The Marauder Chronicles

Part Eight: Warnings and Wanderings

"The truth can kill but a lie can destroy"

Snape and James both found themselves in the office of Albus Dumbledore moments later. Professor McGonagall and Professor Chambers were also there; Chambers was head of Slytherin house. James and Snape sat in two chairs opposite of Dumbledore's desk. Across from them were the three professors, all of whom looked livid and disappointed. For a long while there was silent staring. Then Dumbledore spoke.

"Professor McGonagall has told me that she saw you, James, heading for the Whomping Willow. At that time she went down to see what you were doing, for she knew you were out of your common room and in grave danger. But then something else occurred; she saw Severus with you. Now, I can guess by the looks of you both, what went on down there. But I don't know why you went to Whomping Willow or how you learned it's entrance, Severus. Why don't you fill us in." Once he finished, the three professors turned to Snape.

"I over heard Sirius Black telling Peter Pettigrew how to get into the tunnel. It sounded as though they were planning something. I just..." he didn't finish.

"You over heard?" McGonagall said skeptically, her eyebrows raised very high. "Does that justify going out into the night, slipping down a top secret passageway, and nearly being killed by a werewolf?"

Snape didn't respond. He looked down into his open hands which sat on his lap. James had an ice pack on his right eye; it was starting to swell. His other hand was wiping blood off his face.

Professor Chambers was stroking his black mustache pensively, eyeing the two students sitting in the chairs. Dumbledore was staring at James, who was trying not to look at anyone for the moment.

"Am I going to be expelled?" Snape asked. Chambers looked at Dumbledore with great concern.

"You and Mr. Potter have been fighting constantly since your arrival at this school," Dumbledore said to him. "The behavior I have seen exchanged between the two of you is not only childish, but embarrassing. I don't know why you act this way, I never have. I would venture to say that you two don't know why you hate each other."

That was wrong, the both of them thought. They knew why they hated each other; they had different reasons, sure, but they knew why.

Dumbledore continued. "What is clear, however, is what happened this evening. I think I know how this unfolded. James," he said looking to him, "tell us what happened."

"Well Professor," he started, wiping blood from his lip, "I was in the Gryffindor common room talking to Peter, when I looked outside and saw Snape heading for the Willow. I know, of course, that Remus is a werewolf so I therefore know how to open the entrance to the Willow." He cast a sideways glance at McGonagall. "But when I saw Snape heading for it, I knew he was in danger. I left the common room and ran down to try to stop him." He thought it best to leave his conversation with Peter out, though he couldn't help but think of what Sirius was doing, and the things he was going to say to him.

"You risked your own life to save Mr. Snapes'," said Dumbledore, his eyes a sparkle. "As I suspected."

Snape looked green. His eyes were malevolent; his lips then and pulled downwards.

"No," Dumbledore said, turning his attention back to Snape, "you will not be expelled. However, one hundred and fifty points will be taken from Slytherin and you will be serving detention for three weeks upon your return from the holidays. I want you to also remember, Severus, that James has saved your life; you are in his debt." He looked to Professor Chambers, who most likely irritated at having one hundred and fifty points deducted, but under the circumstances he couldn't argue.

"James, for you pure nerve and bravery, two hundred points will be added to Gryffindor. I have never had a student who risked his life for his enemy. I commend you." He nodded his head in approval. James smiled slightly. Snape clenched his fists and ground his teeth.

"Now, if you please," Dumbledore said to McGonagall, who was smiling at James, Chambers and Snape, "if you could leave James and I alone. I would like to have a word with him."

They departed, Snape scuffing the floor with his boots, leaving James and Professor Dumbledore alone.

"I see that Severus is quite the fighter," Dumbledore noted, pointing at James's face. "It must not have occurred to him to use the full body bind."

"Apparently not," James replied. He couldn't help but think of Sirius. Why did he do it? Why didn't he tell him he was planning this?

"Do you need to see the nurse, James?"

"No," he said, moving the ice from his swollen eyes to his jaw. "Well, maybe. She overreacts. She'll probably have me in there for three days, ministering to me."

Dumbledore chuckled. "How are you, I mean other than the current circumstance?"

"Fine, really. Ready for a vacation."

"I know what you mean, I haven't had a vacation in many years. I hear that the young Miss Evans will be traveling to Bermuda," he said smiling.

James smiled. "Yeah, nice warm Bermuda. Far away without me."

"Worried are we?" he asked.

"No, just don't trust other people. What kind of people live in Bermuda anyway?" At that moment, Madam Pomfrey came into the room and rushed over to James.

"What happened to you this time?" she asked, taking out a clean white cloth and gently wiping his face.

"I tried saving someone," he said, a little perturbed with her touching him so much. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"This helps close the cuts, you see," she said handing him a small mirror which she drew from her pocket. He looked into it and saw that his nose and lip had stopped bleeding. He still had quite a bruise on his jaw and his left eye was almost purple; the right not so bad.

"What about everything else?" he asked her.

"Well, I'm afraid that your own bodily defenses will have to deal with those. Swelling is hard to manage." She threw away the cloth and exited the office.

"Let me see your glasses," Dumbledore said to him. James him the pieces. Dumbledore took out his wand, placed the glasses upon the desk, and murmured, "Occulus Reparo." They were as good as new.

"Thanks," James said, taking them back and placing them on his nose. He stood, still thinking of what to do, and started to leave. "I have to be going sir. Packing, you know," he lied.

"Of course. Don't get into too much trouble over the holidays. Tell your mother and father I said hello."

"I will, sir."

"Happy Christmas, James," he said with a warm smile.

"Happy Christmas," James replied. He turned and left the office, walked down the spiral staircase, and entered the main corridor. The entrance to Dumbledore's office closed softly behind him.

It was getting late. James looked at his watch and realized he had spent more than an hour with the Snape predicament. It was now ten. The library would surely be closed, so Sirius must be back in Gryffindor tower.

He turned in the right direction and walked briskly. It seemed like an eternity before he reached the portrait of the fat lady, but when he did, he was shaking with fury. He entered and saw that only fifteen students remained in the common room, which was unusual; it was very early. He looked around, but didn't see Sirius or Peter.

"James!" Jade Yang said to him, getting up from the couch and running over to see him. "What happened to you?"

"Long story. Have you seen Sirius?" he said quickly.

"Yeah, he came back in here a half hour ago looking for you, then left."

"Did he say where he was going?"

"No," she said putting her hand on his chin, trying to get a better angle on his face. "James, what happened to you?"

"I really can't explain right now. I need to find Sirius." He removed her hand from his face, turned, and left the common room. He searched the library, the bathrooms, offices, classrooms, and the secret passages, but didn't find Sirius. When he was done scouring, the castle he headed back to the tower.

"Oooh, what is the nasty Potter up to?" It was Peeves the Poltergeist.

"Get out of my way Peeves, or I'll have the Bloody Baron after you."

"Think you can scare me? Should not threaten me, should you? Students aren't aloud out of bed," he said in his sing songy voice. James did want to go to the tower, but Peeves was in his way.

"If you don't move," James warned, raising a finger, "I'll make sure Dumbledore knows that the one who smashed the priceless vase he adores so much, was you."

Peeves dropped his evil grin and flew off cursing. James ran up the stairs and along the corridor to the tower.

"Back again?" The fat lady asked.

"Yes. Dragons's hide." The portrait door swung open. James entered. The common room was completely deserted now. James strolled inside and started for the stairs when he heard:

"Why did you stop him?" It most certainly the voice of Sirius Black. James hadn't seen him upon entering. James turned around to face the voice of his friend. Sirius was sitting in the dark in the far corner of the room. James walked towards him, indignation surging through his veins. He could never quite remember being angry with Sirius. But he was passed angry, he was livid.

"What the hell were you thinking trying to get him killed? I could have been killed!"

"Everything was going to work out fine if you didn't have to go play hero!" Sirius yelled. He drew out his wand and waved it above his head, saying "Silenrium," making the room sound proof.

"Sirius," James yelled even louder, "you told him how to get into the Whomping willow-- "

"I didn't tell him anything!" he shouted back, throwing his wand to the ground. "He eavesdropped on Peter and me. I never told him a thing!"

"Cut it out Sirius! Don't give me that crap! You knew he was listening. Peter told me. Why did you do it? Why did you do it!"

Sirius put his hands on top of his head and turned around so his back was to James.

"Why Sirius? What did he do that made you want him dead?"

Sirius whipped around and seemed shocked. "You have to ask?" He moved closer to James who took steps back. "That fool has been snooping around for the longest time trying to get us expelled. It was the perfect opportunity to kill him once and for all."

"If he was snooping around then why didn't you tell me? Why all the secrecy?"

"I knew you would do something stupid like save his life! Bloody hell, James! Why did you do it?"

"Why did I save him? We all hate him, yes, but we can't decide who should die. It's not our job. How can you be so selfish?"

"Selfish?" he said, the temperature rising in his face. "If Snape was dead then everything would be fine!"

James didn't understand. Sirius was keeping something from him. He tried to calm down. He stopped yelling; he gazed at Sirius for a while and Sirius gazed back.

"It would have looked like a simple mistake," Sirius said.

"What?"

"His death. If Lupin had killed him, no one would have ever known how he got the information. And if they did, we would be safe; we never told him."

"Sirius, why did you do this?"

Sirius didn't answer. He turned his back to him and faced the wall.

"I can't tell you," he said quietly.

"Why not? What is all of this about?" he asked.

"James," he said swinging back around. "The reason I didn't tell you was because I wanted it to look like an accident."

"I still don't understand. What did he do?"

Sirius shook his head and folded his arms. "I can't tell you."

"Why the hell not!" he yelled. "What is it? What did he do? You have to tell me!" James clenched his fists and kicked the furniture in the room, but Sirius remained silent.

"Sirius please," he begged, "please tell me. I know you would only do this if Snape did something horrible. He's not trying to interfere with us-- "

"Oh but that's where you're wrong," Sirius said closing his eyes, moving along the wall, using his hand for support.

"You have to give me a clue, Sirius. Help me!" he yelled, but Sirius still had his back to him. "Damn you Sirius. Tell me why you tried to kill a man! Tell me why you kept it a secret! What is this about!"

Sirius pivoted around and raised his index finger. "You want to know James, you want to know what this is about?"

"Yes!"

"Fine. But you have to promise me that you won't go after him yourself! Promise that you won't kill him!"

"Why would I want to kill him. I hate him but I don't want him dead."

"You will," Sirius said, going to a corner and picking up a large red book.

"What is that?" James asked, pointing to the old volume. "All of this is about a book?"

"No," Sirius said. "No, all of this is about you."

"How is it about me? If it was about me then I think I would know about it."

"Wrong again," he said, placing the book on the table and leaning his hands on it. James looked utterly confused.

"Are you ever going to tell me, or are you just going to dance around---"

"It's about her," he said, opening the book.

"Who?" he asked, drawing nearer to him.

"Lily, James. This is all about Lily."

James remained silent for a while. "What does she have to do with this?" he asked, fearing Sirius's answer.

Sirius started flicking through the pages of the book and stopped on a old, browned page. James dropped his head, but could not read it upside down.

"A little while ago, when we were having tea with Hagrid, Remus and Liz found Snape looking at this potion, coping the ingredients. Just this morning, Peter and I followed Snape and witnessed him buying some of the things required for it. He's going to try to make it." Sirius lifted the book, turned it around, and placed it in James's outstretched arms.

James looked at Sirius, then down at the potion in the book. In old English text, the page read:

A potion for the broken heart

Unsurpassable success is this, intertwined with an unmistakable miss, dancing through the purple mist, cursing at the sky. Wonder, why, how and when, did the goddess of breeze, sing her song, oh so long to the enemy of thee. Witness past, echoes missed, saunter for a while; jingle jangle o'er the cliffs, and ponder upon this: differences are so often made, but what of it? Jealousy combined with lust can also equal love? A woman so pure and innocent is seeming for the chase, but once the race is over, and the winner is awarded, there is no points for second best. Or is there? Whoever stated that the race was over? Perhaps one can't be the strongest runner, perhaps you can use your wits. Craftiness and intelligence can win you back the prize. Follow the instructions hence, and watch the time flow by, when actions take their own paths, that lead to his demise. Strike him hard, just and true, watch him as he dies, take the love, belonged to him, and for you she is your prize.

14 lacewing flies, 3 newts eyes, feather of a song bird, red tulip petals...

James could not continue to read on. He just stared at the book in his hands; his face hotter than the surface of the sun; his blood boiling.

"I know," Sirius muttered, "that if you were ever to lose her, in any way, you would die. You said so yourself. I have seen they way you are with her James; you're completely blissful. If Snape goes through with this, which he's planning on doing, not only will you lose the woman you love more than life itself, but you will lose her to him."

James looked up at him, slammed the book shut, and threw it on the ground. At that moment, all of the glass in the room shattered, spilling onto the floor. The cold air swept in and rushed past their faces.

"You're right," James said in a spooky calm. "I am going to kill him." James turned around and crunched the glass under his feet as he walked to the staircase.

Sirius ran to him and pulled him back. "No, James," he said holding his shoulder's tightly. "If you kill him you will spend your entire life in Azkaban, dreaming of her, knowing you'll never see her again."

"Sirius, I have to stop him. And if that means killing him, then so be it. I love her so much, Sirius, I can't let him take her from me. I won't let anyone take her from me. If your not going to help me, then let me do it alone."

"NO!" he said shaking him. "You can't kill him, it would have looked like an accident before, but now it would be murder. Promise me you won't kill him and I will help you find him and stop him."

James peered into his brown eyes, anger still burning in his veins. Sirius was holding him in a tight grip; he would have to agree if he wanted him to let go. James looked up the staircase, then back to Sirius, who relaxed.

"All right," James said trying his best to sound calm and sane. "I won't kill him. Not tonight. But if he comes near her, Sirius--"

"I understand," he interrupted. "Just give him a warning. I don't want to see you in prison over him."

James nodded his head and started up stairs, Sirius in tow. They opened the dorm room door quietly, sneaked inside, and opened James's trunk, withdrawing the Marauders's Map. They then ventured back to the common room, and placed the map on the table.

James tapped the map while whispering "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," and the map slowly appeared. "Show me Severus Snape," he commanded, tapping the map again. In an instant a large red dot appeared on the map, with the words "Severus Snape" just above them.

"Myrtle's bathroom," Sirius mumbled. "I hate to think what he is doing there at this moment," he said looking into James's possessed eyes.

Without a word, James left the table and strode to the portrait door. Sirius quickly cleared the map, stuffed it in his pocket, and followed James. He shoved the portrait door open, which slammed on the wall, and quickly turned right for Myrtle's bathroom.

"James, do you want to keep it down a bit? We don't want to wake the entire castle," Sirius whispered.

James just whirled around and gave him a very stern look.

"Hey," Sirius said putting his hands in the air defensively, "I'm on your side, remember?" James ignored him and started for the bathroom again, making loud stomping sounds on the way.

"Why it's Potter again. Out of bed so soon?" said a singing Peeves, who floated just above James's head.

"Should tell Filch, I should."

"I don't have time for games, Peeves. Please stay out of my way!" he retorted. Peeves laughed loudly and flew upside down, blowing air in James's face. He ignored him and turned the corner, raising his wand as he approached Myrtle's bathroom.

"Remember James," Sirius said with a degree of panic, "you're not going to kill him."

"Oooh!" Peeves exclaimed. "Must watch!" James put his hand up.

"Peeves," he said, "you watch this, you keep your lips sealed, understood? Otherwise I'll squeal on you."

"Fair is foul. I'll do it. Slam in the door, he's brewing a potion, he is," Peeves said with a nasty grin.

James did just that. He approached bathroom door so livid that he kicked it in. Sirius and James entered, followed by the much entertained Peeves. The bathroom appeared empty. James went straight to the window, walked around the bathroom sinks, (where he had once taken refuge) then turned to Sirius.

Sirius pointed to the stalls, James nodded his head. He walked over, ducked down to see under the stalls, then stood up straight. He paced to the end of the row, stopped at the last one, and kicked the door in. Inside was an erect Snape who stood in front of a toilet. Inside the toilet's rim was a small, black cauldron, boiling with a clear liquid. James looked around. Various ingredients were spread on the floor including wolfsbane and Lacewing flies. But James got over the scene very quickly. He reached inside the stall and grabbed Snape by his robes. With all the strength in his body, he pulled him out of the stall and shoved him up against the wall. Snape was quaking.

"What the hell are you DOING!" James yelled into his face. Sirius again performed the silencing spell on the bathroom.

"What are you doing!" James asked again, continuing to knock Snape against the wall.

"Exacting my revenge!" Snape replied, pushing James back. James slugged him hard in the stomach, then in the face. Snape buckled over, arms over his stomach.

"Kick him, Potter, kick him!" Peeves yelled, performing back-flips in the air.

"You bastard!" James yelled, pulling Snape up and striking him again. Sirius came up to James and tried pulling him back. "No, Sirius! Leave me alone!"

Snape was knocked to the ground. James took out his wand. Snape looked up at him, worry on his face, but didn't say a word. James pointed his wand at him, hand was trembling with rage. "I should kill you," he said. Snape said nothing, but stared back at him with a malicious expression as if daring him to do it.

"James, you promised me you wouldn't harm him," Sirius said quietly. "He's not worth it, James. He's just not worth it."

James could hear his heart pounding in his ears, but he didn't kill Snape. He turned his wand and mumbled a spell under his breath. A dark orange streaming light shot out of his wand and stuck the cauldron causing it to explode; pieces of it shattered against the stall walls. Then he turned his wand on the remaining ingredients. They too were shattered and set a flame. James walked back to Snape who was now standing. James pointed his wand at him. "Accio!" he shouted. "Accio!"

A small bottle, the size of a shot glass, flew out of his inner pocket and into James's hands. He examined the contents. Inside the small, clear bottle were several black hairs.

"How the hell did you get these?" James asked.

"I got them tonight, when you fought with me. Isn't it ironic, Potter?" he said, a small evil smile crossing his face.

James smashed the bottle on the floor and cast his wand with it. He shoved Snape back onto the wall.

"What were you planning on doing?" James asked, inches from Snape's face. "Huh? Were you going to poison her, take away her free will so that you could kill me? Is that what you were planning on doing?" he yelled.

Snape smiled complacently. "Something like that. You don't deserve her."

"And you do?" Sirius piped it. "You think that you have the authority to decide who is good enough for people? Wake up Snape. You're a lost cause."

Snape stared at Sirius, his wicked grin replaced with a frown.

"You're not good enough to walk on the same ground as she does," James told him. "I can understand your frustration, I really can. I have always come out winning; you have always been the loser. But Lily is different."

"Shut your mouth," Snape said pushing James back.

"No," James said in a dangerously calm voice. James picked up his wand, held it tight in his hand, and raised it like a pointer. "You listen to me and you listen good. It must have killed you, knowing that of all the guys in this school, she chose me. She could've had anyone she liked, but she chose me, your enemy. But the difference is, Snape, that she exercised her own free will. I didn't dangle a potion in her face, such as you want to do.

"And you want to know something else, Snape?" James asked, moving closer to him, wand still raised in a threatening manner. "Above all things that you know about her, how amazing she is, how beautiful and kind she is, know this: She loves me and I love her. And there is nothing you can do to change that. Even if by a miracle of God, you are able to poison her with your love potion, she still chose me out of her free will.

"If I see or hear you come anywhere near her, or if I hear that you talked to her, looked at her in the wrong way, or even discuss her, I will kill you. Do you understand?"

Snape looked amused; hardly effected by the speech. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall in a casual manner, not seemingly intimidated.

James hated him, he couldn't stand it any longer. He rushed forward and slammed Snape against the wall as hard as he could. Snape made a painful grunt and tried to fight back, but then Sirius joined in.

Sirius pulled James off of Snape, just so that he himself could hold Snape's arms behind his back as James screamed in his face. Sirius was very strong and held the squirming Snape tightly in place.

"Do you understand me?" James yelled at him, his face puce with rage. "So help me God, I will kill you if you do anything to her. I will kill you!" he yelled louder. "I love her more than life itself and if you even try to take her away from me, you will regret you were ever born!"

Snape did something that was very stupid. Looking straight into James eyes, he spat at him.

James closed his eyes and took a few steps backwards, slowly taking the sleeve of his cloak and wiping his face.

Sirius was not so well composed. He turned Snape to face him and decked him in the face, then the stomach; so hard that he fell to the floor wheezing.

"You bastard!" Sirius yelled, now more enraged than James, who just looked at Snape on the floor, a funny smile appearing on his face.

Sirius looked at James. Snape got up slowly, holding the stall of a toilet for support. "You think this is funny?" Sirius asked James.

"No, it's not funny at all," James replied sniggering.

"Why are you laughing?"

"You're so pathetic, Severus," James said to him. "So very pathetic. You act as if all of your life problems and issues were caused by me. Well, let me just tell you I am flattered that I have had that much control over you. It's petty, the fights we have. We act as though our families are feuding. How much longer is this going to go on?"

Snape lost all humor; his face lacked emotion. He stood with his hand on a stall, staring ceaselessly into James's eyes.

"I know you're jealous," he continued. "It's not that hard to see. But my accomplishments have nothing to do with you. I have not kept you down, or pushed you down for that matter, to get where I am today. You are just a thorn in my side, a pebble in my shoe, an annoyance that never goes away. But after I leave this school, after I marry Lily and live at my own house with my own family, rest assured I will never think of you again. Unless of course we need something to laugh about."

For a short while, no one said anything. Snape looked down at the floor, Sirius looked at James, James glanced back. Even Peeves, to everyone's surprise, remained unusually quiet, fascinated by the scene he was a witness to.

"It must be hard," Snape said thoughtfully, breaking the silence, "to be so arrogant as you are. To think the entire world is under your influence. You might be able to fool Dumbledore into thinking you're some kind of saint, but I know the real you. Dumbledore, after all, will trust everybody. It is his tragic flaw. But you, Potter, are nothing more than a circus ring leader. Worshiped by your...monkeys and gorillas. You walk around Hogwarts as if you own the place, strutting from class to class, nose high in the air.

"Let me tell you this," Snape said, moving closer to James, who planted himself firmly on the bathroom floor. "You are no better than I am. You think that because you win the Quidditch cup, a prefect badge, and Lily's foolish admiration, that you are superior to everyone else? How wrong you are. I honestly feel sorry for you. What a burden that must be, knowing you are the gift to the world. How do you handle walking the earth with the rest of us mortals? Surely it must be very difficult?"

To Sirius's surprise, James was smiling. Not a genuine smile whose source was happiness, but a condescending smile, one that said all to well, "You are such an idiot."

"Severus," James said laughing softly, putting his hands together and clapping. "What an excellent speech you have made. You certainly amazed me. I had no idea you were so, how should I say it, oh yes...poetic. Talking as if the gods themselves had conceived you, in the depths of hell. It is you who is flawed. Sorry, you couldn't be more wrong about me. I thought for a while that you had some credibility. After all, our affections have fallen on the same girl, surely, you had some knowledge of her superb character. But from what you just said, it is crystal clear that you know Lily like you know my dead grandfather. You think that she would bestow her love on someone as you have described? So cocky and obnoxious that the even the demons could not stand him. Look around you, Severus. Open your eyes to the truth and see that I am just as much of a mortal man as you are. The difference lies in how I live my life and how I view the world. I don't see others greater or lesser than me, I see other people. I see people whom I trust, whom I love, whom I hate. I do not see myself as some all-powerful being. I see and average man, with round glasses and untidy hair. I see a man who can play Quidditch and transfigure a coffee table into a lion. I have talents, yes, but I am just a man. Just a man like you, like Douglas, Sirius, Peter, and Dumbledore. Don't criticize me for using my talents, for being who I am, for loving Lily. It's not your place and how dare you take the role of God and do so.

"You know nothing about me, just that I have many friends, people who enjoy my company, and I enjoy there's. I don't meet someone with a curled lip and a snare, like you do. I greet them with a smile and a handshake.

"And remember, whenever you see Lily walking to class, singing a song with her beautiful voice, or smiling and laughing with her friends, that I saved your life tonight. Dumbledore has said that you are in my debt, but I ask nothing of you, Snape. I don't want you to do anything for me. Nothing at all. Hate me for as long as you want, I don't care. But remember that I, the one person you can't stand, saved your life and asked nothing in return. Think of that till the day you die.

"Before I leave you here, in the girls bathroom, I want to remind you one very last time of this. I love Lily. I love her more than anything in this world and I will kill anyone that tries to take her from me, or die trying. Do you understand me, Snape?"

He looked at James emotionless once again, not saying anything.

"Let's get out of here," James said, turning to Sirius and motioning for the door.

Sirius followed behind James, looking back at Snape as he walked to the door.

"Can't do anything alone, can you Potter," Snape said, grinning.

Sirius wheeled around full circle and kicked Snape in the stomach, knocking him onto the floor with a thud.

"You just watch your mouth, you stupid git," Sirius said. He walked back to the open door, James watching him. "I hate that guy, I really do."

Peeves trailed after them down the corridor, complaining that blood wasn't shed. Neither of them spoke on the way back to the tower. James was thinking of the evening and how it played out, Sirius was thinking the same. Peeves found this all to be very boring and he floated away to cause trouble elsewhere, leaving James and Sirius alone.

Once inside the common room, James spoke.

"Sirius," he started, first looking at the ground, then into Sirius's face. He hesitated for a while, gathering his words. "I want to thank you. He was going to go through with it and I would have lost her forever."

Sirius looked into his eyes and smiled a little.

"You're the greatest friend a guy could ask for. Not many people would go to those lengths to protect someone," James finished.

"I know you can't live without her, that's why I did it. But I think saving him was a far better revenge, don't you think. Did you see the look on his face when you told him all that?" Sirius said, grinning. The two of them laughed heartily and made their way upstairs for the last time that year.

The next morning was filled with anticipation and plenty of activity. People were scrounging around the tower as if there was no tomorrow. The girls especially were very worrisome, running around as if their heads were cut off. But others, such as James, Sirius, and Peter, didn't get up with everyone else, but slept on through all of the excitement, not waking till nine that morning.

There was a very loud knocking on their dormitory door. James pulled back his sheets and slowly opened one eye.

There was another knock.

"Sirius," James groaned weakly. There was no movement from him. "Sirius, someone's knocking on the door."

Sirius groaned back and moved slightly.

"Fine, I'll get it then," James said, throwing back his sheets. He stumbled out of bed and ruffled his hair; it was messier than usual. He opened the door half way, when the person on the other end pushed it hard, nearly knocking drowsy James to the floor.

"James," Lily said sternly, "the train leaves in an hour and you're still in bed?" She started to move to his trunk when she noticed his face. "James, what happened?" she asked with concern. She bent down to him and put her hand to his face.

"Hey you're not a guy!" Sirius said sitting up quickly; his hair was messier than James's.

"Thanks for the compliment," Lily said as she looked back at James.

"He meant that you're not supposed to be in here, my darling. And to answer your question, Snape happened," he replied with a smile.

"Why did he hit you?"

"He was going to the...the...um...the..."

"Whomping Willow," Sirius spit out.

"Yes, yes, the Whomping willow. I knew he would get hurt, so I stopped him and he hit me. That's what you get for saving a prat like him, I guess." He looked at Lily; she started at him with love in her eyes. "No biggie, I'm fine."

"You're so brave," she said, then kissed his lips.

Peter began to stir and quickly found this scene very awkward.

"And you came into my dorm... at night I might add," she said, as she got up from James's side and began piling his things into his trunk.

"Whoa!" Peter said sitting up extremely fast. "Her dorm?"

"What were you doing there?" Sirius asked with a sinister smile, like he already knew the answer.

"Not even close, Sirius," Lily responded. "You all had better get dressed and ready to leave. Have any of you packed yet?"

"Early packing is for pansies," Sirius yawned as he fell back on his bed. Then James and Peter just shook their heads.

"Are you going to wear your pajamas on the train?" Lily asked James, with a slight grin.

"I was thinking about it, but these pants make my thighs look fat," he said and tried to maintain a serious face, but lost it due to the fact that Sirius was crying with laughter and Peter was buckled over. Even Lily cracked.

"Very funny. Now why don't you all pack before the train leaves the station. Though it would be quite amusing to see you four running half dressed behind the train as the rest of us are waving to you," she said as she made her way to the door.

"Is that how you want to see me, Lily?" Sirius asked, getting up from his bed. James swung around and frowned at him. "I'm only kidding, James. Sheesh, relax."

"Just get ready to leave, you guys," she said as she shut the door.

"What kind of stupid comment was that?" James asked.

"Lighten up. It was a joke, nothing more, nothing less, now let's get a move on. The train won't wait for us and as much as I like this place, I don't want to stay here for Christmas."

* * * * *

"The last time in '76 we see this place," Remus said as he lifted his trunk and put it in the baggage compartment.

"I know," Sirius replied looking back at the great castle. "And a whole new year of pranking and adventures waiting to unfold."

Lily and Jade, who were waiting just feet from them, rolled their eyes and guffawed .

"Ah," Sirius said, "comments from the peanut gallery. Please, share with us you opinions. It sound like you want to express them."

The two looked at each other and laughed, then left them and went onto the train.

"I will never understand women," Sirius said, as he gave his trunk to the man loading the baggage. James looked at him and grinned.

"Join the club. Glad that you finally admitted to it, my friend," James said. "I think they're laughing at us this time. I think they probably do that often. Which means we're very important to them."

"Only as comedy relief," Remus chimed in. "Are we sitting with them, or is it just going to be the four of us again, like old times?"

"I don't particularly care," Sirius said as he stretched and yawned. He looked over at James. "You want to sit with her, don't you?"

"Oh it doesn't really matter to me, whatever you guys want to do," but he did want to sit with her and all three of them recognized that.

When they got onto the train, they tried to find where Lily, Jade and Liz were seated, which proved a little difficult.

"Remus," James said as he ducked his head into various compartments, "about last night..."

"Yeah," Remus replied, "sorry I tried to attack you, I was a little out of control. I was a bit surprised to see Snape there."

"No," James responded, his face going slightly pink, "I was going to apologize for kicking you so hard. I know you didn't mean to come at me like that, but you flew to the other end of the room and I was afraid that I hurt you."

"No harm done."

"Where are those girls?" Sirius said with frustration. "Are they hiding from us intentionally?"

"BOO!" Jade yelled as she lunged her body into the hall of the train. The boys jumped back; Peter let out a small shriek.

"Looking for us, boys?" Lily said as she came behind Jade from the train compartment. "Well, here we are."

"What has gotten into the three of you?" James asked curiously. "What did you have for breakfast? You acting really..."

"Spunky," Sirius said. "Can we come in?"

Lily, Jade, and now Liz all exchanged devilish grins. "No," Lily said, then bit her lip.

"Why not?" James inquired.

"Are you going to talk about us?" Sirius asked, leaning on the compartment entrance, crossing his arms.

"Not exactly," Jade said, imitating Sirius by crossing her arms and leaning on the wall.

"Well what then?" Remus asked.

"We just want to be left alone, is that too much to ask?" Lily said moving closer to them.

"Yes," James said. "What is so important that you don't want us to join you?"

"Seven grown people in a compartment, for one. And two, we are going to laugh about the four of you, and would like to do so in private," Lily said, her two friends giggling behind her. The four boys exchanged looks of confusion.

"Oh," Lily said as she put her hand on James's cheek, tapping him softly, "don't worry, blue eyes, I still love you. I just want some time with the girls for a while, you understand. We have much to discuss." And turning to the remaining three she said, "Tootle lue!"

"James," Peter said. James turned away from Lily to look at him. "The compartment next to them is empty."

James, Sirius, and Remus grinned maliciously at the three girls. "Just next door, then" James said to Lily. "That's where we'll be if you need us."

"But don't worry," Remus said grinning, "we promise we won't listen to a word you say, will we guys?"

"Wouldn't dream of it!" they all said in unison.

"Goodbye, then," Lily said, waving her long fingers at them.

"Missing you already," Jade added, putting her hands over her heart and pretending to swoon. Lily laughed.

"Lets' go," James said, moving into the next compartment. The other three followed suit and sat down on the comfortable seats. Looking outside the window they could see that the train was beginning to move.

Sirius put his ear to the wall and closed his eyes, concentrating hard.

"You're not going to be able to hear anything," Remus said leaning his back on the seat and shutting his eyes.

"Sirius," James said, "don't do that, they'll know better than to speak loudly so we can hear them."

"Shhhh!" he said, putting his finger to his mouth. "They're talking about us," he whispered.

James shot out of his seat and went to sit next to Sirius. He propped his ear on the wall.

"I don't hear anything," James whispered.

"That's because they aren't saying anything right now," he whispered back.

"What were they saying before?"

"I don't know, I just heard your name."

Remus laughed, "Do you know how ridiculous the two of you sound over there?"

"Shut up," James said. "You want to know just as much as us."

"I can't hear anything. I think they're whispering now," Sirius said, pulling away from the wall. "Well so far this journey is really boring. We need to do something to them"

"Like what?" James asked.

"I don't know, but something. What's happened to us?" Sirius asked like if he was a witness to an accident. "We used to be so good at making trouble. If you hadn't been so love sick this whole year..."

"Hey, you're just jealous. And don't change the subject. If you want to pull something then do it, I am right behind you. What were you planning on doing?" James said.

"We could..."

"Set off a dung bomb!" Peter yelled excitedly.

"No," Remus said, "that's for amateurs. We need to do something good. But what can you do to a bunch of girls? We've never done anything to girls before."

"Remus, you're right," Sirius said thoughtfully. "What can we do to a bunch of girls? Let's think about this for a while. What do girls hate?"

"Lily isn't to keen on bugs. She screams anytime she sees a spider. But I don't really want to scare her," James put in.

"Liz is really self conscious," Remus said. "She's always worried about looking good."

"That's it!" Sirius said. "All girls are like that! Why didn't we think of this long ago? Somehow we need to make them think that they look fat or ugly."

"Oooh, this is good," James said, rubbing his hands together and smiling devilishly. "So what are we gonna do? I mean, they're in that compartment, and we're here, so how do we get in there without them seeing us? My cloak is in baggage, we can't exactly get it. What are we going to do anyway?"

"I don't know," Sirius said, rubbing his chin. "The three of them are all nice looking, very thin..."

"I got it!" James yelled, jumping out of his seat.

The other three tried to silence him.

"What?" Sirius whispered.

"We're not going to be able to do it on the train, is the only thing. We'll have to get back to Hogwarts a little earlier than everyone else so we can do this. It'll be great," James said enthusiastically.

"What is it?" Remus asked.

"We're going to jinx all the girls mirrors so that when they look at their reflection they look 50 pounds heavier."

"I don't know that will work so well. They'll know something's up," Remus said.

"Yeah," Sirius said. "We need to make it much more subtle."

James thought a little while, then snapped his fingers, "Okay, how about this. Same idea, only not so extreme. It'll be a little more complicated, but it can be done. We need to appeal to each girl in a different way, say that when Liz looks in the mirror, she sees she has a large bum, and when Jade looks she sees she has ugly bags under her eyes, and Lily looks and sees she has rolls on her stomach or something. We need to jinx it so that it hits them where they're sensitive."

"I like it," Sirius with a huge grin.

"Excellent plan!" Remus whispered. "Because it'll be as though the Christmas holidays have really changed them. This is brilliant, James!"

"I have one question," Peter finally spoke. "How are you going to do it? Won't you get caught? They'll all kill you once they've found out."

"Peter don't be such a worry, it'll be fine. Sirius and I will research the spell over the holiday. Dad will only be too happy to help when we tell him the plan," James said quietly.

Sirius leaned his head back against the wall, then pushed his ear against the compartment separating the two groups.

"They're talking again!" Sirius whispered. James pushed his head against the wall.

"You guys are being so immature," Remus told them, as he leaned back on his seat, closing his tired eyes.

"I heard your name, Remus!" Sirius said.

Remus shot out of his seat and shoved himself in between James and Sirius, trying to press his ear to the door.

"You guys, what about me?" Peter inquired. Peter tried his best to squeeze in, but the four of them were no longer small eleven year olds; they were very large teenagers, trying to fit themselves on a seat not meant for four people huddling together to hear on the other side of the compartment.

"Peter, you squashing me!"

"Ouch!"

"I can't hear anything."

"That's because you're flapping your gums."

"Oh, shut up."

"Who made you the boss?"

"You said they were talking about me, I can't hear anything."

"Ouch, Peter!"

"Sorry, but I can't even get my ear near the wall."

"Will you pick a spot, Sirius!"

"Hey!"

"What in God's name are the four of you doing?" came a voice from the direction of the compartment opening.

The four of them, as if on cue, slowly looked at the three girls, who were all folding their arms, and trying to keep from laughing.

No one said anything for a short while. James looked at Sirius, then at Lily.

"Nothing," he said seated awkwardly on the floor.

"Nothing?" Lily asked, trying to contain the giggles. "Were you guys trying to listen to us through the wall?"

"No," said Sirius flatly. "Why would we want to do that?"

"Yeah," Remus said. "We have better things to do than listen to you."

"Exactly," James added. "As a matter of fact, we could care less about the things you say about us. We were making plans, I'll have you know."

"Good plans," Peter said.

"Is that so?" Lily replied. She was beaming, and the four boys could tell that she really wanted to laugh. Lily turned and looked and Liz and Jade and winked. "So you didn't hear us talking about how immature the four of you are."

Sirius stood up and pointed at Lily, as if he was a father yelling at his daughter. "I KNEW IT!" he said, triumph on his face. "I knew you were saying bad stuff about us, I could hear perfectly well." He nodded to his three friends who also looked a bit uppity for themselves.

The three ladies, still standing in the doorway, were not nodding, but laughing more hysterically than they were before.

"What's so funny?" Sirius asked James.

"I have no idea," James answered honestly.

"I don't understand women," Peter said, standing up along side them.

After several minutes of laughter, the three of them were able to contain themselves. Lily had tears in her eyes, and was very flushed.

"We never said a word about you," Lily said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Not a single word was said about you. We knew the whole time you had your ears pressed against the wall like small school children, and thought it would be funny if we made you suspicious. So, we talked about normal stuff, and decided to say one of your names loudly every several minutes, and it worked. You all went crazy."

James turned around and faced his friends, he was smiling.

"Did you hear that?" he asked flippantly. "It was a joke, they didn't say a word!" He opened his mouth very wide and laughed. It was not a real laugh, but one to poke fun.

Liz and Jade turned to look at Lily, who gave a funny expression back to them. And just as soon as James started he stopped.

James became silent, but only to turn around and advance on Lily, who screamed and ran down the train.

The train ride, from then on, was a lot of fun. The three girls crammed as best they could into the guys compartment. Lily sat with James, Liz with Remus, and Jade sat next to Sirius, Peter just sat in between whoever. They talked about the holidays, Quidditch, next year, and other unimportant items. None of the Marauders talked about the mirror hexing in front of the girls; it was to be kept in utter secrecy.

Once at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, all the students got off the train, and said the usual, "See you next year!" to their friends.

Peter was the first to see his mother and father. He said his goodbyes to everyone and left. Remus was next to spot his family, then he too said goodbye.

Lily said that her parents were probably waiting for her on the other side of the barrier, but she didn't go; she put her arms around James and held him tight. Her head was on his chest, her eyes were closed.

James put one arm around her back, the other hand stroked her hair, and he bent his head down to kiss her.

"It's only a few weeks, you two," Sirius said without sarcasm. Jade smiled at him, then at the two holding each other.

"I'm really going to miss you," James said to her.

"I'm really going to miss you, too," she replied, moving her head up slowly so she could gaze upon his face. She took her hands from around him and put them on the back of his head. She drew him near and kissed him.

This went on for several minutes. Sirius left them there and began looking for his mother and father, Jade walking with him.

"Doing anything special this Christmas?" she asked him.

"No. I wish I was going to Bermuda, like Lily. You?"

"No. And Lily won't take me with her, either," he said smiling.

"That's terrible," Sirius said in mock anger. "What kind of friend is she?"

"Apparently not a very good one," she said in a mocking tone back. The two laughed lightly, before someone called out for Sirius.

"Sirius?" someone called again. Both Jade and Sirius turned around to see who the voice belonged to.

It was a tall man, a bit handsome you could say, with a friendly smile, jet black hair and square framed glasses. Jade knew he looked too familiar for it to be a coincidence.

"Hello, Mr. Potter," Sirius said smiling at him.

"Sirius!" He said in return, going towards him and hugging him. "How are you?"

"Great. You?"

"Just fine. I just thought that James would be with you," he said, searching the large crowd of students.

"No," Sirius said with a devilish grin. "No, he's just over there. He's, um, kissing his girlfriend." Sirius pointed to where James was. You could easily see two small white hands on the back of his head.

"Ah," Mr. Potter said smiling. "So I finally get to meet the famous Lily, do I?"

"Yes you do. You could probably stand there all day and they wouldn't even see you, so my advice is to make a lot of noise." Sirius winked at him.

Mr. Potter walked over to where his son was. Sirius came right behind him after saying goodbye to Jade.

"Yeah, they've been doing this for a little while now," Sirius said with a smirk. "If you want, I can pull him out of it."

"No," Mr. Potter said smiling, "No, I think I can get him." He moved up right behind James and leaned closer to his ear. He took a shallow breath, then said in a normal volume, "Hello, son."

James leapt straight up; Lily lost balance and stepped backwards. James went to turn around, but his father put his arms around his chest tightly and laughed at him.

"I missed you so much!" he said, as he whirled James around and hugged him.

"Yeah, I missed you too, Dad," he replied, blushing.

"I didn't embarrass you, did I?" Mr. Potter asked, smirking. He knew he had, but he didn't mean too. Sirius was still laughing at the way James leapt into the sky. Lily just watched silently, blushing more than James was.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" Mr. Potter asked James, as pointed to Lily.

"Umm, yeah," James answered. "Dad this is Lily, Lily this is Byron Potter."

"Oh," Byron said moving in closer and putting out his hand to shake Lily's, "for once my son isn't lying; you are lovely."

"Thank you," she said laughing lightly.

"I have heard so much about you, Lily," Byron said, ignoring James's popping eyes. "James talks of you so much over summer and Christmas."

"So, where's mum?" James interrupted.

"Talking with Jen, over there some where," he answered pointing to a vague area of the platform.

"Don't you think you should go look for her?" James asked, motioning his head in the general direction.

"Yes, I will do that. But we are to leave in a short while, all right? Say goodbye in this century, and meet your mother and I in the corner." With that, he shook Lily's hand again, smiled at Sirius, and left.

"He's seems very nice, James," Lily said as she put her arms on his shoulders. "Very nice. You're lucky you have a good father."

"I know, I love him and all. He just gets the biggest thrill out of startling me," he replied, putting his hands around her waist.

"Hold on just one second," Sirius said, moving forward. "He asked that you say goodbye, not initiate more snogging. Respect you mother and father James; just say goodbye. No more kissing."

"Sirius," James sighed exasperatedly, "leave us alone, would you?"

Sirius groaned, nodded, and left them.

"I'm going to miss you so much," James said to her again, "so very much."

"I know. I'm going to miss you like crazy. Promise you'll write to me."

"Of course I will. Everyday. You have to write me back and send pictures of you in warm Bermuda. I'll think of you all the time." He held her tighter, her face was buried in his sweater.

They just held each other for several minutes without saying anything, without movement. It was as though they would never see each other again. Then Lily spoke, after what must have been five minutes.

"James," she said.

"Yeah," he replied quietly.

"We have to let go. My family is waiting for me. I don't want them to worry."

"Me neither," but he didn't relent his grip, nor did she.

"So we need to stop this."

"I agree."

"All right," she said, "on the count of three, we let go."

"Sounds good," he said, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

"One...two...three," there was no change, neither of them moved.

James smiled, and kissed her.

"You were supposed to let go of me," Lily said to him, her chin on his shoulder.

"Uh huh. You were supposed to let go of me."

"I can't, you have to let go first."

"Okay, let's try again. Count to three," James said, still smiling.

"Are you going to let go this time?" she asked, now smiling as well.

"Maybe. I'm thinking about it."

"James!" she said, laughing. She moved her head up and pulled back a bit, so she could look in his eyes. "All right, we're getting closer." She put her hands on his arms, which were still securely wrapped around her thin waist, and tried to pry them off of her. He let go slowly, but took her hands in his as a trade.

She smiled and looked down. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you, too," she said back. She leaned in again and kissed him. As is consistent with two people in love, the kissed for quite a while... again. And then they embraced, completely forgetting their families in waiting.

"That's it! I've had it!" Sirius said loudly at them. The both turned to see him, but said nothing. "You're going to be separated for just two weeks, that's hardly enough time to fret about. Two weeks is like 340 hours or so. That's nothing!"

Lily looked at James horror struck when she heard 340 hours.

"It's not that bad," Sirius said, shrugging. James looked at him and gave a weak smile. "We have to go James, Lily has to go."

"I know, just leave us alone," James said to him.

"I did that, remember, and you kissed again."

James gave him a look, a look that Sirius only knew from experience. A look that commanded respect.

Sirius, rolled his eyes and smiled at them. "All right, I'll be over there," he said pointing on the other side of the platform.

"Okay," James said. Sirius walked away, sniggering quietly to himself.

"Oh, I almost forgot," James said suddenly. He pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small rectangular box, wrapped in a shiny blue paper. "Happy Christmas," James said as he gave it to her.

"But you already gave me something," she said as she took the box.

"I know, this is for now. The other is for later," he smiled. "So open it."

She smiled slightly and unwrapped it. It was a soft case and when she opened it, she said, "Oh, James!" Inside was a small opaline pendant, shaped as a lily, with one small green emerald in the center. It was strung on a glistening platinum chain. "It's beautiful!"

"Well, I thought you could make it look better," he replied quietly.

She looked at him with utmost adoration in her eyes; she wasn't even able to smile she was so taken.

"Now I have to go," James said, leaning into her, and kissing her once on her cheek. "I'm really going to miss you, in case you didn't hear me the first dozen times. Goodbye!" and with that, James turned and left, looking back occasionally to see Lily's face, full of what was unmistakably true love.