The Marauder's Meetings:
Five meetings of James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew

A dreary chill seeped through the closed windows of the Gryffindor common room, making the four teenagers who were still awake quite thankful for the roaring, spitting fire in the grate. James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter were all sitting up, nursing the late Saturday evening for all it was worth. It was the last day they'd be able to stay up late until next weekend, and as teenage boys, they tended to go overboard with any privilege - including late nights.

"Let's do something," Sirius whined impatiently, scuffing his toe against the plush red carpeting and scowling at his friends, who were sprawled in various states of stupor throughout the otherwise-empty room.

"Technically, we're all doing something. Except for you," Remus pointed out without looking up from his book. "...Er...and James," he added as an afterthought, glancing at his friend, who was staring mournfully at the fire.

"I am doing something," James grouched.

"You're feeling sorry for yourself. If you ask me, acting sulky and moody is counterproductive. It only reinforces her idea that you're immature."

"He is immature," Sirius mumbled.

"So are you, so perhaps you'd better be quiet before I decide to remind you of all the other hypocritical things you've said this week," Remus said under his breath. "Besides, this isn't about what he is. It's about what Lily thinks he is. I mean, according to James that's what it's about."

Peter looked at him inquiringly.

"Another failed attempt to charm Lily Evens," Sirius muttered in explanation.

"Oh," was all Peter said, his mouth still forming a silent 'o' after the word had dropped from his lips.

James' scowl deepened, but he continued to glare at the fire with a viciousness that suggested it was solely responsible for Lily's continued resolution.

"Cheer up, Prongs! Full moon's next week!" Sirius said bracingly. "That's it! Let's plan for the full moon! We raided Honeyduke's last time - what do you wanna do this time 'round?" he asked, his eyes shining.

James shrugged listlessly. Remus didn't even bother to reply: He was still quite deeply immersed in his book.

Peter suggested, "We could go to the Quidditch supply shop."

"We did that two months ago."

"...Or Durvish and Banges..."

"Three months ago."

"Or we could go to Knockturn Alley."

This provoked a reply out of James. "YES! That's the first brilliant idea you've ever had, Wormy!" he shouted.

Wormtail wasn't sure whether to laugh or be offended, so he settled for a tight grimace.

"No adult supervision...most people in bed...a whole knew alley to explore -"

"- And a shady one at that!" finished Sirius enthusiastically.

"Huh," was all Remus said to that.

"Can I go back to sleep now?" Peter asked.

"NO! We've gotta plan." At these words, everyone lost interest.

"Since when did you plan past your next meal, Padfoot?" James muttered, sinking into a half-awake stupor.

"Since now."

"Huh," said Remus again.

"What?" Sirius snapped.

"The theory of a Cheering Charm is the same as the theory of making the Unforgivable Curses effective - you must really want the effect to happen. In the case of an Unforgivable Curse, you'd really want the person to be in torturous pain, or die, or be under you're command. In the case of a Cheering Charm, you must really want the person to become happy."

Peter let out a loud snore, and Remus looked up to find two of his friends asleep, and one staring at him with a look of blank incomprehension.

"Well, I thought it was interesting," he said defensively.

A/N: Hey guys! Hope you like it...I got the idea when I was at a friends' house, and figured I the rough draft was good enough to fine-tune and upload.

I'll be up with a new chapter soon, and I might change the title, 'cause there doesn't seem to be much interest. I know it's definatly not the best piece I've put up, but I thought it was fairly humorous. :) I just love the Marauders...With the obvious exception of the tratorous little rodent Wormtail.

Hope you enjoyed, at any rate. Please review. I really want feedback, and reviews are not only helpful, but encouraging, even - especially - with constructive criticism.

~PhoenixFlameGinny67