Chapter Nineteen

DC: I don't own anyone!

A few days after the week of holidays, the snow finally melted. Dumbledore let it linger a while so that they still had a little feeling of winter. But now, going towards the end of July, it was hot and humid again.

The four, meaning the Marauders and Lily, spent their time outside and lying about. It was closing in on Lily's fifth/eighteenth birthday, and they felt like doing something special for her.

It wasn't until Sunday evening when they thought of the perfect thing.

"We should give her candy!"

"No, Padfoot!" James said.

"Do you know how much she's already had?" Remus asked.

"You never like my ideas!" Sirius said, crossing his arms. "What should we go camping or something?" He added sarcastically.

There was a long silence. "I think…" Remus said. "That's a brilliant idea!"

"Really?" Sirius asked.

"Yes!" James answered.

"I never knew getting good ideas were so easy!" Sirius said in wonder.

And so they planned their camping trip. It would be on Hogwarts grounds, of course. They would need a tent, sleeping bags, permission, a lamp (or wands if they couldn't find any lamps) some food to cook out on, and other things like that.

They decided to do so the next evening, and be back to Hogwarts for Lily's birthday. They hoped everything would go smoothly, and if they could get Dumbledore's permission, everything should.

They went to bed, with a list of things to do out of Lily's reach, so it wouldn't ruin the surprise, with hope of a good trip on their minds. Dumbledore probably wouldn't have a problem with it. He usually always loved their ideas.

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It was weird. Monday morning the Marauder's all woke up at the same time. Lily was still asleep, which was another surprise, and still was by the time everyone was out of the bathroom and dressed.

"Lily wake up!" James said, shaking her gently. "It's breakfast time."

As if that was the cue, Lily's stomach started to growl. Her eyes popped open, and she started to smile. She sat up, setting her bear, which she named Roy, beside her, and rubbed her stomach. "It's like you told it to roar, daddy!"

She hopped out of bed, and got dressed quickly. By the time the four of them were down for breakfast all of their stomachs were growling.

Dumbledore, like usual, was sitting at the round table first. The Marauders took a seat, and helped Lily dish her plate up.

"Just how long are you waiting for us, Pro…dad?" Remus asked.

"Long enough, Remus." Dumbledore said with a smile. He too began to dish his plate up.

After getting situated, and everyone's plate was dished at their fullest, the Marauders had a quick discussion with Dumbledore. They asked him about the surprise camping trip, and like they had hoped and knew he would say from the start, he said yes. He added that he hoped for their safe return.

But it wasn't like they were going to get eaten by a dragon or anything else dangerous (or safe for that matter). They were only going on to Hogwarts grounds.

"Guess what Lily?" Sirius asked excitedly.

Lily took a sip of her juice. She swallowed it before responding. "What Uncle Siri?"

"We're going camping!" Sirius said.

"Really?" Lily was excited now. She had never gone camping, but had heard of it in her short-lived years…well…longish short-lived years.

"Yes and were going to eat out too!" Remus added.

"And maybe we'll learn something along the way." James added.

"You know…you're really becoming like a father!" Sirius commented. This comment made James blush a little. Was he really?

"Yay!" Lily exclaimed. "When?"

"Tonight!" The three boys answered.

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Remus did the tent shopping, Sirius helped Lily pack away her pillows and blanket, while James went to the kitchens to get their food. Other then those few things they had to do, they were set and ready to go. It was getting exciting. Really exciting.

"I haven't gone camping in so long!" Sirius said to Lily, as they waited for the other two to get back. They sat on the steps with everyone's gear.

"I've never gone camping!" Lily exclaimed. "Is it fun?"

"Well of course it is!" Sirius replied with a big smile. "And we'll tell scary stories!"

"Ooh!" Lily said. "I hope I won't get too scared."

"You shouldn't do that."

"Grandma!" Lily said, twisting her body around.

Professor McGonagall stepped down the rest of the steps, and stood in front of the two. She crossed her arms and stared down at Sirius. He gave her a mock-bemused smile back. "What ever shall I not do?"

"Don't speak in tongues, Uncle Siri!" Lily said shaking her finger at him.

"That wasn't in tongues, Lily." Sirius said. "I know I should scare you with stories."

"And if he does you'll tell me, right?" McGonagall asked.

Lily nodded. Sirius elbowed her lightly, and she giggled.

"So…what brings you here? To the entrance hall?" Sirius asked.

"I got your test results back." McGonagall responded. "And I'd like to give them to you when the other two get back."

They waited a few minutes, and Remus came through the big doors. He took a seat next to Sirius. He showed Lily the tent he'd got, and hoped it was as big as it had said it was. It took him longer then he expected to find it.

James came down shortly after, with the back of food, and took a seat next to Lily. The four of them then stared at McGonagall. She cleared her throat.

"As I've told Sirius, I got the Parental Evaluation test results back. I will tell you how you did."

She reached into one of her robe pockets and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Mr. Remus Lupin. You got excellent results. It says here you would be like a super dad."

"Not surprising." Sirius mumbled. James reached behind Lily and pinched Sirius to be quiet. Sirius rubbed his arm, and continued to listen.

"Mr. James Potter you got the average results. You'd be a average father."

James smiled a little. McGonagall turned to Sirius, and shook her head.

"I'm sorry Mr. Sirius Black, but it says here not to let you breed."

James and Remus busted out with fits of laughter. Sirius's mouth just hung open. McGonagall even had a slight smile on her face. "You got all the questions wrong. It makes me wonder if you even tried at all."

"But…" Sirius couldn't find anything to say.

Remus and James continued to laugh, as McGonagall stood waiting. Lily didn't know what any of it meant, but did see Sirius look hurt a little. "Don't worry Uncle Siri. It's only a piece of parchment. I don't think it means anything."

Sirius smiled, as the laughter finally died out. He ruffled Lily's hair, and said, "Perhaps your right Lily."

"I must also remind you only to stay on Hogwarts grounds. There still have been sightings of Death Eater activity." McGonagall stated.

"We know, mum!" Sirius said, feeling just a touch more cheerful then he had been before Lily said anything. "We'll stay on Hogwarts grounds."

McGonagall wished them to have fun, then left the four to go on with their adventure.

"Is everyone ready?" James asked.

"Yes!" Lily said, grabbing Roy from her pack. "I've even brought my Christmas Bear!"

"You have the tent?" James asked Remus. Remus nodded. "Everyone's stuff in order?" James asked Sirius. Sirius nodded.

James led the way out the door, and into the warm summer evening.

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Well People Like I've said before...Little Lily is slowly coming to an end...

It makes me sad thinking of it.

Yeah...

And to -ShIvErInG sMiLe- I know the plotline! But why can't I have sub-plots in them? That's what it seems like you were trying to remind me. Don't worry! Harry Potter wouldn't be Harry Potter if Lily didn't grow up!

Six more chapters! And MAYBE a sequel!

Well I'll update soon if I can get some reviews!

Love, Lala Rue!