Chapter 6 - The Howler

Monday, September 6th, 1971

Herbology meant that the four Marauders had a class in common. This made Peter Pettigrew glad because he could borrow the brains of Remus. Peter wished he could borrow the brains of a Ravenclaw in every class because he has no confidence in his ability to pass his courses. James again tried but failed to get Lily and had to settle for Frank Longbottom instead. Sirius as usual was partnered up with Cissy while Clark was with Edward. Their first lesson with Professor Sprout about Jncendio wasn't hard. But the Hufflepuff Head of House warned them that they should be extremely careful when starting a fire.

After Herbology, Slytherin had DADA with Gryffindor from 10:15 till 11:15 and they were lucky to have gotten a competent teacher that year.

At lunch, Sirius was surprised to receive a Howler.

"Sirius Orion Black! How dare you consort with blood traitors, half-bloods, and Mudbloods! Such relations are beneath the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. If you keep fraternizing with filth and animals, you will be disowned and burned of the tapestry! " came the voice of his screaming banshee of a mother. Sirius wondered who the Hell was spying on him until he heard Mulciber and Avery laughing at him.

"We told your mother her beloved Heir was befriending Mudbloods and other undesirables. We hoped she would stay you straight so you don't drag your family's name through the mud. We offered you our friendship but you preferred to consort with the enemy," said Mulciber.

Sirius decided he would add them to his murder list, a fine Black tradition and something all the Blacks have.

"Who made you spies on my cousin," came Bellatrix's voice.

"You should be grateful. We are trying to save your family," replied Avery.

"What a Black does is an internal matter and none of your business. And spying on fellow students is against the rules. 5 points from Slytherin."

The two boys were about to argue when they met the dark witch's glare and left.

«Aunt Walburga is the most despicable person I have ever seen. And Sirius, while I don't approve of most of your friends, I am not going to tell you who to befriend as long as you don't forget about your family. And I know you won't seeing how you spend most of your time with Cissy," said Bellatrix before leaving.

"Your cousin was discussing time magic with Professor McGonagall?" asked Remus.

"Bella is a bookworm like you. I have wondered why she isn't in Ravenclaw."

"You don't need to be in Ravenclaw to like reading."

"Reading is boring."

"You just blasphemed, Black."

"I will confess to my priest on Christmas Day," said Sirius with a grin.

From 1:15 till 2:15, Slytherin had Transfiguration with Gryffindor followed by Charms from 2:30 till 3:30 with Hufflepuff. Tuesday started with History of Magic with Hufflepuff from 9 to 10, this was followed by Charms with Hufflepuff from 10:15 to 11:15. After lunch, Slytherin had Transfiguration with Gryffindor from 2:30 till 3:30. No one was happy to have an Astronomy class on midnight, even if it meant classes start later in the morning. Everyone had Herbology from 10:15 till 11:15 and 1:15 till 2:15, followed by DADA from 2:30 till 3:30 for Slytherin and Gryffindor. James Potter and Severus Snape hated having to see each other the whole day and wanted to curse each other, but never got the chance. The rest of the week followed like the one before it.

A.N.

No, I am not bashing James Potter. It's canon that he picked up on Snape and kept asking Lily out. As for Snape, while he's still bigoted (especially against Muggles because of his father), he's not befriending people like Mulciber and Avery because Lily's presence keeps him in check. He can't dabble in the Dark Arts or blood supremacy when he's with her, and he's always with her. And for why Sirius isn't antagonizing Snape, it's because he doesn't hate Slytherin in this universe.