Chapter Fifty-Three: Revenge is Best Served Hot, REALLY Hot
James' spring break had been a load of fun, but he, unlike Peter had the sense not to point that out due to two of his friends looking miserable. Sure he could be, blunt, at times. But he wasn't cruel, and while he knew Peter wasn't meaning to be his irritation rose as the small boy went on and on about how he was doted on and the parties and the food.
"How about we talk about Quidditch instead?" He interjected able to tell by the dark look in Sirius' eyes that if they didn't change the subject soon someone would get hurt, most likely Peter. It was a bit tempting, part of him wanted to see Sirius punch Peter who couldn't get the hints James had been trying to send his way. But Peter was his friend and he just wanted them all to be happy, as much as possible.
He looked across at his two miserable friends with worry. It was only the fact he hadn't heard from either Sirius, who he expected to, and Remus, who made it clear they probably wouldn't hear from him, that kept his break from being perfect.
Sirius and Remus both looked gaunt and had this look in their eyes that left James with a very good idea of how their breaks went. At least Remus was talking, not much, but asking questions with his usual quiet politeness. Sure his smile seemed kind of wonky but at least he was making an effort.
Sirius though hadn't said a word. Sirius only glowered at Peter, especially when the boy talked about how pleased his mum and been and how much she'd miss him. He felt sick thinking of Sirius' mom who truly seemed to hate him and who hurt him, and Remus' mom sick and dying. He wanted to help his mates, he really did more than anything, but he didn't know how!
James tried to think about what his mum said regarding consoling his friends. But when he thought about information learned from his parents, the concern his father had over the increased muggle deaths seemed more pertinent. For some reason he found himself worrying about Lily over break almost as much as he had Sirius and Remus. I mean both her parents were Muggles and it was now becoming clear that it was muggles who had some involvement with wizards, usually relatives of some sort, that were ending up dead. His father had told his mother when they thought James was sleeping, that the ministry was finally taking notice now.
"About time." His father had said sounding very bitter. James never had anything against muggles but now that he knew, and it was common knowledge now, that wizards were behind the killings, well it felt wrong. Like someone picking on someone who couldn't fight back.
It seemed like whatever was happening in the muggle world was getting closer and closer to the wizarding world. He overheard his parents saying that at least Hogwarts would be safe, that James would be safe with Dumbledore in charge. It made James feel better but Summer would be coming soon and Sirius' parents were probably involved in this group of dark wizards, and Remus' mother was a muggle, and Lily's parents were both muggles. It didn't seem fair and James didn't want to think about it any longer. His priority needed to be cheering up his mates, somehow.
"Oi, so I've been planning over break how to get back at the Slytherins." Remus' eyes widened in shock and he watched James nervously.
"Since they embarrassed me at my own party the wankers." James continued and Remus relaxed once again. Sirius who had been sitting next to Remus and staring out the window for nearly an hour, except to glower at Peter, finally seemed to be paying attention.
"What have you got in mind mate?" He asked his voice hoarse as if he'd spent hours yelling. Remus frowned his eyes narrowing in concern.
"Sirius…."
"Don't want to talk about it." He replied quickly his voice quivering. At least Peter had shut up now, watching the whole thing with wide eyes and a look of helplessness. James wanted to interrupt but didn't. He had been jealous at first that Sirius had told Remus before him, but he learned pretty early on Sirius and Remus were the best at handling one another and calling each other out when needed, at least concerning their families.
"What happened?" Remus asked softly, his voice full of more concern and understanding than James could possibly muster. Not that he wasn't concerned he just, well he just didn't get it. Even his worst nightmares, which had all been about his friends lately, seemed better than his two friends' actual lives. It was impossible to wrap his head around. He noticed that Remus didn't flinch as Sirius glared at him, he had gotten a lot better at that lately.
"Don't look at me like that." Sirius snapped or tried to his voice so hoarse that it was quite a pitiful effort.
"What did she do?" Remus asked so softly James almost didn't hear. He knew if he had asked that same question, which he'd been burning to ask for a while, that Sirius would go off on him. However, Sirius only glared at Remus a bit longer then looked out the window before answering in his hoarse voice. Peter and James both had to lean closer to overhear.
"She got sick. I had to stay and take care of her like a ruddy house elf! Got sick myself I did since mange is contagious and we're both really allergic ..."
"I'm sorry."
"Well, she couldn't beat me sick as she was, not much anyway."
"Was that your whole break?" James asked horrified, suddenly feeling guilty for having as much fun as he did.
"You mean taking care of her and going to St. Mungos? Nope, she was well enough that last few days to remind me what a disappointment I am. We got in quite the row since she went through all my stuff and stole my albums my uncle gave me." He responded angrily. James noticed Remus jump at the mention of St. Mungo's but Sirius was still looking out the window and didn't notice, and he decided not to think much of it since Lupin still was quite jumpy when it came down to it.
"That's why your voice is so hoarse? It sounds like you've been screaming all night ..." Sirius turned to look at Remus and a look of understanding passed between them that James didn't like at all before Sirius eventually shrugged.
"I told her she was an evil bitch." He gave a grin that seemed filled with pride and pain. "Told her where she could shove her muggle hating ideals so she shoved me in a closet and left me there the last two days of break." Peter gasped and James elbowed him hard, they didn't need Sirius feeling worse about his break. But the damage was already done Sirius turned his attention to Peter who looked scared someone's mom would do such a thing and smiled a rather nasty smile.
"Oh, you think that's bad."
"Sirius," Remus said in a warning tone that suggested he knew something the rest of them didn't. But Sirius either didn't hear him or pretended not to.
"What's really bad is she even stuck me with the dementor." He continued in a haughty tone that somehow was made worse by the raspiness of it.
"D…..Dementor!" Peter squealed horrified. James would have thought Sirius was just being an arse and scaring Peter is it wasn't for Remus' expression. Not of shock but of concern and sorrow.
"She uses a dementor against you? That's illegal!" He gasped flinching as Sirius' cold gaze met his.
"So?" James didn't know what to say but he wasn't even given the chance. Suddenly Sirius was on his feet.
"Get OUT! All of you just…..just GET OUT!" He shouted. James hesitated but Peter was already scrambling out of the compartment. He noticed Remus still sitting down firmly with a stubborn look in his eyes. He nodded to Remus trusting Sirius to him, who scared him a bit when he got like this, though he wouldn't admit that to any of them, and followed Peter out.
…
"You too Remus."
"No." He felt calm, wasn't sure why since Sirius was the sort of angry that would have left him sure he'd be hit at the beginning of the year.
"I mean it Lupin!" Sirius replied harshly his fists balled by his sides, his gaze as hard as steel. Remus took a deep breath and shifted making himself more comfortable, and subtly blocking Sirius from storming out of the compartment by stretching his legs more. He didn't want his friend running into anyone like this. He had a feeling he'd hex someone who looked at him the wrong way, a sort of caged expression in his eyes that Remus knew all too well.
He knew what it was like to be hated by your family. To be hurt by them. To be locked in a small room with no hope and only fear. To face something akin to a dementor in the way it made him feel, every month. To be called a disappointment, to believe it like he knew Sirius did deep down.
He hid it well but Remus would never forget Sirius crying over his bedside saying it was all his fault Remus was in a coma when it wasn't. He knew that kind of blame came from someone shoving it down your throat until it was easy to blame yourself for anything and everything whether you did it or not. That's why he just couldn't leave.
"I'm not leaving Sirius." He replied calmly which made the enraged boy angrier. He whipped out his wand and pointed it at Remus.
"Don't push me LUPIN!" He shouted, hoarse enough it thankfully wouldn't draw attention. But Remus knew they'd draw attention soon if they kept at it like this. He got up the look of surprise in Sirius' eyes replaced by annoyance as he calmly closed the compartments curtains then turned around to face his hurt friend.
"I'm not leaving Sirius." He responded again, just as calm and soft. Sirius' hand tightened around his wand and his whole body shook.
"Don't make me hurt you!"
"You won't." Remus wasn't sure how he knew it was true. When even James seemed nervous around Sirius and how currently unstable he was. Perhaps it was because he understood Sirius so well, but he knew with certainty no matter how angry, confused, and hurt his friend was right now that he wouldn't hurt him.
He was right.
Sirius' eyes flashed and then he dropped his wand and crumpled to the floor shaking with sobs.
Remus didn't hesitate to crouch down beside him and pull him into a hug rubbing his back and reassuring him over and over he was safe now. It was all he could think to do, copying once more what his mother used to do, but it seemed to work.
Sirius cried and cried but after awhile his sobs turned into regular crying and then he stopped altogether hugging Remus back in a strong embrace his face buried in his shoulder.
"Why does she hate me so much?" He asked in a small voice that broke again fresh tears soaking Remus' very wet shoulder.
"I don't know Sirius. But she's wrong about you. I'm sorry she's so cruel. But you aren't a traitor to them they are traitors to you." Sirius sat up his eyes wide.
"I never thought about it that way." He whispered the realization dawning on him.
"Well, that's how I see it anyways." He explained suddenly very self-conscious about how close Sirius still was to him.
"They are traitors to me! I mean parents are supposed to love you no matter what."
"It's not you that failed them, Sirius," Remus whispered wishing with a dull ache that the same could be said about him. He stopped feeling sorry for himself quickly though, as a hesitant smile crept on Sirius' features.
"I never thought about it like that. You know you really are a bloody genius, Remus." He let out a sigh hearing the familiar tone in his friend's voice, things would go back to normal now. Sirius would go back to normal...until Summer came.
It brought about a great wave of relief, that his friend wouldn't let what his mother had said and done, prevent him from having a good time at Hogwarts. It was inspiring really and Remus was determined to follow his example, if not less dramatically.
"I know." He forced himself to respond, even though he hardly felt that he was qualified to be a wizard at all. Sure enough, Sirius laughed at his response.
"I think we're starting to go to your head, Remus."
"Definitely can't get your crazy voices out of it." He replied this time sincerely, breaking out into a grin. If only his friends knew how much that saved him, how much of a difference it made to him. Sirius mirrored his grin wiping the last evidence of his tears off his cheeks.
"Must be a party up there." Remus laughed, the ache in his chest lessening some.
"It's actually bloody annoying. Perhaps you could tell them all to shut up."
"Never. It's done you good, it has."
"Perhaps." Sirius got to his feet offering his had to Remus who only hesitated for a second before taking it and standing up. Sirius let go quickly and took a few steps away suddenly quite embarrassed, which caused Remus to get embarrassed too though he wasn't entirely sure why.
"Thanks. For ...for not leaving. Don't tell the others." He mumbled cheeks red, not even letting Remus respond before he left the compartment, leaving Remus alone to ponder what exactly just happened.
…..
Everything had indeed gone back to normal and when they all piled into their dorm it was with the same easy energy they always had. James and Peter seemed fine to ignore Sirius' outburst, who seemed just as content with pretending it didn't happen. Remus stayed up late with them playing gobstones and wizarding chess which he strategically let others win, but only sometimes now. As they played late into the night James cleared his throat just as they had all decided to head to bed.
"Alright, men we have the important task of revenge ahead of us. Here's my plan." Remus spent the next half hour listening to James' revenge plan for the morning, torn between exasperation and amusement. He would have argued more against it, but he was pretty upset at the Slytherins and even he couldn't pass up the opportunity to use the invisibility cloak James' had received for his birthday when he went home.
"You should have shown it to us on the train!" Sirius said excitedly disappearing behind it for the third time as Peter pouted that he wanted a turn.
Remus watched with a smile impressed at how thorough this invisibility cloak was.
"It's much better than Professor Blatvnik's." He commented as Peter successfully found where Sirius was and ripped the cloak off him disappearing behind it quickly before Sirius could tackle him. Sirius hopped from bed to bed dramatically trying to find Peter which was quite impossible as, unlike Sirius, he wasn't talking.
"My dad says it's the real deal! Handed down to the Potters from the Peverell's when their line died out."
"Blimey!" Peter gasped revealing he was somewhere near James' bed. Sirius leaped towards him with a shout and the two boys went sprawling on the floor.
"Oi, careful with that you gits!" James shouted but he was smiling at Sirius who seemed fine now.
"That's incredible James," Remus mumbled still in awe over the whole thing. Sleep temporarily all but forgotten for the four boys, even Remus, who hadn't slept well since break began.
"Yeah so now you can't use us getting in trouble as an excuse to try to stop us." James pointed out sticking his tongue out at Sirius who appeared quite suddenly, having won the cloak, trying to scare them.
"You're too predictable Black."
"Just you wait, Potter, I'll scare you!"
"Wanna bet?"
"Guys, can we all fit under it?" Peter piped up.
"Let's find out!" Sirius laughed and soon they were all huddled inside practicing the skill of moving all at once so they could be successful tomorrow and with any other future endeavors they might have with the cloak.
…...
It was a tricky bit of spell work and James, who was doing this more for Remus' sake than his, insisted Remus help him do the honors.
"It won't hurt them terribly will it?"
"No more than they hurt…...me…" James switched quickly as Remus sent him a sharp look. Sirius laughed and punched James' shoulder.
"You're full of yourself Potter, they didn't hurt you."
"Well then for all the Gryffindors they did hurt," James replied giving Remus a pointed look which made him go pink and bend over his books hoping Sirius didn't notice. He knew he should stop them, that this prank was quite cruel, but he couldn't help but be really touched. No one had ever enacted revenge on his behalf before.
"Alright mates. Before we go down to breakfast does anyone have any questions?" James asked sounding serious but the wicked grin on his face made it rather hard to take him seriously at the moment. They were all on Remus' bed having woken up early to go over the plan. James was already dressed, proving he could get up early when need be, but everyone else was still in their pajamas, even Remus who wished he could have slept in.
"Why am I only sitting at the table?" Peter piped up after a large yawn which sent off a chain reaction of yawns.
"Because you dimwit if we're all gone they'll suspect us."
"Sirius be nice. But he's right Peter it's a very important job you and Sirius have. Don't worry you'll play a more active role next time." James promised which didn't seem to make Peter much happier.
"Can you and Remus do the wand work?"
"Yeah, we practiced for an hour after you lot fell asleep." It was true. Remus was so tired he wasn't sure he could do any magic at the moment, let alone the spell needed to pull off this prank.
They went over the details Sirius looking impressed when James successfully demonstrated the spell making Peter yelp and jump back onto his bed.
"Careful!" He snapped but both Sirius and James were too busy laughing at him too hear. Half an hour later and everyone was dressed and ready for the day, Remus ignoring Sirius' comment that he should just change in front of them. Luckily he was far too distracted by the prank to bother Remus too much with his suspicion and concern.
"Alright see you guys in a bit," James called dragging Remus along with him and pulling the cloak over the two of them.
"Good luck!"
"Yeah, good luck. Don't get caught." Then Sirius and Peter went down to the Great Hall to act innocent and unsuspecting of the chaos that would surely ensue. James and Remus meanwhile had the tricky task of maneuvering their way through the halls without bumping into anyone and positioning themselves just right by the Slytherins table.
"Wingardiumleviosa," Remus whispered keeping his hand very still as he slowly moved the pepper container spilling it in a way that seemed natural to anyone who wasn't paying attention. James was a little more clumsy with his spell work but the sudden clack of the pepper shaker hitting the table was blamed on someone shaking the table and it was forgotten. Luckily, Slytherins weren't known for cleaning up after themselves as most had house-elves back home to do it for them, so the spilled pepper stayed where it was. With pepper spread across the Slytherin table, James nudged Remus once, their signal, and they both flicked their wands repeating the incantation they practiced last night.
At first, nothing happened and Remus began to wonder if they should have waited to do this on a day when they weren't sleep deprived. Then, one by one, the kernels of peppers started turning into little red fire ants. By this point, breakfast was in full swing and the Slytherins were talking amongst themselves about various unpleasant topics.
Remus had to hold James back when one of the Slytherins made a comment about how terrible the Gryffindor quidditch team was this year. Then Lucius made a sneering comment to Severus, the two of them apparent friends now, about how Sirius was put in his place over the break and Remus almost let James go.
"I'd never smile again if I were him. Being reduced to a house-elf ought to put him in his plaaaaaAHHHHH!" James stopped fighting against Remus to get to Lucius, as shouts of surprise and pain started erupting across the Slytherins' table.
James looked like he wanted to watch the madness unfold, a wide grin on his face. But Remus elbowed him and yanked him away just in time to avoid being bumped into as several Slytherins rushed out of the Great Hall screaming for the Matron. Several more dumped water on themselves, none of them able to pinpoint what was causing their skin to break out in a stinging irritation, and perhaps a bit of burning pain. Several were itching and as the professors came over it looked like the Slytherins mentally had been turned into monkeys, leaping and shouting in discomfort and pain.
Remus didn't particularly feel good about the revenge. He thought he'd feel a sense of satisfaction but instead, he felt rather sick. Especially as he noticed an innocent-looking first year shifting around as tears ran down her cheeks. They reached the Gryffindor table elbowing Sirius who "accidentally" tipped over his goblet onto Peter who was sitting next to him. Unaware of this part of the plan Peter yelped and leaped away from the cold liquid seeping into his lap. All eyes were either on him or the Slytherins and Remus and James appeared sitting across from Peter and Sirius smoothly as if they had been there the whole time.
By this point, most of the professors had reached the Slytherins and were trying to get them to calm down enough to explain what was going on.
"Something is biting me! I'm burning it's so HOT" Screeched one Slytherin reaching around trying to scratch his back.
"Bunch of pansies." Sirius muttered sounding pleased. Nearly all the Gryffindors were beaming, only Lily and Remus looked upset about the whole thing. Remus, guilty he had not only known about the plot but actually partook in it. Lily, because she was worried about Severus who was one of the more composed of the Slytherins but who was shifting around uncomfortably and refused to answer Professor Flitwick's question of where the bites were.
"It's fire ants...my! They've been transfigured from something." Professor McGonagall concluded and after that, it was quick spell work. Of course, the Slytherins still looked rather uncomfortable, now having pepper caught underneath their robes.
"I hope some went down their knickers." James sniggered.
"You are just terrible Potter. I bet you had something to do with this!" Lily shouted outraged, having overheard his comment.
"Serves them right." Muttered some of the older Gryffindors who had been injured at James' party. Sirius gave Lily a grin which James quickly matched, only his looked a great deal less innocent and a great deal more boisterous.
"How could we do anything Evans we've been sitting here the whole time. All four of us. Isn't that right Remus?" He felt Lily's suspicious gaze on him and nodded almost wishing they had gotten caught so he wouldn't feel so guilty. All the Slytherins left the table to change and get ointment from Madam Pomfrey and the other three tables had a particularly happy breakfast with their absences.
Apparently Fleamont Potter had told James something about Dumbledore being a part of an important ministry meeting. So Dumbledore, who as James had promised was absent throughout the meal, returned just at the end. He seemed filled in on what happened and made a comment about the importance of house unity and how such acts divided the whole school and made it weaker to those who wanted Hogwarts to fall, his eyes seeming to narrow in on the Gryffindor table an awful lot.
It had been a pleasant breakfast for nearly all the Houses up until that point. But the reminder of what was happening outside the walls of Hogwarts quickly set a solemn atmosphere across the hall. Remus hung his head even more ashamed.
"Blimey brilliant Dumbledore was gone otherwise the whole thing would have probably been over in a few seconds. There was always a chance the meeting would end early. What a good spot of luck." James whispered into his ear, though he too sounded a bit less excited about the whole ordeal now.
"Teaches them to mess with Gryffindor. Let's not forget that they bloody started it." Sirius pointed out quite loudly.
"If you don't want to get detention you'd do well to keep your opinion to yourself Black." Kingsley pointed out, his volume quiet yet still booming across the table with ease but he didn't sound particularly upset. Sirius grumbled something Remus couldn't hear but which caused Petter to stifle a laugh.
"Why are you lot seated differently this morning?" Lily asked in a clipped tone that made it clear she still suspected them.
"Because Remus and I are best mates now!" James responded quickly, not missing a beat. He put his arm around Remus' shoulders and beamed at Lily whose eyes narrowed dangerously at him.
"I thought Sirius was your best mate."
"Oh not anymore. James and I had a row." Sirius replied with a smirk, easily playing along. Peter had looked ready to protest at hearing Remus was James' newest best friend, clearly feeling he should be second in line, but upon hearing Sirius play along kept his mouth shut.
"No surprise there. Those two bicker like cats and dogs." Frank replied cheerfully from down the table. Too much of the House's attention was on the four of them for Remus' liking. Ever since the Slytherins attack, there had been a camaraderie and ease amongst all the Gryffindors which both felt nice and nerve-racking.
"Watch it Longbottom or your pants will be filled with ants next." Patricia quipped and the whole table burst into laughter. It seemed even with Dumbledore's ominous warning the Gryffindors weren't about to let such a good prank on the Slytherins go unappreciated. In fact the other Houses had gone back to their idle chatter and the atmosphere had lightened quickly, amongst the students at least.
Remus dared a glance at the Professor's table, all of them seemed stern and tense though he found it hard to believe it was just over the prank. Perhaps Professor Slughorn, who had grown quite purple at the humiliation of his house, was primarily upset about that. But the other professors seemed almost distracted, there reactions to the Slytherins slower than it should have been considering the short distance between the two tables. Unfortunately he, and all of the remaining students were about to find out exactly what was distracting the Professors.