Year 3: Chapter 17

James stretched out, yawning as he awoke for another day. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he moved to a sitting position. Moving one hand to rumple his hair as he went. Blinking a couple of times, he reached out and grabbed his glasses, bringing them to his face.

Quickly, he flung the covers off of himself and shivered in the cool morning air. Looking around he noticed that it was eight o'clock and knowing that with the four of them they'd have to head down for breakfast quite soon.

Moving over to Remus' bed he opened the curtains and tried not to laugh. Remus had one hand covering his eyes as if shielding out the sun that was hidden behind some clouds.

"Re, you'd better wake up if you want breakfast."

The boy groaned but otherwise didn't move. James laughed slightly as he leaned towards his friend. A sly smile crossed his face as he slung the covers back exposing the boys bare chest to the chill held within the air.

The yell that he released caused James to explode with laughter. From the other side of James' bed the curtains flew open and Sirius stuck his head out.

"What's the matter?"

Remus who had now flung his own legs from under the covers and was sitting on the edge of the bed answered.

"It's cold."

"Oh."

They heard the boy crawl back behind the curtains and then a high-pitched yell. The curtains opened again slightly to let Sirius' falling body pass. James and Remus exchanged a look and both fell onto the bed in laughter.

A fourth head peered around the curtains. A small smile on her face as she blinked a few times.

"What time is it?"

"Eight."

She nodded and climbed out from the bed. She shivered like the others wrapping her arms around her body. Sirius pulled himself up and moved to get at his trunk.

James followed suit as Remus moved towards Peter's bed to wake him up. Pulling the curtains back he gasped and the other three turned to look. His bed was empty and made for the day, it almost looked like he hadn't slept in it.

"Peter's up early!"

Amanda smiled towards Remus.

"Bet he's gone to find Bran already, you said it's eight so she's properly already at breakfast."

James nodded as Remus too moved to his trunk and the three boys pulled their clothes out for the day. Amanda looked towards her pile of clothes from the night before and a small giggle escaped her mouth. James had to ask.

"What's so funny?"

"The house elves around here don't miss a trick do they."

The three looked and where she had put her dirty ripped uniform the night before now sat a clean uniform ironed and suitable to be worn for the day.

"I'll just go change in the bathroom."

As Amanda walked into the room the three boys quickly changed into their own clothes and sat on the bed waiting to use the bathroom. Amanda walked out smiling happily and James ran passed her into the room.

"Sirius, I hope you don't mind but I borrowed your toothbrush."

"You know what, that doesn't surprise me."

She sat on the end of James' bed and they waited until all had used the bathroom. When Sirius finally came out they each grabbed their book bags (Amanda had already run to get hers) and headed down. Remus had picked up Peter's before leaving the room saving him a trip back up.

The common room was almost empty except for Joseph Wild. He looked bored out of his mind sitting at a table near the girl's stairs. He looked up when they came down and his eyes widened. Amanda smiled as they left the room.

Quickly they reached the Great Hall and looked around. It was still rather empty and as usual after a late night most people looked half asleep. James knew that most of the student body wouldn't come down to breakfast this morning and just wait till lunch as it would mean longer in bed.

James noticed that the Gryffindor table was almost empty. Christian was sitting at one end with Stuart Bartlett the sixth year prefect. Then there were three first years that he couldn't name. Other than that there were only two other people at the table. Peter and Branwen.

James moved towards them followed by the others. Both looked a little lost in their own thoughts. He sat down opposite the pair with Sirius right next to him. Remus chose to sit next to Peter and Amanda sat with Branwen pulling her a bit over towards herself, and the conversations began.

So another chapter for you all I'm trying to be nice and post when I can and since I've now finished Uni for the Christmas hols it should be better although exams in Jan which I have to revise for.

Taylin now if I answer your questions I'm going to give it all away, but I will say its very hard to keep a relationship hidden especially when you live so close to other people so I think that kinda gives you an idea, as for how long well that one you'll just have to wait to see.

Firewalker32 thanks for reviewing. I actually think that at the moment Peter is a sweetheart I don't believe that people are born evil I think they turn evil over time and I have a plan to make Peter evil, I have actually already been leaving clues as to why he'll be evil but I have to say only one person has picked up on it, a lovely lady called Lisa.

LNP Pete and Mand? Are you talking about in the room where she's trying to help him or are you talking bout something else? Thanks for the review anyway.

Annie its alright I have to say one of the girls on the HP boards asked how you were suppose to say Taliesin and it hit me that if you come from outside of Wales you wouldn't know Branwen is easy to say (or at least I hope so its just Bran win) and yeah Peter is part of the story an important part really because ultimately if it wasn't for him Voldemort wouldn't have been defeated so he is here and he does play a part (plus I'm making him good all the way through Hogwarts I believe he turned outside when other people could get to him)

Jessie great to hear from you girl missed talking to you. So how are you any news from down your way? Anyway I like Peter so he's good here and I hope your going to update your story soon, I want to see what happens at the next Quidditch game

Anyway thanks everyone more post next week and a big thank you goes to Annie for being a lovely beta for me.

Kris