A/N: First off, thank you so much to all the lovely people who reviewed. Thank you so much. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, and I hope you enjoy it. Please give me feedback, like I said, this is my first Lily/James, and my first MWPP fic, so I could use any advice you see fit to give me. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Did you know JKR has approximately one billion dollars? Now I ask you, if I were a famous billionaire with a new book coming out in a month (excuse me, LESS THAN A MONTH! THAT'S RIGHT PEOPLE, LESS THAN A MONTH TILL HBP! Sorry, I'm a little excited) that would make me even richer would I be wasting my time doing this? No.
As soon as we arrived on the platform I wrenched my hand from his grasp. "Thank you Potter." I mumbled, as I my father instructed me to.
James' eyes lit up. "Anytime Miss Evans."
Fifth year began, along with the constant reminders that this was our O.W.L. year. I was pleased to see the other prefect from Gryffindor was Remus. I was dreading being stuck with Black, or even worse…Potter.
Potter, of course continued to ask me out without results. His attempts became less frequent around October when the Marauders could be found spending most of their time in the library.
"What do you think they're up to?" Dorcas mused as we watched the four inhale their lunch before all but sprinting up to the library.
"I don't know, but I'll find out." I said, finishing my meal and adjusting my prefect badge. "See you in Care of Magical Creatures!" I called over my shoulder.
As I entered the library I saw the familiar heads of Remus, Sirius, Peter, and James gathered around a table near the Goblin Rebellions section. Pretending to look for a book to help me with my History of Magic essay I positioned myself so I could eavesdrop on their conversation.
"No, no, no." James' voice was insisting. "Moony should be first, we made this map to help him after all."
"Prongs old chap, I really must protest—" Sirius' voice could now be heard.
A collective sigh came from the group and James spoke again. "Padfoot, as lyrical as you find, Mister Padfoot and his friends (who are nowhere near him in regards to looks, charm, sense of humor, and intelligence) Messrs. Prongs, Moony, and Wormtail proudly present, etc. etc., the rest of us fail to find it appealing."
"Downright insulting more like." Peter piped up.
"Thank you Wormtail." Lupin said wearily. "Does it really matter what order we're in? Why don't we just draw straws or something?"
A gasp came from James' and Sirius' side of the table. "Of course it matters Moony!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Yes." James agreed. "This is our legacy we're talking about."
I was beginning to get annoyed. What was it with all these nicknames? And their legacy? What prank were they planning now?
"And Moony's name is first." James said firmly. "I don't want to hear it Padfoot. We made this map to help him, he goes first."
"Fine." Sirius grumbled. "But what about the rest of the names? I suggest—"
"Let's focus on the introduction, and then the names will come later." Remus said quickly.
"Ok." James said slowly. "How about. The Marauders, Messrs. Moony etc. are pleased to present The Marauder's Map."
"Too short." Sirius stated.
"And the Marauders thing was redundant." Remus added.
"You try then." James said, insulted.
"Ok," Sirius said, accepting the challenge. "How about, Messrs. Moony, so on and so forth, gods in their own right, the kings of mischief makers, are pleased to present to a new generation of troublemakers The Marauder's Map."
"Not bad." James admitted. Peter squeaked his agreement.
"It's still missing something." Remus said.
"Ok Moony, your turn." James told him.
"Oh I don't know. Ah, let's see. How about, Messrs. Moony and company, mentors to a new age of magical mischief are proud to give you The Marauder's Map."
"That's pretty good." Said Sirius. "Alright, all in favor for Moony's introduction?"
"Wait!" Peter whined. "I didn't get a turn."
"Fine Wormtail, what's your introduction?" James asked, annoyed.
"How about, Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, purveyors of aids to magical mischief-makers, are proud to present The Marauder's Map."
Silence greeted Peter's words. "Fine, we'll go with Moody's." He said sadly.
"No, Wormtail, that was…that was genius." Remus said, trying and failing to hide his disbelief.
"A sentence I thought I'd never hear." James said sniggering.
"Hey!"
"Wormtail, do you remember when we transformed for the first time?" Sirius asked.
Map? Transformed? What rubbish were they going on about?
"I was nervous!" Peter cried, hurt. "It could've gone wrong!"
"What do I change into?" Sirius said, shaking his head. "Honestly."
I decided now would be a good time to reveal myself.
"I mean," Sirius continued. "He'd only been studying rats and the theory on transforming for years, then the night we actually did it—"
"Evans." James said sharply, jabbing Sirius with his elbow.
The four were gathered around a single piece of parchment, no books or quills in sight, simply their wands. Sirius looked up at me after James' warning.
"Evans!" He cried delightedly, pulling the piece of parchment toward him and surreptitiously laying his wand on it. "How corking to see you. I must say our mischief managed boys."
I raised my eyebrows. "I'm sure you mean mischief is managed, right Black?"
"But of course!" Black said breezily, removing his wand from the parchment.
"Padfoot here seems to be afflicted with a disease I too suffer from." James cut in.
"And what would that be?" I asked, turning to James.
"Becoming tongue-tied in the presence of a beautiful woman such as yourself. Go me out with Evans?" He asked smiling.
"No James." I said firmly. Potter's mouth dropped open.
"Y-you called me James!" He cried, pumping his fist.
"Well I certainly won't make that mistake again." I said coldly as the bell rang for us to go to our next class.
After that strange confrontation I saw no more of the Marauder's Map, and heard no more talk of transformations. I did notice the meetings they held once a month in the designated Marauder's corner of the common room. However no pranks, at least none I could detect, came from these so I allowed them to continue.
Too soon, the O.W.L.'s were upon us. Hestia became so hysterical while studying for Herbology she had to stay in the Hospital Wing for a day and a half. By Thursday morning, when we filed into the Great Hall to sit our Defense Against the Dark Arts exam we were done with Potions, Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration, and Care of Magical Creatures. I strolled into the hall confidently. I always did well in Defense Against the Dark Arts and after this morning we had the afternoon free. Marlene, Dorcas, Hestia and I separated at the door to go to our separate desks, promising to meet as soon as the exam was finished. Flitwick was giving this exam and my desk was right in front of him. I gave him a smile, he was my favorite teacher.
"Good luck Miss Evans." He said.
"Thank you professor." I replied.
I finished the exam with plenty of time left, thinking it was possibly the easiest exam I had ever taken. Actually, no. Charms was easiest, but this came in a close second. I started doodling planets on my scratch parchment, attempting to study for the Astronomy exam I would have to sit tomorrow.
Finally Flitwick cried "Quills down!" and summoned all the papers to him. As much as I admire that man he really doesn't think ahead. The mountain of parchment buried him and Edgar Bones, Gerald Abbot, and myself had to help him up. "Thank you…thank you." He panted to us, trying to catch his breath. "Very well everybody," He cried to the hall. "You're free to go!"
"So, how did everyone's exam go?" Hestia asked as soon as the four of us found each other.
"Awful. Pettigrew kept looking over on my exam to copy off me." Marlene answered.
"How thick is that boy?" Dorcas asked in disbelief. "Does he not know how many anti-cheating charms are put on the exam papers, our desks, our quills, basically anything we come in contact with?"
"There are?" Marlene said sadly. "Pity. I left Peter a detailed description of what I would do to him if he kept on reading my exam interlaced within my explanation of how to defeat a grindylow."
"But Marlene," I said in disbelief. "What is the person who grades your exam going to think?"
"They're going to think that I am very well versed in jinxes and therefore can defend myself against any Dark creature that comes my way. Coming to that conclusion they'll give me an O and an invitation to enroll in the Auror Academy as soon as term is over." Marlene said breezily as we made our way out of the castle onto the grounds.
"Honestly Marlene, you're as vain as Sirius sometimes." Hestia said rolling her eyes.
"At least I'm not serious when I say those things though." Marlene paused and glared at Dorcas who had just opened her mouth. "Dorcas, if you make a serious Sirius pun I swear, I will try out my method of getting rid of Pettigrew on you."
Chuckling I rolled my eyes at the obvious disappointment on Dorcas' face. "Come on, let's sit by the lake, I'm roasting."
As soon as we had all situated ourselves and removed our socks and shoes as to dangle our feet in the cool water we began looking around the grounds at our fellow fifth years.
"Rather pitiful isn't it?" Dorcas said glumly.
"What?" I said curiously.
"One day we'll be running the wizarding world." She said, gesturing around the grounds.
"Yes, and as much as Lily will hate to admit it, Potter will be a very influential wizard." Hestia added.
I glared at her, but could not dispute the statement. As much as I hated the fact everyone knew James was destined for greatness. I glanced over to where he was sitting, playing with a Snitch. "Merlin help us." I breathed.
"Can you imagine James in the government?" Marlene said laughing. "There would be holidays, parades, and a page in the Daily Prophet in Lily's honor. You need to say yes to him soon or else he'd suck the Ministry's funds dry trying to woo you."
Hestia and Dorcas began laughing along with Marlene but I stayed sullen, watching the giant squid swim about lazily.
"Uh oh." Hestia uttered.
I snapped out of my reverie and glanced up at my friends. They were all staring in the direction of the Marauders. I followed their gaze.
"Not again." I groaned.
Snape was pinned to the ground with James and Sirius standing over him. I watched him struggle to get up, wondering why he didn't pull out his wand and perform the counter curse.
"He doesn't have a wand does he?" I asked, outraged.
"It doesn't seem so." Dorcas replied quietly.
"How could they? They're hexing an unarmed man! That's so low, so vile, so disgusting…even for them!" I cried as pink bubbles began issuing from his mouth. "He's choking!" I said, enraged as I lept up and dashed over to where James and Sirius were torturing Severus.
"Leave him ALONE!" I bellowed at them.
Potter and Black spun around, surprised. Potter's hand immediately flew to his hair. "All right Evans?" He asked me.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes and lowered my voice. "Leave him alone. What's he done to you?"
"Well it's more the fact that he exists if you know what I mean…" Potter said patronizingly.
The onlookers laughed at James' remark. I set my jaw and glared at him.
"You think you're funny." I spat. "But you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."
"I will if you go out with me Evans. Go on…Go out with me, and I'll never lay a wand on old Sinvelly again."
I paused for a moment, shocked that he could possibly have the nerve to ask me out in this situation. As soon as I regained my composure I growled, "I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid."
"Bad luck Prongs." Sirius said quickly. Then he noticed Snape had regained control of his wand. "OY!"
Snape hit Potter in the back with a jinx. I wanted to scream. If they insisted on dueling they could at least do it like true wizards, not cowards. A cut appeared on James' face and blood spattered onto his robes. James was still looking into my eyes when Severus hit him with the curse. Potter's eyes became cold and his back stiffened as he spun around to face Snape. A flash of light came from his wand and…Oh Merlin, scarred for life.
Severus was hanging upside down, his robes over his head, and his…rather dirty underwear in plain sight.
People around me cheered. I wondered for a moment why anyone would want to view this sight. I wished my friends were here so I could hear a one-liner Marlene would certainly have handy. Focus Lily.
"Let him down!" I said to James.
"Certainly." He said smiling at me. He gave his wand a jerk and released Snape to fall the good ten feet to the ground.
Where were all the teachers?
Snape clambered to his feet, brandishing his wand. Sirius cried "Locomortor mortis!" rather lazily and Severus was on the ground again, but instead of being in a crumpled heap, this time he was as stiff as a board.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I shouted desperately. Two against one was not fair at all. I pulled out my own wand. If they wanted to fight it would at least be even. James and Sirius gave me wary looks. I wasn't top of my year in Charms for nothing. I could throw a mean hex.
"Ah Evans, don't make me hex you." Potter said gravely.
"Take the curse off him then!" I insisted.
James sighed and quickly muttered the countercurse. "There you go. You're lucky Evans was here Snivellus." He said.
"I don't need help from filthy little mudbloods like her!" Snape said viciously.
I gasped. I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. All the air escaped my lungs. I hadn't expected this, not from the boy I had defended practically my entire school career. If it weren't for me he would still be hanging in midair, probably displaying a lot more than his smelly underwear to the student body. I blinked and came back down to earth. "Fine." I said coolly. "I wont bother in the future. And I'd wash my pants if I were you, Snivellus."
"Apologize to Evans!" James roared, pointing his wand at Snape yet again.
"I don't want you to make him apologize! You're as bad as he is…" I yelled at James.
"What? I'd NEVER call you a – you-know-what!" James cried indignantly.
I didn't care. I hadn't yelled at Potter for a while and bottled up rage was dying to come out. It just needed something to set it off…
"Messing up your hair just because you think it looks cool to look like you've just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can," I paused, hoping he'd catch the significance of the last three words before continuing. "I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK!" Finishing my proclamation I spun around and hurried back to my spot by the lake ignoring James shouting after me.
I met Remus for prefect duties that night, still seething from the incident.
"How are you friends with that…that…" I sputtered.
"James?" Remus tried to help.
I glared at him. "Honestly, I don't see how you put up with him. He is the most obnoxious, insufferable, and above all insensitive git I have ever had the bloody misfortune to meet!"
Remus sighed and was silent for a moment, peering down a long, dark corridor, trying to find some rule-breakers.
"Lily you may see him like that, but I see him as the most clever, brave, and above all loyal friend I have ever had the bloody fortune to meet." Remus said quietly. "Trust me, there's more to Prongs than meets the eye."
I sniffed. "So I suppose you find making Snivellus suffer amusing?"
"I don't condone it." Remus replied. "But Severus is not a saint either."
"You didn't even try to stop them!" I continued. "You just sat there with your nose in your book. You're a prefect Remus, it's your duty!"
"You know as well as I do that if I told the Headmaster half of what Padfoot and Prongs plan on doing they'd be chucked out of the school." I snorted, but Remus cut me off. "And while you may not find any great loss by that occurrence I rather like having friends."
"I'm your friend Remus." I said sadly.
"And I'm glad." Remus said, smiling at me. "But there are some things you can't help me with."
"And Potter and Black can?" I said, offended.
"As impossible as it sounds, yes." Remus said while opening the door to a broom cupboard. "Ten points from Ravenclaw Stebbins. Now either take your girlfriend somewhere you won't get caught, or refrain from snogging after curfew altogether."
"Why don't you tell them not to do those things?" I asked. "You're their best friend, they listen to you."
"I do." Remus said simply. "I think you've noticed they haven't blown up the Slytherin common room yet. I can't deny them all their fun though. Otherwise they'd stop being Padfoot and Prongs and-" Remus shuddered before saying his next words. "And become honorable members of society. Can you imagine?" He asked scandalized.
I had to chuckle at the look of horror on Remus' face.
"You should really give Prongs a chance Lily." Remus said hesitantly.
My anger rose to the surface. "He told you to say that didn't he? Why that foul, idiotic—"
"He didn't tell me to say anything. You've gained his loyalty Lily—"
"I've gained nothing!"
"Yes you have, even though you've done nothing to deserve it." Remus continued patiently. "I don't know how, but you have. Did you see him when Snape called you a-a thing?"
"Since he was already hexing Severus at the time I hardly find pointing his wand at him loyalty to me." I said briskly.
"He sees something in you Lily, that's why he's doing all this."
"I'll tell you what he sees Lupin. He sees the one girl within this castle that doesn't fall to the ground and worship him when he passes by."
"That's not true."
"Yes it is and you know it. I'm just something that could make his ego inflate even more, if that's possible. I'll never say yes to him! As soon as I do he'll grow tired of me and cast me aside like he's done to every other girl in this school daft enough to fancy him." I finished quietly, finally voicing something that had been bothering me for quite some time.
"First off, he won't. Second off, you fancy James?" Lupin asked, amused.
"Of course not!" I cried in frustration. A little voice piped up in the back of my head, "But why not?"
That's when my doubt of my hatred of Potter started, but it certainly wasn't where it ended.
Exams ended to the great relief of the fifth and seventh years and soon it was the end of term feast. Much to my delight Gryffindor won the house cup. Hestia, Marlene, Dorcas, and I shouted ourselves hoarse. Recently there had been stories of some nutter Dark Wizard gathering followers and it felt good to be happy over such a trivial reason.
Victorious, we made our way up to Gryffindor Tower and raced to our dorm. We stayed up until two in the morning enjoying our last night of fifth year and lamenting how it would be three months before seeing each other again. Content, I slipped into a peaceful sleep.
For the second year in a row on my last day at Hogwarts I woke to laughter coming from my window. I opened my eyes a crack. Sure enough, Dorcas, Hestia and Marlene were pointing and laughing at the grounds.
"Again?" I moaned.
I took the heightened volume of their laughter to mean yes. Grumbling I got up and quickly slipped my robes on. Potter wasn't getting the satisfaction of seeing me in my night things again. I walked over to the window and looked out. Again, in ten-foot high letters made from lilies was a message for me.
L IS FOR LIVER. EVANS, YOU'RE LIKE MY LIVER, I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU.
I IS FOR IDIOTIC, WHICH YOU THINK I AM RIGHT NOW. YOU'RE RIGHT LILY, I'M AN IDIOT, AN IDIOT IN LOVE WITH YOU
L IS FOR LIGHT. YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE LILY EVANS. YOUR SCREAMS OF "POTTER!" BRIGHTEN MY DAYS AND NIGHTS.
Y IS FOR YOU, MY LIVER, MY LIGHT, AND THE ONLY GIRL I'D BE AN IDIOT FOR
SO HOW ABOUT NOW? WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME NOW?
FROM YOUR DEVOTED ADMIERER, JAMES (PRONGS) POTTER
E IS FOR EVIL, WHICH YOU'LL BE IF YOU DON'T SAY YES TO PRONGS AFTER THIS. DO YOU REALIZE HOW MANY DETENTIONS WE GOT FOR DOING THIS LAST TIME?
V IS FOR VERY MANY.
A IS FOR YOUR ASS, WHICH PRONGS TELLS ME IS QUITE LOVELY
N IS FOR NEXT YEAR, WHEN I'M SURE WE'LL BE DOING THIS ALL OVER AGAIN
S IS FOR SIRIUS BECAUSE I'M AMAZING
FROM PRONGS' FRIEND, ACCOMPISE IN THIS PRANK, BUT NOT A FELLOW ADMIRERER (THAT'S RIGHT LADIES, I'M AVAILABLE—MEET ME IN MY COMPARTMENT ON THE TRAIN RIDE HOME), SIRIUS (PADFOOT) BLACK
Potter and Black were standing below the proclamation, James looking thoroughly angry with Black for his addition.
"Potter!" I screamed from my window.
"Yes?" He called back expectantly.
"No!" And with that I slammed the window shut and turned back to my now silent friends. "I can't believe he called me a liver." I said finally, and they dissolved into more giggles.
A/N: Pull out OoTP, Lily really does pause after she says "just because you can". Well, there's a dash after it, but I take it as a pause. Please tell me what you think, and if you have any advice. Thank you for reading!