Hi everyone. It's me, Corvi, I just changed my name. :D Well, I'm really sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. But I'm really busy and my time to translate was cut short because of my work at the hospital. Then my emails to my beta got lost... bla, bla, bla ... and a huge thanks to my beta, Cat!

But now here it is. I hope you enjoy this chap and please review.

Tanja

Chapter 4: Judges and Convict

When the applause ended, Lily and James disappeared again into the crowd. They felt like two teenagers who had been discovered snogging in the trophy room by the caretaker. Still out of breath, they regarded each other expectantly.

"Was that like what you call mixing up society?" Lily smiled and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"Well," James coughed. "Usually I don't dance with Sirius." He grinned, and she began to laugh.

"Good to know," she said and fixed his tie until she realized what she was doing.

Prongs grinned down at her. "Thanks."

"No problem," she whispered, embarrassingly affected.

"What can I say about that show?" Someone laughed behind them and they saw Sirius coming. On his arm he had a young woman with brown curls and gentle blue eyes. "I left you two alone for a few seconds…!" Padfoot snapped playfully.

James laughed likewise.

"Someone had to start. Now you can follow with Marlene." And he welcomed the girl by embracing her.

"My dear." She grinned. "Now the charm is nevertheless lost. It wouldn't be the same."

Lily noticed that heat rose into her cheeks.

"Please excuse me for a moment." She smiled.

She had to get away from James and his aura. Actually, she would have remained near him, but she had the feeling that she would reveal something about herself in Marlene McKinnon's presence that probably should remain unsaid, at least until a later time.

James looked after her at how she, in his opinion, walked gracefully from the ballroom to freshen up, he assumed. Hypnotized, he admired her figure until the last dip of her dress had disappeared.

"Do you think she wears underwear?" Padfoot pondered, and Marlene shot him glare.

"James, close your mouth. You don't look very attractively at the moment," Marlene reminded him, and he presently followed her instructions.

"Yeah, exactly, Prongs," smirked Sirius. "We don't want to have to give you a bib."

"Look who is talking," countered James somewhat sourly. " You of all people."

Sirius looked shocked. "James," he said in a formal tone. "What are you talking about? And particularly in the presence of a lady." He gestured to Marlene.

She rolled her eyes, but grinned nonetheless. "Save it, Sirius."

"As you wish, my love." He smiled sweetly. "Now to you, Jamie. You still want to talk to Augusta. Perhaps she will sign the contract and then you will be promoted and not our attractive Lillian." He batted his dark lashes.

"Sirius!" Marlene slapped him indignant on the shoulder. "What are you doing?"

"I'm only worried about James's career!" He rubbed the place where she had hit him.

"It does not concern James's career!" she said again. "And it's really unfair. Lillian doesn't deserve that."

"Doesn't deserve or deserved. Is nevertheless all the same," he repelled her opinion. "Well then go, Prongs. Come on, go!" And he pushed him forward.

James looked miserably at them.

"See? He doesn't want to go!" Marlene said obviously.

"Sure he does!" And Padfoot pushed him determinedly in Augusta's direction. "Come on! Move!" he instructed, and James went hesitatingly toward the formidable-looking woman.

He felt 5 years old again when he had to say "good day" for the first time to Augusta Longbottom who had already looked so formidable at that time, as though she would eat anyone who said one wrong word.

"Sirius, you made a big mistake," Marlene hissed. "James isn't concerned about his job! He never was, and you know it. There is more between them," she told him hotly.

"What should there be?" he asked, insulted.

She looked at him disbelievingly. "You aren't really that stupid, are you? You just saw them together. Think about it and then tell me!" And she rushed off.

Sirius looked after her in surprise. Think? Think about what? Oh boy, women were always so complicated. They could never answer directly. They always made these damn suggestions.

"Where is everyone?" asked Lily, suddenly beside him.

"Marlene went back to her mother," he lied. "And James went to get himself a drink."

"Oh," she answered and played with her hands. An embarrassing silence spread between them.

Witches and wizards passed them and smiled happily. And then Lily discovered Fabian and Gideon Prewett, who observed the salon with eagle eyes.

"Quick," she whispered urgently to Sirius. "Mr. Black! Please hide me!"

"Oh so formal," he laughed. "James's friends are also my friends." And he placed himself protectively in front of her.

Fortunately, they stood close to a large Benjamin tree, which covered them further.

Lily peeped between the branches and past Sirius's shoulder. James's friends were also his friends? Her eyes searched the crowd, but she didn't see dark, untidy hair anywhere. This opportunity had to be used, even if it wasn't particularly fair of her.

"Well, Mr. Black..."

"No!" he scolded her. "I said I am Sirius."

"Mm, okay. Sirius... "

"Yeah, Lillian?" he interrupted her again, making her to roll her eyes in frustration.

"If James's friends are also your friends, that means that I am a friend too."

"Yes...?" Padfoot answered. What was Lily up to?

"Friends help friends, correct?"

Sirius turned half toward her. His black hair fell easily into his face, and he brushed it to the side with a hand. His eyes studied her in detail, and his left eyebrow rose expectantly while waiting for what she had to say. Somehow ashamed, Lily lowered her eyes and played with her hands again. Since when do men have such an effect on me? Lily pondered. When was the last time I lowered my gaze? That hasn't happen in ages. What do these men have?

"We could spare us many things if we get everything over with as soon as possible. I'll speak with Augusta, and then everyone will get what he wants and will be happy," she said.

A glint flamed up in Padfoot's eyes, and his mouth formed a smile.

"That was a good attempt, Lillian."

"My friends call me Lily." She winked, now more self-confident.

"Lily, a good attempt, but not good enough."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Lily, Lily, Lily," he answered in a blaming tone. "I don't understand every suggestion of a woman, but I know exactly what you're up to."

She thought about her chances. Damn, she swore. He caught me.

"It was worth a try?" Lily inquired and stepped out from behind Sirius.

"It would certainly have worked on Peter, but not on me."

"Peter? Who is Peter?"

"That's not important... ah, there's James." Padfoot distracted her. Peter was not his favorite topic for discussion.

When Prongs came closer, Sirius could see that his best friend had been out of luck.

"How did it go?" he whispered nevertheless.

"Have you ever tried to give a dragon a bath?" James asked.

Sirius grinned at this answer and patted his friend on the shoulder. Lily regarded the scene. Didn't James only go to get himself a drink? That was very strange. Suddenly, Lily saw reddish hair.

"Sirius! Quick! Hide me!" She pleaded, and again Padfoot placed himself protectingly before her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" James asked, astonished.

"She's hiding because of Fabian and Gideon. They hunt her like a hawk hunts mice."

"Understandably." Prongs placed himself beside Sirius to hide Lily better.

"Are they gone?" she wanted to know after a few minutes.

"You can come out," answered Sirius, stepping to the side so that Lily stood between them. "I need a drink. You two?"

James and Lily denied, and Padfoot rushed to get his.

"So..." Prongs began. "Would you like..."

"Lillian," someone said suddenly from behind them. Prongs immediately knew who it was. Please don't say anything to me, James pleaded. Lily couldn't know that he had asked Mrs. Longbottom about the contract again.

"Auntie?" Lily turned to her. "How can I help you?"

James thought it was very funny that Lillian called Augusta Longbottom "auntie". Could one give a nickname to this woman? Only if one were courageous like a lion, and Lillian Evans was more than courageous.

"The Sprouts would like to meet you," she told her politely but with her usual formidable face.

Lily looked desperately at James and then at a nearby grandfather clock. It was nearly 11 o'clock.

"Auntie I have..." Actually, she wanted to say that she had promised Minnie she wouldn't come back too late, but when she thought about it she made up her mind. What would James think of her if he knew that she gave such promises to her cat even if only in order to not have to bear the bad mood of her cat the next day? For days Minnie would stretch her small furry butt in her face, if she didn't come home.

"I need to get up early tomorrow. James and I wanted to go. We have to do a lot of stuff tomorrow." Lily looked at her with large puppy dog eyes that would have softened anyone's heart. Apparently, it worked on Augusta Longbottom.

"Well well, darling. But next week I'll give a small reception for you. Than you'll have to meet them!"

"As you wish, Auntie," Lily sweet-talked and embraced her cordially.

James had watched the scene amusedly and awoke from his solidification when Lily glanced at him. He said good-bye somewhat more formally to Mrs. Longbottom and left with his charming companion.

"That was close," she breathed, relieved.

"This time you had me for support," James flirted while he helped her into her cloak. He put on a coat that underlined his elegant style even more and left Lily with butterflies in her stomach.

What would happen when they left the party together, she pondered. Would he use the next opportunity to take her into his arms and kiss her? Probably not. Lily told herself off and linked her arm with his.

"Would you like to go for a little walk?" James asked, driving his hand through his hair. It was already clear that this was not a nervous gesture but one of habit.

"Sure." Lily moved closer to him, and they stepped out of the door and into the clear night. The door closed behind them automatically, and together they walked down the steps.

Weak light illuminated the sidewalk, and only the noise of Lily's high heels rang out in the night.

"I had a wonderful evening."

"Despite the discussions with probably the most boring wizards Britain can offer?" James asked mockingly and looked down at her.

"I didn't mean the little pop quiz. No, the evening with you." Lily had said what she actually wanted to keep to herself. Oh no, how could I? Desperate, she closed her eyes. What had her mother told her? Never show a man too early that you like him. Otherwise he will fluff up like a peacock and stalk around like one.

"I think my evening with you was wonderful too," James returned steadfastly and both stopped. Lily looked up at him. His face was half in the dark, and his brown eyes now looked black. Small hairs in his beard glittered briefly when he smiled, and the scent of his cologne surrounded her. A gust of wind rose and drove under her cloak. She shivered, but in the next second James had already bolted his arms protectingly around her.

His warmth filled her body, or was it her own heat that arose in her? It had been a long time since someone had held her in his arms in such a way.

Emerald looked into dark eyes. There it was again - this moment where everything around them crackled. Again the air was electrified and made it possible for anything to happen. James slowly bent down to Lily. Her lips came closer and closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and led him to her. Everything was so perfect... and nevertheless both suspected that they suddenly…

"HEY! WHY DID YOU LEAVE WITHOUT ME!"

…would be disturbed. Frightened, both turned their faces in the direction of Sirius. Their cheeks brushed together and both felt an electrical impact, which caused Lily and James to jump apart.

Sirius walked hastily to them. Neither of them dared to look at the other.

"You could have waited for me," snapped Padfoot when he had reached them.

"Everything went rather fast," James choked, but in that moment he would have loved to Avada Kedavra his best friend.

"Yeah, sorry," Lily said nervously. "Well, I should go now. It's really late." She quickly looked up at Prongs. "See you tomorrow, James. And I'll come around nine, Sirius. Good night," she said gently and disapparated.

"Padfoot, if the Unforgivable curses were not unforgivable, you would be punished straight away with one of them," James growled.

"Hey, sorry, mate!" Sirius patted him on the shoulder. "If I had seen what you did, I would have left."

"That is it. We did nothing!"

"Then it wasn't bad that I disturbed you," he concluded logically. James let his shoulders hang.

"I'm going home. I need to distract myself."

"Well, do that Jamie-kins. Your time will come!" Padfoot grinned before he disapparated too.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lily apparated to her flat. Everything was dark, and only the light of the streetlight shone through the curtains.

"Oh Merlin..." she sighed and turned on the light. "Minnie? Where are you?" she called, but no meow rang out. "Minnie? You small, thick fur ball, if you're laying on my bed again then...!" Hastily, Lily ran for her bedroom.

There, Minerva lay curled up to a ball, sleeping peacefully. "Minnie! Wake up. You won't believe what happened... almost." It burst from her.

Her cat lifted her head leisurely, blinked sleepily, and regarded her with her small slit-shaped eyes.

"He almost kissed me," Lily babbled like a small girl who had gotten new toys. "Can you imagine that? We were that close and... Oh, Minnie." Lily slobbered and fell onto her bed.

Minerva rose gracefully, stretched briefly, tripped a few steps, and established herself with a slump on Lily, who was at a lost for air for a moment.

"Minnie!" She coughed. "Now be happy for me!" But her cat showed no sign of doing so. She closed her eyes and waited to finally be scratched behind the ears.

XXXXXXXXXXX

James ran through his flat with a butterbeer in hand. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his shirt was opened and pulled out from his trousers.He sighed and sat down on the piano bench, but then he remembered that the piano was broken. Then I'll listen to music. He pressed the play button. A concert piece immediately sounded, and James closed his eyes slowly and listened to the music.

Tomorrow I'll ask her if she'll go out with me, he swore and took another sip of his butterbeer.

XXXXXXXXX

With great difficulty, Lily had lifted Minerva from her belly to prepare for bed when she heard it. Music again played from the neighbor's dwelling.

"Oh, please no," she groaned. "This idiot always plays music at the latest hours." She rushed into the living room, where her wand lay on the table. "Silencio!" she said and pointed to the wall. Immediately there was silence. That should do it, sighed Lily, putting her wand back and walking back to her bedroom.

James opened his eyes in astonishment. The record wasn't finished yet. Why had the music stopped playing?

"It's probably another one of Padfoot and Moony's pranks," he growled, grabbing his wand. "Finite!" Prongs said, and again the music sounded. He leaned back and relaxed.

Lily had put one foot into her bed and then stopped, petrified. This can't be happening, she thought, furious, and went back into the living room, picked up her wand, and said the incantation again.

James opened one eye curiously. The music had again grown silent. That couldn't be true. Padfoot hadn't done these pranks since second year and now he was pulling these old thinks out of his prank factory. That was what he used to call his brain sometimes. Slowly, James took his wand and ended the charm again.

Lily had just turned around when she jerked back.

"Argh! I don't believe this!" she swore. "Not again!"

"Silencio!"

"Finite!" James countered, when again silence occurred.

"Silencio!"

"Finite!"

"Silencio!" Lily said furiously and cried, "Turn off the damn music!" afterwards.

Prongs had heard the request of his neighbor. "Okay!" He roared back and switched everything off. "I can't even listen music if I want," he mumbled and went into his bedroom.

"Finally!" Lily sighed and went to bed too.

XXXXXXXXXXX

James quickly walked down the sidewalk. It seemed like an eternity had passed before Augusta had signed everything. She did that intentionally. That hag, he swore and walked faster. Small clouds decorated the silver-blue sky. It had become colder, and small clouds ascended from passing people.

Actually, James wanted to apparate to the office, but his sense of honor forbade it because he knew from Sirius that Lily would come the Muggle way. Many things had gone through his head the night before, but he found them interrupted when his neighbor had disturbed him. Old woman, he growled again. And then another dead mouse on my doormat. I will pay that cat back the next opportunity I get. I said it to her in a good way, and James conceived plans to cure Minerva of putting dead animals by his door.

His thoughts came to an abrupt end when he reached the stately red brick building. Impatiently, he entered the elevator. The usual sleep-inducing music played. The passengers only awoke from this trance when the "bing" sounded, announcing the right floor.

"Bing."

James looked up. The indication of the third floor was illuminated, so he stepped out.

"Good morning, James." He was welcomed like always by Estelle's sugar-sweet voice.

"Morning," he hummed back and went into his office. The receptionist looked after him, astonished.

When Prongs closed the door behind him, he immediately noticed the one person behind the desk. There Lily sat, and only his desk and hers stood in the office. Where was Melanie's desk?

"Hello, James," said Lily, somewhat shyly.

"Hello, Lily. What are you doing here?" he asked, astonished.

She smiled at him. "I waited for you."

James placed his bag on the table, perplexed.

"W-why?"

"I wanted to go with you to David."

"Oh, okay. Then let's go, " he babbled and took the briefcase with the documents from his bag.

Remaining silent, they left the office and went down the corridor to David Dunvegan's office. A thousand thoughts ran through James's head when he knocked and opened the door after an imperious "Come in!" sounded. Both looked at each other for a short moment, surprised.

Carefully, they entered the huge office. David sat enthroned like always behind his gigantic desk, which seemed to Lily at that moment rather like a judge's chair, with her and James on the dock.

"Aha, there you are. Sit down. I need to have a serious word with you two," he said gravely.

Lily had an immediate feeling of distrust. What was the matter? Had she done something that she didn't know about?

James sat down beside her and regarded his boss expectantly.

"Lillian, James," he began. "First, what brings you to me? Did you realize that what you did was wrong?"

"We brought the contracts," Prongs answered calmly, but was surprised at the same time about what David meant. Did I do something? James pondered and felt transferred back into his time at Hogwarts. But now he wasn't sitting in front of a friendly Dumbledore but before David Dunvegan, fighting for control.

"Okay, okay," their boss waved the fact aside, which astonished his employees more than anything. David seemed very tense and annoyed at the same time.

"I'll get to the point," he continued. "A&V stands for fairness and sincerity, and both of you were bad models for all of your co-workers in the last few days. I can't bear a contest among co-workers. Particularly not between my best mediators!" he nearly cried. "We could have lost these lucrative orders. Then you would have had to make up for it with your salaries, Mr. Potter and Miss Evans."

Since when we are on last name terms again? James wondered during the speech.

"Remember for the future that there are no rivalries under my leading or you can pack your things. And as for the promotion, it no longer applies to either of you are. Miss Mosag finished her contract yesterday. Only because of Melanie do I know about your little game. I am deeply disappointed in you. One more mistake and you can really go," Dunvegan finished, red faced.

Lily and James looked at him, flabbergasted. What had he just said? Melanie had already finished everything yesterday? And she had told Dunvegan that both James and Lily had tried to sabotage each other's negotiations?

"You can go now!" David dismissed them, and they rose wordlessly.

Lily closed the office door behind her and put a silencing charm on it. She had the feeling that it would get loud.

"Well, who would have thought that, " James pondered and looked out the window.

"What do you mean? That Melanie was faster? That she betrayed us?" Lily said sourly.

"That too. I haven't ever seen David that furious... If you hadn't started this whole thing, none of it would have happened, and we wouldn't have to watch what we do from now on."

Lily stopped halfway. Actually she had meant to go to him and... What she had wanted to do she didn't know. Maybe just stand beside him. But after this sentence everything inside of her told her not to.

"Wait a moment... I started everything? I didn't start anything."

James turned around to face her. "Don't deny it. Now it's too late."

His co-worker put her hands on her hips. Lily looked absolutely threatening. "I certainly did not start this. You called Sirius first!"

"Me! I didn't call Sirius first - only when you were already gone to Augusta, I-eat-everyone-who-comes-too-close-to-Lillian-Evans, Longbottom. And I wouldn't have called Sirius at all if Mel hadn't told me where you went!" Prongs roared back. "It's probably completely clear who started it."

"So," Lily crossed her arms. "Then I have news for you. I only went to Augusta after Melanie told me you would call Sirius Black to tell him to delay everything. Otherwise, I would have never considered visiting my aunt!" she cried likewise.

"When did Melanie tell you I would call Sirius?" James asked, perplexed but completely calm.

"When you left the office," she answered fiercely.

"Lily?"

"Yeah?"

"I was gone to get you a coffee," he said dryly.

"You... What?"

"I wanted to get you a coffee and apologize again."

In Lily's head everything clicked. "She tricked us," she babbled. "That piece of muck out-played us!" she swore.

"Lily, don't swear."

"I can swear whenever I want to." She paced up and down in the office, occasionally discharging frustrated sounds. "Argh, and then she tells David… And, argh… honey around the beard!" Lily babbled. "I... I don't get it."

James came to her and stopped her in her speech. "Hush," he commanded, holding her by the shoulders. "We'll get her back."

"How you can remain so calm?" she inquired, frustrated.

"During my school time with Sirius, I learned a lot." And he took her into his arms.

Still angry, she seized his shirt and tried to shake him. "James, I want to pay that bitch back. I don't know how, but I want her head!"

He smiled down to her.

"I want to too, and we will have it on a silver plate." He grinned and patted her back soothingly. In that instant James felt like he was in heaven, and he enjoyed each second even if it wasn't a lucky day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

James unlocked the door and stepped over a new dead bird. That beast, he grumbled about Minerva. Oh, if I ever catch you…

James had gone home early because without Lily he didn't want to remain in the office any longer. She had gone to explain everything to Augusta. From what Lillian had told him, her aunt was eager to have a word with him.

Frustrated, he threw his bag into a corner and picked up a mirror.

"Sirius," he said, and seconds later the face of his best friend appeared.

"Ah! May I congratulate you?" He laughed soundly. "Why the long face?"

"I wasn't promoted, Padfoot. And Lily wasn't either," and he told the whole story.

"That is a woman after my taste," Sirius grinned.

"Believe me," said Prongs, shaking his head. "You would get a stomachache."

"Well, it doesn't matter now, what happened happened. I know what we should do now. I'll fetch Moony, and we can bring along a few drinks and something to eat. What do you think of that fabulous idea?" Padfoot wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, I don't know..." James hemmed and hawed.

"Don't be so modest, Mr. Potter." Sirius smirked. "Until then!" And his face disappeared.

Twenty minutes later, Remus and Sirius stood in his living room, loaded with different bags, which pointed innumerable restaurants out.

"What did you do, attack every restaurant in London?"

"One could say that," replied Moony, nodding and carrying everything into the kitchen. A little while later, they sat with loaded plates and different drinks in the living room. Remus forced James to tell him everything that had happened, and by the time he finished, they had emptied the plates, butterbeer bottles, and an old fire whiskey that Sirius had brought along from his cellar.

When Prongs told them everything, he also told them of Minerva. A general shock went through the three, and then Padfoot jumped up enthusiastically.

"I have an idea. Can you look from your balcony into the flat next door?"

James regarded him curiously. "Yes, you can. Why?"

"You'll see," and Sirius stormed on the balcony. Skillfully, he bent around the partition and looked into the living room. There lay Minerva curled up on the sofa.

"What is your plan?" Prongs asked eagerly.

"Mix something in her cat food."

"You don't want to kill her, do you?"

"No, where would be the fun in that? I only want to make her drunk."

"Cats smell alcohol," reminded Remus, who now stood behind them.

"What are we wizards for?" slurred Padfoot, taking his wand and making a cup appear beside Minerva.

"What did you give her?"

"Fish, what else? And now be quiet and watch."

Minerva smelled a seductive aroma. She opened her eyes curiously and saw the cup only a few centimeters away from her. Distrustfully, she looked to the balcony. There, the neighbor stood and waved with a white cloth that he had pulled from his pocket.

Suddenly, Minnie jumped up and stormed to the cup. She gulped everything down eagerly and then fell to the side where she remained lying stock-still.

"Padfoot, you killed her! And I supported that!"

"Blah, I didn't kill the cat! She is only drunk."

"Promise?"

"Sure. Now let's go in. I'm getting cold." And Sirius herded James and Remus back into the warm living room.

Lily unlocked the door a little later and turned the light on. She was totally exhausted and simply wanted to have a calm evening. She was still annoyed about Melanie Mosag, and she was sure that nothing could change the current condition.

"Minnie? Where are you?" She called weakly, but no usual meow sounded. "Minnie?"

Slowly, she entered the living room and saw her cat in an untypical position lying on the sofa.

"Minnie, what are you doing?" She laughed and went to her. Something was wrong here. "Minerva?" Lily shook her carefully. Her cat opened her eyes slowly, and Lily yelped in shock. One eye was small and the other one large.

"Minerva, what happened to you?"

"Meow."

"Are you nauseous!"

"Meow."

"How can you be nauseous?"

"Meow."

"Fish? What fish?"

"Meow."

"The neighbor gave you food?"

"Meow."

"There is no cup. You went through the cat flap on the balcony?"

"Meow."

"I'd imagine that you wouldn't know anymore."

"Meow."

"Yes, I'll bring you to a veterinarian."

"Meow."

"Yes, I bring you to the best veterinarian London has!" Lily assured her and got Minerva's cat basket. Carefully, she place her inside and apparated with her to Diagon Alley.

XXXXXXXXXX

James and Sirius were laughing hysterically about a prank they had played on Severus Snape when someone rang the doorbell. Curiously, Prongs started to rise, but Moony, who was still relatively sober, held him back.

"I'll go." And he disappeared into the corridor while someone continued to ring the doorbell aggressively.

Lily stood fuming in the corridor, waiting for her neighbor to open the door. Now he's tried my patience. I will show him... Makes my cat drunk without reason... Oh, just wait!

When the door was opened, a young man, completely different from her expectations, stood in front of her. He had light brown hair, a gentle face, and affectionate amber eyes. A small smile lay on his lips.

"Can I help you?" he asked politely.

Lily had to recompose herself and succeeded after a few seconds. That guy made Minnie drunk? But then she heard laughter in the background.

"Well yes, you certainly can!" And she handed him a sheet of paper.

Surprised, Remus took it and unfolded it. It was the bill from an animal hospital.

"If I ever see you near my cat again, you will wish you were never born!" Lily threatened before storming furiously away and slamming her door.

Moony looked after her, flabbergasted. So that is James's neighbor, he pondered in a good-natured manner. If only he knew whom he has as a neighbor... Moony laughed and closed the door.

"Who was that, Moony?" James slurred.

"Your neighbor. She brought the bill from an animal hospital."

"Well, yeah. I'll look at it tomorrow. Put it there," Prongs pointed to his desk.

Never once did he wonder how his neighbor knew that he was responsible for Minerva's condition.