooch" said Genny, not sure what she wanted.

"Madam Pomfrey has informed me that, due to your back condition, you will

not be allowed to fly."

"But Madam Hooch" pleaded Genny "It's not that bad. Why would it effect me

flying?"

"These are not my orders Miss Valier, after all I'm not a nurse. I trust

Madam Pomfrey."

At first Lily was disappointed that her best friend wouldn't be there to

support her when she made a fool of herself but her disappointment quickly

turned into a strong feeling of betrayal that Genny hadn't told her about

her back condition.

Genny waved goodbye to Lily with a look of deep regret on her face but Lily

refused to wave back.

The flying lesson went seamlessly. Seamlessly that is except for Lily who

couldn't get her broom off the ground.

That wasn't the worst of it though. When Madam Hooch finally just picked up

Lily's broom for her, it took off before Lily could fully kick off the

ground, causing her to fall headfirst over the top of her broom and onto her

back.

"How did the flying lesson go?" Genny asked when Lily entered the common

room covered in dirt. Lily just growled. "Not good then?"

"Ugh."

"I see…Lily, what's the matter?"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FLY WITH ME?! YOU DIDN'

T LET ME KNOW YOU HAD A BACK CONDITION? YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME…"

Genny thrust her head into her hands, who was she to be the one to mess with

Lily's short temper today? "Look Lily, I didn't think it would be an issue

when it came to flying. How was I supposed to know I wouldn't be able to fly

with you?"

"YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR BACK!"

"WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO SAY? HEY LILY, JUST SO YOU KNOW  I HAVE THIS BACK

CONDITION THAT DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO DO CERTAIN THINGS."

"Yes."

"Lily, it's not that simple I've had this for a few years now every once in

awhile I'll just collapse onto the floor unable to do a thing for at least

24 hours, that has frightened a few people away, they don't want to spend

time with someone whose going to possibly collapse on them, they just don't

want to be with someone that fragile.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"That's fine…so how did flying lessons REALLY go?" laughed Genny.

Lily giggled then gestured to herself, "I'm covered in dirt Genny how do you

THINK it went?" Genny started laughing again and the two of them slumped

into a chair by the fireplace immobilized with laughter.

"Hey Evans, nice job in flying class." Said a sarcastic voice that belonged

to James. Lily

just shrugged it off, she was having a good time with her friend and nobody

was going to ruin it.

James didn't want to be brushed aside that easily, but Sirius pulled him

away.

"What do you want Sirius! I was about to insult Evans!"

"Who?"

"Lily. Her last name is Evans."

"Oh. Anyway I figured out why we're going to need helmets to plant that

willow tree."

"Why?"

"It's no ordinary willow, it's a Whomping Willow."

"A 'whomping willow'?"

"Yes as in it 'whomps' anything that gets within ten feet of it."

James' face fell, "Oh man."

"Oh man is right. I guess next time we prank someone we should have a better

excuse lined up." James gave him a dirty look. "What? It's not like it was

my fault that we got put in detention." Another dirty look from James,

"Whatever, fine, I had a bad excuse, kill me."

"We now have to face that 'whomping willow' maybe it'll do that for me."

Sirius shuddered.

The next thing James knew was that it was Wednesday night and he was

carrying a helmet, wearing dragon hide gloves, and walking down to the

Entrance Hall so he could meet Professor McGonagall for his detention.

"Good evening Mr. Black, good evening Mr. Potter. I'm glad to see you

brought the helmets. I'm sure you're curious as to why you will be needing

them." Both of them just grumbled in reply. "You see it is no ordinary

willow but a whomping willow…"

Sirius had heard this before, he had overheard Professor Dumbledore talking

with the Herbology teacher, Professor Faust, about the kind of tree he

wanted to be planted.

"…this tree will injure almost anyone within a few feet of it. The

Headmaster sees it fit to provide Hogwarts with an extraordinary plant such

as this. You will be helping Professor Faust, Professor Crick, and myself,

as well as a few other student serving their detentions, to plant this

'whomping willow'."

With that said they trooped out onto the grounds over on the far side of the

lake, they were obviously the last to arrive. Except for their Herbology

professor. There were 3 other students who were in detention as well; they

introduced themselves as Caleb Smith, Kary Mesner, and Daniel East. They

hardly learned more because Professor Crick would not hear of anymore

socializing.

Then Professor Faust made his appearance, he was carrying a small metal

bucket that was shaking violently, he set it on the ground and stared

blankly at the 5 students.

"Well," he said gesturing to the 5 shovels on the ground. "Start digging."

James, Sirius, Caleb, Kary, and Daniel started to dig, and dig, and dig some

more, in that amount of time they learned the 3 of them were 4th year

Ravenclaws who were caught throwing some of the younger kids into the lake.

According to Kary "It was all in fun! They were enjoying it!"  The 5 of them

were out there for 4 1/2 hours until the three professors ordered them to

stop.

Professor McGonagall helped them out of their hole as Professors Crick and

Faust moved the bucket over by the hole.

"Helmets on!" Everyone there dawned helmets. Professor Crick Climbed into

the whole and Professor Faust handed him the bucket. He then emptied its

contents and set it properly and climbed out of the hole.

"Alright Minerva, she's all yours."

Professor McGonagall brandished her wand and pointed it at the hole.

"Engorgio!"

All of the sudden the ground shook as a massive tree began to take it's

original size in the hole. While it was growing its branches were flailing

wildly about. James and Sirius clutched their helmets tight to their heads

and saw the others were doing the same.

As soon as it was full sized the dangerous whirling around of the 'whomping

willow's' limbs did not cease. But Professor Crick who was shortest of the

three crawled wildly through the swinging branches and pressed a knot on the

tree. It immediately froze up and he walked back out from under the tree.

"You are free to go. We are no longer in need of your help."

Everyone with the exception of the teachers trudged back into the castle

covered in dirt and sweat. James and Sirius finally made it up to the 7th

floor and into the common room to find only Remus and Peter still awake.

James wanted nothing more than to roll into bed and not move until Easter.

Peter would have none of it.

"So, was it exciting? Who was there? Did it hurt you? What did…"

"Shut up Peter," grunted James as he pushed passed him on his way up the

stairs, with Sirius close behind.

James weakly pulled on his pajama's and before he could roll into bed he

spotted the teachers still working on the willow out on the grounds.

"I wonder why they are still working on that tree. We planted the stupid

thing right?"

Remus who was slowly getting ready for bed seemed to speed up at that

comment before James could ask him about it Remus had pulled the curtains on

his four-poster bed closed. James shrugged it off and drifted off into sleep

trying to wish away the classes, which he had tomorrow morning.

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