Something Big - Shawn Mendes
Play the lotto you might win it.
It's like 25 for life so you bust out of prison.
Something's in the air, something's in the air
It's like that feeling when you're just about to kill it,
Take your last shot you know you're gonna hit it.
Somethings in the air, somethings in the air
…
It's like that feeling when you're 'bout to win the medal,
And you worked so hard that you knew you wouldn't settle,
Hands are in the air, hands are in the air.
Monday, October 4, 1971
Harry sat in the hospital wing, waiting for Remus to wake up. At night he would be led to the Whomping Willow, where he would then go to the Shrieking Shack to prepare for the full moon. Right now, it was early morning and breakfast would take place in an hour and a half. Remus had told them he wasn't feeling well last night, and that he was going to go to see Madam Pomfrey. The others didn't question him because he looked dreadful.
Harry was seated beside Remus' hospital bed, looking out of the window at the nearly full moon. There were no others in the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey was nowhere in sight. He heard Remus toss beside him and he turned his head to find the young werewolf staring straight at him.
"What are you doing in here?" Harry could hear the panic in Remus' voice.
"I just thought I'd come in and see how you were feeling," Harry said. "You've been getting sick pretty often."
"I'm fine. It's nothing a couple of days of rest can't fix." Remus was glaring at Harry now, and Harry understood why.
"Listen, we're friends right?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Remus replied, taken aback by the question.
"Then why don't you trust me?" Harry asked. Remus looked straight at Harry with wide eyes showing nothing but fear. Harry felt bad for taking it so far, but he needed to find a way to show Remus that he could be trusted. Harry knew Remus needed to open up to them more. It wasn't that Harry wanted him to reveal that he was a werewolf, because Harry knew that wouldn't happen until third year. Harry just wanted Remus to know that he had friends.
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't know about you," Harry began. "But I find that embracing my problems is the best way to cope with them. You can't change the past, but you can change your attitude toward it." Harry stood up. "We're marauders, are we not? Doesn't that mean that we're more than just friends? Shouldn't you be able to rely on us?" He turned to the door and walked away. Remus didn't say anything as he left the hospital wing.
Saturday, October 9, 1971
"See, there's our dorm right there. And then the other dorms are all along this hall. The girls dormitories are over here, and then here is the stairs that lead down to the common room," Sirius was pointing to each place as he spoke and the other marauders were listening to him.
"I still don't understand how you know for sure the other dorms are the same," Peter said. He looked at the drawing of each dorm room, his eyes following each bed as they were all placed the same. They all looked just like their own dorm room.
"Mate, we're in a tower. We're all Gryffindors. There's not much room for diversity if you ask me. They'll have the same red and gold decorations, as well as the same furniture placement simply because of the layout of the rooms," Sirius said, continuing his miniature tour. "Okay so then, there's the common room, the entrance, and then go down this hallway right here to the left." Sirius paused as the others took in the information. Harry already knew how the map would look, and he was pleased to see that it was coming along magnificently.
"Down this hallway are the bathrooms, some empty classrooms, and not much else that's important," Harry picked up the tour. "However, if you turn down this corridor on the right, you come across the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, which is right across from the room of requirement."
The marauder's map didn't show the room of requirement, or the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. James, Peter, Sirius, and Remus all looked up at Harry with questioning stares.
"I haven't drawn the tapestry yet, but see, I can't draw the room of requirement, because it's not always there. Haven't you guys seen it yet? I found it a few days ago." Remus nodded at Harry's words.
"I haven't seen it for myself, but I've read about it in Hogwarts, a History. It's also known as the come-and-go room," he said.
"Okay, so anyways, through this way, and over here, is where the astronomy tower is," James said. They spent the next twenty minutes going over what they already had down, and then drawing places they had recently discovered. The marauder's map was almost halfway finished being drawn.
Harry smiled down at the map, which he knew would come in handy in the future.
Saturday, October 16, 1971
"It's not as hard as you're making it, Harry. You're doing well, you just have to let it come to you," Albus Dumbledore was instructing Harry with occlumency, a skill that would have been good for him during the second wizarding war.
"I'm trying, really I am. But as soon as you get to the bigger memories it's like I've lost control," Harry replied, his tone seeping with aggravation that he hasn't improved one bit within the past few weeks.
"That's the problem, Harry. You're trying too hard, and then once it comes time for you to guard the most important memories and thoughts, you lose your energy," the professor said, handing Harry a piece of candy and allowing him a short break.
"Let's try it again," Harry said. The look on his face showed his determination, and the professor smiled.
"Legilimens," Dumbledore said. Harry felt the force of the professor's magic hit him. He built up his defense, repeating the process every time the professor seemed to be able to get through. Suddenly, there was a push, and Harry knew the professor had gotten through.
Before Harry could figure out what the professor was seeing, Albus Dumbledore pulled himself out of Harry's mind.
"Professor?"
"I'm treading dangerous water with you, Harry." By the look on the professor's face Harry could tell that Albus Dumbledore saw something that he shouldn't have seen.
"Sir, what was it that you-"
"Ah, Harry, nothing to worry yourself over. I didn't see much before you blocked it from me," the professor said.
"I blocked it?" Harry was taken aback, as he hadn't realised that he had used occlumency.
"Yes. It's amazing what we can do without trying. I do believe you've got occlumency down pat now." The professor picked up a lemon drop and popped it into his mouth.
"How can I possibly have occlumency down? I'm still struggling with it," Harry said doubtfully.
"Ah but I believe something moved in you. Like how a clogged toilet gets unclogged," the professor said. "You push it until you break through."
Harry cringed at the image that his mind produced from the professor's words, and he stood. He turned to Dumbledore before making his way to the door.
"Thank you, Professor. I'd like to learn legilimency next." Harry moved to the door as the professor said for him to await his next owl. He left the room and made his way down the stairs.
Thursday, October 21, 1971
Professor Flitwick, much younger-looking and still very short, stood on top of his stack of books and surveyed the classroom of raised hands. His eyes fell on Harry and he smiled. Harry showed much promise so far, as he was able to perform the charms flawlessly, and he could answer every question correctly on the occasions that he wasn't goofing around with his brother and Sirius.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, what is the difference between Lumos and Lumos solem?" The professor asked.
"The difference is that Lumos lights the tip of the wand, and Lumos solem creates a narrow but bright beam of light," Harry answered carelessly. James smirked when Gryffindor was awarded points and the Slytherins groaned.
"Alright, now, I know we haven't gone over practicals on these charms, but would you be willing to attempt it for the class?" Professor Flitwick asked, his voice squealing.
"Of course, Professor," Harry lifted his wand and made a show of clearing his throat. He saw Lily Evans, who, along with the other Gryffindors and a few curious Slytherins, had turned around to watch. She rolled her eyes and glared at him, obviously upset that she didn't get called on.
"Lumos," Harry said, waving his wand around to make sure everybody saw that it had successfully been lit. He then pulled his wand back down and cleared his throat again. "Lumos solem." He pointed the beam of light upward and some of the Gryffindors cheered. He took the time to look over at Lily and wink, knowing it would make her mad. The glare she sent his way would've have destroyed him if only looks could kill. She turned around in her seat and he put out the light.
"Excellent! Amazing work Mr. Potter! Ten points to Gryffindor." Professor Flitwick then instructed the class to practice the two charms individually.
"Nice going, Mate. You're the top of the class, and you've made Evans jealous," Sirius whispered over to him. Harry smiled and glanced over at James, who was frowning in Lily's direction.
"What's wrong, Jamie?" Sirius asked.
"Since when do you get to call him Jamie? I'm his brother, I gave him that name, only I can call him that!" Harry said.
"But I'm his best friend!" Sirius whined.
"I'm his twin! I beat you!" Harry argued.
"Will you both shut up?" James growled.
"Seriously, James, what's gotten into you?" Sirius asked, elbowing him in the side.
"Nothing," James said.
"It's not nothing, Mate." Remus finally joined the conversation. Although, to make it seem as though he was still on task, he switched between the Lumos charm and the Lumos solem charm every few seconds.
"We can talk about it more later. I want to accomplish something." James ignored their complaints and continued to practice the two given charms.
After about ten minutes of practicing, Professor Flitwick called their attention once again. He stood up on the mountain of books at his desk and faced the classroom of students.
"I see you've all gotten the hang of those two charms pretty quickly, as I knew you would. For the remainder of the class, I'm going to go over the next charm with you. Who can tell me what spell makes fire?" The small professor asked, surveying the room as hands shot into the air. "Yes, Miss Evans."
"Incendio is the spell that makes fire, Sir." The redhead spoke proudly and then turned back to look at Harry. Harry took this moment to roll his eyes mockingly at her, making her mad.
"Ah yes, good job, Miss Evans!" The professor looked around and his eyes landed on James. "Mr. James Potter, would you like to try the spell?"
"Uh, yes, Sir. What am I setting on fire?" James asked.
"Ah, good question. How about this," The professor summoned a large candle with a fat wick and used the levitation spell to send it to James' table.
James lifted his wand and cleared his throat, concentrating on the candle. "Incendio!" He said, pointing the wand directly at the end of the wick. A large flame shot from the wand, and it hit the wick directly, burning it fiercely until it finally got under control.
"Great work, Mr. Potter!" The professor squeaked.
"Thank you, Professor." Harry and James both spoke and then laughed, along with the other Gryffindors. Sirius nudged James and whispered to him.
"Looks like Evans isn't the only one that can't stand you now, Mate." Sirius motioned toward the Slytherins where one Slytherin in particular was glaring at the twins. Severus Snape huffed and turned away.
Thursday, October 21, 1971 (In the Evening)
Harry, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter all sat in the Gryffindor common room, on the floor gathered around the marauders map by the fireplace. They were adding more to it when they heard someone clear their throat behind them. Harry and James both turned around at the same time, Sirius, Remus, and Peter following suit.
Lily Evans stood over them with her eyes narrowed at the parchment on the floor. They all stood up to face her, and Sirius caught her stare. He snatched up the map, shoving it into his pocket.
"I'd like to know how you two are already so great at the spells that nobody is supposed to have learned," she said to the twins.
"Really? You're mad at us for doing well in our lessons? The spells are so easy, it's not like you even have to try," Harry complained. James elbowed Harry in the ribs and spoke up.
"You're a brilliant witch, why are you mad at us for being good? You're probably better at it than we are." He watched as she crossed her arms.
"I am not mad, I'm just-"
"Jealous," Sirius interrupted.
"I was going to say curious. Besides, you should stay out of it. Last time I checked, you weren't the one that demonstrated incendio," Lily argued.
"Oh but I can, if you'd like." Sirius winked at her and pulled out his wand.
"I would not like." Lily said. Sirius ignored her response and aimed his wand at the fireplace, where the fire was dim.
"Incendio!" He said, watching the fire shoot out of his wand. The fire in the fireplace shot up and it grew warmer by the young Gryffindors.
"Good job! Brilliant! I don't really care, honestly!" Lily growled and stormed off.
"OBVIOUSLY YOU DO SINCE YOU WERE THE ONE TO BRING IT UP!" Sirius yelled after her.
Harry, Sirius, and Peter shared a laugh at this, but Remus looked at James who was staring off at the staircase where Lily had stormed to.
"Are you alright, Mate?" Remus asked. James nodded.
"I'm fine," he huffed.
"Oooh Jamie's in love!" Harry mocked.
"I am not!" James argued.
"Mate, it's obvious. You've fallen hard for a certain redheaded fury," Sirius joined in.
"I have not fallen in love with anyone! You're all mad," James growled.
"We may be mad, but you're madly in love," Harry said, jumping out of the way of James' fist, and turning to run as he chased him up the staircase leading to the boys' dormitories.
Thursday, October 28, 1971
Harry, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter all sat huddled in a quiet corner of the Gryffindor common room. There was a lot of talk of the upcoming Quidditch game among some of the Gryffindors, and others talked about the upcoming Halloween feast. The marauders, however, were planning the upcoming Halloween prank. In hushed voices they all argued about the best method.
"No, that's dumb, everything already floats, remember?" Sirius reprimanded Peter's idea of making the decorations float.
"I have an idea," Harry said. They all turned to him, waiting. "We can use the softening charm to make the floors and the benches rubbery, and then the entire great hall will be made into a bounce house."
"What's a bounce house?" James asked.
"A bounce house is a temporary inflatable structure that is rented for parties and festivals, used by muggles for recreational purposes," Remus answered.
"That's brilliant! There's only one problem." Sirius picked up his wand from the small table that they were seated around. "We haven't learned the softening charm yet. We're still going over the incendio charm because someone can't get it right." He glared over at Peter, who shrunk in his chair and muttered apologies.
"That's okay. It's in our textbooks. We can learn it on our own." Harry reached down to pick up his school bag from the floor. He went through it and found his charms textbook, dropping it on the table with a small slam.
"Great! Do you think we can get it mastered in two days, though?" James asked.
"It's a simple spell. If we managed to master incendio, then the softening charm won't be so hard to master," Remus replied.
"Um, guys, what about me?" Peter asked. "I haven't mastered incendio yet."
"We'll find something for you to do. We'll need a lookout, of course," Harry assured him, opening the textbook to the page with the softening charm.
"It doesn't look too hard, really. The movement is just an S shape, and the incantation is Spongify," Harry stated. "Let's try it on the book."
Sirius and James eagerly lifted their wands up, and Harry closed the hardcover book. Peter simply watched as they each tried it out.
"Spongify," Sirius muttered, pointing his wand at the book. A pink light was emitted from the wand, and Harry moved to touch the cover. It was still hard.
"Nope. But you're on the right track, the book said the light was supposed to be pink." Harry nodded his head in James' direction for him to try.
"Spongify," He said, pointing the wand at the book and watching it emit the same pink light. Harry touched the book cover and pressed on it. It concaved under his touch and Sirius whooped a bit too loudly. Harry looked up at the other Gryffindors in the room, who were all looking at their group now.
"Oops," Sirius said. A group of first year Gryffindor girls were staring at them, among which was Lily Evans. She stood up and Harry took that as their cue to leave. He swiped the spongy book back into his bag and stood, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter all following suit. They walked right past her and hurried up to the boys' dormitories.
"That was close," Sirius said, shutting the door to their shared dorm and locking it.
"Shall we continue?" Remus said. Harry pulled out another textbook and Remus pointed his wand at it. "Spongify." His wand emitted the pink light, and it hit the book. James reached for the book and felt it.
"You did it, Mate!" He said, punching the book to demonstrate its bounciness. Harry picked up the book and smiled. He took out the next book, his transfiguration textbook, and tried the spell himself.
"Spongify," He said, pointing his wand at the book. A pink light shot out and hit the book square in the center and James went for it.
"It's bouncy," he said. "Sirius, try again."
"On what?" Sirius asked.
"Let's try the floor. That is, after all, what we're going to be doing it on in the great hall," Peter said.
"Ahh, for once! Peter has a great idea!" James said jokingly.
"Hey! I have plenty of good ideas!" Peter complained.
"It's okay Mate, I was joking." James clapped him on the back and watched as Sirius aimed his wand at the floor.
"Spongify," he said. The pink light shot out at the floor and they all watched as it concaved. They cheered as they sunk into it and started jumping up and down. It really was like a bounce house.
"This is going to be a fun prank!" James said. "Nice going Harry!" They bounced around for awhile as they discussed their plans for the upcoming prank.
Sunday, October 31, 1971 (7 am)
"So, Peter will be sitting on the steps leading down to the great hall, he'll have his charms textbook with him so it'll look like he's studying," Sirius said.
"And if he sees anyone, he'll use the lumos solem charm to shoot a bright beam of light into the great hall and warn us," James continued.
"Meanwhile, we'll be in the great hall, Sirius will be standing close to the entrance in case Peter can't see someone, but he'll be by the Slytherin table, so he can put the softening charm on it," Harry said.
"I'll be placing the charm on the Ravenclaw table, James will take the Hufflepuff table, and Harry will put the charm on the Gryffindor table," Remus said carefully.
"And then, as you're leaving the great hall, Harry will turn, charm the floor, and then we'll run down the left corridor to get to the common room that way," Peter said.
"Brilliant," Sirius whispered. They pulled away from their small huddle and turned to the dorm room door. They were all silent, and Harry and James exchanged glances.
"LAST ONE OUT HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IF WE GET CAUGHT!" James yelled, but Harry had already started leaping to the door on the other side of the room. James leapt on the bouncy floor after him. "No fair!"
Sirius and Remus followed them, and Peter joined in. Harry and James both got out first, and Sirius came second. Remus and Peter were side by side until Peter miscalculated his jump and hit the wall.
"Why do I always have to be the one to take the blame?" Peter whined, rubbing his head and his shoulder where he hit.
"You're just not fast enough, Mate. That's okay, you'll get it one day," Remus said.
They all headed downstairs to the common room and toward the exit. They were beginning to run late for breakfast.
Sunday, October 31, 1971 (5 pm)
Peter was situated comfortably on the steps outside of the great hall. He had his charms textbook open on his lap, and his wand in his right hand. His was practicing the softening charm on a stick he had brought in from the grounds earlier, but so far he had no luck. Sirius was standing a few feet away from the Slytherin table, by the entrance to the great hall.
Remus was further down, by the Ravenclaw table, while James stood by the Hufflepuff table and Harry stood at the other end by the Gryffindor table. At the same time, they all muttered the spell and walked slowly toward the tables to test them. Satisfied, they began running toward the entrance.
Peter stood up and closed his book, dropping the stick and putting his wand in his pocket. They all ran, Harry pausing to turn back and charm the floor.
"Spongify!" The floor concaved slightly under the weight of the tables and Harry turned back to run. Before he could, however, he saw somebody in the distance.
I can't run now, they'll see me, he thought. Panicking, he ran back into the great hall and slid into a corner picking his wand up and touching it to the top of his head. Wordlessly, he disillusioned himself and stood back up. He knew his knowledge would come in handy.
He silently and slowly made his way out of the great hall, easing himself along the wall and watching out for whoever was at the top of the stairs. He couldn't make out the person, because their back was to him. But whoever it was, they were talking to someone or something.
Harry stood stock still as the figure moved aside to reveal another person. A redheaded person. Lily Evans pushed past Severus Snape angrily and took the stairs two at a time.
"Lily, I didn't mean it like that!"
"I don't care how you meant it Severus!" Lily said, walking right past Harry and down the corridor that James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus had taken just about ten minutes ago. Harry saw the hurt look on the pale Slytherin's face as she disappeared.
At the end of the hallway, Harry could see a taller person walking his way. When it got close enough, Harry knew he would need to leave quickly. Albus Dumbledore was about thirty paces away when Harry started to move. He inched along the wall slowly and carefully, hoping he wouldn't get caught. Holding his breath, he turned the corner and backed away. The professor turned in his general direction, smiled and winked, and then continued walking.
Harry took in a breath, not understanding how the professor could possibly have known he was there. He had been told before that he was outstanding with disillusionment charms. That he was nearly completely invisible. He turned away from where the professor previously stood and ran down the corridor.
Before reaching the common room, Harry took away the disillusionment charm and stuck his wand into his robes. He walked on to face the portrait of the fat lady, although he was still lost in thought, wondering how on earth the old professor knew he was there.
The fat lady cleared her throat. "Are you going to just stand there or are you going to tell me the password?" She said.
"Oh, sorry. Cor fortium," Harry said absentmindedly. The portrait swung open and Harry stepped inside. As soon as he walked in, Harry was surrounded by the other marauders.
"What took you so long?" James asked.
"We thought you might have gotten into trouble," Peter said.
"Dumbledore was coming down the corridor. I had to hide until it was clear." Harry looked curiously around the common room for Lily. She had seemed extremely upset by whatever it was that Snape had said. The young redhead was nowhere to be found.
"Well, we have about forty-five minutes until people will start heading to dinner. What'll we do until then?" Peter asked.
October 31, 1971 (At the Halloween Feast)
The marauders were of the first Gryffindors to arrive. Already there were a few Hufflepuffs bouncing around in the great hall, along with a couple of first year Ravenclaws and second year Slytherins. The five marauders joined in their share of the fun as others were entering.
Eventually, the great hall was filled with jumping students cheering and laughing, and no professors had yet arrived on scene. Harry looked around the great hall at everyone and found that not everyone was having fun. Lily Evans was sitting down on a bench at the Gryffindor table, frowning at all of the jumpers and trying to keep herself up on the unstable seat. Harry looked around until he saw that Severus Snape was doing almost the same. Harry stopped jumping, and James threw him a questioning glance.
Harry motioned for James to follow him as he approached the girl that Sirius had dubbed the red headed fury. They both sat on either side of her facing the opposite direction and leaning their elbows on the table. Their weight had caused the table to sink even lower, and Lily went wide-eyed, fearing collapse.
"Come on Evans, why aren't you jumping? It's pretty fun," James said. Lily rolled her eyes and glared at James.
"Go on then, Potter. Don't let me ruin it for you," She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Ah, but Evans, we can't let you miss out on all the fun," Harry replied.
"I'm fine sitting right here, but thank you for your concern," She retorted dryly.
"All this hard work gone to waste, what a shame," James complained.
"You did this?" Lily asked in anger.
James crouched forward and jumped into the air and backward, squatting on top of the table in front of her. "Never said that, now did we?" He smirked and then leapt off of the table, causing it to bend and move and making Lily work even harder to hold herself up.
"Sorry you had to miss it," Harry said, leaping up after his brother and joining back in on all the fun. It came to an abrupt end, however, when Professor McGonagall approached the threshold. The look of aggravation was clear on her face.
"Stop it, all of you!" She shouted, using the amplifying spell to make her voice loud among the yelling students.
Suddenly nobody was bouncing anymore and nobody was smiling. The professor pointed her wand at the floor.
"Solidis," She said, repeating the process for each of the tables. The ground was no longer soft, and the tables no longer sank under the weight of the few students who had refused to join in on the fun.
She made her way to the Professors' table, followed by Albus Dumbledore, who had entered the room not too long after she did. He looked in Harry and James' direction and smirked at them.
Harry and James high fived and then Sirius exchanged high fives with the two of them as well. Remus looked on at the other marauders, watching as they laughed and high fived each other.
Everybody sat down at their tables and Harry sat beside Remus. After their first few weeks of being at Hogwarts, Harry and James and gotten into the habit of pouring each others' drinks and today was no different. James poured a glass of pumpkin juice and put it in front of Harry, and Harry did the same for James.
"You two are really close," Remus observed.
"Yeah, I guess we are," Harry replied, watching James and Sirius as they made jokes and ate their food.
"But you're different." Remus looked between James and Harry and suddenly James was listening too.
"All siblings are," Sirius chimed in. "What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, I'm just observing," Remus said in defense. Harry gave Remus a meaningful look and then they all went back to joking around.
