Chapter 16: Two idiotic genius
Remus sighed loudly before frowning, trying hard to focus on his History of Magic homework, but he could not. When he woke up that morning, James and Sirius had already left the dormitory and it wasn't usual and probably not a good sign. James would get up early only when there was a Quidditch practice and you had to literally knock Sirius out of bed to wake him up.
They were certainly together and so early in the morning, it could only mean trouble. Trouble for both of them and for him too, since he had been appointed Prefect in the sole interest of trying to contain them a little bit. Did he really have to mention that it miserably failed most of the time? It was a waste of time and he still did not understand how, for Merlin's sake, Dumbledore could still think he had any sort of control whatsoever, on these two hyperactive boys.
-Wow, Remus, you look well today! Marlene exclaimed happily as she came down from the girls' dormitory, which made him jump before turning to the blonde who was with Lily. He smiled at them softly before nodding. Last night had been a moonless night, and he was always very well for a short among of time when the sky was bare of its stars.
-Yes, I'm much better, thank you, Marlene. He responded, pushing himself aside to give them a place to sit next to him, picking up his homework at the same time. Never mind, he would finish it later when he would know where James and Sirius were and when he would finally be certain that they were not doing, whatever stupid tricks they were usually up to. By Merlin, would he ever have a break from their stupid stuff one day?
He sighed, pulling down the sleeves of his shirt to button them up, having noticed Marlene's overly insistent look at the scars on his arms. She knew nothing about the ''fury little problem'', and it was better that way. Although she probably thought that things at home were even worse than those at Sirius', considering the impressive amount of marking he had everywhere. Fortunately for him, he was able to hide most of them under clothes, and he took special care to hide them as much as possible.
-I thought you'd be with James. Said Marlene, taking a seat in front of Remus, looking disappointed not to see James in the common room, finally turning his gaze to the stairs leading to the boys' dormitory, hoping to see him suddenly coming down. -Is Sirius not up yet as well?
-Oh, well, Sirius and James are not morning people. He replied. -But I must say that today, they are too much early for my sake. Perhaps you will have more luck at lunch, I guarantee you that for food, they will show themselves in no time. Remus laughed. -Peter is already in the Great Hall, he was afraid to miss the breakfast. He adds, still laughing.
-Well he owes me one then, he gave me Rendez-Vous here this morning and he's not even there! Not because he calls himself the best Hogwarts Quidditch captain that he can stand me up like this! Said Marlene, pushing back her hair behind her back.
-Potter asks you out on a date? Lily asked her, arching an eyebrow, wondering since when these two had officials romantics rendez-vous. -Since when are you on true date level? She said a little more dryly than she would have liked. -You did not tell me everything it seems, you liar! You told me they were nothing serious between the two of you, and please spare me the pun joke with that I know it. She said, trying to sound interested and happy about what Marlene was going to say but Remus was no fool.
Marlene simply shrugged her shoulders with a small smile of satisfaction. -Oh well, there is nothing really between us, I would have told you for sure. I try not to talk too much about it to avoid false gossip about it, you know how it is! She replied -This is not really an actual date, you see. He needs some advice for the next Quidditch practice, and we had planned to look at this with a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, why not enjoy it while we're gonna be there.
-I must warn you Marlene, I know I'm repeating myself and you know it already, he will annoy you so much with his strategies for the next game that even you, you'll not be able to hear the word Quidditch for at least the next three months. Said Remus mockingly, not having missed anything of the scene that was happening in from of him and especially not the inner battle that Lily seemed to lead, to not say a thing and remain impassive.
His wolf's senses were not deceiving him and the girl seemed rather uncomfortable. She had been acting strangely since she knew there was something between her best friend and James and she did not seem particularly happy with this outcome. James and Marlene were provoking each other every time they could, joking and giving each other charming winks whenever they had the opportunity, but both were claiming that there was nothing concrete between them and that they were just letting things go to see where it could lead them.
James had matured a lot during the summer holidays, and it had not failed to catch Lily's attention, but as Sirius had so kindly pointed out to her; it was too late, and she should have tried him when she had the opportunity. For having spoken so harshly, the redhead had hexed him so badly that he had been forced to go to the hospital wing and get some help from Madame Pomfrey to heal himself. Remus had also tried to make her understand, with much more delicacy, that she had always seen what she wanted to see about James and that they had all tried, for almost a whole year, to make her understood that he was only nervous when she was around him and that the only thing he could do, was to act like an idiot and making a fool of himself.
But she had also pushed him away by saying that he was telling nonsense, that she did not care about Potter, not in that way at least, that she only was happy to be able to hold a normal conversation with him, without him become an insufferable show-off and she was also very happy that Marlene and him have found common interests between them.
-This still surprised me that he had chosen to invest himself in an Auror career rather than to enter a professional Quidditch league, many teams could take advantage of his many talents and would certainly want him on their teams. Said Marlene with a sigh. -He is so passionate about Quidditch, I don't understand.
-Well, he likes Quidditch a lot, but I think he considers it a bit more like a hobby than a real career you know, playing Quidditch here is a thing and being an international Quidditch star is another. Remus told her after a moment of reflection.
-Why, would he spoiled his many other skills on a broomstick when he could be outside, risking his life. Lily said, making Remus frowned. -What I mean. She immediately adds at the reproachful look Remus was giving her. -Is that Potter is a genius and a daredevil. Although it is painful for me to say it, it would be a real waste for the magical world to see him playing the show off on a broomstick while there is a war raging outside. He can do so much better of his life than throwing a ball in hoops. He is brilliant, and he will definitely be an asset to the Auror Department and well, his father is at the Head of it, so this is just a normal thing.
Remus let out a laugh, but he had to admit that she was right. James himself had told them that there was no way for him to be sequestered in some Quidditch stadiums while everyone else was fighting for the survival of the magical world. Anyway, if the Dark Lord were to win the war, there would be no one left to watch Quidditch games. A part of the world would be completely annihilated while He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would have total control over the remaining half.
At the same time, not letting Remus had anything else, the portrait of the Fat Lady opened with a crash and two black-haired boys entered the Common Room laughing to tears. James and Sirius dropped themselves on the carpet in front of the fireplace holding their ribs, unable to stop laughing as Remus looked at them with horror.
-Oh no, no... Merlin no, this is a bad omen for sure. Remus sighed, looking a bit more horrified as the two boys wouldn't stop laughing. -What did you do this time! No! No, just don't tell me anything, I think I prefer being in the dark of your stupid pranks, I will not have to lie if I'm asked questions, it's better like that. He said hitting his forehead with his book.
James rolled over to get up, ruffling his hair before removing his glasses to wipe them off, pushing Remus aside to sit next to him. -We didn't do anything at all! He laughed as muffled explosion sounds resonated beneath the lower floors, cries and yells piercing down the hallway as Sirius laughed more loudly, hitting the floor with his fist, his barking-like laughter echoing in the common room.
-You did not do, what I think you've done? Snarled Remus, as he watched Sirius wriggles with laughter a bit more.
-Don't look at him that way Moony, he's done nothing. James laughed, shaking his head before passing a hand through his hair again -It's Peeves' idea, I swear! He said still laughing, trying to calm down before winking at Marlene, who was struggling to keep her seriousness.
-He... He challenged us to blow up Moaning Myrtle's toilet. Sirius explained once he had caught his breath -So, we know that we were going to kill two birds with one stone!
-And explode all the toilets on the second floor! Finished James. -Well, okay we admit it. He continued, responding to Remus' unconvinced look. -We may have exploded those on the third and fourth also when I think about it.
Lily sighed, shaking her head, passing a hand over her face. She was taking back everything she just said about them, they were two low-level idiots and their only purpose in life was to destroy and drive completely crazy as many things and people as possible around them. How could they spoil their knowledge to make toilet jokes and fooled around whenever they could, they were nothing more than two kids.
-You kept me waiting for a toilet joke? Said Marlene, turning to James arching an eyebrow, indignantly pushing her hair behind her shoulders. Oh well, Lily thought with annoyance, they were fine together with their mania of always playing with their hair. -Well Potter, I hope you'll have some very good argument for me to forgive you. Added the girl.
Passing a hand again in his hair, he stood up to kiss Marlene's cheek, taking her hand to help her get up. Lily rolled her eyes, looking at their height differences and the foolish ''oh I'm so in love'' smile that James was showing, as he kissed Marlene's cheek a second time while she laughed and pushed him a bit. She saw her tightly clench James' hand before they both waved to leave, Marlene bursting into laughter after James whispered something in her ear.
-Don't look so down Lil', I've already told you more than once that you should have seized your chance when it was right in front of your eyes. Said Sirius who had come to take James' place, half slumping on Remus, pulling out his walkman, looking straight into Lily's green eyes. -They make a beautiful couple, don't you think?
-I don't know what you're talking about. She sighed. - My only concern, is the happiness of my best friend and you see, I doubt that Potter can give her anything but disappointment when he'll throw her coldly for another. She replied. -Now, please excuse me, but I'll go fix the stupid idea of these two idiots. She said, waving annoyingly at them, before leaving, as small noises of explosions could still be heard in the corridors when she passed through the Fat Lady's Portrait.
Sirius let out a laugh as he leaned a little closer to Remus, pulling out of his pockets the headphones off his walkman. -She'll crack up soon enough. He laughed. -I wonder how long she'll be able to still pretend that she doesn't care about it.
Remus simply shrugged his shoulders and said nothing, closing his eyes to let out a sigh of welfare, hearing Sirius's music, discerning the words as well as if he had worn the headphones himself. Slowly falling asleep, he felt Sirius' hand pass absently along his arm, not remembering the last time he had been so well, not sick, not fainting every ten minutes because of nausea, the full moon still far away.