The Lion's Roar
Peter was woken up by the sound of groaning — a shockingly common occurance in the marauders dormitory. He heard curtains scraping on their rails from the bed just across from his.
“Rise and shinee!”
“Prongs have mercy, its 6 in the bloody morning on a Friday for gods sake!” Sirius’ loud croaning rang across the room. Pete heard the thump of a pillow colliding with its target.
“Its pyjama day, we have to be prepared! Consider the pranking potential here!” James replied excitedly, a hint of mischief in his tone. Peter thought he had far too much energy for someone who woke up before the sun, but he supposed James must just be used to it, what with his religious fervor for practicing Quidditch at obscene hours.
Peter sighed and rolled out of bed, opening his own curtains. When he did, he saw why James was in such a good mood. Laid out on the hardwood floor were four matching pairs of pyjamas, which were a sight to behold. They secreted Gryffindor pride with their red and gold plaid, but the real attractor were the sewn in hoods that were covered in thick tawny fur, and the matching fluffy tails. James was pulling the pants up, jumper already draped flatteringly over his chest and mane firmly affixed to his head, encircling his chestnut hair like a sort of feral halo.
“James where on earth did you get those?” Peter said, pure astonishment apparent on his face — He wasnt one to hide things: Peter Pettigrew was an open book.
“I had Mum make them. The owl just arrived this morning!” James said grinning, clearly pleased with his creation.
Peter grinned back. It was hard not to smile and be happy when James was, his energy was contagious. James had the kind of smile that could make the sun rise, that made you feel like the most important person in the world. He remembered being 9 and learning to fly at James’ seaside manor, the feeling of the summer sun warming his face and James’ riotous laughter warming his heart. Thats the first time he can recall feeling truly warm inside and out — he was gilded.
Remus was stirring now, opening his curtains while rubbing out the daze of sleep left in his eyes. He locked eyes on the pyjamas and yelped.
“James?” his voice was soft and high pitched, and a small furrow had bloomed between his brows.
Sirius had seemingly gone back to sleep in protest, but he too poked his head out, intrigued by the commotion.
“OH PRONGS YES!” he roared, all pretense of annoyance falling away in an instant as he lept out of bed and ran eagerly to claim his pair.
Peter began changing into his too, struggling to pull the jumper over his head.
“James I thought today was about pranking other people” said Remus. “With those well be the bloody humiliation of the school.”
“I know, isnt it wonderful!” Sirius exclaimed.
Remus just sighed.
“C’mon Moony be a good sport, Pete isnt complaining is he?”
Remus glanced at Pete, hesitation in his eyes, but Pete was stupidly pleased with the whole ordeal and roared at him instead. This earned him a small smile from Remus, and had the other two marauders falling over in stitches.
“Wormtail, you are a beauty” wheezed James through his laughter. Peter felt something warm kick in his chest. He pulled on his trousers, jumping a bit to get them up his thighs. He pulled them up to his hips, but didnt stop there, hiking them up to an obscenely high level, earning him more laughter from the other marauders.
Remus had given in at this point, and was fumbling with his own pants. Peter kept jumping and wiggling until his pants were almost at his elbows, obsurdly high and taking of most of his short frame. He left them up.
“Well Petey you’re ready for your debut as a court jester” Sirius clapped him on the back, grinning as the four boys made their way to breakfast.
Peter grinned back. This was going to be a good day.