Title: I Think…

Sequel to "What Do You Think"

James pulled out the Marauder's Map, unafraid of using it in front of Lily now, and checked to see if there were any obstacles in the path back to dormitories. They seemed to be in the clear. Everyone looked at him to see if they could leave. After all, it was pretty late.

"Move out, men," he commanded.

"Excuse me," Lily said, offended.

"What's the matter?"

"You said 'move out, men'."

"Yes, I recall."

"You don't see anything wrong with that? Consider who you're talking to."

"Is that supposed to be some kind of insult towards Padfoot? I don't think he likes it when we call him a woman."

"Never mind. Don't worry about it."

"I never do."

They all walked back to Gryffindor Tower, quiet as possible. That, unfortunately, isn't too quiet at all. Fortunately, they're the marauders, so it doesn't matter how quiet they are, no one can catch them.

"I think Filch almost died trying to catch us, he was so out of breath," James panted, resting against the back of the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Yeah, he was wheezing really hard," Sirius added. "More than usual. Shame we couldn't stop to talk to Peeves, though."

"Oh, yeah, that's a real shame," Lily said sarcastically. "That would have made my day."

"It always makes mine," James said.

"Well, you're just strange."

"I'm not denying it."

"I'm tired. I'm going to sleep," Remus said abruptly.

"Me, too," Sirius seconded. They started walking up the stairs.

"Don't kill Peter in his sleep while you're up there," James called out.

"I'll try not to," Sirius answered, still walking up to the dormitories. "But I can't make any promises."

"Remus…?"

"We'll see what happens," Remus responded, entering the dormitory. Sirius followed.

"I think I'm going to stay down here," Lily said. "I don't want to disturb anyone or wake them up at such an hour."

"I'll stay with you," James offered.

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

"Well, then who am I to stop James Potter from getting what he wants?"

"'Bout time you learned how it works around here."

James lay down on a comfortable couch across from the dying fire. Only a few feeble flames remained. Lily came and lay down with him.

"G'night, Lily," James muttered.

"'Night."

"But, mum, the list doesn't say I need that book," Eleven year old Harry Potter whined, staggering under a pile of books above his head. "I only need a few books, not the whole entire bookstore."

"Education requires a little extra reading, Harry," Lily Potter answered, adding another book to the stack. "If you want to be intelligent like at least one of your parents," she glanced at her husband reading the only Quidditch book in the store for the tenth time, "then you'll read what I tell you to read."

"But who says I want to be smart? Maybe I want to be dumb. Maybe I want to grow up to be as good a Quidditch player as dad is."

"You don't," she said sternly.

"But maybe I do," Harry repeated stubbornly.

"Harry James Potter, you will do as I say and will never, ever become a Quidditch player. Do you understand me?

"Yes, ma'am," he replied dejectedly, hanging his head.

"Cheer up, son. You can always become a newspaper columnist that specializes in Quidditch players," James said, looking up from the book and winking. "Especially me."

"James, don't encourage this behavior. You know as well as I do that Harry will become the greatest Minister of Magic to ever run England."

"But that sounds so boring," Harry complained.

"Tell me about it," James muttered so only his son could hear.

"What was that, James?" Lily asked.

"Nothing, honey," he said innocently.

"Hey, Harry. Just got your new broom," Sirius said, coming into the store.

"What's wrong with his old broom?" Lily asked. "It's top of the line and only a year old."

"Did you just say only a year old? That's like a million years in broom age."

"Is that an exact calculation?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it is."

"I don't believe you."

"Nobody ever does. But anyway, Harry, this is your new broom," he said, bringing the broom from behind his back.

"Wow, it's amazing!" Harry exclaimed.

"I thought you'd like it."

"It looks exactly like the one you have now," Lily said.

"There isn't a single twig out of place. And look at the gold handle," Harry said, ignoring his mother.

"Oh, trust me, I have," Sirius said, grinning.

"How much did this cost, Sirius?" Lily asked.

"Don't worry about it. It's my going away present to Harry."

"Thanks," Harry said appreciatively.

"Wow, look at that!" Ron Weasley said excitedly entering the store. Remus followed.

"Where's Molly," Lily asked Lupin.

"She wanted a rest, so I said I'd take Ron to get his school things."

"Oh, too bad, I haven't seen her for ages."

"Look at how smooth it is," Harry told Ron.

"I am. I am. But look at the handle."

"Don't think I didn't notice."

"Come on, boys. We need to go to the Apothecary," Lily cut in.

"Can't that wait," Ron moaned.

"No, it can't. We need to get your robes, your owls, and your wands afterwards and it's almost lunch already."

"Then I say we eat lunch," Harry said, stomach growling.

"I don't know… there's a lot to do."

"Pleeeeeease," Ron and Harry pleaded in unison.

"Oh, all right. Fine, we'll get something to eat quickly and go straight to the Apothecary."

"Thanks," Ron said, running out of the store.

"You're the greatest mum ever," Harry said, following Ron.

Lily was smiling as she dreamt. It was a really good dream.

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A/N: Oh, all right. I guess I'll write OoTP. Put me on your Author Alert (if you haven't already) because I don't know what the next story is going to be called. I'll try to start it soon, but I might need a short break. Although reviewing ALWAYS makes me write faster… if you know what I mean.