Chapter 2: Friends?

"That girl doesn't know what's coming to her! I can't wait to see the look on her face once she realizes it's a fake!" laughed Sirius. They were in their dorm talking about the plan they just set in motion.

"I know! Even though we've done that trick a billion times, people still fall for it!" James, rolling with laughter, retorted from his bed.

"Wait till the whole school sees! Oh there is going to be some major embarrassment!" exclaimed Sirius Black, James's "best-est best friend in the whole wide world from now up to forever" (Note that this statement was given by James' little sister who was just seven at that time.)

James and Sirius have known each other for as long as they both could remember. They met Remus Lupin on their first year in Hogwarts. Despite of certain differences, all three boys had a friendship nothing could break-or so they thought-for they have a certain understanding; a secret that no one but themselves knew.

They were happy by themselves, but come second year, Destiny decided that they weren't meant to be a trio. In comes Peter Pettigrew; they were now a foursome. They met Peter while on detention. That is to say that James, Sirius, and Remus were in trouble and Peter was involved somehow. No one really knows why Peter Pettigrew, whom everyone thought to be plain and unconfident, became a part of the Marauders after that night. At first, all anyone could talk about was Peter, the Marauders, their decision to let Peter in on the group, and how jealous they were of Peter. But in time, the uproar subsided and Peter's sudden burst of popularity leveled.

The four went to bed that night anticipating what was to come the next day.

Lily had been up and about since five this morning, which was weird because it's a Saturday. Lily, being Lily, gets up as late as possible during weekends. She needed the sleep, too. Needed it after a week of almost no sleep and tons of schoolwork in which she obsesses with her life.

She was just starting to get to the climax of her dream when she was awoken by a giddy owl- if that term could even apply to an owl- that was pecking her cheek. She jumped up, suddenly wide awake as she saw the red envelope it was carrying. Fearing her dorm mates's finding out about her getting a howler, she untied the letter as fast as she could. This may seem simple at first glance, but it is something which suddenly becomes difficult under pressure. When she finally got it off the poor owl, she ran down to the transfiguration classroom; figuring that since it was always empty, she could be spared from certain embarrassment.

As she ran, she wondered why she received a howler. She never received a howler before. Sure she knew people who were sent howlers, but she just wasn't one of them.

Then it struck her, how could she have been so blind? She suddenly felt a pang of rage towards the Marauder; nothing unusual, but somehow different.

'They did this to me! McGonagal must have told my folks! I got a howler just because I was accused of pranking which is really not my fault! And it's not even true! Hmp! I hate those Marauders! I hate them!' She yelled at herself. But then another thought crept up on her, 'Yeah, you hate them all besides "him".' As she realized what she just thought, ' Curse this subconscious!' was all that she could add.

When she arrived at the classroom ten minutes later, she set the howler down on an empty desk. Catching her breath, Lily wondered why the howler hasn't exploded yet. She knew that howlers explode just a few seconds after being received. It's been ten minutes, and yet she is still holder hers. Unless, of course, if it wasn't a howler; if it was another ploy to humiliate her. "Damn those four!"

An hour and a half later, the early students were starting to get up. Lily was behind a sofa, peering under for something. She didn't notice when a boy with messy black hair came in the room, covered in lip imprints that barked nasty words at passers-by. The students in the common room, especially the younger ones, were shocked. Not only because of the charms, but also because the Gryffindor prefect, who was supposed to be a model of GOOD characters, was stripped down to his bright pink boxers.

James Potter stood in the middle of the room looking as though he just had a nightmare. He was mad. James strode towards Lily. One would have just either drop to their feet and begged him for mercy, or ran away and come back when he's cooled down. But Lily did neither. She stood her ground with a look on her face which told everyone she's not backing down.

Lily set up her plan that morning; she waited until James did his signature whenever he's angry. He was really pissed-off now and Lily could see that. But she has no worries. In fact, she is enjoying the moment.

Lily knew Jess would get upset if she wasn't included in the plan. So Lily decided to let her in. Besides, she needs the physical power from her friend. They didn't wake Nat up knowing that she wouldn't agree to their plan just because she had a little crush on-

SPLAT! A bucket of disgusting, grey muck fell on James. His lips turned from frowning, to expressionless. While this gesture would scare many others, both Lily and Jess did not allow themselves to be intimidated. Lily started to laugh her head off all the while when a newcomer woke-up.

"Take this off me, Evans." said James calmly.

"I don't know about you but I think it looks good on him." Sirius's voice floated in the air with a tint of amusement apparent in his tone.

"Shut-up Sirius and get this off me!"

"I agree with Sirius. Maybe we should take this off ...tomorrow?" Jess joined in and sat down beside Lily who still hasn't stopped laughing.

"Fine! I'll go take a shower!" James started to make his way up the dorm when Lily finally spoke in between stifles of laughter.

"That..spell..has no.. countercurse ! You..will have ..to wear it .for the ..rest ..of the ..day..ha!ha!ha!" Lily burst into another fit of laughter at the sight of James's face.

"YOU KNOW THAT TODAY IS THE DAY REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOLEIL ACADEMY ARRIVES! YOU JUST WANTED TO GET BACK AT ME FOR YOUR DETENTIONS! BUT WHY DI YOU HAVE TO PICK ON ME! THE OTHERS WERE IN IT, TOO!" James exploded which caused the whole common room to stare at him. Sure they've seen him angry before but never like this.

"Oh my God!" Lily was thunderstruck. In her haste to get even, she had forgotten her prefect duties. "Oh my God! Oh my God!" She won't stop saying those three words. She turned red, then white, but the look of horror in her face persisted. James, with the honest intention of healing his damaged pride, thought he had won.

"Lily? You might want to close your mouth and get ready for the arrival of the school which will be in another…"Jess checked the wall clock in the common room. "…ten minutes." She concluded.

With this Lily was beyond the 'oh my God stage'. She just sat down like a statue. James, who was looking smug a minute ago, now looked as worried as Jess and Sirius. Although none of the three seem like the serious or anxious type, all of them hold deep regard for the well-being of their fellow students. It hasn't been very long since the rumored death of a Hogwarts student inside the castle; each student is looking out for the other. James and Sirius are not Lily's friends, but both feel for their fellow Gryffindor.

Lily was never like this unless she was genuinely worried, and that is a rare occasion. Her calm demeanor and level-headedness makes her tough to crack, even under extreme pressure. This characteristic of hers played a huge part in her appointment as prefect.

But at that instant, it seems that her composure has left her. She looked exactly like she did during the time that her mum was involved in a hold-up. Her mum was in the grocery doing…well what you do in the grocery. She was next in the cashier so she was near the hold-uppers. Mrs. Evans was unfortunately taken hostage and was not released until the following day. Lily was transformed; she refused to eat sleep and attend class until the danger was over. For the second time in her Hogwarts life, Lily Evans is freaking-out- except this time, nobody knows the reason why.