The Second Moony (Sirius Black)

Ch 4

The first years quickly settled into their schedules. Luna liked Astronomy the most, and she was the best at it. That and Transfiguration. She wasn't half bad at flying either. Potions was definitely her worst, but Lily made up for it whenever they were partners. Every time they got to choose new partners in potions meant a blood bath as Luna, Marlene, and Alice fought tooth and nail for Lily's assistance. One time it had resulted in a week long prank war between Lily and Alice and Marlene and Luna. Most people would think Alice and Lily would have been the more docile group, but Alice's knowledge of plants really came in handy. Both Marlene and Luna have permanent phobias of a few plants from that week. 

The war over Lily wasn't even Luna's biggest problem. By December, she knew her schedule,  but she still couldn't find her way around the castle without assistance. She relied on all the others to do that and was never seen without at least one of her friends. Sirius and James teased her for it relentlessly. As time went on, her actual friends were starting to join in.

"Come on guys, we have to go to the library. We have so much homework to do" Lily said. Luna loved Lily dearly, but she hated homework. 

"Lilllllyyyyyy" Marlene groaned. "We just did homework yesterday. Why must we do it again today?"

"That's the thing. Teachers give us homework every day. So you have to do it. Every day." Lily replied, still dragging Luna and Marlene along. Alice was just happily walking wherever her friends went. 

"But Lily-and hear me out-what if we didn't." Luna suggested. 

"Oh that's a good suggestion. I like that." Marlene said excitedly. 

"I'll help you with your potions essay, Marlene." Lily called out. 

Luna groaned. "What about me, Lily? I already did that yesterday! I should be able to leave." 

"I'll help you with your animagus research" Lily knew exactly what Luna wanted. Since their first Transfiguration class where Professor McGonagall demonstrated being an animagus, Luna had been spending any free moment when she was forced to be in the library-typically involving Lily helping Marlene with her homework or Alice baiting her with treats-researching the creatures. Lily just thought it was something of a passion project for Luna, but in reality Luna had the idea that if she were to turn into an animal, she could accompany her brother on his full moons. The problem is that becoming an animagus is incredibly difficult and involves a lot of research, preparation, and skill. 

"Fine" She turned to Marlene. "After an hour we're going to the kitchens for a pre-dinner snack" 

Lily overheard them. "Dinner starts in two hours."

"And-" Marlene questioned.

"That'll only be an hour between dinner and your pre-dinner snack." Lily said. 

"Marlene, do you understand the point she is trying to make?" Luna asked. 

Marlene smiled. "I can't say I do, Luna. Does she think we need two pre-dinner snacks? An hour is a long time."

"We should probably go for a pre-dinner snack and a pre-dinner dessert to round off the snack."

"This. This is why we are friends." Marlene said as she looped her arm in Luna's.

Lily rolled her eyes at her friend's antics. She doesn't know why she befriended them. Sure, they were perfectly nice. But Luna and Marlene rarely focused on school. They chose snacks and sleep over everything, and they also have a tendency to be overdramatic and sarcastic. Of course, they're fiercely loyal. And Lily couldn't help but love the melodramatic idiots. 

The quartet walked into the library. Lily was leading the way with Alice, who was talking about a new plant she discovered while Lily looked for a good place to study. Marlene and Luna were discussing what their pre-dinner snack and pre-dinner dessert would be.  "Oh look, there's Remus and Peter! We can go sit next to them." Lily said.