Saturday 23rd September 1972

Gryffindor Common Room, 20:00

"Wow, look at the moon, Marlene. It's so pretty tonight," Evans said from the window.

"It looks like Hagrid hut is glowing!" McKinnon replied excitedly, pointing at the window.

"I love when the sky is clear and the moon is full," Evans said with a sigh. "It makes everything look so magical."

Sirius managed to suppress a snort at that comment. Everything around them was magical so the statement was more than a bit redundant.

Not that he cared about what a blood traitor and a muggleborn thought of the moon, obviously. The thought didn't have the same bite it would have had just a year ago. He didn't know why. He still thought he was better than them. Right?

Sirius shook his head. That was a thought he didn't want to follow right now. He was better than them.

Instead, he turned to Remus to point it out, Remus always seemed to have an interest in the night sky, then remembered that Remus wasn't there. He was away. Again. Apparently, that Aunt or whatever of his was still ill. So, it looked like he was going to be spending a few more days each month or so with her. Which sucked. Really sucked.

"I wish it didn't come just once a month," he heard Evans complain.

That got him snorting derisively. What nonsense. Unfortunately, that got him some unwanted attention.

"Got a problem, Black?" McKinnon challenged.

He raised an eyebrow. "No problem."

Well, lots of problems. Just none he needed to discuss with her.

McKinnon just glared at him while Evans just stood there looking a bit confused. Not a look he was used to seeing on her face.

"Sounds like you have a problem."

He rolled his eyes. It sounded like she was looking for a fight and he was not going to give her the satisfaction.

That didn't mean he couldn't respond, however.

"You do realise there's such a thing as blue moons, don't you?"

McKinnon just folded her arms and continued to glare at him.

"That's when there's two full moons in one month," Evans piped up. "Normally one at the start of a month and the other at the end."

"I know what a blue moon is!" McKinnon snapped and immediately a look of regret was on her face as she turned to her friend. "I'm sorry Lily, it's just-"

Evans dismissed her. "It's fine."

"It's his fault," the Irish girl said, swirling back around to him and jabbing a finger at him.

"Excuse me?"

"Why do you have to be so rude?"

Sirius just glared at her.

"I'm not rude!"

"Yes, you are!"

"I'm not."

"Come on," Evans said, interrupting and tugging McKinnon's arm. "Just leave him alone."

"Please," Sirius added.

He would be quite happy if he wasn't being attacked. Honestly. He knew McKinnons were low born but this really took the cake.

McKinnon shot him one last glare before allowing herself to be pulled away up into the girls' dormitories.

Good riddance.

Monday 24th September 1972

Ravenclaw Common Room, 12:30

Chryssie ran back down to the Common Room, her schoolbag banging against her legs. She hadn't wanted to waste any time trying to put it on her back, she was running late as it was. Her stomach rumbled and she patted it.

Why had she been so silly as to forget to put more parchment in her bag? She'd used all of hers by lunchtime and had to come back here to retrieve it. Now she was going to have barely any time to eat lunch. It took an age to get from Ravenclaw Tower to the Great Hall. Why couldn't the dorms be on some of the lower levels?

"You get some?" Dirk asked.

He was a muggleborn like her and had offered to come with so she didn't get lost. Of course, they both managed to do that anyway but at least she hadn't been alone. Or too far from Ravenclaw Tower as it had turned out. The portraits had been really helpful. A bit weird that they could give directions but helpful.

"Yeah, enough for the whole class," she joked.

He chuckled at that and opened the trapdoor.

"Good. Come on. I'm starving."

Gryffindor Second Year Boys Dorm, 19:00

"Right. So, are we all clear on the plan?" James asked, rolling up the piece of parchment they had been using (well, really just him).

"Yes."

James didn't know why they answered in such an exasperated tone. He'd only asked that twice before. He needed to be sure about this sort of thing. There was really no room for mistakes.

"Come on guys, I'm being serious here."

"If you were being Sirius then you wouldn't be going on like this," Remus complained, gesturing at Sirius who was lazing about on his bed.

"Oh, ha ha, really funny," Sirius said.

He really didn't like those jokes. Which was a shame because they were just too good to pass up in James' opinion.

"I just want this to go perfect. We've been waiting for so long to do this," James said earnestly. "Nothing can go wrong."

"It can't," Remus said confidently. "We'll blend in with all the other students there. No one will give us a second look."

"Do you think?" Peter asked doubtfully. "What if a teacher catches us?"

"We've checked. None of the teachers go." Sirius reminded him

"And it's not like we're going out the front door," James said and then dropped his voice to a whisper. "We're using that witch statue."

All of them grinned at the thought. There was something so exciting about using a secret passageway to get to places.

"You'd think that some would go to supervise that many students being let loose on the village," Remus said.

"Teachers can go whenever they want," Sirius pointed out. "I doubt they'd want to waste a weekend supervising students."

"The Prefect we asked, Blake, she said sometimes the odd one goes." Remus retorted

"But we checked all the teachers," Peter reminded him.

"Except for McGonagall. We haven't figured that out yet." Remus admitted.

"Sirius is going to ask her if she can spare some time on Saturday for help on something," James reminded them.

On that note, he turned to Sirius. "Do you know what you are going to say?"

That had to be the most affronted tone he'd ever seen on Sirius' face and he had seen a lot of those.

"Of course." He put on a ridiculous looking earnest expression. "

"Loose that look and you'll be fine," Remus advised.

James and Peter nodded in agreement.

Sirius pouted at them. "But it goes so well with what I'm asking."

"It makes you look suspicious," Remus corrected. "She'll think you're up to something."

"We are up to something," Peter said.

"She doesn't need to know that."

Thursday 28th September 1972

McGonagall's Office, 16:00

Sirius looked up and down the corridor carefully before rapping on the door.

"Enter."

"Professor?" he asked, looking around the door.

She set the piece of parchment she was looking at down as she answered, "Yes, Mr Black?"

"May I have a moment of your time?"

He thought he saw her hide a smile though he didn't know why. He was just being polite. Then again, politeness seemed to be in short supply in Gryffindor House sometimes. Apparently, chivalry didn't equal politeness.

"Of course. Come in and close the door."

He smiled at her and did just that. He couldn't help but look around, he'd never been in Professor McGonagall's office before. It was all warm wood with tasteful deep wine-red covers on the chairs and curtains. There was a Gryffindor banner above the window that looked over the Quidditch Pitch. Overall, it made him feel at ease and comfortable.

"Sit down," she directed. "Is everything okay?"

Sirius was a bit confused at that question (why wouldn't everything be okay?) but didn't let it show.

"Yes ma'am, everything is fine."

"What can I do to help?"

"I, uh, was wondering if you had some free time on Saturday to help me with something," he tried to say smoothly.

He didn't think he stuttered but wasn't sure if he sounded confident either. Professor McGonagall intimidated him. Just a bit. But he knew he wasn't the only one who felt like that so it was okay.

"What are you having trouble with? You haven't said anything in class."

That was true. Transfiguration was quite easy after all. Well, most of his classes were but Transfiguration in particular. It just made sense.

"Just the last few lessons," he replied untruthfully. "I don't think I quite understand the theory."

McGonagall gave him a long look, just holding it long enough to make him feel uncomfortable. Did she know that they were planning something?

"Why did you not ask during the lessons?"

Because he understood them perfectly. But, of course, he couldn't say that.

"I thought I could figure it for myself," he said slowly, not wanting to mess this up by saying something stupid. "But I couldn't."

"Asking for clarity in lessons is nothing to be ashamed of, Mr Black. In fact, it allows the Professor to go over something in a different way for the benefit of the whole class. Especially others who may only have a tenuous grasp of the subject."

Sirius didn't know what to say to that but then again, he never really had 'a tenuous grasp' of something. He just understood it. So, he just shrugged again. A most unbecoming gesture but it worked in this situation. He thought so anyway.

"Nevertheless, I am unfortunately not free this Saturday, Madam Hooch will be covering my duties in Gryffindor this weekend."

That had his stomach sinking. Did that mean she was going to be in Hogsmeade? Where did Professors go when they weren't at Hogwarts?

Professor McGonagall didn't seem to see his internal panic over this and continued speaking.

"We can go over what you're struggling with now, Mr Black," she suggested. "I'm free for half an hour now."

Uh oh, that was not part of the plan. Backtrack. Backtrack! He was not going to lie and unnecessarily go over more classwork. Once was enough, thank you very much.

"Thank you, Professor, but my friends are waiting for me in the Library," he made up quickly, getting to his feet.

They were waiting for him, just around the corner. To see how this went. Sirius just hoped that they stayed quiet and out of sight. He didn't want them ruining this.

"We were doing homework when I said about this," he added for good measure.

Professor McGonagall gave him a piercing look and nodded.

"Very well, Mr Black. Why don't you complete the homework and if you are still having difficulties with it, we will find a suitable time to go over them."

Sirius nodded furiously at that. It was the perfect excuse. He could get away from the increasingly awkward situation he was finding himself in and he'd have no difficulty with the homework (it was already done, thanks to Remus refusing to help any of them until they did) so he wouldn't have to have a help session with McGonagall. Perfect!

"Yes, ma'am. Sounds good!"

"Why don't you ask Mr Potter? He appeared to understand the recent concepts easily enough. He might be able to help you in the meantime."

Yes, ma'am, I'll do that," he said through gritted teeth.

The nerve. He and James were pretty much equals when it came to Transfiguration. He did not need James' help. Hmpf. Of all the things to have to pretend...

"Very well," Professor McGonagall said in clearly a dismissive tone. "We will see how you get on over the next few days and then sort something out if necessary."

"Thank you," he replied, standing up and really not wanting to prolong this anymore than necessary. "And, have a good weekend, Professor."

"You too, Mr Black."

He finally left her office and almost collided with his friends when he closed and stepped away from the door. They had apparently left their reasonably well-hidden position around the corner to hover awkwardly by the door.

Sirius made sure to walk quickly away from said door before hissing, "Why did you move? We could have been caught!"

"She was sitting at her desk," Peter said.

"That was in full view of the corridor!"

"It's okay," James tried to say soothingly.

Sirius grumbled something.

"So, what did you find out?" Remus asked. "We only caught the last bit of your conversation."

"Yeah, why don't you ask me for help, Sirius?" James asked teasingly. "I'm good at Transfiguration."

Sirius shoved him as his three friends laughed loudly. This was the thanks he got for all this?

"I got higher than you in the last homework," he grumbled.

James just stuck his tongue out at him. Of course, Sirius couldn't let that stand and chased him up the corridor. He'd tell them what McGonagall was doing this weekend later.

Saturday 30th September 1972

Hogsmeade Village, 11:00

Frank couldn't believe how interesting Hogsmeade was. It was far more amazing than anyone had described it to him. So many shops and people, he didn't think that there would be so many people here. It was all so exciting too. You could practically feel the magic in the air here. Well, he thought so anyway. It just looked like it was the sort of place you could feel the magic from.

"I can't believe there's only one completely magical settlement in the UK," Julian said in awe as they made their way down what must be the main street.

"It's because it's hard to make places unplottable," Frank informed him knowingly.

That, and a lot of the older families had large tracts of land where they were basically the only ones living, preferring to live away from the 'masses'. Normally close to a muggle village that had the odd wizard but Frank decided not to say that out loud. He got enough teasing as it was about his status. This was supposed to be an enjoyable day for everyone.

"Where should we go first?" Josie asked, looking around.

2nd Floor Corridor, Hogwarts

James and Sirius poked their heads out from behind their respective suits of armour. They looked around, nodded at each other stepped away from them. Peter giggled at their antics while Remus sighed loudly.

"You do know that there's no one down this corridor?" he said.

"You don't know that," was James' illogical response.

With that, James and Sirius darted down the corridor and behind another set of suits of armour. Peter laughed loudly at them only to be shushed by Sirius.

Remus looked pointedly up ahead at the empty corridor and then behind them at the equally empty corridor. As the word 'empty' implied, there was no-one there.

"You're slowing us down," he told them in an exasperated tone.

Breaking the rules really made him nervous, even if he did really want to do it (all that chocolate in Honeydukes) and he just wanted to get it over and done with as soon as possible. At this rate, they weren't going to get there until next weekend. When there was no Hogsmeade visit! There was no way they could blend in then!

"We don't want anyone to see us?" James hissed from up ahead. "They'll be suspicious."

Remus let loose a frustrated sigh.

"There's nothing suspicious about students walking up and down a corridor," he tried to explain.

Regulus wandered along the corridors with no real destination in mind. Though, he was hoping to maybe (just maybe) come across Sirius in his travels. That was why he was hanging near Gryffindor Tower after all (not in it, obviously, he wasn't stupid. Not that he would be doing this for long, it would look rather suspicious. He didn't exactly see any other Slytherins about.

That and he didn't think being seen with the 'Black disgrace' would be good for his standing in Slytherin. Especially since he was still trying to figure out his place in there. He was from one of the most important families but he was only a first year. He wasn't stupid enough to try and throw his weight around with the upper years (as slight as it was) but he could with his year a bit. Just a bit, it wouldn't do to be too obvious about these things. You had to have some class after all. It was a slow process; they were all still trying to get a feel for each other. No one had taken the plunge. They needed some of that Gryffindor boldness.

Regulus shook his head of that traitorous thought. You did things the Slytherin way in Slytherin House. The proper way.

Speaking of the Slytherin way, he should probably just ask someone if they'd seen his brother. Thankfully, an older student - a Prefect - was approaching him.

"Bit far from the dungeons?" the older girl quipped with a smile.

Regulus rolled his eyes. That really wasn't a funny joke. Even if it was true. Literally. Gryffindor Tower had to be the furthest point from the Dungeons.

"Have you seen my brother?" he asked, tilting his chin up slightly.

The Prefect looked at him critically.

"You're Black's kid brother, right?"

Regulus bristled at that; he was only a year younger than Sirius. That didn't make him a kid!

"I am his younger brother, yes."

The Prefect snorted at him in amusement and shook his head. Regulus didn't appreciate that at all and folded his arms. That just seemed to amuse the older student even more. He didn't seem to respect Regulus at all. Did he not know who he was?

Being the second born was annoying sometimes.

"Well?" Regulus demanded.

"Well, what?"

Regulus glared at him. The boy just grinned back. Were all Gryffindors this annoying? Did they teach that in the Common Room or something?

"Have. You. Seen. My. Brother?" he asked through gritted teeth.

He had to control himself. He was not going to let a Gryffindor of all things get to him.

The Prefect shook his head and started to walk away.

"Nah. Haven't seen him about today. He's normally with Potter and two others though. Try them."

Because that was really useful.

"Hurry up!" James called behind him, itching to run ahead.

Why were they all so slow? Didn't they want to get to Hogsmeade? He certainly did, he couldn't wait! He had all these plans; Honeydukes, Zonko's and maybe even the Three Broomsticks! Finish the day with some butterbeer, that sounded like a good plan.

"Hogsmeade isn't going to run away," Remus retorted but James noticed that he hurried up a bit.

"What do you want to see first?" James asked everyone.

"Scrivenshaft's," Remus answered first. "I need a new quill. And, apparently it also has some books"

James pulled a face. "Bor-ing."

But trust Remus to want to go looking for books when they were in Hogsmeade. It was like he had no sense of adventure."

"Zonko's," Sirius said. "We need more pranking supplies."

Oh, James definitely agreed with that. Of course, they could have just used an owl catalogue to buy them but this was far more fun.

"Well, I want to visit the Shrieking Shack." Peter said. "It's supposed to be the most haunted place in Britain."

"A shack is supposed to be haunted?" James asked sceptically.

That sounded really silly. Also, how could it be the 'Most haunted' if he had never heard of it?

"That's a load of rubbish," Sirius said scathingly. "My cousins have all gone through Hogwarts and not one of them have ever mentioned it."

"It's true!" Peter insisted. "I heard other students talking about it! It's the most haunted place in Britain!"

"You already said that," Sirius pointed out and then turned to Remus, who was looking quite thoughtful. "What do you think?

James gave Remus an expectant look, sure that he was going to be on his side. Remus was sensible. He went by the facts so surely, he would back James up. He wasn't one for the fanciful, the made up.

"I've heard it's haunted too."

James groaned as Peter and Sirius gave him a triumphant look.

"Remus!" he complained.

Hogsmeade Village, 13:05

The Three Broomsticks made quite tasty food. He doubted Madam Rosmerta was the type to serve up substandard food. Though, it would be rather difficult to manage to mess up sandwiches.

Nevertheless, he was pleasantly full and ready to do more exploring. They had really only been in Honeydukes and had bought far too many sweets. Well, mother wasn't here so he wasn't going to get scolded for his bagful. It wasn't like he was going to eat it all at once, he had control. Frank opened his bag and looked at the sugar mice. Well, he had some control.

"Where to next?" He asked through a mouthful of them.

Hey, manners went out the window when it came to sugar mice.

"I need a new quill," Elsie said after swallowing a mouthful of chocolate. "There's a place for that here, isn't there?"

"Scrivenshaft's," Jasper answered pointing down the street and a shop with a bronze quill shaped hanging sign.

So, they all made their way over. They probably didn't need to, Frank certainly didn't need any parchment or quills, but this was their first time in Hogsmeade. They wanted to see everything.

"Oh, they have pink parchment!" Elsie said excitedly by a rack along a nearby wall. "Josie, come look!"

"Wow, and look, there's even the House colours."

Against his better judgement, Frank went over. There were rolls of parchment in every colour of the rainbow.

"Red would be hard to see writing on," he said, eyeing the brightly coloured parchment.

"Hufflepuff yellow would be the best," Elsie said proudly.

That got her grumbles from the Gryffindor majority contingent but they couldn't exactly deny it. Ink did show up better against yellow.

"I'm getting some," Elsie said decisively.

"And I'm getting the pink one," Josie added. "It's a shade of red so it's kind of Gryffindor-y."

They did eventually make it out of Scrivenshaft's. Each of them with yet another bag (Frank couldn't resist the gold and red quill - as garish as it looked).

"Where to next?" Jasper asked

"The Shrieking Shack?" Josie suggested eagerly. "It's supposed to be newly haunted.

Kingsley gave her a perplexed look. "How can it be newly haunted?"

"Well, it only got haunted in the past few years."

"I thought things had to be haunted for longer before they're known as haunted."

"Well, they have to start somewhere," Julian replied matter-of-factly.

Kingsley looked thoughtful at that and Frank shook his head. He agreed with mother and father when the news broke out a few years ago. It was just some people pulling pranks. Nothing to be scared of.

"It's just an abandoned old shack," he stated. "Look, I'll show you."

It would be pretty interesting to see anyway. At least he could say that he's been there and wasn't afraid.

"Go on then," Julian challenged, folding his arms.

"I will!"

Frank strode off down the street, determined to show them that it was nothing to be scared of.

"Um, Frank?" Kingsley spoke up. "It's this way."

"See? Just an old shack," James said derisively, gesturing at it.

Sure, it was all old and dilapidated and would probably fall over in a strong wind but that was it. It wasn't shrieking or anything.

"Hauntings only happen at night," Peter stated, looking at the building in askance.

"That makes no sense."

"Ghost and ghouls' magic is stronger at night," Sirius argued.

"You've seen Hogwarts ghosts during the day."

Nearly Headless Nick was extremely perky in the mornings. Much more so than his friends.

"But that's Hogwarts," Sirius protested. "There's so much magic in the air!"

"So that means they can talk during the day?"

"Exactly!"

James made and exasperated noise. This was just ridiculous. Peter and Sirius were apparently completely convinced of this stupid haunted shack. Remus looked uncomfortable just being here. Honestly, James thought that he'd be the one to show some reason here.

"Can we go?" Remus asked. "It's kind of boring."

"I don't want to get haunted," Sirius said, nodding in agreement but looking pretty thrilled at the idea.

"That's not how it works," James groaned but he turned around to leave.

He didn't want to spend any longer than necessary listening to silly ghost stories.

It was farther than he thought to get to the Shrieking Shack but there was a lot of students going in that direction so they didn't get lost.

"Think we'll see whatever's haunting it?" Elsie asked with wide eyes.

"I hope so," Kingsley said eagerly, pulling out a sheaf of parchment. "I've done so much research-"

"And you couldn't do that

Frank's eyes narrowed as four students caught his attention. They were in Gryffindor robes but they weren't anyone from his year. No one had long hair. They couldn't be from the Upper Years. They were too short. Was someone dressing up as Gryffindors? Was it a prank?

One of them turned their head and Frank's stomach sank.

"I can't believe them," Frank grumbled.

"What's up?" asked Julian, following Frank's line of sight. "Hey, aren't those second years?"

"Exactly, here take my bag a second, will you?"

Frank didn't wait for an answer as he thrust his bags at him and stormed over to the younger boys. He missed the raised eyebrows that his friends all exchanged due to being too busy stomping across the road.

"I can't believe you!" Frank exclaimed once he caught up with them and pulled them off the Main Street.

As much as he was annoyed at the second years, he didn't want anyone else to notice them. He wasn't that much of a goody-goody.

"Oh, come on, Frank," James wheedled. "It's just a bit of fun."

"That you're not allowed to have!"

"It's not like we've been caught!"

"I caught you."

"I meant a Professor," James said dismissively and then added in a sly tone, "You're not going to report us, are you?"

Frank sighed. As frustrating as this was, he wasn't going to snitch.

"Everyone else has to wait until they're third years," he pointed out.

James shrugged. It annoyed Frank. Didn't he realise that this was against the rules?

"But we found a way to get here whenever we want," James stated.

"When you're not supposed to," Frank scolded. "The adults don't know that you're here."

"That's kind of the point," Pettigrew piped up only to recoil when Frank glared at him.

"Go back to Hogwarts," Frank told them in what he hoped was a firm voice.

"Aw, Frank!"

"No, James. You could get in trouble "

"No one's caught us."

Frank sighed and closed his eyes. Is this what it was like to deal with kids? If it was, he didn't want any.

"Just go back. How did you even get here anyway?"

"Honeydukes," James bragged. "There's a secret passage."

Huh, the rumours about secret passageways in Hogwarts was right then. He wondered where it was... no! He wasn't going to speculate. This was breaking the rules! They couldn't do that!

"Then go back that way."

The four second years just stared at him.

"Now."

With a lot of grumbling they finally did as they were told. Or looked like they were. Frank watched as they walked back towards Honeydukes. It was out of his hands now.

He went back to his own friends and rolled his eyes.

"Second years. Think they're all something."

Fourth Floor, Hogwarts, 15:10

"And just what are you four doing marauding about?" came a sharp voice from behind them.

All four boys froze at the sound of their Head of House and each of their hearts sank to the pit of their stomachs.

"Hello, Professor!" Sirius said in an overly cheerful tone, a strained smile on his lips.

It faltered when her eyes narrowed at them. That was a scary look.

"Mr Black," she acknowledged.

"How are you? I hope you're having a lovely weekend," he babbled, not a good sign - somebody stop him.

Remus decided to help with an elbow to the ribs. Sirius winced and rubbed at his side. That would do it.

"I have been having a good weekend so far, Mr Black," she replied, eyeing them.

"I thought you weren't in the castle this weekend?" Sirius asked, hoping to distract her.

Unfortunately, all it did was make her look at them with even more suspicion.

"I had to return for something."

"That's too bad."

She shook her head and Sirius tensed up. Did she know what they had done?

"I didn't see you four at lunch," she stated calmly.

"Uh," James grasped for something to say, looking at him in panic.

Sirius shook his head in return, equally at a loss for words.

"We just got caught up in something," Remus said smoothly. "And didn't realise."

Sirius hoped he didn't show how relieved he was.

"I hope you weren't planning something like what you did at the end of last year," she said warningly.

All four boys grinned at the memory, that had been really good. People were still talking about it! Sirius noted the suspicious look Professor McGonagall was giving them and quickly schooled his features.

"No, Professor," Remus said.

"We were going over homework," Sirius said quickly.

"Ah yes," she turned to him and he tried not to gulp. "Are you still having trouble with Transfiguration, Mr Black?"

He shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.

"That's good. Remember, if you have any further issues, don't be afraid to speak up."

"Yes, Professor."

"Well, although I'm glad you're taking your studies so seriously," she said slowly. "You shouldn't do it at the expense of your health. Please don't miss any more meals."

"No, ma'am," James agreed.

She gave them all one final suspicious look before leaving.

They all held their breath until she was out of sight.

"I can't believe we got away with that," James said in a giddy voice.

Sirius grinned back at him while Remus chewed on his lip. Sirius elbowed him. He didn't need to look so serious; they were safe!

"Now I'm hungry," Peter complained.

Sirius' stomach rumbled in agreement. They really had missed lunch.