James was struggling. He wanted so, so much for Lily to really like him. But he still wanted to be James. He wanted to run around pulling pranks like there was no tomorrow. He wanted to give flippant responses in class. Most of all, he really wanted to get out of patrol duties tomorrow.
Actually, he needed to get out of patrol Saturday night. There was no way he was missing a full moon. Not a chance.
He liked being a head boy of course, and he liked being someone that could be respected as a person another could count on. That's why he had to go. And if Lily wouldn't let him, then he was in trouble, because he would be stuck. Get the girl I adore to trust me, our break an old trust for a good cause. There was only one answer. Talk to Dumbledore.
"Mint chocolate butterflies," James told the guards of Dumbledore's office.
"Access granted," one of them responded a robot-ish type voice as they both stepped away.
"What's with them?" James murmured aloud.
"Sirius. Who else?"
James jumped about two feet in the air at the sound of Lily's voice as she stepped out of the stairwell to the Headmaster's office.
"You missed a movie night in the Room of Requirement two days ago when you were on patrol duties, and Remus, Sirius, Frank, and a few girls watched this weird American movie Star Wars, and apparently Sirius has jinxed most entrances with guards to sound like robots. It's really kind of funny until… Why are you giving me that look?"
"How did you find that out before I did?"
"Easy, I was the one that caught Sirius jinxing everything."
"He came up with a prank on his own and didn't tell me?" James asked in disbelief. "I didn't even know they watched that movie."
Noticing his sad expression Lily decided to tell the truth. "Oh bother! I can't believe you fell for it!"
"Fell for what?"
"The idea that Sirius pranked without you!" Lily nearly shouted while laughing hysterically.
"Huh?"
"Really James. I don't believe you." Lily stated while shaking her head. "The girls and I felt like you boys were slacking. This castle is just too quiet without The Marauders pulling at least one major prank a week. You guys haven't had anything huge since start of term."
"…Wait, so you and Heather and April and the others did this?" James asked, stunned.
"Yup." Lily seemed almost prideful to give this answer. That shocked James even more.
"So… it's okay if I pull pranks again…?"
"YES! The whole castle is bored out of it's mind without you four. Besides, don't you need to start corrupting other young minds to continue on your dirty work once you graduate?" Lily was sounding a little exasperated. "So long as you don't start hexing people again for reason what so ever, or hexing them at all really, I don't care. I actually prefer school with a bit of fun in it."
"You've got a point about corrupting those young minds. This place is pretty lame without the Marauders and their classics, isn't it? Any suggestions for Mini-Marauder recruits?" James asked with full confidence.
"Hmm… I would try for Sam Gibbons, who is a thirds year and Caleb Pratchey, who is a second year and is very good friends with Gibbons."
"Wait, are you seriously going along with this?"
"Wow James. For someone who claims to be in love with me, you really underestimate my sense of humor if you think I want the pranks to end when we graduate. It wouldn't be fair to next years first years."
"True, very true. Miss Evans, as an apology, how would you like to become a honorary Marauder for the stealthy execution of a prank and encouragement to further the Marauder legacy?"
"Why I would love to Sir James, but I believe my inauguration will have to wait a while because I have a feeling you were on your way to discuss something with Professor Dumbledore before we so hilariously stopped each other."
"You know, you are once again correct. I guess I should be on my way up."
"'Kay then, see you later."
"See ya," James replied before heading up the tower.
When he reached the top he paused to knock on the door and when he heard a cheerful "Come in!", he turned the knob and let himself in.
"Welcome James. Interesting conversation you and Miss Evans had down there. I must remember that security spell to let me hear and see what's going on down there more often," Dumbledore said with the usual mischievous glint in his eye. "I believe you wanted to talk to me about Saturday patrols, yes? Why didn't you ask Miss Evans. I'm Sure she would understand. She knows far more than you believe she does about your monthly outings, and is really quite the compassionate woman. I think that answer all your questions. Have a nice day Mr. Potter." Dumbledore stated with a grin and without a seconds hesitation, and James knew he was dismissed.
When he got o the bottom of the stairs, he was surprised to see Lily still there. "So was there something you needed to ask me?" she said with a smirk on her lips.
"Yeah, how do you know about Remus?" He figured she was going to let him off duty.
Lily sighed, rolled her eyes, smiled and began talking as they walked back to the Gryffindor commons. "It was too hard actually. I really didn't even try to figure anything out. Remus and I were scheduled to patrol one night on a full moon, and rather than continue keeping secrets from me for the next three years, he came clean and told me."
"He told you just like that?" James asked, sounding slightly incredulous.
"Just like that."
"He didn't even tell Sirius, Peter and me until second year, after we had asked Dumbledore what was going on!"
"Well, I guess he wasn't too concerned with what I thought about him, whereas with you three, you were his best friends and therefore he was frightened to lose you. When told me you three were animagi, I couldn't believe it. It's such a difficult bit of magic! For Peter especially!"
"Well, transfiguration is our best subject."
"Anyway, I've gotten Abbie Crellin and Loren Gynecki, the sixth year Hufflepuffs to take duty for us Saturday night, so you're all clear to go help Remus with that fury little problem of his."
"Thanks so much for this Lily. And don't forget that we need to plan your inaugural ceremony," James said with a wink.
"I'm looking forward to it. Catawampus," Lily said while opening the portrait door behind the Fat Lady.
"Enter you may," the Fat Lady said in a very Yoda-ish voice as she swung wide open, causing James to laugh.
"Did I forget to mention some of them also impersonate the characters?" Lily asked as they laughed their way into the commons. She was starting to get used to James Potter.
AN: Sorry 'bout the wait, but I was working on my Twilight short story and I takes me a while to type even though I been thruogh plenty of computer courses.
Next chapter I plan to throw this further from any sort of cliche plot, so look forward to another chapter close to a week from now.
Until then, farewell.
P.S. Here is my disclaimer: I'm only famous as the loudest person in my band at school.