#8 Lily; a knockout? Or merely knocked out?
IMPORTANT Please Read
I just want to thank all you guys who put aside a minute of your precious time to review this story. Yes that means you, Poppy Cotton of Underhill, Toby Ho, JediGinny, Katharina-B, lord of destruction , me "the reviewer", shara , BlackKnight , jason , Dark Wizard Killer , Laterdays , jimmynutron , GoldenDays , BartSimpson , prideandjoy , Slughornsbabe, hannah and Kristen36
You have no idea how a few simple words boosted up my spirits and totally ROCKED my day. Please tell me if you liked this chapter. Don't hate me, I think Lily is superb but it just had to be done.
Finally I just want to take a poll on who deserves be the Last Man Standing so don't hesitate to name drop.
Bye,
Seriously Grateful.
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It was three o' clock in the afternoon and the Gryffindors were at double Charms with the Ravenclaws. As Professor Flitwick demonstrated the fire-stream spell, the sleepy Marauders could not help but yawn repeatedly. Leaning across Frank Longbottom, Lily Evans poked James with her quill. "Up all night Potter?" she asked her eyes sparkling mockingly.
Before James could do his usual yes my love I spent the whole night thinking of you so will you finally go out with me routine, Sirius cut across saying, "What's it to you Evans?"
"Are you Potter?" Lily retorted raising an eyebrow.
"No I'm Black".
"Well then don't interrupt me, my business is with Potter"
"What's your business with him?"
"None of your business Black."
"Racist!"
"What did you call me?"
"You heard me. You're a racist. Just because I'm "black" doesn't mean you can't share your business with me."
While Lily went red with anger the Marauders, Frank and his girlfriend Alice, burst into laughter and James slapped Sirius a high five. The commotion died down with Lily turning away huffily muttering about cheap insults and third-rate jokers and James putting up a totally unconvincing plea of how he did not mean to laugh. Remus wisely pulled him away before Lily had any chance of perfecting her unparalleled 'three point spin sideways slam' slapping technique.
"Uh Guys did you notice that Lucius and Snape weren't at Potions today, even Slughorn didn't know where they were." Remus began in a low voice, directing their attention to the issue that had been nagging him for a while.
"Well that's easy to figure out isn't it" James smirked "They're probably draping themselves in bubble wrap as preparation for the challenge."
"Will they turn up though?" Peter questioned in a low whisper.
"They will!" Remus nodded resolutely, "Their absence certifies a probable presence tonight."
"Translation: The Snakes will Show" whispered Sirius as Flitwick flapped his arms and motioned them to be quiet.
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"I'm bored" Sirius pouted five minutes later, prodding Remus's dutifully written notes that James swore contained each and every word Flitwick uttered including all the squeaks and high pitched giggling.Sirius' wand alternately set fire to and extinguished the bundle of parchment while Remus watched in irked fascination, wondering once again how Sirius, the one person among the foursome who had not listened to a word Flitwick said had managed not only to master the complex spell but also its reverse.
"C'mon James let's get out of here and start working on the maze" Sirius moaned.
However, before James could agree as he always did, Remus pointed out the obvious complications. "This class in NOT finished and Peter and I haven't really got the spell yet."
"Aw please!" Sirius rolled his eyes, "If I know you Moony, you won't object to some extra hours in the stinking library until you get it and Wormtail, I can always teach you later."
Remus and Peter exchanged doubtful looks while it was James's turn to roll his eyes. Sirius's crossed his arms defensively.
"What's the fuss Wormtail? It's not like I've broken any promises to you ever"
"Well" began Peter thoughtfully, "There was that one time with Dorcas and that day in the ..."
"Zzzz zzz zz." Sirius pretended to snore loudly while mimicking falling to sleep.
"Fine! Fine! What EVER!" Peter shrugged giving up in the face of rock solid denial. "Any plan to get us out?"
"Thought you'd never ask." Smiling widely, Sirius pulled out a seemingly empty vial out of his pockets and tossed it over to Remus. "Levitate that over Evans, mate and uncork it for full effect."
"Why Lily?" protested James, "Don't you understand that you're reducing my chances with her you mutt?"
"Your chances of dating Evans reached negative infinity and got married to the Slytherins' chances of wining the House cup and is currently giving birth to Snape's chances of getting laid" snorted Sirius.
"Why me then" questioned Remus stifling a grin as James lunged to strangle Sirius.
"Simple" Sirius grinned pulling away from James's bone crushing headlock. "I aim bad."
"Is that why your bludger knocked out Madam Hooch in the last game? Peter taunted cheekily.
"Get on with it Moony." Sirius snapped, his face flushing at the memory. "Be prepared to bubblehead yourself though." He added as an afterthought.
Dear Merlin tell me why I'm preparing to empty an unmarked vial, with who knows what, given to me by you know who, on Miss ' I know everything' Evans. Mused Remus levitating the vial over Lily's head after concealing it with a dillusionment charm.
"Sipio" hemagically unplugged the vial and copied the others as they discretely fashioned transparent bubbles around their heads.
And they waited.
Alice was the weakest. She went down first. Then Frank closely followed by Lily.
Before Flitwick could scurry to the back of the classroom on his short legs, Sirius cleared the air with a quiet 'Expungio'
"What happened?" squeaked the Professor as he stared at the three unconscious students now slumped over their desks.
"It happened so fast Proffesor" gushed Sirius his face set in perfectly faked shock. "I reckon Frank's wand back fired."
"Ennervate." Professor Flitwick waved his wand but save for a bit of twitching, Lily, Frank and Alice remained comatose. By now, all the students were on their feet and edging closer to get a better look. Every single one of the Gryffindors and many Ravenclaws, were shooting the Marauders glances dripping with suspicion as they realized that once again the four troublemakers were up and standing while innocent bystanders bit the dust.
Flitwick started crooning what sounded like a Latin lullaby and engaged in some complicated wand waving. The only apparent result was one single fart from Frank.
One loud stinking fart.
As students scurried as far away from the epicenter of the blast, Sirius seized the opportunity to spin his web of deceit.
"Ewww" he exclaimed his face twisted in distaste despite the fact he was fully shielded by a translucent bubblehead. "That was worse than a three ton stink bomb;I swear the Giant squid must have fainted. Professor let's get them to the hospital wing before Frank farts again."
Flitwick regarded him above a scrunched up nose, then he looked around at the other Marauders, clearly wary of foul play. Quite oblivious, Sirius plowed on.
"Let lover boy James take her professor. That's what the true love does in fairy tales right? Maybe she'll be eternally grateful and go out with him."
Flitwick was unconvinced. Remus was willing to bet his life that the Professor was considering casting a Priori Incantatem to catch the culprit. Somebody had to act. Somebody other than Sirius (who was now prattling about how they'll live happily ever after. James was no good, he was staring at Lily, probably never having caught her this defenseless ever before. Peter came to the rescue.
"It will stop him from asking her out in class." He offered cunningly. That did it. Flitwick nodded like a nutcracker, no doubt remembering the St. Valentine's day disaster last year.
"Yessss! Mister Potter, Lupin and Pettigrew, please oversee the transfer of these students to the infirmary. Hurry back after you've finished. Now no delay's boys."
James levitated Lily, Remus took over Alice and Peter, Frank. Sirius pretended to be a potted plant and slipped out of class unexcused.
They sprinted to the hospital wing keen to avoid a prowling and 'un-dupable' McGonagall. After they deposited the passed out students in Madam Pomfrey's tender care, the Marauders made their way up to the seventh floor.
"What the hell was in the bottle?" Peter asked in wonder.
"Ask no more. Trade Secrets Pettigrew" Sirius grinned.
"Well what ever it was, it was simply outstanding" Peter exclaimed, "Even Flitwick couldn't charm them awake."
"What can I say Peter, Outstanding is my middle name." Sirius's smirked, turning up his collar.
"S-O-B… how fitting." James huffed.
"Hey…" Sirius sulked, but before he began an all out brawl, Remus spoke up quietly.
"That wasn't nice."
"They aren't hurt and it did the job. We're free aren't we?" Sirius shrugged nonchalantly.
"Still…"
"How come you didn't stop me Mr. Perfect Prefect?"
Remus sighed, conceding defeat, not really wanting to explain to Sirius how afraid he was of Snape's invention. Deep in his heart he knew this crazy plan was unnecessary if only he had the guts to put a stop to their animagi adventures before the See-All potion got his friends expelled but Remus also knew that he couldn't bare a single full moon all alone without his best friends, his pack. Looking at James who was unusually quiet, Remus realized guiltily how tough this was on him. If in the past Lily had vowed never to go out with James this incident would galvanize her into ignoring him completely.
James caught Remus's stare and smiled. His hazel gaze spoke volumes: We're in this together buddy but you owe me BIG time. You can start by finishing my Transfiguration essay on Complex Metamorphosis due tomorrow.
Remus smiled back new determination rushing through his veins. The Slytherins caused this and they would suffer the consequences. He, Remus J. Lupin will make up obstacles so tough and demanding that the Snakes will find the NEWTS easier than ordering a house-elf to jump off a cliff.
Room of requirement. Here we come.