Chapter Three: Punishment for Pranks

*The entire school crowded into the Great Hall and the students sat at their tables, eagerly waiting for the new first years to be sorted. The Marauders sat on the end of the table, as they always did. James’ eye caught a funny sight.

The redheaded Lily Evans from the train was sitting at the other end of the long table, quietly and alone. It must be hard on her, James thought, because she was so creepy she probably didn’t have any friends. As the sorting hat began to sing it’s customary song, the Marauders began their planning.

“So we…” Sirius whispered to Remus, who nodded and smiled.

“And then we…” James completed the task of filling his friend in on the plot they had concocted in the last five minutes.

“Sounds good.” Remus answered back quietly. “When do we put this plan into action?”

“Well, not that we want to frighten the first years or anything… but we should do it as soon as Dumbledore is just about to clap his hands to put the feast on the table. That way we don’t ruin any good food, but still get all of them, not just second years and up.” Sirius reasoned out.

“Good thinking. Look, the sorting is finished! Get ready! Remus, why don’t we make the spell triggered by a sound, like Dumbledore’s clap. That way we won’t be blamed.”

“Alright. You take care of the enchanting, I’ll take care of the trigger spell.” Remus agreed.

“Where am I in all of this?” Peter asked. He was forever being left out of the other three’s schemes, and it made him rather cross because of it.

“Petie, dear old boy, you can sit there and look magnificent as always!” Sirius announced. James and Remus hid snickers, and Peter went bright red.

“Fine.” Peter mumbled. They hadn’t given him much of a choice- once again.

“Right then. Remus, let’s do this!” James whispered, his deep brown eyes sparkling, as if he already knew how their whole prank would play out. The two boys nodded, and James brought out his wand. Concentrating very carefully, he muttered a few choice words. Remus began to speak in a hushed tone right after James began, and then aimed his wand directly at the ceiling. Their work complete, James, Remus, and Sirius sat back to enjoy what was left of Professor Dumbledore’s speech.

“As for the first years, let me inform you, and remind the rest of you, that the Forbidden Forest behind the school is strictly off limits,” Dumbledore paused, “Especially off limits to the sixth years.” He turned up the corner of his mouth in a small smile, knowing full well why he had had to personalize the statement to the fifth years as he did.

“It wasn’t my fault that tree caught on fire after we lit Malfoy’s hair on fire last year.” Sirius muttered.

“Sirius, you nearly started a forest fire in the Forbidden Forest! Don’t tell us it wasn’t your fault!” Remus yelled.

“Hey! James is just as responsible as I am for that!” Sirius defended himself.

“Am not.” James flushed a deep crimson. Yes he was…

“Continuing on, there is one more matter. During the course of the year, we will be hearing news of great disturbances outside these walls. Please know that you are safer here than any other place in the world, and that as long as you are here, you will have nothing to fear. But if you do, we Professors are always here to listen to you. On that rather somber note, shall we begin our feast?”

“This is it!” Sirius yelped joyously. But James’ heart was no longer in their prank. Two years ago his parents had been murdered by Voldemort, and though he had grieved long enough over his losses, he was still saddened when he was reminded. His parents had been wonderful people while alive… he shook his head and managed to return his attention to Dumbledore, who was about to begin the feast.

“Polywallyhippobra!” Dumbledore said, and clapped hiss hands. Immediately the ceiling above the Slytherin table darkened, and thunder crashed. Rain came pouring down on top of the Slytherins in torrents and sheets. As the Slytherins sat in wonder and anger at what was happening to them, the rest of the school laughed up a storm. James’ dark mood was vanquished the moment he saw Severus Snape and Lucious Malfoy drenched. They looked like drowned rats with their greasy hair hanging in their eyes.

“Albus? Are you feeling alright?” McGonagall asked Professor Dumbledore. It wasn’t like him to perform such a trick, not in the least.

“Yes, I’m quite well Minerva. However, it seems the pranks have begun a little earlier than expected this year.

“They have, have they?” Minerva stood. “Potter, Black, Lupin, in my office, now.” She yelled out tightlipped. She watched as the three nodded to her, still laughing. She had to admit, it was a rather ingenious trick.

As James, Sirius, and Remus sat in McGonagall’s office, they squirmed, knowing they had started the year off with a bang- and were now going down hard for it.

“I cannot believe you three. The poor Slytherin first years were scared out of their wits, to think that every night rain would be pouring down on them while they ate their supper. You’ve outdone yourselves this time boys.”

“Yes Professor.”

“Now then. This type of action calls for severe punishment, seeing as how it’s the only way I’ll ever get your attention. However, I can’t just give you detention for the rest of the year- you’d have too much fun. Instead, I will be splitting you three up.” Suddenly the boys sat at attention. What was this?

“I believe that you, Mr. Black, since you seem so fond of the weather and elements, such as rain and fire, should be able to commune with it more closely. Therefore you will be polishing the Quidditch goal rings every week for a month. And I want them sparkling.” Sirius groaned. This was punishment!

“Mr. Lupin. I think that while you don’t ‘commune with nature’ as well as your friend Mr. Black does, you still have a talent for wanting to keep up with him. In light of this. Your case of punishment, you will consist of cleaning as well. Cleaning the Great Hall after lunch and dinner every night for a month. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes Professor.” Remus squirmed.

“And Mr. Potter, the brains of the operation. You realize you would have been a prefect this year, except for your lack of a perfect disciplinary record? Certain cases like yourself need discipline. Which is why you will be helping to tutor one of the students here in charms. She hasn’t had an easy time in the class, and I’m sure you’ll give it your best. Because, Mr. Potter, if she doesn’t improve on her exam at the end of the month, you will have twice as much work as your other two friends here combined. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes Professor.” James inwardly jumped. He didn’t have to clean; he had to help some poor, innocent girl? She would be fawning over him after the first five minutes, and then he would be able to do whatever he wanted. This was great compared to detention! Just then a knock came at the door.

“Come in.” McGonagall barked. The door opened and in walked the last person the boys had ever expected to see.

“Professor McGonagall? You wanted to see me?” Lily Evans asked.

“Yes. Miss Evans, I have a student this year that needs a little extra help in transfiguration. Would you be interested in helping to tutor her?” McGonagall blurted out. On a normal basis she would have broken the news gently, but the Marauders had frazzled her nerves enough as it was.

“A student that needs help? Professor, I’m not too sure I’m the best person for that choice.” Lily replied quietly. It wasn’t her style to help people- when she did, she was usually teased something terrible by them because, well, she was a freak.

“Nonsense Miss Evans. You’re been first in your class for five years and you’re an excellent teacher. I can’t think of anyone more suited for the job.”

“But Professor, I just don’t think I can…”

“Please?” One word from McGonagall told Lily everything she needed to know. As much as Lilly disliked people, she could see her teacher was desperate. Lily had a soft spot for people who were trapped in desperate situations. Sighing, she tilted her head and grimaced.

“Alright then Professor, I’ll help the girl.”

“Thank you Lily. Now then, why don’t you and Mr. Potter discuss a day that will be suitable for the both of you to… ”

“What!” James cried out. “Wait a minute Professor! You never said I had to work with-” James paused to gulp. “You never said I had to work with Evans!”

“Why Mr. Potter, do you have a problem with Miss. Evans?” McGonagall raised her eyebrow.

“Actually Professor, I wasn’t aware I would have to work with Mr. Potter either.”

“Well now. Potter, you don’t have a choice, tutoring this girl is your punishment. However, for you Miss Evans, are you saying that would now like to back out of our arrangement?”

“Professor, I just didn’t know is all. I suppose I can work with him if need be.”

“Good. Now then, I suggest you two set up a date.”

“Yes Professor.” They replied simultaneously. They briefly looked at each other, then looked away.

“You’re all dismissed. Go back to your dorms and have a good evening. I’ll see you in class tomorrow.” The Gryffindor students nodded at their professor and then turned to leave.

“Professor, wait!” Remus stopped them all short.

“Yes Mr. Lupin?”

“Professor, you never mentioned who James and Evans would be tutoring!” McGonagall looked at them incredulously.

“Why, I didn’t, did I? Lilly, James, your newest student is Andrea White. Now good night lady and gentlemen.” The students went white, and though they nodded, they weren’t able to speak for another few minutes.

“Andrea White? Isn’t she that creepy third year?” Sirius asked loudly.

“Yeah, the one with almost no hair and the huge nose?” Peter added. He had been waiting for them outside McGonagall’s office and heard the news. “She’s so ugly! I don’t understand how she could have gotten to be a witch in the first place.”

“I want to know why she needs a tutor. I mean, if you’re that, well, let’s just say that if I was her, I would be devoting most of my time to studying.” Sirius shuddered.

“I think Jamesie here has the worst punishment of all of us.” Remus joined them.

“Yeah. I’d rather clean the Quidditch goals twenty times over than spend an hour with her.” Sirius laughed.

“Maybe she won’t be that bad.” James put in quietly.

“Well, you’ve got to deal with two creepy people in one blow, first Lily Evans, and then Andrea White.” Peter laughed. Both Remus and Sirius smiled, but didn’t laugh. Peter thought he was funnier than he really was.

“Enough.” James silenced them. It was enough that he was in this big of trouble, but to keep reminding him of it was far worse.

“Excuse me.” And past them went Lily Evans. As she passed, she gave them a glare that could contend with any they had previously been given.

“If looks could kill!” Sirius joked.

“No kidding.” Remus added with a low whistle.

“I think we hurt her feelings.” James said out of the blue.

“James, it’s Lily Evans! She doesn’t have feelings!” Peter laughed. Once again no one laughed with him. In fact, not even a smirk was cracked. Guilt ebbed their stomachs. *