A/N
To Slugston, who can't breathe at the moment. Bloody exams are doing my nut in and well to be frank, I'd rather face Voldemort and do a slaphead dance than do my next one. Urgh. See you... After Tuesday I suppose.

The summer glow had disappeared by October and it was coming up to their first Hogsmede visit. James had grown terribly excited about this and for days it was all he could bring himself to talk about. At breakfast, lunch and supper he talked of nothing else though Sirius, Remus and Peter had urged him to try a new angle of conversation. It failed. This led to a very angry Sirius as James almost knocked his fork from his hand one evening whilst flailing his arms in excitement.

"Potter," He said, menacingly. "Whilst I admire your child-like qualities, what have I told you about me and food?"

James ignored it and stole some garlic bread from Remus' plate, who glowered at him angrily. James didn't seem to notice. "And then, we should try and figure out the best secret passageway – there are loads! I know Filch knows about three, probably patrols them more often so we hang about and follow him. Once we know those three we can start mapping them out-"

"I hope you're not causing trouble," Lily said mildly looking over from her conversation with Frank and Alice.

"Not at all," Peter grinned.

"Would you want to know if we were?" Remus asked.

Lily thought for a moment, her green eyes flickering. "I suppose not,"

"Pause the chicken wings," Sirius said. Peter did so, nudging Remus slightly.

"Don't touch me," Remus growled. Peter looked terrified. Sirius and James stared. Remus sighed, grinding his teeth and forcing his eyes shut. "Sorry." He muttered. "Can't help it. It's..."

"THESE ARE NOT THE CHICKEN WINGS!" Sirius interrupted, saving Remus from a potentially distressing conversation.

James frowned. "Yes they are."

"Well, yeah they are, but they have herbs and stuff on them." Sirius said.

"But they are the chicken wings!" James said. "I don't see a difference. Anyway, I thought we could go to Three Broomsticks first-"

"James, I am about to smash you over the head with the back of my hand."

"What? Why?"

"Because you're talking bullshit, again." Sirius slapped his friend who almost landed face first in his dinner. James looked severely annoyed.

"Why did you warn me?" James asked.

"Because if I didn't you would have smashed face down on your potatoes." Sirius said taking his plate and shuffling the food onto his. "Food's food, man. I'd hate to waste it."

"Seriously," Peter said. "Where does it all go?"

"I've been asking the same question for nearly thirteen years," Sirius shrugged shovelling some of the food into his mouth. "Trust me."

"Chew with your mouth closed, Black," Mary said.

"Nuh," Sirius said, showing the contents of his mouth to her. She went a sickly colour.

"You're disgusting," She said.

"I know," Sirius replied swallowing. "But oh, I am, ever-so handsome."

"Nope," Mary said. "Just disgusting."

"You know, I would be hurt if it wasn't for the fact that I don't give a rat's bollocks about what you think." Sirius said.

A throat cleared behind them. A first year Slytherin had come up the Gryffindor table and was looking for someone. She stopped and looked over at the group of third years, who all looked back at her in turn. She gave a shaky smile and handed over a set of green envelopes to James, Sirius, Lily and Mary. She smiled before darting off in the opposite direction some of her friends waiting for her.

Sirius opened his and looked at it. "Urgh. Not a chance."

"What?" Mary asked looking up from hers.

"Slug club?" Lily asked in an amused voice. "31st of October, 7pm. That means we'd miss the feast."

"Yeah, but we'd still get to go to Hogsmede," James said, turning over the letter and opening it. He stared down at the thin black writing.

Dear Mr Potter,
I would very much like to invite you to come to a small gathering of mine with a few others to celebrate Halloween (this Sunday). Please RSPV as soon as you can so I can get a decent figure of those attending.
Prof. H. Slughorn.

"HA!" James let out a laugh before scrunching up the paper and sending it flying at Peter's head. "As if."

"I think it will be enjoyable," Lily said as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Not a bloody chance," Sirius repeated. "I've grown up with pompous ceremonies. I wish not to go back."

"Thank god," Mary said rolling her eyes.

"Shut up," Sirius snapped. "Besides, I'm pretty sure we'll be doing something that evening anyway,"

"We are?" Peter asked, looking up. Sirius kicked him under the table. Peter let out a sharp squeal and rubbed his shin. Sirius raised a handsome eyebrow before Peter mumbled. "Oh, yeah that thing,"

"Yeah, so," Sirius made a face.

"Right," Mary said turning away. "Are you going Lily?"

Lily nodded. "Why not? Sounds like fun,"

"You know, Evans'," James said. "I'm going," He stretched his arm over her shoulder. "Why don't you and I-"

"We have plans," Sirius said, yanking James away. "Grow up."

"But... But..."

"No," Sirius said. "Plans,"

"Can I ask what these plans are?" Remus asked mildly, playing with his fork and looking dismally down at his plate.

"Er..." Sirius shrugged. "Not at the dinner table, love, we'll talk about it in bed."

"If I didn't know better," James said. "I would say that you two were practically a married couple."

"Same could be said for you and Black," Lily said.

"Har har har." James said mockingly. "Very funny Evans, let me stitch my sides back together."

Lily smiled. "I know, I'm incredibly witty,"

"Hogsmede!" James said turning to the rest of his friends who all groaned.

...

The morning of the 31st was met with a dash of early frost, but it had melted before the boys had even put their jeans on. James stowed his invisibility cloak, one of the mirrors and his wand into his small rucksack and pulled it over his shoulder. Remus huddled in an oversized jumper, the effects of Friday's full moon still evident. Nevertheless he smiled. There was an excited glee that was passing through the entire dormitory, some of the third years couldn't go because of many reasons. Their head boy tried to make them feel better by letting them know that Hogsmede wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. James had taken offence to this and began to brag stupidly of how brilliant it was going to be. Lily was not happy with this and sent a jelly-legs-jinx his way causing him to spend the entire Transfiguration lesson trying to stop falling. This amused Snape in the obvious way.

Sirius combed his hair back pulling it tightly to keep it from his eyes. He then stuffed his own mirror into his pocket and grinned enthusiastically. Peter looked ecstatic, literally rolling on his heels with excitement. All four boys trumped down to the common room where the rest of the students who were visiting Hogsmede were congregating. It was odd to see everyone out of their school robes and in normal muggle clothes. Sirius couldn't help but notice what Mary was wearing. His gaze lingered at her for a moment before he looked away. Mary stowed him a glance and blushed angrily. Together the third years followed the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh years down to the courtyard where the other houses were waiting. A gaggle of third year Ravenclaws stood at the front and upon seeing Sirius, they began to whisper and giggle. He seemed to enjoy the attention.

"Forms." Grunted Filch. James Sirius and Remus handed their consent forms over whilst Peter fumbled around in his pockets trying to find his. He blushed and pulled it out as Filch became agitated, well more than usual. They joined the rest of the Gryffindors and McGonagall addressed them all, wrapped in a thick dark green velvet cloak and pointed hat. She looked over her spectacles.

"This visits to Hogsmede are a privilege," She said. "You represent the school during these visits and should your behaviour reflect poorly on the school in any way possible, these privileges will not be extended again. You will return to the school before 5pm for the Halloween feast to change back into your school robes. Should you not return in time you will be severely punished. Now, follow me."

She cleared her throat and began to lead them out the courtyard down the little village. The students were laughing happily talking about what they would be doing. James saw Lily arm in arm with Snape and called out to her.

"Hey, Evans, what are you going to be doing in Hogsmede?" He asked.

"What's it to you Potter?" Lily asked.

"It was a simple curiosity is all." James said innocently. "Can I not ask you simple things without you biting my head off?"

Lily's face relaxed. "Three broomsticks and maybe Merlin's grove. Severus wants to see the Shrieking Shack though. I don't think we should go everywhere at once. I don't want to get bored by the third time I go."

"Ah," James looked at her. "Well I hope you have fun. You too... Severus."

Snape threw James a dirty look before staring back at his shoes, his greasy hair masking his face. James couldn't help but grin.

"In another fifty years," Sirius said. "She'll be yours."

James let out a laugh. "Yeah, pretty much."

The fifth, sixth and seventh years all disbanded, disintegrating before they had even reached Hogsmede main street, presumably they knew all the best places to get Butterbeers and on some occasions Firewhiskey. There was a loud bang from the crowd and they parted to show Gideon lying on the cobbled pavement, his legs up in the air and laughing stupidly. His brother, Fabian was laughing too, but not bothering to help him up.

"THAT WAS SO COOL!" He was saying between his fit of giggles.

Sirius and James began laughing too, whilst Peter looked confused. "What are we laughing at?" He asked.

James turned to him and wiped a tear from his eye. "You know, I have absolutely no idea."

All four disbanded from the crowd who were heading straight to Honeydukes sweet shop and the Three Broomsticks to try their first ever butterbeers. They walked down and hit Zonkos' one of the best and only jokes shop around. A few fifth years were standing outside it looking interested in some of the products on display. Gideon and Fabian were inside already talking to the manager.

James and Sirius fell in love. Everything they could possibly want or need or ever dream about was at their fingertips. Anti-gravity boots, a Hundred Ways to Pick up Any Witch that You so Desire, which Sirius threw at Remus before darting through the stalls towards a large selection of wallets and purses with an anti-theft device ie; they bit off anyone's hands if they got too close, including the owner. Invisible ink that could be read with just an incantation and a tap of the wand. Beauty and love products for ladies, which James had taken a keen interest to before Peter pointed out that beauty had to reflect inside as well as out. This had led to a little word match between the pair before Sirius had decided to step in and put quite literally his foot down, as James had thought it would be funny to hex him three feet into the air. Remus had ducked outside to avoid the confrontation that was bound to occur between the other three and the shop manager.

They left in high spirits, their bags full of products that either they didn't need or ever would. James had joked that the invisible ink would come in handy one day. Sirius had gotten himself a large selection of muggle jokes with an added extra magic twist.

"Why did you buy them?" Remus asked as they made their way to Merlin's Grove.

"Well," Sirius said as-a-matter-of-factly. "Wizards hardly ever suspect muggle jokes to be dangerous. I cannot wait to try these out on Sanctus."

"Careful," James said. "He'd see it coming,"

Sirius kicked him. They stopped and looked into the shop. Peter looked a little bored.

"You can get these things at Devish and Bangs in Diagon Alley," He said.

"Yeah," Sirius said looking down at a set of quills that checked spelling and punctuation. "I know. Maybe another time?"

The other three agreed and made their way to the Three Broomsticks which was crowded to near breaking point. The barmaid, Madame Rosmerta was delivering hot Butterbeers to the customers outside who were waiting to get in from the cold.

"Let's not," James said. "There are other places to go."

He led them off the normal brick road and towards an abandoned looking building with the swinging sign of "Hogs Head" hanging from it. Remus looked apprehensive.

"Is it open?" He asked, clearing his throat.

James shrugged and pushed it open. The bar was grimy and dark and there was only one customer; a tall woman draped in black. The barman looked frankly shocked that there were other customers. He sat them at a round table and hurried for sets of glasses. James cleared his throat.

"Er... You get many customers?" He asked.

The barman shook his head before handing out four butterbeers. Sirius was frowning, watching him.

"You look familiar," He said.

"He does," Peter agreed.

"Albus?" James asked. The barman shot him a dark look.

"Not quite." He said. "I'm Aberforth."

"Aberforth Dumbledore?" Remus asked.

"Yes,"

"Yeesh, did well for yourself didn't ya?" James said smirking.

"If that's sarcasm then get out of my pub," Aberforth growled.

"No, I mean, it's one thing to have Hogwarts under your control, but you eventually need to pass it on to someone... You get to keep the pub forever. Have you any idea how much cooler that is?" James said.

Aberforth didn't seem to count it as a compliment, but he did not shove them away. Instead he retreated behind the bar and began to wipe the glass, though it didn't seem to get cleaner. The witch was watching them intently. Remus raised the glass and looked at it.

"I hope this is hygienic," He said.

"Remus, your immune system is already as shit as hell," Sirius said drinking deeply. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Remus made a face and began to drink.

"So," Sirius turned to James who had seemed to have grown a white moustache from his drink. "Is it living up to your expectations?"

"Well, I still have to go to Honeydukes, and then the shrieking shack..." At this, Remus paled, but said nothing. "I dunno, I just thought that it would be a mark of freedom, but..."

"Thought you would have found all the secret passages as if they were springing out at you like bloody Slytherins?" Sirius asked.

"I'm not an idiot," James said.

"Shame, the glasses and the hair kind of give away that predisposition," Remus said into his butterbeer.

"Funny, Moony,"

"I'm always incredibly witty,"

Once finishing their butterbeers they took off back to the street where many of the other students seemed to have disappeared, presumably to look at the shrieking shack or something. They trudged towards Honeydukes and as they approached, James had more of a spring in his step. Once inside they had began to fill up their needs with anything and everything that they could afford.

Remus lost Sirius and Peter in the mass but became very interested in a selection of sugar quills.

"Oi!"

He turned to see his friends looking over at him. Sirius tossed him a chocolate bar.

"Where's James?" He asked.

Sirius shrugged. "Dunno." He looked around. "POTTER?"

"Over here," James said. His head bobbed in mid air without an apparent body. "Come on!" Sirius and Peter ducked under the cloak, Remus was apprehensive seeing that he was taller than the rest of them but he ducked under anyway. James then led them behind the counter and down some stony steps to the cellar. A kindly looking witch was sitting drinking a cup of tea and reading the Daily Prophet. She folded it up and put it to one side before hurrying up the stairs, James pushed them against the wall. Once in the clear, Sirius pulled off the cloak and began to rake through the boxes full of sweets, stuffing them into his pockets.

"C'mon, Moony!" He said.

Remus was wearing his disapproving face but went to join them. He almost tripped though and Peter caught him by the elbow. Remus muttered in thanks.

"Watch it Moony," James said grinning. "I know grace is neither your or Peter's strong point but you gotta try!"

"I didn't do it on purpose." Remus said. "There's a bloody jut in the floor."

"Don't be stupid," Sirius said moving around the room and almost tripping over himself. "Funny guys but not leg jinx is gonna keep me from strutting my tight little arse."

"We didn't do anything" James said indignantly. Remus bent down and ran his fingers across the slab stone.

"Guys, this thing moves," He said. James, Sirius and Peter all knelt down beside him.

"It does," Sirius said. He stood up and put his hands on his hips. Remus stood up too and pulled out his wand.

"Move," He said calmly. James and Peter moved and he flicked his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa." The slab moved of its own accord. Remus set it down to one side and James peered down.

"It's a fucking tunnel!" He said excitedly.

"Where do you suppose it goes?" Peter asked, lighting the tip of his wand.

"1 Galleon says it leads to Hogwarts," Remus said.

"I'll take that bet," Sirius said.

"Don't do that you idiot," James said jumping down and lighting his own wand. "It probably will lead to Hogwarts."

"Can I withdraw my application to the bet?" Sirius asked.

"No," Remus replied. "It's a lifelong commitment."

"Do you think there's something down there?" Peter asked, timidly.

"Nah," Sirius said. "Besides what could be scarier than three third year boys with limited magical knowledge and a werewolf?"

"Awe inspiring, Sirius," Remus said, following James. "You could be a public speaker."

"Just give me a crowd," Sirius grinned, putting the slab stone back into place after them. The dark tunnel stretched out in front of them and they felt a little bit timid. They held their wands aloft to light their way.

They made the journey in happy spirits though James would jump at the slightest noise such as rats and mice going past their feet. Sirius kicked him further up the tunnel, getting annoyed.

"I thought you were meant to be brave," He said.

"Dark scary tunnels are enough to make anyone crap their pants," James replied.

"Gryffindor bravery my arse," Sirius said. He waggled his eyebrows at Peter. "My exceptionally well shaped perfect arse,"

They came to the end of the tunnel and found it to be a dead end. Peter leaned forward and tried to push it apart.

"Nothing," He said, stepping back.

"All that way for nothing," James sighed shaking his head. He looked up. "What's that?" He asked.

Remus ran his fingers over the writing. "Runes," He said.

"Can you read them?" Sirius asked.

Remus leaned forward. "Yeah," He leaned forward. "Dissedium."

The stone shifted forward and all four of them tumbled out onto a familiar stone floor. Peter got up.

"Damn," He said. "Sirius, you owe Moony a galleon."

Sirius stood up begrudgingly and pulled out a galleon before handing it to Remus.

"Thank you!" He said, putting it into his jeans.

James was grinning excitedly. "Do you know what this means?" He asked.

Remus, Peter and Sirius shook their heads. James just smiled.

...

After the feast, James, Sirius, Peter and Remus tucked under the cloak and went to the one-eyed witch and Remus tapped the hump.

"Dissendium," He said.

The witch cracked open and they slipped into the tunnel moving down quickly through the black until they came to the entrance at Honeydukes. They slipped out and quickly made their way through the shop, careful not to trip and cause things to go flying and wake up the owners. James tapped the front door lock with his wand.

"Alohomora," He said. The door clicked open and they slipped outside. Hogsmede was alive with hundreds of orange bright lights that hung on the street lamps. The villagers were dancing merrily as an Irish band played a tune at the far corner. Many of them were dressed in Halloween costumes, of course none were dressed as the stereotypical witch and wizard. Instead they were a little more creative. The boys were met with a cheer from a group of villagers dressed as animals.

"Holy shit." Sirius said laughing.

"Firewhiskey, boys?" Asked a masked Madame Rosmerta, obviously too drunk to care if they were over the legal wizarding age.

"Sure," James said. She handed them tankards and they drank deeply. They were lead towards one of the round tables that were spread around the street. The firewhiskey burned their throats but they didn't stop drinking. They felt themselves getting lighter and lighter as the alcohol set in. Sirius began to sway to the music, James was laughing.

"DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!" He cheered. Sirius stood up then fell back down again. Remus was the one who was drinking the most.

"Easy tiger," Peter said, taking the drink from him.

He was laughing happily. Sirius got up and grabbed James and pulled him over to some girls who were dressed as Victorians.

"Hello, ladies," James said bowing lowly. "Care if we ask you for a dance?"

Sirius was frowning. "Did you say chance?"

"No, I said dance," James said.

The girls giggled and one of them got up and took James' hand they went over to where the rest of the dancers were. Sirius just stared at one of the girls' heaving chests, his tongue hanging out slightly. She threw a glass of water over him and walked off.

Sirius staggered and almost fell over. "OI MOONY!"

"WHAT?"

"WHERE'S MR SHAGGABLE?"

"I dunno!"

James had disappeared. He had staggered around the street singing joyfully with the other dancers. He bumped into someone.

"Oh, sorry," He said.

"No, my fault."

He peered through the dark and frowned. "Ariyamna?"

"James?" Ariyamna pulled off her mask. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Partying," James said simply. "What are you doing here? I thought you were stationed at Dufftown."

Ariyamna leaned forward. "Have you been drinking?"

"Don't get off topic," James said, waving his hand. "You're supposed to be on duty,"

"I can't have one night off?" Ariyamna asked. "I only get so many times to shag my husband." She tugged at the hand she was holding and a man staggered forward, completely hammered.

"Babe, you're... You're trying... It... It," He motioned downwards. "It won't work tonight." He began to laugh. "You're so fucking pretty. I could fuck you up right here and now!"

"Vidal!" Ariyamna hissed.

"I love you all!" Vidal shouted, raising his hands. "I love you the most, handsome," He pointed at James and fell into his arms. "OH MY GOD! He's like... Baby-like! How old are you?" I bet he's like ten. Look how tiny he is!"

Ariyamna pulled him back. "Whatever happens, we weren't here, got it?"

"Got it," James grinned.