Chapter twenty-two: The Intriguing Valentine

The sun shone brightly through the seventh year boys' dormitory window. James work up suddenly, not really sure why. Getting out of bed he walked over to the window and looked out at the grounds. The snow that had been there earlier in the month was almost completely melted. Staring out at the forest he thought about the up coming day. Then it hit him. Turning around he ran over the Sirius' bed. Shaking him gently he whispered, "Sirius get up! Get up!"

Sirius's fist shot out and just missed James' head. Reaching for the alarm he started slamming his hand down on it.

"Sirius, you know that clock doesn't work in the magic world," James pointed out.

"Then why do we keep it here?" Sirius asked groggily and James just shrugged.

"Get up, Sirius. We got to get Peter up and we have to get ready."

"For what? Class doesn't start for like two hundred more hours," Sirius said while James walked across the room to wake up Peter.

"We have more to get ready for then class," James pointed out.

"And what's that?"

"Sirius, how could you forget?"

"Forget what?" Sirius asked getting aggravated.

"It's Valentine's Day!"

At those words Peter's eyes shot open.

"Already?" he asked with a groan.

"So what?" Sirius asked getting up, "Lots of girls throwing themselves at me. What's there to hate?"

"Lots of girls eh?" Peter asked aggressively, sitting up. "What happened to Sarah?"

"Well, I didn't actually ask her out yet." Peter glared at him. "I will! I just want to see what she's like first. So I can't wholly say I will ask her out."

"Yeah, well don't just not get with her cause she's not easy," Peter warned him.

"Guys focus!" James said. "It's Valentine's Day."

"So what!" Sirius said angrily.

"What is the food most eaten on Valentine's Day?"

"Chocolate, so?"

Both James and Peter tackled Sirius to the ground.

"Shhhh!" they said.

"Are you crazy! Do you want him to hear you?" James asked.

"Who?" Sirius asked muffled behind their hands.

"Who else?" Peter asked and he and James looked over at Remus' bed.

Sirius squirmed his way free from under them and looked over at the bed too.

"Oh yeah! How could I forget that every Valentine's Day Remus goes Chocolate cra-"

"No! Shut-up!" James and Peter said clapping their hands over his mouth again but it as too late. Remus was woken up by Sirius' loud voice. Jolting up he asked, "Chocolate?"

"No Remus," James said cautiously walking towards him. "Just stay calm."

"Chocolate?" Remus asked again getting hyper, eyes growing wide.

"Now Remus listen to me," James said getting serious, "There is no chocolate. It's all gone."

Remus hung his head sadly,"No chocolate."

"What James meant to say Remus," Sirius said, "is there isn't any chocolate in here. But there are loads and loads of it out here." He pointed to the door. Remus jumped up, excited once again and ran out the door. James and Peter gave Sirius a look of 'what'd you do that for!'

"What?" Sirius asked.

"What'd you do that for!" they both yelled at him at the same time.

"Oh c'mon guys. Remus only acts that way once a year. What would today be without marauder tradition?" Sirius asked. Thinking for a minute, James finally agreed.

"I guess so. I mean, what's one more year going to do to this school? I only wish you had let him get changed before you sent him out on his wild rampage."

A dark figure stood in the owlery tying a package to a school owl. The owl looked skeptically at the figure and hooted.

"I know, I know. Just fly around and come back. No need for you to go all the way to the post office if your recipient is right in the school." The owl hooted again. "No I can't give it to him myself." Another hoot. "It would just be a stupid move, okay?" The owl gave the figure a look. "Don't look at me that way. Just go." But the owl didn't move. "GO!" the figure shouted angrily and the owl took off with a start out the window.

The Marauders entered the Great Hall and many of the girls turned and stared at them.

"Like I said, lots of girls," Sirius whispered to James. Walking past the Slytherin table Sirius tripped and fell into Severus Snape knocking over his pumpkin juice. He jumped up as it spilled on him. "I'm so sorry Sniv- Severus," Sirius said sounding truly sincere.

"Yeah, whatever," Snape said trying to clean off the juice with a napkin. Then he took out his wand and cleaned it off that way.

"Oh! Your juice is spilled! Let me fill that up for you!" Sirius grabbed the cup and with a tap of his wand pumpkin juice filled the cup to the brim again. "This one's on me. Well, not literally." He placed it down in front of Snape. "Have a nice Valentine's Day." And they walked away.

"What was that about?" James asked him.

"You'll see," Sirius replied with an evil grin. Sitting down at the Gryffindor table, Lily smiled.

"Good morning boys." She kissed James on the cheek.

"Morning mother," Sirius said messing around.

Lily glared at him. Suddenly there was a commotion from over at the Slytherin table.

"What's going on over there?" Lily asked curiously.

"Just wait and see." Sirius told her.

Listening, which wasn't that hard to do since the whole Hall went quiet, they heard a heated conversation.

"What the hall do you think you're doing Snape!" Lucius Malfoy shouted.

"I- I don't know I just-", he stuttered.

"Get the bloody hell away from me!" Lucius pushed him away.

"I'm sorry! I- I don't know what happened-"

"I'll tell you what happened. You tried to kiss me!"

"I knew it! Snape's gay!" Sirius shouted and everyone laughed.

"Black!" Snape yelled. He ran across the Great Hall and lunged at Sirius. Grabbing him by the front of the robes he yelled, "What the hell did you do!"

Innocently, Sirius said, "Nothing, sevvy. Why do you think I would do anything?"

"You spilled my drink purposely! You did it- You- I'll- you'll get it! I'll- I'll"

"What? Finish your sentence?" A few people laughed.

"No," and out of nowhere Snape leaned in a kissed him, passionately. Sirius pushed him off.

"That's enough now," Professor Slughorn said, coming over and taking hold of Snape's arm. "Let's go and have a little chat Mr. Snape." With one last glare, Snape was steered away by Professor Slughorn. Professor McGonagall came over, took one good look at Sirius and said, "Detention, Mr. Black." She walked away.

Sirius shrugged. "Oh well, it was worth it."

"What? Getting a kiss from Snivellus? I didn't know you were that way Sirius," James said.

"Well, what can I say? I turn straight guys gay."

"And gay guys straight," Lily said with laugh. It was Sirius' turn to glare.

With all the commotion James didn't notice the owl sitting next to him until it started pecking at his arm.

"Ouch! Oh, sorry." He untied the package from the owl's leg and the owl flew off.

"Who's it from?" Lily asked curiously.

"It doesn't say," James replied looking all over the package for a name besides his. When he didn't find on he just looked at Lily.

"You didn't send it did you?" he asked.

"Why would I send something when I could just give it to you?" she asked. When James started to open it, she stopped him. "Maybe you shouldn't open it."

"Why not?"

"Well, you don't know who it's from or what it is."

"C'mon Lily. It's probably only from a secret admirer or something," Sirius said. "It's Valentine's day, nothing to worry about."

"I don't know," Lily said skeptically but James was already opening it. When the package was opened they looked inside to find-

"Chocolate?" James asked.

"Ha! Told ya Evans, just a secret admirer sending James chocolate," Sirius said triumphantly. Suddenly Remus ran over, still I his pajamas, a chocolate ring around his mouth.

"Why hello Remus," Lily said.

"CHOCOLATE!"

"Well, it's nice to see you too," she said bewildered.

"Chocolate?" Remus asked James.

"I'll give you chocolate if you go get changed. Okay Remus?" James said.

"Chocolate!" He grabbed the box from James, scarfed the chocolate down and ran to get changed.

"Well," James said holding the empty box. Putting the box down on the table next to him he started eating his breakfast. "Now what I want to know," he said, "is why you didn't let me in on that prank Padfoot?"

Sirius smiled, "Hey, it was a last minute thing. You could call it a gift from a sweet and honest guy to his nemesis."

Lily snorted with laughter, "Sweet and honest are two antonyms that describe you Sirius." Sirius glared at her, "I wouldn't be talking Evans." Lily rolled her eyes as if to say, 'Yeah, whatever.' She looked across the table at Peter who was being awfully quite. "Peter are you alright?" she asked, concerned. "You look awfully pale."

Clearing his throat, Peter said, "Yeah, I'm- I'm fine."

All through out the day the students, mostly girls, were in the Valentine's day spirit and by Transfiguration Sirius was laden with boxes upon boxes of chocolate.

"If you want to eat any of those I suggest you hide it." James said. "Or better yet eat it now. Otherwise you know Remus will get his wolfie paws on it."

At the end of the class Professor McGonagall called Sirius to the front. When he met up with Lily, James and Peter in the hall he said, "I can't believe it! She still gave me detention! On Valentine's Day! Even after I offered her candy and a kiss! Well, after that she did threaten to give me another detention for bribery but-"

"I thought you didn't care that you got a detention for being, as you put it, sweet and honest?" Lily asked.

"I don't. I was just hoping she would forget with Remus running wild around the school."

"At least he's properly dressed now," James said. "They have one less thing to worry about."

"Where is he anyway?" Lily asked.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since this morning," James replied.

"Oh well, he's probably fine. Let's get going or we'll be late to class," Peter said hurriedly and he walked away quickly.

Yelling after him, Sirius said, "But that was our last class!" Turning back to Lily and James he asked, "What's his problem?"

"You know, I've been thinking the same thing all day," Lily said. After a moment of silence she continued, "Maybe he likes someone else. Maybe he's gotten over Sarah."

"Speaking of Sarah, I must go serenade her!" Sirius said.

"Oh really?" Lily asked. "You're really going to serenade her?"

"Well, not serenade her exactly. But, you know what I mean."

"Uh-huh, well good luck with that," Lily said. Sirius saluted them and was off.

Lily sighed and turned to James. "So," she said, "what are we going to do for the rest of the night?"

"Oh don't worry. I have a special night planned for us," James said and, grabbing hold of her hand, they walked to the Gryffindor Common room together.

Lucius Malfoy slammed him against the wall of the broom closet.

"So," he demanded, "did you send it?"

"Yeah-"

"And?" he pressed.

"Well, uh… it was- intercepted."

Lucius' already pale face went even paler. "What do you mean intercepted?"

"Someone else ate them."

"Who!"

"Remus Lupin-"

"Damn it!" Lucius shouted as Sam Knox let out a laugh.

"I told you!" She said triumphantly. "I told you we should've used something other than chocolate! But no, don't listen to the girl who went out with the bloody kid!"

"Shut-up!" Lucius yelled at her. "I'm trying to think." He sat down on the floor and rubbed his temples. "At least the were-wolf will die."

"How'd you know-", the boy began to ask.

"After Sirius played that trick on Snape last year we've known. You didn't think Snape would have kept something like that from the Dark Lord, did you?" The boy stayed silent. The three stayed silent for a little while. The only noise that could be heard was the impatient tap of Sam's food. Finally Lucius stood up and said sternly, "Alright, I've got another plan. I'll tell you with the time is right. In the mean time keep your mouth shut, you understand? And next time make sure it doesn't get screwed up." Lucius opened the door a little to make sure the coast was clear, and then he walked out with Sam right behind him. Now that the boy was all alone he slid down the wall, his shaking knees giving in, and sobbed.

Sirius followed Sarah and her friends all around the Hogwarts grounds. 'Geeze, how long does it take to find a place to sit?' Sirius thought. Finally they sat down by the lake and it took Sirius a few minutes to gather his courage to go and talk to her. Sure he talked to plenty of girls but Sarah was different. Peter was completely right when he said Sirius had a crush on her, he just would have felt bad crushing Peter's dreams telling him he probably wouldn't have a chance. Especially since he didn't know if Peter would have a chance or not.

After Sirius had all the courage in him he could muster he stood up from his crouching position behind a tree and walked over to Sarah and her friends. When he reached where the girls' were sitting he cleared his throat. The girls' turned and looked at him.

"Hey Sirius," Sarah said smiling.

"Uh, hey Sarah," he cleared his throat again. "Uh- can I talk to you, alone?"

"Sure," and she got up and walked a way away with him.

After a few feet they stopped and Sirius faced her.

"So what's up?" she asked.

"Oh, uh, nothing," Sirius said nervously. Taking a brave step he asked, "hey I heard that you like me. Is that true?" 'Wormtail better not have been joking or I will kill him' Sirius thought. Sarah went red.

"Well, yeah. I do."

"Oh, well that's good."
"It is?"

"Yeah, cause well, I like you too."

"Really?" Sarah said excitedly.

"Yeah, and I was wondering if you might want to, you know, go out sometime or something?"

Sarah smiled wide. "Oh would I!" she flung her arms around his neck and gave him a big hug but she pulled away quickly, embarrassed at what she just did. Sirius smiled. Suddenly Sarah was blasted backward onto her back. Turning around Sirius saw a shadow coming from the trees they were near.

"Hands off bitch. He's mine."

Sirius recognized the voice but just couldn't figure out who it was. Suddenly out of the dark and gloom stepped-

"Christine?"

"Hey Sirius!" she said cheerfully. "I hope miss know-it-all wasn't bothering you here."

"Uh, no she kind of wasn't," Sirius said. Then he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I saw you following her and figured I'd follow to see what you were up to. I overheard your conversation and figured that she had put a spell on you. I know you really don't like her. Not after all you've said to me that one time."

Sirius blinked. He turned to look at Sarah, as if to say 'can you believe this?' But apparently she did because she had a look of shock disbelief on her face.

"Sarah?" he asked.

"Don't talk to me," she said quietly as she stood up.

"Sarah, you don't believe-"

"You know I thought you were different Sirius. But I guess I was wrong." She walked off.

Christine wrapped her arms around Sirius' neck.

"Thank God she's gone. What do you want to do now?" She leaned into give him a kiss but he pushed her away.

"Get off me," he said and he left her standing there to go collect his thoughts.

Remus sniffed the air. He smelled chocolate he just didn't know where.

'Kitchen' he though and he started his way towards the kitchen doors. Suddenly everything seemed to slow down. Remus felt sharp pains in his stomach. Clutching where it hurt he bent over.

'I couldn't have eaten too much. It wouldn't hurt this bad' he thought. 'And I know it's not the full moon.' Before he could figure what the problem was, he fell to the floor and everything went black.

"Where are you taking me?" Lily asked James. She had a blindfold over her eyes and James was leading her somewhere. Where? She didn't know.

"You'll see," was all he said in reply. After a few more steps he said, "Watch your head."

Finally they stopped. "Stay here," James whispered and he left her. A few minutes alone she became a little frightened. When she heard footsteps she realized James had come back. "C'mon," he said and he led her into another room, she guessed because the floor changed from carpeted to wooden.

"Okay," James said and he removed the blindfold. After Lily's eyes adjusted she gasped in awe. The room was a dining room. It had two-lit candles on the table with dinner.

"Oh James," Lily said, She turned and looked at him. "This is amazing!" she hugged him. He led her to a chair and pulled it out so she could sit down. Lily looked in the bowls that sat in front of her and saw chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits and cooked carrots, all her favorites.

"James, did you do this?" she asked.

"Well, not exactly. I got it from the House Elves." Lily gave him a look. "Don't worry Lils. They didn't mind. They just want to give it all away."

She looked down at her now full plate. 'I might as well eat it' Lily thought. 'They probably didn't go to extra work just for James' she started to eat. It was all very delicious.

After diner was done Lily stretched.

"I hope you're not tired," James said. "The night is till young, Lily dear." He stood up and walked over to her. Pulling out her chair he took her hands and led her out of the room. Leading her upstairs, Lily got the distinct feeling they were in the Shrieking Shack. She was about to ask James when he pushed open a door and revealed a bedroom filled with candles. She was speechless.

"I thought tonight might call for something special."

Lily sighed. "I don't know James."

"We don't have to," James told her. "I just thought maybe-" he kissed her, long and passionately. He lifted her up and walked over to the bed. He lay down next to her and they began kissing. After a while Lily stopped him.

"You know James," she said. "I think I'm ready."

He smiled and kissed her. "I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she said.

Two hours after they left, Lily and James returned to the common room, tired but satisfied. As soon as they entered the common room Professor McGonagall called their names.

"Potter, Evans. Where have you been? I've been looking for you two."

"We were in the library," Lily said automatically.

"I see," Lily got the sense that the Professor didn't believe her. Professor McGonagall continued, "You two, Mr. Black and Mr. Pettigrew must come with me immediately."

"I thought Sirius had detention though," James said.

"This is a very important matter. Come with me."

She led them out of the common room and to the Hospital Wing. Upon entering they saw that Sirius and Peter were already there standing around the bed of-

"Remus," Lily said shocked.

"House Elves found him by the kitchens. He had been poisoned. The poison was slow working, so it's deep in his system." Lily placed her hand over her mouth as she gasped. "Madame Pomfrey worked fast though and he is fine but he will take a while to recover. His parents have been informed." After a silence she said, "I will leave you alone." And she left.

James held Lily in his arms.

"Who would want to do this to him?" Sirius asked.

Suddenly Peter let out a whimper. Lily went over to him.

"It's okay Peter. It's not like any of this is your fault." She took another look at Remus. "I think we should go to bed. I can't figure this out now, but maybe my mind will be clearer tomorrow."

James, Lily and Sirius left, leaving Peter all alone. He took one more look at Remus. "But it is," he said and left.