Even though Lily wanted Remus to continue reading the book, he knew he wasn't ready. After Runes, while all the other Marauders were at James's practice and David and Spinnet were at supper, Remus went to his dorm and pushed up his mattress. He cut into it and shoved the book there, using the repair spell to hide the opening. He would read it eventually… for Lily. Just not anytime soon.

He lowered his bed and sat on the edge, rubbing his face until he forced himself to go to his desk to work on homework. He knew he should eat, but he really wasn't hungry despite not having anything for lunch. Not even the sweets in his desk tempted him. Eventually, he gave up trying to do homework, too, and folded his arms on his desk, putting his head down until it was time to go meet Jean-Marie.

It seemed to him like the next twenty-four hours would last a thousand years, especially when his friends showed up and he had to act like his usual self, which felt like an impossible feat around James. He kept wanting to grab him and shake him and demand to know why he bought the book. He couldn't even take anything out on him, as he never stole the drizzy. He and Sirius tried, but they didn't really have much time and when they did sneak in… the drizzy had tried attacking them, so they had given up.

The night did drag on, and like most of the classes during the day, Remus hardly noticed what happened in Astronomy. When he went to bed after, he realized he'd have to get notes from Lily for all of the classes that day. She would understand.

She did, the next morning; he whispered to her about not being able to focus in class and she nodded, promising to get copies of her notes to him by lunch. She'll need to add today's notes too, he thought as Talkalot lectured them on some Arithmancy points that went over his head. He considered using Arithmancy to try to figure an answer out about James, but didn't know what to even do for that. Tarot would work though, even though his cards seemed to hate him. He had them with him, since he had Divination later.

As he and Aegis walked to Muggle Studies, Remus got his cards out and began shuffling them. Direct questions weren't exactly the best however he really had no clue how to frame the question any other way. He focused on James, on the book, and the question of if James knew or not.

Aegis read from Remus's book what the card meant, even though he obviously had no idea what the question was. The seven of pentacles mostly tended to represent things to do with finances and money. Putting the time in for longer-term rewards, and looking at the bigger picture. However, it also meant being patient, to focus on the present and that he'd get his answers soon. Obviously the card was telling him to wait until Fawley, and he grouchily began shuffling them again. Hmph, some help you are, he thought miserably.

"Does it really work?" Aegis inquired.

"Um, y-yes, usually. For me it does," he said. "Do you want me to read one for you?"

Aegis hugged his satchel to his chest, eyes huge as he nodded. His cheeks were a little pink. "Yes. Although I do not wish to explain what the situation is, so I suppose it is pointless."

"We can try." Remus stopped in his tracks, still shuffling. "Here, focus your energy and thoughts towards the cards and then you pick which card feels right."

He divided the cards into two stacks and kept dividing them up until Aegis chose a card. Remus flipped it over. "The ace of swords. Here." He had Aegis hold it while he got into the book. Since he didn't know the question he couldn't interpret the card fully, so he only read out some of the meanings. "The ace of swords represents vision and truth, clarity… force…" He glanced up but Aegis kept frowning. "It means success, being assertive, and that you're on the brink of a breakthrough." That got to him, and his friend's cheeks went pinker. "New beginnings, making the correct decision—"

"Oh," he whispered.

"It says you will succeed however the journey may be difficult." Aegis nodded in agreement to that, hugging his satchel tighter. "It can mean a triumph of force in love or hate. You need to be strong and resilient and you should be able to navigate the hurdles involved." He shut the book and put it and the cards away, wondering if Aegis's question had to do with his Malfoy blood, or Lucius Malfoy.

"Thank you."

"Did that… help?"

Aegis shrugged. "I am not sure yet. Perhaps. It did… answer my question, in a way. I think." Then he changed the subject, which Remus went along with. He knew he wouldn't want to talk about his question. Whatever Aegis was grappling with, he evidently wanted to keep it private, and Remus respected that privacy. Unless… what if it did have to do with Malfoy?

"Is Malfoy bullying you again?" Remus blurted out, forgetting entirely that he wasn't going to pry.

Aegis merely smiled. "He has been rude, but no. It has not been particularly bad. I promise," he added when Remus narrowed his eyes. "My question had nothing to do with him."

"I was just worried he might be the bumpy path you had to deal with."

"No. That is not what is on my mind. Thank you, though, for your concern. I—I really appreciate it. I hope that you are able to get your answers soon, since your card seemed to tell you that you needed to wait?"

Remus nodded glumly. "It did." He didn't add that he'd probably get his answers tonight. Being that impatient for something only a few hours away seemed a little childish. "It's kind've annoying, but… it's fine."

Only it wasn't fine, because Merlin did the day stretch on! He was on edge the entire time, constantly checking the time whenever he could, mentally urging the clocks to tick faster. None of the Marauders commented on the fact he barely ate any lunch but when supper came, Sirius pointed out he hadn't eaten much. He asked if Remus had had breakfast, and Remus lied and said he had had a really big breakfast, when in reality all he had eaten was half an apple.

At fifteen till, he got up, saying he was going to go a bit early. He intended on going straight to Miss Fawley however when he left the Great Hall, someone started calling his name. He turned, watching Aegis jog over to him.

"I meant to ask you earlier when we saw one another," Aegis puffed out, doubling over to catch his breath, "did you want to do something? We have not really seen much of each other since the holidays ended. If you cannot, that is fine."

"Oh—erm—"

"It's fine," Aegis said, straightening up. "I assumed you had plans with the others, but when I saw you leave by yourself I thought…"

Remus shook his head. "The thing is I have an appointment with Pomfrey."

Aegis gave a slight noise of frustration. "I entirely forgot that it was today. I am sorry."

"It's all right. Maybe tomorrow? Or… is the Study Group meeting tomorrow?"

"Lily did not tell you?" Aegis asked and Remus tilted his head. "It does not meet anymore. We have broken up."

"No, she didn't."

"Before the holidays," he explained. "Just before. Lily and Miss Pierce got into a rather nasty argument with Craft. Miss Pierce said she was done meeting, and Mr. Bones said if she was not going, he wouldn't. Lily said with them and you gone, that is half the group and it would be pointless to continue. Twycross said that the group had consisted of eight people and only three would be gone, that is not half. Lily said that she knew what she meant, and it was the same. Twycross tried to argue. Lily said she had had it too, and was done, and that did make half if Twycross was going to be so stuck up about semantics. Miss Buckling looked at me and asked my opinion and I admitted I didn't want to meet up if it was only Craft, Twycross, and her. She said she agreed, took her things, and left."

"Oh, wow. No, Lily hadn't said anything."

Aegis folded his arms, hunching a little. "I have been revising by myself."

They agreed to meet in the library the next evening after supper, and by the time that plan was made the other Marauders showed up to go to Fawley's as well. At least Aegis didn't seem to think it was fishy for them to 'escort' Remus to the hospital wing.

When they arrived at her room, James, Sirius, and Peter all had to go in and say hello, and thank her for their Christmas presents. They had a small present for her too. A charm bracelet with four charms on it. A broom to represent James, a star for Sirius, a camera for Peter, and they had included a book for Remus. She hugged them all tightly, kissing each cheek and thanking them for the wonderful gift. She had James put it on her right away, and the charms clinked softly together when she waved at them as they left.

Remus felt guilty about diving right into his problems, since he always seemed to be doing that with her, but he couldn't hold it back. He showed her the memory of the page so she could see it herself, and nearly cried as he confessed his fears about James. Fawley held him close, rubbing his shoulder and promising him it would be okay.

"I haven't noticed anything in his memories," she promised. "From what I've seen, he isn't suspicious at all. I'll look tonight to see the memory of him buying the book and talk to him a little about it, all right? I won't pry too much, though. You can come back after he and Peter have had their lesson and I'll let you know."

Remus sniffled, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "Thank you. I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize, dear. Now, shall we begin?"

Despite anxiety still scratching around inside him, he felt calmer than he had since before reading the kissing scene, and was able to relax enough to work on his Occlumency; not that he did much besides a paper thin shield and a massive headache.

He went to the secret passage where the others were playing a game of Wild Adventures, and James had him take over his piece. As soon as Remus sat down, Sirius offered him some water.

"You have a headache, don't you?"

That's when Remus realized Sirius was wearing his reading glasses and he felt like it was a powerful spell slamming into him and setting him on fire. He dropped the flask of water, stammering a little before picking it back up. "Y-yes," he squeaked, trying not to look at Sirius now. He looked so… nice with those glasses. It wasn't fair. "How did you know?"

"You usually have one," Peter pointed out, moving his piece across a river.

The water did help ease the pain and soon his werewolf abilities got rid of it completely. "Not spending any time with Cassie tonight?" he asked as casually as he could, rolling the dice and taking James's griffin out of the forest and part way up the mountain.

"No, she broke up with me, didn't I tell you?"

Remus would have dropped something again if he had been holding anything. "Since when?" Why wasn't anyone telling him anything? First no more Study Group, now this?

"Last night." Sirius bent in to study the board, eyes squinting behind the lenses. "She said I was a gross and immature boy, that if I wanted to act like a child then I didn't deserve a girlfriend."

"Wh—why?"

Sirius finally moved his piece, sweeping it through a field and finding some buried treasure. "So, want to know why a drzicrib is called that?"

Remus rolled his eyes, remembering the silly joke Sirius had told Cassie and Alice the day before. "Because it hit the wizard in the knob."

"How did you know?"

"I heard you, as I left," he explained. "Is that why she called you immature?"

"I think it also had to do with the fact Sirius sat on James and farted on him," Peter said.

Sirius scrunched his nose up. "Might have had something to do with it, yeah."

Sirius and Cassie weren't together anymore… again. Remus chewed his thumbnail, wondering if this would last. "Do you miss her?"

"Mate, it's been a day," laughed Sirius, stretching his arms high above his head and yawning. "I saw her in class today. It's her choice. If she doesn't think this—" he motioned to himself, "—is the greatest catch in the world, her loss." He then went back to stretching.

Remus scooted a little away. "You didn't put any deodorizing spells on today, did you?"

Sirius sniffed at his armpit. "Oops."

"Definitely the greatest catch," Peter giggled, and Remus grinned.

Sirius threw one of the dice at Peter and it rolled away, so they had to take a minute to hunt it down. After several more turns and Peter on the verge of winning, James returned and took over Peter's piece while Peter went to Fawley.

"By the way, she asked me to ask you to come back after she's done with Pete," James said, rolling the dice and moving Peter's erkling and somehow putting him in last place in that one turn. "Said she needed to ask you something."

Three rounds later Sirius won, and the two of them began playing again while Remus pretended to read. James was acting normal, so whatever Fawley had done hadn't raised any flags with him. That helped ease some of his fears but he wouldn't be okay until he talked to her.

When Peter came back, he, James, and Sirius went ahead and started going back to the common room while Remus went to Fawley. She was smiling when he went in which was a good sign, and she immediately put his fears to rest.

"First of all I want to make it clear that the only reason I am informing you is because he gave me permission."

All the blood drained from his face. "You t-told that I asked?"

"No," she said. "I told him I was curious, which isn't a lie. I have always wanted to visit Ventus and New York. I also framed it as you being curious about some of the other books available over there. He gladly showed me the memory and said I could tell you whatever it was you wished to know. Which is reassurance." She smiled. "He doesn't know, as far as I can tell. It was simply a coincidence." He sat down next to her, asking about it. "When they were in Ventus, James found a little side alley that had a few shops. He found one that… I don't think he realized at all that it was a gay shop."

He remembered the magazine James mentioned. "The entire… place?"

"Yes, mostly books and magazines," she said, looking amused while Remus marveled; a whole shop dedicated to… to… people like him? "He had seen books in the window and gone in."

"And… he didn't… notice?"

"I don't believe so. The clerk immediately asked if she could help him, and he told her he wanted a book for a friend. I think she thought he wanted it for himself. In any case, he said he wanted something historic and fictional. She showed him that book and he bought it. He didn't stay much longer after she refused to sell him a lesbian magazine."

Remus pulled his feet up on the couch, wrapping his arms around his legs while he mulled this over.

"James is a dear, but sometimes he doesn't really catch on," she reassured him. "Everything I saw indicated he had no idea about the shop, and no idea about you." She reached over, fingers resting gently on his wrist. The charms on her bracelets brushed against his arm. "Besides. If he did have an inkling, I believe he would have talked to you about it. He—" She hesitated, brow furrowing. "I can't go into details as they are his memories, but please trust me. If he suspected, he would have said something."

He still felt unsure, but he did trust Fawley. "All right." He unfolded his legs and stood up. "Th-thank you for helping me with this. Erm. Miss Fawley?"

"Yes?"

He swallowed, wanting to ask if she thought there might be any shops like that around Hogsmeade or somewhere in wizarding England… then changed his mind. If he was this terrified to even ask, he knew he'd be too scared to go in one. "Thank you."

X

"She lied, you know."

"What?"

"I know you're gay, Remus."

"I'm not," Remus protested.

James put a hand on Remus's cheek. "It's okay. Don't be scared, dummy."

He tried to back up but was rooted to the spot. "You're wrong, that's not true."

"Don't be scared," James said again then leaned in to kiss him—

Remus woke up with a startled yelp, pushing out at the air in front of him. He panted a few times, staring at the darkness. What in Merlin's name was that?! Why had he dreamt that James of all people…? Did that mean he felt things about James now? Or was it only because of everything going on?

"Are you all right?" Sirius asked softly.

Remus jerked a little, not having heard him come over. Of course he had heard the yelp. "Yes. Sorry. I—it was a rather disturbing dream—" that was putting it mildly, "—but I'm all right."

The curtains twitched back a little. "You sound better than you usually do after a nightmare."

He smiled a little at that, pushing his hair back. "It… wasn't really a nightmare. I mean, it sort've was. But it also wasn't. I don't know, it was more weird than anything else. Bizarre. I'm fine."

Sirius hesitated, glancing at the other beds then back to Remus. "Are you sure? Because… I dunno, you've been… seeming a little off today, and yesterday. If something happened…?"

"No. It… it just feels… weird," he said, trying to come up with a good response on the fly. "Being—I mean, since I missed the start of school last week. Trying to adjust back to things after being alone here for two weeks."

Sirius frowned and Remus wasn't sure if he believed him. "Okay. If you need anything…"

"Yes, thank you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

X

Thankfully, he didn't have any more weird dreams about James that night, though he felt very tired when he woke up in the morning. He kept rubbing his eyes as he trudged to Potions class, and yawning a lot. It really didn't feel like he had gotten any good sleep. At least with Fawley's promise that James didn't suspect he was able to pay more attention in his lessons now, though during lunch he had to carefully go through all of Lily's notes to catch up on what he had missed. Except for Divination.

"Hey, David?" Remus reluctantly went over to where he and Spinnet sat. Spinnet began glaring. "Did you take any notes in Divination last night?"

"Errrhuhhhhhh. Not really. Didn't you?"

"No, I had a lot on my mind. Thank you." He went back to the Marauders, wondering who he could ask. A few weeks ago he would have asked Magpie, but ever since The Incident that was out of the question. Who else took Divination? Craft and Twycross both did, but he couldn't do that. Pierce did. So did Bones and Rivers.

Remus looked at the Hufflepuff table. The latter two weren't there, so he approached Pierce, feeling strange. He hadn't talked to her since he last attended Study Group and now with it disbanded this felt… awkward. However she smiled when he came near, and after he stammered out his request she told him she'd bring them to supper. He thanked her and returned to the Gryffindor table, aware of several curious eyes on him.

"What did you need to talk to Pierce about?" James asked with a smirk.

"Er? Divination," Remus replied, wondering about the teasing tone. "David Struthers didn't really take notes. What?"

"She's cute," Peter said.

Oh, bloody hell. "Are you three going to be like this every time I ever interact with a girl?" he demanded.

"No," Sirius said.

"Maybe," Peter said.

"Yes," James said.

"I've said before, I don't have time for anything like that. Or the health," he added, giving them each a glare until the conversation changed back to the topic of what prank to pull for Valentine's day, even though it was still a month away.

X

Things seemed to finally be settling down and returning to normal, to Remus's relief. He was able to focus in class again, the Marauders were spending their free time either pranking or planning pranks, Sirius kept complaining loudly about Cassie, and Remus didn't have any more weird dreams about James. The book remained on his mind and the lines kept pounding in his head over and over… but he kept it inside his mattress, not ready to read it. He would eventually… for Lily's sake… just not yet.

On Wednesday evening he spent time with Aegis, and on Thursday after supper he and Jean-Marie met up for their usual tutoring session. On Friday, after Runes, he reluctantly put on his gloves and hat and went outside instead of going to supper. He had promised James he'd start coming to some of the practices, and James had said this one would be running late.

It was practically a blizzard outside, and Remus shivered the entire way to the pitch. Sirius and Peter were there, bundled up warmly and with a heavy blanket to boot. He slid in next to Peter, who put the end of the blanket around him then offered him a thermos of hot tea. Remus sipped at it, trying not to make a face since Pete liked his tea a lot sweeter than he did. Still, it was very hot and felt good. After a couple of drinks he passed the thermos back before conjuring up some bluebell flames to try to keep warm.

"This is ridiculous," he said, squinting at the players who were nothing more than dark blurs in the snow. "How can they even see anything to practice? What is the point of practicing in weather like this?"

"Maybe it'll snow on their next game," Pete suggested, hands wrapped around his thermos to help keep warm. "Could you make those flames bigger?"

Remus prodded at them with his wand and they grew a little, though not much. After a moment he gave up and simply conjured a couple more, lining them up on the seats in front of them. "They would make them play in weather like this instead of postponing the game?" He glanced up as someone flew somewhat nearby but he couldn't tell who it was. "Mental. It's stupid, is what it is. Can they see the balls? Or each other? Honestly." He bent in closer to the fire. "Quidditch should be an indoor sport, it would make everything so much easier. Hmph."

"Someone's in a good mood," Sirius grunted.

"I'm—it's not—" He gestured out to the snow. "You don't find this stupid?"

"Oh, I do," Sirius agreed. "But Pete's right. Quidditch games are hardly ever postponed for anything, let alone weather. Chin up, grumpy ghoul, could be worse."

"I swear it's snowed an inch since I sat down, how could it be worse?"

Sirius flashed him a smile. "Could have snowed ten inches."

Remus made a disgusted sound and took Peter's tea again, mostly to feel some more warmth inside. A moment later Sirius handed him a bag of Salamander Sticks. "You had—? Thanks a lot. Could have given them to me sooner."

"You were too hot-headed. You needed to cool off."

"Hope a dragon eats you." Remus nibbled at one of the spicy treats, warmth blooming through his body. He wanted to devour a whole handful but knew it wouldn't take much to get him sweating, and sweating in the freezing cold wasn't the best idea. He limited himself to three sticks and handed the bag back to Sirius, already feeling better.

Sirius and Peter began talking about girls (mostly Sirius complaining about Cassie) which Remus didn't join in with, instead pretending to be very interested in the practice he couldn't see. Then the conversation switched to whether or not there'd be a Valentine's dessert this year. Remus blushed a little, trying not to think of the previous year when he had dressed up like a girl to sneak in with James as his date to prank Sirius and Cassie. The desserts had been good, though. Almost worth it to put on those awful tights.

Then they began talking about pranks which Remus did join in for. They all agreed the Christmas prank had been lackluster, and they needed to step it up for Valentine's day. Sirius informed them that he and James wanted to do something sooner, actually, to make up for it.

"It wasn't that bad," Remus said, feeling guilty since he was the one to come up with Shake It Up.

"No, it wasn't," Sirius agreed. "I mean, the idea itself was terrific, it's just I don't think we had enough time to really pull it off like we should have." He was referring to the fact they hadn't shaken the entire room up, Remus suspected. Then he confirmed that with, "I think if we saved it for next year it would have been better, then we could have really shaken it up."

Remus nodded, agreeing with that sentiment.

"So… we're doing something big?" Peter asked, slurping at his tea. "When?"

"I dunno, as soon as we can. Like the fish thing again, or something." Sirius tugged at his hat, adjusting it. It was that stupid hat Remus had made him ages ago. Scarlet with a gold lion's paw on it. It was already looking a little small. "Maybe turn the entrance hall into ice."

"James wouldn't like that, it'd be too much like copying what those Ravenclaw girls did to the Gryffindor dorm," Remus pointed out, and Sirius made a face.

"Yeah, we should wait to do something like that. Any ideas?"

"James is the one with all the ideas," Pete complained. "Not me."

They were still trying to come up with something by the time practice ended. Remus put out all the flames and they made their way down to the pitch to meet up with James. It was too windy to really talk on the way back to the school, so it wasn't until they were inside, stomping all the snow off, before they told James some of their pitiful ideas. James frowned at all of them, saying he liked them but they weren't 'enough'. He wanted something big, something that would get him and Sirius into a lot of trouble which made Remus roll his eyes.

The idea came that night. They were in their dorm (alone, since Spinnet and David were down in the common room) and while James and Sirius were trying to memorize every single line to Sweet Caroline, Remus was helping Peter with some of his work. Flitwick had announced there'd be a practical test the next week, and Peter was panicking.

"You are doing fine," Remus promised after Pete tried and failed for the fourth time to make the apple they were practicing on bigger. "You're thinking too much. Don't worry."

"How can I not worry? I might as well pack up and go home."

"BUM BUM BUM!" James and Sirius belted out.

"Just because Charms isn't your forte doesn't mean you should quit school," Remus said. "You've done this spell loads of times. Take a deep breath—"

"Remember our first year?" James suddenly blurted out. "Making Professor Dedenne's knickers huge? Picture that in your head."

Peter smiled faintly. "All right." He stared at the apple, tongue curling out as he concentrated. "Engorgio!"

The apple grew to the size of a bludger, and James, Sirius, and Remus all threw themselves at Peter, hugging him tightly.

"All you have to do is imagine lacy yellow knickers, and you can make things bigger," snickered Sirius, causing James to fall over, hooting with laughter. Remus put his face in his hands, trying not to giggle too.

"SIRIUS!" Peter shrieked, shoving at him. "You're… you're… okay, that was funny."

"Engorgio penis," James said, and all four collapsed to the ground, laughing until it hurt. Remus thought he was going to die, and it took a while to gulp in enough air to breathe normally again.

"That's for Sirius's birthday," Remus managed to say, and they all started laughing again, and Sirius pounded at Remus with a pillow, telling him to shut up in between his laughing.

Once they all somehow calmed down, Remus wiped the tears from his face and began working with Peter again, although both of them kept giggling for no reason. James and Sirius went back to their song. Peter practiced spongifying the apple until it bounced around. Not as rubbery or soft as it should be, but enough that it would pass.

"All right." Remus dragged his desk chair out. "Let's practice the dancing spell."

"What's that one again?" Pete asked, looking both guilty and angelic at the same time.

He tried not to sigh. "Tarantellegra." He brandished his wand, making the chair do a little dance. "Finite incantatem."

Pete moaned. "I will never remember that! I've already forgotten it."

"Tarantellegra," Remus repeated carefully.

"Why can't the spell be… dancius? Or something."

"It… sort've is," Remus said and Peter narrowed his eyes. "The tarantella is an Italian dance. And allegro is a type of musical tempo, also Italian. So it's… dancing and music."

"Italian dancing and music!" Peter complained. "Dancius musicus."

"Mucus?" Sirius asked.

"Nooo!" Peter glared. "Musicus."

"Mucus," James insisted. "We should do the bat-bogey hex on someone again, it's been a while."

"Spells don't work that way," Remus reminded Peter.

"What, like the bat-bogey hex?" James asked.

"No! Like what—like dancius musicus. Spells don't work like that. It's about the manipulation of the meaning more than anything else."

"Are you going to lecture again, Professor Lupin?" Sirius asked, smiling.

He glowered. "No. Never mind. Just… all right." He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to think of something to help Peter. "Imagine tarantula legs."

"Sexy tarantula legs," James put in, and Sirius gave a wolf whistle. "With bits of yellow lace." That set the other two off into laughter again while Peter giggled and Remus shook his head.

"I'll try," Peter said and faced the chair. "Tarantulaego!" Of course nothing happened other than James and Sirius clapping while Peter turned brilliantly pink. "St-stop!" he wailed, hunching over. "You're both being mean!"

"Tarantellegra," Remus sounded out slowly.

"Tarantulaegra. Torantalegra. Torr—oh, forget it. I'm a failure. I fail." He flopped over onto the floor and rolled onto his stomach. "I'm gonna just mold into the floor."

"You mean meld?" Remus asked, wincing when Peter shouted, "YES OF COURSE, BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN GET THAT WORD RIGHT!"

"Good job being mean, Remus," Sirius teased.

"You two are the ones who cheered when he didn't do it right," Remus snapped right back. He sank down to the floor next to Peter. "Pete? Peter, look at me."

"Mph. No."

"Come on." Peter rolled over, staring miserably up. "Tah-ron."

"What?"

"Repeat after me. Tah-ron."

"Tah-ron."

"Tah-leg."

"Tah-leg."

"Gra."

Peter sat up. "Gra."

"Tah-ron."

"Tah-ron."

"Tah-leg."

"Tah-leg. Gra," Peter said before Remus could. "Tah-ron. Tah-leg. Gra. Tah-ron-tah-leg-gra."

Remus squeezed his wrist. "Doing it slow will still work, okay?"

They got up off the floor and Peter faced the chair again. "Tarantallegra," he pronounced very slowly and the chair's legs wriggled a little. He did it again, and again, and then the third time he went too fast and mispronounced it. Remus had him slow down again, pointing out that slow still worked. Peter did it slowly several times, the chair's legs never going wild like they did for Remus but moving enough that it was obviously working.

"You know what we should do," James said, staring at the chair and coming up with the prank he wanted to do next. He told them what was on his mind and they all agreed—well, Sirius and Peter agreed, Remus was a little apprehensive. The others had to beg him because they needed him to do the timer spell, otherwise they couldn't do it at all. Finally he relented, and they began working on the plan.