A/N: Hello, y'all! This segment's a bit short, but I've bitten off more than I can chew...you may have noticed I didn't update yesterday. I've been busy, which is an unnatural occurrence. You also may have noticed "Hermione's Exasperation" is deleted from my penname. I've given it to Buck, as I can no longer continue writing it. I encourage everyone to see "HE" to the end. I'm sure Buck will finish it well.

It has come to my attention that I'm lacking in the way of reviews for this story...why is that, readers? Nonetheless, life goes on, and so does "No!" Enjoy, as always, and thanks to those who are reviewing!

Nicnak: You will soon see if you are correct in your predictions... Mr. MacDougal had an idea to push them in the right direction...heehee. Thank you!

Jedi Knight Bus: Yeah, I guess I didn't need to say that. I just did it because it wasn't completely clear on the map that they were, in fact, the Marauders. Thanks!

A reminder of where we were last time

James emerged from the shed with a broomstick in hand.

Lily took one side-ways glance at it and said, "Oh no, I'm not getting on that thing."

"The Nimbus 1970 is the safest broom on the market, equipped with anti-lock acceleration and a comfortable seat-cushioning charm. Plus, it's virtually indestructible."

"Nope. Still not riding it."

"Yes, you are."

"So not."

"Sorry about this, Lily," he said, quickly slinging their bag of supplies over himself, grabbing her hand, and kicking off from the ground, into the fresh night air.

Part Eleven: Flight of the Lily and Another Revelation

Lily had begun yelling at him from the time he had taken hold of her hand. "You idiot! James Potter, if you don't let me down this instant, I'll be forced to hex you into oblivion!"

"Already there, babe."

She let out a bloodcurdling scream as they steered sharply to the left to avoid a flock of birds. James noticed she had her arms tightly around his abdomen, and, for a fleeting moment, had a smug expression on his face that showed his pleasure. James, you dolt, it's not the time for that now. He brought himself back to reality, which consisted of a broom ride across the lake and a constantly screaming Lily.

"All right. Let's get something straight, Miss Evans. This is the fastest way to where we need to go. As I recall, you don't want to get caught doing this, although some professors would understand as it's for a class, and your yelling won't help your case. And for Merlin's sake, don't scream bloody murder while the person in front of you is controlling a broom! You don't want to go falling right into the lake from here because your pilot lost his concentration due to your pointless cries for help, do you?"

Lily kept silent after that, until she asked another question. "Why do you and your friends use those nicknames?"

James thought for a minute before replying. "The truth?"

He felt Lily nod against his shoulder and exhaled.

"It all started with Remus. He was bitten—by a wolf—before he came to Hogwarts. Consequently, he now transforms into a wolf himself every full moon; he's a werewolf. Sirius, Peter, and I made friends with him, and so we noticed his monthly absences.

"He came clean, and we sympathized with him. We took it upon ourselves to transform every month as well, so he wouldn't be alone. We secretly studied the ways of the Animagi, and by fifth year, we could fully turn into animals: Peter into a rat, Sirius into a big black dog, and I into a white stag.

Lily's bright green eyes were wide open. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But…how did you do all that stuff without anyone knowing?

"Experience, really. We did have a little help."

"From whom?"

James waited until they were safely across the lake and back on the ground before saying, "From what, you mean." He then pulled from his bag a silvery cloak.

"No, that can't be a…" Lily muttered.

"It's an Invisibility Cloak," he confirmed.

"Where did you ever find such a thing? Aren't they incredibly rare?" asked Lily, astonished for the umpteenth time that night.

"Family heirloom. Tonight, it's our way of Disillusioning ourselves." He held it over Lily's head.

She stepped back, hesitating. "Aw, come on. What's the matter?" James asked, clueless.

"Why would I get in a tightly enclosed space with you?"

"Oh, that hurt. You know, I'm not as bad as you make me out to be," James said. Lily looked toward the ground sheepishly but said nothing. "Well…do you want to be eaten alive by something out here? We're not too far from the Forbidden Forest." This did not affect Lily. James sighed. He hated to resort to threats. "Do you want to fail this potions assignment?"

"Fine," said Lily, forcing the cloak over him and herself.

When should you expect the next post? I need five reviews, or two days, whichever comes first. It WILL continue, but I need to type more from my handy-dandy notebook, and REVIEWS (nudge, nudge, wink wink) speed up the process greatly.