October 4, 1977
The Hogwarts grounds are also protected by a most ancient magic that many are not aware of. It is seldom mentioned, not even making an appearance in Hogwarts: A History however this magic is extraordinarily protective and has been passed on through the ages. There is a simple-
"Lily what in Merlin's saggy pants are you reading now?"
"Supplemental material." Lily told James marking her page and standing. "Ready for rounds, Potter, or you just here to mock my book?"
"No, I'm ready. Let's go."
Lily and James left through the portrait hole and walked through the halls of Hogwarts. Lily really enjoyed being in the castle when it was quiet like this. It was peaceful and calming.
A soft moaning interrupted her thoughts and Lily felt a gigantic blush creep it's way onto her face.
The source of the moaning was a closed broom closet. Lily couldn't begin to think what was going in there.
"Umm… that's probably against the rules.." Lily mumbled gesturing limply towards the closet.
"Right you are, Evans." He marched up to the door and rapped lightly with his knuckles. "Compose yourselves, I'm coming in!"
There was a sound of scuffling and then it settled. James looked back at Lily, who for her part, was standing awkwardly and trying not to blush. James opened the door and the darkness inside was unnatural.
"Hello, who's there?"
Lily edged closer to the closet. It was strange, that a moment before there had been people in there and now it was empty. James went inside and looked around, Lily edged still closer.
"Unusual, I heard them moaning and necking and now they've vanished, how in Merlin's beard did they do that?"
"It is strange." Lily agreed and took the final step into the closet. Now they were both in the closet looking around.
Bang!
The door slammed behind them and the lock slide home. They were trapped.
"Hey! Get back here you ugly pricks!" James called slamming his fists against the door loudly.
"James cut it out!" Lily sighed and lit her wand.
"What," James panted, "We're trapped in this damn closet and I'm trying to get those gits to come and let us out and you're telling me-"
"They're not going to come let us out if you bang, they're probably now afraid of your wrath if they did. You're just making noise." Lily pulled a bucket off one of the shelves and set it on the ground bottom up and plopped down on it sighing.
"Fine, how do you propose we get out?" James said getting another bucket.
"I'm not sure we can. We're inside so we can't use alohomora and we can't see the lock to slide it back with magic so we have to wait for a nice person to come along and let us out."
James sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Lily waited for the inevitable.
"I'm bored." There it was, James Potter couldn't sit still for ten seconds.
"Well I'm not an entertainment unit. Entertain yourself."
James grumbled and leaned over. Almost instantly he straightened again.
"What if I conjure some cards, would you play?"
"I suppose."
James flicked his wand and a deck appeared on the floor.
"What are we playing?" Lily asked lowering herself to the floor.
"How about poker?" James offered also scooting on to the floor.
"What have we got to bet?" James grinned evilly then seemed to think better of whatever he was going to say and shrugged.
"Fine, I don't really know other games anyway." Lily said.
"Okay, I'll deal."
They got through a few rounds, when Lily was struck with an idea.
"James! We could send a patronus!"
"What?"
"Like in the order, I heard Dumbledore and McGonagal talking about it. The order send messages with patronuses! We could send one to Remus, or Mary, or someone and they could come let us out!"
"Yeah, alright!" James jumped to his feet. "Only how do you put a message in it?"
"Good question." Lily stood also and grabbed her wand from where it had been lighting the closet.
"I'm just going to speak while I cast it and hope it works." James nodded.
"Expecto Patronum!" then, "Remus, James and I have been locked in a broom closet near the great hall because some terrible wankers sneaked out while we were investigating them. Please come unlock the door!"
A magnificent doe burst from the end of Lily's wand and looked at her then walked through the door and out of sight. Lily turned to James who's jaw had reached the floor.
"What?" Lily asked seeing his mouth agape.
"Nothing, nothing." James shook his head eyes still wide.
"Except that it was obviously something."
"Well you know my animagus form," he looked at her, "it's well… and my patronus is a…" his voice trailed off still in shock.
"Oh." Lily hadn't really thought much about James' animagus form since fifth year when she had found out about all the marauders, but now her cheeks colored as she realized, doe and stag, a perfect match.
They waited in silence for a minute staring off into nothing and thinking their own thoughts. Then they heard voices and a shuffling of feet.
"OW! Remus, you can let go of my hair, my beautiful hair!"
"Sirius." Remus warned. The lock slid back and the door opened revealing Remus holding Sirius by the hair and Sirius trying gingerly to extricate himself from Remus' grasp. "Meet the 'terrible wankers' who locked you in the closet." Remus said shoving Sirius at James and Lily.
"What?" Lily asked confused.
James stepped toward Sirius. "Where's my cloak?"
"In the dorm, relax mate I was trying to do you a favor!"
"By locking him in a closet!" Lily practically shrieked, she had caught on now
"By locking him in a closet with you." Sirius embellished.
James wasn't saying anything just clenching and unclenching his fists in apparent rage.
"Detention, three weeks, and finish our rounds." Lily said coldly, stalking away arms crossed.
"Twit." Remus smack Sirius on the back of his head.
"OW! Moony, I was helping!"
"No, you weren't you were meddling. Finish their rounds, then I would advise you apologize profusely to Lily and James, after they've had time to cool off."
"Apologize!" Sirius sounded scandalized, but Lily stopped listening as she ascended the stairs.
"Hey, sorry about that. Sirius can't help meddling, we're working on him."
"I think we should have revenge." Lily smiled evilly.
James grinned as well. "How?"
"Due time young grasshopper, due time…"
A/N: Hey y'all beauties hope you enjoyed this, I know there's a lot of people who have the canon that James sees Lily's patronus when they learn it in class and his jaw drops, but here's my twist! Please review, let me know what you think!