Prongs {Book One}

Chapter Two - Water Lily

-JAMES-

"Wanna go tease Snape?"

"Nah."

Sirius looked at me with a raised eyebrow and a concerned look on his face.

"Are you feeling alright, mate?"

"Yeah."

Even Remus had looked up from his books now, which he had had his nose stuck in since almost the beginning of the year.

"James, what's wrong?" He said, frowning.

"It's just..." I fumbled for words, "There's no satisfaction in it anymore."

"Is this about Evans?" Sirius scrutinised me.

"No," I lied. I was usually an extremely adept liar, but when it came to anything about Lily Evans...

"It is!" Sirius smirked, "Lovestruck stag, we've got here."

Peter gave his snorting giggle and Remus rolled his eyes.

"I'm not lovestruck!" I insisted, but Sirius wasn't fooled.

"You always proclaim your undying love for Evans, so why not now? It's because you're actually as in love with her as those weird muggles, Rodeo and Janet."

"Romeo and Juliet," Remus corrected, smiling slightly and Sirius's mistake.

I scowled. "Let's get out the map and plan our next outing." Sirius shrugged.

"Whatever you say. But you'd better make a move on her soon, or you'll be going stag to Sluggy's Christmas do..."

"You did not just make that pun, Padfoot."

Remus and Peter laughed, and I joined in, taking out the bit of parchment.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." I rapped the parchment smartly with my wand.

Ink blossomed over the yellowed script as the corridors of Hogwarts spread out.

"So," I started, glancing over the page, "we know Filch is onto us with the One-Eyed Witch after that old caretaker at Honeydukes saw 'three distressed animals walking out of his shop'."

"And McGonnagal's been patrolling by the passage behind the mirror on the third floor."

"Maybe we'll have to go in the tunnel after you, Moony. If Madame Pomfrey doesn't stay there all night like she usually does."

"I could charge at her to make her run away to the castle to get help, then by the time she comes back we'll be down the tunnel."

"She's a wizard, Prongs, you twat. She'll just zap you and be on with it." I sighed.

"Remus," Sirius turned to him, "play the guilt game."

"What? No!"

"Yeah!" I agreed, "Tell her she shouldn't stay by the willow all night and you feel really guilty that she does that. She'll agree not to do it, all the teachers love their precious top student prefect."

"Shut up," he said grudgingly.

Sirius smirked, "touchy subject."

"Anyway," Remus pressed, "we need to find another way."

We all sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Oh! I know!" Peter smiled eagerly. We all looked at him, shocked. Peter hardly ever came up with ideas. "We can steal the keys from the caretaker's office and sneak out one of the back doors, then run to hogsmeade!"