Chapter 5: The Answer

"Potter, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you." The Charms classroom students turned their heads toward the aging Transfiguration professor. Professor Flitwick squeaked a Hello to McGonagall. James stood up gloomily. He had been dreading this time for the past week His fellow Marauders hissed some good lucks in his direction, but James pretended he could hear them. He was having enough thoughts about it already.

James walked silently out the door and followed Professor McGonagall. He followed her wordlessly up to Dumbledore's office. McGonagall said the password, Pickle Snout, then they entered the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, hands resting on his desk, his familiar twinkle is his eyes. James sat down in the same seat as before as McGonagall left them after a short word.

"Ah, young Mr. Potter, how are you today?" Dumbledore asked presently. James wandered how he could always be so cheerful; maybe it was just a Dumbledore thing.

"Wonderful." James grumbled, sarcasm dripping off his words.

"I'm sure you remember why I have called you to my office?" He just go into it, doesn't he?

"Yeah…" When Dumbledore said nothing James figured he was waiting for an answer. If James had it his way, it would be awhile, but a lot of things never went his way, this was just another one… "I don't really know yet, Professor."

"Oh and why not?" James sighed, this was not his day.

"Well, I… I just don't know…" James sounded really stupid saying that. "It's a big step, you know." He added.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, I do understand, however, I need to know your answer today." At James confused face Dumbledore continued. "The school in which you would be attending informed me that they must know by the end of the day, today." Dumbledore paused. "There is a wizard who works there, muggle born of course. He went to Hogwarts when he was young, and is glad to help. He will also be keeping an eye on you and the others." James was sure that meant getting them in trouble when they did pranks and stuff.

James sat there for a few moments in silence. James had finally made his decision. "I'll…go" It felt like a huge weight had been lifted of his shoulders. The thoughts of wither to go or not that had hung over him the past few days was finally gone. He, Sirius, Remus and Lily would be going to a muggle school.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter, if you could stay here for a moment I will need to get the others that will be occupying you. And am I right in guessing that your chosen person will be Mr. Black?" James nodded. "Very well, stay here, I will be back momentary." Dumbledore then stood up, and exited.

James figured the old wizard was crazy, leaving a Marauder in a doom alone? He wasn't thinking right today or something. James chuckled to himself as he eyed all the odd things that lay around the cluttered room. Of course, McGonagall would have his head if he so much as touched anything in here, but it was just to interesting.

James stood up he placed his hands behind his back, he made his face look as concentrated as he could. He was hoping to achieve that muggle layer? Lawyer? Something like that, look.

He looked around the room for something that would be overly interesting. Eventually he made his was over to the book case, not that he thought there would be anything interesting there, but it was worth a shot, right? He skimmed the titles of the books, waiting of something interesting to pop out. There was a stack of Daily Prophets... not to interesting. Dragon poisons and how to cure them, that one sounded kind of interesting. Muggle foods and how to make them, James chuckled at the oddness of the Old Headmaster. Hmm… James paused he had just come across an interesting title. It was a thick, leather bound book that was covered in dust. It was a Hogwarts yearbook, which was odd, because Hogwarts did have yearbooks. James, being the Marauder he was, pulled the book out.

He blew over the cover of the book, causing dust to fly up around him and the book. James very carefully opened the cover. On the first page was 'Hogwarts, year 1943' so it was really old then. James glanced back at the book shelf; it seemed to be the only yearbook Dumbledore had, that was odd. He flipped through a few more pages until he paused. The bookwas open to Slytherin 7th years, James skimmed the pages, seeing if he might know anyone related too the people here.

James stopped; he looked at the book with unbelieving eyes. There was one name he had heard his dad mention before, Tom Marvlo Riddle. He looked at the picture, it showed a boy, he wished the pictures were in color, he guessed the boy's hair was black. The eyes were what intrigued James. Even the black and white picture couldn't hide the coldness in his eyes. The eyes seemed to be staring right at him, right threw him. They crept James out way too much. He quickly shut the book and put it back, then went and sat down in his chair. That was one of the scariest pictures he'd ever seen.

James was about to ponder on the thought once more, but the door behind him opened, making him jump. "Sorry to startle you, James." Sirius laughed.

"Sirius!" James turned around to see Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, and Lily entering the room, Tom Riddle was forgotten for the moment.

"Professor Dumbledore explained the goings on about why we're here." Remus supplied helpfully.

"Please, sit down." Dumbledore gave a small flick of his wand as more chairs appeared. Sirius sat next to James, Remus was on Sirius' other side, and Lily was next to Remus, James was upset that Lily didn't sit next to him, but didn't comment.

"Now, before I go into deep discussion, do you three," He motioned to Sirius, Remus, and Lily, "agree to go with Mr. Potter to the muggle school?" They all nodded and James grinned at this.

"Every well, you four will be going to Konaha High. It is a public high school, of course. You will be Juniors, which in muggle school means 11th grade, and is the grade you would be in if you didn't go to Hogwarts." Lily, of course already knew this, but the boys just stared dumbly at Dumbledore. "Your teacher's name is Professor Cortel, and there are about twenty five people in your class. Now, most importantly," He eyed the Marauders, who grinned in return. "You must be very careful. This is not for fun, but safety. You must all make sure to keep a low profile; anything obnoxious could lead to your discovery. You will be able to use your wands if you have too, it should only be if you are in dire need. I will also say that it would be wise to always keep your wands with you, for you never now what could happen."

"As I mentioned to James already, there is a wizard currently working at Konaha High, his name is Ricky Conner, of course you will have to call him Professor Conner. He is the Science teacher, and luckily I have made sure that he will be your teacher." Dumbledore gave a small pause. "You will be living in two apartments, one for you three boys, the other for Miss Evans." James sighed at hearing this and Lily turned her head to glare at him. "At different times a witch or wizard that at least one of know," He eyes lingered on James for a moment. "Will come and check up on you. They will also bring news, for me, a family member, or perhaps a Daily Prophet to read. If something happens and you need to get in contact with me, notify Professor Conner. He will send word to me."

"Professor, will we be aloud to bring owls with us?" Lily asked.

"No, I'm afraid not, the apartment you will be staying at doesn't allow pets." James and Lily sighed; they were the only ones with owls.

"What about classes, when we get back we'll be far behind the rest of the students here." Remus asked, James and Sirius snorted at their friend's question.

"That as yet to be decided, at most Professor Conner might end up teaching you some of the spells that your fellow classmates will be learning at Hogwarts. Do any of you have any questions?" They all shook their heads. "Very well, you will be leaving tomorrow, so don't worry about classes that day. Just have everything packed and meet me in front of the Great Hall at 10:30. Oh, and don't tell anyone where you are going." The four nodded. "You may go." They stood up and left.

"This is going to be so cool!" Sirius said with a grin after they were at the bottom of the staircase.

"Sirius Black, I don't want any funny business from you!" Lily snapped. "And you too!" She pointed at James.

"Yes Mommy!" Sirius and James chimed.

Lily sent another glare in their direction before turning to Remus. "Honestly, how do you stand these two!" Remus shrugged.

"What class do we have?" Lily looked at her watch, "…I have Ancient Runes."

"Then Sri and I have Astrometry."

"And I have Muggle Studies." Remus added with an after thought.

"I wish I had taken that again this year, but Ancient Runes seemed so interesting!" Lily commented.

"I took that last year, it was my favorite class!" Remus said as they started walking.

"Choo Choo, All aboard the lame express!" Sirius said as him and James followed Remus and Lily, who where having a deep discussion about Ancient Runes.

The rest of the day passed quickly for the four teenagers, even Lily had a hard time not zoning out in class to think about what lay ahead. Peter was upset about not being able to go, but the other Marauders said he'd be ok.

"Lily!" Lily sighed as James entered the Great Hall, it was past dinner and most people had already left, there was her and a few other Ravenclaws.

"What do you want, Potter?" She said coolly.

"Will you go out with me?"

"What do you think?"

"Yes?" Lily almost laughed at the stupid grin pasted on his face.

"No." She said flatly as she stood up and exited the Great Hall, heading up to Gryffindor Tower.

James kept on smiling. He exited behind Lily, only he took a different route. James tapped the brick with an M (the Marauders had put it there) on it and it opened into a passage way. He walked it as fast as he could until he made it to the other end. HE slipped through the tapestry and waited for Lily. Sure enough, Lily appeared minutes later, a 'don't mess with me' look on her face.

"Lily…"

"Shut it, Potter." She snapped. Lily walked right by James once more and went into Gryffindor Tower. James sighed, and followed.

"Another try, Prongs?" Peter asked as he came in.

"Yeah, I'm going to bed." He muttered.

"Moony's already out there." Peter called behind him.

"Hey Moony," James said as he came in, closing the door behind him.

"Excited Prongs?" Remus' voice drifted over from the far bed.

"I guess." James changed into his pajamas, and then clawed into bed. He moved the curtains around his bed, and drifted off to sleep.

…..

"PRONGS! WAKE UP!" James let out a yelp as he was drenched with cold water. He opened his eyes to find the culprit. It was Sirius, he was grinning with his wand out. "You gotta get ready, Moony an' Evans are downstairs waitin'."

"Yeah, ok," James sat up and started to get dressed.

"Remember, muggle clothes!" Sirius chirped.

James appeared moments later wearing Jeans and a black sleeveless shirt. Sirius was wearing black shorts that went to his knees and a blue tee shirt. "Come on!" James flicked his wand and all his stuff was packed, James was glad his mom had taught him that spell. James grabbed his trunk and followed Sirius downstairs.

Remus and Lily were sitting on one couch each. Remus had light colored Jeans and a green shirt. And Lily- James paused to get a good look at Lily. She was wearing a short jean skirt and a black tank top. James' mouth fell.

"Watch it, Potter." She growled.

James snapped back to reality, "Nice look, Lils."

"Don't call me that."

"Come on, lets of meet Dumbledore!" Sirius bounced; he was way to hyper today.

The other three grabbed their trunks. Lily and Remus stood up. "You first, Potter." Lily said in an annoyed tone.

"Why," He grinned. "Want to get a good look at me?"

Lily's face turned red. "I'll kill you one day, Potter." Lily muttered before walked out the door. James grinned, and followed. Remus and Sirius sniggered, but didn't comment. The entire way down, James stared at Lily's ass. Lily, in turn, kept glancing back at him, frowning each time she followed his gaze, anger and annoyance in her eyes.

"Ah, there you are." Dumbledore said calmly. "Now, I have this port key for you," He showed them the old muggle hat in his hand. "It will take about a few miles away from the school. There will be a witch named Gina Kedo to meet you. She will show you your apartments and the town, as a few more things," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily. "Now, take the port key." Each placed a hand on the old hat, their other on their trunks. "1- 2-3"

James felt the familiar lurch as the port key set off. He shut his eyes, James had never liked port key ride that much –it always made him feel sick-. In a matter of seconds, everything stopped. James fell on the ground –and guessing from the noise around him, so had the others- James opened his eyes and stood up.

"Hate port keys" Sirius was mumbling, Remus nodding his head in agreement.

"Not one of the best inventions, but it works." Lily commented sourly.

"Ah, my four young wizards and witch." They all turned to see a girl –about twenty- with long, dirty brown hair and black eyes. She was wearing a tight black shirt and jeans. "I'm Gina Kedo." She grinned at them.

A/N: yay for me, a long chapter! Six pages, I'm so proud of myself!

Thank you for all my reviews, I hope I get more!