Chapter 7: H. J. P
It was finally time for Christmas. Of the two groups, only Peter, Sara, and John were leaving.
"What are we going to do for Christmas?" Sirius asked.
"How about we change the decorations around, turn the Slytherins' gifts to coal, and finally prank Professor Peeler." James suggested
They haven't been able to prank the DADA teacher yet. Whenever they try to sneak into the room to prep, he's there and welcomes them in. Even when they have the cloak on.
"How do you propose we do that?" Remus asked.
"I'm working on it." James told him.
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Christmas morning,
"Wakey Wakey Jamesy." Sirius whispered to James.
"I'm not even going to ask." James said groggily.
"It's Christmas." Remus told him.
James was out of bed faster than the snitch.
The threesome ran down the stairs to find the girls already going through their presents.
"Well." Melissa joked, "Look who decided to wake up."
Lily rolled her eyes as she read her present.
"I wonder who sent this." Spica said as she opened her present while she looked at Lily's
Melissa opened her book to reveal a journal-like book like Lily's. When she saw the title, she paled and hid it.
"C'mon Aldopha. Let's see." Spica said as she grabbed the book
"To Love a Werewolf?" Lily read out loud with a laugh. "Mel, is there something you're not telling us?"
Remus looked at Melissa. Melissa had gone bright red.
"It was written by someone named H.J.P." Spica read. "Here's the author biography."
H.J.P was a well-known wizard in his area. A master at Defense Against the Dark Arts and a very excellent Quidditch player, he has many friends who he has sworn to protect. He is the author of many books such as The Life of Animagi, To Love a Werewolf, History of Godric Gryffindor, The Big Book of Pranks, Defense Against the Dark Arts in Style, and Quidditch Moves.
"Read the summary." Lily told her.
"With the help of two of his very close friends, one just happens to be a werewolf, H.J.P. explores the difficulties of the harmony of love and discrimination. See how two very close friends who have long passed the crush stage get around the furry problem." Melissa read.
"Interesting." Spica said as she opened her new book. "A book?"
"Another H.J.P." Sirius noticed.
"The Life of Animagi?" she read the title.
"An extremely thick book?" Sirius asked in horror as he opened his present. "IS THIS OUR VERSION OF COAL!"
"That's it." James said. "Everyone, open your anonymous gifts."
Everyone did. They were all books by H.J.P.
"This book is an H.J.P as well." Lily said holding up the book she was reading earlier.
"History of Godric Gryffindor?" James looked at her book.
"Oh Merlin." Remus swore as he looked at Sirius.
Everyone turned to see Sirius Black actually READING his present.
"Wicked." Sirius said. "This shows how to blow up a toilet."
"What book is that Padfoot?" Remus asked.
"The Big Book of Pranks." Sirius answered.
"Who do you think sent these?" Melissa asked as she flipped through her book.
"H.J.P?" Remus thought. "What is Professor Peeler's first name?"
"I think I heard a Professor call him Harold." Spica told him
"Harold J. Peeler. I'll bet 10 Galleons it's him." James said getting up.
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James went over to his trunk and pulled out a scrap sheet of paper.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." He said pointing his wand at it.
MESSRS. MOONY, WORMTAIL, PADFOOT, AND PRONGS
PURVEYORS OF AIDS TO MAGICAL MISCHIEF-MAKERS
ARE PROUD TO PRESENT
THE MARAUDER'S MAP
James looked through the map to find Professor Peeler in the common room. He went back down to find that he wasn't.
"Professor?" James asked into thin air.
"What are you talking about Prongs?" Sirius asked.
"It appears Mr. Potter has figured out one of my secrets." Harold Peeler said taking off the silvery cloak from before.
"You have an invisibility cloak?" Remus asked.
"Of course." Peeler told them. "Passed on to me from my father, who got it from his father. And when the time is right, I'll give it to either my sister, or child."
"You have a sister?" Lily said interested.
"Yes. She'd be three now." He said with a far off look in his eyes.
"Did you send us the books?" James said.
"Yes. Wrote them myself. These are the ONLY copies, so don't loose them." Peeler told them
"Where did you get all of these prank ideas?" Sirius asked.
"Well, two of my girlfriend's brothers are pranksters. My parents and their friends also gave me some ideas." He told him.
"What's your girlfriend like?" Sirius asked.
"Black!" the girls exclaimed.
"It's alright. She a year younger than me. Smart, feisty when she wants to be, and knows her defense as well."
"When did you start going out?" Spica said getting into the romance.
"I was going to turn 16 in a few months."
"16!" the room echoed.
"I wish I had a girlfriend." James said looking at Lily.
"Forget it Potter." She said. "I wouldn't go out with you if you were the last boy on Earth."
Peeler grinned.
"Why would you want a girlfriend?" Remus whispered.
"To help keep my mind off Jenny when we're not pranking or doing school work." James whispered back truthfully.
TBC