Ch. 4: Brought to you by Marauders, Inc.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything… most aggrievedly.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, guys. You get extra Kudos for my own procrastination! Actually, this thing was done on Sunday. I just haven't been on. I'm sorry! This one's to both of you!
…
You'd better be okay, Sirius, or I'll kill you.
James almost passed the compartment that Sirius was being held in as he ran, but quickly grabbed the handle and swung himself back. His feet landed with a soft thud on the ground and he wrenched the compartment door backward. He didn't notice Lily and Remus at his heels, but instead walked in and got on his knees before Sirius, next to Peter. He registered the door shutting behind him.
Sirius was lying there, his face nothing less than pale and green and… dare he say it, scared. Blood stained his sweater like half the front was meant to be red. James saw it drip slightly onto Sirius's hand. He was sweating slightly—James couldn't help but feel brotherly and reach up to wipe it off with his sleeve. He did so, and Sirius smiled appreciatively, though his eyes were shut. James could feel a boiling hate rising in him for Snape, for Snivellus, the dirty, foul snake…
Sirius groaned. James pulled out his wand and pointed it at the wound on Sirius's torso. He tried to say a spell, but for some reason, his throat was blocked with a huge lump. He tried to do it wordlessly, but found that his mind was clogged. He had never seen Sirius this bad off. James had seen Sirius hurt many a time before, but seeing all this blood coming from his best friend was making him woozy.
"Move over," Lily whispered gently next to him. He felt the tingles when she touched his shoulder and shoved him slightly, but barely registered them when he got off his knees and moved aside slightly. Why, oh why didn't I take care of Sirius first? Why did I have to get rid of Snape before I took care of my best friend? What the hell is wrong with me! Way to go, James, Sirius could be very hurt, dammit, what the hell were you thinking!
James took a sidelong glance at Remus. He looked paler than usual, and was staring at Sirius unblinkingly. His wand was out as if he were about to mend the wounds himself, but looked as though he found himself unable to as well. James understood… and wondered what Lily was doing.
…
Lily suddenly turned around after trying to prod at Sirius' wound with her wand. The blood was disgusting, and gushing all over her wand as she tried to get a good angle. She tried to work fast, but to no avail. This is pointless, I can't get a good look at it with all this excess fabric hanging around. Oh how I don't want to do this, people won't let me live it down for ages…
"I hope you don't mind, Sirius," she whispered to him and pointed her wand at his blood-soaked sweater. Gross. All this blood is making me want to barf. Snape got him good…
She Vanished Sirius's sweater off of him, which was quickly followed by his undershirt. Lily held in a gasp as she saw the mangled skin still pulsating blood slightly, tearing at what she knew would have normally been a very well-kept chest. She blushed again slightly and said nothing, but instead quickly mended the wound with a series of healing spells that she had learned from Professor Flitwick many years ago, when she had wanted to become a Healer.
Sirius writhed underneath her. She saw the color come back to his face slightly and he opened one eye to look at her. Good, good, he's up.
"So, Evans, like what you see?" Sirius laughed with a light wince. So grateful, he is. Apparently I wasn't able to make all the pain go away. What the hell kind of curse did Snape use?
"Oh, definitely," Lily retorted, her voice dripping with so much sarcasm that she was shocked to find it her own. "Very nice, a huge gory cut straight across your torso. Impossibly attractive."
She saw him smirk slightly at her and she turned away and rolled her eyes. There was a pause, in which Sirius sat up and looked around. Lily objected immediately.
"You need to stay laying down until we get to Hogwarts, Black," she said. She would have normally pushed him straight back down, but the fact that he didn't have a shirt on prevented her from doing this.
"Why?" Sirius retorted immediately, staring at her like she was mad. Bloody idiot.
"Why? Because you'll pass out, you've lost so much blood. Just lay down until we get to Hogwarts, we're almost there." It was not Lily who spoke, but Remus, from somewhere behind her. At least he has some sense. She rounded to look at him; he was very pale. She noticed that James wasn't looking quite himself, either.
"I'll be fine," he protested, but laid down anyway, looking very put out. Oh sure, listen to Remus, Lily thought defiantly.
Lily stood up to leave. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to live that one down. Bloody git, he's not even thankful that I just saved him from bleeding to death. None of his stupid friends seemed to be able to perform the stupid Charm. So rude.
She reached the door, and turned back to the rest of the Marauders. "Make sure he stays laying down. If you need me, Potter, I'll be in the Head's compartment."
And she left.
…
Back to Potter, James thought with a mental sigh. He turned to Sirius, who had sat back up.
"Mind lendin' me a shirt, Prongs? Mine's grown legs and walked away on me."
James stared at him. "When you lay back down. You heard Lily. You'll pass out if you do anything."
Sirius scoffed. "Don't be stupid, Prongs, I'm fine. Now, about that shirt…?"
Isn't he grateful. James stripped himself of his own uniform sweater and threw it at him quite unceremoniously. Sirius muttered a muffled, "Thanks" as he slipped it over his head.
"You know, Padfoot, they're probably right, you should lay down," Peter said, speaking for the first time since the incident with Snape. James hadn't forgotten he was there, though, but instead focused on Sirius bleeding half to death.
"Oh, go on," Sirius started.
"No, Sirius, it's not a good idea, just lay down and shut up!" Remus retorted forcefully, grabbing his shoulder and pushing him into a laying position. Sirius didn't object, Remus having used his real name, though he still looked put out.
"Now how'm I gonna have any fun?" he muttered, probably more to himself, but James heard him. With a smile, he looked down at Sirius.
"You're not," he said simply, smirking. Sirius looked up at him with his hands behind his head and then stuck out his tongue childishly before looking away.
The pause between them was short. Remus was the one who broke it.
"So what did you do?" he asked, not sounding hesitant in the least. James looked over at him and noticed that he had regained the color in his face and his posture, which had been stiff and straight-backed, seemed to loosen. "To Snape, I mean."
James turned his attention back to Sirius when he snorted angrily. "What did I do? I didn't do a damn thing! I was seriously just walking down the corridor, Moony, to get Pete and me some lunch off the trolley. And who should come along but old Snivellus himself?" James listened intently. Sirius looked defiant, angry, indignant, and spiteful all at once. And James could hear it in his voice… but that was usual, when talking of the greasy git, Severus Snape.
"Yeah, and tell 'um what happened next, Padfoot," Peter said, handing Sirius a Cauldron Cake that they must've retrieved from the trolley earlier. James could hear the anger in Peter's voice as well. He had stood and walked over to sit next to Sirius, James thought it was an act of loyalty. Good ol' Pete. He half-smiled, but quickly (and cleverly, he thought) turned it into a curious expression.
Sirius began to talk quickly with his mouth half-full of Cauldron Cake. "Yeah, so we both stop and glare, right? And there are thirty people around watchin', you know? And so, of course, I reach into my pocket for my wand, all ready and waitin' for him to pull something. But he di'int say a word, that's the thing." Sirius rubbed his nose once with his thumb, something that James had noticed he did quite often. "He just pulls out his wand and says sumthin' like, 'Sectasupram'—no, 'Sectorlampor'—erm, what was it Wormtail?" Sirius looked over at Peter next to him, who just shrugged.
"But anyway, next thing I know, I've got a great bloody gash along my chest and I'm bleeding half to death." Sirius took the opportunity at the end of his story to finish off the Cauldron Cake in his hand.
"What a story, eh? Wonder why he'd do something like that?" Peter questioned nobody in particular. "I mean, attack you just like that." He snapped his fingers to emphasize his point.
"Well, it's not like it was unprovoked," said Remus quietly, looking from Sirius, to James, who nodded in understanding.
"Hu?" Peter looked confused. Go on, James thought exasperatedly, sighing aloud.
"Look what we've been doing to him for the past six years, Wormtail! If I were him, I'd be bound to do the same thing." James could not believe the words just came out of his mouth after he said them. He wanted to take them back, but also, he didn't. They made sense. At least, they did to James.
"Go on, Prongs, you've hated him since you first laid eyes on him. Don't hand me that."
James stared at Sirius. "I know. I hate him. I despise him. But I'm just saying that he had reason to do it." He shrugged, hoping it looked nonchalant.
"Yeah," agreed Sirius reluctantly. "But that is not stopping me from hexing him with everything I have if he attacks me again."
…
The ride to Hogwarts ended fairly quickly. James had gone back to the Head Compartment after an hour of hanging out with his fellow Marauders, only to discover that Lily was not there: he did not see her for the remainder of the ride, not until the very end.
"Potter!" a voice called through the crowd. James heard it. "Hey—James Potter!"
James recognized the voice. It rang in his ears pleasantly, melodically. He sighed contentedly.
"Ah, Lily, I thought I heard your dulcet tones." He smiled sweetly (and with surprising composure, he thought, for the feeling of sickness and happiness back for the third time that day). "What can I do for you?"
When he turned around to face her, his stomach filled with huge butterflies that floated up to his chest. James saw Lily blush slightly on the apples of her cheeks. Wow, she even pulls it off when she's blushing. How does she do this to me? he thought, thinking of the feeling that was doing an efficient job at engulfing him entirely.
James thought she was about to stammer, but then she seemed to regain her composure and looked up at him, her chin high. His heart pounded so hard against his chest, he was surprised that she couldn't hear it from where she stood, a mere two feet away.
"Just so you know, we have a meeting with McGonagall and Dumbledore tonight, after everyone leaves. So, just stay in the Great Hall after the feast. I don't think I mentioned it before—sorry."
"Oh, alright, no it's ok. I'll be there," said James, making sure he gave her a melt-your-heart grin. She seemed unfazed, however, which disappointed him greatly. He watched her turn around and walk away, catching up with two people James knew: Frank Longbottom and Alice Webster. He threw a half-hearty wave at the two of them. Only Frank noticed, however, and he returned it with his free hand (the other was encased by Alice's).
Ah, Lily, James allowed himself to think, sticking his hands in his pockets gently. The feeling of butterflies overwhelmed him still, but he didn't care. He had grown quite used to this sensation. You are everything. And don't you know it? I wish I could tell you that. But no, not today. One day, yes, I will make sure you hear every single day what you mean to me. But until that day, Lily Evans, you will have to wait.
"Oi!" James heard a voice yell from behind a crowd. He recognized it to be Sirius's. "Would you bloody move? You're holding everyone up!"
James turned around and stared at the horde of people behind him, all trying in vain to push past him. It was then that he realized he had been blocking the doorway out of the train. Laughing to himself, he stepped forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lily once more before he got into a carriage. He could see the thestrals. James knew that Sirius could as well, as they had both been present when…
Always a reminder, James thought sadly, staring at the black beast before him. A shudder ran down his spine slightly. He remembered the day it happened. He wished it hadn't… Mum. Dad…
…
Lily hopped into a carriage after Alice and Frank. She had yet to spot Emmeline, her Ravenclaw friend, but decided that she would be seeing her at the Feast in a few minutes' time, at least. She leaned against the back of the seat rest behind her, feeling her hair bump up in the back slightly but ignoring it. She stared out the window, only catching flashes of what Alice was saying to her. Lily just watched the scenery roll by… Hogsmeade village… the gates to Hogwarts… the grounds…
This is the last year, Lily. She thought to herself. This is the last year you will have at Hogwarts, and there is no way it is going to be bad. This year will be great. You've got your favorite subjects, you're in the top five of your class, and James Potter is at your side as Head Boy.
Wait.
Did I really just think that?
Oh my god I'm losing my mind. Oh gods, I can't believe I just said it would be a good thing he's working beside me!
… well, a small voice protested in the back of her head. He does seem a lot more responsible, Lily. You have to give him credit for doing the right thing when it came to Snape today.
So what?
And you're friends now. You decided to take the initiative and do that, Lily. You can't say it will be terrible because now he is your friend, and he will carry his load. You know that.
But… she objected to herself. Look at who we're talking about, he's superficial, haughty, arrogant, presumptuous, conceited…
She paused. The voice in the back of her head just said something very… very what, exactly? Wise? Smart? …. completely idiotic? Lily couldn't decide.
Care to re-evaluate James Potter?
…
Lily didn't understand what her head was getting at, or why she even heard that voice in the first place. Was it her conscience? She did not know, but one thing she did know was that it was right, no matter how much she wanted to hex it to nothing, she knew it was right. And she didn't want to believe it. There was just something about him that was different…
"Liiiiily…" she heard Alice call out to her from the seat across. She snapped her fingers impatiently, and Lily jumped. "Oi, wake up, smell the roses, we're here!"
"Oh, right…"
Lily stood and jumped out, forgetting the steps, and landing on the ground. She turned and waited for Frank and Alice to climb their way out of the horseless carriage. Once they were beside her, they joined the droves of students headed toward the large, beautiful castle that was Hogwarts. Lily smiled up at its animosity, holding tightly to the feeling of being at a second home for the very last time. At that thought, the smile disappeared and she trudged in the door behind some fourth years.
Alas, Lily thought, the last time I'll enter this school for the Welcoming Feast. How depressing is that?
Lily followed the crowd into the Entrance Hall and thus, through the doors to the magnificent Great Hall. She took in its floating candles and enchanted ceiling, while breathing in the aromas of an excellent meal that was hanging in the air, as if the Feast were simmering and waiting. Oh, how she loved the smell, of chickens and hams and potatoes and treacle tarts, steak-and-kidney puddings….
Lily clamped her hands together and held them up to her chest, a contented grin on her face. She felt like she was floating toward the long Gryffindor table at the far side of the Hall. Oh, I just love the cooking here… the house elves are really wonderful.
Students swarmed in around her. She felt Alice take a seat to the right of her, and then noticed Frank on the other side of her best friend. She turned to the dark-haired girl and grinned a sad smile.
"Oh, Alice, can you believe it? This is the last Welcoming Feast we will ever go to!" she half-proclaimed, feeling a pit of sorrow in her stomach.
"I know, Lily, I know. Sad, isn't it?" Alice responded. "I'm starving. I hope the Sorting goes quickly."
And it did. The nervous-looking crowd of first year students ambled their way up to the three-legged stool. They looked so… vulnerable, Lily thought, as she remembered when she first came to Hogwarts. She felt the same way, when she sat down on that stool with that tattered, imposing-looking hat on her head. And what a sigh of relief she had given when it screamed, "GRYFFINDOR!"…
Dumbledore stood after the Sorting hat placed "Zeller, Augustus" into Hufflepuff. The chattering crowd soon fell silent, and the old, wizened wizard started to speak.
"To the first years, I would like to personally say Welcome to Hogwarts. To the older students, I would like to say Welcome Back. And to you elder students, please allow your minds to wander as I explain a few things to our newcomers." Dumbledore smiled at them all, and as if with a ripple effect, the hall burst into very quiet whispering. Dumbledore trudged on, only noticing the young, nerve-wrecked first year students in each house.
Lily allowed her mind to go free. She stared around the Hall, taking in old faces, smiling at familiar ones that caught her eye, and glancing up and down the table.
"Wonder what the Marauder's are cooking up this year?" Lily heard Frank ask from two seats away from her. She stared down moodily at her plate.
"I hope nothing," she responded, more to herself than to her two friends.
"Why?" Alice inquired. Lily gave a resigned sigh.
"C'mon, Alice, they do something stupid and immature every year."
"Yeah, but at least it's always harmless," Frank retorted quickly, looking over at her.
"Are you kidding me?" Lily said, raising her voice to more of a half-hoarse whisper. She lowered it quickly when she noticed a few people turning to look at her. "Or have you forgotten already what they did to the Slytherins, just last year?"
Alice had to put a fist in her mouth to stop from bursting out laughing. Frank snorted into Alice's shoulder and they both shook with silent laughter. Lily couldn't help it. She smiled.
"Oh, alright, I guess the shrunken-heads thing was kinda funny," said Lily honestly, reminiscing. "I guess it was only stupid because I thought they were so immature."
"Glad to see you've finally made light of things, Lil—ooh!"
"Ooh!" was right. Alice started digging into every single one of the plates, bowls, and dishes before her with haste and hunger. Lily's stomach growled impatiently as the scent of all her favorite foods filled her nose. The Welcoming Feast had finally begun!
…
It was not more than five minutes into the Feast when they did it. There was a huge, deafening explosion that resounded throughout the Great Hall, causing many people to scream out of the suddenness, but everyone was smiling within a few seconds' time. Lily was on her feet in an instant, ready to yell, hand out a detention or two, but instead, as she looked up at what floated above her, found herself grinning from ear to ear.
…
"Beautiful," James heard Sirius whisper, both boys grinning famous grins.
They, the four Marauders, had just set of a collection of brand new Dr. Filibuster's No-Heat, Wet-Start Fireworks, causing explosions and smiles and mayhem all around. The fireworks were bright and flamboyant, sparkling above them all, in all colors of the rainbow. A few were charmed to look like dragons, fire breathing and ferocious. James remembered performing the charm on those. He laughed right out when he saw his creation shower the Slytherin table with sparks from its mouth.
Beautiful is right, Padfoot, James thought, but he wasn't talking about the show they just started. He just found Lily through the crowd, looking happy, happier than James had ever truly seen her. He felt his chest flutter, his heart twisted… he had caused her happiness, and it wasn't even sardonic or sneer, it was pure happiness! James wanted to jump and scream and float up and ride on top of one of the dragons that he had charmed and scream his lungs out for the entire Great Hall to hear.
A second, quieter explosion filled the Hall just then. Apparently, Sirius wasn't done. "And for the finale," he whispered in James' ear, though James had an idea what was coming…
Brought to you byMarauders, Inc.
The trademark words floated over the Great Hall doors, red, gold, and vibrant, turning the dim-lit hall a bright shade of reddish-orange. A huge lion's head floated next to it, and it roared deafeningly, filling the hall with its animalistic call. The sound filled James up, and the desire to scream his heart out pounded against his heart, but he fought it desperately and successfully.
James heard Peter let out a whoop of joy and everyone clapped and cheered. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter all stood, bowed, and sat back down, grinning their ears off and laughing exuberantly at the sight they created.
"The lion head roaring, Prongs! You are brilliant!" Peter said, clapping him on the back.
"Cheers, mate," James said, wiping his eyes. "Props to Moony for everything else though."
Remus smiled humbly, laughing all the same. "Oh, what a year it'll be."
…
Author's Note: I guess that is where I will leave off. I liked this chapter. Wow, this story is kinda going slow but hell, that is fine by me! I hope you all like this one, cuz I know I did. Leave good reviews… or flames, whatever tickles your fancy, I guess. Kudos to my homedawgs Moony4Moony and PsychoLeopard!