Pam: Thank you so much! It means a great deal to me that you think this was funny enough. I was nervous about it. I'm glad you liked it.

Google Snook: Thank you so much for your feedback. I'm so happy you found what I did funny and I really hope you keep enjoying the rest of the story.

Dancer4eva: Thanks!

JP LE 4E: Writing real characters has been my main concern while working on this story so thank you very much for noticing it and for letting me know you think I'm doing a good job. I've read many James and Lily fan fictions too, so I hope you find this one as good as the best ones you have read ;) Enjoy!

Facing the Consequences

As predicted by the four boys, their last prank had made history. Everyone was talking about it, and even though many suspected that they were the responsible, no one really said anything out loud. Sometimes they would get a 'thumps up' or a wink from some classmate in the hallway, but nothing more. No one ventured to actually acknowledge them as the 'evil doers', as Professor McGonagall had so kindly named them afterwards.

On the other hand Mr. Potter had sent a card to the boys congratulating them for being able to pull it off without being caught. Obviously he did it behind Mrs. Potter's back, who didn't think pranking was the correct behaviour for the Head Boy and his friends. Even the Daily Prophet had published a little insert telling what had happened at Hogwarts on Halloween Night. Remus had found it while doing his regular checking of the newspaper. It had read:

Massive body switch at Hogwarts enlivens Halloween Night

Incontrollable screaming and confusion could be heard and seen on the Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the night of October 31. The reason seems to have been a thoroughly prepared prank that until now has the teaching staff searching for its instigators. According to our undercover reporter at the scene, a massive body switch took place in the middle of the Halloween feast, affecting everyone, including the Headmaster, for several minutes. Albus Dumbledore reported that Mr. Filch is taking care of catching the responsible. "Since no one was hurt there is really no need to make a big deal out of this. They are young men and women and a little fun here and there does make them some good", explained the Headmaster. This was confirmed by several students who, after the initial shock, laughed for hours reviving the joke, which is rumoured to be the doing of a group called The Marauders, even though it hasn't been confirmed or denied.

Professor McGonagall had tried to pin the guilt on them, but even though she was sure they were responsible, she couldn't prove it. And that fact had her even more pissed off at them than the joke itself. She had asked the Headmaster for help, but even Dumbledore, who had had a suspicious glint in his eyes while communicating his decision to the boys, had decided to put the matter to rest. After all, even he thought it had been funny and "a very powerful demonstration of well conjured magic". Therefore McGonagall was making it her personal business to catch the four Gryffindor in any act of misbehaviour they endured so she could give them the detention she thought they deserved.

But all the commotion didn't have the marauders as happy as one would think. Specially James Potter. It had been three days since the joke and he was suffering its consequences all alone. Remus Lupin had had to go into hiding the morning after the feast to endure his transformation, and since Sirius and Peter didn't have a romantic interest sabotaged by the prank, James found himself carrying the burden without no one to understood him or comforted him. Obviously he felt proud of being able to pull it off exactly as planned, but he never thought of Lily's reaction when thinking about the consequences they would have to pay if caught. He could see his mistake now.

James was currently laying in the floor in front of the fireplace of the Heads' common room analysing all of this. It was Sunday so he didn't have classes and he was killing some time until he knew Remus had come back from the Infirmary. 'Moony will understand', he thought and sighed. Why was it that he felt so utterly sad about something that had made him feel so good for a very long time. He was a prankster by nature, his father always told him that. It was in his genes. But the scared look on Lily's –Hagrid's- eyes three nights ago had spoiled his fun for good. He hadn't wanted to make her feel bad. He had just wanted to make everyone laugh for a while.

His hand instinctively flew to his dark black hair as he heard the portrait door swing open. He stayed still. If it was Lily –and he knew it was her, who else could it be?- she had made it perfectly clear she didn't want to set eyes on him any more than necessary. He didn't want to upset her. He heard her talking to someone, apparently she wasn't alone.

"Are you sure there's no problem with us being here Lily?", Kali asked her friend while entering the common room. Adelaide close behind.

"I'm sure. I asked Professor McGonagall. She said she trusted my instincts. If I could trust you then she could too. But you can't tell anyone the password, ok?", the redheaded girl said motioning the chairs around the table for them to sit on.

"This is really great", Adelaide added admiring the room. "Much like ours. I like it".

"I know", Lily added uninterested, and sighed. She was tired. Tired of being mad at Potter. Tired of being teased by Slytherins who thought her giant act was funny. Tired of acting like she didn't care.

"You're sighing again Lily", Adelaide said annoyed. She understood her friend's animosity, but she also thought the joke had been quite funny and well planned. After all, everyone had gone through the same and mostly everyone thought it had been brilliant. "Are you still mad at what happened?"

"Of course I am! Believe me, if it was my choice, Potter and his friends would be sentenced to detention for the rest of their lives", James winced at Lily's angry words.

"But Lily, you are not even sure they did it", Adelaide said unconvinced. She had tried that approach before and it hadn't worked, with neither of her friends.

"Adie!", Kali said annoyed, "you don't honestly believe it could have been someone else, right?" Adelaide didn't say anything. "That's what I thought. Those four idiots did this and I, for once, think it was awful".

"C'mon! You two just had really bad luck. But it was funny. You did see Dumbledore crying in the teachers table, right? Even I, who had to deal with a groping git from Slytherin, think it was worth it".

"Look Adelaide", the girl looked startled at Lily's use of her full name, "It was just really humiliating for Kali and I to go through it. But that's not even the point. The point is…", Lily began to say, but lost her courage and hung her head to one side tiredly.

"Yes?", Adelaide asked intrigued.

"The point is that knowing it was the guy you fancy who did it really breaks your heart… and I say this in behalf of Kali here who thought Remus was different", Lily explained Adelaide who nodded unconvinced. She knew Lily was also disappointed in certain marauder, but she wasn't ready to admit it and she wasn't going to force her.

At the mention of Remus' name James' curiosity shot up and he listened quietly. So it was true. Kali Wood corresponded Moony's feelings. He felt happy for his friend, maybe not all hope was lost. Unfortunately he didn't realize his movements had made his presence known to the girls and now he had the three of them standing next to him and glaring at him from above. He sat rapidly and messed his hair again, noticing how Lily winced imperceptible at the action.

"POTTER! How dare you? Eavesdropping is low, even for you", Lily screamed, her face red with anger.

"Lily I'm- Look I didn't mean to…", he stuttered. "I'm sorry", he stood up, his head hanging low from shame. "I was just resting when you came in and I didn't want to disturb you".

"Right. Like we are going to believe you", Kali said in a way that was really out of character for her. She was usually a really nice forgiving person.

"Are you still angry?", he asked and regretted it at once seeing Lily's red cheeks.

"What do you think, uh?", Lily responded. James looked at Adelaide for support but found none. She held her palms up and shrugged in a way that said she could do nothing for him this time. "Even if no one is ever able to prove it was you James, I know better. And to think I actually thought you were growing up", Lily shook her head in disbelief. Her words hung heavy over James' heart but he didn't show it.

"Look. It was just a joke, ok? Why do you have to be so damn serious about everything? Merlin, live a little". He said frustrated while he started to walk to the portrait. He knew he shouldn't give her more reasons to hate him, but the way she was acting was getting on his nerves. "I'm going now. You can have you little chit-chat without worrying about me. I'll see you here at 9:30 for our round".

"Ugh! He's so… so… ugh!", Lily said plopping over one of the sofas. His words echoing in her mind. She knew she was too serious, but someone had to be. Right?

"Relax Lily. I get you, ok. But he's right about something. You do take everything really seriously. Just forget it ever happened. You two were doing so well for a while", Adelaide said firmly and then looked at Kali. "And you too. You were finally getting somewhere with Remus. Why spoil it because of some grudge? Just put it behind you. Be the grown up and let it go".

"I'm not going to simply let it go, ok? He hasn't even apologised to me. In fact, he hasn't even been around, that coward.", Kali said. "If he had at least tried to look for me, but… No. I'll forgive him, but he will have to earn it".

"Well, I won't. I'll be civil to James Potter, but until he proves to me he can be a reliable and grown up person that's all I'll do", said Lily determined. And while saying it she felt a pang of sadness inside herself. Probably because she was convinced that that day would never come. And boy how did she wanted it to come…

---

Remus Lupin walked the hallways of Hogwarts in a hurry. He needed to get to Gryffindor's common room and see Kali. That was all he had thought about since he had returned from the Shrieking Shack. Why did he have such rotten luck? Of all the bodies in school, she had to end up in that one. He fastened his pace. He really needed to talk to her now. Maybe see just how angry she really was. He turned left at the end of a corridor and collided chest to chest with James, who had been walking at the same pace. Both ended up in the floor.

"Merlin Prongs, watch where you're going".

"Same to you my friend", said James getting up and giving a hand to Remus to do the same. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"I'm going to get Kali, maybe see if she will talk to me. Excuse me, we'll talk later, ok?", Remus said starting to walk again in the direction of Gryffindor.

"You're going the wrong way Moony. She's with Lily at the Head's quarters. And I suggest you wait 'till after she's gone to look for her. Somehow, I don't think neither her nor Lily want us very close".

"So it's bad, uh?".

"It is. Both are furious with all of us because they know we did it. They can't prove it, just as McGonagall can't either, but they are sure enough to hate us", James explained miserably. "Adie isn't though. She told me yesterday she thought it had been funny".

"Great", Remus said unenthusiastically. He sat in a bench nearby and sighed. "Maybe it's for the best, you know? That way she will think I'm a git and I will be able to forget about her".

"Why do you want to forget about her? I thought you liked her", James said at a loss leaning against the wall in front of the bench.

"I do like her, mate. In fact", Remus stalled for a second, "I think I might be falling in love with her". He let the phrase hung between them for a while before he looked at his friend. For a moment he feared that James would laugh. The werewolf in love, really, the entire thing was just absurd. But James wasn't laughing, he was looking at Remus intently. In fact, Remus noticed, James had a very familiar sparkle in his eyes. "What are you thinking James?", he asked almost scared.

"So you love her? Are you sure? I mean… is this the real thing?", he asked avoiding Remus question. Remus pondered this for a moment.

"I know I have liked her for a long time. She always caught my attention. But this year, since we have been spending time together, the feeling just grew without me even realising it. I don't exactly know what love is, but I think this must be close", Remus explained truthfully. James's grin grew wide.

"Well Moony, then I don't think you should give up. So what if she's mad at you? Ask for her forgiveness, show her that you care. Make the move. I bet you my life, it'll work. Don't let fear control your life, mate".

"It sounds great James, really. But for me, thinking about a future with anyone, specially Kali, is only wishful thinking", Remus said defeated. "It's because I like her that I don't want to put her in danger. I think things happen for a reason and I must take what's happening now as a chance to get away from her, to forget about her".

"And what if she doesn't want that? Have you ever thought maybe she likes you too?", James asked. He didn't want to give away the girl's secret, but he needed to make his point.

"I don't know… Sometimes, when we are talking or just sitting together I get the feeling she might have some interest in me, but I try to deny it, to fight it", Remus said standing up and pacing in front of James. "She deserves better".

"I hate it when you talk like that, mate. You are a good friend and I won't let you convince yourself of this theory you have about you being a monster. I think you are scared, but it's ok to be. Don't let a stupid prank come between you two. It was fun, but now it's over and you have to talk to her and explain. Win her back and see if things between you two might go further than friendship. You deserve happiness my friend, don't let it slip". James said stopping his speech and looking at Remus who had stopped pacing and was looking at him weirdly. "What?"

"Nothing…", Remus shook his head, "It's just… You're actually taking this growing up and getting more responsible part seriously, right?". James just shrugged as if it wasn't that important. "Well I'm glad. It will always be great to mess around with you guys, but I think it is time we start growing up", Remus grinned before asking, "Any possibility that Lily might be the reason for your new found wisdom?".

"Lily isn't really talking to me right now so it doesn't matter. But you have a chance with Kali. Take it".

"You should take your own advice Prongs and try it out".

"I should, but I wont. Lily is determined to see me in a certain way and I'm getting tired of it. What I'm doing, these changes you see, they are because I want them, not for her".

"Well then, I'm glad you're doing it for yourself. How does Sirius feel about your resolution?"

"I haven't really seen much of him this weekend. He has been enjoying our unclaimed glory, surrounded by the ladies, and I've been brooding at my room. But he will get it. He knows that eventually we will all have to grow up".

"You're right. He will get it eventually, eventually being the key word", Remus smiled. "What do you think we go get Padfoot and Wormtail and we go to the kitchens for a while? The Infirmary doesn't exactly have the best menu and I don't want to wait until dinner". James smiled and his stomach growled.

"Let's go. I'll get something for later. I always get hungry while making rounds".

---

"Sirius Black", a feminine voice startled him and got him out of his slumber, "so the person I was looking for".

"Adie. To what do I owe the pleasure?", Sirius said making room for her in the couch at the common room. Suspicious that her two best friends weren't with her.

"I need to talk to you, alone".

"Why Miss Vance? Are you planning to seduce me?", Sirius asked jokingly and smiled, pushing his hair out of his grey eyes.

"Ha ha. Funny, really. I'm serious. I need to ask you something and it has to be now. I'm always with Lily and Kali and now they are both elsewhere. I don't know when I'll have this opportunity again", she said almost whispering and sitting next to him. "I need to ask you something".

"Shoot".

"I want to know about Remus". Sirius's face went white for a moment, always afraid that someone might discover his friend's secret, but he then realized that there was no way Adelaide could know anything. He relaxed.

"You're going to have to be a little more specific than that, Adie… Why? Are you interested in him?".

"I'm not, but someone I care for might be interested, very interested, and I need to know which way to push her, ok? I know you won't lie to me so tell me. Who does Remus fancy?"

"I'm not telling you that! He's my friend, we don't do that to each other".

"Ok then, let me rephrase this. I have this friend… who likes your friend. Now my friend doesn't know if your friend is interested and since I know she'll never ask I got the matter under my own hands. So, is he interested?". Adelaide smiled knowingly at Sirius…

"He might be", Sirius said half grinning. He knew exactly who this friend of Adie really was. And he also knew his friend did fancy her back.

"I thought so", Adelaide said not surprised. "Look. I don't know why your friend is the way he is, so closed off, but I would like him to know that, if he wants to get somewhere with this girl, he better start looking for my friend and making it up to her. She's quite upset since the whole… incident", Adelaide said looking pointedly at Sirius.

"So what do you suggest I do?", he asked interested.

"I suggest, but this is only a suggestion my dear Sirius, that you and me make some things happen around here. I know my friend isn't your favourite person in the world, but your friend likes her, and you should respect that. So, are you willing to help your friend get my friend?".

"Before I say anything", Sirius leaned over her and whispered in her ear, "We are talking about Remus and Kali, right?". Adelaide smiled.

"Who else? We both know Lily and James are a lost cause".

"Perfect then, I'm in. We just need to get them together alone for a while and I know something will happen", Sirius said confidently.

"Let's just hope that what happens is what we want it to happen".

NOTE: From now on I'm probably not going to be able to update more than once a week. Unfortunately real life is demanding a great deal of my time. But I will not drop this story, that is for sure. So I hope you keep reading it even if sometimes it takes me more time than I would like to have the next chapter ready. And please give me some feedback about what you think of the story so far, ok? Thank you!