"Sirius! James!", called a seemingly distant voice, "Come on guys, get up".
Sirius rolled over onto his back and groaned, couldn't he just sleep a few more minutes.
"Get up now or you'll be subjected to my revenge" said someone, yes, Remus, that's who it was, "Because this time I'll make you!"
Sirius could not work out what Remus was on about, until he remembered pushing his friend into the stream.
"Ah! Merlin Remus!" said Sirius in surprise, "What's wrong with you? It's not event that-"
He was going to say late, but when he saw that he had slept in to eleven, he thought Remus actually had a pretty fair argument. As Sirius looked around, Remus proceeded to shake James awake.
"Thanks to you two", Remus looked unhappy, "I now have a cold."
"And to think he was worried about us", James smiled.
"Why did you come and wake us up anyway?" asked Sirius lethargically.
"Because our book lists have arrived", said Remus.
So, on hearing this new, Sirius and James slowly got changed and went down stairs.
"Good morning boys" said Mrs Potter.
"You two are up late this morning", remarked Mr Potter, "Even for you, Sirius. You two didn't stay awake all night, did you?"
"Almost, not to mention having a swim", Remus said.
"You mean they fell into the stream, don't you?", Mrs Potter shook her head and smiled, "Here are you letters."
"Thanks, Mrs Potter", said Sirius between mouthfuls of bacon.
He ripped the top open, as did James, Remus and Peter. He unfolded the pieces of parchment inside, there was the usual reminder that the new school year started on the first of September. There was another notice about the seventh year N.E.W.T.s (Naughtily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), which made both Sirius and James groan at the thought of all the study and homework. After this there was his booklist. He turned his envelope upside down to see if he had emptied it out, and when he discovered he had, he looked up across the table. Remus was looking a little disappointed.
"What's wrong Moony?" inquired Sirius.
"I didn't get Head Boy", Remus stated glumly, returning to his letter.
"Oh well", said Sirius slowly, "I bet that idiot from Ravenclaw got it".
"Sirius, if he's in Ravenclaw, I don't think he would be an idiot as such", Remus explained.
"What I mean, is that he's a big prat", Sirius tried to make his point, "You know who I mean don't you James? That Wally, or William, or whatever his name is... James?"
James had not answered. In fact he was not doing much at all, which was quite unusual for him. He was facing away from his friends, and appeared to be staring at something in his hand.
"Did little Jamesy get a nasty paper cut?" teased Sirius at his motionless friend.
"Head Boy..." mumbled James.
"What?" asked Sirius.
"I-I don't believe this... It must be a mistake...No way..." James trailed off again, "Guys?"
"Yes James, what is it you are now dying to tell us, that you were not so willing to divulge when we actually asked?" Sirius questioned dramatically.
"I'm Head Boy..." said James quietly.
"What?" Laughed Sirius, "James, do actually expect us to believe this one? I mean really, even Wormtail's not that gullible".
"Hey-"
"James come here, give me a look", said Sirius, finally striding over to James.
"I'm Head Boy!" said James, in shock.
Sirius reached James. When he saw the little badge with the words 'Head Boy' on it, he nearly feel over.
"Guys, you're not going to believe me, but he's telling the truth", Sirius stood in awe.
"What!" cried Remus, before knocking over his chair to get a better look, "I don't believe it".
"Oh James!" said Peter squeakily, "I knew you would get it!"
"Boys? is everything okay in there?" called Mrs Potter from the kitchen. She came in to see the four boys staring at the badge in James's hand, "Oh James, sweetie, you got Head Boy! How wonderful!"
Mrs Potter gave her son a huge hug, as James sat there transfixed, apparently unaware of his mother's sloppy kiss on his cheek.
"Euphemia? What's wrong?" said a concerned looking Mr Potter from the doorway.
"Nothing dear, James has got Head Boy!" said Mrs Potter jubilantly to her husband.
"Ha ha, that's funny dear but real- He did!" Mr Potter was evidently surprised, "Well done, son! I always knew you had it in you".
Sirius decided to leave the dining room, to give the Potters' time alone to celebrate. Remus followed, going back to get Peter, who was still staring at the spectacle in amazement.
##
"I can't believe I got Head Boy" said James for what must have been the fiftieth time that day, while sitting in the lounge room after dinner.
"We know James", sighed Remus, "We can't entirely believe it ourselves".
"James, you need to stop going on about it now", added Sirius, "If you're after a congratulatory kiss from us, don't get your hopes up. But if you want, we could give you a foot rub-"
"Or a manicure", chimed in Remus.
"Or a plaque with your name on it at the Ministry", smirked Sirius.
"Really?" asked Peter.
"No, not really", Sirius said condescendingly to Peter, before turning to James, "I suppose now you're Head Boy, you can't hang around people like us. Maybe Moony, but us two? I don't think so. Peter's too stupid. And me, well I'm too handsome, and cool, and stylish, and perfect, and handsome, and skilled at everything, and smart, and handsome, and funny as well".
"I think you left something out there", said Remus.
"And what would that be? Handsome?" asked Sirius.
"No. I mean vein, and arrogant, and obsessed with yourself", Remus stated.
"Well, changing the subject from my very minimal and uncommon flaws", said Sirius quicklu, "What the ruddy hell was Dumbledore thinking?!"
"I have no idea", said Remus, shaking his head sadly.
"Maybe he's like your 'rabbit', Moony", mused Sirius, "He must be getting on a bit. Maybe it was a short lapse of sanity, and he picked James instead of you".
"Hey!" said James indignantly, "When he chose me for Head Boy he had a stroke of genius!"
"Or possibly just a stroke", thought Sirius, "No genius included".
"Whatever happened", Remus stated, "Things will definitely be different from now on.