Update 6-13-18: Removed the conversation between James & Gloria. I felt that subplot didn't add to the story.

Chapter 22 - Plotting

A breeze swept into the dormitory rustling papers, swishing the red bed curtains, and freshening the room with cool spring air. James who had been pacing up and down in the dormitory, walked over to the window lowering it slightly. His focus settled on Remus. "It was Snape, and you know it."

Remus did not reply back immediately. Instead the werewolf sighed tiredly. Remus was attempting to de-ink his school satchel having procured a dusty, yellow tinted book from the library on Household Cleaning Spells. Snape had allegedly dumped a bottle of ink into his school satchel ruining both his assignments and staining his new bag. All the Professors had given Remus an extra day to redo the assignments after the situation had been explained. Though in James's opinion, it wasn't enough. There weren't adequate hours in the day for Remus to redo last night's assignments and still complete the new ones. "It doesn't matter because Snape could do much worse."

"Yes, but he just thinks he can do whatever he wants without consequence-"

"Let him. As long as he keeps my secret that is what matters."

James couldn't argue with that. Yet it didn't stop him from feeling restless. Five years of mutual animosity didn't just disappear overnight. Snape continuing the feud (spitefully since the Marauders couldn't retaliate) only fanned the fire.

"I think the ink spots are looking lighter," Peter said encouragingly.

Remus shook his head. "Maybe if you stood on your head and squinted at it. It's no use." He shut the book. "I'll try again later. I'll just use my old bag for now." Remus quietly arranged the items he had laid out onto his bed back into his old worn out school bag that he'd dug out of his trunk.

"Since you both are here there is something I wanted to discuss," James began taking a seat on the windowsill and fixing his gaze on his two close friends.

Remus looked at him curiously and Peter sat up straighter perking up.

"Sirius needs to retaliate against the Slytherins that attacked him," James started simply.

"Hold on," Remus interjected, folding his arms. "Needs to?"

"Yes, needs to," James repeated. James knew despite this idea being on his mind since Sirius's attack it was unlikely Remus and Peter had given this much thought. He knew it might take some time to explain it to them, and he needed to have the patience to do it.

"Has Sirius even brought this up?" Peter asked quietly scuffing his shoe on the hardwood floor. His eyes shifted nervously between James and Remus already sensing there would be a conflict between their points of view.

It was true Sirius hadn't brought up the idea of reprisal during any of their Hospital Wing visits. It was strange because they'd always fought fire with fire. James didn't believe it was because his friend didn't want to or didn't plan to get the Slytherins back. In fact James was concerned Sirius had thought up some crazy plan on his own that would expel him or send him straight back to the Hospital Wing. Keeping them out of the planning and execution was to protect them, and James could understand that. In fact if the situation was reversed James had a feeling he would have done the exact same thing. James was ready to accept the risks of standing beside Sirius, and he had to figure out a way to get Sirius to understand this.

"No he hasn't, but he's going to do something with or without our help."

"You don't know that," Remus argued.

"I do know. He needs to do something because that's the only way to deal with people like that. They'll think Sirius is weak if he doesn't do anything and if they think he's weak, they might even go after him more aggressively than before."

"Or they could leave him alone," Remus suggested.

"No, they won't. Even my Dad said they wouldn't. Sirius is too much of a threat."

"I'm a prefect." Remus's badge glinted in the light as he shifted, a subtle reminder of his responsibilities. "I can't be a part of any of this."

"This isn't some silly school yard rivalry," James said.

Peter raised his hand and James rolled his eyes before gesturing Peter to speak. "My mum is threatening to ground me all summer if I get detention again. Then I won't be able to visit you or-"

"Sirius could have been killed!" James's voice rose loudly. "We need to stand beside him. He needs us to even if he doesn't know it. He'd do it for each of us. He'd risk expulsion if we needed his backup."

"What if he doesn't want our help?" voiced Peter.

"It doesn't matter. We need to show him that we are willing to take a stand and that we won't let him face this alone."

It felt like an immeasurable amount of silence before Remus spoke again. "Ok." Remus looked first at Peter and then back to James. "Ok. What do you want us to do?"

"Well first-"

There was a commotion at the entrance to the dormitory cutting James off. Their other two dorm mates, Connor and Newell, staggered in both in fits of laughter. James stared at them. The two spent so little time in the dormitory besides sleeping that it was easy to forget they shared this space with students outside the Marauders. Given their popularity and the inevitable scrutiny by the student body as a result, he supposed they were lucky how little Connor and Newell cared about what they got up to. If Connor and Newell ever overheard something (which happened with sharing a dormitory), they neither tattled to a Professor nor gossiped to other students.

Connor and Newell greeted the three of them, and James nodded in response watching as the two dumped their bags. James didn't mind their company, and they were easy to get along with. It really had never crossed his mind before, but why had Connor and Newell decided to split off as a pair in their first year? Instead of a close group of four friends why couldn't it have been six? Connor and Newell had known each other before Hogwarts, so it made sense they had gravitated towards each other. However it didn't explain why they hadn't looked for further friendship within their own dormitory. They had outside their dormitory; to this day they eat several meals a week with the Gryffindor girls. James had also seen them over the years hanging out with a group of Hufflepuffs boys.

James thought back to their first year. He couldn't remember a specific event that had caused the split. Sirius was cold and haughty to everyone those first few weeks having not instantly warmed to his surprise Gryffindor Sorting. First impressions sometimes make lasting impressions, so that might have been enough for Connor and Newell to keep their distance from Sirius. Then Peter had been the cause of the pair's first detention. Poor Peter was even clumsier then than he was now. During their third week, he accidently knocked into Connor's and Newell's cauldron in Potions. Subsequently, Slughorn assigned detention to all three boys for 'horsing around' despite it being solely Peter's fault. Soon after that incident, James recalled outshining Connor on their first flying lesson. Perhaps this wouldn't have mattered as much if Connor hadn't been bragging for days about his inherited flying skills (Connor's grandfather had been a Professional Quidditch Player). Lastly in their third month when they were allowed to form groups for a History of Magic project, quiet Remus Lupin declined studious and well-behaved Connor's and Newell's invitation and chosen to join boisterous and mischievous James and Sirius.

Strange how the choices they had made at eleven years old had brought them to this place – to this moment. If any of them had made a different decision the dynamics between them could have completely changed.

"Are you going to lunch?" Connor asked. "We were just stopping in to drop our bags off."

Peter's stomach suddenly rumbled loudly causing them all to laugh.

"Sorry," Peter mumbled. "I am hungry."

"Yes, we'll go with you," James answered patting Peter on the back as he walked by him.

"Excellent. We're sitting with the girls," Newell said. "Do you need a few minutes to get ready?"

"I think we're good to go," James said glancing between Peter and Remus for confirmation. James was last to go down the steps to the common room. He looked back at the empty bed of his best friend. He hoped Sirius would be released from the Hospital Wing soon.

James glanced at the clock and tried to pretend he was listening to the conversation going on in front of him. Today was his sixteenth birthday and his fellow teammates had grabbed him on his way back from dinner. In the common room they had surprised him with streamers, balloons, and a banner (Happy Birthday James!) hung across the fireplace. All the fifth year Gryffindors, Quidditch team, and some of their close friends were in attendance.

James was genuinely touched at the gesture. He gladly accepted a butterbeer from Gallagher. He wouldn't have minded chatting the rest of the night except for the fact that the visiting window to see Sirius in the Infirmary was drawing nearer and nearer.

James tried to get the attention of Remus and Peter from across the room. His friends though, deep in conversation with other Gryffindors, didn't appear to notice his attempts. Earlier they had spoken about visiting Sirius, and it was very unlike Remus to not realize how late it was getting. If they did not head to the Hospital Wing soon they'd miss visiting Sirius that day.

The lights in the common room dimmed and James bit back a groan as Robert and Gray proceeded in with a lit birthday cake. How in Merlin's beard was he going to excuse himself now? The cake was placed in front of him as the large group of students around him chorused "Happy Birthday". James blew out the candles thinking swiftly. Maybe he could say he needed to use the restroom and then sneak out of the common room under the Invisibility Cloak-

"Are you going to tell us what you wished for?" a very familiar voice asked.

James spun around in his seat to see Padfoot grinning before him.

"Sirius!" James jumped up, clasping Sirius warmly on the back. "What are you doing here? Madam Pomfrey said it would be still days before you were better enough to be released."

"We asked her to tell you that," Sirius explained.

"I was about to feign being sick just to get to see you on my birthday," James said laughing.

Remus and Peter joined them, everyone else taking a slight step back to give the four boys a few moments alone.

"Took your time, Padfoot," Remus said. "I don't think we could have held Prongs here too much longer."

"I'm relieved you weren't ignoring me on purpose. I was starting to think you were as dense as-" James stopped himself. He'd been about to say 'as dense as Peter', but seeing the way Peter was looking at him in admiration, he felt guilty to say something so unkind. "I was starting to think you were incredibly dense," James finished instead.

"I did want to arrive earlier, but the moment I stood up, I felt really woozy. Madam Pomfrey noticed immediately and detained me until she could look me over thoroughly. The dizziness wore off and when I walked around the Hospital Wing a bit without issue, she finally let me go."

James studied his friend for signs that the walk from the Hospital Wing to the common room had drained him. He was relieved that beside some expected paleness his friends breathing was normal and he was smiling, clearly happy to be out of the Infirmary. "Let's sit down. Shall we?" James suggested.

The students who had been sitting around James shifted around so that they could all squeeze in. Green, Gyffindor's Seeker, cut the cake and several of the girls (James noticed immediately that Lily Evans was one of them) assisted in handing out the slices to those around.

"Potter." Lily Evans handed him a slice of cake causing James face to warm as he accepted the plate.

"Thanks, Evans," James murmured.

"Out of the Hospital Wing finally?" Evans inquired as she handed the second piece she was carrying to Sirius.

"Miss me, Evans?" Sirius asked grinning widely, having not missed his best friend's reaction to Evans.

"It has been quieter," Evans answered, returning quickly with a slice for Remus and Peter. She did not stay around to chat, but James didn't let it bother him. He now had all his friends around him and he really couldn't ask for more on his birthday.

After the cake was eaten students slowly dispersed. It was Friday night, but large birthday celebrations were discouraged in the common room. The Marauders stayed put and eventually snagged the coveted seats by the fireplace. During a lull in their conversation Peter asked James if he wanted to open up his presents. James had insisted a few weeks ago that his friends did not need to buy him anything. Having parents that doted on him meant James had everything he really needed, and he was conscious of the fact that his family had more money than his three friends combined. Of course in Sirius's case this change to in finances had happened recently.

James had already opened up the gift from his parents. They'd bought four box seat tickets so James could invite three friends to see a Professional Quidditch Game. James had enjoyed teasing Peter and Remus earlier in the day about the difficulty he was having in deciding which of his friends to invite. It had all been in jest as there was no question that he would take Sirius, Peter, and Remus with him. In fact upon receiving the tickets James had immediately conferred with a lunar calendar, breathing a sigh of relief that the game wasn't near a full moon. Remus would have been a good sport about it, but he'd have been hurt to miss the outing.

"Ok. Go get them," James instructed stretching out with a yawn. If they had indeed purchased gifts for him he wasn't going to not accept them. His friends disappeared up the stairs leaving James to stare into the fire.

Upon their return Peter was the first to hand over a medium sized gift bag. Inside James found an assortment of chocolate from Honeydukes along with a gag gift of hat and gloves with a prancing deer on it.

"Thanks, Wormtail," James said. As he touched the gloves the deer flashed back and forth from yellow and red.

"Try the hat and gloves. Go on." Sirius was grinning from ear to ear.

James rolled his eyes, but followed his friend's request. He didn't have to guess he looked ridiculous because his friends suddenly burst out laughing.

"I think you should keep that on," Remus said as he handed a flat, heavy packaged to James. "This is from me," he added unnecessarily.

Remus had purchased a book detailing specific strategies that had won previous Quidditch World Cups. James immediately began flipping through the pages. "This will be an interesting read. Thanks, Moony." There were even animated pictures of each of Quidditch Plays along with the description.

After James had placed the book down (and took off the gloves and hat, stuffing them back into the gift bag), Sirius handed over a small envelope. "My ban from Hogsmeade made gift shopping a bit difficult," Sirius stated. Inside the envelope was a subscription renewal confirmation of James's favorite Quidditch Magazine. "I was able to do this through the mail," Sirius explained with a shrug.

"Excellent. Thanks, Padfoot," James said. Sirius smiled back, though it was a bit forced. Having a monthly allowance the last few years, Sirius had usually bought more elaborate gifts for his friends. Knowing his parents would disapprove of spending the family fortune on his friends only encouraged Sirius to spend more.

The evening went by quickly with conversation flowing easily. The boys filled Sirius in on some of the gossip he'd missed. When James noticed Sirius was getting sleepy (Peter had been yawning widely for the better part of the last hour), he suggested they head upstairs. No one argued.

Sirius stepped out of the bathroom into the dormitory. His hair wet and uncombed still lay gracefully; far less messy than James's hair on the best of days. It was wonderful to be back in the dormitory rather than stifling walls of the Hospital Wing. He welcomed it all - the snoring , the mess, everything.

During his shower he'd been thinking about the best time so seek Peter out to speak to him privately. He was going to ask for Peter's help on his plan for retaliating against the Slytherins. It was only now that he needed to that Sirius realized how little time he and Peter spent alone together. It wasn't that they weren't close friends; they were. They just didn't socialize alone outside their group of four. In fact they rarely even paired together in class. It had happened naturally. Sirius knew he had the least patience out of the group and Peter never performed to his best ability under pressure. James wasn't the patron of patience either, but James tolerated and sometimes even encouraged Peter's admiration. It may have been for the best that the two boys partnered so infrequently, though for the first time Sirius wondered how Peter felt about it all.

Sirius halted as he walked past Peter's bed, which was closest to the bathroom. He'd been expecting to see the usual bustle of morning activity. Instead James, Remus, and Peter stood silently side by side in the middle of the dormitory. Their posture was determined, their eyes firm.

"What's going on?" Sirius queried.

"Please have a seat, Sirius," James said. There was no casualness is his tone; the words were stiff and formal.

Sirius raised his eyebrows, his curiosity piqued. They'd given him no indication yesterday that they had something so important to discus with him. Sirius took a seat on the windowsill cautiously. He did have some inkling about why they wanted to speak to him.

"We have something important we want to say, and you may disagree. However we ask that you not interrupt until we are finished," James said carefully. The words sounded rehearsed.

Sirius motioned for James to begin. James hesitated looking first at Peter (biting his lip) and then at Remus (nodding encouragingly).

"The four of us aren't just friends, we're brothers. That means we are there for each other through the good times and the hard times. We not only jump to help one another, but we must also be willing to accept assistance when needed." James ran a hand through his hair nervously. "We know you need to retaliate against the Slytherins. We know you are planning something - on your own since you haven't spoken to any of us about it. We want to help. The Slytherins didn't just attack you – they attacked a Marauder. It's more dangerous for you to go at this alone than for us to help you. We're not only in this together – but we're strongest together. Let us help. "

Sirius considered them. "You're all on board on this? Even the Prefect?"

"Yes, even the Prefect," Remus answered sarcastically. "Have I ever not joined in when it's important?"

"You've always been there when it mattered," Sirius agreed. He lifted his shoulders casually. "Ok."

"Ok?" James repeated. "You want us to help?" He looked lost clearly having expected Sirius to put more of a fight.

"I was already planning on asking for some help. In fact I was going to speak to Peter about it today."

"Me?" Peter gasped turning pink. "You need my help?" He glanced at James for assistance.

"Peter needs to lie low," James explained. "His mum is being a pain in the arse-"

"Perfect then because this job is all about lying low," Sirius replied.

"What do you want me to do?" Peter asked warily.

"Find out the password to the Slytherin Common room."

There was immediate uproar from his friends.

Sirius waited for them to quiet before continuing. "There will be little risk for Peter as Wormail. He transforms, finds a hole or crevice near their common room, and just hangs out and listens."

"Unless the Slytherins decide they need some rats for target practice," Peter muttered.

"Seems most of them have upgraded to human targets," Sirius replied evenly.

Peter turned even redder perhaps realizing he was being a bit of coward. "All I have to do is listen?"

"That's all."

"What exactly do you plan on doing with the password? Ransack the common room?" James questioned.

"That's very juvenile, James."

"You didn't answer my question."

""I've a present I want to deliver personally to Lestrange," Sirius said cryptically.

"A present?" Peter asked doubtfully. "Can't you just owl it to him?"

"It wouldn't have quite the same impact."

"What's in this present?" Remus asked.

Sirius shrugged. "Empty box with a note."

"You're going through this all to deliver a note?" Remus asked skeptically.

"The present isn't really the point," Sirius explained though Remus and Peter continued to look befuddled.

As expected, James caught on to Sirius's line of thinking the quickest. "The point is you were able to enter and leave something in their common room undetected."

"Exactly. It's to prove I'm not fearful of them. Not only can I enter their common room, but I'm brave enough to actually do it."

"I suppose you were planning on borrowing my Cloak?" James questioned.

"Yes, if you'll lend it to me?"

"Of course I will. Let's hope we still both fit under it-"

"I'm going alone," Sirius remarked calmly.

"No! No way! I'm coming with you." James began gesturing with his hands as he often did when agitated.

"No. I'm doing this alone."

"It's too risky."

"How? I'll go in the early morning hours when everyone is asleep. I have the password…the Cloak. I'll be in and out within a few minutes," Sirius countered.

"And if someone is awake?"

"If someone is awake at 2 in the morning then I still have the Cloak."

"It could fall off or you could trip or-"

"First of all you're being ridiculous because that won't happen. And secondly, having you under there with me would only increase that risk."

"You've only just recovered from your last altercation with the Slytherins. Look at what they were willing to do out in the open. If they find you in their Common room…behind closed doors they will be capable of much worse."

These words gave Sirius pause. He could hear plainly in James's tone that he was genuinely concerned for Sirius's safety. It was more difficult than he expected to insist on going through it alone. "I've thought this over carefully. For once I'm not being reckless."

James turned to Remus. "Moony, what do you think about this all?"

"It's actually a decent plan," commented Remus.

"What?" James yelped in surprise and Sirius carefully hid his amusement. While nine out of ten times Peter would side with James when James and Sirius were at odds, Remus was always a tossup.

"It is, Prongs. We're getting too tall; the Cloak only just covers two people. How will you be able to make a quick exit while trying to keep two people invisible?"

James opened his mouth to argue then closed it realizing he didn't have anything further to bring up.

"Padfoot can take the two-way mirror with him. He'll let us know the second there's trouble and we'll send in the cavalry. Agreed?"

James didn't look thrilled, but he nodded.

"Agreed," Sirius answered. He'd known before the closeness of their friendship was special. It took moments such as this to remind him the true strength of their bond. His friends were willing to stand beside him, and together they could face anything fate threw their way.

Author's note: Thanks for reading and please leave a review.