All's Fair in Love and War...Right?

Chapter 8: A Little Break

Two pieces of parchment bounced off James's head. One was a hastily written, crumbled up note and the other one was a charmed paper airplane. James eagerly opened the crumbled one first.

Potter,

I will NOT go to Hogsmeade with you! I don't care if I didn't go to the last one with you even though you won the Quidditch match. I STILL won't go with you if you win the upcoming Quidditch match. GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL, POTTER!

-L. E

James shook his head and wrote a reply.

Hey, Evans, it was just a question.

-"Big Headed Git"

He balled it up and aimed it at Lily, who was pretending to listen to Professor Binns. He watched her slowly smooth it over and read it. She rolled her eyes and pushed the note under her notes.

James smoothed the paper airplane out and read it.

Prongs,

Marauder's Headquarters tonight. DON'T TELL KIT.

-Padfoot

He grinned, eager to plan the next prank.

"Alright, class dismissed. I'm expecting those essays for next class," Professor Binns said. Everyone dashed towards the door, eager to get back to their dormitories and relax.

"Hey, Evans! How about we make a little bet?" he called to the redhead.

"A bet?" she repeated slowly, turning around.

"Yeah, if The Marauders win the prank war, you go out with me," James said.

"And if The Witches 4 win, you'll never ask me out again," Lily challenged.

"Fine."

"Fine."

The two of them shook hands, determined.

"We better win this, Padfoot," James muttered when Lily was out of earshot.

"We will."

Two weeks later, on a Monday morning, the entire Great Hall was covered in head to toe in food. A huge food fight had broken out after The Witches 4's pumpkin juice glasses exploded, soaking them. The Marauders started laughing until their pancakes smashed onto their faces.

"Stop!" an enraged Professor McGonagall commanded. She waved her wand and all the food froze in place. She pointed at The Witches 4 and The Marauders. "To my office, now!" Brittney's eyes widened and she gulped nervously.

"I cannot believe this! Two prefects! All in my own house, too! You should have your badges taken away. Such behavior!" Professor McGonagall ranted.

Lily felt a great sinking feeling in her stomach.

"I don't know what's gotten into you! I knew you didn't exactly get along well, but resorting to flinging food at each other like five-year-olds? Mr. Potter and Miss Kale, I ought to remove you from the Quidditch team!"

"No, Professor--" James tried to protest.

"Quiet, Mr. Potter! A hundred points from Gryffindor and detention for two months! And it'll be in pairs! Miss Evans with Mr. Potter, don't give me that look! Miss Kale with Mr. Black, Miss Sprouse with Mr. Pettigrew and Miss Maple with Mr. Lupin."

"Yes, Professor," they all chorused.

"Now back to your common rooms!"

They all hurried out, eager to get away.

"I think this is going too far. We should end it," Lily said.

"Are you surrendering?" James asked, raising his eyebrows.

"No, we're not. We're just saying...we should lay off until our detention sentences are over. Then Professor McGonagall will cool off," Jessilyn explained smoothly.

"She's right. It's not going to do us any good if we get expelled," Remus agreed.

"Fine, let's call it a two month break," Sirius said.

"Good, I don't have to watch my back all the time." Brittney sighed in relief.

"Then we'll start again after the winter holidays, right?" Peter asked.

"Right."

They arrived at the common room and they all parted to get their bags and finish up the week's assignments.

In a while, the conversation turned to their holiday plans.

"Where are you going, Moony?" James asked after getting tired of arguing over which Quidditch team was going to win the World Cup.

"I might stay at Hogwarts," Remus said quietly, closing the book he was reading and putting it aside.

"No, you'll be staying with us," James corrected.

"He can't because of his furry little problem," Jessilyn interjected, lifting her head up from where it rested on Sirius's shoulder.

"Oh," James said, feeling extremely guilty.

"But you got a letter from your mum saying she insists having you home for Christmas," Peter protested.

"I forgot all about that," Remus admitted.

"Hey, then you'll be able to visit!" James exclaimed, brightening up.

"What about you, Jessilyn?" Sirius asked, peering down at her.

"I nearly live at James's house but we have Malfoy's New Year's party to attend." Jessilyn bit her lip and frowned, her mood instantly changing. Sirius made a face.

"I'm going to the Potter's ball," he declared firmly.

"Dad's making me go. You have to come with me," Jessilyn begged.

"My dad will probably make me, too. Maybe we can leave early and go to the Potter's," Sirius suggested hopefully.

"You have to be there," James complained.

"My mum probably won't let me," Sirius said grimly.

"You can always sneak out, mate." James grinned.

"Lily! You're staying with me for Christmas, right?" Jessilyn asked from across the common room.

"I'm not sure. My mum wants me home," Lily said. Last Christmas, Lily had Owled Jessilyn asking to stay over. She had had enough of Petunia.

"You'll be coming for some of the time, right?" Jessilyn pressed.

"Of course." Lily beamed.

"Great!" Jessilyn beamed back. "The favors I do you..." she teased James while he grinned cheekily back.

December arrived with a shower of snow. The teachers, even Professor McGonagall, reduced the regular amount of homework. There wasn't a weekend when the students wouldn't run outside blissfully and wage a snowball fight. It was the peaceful months where no one had to constantly watch their backs. Before long, trunks were packed and owls were stuffed into cages. The Marauders and Jessilyn had snagged a compartment all to themselves. Lily had huffily refused to share a compartment with a "big headed toe-rag" and found another one with the others.

"Bye, Minnie!" Sirius called out the window with a cheeky grin. Professor McGonagall surprisingly smiled...but just a little.

"We all know you love Professor McGonagall." James rolled his eyes and pulled his best mate out of the window.

"More than you should," Jessilyn smirked.

"You're going to make Cara jealous," Peter joked.

"There she is," James muttered as Cara Smith entered.

"Hi, Sirius," Cara said. She flipped her blonde hair and sat down next to Sirius. Cara Smith was a sixth year Ravenclaw and Sirius's current girlfriend of two weeks.

"Hey, Cara," Sirius said.

"I'm going to go find Lily," Jessilyn stated and got up.

"Alright, I'll see you later, Lyn!" Sirius called as she got to the door.

"Bye, Kale." Cara smirked but Jessilyn didn't turn back. The compartment door slammed behind her.

"So, what are you doing for Christmas?" Cara asked.

"I'm hanging out at James's for most of the holiday. Then I might have Christmas dinner with my family," Sirius replied.

"You guys don't ever separate," Cara commented.

"Well, I'm having a lot of people stay over. Lyn and Lily Evans are coming over near New Year's too," James said and Cara's face flushed slightly.

"Lyn?" Cara asked.

"Jessilyn," James said.

"Looks like she hasn't changed at all, still trailing after you guys." Cara rolled her eyes.

"She's not trailing after us," Remus said suddenly.

"Yeah, she's our friend," James added. Sirius shifted uncomfortably and was suddenly very engaged with looking at the clouds through the train window.

The door banged open and Jessilyn strode in, adding to the tension. She was already dressed in Muggle clothing. She sat down next to James and Remus. Peter had fallen asleep with his head leaning on the window.

"Hey," Sirius said breezily.

"We're almost there," she told them, shaking Peter awake.

"Oh, right. We should get changing," Peter said, yawning.

"Yeah, I'll show you to the door, girls." James nodded pointedly to the compartment door. Jessilyn and Cara filed out. Cara scowled as soon as the door shut. Before Jessilyn could head off to The Witches 4 compartment, Cara grabbed her arm.

"Listen, Kale, I know you're staying at James's house with Sirius. Try to stay away from him. I know it'll be hard but he'll never want you no matter how hard you try. Not even Matt wants you," Cara said sweetly.

"If you're so certain that Sirius doesn't want me then why are you so threatened?" Jessilyn asked innocently.

"Shut up!" Cara dropped her sweet act.

"Make me."

With a flash of light both, girls were thrown backwards. The two compartment doors opened. Brittney gaped and Lily rushed over to Jessilyn. Sirius eyes widened at the scene. Before anyone could stop her, Cara cried "Confringo!"

"Protego!" Sirius cried quickly and the hex bounced away harmlessly.

"Scourgify!" Cara tried again. Jessilyn's mouth filled with bubbles.

"Diffindo," Cara screamed desperately. Jessilyn blocked it with a flick of her wand.

"It's changed since five years ago. Densaugeo!" she shouted and Cara's teeth started to grow longer and longer.

"Nice, Jessilyn," James smirked.

"Thanks," Jessilyn replied and with one last glare at Cara and a look at Sirius, she stormed away. Lily, Helena, and Brittney rushed after her.

When the train stopped, there was a rush to get out. Compartment doors slammed shut and trunks were being yanked off the racks. Jessilyn hugged her friends good-bye and promised to Owl them.

"Bye Lils. Owl me if Petunia's bothering you," Jessilyn said.

"I will." Lily smiled at her friend and went her separate way. Jessilyn scanned the crowd for her mum.

"Jessilyn, over here!" James shouted. Quickly, Jessilyn weaved her way over to James.

"Hi, Mrs. Potter." Jessilyn smiled at the kind, elderly, woman next to James.

"Jessilyn, it's nice to see you," Mrs. Potter said kindly. A slender woman emerged next to her and held her arms out expectantly.

"Mum!" Jessilyn hugged her tightly.

"Hello, dear, your father's still at the Ministry. You'll be staying at the Potters' tonight. We have some business in Paris," Mrs. Kale informed her.

"Sure." Jessilyn nodded.

"Yes, let's hurry, dinner's waiting," Mrs. Potter said.

The four of them Apparated with a Pop! to a beautiful mansion.

"Race you upstairs!" James called as one of the house elves helped herself to the trunks.

"You know you never win." Jessilyn laughed as they dashed upstairs. Jessilyn was about two feet ahead of James.

"You're cheating!" James protested as Jessilyn opened a bedroom door. He grabbed her around the waist to hold her back.

"No! I beat you!" Jessilyn shrieked with laughter and tried to kick free. Finally he let go, but not before he was in front of her.

"I still beat you." Jessilyn shrugged and giggled as James opened his mouth to protest. They both glanced around the familiar room.

"Home away from home!" Jessilyn exclaimed and plopped onto the bed. Her room was a navy blue and decorated unlike a guest room.

"So...is Lily coming?" James asked casually.

"You called her Lily," Jessilyn smirked.

"So?" James asked, not meeting her accusing eyes.

"You never call her Lily. You call her Evans," Jessilyn pointed out.

"I forget sometimes," James mumbled lamely. Jessilyn laughed.

"You should call her Lily. She'd like that," she said thoughtfully.

"Is she coming?" James asked impatiently.

"I'll Owl her," Jessilyn reassured him.

"Sirius is coming for the ball on New Year's Eve," James told her.

"Great. What about Remus?" she asked.

"I'm not sure when he'll be ready. Full moon, remember?" James explained grimly. "He'll be okay without us," he said quickly when he saw Jessilyn's anxious face.

"Helena's on vacation but she'll be here for the New Year's ball too. Do you think--" Jessilyn was cut off by a pop! Jessilyn and James exchanged glances and hurried towards the noise.

Dear Readers,

Sorry if this chapter seemed a bit too fast. I'm trying to move the story along. My apologies for the long wait. To make up for it, this chapter is extra long. Check out Hogwart's Most Wanted Couple's new banner done by emilyinlove. Also, if anyone would want to do chapter images for me, drop me an email. Thanks again for reading and remember, review!