Title: Le Jour de la Saint Valentin
Author: Reija Linn (T'Reija)
Email/Feedback: theganan@gmx.de or thiari@theganan.de
Archive: Azkaban's Lair, ff-net. Others please ask beforehand and leave the full header intact.
Originally posted: SBRL list
Pairing: Sirius/Remus, James/Lily, other m/m, f/m
Rating: [PG-13]
Summary: SLASH. It's Valentine's day and the school is alight with pink fluffy feelings... er... or not. (Challenge story)
Spoilers: Haven't read the books? Do so. Right away. Do not eat, sleep or pause until you're finished. Then come back.
Warnings: male/male sexuality and/or relationship(s) featured within. Don't like, don't read, don't flame. Simple really, though seemingly not simple enough for some dim witted clots out there.
Legal disclaimer: I never have, nor ever will, owned the rights to the setting of the Harry Potter books or the characters featured within. The use of said settings and characters by me is for non-commercial purposes only and does not mean to infringe upon the given legal rights that belong to Ms. J.K.Rowling and those she has associated them with.
Note: This was originally a reply to a challenge on a yahoo group I post to (SBRL). The challenge, for those interested, is added at the end of the story, but you should probably read the story first if you don't want to be spoiled. Trust me.
Dedications: For Toni, for whom I wrote this one and who issued the original challenge.
***
LE JOUR DE LA SAINT-VALENTIN
By Reija Linn (February 2003)
Prologue - A Peaceful Morning
It was the morning of February the First, and a beautiful morning it was. Winter hadn't yet fully left the countryside, yet spring was already peeking in through the branches of the trees sumptuously planted in and around the Hogwart's grounds. Titmice were chirping in the high crowns that had just started to grow green leaves again, and an attentive onlooker might have noticed a squirrel or two hushing about the no-longer frozen undergrowth, daring to leave their winter holes to sneak a look.
It was an altogether peaceful Tuesday morning. Hogwart's was still asleep, only the house elves scurrying around, ever-active, to prepare breakfast, dust off the last couple of shelves and lay out the tables in the Great Hall.
But nothing could be heard outside of the clatter of dishes or t dutiful buzzing around of the small creatures.
Professor Dumbledore enjoyed these early mornings, when it was not quite spring, yet too calm and warm to be considered winter. Standing on his personal balcony in his moon-and-stars morning robes, not having bothered to get properly dressed yet, he watched the sun rise in a blaze of red-flaming skies that seemed to pay their respects to the day's namesake Brigit, the Celtic Goddess of fire and purification.
The old wizard let the soft breeze move freely through his long grey hair that gushed forth from his blue and yellow sleeping cap, enjoyed the tickling sensation as the winds entangled his beard.
This was going to be a beautiful and peaceful morning.
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
Or maybe not.
The headmaster chuckled softly. He prided himself on knowing each of his pupils, some better than even they knew themselves. And this was a voice he would have recognised out of a hundred, or even a thousand voices.
James Potter, sixth year Gryffindor prefect. Ambitious, cunning, with high expectations of himself and others - yet always just, even and especially towards those weaker than him. Fair and loyal towards his friends and those seeking his advise, yet a devilish prankster with a mind as quick as lightning.
Pricking his ears Dumbledore could just make out the laughter coming from the open window in one of the Gryffindor Tower's dorms. The restrained chuckling of young Remus Lupin, who seemed so timid and calm to those who did not know him, yet with a mind as strong as iron and a truly wicked sense of humour. The guffawing of Peter Pettigrew, always one to join in any joke, yet with such a low opinion of himself that his true talents never really showed to the unknowing observer. And, of course, young Sirius Black, his roaring laughter clearly distinguishable from the rest.
The headmaster chuckled again when he thought of Sirius Black. Dare-devil if ever he'd met one, and too witty for his own good. In almost a hundred years of teaching, Dumbledore had never met a pupil quite so demanding, yet with so much promise. It wasn't that Sirius Black was better than anyone else - though he was amongst the most talented pupils, there were others just as bright. And it wasn't only his quick mind and tongue that set him apart from others, though he obviously possessed both.
Perhaps it had something to do with his instinctive grasp of how and why the world moved around him, paired with a total lack of acceptance for the way things were or should be. Sirius Black belonged to the group of people that could convince you that black was white and that the sun moved around the Earth, and really believe it, but not in the delusional way most people of the sorts had. Albus Dumbledore felt certain that there was some great future in the boy, though as to in which direction it would lead him he was uncertain.
But, to the matter at hand. Since the other three members of the group that was well-known in Hogwart's under the name of Marauders were laughing, there had obviously been some kind of incident concerning the aforementioned James Potter. The old headmaster wondered what it could be. Of course, he *could* have consulted his crystal ball, tuned to show him any place of the castle at his command. But, that would take all the fun out of guessing, wouldn't it?
Ah, well, perhaps it would show at breakfast.
***
"Well, try as you might, but I'm absolutely *not* going down to breakfast like *this*. Lily'll be there, and..."
Still grinning broadly Sirius turned towards Remus, his hand placed on his left breast, and his features transformed themselves into a goofy expression, eyelids fluttering. "Lily. My heart. Most beautiful of flowers. Would you like to go into Hogwart's with me this weekend?"
Remus snickered, then he, too, struck a pose. "Oh, James, I can't tell you how long I've waited for you to ask me that. Believe me, I'd love to, but..." At this, Remus made as if turning his eyes down in sorrow. "I can't. I'm sorry. It's just..." Remus smirked at the prefect for a moment before posing as Lily again, "your hair clashes so *terribly* with mine."
James responded by very maturely sticking out his tongue at the other boys, while his three roommates cackled away. "You just wait. *Someone* is going to pay dearly for this." He groaned. "Why, oh *why* did it have to be *pink*?"
"Because green, blue and purple polka dots have all been done before?"
James shot a murderous glance at Peter. "Not you, too. And just after I've let you copy transfiguration from me yesterday."
"You're not being fair, Jamie," Remus chimed in. "After all, you copied Peter's history essay."
James mumbled something about Quidditch practises and the house cup.
"Snape!" Sirius suddenly said enthusiastically.
"What?"
"Snape! He's the one who'll pay for this."
"We don't even know whether it was him."
"Well, if he's not responsible for this, he's the culprit in another scheme. Doesn't really matter, does it?"
"But..."
"Oh, come off it, Peter, Remus. Since when has playing a practical joke on Snape become a bad idea?"
Remus eyed him levelly. "I just don't think it's wise to draw too much of his attention toward us. Give him a break after what has happened."
Sirius groaned. "I've given him three totally prank-free months already. I'm beginning to suffer from withdrawal. See my eye twitching?" He purposefully twitched his right eye.
"That causes bad eyesight, you know? Not good for the muscles." Peter remarked.
"Oh, come on. Just a harmless little jest..."
"Well..." Remus considered.
"Please?"
"No puppy eyes, Sirius, or it's the newspaper. What were you thinking of?"
Sirius waved to the others to come closer, then whispered his suggestion into their ears.
Twenty minutes later, the Marauders emerged from their dorm, wide grins plastered on their faces - even James' - as clear a warning to everyone around them as if they were holding a sign above their heads saying "Beware, Marauders in action."
Author: Reija Linn (T'Reija)
Email/Feedback: theganan@gmx.de or thiari@theganan.de
Archive: Azkaban's Lair, ff-net. Others please ask beforehand and leave the full header intact.
Originally posted: SBRL list
Pairing: Sirius/Remus, James/Lily, other m/m, f/m
Rating: [PG-13]
Summary: SLASH. It's Valentine's day and the school is alight with pink fluffy feelings... er... or not. (Challenge story)
Spoilers: Haven't read the books? Do so. Right away. Do not eat, sleep or pause until you're finished. Then come back.
Warnings: male/male sexuality and/or relationship(s) featured within. Don't like, don't read, don't flame. Simple really, though seemingly not simple enough for some dim witted clots out there.
Legal disclaimer: I never have, nor ever will, owned the rights to the setting of the Harry Potter books or the characters featured within. The use of said settings and characters by me is for non-commercial purposes only and does not mean to infringe upon the given legal rights that belong to Ms. J.K.Rowling and those she has associated them with.
Note: This was originally a reply to a challenge on a yahoo group I post to (SBRL). The challenge, for those interested, is added at the end of the story, but you should probably read the story first if you don't want to be spoiled. Trust me.
Dedications: For Toni, for whom I wrote this one and who issued the original challenge.
***
LE JOUR DE LA SAINT-VALENTIN
By Reija Linn (February 2003)
Prologue - A Peaceful Morning
It was the morning of February the First, and a beautiful morning it was. Winter hadn't yet fully left the countryside, yet spring was already peeking in through the branches of the trees sumptuously planted in and around the Hogwart's grounds. Titmice were chirping in the high crowns that had just started to grow green leaves again, and an attentive onlooker might have noticed a squirrel or two hushing about the no-longer frozen undergrowth, daring to leave their winter holes to sneak a look.
It was an altogether peaceful Tuesday morning. Hogwart's was still asleep, only the house elves scurrying around, ever-active, to prepare breakfast, dust off the last couple of shelves and lay out the tables in the Great Hall.
But nothing could be heard outside of the clatter of dishes or t dutiful buzzing around of the small creatures.
Professor Dumbledore enjoyed these early mornings, when it was not quite spring, yet too calm and warm to be considered winter. Standing on his personal balcony in his moon-and-stars morning robes, not having bothered to get properly dressed yet, he watched the sun rise in a blaze of red-flaming skies that seemed to pay their respects to the day's namesake Brigit, the Celtic Goddess of fire and purification.
The old wizard let the soft breeze move freely through his long grey hair that gushed forth from his blue and yellow sleeping cap, enjoyed the tickling sensation as the winds entangled his beard.
This was going to be a beautiful and peaceful morning.
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
Or maybe not.
The headmaster chuckled softly. He prided himself on knowing each of his pupils, some better than even they knew themselves. And this was a voice he would have recognised out of a hundred, or even a thousand voices.
James Potter, sixth year Gryffindor prefect. Ambitious, cunning, with high expectations of himself and others - yet always just, even and especially towards those weaker than him. Fair and loyal towards his friends and those seeking his advise, yet a devilish prankster with a mind as quick as lightning.
Pricking his ears Dumbledore could just make out the laughter coming from the open window in one of the Gryffindor Tower's dorms. The restrained chuckling of young Remus Lupin, who seemed so timid and calm to those who did not know him, yet with a mind as strong as iron and a truly wicked sense of humour. The guffawing of Peter Pettigrew, always one to join in any joke, yet with such a low opinion of himself that his true talents never really showed to the unknowing observer. And, of course, young Sirius Black, his roaring laughter clearly distinguishable from the rest.
The headmaster chuckled again when he thought of Sirius Black. Dare-devil if ever he'd met one, and too witty for his own good. In almost a hundred years of teaching, Dumbledore had never met a pupil quite so demanding, yet with so much promise. It wasn't that Sirius Black was better than anyone else - though he was amongst the most talented pupils, there were others just as bright. And it wasn't only his quick mind and tongue that set him apart from others, though he obviously possessed both.
Perhaps it had something to do with his instinctive grasp of how and why the world moved around him, paired with a total lack of acceptance for the way things were or should be. Sirius Black belonged to the group of people that could convince you that black was white and that the sun moved around the Earth, and really believe it, but not in the delusional way most people of the sorts had. Albus Dumbledore felt certain that there was some great future in the boy, though as to in which direction it would lead him he was uncertain.
But, to the matter at hand. Since the other three members of the group that was well-known in Hogwart's under the name of Marauders were laughing, there had obviously been some kind of incident concerning the aforementioned James Potter. The old headmaster wondered what it could be. Of course, he *could* have consulted his crystal ball, tuned to show him any place of the castle at his command. But, that would take all the fun out of guessing, wouldn't it?
Ah, well, perhaps it would show at breakfast.
***
"Well, try as you might, but I'm absolutely *not* going down to breakfast like *this*. Lily'll be there, and..."
Still grinning broadly Sirius turned towards Remus, his hand placed on his left breast, and his features transformed themselves into a goofy expression, eyelids fluttering. "Lily. My heart. Most beautiful of flowers. Would you like to go into Hogwart's with me this weekend?"
Remus snickered, then he, too, struck a pose. "Oh, James, I can't tell you how long I've waited for you to ask me that. Believe me, I'd love to, but..." At this, Remus made as if turning his eyes down in sorrow. "I can't. I'm sorry. It's just..." Remus smirked at the prefect for a moment before posing as Lily again, "your hair clashes so *terribly* with mine."
James responded by very maturely sticking out his tongue at the other boys, while his three roommates cackled away. "You just wait. *Someone* is going to pay dearly for this." He groaned. "Why, oh *why* did it have to be *pink*?"
"Because green, blue and purple polka dots have all been done before?"
James shot a murderous glance at Peter. "Not you, too. And just after I've let you copy transfiguration from me yesterday."
"You're not being fair, Jamie," Remus chimed in. "After all, you copied Peter's history essay."
James mumbled something about Quidditch practises and the house cup.
"Snape!" Sirius suddenly said enthusiastically.
"What?"
"Snape! He's the one who'll pay for this."
"We don't even know whether it was him."
"Well, if he's not responsible for this, he's the culprit in another scheme. Doesn't really matter, does it?"
"But..."
"Oh, come off it, Peter, Remus. Since when has playing a practical joke on Snape become a bad idea?"
Remus eyed him levelly. "I just don't think it's wise to draw too much of his attention toward us. Give him a break after what has happened."
Sirius groaned. "I've given him three totally prank-free months already. I'm beginning to suffer from withdrawal. See my eye twitching?" He purposefully twitched his right eye.
"That causes bad eyesight, you know? Not good for the muscles." Peter remarked.
"Oh, come on. Just a harmless little jest..."
"Well..." Remus considered.
"Please?"
"No puppy eyes, Sirius, or it's the newspaper. What were you thinking of?"
Sirius waved to the others to come closer, then whispered his suggestion into their ears.
Twenty minutes later, the Marauders emerged from their dorm, wide grins plastered on their faces - even James' - as clear a warning to everyone around them as if they were holding a sign above their heads saying "Beware, Marauders in action."