Chapter Two
Two Reviews. Eleven hits. Thank you muchly and please keep reading so I will have a reason to keep updating.
Remmy,
Thank you for writing. Did you know that James wrote me a letter? I haven't read it yet. I think it may be dangerous. Do you know anything about it? I am a bit curious, but too afraid to open it. Its not like he is above pranking me.
I have been great. Relaxing a lot. How are you? From Peter? What homework did he want help on this time? I swear it is pathetic the way he worships Potter and Black. For once I must commend them on being able to put up with him. He has been playing Quidditch again? Hope he doesn't break anything this time.
It is wonderful to be out of classes. I knew they would be hard this year, but I didn't know they would be like that. Maybe I shouldn't have taken so many. Oh well, you know I couldn't decide what to give up. Though History of Magic has always seemed useless…But I would never have the courage to give it up. Potions was the first thing I started on, but I haven't been working as hard as usual. Its odd not to be doing work, but I like it very much. Maybe everyone was right when they told me I needed to take a few breaks once in a while. And don't flatter me about my potions work. I really don't enjoy the Slug Club all that much. Don't tell anyone though. Professor would be so disappointed.
I hope you have fun at James'. Try not to get arrested. Kidding. I know you wouldn't let them do anything that horrible, but do watch out for the decree for underage wizards. I would hate to see you expelled. Then who would be prefect with me?
Not all that bad? Try and tell me that when he turns my hair green or gives me an extra nose. I know he acts like a git. He is one and I cannot stand him. I thought he was following me, as well. He must be then. That is a bit scary.
Don't worry about Petunia. She is always with Vernon, her no-neck boyfriend now days.
Love,
Lily Evans
Padfoot,
'Lo. I haven't really been up to anything. Not being bothered by Snivillis means that I don't have anyone to torture. If only I had my very own Regulus to torment. Too bad your mother would kill you. If I was her I would be happy to get rid of the git. (But thankfully, I am not.)
Therefore I am very anxious for your arrival, as well as, that of Remus'. It is quite dreadful without anyone to enjoy pranks with and my mum said that if I upset her cats one more time then you aren't coming over. An empty threat, of course.
Pranking the neighbor sounds like the first Marauder activity of the summer. It should go well since Peter is not coming once again. His mother is really hard on him. Maybe that is his problem. I can't wait to hear the idea, which you cannot write in a letter because of Marauder rules. Ever since Snape found that one…Anyways…
Make sure you bring all of your school things and a bit of money for Diagon Alley. Bring your broomstick as well. I found a little field where we can practice if we don't fly too high. I should go. Lunchtime.
Prongs
Moony-
We're supposed to be there four days from today. I'm getting there around eleven. Maybe you should try for around noon. We don't want to get lost in the floo network. That would be a 'Peter' thing to do. Can't wait to get there, can you? James' house is so much better than mine. Of course, anyone whose mum isn't my mum has a better house than mine.
My summer is alright. It will be better once I am out of here. I wish we would have been there during you-know-what. Those times are always fun. Odd how such a horrible thing could become something we looked forward to. Good. I don't want you have to leave after a week. Second year was the worst. Too bad you mum wouldn't let you come back. She was starting to seem like Peter's mother. I still say you should have broken out and came back.
I am a genius of course. The talent for pranking comes naturally. Do give yourself some credit. You always make sure everything is in order and find all of our new spells for us. Bless the fact that the teachers like you and give you passes to the restricted session.
Egypt? I hear the cursed Muggle's skeletons are awesome. Leave it to you to make vacation educational. Get me a picture of a curse victim, okay? Failed an exam on purpose? How dare you. James and I really, really, really wanted to continue with the class, but we don't have the intelligence that you've got.
I haven't even looked at the assignment. Maybe the week before school starts I will look at it. We are usually bored out of our minds then anyways.
Padfoot
Wormtail,
Hey. My summer has been okay. Sent and received a lot of letters in the last few days. I was just packing for James' house. Its really too bad that you can't go. We know its all your mother's doing of course. I'll write you and tell you all about the pranks that we pull. With Sirius and James there are sure to be many.
Its good to hear that you have made some friends. At least you won't be as bored as you were last summer. You wrote so many letters…Be careful playing Quidditch. Don't be seen or fall of your broom or anything. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you before your seventh year. Almost done, right?
Fell down the stairs? That does sound a bit painful. Your mum is a wonderful healer, from what I hear, so I'm not worried. That's lucky. My mother has a hard time with a basic bandage spell.
Herbology? I haven't started it, but I can help you. Send me some of your questions and I will try to answer them. No guarantees. Its not really my best subject, you know.
Moony
Wormtail,
I didn't expect that she would. I hoped, but no. I just had to make sure. My own mother has been bothering me to make sure. You know how it is. Yeah, maybe next year. My house may be a little dangerous if Sirius is around though.
My summer has been okay. I have a few things to worry about, but Sirius and Remus will be hear soon to distract me. There are plenty of prank that need to be done.
There is quite a lot of homework, but what can you expect from N.E.W.T. classes? I'm sure Remus will help you. He always does right?
I have to get cleaning. Mum's orders. I think she knows that pretty soon there will be a lot more messes to deal with.
Prongs
Prongs,
How is summer treating you? I have been quite good. I am running out ink, I keep getting so many letters. I just wanted to make sure that I was suppose to get there in three days. I be there around noon if that's okay. If not…I'll do it anyway.
Luckily the transformation was three days ago. It was odd not to have the two of you around. I daresay I did not like being trapped in the basement after being out on the Hogwarts grounds so often. At least it means I won't have to leave so soon. Remember second year? Never know when my mother is going to go back to her old ways.
I hear that Peter isn't going. I'm sure that makes pranking easier, though I do feel sorry for him about his mum. I know how it is to be overprotected. He doesn't really need the protection, not in the same way I used to anyways.
Oh, by the by, I've been writing Lily. She says that you wrote her a letter. You'll be happy to know that she is too afraid to open it. Tell me honestly, is it a trick? If it is I will curse you silly when I see you. How do expect to ever have a normal conversation with her if all you do is play pranks on her and embarrass her? I mean really. If it is a normal letter I do commend you for a job well done. Unless you called her buck-toothed carrot head again. You know her teeth are perfect from all of those muggle things she had.
Peter fell down his stairs again, did you hear? He is asking about homework again. That's Peter for you. How is your family, by the way?
Moony
Moony,
I have been getting a few letters myself. None from Sirius. I suppose I should write him soon since he takes so long to reply. I hope you have fun at the Potter's. It seems like a fun place. The pool and everything. If I didn't live so far away I might know for myself. Please do write and tell me what happens. I don't want to left out of all of those inside jokes that always result.
My friends and I still play a lot. I haven't fallen off of my broom one time. It's a neighborhood field and protected from muggles so I don't have to worry about being seen. I met this girl. Her name is Samantha. She is quite nice to look and pretty funny. Don't mention it to Sirius or James. They would be sure to tease me over it.
The bruises from the fall down the stairs are healed, though I am going to be much more careful on the stairs. Remember when I fell down the ones to the entrance hall and broke my arm? The nurse healed it in half a second, but it did hurt. I don't want that to happen again.
One question about the herbology. What is the difference between Nightshade and Nightengale, again? I always mix them up.
Wormtail
Prongs,
They should make a Snape voodoo doll. Have you heard of them? A crazy muggle thing. They make a doll that looks like someone they loathe and torture it and whatever happens to the doll happens to the person. They don't really work, but I think we could make a real one. What do you think?
Regulus, Regulus, Regulus. I am tired of hearing that name. 'Regulus isn't a filthy blood traitor. Regulus has friend in proper wizarding families. Regulus is a stupid git. Regulus' brain is made of wax and fluff. Regulus doesn't know a wand from a wart.' Okay, I said some of those, but really, someone had to point them out. The way that he is fawned over is ridiculous. All for being a rotten Slytherin.
Only two days now. It can't come soon enough, as far as I'm concerned. Your mother does quite love those cats, doesn't she?
I quite know I cannot write it down for fear of interception. It was my idea to have the rules, was it not? Poor Peter. At least his mum likes him at all, right?
Of course I will remember everything. Jamesy, you are the mother I never had. Please, if I have some dirt on my cheek, lick your finger and try to rub it off. That would be quite pleasant, though I know that the only person whose cheek you want to get spit on has red hair…
Padfoot
Padfoot,
Agreed. I will get there at about noon. Are you still using that expression? And I thought you done with all the talk of pulling a Peter. What did I expect though? James' house is quite good. Better than mine by far and I don't even have your mother.
Don't worry about missing the transformation. Soon enough we will be back at school and owning the grounds, as you like to put it. We will even own the castle since we now have the map. What a clever idea from James. Luckily I have three weeks and I think my mum will let me visit a few more times after that, though I can't stay since we have the whole vacation and of that.
Of course, you're a genius and extremely humble, is that right? And you would never date three girls in one week. Not you. Yes, all of that trust comes from actually doing my homework and not flicking bits of parchment at the back of my teacher's heads. But I will take that as a compliment all the same.
Yes, yes. I will find a mangled skeleton and capture it on film for your enjoyment. Also, I will be on the lookout for some pranking supplies not available around here. Doesn't that make up for my wanting to learn something useful? I know you two get decent grades without trying. Don't even try to lie to me.
Always a procrastinator. Are you still dating that Hufflepuff so and so? I know you promised that the summer wouldn't separate you, but I wasn't fooled for a second.
Moony
Prongs,
Yeah. That's my mother for you. So they are going to be there tomorrow? I will have to remind my owl. She isn't quite the brightest animal, you know. Sirius is a little dangerous, I suppose. I don't know how many times he has set my pants on fire just for fun.
Glad you summer has been well. Did I tell you that I've been playing Quidditch? Haven't fallen of off my broom yet. Getting better I suppose. Not nearly as good as you, though almost no one is. I can't wait to hear about all of the pranks.
Remus is helping me. Your are right as always. Herbology is my worst subject. I swear that plants hate me.
Hope your mum doesn't work you too hard on that cleaning.
Wormtail
Moony,
You're not supposed to be coming…Kidding. You have it right. Oh, such a determined Remus. I would not stand in your way. Arrive anytime you like.
I will quite miss our nighttime romps, transformation or otherwise. Good that you already had it though. More time to cause mischief. This will be a Marauder summer. Will you be back after you leave for you next transformation? Hopefully so. I don't know how I could keep Padfoot in check if he gets into one of his moods. You know, the ones where he starts cursing the pants off of the headmaster and such. Scary things happen.
His mum is quite crazed about it. I wouldn't bother protecting him, but I suppose she has too since she is his mother.
You've been writing Lily? As you know, I have, as well. No reply, but now I know the reason. I swear to you on Godric's grave that it is not a prank in anyway whatsoever. I just wanted to let her know that I wasn't always a git. You know what I mean, apparently. Write her as soon as you get this and tell her that she is safe. I don't remember calling her that, though it does sound like something to say. I am really not very good at this whole girls thing, am I?
I heard. It is typical for the news about Peter to be only that he fell down the stairs and needs help with schoolwork.
Prongs
P.S. Bring your broomstick if you want to try your hand at Quidditch again.
Lils,
It was really no problem to write. A pleasure. I didn't know that James wrote you, but I wrote him demanding answers about the letter and he just finally wrote back. I am about to leave for his house so this letter may be a bit messy. He swears that it isn't a prank and that he just wants to let you know that he isn't always a git. He was very serious about it and I believe that it is safe. Apparently he has been waiting all this while for a reply. All I ask is that you approach it with an open mind.
I have been quite wonderful. Actually, this time Peter wanted help with Herbology. Nightengales and things. Didn't we learn those second year? I suppose he does consider them to be heroes. Secretly they both like him, but they are too cool to show it at school. He says he hasn't fallen off of his broom, which is good. He apparently met a pretty girl named Samantha. I think he fancies her.
Of course everyone was right when they told you to take a break, but you cannot even think of getting out of History of Magic. You are the only way I survive in there. I swear that if I ever get insomnia I will just visit his class. Don't like the Slug club? He does help you forge some real connections for when you get out of school.
I will have fun and I will not be arrested doing it. I promise. I suppose they would just make Peter prefect if I had to be expelled…Not likely.
I knew I couldn't change your mind about James, but I had to try, him being one of my best mates and all. Anyways, about to floo. Goodbye.
Sincerely,
Remus Lupin