Truce . . . sealed with a kiss
Okay, now the thing with spells is that when they cross, mean they hit each
other, strange things happen. The energy of the magic gets all jumbled and
confused. This can lead to well . . . unexpected outcomes.
So no one was really surprised when the smoke cleared. The seven of them were in various states of some transformation. Maia had sprouted feathers and a beak. Lily's arms were now tentacles. She looked like a relative to the Giant Squid who lived in the lake. They made out well compared to Lenore. Len it seemed had gotten a severe mix, her skin had gone green like a stem. There were leaves in her hair. If that wasn't bad enough, one arm was dog-like, while the other was that of a hooved animal. Her legs collapse under her. She looked down and realized, in horror that she had a fish tail!
The Marauders received their fair share of fallout. Sirius' seemed to take on a dogs shape. Although his hands and feet, arms and legs looked like a dog they were hairless. James had sprouted antlers and his face had stretched to look similar to a horse. His hands had changed to cloven hooves. Peter had made out alright, except for his ears had grown large and round, his nose extended a little and he'd developed whiskers. But perhaps the most embarrassing part was that he had also grown a long bald tail. Remus, it seemed was the worst on their side. Lupin's hands had turned into claws. His eyes went yellow, and his teeth turned into sharp fangs. He also grew a bushy wolf tail. He grabbed his head and moved to a corner as far from the others as he could. He was having trouble maintaining control over the wolf.
McGonagall cautiously approached the group. She keeps a watchful eye on Remus Lupin, who clawed at the wall in the corner. She clucked at them. "What a mess." Her voice was calm, in that you-are-in-for-it tone. She surveyed the damage.
"This little prank off you've been having, has gone too far." She told them. "Do I need to tell you to all get to the infirmary." It wasn't a question really, they all knew it.
Those that could still speak replied, "No mame." They others simple nodded. They helped each other, Lily and Maia grabbed hold of Lenore. James moved to get Remus.
"No, Mr. Potter." McGonagall said. "Go. I'll tend to Mr. Lupin." James looked to his friend then cast her a pleading look. "Now, Mr. Potter!"
Remus had bitten his arm, by then. He was trying hard to stay away from everyone. "Now, Mr. Lupin. This will hurt a bit, I'm afraid." Prof. McGonagall told him in a soothing voice. "But, it should calm you down. Ready?" She really wasn't expecting an answer.
Ten minutes later, Remus escorted closely by Prof. McGonagall entered the infirmary. He was quiet and withdrawn when he came in. He sat at the far end of the ward away from the others.
"Would any of you care to explain what happened?!" No one spoke up. "This little war of yours is officially over." She stated. "We, teachers, will tolerate no more! All of you will lose 20 points each from your house." Sirius and James tried to protest, but were silenced with a look. "Further more you will each have a detention." She looked sternly at them. "Poppy, how bad are they?"
"They'll be fine, by tomorrow." Madame Pomfrey smiled. "Well, Miss Nightshade might need to stay a little longer."
"Once you are all released from here, you will meet me in my office to find out about you punishments." McGonagall replied. "Friday, after class?"
"Oh, yes. They'll be fine by then." Poppy assured her.
"Good, I expect to see you in your regular forms in my office Friday." With that she headed toward the door. "Oh, and I'd advise, you giving Mr. Lupin some space for the next little while. It seems he's quite upset."
Now, the Marauders all knew what that meant. While Lily, Maia and Lenore were only going on suspicion, they figured that giving Remus space was a good idea. Even if they hadn't suspect him to be a werewolf, those fangs and claws were enough reason to keep a distance.
"Why is it, that you feel you must out-do the others, especially when it comes to getting yourself hurt?" Pomfrey scolded Lenore.
"I'm a classic over achiever?" Lenore suggested. This caused chuckles around the room. "I mean so that I can spend more time with you of course."
"Very funny." She shook her head, but smiled. "Drink this. You'll have to stay at least two nights I'm afraid."
Lenore shrugged. "At least I got my bed." She smiled. "You know, I should just put up my posters here. I'm in here enough."
"But then the other students would get jealous." Pomfrey told her.
The seven of them approached McGonagall's office Friday afternoon. They had all been restored to their normal states (include the girls hair). They'd settle into a quiet, forced truce, for the moment. Len and Remus had both been released just that morning.
"So who knocks?" Len asked once they'd reached the office. The boy, who were used to this, having been called to her office at least once every other week, looked to be taking a mental count.
"It's James' turn." The announced. James shrugged and stepped up and knocked.
"Yes?" McGonagall called from inside.
"Professor, it's us. You asked we come to see you?" James replied politely. The door opened, James stepped in first, the Marauders bowed and let the girls go in after, then followed and closed the door.
The Marauders were slightly surprised. Instead of McGonagall's normal arrangement of books and things, there was a large table in the room, with 8 chairs. "Sit." She replied calmly. They sat with the Marauders together on one side, and the girls on the other, with the empty chair between Sirius and Lenore. McGonagall noted this as she moved to the table.
"Now, we didn't really mind while your pranking remained harmless and in good fun." She started. Looking over the group. "However, trying to transfigure someone is very complicated, and very dangerous. That level of magic is far above a fifth year student." She paused. "Further, you have been told time and again about the dangers of crossing magic. Do none of you recall me lecturing on the severity of the implications?"
"I must have been away, sick that lesson." Remus teased. He received a scowl for Minerva, and was wise enough to look down. "Sorry, Professor."
"I have given much thought to your detentions." She began. The Marauders all rolled their eyes and sank in their chairs. They knew all on her favourites, and dreaded this. "Because I feel that this little feud of your, is destroying the harmony of the school, I've decided to pair, boy and girl for your detentions. Besides that I noticed that when together you seem to have a calming influence on each other, but the opposite is true while you're fighting. So for the sake of the school, you will get along." The 7 looked at each other confused for a second.
Lily was the first to gain the courage to raise her hand to ask how that was possible. "Good question Ms. Evans., one of the boys will obviously be left without a partner. So of course that boy will have a lighter task to complete. You will be informed of the time and place for your detentions."
They left the room. They looked at each other confused. "What is this about?" Len whispered, to Lily, who was beside her. Lily just shrugged. Len grudgingly looked over to the boys. "Is this normal?" she asked, looking to Remus who was as far from Sirius as Len could look.
"No." he replied curtly.
"Well, I'm not working with James." Lily replied coolly. "I've had enough from him lately."
"Same here. You're acting like such a prim Dona lately." James replied. "You had no business getting involved."
"I was sticking up for my friends!" Lily insisted.
"And here I thought that we were your friends." James shot back.
"It was two," Lily indicated the Ravenclaws on either side of her. "Against the four of you. Who do you think needed me more?"
"Hey stop blaming Lily!" Lenore jumped in. "It's all your guys' faults anyway. You started it."
"No, we didn't, you did." Sirius snapped back at her. "You didn't really think that we'd let you get away with the broom trick without getting you back? Then you're not as smart as I was led to believe." Lenore's eyes flared dangerously.
"How dare you! We were just trying to teach you a lesson." Lenore snarled back. "That was no reason to turn our dinner into worms!!!" Maia went slightly pale at that comment. "That was just sick."
"That's not the point. You betrayed us Lily, your friends! And you betrayed your house." James replied. Lily shot him a vicious look and turned away in a huff.
"Mommy! Daddy! Please stop fighting!!" Both Maia and Remus yelled above the bickering voices. They looked to each other and almost chuckled. Maia motioned to let Remus go first.
"Thank you. Look, alright things got out of hand." Remus started, when James and Lenore went to comment. He held up a hand. "Yes! They did. On both sides. Can't we just, move on."
"I mean there were great pranks on both side." Maia replied. "Throughout the war, we were joking and teasing each other. Why has it suddenly become so bitter?"
Four voices jumped up. Sirius, Len, Lily and James all tried to answer at once. They stopped after a second, realizing how pointless it was. The girls conceded and let the boys go first. James knew that the major reason that he was upset was that the girls had almost inadvertently revealed their animal forms, not to mention letting the Werewolf out of Remus. However he couldn't tell them that. Remus jumped in, it was his right after all to tell the girls about his lycanthropy.
"Apart from no clear winner. I think that we're upset because, well. . ." Remus wasn't exactly sure how to say it. "I almost wolfed out in the school. Seeing as how I'm a werewolf that could have been nothing but bad. Not to mention that I'd rather not have the entire school knowing about it."
"Thought so." Maia replied under her breath. Len and Lily nodded. "That being said though, it was accidental."
"But so would have all the damage I could have done, that doesn't take away the guilt of it." Remus continued. "You mean that you three aren't going to . . . like freak out?"
"No." Lily asked confused.
"Why would we?" Maia sounded baffled.
Lenore leaned forward. "We, kind of figured it out, but wanted you to confirm it for us. Now you have." He looked at them stunned for a moment. He was surprised at their complete acceptance of him.
"Really! So. . . Are we like okay? I mean you're not afraid?" He asked still not believing their reaction. They nodded.
"So long as you don't ask me over for tea on a full moon. We're fine." Lily joked. "I can't believe that you waited over five years to tell me."
"I'm really surprised that it took us this long to figure it out." Len said. "Look, I'm cool with the *grrrr* thing, but I'm still pissed at the rest of you. And although we may have been ordered to stop pranking each other I have no intentions of forgiving you in the near future."
Things around the school became much quieter in the following weeks. The Marauders had not done any pranks on anyone, likely because Professor McGonagall was watching them. The Trio of girls had kept to themselves, and actively avoided the Marauders.
After the first week, some of the other boys in the school started to notice. Maia was the first approached, and asked on a date. Later she giggled that it was because that none of the Marauders were crushing on her. Lily and Lenore laughed knowing that was not true. A few days later Lily was asked to be partner for a herbology project (double class with Hufflepuff/Gryffindor) with a Hufflepuff boy, which she accepted. All threw class James shot daggers at them.
They all received notice of their detentions, the following Tuesday night. Lenore worried, over how to tell Severus that she had to cancel, besides how was she going to get him the message? Since the girls were taking great joy in tormenting the Marauders by flirting with other boys in the school, perhaps that might work. But Snape always was around Malfoy, and he really did make her skin crawl. Besides, Lenore noticed that fewer boys flirted with her than the other two girls. In fact those that flirted with her, tended to do so, when there was no one else around.
"Maia, I need help." Lenore replied. She explained the situation to Maia. Maia agreed to help. They decided to approach Snape after class. Maia had agreed to keep Malfoy occupied so that Len and Snape could talk for a moment.
"Hi!" Maia greeted the pair of Slytherins after Herbology on their way back to the school.
"What do you want?" Malfoy sneered at her. Maia smiled sweetly. Lenore followed shyly behind a step of two. Maia was considered the more outgoing of the two anyway.
"I just wanted to talk with you for a second." Maia flirted, batting her eyes slightly. This made her look very cute.
"About what?" Malfoy, despite being arrogant was not stupid. He knew of the relationship between the Marauders and these girls. Now, although that was currently on the frits, that could change quickly.
"Well . . ." Maia replied coyly. "I was hoping that we could speak for a few minutes." She looked at Snape and winked to Malfoy. Then whispered, "Alone?!"
Although Malfoy knew there was a chance that this would be a set up, he remembered the old saying of Ravenclaw girls. *Girls go to Ravenclaw because they're smart, or easy. Normally both!* It was well know about the school that Ravenclaw girls were the most passionate, and wild of any of the houses. Malfoy nodded and stepped aside with Maia, as his hormones took over. This left Snape and Lenore standing together.
"Hello." He whispered, trying not to look at her. He tried but failed, he noted how beautiful she looked. "Changed your hair back I see."
"Yeah." Len smiled, she was tempted to joke but didn't know how long Maia would be able to distract Malfoy. "I ummm can't make it tonight. I have a detention. I just wanted to let you know." She looked shyly at him. She noted that he nodded.
"You arranged ." He motioned to Maia and Malfoy. Len nodded.
"I wanted to talk to you alone." Len replied. "Maia offered. I think that she likes to flirt."
"Is she going to keep her date?" Severus asked. Len looked at him. "I can read lips." He whispered. Len almost giggled.
"I'll have to ask her." Len smiled. Then remembered that she wasn't supposed to like him. She plastered an annoyed, bored look on her face. "So, why is it nobody is flirting with me?"
Snape looked at her for a second. Then away to the school. "I heard that Black still has it known that if any guys asked you out, he'd hex them."
"But not the others?" Len asked quietly, maintaining a look of boredom.
"Not that I've heard." He replied softly. "Besides, I think that Black is more feared, than the others. Except as a group, of course." He noted that Malfoy and Crestwing were still in conversation. "So I take it that you girls have not forgiven them."
"No." Len signed. She looked to the lake. "Besides, we're having fun flirting. It's almost as good as pranking them. But this way we don't get in trouble."
Severus looked at her. His eyes burned, drawing her attention. He was about to risk Black's wrath and ask her out, but Malfoy chose that moment to return. *Great timing!!!*
Maia grabbed Len's arm and pulled her into motion. "Bye, Lucius." Maia called sweetly.
Detentions: James and Lily were assigned to clean the trophy room with out magic. Maia was paired with Remus, they were to clean the owlrey again no magic. Sirius was partnered with Lenore to weed the castle gardens. Peter, poor Peter was left by himself to help in the Library.
Lily and James "Look, I'll work on this side of the room. You work on that side." Lily told him coldly.
"Fine. Let's just get this done. I'm sure you have a date." James snapped back bitterly.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Lily demanded.
"You've been flirting with every guy in the school." James returned. Then in a mocking high voice, "Oh yes, I'd love to work with you. Maybe later we could go to the make-out tower."
"I never said anything like that." Lily huffed. "He asked me to work with him. Big deal. What was I supposed to work by myself?"
"You could have worked with Charlot or Magdellen." James returned. Their voices had gotten louder with each banter.
"Like you haven't been chasing after everything in a skirt." Lily snapped. "So you can, but I can't? James, get real."
"Hey, I only started to flirt after you did." James commented. They were standing less than a foot from each other. It was fortunate that they were unarmed. "I thought that we were over."
"Why do you even care then?" Lily threw back at him.
"Because I still love you." James snapped back with out thinking. The room was silent for a minute as the words hung in the air. "None of those other girls have anything on you Lily."
Maia and Remus "This is so gross." Maia complained.
"It's not so bad." Remus commented. "It shouldn't take us that long."
Probably the least hostile of the three groups. Although, Maia still fancied Remus, she wanted to bait him to admitting that he liked her too. "I hope so. I made a date for tonight." Maia announced. Remus stopped and looked at her.
"With who?" He was shocked. He knew that she was the most likely of the three girls to actually be dating, but it still surprised him. A little voice in the back of his head said *what did you expect that she would want to date you, knowing that you're a werewolf?*
"Malfoy. Do you know him? He's Slytherin, our year." Maia commented. She half heartedly pushed at some of the straw. Now, most sane people would not try to taunt a werewolf, but then Maia's father had been a Gryffindor, and she lacked none of their courage.
"You're kidding?" Remus spat. "Not Lucius Malfoy?" Maia nodded. "Maia you could do so much better than that . . . that . . ." It sounded like he was going to gag.
"No, I'm not. And yes, Lucius." Maia smiled. "So can we hurry this up?"
"Nope." Remus leaned his broom against the wall. "I'm not helping if you actually plan to go out with . . . Malfoy."
"I'll tell McGonagall. You'll get in trouble if you make me do this all by myself." Maia threatened.
"I'll take my chances." He leaned against the wall, by the window. Maia thought that made him look very hot. His longish hair fluttered in the breeze, the moonlight sparkled off his earring, his school robe fell open over his jeans and grey t-shirt. He had his legs crossed casually, Maia noted his dragon skin boots. Definitely, Remus Lupin had the rebellious youth style perfected.
"Why?" Maia asked trying to sound annoyed, it worked. "Just to spite me?"
"No." He replied casually. He didn't move, he just watched her.
"To piss off Malfoy?" She asked trying to sound frustrated, her acting lesson had paid off, she was really convincing.
"No." His voice was calm. His eyes watched her, he believed her words. He could feel the wolf rise in him. It claimed that she belonged to him. He felt the tension filling him.
"Why then?" Maia demanded. He had looked so relaxed that the speed of his movements startled her. He crossed the distance between them in a heartbeat. She tried to take a step back, but he grabbed her arms before she could move.
"Because, you are too good for the likes of him." Remus replied calmly. However they were close enough now for Maia to see his eyes burning. "Now, I can understand why you wouldn't want me. But he certainly doesn't deserve you."
"How do you know I don't want you?" Maia countered. She wasn't afraid of him. His grip wasn't painful. "Have you ever asked me?"
Lenore and Sirius Lenore groaned outwardly when she saw who she was paired with. *WHY???* She demanded silently. She said nothing to him, and started on the far side of the garden. Sirius took his time starting, he'd debated joining her or starting at the other end. He decided to go to the other end. He was not going to start the conversation, so they worked in silence for twenty minutes.
"Ouch!!!" Lenore cried. Sirius immediately looked up at her. He saw she held her hand, even in the low light he noted that she was bleeding. "Crap."
"You alright?" He asked considerately, moving toward her.
"Fine." She huffed. She looked about for something to tie her hand with.
"Why don't you go to the hospital. I'll finish this." He offered.
"Oh, no. I don't want to owe you anything." Len replied. Sirius fished threw his pockets for a moment then he handed her a scarf (bandana). She looked at him questioningly.
"My grandmother is very old fashion." He offered as a way of explanation. "It's clean. I found that it comes in handy when I play quidditch, thought that I might need it for my hair."
"Oh." Len replied as Sirius gentle bandaged her hand. "Thanks."
"Now, can we get this done? I have better things to do tonight then spend it playing in the dirt." Sirius replied. He didn't let go of her hand. Len waited a moment before pulling away. She turned away from him.
"Funny, here I thought that you liked to play in the dirt." Len commented.
"Depends on the company." He teased back. Len gritted her teeth, how come he wasn't jumping at the bait? They should have been in a fight by now. "Did I hear right, that Maia and you were flirting with Malfoy and Snape?"
"So what if we were?" Len asked, perhaps this would work to get into a fight. "What business is it of yours?" She turned to look at him, in time to see him shrug.
"Just curious." He said offhanded. "I've heard that Slytherins bite and I just wanted to know if that was only the girls."
"I'll have to get back to you on that." Lenore replied, she tried to hold her voice even. Sirius noted the strain in her remark.
"Okay." Sirius' voice was light. They continued in silence for a while longer. After another ten minutes. "Are you still mad about the jokes?"
"Not really." Len replied. "Although I'm still a little peeved about the outfits."
"But you girls looked sooo cute in them." Sirius replied. Len threw a weed at him, complete with a clump of dirt. It hit his arm, he looked over at her surprised. "Oh, so that's the way you want to play it." He picked out another weed and tossed it at her. His aim was better, it caught her in the chest. Lenore let out a screech in mock outrage.
By the time the garden was finished they were laughing so hard they could barely breathe. Lenore ran out of weed-bombs first and tackled Sirius. Normally this would have had no effect on him. However he was laughing and not expecting her to charge him. So that when she hit him, she knocked him over. Sirius nevertheless, recovered quickly, and grabbed her so she would fall with him. They landed together with a thump on the ground, Lenore on top of Sirius.
"See, this kind of company I like." Sirius replied, smiling broadly up at her. "So, you like to be on top, I take it?" Len's mouth dropped open. She pushed to get up. Sirius shifted his position, which caused Lenore to fall back down. He chuckled.
"Why, Mr Black I thought that you said that you had better things than to play in the dirt all night?" Lenore teased, not moving from her position on top of him.
"Well, if someone would get off me, we could go." Sirius replied playfully. Lenore smiled and pushed up again. This time she managed to get to a crouched position, before Sirius moved. He sat up so quickly the he *accidentally* bumped into her. This threw Len off balance and they fell back to the ground. Their lips connected.
Lenore pulled back sharply. She looked at him a moment. Then she kissed him. Sirius was shocked by this. He was stunned so much that he didn't try to stop her third attempt to get up. Lenore looked around the garden had indeed been weeded. "Sirius, I think that you need a shower."
Sirius shook his head, a few dirt clumps fell out. "I'll wash your back if you wash mine?"
Lenore laughed. "In your dreams."
"How'd you know?" He tried to sound shocked but failed. They laughed as they returned to the castle.
So no one was really surprised when the smoke cleared. The seven of them were in various states of some transformation. Maia had sprouted feathers and a beak. Lily's arms were now tentacles. She looked like a relative to the Giant Squid who lived in the lake. They made out well compared to Lenore. Len it seemed had gotten a severe mix, her skin had gone green like a stem. There were leaves in her hair. If that wasn't bad enough, one arm was dog-like, while the other was that of a hooved animal. Her legs collapse under her. She looked down and realized, in horror that she had a fish tail!
The Marauders received their fair share of fallout. Sirius' seemed to take on a dogs shape. Although his hands and feet, arms and legs looked like a dog they were hairless. James had sprouted antlers and his face had stretched to look similar to a horse. His hands had changed to cloven hooves. Peter had made out alright, except for his ears had grown large and round, his nose extended a little and he'd developed whiskers. But perhaps the most embarrassing part was that he had also grown a long bald tail. Remus, it seemed was the worst on their side. Lupin's hands had turned into claws. His eyes went yellow, and his teeth turned into sharp fangs. He also grew a bushy wolf tail. He grabbed his head and moved to a corner as far from the others as he could. He was having trouble maintaining control over the wolf.
McGonagall cautiously approached the group. She keeps a watchful eye on Remus Lupin, who clawed at the wall in the corner. She clucked at them. "What a mess." Her voice was calm, in that you-are-in-for-it tone. She surveyed the damage.
"This little prank off you've been having, has gone too far." She told them. "Do I need to tell you to all get to the infirmary." It wasn't a question really, they all knew it.
Those that could still speak replied, "No mame." They others simple nodded. They helped each other, Lily and Maia grabbed hold of Lenore. James moved to get Remus.
"No, Mr. Potter." McGonagall said. "Go. I'll tend to Mr. Lupin." James looked to his friend then cast her a pleading look. "Now, Mr. Potter!"
Remus had bitten his arm, by then. He was trying hard to stay away from everyone. "Now, Mr. Lupin. This will hurt a bit, I'm afraid." Prof. McGonagall told him in a soothing voice. "But, it should calm you down. Ready?" She really wasn't expecting an answer.
Ten minutes later, Remus escorted closely by Prof. McGonagall entered the infirmary. He was quiet and withdrawn when he came in. He sat at the far end of the ward away from the others.
"Would any of you care to explain what happened?!" No one spoke up. "This little war of yours is officially over." She stated. "We, teachers, will tolerate no more! All of you will lose 20 points each from your house." Sirius and James tried to protest, but were silenced with a look. "Further more you will each have a detention." She looked sternly at them. "Poppy, how bad are they?"
"They'll be fine, by tomorrow." Madame Pomfrey smiled. "Well, Miss Nightshade might need to stay a little longer."
"Once you are all released from here, you will meet me in my office to find out about you punishments." McGonagall replied. "Friday, after class?"
"Oh, yes. They'll be fine by then." Poppy assured her.
"Good, I expect to see you in your regular forms in my office Friday." With that she headed toward the door. "Oh, and I'd advise, you giving Mr. Lupin some space for the next little while. It seems he's quite upset."
Now, the Marauders all knew what that meant. While Lily, Maia and Lenore were only going on suspicion, they figured that giving Remus space was a good idea. Even if they hadn't suspect him to be a werewolf, those fangs and claws were enough reason to keep a distance.
"Why is it, that you feel you must out-do the others, especially when it comes to getting yourself hurt?" Pomfrey scolded Lenore.
"I'm a classic over achiever?" Lenore suggested. This caused chuckles around the room. "I mean so that I can spend more time with you of course."
"Very funny." She shook her head, but smiled. "Drink this. You'll have to stay at least two nights I'm afraid."
Lenore shrugged. "At least I got my bed." She smiled. "You know, I should just put up my posters here. I'm in here enough."
"But then the other students would get jealous." Pomfrey told her.
The seven of them approached McGonagall's office Friday afternoon. They had all been restored to their normal states (include the girls hair). They'd settle into a quiet, forced truce, for the moment. Len and Remus had both been released just that morning.
"So who knocks?" Len asked once they'd reached the office. The boy, who were used to this, having been called to her office at least once every other week, looked to be taking a mental count.
"It's James' turn." The announced. James shrugged and stepped up and knocked.
"Yes?" McGonagall called from inside.
"Professor, it's us. You asked we come to see you?" James replied politely. The door opened, James stepped in first, the Marauders bowed and let the girls go in after, then followed and closed the door.
The Marauders were slightly surprised. Instead of McGonagall's normal arrangement of books and things, there was a large table in the room, with 8 chairs. "Sit." She replied calmly. They sat with the Marauders together on one side, and the girls on the other, with the empty chair between Sirius and Lenore. McGonagall noted this as she moved to the table.
"Now, we didn't really mind while your pranking remained harmless and in good fun." She started. Looking over the group. "However, trying to transfigure someone is very complicated, and very dangerous. That level of magic is far above a fifth year student." She paused. "Further, you have been told time and again about the dangers of crossing magic. Do none of you recall me lecturing on the severity of the implications?"
"I must have been away, sick that lesson." Remus teased. He received a scowl for Minerva, and was wise enough to look down. "Sorry, Professor."
"I have given much thought to your detentions." She began. The Marauders all rolled their eyes and sank in their chairs. They knew all on her favourites, and dreaded this. "Because I feel that this little feud of your, is destroying the harmony of the school, I've decided to pair, boy and girl for your detentions. Besides that I noticed that when together you seem to have a calming influence on each other, but the opposite is true while you're fighting. So for the sake of the school, you will get along." The 7 looked at each other confused for a second.
Lily was the first to gain the courage to raise her hand to ask how that was possible. "Good question Ms. Evans., one of the boys will obviously be left without a partner. So of course that boy will have a lighter task to complete. You will be informed of the time and place for your detentions."
They left the room. They looked at each other confused. "What is this about?" Len whispered, to Lily, who was beside her. Lily just shrugged. Len grudgingly looked over to the boys. "Is this normal?" she asked, looking to Remus who was as far from Sirius as Len could look.
"No." he replied curtly.
"Well, I'm not working with James." Lily replied coolly. "I've had enough from him lately."
"Same here. You're acting like such a prim Dona lately." James replied. "You had no business getting involved."
"I was sticking up for my friends!" Lily insisted.
"And here I thought that we were your friends." James shot back.
"It was two," Lily indicated the Ravenclaws on either side of her. "Against the four of you. Who do you think needed me more?"
"Hey stop blaming Lily!" Lenore jumped in. "It's all your guys' faults anyway. You started it."
"No, we didn't, you did." Sirius snapped back at her. "You didn't really think that we'd let you get away with the broom trick without getting you back? Then you're not as smart as I was led to believe." Lenore's eyes flared dangerously.
"How dare you! We were just trying to teach you a lesson." Lenore snarled back. "That was no reason to turn our dinner into worms!!!" Maia went slightly pale at that comment. "That was just sick."
"That's not the point. You betrayed us Lily, your friends! And you betrayed your house." James replied. Lily shot him a vicious look and turned away in a huff.
"Mommy! Daddy! Please stop fighting!!" Both Maia and Remus yelled above the bickering voices. They looked to each other and almost chuckled. Maia motioned to let Remus go first.
"Thank you. Look, alright things got out of hand." Remus started, when James and Lenore went to comment. He held up a hand. "Yes! They did. On both sides. Can't we just, move on."
"I mean there were great pranks on both side." Maia replied. "Throughout the war, we were joking and teasing each other. Why has it suddenly become so bitter?"
Four voices jumped up. Sirius, Len, Lily and James all tried to answer at once. They stopped after a second, realizing how pointless it was. The girls conceded and let the boys go first. James knew that the major reason that he was upset was that the girls had almost inadvertently revealed their animal forms, not to mention letting the Werewolf out of Remus. However he couldn't tell them that. Remus jumped in, it was his right after all to tell the girls about his lycanthropy.
"Apart from no clear winner. I think that we're upset because, well. . ." Remus wasn't exactly sure how to say it. "I almost wolfed out in the school. Seeing as how I'm a werewolf that could have been nothing but bad. Not to mention that I'd rather not have the entire school knowing about it."
"Thought so." Maia replied under her breath. Len and Lily nodded. "That being said though, it was accidental."
"But so would have all the damage I could have done, that doesn't take away the guilt of it." Remus continued. "You mean that you three aren't going to . . . like freak out?"
"No." Lily asked confused.
"Why would we?" Maia sounded baffled.
Lenore leaned forward. "We, kind of figured it out, but wanted you to confirm it for us. Now you have." He looked at them stunned for a moment. He was surprised at their complete acceptance of him.
"Really! So. . . Are we like okay? I mean you're not afraid?" He asked still not believing their reaction. They nodded.
"So long as you don't ask me over for tea on a full moon. We're fine." Lily joked. "I can't believe that you waited over five years to tell me."
"I'm really surprised that it took us this long to figure it out." Len said. "Look, I'm cool with the *grrrr* thing, but I'm still pissed at the rest of you. And although we may have been ordered to stop pranking each other I have no intentions of forgiving you in the near future."
Things around the school became much quieter in the following weeks. The Marauders had not done any pranks on anyone, likely because Professor McGonagall was watching them. The Trio of girls had kept to themselves, and actively avoided the Marauders.
After the first week, some of the other boys in the school started to notice. Maia was the first approached, and asked on a date. Later she giggled that it was because that none of the Marauders were crushing on her. Lily and Lenore laughed knowing that was not true. A few days later Lily was asked to be partner for a herbology project (double class with Hufflepuff/Gryffindor) with a Hufflepuff boy, which she accepted. All threw class James shot daggers at them.
They all received notice of their detentions, the following Tuesday night. Lenore worried, over how to tell Severus that she had to cancel, besides how was she going to get him the message? Since the girls were taking great joy in tormenting the Marauders by flirting with other boys in the school, perhaps that might work. But Snape always was around Malfoy, and he really did make her skin crawl. Besides, Lenore noticed that fewer boys flirted with her than the other two girls. In fact those that flirted with her, tended to do so, when there was no one else around.
"Maia, I need help." Lenore replied. She explained the situation to Maia. Maia agreed to help. They decided to approach Snape after class. Maia had agreed to keep Malfoy occupied so that Len and Snape could talk for a moment.
"Hi!" Maia greeted the pair of Slytherins after Herbology on their way back to the school.
"What do you want?" Malfoy sneered at her. Maia smiled sweetly. Lenore followed shyly behind a step of two. Maia was considered the more outgoing of the two anyway.
"I just wanted to talk with you for a second." Maia flirted, batting her eyes slightly. This made her look very cute.
"About what?" Malfoy, despite being arrogant was not stupid. He knew of the relationship between the Marauders and these girls. Now, although that was currently on the frits, that could change quickly.
"Well . . ." Maia replied coyly. "I was hoping that we could speak for a few minutes." She looked at Snape and winked to Malfoy. Then whispered, "Alone?!"
Although Malfoy knew there was a chance that this would be a set up, he remembered the old saying of Ravenclaw girls. *Girls go to Ravenclaw because they're smart, or easy. Normally both!* It was well know about the school that Ravenclaw girls were the most passionate, and wild of any of the houses. Malfoy nodded and stepped aside with Maia, as his hormones took over. This left Snape and Lenore standing together.
"Hello." He whispered, trying not to look at her. He tried but failed, he noted how beautiful she looked. "Changed your hair back I see."
"Yeah." Len smiled, she was tempted to joke but didn't know how long Maia would be able to distract Malfoy. "I ummm can't make it tonight. I have a detention. I just wanted to let you know." She looked shyly at him. She noted that he nodded.
"You arranged ." He motioned to Maia and Malfoy. Len nodded.
"I wanted to talk to you alone." Len replied. "Maia offered. I think that she likes to flirt."
"Is she going to keep her date?" Severus asked. Len looked at him. "I can read lips." He whispered. Len almost giggled.
"I'll have to ask her." Len smiled. Then remembered that she wasn't supposed to like him. She plastered an annoyed, bored look on her face. "So, why is it nobody is flirting with me?"
Snape looked at her for a second. Then away to the school. "I heard that Black still has it known that if any guys asked you out, he'd hex them."
"But not the others?" Len asked quietly, maintaining a look of boredom.
"Not that I've heard." He replied softly. "Besides, I think that Black is more feared, than the others. Except as a group, of course." He noted that Malfoy and Crestwing were still in conversation. "So I take it that you girls have not forgiven them."
"No." Len signed. She looked to the lake. "Besides, we're having fun flirting. It's almost as good as pranking them. But this way we don't get in trouble."
Severus looked at her. His eyes burned, drawing her attention. He was about to risk Black's wrath and ask her out, but Malfoy chose that moment to return. *Great timing!!!*
Maia grabbed Len's arm and pulled her into motion. "Bye, Lucius." Maia called sweetly.
Detentions: James and Lily were assigned to clean the trophy room with out magic. Maia was paired with Remus, they were to clean the owlrey again no magic. Sirius was partnered with Lenore to weed the castle gardens. Peter, poor Peter was left by himself to help in the Library.
Lily and James "Look, I'll work on this side of the room. You work on that side." Lily told him coldly.
"Fine. Let's just get this done. I'm sure you have a date." James snapped back bitterly.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Lily demanded.
"You've been flirting with every guy in the school." James returned. Then in a mocking high voice, "Oh yes, I'd love to work with you. Maybe later we could go to the make-out tower."
"I never said anything like that." Lily huffed. "He asked me to work with him. Big deal. What was I supposed to work by myself?"
"You could have worked with Charlot or Magdellen." James returned. Their voices had gotten louder with each banter.
"Like you haven't been chasing after everything in a skirt." Lily snapped. "So you can, but I can't? James, get real."
"Hey, I only started to flirt after you did." James commented. They were standing less than a foot from each other. It was fortunate that they were unarmed. "I thought that we were over."
"Why do you even care then?" Lily threw back at him.
"Because I still love you." James snapped back with out thinking. The room was silent for a minute as the words hung in the air. "None of those other girls have anything on you Lily."
Maia and Remus "This is so gross." Maia complained.
"It's not so bad." Remus commented. "It shouldn't take us that long."
Probably the least hostile of the three groups. Although, Maia still fancied Remus, she wanted to bait him to admitting that he liked her too. "I hope so. I made a date for tonight." Maia announced. Remus stopped and looked at her.
"With who?" He was shocked. He knew that she was the most likely of the three girls to actually be dating, but it still surprised him. A little voice in the back of his head said *what did you expect that she would want to date you, knowing that you're a werewolf?*
"Malfoy. Do you know him? He's Slytherin, our year." Maia commented. She half heartedly pushed at some of the straw. Now, most sane people would not try to taunt a werewolf, but then Maia's father had been a Gryffindor, and she lacked none of their courage.
"You're kidding?" Remus spat. "Not Lucius Malfoy?" Maia nodded. "Maia you could do so much better than that . . . that . . ." It sounded like he was going to gag.
"No, I'm not. And yes, Lucius." Maia smiled. "So can we hurry this up?"
"Nope." Remus leaned his broom against the wall. "I'm not helping if you actually plan to go out with . . . Malfoy."
"I'll tell McGonagall. You'll get in trouble if you make me do this all by myself." Maia threatened.
"I'll take my chances." He leaned against the wall, by the window. Maia thought that made him look very hot. His longish hair fluttered in the breeze, the moonlight sparkled off his earring, his school robe fell open over his jeans and grey t-shirt. He had his legs crossed casually, Maia noted his dragon skin boots. Definitely, Remus Lupin had the rebellious youth style perfected.
"Why?" Maia asked trying to sound annoyed, it worked. "Just to spite me?"
"No." He replied casually. He didn't move, he just watched her.
"To piss off Malfoy?" She asked trying to sound frustrated, her acting lesson had paid off, she was really convincing.
"No." His voice was calm. His eyes watched her, he believed her words. He could feel the wolf rise in him. It claimed that she belonged to him. He felt the tension filling him.
"Why then?" Maia demanded. He had looked so relaxed that the speed of his movements startled her. He crossed the distance between them in a heartbeat. She tried to take a step back, but he grabbed her arms before she could move.
"Because, you are too good for the likes of him." Remus replied calmly. However they were close enough now for Maia to see his eyes burning. "Now, I can understand why you wouldn't want me. But he certainly doesn't deserve you."
"How do you know I don't want you?" Maia countered. She wasn't afraid of him. His grip wasn't painful. "Have you ever asked me?"
Lenore and Sirius Lenore groaned outwardly when she saw who she was paired with. *WHY???* She demanded silently. She said nothing to him, and started on the far side of the garden. Sirius took his time starting, he'd debated joining her or starting at the other end. He decided to go to the other end. He was not going to start the conversation, so they worked in silence for twenty minutes.
"Ouch!!!" Lenore cried. Sirius immediately looked up at her. He saw she held her hand, even in the low light he noted that she was bleeding. "Crap."
"You alright?" He asked considerately, moving toward her.
"Fine." She huffed. She looked about for something to tie her hand with.
"Why don't you go to the hospital. I'll finish this." He offered.
"Oh, no. I don't want to owe you anything." Len replied. Sirius fished threw his pockets for a moment then he handed her a scarf (bandana). She looked at him questioningly.
"My grandmother is very old fashion." He offered as a way of explanation. "It's clean. I found that it comes in handy when I play quidditch, thought that I might need it for my hair."
"Oh." Len replied as Sirius gentle bandaged her hand. "Thanks."
"Now, can we get this done? I have better things to do tonight then spend it playing in the dirt." Sirius replied. He didn't let go of her hand. Len waited a moment before pulling away. She turned away from him.
"Funny, here I thought that you liked to play in the dirt." Len commented.
"Depends on the company." He teased back. Len gritted her teeth, how come he wasn't jumping at the bait? They should have been in a fight by now. "Did I hear right, that Maia and you were flirting with Malfoy and Snape?"
"So what if we were?" Len asked, perhaps this would work to get into a fight. "What business is it of yours?" She turned to look at him, in time to see him shrug.
"Just curious." He said offhanded. "I've heard that Slytherins bite and I just wanted to know if that was only the girls."
"I'll have to get back to you on that." Lenore replied, she tried to hold her voice even. Sirius noted the strain in her remark.
"Okay." Sirius' voice was light. They continued in silence for a while longer. After another ten minutes. "Are you still mad about the jokes?"
"Not really." Len replied. "Although I'm still a little peeved about the outfits."
"But you girls looked sooo cute in them." Sirius replied. Len threw a weed at him, complete with a clump of dirt. It hit his arm, he looked over at her surprised. "Oh, so that's the way you want to play it." He picked out another weed and tossed it at her. His aim was better, it caught her in the chest. Lenore let out a screech in mock outrage.
By the time the garden was finished they were laughing so hard they could barely breathe. Lenore ran out of weed-bombs first and tackled Sirius. Normally this would have had no effect on him. However he was laughing and not expecting her to charge him. So that when she hit him, she knocked him over. Sirius nevertheless, recovered quickly, and grabbed her so she would fall with him. They landed together with a thump on the ground, Lenore on top of Sirius.
"See, this kind of company I like." Sirius replied, smiling broadly up at her. "So, you like to be on top, I take it?" Len's mouth dropped open. She pushed to get up. Sirius shifted his position, which caused Lenore to fall back down. He chuckled.
"Why, Mr Black I thought that you said that you had better things than to play in the dirt all night?" Lenore teased, not moving from her position on top of him.
"Well, if someone would get off me, we could go." Sirius replied playfully. Lenore smiled and pushed up again. This time she managed to get to a crouched position, before Sirius moved. He sat up so quickly the he *accidentally* bumped into her. This threw Len off balance and they fell back to the ground. Their lips connected.
Lenore pulled back sharply. She looked at him a moment. Then she kissed him. Sirius was shocked by this. He was stunned so much that he didn't try to stop her third attempt to get up. Lenore looked around the garden had indeed been weeded. "Sirius, I think that you need a shower."
Sirius shook his head, a few dirt clumps fell out. "I'll wash your back if you wash mine?"
Lenore laughed. "In your dreams."
"How'd you know?" He tried to sound shocked but failed. They laughed as they returned to the castle.