Chapter 43-I'll Be There For You
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Since your the only one who knows what its like to be me.
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the mess with.
Someone I'll always laugh with, even under the worst I'm best with you.
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
"Sirius, I know what this is about," James called, following Sirius down the hall towards a statue that led to the basement of Honeydukes.
His arm was around Lily and she was smiling brightly, excited and happy. Remus was trudging beside him, also having a glow about his face. James couldn't help but grin at the sight of his friends in such good spirits. Sirius was positively jumping in excitement.
"No, you don't," Sirius confirmed. He was grabbing a box that had been placed behind the statue. It looked suspiciously like presents.
"Ok," James pretended. "We're all sneaking into Hogsmeade on the night of my birthday with presents and loads of galleons. I have absolutely no idea what is going on. Oh, and the tiny fact that we do this once a year on my birthday is a shock to me."
"Right-o," Sirius tuned in, whistling a song of his own.
Lily giggled. She was now holding onto James' hand as they ventured into Hogsmeade. The tunnel was dark and long. It would take about twenty minutes to reach the door at the pace they were walking.
"How'd that Cat Lover's Anonymous meeting go, Padfoot?" Remus asked, his hands casually in my pocket.
"Don't talk to me about those fools," Sirius grunted. "That Bob Bronchif is one lousy president. Spreading lies about him being some Norwegian tea kettle or something along those lines. He mentioned you Lily. I reckon he's in the LEFC as well."
"He wouldn't be the only one either," Remus snorted.
James shifted his hand uncomfortably. He coughed awkwardly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he spoke. They all erupted in hysterics.
"You were the president in your fifth year," Sirius pointed out.
"You had badges," Remus went on.
"And t-shirts," Sirius continued.
"Everything but me," Lily teased, sticking her tongue out.
"Lily, were you secretly in the JPFC?" Sirius questioned.
"No," she said. "But I was in the SBFC."
All three Marauders stopped walking to look at her in a complete state of shock.
"You call yourselves Marauders," she laughed. "Can't even take a joke. Do I look like a groupie to you?"
"Well, I always thought you had a distinctive-" Sirius started. Lily slapped his arm.
"No," he finished. "You don't look like a groupie."
"Where's Wormtail?" James asked. "He didn't want to come out this year?"
"Urgent plans," Sirius rolled his eyes. "He says he needs to tutor some second years. I know what he's really up to. Recruiting members for the PPFC."
"Peter Pettigrew Fan Club?" James hissed. "Is there such thing?"
"I was thinking Poor Petey Fan Club. I think that ticked him off though," Sirius mumbled.
They had finally reached the door entering into Honeydukes.
"As an unofficial Marauder, Lily, you're going to experience the magic of a mischief maker," James explained.
She clung onto his arm a little tighter, giving him a warm feeling in his face. He smiled and kissed her on the nose.
"Happy birthday," she whispered for what was about the hundredth time that day.
.X.
"Prongs is the oldest of us all," Sirius declared, tipping his butterbeer to clank against James'.
"How's it feel to be eighteen?" Remus asked.
"Like heaven," James grinned, glancing over at Lily.
"Open your presents," Sirius screamed, rumbling his hands on the table as a sort of drum roll. Rosmerta, the young bar maid, cast an amused eye over at their table.
"Going to send over some Fire whiskey, Rosie?" Sirius called to her.
"Not a chance, Black," she replied, blushing at the charm of Sirius.
"Open them, James," Lily said, smiling.
"Yes, please do, Prongs. Before Padfoot wets himself," Remus said.
James picked up the first parcel. It was from Remus.
He opened the neat wrapping and found a Broomstick servicing kit. The newest, highly improved kit, might he add. He grinned at Moony.
"Thanks," he said, looking at the kit in awe.
"Knew you'd like it," Remus said. "It does wonders for a broom."
He eyed Sirius' present. It was rather big and hadn't been placed on the table. It had been sitting on the ground.
He cast an eerie eye at Sirius. His friend was grinning like a madman.
He opened it and found, to his surprise, a small miniature trampoline.
"When you need a bit of fun," Sirius assured. "There's sure to be some tough times ahead. Just take a little spin on it when you're worried or stressed. It's a miracle worker."
He leaned into James' ear and whispered, "Bring Lils on it, she'll never know what hit her."
James laughed at his friend and seriously considered taking the trampoline on a little test ride. He decided to pass on this, wait for later, and opened Lily's present.
Her's was fairly large as well, although he was certain it was not a trampoline. The wrapping had been done carefully and neatly, just as Lily did everything. He opened it to discover a large canvas.
It was a beautiful painting of their year together. There was Sirius on his trampoline with nun-chucks in his hands. There was Remus, painted very accurately, underneath a full moon. At the top, were three portraits. Addison, Maimee, and Mackenzie were drawn in the clouds, halos appearing above their heads. Straight in the middle, where the most time was obviously spent, was Lily and James.
She had painted them, looking into one another's eyes, avoiding all the happenings occurring inside the painting. The only thing that seemed to matter was the fact that they were there together. It was exactly how James felt.
He looked over at Lily and kissed her on the lips. She had taken a lot of time to paint this. He would cherish it forever.
As they were kissing, a distinct scream could be heard outside.
They broke apart quickly, seeing Sirius and Remus already running out of the tavern, wands outstretched.
James and Lily saw Sirius, his eyes intently locked on a man with a skeletally pale face and vivid scarlet eyes.
"You killed Addison," he muttered.
The two of them pulled out their wands, eyeing three other Death Eaters. Only few people were in the village, Rosmerta one of them. She was most likely contacting Dumbledore.
"McKinnon?" Voldemort sneered. "Did you love her boy?"
Sirius' face turned beat red in fury. The man who had killed Addison was before his eyes. Sirius didn't care about the Death Eaters who had actually killed the McKinnons. He cared about their boss, the man responsible for her death.
"Can I ask you something?" Sirius asked, pointing his wand at the man's chest.
"Black, is it?" Voldemort asked. "Are you as black as you're painted?"
"No, let me ask the questions," Sirius intervened, still deathly serious. "Do you like cats?"
"Cats?" Voldemort contemplated in an amused voice. "I can honestly say that I do. Stealth creatures, they are."
"Prongs," Sirius called. "You were right. I believe you. Cats are officially evil."
A/N: That was no stab at cats! Feel free to love cats (although I don't like them). I hope you all liked this chapter. Please review