A/N: Hey! So I know, the grammar and writing is poor, I have written the 5th year, three years ago in Word Pad, and have been completing the book's last few chapters now and editing them. I know, I should edit the starting chapters but I am a bit lazy and more excited to finish the book first and my head is completely into the last chapters, the characters there have grown up and the theme has gone a bit dark due to war. So, I promise once I am done there I will improve these chapters. I thought of publishing it here only after finishing it completely but you know it takes time to edit, so I decided to upload it here.
So, what do you all say? Should I continue posting the chapters here or should I improve the grammar and writing and edit it then publish? Please tell me whether you're interested in this book or not.
After the Ball the classes had begun, as usual , Lily's and James' euphoria only lasted for few days as they were crushed under the pressure of their upcoming exams .
The fifth year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs had DADA together first thing in morning .
Today they had to learn to defend themselves again Vampire Bats.
"Vampire Bats are dark creatures and they leave in shadows and come out at night , their bites and claws injuries gives Vampire like behaviours in the witches and wizards , they however can be easily defeated with a simple spell 'DURATUS' but the Vampire bats are quite fast , so to deal with that you can use 'Lumos' which slows them down as they are harmed by light . Now, we will close the windows and dim the light , you all stand in lines and come forward one by one."said Patrick
The classroom was turned dark with only few light sources .
"Ms. Jones " called Prof Patrick " Now, the spell is DURATUS ok , I am going to release one Vampire bat ."
The creature was very similar to a bat but with long front teeth and red claws . Hestia Jones took five tries before hitting the bat which fell on ground frozen , professor with a flick of wand sent it into one of the boxes .
James and Marlene having the skills of chaser hit the bat in one go only and earned 5 points each .
Peter as usual panicked and hit the portrait of a wizard who turned into stone .
The next class was of potions , they were brewing Erumpent Potion , the Marauders all messed up their potions courtesy Sirius who distracted them by his experience of broom cupboard , as a result Slughorn gave them extra homework.
History of Magic was boring , it was not as though the chapters were boring but the way Binns taught was what made it boring.
While the other marauders decided it was best to sleep , James started doodling and staring at back of Lily , who herself was whisper talking with Mary and Marls. They all rely on Emmeline Vance , their fellow Hufflepuff for notes.
Transfiguration today was interesting when they entered the class, they saw Goldfinches birds on McGonagall's table .
"Settle down, class. Today we will Transfigure a goldfinch into a Golden Snitch. I understand that Quidditch is of particular interest to many of you, but contain your enthusiasm... We will begin today's class with a lecture and then will practice it . It's a hard but important one ." said Mcgonagall .
After 20 minutes of lecture, every student had a goldfinch in their front , everyone began practicing except for James and Sirius .
Lily found transfiguration hard , after trying eight times she started looking around , and found James looking at her , he was not practicing, when their eyes met his grin widened and he blown a kiss at her , Lily rolled her eyes and looked at her bird and was about to practice transfiguring it again when a note fell on her table , she opened it .
Focus Evans , or do you want my help ? ;)
NO and Why aren't you practicing?
James read the note and chuckled , he took out his quill and wrote back to her .
I have more important things to do .
And what are these important things ?
Looking at you , dreaming about you , and doodling you .
CREEP. Doodle really ? I don't believe you .
James snorted.
Why you never trust me Evans?
Because , you arent trustworthy .
"Enough Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans , now Potter show me the transfiguration " said professor.
"As you say Minnie ." replied James and he took out his wand moved it in a parabolic pattern and pointed it to the bird at his table , it turned into a snitch instantly.
" Excellent Mr. Potter , Five points and take another five points for doing it in one attempt ." she said and moved closer to him and said in slow voice but Lily listened it " Your pumpkin transfiguration was very impressive even Headmaster was impressed by it ."
"Thanks ,Minnie " grinned James . McGonagall had given up on the attempt to make them use her proper name .
" Now, Ms. Evans " she turned to Lily , who cursed herself and then Potter under her breathe.
Lily tried doing the transfiguration twice but failed . " Focus and practice Ms Evans "
" I can help her Professor " said James innocently . Minnie looked at him then to Lily then to Sirius who was sitting behind James .
" Ok , but don't disturb anyone . And Black stop throwing things at Pettigrew and show me the transfiguration ."
Sirius as like James did it easily but his snitch had both wings at same side though McGonagall gave him 3 points.
" Hey Evans , why do you think I am not trustworthy ?" James whispered to her sitting next to her .
"Because you always are up to some mischief ." replied Lily
" Not with you , with you I am always serious "
" Then prove it and tell me how did you transform it ?"
" To transfigure it , first have a clear image of snitch in your mind and then do it ."
Lily did the same but failed .
" You are moving your wands very much , tighten it and then move the wand in the parabolic pattern."
Lily nodded and after nearly ten more tries had transfigured it into a snitch.
"Good work Ms. Evans . " said Professor who was at Remus' table examining his snitch.
" Now you trust me ?" asked James
" Little bit "smiled Lily , James sighed but grinned.
The last class of the day was Charms , they were practicing Silencing Charm on bullfrogs and ravens. This was the only class where you can talk freely , courtesy Flitwick.
The marauders were all gathered in a close circle in a corner discussing something and by the looks on their faces it was surely prank .
Mary who was sitting between Marlene and Lily looked at them , "I don't know how they get so good in studies without paying attention in any class ?" she shrugged struggling with silencing her frog.
"James study strange books at home , when I ask he says it is for pranks and also, so I suppose just like that they are all good even Pete does okayish." Marlene said.
"They are surely going to do some prank soon , I think ." Lily said who had successfully silenced her raven.
" Wormtail you have a big responsibility don't panic otherwise our plan will be failed." said Remus Peter nodded looking nervous.
" This will be fun ." exclaimed Sirius.
"We will need to convince Peeves for extra fun." suggested James.
" He respects us and loves havoc so that will be easy " replied Peter with a mischievous grin.
The next few days all marauders were not disturbing anyone and were always found in closed circle discussing something , this could not be good thing.
And for sure , one day havoc broke in Hogwarts.
Starting from breakfast , there were sudden water colour explosions soaking people in different water colours , Peeves somehow cough Marauders cough has found a lots of water balloons and was throwing at anyone who came near him.
All the students were on alert not knowing when and where the next water explosion would be . By evening every student was colored in red , blue , green , pink etc. colours , few people changed class but to no avail because they were soon soaked in colours again.
McGonagall was furious with all this and got more angry when Peeves threw a balloon at her coloring her hair and face in yellow .
Lily and the two Ms were just annoyed as much though they enjoyed when others were attacked.
Marauders had also decided to victim and enjoyed as others get attacked .
"Was it you four " said Minnie as the marauders laughed at Snape being attacked in pink and purple colors.
" We are innocent Minnie , we didn't do anything ." said James with his most innocent face .
Mcgonagall pressed her lips together , having no proof that it was the marauders , she couldn't punish them and also she had laughed when Sprout and madam Hooch were coloured in green colors.
" I warn you four to not do such things again , otherwise next time I will surely give you all detention," she said and left.
" How did you all get away with it ?" asked a blue colored Marlene.
" Minnie loves us ." winked James .
Though by the end of day everyone was tired and annoyed, they all had enjoyed it . The marauders as always had left a big M written on wall of corridors as their symbol and thus finally getting three nights detention.
" We could have avoided the detention , by not leaving our signs." said Remus.
" Hey , we had to get credit for our work " protested Sirius " And the detention is worth it "
They all burst laughing
"We need to get back to them " shrieked Lily as she watched the marauders laughing in other corner of common room . She has finally cleaned her face , it took a lot effort to clear the colors as those marauders had made sure no magic cleaning work , as when used magic the colors only glowed instead of fading.
" Yeah , but what we can do to get them and also not get detention ?" asked Mary.
" We should do something that teaches them " suggested Marls.
"Oh , I have an idea ." jumped Lily and she told them her plan.
"We love it " said the Ms together.
" We should also leave our signature just like they have their 'Marauders' " suggested Mary.
"How about 'Three muskeeters' ?" asked Marls .
"No"
"Lioness Ladies ?" suggested Mary.
"No"
" The Valkyries " said Lily.
"Yes"
After three days of color-exploding incident the marauders woke up feeling quite odd . James remembered yesterday Marlene giving them cupcakes and since then something odd has been happening .
The Marauders all were usually sleepy in morning so they all didnt talked much , but the few times they spoke their voice was odd .
By the time they reached the Great Hall for breakfast , James felt strange sensation in his throat.
"Good morning boys " said Mary , the girls sitting near the marauders.
"Maah"Goat voice came from James as he spoke and immediately put his hands on his mouth. The others laughed . Sirius turned to him to make fun of him .
"Hee-haaw" donkey's voice came from his mouth .
"Meow" said Remus.
"buk, buk, buk, ba-gawk." said Peter.
The girls burst out laughing while the Marauders all had horrific expression on their faces.
They all tried to speak but only the sounds of goat, donkey, cat and hen's voice came out from them.
Lily decided to make it more fun and spoke the words she never dreamed of speaking.
"Hey Potter , I have thought a lot and decided to give you a chance " she said and James faced lightened up , as though he was in heaven " If you ask me now to go out with you I will say 'YES'."
James jumped and spoke " Maah " only goat's voice came from his mouth .
"Ask fast Potter before I change my mind ." Lily said.
"Maah" James hit his head to the table . The others rolled out laughing.
"It looks like you are not interested Potter , so now the offer is closed ."
"Mr. Potter, what spell is used to revert incomplete transfiguration ?"
"Maah" the whole class burst out laughing.
"Stop making animal noises and answer the question." James didnt spoke.
"Mr. Black ?"
""Hee-haaw" said Sirius
"Mr. Lupin?"
"Meow"
"Mr. Pettigrew"
"buk, buk, buk, ba-gawk." said Peter.
"That's it what's happening ?"asked MacGonagall supressing a smile.
"I think someone pranked them back Professor " said Mary
"Oh then it's very clever magic , and good thinking their will be silence in class "
Did you all do it ?
A note landed near the girls and Lily opened it .
No idea
she returned the note .
The whole day was fun , as the marauders weren't able to speak properly whole day , they even lost 10 points when they made animal noise in Care of Magical Creatures class.
In potions Lily kept glancing at the Marauders ( particularly James), noticing him passing notes with his mates and turning potions book probably looking for cure. Lily suppressed knowing it is failed attempt.
"What's so funny ?" asked Snape who has noticed Lily looking at James.
"Nothing , they just got pranked. " said Lily delightedly pointing at James.
"You are spending a lot of time with them lately ." snape pointed out.
"They are in our house and Potter is Marlene's cousin , so all of us are just kind of friends we do stuffs together like assignments and studies," Lily replied adding leaves in her potion and not noticing anger rising in Snape.
"You cant be friends with them they are bullies , arrogant , the professors all ignore them and boost their egoes , especially McGonagall who always is soft on Potter and Black."
"McGonagall is soft on them because they are really good at transfiguration , especially Potter , who plays quidditch too" said Lily.
"Potter is an arrogant git just because he plays quidditch he acts like he owns the world ."
"He is the best player Hogwarts has though , even Ludo Bagman , the now famous quidditch player, also praised Potter when he was in his seventh year"
"Time's up students " said Slughorn before snape could say something.
To the girls dismay the marauders had to hear taunts from slytherins , the marauders were surely pissed by the comments of the slytherins after potions class. The marauders were silent not able to speak .
"Heard your father was kicked out from the 'Wizarding Council ' , Potter . He should learn from this and start supporting the Pureblood Law , otherwise soon your family will be all begging for forgiveness. They are already old and will die soon , maybe Dark Lord will employ them , a work of house elf will be good for them. " snorted Avery.
The girls who were standing on potions classroom door had heard Avery, Marlene was about to do something when she stopped as James looking angry flicked his wand and in the next moment Avery's tongue had grown six feet . Every Gryffindor started laughing while Snape and Mulciber took out their wand not noticing the girls behind them .
"Think you are above everyone Potter , showing off spells , let's see what you have got." sneered Snape , still angry from Lily's praise of Potter.
James smiled .
"Impedementa" said Snape but James deflected it.
"Flippendo" James ducked the spell then flicked his wand towards Snape , a strong wind hitting him and pushing him few steps back . Snape's anger grew , he thought of using spells that Potter has no idea of , his lips twitched . He raised his wand to test his new spell.
" Stop it all of you" shouted Lily , Snape turned and forgot to block James' jinx which hit him and he tripped and fell .
Lily looked at James who had an angry face and walked towards Avery , moving his wand in air, words appear in air :
NEXT TIME YOU WILL LOSE YOUR TONGUE
James threw a disgusting look at Snape and Mulciber and left.
James was angry but was happy to make other people laugh with his animal voice.
The Marauders spent hours in library for cure but it was worthless , though some potion books were not there.
James tried to talk with his mates via notes to find cure but they all failed and went to bed early, lying on bed James couldn't help the smile on his face, the thought of Lily's prank and saying yes though he knew it was a joke still in his mind. But also was angry at Avery's word.
"What is wizarding council?" asked Lily to Marlene , they were in their dorm.
"It's a council where higher grade wizards discuss the laws and propse it , kind of like Wizengamont , but deals with public laws and regulations for wizarding world."
"Is Dumbledore in it ?" asked Mary. Marls nodded.
"No one dares to remove him . Fleamont was very pissed with their laws and he doesn't maintain his calm like Dumbledore , he left the council along with Mr. Prewett."
"Father of the Prewett twins who left Hogwarts last year ?" asked Lily ,Marlene nodded , the Prewett twins were the most funny and talented twins.
"How do you know about it and we don't ?" asked Mary.
"Two days ago Aunt Euphemia told James and he told me , Uncle Fleamont was pissed." Marlene replied shrugging.
"And you didnt told us , oh god we shouldn't have did the prank" said Lily heads in her hand.
" Oh trust me the prank only helped James " Marls smirked "And why do you care about him?"
"Dont be stupid, I will never want to hurt anyone" said Lily.
"You should give Potter a chance Lily , you two have come closer since the start of the championship , it's a lot improvement than last year where you were ready to rip his throat whenever he spoke ." said Mary.
"I think we are kind of becoming friends but I don't like him and he is arrogant and annoying , not to mention he is a bully." said Lily , though something felt strange.
Both Ms shrugged.
Next morning the Marauders were mostly quite except for occasional animal sounds which made the entire Gryffindor table burst into laughing.
"Hey Potter I will give you another chance today , if you ask me to go out with you I will say yes."
James grinned took out a parchment and quill to write but Lily stopped him shaking her head.
"Nah nah you have to speak and ask me and that also before the post ." grinned Lily.
James groaned and others laughed.
Soon the post arrived and a brown owl landed in front of James a box tied with him , he took the box and opened it a red light shot from it and reached few height and then there was a pop and words were written in air .
FROM THE VALKYRIES TO THE MARAUDERS
James grinned and looked in the box which had four vials with potions in it and a note to drink it. He looked at the girls who all winked.
All the marauders drank the potion in vial and a warmth settled in their throat.
"Prongs" said Sirius slowly .
"Padfoot" replied James smiling .
"Moony" said Peter
"Wormtail" said Remus
And all the marauders began talking loudly and happily.
"You were better yesterday with no talking " said Minnie smiling who had reached them to stop them from shouting.
"Dont lie Minnie you missed our voices ." said Sirius and all laughed and Minnie just smiled and left after warning them to not shout.
"Valkyries we loved the name ." said James.
"Yeah looks like we have got competition Prongs " said Sirus laughingly.
"Someone had to put you all in line" winked Marlene.
"Whose idea was it ?"asked James
"We all had little contributions but it was Lily's idea" said Mary.
"Knew it , Evans is not a goody-two-shoes , you are like Marauders." said James .
"Should I take it as compliment or insult?" grinned Lily.
"Complement Evans."said James.
"We all should be friends " suggested Marlene with a hope to unite James and Lily and also Mary and Remus.
"Arent we already friends?" asked Peter with a confused look.
"No , we are more like house mates , but we are not friends . So what you all say?"
"I like the idea " said Sirius and Pete together at once.
"Me too" said Remus shyly.
"Yeah I like it too , but Lily and James ?" said Mary , everyone turned to them .
"I have no problem , I like the idea , Evans?" said James looking at Lily.
"I like it too , and we all have come closer together , so it's fine by me." said Lily.
"GREAT" shouted Marlene.
"Let's have a toast " suggested Remus.
"To the Marauders and Valkyries," said James raising his glass.
"To the Marauders and Valkyries," others also raised their glasses.
Snape looked towards them raising their glasses together and anger boiled in him. Beside him a Fourth year too looked at the group but he felt loneliness.
Regulus Black sitting few seats beside looked towards them at his brother and felt sad ,why couldn't he be with them , he would have loved to be with them , with his brother , enjoying and having fun. How different and easy life would have been with his brother by his side.
Initially, he had done this to please his mother and felt that it was right but now in the real world, he saw how different and worst things are, and he felt disgusted with his surrounding people.