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Chapter 25-Duels and Detentions

'Man, two weeks of detention from today!' James mused cheerily. Sirius was equally happy.

'A week of sorting potions ingredients for Slughorn, and a week of tidiying the transfiguration department for McGonagall.' Groaned Peter. 'How can you be so happy?'

'We'll be together for sorting out the ingredients, and we have this, so we can talk to Our Remus.' James replied, pulling out a little mirror from his bag.

'And James and I love transfiguration, so we'll probably end up seeing loads of cool stuff there! You can borrow our mirrors and talk to Our Remus if you want.' Sirius continued.

'So we wreck havoc, and get very little punishment from it!' James finished, beaming widely. They were now outside Slughorn's classroom, and they entered, Sirius and Peter for the first time.

'Ah! Potter, Pettigrew! Black!' Giving a wink to the final one, who winced. 'So you've managed to obtain some swelling solution, and decided to spray my Slytherins with it? Well, I'm afraid, you'll have to punished for it. So this week, you'll have to sort out all of the potions ingredients, since some of them have expired,or not been kept properly. Should keep you busy, eh?' Despite all this, he was still smiling , and they felt this was down to Sirius' presence.'Well, off you go, though I must say, that was very brave of you, Sirius. I suppose it was why you were put in Gryffindor. Knowing your parents, they won't be very pleased, eh?' James watched as Sirius' smile faltered slightly.

'Come on Sirius, let's get started.' They started sorting silently before Peter exclaimed,

'So are we going to talk to Our Remus or not?'

'Shh! We're only in the potions cupboard, Slughorn can hear us if we're loud! Anyway, yes! Remus Lupin!' The mirror, which was reflecting a James Potter, now showed Remus Lupin.

'You took your time!'

'Sorry! Sirius was worried.' Sirius worked up, surprised.

'Worried about wh...'

'He forgot about his parents! How they'll react when Farley's message about it reaches them. They'll probably send another Howler!' Sirius now looked even more surprised.

'Well, its only expected. Sirius is well known thanks to his lovely mother. Half the school would be knowing it'll come, including the Slytherins, so it won't really have much of an effect. Just ignore that hag.' If it was possible, Sirius looked more surprised than ever.

'Yeah, it's pointless. Just a way for her too lose her voice. In which case, you should anger her more. Might get rid of that shriek forever.' Peter contributed.

'If only!' Everyone was now laughing, Sirius the most, beaming more than ever, glad that he had gotten three of the best friends in the world.

'There they are!' Remus exclaimed as the three walked into the room!

'Yep, the beautiful me is here!' Sirius shouted.

'You know, Cootes walked in when you were talking about how amazing you were, and thought it was me, talking to my reflection. He probably believes I'm a stuck up, self-obsessed weirdo!'

'Well, what I was saying was perfectly true! I mean, just look at this hair!' He gave an exaggerated hair flip, and Peter dissolved into a fit of giggles. 'So perfect and wavy! I mean, James' hair looks like it has never met a comb in it's life!'

'But I'm is much more than whether or not my hair knows what a comb is! Appearance means nothing to James Fleamont Potter!' By the time he realised his mistake, it was too late.

'Fleamont?!' The other three chimed in unsison.

'Yes...Fleamont is my middle name. After my father, Fleamont Potter. The one who invented Sleekesy's! He was much more than his ridiculous name, and so am I!' James cried. Tho others, however, were rather distracted.

'Yes... he was a great potions inventor!'

'Agh!' James shrieked. 'Potions! That's worse than his name! Potions has always been taught by Slytherins! It's a Slytherin subject! How could he... I need to send a letter.' James concluded, walking confidently out the room, leaving his mates laughing.

'So, James Fleamont'

'Don't use my middle name!'

'Potter, did you send the letter?' Remus asked.

'No. It was after curfew. Filch caught me. I've got a double detention tomorrow.'

'Aww, I feel bad for you, James Fleamont'

'Don't use my middle name!'

'Potter.' Sirius said, looking solemn.

'So James Fleamont Potter.'

'I won't even ask.'

'Will you send the letter tomorrow?' Peter asked.

'Yes.'

'Alright!' Peter exclaimed loudly. 'Now, to bed!' Everyone dived onto their beds, or at least, a bed, and lay there for a bit, before Sirius whispered.

'Peter, it's nine O'clock! Everyone's still in the common room!'

'Do you really like Sleep that much?' James inquired. Peter merely snorted in reply. He was asleep already.

As they all predicted, the lovely, soft grey, Great-Horned Owl, flapped his way to Sirius, holding a less lovely letter, a bright red letter. Sirius didn't hesitate to open the envelope, and was not surprised to hear his mother's shrill screeches.

'SIRIUS BLACK, HOW DARE YOU?!' The letter began, but Sirius merely looked away, a bored expression on his face.

'My mother is so original!' Sirius murmured to James, he nodded enthusiastically. 'Oh, I can't wait until the holiday, so I can finally get back to my lovely wonderful, sweet mother!'

'You know my mum won't mind if you come around...'

'Nah, my family are fine, I guess. I just need to avoid their waffling.'

'Sirius, they abuse you. They're not fine!' James whispered, so only Sirius, Remus and Peter could hear.

'I'll be fine.' Sirius said in an even quieter voice. But Sirius didn't feel fine. He was dreading the holidays, despite them being in seven weeks.

But he was also touched, by James' kindness, as well and Remus and Peter, encouraging him to listen to James.

But he didn't let it show. The Howler fell, burning into a pile of ash. Sirius picked up his spoon, and got back to his breakfast.

The lessons were drawing to a close, and the Friday was ending at last. Peter Pettigrew was last out the class as usual, but was grinning broadly, as he spotted his friends in a nearby corridor, and he ran to this, thankfully not tripping over as he normally would. The four began to make their way to the library, however, as they rounded a corner, they pumped into a whole lot of surly faces, which only hit colder as they caught sight of the Gryffindors. A chattering bunch of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years nearby instantly became silent.

'Alright Snivellus?' James shouted, which was also the signal for the Slytherins to start firing hexes and Jinxes at the Gryffindors, and at everything else. Peter and James both got hit, as well as Tinos Farlsome, a Hufflepuff boy, and one hex narrowly missed Romulus Yawshaw and Matthew Maple. Sirius fired a jinx back at them, and it hit Parkinson on the arm, which instantly started to swell. Remus however, was trying to stop Peter, who was dancing, and the crowd was hurrying away from the scene. Nobody noticed Filch's wheezing from around the corner, though the noticed when he yelled,

'What's going on here? What's all the commotion?'

'We were, atchoo! We were walking, ah, atchoo! Walking, and then the Slyth...Atchoo!' James managed through his sneezes.

'We were walking, and then the Slytherins started firing hexes and Jinxes at us! James and Peter got hit, as well as Farlsome and Ross from Hufflepuff, and Hawkang from Ravenclaw!' Sirius quickly explained.

'And ME!' Howled Parkinson, causing everyone to jump. 'Somebody inflated my arm! Oww!' Filch looked at them all suspiciously.

'That would be me. No, Sirius, I did it.' Remus Lupin immediately stated.

'Well, everyone who cursed anyone will be in detention. I'll go get Professor McGonagall.' Filch looked delighted at the amount of students who would be punished. He hurried off, leaving everyone by themselves. It was completely silent, except James's sneezing. Remus had managed to unjinx Peter.

'Miss Cortly, Mr Køhler, Miss MacMillan, take the three jinxed students to the hospital wing. The rest of you... off you go. Those directly involved, come with me.' The four Gryffindors, and six Slytherins followed McGonagall into her office.

'Now, explain. ' What followed could only be described as complete chaos. Everyone tried to explain the story in the loudest voice the could muster, while Prewell Parkinson was crying

'OWWWW! MY ARM!' And James' sneezes were only getting louder.

'Silence! Mr Chalnark, you will take Mr Parkinson to the Hospital Wing, Sirius, you will take Mr Potter. The rest of you, stay here.'

'Why does McGonagall call you Sirius?' Chalnark asked, as soon as they were out of earshot. Sirius was extremely surprised.

'Well, since I'd rather not be reminded of my stupid family, and their stupid ideals.'

'Basically, he, Atchoo! Ah, wants to hide, Merlin, ATCHOO! The... Blacker... part of his Atchoo! His life!' James grinned, despite looking extremely pale. 'They are... Siriusly.. annoying! Atchoo!' Sirius burst out laughing. Fei Chalnark's lips twitch. But one person was far from happy.

'I SIRIUSLY DON'T CARE ABOUT HIS 'BLACK' PROBLEMS, CAN WE JUST GET TO THE HOSPITAL WING AND GET MY BLOODY ARM FIXED!?' Parkinson hollered.

'Ah-hem, we are already at the infirmity idiot.' Sirius replied, as he pushed open the large oak doors.

'Yes, what us it? Oh, were these two caught up in the corridor squabble?' She cast an eye over James and Sirius, both grinning (and sneezing in James' case). 'Probably involved in it.' She muttered. After supplying Parkinson with some anti-swelling solution, and James with some no-sneeze potion, James and Sirius went to see the others caught in their fight. It was with a lot of guilt that they chatted with Tinos Farlsome, who had tentacles on his head, Rosie Ross, and Rizay Hawkang, now sporting a very swollen stomach. With a look at each other, the two boys silently decided that they won't be up to any mischief for the rest of the term.

Well, maybe a little.

Meanwhile, in McGonagall's office, Remus and the four Slytherins were receiving quite a scolding. Peter sat in the corner, quite deep in thought about his friends. He was quite lost by the time they were dismissed.

'Peter. Peter! Come on! We have to go!' As soon as they left, they immediately bumped into some body. Fearing the worst, Remus took out his wand, only to see James and Sirius laughing.

'Cured of your sneezes then!'

'Duh! So, what was your sentence?'

'I'll be lining you in detention next week!' He said happily. Sirius and James gave a cheer, while Peter shook his head, saying,

'You've defiled the innocent, heart of gold, Remus Lupin. Do I congratulate you, or shake my head at you?' It was clear the two he was talking to, weren't listening.

'I wouldn't even try, mate. Nimbus! Beautifully Handsome Perfect Hair, lets go!'

So the four Gryffindors marched up to their common room, the rear two chanting,

'Our Remus deliberately got a detention! A week's worth if detentions! Let's all cheer for OUR REMUS! WOO!'

The weekend passed quickly, and soon the four boys found themselves in McGonagall's room, waiting to get instructions on their detention. As they four scuttled of to their jobs, McGonagall kept a sharp watch on all of them, Particularly Remus, who was tasked with stacking some heavy items the sixth years had been using, and James who was checking the animals.

'Sirius, Peter, look at this cute little ferret! It's so small! We once had a Jarvey in our garden, it was massive!'

'Mr. Potter, I asked you to check it the water charms are all good and well, not to take the animals out!'

'Sorry Professor. Forget that even happened.'

'I can't just forget everything, Mr. Potter.'

'Professor, what are the Slytherins doing?' Peter asked curiously, as their detention drew to an end.

'Cleaning out cauldrons. The third years we're doing sticking potions, so it was quite a mess.' James let out a snort of laughter, before hastily saying,

'Please forget that ever happened Professor.'

'Like I said, I can't forget everything, Mr Potter.' Was McGonagall's toneless reply.

'Thanks Professor!' James merrily replied, as they left McGonagall shaking her head.