Chapter 4

"Well boys I would usually take you to your Head of House, but given the current circumstances," Madam Pomphrey said with a stern look at them " I will take you to professor Dumbledore, except you Snape, you will go to Professor Slughorn, as he is your head of house."

James and Sirius glanced worriedly at each other, while Snape sighed and scurried down the corridor into slughorns office.

"What do you think he's gonna make us do?" Sirius whispered

"Be quiet!" Madam Pomphrey said sharply "now boys, just wait here as I take Professor McGonagall in,"

When she had left James and Sirius started talking again.

"What if we get expelled!" James questioned dramatically

"Dumbledore wouldn't do that-would he?"

James groaned "I wonder how McGonagall is,"

"Yea, I hope we haven't done to much damage," said Sirius grimly

"Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt if we altered something, to give us less transfiguration homework," James joked

Sirius laughed "that's true,"

Suddenly Madam Pomphrey appeared with Filch by her side, which wiped the smiles off their faces.

"Filch will be taking you to Professor Dumbledore."

Filch hobbled over to them and grabbed them each by their shirts "If it was up to me you would have been hung by your necks!" he hissed

James rolled his eyes, and Sirius laughed only soon to be shut up after a slap on the head by Filch.

As they walked through the school, they could see other students rushing off to the great hall for dinner. The smell of hot turkey rushed through the corridor.

James breathed in "mmmm," he sighed

Before they knew it they had reached Dumbledore's office, and Filch knocked on the gargoyle.

"Isn't there a password?" asked Sirius

"Dumbledore does not share his password with everyone." said Filch stiffly

"And for good reason Argus," Dumbledore smiled as he walked down a winding staircase. "You can leave them with me now."

Filch nodded and turned swiftly away, grumbling to himself.

"Come up boys, im sure you will be glad to hear that Professor McGonagall will make a full recovery."

Dumbledore lead them up the high staircase and into his office. He conjured a couple of empty chairs, and said "well then, take a seat."

James and Sirius both sat down worriedly.

"As you know boys, it's against the school rules to duel out of class, so im sorry to say that there will be some sort of punishment."

There was quiet for a moment, until James looked up, "Professor?"

"Yes, James?"

"Well, it wasn't really our fault; I mean we couldn't just let Snape hit us with a curse, could we?"

"No James, you couldn't, but even so ..., well don't look so worried im not going to expel you, although if Filch had his way I expect he would." He winked

James and Sirius sighed with relief, until Dumbledore spoke again, " But I will have to ban you from any activities for two weeks."

"But its Christmas-" James started

Dumbledore raised his eyebrow

"Sorry sir"

"That's alright James, now as I was saying, you will not be able to join your friends in any parties or celebrations for the next to weeks, I would ban you from the Christmas feast, but as you say James, it is Christmas."

Sirius laughed, obviously relieved, but James sat there not saying anything.

Dumbledore looked at him." James? Anything the matter?"

"it's just that Slughorns party is tomorrow night sir, you know Christmas eve , and well I already made plans with li- I mean someone,"

"Well James it's up to you, you can obey my rules…or you can not."

James sighed, "I guess I'll have to miss out."

"if only you could become Invisible." Dumbledore winked "now off to dinner both of you, im quite keen for some pudding myself."

Sirius and James scrambled out of their chairs and down into the great hall, where they told Peter and Remus about their punishment.

"Well, are you going to use the cloak?" Peter asked

"Ofcourse! Dumbledore practically suggested it anyway!"

Remus rolled his eyes. "Don't you think Slughorn might notice you there?"

"Well that's the whole point of been invisible moony, he wont! Honestly you're starting to be as thick as Peter" he grinned

James stood up, "well I've got to sort out my plan for tomorrow boys, so I'll see you later."