When Somers Turns to Black
Chapter 4: Hectic Hoarding and Heckling
Disclaimer: We do not own the Harry Potter works. Fortunately, we don't own the movies either.
A/N: Hey! Hope you like this chapter and please review! Just push that button at the bottom of the page! We'd really appreciate it! Oh, and just so you know we're both 16. And thanks to Magical Muggle, Rinaula, EyesofEmerald, and Star of the Muses for reviewing! To Star of the Muses, sorry the chapters are so short, but we are separating subject matter more thoroughly. Oh, and thanks to EyesofEmerald. She added a little bit of her writing to the 3rd Chappie (even though it was only like 6 lines) but she's been hounding us about not disclaiming it so, now, it is hereby disclaimed.
Sirius crossed the school grounds quickly, tightening his overcoat and red- gold striped scarf as he went. Bowing his head against the piercing cold winds, he walked up to a pair of large oak doors and pushed them roughly open.
"Ahhh," he sighed, as a rush of warm air encircled him. Brushing leaves out of his jet-black hair, he stripped off his outerwear and sauntered off to the Gryffindor common room.
"Pumpernickel." The Fat Lady's Portrait swung open to reveal a buzzing common room filled with Halloween decorations. It was October 31st, the night of one of Hogwart's greatest feasts, and the entire Gryffindor house was ready for it. Orange and black streamers graced the stone walls, bats flew around the ceiling, and bright orange jack-o-lanterns had been enchanted to have lively conversations with anyone who passed. Sirius stepped inside, heading over to a corner where James was describing his latest prank to a giggling group of attentive 4th year girls.
"...and then the doxies tore up the room. They took the poor chap's shorts and managed to hang them on the tip of the Hufflepuff Tower!" An explosion of laughter came from the group, and Sirius shook his head as James ran a hand through his messy hair, again.
"Hey mate!" James said, as Sirius sat down on the couch next to him. "Where've you been? Wooing the ladies no doubt?" he joked, as he winked at the girls making them giggle.
"I was just taking a walk around the grounds," Sirius said, looking a pretty girl over and making her blush. "I was checking out the pitch. Ya know, getting ready for this season."
"Oh shove off it," James laughed, "You're the best Beater Gryffindor has ever had. All you need to do is be out on the field, and the game's won!"
"Don't tell me about great," Sirius said, "You couldn't find a Seeker any better than the famous James Potter!" The friends complimented each other until it got completely ridiculous.
"Well James," Sirius exclaimed. "I do believe you could beat the entire English team with both hands tied behind your back, blindfolded!"
"Please don't," James said, winking at his friend and casting a glance at the adoring girls. "I might be good but you're a god on the Quidditch pitch!"
"Oh Sirius," one of the 4th years said admiringly. "You're the strongest, bravest, and most daring man I've ever met!" Standing up, Sirius shook his head modestly.
"Please," he said humbly, "I am but an athlete, doomed to the fate of a ball, broom, and a bat. Now please excuse me, I must go prepare myself for the feast." Winking at James, he turned and headed towards the dormitory staircase. Behind him he could hear the sighs of the disappointed girls. Smiling to himself he listened as they turned their attention to his mate.
"James you're so amazing," he heard one girl exclaim. "You're so powerful, and handsome, and charming..."
Laughing, Sirius started up the stairs, but paused as he heard a not so flattering conversation about his friend.
"...an ugly, rude, selfish, egotistical prat. That's what Potter is." He looked over in the direction of the voice, and saw Lily tossing her hair and making a disgusted face.
"Yeah, I know," said Raven, who was sitting next to her. "Just yesterday I saw him hexing Severus, and he wasn't doing anything! I stopped and helped the poor guy out and we ended up having a great conversation about the effects of wolfbane on hippogriffs. He helped me carry my books to Charms and we're planning on having a study group tomorrow afternoon. Do you want to come?"
"Yeah, sure," Lily said enthusiastically.
"Hey," Sirius said, as he walked up to the girls. "What's all this about a study group with Snivellus?"
"None of your business, Black," Raven retorted.
"Of course it's my business," Sirius said mockingly. "Anyone who decides to hang out with Snape is mental and needs loads of help."
"Why don't you run along and play with your immature friends," Raven said, as she turned away from him and faced Lily.
"Well, why don't you...go...eat a kiss a doxie," he finished pathetically.
"Please leave before you embarrass yourself any further," Raven said, turning towards him.
Sirius opened his mouth to insult her, but not a single witty remark came into mind.
What the bloody hell? He thought as he turned and walked up the stairs to his dormitory. Sirius Black speechless?
Stomping into his room Sirius tore off his t-shirt and pulled on a clean one.
She is so infuriating!
He grabbed his robes, and ran a comb through his sleek hair.
What is she doing to me?
Yanking open the dormitory door, Sirius sped out and down the stairs to meet up with James.
Damn her!
"Hey mate," James said, as Sirius walked past him with a scowl on his face. "What happened to you? It looks like you just swallowed a puke flavored Bertie Bott's bean!"
"It's nothing," Sirius said with a strained voice, as he walked out the door with James following close behind. "Just that Raven again. She's driving me crazy!"
"Girls," James sighed sarcastically. "They're only good for a snog!"
"Right," Sirius smiled, his sulky mood beginning to diminish.
"Hey guys, wait up!" Remus yelled, as he ran up to them.
"Where's Peter?" James asked.
"Oh, before we left the common room he got attacked by one of the bats and he had to be taken to the hospital wing," Remus said. "It was...yucky...to say the least."
"Poor chap," Sirius said, smiling. "To bad he has to miss the feast."
They walked to the Great Hall and flooded in with the rest of the students. Sirius looked up at the stormy ceiling and as a white streak of lightening went across the sky. Jack-o-lanterns replaced the normal floating candles and they winked down at the Gryffindors as they took their seats. Rubbing his hands together eagerly, Sirius waited expectantly for the banquet to begin.
A hush fell over the dining hall when Dumbledore stood up.
"Students," he said regally. "Tonight is a night to celebrate terror, horror, and fear. Rejoice, for this is a holiday of excitement and wonder. Now, I present to you, the Halloween Feast!"
The students gasped in amazement as the table sprouted plates of delicious food. Sirius's mouth watered as he surveyed a table filled with pasties, cakes, and candies. Grabbing a handful of cookies, he yelped as one of them bit him.
"Watch out," James laughed, as he shoved a chocolate cake into his mouth. "hose ne's tha are shad li ca's wi chom off our and the oment hey get the ance!"
"What?" Sirius asked, sticking his sore finger into a glass of cold milk. Swallowing the cake, James cleared his throat.
"Look out for the cat shaped one's. They like to bite!"
###
Sirius slumped back, to full to even breath. James was trying to finish off a strawberry tart, but it looked like he would gag. Remus sat slumped over with his head resting on the table, a slight snore escaped his lips. Sirius smiled contentedly, feeling like he could never eat again.
"Good evening!" a pale white figure exclaimed, as his head appeared through the table. "Eaten to much, have we?"
"Hello Nick," said Sirius. The ghost floated over, and sat down on the bench. "Where have you been all night?"
"Arguing with the Committee of the Dead," he replied. "It seems I won't be allowed to join the Headless Hunt, again."
"Sorry mate," Sirius said sympathetically. "I know you were really looking forward to riding this time."
"Don't bother yourself with it," Nick said reassuringly. "I'll try again next year."
Sirius looked over at the head table as Dumbledore rang a small bell.
"Would everyone please make their way back to the dormitories. Prefects, make sure every student gets to their respected common room safely."
The students slowly rose from their seats and started heading towards the door. Sirius gradually stood up, shaking Remus awake before walking steadily to their bedroom.
###
Sirius sat among a large pile of books in the library. He perused over a rather thick one, looking for information on Animagi. Closing it loudly, Sirius slammed a fist on the circular table.
"We're not getting anywhere!" he exclaimed angrily to James. "We've been looking through these books for hours and I don't see anything we haven't already examined!"
"I know," James sighed. "But we have to keep trying. We promised Remus, remember?"
"Yeah," Sirius replied. "I just wish he could be here to help us. He sure gets sick at inconvenient times."
"Remus is sick?" Peter asked perplexedly. "I thought tonight was the full moon. Isn't he..."
"Shut up you twit!" James hissed through clenched teeth.
"Oh, sorry...sorry," Peter stammered, looking down at his hands. Sirius rolled his eyes exasperatedly, as he turned back to James.
"So where do you want to look next?"
"Well, we could check the Restricted Section again, but I don't think there will be anything new," James said disappointedly.
"I guess we should just keep practicing then," Sirius said. "If we study the information we do know, then we might be able to figure out how to turn into our Animagus forms."
"Right," James said, as he stood up. "We better get back to the dormitory. I've got loads of Potions homework due, and then we have that practice on the pitch at 7:30," he said to Sirius.
"Let's get going," Sirius stated, grabbing a pile of books and heading towards the exit.
Stopping suddenly, he ducked behind a tall bookcase and waved excitedly at James and Peter to join him. As they crouched next to him, Sirius pointed at Raven, Lily, and Severus who were crowded around a table buried in a stack of thick Transfiguration books.
"I forgot!" Sirius whispered. "Raven said she and Lily were going to have a study group with Snivellus today!"
"I can't believe it!" James exclaimed, as he looked furiously over at Snape. "He's going to pay for this!"
###
"Okay, so we covered the notes on Safety With Dangerous Creatures," Lily said. "All we need to do is look over the Illegal Uses section in the textbook, which is on page 492. If we finish that, we should be ready for the test on Tuesday."
"Do you want to read out loud?" Raven asked Severus.
"Okay," he said, turning to the correct page.
"When working with animals in Transfiguration one should always follow guidelines established by the Ministry of Magic," he started. "Number One: Never allow any damage to occur to beasts used when Transfiguring. Number Two: Always use extreme caution when...what is it?" he asked, as he saw an astonished look fall across Raven's face.
"Your...your head?" she stammered. "It...it's turn...turning blue!"
"What?" he questioned desperately, touching his cheeks to see if there were any changes.
"Here look," said a stunned Lily, as she handed him her compact mirror.
"Oh no," Severus gasped, as he watched his face turn a bright blue. Jumping up and attempting to cover his head, he grabbed his books and dashed out of the library.
"What happened?" Lily asked, watching him leave.
"I don't..." Raven stopped abruptly as she heard muffled giggling.
Sirius, Raven fumed to herself. Leaping up, she marched over to a bookcase and caught Sirius, James, and Peter sniggering about their prank. They looked up as she approached them.
"I hope you're happy!" she raged. "You've just proven, again, what prats you all are!" Lily walked up and sent a piercing glare specifically towards James.
"It was just a joke Raven," Sirius protested innocently.
"I've never met such dimwits," she said scathingly.
"Hey! Neither me or any of my friends are dimwits. So you can take it back or call us by what we really are, sexy, intelligent, babe magnets!" James exclaimed.
"She'll call you whatever she likes Potter!" Lily said menacingly, as she pulled her wand out of her robes.
"Children would you please quiet down," Professor Plutnik, the strict librarian called over to them. "The library is not meant for your squabbling."
"You'll regret this Black," Raven whispered.
"Sure," Sirius said nonchalantly. "I'll see ya later." He sauntered out of the room with James and Peter, leaving Raven and Lily standing alone.
A/N: Hope you liked! Please review! Thankee!