𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 | 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

✧ chapter 39 ✧

1977

When the others returned to the common room from classes, James, Sirius and Marlene had finished setting up for the party. The large 'Happy Birthday, Aurora' banner which had caused so much grief was suspended above the entrance so it was the first thing you saw when you entered. The floor was covered in what seemed like hundreds of balloons, which swirled around your feet as you walked through them, and there were streamers strung from absolutely every surface possible. A makeshift bar had been erected by the main fireplace and there was a table covered in various goblets and chalice's next to that.

"Where in Merlin's name did you purloin all of these goblets from? None of them match!" Lily asked, examining the assortment of mismatching cups.

"That's not even a goblet." Aurora mused, pointing to what looked like a beaker from the potions supply cupboard.

"Half of these aren't traditional goblets, no." Marlene responded, shrugging her shoulders.

"I'm fairly certain this one is just a bucket stolen from Filch." Mary added, picking up a silver pale which had Aurora's name scratched onto the front.

"You honestly can't expect Aurora to drink from a bucket. She'll get so drunk she can't move." Lily exclaimed, snatching the bucket from Mary's tentative grasp.

James and Sirius shared a look.

"Exactly!"

Lily just rolled her eyes, but Aurora loved the idea, taking the bucket from Lily and examining the boys attempt at engraving.

"This one's for you, Lily." James beamed smugly, handing Lily a vase which had previously sat on Professor McGonagall's desk in her office.

"You lot are ridiculous, you know that right?" Lily asked, trying to hide her smile as she took the vase.

"Yes," James and Sirius replied in unison again, both beaming now.

"This one's yours, Moony." James winked, handing Remus a cloche which he had obviously stolen during lunchtime.

"You're really grasping at straws now." Remus attempted to joke back, but his condition was worsening more and more rapidly and he appeared very pale and clammy.

"Hey, what's that?" Peter asked, pointing to a smudge on the large banner. Remus let out a grateful sigh. Having all the attention on him for too long would have led to people asking questions about his deteriorating physical state.

James looked sheepish while Sirius and Marlene burst out laughing.

"Prongs managed to get himself tangled in the banner while we weren't looking. That, my dear Wormy, is the spot where his mouth had been, and that patch is saliva which accumulated as he tried to breathe through the thick fabric. At this, Lily let out a loud, unattractive snort, immediately turning red afterwards as she realised what she had done.

"Something funny, Evans?" James challenged, raising and eyebrow.

"As a matter of fact, yes," Lily replied boldly, placing a hand on her hip.

The two stared at each other for what felt like ages before Sirius cleared his throat.

"Right, well we have a list of all the people we invited and Prongs and I will be on door duty, ready to let people in as they arrive. Remus used his prefect status to instruct the fourth years and younger to be upstairs by eight or they will be locked out as once the party has commenced they will not be permitted to set foot in the common room.

"Marlene, who was in charge of the guest list, has invited all sixth and seventh years from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, as well as Emma Vanity and her friends from Slytherin.