Disclaimer: Well, if we keep on having to admit that we don't own Harry Potter every time we update, then we'll all be crying tears of sadness before the fic is done.

Tears of Sadness, Tears of Joy

Chapter 13 – Summer, Part 6 – James

James moodily tossed his textbooks into his trunk on top of all his completed homework. He was still a marauder in spirit, oh yes. He had been planning pranks for the whole holidays. Though as he thought about all the times Lily had refused to go out with him (quite violently at times), he couldn't help but feel a bit depressed. Yes, he had to admit to himself that originally he constantly asked her out purely to irritate her. It annoyed her so well, and put that sparkle in her eye as she rebuked him.

He wanted to make her eyes shine like that in happiness, rather than hatred. Plus, her words over the years had become harsh and cruel. She used to start out with a simple, "No," maybe even a, "No, Potter," if he was lucky. But now she was comparing him to the Giant Squid… and the Squid was coming out on top.

However, as well as shutting himself away moping around, he had also come up with a Grand. A Foolproof. An Evil Master Plan. He mused upon it to himself,

"It shall be called… the Gfemp!" He ran his hand through his hair, checking out the reflection it offered. And what a reflection it was! Such an image even gave him the spirit to go downstairs and visit the kitchen. His mother was sitting at the table outside, reading through Witch Weekly. She looked up as she heard him enter the kitchen,

"Oh, it's good to see you out of your room, James." She called, putting down her magazine. "I except its quite stuffy in there," she commented, ignoring the scowl from her son, "I've just sent an owl to Sirius, inviting him for Sunday lunch tomorrow as usual so you can go to Diagon Alley and get your books – I expect you two will have some catching up to do before you go back to Hogwarts on Monday. Your father has offered to take you both to Platform nine and three-quarters."

James nodded and thanked her before he started to snoop around for some lunch. Although he hated to admit it, he was rather sad that this would be the last time he went to Hogwarts. He would never get to smash Slytherin in a game of Quidditch after seventh year, or get detention – though the detention he wouldn't miss terribly.

The pride of being a Gryffindor would have no value in the world outside Hogwarts, and even still in the magical community, it would all be in the past. After this school year, he would be entering a world of adults, where he would have to behave himself and take responsibility if he wanted to get anywhere. The Hogwarts family would be gone, no longer in the school environment living with his friends, going to classes (or skipping them). There would be no Hospital Wing, no Great Hall for breakfast, no –

Who was he, and what had he done with himself? James quickly shook himself of these negative thoughts, and wolfed down a slice of cake, determined to enjoy his last year at Hogwarts – even if he was single.

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"The Gfemp?" Sirius clarified disparagingly, "Prongs, what sort of a poncy name is that?" He snorted, chucking James' quaffle back through the air at him as they lazed in the Potters' back garden.

"It's a secret name." James replied in hushed tones, "You see, if we actively went around calling it," he put on an exaggerated, booming voice, "The Grad Foolproof Master Plan," his voice returned to its usual tone, "then people would get suspicious." He concluded.

Sirius opened his mouth to respond, but James interrupted him, "But if we call it the Gfemp, then people aren't going to be interested and work it out." Sirius considered the issue.

Finally, he clapped James on the shoulder, "That's a brilliant plan, mate." James smirked and shrugged nonchalantly, "Completely crazy… but brilliant. Welcome back to the Marauders."

James sat up, "What do you mean Welcome back?" He raised an eyebrow, "I have always been a fully fledged Marauder." He stated.

Sirius laughed, "Then why did Pete and I walk in on you doing," He made a face," Urgh, Holiday Homework?" James sniffed mock haughtily, then leaned in towards Sirius as though they might be overheard, abandoning the quaffle. He looked side to side around the deserted garden before whispering,

"It's part of the Gfemp." He leaned back to a gale of laughter from Sirius,

"What, letting me win more detentions than you? That's already too easy, Prongs." James rolled his eyes,

"No – maybe Lily will notice me more if I actually do some work." He said, as though explaining the alphabet to a small child.

Sirius looked horrified, "You mean to say you're actually going to do homework? Properly? Besides, she notices you already – just not in a good way."

James waved a hand in the air, "Well, maybe I'll go and sit in the library with Moony and get him to help me…"

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After a tearful goodbye from Mrs Potter, Mr Potter had managed to drive both boys to the station for the final time. He parked his car somewhat awkwardly, not really being accustomed to driving it often. He only really owned a car so the muggle neighbours didn't wonder how the Potters managed without one.

James and Sirius casually strolled over to the barrier and leaned against it, before subtly slipping through with their luggage. Mr Potter waited for them before walking straight at the barrier, only to be confronted with his son on the ground of the Hogwarts Platform, Sirius howling with laughter whilst a pretty girl with red hair looked on hopelessly. He guessed that was the Lily Evans he had been hearing about all this time.

James launched himself to his feet and promptly hit Sirius, so his laughter sounded more like coughs.

"Must you two start a fight before you've even got on the train?" A familiar, exasperated voice belonging to Remus Lupin sounded behind them. He turned to shake Mr Potter's hand with a greeting before James' father faded into the line of parents skulking in the background, pretending they weren't watching their children.

"Moony!" Sirius pounced on him in an enthusiastic welcome, noticing that Remus looked almost as if he had energy to spare, which he definitely should not, considering the cycle of the moon.

"Good morning, Sirius," he paused, "James?" He poked the black haired boy hard in the shoulder to bring him back to the real world. "James?" He repeated.

James was standing there in a state of shock. He had just made an utter fool of himself, and Lily Evans had not said a word. She had looked at him almost as though… she pitied him. A sharp pain in his shoulder caused his vision to focus again and he noticed Remus standing beside him. "Moony!" He exclaimed, "How've you been?"

Remus gave a wolfish smile of smugness before craning his neck for the remaining member of the Marauders. He spotted Peter attempting to extricate himself from his mother's embrace. "Let's rescue Pete and get a compartment – we'll have most of the journey to discuss our summers with each other. I've got a Prefect meeting first again, but that should be over fairly quickly." He said, already making his way over to Peter Pettigrew.

His mother reluctantly let go of him and Peter dragged his luggage towards his friends with a quick, "Hi!" and a wave. They all pushed their way through the crowd of bewildered first years, teary mothers and smug fifth years and jostled a few Slytherins out the way to the train doors. The Marauders hauled their trunks aboard the Hogwarts Express, and James turned to give a final wave to his father, who returned it. They forced their way through until they came to their usual compartment near the end of the train.

James and Sirius made themselves at home and sprawled their luggage all over the compartment whilst Remus stacked his trunk neatly in the corner, offering to tidy Peter's trunk as well. A sharp whistle pierced the air and all four boys crammed together to look out the open window as though they were first years as, for their last time, the Hogwarts Express began to move off on its journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

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