Thanks to everyone who read and to patronousesandpotions for reviewing.

Betas for this chapter are: LittleDrummerGirl2010 and Literatifan4eva. You guys are great.

Also thanks to Prongs Smitch for looking over this even though you didn't find anything wrong.

Chapter 9: Drastic Measures

"Where are we going Sirius?" Mandy asked as he pulled her by the wrist down the corridor on a fine winter day towards the middle of December. It had been a couple weeks since Mandy had found out she was pregnant and in the ensuing weeks things had gotten better between Sirius and Mandy. Though she hadn't forgiven him completely they were in a better place.

"You'll see," Sirius answered, continuing to pull her down the hall. "Ok, here we are," he added when they came to a stop on the sixth floor. Mandy looked around and saw the only thing in the deserted hallway was a broom closet.

"A broom cupboard? Sirius, your room was empty. If you didn't want to be interrupted we could have just gone up there," Mandy said.

"After you, my lady," Sirius answered, holding the door open, ignoring Mandy's protests.

Mandy stepped inside and the door shut behind her. Mandy spun around and tried the handle but it didn't move. "Sirius!" Mandy yelled.

"My apologies, Love," Sirius called back.

"It won't work," a voice said behind her as the room lit up. Mandy spun back around and saw James sitting on the floor his lit wand, aloft.

"James? What's going on?"

"Don't know, Lily locked me in here about five minutes ago." James shrugged. He tried begging and pleading but Lily had only apologized and walked away.

Mandy groaned and sat down. "Did you try—"

"Everything? Yes," James answered.

"Magic," Mandy spat.

"First thing I tried. I am a wizard." James rolled his eyes. Mandy sat down and stared at him. James eventually looked away from her and stared down at his trainers.

Mandy and James sat in silence listening to James's watch tick the seconds away.

"Why do you think we're in here?" James asked. Mandy stared at him then leaned across the short distance and punched him. "What was that for?" James asked rubbing his shoulder. Mandy only stared at him and James went back to looking at the floor. Several long minutes later, four if Mandy's counting was right, James stood and tried pacing but his strides were too long and once he had taken two steps in one direction he had to turn and walk back the other. James sat back down and sighed, checking his watch.

Mandy stared at her shoes and ran her fingernail over the side of the sole trying to keep the boredom at bay until finally the ticking clock got to her. Instead of screaming in frustration, tears poured down her face.

"Oh, please, don't cry," James said when he saw what she was doing, "I'm brilliant. I'll come up with a solution to get us out of here. I wish I had the map though. Then I'd know exactly where we are and I know how to get us out of here. Don't cry. I'll think of something I always do," James begged. It broke his heart to see his best friend cry and what made it worse was that he had no idea why. He scuffled across the floor and plopped himself down next to Mandy. James wrapped her in a hug but that caused the girl to cry harder. "Blimey," James muttered, jumping away and thinking he had done the wrong thing. Mandy gabbed his wrist, tugged him back to her and continued to cry.

"I'm sorry. I'll fix it, I promise. I'm so sorry," James tried as he held her close. "It's ok, please, don't cry. I'm sorry." James continued to mutter apologies until finally Mandy punched him in the gut.

"Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up," Mandy snapped.

James went quiet and his wand clattered to the floor from his shock at being spoken to so roughly. Mandy had never snapped at him like that no matter how upset she had been. The light went out and Mandy reached down feeling for the wand. She muttered a spell once her hand closed around it and directed the wand at the ceiling. A lamp came on overhead and Mandy placed James's wand in his lap. James wanted to ask how she knew about the lamp but was still in too much shock. Mandy spoke instead.

"Do you remember third year when you and Sirius had that awful row about Parker? How you couldn't see why he was stringing her along and how he couldn't understand why you didn't get it that she was just a friend?" Mandy asked. Her voice was watery but James could hear the hope in it. There was something important about the story so James nodded. "After that row Remus and I locked the two of you in a broom cupboard until you sorted things out. And then two years ago, after Remus found out what you, Sirius, and Peter did to help out Moony and you lot didn't talk for like three weeks, you made me drag Remus into a broom closet and then the three of you ganged up on him and made me sit outside the door not opening it until things were fixed."

"So they locked us in here because they think we're mad at each other and they want us to sort things out? But ..." James trailed off thinking.

Mandy knew exactly where James's mind was going and that was to the question 'what do they think we're mad about that we need to sort out?' so she asked him another question hoping he'd finally get it. "James, what's the longest you've gone without speaking to me?"

"One week. In first year. You thought that since I was now at Hogwarts and had made friends with Sirius that I didn't need you around. Next to that was five days in third year after I made the Quidditch team."

"Actually the five days was in second year when I made the Quidditch team and you didn't. When you became Quidditch captain two years ago and the season started and it was O.W.L.s year did you ever push me away?" Mandy looked up at him imploringly.

"No."

"Why are you doing it now?"

"Doing what? I'm not pushing you away," James said. His brows were furrowed and he looked just as confused by this as he did when Lily turned him down continually. It was like he just didn't understand the plain English coming out of their mouths.

"And that hurts even more because you don't realize you're doing it. James," two more tears fell down Mandy's face, "what's today?"

"The tenth of December." McGonagall had just come around the week prior to find out who was staying for Christmas Holidays. As it turned out only three of the four Marauders and Mandy would be staying. All of Mandy's roommates plus Peter and Talon would be returning home. Since December's full moon fell on the 25th Remus had opted to stay and James's mother would be out of town visiting friends which left James and Sirius with nowhere to go. Mandy also had no place to go since Jason was also staying at Hogwarts and he was now her legal guardian.

"Do you remember the last conversation we had before this one?" Mandy asked.

James thought about it. "It was a couple days ago." James nodded sure of his answer.

"James, it was three weeks ago."

"No, we've had a conversation lately. We talked about Quidditch and the upcoming game against—"

Mandy pressed a finger to his lips silencing him. His eyes crossed as he looked down at her finger then he looked back up at her face his hazel eyes bright. "James, listen to me. We have not had a conversation, you haven't said a word to me, since I asked you to come to the Hospital Wing with me. Two weeks after our first Quidditch game. That was three weeks ago. It's nearly two weeks till Christmas." Mandy removed her finger and hoped he'd say something right instead of messing everything up again.

"That can't be ... Mandy I—" James stopped and looked up at the ceiling. It wasn't possible that he had shut her out that long. He couldn't have been too busy for her. It wasn't possible in his mind. Mandy was his best friend and he would have noticed her not being around. The fact was he hadn't noticed and it hit him like a sack of bricks.

His silence really hurt her more than anything but she knew she had to get everything out in the open or their relationship would never be the same. "You're too busy for me. Too busy being Head Boy and meeting with prefects to realize I've missed three weeks of practice."

"Remus said you've been sick and I've noticed you've been sitting out a lot of practical classes."

"Not a lot—"

"Yesterday in Potions, Thursday and Monday in Trans—"

"No, James, not a lot, all of them," Mandy stressed, "for the past three weeks. Ever since ... Oh Jamie. I've buggered everything up."

The use of his nickname made James smile briefly but it fell when he saw Mandy was still very upset. It was almost as if she thought she had deeply insulted him. "No Mandy, it's not—"

"I can't play Quidditch anymore, I can't do practical lessons, can't even go to Hogsmeade come January."

"Mandy, calm down, let's talk this out. Now tell me what's going on. What changed three weeks ago that's bothering you? There's a way to fix this." James stroked Mandy's hair as she cried against his chest. He had to do something to make her happy again. Knowing that she was sad and that it was all his fault hit him square in the chest and facing her heartbreak hurt, especially since it was all his fault.

A bit later Mandy pulled back but refused to look at James. She muttered something that James couldn't hear so he lifted her chin. "Can't hear you if you're not talking to me. My hearing as a stag is amazing, but I don't get those powers as a human," James said.

"I'm pregnant," Mandy said, keeping her eyes off James's face. She didn't want to see him if he was angry or disappointed in her.

James surprised her by pulling her into a hug and rubbing her back. "So this isn't the most ideal situation in the world but as long as you haven't sold your soul to Voldemort, we can figure a way through this."

Mandy pulled back and looked at him. "That man killed my parents, why would I ever join forces with him?" James's arm rested heavily on Mandy's shoulders and she could feel the comfort rolling off him. Mandy could tell he was going to do his best to comfort her.

"You wouldn't. I don't know what I was thinking. Now Quidditch. Your friend Tim Miller—"

"Talon's brother? The fourth year Gryffindor?"

James nodded, gently guiding her head back to his shoulder. "He's been practicing with the team for the past three weeks, we needed a stand in. Granted, he's no you, but if we up his training, he'll be ready for our next game. Practical lessons, well we can talk to the professors and find you a safe way to do that too. And why can't you go to Hogsmeade?" James said, stroking her hair.

"It's punishment for getting into this mess." Mandy explained what Dumbledore told her.

"Have you told Sirius?"

"No. Only you, Remus, Madame Pomfrey, and my professors know," Mandy said. "I know that we weren't careful enough, the charm must not have been strong enough or hastily cast, but I love him. I'm never sleeping with him again until I'm ready to raise a child but I love him."

"You owe it to him to tell him. It's not just your decision what happens to this—"

"Gift," Mandy interrupted, having mostly come to terms with the pregnancy even if she was still upset about it.

"Gift," James smirked at the codename, it was such a Mandy thing to do, "and I want both of you to make the decision. It's only right. Wait, Remus knew before I did?"

"You can't deny Remus's nose close to the full moon."

"You said you went to Madame Pomfrey three weeks ago, that was before the last full moon."

"Remus suggested it before the Quidditch game but I felt fine and I just thought he was wrong. Had I known for certain, I would have never played. We can't change the past so don't dwell on it. I told him a couple weeks ago. After Lily had that talk with you about something being wrong with me and how she felt only you could get it out of me because she found out about my bear print tattoo."

"Why did you show that to her?" James stroked her hair then kissed the top of her head.

"I didn't. I was sitting on my bed staring at it in the mirror when she happened to walk in. I missed you. I was trying to remember what it used to be like."

"What it's like now that I know. You can always come to me. Even if you have to use drastic measures to get my attention. I'll try to do better too. Next time it won't take being locked in a cupboard to sort things out."

"Yeah, we're not locked in anymore," Mandy said.

"Since when?" James asked.

"Since you hugged me after I told you I was pregnant."

"Are you showing yet?" He motioned to her stomach.

"I'm only two months. It was the middle of October when it happened."

"And you and he are ok now?"

"Padfoot and I haven't had a serious talk since I found out about him sleeping in the same bed with another girl. He's been doing what he did last time I was this upset."

"Being Padfoot and not Sirius."

"Exactly. Real sweet and caring and just listening. It really helps."

"It's been a month and a half."

"I know. We have some of the best mates in the world you know."

"We do. Now come on. This floor is murder on my tailbone." James stood and offered Mandy his hands. She took them and let him pull her to her feet. Then he tucked one of her hands in the crook of his arm and led her back to the Common Room. "You know what I think? I think you and I will have to visit Hogsmeade. Just you and me."

"For Valentine's Day?"

"No, tonight. We need supplies for I've Never, it's our annual game before the holidays and I kinda want to apologize to you."

"Head Boy sneaking out after hours? Lily will not approve of that."

"What's to say she or Sirius have to know? Where's your Marauder spirit?"

"Behind the, packages, shock," Mandy answered, throwing in the password to the Common Room in the middle of her sentence. The Fat Lady swung open and they entered.

"They're touching," Peter said as Mandy and James stepped over to their friends. "That's good right?"

"A very good thing Pete," Mandy answered.

"So you two are okay? More importantly Mandy, everything is alright?" Sirius asked.

"He and I are ok, and no everything's not alright with me but I don't think there's any way to fix what's bothering me. I'm happier, but not as happy as I should be," Mandy said slowly, trying to find the right words.

"Is there something I can do?"

"Just be yourself and thank you for helping us. Both you and Lily, you guys are great," Mandy said. James hugged Mandy and then let her sit down in her chair. He joined Lily and Remus on the couch and Mandy watched as they talked.

Later that night Lily bounced onto Mandy's bed and drew the curtains around them. She silenced the bed and stared at Mandy. "Can I help you?" Mandy asked, looking up from her Transfiguration book.

"What else is bothering you?" Lily asked. "Is it a girl thing? Is that why you didn't want to talk about it and it's unfixable?"

"Kinda. Lily, swear you won't tell anyone."

"Last time you said that you told me you turn into a monster once a month. Please don't tell me something else like you can fly."

"On a broom or a hippogriff or a flying horse of course. No, this something completely human, for the most part, I just don't want everyone to know. I mean James and Remus know and the professors but not students."

"Alright I won't say anything. What is it?" Lily asked gently as she touched Mandy's knee.

"I'm pregnant." Mandy watched Lily carefully and Lily swallowed.

"OK, well I'm surprised but you're a legal adult so I can't say I'm angry but I'd be hard pressed to say that this is ok. You're really popular and if it's ok for you—"

"But it's not ok for me. I'm scared and not responsible enough and it was stupid to sleep with him. Girls are lucky this has never happened before. According to Madame Pomfrey this hasn't happened in the past year that she's been here. What am I going to do? I mean I know I'm not keeping it. I've already decided to give him up for adoption, but how am I going to make it through this year?"

"I don't know. I'm going to help you through this. I know it's going to be stressful but James and I and Remus we're not going to let you fall."

"You know, I thought for sure you'd yell at me, tell me how stupid I was, and irresponsible and everything."

"Mandy, I do think that but you don't need to hear it. I think you feel guilty enough as it is and you need a friend. Is this what you and James talked about in the cupboard?"

"Part of it. We talked about a lot of things."

"How'd he react?"

"He said as long as I hadn't sold my soul to Voldemort we'd figure a way through it," Mandy laughed.

"Why is that funny?"

"It's not but it broke the tension and reminded me that no matter what I will always have him as my best friend."

Later that night when all her roommates were fast asleep Mandy sneaked into the boys' dorm. James was just pulling on his trainers. He pulled the map and invisibility cloak from his trunk.

"Come on," James hissed.

Mandy grinned and they sneaked their way down the stairs and James handed her the cloak. He was allowed to be out after curfew but she wasn't so she tucked herself under the cloak and followed him closely. They cut their way down to the sixth floor and to a painting of griffin. James knocked lightly on the frame and it swung open. This was one of the Marauders' favorite passageways. It leads to the alleyway between Gladrags and Zonkos. The passageway to Honeydukes was useless after dark and this one had the benefit of being close to their favorite shop, Zonkos. They reached the staircase at the other end and James climbed it first. The passageway came out in a barrel. All you had to do was push open the side panel from the inside or knock twice on the top from the outside and the panel popped open. Mandy handed the cloak back to James and he tucked it in a pocket.

Once they reached their final destination, The Hog's Head, they slipped inside and James grinned at the bar tender. "Mr. Potter," the bartend sighed. He leaned to the left a bit. "Miss Hunter."

They both swallowed but nodded to him. "We need some supplies and we trust you more than Madame Rosmerta," James said.

"You trust me because I'll sell you Firewhiskey and she won't," he said.

"Which isn't fair because I'm legally an adult," James said.

"Me too," Mandy added.

"How many bottles you need?"

"Two," James answered.

"You didn't get it from me." The bartender handed over the two bottles, James paid, and they left. This was usually how they got their supplies for their parties. Ever since they had found the seven secret passageways out of the castle they had been bribing the bartend for supplies. Especially if they were out after dark.

Once again thanks to everyone for reading. I wish more of you would review and tell me what you liked or disliked about the chapter.