Returning to Hogwarts for the fourth year was different from the previous three. Perhaps it was because they were halfway through education or the new expectations placed upon each student; maybe it was the dark shadow of the growing threat of the Dark Lord and the silent war becoming louder hanging over the entire wizarding world. Voldemort was growing in power; no one could deny it; every day, muggles and wizards alike seemed to vanish mysteriously. On top of that, Voldemort's influence was spreading due to his growing numbers.

"Alright, Pumpkin Head," called James, throwing his words to Allegra and her group of chosen friends, those who had gotten a taste of their own medicine during the final week of their third year. Students of all ages stood up to them. The older students hadn't done much to prevent the retaliation of curses, hexes, and jinxes the group of girls had been on the receiving end of. Head boys and girls of each house had looked the other way with a chuckle while Prefects had instructed younger students on their methods. By the time any professors arrived to investigate, it was as if nothing happened at all.

"Shut up, Potter," yelled Allegra in response. Her voice was harsh and colder than before and tucked under her arm were a few Dark Arts books she had purchased from Diagon Alley. Like many students, Allegra had changed over the holidays; she sent letters back and forth to her group of friends but never met up with any of them. Instead, she focused on studying new potions, spells, charms, the Dark Arts, and dangerous magical creatures. Her old friends were forgotten after she rudely banished them from her new life.

"What's with all the changes lately?" asked Peter, noticing others around him changing. Sweet Marlene had lost her mind filters over the summer holidays. Where she'd once been polite with those who tormented her, she was now anything but. Isolde had gained confidence now; she was no longer afraid to show her affection for others, both friends and more romantic partners. Instead, she proudly displayed it, but that had come at a cost, one she'd thrust far refused to acknowledge.

Lily was the only girl Peter knew who remained the same; although she was a little more sensible than before, she still called James a prat and other names when he did something to rile her up. Likewise, she still called Sirius a toss pot, too. Like before, she still spent quality time with Severus, even when he had begun to change and take an interest in Dark Arts.

"We're older now, mate; we're expected to start acting like it," began Sirius, recalling the latest visit McGonnagal took to the tower. She'd initially said it was to ensure the first years had settled properly, but she'd also spoken to the fourth years and clarified what was expected of them now. They were now young adults and were considered role models to the young years. "Plus, some are vying for Prefect next year."

"Pfft, who wants that responsibility?" questioned James, acting offended by the idea of being a Prefect. All the responsibility and no fun, not to mention running around the school after the younger students. Nothing about it appealed to him, not even the power that came with it. However, he'd happily take the opportunity to wind one up again, as he'd done yearly. "Sounds like a nightmare to me. Can you imagine chasing Wolffe all over the place?"

"Don't we already do that?" chuckled Remus, "She's not called the Bane of Hogwarts for nothing."

"Never did find out how she got old Peeves to listen to her," commented James, recalling witnessing the chaos the poltergeist caused at (Y/N)'s request. Everything from popping out of blackboards to following the Wicked Quartet around and making farting noises, those helping them from Slytherin house ended up being locked in suits of armor or had an array of things dropped on them.

"Speaking of Wolffe, she's been different since the holidays," stated Peter, recalling (Y/N) hadn't been as mischievous as usual, nor had she been sociable. She hardly spoke a word during the train ride to the castle and had the same quietness during breakfast, dinner, and classes. The only time she seemed relatively normal was in the Common Room, but that was only when Isolde was notably absent. The silent sadness would return the moment Isolde joined them. On some occasions (Y/N) had left when Isolde joined.

"What happened?" asked James, remembering Sirius mentioned he had plans with (Y/N) over the holidays; he planned to tell her how he felt. Sirius had been excited about it for days, so much so he'd been grinning from ear to ear with that goofy smile. However, Sirius and (Y/N) appeared almost lost after the Wolffe family dinner. From what they could understand, Isolde had also been present at the dinner, just as it seemed the event was where everything had started to go wrong.

"The dinner happened," voiced Sirius quietly, debating whether he should open up about what happened and shed light on the other troubled relationships. Remus soon uttered the latest password to the portrait of the fat lady, interrupting her calmly and humming the Hogwarts tune. "Isolde, Aurelius Harper, and another girl, I think Qimir's partner was also there. Joaquin said something: after Mr. and Mrs. Wolffe approved his relationship with Isolde, it killed the atmosphere; from what I can gather, it also put a wedge in his relationship with Helena and (Y/N)."

"So (Y/N) didn't think you were joking?" asked Peter in an attempt to lighten the mood a little; as the group of boys headed over to the small area near the stairs, he quickly noticed how quiet it was. "Guess I owe Moony 5 Galleons," he added, hearing James trying to stifle his laughter by whipping a hand over his mouth. On the other hand, Remus looked bewildered, shaking his head before attempting to ignore the comments.

"Come on, Sirius, we all know it's not gonna stop you two from playing kiss chase," voiced James, quickly dodging when Sirius threw a playful punch in his direction. "Seriously though, she's the ying to your yang. We all know you two bring out the best in each other. It's like Remus and Marlene if they ever get past the awkward stage."

"Think of it this way," began Peter, suspecting his words would lighten the mood and offend at least one of his friends. "At least you're not pining after someone to an embarrassing degree like James is with Lily," he added. This time, Remus tried and failed to stifle his laughter. James, however, let out a squeak as if trying to show his offense without uttering a single word on the subject. Sirius could only grin, offering a nod of thanks to Peter, even more so when the small boy had wordlessly encouraged them to chase after the girls to grab their attention.

"It's too quiet in here," spoke Fennec as she returned to the Common Room, looking around she was met with the Marauders laughing about something in one corner, Lily, Marlene, and (Y/N) on the opposite side of the room appearing to be studying, once again Isolde was absent. Allegra, Samantha, Georgie, and Ultica gathered around the fire with a stack of books between them, whispering among themselves while occasionally pointing to other students coming and going.

"It's because there's no mischief, explosions, or unexpected jumpscares," casually replied Finnick from the walkway between the dorms. As he spoke, his eyes flicked between the Marauders and their counterparts; for a moment, his eyes lingered on (Y/N) and Sirius in particular as if to hint the two were unusually quiet. "Not even Peeves is causing mayhem this time."

"Good, that stupid poltergeist is a terror. The ministry should have banished him years ago," voiced Allegra, shivering at the thought of the antics the poltergeist got up to at the end of the last school year. He seemed to ignore everyone: staff, students, and other ghosts to terrorize her and her little group of friends. Only the Bloody Baron had gotten him to stop, but that hadn't lasted long.

"He's only a terror to those who don't have a sense of humor," muttered Isolde as she entered the Common Room. Lily let out a small chuckle as Isolde came to sit with the girls at the back table, thankful (Y/N) didn't leave this time, although she didn't acknowledge she was there either.

"We have a good sense of humor," began Ulrica, trying to defend herself and her friends against the words she'd perceived as an insult. "It's not our fault you losers don't understand it," she added angrily. Once again, she wished she'd been placed in Slytherin and questioned why the stupid sorting hat had been placed in Gryffindor.

"That's because terrorizing people isn't funny," voiced James. "As you lot found out last year when you got a taste of that sweet medicine," he added, suspecting the previous year would repeat itself, at least regarding the Wicked Quartet's behavior. He had little doubt that they would believe they were above the school rules and could get away with anything if they played the victim well enough. By the end of the year, everyone else would be fed up with them and once again play their own wicked game back at them, only this time with more creative spells. "Oi, Wolffe, how did you create that pool on the seventh floor?"

"That was you?" interrogated Georgie, anger written across her scrawny features, even more so when she unintentionally ran straight into said pool. She'd spent most of the day dripping wet; not even spells and charms seemed to dry her off. "I've been wet most of the day because of you."

Georgie's words were only met with laughter, which grew when she asked what was so funny, and Samantha asked how being wet was something to be laughed at. Even Ulrica and Allegra seemed confused about what had tickled the group of boys and several rival girls.

"The answer, Jammers," spoke (Y/N) between her laughter. "The same way I cause all my mischief ... Magic," she added with her signature grin appearing across her lips. For a moment, it was as if it all was normal again.

"You walked right into that one, mate," Sirius commented lightly, "Like Georgie with that pool."

"Ah, so you are still causing the typical pandemonium on a smaller scale," Finnick said from the walkway above, as a light chuckle soon rumbled from him as he shook his head.

"Was there any doubt?" asked Marlene, although she'd never admit she too had doubted if things would be expected after the disaster summer holiday had turned out to be in terms of spending time together. So bad was it that a rift had begun to appear; it was big enough that others had noticed it.

"Some," answered Fennec, moving to one of the empty tables. She soon threw her feet on the tabletop before opening the latest charm book. She figured she could take advantage of the quietness to study her own and work on the strategy for Quidditch that year, at least once she had her team organized. However, she was no fool and knew eventually, all hell would break loose, whether that be the wicked quartet up their tricks again or the mayhem of mischief from the usual suspects.