A/N: I'm back! Apologies for the long wait (again). I know this is a bad habit of mine. Unfortunately I was overseas for a few weeks and didn't get the chance to finish this chapter until now. Next one should be up sooner!

IX. Padfoot's Folly

"No heroism is simple, just like no simplicity is heroic."

– Ralph Emerson

James stared at Sirius in disbelief.

"You fucking idiot."

"What?" Sirius asked, puzzled.

James pushed past him, checking his pockets. Empty.

"Wormtail, got a spare Sickle?"

"Er, sure," Peter said, rummaging in his robes.

"Hurry!"

Peter fished out a couple of silver coins, and James snatched them from his open hand.

"I'll explain later. Stay here."

Taking the stairs to his dorm room three at a time, James snatched his broom from behind the door and sprinted back downstairs.

"Move!" he shouted, pushing through the throng of students and out to the Gryffindor Tower balcony.

"Prongs, what the fuck is going on?" Peter exclaimed, confusion crossing his features.

"No time," James said, and promptly leapt over the balcony.

"Fuck!"

Marley joined him on the balcony, drink in hand.

"Did James just–"

"Jump off the edge," Peter replied.

"What's going on, Peter?"

"I have no fucking clue. Padfoot?"

Sirius' face drained of its colour.

"Shit."


He'd thought about it, of course, ever since Sirius had suggested it in third year. But James had never actually done it, never jumped off Gryffindor Tower with only a broom in hand, and the unforgiving ground hundreds of feet below.

Plummeting through the air, he somehow hooked his foot around the stirrup, and levelled out. His heart was pounding, and his mind suddenly clear.

Hopefully he wasn't too late.

James crouched low, and with a jolt - his broom wasn't customised for speed for nothing - rocketed towards the Whomping Willow. Touching down a couple of feet out of reach of the Willow's vindictive branches, James fished one of the coins he'd taken from Peter from his pocket. At least the moon was bright.

Levitating the coin with his wand, he flung it in the direction of the small knot at the base of the tree. A whiplike branch knocked it out the way.

"Fuck."

James summoned the coin, and it returned to his grasp. He'd have to go closer. He exhaled, and ran for it, coin and wand clenched in each hand.

A thrashing branch struck him square in the back and he crashed to the ground, tumbling towards the base of the tree. Another branch struck him from his side, and James could taste the bile in his throat. His ribs, still tender from the Quidditch match, were on fire. Twisting to avoid a third branch, James desperately flung the coin at the knot.

A fourth branch suddenly froze, just inches from his face, and he let out a sharp breath. James quickly made his way into the passageway underneath the tree.

"Lumos."

James didn't know whether to shout or not. If he did, he might alert the werewolf.

Remus. It was still Remus.

A faint howl broke through the silence, and James broke into a headlong sprint down the passageway.

James didn't know if it had been a minute or ten before he rounded a corner, and crashed into Snape with a thud. Both crashed to the dirt.

"Fuck! Snivellus, what–"

But Snape's face, white even in the dim light, told him all he needed to know.

"He's right fucking behind–"

Grabbing a fistful of the Slytherin's robes, James pulled Snape roughly to his feet. "Go!"

Snape needed no encouragement, dashing back up the passageway with James on his heels.

Ahead, the passage was narrower. They'd have to slow down.

An earsplitting howl pierced the air.

"Fucking move!" James shouted, frustrated by the slower boy. There was no need for quiet now. The werewolf knew exactly where they were.

James glanced backwards, and immediately wished he hadn't.

Two yellow eyes shone through the darkness. Grey, matted fur covered lean, sinewy muscle, long arms and legs ending in curled claws.

Remus had caught them.

"Nox."

Snape looked at him in alarm. "Potter, are you–"

James gave his wand a flick, and a small flame burst into life from the point of his wand.

He swallowed. His chest was pounding.

"Moony."

The werewolf snarled, its lips peeling back to reveal needlelike teeth and fangs.

Blood pounding in his ears, James took a step back, wand raised. The thin flame sputtered with the movement, giving off an eerie light.

The werewolf was still several feet away, but James knew all too well how quickly it could close the distance between them.

James took another step back, concentrating on the flame in his mind. A voice in his head was telling him to maintain contact with the werewolf's beady eyes.

The werewolf shifted its weight forward, muscles tightly sprung.

James paused, allowing the flame at the tip of his wand to grow.

"I don't want to do this Moony."

James could feel the weight of the silver Sickles in his pocket. If it came to it…

The words of his father rang through his mind, deep and grave, as he had explained to his son, much younger then, why his Auror kit included a small silver sphere, no larger than a marble.

It would not come to that.

It could not.

"Stop," James said, sounding much more certain than he felt. The flame was stronger now – strong enough that beads of sweat were forming on James' forehead with the heat.

Still, the werewolf stared, a low growl rumbling from its throat.

"Enough, Moony," James said, his voice thick. "Even werewolves burn."

He could hear Snape behind him, drawing quick breaths.

"Potter–"

The werewolf gave a deeper growl, its jaws parting ever so slightly.

James acted on instinct, twisting his wand in an arc as wide as the passageway would allow. The jet of flame filled the space between him and Remus with golden fire. The werewolf howled, drawing back from the stifling heat.

"Move!" James shouted, but Snape had already started moving. James followed, before pausing to let off another burst of fire. A couple of minutes later, he paused again.

"What are you doing?" Snape asked, panting.

"I'm going to cave it in," James replied. "Just in case."

James murmured under his breath, and with two sharp jabs of his wand, the tunnel behind them collapsed inwards.

"Let's go!"

A few minutes later, they reached the entrance. Snape clambered out of the passageway at the base of the tree, and suddenly ducked, as a branch lashed out. James, behind him, caught the brunt of it, razor-sharp leaves leaving thin cuts down his face and through his robes. He shouted out in pain, as a second branch swept his legs out from underneath him.

"The knot! Get…get the knot!"

A third livid branch hit James with a crack.

Snape frowned, before comprehension suddenly dawned. Shielding his face, he crouched and pressed the knot, freezing the tree.

James groaned, gingerly getting to his feet.

"You prick," he said, his voice hoarse. "Why the fuck did you go down there?"

"Black fucking said–"

"And you thought it'd be a good idea to listen to Sirius?" James spat. "You're a fucking idiot, Snivellus!"

"How on earth is that allowed on school grounds," Snape retorted, pointing back in the direction of the Whomping Willow.

James picked up his broom from where he'd left it, and hoisted it over his shoulder.

"Well, the tree–"

"I mean the fucking werewolf!"

"Remus has just as much right to be here as you do," James shot back.

"How has he managed to hide it from…" Snape began, before trailing off, as sudden realisation dawned across his pale features.

"Figured it out, Snivellus?" James said, smirking. "The whole thing was Dumbledore's idea."

"That's fucked up," Snape whispered. "This whole thing–"

"Is fucked up," James interjected.

The castle loomed overhead. It was darker now, with the full moon caught behind a layer of cloud.

"Can you get back to the dungeons without getting caught?"

Snape sneered.

"Easily."

"Good," James grunted, then drew his wand again, pointing it directly between Snape's eyes.

"What are you–"

"Don't tell a fucking soul, Snape, or I swear to Merlin you'll wish I left you in that tunnel," James snarled.

Snape gave a short nod, and James lowered his wand, before stalking off.


The party in Gryffindor Tower had begun to die down when James clambered back into the Common Room. He was in a state. His robes were ripped and torn, blood was seeping from several cuts, and a piercing pain had shot up his left arm to the shoulder. He caught sight of Sirius, who was standing by the wall, clutching a near-empty bottle of Firewhiskey.

"Black!" he barked, striding over.

Sirius looked up. "Prongs, I…"

James swung a right hook, knocking Sirius back.

"You fucking prick!" James roared. "You absolute fucking…how could you be so fucking stupid?

Sirius clutched at his jaw.

"How the fuck could you do that to Moony?" James berated, shoving him back. "What the fuck, Sirius?"

"I didn't…"

"You didn't what, Padfoot?" James shouted, landing a blow to Sirius's gut. "You didn't fucking think, you…"

"Potter!"

Lily's voice cut through the rushing in his ears and the raging anger at Sirius' stupidity.

He turned to her, noticing that the whole Common Room had gone quiet. Everyone was staring. Confused faces turned to neighbours to silently speculate what had happened.

"Party's done. Everyone fuck off," James said sullenly.

"James–" Marley began.

"I mean it. You all need to leave," James said. He hoisted his broom over his shoulder once again, and silently made his way up the stairs to his dorm.


James eased himself onto his bed with a grimace and kicked off his shoes. A sharp knock came on the door.

"What?" he snapped.

Lily walked in without waiting for a further response, Peter following.

"What happened with Remus, Potter?"

"I can't say. Bugger off Evans, I don't want an interrogation right now."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You know, it's a full moon tonight."

James let out a noise of exasperation. She knew.

"You know."

"Of course I do."

"Since when?"

"Last year. I do rounds with Remus, Potter. Didn't take me long to realise his scheduling conflicts."

"Does he know you know?"

"No."

"But you didn't say anything."

"What could I say to him that would make what he goes through any better?" she replied, and James was struck by the compassion in her tone. "I don't want to force something that's not mine to tell."

He nodded.

"Alright."

"So what happened?"

"Sirius ran into Snape – just earlier. Snape alluded to knowing that Remus was…a werewolf. And Sirius told him to go to the Shrieking Shack."

"Oh my God," Lily exclaimed.

"That's the secret. The Shrieking Shack isn't haunted. It's Moony–Remus. Always has been."

"How?"

"There's a passage from the Whomping Willow that comes up under the Shack," James explained. "Remus goes down the tunnel each month, transforms inside the Shack. Pomfrey and McGonagall usually fetch him in the morning."

"How awful for him."

"Snape went down the tunnel, Evans. Course, Remus got a whiff of him - werewolves–"

"–have great smell–" she interjected.

"Yeah. So I go in, run into Snape, and Remus is just behind him," James said.

"Fuck," Peter swore.

"Did he…?" Lily asked, not wanting to finish the sentence.

"Not a scratch."

Lily let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding in.

"Managed to hold him back with an incendiary charm. Then I collapsed the passageway. Hopefully it looks like a natural cave-in."

"I can't believe you got out okay."

"What the fuck was Padfoot thinking?" Peter exclaimed.

"He wasn't, Wormtail," James said bitterly. "That's the fucking problem with Sirius, he doesn't stop to think about anyone but himself.

James paused.

"Where is he now?" he asked.

"He left as soon as you did," Lily said.

James grunted.

"Good."

"What about Snape?"

"I told him…well, he won't tell anyone what happened. Otherwise we'll all get burned by it."

"Will Remus remember?" she asked.

"I hope not," James said quietly.

He ran a hand through his hair

"Bet I look like shite."

"I don't think you'll be making the front cover of Teen Witch anytime soon," Lily quipped.

James smirked.

"Peter, can you do me a favour?"

"Sure."

"Two, actually. Find out where Sirius is. Ideally far away from the Slytherins. I don't want him doing anymore stupid shit tonight. And then you need to pay a visit to the dungeons."

The two Marauders exchanged a meaningful look, then Peter nodded and left.

James sat up properly and fished out a bottle of Firewhiskey from his bedside cabinet.

"Fancy a drink?"

"I'm fine," Lily said, feeling somewhat self-conscious. She folded her arms.

"Suit yourself," he replied, taking a swig from the bottle. Colour rushed to his cheeks and he gave a small shake of his head.

"You should probably see Madame Pomfrey. Those cuts look bad."

"Can't. She'll ask questions."

"Well you're getting blood all over your pillow."

"There's a tin under my bed - there," he pointed. "It's got some Healer's supplies."

Lily crouched down and pulled out a worn silver tin pockmarked with dents and scratches. She handed it to him.

"Cheers," James said, opening the tin and pulling out a small vial. He uncorked it and downed the contents.

"Do I want to know how you got some of this?"

"Relax, Evans. It's from an old Auror field kit."

"Your dad?"

"Yeah," he replied, dabbing at his face with a cloth.

"Here," she said, pulling out her wand. "Sit still."

"I can look after myself."

"This is painful to watch. Just let me."

"Fine."

"This is going to sting a little."

"You should come with that warning label attached," he quipped. "Ah!"

"Don't be a smart arse," Lily replied, tapping her wand to each of the cuts on his face.

"It's sore."

"It's the Whomping Willow, Potter. What did you expect?"

He pulled a face at her.

"Don't do that," she admonished, sealing the last of the cuts. "Right. That should prevent it from becoming infected. You should definitely still go to Pomfrey though."

"I'll see. Thanks," he said, setting the tin aside. "You can't tell anyone about this, Evans," he added. "I mean it."

"I won't," she replied, standing up.

"Evans?"

"Yeah?"

"I never asked you about…Severus," James said, forcing the last word from his mouth with a faintly disgusted expression.

Lily attempted to hide her surprise.

"Sorry?"

"I mean, you were mates, yeah?"

"Yes. He was the first person from our world I ever met."

"Oh," James replied. "I didn't know."

They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.

"It must have been hard, after…"

"We stopped being friends."

James shot her a guilty look.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

She met his gaze, still sceptical.

"I mean, I really am," he added. "I don't like him but I didn't have to be an arse to you."

She looked at her feet.

"Well, he made a choice."

"It was the wrong one," James replied.

Lily looked at him a moment longer, then turned to go.

"Goodnight, Potter."

"Night."


Dumbledore looked at the young man over his spectacles.

"The only reason why I am not expelling you from this school, Mr Black, is because no one was seriously injured – or worse."

The Headmaster's tone was even, but anger and disappointment exuded from his voice.

"For that, you have Mr Potter to thank."

"You will serve detention every evening for the remainder of the school year."

"Professor, what about my exams?" Sirius asked.

Dumbledore motioned for silence.

"I suggest you make good use of your limited time. You will also serve detention three times a week for the first month of the new school year in September, and a two-game suspension from the Gryffindor Quidditch Team."

"But–"

"Do not think to presume, Mr Black, that this is a negotiation," Dumbledore added. "I should note that Professor McGonagall did not hesitate to recommend the Quidditch ban."

Sirius scowled.

"Kindly inform Mr Snape to come in when you leave. That is all," Dumbledore said, interlocking his fingers together.


"What's the verdict?" Peter asked.

"Detention every night for the rest of the year," Sirius replied. "And a two-match ban from Quidditch next season."

"James'll be livid."

"He'll cope," Sirius said.

The two Marauders walked along the corridor in silence.

"Has Moony…"

"He doesn't want to talk to you, Padfoot."

Sirius nodded.

"And Prongs is pissed," Peter added.

"I don't blame him. At least he got off scot free."

"Did Dumbledore tell you how he found out?" Peter asked.

"Didn't say. Snivellus caved, though," Sirius said. "The minute Dumbledore asked him what he was doing in the tunnel he started blabbering."

"He's a prick."

"That he is, Wormy."

They had reached Gryffindor Tower.

"Are you…?" Peter ventured.

"No," Sirius replied. "I think it's better to stay away, for now."

"Suit yourself."


"This is weird," Lily remarked out loud over breakfast.

"You say that like we're ordinary people attending school in a magic castle," Marlene replied through a mouthful of toast.

"No, look," she gestured.

James, Remus, and Peter were sitting together , talking animatedly about something Remus had read in the paper. At the other end of the table, Sirius was sitting by himself, seemingly engrossed in a book.

"Do you think it's weird that the Marauders aren't sitting together or that Sirius looks like he's studying?"

"Well, both. It's been three weeks, Marley," Lily replied. "I haven't seen them together since the Quidditch final."

"Apparently Sirius isn't even sleeping in their dorm."

"They've had rows before."

"Yes, but they're usually over in twenty minutes after they've fought it out," Marlene replied. "It would be great if you would tell me what happened."

"I already told you, Potter didn't say a word," Lily replied, feeling guilty she wasn't being truthful to her friend. "I tried to calm him down and then helped him heal the cuts on his face."

Marlene didn't look completely convinced.

"Rumour going around is that he saved Snape from something in the Forbidden Forest."

"There's all sorts of things in the Forest, that doesn't exactly narrow it down. And Potter wasn't exactly forthcoming," Lily added. "Told me to bugger off until I pointed out that he was getting blood on his pillow."

"These chats you have with James fascinate me."

"Why?"

"Because for so long you wanted nothing to do with him, and now you're always talking to him."

"It's not like we're meeting up in Hogsmeade."

"You literally had a drink with him in The Three Broomsticks the other day."

"That was weeks ago," Lily said defensively. "And it wasn't exactly planned."

"I'm just saying, people talk."

"What are they saying?"

"Nothing," Marlene said, finishing her glass of pumpkin juice. "Just that James called it quits with Danielle Fenwick last week and word is it's because of you."

"That's ludicrous," Lily replied. "He and I would never work."

Marlene stood and slung her bag over her shoulder as others around them began to make their way to morning classes.

"If you say so."


Hope you liked it - please let me know what you thought.