SOFT SUNLIGHT

Summary: Set in 1973, the Hogwarts' Marauders' third year, this multi-chaptered fiction develops and expands upon the framework of what we are told happens at this part of history… and what we aren't.

Warnings: Adult language, Homosexual relationship, Heterosexual relationship,

Main Pairing: Sirius/Remus

Other Characters: James, Peter, Lily/Severus, Andromeda, Bellatrix/Rudolphus, Lucius/Narcissa.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the twisted imagination and the ridiculously slow laptop I am typing this onto.

A/N: This was my first attempt at writing slash. It isn't amazing, but I am proud of it, and I would appreciate constructive criticism if it is truly helpful and not abusive.

Chapter 8: Friday Evening, Reported Shouting Matches And Slytherin Plots

Friday dawned, and with it the prospect of a full moon. As usually happened when he was tired, Dippet sent Dumbledore to give Remus the day off work (all the teachers knew of his 'condition'), and the werewolf retired to the dormitory for a day of sleep. However, now that he was no longer in danger of imminent collapse, his body refused to sleep, and he was again reduced to the state of dreaming without being asleep. Sirius…Sirius…

***

Sirius ran foul of his cousin again that day, and they had a frighteningly venomous shouting match, which ended only when Professor McGonagall turned up and docked 500 points from each house. Bellatrix stomped off to complain to her fellow Slytherins, but the thought of his house being in the minus numbers on points only held Sirius until they were in the common room, where he let out a yell. "I was way beating her. She was coming off worst; did you see her face when I started swearing? And before anyone starts in on the point situation, Anni can give us them back, for our… achievements. And McGonagall's face was the beast! When she started in on my dear cousin, I thought I would cheer!"

***

There was a relatively small audience; the entrance of a gleeful Sirius was the signal for all first to third years to scurry from the room with even fourth, fifth and some sixth years looking wary, or suddenly 'having to do something they'd just forgotten'. Even so, the stares of a dozen or so sixth and seventh years were enough to quieten even Sirius, and they withdrew to a corner to discuss transforming plans for the night.

"So, we can't transform inside, because stags aren't generally part of the decorations."

"And that means transforming outside? The flash would wake up half the school."

"Well, can't we use your invisibility cloak?"

"That flash would go through it. Besides, what price antlers through that?"

"We could go into the Shack as humans, then transform there."

"Agreed. Good idea, Worms."

"Yeah, that works. Nicely."

"Come on, it's time to wake up Moony. Night'll be down in half an hour."

They trooped up to the dormitory, and Sirius stood back while the other two woke the fourth Marauder and explained the plan.

***

"Hey, Snivellus."

It was James. God, that ignorant... thing. Hadn't he worked out that he, Severus, wouldn't be a good target? Hadn't he given up trying to get a reaction? At least Lily hated him. Severus smiled slightly at the thought, and didn't break pace as he avoided the four, a tricky job with them strung across the corridor. The next thing he knew, he had his wand out on instinct and the next thing he knew after that, he was simultaneously putting out the fire on his robes, shielding himself, trying to curse James but missing, and running away. James had come out best there.

***

The four friends had four emotions when they tumbled, laughing, onto the lawn. James, overflowing with happiness; they had found a new breach of the rules to follow. Peter, nervous and curious but pleased with himself. Sirius, laughing to keep up the image, but wrapped up in thoughts. Remus, tired from the stress and lack of sleep, not even trying to hide it.

***

"We need to do something about those four." So, Lucius Malfoy, to his fellow Slytherins, Narcissa, Bellatrix and Rudolphus.

"I have a suggestion." All turned to Narcissa, who was the quietest of them all, following in her sister's great shadow and rarely having her own opinion.

Confident despite the staring, she continued. "He obviously has a clever and loyal group of friends; they got him out of the room in one night, but does he have a less obvious friend? Don't forget the spell can only be performed by a person of sixteen or over, from outside. Yet every time someone was in there, even if they had no friends and no-one to rescue them, they were rescued, and it started with them. So, keep a close eye on them, and anyone they meet often. Can anyone watch them tonight?"

"I can't, I've got detentions to watch over."

"Okay, you can't Li, what about you two."

"Me and Rud have to…um…we can't do tonight."

Narcissa held her eyes in their normal positions with difficulty. Lucius was not so restrained.

"Guys, we know you are having sex. Stop trying to hide it, we don't mind. Narcissa thought you would be together two years ago."

Within the time it took for this to be registered, Rudolphus managed to go bright red quicker than would have been thought possible. Bellatrix kept her skin whiter, with effort, and was barely blushing at all when Narcissa spoke next.

"So, now we've sorted that out, can we focus? None of us can watch them tonight, how about tomorrow? I'll try, if you like, but someone else might want to be backup. How about you, Bella, you're free on Sundays." Bellatrix assented, and added something about 'cunt stupid bastards who fucking shit up bitching their already crappy reputation and bloody disgrace the frigging name of Black be damned'.

***

A short while after the four descended to their dungeons, an eagle flew down from the rafters of the Owlery, where they had been, and dropped from the window, with an almost human look of concern on its face.

****