Aborigine Cantaloupes

Later that afternoon, Sirius and Remus were back in the common room celebrating the addition of Madison Bell to the Quidditch team along with the rest of the House.

Peter had brought his Ancient Runes text down to the hospital wing and was getting tutored by James while he waited for Madam Pomfrey to find the antidote to the crintortoris' poison. Sirius had had to leave shortly after Rebecca to go off to his detention, but Remus had remained long enough to make sure James was situated. At least Madam Pomfrey had been able to quickly and easily take care of the burns, leaving James just dizzy from the poison rather than dizzy and itchy.

Frank walked up to them and sat down. "Are any of you blokes ever going to tell me why I helped hide a menagerie in our loo the other day?"

"Nope."

"Sorry."

Frank nodded, stood up and walked back over towards the Gryffindor Five. At that moment, Remus felt bad for Frank.

"Do you think we should try to include Frank more?" Remus asked Sirius.

"Huh?"

"Don' t you think it would be bloody horrible to have to spend seven years in a dormitory with four other boys who are best mates and leave you out of everything they do?"

"That would be pretty horrible."

"That's what we do to Frank."

Sirius sat silently for a moment. "He has his own best friends… they're just not all in this House. And he gets along with the girls better anyway. I think it's a bit late to include him like… like we include each other."

This time Remus sat quietly.

"You know, we could never really tell him why there were animals. It would lead to other questions… are you sure you want to answer them?" Sirius looked to Remus.

Remus sighed. "No, I don't. I just feel bad about it all sometimes."

"I guess we still haven't killed that conscience of yours yet, eh?"

"This isn't something like torturing Snape…"

"I guess we could include him in some things, once in a while."

"Nevermind, Sirius… I was just thinking aloud." Remus chuckled. "Blame it on the moon."

"You blame everything on the moon."

"I'm just a moony kind of guy," Remus chimed.

Sirius groaned. "That was a horrible pun. Moony."

"Moony," Remus repeated, a strange look on his face.

"Well, come on Moony, let's go check on those other two gits… make sure James isn't trying to beat Peter to death with that text yet."

Remus chuckled. "Alright."

"Er, no. That's Constantinople, not cantaloupe, Peter," James said, pointing to the symbols on the paper with one hand and running his hand through his messy hair with the other.

Peter muttered something that James couldn't quite catch and reached for his text. "Why would that be Constantinople?"

"Probably because we're supposed to be translating a passage about Constantine's overcompensation attempts once he found out he was a Squib. Why would it be cantaloupe?"

Peter groaned and sunk his head onto his desk. "I should've taken my chances with another acromantula rather than this. Smart people take Ancient Runes, not me."

"You are smart, you git, you just overlooked the big picture in this case. Keep going, I've probably got at least another twenty minutes before Pomfrey frees me." He tilted his head from one side, then to the other and then squinted his eyes as he looked at Peter's paper. "Does that say 'ancient' or 'aborigine'?"

Peter narrowed his eyes at his paper and let out a sigh. "I'm assuming it should've been 'ancient'?"

"Well… aborigine cantaloupes could be an interesting conversation topic in class next week." James smirked.

"If you weren't ill…" Peter mumbled under his breath, attempting to suppress a grin at the idea. He sighed again, rolled up his parchment and stuck his quill into his satchel along with the text. "Have you heard Sirius's latest brilliant idea?"

James perked up. "No."

"He wants to steal one shoe from every pair in the dorm."

"Huh?"

"That was more or less the same response I had."

"One shoe?"

"That's a lot of shoes."

"Clearly."

The boys stopped talking as the clicking heels of Madam Pomfrey's shoes echoed through the infirmary. She approached James' bed and checked the areas where he'd gotten hit by the crintortoris's tail. She made a slight clucking noise and changed the bandages.

"Alright, Mr. Potter, off you go. But if you have any problems, or those wounds start to bleed or ooze again-"

"I'll come right back." James flashed the smile he reserved for charming adults. It rarely failed him and this time was no exception. She offered him back a quick smile.

"Well, go on now, young man, and do try to stay away from Hagrid's… pets… in the future."

"Yes, ma'am." James readily agreed, hopping out of bed and pulling on a new uniform Peter had brought down with him. The two boys quickly exited the hospital wing.

"You up for a stop in the kitchens, James?" Peter asked. James grinned at him.

"I'm always up for breaking any rule, mate," James replied, changing direction.

The two boys walked on in a companionable silence through several corridors until they heard a very familiar and unwelcome voice coming from a nearby hallway. James and Peter stopped short and leaned against the wall to listen.

"My brother said-"

"Your brother is a prat, Malfoy. I'd be as likely to trust what he says as I would to date a Hufflepuff."

There was a small chorus of laughter that cut off abruptly.

"Did something I say strike you as amusing?"

A moment's pause.

"Is there a reason you surround yourself with minions that carry the combined mental facilities of a dead hippogriff?"

"Is there a reason you need to be such a hag, Bella?"

"It's Black, Malfoy. I've never given you any iota of permission to address me otherwise. Now what the hell did you want to meet me here for?"

"I was trying to tell you." The whine was clear in his voice. "My brother said the Dark Lord is looking towards the future. Looking for those he will be able to trust in the years to come."

"You're implying that Voldemort is enlisting school aged children?" The bitter voice was full of scorn. "I really don't think I need worry about a madman who thinks children will be of aid to him. Clearly the Ministry is more inept that I'd initially thought if they're incapable of catching the man."

"Or perhaps the Dark Lord is more brilliant than all of us, Black. Perhaps he foresees a long reign, to well beyond the time when we'll be considered children. Perhaps he figures it wise to know who is on his side and who is against him by the time we exit Hogwarts."

There was a long pause.

"Have you spoken with the others about this?"

"Clearly, as Crabbe, Goyle and Nott are here, they are aware and are prepared to pledge their allegiance to him whenever the opportunity arises."

"And Snape? Port? Zark? Umbridge?"

"Zark and Port are thinking it over, the invitation has been extended. Snape may need some persuading. He has not yet been informed, yet we are sure that in the end, he will join us. The Dark Lord will be happy to have his talents, especially with potions, available to him."

"Umbridge?"

"You are joking, correct?"

Bellatrix let out a cruel laugh.

"Perhaps your Dark Lord shows more intelligence that I initially gave him credit for." There was a moment of silence. "And the other Houses?"

"I do not believe such liberal invitations are being offered to them as they are to us. Undoubtedly though, many will wish to join and some will be accepted."

"Then, for the time being, my answer is the same as Port and Zark, I will think on it. Good day, boys."

Footsteps headed their way and Peter and James exchanged startled glances. Suddenly Peter's eyes widened and he grabbed James, pulling him into the broom closet that had appeared behind them.

"Merlin bless your bloody broom closet, mate." James whispered as Bellatrix Black's footsteps walked unhesitatingly past the door and down the corridor. Then the familiar portkey-like hook caught them and they tumbled out in front of the kitchens.

The two boys lay in a heap for a moment staring blankly at one another.

"They're discussing joining Voldemort. That was what they were talking about, wasn't it?" James managed nearly a full minute later.

Peter nodded dumbly.

"Why?"

Peter looked as confused and frightened as James did. "Should we tell Dumbledore?"

James eyes widened. "Yeah, I reckon we should."

James Potter stood eyeing the statue before him. Both he and Peter had spent the last twenty minutes trying to figure out the password to let them into Dumbledore's office and not a single try had been successful.

"We're getting nowhere with this." He sighed.

Peter's stomach grumbled. "I know. And I'm still starving. I'd kill for a box of Cockroach Clusters right now."

The statue sprang to the side and a set of stairs began to spin upwards. James gawked at Peter.

"How'd you do that?"

Peter shrugged, but followed James onto the staircase. When they arrived at the top, they knocked on the door and listened as Dumbledore bade them to enter.

He smiled kindly at the two boys and gestured toward seats across from his desk.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. How may I help you?"

"Well, Professor…" James stopped, unsure of how to word such accusations against his classmates. He might not like them, but these were serious issues he was about to rise.

Professor Dumbledore sat back patiently, waiting for James to find the words to continue.

"You see, we overheard something we really shouldn't have…" James looked over to Peter who just nodded slightly, as though words had left him entirely too.

The Headmaster just nodded and gestured for him to continue.

"Apparently, erm…" Peter began, trying to help. Both James and Professor Dumbledore seemed rather surprised when he began to talk. Peter took a deep breath. "We overheard several Slytherins talking…" He rushed on. "And we're not here because they're Slytherins, I mean, everyone knows Gryffindors aren't on good terms with most Slytherins, but what they were saying well… it was really wrong and well…" Peter trailed off, apparently realizing that this wasn't going the way he hoped. He glanced to James, whose eyes implored him to go on. Taking another deep breath, he continued. "They were discussing V-v-v-voldemort and well… some of them seem to agree with his ideas and they want to join him…"

Peter stopped talking and glanced up to the Headmaster. The old professor leaned back in his chair and diverted his eyes towards the window, a look of pure sorrow on his face.

After a long pause, James asked quietly, "Do you want to know who they are, sir?"

Dumbledore turned back to the boys and smiled very sadly. "No, Mr. Potter. They still have time to change their minds and some, I'm quite sure, will. Just as I am sure that others who are against him now, will someday side with him."

The two boys glanced at one another as the Headmaster averted his attention to the window.

"I do believe they are having a celebratory feast in honor of Ms. Bell in your common room, gentlemen. Perhaps it is time for one of Gryffindor's Chasers to join the rest of his team?" the professor offered softly.

"Yes, sir. We're very sorry to have bothered you," James said quickly, as he stood up.

Dumbledore immediately turned his head to look at James. "Mr. Potter, you have not bothered me one bit and coming to me upon hearing this news was not the incorrect thing to do. Do not worry your conscience over this matter, as I will deal with it as the need arises. It is useful information, but one is innocent until they are proven guilty. Thank you for informing me."

"Yes, sir," both boys mumbled together and hastily retreated from the office.

"That's not the decision I would've made," Peter commented as they made their way down the steps.

"Yeah, but I've just come to learn it's best to trust what he says… he's always right it seems."

"Would you look at that?"

Remus nudged James to get his attention and gestured towards Sirius. The tall boy was sitting on a nearby couch with Madison Bell. James shook his head slightly and then followed Remus's pointing finger over towards the corner the Gryffindor Five had been occupying. Much to James's surprise, he saw Tessa shooting death looks towards the newest Gryffindor Seeker.

"Where did you two go anyway?" Remus asked, turning his attention back to James. "Sirius and I went to go meet up with you and Peter in the infirmary and you were already gone."

James hesitated and looked around. "This isn't really the place to discuss that. Later though, alright mate?"

Remus gave him a puzzled expression and then nodded. The two boys looked on in surprise as Madison patted Sirius on the hand and then walked over to her sister, giggling as she walked.

Sirius, looking love struck, walked over to the two Marauders. "Did you see that, Moony?"

"Moony?" James asked with a raised eyebrow.

Remus just shook his head and shrugged. "What was I supposed to see?"

"She loves me."

"Er… I wouldn't be so sure she loves you."

Sirius cocked his head to the side and appeared to contemplate that. Then he turned his attention back to the two boys. "Of course she does. How could she not?"

He turned and began to walk over to where Peter and Frank were playing Exploding Snap.

"Is he serious?" Remus whispered to James.

"Frightening, isn't it?" The two boys shared a laugh. "So what's going on with you and Mel?"

Remus jumped as though he'd been cursed. "Nothing."

"Really? How'd she obtain a book recommendation from you?"

"Book recommendation?" Remus looked a little too innocent.

"When we ran into her on the Hogwarts Express she was reading a book you said was good." James shot his friend, who was now running his hands rapidly through his hair creating an amusing disheveled look.

"What book?"

James shrugged. "Some science fiction writer, stop dodging the question, Moony."

"We sent a few owls back and forth, that was all." Remus stared resolutely down at his feet. "I'm going to head up to bed. I'm tired."

Before James could open his mouth to protest, Remus was already halfway up the steps to the boys' dormitory.

"Hey, Potter."

He turned to see Rebecca Longbottom holding out a butterbeer towards him.

"Strange how we always seem to have stuff like butterbeer around for parties isn't it?" She smiled at him and sat down in a nearby armchair. James accepted the drink and followed her lead.

"Strange," he acknowledged and tipped the bottle back, letting the warm liquid flow down his throat.

She peered at his bandage. "Are you alright?"

"Pomfrey let me out, didn't she?" he replied quickly.

Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "I was just commenting."

"I'm fine."

The two sat in an uncomfortable silence for a long moment. "Alan was worried about you, is all…"

"Alan?" James turned his head to look at her. "The same boy you went to huge lengths to avoid at the end of last year?"

Rebecca turned scarlet. "Well, he's not so bad really…"

"Strange how things can change over a summer." James commented, not entirely sure why he was behaving so abruptly.

"No kidding, Potter," Rebecca replied shortly, standing up. "You used to be a nice guy." She quickly walked over towards where her brother, Peter and Sirius were engaged in a game of Exploding Snap but halfway there changed directions and sat down with Alan Beamish and Margaret Bell.

"I am a nice guy," James muttered under his breath before he downed the rest of his butterbeer and stalked upstairs.

"Did you see Broderick Bode and Adam Avery this morning?" Molly McGuire hissed loudly at Mary Ollivander.

"Did you see the Slytherin's new Chaser try to kiss Madam Pomfrey?" Mary exclaimed back excitedly.

Sirius unsuccessfully tried to bite back a snort. The two girls whirled around.

Molly rolled her eyes. "We should've known."

"Really girls," James jumped in before the two Ravenclaw third years could continue, "what on Earth could we possibly do to make some Slytherin want to kiss the school nurse?"

"I wouldn't put anything beyond you lot," Mary commented, giving all four boys a quick once over.

Remus held up his hands in a gesture of innocence and Peter looked completely confused. Both girls let out exasperated sighs and turned back to face forward in their seats.

The four boys exchanged a look of triumph and settled back into their seats as Professor McGonagall walked into the classroom.

The Marauders had taken it upon themselves to begin actually paying attention in class in case Professor McGonagall mentioned anything pertaining to Animagi transformations, so the other three didn't notice when Remus looked up, startled, to try and figure out where the piece of parchment that just showed up on his desk had come from.

Hello Remus. This class is dreadfully dull sometimes, don't you think? –M

Startled, Remus's eyes darted towards every person in the classroom whose name began with an M. It can't be, he thought as his eyes met with the last person in the room. She wrote me a note.

He hesitated, clearly not a Marauder at heart… you never write the person's name, that's incriminating evidence, then wrote: Yes, sometimes. How was the rest of the celebration last night? and then waited for McGonagall to turn around until he Banished the note across the room to her. She grinned and then turned her attention to the parchment.

Nearly five minutes passed before Professor McGonagall turned to the chalkboard again and the note sped across to him.

Emmaline Vance and Marlene McKinnon got into Divination over the summer so Tessa disappeared into some corner with them and harassed first years to let the three of them tell their futures. The smart ones ran away. I played a round of Exploding Snap with Sirius but he beat me… he usually does and then a round of Wizard Chess with Peter. I won. Around midnight Professor McGonagall came in and told us all to calm down and get some sleep.

Remus grinned. Peter never stands a chance against anybody in Wizard Chess, he thought. Distracted, Remus tried to turn his teapot into a turtle and winced as a puff of smoke and a hamster emerged.

"Bloody hell," he muttered and glanced over to see Melissa not even trying to hide her giggles as she scooped up her turtle with a flower pattern on its shell.

"Moony, did you just screw up a basic transfiguration?" Sirius whispered amusedly.

"Oh sod off, you git," Remus hissed back as he turned the hamster back into a teapot and the teapot into a slightly porcelain looking turtle, scowling at both James and Sirius who had perfect little green turtles toddling around their desks.

Remus reached for the parchment after ensuring that the other Marauders were preoccupied trying to catch the angry snake Peter had produced. I thought Cortessa had given up on that Divination stuff. I'm glad you had fun though. He stopped and looked at that last line.

What if she thinks we mean more than we mean by that?

What more could we mean? The entire castle knows we like her.

When did 'we' start thinking in plural?

Leave it. For Merlin's sake, she wrote to you all summer. Just maybe she likes you too.

Or maybe she was just bored being stuck in the Muggle world.

Remus shook his head, trying to clear it as he stared at the parchment. He hesitated, and then continued. I think I need to help Peter and the others with that snake now. I'm going-

Remus gasped in horror as the parchment went sailing out from under his quill into Professor McGonagall's hand.

"Mr. Lupin? This doesn't appear to relate to Transfiguration," she commented, the entire class stopping what they were doing to watch the exchange.

Please don't let her read it aloud, please don't let her read it aloud, please don't let her read it aloud, please don't- Remus's fervent thoughts were interrupted by the professor's stern tone.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Lupin. Please be sure to keep your attention on the subject at hand in the future." She quickly lit the parchment and as it disintegrated into flames, Remus breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied and then let out a yelp of pain. He turned to Peter and pointed under his desk. "I found your snake, Pete."

James, Sirius and Peter's eyes all widened as the three finally succeeded in capturing the snake.

"Is it poisonous?" Remus asked, looking to Peter as the room began to spin.

"I don't know," the small, chubby boy replied anxiously.

Remus tried to nod, but the room was spinning too quickly. "I think it might be," he managed to whisper before he slumped over in his seat.