"I know this one," Peter said excitedly.
James and Sirius didn't look up from their game of wizard chess, but both smirked. Remus looked around tiredly, rubbing his eyes as he tried to stay alert and positive. He managed a smile. "Yes, Peter?"
"I miss the days when Peter couldn't do his homework properly," Sirius said. James laughed loudly.
"Quiet you two." Remus said, putting his quill down and taking the essay away from him. He sighed and leaned against the table, his eyes skimming the page. Sirius leaned back looking at the remaining pieces on the chess board. His hand lingered over the King for a moment, then realising defeat, toppled her over. James stood up raising his hands in triumph.
"YUS!" He began his little victory dance.
"Sit down Potter," Lily said.
"What are you gonna do about it Evans?" James stuck out his tongue.
"Don't answer that Lily," Sirius said. James grinned stupidly.
Remus was shaking his head. "Well... It's not..." He sighed handing the essay back to Peter. "I don't think you're getting it Peter."
Peter's face fell. "Show me," He asked pleadingly. James snatched up the essay and began to read it before Remus got a chance.
"This is easy!" He said. "I could do it sleeping."
"I would like to see that," Remus said mildly. "Give it back to Peter or I'll hex it out of your hand."
"Oh look at Moony trying to grow some backbone," James teased.
"Give it back or I'll let McGonagall know it was you who raided Filch's office." Remus said.
James' naturally bright face paled into a sallow colour. "You wouldn't!"
"Oh, but I would." Remus grinned evilly.
"He's got his evil face on." Sirius said. "I wouldn't trust him if I were you James."
"Right," James handed the essay back to Remus who continued to help Peter with his homework.
"I'm bored," Sirius said.
"Then let's play another game." James suggested.
"No,"
"Fine, Moony?"
"I'm busy at the moment, James."
"You can do both," James protested. "You're good at multi-tasking,"
"Come on," Sirius said. "Teach this idiot something about chess,"
Remus sighed. "Fine."
James quickly set up a new game choosing to take the black pieces this time. He sat twiddling his thumbs waiting for Remus to make his first move. Remus turned after a moment and moved a pawn one step up. James sat thinking what he could do before doing much less the same thing. He sat for a couple more minutes waiting for Remus, then cleared his throat impatiently. Remus looked around glanced at the board. He pursed his lips before lifting up one of the pieces, moving it a few places then very bored, he said; "Check."
James took a moment to take this all in. "FUCK'S SAKE!"
Sirius fell down laughing. "REMUS I COULD KISS YOU!"
"Please don't," Remus said, indicating several changes on Peter's essay that needed to be made.
"No, we still have time for me to win back my goals." James said. He turned his head one way, it made a loud crack, then the other way, crack again, then he cracked his fingers stretching out and staring at the game in front of him. He moved one of his pieces then waited for Remus, who was scoring things out on Peter's essay. He looked up made a tiny decision and moved a piece.
James thought he had Remus cornered. He moved a piece and leaned back triumphant. Remus was underlining pages from his book and handing it to Peter. Sirius was getting bored of this and had now entered a fighting match between Mary.
"I wasn't saying that Hogsmede visits were completely useless."
"Pfft! It's exactly what you were saying! Don't we deserve breaks? I mean no one is forcing you to go!"
"I'd rather do something constructive than go to Zonko's and spend a bloody fortune, doing sod all."
"Well a visit to the Shrieking Shack is always worth something,"
"If you believe that it's haunted!" Mary laughed.
"Oh, it's haunted," Sirius said, nodding his head. "Have you not heard the stories?"
"Bah, townspeople nonsense."
Remus made his move and turned away. James made a snap judgement and moved again. He cleared his throat and waited for Remus. Remus finally finished and closed his books. He picked up his knight, moved it three places and said with ease; "Check mate."
James looked at the board. Then up at Remus then back at the board. "How on god's sunny green earth did you do that?"
"You got cocky," Remus shrugged.
James stuck out his tongue and sighed. "Alright... Hey, Evans?"
Lily looked around. "Yes, Potter?"
"Fancy a game?" James asked.
"No," She replied flatly returning to her homework.
"Oh, not against me," James said. "I have to go nurse my pride. See if you can beat the grandmaster of Chess, Mr Remus John Moony Lupin!"
"No," Remus said.
James turned and pouted. "Why not?"
"Because you would put money on it," Remus said. "I'm not getting involved in gambling."
"If you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have," James said. "But that is a bloody brilliant idea. Why did I never think about it before?"
"Because you're an idiot Potter," Lily said evenly from behind her work.
"Then how would I have top grades in every class?" James asked.
"Oh that's easy." Lily replied. "You just flutter those annoyingly stupid eyes of yours and teachers melt like butter on a hot day."
"I'm actually hurt," James said. "Is it everybody's ambition to go out and tarnish my self-esteem?"
"Yes," Sirius said, looking away from Mary at last. "Maybe give you some bloody humility."
"Amen to that," Mary said.
Sirius looked at her. "You just agreed with something I said."
Mary flushed. "I know. It felt weird."
"So..." James looked over at Remus. "You're not going to do the whole tournament thing?"
"Not unless you set up a club," Remus said.
"Don't give him ideas," Sirius warned. "It's a dangerous pastime."
Remus chuckled.
"I get it, I have a big ego," James replied. "But guess what else I have that's very big-"
"POTTTER!" chorused Sirius, Mary and Lily.
"... I was going to say, heart," James said slyly. "What did you think I was going to say?"
"Something very dirty, I assume." Remus said.
"I never say anything of such smut!" James said affronted.
"Potter, smut flows from your mouth like water from a well," Lily said.
James made a face.
"Anyway," Sirius said. "A week later they found the kids body!"
Mary rolled her eyes. "You're making that up!"
"Am not!" Sirius said. "Moony, tell her!"
Remus looked over. "Oh... Yes... They found a kids body... Where?"
Sirius sighed indignantly. "In the Shrieking shack! That's why it's haunted!"
Remus smirked a little. "Oh yeah, haunted."
"See!" Sirius said, grinning.
"Fine then your exaggerating parts." Mary said.
"Only a little bit, that's the messed up thing!" Sirius cried.
"You're an idiot Black," Mary said, opening her books onto her lap. Sirius stretched out on the rug, moving his black hair from his eyes. He looked handsome in the firelight, haughty, dangerous. Mary couldn't help but notice this. She looked at him from time to time, biting her lip wanting to say something but not summoning up enough courage, or unable to decide on a topic that they could discuss. Sirius failed to notice her.
After helping another with their school work, Remus finally packed away all his books. James jumped up as a few student's began making their way to bed.
"Excellent," He said. "Are we going out?"
Sirius and Peter looked around.
"Are you saying you need me to take you out of the dormitory?" Remus asked mildly.
"Well, Sirius and Peter don't trust me enough to lead them into the big bad world outside the common room," James said jokingly. "Moony, it's no fun without you telling us off!"
Remus frowned and rolled his eyes but he couldn't help but smile.
"Where are you guys going?" Frank asked as James checked his bag for the invisibility cloak and grabbing his wand from the table.
Sirius had jumped at this point and Mary's eyes were following him around the room. "Nowhere," He said.
Frank looked at them. "I'm not stupid guys,"
"Seriously," James said. "You'd get bored."
"James," Frank folded his arms. "Firstly you insult my intelligence, secondly you seem to think that whatever you are doing, I'm not up for. I'd hate to hear your next reason."
"Er..." James cleared his throat. "Well, this is a sticky situation,"
Alice had gotten up from her seat beside Lily who was taking a keen interest in her Care of Magical Creatures book. She tugged at Frank's hand.
"Doesn't matter," She said smiling at the four boys. "Frank, come on,"
Frank remained unmoving. James shook his head and left, Sirius and Peter followed. Remus stood, staring at Frank.
"Sorry," He said.
"MOONY!"
"I have to..." Remus turned quickly and ran to catch up with his friends.
"URGH!" Lily said throwing her book down. "He's just gone and ruined my concentration!"
"Who? Remus?" Mary asked, her eyes staring at the portrait hole.
"No, bloody Potter." Lily said. "I can't think now." She got to her feet and began to pace.
...
"Wait, try here!" James opened the door and they crept inside. There was a smashing sound as if glass was being broken. Someone threw something into the air and it went instantly dark. There was a loud thwack and a crunching noise as three people darted past, pushing James, Sirius, Peter and Remus against the wall.
"WHAT THE-"
There was a snap of fingers and suddenly there was light illuminating from Sirius' hand. He was holding his wand aloft. James was leaning against the wall, his mouth covered.
"Did you see who it was?" Peter asked.
"No," Remus said. "But I recognised the smell."
"James, you alright mate?" Sirius asked.
James was staring down into his hand. Sirius moved forward. "The bastard punched my nose," James muttered. "Is it bleeding?"
Remus nodded. "Good thing we're in a bathroom."
"We're in a bathroom?" Sirius asked.
"Yep," Remus replied, looking for some candles. Once found he ignited them easily with a casual flick of his wand and the room was flooded with light.
"What makes it, infinitely worse," James said. "Is that it's a girls bathroom,"
"I know this place," Sirius said. "How do I know this place?"
"It's the abandoned toilets," Remus supplied. "You know, because of Moaning Myrtle."
"Who's Moaning Myrtle?" Peter asked looking around.
"She's a –"
"SHE'S ME!" Shrieked a voice. All four boys turned to see a ghostly image of a girl in pigtails with large glasses not unlike James' staring at them. "I ASSUME THAT'S YOUR MESS!"
She pointed at the remains of a cauldron and several glasses that had been thrown down.
"COME TO MAKE MORE HAVE YOU? WELL NOT IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT!" She let out a scream and dived for one of the toilets, making a loud noise as she did so.
"I like her," Sirius said. "She sticks to her principles."
"I thought Nick was just having a good bitch and moan when he talked about Myrtle," James grumbled.
Remus took James' hand away from his face and examined it carefully.
"It's not broken," He summarised.
"And how would you know?" James snapped.
"I've had to repair myself a couple of times," Remus said easily. "I know a break from a fracture to a nosebleed."
"Then become a fucking healer," James snapped.
"I only wish," Remus replied, taking his friend by the arm and leading him to the light. "Stand here." He ordered.
"Who was it?" Sirius asked.
"Dunno," Peter said bending down over the cauldron. He picked up a broken glass and sniffed it. "Urgh!" Sirius took it from him and sniffed as well.
"Moony?"
"I'm busy at the moment," Remus said handing James a large bundle of paper towels.
"You can multitask,"
"Yes, with books and chess," Remus replied. "Not with potion deciphering and healing."
"I only wanted to explore the castle." James grumbled.
"Stop talking," Remus ordered.
"God, you can be right bossy when you want to," James said.
"What did I just say?"
"... Stop talking?"
"Ten points to Gryffindor," Remus said.
James grinned.
Sirius was looking around the grills and Peter was trying to work one of the taps. It wouldn't let out any water though. Sirius picked up a sheet of paper that had been stuffed down one of the grates. He unfolded it and ducked under a candle for better light.
"Hey, Peter, look at this!" He said.
"What is it?" Peter asked looking over Sirius' shoulder.
"I think someone has been experimenting using Slughorn's private stock," Sirius said.
"Snivellus?" James asked.
"Could be," Sirius shrugged. "But it's certainly something. The Slytherins are up to something. And it don't sit well in me bones."
"Sirius, nothing sits well in your bones," Remus said, finally looking around.
"Alas, Moony has got me down to a T." Sirius sighed dramatically.
"I've done what I can," Remus said. "But I think you should go to Madam Pomfrey in the morning."
"Not a chance," James said. "I'm not giving them the satisfaction of putting me in the hospital wing."
"Now is not the time to be heroic," Remus said. "Scourgify," He pointed the wand at James' bloody robes and they were clean in an instant.
"Thanks man," James said.
"You would do the same for me," Remus shrugged. "Besides, Madam Pomfrey could fix it up in a minute if you-"
"Moony, no," James said.
"There's no getting through to this arrogant dickhead," Sirius said. He was looking around. "You know, this would be the perfect place to try out the animagi stuff that we've been working on."
James looked up excitedly. "Yeah!"
Remus stayed silent as the other three talked excitedly of their plans.
"Moony," Peter said. "When's the next full moon?"
"In about two weeks," Remus said begrudgingly.
"Fantastic!" James said. "I think we have a plan."
"Yes, yes," Remus said. "But right now, I think it's in our best interest to find out who almost broke James' nose and been stealing supplies from the potions cupboard."
"You're no fun Moony!" Sirius said. "Who cares about James?"
"Hey!"
"I mean, he's the most amazing brilliant..." Sirius paused. "Er... He's er... He's... Very... Good... at..."
"Being a prat?" Peter offered.
Sirius bellowed a great big course of laughter that echoed around the room. "Peter, you've cracked it."
James folded his arms pouting. Sirius continued to laugh.
"I don't want to talk to you now!" He said, leaving them.
"Aw... Come on!" Sirius teased following James out of the bathroom and into the deserted corridor, Remus extinguished the candles and followed Peter out into the dark corridor, a few paintings snoring loudly. They looked up and then down. Then, grinning madly, James jumped onto Sirius' back and Sirius began to run down the corridor shouting at the top of his voice. Peter was laughing manically.
"We're so going to get caught," Remus said, he nonetheless was grinning happily. Sirius raced back slowing down and dropping James on the ground who was giggling hysterically.
"Get up you fat lump," He said, kicking his friend.
"Nuh," James said, still laughing. "I have always wanted to do that,"
"Well now you can die a happy man," Sirius said. "Get up!"
There was a clatter of someone knocking something over. All four turned to look around. James got up and grabbed his cloak from his bag and threw it over them. A figure appeared looking dazed. They peered and saw that it was Xeno apparently sleepwalking, his pyjamas and dressing gown on along with a pair of trainers.
"I think the crumple-horned snorack can be found in Bulgaria..." He was murmuring.
James tugged the cloak away. "Xeno?"
"Ah, no. Yes. What's Xeno?"
"Is he asleep?"
"Appears to be," James replied. "Think we should take him back to the common room?"
"He's wearing shoes," Remus pointed out.
"Yes, we got that much."
"I mean, he's wearing shoes, so either he goes to sleep with them which means he knows that he sleep walks and can easily find his way back," Remus said.
"Or he put them on in his sleep," Sirius said.
"Or that," Remus admitted.
"Xeno?" James tried.
He had wandered off.
"You see some right weird things at Hogwarts," Sirius said.
"So true." James nodded.
Probably my worst chapters ever. I blame lack of sleep, exam pressure and the fact that there is nothing spurring me on except the fact that I want to get completely wasted after the exams are over. Sorry. The next one will be better – I promise.