Haunted Essence: I'm assuming you are Into the Flames under a new name? I'm really big into keeping the story realistic. Groups don't just come together because two people are dating. They don't stay strong that way. You need time to become the close knit group of friends I want these kids to be. They're headed into tough times; they need all the support they can get!
Blonk: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Auramistealia: I'm looking forward to seeing their animagus forms as well! I don't quite know what they are yet!
Elephant Wings: I always thought that Lilly would be an animagus.
Lehana: I know! Animaguses bugs me too! I wish I thought before I did things, so I guess that's why my characters do!
Halloween Shenanigans
Remus had been surprised at the immediate acceptance of the girls. They quickly began to confide in the girls, trusting them with the Marauder secrets.
In the blink of an eye, Halloween was upon them, and the first Gryffindor quidditch match was just around the corner. Lilly and James had planned a masquerade feast. The Marauders and Frank waited for the girls.
Alice descended from the inner sanctum that was the girl's dorms. Her Roman style robes were cut to flatter, and gold ribbons held up her golden strands. Frank's mouth stood ajar. He stammered. He stuttered, then offered his arm and led her out of the common room.
Gretchen, dressed in a light, periwinkle blue gown with glittering fairy wings, glided down the stairs. Her brown hair came down in waves, and sparkled with fairy dust. Sirius, dressed in a black tuxedo and mask, stared at her before shaking his head, as if to clear it.
"Wow Mundie! You clean up good!"
"Thanks, Black" Gaia answered with a sly smile.
James' attention was drawn back to the stairs with a small cough. His jaw dropped.
Lilly Evans' auburn hair spiraled loosely down her back. She was clad in a well-cut forest green medieval style dress and cape. She was Maid Marian.
"I hope this was accidental" she said.
For he was Robin Hood.
"Shall we to dinner, milady?" he inquired with a melodramatic bow.
"Oh course, kind sir." She dropped the act "I don't get what the fuss is about. This is just dinner, not a ball. Some costumes are incredibly elaborate."
As hard as he tried, as much as he fought it, James Potter could not help but feel his heart drop just a little.
The groups chatted merrily at dinner, laughing at one thing or another until desert came. A rich pumpkin cake, the elves' specialty and Sirius' favorite, appeared before them. Contrary to every year before, none of the boys dove to demolish the witchy good treat. The ever astute Tabitha noticed this, and motioned the other girls to abstain from the cake.
Sure enough, within seconds the Great Hall was filled with Circus tricks. The Slytherins pantomimed animals; Severus Snape in particular did a remarkable impression of an orangutan. Hufflepuffs became acrobats, twisting and jumping and dancing. Ravenclaws, much to their dismay, became clowns. Gryffindors, for the first time ever, were not spared. They dressed as animal tamers, ruling the Slytherin "animals". Perhaps the most amusing was Dumbledore. He wore the red costume and top hat of a ringleader. A booming voice was heard-
"Welcome to the Marauder's last Annual Halloween Prank."
"We do hope you enjoyed it. We know we did. Oh- and Snivellus? Cracking good imitation of an orangutan, old boy."
"One final note, anyone with information regarding the identities of the Furies, even Slytherins, will be given full immunity to any future pranks committed by the Marauders."
"Thank you. We hope you enjoyed the cake!"
The Great Hall's occupants gave a gentle laugh at their own expense, and returned to their food.
"I see you lot are unaffected" grinned Sirius.
"Yes, well, Br- oof!" Gretchen glared at Lilly, who looked innocently back at her
"Tabby doesn't miss a thing"
"Excuse me, Lilly?" Amos Diggory stood before Lilly in full clown attire.
"Would you do yourself the honour of being my girlfriends?"
"Oh! My! Uh, I'm . . .honoured, truly, but no. No, thank you, I couldn't."
"Oh come now Lilly. Don't you see it? We're the perfect couple." He waggled his eyebrows and winked suggestively. He paid no attention to the girl's frosty looks and the murderous glares of the Marauders.
Lilly stared at him, her emerald eyes sparkling dangerously. James thought he could almost feel the heat of Lilly's anger radiating toward Amos in waves.
Amos paled under her gaze. He began to tremble, sweat nervously, glancing every so often toward the floor. The Marauders and Frank looked on in shock as the cocky Amos Diggory began to almost dance, nay prance on the spot. He jumped two feet in the air, grabbed . . .himself, and sprinted from the Great Hall, all the while glancing fearfully at Lilly.
The girls laughed quietly amongst themselves as they all got up to turn in for the night.
Later that night, Lilly and James patrolled the corridor in comfortable silence. So far, they had chased Peeves twice, caught five students roaming the corridors, and evicted thirteen couples from various alcoves, broom closets, classrooms, and otherwise dark areas.
"I had no idea Halloween was such a popular time to . ."
"Oh yea" James said. "Why do you think so many babies are born around the end of July? I guess it's wizard thing. I mean, I was born July 31st, so . . . It used to be more common, involved in the older rituals."
"oh."
They walked quietly into the Head common room.
"Nice prank, by the way."
"Thanks"
Lilly turned to open her door.
"Lilly"
She turned and looked at James expectantly. He swallowed, crossed the room, and stood towering above her.
Lilly's breath caught in her throat as she stared up into James' hazel eyes.
'Snap out of it, Girl! It's Potter!' she thought to herself.
All thoughts of respiration left her as he lowered his dark head slowly and dropped a soft kiss . . . .
On her forehead.
"Happy Halloween, Lilly" she could feel his deep voice rumble in his chest as he whispered in her ear.
He turned and quickly entered his room.
She entered her own, and quietly shut the door.
