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.
"Lily, my girl what is this I am hearing from Minerva that you are going for Auror and not a potioneer ?" exclaimed Slughorn.
The career advice has been over and all the fifth years were back to studying with more pressure and focus after the counseling. The Gryffindors were in Potions class with Slytherins and brewing Invigoration Draught.
Lily has successfully brewed the potion and after her Severus has finished his too. That's when Slughorn approached Lily.
"Yes, sir I like potions very much and being a potioneer was tempting but I want to be an Auror, it felt the right choice." replied Lily, she saw Sev looking at her surprised, she hasn't told him yet about change in her plans.
"I see, I see, with all the talent you have an auror is up to your potential, all the best for that." said Slughorn.
"So, who all have opted for Potioneer?" asked Slughorn to the class. Only Severus raised his hand and Slughorn nodded enthusiastically "Severus yes I remember now, good ,good I know you will do well maybe you will snatch my position too" laughed the Professor. Severus looked down giving away no expression.
"And anyone who has opted for being Auror from Gryffindor as no Slytherin has opted for it."
"They are on the other side of war" muttered Sirius slowly to Remus while only James and Lily raised their hands.
"Excellent, so our Duel Champions have only opted for Aurorship. I saw both of your skills in the championship and am confident both of you will make excellent Aurors. It is a hard job and requires good grades, but then both of you are on top of class. Though I will suggest you Potter to improve your potion skills, you are doing good but more work is required . I suggest you to take tips from your father and I will do you a favor, Lily will help you with potions, because I need Exceed Expectations in O. to continue potions. Will it be alright dear Lily if you can give some extra help to Mr. Potter?" asked Slughor.
Lily looked at James whose face was sweaty from steam but was now grinning and has gone red at top of ears, was he blushing?
Lily took a deep breathe, she cant refuse to Slughorn "Sure professor, no problem."
"Excellent now continue brewing you have only 15 minutes to complete the potion, do it fast." said Slughorn to the class. And got back to his seat.
"I thought you wanted to be a potioneer just like me, why you changed your mind?" asked Sev a hint of anger and disappointment in his voice
"Yes, sev the last time we talked I wanted to be a potioneer but it was months ago, and many things have changed since then and after talking with MacGonagall it became clear to me that I want to be Auror, it gives me the opportunity to do the thing I want to do." explained Lily.
"And what is that 'thing' exactly?" asked Sev
"Sev, you know there's a war going on and then there were recent attacks, and so I decided to fight in the war and contribute in it." replied Lily.
"You should not fight in war and It's not your war to fight" pressed Severus.
"Why?" asked Lily.
"Being an auror means standing openly against the Dark Lord and they will be the first ones to die."
"Dark Lord the other name of 'You know who'?" Severus nodded. "So, its good that I will be standing against him and his death eaters."
"You will not be able to stand a chance against them in the war ." Severus pointed out. Lily's temper was rising,
"You think I am not good enough to fight in the war ?"
"That's not what I meant. Its just its not your war."
"Oh it is my war, remember I am a muggle-born, it's more my war than anyone's else."
" You are making a wrong decision just like that arrogant Potter, he is blinded by his fame, thats why he is becoming an auror. Dont be a stupid like him." Snape jerked his head towards James. Lily looked at James who was now covered in yellow fumes from his cauldron and Peter beside him was laughing.
"I know what I am doing and its my decision and I know its right and also Potter is arrogant but he is not stupid, he is doing the right thing. Dumbledore has said already that there's requirement for reinforcement to bring down you know who." finished Lily.
Snape was angry that she has took Potter's side. "He is not the good guy everyone thinks he is and I will prove it to you that he is worse ."
The bell rang and everyone started leaving. " I will see you later sev." Lily said her voice was cold.
Snape watched as she left him, he then saw Potter and his gang laughing and leaving the class .
Later that night, at dinner Snape was looking towards the Gryffindor table at red headed girl who was talking with her two friends, she looked at Snape and smiled at him which he returned.
Soon the three girls were joined by four boys, the boy with glasses sat in front of the red headed girl, Potter and Black said something to the girls and they all began laughing. Snape saw the way Potter was looking at Lily. He saw as Lily bent over and whispered something to James to which James nodded and turned grimaced, he then stole the pancake from Lily's plate, she hit him with a grape which James caught and ate. Snape saw Lily laughing at him instead of being angry. Snape's blood boiled.
He has to do something to prove to Lily that Potter and his friends were bad persons. Thats when he saw Lupin looking rather ill, Snape decided to find out and reveal Lupin's secret behind falling ill and disappearance every month, so that he could prove to Lily how the Marauders are.
Lily looked that Remus was looking ill, she leaned forward and whispered to James so only he could hear her.
"Is full moon around ?" James grimaced and nodded.
Lily felt bad for Remus, it must be hard for him to face the full moon and she felt more sad that she couldn't help him.
James noticed the sad face of Lily and stole her food to divert her mind and succeded in making her laugh. The full moon was tomorrow and Remus was already feeling ill, this was something James couldn't help Remus with.
Soon March was about to end and it was 27th, this meant birthday of James Potter. The Marauders out of respect for O. decided to a small party between themselves and girls in the boys' dorm.
Lily wanted to gift something to James as he has gifted her a wonderful and meaningful present.
She knew from her interaction that James like reading but he also has a big library with many magical books so she cant give him that. Whole day she thought about what to give him, something that could be like his walkman.
Only an hour was left in the party, the boys has insisted that there's no need to go to dinner as they will eat in the dorm itself. Lily hasn't got him the gift yet and started panicking it will be rude to not give him a present.
She started looking at her trunk for his walkman to calm her mind when her eyes fell on something and she smiled, this was the perfect gift for James.
The girls reached the boys' dorm room as other people left for great hall, the boys had cleaned up their dorm and a large supply of foods, snacks, chocolates and drink was on the ground in the centre.
They all sat in a circle around the food and started partying which continued for 2 hours and included a horrible song from Sirius and Peter. They played many games and annoyed James.
Soon it was approaching midnight and time for girls to head back. Lily made sure that no one was watching and slid the Present under the pillow on James' bed.
They all wished James 'Happy birthday ' again and left.
The boys were all tired and went to bed instantly and draw the bed curtains, When James put his head on the pillow he felt something below it.
"Lumos" he whispered and removed the pillow to found a present. He opened it and found a book with a note attached to it.
Happy Birthday to the most arrogant but caring and good-hearted boy,
It is one of my favorite books, a muggle book and a very famous one I wanted you to read it.
P.S. : 'Sorry wasn't able to get a new one'
P.P.S. : Really I got the idea at last hour and didn't know how to buy a new one so gave you the one I had. I hope you like it.
P.P.P.S. : I hope you haven't read it yet.
James started laughing at the note, and Sirius has to throw a pillow at his bed to silent him.
James read the title of the book:
THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
- by Sir A. C. Doyle
He opened the book, its smell reminded him of Lily and read the contents page, there was a chapter by a name that brought smile on James' face and he couldn't stop himself from reading the entire chapter.
The next day at breakfast James was looking sleepy, when the girls arrived he started smiling, when asked why he looks sleepy he ignored it by saying it was nothing.
"Evans can I have your potion book for a minute I have to match some things." he asked Lily.
"Sure" Lily said and gave him the book which he returned her after few minutes and then they all left for double potions first thing in the morning.
"Good Morning " said Sev when Lily took her seat by his side.
"Morning." Lily replied.
"You didn't come for dinner yesterday ." Sev pointed out.
"We had our dinner in common room itself."
"Oh." Snape wanted to ask why but at that moment Slughorn entered and silent fell in the class.
"Today we will brew Wit-Sharpening Potion which you should be able to brew by the time the class gets over. The instructions are in the book and ingredients are on the table at back of the class." said Slughorn.
Lily opened her book and found a note in it.
Loved the book , and the smell of yours that was coming from it. I couldn't stop myself from reading the chapter name "THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE" ; )
I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE CLEVERER THAN JABEZ WILSON.
BUT MAN THAT SHERLOCK HOLMES IS JUST AWESOME.
I READ JUST ONE CHAPTER AND AM ALREADY IN LOVE WITH IT, HOLMES IS A FANTASTIC GUY.
THOUGH IT SAID HE IS A DETECTIVE, WHAT DOES A DETECTIVE DO? ISN'T HE MORE LIKE A POLICE?
P.S.: OLD IS GOLD
Lily couldn't help the grin that crept on her face, she looked at James who was smiling at her, seeing him looking at her butterflies erupted in her stomach.
She looked at her potions and continued her work after halfway through the class there was a BOOM, as Mulciber's cauldron exploded and some of the content fell in other people's cauldron unfortunately in Lily's cauldron, in which she was about to finish her potion, and as the content from Mulciber's cauldron touched other's cauldron their potions exploded too, covering everyone in their half completed potions but what was strange was Snape was now having very large ears, and he was looking like a cartoon character, the entire class burst out laughing though they themselves were covered in potion.
"With those big ears it will help you to hear better, Snivellus." laughed James.
"This was strange, no ingredient potion could lead to ears go to hospital wing Severus." said Slughorn looking confused at Snape's ear.
"It was Potter" hissed Snape.
Lily looked at James who was laughing with his friends and when he saw her looking at him he winked, the butterflies erupted again.
"Class dismissed, we will redo it tomorrow " informed Slughorn.
On her way to the Gryffindor common room Lily saw James over joyed. Realization dawned to her he had caused distraction and then hexed Snape's ear and only James was good at such transfiguration, he had used an idea from Sherlock Holmes book to enlarge Snape's ear. As they entered the portrait hole James was all happy, but it died soon.
"POTTER, It was you ?" Lily asked to James who jumped at this sudden burst.
"What are you talking about Evans?" he asked
"Dont play innocent in front of me only you are good at such transfiguration and you used one of the tricks from the book." she said.
"Clever Evans." James grinned.
"I warn you if you use one more tricks from that I will take it back." Lily warned him.
"Sorry Evans, but you see it was funny." James grinned. Lily groaned.
"What I dont understand is one moment you both were good and now you are fighting" interrupted Marlene.
"Just like old married couples...Oh you both look cute, digs on bestman. Who will you chose bridesmaid Lily-kins." shouted Sirius.
Lily flicked her wand and Sirius face was covered in boils , everyone started laughing."Hey, that's not fair, you didn't hexed Prongs but hexed me, I didn't do anything."
"You speak too much. " supplied Remus.
"Moony, you are supposed to be on my side in this. I thought there was something between us."protested Sirius.
"There is Padfoot, you are idiot and I am smart." grinned Remus.
"And Evans it was Padfoot who started it by blasting Mulciber's cauldron." commented James from behind Lily.
"YOU! Destroyed all our works." shouted Lily.
"Prongs, I will kill you. I have am explanation. My potion was destroyed and Mulciber was struggling with his potion so I tried to help him, but I think I overdid the spell." said Sirius.
"Come on Lily hex him" laughed Peter who was sitting on crouch and was enjoying the whole scene.
"Why you all are behind me?"cried Sirius.
"Its good to be on the other end of Evans' wand, Padfoot." grinned James.
"You Potter are not innocent why did you have to hex him?" asked Lily.
"Ask Moony." said James
"Hey, keep me out of it."
" Remus spill." Lily said.
"Well we caught Snape sneaking up on us, we warned him twice but he continues sneaking on us." Remus said looking slightly pale.
"Why will he do that?" asked Lily.
"We think he is trying to find out about our monthly period ." said James , Lily turned to look directly into his eyes.
"What?" Lily laughed than realized "Ohh"
"Yes. Ohh" said Sirius.
"What are you all talking about?" asked Mary with narrowed eyes on Remus.
"Nothing just marauders' stuff."said James.
"Is it about Remus' 'furry little problem' ?" asked Mary still looking at Remus, who was avoiding her gaze.
All of them went silent. Mary looked around the common room to make sure that no one overhear them.
"So, all of you know expect me ?" asked Mary still looking at Remus.
"How long have you known?" asked Remus
"Since, the time you opted out of the dueling championship." replied Mary.
"Than also you went with me to the ball?" asked Remus.
"Ofcourse I went with you, it doesn't change anything, you are still the same." said Mary.
"Thanks it means a lot I would have told you earlier but I was afraid." sighed Remus.
"I understand, Remus and I will not tell anyone about it." Mary concluded with a smile.
"Marls so you must be confused ?" asked Lily to her friend who was looking at Mary.
"Oh please Lils I know more about the Marauders than you all since a long time, I have spent half my summer holidays with them to know about them." Marls replied.
"Ok, so where were we before all this?" asked Lily
"You have to hex Padfoot." Peter grinned.
"We were talking about Snivellus being nosy about Remus, this is where it all started." Sirius told her.
"Yeah sorry about that Remus." said Lily
"Why are you sorry?" asked Remus.
"For sev, trying to find about about you. He has tried to told me many times that you were a werewolf, but ofcourse I refused to listen to him and I also asked him to leave you alone but he doesn't listen and I dont speak much in case he suspects that I know." said Lily.
"Thank you for that, Lily." said Remus.
"But Snape should be stopped from sneaking up on us or he will have to pay. I hope he learns his lesson today." snarled Sirius.
They all were silent till James broke the silence.
"So you forgive me Evans, now will you go out with me ?" asked James putting his hand on her shoulders. Lily felt warmth as well as current running in her body, but she quickly regained her control.
"Sod off Potter" she replied removing his hand.
"We have this period off, teach me Potions now, as Slughorn has told." said James.
"Ok I will but if you behave well. Are we clear?"asked Lily
"Clear." grinned James.
"Now what is a detective?" asked James when both of them reached library for potions tuition.
"I am supposed to help you in potions, not detectives." Lily replied
"Please, please tell me." James said like a small child than pouted. This made Lily laugh.
"Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. Police officers who investigate crimes are called detectives. But Sherlock Holmes isn't a police officer, he is a private detective, people go to him with cases and pay him for solving the case. Many times police even approaches him if they are stuck in a case." said Lily.
"Ohh. Thanks, but he is a mind blowing genius."
"He is a great in fighting too, so that's give him an edge. Now lets study Potions."
After the potions class Snape's determination to find out about the secret of Remus increased. He continued sneaking up on them.
One day he found Remus looking more ill, his face was all pale and he was looking tired. Snape decided to stalk him throughout the day. As afternoon approached Remus left the other three and went to hospital wing, Snape decided to keep an eye on Remus in there by making excuse of nervousness to visit the Hospital.
He found out that the hospital wing was empty except for on bed which had hangings drawn around it, but he could make out the figure of a person laying there. After taking the medicine from Pomfrey he left the hospital wing but hid outside the hospital door to keep an eye on Remus.
As evening drawn he saw Madam Pomfrey leading an ill looking Remus out of the castle, Snape began to follow them, while making sure no one sees him. He saw the nurse taking out of the castle towards the whooping willow, it was getting quite dark but he saw that Pomfrey did something which froze the Whomping Willow and took Remus inside it and the moment they entered the tree, it began moving again. After 30 minutes the tree froze again, and the nurse came out of the tree alone and after she was a safe distance away the tree began moving again.
Something must be inside that whooping willow, thought Snape, if he could just find the way to get past it he may uncover the mystery of Remus Lupin's monthly disappearance and then all the marauders' dirty secrets will be uncovered in front of entire school and if Snape get a little lucky they might get expelled too. This will open Lily's eyes too and she will consider him a hero.
Snape was on his way back to castle thinking about the way to get past the willow when he came face to face with Sirius Black.
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