Discaimer: I don't own Harry Poter. I don't own the canon characters
Author's Note: Are you getting ready for July 15. I am! Hopefully now that I'm out of school I will be able to update Haunted more.
Ch. 6 Inside Joke
James made earned a huge triumph at his first Quidditch practice. Andrew Watson was really pleased with how James performed at practice. To show their support the boys celebrated by getting snacked from the kitchen and throwing a party in their dorm. The part lasted until 1 am and only ended when the Head Boy came in and instructed them to go to bed. The next day found them with double Potion and Transfiguration classed.
"Oh Boys" James called coming in.
"What is it James" Remus said not looking up from his book. Sirius looked up. He had been deep in thought. He thought about the group of Slytherin he had seen on his way to Potions. They were first years. Sirius often thought about what it would be like to be a Slytherin. He wouldn't be a Marauder right now. He lost his family love but gained three great friends. Was his choice really worth it in the end? Sirius had been melancholy since the Start of Year feast. He was sure that he wouldn't be alone anymore but he was wrong. He hated feeling like he was the family shame, the joke.
"Sirius!" Remus called bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Sorry James, continue." Sirius said smiling. Remus looked at him skeptically.
"Oh no you don't you have been like this since the feast. What's up?" Remus said. James sat down on Sirius's bed.
"Yeah Mutt. We've been here for almost two weeks and we haven't even planned a prank" James said worriedly. Sirius frowned at his new nickname.
"Mutt?" Sirius asked. Remus rolled his eyes. Peter walked in
"What's up?" Peter said noticing the scene before him.
"Sirius is being despondent again" Remus said simply. Peter looked at Remus like he just spoke a different language.
"It means he's depressed" Remus responded.
"What's wrong Sirius" James asked ignoring the two's banter.
"He's being dis…. Whatever Remus said" Peter said flustered clearly not knowing how to pronounce the word. He claimed Remus was a human dictionary.
"What's up mate?" James asked.
"I just thought he would be in Gryffindor like me" Sirius said.
"You mean your brother" Remus said realizing. Sirius nodded. His friends had immediately known that Regulus was Sirius's brother. They cheered when they heard his name, but booed when his house was announced. Sirius hated to admit it to himself but he knew Regulus was going to choose Slytherin but still Sirius hoped he would be proven wrong.
"Yeah I'm disappointed" Sirius admitted.
"So he's not your brother anymore since he's not in Gryffindor" James said. It wasn't in an accusatory tone but a question.
"I don't care he's not in the same house in me, I just miss him. He won't want to be around me now" Sirius said miserable.
"You're not going to lose your brother" Remus stated confident
"And if you do we'll be your brothers" James said happily. Sirius laughed. It was just like James to say something so corny.
"You're so lame James" Sirius said.
"So what is with his new nickname?" Remus asked. James blushed.
"Well I think he's laugh sounds like a dog barking." James said.
"Oh yeah Sirius is very dog like" Remus said rolling his eyes.
"Ok, Ok, Enough. What were you going to tell us Jamie" Sirius chuckling. He was interested in what his best friend had to say.
"Oh right, my fellow Marauders I have an idea of our first year prank" James said. Sirius really perked up. This was one of the things he was going back to Hogwarts for. He loved planning pranks with James.
"Do tell" Remus said business like. Remus always pretended to not approve of their antics but they knew he enjoyed them as well. Sirius reckoned it was nice to do something other than worry about school work or the full moon.
"Well I was thinking it's going to be on Snape" James beamed.
"That's a shock" Remus said.
"What do you mean by that Moon Moon" Sirius asked.
"I think he means that we should prank someone else" James said scandalized.
"Never he's our best friend" Sirius said wiping a fake tear in his eyes.
"Oh so he's the fifth Marauder" Remus smirked.
"Well no their can only four Marauders but if you or Peter died he'll replace you" Sirius said laughing at the idea of them being friends with Snape.
"You know what would be even more hilarious" Remus said.
"What!"
"If Snape becomes a teacher" Remus said. All four boys laughed. The idea of Snape being a Hogwarts teacher was impossible. It would be like Peter getting a better grade them Remus on a test.
When your best friends with Remus Lupin you can expect to spend some time in the library. It was James and Sirius wish to avoid the place like a plague. Remus called it "Marauder Study Sessions" Grudgingly they went to work.
"At least Transfiguration is interesting" James said.
"Spek for yourself" Peter said worriedly. Transfiguration was his worse subject.
"Come on were learning about Animagi." James said happily.
"Wizards that can change into animals at will" Remus said answering the questioning look on Peters face.
"Hmm this is interesting" James said looking at the book on Animagi.
"What?" Remus said.
"It says here that animals are they only known thing to be safe around a werewolf" James said looking at Remus. Remus looked at him.
"No" He said quickly.
"What?" Peter said confused.
"But Mooney its brilliant" Sirius whined.
"It's also illegal" Remus reminded him.
"WHAT?" Peter said not liking how he didn't know what was going on.
"These two idiots want to become Anamigi." Remus said looking stern.
"Oh come on. It's the only thing we can do that will be able to help you" Sirius said.
"Be serious" Remus said flustered. The boys knew there friend hated the idea of breaking the law.
"Duh I am Sirius" Sirius said stupidly. James snickered.
"You guys can't" Remus said choosing to ignore the tiresome pun.
"We promise we will register as soon as we come of age" James begged. Both he and Sirius were pouting.
"Is becoming an Anamigi hard?" Peter asked curiously.
"Well were the best at Transfiguration, beside Remus of course. We'll help you Pete" Sirius said.
"Don't werewolves eat animals" Peter gulped.
"Not usually. It's usually animals that are dying anyways. I don't normally go after animals" Remus said truthfully.
"See it's perfect" James said.
"Fine" Remus agreed as if it was against his better judgment.
"YEAH" the rest of his fellow Marauders cheered.
"Why do I feel like something is going to go wrong" Remus said as if he signed a death warrant of someone
It was a first in Marauder history; it was shortest time they took to throw a prank. The prank was put into action the next day.
"Black, Potter, Pettigrew, Lupin come with me" Professor McGonagall said sternly. The boys looked at each other. Not believing they had been caught.
"Yes Minnie" Sirius said obediently.
"Mr. Black don't call me that" She snapped. They were brought to her office.
"I just received an owl from Professor Slughorn. Apparently someone has replaced Mr. Snape's cloths with girl clothes. Mr. Snape is apparently traumatized with seeing a bra in his wardrobe.
"What it wasn't his size" James said innocently. Sirius snickered.
"I can't prove it was you four but Snape told Slughorn it was." Professor McGonagall told them. Her nostrils were flared.
"Are we being punished?" Peter asked. Remus stepped on his feet.
"No but I warn you boys If I can prove you did something I will not hesitate to give youa all detention until you graduate." She said dismissing them. The boys made their way to Herbology. They had Herbology with Hufflepuffs. When they came in a Hufflepuff Second year was glaring at Remus.
"Why is that guy staring at you?" James asked.
"Oh that. Well all Hufflepuffs hate me" Remus said.
"Why?"
"Long story" Remus said. Remus seemed like he was a little on edge. The Hufflepuff boy kept glaring at Remus. Finally the boy throw some manure at Remus. Remus was furious. He grabbed a huge glob of manure and smash.
"Mr. Lupin, Mr. Jackson, what is the meaning of this" Professor Cowell said furiously.
"Professor he was provoked"
"Is this true?" Professor Cowell asked the boys. Remus nodded.
"Both of you will do detention tomorrow night" Professor Cowell said sternly.
"Wow Remus that was pretty…"
"Unlike me" Remus finished.
"Yeah" Peter said.
"Well he annoyed me so much" Remus indignantly.
"Well this is your first detention without us" Sirius said.
"I think were a bad influence on him." Peter said amused.
"Too right we are" James smiled. Remus just rolled his eyes.
"Come on let's go before we run into Snape" Remus said obviously horrified that he had detention. Sirius knew that by the time they left school Remus was going to get a lot more detentions.
Next Chapter: An old problem returns. Shocks come in twos. The Marauders find out a shocking thing about one of their own. Sirius receives a shocking letter from his favorite cousin.