wolfstar
**Chapter One: The Marauders’ Next Great Adventure**
The Gryffindor common room buzzed with its usual evening energy. The fireplace crackled warmly, and students were scattered around, some studying while others played wizard chess. In the farthest corner, behind a hastily conjured silencing charm, four boys huddled together, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of mischief.
“Right,” James Potter said, leaning forward and pointing at the crude map sketched on the parchment in front of them. “Tonight’s the night, lads. Phase One of ‘Operation Filch-B-Gone’ commences.”
“I still think we should call it ‘Operation Catastrophe,’” Sirius Black interjected, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he lounged lazily against Remus Lupin.
“Sirius, we’re not calling it ‘Operation Catastrophe,’” Remus replied, rolling his eyes but smirking despite himself. His hand rested absently on Sirius’s knee, the casual intimacy unnoticed by anyone except their closest friends—though James and Peter had long stopped commenting.
“‘Operation Catastrophe’ has a nice ring to it,” Sirius said, his grin playful as he tilted his head to look at Remus. “Don’t you think, love?”
Remus shot him a pointed look, his cheeks faintly pink. “No. And stop trying to distract me.”
“You’re no fun,” Sirius teased, leaning closer to press a kiss to Remus’s temple.
“Save it for after the prank,” James muttered, pretending to gag.
Peter snorted, his small eyes darting nervously between his friends. “What exactly is Phase One again? Are we, um… sure it’s safe?”
James grinned devilishly. “Oh, it’s not safe at all, Wormtail. That’s the point.”
Sirius chuckled, straightening up. “Don’t worry, Wormy. If anyone gets caught, it’ll be me and James. You’re just the lookout. Low-risk job, really.”
“Right,” Peter said nervously, not looking reassured in the slightest.
Remus leaned forward, his expression skeptical. “So, what’s the grand plan this time? Please tell me it doesn’t involve traumatizing anyone.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” James said, clutching his chest dramatically. “It’s just a harmless little fireworks display. In Filch’s office. Nothing too flashy.”
“Just ‘harmless’ fireworks,” Sirius added with a smirk, “that happen to be enchanted to spell out ‘Filch Stinks.’”
Remus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why am I even helping you lot?”
“Because you love us,” Sirius said, sliding his arm around Remus’s shoulders.
Remus gave him a long look. “I love *you*. I tolerate *them*.”
“Fair,” James said with a grin.
---
An hour later, the Marauders were sneaking through the darkened corridors of Hogwarts, the moonlight spilling in through the tall windows.
Remus sighed as he adjusted his prefect badge, which he always felt like a hypocrite wearing on nights like this. But Sirius’s hand brushing against his as they walked made it hard to feel too guilty.
“Remember,” James whispered as they reached the hallway near Filch’s office, “Moony distracts Filch, Wormtail keeps lookout, and Sirius and I handle the fireworks.”
“Got it,” Remus said, rolling his eyes. “Just don’t get caught, alright?”
“Don’t worry about us,” Sirius said, winking. “You’re looking at professionals.”
Remus gave him a dry look but couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at his lips. “Just don’t make me regret this.”
Sirius grinned and leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’ll love me even if you do.”
Before Remus could respond, Sirius dashed off with James, the two of them disappearing around the corner.
---
It didn’t take much effort for Remus to lure Filch out of his office. A few strategically placed dungbombs near the Charms corridor had done the trick, and Filch had stormed off, muttering a string of curses that would’ve made even Peeves blush.
Meanwhile, in Filch’s office, James and Sirius were rummaging through drawers and shelves, laughing quietly at the oddities they found.
“Merlin, look at this,” James whispered, holding up an ancient-looking disciplinary log. “Filch keeps records from thirty years ago.”
“Obsessive, isn’t he?” Sirius said, pulling out a tattered sock that smelled like death. “And disgusting.”
“Focus, Pads,” James hissed, stuffing the enchanted fireworks into a drawer.
“Fine, fine,” Sirius said, though he pocketed a confiscated deck of Exploding Snap cards with a grin.
---
Peter stood nervously at the corner, his small frame half-hidden in the shadows. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Remus returned.
“Did you do it?” Peter whispered.
“Filch is halfway to the Charms corridor,” Remus replied. “Where are James and Sirius?”
As if on cue, the two emerged from the shadows, grinning like madmen.
“Mission accomplished,” James said triumphantly.
“Filch will never know what hit him,” Sirius added, tossing his hair dramatically.
Before Remus could respond, a voice echoed through the halls:
“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?”
Filch’s furious shout was followed by the distant pop of enchanted fireworks.
“Run!” James yelled, and the four of them bolted down the corridor, their laughter ringing through the castle.
---
By the time they tumbled back into the Gryffindor common room, they were breathless and grinning like maniacs.
“That,” Sirius panted, collapsing onto the couch, “was brilliant.”
“You nearly got us caught,” Remus said, though his tone was more fond than scolding.
“But we didn’t,” Sirius said with a lazy grin, pulling Remus down beside him. “So technically, it’s a win.”
“You’re insufferable,” Remus muttered, but he didn’t resist when Sirius kissed his cheek.
James groaned from the other couch. “Merlin, can you two save it for when I’m not here?”
“Nope,” Sirius said cheerfully.
---
Later that night, after the others had gone to bed, Sirius and Remus found themselves alone by the fire.
“You know,” Sirius said, breaking the comfortable silence, “we make a pretty good team.”
Remus raised an eyebrow. “You mean the Marauders?”
Sirius smirked, leaning closer. “No. I mean *us*.”
Remus’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Yeah. We do.”
Sirius leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’d go on a hundred more ridiculous pranks just to see you smile like that.”
Remus rolled his eyes, but his heart fluttered. “You’re an idiot.”
“Your idiot,” Sirius said, closing the distance between them.
The kiss was soft, unhurried, and perfect. For a moment, the chaos of their lives faded, leaving only the warmth of the fire and the steady beat of their hearts.