Teresa started walking, always with her hands on the walls for guidance. Though she mainly wanted to help her friends, she couldn't silence a voice that hoped that Sirius would somehow forgive her, even if just a tiny little bit. However, she was pretty aware that it would be pretty impossible for what she had done was unforgivable.

When she heard Amy, her thoughts seemed to disappear from her mind for a little while. 'Dunno... Probably got in trouble and decided to get out of it by turning off the lights' She shrugged, speaking in a low tone of voice due to the darkness which always made her think that she had to speak in a whisper instead of loud enough for anyone to hear, perhaps since she was used to the absense of colours once it was time for everyone to sleep.

As Amy repeated her words, Tess stopped and turned around to face her friend even if it was impossible for both of them to see one another. 'Well, if you don't want to go that's alright but I've got to get there. I don't know exactly why but for some reason I feel quite responsible for all of this and... well, the sooner I talk to him the better, right?' At this thought, she shivered lightly imagining his face when he saw her. 'Besides... M-maybe this way he'll... I don't know... I-I've got to go, Amy' She whispered bitting her lip, unaware of what to do once she faced the boys and McGonagal.

For the first time in many years she didn't care that much if she was caught and punished. In fact, if that happened, Sirius could somehow forgive her? Or maybe if they both had detention together she'd have more chances into convincing him she hadn't meant what she had done.

While the hallway was still in darkness, James felt a hand reach for his. His head quickly raised in response to the wondering hand as it met his, he knew exactly who was on the other end, Lily. As she spoke about getting on with the detention, he knew she was right.

"No more detention," he whispered as he leaned into Lily and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you later." He pushed with his back away from the wall as he stood up straight and began following the professor's heavy breathing.



ooc: EMIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *tackles to the ground* Of course she can!! She is Bella!!! She can do just about anything she wants.

As McGonagall stood up and straightened her robes with her hands, she reached for her wand. "No one will speak or make a move?" she moaned to herself as she waved the piece of wood that remained in her hands.

With a flash of light from the tip, the lights quickly turned on, reveiling the number of students that stood before her in front of the the girls labratory.

"I hope there is a good explanation for your rather lengthy return to my office, Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin, Mr. Black and Mr.-" she paused for a moment thinking of Peter's last name. "Ah yes-and Mr. Pettigrew."

Without hesitation, she walked over to James and took hold of his ear, dragging him over to where Sirius was standing and took hold of his ear as well.

"If I were your friends and best mates, I would make sure that they followed so that the same does not happen to them," she smiled with an evil grin as she looked to both students.

Amy slowly shook her head as Tess spoke. She was probably right. It sounded like something that the boys would do. What they were doing there in the first place was beyond Amy. She thought that they were supposed to be with McGonagall right now, not somewhere down the hall doing goodness knows what.

Taking a few steps forward, Amy nearly bumped into Tess as she turned to face her. Listening to her friend, she gave a silent sigh; one mixed with slight frustration and of understanding. "Alright, Tess. If this is what you feel like you need to do." Deciding to follow Tess so that she wouldn't get into any trouble, Amy began to think of some sort of story to tell McGonagall if they were caught with the boys.

Before she could think of anything however, Amy heard a voice call out and then the lights were returned. Blinking in the sudden harshness, she looked around, her gaze settling on the boys...in front of the girl's bathroom? Drawing in a breath, her eyes turned on Remus, but she was quickly distracted by the sight of McGonagal hauling off James and Sirius by the ear. She held by the smile that was threatening to burst forth at the sight and instead shook her head.

Hearing James speak, Lily felt her heart flutter. She felt silly but she didn't care. She would no longer hide her feelings for James. When he kissed her on the cheek, she felt her face go a deep shade of red. She was grateful that the lights were still out.

Before the scarlet shade on her cheeks could disappear the lights turned on and to her horror McGonagall was there. Taking a hard swallow, Lily watched as the Professor grabbed both James and Sirius by the ear. Her mouth dropped slightly at the sight and she couldn't believe it. She couldn't even bring herself to laugh, it was just ridiculous beyond belief.

Lily tore her gaze from the spectacle that was McGonagall and the boys, and instead studied the faces that were now visible. Once again Lily began to wonder if they had been there the whole time. Had they all been eavesdropping on her and James' conversation?

Suddenly James being hauled off by the ear didn't seem so cruel. A small smirk appeared on her face. Lily would have to question James about all the spectators that were gathered outside the bathroom.

Ali was safely perched around the corner listening, in the dark, afraid that any moment Mrs. McGonagall would come around the corner and get her in trouble for eavesdropping. all she had done was try to go to the bathroom like the rest of the girls there...

as she was pondering what went on inside the bathroom with James and Lily, the lights went up. she peered slowly, carefully, and saw McGonagall was out of site, dragging the boys by their ears. She rushed forward, to Lily, "are you okay!? i was looking everywhere for you!" she said, enveloping her friend in a rib-crushing hug. "what went on in there?" she stared at Lily, who's face was unreadable.

Peter was barely able to think straight, but he tried to turn and follow the others, even tho he was still hovering. His feet kicked madly, he no longer thought he was laying down now, and went nowhere. "Mirroo Moo Gon-go, wasp goonig ah?" he tried to say, "Mea things me needsa soom heyop," when, in Peter's mind, this sentence was perfectly clear: "Mrs. McGonagall, what's going on? Me thinks me needs some help," and then he was quiet.

several moments passed with Peter being silent once more, when he began to snore loudly so that it echoed off the walls.

ooc: *pokes Staceh* you ruined my plan! XD *thinks of another way to get what she wants* Aaah gotcha *shifty*

Teresa smiled faintly to herself as she heard Amy and kept walking fowards, unable to take her hands from the wall next to them, afraid she might fall or lose her track if she took them away. She couldn't hear much noise coming from whatever that was ahead of them and that scared her somehow but also relieved her since that meant that so far McGonagal hadn't done a thing to the boys and maybe she could find a way to get them out of all that trouble. But the question was how would she do it?

However, she had no time to think of what to do or to say for the darkness vanished into thin air out of nothing. Due to the sudden brightness, Tess closed her eyes and even raised her arm so that the light wouldn't hurt her and slowly opened her eyes again. And what did she see? She simply saw James and Sirius being dragged by McGonagal, Peter saying non-sense and Remus standing in the middle of it. Everything in front of the same place where she had done probably her biggest mistake in her whole life.

The moment she met Sirius's eyes, she looked at the floor guiltily. What was she going to do? There was nothing that could be done now that Professor McGonagal had found them... Except if... 'Professor, they've got nothing to do with this' She said suddenly raising her head and looking at McGonagal's eyes, avoiding the boys' and Amy's eyes.

"Well, actually I --" Sirius began to speak, concocting an explanation on the spot. However, his speech was tragically cut short, as the Deputy Headmistress grabbed his ear, hurling him along with James, in what Sirius deemed a very violent manner. He required a moment to cool off, before he reluctantly lifted his hand to his ear. "There's no need to get physical, professor..." he snapped back smartly, freeing himself from the older woman's grip and eyeing her with a charming, bratty expression.

He then glanced at his Marauders with a disappointed, 'caught in the act' look. She was probably going to extend their punishment eternally now, though they weren't even doing anything wrong. Not that McGonagall would have ever believed them. Or perhaps if Moony insisted...

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. He raised his eyes suspiciously towards her, almost questioning her presence. He had no idea how long Tess had been there. Perhaps she hadn't even really left after the slapping incident. Sirius watched her with an undescribable look plastered on his face. It was rather unlikely that McGonagall would buy her story about being the actual culprit (which was what Sirius thought Tess was about to come up with). Then again, life, as it turned out so far, was very, very unpredictable...

Turning around and spotting light, she breathed out a sigh of relief. Someone finally found a way to light up the hallway, well just a little bit. Now being able to see at least a general direction, she headed back there, hearing voices echo. Seeing the Gryffindor head of house, she swore under her breath when she realized she could be pulled in this chaos too. Erica looked around and realized McGonagall was pulling Sirius and James Potter by their ears. Containing a laugh, she watched the rest of the crowd around her, wandering if McGonagall would punish her too.

Regulus took his hand off Diabelle's head abruptly, scorned by her words of reproach. A faint blush crept onto his cheeks, but was gone before anyone could notice...or so he hoped.

Regulus's jaw dropped in disbelief. Had Lucius really just said that?

Regulus sighed in relief to hear that admission. 'Good 'ole Lucius' he thought to himself. 'As predictable as always.'

Regulus's eyes flashed dangerously for a moment before returning to their usual shade. He forced a pleasant smile to appear on his face, in order to fool Lucius into thinking his words hadn't affected him. Regulus poured on his charm as he responded to his dear friend. "Why Lucius, you should know my style by now. Leave them grovelling...begging for more. Surely you know I learned all my dating skills from you....." His last sentence dripped with icy scorn, but a bold grin seemed to present them as teasing. One could never know with Regulus.

Regulus shivered as Diabelle's fingers came dangerously close to his mouth. He reached up and grasped them, kissing the fingertips lightly as his deep eyes stared boldly into hers. "Ah yes, my lady,"he replied, still holding her fingers in his own, "But even songs have to have a happy ending at some point, wouldn't you agree?"

Finally letting her hands fall to her side, McGonagall took her cane and began to hobble down the hallway once more. "As the boys follow me to my room, I suggest that the rest of you make your way towards the Great Hall for a bite to eat," she hesitated in a huff. If there was anyone within the walls of this school that knew how to push her buttons to their extent, it would have been the Gryffindor Gang of Four, Sirius, James, Remus and Peter. There had to be a way to deal with them in a better since of professionalism but it was out of character to her.

Before turning the corner to her office, she felt a sly grin gaining popularity to her face. Pausing in the hallway, she turned slowly to face the group once more.

"Oh, by the way boys," she stated sarcastically and continued. "If I were you, I would make sure I had my dancing shoes on because this is going to be one detention that I, nor any other student within the walls of Hogwarts will ever forget."

With her last word, she gave a guilty grin, quickly turned on her feet and headed towards her office; laughter escaped from her lips.

**********************************

As McGonagall finally released his ear from her claws, his hand reached up and began to rub the sore spot a bit as he watched her walk away. Hearing her speak of them to follow, his gaze turned towards his best mate, Sirius. He gave a roll of his eyes as he let out a bit of steam.

Finally deciding that he did not want any more detention hours with Mean McGonagall, his feet began walking slowly in the direction of Transfiguration. He soon stopped before running into the Professor as she turned around once more to speak.

Dancing shoes? he questioned in his mind, slowly turning back to the others. He shrugged his shoulders and began following her once more.

Shaking her head as she watched James and the rest of the boys get hauled off, Lily still couldn't believe the lengths that James had taken to ask her to a measly dance. It was unbelievable and although she had believed him earlier, she just still couldn't understand his reasoning, and she probably never would.

Turning to walk away from the crowd, Lily stopped abruptly when Ali rushed towards her. A small smile appeared on her face as Ali inquired about her state of well being. "I'm fine Ali. And I was off to look for you as well before..." she paused for a moment and wondered if she should tell Ali what had happened in the bathroom.

Hearing Ali question her again, Lily's face turned a slight shade of pink. "Oh...well, I forgot my potions book so I had to go back and get it. I'm always forgetting that wretched book wherever I go. One of these days its going to get me in big trouble." she said as she held the book close to her chest.

She gave her friend a smile and hoped that she would forget about James and the bathroom, but Lily knew Ali very well, and she knew that she wouldn't settle for the pathetic answer that she had just given her.

Teresa stayed quiet, forbidding herself to look at any of the people around her, waiting for McGonagal to speak. Lord, she was so nervous and scared of what she was doing and yet so sure that that was the right thing to do. Still, part of her appeared to be yelling for her to stop. She had done nothing but sit in a corner and cry, how could she had afforded to do such a great peace of magic? What was her Head of House going to do when she looked at the student in front of her? Well, Tess did not know but it wouldn't be something too pleasant, she was sure.

However, it seemed that McGonagal did not hear the girl's words for she did not even seem to have the knowledge that the girl was there anyway. In fact, the Professor simply walked away, leaving Teresa with her mouth wide open. So she had taken someone else's guilt and she was being ignored? Oh no! That would not do!

Without thinking twice, Tess walked after McGonagal. 'Professor, I believe you didn't hear me' She said, with a strong voice this one time, moving after the older woman, but mantaining distance. 'They did nothing. I was the one who did this' She told her, stopping on her tracks as these last words passed her lips.