Calm Before the Storm [✨Marauders✨]

Incantations and Frustration

What the hell was all that about? Lily thought to herself, walking down the corridor towards the transfiguration classroom. Shortly after James had stormed off, the other two following, the bell had rang, signalling the beginning of first period. She needed to find out what had happened, plus why they weren't with Peter. Come to think about it, I haven't seen them all together for ages. What's going on?

She opened the door and sat in her usual seat. Until not long ago, she was forced to sit in front of James, with no choice but to listen to him go on and on and on about how amazing he was at quidditch and how much he loved her, that kind of thing. It wasn't until the start of fifth year, a couple of months ago when she walked into the room and for once they were already there, but were sat in a row at the back of the room, Sirius asleep, James doodling on his notes and Remus reading.

She didn't comment on it, and neither did the previous owners of the seats. To be fair, if you value your life, it is best not to question or provoke them, because the amount of pranks you will have to endure afterwards will be infinite torture.

Now however, James had his chin resting on his folded arms on the table, eyes emotionless, Sirius was...still sleeping and Remus looked as though he was about to join Sirius. She was mostly surprised when James didn't even look up when she walked in with the stupid expression that he usually does.

Debating whether to try and start a conversation with them, she finally decided against it and sat down, reaching into her bag and pulling out her quill, ink and parchment.

As soon as people began to flood into the room, Professor McGonagall came through her office door and drew out her wand, as well as a goblet.

"Today, we shall be doing some wand work related to our previous lessons, so please put away your equipment." She said, walking toward the front of the room, waiting for everyone to finish putting their stuff away.

Lily turned around when she heard the words 'wand work', expecting to see the usual glimmer of excitement in James's eye, but she saw nothing, he looked straight over at her at the front of the room. She sighed, and turned back around in disappointment.

"Please follow along as I demonstrate how to vanish this goblet." she held up her wand, and with a spiralling motion of her wand, it disappeared.

Several pupil's eyes widened, only those who had potions with the Marauders had ever seen the spell in use, and even then it was only rarely, because it usually exploded because it could be restarted.

"The Vanishing spell is one of the more complicated spells taught at Ordinary Wizarding Level, and becomes more difficult due to the complexity of the animal. The vanished items go into a state of non-being, which is to say, everything. The incantation is 'Evanesco.' Now, please get into pairs and attempt the spell for yourselves. Goblets can be located on my desk."

James nudged Sirius, who awoke with a start, looking around, confused. Remus got up and headed over to Lily, smiling. "Shall we?"

She grinned back at him, and grabbed two goblets, returning.

ooO0Ooo

James swished his wand boredly, muttering the words 'Evanesco', and pointed it at the golden goblet on his desk, glaring at it as though that would vanish it for him. Sirius snorted at him. "You gotta put some effort into it Prongs, or of course nothing's gonna happen." He over exaggerated his wand movement, and practically shouted the incantation, jabbing his wand in the air at the goblet's direction. It shuddered, before half fading into non-existence, yet leaving it half behind.

"Ah ha!" He shouted, startling the majority of the room, including McGonagall, who came over to examine his goblet.

"Excellent, Mister Black, so far you are the closest to accomplishing the spell. For a first attempt that was very impressive. Carry on, boys." the corner of her mouth twitched, and she turned around briskly to watch the progress of the rest of the class.

"Yeah, beat that Evans!" He yelled at her, her own goblet still very much visible on her desk. She breathed in deeply and she spoke in a low tone to Remus.

"There is no way he has made progress before me, Sirius Black, of all people. How dare he?" She seethed, not noticing Remus's eyes narrow and his smile fade.

"And what's that meant to mean, Lily? 'Sirius Black, of all people?' Sure he doesn't take studying seriously like us, but he is one of the best damned wizards in our year, despite his reputation, and don't you forget that. How dare you?" He turned around and walked over to said boy, who looked over at her with a hurt expression, before James pulled him round away from her. She immediately felt awful for what she had said, yet couldn't help but agree with what she had said.

Eventually the bell struck and Professor McGonagall's voice broke her out of her thoughts, "For your homework I would like you to write a foot long essay on vanishing spells. Dismissed." Lily grabbed her bag and hurried out of the room, going off to find her friend Alice Fortescue to tell her what had happened.