The Marauders Begin (I)

Detention

January 6, 1972

In an abandoned classroom, MINERVA has set up detention by placing all of the chalkboard erasers in a pile, which REMUS and LILY are busy cleaning, while JAMES, SIRIUS, and PETER are scrubbing a series of chalkboards lined up against the wall.

LILY: I can't believe I got detention. Why did I go with you losers?

REMUS: One detention isn't that bad.

LILY: What are my parents gonna say?

REMUS: Oh, c'mon, Lily. You're one of the best students in our year. It's okay to make a mistake every now and then, that's what you're here for.

LILY: I guess.

REMUS: Besides, you've gotta admit, it's fun to break the rules once in awhile.

LILY: No! Never again!

Across the room, PETER is unable to reach the top of his chalkboard, so he tries to jump up, accidentally spraying himself with soap and water, causing SIRIUS to burst out laughing.

JAMES: C'mon, Sirius, we've gotta get this done.

SIRIUS: Sorry, Peter's just cracking me up.

JAMES: Yeah, he's a bundle of laughs.

SIRIUS: Did you manage to get your bag back, though?

JAMES: Yeah, I got it the next day. Took ages to find it, though. Those staircases a piece of work.

SIRIUS: Yeah, let's stay away from those from now on.

JAMES: Definitely.

MINERVA, checking her timepiece, stands up and magically vanishes the cleaning equipment.

MINERVA: Very well, that's midnight. Your detention has been served. I hope you all learned a valuable lesson this evening. And let's try to carry on the rest of this term with passion about studying, not passion about sneaking out at night. Yes, Mr. Black, I'm talking to you.

JAMES, SIRIUS, and PETER hurriedly make their way back to the Gryffindor common room, while REMUS and LILY take their time.

LILY: How are you doing, though?

REMUS: Hmm? I'm fine.

LILY: You know what I mean.

REMUS: I've been putting up with it for years now, Lily. It's pretty routine by now.

LILY: I know, but have you given any more thought to telling them? James and Sirius and Peter, I mean.

REMUS: You know what a big deal this is, Lily. The rule is that no one can know. The fact that you know is bad enough already. I can't let three more people in on the secret, it'll just be asking to leave school.

LILY: I understand. But even though they're oafs- they're decent oafs, I think.

REMUS: (laughing) Oh yeah?

LILY: (smiling and playfully hitting REMUS on the shoulder) C'mon, you know what I'm talking about. They'll understand, Remus, I know they will.

REMUS: Maybe. In time. 

They finally reach the FAT LADY'S portrait, and make their way into the common room before going their separate ways to their respective dormitories.