Chapter 11: No Calamity Comes Easy

When the first Quidditch game rolled around the 7th years were excited for any excuse to get out of school and away from their books. Sirius had been looking for any chance to distract Calamity from her studies, which she had thrown herself into even more adamantly since she received the hints from Christopher. Sirius frowned at the thought, but pushed the idea of Christopher from his head. After all, Calamity had given him no reason to be suspicious and that suspicion had gotten him into enough trouble. He needed to work on minding his own business, she'd said so herself. As if she knew that he was thinking about her, Calamity turned quickly to look over her shoulder, her red and gold scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. Sirius waved, expecting to be ignored or receive a too cordial greeting as he had been receiving this year. Not that he could blame her. Remus had made some good points about the ethics of risking infection to avoid an argument. Maybe not the most mature thing he had done, but honestly, he was seventeen. He had his whole life to be mature. To Sirius' surprise, a smile broke across Calamity's face, lighting her face up in a pleasant way. She waved back, looking right at him. Susan said something to her and the girls sped up.

"Did you end up putting the special spice in Gillard's juice this morning," asked Peter quietly.

"I did, but I don't think it worked. Professor McGonagall hasn't mentioned anything."

"It's a slow acting potion," Remus reminded him pulling scarf looser. "It probably won't start having the effect you want until" he looked at his watch. "nowish."

"You think Prongs stands a chance this year against the Slytherins," asked Peter.

"Against Slytherin," scoffed Sirius. "Always." He could see a few Hufflepuff students making their way to the stands.

"On the bright side, if the potion doesn't work you get to sit with Moony and I," Peter said. He wiggled his eyebrows at Sirius, "Maybe we'll even sit near Calamity."

"Not sure she'd like that," said Sirius as he spotted Professor McGonagall rushing towards him looking a bit peeved.

"I bet she wouldn't mind it now that Prongs let her know that you and Hannah broke up ages ago," Remus said innocently. Sirius was about to ask Remus to elabporate, but before he could Professor McGonagall shouted, "Black!"

"Yes Professor," Sirius replied with a bright smile.

"Are you ready to be commentator today," she said catching her breathe. "Normally I'd prefer to give you more notice, but Mr. Gillard has found himself...unable to participate today."

"Professor, I'd be honored! Is Gillard going to be okay?"

Professor McGonagall looked as if she did not want to recall Gillard's symptoms. "He'll recover. Students have almost finished arranging themselves!"

Sirius sat down in the commentator's seat and Professor McGonagall sat next to him. He looked at her. "Bit close, eh, Professor?" Her nostrils flared.

"I'll be keeping a close eye on you, Mr. Black. Especially since last time you commentated there were the unfortunate situations with the bludgers and our booth."

"Ravenclaw was so sensitive last year," Sirius said defensively. "I can't help it if they tried to attack-"

"Just begin," instructed Professor McGonagall exasperated.

Sirius could see the teams beginner to enter.

"Goooooood morning Hogwarts! It's a lovely day for Quidditch and the teams are rushing to the field ready to go! On the Slytherin team there is the Captain and Seeker Talkalot, beaters Rosier and Mulciber, chasers Black, Gudgeon, and Runcorn, and of course the keeper (who isn't much of a keeper in any sense), Avery! Don't they look just darling in their emerald green robes coming to play with the big kids."

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly next to Sirius and he grinned. "Of course their rivals are the Gryffindor team with Captain and chaser James Potter. Joining him as chasers are Adrian and Aubrey, beaters are Cresswell and Florence and of course our Seeker Stebbins. I tried out for Keeper, but you just can't mess up this money maker, know what I mean, Professor? Instead they went with the younger model- Prewett. He's only a 5th year, but with a name like Fabian he's bound to be pretty epic. Right, well the players are all on their brooms and their off. Already Potter's got the quaffle and is zipping down the field, dodges a bludger sent by Black, poor Reggie bringing disgrace to the family name, and makes his way towards Avery. Little known fact about Avery: he's part troll on his great grandfather's side, which is why he always has that stupid glazed over look when you talk to him. HA! see it hurt him here because Potter scores as Avery tries to figure out if he's been insulted or not."

"Mr. Black," Professor McGonagall scolded. "Do not have me regret this decision."

"Sorry Professor. Anyway, Gryffindor in possession, Cresswell sends a bludger at Gudgeon who was tailing a bit close too Aubrey for anyone's liking. Forces him to swerve and gives her some space. Aubrey passes to Potter, Potter to Adrian, Adrian back to Potter and- SCORE! That's why he's the captain ladies and gentlemen! The score is zero to twenty. Keep up the good work,!Avery does not look happy and that is enough to make any Gryffindor supporter happy as a clam." Sirius caught sight of Lily Evan's fiery red hair, her face tilted up watching James in the sky, a smile blossoming across her face.

"Evans knows how to react to our captain, o captain. I mean, honestly, he's captain of the team, Head Boy (despite my better judgement), and so good looking. Look at that face!"

"Are you creating a dating advertisement for Potter, or commentating," snapped Professor McGonagall.

"Sorry, Professor, you're right. James Potter definitely does not need my help getting attention from the ladies. Back to the game though, STEBBINS IS DIVING! HIS MOTHER IS NOT GOING TO BE PLEASED WITH THIS SORT OF RECKLESS BEHAVIOR BUT LOOK AT HIM GO! Drat, he pulls up empty handed. No snitch yet. Back to the Chasers, Slytherin is in possession. Rucon and Gudgeon flying very close together, seem to be making a wall in front of Black who has the Quaffle. Wait, no. Rucon has the quaffle, he dodges a bludger from Florence but is hit by the one sent at him from Cresswell. Right in the head! That looked like it hurt. He drops the quaffle, looking a bit dazed, and Potter catches it. Tosses it to Aubrey and- SCORE! zero to thirty for Gryffindor! Looks like Talkalot is calling for a time out. Since we have some time as the teams gather to plan, I'd like to take this time to mention how stunning Clara Erza-Mahoney is looking today, just a ray of beauty in a seas of-"

Sirius caught sight of Remus waving his hands in the air. He seemed to be trying to tell Sirius something. Sirius squinted at Remus who was no shaking his head adamantly. Oh! He wanted Sirius to stop. Sirius cleared his throat, glancing at Calamity who was talking to Margaret. "Course, it's her brains that are really impressive. The woman is going to make a great Healer, I know I'd love to be a patient..." Remus was still making the same motions, but was now jumping up and down in desperation. "Er- right. Well, luckily before I can get into any more trouble with my foot in my mouth the time out is over and teams take their positions again."

"Right, Slytherin in possession, they approach Prewett. He's looking a bit nervous. Black aims, he shoots and... they score." Sirius groaned. "Ten to thirty. Potter in possession and- Talkalot is diving, she sees the snitch. She dodges one bludger, doges a second bludger, tries to reach for it and- DAMN IT! she gets it. Ending the game with a Slytherin victory over Gryffindor with one hundred and sixty to thirty."

Sirius remained in his seat as the teams landed, shook hands and returned to their locker rooms. he could see from his seat that the Gryffindor team looked glum. Finally, as the crowds cleared he moved down the stairs to the pitch. He planned to meet James by the locker room, as he always did. Maybe they'd go to Honeydukes to cheer him up. He rounded the corner to the pitch and jumped back out of sight. Someone was already there to meet James.

Sirius peeked back around the curve again to see Lily Evans talking to James, who still looked very disappointed. Lily was rocking on her heels as she spoke, pushing her hair behind her ear, a slight tint of pink on her cheeks. James smiled at something she said and pushed his glasses up his nose, meeting her eye.

"You can't just be normal, can you?"

Sirius jumped at the voice and turned. Remus was smirking at him obviously very pleased by the heart attack he had nearly given him.

"Our friend is having the conversation of his life," Sirius said nodding around the corner.

"Good to see someone can manage a regular conversation."

"What's that mean?"

Remus pretended to hold a microphone and imitated Sirius' voice, "Since we have some time as the teams gather to plan, I'd like to take this time to mention how stunning Clara Erza-Mahoney is looking today, just a ray of beauty." Sirius scowled. It was a terrible imitation.

"What's wrong with compliments? Everyone loved compliments."

"I'm sure she was very flattered, but maybe not the best strategy for admitting your affections."

"I suppose you think I should do so more privately," Sirius said.

"Do what more privately," asked James, beaming as he rounded the corner.

"What did you and Evans talk about," asked Sirius. Remus rolled his eyes at Sirius, then turned to James, who nodded towards the castle. They all began to walk back.

"Just that she was sorry about the game, but that I was really good and shouldn't worry about it. There is always a chance that Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw will mess up," explained James, his smile widening even more.

"You're face will split in half if you keep that up," warned Sirius.

"I think she's warming up to me a bit," James said.

"When do we get to talk to her about not breaking your heart?"

James' face dropped. "No..."

"We've been practicing for years," Remus said.

"You know, Evans, Prongs is very deer to us," Sirius said.

"And I can see that you are mooning over him," added Remus "but we're concerned with howl it will end."

"Doe we are very protective we obviously don't want Prongs to be stag for life."

"Just try not to be ruff on him. We're just being good paws."

"Please," James said pushing Sirius away from him. "Stop."

"I don't mean to hound you with our doggone puns," Sirius said apologetically. James groaned as they pushed the door open and entered the castle.

"The routine needs work before it gets to Evans," Remus conceded. "But we're a werewolf we need to do."

"Alright,alright," James snapped waving at Peter as he hurried towards them. "Just shut up for now."

Peter was gasping for breathe when he finally reached Sirius, James, and Remus. He had a gray letter in his hand and pointed at an empty door leading them inside before he spoke.

"I nicked this from Avery," Peter said holding it up. "Don't ask how, just look." Sirius had seen the seal before Peter pointed to it- a skull with a snake exiting its mouth, just like the sign above St. Mungo's.

Remus took the letter and opened it carefully, his eyes skimming it quickly. "It's in a code," he said finally showing the others. Sirius peered over the letter. Where words should be there were only lines and squiggles, a few images that seemed unrelated- a house, a bird, a snake.

"What should we do with it," asked Peter. James glanced at Sirius.

"What'd you do with the map?"

"It's in my trunk," Sirius grinned at the familiar plotting look in James' eyes.

"We should tell Dumbledore," Remus said looking between the two knowingly.

"Just let James and I find out what it means first," Sirius said he gave Remus his best puppy dog eyes.

"Only if you promise not to get expelled," Remus said.

"On my mother's name I would never do anything that could expel me," Sirius said holding up two fingers in boy scouts honor. Remus looked pleadingly at James.

"We promise, Moony," James assured him.

The plan was simple. They would sneak a stink potion in Avery's bag with a timer so that it blew at midnight. If the potion was made correctly (and James assured them it was), then only Avery would smell it and hear it. Upon the blowing the stink would be so great that he would be driven from the room. Peter, who had transformed into a rat and snuck into the commonroom after dinner, would Confudus Avery and tell him it was breakfast. Avery would rush from the commonroom and into the hall. James and Sirius would be waiting for him there for a discussion. Sirius looked at his watch as James tucked away the invisibility cloak. Sirius glanced again at the map: he could see the Avery dot separating from the other dots in the boys dormitory and rushing to the commonroom where the Peter Petegrew dot was.

"Maybe five minutes," hissed Sirius. James nodded. They waited in silence until they heard the movement of the statue that guarded the Slytherin common room. Sirius put the map on the table and crouched. Just as planned he and James pulled the passing Avery into the classroom with all their might, making him fall into the classroom.

"Expelliarmus," James said catching Avery's wand as it flew from his surprised hand as Sirius muttered a locking charm.

"Potter? Black? What are you doing," snapped Avery. He began to stand and dust himself off.

"Reckon Wormtail just did a basic Confudus charm," James said. Sirius muttered a spell and a blue white light shot from his wand, hitting a near by chair. The chair moved quickly to Avery, as an insect might, and wrapped it's arms around Avery, keeping him snugly in place.

"Avery, we need your assistance and time is of the essence," Sirius said smoothly twirling his wand as he spoke.

"I don't plan on helping either with you anything except into the afterlife," snarled Avery.

"Not a morning person," James observed.

"Confudo" hissed Sirius. No light left Sirius' wand but Avery shivered as the incantation hit him. A stupid looking smile came over his face. James gave Sirius a sideways look. Alright, so he had been a bit too enthusiastic with his spell, but it wouldn't matter.

"Avery, It's me, James, your old buddy!"

"James," said Avery pleasantly as if seeing someone he was very fond of for the first time in years. "How are you?"

"Not so good," James confessed. "I got this letter and I can't remember how to read it. I've just never been as clever as you. Mind helping an old friend out?" James held up the letter and Avery squinted at it in the darkness. A look of recognition came over his face.

"A message from Rudolpho! Yes, of course. Very important. Bring it here."

James brought the letter to Avery and muttered "Lumos" so Avery had light. Avery glanced up at Sirius suspiciously. "James, who is that?"

James glanced up.

"Regulus Black. You don't recognize him? Boy you are tired!"

Sirius nodded at Avery in imitation of his brother. Maybe he ought to put his nose a bit higher in the air. He tried his best impression. It felt disgusting living up to the Black stereotype.

"Of course! Regulus how good to see you," Avery said. then he turned to the letter, eyes moving rapidly across the page. He made sounds of comprehension every so often. Finally, he said, "It's an invitation, of sorts."

"What kind," asked Sirius.

"Rudolpho says we should focus on our studies and that the Dark Lord anticipates our arrival, but that there is no guarantee he will accept us until we have finished schooling as he has no need for underage wizards. However, they will be attacking someplace close to home. If we are truly loyal we should show up next month at the attack to witness its' glory."

"Close to home," asked Sirius. Avery shrugged.

"You know how this goes, Regulus. All codes and intrigue. He likely won't tell us details until it is closer to the date."

"Of course, of course," Sirius drawled. Avery gave him a quick look that seemed less confused. The Confudus charm seemed to be wearing off a bit.

"That's all we needed, friend," said James. he waved his wand and the chair released Avery. "Now be a good boy and go back to bed and forget this happened."

Avery looked at them both before leaving.

"One more Confundus for the road," asked James. Sirius nodded and hissed the spell just as the statue jumped out of the way. Avery shivered before entering the commonroom.

"Peter's back in the commonroom," Sirius observed looking at the map as they exited the classroom. "And Dumbledore is in his office now. Should we wake him?"

James considered this then said "I think we should. How do we get there again?"

"Best pathway is right here, up the staircase on the west side and then the griffin in front of the door. Looks like the password changes. How do you reckon-"

"Well,well,well, the elusive James Potter and Sirius Black. Out after hours."

Sirius and James froze, the map still open in front of them. Quickly they spun around, Sirius hiding the parchment behind his back. He hissed "Mischief managed" and tapped it.

"What did you say, boy," hissed Argus filch. His cat Mrs. Norris made a loud meowing sound.

"I said good evening Argus, how are you," Sirius said cooly. Filch's face twisted into a familiar look of ugly rage.

"Knew one day you two would slip up and I'd catch you in the act. So what did you do? What sort of mess am I to clean up now?"

"Nothing," James said. "Just a midnight stroll."

"Show me your hands."

The two boys looked at one another, but there was no way around it. They held out their hands, wands, and the now blank looking old parchment. Filch grabbed their wands and the parchment, inspecting each carefully. He handed them back their wands, but turned the parchment over again and again.

"Why are you carrying this old parchment on your midnight stroll," Filch demanded.

"I've been nervous with N.E.W.T.s on their way and it helps comfort me," Sirius explained. Filch was not convinced. "I'll be talking to Professor McGonagall about detentions for the both of you," he snarled. "Get to bed."

"My comfort parchment," asked Sirius holding out his hand. Filch looked at it as if the hand were diseased.

"I'll be keeping it."

Sirius was just about to protest when James dragged him away and up to bed. They hurriedly made their way to the commonroom in silence, though Sirius wanted to debate James' decision, he kept giving Sirius warning looks. Finally inside, he let out an explosion.

"HE TOOK THE MAP! AND WE JUST LET HIM!"

"Padfoot, there was no getting it back."

"WE COULD HAVE TRIED!"

"Padfoot, calm down and hush." James nodded to the couch behind them. Sirius peered over to see Calamity breathing deeply, a large book still held in her hand that dangled off the couch. Sirius could see that she was finishing Sense and Sensibility. The dimming fire light made her face glow.

"We'll tell Dumbledore tomorrow. The maps gone. Filch will probably destroy it. We won't need it, really," James whispered. Sirius frowned knowing James was right, but not liking it. His eyes moved to Calamity without his realizing it.

"Think you'll ask her out," James asked. Sirius shrugged.

"Dunno how."

"Well, if you wait tile New Years I'll win the pool."

Sirius gave his friend an annoyed look.

"Come off it," James teased as they made their way to the staircase. "I know you all are betting on Evans and I." James glanced back at Calamity once more before saying "she sure likes to read though."

Sirius got a brilliant idea.