The Marauders Magical Journal
By—Messrs. Wormtail, Moony, Padfoot and Prongs
Oh my gawd! I can't believe you got us all INTO DETENTION!
What's the matter with that Moony?
Yeah! You act as if this is a bad thing!
McGonagall is looking this way!
(All four boys look busy writing their lines)
The matter with this is that I wasn't involved; neither was I informed of this dratted prank!
Calm down Moony! It was only a bit of fun!
"Ah, come on Remus! Please!" Sirius winged. The four boys were currently lounging in their dorm. Remus had all of his notes in organized piles, one for each class. James was reading a comic book, and practically ignoring all of his homework. Peter was trying to remember the correct charm for levitation, and Sirius was begging Remus to let him borrow his Care of Magical Creatures notes.
"No Sirius," Remus said.
"But why not?" Sirius asked, his dark eyes got round as he directed his patented puppy-dog look at Remus.
"Er—I guess there isn't any harm, just don't copy word for word," Remus said, he relinquished the notes to Sirius who gave Remus a grin as he took them.
"Don't worry there Mate!" Sirius said as he began to busily pursue the notes.
"James? What about you?" Remus asked.
"What about me?" James looked up from the moving comic book.
"Your homework," Remus said, rolling his eyes.
"Oh that," James looked sheepish as he put his comic book to the side and pulled his work towards him.
The boys worked silently for a few moments before Sirius spoke up.
"You know, we've been here for about a week, and I seriously doubting the mental state of Snivellus and his girlfriend," he said.
"What do you mean?" James asked.
"Haven't you seen them? Lurking about corners, glaring at us, staying really close to us in class?"
"Sure, but I figure they're still sore about that prank we pulled on them," James said.
"Well, it wasn't easy," Peter said.
"Mr. Rush almost caught us, twice," Remus stated.
"I know, but we got in didn't we?" James smirked.
"Thanks to that note that...what was his name; Benjamin or something?" Sirius looked puzzled.
"Benedict, slimy surd," Remus replied with a frown.
"Why do you say that, Remus?" Peter inquired.
"He tried to hex me the other day," Remus replied.
"Why?" Sirius had dropped his quill and was waiting for the story to start.
"I was on my way to the library after charms on Friday evening, right before supper. I just wanted to check on something before heading down to meet you guys. Well, Sherwood jumps out of the rafters, like he had been waiting for me all that bloody time, he said "Ha! Got you at last!" he tried to curse me with Petifricus Totalus, but I was too quick and all ready had my shield up, his curse rebounded on my field and he got hit with it instead," Remus explained.
"Corking, and why, pray tell, weren't there any other Slytherins about?"James asked.
"I guess he wanted the glory to himself, but how am I supposed to know?" Remus glared at his friend.
"Hmmm…maybe your right Remus! Maybe Benedict really did want the glory," Sirius said.
"It's dodgy if you ask me," James started. "Why would he want to get Remie in the first place?"
"Well, Jamie, I bet it's because he wanted to tell all of his house mates that he made a fool of me," Remus said.
"Is this something we can get them back for?" Sirius asked.
"Guy's, you know what McGonagall said! She said that if she found anyone in the house doing anything dodgy than she'd have to give everyone in the house detention till someone confessed!" Peter finally spoke up, he really didn't like where this was going.
"Oh come on there, Mate! We aren't gits you know," Sirius gave a long suffering sigh.
"Too true, we are as clever as a tack!" James joked. Sirius and Peter both threw a pillow at James.
"What? What did I say?" James asked.
"I believe you meant as smart as a tack," Remus said.
"Spiffing! You actually know one of those silly American things, and here I thought it was just my Aunt who did that," James grinned.
"Oh, shut up," Remus gave James a mock-hurt face before returning to his homework.
"Besides, we shouldn't do anything out of turn, however, I do believe that we need to start keeping up with the more…shall we say, hurtful curses, Sherwood is a first year like us, but who isn't to say that the Slytherin upper classmen won't have a few nasty spells up their sleeves?" Remus noted.
"You have something in mind?" James asked, he grinned from ear to ear. Usually he wasn't one to actually go and look something up, but if he thought that he would have the upper hand just by learning the spell…than maybe this wouldn't be a waist of time after all!
Remus gave James a small smile before turning to the big pillows on his bed. He pulled out a thick, leather covered book that looked to be a hundred years old.
"This book has been in my family for a very long time. It's written in French, but I can read it and I know almost everything in here, all it will take is a bit of practice," Remus said.
"Oh, blimey!" James said, he stood up and gently took the book from Remus. It was heavy, and non of the words made sense.
"I guess Mum was right," James said.
"About what?" Peter asked.
"That I should have learned French in primary school," James sighed theatrically; Sirius snickered.
"Don't worry, I know the first few chapters," Remus said.
"So, we'll get cracking on it after homework then?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, after homework," Remus agreed.
How do I go about explaining this…? Remus asked himself as he pursued a part of the first chapter of the red leather bound book. He knew several chapters by heart but he had hardly read the whole book. It would take a life time to do that. However, his colleagues were watching him with fascination, annoyance and excitement.
"Well?" a bit of annoyance shoed in Sirius' tone.
"I'll teach shielding charms first," Remus said.
"Why?" Peter asked.
"Because, only Slytherins should attack first; See, when Benedict attacked me, I let him say the first hex, so in the time that it took for said hex to traverse the hall, I all ready had my shield up," Remus said.
"James, go ahead and hex me," Remus said.
"Er—sure thing Mate, but don't you dare blame me for anything!" James said.
Now, James Potter was no stranger to dueling, he loved the whole process and on many occasions he and his father had practiced, a little, but not much. And Oswald Potter would always let his son win, and he always faked a rather dramatic death!
James took up position, which made Sirius snicker.
"Shut up, Black!" James glared at Sirius before turning back to the other first year. Remus waited patiently. James hexed Remus with the jelly-leg curse, well, he tried too anyway.
In a matter of seconds, Remus all ready had his shield up and James was flat on the floor. Remus quickly performed the counter curse for the hex and James got to his feet, a grin on his face and his eyes alight with mischief.
"Bloody brilliant!" James crowed.
"Thank you," Remus smiled.
"This will be so much fun! Malfoy won't know what hit him!" Sirius whooped.
"This will take a bit of practice so…" Remus began to explain the process.
Monday morning came faster than the students had wanted to admit. Most had spent that time doing homework, or sending letters to the family. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter had spent that time practicing, not only shielding charms, but a couple of rather dangerous hexes.
"Won't someone think we sneaked into the forbidden section of the library?' Peter had asked when the hex was suggested.
"If we don't use it in front of any Prefects or Professor's, than I really don't see what the problem is," Remus said,
"Blimey Remus, I didn't know that you could brake the rules!" Sirius chortled.
"I don't, however, this may come in handy when we meet some Death Eaters or something," Remus replied.
"Hold up there a second, do you actually think that they would try and take over the school?" James asked.
"They may, their attacks have gotten a bit too close for comfort," Remus replied.
"No wonder the Professors insist on us being in our dorms once the sun has set," Sirius said. Remus, however, knew that the Death Eater attacks were only part of that reason.
"Why do you think they are getting so close to Hogwarts anyway?" Peter asked.
"There are lot's of kids here who have parents who fight against them," Sirius said.
"Any one of those kids would serve as a great hostage,"
James felt bile rise to his throat, how could this conversation turn so…scary? His parents fought against Voldemort, they weren't afraid. James wondered why he was so scared of something he had always been aware of, and yet hadn't even taken to heart?
"James? Are you all right?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, but my parents fight against that mad man," James said.
"See? Now you see my point! Because of this, we must protect ourselves as much as possible," Remus said.
"All right then, let's start learning as many of these curses as possible and actually pay attention in Defense!" James said.
"Here's to that!' Sirius raised his fist into the air.
"Cheers!" Peter agreed.
"Too True," Remus smiled.
From that day on, the four friends became inseparable. Nothing could tear them away from each other. They were more than just friends, however, they were family!
When did we get all mushy?
I think someone slipped something to us!
That is impossible Prongs, we weren't snacking that day!
Than how do you explain those last few sentences?
Us wanting to ferment our relationship!
To be Continued!