Hi everyone! I'm really grateful for all the reviews but just a quick message; please be patient with me. I work more hours than is good for me; almost fifty hours a week. So please be patient. I am updating as quickly and as often as I can. I love my readers and I don't like making you wait but sometimes you are going to have to - sorry.

Chapter 5:

The Busy Weekend

If the other sixth years thought they had received a lot of homework on their first day back, they were sadly mistaken. Peter had received far more than any of them. He had a ridiculously long essay to write for the next day for his remedial transfiguration class and an equally long one for remedial defence and Professor Sprout had given him an entire chapter to read from his textbook before their next lesson. Peter spent the entire evening in the common room working hard in a secluded corner whilst his friends worked together at a larger table. He had tried sitting with them but they had irritated him severely. Marlene and Sirius were sat together holding hands under the table and giggling like twelve year olds. Remus and Kate were testing each other on how to brew Felix Felicis correctly. Lily was making notes on non-verbal spells and James was sat next to her, reading his defence textbook and rocking on the back legs of his chair. Frank and Alice were working together on their charms homework; practicing turning vinegar into wine using non-verbal magic. The table was busy with life and excitement and Peter felt jealous that his friends weren't working as hard as he was. It was totally unfair that he should have to retake his O.W.L.s; he was just as clever as the rest of them, he told himself in his little, dark corner. I'm a bloody animagus!

James glanced over at his friend and sighed; he felt sorry for Peter. Lily noticed the expression on James' face and frowned, "what's wrong Potter?" she asked.

"I'm just worried about Peter," James admitted, running a hand through his unruly hair.

"Yeah… it must be difficult for him," Lily glanced over at the boy in the corner and couldn't help but pity him. Her pity wasn't long lasting though because for some reason she was overwhelmed with sympathy for James, "you're a good friend."

James shook his head, "sometimes I am…"

Lily patted his arm comfortingly before returning to her book. Lily was surprised by the sudden change in her feelings towards James Potter. She didn't stop to consider that perhaps she was no longer having her opinion manipulated by Severus Snape or that perhaps they had both grown up over the summer; instead she merely felt confused.

James was equally confused. His arm had tingled under her touch. He hadn't wanted her to let go but he couldn't understand why she had touched him in the first place. She was supposed to hate him, despise him; literally. Things between them had changed recently and definitely for the better.

The rest of the week went quickly but when it was finished they were exhausted with a pile of homework waiting for them. Lily and Remus had a set of really complicated runes to translate for Ancient Runes, an essay on Dementors for Defence, an essay on the Polyjuice Potion for Potions and they needed to read chapter two of their Herbology textbook and that was just the homework due in on Monday. They also had an essay on the uses of Nonverbal spells for Transfiguration and a chapter to read for Arithmancy. The others were slightly luckier than Lily and Remus as they were taking fewer classes. Kate and Marlene had an essay due for Care of Magical Creatures on the Centaur. Peter had more homework than any of them however, he had three sets of remedial transfiguration homework, four sets of remedial defence homework on top of his reading for Herbology, his essay on Centaurs for Care of Magical Creatures and a dream journal for Divination.

If they had expected to spend the weekend having fun outside in the last of the summer sun, they were sadly mistaken. The sixth years, along with the seventh years had taken to the library. The marauders sat together with Frank whilst the Gryffindor girls sat at the next table. Peter had a huge pile of books around him; the pile was so large that it spilled out onto the floor around him. He'd managed to complete his transfiguration homework in the morning and so now after lunch he was making headway on his defence homework. He had a blotch of ink on his nose and he kept rubbing his eyes as they grew tired. James and Sirius worked together on their own Defence homework. Occasionally they would both glance up at the girls table to see what Lily and Marlene were up to.

James' quill scratched his parchment as he wrote his essay; a dementor is a non-being and dark creature and is considered one of the foulest to inhabit the world. Dementors feed off human happiness, thus causing depression and despair to anyone near them. They can also consume a person's soul, leaving their victims in a permanent vegetative state.

The Ministry of Magic employ Dementors as the guards of Azkaban prison. Dementors have a humanoid shape, approximately three metres, or ten feet high, and are covered in dark hooded cloaks of long, ripped black cloth. Its body is greyed and decayed looking, and its breath sounds rattling, like it is trying to "suck more than air" out of a room. Its hands are scabbed and slimy looking and they seem to exude cold. A Dementor's face consists of empty eye sockets, covered with scabby skin. There is also a gaping large hole where the mouth should be, which is used for sucking the soul of the victim in a process called the Dementor's Kiss, leaving victims in a state generally considered worse than death.

There are certain defences one can use against Dementors, specifically the Patronus Charm. Dementors hold no true loyalty, except to whomever can provide them with the most people to feed off. They cannot be destroyed, though their number can be limited if the conditions in which they multiple are reduced. The Patronus Charm can be used to fend Dementors off. The Patronus is a magical manifestation of good will and happiness, providing varied levels of protection.

Frank was happily working on his Arithmancy homework opposite the two best friends. Remus stood up and made his way over to the girls' table and perched next to Lily. He pointed at something in his textbook. They were both struggling to translate their runes. Alice was working on her potions essay whilst Kate and Marlene made notes on Centaurs for their Care of Magical Creatures essay.

Centaurs have the head, torso and arms of a human whilst the body of a horse.

They are their own species and are not any kind of half-breed.

Despite possessing human intelligence they are classified as beasts by the MoM at their own request (they don't want to share "Being" status with hags and vampires).

Forest-Dwelling – colonies such as that of the Forbidden Forest.

Magical Abilities – no wand; magical healing, divination, archery and astronomy.

Mannerisms – proud, favour nature over technology, territorial.

The Gryffindor sixth years spent the entire weekend in the library, only venturing out to eat and sleep. As James climbed into bed on Sunday night, he really hoped that this didn't turn into a routine.

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Coming Soon...

1. Potions Projects

2. Quidditch

3. Peter's Remedial Tests!

4. The Marauders begin to take risks...