Disclaimers: Okay I own nothing Harry Potter related. That genius is
copyrighted to the one . . . the only . . . J.K. Rowling..! 9cheers) But in
all fun there will be name sin there you do not know or have not heard of.
Those would be my characters which are copyright to me. (points to herself
with her wand) So don't take them with out my permission or I'll have to
hex you. Now all in good fun. Please Read & Review and enjoy. It is long I
warn you . . . but I'm trying to build a strong plot and keep them in
character. (waves wand and story appears) So . . . enjoy..!
Chapter 1 Holidays Approach
"I can't believe we have all this homework..!"
Peter Pettigrew complained softly to his friends and out of ear reach of the Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall.
"Oy..! Will you shut up already..?!" Sirius said loudly, "It's not that bad."
Peter gave his friend a look of terror through his blond bangs which were in need of a hair cut, "What..?! How can you say that..?!"
"Easy . . ." Sirius said with a smooth grin, his dark handsome eyes closed, "I'll copy it all from Remus . . ."
Remus Lupin half-smiled looking as usual a bit pale and peaky, "What would happen if I stopped giving you my homework to copy..?" he asked sharply.
Sirius raised and eyebrow and laughed, "You act as if I'm stupid Moony . . ."
Remus smiled, "Sometimes I can't always tell."
Laughing Sirius took his hand and tucked his soft dark hair behind his ear revealing his smooth, handsome face and began digging through his school bag slumped on his shoulder, "Well if worse came to worse, I suppose I could do it myself . . . not like it's difficult."
Looking at him blankly Peter whimpered, "Wish I could say the same," he said with a fallen smile and his watery blue eyes in despair.
"Don't worry Peter," Remus assured him with a hand on Peter's back, "I'll help you. It's really not all that difficult."
Peter still looked frightened, like a mouse lost in a maze, "Alright. But if I don't get it—"
Remus laughed slightly at his short friend, "Don't worry. You'll get it and you'll do fine. I'll even let you borrow my notes."
At this Sirius had stopped digging through his school bag, "Did my ears deceive me..?" Sirius called back, "I thought that you'd never say you'd lend out those notes . . ." he said putting a hand to his ear, "What did I hear you say..? Come, come now dear Moony . . ."
"I said I'd let Peter borrow my notes."
Sirius pointed his finger sharply at Lupin and had an insane grin on his face, "Ha..! You said you'd never lend them out..! When I asked you denied me..! Going against our word are we..?"
Peter looked frightened by Sirius and wrapped his arms around his books and brought them close to his chest. Remus remained calm, "Peter was sick. He didn't get a chance to copy them in class," he said coolly, "And unlike you and James, he makes an effort."
Sirius put his hands behind his head, "Whatever . . ."
Remus smiled. He knew Sirius didn't have a saucy come back to Remus's logic. But then Remus frowned. There was something missing.
There was a long silence from the 3 Marauders. One of their crew was missing today, there would be no saucy comment from that Marauder that was always there to back Sirius up.
"Wonder how Prongs is feeling today..?" Sirius said airily, "Hope better than yesterday."
Remus nodded. He hoped James was feeling better too. The last Quidditch game was spectacular but James and the Gryffindor Quidditch team had paid a price for such a good victory. Gryffindor had beaten Ravenclaw in a close game. Ravenclaw, being a good house, accepted their defeat, but the Slytherins . . . who had wanted Gryffindor to lose, weren't taking the loss too well. To show their frustration at Gryffindor's victory . . . they cast spells on each Gryffindor Quidditch member to prevent them from practicing. They all suffered interesting 'accidents'.
Both Beaters, Brain Smith and Dan Buckley were suffering from Bat Boogie Hexes walking to class. Luckily, 3 Slytherins found them and pointed it out to the teachers right away. Sirius however thought this was fishy . . . The boys would be cleared up and ready to go soon enough. But Sirius took this into his own hands and locked all 3 Slytherins in Filch's closet and got them a week's worth of detention.
The Seeker, Jennifer Grunwald had lost her vision to a Blinding Jinx curiously when walking to her dorm with her friends. Luckily for her, the Slytherin Seeker found her stumbling around. Sirius again found this fishy. Madam Pomfrey had regained Jennifer's sight back with in a day but was keeping her in bed to make sure there were no long-term effects. Sirius, to make sure the job was done, blinded the Slytherin Seeker causing her to fall down the stairs. An 'eye for an eye' was what he told Remus who scolded him later for it.
The Keeper, Annie Griffin was stunned and found by the Slytherin team Captain Alison Brunt. Sirius began his detective work again. Annie was also taken to the hospital wing, but was out of the hospital wing today. To celebrate Sirius had Peeves attack Alison. He spit at her, threw gum and chased her around with a baseball bat and mop he found in Filch's closet.
And as for the 3 Chasers, Logan McGrath, Marie Cook and James Potter, they were all suffering from very interesting 'accidents' too.
Logan supposedly tripped on his broom at practice yesterday on his way into the changing rooms broke his arm. Sirius had found him on his way to see James, along with 2 Slytherins near by in the bushes laughing and then coming out pretending to be concerned. Sirius hexed them both for the sport of finding them in his path. Logan was being healed thanks to the magical skills of Madam Pomfrey.
Marie Cook (also Sirius's girlfriend) was on her way to Potions when she was hit by something hard. Professor Woad the Slytherin House leader, and Potions master, said she must have run into the door. Sirius was unconvinced. Marie was still in the hospital recovering from a bit of memory loss. To make it up to Marie, Sirius hexed Professor Woad later in class with her not knowing it was him. He told Remus and Peter he found the fungus sprouting on her face an improvement.
And for James. Yesterday when he was on his way to Quidditch practice (even though the team was mostly gone some were still there) his nose started to bleed uncontrollably. A Slytherin Chaser explained to Professor McGonagall that his nose was hit by a rogue bludger. Unconvinced again, Sirius found the Slytherin and hung him upside down, dropped his drawers and let him fall in the lake for an afternoon swim. Sirius told Peter and Remus that that was quality entertainment and it was a shame James had to have missed it. Madam Pomfrey still didn't have his nose under control yet but Sirius, Remus and Peter were hoping that he was better today.
"I'm sure he is," Remus told Sirius answering his question mentioned earlier, "Madam Pomfrey is pretty good about getting people up and well again."
"Yea," Sirius said proudly, "And if those Slytherin jerks try to hurt James or any other member of the team I'll—"
"Calm down Sirius," Remus said settling him down as they made their way up the stairs to the Hospital Wing, "We know, You'll knock them all down."
"You bet I will."
Peter laughed and Remus rolled his eyes.
Opening the Hospital Wing door Sirius strode in wearing a grin on his face. Remus followed looking tired from the walk (though he wasn't) and Peter stumbled in keeping all his books in his arms with out falling. Looking left then right they took a right towards James's bed where he was yesterday. The curtains were closed meaning James was sleeping or just sitting in there.
"Let's go wake him," Sirius muttered as they drew closer to James's bed.
Remus shoved him, "If he's asleep we'll come back later. We're not going to wake him up."
Sirius snorted with a smile.
Opening the curtain, Sirius expecting to see James either asleep or reading or something along those lines, and was in a crouched position ready to spring on him. But they saw an empty bed with the sheets folded neatly on top.
Peter looked surprised and Sirius fell losing his balance and looked around as if he dropped something. Remus raised an eyebrow, "James isn't hiding under the bed Sirius," Remus muttered, "He's probably fine now and up and about."
Sirius frowned, "Hope he isn't doing something without me."
"What could he possibly be doing..?" Remus questioned, "He just got out of the hospital. He's probably getting his assignments he missed."
Sirius laughed, "Thought you knew Prongs better than that Moony," he spoke coolly, "If I know James he's either trying to get Lily Evans to date him, causing trouble without me or—"
"Or he's collecting his assignments," Peter said.
"Sure he is," Sirius said sarcastically reaching into his bag and pulled out some papers, "I got those for him."
"Or— he's back in the common room," Remus said turning towards the door.
"No . . ." Sirius said shaking his finger, "He's—"
"He's right there," Peter squeaked pointing towards the door as James walked passed it.
Sirius glanced up and smiled. Peter was right for once. He gave Remus a smile they clearly read 'Peter was right and you were wrong..? Is the world ending..?' and began to walk over.
"Oy..!" Sirius shouted to James, "Oy James..!"
At this shout Madam Pomfrey came over and began to shake her finger at Sirius, "Mr. Black..! That will do..!" she roared, "I have people sleeping in here..! Now either be quiet or get OUT..!"
With out hesitation, Sirius and the others ran out to meet James in the hallway.
"So you all cured..?" Sirius asked brisk-fully putting his hand on James's shoulder. His shoulder slumped and fell to the side. Sirius looked up at him curiously, "You sure she cured you..? You look down right ill now."
"Wha..?" James said dryly.
Sirius repeated himself, "You sure she cured you..? You look down right ill Prongs."
"Oh," he said dazed, "Oh yea . . ." he blurred out like he had forgotten what happened, "Yea. She cured me."
Sirius looked at Remus then faced James who's face seemed pale, "You sure. I think something else in that hot-head of yours might have gotten messed up."
Chuckling then looking at Remus who glared at him Sirius tried to stop himself. Remus looked at James more closely. His hazel eyes seemed dazed . . . his smirking smile was gone . . . and his posture was slumped . . . maybe he had gotten a cold in there..?
James didn't blink once while Remus inspected him. Sirius found this humorous and knocked him on the head with his fist like he was a door, "Knock knock . . . anybody home..?" James still looked forward, "Hello..?" Sirius complained, "Hello..? Anybody home in there Jamesie..?"
James did not answer. Peter poked his shoulder, "Hello..?"
"Stop poking him," Remus began to say, "I think he caught a cold in there is all."
Sirius grunted, "Great . . . I'm sure that was Slytherin's plan all along..! Curse the whole Quidditch team so they went into the Hospital Wing, got sick, then they wouldn't practice, so when they play Slytherin they'd be way out of practice and—"
Peter cut him off, "Sirius. Calm down. Either you're going off the deep end or—"
"Or you have way too much free time wasting on such plots," Remus stated.
Sirius laughed, "Well what do you propose we do about it..?"
"About what..?" Peter asked timidly.
"About James..!" Sirius shouted in his ear.
"Ohhh . . ." Peter said softly feeling his cheeks turn red.
"Both of you stop," Remus said stepping in, "Let's go back to the common room, help James get caught up on school work and let him go to bed early. I'm sure he'll sleep it off."
James who was looking at the wall turned, "Sleep sounds good."
All 3 of the Marauders looked strangely at James.
"No," Remus said correcting James's Astronomy papers, "Jupiter's moons are covered in ice. Not mice."
He crossed out mice and wrote in ice. Remus then looked through the rest of the essay. For James being half a sleep in the chair this essay was pretty good. Except where he had written Jupiter was covered in mice instead of ice.
Peter however, who was fully awake was having difficulty, "Its covered in ice..?!" he said looking up shocked.
Sirius nodded finishing his own paper and doodling on the side, "Yup," he glanced at Peter's paper, snatched it and read it a loud, "Jupiter's moons consist of high temperatures and—" Sirius stopped and flipped the Astronomy books pages on Peter's lap from 245 to 678, "We're on Jupiter not Mercury Wormtail."
"Ohhh . . ."
"Honestly," Sirius moaned, "How thick can you get..? I mean Jamesie over there is like a zombie and yet he has the general picture . . . at least he's on the right planet."
"Sorry . . ." Peter cried, "I'm just nervous. This is our O.W.L. year. I just—"
"No need to be nervous," Remus said happily, "You're a good wizard Peter. You'll do fine—"
"That's only because you and James help me out—"
"—there's nothing to be worried—"
"—if you guys weren't there—"
"—about, you're very good at—"
"—I'd be toast and probably be failing right now—"
"—magic. You just over work your—"
"—oh..! If only you guys could help me during—"
"—self. Calm down and—"
"—the exam..! If you could—"
"QUIET..!"
Remus and Peter both looked up at Sirius whose face was red, "And you think Prongs and I fight too much eh..?!" Sirius put his things away and picked up his bag and started his way out of the portrait, "I'm going outside to finish this . . ."
And with that Sirius left the room. Remus felt confused. It was not like Sirius to get quite that frustrated and if frustrated it was not like him to do his homework like that. He was the kind of person who did it either 5 minutes before or 5 weeks before. And another thing bother Remus. Normally he laughed when anybody argued, even if it was himself and another Marauder. Peter looked up puzzled too. James had fallen asleep in his chair.
"Wonder what that was about..?" Peter asked.
Remus shrugged, "Maybe he's tired. He has been moody lately."
"About what..?"
"Holidays," Remus said shortly, "You know he hates his house and family. Can't blame him, I honestly would say I wouldn't want to spend Christmas with his mother. Perhaps something else is going on and he's extra grumpy about going home."
"He could come skiing with my family," Peter suggested, "Sirius says he's always wanted to try new things. Muggle things especially. My parents both think it'd be fascinating to take a Muggle holiday."
"I'm not sure a whole two weeks of non magical fun is what Sirius needs right now," Remus said friendly, "Lets let him cool down."
Peter nodded and him and Remus went back to finishing their essays due tomorrow. They finished around 1:00am and Sirius wasn't back yet. James was fast asleep in his chair and Peter looked out the window and a light snow was beginning to fall.
"Where'd he go..?" Peter asked finally.
Remus shrugged. He had no idea. He as guessing Sirius was out and about somewhere . . . and he was hoping he wasn't causing trouble . . . or getting into any wherever he was.
The portrait door swung open to a yawning fat lady, "Try to come in earlier dear . . ."
Peter and Remus turned their heads, "Sirius..?" they both said together.
Sure enough, Sirius had entered the common room. He looked like he had just been woken up from a long winters nap. Remus raised an eyebrow, "Where have you been..?"
Sirius smiled, "Me..?"
"Yes you," Remus said impatiently, "Who else would I be talking to..?"
Sirius pointed to Peter, "Well Peter," he moved his finger to James, "Or James. I'm not the only here you know."
Remus sighed, "Where were you..?"
"I was at the hospital wing."
Remus looked up, "Are you sick..?"
"What..?" Sirius said then laughed, "Me..? No. I was visiting Marie. She's almost got her memory back."
Remus felt relief strike him. He was visiting Marie. That was good . . . Marie Cook was Sirius's girlfriend so naturally he assumed he'd want to hang out with her. He had done it before.
"Oh," Remus said smiling, "Is she feeling any better..?"
"Loads better," Sirius said throwing his bag against James's chair, "She remembers me, Quidditch— remembers her name too— and Hogwarts. She's free to go tomorrow afternoon."
"Wonderful," Remus said. He glanced over at James. When Sirius threw his bag it obviously did not bother him one bit, "Luckily you didn't wake James."
"How long has he been out..?" Sirius asked sitting in another chair near the fire.
"He's been out before you left," Remus stated, "Shall we wake him and send him to bed..?"
"What are you nuts..?" Sirius said half-laughing, "He's like waking the dead Moony . . . just let him sleep in the chair."
"In the chair..?" Peter repeated.
"Yes Peter Parrot. In the chair," Sirius said.
Remus nodded, "You're right . . . he is like waking the dead."
And with that they all crawled up sleepily to their beds.
The next morning snow had covered the Hogwarts grounds. Almost a foot and a half of the soft fluffy white stuff covered up paths, trees and the Greenhouse was hardly noticeable under the snow on the top and the snow wrapping it up around the bottom.
Yawning widely, Peter stood up and stretched. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he looked up at his fellow 5th years all snug in their beds. Sirius in a curled up dog position sleeping soundly, Remus with his head buried in his pillow, James's bed missing it's sleeper (who was still downstairs he assumed) Tom Lancaster sprawled out, sheets gone wild and Martian Steerwing snoring away. Laughing slightly at Martian, Peter began to put his school robes on slowly. He was not a morning person at all.
Slipping his sweater on at the speed of a snail, Peter looked out the window. Smiling at the snow he wondered if they would miss outside lessons.
"Morning Peter," said a sleepy voice behind him.
Peter turned around sharply and looked up at Remus who was getting out of his bed and now making it, "Normally I'm the first one up."
Peter smiled nervously, "Oh. Oh it's okay."
"Why up so early Peter..?" Remus asked.
"I couldn't sleep..! We have that Potions test today..!" Peter blurred out, "I can't do the Draught of Peace..! That's way too hard..!"
Remus smiled, "Calm down Peter. If you like," Remus said getting into his robes, "We can review our notes together at breakfast."
"Yea . . ." Peter said timidly, "Yea . . . that would help . . ."
Remus smiled, "Don't worry you'll do fine."
A few minutes later, Remus and Peter started to head downstairs to the Common Room to review a bit before breakfast. James was still fast asleep in his chair. Remus smiled and shook his head, "James . . ." he called out, "James..!"
"No, no Moony," said someone coming down the stairs, "You gotta do it like this . . ."
Sirius came walking down the stairs wearing a grin. He stepped over next to James.
"And how do we do that..?" Remus asked.
"Simple my friend . . ." Sirius said smirking, "Like this . . ."
Sirius stuck his index finger in his mouth and pulled it out. His finger was dripping with his own spit. Still smirking Sirius stuck his spitty finger into James's ear and rubbed it in, "Good . . . morning . . . Sleeping Beauty . . ."
"EWWWWWWW—!"
"Wakey, wakey Prongs," Sirius said laughing.
James quickly grabbed Sirius's hand and pulled it out of his ear. Looking up with complete shock he turned to Sirius angry, "What did you— why did you— what the hell was that for..?!" James demanded.
Sirius merely smiled, "Someone had to wake his majesty up."
James frowned and cleaned out his now Sirius Spitty ear with his sleeve. He got up and headed up to the beds. Sirius was still wearing a proud smile on his face. A few minutes later James came down. It was apparent that he had changed, he looked much more tidier now. Except for his hair . . . always scruffy . . .
"And how are we feeling..?" Sirius asked mocking a motherly voice, "Grumpy- wrumpy..?"
"Can it . . ." James said angrily.
"Awww . . ." Sirius said putting his arm around James, "Maybe some breakfast will let wittle Jamesie Wamesie feel better."
James frowned and Peter laughed.
Down at breakfast James was still grumpy and tired. Apparently as he had told Remus, he was tired still form the medicine Madam Pomfrey had used to stop his extensive nosebleed. Sirius had backed off not because James had hit him hard in the nose, but because it was breakfast and he was hungry. Peter was lost in his notes and hardly ate anything.
"Ohhh . . . I can't believe Professor Woad is making us do the Draught of Peace..!" Peter shrieked.
James raised an eyebrow, "Could be worse you know..?"
"HOW..?!"
"She could make us each sample a taste of our potion," James pointed out munching on a muffin with his mouthful, "Wzee kwit kfould blef clurse . . ."
"Excuse me..?" Remus said pulling his goblet of pumpkin juice down.
"I said . . ." James swallowed hard, "See . . . it could be worse."
Peter gave a frightened whimper, "Ohhh . . ."
"Relax Peter," Sirius said propping his feet on the table, "Think of holidays."
Peter closed his eyes and gulped, "I can't wait til the holidays..! No school work or anything."
James chuckled silently and Sirius glared, "If I had a choice, I'd stay here for holidays."
"Why..?" Peter asked. James elbowed him hard, "OUCH..!"
"It's alright James," Sirius said knowing why James elbowed Peter, "I mean I'll go home but . . ."
"Come stay with me," James suggested as the owls began to soar above looking for their masters, "My parents won't mind."
Sirius gave a half smile and dog-like laugh, "Wish I could. But you know my mother."
James screwed up his face and lowered his glasses to the end of his nose and in a girlish, motherly voice said, "Sirius . . . how could you have left me..?! I thought you loved me..?! Come home for Christmas..! You care more about those filthy little brats you call friends more than I..?! Ohhh..! Boo hoo..!"
"Yea she likes to try and guilty me, but I have now pity for that witch," said Sirius who smirked and laughed, "You're too good looking to be my mother James," he smiled, "But nice impression."
"I've never met your mother," Peter piped in.
"Sure you have," Sirius said.
"No I haven't . . ."
Sirius looked up, "You've seen that crumbling statue on the 6th floor have you not..? You know the witch that looks like Medusa..?"
"Yes . . ." Peter said cautiously.
"Then you've met my mother," Sirius said with a tone of dislike but a smirk on his face.
James laughed and Remus rolled his eyes.
"But about before, I'm serious," James said as his owl Hershey landed on his shoulder holding his mail.
"No," Sirius said, "I'm Sirius . . ."
He laughed, "No . . . I mean I'm serious about you staying with me for the holidays. I really mean it."
Sirius smiled but it was washed off quickly into a frown, "I can't . . ."
Remus looked back. James was now frowning too and looking through his mail He gave his Daily Prophet to Remus to read like every morning and began to pick scavenge the rest of his mail.
"Wonder what Mum wants now..?" James said opening his letter from his mother.
"We don't have time," Peter said standing up, "We have lessons now . . . and I'm not getting detention for being late again..!"
Gathering his books, Peter hurried off to Potions. Remus folded the Daily Prophet and grabbed his bag and books and went to join Peter who was waiting now at the Great Hall entrance. Sirius slowly grabbed his things and James slipped his mother's letter into his pocket along with the rest of his mail. He'd read it later. Shoving his books into his bag James got up from the table as Sirius started to make head way for Peter and Remus.
Author's Note: So what'd ya think..? Yes I know it was long . . . I'm so sorry for that but I'm trying to fit them all into character and build up on it. Also I'm creating the plot. If you can't tell they're going to have an interesting Christmas this year. (hint: more problems in chapter 2) Well review so I know if I should dump the story or keep it up.
Batgirl
Chapter 1 Holidays Approach
"I can't believe we have all this homework..!"
Peter Pettigrew complained softly to his friends and out of ear reach of the Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall.
"Oy..! Will you shut up already..?!" Sirius said loudly, "It's not that bad."
Peter gave his friend a look of terror through his blond bangs which were in need of a hair cut, "What..?! How can you say that..?!"
"Easy . . ." Sirius said with a smooth grin, his dark handsome eyes closed, "I'll copy it all from Remus . . ."
Remus Lupin half-smiled looking as usual a bit pale and peaky, "What would happen if I stopped giving you my homework to copy..?" he asked sharply.
Sirius raised and eyebrow and laughed, "You act as if I'm stupid Moony . . ."
Remus smiled, "Sometimes I can't always tell."
Laughing Sirius took his hand and tucked his soft dark hair behind his ear revealing his smooth, handsome face and began digging through his school bag slumped on his shoulder, "Well if worse came to worse, I suppose I could do it myself . . . not like it's difficult."
Looking at him blankly Peter whimpered, "Wish I could say the same," he said with a fallen smile and his watery blue eyes in despair.
"Don't worry Peter," Remus assured him with a hand on Peter's back, "I'll help you. It's really not all that difficult."
Peter still looked frightened, like a mouse lost in a maze, "Alright. But if I don't get it—"
Remus laughed slightly at his short friend, "Don't worry. You'll get it and you'll do fine. I'll even let you borrow my notes."
At this Sirius had stopped digging through his school bag, "Did my ears deceive me..?" Sirius called back, "I thought that you'd never say you'd lend out those notes . . ." he said putting a hand to his ear, "What did I hear you say..? Come, come now dear Moony . . ."
"I said I'd let Peter borrow my notes."
Sirius pointed his finger sharply at Lupin and had an insane grin on his face, "Ha..! You said you'd never lend them out..! When I asked you denied me..! Going against our word are we..?"
Peter looked frightened by Sirius and wrapped his arms around his books and brought them close to his chest. Remus remained calm, "Peter was sick. He didn't get a chance to copy them in class," he said coolly, "And unlike you and James, he makes an effort."
Sirius put his hands behind his head, "Whatever . . ."
Remus smiled. He knew Sirius didn't have a saucy come back to Remus's logic. But then Remus frowned. There was something missing.
There was a long silence from the 3 Marauders. One of their crew was missing today, there would be no saucy comment from that Marauder that was always there to back Sirius up.
"Wonder how Prongs is feeling today..?" Sirius said airily, "Hope better than yesterday."
Remus nodded. He hoped James was feeling better too. The last Quidditch game was spectacular but James and the Gryffindor Quidditch team had paid a price for such a good victory. Gryffindor had beaten Ravenclaw in a close game. Ravenclaw, being a good house, accepted their defeat, but the Slytherins . . . who had wanted Gryffindor to lose, weren't taking the loss too well. To show their frustration at Gryffindor's victory . . . they cast spells on each Gryffindor Quidditch member to prevent them from practicing. They all suffered interesting 'accidents'.
Both Beaters, Brain Smith and Dan Buckley were suffering from Bat Boogie Hexes walking to class. Luckily, 3 Slytherins found them and pointed it out to the teachers right away. Sirius however thought this was fishy . . . The boys would be cleared up and ready to go soon enough. But Sirius took this into his own hands and locked all 3 Slytherins in Filch's closet and got them a week's worth of detention.
The Seeker, Jennifer Grunwald had lost her vision to a Blinding Jinx curiously when walking to her dorm with her friends. Luckily for her, the Slytherin Seeker found her stumbling around. Sirius again found this fishy. Madam Pomfrey had regained Jennifer's sight back with in a day but was keeping her in bed to make sure there were no long-term effects. Sirius, to make sure the job was done, blinded the Slytherin Seeker causing her to fall down the stairs. An 'eye for an eye' was what he told Remus who scolded him later for it.
The Keeper, Annie Griffin was stunned and found by the Slytherin team Captain Alison Brunt. Sirius began his detective work again. Annie was also taken to the hospital wing, but was out of the hospital wing today. To celebrate Sirius had Peeves attack Alison. He spit at her, threw gum and chased her around with a baseball bat and mop he found in Filch's closet.
And as for the 3 Chasers, Logan McGrath, Marie Cook and James Potter, they were all suffering from very interesting 'accidents' too.
Logan supposedly tripped on his broom at practice yesterday on his way into the changing rooms broke his arm. Sirius had found him on his way to see James, along with 2 Slytherins near by in the bushes laughing and then coming out pretending to be concerned. Sirius hexed them both for the sport of finding them in his path. Logan was being healed thanks to the magical skills of Madam Pomfrey.
Marie Cook (also Sirius's girlfriend) was on her way to Potions when she was hit by something hard. Professor Woad the Slytherin House leader, and Potions master, said she must have run into the door. Sirius was unconvinced. Marie was still in the hospital recovering from a bit of memory loss. To make it up to Marie, Sirius hexed Professor Woad later in class with her not knowing it was him. He told Remus and Peter he found the fungus sprouting on her face an improvement.
And for James. Yesterday when he was on his way to Quidditch practice (even though the team was mostly gone some were still there) his nose started to bleed uncontrollably. A Slytherin Chaser explained to Professor McGonagall that his nose was hit by a rogue bludger. Unconvinced again, Sirius found the Slytherin and hung him upside down, dropped his drawers and let him fall in the lake for an afternoon swim. Sirius told Peter and Remus that that was quality entertainment and it was a shame James had to have missed it. Madam Pomfrey still didn't have his nose under control yet but Sirius, Remus and Peter were hoping that he was better today.
"I'm sure he is," Remus told Sirius answering his question mentioned earlier, "Madam Pomfrey is pretty good about getting people up and well again."
"Yea," Sirius said proudly, "And if those Slytherin jerks try to hurt James or any other member of the team I'll—"
"Calm down Sirius," Remus said settling him down as they made their way up the stairs to the Hospital Wing, "We know, You'll knock them all down."
"You bet I will."
Peter laughed and Remus rolled his eyes.
Opening the Hospital Wing door Sirius strode in wearing a grin on his face. Remus followed looking tired from the walk (though he wasn't) and Peter stumbled in keeping all his books in his arms with out falling. Looking left then right they took a right towards James's bed where he was yesterday. The curtains were closed meaning James was sleeping or just sitting in there.
"Let's go wake him," Sirius muttered as they drew closer to James's bed.
Remus shoved him, "If he's asleep we'll come back later. We're not going to wake him up."
Sirius snorted with a smile.
Opening the curtain, Sirius expecting to see James either asleep or reading or something along those lines, and was in a crouched position ready to spring on him. But they saw an empty bed with the sheets folded neatly on top.
Peter looked surprised and Sirius fell losing his balance and looked around as if he dropped something. Remus raised an eyebrow, "James isn't hiding under the bed Sirius," Remus muttered, "He's probably fine now and up and about."
Sirius frowned, "Hope he isn't doing something without me."
"What could he possibly be doing..?" Remus questioned, "He just got out of the hospital. He's probably getting his assignments he missed."
Sirius laughed, "Thought you knew Prongs better than that Moony," he spoke coolly, "If I know James he's either trying to get Lily Evans to date him, causing trouble without me or—"
"Or he's collecting his assignments," Peter said.
"Sure he is," Sirius said sarcastically reaching into his bag and pulled out some papers, "I got those for him."
"Or— he's back in the common room," Remus said turning towards the door.
"No . . ." Sirius said shaking his finger, "He's—"
"He's right there," Peter squeaked pointing towards the door as James walked passed it.
Sirius glanced up and smiled. Peter was right for once. He gave Remus a smile they clearly read 'Peter was right and you were wrong..? Is the world ending..?' and began to walk over.
"Oy..!" Sirius shouted to James, "Oy James..!"
At this shout Madam Pomfrey came over and began to shake her finger at Sirius, "Mr. Black..! That will do..!" she roared, "I have people sleeping in here..! Now either be quiet or get OUT..!"
With out hesitation, Sirius and the others ran out to meet James in the hallway.
"So you all cured..?" Sirius asked brisk-fully putting his hand on James's shoulder. His shoulder slumped and fell to the side. Sirius looked up at him curiously, "You sure she cured you..? You look down right ill now."
"Wha..?" James said dryly.
Sirius repeated himself, "You sure she cured you..? You look down right ill Prongs."
"Oh," he said dazed, "Oh yea . . ." he blurred out like he had forgotten what happened, "Yea. She cured me."
Sirius looked at Remus then faced James who's face seemed pale, "You sure. I think something else in that hot-head of yours might have gotten messed up."
Chuckling then looking at Remus who glared at him Sirius tried to stop himself. Remus looked at James more closely. His hazel eyes seemed dazed . . . his smirking smile was gone . . . and his posture was slumped . . . maybe he had gotten a cold in there..?
James didn't blink once while Remus inspected him. Sirius found this humorous and knocked him on the head with his fist like he was a door, "Knock knock . . . anybody home..?" James still looked forward, "Hello..?" Sirius complained, "Hello..? Anybody home in there Jamesie..?"
James did not answer. Peter poked his shoulder, "Hello..?"
"Stop poking him," Remus began to say, "I think he caught a cold in there is all."
Sirius grunted, "Great . . . I'm sure that was Slytherin's plan all along..! Curse the whole Quidditch team so they went into the Hospital Wing, got sick, then they wouldn't practice, so when they play Slytherin they'd be way out of practice and—"
Peter cut him off, "Sirius. Calm down. Either you're going off the deep end or—"
"Or you have way too much free time wasting on such plots," Remus stated.
Sirius laughed, "Well what do you propose we do about it..?"
"About what..?" Peter asked timidly.
"About James..!" Sirius shouted in his ear.
"Ohhh . . ." Peter said softly feeling his cheeks turn red.
"Both of you stop," Remus said stepping in, "Let's go back to the common room, help James get caught up on school work and let him go to bed early. I'm sure he'll sleep it off."
James who was looking at the wall turned, "Sleep sounds good."
All 3 of the Marauders looked strangely at James.
"No," Remus said correcting James's Astronomy papers, "Jupiter's moons are covered in ice. Not mice."
He crossed out mice and wrote in ice. Remus then looked through the rest of the essay. For James being half a sleep in the chair this essay was pretty good. Except where he had written Jupiter was covered in mice instead of ice.
Peter however, who was fully awake was having difficulty, "Its covered in ice..?!" he said looking up shocked.
Sirius nodded finishing his own paper and doodling on the side, "Yup," he glanced at Peter's paper, snatched it and read it a loud, "Jupiter's moons consist of high temperatures and—" Sirius stopped and flipped the Astronomy books pages on Peter's lap from 245 to 678, "We're on Jupiter not Mercury Wormtail."
"Ohhh . . ."
"Honestly," Sirius moaned, "How thick can you get..? I mean Jamesie over there is like a zombie and yet he has the general picture . . . at least he's on the right planet."
"Sorry . . ." Peter cried, "I'm just nervous. This is our O.W.L. year. I just—"
"No need to be nervous," Remus said happily, "You're a good wizard Peter. You'll do fine—"
"That's only because you and James help me out—"
"—there's nothing to be worried—"
"—if you guys weren't there—"
"—about, you're very good at—"
"—I'd be toast and probably be failing right now—"
"—magic. You just over work your—"
"—oh..! If only you guys could help me during—"
"—self. Calm down and—"
"—the exam..! If you could—"
"QUIET..!"
Remus and Peter both looked up at Sirius whose face was red, "And you think Prongs and I fight too much eh..?!" Sirius put his things away and picked up his bag and started his way out of the portrait, "I'm going outside to finish this . . ."
And with that Sirius left the room. Remus felt confused. It was not like Sirius to get quite that frustrated and if frustrated it was not like him to do his homework like that. He was the kind of person who did it either 5 minutes before or 5 weeks before. And another thing bother Remus. Normally he laughed when anybody argued, even if it was himself and another Marauder. Peter looked up puzzled too. James had fallen asleep in his chair.
"Wonder what that was about..?" Peter asked.
Remus shrugged, "Maybe he's tired. He has been moody lately."
"About what..?"
"Holidays," Remus said shortly, "You know he hates his house and family. Can't blame him, I honestly would say I wouldn't want to spend Christmas with his mother. Perhaps something else is going on and he's extra grumpy about going home."
"He could come skiing with my family," Peter suggested, "Sirius says he's always wanted to try new things. Muggle things especially. My parents both think it'd be fascinating to take a Muggle holiday."
"I'm not sure a whole two weeks of non magical fun is what Sirius needs right now," Remus said friendly, "Lets let him cool down."
Peter nodded and him and Remus went back to finishing their essays due tomorrow. They finished around 1:00am and Sirius wasn't back yet. James was fast asleep in his chair and Peter looked out the window and a light snow was beginning to fall.
"Where'd he go..?" Peter asked finally.
Remus shrugged. He had no idea. He as guessing Sirius was out and about somewhere . . . and he was hoping he wasn't causing trouble . . . or getting into any wherever he was.
The portrait door swung open to a yawning fat lady, "Try to come in earlier dear . . ."
Peter and Remus turned their heads, "Sirius..?" they both said together.
Sure enough, Sirius had entered the common room. He looked like he had just been woken up from a long winters nap. Remus raised an eyebrow, "Where have you been..?"
Sirius smiled, "Me..?"
"Yes you," Remus said impatiently, "Who else would I be talking to..?"
Sirius pointed to Peter, "Well Peter," he moved his finger to James, "Or James. I'm not the only here you know."
Remus sighed, "Where were you..?"
"I was at the hospital wing."
Remus looked up, "Are you sick..?"
"What..?" Sirius said then laughed, "Me..? No. I was visiting Marie. She's almost got her memory back."
Remus felt relief strike him. He was visiting Marie. That was good . . . Marie Cook was Sirius's girlfriend so naturally he assumed he'd want to hang out with her. He had done it before.
"Oh," Remus said smiling, "Is she feeling any better..?"
"Loads better," Sirius said throwing his bag against James's chair, "She remembers me, Quidditch— remembers her name too— and Hogwarts. She's free to go tomorrow afternoon."
"Wonderful," Remus said. He glanced over at James. When Sirius threw his bag it obviously did not bother him one bit, "Luckily you didn't wake James."
"How long has he been out..?" Sirius asked sitting in another chair near the fire.
"He's been out before you left," Remus stated, "Shall we wake him and send him to bed..?"
"What are you nuts..?" Sirius said half-laughing, "He's like waking the dead Moony . . . just let him sleep in the chair."
"In the chair..?" Peter repeated.
"Yes Peter Parrot. In the chair," Sirius said.
Remus nodded, "You're right . . . he is like waking the dead."
And with that they all crawled up sleepily to their beds.
The next morning snow had covered the Hogwarts grounds. Almost a foot and a half of the soft fluffy white stuff covered up paths, trees and the Greenhouse was hardly noticeable under the snow on the top and the snow wrapping it up around the bottom.
Yawning widely, Peter stood up and stretched. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he looked up at his fellow 5th years all snug in their beds. Sirius in a curled up dog position sleeping soundly, Remus with his head buried in his pillow, James's bed missing it's sleeper (who was still downstairs he assumed) Tom Lancaster sprawled out, sheets gone wild and Martian Steerwing snoring away. Laughing slightly at Martian, Peter began to put his school robes on slowly. He was not a morning person at all.
Slipping his sweater on at the speed of a snail, Peter looked out the window. Smiling at the snow he wondered if they would miss outside lessons.
"Morning Peter," said a sleepy voice behind him.
Peter turned around sharply and looked up at Remus who was getting out of his bed and now making it, "Normally I'm the first one up."
Peter smiled nervously, "Oh. Oh it's okay."
"Why up so early Peter..?" Remus asked.
"I couldn't sleep..! We have that Potions test today..!" Peter blurred out, "I can't do the Draught of Peace..! That's way too hard..!"
Remus smiled, "Calm down Peter. If you like," Remus said getting into his robes, "We can review our notes together at breakfast."
"Yea . . ." Peter said timidly, "Yea . . . that would help . . ."
Remus smiled, "Don't worry you'll do fine."
A few minutes later, Remus and Peter started to head downstairs to the Common Room to review a bit before breakfast. James was still fast asleep in his chair. Remus smiled and shook his head, "James . . ." he called out, "James..!"
"No, no Moony," said someone coming down the stairs, "You gotta do it like this . . ."
Sirius came walking down the stairs wearing a grin. He stepped over next to James.
"And how do we do that..?" Remus asked.
"Simple my friend . . ." Sirius said smirking, "Like this . . ."
Sirius stuck his index finger in his mouth and pulled it out. His finger was dripping with his own spit. Still smirking Sirius stuck his spitty finger into James's ear and rubbed it in, "Good . . . morning . . . Sleeping Beauty . . ."
"EWWWWWWW—!"
"Wakey, wakey Prongs," Sirius said laughing.
James quickly grabbed Sirius's hand and pulled it out of his ear. Looking up with complete shock he turned to Sirius angry, "What did you— why did you— what the hell was that for..?!" James demanded.
Sirius merely smiled, "Someone had to wake his majesty up."
James frowned and cleaned out his now Sirius Spitty ear with his sleeve. He got up and headed up to the beds. Sirius was still wearing a proud smile on his face. A few minutes later James came down. It was apparent that he had changed, he looked much more tidier now. Except for his hair . . . always scruffy . . .
"And how are we feeling..?" Sirius asked mocking a motherly voice, "Grumpy- wrumpy..?"
"Can it . . ." James said angrily.
"Awww . . ." Sirius said putting his arm around James, "Maybe some breakfast will let wittle Jamesie Wamesie feel better."
James frowned and Peter laughed.
Down at breakfast James was still grumpy and tired. Apparently as he had told Remus, he was tired still form the medicine Madam Pomfrey had used to stop his extensive nosebleed. Sirius had backed off not because James had hit him hard in the nose, but because it was breakfast and he was hungry. Peter was lost in his notes and hardly ate anything.
"Ohhh . . . I can't believe Professor Woad is making us do the Draught of Peace..!" Peter shrieked.
James raised an eyebrow, "Could be worse you know..?"
"HOW..?!"
"She could make us each sample a taste of our potion," James pointed out munching on a muffin with his mouthful, "Wzee kwit kfould blef clurse . . ."
"Excuse me..?" Remus said pulling his goblet of pumpkin juice down.
"I said . . ." James swallowed hard, "See . . . it could be worse."
Peter gave a frightened whimper, "Ohhh . . ."
"Relax Peter," Sirius said propping his feet on the table, "Think of holidays."
Peter closed his eyes and gulped, "I can't wait til the holidays..! No school work or anything."
James chuckled silently and Sirius glared, "If I had a choice, I'd stay here for holidays."
"Why..?" Peter asked. James elbowed him hard, "OUCH..!"
"It's alright James," Sirius said knowing why James elbowed Peter, "I mean I'll go home but . . ."
"Come stay with me," James suggested as the owls began to soar above looking for their masters, "My parents won't mind."
Sirius gave a half smile and dog-like laugh, "Wish I could. But you know my mother."
James screwed up his face and lowered his glasses to the end of his nose and in a girlish, motherly voice said, "Sirius . . . how could you have left me..?! I thought you loved me..?! Come home for Christmas..! You care more about those filthy little brats you call friends more than I..?! Ohhh..! Boo hoo..!"
"Yea she likes to try and guilty me, but I have now pity for that witch," said Sirius who smirked and laughed, "You're too good looking to be my mother James," he smiled, "But nice impression."
"I've never met your mother," Peter piped in.
"Sure you have," Sirius said.
"No I haven't . . ."
Sirius looked up, "You've seen that crumbling statue on the 6th floor have you not..? You know the witch that looks like Medusa..?"
"Yes . . ." Peter said cautiously.
"Then you've met my mother," Sirius said with a tone of dislike but a smirk on his face.
James laughed and Remus rolled his eyes.
"But about before, I'm serious," James said as his owl Hershey landed on his shoulder holding his mail.
"No," Sirius said, "I'm Sirius . . ."
He laughed, "No . . . I mean I'm serious about you staying with me for the holidays. I really mean it."
Sirius smiled but it was washed off quickly into a frown, "I can't . . ."
Remus looked back. James was now frowning too and looking through his mail He gave his Daily Prophet to Remus to read like every morning and began to pick scavenge the rest of his mail.
"Wonder what Mum wants now..?" James said opening his letter from his mother.
"We don't have time," Peter said standing up, "We have lessons now . . . and I'm not getting detention for being late again..!"
Gathering his books, Peter hurried off to Potions. Remus folded the Daily Prophet and grabbed his bag and books and went to join Peter who was waiting now at the Great Hall entrance. Sirius slowly grabbed his things and James slipped his mother's letter into his pocket along with the rest of his mail. He'd read it later. Shoving his books into his bag James got up from the table as Sirius started to make head way for Peter and Remus.
Author's Note: So what'd ya think..? Yes I know it was long . . . I'm so sorry for that but I'm trying to fit them all into character and build up on it. Also I'm creating the plot. If you can't tell they're going to have an interesting Christmas this year. (hint: more problems in chapter 2) Well review so I know if I should dump the story or keep it up.
Batgirl