"James, aren't you a little obsessed?" asked Sirius, pushing himself off his bed.

James gritted his teeth. He was flipping through the pages of the books he had issued from the library. It seemed he would tear the pages out.

"How about you use The Knockback Jinx?" Peter squeaked, pointing towards the jinx opened in one of the books lying on James's table.

"In response to knee reversal hex?" asked James, from between his teeth. "You're joking, right?" He glared at Peter, who shrunk back.

"No one else saw it. Why does it matter?" asked Sirius, lifting his brows.

"Because that greasy git thinks he can do anything he wants!" James cried. He went back to flipping through the pages.

"Not to dishearten you mate. But half the spells written there need a lot of practice," Sirius mumbled. He pointed towards the books.

"And I'll practice on him," said James irritably. "Like he did on me."

The door swung open and the boys turned their head in its direction. The tall lad froze in the doorway, his eyes peering at the boys. It seemed like he wasn't expecting them to be there.

"Remus, you're back already?" asked James, forgetting his books. James blinked his eyes rapidly.

"Y – Ye – Yes," Remus stammered, glued to the floor.

"How's your mum?" James continued, getting up from the chair he was sitting on.

"She's fine," Remus replied, his suitcase slipping from between his fingertips. It landed on the floor with a loud thud. James noticed Remus's hand covered in bandages.

"Why're you standing there?" asked Peter. He rushed towards Remus, picking up the suitcase for him as he carried it inside.

"Thank you," Remus mumbled. He followed Peter inside the room, shutting the door behind himself.

"What happened to your hand mate?" asked Sirius, eyeing his bandaged hand.

"Oh!" Remus exclaimed, shoving his hand in the pocket of his coat. "I fell."

James paused; his brows furrowed. He looked at Sirius from the corner of his eyes. 'Fell?' James thought. That was the lie they told when Hagrid caught them.

"Are you alright?" asked James, moving closer to Remus.

"Yes," he replied sharply. "Tried from the journey." He shook his head. "Why aren't you at the dinner?"

"Because of James," Sirius replied, sighing as he rolled his eyes.

"Is there a lot of homework?" asked Remus, glancing at James's desk. It was overflowing with books.

Sirius snorted and mumbled, "Personal homework."

Remus tilted his head, looking at Sirius in confusion. "What?" he blurted.

"Have you eaten yet?" asked Sirius, standing up from his bed. He crossed the room in five huge steps. Remus shook his head, looking from faces to faces. "Let's go eat. We'll tell you all about it."

Sirius gave James's back a pat, gesturing him to lead the way. "I'm not going until I know one hex!" James cried, his lower lip trembling.

"For Merlin's sake! You cannot hex him in front of the teachers!" Sirius yelled, throwing his hands in the air.

"Hex who?" asked Remus. A crease forming between his eyes, he kept shifting his gaze from one face to another.

"Severus Snape," Sirius spat, rolling his eyes. Remus still looked as lost as he had been.

"Who?" he questioned back.

"You know, her?" James started, screwing his eyes shut. He tried to remember her name. "What was her name Evans?" he said, snapping his fingers together. He opened his eyes.

"Uh – the red haired, first year Gryffindor?" asked Remus, scratching the back of his neck.

"Yes!" James exclaimed, nodding fervently.

"Lily Evans," Remus mumbled. He still looked confused with where the conversation was heading.

"Yes, that," James jerked his index finger towards Remus. "You know the boy she roams around with?"

"The first year Slytherin? With black hair?" Remus inquired.

"Yes," James answered. "He used knee reversal hex on me!" James crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Why?" asked Remus. He looked as if he hadn't heard something more absurd.

"Because I bumped into him," James spoke from between his teeth.

"Also, because Sirius said, James would have to bathe after that," Peter added in a low voice. Remus snorted, shaking his head.

"Nice one," he commented, looking at Sirius. Sirius grinned back. "We can have dinner. Sirius is right, you can't do anything in front of the teachers."

"But –" said James. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish. The feeling of utter betrayal washed over him.

"We'll think of something when we come back," Remus assured him with the tiny smile he could manage. But it was enough to relax James who agreed to lead the way to dinner.

By the time they had returned from dinner they had told Remus about the whole ordeal with Severus. James apologized for not being able to copy all the notes in Professor Binns' class. Remus told him he was glad for everything he did and there was no need to apologize. They hurried inside their room, and had forgotten all about Severus when they settled on Remus's bed.

"My parents met in Hogwarts," said James, beaming as he looked at the boys. "My dad was a year ahead of my mum. They started dating in the fifth year, but married much later."

"My mum met my dad in London. She was trying to find her way back home. But she lost her way, travelling by muggle means for the first time," Peter spoke in a low voice. James had his mouth open as he listened intently. "She's very adventurous. They fell in love. Dad already knew mum was different. But didn't anticipate she'd be a witch!"

"I don't think anyone can anticipate that," James chuckled.

"It was a shock for dad," Peter agreed, nodding his head.

"How did your parents meet Remus?" asked James, turning towards the tired boy. He looked ready to fall asleep.

"My dad saved my mum from a boggart," said Remus, smiling in a fond way. It was the first time he had a genuine smile on his face.

James gasped, "Woah!"

"Let me guess," said Sirius, grinning. "She fell in love with him?"

"They fell in love with each other," Remus corrected him. "My mum's beautiful."

"What about your parents Sirius?" asked Peter, looking at Sirius. James pressed his lips together, elbowing Peter in the ribs. He watched Sirius go red.

"Oof!" Peter breathed, rubbing where James had elbowed him.

"They –" said Sirius, shifting uncomfortably. "They always knew each other," he shrugged, looking at his hands in his hand.

"How?" asked Peter, his curious eyes studying Sirius's red face. James's felt the embarrassment rolling off Sirius. Why did Peter have to ask that? Didn't he know the Black family married their relatives?

"They're – They – They're second cousins," Sirius stammered. If it was possible, Sirius went even more red! His pale neck was now the same colour as his face and ears.

James couldn't help and his nose scrunched in disgust. He wondered if he'd be comfortable if his Aunt Gertrude being his mother? "NO!" a voice inside him yelled.

The room grew silent. Sirius tried to avoid everyone's gaze. Not that anyone was looking at him anyway. James lowered his head, and from the corner of his eyes he glanced at Sirius.

"Remus," James's voice was an octave higher than necessary. "Why don't you go to bed? You look tired."

As if everyone was waiting for the cue. They jumped off Remus's bed and darted to their own beds. Sirius was the fastest. "Good night!" his voice cracked.

James cleared his throat and said, "Good night."

Remus and Peter mumbled a good night too and the lights in the room went off.

James was once again the first one to wake up. The sun was still below the horizon. The mountains visible through James's window stood out against the crimson sky. James could feel the coolness in the air mixed with moisture as he pulled himself out of the bed. His hands searched for his glasses that he wore before opening his eyes.

He was still tumbling across the floor when his hands collided with a book resting on his desk. It landed on the floor with a thud, breaking the peaceful silence of the room. James bit his lower lip and pulled his shoulders close to his ear at the loud noise. There was a shuffle in the room.

"James?" said Sirius in a hoarse voice. James turned around to look at him. Sirius was peering over at James with his squinted eyes.

"Sorry," James apologized, frowning.

"Are you always up this early?" Sirius asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Yes," James whispered back.

"Why?" said Sirius, as if he hadn't heard anything as absurd.

"It's a habit," James shrugged. He picked up the book and placed it on top of the pile of open books. "Go back to sleep." James felt horrible for waking Sirius up.

"No, I am awake," said Sirius, yawning. He threw his legs out of the bed and stretched out his arms above his head.

James and Sirius were ready before Peter and Remus had woken up. Remus looked too tired even after he had a good eight-hour sleep. He had almost fallen asleep in Professor Binns's class! Not that anyone could blame Remus. Professor Binns was the most boring teacher ever. His subject – History of Magic was as boring as him.

By the end of the day, Remus started looking better. His mood improved as well. The only thing that worried James was when he noticed more and more bandages on Remus's arms. And three scratch marks on his neck. Sirius seemed to have noticed it too. While James remained mum, Sirius looked terrified.

"I've an idea for your payback," said Remus. He turned towards James as they sat in the courtyard after classes.

James's eyes glistened with excitement. Remus had his whole attention. The courtyard was almost empty, with only a few students taking a walk.

Remus let out a sigh and mumbled, "We'd be breaking a few school rules."

"That's not a problem," said James as he shook his hand. "Wait – we?"

"Yes," replied Remus with a shrug. "Or would you rather do it alone?"

"Not a chance!" Sirius exclaimed. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, "I want to see that prat's face too."

"Are you in or out?" asked Remus, looking at Peter. The stout boy had his lips pursed together, as he looked from one face to another.

"In, of course," said Peter with grin spread across his face.

"We'd need to find the Slytherin bathroom for it," Remus mused. He tapped his index finger on his chin and his eyes stared in a distance.

"What are we doing?" James speculated; his brows furrowed together. He pushed his glasses back.

"We're going to blow up their toilets," Remus explained in a nonchalant voice.

A smirk appeared on James's face. He gazed at Remus in astonishment. 'Brilliant!' he thought. "Blimey! Can we really do it?" asked James.

"The whole world is our canvas, we can paint it however we want," said Sirius. His lips curled up in a grin too.

James snorted, shaking his head. "Like what we did with the Willow?" James inquired.

"Th – The Willow?" Remus stammered. His eyes grew twice in size.

"Yes, Sirius and I had a bet about touching it," James nodded.

"Why would you go near it?" Remus chided. His lips pressed together as he glared at Sirius and James.

"That's what I said!" Peter cried, throwing his hands in the air.

"Do you know it hits people?" asked James.

"Of course! That's its purpose!" Remus huffed, looking at James in disbelief.

"Purpose?" asked James. He cocked his head to one side.

"I – I – mean – don't you know what that is?" Remus stammered, shaking his head.

"Were we supposed to?" Sirius scoffed, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes! Dumbledore said not to go near it," said Remus. His eyes averted to the grass underneath his feet.

"There was no harm done. It scratched me a little," mumbled James with a shrug.

"Because Sirius saved you," Peter remarked, rolling his eyes. Remus looked puzzled, but he kept mum.

"He also knows some brilliant charms! He healed my scratch," said James with a grin.

Remus's eyes grew wide again. "Healed?" he asked.

"It was nothing," Sirius mumbled, shaking his head.

"He's being modest," Peter chimed in with a smile. "It was brilliant!"

"You know healing spells?" asked Remus. Though he had been scolding James and Sirius a few moments ago, he seemed impressed now. Almost as if he was idolising his talent.

"I learnt some charms while watching my family," Sirius replied as he gave Remus a sharp nod.

"Only by watching?" Remus asked, his mouth hanging agape.

"Perks of living with my family I suppose," Sirius snorted as he rolled his eyes.

Remus nodded, taking in the new information. "But don't go around that tree again," said Remus in a stern voice.

"And we can go look for Slytherin bathroom?" Sirius asked, narrowing his eyes. "Seems a bit hypocritic."

Remus gritted his teeth together. "A bathroom isn't going to kill you," Remus retorted, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"McGonagall might if she finds out," James mumbled. A mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"I guess we'll have to be quick then," Remus huffed. He sprang up from the bench the boys were sitting on. Looking over his shoulder, he spoke again, "Not coming?"

The three boys exchanged excited glances before rushing to join Remus. They tried to contain their giggles.

"The castle is huge! How would we ever find that?" Peter whispered. The boys were going around the castle to find the Slytherin bathroom. But they had been on it for almost an hour and it felt like they were only going in circles. "Can't we ask someone?" Peter offered, letting out a sigh.

"And what are we going to say?" Sirius snapped, glaring at Peter. "Where is the Slytherin bathroom? Ours broke?"

"I was only saying," Peter mumbled, his gaze dropping to the floor as he continued to walk behind the boys.

"Look, I know it's here somewhere. I've heard my family talk about the Slytherin dormitories for ages," Sirius assured. He turned to look at Peter.

Remus was walking in front of the boys, peeking around the corner as he came to a stop. "Seems like we're in luck," he whispered.

James snuck around Remus, peeking to see what Remus saw. A Slytherin boy – Avery, was it? Exited what seemed like the Slytherin bathroom. He was wiping his hands on his robes. James's nose scrunched up in disgust.

"Let's go," Remus whispered. Avery disappeared down the corridor, that James reckoned led to the Slytherin dormitories.

The four boys creeped towards the bathroom. James scrutinized the bathroom to check if there was anyone in there. When it satisfied him, he gestured his friends to come in. Sirius walked in with his chest puffed out in pride, a smug smile on his lips. Peter looked like he was going to pass out. Remus looked at ease, as if he knew what he was doing.

It took them less than five minutes to do what they needed to do. It was an easy spell to caste. "How'd we know which bathroom he'd use?" Peter squeaked, looking behind himself. "When he'd use?"

"Let's blow up the whole bathroom," Sirius answered, his eyes gleaming with joy at the prospect of it.

"Do whatever you want fast," Peter choked out. James turned around to look at him peeking outside the bathroom. "Mulciber and Severus are coming this way!"

Remus, Sirius and Peter casted the spell; not only on the toilets but also the sinks. Sirius caught hold of Peter's collar, dragging him inside as the four boys hid in a toilet stall. James could feel his heart hammering. He put his finger against his lips, gesturing Peter to stay mum. He looked like he was going to burst into tears.

"Do you like her?" James heard Mulciber speak. The two footsteps seemed to close in on them.

A whimper escaped Peter's lips as he shut his eyes. Sirius pressed his hand against Peter's mouth, his eyes growing wide in horror.

"Whose there?" Mulciber asked, rattling their bathroom door.

'Merlin!' James thought. He bit his lower lip, looking at the three boys frantically. Remus extended his hand and James could feel his heart in his mouth. He banged on the door – almost as if he was angry.

"Sorry," Mulciber mumbled and the footsteps gained pace, as they walked away. "I reckon he's sick," Mulciber whispered.

James could hear the two stall door open and shut. 'Quick!' Remus mouthed, raising his eyebrows. James yanked open the door and pulled Peter out. He pushed him towards the bathroom exit. Sirius rushed out after Peter, followed by Remus.

James narrowly escaped the bathroom himself. He heard the shrieks and the gushing sound of water. The boys broke into a sprint, rushing down the hallway without looking back. They tried to hold back their laughter. But as the shrieks grew louder, they could no longer hold themselves back!

"That was brilliant!" James exclaimed. His jaw was hurting from how wide he was smiling.

"At least his hair is cleaner now," Sirius agreed, making James roar with laughter.

The four boys came to a halt when they ran into the red headed girl. She was near the corridor leading to the Slytherin dormitory. She eyed them with suspicion. "What are you doing here?" she asked, looking behind them. With the way they were running, it must've seemed like they were being chased.

"What are you doing here?" Sirius spat back, raising his left eyebrow. He rested his hands on his waist.

"I'm going to meet my friend," Evans replied, raising her head high.

"I hope you don't mean the greasy slimeball," James muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Careful, your eyeballs might get stuck to the back of your head," Evans taunted, glaring at James as she walked away. James looked at her in disbelief, gasping as he remained tongue-tied.

The boys couldn't believe they managed to pull a prank like that! On top of that, no one caught them. It was a close call, but now that they were in the room, they were safe. No one had seen them and no one could prove anything! They decided to keep their mouth shut rather than gloating about it. They knew better than to axe their own feet.

"What do you reckon would happen tomorrow," Sirius smirked, looking at the boys.

"I'm sure they'd try to find out who did it," said Remus. He shrugged, but James could see a hint of smile on his face.

"I wish I could've seen his face!" James exclaimed, bouncing on his bed like a child. He couldn't put his grin away.

"Now, now," Sirius grinned, "Let's not get greedy."

"Have you never heard of joke items?" asked Remus, propping himself up on the bed with his elbows.

"Heard of them, never used them," James admitted as he shook his head.

"They're easier to use than casting spells. We can get caught using spells," Remus stated.

"Where do we get them?" asked Sirius. He looked like Christmas had come early for him.

"Nowhere near Hogwarts. Maybe at Hogsmeade," Remus snorted. "But there is a shop located in South Side, Diagon Alley that I know of."

"When I go home for Christmas, I'm buying some," announced James as he grinned wide.

"This is going to be brilliant!" Sirius agreed, nodding his head fervently.

"And when I come back, I'll have a surprise," said James.

"What surprise?" asked Peter. It seemed like Peter had enjoyed the prank like the others. That is once he got over his nerves.

"You'll see. It'll help us pull any prank we want," James gloated, raising his eyebrows as he smirked.