Chapter 2

17th March 1973 - Pre Easter Holidays in 2nd Year

Sirius lounged on the rug in front of the fireplace in their dorm room, stretched out on his back. His eyes were closed, but the hand that fiddled constantly with his wand betrayed the fact he was, in fact, awake.

He was deliberately ignoring the two chatting boys sitting on the bed to the left of the fireplace - his bed.

The Easter holidays were approaching fast, their second year of Hogwarts nearly over. Not having been nearly as interesting as their first year in terms of new discoveries, Sirius had found that pranking was an excellent way of alleviating boredom. But, instead of executing the well thought out plans Remus was usually the mastermind behind, the pranks Sirius planned and executed were often short-sighted and frequently landed him in detention. Not that he really minded (at least not as much as he had in the golden glow of first year). The pranking, and the stress relief it provided, was well worth the inevitable detentions.

He'd found himself brooding about the slowly darkening soulmarks more and more. It seemed to Sirius like every day he woke up, the soulmarks were darker, more noticable. And them being more noticable wasn't a good thing - at least not where his parents were concerned. They increased the chance that his parents would notice them, berate him and probably try to remove them. He'd got away with it last summer, probably because the marks had been faint; and unless you were intimately familiar with the exact colour of every inch of him, it would have appeared to be nothing more than a particularly cool looking freckle. But now it was darker, it would be harder to mask what it was.

It was so frustrating. He didn't even want to cover the marks. He loved what they symbolised, and who they symbolised. They were a part of who he was and who he wanted to be. But, by Merlin would it make his life a lot easier if they weren't on show for the few weeks he was home for Easter. Let alone summer.

Oh, Merlin, summer.

Sirius groaned.

There was no question that his parents would disapprove of his soulmates. He was supposed to provide the Heir to the Black line and both of his soulmates were of the wrong gender to provide one. And probably even more crucially in the eyes of his parents: one of them was halfblood, and a werewolf to boot.

"Oi! Star-face! Anyone in there?"

A book smacked him in the face and fell limply to the floor, yanking him out of his musings sharply.

"What? Antler-head?"

"You're on fire…" Remus deadpanned.

Sure enough, his wand was spouting a steady jet of bright yellow flame out the tip. The flame had already had success eating through his outer robe and had subsequently moved onto licking enticingly at his school trousers.

"Bollocks," he muttered, stopping the stream of flames coming out of his wand whilst simultaneously trying to put his robe and trousers out with a nearby pillow.

James shuffled to the edge of Sirius's bed before lowering himself onto the floor next to him.

"Knut for your thoughts, mate?" he sniggered.

Sirius shook his head, "Not worth it."

What if they thought less of him because of what his parents believed?

But then, it was hardly a secret. The Blacks were notorious dark supporters. That they wouldn't support his partners being a) male and b) not 'desirable company' to keep, would hardly come as a surprise to the pair.

"My parents," he muttered, "They aren't going to be happy about… us. This." Sirius gestured towards the visible pawprint on Remus's hand.

James frowned.

"Why are you stressing about this now? You were fine over the summer, they didn't notice."

Sirius shook his head.

"They're getting darker, Jami- James" he corrected quickly at the glare James was leveling at him, hoping to avoid any further fire damage to his clothing - the small tear in his school trousers was revealing enough of his ducky pants as it was.

"But how would they know they were there? It's not like anyone's going to tell them. No-one really notices the marks for a start because they've been there from pretty much the start of last year. They haven't really changed. And everyone just knows us as best mates? I know Regulus is here this year, but you haven't got any majorly visible-in-public ones unless you're not wearing either a shirt or trousers and that's not an issue because he's a younger Slytherin."

Sirius groaned loudly, turning to glare at the ceiling - his head impacting the floor with a thunk.

"Oww… But if they see them, then they're going to ask Reg who I associate with to work out who you are."

Remus tugged Sirius's hand into his lap, "So don't let them see them."

"But how?"

Remus smirked wickedly.

"Well, you could start by always wearing pants?"

Sirius thumped him with the still lightly smoking pillow amid the snickers.

"Noted, you prat. But what about Jamie's?"

The boy in question gave a long suffering sigh at the 'childish' nickname but didn't say anything. Sirius assumed this was down to the ribbing he'd received following his last bout of pouting.

"Always wear a longer sleeved shirt?" Remus answered hesitantly.

James traced the outline of the burn in Sirius's robes with his wand.

"What about magic?" James asked quietly, focusing on his wands path.

"What do you mean, magic?" Sirius muttered.

James removed his wand and looked at him with an expression of minor contempt.

"Well, you know, concealment charms or something like that? They're taught in fourth year but there's got to be a book or something on it."

Sirius nodded, feeling a bit thick. He should've thought of that.

"Why do you think they're the shapes they are?" Remus asked generally.

"Yours is obvious, Moony, but why mine is antlers and Sirius's is a pawprint - I have no idea," James answered, peering intently at Remus's hand. "Oh, maybe Sirius's is a pawprint because the dog-star is also called Sirius?"

Sirius climbed to his feet slowly, muscles cramping from so much time on the unforgiving floor. They'd had variations of this conversation before - so his contributions wouldn't be at all missed. He'd get a head start on research concealment charms in the library instead.

It was only as he entered the common room to gales of laughter that he realised he hadn't mended the hole in his trousers or robe.

HN

6th April 1973 - Post 2nd Year Easter Holidays

Well, Sirius thought, it could've gone better but as his parents hadn't discovered either soul mark, it could also have gone a lot worse.

The concealment charm he'd placed on his visible soulmark before he'd left the train had faded somewhat throughout the (torturous) two week 'holiday'. To the extent that by the time he was on the train, (thankfully) heading back to Hogwarts, the mark had reappeared on his arm in all its light grey glory.

"If she hadn't nicked my bloody wand the second I stepped through the front door, it wouldn't be an issue. If she takes it over summer I'm so screwed," Sirius said, glaring at the ceiling as if it had personally stolen his wand.

His sleeves were rolled up, an antler of the soulmark in question was just visible out the bottom of his shirt sleeve.

He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he'd missed catching glimpses of it when the mark had been charmed. A part of him feared that if he couldn't see it then it didn't exist, which meant that he was alone against the irrationalities of his parents. The past year had taught him a lot, both in terms of the accuracy of what his parents had taught him, and in the pleasure and comfort that came with having friends. To go without the security of the friendship was unthinkable.

"I'm going to need a better solution for the summer," he groaned, thumping his head back against the seat.

James blinked up at him somewhat owl-like from across the carriage, distracted from the sleeping Moony in his lap.

The full moon had been the previous evening, which meant that their resident werewolf was still feeling the effects of it now - using the long train journey to catch up on sleep. Remus's head, which had rested on his knapsack next to James at the beginning of the journey, had gradually migrated into the bespectacled boys' lap over the course of the past hour.

James had begun running his fingers through Remus's hair gently to sooth him when he'd started twitching in his sleep. And also in part - Sirius felt - to give James somewhere to put his hands.

"Would it really be that obvious to them? It's not like you walk around without your shirt on at home," James eyed him lazily. "Do you?"

Sirius's eyes widened comically at just the thought of what his mother would say.

"Fuck no," he blurted.

James smirked, "Well then, if you keep your clothes on you'll be fine… The question is, is that possible?"

Sirius flipped him off.

James sniggered quietly before sinking back into the seat behind him, a small but sincere smile replacing the smirk.

"Well, you know you're always welcome at mine. How long do you think you can get the charm to last?"

Sirius thought quickly, "About fourteen days?"

James nodded, "Okay, well when it's faded, jump in the Floo with your trunk and come to mine. Mum's said several times that you'd both be welcome any time. Do you think maybe you could get away after two weeks and just come stay at mine for the rest of the summer? Then your parents will just think you're being a normal, disobedient boy," James grinned, "rather than having soulmates you have to keep hidden."

Sirius grinned, cheering up despite his doubts about its doability. It would definitely require some Maraudering.

"Oo, subterfuge, I likey. That's a very Slytherin suggestion though, Jamie…"

James's jaw dropped, his face an expression of absolute outrage.

"How dare you, Mr Black. How dare you! I'll have you know that Slytherin was the only house the Sorting Hat didn't debate putting me in: thank you very much!"

Remus shifted slightly on his lap. James froze, before shaking his fist at Sirius with as little movement as possible.

"Next time, Mr Black! Next time, I will get my revenge! Mwahaha!" James whispered, with the menace of a three-day-old kitten.

HN

10th May 1973

Lily Evans hated James Potter. Positively loathed him.

If it wasn't that obnoxious hair, or the stupid, cheesy jokes he constantly made, it was the way he acted like he knew everything about everyone. The way he acted like he was God's gift to mankind.

What was even worse, was the way he'd ensnared Remus. Made it so the boy couldn't see James's faults, or chose to ignore them. Remus was such a nice, down to earth person - if a bit heavy on swearing at times. He liked books, just like she did. He also understood what she meant when she was talking about the Muggle world. And he'd never been anything other than nice to her, despite his friends. She wanted to spend more time with him but couldn't because he was always with Potter and Black.

Lily sighed. She was jealous. Remus had every right to hang out with his friends - Lily knew that. Didn't mean she had to like it. She knew that what she was feeling was in part due to the crush she'd had on him since first year, but she also knew that right alongside those feelings was concern for her friend and his well-being.

Exactly why the two boys were Remus' friends was a complete mystery. Potter and Black were both wealthy purebloods who could almost finish each other's sentences; they were that close. Remus, whilst always smartly dressed, clearly was not as wealthy. Nor was he as interested in Quidditch as the other two were. And yet the three had this unfailing bond that never seemed to falter or show the normal strains of friendship. It was strange. But she also had this irritating feeling in relation to the three - like she'd forgotten something important that would help it all make sense.

Then there was the fact that Remus was a werewolf. She'd worked it out at the end of last year when Remus had missed three consecutive days of school during a full moon - and then appeared with what looked suspiciously like a bite mark on his arm under his school shirt. Whilst Lily herself didn't really care about Remus's nature, as he was clearly a human most of the time; she wasn't sure how Potter and Black would see it. They were purebloods after all - and she'd noticed that purebloods were almost always derogative when it came to 'half-breeds' or Muggleborns like herself. She just didn't want to see Remus hurt if the boys thought that way too.

Then again, she wasn't sure they did believe the same as their counterparts. As much as she hated to say it, she knew that Potter didn't stand for 'showing Mudbloods their place' - he'd defended her enough times (much to her irritation) for that to be clear. So it stood to reason that he wouldn't have the same feelings towards werewolves as his peers.

As for Sirius - he confused her. Her friends had made it clear that his family's politics were of a similar dynamic to that of the Notts, or the Malfoys - who were known for hardballing the 'purity' agenda with little tolerance for anyone different. And yet, Sirius himself was a reasonable human being. A bit of a knobhead on occasion - he was far too fond of creating mayhem and didn't always consider the feelings of others before he acted; but at the end of the day he seemed like a good person and she seriously doubted he would kick his friend to the curb for something beyond Remus's control. If anything, Lily thought he'd probably do the opposite, as would Potter; both boys were fiercely protective of each other and Remus. Which she had to admit was probably a good thing. He would need all the help he could get.

Lily sighed again. Maybe they weren't such bad influences after all.

Not that it changed her opinion on Potter. Much. He was still a toe-rag. But possibly a nice toe-rag.

HN

29th May 1973

It was time for the prank of the century. A situation of complete genius, devised by… well, geniuses. A scheme of glorious proportions. Sirius didn't think he'd ever been prouder of their achievements.

Unlike their first prank at Hogwarts, the preparations for this one had been completed far in advance so as to create alibi's both for their wands, and themselves. (And they had a Transfiguration exam later that day that James had insisted he be well slept for - the swot.) Even if they were suspected, nothing could betray them. Such was their pranking prowess.

The conversation as they eagerly got ready and walked down to breakfast that morning was dominated by how fantastic that day was going to be. It was exactly what the whole school needed in the face of the exams.

They bounded down the Grand Staircase, excited to take part in their latest scheme. That was the best thing about the Marauder pranks - they were completely anonymous. The perceived skill level 'required' to create the hijinks suggested that the perpetrators were older than the boys, so they weren't suspected.

As it turned out, they were early for breakfast - which meant they had even longer to wait. Sirius could feel James's leg bouncing on the bench next to his. Sirius himself was slightly more patient - the wait would definitely be worth it.

Finally, the student population began to put down their cutlery and gathered their things, ready for a full Tuesday timetable of lessons.

The Marauders watched eagerly as the event they'd been anticipating for the achingly long breakfast started.

One by one, the students rose from their benches and started dancing their way out of the hall. But instead of finding a partner and doing one of the dances Sirius had been brought up learning (like one would expect), such as the rumba (snore) or the four-step (instant coma); the students had formed a line. Collectively they shuffled forward a bit at a time, tapping their feet out to the side after every third step.

A wide smile spread across Sirius's face. This was just as good as he'd imagined it - if not better!

He whooped, throwing himself off the bench whilst throwing his bag over his shoulder.

Immediately, he felt the compulsion to join the dancing line of students, the strains of a vaguely familiar piece of music entering his head the second he did.

James and Remus weren't far behind him.

In the entrance hall, the line split off; different students going off to their separate classes, but each still doing the 'conga'.

He joined the line going towards his first period Charms class. This was so much more entertaining than just walking to class. He knew that if he really wanted to, he could stop dancing and walk - but where was the fun in that?

He eyed the upcoming doorway with amusement.

Expecting the change, he feigned shock when the dancing style and music changed to a spinning waltz. Spotting James and Remus less than a meter away, he caught hold of their hands and began an awkward three way waltz down the corridor - to the mild annoyance of the students attempting to Moonwalk the other way.

Before any dizziness set in, they arrived outside their Charms class. They traipsed in, the dancing and music charms broken by their entry into the classroom. Sirius was disappointed they'd arrived so fast, but placated himself with the knowledge that they had Transfiguration next; and that upon exiting the Charms class they'd get to do a dance Remus had called the 'Macarena' all the way to Minnie's classroom. And he truly couldn't wait for that.

His musings were interrupted by an angry sounding Minnie shouting his name from the doorway. He turned slowly in his seat - this couldn't be good.

"Mr Black, Mr Potter and Mr Lupin. My office. Now."

He gulped - so maybe their methods hadn't been as foolproof as they'd thought?

But as he rose from his seat and actually looked at the amusement on his classmates' faces, he was inclined to say that whatever punishment they garnered would be more than worth it.

And he wouldn't have to wait for Charms to be over to do the Macarena.

Thank you for reading! I have chapter 3 and half of chapter 4 already written right now so there won't be a 6-month break this time :) Oh I'm so excited - so many shenanigans. Thank you to Li and Becky for betaing this for me - as usual, it legible thanks to their efforts.

Please don't hesitate to let me know what you think - I appreciate reviews - both good and bad - and promise to not jump at you for crit! (I love crit because it helps me improve and you get better-written stories - so win-win situation there) That being said - I also live off of happiness, rainbows and unicorns so those reviews are good too xD :)

Anyway - have an excellent dayyyy! And I should see you soon - if not feel free to poke me and make me feel guilty for not giving you a chapter - it's worth a shot.
SNR