That evening, the Marauders' dormitory was rather crowded. On top of the four of them, James and Sirius had managed to rope in some actual girls, including, Remus was amused to see, Lily Evans. And Renetta Greene, who seemed disposed to glare at the pretty redhead for the entire evening.

"Now, then," announced James, when they were all seated in a circle on the floor. "We all know the reason for this impromptu gathering: dear Remus, who hasn't had a decent shag in weeks." There was a ripple of laughter as Remus dug a rather vicious elbow into James' ribs. "I'm kidding! No, seriously, we decided that after many months of studying in such dismal heat, we deserve a bit of fun." He beckoned imperiously to Sirius. "Do you have the refreshments?"

"Indeed I do, o Master of Ceremonies," replied Sirius with aplomb, whipping the cover off a crate of butterbeer.

"Then let the festivities begin!" announced James, spreading his hands wide.

"Anyone for a game of Exploding Snap?" asked Sirius, brandishing a pack of cards. "The loser has to down a shot of that Grindylow Throat-throttler James thinks he's got hidden under his bed."

It was after midnight when James brought up the subject of Spin the Goblet, and they were all in various stages of inebriation. Peter was the worst, as he'd consistently lost every game of Exploding Snap, and was now in what could be described as a conscious coma.

"Good idea, Potter," said Lily, in answer to James' query. "We haven't done anything guaranteed to embarrass ourselves yet." She glanced at Peter. "Well, apart from Pettigrew, obviously," she added.

"Are we all agreed?" asked Sirius, looking around the circle. Remus caught his eye.

"Do I have to, Padfoot?" he pleaded.

"Yes, you do," replied Sirius unmercifully.

"Agreed!" came the chorus from around the circle.

James stood up, walked over to the table, and came back holding a simple pewter goblet, the kind used at mealtimes in the Great Hall. Taking his place in the circle once more, he held the goblet about three inches off the floorboards in the centre of the ring, and let go. It hung there, humming slightly.

"The rules are simple," he began. "We leave a space between each person in the circle. If your first spin lands on someone, you have to kiss them, no ifs, ands or buts. I put a charm on this thing, and if you don't do the deed within thirty seconds, both of you grow green pimples. If it lands on a space, you spin again. The second spin will always land on a person, who then has to think of a dare. All clear?"

And so the torture began. Remus managed to land a dare for his first spin. He could see it coming- Peter had to choose the punishment, and after a whispered conversation with Sirius, announced gleefully,

"Lupin, you are to howl ten times at the moon."

Remus growled at Sirius, who put on his best air of injured innocence, but complied with the dare. The rest of the Marauders doubled up with laughter, leaving the girls looking rather bewildered.

"James' first spin landed on Lily, who was, needless to say, furious.

"Potter, you bastard, you planned this whole thing!"

"And?" grinned James. "If you want green pimples…"

"Damn you, Potter…" she muttered.

Thirty seconds later, she looked a little more thoughtful.

"You know, for an absolute pillock, and don't argue, Potter," she added as James' mouth opened with a wounded expression, "that wasn't half bad."

Ten minutes later, after Peter, who ended up trying to balance an empty butterbeer bottle on his nose, it was Remus' turn once more. And this time, the goblet did land on someone…

"Well, well, well…" grinned Sirius.

Remus' jaw dropped open.

"No. Nuh-uh. No way," he said vehemently.

Sirius scowled at him.

"Now you know I can't go around with green pimples, Lupin. I'm practically an institution. The thought of me is what gets most of the female student population to the end of each day. Not to mention the male contingent."

"But…but…I can't…" stuttered Remus.

Sirius sighed.

"You moron. You don't have to do anything except come here. And if you don't," he added, "I'll hex you. I do not need green spots."

By now, Sirius was standing with his hands on his hips, tapping his foot impatiently and glaring at Remus.

Remus stood up slowly.

"Thirty seconds almost up…" cautioned James. "Five…four…three…two…"

Rolling his eyes, Sirius grabbed Remus, swinging him down into a full-blown, film-style kiss.

A moment later, however, he stiffened.

"Um…Prongs…" he ventured.

"Yuhuh?"

"I think he passed out…"

James just laughed.

"You're kidding!"

Then he looked at Remus, and his jaw dropped.

"You're not kidding…my god, Black, you actually snogged him senseless!" Shaking his head in disbelief, he gave Sirius a hearty slap on the back, which almost made him drop Remus. "You legend!"

Sirius ignored him. At the moment, he was more concerned about the recumbent werewolf in his arms. Picking him up, he laid Remus gently on his own bed.

"We ought to call it a night," came Lily's voice from behind him. She sounded concerned.

James shrugged. "Maybe you're right," he conceded, herding the girls out of the dormitory. Lily halted in the doorway.

"You'll tell me how he is when he wakes up?" she asked, smiling at him, and James nodded.