I don't know if they still have history of magic in the seventh year, but I'm throwing it in for hilarity. Perhaps in this story they're insane and take it as an elective. Hey, who doesn't love history? Mongolia became a democracy in 1990. Just to remember that this story is set in the 1970's. Professor Binns doesn't even remember Sirius' name. How sad.
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Chapter Six: Genghis Kahn and Giggling Girls
The four plus a now well-groomed Lily were on their way to History of Magic. Sirius was still being a little overly possessive of Remus. However he did not attempt while in the hall, for walking was a dangerous trick while blind.
One foot in front of the other, it was very difficult.
There could also be danger of being discovered by an Oh-so muggle-y Miss Evans. But it wasn't as if he was inconspicuous. He maintained a death-grip around Remus' shoulder, and effectively blocked him from James' view. Every man for himself, mate...Remus, however, was in great pain.
"Padfoot, are you trying to rip my arm out of it's socket?"
"Well…no. I'm just protecting you. There's a load of evil out there. What's wrong, do I offend?"
"No, you're just tearing the skin from my bone is all."
He gripped painfully tight even more so on Remus' arm just to annoy him. "Oh, only that. Well, we can bandage you up and then you'll be happy as a clown."
"I can protect myself, thank you very much."
"Well, sure…" Sirius said. James shook his head and rolled his eyes. "But of course you can never be too careful. I am loyal and devoted, and therefore I deserve a medal for my grandness."
"Clearly," Remus replied in a voice dripping with sarcasm. "How very heroic of you."
"I'm glad you see it my way."
Lily and Peter continued their discussion in low voices behind the unsuspecting boys.
"So…you're saying that you think James and Sirius are playing a game with Remus. Wow, that's one I've never heard before. What an observation, Petie."
"Stop calling me Petie. Yes. Sirius gave me a bushy tail last night."
"That doesn't sound….healthy. You mean it was sticking out of your backside? Didn't it hurt? Why--"
"Sirius didn't mean to give me a tail, as surprising as that may sound. I mean, he was all over Moony. It was unsettling. Except, he was covering Moony's face and then he pointed his wand at me. He was groping around like he was blind or something."
"Which is strange, because he was clearly aiming for Remus."
"But it's not just Sirius. James fell on his face in Transfigurations yesterday. And he doesn't usually cause trouble in that class until Wednesday."
"He fell on his face? I would have liked to see that."
"I know," Peter smiled. "It was pretty hilarious. But people don't usually fall out of their chairs for no reason. I'm not kidding. They don't. He looked dizzy to me, all eyes rolling to the back of his head."
"Look Peter, I think you're just being overly suspicious. James' eyes went back because he was probably trying to find his brain. So he fell out of his chair, and Sirius gave you a bushy tail. So what?"
"Can't you think of anything they may have fabricated in their sick minds? Any games that involve blindness and tails."
Lily thought for a moment. There was one possibility…
And that was what it had to be.
She began laughing to herself.
"Er…Lily? Are you feeling well?"
She put a hand to her mouth and stopped in her tracks, looking at the three boys ahead of them. Her shoulders were shaking, eyes glistening. Then she burst into soundless laughter, took another breath and doubled over, laughing much louder this time. So, this was it. All the pieces had come together from what clueless Peter had been trying to tell her. James falling on his face, Sirius gouging holes in his friend's arm, and the incident of yesterday morning. The three ahead stopped and turned to stare at Lily. She turned from them for a moment and put her hands to her head, stomping her feet in absolute joy. She then turned back to face the group of males staring at her in bewilderment.
"I just--I just can't believe this is happening…" She gasped. "I just can't believe that we're all…we're all walking to the history lesson, and…it's just…" She looked up.
They continued to gape.
"It's just…so beautiful. I mean, you, and him," She gestured to Sirius, then Remus. "And…and you," she pointed to James' nose, "Together…forever…" She was still struggling to contain her delight. "It's just beautiful. That's all. See you in class." She jogged ahead of them; they turned to watch her in astonishment.
Sirius cleared his throat. "Well Prongs, looks like she's definitely the girl for you, now that she's gone round the twist."
"She has not gone round the twist. Hopefully. She just…"
"Thinks the fact that we're walking to a history lesson is beautiful, apparently." Remus stated.
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"Can anyone tell me who the most famous political and military leader of Mongolia was?"
There was a response given in silence; some of the very few students that decided to show up were already placing their heads on their desks for some much needed sleep. Even though this history was slightly more sophisticated than previous classes, the distracted pupils continued to doodle and drool on the pages of A National History of Magic: Advanced Anthology.
The five were sitting all in one row; Lily had ceased her laughter and avoided James' questioning stare.
Remus sighed. Another history lesson, another question someone should always know. But just as he was about to raise his hand, Sirius' head snapped up and his own hand flew up in the air.
"I know this! I know this! Pick me!" Seeing that there was indeed no other option, Professor Binns pointed to the flailing hand. "Mister…er…
"Black."
"Mr. Black. You haven't had an answer for me…Well, ever. Go ahead."
Sirius bounced up and down, resembling a small child that had just found a bowl full of candy.
"Genghis Kahn."
"Correct. Can you tell me his birth name?"
Please. Remus thought. Padfoot wouldn't know anything about Asian leaders. He puts socks over his ears for fun.
"Temüjin." Remus jumped in his seat. What?
"Genghis Khan was born between 1150 and 1165. In his early childhood, he learned how to ride a horse. Later when he was six years old, he was allowed to participate in hunting expeditions with his clan or tribe. At around the age of nine, his tribal leader father, Yesükhei, was poisoned and he and his household were driven away by his clan, which--"
"Thank you, Mr. Black. You may be seated. Please. Genghis Kahn was not a wizard himself, but he does have a very, very, very long line of descendants as you can see on page 457…"
Sirius sighed and sat, appearing dejected. Remus turned to him.
"Since when did you know so much about Mongolia?" he whispered.
Sirius looked down. "Well, I--I…"
Remus' eyes widened. "You--You actually read ahead? Not even I did that."
"I couldn't help myself! First it told of the battles with the Chinese, and then the tribes and…Did you know that they're not even a democracy yet? I know. I can't believe I read ahead."
"It's not shameful," he laughed, "You just don't want to admit that you enjoyed it so much."
"But I'm supposed to be the smart and lazy one. The smart one who actually reads books is your station."
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James still couldn't figure it out, which was a surprise. Lily was ever the good student, tediously taking notes as Professor Binns droned on and on. She must have been up to something. That laughter was from some possessed woman, and now she sat as her innocent self, glancing up momentarily to fill her red head with knowledge of Mongolia then scribbling down main points she had kept among the babble of the absolutely dreary lecture. No normal person could do that. But then again, no normal person had such beautiful green eyes. Pretending to innocently take notes while her devious mind created evil plans just to torture him. Even if she had agreed to go on the date after those couple hours of convincing, she was still up to something. Definitely.
"Psst. Lily…"
She put a defensive arm over her paper. "Get away from my notes, Potty. You're Head Boy now, I think you should learn to take notes on your own."
"No, it's not that. Why were you laughing earlier?"
"What, I was laughing?"
"Yes."
"…I'll tell you later," she lied.
"But Lily--"
"Shh, he's getting to the alignment with the Soviet Union."
James was put out, so he decided to fold his arms and glare at the magical textbook for the rest of class time. Oh, he would find how the gears were turning in her head.
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Peter was frazzled. Of course, all he really wanted to do was figure out what Sirius and James were up to, and then get in on it like the mischievous Marauder he was. The key was Lily, but it looked as if she had gone momentarily insane from what he had told her. Any normal little blonde boy would know "pin the tail on the donkey," but not sad, sad little Peter.
He was one of a few students that had resorted to doodling on his page. He had rendered an amusing stick figure drawing of Genghis Kahn and his many battles. If Peter was anything, it was a visual learner; there was no way he was going to waste his time listening to you. Unless of course you happened to be James, Sirius, or Remus. In all their years of marauding, his station had been "the distraction" so the other three could obtain the goal. Distract an unsuspecting professor with Peter Pettigrew, and you were sure to get into his or her office for "ingredients."
Babble like an idiot, that was all that was needed.
He was going to get in on whatever they were keeping him from, then he would have all the glory. Whatever form that glory might take. Because if you had been a distraction for seven years, you would be thinking the same thing.
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Lily knew what they were. She could see through them like Dumbledore at happy hour, and now was her chance to show the Marauders how this game was played. Hopefully she wouldn't poke anyone in the eye.
Poor Susan.
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This took so long.