Chapter 7
The summer before 5th year has been busy for the Marauders. Sirius was disowned and moved in with James. Remus has been at home caring for his sick mother. Peter was in summer classes to keep him on track for graduation, again due to bad marks the previous year. Maggie was spending her time shadowing Newt Scamander at the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau while helping a very pregnant Molly with the kids.
It has been so busy that the Marauders have not been in one place all summer. So, when the opportunity arose for them to spend a weekend together, they jumped at it. Friday the 20th of August the Marauders got together to go muggle camping. They packed a muggle tent, clothes for the weekend and were off. They soon realized that they did not prepare enough for their trip.
Once they arrived at their camping location at the back of the Potter manor grounds near the woods, they set up their tent and found that it did not have any charms on it at all and could only fit one person comfortably on the ground. Next, they found that the food they packed was not going to last the five of them for three days, especially with the way Sirius and James packed it away. Finally, they realized that it is bloody hot outside. This summer there has been a heatwave and a drought. So, they decided to sneak into the house and steal food which Euphemia conveniently left out for them, and they went swimming in the pond instead. They attempted to sleep outside for the first night but gave in and snuck into the manor after the bugs became too much for them.
Fleamont and Euphemia were very entertained that they couldn't last a single night muggle camping and teased them the entire morning Saturday. This spurred them back into the 'wilderness' Saturday night. They packed more food and Fleamont took pity on them by casting some charms to repel bugs. It was still hot, but they decided to make it work. They started a fire that night and talked until they fell asleep under the stars. They were woken up at 3 am when the Weasley family owl Errol crash landed onto Maggie's sleeping form. She quickly opened the letter and shot to her feet.
"Molly is in labor! I've got to go home! I will owl you guys later." Then she transformed and flew quickly to the manor to floo home.
Percy Ignatius Weasley was born promptly at 7am.
Aunt Maggie was extremely happy with her new nephew and sent an owl to her friends bragging about the little one. She also told them that she would see them on the train since she needs to be at home with her family. They were disappointed but understood.
The Marauders converge on the Hogwarts Express in their usual compartment.
"Did you see that Snivellus is sitting with Lily." James says dejectedly.
"They usually ride to school together." Maggie says with a shrug.
"Yeah, but she is too good to be hanging around that greasy git. We should do something." James says.
"She can sit with whoever she wants. Snape isn't that bad. I think he has a rough time at home." Maggie argues.
"That doesn't mean he gets to be a git at school." Sirius interjects.
"Just leave him alone. We have enough going on this year." Remus says with a sigh.
"Pete, break the tie!" James demands.
"I say we prank him." Pete says while looking nervously between his friends.
Maggie rolls her eye and opens her book.
Remus sighs.
James and Sirius gather their dung bombs and quickly head to their target's compartment. They quietly slip the door open a crack and roll in the dung bombs and cast a sticking charm on Snape's shoes. They then run back to their compartment laughing.
When the train comes to a stop the students quickly head to the school ready for the feast.
"We didn't plan any pranks for the feast!" James said shocked.
"I have a small charm. Do you guys have anything small we can add?" Remus asks.
Maggie nods.
Once the sorting is going on Maggie and Remus cast a few quick charms while waving their wands under the table.
The food appears and every bit of it is covered in an edible glitter matching the corresponding colors. Also, when a student grabs anything the platters and bowls nearby argue with them that the food on their surface is a better option with thick Scottish accents. The last part of the prank is that when a student eats the last bite of their food their silverware gets up and bows to them.
The hall is full of laughter and even the professors do not seem too perturbed.
Once everyone is sent to bed, Maggie goes up to her dorm ready to settle in for the night. Lily walks in and heads over to her trunk.
"Hey Lily. I'm sorry about how my friends have been treating Snape. He doesn't deserve how they pick on him."
Lily turns and smiles. "Thanks Maggie. I know you don't approve and try to stop it."
They start talking about their summers and the upcoming school year.
Maggie and Lily have always been friends. Not close friends but they were always kind and available if they needed to be.
As classes started up the fifth years soon discovered that this year is different than the previous four. Studying for OWLs had already started for the more responsible students in the Marauders that meant Remus and Maggie were making study plans and living in the library. This gave the other Marauders unimpeded access to Snape and their bullying was getting out of hand. Remus and Maggie would try to confront their friends about their behavior, but it did little good. It all came to a head on a rare warm day in early November.
Snape and Lily are out at the lake basking in the warmth and studying. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter are all heading to their favorite spot by the lake to enjoy the weather as well.
"Why does Peggy have to meet with McGonagall." James asked.
"Something about OWL prep for winter break." Sirius said looking disgusted.
"I'm surprised Moony isn't with her." Peter piped up.
Remus ignored them and kept reading while walking.
"Hey! Look who it is." Sirius said.
"Oh Snivellus! Shouldn't you be inside? Wouldn't want the sun to get rid of that vampiric complexion." James sneered while changing route to head to the pair.
"Bugger off Potter." Snape said while packing up his things knowing he would not be getting any peace now that they are here.
"Lily flower why don't you leave this greasy git here and we can go sit under that tree and talk." James said while ruffling his hair.
"Not if you were the last guy on earth." She said while glaring.
With a laugh Sirius turns back to Snape. He quickly casts a jinx that sent bright pink soap bubbles pouring from Snape's mouth making him gag and choke.
Lily promptly pulls her wand out and shouts "Leave him ALONE!"
James swiftly cast another jinx which flipped Snape upside down and hovering over the lake. His robes fell over his head revealing pale skinny legs and a pair of greying underpants.
"Put him down!" Lily roars.
"Of course, milady." James bows and drops Snape in the lake with a splash.
Snape comes wading out of the water and Lily moves to help him. He shoves her hands away and shouts "I don't need help from a MUDBLOOD!"
Lily looked like she had been slapped. She grabbed her bag and went running back to the castle.
When she got to the common room she was crying and didn't see Maggie who was walking down from the girl's dormitory. They collided and Maggie gripped her to help them both regain their balance.
"Lily what's wrong?"
Lily explained what happened while Maggie brought her up to their room.
"Oh Lily. I'm so sorry. I'm sure Snape didn't mean it. He probably said it to try to save face."
"It doesn't matter why he said it. If he is so comfortable with that word, I don't know him at all." She said sadly.
For the rest of the night, they stayed in their room eating sweets, playing games, and cementing their friendship. The next morning Maggie and Lily left for breakfast early to avoid the Marauders. They were the first to their classes and the first to leave. Maggie was getting questioning looks from James, Peter, and Sirius, while Remus just looked sad.
At dinner they finally cornered her.
"Peggy what is going on? You've been avoiding us all day and you never showed up at the lake yesterday." James asked while taking the seat next to her at the table.
"Snape didn't deserve to be treated like that. You can't bully people like that." Maggie said looking upset.
"Snivellus isn't people, he's an oil stain." Sirius piped up.
"He is a person, and you are a child. Talk to me when you decide to grow up." Maggie says then stands and leaves the Great Hall.
"Is it that time of month already?" Sirius asks.
Remus sighs heavily, feeling more guilty than ever.
For the next few weeks James and Sirius stubbornly ignore Maggie and she avoids them. Remus had apologized to both Lily and Maggie and Peter as usual is just riding
James and Sirius coattails.
Finally, the full moon is on Monday and Remus cannot take it anymore. Remus is already looking sick and tired. His patience with his fellow marauders is up.
"I don't understand why she won't talk to us. It's not like pranking Snivellus is anything new." Pete said from his bed where he was watching his friends get ready for the day.
Remus scoffed.
James frowned and said "What do you know why she isn't talking to us?"
Remus rubbed his face tiredly. "She is tired of you both acting like children. You bully Snape and she is friends with Lily. You have put her in a tight spot and she is choosing to be a friend to Lily rather than support your bullying."
Sirius and James looked almost guilty while Peter looked confused.
Remus sighed and left for breakfast alone.
The other marauders followed after a few minutes.
They all ate a quiet meal and went through their classes with minimal attention. By the time classes were over a decision had been made.
At dinner they approached the girls cautiously.
"Lily, Mags can we talk to you outside for a moment?" James asked looking serious for once.
The girls look to each other and seem to have a silent conversation before they both get up and follow them into the corridor outside the Great Hall.
"Ladies, after a lot of thinking we realize that we have gone too far with our pranks. We truly are sorry for the pain and tension this has caused. We were being childish. Sniv-Snape did not deserve what happened." James said while the other boys looked guilty.
"We are willing to apologize to Sniv-Snape and are hoping you will find it in your hearts to forgive us." Sirius adds.
Lily and Maggie look at each other again then Lily sighs. "You don't have to apologize to Sev-Snape. He wouldn't believe it and it won't fix anything. I accept your apology." She squeezes Maggie's hand and heads back into the Great Hall.
Maggie looks at each of them sternly before relaxing. "It's about time you fixed this. I guess you guys can come with on Monday." She turns and starts walking back into the Great Hall.
"What do you mean we can come with you! We would have been there since you were avoiding us." Sirius asks looking bemused.
"I wasn't avoiding Remus. He might not have stopped you guys, but he didn't make it worse."
They continue to argue as they load their plates up with food.
The winter break goes well for Maggie. She spent the entire break with her family and helping with her nephews.
Remus and Peter both also enjoy their break with their families.
James and Sirius were presented with more obstacles however. A week into break James is up reading a new quidditch magazine when there is a knock on the front door. James frowns and grabs his wand while going to the door. His parents are in bed for the evening and James couldn't think of anyone else that would pop in this late at night. When he opened the door, he was startled to find Sirius leaning heavily on the door frame looking exhausted. His school trunk was on the ground behind him and appeared to have several scorch marks newly burnt on the lid and sides.
James dragged him in and they quickly went into James' room. Sirius explained how his parents decided it was time for him to cut off his friendships with blood traitors and mudbloods. They got into a huge argument and he left with minimal damage to himself thanks to his trunk. He asked James if he could stay for a few days while he finds something more permeant. James of course agrees. The Potters of course figured it out when they found Sirius living in James' closet after a week. They moved him into his usual guest room and told him that their home is his home as long as he needs it.
A few months go by and OWLs are rapidly approaching. The marauders have reduced their pranks to small simple ones so they can focus on revisions.
Sirius surprised everyone when he became Maggie's study partner. They are inseparable. They have been spotted in the library and the Gryffindor common room more often than not. They are constantly reading and comparing notes. Their friends are both surprised and not. Sirius may not be aware of his growing feelings for the redhead, but his friends are already making bets. The only thing about their relationship that is in question would be Maggie's feelings. She has always been close friends with Sirius, so it has been difficult for the other marauders to guess if her feelings have evolved into something deeper.
The OWLs are soon completed as is the school year and the Marauders are off to more summer adventures as a group and with their families.
AN: I apologize for any formatting issues. My computer crashed pretty hard and I have been using its smoking remains until I can replace it. The next one will be better. So far there has been one review. Please let me know what you think. I can see that there are readers interested in this story, but I want to hear some opinions please! If all goes according to plan the next one should be up next week. Thank you for the follows and favorites. See you next time. -A.