The score was in the boys' favor: 425-417. If the tension within the school wasn't high enough, what with exams, make-ups and break-ups, it sure was now. The scoreboard hung in the corridor same as always, but as the days dripped by like water out of a leaky faucet, it began to seem more ominous to the many students who walked by it.
Teachers were getting more annoyed with the pranks than usual. McGonagall especially, who was said to have lost it when a dung bomb went off in her classroom sometime last week, was on a rampage to find the Marauderesses and unmask them. It was rumored that she had applied to the Ministry of Magic for a search warrant object that could detect pranks before they happened.
But so far, nothing much hadhappened. The Marauderesses were as discreet as ever, and the pranks from both teams were as brilliant as ever. It was like a contagious disease that everyone enjoyed. A raging battle of the sexes that girls and boys alike took up as a personal challenge. Over the last month, it hadn't just been the Marauders and Marauderesses that had been pranking. Although their tricks were always recognizable, that didn't stop the sixth years and lower from trying to match the two opponent's calibers with pranks of their own.
"It really is annoying." Gracie drawled, running a hand through her hair and leaning back in her chair. In late March, the high winds were slowing down and the snow was being replaced with rain. Meaning our heroines, along with our heroes, were forced to retreat to the library where they could plan. "We work this hard on our own pranks and now the youngsters get all chipper and think that they can handle the exact same thing."
"It's nothing to get upset about," Emma said evenly, anxiously scratching at her blank parchment with an empty quill, "Besides we have better things to focus on than unruly students."
"True." The brunette shrugged. "But if we plan on having Lily here any time soon, we're gonna need to get her away from James and back to our table."
"You say that like it's a piece of cake." Emma groaned. "We must be crackers for even trying!"
They both glanced far across the library, where the red head herself sat with James, talking and laughing along with the rest of the Marauders.
"You think that if we chuck paper over there she'll come?" Gracie asked lightly.
"Do it." Emma grinned.
"I can't believe you actually did that." James said, his shoulders shaking as he tried and failed to hide his laughter.
"It's true!" Lily whispered, looking around at all the Marauders. "And after that, Petunia never my borrowed my makeup again. And I have to say that I--…ouch!" She winced as a parchment ball hit her smack in the forehead.
"Who's it from?" James asked, leaning a little close to Lily to read it over her shoulder.
Lily's eyes scanned the small note and she looked across the library, blushing a brilliant shade of pink. "Gracie and Em. They want me to go over to their table and discuss….erm…our transfiguration paper."
"Okay, see you later, Lils." James lightly pinched her arm and she stuck her tongue out at him as she walked away. The last week or so had rendered them once more inseparable. Well…almost. Lily had still been seeing Chase, much to everyone's disgruntlement. As far as James was concerned, they were still just friends, still partners in crime, still secretly crazy about each other.
"Sorry," Lily apologized; face still tinted rose color as she took a seat at the girl's table, "I was with James and…" She trailed off. What was there to lie about? Nothing Gracie or Emma would believe. "That's it. I was with James."
"We know." Gracie muttered. "I could feel the love fumes across the entire library."
The red-head rolled her eyes but otherwise continued on as if nothing had changed in their plans for planning. "So, any ideas?"
"None." Emma said, allowing her head to bang rather sharply on the desk. "Sure, this week's prank is a sure-fire hit. As long as we find our victim in time."
"But what about the final prank?" Lily asked eagerly. "You guys haven't thought of anything?"
"Lily, we're trying to think of big and climactic." Emma sighed, purple eyes revealing her exhaustion. "But there's nothing in the universe we haven't done that we can be sure that the Marauders won't try."
Across the Library, the Marauders let out a collective crow of delight and all high-fived each other, shouting about a final prank surprise. The girls groaned.
"Lily…" Gracie began. "We have five days exactly until April fool's Day. April First. THE END OF THE PRANKWAR DAY. We have to think of something brilliant that can get us to win."
Lily glared after the boys. "You know, sometimes, I just wish I could make every single one of them vanish. We wouldn't have issues without them, right Grae?"
Gracie snorted. "You got that right. Em?"
The ebony haired Marauderess was staring straight ahead, at something no one could see. It took her a few minutes for her to snap out of it, but as her eyes met Lily's and Gracie's both, she said softly, "Lily, repeat that first sentence."
The red head did, and with a gasp, the three girls were hit with a lightning bolt of inspiration. It was perfect. They were sure to win. They wouldn't let the boys win this time.
"Em, you get the books," Lily said, "Gracie, you find the room where we can make this work," She stood up and swung her bag on her shoulder quicker than a whip, "As for me, I'm going to go begin our next prank. Over and out Midnight and Frown."
No one noticed the girls leave the library in separate directions, each boring a determined expression on her face. No one noticed the Marauders whisper excitedly about their final prank, something about a 'fuse' and a 'perfect lighting ground'. No one saw the glance that Lily and James shared, so small it might have been nonexistent. No one noticed that at some point that afternoon, the yowls of Mr. Filch's cat could no longer be heard along the hallways.
It didn't matter, however, if anyone saw them or not. The explanation of each would be revealed within the next week, without a doubt.
"Has anyone seen James?" Lily asked as soon as dinner had begun that evening. Her plate remained untouched, and she looked around the room with searching eyes.
"Potter?" Chase Davies rolled his eyes. "Goodness Lily, I'm sure he's off shagging a girl again."
"James," Lily began, emphasizing her mate's first name with a rather rude glare, "Doesn't shag on Saturday nights. In fact, he never shags."
Chase shrugged, not giving a hoot. "More potatoes, dear?"
Gracie muttered something into her soup that sounded a lot like 'Dear? My arse' while Lily winced at the pet name and shook her head, staring anxiously at the Gryffindor table.
Emma shot Lily a short look, as if to ask, "Why are we even sitting here?" And Lily shrugged, as if she didn't know herself.
The Ravenclaw table was looking particularly nasty tonight, seeing as the Quidditch Cup Finals were tomorrow. In the end, Slytherin had forfeited due to love struck players who kept professing love to Madam Hooch in the middle of the last match (Courtesy of the Marauders) and Ravenclaw was the only other team besides Gryffindor to go undefeated.
So tomorrow was the final Quidditch game of the year: Gryffindor v. Ravenclaw A.K.A. James Potter (Captain and seeker) v. Chase Davies (Captain and Seeker). There obviously wasn't going to be much good sportsmanship between both teams, because everywhere the girls looked, a Ravenclaw glared them down.
"Maybe he's up in the dorm." Lily said, beginning to rise.
"Sit down, Lily." Chase said sharply, causing Gracie to raise an eyebrow. "Look, I know Potter is your mate, but you can talk to him after dinner."
For a minute, it looked like Lily would comply. Emma bit her lip and Gracie sucked in a breath. The red-head blinked at her boyfriend for a moment before standing up again and looking down imperiously at him.
"This is my best mate we're talking about, Chase. I'm going to go find him whether you like it or not." With that said she stood up and walked to the Gryffindor table.
Gracie glanced around, torn between amusement and anger at Chase's behavior. She finally gave up and walked away, Emma with her.
"Have you seen James?" Lily asked, coming up behind Sirius.
"He's up in his room, worrying away." Sirius grunted. "He locked us out."
Lily's brow furrowed. "He's that worried about a bloody match?"
The boys looked at her, as if she had just uttered the worst possible insult ever.
"Yes," Remus sniffed, looking very affronted, "He's that worried about a 'bloody match'. He claims he can't do it tomorrow."
Lily wasn't even listening, having grabbed a plate and filling it with James' favorite food. "I'm going up to talk to him."
"You're not going to make a difference, Evans." Peter tried helpfully, only earning a withering glare from Lily. "He's not letting anyone in."
"I'm not just anyone, am I?" Lily grumbled as she stalked off towards the Gryffindor tower, plate in hand. "And I plan on making him listen."
It took her all of five minutes to get up to the Head's Dorm, and three seconds to get to James' room.
"Open up, James!" She shouted, banging on the door. If it was going to come to this, dragging him out kicking and screaming, she would do it.
"Lily?" Came a weak voice from behind the door.
"Yes, you prat. Now open up!"
"NO!"
"So help me James Potter, I will owl your mother and tell her that her son is a bloody coward if you don't come out here right this minute!"
Silence.
The door creaked open slowly and Lily's eyes widened two times their size to find a shirtless James Potter sprawled about on the floor. She immediately dragged her gaze to the floor.
"I'm sick." He moaned.
"What do you mean you're sick?" She asked irritably, plopping down on the floor beside him as if it was an everyday routine. "We already knew about your mental issues, James. It's not a surprise."
"I was so worried about the match that I threw up this afternoon. All of my lunch was on the floor. It was gross."
"James," Lily lay down next to him and put the plate of food out of sight. "It's a Quidditch game. You love Quidditch. You're good at Quidditch. So what's there to worry about?"
He didn't reply, only groaning and turning over onto his stomach. Lily shook her head and took his hand. "I can't believe you're getting so worked up about a Quidditch match, Potter."
"It's not aQuidditch match, Lils." He glowered. "It's theQuidditch match. If we don't win this, I'll be a failure as a Gryffindor Quidditch Captain."
"You're a wee bit over dramatic for someone who claims to be so confident, James, don't you think?"
"Yep, that's me, always full of surprises."
"Are you saying you're just not going to show up because you're afraid you'll fail?"
He rolled his eyes. "That's the general idea."
She hit him.
"OW! Stop it!"
"You stop being a baby!"
"Go away!"
"James, you're acting like a child!"
"What else is new?"
Lily let out an exasperated sigh and hit him again. He groaned again.
"James?"
No answer. Translated: What, Lils?
"You practiced your team into top shape. If you don't win tomorrow, it won't be because you're not good enough, or any of your teammates for that matter."
Again, no answer. Translated: Your point?
Lily propped herself up on one elbow. "I think you should know that in the case that you do lose, I will be there for you." He opened his eyes and looked confusedly at her. "It sounds stupid, I know. Besides, what's the worst the game could get?"
"Have you ever seen Ravenclaw play?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
She shrugged. "You think I follow you Quidditch Fiends with your madness?"
He grinned. "Then I guess you'll have to see for yourself how dirty these games can get when everyone's under pressure, eh Lils?"
The red-head laughed and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure it'll blow my socks off and have me on the edge of my seat. I'll be amazed, as always."
"You sound amazed." He noted sarcastically. The both laughed quietly in the dark of the dorm room before locking eyes for a long moment.
"Do you want me to stay?" She asked looking around the room, "And clean up your puke when you up chuck again?"
"I'm sure Chase is looking for you," He replied evenly, keeping the bitterness from his voice.
Despite the lack of light, her blush was easily spotted. "Okay, I'll go. You'll do great tomorrow." She stood up slowly and, after ruffling his hair, began to walk out the room.
"Hey Lils?"
She stopped. "Yes?"
He smiled up at her, his eyes bright with something she rarely saw and could never recognize. "Thanks."
And with that, she closed the door and went to her own dorm.
The first thing a person must know about Quidditch Cup Finals at Hogwarts, is that everyone took it seriously. Even the bookish social outcasts left the library to attend the last match. There was no universal force that could stop them from seeing the last, dirty, guttural Quidditch Match at Hogwarts.
It should also be mentioned that when the day of said Quidditch Match came around, everyone in the school had taken sides, as usual.
It was the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors versus Slytherin and Ravenclaw that morning in the Great Hall. Everyone was mostly quiet and tense and at their house table. Even Lily, who was now receiving malicious looks from Chase and his friends in their black and blue Quidditch robes, was at her own table with Gracie and Emma.
"James is coming." Lily said, her voice completely even as the entire Gryffindor Quidditch Team surrounded her.
Sirius shook his head disbelievingly. "I don't know how you managed to get into his room, Evans. But whatever it is, I think its reason enough to keep you around."
"Thanks so much." The red-head snorted. She scanned the Great Hall with narrowed eyes and then a grin broke out on her face.
"The Captain has arrived." Was all she managed to announce before the Gryffindor table erupted in raucous cheering and screaming.
James marched into the Great Hall, Quidditch robes hanging almost gracefully about his person, his fist raised and punching the air repeatedly. Lily smiled and had to mentally restrain herself from leaping up and running over to hug him. She didn't even notice Chase's scowl deepen as she joined the cheering.
The Captain managed to make his way over to his friends after swimming through the sea of unknown faces saying 'Good luck' and 'You'll do great'. He took a casual seat next to Lily and grinned at everyone.
"Are you alright James?"
"We heard you were sick!"
"You're still gonna play right?"
"Guys, let the bloke have his space!" Lily shouted above everyone else, holding her hands out and shoving the hoards of people away. "James is fine, James was sick, but he's now better, and James is still playing. Now, let the Captain have his balanced breakfast!"
"Thanks." He muttered, sneaking a grin at Lily, whose green eyes sparkled.
"Don't thank me just yet." She whispered below everyone else's chatter, promptly shoving a forkful of pancakes into James' mouth.
He chewed, swallowed and laughed as Lily continued feeding, repeating over the same phrase, "The Captain needs his balanced breakfast."
By the time James had eaten a plate of pancakes and some eggs, Lily let him alone and began to eat her own breakfast.
"You're still rooting for Gryffindor, I take it?" He asked, fingering Lily's scarlet and gold scarf.
"Since when have dates ever topped mates?" She asked dryly. "Of course I'm rooting for Gryffindor. Besides, I hear that the Captain is quite the charmer."
James grin was growing in diameter. "You don't say!"
"Yes." Lily turned to him, not exactly sure what bizarre adrenaline rush was making her do this, but loving it all the same. "I do."
"ALL QUIDDITCH PLAYERS TO THEIR LOCKER ROOMS. ALL STUDENTS TO THE QUIDDITCH PITCH." Dumbledore's voice rang out over the hall and in a flash; every student was up on their feet and moving like a startled herd of cattle.
Lily stood slowly and chucked James under the chin. "Kick some arse out there, Potter. For me."
Only you. Were the words that crossed James' mind as she began to walk away, hips swaying slightly and long hair pooling down her back, something she rarely let happen.
"LILY!"
She pivoted towards him. All words he wanted to say froze on his tongue. From the green eyes to the freckled nose, she was beautiful. It was the perfect moment as all the students walked around them. He had to say something.
I love you.
Don't date Chase.
Don't do this to me, Evans.
"Yes?" She looked hopefully at him. Say it. Say it, James.
"I…I just wanted to tell you to stay to the right side of the hallway on the way to the Pitch."
"Why?" Lily looked quizzical.
"Marauders Prank is on the left side. Just trust me."
She nodded slowly. "Alright then. Thanks. Bye."
"Bye." James sighed as she walked off.
Remus patted him on the shoulder. "Pathetic, Mate. Simply Pathetic."
"Oh, sod off!" James grumbled walking out the Great Hall. "C'mon. We've got some arse to kick."
Lily listened to James about the hallway tip-off. Thankfully, she was saved from the ultimate embarrassment of the newest prank: dozens of students with their skirts blown up just like Marilyn Monroe. McGonagall was the first to step on the vent trigger, her robes flying up to reveal her rather embarrassing underwear. Severus Snape was hit, showing off those same dish-water colored knickers that the Marauders had showed off during fifth year. Angie was next, wailing about how she had her red knickers on instead of her black knickers. Gracie was hit, swearing up a storm and losing five points from Gryffindor. She would have continued screaming a string of curse words at McGonagall if Lily and Emma hadn't dragged her to the Quidditch pitch.
By the time the entire school reached the stands, half the students had stepped on a vent and had their undergarments displayed to their friends, or boyfriends, or enemies. The idea it was the Marauder's prank started to surface when the boys began showing more interest in people's undergarments than the girls did.
Lily laughed quietly all the way to her seat in the Gryffindor stands, muffling it in her scarf and ignoring Gracie's furious glares. It was brilliant. The Marauders were brilliant. It was but for a moment she considered that the boys should win the bloody prankwar. Only a moment.
Once the panic about the vents had calmed down, the excitement for the match began. Lily couldn't recall ever sitting so still in a seat as she watched both teams line up and face each other. Through Emma's ominoculars she saw James and Chase shake hands, grimacing menacingly all the while.
"Hey, look at it this way," Gracie said, considerably less foul mouthed than earlier, "If Chase wins, your boyfriend will be happy, but your best mate will be depressed. Either way, you lose."
"I don't care if Chase loses." Lily spat out, looking surprised as the words themselves exited her mouth.
Emma smiled. "Ah, we have made progress. Lily is cracking."
"I want James to win, that's all." The red-head said defiantly, sitting up a little straighter.
Her friends rolled their eyes, but said nothing as Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the match began.
It was the dirtiest of the dirty, as far as Quidditch Matches were concerned. Every couple minutes Madam Hooch would have to blow her whistle and give penalties to Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Lily kept her eyes on the seekers both. James was circling the pitch and Chase was tailing him.
"Copycat bastard." She cursed under her breath.
"What was that?" Gracie asked airily, looking as if she was enjoying the match very much.
Lily blushed. "Oh, nothing."
The match seemed to drag on for hours. The teams were neck and neck. Gryffindor's offense was ruthless, but so was Ravenclaw's. The girls saw bludgers flying across the field faster than the snitch seemed to be flying, the quaffles moving in a red streak. The snitch itself was nowhere to be seen.
The score was tied 110-110. Lily was quite sure she had screamed herself hoarse at every foul, goal and penalty given the entire game, but she wasn't the only one. All four house stands were a flurry of color and movement and noise.
"Man down!!!" Someone suddenly screamed. The student watched in horror as Remus, the keeper, was hit with a bludger and fell at the sand at the base of the goal posts.
Everyone seemed more than jarred by the loss of the keeper. Lily distinctly saw James run a hand over his face and Chase smirk. And then, a flash. Another. Lily took her ominoculars down and looked right in front of her.
The Snitch.
Five inches from her face.
The game continued on, everyone oblivious. Lily tried to shoo it away, but the snitch just sat there, hovering over her shoulder, now behind her head. She had to do something quick; Ravenclaw just scored twice.
It was a split second decision she made in that moment and probably the most suicidal thing she had ever willingly done in her life, but Lily opened her mouth and did it all the same.
James, flying some fifty feet above the stands, was getting rather pissed off at Davies' and his tailing. He was considering pulling another Wronski Feint when a voice shattered his chain of concentration.
"JAAAAAAMMMMESSSSS!!!!"
He swung around and immediately locked eyes with her. Throughout the whole game he had been making sure she was watching him and not Chase, and now, her gaze was more brilliant than it had ever been, despite his being more than half the field away from her.
She didn't say much else, merely raising her finger to her shoulder and mouthing a single word.
Snitch.
It didn't take much thought or pondering to decide what to do. James lay flat on his broom and took off, racing past goal posts and players and streaks of color. He couldn't see the snitch, though he knew it was there. He had no idea how Lily was going to get out of the way in time. But there wasn't any way to wonder now.
In that five point four seconds it took the students and teachers to understand what James was doing and where he was headed, all was quiet. And then, as James roared towards the Gryffindor stands, "Everyone duck!" panic began to ensue.
"Prongs, where are you going?" Sirius yelled, but James ignored him. The Quidditch players cleared the air like startled doves.
Only Lily stood still as a statue, not even breathing as James hurtled towards her. If she revealed the snitch, Chase would see it, and have a chance at getting it.
"Lily duck!" James screamed, desperation seeping through him.
"Not yet!" She yelled back.
Twenty feet. Ten feet. Five feet. He'd crash into Lily any second now. He stretched his hand out for the unseen snitch, not sure whether he was going to use it to push Lily out of the way or win the game.
Almost there…
Lily ducked, pressing her entire body flat to the floor of the stands. James flew over her, feet skimming her back as his fingers closed around the tiny, golden, taken-quite-by-surprise snitch.
The stands exploded with screams and jeers and cheers. James felt his stomach swoop as he pulled out of the dive and did a victory lap around the stadium.
"VICTORY FOR GRYFFINDOR!" Sirius screamed as students began to pour out of the stands and onto the field.
Lily stood up in the stands, smiling the biggest smile she had ever smiled in her life. Gracie and Emma stood beside her, gaping.
"Was that whole stunt planned?" The brunette asked, gesturing to James and her.
Lily shrugged, hiding a grin. "You never can tell, can you?"
The throng of students became a mob, all reaching to thump the team on the back. They hoisted James and the cup above on their shoulders and all joined in on a cheer, "GO GO GRYFFINDOR!" Lily didn't even have eyes for the Ravenclaw captain, who bellowed at his team for their poor playing tactics. She eventually walked down to the gold and scarlet mob with Gracie and Emma, screaming herself hoarse all over again and punching her fist in the air with all of her friends and classmates.
She would wait until later to congratulate James, when it was just the two of them.
Besides, she thought to herself with a wry smile, the boy could always do with an ego boost.
The parade back to Gryffindor tower was taking longer than expected. As always, the team was hoisted above the crowd and carried, students and fan girls in the wake.
"HE'S JUST SO HOT!!" A third year squealed to her friends, regarding Sirius with bright eyes.
Gracie pretended to gag. "That's disgusting. I—" She was cut off as her skirt flew up in her face; she had triggered one of the vents.
"SODDING HELL!" She screeched, jumping off the floor like a frightened cat.
"I see London, I see France!" Sirius crowed, grinning down at her.
Lily and Emma walked ahead, not even bothering to stop the two from arguing.
"You're lucky you're up so high, Black, otherwise I'd hex you into oblivion." She glared.
"Gracie, your words are music to my ears." He hopped off of Peter's shoulders. "I love it when you go all commando on me."
Gracie stared at him, looking as if she wanted to smile and doing a pathetic job of trying to hide it. She finally stalked off, glaring as multiple vents tortured girls around her.
Lily got to the front of the parade, where James was standing with Remus and pleading with the Fat Lady's Portrait.
"What's going on?" The red-head asked sharply.
"We're trying to get her to let the Hufflepuffs in, too." James said. "They deserve to party with us!"
"I am the Portrait judged with letting only Gryffindors in." The Fat Lady fussed. "Only. Gryffindors."
James tried begging her a little further, but when she wouldn't budge, they had to send the Hufflepuffs to their own dorm. Remus sighed and let the still jubilant Gryffindors into the tower. Lily patted James on the shoulder.
"Don't worry Captain." She said sympathetically. "I'm sure the party won't be lacking in any respects. Now go on and have yourself a good time."
Gracie marched past them, muttering darkly about 'hormonal men deserving to die'. James smiled and looked down at Lily, beaming at him in her Gryffindor scarf.
"I'm proud of you, Head Boy." She stated, nodding in approval.
"Me? With my windswept hair and dirty Quidditch robes?" He raised a dark brow and his hazel eyes glinted through his glasses.
"Especially with your windswept hair and dirty Quidditch robes." She confirmed.
Boyfriends be damned, James pulled her to him and hugged her tight, wrapping his arms about the small of her back. She sighed and hugged him back; enjoying the smell of freshly mown grass that seemed to linger in his robes a little too much.
More students filed past, snickering as the Head Boy and Girl separated, looking rather flustered. James held his hand up. "High five for the Captain?"
Lily jumped and laughed out loud when he raised his hand so she couldn't reach it. She was about to jump on his back and demand a piggy ride for that insult to her height when someone grabbed her arm and wrenched her around.
Chase.
A rather pissed looking Chase, at that.
"Lily." He said curtly. The crowd had stopped filing into the common room and was now staring at the couple with avid interest. "Potter."
"Davies." Came James' reply.
"I wanted to tell you I know." Chase continued, ignoring James completely.
Lily frowned. "Know about what?"
"That you're shagging Potter when I'm not around."
Her green eyes widened and Lily pulled her arm from Chase's grip. "Honestly, Chase? You're going to believe that gossip mill and the fan girls?"
"I know your games, Lily. You helped him win the match. You're always making up excuses to go talk to him. I get it." Was all her boyfriend replied before rounding on James. "And you, stay away from her."
"He's my friend!" The red-head cried exasperatedly. "Quit the jealousy act!"
Chase didn't even hear her as he swung his fist back and punched James in the jaw.
"JAMES!" Lily shouted as he stumbled backwards, grunting in pain. Chase didn't even give James a chance to retaliate, whipping out his wand and shouting, "Protego!"
The shield charm hit James hard enough to throw him against the castle wall, his skull smacking against the stone with a rather loud thud. He crumpled to the floor, passed out.
"Oi!" Sirius yelled, thundering through the people towards Chase. "C'mere, you slimy git!"
"Padfoot." Lily said in a deadly quiet voice. "I'll take care of Davies, please take James to the hospital wing."
Sirius stopped, his grey eyes flicking furiously between Lily and Chase and James. He finally shrugged, seeming to decide that Lily was a big girl who could handle this. He muttered, 'Wingardium Leviosa' and began to head down the corridor, passing Lily as he went and saying, "Please do him bodily harm, Evans."
"I plan on it." She informed Sirius, her tone still very still.
The corridor was silent, but the entire Gryffindor house had somehow managed to come out and watch what was going on without the Head Girl's noticing.
The red-head spoke not a word, simply staring at Chase Davies with a malevolence that everyone thought she only saved for James on special occasions. Everyone waited with bated breath for Lily Evans to take her wand out and hex him into oblivion, to use every jinx ever written down in a book.
What she actually did was no let down, despite its differentiation from everyone's expectations.
Lily strode forward and slammed her fist into Chase's face not once, but twice, thrice times. One to the eye, one to the jaw, one to the lip. Chase stumbled back, spitting blood and looking both humiliated and angered as his girlfriend bared down upon him. The crowd gasped and 'ooed' like a regular audience; there were even a few cheers from the girls.
"In case that didn't clarify, Davies, I'm breaking up with you." She said loudly, for everyone to hear. It was unlike Lily to make a public spectacle of a personal matter, but she wanted to banish any rumors forming in the devious heads of the gossip queens. "And not because you basically accused me of being a cheater and a slag, but because you attacked the Head Boy, my best mate, James Potter. That was a deliberate offense. I'll see to it that you have detention this week and that I never speak to you again."
She began to turn away, but then turned back, having distinctly seen Sirius' face in the crowd once more. She had forgotten her promise to him.
"Oh," She simpered, walking back to Chase, "And here's something to remember me by."
She kneed him in the groin. Chase fell to the floor and then began to crawl off down the corridor. Lily turned to the crowd, feeling an odd glow as all eyes fell on her. She now knew what James felt when he acted up to get attention. It felt good.
"Right," She began, keeping her composure and her ego in check, "The party will continue, but no liquor and no spreading untrue rumors." Her vicious green eyes swept over the faces of the younger girls. "You all saw what happened. There's nothing going on between James and I. Chase Davies is merely a paranoid prick. Now," She turned to Sirius, who was wearing a broad grin, "Did I leave anything out?"
He shrugged, looking all the more proud. "Nope. You cleared it up pretty well, Evans."
Everyone was quiet for a bit. A first year shouted, "Go Lily!" and a few applauded.
"Alight, we've got a party to start, so go on in!" Gracie shouted, taking control of the situation. The students bustled towards the Portrait Hole once more. Lily ran a hand through her hair, looking suddenly exhausted.
Emma walked over, "You coming, oh victorious warrior for women all around?"
Lily laughed. "As if. I've got to go see if James is okay."
"Pomfrey won't let you see him." Sirius glowered as he walked over. "Says he needs his bed rest." He turned to Peter and said, "Ten galleons says he wakes up with an amputated limb."
"When will she let visitors in?" Lily asked anxiously as Peter shook Sirius' hand in agreement.
"I'd check this evening if I were you." Remus offered.
The girls and boys clambered into the Portrait Hole just as Gracie said, "But honestly, Lils, where did you learn to swing like that?"
The door closed.
The Fat Lady leaned out of her portrait into another and said, "Lily Evans sticking up for James Potter. Did you see that, Vi?"
Her painted friend nodded, looking just as perplexed as the Fat Lady felt. "Now I know I've seen everything." She paused, offering the Fat Lady a glass of wine. "But you know, I always did think they'd make the cutest couple…"
Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs,
Good day and greetings. We would like to congratulate you on your defeat of the Ravenclaw team in the Quidditch Finals. Though how your team managed to win with a collective IQ level of thirteen we're not sure. We would simply like to remind you that in a few days time, we will be wrapping up this prankwar and unveiling our final pranks. Be reminded that no one is allowed to be physically or mentally harmed and no school property can be permanently destroyed.
We would also like to ask that you turn the vents off, because quite a few girls are being humiliated by the revealing of their undergarments.
Sincerely,
Midnight, Freckles and Frown A.K.A. The Marauderesses
P.S. - It's also important so say that our prank will be seen in….high places tonight. Heads up, gents.
"Evans, we already saw Pomfrey an hour ago. If she didn't let us in then, why would she let us in now?"
Lily stabbed at her macaroni. "I just want to talk to James and see how he is. Is that too much to ask?"
"For Pomfrey it is," Gracie groaned, "The woman's a complete nutter when it comes to students and injuries."
"Do you guys hear that sound?" Peter asked suddenly.
"Well, I don't care what she says," Lily huffed, ignoring Peter, "I want to see James."
"It sounds like meowing." Peter continued.
"She said he'll be out in a few days. I guess he hit the wall a little hard." Remus stated.
"Um….guys…"
"Well, I still can't wait!"
"GUYS!" Peter called shrilly.
"What?" Lily snapped.
"Listen…"
Gracie, Lily, Remus, Sirius and Peter all strained their ears.
"It is meowing…" Remus said bemusedly.
"But where's it coming from?" Sirius asked. The five of them were obviously not the only ones able to hear that strangled yowling; most students were listening as well.
"It's probably a banshee!" Second year Carrie Wilkes started telling her friends. "I heard the Forbidden Forrest is full of them!"
Now, one would think that with this being a magic school, students would be used to mysterious noises coming from corridors, but that didn't stop these particular students from rushing out the Great Hall to find the source of the sound, teachers and prefects following in tow for the use of crowd control.
It wasn't until they rounded the corner that everyone burst into laughter.
Because there, tied to the highest of chandeliers in the area, Peeves swooping about her was Mrs. Norris. And while some would consider it animal cruelty to tie Mrs. Norris to a dangling decorative, no student in Hogwarts felt one ounce of remorse for the feline, who was known for turning in any rule breakers to Filch with a simple mew.
The cat, looking rather angry, hissed and yowled as Peeves circled her, pelting bits of chalk at her fur.
Lily grinned as Emma appeared next to her, looking a little flustered. "Sorry, I didn't mean to take so long. But the cat started scratching."
"Where did you come from?" Remus asked, glaring suspiciously at Emma.
"The library." She replied smoothly. "I had an essay to research for. Transfiguration."
"You mean the one you told Lily you finished this morning?"
Emma's violet eyes widened and she back tracked. "I needed to check on a few facts. You can never be too careful."
Remus looked like he wanted to say something else, but Lily's bark of laughter bade him to look up. Argus Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts and owner of Mrs. Norris, was shuffling through the crowd, sobbing hysterically about his 'Poor poor sweeting Norris'.
As always the case when a prank was played, laughter danced about the hall like super balls. But unlike most days, it was quickly silenced as McGonagall stalked forward, followed by six small men.
"Goblins." Sirius muttered. "Damn, the Ministry listened to her and gave her bloody Goblins."
"And this means?" Gracie asked, standing on her tip toes to see the Deputy Headmistress.
"Just watch." He whispered.
McGonagall walked right under the chandelier, said something to one of the Goblins, who promptly flew up with three other Goblins in tow.
All three transformed into vultures. Long wings, short, sharp-looking beaks.
"They're animagi?" Lily asked. "I thought only humans could be those!"
"Goblins have powers of their own." Sirius sneered. "Their race is ancient, and magic is deep in their blood," His grey eyes followed the birds as the soared to the top of the chandelier, "Some join Voldemort as spies, others work for the Ministry."
"What do they get in return?" Emma wondered aloud.
"The only things Goblins want," Sirius said flatly, "Gold. Treasure. McGonagall must have asked for some to look for the Marauderesses and keep tabs on everything that's going on."
Hushed voices of worry rippled through the throng of students as the vultures reached the chandelier and picked up the small Mrs. Norris in their gnarled talons.
"One thing for sure," Peter whispered, "Pranking is gonna be harder than ever now."
Lily met Gracie and Emma's eyes with a worried glance, but said nothing more on the matter. The vulture-Goblins handed off the cat to McGonagall who removed a small note that had been stuck to the cat's tail.
"Courtesy of the Marauderesses." She read aloud, looking as if she could burn the note up with her eyes on the spot.
There was a small burst of cheering but then it was silenced as McGonagall watched the students and the vultures' eyed the cat with beady eyes.
"I think that it should be mentioned to all prankers that I am cracking down on you," McGonagall fixed her gaze on everyone in a single second, "Marauderesses, wherever you are, beware. Marauders," Her eyes landed contemptibly on Sirius, Remus and Peter, "You already know what's coming. Perhaps you should warn the girls, like good gentleman."
Breaking the silence that followed McGonagall's speech, Filch suddenly rushed forward and grabbed his feline companion. The dim mood was instantly shattered as he began cooing at the cat and licking the fur behind her ears, as if he himself was a cat, too.
"Now that," Sirius said, holding his stomach as he laughed "Is weird."
"Tell me about it," Gracie cackled, her ponytail bouncing as she shook with giggles, "I knew Filch had social issues with relating to people and all, but this? Merlin!"
In her attempt to stop from laughing, Gracie leaned on Sirius' shoulder. Somehow his arm slipped around her tiny waist and now they were standing there, grinning like loons, acting exactly the way most couples did.
"Let go of me," Gracie said. It wasn't a demand, and Sirius considered it more of a reminder to pay heed to at one point or another.
"If you insist." He let go, winking at her as she began to glower. "You know, for a minute there, it was almost as if we were getting along."
The brunette bit her lip and then grinned cockily. "First, delusions that I'm in love with you, now hallucinations that I'm getting along with you? What next, Sirius?"
"You tell me." He grinned back just as cockily. She rarely called him by his first name.
She rolled her eyes and shrugged past him. "How about I leave to get some sleep and you stay right here?"
"I know you'll be thinking about me all night!" He called after her.
Gracie smiled to herself, a smile that reached all the way to warm brown of her eyes. Most people missed it because they didn't know it could exist on her face.
Sirius saw it though, and it made all the difference in the world. Lily, who saw the whole exchange and the meaning behind it, followed Gracie, noticing that as she passed Remus and Emma that the two seemed to be arguing.
"I don't want to talk about this, Remus." Emma shook her head furtively. "Later, okay?"
"Emma, I'm going to the Hospital Wing, want to come with?" Lily knew that the poor girl needed out of the conversation.
"Sure." Emma said, walking away from Remus feeling slightly more than guilty.
"You're free to go to the dorms as soon as we get out of sight." Lily said under her breath.
Emma sighed heavily. "Thanks, Lils."
"LILY!"
The red-head glared as Chase came limping over to her, sporting a black eye and holding a bag of ice to the front of his pants. "I need to talk to you, Lily."
She didn't even spare a passing glance, walking right past her ex-boyfriend. They turned the corner and Emma took off for the girl's dorms, giving Lily one more hug before she did.
Midnight, Freckles and Frown,
Heads up? Thanks for the hint. Now the entire school has been scarred with the image of Filch licking fur off his own cat.
We will of course remember all the rules when it comes to Finale of the prankwar. It's gonna be big, so we'd be ready if we were you….
Also, it should be mentioned that the vents won't turn off until tomorrow at nine A.M. Sorry.
IQ of 13?! The Quidditch team?! Mr. Prongs would like to say that he is personally offended by this jibe.
Sincerely,
Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs
P.S. - Seen the scoreboard lately? We'd be nervous if we were you!
"Please let me in, Madam Pomfrey!" Lily begged, banging rather loudly on the Hospital Wing doors. "I need to see James!"
"Mr. Potter is indisposed of right now!" Shrieked the Nurse from inside the hospital. "He doesn't need the high stress of visitors at this hour! Besides, shouldn't you be in bed?"
"It's my duty as Head Girl to make sure my Head Boy is going to be okay. And as Head Girl, I'm allowed to be about the castle at this hour. It's only ten 'o clock!"
Madam Pomfrey opened the door a crack. "He's sleeping, Miss Evans. Snoring like a mountain troll. Besides, the Hospital Visiting Hours ended about four hours back. Now please go get some rest, Miss Evans!"
James doesn't snore. The fact that Pomfrey reported James snoring seemed rather odd. After all, Lily had fallen asleep next to James on the couch plenty of times and he hadn't even snuffled.
"Look, Madam Pomfrey," Lily held the door open with her foot, "I just want to see James. I won't wake him up; I won't so much as touch him."
The Nurse eyed the Head Girl for what seemed like hours and then heaved a sigh, opening the door all the way. "Very well, Miss Evans. I'm going down to the kitchens to help a House Elf with a Head Cold. When I come back, you better be ready to leave and not have woken up Mr. Potter yourself. I gave him sleeping draught earlier, so if he wakes up himself, that's fine."
"Thank you so so so much Madam Pomfrey!" Lily leapt forward and hugged the woman, who looked a little surprised, but let Lily in anyways, exiting the room herself not a second later.
The Hospital Wing was dark, with six beds along the walls and curtains around some. Every bed was empty and perfectly made. Lily walked among each one, looking for her favorite head of mussed, dark hair.
"Ah-ha." She whispered, smiling slightly.
There, on the last bed in the right row, lay James Potter. His hair was as messy as ever, though some of it was covered by a bandage that stretched around his head. His glasses sat upon his night stand, which was miraculously already piled high with 'Get Well' cards and Bertie Botts Bean's.
The Head Girl surveyed the scene with raised eyebrows. She then promptly seated herself next to James' leg, leaned close to his ear and whispered, "The coast is clear, You Big Fat Liar, Pomfrey has left. But I have to say that you're a terrible actor when it comes to fake sleeping. One should never fake snore when they don't normally snore."
His hazel eyes snapped open and she could tell by looking only at them that he was smiling. "Could you blame me? I mean, my eyes probably burned out of my head when I saw Pomfrey's knickers when she stepped over a vent. I couldn't risk opening them again."
"You guys placed the vents in the Hospital Wing?" It was hard not to laugh at James' expression.
"Unfortunately." He grimaced. "But I'm glad you got her out of here."
"Hey, anything for a mate." She shrugged. "How long have you been awake?"
He shifted in the bed, "About twenty minutes or so. Help me up, will you?"
Lily gave him a hand as he tried to sit up against the pillows. He groaned and leaned his head back against the wall.
"You look…spiffing." Lily tried with an uneasy smile. "What's the diagnosis?"
"A major concussion and cut on my head." He grunted, fumbling to put his glasses on. "It's no wonder this castle has never been attacked or brought down. It's indestructible!"
It felt great simply sitting there, talking to James as if nothing else in the world really mattered otherwise. He hardly looked tired at all, and the golden brown of his eyes was mesmerizing as he looked at her.
"I'm glad you're okay." She told him softly, meaning every word of it.
"I felt bad after I woke up." He confessed. "Because I had left you to deal with Davies. By the way, what did happen after I left?"
"There was…erm…a confrontation." Lily blushed.
"Don't I know it?" James laughed. "The first time I woke up he was in here getting an ice pack from Madam Pomfrey. Whoever took him down after I blacked out did a downright thorough job…serves him right, the prat."
"Er…" Lily blushed even more.
"Well who was it?" Asked James excitedly. "Who took him down? Was it Sirius? Gracie?"
"It was me."
"What?" He looked like he'd just hit the wall again.
"I beat up Davies. I punched him three times and then kicked him where it hurts." She paused. "And then I dumped him."
James stared blankly at Lily for a few seconds, but then burst out laughing. "That's my girl!" He near shouted, patting her on the back.
"You would have done worse to him." Lily pointed out.
"Damn straight I would have!" James spat. "But the fact that you did it yourself makes it all the more worthwhile! Nice job!"
It didn't take that long for Lily to believe him. "I'm glad you approve, James."
"Approve? Ha, Lils, I would have given my broomstick to see that fight!"
She laughed, and then he laughed. And soon they were cracking up like a right bunch of loons. The red-head's face began to hurt because she had been smiling so long.
"What made you do it?" He suddenly asked, all trace of humor gone. He was simply looking at her, stoic persona in full drive, making it so she couldn't read a single thought flickering behind those eyes.
She knew what he meant the instant he asked. It didn't make answering any easier. She tried for humor first.
"Because no one messes with my lackey." She said, making him smile. Lily twisted her fingers in the fringe on her scarf, the one she had been wearing all day, before looking back at him again. "And I suppose I was really mad."
"About?"
"Him accusing us. You and me." She gestured between the two of them. "I was pissed off because I don't get why everyone keeps thinking we're this meant-to-be item. I mean we're—"
"Just mates." He finished for her, feeling a twinge of regret as he did.
"Yeah." She agreed hollowly. "That."
"I would apologize for being the cause of this," James began, "But I always thought Davies was a bit of a git."
Lily giggled. "Me too." She glanced around and spotted some gifts on the nightstand. "You didn't open these yet?"
"No." He rolled his eyes. "Should I have?"
"Oh, look," Lily said fondly, having opened the first card already, "The first one's from Angie!"
"Bugger," James cursed, "Can't you spare me?"
"Dear James," Lily read in her highest, most-prissy voice, "I hope you feel better. And when you get out of the hospital, do me a favor and owl me, I've been wanting to talk to you! Love, Angie."
James opened his eyes. "Is it over yet? Am I safe?"
The red-head laughed. "Nope, onto the next card!" But as her fingers ran along the envelope, her finger was cut.
"Oh, bollocks." She grumbled, sucking the blood from her cut.
"You alright?"
"It's just a cut, James." Lily said, pulling away from his outstretched hand.
"It could get infected, let me see it!" He demanded childishly, reaching for her hand.
"James!"
"Lily!"
Silence.
"Fine." She held out her hand, which he took in his own.
He whistled. "That is a huge paper cut. You sure there wasn't like…a razor on the edge of the envelope?"
"Positive." She sighed.
"Hold still." He reached over to his table and grabbed some bandage that the Nurse had left.
"James, might I remind you that you are in fact the patient."
"Hush, Lils, I'm working."
As if his life depended on it, James measured out a wrap and wound it slowly around Lily's cut. It must have taken him five minutes.
"Thank you, James." She said almost grudgingly as he beamed at her.
He hadn't let go of her hand yet.
"It's been quite the day, hasn't it?" He asked quietly. His thumb had started rubbing in small circles on her palm and she was noticing it more than a bit.
She nodded, "I suppose. Can I have my hand back now, please?"
"Wait!" James cried. "I have one more malady that is fool proof. My own Grandmother Potter taught me this one!"
Before Lily could protest, he took her hand, lifted it too his lips, and lightly kissed her fingertip where the bandage was not covering.
Lily watched with wide eyes as uncanny warmth spread from her finger to the ends of her toes. Green irises met hazel in what seemed to be an endless staring contest. Something in the air about them changed, making it almost hard to breathe.
"James—"
"Sh." He said it almost fiercely, the look on his face shutting Lily right up.
Her body was no longer receiving messages from her brain because it was in panic mode. But somehow, her other hand went from his lips to his cheek, to his forehead, to his bandage, lightly touching the bump that had risen beneath the skin. Now back to his cheek. His eyes were drawing her in, making her lose all sense of feeling in her limbs.
"Lily." The very mention of her own name from his mouth was like a wave of fire through her system.
"James." It felt the same for him.
"I-" He stopped, unsure of what to say. Unsure if anything particular even needed to be said.
The Hospital door slammed open. The two of them burst apart like a firecracker.
"ALL VISITORS OUT AS OF THIS MOMENT!" Announced Madam Pomfrey. "Mr. Potter, it's time to take your sleeping potion again."
"But I only just woke up!" He complained as Lily sat up straight and began to gather her bag.
"You need rest! Or you will not return to your dorm tomorrow night either!" The Nurse cried, pouring a teaspoon of potion.
"Well, I…er…better go." Lily stood and James sat up straight, wincing as his head throbbed.
"Wait, Lily." He reached for her hand.
"Yes?" She let him take it.
"Swallow this." Pomfrey groused, and James complied.
"I need to tell you something." He said once he had swallowed the potion.
"What is it, James?" She leaned forward, sitting on the cot again.
His eyelids were already dropping over his eyes. "Lily Evans…I…..you…" His head dropped onto the pillow with a soft thump and he released her hand.
"What were you going to say, James?" Lily asked desperately, nudging him gently. But it was too late, he was asleep.
"Miss Evans, I distinctly remember you promising to be gone when I got back." Pomfrey glowered.
"Going. And thank you, Madam." She took one last look at the sleeping James, and hurried out of the room.
The walk back to Gryffindor tower took longer than it usually would, because Lily kept going over what had transpired in the hospital wing. Laughing with James, bantering with James, his lips on her sore finger, the way he said her name; it was all making Lily feel like she had tumbled right into some 19th century tragic romance. She had never been one to moon over anyone, yet Lily Evans was beginning to like the idea of doing so.
It wasn't until Lily passed the Prankwar scoreboard and saw the tally marks that she realized that this was no time for worrying about a boy, even if said boy had been part of her worries for the last six months or so. This was war, and she didn't plan on losing.
455-455. A tie. The Marauderesses had three days to perfect their last prank, as did the Marauders.
The race was on.
A/N: I'm aware that I deserve to be lynched for taking such a terribly long time on this chapter. Hopefully, the length of it (almost 10,000 words!!!) will satisfy your cravings! I have about two weeks before I go off to summer camp, so I'm going to really work hard and try to finish this story now. For an explanation of my random dissapearance for God-knows-how-many-months, see my profile.
Also, vote on the prank you like best and review the chapter, please! Like James, I need my daily ego boost, too !!!