Marauding at Hogwarts Chapter 19: All That Matters, a harry potter fanfic

**Author's Note:

I'm not spoiling anything but there's a little snippet in here where James and Sirius are forced to write something so I just want to give you a quick reminder:

When James writes its in Bold and Sirius is in Bold and Italics

Please enjoy XO**

Chapter 19 All That Matters

It was not the first time that, against all odds, Albus Dumbledore was proven right. Monday morning resumed with the usual robust comradery of Hogwarts. The teachers had a spring in their steps, having gotten their classes back to normal after a long year of chaos. All was well. Especially for one Severus Snape, who was under the impression that because James Potter had taken a vow of silence for a month he'd be living like a king. His impression was practically confirmed, when on his way to Arithmancy, he had knocked into James Potter and his pose and nothing happened. Not nothing exactly, he was shoved unceremoniously into the wall, but that was it. No hexes were shot at him, no insults or 'jokes' pointed his way, they didn't even look at him. Even when he tried to pin the blame on them. It was as if he were nothing more than an insect that flew into their path and that was perfectly fine by Severus. By Ancient Runes, (a class he was most surprised to see James Potter take,) Severus had all but forgot about his usually loud and cruel classmate.

Lily Evans took her usual seat on his right, between the Slytherin's side of the room and the Gryffindor's. Josie Archer normally sat by her, but she had left shortly after class began in a huff and took an empty seat in between James and a sleeping Remus. Lily began to twist her fingers nervously in her lap. The Slytherins were fine, as long as she had someone with her to balance the playing field. Not that Severus was like them, he just acted differently around them. Lily began to relax when Professor Riggs announced they'd be working in groups for the remainder of the period.

Instead of allowing them to choose their own groups, Professor Riggs chose to 'leave things up to fate.' He had them write their names down on a small square of parchment and throw them into the centre of the room. The parchment would float down to the floor, then right before it would land, it lurched into the air to form a giant paper ball overhead. It swirled above them as they waited for the rest of class to finish. Professor Riggs reached up, caught five pieces, and called out the names. Lily listened intently, bouncing on the edge of her seat, hoping against hope to be placed with her friends. She crossed her fingers she held tightly in her lap as the ball became smaller and smaller then she heard it:

"Lily Evans!" the professor called out. Her breath caught as she threw a nervous glance at Severus. "Severus Snape!" Lily let out a loud squeal as she gave Severus a victorious high five. Neither of them paid any attention to the other names until the professor called out, "and James Potter!" Lily paled and Severus snarled at James who undoubtedly returned the favour. The rest of the class giggled. "I expect you two to behave," the professor warned before continuing to divide the class.

The groups were formed and the class was at work. Mary Mcdonald and Persephone Machault, a Slytherin, was paired with them. Theirs was the only group that was silent in trying to decipher random oddball sentences the professor had given them. They were equipped with one dictionary and all of their notes they had taken throughout the year. James seemed to prefer using the dictionary and had not even taken out his notes.

"Potter, would you mind passing the dictionary," Severus said, curtly and through clenched teeth. Mary, Persephone, and Lily all looked up expectantly. James did not even flinch. It was as if Severus had not spoken. Persephone laughed through her nose and tried to hide it with a cough. Mary hid her smirking face from Lily's glare behind her notes. Severus sighed deeply. "Potter, I won't be a moment, I promise I'll give it back."

James began to hum to himself softly and flipped a page in the dictionary.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake Potter!" Lily exclaimed.

James looked up, feigning surprise.

"Give him the damned book."

James looked around their group, confused.

"Severus. Give Severus the book," Lily ordered, gritting her teeth.

James stood up, looked around the entire classroom before looking back at Lily, now even more confused.

"I don't think he knows who Severus is, Lily," Mary laughed.

"Yes he does, he's been picking on him for three years now! Potter! Give. Him. The book," Lily said, sending James a threatening look.

James looked back at Lily, eyes wide in fear but still he looked confused as to who Severus was.

"It's fine Lily, I'll figure it out. Besides, an idiot like that needs all the help he can get," Severus snarled.

James still looked at Lily as if Severus hadn't spoken.

"Potter," Lily growled.

"James," Persephone said gently.

James looked at her, grinning.

"I think Lily would like to use the dictionary," Persephone told him.

James mouthed an "Oh!" and handed the book to Lily, who took it aggressively from his hands and handed it to Severus. James gestured to Persephone's notes with a pleading look on his face.

"I'm shit at this, you're not gonna get much from my notes," Persephone answered.

James nodded though looked disappointed.

"What happened to yours?"

James pointed at Remus. Seeing Persephone's still confused face, James wadded up a piece of parchment and threw it directly at Remus's head. Remus did not even look in the direction the parchment had come from. He sighed, irritably, got up and walked over.

"What!" he spat.

James grinned at him and gestured to Persephone who repeated her question.

"What happened to James's notes?" Persephone asked, guilty about the angry expression on Remus's face.

"I'm borrowing them because I've missed so much," Remus explained. "James, you can't throw things at me every time you need to answer a question. You know how to write, or, better yet, talk!"

"Maybe you could also tell your friend to stop being such a wanker," Severus spat, his upper lip twitching.

James shoved Remus away before he could respond and acknowledge that Severus had said something. But despite James's efforts, Remus came back.

"That would be about as useful as telling you to wash your hair," Remus told him, smiling politely. Severus's face reddened with anger.

"Remus!" Lily shouted. Persephone and Mary collapsed into giggles and were trying to hide it behind their hands. James smirked proudly up at his friend.

"Lily," Remus nodded, before bowing out and back to his own group.

The class continued with James ignoring Severus completely. Persephone and Mary joined him much to his amusement. Lily, however, was glowing with anger. She stomped off to her next class, not noticing when her friends called to her. Severus headed in the opposite direction, back to the Slytherin dungeon, face red with fury. James and Remus left the class grinning from ear to ear.

Sirius usually waited with Peter at the bottom of the stair after they had Muggle Studies, but today he was waiting with someone else and neither James nor Remus noticed until she was in their face.

"What did you do to Lily!" she growled, with a finger on both of their chests.

"Who - what - Sirius?" Remus stuttered, backing away from the enraged Eilidh Nicnevin. Sirius stepped up between her and Remus and pushed her back slightly. "We didn't do anything to Lily!" Remus defended, James kept hitting his arm trying to get him to say something.

"Then why did she look so upset when she came down here?" Eilidh argued, trying to fight her way around Sirius. "Black, I will hex you!"

"Why do you think it was us?" Remus countered, trying to push James off.

"It's always you," Eilidh accused. Sirius sent her a warning look.

"James stop!" Remus ordered. "What are you even doing here anyway, where's Peter?"

"Sirius and I got kicked out of class. Don't know where Peter is," Eilidh explained, her anger still in her voice but she seemed to have taken Sirius's warning.

"Okay well…." Remus trailed off, feeling bad now that Eilidh had calmed down. "Look, talk to Lily and if she said we did anything, tell us and we'll gladly apologise." James nudged Remus harder than before. Remus glared at him, James mouthed words to Remus, unintelligibly. "Tutoring! After classes, James and Sirius are running a tutoring session. I'll be there too. You two should come by, we'll work it out then."

James sighed in relief. Remus rubbed his now sore arm. Sirius looked to Eilidh nervously.

"Yeah, okay. Thank you, Remus," Eilidh said, calmly. "Sirius we've got to get to McGonagall's, she's been expecting us."

Sirius shrugged and waved goodbye to his friends just as Peter came running up to them. Sirius and Peter had a silent exchange with mostly hand gestures that neither of them seemed to understand except that Peter was irritated.

James, Remus, and Peter walked off to their last class, Care of Magical Creatures. James showed no interest in the phoenix that Professor Kettleburn had brought for them. He tapped his foot and rolled his eyes as Professor Kettleburn droned on about the bird's magical properties. He checked his watch every 10 minutes, then every 5, by dinner it was every 30 seconds. Remus teased him relentlessly about his anticipation, making up for the silent other two. He simply couldn't help it. Mad at him or not, it would mean an actual conversation with Lily Evans, not just a passing, 'stop hexing the first years' or 'if you don't leave Severus alone I will jinx you until your ears sing!' He glanced around the Great Hall, hoping to catch sight of her, but neither she nor her friends were there.

"Relax James, I'm sure she'll be at tutoring," Remus consoled when people started trailing out of the Great Hall and James's shoulders fell in despair.

"Sirius, James! McGonagall wants us," Frank called, pointing over his shoulder to Professor McGonagall. She stood at the front of the room, with her hands folded together watching her students file out.

"I'll see you guys later then," Remus and Peter waved leaving James and Sirius in the Great Hall.

Professor McGonagall briefed them all on what was expected of them. The school rules were to be upheld at all times. Severus, James, and Sirius were reminded that only prefects were allowed to take points or give detentions, they were not real teachers after all. The Head boy and girl would be present to monitor and assist if needed. Lucius Malfoy and Dorcas Meadowes (a Hufflepuff) stood against the far wall, several feet away from each other.

"This is a big job that requires a lot of responsibility, but I know you all can do it," McGonagall finished, looking pointedly at James, Sirius, and Severus. "That being said, if you are in need of any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask."

"We'll be alright, Professor," Frank smiled, throwing an arm around James. Sirius and James smiled encouragingly at her.

"I'm sure you will," she answered. She pulled her wand out and waved it in the air, conjuring two chalkboards and chalk to go with. She handed them to James and Sirius. "Use them well," said McGonagall, almost as a warning, and strode out of the Great Hall. They barely had time to be introduced to the rest of the prefects before students started filing into the Hall. The Head boy and Girl began separating them into groups according to year and subject.

The Head girl, Dorcas Meadowes had short hair, cut just above her shoulders and was so tightly wound into spirals that they bounced when she walked and had a habit of falling into her face. Whenever this happened her hand would shoot out, unexpectedly, to brush the strand away causing anyone within her perimeter to be in danger of her sharp elbows. Despite this the boys liked her. She had helped James work on his dives even though she was on a different quidditch team and she put Severus Snape in more detentions than anyone else in the school. So when she called for them to get to work, they stood at attention, saluted, and marched off to their assigned groups.

James was assigned to a group of first years needing help in transfigurations. James used his chalkboard to write down the necessary spell and manually showed the wand movement for their question. It was simultaneously the easiest and most frustrating thing James had ever done since arriving at Hogwarts. He kept having to remind the students of the standard transfiguration formula: the intended transformation (t) is directly influenced by body weight (a), viciousness (v), wand power (w), concentration (c) and a fifth unknown variable (Z), therefore: t = (w X c) / (v X a) x Z. He ended up charming his chalkboard with the formula written on it to float about the room so he could keep his eyes on the door, lest he missed the expected Lily Evans.

Sirius was having much greater troubles with his second-year charms group. He had set it up so the five of them who needed help with the disarming charm would duel each other. Those who needed help with the freezing charm worked individually with water goblets. And he himself attempted to help the rest with the fire-making charm. This resulted in Frank's ear being engorged by an ill-aimed spell, another student to tap dance uncontrollably, Sirius's potions homework to be frozen, and a great chunk of Cindy Abbott's hair to be set on fire. Sirius acted quickly. He grabbed a goblet from across the table, doused Cindy's hair out, shrunk Frank's ear back to its normal size with a nonverbal spell, and wrestled the dancing student to his feet so Frank could perform the counter charm. Unfortunately, nothing could be done about Sirius's homework. The Great Hall was distracted from this commotion, however, by the doors being slammed open.

"You, James Potter, are the biggest liar who has ever walked the face of this Earth!" Lily Evans yelled striding across the Hall with Eilidh Nicnevin at her heels.

"Honestly, he's the biggest arse too," Eilidh muttered, glaring at James. James looked both shocked and pleased to see the pair of them while Sirius was trying to hide his laughter.

"So you haven't done anything to me, have you?" Lily yelled in James's face. Her face red and her fists clenched. The doors flew open once more, this time revealing Remus Lupin, pale and panting, dragging Peter Pettigrew who was bleeding from the nose.

"Okay, I don't care what we've done, but punching Peter was completely unnecessary! He's never done anything to you lot and probably never will," Remus hollered at Eilidh. Peter shrunk into a chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Or do you actually believe that you haven't done anything? Though I can't believe anyone would actually be that stupid!" Lily yelled over Remus.

"I was aiming for you actually," Eilidh yelled back at Remus.

"What is going on here?" Malfoy yelled, marching over with his wand drawn. Lily and Eilidh fell silent but Remus spoke up. Dorcas scurried behind him, putting herself between them and the rest of the Hall.

"She just p-" he began, pointing a finger at Eilidh.

"I don't mean you, I was talking to Nicnevin," Malfoy interrupted, snarling at Remus.

"He can talk just as well as I can, Malfoy," Eilidh said, crossing her arms. Remus looked surprised by her defence.

"Fine," Malfoy snarled, baring his teeth. "What is going on?" he asked without actually looking at Remus.

"Er, nothing," Remus said, looking at Peter for support. Peter nodded, trying to wipe away the obvious blood oozing from his nose.

"Actually he was yelling at me because I punched his friend," Eilidh said. "It was undeserved, but in my defence, I was aiming for Lupin, so sorry," she said looking at Peter.

Peter shrugged and waved his free hand.

"Thank you," she smiled and turned back to Malfoy. "Feel free to take points or give me a detention, whatever you see fit."

"Why exactly did you punch him?" asked Malfoy, sounding annoyed.

"Told you, I was aiming for Lupin," Eilidh shrugged.

"And why were you aiming for Lupin?" Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"That's beside the point, and none of your business," Eilidh argued.

"Lucius, sorry to interrupt," Severus said, stepping forward, "but Potter is actually the cause of all this."

"No, he's not," Remus said sternly, pronouncing every syllable. Sirius pushed his way through the group and handed his chalkboard to Remus. Remus read it out loud: "Contrary, if Snape wasn't such a big nosed, greasy idiot, none of this would be happening."

Severus drew out his wand and pointed it at Remus. Sirius stepped in front of him, drawing out his own. James jumped to Sirius's side and pointed his wand at Severus. Lucius stood next to Severus and pointed his wand at Sirius.

"Stop it you guys!" Lily yelled, stepping between them. Dorcas waved her wand, putting up an invisible wall to stop anyone else from joining in the fight. James lowered his wand and tried to pull Lily out of the way but she wouldn't budge. "Get off me Potter! You two are supposed to be getting along. You almost got expelled once, and I don't think anybody actually wants to see you gone."

"Well, I for one wouldn't mind," Snape snarled. "I think I'd throw a party."

"Like anyone would come," Eilidh muttered, glaring at both Severus and Lucius.

"Really, you too?" Lily shot, throwing her attention to Eilidh.

"Sorry, Lils, but look who he's standing with," Eilidh said, gesturing with her wand to Malfoy who snarled back to her.

"I'm standing with him too!" Lily yelled, turning back to James and Sirius. "The last thing I want to see is my housemates fighting my best friend and yet you do it constantly."

James and Sirius's eyes remained locked on the opposing two. Their wands were still pointed at them and yet they seemed to waver as Lily yelled.

"Severus please," Lily said, turning to her friend with big pleading eyes. Severus looked at her for a moment then back to James and Sirius then back to Lily. He sighed deeply then dropped his wand and stepped back. James and Sirius followed.

"Right," Lucius said. "I can't give you two any more detentions because you've got 'em for the rest of the year, so I'll take 50 points from both of you."

James and Sirius made a sound of protest but their mouths remained glued shut.

"Lupin, I'll give you a detention this Saturday. Nicnevin, three detentions, for your mouth. And Evans-"

"What did she do?" Eilidh yelled. "All she did was stop a fight, which is supposed to be your job."
"Another detention Nicnevin, and 10 more points from Gryffindor," yelled Malfoy. Eilidh nostrils flared. Lily stepped over and took her hand, leading her away from the Head boy. "Evans, you'll have detention with Lupin!" Malfoy called after them.

Lily stroked Eilidh's arm, trying to calm her down. Eilidh muttered every swear and insult she knew, pointing it towards Malfoy. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides. A flush was creeping up her neck. Remus and his friends followed the two, who took a seat against the wall, far from the crowd.

"Thank you, Eilidh, for speaking up for me," Remus said sincerely. Eilidh nodded, glaring at Lucius who was rounding up the prefects. "He's really not worth it."

"He's right," Lily agreed. Eilidh took a deep breath trying to calm herself. James grabbed Sirius's chalkboard and wrote quickly before handing it to Eilidh.

you know?

"Know what?" Eilidh asked, after a quick glance. Sirius erased what he had written and began to scribble. James looked over his shoulder and nodded in agreement.

About Luscious Malfoul

Eilidh smiled slightly at the name he had written. "Uh, yeah. He tried to recruit me," she said shyly and looked down into her lap. Lily rested a hand on her shoulder even though she didn't know what her friend was talking about. James pushed the chalkboard towards her again.

you said no right

"Of course I did!" Eilidh said quickly. She pulled the sleeve of her left arm up as proof. James and Sirius grinned. They pulled their chalkboard back and began to write furiously.

"Oh, I really doubt he's… that!" said Lily, her eyes widening.

"All of us has seen the mark, Lily," Remus said gently. Lily's face fell. She looked back up to Lucius.

"That's why you got so mad," Lily said, turning back to Eilidh. Eilidh nodded and tensed up again, seeming to know what was coming. "Severus isn't like that! He can't know what he is or else he wouldn't be friends with him. He doesn't agree with any of it. Why else would he be friends with me?"

"I don't know, Lily, but Malfoy's not exactly shy about it. And you're the only Muggle-born I've ever seen him with. Besides you, he only hangs out with purebloods," Eilidh argued.

"That's because that's all that's in Slytherin! Do you expect him to not hang out with people in his own house?" Lily argued, defensively.

"Of course not. I just… I don't know, I don't like him. He's just…." Eilidh said, seeming to struggle for the right words.

"Just what, Eilidh?" Lily yelled, her accusation was clear.

"Hey, just because I don't like him, doesn't mean I'm gonna do anything to him. He's your friend and you're mine. That's all that matters," Eilidh said. Lily pursed her lips but said nothing.

"There aren't just purebloods in Slytherin, Lily," Remus argued, gently. Eilidh closed her eyes and clenched her jaw.

"Right, I forgot! Severus is evil and I'm an idiot for hanging out with him!" Lily yelled at Remus causing James and Sirius to finally look away from their board.

"That's not what anybody said, Lily!" Eilidh yelled, turning her body towards Lily.

"Might as well have!" Lily yelled back. Eilidh groaned, threw herself from the wall, and stormed out of the Great Hall. Lily stood as well but stalked off towards Severus, muttering along the way.

"Well, that went well," Remus sighed. Peter chuckled.

James stared after Lily, watching as she whispered furiously with Severus only slightly away from the crowd. Severus was growing increasingly angry at whatever Lily had to say to him. Severus, leaning forward with his teeth bared and snarled something to Lily. Lily drew a breath, got to her feet, and walked out of the Great Hall with her shoulders back and head held high. Sirius nudged James and gave him a confused look. James shrugged and looked to see if either Peter or Remus had noticed. They hadn't. They were huddled around Frank who had got permission from Professor Sprat to bring some fluxweed to help with his tutoring. James looked back to Severus. He was talking to Lucius Malfoy who looked both nervous and concerned. Their conversation ended with a sharp nod from Lucius. Severus turned and caught James watching him. James grinned and Sirius waved. Severus scowled and stalked back to his tutoring group, who were still huddled around a cauldron.

Professor McGonagall came back into the Great Hall led by Dorcas Meadowes. She instructed everyone to return to their dormitories and told the few who remained who were involved in the almost fight that they were to report to the Headmaster's office in the morning before classes began to discuss how things could have been done differently.

***Woohoo almost to chapter 20 we should celebrate! Not sure how but we should.

I also love hearing from you guys, so let me know what you think. Tell me what you think of my OCs, maybe you think Lily over reacted a bit or underreacted, maybe you think Dorcas is a snitch or you just blatantly hate everyone and everything that happened in this chapter. Or not. You can lurk that's cool too.

XO***