Chapter 11: Rounds
Thursday, September 15, 1977

Every day after our last class and before dinner we're been getting together to practice our Patronus Charms in the Room of Requirement. I could hold mine out without much fatigue now, and Dorcas and Marlene have both been able to produce corporeal Patronuses. Dorcas produced a hawk that she had fly around the room, while Marlene's raccoon chased Remus's wolf around the room. Emmeline did something that started to grow legs yesterday but she then became too tired. It was getting quite late at that point so we agreed to return after classes later today.

I heard a scratching and chirping coming from my desk. I looked over and saw 'Nola there, hopping on the desk and looking at me. "Long time, no see!" I told my owl, smiling at the sight of her. I walked over and gave her a treat and she flew up on my shoulder. I stroked her chest feathers when I picked up the letter that was on my desk. It was Mum's reply.

My Dearest Lily-Flower,

Sorry that it took longer than it usually does for me to reply to your letter. The neighbors were moving and your dad and I offered to give them a hand. Do you remember them? The Harpers? They have a boy a few years younger than you? Well, anyway, we offered to give them a hand with loading the truck and things. But here I am!

I have no problems with Sirius coming as well, the guest room is big enough for two boys. I would hate knowing that you or Petunia were alone for a holiday! Dad actually said you can invite your other friends over as well on New Year's Eve and have a party. It's your last holiday at Hogwarts, why not have some fun with it?

You all have time to think it over, obviously. We'll talk about it more later.
Until next time! Mum and Dad

My parents are so cool.

I took 'Nola off my shoulder and placed her on her perch. I grabbed my dressing gown, and wrapping it around me, I left my room. I took a quick peek at the common room and, noticing it was empty, went upstairs to James's room.

The door was cracked so I peeked in. He was still in bed, his back to me. I carefully crept in and over to the bed, climbing in next to him. He didn't stir until I wrapped my arm around his waist.

"Morning," he said, still groggy and not moving.

"Morning," I said, kissing his ear. "I have rounds tonight," I told him. "So I wanted extra time this morning."

"Oh, yeah," he said, turning onto his back and stretching. "Mine are tomorrow. Which works out, since I wouldn't have seen you, anyway with Slug Club and all."

I moaned at the reminder. "I hate how he fusses over me. Ever since I did that transfiguration charm for him as a thanks for some extra tutoring last term."

"Who do you have rounds with?" James asked, changing the subject and wrapping his arms around me. He pulled me to his bare chest.

"Remus, thank goodness," I said. "Some of the Slytherins still seems a little bitter that I got the point against Severus the other day, even though I was the one to be down for the count. I would hate to deal with that during rounds, which are a pain enough as is."

"I'm with one of the sixth-year Ravenclaws tomorrow. Rebecca St. Clair I think was her name. Quiet thing but she seemed nice enough."

"I remember her from last year. She's nice and very smart. I remember helping her with some Charms homework last year when I ran into her in the library."

"Good to know I won't have any trouble," he said, kissing my head. "So, get dressed and meet me downstairs?"

I nodded and started to get up from the bed but James took my arm and pulled me back to him, kissing me. I laughed and got up again. "I'm really hungry, you know. For breakfast." I added when he gave me a look.

I went back down to my room and changed into my robes and then went to the common room. I heard the portrait swing open and saw Sirius and Remus come in.

"Breakfast?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah, waiting on James," I told him. "Where's Peter and the girls?"

"Already downstairs," Remus said. "We figured we'd swing by to see if you've left yet."

"Actually," Sirius said. "He figured he'd swing by. I figured I'd join to see if there was any more pineapple left."

I sighed. "You know where it is," I said, pointing in a general direction of the shelf. "One piece, okay? You're going to clean me out."

Remus turned to me when Sirius went to go raid my stash of sweets. "Do you want to meet me at Gryffindor tower? Or do you want me to meet you here, tonight?"

"I'll go to your common room. I'll be there by eight."

He nodded and we heard James coming downstairs. Sirius shoved the tin back in the book and put it back on the shelf.

"Took you long enough," Sirius said, biting off a piece of pineapple.

"Are you going to eat all of Lily's sweets, Sirius?" he asked him in return. Sirius simply smiled and popped the rest of the sweet into his mouth. Tosser.

We all turned and left the portrait hole and headed for the Great Hall.

[MM] - Why must we be put through this torment? I'd wish for death but then I'd be stuck with Binns forever.

[LE] - At least class is almost over. You'd think I'd be interested, seeing how this is about how we used to have to register if we were Muggle-born or a half-breed but honestly? I couldn't care less right now.

[DM] - I never thought I'd say this but I would really do with some of Slug's Alertness potion right about now.

[SB] - You've lost it, you know. Why would you want to put yourself through that crash again?

[DM] - Because then I wouldn't be dealing with Em throwing little balls of parchment at me when I start to nod off.

[EV] - It's for your own good, you know.

[LE] - Does anyone want to pretend to be me tomorrow? I don't want to go to the Slug Club. I'm no prize.

[MM] - James sees you as his prize.

[LE] - That's not what I meant and you know it.

[PP] - Then don't go?

[LE] - I wish. Not going would be worse than going. Ever get a guilt trip from Slug? Not pretty.

[EV] - I will chuck pieces of parchment at all of you if you don't put that notebook away.

The rest of classes went on without a hitch. In Charms we studied some healing spells, like "Tergeo" for clearing up blood and "Ferula" for binding and splinting fractures. Lunch was a lot of laughing and planning our next Patronus practice for the afternoon, and now we're in Divinations.

Reading tea leaves.

I was staring into my cup, just finishing off my tea, trying to see something, anything in the pile of leaves in the bottom.

"I think mine looks like a... um... oh, who am I kidding. It's a blob," Dorcas said, setting her cup on the table.

"Why did we sign up for this, again?" Marlene asked.

"I don't know," Dorcas replied. I was still staring into my cup.

"I think it's... um..." I said staring. I turned my head to the side, trying to get a different perspective. "I think it's a clover."

"Yeah, I think it is," Dorcas said. "Maybe you have luck in your future?"

"I have no idea," I said peering in Dorcas's cup. "Looks like you have an acorn. According to the book it said that means 'unexpected gold.'"

"Sounds good to me," she said, peering back in her cup.

"Mine looks like a moon," Marlene said. "Darkness? Something happening at night? Sleep?"

"I have no idea and I feel silly staring into these cups. All I see is the need for more tea," Dorcas said.

It was about 7:45 and I was finishing up my homework and giving my Friday assignments a once-over to make sure everything was in order. By the time I return to my room tonight I'll only care about getting some sleep. I stacked my unfinished work on the study table for the weekend and put my Friday assignments in my satchel, sliding it behind my chair.

As I stood up, James came downstairs. I went over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I have to go soon."

"Yeah, I know," he said, kissing me. "Sirius and Peter are actually coming by later. We're going to go to the Room of Requirement with the girls. Get some extra work in and see if we can get Emmeline to do a full corporeal."

"Sounds like fun. She almost had it last time." I kissed him one more time, then broke it and started towards the door. "Oh! Almost forgot! Mum sent me a letter this morning! She's cool with Sirius staying for the holiday, and said the others can come over on New Year's if they want. Said we could have a party and all that. Let them know tonight, okay? I'll tell Remus."

"Your mum is awesome," he said, reaching out and pulling me into one more deep kiss.

I broke it again. "Do you want your girlfriend to be late meeting a werewolf?" I joked.

"Go, you. Love you."

"Love you, too," I said, going into the hall. I went down to Gryffindor Tower, checked my Head Girl badge on my robe, then told the Fat Lady, "Archimedes."

"Thank you for the better tone and language this time," she said as she swung open. When it was fully open, I stuck my tongue out at the back of her portrait and entered the common room. There were only some scattered first and second years in there, so I made myself comfortable in one of the armchairs.

I saw the girls come down the stairs, first. "Hey, Lils!" Emmeline said. "What are you doing here?"

"Rounds with Remus," I told her. "He should be down soon. You going to get a corporeal tonight?"

"If we have anything to do with it," Marlene said. "I want to know what it is."

"All we know is that it's something with four legs," Dorcas said.

"I'll be in tomorrow to work on it some more. I want to have no fatigue whatsoever for N.E.W.T.s. We should try and plant it in Flitwick's ear that we know it when it comes closer."

Dorcas sat on the arm of the chair I was in. "Well, we're waiting for Sirius and Peter, so I'm guessing they're together." She then slipped herself off the arm and laid across my lap. "What are we going to do with ourselves until then?" she said dramatically.

I looked at her and grinned, "Oh, I don't know. I could always do what I did the time you guys slept over last summer."

Dorcas looked at me for a second, trying to remember. Then her eyes switched to fear.

Then I attacked her sides, where she is extremely ticklish. Her laughs filled the common room.

"You set yourself up for it, you know," Marlene said flatly, watching.

Remus, Sirius, and Peter then walked down the stairs from the boys' dormitory.

"Give me a minute," I told them, continuing the attack on Dorcas.

"No rush," Sirius said through a laugh.

"You have three minutes," Remus told me, checking his watch.

"You... guys... are... so... cruel... Help... me!" Dorcas gasped between laughs.

I stopped tickling her, knowing that I have rounds to do. "You're free! Get off me." I told her, giving her a push.

We all left together, then Remus and I went to do our rounds.

"Where should we start?" he asked me.

"Top and work our way down, I guess. Hit the grounds at or after nine."

We started wandering around each floor, checking behind tapestries and in corners. When we got to floors with classrooms, we split up and went in each classroom looking for students sneaking out for a quick snog. Pretty quiet night, actually.

"Not too much activity tonight, huh?" I told him, when we were arriving at the ground floor.

"All I found was Peeves in an empty classroom. All I had to do was duck when he threw erasers at me," Remus said with a shrug. He had a few clear eraser marks on his robes.

"Looks like he got you a few times," I said with a chuckle. We continued our rounds by going through the rooms, checking all the closets, nooks, and crannies. By this point it was nearing ten o'clock. "Dungeons first, then grounds?"

"Sounds good," he said. We arrived at the stairs. "You go that way and I'll go this way," he said as he pointed in the two directions.

I nodded and went on my way. This would be quicker, that's for sure but I hate it down here. These dungeons are creepy. I don't think I would have ever survived as a Slytherin if I had to live down here.

I peered in each classroom, all empty. When I was coming up around a corner, I started to hear voices. Ugh, and I thought I wouldn't have to pull the Head Girl card tonight... I thought to myself.

As I was turning the corner, I said loud and clear, "Curfew was over a hour ago, please return to your dorms before I have to take away house points." When I came around the corner, I saw three students. The last three students I wanted to see. "Oh, bloody hell," I whispered, reaching in my pocket and grabbing my wand.

Severus, Avery, and Mulciber.

"Lily," Severus said, surprised to see me. "Why are you down here?"

"Rounds," I said, pointing to my Head Girl badge. "I don't want to have to take points from you, Sev, so please go back to your common room before I'm forced to."

"Sounds like the Mudblood means business, Snape," Avery said, his tone dripping in sarcasm. I kept my stance, my grip on my wand.

"This is Slytherin territory," Mulciber snarled, circling me so closely he was almost touching me. He towered over me but I held my head up high and never wavered. "We don't have to go anywhere."

"Students must be in their common rooms at nine o'clock in the evening, not the corridors. Please return to your common room, this is my final warning," I said. I felt my voice quiver slightly but I didn't let my stance down.

Mulciber was standing behind me. "You know, for a Mudblood she's not that bad looking." He leaned closer, "Doesn't smell that bad, either," he added, smelling my hair. I tightened my grip on my wand.

"Leave her alone, Mulciber," Severus said, not moving.

"Why? She came to us," Avery added, approaching me.

I now had two very large guys on either side of me, so I took a couple of steps back. "I'm taking ten points each. Don't make me take more," I warned.

"Guys, just let her be. Lets go," Severus told them. They dwarfed him in size, so I knew if he fought for me there still wouldn't be a chance. At least the Muggle way, since Mulciber and Avery aren't exactly blessed in the brains department. Unfortunately they're smart enough to be aware of this and prefer to handle things the "Muggle way."

"Nah, just want to have some fun real quick," Mulciber said, grabbing my left arm.

Time to act.

I pulled out my wand and cast a silent Stinging Hex at Mulciber, his face swelling up painfully. I took a few more steps back and pointed my wand at Avery. "Add another twenty points to the thirty I already took," I told him and then pointed my wand towards all three of them and said the first charm that came from my head.

"Expecto Patronum!" My doe shot out of my wand and startled them, chasing them down the hall. Severus was the last to leave, just staring at the Patronus, then glancing at me, almost apologetic, and ran after his colleagues towards the Slytherin common room.

When they were gone, I started to feel myself shaking. I turned and headed towards where Remus headed to, not taking long before I found him.

He noticed how I was upset. "What's wrong?" he asked.

I just fell into his chest and cried, telling him what just happened and how I got away.

"Well, they should be lucky that it was me down here with you and not James," he said. "Lets go to Slughorn. He'll need to know about the points you had to take."

We went to Slughorn's office, relieved to see a light coming out from under the door. Remus knocked and entered and I wiped my eyes.

"Professor? We were doing our rounds and needed to speak to you."

"Oh? Why, yes. Yes, of course. What can I do for you, Mr. Lupin?" Then he noticed me. "Lily? What's the matter? What happened here?"

Remus explained the situation to him.

"I removed ten points each from being out of bed and not going to the common room when I told them. Then I removed another twenty for Avery and Mulciber's behavior," I told him. "I needed to report that to you."

"Yes, thank you, Lily. I will record that now. I will see you tomorrow, correct?" he asked me.

"Yes, Professor," I replied, softly. "We still have to make our rounds of the ground before returning to bed. Goodnight, Professor."

"Goodnight, Lily. I will take care of any further discipline. Take care of her, Mr. Lupin," he said with a nod at each of us. We turned and left.

Remus wrapped his arm around my shoulders, "You okay?"

I nodded, "Yes. I'm just worried about telling James. I don't want him doing anything rash."

"He'll react worse if you don't tell him and he finds out from elsewhere, though," he said. He was right.

"If he's still up tonight when I get back, I'll tell him then," I said, grabbing my wand. We were approaching the doors to the grounds. "Lumos," I said, flicking my wand. "Shall we?"

Remus pushed open the door and we exited the castle. "Lumos," he whispered, then chuckled to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just found it amusing that you used your Patronus to chase them off."

"I just cast the first spell that popped in my head," I admitted. Mulciber is going to be sore for a while, though, from that Stinging Hex."

"He deserved it," Remus said, smiling.

"On a lighter note, I wanted to let you know my mum invited everyone over for New Year's for a party."

"Fan of advance notice, is she?"

"Sort of," I laughed. "It's because James invited me to his place for Christmas, and the only condition is that he comes back with me for the second half of holiday. Snowballed from there."

"Sounds like fun, though. No full moon, too."

We wondered the grounds, checking the greenhouses and the boathouse, making sure we don't miss anything. We returned to the seventh floor just before midnight.

"I hate rounds because the of time," I admitted. "Still have to get up for Defense in the morning."

"I concur," Remus said. "I see you at breakfast. Wonder if they succeeded with Emmeline."

"We'll soon find out. Thanks, Remus, for tonight. Goodnight."

"Don't mention it. Sleep well."

I turned to the portrait and told it "Wronski Feint." It swung open and I entered. I didn't see James in the common room, so I went to my room and showered. I felt so dirty. I put on my pajamas, brushed my teeth, dried and braided my hair, then went upstairs to James's room. I peaked in the cracked door, finding him sitting in bed, reading Quidditch Through the Ages in his plaid pants and t-shirt. I sighed in relief.

He must have heard my sigh, because just then he looked up and smiled at me, waving me in. I came in and laid on the bed next to him. That's when he noticed my mood.

"What happened?"

I explained everything that Avery and Mulciber did, leaving Sev out of it. Also covered how I got away (he had the same reaction Remus did about my use of the Patronus Charm). "Slughorn said he was going to take care of it, so I don't want to hear about you doing anything, got it?"

"I won't cause harm, how's that?"

"Seeing how I can't win that argument, I'm not saying anything further."

He laughed. "It's really late. You going to head to bed, then?"

"I don't want to be alone," I said. "Not tonight."

"Okay. You can stay here with me, if you'd like," he said, stroking my hair.

"I'd appreciate that," I said.

He put the book on the bedside table and hopped off the bed. He pulled the blankets down, and I moved accordingly to let the covers move beneath me. I climbed underneath as he climbed in, then got as close as I could to him. He put his glasses on his book, then rolled over and wrapped his arms around me. I let him pull me into his chest and he kissed my head. "You're shaking," he said softly. "Don't worry, I'm here for you."

With him there, I was able to drift off to a peaceful sleep in the protection of his arms.