December 31st, 1976
For once in his life, Sirius Black was left speechless twice in one night. First, his Uncle Alphard revealed that his impending death (which the older Black considered to be "a damn blessing") and was leaving his entire fortune to the young Gryffindor. The second one was at the sight of Marlene McKinnon. She looked like an angel singing; untouchable yet so close.
Sirius had spent countless days alongside Marlene McKinnon, due to both of their close relations to James. She was a pretty girl, but he had seen her long awkward phase of puffy hair, gangly limbs, and major acne. But something hit him on the last eve of 1976. She looked mesmerizing.
"You're drooling," noted Remus Lupin, who was finally sobering up on his water.
Sirius wiped his lower lip like a petulant child before staring back at Marlene tease him with her voice.
"Don't let James catch you oogling her like that," Remus informed.
"No harm in looking," Sirius shrugged as he took a shot of fire whiskey. "Also, it's Marlene we are talking about. Let's be realistic."
Remus had a snide remark formulate in his mind, but thought better of it. Sirius would have to work out his own issues.
Marlene and her family finished their impressive rendition of "Feeling Good," with a long high note that left the crowd screaming for more. They all bowed together before dispersing off the stage.
Once Marlene was finished hugging her family and bandmates, she looked down and saw Sirius Black talking to one of her older brother's friends from Hong Kong. She sucked in a breath when she saw him, not that she'd ever admit that out loud. Of all the Marauders, Marlene knew that Sirius could charm the knickers off any girl he met… apparently even stone-heart Dorcas Meadowes. He'd win them over with that sleek hair, cocky smile, and arrogant aura. He did look good in that suit, and his collared shirt was just slim-fitting enough to see the lines of his biceps. And when did he get those?
Marlene nearly slapped herself. This was Sirius Black she was thinking about. She must've sounded like all the other birds who'd show off their tits with just a wink of his eye. Marlene scoffed and thought better of acknowledging her cousin's friend. But that didn't stop him from waving at her. Marlene pursed her lips and did the same briskly. She turned away and towards her sister, Merna, and said casually, "I think we got them excited for the fireworks, don't you?"
Merna let out a short laugh. She cocked her chin towards Sirius Black and said in an intentional tone, "Oh, you sure did, Little sister... Does he always stare that much?"
Marlene didn't have to look back to know what, or whom rather, her sister was referring to. She knew Sirius' stare and wink trick; he'd seen it used so many times. It wasn't going to work on her. "I have no idea what you're taking about," Marlene deadpanned.
"He's gotten pretty nice-looking," Merna continued as she pulled out her wand. "Not that a Black can look poorly. It's in their blood."
"Merna, just give out the announcement," Marlene demanded shortly as she fixed her mic stand impatiently.
Merna laughed quietly to herself before she put her wand to her throat. "ALRIGHT YOU LOT," Her voice boomed through the crowd, "GO OUTSIDE BECAUSE THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS IN PRECISELY TEN MINUTES. MAKE YOUR WISHES, HAVE YOUR SHAGS - JUST NOT IN OUR BEDS, AND TAKE OUT MORE ALCOHOL! LET'S GO!"
"Come on, you lot! Let's take our shots!"
Sirius Black just finished explaining where the bathroom was to a very drunk party-goer when James Potter nearly jumped on his back.
"PRONGS! Where have you been?" shouted Sirius. "Oh, hello, Henley. You look… polished."
Camilla Henley gave both Sirius and Remus as she touched up her worn-off red lipstick.
Remus let out a low whistle before suggesting, "Why don't we go outside and see those fireworks? Must be pretty."
As everyone headed outwards the outside patio and field, Sirius elbowed James in the ribs and whispered, "And I'm called the dog of the group. Walking in with Lily Evans, and walking out for the new year with Camilla Henley. Impressive, Potter."
James scoffed as they all took a shot of firewhiskey. "Marlene made me pick Evans up, and then sent our fucking portkey thirty-minutes south."
Remus let out a loud, yet short laugh. As James gave him a dirty look, he recomposed himself. "What? I just wish I thought of that first," Remus said defensively.
"Sod off," hissed James. "Evans wouldn't spend more than 10 minutes if willing. You both know that."
"Everything seemed to go rather swimmingly from a bird's eye view," murmured Sirius. He opened the door for his two friends and Henley, who was following behind.
The night sky was beautiful with twinkling stars and a nearly full moon. The grandfather clock looked to be about 11:58pm, and everyone was gathering around excited by the firework show. Lily, Dorcas, and Max McKinnon stood closely nearby.
"Wish for something good," Lily told Dorcas in a kind voice. "We'll need it this year."
"Cheers that," Dorcas agreed as they clinked their glasses together.
"You know what I wish for, Evans," Sirius said as he put his arm around the ginger. "World peace and harem full of women. It's the little things in life, no?"
"If you reveal your wish, it won't come true," Lily said mockingly.
"Ooh, a skeptic," cooed Sirius.
"She has a point," shouted Marlene McKinnon as she approached her hoard of friends. She had two shots in her hand, and one was down her hatch within two seconds. "Can't tell anyone, which must be hard for you, Black, with that mouth of yours," she added curtly.
"Your voice was lovely when singing, McKinnon," Sirius retorted, "maybe we should keep it that way."
"Oh, charming, Black," teased Marlene. "You'd be ever so blessed to hear me sing for you."
"If you're offering," Sirius shrugged, "I wouldn't mind a private performance."
"Gross," grumbled James. Camilla giggled quietly beside him, and he joined her too.
Lily noticed their small interaction. She knew she shouldn't be intervening in their conversation, but they weren't being all too subtle. "All right, all right, shut up!" Lily insisted loudly over her friends and housemates. "Countdown, everyone! Start wishing!"
"Ten… Nine… Eight…" the crowd shouted wildly, fists pumping and drinks slurping.
Dorcas Meadowes wished for 1977 to be no worse than 1976. She'd rather it be dull than adventurous, but wished to find a small piece of happiness somewhere. Something she hadn't felt in a while.
Remus Lupin prayed that he wouldn't harm anyone in 1977, physically or mentally. It was a landslide, but why not try for some luck. He could use it.
"Seven… Six… Five…"
Marlene McKinnon couldn't help but wish 1977 to bring her a musical career and a fine musician. She wished for continued happiness for her family.
Sirius Black hoped that his uncle wouldn't die, so that he wouldn't be the only Black with some damned sanity.
"Four… Three… Two…"
Lily Evans hoped that 1977 would be a peaceful one for her friends and family. She tried not to think of War.
James Potter wished that in 1977, he'd stop obsessing over Lily Evans and be happy with a girl who deserved his love.
"One! Happy New Year!" Everyone shouted as colorful fireworks shot through the air.
Max McKinnon tipped over Dorcas Meadowes and kissed her sweetly. She almost pushed him away because it had been a while since anyone had treated her so tenderly. Marlene McKinnon nearly shouted at the sight of her brother and classmate kissing, but her mouth was instantly preoccupied due to Sirius Black's lips against hers. Lily nearly laughed but instead, she instead found herself focusing on the sight of James Potter pressing his lips against Camilla Henley's. A rush of loneliness sunk into her chest, like a sinking ship. She should be thinking about Connor truthfully, but found herself just lonely instead. Even Remus found a similar-aged girl to kiss on this New Year's.
"Get off of me!" hissed Marlene as she shoved the mongrel off of him. "Now, I have to use a disinfecting charm."
"You should feel honored," Sirius countered coolly, giving her a wink. "There are lines of women who would die to kiss me-"
"Happy New Year, Lily," Marlene said ignoring Sirius, and then hugging Lily tightly. "And oy, Max, what the bloody hell are you doing?!"
Max McKinnon lifted Dorcas Meadowes and gave her sister a dashing smile. "You have some nice friends, Marley."
Dorcas blushed a fierce red. "Sorry, McKinnon."
Marlene waved it off before he was lifted up by James. He swung her around and kissed her on the cheek. "Let the youth live," insisted James. He moved on from his cousin and hugged his fellow brothers. After he hugged Remus, he was brave enough (with the help of multiple shots of fire whiskey within the course of twenty minutes) to give Lily a harmless peck on the cheek. Why not? He was drunk enough to play it off as meaningless and a kind gesture, considering that they actually had a decent conversation for the first time in six years of knowing one another. Also, it looked less suspicious with Camilla Henley giving him an adequate amount of attention. He leaned down and aimed to press his lips quickly with Lily's flushed skin as she looked up at the firework show in awe. But, she just had to turn her head. Her beautifully stupid head.
Their lips met like in an old American screwball comedy. Both of their eyes wide open and staring at one another in awe. They pulled back quickly and just stared for a moment. Lily touched her lip with her fingertips, and her rosy cheeks became even rosier than before.
James coughed into a fist. He scratched his head and couldn't help but smile like the fumbling idiot he was. "Happy New Years, Evans," he smirked.
Lily glared at him. "Go run into a dragon's den, Potter."
James shrugged. He may have been offended if he weren't tipsy, but he surely didn't care now. He even leaned in for another, but instead of a nice kiss, Lily greeted him with a sure smack in the face.
"I deserved that," James acknowledged coolly, but still glowing brightly.
"Yes, you did," Lily whispered sternly as he turned back heading towards Camilla Henley, who was hugging Hestia Jones. Lily decided that she was not lonely for Connor; she refused to give James Potter that power.
Especially starting the new year.
January 3rd, 1977
"You didn't?!" Mary MacDonald and Emmeline Vance squealed together, clutching each other as if they were watching a muggle horror movie.
Mary MacDonald, Emmeline Vance, and Lily Evans sat in the 7th floor girls' bathroom. Lily sat curled up in the steaming bubble bath and twirled a piece of her hair. "I did…" explained Lily. "I slapped Potter right across the face."
"He's probably been counting the days that he would get to kiss you," laughed Emmeline as she dipped her long black hair underneath the water.
"I doubt he even really knew what he was doing," Lily argued confidently. "He got pretty drunk, pretty fast."
"I wish I could see the look on Potter's face," Mary laughed brightly. "He must've been completely gobsmacked."
"He moved onto Henley," Lily informed as she slid out of the tub.
"Camilla Henley?" Mary repeated. "Gryffindor Camilla?"
Lily nodded, wrapping a towel around her body. "She didn't look too happy that Potter even acknowledged me."
"That's because Henley has wanted to marry James ever since our second year," Marlene McKinnon explained as she sauntered inside the bathroom. "She's bonkers for him. Rather disturbing to watch."
"Henley is nice though," Mary noted timidly.
"Just know that James would rather be with Lily than Henley," the blond said shortly.
Lily scoffed, "He should go after Henley though. I'm not interested in Potter. Never have, never will be."
Marlene pouted. "My plan was foiled by your own stubbornness?"
"Your plan was never tangible in the first place," the redhead said curtly. "I have Connor." She expected there to be more vigor and confidence in her voice when she said that.
Marlene rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything, Emmeline added her two cents: "Yeah, but it's not like Greyson is the most stimulating person on the planet," she claimed. "Physically or mentally."
"Em!" Mary squeaked, smacking Emmeline on the arm. She then fixed her glasses back on Lily, who was still dripping from her bath. "Connor is perfectly lovely, Lily. He's smart, kind, and pretty handsome if you ask me. Every girl wish they could date the Head Boy."
Lily gave two sure nods. Mary was right; she should be lucky to be dating a guy like Connor. Sometimes, she just felt like Connor… wasn't enough. But that could be because Lily Evans knew that she had ridiculously high standards.
"Oh, you just like Greyson because he hangs out with Caradoc Dearborn," Emmeline dismissed sourly.
Mary turned a bright red and hid into her curls. "I do not!"
"Every time Dearborn walks past you, you become wetter than mermaid," Emmeline continued.
Mary got redder than Gryffindor scarlet. "Sod off, Emmeline. I do not! That's not even physically possible!"
As Emmeline and Mary continued to bicker, Lily unraveled her towel and slid into her underwear and bra. She leaned over to take a sip from Marlene's flask. She saw underneath the flask that Marlene had gone to the Owlery and received holiday greetings from cousins and extended family, her edition of the Witch Weekly, but surprisingly no Daily Prophet. Similar to Lily's mail for the day.
"Did you get your edition of the Prophet?" Lily asked Marlene curiously. The blond was dipping her toes into the lukewarm water and popping the bubbles with her toes.
"No, not today," Marlene said indifferently. "You didn't either?"
Lily hummed in agreement as she slid her sweater on. "That seems weird, no?"
Marlene nodded, "odd." She looked over to Emmeline and Mary, still bickering over the physicality of Caradoc Dearborn, and shouted, "Oy, did either of you get your edition of the Prophet today?"
Mary and Emmeline exchanged glances before answering. "I didn't check the Owlery today," revealed Mary.
"I didn't get one," Emmeline said cautiously.
Marlene and Lily exchanged glances this time. "Do you think anyone got The Prophet?" The ginger asked curiously as she finally got dressed.
"It doesn't seem like it," Marlene said, rubbing her chin. Her eyes flickered brightly after a moment, and she swung her feet out of the bath. "Seems like we'll have to find some more statistics on that."
"It might be good for you to not be staring at the newspaper all day," Mary suggested meekly. "You spend a lot of time… scrutinizing it, Lily."
Lily dried her hair with her towel before shoving it back into her loo-bag. She shrugged calmly, "We have to be aware of what's going on outside these walls, Mary. They won't protect us forever."
"Maybe the news was too unbearable today," Mary added.
"Who would decide that?" Emmeline asked.
"Dumbledore most likely," Marlene answered as she slipped on her penny loafers. "And Dumbledore is pretty liberal when it comes to students knowing the current events and the War."
"It must be bad then," Lily muttered. With a determined face, she stood up and said sternly, "I want to know what's in that paper."
"Ah, my favorite Lily: Nosy Lily," Marlene beamed as she clapped her hands together excitedly. "I know just who to recruit on this little adventure."
Peter Pettigrew tapped his stubby fingers against the Gryffindor Common Room desk. He stared at a few of the paintings, observed a few students, and even counted sheep. It was roughly seven-thirty, and he was absolutely bored. This was usually his time to do the Crossword puzzle in the Daily Prophet. Now, Peter was not one of the most capable students in Gryffindor, but he enjoyed the Crossword Section. He was pretty clever with a puzzle, faster than Remus and James. And sometimes even faster than Sirius. But now, he didn't have his chance to shine… and he was alone.
Remus had an appointment with Poppy about his pre-full moon aggression. Sirius was serving detention with the giant Ground's Keeper's Assistant, Hagrid, in the Forbidden Forest, but should be back soon. And James was sitting in front of the warm fire, chatting it up with Camilla Henley, with his hand dangerously close to her behind. Peter didn't know that they had become so close, but Sirius and Remus barely commented it when they all arrived back to school yesterday.
Peter let out a long sigh. He wished for something exciting.
And sometimes Peter Pettigrew would get his wish granted.
The portrait door slammed open for Marlene McKinnon and Lily Evans. Peter always thought that the two girls were rather pretty and watched as they stalked past him. Marlene said nothing, but Lily gave him a quick wave. She was always the friendlier of the two.
"Oy," Marlene said to James as she jumped over the couch and landed right in front of him with her hands on his fists. "I have an assignment for you."
James peered up at his cousin irritably. His face softened when he got a view of Lily, whom he hadn't seen properly since he had (accidentally) kissed her, but focused his attention back on Marlene. "I'm busy," he stated.
"With what?" Marlene questioned, "We just got back from vacation."
"I'm helping Henley with her…" James found himself immediately distracted by Lily's presence in conjunction with Henley's. He scratched his hair before coming up with a pathetic excuse.
Before he had a chance to share his poor attempt at an excuse, Camilla closed her Transfiguration textbook loudly. As she stood up, she gave Lily a quick barely-noticeable glare and looked back at Marlene. "Potter was actually helping me with some Transfiguration work before classes start back up. He told me I should be extra-prepared since my 5th year is so important," she said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Yes, it is very important," Lily agreed, remembering the all-nighters she'd spent in the library studying for Transfiguration. She had spent them with Marlene, Mary, and Emmeline… and sometimes Severus. Lily shook her head of the thought of Severus; that was not how she was going to start the New Year. "McGonagall does do give out her fair share of pop quizzes," Lily added hurriedly before turning to Marlene, "We should leave them, Marls. They're doing work." The ginger did not want to break up their gathering nor attract anymore unnecessary glares from Camilla.
"But we need him, Lily," Marlene insisted in a hushed voice.
This caught James' attention. Marlene may have needed James all the time because she was a lazy, self-indulgent, and manipulative princess, but Lily Evans would never ever need James Potter. The chance was too immediate to pass off. So much for following through on New Year's Resolutions.
"You mind if we finish up tomorrow then, Henley?" asked James, standing up. He towered over all three of the girls and gave Camilla a bright smile that the 5th year had to admit did melt her heart just a little bit. "I promise I'll be of more help once my cousin stops acting like newborn troll."
Marlene snorted. "Have you ever seen a troll look like this? Shit."
Camilla smiled at James and nodded before she walked off. "You owe me, Potter," she flirted as she turned back around for one more look. She then trotted up the stairs towards the Girl's Dormitory.
"She can be such a slag," sighed Marlene, rolling her big blue eyes.
"Oy," hissed Lily, smacking the blond in the arm, "you can't be a feminist and then degrade other women's sexual integrity."
Marlene waved Lily's remark off and then looked to her cousin. "Henley uses men like she uses water, James. She's constantly thirsty," she explained casually.
"The pot calling the kettle black?" James challenged as he fixed his glasses to sit onto the couch. He picked up his golden snitch and began throwing it up and down in the air. "Now, what do you two lovely ladies need from moi?"
Lily already hated this plan.
Marlene sat closely next to James and leaned in. In a quiet voice, she said, "I need your map."
James' face hardened. He glanced up at Lily and then back at Marlene. "You told her?" He hissed irritably. "Are you out of your bloody mind-"
"I already knew about the map," Lily interrupted coolly.
James' face softened as he looked back up at her. She was biting her lower lip, and he had to admit that all he could think about was trying to kiss her again. The galleons he'd pay for just one more try.
Of course, she'd hex him into next Tuesday in return for attempting to do so.
James looked back at his cousin and glared, "Why does she know about the map? What did you tell her?"
"I know about the map because it's obvious," Lily interjected once again, not appreciating being ignored. "If you think it isn't strange that four boys huddle around a piece of blank parchment like it's the latest Playboy, then you have another thing coming."
James gave her a quizzical look. "What's a playboy bunny?"
"Of all the muggle things to know about," she laughed, "you don't know what a playboy bunny is?"
"It sounds like a peculiar combination of children's toys and the theater."
"It's a magazine with loads of naked women," a small voice interjected. James, Marlene, and Lily looked back and saw that Peter was approaching them. His eyes darted awkwardly before shrugging, "My dad likes to look at them."
Lily and Marlene couldn't help but laugh a little.
"I also heard you talking about the map," Peter said as he pulled out a large piece of folded parchment from the back of his pant's pocket. He waved it.
"Peter, put it away," James demanded.
Peter was about to do exactly as instructed, but Marlene McKinnon was a quick and clever girl. She stood up and snatched it away within seconds. She was taller than Pettigrew too, so when he tried to snatch it back, he had to jump to do so. After one jump, Peter decided enough embarrassment for one day and immediately plopped onto the couch.
James Potter was taller however and stood up to his cousin. "Marlene, give it back," he said in a tired voice.
"Let me use it," Marlene bargained.
"That map is for important expeditions or emergencies."
"Oh yes, James, finding routes to the largest broom cupboard is crucial to the functioning of this castle and whatever shenanigans you do in your spare time," she taunted.
"You haven't heard Sirius having sex, have you?" Peter argued softly.
Lily coughed into a closed fist; Marlene gagged.
"Why do you need the map?" James asked curiously.
The two girls exchanged glances. "Well," the scotswoman said hesitantly as she ruffled her hair, trying to figure out a decent response. "It's a wee-bit complicated, and I don't want to waste any of your or my precious time with lengthy explanations-"
"We want to get into Dumbledore's office," Lily said casually.
James raised an eyebrow as Peter choked on air. "That's quite an expedition," the taller one mumbled. "What's in Dumbledore's office that's so important?"
Lily frowned. "You don't go off randomly revealing all of your pranks and journeys, do you, Potter?"
"That's why I don't ask for people's help beside Peter and the other two," James countered sharply. He crossed his arms like the spoiled child he was and said in a clear voice, "you won't be able to open the map without me or Peter."
Marlene winked at Peter and said in a flirtatious voice, "Pettigrew, you want to help us don't you? I'll make it worth your while."
Peter thought about it for a moment, looking up at the ceiling as if it were going to tell him the answer. "No thanks, McKinnon," he said diplomatically.
Marlene deadpanned. "Pardon?"
"You aren't all that, McKinnon," the small sixteen year old murmured weakly, "not that you aren't pretty, but I know that you won't really give me anything I want. You're more manipulative than Black."
Marlene barely looked hurt. She scoffed, "Ouch, ouch, my heart."
James and Lily couldn't help but chuckle a little at Marlene's invincible sense of narcissism. They both paused, noticing their harmonious three-second moment, and Lily looked away.
James rolled his eyes. They could never have an easy moment. "So, are you going to share or not? Times-a-wasting, Evans."
The redhead sucked her teeth. She was very much against Marlene's plan to involve her cousin in the first place: partially because Marlene insisted on coupling the two together any chance she got and because she for some reason believes that James is one of the most capable spies in the school. In Lily's humble opinion, James Potter was loud-mouthed and arrogant. Two things she did not need to find Dumbledore's edition of the Prophet.
Lily looked down at Marlene, who gave her a small and easy-going shrug. "I think you should tell him," the blond suggested.
Lily let out an annoyed grumble. She looked at James and said in a quick voice, "No one got today's Prophet, and I want to know why."
"You want to sneak into the Headmaster's personal office for a newspaper?" James asked if it were a joke. "Oh, come on, Evans. Just when show the potential for good Marauder material, you screw it up with a shitty media outlet."
"Shitty media outlet?" She repeated. "Fuck, Potter, what do you read for current events then?"
"The Quibbler," Marlene informed. She circled her finger around her temple and mouthed dramatically, Mental.
"The Quibbler?" Lily asked in an amused tone, raising her eyebrow at James.
"The Quibbler doesn't spew out everything and anything the Ministry tells them to," James argued.
"Hypocrite," she laughed, "Your dad works for the Ministry!"
"And he's the one who told me not to read the Prophet, you narrow-minded-"
"Okay! Okay!" Marlene shouted as she stood up. She patted both James and Lily on the shoulder and said, "Maybe it'd be best if we took this upstairs. Somewhere a little more private. Somewhere we won't be putting on spectacle for the first years." She motioned to the three first year students who were trying to do their work, but kept staring at James and Lily fighting.
James kept glaring at Lily for a long moment, which she sustained, before turning his back on them. He motioned for them to follow him up the stairs toward the dorms. Lily, Marlene, and Peter followed James into the boy's dorm. It was laid out just like the girls' with a door leading to each year's specific room. Theirs was the second on the left, just like the girls'.
Lily had never walked into the boy's dorm before. She could immediately tell whose bed was whose. Remus' bed was the one closest to the door: it was tidy and made perfectly. There was little clutter on the cabinet, just a picture of Remus, his mother, and father standing outside of a small cottage when the prefect was just a boy. Sirius' bed had charmed christmas lights strung up on it and all around. He had photographs of nearly-naked women on different types of automobiles pasted around his bed. Peter's bed had a quaffle and food wrappers strewn around it. His large-waisted pants were folded at the edge of the bed.
And lastly, there was James. To Lily's surprise, it was made neatly with a bunch of books on it. She tried not to stare at all the titles but some of the topics were about quidditch, flying, ancient roman history, and... Emma by Jane Austen. Oh, she'd never erase that image from her mind now.
James moved the books off his desk and onto his cabinet and motioned for the girls to sit. Marlene laid comfortably down with her feet up, while Lily shook her head. The quidditch captain sat at the foot of his bed and leaned back as he took his snitch into his hand. "Private enough for you?" He asked curtly.
Lily tried her hardest not to start up a bickering session again. She took a deep breath and ignored him. "No Daily Prophet means that Dumbledore is hiding something," Lily explained.
"What's he got to hide?" Peter asked.
"It probably has to do with the war," James added, throwing his snitch up in the air. It whizzed around for a few moments before James snatched it.
"But Dumbledore always updates us on the War," Peter clarified. "He says we must remain constantly vigilant."
"He got that from Moody," James said absent-mindedly.
"Whose Moody?" Lily asked.
"Auror," James said impatiently, waving it off. "Not important really. But why would Dumbledore hide something from us?"
"Because it must have to do with a professor?" Marlene suggested.
"Or a student," added James. He paused for a moment and let out a long breath. "Or the entirety of Hogwarts."
Lily, Marlene, and Peter looked at each other tensely, but James smiled brightly. It was a smile that they'd all seen before. Peter knew that as the mischief-to-be-managed smile; Marlene knew that as a forecasting smile before he made public humiliation of her; and Lily knew that as the smile before James would ask her out. In sum, it meant that he had a plan.
"Well, it seems like we will need that map."
AN: I know! A lot happened folks! I had to make up for the absence; I haven't had a chance to write in a few days. I hope you enjoyed it. Please favorite, follow, and review if it suits ya fancy.
XO
Rose