Disclaimer - the Usual.
Chapter 52
This year's Gryffindor Quidditch team consisted of James, Frank Longbottom and Horatio Jones as chasers, Turner and Gudgeon as beaters, Stacey as keeper, and Jules as the seeker. Having lost their keeper and a beater the previous year due to finishing school, the team was fairly well mixed between experienced players and new ones. Turner replaced Weatherton as captain, though James thought Frank should have gotten the captain's position. When the first game of the year came up, Gryffindor verses Slytherin, the entire team was anxious. Slytherin's team was, overall, older and larger, though not necessarily more skilled, the only exception being its new seeker – Regulus Black. He was easily the youngest, and therefore the smallest player on the team. His mere presence also added a hint of tension in the mix.
Slytherin was also in the habit of using any means necessary to win, making any game difficult to win and still maintain an intact team at the end of a confrontation.
The Slytherins used their superior size to bully and blockade the Gryffindors. One of their favorite tricks was to try and sandwich Gryffindor players, jarring the player in the hopes that he would lose his grip on the broom. Swinging bats entirely too close to the head of an opponent was also pretty standard. Fortunately, the Gryffindors were quick enough to keep out of reach of any bats, elbows and legs that swung their way.
Unfortunately a few mistakes were made by the newcomers to the Gryffindor team. In addition, Turner fumbled the quaffle, nearly causing the Gryffindors to lose all concentration. James managed to rally the chasers. After three goals were made, the team began to regain its equilibrium – just not in time. Before James could even shout a warning, Regulus had gone into a dive and snatched the quaffle out of the air as easily as picking a daisy. The game was over; Slytherin had won.
The Gryffindors had grown accustomed to winning. They had been undefeated for James' entire third year, and to lose to Slytherin was just an insult. Then entire team walked back to the common room in disgrace. Many of the Gryffindors patted their team on the backs and encouraged them. A few started up conversations about the cheating tactics of the Slytherins.
That evening, the guys were still trying to cheer up James. "James, it was just one game. Every team loses once in a while." Remus tried to sound encouraging, but James just sat sulkily in his chair.
Sirius, who was sitting on the couch next to Remus, stood up. "I'll be right back." He darted up the stairs and returned a minute later, school bag in hand, pausing as he passed the table at which Gillette, Patty and Lily were sitting. When he rejoined the others, he said, "You should hear Lily talk about the match."
"Why? Is she happy we lost?" James muttered.
Sirius shook his head at his friend's negativity. "Depression really doesn't suit you, mate. No. She's going off about how the Slytherins cheated and how Swiftly didn't call enough fouls. I never knew she was so into Quidditch."
James perked up a bit at this news and looked over in the direction of the girls. Lily was, in fact, gesturing frusrtatedly about something, though James couldn't hear what. A slight smile crept onto his face.
"Anyway, come on," Sirius motioned for the guys to follow. They all knew that if Sirius had a bag, the invisibility cloak was tucked away inside and they were off on an adventure.
Sirius led his fellow Marauders out onto the school grounds and headed toward the Whomping Willow. When he stopped in front of it, Remus asked, "What are we doing here?"
"Well, I was thinking… Since you're the only one who knows about this tunnel…"
"Except the professors, staff, and Headmaster," Remus corrected in a sarcastic tone.
"Right. Like I said, since you're the only one who knows about this tunnel, you could show us what's on the other side."
"You know what's on the other side," Remus said with forced exasperation. In truth, while the others knew about his secret, there were things they still hadn't seen and experienced. The shack was a torn up disaster, and he was afraid of what they would think of it – of him – when they saw it. So he was stalling.
"Yes, but we haven't been inside. The cave is an awesome hideout, but it's one other students know about…"
Peter coughed and it sounded suspiciously like "Gwen."
The guys stared at Peter in disbelief for a moment. "You little rascal, you," Sirius said, grabbing Peter and putting him in a head lock so he could give him a noogy. Had it not been so dark, it would have been clear that Peter was crimson with embarrassment, but also pride.
"How did you get so lucky?" James asked with mock envy.
None of the other guys had expected that he and Gwen had ever kissed, let alone having a snogging session in the cave. They gave him his due for being the first to reach that milestone.
Once they had settled down again, Sirius continued, "Where was I? Oh yes… Other students know about the cave." Sirius nodded at Peter. "But the shack… That could be just for us."
"I don't know…" Remus hesitated.
"Come on," James coaxed. "It's not like we're not going to see it eventually anyway."
Remus looked into the expectant faces before him. "Fine," he sighed. "There's two ways you can enter: cast a spell on the tree, or find a branch and prod a specific knot. Oh, and the spell has to hit the same knot." The Marauders watched with rapt attention. "I prefer the branch, because I find it hard to aim a spell at the knot. Ferula." Remus conjured a wooden rod to prod the knot on the tree.
The tree immediately stilled. Remus was grateful that it was a dark night, as he was out from under the cover of the invisibility cloak to do this.
The others entered the tunnel and Remus followed, making sure to keep his wand on the knot. It took some maneuvering on his part to work himself far enough into the tunnel while still keeping the tree paralyzed. But all four made it without injury.
They traveled for quite a while before the tunnel finally started sloping in an upward direction. Once they reached the door, the guys waited for Remus to open it. It was, after all, his place of refuge and, while they had really wanted to come, they didn't want to force him or be disrespectful to his feelings.
Remus put his hand on the door and took a deep breath before pushing it open. Once all four were inside, Remus watched intently, trying to gauge the reactions of his friends to what they were seeing.
Peter was clearly frightened. But he was always frightened by new things, so it told Remus very little of his thoughts. Sirius and James were both looking around, taking in every detail of the place. Sirius bent down and matched his finger tips with claw marks on the floor. James picked up a chair leg that had been gnawed off a nearby chair. They took it all in with stoic silence and schooled expressions, making Remus think they too were afraid, or they wouldn't have been trying so hard to remain impassive.
Peter was, in fact, very afraid. For not the first time, he wondered what he had gotten himself into, agreeing to become an animagus so he could spend time with a literal monster from children's nightmares. He knew it was unfair to Remus, but it didn't make things less true. But he had never seen with his eyes the damage that a werewolf could do. He knew he wouldn't back out, not now. But he wondered what he would do when they finally saw Remus as the werewolf. And that, the thought of losing face in front of his friends, scared him almost as much as actually facing the werewolf.
James had heard Remus explain what he went through. He heard him talk about the damage he did to things, and he'd already witnessed what Remus did to himself – that first night they confirmed he was a werewolf and carried him to the hospital wing two years ago. He began to doubt – to wonder – if they even would be able to help Remus as animagi. Would they be powerful enough to do anything to stop him from harming himself or others? James became afraid for his friend's future. Remus would not be at the school forever, and then what? When he no longer had this sanctuary, where would he go to transform? Would he turn his parents' house into another version of the shack? To James, seeing the shack made it all the more imperative that they become animagi and find a way to help Remus. Even if they fail, they at least had to try.
Sirius' thinking was, as to be expected, along the lines of James'. He was not any more afraid of Remus than before. That might change when he actually met the werewolf side of him, but for now he still only saw his friend. There was a certain irony in the fact that Sirius thought Remus had a much worse life than he did, since Remus thought the same of Sirius. But Sirius was saddened for his friend and what the future might hold for him. Seeing the shack had also strengthened his resolve to make sure they became animagi so they could stand with Remus, even in his darkest times.
Remus, who was already uncomfortable, began to shift from foot to foot as he waited for one of his friends to say something… anything. "Well?"
The other three turned their attention back to Remus.
James stepped forward and was the first to speak. "We'll find a way, Remus. I swear."
Sirius nodded, "We'll become animagi if it kills us."
Relief washed over Remus and he let out the breath he'd been holding. James took his hand in one of those brotherly handshakes, then drew him into a hug. Sirius joined them. Peter settled for placing a hand on Remus' back. They held that for only a moment before Sirius and James both stepped back. Remus surreptitiously wiped the corner of his eye.
Sirius moved so he was standing next to Remus and put an arm around him. "Come on, you big baby. Show us around."
The tour was considerably lighter than the initial introduction to the shack. James and Sirius joked the whole time and made plans for… making plans. They even suggested storing items in the shack, though Remus didn't think that was a good idea, as his wolf side might tear up whatever they brought here.
Satisfied with their new hideout, and both James and Remus considerably cheered, the guys sat and chatted about nothing for a while until they decided, that it was time to head back.
Chapter 53
The next Hogsmeade weekend arrived, and Daly made sure to remind Sirius that he said they'd be going together.
"Why don't you come with us?" Sirius asked James. Not only did he feel bad that his friend would be alone, since Remus was going to be with Aden and Peter with Gwen, but he was slightly uncomfortable being alone with Daly.
"Nah. It's fine," James waved off his friend's suggestion.
"It'll be you and I again, then," Peter said.
The other Marauders looked at Peter in surprise.
"What about Gwen?" Remus asked.
"Oh." Peter averted his eyes to his food and shifted in his seat. "We broke up."
"Why?" Sirius asked, still sounding stunned.
Peter shrugged. "We just… weren't right for each other."
"Why didn't you tell us?" James asked.
"Well, I just decided to do it yesterday."
Sirius snorted. "You broke up with her?"
"Yes!" Peter answered defensively.
Sirius put his hands up and backed away from the table slightly, "Whoa. Okay. I was just wondering. Too bad. I liked her."
James nodded in agreement. "So… Who are you going to ask out next?"
Peter shrugged. "I don't know."
"We're still meeting for lunch, though, right?" Sirius confirmed. The others agreed.
After breakfast, the guys quickly got ready for their day out, then headed to the Entrance Hall to meet up with their respective dates, except for James and Peter of course, who just left for the village.
Remus and Aden were having their usual morning conversation over tea when Sirius and Daly stepped into Madam Puddifoot's. Sirius took one look around and grinned. Spotting Remus and Aden he headed over to them.
"So this is the tea shop you come to," Sirius smirked.
"Yes," Remus answered simply. "And I see you've managed to wind up here, too."
"I think we need to get James and Peter in here." Sirius was still looking around the store, grinning mischievously, as if he could picture letting a bull loose in the china shop.
"Sirius," Daly called. She had found a table for them while Sirius visited with his friends.
Remus gestured with his head to Daly. "How's it going?"
"Fine. I'm a guaranteed good time." Sirius was often at his most cocky when he was least comfortable. Remus didn't point this out. Turning to Daly, Sirius said, "I'll be right there." He dismissed himself from Aden and Remus' table and walked to the counter to order tea from Madam Puddifoot. "Lovely décor, Madam," Sirius said with his most charming smile. "You really know how to set a mood."
"Ah. Sweet boy. Here's your tea. Go back to your lovely lady, before she suspects anything," Madam Puddifoot flirted back with a wink. She was a kindly older woman who knew how to take young boys in stride.
Sirius took the tea to Daly and joined her at the table she had picked out. He looked around at the couples filling the establishment and chuckled to himself.
They talked easily of Quidditch and classes, professors and fellow students. After some time, however, Sirius suggested they take a walk. They walked up and down the main street, not really stopping in any of the stores. Sirius had the vague impression he was on display, as groups of students passed by and eyed the "couple."
Lunch time came, none too soon for Sirius, and they met the others at The Three Broomsticks. James and Sirius made it a goal of theirs to see Madam Rosmerta laugh at least once during their visits, as well as flirt with the lovely barmaid. While they were eating, the Marauders were joined by Gillette, Lily, and Stacey.
Tension began to build as Daly became more and more aggravated by the way Sirius behaved. He never treated her badly, but he also did not treat her as special. He acknowledged that they were on a date, but his friendly, though somewhat flirtatious, personality was spread evenly among all of the females at the table – except Lily.
Daly was even more upset when she found out that Sirius habitually spent the afternoon with his Marauder friends instead of solely in the company of his date. Aden tried often to strike up a conversation with Daly, who simply seemed uninterested in socializing. After a couple of hours of this, Sirius said, "Come on, Daly, let me take you back to the castle." She seemed pleased again to be getting his undivided attention.
Once back at the castle, Daly asked Sirius to follow her, which he did. She led him to one of the towers overlooking the lake. It wasn't as high as the Astronomy Tower and it provided a different view than the Gryffindor Tower. Like windows, Sirius loved towers and the freedom he felt looking out at the view. It was almost as good as flying.
"Did you have a good time?" Sirius asked, knowing she didn't, though not entirely sure why.
"It was all right. I was really hoping to get to spend time alone with you," Daly answered. "Do you like me?"
"Sure," Sirius answered noncommittally.
"Do you think I'm pretty?"
"Yes." This was true. Daly was one of the more attractive seventh-years in the school. She was tan and fit from playing Quidditch. And her deep brown eyes were a perfect match to her chocolate brown hair.
"Most guys try very hard to get me alone, you know." Daly sidled up to Sirius, placing her hand on his chest, playing with one of the pleats on his robe.
Sirius wasn't quite sure what to say to this. "And I really didn't have to try at all." Something flashed in Daly's eyes that he couldn't quite place, but she didn't back away. "Why is that?"
"Because I like you," Daly answered simply.
Sirius doubted that was the real answer. Daly had been forward with him since they met, and they barely knew each other. Not to mention the fact that she didn't seem interested in his friends, which, in his opinion, meant she wasn't really interested in him. "And my name has nothing to do with this… attraction?" he asked rather coolly. Daly was not a Slytherin, but like it or not, many other wizards also put stock in name and bloodlines.
"No," Daly smirked. "Do you know how many girls want to date you?"
"Uh," Sirius was not unaware of his popularity, but he didn't really know what that had to do with the current conversation. "Why?"
"I just wanted to be your first."
"Girlfriend?" Sirius asked somewhat naively.
"No. I'm leaving school in a couple of months and you still have three years after this one." Daly moved closer still to Sirius and said in a hushed voice, "Your first."
"Oh," Sirius said while chuckling. He grabbed Daly firmly by the arms and stepped back from her. He felt a sudden need to flee. "Thank you, but no. I'm going to go now."
"You're kidding, right?" Daly asked sounding offended.
"Um… no. Look you're… nice… but I kind of want love to be involved in that decision and… there isn't. So, goodnight."
Daly scrutinized Sirius carefully. "You're serious."
"Yes." He didn't even try to make his usual joke.
"So I probably just ruined my chances with a genuinely nice guy."
"Yeah, pretty much."
Daly sighed. "Walk me back to the common room?"
Sirius thought about it and decided that was safe enough, so he nodded and they left the tower together. They met a few students along the way from the tower to the Hufflepuff common room.
Once they arrived, Daly turned to Sirius. Blushing, she said rather shyly, "I'm… I'm sorry about earlier. And thanks. You're a good guy."
Sirius smiled at her. "It was… interesting," he said, with a chuckle that she returned.
Daly leaned in and kissed Sirius, a soft, gentle, slow kiss that had the fourteen-year-old boy temporarily wondering what he had just turned down and why. But she stepped away, and his senses returned. It was his turn to blush and he waved shyly at her as he turned to leave.
He made it back to the common room before the others did, so he spent some time looking into the binding spell for the map. Peter and Remus had finished drawing the map on several layers of parchment. It was a tricky bit of puzzle making that allowed the map to either be opened up by floor or by section, allowing secret passages to link to other locations.
When James and Peter came back, James carrying a full backpack worth of new things from Zonkos Joke Shop, they put their belongings away and came over to join Sirius in discussing how to go about getting everything required for the spell. Suppertime arrived and Remus still wasn't back, so they headed to the Great Hall and figured he'd join them there, which he did.
Remus told them, briefly and with little detail, about his date and then, in turn, asked Sirius about his. He also gave little detail, but assured them that everything turned out all right and nothing had happened.
The next morning at breakfast, Daly came over to their table.
"We need to talk," she said, sounding rather serious and a tad nervous.
Sirius moved over on the bench and made room for her to sit down. "Go ahead."
She glanced at his friends nervously. Deciding she'd rather just Sirius heard what she had to say, she leaned in to whisper to him. "I swear to you I didn't say anything," she began.
Sirius pulled back some so he could look her in the face. "What?"
Leaning back in and motioning for him to do the same, she whispered, "Apparently, some people saw us coming back from the tower. They assumed… because of my… reputation… that we did more than talk." Sirius flushed and nodded his understanding. "I tried to tell them nothing happened, but… the rumor's already spreading."
"How much more?" Sirius whispered back.
Daly looked down, for the first time ashamed of her reputation. "All the way."
Sirius glanced around and saw several students looking in their direction, whispering to each other. "Okay. Thanks for the heads up."
Daly studied Sirius' face. "You're not mad?"
"Believe me, I've dealt with worse. So no, I'm not mad. And thanks for trying to tell the truth."
She gave him a relieved smile. Standing to leave, she leaned over and whispered one more time, "You really are a good guy."
"What was that all about?" James asked after Daly walked away.
"Well," Sirius said unconcernedly, "apparently, I had a really good time with Daly yesterday."
"Huh?" Peter asked over a mouthful of food.
"A rumor's going around that we… uh… did a little more than snog."
"I thought you said nothing happened." Peter looked confused.
"It didn't. Well… we did kiss, but that was it."
Remus spocked an eyebrow.
Sirius put up his hands. "Hey. I'm innocent." He grinned. "This time."
There really wasn't anything any of the guys could do, and since Sirius wasn't bothered by what others thought about him, they let it go; denying it when confronted, but not trying to change the thinking of the entire school.
That evening, Gillette and Stacey joined the guys in their usual place around the fire.
"So is it true?" Gillette asked Sirius.
"Nope." Gillette nodded her acceptance of the statement and that was the last it was mentioned.
- - - - -
A/N - I do apologize for the delay in posting. I was out of town this last weekend. It's amazing how you can have a blast and still need a day to recoup. Maybe that's just a sign of my age. Anyhoo… Two short, little chapters for your viewing pleasure.
Thanks again to all who review. You're awesome! Thanks also to my beloved Mom, mei mei, and J.A.Carlton. Love you.
Nonair – Thank you… again. :) I'm glad you thought the party was a bit original. I'm glad you like Peter also. Poor boy does struggle with his darker nature. He just… seldom wins, it seems. I'm glad you like Remus and Aden, too. I hope it's not too unnaturally mature, but a little is okay. He has had to grow up a little more than James and Peter at least. The Death Eater thing is interesting from the standpoint that, I imagine the kids to be very sheltered. It just tends to happen on small campuses. And at that age, kids tend to not care so much about world events anyway. That's the main reason I haven't said a whole lot about the war, even though it's obviously going on. So I'm glad you liked how it was brought in. Thank you for all the compliments and encouragement.
