Thursday 2nd December 1976

First Floor Corridor, 12:00

They didn't think he saw and heard them but he did. They weren't exactly subtle about it, after all. Especially not to him. Not when he was used to trying to pick up tiny expressions in people's faces. Teenagers were far easier to read in comparison. Actually, they were easy full stop.

Not that it mattered. He was a Black. He was used to looks. Envied by some, hated by others. It came with the name, after all. He had been brought up to take no note of them. They weren't important.

Except, that was easier said than done, wasn't it? Sirius waited until he went around the corner and let out the breath he had been holding, letting all the tension leave his body. He hated stares, quick glances, side-eyes, all of them. They unnerved him, put him on edge. And they were just annoying to boot.

Did they not have anything better to do? There was no way he was the most interesting thing to talk about - unless it was because of an amazing prank he pulled, obviously. Except, he knew he was. He was a Black. Stupid family.

Sirius straightened up again and braced his shoulders as some more students walked towards him. They were also giving him weird looks. He checked their robes. Slytherins. Typical.

He didn't think about it at the time but of course his absence would have been noticed by certain circles of people. He hadn't attended any events in August with his family. Not that he could have even if he wanted to (and he definitely wouldn't), spending half of the month in bed and all.

Despite that, August had actually been quite pleasant for him. There had been no shouting, no pain, no expectations. He was just... Sirius. James' best friend. He kind of liked that.

But it also had the unpleasant side effect of causing a scene with certain people. Something he was sure his family was most displeased about. Something they had yet to take any action on. What was odd.

Sirius shook his head, trying to rid himself of those thoughts. He would drive himself crazy trying to guess what was going to happen. It was better off just not thinking about it if he could.

"Do you think the rumours are true?"

"Well, he is a Gryffindor. Who knows what else he's capable of?"

"He doesn't even try to pretend."

"It's so stupid, honestly."

He shot a glare at some of the nosier third-years. They weren't even trying to be quiet. Weren't they supposed to be Slytherins? Slytherins were supposed to be subtle.

"There you are, Padfoot!" James voice cut across his inner grumbling.

Thankfully, the younger students backed away when his friend appeared. You see, James had a bit of a... reputation when it came to his friends. He didn't let anyone talk rubbish about them. Actually, it was one of the few ways to make James lose his temper. Something that didn't happen very often. Maybe three or four times of their entire time at Hogwarts? And most of those had been because someone was saying mean things about him or Remus or Peter. Mainly Remus or Peter. People didn't tend to say much (in public) about certain families. But apparently, he was fair game now.

But not at the minute.

"Hey," James said again, catching up with him. "There you are."

"What's up?"

"Remus has an absolutely wicked idea for a prank and he needs us..."

"... in the library," Sirius finished knowingly.

Remus always wanted to be in the library. Even for planning pranks.

"Exactly. He says it's going to be a big one."

"Perfect."

There were no whispers as he went through the corridors this time.

Sunday 5th December 1976

Great Hall, 17:45

For once, it hadn't involved an explosion or a flash of light. Oh no, it had been far more subtle than that. It had to be or else it would have been stopped before it even got a chance to start.

Professors at Hogwarts weren't stupid, after all. Unfortunately, certain students seemed to be a little bit smarter.

So, it started small and quiet. Unnoticeable at first until you realised that something didn't look quite right out of the corner of your eye. Then you saw it happen, which made you stare. Slowly but surely people realised what was going on.

Then the laughing began. A smothered chuckle. A quick giggle. Until someone lost control with a terrific snort. That seemed to be everyone's cue to lose it. People were pounding at the table, doubled over, tears streaming down their cheeks. Others with clutching at their sides while others had thrown their heads back. All were laughing.

You see, each professor had ended up with a multitude of coloured spots all over their skin. The Heads of Houses had ones in their House colours and the others matched multitude of coloured spots robes. Which was rather unfortunate for Professor Kettleburn because he was wearing brown and he now looked like he had some disfiguring disease thanks to his splotches.

There was only one group of students who would dare do that to the Professors. And they were laughing uproariously further down the table. Why did they even do things like this? They were all sixteen now- basically adults. Didn't they know that they had to grow up at some point?

Well, apparently no one in Gryffindor, nay, the while school thought they had to because everyone was laughing. Everyone. Even the Slytherins. It wasn't that funny.

It was a Sunday too, and now this was all people were going to talk about today and tomorrow with no focus being given to lessons or anything. No one was going to be able to even look at any of the Professors without chuckling. It just wasn't right to create this sort of a distraction! Did they ever think of that?

Frank gave the far too pleased with themselves Marauders a disapproving look. Obviously, distraction was their intention. Unfortunately. And it looked like it was going to be up to him to tell them off. No one else was going to do it.

It was awkward to get to James because he and his friends were surrounded by impressed students, all of them wanting to know how they did it. They were revelling in the attention.

"James," Frank called as he found he could no longer force his way through other people.

The students closest to the Marauders were not going to give up their prime spots without a fight. Not even to a Prefect.

He managed to shimmy his way through the crowd eventually, right where the Marauders were now just basking in their glory. Why weren't any of the Professors telling them off? Punishing them? Everyone knew who did it between the Marauders' reactions and, you know, the massive floating text that declared 'Courtesy of the Marauders' above the Head Table.

Frank looked to the adults and noticed they were all crowded together, a few of them waving their wands. Of course. They were trying to remove whatever spell had been cast on them. With little luck, it looked like.

Grabbing him by the arm, Frank yanked James away from his adoring crowd.

"Hey! What are you doing?" James complained, struggling to free himself.

Never had Frank been so glad for a Potter's inherent scrawniness. It made James easy to haul away despite having developed muscles.

Frank ignored his complaint and cut straight to the chase.

"What exactly do you think you're playing at?"

James grinned at him. "Pretty cool, huh? You wouldn't believe how much sneaking around it took."

A lot, probably. But he wasn't going to even admit to knowing that. It would just egg him on even further which was the last thing Frank wanted.

"Why do you even do things like this?" Frank asked in exasperation as James sat back down with a big grin on his face.

"Because it's funny! Did you see the looks on their faces when they noticed what was happening?"

It had been a mixture of horror and shock and a little bit of amusement (until they realised it had happened to them too). Which had been kind of funny...

No! Frank wasn't going to let himself think like that, he wasn't. James couldn't do these sorts of things anymore. He was too old for such nonsense and Frank was going to make him see that.

"It's not a game, James!" Frank all but exploded. "People out there are dying, getting murdered and you're acting like an idiot!"

James frowned at him. "People still need to laugh, Frank."

Argh! James just didn't get it, did he? Yes, things shouldn't be all doom and gloom but these sorts of antics weren't the way to counteract it! Not when you were getting ready to leave school and go out into the real world! You couldn't do stunts like this out there to make people smile.

"That's not your job!"

"It's not anyone's job. Everyone should be trying to put a bit more laughter out there. We just happen to be really could at it."

"And here I thought you were starting to grown up a little," Frank said coolly.

James folded his arms and jutted his chin out stubbornly. "And here I thought that you weren't such an up yourself, stick in the mud. If you're going to be like that, you can just leave me alone."

And with that, James flounced off back to his friends.

Frank was annoyed. Frustrated. Nothing was going right. This year was just... it wasn't turning out good, okay? He was struggling with Defence (him!), his friends weren't taking things seriously, the world was going crazy and Alice was acting weird. It wasn't a good year at all and he didn't know how to fix it. If it even could be fixed.

And now he was taking his frustration out on James. James who was basically family. It wasn't fair on him. Not when Frank was the one with the problem. Even though James was acting childishly. There was no way Frank would have blown up like that if he hadn't been frustrated. Scolded him, maybe (he was a Prefect, after all) but he wouldn't have blown up like that. He hoped.

He watched as James broke back into his friends' conversation and laughed loudly at a comment from Lupin. All the students around them laughed as well.

He then turned his attention back to the Head Table where the Professors had seemingly given up trying to get rid of whatever the Marauders had done. Some of them were even smiling!

Tuesday 7th December 1976

Dungeons, 18:30

If Severus had one fault, it was his ability to, for lack of a better phrase, get on his high horse when he was trying to prove a point. Especially if he thought he was right or trying to prove something. It was the latter, today.

He had obviously done a lot of thinking about it and Lily could see that he honestly thought that there could be no other explanation except for his in his mind. He had thought it all out and tried to gather evidence. Oh, he couldn't prove anything. Not really. But he felt like he had more than enough evidence for people to see his side. And by people, he really meant Lily. Which is why she was currently, rather reluctantly, listening to him as he went on about one of his theories.

At least this one wasn't as ridiculous as Professor Dumbledore having some sort of secret spy ring in the school that involved the portraits. Now, that really had been ridiculous. Mond you, this current theory was definitely up there.

"There's something weird about that Lupin. Where does he keep going?"

"He's ill," said Lily. "They say he's ill-"

"Every month at the full moon?" said Snape.

"I know your theory," said Lily, and she made sure that she sounded cold.

"I think it's perfectly valid-"

Seriously, did Severus not know how to take a hint? She didn't want to talk about this.

"What does it matter?" she interrupted. "It's none of our business."

"But don't you want to know?"

There was an odd tone to Severus' voice as he said that. Longing, maybe? More than simple curiosity anyway. It was weird.

Lily shook her head. "Not really."

"But, Lily-"

"No, Severus. It's really none of our business."

Let Remus do whatever he had been doing. It obviously worked.

"But-"

"No."

"You have to admit that you're cur-"

"And Potter and his friends don't seem to mind whatever the problem is so why should we?" she talked over him.

"Potter?" Severus said in an outraged voice.

"And Black and Pettigrew," Lily said nodding. "They are all his friends, after all. Best friends. If they aren't getting worked up over it, I don't see why we should."

And if Remus was dangerous or something, they wouldn't be friends with him, right? Though, she wasn't sure how he would be safe if -

No. Lily shook her head. Like she told Severus, if it didn't affect them, it was none of their business. It wasn't something that you could just gossip about - it could have serious consequences for Remus if someone misunderstood. No. There would be no discussing of it.

"You're siding with Potter?"

Now Lily was confused. What side? There was no side to this. She was just saying that if people who shared a dorm with Remis weren't concerned then neither should they. Honesty, Severus was trying to make this into something it wasn't. And for what point?

Apparently, no point as Severus couldn't seem to be able to form coherent words at the moment.

" You're not going to- I won't let you-"

"Let me? Let me?"

Lily's bright green eyes were slits. Severus backtracked at once.

"I didn't mean- I just don't want to see you made a fool of- He fancies you, James Potter fancies you!" The words seemed wrenched from him against his will. "And he's not...everyone thinks...big Quidditch hero-" Snape's bitterness and dislike were rendering him incoherent, and Lily's eyebrows were traveling farther and farther up her forehead.

Where was all this even coming from? Severus sounded... so, well, bitter?

"I'm aware of the size of Potter's ego," she said coolly. "But that wasn't what we were talking about but if that's all you want to talk about, go ahead. It just won't be with me."

She had better things to talk about that all of Potter's supposed negative qualities.

Lily looked expectantly at Severus and when he made no move to say anything she made a scoffing noise and turned on her heel and proceeded to walk away.

Severus blinked rapidly with a look of dismay on his face as Lily strode away from him. How had it gone so wrong, yet again? He had just wanted to talk about a theory he had - nothing more (certainly not do anything about it) but somehow it had gone wrong again.

Why did he keep on doing this? Couldn't he catch a break? He was being so careful too.

But no. He had to let his mouth run away from him. Again. It was like once he started speaking negatively about someone he couldn't stop. Maybe he should just stop talking and these sorts of problems wouldn't happen. It wasn't like anyone except for Lily wanted to talk with him.

He sighed heavily and pulled his bag onto his back properly. Should he go after her? No, that would just make her dog her heels in more. Lily's temper burned hot and fast but there was no talking to her unless she cooled down first.

He groaned softly. He had just gotten her back too. Why was he such an idiot?

"Out of the way, Snape!" one of Regulus Black's little posse snapped at him as they barged past.

Severus glared at him but said nothing. Even though the boy had no real standing when the younger Black wasn't around. Which he wasn't. Actually, he hadn't seen much of Regulus outside of the Common Room these days. Huh, odd for someone who seemingly like to make sure he got attention (rather like his brother, just not as blatant).

Well, that was none of his business. There was no point in wasting precious thinking to that - Black was doing his OWLs this year, that was probably it. See? Problem solved.

He looked longingly up the corridor again. Too bad his problem wasn't solved as easily.

Friday 10th December 1976

Gryffindor Common Room, 17:30

"Hey!"

James had snatched the quill off him and was now twirling it between his fingers. Sirius lunged for it.

"Give it, Prongs."

James dodged him easily. "Nope."

"Come on, I need it."

"No, you don't."

"I do! McGonagall said it was the last day to put your name down outside of emergencies."

You see, Sirius had completely forgotten to stick his name down on the list of students who were staying at Hogwarts over the holidays. Of course, there was never any question of him going back home but that hadn't stopped him forgetting about putting his name down. Now James was stopping him from doing that. Far too cheerfully, for that matter.

"James! Give it!"

But James wouldn't.

"Come on!"

It wasn't funny anymore. Though James seemed to think it was all one big game. The Common Room door opened and McGonagall entered, making her way straight for the noticeboard.

"Come on, James! Let me sign my name!"

"But you don't need to."

"I do! I'm not going home!"

"Obviously not."

"Then why won't you let me sign my name?"

"You're coming home with me, of course!"

James made it seem like it was so easy. Was it that easy? It wasn't like he wanted to go home. And he wasn't going to. He was just going to stay here. But apparently James thought differently. But that wasn't a big surprise.

"I can't just come with you!" he spluttered.

"And why not?"

"Well... because it's Yule!"

You didn't just stay at someone's House for the entirety of the holiday period.

"And Christmas," James added unhelpfully. "We celebrate both."

"Even more of a reason for me not to come!"

Both of those holidays were for family and he wasn't family.

"No, that's even more of a reason for you to come."

See, now James wasn't making any sense. None at all. Could he not hear himself? Seriously?

"Come on, Sirius."

Sunday 12th December 1976

Gryffindor Table, Great Hall, 10:00

Alice frowned as Frank frowned. Again. He was starting to get frown lines on his forehead from frowning so much, which couldn't be good.

Frank seemed more distracted recently, which was worrying to Alice. Was it schoolwork or something else? Someone else? He barely noticed her as he walked past there, just a "Hi, Alice," and nothing more. It seemed more reflexive than a proper greeting. What was that about?

"Hey, are you okay?" Mary asked her. "You haven't stopped staring at the Common Room door."

Alice blinked, suddenly realising how dry her eyes were. Had she been staring without blinking this while time?

"Yes, I'm fine," she replied, rubbing at her eyes.

Mary raised an eyebrow sceptically. "Because people who are fine stare at the Common Room door for twenty minutes."

"I haven't been staring for twenty minutes! Have I?"

"Closer to half an hour but I thought I would make you feel better."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome!"

Alice wasn't sure if Mary was being obtuse to her sarcasm or not.

"Seriously, though," Mary said, leaning closer to her. "What's up?"

Alice opened her mouth and then closed it again. Should she tell Mary what she was thinking about? Would she listen or blow it all out of proportion? She could be quite dramatic, after all.

"I thought we told each other everything," Mary said in a hurt tone when Alice didn't say anything.

"We do!"

Mary shook her head. "Obviously not."

Alice thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"Well, there's nothing to tell."

Nothing that didn't make her sound like a moody brat, anyway. But, of course, Mary didn't know that and just thought she was hiding something from her, if the hurt look she was giving Alice was anything to go by.

"I bet you talked to Lily about it."

Huh?

Tuesday 14th December 1976

Library, 18:00

He fixed it quicker this time. He had learnt his lesson from last year. Lily also seemed to be more willing to listen to him as she hadn't been totally avoiding him. She even let him drag her away from the library when he finally made himself catch up with her.

"I am an idiot," he opened up with.

Because it was the truth. She nodded approvingly at him.

"You really are."

That was both encouraging and discouraging. Encouraging because Lily looked like she would actually listen to him a discouraging because, well, you liked to be thought of as an idiot? You know, except for the Marauders. At least it was a sign that he could continue talking.

"It's none of my business what Lupin is up to."

It really wasn't. Though, it wouldn't stop him thinking about it but he wouldn't mention it again. Or do anything about it, like Lily said - those silly Marauders probably knew whatever it was that was wrong with him, as much as that idea pained him. If they weren't kicking up a fuss, he probably shouldn't. It's not like anyone would do anything if he said something.

"It isn't. Or what any of the Marauders are up to really. Just let them get into trouble by themselves. They do that easily enough; they don't need anyone else's help."

Severus folded his arms and grumbled something unintelligible. Lily gave him an amused look.

"I thought they had apologised to you?"

"They did."

Which was still weird by the way but they hadn't targeted him or anything so he was okay with it. He was still staying on edge though because he wasn't stupid.

"Then why are you still going on about them?"

"Just because they apologised doesn't mean I like them," Severus grumbled.

Lily shook her head but thankfully said nothing. He didn't want her to start singing Potter's praises as well.

"You need to start thinking before you speak," she chided. "What if someone heard you?"

Severus snorted. As if anyone would want to listen to him. He was back to being the lowest person on the totem pole. Again. While people like Black and Potter were somewhere near the top.

Oh, he supposed he was being dramatic. But only a little. For some reason, people seemed to like all the idiocy that went on around the Marauders and it wasn't like they were awful people or anything. He just didn't like them that much.

"Whatever." Severus looked at her hopefully. "Am I forgiven?"

He had apologised (and meant it!) and promised not to do or say anything else so stupid again.

"Oh, I suppose so," she said slowly but she was smiling! "But promise me you'll think more."

He nodded eagerly. "Oh, I will, I promise."

Friday 17th December 1976

Professor McGonagall's Office, 16:00

There could only be one reason why McGonagall's lips could be so pursed and her expression so stony when she called him and it made his stomach twist itself into desperate knots.

And look, he was right. As soon as the two of them entered her office the very people he figured would be there were right in front of them. Orion and Walburga Black.

Sirius bit sharply on his lower lip, tasting blood. He had been expecting this sort of thing all term but now that it actually happened, he was surprised. Which was stupid, he knew but could you really blame him for wishful thinking.

"What are you doing here?" he blurted out without thinking.

"Good afternoon to you too, Sirius," Orion said sternly.

"And to bring you home, of course, Walburga added.

"What!"

"Honestly, you get put into Gryffindor and lose everything that you've ever been taught."

What was that even supposed to mean? And he had been a Gryffindor for six years now, you would really think that she'd get over it.

"He is being completely childish and it is of absolutely no concern to you!"

Father was raising his voice. It was never a good thing when Father raised his voice. He just didn't do it. He left all that sort of thing for mother. So, when he did do it, well... people tended to take notice. Well, Sirius did anyway.

"Lord Black," Professor McGonagall started. "Maybe it wouldn't be the best of ideas to hash this out now..."

Father shot her a glare that Sirius was sure could have melted stone.

"Professor McGonagall," he said in an impressively controlled voice, stressing the word 'Professor'. "I appreciate you demonstrating your pastoral care abilities on my son but, quite frankly, this is not a school matter."

"It's a family matter," mother broke in in a snobby tone.

The 'so get out' wasn't exactly subtext there.

Professor McGonagall, however, could hold her own.

"I was just going to say that perhaps it would be best for all parties involved to proceed with the holidays as planned. Give time for tempers to cool."

A tiny bit of hope became to bloom in his chest.

"Ah, but you see, Professor," father said smoothly. "Our son's plans for the Yule break had not been approved by us."

And there went the hope withering away.

"Please, sir."

"No, Sirius. You did not consult us. You went behind our back and-"

"Just like a good, little Slytherin," he muttered.

Then he saw stars as his father reached out and slapped him.

"Lord Black!" McGonagall thundered.

"He is shirking his duty."

"Surely he still has a few more years before he has to assume any duties?" McGonagall broke in.

Sirius flinched. He knew she was trying to help but she really wasn't. All she was doing was making his parents more annoyed than they already were and that wasn't good for anyone.

First Floor Corridor, 17:30

Chryssie practically flattened herself against the wall as the two adults walked past her - with them somehow taking up the whole corridor.

"Really?" she grumbled as they didn't even give her a first look, never mind a second one.

Tonks had fallen silent beside her. And not a normal sort of silence. A scared one? On edge? Either way, there was a weird look on her face.

"Who was that?" Chryssie asked.

That got her an odd look and Tonks' hair shifted to show her surprise.

"Don't you know?"

Chryssie shook her head.

"They're important, aren't they?"

She could tell that much, but that was more from how they walked and the air of superiority they gave off.

Tonks sighed. "They are Lord and Lady Black."

Chryssie looked blankly at her. "Are they supposed to be important?"

And now she was getting an incredulous look.

"You don't know who Lord and Lady Black are?"

"...No?"

"Chryssie!"

"Tonks!"

Tonks sighed heavily. "Their, like, the most important people in the Wizarding World. Or, one of, anyway."

"Powerful family?" Chryssie guessed because that sort of thing was important in this world.

"Oh, yes. The most."

"Huh."

Tonks looked like she wanted to say something but then she didn't. Instead, she shook her head.

"It doesn't matter."

Hmm, it looked like something did matter but Chryssie didn't want to pry.

She frowned and they looked down the corridor where the pair of apparently very important adults had just disappeared.

"Do the Blacks ever look happy?"

"I'm not sure they even know how to smile, never mind be happy." Tonks grumbled.

Saturday 18th December 1976

McGonagall's Office, 10:00

"Look, why don't we all calm down," Euphemia tried.

Of course, when someone had to say those words, they never worked. People were usually too far gone at that point.

Sirius wasn't entirely sure how the Potters got involved in this mess - did James contact them? Or maybe McGonagall? Either way they were here and very much arguing with his parents. Or trying to defend him from them. Or both. It was quite nerve-wracking to watch. Especially since it had been going on so long, nearly an hour already.

"This doesn't concern you," Orion growled. "Why are you even here?"

"We heard there was a problem with our son and his Christmas plans."

"Sirius was supposed to come home with us," Fleamont unnecessarily added.

"Well, he's not now."

"We haven't heard from Sirius."

Of course, now they all looked at him and he gulped.

"Of course, he wants to come home," Orion said impatiently.

"It doesn't matter what he wants," Walburga added.

"Well, maybe you should ask him," Fleamont said with raised eyebrows.

"Well, boy?" Orion spat at him.

"Uhm, well," Sirius stuttered, having not been expecting to be called on.

He looked between the two sets of adults; one smiling encouragingly at him and the other being generally intimidating. Unfortunately, they were the wrong way around. Sirius sighed and tried to muster some of that Gryffindor courage. Would it even matter what he said? Could he make this any worse?

"I want to go with the Potters," he said quietly.

Silence. That's what that got him as everyone gave him chocked looks and then the Potters beamed at him, making him feel all warm inside.

"You know what? Fine!" Orion exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "Take him home with you, see if I care."

And with that he turned around and walked right out of the office, leaving them all blinking behind him.

Well, except for his mother who promptly trotted after him.

"Orion!"