Disclaimer- You know by now that I am, in fact, not J.K. Rowling. Unless you skipped the other two chapters.. SHAME ON YOU. I don't own it though...
Watery and timid sunlight poured through the window of the Seventh year Gryffindor boy's dormitory. Reflecting in a slightly brilliant manner off the lenses of a pair of glasses set aside on a bedside table. A general mess was strewn across much of the floor already. First day back and it already looked as though they had never left. The only neat space was aroundthe bed of one Remus Lupin. Everything there was kept nice and neat.
Potter stirred with a groan. His right arm flopping around in an attempt to grab the bed hanging and pull it closed over the slight gap that seemed to have appeared and, how dare it, was now letting light through. Though the light was, admittedly, weak due to the dense fog that had the whole of the country in an icey grip. After a few futile moments James gave up and stuffed his messy head under his pillow. Giving a content sigh as darkness reigned again. Listening to the muffled sounds of someone snorring elsewhere in the room. Despite his retreat into the dim world of his pillow sleep remained gone. Instead he resigned himself it a bit of brooding over the day prior.
Lily's attitude had surprised him someone, though he had refrained from showing it. He had known Lily couldn't have hated him. It went against her nature to hate someone for something as frivolous as their idiotic attitude. In fact, he knew now, that the past years has been entirely his fault. Had he been less of a moron Lily would never have been so horrid to him. The train ride to Hogwarts had proved that. She had been perfectly nice. Sure, they had argued a bit, but it hadn't come down to them at each others throats. Or rather, he ammended, Lily trying to murder his arse. Potter allowed himself a smirk. Yes, things would be good this year if the day before had proved anything. In truth, really never had been mean. Just annoyed to the point of explosion. Yes, she was quick tempered, but it had always been his fault she had turned nasty. With that in mind, and the sound of someone moving about James pulled his head from beneath his pillow and pushed himself up.
Pulling back the hangings Potter was greeted by the sight of Lupin moving around the room. Unceremoniously kicking the other boys posessions out of his way, "Mornin' Moony." yawned Potter.
"Mornin' Prongs." replied Lupin.
Potter sat there on the edge of his bed. His head tilted to one-side resting against the bedpost. Watching the room. Lupin continued wandering around, lost in that early morning haze, finally stopping at Black's bed. Potter heaved himself up and walked over to stand next to Lupin. Both heads swayed and tilted to the left in simultaeneous action. The gruff snoring had stopped at last leaving the room filled with ringing silence. Pettigrew had awoken while Lupin and Potter pondered the complex problem of awaking Black.
A few moments later the sound of a tap squeaking followed by the rush of water and the clamour it made filling a metalic bucket. Sure, they could have conjured water, but this early they doubted they could get their spells straight. So, Pettigrew heaved a bucket full of cold water over to them and joined them in their row, heads inclined to the left, beside the bed of one Sirius Black. Pettigrew passed the bucket to Potter who in turn passed it to Lupin. Without a moments hesitation the young werewolf upturned the bucket on the mass of lengthy black hair that surrounded the chiseled visage upon the pillow. With a yowl like a singed cat Black sprung up. Dancing around upon the saturated matress in rage. His head connecting with the odd thunk against the canopy boards.
With a growl of anger Sirius flung himself off the bed toward Remus, intent on throttling the assailent. Remus, however, was to fast and scampered out of the way. Tearing off around the dorm. Sirius in hot pursuit. Pettigrew was wheezing and cackling, leaning against Potter who was in equal hysterics. Lupin leapt over Potter's bed and hit the ground with a muffled thump, whilst Black tripped over something left lying on the floor, did a rather awkward flip and landed with a nice whumph on aforementioned bed.
Holding his side Potter straightened. Taking a breath to control himself he said, "I give you a solid eight for that one, Padfoot, mate." afterwards he broke down into whoops of laughter again. Peter continued to cackle and the two were soon joined by their fellows in their laughter.
It took a good solid ten minutes or so for the Marauders to get themselves under control once more. Afterward another good ten were spent in searching for uniforms suitable to wear. Which basically meant they dug through the litter all over their room until they found the least rumpled uniform set they could. Lupin being the exception who merely reached into his trunk and withdrew a pair of trousers, a shirt, a robe, a tie and some socks then stood about waiting for the others to finish their endeavors.
Once robes and the like were found the four clattered down the spiraling staircase into the common room. Knowing full well they were running a tad behind for breakfast. It was nothing new to be sure. Each traded glances with the others. Then, without warning the four bolted. Scrambling and fighting each other to be the first out of the portrait hole. A practiced motion from a sixth year girl saved a small, first year boy from being trampled. Pettigrew popped from the mass and landed on the floor off the hall. Skidding a foot or two on his bottom before leaping up and dashing off. The other Marauders growled in unison and somehow managed to free themselves from their tangle of robes and school bags. Stumbling for a moment before tearing after the other boy. Students pressed themselves into the stone to avoid being run over.
Pettigrew was almost to the hall when he was hit in the back by four blurrs of black. So in the haste the four knocked their own legs from under each other and went sliding across the floor, which Filtch had meticulously polished to perfection, and right passed the open doors to the great hall. The sliding mass was followed by a simultaeneous turn of heads within the hall. The student body watching the progression as one.
The Marauders scrambled to their feet, adjusted their robes and walked into the hall as though nothing had happened. Walking past the other tables to take their seats at the Gryffindor one. For a moment all was quiet, then as though nothing had occured the usual chatter started up again.
Emmeline Vance rolled her eyes, "Its amazing that stuff like that actually got attention once." she said matter-of-factly.
Hestia Jones grinned at her, "That was before everyone was used to the Marauders."
Alice Swanson nodded her agreement. Lily shook her head slightly, "If its possible to get used to the Marauders." she informed them. The other girls looked around at her and lifted a brow in unison. "Well its true!" protested the red-head. "Every time you think you get them pinned... they go off and do something else."
A collective sigh was heaved from the group as they admitted defeat to Lily's truth. They knew Lily was refering to the previous day and James' Potters actions. She had told them all about it when they had reached their dorm the night before. The girl was dumbfounded. Not that she minded the change, it was a lot better. The group had discussed it for a good while, til their heads were drooping and they were all nearly asleep where they sat, before crawling off and into their beds.
Breakfast passed rather normally. Easing into classes. The first of which the Gryffindors had to attend was History of Magic. The room was chilly but not overly bad. Binns was hovering in the front of the class droning on about something that sounded vaguely like Goblins but James could have sworn that it was about Muffins, but that could just have been that his short term memory seemed to have shut down and he was pondering what all he had, had for breakfast. Sirius was sitting to his right, his cheek stuck to the page of his History of Magic text book from drool. His soft snores floating around a room veritably filled with them. Remus was to Sirius' right, two chairs from James and on the end of the row. His head was turned to one side, chin proped on his palm, eyes unfocused as he gazed out the window nearby. Peter sat directly in front of Remus. His forehead resting on the desk, he seemed to be struggling with something, his tongue poking out between his teeth and lips. Judging by the plastic like crackling he probably had a packet of sweets over there. Potter swung his head back around to gaze at the loose auburn curls that drifted about the shoulders of a certain girl. Lily, to, wasn't paying much attention. She had taken it upon herself to study the course on her own. It was much easier than fighting Binn's effects. She was currently staring right at the ghost professor. Though her emerald eyes her unfocused and anyone who was paying half-attention could tell she was off in her own thoughts. Then again Binns never really paid attention.
James pulled a scrap of parchment toward him with the tips of the fingers on his right hand. His left reaching lethargicly to pluck his quill from the ink well on his desk. Looking at the scrap for a moment as he dredged up his question again. Scrawling in faintly looping writing 'Hey, Lily, when are we s'posed to meet to figure out the dates for the stuff and the schedule for the other stuff? -James' Potter observed his note, knowing it wasn't that specific. Then again he was sure Lily would know what he meant and also know it was nearly impossible to form coehesive thoughts let alone write them in this particular class. He folded it up and flicked it over the head of the girl sitting in front of him, and over Lily's own, to have it land quite on target on the corner of Lily's desk.
Lily jerked out of her stupor as the folded peice of paper landed on her desk. She plucked it up and unfolded it. Blinking at the writing. It took her about three times reading it to comprehend. Both due to the cryptic manner of it and her minds own grogginess. Snatching up her quill she jotted a quick note in her neat, swift hand 'We could meet later today in the library if you want -Lily' She crumpled the note up and tossed it backwards over her shoulder. James reached out to catch the note at the same time Remus noticed the activity(Binns remained clueless) and bunged a note of his own at Potter. Lupin's note smacked Potter in the head. Blinking owlishly James retrived the offending note.
Unfolding Lily's first he read it, scribbled a reply in the affirmative for after dinner. Tossing it to her he saw her nod up ahead of him then turned his attention toward Remus'. He read it a few times over, making sure he understood, though the effects of Binns were beginning to wear off a bit by now 'Wotchu passin' notes about -Moony'
James put for his reply, that they were discussing meeting to discuss further meetings and Prefect patrols and the like. Potter tossed the note so that it bounced against the back of Black's head and into Lupin's waiting hands. Black gave a snort for the interuption of his peace but didn't twitch otherwise. The sound causing Pettigrew, Lupin, and Potter to titter madly. Lily herself broke into a soft fit of the giggles badly covered by a few coughs. Others peered around from their seats to view the sorce of the noise.
Binns droning came to a close as the class ticked to an end his musty voice waving out over them like the smell of old mothballs, "Well, if you collect your things.. class is about over." without a further word he turned and floated back out through the wall that was behind him.
James leaned over and dug a finger into Sirius' ribs, "Oi, Padfoot, wake up!"
Black waved a hand, "I don' wanna." he grumbled.
Remus stood up and prodded at the back of his head, "C'mon its time to go!"
Sirius lifted his head and peered blearily up at his mates, whom were surrounding him now, the page of his textbook peeling away from his cheek. "Go where?" he inquired rubbing at his eyes.
"Well this class is over and we have a free period... so.. somewhere." said Potter.
"Somewhere thats not here." input Pettigrew.
"Any ideas?" asked Lupin.
Black stood up and stuffed his things into his bag, "How 'bout the lake?"
Potter cast him a look like he was nutters, "In this fog? S'we can drown?"
"Of course." was Black's reply.
The other three shook their heads at him and moved toward the door. Sirius bounding after them. The lot making their way to one of the nearby courtyards. Least it was outside but not in a dangerous way.
Pettigrew plunked himself on a bench beneath an overhang. The others ranging around him. Black draping himself gracefully on what remained of the bench whilst his legs stretched out far enough to cause Peter to scootch over. Black continued to stretch his long legs out until the smaller boy fell off the end with a thick plunk which caused Sirius to give a yelp of laughter. Quickly sprawling fully on his claimed bench. Peter grumbled but readjusted to lean his back against the end of it that he had fallen off. Lupin dropped down sitting cross legged in-front of said bench somewhere before Black's midsection. Potter placed his back against the wall behind the bench and Black upon it. Arms crossing over his chest.
After a few long moments of silence Lupin finally spoke up, "S'wots next?" he queried.
Potter scratched the back of his head, "Dunno." was his reply to the question.
Pettigrew shrugged his shoulders, "Dunno." he echoed.
Black nodded his head solemnly, "Nor I."
Lupin rubbed a hand against his nose. Looking around thoughtfully. Squinting remorsefully at the fog that encompassed them and kept them from seeing across the court yard. The Marauders contemplations were interrupted by the sound of shifting footsteps. Four heads lifted and four sets of eyes were directed toward a lank figure that had just come slouching from the swirling tendrils.
Thin body, palid tone, soiled looking black hair. Only one person in Hogwarts posessed that demeanor. Black stiffened on the bench and sat bolt upright. His lips curling into a slightly feral sneer. Lupin's nostrils flared a tad as though he had caught wind of an interesting scent. Pettigrew looked toward the two who had locked their eyes on him. Remus himself usually didn't participate, for fear of loosing his badge, but that didn't mean he liked the boy any better. Potter, to, had stiffened up. Though his eyes weren't focused on Snape. Instead he grabbed his book bag and swept off. Leaving the others to it. He didn't rightly want to yell at his best mates but he also didn't want to let Lily down. He knew, if he took the liberty to toture Snape again Lily would definantly be annoyed beyond belief. She always had defend the slimeball, no matter how foul he was to her.
Sirius glanced over his shoulder as James disappeared and shrugged. He wasn't going to let it get to him and destroy a bit of sport. Standing up the lean boy moved forward calling out in a cajoling tone, "Snivelly, Snivelly, Snivelly..." Snape whipped around, but as usual Black was to fast for him. Always prepared for the slimey-haired boy to pull some sort of act like that one. A flick of the wand and, as Sirius barked out, "Expelliarmus!" Snape went flying backwards. His wand flipping through the air and landing on the ground, skittering against the stone a few feet to stop at Lupin's feet.
Remus' appearing to be busy with a book surreptiously shifted a foot forward to pin the wanted to the ground beneath it. Snape leapt up looking positively livid. His black eyes burning into the stormy ones of Sirius. Snape's upper lip curled up in a sort of snarl, "Your such a bastard, Black." he spat poisonously.
Black grinned wolfishly at him, "Don't make that face Snivels, it'll stick like that. Then again... it might be an improvement." he drawled. Snape growled out a string of curse words. Black took on an offended air, "Such words!" Snape lunged at him, Sirius side-stepping the charge and sticking out a long leg. Snape tripped over it landing on the ground, his chin cracking painfully against the stone of the courtyard. "You really should... Cool off." came Sirius' voice. Directing his wand at Snape's head he snapped out another spell, "Aquamenti!" the stream of water poured onto Snape's head drenching his matted tresses and his Robes.
"BLACK!" a strict voice roared from nearby. "What do you think you're doing!" McGonagall came swooping toward the boys. Remus looked up from his book now.
Black grinned up at the strict witch, "Helping Severus here wash his hair, Minerva." he said innocently.
"I'm sure" came the tart reply. "Detention, tonight Black, and twenty points from Gryffindor. Come to my office at eight o'clock." looking to Snape who was up by now and whiping a bit of blood from his chin she inquired, "Wheres your wand boy?" Snape glared and gave his shoulders a shrug. With a wave of her wand McGonagall accio'd the wand and returned it to its owner. Placing a hand on his shoulder she guided him off, "To the hospital wing with you." she informed him.
The rest of the day passed in a slow moving haze. Dragging on forever. James kept getting nasty looks shot at him by Lily, which confused him to no end. Though he figured he'd found out when they met in the Library that night. All in all it was very much like the whole of Hogwarts was infected by Monday Syndrome. That sickness that comes with Monday mornings. Making everyone crabby, rude, blunt, and above all else tired.
Dinner came and went and James set out for the library directly afterward. Making himself comfortable at a table settled back in a slight niche. Allowing himself the liberty to tip his chair up on its hind legs, propping his feet atop the table. Arms bending his hands up to lace his fingers behind his head. He let his hazel eyes fall closed and waited. Listening to the near silence of the library. The only sounds being those of the occasion whisper or turn of a page.
Potter was nearly asleep, Lily noticed. Smirking slightly as she watched him lounging at the table. She walked up quietly, her books(she'd brought them for studying after their little meeting) clutched to her chest. Once beside the table she dropped the heavy volumes down on the wooden table. The noise startling the dozing boy, causing him to jump and overturn his chair. James landed on the floor with a clatter and groan. Sitting up he rubbed the back of his head and sent a reproachful look Lily's, "You could have just prodded me or something." he grouched.
Getting back to his feet his dusted off the bum of his robes and righted the chair, the librarian was staring hawkishly over toward them at the moment though she turned and flounced off into the shelves like a denied shark with a hiss. Potter dropped back into the chair and rested his arms, crossed over one another, on the table before him. Lily pulled a chair out herself and sat down looking down at her books as she shifted papers for a patrol schedule she'd made up for him to look at, "I heard Snape was in the Hospital wing." she said off-handedly. Not even looking up.
Potter eyed her slightly, so thats what it was then? He shrugged his shoulders, "So did I." he replied to her.
She found the paper and handed it to him before sitting back and giving him a hard stare with her gem-like eyes, "I also heard the Marauders put him there." her voice had taken on a familiar angry snap.
Potter leaned back in his chair his eyes going over the list she had made up. He hadn't it back to her with a nod, "That looks good." he told her. After a moment he continued, "You mean, a, as in one, Marauder put him in there."
She folded the paper up and tucked it back in her book where she would find it later, "Really? Usually when one Marauders at it they all are." she seethed. She went on not giving him a change to respond. "Look, Potter, I know you don't like the boy. But you have responsibilites as head boy. You can not go around hexing people and bullying them. You nee-" her lecture, however, was cut off by the scraping of a chair.
James stood up, "I'll have you know I didn't do a thing. Thank you very much."
A frown flickered across Lily's face, "Off to detention?" she prodded. "Well, if you didn't do anything you really don't seem very concerned."
Potter paused and pressed his palms down flat against the table top. Leaning forward until his face was a few inches from Lily's, staring her in the eyes, "Just because I made a promise to myself not to be a bullying prat doesn't mean I care about the greasy git, Lily. Sirius is the one you should be venting on." a shadow of annoyance flickered through the normally calm hazel depths as he straightened. "I'll see you later." he said calmly. Turning he stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets and sauntered off out of the library. Lily frowning after him. The boy was really starting to confuse her.
James dropped down onto his bed. The dormitory was empty. He had passed Remus in the common room, emersed as ever in a book. Peter was, well he didn't know. Given the guess Potter would place him in the kitchens. Sirius was, of course, in detention. Rolling onto his side James reached out and grabbed a small mirror off the bedside table. Flopping back on his back he held it above his head. After a moment of looking at it he spoke a couple words, "Sirius Black." he demanded. After a moment the mirrors surface fogged over then cleared to reveal Sirius peering down out of it, or rather, into another similar mirror.
Black grinned toothily, "Hey there mate. How was the meeting with the lovely Lily?"
Potter frowned slightly, "It could ahve been better. She blamed me for what you did."
Sirius shook his head, "Old habits die hard, mate. You know that."
James nodded and tilted his head slightly, "Whats McGonagall got you doing?"
Another toothy grin graced Black's features, "Just lines. The school hasn't been student inhabited long enough for me to have to clean anything it seems." This caused James to laugh. "Uh oh, Ol' thin lips herselfs on her way back. Talk to you later Prongs."
"See ya Padfoot." the connection terminated and James put the mirror back on the bedside table. "Well," he told the canopy of his bed. "One days gone, another ton and a half to go." with that Potter rolled onto his side and dozed off. Until the time when Sirius Black gallumphed into the dorm room about an hour or two later.
Chapter Three: Fin
Authors Note: Whoo that was a bit longer wasn't it? Hehe, again reviews would be nice! If you don't leave me a review I'll get you with my wand! -brandishes stick she found in her yard earlier.-