James walked into the common room. It was deserted, as it had been a late night for the Marauders. At that moment, Remus and Sirius were stealing food and Peter had already gone to bed.
James was about to follow Wormtail's example when he caught sight of Lily. She was sitting in a chair in front of the fire, swaying gently from side to side and singing under her breath. He walked over to her.
"Evans?" he queried.
Lily turned to face him with a giggle and James got a whiff of her breath. He immediately guessed what as wrong.
"Evans? Did you by any chance have a bottle of Firewhiskey?" He asked her.
Lily giggled.
"Just a tipple… hey, you look really tall from down here!" She slurred.
James shook his head sadly.
"Come on Evans, time for bed."
Lily looked up at him, her green eyes filled with anger as he reached down to take her arm.
"I hate you, James Potter." She murmured.
James's heart wrenched. He looked down.
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
Lily giggled.
"Not you! You are cool! I'm talking to the James Potter on the left!"
She pointed slightly next to James. James rolled his eyes.
"Come on, drunkard, time for bed." He said as he helped her to her feet. Lily laughed.
"I know your game, Mr Potter, but let me tell you! I'm not as drink as you thunk I am!"
James raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, I think you are as drunk as I think you are, Miss Evans."
Lily giggled again and ruffled his hair playfully.
"You're confusing! I like you!"
James shook his head. Lily began to sway again.
"I feel a wee bit… sleepy." She commented before passing out in his arms.
James rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I suppose I shall have to carry you." He murmured and hefted her unconscious form into his arms, with her legs dangling over his left elbow. Lily was quite slight, so it was no problem for James, with his quidditch training.
James was so preoccupied with grinning in a smug way to himself that he forgot to step over the trigger step that would turn the staircase into a slide.
James and Lily tumbled down the stairs, with Lily ending up on top of James on the common room carpet. It was at that unfortunate moment that Sirius and Remus walked into the common room.
Sirius raised his eyebrows and Remus grinned.
"So, What's going on here then?" Sirius asked snidely, "couldn't wait until you were upstairs, could you?"
James gaped. It was then that Lily woke up.
"Mr Black." She slurred, "I'll have you know that I think you a most detestable creature…"
Lily looked down at James.
"Oh, hello there, Mr Potter. What are you doing under me, you naughty boy?"
James gently removed himself from under her. Remus chuckled. Lily fixed him with an emerald glare.
"What are you laughing at, werewolf boy?"
Remus's jaw dropped. He looked at James accusingly.
"I never told her!" James protested.
Lily laughed and got up shakily off the floor.
"I am too smart for you all!" she jeered, trying to do a drunken dance and almost falling over, "I found out on my own! Mr Potter tried to cover your tail but I found out!"
Remus went pale. Sirius gulped but Lily wasn't finished.
"I also know about the prank you are going to play on Snivellus, you naughty, naughty, naughty boys!"
She attempted to spank James but he caught her hands.
"That's enough, Miss Evans!" he growled, "Go to bed before I drag you up there!"
Lily pouted and slouched off up the stairs. James turned to Sirius, who scowled. Remus, on the other hand, looked positively delighted.
"I guess the pranks off." He said, quietly, "Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to bed. Goodnight Padfoot and Prongs."
Remus made his way up the stairs. Sirius sighed and scratched his scalp.
"Bugger. It would have been fun anyway to see Snivellus squirm."
James sighed.
"I think it would have been too risky."
Sirius drooped. James laughed.
"How about I make it up to you and turn his hair pink again."
Sirius barked a laugh.
"Dack him and you have a deal! I want to see how all over the spell is!"