Stress had become the overriding emotion among everyone, each person had different reasons but mostly it came down to exams. I spent countless hours studying away relearning the syllabus, writing notes and testing myself. When it wasn't exam stress it was about Debbie and the baby or leaving school. Gone were the days of endless fun, messing around and being kids.
"This life is so dull" Debbie sighed as she lounged across the chair reading her charms textbook "I probably won't even be able to take the exam anyway. Might as well give up and go out"
"You're not going anywhere. We all have to study and you're in no condition to go out alone" I answered dipping my quill back into the ink pot "It'll all be over soon"
"I guess we could have a bit of fun" Peter suggested peering up from his work "It could be our last time"
"That's a reason enough" Sirius agreed looking towards the others "Guys please, for old time sake"
James and Remus both stared down at their books before looking at one another "What do you say Moony?"
"Well, they say you should have study breaks and we have been studying for a long time today" Remus said cheerily
"As the responsible head boy I am, I believe a little fun would help our overall mood improving our learning" James grinned "Now we just need a plan"
"How about dungbombs? Simple but effective" Debbie suggested closing the textbook placing it on the table
"I like your thinking but you're sitting this one out" Sirius said handing the textbook back
"But why?" Debbie exclaimed throwing her hands in the air
"We have to run from the scene of the crime. Heavily pregnant women can't run" Sirius informed her, to which the girl groaned slouching back into her chair. The boys quickly left the common room to undergo their prank
"I hate this" She groaned "And it's not going to change when I give birth"
"Hey, I'll babysit, you can go have fun sometimes" I answered "But for now you must live a boring life"
She rolled her eyes before returning to reading the book.
Remus POV
"So enlarge the dungbomb then throw it into the common room when little first year opens the door" Peter repeated as we walked towards the dungeons "Easy but effective"
"Just be ready to run for it this time" James said to which Peter rolled his eyes. James let out a small groan as he noticed a group of Slytherins leaning against the wall of the corridor, watching as a pair of Ravenclaw girls passed
"Shame their mudbloods, otherwise they'd be a bit of fun" Rosier cheered as his mates laughed along. The two girls quickly hurried past disgusted by the comment, the words hit a nerve in Sirius as he sped towards the group
"Degrading women as well as judging blood status. Obvious why none of the girls want you Rosier" Sirius called down to them. A small sign left Peters mouth hoping for once we could ignore the rival house.
The gang turned their attention towards us, Mulciber and Avery standing either side of Rosier, their hands ready to draw wands, the other Black moved slowly to one side of his friends staring at his brother awkwardly, Sirius eyes bared down on his younger brother. The tension between them could be sensed a mile away "See you couldn't find anyone better to hang out with"
"At least I haven't disgraced the family's name" Regulus spat back, Sirius' chest puffed out with anger before James pulled him back
"Mudbloods and blood traitors first, now you've gone and knocked up a whore. My my, no wonder you're burned off the family tree" Rosier tutted as his friends laughed
"What did you just call her?" Sirius said his hands clenched at his side as he stepped closer
"You heard me. Only whores get themselves knocked up. The pair of you couldn't be more of a disgrace to purebloods if you tried" Rosier taunted, in an instant Sirius' fist connected with his face. But it wasn't forceful enough, Rosier simply punched back, much harder. The boys threw several quickly punches before James threw them apart, I pushed Sirius back behind me away from the gang.
"Stop it!" James bellowed at the pair, Rosier whipped the blood dripping from his nose "As head boy I'll report this. And before you argue, I'll make it fair punishment"
The Slytherins turned their backs slowly walking towards their common room, we watched them leave before turning to our friend, James ready to explain himself but before we knew it Sirius had stormed off in the opposite direction towards the bathroom.
He stood by the mirror wincing as he touched the bruise on his temple, I was the first to speak "You can't start fights like that Pads"
"I can do what I like, he insulted her" He answered back
"If you start fights with every pureblood you'll-" I began
"Catch a few death eaters?" He smirked relaxing slightly
"End up in Azkaban or dead" I said coldly, James and Peter's eyes dropped to the floor at the last word
"Everyone dies eventually" Sirius said carelessly, James' eyes snapped up to him filled with anger "Oh don't look at me like that, you know I'm right"
"Doesn't mean you can throw the words around" James snapped "Right now you have a girlfriend and a child. You can't even begin to think about that even if there's a war going on."
Sirius remained silent as he took the words in, Peter added "We know it's hard Sirius. But you can't let the anger consume you. Regulus made his choice, there's nothing you can do now"
"Part of me had hope he wouldn't become…well you know" Sirius shrugged, we all stayed silent for a moment not knowing what to say. Nothing could comfort him, the close brother he once had, the one he protected became everything he despised, nothing broke him more. Sirius' smile slowly returned as he brushed the thought away "You know my punches probably improved Rosier's face"
"You're not wrong there mate" James laughed "Shame we never actually got to do the prank"
"Who said we still can't?" I said "Slytherins maybe we should leave alone. But there's always Filch"
Peter pulled the map out his pocket glancing down at the footsteps, looking eagerly for the caretaker before handing it to Sirius "He's close to his office. This may be a tricky one"
"What's life without a little risk?" Sirius said "Mischief managed" the ink slowly faded as he stuffed the map into his back pocket. We sped up the staircase towards the caretakers office, Peter held the enlarged dungbomb in his hand ready as James unlocked the door.
"You there!" Filch called from the end of the hall speeding along as he noticed us. As fast as he could Peter threw the bomb into the small office. It exploded as it hit the floor, releasing the foul stench as we ran up the staircase, towards the next floor narrowly missing it as the stairs began to move.
"It'll take him weeks to get rid of that smell" Peter said panting heavily as walked to the common room
"That's his issue for having such a terrible office with no ventilation" James added, Sirius lurked behind tapping his body up and down in a panicked motion "Pads?"
"Bad news…." He said hastily
"Oh you haven't" I grumbled, knowing exactly what he'd done
"What did you do?" James questioned
"Look it was an accident I didn't mean for it to happen, it must've fallen out my pocket" Sirius blabbed as James and Peter processed what he was saying
"THE MAP!" They both shouted in unison
"Our most prized possession, all that hard work, all those hours of making it and now Filch has it!" I barked "Padfoot how could you!"
"I didn't mean too!" He apologised "Plus just think at least we have that defence mechanism. He'll be getting insulted by a piece of parchment for years to come"
"Suppose we won't need it after we leave anyway" Peter shrugged "At least this way it's being useful"
"That Marauder's making mischief in Hogwarts beyond our time" James rejoiced as we entered through the portrait. The girls still sat working hard revising for the upcoming exams. Debbie peered over the charms book, rushing to her feet as she saw Sirius
"What the hell happened?" She screeched as she noticed the bruise on her boyfriends face, she touched it lightly as she examined the damage
"He got in a fight with Rosier" I explained, as the other two girls joined quickly, Debbie opened her mouth to lecture him before he cut her off
"I know they've already told me off for it. I couldn't help it" Sirius shrugged making his way to the arm chair
"What exactly was said to cause this?" Amy pleaded as we joined him
"Rosier insulted Debbie and the rest of us" Peter answered the question, Sirius shook his head slightly as he rubbed the nape of his neck
"His comment deserved the punch" Sirius said blankly, he took a deep breath before he spoke again "It was my brother which angered me"
"Padfoot we've been through this" Wormtail grumbled
"You don't get it though, none of you do. Apart from maybe Amy" Sirius replied agitated
"What are you on about?" I asked as we all stared eagerly at the boy waiting for his response taken back by his comment.
"The rest of you don't have siblings, you don't get it" Sirius said looking at the floor with a pained expression "I grew up with him, I protected him. The only good memories of my childhood are with him. At one point in my life he as my best friend. With this war going on the same thought crosses my mind every time I see him" He stopped in his speech as he shook his head
"When you're out fighting the war, you might battle against him" Amy finished his sentence, he confirmed with a nod
"If that happens, I don't know. Do I have it in me to send my own brother to Azkaban or even kill him?" his voice quivered slightly, Amy perched herself on the arm of the chair draping her arm delicately round the scared boy.
"Hopefully that day will never come" Her voice was soft as she spoke to him "Dumbledore will not let that happen to you. He'll have spies on the inside, that day won't come, if it does we'll face it together"
He turned his head to look at Amy, her mouth moved into a small smile of comfort as the room was silent, waiting for him to reply. I was waiting for him to snap, letting his emotions get the better of him "I thought you didn't agree with fighting in the war" He questioned
"The greater good comes before my needs" She simply replied
"Lawrence I must say, you're not bad at all" He said gently nudging her
"I could say same about you Black" Amy responded ruffling his hair.
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