It was another long and tiresome Friday with Slytherin. It was fortunate that Sirius has some reserve dung bombs from the summer prior. The day prior he and James experimented on them with some random spells during some of their free time. While they were doing this Remus scowled at them while tutoring Peter in Transfiguration.
"Oh, lighten up Mooney. It's not like were going to set them off in the dorm or common room," assured Sirius, "Although that'd be interesting to see what happens there," he added.
"You setting them off here is not my concern, it's where else you'd set them off," answered Remus.
"Don't worry about that right now," suggested James, "you just worry about Peter's Transfiguration. He need's to have a better grasp on that stuff in order for him to be able to become and anigmus."
"You two still on about that?" demanded Remus.
"Not this argument again!" cried Sirius.
"I know, I know, you three are determined and there's nothing I can do about it."
"Right," smiled Sirius as one of his experimental spell went awry causing one of the bombs to go off.
"Ugg!" cried Remus as he caught a whiff.
"That smell is awful!" exclaimed Peter as his eyes began to water, "It's worse than that Bertie Botts bean!"
The smell was so bad it spread to the common room causing a Prefect to get involved. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Yet their experience with the Prefect was nothing in comparison to their experience with Professor Gribble. After an unsuccessful attempt at sabotaging Snape's work on the potion James and Sirius were desperate for some fun, just one good prank.
"We need to do a prank," twitched Sirius as if the lack of a prank were an uncomfortable piece of clothing.
"I agree," nodded James.
"But what prank?" asked Peter.
"What about the dung bombs?" asked Sirius.
"You have them?" asked James as his eyes lit up.
"I thought they might come in handy," grinned Sirius as he produced the dung bombs.
Each got a few and agreed to set them off all together.
As the four entered the classroom Remus asked in a whisper, "Do you know what sort of stink these things will set off?"
"Not really," smiled James.
"Well it has got to be bad!" squeaked Peter.
"That's the point isn't it?" asked Sirius with a gleeful, yet evil look.
The whole execution of the prank would have been successful if it had not been for the bomb that slipped out of Peter's pocket. Each had thought that the other had started the prank and so they all went as they had agreed. If the timing had been slightly better, the four, more than likely would not have been caught. Yet Professor Gribble caught them in the act.
The smell of the bombs instantly spread and was in massive proportion. The classroom was instantly cleared due to this stench.
"You four," called Professor Gribble indicating the marauders once everyone was out of the classroom, "I know you did this, 50 points from Gryffindor, each, and you will be serving detention with me, tonight!"
At that time Dumbledore happened to be walking down the hall, which was an uncommon sight.
"I smell a prank," remarked Dumbledore with an air of sternness despite the twinkle in his eyes. It was as if he knew that boys will be boys and this was one of those occasions.
"Head Master!" cried Gribble; "These boys dropped dung bombs in my classroom. The smell will last for at least a week!"
"I understand that Dorian, I will take care of the punishment and you may use one of the spare classrooms to teach until the smell has dissipated."
"I – I – I," stammered Professor Gribble in shock.
"If the four of you will follow me," instructed Dumbledore.
The four boys followed in silence aside from Peter's whimpering. It wasn't until they reached and empty hall well away from the sound and smell of their class before anyone spoke.
"What do you think he's going to do with us?" asked Sirius in a very hushed whisper.
"You don't think he'll expel us do you?" answered James in the same hushed tone.
"I am intending to do nothing of the sort," interrupted Dumbledore having heard the discussion.
"Then what are you intending professor?" boldly asked Remus.
"I think it had better wait until we reach my office."
The four continued to follow Dumbledore in silence. As the journey neared an end they came to a stone statue of an ugly gargoyle.
"Liquorish Wand," spoke Dumbledore.
The gargoyle then moved to reveal a staircase. The boys followed Dumbledore up. Upon entering his office they were taken aback by the multiple and amazing gadgets. If the circumstances were different and their situation not so seemingly grave the marauders would have inspected every gadget as well as joke and smirk at some of the ridiculous looking paintings of the past headmasters, which were snoozing away in their paintings.
After Dumbledore had seated himself at his desk he began by saying, "Let us discuss your punishment," in response the four's heads hung low as Dumbledore continued, "I stand in agreement with Professor Gribble's deduction of points, but I find it more suiting if you were to serve your detention this Monday. I expect you four to report to Professor Gribble at that time.
"Yes sir," mumbled the four hardly looking up at Dumbledore.
"You may leave, except for Remus. I would like it you stayed in my office a few moments more."
Remus nodded in obedience as the other three left exchanging looks of mystification and worry.
"What does Dumbledore want with Mooney?" asked Sirius once they were out of his office.
"I don't know," pondered James with some concern.
"You don't think he's getting into even more trouble do you?" squeaked Peter.
"I don't think so," James answered.
"You think we should go back?" asked Peter.
"Go back!" cried Sirius, "Are you nuts? Go back there?"
"I don't know," whined Peter.
"Remus, do you know why I asked you to stay here?" asked Dumbledore.
"I believe I do," answered Remus.
"Good, then I would assume that you are aware that this whole thing was because of the current condition of the moon."
"Yes sir," answered Remus.
"I suggest to you that the next time that we arrive at a full moon you be more careful. I am also aware of you and your friends current activities and I suggest that you back off for a while."
"Yes sir, is that all?"
"Yes," smiled Dumbledore.
By the time Remus was done is Dumbledore's office it was time for supper. So he caught up with the others in the Great Hall.
"Well?" demanded Sirius.
"Well what?"
"So what did Dumbledore want with you?" explained James.
"Dumbledore wanted to discuss with me why he moved our detention."
"Why did he move it?" asked Peter with a bite of food in his mouth.
"I couldn't very well do it tonight," answered Remus nodding upward at the sky.
"Oh," realized Peter.
"Dumbledore also suggests that we avoid doing pranks for a while."
"What?" spat Sirius in shock.
"No pranks?" asked James in disbelief.
"That's what Dumbledore suggested," shrugged Remus.
"For how long?" asked Sirius about to cry thinking of the lack of pranks.
"At least until after we serve our detention."