:) New Chapter... really hope you enjoy it

Chapter 37:

It had been a week since Remus was allowed out of the hospital wing and life at Hogwarts had gone back to normal. The boys hadn't done anything towards their mission during that time, instead choosing to spend the time with each other and their respective girlfriends. Sirius' girlfriend Louise was in Ravenclaw; she was good friends with Emmie so the two couples had gone on 'double dates' that had always ended up in the astronomy tower. One such night, James lay on his back watching the sky, Emmie had her head leant against his chest, "look! There's a shooting star."

"Make a wish then," he said as he kissed her head.

"James did you read the prophet this morning?" Emmie asked, suddenly serious.

"Yeah, I did," James answered sadly.

"I can't believe the muggle's haven't noticed all the disappearances."

"I know but our ministry is very good at keeping things quiet with the muggles," James replied honestly. There had been even more muggle disappearances and there had even been an attack on a mass murder – 20 dead muggles – in the centre of London. The muggle-borns at Hogwarts were growing concerned about their families. They'd written to them and told them not to trust anyone and be extra vigilant. They were all anxious to go home over the Easter break to put wards around their homes to protect their families. James, however, just wanted to get home to see his parents and discuss what was going on. He wanted to understand. He wanted to fight.

It was their last day before the Easter break. The marauders were sat at the back of their Defence lesson. Emmie was sat next to James, whispering in his ear how much she would miss him over the holiday. James was barely paying her any attention, but he managed to smile at her in response. Professor Kilmont smiled, "We're going to have a bit of a review session today of everything you've learnt since Christmas; I want you to work in pairs attempting several spells; Lumos, the knockback jinx and the curse of the bogies. Do you remember the incantations?"

"Yes professor," the class said in unison.

James worked with Emmie but she quickly got distracted, "I'm really going to miss you James."

"I know Em but it's only a couple of weeks." James replied.

Lily was working with Mary but she kept glancing at James and Emmeline Vance. It looked almost like he was comforting her but wait, that's impossible! It's Potter, he's a jerk… Maybe he's not a jerk to his girlfriends… a small voice in her head said.

"Lily? Are you alright?" Mary asked, trying to work out what she was looking at.

Lily caught James' eye and quickly turned around back to Mary, "Should we do the curse of the bogies now. I think we're pretty good at the other two." He actually likes her...

Soon all their lessons were finished and the Gryffindors were packing for the break. Sirius was going to spend the first week with his family and then go over to James' house for the second week. He wasn't looking forward to seeing his mother. He shivered slightly at the idea.

The morning of their train journey to Kings Cross, the boys all jumped on James' bed only to find he wasn't there. He walked in from his morning flying session with Astrix to see his friends in his bed. "I think you'll find that's my bed, guys." He said laughing.

"Happy Birthday James!" They chorused.

James sighed gently, he wasn't big on making a fuss about his birthday, "thank you guys." They each passed him a present, Sirius had given him a giant poster of the Holyhead Harpies, an all-girl Quidditch team. "Nice!"

"I thought you'd like it," Sirius winked. Remus had gotten him a set of old books about transfiguration, "I thought since it was your best subject, you might like to try something slightly more challenging…"

"Thanks Remus, it's perfect." James replied, honestly. Peter presented James with a picture of the four marauders, "Mar-Marauders for life" he said, slightly shaky.

"Thanks Pete. It's great." He said sticking it to the ceiling above his bed, next to a picture of his parents.

The marauders chatted loudly on the train home. Emmie, Louise and one of their friends Dorcas joined them. The Gryffindor girls eventually ended up joining them as well. Emmie held James' hand whilst talking to Dorcas. Louise and Sirius were making out in the corner. Alice and Frank had gone in search of the sweet trolley. Mary was playing Peter at exploding snap. Remus was reading and Lily and Marlene were sat chatting about what they had planned for the holiday, "I've got to go to Potters' family's ball thing." Marlene laughed.

"Hey! Don't say it like that! At least you don't have to act a stiff and welcome all the boring pure-blooded guests." James spat loathingly.

"Ah come on," Alice said as she and Frank walked in, "that one over the summer wasn't too bad." She winked.

Frank laughed and then launched into the story of how they had offended several purebloods in one night. "That was you?" Sirius asked, pulling away from Louise.

James nodded. "My mum was so angry. I've never seen her so angry after a party. She would have murdered you, decapitated you and stuck your head next to the old house-elves on the stairs… you know… if your dad would have allowed it." Sirius laughed, hilariously. "To think, I went to Hogwarts and made friends with my mum's worst nightmare."

Lily was very confused. She watched her friends talk about the ball. Apparently most of them were going. Sirius, Remus and Peter were all going as James' friends, Frank was going with his family, Alice with hers, Marlene was going with her parents as well. Apparently only Lily, Kate and Mary weren't going. Oh and the Ravenclaws. "You're still coming aren't you, Em?" James asked his girlfriend.

"Yeah of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world. As long as you promise to attack those retched purebloods."

"I can promise you as a retched pureblood myself, that I will only attack the less favourable purebloods." He grinned. "The Malfoys, the Blacks, the Averys, the Lestranges… must I go on?"

When the train finally pulled into Kings Cross Emmie grabbed James and kissed him. When she drew back for breath she smiled up at him, "I'll miss you."

"I'll see you in a few days," James replied kissing her once more before jumping off the train.

He looked around and quickly saw a couple of people waiting for him; a beautiful, pale woman with blonde hair and messy haired man with glasses. He smiled at his parent. They waved at him, smiling broadly.

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