Chapter 14: Amazing

For the next couple of days, though Lily felt safe with James, she could feel eyes watching her. She just knew they belonged to that group of girls who had warned her. She still hadn't told James who they were, as much as he pestered her about it. She just felt that it would be best not to set her boyfriend on them, when they had not done anything yet. Though she felt as if they would do something soon, she started to let herself stop worrying about the girls and their threats. Besides, they couldn't do anything with James being around her, right?

James on the other hand, was worried for Lily. He didn't want her put in danger by him. So, because she would not break it off for safety from whatever the people planned, he watched her. He even got the other Marauders to help, though Peter said he had other things to do. James sometimes thought that perhaps he was a little too worried for Lily, but then he thought about what the possibilities were of her getting hurt, and he told himself he was doing the right thing. And Lily seemed to enjoy his company and closeness, but didn't realise the exact reason. James assumed that if she found out, she wouldn't be happy.

The marauders sat down at breakfast. The girls were off somewhere, which gave them time to discuss a matter of great importance.

'The full moon's soon.' Remus said. Over the last couple of days, he had been becoming paler. It was what always happened so close to the full moon.

'So what plans do we have for this one?' James asked, grinning. Remus had once dreaded the full moon, where he became a monster in the shrieking shack, to bite and scratch himself until the moon was gone. But then he had become friends with the other marauders, and things got better. He had been scared to tell them at first about his secret, but when he finally told them he had been glad. They were the best friends he had ever had, well, the only friends. They helped him each full moon. They risked being kicked out of Hogwarts, just for him. Now he didn't dread the full moons, he looked forward to them.

'Hmmm, I really wouldn't have a clue. Any one else with ideas?' Sirius said looking at them. Remus, James and Peter shook their heads. There didn't seem to be anything they hadn't done before.

'How about we just run around like we usually do?' Peter suggested. He had only ever gotten to the stage of turning into something small as an animagus, and while James and Sirius mastered it, being able to turn into a Stag and a dog, Peter could only turn into a rat. It had taken the three almost a year to perfect it, but it had been worth it.

'Yes, well we could do that if we can't think of anything better to do.' James mused.

'Well well, what are you three talking about now? Must be serious marauders businnes,' Came a sneering voice.

The marauders turned to see Severus Snape smirking down at them. They wondered how much he had heard.

'Well well, if it isn't Snivellus! So nice of you to…grace us with your presence!' James said, smirking back.

'Yes, we really can't thank you enough for taking time to come over here.' Sirius said sarcastically.

'What's this? Have you…washed your hair?' Remus asked in mock wonder. 'Oh wait, sorry, must have just been the light. Still as slimy as before.'

Severus grimaced, but chose not to answer to the comments.

'You are looking a bit pale, Lupin. Is your mother ill again?'

'What makes you say that?' Remus asked cautiously.

'Well, its just you always look pale just before you leave to see your mother. What is she ill with anyway?' Snape drawled.

'I'm sorry…but Remus only tells important people about his mother, and well what do you know! Severus snape, important? Nope.' James said, causing his friends to laugh.

Snape glared at them.

'You better watch yourselves. You think you're high and mighty, but one day, the luck will turn around.'

'Well would you look at the time! I have to go and meet my girlfriend.' James said, getting up from the table. His friends followed. Snape just looked at them and shook his head. They would meet there end. He would have his revenge. But for now, Snape decided he should watch them carefully. He was quite curious to know about Remus, and his "mother's sickness".

He was sure he would find out this time.

The full moon drew nearer, and Remus looked paler and paler. The worst part of it was, they couldn't think of a plan for the night. James' supposed they would think of something once were out there. Still, he didn't particularly like not having a plan, but there was nothing they could do about it.

On the night of the full moon, James, Sirius and Peter acted perfectly normal when Remus left. They said goodbye to him, they would see him in a few days and all, so that everyone would assume that Remus was just going to see his sick mother, as he always seemed to do at this time of the month. They, and Lily of course, were the only ones who really knew where Remus was going. Though Lily didn't know what events would take place including the marauders that night. She had not figured that part out yet, and this fact, James was glad existed.

A half an hour before they were due to go to the shack, Sirius was walking down one of the corridors on his way to the common room, thinking hard about what the night may hold. He was annoyed that they couldn't come up with a good enough plan for the night, as were the others, but had decided it was just easier to leave it. He was sure he could come up with something, and maybe James and Peter could pitch in if he was really stuck.

Sirius was walking past some huge windows that overlooked the school grounds, when he stopped and shrunk into the shadows. There was someone standing at the window. Sirius moved silently over, so that he could see who was showing such keen interest to any scene happening outside. There were certain things that one learnt as a marauder, such as how not to be seen, which came in useful at certain times. This seemed to be one of those times.

The moonlight, as much of it that could shine through the cloud cover, shone onto the boys face, and Sirius smirked. Severus Snape.

Sirius looked out of the window, to see what seemed to be interesting Snape so much. Probably some couple snogging. Snivellus' probably wondering what it's like. Sirius thought, sneering. But the sneer was wiped off his face when he saw what Snape was looking at.

It was not, in fact, a snog fest, but what it was, was taking place near the whomping willow. Two figures were walking towards it. One was female, though looked older; like a teacher. Sirius realised it was Madame Pomfrey. Then he saw who was with her, and his eyes widened. It was Remus. Usually they took him in earlier, but Sirius guessed there must have been a reason.

Snape was looking with keen interest at the scene, and it was then that Sirius had an idea. Oh yes, this would be killing two birds with one stone; what to do that night, and playing a prank on their favourite victim.

Sirius ran the plan through his head, checking for errors, for floors in his perfect plan. Once he was certain it was good, he cleared his throat loudly.

Snape wheeled around at the sound of someone else, and smirked when he saw Sirius.

'Ah, Sirius.' He said.

'Hello Snivellus,' Sirius said. He motioned out the window. 'See anything interesting?'

'Well actually, yes,' Snape drawled. 'Isn't Remus meant to be at his mothers?' He ventured, assuming correctly that Sirius had seen what he was staring at.

'That he is.' Sirius stated.

'Then why is he walking over across the school grounds with Madame Pomfrey?' He asked.

'That, my friend, would be a mystery you would solve by prodding the knot on the whomping willow with a long stick at about…I would say…8 'o' Clock.' Sirius said mysteriously. He gave a nod at a now bewildered Snape, and walked off, leaving him to ponder whether or not to believe Sirius Black.

Meanwhile, in the common room, James and Lily were spending some quality time together. No, they were not snogging each other senseless, much like Sirius would do, even in the view of the people in the common room, but were just sitting and chatting. They saved those kisses for more, private places, especially with the threats from the girls. James did not want to risk kissing Lily in public, as much as he wanted to, because he didn't want to put her in any danger, depending on how serious the girls were. He didn't even know if they were in their house, but he knew he couldn't be too careful.

Lily snuggled up to James.

'So what are you planning on doing tonight?' Lily asked, pushing some of his messy fringe back lightly. James bit his lip slightly.

'Well, I'm doing something with the boys soon, As much as I would love to stay here with you.' He said, smiling down at her. Lily raised an eyebrow.

'Not a prank your planning on pulling is it?' She asked. James gave a rougish grin and winked at her.

'Now don't you worry your pretty head about my safety. I will be perfectly fine!' He said cockishly. Lily hit his arm.

'I'm more worried for whoever is at the wrong end of a prank by the marauders,' She said. 'Just make sure you don't get caught.'

James gave her a soft lingering kiss, where she sighed happily as he pulled away, breathing slightly abnormally.

'Wouldn't dream of it,' James said, grinning. 'And besides, since when has Filch been smart enough to catch me?'

Lily giggled and nodded. James was glad he had not gotten a lecture about playing a prank. He was sure that if they weren't going out, he would be succumb to that, particular conversation, at this point in time. Instead, he pulled her in closer to his side, and stroked her hair. She snuggled into him and smiled. She couldn't imagine life any other way.

Unfortunately, right at this moment, when they had been enjoying some peaceful time together, without interruptions, Sirius came in, with a very smug grin on his face. He sat down in an armchair opposite them, and placed his hands together close to his chest. Since he didn't really say anything, Lily and James could have chosen to ignore him, but the smug satisfied smirk on his face taunted James, and he couldn't concentrate without knowing what on earth his friend was grinning about. He raised his eyebrow at his friend.

'What have you done now, Padfoot?' James asked. Lily looked up suspiciously, and Sirius just grinned.

'Whatever do you mean, Prongsie?' He asked innocently, though he did not wipe the satisfied smirk off his face.

'Come on, Padfoot, you only look smug like that when you've done something that you are just dying to tell the first person you see.' James said knowingly.

Sirius seemed to think about this, then grinned and leaned back, putting his arms behind his head.

'I found something for us to do tonight.' He said, trying not to give too much away for fear of Lily knowing.

James' eyes lit up.

'What?' He asked, leaning in slightly. Sirius' grin widened.

'It's a prank.'

'Yes.'

'On Snivellus.'

'I like what I hear.'

'Well, I think it's the best prank yet. Honestly, only my genius could have ever made it up.' Sirius pondered.

'Yes we know you have an abnormally large head, Sirius, just tell us what the plan is.' James said irritably.

'I told him how to get in!' Sirius exclaimed, waggling his eyebrows in a comical way. James took a moment to process the information that had just been given to him, then he turned a ghostly white.

'Y-You t-told hi-him?' He stuttered. Sirius grinned and nodded.

'Told Severus how to get in where?' Lily asked, clearly confused as to why James had just gone as white as Nearly Headless Nick. Sirius shook his head at her, not prepared to give anything away to her.

Lily pat James' arm in concern, as James calculated something that Lily didn't have a clue about. Suddenly he jumped up.

'You told him! Sirius, you're a fucking idiot!' James yelled. Sirius looked shocked at this reaction, clearly expecting praise on his genius plan.

'What? Why?' Sirius asked. James sat back down, realising that the conversation they were about to have was not something the whole common room should have been hearing, even though most of them were looking at him strangely.

'Do you have any idea what you've done?' James hissed. 'You could get Snape killed! Now im not one to say he doesn't deserve pranks, but showing him the way to a werewolf is not what I call a prank. That's murder! Even if he isn't killed, he'll know what Remus really is, and we can't have him knowing that!'

'Though there is a very small chance of him living to tell the tale,' Sirius mused.

'No, Sirius! We can't send someone, as much as we hate them, to their deaths. I, we, have to do something!'

Lily had caught onto what they were saying, and when she heard James say they needed to do something, her eyes widened.

'No, James! You can't expect to save someone from a fully grown werewolf! You will get yourself killed, or bitten! You need to tell a teacher-'

'No, Lily! This is too important to get the teachers involved, I know what to do!' James said, looking at his watch. It was 5 to 8. He had to stop Snape, even if it was just for the sake of keeping his friends secret safe.

He raced up to his dormitory, and grabbed his cloak. Then he ran back down again, running out the portrait with Sirius in hot pursuit. Lily was left alone, and feeling utterly hopeless. Her boyfriend was going to get killed. She had to do something.

James and Sirius raced through the corridors at top speed, minding the teachers and ghosts that happened to pass their way. When they got to the front doors, it was 8:01. James raced out without thinking, as fast as he could to the Whomping willow. Sirius stood at the entrance hall, unsure what exactly to do. It was then that Lily slipped out and stood next to him, looking out at James' running figure.

'What is he doing?' She asked, looking at Sirius.

'I don't know.' Sirius answered truthfully.

The two ran over to get closer to the whomping willow, and stopped when they came to it. It was silent, unmoving. Lily couldn't see James anywhere.

'Where's he gone?' she whispered. It was at this point that they both heard the sound of hooves, and across the grass, charging at the tree, was a majestic stag. It disappeared through the hole in the trunk somehow, and then there was silence. Lily looked over at Sirius questionably, and Sirius shrugged. He wouldn't tell Lily who the stag really was.

'Lily Evans?' Came the crisp call across the grounds. Lily turned around and saw Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore running across towards them.

'What is going on?' She asked as they came to the tree.

'Severus Snape has gone into the tree, and we think James has gone in to save him.' Lily said. She supposed she shouldn't mention the mysterious stag, as she was just as confused about it as they would be if they knew.

McGonagall's eyes widened as she heard the news.

'But, that means…'

'Yes, Minerva. This is a grave situation.' Dumbledore said, looking thoughtful.

'Shouldn't we get someone to go after them?' Lily asked.

'And risk another life? No, miss Evans, that would not be wise.'

'It seems we must see how this turns out.' Dumbledore said, a mysterious twinkle in his eye.

Lily sat down hard on the ground, tears starting to fall freely down her cheeks. No one was going to save him.

Sirius sat down next to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

'Don't worry, Lily. It will all be ok.' He said. Lily nodded, but for some reason, could see no truth in his words.

James galloped down the tunnel as fast as his hooves would carry him. That was what he liked about the stag. It was fast and agile. He hadn't seen Lily and Sirius on the grass as he had galloped past them, and if he had, maybe he would have thought he should have been more careful of protecting his secret.

James lowered his head so that the large antlers that donned it did not get stuck in the low ceiling. He turned a corner and then realised that there was someone up ahead.

Snape.

James sped towards him. He was almost at the shack. He was going up the stairs. James let out a bellowing cry as Snape came to the last stair, and seemed to freeze as he saw the horror within.

James heard a low growl and cursed himself for time wasting. He leapt up the stairs, past Snape and into the shack. Turning on Snape, he lowered his head and ushered him down the stairs with his antlers. Snape began to oblige, when James felt a searing pain on his back. He turned his large head to see Remus, with fangs beared. James now had a large cut on his coat, but didn't care. He had to save Snape, before he worried about his injuries.

James turned his body around and lowered his antlers at Remus. When Remus growled, James knew that he was about to pounce. James jumped and rammed into Remus with his antlers, picking him up and throwing him across the room. Remus yelped at the pain he must have suffered, and felt sorry for his friend. But he knew that this wasn't his friend at the moment, and he had to control him.

James took a step back as he felt something hard ram into his antlers. He regained his balance and pushed back just as hard. Remus was emitting low growls from the back of his throat, and James let out a low bellow again. Remus was snapping at him through the antlers, though James knew he could not harm him. Even if he was bitten, as he had been many times, it would not affect him in this state. Though if Remus got out to Snape, well James didn't want to think about it.

James managed to fling Remus over to the other side of the room once more, where Remus lay unmoving. Once James was satisfied that Remus was not going to get up again for a little bit, he turned and looked down the stairway.

Snape had gotten down the stairs, only to fall into a dead faint. James smiled inwardly. That would make things a lot easier.

A bellow of pain came from him as he suddenly felt pain explode on his shoulder. He turned and saw Remus, who removed his fangs and watched him wearily. James could barely feel his shoulder, the pain was so bad. He staggered slightly in an attempt to stay conscious, when Remus jumped onto his back, digging his claws in.

One instinct overtook James' mind; Survival.

James jumped around the shrieking shack, attempting to toss Remus as a bull would in a Rodeo. Remus' claws dug in deeper, causing him to bellow out again. Feeling unconsciousness starting to creep over, James tried desperately to shake Remus off. He made an almighty kick, where Remus flew into the air, but landed on him again, with 10 times more anger.

In a last attempt to get Remus off, James kicked once again, pushing all the strength he was using to stay conscious into it. Remus fell off this time, crashing into the wall and falling to the ground, unmoving.

James stood breathing heavily on his four hoofed legs. He could feel blood seeping down his brown coat from his shoulder and back. He wanted to lie down, but knew he couldn't rest until he got Snape out. There would only be a short time until Remus was back on his feet again.

James turned slowly and moved down the stairs. As he got to Snape's body, he changed back into his normal self. He knew this would be the only way he could carry Snape.

He grabbed Snape up, putting most of his weight on his right shoulder, where he hadn't been bitten. When he had changed back, the wound had become less major, and James was only left with a dull throbbing, with merely a little blood on his skin, but other than that, almost fine. That was another advantage of being an Animagus; things you suffered when you were an animal, don't always follow you back. Still, he thought better than to test the strength of it with the weight of an unconscious person.

He moved slowly through the tunnel, dragging Snape with him as fast as he could go. He cursed the length of the corridor more than once, until he realised that he would most likely have to carry him all the way back to the castle as well, unless Sirius was still there.

After what seemed like forever, James finally saw moonlight seeping in. He got out of the hole in the trunk, then pulled Snape up after him.

'James!' Came a cry he knew all too well. He turned and saw Lily running to him, tears streaming down her face. James smiled weakly at her as she threw herself into him, to hug him tightly. James whinced as she put too much pressure on his shoulder, but was glad to see her. She was crying into his shirt.

'What's wrong?' He asked, pulling her chin up. Her watery green eyes met his brown ones.

'I thought I would never see you again.' She whispered. James was about to reply when McGonagall and Dumbledore came over.

'Mr. Potter? What happened?' McGonagall asked.

'I don't think we should ask the boy this, Minerva. He has obviously been through a lot to save someone. Let us not ask him to recount it. However, I will give your house 70 points, for unexpected bravery, though 10 points will be taken away for breaking school rules.' Dumbledore said, smiling mysteriously.

'And there will be detention for the three of you.' Professor McGonagall added.

'We will take Severus up to Madame Pomfrey now, unless you are in need of healing also, James?' Dumbledore asked.

James thought about his shoulder, but then decided against it. The number of times they had avoided going to the hospital wing after the full moon for fear of being questioned, James decided it wouldn't do anything to go there now. They would assume he had been bitten, and there would be no explanation as to why he had been bitten, though it had not taken effect. He shook his head.

'Very well then,' Dumbledore said. 'I trust you will go up to your dormitory without being escorted?'

'Certainly, Sir.' Said Sirius, who had come over soon after. Dumbldore nodded, and he levitated Snape with help from McGonagall, and they set off to the castle.

James looked down at Lily again, and smiled.

'Shall we go up?' He asked. Lily gave him a calculating look.

'Could I talk to you first?' She looked over at Sirius. 'Alone?'

Sirius nodded and walked up to the castle, muttering about it sounding like an excuse for a snogging session. James shook his head in wonder at his friend, then looked back down at Lily.

'Do you wanna sit down?' He asked. She nodded. They sat down on the cold grass next to each other, watching the whomping willow swaying silently. James turned to Lily, who was wiping away tears from her face.

'What did you want to talk about, Lily?' He asked softly. Lily looked over at him, then at the tree.

'Where you the only one down there?' She asked. James frowned.

'As far as I know. Why?'

Lily looked thoughtful for a moment, as if she was piecing evidence together.

'Why do you ask, Lily?' He asked again. This brought Lily out of her thoughts and she looked at him once more.

'When Sirius and me came down, we saw a Stag go into the tree.' She said.

James looked at her, eyes widening. Did she know? She couldn't, could she?

'James,' She said softly. 'You were that stag, weren't you?'

James nodded silently. She looked out over the grass, nodding to herself.

'How, James? How do you do it?' She asked, looking at him once more. James sighed. He had known at some point, he would have needed to tell her, though he wished it had not been so soon.

'Lily, I'm an Animagus.' He said. Her eyes widened, though she had been expecting it.

'Show me.' She said simply. James looked at her questionably, and then stood up. She blinked and suddenly there was a magnificent stag standing in front of her. She gasped in wonder and stood up. The stag had the same hazel eyes that she knew so well, that showed the same intelligence, and love, that Lily saw in his eyes everyday. He took a step towards her, and nuzzled her cheek softly. She smiled and admired the magnificent sight before her. She moved around his body, placing a hand on his fur and feeling the soft velvet texture. She looked over his back, and found white scars that looked like scratches, blotting his fur. As she came to his shoulder, she gasped. The fur was matted with dry blood, and there was what was clearly a bite, that was the cause of it.

'You're hurt.' She said. The stag turned its head and looked at her sadly. She touched the fur where the blood was. She had to do something.

Getting out her wand, Lily said a spell, and tapped the wound lightly. Gushing from her wand tip came a silvery substance, that flowed over the wound. The blood was washed away, and the wound closed up from the outside, until all that was left where two small white dots.

Lily removed her wand and smiled at the stag, who was looking at her gratefully.

'There you go.' She said softly. James turned and nuzzled her again. She giggled slightly, until James stood back and before she knew it, was himself again. He smiled at her and she ran up to him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. James joined in once over the shock, and they spent a few minutes in a sensual state, until they both needed air. Panting, Lily looked up at James, who smiled down at her in the same out of breath state.

'So you're not mad?' He asked her between irregular breaths. Lily kissed him once again, though pulling back before they got too into it.

'Mad? James, you're amazing!'

A/N: Ok well I am SOOOOO sorry about the wait for this chapter! School went back and I've been piled up with all this homework! It sucks and I just haven't had time to get on the computer. Then when I did, I usually had writers block, but finally I've got it done! Its my longest one yet aswell, so I hope you all really like it! I promise that I will try and get the next one finished quicker for you all, but it depends on homework and stuff! But please review! Oh and I know that a stag wouldn't really fit through the hole to the whomping willow, but it was the only way it was gonna work! So please tell me what you think of this chapter! I love you all!

Bohemian Revolution

P.S. im glad some of you liked my little history lesson! It was interesting for me aswell!

P.P.S oh and I changed my first chapter…so if you want go read it and tell me if its good! It would be very appreciated!