Author's note: All right... I haven't updated in a long time, I know that. I've been busy and the website which I communicate with my beta is not working. So, this chapter is not edited and there would be grammatical errors. I'm sorry.
This story is longer than the others, I hope this cheer up all of you!
Chapter 12
Christmas Plans
The Slytherin smirked as he saw the four Gryffindors in the Entrance Hall. "All of you, follow me please," said the headmaster, the tall man began to walk and the boys followed him. He stopped at the front of two gargoyles and muttered something, which sounded like sugar quills to James. The gargoyles sprung to life and leapt aside as the wall split into half, revealing a secret staircase. The six stepped on it and the staircase began to move, finally stopping and Dumbledore opened the door, which had a handle of a Gryffin.
They were in a circular room, rather than a square. Portraits, which decorated the room, were staring at them curiously, whispering among themselves. James realized, with a pang, that all of them were deceased headmasters (or headmistresses) that had once ruled this castle. There were also instruments lying in the room, one James identified as a Sneakoscope, a warning tool, which was useful for wizards, but also could be very sensitive.
Dumbledore sat down behind a desk on an armchair as the boys stood before him, staring daggers at each other. "Would you care to explain, Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin, Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Snape?"
"They did it," said Snape, smirking. "I saw them, extinguishing the candles and then bewitching and enlarging the pumpkins and bats."
"Very well, Mr. Snape," said Dumbledore. "You may take your leave." Snape turned and left the office without another word. "Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew, is that true?"
The four of them nodded.
"Very well," said Dumbledore. "You shall have a detention, report to Mr. Filch, he would organize it." The boys were about to leave the office when they heard Dumbledore said, "Oh yes, and that prank was really well done, they were very advanced for first years to do it. Twenty points to Gryffindor."
The boys were absolutely sure they heard it, right and all. They smiled at each other, not believing for such luck. They didn't get points took off for the prank, but they added points to Gryffindor. It was joy for them.
Remus continued to look sick over the next few months, the rest of the marauders were getting suspicious with his continuous sickness. Sirius was positive that it was following some kind of a pattern, but he couldn't figure out which. It just annoyed him sometimes; he knew something, but what? It was getting on his nerves, he had wanted to help his friend, and he wanted to find out his secret.
Not only that Remus was sick, he had been going home several times saying that his mother was sick, and the next his father. James wasn't fooled. Something was wrong. If only, James thought, if only he can tell us. He had a kind of feeling that Remus still didn't trust any one of them. James was disappointed, what was so important?
Autumn passed and the grounds were covered with snow one day. The students were taking a break from their studies and decided to have snowball war instead. The library left deserted except for Madam Pince, the librarian, dusting the books.
"Look out Remmy!" shouted James, who partnered up with Remus against the other two. It was rare that he was separated from Sirius, but he was still enjoying the fun.
"Remmy?" Remus spun around, looking at James, his brow furrowed. The snowball hit him right in his face and he wiped them off with hand and frowned. "Remmy?"
"Yeah, Remmy!" said Sirius, coming over to them. "Let's take a break."
"Break?" Remus asked. "Are you sure, Sirius Black?"
"Right," said Sirius. "I'm tired."
"Take this!" said Remus, throwing another snowball at Sirius, who was not expecting it, received it at a full blow.
"You start it!" Sirius grinned, bending down and shaping a snowball. It continued for another good hour before all of them lay on the their comfortable beds in the dormitory, all their hands aching with tiredness.
"Remmy?" said Remus again. "Why Remmy?"
"C'mon, Remmy," said Sirius. "Don't be so fussy."
"You wouldn't like it if someone called you Siri, would you?" Remus asked.
"Nah," said Sirius. "I preferred Sirius, you know, that brightest star in the sky?" all four laughed, Sirius had been always proud with his name although his parents were the ones who gave it.
"But Remmy sounds right," said Peter.
"Sounds childish," said Remus, but he was grinning. "Right, Remmy."
"How about James?" asked Sirius. "Jamesey?"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" said James, his neck and ears were burning red.
"Why?" asked Sirius.
"You know why," said James. "Awww. Quit about nicknames, our names sound just fine for me."
"I agree," said Peter.
"You agree with anybody," said Sirius. "Right, no Remmy, no Jamesey."
"Remmy was my childhood nick," said Remus. He was thinking back of the past and he shuddered to think how perfect his childhood was going to be if that monster didn't bite him. Since then, his childhood memories were filled with nightmares, not like other kids whose childhoods were the best part of their lives. "My parents named it. I supposed all parents do."
"Not mine," said Sirius. "Childhood nick? Are you kidding me? My parents can't wait for me to get out of the house."
"So," James said, "any plans for Christmas?"
"I'm going home," said Peter.
"Me too," said Remus.
"Not me," said Sirius gloomily. "She just sent yet another howler that night."
"Nearly blasted my ears off," added Remus.
"I guess I'm not wanted at Christmas," said Sirius. "I'm staying here."
"Definitely not," said James, grinning. "You're welcomed to my house anytime."
"Really?"
"Yeah," said James, nodding. "I'm sure Dad and Mum won't mind. You can all come over for Christmas."
"My mum asked me back for Christmas," said Peter, "I can't go."
"And my mum's really sick," said Remus and James rolled his eyes.
"C'mon Remus," said Sirius, his puppy eyes gleaming. "Tell us."
"Tell you what?" asked Remus.
"You're not going home to visit your mother, are you?" said James, this trick often worked, he thought, and the victim should spill out whatever secrets he has.
"I am," Remus lied.
"Really?" said James.
"Yep," said Remus. He couldn't tell them, if he did, they'd all just abandon him! It was for all his and their sake. He didn't want to lose them because of that reason. It was getting so annoying for him; he was just like any other person on normal days, why couldn't people be broad minded?
James sighed. "No secrets?"
"No," Remus answered swiftly. I'm sorry, guys.
Trunks were packed and the wardrobes were empty. The three Gryffindors dragged their trunks behind them. Remus said he had forgotten something and he went back to the common room to take it.
"Ooops," said Remus, as he bumped to a person. "Sorry."
"Hello," said the girl. She's so pretty, he thought. "I don't think we've met."
"N-No," stuttered Remus, who was lost in his own train of thoughts. He looked blankly at her, and held out a hand. "Remus Lupin."
"I'm Kathy," the girl said, shaking Remus' hand enthusiastically, almost at once, Remus felt warmth reaching the tips of his hands even though it was winter. "Kathy Kenner."
"Which year are you in?" asked Remus, he was so curious all of the sudden for this girl.
"First," said Kathy. "I'm a Gryffindor, don't you think it's just brilliant there? But of course, you've your own – "
"No," Remus cut across her words. "I'm Gryffindor too. First year."
"And I don't even know your name before now," said Kathy, blushing a little.
"I haven't either," said Remus, his ears turning a bit red.
"Perhaps we should hang out a little sometimes!" said Kathy. "Are you going home for Christmas?"
"Yeah. But I've forgotten something in the common room."
"Me too. My memory is not so good."
The two of them walked back to the common room together, talking about stuff at school. Remus didn't know why, but he had a very strange feeling when he saw her. Her friendly smile, her bright eyes and her beautiful and sleek brown hair were things he would never forget.
Kathy Kenner
"What's taking Remus so long?" Sirius wondered out loud. "The carriages are leaving already!"
"He's here!" Peter squeaked excitedly. "With a girl!"
"What's the big deal," said Sirius. "Yo, Remus!"
"Hi Sirius," said Remus, Sirius could swear he had never seen Remus' face so red before.
"Care to introduce?" asked James.
"Yeah, sure," said Remus. "This is Kathy Kenner, they're James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew." Each one of them nodded as Remus addressed them. "All in Gryffindor."
"So you're the ones who created the disaster during Halloween?" asked Kathy, they were in the carriages pulled by invisible horses and Kathy had joined them.
"Yep," answered Sirius.
"That was so cool!" said Kathy, her eyes gleaming. "I don't think any first year could've achieved that!"
"Gee, thanks," said James.
The journey to Hogsmeade station was short. The Hogwarts Express was already parked there and it was shining brightly in the snow.
"I guess I'd catch up with you later," said Kathy. "Hey, Lily!" A red headed girl turned around and smiled.
"Kathy! I've been looking for you for ages!" said Lily. "You've been with them?"
"Yeah," said Kathy, dragging her trunk with her and walking away with Lily.
"Girls," muttered James under his breath.
They rode the train back to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Remus ran and hugged his parents when he saw them, smiling brightly. "Mum, dad, I miss you!"
"Goodness," said Mrs. Lupin, taking a good look at his son. "You've grown so much!"
The other three marauders were walking towards the Lupins. Sirius was all shocked and James looked amazed. Is that Mrs. Lupin, Remus' mother? James thought. She looked so healthy!
"Mum, dad," said Remus. "These are my friends, James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Guys, these are my parents."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lupin," said James politely.
"Maybe you can all come over sometime during the break," said Mrs. Lupin. "I'm sure Remus would like all of you there."
"Sure, Mrs. Lupin," said Sirius.
"Bye, guys," said Remus. "See you over the break."
Peter had gone to join his parents. It left James and Sirius looking at each other while waiting for James' parents to arrive.
"Is that his parents?" said James. "They looked so healthy!"
"Yeah," agreed Sirius. "Healthier than Remus himself."
"So weird," said James. "I think he's hiding something from us."
"Not only you."
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Author's Note: Okay, I know I'm biased towards Remus. (hehe) I would try to add in more for Sirius. Thanks a million for all who've reviewed!
brennQT: Snape's plain evil in the chapters. hehe. There would be more pranks, definitely, or else they wouldn't be The Marauders Four. James, Remus, Sirius and PEter are all cool!
Chpip: This chapter is longer than all the previous ones! hehe. Thanks for supporting the story.
xMissxUnderstoodx: Thanks for reading! Life is full of ups and downs and that goesthe same to the Marauders as well. I'm glad you like the fic!
DarkKestrelArwenSilkeQueen: I'm glad you like the story! Well, I'm not so good in English myself because I don't take English as my first language. I'm trying my best to lengthen the chapters and add in more stuff. Enjoy this chapter too!
Erica: If you're reading this, I hope you can understand why I've posted this chapter early. I've sent the chapter to you but I didn't receive it back. It might be the fault of the service or something... if you've another place to keep in contact. Please tell me. Thanks.
