The Marauders and Lily

The Beginning

Lily

As I walked out of the hospital wing to prepare for classes, I ran straight into Dumbledore, almost knocking us both to the ground. Without a word, he handed me a note and walked away quickly. He was never one for conversation.

The Order of the Phoenix will meet every Wednesday in the room of requirement. From 8-12. Don't be late... tell the Marauders.

I quickly scanned the note realizing that this took James' last free night of the week. We wouldn't be able to truly see each other again and talk until next weekend. One week in and I already had memorized his schedule, knowing he barely had time to breathe between everything he was carrying. I tried to lighten the load where I could. But, at the end of the day, neither of us had the time to truly enjoy our last year at Hogwarts. 

When I finally made it to my first class of the day, I slipped the note to Peter, knowing he'd see the boys before I did. They always skipped classes when one of them was in the hospital wing. Which left me wondering why i had even seen Peter, never had I seen him separated from the Marauders before. 

As class began, I became myself again, focused without a problem. My pages of notes beginning to weigh down the desk. Everyone in here saw the same Lily Evans that I had always been, but little did they know I had kissed James Potter. And I had liked it. For now, that was my secret. But, I knew that wouldn't last long. Secrets never lasted long, especially when they concern one of the most popular boys at Hogwarts. 

The days passed mundanely with James in the hospital wing. With being head girl, I could only visit at the most obscure of hours. I was currently juggling all of the Head's duties rather than most of them. The difference was noticeable. None of us had quite enough time to get everything done that was on our plates. Sirius was running quidditch practice and being a troublemaker. Remus was busy with prefect duties and keeping Sirius in check. Then there was Peter, who seemed never-endingly busy, but I never could quite figure out with what. He scurried off whenever possible.

By the time Wednesday rolled around, James was begging the nurse to be let out of the hospital wing. He was dead-set on making it to Dumbledoor's meeting. The once deep cuts that covered his body were now dark scars, that seemed to go on for miles. Besides the scars, the James that I had come to know was back. Finally, the nurse agreed; less because he was convincing, more because he was relentless.

At 7:45, me and James walked hand in hand out of the hospital wing. Remus to my left, Sirius to James' right; Peter once again missing. When we walked into the room of requirement, a gasp filled the air... all eyes trained on me and James' locked hands. I chuckled to myself, feeling the shock in the air around me. 

The silence hung in the air as our peers stared at us. But, with the help of Sirius, cheering began, wolf whistles included. I heard calls of finally James! And the subtle clink of coins being passed from one hand to another.

The room was filled with our peers and a few older faces; graduates of Hogwarts. Peter stood behind us now, having slipped in during the commotion. Dumbledore stood in the center of the room beaming at us. But, the moment he cleared his throat, the room fell silent once more. Just as it had been before we had entered. 

"We have a war coming. A war none of us are prepared for. Something that wizards have never seen before. Lives will be lost, alliances will be broken, and friendships will be tested. I have only called on those that I trust. Those that I believe that will come with me through this war. Leave now if you cannot believe the words I have spoken. For, I only need those I can trust."

He paused, but no one moved. With that, he nodded and told us that next week we would begin. Everyone filed out of the room until only the Marauders and my friends remained. Looks of anger solidified themselves on Marleen, Alice, and Molly's faces; their boyfriends quietly standing behind them, supporting them. Marleen opened, "You really didn't think to tell us that you were screwing James Potter? Your enemy? I thought we were friends."