Title: What Do You Think?
My beta is currently without access to the internet, so this chapter was not beta-ed. Sorry in advance for any mistakes.
Standing up and following James out of the room, Lily was thinking several different things at the same time. Immediately, she felt a sense of excitement that she hadn't felt since she received her Hogwarts letter. She had never visited the Hogwarts kitchens before and wondered what they would be like. But then her rational side started to tell her that she would be breaking the rules. Maybe the house-elves would tell the headmaster and he would get them in trouble. Maybe they would be caught doing something they shouldn't.
"Potter, I don't think we should be doing this. We could get in trouble," she said, panicking.
"Don't worry, Lily. We do this all the time. We've never gotten in trouble before," he replied, calmly. "There's nothing to worry about."
"But won't the house-elves get us in trouble?"
Sirius laughed from behind her before James had the chance to answer.
"What's so funny, Black?"
"Just wait until you meet the house-elves. Then ask us if they'll get us in trouble."
James, still leading, turned down a few corridors and ended up in front of a large portrait, which he began to start tickling. Lily found this very strange, but had always believed James was crazy so she said nothing. But to her surprise, that one piece of fruit began to laugh, as if it could actually feel James' finger. Still in shock, Lily watched James open the door to the kitchens and walk inside. She followed.
Immediately, she was engulfed by the smell of a typical Hogwarts feast. She recognized the scent of her favorite meals and all the side dishes that they come with. She could see all four of the house tables, half filled with perfectly cooked food. Although she didn't have much time to look around any longer since she was instantly surrounded by at least a dozen house-elves grinning at her.
"Would ma'am like something to eat?" the closest house-elf asked. She could hear others asking the same question to the three marauders, although they already seemed to know their names.
"Would Master Potter, Master Black, or Master Lupin like something to eat?"
"Of course we do," Sirius answered. "Just bring some snacks for us. Her, too," he added, pointing to Lily.
She noticed that the house-elves who hurried off to complete the order were not angry at Sirius' dismissive and unappreciative tone, but eager to obey. She took her seat at the table brought by the house-elves and continued to look around the kitchens.
"So, Lily, what do you think?" James asked, eyeing her nervously.
"It's magnificent," she replied. "But aren't we bothering the house-elves?"
"Not at all," Sirius responded. "They love to bring us food. I'm not sure why, but we just accept it."
The house-elves returned with a large tray of food so quickly that Lily wondered if they already had it waiting for the next time the marauders decided to come. Sirius and James started to eat immediately, not bothering to thank the house-elves. They didn't seem to care, though.
After a while of sitting and talking about what the marauders knew about the castle and how they found the secret exits on the marauder's map, Lily unconsciously started to gain some respect for the boys and marveled at how they found out so much on their own. She was asking questions that she genuinely wanted to know the answers to and, without realizing, stopped calling James by his last name, but by his first.
"So all you do at night is explore the castle and the grounds?" Lily asked, leaning in slightly.
"Pretty much," James answered. "Maybe one of these days you'll join us?"
To his shock, Lily answered, "Maybe."
Out of the corner of her eye, Lily noticed that Remus looked at James, alarmed, but James just mouthed 'Don't worry' to him and returned his attention to Lily.
"How about we go back to the Room of Requirement and continue the book," Sirius suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea, Padfoot," James agreed. "Let's go back now."
James, Remus, and Lily got up to leave, but Sirius said, "Hold on a second. Can we get some food before we leave?"
The house-elves were shoving food into his hands before he had a chance to blink.
"Thank you…. house-elves," Sirius said.
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(Harry opening Christmas presents)
It was a Firebolt, identical to the dream broom Harry had gone to see every day in Diagon Alley.
"Wow, what a present," James said, with a dreamy look on his face.
"Yeah, I've never gotten one that good," Sirius agreed. "I wonder who sent it to him, though."
"Maybe it was you trying to prove that you're innocent."
"Well, I definitely have the gold for it and since I'm on the run I don't need it."
"No, I can't see Sirius thinking about anyone other than himself. He probably wouldn't waste the money," Remus commented.
"You have such a high opinion of me, Moony. I'm touched."
Its handle glittered as he picked it up. He could feel it vibrating and let go; it hung in midair, unsupported, at exactly the right height for him to mount it. His eyes moved from the golden registration number at the top of the handle, right down to the perfectly smooth, streamlined birch twigs that made up the tail.
"It sounds amazing," James declared, envy clear in his voice.
"You can say that again," Sirius said.
"It sounds amazing."
"You do know I didn't actually want you to say it again, right?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Okay, just checking."
"Nothing! Blimey, who'd spend that much on you?"
"That not a very nice thing to say to someone," Lily scolded.
"I would spend that much on him," Sirius stated.
"So would I," James agreed. Both he and Sirius looked at Remus, expecting him to say the same. "How about you, Remus?"
"Probably not."
"Now who doesn't think of anyone but themselves?" Sirius asked.
"I'd get him a gift, but if I had that kind of money I'd spend some of it on myself, especially in my condition," Remus said, trying to defend himself. "Besides, it's the thought that counts."
"You're so naïve, Moony. People don't care if you put time into it, as long as it costs a lot."
"That's not true. Last Christmas I got Prongs a nice photo album and spent a lot of energy putting together some pictures to fill it with. He liked that better than something that costs more, right James?"
James gave Remus a sympathetic look, but failed to answer the question.
"I know who it could've been – Lupin!"
"No, Ron," Sirius said, "It can't have been Moony, he's too selfish to buy someone a broom."
"I'm not selfish."
"Sure you aren't."
"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" said Hermione shrilly.
"What is she crazy?" James asked. "That's worse than McGonagall saying that Harry couldn't play Quidditch, although that wasn't so great either."
"What d'you think Harry's going to do with it – sweep the floor?" said Ron.
"He better not," said James. "If he's going to have a Firebolt, then he'll use it as he should… to beat the Slytherins in Quidditch. If he isn't going to use it for that, then he should give it to me."
"How is he going to do that?" Remus asked.
"Time travel if he must."
(Sitting at the dinner table for thirteen in the Great Hall. Trelawney talking about Lupin to McGonagall.)
"He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him -"
"Is that because Divination is your worst fear, like James said when you were in front of the boggart?" Lily asked Remus, concerned.
Lupin glared at James, who purposely looked at everything in the room except for Remus.
"Severus, you've made the potion for him again?"
"Yes, Headmaster," said Snape.
"Why is that Remus falls ill every time that Snape gives him the potion?" James asked.
"I think you know why," Sirius replied. "It's not a coincidence."
"Well, I'm afraid I will have to take this, Potter."
"Why?" James asked, confused. "Doesn't she want to win the Cup?"
"Apparently not," Sirius said.
"Because I thought – and Professor McGonagall agrees with me – that that broom was probably sent to Harry by Sirius Black!"
James stayed quiet throughout the end of the chapter, unsure if he was appalled that someone could take away the Firebolt, or glad that someone was making sure it was safe for his son. Sirius however, was convinced that he had sent it and that he wouldn't have done anything bad to it.
"Why does she have to take it?" he complained, "I didn't do anything to it. It's just a Christmas present. Won't he miss their next match if it will take a few weeks to examine?"
"He could always use a school broom," James answered. "Although he would be much better on a Firebolt. Why can't they just let him use the broom?" The thought of Harry using a school broom was enough to convince James that he was more disgusted that someone took away the Firebolt than he was happy.
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(Wood talking to Harry about the Firebolt being confiscated)
Waving aside the information that a famous murderer was after his Seeker,
"I'm so glad that Wood is concerned with my son's safety," James said sarcastically.
"At least he agrees that the broom shouldn't have been taken," Sirius reasoned.
"Good point, Padfoot. I hadn't thought of that."
"I see you've forgotten all about him not caring if Harry is safe," Remus said.
"Not forgotten, merely overlooked."
"Just because I told her I didn't care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch first."
"Wood does have his priorities wrong," James said, agreeing with McGonagall for the first time in his life.
"And that's coming from James Potter," Remus said.
She was holding out his Firebolt, and it looked as magnificent as ever.
"Finally," James said, sighing with relief that it was safe and Harry could have it back.
"And it's in good shape, too. That doesn't normally happen when it's stripped down," Remus commented.
"Pity you can't attach an arm to yours, Malfoy," said Harry. "Then it could catch the Snitch for you."
Remus had to stop reading the book for a moment while James copied down the last sentence on a piece of parchment that magically appeared.
"Pity you….attach an arm… catch the Snitch for you," James muttered while writing.
"Stealing insults from your son, are you?" Remus asked. "Can't think of any more on your own?"
"I can think of more, but I can recognize a good insult when I hear one."
Harry pulled out of the dive very sharply; she hurtled downward;
"Good job, Harry," James praised. "Wood's right, this isn't the time to be a gentleman."
He stretched out his hand still grasping his wand and just managed to close his fingers over the small, struggling Snitch.
"Yes," James and Sirius cheered. "Gryffindor's still in the running for the cup," James said.
"Maybe Slytherin won't get it this year," Sirius said, optimistically.
"Hopefully they won't."
"Come on, Harry!" said George, fighting his way over. "Party! Gryffindor common room, now!"
"I would love to be in one of their parties," Sirius commented.
"Yeah, they must throw some great parties. Especially if they know where the kitchens are, and with the map they must," James agreed.
Fred and George Weasley disappeared for a couple of hours and returned with armfuls of bottles of butterbeer, pumpkin fizz, and several bags full of Honeydukes sweets.
"I knew it'd be a great party," James said, smiling at the thought of a post-match party.
"With a little help from Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs," Fred muttered in Harry's ear.
"You're welcome," Sirius said.
(After Sirius slashes Ron's curtains)
"Black! Sirius Black! With a knife!"
"Oh no, not this again," Sirius muttered, burying his face in his hands.
Neville Longbottom, trembling from head to fluffy-slippered toes, raised his hand slowly into the air.
"I feel bad for Neville," James said.
"Especially since I wouldn't have done any harm," Sirius agreed.
"I think we should take a short break," Remus suggested. "Dinner is starting soon. I know we just ate, but I feel like I'm stuck with you three for the whole day and I want to get out for a bit."
"What? You don't want to spend every moment you're awake with us?" Sirius teased.
"Not in your dreams."
"How would you know?"
"Sirius, what did you dream about last night?"
"Oh, I think you know."