Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter books or movies. That's all J.K Rowling's and Warner Brothers'

Once in a while

Chapter Four- Snowball fights cause Colds

"I don't get it – you're sure you didn't make a sex joke?"

"Nope."

"You didn't even make a comment that might have sounded like a sex joke?"

"I don't think so… Remus?"

"Yes?"

"Did I make a comment that sounded like a sex joke?"

"No."

James turned back to Sirius, his arms spread wide, "See? I was a perfect example of... gentlemanly-ness… and she still said no!"

Sirius shrugged, "Well, I don't know. Women are a mystery to me."

Peter took that opportunity to pipe up curiously, "Then how do you make out with so many?"

"I don't know, Wormtail," Sirius looped an arm round his shoulders with a regretful sigh, "I'm just talented."

"And arrogant."

The other three laughed and made their way towards the castle. They were on their way back from Hogsmeade, the final visit before everyone left for the holidays tomorrow, and all of them were carrying bags of late christmas presents. All from Zonko's, naturally. To the irritation of the teachers, all four boys had decided to stay at school over the holidays. Mainly because James' parents were away on their second honeymoon -a trip that James found thoroughly disgusting. And insulting, as he hadn't been invited.

"Prongs! Lets go join in those second years!" Sirius' voice was excited as he pointed enthusiastically to a group of students throwing round the last few pieces of snow that hadn't melted during this uncommonly warm day in December.

"Now why would we do that?"

"Because it's been a long time since we've involved ourselves in such… fun-filled… exploits?"

James looked confused, and then, ever so slowly, nodded and wandered lazily towards the group with Sirius jumping in his wake. Remus looked after them, eyebrows raised. Sirius had decided it was too warm to wear a jumper today, though the other three were still wearing cloaks. He couldn't help but think that a snowball fight in a shirt could not end well. For anyone.

Peter turned to him, "Moony. I could be wrong, but should we be slightly wary of their fun-loving exploits?."

"Slightly?"

The first day of the Christmas holidays, a mere three days after the prefect meeting, and one after the famous snowball fight (where the second years were thrashed) was met with a mournful James and a more than slightly irritated Padfoot -not that anyone could blame him. It wasn't just that his best friend was being as boring as a history of magic lesson, or that his hair just wouldn't lie normally. No, he was also suffering from a terrible cold, meaning he looked, and sounded, and felt, like something found in a toilet.

"Moony!" He moaned, curled up on the sofa, "I feel like crap!"

"Well, maybe you shouldn't have joined in a snowball fight in just a shirt."

"Well, maybe you should shut up."

Remus sighed and moved his pawn to capture Peters castle. There was no point arguing with Sirius when he was ill. It always put him, and the people around him, in a terrible mood.

"Where are the tissues?" groaned Sirius from his seat as he started throwing cushions around. One landed squarely on Wormtail's head with a dull thud and he gave a loud squeak while Remus grabbed the offending cushion and unzipped the cover, producing a box of tissues, which he threw at Sirius' head. "Here."

"Thanks," Sirius blew his nose loudly, "Hey, anyone fancy some chocolate éclairs?"

Remus looked up, "Yeah, alright," he muttered, slightly perturbed by this sudden change of subject.

"Great. Can you grab me some while you're down there?" Sirius flashed him a slightly snotty, but nevertheless handsome grin before sneezing four times in a row.

Peter grinned, "Bless you. Does anyone know where James is?"

Remus shook his head. Sirius, after scrubbing his nose until it was red suggested innocently, "Maybe he's in the kitchens."

"No' one's going to the kitchen!"

"Well, maybe he went for a fly."

The temperature had dropped suddenly this morning and Remus glanced out of the window at the heavily falling snow before turning back to Sirius.

"Come on! We all know James isn't the brightest galleon in the vault."

"But to go flying in the snow? Come on… no' ones that stupid…"

Sirius sniffed in a proud way and grabbed another tissue, which he blew into noisily, causing Peter to wince, "Just go to Madame Pomfrey."

"Do you remember the last time I went? She practically dissolved my face! God knows what'd happen if I went to her for a cold." As if to prove his point Sirius grabbed the blanket and pretended to throttle himself with it. Remus thought about commenting, but decided against it.

Just then, a soaking wet and dishevelled James burst in and Sirius grinned smugly as they spied the broomstick clutched in his hand. He made his way towards the trio and threw himself down next to Sirius, the broomstick propped up carefully next to him and a mournful look on his face.

"What's up with you?"

"I miss Evans."

The three looked at him incredulously. Lily had been gone for about half a day, and she never spoke to Prongs anyway. How in Merlin's name could he miss her?

Sirius, who had spent this short exchange groaning and ferreting around in the blanket, looked miserably at his friends, "I can't find my used tissue pile, I wanted to throw it at Prongs."

"I'm right here!"

"I know. Have you seen it?"

"No!"

Sirius looked disappointed and settled back to cough. Suddenly, James' eyes widened and he stood up slowly to reveal a small pile of particularly dodgy looking tissues. "Crap!"

Sirius laughed loudly, and sung, "They're stuck to your arse," merrily before giving way to a hacking cough.

James yelled and frantically tried to remove the tissues without actually touching them. Needless to say, he looked like a crazed monkey. To top off the scene, Sirius' laughter had sent him off into an enormous coughing fit, causing him to double over and go bright red in the face.

A few people turned to look and laugh while this played out, including Remus and Peter. Eventually James got the offending tissue off his behind and was able to magic them into the fire, where they smouldered gently, too wet to burn. As Peter said, it was disgusting.

James settled on the floor after a suspicious look at the couch. He stared thoughtfully into the flames, which reminded him of a certain girls hair.

"Should I have sent her a card?"

Remus didn't have to ask who 'her' was, "No!"

"Not even one of those really cool dancing ones?"

"They are pretty cool." Chimed in Sirius.

"No!"

There was a moment's silence before, "What about a present?"

"No!"

James crossed his arms in a sulk and threw himself into the couch, looking round at his friends. Wormtail and Moony, who actually wasn't looking too great, were starting a new chess game where the pieces kept yelling obscenities at each other. Sirius was hunched up in his corner of the sofa, blanket, tissues, sweets and an old sock taking up most of the space while he sniffed and sneezed miserably. Miserably and annoyingly.

"Padfoot, go to Poppy right now or I will personally charm your nostrils shut."

Sirius groaned but consented, smacking James upside the head as he trailed, still in his pyjamas and barefoot, towards the portrait hole. The others briefly considered telling him to get dressed, but decided this way would be more entertaining.

After the few moments of amusement regarding Sirius' orange nightwear, James collapsed back against the couch. How in gods name was he supposed to get through a holiday where he had no Evans and no pranks?

It was going to be a tough two weeks.

A/N: Sorry (again)! I've been so busy and just haven't been inspired enough to write! And then I couldn't load it up...You know how it is… ugh. But I'm back now, and finally know exactly where I'm going with this! Yay!

Anyway, thanks for all the reviews so far, and for any I receive after posting this. (Saying that, you need to review to get the thanks – so go for it! The buttons right there!)