Ch 7 Run ins

It seemed no one knew exactly who messed up Snape and Lily's potion but everyone had their suspects, and most were right. Some people believed it was other Slytherins trying to send Snape a message about hanging out with what they considered 'a mudblood', others thought it was an accident but most thought it was James and Sirius.

Everywhere James went people were looking at him and questioning him about it. James didn't want to confirm anything because he knew they'd get in so much trouble if the teachers knew who exactly did it.

"Come on Potter, we all know it was you why don't you confess?"

"I'm neither confirming nor denying it," James said and walked past the group of third years, but he didn't get very far. He walked right into someone.

"Sorry," James mumbled picking up his text book when he noticed it was Selena.

"Watch where you're going cuz," she joked.

"Sel, I'm a second year and you're a little first year more accurate for you to watch where you're going." James said.

"Whatever, did you hear about the prank pulled on two second years?"

"I was in the class," James said.

"Should've known, so can I assume I'm right when I guess it was you who did it?"

"Selena, I'm shocked that you would assume it was me. You know when you assume you make an ass out of me and you,"

"Language James," Selena said laughing.

"Well, I got to run; Sirius is meeting me and the other Marauders."

"See yea," Selena said laughing.

James ran off down the hall and out the front doors to the tree that the boys had declared theirs. Remus and Sirius were already there. Sirius was relaxing under the tree while Remus was reading a book.

"Where's Peter?" James asked approaching them.

"Library, he needed to get a book for his transfiguration essay," Remus replied without looking up.

"Library, why would he want to go in there? I've made it my mission to stay out of there this year,"

"Hear, hear," Sirius replied.

"So, what's planned next?"

"Nothing, we have no more ideas." James said.

"We'll come up with something,"

"What we need is a Halloween prank. We didn't do one last year, we need one this year."

"What do you suggest?" James asked.

"Exploding pumpkins?"

"What about attacking bats?"

"The fake ghosts flying around the room?"

"All of it!" James and Sirius said at once.

"Let's get planning."

"Hold on," Remus said. "I'll help execute the prank, but I'll have no part in planning it."

"That's ok, we are brilliant," James said and he and Sirius started to plan. Halloween may be far away still but they needed to plan ahead.

School passed quickly. James and Sirius were doing fine in classes, and were soon noticed as two of the more brilliant students in transfiguration and charms. But before James or Sirius knew it, it was a week before Halloween.

"James mate, we only have a week to perfect this prank."

"I know, we've had so much homework we've barely had time to work on it."

"We never did our homework, well at least never spent too much time on it."

"True, but it's still an acceptable excuse," James said.

"Good point, but seriously mate, I think we have to go where you never wanted to go this year."

"The library?"

"Yes mate, we need to know the charm that'll make those pumpkins explode,"

"Alright, couldn't we ask Remus first?"

"He said he didn't want to be part of the planning."

"Fine, let's go," James said.

Sirius and James both got up and walked out the portrait hole.

"Do you know which way it is?"

"I forget," James admitted.

"Well let's wander around, maybe we'll find someone."

"Yea, it's a shame Sniv's and Evans appearance is back to normal though. It was a fun month while it lasted."

"All the pointing and laughing, remember when she walked up to you and threatened to turn you into Dumbledore?"

"Ah yes, the old 'I know it was you and I'm going to tell,' she has a lot to learn, Evans."

"I think you've blown your chances with her,"

"I did that last year but it's always worth a try." James said.

"I saw your cousin talking to her the other day at breakfast. I think they have become friends."

"Does Evans know I'm Sel's cousin?"

"Either she does and she doesn't care or she doesn't and would freak out if she did."

"I'm going with the latter on this one," James said.

"Yea, probably the best one. I would like to see the look on her face when Selena…"

"When I what?" a voice asked. James and Sirius turned around and saw Selena standing there.

"Hey Sel, didn't see you there," James said.

"Obviously,"

"Well, you and Evans seem to be getting along nice?"

Selena looked confused, "Evans? Oh you mean Lily. She's nice, yea,"

"Well we were just wondering if she knew I was your cousin."

"Why would that make any difference?"

"You do know how much Lily hates James right?" Sirius asked.

"No, why, what did you do?"

"Always me isn't it?"

"Course, now are you going to tell me or do I have to ask Lily myself."

"Fine," James said. "It stated last year when Snape and her were talking. We insulted Snape and she got all mad. All last year we bugged Snape and since Lily is friends with him, we've been natural enemies. It's all Snape's fault in the whole."

"So you hexed Snape, is that it?"

"Basically," Sirius said.

"I see, that doesn't explain why she hates you so much."

"Well, I said something last year I'm not too proud of," James said.

"I see, well try to be nice to her, maybe she'll come around."

"Not after last month," James muttered.

"You mean her hair?"

"Yea,"

"She was pretty mad about that. She was telling me that Snape has sworn vengeance on who did it. She wouldn't say who though."

"But you knew it was us,"

"Obviously, but I got to go to the library."

"That's where we were going but we don't know the way."

"Come on, I'll show you." Selena said laughing.

Selena took hold of Sirius's hand, causing Sirius to blush, and James's and pulled them towards the library. On their way Sirius saw Regulus.

"Oi, Black!" Regulus stopped and looked at who was calling him.

"Why if it isn't my brother Sirius,"

"Where you going?"

"Not that its' any of your business but I'm meeting up with Cissy,"

"You're meeting Nacrissa?"

"And Lusius,"

James glared at Regulus when the name was spoken.

"Malfoy," he growled.

"Someone's a bit touchy of a certain Lusius," Regulus joked.

"If I were you Black, I wouldn't be joking about something like that."

"Aww, is poor little Potter scared of big old Malfoy? Maybe if you try anything my cousin Bella will mess you up,"

Sirius stared at Regulus.

"Bellatrix would kill him," Sirius said.

"My point, you mess with me, you have her to deal with." Regulus said and walked away.

"I'm guessing you two don't get along," Selena said.

"We used to until I was sorted into Gryffindor and became a disgrace to the family name," Sirius said.

"That's terrible,"

"Selena, my family isn't like yours. My family is dark pureblood and believes in Voldemorts ways," Selena jumped at the name.

"You said You-Know-Who's name!"

"Yea, James and I started saying it after what happened," Sirius said.

"I figure if I survived him then I can speak the name," James said.

"Very brave of you, you sure were put in the right house."

"Yea, well I will get my revenge on him for what he did to me. I have a scar on my arm here from one time he cruiated me. It's small but there," Selena saw it and gasped.

"Well, come on James, let's not think of it. What do you need in the library anyways?"

"A charms book,"

"What kind of charm?"

"Nosy much, you'll find out."

"Fine," Selena said opening the door to the library. "I won't help you find a book then." And she walked away.

"We don't need her help, come on."

James and Sirius spent two hours in the library looking for a book with the right charm in it.

"This is like the fifteenth book I've looked in,"

"Try this one," James said.

"For someone who never wanted to be in the library, you sure are reading a lot."

"I'm trying to find a good charm," James said glaring at Sirius over the top of the book he was reading.

"It's useless," he said slamming the book down.

"James, we have to find one."

"No, I'm going to ask Remus, he'll know."

"He doesn't want to help."

"It sounds like you don't want to pull the prank!"

"How can you say that, do you know me at all?"

"I thought I did but I guess I don't" James said and he walked away from a very confused Sirius.

James stormed out of the library and walked right into someone.

"Sorry," James mumbled, then looking up to see who it was he stopped frozen in fear.

"Well, if it isn't Potter," Lusius Malfoy sneered.

James stared at the man with fear in his eyes.

"The Dark lord was very unhappy about your escape," he said quietly. "He would very happy if I brought you to him."

James started to speak. "If you do then…"

"You'll what, you're forgetting I'm older then your and more skilled. My girlfriend's sister is in with the dark lord as well. We have more control over you then you even know."

"James?"

James heard Sirius calling his name.

"Say anything and I will cruiate you," Lusius snarled. James looked at him and knew he would try it. Luckily James had his wand tucked away safely. He didn't know if he could take down a sixth year but he could try.

"Mr. Black, I believe it is almost curfew. You should be getting back to the common room." It was McGonagall.

"Yes professor," Sirius said and James heard McGonagall walking towards them.

"I'll get you next time Potter," spat Lusius and he walked down another hallway before McGonagall could see him. James sighed a sigh of relief. He picked up the book that was lying beside him just as McGonagall walked into the corridor.

"Mr Potter, you should be getting back to the common room as well. What are you doing on the ground?"

"Tripped," James said. He knew he couldn't tell on Lusius that would get him in even more trouble.

"Well hurry it back to Gryffindor before I have to take points,"

"Yes Professor," James said and he got up and walked back to the common room. When he entered it Sirius was waiting for him.

"Before you say anything I have to apologize. I shouldn't have got mad at you and ran off. I ran into Malfoy," James said.

"What happened?" Sirius asked concerned.

"He threatened to bring me to Voldemort."

Sirius swore under his breath. "I should've come after you right after you ran off but that stupid librarian told me to put the books away. You were gone by the time I got out."

"I heard you; he threatened to cruiate me if I yelled back."

"Where were you?"

"Just down a corridor off the main one to the library. I was running out because I was angry and I ran into him. I fell to the ground and he pulled his wand on me. After McGonagall had you leave she was on her way down out hall and he said he'd get me next time and walked off. I couldn't tell McGonagall, he'd kill me. He also threatened me with your cousins. Says one is in with Voldemort."

"Bellatrix," Sirius snarled.

"Well, as long as we stick together we won't have to worry about him."

"We will if Nacrissa is with him. She won't care about me."

"Then the four of us have to stick together," James said and we walked over to the couch where Remus and Peter were playing chess. Remus was winning.

"Check mate," Remus said.

"You beat me for the third time in a row," Peter said.

"Hey you two," Remus said. "Where've you been?"

"Library,"

Remus laughed at this. "You, Sirius Black, in the library? So I guess that means you failed your mission?"

"Yea, we needed to find the charm for our prank."

"What sort of charm?" Remus asked.

"You know exactly what we are looking for!" James snapped.

"James mate, are you ok?"

Sirius looked at James "Might as well tell them mate, they are your friends too."

"Tell us what?" Peter asked.

"I had a little run in with Malfoy. He threatened to bring me back to Voldemort."

"What! He can't do that!" Remus said a little loudly. People started staring.

"Keep your voice down," Sirius hissed.

"Sorry mate, but what happened?"

"Sirius and I argued and I ran into Malfoy. I fell and he had his wand out and threatened to cruiate me if I yelled and said that Sirius had a cousin in with Voldemort and that he was going to bring me to them. We then heard McGonagall telling Sirius to get back to the common room and Malfoy said he'd get me next time and ran off."

"James mate, you have to report this,"

"I can't, who know what'll happen to me."

"If Dumbledore knew,"

"Then I'd be in even more danger. You know Voldemort hates Dumbledore, didn't you listen when I was telling you about my escape. If Dumbledore knew I'd probably be killed for telling."

"He has a point Remus," Sirius replied. Peter seemed too scared to say anything and kept to himself, but paid attention to the conversation at the same time.

"Can we just talk about something else, like the prank?" James asked.

"Right, Remus do you know the charm. Halloween is approaching fast. It's even a full moon this year! Set's up the spookiness of it all."

"I forgot the full moon was on Halloween," Remus muttered to himself.

"What's that Rem?"

"I just remembered I can't help with the prank,"

"Why not, you said you'd help with the execution but not the planning."

"Well now I can't help with any,"

"Why?"

"Because I can't! I'm going to bed,"

"It's only nine o'clock!" Sirius said. But it was no use, Remus walked up to his dorm. When the boys walked up a little while later to see if he was alright his curtains were drawn and he wouldn't reply to anything they said.

"Come on, let's leave him in peace, maybe he'll be better tomorrow," James said. But Remus wasn't going to be ok. It was just getting more complicated. He knew he'd have to tell them but he just didn't know when.

A/N: alright…I realize Halloween is at the end of the month and Remus was at James's house for the last weeks of August so technically he'd have been there on the full moon, but for arguments sake, let's pretend the full moon was in the middle of the month in August and then switched to the end of the month later…I know it doesn't work that way, but this is fiction so lets pretend. I hope you like my story so far, it's so much fun it write!! More coming soon. Please review!