2.1: Collected (Swear to Be Remembered)
Title: Swear to Be Remembered
Chapter: 2.1 Collected
Summary: A story about a map, it's makers and wandering mischief makers.
Lily Evans had kept her mouth shut about the affairs of the Marauders for a whole six hours. She had pretended not to notice they lacked their usual cheerfulness during breakfast. She had ignored their suspicious whispering and minimal showing off in double charms. She had bit her tongue when Remus had offered her his seat at their table in double potions. Lily had almost convinced herself she had imagined the passive aggressive argument between the boys through lunch and now as she lounged with them during their free period.
Sitting under the ancient willow tree, at the edge of the grounds where most students never wandered. Lily was comfortably lying her head against James outstretched left leg and nestling her bare feet into the robes around Sirius knees. She held the Daily Prophet high above her face, as she tried not to scuff at every other sentence of how the ministry was ignoring the rising anti-muggle behaviors. Peter had climbed up into the tree and had fallen asleep with his charms textbook on his nose. James and Sirius were playing a game of cards trying, an attempt to distract themselves from the brooding Remus. Remus sat with his back slightly turned, seemingly consumed by his potions notes.
It wasn’t until the quietest Marauder stood up, grumbling about needing something from the library and departing that Lily dropped the paper. She pushed herself up with her elbows, and blew escaped strands of her ponytail from her face while squinting has her green eyes after Remus until he disappeared.
“What did you boys do?” Lily began casually, still focused on the empty path Remus had taken.
“Nothing.” James and Sirius replied instantly and in unison. Lily inhaled sharply and dug her heels into the material of Sirius cloak, before she twisted her torso to stare at both boys. James had the decency to look abashed as he fidgeted with his glasses. Sirius, on the other hand, frowned down at Lily’s bare feet in his robes as if deciding on which awful manner to remove them.
“James Potter and Sirius Black, what have you done to Remus?” Lily demanded more sharply, glaring directly at her boyfriend now.
“Now, Lily…” James frowned at her, releasing his glasses and gaining back his air of confidence at her anger. If there was anything James knew how to react to, it was Lily Evans anger.
“I will give you both detention if you don’t tell me immediately.” Lily threatened, her right hand lifting to wag at the amused faces in front of her.
“Oh, a detention Prongs. Terrifying… How many does that make for us?” Sirius mocked trembling.
“I’ll make you write lines!” Lily tilted her chin down and her brilliant red hair glimmered, distracting James for the slightest second. “At least 500 times. We, Sirius Black and James Potter, will stop acting like gits to the only decent mate we have ever made.”
“Oi, I can be decent!” Peter yelped as he dropped his charms textbook onto Sirius head.
“You’re asleep in a tree Wormtail.” James sighed as if that settled the manner of his decency.
“And in a minute, you’re going to be swimming in the lake looking for your charms text book.” Sirius muttered darkly. James leaned over and snatched the textbook, before Sirius could carry out his threat. Sirius glared at his friend but released the book. Neither boy seemed too interested in the infuriated red head in front of them.
“I am going to give you thirty seconds to answer me, before it’s a 1,000 times…” Lily clicked her tongue impatiently.
“See here, Lily you can’t keep giving me detentions when you’re cross at me…” James began trying to reason with her.
“This would be the fourth detention you give the head boy Lily, it is starting to get suspicious.” Sirius nodded as he stifled a yawn.
“Fine. Just a detention for Sirius then.” Lily shrugged, trying not to smile at their indignant looks. For all their infamy, Potter and Black really were very easy to intimidate.
“Evans!” Sirius snapped.
“You four have been fighting all morning.” Lily glared at Sirius.
“Not fighting, love,” James smiled indulgently at her.
“Yeah, we don’t fight. Moony is a bit moody with us. Well really with Prongs and Padfoot…” Peter explained.
James had leaned forward and caught Lily around the shoulders with his hands. Before she could ask any more questions, or up the number of lines she threatened Sirius with, the boy pressed his lips against her mouth. She scrunched up her nose and motioned to push him, but James had spent seven years learning timing with Lily. The kiss was over before it really annoyed her.
“Will you go check on him for us?” He asked sweetly, grinning in that charming way she was sure got him out of every detention he ever didn’t want.
“You know how he gets when he spends too much time alone…” Sirius mumbled, reaching out and picking up her forgotten Daily Prophet.
“Why don’t…” Lily began.
“We have a plan. Came up with it in Charms, when Remus was talking to Matilda.” Peter smirked down at Lily. She knew they had been whispering.
“A plan that won’t land you all in detention?” Lily sighed.
“Well, unless you plan on actually giving us a real detention….” Sirius winked at her. Lily forcefully pushed the heel of her left foot into Sirius’ knee. He grunted but held out his hand to help her up. James handed her the pair of multicolored suede wedge saddle shoes she had slipped out of earlier.
“It’s not something that will get us all expelled? “ She demanded in a huff.
“Hardly. Besides, if that hasn’t happened yet, you think it will happen mere months away from graduation?” Sirius let out a barking laugh.
“We’ll see you later? Do try to make sure Remus eats something, he doesn’t eat when he’s upset.” James reminded her.
“Not coming to dinner?” Lily frowned.
“Preparations.” Peter slid down from his branch. Lily rolled her eyes but collected her book bag and snatched the daily prophet from Sirius. She had walked less than ten paces away when she heard Peter muttering. “Six hours and thirty four minutes, I win.”