Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter characters you recognize.

"I've heard a lot about Hogsmeade," Kevin said, looking around at the various shops. "I didn't think I'd ever get to see it."

"It's a great place, no worrying about Muggles at all," James answered. "Come on, let's go to Zonko's."

"Hold on a minute." Kevin was looking off into the distance. Remus followed his eyes, and his heart sank. "Is that the Shrieking Shack?"

"Yeah," Sirius answered, trying not to look at Remus. "Heard about it, have you?"

"There isn't a wizard who hasn't," Kevin responded. "Can we go have a look?"

"It won't do any good," James told him. "We've tried to get in, and Sirius got a nice shock from it."

"Still –"

"Let's go look," Remus said, walking towards it. He didn't know exactly how he was going to get out of this. Sure, James and Sirius would cover for him, but Kevin wasn't stupid. He'd figure it out. Remus was even considering just telling Kevin the truth. Besides, there was a full moon in a few days, and Kevin would get suspicious immediately. Might as well just get it over with.

"It doesn't look haunted at all," Kevin remarked as they approached the shack.

"Wait a couple nights and it will," Remus muttered. Kevin looked at him questioningly. "Look, I, uh-"

"Kevin!"

An older woman was yelling at him from down the street. She stormed up to them and took Kevin by the shoulder. "What do you think you're doing here? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"Look, Miss, I don't think-" Sirius began, but the woman cut him off.

"Don't you start, young pup, you shouldn't be here either. You four had better get back to Hogwarts before I tell them about this. They don't take kindly to truancy. And you, Kevin, you had better learn to take things a little more seriously."

"I'm doing fine by myself, Lenora," Kevin said sharply, shrugging her hand off. "I don't need protection from you."

"You'll be singing a different tune when-" She stopped and eyed the boy sharply. "Get back to Hogwarts, and don't let me see you here again."

They waited until they were out of earshot to say anything. "Looks like I'm not the only one taking things lightly, then." James rolled his eyes. "You knew her?"

"Unfortunately," Kevin replied. "One of the nosiest people you could ever hope to meet. I used to get in trouble for the smallest things around her. It got so I would start doing big things just so there would be a real reason to be lectured for."

"Sounds like fun," Sirius said. "She a friend of your parents?"

"Yeah, you could say that," Kevin answered.

Two minutes after they had returned to the castle, the boys ran into Peter. "I've been looking all over for you," the boy said.

"It's a big castle, I doubt you could've been all over it yet," James responded. "Are any of you going to the Quidditch tryouts tomorrow?"

"Nope," said Sirius after a short pause. "I guess you're going solo on sports."

"More spotlight for me, then." James ran a hand through his hair before they entered Gryffindor, making it even messier than usual. As they approached the portrait hole, Lily and Jessie appeared on the out of an adjoining hallway. When Lily saw them, she groaned loudly, but that didn't dissaude James in the least.

"Evans! Long time no see! Listen, I've got a question for you." He put an arm around her shoulders and led her away from the group of kids.

"Hi, Jessie," Remus said, forcing the words out of his mouth.

"Hello, Remus," Jessie replied with a smile. "Is there anything you'd like to say before I get too carried away again?" Once again, Remus was saved from answering. Lily called James an idiot and marched away. Jessie gave Remus an apologetic look and followed her.

"What'd you ask her?" Remus wondered, staring after the two girls.

"I asked what her favorite flower was!" James opened the portrait door and went into the Common Room. "I think she's got a bit of a problem with me. Maybe she's overwhelmed by my good looks and charm."

His friends laughed. "Or maybe your ego is suffocating her," Sirius smirked, and James threw a cushion at him. Sirius used his wand to make it soar away, accidentally hitting a fourth-year girl. She gave him a dirty look.

"Sorry!" Sirius called, and she turned around without replying.

"That's a good way to show off for the girls," Kevin remarked, grinning.

"Alright, then, let's see you win a girl's heart!" Sirius exclaimed. "Ten Sickles if you can charm a girl off her feet on a first impression."

"You're on," Kevin said, walking over to an armchair and sitting. "Tomorrow, that Hufflepuff girl that's in our Charms class?"

"Which one?" Sirius asked.

"Ivy," Kevin replied. "Just wait and watch the master at work."