A.N. – Hello, everyone! I'm sorry I took a little longer with this chapter, I've had a lot on my plate lately… fortunately, Christmas break is finally here, so I should be able to write more (yay!). Also, THE CAST LIST IS NOW UP ON MY PROFILE, as promised ;)
Anyways, this chapter has more of a group-y feeling; I hope you enjoy it :)
"So, let me get this straight: Lily told you that you were a genius, and the best player in the school, all before you went to bed last night… but this morning she didn't remember any of it?"
"Yes." Came the immediate reply, accompanied by a vehement nod. Remus raised a brow at him pointedly, stopping his fork on its way to the boy's mouth. James narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Don't say it. Don't, Moony-"
"Are you sure you didn't just dream the whole thing? I mean- oi, Prongs, what the…" Remus rubbed at this arm, glaring at the dark-haired boy sitting next to him. James glared right back. "I warned you."
The werewolf huffed as he picked up his glass of pumpkin juice. James went on with his rambling. "She said Rudkin, that bloody Slytherin, was better than me. As if."
Remus' eyes widened almost comically and he spit out the tiny sip he'd taken, spluttering loudly "what?"
James nodded enthusiastically, patting his back. "I know, I know. Totally ridiculous. We don't even play the same position, and we all know Lily doesn't pay attention to Quidditch at all, so I don't know who she's trying to fool." His features twisted into a nasty frown. "She even had the nerve to imply he was hotter than me." Remus let out another choking sound, and James grinned, taking it as outrage on his behalf, and as encouragement to carry on. "Right? I mean sure, he's not a troll or anything, but have you seen the bloke? He's got nothing on this." He gestured pointedly towards himself, and Remus coughed and ducked his head to hide his blush.
Luckily, the two remaining marauders chose that very moment to arrive at the Gryffindor table, and James immediately turned to them.
"Pads! Who's hotter? Me or Rudkin?"
Sirius tilted his head in consideration as Peter sat down in front of Remus, frowning confusedly. He pursed his lips slightly and tapped at his chin faux-thoughtfully before stating. "Rudkin. Sorry, mate."
James spluttered slightly before glaring at his best mate. "Traitor."
The other boy laughed then shrugged noncommittally. "Hey, you asked, Prongs." He sat down next to Peter, patting his shoulder and grinning. "Take Wormtail up on it next time – he'll fall over trying to assure you of your superior hotness."
Peter scoffed. "I don't know what you think you're implying, but whatever. Even I've heard enough girls fawn over Hunter and his beautiful, dreamy eyes to know he is one upping you." He poured himself a glass of orange juice, nodding towards Sirius. "He might even surpass you, Padfoot."
The boy gasped dramatically and held a hand to his chest. "Blasphemy!" It was James' turn to laugh at his best friend, who looked outraged by the statement.
Peter chuckled before shrugging his shoulders casually. "I don't know, mate. Birds really dig the whole dark, mysterious and unapproachable thing. I don't think he's ever dated anyone – not openly anyway."
Remus took his Transfiguration book out of his bag, opening it and asking loudly "Did anyone read the pages Minnie asked us to?"
Sirius shushed him with his hand. "Hold on now, Moony, I have to settle this here. I hold the absolute record of most witches shagged over my years here. I am the official Hogwarts heartthrob. I don't care how hot Hunter thinks he is, but he clearly does not know how to use it like I do. Case closed." James cleared his throat pointedly, and he added. "Or Prongs. In his own 'I've been madly in love with Lily Evans since fourth year and can't be fooling around so much anymore' way."
James pouted slightly as Peter laughed, before turning to the boy sitting next to him and swinging an arm over his shoulders, stating proudly "Well, at least Remus is a good friend. You think I'm hotter, right Moony?"
"Not answering that." Was the werewolf's quick reply, as he hid his face behind his book. James threw his arms up in the air in a dramatic fashion. "I have no friends!"
Frank Longbottom paused behind James, raising a brow pointedly at the other boys over his head. "Is it safe to sit?"
Peter nodded amusedly. "James is just having a fit because Lily thinks Hunter Rudkin is hotter than him."
James growled slightly and Frank laughed, sitting down beside him and patting his shoulder sympathetically. "Sorry about that, mate. If it helps you feel any better, our first game is with them, and you can score a bunch of goals in his hoops."
James tilted his head, his Quidditch obsession immediately making him perk up. "The game calendar is up?"
Frank nodded as he reached for the platter of sausages in front of him. "Yeah, just heard it from Alice. It's by the hourglasses."
Sirius smirked at him over the table, raising a brow. "Was that before or after your morning snog over at the Ravenclaw table, Frankie boy?" The other boy flushed slightly but held his ground, shrugging good naturedly at the teasing. "During."
James smiled and punched his shoulder slightly. "Well you better not let your girlfriend score any points on your watch, Longbottom, or I will be sorely disappointed."
Frank rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Please, don't even start with the threats. I am much more scared of her than I am of you, Potter. If she thinks I'm going easy on her she'll castrate me." He grinned secretively and wiggled his eyebrows. "Besides, we have a little bet going on, and I do not intend to lose."
Sirius, who would've pounced at the chance to make an even remotely sexual funny remark, only nodded slightly as he watched Lily and Marlene approach their table. "Ay, mate. Witches are scary as hell."
All five boys turned their heads to watch them, but the pair chose to seat farther down the table, joining Mary McDonald with matching smiles. The redhead called out a good morning, making a point of mentioning only Remus, Frank and Peter; Marlene ignored them altogether.
Frank chuckled and patted James' head playfully. "And you boys don't seem to be in good terms with the lot of them, so good luck."
A.N. – Well, what did you think? Please leave your opinion of this chapter in a review, and follow/favorite this story if you liked it please :)
