Ah I'm so very weak. After the kind responses I couldn't resist updating. I hate cliffhangers too so I can't do it to anyone else :D. I really need to toughen up a bit against the awesome power of compliments. Here is a quick update and I'll update again when I get home from the holiday! Enjoy and please leave reviews as a lovely returning home present.

Chapter 9


Remus lay his quill down on the low tables of the Gryffindor Common Room and reclined in his seat by the fire. He was first to finish his homework as usual and he took an odd enjoyment in watching his friends complete theirs as they glared mutinously at his relaxed posture and thoroughly amused expression.

"Come on, Moony. Be a mate and help me finish this essay for Slughorn." moaned Sirius.

Remus sighed and pulled the messily scrawled essay towards him. His quill scratched over the parchment as he attempted to copy Sirius's handwriting; a near impossible feat. When he handed it back, Sirius beamed in appreciation.

"You're a real mate."

Remus rolled his eyes and subtly nodded his head in agreement. Sirius laughed and stuffed his essay into his bag before turning back to the group, his eyes alight with mischief.

"Which is why" he said "I think we should treat you, Remus old pal."

James appeared to have caught on with Sirius's line of thought and nodded enthusiastically. Remus eyed the two warily and looked at Peter who shrugged.

"By doing what exactly?" asked Remus slowly.

"Err, why don't you run up and get your cloak and we'll tell you on our way?" said James, grinning wildly at Sirius.

Remus reluctantly left the common room to get his cloak, all the while thinking what Sirius and Remus could be planning. He found his cloak under a mountain of Sirius's things and tried to tidy them up in vain.

On his return in to the common room, Remus found his three best friends lurking by the portrait hole, James clasping a blank piece of parchment in his hand. Remus approached them slowly, his eyes roving over the three identical grins; clearly Peter had been let in on "The Plan" during his short absence.

Remus accompanied the three boys out of the common room and watched as James opened up their map. The parchment crackled as James tapped it and whispered "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." After studying the map, James nodded in satisfaction and gestured for the boys to follow him. They made their way down the grand staircase, thankfully meeting no teachers or prefects, of course, that was all due to the map. On their arrival in the third floor corridor Remus finally realised what they were up to and stopped, grabbing Sirius by his collar and hauling him back.

"No!" whispered Remus.

Sirius frowned and rubbed his neck where his cloak had been pulled against him.

"What do you mean "no"?" asked Sirius, but Remus could tell perfectly well Sirius knew what he was refusing to do.

"I mean no, I am not going to Honeydukes tonight to see Hermione!" Remus was now screaming in a whisper, his voice was hoarse and his arms were flailing in emphasis of his refusal.

James raised his wand threateningly and raised an eyebrow.

"Really, Moony?"

Remus snorted at James and stepped forward.

"You know I can duel much better than any of you. Just try me" said Remus.

Sirius sighed appearing to have given up, then suddenly leaped forward and grabbed Remus around the middle, pinning his arms to his side.

"Then it's lucky we are much better fighters, isn't it? Well...apart from Peter. No offence, mate."

Peter shrugged it off and followed his friends down the corridor. Sirius was still carrying Remus who was struggling violently.

"You're...just...making...this...difficult!" cried Sirius, desperately trying to keep his arms around Remus.

The four boys made their way, not so silently due to Remus, down the dark corridor. The soft shine of the moon resting no each of their faces as it came through each thin window.

Finally when they got to the One Eyed Witch statue, Remus gave up and went limp. Sirius sighed in relief and let Remus go, patting him on the shoulder as he did so.

"There we go, it'll be fine. One thing though, Moony. You might want to put a bit of muscle on; you're as light as a girl. If you and Hermione ever get married she'll have to carry you over the threshold."

Remus grunted and pushed Sirius head first through the tunnel of the statue and smiled in pleasure when he heard a loud thump followed by a muffled "OW!"

James and Peter roared with laughter and waited for Remus to enter the passage himself before following.

When they finally reached the end of the dark and narrow passage, Remus began to panic again. There was no getting out of it now. His mind was crying out that Hermione would think he was some kind of stalking lunatic who brought his friends on his expeditions of weirdness. He tried to turn around but found his path blocked by a scowling and resolute James. Remus's shoulders slumped in resignation and he turned around and followed Sirius through the trapdoor into the shop basement. The boys all crowded in a circle and waited for Peter to climb up.

"Now, be sure not to make a sound." said Sirius, creeping through the boxes and standing at the top of the staircase, at the entrance to the shop.

Just as Sirius spoke Peter clambered out of the hole and tumbled into a box. There was a clatter as sweets and boxes rolled everywhere.

"You idiot!" whispered Sirius as loudly as he dared.

The all stood in silence for a moment, their ears twitching for a sound. Remus was sure he heard a creak but though it must just have been the house cooling down.

Remus looked up not long after Sirius had insulted Peter and noticed the door opening a fraction. Then, as quickly as it opened it closed. Remus raised his eyebrows, an expression of bemusement on his young face. Then suddenly the door was thrown open, straight into Sirius's back, and he was thrown headlong down the stairs and he landed in a pile of boxes, limp and quiet.

Remus whipped his head round to face the door and saw the silhouette of a wand weilding Hermione Granger.


I hope you enjoyed it! Review please...pretty please? I'll try and bring the sun home with me guys.

Emma x