The Infamous Marauders
Chapter Seventeen
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured in this story they belong to J. K. Rowling.
Late November – Early December 1976
The weeks following what could only be viewed as a horrifying tragedy saw House tensions at an all time high, fights broke out daily in the corridors, Muggleborn students began to walk together in groups too support each other and the castle was filled with silence as the students and teachers tried to process what such a large-scale attack meant for their futures.
Remus' transformation was violent, his pent-up frustration caused by his feelings of helplessness raged out of him in his wolf form, the wolf destroyed the shack damaging itself severely in the process. Sirius refused to leave Remus' bedside the following day even though the fair headed boy was unconscious for most it. James had left Sirius to watch over Remus and had gone back to the boy's dormitory with Peter, he saw all the heartbreak around him and didn't know what to do, the boys had discussed the idea of doing something incredible for Christmas, but nothing seemed right, it seemed so meagre and distasteful after the dark events that shattered so many families.
The December Hogsmeade weekend was cancelled as security was tightened, surprisingly no one complained many not feeling the excitement of Christmas. The boys walked along the corridors on the first weekend of December instead of adventuring through the snowy streets of Hogsmeade, looking outside no students could be seen.
"Isn't it strange not seeing anyone outside?" James commented.
Remus looked up "Yeah, usually you and the mutt would be starting snowball fights"
Sirius nudged Remus "I'm no mutt"
"Maybe that would be a good idea, organise a snowball fight for the entire school"
The three boys turned to Peter with shocked expressions "Peter that's an awesome idea!" James finally spluttered out.
"Merlin Wormtail Prongs is right that is a wicked idea!" Sirius agreed.
"We really should include the entire school, I think everyone needs something to smile about right now" James acknowledged he often thought negatively of the Slytherins, but he wasn't ignorant to the fact that not everyone is evil. He had watched this week as students as old as seventh years shot nasty looks at first year Slytherins, first years for Merlin's sake, they were only small children.
"If we do it in a way where it doesn't just encourage aggressive fighting I think that would be great, maybe if we had mixed teams there would be no specific targeting of any one house" Remus didn't specify Slytherins, but his meaning was clear.
Sirius looked speculative before nodding, just because most of his family were the worst kind of Slytherins didn't mean you could assume all of them were, his cousin Andromeda was a Slytherin and one of the kindest women he knew.
Peter grinned, delighted with the praise, he never felt like he contributed much to their plans, so it was always satisfying when he managed to come up with the best idea.
It was James who suggested they speak to Lily about their idea, with she herself being a Muggleborn, they approached her in the common room that same night.
"Hey Evans, can we speak with you?"
"Please Potter I don't have the energy for your ridiculousness just go away"
"Lily just hear him out" Remus requested, Lily acquiesced as Remus had become a dear friend to her.
James explained their idea after they had applied some privacy charms around the table Lily was seated at, to say she was surprised at his compassion would have been an understatement.
"I think that's a wonderful idea but why are you telling me? You don't often run your plans by anyone first as far as I'm aware"
"Well we wanted your opinion on the plan as we worried it may seem insensitive to organise something like this right now and I was also interested to see if you had any other ideas to contribute?"
"How about a snowman building competition, not everyone will want to take part in a snowball fight"
"See, this is why we need you on board Evans that's brilliant"
Many people were shocked to see Lily Evans spending time with the Marauders, Lily and Remus together pouring over books had become a common occurrence, but Lily 'Potter is the bane of my existence' Evans sat willingly with James 'Troublemaker and rulebreaker extraordinaire' Potter? That was unheard of and confused students and teachers alike.
After a week of planning the group was prepared to execute Operation Snow School Today, a name unagreed upon by the group, but Sirius wouldn't entertain a name change so Operation Snow School Today it was. They had decided it was best to do it on a school day as all students and teachers would be in attendance for breakfast, many choosing to stay in their common rooms on weekends.
The marauders awoke early on Monday morning, despite Sirius' complaints and headed to the great hall meeting up with Lily, they all took a seat and ate breakfast awaiting the rest of the students. Marlene grinned widely as she walked into the hall spotting Lily sat next to Remus nudging Dorcas to show her before sliding into a chair opposite them next to James.
"Good morning Lily where have you been all weekend?" Marlene waggled her eyebrows suggestively as she questioned her friend
"Just around" Lily tried to sound nonchalant.
Marlene held her tongue but grinned cheekily at Lily causing her cheeks to blush slightly.
Once all the students had arrived James and Sirius jumped from their seats without a word and began to head towards the front of the hall. Clambering up to the staff table the boys were stopped from making their announcement by their angry head of house, Professor McGonagall began to scold the boys but was quickly silenced by a hand on the arm and a twinkling look from the Headmaster. She shot him a scowl but stayed silent nevertheless.
Applying a sonorous James cleared his throat garnering the full attention of the hall "May I have your attention please"
"You already have it mate" Sirius interjected causing a few snickers from the tables in front of them.
"So, I do" James grinned "I have an important announcement for all the students, today is to be an official snow day and therefore lessons are cancelled"
The confused and angry looks on the teachers faces ensured the silence of the students.
"It is with great pleasure that James and I introduce to you Hogwarts first official school wide snowball fight and snowman building competition or as we like to call it Operation Snow School Today"
A ripple of excitement began to spread through the younger students, Remus and Lily groaned "Did he really just say that name to the entire hall?" Remus laughed.
"He really thinks it's a good name, doesn't he?" Lily giggled. There attention was drawn back to the stage as James began speaking again.
"If you would all be so kind to go get changed into your winter clothes and meet us outside next to the entrance hall steps we will explain everything in more detail, everyone is welcome, so I want to see all you Gryffs, Puffs, Claws and Slytherins out there"
"Thank you, Hogwarts!" Sirius declared as both boys bowed low. The shock at their invitation to all was momentary before many students leaped up to go get changed, the Slytherins were surprised at the offer, although it was true many Slytherins had family with dark connections the persecution of them all had been vicious and for the majority undeserving.
Before the boys could make a quick getaway the back of their robes was grabbed by a very angry looking Minerva McGonagall "How dare you two interrupt an entire day of teaching this way, you two are going to be severely punished after you tell all the students that lessons are in fact on"
Dumbledore rose to join them "Ah Minerva I do apologise I gave the boys permission, don't you think a bit of fun for the entire school is just what we need right now, a splendid idea indeed thanks you boys"
Minerva looked suspicious and shot a glare at her colleague "You did mention this Albus"
"I am afraid that it must have slipped my mind do forgive me"
Shooting the three one last suspicious glare she strode away. "I do believe you have things to organise boys go on" The headmaster smiled down at the two eyes twinkling before turning away.
The boys quickly hurried over to their friends "I swear he just winked at us" Sirius laughed.
"Did you see McGonagall's face? That would have been a good idea though actually asking for permission" James chuckled.
After twenty minutes had passed the students and staff, as recommended by Dumbledore, had all changed and were waiting below the steps.
"Thank you everyone, now as I said we have two competitions today, a snowman building competition, which will be led by none over than the beauty of Gryffindor, you all know her, Lily Evans"
"Thank you James" Lily faced the large crowd in front of her suddenly nervous she was not used to speaking in front of such large crowds and was now wondering how on earth the Marauders did it, she glanced over to them and Remus smiled encouragingly, pushing her nerves to the side she faced the crowd "The competition today will include a snowman category which will be done without wands, hands only and a snow sculpture competition which can be done with or without magic, the judges will be Dorcas, Alice, Marlene and myself. Dorcas and Alice both looked confused but were swiftly dragged up the steps by Marlene who made show of doing a dramatic curtsey.
"I would just like to announce I am open to bribes" Marlene added.
"No, she will not" Lily disagreed not seeing Marlene's wink to the crowd "Anyone who is interested in the competition can join throughout the day as the judging won't be until after dinner tonight so anyone who wants to take part in the snowball fight has the chance, for those who want to join straight away you can walk with me, we will be holding this on the lawn by greenhouse three, thank you"
"Ha look at Marlene go she's a natural" Sirius laughed to Remus "I think she could be one of us"
"Evans everyone, give her a round of applause" James declared as he made his way back to the top of the stairs to address the crowd.
"Come on you two" Sirius called behind his back as he ran up to James. Remus and Peter followed quickly, Remus was happily surprised to see there were many Slytherins in the crowd.
"Today's competition is as follows, everyone will split into groups of twenty with five team members from each house, if there are any odd numbers at the end we will sort that out after, each team will have thirty minutes to set up camp within the boundary" James pointed upwards.
Remus then projected a view of the map they had labelled and drawn a boundary line on into the air above James.
"Thanks Remus, after thirty minutes is up we will send a purple flare into the air signalling the start, the last team to forfeit will be the winners"
"Now we all know having us four on a team would just be unfair" Sirius professed earning some laughs "So we will all be splitting up and joining with different people, we encourage you to do the same, meeting new people and making new friends is what today is all about"
"Once everyone has got into teams we will start" With James' final comment the boys all bowed earning cheers from the crowd.
The boys had pre-empted that not all the students would be happy to play together, and they weren't wrong it was fifth year Hufflepuff who decided to speak out "I don't think those snakes should be allowed to join in they will probably cheat and gang up on everyone"
Before the boys could counter Professor Sprout strode to the front of the group "Mister Simmons if that is how you feel then I suggest you return inside and help Mister Filch with some cleaning, does that sound more entertaining?" Her glare received a mumbled apology.
"I would like to second Professor Sprouts statement if any students have problems with cooperation then you will lose the privilege of participating in todays games, I suggest all the teams have a mixture of students from each year, so no team is at a disadvantage, enjoy" Minerva added before stepping aside.
The snowball fight had been waging on for three hours now and James applied a sonorous to call for a break, the students began to make their way to hall many soaked right through, the older students taking pity on the younger children cast warming charms as they passed. The boys all met on the Gryffindor table and surveyed the hall, the students were sat mixed up on tables, a sight they had never seen, the groups using the temporary ceasefire as a time to plan their strategy for the afternoon.
"I can't believe how well this has worked out" Remus said amazed.
"Its really something else" James agreed turning to Peter "You did a great thing Wormtail"
"It was all of us" Peter beamed he himself awed at how Hogwarts had been brought together by his own suggestion.
The staff were more astounded than the boys never having witnessed such cooperation in their many years of teaching at Hogwarts "This really was a lovely thing those boys came up with today, it's a shame they spend so much time focussing on mischief when they so easily brought everyone together" Minerva spoke the pride at her lions evident as she smiled fondly down at the boys who had given her many a grey hair.
"How is the snow sculptures and snowmen coming along Lily?" Remus asked his friend.
"Really good, I had Slytherins ask me how to make a snowman by hand and they were polite to me, I didn't believe today was going to be this successful"
Once the children had refuelled they were soon back out in the school grounds to resume the competitions. With some extra Slytherins joining them, their curiosity piqued in the hall over lunch.
A couple of hours later seen only a few groups remaining, many having forfeit to join Lily having tired of the madness of the snowball fight. Three of the four marauders were still going strong and were determined to be the winning group, Remus had surprised his group by being highly competitive, his inner wolf was relishing in the competition which only fuelled Remus' determination to win. The team Peter was in had agreed to forfeit an hour after lunch, the remaining teams all had built up forts from which they were launching their attacks.
Severus Snape was an unexpected participant in the schoolwide snowball fight and Remus had approached him offering him a spot on his team, he often felt guilty about the extent at which James and Sirius targeted Severus and had decided to extend an olive branch of sorts to him. Severus had at first been hesitant before agreeing and Remus was now glad he had asked Snape to join him as the Slytherin proved to be very cunning, Remus and Severus planned their attack coordinating their group together.
Meanwhile James and Sirius' groups were in a full-blown war, Sirius lead the charge and tackled James to the ground while two Ravenclaw fourth years in his group piled armfuls of snow on top of James, leading to James' surrender.
"They have just taken out Potters team, now is the time to strike" Severus informed the others. Remus' group split into two with Remus and Severus leading the best spellcasters with them, the younger students charged from the front drawing Sirius' groups attention.
"Release the snowballs" Sirius cried.
"You ready?" Remus asked the group, they nodded "GO!" The band of fifth, sixth and seventh years leaped out from behind them whipping their wands in rapid movements. Snowballs zipped through the air like bludgers homing in on their targets whilst Severus and Remus formed walls of snow to trap Sirius' team, they were quickly drenched throwing their hands up in surrender.
"I will never surrender" Sirius called running for Remus with a large snowball, Remus' eyes flashed gold unnoticed by everyone in the chaos, Remus ran for Sirius using his wand to melt the snowball in Sirius hand before tackling him to the ground effectively pinning him down, his hands slipping around Sirius' wrists preventing him from grabbing anymore snow.
"Surrender' Remus' voice came out husky and commanding causing Sirius to momentarily forget where he was. Sirius stared wide eyed at Remus, taking in the boy's appearance.
"I surrender" he breathed out, Remus' team whooped in triumph drawing the boys' attention back to their surroundings, Remus stood up and offered his hand to Sirius looking sheepish.
"Sorry about that Pads I don't know what came over me"
"Its fine thrill of the fight and all that eh Remus" Sirius however was feeling very confused, for a moment it had felt like he and Remus were the only two people there, the feeling of Remus on top of him had made him feel very strange, a feeling he had never had before and couldn't accurately identify.
Remus' heart was pounding he had felt the wolf so close to the surface, he had momentarily lost control and had pinned Sirius hard to the ground he felt very disconcerted, he tried to calm his breathing as he and Sirius walked with the rest of their groups over to the lawns where Lily was overseeing the other half of the competition.
"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the judging of Hogwarts Snow thingies" Marlene called "I pass you over to Lily who has the results"
Lily laughed at Marlene before standing in front of the crowd "I know you are all tired after today, I would just like to congratulate the winning team of the snowball fight first" Applause from the students rang out, Severus looked very uncomfortable as did the other four Slytherins in the group unused to praise from the entire school. "Now on with the winners, first place for the snowman competition goes to Mary Bowers in Slytherin who somehow managed to get the largest carrot I have ever seen for a nose" The applause was deafening and the young girl blushed beaming with happiness. "The winner for the snow sculpting competition had us judges in a very heated discussion but we finally agreed on a winner and that is Pandora Wildsmith with her creation she calls a Crumple-Horned Snorcack, Pandora stood and smiled serenely at the crowd graciously accepting her applause.
Dumbledore then appeared at the front of the crowd "I hope you all had a wonderful day, thank you Misters Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew and Miss Evans. I would like to invite you all to the great hall for some hot chocolate and biscuits before you retire to your dormitories. Remember the friendships you have forged today and that we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided" With a swish of his purple robes he led the way to the hall.
"I reckon that went well, want to join the team permanently Evans?" James asked with a wink
"To think I was starting to consider you a friend, goodbye Potter" Lily called before walking away with her friends a small smile tugging at her lips unseen by the marauders.
"Better luck next time Prongs" Sirius howled.