Disclaimer: Shh…I'm practicing my Imperious Curse on them…think it's working?
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed – for my first HP fic, it's not doing too badly! Please, if you enjoy this, check out my other fics – "Return To Me" and "Absolutely Nothing" in particular. I'm very proud of both of them. And yes, that was a shameless plug. Thanks again!
SoulAvenger – Oh, you'll have to wait for James' reaction. It'll be worth it though, I promise you!
Elessar – Well, thanks! How much more to the point can you get than that?
sakurablossoms4 – I'm glad you're enjoying it. Here's more!
SammyBlack80 – Thanks for your comments. More is on the way!
Lunaris – I do think that they're *squee*worthy. That said just enough!
Monica-Chan the Hanyou Kitsune – I believe "kawaii" means cute – if it does, yes they are! Hope I didn't make you wait too long.
alastormadeymoody51 – Whoa. Hey, no suing. I'm poor, remember? Here, will this pacify you?
Lady S – I did write some more. Thanks for the suggestion. Lol…I'm glad you like it. Enjoy this chapter.
The Merciless Torturer – He certainly did get what he deserved…as you'll see. Muhahaha!
Akuma Malik: Queen of Typos – Queen of Typos, huh? I think I could take your crown. I just have a good spellchecker. I'm glad to hear you like this.
I'm going to shut up now, and let you read the next chapter…
Behind Closed Doors
By: Hawkeye's Seductress
Chapter 4: Relationships and Detentions
"You take him," Sirius instructed, motioning to Peter. "I'll handle Mr. Potter here." He grinned maliciously at James, who gulped. Remus advanced on Peter, who was stammering his innocence.
"I didn't do it – it wasn't me, I had nothing to do with it, it was him!" He gestured frantically to James, who was slowly backing away from Sirius. Remus eyeballed the pale, watery – eyed boy as he accused the others, and was to be reminded of this in years to come – standing over an older version of Peter Pettigrew, watching him blubber his innocence.
"Alright, Peter, I believe you," Remus decided, lowering his wand and allowing Peter to scamper out of the room, looking much like his Animagi form. Sirius tsk tsked at his side. "So forgiving, my dear," he said. "I was looking forward to you nailing the rat." Remus shot him a smirk. "Well, this way I can help you out with this rat. A rat with antlers, how peculiar, don't you think, Mr. Padfoot?" Sirius grinned. "How peculiar indeed, Mr. Moony."
James was still backing up, but he soon ran out of room, and he found himself trapped against the wall. Sirius and Remus moved in for the kill…
Soon, James Potter was carried out into the corridor, then propped up against the wall. He did not struggle – most likely due to the full Body Bind that had been placed upon him. Hung around his neck was a sign that had been charmed to show a large, moving picture of Lily Evans, and the words "I'm Potty for Evans" were flashing Technicolor above the picture.
Back inside, the two culprits celebrated their victory by returning to the dorm room – only this time, it was them who locked the door. Neither were seen for quite a few hours.
They emerged some time later, looking deliciously disheveled. They headed through the halls, ignoring a livid growl from James, who was still leaning against the wall. Sirius suddenly stopped, turning to Remus with an intense look on his face.
"Look, Remi, are we gonna tell James and Peter?" he asked, chewing his lower lip. Remus, who would have much rather be chewing said lower lip himself, shrugged. "We almost have to, don't we? I mean, they are our best friends, regardless of pranks they've pulled in the past." Sirius nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so. What about the rest of the school? There aren't any others…that is, we're the only…I mean…" He was cut off by the finger that pressed itself on his lips.
"Will you forget what other people are going to think? I don't care, why should you?" Sirius shrugged. "I dunno. I just want to be sure that you're alright with this." Remus laughed. "You're a nutter. If I wasn't alright with it, I would say something. Now come on, I've got to get to the library to finish that Charms essay."
The morning dwindled away, and it seemed an eternity to lunch – especially for Sirius. Sitting across from Remus, watching his hair fall into his eyes as he bent over his essay, his hand traveling rapidly across the parchment, leaving in its wake his smooth, flowing script that was the envy of the rest of the Marauders, was pure murder. His own essay lay abandoned, a title scrawled across the top, and three or four sentences underneath, as he gazed at the beautiful creature across the table.
Sensing he was being watched, Remus looked up, meeting blue eyes. "What?" he asked, smiling as he took in the dazed expression on the taller boy's face. "Earth to Padfoot, come in Padfoot." Sirius jerked. "Sorry," he grinned. "I was watching you. You're beautiful."
Remus flushed, unaccustomed to the constant compliments. "Oh, I'll bet you say that to all the boys," he joked. Sirius looked affronted. "What other boys?" he demanded. Remus laughed delightedly. "We're a perfect match, you and I," he noted. "I'm the quiet, intelligent one, and you're the loud, stupid one."
In a movement that rivaled the speed of light, Sirius had Remus's ink bottle in his hand, tipping it over his finished essay. "Take it back," he taunted. Remus glared. "You wouldn't."
A single drop of black ink trembled on the lip of the bottle, threatening to drop the few inches to the parchment below. "Try me," Sirius replied, a teasing smirk lighting up his handsome face. "Ok, ok, I take it back," Remus exclaimed, reaching in vain for the ink bottle. "I'm not stupid?" Sirius continued, holding the bottle just out of reach.
"No!"
"I'm not loud?"
"No! Now give it!"
Satisfied, Sirius returned the ink bottle to a glowering Remus. "Love you," he said meekly. Remus ignored him, packing his stuff in his bag. "Moony?" No response.
Sirius threw himself to his knees in front of Remus, kissing his hand. "My dearest Moony, don't be angry with me," he cried, causing people to glance in their direction. "Get up, people are looking," Remus hissed. "Not until you promise you're not mad."
Despite his best efforts, Remus could not stop the smile that broke out over his face. "I'm not mad. Now get up, you mutt." Sirius bounded to his feet. "I'm hungry." The only answer was Remus's laughter – something he could not hear enough of. He didn't laugh nearly enough. "Let's go eat."
They meandered out of the Great Hall after lunch. "Think we should go free Prongs?" Sirius asked, catching his boyfriend's swinging hand and kissing it quickly. "Mmm…I guess so." They headed off towards the Fat Lady, but the sight that met their eyes there was a bad one.
Professor McGonagall was standing over James, demanding to know what happened. Peering out around her, James pointed to the two boys, who hurriedly spun around and walked away. "It was those two," he called, his grin evident in his voice. In one smooth motion, McGonagall had both Sirius and Remus by an ear, dragging them none too gently back to where James stood, smirking triumphantly.
"Explain yourselves!" the professor shouted. Sirius shrugged, flashing his teacher that famous grin. "Just some harmless pranks, Professor," he said smoothly. Seeing she was going to get nothing more from his, McGonagall changed tactics, turning on Remus, who cringed. "Lupin, I'm very disappointed in you. I thought you knew better – you a prefect! What are your reasons?"
Remus shot a look at Sirius, who shook his head violently. Biting one fingernail, as he did when he was nervous, Remus looked up at the angry teacher. "James locked us in the dorm all Saturday, and it was a full moon. We decided to get back at him." He hung his head, looking ashamed. But McGonagall was ignoring him, having turned on James. "Potter? Is Lupin telling the truth?! You locked these two in a room together on the eve of a full moon?!"
James tried to smile, but he failed. "I…forgot that it was the last night of full moon," he admitted. "I wouldn't have done it if I remembered."
"You shouldn't have done it at all!" McGonagall shouted. "Your foolish prank could have resulted in severe injury to Black!" She whirled on Sirius, staring at him suspiciously. "Incidentally, Black, how did you manage to escape unscathed?"
All three boys paled – to explain that would mean telling McGonagall that James, Sirius and Peter were Animagi. Thinking fast, Remus piped up.
"I don't know why, Professor, but last night was very mild. I was able to…to keep a margin of control over my mind. Perhaps Sirius's presence was calming. I'm not sure how to explain it," he lied quickly, receiving admiring and relieved glances from both James and Sirius. McGonagall frowned, and the three boys held their breath – had she bought it?
"Well, as long as no one was hurt. Unfortunately, neither incident, whether it was revenge or not, cannot pass without some form of punishment. You will all receive detentions tonight, polishing all the trophies in the Trophy Room without magic. Report there at eight o'clock." She stalked off.
Sirius grabbed Remus in an ecstatic hug, swinging him right off his feet. "Moony, you're the smartest of us all – if I'd answered, I'd have done us all in!"
James was also grinning. "That was fast thinking, Moony." Remus bowed. "I live but to serve."
That night, Remus and Sirius were walking down to the Trophy Room, hand in hand. "We'll tell him tonight," Remus decided.
~TBC~
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