"Prongs…Prongs…oh come on you lazy git, get up!"

The unmistakable moan of exhaustion filled the bedroom of the 7th year Gryffindor boys. James Potter aimed a weary kick at his best friend Sirius Black who he found at that moment was jumping up and down on his bed…while he was still in it. His next attempt at blissful night's sleep was to roll over and bring his blanket over his head so to block out the annoying alarm that was ringing in his ears. This alarm however had no snooze button. "Prongs!"

"Bloody hell, Padfoot!" he finally exclaimed as he shoved the boy off his bed. He pushed his long hair out of his face and reached for his wide rimmed glasses on the table next to him. With sight restored, he was able to read his watch on the table. "Geez, Padfoot. It's 2 in the morning! What could you possibly yelling for and waking me up at this hour? We have that huge match against Hufflepuff tomorrow!"

Sirius rolled once on the floor before jumping right back up to his feet in an energetic stance. "Mate, it's Hufflepuff, but that not the point. Moony's in the Common Room talking to Evans!" he let out in a single breath.

James stopped his feeble attempt of hitting Padfoot as the words registered in his foggy head. He then took a few more seconds of silence as he mulled what he heard over. "Moony, Evans. Together? Talking? At night?"

"There we go, use your complete sentences. Atta boy." Sirius chuckled to himself as he lit his wand under his breath. "So are we gonna spy or what now?" James jumped out of bed and reached for his own wand next to his watch on the table at the thought. Mooney, his other best friend with Evans, the love of his existence. "You're sure they're just talking right?"

"No I'm pretty sure they were snogging each other to the point of hyperventilation. Now move it."

James grabbed his robe from his trunk careful not to wake any other roommates. "You must be serious because I know you wouldn't be joking or fooling about someone so close and dear to my heart."

"Aww, I've got to tell Moony how you really feel." James rolled his eyes in the dark and ran after Sirius to the bedroom door when it opened by itself and none other than Remus Lupin walked through it to a unexpected scene. "Umm…morning there, mates. Where are you going?"

James, who had his wand between his teeth, was stuck in the act of getting his arm through a robe sleeve when the sudden presence of his friend surprised him. Sirius on the other hand was frozen in the act of holding his lit wand inches from Remus' nose. Both however shared the dumbfounded look of guiltiness on their face.

"Toilet," Sirius answered a little too quickly, lowering his wand.

"Together?"

James and Sirius exchanged a slow glance.

"Well, I mean, you never know…"

Remus looked as if he was about to push forward but the late hour and pure reason stopped him as he shook his head. "Well, good night then. Enjoy."

"And that, my friends, is how you become a star."

Sirius laughed as he took his seat next to James at the Gryffindor table and welcomes the large slab of steak in front of him. Remus, across the table, just rolled his eyes.

Moments ago, the Gryffindor Quidditch team slaughtered the Hufflepuffs in the House Cup Semi-Finals. James and Sirius were practically carried to their current seats from the pitch by their screaming and adoring fans. The fans however stuck around to get the full details of Sirius' almost fatal Bludger dodge and ask James just exactly what he was thinking when he flew around the Hufflepuff seeker to catch the very low flying Snitch before heroically falling off his broom for the sake of his catch. Remus had to push and shove his way through just to get through to his normal seat across the table. James knew they were really soaking up the attention but they had won an amazing game, shouldn't they get some credit? Besides, this now meant that they were going to play Slytherin in the House Cup Finals in a few days. He couldn't even imagine what the House reaction would be when they won that match.

"Hi James," a fifth year girl said as she squeezed herself on the bench next to him. "Can I have your autograph?" James flicked his head towards her in one smooth motion and flashed to her his famous smile, which instantly ensured a wave of giggles. He happily signed her napkin then turned back impressively to his friends. "I think I'm going to be sick," Remus said as he slouched in his seat.

"Oh lighten up, Moony," Sirius said as he slung an arm around James' shoulder. "Quidditch isn't all about flying and winning. Do you see what we do for these people? We inspire Gryffindor pride in all their hearts. It's our duty. We're heroes!"

Remus looked at him for a second then said, "That girl was from Hufflepuff."

James and Sirius scrunched their faces for a moment of contemplation. "We'll that's odd. Ah well, I'm not complaining." And with that, James dug his knife into his well earned steak.

The crowd soon became hungry and bored so it was only a matter of minutes before they dispersed. James dropped his fork as he saw Lily at the other end of the table and then he remembered something…

"Hey Moony, were you talking to Evans last night?"
Remus swallowed his mashed potatoes and looked up. "Hey, has anyone seen Wormtail?"

"Wait, did you hear—"

"It's not like him to miss a meal."

"You can't answer a question with another—"

"Now that you mention it," Sirius chipped in with a mouth full of meat. "You could have been trampled by the crowd when we weren't looking."

"That's what I was thinking."
"Well, now you're just completely trying to put aside what I said. Moony, are you hiding something?"

Remus laughed and turned his attention back to James. "Yes, Prongs, I'm harboring a huge secret from you lot. I'll give you a hint, it's furry and you can pet it though I don't recommend it."

"Hardy har, you know what I mean." The three began to clear their plates and get up from the table before the House could take notice of them again. Hey, you don't want to be attacked by adoring fans all the time right? Sirius thought. "You know, I'm still fascinated by the fact that you're still avoiding my question!"

Remus laughed again as they made their way out of the hall. "We were just talking, James. You know you should really try that with her sometime. Were you spying?"

"Talking, eh? So late at night?"
"Oh so you were spying. And yes believe it or not people can do other things at night, including talking."
Sirius just stood there between the two smiling to himself. Oh, this was going to get interesting.

James scuffed his foot against the floor and looked back up. "So…what were you talking about?"

"You."

"Really?"

"No."

Sirius burst out laughing , wishing more than anything that he had a bag of popcorn with him to enjoy it more.

"Oh, shut it. Both of you."

Remus smiled again and said, "Well, if I shut it then I can't tell you what we were talking about."

"Oh, well then in that case…"

"Shh…," Remus suddenly put his hand up to stop them. "Oh, come on!" James yelled.

"SHH!" Remus' head perked up. Sirius stopped laughing and listened. Down at the end of the hall they were walking towards was the faint sound of voices. Sirius looked back at Remus.

"I think that's Wormtail," he said. James and Sirius looked at each other again then automatically began to run down the hallway, Remus in tow. The voices grew louder and more familiar as they reached a slightly opened door at the end of the hall. Sirius didn't bother to listen to what the voices were saying but instead walking right through the door.

Every face turned and silenced as he entered the room so Sirius had a moment to take the scene in. On one side of the room stood Avery, Wilkes, Lestrange, Bellatrix Black, and of course Snape. Standing as small and cowardly on the other side of the room was their own Peter Pettigrew. Peter looked terrified but for some reason, the appearance of his three best friends didn't seem to put him at any more ease.

"What are you lot doing here?" James said from behind as he walked next to Sirius. Remus stayed where he was in the doorway in case things got out of hand. He would have the easiest means of getting help.

"No business of yours," Avery spat out at them. "Well it is our business if you're dragging Peter into it. It'd be in your best interest to leave him alone," Sirius said, not breaking eye contact with Avery. At that last remark though, Avery broke the gaze to give Peter another look. Peter just turned to his feet and trembled slightly.

"Anything else we can do for you, cuz?" Bellatrix hissed with a growing smirk on her face.

Sirius felt James put a hand on his arm as he took a step forward. He glared at her once more before getting out, "Come on Wormtail. Let's go."

Peter hesitated for a second then quickly scurried after them as he saw them turn to leave, without or without him. It was only when they were clear of the room, down the hallway, and another floor up when Remus finally asked, "What happened, Wormtail?"

Sirius and James stopped walking and turned to face their small friend who was still staring at the ground. He looked up at the mention of his name and began to stutter. "I…was just…w-walking…t-to the bathroom after the match…and they st-started t-to tease me and t-tried to hex me. I ran int-to the classroom to hide but…umm…it didn't work. T-thanks, guys."

Sirius felt his fist tightened but slowly released it. It was over now. He turned to James who had his head in his hands. He said, "Geez, Wormtail. You can really be an idiot sometimes. We have to get you a backbone before we send you off into the real world. Now come on, I'm not going to let this damper my day. I'm sure there will be a party waiting for us back in the Common Room."

Peter looked down again and muttered, "I think I'll go to bed."

"Bed?" Remus looked over in confusion. "Peter, it's 7 o clock—"

"—Good night." And with that, Peter ran ahead to the Fat Lady and disappeared inside. The three left looked at each other for a moment in silence. James was the first to take the initiative to follow and as soon as he did, a loud roar escaped from the passage and the party began.