THE MARAUDERS

The Plan

'Severus, you can't be friends with Malfoy and his lot.' Lily began 'They're evil and - stop talking about Potter, he's a knucklehead - but Malfoy's lot is after all muggleborns, labelling them impurites among pupils. I can't remember you standing against that ?'

Snape hated how every conversation turned into a confrontation, he said wearily, ' We're teenagers and it's Gryffindor propaganda, no one has an issue when Potter jinxes anyone he wants, we Slytherins face discrimination.'

'We know whose ideas your group is implementing.' Emily Robinson cut in, 'treating muggleborns as squalor is unforgivable Severus.' She continued as her beautiful brown hair dazzled in the sunlight.

'So is spying.' Snape snarled. In a flash they pointed their wands against each other and Lily's scream was muffled as Severus Snape groaned when he crashed into wall and fell on his face. Emily was a Ravenclaw, like the very best sorcerers she was gifted in non verbal spells.

'Someday, a Gryffindor will backstab you.' Snape muttered as he struggled to get on his feet and then ran away.

Lily had closed her eyes she was panting. Emily hugged her and softly whispered. 'You're blood is not impure, stop satsifying peoples egos and stand for what's rational. You either leave everything to run, or face evenrything and fight.'

The chocolate brown locked into the emerald green.

....

So, that map can help us find out if Emily's snogging Frank?' Sirius questioned, his tone hopeful.
'It can certainly tell us if they're standing too close to each other, yes,' Remus sighed, ducking behind his desk as a blur of crimson streaked over his head, 'How has Peter already got a hang of this,' he grumbled, staring at the stout boy waving his wand madly and making several objects zoom across the classroom.
Within the chaos and confusion reverberating across the charms classroom, the Marauders could talk about anything they wanted without the fear of being eavesdropped, their voices a whisper amongst a constellation of shouts, yells and screams as the students took full advantage of the situation and brought forth their wild side.
'Gifted at charms, he is,' James declared proudly, covered in sweat, a tired expression on his face, 'with him, making the map would be a lot easier,'
Remus levitated his desk, making it float a few inches above the ground before it came crashing down again.
'You're not supposed to do that,' Peter hissed, 'he'll give us all detention if someone gets hurt,'
'Oi, watch out,' Sirius yelled indignantly as a cushion bumped into his head, 'Really, Evans?'
'Sorry,' The redhead apologized from across the room, 'but you really should pay more attention to your surroundings,'

It had been a week since the Marauders had come up with the plan of inventing the map, a week since their last failed plan. Spirits low and tempers high, James and Remus had spent the entire day in the restricted section of the school library to salvage the situation, warm amidst the safety of their invisibility cloak. In the days that followed, they listed out the necessary components required for the grand invention and divided out the workload. James and Sirius took turns, venturing into the castle late at night under the invisibility cloak to plunge out the secret passageways and other notable features of Hogwarts. Remus and Peter, on the other hand, worked overtime to try and master the basic spells that needed to be performed to bring the map to life.

Christmas loomed bright in the horizon and the four Marauders had decided to stay at Hogwarts for the vacation, keen to make the extra hours fully productive. With the onset of their O.W.L. examinations the year after their next at Hogwarts, the teachers had piled heaps of assignments and homework on their shoulders, a fact that greatly disgruntled Remus.
'But it's only in our fifth year,' he had protested, his eyes wide as Professor McGonagall handed out the list of spells they had to master over the winter break.
'Years of academic teaching has made me aware of the fact, Mr. Lupin, but I appreciate the insight,' Professor McGonagall had said, unamused.
Between their constant efforts to scrape satisfactory academic remarks, illegal attempts at becoming an animagi, and their zeal to prepare the map, they hardly had any time left for their usual antics. A week of sinister silence had the teachers alarmed and apprehensive. Dubious of the newfound lack of energy within the marauding group, the teachers kept a close eye on the four friends, but with no luck. They appeared as transparent as can be, a fact that McGonagall found exceedingly unsettling.

Magic flinched and the cushions dropped to the ground in a perfect synchronized movement as the bell rang, indicating conclusion of their long, hard-willed struggle.
Sirius flattened his hair, his appearing as messy as James' for once, walking towards the great hall, 'We are going back there tonight,' Sirius whispered to James, 'I swear there's a tunnel behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy,'
'Or,' James put in, yawning, 'you were sleepy and out of your mind,'
Sirius sighed, exasperated, 'I know what I saw. And we've discovered two secret passageways already. Why are you not open to the idea that we could find another one?'
'I am only open to one thing right now,' James declared, his tone dismissive, 'bacon,'
'Alright, sod off. I'll go alone,' Sirius grumbled, 'Peter, you remember what you'll be doing today, right?'
Peter nodded nervously, his determination thin. Sirius noted that, too. 'It will be alright,' He told Peter, 'Flitwick likes you. And, well, if he gets angry, you could always pick him up and throw him away,'
'No need,' Remus declared, 'he can do it,'
'Bacon,' James moaned, walking several paces ahead of them.
'Cheese,' Peter agreed.
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'Come in,' a timid voice squeaked.
Peter stumbled inside the staff room, evidently having been pushed inside by a trio of marauders. He glared back at the shadows piling outside the door of the room and glanced apologetically at professor Flitwick, who by Merlin's grace was the sole occupant of the room.
'How can I help you, Peter?' The professor asked kindly and Peter felt a surge of remorse, a thought that he wisely dismissed quickly.
'Professor, charms is my only strong subject,' Peter began, 'I was thinking that it's time I begin working extra to improve myself in that field, ahead of my curriculum,'
Flitwick motioned for him to continue, his smile a labyrinth of curiosity, fondness and pride.
'I read some of the advanced spell-work and I was having problems performing them practically,' he said, his tone hesitant.
'I was th-thinking that maybe i-if you,' he stressed, stammering ungracefully, 'I could do a lot better if you helped me through them,' he finished, holding his breath.
Flitwick pondered, his eyes unblinking beneath the light of his spectacles, the tranquil silence, save for the soft hum of the hearth, proving to be devastatingly defeaning for Peter.
'I think,' Flitwick spoke, finally, 'this is an excellent idea,'
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Avada Kedavra !

James was dead. Voldemort was coming for her baby. Lily didn't think about death, she looked at Harry, she will not run away, she'll face everything and fight.

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A/N :

That's it for this week. Press the vote button folks and I'll fall in love with you forever. This chapter is dedicated to my bestfriend, whom I cannot contact unfortunately, a thank you won't be enough. Take care, I'm with you always and you don't face anything alone. We'll get through this.

Until next time,
Love,
S11.

Ps : Listen to the attached song, had that on loop while typing this. It's awesome.