Hey everyone, I want first off apologize for taking so long getting this chapter out. I had plans to keep writing when I was in school and I did start this chapter back in January but everytime I was inspired to write I had a million other things to do. Well all that is over for now, school has ended for me for the summer and now I have four months off in which I plan to do some major work on this story. So to my faithful readers I say thank you for your patience and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Once inside the common room, Susie starting yapping away about how great it was and wanting details. Lily on the other hand, took a look around the common room and realized that she did want to tell Susie all the details, just not here.
"Sus, the common room is really crowded right now. Think we could go somewhere else to talk? Somewhere more private?"
"Sure thing Lil, where did you want to go? Your room? My room?"
"Umm…somewhere more private actually,"
"Astronomy Tower? But I don't think Draco would appreciate you taking me…"
"The Room of Requirement," Lily quickly cut her off before she could continue on with that thought "It's isolated and not a lot of people know about its existence, it's perfect,"
"Alright Lily," Susie turned around to head out the door eying her wearily "Let's go"
And just like that the two girls walked out the way they had come not two minutes earlier.
When the girls exited the common room they found that Draco still stood there but that James and Sirius had joined him as well.
"There you guys are, we were wondering where you'd run off to so suddenly. We haven't even had a chance to celebrate our prank victory yet,"
"Oh ya about that Sirius, it's going to have to wait until later, Susie's dragging me to the Room of Requirement to talk,"
"Talk about what? Girl Stuff?"
"Yes, girl…"
"Lily and Draco kissed!" Susie then started jumping up and down squealing like a five year old on Christmas morning.
"What!?" Both Potter boys turned to look at their sister and friend who were both blushing a deep red.
"And now they're going out!" Susie continued her little happy dance.
"Susie not so loud, do you want the entire school to know?"
"I want to know why you're not more excited about this Lily"
"I am, its just…come on we can't talk about this here," Lily then started pulling on Susie's arm to get her moving in the direction of the Room of Requirement.
"Hold on a second, you kissed him?"
"Yes Sirius, I did,"
"Alright then, you" Sirius pointed towards Draco and James "Our room now and you" this time pointing to the girls "don't leave the Room, we'll be up in an hour to talk more,"
"Fine, now come on Susie let's go," with that the girls turned and walked away.
"Uhh…Sirius?"
"Upstairs now!" with that he pushed a white faced Draco and an amused looking James into the portrait hole.
A few minutes later the girls arrived at the Room of Requirement. It had been a quiet walk over. Lily seemed to be lost in her thoughts and Susie gave up on trying to get her to talk.
I hope Lily's not having second thoughts about this, because I know that'll break my brother's heart.
When they entered the room they noticed that it was small and cozy. Very similar to how it was set up when they held their meetings about the letter.
Once both girls were seated by the fireplace Susie immediately took the opportunity to ask the question that had been plaguing her thoughts since all this started.
"You're not having second thoughts about Draco are you Lily?"
"What? Merlin no! I've wanted this for a while,"
"Good, because with the way you were acting you kind of gave me that impression,"
"I'm sorry if I scared you Sus, I didn't mean to. I've just been thinking,"
"I can tell that, but thinking about what?"
"I guess thinking is the wrong word to use, analyzing is more what I've been doing,"
"Analyzing?"
"Ya, I'm going over the details of what has happened and what it entitles,"
"Okay…I'm not sure I get what you're saying"
"Well first off I really like Draco and I'm very happy that this has happened. I mean wow…"
"And I'm very sure that Draco feels the same,"
"I know, however this isn't going to be easy, and I'm worried about what will happen," Lily got up from her chair and began to pace.
"What do you mean Lil? What won't be easy?"
"Me, Draco, together."
"How come?"
"Well for starters look at who you're talking to. I'm Lily Potter, the Lily Potter only daughter to the great Harry Potter. This is going to be front page news and I don't know if I'm ready to deal with that. I mean its bad enough when I make the news by just going to Diagon Alley with some friends but this, this is huge"
"Well ya there's that, but that can't be all that's got you worried"
"It's not, there's the school. Everyone in Hogwarts is going to know about this, and kids will tell there parents who will tell other wizards who will tell the media who will tell my father,"
"Right, your father"
"Exactly, you know how daddy gets when the media even hints at me dating someone, and now that I'm dating Draco Malfoy II, the son of his old enemy. I wouldn't be surprised if this destroys our father's friendship,"
"I highly doubt it, I'm sure there will be a few comments made but it won't be anything that drastic."
"But you don't know"
"You're right, I don't. But I do know our mothers, and they would never let anything like that happen."
"I guess you're right,"
"No, you know I'm right,"
"Ok, ok you are right,"
"Is that all or is there something else that's got you worried?"
"Well there is one more thing, the letter"
"Oh yes the letter, that's got us all worried Lil,"
"Yes but this may make it worse. I mean whoever this person is they have some vendetta against me and possibly James and Sirius. Now that I'm dating Draco that may give them a way to get to me,"
"Draco's a big boy Lil; he doesn't need you to protect him,"
"I know but still…"
"You don't want to see him hurt, Lily that's really sweet"
"Come on Sus I'm being serious here,"
"You're not Sirius, you're Lily"
"Very funny Sus,"
"Sorry I couldn't resist. I know this isn't a joking matter, but honestly I think that if this letter does mean trouble that Draco would be affected just as much as I am because we are all friends,"
"I never thought about that"
"Besides we all agreed that we're in this together, and we don't even know if this is legitimate or not, it could be a fake,"
"I know it could be, but…something in the back of my mind keeps telling me that this is real, that we could all be in some sort of trouble,"
"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"
"I don't know, but I have this uneasy feeling about whoever wrote that letter,"
The boys quickly and silently barged into their room in Gryffindor Tower and sat down on their respective beds.
"Good thing what's their names aren't here"
"Sirius! It's been five years and you still don't know our room mates names?"
"Sure I do James, they're names are…. Joe and Bill"
"Not even close mate, try Eric and Stephan"
"Hey! You stay out of this; I already got a bone to pick with you Draco,"
"Why? Because I kissed your sister?"
"No, because you stormed out after a prank well done and we never got a chance to celebrate properly,"
"Tell me you're joking? You're not mad because I kissed Lily?"
"Why would Sirius and I be mad at that? We think it's great"
"You do?"
"Sure we do Drakey, we both James and I have known that you've had feelings for Lily for years."
"And we've also known that Lily's had feelings for you, I just don't think she fully realized it,"
"Poor blind Lily" Sirius started shaking his head while chuckling "So smart and yet so stupid"
"I'm going to tell her you said that,"
"You wouldn't dare, James you know she'll pound me for that comment"
"Then you shouldn't have said it"
"So wait a minute, you guys are ok with me dating Lily?"
"Yes" They both said simultaneously
"However I do have this to say on the matter, Draco if you ever hurt my sister I will seek revenge,"
"Sirius what are you doing?"
"I'm just warning Draco about hurting Lily"
"And you really think that's necessary? We both know that if anyone's going to be hurt at the end of this its Draco?"
"Ya you're right. Lily's too strong willed to let someone hurt her. Good luck mate, you're going to need it,"
"More than just with Lily, we've forgotten about dad"
"Right dad…you're going to need more than luck here mate, you're going to need a miracle"
"I think Lily's worried about your dad as well; I thought I heard her mention something about a freak out when the article about us dating came out in the Prophet. This is funny because we weren't even dating yet,"
"He didn't freak out, he just wasn't happy with the article,"
"Lily has been known to exaggerate a bit, but I think he was a little more than unhappy about the article James. You know how dad hates it when the Prophet prints articles about us,"
"I know Si but can you really blame him? Dad hates the publicity he gets and doesn't want us to have to deal with it just because we're his kids,"
"I know, can't blame the guy for that. That's another thing you'll have to watch out for Draco, you hurt my sister and the whole Wizarding World will know,"
"I'll keep that in mind Sirius. Why don't we go meet the girls now? They should be just about done with their 'Girl Talk'"
"Knowing those two they probably haven't even started their conversation yet,"
"Ya right Sirius you forget who you're talking about, Lily's not one for gossip, but I agree with Draco they should be finishing up their talk so let's go,"
"Uneasy how Lil?"
"It's hard to explain…."
Just then the door to the Room of Requirement opened and in walked the boys. The three of them noticed the tense atmosphere that the girls talk had created and quickly sat down hoping they didn't interrupt anything. Draco took a seat next to Lily on the couch and gave her a small smile which she returned before moving to sit closer to him.
"Hey guys, just give us a minute. Lily, continue please"
"Forget it, I sound like a prat,"
"No, I'm not going to forget it, tell me. Want me to kick the boys out?"
"No that's ok; they should probably hear this anyways. The letter makes me feel uneasy because when I think about the author I feel as if I know this person, or should know him at least,"
"Him?"
"I'm almost certain it's a guy, I think he might want to test me or something?"
"Like in a duel?"
"I don't know, maybe"
The room was silent for a moment as everyone pondered this latest theory. Finally it was Susie who broke the silence.
"Try not to worry about it right this second Lily, why don't you think about other things on your mind?"
"Ya ok, I guess I could do that" Lily responded looking over at Draco.
"And on that note James, Sirius don't we have to work on that thing?"
"What thing?" Asked Sirius
"Thing…oh right the thing. Yes we should get working on that right away, come on Sirius, Susie let's go?"
"What thing?" asked Sirius again before being dragged from the room
"That was subtle," commented Draco before looking back at his new girlfriend "Lily are you alright?"
"I'm fine Draco,"
"Did you have a nice chat with Susie?"
"Ya I did, I just wanted her opinion on a few things that were on my mind is all,"
"You mean about your dad, the media and us?"
"Was it that obvious?"
"Just a little, so what's the verdict?"
"Umm…well I was wondering if maybe we could keep us between the five of us for the time being, I'm really not ready to face daddy or the Prophet yet,"
"Whatever makes you happy makes me happy Lily. I have no problem keeping us on the down low for the time being, but please keep in mind that it has to come out eventually,"
"I know, I promise it'll only be for a little while,"
Before Draco could respond to that the window in the room burst open and in flew a raven. It proceeded to drop a letter on Lily's lap before flying out the window again.
"Another letter…"
"Go on and open it Lil, let's see what it says,"
Lily carefully unrolled the scarp of parchment that had been dropped in her lap and found it was written in the same handwriting as before and was equally as short.
The time has come for us to meet face to face, meet me in the Great Hall at midnight, be late and there will be consequences.
"Looks like we're finally going to meet the mystery author," Lily handed the letter to Draco so he could read it.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"I don't know, but I think we should tell the others. They'll want to hear about this"
"Well considering it's about noon they're probably in the Great Hall eating lunch,"
"Let's go then"
When they arrived in the Great Hall they found the other three Marauders conversing silently. Susie and Sirius looked as if they were arguing; suddenly James looked up and noticed Lily and Draco heading towards them.
"Sirius I won the bet, now pay up!"
"No I won the bet, they got together the second week of school!"
"No it was the first week, today is Saturday a new week doesn't start until Sunday!"
"You guys placed bets on when Draco and I would get together?"
"Yup, I bet you guys would get together by the end of last year but clearly I was wrong"
"Yes James you were, you and Susie were wrong and I was right, so pay up!"
"No Sirius you and I were wrong and Susie won the bet, she's right you know, a new week doesn't start until Sunday"
"But…but…"
"Ha! Now pay up Potter!"
Sirius reached into his pocket and grabbed the 5 Galleons that he owed Susie grumbling about it the whole time.
"I can't believe you bet on us!"
"I can, I just wish I had known, it would have been nice to make a little extra money,"
"Draco!"
"What? Are you saying that you wouldn't have joined in too?"
"Well I…oh alright, yes I would of joined in as well…but that's not the point,"
"Sure it is,"
"No it's not, besides we have more important things to worry about,"
"Like what Lil?"
"This letter just arrived for me, it was delivered by that raven again," Lily then handed the letter over to Sirius so he could read it. James and Susie crowded around him so they could see it as well.
"So he wants to meet you, are you going to go?"
"He said if I didn't there would be consequences, does that sound like I have a choice Sirius?"
"Uhh no, I guess not,"
"Then we're going with you,"
"No Susie, it's too dangerous,"
"Then there's absolutely no way that you are going top meet this guy by yourself,"
"But…"
"No buts Lily, we're all going to meet him with you, besides the letter said nothing about meeting him alone,"
"That's true I guess….but…"
"Lily!" growled out Draco slightly glaring at her.
"Alright, thanks guys," Lily smiled weakly at the rest of them.
The Marauders spent the rest of the day in the Library reading up on hexes and blocking spells, Lily had insisted that if they were going to come with her then they better have a way to protect themselves.
The day passed quickly and soon it was a quarter to 12 at night. The five of them were slowly making there way down to the Great Hall with the Marauder's Map and the invisibility cloak in case a teacher was coming towards them. But seeing as there were five of them they couldn't all fit and walk underneath it. They arrived at the Great Hall at exactly midnight to find it empty.
"Maybe this was just a joke," but as the words left Susie's mouth the lights in the room turned on and a figure in a hood was found standing on the Ravenclaw table.
"Who are you and what do you want with us?"
"Why Miss Potter, you mean to tell me that your father hasn't told you anything about me and all I've done for him? I'm hurt," the man then gave an evil smirk before removing his hood to show the teens his face.
"You're…you're…" stuttered Sirius coming to a realization to who was standing in front of them.
"Wormtail" whispered the three Potters.
"Wormtail? Who's Wormtail?"
"He was a friend of our grandparents Sus,"
"If I remember correctly he was the one who sold your grandparents out to Voldemort,"
"Correct you are Mr. Malfoy, you're a smart one just like your father was before he betrayed his father,"
"You shut up about my father!"
"My temper, temper Mr.Malfoy,"
"What do you want?"
"I thought that would be obvious to you Miss Potter, you are supposed to be as bright as your mudblood mother,"
"What did you say about my mother?"
"My, my Mr. Potter, another one with a bad temper, why can't you be more like your four-eyed brother and keep quiet?"
"You'll pay for that comment," the five teenagers then pulled out their wands and pointed them directly at Wormtail.
"Oh I don't think so," Wormtail then mumbled a few words and shot a spell towards the teens, and before they could react they were hit and being thrown backwards. Cold high pitched laughter was the last thing they heard before blacking out.