A/n

To my readers. I feel so terrible leaving you hanging for a week. I sincerely apologise, I shall be punishing myself greatly for it, disallowing myself to have chocolate all week because of it (which in hindsight was not a great idea, I needed the chocolate to give me a sugar rush after spending the whole night on Wednesday watching the lunar eclipse)

Anyway, this chapter isn't great. But it's still a chapter. Everything has just been so hectic this week. Again apologies. I should be back on form by tomorrow. This chapter is short because I was at my prom last night and I've been working most of the week.

Enjoy and leave a review if possible. Remember 200 reviews!

xxx

January, February and March seemed to melt into each other without much pause for breath. Studying was growing more intense as the third year exams were barely weeks away. Natural brilliance (or arrogance, as Lily claimed) led Sirius and James to believe that studying was not an option. Even going so far as to stop Remus from helping Peter with his revision. "WE DON'T NEED THAT CRAP!" Was Sirius' exact words. Remus just ignored them until he realised that James had stolen his books and hexed them to the outside of the astronomy tower. This made one very grump Remus, which James quickly wished he hadn't caused.

"It was only a joke!"

"I needed those books for class!"

"But you're brilliant!"

"How many times do I need to say that I have to study to get this brilliant!"

"Ah."

"Yes."

"Oh dear."

"Yes, James."

"Shall I go and get your books?"

"That would be nice."

One Wednesday during Defence against the Dark Arts, Remus, Peter, Sirius and James all with their heads bent down pouring over text books about Hinkypunks and Redcaps, got the fright of their life when a loud noise came from the front of the room. Professor Fabianus slammed down his walking cane on the desk.

"Alright," He said, pulling out his wand. "All of you stand up and take out your wands."

Begrudgingly, and a little confused the students stood up. Fabianus moved around his desk and motioned the class to follow him. With a flick of his stubby wand, the desks and chairs shifted to the side and he limped to the back of the room. Cane in hand, he hit the large trunk and it shook violently.

"Time to put your boggart training to the test." He said.

"What?" James said. "You're kidding right?"

"No, I am not kidding James. Might as well, you lot look as though you've been put into a coma," Fabianus said. "Step forward. Say the incantation. Excetra, Excetra. On the count of three. One-"

They all fumbled for their wands.

"Two."

Peter dropped his wand in pure terror.

"THREE!" The trunk exploded open and Fabianus called forth a student. "Marlene!"

Marlene was pushed towards the front. The mist that was probably the Boggart turned to see her and began to shape-shift. Snakes, spiders and other creatures poured from the cracks in the floorboards. She raised her wand and cried "Riddikulus!" There was a loud crack and they exploded into sweets and party-poppers. A laugh erupted from the class.

"Sirius!" Fabianus roared.

Sirius marched forward, looking determined. The Boggart turned and saw him, confused for a minute, it turned into an exact copy of Sirius. The boggart-Sirius was older, and looking around wildly as if in a fight. A green light hit his chest and the Boggart-Sirius fell down dead. Sirius made a sharp flick with his wand, shouting "Riddikulus!" The Boggart-Sirius got up from the floor and did an Irish jig. James was the one to laugh the loudest.

"SIRIUS, YOU DORK!"

"Mary!" Fabianus called over James.

Sirius pushed Mary forward and she dug deep in her robes for her wand. The boggart was getting confused. Another loud crack and it was a clown, with red lips curling up its white face, holding a red balloon. Mary seemed genuinely terrified before quivering. "Riddikulus!"

The clown's baggy trousers dropped to reveal a pair of scrawny white knees that were quaking.

"EXCELLENT!" Fabianus shouted. "James!"

James rushed forward and the boggart turned to him. Crack and it was an ominous creature stooped in black robes. Several people screamed, unsure of what it was. The creature held a scythe in a bony hand and was beckoning James forward. For a second James looked confused, as if it had not been the thing that he thought that would appear. Nevertheless he pointed his wand and yelled the incantation. A loud crack and the scythe blade from the long wooden stick and hit the figure on the head, sending it to the ground.

"SARAH!"

Sarah rushed past Remus and drew out her wand ready to face it. There was a loud crack and in front of her stood a creature, soaked to the skin, with slender arms. Once human but shrivelled and with pale eyes. "Riddikulus!" The creature lost its legs and fell to the floor.

"LILY!"

Lily marched forward looking determined. The Boggart saw her and then fell to the floor in a pile of robes. Underneath it was Snape, bleeding at the neck, dead. Lily was too shocked to move. She raised her wand slightly. "R-r-riddikulus!" Crack. The Boggart seemed to be enjoying itself. Snape had turned into an image of Marlene. She tried again. Now a dead Mary. Another dead body, one that they did not recognise to be a little older than Lily. Then two other bodies, presumably of her parents. Dead Xeno. Dead Remus. Dead Peter. Dead Sirius. Dead James.

Remus rushed forward to Lily who was sobbing on the floor. The Boggart took one look at Remus and rose from the ground into a silver orb. Remus wasn't concentrating on it. He pulled Lily up and moved towards James who was staring at where his dead form had been just seconds before.

Fabianus cleared his throat, the Boggart turned on him, but before it had the time to change from the moon into something else, Fabianus waved his wand and forced it back into the trunk. Once locked and bolted, he went towards Lily and knelt down beside her.

"Lily?" He asked. "You alright?"

Lily gave a shaky laugh. "Yes," She said through her tears. "I'm fine professor."

Remus pulled out a handkerchief and gave it to her. "Here," He said.

"Thank you," Lily whispered, blowing her nose. "I'm just… Being silly. Can't even… Handle… A silly… A silly boggart."

"Mary, Marlene," Fabianus said. "Maybe you should take Lily back to your common room."

"No!" Lily cried. "Let me try again."

"No," Fabianus said firmly. "Mary? Marlene?"

Mary and Marlene were obviously shaken by what they had seen Lily's boggart turn into. But they nodded nonetheless and pulled her up, taking her out of the class. James was still staring at the spot where he had seen his shape. Remus had went to Sarah's side, she was holding herself, a little terrified that she had seen her dead frame. She looked at him for a second before flinging her arms around his neck and holding him tightly. Remus, unsure of what to do, hugged back. Fabianus did not look worried though he knew that what he wanted to be a simple lesson had turned into something else. He cleared his throat.

"Class dismissed." He said calmly.

Sarah pulled away, looking at Remus before blushing. She picked up her bag and left with the crowd. Remus joined James and Sirius who were still looking at the trunk.

"Well that was fun," James said sarcastically.

"Quite," Remus agreed silently.

"Bloody boggarts," Sirius said kicking the trunk as they made their way out.

"Well we know of one good thing that came from the lesson," Peter said catching up with them.

"And that is?" Sirius asked turning to him.

"Mary couldn't keep her eyes off you,"

….

"MOONY!" James cried. "Help me with this!"

Remus looked over. "James, it's a simple charm. Do it yourself."

Sirius nudged Remus. "He's trying to make you out to be smart so Sarah will want to go on another date with you!"

"Another…" Remus shook his head. "We are not boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Well you seemed pretty cosy last night!"

"That was different!" Remus said growing red. "I was helping her with her homework."

"Listen, do you ever want to go out with this girl?"

"Yes but-"

"Then you'll play along!" James cleared his throat. "Oh no!" He said in an obviously fake voice. "I don't know how I will ever manage to do this charm. Remus, can you help me?"

"No," Remus said flatly.

Sirius kicked him under the table.

"OW!" Remus cried. "Sirius you help this idiot!"

"But you're obviously smarter," Sirius complained.

"Well grades tend to disagree with that don't they?" Remus snapped.

"Oh, what's got your knickers in a twist?"

"Nothing."

"Time of the month?"

"No."

"Sarah not giving you enough loving?" James asked, resulting in another kick under the table. "OW!"

"Mr. Potter, is there a problem?" Flitwick asked.

"No professor," James said.

"Get on with your work then,"

"Right, yeah, sorry,"

Sirius turned to James. "Any luck with Lily yet?"

James shook his head. "She doesn't acknowledge I exist," He said, sighing and turning over the page to the book he was reading.

"That's not strictly true," Remus said.

"You're right." James said. "I am truly awesome. How could anyone deny my existence?"

"Well let's see… There's Voldemort, Snape, Malfoy, Lily…" Sirius began counting the names off his fingers.

"Me," Remus said from behind his book. James turned and punched him on the arm.

"Mr. Potter, I saw that, detention tonight."

"But sir!"

"No, you're doing it Potter. I don't care what you have to do tonight."

James fell back onto his seat looking downhearted.

"Yeah, but we're still going into Hogsmede to visit Aberforth, aren't we?" Peter asked.

"Yes," Sirius said. "What makes you say that?"

Peter shrugged. "I dunno. I just thought that Remus would want to comfort Sarah after her little fright in D.A.D.A…"

Remus slammed his book down. "Thanks Pete."

"Here for you man," Peter grinned.

"Well?" Sirius asked.

"Well what?" Remus replied.

"Do you just want to stay at Hogwarts and comfort Sarah?"

"What? You're making me decide?"

"Listen, if it was any of us…" Sirius paused thinking carefully about what he was going to say next. "Yeah, we would stay to comfort the girls."

James wrapped his arm around Sirius' neck. "You know it was just a prank, we never meant any of it," He said comfortingly.

"Shove off James," Sirius said.

"I think you better listen to him," Remus said. "He's been looking for a prank to get you with after you pulled the dragon faeces incident."

"Faeces? What are you? Some sort of Healer?" Sirius asked. "Just come out and say 'poo',"

"No,"

Sirius turned to James, pushing his hair out of his face. "You haven't pulled any sort of pranks have you?"

"Well what would be the point of me saying sorry before said prank is pulled?" James asked.

"Might be just in case the prank leaves me unconscious and I can't hear your apology when I'm lying on the hospital wing bed." Sirius said.

James thought for a minute then shrugged his shoulders. "It is a likelihood."

Sirius' face drained of colour. "What?"

"Oh don't worry. You'll find it bloody hilarious afterwards." James grinned.

"I hope so," Sirius said.

"Is this in any way contributing towards your study?" Flitwick asked.

James looked down at the tiny Professor. "No, sir. Just… Y'know, having a… Discussion,"

"On?"

"This charm."

"There's something you have to discuss about a simple charm?" Flitwick asked.

"Yes,"

"Are you intentionally playing dumb so I don't give you detention for talking in class?"

"Er…"

"I thought as much. Doesn't work. Detention for the rest of the week."

"Oh come on! It was Sirius as much it was me!" James complained.

"Fine, Sirius, you can join him!"

"WHAT?" Sirius yelped. "I didn't do anything!"

"But you encourage him," Remus supplied.

"Not necessarily. It's more of a barter system. I encourage, he encourages of equal measure. It's fun,"

"Then you can both have equally long detentions." Flitwick said.

Sirius let out a groan and flopped back onto his chair almost setting alight the teacups he was trying to give legs to. James let out a laugh.

"Shut up Prongs," Sirius said.

"No,"

Sirius pouted.

…

"She's right there!" Sirius said pushing Remus forward. "Go on, ask her to Hogsmede!"

Remus blushed angrily and pushed his way through the crowds opposite to where Sarah was standing on her own. James stood in his way.

"Oh no you don't," He grinned. He shoved Remus forward, pulling him around the neck and walking over to Sarah. "Hello!"

Sarah saw Remus and blushed. "Hey James. Hi… Remus."

"Hi, Sarah," Remus said.

James grinned wildly between them. "Well I can see this conversation is spreading like wildfire. I'm gonna leave you lovebirds alone."

Remus opened his mouth to say something but James had already ducked through the crowds back to Sirius and Peter.

Sirius was shaking his head, smiling slightly. "Our little boy is all grown up and will soon have his first date."

"He's already had one," James reminded. "Slughorns' party?"

"Oh, bollocks, yeah." Sirius said. "Fine, contradict me in front of the kids! It's bad enough trying to get respect from them!"

"I respect you!" Peter squeaked.

"Yes Peter," James said. "We know this. You follow us day and night telling us how much you love us. We are frankly brilliant but for god's sake don't point out the obvious,"

"Oh… Sorry,"

"No, keep going with it." Sirius said. "I rather like being worshipped by someone."

"Sirius,"

"Yes James?"

"Go drown in Moaning Myrtle's toilet."

"I've done that already." Sirius lifted the hood of his robes and made a "ooooohhhhh" noise whilst waggling his fingers. "I'm a ghost!"

"Don't mock the dead," James said. "Nick'll come and chop your head off."

"He doesn't have the stones to!"

"Quite the contrary," said a vague voice. The boys turned to see Xenophilius, clutching his books. "I rather think he has the stones… Just not the physical ability to do such a thing."

Sirius stared at Xeno. "Er… Okay,"

"If it is a problem I offer my services."

"Do you even know what we're talking about?" James asked.

"Yes, cutting Sirius' head off," Xeno shrugged. "It might actually get rid of the Wracxspurts that are floating around you."

"Wrackspurts?" Sirius asked. "No," He shook his head. "I don't even think I want to know."

"You don't," Xeno said. "Nasty little creatures. They float in your ear and make you say stupid things."

"Right," James said pursing his lips. "So, Sirius has had them all his life?"

Sirius punched James on the arm. "Arse!"

Remus had returned, slightly red but smiling nevertheless. Behind him, they could see Sarah smiling and biting her lips as her friends joined her.

"So…" Peter said. "Does Moony have a girlfriend yet?"

Remus cleared his throat, avoiding the subject. "Come on, let's go to lunch, I wonder what we're having."

"Moony's got a girlfriend. Moony's got a girlfriend. Moony's got a girlfriend!" Sang Sirius.

"Shut up!" Remus said.

"Oh my bloody god. He does!" James said. "So?"

"What?"

"Do you have a date?"

"No, James."

"Then what the hell was that?"

"Me asking her to borrow a book."

"You mean I sang for no god damn reason?" Sirius asked. He let out an angry groan. "Sometimes you can a be a pain in the bloody behind."

"Well I'm sorry," Remus said, sitting down on the bench. "Don't you two have Quidditch practice?"

James and Sirius who were just about to sit down, checked their watches and yelped. "Right, yeah, gotta go. Save us some cheesecake." Sirius said.

"Seriously, get over your stomach," Peter said.

"Why, hello Evans," James had said, distracted. "Are you okay?"

"Go away Potter," Lily said.

"Well I can't do that, not after seeing the Boggart turn into a version of me." James said.

"It was only there because you were in the room." Lily said. "If a flying tree was in the room then there would have been a version of that, that the Boggart took shape of."

"Why on earth would there be a flying tree?" James asked.

"I don't know!" Lily said exasperated. "It was the first thing that came to mind."

"Work on that analogy crap," James suggested.

"Goodbye Potter," Lily said.

"Who said goodbye?" James asked.

"I did,"

"Oh,"

"Prongs," Sirius said, grabbing James' arm. "We don't have time for this. You can talk to Evans' later."

"Wait what – No!"

"Come on!"