Sorry this took so long. This chapter is a bit longer.
Disclaimer- You recognise it then I probably don't own it. I make no money, but don't steal it.
Read on my friends!!!
*******
As Remus left the potions classroom, he nursed his sore head. There had been a bundle of Wolfsbane hanging behind Professor Brewer's desk. It had made him irritable and he didn't want to talk. It had put a damper on his whole day. Next time he swore he'd sit at the back. He snapped at Peter for no reason and then felt awful for doing it.
"I'm sorry Pete. I'm not feeling great." He flumped down on one of the large red armchairs.
"Yeah you look at bit pale." Sirius said from the other side of the fireside. "Man, I can't believe we got home work on our first day."
James sighed and stood up, "We'd better put our stuff upstairs and start then."
"Ooo, aren't you eager." Sirius teased. "There are far more important things to consider. The Prank." And with those words, the four boys became some the most famous pranksters to grace Hogwarts halls.
The "First Prank" as it came to be called was elaborate. There were strange coloured mists, delay reaction set-offs for spells and intricate, subtle devices with bizarre purposes. All four boys brought something to the mix. James was truly inspired, but had enough experience to keep his visions reasonable. Peter it seemed was actually rather cunning and kept the others aware of the objectives. Sirius, who dubbed himself "Prankster Extrodinare," knew what he was doing. He knew the nuances of hoaxing and how to deal with most problems that came up. Remus wondered exactly where he had learned all of this and vowed to ask one day. He felt immense pity for Mr and Mrs Black.
And himself? Remus found with astonishment, that he was actually helpful. He knew about tactics and hunting from one source and physiology and physics from another. Remus, to his surprise, had ideas and to his greater surprise, they were listened to.
The four boys worked long into the night by the light of Peter's nightlight (which Sirius proceeded to tease him about for weeks). Prep lay forgotten while they leant over complicated plans. When they finally got to sleep, their dreams were filled with tricks to be pulled in the future.
******
Remus woke to birdsong. There was a house sparrow's nest under the window ledge. The others were still asleep, but Remus was restless although they'd been up for most of the night. The back of his mind itched with the nearing full moon. It was annoying and he already felt testy. A low mist hung over the lower hills and the lake. The birdsong continued a, lilting tune.
Remus licked his lips, imagining crunching bird bones in his mouth, the warmth of the flesh, the salty flow of blood. He retched, disgusted with himself and gripped the stone ledge.
"I'm sorry." He whispered to the bird, knowing it wouldn't hear him. "It's not me you know, not me. Not my fault." He tried to convince himself. The voice in the back of his mind contradicting himself. His knuckles were white and he peeled them forcefully off the sill. "No, never. It doesn't rule me, it's not me. I'm fine." He let out a deep shaky breath and turned back to what passed as normal.
Greymalkin wrapped herself round his legs and he lifted her up. "You are not to bother those birds ever, you hear me." He turned her head to face him and looked down into her deep green eyes. "Greymalkin, you won't let me bother them either."
******
All four boys huddled on the Gryffindor table like guilty murderers. Their idea of being inconspicuous was not that of the rest of the world.
"Everything's set up?" asked James
"Check."
"Great. All we need now is a target." Sirius said triumphantly.
"And code names." Supplied James
"What?!"
"Code names."
"What the heck are you on?"
"I'm just saying we should have code names."
There was a silence. The others stared at James who stared at them in disbelief.
"Haven't you ever wanted to have code names?" silence, "I mean they are so cool!" James started to gesticulate, "Bird's Nest this is Eagle over."
"I'm sure he's not normal." Sirius said flatly to Remus.
"No he looks a bit odd."
"Guys!" James protested, "I'm not crazy, you got to admit code names are cool!"
"Yeah, I reckon he's lost it."
"No hope." Piped up Peter.
James was going red with frustration. "Calm down Birdboy. Listen this will cheer you up we have flying this afternoon." Sirius pulled more bacon onto his plate.
Remus's fork stopped halfway to his mouth. His appetite disappeared in the same instant that James brightened up.
"Sure we have to get through double Herbology," Remus hardly heard the words. What was he going to do? He remembered the last time he'd flown. His brother. The tree house. The full moon.
"And Charms,"
Remus shook his head to dislodge the memories and pushed his plate away.
"Then potions, yuck. It really smelt in there."
"And the teacher was weird."
"Come on guys we'd better get going." They trouped out of the hall.
Remus spent a dazed hour dodging meat eating plants and discreetly holding his nose against the stench of a Fetor Vine. The teacher was a plump rather distracted grey haired witch. She left half way through the lesson to tend to a plant in one of the other greenhouses.
Remus found Sirius at the end of the lesson dozing behind a large shrub.
"Oh damn she didn't notice I was gone did she?"
"No. I don't think she really noticed any of us." Remus was feeling uncomfortable because of the Wolfsbane Nearby. Would that cursed plant follow him everywhere?
"Good. I don't want my first detention to be due to my finding Herbology excruciatingly boring."
"You intend to get detention for something else?"
"Oh yes," Sirius nodded as they left the greenhouse, "lots of detentions. I'm going to break the school record." He grinned and whispered, "Remember "The Prank.""
"How could I forget?" Remus said in a depressed tone.
***
The rest of the lessons past without incident till after lunch when James became hyperactive.
"We're going flying. We're going flying." He danced round and round making Remus dizzy.
Remus hardly heard Sirius and him talking about their abilities on a broom. He didn't see the world around him; instead, he walked in a dream till they reached the clear space of grass by the lake.
There waited the rest of their year in Gryffindor and Slytherin houses. They joined their housemates clustered round a tree. One of the girls was crying, Remus recognised her a Minjonet. Lily and Pearl were comforting her. She had said she was a Muggleborn at the feast.
"It's OK Mini, don't worry. It's just a broomstick." Pearl was saying, with one arm round her shoulders.
"Yes, no one expects you to be brilliant." Said Lily. "Lord knows, I'm terrified out of my mind."
"I, I, don't like heights." Minjonet sobbed.
"Don't worry," James said as he came over, "it won't be that bad."
"Seriously, don't worry." Agreed Sirius.
The entire group of Slytherins was all watching by now. One of them called out, "Ha. If she's a brave Gryffindor I'm Vampire."
"Good of you to accept that you are. Blood sucker!" Sirius yelled, then muttered, "Git."
"Ignore them." Remus said glaring at the Slytherins. No one insults my pack, he thought angrily. He growled mentally, hardly noticing that he did. Gryffindor had already become his pack and nothing was going to hurt them. Just like he'd protected his mother, he'd protect them. He actually growled, but caught it and turned it into a cough.
"What's the matter Muggle? Going to fly off the handle?" the Slytherin laughed at his own joke and the others laughed too.
"Shut up and leave her alone!" James shouted.
Remus was on the verge of going for the ringleader when the teacher appeared majestically on a broomstick. The lady on the broom soared over the roof of the astronomy tower. Her robes fluttered out behind her in streams of blue and gold. Her poise was perfect, she seemed to belong in the air. This was why it was such a shame to see her land and dismount.
"Close your mouth." Snapped Lily who flicked James on the chin. "It's rude to stare."
"I'm Miss Finn, your flying instructor. Please take your brooms and line up." She announced in an Irish accent.
Everyone retrieved a broomstick from a large barrel and stood in two parallel lines. Remus's knuckles were white, clasped around the handle. He clenched his jaw to prevent himself from throwing up.
"Now place your brooms on the floor. Then we shall practice calling our brooms." There was the sound of wood clattering on the ground. Remus had to force himself to let go, but dropped it on his foot.
"Now order your brooms "UP!" and be prepared to catch." Miss Finn said with a dangerous smile.
Remus heard James give a little sigh. He had a dreamy look in his eyes. Remus would have laughed if he hadn't been feeling so sick.
There was a half hearted chorus of "up" from the crowd of children. However, there were a few people, like James, who ordered their brooms with enough force that they leapt into their hands. James received a brilliant smile from Miss Finn and he beamed.
"Don't worry." She reassured the rest of the class, "Now don't ask, dictate!"
Remus understood how to work with dogs. They obeyed him naturally. He was pack leader. They obeyed him! This broom would obey him! "Up!" he ordered and it jumped into his grasp. He grinned and turned to James who grinned back.
To his left there was a murmured "up." It was Minjonet.
He turned towards her and whispered, "Mini, do you have a dog?"
"Yes." She replied hesitantly. "He's called Einstein. Why?"
"Just imagine you're telling him to sit. It's just the same. You're in control."
"UP!" the broom skipped into her hand. She gave a gasp. "Thank you." Mini whispered.
Remus smiled, happy he could help. Now he just had to sort out his own problems. The sky seemed a very empty place.
******
Well that was the fic that was. (don't worry if you don't get the reference) Hope you liked it.
I feel I owe an explanation as to why this is so late. I was ill. There you go, if you don't like my reasons, deal with it!
Anyway, that was a little rant.
Please review and I might update a little sooner. Come on break the 20 barrier. Have a nice day #:-)
Disclaimer- You recognise it then I probably don't own it. I make no money, but don't steal it.
Read on my friends!!!
*******
As Remus left the potions classroom, he nursed his sore head. There had been a bundle of Wolfsbane hanging behind Professor Brewer's desk. It had made him irritable and he didn't want to talk. It had put a damper on his whole day. Next time he swore he'd sit at the back. He snapped at Peter for no reason and then felt awful for doing it.
"I'm sorry Pete. I'm not feeling great." He flumped down on one of the large red armchairs.
"Yeah you look at bit pale." Sirius said from the other side of the fireside. "Man, I can't believe we got home work on our first day."
James sighed and stood up, "We'd better put our stuff upstairs and start then."
"Ooo, aren't you eager." Sirius teased. "There are far more important things to consider. The Prank." And with those words, the four boys became some the most famous pranksters to grace Hogwarts halls.
The "First Prank" as it came to be called was elaborate. There were strange coloured mists, delay reaction set-offs for spells and intricate, subtle devices with bizarre purposes. All four boys brought something to the mix. James was truly inspired, but had enough experience to keep his visions reasonable. Peter it seemed was actually rather cunning and kept the others aware of the objectives. Sirius, who dubbed himself "Prankster Extrodinare," knew what he was doing. He knew the nuances of hoaxing and how to deal with most problems that came up. Remus wondered exactly where he had learned all of this and vowed to ask one day. He felt immense pity for Mr and Mrs Black.
And himself? Remus found with astonishment, that he was actually helpful. He knew about tactics and hunting from one source and physiology and physics from another. Remus, to his surprise, had ideas and to his greater surprise, they were listened to.
The four boys worked long into the night by the light of Peter's nightlight (which Sirius proceeded to tease him about for weeks). Prep lay forgotten while they leant over complicated plans. When they finally got to sleep, their dreams were filled with tricks to be pulled in the future.
******
Remus woke to birdsong. There was a house sparrow's nest under the window ledge. The others were still asleep, but Remus was restless although they'd been up for most of the night. The back of his mind itched with the nearing full moon. It was annoying and he already felt testy. A low mist hung over the lower hills and the lake. The birdsong continued a, lilting tune.
Remus licked his lips, imagining crunching bird bones in his mouth, the warmth of the flesh, the salty flow of blood. He retched, disgusted with himself and gripped the stone ledge.
"I'm sorry." He whispered to the bird, knowing it wouldn't hear him. "It's not me you know, not me. Not my fault." He tried to convince himself. The voice in the back of his mind contradicting himself. His knuckles were white and he peeled them forcefully off the sill. "No, never. It doesn't rule me, it's not me. I'm fine." He let out a deep shaky breath and turned back to what passed as normal.
Greymalkin wrapped herself round his legs and he lifted her up. "You are not to bother those birds ever, you hear me." He turned her head to face him and looked down into her deep green eyes. "Greymalkin, you won't let me bother them either."
******
All four boys huddled on the Gryffindor table like guilty murderers. Their idea of being inconspicuous was not that of the rest of the world.
"Everything's set up?" asked James
"Check."
"Great. All we need now is a target." Sirius said triumphantly.
"And code names." Supplied James
"What?!"
"Code names."
"What the heck are you on?"
"I'm just saying we should have code names."
There was a silence. The others stared at James who stared at them in disbelief.
"Haven't you ever wanted to have code names?" silence, "I mean they are so cool!" James started to gesticulate, "Bird's Nest this is Eagle over."
"I'm sure he's not normal." Sirius said flatly to Remus.
"No he looks a bit odd."
"Guys!" James protested, "I'm not crazy, you got to admit code names are cool!"
"Yeah, I reckon he's lost it."
"No hope." Piped up Peter.
James was going red with frustration. "Calm down Birdboy. Listen this will cheer you up we have flying this afternoon." Sirius pulled more bacon onto his plate.
Remus's fork stopped halfway to his mouth. His appetite disappeared in the same instant that James brightened up.
"Sure we have to get through double Herbology," Remus hardly heard the words. What was he going to do? He remembered the last time he'd flown. His brother. The tree house. The full moon.
"And Charms,"
Remus shook his head to dislodge the memories and pushed his plate away.
"Then potions, yuck. It really smelt in there."
"And the teacher was weird."
"Come on guys we'd better get going." They trouped out of the hall.
Remus spent a dazed hour dodging meat eating plants and discreetly holding his nose against the stench of a Fetor Vine. The teacher was a plump rather distracted grey haired witch. She left half way through the lesson to tend to a plant in one of the other greenhouses.
Remus found Sirius at the end of the lesson dozing behind a large shrub.
"Oh damn she didn't notice I was gone did she?"
"No. I don't think she really noticed any of us." Remus was feeling uncomfortable because of the Wolfsbane Nearby. Would that cursed plant follow him everywhere?
"Good. I don't want my first detention to be due to my finding Herbology excruciatingly boring."
"You intend to get detention for something else?"
"Oh yes," Sirius nodded as they left the greenhouse, "lots of detentions. I'm going to break the school record." He grinned and whispered, "Remember "The Prank.""
"How could I forget?" Remus said in a depressed tone.
***
The rest of the lessons past without incident till after lunch when James became hyperactive.
"We're going flying. We're going flying." He danced round and round making Remus dizzy.
Remus hardly heard Sirius and him talking about their abilities on a broom. He didn't see the world around him; instead, he walked in a dream till they reached the clear space of grass by the lake.
There waited the rest of their year in Gryffindor and Slytherin houses. They joined their housemates clustered round a tree. One of the girls was crying, Remus recognised her a Minjonet. Lily and Pearl were comforting her. She had said she was a Muggleborn at the feast.
"It's OK Mini, don't worry. It's just a broomstick." Pearl was saying, with one arm round her shoulders.
"Yes, no one expects you to be brilliant." Said Lily. "Lord knows, I'm terrified out of my mind."
"I, I, don't like heights." Minjonet sobbed.
"Don't worry," James said as he came over, "it won't be that bad."
"Seriously, don't worry." Agreed Sirius.
The entire group of Slytherins was all watching by now. One of them called out, "Ha. If she's a brave Gryffindor I'm Vampire."
"Good of you to accept that you are. Blood sucker!" Sirius yelled, then muttered, "Git."
"Ignore them." Remus said glaring at the Slytherins. No one insults my pack, he thought angrily. He growled mentally, hardly noticing that he did. Gryffindor had already become his pack and nothing was going to hurt them. Just like he'd protected his mother, he'd protect them. He actually growled, but caught it and turned it into a cough.
"What's the matter Muggle? Going to fly off the handle?" the Slytherin laughed at his own joke and the others laughed too.
"Shut up and leave her alone!" James shouted.
Remus was on the verge of going for the ringleader when the teacher appeared majestically on a broomstick. The lady on the broom soared over the roof of the astronomy tower. Her robes fluttered out behind her in streams of blue and gold. Her poise was perfect, she seemed to belong in the air. This was why it was such a shame to see her land and dismount.
"Close your mouth." Snapped Lily who flicked James on the chin. "It's rude to stare."
"I'm Miss Finn, your flying instructor. Please take your brooms and line up." She announced in an Irish accent.
Everyone retrieved a broomstick from a large barrel and stood in two parallel lines. Remus's knuckles were white, clasped around the handle. He clenched his jaw to prevent himself from throwing up.
"Now place your brooms on the floor. Then we shall practice calling our brooms." There was the sound of wood clattering on the ground. Remus had to force himself to let go, but dropped it on his foot.
"Now order your brooms "UP!" and be prepared to catch." Miss Finn said with a dangerous smile.
Remus heard James give a little sigh. He had a dreamy look in his eyes. Remus would have laughed if he hadn't been feeling so sick.
There was a half hearted chorus of "up" from the crowd of children. However, there were a few people, like James, who ordered their brooms with enough force that they leapt into their hands. James received a brilliant smile from Miss Finn and he beamed.
"Don't worry." She reassured the rest of the class, "Now don't ask, dictate!"
Remus understood how to work with dogs. They obeyed him naturally. He was pack leader. They obeyed him! This broom would obey him! "Up!" he ordered and it jumped into his grasp. He grinned and turned to James who grinned back.
To his left there was a murmured "up." It was Minjonet.
He turned towards her and whispered, "Mini, do you have a dog?"
"Yes." She replied hesitantly. "He's called Einstein. Why?"
"Just imagine you're telling him to sit. It's just the same. You're in control."
"UP!" the broom skipped into her hand. She gave a gasp. "Thank you." Mini whispered.
Remus smiled, happy he could help. Now he just had to sort out his own problems. The sky seemed a very empty place.
******
Well that was the fic that was. (don't worry if you don't get the reference) Hope you liked it.
I feel I owe an explanation as to why this is so late. I was ill. There you go, if you don't like my reasons, deal with it!
Anyway, that was a little rant.
Please review and I might update a little sooner. Come on break the 20 barrier. Have a nice day #:-)