Hey everyone, another new chapter here for you. It took longer than I thought to write but I am very pleased with how it turned out. I hope you guys enjoy it. So that there is no confusion with who is talking/thinking what and when I made a little legend. Please keep in mind that talking is in quotations while thinking is in italics everyone's thoughts are as follows.
James' thoughts
Sirius' thoughts
Lily's thoughts
Draco's thoughts
'Susie's thoughts'
'Lizzie's thoughts' (LIzzie is a new character that only makes a small appearance at the end of the chapter but will be properly introduced in the next chapter).
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
It was the next day before Madam Pomfrey would allow the teens to leave the hospital wing. She found nothing wrong with them as they had not told a soul about their new found ability.
"That old hag made us miss the whole weekend!"
"Sirius! Don't talk about Madam Pomfrey that way! How many times has she fixed us up after a prank gone wrong?"
"I know Lil but when was the last time that a prank went wrong?"
"Second year, first prank we tried to pull after Susie started Hogwarts,"
"I didn't mean to spill that potion it was an accident!"
"We know that Susie, no worries,"
And the potion just happened to hit me after I suggested she be the test subject.
"I said I was sorry!"
"Eh? You heard that?"
"We all did mate,"
"Crap! Draco, Susie you weren't supposed to hear that!"
"It's ok Sirius don't worry about it," 'Although I was secretly glad that it hit you the hardest'.
"Susie!"
"You heard that?! You weren't supposed to!"
"Looks like this ability isn't as great as we first thought,"
"Doesn't seem like it James. We're going to have to find a way to block out each others thoughts or this could get annoying,"
Or interesting.
"Sirius! First chance we get we should go to the library to see what we can come up with,"
Should have known.
"You got a better idea?"
"No,"
"Then shut up!"
The rest of the day passed without event. During lunch and before dinner Lily locked herself in the library trying to find answers to their new dilemma. But it turned out that actual telepathy isn't as common as she thought and all she was finding was various theories not that actual facts she wanted. But Lily was determined not to give up; the Library had never let her down in the past.
But Lily wasn't alone in her research. James had wanted to help her, in fact he was walking to the Library with her when Draco appeared. James quickly mumbled something about some unfinished homework to do and left Draco and Lily alone. So there they were going through book after book without the others around.
Well at least we're alone.
"Did you say something Draco?"
"No, not really….well sort of,"
"I heard something about being alone….oh! Oh…I'm sorry Draco, guess I've been a little preoccupied with this telepathy thing,"
"It's ok Lil, really. It's been a little crazy these last few days,"
"I know, thanks for understanding," Lily leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll make you a deal; this Saturday is a Hogsmeade weekend, how about we ditch the others and have our first date?"
"Sounds great. But seriously a Hogsmeade weekend? Already? Isn't it a little early for those?"
"I thought so too, but I saw the notice on the board when I ran up to get my books this morning,"
"And here I was hoping we'd be able to start practicing Quidditch again, the team is short two players now that Ron and Vi are gone,"
"I know. You'll have to talk to Sirius about that since he's the official captain but I'm sure we could start after Hogsmeade if we can get the pitch."
Quidditch after Hogsmeade sounds good, but I think we should wait until next week for tryouts.
Sounds like a plan….wait a minute were you listening in on our conversation?
'We all were Lil, sorry but it was hard not to listen since it was all we could hear'.
I was wondering why Sirius' Potions grumbles stopped.
Oh he threw that book across the room ages ago, just the grumbling never stopped.
Right, well this no privacy thing has got to stop, I've got a couple theories here that I want us to try.
Sure Lil, what do you want us to do?
Well this book here says that telepathy is like Occlumency, basically we need to concentrate on building a wall within our minds but in our case we want an exit in the wall that we can open at will. Does that make sense?
Surprisingly it does, must have something to do with all the Occlumency stuff that dad went through when he was younger.
I was thinking that as well. Now the book says that until we master this exercise that we may not have complete control over connection and may end up leaking thoughts sometimes but that's only until we master it.
And let me guess we master it by doing Occlumency exercises?
Basically, we have to empty our minds and concentrate on the wall with the exit.
'For how long?'
Doesn't say, I guess until we feel that our wall is secure.
Do we have any other options?
I can't find any.
So no, I say we all give it a shot. What's the worst thing that could happen?
Our minds explode?
Funny Sirius, how about we all meet in the Room to practice this new exercise, it'll be quiet there and we won't be disturbed.
The Room?
The Room of Requirement sounds good but can someone grab the cloak and the map, we'll probably need those to get back they are both in my trunk.
'I'm on it Lil, we'll see you guys there'.
The next few hours were spent in the Room of Requirement practicing the theory, but the end of the night the Marauders felt as if little had been accomplished but that didn't stop them. Every night after dinner the Marauders would meet in the Room where they would finish their homework and then work on strengthening their walls. This continued on all week and by the end of it, they all felt as if they had built fairly secure walls in their minds. They still didn't have complete control over their new found ability but it was definitely becoming more of a gift then a curse.
There also hadn't been anymore letters except for the letters they received from their parents talking about updates with their jobs and such. They also received another letter from Ron and Vi who stressed concern after Lily had written to tell her all about the event with Wormtail but stressed that they were to tell no one. Vi of course agreed but was still worried about one of her best friends.
Lily,
That's some serious stuff that you got going down there. What do you think the git wants with you lot? I think you're right about it having something to do with your dad. Wasn't Wormtail a big supporter of Voldemort? Could be because your dad kicked his arse. But whatever the reason you lot be careful, I don't want any letters arriving saying you've gone and done something stupid. Although that telepathy thing sounds cool, once you've mastered it of course. Sorry it's so short but I'm on my way to class. I'll write back soon Lil,
Love ya lots,
Vi
That Saturday was the first Hogsmeade weekend as well as Lily and Draco's first official date. Lily woke early with her stomach full of pre-first date jitters. She quickly dressed in the outfit that she and Susie had picked out the night before. She wore a pair of jeans, an emerald tank that matched her eyes and a blue zip up sweater with a pair of sneakers. She wore minimal make-up and her hair in a simple ponytail. After she was dressed she grabbed a book and her purse before heading off to the Great Hall.
It wasn't long before the Great Hall started to fill with energetic students chattering away about what they would do in Hogsmeade. Lily looked up from her book in time to notice the other Marauders enter the Hall, each dressed and ready for the day but it was Draco that really caught her eye. He was dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a black sweater which brought out the grey colour of his eyes. When he saw her he gave her a small smile and quickly moved to join her along with everyone else.
"So you guys are sure you want to spend the day alone, wouldn't you rather spend the day with us?"
"Yes Sus for the last time we're sure. One would think that you didn't want Draco and I go have our first date,"
"It's not that Lil, I'm just not looking forward to spending the day alone with these two idiots,"
"Hey! Just because I look identical to Sirius doesn't mean we have identical personalities!"
"I beg to differ on that one,"
"Shut up Lily no one asked you!"
"My, my, temper, temper Mr. Potter,"
"In a minute I'll show you what this temper can do Miss Potter,"
"Bring it on Jamsie,"
"When we are done acting like children,"
"Coming from the immature one,"
"Ouch Sus, that one hurt," Sirius grabbed his chest in mock pain.
"You're all mental,"
"That we are Draco, and yet you still hang out with us,"
"Come on James we all know the reason he's here is because of Lily,"
"You're probably right Sirius,"
"Oh well at least Susie and Lily still love us,"
"Susie called us both idiots and Lily agreed with her,"
"Then at least we have each other,"
"Lucky me,"
"Hey!"
"Enough fighting, it's time to go to Hogsmeade,"
"About time, ready to go Lily?"
"Yup, let's go. Bye guys we'll see you later,"
"I know you guys are on a date but do you think we could meet up later for a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?"
"I don't know Sus,"
"Aww come on Lily, please?"
"Sure Susie, we'll meet you lot at 1:30,"
"Yay thanks Draco I owe you one!"
"Damn straight you do, now let's go Lily," With that Lily and Draco ran ahead of everyone else to spend some time alone.
"Someone's been spending too much time with me; they're starting to pick up on my vocabulary,"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"No, it's just funny to hear you using my sayings,"
"Well you're welcome to use my sayings,"
"You don't have any sayings Draco,"
"You're right I don't. So when I get some sayings you are welcome to use them," They then continued the rest of the way to Hogsmeade in a comfortable silence.
The morning went by quickly for Lily and Draco, but they seemed to be having a great time together. Around mid morning Lily noticed that the butterflies she woke up with were completely gone. It was so easy to talk to Draco because they had been good friends for years. They had visited a bunch of the shops but mostly just talked and joked around with each other. Around noon they headed to the Three Broomsticks for some lunch and to meet with the others. It wasn't long before Susie came storming into the pub in a huff followed by an amused looking Sirius and an annoyed looking James.
"What happened to you Susie?"
"Well you see Lily everything was going fine until your brothers…"
"Hey! Leave me out of this; I had nothing to do with it!"
"Clearly James, like Sirius is smart enough to come up with a prank like that on his own!"
"Hey! I'm not as dumb as I look Susie!"
"That's not saying much because you look like an idiot!"
"And what does that say about me? Sirius and I are identical twins… so to speak"
"Well you both look like idiots then!"
"Calm down Sus, tell me what my idiot brothers did this time," Lily gestured for the three of them to take a seat instead of standing around causing a scene. Looks like the scene has just started.
"I heard that Lily!"
"I'm glad because I meant it that way. You're causing a scene Sus I think we should continue this conversation internally just try not to yell too much,"
Fine. Like I said everything was going fine, we spend the morning goofing off and thinking up new prank ideas for the Slytherins.
Sounds like a good way to spend your time.
'I thought so too, anyways we'd just come out of Zonko's after making a few purchases…'
Oh, did you get any dungbombs? I'm out again…
'Lily! I'm trying to tell you what happened…'
Don't worry Lil, I got loads… James looked over to see Susie glaring at him and decided to let her finish before she killed him. Sorry Sus, continue please.
'Thank you James, now where was I oh yes we'd just left Zonko's when…'
When I got a brilliant idea!
'Sirius!'
Sorry Sus.
'Will you lot please stop interrupting me! Anyways we left Zonko's when this no good prat decided to test out one of their new products on me!'
Was it an original Zonko's or something from their Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes line?
'It was…'
You know I wonder why the owners of Zonko's just didn't let themselves be bought out by Fred and George; there are more of their products in the store than their own now.
It's because Zonko's is well known here in Hogsmeade and because they wanted to keep their independence although I know what you mean.
Fred and George told me that they have a deal with the owners so that when they decide to retire the shop will be given to them since they are the main suppliers.
I wonder if they'll still call it Zonko's then, or will they change the name to match their other stores?
I asked them that myself and they said they were going to keep the Zonko's name just add their name to it some how.
So it'll be something like…
'You know I wasn't finished yet!'
Sorry Sus, no more interruptions I promise.
'There better not be, anyways back to the new product they tested on me. It was a Zonko's product. If it was a Weasleys' product it really wouldn't be all that new to us…'
Since Fred and George always give us free samples of all their new products. It was then that Lily noticed the glare Susie was giving her. Sorry Sus, last time I swear.
'So the product is called Midget Powder, it forces the victim to turn into a midget for a few hours and it doesn't just change your body, so here I am walking around Hogsmeade in a midget body sounding like I sucked on some helium!'
You're kidding! Midget Powder? Please tell me you got some more!
Don't worry Lil, we did
Yeah, we thought we could use it on Daniel and his friends but first we needed a test subject to see how it worked.
'And you chose me?'
Well you were the only one around that we could really test it on.
Besides you know that any testing that has to be done for pranks is done on actual Marauders, it's only fair that way.
'I know but why me?'
Why not you? Besides I think you'd make a cute midget little sister.
'Shut it Draco or else we'll see what kind of a midget you'd make.'
The rest of the day went by with out event. The group settled down to have a butterbeer after Susie finally finished her story and then decided to just hang out as a group. Lily and Draco both admitted that it was nice to spend some time alone but it wasn't as exciting as when all the Marauders were together. So they spent the rest of the day talking about pranks and looking in all the shops.
It wasn't long before it was time to head back up to the castle. There had been talk about practicing some Quidditch but everyone was just too tired and decided to put it off for another day. Sirius wanted the lot of them to practice a bit before the try outs that were scheduled for later in the week. So since Sirius had an entire day filled with Quidditch practice planned for tomorrow Lily dragged them all up to the Room to finish their homework. There were a few grumbles from Sirius but an hour after dinner the lot of them were found surrounded by various books, scraps of parchment and ink bottles while quill scratching sounds accompanied various mumbles and grumbles.
"Will you stop grumbling Sirius, just think, if you get this done now you won't have to worry about ending Quidditch practice early to finish it,"
"I know Lil but I don't want to do it,"
"What are you working on anyways?"
"Snape's essay, what else?"
"Having trouble there Sirius?"
"No James I'm fine just don't want to do it is all,"
"We all agree with you there mate, Snape's essays are the worst,"
"Tell me about it Draco,"
"Well you look to be almost done,"
"I am Lil, just got another 4 inches left,"
It was then that a strange popping sound was heard. The entire group jumped at the sound looking around them to see where it might have come from.
What was that?
'I don't know, it sounded like someone apparating.'
But that's impossible, no one can apparate or disapparate inside Hogwarts grounds.
We know that Lil, even those of us who haven't read Hogwarts: A History knows that.
'Hi guys! What are you doing?'
"LIZZIE!?"