Disclaimer: Do I look like J.K. Rowling. Nope. Sadly, I'm just a fan.
Author's Note: Chapter 4! I would love to hear from all of you. Thanks for the patience for updates. I'm half way through the story! Wow can't believe how long I've been working on this series. Thanks for the continuing support. Remember to send me your prank ideas. Some might even be use in Never Trust a Marauder. There is also a new poll on my profile to vote on. Thanks again.
Ch. 4 Fourth Times the Charms
The Marauders traveled to Platform 9 ¾ the next day. For other parents brining four mischievous teenagers would be daunting, but Mr. and Mrs. Potter took it in stride. Remus and Peter meet their family on the platform. Thankfully, Mrs. Potter didn't ask where Sirius' family was. Sirius guessed they already drop Regulus off and left. Even though he was the clearly favorite, his parents wouldn't even send Regulus off properly.
"I'm so excited for Fourth Year!" James said excitedly. James was always very optimistic. He was rarely every solemn. The most serious he had been was when they confronted Remus, in their first year, about being a werewolf. Remus was very relieved to find out that they didn't care what he was.
"You're excited for life," Remus said smirking. He took a piece of chocolate out of his pocket and ate it.
"Chocoholic," Sirius coughed. Remus responded by sticking his tongue out at Sirius. The boys found their usual compartment in the back of the train. When they got to the compartment talk turned to Hogsmeade trip. Like usual James began to talk about ways to get his long standing crush, Lily Evans, to go out with him.
"So, do you guys think that Lily will say yes if I asked her to Hogsmeade?" James asked. When talking about Lily, it was best to be truthful. The truth was she couldn't stand James, but that could definitely change one day.
"You never know," Remus said. Remus seemed a bit distracted. Sirius guessed what he was thinking about.
"You know. I'm sure Amber wouldn't object to attending Hogsmeade with you," Sirius said gently. He knew his friend was rather taken with the Ravenclaw. The probably was that he didn't believe she would feel the same way.
"Yeah you should ask. She'll say yes in a minute. She told me she likes spending time with you," James said matter of factly. Remus bit his lip. No matter what they say he never believed she could possible interested in him.
"She only sees a certain part of me," Remus argued. This was true of course. In retrospect they could have even a decent friendship without know vital parts of each other's lives. It was Remus' own fault however. James had been telling him for a long time that he should tell Amber his biggest secret.
"And whose fault is that?" Sirius argued looking at him. Remus glared at him. Sirius knew that he hated when other people were right.
"Don't you glare at me? You know we're telling the truth. She's involved with us far too much for you to keep it secret," Sirius argued.
"Pads is right, Moony. If she finds out any other way she will be furious with you," Peter said. Sirius was shocked. That was the wisest thing Peter ever said. Remus ignored this.
"Why not tell Bonnie? Hell, maybe I should where a sign," Remus said coldly. The other Marauders were taking aback by this pronouncement. It was obvious that the young werewolf was really stressed out.
"Bonnie isn't as involved with you as Amber is. She cares for you a lot. You don't need to tell everyone just those that are close to you. You might be surprised," James said wisely. Remus sighed, but they didn't press the issue. Sirius knew this wasn't going to end well.
"Guys, I might be leaving Hogwarts," Remus said suddenly. The three other teens look like he had grown a second head. Why would he be leaving Hogwarts? Hogwarts without Remus?
"What?" James said with disbelief.
"My parents might be moving to the United States. If we move I will probably be home schooled." Remus said.
"That's awful," Sirius said.
"Why can't you stay in Britain?" Peter asked concerned.
"My dad might have a job there. It pays well and it's the only job that would even consider hiring him," Remus said miserably. Sirius was speechless. This could not be happening. They couldn't be separated. They were the Marauders. No one could split them up.
"It's not official or anything, right?" Peter asked.
"Surprise you care Wormtail. You didn't last June," Remus said coldly. Peter went pink. He seemed a bit more daring then the others, at least at the moment. His fellow Marauders were practically cowering in the patented Remus glare.
"I said I was sorry," Peter said firmly. Remus didn't respond. Sirius wanted to change the subject. The mood in the compartment was very solemn. Peter retreated and didn't speak another word. He got up and walked out of the compartment. Looked like fourth year was going to be a tough one.
Peter' departure wasn't the only thing that happened the fourth time they took the train to Hogwarts. Something even more traumatic happened. It all began when Bonnie and Amber came in.
"Hey guys!" They greeted. Bonnie kissed Sirius on the cheek and sat on his lap.
"Where is Rat Boy?" Bonnie asked. Sirius looked at her. Why would she say that? Amber looked horrified.
"BONNIE!" Amber said. Bonnie turned red.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to say it out loud." She said. Amber shook her head. Sirius looked at James. They couldn't know about their Anamagi training. No they couldn't. It was just a coincidence.
"That's not…" James began. The door to the compartment suddenly went open.
"Oh, here you are," Sirius eyes widen. He didn't expect this. Suddenly he doubted if he was going to reach his fifteenth birthday. Bonnie was going to kill him.
"Who are you?" Bonnie asked. Ariel Greengrass glared at her.
"I happen to be Ariel Greengrass. That's my future husband you sitting on," Ariel said. Sirius glared. She didn't own him.
"What?" Bonnie jumped up looking at Sirius for an explanation.
"I can explain," Sirius said quickly.
"Is it true Sirius?" Amber asked. Sirius couldn't stand the hurt look in Bonnie's eyes. Amber looked like she was not faring much better.
"My parents …. It was arranged when I was born," Sirius told them. He was caught. Without warning, Bonnie slapped him. Sirius was shocked.
"We are so done," Bonnie said and walked out of the room. Amber ran after her. James and Remus were in shock. They couldn't believe it. They totally forgot Ariel was still in the compartment.
"Thanks a lot," Sirius said angrily.
"What. Was that your girlfriend?" Ariel asked coldly. Sirius glared at her.
"Yes it was. She means a lot to me. Remember were not married yet," Sirius said. It was Ariel's turn to glare.
"I pity your taste. I've never seen anyone with fatter ankles," Ariel said nastily. Sirius walked near her.
"She's perfect. She is a damn sight nicer than you," Sirius snapped. Ariel walked out. Sirius glared after her. She ruined everything with Bonnie. Sirius vaguely wondered which house she would be in. He didn't care as long as she didn't go near Bonnie.
"Why do my parents always manage to ruin my life?" Sirius asked. James gave her a sympathetic look. Sirius sat down. Fourth year was not starting off good.
The Start of Year feast was always really good. Almost everyone had at least three helpings of everything. Sirius was notorious for over stuffing himself. Peter would scoff and would complain that Sirius could eat anything he wanted and not gain a pound. This feasts however, Sirius had no appetite.
"Oh come on Pads. Stop sulking." James said putting a helping of mash potatoes on his plate. Sirius looked over at Ravenclaw table. Bonnie didn't even meet his eyes. Sirius sighed. It looked like it was really over between them. Luckily, Ariel was sorted into Slytherin, and he wouldn't have to put up with her much.
"I hope we have good classes tomorrow," Peter said.
"Hopefully none of them are with Slytherin," Sirius said bitterly. He scratched his arm absentminded. Remus looked over at the Slytherin table and shook his head.
"You're not actually going to have to marry her, right?" Remus asked hopefully. Sirius shook his head. Sirius knew for sure, he would be gone by the time wedding plans were even mentioned. Just the thought of marriage made him itch as did everything his family inch.
"Of course not," Sirius said.
"Well, it won't interfere with our pranks," James declared. Peter nodded his head vehemently. Sirius smiled at James. Nothing stopped James Potter from creating as much chaos as he possibly could.
When the feast ended all the students were headed up to their dormitories. Before they could reach the main doors, Remus stopped them.
"Stop," Remus said.
"What?" Peter asked. Sudden there was a whooshing sound. The students in front of them were drenched with green gunk. Remus had saved them.
"THE MARAUDERS STRIKE AGAIN!" A fifth year Hufflepuff cried.
"James?" Remus asked. James shook his head.
"None of us did it," Sirius whispered.
"Then who did?" James asked. Sirius didn't know the answer.
"It wasn't the Marauder there would have been a note," A 6th year Ravenclaw said. Remus eye widen. They were right. Remus would know. He always wrote the notes.
"Looks like the Marauders have competition," A voice behind them said. They turned around to see Amber.
"How do you know?" James asked.
"James wasn't smirking," Amber explained. Sirius worked around. They were the best pranksters in the school. No one could out prank them, or could they? Bonnie walked past them. It looked like she was about to stop but she didn't.
"That's impossible no one can out prank us," Peter said.
"Look like someone did," Amber said shrugging. She wished them all good night and left. They didn't speak until they got to their dorm.
"I hate fourth year," James said pouting.
"Us too," Sirius, Remus, and Peter said.
Next Chapter: Classes start. Padfoot tries to mend things with Bonnie, but it doesn't go as planned. New student becomes competition on the Quidditch field for Prongs. Wormtail wants to repair his friendship with Moony.