Chapter 10: Flying

Remus's POV

"Remus! Peter! James! Wake up! You'll never guess what!" Sirius yelled.

I woke up with a start, nearly falling out of bed. Sitting up, I watched as James sat up too, his black hair even more messed up than normal and sticking up at all sides. Peter stayed asleep.

"What's up Sirius? We were happily sleeping," James looked around. "Peter still is!"

"There's a notice on the board! Flying lessons start today!" Sirius exclaimed.

James seemed to wake up properly at this.

"Really? What time? Are we late? Peter wake up!" James scrambled out of bed and shook Peter awake.

"Relax, they don't start until this afternoon," Sirius said.

"Then why did you wake us now? It's Saturday!" Peter groaned.

"Come on Pete, this is flying!" James said.

"I don't like heights," Peter mumbled, climbing sleepily out of bed.

"What about you then Remus?" Sirius asked.

"I've never flown before, and I don't want to," I yawned.

Ignoring a head rush, I got up and went into the bathroom for a shower, taking my clothes with me. After we were all ready, we headed down to the Great Hall for a late breakfast.

"Who are we flying with?" I asked.

"Slytherin," Sirius moaned.

"Why do we always have the dangerous subjects with them?" I asked curiously.

"What do you mean?" Peter asked.

"Well, we have Potions and now flying lessons with the Slytherins, but safe lessons like Herbology and History of Magic with the Hufflepuffs," I pointed out.

"True, though we have Transfiguration and Charms with Ravenclaw," Sirius said.

"Yep, but the dangerous subjects are with the house that hates us," I said.

"Oh well, it gives us the best time to prank them," James grinned.

"I'd rather fly with another house, I'm going to make a fool of myself," Peter groaned.

I silently agreed with him; I'd never flown before, but I'd also never wanted to. Peter was quite clumsy so I was betting he'd be better on the ground, especially if he had a problem with heights.

Once we'd eaten, it was already time to go to the flying lessons.

"I thought you said we hadn't slept in," I muttered.

"We're not late for the lessons, so you haven't slept in," Sirius laughed.

We made our way outside where the two classes were waiting. Steven walked over to us with Lily at his side and Alice following.

"You'll be happy to know I've found somewhere else to stay," Steven said pompously.

"Shame, we thought you'd like sleeping in the Great Hall," Sirius laughed.

"That was a mean and unfair joke!" Lily said.

"What's it to you Evans," James asked coldly.

"I'll have you know Steven is my friend!" Lily exclaimed.

Before James could retort Madame Sneal, the flying professor came out and called the class to attention.

"Stand by your brooms, put your hand over it, and say up!" She commanded.

We followed her instructions quickly.

"Up!" James's broom went straight into his hand.

"Up!" Like James, Sirius got his broom after one try.

"Up!" Peter's broom stayed where it was, not even twitching.

"Up!" My broom went into my hand after the second try.

I glanced around to see how everyone else was doing.

Peter was still trying to get his broom, though his voice had now taken on a deperate sound. Steven's broom went straight into the air, but hit him in the face before he could catch it. Lily's broom also went straight into her hand on the third try. And over at the Slytherin side, Snape's broom did an odd sort of flip on the floor, but otherwise stayed still.

"Right, now everyone has a broom, I'd like you to mount it and after three kick off the ground, hover for a few seconds, then land again," Madame Sneal continued once everyone had got their brooms.

After the lesson, Madame Sneal held everyone back for an announcement.

"These lessons are not mandatory, if you don't want to learn how to fly, you don't have to come. For those that do wish to learn, they're every Saturday afternoon. However, if you already know how to fly," she looked at Sirius and James. "Don't turn up."

"I'm not going," I said at the same time as Peter.

"I would, but since I know how to fly already, I can't," James said, Sirius nodded in agreement.

"I'm going to go to the library, I need to finish my Defence Against the Dark Arts essay," I sighed.

"Ok, we'll see you back in the common room later then," James nodded.

James and Sirius both hated the Library, and Peter tended to follow them. So I set off to the library alone.

I sat down at an empty table in the back and got my books out, working quickly and quietly. At the table in front of me were Lily and Snape, but I ignored them and they returned the favour.

Finishing my essay, I got out my DADA book out and began to read through it. I knew the Marauders would be waiting for me, but I just needed some time to myself to relax a little before I went back.

The full moon was that night and already my bones were aching. I just wanted to sleep.

I glanced at my watch and realized with a start I had to go, Madame Pomfrey was expecting me. I didn't have time to go back and tell the Marauders I was leaving.

"Lily, can you do me a big favour please?" I asked quietly, walking up to her.

Both she and Snape looked up, Lily smiled, but Snape didn't do anything he just looked back down and continued working. I'd never done anything to Snape even though I was blamed along with James and Sirius, and I think he knew that.

"Sure Remus, what is it?" Lily asked.

"I completely forgot to tell my friends I was leaving tonight to visit my mum, because you know she's ill, and I don't have time to tell them. I know you don't like them, but it would mean a lot if you could just inform them of where I am so they don't panic," I said in a bit of a rush.

"Sure, give my best wishes to your mum for me," she said after struggling with herself for a bit.

"Thank you so much," I said, already heading out of the room.

"Mr Lupin, you're nearly late!" Madame Pomfrey scolded, leading me towards the Whomping Willow.

"I know, I was in the library and lost tack of time," I said.

She left me at the house and I placed my clothes inside the wardrobe. It was going to be a rough night.

A/N: The next chapter is called Easter. Please review. :)