Chapter edited and resposted – 14th July 2006

This chapter now holds my record for longest chapter in the story at 10 pages! Biggest change here is Sirius and Tash have a minor argument which blows over by the end of the chapter. Again not really plot relevant. More character developing.

Disclaimer: I don't own HP, however cool it would be. You'll get no money off me!

Reviewer responses:

Ashley- Glad you're enjoying it. Volia and please keep reviewing. I love to hear comments!

MoonylovesFlo- LOL! Enjoy this chapter. I'm glad my fic is making you happy!

Mkaira- Smart Gryffindors vs dum Slytherins round one, DING!

Tai Greywing- Thanking you Tai! I know my spelling and grammar is the worst, but you should see me when I hand write stuff. Can't wait till next weeks Doctor Who update. Enjoy!

A/N: Jenny/Remus chapter coming up! Thanks to all my reviewers. This is an extra long chapter dedicated to you!

Chapter 6

Lily and Tash walked down to breakfast alone the next day. It was about nine o clock before any of them had felt like getting up. Lily caught herself yawning loudly and had rather stupidly tried to put jeans on her head that morning. Tash was equally exhausted and had fallen down the fourth floor staircase, and nearly flattened a group of Ravenclaw second years. She was now sporting some very nasty looking bruises and she kept hobbling everywhere.

Jenny had disappeared off to the library to be alone with her thoughts. When Lily had returned to the dormitory after the confrontation the previous evening, she had found Jenny's curtains drawn and the sounds of muffled sobs. She obviously couldn't tell what her friend was feeling, but she could guess that Jenny was feeling upset on Remus's behalf. Remus didn't deserve a life of being a werewolf. Yet fate had been cruel enough to make him one. It was beyond unfair in Lily's opinion.

As predicted, the Marauders were already downstairs when Lily and Tash entered the hall. Obviously someone had released them from their bindings. All four of them looked shattered. Remus was sitting with them, nursing a cup of coffee and a plate of abandoned toast. Both girls noticed that he looked very pale from the after-effects of the full moon. But by the way he was glancing at them, they guessed that he had been told about the confrontation last night.

"What do you think they're going to do?" Tash asked as they sat down, as far away from the boys as the table allowed.

"Not a clue," Lily muttered. "But someone's going to have to talk to Jenny. She's really shocked by this."

"She's not going to stop liking him just because of what we found out last night do you think?" Tash frowned.

"I hope not," Lily said. "Cause it's obvious to everyone except Jenny that he likes her."

At this point, the four Marauders grabbed their food and moved down the table towards the girls.

"Great!" Tash complained. "That's all I want right now. Sirius Black telling me that I look good in my pyjamas! What a wonderful morning. Five hours sleep, a bruised leg, and stupid chat up lines. Perfect start to a really crap day!"

"Even Black's not that low," Lily said, thinking about what James had said last night. She was beginning to think that maybe Sirius did like Tash slightly more than he normally liked girls.

"Hey guys," James said quietly.

"You're subdued," Lily remarked.

"So you all got free of my binding curse did you?" Tash asked pleasantly.

"Eventually," Sirius said, through a mouthful of toast. Tash gave him a disgusted look.

"Eat with your mouth closed Black!"

"Sorry!"

"Where's Jenny?" Remus asked, dropping his voice slightly.

"In the library," Lily said. Then after a pause, "we're really sorry we spied on you last night."

"Hey you two can spy on me anytime!" Sirius said, with another smile. He leaned forward and whispered to Tash. "Just make sure you get a good view…"

"Shut up Sirius!" everyone said at the same time.

"Thanks guys. Feeling the love here!" Sirius said pretending to be hurt.

"How is she?" Remus asked.

"In shock," Tash said. "Well you would be too if you found out that the guy you'd had a crush on for four years was a wer…"

"Shh!" the four boys hissed in unison. Lily looked shocked at Tash. She'd just blurted out one of Jenny's secrets.

"She had a crush on me since the third year?" Remus asked hopefully.

"Shouldn't have said that," Tash muttered to herself. "Bite my tongue!"

"Just…" Lily tried to stop Tash from harming herself. "Go talk to her. Tell her how you feel."

"Do you think I should leave her alone for a wh…"

"Get going Lupin!" Tash shouted. "Before I turn you into…into…SIRIUS!"

"Hey!" Sirius said, obviously hurt. "What's wrong with me?"

Remus got up and hurried away from the table. Lily was right. It was time to tell Jenny how he felt.

OOO

Jenny was curled up in a corner of the library, pretending to read her book. Her eyes were glazed over and she was deep in thought. She knew she should feel tired, after all she was running on about four hours sleep and a strong cup of coffee. But she was far too preoccupied to want to sleep.

How could she never have noticed? All those times when Remus disappeared. She should have known. Her heart was breaking for him. Remus was the nicest guy she knew. He didn't deserve a life of being a werewolf. It was too cruel.

"Hey." Jenny looked up to see Remus watching her.

"Can I join you?" he seemed really nervous.

"Sure."

They sat in silence for a minute. Jenny glanced over her book occasionally. Finally they both spoke at the same time.

"I'm so…"

"I wa…"

"You first."

"No you."

"I'm so sorry!" Jenny said.

"What for?" Remus looked very confused.

"I'm sorry you have to go through that every month." Jenny began to cry. "I know you probably don't want pity…"

Remus was stunned as that was exactly what he had been going to say.

"…but I'm still so sorry Remus," Jenny said, wiping her eyes.

"That's not your fault!" Remus said, taking her hand.

"But it's not fair!" Jenny protested.

"No it's not," Remus agreed. "You don't know how often I wish I wasn't bitten. But it happened." He paused for a minute. "You're not afraid of me?"

"No," Jenny stopped crying. "Why? Did you think I was going to act differently just because I knew you were a werewolf?"

Remus didn't answer.

"Remus how shallow do you think I am?" Jenny asked. "You know me better than that! It doesn't change who you are. You're no different from the person I knew last week. No different from the person I've known for the last six years. I would never stop liking you just because you were a werewolf."

She looked very panicky when she realised what she had said.

"I like you too Jenny," Remus smiled shyly at her. Jenny flushed an extremely bright red.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Remus asked quietly. Jenny smiled.

"I'd love to." Remus smiled again, and closed the space between their lips.

OOO

"I like him so much, and he's so sweet…" Jenny had been whispering non-stop to Lily and Tash ever since Sunday morning. It was now Monday morning and it was now common knowledge around the school that Jenny and Remus were going out.

"Okay Jenny," Tash said gently. "We're thrilled that you and Remus are finally dating. But can you please change the subject? You've been talking about him almost non-stop for the last twenty-four hours!"

Jenny looked slightly taken aback, but then she smiled. She was behaving rather like a twelve-year-old schoolgirl.

"Sorry guys," she said. She gave each of them hugs causing a minor hold up in the corridor. It was just after break and everyone was heading to Defence Against the Dark Arts, and the first duelling tournament.

Ramton swept into the classroom exactly on the bell. The door slammed shut behind him, causing several very nervous Hufflepuffs to flinch.

"Today we shall be beginning the first round of the duelling tournament," Ramton sneered at the Gryffindors. "I trust you will have all taken note of your opponents which I selected totally at random for you over the weekend."

The class gave a nervous shuffle. At the words totally at random Tash snorted in disbelief. Ramton glared at her.

"Is there a problem Miss Marquand?" he asked.

"No Professor," Tash said sweetly. "I have hayfever."

"In the middle of September?" Ramton asked sceptically. Lily could hear the Marauders in front stifling their giggles.

"Yeah I can't understand it," Tash said innocently. "I mean normally it's gone by June but this is just horrible! Maybe I have an allergy. I mean you do have that stuffed Kneazle above your desk…"

"That's enough," Ramton snapped. James and Sirius were both struggling to contain their laughter. And they were now not the only ones in the class doing so.

Ramton gave a cruel smile and the class fell silent again.

"The first pair to duel will be…" he consulted a list on his desk. "Potter and Forrest."

Ramton waved his wand and the desks and chairs moved to the side of the classroom, leaving a space free for the matches. Everyone backed off to the side. James and Laura Forrest stood at opposite ends of the classroom.

"The winner is the first one to successful disarm their opponent. On my mark," Ramton said, "three…two…one!"

"Stupefy!" Laura shouted. James easily deflected it. Laura started launching a series of hexes. James blocked all of them with ease, before considering that Lily might think he was showing off. He decided to beat her quickly, and launched a powerful stunning spell at her, tearing through her shield and knocking her out.

"Potter wins," said Ramton slightly reluctantly, as though the words were poisoning him. James bowed to the audience, dramatically waving his arms like a stage magician.

"That's enough Potter! Get back to your seat!" Ramton snapped. Lily smiled at James's antics. She couldn't help it.

"Next round. Towner and Evans."

"Good luck Lily," Tash smiled at her. Lily walked to the end of the room, breathing deeply. Her opponent, Michelle Towner gave her a brief smile.

"Three…two…" Ramton counted down as though he were bored. "One."

"Locomortor Wibbly!" Michelle cried.

"Protego!" Lily shouted. Her shield absorbed the spell.

"Relashio aquaria!" Michelle tried. A jet of boiling water poured out of her wand towards Lily.

"Glacius!" Lily shouted, freezing the water. The large icicle fell to the floor, shattering like glass.

"Expelliarmus!" Lily yelled. Michelle caught unaware felt her wand soar out of her hand.

"Evans wins," Ramton said. "Next up, Lupin and Rosier."

"Good luck Remus," Jenny gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and Remus smiled at her. It turned out luck really wasn't what Remus needed. Rosier had barely enough time to launch a hex before Remus had successfully stunned and disarmed him.

"Lupin wins," said Ramton in a dull monotone. Remus sat down grinning. Jenny beamed at him. What Ramton said next caused the smile to disappear.

"Next up, Black and Tailby."

"Don't worry Jen you'll do fine," Lily comforted her.

"Use healing spells," Tash advised. "You're best at them and she won't expect them."

"Thanks guys," Jenny said. Remus gave her a kiss on the cheek and Jenny walked out to face Bellatrix. She was giving an evil grin, which made Tash and Lily very nervous for their friend.

"Three…two…" Ramton said, watching with a maniacal glint in his eye. "One."

Bellatrix had started on two. She sent a jet of purple light at Jenny, which none of them could guess the name of. Jenny tried to block it but the spell tore through her shield and caused her to fly into the nearest desk. Wincing she got to her feet.

"Invocartum!"

Bellatrix blocked the stunner lazily before brandishing her own wand like a whip. Jenny dodged and flinched as a hole was torn in the shoulder of her robes. Blood seeped out. Lily, Remus and Tash all jumped to their feet in worry. Before they could do anything however, Bellatrix raised her wand again and shouted 'Cestor Morandum!"

Jenny was blasted backwards into the wall again. Dozily she raised her wand and tapped her shoulder. The blood flow stanched itself. Bellatrix advanced on Jenny with her wand raised and fired two stunning spells in quick succession. Jenny rolled away from the first one but went straight into the second one.

"Miss Black wins," Ramton smiled approvingly. Lily ran out to revive Jenny. Remus helped carry her back to her seat.

"That was a really powerful stunning spell she used." Lily said. "Anymore and she could have caused permanent damage."

"She's evil," Tash glared at Bellatrix, who was being treated as a hero by the rest of the Slytherins. "I swear Jenny, if I'm ever against her in a duel, I'll kick her for you."

"Thanks Tash," Jenny smiled as best as she could.

The next round was against Jacob Williams of Ravenclaw and Freya Brandon from Hufflepuff, with Jacob winning the round. Tash was up next and easily won against Lucretia Dawson. Mick Fraiser lost to Wilks and then it was Snape and Peter. Peter managed to hold up okay at the start (years of hanging round with the Marauders had taught him some things) Snape however, quickly disarmed and shot him into a wall. Then Sirius was up against his ex girlfriend, Karen Jones. She was a tall black girl who played on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. She gave Sirius an evil glare before the start of the round.

"Wish me luck," Sirius said.

"Good luck mate," James said. "She looks ready to kill."

"That's very encouraging James," Lily smiled.

"He'll do fine," James said dismissivly waving his hand and nearly concussing Peter. "Sorry Wormtail."

"One!" Ramton shouted. Sirius hit Karen with a tickling hex. She began to giggle uncontrollably. Sirius sat down as though he was just taking a break. It took a full five minutes for the hex to wear off. Once it did, Karen was livid. Sirius jumped to his feet and began blocking the hexes she was sending at him. Though he had plenty of opportunity of knock her out, Sirius continued to block the attack. It seemed he was rather enjoying himself watching Karen get worked up.

"If we could wrap this up at some point today," Ramton said after another ten minutes of hexing. Sirius sighed.

"If you insist Professor," he shot a hex at Karen, which stunned her and caused her to slump to the floor.

"Sorry love," Sirius said reviving Karen and peering over her. "I guess breaking up really was for the best." Karen glared at him before retaking her seat.

"My my you have admirers everywhere don't you Sirius," Tash remarked.

"What can I say, I'm popular," Sirius grinned. "But you know I've only got eyes for you Tash."

"Oh yeah that's why Lily and James found you and that fifth year Hufflepuff snogging in the broom closet isn't it?" Tash asked sweetly. Sirius shut up immediately. Lily chuckled.

The last two couples to fight were Avery and Paul Sharpe. Paul put up a good fight but being in Slytherin had its advantages, and Avery was able to beat him. The last couple were Rudolphus Lestranges and Robert Porter, with Lestrange winning no surprise.

"Well that's the first round completed," Ramton announced. "Those of you who have won your first match will compete in the second round next week. I suggest you practise until then."

The bell rang and the three girls walked down to potions followed by the Marauders.

"I don't envy the person who gets Bellatrix next," James said.

"I hope it's me!" Tash said. "I'll wallop her ass!"

"If you say so Tash," Lily said.

"What you don't think I can do it?" Tash asked incredulously.

"Of course I do," Lily said. "But you know that she's a dangerous person to be around."

"I don't care!" Tash said.

They continued to bicker all the way down to the dungeons. James, Sirius and Peter walked behind them whispering to themselves and going over final details for the prank against the Slytherins that night. Jenny and Remus were behind them, holding hands on their way to the lesson.

OOO

"Today, we shall be attempting the most difficult part of Transfiguration," Professor McGonagall said. "Human Transfiguration."

Lily sat up straighter and even the Marauders stopped passing notes to each other. It was the afternoon lesson and all through out lunch, the three girls had been receiving evil sneers from the Slytherins. Some of them were still sore about being beaten by Gryffindors.

"You will need to work in partners for this exercise," McGonagall continued. "I have partnered you up since I want to ensure you actually do some work rather than spend the entire lesson talking." She glanced at the Marauders and they knew it was slim to none chances that they would be working together.

McGonagall started reading down her list of partners. One by one everyone paired off. Finally Lily's name was called.

"Lily Evans with James Potter."

Normally Lily would have groaned aloud, but for some reason she didn't mind working with Potter anymore. On their patrols round the school she had got to know him better, and she'd realised that he wasn't such a prat as she'd thought.

"Natasha Marquand…"

"Please not Black, please not Black, please not Black…" Tash prayed under her breath.

"With Sirius Black."

"Damn it!" Tash said aloud. Everyone in the class turned to stare at her. "I mean… oh who am I kidding? Damn it!"

"Thank you Miss Marquand," McGonagall raised her eyebrows but Lily could tell she couldn't help sympathising with Tash slightly.

"She's happy then," James said, coming to sit by her in Jenny's vacated chair. Jenny had been paired with Crystel. She was very disappointed not to be placed with Remus, especially since the person in question was now partnering Snape. Professor McGonagall finished reading the list and the class began to practise.

"You want to go first or me?" asked James.

"You're better at Transfiguration than me," Lily said. "You'd better turn me into something weird first." James smiled and they both stood up taking out their wands.

"Ready?" James asked. Lily nodded nervously.

"Avifors!" shouted James. There was a bang and Lily suddenly found herself sitting on the floor. James gave a cheer. Lily looked around and found to her amazement that she could turn her head 180 degrees around.

"Excellent Mr Potter," she heard McGonagall say. "Five points to Gryffindor. Please return Miss Evans to her human form. She looks very confused as an owl."

'Oh,' Lily thought. That explained the head thing. She looked at her sides and realised that, yes, she did have snowy white wings. At this point James reversed the spell and Lily felt herself return to her correct height.

"Thanks," she said. James smiled.

"Aww James!" Jenny complained. "She looked pretty as an owl!" She had successfully turned Crystel into a blackbird. Looking around the classroom, Lily could see that Sirius had turned Tash into a silvery cat, who was currently looking up at him with big round eyes. Lily nearly cracked up when she saw that Remus had successfully turned Snape into a bat, which was now flapping about the room causing several of the Ravenclaw girls to shriek.

"You're turn Lily," James encouraged.

"Okay," Lily felt very nervous. "Avifors!"

James changed instantly into his white stag form. Lily realised that the animals they appeared as were probably the forms of their animagus. Looking around again she saw that this was true. Peter had been turned into a rat, and now that Tash was back to her usual self, she had turned Sirius into a black dog.

She felt something tap her elbow and she realised that James was nudging her with his head. He obviously wanted to become human again. Lily took pity on him and changed him back.

"Thanks," he said.

"Anyone would think you didn't like being a stag," said Lily. James gave her a shrewd smile. Lily felt herself smile back.

'See,' the annoying part of her brain was talking to her again. 'You're smiling at him. He's changed.'

'Okay he's changed,' Lily thought to her mind. 'So what?'

'Well since he's grown up, you can't help noticing him. You're even being nice to him.'

'Don't' go down that road!' Lily scolded her mind. 'I'm not going to go out with him just because he's grown up.'

She was startled from her thoughts by a loud wolf howl. It seemed Crystel had perfected the spell and turned Jenny into a grey wolf, which currently had its head thrown back in a loud howl.

OOO

"Got em," James came up to Lily and Tash later that night. They were sitting in the Gryffindor common room, surrounded by books and scraps of parchment. "Four dozen Nifflers waiting to be dropped down the Slytherin chimney."

"I'm not even going to ask how you got them," Lily said. Tash was grinning from ear to ear.

"Fantastic! When do we stage this prank?"

"Straight after me and Lily get back from patrol," James said, sitting down with Sirius next to him.

"Where are Moony and Jen?" Sirius asked.

"Studying," Lily said, rereading her conclusion for her Transfiguration essay.

"Now there's a word for 'making-out-a-broom-closet' that I've never heard before," Sirius chortled. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Honestly," Tash muttered. "Not everyone has a one track mind like you do Sirius. Some people are actually willing to make time to form something that lasts. Not just a quick fling in the broom closet."

She turned her back on him and went back to her homework. Lily was shocked to see that Sirius's eyes had gone dark. Lily felt James take her hand and pull her slowly under the desk upon which the homework was spread in case things decided to get nasty.

"Is that really all you think of me?" Sirius demanded. Tash turned back to face him.

"You know what Sirius," she said getting up from her seat and grabbing her books. "Sometimes, it is. And in all honesty, can you blame me?"

"Anyway!" Lily cut in loudly. Both Sirius and Tash stopped arguing but were both pointedly avoiding each others gazes. Lily glanced up at the clock to check the time. She and James had about two minutes until patrol.

"We'll meet you in here at midnight," James continued, trying hastily to distract their feuding friends. "We'll have the Nifflers so all you have to do is bring the extra cloak."

"No problem," Tash nodded. "Shouldn't you two be patrolling now?" she looked at James and Lily. James swore and charged upstairs to dump his bag.

"Well I guess we are then," Lily said. James shot back down carrying, of all things, an old piece of parchment.

"Ready?" he asked. Lily frowned at the parchment, but got up and followed James out of the common room. As she left, Lily was certain that she heard Tash mutter something to Sirius, and she guessed that the argument was far from over.

Lily sighed and turned to James, who was unfolding the random bit of parchment.

"What's that rubbish?" Lily asked.

"What's that rubbish!" James asked in horror. "Really Miss Evans, I thought you of all people would recognise a piece of genius and craftsmanship when you saw it!"

Lily opened her mouth to ask another question, but James opened the parchment and pointed his wand at it.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"

"Well you normally are…" Lily started, but trailed off when she saw the words forming on the parchment.

"What is this?" she asked in amazement.

"This, Lily Marie Evans," James said dramatically. "Is the Marauders map."

"Is that…" Lily pointed to the map.

"Dumbledore's office," James said. "Yep. And there's the man himself."

Lily's jaw dropped open.

"So this is a map of Hogwarts?"

"Yep," James said proudly. "It shows everyone, wherever they are, and whatever they're doing."

"Fantastic!" Lily said. "And you…"

"Me, Sirius, Remus and Peter created it," James said. "Yep."

"So this is how you're able to sneak around!"

"Yep," James said, getting rather tired of repeating the same three letter word over and over again. "And since after tonight's prank Tash will probably know about it, I thought we could use it to help with patrol."

"Great," Lily was beaming. "Let's go! Who's that on the first floor?"

"That's just Mrs Norris," James said, checking it.

"And on the third?"

"That's Ramton in his office."

"And on the seventh?"

"Lily that's us."

"Oh right," Lily blushed a bit.

"Come on." They hurried down the stairs and began checking the rooms with any wandering students. The map was a valuable asset, especially when they used it to head off a group of third year Ravenclaws, who had been up late in the library.

"We didn't have to be quite so harsh with them," Lily pointed out. "I mean they were only studying."

"This is the girl who was going to kill me on Saturday because I spent the entire evening out roaming the grounds!" James said. He'd meant it as a joke but Lily took it seriously.

"Well you're head boy Potter, you should know better! Now it's nearly midnight. Is there anyone else wandering around?"

"Hmm," James checked the map. "Wait…that's weird."

"What?" Lily asked.

"There are a large number of Slytherins still wandering down in the dungeons," James said.

"Where?" Lily peered over to see.

"Down in one of the rooms near potions," James said.

"Let's go," Lily said, pulling out her wand. She sensed that there would be trouble.

Five minutes later, James checked the map again. The Slytherins were just down the corridor. They seemed to be meeting there. James noted that the Slytherins included such characters as Snape, and most of the seventh year Slytherin boys. James nodded down the corridor to Lily. They both crept closer until they were within hearing range.

"The Dark Lord will repay his followers Regulus," a very cold voice said. Lily and James recognised it as the voice of Bellatrix Black. "You will make your family proud, if you join him."

"I am ready to serve the Dark Lord," the other voice was that of Regulus Black, Sirius's younger brother.

"He is waiting," Snape said. "Lets go."

One by one they all disappeared into the nearest classroom. James pulled out the map again and both he and Lily watched as the Slytherins made their way to one end of the classroom and disappeared one after the other.

"They must be Flooing," James muttered. "Come on, let's get back upstairs."

Both of them made their way back to the tower in silence. Upon arriving they found Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Tash waiting outside the portrait hole for them. Remus and Peter were looking in confusion at Sirius and Tash, both whom were glaring at each other.

"About time!" Tash complained upon spotting the head boy and girl. "You're shift finished ages ago didn't it?"

"Never mind that!" James said. "We saw the Slytherins down in the dungeon…" Quickly, Lily and James retold what they had seen down in the dungeons.

"So…they're all…" Tash trailed off.

"Death Eaters," Lily confirmed.

"Sirius…" Tash said. If Sirius had been scowling before it was nothing to the way he was now that the story had been retold.

"Sorry mate," James said.

"What's there to be sorry about?" Sirius said. "We've always known he was an idiot. It was bound to happen eventually. I'm surprised it's taken him this long!"

"So are you okay if I start randomly insulting him?" Tash asked. "Sorry but that's something I do to all potential Death Eaters."

"I'll gladly join you love," Sirius said, their argument apparently forgotten. "Now aren't we supposed to be pranking the Slytherins?"

"Yes we are!" James said cheerfully. "Are we all set?"

"Ready to go Prongs!" Remus smiled.

"Coming Lily?" James asked.

"No," Lily said, disappearing into the portrait hole. Just because her and Potter were on slightly more friendly terms, did not mean she was going to go off to prank the Slytherins. He might be less arrogant but he was still getting involved in those silly pranks.

'And he still messes up his hair,' she thought irritably.

A/N: I finished that quickly cause otherwise we would have a huge leap in time and then I wouldn't be able to have the next duelling round. I actually did pick all the couples for the duelling matches at random. Anyway…leave me a nice review!

Next Chapter: Arguments and Hogsmeade

May Stardust fall in your dreams!