"Sirius.'' Said Lupin, the older, sternly.
Still wearing the sneer on his face Snape looked over the heap of Marauders, also still on the floor, to turn his glittering, black gaze on Lupin.
"What do you want?'' Snape asked severely.
"Severus, I just came to make sure you heard the apology that they came to give you,'' Lupin said as he gestured with his hand to the Marauders, who had finally manage to stand.
"And for the record this 'little' apology means nothing. After this moment we will forget that it ever happened banishing it from our memory.'' James said.
"For the record Potter,'' Snape replied, with a leer, "I will remember it always. The great 'Potter' not as great as he thinks himself to be. A shame that it will not deflate that head of yours.''
There was a long cold silence where everyone just glared at Snape and Snape just glared at James.
Thinking fast Lupin, the older, tried to think of a way to break the silence, of hatred, that wouldn't lead to any casualties.
"Now everyone let's act civilized," he began, "The sooner someone apologizes the sooner we can leave and the sooner Snape can go back to doing whatever he was doing.''
"Probably thinking of a few accidental deaths that he can try on us, without the ministry getting to involved. I bet you your dear-newly-found-dad will be the first to go. Snivellus will tell the ministry that a giant, slimy chicken suffocated him. When in reality it was Snivellus and that black, greasy thing on his head that he calls hair.'' Sirius muttered to Harry, with a nod of his head.
Looking back in front of him, Sirius, realized that he hadn't said it as quietly as he had thought. Snape was giving him a look that said 'I'm going to kill you' or if you squinted your eyes it was a look that said 'I'm going to eat you.' None of them very pleasant looks any way you cut it.
"Thanks for volunteering to speak first Sirius.'' Lupin said with an agitated tone.
Turning to give the older man a brief glare, Sirius turned back to look at the enlarged beast in front of him. He could do this, he could……apologize to……it. No. Yes. No. Umm…why is life so unfair?!
Stepping forward he sucked in his pried and began.
"On behalf of the three of us I offer you an apology. Even though it was you who pulled out your wand first and you who left us with no other choice but to fight back. We're offering this apology because, obviously, we're the better people and being the better people we must take into consideration the fact that mean, slimy, gits are unable to be part of regular 'human' society because of the fact that they are mean, slimy gits. And therefore—''
"I will not stand here while you talk to me so. Lupin you may tell Dumbledore that I heard their inadequate excuse for an apology and that I do not under any circumstances accept it. You may also tell him that they will be doing detention with me for the rest of the school year.'' With that Snape turned on his heals, making his cloak swish out behind him, and walking back into his room, slammed the door behind him.
A stunned silence followed his swift departure.
"Why that slimy, good-for-nothing git!'' hissed Sirius through clenched teeth.
Striding to the door he lifted his fist and banged on the door a couple of times but to no avail because it didn't open. When Sirius realized this he yelled, "You can't do this you hateful, slimy, old man! If that's even what you are!''
Before Sirius could break the door down Lupin pulled him away and shoved him in the direction of the stairs. Gesturing with his hands he motioned the others towards the stairs.
The Marauders climbed the stairs with an angry air. Not because one of them had been forced to apologize but because that oily, old git had had the last word. Something that never should have happened. It was just…..wrong.
When everyone finally reached the top of the stairs Lupin said, "He can't do that you know and even if he could Dumbledore wouldn't let him.''
Sighing Remus said, "Well thank god for that at least.''
No one said anything further.
"Err…It's late and I have to get my work done if I want to go with you guys tomorrow.'' Harry said breaking the silence.
"That's right. We get to go shopping.'' Sirius stated.
"Don't worry Harry we'll help you with your school work.'' James said.
"I trust that you four can make it to your rooms without my help.'' Lupin said with a yawn, "I'll just go report to Dumbledore, then get some sleep. Nice to see you all again.''
With that he turned and walked off down the corridor, but not before he drowsily said, "Meet me in the Dinning Hall. Don't bother wakening up early. We can all use the extra sleep and the lack of Severus' face.''
"Very agreeable old chap.'' Sirius said affectionately.
Harry stared off worriedly at Lupin's back, even though he had seemed happy at the sight of his dead friends and old self Lupin seemed more drawn and haggard then ever before. It was as if he was slowly dying away.
"Harry!'' said James in a voice that made Harry think that he had been calling his name for a while.
"What?'' Harry asked.
The three Marauders were all looking at Harry, Sirius in particular was looking at him sorrowfully and shaking his head.
"I think he has A.D.D. I don't know why I didn't expect it after all he is a Potter.'' Sirius said.
Ignoring his best friend James asked, "Why did you look at him like that? Is something wrong with him? Because the full moon passed two weeks ago, he should be just fine. Right?'' This last part was directed at Remus.
Remus worriedly replied, "he should be fine.''
"I think he's depressed and it's making him sick. After everything that happened last year…'' Harry didn't go on.
"You know I hope old me left me some money. Enough to buy a new broom at least. Imagine that going back home with a broom that hasn't even been thought up yet.'' Sirius said in an attempt to distract everyone but now that he thought of it…a new broom sounded good to him.
Smiling, Harry began to walk towards the Gryffindor rooms, "You know Sirius bought me the latest model when my other one got smashed during a game, it's great. It feels like it turns at your every thought instead of your every touch.''
The Marauders who were walking with Harry let out a sigh at this notion.
"You know when Dumbledore told me that you played Quidditch I thought that no matter what you couldn't be that bad, even though he made it seem as if you were a goody-two-shoes.'' Sirius said absent-minded.
"So do you think it's going to be a good team this year? Is the captain any good?'' asked Remus.
"As a matter of fact I have no idea. We're missing a few players and as for the captain…well I'm the captain.'' Harry said.
After a few steps Harry realized that he was walking alone and that the others were rooted in their spots.
"What?'' he demanded irritated. Did they think he was that bad?
"I'm so proud.'' James said pretending to cry and hugging himself.
"I'm shocked,'' Sirius replied, "Why doesn't someone make me a captain? It's no fair I tell you Remus, it's a conspiracy against me.''
Before Remus could reply they heard a voice, "Do you hear someone Mrs. Norris? Find them!''
Hauling their bags into a position where nothing would fall out, the four of them ran.
They didn't stop running till they were in front of the portrait of the fat lady. Dropping their stuff to the floor they bent over and clutched their sides.
Wheezing Harry gasped the password to the reprimanding portrait and threw his stuff in when it swung open.
Having waited for Harry till they were the last ones in the common room Hermione and Ron jumped up when they heard him come in and rushed over to him.
"Harry Professor McGonagall came in and told us that they were adding three new—'' whatever Ron had been about to say died on his lips because just then the Marauders pushed Harry out of the way.
"No consideration for others, those Potters. Left us standing out in the hall way.'' Sirius said accusingly.
"And with us dead on our feet.'' Added Remus.
Shaking his head James said, "Honestly I don't know .... the kids these days just have no consideration for others. First he leaves us standing out there on our poor feet and now he won't even introduce us to his friends. You're embarrassed of me aren't you?''
Shaking his head Harry smiled and said, "Hermione, Ron this is James—''
"Just enchanted to meet you.''
"This is Remus—''
"Hello.''
"And this is Sirius—''
"It's so fabulous to finally meet you. Our little Harry hardly talks of anything else.'' Sirius said with a charming smile.
"Now that everyone's met lets sit done and get to business.'' James said in a bossy voice.
Walking over to one of the tables they all sat and Remus grabbed Harry's work and passed it out to his friends and himself.
Confused Hermione looked at the Marauders who were all currently busy filling out some kind of papers. Looking over at the nearest she realized what it was.
"Harry! Their doing your school work!'' Hermione said angrily glaring at Harry.
"Yes, I—'' he began.
"You guys keep it done I'm trying to work.'' Grumbled Remus.
"You should give that back to Harry right now.'' Hermione said looking at them disapprovingly.
"Hermione, what I was trying to say was that I'm going with them tomorrow, but in order to go I have to finish this work which—''
"So! Your getting them to do your work so you can have the day off!'' she demanded as she stood up.
"Yes.'' Said James failing to see the current problem. After all it was nothing big nothing ever really changes through wizard history.
Angry that no one seemed to see the problem Hermione stomped off towards the girls' dormitory.
Looking up and leaning back in his chair Sirius said, "So having marital problems Harry?''
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^Not a Harry/Hermione fic.