Disclaimer: Refer to previous chapters.

Author's notes: I'm very sorry for taking so long to update, but I have been really laz—busy. I hope that this chapter makes up for it! Also, a thank-you to everyone who reviewed.

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The next day Remus found himself constantly pestered by one Sirius Black. It annoyed him endlessly, and he found out that he wouldn't be able to ignore the other like he had been doing all day because his friend had cornered him in their dormitory. Now the only thing he could do was to verbally fight the other down.

"No."

"Awh, come on, Remus."

"No."

"Please."

"NO"

"Please!"

"I said no!"

"But-but—" Sirius spluttered, "You have got to help us!"

"And why should I?"

"Because… you love me?"

"No!"

"WHAT? You don't love me?!"

"Sirius, you are one of my best friends; of course I love you," Remus sighed, "But still, no."

Sirius stuck out his bottom lip and widened his eyes in a pleading expression, but Remus only stared stonily back. Finally, the black-haired boy decided to take another approach.

"You know that I could very well search for and find all that I need, right?"

"Well then, why ask for my, what is it? 'Services'?"

"Because it's easier this way and I wouldn't be wasting precious time. You know you want to help a friend in need."

"Not a friend who needs help in setting up a prank that will drown us in trouble, no!"

Sirius' eyes narrowed, "That's your final word?"

Remus rolled his eyes, "Sirius, you make it sound like such a big deal. Why can't we just try to enjoy our upcoming Halloween event without pulling something dumb that we will never hear the end of by McGonagall?"

"It's no fun like that! But if you really don't want to help, then fine. I will use the time in which I do my schoolwork to find the needed spells for my grand prank." Sirius shot Remus a glance out of the corner of his eyes and inwardly laughed with glee when he saw the other's expression slowly change from blank to horror-struck.

"You can't do that. Don't you care about your education?!"

"Of course I care! But I mean, you're impossible, aren't you? First you refuse to help me and then you try to dictate what I can and can't do!" He replied in false indignation.

Remus stared at him for a second before, "Fine! I'll help. I know I should get avada-kedavra-ed for this, but I will. Though let me make this clear: if we get caught, I will make you regret it."

"Don't worry, we won't." Sirius hid his blossoming grin by turning around and exiting the dormitory with haste.

- - - - -

When Remus went down to the common room, he found two significant things: the other three marauders huddled together as though in serious discussion and a note on the common room's bulletin board:

All prefects and those who wish to volunteer are required for a meeting to discuss the arrangements and decorations for the Halloween costume event tomorrow after dinner in the Great Hall itself. Please make sure to be there!

He walked over to his three friends, who looked up upon his approach.

"Look who it is, the genius behind the marauder's mayhem!" Sirius shot up and fluttered about him with an imaginary microphone, "Tell me, Mr. Lupin, how does it feel knowing that you are the mastermind behind such devious deeds?"

Remus swatted him away irritably, "Shut up, Sirius, before I decide to change my mind."

Sirius threw his arm around his shoulders and shared a grin with James, "Oh come now, Moony, you know that you secretly love it."

"What, causing others grief?" Remus questioned.

"Yes," Sirius nodded solemnly, "And amusement. Why do you think we're so popular? Oh wait—that's because I'm unbelievably good looking…"

Rolling his eyes, Remus pushed his friend away and sat down across from the other two, who had snorted at the black-haired boy's comment. He didn't fail to notice the untouched chess set, "How about you stop brewing grave schemes and we play a game of chess instead?"

Sirius flopped down next to him, charming grin in place, "And who says we can't multi-task?"

Remus sighed in exasperation. This was going to be a long fortnight.

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"Yes!"

"Please keep your voice down. Madame Pince hates me all because of you guys."

"Come on. Stop being so dry."

"Don't feel too bad, she hates everyone."

"Aha!"

"Why the hell did I agree to do this again?"

"This is the perfect spell! You're amazing, Moony."

"Oh yes, because somebody wouldn't shut up and leave me alone…"

A snicker and then silence fell once again upon their table. Remus sighed resignedly, potions homework completely forgotten as he had been bombarded by three (two, more like, and especially one) of his friends and forced into prank up-setting the minute he had set foot into the library.

"Ooh, look at this. Do you think it's suitable?"

"How should I know? Ask Moony."

"Ye—guys, am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?"

Three heads whipped around at James' astonished tone and disappointment quickly reined.

"What? Lily Evans?" asked Sirius confusedly, "Maybe it's something behind her…"

"There is a bookshelf behind her," James said loftily, "Of course Lily Evans, you dolt."

Remus raised a brow, "She comes here often. What's so surprising about that?"

"Nothing. It's more so the fact that she's Lily Evans!" James indicated frantically with his hands, as though to magically make them see his point.

"Sorry, completely missed me there," Sirius replied, rolling his eyes. James face clearly told them that he thought they were all a lost cause.

"Hey, is she looking at us?" Peter questioned. Everyone looked around just in time to see her look away. James jumped to his feet.

"Did you see that?" he all but screeched, and then carried on in a stage whisper, "Lily looked at me!"

"Shut up, James," Remus hissed, prank plans abandoned, "Do you want to get us banned?"

"Pince may ban me, but why would she ban you? She might kick you out, though…"

"She would by association," Remus replied, pained, but his words fell on deaf ears, as Lily had chosen that moment to look their way again. Sirius noted with disgust how James' eyes turned starry.

"Don't get too excited, Potter," Lily's voice was cutting, "I was trying to get Remus' attention."

The grey-eyed boy roared with laughter, and even Petter giggled. Lily met Remus' gaze and he couldn't help but return her smirk. They both watched with interest as James clutched his chest and doubled over.

"But why… Lily…"

His dramatic episode was cut unceremoniously when they heard a hissing curse from a few shelves away. Hastily falling into silence and gathering their belongings, they hurried out before the librarian could find them. Once in the corridor and a safe distance in-between, Remus found his arm in a firm grip by a certain red-head.

"Let's go, dinner must be over now," Lily said, tugging him in the direction to the great hall. He suddenly remembered the meeting for the Halloween event, and looked back at his friends to explain. He was met with Sirius' smug expression and a dark, hurt look from James that suspiciously seemed to spell out T-R-A-I-T-O-R.

"Meeting," was all he managed to get out before he was dragged away. Lily, though she may not look like it, was deceitfully strong.

The last thing he heard was Sirius' amused, mocking voice, "Oh why... Remus!" and a smack that sounded a lot like James hitting him.

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Aha! Sorry, nothing interesting yet. But reviews suspiciously oil the rusty wheels of plot and slash. Oh yes, I'm sure. ;)