Title: Snow Fights
Based off: Chapter Fifty One of Marauders, Mischief and Mayhem
Rating: K
Word Count: 640
Beta: The brilliant chronicxxinsanity
Authors Note: This ficlet was requested by deadbattery88.
"You know, Sirius, I think this may be getting a little out of hand," Remus muttered under his breath as the pair surveyed their 'troops' in the dim light of the morning. "I don't think it's such a good idea to get first years involved. I mean, they can't really do much magic to defend themselves, can they?"
Day had yet to break and all that could be seen of their small army was some faint grey outlines. Remus knew there were a lot of them there, though, and that worried him. The scale of this was just so huge.
"Of course not, Moony. They're cannon-fodder."
"Come again?"
"They're like the pawns in chess. We can use them to distract the enemy. And as sacrifices if our better spell-casters get cornered."
"I don't know that we should, Sirius. They could get hurt. There's a ten-foot walking wall of snow out there!"
"Don't worry, James and Pete wouldn't let anyone get too badly hurt. And we've got Lily refereeing."
Remus had to admit that that was true. He felt a lot better knowing that Lily was going to be keeping an eye out for any stray first years. After the amount of people they'd sent to the hospital wing last year, Remus knew that something had to be done to prevent so many injuries.
Sirius turned to the crowd of Gryffindors (and some Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs) milling about in the snow in front of them. "Alright then everyone," Sirius announced loudly. "You've all been briefed on your tasks. You captains are McMillan, Burnes, and Agnos." He gestured to the three seventh-years standing off to one side. "You take your orders from them. Does anyone not know who their captains are?"
No one stirred.
"Good. Now I know some of you have friends on the other side, but know this: between now and sunset, they are not your friends. They are your enemies, and if we want to win, we must annihilate them!"
By the end of the sentence he was shouting, and his last word was met with the cheers of about a hundred and fifty students. Sirius tried to add "But don't seriously injure anyone!" at the end, but he was drowned out by the sounds of the crowd.
Remus pointed his wand at Sirius' throat and muttered "Sonorous". Sirius cleared his throat and the sound echoed around their 'campsite'.
"Right. McMillan's troops are in charge of building the fort. Burnes, you're leading your troops into enemy territory and launching a frontal assault on their stronghold. And Agnos," Sirius turned sombrely to a pretty girl who was wearing nothing but pants and a thin cotton t-shirt. Remus felt cold just looking at her. "We've heard rumours of an army of enchanted snowmen. We'll be creating our own to fight them, but in the meantime I need you to hunt them down and hold them off."
She nodded without smiling, as though it honestly was a matter of life or death, and raised her hand above her head. Silently, her squadron moved to surround her, where she addressed them in low voices.
"Troops!" Sirius called to everyone. "Move out! Seventh-spellcasters, to me! Let's get this avalanche moving!"
Remus sighed wearily as he watched Sirius leading a bunch of students towards a pre-prepared pile of snow. This was going to be a long day, and he couldn't waste time standing around. He had an army of snowmen to enchant.
Up on the seventh floor, the first ray of the sun spilt into the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey, who was tending to an unconscious third year, tutted as she heard the sound of a war horn. "Oh dear," she said, to her patient, "it seems to be that time again. I'd better make up extra beds. I think we're going to need them."