A Literal Scrapbook

by Claire Whitmore

A scrapbook is messy, it's full of everything, an essence of what was. It has the smiles, the sadness and the moments when you laugh for no good reason and just want to be with someone loved. This is the Marauder's scrapbook, literally. It's a big bundle of warm fuzzy blankets, cheap wine and the comic section of the paper on a rainy day, just in the form of drabbles. R/S and J/L

3. The Tree

"Come on!" Called Sirius Black to Remus, running a good seven paces ahead of him. "Come on Moony!"

"There is no way in hell I will ever climb up that rancid tree." Spat Remus distastefully, looking up at an old and withered tree that over hung into the Black Lake, with several of its leaves tickling the surface of the still and murky water. It was bleached from the harsh sun, and several of its probably important roots were exposed. The thing could bloody well of fallen at any minute.

"Rancid, really Remmy? Would you go and call the poor baby something mean like that? It doesn't even make sense." Teased Sirius, lying back casually on a branch that would be no thicker than Remus's thigh.

"How come you never talk about me like that?" Remus rose one eyebrow.

"You never ask." Shrugged Sirius

"And look!" He ran to the trunk of the tree and pointed at a burnt orange shelf of fungus that was growing just above Remus's eyelevel. "See this? I've read about fungi, it means that the tree is dead and it will collapse. You will be taken with the stupid tree into the Black Lake and die."

"Don't be silly Moonykins!" Declared Sirius. "I would only die if I stayed up in this marvellous tree for a very long time! Or if I did something stupid, like this!" He then, jokingly, thrust his body backwards, with only his knees hooking around the branch to prevent him from falling to the ground. "I can't die yet anyway, I haven't thought of any songs to be played at my funeral. You guys will choose bad ones. If a funeral is a party, I want mine to be the party of the year."

"Stop that!" Snapped Remus, who was almost in a state of shock. "A funeral isn't that sort of party..."

"What? This?" Asked Sirius teasingly, as he started swinging back and forth.

Then Sirius fell, Remus screamed out at the sight of Sirius's body falling fast, really fast. Remus, hearing the rush of adrenaline through his veins and the sound of his heart pounding in his ears, ran forward to be closer to Sirius, to try and help him.

"Arresto Momentum!" Roared Remus, thrusting his wand at the falling Sirius. "Er… Protego!"

Sirius's body slowed to a snail's pace.

"Oh, hey Moony." Muttered Sirius, laying on the grass casually, as if nothing had happened.

"Oh shut up." Whispered Remus as he pecked Sirius on the lips.