Chapter 15: The House Cup
"I must say these are the most uncomfortable chamber pots I've ever had the misfortune of sitting on." Remus commented as he marveled at the chamber pots they were sitting in. The other students in the Great Hall were also feeling the exact same way as they fidgeted in their 'seats' Professor Dumbledore had found the whole situation amusing and had proceeded to change the staff's seats into chamber pots as well. "Who ever did these should-"
"-be given an award. I'd say it was an amazing piece of Transfiguration that would make even McGonagall proud." James finished grinning at Remus who simply rolled his eyes.
"I believe the spiders were a nice touch as well." Sirius grinned buttering his toast. "I wonder who in the world did those? They. Are .Brilliant."
"And the toad head spiders too!" Peter grinned. "And slime. Whoever did those must be a genius."
"Actually Peter I'd say the spiders are worth a little more praise than the slime." Sirius said pointedly.
"No- no." Peter shook his head correcting Sirius. "It's definitely the slime." Peter turned to Michael Duke, the fifth boy in their year, who had a penchant for waking up and getting to class late. The Marauders had now secretly dubbed him as the '5th boy' as he was the only Gryffindor boy in their room who now was not a Marauder. He was watching them both bicker back and forth like it was a telly show as they ate their breakfast that morning.
"I think whoever did this should never meet you four." Michael Duke said looking at them. James, Sirius, Peter and Remus shared silent grins. So far no one had been able to figure out the identity of the pranksters. Sirius had already began spreading rumors that they were called 'The Marauders,' making sure Mary MacDonald was the first one to be told. James had no doubt by the end of the week she would have spread the news to the entire school.
"Here's the chocolate frog card from last week by the way." Michael said sliding the card to James.
"Where's Evans?" James asked looking hopefully around the Great Hall. "Is she looking impressed? She is isn't she?"
"Er-she left mate." Peter told him.
"What?" James asked before nodding. "Oh I see it was too good for her. She was that impressed, wasn't she?" He pulled the pitcher of juice towards him, humming slightly to himself- a grin plastered to his face. "I knew it."
"Peter!" Remus hissed.
"She was crying." Peter continued apparently having not heard Remus. "I don't think she liked it."
James paused in mid pour. "What do you mean?" He looked at Remus who pretended to look interested in his toast way too much before turning to Sirius who was having a heated argument with Michael Duke about what the worth of a Nicholas Flamel card was. "Did you see her leave? SIRIUS!"
Sirius turned to James like he had interrupted a very important conversation "Sorry-what?"
"Did you see her leave?" James asked, slightly impatient.
"See who?" Sirius asked. "James tell Michael here that a 'Nicholas Flamel' card is not worth-"
"Lily!" James said. He looked around the Great Hall for good measure. Maybe Lily hadn't left and Remus and Peter had seen someone else leave the Great Hall instead. He spotted Marlene laughing away at the end of the table with Dorcas and Mary- but there was no Lily Evans in sight.
Feeling dejected, James stood up. There was no way she could have left without marveling at his prank. Everyone had though it was funny- even the Headmaster was laughing at one point before he proceeded to change his seat to a chamber pot to match the state of the rest of the Great Hall. The prefects, including the Head boy and Head girl, were in a fury trying to find who was behind all of it while McGonagall narrowed her eyes at every student in the Great Hall like they would come and confess any minute to her. James hadn't realized he was walking out the Great Hall until he caught a flash of red hair out the window. He walked back to make sure. He wasn't proven wrong when he saw Lily and Severus sitting by the Black Lake laughing.
So this was where Lily had went after all leaving The Great Hall. Snivellus had convinced her to leave. Furious, James brought out his wand ready to march up to Snivellus and hex him. How dare he take a Lily away from marveling at his prank. His prank was brilliant and she had to see it too.
"Woah woah what are you doing James?" Sirius asked catching up to him. James didn't stop his march towards the Black Lake. "Okay better question then, where are we going?"
"Snivellus." James said pointing out to Sirius where Lily and Severus were laughing away by The Black Lake.
"Excellent." Sirius said pulling out his own wand. "Oh look there's Lily- what's she doing with him?"
"Exactly. He's taking her away so that she doesn't see the greatness that I come up with. Greasy little git." James said as they headed towards the Black Lake from the back route so Lily or Severus didn't see them coming.
Sirius shrugged. "Sure, Jamesie. So what's the plan?"
"Let's get closer first." James decided. They crept up closer to the Lake, taking refuge behind large tree that was the closest to the pair.
"Tell me about the dementors again, Severus." James heard Lily ask. They were both laying on the ground, an untouched picnic basket thrown carelessly to the side.
James turned to Sirius and mouthed 'Dementors?'
Sirius shrugged.
"I've already told you everything." Severus said. "They guard the Wizarding prison-"
"Azkaban." Lily said. "I remember. How do they look again?"
Sirius wagged his eyebrows at the word 'Azkaban.' "Hey, you think McGonagall would send us to Azkaban when she finds out we're the one behind the prank?"
James shook his head and whispered "Nah, they'll never know it was us. We've got Remus with us. No on will suspect we had anything to do with it if we've got him."
"Good point." Sirius turned back to where Lily and Severus were still talking. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"Yeah, me too." James said. "Shh..."
"Why do you want to know Azkaban anyways?" Severus was asking now.
"I was just thinking about the same thing too!" Sirius whispered tugging on James. "Oh Merlin Snivellus can read minds. We really need to get out of here."
"Shut up." James warned listening hard.
"I've just seen it mentioned a lot of time in the Daily Prophet." Lily said. "There's all this talk about attacks and Azkaban and giants- have you ever seen a giant, Severus? Are they really as big as mountains? I really want to see one."
Sirius was pointing at Lily and shaking his head. "Is she crazy? She wants to meet a giant? What- does she want to be his first but not last meal of the day?"
"Shut up Sirius." James said.
"Lily, you shouldn't worry about what's in the paper. Lucius says 'The Daily Prophet' is printing rubbish at the moment."
"Lucius Malfoy says." Sirius mimicked Severus's voice. "I knew there was a reason I didn't like him. Rubbing in with the likes of Lucius Malfoy."
"Sirius." James pulled him away. "If you don't shut up they're going to find out we're here!"
Sirius held up his hands in defeat. "Alright alright."
James nodded and they both inched their way back to where Lily and Severus were still talking. James was so focused on making sure Sirius kept his mouht shut that he didn't notice the stick on the ground until it broke under his shoe. James cursed silently and Sirius pulled him back quickly so they were out of Severus's view.
"Who's there?" Severus stood up, wand out, pointed where James was seconds ago. "Show yourself."
Lily stood up and shook her head. "It's probably just a fawn, Sev. Dorcas saw one the other day- don't worry."
Sirius laughed. "You hear that James- she thinks you're a fawn."
"No she thinks you're a fawn." James retorted, slightly embarrassed. "Alright I've got a plan."
"Oh joy." Sirius said sarcastically.
"Sev, you're hilarious." Lily was laughing when they reached their hiding spot after James had explained the plan to an eager Sirius. "I'm really glad you're here with me at Hogwarts. I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Me too Lily."
"Now." James decided. He- James Potter was hilarious. He was the funny guy-not Snivellus.
"But we said-" Sirius started.
"I know what I said!" James said leveling his wand and concentrating. "Now!"
There was a flash of white and the next minute Lily and Severus were running away because their breakfast had decided they wanted to rebel and no be eaten. Sirius and James high-fived each other. James grinned. He was definitely the hilarious one- not Severus.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"Why is it taking so long?" Remus asked. "It should be here by now. It was already two weeks late and I can live with that-but if it's not here then I'm going to fight somebody."
"I like this side of Remus." Sirius commented offhandedly. "Should I bring the pitchforks?"
Remus sighed and shook Peter. "Peter, where is it?"
James was just about to tell Remus that Peter was not a clock and would not therefore know what time the owl would fly in to give Remus his highly anticipated mail.
"There!" Peter pointed up suddenly where a lone owl was flying around like it didn't know where to go. Remus sighed, frustrated.
"DOWN HERE YOU REPTILE!"
"Sirius- that's not a reptile." Remus shook his head as the owl swooped down, catching sight of Remus.
"He knows." James answered knowingly.
"I just wanted to get it's attention." Sirius explained looking very pleased with himself. "And it worked."
"interesting and is it usual for you guys to read each other's minds like that? " Remus asked amazed as he gave the owl a treat before it flew away. The boys all hovered over the thick package that it left behind in its flight.
"Well open it." Peter prodded the package towards Remus.
"Okay." Remus breathed slowly fingering the package. "Okay."
He slowly began peeling the tape on one side- taking time to make sure it came off in one peel. Sirius smacked himself and looked knowingly towards James "Please tell me you're not the one who left all that gift wrap in a neat stack by the door on Christmas."
"Sirius and I are going mad trying to find out who it was."
"That was me." Remus said amazed. "How did you know?"
"For Merlin's sake Remus," James pulled the package towards him. "That is not how you open something."
And within 6.5 second James had tore the wrapping to reveal...a book.
"A book?" Sirius cocked his head as he looked over at the dark blue book with gold binding.
"That's what you were getting so riled over?" Peter asked incredulously. "A book?"
"It's not a book." Remus said.
"Let's see pages, a cover, words, words and more words- I don't know mate I'd call that a book." Sirius said putting James's glasses on and peering at the book.
"It's a limited edition chocolate box." Remus said proudly. The other three gave him odd looks. "In the shape of a book."
"Oooooooh." James, Sirius and Peter said finally.
"Well why didn't you say so?" James said getting his glasses back from Sirius who nodded to Remus and patted him on the back. "My respect for you has slightly increased. I just want you to know that."
"Hey, nice chocolate box Remus." Liam Carter said to Remus from over at the Ravenclaw table. "Very Ravenclaw of you."
"How does he know what it is?" Sirius wondered out loud. "How did we not know?"
"Does he always have to add Ravenclaw to everything he says." Peter grumbled.
Remus shrugged and turned back to the front where Dumbledore had stood up. "Yes thank you for that applause everybody." he looked pointedly at everyone who instantly started clapping.
"Thank you," he bowed "It is with regret that I announce the start of end of the year. First years, this is only the beginning for you and 7th years-" he raised his goblet to where the 7th years stood along the wall all wearing their Wizarding graduate hats. "this is also the beginning for you- just a different kind of beginning."
"I proudly present to you the class of 1971-"
"Albus the cup!" McGonagall hissed causing laughter to erupt from the students. McGonagall however did not smile as she levitated the cup towards Albus who accepted it graciously.
"Oh right- thank you. It is my great pleasure to announce that the House cup goes to...SLYTHERIN!"
The banners all immediately turned to the Slytherin green. There was a loud cheer from the Slytherin table. James frowned and turned to Sirius. "How?"
"Well I would say the 50 points McGonagall took from Gryffindor yesterday because of a certain sneaking pair might be a part of it." Remus said looking pointedly at James.
"And I'll say it again- I was innocent!" James protested. "I forgot that we were supposed to be sleeping."
"And Sirius?"
"Sirius was just following James." Sirius said.
"Oh now I'm the leader?" James asked.
"You know it boss." Sirius winked.
"Yes yes good for you Slytherin." Dumbledore said nodding. "Now a good hearty congrats to the graduating class of 1971- hats on everyone." James stuffed his own hat on frustrated. All the green around him was making him sick. "And cue fireworks."
From around the Great Hall there was a shower of fireworks that burst as everyone threw their hats up and the class of 1971 was engulfed in flames-harmless of course.
"Don't worry, James." Remus assured him once he had adjusted his hat. "All you have to do is be on your behavior next year and Gryffindor just might win."
James eyed the green decor that had taken over the Great Hall and shook his head. He had decided next year was going to be his year. "No Remus, we will win."