Chapter 10: Mischief Managed
If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space
Monday, October 20th, 1979
"Lily?" the person asked. As they crossed the room, the few flames from the fire illuminated their face. It was Peter. Lily sighed in relief.
"Hey Peter," Lily said shakily.
"Peter!" James called out as he, Sirius and Sarah entered the room. "Any problems?"
"No," Peter replied.
"Good," James said. "Onto the girls. You know what to do if anything happens," James instructed. Peter nodded and returned to his chair by the fireplace. James opened the door labeled "Girls Dorm," but when he couldn't get through the doorway.
"Come on James, stop fooling around," Lily said as she brushed past him and walked into the hallway.
James tried again, but was thrown backwards onto the floor. "I can't!"
"Obviously," Sirius remarked.
"Now what?" Lily asked.
"You guys just go. We'll figure out a way," James told them.
Sarah shrugged and stepped into the dark hallway. They crept along the hallway until they reached the 7th year dorm. Lily's heart was pounding. It seemed so much weirder without James and Sirius with them. Lily stopped outside the door. Sarah pushed past her and stepped inside the dark dorm.
"Come on," Sarah whispered pulling Lily inside and closing the door. "Silencio."
Lily gathered her wits, and pointed her wand at each of the sleeping girls. "Duerme."
"What are we doing to them?" Sarah asked her.
Lily thought for a moment. "Don't you think it would be quite nice of us to let them have the same hair colour as Snape?"
Sarah grinned. "So very nice of us. They should be grateful, really…"
And the two went to work.
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"Hello," James whispered in Lily's ear and she jumped whacked him on his arm in surprise.
"What was that for?" Lily said hastily as she tried to calm her nerves down. Sneaking out and messing with the Slytherins was definitely taking its toll on her. And it was only the first time she'd done it. She had a feeling it wouldn't be her last.
"Sorry," James said, rubbing his arm a bit.
"How did you get in?" Sarah asked.
"The founders always made a way for guys to get into the girls' dorms," Sirius said.
"So how did you get into the hall?" Lily asked.
"Secret," James said.
"Tart," Lily said.
"My word!" Sarah said exasperatedly.
"You two can start doing their robes while we finish Jinelle," Lily told James and Sirius.
"Pink yet?" James asked her.
"Yes," Lily answered. "I heard they hate pink."
James and Sirius set to work on their robes while Sarah closed the bottle of Madam Heyeley's and put it into her black bag. Lily found Bella's make-up and turned it all different crazy colours, like electric green and neon yellow.
"Lilei," Sarah whispered to her. "Remember Rodo's note? I have an idea."
"Yeah, what is it?" Lily asked.
"That lipstick. Should I put it with Jinelle's stuff?"
"Yes! That's awesome. You're a genius Sarah."
Sarah grinned, "I know."
Lily gave her a little push towards Jinelle's bed. "Do it."
Sarah found the lipstick they had put on Rodolphus' note and placed it on Jinelle's nightstand. "Bella will be furious."
"Explosive. Thank goodness we won't be in here tomorrow."
"I expect Jinelle will be making a trip to the Hospital Wing tomorrow."
"Me too. And maybe Rodo," Lily agreed.
"Done!" Sirius said happily.
"We are too," Sarah said.
"I love Bella's hair," Sirius said.
"Thanks," Lily said. They had dyed it and put it into tiny little knots, almost impossible to get out.
After a last look around, James nodded and led the way out into the hallway. Sirius quietly closed the door to the girls' dorm, behind Lily and Sarah. Lily did not want to go first after last time. James opened the door to the common room and walked through with the three behind him with no problem this time.
"I was just about to get you guys! I think someone's awake!" Peter squeaked as he rushed towards them from where he had been listening at the door to the boy's dorms.
"Let's go," James said and they rushed out of the Slytherin's common room. They stealthily climbed up the stairs from the dungeons. They were creeping along a hallway when they heard the footsteps coming from behind them.
Lily's heart skipped a beat. I bet it's a professor. It's way past round times. No excuse. My Head Badge! It'll be taken away! I'll get a detention and everything.
The footsteps grew louder as they got closer. The clinking of keys on a chain was also heard. Oh God. It's Filch. Not much better! Definitely a detention. And then he'll tell McGonagall. I shouldn't of have done this…I'm no good at this. James and them were made for this. I wasn't. I doubt my heart can beat any faster.
The three boys looked at each other when they reached where two hallways intersected. They nodded. Sarah and Lily didn't understand their silent language. Sirius grabbed Sarah's hand and led her down the left corridor. James went to the right. Lily panicked and followed him. Peter turned into a rat once the girls were out of view and continued down the hallway that they were in. If Mrs. Norris was with him she'd go after Peter, letting the other four off of the hook.
James and Lily turned yet another corner. Lily prayed that he knew where they were going. She was completely lost. Filch was getting closer, although he had no idea he was gaining on the two. They walked as quickly as they could without making any noise. Filch seemed to be moving faster than he usually did, at least to James and Lily he seemed to. Suddenly, James pulled Lily inside a niche in the wall, hidden behind a tapestry. Lily's breath caught in her throat at James' touch. His body was pressed up against hers in the tiny niche. She could feel the heat from his body. Filch's footsteps became more distinct, and after what felt like a lifetime, passed them. Lily found herself staring into James' hazel eyes. His eyes are so gorgeous…just like the rest of him…No! This is James! I mean Potter!
James managed to avert his gaze and stuck his head out to see if the coast was clear. It was. He stepped out and Lily followed. James led her they way they came. After a few more turns and hallways they ended up outside their common room. Arabelle was sleeping on a flower next to her river in the painting.
"Er. Hello? Arabelle? Can you let us in?" James asked.
Arabelle opened one of her eyes. "Password?" she asked them sleepily.
"It's 'Lily and James are the hottest heads ever.' But change it to 'mischief managed.' Ok?" Lily said quickly before James could respond.
Arabelle nodded yes and closed her eyes as the painting swung forward granting the two access to their common room.
James and Lily stood together awkwardly. Neither of them knew what to say.
Finally, Lily broke the silence. "Do you think they made it back to their common room?"
"Yea," James answered. "Sirius knows his way. Maybe even better than me."
"Is that possible?" Lily joked.
"Possibly."
"You really trust Sirius?" Lily asked.
"With my life," James replied. "He's my brother."
Lily smiled. "Goodnight James," she said as she gave him a quick hug.
"'Night Lily," he said quietly as she walked to her room and he went to his.
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Lily grinned to herself in the darkness of her room as she pulled the covers around her. Mischief most definitely managed.
A/N: You guys rock.
{Short chappie, I know. BUT! I am very excited for chapter 11. It's so much better than this one!}