“To get to the point, gentlemen,” Sirius said gravely, “we’ve come to a crossroads, and our dear associate Mr. Prongs has been requested to make a serious moral decision. Knowing how stunted dear Prongsie is in the moral department, I think we ought to steer him in the right direction on this one.”

As James stood to leave, Remus mumbled something about needing to turn in a late assignment, and followed James out the door, leaving Peter and Sirius alone. The smaller boy remained on the ground, cross-legged and staring up at Sirius with a stunned look of expectation-- as though he expected Sirius to say something that would snap them back into their carefree lives.