The seventh years were to all dressed in proper dress robes the next morning, the ceremony was to begin early at seven in the morning, so as to give the students enough time before the train leaves at one in the noon.
The four marauders entered the great hall arm in arm, all of them with teary eyes and a painful expression their faces.
Lily who has already arrived with Mary and Marls, the three of them mirroring the same but more pained faces than Marauders, saw that McGonagall and other teacher's expression saddened when the Marauders entered. Only Filch looked gleeful with his cat.
Peeves, who was not allowed in the Great Hall due to the presence of Bloody Baron was floating outside down out of the Great Hall and let out a sob, genuine sob for the first time since he has been here at Hogwarts, when he saw the four Marauders entering The Great Hall for the last time.
James sat today in between in his three friends, Lily didn't object, as she herself was seated with two Ms and Hestia who was on the verge of crying.
Dumbledore stood up on the stage and beamed at the seventh years.
"Congratulations on completing this part of your journey with beautiful memories, hard tasks, and great accomplishments. It has been a pleasure meeting and teaching this friendly batch.
It's a bittersweet moment as this is our last time together. At the end of the bridge, that took us many sweats and tears and joy! Today, I am proud of being part of your curricular and extracurricular activities achievements over the years. During this tenure, you laughed and cried, attended school functions, and bunked classes. I am sure that you all are going to miss all this.
Thank you all for the hilarious laughter and unforgettable memories you shared. I wish you all happy, adventurous, amazing experiences and new friendships in the future journey of your life. Suppose we have ever been harsh or rude to you. That never meant that we hated you. Instead, we always wanted to build a strong foundation for your next level. We always liked you all to achieve a greater milestone in your lives while keeping your honor and dignity intact through our endeavors.
School is where you make your first best friends, and now you all go to different schools and colleges for higher studies. Make sure that you all stay in touch. From the first year to the seventh year, your phenomenal teachers have showered treasures of knowledge on you all. They were like your parents at school. They all deserve a humongous thank you!
This is a tough day for us when we have to say goodbye to all of you, but I am sure that distance and time won't make us apart. Whenever you need any assistance, we are always there for you to help you. Whatever you do in your life, make sure you are good and kind to the people around you. Be optimistic in whatever you do!
At this point, I want you to always see yourself as good ambassadors of this temple of education. On behalf of the entire school, I bid you farewell and wish you all the best in your future life.
I wish you all a very bright and prosperous future ahead. God bless you, and never hesitate to come back to us if you need our guidance and support.
"It's always darkest before the dawn. Whether you want or not, you all part of the things going outside of this castle. There's darkness out there. Darkness thinks that it has swallowed light but it's just being delusional. Darkness can never swallow light. The light always has been and will come to the top and darkness will have to retreat. Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness.
Only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate.
Only love can do that.
And the light can be found within yourself. I hope you all choose light over dark.
Thank you very much! "
The students clapped as Dumbledore finished the farewell speech.
After the farewell ceremony was over and students have hugged the teachers and fellow friends, the Marauders began their farewell prank, though it was less prank and more of an amazing show.
Huge amounts of beautiful fireworks went off in the sky, in classes, in dorms, in the grounds, and the words echoed, "FAREWELL FROM THE MARAUDERS!"
The corridors were turned into swamp, desks and benckes has all began singing farewell songs, the portraits all joining them and dancing slowly, while the suits of armor all lined up outside the great hall bowing.
Somehow two nifflers had invaded the caretaker's office, and several dungbombs continued exploding on his head whenever he entered his office. Mrs. Norris has been coloured bright pink and now has a bell around her neck which was impossible to remove for her owner.
The Whomping Willow had been decorated with beautiful lights, and the aggressive tree for the first time was moving as though dancing along the music that echoed all over the castle.
Peeves has been given a gift by the Marauders, a huge supply of ideas for prank and items for pranks for the upcoming years. He too was wheezing around enjoying the show and adding durty lyrics to the song.
A huge M with a crown at it's head, and the small words: "The MARAUDERS WERE HERE," was made on the grounds near the Whomping willow, a symbol to last for decades.
The show lasted for an hour, and now only mere two hours were left before boarding the Hogwarts Express for the last time.
"Huh! So it's finally over," sighed James as he sat for the last time with Lily under their favorite tree.
"Yeah," Lily said sadly. "It was a beautiful show though."
"Took a lot of effort to persuade the paintings, and I had to fly over the whooping willow to decorate it without touching. Was fun," James grinned.
"James, Mary asked yesterday that whether we were rushing, what do you think?" asked Lily.
James looked at her and smiled. "Lils, we don't need to rush if you want. As of what I think? I am hundred percent sure I want to be with you, whether there's a war or not. You are the soul to me, as my soul is to my body. I just want to be you, married or not married."
"We're getting married," Lily said happily kissing him.
"We definitely are," grinned James.
Both the couples looked at the castle, the lake and the forest and sighed sadly.
"Where are others?" asked Lily.
"Dumbledore called them to offer them position in Order, just like us," replied James. "He asked names, and I gave him names. I included Hestia, Emmiline Vance and Benjy."
"So, did I," added Lily. "He was quite unsure of Pete and Remus."
"I noticed, but not everyone knows them like I do," said James.
They sat together in the sun talking about all the memories and funny things when Marlene came running to them.
"James, Dumbledore would like to have a word with you personally," she said panting and lying next to Lily.
"What about and why personally?" asked James standing up. Lily looked up at him with worry.
"Something about last night," Marls replied.
"OH! that, I forget to take permission from him," said James hitting his head and running to the Headmaster's office.
After five minutes, Mary, Remus and Sirius returned too.
"Pete's being caught up, he has misspelled few things in his forms," laughed Sirius.
"So, you all will join?" asked Lily.
They all nodded.
"Of course we will. We too want the war to finish," said Sirius.
"I have gotten my first task too," shrugged Mary.
"Then why are you looking disappointed?" asked Lily.
"He has ask me to continue my training, and along with that keep an open eye on the situation at St. Mungo's."
"Well something is better than nothing," said Sirius with jealousy.
They sat there talking, Peter returned soon looking ashamed of his mistakes.
Mary got to her feet. "We should be going, the boats will leave soon. Our trunks already gone to the station with carriages."
Lily with others got to her feet. "Where is James? We should be at boathouse by now."
"He'll know where we are, we all should go," said Remus looking at the castle doors, from where a last few students were running out.
"Yeah, don't worry about him, Lils," said Marls pulling her with her.
As they were about to sit on the boats, James came running. "Sorry, got emotional and caught up."
It felt strange and sad to see the castle slowly disappear. The girls, Sirius and Peter began crying while Remus and James just had watery eyes.
They all took a good look at the train before settling in a compartment, they talked about their first day and fun memories.
"So, where's everyone going to live?" asked Marlene. "I will be at Sirius' for tonight at least."
"I am going to stay with mum and dad," replied Mary.
"You can come stay with us Mary," offered Sirius.
"Or with us," smiled James.
"HEY! You said you both will stay with me for a few days," reminded Sirius.
"Just for tonight and a week. So, we could get all the things and set up there," Lily replied. "You see we're not much of a dog person." She held up Felix in her hands as everyone doubled with laughter.
"Mary, you should stay with us too, at least for tonight," said Peter. "We have enough space for seven of us."
"Okay, I will talk to dad," grinned Mary.
"You know what? You all should move into my house, it'll be great," said Sirius.
"We can't move-in directly, Sirius. I want to spend time with my family," said Marls and Mary nodded.
"Mary, listen, you're not safe with your parents and neither are they if word goes out about your work. Marls is okay for now but not you. We still have works to do but you can move in with us. You see, Lily and I are basically dependant on one other. But the thing is that, that house is quite far and Lily and I would be juggling between our house to Sirius'. His flat will be more secure as it'll be sort of our headquarter," James told her.
"I will think about it," smiled Mary.
"So, mate, am I still getting my own personal room?" asked James smirking at Sirius.
Sirius rolled his eyes but nodded. "In exchange, I want my own room at your house."
"We have already taken care of that," grinned Lily.
"Really?!" jumped Sirius excitedly.
"Really, we've got you a dog house," Lily laughed.
"Good one, Lily. His dreams will finally come true," laughed Remus.
"Shut up, Moony," muttered Sirius, though, he was smiling.
"Sirius, we are serious," smirked James.
"STOP IT!" shouted Sirius.
"Seriously, Sirius, we've got a room for you," said Lily seriously.
They played games and enjoyed all over the journey until something fell from James' pocket as he lose a game of exploding snap.
"Hey! What's this?" asked Peter picking up a parchment below James' seat. He picked it up before James could and started reading it. Sirius held James back so as to allow Peter to read. "HOLY HIPPOGRIFFS!" gasped Peter. "James got an offer to play for Montrose Magpies, Ballycastle Bats, and Puddlemere United, all three have offered him a position in the team."
"You gotta be kidding me!" shrieked Marls snatching the parchment from Peter. "That's so cool," she said and then took out a parchment from her pocket. "I made only it to the extras of Holyhead Harpies. I am jealous of you, James, for the first time in my life."
"So, which team are you joining?" asked Sirius gleefully.
James shrugged, "No team, I am focusing on the war fully."
"But after the war you can join them," Lily reasoned.
"Let's leave it to then, okay?" James said. "I have other important things on my mind now."
"Like?" asked Remus.
"Like a good kiss and sleep," smirked James at Lily, pulling her in his lap and tickling her neck with his breath and lips. Lily laughed as well as moaned. James stopped and looked at her. Then leaned in and whispered, "You're too loud." Lily hit his arm and turned to face her friends, who were all smirking. She relaxed in James lap as he pulled her closer to him.
As she looked out and realized that the train was slowing down, her face fell as she realized she will never return in this train again. Riding the train has been her dream each summer but now it has been completed. She looked at others, they all were thinking the same thing.
"I know a way to cheer you," James lips brushed against her ears. She felt his one hand leaving her and then return after a few moments with his walkwan. "Which song?"
He knew, really knows how to cheer her up. She turned and kissed him.
Snape heard the warm laughter, a true happy laughter, full of life and happiness and warmth. He recognized it as he stepped off the train. There she was held closely by Potter, she was looking at him sideways with love, as though only Potter was there.
It was now he realized that they were singing a song really loudly and Lily has let out a laugh as the crowd has all turned to see the source.
Don't you know that there ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, baby
Both of them were looking at each other, singing happily, meaning every word of the lyrics. Snape noticed their friends all shaking their heads at them, but they both only saw each other.
Don't you know that there ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough
Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough
Snape knew that this probably was the last time, he'll see her, at least he saw her laughing. But he still wanted to send a killing curse at Potter.
"Finally, you two are done," Snape heard Sirius.
"Where'll you be living, James?" asked a girl from Ravenclaw. "I heard you sold your house."
"Yeah, I will be living with Sirius," Potter answered. Now, Snape realized that she was the girl who was pinning after Potter for a long time.
"And you, Lily?"
"I will be staying with Mary and Marls, we're looking for flats," Lily replied. Snape relaxed at least they willn't live together.
"I thought you might move-in together," said the girl.
"We're still young, Lucy," said Potter. "Sorry, we'll see you later. We've to go." And with that Potter took hold of her hand and they both walked away hand in hand. Snape saw her red hair dancing behind her. He saw that before turning a corner, she has kissed Potter.
"Severus, there you are," he turned around to find Narcissa, looking exceptionally beautiful.
"What are you doing here?" hissed Snape looking around.
"I had come to shop in Diagon Alley, and thought will meet you before tonight," she gave him a wink. He nodded.
"Do you have any plans?"
"Lets go shopping or just walk around," Snape nodded, a new excitement building inside him.
As soon as Lily entered Sirius' house, she has to close her nose as a disgusting smell filled her nostrils.
"What the heck! Pads?" said James pulling Lily outside in fresh air with him.
Sirius came out grinning, "You see, Pete and I made food last time and we forget to eat or clean it."
"Aww, my pancake, it took me full day to make it," said Peter sadly. "I wanted to eat it."
Once inside, Lily get the full vibe of a boys' apartment, it was completely messy, magazines with nudes lying on the floor. Walls cover with posters of some rock bands, of girls in bikini, motorbikes. And to top it all his motorbike was standing in the corner of the room.
"Really, Sirius? Peter?" said Marls disappointingly picking up a magazine.
"What? We found it in the shops and Moony said that one can buy them, so we brought it," shrugged Sirius.
Lily and Mary followed James around the house to get a complete view.
"The kitchen's good but has no supplies," said Mary opening the drawers. "We've to go shopping."
"Wanna join us, James?" asked Lily as the three of them sat in the last room.
"Nah! I have to go and meet others, tonight," James sighed, lying on the bed in Lily's lap.
"Oh!" Lily said and James nodded. "Mary, what's going on with you and Remus? Last night you were asking questions then today you both didn't talked like the way you do."
"Yeah, Moony was bit down too," said James sitting up.
"We broke up," Mary said looking down as she rested against the headboard.
"What?" James sat up. "Why? What happened?"
"Are you okay, Mary?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, actually it wasn't working, we were just dragging it, we didn't feel the connection no longer," Mary shrugged. "Seriously, guys, I am fine. It was going to happen since about a month. We didn't even said the three words."
James laid back. "I remember, Remus asking, how I know that I love Lily."
Mary smiled. "You both were the main reason we broke apart."
"We?" asked Lily bewildered. "What did we do? Tell me James didn't gave Remus a foolish advice. James and I were just experimenting about it for fun."
"LILY!" glared James. "I haven't told anyone about what we two do together."
"OH! Sorry, Mary, ignore that part," said Lily, turning red. "What did we do?"
"You both made me, made us realize how a relationship should be, how it feels to be in love. Remus and I are still friends because that's more precious to us," said Mary. "That's all."
"There you three are," said Marls entering the room with a plate of foods. "We got food." They all sat and eat while the other three boys cleaned the hall to make it livable. "So, whose room is this?"
"I call digs," said James, Lily and Mary together and they laughed.
"Two against one," said Lily happily.
"You can share with Remus, Mary," smirked Marls.
"On second thought you can stay here in this room with Lily as I will be gone," said James.
"Thanks," Mary smiled. And then they filled Marls with the story.
Remus along with the girls went shopping for supplies, while the other three boys went to Knockturn Alley.
"Well the shops here are good but we could have asked Sirius to bring some good things from Diagon Alley," said Marls when they returned. "Why James had to go today, we have just arrived here."
"He has to talk to them and get more details, Marls," Lily replied.
"I know, it's just we could have just had fun tonight," she shrugged.
"Who said we can't?" came the voice of Sirius. They all turned to see him and Pete enter the house.
"Where's James?" Lily asked when James didn't appear.
Sirius frowned, "He ditched us. He asked us to go and that he has one more work to do 'in private'."
James returned two hours later when they were all enjoying, and were done cooking.
"Where were you?" asked Lily handing him a soda.
"Was talking to the friends and explaining to them about future plans," he replied.
"Adam was cool," said Sirius.
"He indeed is," chuckled Peter.
"So, what's the plan?" asked Remus ignoring Sirius and Peter's talks.
"Well, the first thing was to break into the Lestrange's vault," answered James. "One Horcrux is there."
"But wouldn't they know that there has been a robbery and then they will alert you-know-who," reasoned Mary.
"Exactly! That's why we're holding it for the moment,"
"You should talk to Dumbledore, maybe he has got another way," suggested Marls.
"It's an ancient vault, and they are bound to know unless the Lestranges willingly go and get it for us," explained Sirius.
"We've got three and I know about two more, while the last one is I suppose yet to be made," James said running his hands through his hair.
"How do you know that?" asked Marls.
"It doesn't matter," James brushed her off. "I have heard one bad news Andrew Winger and his family were murdered by Thorfinn Rowle and Jugson today when they were returning with their son, who was in his first year."
"But they were purebloods," said Sirius horrified.
James scoffed, "They were blood traitors. Voldemort is using fear and threat to rule, his idea is to crush everyone who comes in his way. Look, I am not trying to make you all afraid, I am just warning you, this will be the last chance to back off before you enter the dirty game."
"Our hands are already dirty," said Lily. "I am in no matter what."
"Same," said Sirius and Marls.
"I have made my decision, I am in," smiled Mary.
"So are we," said Peter after exchanging looks with Remus, who nodded.
"Good, so now what I am going to talk should better remain between us. Not even the Order should know about it," the others nodded. "The plan is to gather as much as info possible and attack them, weaken them. Voldemort and probably the Order I guess are overlooking the great supply of soldiers and that's where we come in."
"What soldiers?" asked Marls.
"See it like this, the lower class, the poorest class, they suffer the most, Ministry usually ignores them and so does the death eaters. They are everywhere, and no one suspects them as their mind is already made up that they're a weak and worthless pieces of shit. But we'll recruit them, and seek their help."
"You can't be serious, Prongs, they can't be trusted," pointed out Remus.
"I have nearly ten of them, and one is dead, they all proved trustworthy," argued James.
"Give them money and they'll be lured to other side in a snap,"
"Not when they have faced hurt by their hands,"
"So, you are going to manipulate them? James, the others can do that easily,"
"Look, I have made up my mind. I have lived with them for nearly a month and a half, and they all accepted me faster than you can think,"
"That's what your problem is, James," Remus threw his hand in air. "You trust people easily and think everyone is as loyal as you."
"He has got a point there," Sirius nodded.
"They won't ever get a hint, who I am, they know only Jack and I am keeping it that way," explained James. "So, even if they betray, they'll never reach me."
"Still there's a big risk of getting killed,"
"I know, no way what way we chose, we're going to die if we don't defeat them," James glared at Remus, daring him to counter.
Remus sighed. "Do what you think is right."
"Mary, Marls, sorry but you can't leave tomorrow, and neither can we, Lils. We have a meeting tomorrow with the order," James said taking out a parchment. "Once we join, there's no turning back."
"What about Thanatos?" asked Lily.
"He's back, baby," chuckled James. He looked around his friends and bit his lips, for the first time in his life, his trust was slightly feeling, he'd trust them with his life but not with others. The words: "You're playing with fire boy. You'll burn the others around you," rang in his ears each time.
The mood turned again and they began enjoying, all the while Remus and James were engaged in debate, whether it's safe to recruit the lower class or not.
Lily was already asleep on the old couche beside him when James has finally convinced Moony and then along with Sirius and Peter, they four had decided how to manage things from here, the first thing was to provide the flat as much security as possible.
James picked her up and took her to one of the empty rooms. It felt safe and relaxing to have his arms around her as she slept.
They were woken up by Sirius singing loudly in the afternoon, Lily groaned. "Is he always like this."
"Yeah, one gets used to it," James shrugged, pulling her closer and planting a kiss on her forehead. He then looked at his watch and cursed under his breath.
He sat up. "We've to go to the order in an hour."
"Do you even know where it is?" asked Peter.
"Why have they set it in the forest?" asked Marls.
"Better protection," replied Remus.
"Shh.. we're almost there," said James as they came in opening. "Yes, here it is."
The others looked at him as though he was mad, he was looking at open area, there was nothing there.
"Are you alright, Prongs? You should get your eyes checked," Sirius recommended siriusly.
"Shut up and read this," James whispered showing them all a small piece of parchment where words, an address to be precise was written. James burned it once they all had read it. "Do you see it now?"
"You gave them the Potter's Manor?" gasped Marls and James nodded.
As they entered the headquarters, they were met by a familiar face, Dorcas Meadows, who grinned at them.
"I knew you lot would join," she hugged them. "Come, they're waiting fo you lot inside."
Lily squeezed James hand as they follow Dorcas inside, he gave her a reassuring smile.
About fifteen people were sitting around the table in the room, Dumbledore beamed at them and signalled them to take the seats. Lily's grun widened as she recognized Alice and Frank Longbottom and The Prewett brothers.
"Hello, Lily Evans, right?" asked Fabian extending his hand from across the table and shaking her hand.
"Yes, so nice to meet you all again," Lily smiled and hugged Alice and showed her the ring.
"I knew it all along that Potter will get you," chuckled Alice.
"Enough with rubbish talks, let's talk business now," said Mad-Eye Moody.
"Come on, Moody, let us enjoy the reunion," smirked Alice.
"Thanks Moody, you saved our life," James said shaking his hand.
"When?" the man asked.
"Oh! You are getting old, you are bound to forget things," chuckled James. "Don't worry happens to best of them."
"He's just like Ben and Fleamont," commented Moody.
"He indeed is," said a man looking like Albus. "Quite sneaky too, knew his way around my Pub. Where's your partner in crime?"
"Aberforth, you called me? So nice to meet you again," Sirius grinned.
Thomas O'Neill and Chloe McCarthy, the duelling pair for Shamrock in The duelling Championship, entered the room. "Sorry, Albus, we had to get rid of two trails," said Thomas taking the seat. Then they both saw the others and waved at them.
"I am here Albus, now, I think we should began," Professor White entered.
"Professor?" said Mary confused.
"It's Garter White only now, I had signed up for one year only, now I am focused at the war," said White.
"Yes, let's begin now," said Dumbledore.
"Are there only these many members, sir?" asked Remus.
"No, the others are at work. But still we're very less in numbers, around sixty-seventy only," Dumbledore sighed. "I will assign you teams of four, which will continue changing time to time for your safety. Missions will be given out to you and you're to keep it secret, no one outside the order should know about it."
They all nodded. "Now, I have a few missions for you all. First the pairs though, Sirius Black, Emmiline Vance, Dorcas Meadows and Sturgis Podmore. The second is: Edgar Bones, Marlene, Dearborn and Benjy Fenwick. The third pair: James, Lily, Alice and Frank. The fourth: Mary, Thomas, and the Prewett brothers.
"The sixteen of you should go in the next room with Alastor, I need to talk to these lots," said Dumbledore.
Sirius went off to meet Remus instantly after receiving instructions from Moody.
Lily's group was given the task to guard a muggleborn locality in the pair of two each time, as the wizarding family there are opposing Voldemort in The Ministry and are under threat. They were to guard them for a three days and then were to help them move to a secure locality, suggested by the Order.
James and Frank decided to take guard duty at night times while the two women were to guard at day time.
Thus went the first six days of her life after Hogwarts, with very little time spent with James. The problem was that she was stuck at flat with only Mary and Remus, who were both making the moment awkward for her. Sirius and Marls were away for a week on their first duty, Peter was paired with Hestia Jones, Dodge and Moody to do some sneaky work. Remus was the only one who hadn't told them what he was assigned to work. And then Mary used to leave for St. Mungo's at the same time as Lily would left.
"Caught one, prevented them from recruiting more members," said Sirius proudly when he returned.
"I just had to patrol around Gringotts and keep my eye open," shrugged Marls.
"You look like an idiot standing there and yawning all day," snorted James.
"How do you know?" she asked horrified.
"Marls, my entire day is spent at Diagon Alley," sighed James. "I have two things to manage."
"Was that strange guy, who kept winking at me you?" James nodded. "If I weren't there for Order work, I would have killed you."