Lily
What could it all mean? Could their nicknames be related to everything? They hadn't had them before the start of the year, except for Remus. They'd called him Moony since second year. Lily knew they called James "Prongs" and Peter "Wormtail," but what about Sirius? Something with a P, maybe... Pudding? He did eat a lot of it, she thought. But what did their 'midnight stroll in the moonlight' mean? Everyone knew that the Marauders often left the castle—practically without getting caught—but what made tonight different? She decided that after her afternoon classes, she'd head straight to the library. Spring Break started on Friday, and she wouldn't be able to research it at home.
"Excuse me, Madam Pince?" Lily asked.
"Yes, dear?"
"Where would I find a book with the Full Moon Schedule?" she inquired. During Charms, she remembered that James had written it in his journal.
Madam Pince looked at her perplexed. "You're the third 5th-year this week to ask that. I wouldn't expect 5th years to be studying werewolves," she said as she picked a book off her desk.
Lily blinked, startled. "Are you alright, dear?" Madam Pince asked, noticing her reaction.
Lily gulped and nodded quickly. She rushed to the farthest table in the library and pulled out her parchment and quill. She wrote down everything she'd learned so far and what it might mean:
Full Moon Schedule – Werewolf?
Advanced Potions – Animagi
Furry little problem – ?
Stroll in Moonlight – Full Moon TONIGHT!
That could only mean one thing: one of the Marauders was a werewolf. Madam Pince had been right—5th years don't study werewolves, 3rd years do. Werewolves were supposed to be extremely dangerous, and wizards were notoriously prejudiced against them. But that didn't fit any of the Marauders. They were too popular—especially James and Sirius, who often created a ruckus together—but they never actually hurt anyone.
Sirius' family, she figured, would disown him if he were a werewolf—after all, they nearly did because he was a Gryffindor. And Peter seemed too much of a weak link to endure that kind of struggle every month. But Remus... Hmm. Oh they call him Moony. It all makes sense.
Remus Lupin is a werewolf. A freaking werewolf. He transforms from the kind boy Lily knew into a beast once a month. She couldn't help but pity him—but no, "pity" was the wrong word. She admired his strength. Not everyone could bear the burden of having their life torn apart like that each month.
Lily packed up her things and rushed back to the Common Room.
She raced up the stairs to the boys dormitory and knocked. After no response she cracked the door open. Their room was disgusting. Clothes were strewn everywhere and old food from the Great Hall was littered everywhere. Homework and other parchment added to the mess. She saw inkwells and old quills on the ground among crumpled chocolate frog cards and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans cartons. But in a more peculiar way, one of their walls was covered in small pieces of parchment. On each parchment were a few words. She read some of them:
'Blew Betram Aubrey's head up twice its size because he was making fun of a Muggleborn first year'
'Dyed every Slytherin's hair red and gold for a week'
'Disillusioned Mulciber's clothes cause he was gonna curse Mary'
'Scared Snape senseless in Grim form'
'Levitate Professor Dumbledore during end of term feast'
'Transfigured Rosier into a toad because he tried to force a third year to go out with him'
'Turned floating candles into a lion at Beginning of term feast to show house pride'
'Gave Narcissa antlers to match Prongs, because she called a second year a you-know-what'
'Clogged every school toliet except Moaning Myrtles(even the Prefect's props to Moony) for a month'
'Charmed every teacher to speak Gobblededuck for a day'
'Every Slytherin spoke in only rhymes for a week'
'Used Permanent Sticking Charm on Door into Divination because it's too bloody boring to go to'
'Gave Severus a haircut...'
'Dyed Evans hair neon pink because she hates me'
Their infamous pranks listed on and on, all posted on the wall. Even Lily had to be impressed, they needed incredible magic to do all of that. Of course she would never forgive them for dying her hair pink in their 1st year and they were rather cruel to some people, but it was still impressive. But there was one that hadn't been put up yet, it appeared that they were waiting for the end of 7th year to do that one. A parting gift, she supposed. Lily looked around the room and realized she should probably get out because she was obviously too late, they were gone.
James
James didn't want the term to end. Usually, he looked forward to summer breaks—traveling the world with his parents or attending the Quidditch World Cup, like last year. But this summer, they were doing nothing. No extravagant trips or fun excursions. Since the attack on Hogsmeade, his father had gotten worse, sinking into a state of depression. James suspected it had to do with Marcus Stein's death. His father blamed himself, and James had barely spoken to him over the two-week break. His mother was worried sick, and James wasn't looking forward to three months of that.
"What's wrong, Prongs?" Sirius asked, breaking James' train of thought.
"Nothing, mate. We'd better get to the match," James said, rushing to change into his Quidditch robes.
The two hurried onto the pitch, the crowd erupting into cheers as they entered. Gryffindor fans were waving flags, wearing scarves, and displaying banners. The Slytherin fans were sandwiched between the goalposts, with their green and silver gear.
"Finally, Gryffindor Captain James Potter and Beater Sirius Black have shown up," Dirk Cresswell announced. "Potter, a Chaser turned Captain this year... Who would've thought he'd be given such responsibility? Especially after he let all his mates on the team. I guess next year he'll even recruit Pettigrew…"
"Dirk!" Professor McGonagall snapped.
"Sorry, Professor," Dirk stammered, before continuing the introductions. James smiled inwardly—McGonagall always had his back. Dirk dated Delia before James got involved and he'd never forgive him. Didn't bother him much.
"And for Gryffindor we have Stillsap, Potter, McKinnon, Thompson, Higgins, Black, and Khan. Both Stillsap and Khan are new to the team this year. Lance, brother of Archie Stillsap, last year's Captain, wasn't taken onto the team by his own brother in the year prior. Interesting seeing as Lance hasn't failed to catch the Snitch once this season-"
"Cresswell we don't need your play by play in family gossip, do we?" McGonagoll yelled.
"Just a bit of information, Professor. And here comes the Slytherin team. Their line up includes Black, Flint, Moonshine, Wilkes, Vanity, Talkalot, and Bletchley," Dirk went on. James let his eyes measure up his opponents. He wondered how many of them were in the Dark Lord's pocket.
"Look at that: the two Blacks are facing up again. I hear that the two of them don't get along so well. Something about the elder Black being the first one ever to be in Gryffindor. I wonder—" Dirk Cresswell stopped talking after a very stern look from McGonagoll. Sirius, however, looked all too ready to throw his bat at Dirk.
"Well look at that Madam Hooch is beginning the game. This should be an exciting one. There's always tension between Slytherin and Gryffindor during Quidditch and especially during the Inter-House Quidditch Cup."
"Captain shake hands," Madam Hooch said. James stepped forward as did Emma Vanity. James didn't know much about the tall girl who shook his hand. He did know that she wasn't a bad Slytherin. She wasn't prejudiced or hateful. But she had a deadly aim on Bludgers on the Quidditch Pitch and she wasn't afraid to knock someone to the ground.
"Mount your brooms," Madam Hooch said. Then with her whistle between her teeth, she counted down, "Three. Two. One!"
Madam Hooch whistled loudly and siganlled for the game to begin. James sped forward on his Nimbus 1500 to grab the quaffle. He barrel rolled and dodged bludgers coming at him. It was a good thing that Marlene came back, she's an excellent Chaser and the team really needs her. James threw the Quaffle to her as Magnus Flint, a Slytherin Chaser, came crashing into him.
James clashed back into his opponent, trying to give Marlene as much time as he could. He could see her looking to pass, so James sped into position as their Beater's were preoccupied with her. Marlene saw James get into her line of vision and she threw the Quaffle, just barely missing an oncoming bludger as it passed. James couldn't help but grin seeing as no one stood between him and their Keeper.
He felt like time slowed down, as the wind blew through his hair. The Keeper looked nervous as he fidgeted on his broom, waiting for James to throw it. And James didn't disappoint, he threw the Quaffle into the centre hoop as the Keeper moved to the left.
"And Potter with the goal! That's 10 points to Gryffindor! And despite him being a girlfriend stealing git, he does win a lot of games and that's got to count for something!" Cresswell announces.
McGonagall opens her mouth to yell at Dirk but she's too busy cheering. James, Marlene, and Millie kept the crowd cheering for the rest of the game. They scored goal after goal and the Slytherins only scored a few in comparison.
"Padfoot!" James yelled as he flew past him, "Keep your eyes on the Bludgers, not McKinnon's backside!"
Sirius grinned sheepishly and smashed a Bludger towards Slytherin's seeker, Regulus Black. James could tell that Sirius was all too excited to hit the Bludger at his brother. Millie Thompson flew past James, ducking and dodging opponents and Bludgers. She feinted right as Selene Moonshine slammed up against her. Marlene flew on Millie's right side to open herself for the pass and James decided to take care of Selene. He flew annoyingly close to the Slytherin Chaser, pushing up against them in order to give Millie a chance to get away.
"Millie Thompson, Gryffindor Chaser and Head Girl, has the Quaffle. She demonstrates some incredible flying manuevers as she dodges the Slytherin Chaser. James Potter took the position of Captain although Thompson is older. A surprising choice given Potter's behavioural issues. Professor, would you care to comment on your decision?" Dirk announced.
"Cresswell!" McGonagall shouted. James saw Dirk flinch at the sound of her voice and James grinned.
"Sorry Professor!"
James took a moment to survey the crowds. He searched the Gryffidor section, feeling a surge of pride as he realized that Gryffindor's cheering section outnumbered Slythein's by loads more than he had thought. He kept looking, hoping to spot Lily. A bludger whizzed past his shoulder and Sirius sped past not too far behind.
"Keep your eyes on the Quaffle, not Evans, would you?" Sirius grinned. James turned his broom around and opened up for the Quaffle.
He sped, dove, turned, and did every single manuever and trick he knew to get the Slytherins off his tail. He had attracted about half the team in his escape. Both Beaters attempted to pelt him with Bludgers and James did a decent job at dodging them, until their Captain launched a Bludger that made contact with his shoulder. Hard.
James swore beneath his breath as his shoulder bellowed out in pain. James' broom spun sideways, recklessly and losing control. James reached back out for the broom, despite the pain and redirected it out of the main fire from his ambitious and relentless opponents.
"James Potter gets slammed with a Bludger after an unsucessful feat of somewhat unimpressive fancy swerves and dives. See right there! Millie Thompson, that beautiful girl, dodged a Bludger and managed to score. Potter you'd best be taking notes-" Dirk announced.
"Cresswell you'd best quit talking to my players," McGonagoll said to him.
"Won't happen again, honest," Dirk promised. McGonagoll pursed her lips and returned to watch the match. James, doing his best to ignore the pain in his shoulder, returned into the heat of the match. Getting open passes from Marlene and scoring three times straight. James spitefully grinned and looked up at Dirk Cresswell, sitting in the stands announcing the game. A moment later, Dirk's eyes turned up to the skies, squinting to get a better look.
"Is it just me, or does it appear like Lance Stillsap has spotted the Snitch!?" James scanned the sky to see if he could spot Lance. And sure enough, Lance was chasing a small fluttering golden ball with an outstretched hand. James watched the scene play out, holding his breath. Slytherin Beater and Captain Emma Vanity launched a Bludger towards Lance and no one could do anything to stop it. Suddenly his outstretched hand closed and it seemed like the entire stadium held their breath, not making a single sound. Lance raised his arm victoriously and flew towards his teammates. The Bludger dodged and the Snitch caught.
The team flew to the centre hugging, screaming, and crying. Everyone tackled James and Marlene. But James flew to the announcer stand pushing Dirk out of the way and said, "I'd like to thank the team, for putting in all this time and effort, Professor McGonagall, for being the best Head of House we could ask for, Sirius Black for being an excellent Beater, and finally," he started, "I'd like to ask Lily Evans to be my girlfriend."
Every head in the stadium turned to Lily, whose face turned an unhealthy shade of red. Her face scrunched up when she saw James' grin and she stormed off.
"Well that wasn't a no," James said before returning to his team. Cheers and laughter blended. He was on too much of a high to feel the sting.
"Party in the Common Room!" Millie said to the team in the Changing Room.
"Sure you can permit that, Head Girl?" James teased.
"If you aren't careful Potter, you'll end up Head Boy," Millie joked. She ruffled his hair and continued back up to the Common Room. James looked to Sirius.
"Well I sure hope not," James said. "Imagine that, a Marauder as Head Boy?"
"Quit thinking so far ahead. We have a party to attend and Firewhiskey to drink," Sirius replied with a wicked grin. He raced up the stairs to the 7th floor, leaving James as the last one in the dressing room. They won, they won the Quidditch House Cup with James leading them. He could still feel the adrenaline rush, the elation from being on the pitch. To James there wasn't a better feeling in the world.