A/N: Thanks to all of everyone who reviews this story-we love it-please keep at it!

-Special thanks to those of you who tend to review every chapter; we really appreciate your effort!

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Before The Boy Who Lived

Chapter 9

TGTO: Thank God Term's Over

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"Wow," said an exasperated James as he walked out of the Potions classroom, "that one was difficult, thank Merlin it's the last one!"

"Did you expect your exams to be a piece of cake?" inquired Remus

"Er…yea?" inputted Sirius matter-of-factly

"I can't believe you two! I'll be surprised if they admit you into your second year."

"Ah, Remus Lupin, thou hast no idea of our incredible abilities," said Sirius tapping the ends of his fingers together wisely.

"Speaking of your abilities…what are your plans to carry out the year so I can brace myself properly-I'd rather not be surprised. You lost us enough points to be in last place for the Championship!" asked Remus

"Your right. I suppose we all should be a bit more sneaky about our pranks-and try not to get caught," said James

Remus laughed dryly "What happens to be your record for detentions?"

"Nine," James announced proudly

"Same here," said Sirius.

"A mere nine? I would've expected a bit more from you,"

"You must remember, Pringle was fired, and we were 'caretakerless' for more than a month," defended James

"Oh, that's right."

"Now you were asking about plans? You won't have to worry much, considering I don't have any."

"Really? James Potter not go-out with a bang? His first year of Hogwarts no less!" exclaimed Peter.

"Yea," said James said in a put-down voice "I just haven't had any particular inspiration."

"Inspiration, ay?" asked Peter

"Yes, prank-pulling has a fine art to it, and like all fine art, it needs inspiration."

Their conversation had led them to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Phoenix song" said James, so they then climbed through the portrait hole. James started up the stairs to the boys' dormitories.

"What're you doing?" asked Peter.

"Packing."

"Are you packing already, mate?" asked Sirius

"Yea, we're leaving in 2 days right?"

"Very true, I'll join you." Said Sirius

The two friends headed up the staircase to pack their stuff to leave.

"You know," said James, "I can't wait to get home away from schoolwork, but my mum would have never let me get off as easily as Pringle, Filch, and McGonagall did."

"No way," answered Sirius, "I met your mum, there is now way she'd do things worse than Pringle!"

James laughed dryly. "If there is no excuse for my actions, such as my birthday," Sirius laughed, "-or any other explanation, she won't hesitate to suspend me by my toes from the ceiling of the nearest closest. My father on the other hand…that is a totally different story."

"Yea, my mum wouldn't hesitate to suspend me from the ceiling-even if it wasn't my fault, she seems to favor Regulus. And my father left us when I was five."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

They continued to pack in silence until James' hand was bit by something…hard. He quickly withdrew his arm from the trunk bringing with it a biting teacup. He was suddenly hit with a burst of inspiration.

"Hey Sirius…"

Sirius looked up from his trunk where he was trying to stuff socks into the corners of his already more-than-full trunk. "Yea?"

"Remember you told me the Head Girl was your cousin?"

"Uh huh." Sirius said slowly, not quite sure where James was going with this.

"Do you like her very much?"

"No, that piece of filth who insisted on tormenting m…" James stopped him by holding up his hand

"Good that's all I needed to know." James turned to leave the dormitories

"Wait, where are you going?"

"When would James Potter not go out with a bang, his first year of Hogwarts no less?" Was all he told Sirius before leaving him in the dormitories.

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(A/N: This would have been a perfect place to end the chapter if it wasn't only a grand total of three pages…but that would have been just be cruel wouldn't it have?)

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"Professor Crick!!" shrieked Narcissa Black from the Slytherin table at the End-of-the-Year Feast.

James nudged Sirius as Professor Crick strode over to the distraught Head Girl.

"You?"

"Yeah, brilliant right?"

"Definitely! I think that my dear cousin will look rather dashing whilst sporting a rather thick moustache. How long is it going to last?"

"At least a week-maybe two, but we won't be around to tell will we?"

"You won't," Sirius laughed, "but at the end of every summer all of the relatives-that are still considered worthy of the Black name-come to my place at the end of every school year as a sort-of 'family reunion' this…er…'mishap' should make things a bit more light-hearted, as long as I'm not pinned as the culprit, if I am I doubt it will be as enjoyable"

"I don't know how they could even suspect it was me or you at al…"

"MR. BLACK!" Professor Crick shouted across the blue and bronze decorated Hall-obviously it was the Ravenclaws who had won the House Cup this year.

Sirius shrunk a bit into his seat.

"It wasn't Sirius Professor," said James now aware of the consequences should Sirius be blamed.

"Well, who else would have a motive to attack Ms. Black?"

"Me…actually I don't really have a 'motive' per say, but I did do it."

"Really, did you not think about the repercussions of your actions?"

"As a matter of fact I did Professor, and there is nothing you can do about it."

Professor Crick gave him a confused look.

"I will be leaving in about oh-say a few hours? I can't serve a detention can I? I am technically out of school, and the points have already been calculated, it would be pointless to take some wouldn't it?"

Professor Crick looked furious and didn't say a word as he turned on his heel and walked off.

Professor Dumbledore then stood up to speak.

"Yet again a year has passed!" –there was applause from the students-"Congratulations to Ravenclaw house for winning the House Cup!"-more applause-"I can't wait to see most of you next year, and may we all pray your brains don't rot!" he sat back down.

As soon as he did so the golden plates filled with wonderfully delicious food, and the students delved into the feast-Peter made sure to have James and Remus between him and Sirius before beginning his meal.

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All too soon for James the trees that went rushing past the Hogwarts Express slowly turned to rolling fields, then to the city of London as it pulled into King's Cross station.

James stood up from his seat to grab his trunk and heave it out of the train back to home, when he was tapped on the shoulder, so he wheeled around.

It was Sirius who was wearing a desperate look; 'Things definitely must be rough for him at home.' thought James as he made to ask Sirius what as the matter. But Sirius got there first.

"Will you please come and visit me over the summer-please."

"Yea, that'd be fun-when we get off the train I'll ask Mum."

Sirius heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much! You have no idea!"

James and Sirius walked off the train; James hardly had time to brace himself before he was nearly toppled to the ground by his mother.

"Jamsie! I missed you so much! I don't know if I'll be able to let you go for your second year!"

"Geroff mum! Do you have any idea how many people could be watching me?"

"Aw Jamsie, there is nothing to worry about! Come on let's go," she said as she wheeled him around and led him off of the platform.

James looked back over his shoulder at Sirius and shouted, "I'll send you an owl!"

James just had time to see Sirius nod before he was shoved violently through the barrier.

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Sirius,

Mum says I can spend time with you over the summer. As long as it's not here-she says she is having distant relatives to visit and doesn't need another person here. Let me know if I can come there to stay

James

P.S. Does Narcissa still have her moustache?

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James,

If we are willing to stay out of her sight Mother says we can stay over here (though it's not like I'd want to be in her sight anyways…) Can you come next week? I'll be expecting you then if I don't get a letter back. The address is "12 Grimmauld Place". See you then.

Sirius

P.S. Yea she still does-it's only a thin one now though...yet still very hilarious, her fiancé, Lucius Malfoy, has been extremely repulsed by it.

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"Come here Jamsie and give mummy a kiss!"

James made a face but embraced her and gave her a peck on the cheek nonetheless, before turning to the fireplace. James clutched his knapsack as he tossed some Floo Powder into the flames.

"12 GRIMMAULD PLACE!"

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A/N: I know this is rather short-but I'm about to hit a very busy period-Bonstermonster is working on Lily's side right now, not to worry about that-but I'd rather have some up than none at this point.

'til next time!