Mishaps With the Marauders

~*~

Chapter One - The Wizarding Carnival.

"A what?" inquired Lily Evans, from her precarious perch atop the arm of a squishy red armchair. It was five minutes before curfew and she and her friends were still gathered in a tight bunch around the dying fire.

"A Wizarding carnival," replied her best male friend - and resident Gryffindor prankster - Sirius Black, who was right now looking somewhat exasperated.

"Oohhh!" chimed in Lena chirpily. "I hear they're much more fun than the Muggle ones!" Perky, mischievous Lena was full of excitement (and an almost unhealthy amount of Bertie Bott's Beans) and knew everything about everything. It was no wonder she'd been transferred to Hogwarts last year. She used to attend some Greek school where they were quite awful "and no fun at all" according to Lena.

"Yeah," Sirius continued, as if he hadn't been interrupted at all. "There's one being held in Hogsmeade this Saturday." He looked around at his wide-eyed friends. "It should be a bloody lot of fun and..."

"We're all gonna go!" James Potter cut in, as openly excited as a six year old on Christmas morning - aside from the fact that a six year old's eyes could never have the same evil, mischievous twinkle as James'.

"So it's all settled" Remus Lupin finished a wide spread grin on his face at the prospect. "We go to the carnival Saturday at noon!"

*

~Lily.

That's when it all started. As I sat around the common room with my five best friends, I had no idea that this simple weekend plan could turn into a drama that would be quite entertaining, and at the same time, quite a large alteration to my way of life. I know it sounds terribly corny - but this was the beginning of something big.

Lazily, I glanced at my wristwatch before realising with a shock what time it was, and announcing that we'd all better go to bed before McGonagall caught us. The suggestion was followed by argumentative groans, but after Sirius yawned loudly, stretched, and promptly knocked over an unlit candlestick with a horrible clatter, everyone reluctantly clambered upstairs to bed. Which was wise seeing as Peter was half-asleep on the floor.

Once inside our dorm, I watched Lena make a mad dash for the bathroom. Bugger. She beat me to it again. I sighed resignedly and hopped into bed, noticing Lena's unfinished Potions homework on her nightstand. I kept the secret well, but Lena had always kind of feared Professor Callaghan, the Potions teacher, who was always ridiculously partial to his own students in Slytherin.

*

The next morning I arose to see and feel a blinding pain in my eyes as soon as they were opened. God! Lena had lit the candles... again. Lenny was a little afraid of the dark, and turned the lights on as soon as she awoke. She just had to be a morning person, too, I thought miserably. I, on the other hand, was not.

"Rise and shine, sweetie!" came the cheery call of Violet, my other dorm mate, as she plopped herself on the edge of my bed.

"Got any plans for the day?" she inquired sweetly.

"Actually," I grunted, wiping my eyes, "I'm going to the Wizarding carnival with - er - Remus, Sirius, James, and Lena."

"What?" Violet shrieked, grabbing my shoulder with one hand and slapping her temple with the other. "Why didn't you tell me? We have so much to do accessorizing, hair-"

"Violet!" I tilted my head and blinked, cutting her off. "Whatever are you blabbering about?"

"Come on Lil!" she groaned playfully. "It's pretty much common knowledge that you fancy James. And it's even more obvious Sirius wants you back! We have so much to do to get ready!"

Even though she sounded mental and a little paranoid, I knew she was right... at least about the James part. I decided to ignore the rest. If I really wanted to impress James today I needed to look good. I also needed her help.

"Great!" I said as Lena pranced into the room, "Lets get started."

The three of us smiled bravely at each other and got to work.