At The Opera by Rainsong

A/N: Didn't I promise it to you? New chapter in the next two weeks? Rainsong rewards all of her children, you see? But patience, since the next couple of weeks may just be a bit chaotic for me. 31 reviews, thank you! And just as a secondary note, Remy Zero is god in all of its aspects.

This chapter dedicated to Leiha, who has truly seen the Light.

~~~ Act Four ~~~

SIRIUS: So where are we going tomorrow night?

LILY: Dinner?

JAMES: Thats sounds somewhat incomplete. What else could we do?

SIRIUS: How about The Emporium?

REMUS: That's that club outside of Godric's Hollow, isn't it?

SIRIUS: Best in town.

LILY: Couldn't we go bowling?

SIRIUS: No.

LILY: Then we vote.

SIRIUS: Voting's boring.

LILY: Then what, rock-paper-scissors? That's done too often. My hands have cramped up.

SIRIUS: Well, yes, if you're always scissors of course your tendons are going to strain.

LILY: I am not always scissors.

SIRIUS: Yes, you are.

LILY: Its the safest one.

SIRIUS: No safer than rock or paper. The chances are equal.

LILY: Then I suppose I'm just a preferential creature.

SIRIUS: And supposedly a prophetic preferential, as well?

LILY: Its absolutely true! My grandmother was a Muggle Seer.

SIRIUS: Oh, of course. Thats why you always win at rock-paper-scissors.

LILY: Even if I was a Seer, I couldn't predict any of your actions. You're completely neurotic, Sirius.

SIRIUS: But I know where my loyalties lie. Now there's a constant.

LILY: I suppose.

REMUS: Has anyone noticed that the color of the curtains matches the color of the stage? Thats a bit unusual. The whole thing looks like a tomato.

JAMES: So what? Lily did the same thing in her room, though I suppose the fact that it was a light shade of lavender makes it more acceptable.

REMUS: You've been in Lily's bedroom?

JAMES: Ours is a forbidden love.

REMUS: You don't have to be sarcastic.

JAMES: I think I do.

LILY: Speaking of which, are you going to find someone to bring along to The Emporium tomorrow, Sirius?

SIRIUS: Nah. I'll find someone while we're there.

JAMES: That shouldn't be difficult.

SIRIUS: Hey, I can't help it if I'm gifted with the ability to woo.

LILY: If you're so woo-full, how come you never seem to have a steady girlfriend?

SIRIUS: No time, no fun.

LILY: What does a girl have to do to impress you?

SIRIUS: It involves a feathered boa and the theme from "The Nine Lives of Hilton the Hippogriff. I can't talk about it here.

LILY: Thank God. I don't think I want to know.

JAMES: Don't you ever want to have some sort of attachment to a member of the opposite sex?

SIRIUS: What, and suck all the fun and spontaneity out of being young and stupid? I'd rather live in the dark.

JAMES: Lily and I have plenty of fun. And you're not going to be young forever.

SIRIUS: Yes, but I'll always be stupid. Okay, lets not all rush to disagree..

LILY: Someone has to do Snape's job.

SIRIUS: Please don't say that.

JAMES: I wonder if Dumbledore's still watching him ever-so-carefully?

REMUS: I would hope that he would be. I refuse to get expelled because of Snape's petty prejudices.

SIRIUS: And I'm sure that Dumbledore knows that Snape would paint it in yellow on the walls of the Great Hall if someone gave him the chance.

REMUS: Maybe he wouldn't go that far. Maybe even Snape can draw the line somewhere.

SIRIUS: Oh, sure. What's he going to say? "Yes, I must admit, I'm intrigued. Werewolves, its one of the classics. I'm sure my books and I are in for a fascinating afternoon." He'd spill it all if he didn't worry about being expelled.

PETER: Can't we brainwash Snape or something? One good memory charm would do it.

JAMES: Thats the first time we've heard from you in awhile, Wormtail. Opera getting a bit dull for you?

PETER: A bit, yes.

REMUS: And in answer to your question, no, we cannot erase any of Snape's memory. Dumbledore would notice. Or McGonagall.

JAMES: And we know how much McGonagall would stand up for our cause..

REMUS: Actually, I think McGonagall quite likes us.

SIRIUS: Are you using 'likes' in the context of 'fixation resulting in homicide?' I mean, she likes you.

JAMES: Loves you, even. Best student she's ever had. "Now why can't you be more like Remus?" should be the new Gryffindor motto.

REMUS: Sod off. I keep up my grades, and I agree with most of what she says.

JAMES: Our grades are pretty good, also, but we don't get the pet treatment. And another thing; she's got no problem with Lily.

LILY: Thats true, actually. Though whenever I'm scolded for being in on one of your crazy ideas, I get that hopeless look from her that says "Black and Potter have damaged your promising mind. Get new friends."

SIRIUS: Right, so McGonagall likes you and Remus.

PETER: I'm hopeless in Transfiguration.

REMUS: Can't you be more optimistic? Attitude contributes to ability. Isn't there anything you can say you're good at?

PETER: Care of Magical Creatures, maybe.

SIRIUS: That class is fun because its easy. I think Defense Against the Dark Arts is where the challenge is.

JAMES: Agreed. And its so helpful for dealing with Snape.

LILY: Oh, come on, do you honestly think Snape's a Death Eater?

SIRIUS: His entire family are servants of Voldemort, I'm sure. How else would he know all of those hexes and curses when he first came to Hogwarts?

JAMES: And if he's not now, he will be.

SIRIUS: Maybe Voldemort won't accept him.

REMUS: Why not? Snape, as much as I hate to admit it, isn't exactly stupid. He could be cunning.

SIRIUS: But there must be more process to it than "You are strange and off- putting. Go now."

JAMES: There must be a test of some sort.

REMUS: Whatever the case, it seems strange that Snape's sort of building up inventory, per say. He has minions now.

JAMES: *quite amused* Snape..Snape has minions?

REMUS: Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction.

JAMES: I'm sorry, its just..Snape has minions!

REMUS: And cauldrons have handles. There's actually a more serious side to this.

JAMES: I certainly hope so, 'cause I'm having trouble breathing.

SIRIUS: Snape's always had friends, but never minions. This is a move to the mysterious.

REMUS: I'm not worried. He probably just got bored with having equals.

SIRIUS: Its sort of pathetic, you know? He has to look for his minions, recruit them, whereas you're all under my thrall by natural causes.

JAMES: Sure, Padfoot.

LILY: Well, wait. I think Padfoot has a definite point.

JAMES: What?

LILY: We are his minions, and we should be treated as such.

SIRIUS: Yeah, what?

LILY: I love being a minion, don't you all?

JAMES: It was the opera, wasn't it.

SIRIUS: I'm going to pretend I don't know there's a catch to all of this.

LILY: Hey, fellow minions!

REMUS: I refuse to respond to that.

LILY: Ugh! Hello, minions! I have a plan.

JAMES: Not that I admit to being Sirius' minion, but what's your plan?

LILY: I'm tired of the dictatorship that we live under as minions. Lets overthrow our ruler.

REMUS: Now you're making sense..

JAMES: Excellent! When can we start? Do we attack him in his sleep, or just come up behind him in broad daylight with a pillow case and a jar of peanut butter?

SIRIUS: Alright, game over now, we're equals again.

LILY: Glad that's settled.

~~~~

A/N: Act Five coming soon! Please review!