Solemnly Swear | Marauders Era

10 | End of Year 1 - Summer

TRIGGER WARNING-SELF HARM

James was in Mcgonagall's office, explaining how a pad had come into his possession.

"You see, I was minding my own business and-"

"LIES!" Minerva slammed her hand on the table, startling James.

"I- I didn't get to finish."

"Yes, but the day that you, James Potter, mind your own business, is the day that Professor Dumbledore will cut his hair."

"True. Can we just skip this explaining bit? I know I have detention."

"Very well. You do not have a detention as it is the last day of school." She sighed.

And so she told James his punishment; homework over the summer.

Nothing too bad though, just some Transfiguration theory homework. Enough to last him a week.

James slouched back to the Gryffindor common room and saw everyone having a water fight. Even the older years were participating. But the most fun was where the marauders were.

They were running around and shooting water out their wands. It was boys vs girls. And the girls were winning. James joined in too, but by the time they finished their game, the girls had won.

"Ha! Take that boys! We won! Now say it. Say that girls are better."

"Girls are better." They all grumbled.

The group went down to the Great Hall for their last meals as first years and all sat together.

Sirius sat in between Marlene and Remus. James sat next to Lily and Lily was sitting in between him and Alice. Peter sat beside Remus.

"So," James began with a full mouth. "Next year, we can go out for Quidditch. And, we get to show around the first years."

"Not we." Said Remus. "Just the prefects."

James rolled his eyes and carried on stuffing his face with food, receiving a look of disgust from Lily.

"You all better write." Sirius raised an eyebrow, pointing at everyone.

"We will, don't worry." Said Marlene. "I'm staying with Lily so I'll make sure she does, too."

"Whoever doesn't write to me will be hexed at the beginning of next year."

"Well then we'll all write." Remus nodded.

- 

The group was now at the platform, saying goodbye for the summer.

"BYE SIRIUS! BYE REMUS! BYE PETER! AND LILY AND MARLENE AND ALICE!" James shouted as his mother was literally dragging him away by his collar. "Mum wait! Lemme- I'm freeeee!- No I'm not."

James had managed to free himself from his mother's grasp but his father picked him up shortly after and slung him on his shoulder like a towel.

"This-is-not this is not very nice, dad. Please put me on the f-floor!" James struggled.

Fleamont ignored this and carried on walking.

A faint "BYE JAMES!" was heard. And it wasn't just one voice. It was all of them. The whole group said it. And it warmed his heart.

Sirius said his goodbyes to Remus and Peter and was now saying goodbye to the girls.

He put his hand out for them to shake to be respectful in front of their parents but they ignored his hand completely and hugged him.