The Marauders' Era (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

Part 8

"Are you sure this is the best idea, James?" Asked Peter as the Marauders climbed up the worn stone steps leading up to a trapdoor.

"Of course," said James confidently. "That Claybrook is definitely not good enough for her."

"James, I'm not sure this is a good idea. If she finds out, she'll actually hate you." Said Remus, shaking his head.

"Doesn't she already hate him?" Sirius wondered out aloud.

James glared at him. "Not helping, mate."

He pushed the trapdoor open, then climbed out, standing in the cellar of Honeydukes.

"All clear," said James as the other three climbed up. He threw his Invisibility Cloak over them, leaving four pairs of feet out.

"Sirius, can't you hunch down a little?"

"Sorry."

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

"Ouch! Careful where you're going, Remus!"

"It's not me! It's James!"

"Sorry, guys, let's get up there real quick."

They swept off to the side and continued down the aisle, careful to avoid any students. A hand suddenly reached out and grabbed a few sugar quills off the shelf.

"Sirius!" Remus hissed. "Put that back!"

"What?" Sirius tried to look innocent as he stuffed them in his pockets.

"You can't just nick things like that!"

Sirius stuck out his tongue, and Remus sighed, knowing that arguing was useless.

"Hey, guys, do you think they'll be in Three Broomsticks?" Peter asked.

"Probably," agreed James. "They can't do anything out there in this weather--" he gestured towards the shower outside "--and Prewett mentioned something about a double date there."

They stepped out into the rain, heading for the warm, crowded pub.

"Ah-choo!" Peter sneezed loudly, and several people turned their heads.

"Careful, Peter!" Sirius whispered. "Do you want to give us away?"

"S-sorry," said Peter.

"It's alright, mate,"

said James. He pushed open the door, but then thought of a better idea.

"Change of plans, mates," he whispered. "You three go in, find a table, and I'll be wearing the cloak."

"Wait, what? Why?" Asked Sirius.

Remus shook his head. "Lily'll be suspicious if you are the only one missing." He thought for a moment. "Go with one of us."

"Er... Sirius can go with me."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Sure thing, mate."

Remus and Peter crawled out from under the Invisibility Cloak when they made sure no one was looking. Remus pushed open the door for the invisible duo, but walked in chatting with Peter like everyone else would. They found a table near the entrance and ordered a couple of butterbeers.

James scanned the pub for the familiar redhead and her (up to no good) date.

"There!" Sirius whispered.

James followed his gaze and there she was, sitting at a table in the corner, looking even more lovely than usual (if that was possible). But then his gaze shifted to the blond boy sitting across her, whom she was smiling at, and his blood boiled. He breathed deeply to keep his temper in control.

"Easy, James, mate," said Sirius as they made their way through rows of tables, careful to not collide with anyone. They approached the table slowly, and James saw Lily glancing at Remus and Peter suspiciously, then looking around.

"...something wrong, Lily?" Claybrook asked anxiously.

"No," said Lily, smiling at him (James balled his fists), "everything's perfect."

"Of course," said Claybrook, smiling like the idiot he was. "Just perfect." He reached for her hand--

"Two butterbeers," interrupted Madam Rosmerta. Claybrook moved his hand back.

"Thank you," Lily said gracefully as she took the drink from her. Claybrook sipped on his, and a mischievous grin spread over James' face.

With a flick of his wand, the butterbeer splashed over the Prefect's robe and shattered on the floor, breaking in pieces.

"Oh-oh Merlin! I'm so sorry!" He fumbled to wipe the liquid off.

Lily's sharp eyes inspected every corner of the pub before saying, "Excuse me, Rhys, but I need to... use the bathroom."

"Yes, of course," said he, not taking his eyes off his ruined robe.

"I'll be back in a moment." She stood up and walked away, not sparing a second glance.

"I'll follow her, you go find those two," James whispered to Sirius, who nodded, glad to be relived of his duty.

James crept away silently, knocking over a chair as he aimed for the back of the pub. Lily had just opened the door to the back alley, threw a glance behind her, and slipped out.

James followed her, making as little noise as possible--Lily was easily alerted--and found his way in a shabby corner.

"Come out right now, Potter," she said angrily. "Stop hiding."

James took off his cloak in the shadows before stepping into the light. "Knew you would find out eventually, Evans," he grinned cheekily. "My offer's still on the table if you want to ditch him."

"Why the hell did you just do that back there?" She hissed, clearly not amused. "And I told you to stop following me!"

"Correction, you said to stop following him. And I don't have to listen to you."

Her eyes suddenly took on a dangerous glint, not unlike his own back in the pub. She stepped closer to him and smirked.

"Not even this?" She asked, biting on her lower lip. James found himself incapable of speech, staring at her deliciously red lips.

They look to delicious to be real. It should be a sin for them to exist.

She took another step. "Or this?" Her tongue slipped out and glazed over her lips.

James swallowed. Hard. "I-I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, I think you know perfectly well." One more step closer, and his back hit the wall. Those emerald eyes glanced up at him. Her smirk widened as she traced his jawline lightly, and he inhaled sharply.

"Stop-stop doing that."

"What? This?" Her face displayed all but innocence. "Or this?" Her finger trailed a line down his arm, and he almost shivered.

"You've been a bad boy," she pressed her forehead to his. His breaths came out ragged and shallow, and his heartbeat quickened. "A very naughty, naughty boy." Her hand went to down his back. "I think you deserve some punishment." Their lips were almost touching. "Won't you agree?"

Then she jolted up her knee between his legs.

He doubled over, clutching his family jewels in pain. She bent down and whispered.

"Don't mess with me or my boyfriend, Potter." With that she turned away, smiling in triumph, and left.