The Marauder's Tale [MOONY, WORMTAIL, PADFOOT, & PRONGS]

XXIX. Fifth Year

"Dear James and Sirius,

"Hey, guys! Have you missed me in the three days since I left the Potter manse? I know that we'll see each other soon when we go back to school, but I wanted to give you this news before we get there - I've been made a prefect! And no, I don't intend to spend all my time getting the two of you out of trouble, so don't even think about it!

"I have to run - my parents are taking me to Diagon Alley to get my school supplies. See you on the train!

"Remus"

"Can you believe it?" Sirius asked as he finished reading the short letter.

"Absolutely," James said. "There are always new fifth year prefects, and you know it wasn't going to be you or me."

"Well, that hurt," Sirius laughed. "What, you don't think I'd make a good prefect?"

"Oh, I think you'd make a phenomenal prefect," James grinned. "And when I say that, I mean that you'd get us out of trouble. But I think that Dumbledore and McGonagall realized that, and that's why they made Remus prefect instead of us."

"Remus will make a good prefect," Sirius nodded. "And no matter what he says, I know he'll get us out of trouble."

"Of course he will," James agreed. "We stick together."

"I wonder who the girl prefect is," Sirius mused.

"Well, I can narrow it down to Lily, Olivia, Dana, or Kathleen."

"Prat. I could have done that myself."

"I wonder if Peter knows," James said.

"Who the girl is?"

"No! I wonder if he knows about Remus!"

"I'm sure he does by now. Remus probably owled him right after us."

"Yeah, probably." James skimmed through the letter again. "And where does he get off calling my house a manse?"

"Come on, now, James, you have to admit that this place is huge."

James opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by his mother.

"James? Who's that from?" Mrs. Potter asked as she walked into James' room with a pile of clean Hogwarts robes.

"Remus," James replied promptly. "He's been made a prefect."

"Really? How wonderful for him!" Her smile faded after a moment. "Of course, I would have been happier to hear that you had received a prefect badge."

"Mum," James groaned.

"Oh, I know," she said. "I know that you'd rather have fun than actually follow the rules and study."

"Come on, Mum. Have my marks been that bad?"

"No," she admitted. "They've been excellent."

"Well, then, I don't see what your problem is."

"Oh, James," she sighed, "when will you ever learn?"

***

"You take care of yourself, princess."

"I will, Daddy." Lily hugged her father tightly. She didn't care if she was fifteen years old, it still made her feel safe to be locked in his arms. She was certain that she would feel the same way when she was fifty.

"We're so proud of you," Mrs. Evan said, moving forward to claim her daughter for a farewell embrace. "Imagine! You, a school prefect!"

"You didn't think I could do it?" Lily smiled.