Priori Incantatem [HARRY POTTER FANFICTION]

Chapter 17: Impending Catastrophes

Chapter 17: Impending Catastrophes

Time was passing quickly at Hogwarts; the term had now been in session for three weeks. The students had settled into their schedules and the new year, as they invariably did.

The seventh years' NEWT classes were proving to be a challenge right away, providing them with loads of homework. This in addition to their new Head duties kept both Lily and James' time quite occupied. They had to patrol several nights a week as well as lead and organize all of the Prefect meetings and selected staff meetings.

James took these new responsibilities more or less in his stride, still managing to have plenty of time to captain the Gryffindor Quidditch team, laze about with the other Marauders, and tease his classmates.

Lily, though she dealt with her new duties admirably well, didn't have quite as much time as James, nor did she understand how he managed to. She often stayed up very late finishing her homework and as a result was invariably late to breakfast and quite bleary-eyed when she got there.

"Right on schedule," Dorcas commented dryly one morning as Lily came tearing into the Great Hall approximately ten minutes before breakfast ended. She pushed a plate of food over to Lily that she and the other girls had saved for her, as had become their custom.

"Thanks," a very groggy Lily managed before she took a sip of her very strong tea, wishing it were coffee.

"Don't mention it," Alice smiled sympathetically. "How late were you up working on that Transfiguration essay, Lils?"

"On the Transfiguration essay, not late at all," Lily mumbled. "The Astronomy chart was another matter."

Conversation was rather stilted as Lily managed to inhale some of her food. Then the five girls rose to make their way to the Charms classroom, chatting about their plans for the day and the Transfiguration homework that was due that afternoon.

As the group passed the library, Remus Lupin emerged from it, still glancing down at the parchment in his hands with a frown of concentration on his face. As he looked up and saw the seventh year girls, however, he stopped short, blushing slightly.

"Hi, Remus," Morwenna greeted him rather curiously.

"Morning, everyone," Remus nodded to the group. "Hi Kathleen," he added, grinning shyly.

"Hello, Remus," Kathleen replied in what she assumed to be a nonchalant tone, blushing and returning Remus' shy grin.

"Oh dear," Morwenna said suddenly. "Alice, I've just remembered that we wanted to talk to Flitwick about - err - Summoning Charms! Remember?" Morwenna nudged Alice.

"Right," Alice caught on. "Dorcas, didn't you want to ask about them too?"

"Yes, yes I did," Dorcas said a bit too quickly and quite unconvincingly.

"Let's go right now and ask him before we forget again," Morwenna continued firmly. "Lily, why don't you come too?"

"Of course, Morwenna," Lily answered innocently. "Wouldn't want to miss a good Summoning Charm."

"We'll see you later, Kathleen," Alice called out impishly. It was clear that Kathleen was mortified by this obvious behaviour. Quickly Morwenna, Alice, Lily, and Dorcas fled round the corner before Remus or Kathleen could react. Safely out of sight, they began to giggle madly.

"Fine Aurors any of us would make," Dorcas grinned.

"Summoning Charms, Morwenna?" Lily teased.

"Well, someone had to think of something," Morwenna sniffed. "Besides, it was perfectly obvious that they needed to be alone."