i really loved him

chapter 7

Thursday, 19th December – The Marauders woke early as planned, got dressed and rushed to the great hall. Breakfast wouldn't start for another hour or so, but they needed to be the first inside.

The hall had been pre-decked with elaborately festive decorations to celebrate the end of term; the walls were adorned with wreaths and tinsel, the hundreds of floating candles were encircled with holly and two giant Christmas trees stood at either side of the professors' table. As expected, the plates, cutlery and, most importantly, the goblets were laid out ready on the tables.

Remus produced four tiny phials from his robe pockets and passed them round.

"Only one drop per person, or we'll run out."

They ran to the Slytherin table and began dripping the potion into each goblet, buzzing with excitement. The whole process only took a few minutes.

"Stage two complete," James grinned. "Nicely done, lads."

"We should go back to the dorm. It'll look suspicious if we're here earlier than usual," said Remus.

"Yup," Sirius said readily. "I reckon there's time for a nap, too. Haven't had nearly enough beauty sleep."

True to his word, Sirius collapsed back into bed immediately and didn't wake up until it was time to return to the hall. The other three had been practicing the colour-changing charm on each other to pass the time. It could be reversed with a simple counter-spell, but thanks to the previous night's adventure, it wouldn't be so easy for the Slytherins. They re-entered the hall just before breakfast officially started, hoping to see the very moment the potion started to take effect.

"By the way," Sirius said to James as they sat down. He kept one eye on the Slytherin table as he spoke. "Is it still alright for me to stay with your lot over Christmas again?"

"Obviously. My parents love you, mate," he said breezily. "What about you two? Open invite, as always."

Peter shook his head dejectedly.

"I want to, but my family want me at home. They say I spend enough time with friends in term."

"Bollocks," James said. "Remus, d'you have to stay here again?"

"No, actually. This time, I'm going home," he smiled. "McGonagall told me she'd get Dumbledore to ease the floo-network barriers, so I can come back here just for the full moon. It'll be nice to spend Christmas with my parents for once."

"Good old Minnie," Sirius grinned.

More and more students had begun to enter the hall, just as piles of food began appearing on the golden platters and the goblets started to fill themselves with pumpkin juice.

Multicorfors had a rough ten-minute delay on its effects, so they'd only have to wait a little while longer for the chaos to begin.

Lily, Marlene and Mary were among those newly arriving. James sat up.

"Oi, Evans!" he yelled, waving. She scowled at him.

Mary, however, skipped right over and sat next to Sirius, beaming. She was wearing two hairclips shaped like holly leaves and bright red lipstick to match. Lily and Marlene hesitated before following their friend to the table. James eagerly patted the space on the bench next to him, which Lily completely ignored and instead took the place beside Remus. Marlene sniggered. She too was dressed festively, boasting a pair of golden, sleigh-shaped earrings.

"Oh, James," she said with feigned sympathy. "You're so desperate it's sad."

"I prefer the term persistent," he replied indignantly.