Thursday 1st April 1976

Slytherin Common Room, 07:00

Severus carefully edged down the stairs from his dormitory. Extremely carefully because he was very aware of what day it was. A day that the Marauders loved therefor he hated it. Hated it with all his might. Why did there have to be a whole day dedicated to stupidity when they did it every day anyway? Where was the sense in that?

Anyway, that didn't currently matter. What mattered was figuring out what on ear- in Merlin's name had they done this time. And, better yet, figure out how not to get caught in it. That would really throw them. Of course, he had yet to be successful at this but it didn't stop him trying. And try again, he was.

He knew he wasn't safe in his own Common Room because, somehow, they managed to get in. They had done it before and they would do it again. It was just best to be on your guard at all times, really. Story of his life.

Okay, it looked like it was all clear. There were other people in the Common Room and they didn't seem to have anything weird done to them. Perfect. Though, that did not mean that he had to take unnecessary risks.

Yes, he edged along the walls of the Common Room to get to the door. It was what he normally did anyway, you didn't just stride through the Common Room in Slytherin House. That attracted attention and you had to have a good reason for doing that. Which he didn't, so edging along the walls it was.

Unfortunately, he couldn't peer out of the Common Room door, he would just get in everyone's way, so he couldn't be as careful leaving. But he managed to leave intact and now Severus didn't know what to think. He felt like something should have happened now...

But nothing did. And it was horrible. If something did happen, that would be horrible too so Severus really couldn't win here.

Nothing happened until he got to the Entrance Hall. He was kept on edge for that long that he was almost glad something happened. Almost.

Of course, it was something horrible. It always was. And April Fool's was always worse. Idiots. Morons.

This year, the Marauders had decided to go childish, apparently. Of course, this really wasn't a surprise to Severus but still, that didn't mean he liked it. And he very much didn't like this.

This being that somehow, they managed to do something to the walls that made polka dots appear on them. Multicoloured ones to be exact. Which wasn't overly bad when you thought about it but of course the Marauders didn't stop there. They had done something that whatever colour of polka dot you were closest to, that's what colour your skin turned. All of your skin. Severus had pulled out his shirt colour to check.

If you were close to two or three your skin would have splashes of all those colours. It was really quite annoying, especially since you changed colours as you walked down the corridors.

Some students had found if you walked right in the middle of the corridor, you wouldn't change colour. But this was hard to judge as basically forced everyone into a single file which you really couldn't do in Hogwarts. So, he changed colours as he tried to quickly get to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Of course, the Marauders were in the Entrance Hall looking very pleased with themselves. They too were changing colours as they walked and looked even more idiotic than everyone else, in Severus' opinion.

"Told you we could top the dolls," Potter said happily.

"Only because Moony found that spell!"

Severus glared sourly at their celebrations. There were other people congratulating them as well. Like the Marauders were some celebrities or something. Their prank hadn't been that good. It was just big. Big didn't automatically equal good. Slytherins knew that but it looked like no one else did. Actually, there were even a few Slytherins congratulating them! How dare they! No one was like this when Avery and Mulciber were doing amazing things. Quite the opposite, they were left alone. No congratulations or anything. Though, that might have been because they brought negative attention to themselves and got quite a long detention sentence. Two weeks was a bit harsh in his opinion.

Still, it was unfair! The Marauders laughed again. Louder, if that was possible and Severus shot them a foul look.

Monday 5th April 1976

Gryffindor Common Room, 08:30

Out of the corner of his eye, Sirius noticed a new piece of parchment stuck up on the notice board. It was covering the one for exam tutoring.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing over to it.

"The Easter signup sheet," Remus answered after giving it a quick glance. "I put that up last night."

"You did?"

"Yeah. My name's on top."

James gave him an incredulous look. "You're not going home?"

Remus shook his head. "Between OWLs and the full moon, I thought it would just be better off staying put."

"But...home? Parents?"

Remus shrugged. "It's not like I'd be seeing them much. I would just be sitting in my room revising all day. At least at Hogwarts I'll have the library."

"I'm not going home either," Sirius decided to say, surprising himself.

But yeah. He wasn't going to go home. The more he thought about it the more sense it made. He didn't want to go home and his parents certainly didn't like his company so why go back? People stayed over at school for holidays all the time so it wasn't like he was going to cause a scene or something.

"You are?" James asked in amazement. "But what about your-?"

Sirius shook his head. He didn't want to discuss why he was staying. No. He wasn't going there and he would very much appreciate it if his friends didn't either.

Thankfully, James seemed to pick up on this and didn't pry any further. Sirius didn't even know what he would say if James did pry anyway. But James didn't so he didn't have to think about that.

"You know you're both welcome to spend the holidays at mine?" James told them.

Sirius was the first to respond by vigorously shaking his head.

"I'm fine," he claimed. "Maybe I'll even get some of that revision done."

That got him odd looks from all his friends. Hey, he could study! It wasn't that weird for him to do so.

Okay, maybe not. But he didn't want the Potters doing anything for him again. They were going to get themselves into trouble for no good reason and he couldn't bear that. No. It was best that he just stayed at Hogwarts if he didn't want to go home.

"Seriously, Sirius?"

"Okay, maybe not. But I am staying here. It's more fun."

That was definitely the truth. James gave him a doubtful look but accepted it. Or accepted that Sirius didn't want to talk about it any further.

He turned to Remus hopefully but he was immediately shut down.

"Full moon, James."

"And?"

"James."

"We could work something out..."

"No," Remus shook his head. "And, honestly, I do want to just revise the whole time."

"You're so boring."

"Also, the only one out of us who is going to pass his OWLs."

"Hey!"

Thursday 8th April 1976

Ravenclaw Common Room, 12:45

"You know, you really are too old to be losing your homework like this," Callum scolded him as he watched Kingsley search.

Notably not helping but Kingsley was a bit busy to bring that up. He had to find this! He had to!

"Yeah, yeah," Kingsley said dismissively.

Yes, he should most definitely be better at keeping track of where his possessions were but that didn't mean anything when he actually lost them, did it? And adults lost things all the time - it wasn't just children! He just so happened to have lost his homework. No big deal, it was sure to show up.

Though, he would very much prefer it if it showed up before Charms. That would save him a lot of trouble. Who even gave them homework due just before Easter anyway? It just wasn't fair.

"Aren't you supposed to be helping?" Kingsley as he straightened up only so see his friend watching him in undisguised amusement.

Callum raised an eyebrow. "And where did you get that idea?"

Kingsley jabbed him in the chest, right where his Prefect's badge was. "Well, Mr Prefect..."

Rolling his eyes, Callum shoved him away. "That's not in my job description."

"Pretty sure it is."

"I'm to help with worries, people breaking the rules and lost firsties. Not look for homework people irresponsibly lose."

"Aw, come on! Do you want me to get detention?"

"You'd deserve it."

"Please?"

With yet another eye roll, Callum raised his wand and said, "Accio Kingsley's Charms Homework."

Oh. He really should have thought of that, shouldn't he have? Sure enough, a roll of parchment came flying towards them from one of the bookcases.

"I don't remember being over there," Kingsley said out loud as he caught it.

"You're welcome," Callum said sarcastically.

"Oh, yeah. Thanks."

Monday 12th April 1976

Tonks House, 17:30

Andromeda exchanged a look with her husband who just shrugged in response. He didn't know what was wrong with their daughter either.

Dora was very quiet, you see. Silent in fact. Unnaturally so. Had barely spoken a word all meal. And that definitely was normal at all. It was downright worrying, in fact. And something that they wanted to get to the bottom of. Hmpf. Parents just couldn't leave you alone. She should be able to sulk in peace.

"Dora?" Andromeda asked, unable to stand it anymore. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," was the short response.

More looks exchanged between the parents. Well, that was a very obvious lie. It wasn't like she was even trying to make it sound believable because what was the point? They knew why she was in such a bad mood, after all.

"Are you sure?" Ted tried, hoping for a somewhat different reply.

"Yes."

Or maybe not then. Why should she give them a different reply? She was mad at them! Let them figure it out. Last time she checked neither of her parents were stupid.

Then she caught them exchanging helpless looks across the table again. Okay, maybe they were.

"I wanted Sirius to be here," Dora muttered, pushing her food around her plate with her fork.

Ted and Andromeda shared a looked.

"You know why that can't happen," Andromeda said gently. "And eat properly. Don't play with your food."

With a sigh, Dora put her fork down and crossed her arms. "Actually, I don't know."

Mum and Dad were blowing this way out of proportion. What harm would it do to invite Sirius over for just a few days? One day even! Part of a day! Just for dinner!

"He wouldn't be allowed to. His parents would never let him anywhere near us."

Yes, she knew that. Her mum was a bloodtraitor and all that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

"Couldn't we sneak him away?"

Andromeda shook her head. "Do you know how much trouble we would be in for kidnapping the heir of the Black Family?"

"But we wouldn't be kidnapping him!"

As much as she would like to. Dora knew Sirius didn't like being at his home. Even she knew that and he didn't really tell her anything.

"Try telling his family that."

"It's a no, Dora," Ted said sympathetically.

"Aw!"

It just wasn't fair.

"Maybe once he's left school," Andromeda suggested.

"But that's years away."

"Only two."

"Exactly! Years!"

Wednesday 14th April 1976

Gryffindor Common Room, 15:00

Sirius felt like he couldn't relax at all - it felt like he was spending all his days holding his breath and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Which was a complete waste of a holiday but it wasn't like he could help it.

He couldn't believe he had actually done it. He hadn't gone home. There was something exhilarating about that but also terrifying. What were the consequences going to be? He hadn't thought about that properly.

But he wouldn't have to deal with that until the summer and that was ages away. So, he should just be able to relax. Except he couldn't.

He was all tense and nervous and he didn't like it. Actually, Sirius hated it. He should be cool and confidant, not anxious and worried.

Maybe he should just try to not think about it. Not think about his family. If he didn't think about them, he wouldn't have to be worried, right? Now just for a distraction...

There were more people around now than there was at Christmas. He wasn't the only person in the Tower like he basically had been the last two Christmases. Apparently, people stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas so they could revise for their exams. Whatever. All it meant that there were more people to stare at him and wonder why a Black wasn't going home. It wasn't any of their business. It was his business and no one else's.

What was also his business was Regulus. Who wasn't here, of course. He was at home. But it was weird not seeing him. Sirius hadn't realised that despite not talking to him in school at all he still kept tabs on his little brother. He always generally knew where he was. That was a weird realisation.

Anyway, it wasn't like he was alone. Remus was also here after all but he had kept his word and was basically living in the library so he may as well be alone.

Maybe he could do some revision? OWLs were coming up, as Remus liked to point out quite frequently. Should he completely shock Remus and turn up in the library ready to study? But that sounded like a lot of effort for minimal shock value.

Quidditch was no fun when it was just you but it was quite nice outside. It wasn't raining for a change. Maybe a walk would be a good idea. Or a trip to Hagrid? Either way, he needed to get out of this Common Room. Out of this Tower.

Sirius was about to reach for the door to the Common Room when it was yanked open for him. The person outside was the last person he expected to see right now.

"James! What are you doing here?"

He really wasn't imagining things, his extremely messy-haired friend really was standing right in front of him. And grinning really, really widely.

"I couldn't just leave you and Remus alone, could I?"

They exchanged hugs because yes, James had managed to train them all into hugging each other.

"You do realise that we aren't alone. We have each other?" Sirius asked with a raised eyebrow.

"And is Remus here right now?"

"Well, no, he's in the library..."

They had been walking along the corridor at this point, leaving the Common Room behind them. James decided to drag him into a nearby alcove.

"I'm here because of the full moon," he whispered despite there being no one about.

Sirius raised an eyebrow at that. He actually didn't think of that. There would only have been him and Remus... they probably would have been able to make it work but he had never been alone with Remus before.

"Does Remus know this? Also, do your parents know?"

Had James done a him and just up and vanished?

"Oh, I told them I needed to be here for a day or two for something we're working on," James dismissed.

"You lied. Impressive."

James looked uncomfortable at that.

"It's not exactly a lie. It is something we're working on. Technically. And I'll be home again tomorrow."

Sirius decided to drop it and instead repeat his first question.

"So, Remus?"

"Doesn't know."

"Well, let's go tell him then."

Saturday 17th April 1976

Smith Sett, 18:00

"No, do not be ridiculous. It will not happen."

"Now, don't be irrational, Quintus..."

"He is not being irrational, Trevor!"

Alice winced at her mother's rather shrill tone and kept her gaze firmly on her plate. There was still plenty of food on it, she had just been picking at it since this whole conversation started. Conflict always made her stomach tighten up so she couldn't eat. But there was no way she could just push her plate away - that would be rude and being rude was not an option right now.

Looking across the table, she met Frank's eyes. Him. He was the reason that her behaviour had to be perfect. Well, that and his parents. She didn't want the Longbottoms to ever think poorly of her. She had to be perfect.

Nearly all her life her parents had impressed on her how much of an honour it was that the Longbottoms choose her, a Smith, for their Heir. She wasn't even a part of the main branch!

"We expect all members of our family to be educated," Mr Longbottom said sternly.

"And she is," father replied. "She will earn her OWLs."

Hopefully good ones too. She was pretty confident she could do it but the work was very hard. She didn't want to let anyone down. That and she kind of wanted to do so for herself as well. It was kind of a nice feeling to take pride in your work.

"OWLs are not enough."

"They are plenty."

"I never did NEWTs," mother bragged.

She did so take pride in not being an "over-educated, useless woman", as she put it. Mr Longbottom didn't look too impressed by this. Actually, neither did Mrs Longbottom.

"I am aware," Mrs Longbottom said tersely. "But that doesn't mean that your daughter can't."

"Of course, it does," mother dismissed. "I didn't need them and neither does she."

"Of course, she does."

"She's not going to get a job," mother dismissed. "She'll never need them."

"The Longbottoms pride themselves in having a full and good education."

"That's okay for boys," father broke in. "Not for girls."

Lady Longbottom's eyes flashed. "And why is that?"

Even father was cowed by her. Alice didn't blame him. Augusta Longbottom was very intimidating.

"Because, well, because, she'll never use it. It's a waste," he blustered.

"And you think Frank will use all of the Transfiguration he has learned?" Lord Longbottom asked quietly.

There was a sort of intensity to how he spoke.

"Well, he has a better chance than Alice will."

"You're all doing an awful lot of talking about her when she's right here," Frank said quietly.

Alice looked at him in amazement. He interrupted them. He actually interrupted the adults. You didn't ever interrupt the adults! Not if you weren't an adult. She frowned in thought. Frank's birthday wasn't until June so he definitely wasn't an adult!

Everyone was now staring at the two of them and Alice wished she could melt into the floor. She didn't want any of them looking at her. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do!

"Excuse me?" Mother said shrilly.

Why did she have to get that high-pitched? It made her sound crazy. She wasn't crazy.

Frank looked up to the rather intense gaze of four adults and calmly dabbed at his face with a napkin. Wow, that was true courage right there.

"I apologise for interrupting, Mrs Smith, but I thought that that was important to point out."

"What does her opinion matter?" father asked bluntly. "She'll do as she's told."

Alice nodded. That was exactly right. That's what she was supposed to do. No matter how annoying it was.

Tuesday 20th April 1976

12 Grimmauld Place, 10:00

Regulus frowned at the silence. It was unnerving. Not that Grimmauld Place could ever be described as noisy but there was always Sirius to make some sort of noise. And he wasn't making it. Because he wasn't here. He wasn't sulking in his room putting more garish Gryffindor decorations up. He wasn't arguing with their parents. He wasn't getting punished. He just... wasn't here.

Regulus still couldn't believe that Sirius just... hadn't come home. That je stayed in school. At least with the other holidays he had abandoned he had come home first. But this time... this time he didn't even bother. Didn't even pretend.

So, Regulus was alone at home. Well, not alone because mother and father were here as well, obviously. But they didn't really count, did they? It wasn't like they did much talking. Why would they? Not that he had really talked to Sirius properly in recent years. When was the last time they had discussed books, they'd read? Or spells they'd learned? Or complained about how much father expected them to know about other families? Had it been three years? Five?

They didn't really have anything in common anymore. Sirius had tried to talk to him about the pranks he and his friends had pulled and how they had done them but Regulus didn't really understand. Didn't find them that interesting really. Sure, they were funny but were they really worth the amount of effort that went into them? They were quite inappropriate.

Then Sirius had tried to tell him about those motorcycle monstrosities and Regulus was not having that. Those were definitely inappropriate. Wrong, actually.

With a sigh, he picked up his quill and shook his head. There wasn't much point in thinking about him was there? He wasn't here. It would be better if he just focused on revising for summer exams.

Yes, he had started already but someone had to bring something good to the Black Family Name and it obviously wasn't going to be Sirius. Regulus refused to be even considered a disappointment.

Friday 23rd April 1976

Evans House, 14:30

"Stop sending me letters at school," Petunia said rather abruptly after she barged into Lily and Chryssie's room.

"Sorry?" said Lily, looking from front the textbook she was revising in her bed.

She was lying in an extremely unladylike position on her stomach with her legs kicked into the air. It was oddly comfortable for revising in.

"You heard me," Petunia said irritably. "Don't send me letters."

"But why? Do you not want to keep in touch?"

"Not if all you talk about is your stupid, freakish stuff," Petunia said with a sniff. "Do you know what my friends say when they see that stupid parchment?"

"That was only a few times," Lily defended. "I had run out of paper and I can't get normal paper at school."

"Well, paper or parchment, I don't want you writing to me at school!"

With that, Petunia flounced out of her room, slamming the door behind her.

Monday 26th April 1976

Fifth Year Gryffindor Boys Dorm, 20:00

"I have an idea for Sirius' nickname," Peter suddenly declared.

They all looked at him in surprise. They had been talking about their next prank (it involved musical flagstones) not their nicknames.

"Pardon?" went Sirius, looking confused.

In his defence, that was a pretty random thing to come out with.

"Your nickname. For your dog form," Peter replied like it was obvious.

"You've come up with a nickname for me?"

"I was thinking about it all over Easter."

Peter looked so proud of that fact.

"Really?"

"Yes. And I came up with a good one. It's perfect!"

"Well, what is this marvellous nickname then?" James asked, sitting up.

Peter paused for a moment for dramatic effect and then announced, "Wagtail."

There was silence for about two seconds and then Remus and James burst into laughter.

"Wagtail?" Sirius said in horror.

"Because you have a wagging tail!"

"I'm not being called Wagtail!"

"It's like mine!"

Sirius seized on that fact. "Exactly! We can't have nicknames that are the same."

"We could go for Wags instead," Remus suggested with a laugh but Sirius just shot him a dirty look.

"Waggy," James added.

Peter huffed at them and folded his arms. "Well, it has to be something to do with his appearance like mine is!"

"Moony isn't anything to do with his appearance," James said.

"That doesn't count."

Remus got a mock offended look on his face but was soon sniggering again.

"Sirius, transform so we can get a good look at you," James encouraged.

"Only if you do the same after. You need a nickname too."

"Sure," James agreed easily.

Sirius easily slipped into his form. It really did get easier the more you did it. He barely felt it now. Just to prove how easy it was, he strutted up and down the dorm. Even in dog form he had style, thank you very much.

"You're lucky that you can pad around on your feet like that," James said enviously. "Hooves make so much noise."

Sirius woofed smugly. See? Dogs were better!

"Hey, that's a good one," said Remus.

"What is?"

"A good name."

"I said a good name?" James asked in confusion.

"No, you gave me an idea though," Remus answered and then turned to Sirius. "What about Padfoot?"

Thursday 29th April 1976

Gryffindor Table, 08:30

"Hey, Vance. Looking good today," Black flirted shamelessly.

Because that was literally all he did; flirt and prank. Lily didn't think she had seen him do anything else. Well, except for eating.

Emmeline looked down at herself and then back at Black, raising an eyebrow. "I'm wearing my uniform."

"And wearing it well."

Shaking her head, she turned to Remus, "So, you good with the change to the patrol?"

"Of course, I don't really want ceiling tiles to fall on me."

Lily sighed. That had been a disaster and also proof of why fireworks were banned from inside.

"I'd quite happily patrol with you, Vance."

Emmeline put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. "There wouldn't be much patrolling then, would there?"

"Nope," Black said unashamedly.

Lily could help but front at those comments and turned worriedly to Marlene.

"What's that face for?" Marlene asked.

"Doesn't that annoy you?" she replied.

"Doesn't what annoy me?"

"That," Lily nodded toward Black.

"Sirius? No, he doesn't really annoy me..."

Seriously, was her friend really that dense? Lily gave her an exasperated look.

"What? He really doesn't annoy me that much!"

Emmeline actually giggled at Black. Lily hadn't thought that Emmeline was capable of giggling.

"I meant his flirting."

Marlene paused with a slice of toast halfway to her mouth.

"Oh. No. His flirting doesn't bother me."

Now it was time for an incredulous look because really?

"But he's flirting with other girls."

Marlene shrugged, looking like she didn't care at all.

"And? That's what Sirius Black does."

Because it was. Marlene was correct and everyone was well aware of that fact. He had to be the biggest flirt in Gryffindor. Possibly the whole school.

"Doesn't that bother you?"

Lily was pretty sure it would bother her if her boyfriend flirted with other girls.

"Not really."

Marlene didn't understand why Lily was making such a big deal out of this. It wasn't a big deal at all. It wasn't any sort of deal. After all, it wasn't like they were dating or anything. A McKinnon dating a Black? Get real. They were just having a bit of fun with each other, that was all. Flirting with no strings attached was fun. Both of them thought so. And if they got a few meals out it and a few walks then what of it? They could be friends too.

Lily gave her an incredulous look. "You're weird."

"Not as weird as the person who keeps on turning down one of the most eligible boys in the school."

Her friend immediately flushed and threw her head back.

"I don't like arrogant people."

"He's more cocky than arrogant," Marlene felt like she had to point out.

Arrogance certainly wasn't attractive- which was also why she didn't want to go any further than flirting with Sirius, he still had a bit of a haughty arrogance about him - but she wouldn't say James Potter was. Definitely cocky though. That was obvious.

"Whatever. Either way I'm not attracted to it."

Marlene shrugged. "Okay then."