By the Full Moon…
Authors: Razzle and Dazzle
Chapter Author: Razzle
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my stupidity.
Author's Note: Sorry the update took so long, peoples, but… well… that's life. (P.S. I am firmly aware that this chapter sucks a lot. So flame me. Please? It's so fun!)
Chapter Two: The Confrontation
"I… I didn't say… I didn't… I swear I didn't…" Remus took a deep breath to calm his nerves and try to gain some control over what was coming out of his mouth. "I didn't put her up to it, if that's what you think."
"Oh really?" snarled James, rubbing his cheek with the palm of his hand. "I'm curious as to what you did say to her, then, if not that."
"Yes, very curious," echoed Peter. James shot him an icy glare and Sirius stifled a laugh at his friend's indignation. Who really cared what Lily Evans thought anyway?
"I… didn't say much of anything," lied Remus, his eyes darting from James to Sirius to the floor. "She did most of the talking… you know how Lily gets…"
Sirius seemed satisfied by this explanation and flopped sideways into a giant red armchair, stretching his long legs over one of the arms. "It doesn't matter what we do, she's always going to have a problem with it," he said once he had settled himself. "If we keep on going through with our plots she'll call us immature, and if we grow up and start behaving she'll say we should loosen up a little. I say we should just ignore her. She'll go away eventually."
James glared at him as well, but Sirius didn't seem to notice. Defeated, he sank into one end of a couch and Peter scurried to sit next to him. Seeing that everyone seemed to have calmed down significantly, Remus seized his chance.
"She does make some good points, though…"
All eyes snapped to him. There was an awkward pause as everyone struggled to come up with a reply. "Go on," said James finally, in a tone that allowed no room to argue.
"Maybe we should grow up…" mumbled Remus dropping his head and ignoring the several wispy strands of hair that consequently fell in his face.
"Where's the fun in that?" said Sirius loudly, grinning and chuckling as he did so.
"I'm serious!" cried Remus suddenly, his head snapping up. "Can the three of you, for once, at least PRETEND to really listen to me? There are a lot of people who worked very hard to allow me to come here and get an education and THIS is how I repay them: by wasting it playing pranks on some slimy git! Honestly, is Severus Snape really worth all of the detentions, the house points, the extra homework, the-"
"Woah… slow your roll there, Moony… take a deep breath… in and out…" said Sirius with a cheeky grin.
"That is exactly what I mean!" cried Remus in frustration, jumping to his feet. "You won't even listen to me! You don't even try to take anyone seriously! You don't have the slightest idea of how far is too far! Well, let me inform you – this time, you've gone too far. This time, we've all gone too far, and if you know what's good for you and your future you'll just give it a rest! It's not funny anymore!"
Peter began guffawing with laughter, but the agitated glares of the other three Marauders quickly shut him up. "You know, Remus, if you think we're so immature and juvenile and whatnot, well, no one's forcing you to hang out with us," said James, now fixing his piercing gaze on Remus.
Sirius sighed dramatically. "Will all of you just lighten up?" he protested sarcastically.
A smile came to James' pursed lips. "I think, Padfoot, that is exactly what our pal Mr. Moony is trying to get us to stop doing."
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Ah, then Mr. Moony will be displeased when we inform him we have no intentions of stopping whatever it is we're doing anywhere in the near future."
"My schedule is quite full, Mr. Padfoot, how about yours?"
"Well, Mr. Prongs, I'm free Wednesday afternoon from 4:15 to 4:25, but that is hardly enough time to rid myself of a lifetime of ridiculous immature habits."
"Indeed, Mr. Padfoot. Mr. Moony, perhaps we could reschedule? I'm free two weeks after never, does that work for you, Mr. Padfoot?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Prongs, but I am free three days after not in this lifetime. How about that? Does that work with your schedule? I know you're a terribly busy man."
"Yes, indeed I am, Mr. Prongs. Between doing nothing during classes and doing nothing on the weekends, my days are really quite full. Let me check my appointment book… ah yes, three days after not in this lifetime is fine with me, as long as it's in the afternoon, I've got to meet the Queen for breakfast that day."
"Oh, that sounds splendid, Mr. Prongs!"
"Indeed, Mr. Padfoot. It should be simply smashing, in fact, I'd say."
Sirius turned to Remus, his face illuminated by a large grin. "What do you say, Mr. Moony, does that work for you?" he asked with his signature 'I'm just kidding you' wink.
Remus shook his head, the disappointment on his face quite evident to Sirius. He slowly turned and disappeared up the spiral staircase to the Boy's Dormitory, leaving the three remaining Marauders in a strange silence.
"Ooh! Oh!" cried Peter suddenly. "I'm free on October 32nd!" He began his wheezing sort of laughter again, but neither James nor Sirius seemed amused. A puzzled expression replaced the glee on Peter's face, and he explained: "Because there is no October 32nd! Get it?" He began laughing again.
"We get it, Peter!" said James angrily. "Just… cool it, okay? Now's not the time."
Sirius suddenly stood up from his armchair and strode across the room.
"Where are you going?" James called to him.
Sirius stopped. "To talk to him."
James raised an eyebrow. "I think we just need to let him be for awhile. Let him cool down, you know?"
Sirius shook his head. "No, one of us needs to go talk to him, and since you two don't seem to care enough to realize that, I'll go."
James sighed, and shrugged helplessly. "If you say so," was all he offered.
Sirius chose to ignore this sarcastic comment and slowly began to make his way across the rest of the common room and up the spiral staircase. He paused when he reached the entrance to the sixth year dorms and considered his argument. It's not like anyone got hurt… it was just a harmless little prank… it's not like Severus didn't deserve it… we're sorry if it upset you… we'll try to take it down a few notches… please don't hate us… please don't hate me…
With a resolute sigh, he opened the door of the dormitory.