DarthRoden: Thank you so much for your enthusiasm. I also love James and Lily fics and I know there are many out there so I thank you for reading this one. I hope I'll keep you interested.
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Well everyone, enjoy! And if you like it, please review.
Explanations for Lily
James Potter smiled to himself while he and Sirius filled Remus and Peter in on their next prank, the first one of the school year. If they managed to keep this up, they would surely be part of Hogwarts's history. Stories would be told years in the future about the marauders and their sense of humor. Really… his father would laugh his head off when he heard. And his mother would probably roll her eyes and mutter something about teenage boys and their need to get in trouble. He could just see it.
"So basically what you are saying is that our next prank will take place here, in the Great Hall?" Remus Lupin asked looking paler than usual. Full moon had just gone by three days ago and he was still recovering from the traumatic transformation he had to endure every month. Sirius nodded vigorously, his black hair falling in his face and a twinkle in his eyes that was only present at moments like this.
"Exactly, we are done with little pranks. We need something more massive and my friend Prongs here had this perfect idea. But we'll probably need at least a month to plan it. This will include the entire school, even Dumbledore so we can't get caught. Even though a good detention now and then doesn't bother me, I don't want to spend the entire year cleaning the owlery without magic. Besides, James has taken his new Head Boy roll actually quite seriously and he has told me that this will be his retirement", he explained with what seemed like a frown in his handsome features. Sirius Black was really happy that his best mate had been made Head Boy, you could tell that much. Remus and Peter's eye grew wide.
"Really James?".
"Really. But don't you worry my marauders. I may have to pass more time following the rules, but I'm still the same old James. Some well deserved little prank here and there will still happen", he smiled secretly, "And this one… This one will be wicked. Just imagine the complete mess a mass body switch will cause. Even if it only last a few minutes", James said while checking the door. The first year had yet to arrive to the feast.
"But are you sure that it won't last any longer?", Peter asked unsure. Even though his friends were well loved and respected students, he wasn't like that. Many people just put up with him for the sake of the other three. Slytherins –and even a few others- had no problem in hexing him in revenge for some prank that the group had pulled earlier while passing him in the halls. And he was scared of that, of them. If he wasn't with Remus, James or Sirius, he was always scared.
"Of course Wormtail! Who do you think we are? It will be fun for a few minutes, just enough to have everyone go a little crazy, but we would never do something as drastic as to keep it going for longer. It would hurt too many people", James said reassuringly. But it didn't stop the shiver that went down Peter's spine. After that, he was sure someone was going to get him in the hall. 'If only I was braver'
Suddenly, just as James' eyes started to wander in search of some very familiar green eyes, the heavy doors of the Great Hall opened and the fist year students entered following Professor McGonagall, Head of the Gryffindor House. She had a long roll of parchment in one hand and she was gripping the Sorting Hat in the other one. The little boys and girls walked forward while admiring the enchanted ceiling. Some smiled left or right finding familiar faces in some relative. They stopped while Professor McGonagall placed the hat in a stool. It rested there for a while before it started singing the traditional tune. Everyone listened quietly.
"When I call your names you will come forward and I will place the hat on your head. He will sort you into your houses", she said in that oh so distinctive McGonagall voice.
"Asturia, Priscilla".
---
Kali Wood's straight light brown hair was pulled up in a ponytail. Neat as always. Her blue eyes danced around the room searching for the object of her affection. She sighted after realizing it was a lost cause. He wasn't in the common room.
"Really Kali. I don't know why you keep hoping to catch his eye. I think that after two years you should move on. Remus Lupin just isn't interested", Adelaide Vance told one of her best friends. She liked Remus, but she hated the fact that he didn't seem to notice her friend, who had been pining after him since fifth year.
"That's easy for you to say Adie. No one ever says no to you". It was true. Usually it was the other way around. Adelaide Vance was known for turning half the boys of Hogwarts down without a second glance. Her wavy dirty blond hair, hazel eyes and slim figure were enough to catch half the school male population's attention. But she wasn't really into flirting all that much. Her older sister Emmeline had told her once that she would know when the right guy came. That she would feel it. Since that hadn't happened yet she didn't spend too much time thinking about boys. She had dated a few guys, but nothing serious.
"That's unfair Kali. There are plenty of guys interested in you too. You are just stuck with the only one who isn't". Adelaide said and watched her friend sigh again. It was hopeless, really.
"I know. But it's just that I know there's something special about him Adie. I can feel it".
"Well, then I suggest you play you cards rapidly. This is our last year and it will go by fast. Believe me. NEWTS are just around the corner from us".
"You're right. I'll… Remus Lupin won't know what hit him", she smiled wickedly. "By the way. Do you have any idea where Lily is?"
"Dumledore's office. She said something about checking his mental health. I think it has something to do with Potter being Head Boy".
---
Lily walked calmly to the gargoyle that hid the staircase to Dumbledore's office. She had gotten the password from Professor McGonagall a few minutes ago. Not before having to have said) a little white lie about the urgent need to see the Headmaster. Truth was, it was urgent for Lily to talk to him. She was sure the man had gone crazy over the summer. Sure, Dumbledore had always been what you could call weird, but this was right down madness. 'Making Potter prefect. Honestly! There's no sense in that'.
"Cotton Candy" She said clearly and the staircase appeared before her eyes in a second. She climbed the steps thinking about the best way to approach the subject and then knocked on the door.
"It's open", the familiar voice of Dumbledore could be heard through the door. She entered the office quickly. "Miss Evans. I was wondering what took you so long", he said smiling down to her. His eyes sparkling in amusement. She looked puzzled for a moment before taking the seat he was pointing.
"Well, yes Professor. I wanted to speak to you about something". She waited for him to say something but when the old wizard did nothing but stared half smiling she proceeded. "With all due respect Headmaster. I was wondering what made you choose James Potter as our new Head Boy?"
"Why Miss Evans? Do you perhaps believe that my judgment has been somehow altered in the last few months?"
"No Professor, no. But how can this be normal when Po- James has never even been prefect. Don't you think it's unfair to all the others? How are they suppose to respect him as Head Boy when his reputation doesn't exactly give him much room to speak about rules".
"You do have a point there, Miss Evans. I see why you are so confused", he said leaning forward and looking kindly at Lily through his half moon spectacles. "But do not fret. Even if it is hard for you to see it, Mr. Potter is well respected among his classmates".
"But…"
"However. I do see that you have some kind of conflict over the situation, so I will explain it to you in the hopes that maybe, afterwards you will no longer question my choice". Lily blushed at Dumbledore's words and looked down for a few seconds. "This year the election of Head Boy was more difficult than most years. We are in dangerous times, Miss Evans and even if we do not wish to see it, those dangerous times have reached Hogwarts as well. Voldemort's shadow grows stronger, and it is with great sorrow that I see people in this own school being cast away by it. This year the roll of Head Girl and Boy will be very important and far more difficult than ever before".
"Professor, I understand all this. But why James Potter when we have very capable people like Remus Lupin?"
"Mr. Lupin and I have our own reasons for making the decision we made in this matter. Mine I don't think you need to know, and his are his own, and they are not mine to tell. Mr. Potter may be many things, but I think not even you can deny his cleverness, talent and bravery. Those were the main aspects I needed in this year's Head Boy. Some young men and women in Hogwarts have been growing closer to dark magic than ever before and I need to have someone strong enough to help me and the other staff members in the task of keeping order. I know you are very capable Miss Evans, I don't doubt your skills, but you need support, and believe me, there is no better young man for that job than Mr. Potter. He has a strong family behind him, one of the most respected ones in the history of light magic. He has a natural talent and ability and he is extremely loyal and brave", Dumbledore explained Lily while giving her a reassuring smile.
"I see Professor", Lily said still not entirely convinced, "But if you don't mind me asking. Isn't it against the rules to choose a Head Boy that has never been prefect before?".
"I wouldn't go as far as saying that it is against the rules. It is quite uncommon, yes. And it hasn't happened in centuries, but it is not the first time it does in fact occur. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how good our prefects are, the necessary abilities for Head Boy are not exactly in that particular group", Dumbledore explained to Lily patiently. She nodded. She might not like it, but she could tell that Dumbledore had really thought it through. At least now she felt like it wasn't the universe conspiring against her. She just had really, really bad luck.
"Thank you Professor, for taking the time".
"Certainly Miss Evans. And please, kindly tell Mr. Potter that I hope he fulfills my expectations to the very best".
"I will", and with that Lily Evans stood up, exited the Headmaster's office and went in search of her new partner. The one and only James Potter.