Thanks reviewers, especially since that last chapter is in bad need of editing. This is also getting almost sickeningly fluffy. Oh well, that's what the plot bunnies want and who am I to argue with them. This chapter will also be along those lines, but I'm hoping to negotiate with them on the next one. ::sighs:: Onward we go…
Remus' POV
"We need something spectacular," says James with a slightly maniacal glint in his eye. We're sitting in our dorm in a circle on the floor and planning our last prank together at Hogwarts.
"No girls allowed either," says Sirius, "it'll be like old times again when it was just us Marauders."
"If it's going to be like old times than no touching for you two either," says Peter with a laugh.
"It's not our fault that you two didn't pair up with each other," I say, "why should we be punished for your attraction to the fairer sex?" I find myself being attacked by two rather vicious pillows a second later.
I pull my own scarlet pillow from my bed and make an attempt at defense. In a very short time period, the room is covered in feathers and we're all laughing hysterically on the floor. "You are one sick bastard," James pants to me.
"Proud of it too," I gasp back in-between bursts of laughter. It takes several more minutes for us to finally regain enough composure to resume our planning session.
"Back to business boys," says James with mock sternness, "any ideas?"
"I think that we should do the whole school instead of just the Slytherins," says Peter, "including the teachers." We all look at him with big grins. Peter normally doesn't chime in with ideas until the final stages of planning; he's the kind of person who likes to wait until the big picture develops before he puts in his two knuts.
"Perfect," says James, "they'll never expect it. We'll go down in Hogwarts history as the first ever to get the entire school in one blow. No one is safe." He laughs dramatically and I can't help but notice what a drama queen, excuse me, king he really is.
"Hate to burst your bubble Prongs, but it has been done before," I say. "To mention a few…" I never get to finish my sentence because Sirius claps his hand over my mouth.
"Don't get him started James," Sirius says, "we'll never get anything done if Remus goes into teacher mode." I glare at him and am rewarded with a smirk. As soon as he lets go I stick my tongue out at him.
"Well," says James, "it'll be bloody brilliant anyway." There is a finality in his voice that none of us bother to contradict.
We sit in silence for a while until Sirius jumps up and yells, "I've got it!" He looks around at us and pauses for a few seconds for effect before going on. "We use the enchanted ceiling to rain some sort of potion on everybody while they're eating at the feast." We all smirk and settle down to work out the details.
Two hours and a trip to the library later we've got a fairly detailed plan. "Come on Sirius," says James, "let's go get those potions ingredients." They pull the invisibility cloak over themselves and exit the dorm.
"Let's go set up shop Wormtail," I say to the remaining Marauder. He nods eagerly and we head down to our hide out on the fourth floor. Even though our map has been confiscated, we're pretty sure that Filch has no idea how to work it and that the secret passages have remained secret. Ever since one of the tunnels that leads to Hogsmeade collapsed in our first year, we've been using the small space that is still accessible as a potion brewing room.
When we arrive I collapse on one of the oversized cushions that we have here for our comfort as Peter sets up the cauldron. Seeing as I'm hopeless at potions, I'm the one who always fetches things and reads off the ingredients.
By the time James and Sirius return with the ingredients that we don't already have in our stores, Peter has the cauldron boiling and the potion started. "Excellent," says James in a slightly maniacal voice as red smoke curls from the cauldron and it bubbles merrily.
Sirius' POV
I love pulling pranks. I suppose that that's my sadistic streak showing, but it's so much fun. We've got everything in place for tonight and I'm excited about it. Our potion will turn everyone in the Great Hall gold and scarlet in color. The color should last about three days. The best part, though, is that when the receiver of the potion tries to raise their voice above the normal level all that comes out is a lion's roar. The only people who won't befall this fate are the ones with the counter potion; namely James, Peter, Remus, and me.
There's something far more important tonight, however. I've got everything prepared and a spell on the Astronomy Tower to dissuade any unwanted visitors. Now all I need is Remus.
I find him in our dorm. He's sitting on my bed and looking at something, but when I enter he slips it into his pocket. "Come for a walk with me before the feast Moony?" I ask.
He smiles at me and says, "Sure Padfoot." I take his hand and we set off. The corridors are fairly empty, but that's to be expected. Most people are in their dorms packing so they don't have to do it after the feast. We do run across a few people though, most of whom look the other way or give us dirty looks. A pair of Slytherins even hiss at us, but over the year I've found that ignoring them is the best policy so we just walk on.
We arrive at the top of the tower just a little short of breath and I fling open the door to reveal the other thing I've been working on. Remus' mouth forms a small 'o' as I lead him towards his throne.
Earlier I brought one of the high backed chairs from the common room and it now awaits him. On the seat rests a box of Honeydukes' finest chocolate. "What's this all for?" he asks, "What are you after Padfoot? I haven't got any money to lend you."
I sigh dramatically, "Can't I spend some time with my boyfriend and a box of chocolate without you getting suspicious?"
"No," he states flatly.
I grab his hand and pull him to rest of the way over to the chair. "Just humor me Moony," I say. He sits in the chair and I settle myself at his feet with my arms resting on his lap. He lifts the lid from the box and I prepare myself for the show; watching Remus eat chocolate is always fun. He slips one into my mouth and I sigh contently as the rich flavor melts into my tongue.
I'm getting nervous. Well, it's now or never. I shift so that I'm on one knee and facing him. "Remus," I start, "we've known each other for a long time and it seems like I've loved you for longer. I-I can't stand the thought of not being with you. S-so would you m-marry me?"
He looks at me with a funny look on his face and much to my embarrassment he bursts out laughing. Does this mean what I think it means? Does he not love me? Why would he want to marry me anyway, I mean, can two blokes even get married? He probably wants to settle down with some woman and have lots of kids. I get to my feet quickly and turn to walk away. With a blush staining my cheeks cherry red I say, "I u-understand if you don't, um I'll be going now."
Much to my surprise he grabs my wrist and pulls me down onto his lap. "Silly Padfoot," he says as he nuzzles my neck and encircles my waist loosely with his arms, "of course I'll marry you."
"T-then why were you laughing?" I ask in a hurt voice.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh." He says, "the irony of it all just struck me funny because I planned to ask you the same question later tonight. So, Sirius how about it, will you marry me?" I smile wildly and kiss him passionately.
"I'll take that as a yes," he whispers before he attacks my mouth again. When we can finally breathe again I slip my ring onto his finger and he does the same with mine.
We sit together for a while, holding each other and just being happy. "We should head down to the feast," he says.
I jump up and pull on his hand, "let's go we're going to miss the action!" I say. He laughs and allows himself to be pulled down the steep stairs.
The Great Hall looks wonderful, even though it's decked out in Ravenclaw colors. We pull too many pranks for Gryffindor to win the cup, even with Lily gaining them left and right. We seat ourselves with James, Peter, Lily, and Jen and place our hands on the table so that the rings are in view.
We are halfway into the meal before Lily finally notices. After many pats on the back, hand shakes, and well wishes Jen says, "So who proposed?"
"I did," we both say at the same time. "Well, we kind of proposed at the same time, although I asked first," I say.
"I think the better question would be who's going to wear the dress," says James with a laugh.
I'm about to answer that Remus will when he says, "we'll wear dress robes."
"But you'd look so cute in a wedding dress Moony," I say playfully.
"Shut up Black before I make you," Remus replies. Before I can reply, thunder crashes and the Marauders smile. This is the signal for our prank to begin. Liquid suddenly pours down from the ceiling and coats everything it touches in red or gold. We timed it so that the meal would be almost over and the dessert not out yet. The only people not covered when it finally stops are James, Peter, Remus and me.
"Pot…ROAR," our potions Professor starts to yell yet can't due to the second part of the spell. Yet he's the only one, besides the Slytherins, who seems remotely angry. Even Professor McGonagall is sporting a small smile on her face and Professor Dumbledore is outright laughing. All over the hall people are trying out their ability to roar.
"How come we weren't in on this?" Jen asks with mock anger.
"I wanted to include you but Sirius just wouldn't allow it," Peter answers with mock sorrow.
Dessert is brought out and consumed rather quickly and before I know it we're leaving the hall. "I do believe that that was your best prank yet," says Dumbledore with a wink as we pass by.
Third Person POV
The group made its way back to their common room where they sat and talked for a while before heading up their respective staircases for their last night there.
While James and Peter were brushing their teeth and whatnot Remus and Sirius were having a discussion. By the time the other two were back in the room Sirius was whispering, "We'll wait 'till their asleep then use loads of silencing charms." Remus nodded and looked a bit nervous but he smiled.
Two hours later Remus Lupin and Sirius Black made love for the first time. It was clumsy and awkward at first but they got it eventually and it was beautiful.
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