The Marauders were relaxing on a slope high above the wizard school Hogwarts. The fields in which they lay had been covered in snow just a few days before, but autumn wasn't quite ready to release her grip on the weather yet, and the four young Gryffindors would make the most of the sunny spell while they could.
Sirius Black was sprawled lazily sat his back, staring up at the blue sky. Nearby, James Potter sat, spinning his wand skilfully through his fingers and gazing down at the rooftops of their school. Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew had retired to the shade of a large oak tree and were practising charms together.
The four companions in, between the ritual exchange of insults and jokes, were discussing the up-coming Yule Celebrations.
"I can't believe you finally worked up the balls to ask her James!"
This from Sirius. He said it in a patronising tone, although he knew full well his friend rarely lacked courage.
"Sirius, you're just bitter 'coz you're going to have to go with McGonnogal. Or did she turn you down?"
They all laughed at this. McGonnogal was well known for dishing out multiple detentions to Sirius, and his friends always joked that he got them on purpose.
Remus looked up from his arithmancy textbook to join in the banter.
"James! That's his future wife you're talking about. Show some respect!"
Sirius as always, joined in the laughter.
Remus himself would not be going to the ball, so no retorts were thrown his way. Unfortunately, the night of the Yule Ball would fall upon a full moon this year. He would miss the festivities.
"Who are you going with Sirius?" piped up Peter, the quietest of the group.
"I'm not sure Pete. I still can't make up my mind, but I've got it narrowed down to two"
Once again his friends all laughed at him. This was typical of Sirius. He wasn't being conceited however. Sirius was a trouble maker and his bad-boy attitude made him popular with girls. He could've taken anybody he chose to the Ball.
When they were walking down corridors, first year girls would stare at him with glazed expressions, looking all dreamy and hopefull. James and the others ridiculed him for this, but Sirius took it all in his stride. He would give his fan-club dashing smiles, then laugh when they blushed and fled.
"Oh Sirius, you stud!" drawled James "who are the lucky two then?"
"Well" began Sirius with a large grin "Lily did promise she'd go with me, but some stupid four-eyed wolly seduced her with a love potion, so I had to rethink my options"
James rolled his eyes, and ruffled up his already messy hair, refusing to rise to the bait.
"So, it's going to be either Miranda from the year below - you know, the blonde one? Very pretty, bit ditzy though. Well anyway, her or Guinevere Jones. I can't decide."
"You wont have to" chirped Peter nervously. "Lovegood's already asked Miranda to go with him. He asked her earlier, before lunch."
Ash Lovegood was the Ravenclaw Quidditch captian. Depsite their house-rivalry, he was a good friend of the four.
"And she said yes! Exclaimed Sirius indignantly. "I suppose it'll have to be Gwyn then."
He sniffed dismissively and rolled over onto his stomach. He plucked ruthlessly at a patch of grass. " I like her better anyway"
Peter nodded vigorously in agreement and launched into a story he'd heard about Miranda, a toad and an enchanted suit of armour.
Listening with half an ear, James let his thoughts drift, as they always did eventually, to Lily.
They hadn't seen each other alone much since the day in the rose garden. There had been trips to Hogsmeade, but only in large groups of their mutual friends. James couldn't wait till being close to her again. He also looked forward to the chance for people to see them together. A vain notion, he knew, but he couldn't help the urge to shout out loud that Lily Evans was with him.
"Remus," Sirius interrupted Peter, tired of listening to his gossip. "Are we all set for Friday night?"
Remus set down his book, and moved from the shade into the sun. He stretched out on the grass. He looked pale. Paler than usual. The full moon was only three days away.
"Yes" he sighed "Everything is arranged. You know you don't have to take me this time. I don't want any of you missing the ball"
"Don't be such a squib Remus!" Sirius chided him "Five minutes of our time is nothing. You're missing the whole thing. Of course we'll be with you"
The other two animagi voiced there agreement. On Friday, they would accompany Remus to the shrieking shack and stay with him in their animal form while he changed. This was the hardest part of the transition for thier friend; when his animal mind took control. Then, they would return, in their regular forms naturally, to the Ball.
As Remus thanked them solemnly, a head appeared above the brow of the hill. A dark haired head. Bowed low. It belonged to Severus Snape.
"Oh Merlin's beard! What is he doing here?" demanded Sirius of nobody in particular.
"OI! Snape! Hey, grease ball! What do you want?"
The head which had been previously focused on the ground snapped up at the sound of Sirius's voice. He gave them a murderous look, and slowed his pace, stopping at a 'safe' distance.
He addressed the Marauders in a sneering tone :
"I hope you all have permission to be up here. You're almost off school grounds you know"
"Yeah, we know Snivellous. We needed a little air. Your Slytherin stench can be quite over-powering sometimes"
"James smiled, but said nothing. He intended to keep his promise to Lily, even if she wasn't there to witness it.
"Very amusing, Black. I'm surprised that you're not used to the smell of your own kind though. He smiled darkly, knowing that he'd hit home. And don't forget your detention later"
With that he walked off, returning the way he had come.
Sirius looked bleak. The jibe about 'his own kind' had indeed struck a nerve. He hated being reminded about his blood ties. The Blacks were a pure-blood family. They were also a family of muggle -haters and looked down on anybody who linked themselves to muggles and half bloods.
Sirius however, was the black sheep of the Black family. He did not share their haughty opinions and his dissention from the family ranks was cemented further after the sorting hat had placed him in Gryffindor, not Slytherin.Thereafter he had been a stranger in his own home.
Raising his wand, pointing it at Snapes departing back, he was about to issue a spell when James reached out his hand to stop him. A look of surprise spread across Sirius's handsome face. James would normally have suggested a hex, rather than stopping him from performing one.
"Don't bother Sirius. He's not worth your effort"
"Well, maybe not this time James" Sirius relented, lowering his wand. "But he will pay eventually"