p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"emspan style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"A/N: Thank you to all my wonderful readers who have made it to this point. If you're enjoying the story, please do leave a review. It would mean the world to me! I've not written for a very long time, and this is sort of my writing debut. Any support or feedback would be gratefully received! Anyway, that's enough from me. I hope you enjoy the next chapter./span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Chapter 4 - The Marauders Established/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter Pettigrew was secretly delighted to hear that James and Sirius had been caught during their late-night wanderings the night before. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They'd tried to make him feel so guilty for not joining them, and now look. Who was laughing now? Well, not him right now, it had to be said. They had flying lessons this morning and he was desperate not to look like an idiot on a broomstick. Maybe James would finally take him seriously if he suddenly turned out to be a quidditch prodigy. It could happen…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He piled his breakfast plate as high as he could. Though the plates at the table re-filled themselves magically and he was not really in any danger of the food running out, it didn't do to take chances. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He munched contentedly as he listening to James and Sirius telling anyone who would listen about their adventures from the night before. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""She was dead impressed really," James said to Bessie Bagshot on admitting they had eventually been caught by their head of house. "I don't reckon she wanted to give us detention, I think she thought she had to." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter snorted into his beans on toast. He was sure that was exactly what had happened…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well I think you're both idiots." Lily Evans said, predictably. "Though at least you didn't lose any house points this time. I suppose I don't really care if you want to risk your own stupid necks." She tossed her red hair over her shoulders and went back to eating her breakfast./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well why don't you shut up about it then?" Sirius snapped. Lily ignored him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I think it's dead impressive." Little Sylvie Llewellyn was saying, her blue eyes round as saucers, staring at James and Sirius as though they were deities. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""We do our best." James said with a grin. "You should come with us next time."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Sylvie looked delighted, but Sirius quickly interjected. "Absolutely not. All adventures are strictly marauders only. No girls allowed" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"As James gave Sylvie an apologetic shrug, Peter considered Sirius' words. Marauders. What a stupid expression. As if they felt it made them better than everyone else somehow, this stupid exclusive club they had created./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What are the marauders?" Bessie Bagshot, who was sitting beside Sylvie, asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""It's an exclusive group." Sirius said, turning to her. "Only James, Remus, Peter and me. And our manifesto is to cause as much mayhem as wizardly possible. What do you think?" He said, grinning at the others./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter didn't answer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""You know I'm in." Said James./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I think it sounds like an excellent way to end up expelled." Remus said, but he was smiling. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Brilliant. It's official." Sirius said, beaming at them, although neither Peter nor Remus had actually agreed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"How Sirius irritated Peter… He was so confident and sure of everything he didn't even bother to consider other people's points of view. It had been like this since day one. He'd have an idea and he just expected the others to go along with it. How Peter was going to put up with an idiot like this for the remainder of the school term, he had no idea./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The bell for lessons rang, and the four of them filed out to the grounds for their first flying lesson. Peter was suddenly not so sure having a large meal beforehand was the best idea. He was feeling the familiar signs of indigestion. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They reached the quidditch pitch and found, to James' horror, that it was with the Slytherins. Peter didn't much care. He didn't have a problem with the Slytherins, yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Lily's expression was one of pure delight as she ran over and threw her arms around her Slytherin friend. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Oh Sev! How wonderful. We'll be learning to fly together. Can you believe it? It really is all real, isn't it? You were right, I can't believe it, I have to keep pinching myself!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Snape was watching her gush, with a satisfied, slightly greedy expression on his face, as though she was his and his alone. He looked up and saw Peter watching him. He narrowed his eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter was taken aback by the hostile gesture, but then realised, as a friend of James and Sirius, he was simply guilty by association. That was dangerous. He must do better to distance himself, with people like Snape, at least…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Their flying teacher was now making his way across the pitch. He was a young man with dark blonde hair. He was levitating behind him a number of the old school brooms and calling for the students to gather round. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter and the others did so and Peter couldn't help noticing that a number of the girls were tittering and whispering behind their hands all of a sudden. What was all that about?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Ignore their odd behaviour, he turned his attention back to the teacher, who introduced himself as Professor Alstrade. He told them he had been captain of his team while at Hogwarts himself and enjoyed it so much he decided he wanted to keep flying after he'd left school too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Why didn't he become a professional quidditch player then?" James asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Those that can't do…" Sirius began./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""So, I'm not really here to teach." The youthful professor was now saying. "I'm here to let you learn. Flying is a natural thing. It comes to those of us blessed with magical blood as does walking. The problem is, not all of us have grown up with it. Who here already knows how to fly?" He asked the class and about a dozen hands were raised. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Blasphemy!" James exclaimed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well, that's great. But don't worry everyone else. I believe every student on this field has the potential to be a great flier. So, let's all grab a broom and get started, shall we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter rushed over to grab a broom that didn't have any bent twigs or scratches on the handle. Sirius, James and Remus did the same beside him, James bemoaning all the while that he hadn't been allowed to bring his own broomstick to school with him. Show off…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""It's a comet 71" he told them. "It's a crime that I'm having to fly one of these mangy things instead." He scowled at the school broom in front of him with distaste./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""They're not so bad." Sirius said reasonably. And then "up!" To his own broom, which, on the second attempt, flew into his hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"It took a few minutes for the rest of the class to convince their brooms to join them off the ground. When at last the brooms were floating appropriately by their student, Professor Alstrade gave the next instruction. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter saw James and Sirius whispering together to his left. He couldn't catch the gist of what they were saying, he was focusing on mounting his own broomstick. They were clearly so confident in their own abilities they didn't even need to try. But he was determined he would not make a fool of himself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He was distracted in his efforts by a sudden shout from behind. Dropping his broomstick to the floor, he turned his attention in the direction of the noise. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"It was coming from Severus Snape. The other boy had successfully managed to mount his broom. The only problem was it was now bucking so hard he was in danger of being thrown off. He clung on desperately, his lips white with concentration, and face red with humiliation. It reminded Peter of those bucking broncos they sometimes had at the village fete. The whole scene was so funny, he couldn't help but laugh./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Lily Evans, clearly seeing the funny side of it too, let out a giggle. "Oh Sev. What have you done to your broomstick?!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What's going on over here?" The professor had wandered over to the scene of chaos. His eyes did a quick sweep of the scene, then he waved his wand once and said "finite," causing the broom to stop bucking at once. Once he was sure it was only Snape's pride that was hurt, he waved his wand again, saying "accio wands," upon which James and Sirius' respective wands flew directly into his open palm. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He turned to them both, a stern look on his face. "I think I'd better keep hold of these if you can't be trusted not to mess about. You can ask for them back from Professor McGonagall at the end of the day."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"James and Sirius turned to one another and grimaced. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The scene with Snape seemed to have put Professor Alstrade in a bad mood. He had lost his initial enthusiasm, and, despite his assurances, was indeed issuing instructions and judgements as they eventually mounted their brooksticks and, in some cases, flew into the air./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"James hadn't been lying. He was a good flier. Sirius wasn't bad either. But Peter couldn't seem to do more than float a few feet off the ground. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well, at least if you fall there's enough padding to protect you." One of the Slytherin boys said nastily as he flew past Peter./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Sod off Mulciber." Sirius said, overhearing the exchange as he flew past. "Don't listen to him," he told Peter. "He's a bonafide git." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter didn't ask how Sirius knew this but was grateful for the protection. Being friends with someone like Sirius certainly had its advantages. People didn't seem to pick on him like they did on Peter. Or when they did, he could certainly hold his own. Peter vowed to do all he could do preserve their friendship. He considered it might be very important for him later on.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"There were no more disturbances or any more trouble for the remainder of the day. James and Sirius couldn't have caused any even if they had wanted to, as their wands remained under strict guard in McGonagall's office./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"When five o' clock came around, the two of them bade goodbye to Peter and Remus in the common room and wandered off in the direction of their head of house's office, both to retrieve their wands and to serve their detention from the night before./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I hope they'll be OK." Remus said worriedly from beside him. "She won't be happy they've got in trouble so quickly again."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter rather thought his two new friends more than capable of dealing with their strict head of house. It didn't even seem to bother them that much, getting in trouble. What was Remus worrying about?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The two of them spent the next couple of hours playing gobstones. Remus was quite good, but he was patient, and Peter thought the other boy might even have let him win once or twice. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter had to admit that he liked Remus. The boy wasn't anything like James or Sirius. He was quiet and unassuming, with a kind word for everyone. Peter wondered what he saw in their two dark haired companions. Or maybe Remus simply just saw the best in them too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The portrait hole swung open and, on cue, James and Sirius entered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What happened?" Remus asked, abandoning their game and moving over to greet their friends. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""The worst." James said, clapping Remus on the back and then sinking into a low armchair, a hand splayed dramatically across his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Remus turned to Sirius who nodded in agreement. "I can't imagine a worse punishment. It'll go down in Hogwarts history"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Certainly has grounds for 'cruel and unusual'" James nodded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What?" Remus said, starting to sound seriously concerned now. "What did she -?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""She gave us lines." James said. "Two hundred times. Something about obeying curfew, I forget. But that's not the worst part."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What's the worst part?" Remus asked breathlessly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""We've got to apologise to Snivellus." Sirius said and he too sunk into an armchair, looking ashen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Remus laughed with relief. "Oh!" He said. "Is that it?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"But Peter thought he could imagine the anguish the other boys were feeling. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""When do you have to do it?" He asked them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Tonight, at dinner." James answered. "She said she'll know if we've done it." He grimaced at Sirius. "I can't believe we've got to apologise to that greasy git. He's going to lord this over us all term…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"And though they complained about it all the way to the great hall, they did indeed do as instructed. Peter watched them go over to the Slytherin table and looked up to see Professor McGonagall's eyes on them too. The conversation didn't last long, but it seemed to have satisfied Snape, who Peter noticed was smirking long after the pair had left him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Little creep." Sirius said, settling himself back down and shuddering as though trying to rid himself of something contagious. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""He'll think he's got one over on us now," James moaned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well he hasn't." Sirius reassured him. "We'll show him." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter noticed that Remus hadn't said anything during this conversation, but was staring at his plate of food, looking deeply uncomfortable./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter didn't care all that much. It was entertaining to him watching his friends' drama with the Slytherin boy. As long as he wasn't directly involved, what was the problem? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Towards the end of their dinner, James, who had finished his food, flicked a pea at Sirius. Sirius picked it up and threw it back at him. He missed and it landed in Remus' goblet of pumpkin juice. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Trying again, he grabbed a potato and threw that at James instead. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The vegetable hit him square on the nose. "You're a deadman." He told Sirius, and before Peter knew what was happening, the pair of them were throwing food at one another with gleeful abandon. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The food fight gathered momentum, and before long, most of Gryffindor house had joined in. Catching on, the Hufflepuff table initiated their own attempt. Ravenclaw and Slytherin students were watching the behaviour of their classmates in dignified disapproval. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They had a scuffle for the first shower that night up in the dormitory. Sirius, whose hair was matted with shepherds pie and custard (what a combination…) claimed it should be him who went first, since he was the one who had been attacked first by James. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Remus put in a good argument for being exhausted and wanting an early night, and James didn't seem to really care, he just didn't want Sirius to win. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter wanted a shower. Someone had got him with creamed spinach, and the disgusting vegetable was sliding down the side of his face. Fortunately he still had some of his mother's treats in his bag. The spinach couldn't be the last thing he experienced before bed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"In an uncharacteristic show of understanding, James and Sirius allowed Remus the first shower. He was a while. Remus always got changed in the bathroom, which added, in Peter's opinion, unnecessary time to the routine. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Sirius went next, quick as a flash, and soap foam still in his hair as he emerged in his towel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"James seemed to have accepted his fate as last in line, and waved at Peter lazily from his bed, indicating the other boy go ahead. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter sighed in relief under the hot shower, as the remains of the food fight washed away down the drain. He could hear the others laughing from the dormitory. Were they laughing about him? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He was pleased they considered him one of them; a 'marauder', but he knew he mustn't be complacent. He'd had a friend in primary school, Barnaby Fletcher. They had done everything together, from sharing crayons to playing hopscotch in the playground. He'd considered Barny his very best friend, but one day, Barny went to play with some other boys at breaktime. He seemed to have forgotten Peter, and though Peter pointedly ignored him all through their afternoon lessons, he continued to act as though nothing had happened. Slowly the pair had grown apart, and Peter had remained on the sidelines, watching as Barny played football with the idiot Richard Davidson and his gang and went round to his for tea after school instead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"But Peter had moved on. He wasn't that shy, lonely little boy he had been. Now he had proper friends. He was one of them. A wave of hope suddenly filled him. What if they emwere/em real friends? What if Barny had been an idiot to leave Peter behind. What if, because he was magical, muggle children just didn't take to him in the way his own kind did? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Feeling cheered and more hopeful than he had in a long while, he dried himself off and ventured back into the dormitory, where James and Sirius were engaged in a fierce debate about, it seemed, the age of their head of house. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I say one hundred and eighty." Sirius was saying. "She wears well, but it's the only explanation for why she's always so irritable. She's world-weary." He spotted Peter. "What do you think, Pete?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter had never really been a 'Pete'… his mum and sisters had always called him by his full name, and even the kids at school had too. But Sirius was his friend. And friends gave each other nicknames. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Replacing James (who went off to shower) on Sirius' bed, he and the other boy continued to debate the topic. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter was amazed by how happy Sirius seemed to be to talk to him. It was like they were equals. Could this be what having friends felt like? And the memory of his early childhood friendship came back to him again. But this time, maybe he would get it right… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Chapter 4 - The Marauders Established/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter Pettigrew was secretly delighted to hear that James and Sirius had been caught during their late-night wanderings the night before. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They'd tried to make him feel so guilty for not joining them, and now look. Who was laughing now? Well, not him right now, it had to be said. They had flying lessons this morning and he was desperate not to look like an idiot on a broomstick. Maybe James would finally take him seriously if he suddenly turned out to be a quidditch prodigy. It could happen…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He piled his breakfast plate as high as he could. Though the plates at the table re-filled themselves magically and he was not really in any danger of the food running out, it didn't do to take chances. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He munched contentedly as he listening to James and Sirius telling anyone who would listen about their adventures from the night before. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""She was dead impressed really," James said to Bessie Bagshot on admitting they had eventually been caught by their head of house. "I don't reckon she wanted to give us detention, I think she thought she had to." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter snorted into his beans on toast. He was sure that was exactly what had happened…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well I think you're both idiots." Lily Evans said, predictably. "Though at least you didn't lose any house points this time. I suppose I don't really care if you want to risk your own stupid necks." She tossed her red hair over her shoulders and went back to eating her breakfast./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well why don't you shut up about it then?" Sirius snapped. Lily ignored him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I think it's dead impressive." Little Sylvie Llewellyn was saying, her blue eyes round as saucers, staring at James and Sirius as though they were deities. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""We do our best." James said with a grin. "You should come with us next time."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Sylvie looked delighted, but Sirius quickly interjected. "Absolutely not. All adventures are strictly marauders only. No girls allowed" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"As James gave Sylvie an apologetic shrug, Peter considered Sirius' words. Marauders. What a stupid expression. As if they felt it made them better than everyone else somehow, this stupid exclusive club they had created./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What are the marauders?" Bessie Bagshot, who was sitting beside Sylvie, asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""It's an exclusive group." Sirius said, turning to her. "Only James, Remus, Peter and me. And our manifesto is to cause as much mayhem as wizardly possible. What do you think?" He said, grinning at the others./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter didn't answer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""You know I'm in." Said James./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I think it sounds like an excellent way to end up expelled." Remus said, but he was smiling. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Brilliant. It's official." Sirius said, beaming at them, although neither Peter nor Remus had actually agreed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"How Sirius irritated Peter… He was so confident and sure of everything he didn't even bother to consider other people's points of view. It had been like this since day one. He'd have an idea and he just expected the others to go along with it. How Peter was going to put up with an idiot like this for the remainder of the school term, he had no idea./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The bell for lessons rang, and the four of them filed out to the grounds for their first flying lesson. Peter was suddenly not so sure having a large meal beforehand was the best idea. He was feeling the familiar signs of indigestion. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They reached the quidditch pitch and found, to James' horror, that it was with the Slytherins. Peter didn't much care. He didn't have a problem with the Slytherins, yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Lily's expression was one of pure delight as she ran over and threw her arms around her Slytherin friend. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Oh Sev! How wonderful. We'll be learning to fly together. Can you believe it? It really is all real, isn't it? You were right, I can't believe it, I have to keep pinching myself!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Snape was watching her gush, with a satisfied, slightly greedy expression on his face, as though she was his and his alone. He looked up and saw Peter watching him. He narrowed his eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter was taken aback by the hostile gesture, but then realised, as a friend of James and Sirius, he was simply guilty by association. That was dangerous. He must do better to distance himself, with people like Snape, at least…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Their flying teacher was now making his way across the pitch. He was a young man with dark blonde hair. He was levitating behind him a number of the old school brooms and calling for the students to gather round. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter and the others did so and Peter couldn't help noticing that a number of the girls were tittering and whispering behind their hands all of a sudden. What was all that about?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Ignore their odd behaviour, he turned his attention back to the teacher, who introduced himself as Professor Alstrade. He told them he had been captain of his team while at Hogwarts himself and enjoyed it so much he decided he wanted to keep flying after he'd left school too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Why didn't he become a professional quidditch player then?" James asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Those that can't do…" Sirius began./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""So, I'm not really here to teach." The youthful professor was now saying. "I'm here to let you learn. Flying is a natural thing. It comes to those of us blessed with magical blood as does walking. The problem is, not all of us have grown up with it. Who here already knows how to fly?" He asked the class and about a dozen hands were raised. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Blasphemy!" James exclaimed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well, that's great. But don't worry everyone else. I believe every student on this field has the potential to be a great flier. So, let's all grab a broom and get started, shall we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter rushed over to grab a broom that didn't have any bent twigs or scratches on the handle. Sirius, James and Remus did the same beside him, James bemoaning all the while that he hadn't been allowed to bring his own broomstick to school with him. Show off…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""It's a comet 71" he told them. "It's a crime that I'm having to fly one of these mangy things instead." He scowled at the school broom in front of him with distaste./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""They're not so bad." Sirius said reasonably. And then "up!" To his own broom, which, on the second attempt, flew into his hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"It took a few minutes for the rest of the class to convince their brooms to join them off the ground. When at last the brooms were floating appropriately by their student, Professor Alstrade gave the next instruction. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter saw James and Sirius whispering together to his left. He couldn't catch the gist of what they were saying, he was focusing on mounting his own broomstick. They were clearly so confident in their own abilities they didn't even need to try. But he was determined he would not make a fool of himself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He was distracted in his efforts by a sudden shout from behind. Dropping his broomstick to the floor, he turned his attention in the direction of the noise. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"It was coming from Severus Snape. The other boy had successfully managed to mount his broom. The only problem was it was now bucking so hard he was in danger of being thrown off. He clung on desperately, his lips white with concentration, and face red with humiliation. It reminded Peter of those bucking broncos they sometimes had at the village fete. The whole scene was so funny, he couldn't help but laugh./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Lily Evans, clearly seeing the funny side of it too, let out a giggle. "Oh Sev. What have you done to your broomstick?!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What's going on over here?" The professor had wandered over to the scene of chaos. His eyes did a quick sweep of the scene, then he waved his wand once and said "finite," causing the broom to stop bucking at once. Once he was sure it was only Snape's pride that was hurt, he waved his wand again, saying "accio wands," upon which James and Sirius' respective wands flew directly into his open palm. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He turned to them both, a stern look on his face. "I think I'd better keep hold of these if you can't be trusted not to mess about. You can ask for them back from Professor McGonagall at the end of the day."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"James and Sirius turned to one another and grimaced. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The scene with Snape seemed to have put Professor Alstrade in a bad mood. He had lost his initial enthusiasm, and, despite his assurances, was indeed issuing instructions and judgements as they eventually mounted their brooksticks and, in some cases, flew into the air./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"James hadn't been lying. He was a good flier. Sirius wasn't bad either. But Peter couldn't seem to do more than float a few feet off the ground. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well, at least if you fall there's enough padding to protect you." One of the Slytherin boys said nastily as he flew past Peter./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Sod off Mulciber." Sirius said, overhearing the exchange as he flew past. "Don't listen to him," he told Peter. "He's a bonafide git." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter didn't ask how Sirius knew this but was grateful for the protection. Being friends with someone like Sirius certainly had its advantages. People didn't seem to pick on him like they did on Peter. Or when they did, he could certainly hold his own. Peter vowed to do all he could do preserve their friendship. He considered it might be very important for him later on.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"There were no more disturbances or any more trouble for the remainder of the day. James and Sirius couldn't have caused any even if they had wanted to, as their wands remained under strict guard in McGonagall's office./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"When five o' clock came around, the two of them bade goodbye to Peter and Remus in the common room and wandered off in the direction of their head of house's office, both to retrieve their wands and to serve their detention from the night before./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I hope they'll be OK." Remus said worriedly from beside him. "She won't be happy they've got in trouble so quickly again."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter rather thought his two new friends more than capable of dealing with their strict head of house. It didn't even seem to bother them that much, getting in trouble. What was Remus worrying about?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The two of them spent the next couple of hours playing gobstones. Remus was quite good, but he was patient, and Peter thought the other boy might even have let him win once or twice. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter had to admit that he liked Remus. The boy wasn't anything like James or Sirius. He was quiet and unassuming, with a kind word for everyone. Peter wondered what he saw in their two dark haired companions. Or maybe Remus simply just saw the best in them too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The portrait hole swung open and, on cue, James and Sirius entered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What happened?" Remus asked, abandoning their game and moving over to greet their friends. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""The worst." James said, clapping Remus on the back and then sinking into a low armchair, a hand splayed dramatically across his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Remus turned to Sirius who nodded in agreement. "I can't imagine a worse punishment. It'll go down in Hogwarts history"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Certainly has grounds for 'cruel and unusual'" James nodded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What?" Remus said, starting to sound seriously concerned now. "What did she -?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""She gave us lines." James said. "Two hundred times. Something about obeying curfew, I forget. But that's not the worst part."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""What's the worst part?" Remus asked breathlessly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""We've got to apologise to Snivellus." Sirius said and he too sunk into an armchair, looking ashen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Remus laughed with relief. "Oh!" He said. "Is that it?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"But Peter thought he could imagine the anguish the other boys were feeling. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""When do you have to do it?" He asked them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Tonight, at dinner." James answered. "She said she'll know if we've done it." He grimaced at Sirius. "I can't believe we've got to apologise to that greasy git. He's going to lord this over us all term…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"And though they complained about it all the way to the great hall, they did indeed do as instructed. Peter watched them go over to the Slytherin table and looked up to see Professor McGonagall's eyes on them too. The conversation didn't last long, but it seemed to have satisfied Snape, who Peter noticed was smirking long after the pair had left him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Little creep." Sirius said, settling himself back down and shuddering as though trying to rid himself of something contagious. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""He'll think he's got one over on us now," James moaned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""Well he hasn't." Sirius reassured him. "We'll show him." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter noticed that Remus hadn't said anything during this conversation, but was staring at his plate of food, looking deeply uncomfortable./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter didn't care all that much. It was entertaining to him watching his friends' drama with the Slytherin boy. As long as he wasn't directly involved, what was the problem? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Towards the end of their dinner, James, who had finished his food, flicked a pea at Sirius. Sirius picked it up and threw it back at him. He missed and it landed in Remus' goblet of pumpkin juice. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Trying again, he grabbed a potato and threw that at James instead. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The vegetable hit him square on the nose. "You're a deadman." He told Sirius, and before Peter knew what was happening, the pair of them were throwing food at one another with gleeful abandon. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"The food fight gathered momentum, and before long, most of Gryffindor house had joined in. Catching on, the Hufflepuff table initiated their own attempt. Ravenclaw and Slytherin students were watching the behaviour of their classmates in dignified disapproval. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"They had a scuffle for the first shower that night up in the dormitory. Sirius, whose hair was matted with shepherds pie and custard (what a combination…) claimed it should be him who went first, since he was the one who had been attacked first by James. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Remus put in a good argument for being exhausted and wanting an early night, and James didn't seem to really care, he just didn't want Sirius to win. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter wanted a shower. Someone had got him with creamed spinach, and the disgusting vegetable was sliding down the side of his face. Fortunately he still had some of his mother's treats in his bag. The spinach couldn't be the last thing he experienced before bed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"In an uncharacteristic show of understanding, James and Sirius allowed Remus the first shower. He was a while. Remus always got changed in the bathroom, which added, in Peter's opinion, unnecessary time to the routine. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Sirius went next, quick as a flash, and soap foam still in his hair as he emerged in his towel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"James seemed to have accepted his fate as last in line, and waved at Peter lazily from his bed, indicating the other boy go ahead. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter sighed in relief under the hot shower, as the remains of the food fight washed away down the drain. He could hear the others laughing from the dormitory. Were they laughing about him? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"He was pleased they considered him one of them; a 'marauder', but he knew he mustn't be complacent. He'd had a friend in primary school, Barnaby Fletcher. They had done everything together, from sharing crayons to playing hopscotch in the playground. He'd considered Barny his very best friend, but one day, Barny went to play with some other boys at breaktime. He seemed to have forgotten Peter, and though Peter pointedly ignored him all through their afternoon lessons, he continued to act as though nothing had happened. Slowly the pair had grown apart, and Peter had remained on the sidelines, watching as Barny played football with the idiot Richard Davidson and his gang and went round to his for tea after school instead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"But Peter had moved on. He wasn't that shy, lonely little boy he had been. Now he had proper friends. He was one of them. A wave of hope suddenly filled him. What if they emwere/em real friends? What if Barny had been an idiot to leave Peter behind. What if, because he was magical, muggle children just didn't take to him in the way his own kind did? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Feeling cheered and more hopeful than he had in a long while, he dried himself off and ventured back into the dormitory, where James and Sirius were engaged in a fierce debate about, it seemed, the age of their head of house. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;""I say one hundred and eighty." Sirius was saying. "She wears well, but it's the only explanation for why she's always so irritable. She's world-weary." He spotted Peter. "What do you think, Pete?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter had never really been a 'Pete'… his mum and sisters had always called him by his full name, and even the kids at school had too. But Sirius was his friend. And friends gave each other nicknames. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Replacing James (who went off to shower) on Sirius' bed, he and the other boy continued to debate the topic. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"Peter was amazed by how happy Sirius seemed to be to talk to him. It was like they were equals. Could this be what having friends felt like? And the memory of his early childhood friendship came back to him again. But this time, maybe he would get it right… /span/p