A/N: Again, thanks for your patience! Let me know what you think of the latest chapter:

XI. Glorafilia

"Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."

– Thucydides

"The fucking nerve of him!"

Lounging on her bed, Marlene McKinnon watched Lily stalk around the room, a letter angrily clutched in her hand.

"I mean, you did point out to him that no Muggleborns had been invited."

Lily scowled at her.

"I'm just saying."

"Stop being so rational."

Marlene smirked at her.

"Anyway, it wasn't an opening for him to invite me! Just listen to this–"

"I already have–"

"–the Potters have the distinct pleasure–"

"–several times."

"–of requesting your company this Saturday evening…"

"You should go."

"…at Potter Manor. Like they just expect me to know where Potter Manor is!" Lily said, throwing her hands up in the air, before realising what Marlene had said. "Wait, what?"

"You should go."

"Not a chance," Lily snorted.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be terribly disappointed when you tell him you're not coming."

"Well, I'm not going to tell him. This is ridiculous."

"Can I go with you? Potter's parties are legendary."

"I don't know why you're so interested. It'll just be a bunch of boring Ministry stiffs and rich Purebloods."

Marlene shot a surprised look at her.

"It's not just adults. There'll be people from Hogwarts there too. The place is big enough that the students basically have their own party. Last time, they had a endless champagne fountain in the middle of–"

"How do you know all this?" Lily interjected.

Marlene shrugged. "Hogwarts. Gossip gets around."


Marlene had twisted her arm to the point where Lily had given in to accepting the invitation. It hadn't just been Marlene, Lily conceded privately. Ever since receiving the invitation, she'd had a burning curiosity to visit James' home.

And now, here she was.

For once, the Hogwarts rumour mill wasn't exaggerating, Lily thought as she entered the ballroom.

The place was huge. A band stood in one corner, and tables laden with food and drinks flanked the walls. A crowd of people milled about in the centre of the ballroom as House Elves diligently attended to the guests. Lily watched as a wizard in an eclectic set of polka-dotted dress robes finished his drink to find two House Elves assembled at his feet with a fresh glass at the ready.

An impeccably dressed man with a thin moustache greeted them.

"Ladies, your names?"

"Lily Evans."

"Marlene McKinnon."

"And your invitations, please," the man added.

Lily handed him the letter. He raised an eyebrow as he scanned through it, but made no objection.

"Thank you," he replied, as Lily made to move on.

Marlene put a hand on her arm.

"Wait."

"What?"

"He's going to announce us."

"You're joking."

"Nope."

"Miss Lily Evans," the man intoned. "Miss Marlene McKinnon."

Lily felt self-conscious as his voice, magically amplified, echoed around the room.

"Now we can go," Marlene instructed.

"What was even the point?" Lily asked her. "No one noticed."

"It's traditional, I suppose," she replied with a shrug. "Come on."

"Alright, McKinnon?"

Someone had noticed their arrival after all - Sirius Black.

"S'pose Prongs invited you," he said to Lily, before letting out a low whistle, his eyes roving over her.

"Fuck Evans, you do tidy up."

"You're a pig, Black," Lily bit back.

"A dog, actually," he said, with a funny sort of self-loathing look. Then he fumbled in his robes for a hip flask, unscrewed it, and took a long swig, before walking away.

"He's in a state," Marlene said distastefully.

"I'm surprised he's here," Lily mused.

"Lily!"

A boy with sandy-blond hair garbed in blue dress robes beckoned them over.

"Do you know him?" Marlene asked.

"It's Benjy Fenwick - he's in Ravenclaw."

"Oh, the Prefect?"

"Yeah."

"Benjy, this is Marlene," Lily introduced her friend.

"McKinnon? On the Gryffindor team?"

"I don't think we've met."

"We haven't, but you're the reason the Ravenclaw Beaters cry themselves to sleep after our games."

Marlene smirked.

"How's your evening?" Benjy continued.

"We've only just got here."

"Oh! Let me find you a drink," he said, raising a hand and snapping his fingers.

A House Elf appeared out of thin air a moment later, and took their orders before disappearing.

"I didn't realise you were on the guest list."

"It was a bit last minute," Marlene explained. "We got invites from James."

"Ah," Benjy replied, his facial expression betraying his distaste.

The House Elf reappeared with two champagne flutes, and diligently handed them to Lily and Marlene.

"Well, here's to drinking Potter's champagne," Benjy said, raising his glass. "Cheers."

The two girls joined his toast, and chatted with him for a few minutes more before moving on.

"Can we get a snack?" Marlene asked. "I'm bloody starving."

They made their way through a throng of people to a table laden with canapés. Marlene picked up a bunch of grapes and popped a couple in her mouth.

"Doesn't sound like Benjy is much of a fan of Potter," she said. "Any–"

"He did walk in on Prongs shagging his cousin in the supplies cupboard on the fourth floor," interjected Sirius, standing on the other side of the table with Peter in tow.

"Sirius, piss off," Marlene replied.

"That's not even the best part," Sirius said, ignoring her. "Here she is, knickers 'round her ankles, and she tells her cousin, 'fuck off Benjy, I'm busy."

Peter collapsed into a gale of laughter.

Lily took Marlene's arm and turned her away.

"I just don't have time for him when he's like this."

"When who's like this?"

"Oh wonderful," Lily muttered.

James had appeared, with a faintly puzzled expression on his features.

"Never mind," Marlene said to him.

He shrugged. "I'm glad you made it, Evans."

She offered him a polite smile.

"Thanks for the invite."

"I had to drag her along," Marlene said, and Lily scowled at her.

"I'm glad you did," James grinned, and gestured around the massive room. "What do you think, Evans?"

"I simply don't know how you cope in such squalor."

"I persevere."

"Such courage."

"I am a Gryffindor," he remarked. "Would you two like a tour? I have to mingle some more, but I can show you around later."

"Sure," Lily nodded.

"I'll find you," James said, before melding into the crowd.


Lily and Marlene rejoined the small group of Hogwarts students standing by the drinks table. Aside from Benjy, there were another couple of Ravenclaws Lily recognised from Charms class, a Hufflepuff, and Remus.

She had struck up a conversation with Remus and Benjy when Sirius pushed past.

"Fenwick," Sirius greeted him. "How's the family?"

"Fine thanks, Black," Benjy replied. "And yours?"

Sirius' jaw hardened.

"I was sorry to hear that James broke things off with Danielle," he replied, reaching yet again into his robes for his hip flask. "Is she here tonight? Maybe I could–"

"Stay away from her, Black," Benjy growled.

"Don't worry, Fenwick, I'll stay away from broom closets."

"You–"

"Enough."

James had reappeared, and he firmly stepped between the two.

"Fenwick, it's up to you really, but I wouldn't rise to his bait," he said to the Ravenclaw. James then turned to Sirius with an expression like granite.

"If you have any respect for my mother, you won't start a fight in this room," he said, his voice cold with anger.

Lily was taken back – in six years she'd never heard James talk to Sirius like that.

Sirius looked down, not meeting James' eye.

"Stick your head in the shower, Padfoot. You stink."

Sirius shambled off and Jame ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.

"He's been an absolute shite tonight."

"I've noticed."

James shot her an apologetic look.

"How about that tour?"

Lily shrugged.

"Okay."

"Great," he said, leading her out of the ballroom and down a hallway.

"I'll have you know I spotted three separate specks of dust on the way in."

"Three?" James said, an expression of mock horror crossing his features. "The House Elves will have to be flogged."

"Simply unforgivable."

"Good help is so hard to find."

"Have you got your Hogwarts letter yet?" he asked.

"No, you?"

"Neither. I think McGonagall secretly hopes she doesn't have to send it each year."

"That's ridiculous. McGonagall adores you."

"She once gave me three straight months of detention, Evans."

"It's how she demonstrates affection."

James laughed.

"Do you not get lost in here?" Lily asked.

"You learn your way around after a few years."

"Where are we headed?"

"The library."

"You have a library?"

"It overlooks the lake."

"The what?"

"Just a small one," he added defensively.

"Just how much–"

"Hold on," James interjected, pausing suddenly.

Two voices were coming from around the corner.

"Thank you, Nathaniel," the first voice said. "I hope you don't mind my interruption."

"Not at all - please, let's chat in my office," said a second voice.

"It's my dad," James said to Lily quietly. "I want to hear this."

She shot him a puzzled look, but followed him to a room further down the hallway.

"Quick, in here."

"What's this?" she asked.

"This was my old bedroom," James said. He clicked his fingers and a soft light filled the space.

"It's right next to my father's study. If I sat in the wardrobe, I could hear him working."

She gave him a quizzical look.

"I used to eavesdrop on him sometimes when I was little."

"Exciting childhood."

"Well, I didn't have any siblings."

"They're overrated," Lily replied.

James opened the wardrobe doors. It was empty now, save a wooden trunk tucked in the corner. He stepped inside and put his ear to the back wall.

"What are you doing?" she said in a hushed whisper.

James put a finger to his lips, motioning for silence, then beckoned her over. Lily mimicked him, putting her head to the rear of the wardrobe.

"…as you know, the Minister was unable to make it. Please accept his apologies," said a voice - one James had heard before but couldn't quite place.

"It's quite alright, Ignatius. We understand that he's a busy man." The voice of his father came through quite clearly – and James clicked onto the identity of the stranger: Ignatius Morin, Chief of Staff to the Minister for Magic.

"Nevertheless, he impressed upon me the need to convey his regrets," Morin said.

"We appreciate it. Can I offer you a drink?"

"Please."

Crouched in the wardrobe, James heard the clink of glasses and a drink being poured.

"I don't suppose this is just a courtesy call?"

"No, it's not, I'm afraid."

"Go on," Nathaniel said.

"We need to discuss You-Know-Who," Morin replied.

"Are we really calling him that?" Nathaniel scoffed.

"It's catching on at the Prophet," Morin replied dryly. "I understand you've met him."

"Yes, when he was at Hogwarts. He was 16 or 17, I think. Talented boy – complete arse though."

"Oh?"

"I'd been asked to assess him for possible recruitment into MLE."

"And what was the verdict?"

"You just heard it," Nathaniel replied. "It didn't matter anyway - after Riddle left Hogwarts, he spent some time abroad and then took a job in some shop."

There was a pause, and then Nathaniel spoke again.

"Riddle's biography isn't why you came here tonight, Ignatius. What's going on?"

"The Minister fears that any overt efforts to subdue Riddle's movement will divide the nation."

"Are you serious?"

"We can't have a civil war, Nathaniel."

"What Bartemius is proposing would hardly result in a civil war," Nathaniel scoffed.

"That's a strange alliance, you and Crouch."

"What do you mean?" Nathaniel asked.

"The Head of the largest Ministry Department and the Deputy Auror Commander, who also happens to be part of one of the wealthiest and influential families in the nation, Morin responded. "It's a formidable ticket."

"It's nonsense."

"You're both prominent voices on the Wizengamot. You're both experienced civil servants. And you could quite conceivably outspend any opposition."

"If I was going to run, you'd know about it already."

"Be that as it may, the Minister is sensitive to these things. You know there's an election coming up."

"Not for three years," Nathaniel said. "Besides, I think you should be more worried about Millicent."

"Yes, well, she's another matter entirely."

"Anyway," James' father redirected the conversation.

"Yes, about Riddle," Morin said. "Prominent families have urged the Minister to demonstrate restraint. Merlin knows your Aurors could use some."

"Restraint?"

"Yes. You can start by putting Mad Eye on a leash."

"You're worried that if Bartermius gets his way, there'll be bloodshed in the streets of London."

"It's a perfectly reasonable concern. People have a funny habit of dying when Aurors get involved."

"Who's talking?" James heard his father ask bluntly.

"You know I'm not going to tell you, Nathaniel. But these are influential voices in this administration," Morin replied. "And frankly, the Minister needs their support for his domestic agenda."

Nathaniel Potter let out a string of expletives.

"Right now, the only thing on his bloody domestic agenda should be national security!"

"Nathaniel, I–"

"Is he reading what we've been putting in front of him? Does he fully understand the extent of what's happening?"

"Of course he does – but this isn't his sole focus."

"Just yesterday, my field Aurors reported that Riddle's people are recruiting Giants. Ever tried to Stun a Giant, Morin?"

"Look–"

"Riddle's raising an army, and unless we start fighting back while we still have the upper hand, then we won't stand a chance. It's already worse than people know."

In the dim light of the wardrobe, Lily met James' eyes. His face was troubled.

"What would you do if you were the Auror Commander?"

"What does it matter. I'm not the Commander."

"You can be honest with me, Nathaniel. The fact that you wanted the job is the worst kept secret in the Auror Office."

"I'm too old, Morin. It's a job for a younger man."

"Maybe if you hadn't been so close to Dumbledore all these years, the Minister might have considered you earlier."

"I chose my friends carefully, Morin," James' father replied softly. "I have not yet found reason to regret that."

"Tell Bartemius that you won't support an authorisation of the Unforgivable Curses," Morin urged. "Do that, and I'll see to it personally that the Minister appoints you as the new Auror Commander in six months time."

"I think we've exhausted this conversation, Ignatius," James' father replied cooly.

"Consider it, Nathaniel," Morin said. "Thanks for the drink."

James heard the sound of a chair being pushed back. Motioning for silence again, he gestured to the wardrobe door.

"What was that?" Lily exclaimed.

"That was my father talking with Ignatius Morin. He's the Minister's–"

"Chief of Staff. I know," Lily replied.

"It's a lot worse than people know,"James said, echoing his fathers' words.

"And?"

James' face was troubled.

"I don't know, Evans. But it isn't good."

Then his expression changed, and a glint of mischief reappeared in his eyes.

"Let's go see the lake."

"Potter?"

"Yeah?"

"If there's a magic carpet involved, I will drown you."


They made their way back to the ballroom, where they ran into Marlene.

"Where have you been?" she exclaimed. "Remus and Sirius are fighting! I've been trying to find you!"

"Finally," James muttered. "Where are they?"

"Outside."

Both Lily and James followed her lead out of the ballroom. Up ahead, two figures were rolling about on the ground, throwing flailing punches and kicks at each other.

"Moony is beating the shit out of Padfoot," Peter said, idly watching. "It's very entertaining."

"Aren't you going to stop it?" Lily said to James, alarmed.

James looked offended at the suggestion.

"Don't be ridiculous, Evans, I've been waiting for this to happen for months."

One of the figures – it looked like Remus – had gained the upper hand, and landed two sharp blows to his opponent's face and jaw.

James winced.

"Had enough?" Remus said.

Sirius spat.

"Just getting started," he said, drawing his knee up into Remus' ribcage. The werewolf grimaced, as Sirius swung his leg around and kicked Remus solidly in the side of the head.

"This is getting out of hand, Potter!" Lily said.

"No, this is exactly what they need," James replied. "Watch and learn, Evans. "

Remus ducked away from a punch, and then spear tackled Sirius to the ground, knocking the wind out of him.

Sirius didn't strike back, trying to regain his breath as he lay on the grass.

Remus sat up and wiped away a thin trickle of blood running from his nose, and spat.

"I forgive you, Sirius. We all do."

"Why?"

"We're the only people who tolerate you, you prick."

Despite a puffy eye, several bruises, and a cut on his lip, Sirius was grinning broadly as he gingerly got to his feet.

"Good?"

"Good," Remus replied.

Sirius grinned again, and Lily swore she'd never seen him look so happy.

She threw her hands up in exasperation as James and Peter hollered loudly.

"Boys!"


It was midmorning the following day when James woke up to the sound of an owl tapping at his window.

He ran a hand through his hair and stifled a yawn, before getting out of bed and opening up the window to let the bird in. He took the letter, and handed the tawny owl a treat, which it gratefully pecked at on the windowsill.

James turned it over, and then suddenly froze.

Frowning, he gave it a shake. There was something in there. He quickly tore the envelope open, and a silver badge dropped into his palm.

"Huh."

James quickly threw a shirt on, and made his way to the guest bedroom where the other Marauders had stayed the night.

"Wake up!"

Sirius threw a pillow at him, but Remus was already awake.

"They've fucked up the post," James announced. "Moony, I've got your letter."

"I've already got my letter," the werewolf replied. "An owl showed up ten minutes ago."

"Well, this one has a Head Boy badge in it," James said.

"I don't suppose you've actually bothered to read your letter?" Remus said dryly.

"Dear Mr Potter, it is my distinct pleasure…" said James, his voice trailing off as he looked at Remus and Sirius in horror.

"Oh fuck."

"He's mental. He's gone bloody mental," Sirius said.

"What the fuck am I meant to do with this? Remus, I'm not even a Prefect! This should be yours! I'll write to Dumbledore, decline the position. I'll ask him to give you the badge and –"

"Decline what position?" Peter said, walking into the guest room.

"Dumbledore made James Head Boy," said Sirius.

"You're taking the piss."

"If only," James said, eyeing the shiny object with apprehension.

Peter gaped.

"Here Moony, you have it," James threw the badge at Remus.

"I don't bloody want it. You're stuck with it," Remus replied, throwing it back.

"Stop laughing, you prick!" James admonished Sirius, who was enjoying James' predicament far too much.

"Are you sure you're not allergic to responsibility?"

James shot him a flat look.

"This," he said, holding up the badge with distaste, "isn't even the worst of it."

"What do you mean?" Peter asked.

"If I'm Head Boy, that means Evans didn't get Head Girl."

"Cheer up Prongs," Sirius said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'm sure she'll only hold it against you until Christmas."

"Or Easter," Peter added.

"Or forever," Remus said.


A/N: Cheers for reading!