Oh, I forgot to say, this fanfiction is now one year old!
Still as terrible as the start, but oh well!
This was a fun chapter to write really, so I hope you like it!
Chapter 54- Constant Surprises
Thus, Sirius relayed an explanation of female anatomy to his three friends, who were obviously quite shocked. The three suddenly felt bad for their mothers, as Sirius, copying McKinnons (who can be quite as dramatic as Sirius) talked of a 'bloody war against yourself, your emotions, physical pain and uncontrollable events.'
'So, it's like all girls can relate to Remus!' Peter said.
'Except I can kill.'
'And you don't think McKinnons could kill me with the way she looked at me? She kicked me in the shin for asking if she was a werewolf! She's probably scarier than Remus even when he's a werewolf!'
'I doubt it.'
'Remus.' James said, 'you didn't see yourself at Christmas time sipping hot chocolate, with an oversized jumper on and snow in you're hair. Even being a werewolf can't make you less adorable.' At the end of this statement, James and Remus were both blushing profusely, and James scratched his nose, as he always did in awkward situations.
'Well, I agree.' Sirius said loudly and obnoxiously.
Thankfully, it was enough of a distraction, as the laughter generally surrounding the four began again,
As time dawdled on, they were glad to find things becoming normal again. They planned a night trip to the restricted section for the coming Saturday, and spent each break and lunch in the library, where Sirius gained an interest in magical creatures, and James, trying to be more productive, researched different things about animagi, while Sirius fawned over hippogriffs. Peter, as usual, tried to be as helpful as he could by finding books for the boys to read, while Remus revised. Sirius also welcomed back an old interest in classic muggle books, and often asked Remus for recommendations, and them ordered them as soon as he could (being rich also meant you could pay for super-swift owl service!)
It was surprising, since the boy seemed to literally devour them; Sirius was an unexpectedly quick reader. But nothing could've prepared Remus for the shock he was going to face one Friday night, two weeks after the term had started, and things were settling; when Sirius announced that he was reading Les Misérables, the famously passionate, large and over-worded novel by Victor Hugo. Remus was lightly frightened by the seriousness on his friends face, but then he remembered that Sirius- unlike him- could act brilliantly. He chortled a bit, claiming it was a good joke only to find Sirius looking confused.
'Sirius, there is no damn way in the way of Merlin you are reading the long book.'
'Furry friend,' James said from a corner, 'I've seen it, he really is reading it.'
Peter, through a mouthful of crisps, said something that sounded like:' Mmm. Ig's nassige!' (It's massive)
'Yes, explain this then mate.' The boy in question produced the book from his draw to Remus' absolute astonishment. 'It's real. You can check.'
Remus opened it, only to find that the words were not English.
'You can understand French?!' Remus had learnt some French, but there was no way he could read the whole story.
'Yes. You didn't know?'
Remus just sat down on their bed, put his face in his hands and 'sobbed'.
Sirius, in the end, had to tell the tale of how he tried to get out of his mother's lectures and get on her good side by learning languages. Latin was very important in wizardry for many things, and the French in particular, apparently have a 'rich' pureblood community, so his mother was delighted. In the end, he was still a blood traitor, but a multi-lingual one, which is pretty cool. Peter stated that he refused to believe that Sirius could ever surprise him, and the others agreed.
The following day was not a school one, but still quite busy. The library was finally starting to be overwhelmed by fifth and seventh years, and one teachers had started extra tutoring class. It was also the last time James had Quidditch practice, which would be stopping until after the 'C.A.T.s' (Crucial Attainment Tests: the most important magical examinations you'll do in school ). As usual, the four went to the Quidditch pitch, and James had three fans screeching for him throughout even though it wasn't a match, and nor was there any competing. His team mates took it in good cheer, especially the elder ones, knowing this'll probably be the most fun they're going to have in a while.
Afterwards, upon remembering that Peter's Birthday was indeed two weeks away, they had to plan something for that.
'Probably something in the common room, as we need to do our duties to our elder Gryffindors by providing a break to them...'
'You seem very considerate of them!' James said to Sirius.
'Hm? Oh that's mainly as I want everyone to get good grades. Once, when I met my cousin Bellatrix earlier on, she lectured me about how the Slytherins and the Ravenclaws were all brilliant and got all the top scores while the Gryffindors did terribly blah blah. Now, as Andromeda's doing her's I don't want that over again. It'll be nice to get to the top once!'
'We are on top. We're the best at Transfiguration in the year without a doubt! And remember that time when James got the highest in our class for potions? He even beat Evans and Snape, and those two are great!' Exclaimed Peter.
'Shucks, you know we were looking at appearance and health potions, and that's what dad specialises in!'
'It's still amazing!'
'Back on to Peter's Birthday...'
And finally, that evening, it was a trip to the restricted section. It was funny how they hadn't thought about sneaking here before...well Remus had, but he never conveyed it. But they all felt the magic that the library brings when they snuck into the area, covered by their cloak! Well, you could feel the magic all around Hogwarts, but moving on-
The area, not often being used, was well organised, and in no time, they had found the Transfiguration section, and were trying to locate the book they were recommended. It was Peter, the least focus, who first felt the weird feelings that the books knew they were there, despite their invisibility. You could almost here the whispering amongst them. Then, in a burst of excitement, Remus found the book, and flung it open, moderately loudly...
But the cry that came from it was louder. Sirius gave a shriek, while Peter tripped and slipped out from under the cloak, James having to cover Sirius' moth and pull Peter back in while Remus hastily tried to shut the screaming book, but it was too late. From somewhere in the dark library, Filch's voice was heard: 'Who's there?'
Remus swore. Quietly thankfully.
Holding each of their breaths, they put the book away and crept away, begging any loose floor boards, or sudden sneezes to restrain themselves. They slowly hade their way past Filch's beady eyes and outstretched arms, out of the restricted section and library, and finally they let out their breaths, and they instantly started complaining.
'We should've known the restricted section would have some sort of protection!'
'How does Filch even get around that quickly? It's inhuman!'
'McGonagall could've warned us!'
'All that effort for nothing!' And they were silenced once more by the arrival of Filch's cat, who stared right at them.
'James,' Remus breathed, 'does the cloak work for animals?'
'I have no idea.' James breathed back. Still, it was certain the cat knew of their presence, as it started meowing loudly, and Filch was once more, miraculously summoned.
'What is it dear?'
As the cat slowly turned to them, Peter did the mot stupid (mind you, he was panicked) thing possible of screaming 'RUN!'
And thus they did so, but it was messy, as they had to stay under the cloak. But they completely stopped when Filch said: 'Recognise that voice. It's that boy, Pettigrew's!'
'Wrong.' James emerged from the cloak. 'But how have you got our voices remembered anyway? That's a little creepy!'
'The amount of times you've ended up in my office, and caused me trouble, I'm sure to memorise your voices! And that was Pettigrew's voice!'
'I can imitate them. Except sometimes I forget to stop.' Filch stared at him.
'Go on then. Imitate Pettigrew.'
'Don't want to, you can't make me!'
'Ok, say it was just you. How comes I heard multiple footsteps?'
'Ah you got us.' Sirius said, emerging from under the cloak. 'All of us.' Filch smirked.
'To my office.'
Thus, in the darkness of night, the two had to go to Filch's stuffy office, while Peter and Remus crept behind, their footsteps masked by the other two's overly-loud stomping.
The following day, Sirius and James had to sit their double detention, which they really didn't mind- they only argued against the 25 points they took away from Gryffindor. They probably were going to lose the house cup, so they felt rather guilty about, considering they had probably cost half the points lost- but all in the name of good mischief! At least they had somehow hadn't lost any for not giving in homework (as they did, kind of, secretly enjoy studying), but still a lot of points. They would happily take detentions instead of the points though.
'This doesn't even seem like detention!' They were serving their detention with McGonagall, fixing a problem caused earlier when the second years dumped their work, in various stages of doing, with the first year's work, so they had to sort out the big mess caused. They were delighted when they were told that they had to do magic- they had to un-transfigure the incomplete work to their delight! McGonagall had even allowed them to do so alone, while she ran revision sessions! Bad idea.
'Remus! Peter!' James half-shouted 'Transfiguration office! My cloak's in the usual spot!' He saw Remus nod through the mirror he was holding, before they went off to join them. The four were reunited after what seemed like ages ('It's been too long, Small One and Furry Pal!') and somehow, the work was completed much faster than McGonagall expected, but there they were, 20 tea cups and 19 mice, just as she wanted. On a more serious note, McGonagall held them back for a lecture. She told them that they were too young for that advanced transfiguration, and made them promise that they won't try magic irrationally until they were older, and they stuck by it.
'After all,' Peter said, as soon as they were out, emerging from under the cloak, 'tomorrow we'll be older so maybe then?' The two previously visible ones smirked.
'After the exams? Or maybe in the Summer, since we need to get the book.' Remus suggested.
'I can't get it though. My parents are monitoring my mail. They told me they'll be doing so.' Complained Sirius.
'I'll get it. Somehow.' James firmly stated- he'd have to get past an overprotective mother, but he'll manage.
'Are you still sure about this?'
'Anything for you my friend!'
It had been apparent James had inherited his mother's overprotective-ness, for he could hardly leave his friends alone. He had noticed all their struggles (and felt guilty for his lack of one) and would do anything to protect him. Including hex others if they did anything he disapproved of. This trait grew, and James had hexed five people in the time of three days, even managing to hex Snape four times in one day- Remus started to feel like James was being protective in the wrong way. But Peter didn't seem to mind, and Sirius encouraged him, and James was doing it out of kindness! Remus' mind became troubled by this new issue, and as usual his friends noticed it, though he had many excuses to fall back upon. He wanted James to stop, but he really hadn't the heart too.
'Wow, having friends is more complex than you think' was Remus' conclusion to this problem, and it slowly slipped away from his mind, as excitement build up for the things to come.
Ugh, I'm back to school tomorrow... why can't it be as fun as Hogwarts!
Well, mainly due to the lack of magic, but asides that!
