Part of the 100 Word Prompt Challenge (word: tapestry) and the Year Long Scavenger Hunt ([A06] word: mural) on HPFC.

Color Me Different

"A tapestry?"

Sirius' voice carried from the boy's dormitory all the way down to the Common Room. James looked over at him, puzzled, as did Remus and Peter from their respective four-posters.

"Whassat?" asked James, sleepily rubbing his eyes.

"My mother," Sirius said with contempt, "wants us to sit for a mural so she can put it on a tapestry. Who does she think she is? The queen?"

Remus sat up in bed, looking weary. "It's not that much of a surprise, is it, Sirius? You know your mother."

"I'm kind of surprised she even wants you in it," said James, shrugging his shoulders.

Sirius contemplated this briefly. "Maybe they still think they can make a Slytherin out of me."

Peter chuckled. All three boys looked at him. He smiled. "Sirius is as much of a Slytherin as Dumbledore is a… what are those Muggles called that dress up and put makeup on, Remus?"

"Girls," Remus said with a hint of a smile.

"No, no, the ones that act foolish for no good reason."

"Girls," said James.

Peter sighed heavily.

"Clowns, Pete," Sirius said, "is the word I think you're looking for."

"Clowns! That's right."

"Did you just call Dumbledore a clown?" James asked, feigning shock and dismay.

Remus choked back a laugh. Peter just choked. Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Can we get back to the fact that I'm going to have to sit for a painting so that Walburga can stick it up on some wall and pretend she has the perfect family, and then when I least expect it she'll cut me out of the tapestry all together and three hours of my life will be utterly wasted?"

James, Remus and Peter all snorted, not trying to hold back their chortling.

"You're overreacting, mate," said James. "What would you do with those three hours anyway?"

"Attempt to get his hands up a girl's skirt, I imagine," Remus said dryly.

"Important work, that is," Sirius said in rebuttal.

"Now, are there girl clowns?"

Even Remus rolled his eyes at Peter's inability to keep up with the conversation.

Sirius whined. "I don't want to."

James smirked. "If it'll make you feel better, I'll stick my hand up a girl's skirt for you."

Remus sent him a sideways glance that read, 'Don't you dare encourage him.'

Sirius returned his smirk and upgraded it to a leer. "It would, because I'd love to see the look on Evans' face when she found out."

James' face turned a light shade of chartreuse. Remus put his head in his hand. Peter smiled as if he didn't quite know what was going on but wanted to be part of the joke. Sirius laughed so hard he split his side.