Edited 3/2/2022
Chapter Fourteen, OWLs

The last few months have been rather hectic for Josie Potter. Not only has she been studying for OWLs; which she takes more of then her brother and her friends, but she is also trying to come up with a potion to help Remus on the Full Moon with her father having spoken to him before the end of the holidays, and she has been straining herself to the point of becoming ill once again to find a vision on the last two Horcruxes. And it has finally, finally paid off. But there was a price. She only had the misfortunate mishap to collapse in the Gryffindor Common Room when she was finally able to get a vision of the two horrific items, due to her necklace being missing and to forcing the visions.
"Josie!" Her friends shouted, when she suddenly collapsed. James caught his sister as she fell from the sofa, gently lowering her to the floor, Sirius placing her head in his lap.

"Where's her necklace!?" James roared, noticing the purple stone necklace missing from around her neck. Looking up he spotted it around a certain redhead's neck. "EVANS!!!" James roared dangerously, attracting everyone's attention as all the Marauders, Frank, Alice and the Prewett twins looked at the redhead sitting with Docras Meadows. "Give me my sister's necklace! NOW!" James roared, not noticing Josie was coming round and was being kept on the floor by a gentle hand from Remus. As he, Marlene and the others fretted over her. Noticing the escalating fight the Head Boy quickly left the Common Room to fetch Professor McGonagall, before this got out of hand, unnoticed by the rowing students.
"It's mine!" Lily said defensively, while Docras and Peter sniggered.

"By the way these two are sniggering I'd say otherwise." Pandora interrupted. "Plus, that's from the Potter Vault and we've all seen Josie wearing it for almost a year now so pull the other one, Evans." She added, rolling her eyes at the idiocy of these three.
"No one asked you Greengrass!" Lily spat, not noticing her Head of House had arrived. "What are you even doing here anyway? You're a Ravenclaw and a -"
"I suggest you think twice before finishing that sentence Miss Evans." Professor McGonagall said sternly. "Now, what is going on here?" She demanded.

"She," James exclaimed apoplectic with rage, as he pointed at Lily. "Stole my sister's healing necklace and she's just collapsed because of it. When I asked for it back she denied it while Meadows and Pettigrew laughed. I know what it looks like. I've seen it on my sister long enough and saw my father give it to her at Gringotts. It also has an inscription on the back with the Peverell AND the Potter crest."
"Calm yourself Mr Potter, I shall get to the bottom of this, there is a spell that determines one's property. Now, Miss Evans I want the truth and I want it now!" Professor McGonagall said sternly, glaring at the Prefect.

"And don't even think about lying to me!" The Professor added firmly, when Lily opened her mouth. Sighing Lily removed the necklace and threw it at James with a distasteful look on her face, luckily James was able to catch it thanks to his Quidditch training before it smashed on the ground, and handed it to Pandora who quickly placed it around Josie's neck hugging her friend tightly.
"I'm completely disgusted in you Miss Evans -" Professor McGonagall said in disgust.
"It was a prank! They play pranks on people all the time!" Lily, Docras and Peter argue.
"Do not interrupt me!" Professor McGonagall snapped. "Yes, they may play pranks but the difference is: none of their pranks have endangered someone's life like the way you three have done.

Wait outside, I shall have Professor Dumbledore deal with you three and trust me when I say you will not like the consequences, and I will find out if anyone else is involved believe you me! Oh, Miss Evans, before you go, hand me your Prefect badge." She said, in a forced calm voice, her palm outstretched and her lips in a thin line as her eyes blazed with anger.
"I need to see Professor Dumbledore too." Josie said, getting you from the floor with Sirius's help.

"No. You shall rest Miss Potter, you've just gone through quite the ordeal. I'll inform him you need to speak to him but you need to rest, you are taking on far too much and will land yourself in St Mungo's if you are not careful." She stated firmly, lowering Josie to sit on the sofa then patting her hand in a grandmotherly way. "You lot are to make sure she is to rest until I come to collect her this evening."
"Yes Professor." They answered, James jumping into big brother mode, sitting on the sofa and getting his sister to lay on his lap while he covered her with a blanket made the Professor smile before she left to deal with those students.
"What're you all staring at?" Gideon demanded, to the rest of the Common Room.
"Yeah, why don't you go back to your knitting or something." Fabian ordered, causing everyone to look away from the Marauders and friends.

***

Later that evening Professor McGonagall could not understand how four students could be so heartless! They had found out that Severus Snape had also been involved in the planning of this malicious prank, all because they didn't like her brother and because Peter blamed Josie for his friendship breaking up with James and the others. It was a poor excuse and she wanted to doll out some serious consequences but Slughorn stated they didn't know if lasting damage had been done just yet so only suggested on detention for the remainder of the year and with a ban on all extracurricular activities, including no trips to Hogsmeade for the rest of the year. That man was too soft, as was Dumbledore. She warned them they will be under constant want and one toe out of line or if Josie's life became in danger from their malicious prank they will be expelled. She then ordered them to get out of her sight and went to fetch Josie.

As she entered Gryffindor Tower she couldn't help her anger bleed away as a smile came to her lips at the sight before her. James and Josie were curled up together asleep on the sofa while their friends made do with either sitting on the floor or in the two remaining chairs.
"Mr Lupin, could you kindly wake up Miss Potter, please. The Headmaster is waiting to see her." Professor McGonagall asked.
"What's happening with Evans and the others?" Sirius asked angrily, while Remus gently woke Josie.
"They have been dealt with Mr Black and will be expelled if Josie's life becomes endangered by this malicious prank." Professor McGonagall assured him, satisfied, Sirius nodded his head, turned to kiss Josie gently on the lips and went back to studying with Pandora, Marlene, Alice, Frank, his brother who'd arrived at some point and the Prewett twins.

Professor McGonagall was proud of her Lions for showing unity among the Houses and she knew that was Josie's influence, she was a great influence on Sirius and her brother, proven by the two Black brothers talking happily and smiling before her.
"How're you feeling Miss Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked, leading the way out of the Tower and up to the Headmaster's Office.
"I'm okay, a little weak but nothing a good sleep won't cure." Josie assured, smiling at her Head of House.
"If that changes I want you to go straight to the Hospital Wing, understand? Good." Professor McGonagall smiled, when Josie nodded. She stated the password, gesturing for Josie to get on the moving stairs. "I shall leave you to it then. Goodnight Miss Potter."
"Goodnight Professor and thank you." Josie said, climbing on to the staircase.

Once the staircase stopped at the top outside of two double oak doors she climbed off holding on to the wall for a moment. Waiting for the world to stop spinning, when the doors were flung open revealing a concerned Professor Dumbledore.
"Ahh Josie. Are you alright?" He asked, concerned.
"Just a little dizzy." Josie replied, smiling tightly.
"Take my arm and I shall have one of the House-Elves fetch you a potion." Dumbledore said, holding out his arm for Josie to take.

Slowly the pair made their way into the grand office, and up to the back of the room where Dumbledore's desk resided. Dumbledore helped Josie into a chair in front of his desk before taking his own seat, when Fawkes flew through the window and perched on Josie's lap, trilling softly to her.
"Seems we won't be needing that potion after all Professor." Josie said wily, feeling less shaky now. "Thank you Fawkes." She said gratefully, kissing his head.

"It appears not." Dumbledore agreed with a smile, watching as the young woman cuddled with his Phoenix who was more than happy to stay where he was. It always amazed him at the affinity she had for Magical Creatures, they seemed to gravitate towards her no matter the species. "Now, tell me about these visions." He asked kindly.
"They're about the last two Horcruxes. A diary he had while at school and was known as Riddle, it's located at Malfoy Manor and Hufflepuff's Cup which is at the Lestrange Manor but Bellatrix will soon be moving it to their Vault at Gringotts so we need to hurry. Only get those you know who are 100% on our side to raid their Manors and I would do it at the same time with no warning so they don't have a chance to hide them." Josie explained, a satisfied smile upon her face as the war would soon be over. Her family will be safe.

"Thank you Josie, you have done our side a great service and I will get the raids conducted tonight and the pieces destroyed. After this Voldemort will be human, a fact I will spread to the Order and the Aurors who are 100% on our side, I suspect the war will be finished before we all head off for our summer holidays." Dumbledore smiled at her before it turned into a frown. "I don't like that you've been stressing over this and forcing the visions Josie. You could've made yourself grievously ill, but what's done is done now. However, I want you to promise me you'll take better care of yourself." He said, clasping his hands together and looking at her over his glasses.
"I promise Professor. I just want the war to end." Josie cried.
"I understand that, as we all do. But for now, how about some tea?" He asked with a smile.

***

After weeks upon weeks of studying and two, nearly three weeks of exams the whole school was finally done with their exams. The fact that the Fifth through Seventh Years couldn't help but sigh with relief, now they just had to wait for their results to come in the summer. The Marauders sighed in happiness as they exited the castle and on to the vast sunny grounds: heading towards the large willow by the edge of the lake that they had claimed. A spot where Regulus was waiting for them. As they exited they all seemed to be walking in pairs: in the middle was Josie and James, James had his arm around Pandora's shoulders holding hands and Sirius had his arm around Josie holding her hand. Next to Pandora was Marlene who had her fingers entwined with Remus. All of them were blissfully happy with their betrothed and their friends or siblings in the Potters case, and all of them were blissfully unaware that Josie had created a large step to winning the war.

"You okay love?" Sirius asked, noticing she was rather quiet.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah I'm okay. Sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts." Josie replied, leaning up to kiss his cheek when Sirius looked unsure. "I promise I'm okay." She assured, squeezing hand.
"How about on Saturday we go on a date? As it's the last Hogsmeade weekend." Sirius asked, helping her sit down besides Pandora as they all sat in a circle beneath the willow tree stripping off their cloaks and ties due to the heat.
"I'd like that." Josie replied happily.
"No mischief Sirius!" James exclaimed, pointing sternly at Sirius. "She's my sister and I don't want her hurt!"
"Come off it Prongs! You know Padfoot would never hurt Starfall." Regulus interceded.
"I know." James agreed reluctantly. "But I have to make sure." Sirius nodded his head as if saying he expected nothing less.

"Sage, do you want to go on a date with me?" James asked, brushing a stand of blonde hair behind Pandora's ear and kissing her cheek. Remus asking the same question to Marlene nervously, despite her accepting and loving who he was, he was still scared and insecure at times.
"Hmm!" Pandora hummed, as she pretended to think about it. "Of course I will, Prongs." She said kissing his lips, distracting him from Sirius and Josie kissing behind them. "I love you."
"I love you too." James said, with a wide grin on his face. "Oi! Stop kissing my sister Sirius!"
"James!" Josie complained, sending a spell at him that turned his hair neon green, causing the others to laugh as James screeched when Marlene showed him his reflection in her compact mirror.

"God, I love you." Sirius chuckled, holding Josie close.
"I love you too." Josie replied, pecking his lips.
"How about we plan our last prank of the year!?" Regulus asked excitedly.
"What did you have in mind Reg?" Remus asked interestedly, once they'd all calmed down from laughing at James and he'd finally removed the spell after James kept begging him.
"Well..." Regulus said, with a wicked grin. Looking exactly like Sirius in that moment it was like they were twins as he went into a spiel about his idea for the last prank of the year.