Mischief Not So Managed

Success

The corridors had erupted into cheers and guffaws. To say the prank had been successful would be an understatement. Anyone could tell from James, Sirius, Peter and Remus's expressions that they were beyond pleased with how this had turned out. 

Marlene and Mary high-fived the boys in glee. 

"THAT WAS BLOODY AMAZING!" said Marlene.

Sirius bowed dramatically causing her to giggle. 

"It was wasn't it?" said James, a wide grin plastered on his face.

Marlene and Mary were very delighted with the whole ordeal. But they looked positively terrified by something behind James. He turned to find a very red looking Professor McGonagall. James flashed a lazy yet nervous smile at her. 

"Hi," he said after a moment's pause.

"Is there something you need to tell me Mr Potter?" 

"No..."

"Perhaps about the trail of green slime leading to the dungeons and the enchanted kettle causing a racket in the corridors?"

"Oh that."

"Yes, that."

"It might've been the work of a group of very handsome, genius and wonderful boys," he replied cheekily.

McGonagall struggled to suppress a smile. 

"Then would those handsome, genius and wonderful boys be kind enough to spare some of their precious time to serve detention with me everyday for a week at eight o'clock?"

"They most certainly will." 

"Lovely. Oh and as much as it pains me to say this Potter, do tell that group of boys that 10 points were deducted from each of them," said McGonagall, mirroring James's cheekiness. 

"I like McGonagall. She's a good sport," said James as they watched their head of house walk away.

Sirius groaned in annoyance. "Yeah but our dear prefect's going to kill us."

"A sacrifice we're willing to make," cut in James.

"Oh well, we knew what we were getting ourselves into. Can't complain now," shrugged Remus.

The others nodded and headed toward their common room and found Lily sitting on the couch playing with the sleeves on her scarlet jumper. When she saw them enter she stood up very  quick and stared at them for a second before hurrying over to Marlene and Mary.

"Marlene, Mary, I'm awfully sorry. I was mad at Severus and I took it out on you like an idiot..."

"Lily."

"I knew you were only looking out for me but I was just so upset at the time..."

"Lily."

"I didn't know what I was saying but that doesn't excuse me being so silly-"

"LILY!"

Lily stopped talking and looked at Mary who had stopped her.

"You were rambling," she said with a smile, "It's alright we understand you were stressed and we pressured you so we're sorry too."

Marlene nodded eagerly, and Lily let a breathy laugh escape her lips before being engulfed in a hug by the other two. 

Crash!

"WHAT THE HELL!" yelled Remus.

The three girls broke up the hug and turned to find Remus on the floor with Sirius and James, all three groaning in pain.

"What exactly happened in the five seconds we turned away?" asked Marlene with a raised eyebrow.

"ASK THESE BLOODY COWS!" said Remus, kicking the other two in the knee before getting up and dusting his trousers, "Leaped on to me out of nowhere!" 

"They were hugging and I wanted a hug too... I didn't know James was going to do the same thing," said Sirius sheepishly, still on the floor rubbing his knee where Remus had kicked him.

James chuckled nervously as he got up, scratching the back of his neck, "Same."

The girls laughed and Marlene whispered something that made Lily's eyes go wide in surprise.

"What?" she exclaimed, earning a nod and smile from Marlene.

Lily looked from her to Mary to the four boys who were wondering what bit of information had been shared between these girls. 

"You played the prank on Severus because he was mean to me?" asked Lily.

The boys exchanged glances between themselves before nodding slowly, unsure of what to expect.

Lily said nothing but a blush creeped up her cheeks. She offered them a smile which they returned a little hesitantly.

"Thank you. Although it's not the best method of teaching, but it's still quite nice of you," she said shyly.

"It's no problem Evans," said James.

"Yeah anytime," said Sirius.

Lily smiled and the three girls walked away arm in arm up to their dorm, leaving the four boys chattering among themselves with occasional fellow Gryffindors coming up and patting them on the back for their successful prank that would not be forgotten anytime soon.