100 bad days- AJR
When Sirius slipped into the Gryffindor common room that night it was late. Nearly midnight. James was asleep in the plush armchair nearest the smouldering fireplace, head lolled back, glasses still on. Sirius didn’t want to face James’s disappointment right now, but he knew that James’s neck would hurt the next day so he walked over.
“Jamie.” He tapped his shoulder, “James.”
James woke with a quiet yelp.
“Oh thank Merlin you’re back Sirius. I was worried. Marlene said she’d seen you with McGonagall this morning and Remus told me what happened in Charms. I know you didn’t mean to do it, you weren’t punished too badly were you?”
Sirius gulped, fighting back the tears in the face of his best friend’s love.
“I- No. I have detention for a couple weeks but that’s all. I’m really sorry James.”
“I know.” He hugged Sirius to him and Sirius hugged him back so tight he was worried he might lose a few ribs. “Come on Pads, time for bed.”
The two boys crept up to the dorm and climbed into their beds. Remus’s curtains were closed, and Peter was on his back, dead to the world.
“Goodnight Sirius.”
“Night James.”
…
At lunch the next day Remus was sitting further down than usual, not interacting with the group. When Sirius arrived, he stood abruptly and walked out. James winced, watching how Sirius reared back like he’d been slapped and blinked the dampness from his eyes. Lily gave him a pitying look and James could swear Marlene actually shot a death glare at Remus’s receding figure.
“What’s up?” James pasted on a fake grin, trying to lighten the air. Sirius sent him a grateful smile. Mary groaned, flopping her head down onto the table.
“’ve been ‘aving tha mos’ awful nigh’mares. There’s these people in dark cloaks ‘n’ silver skull masks. They keep talkin’ ‘bout some guy called tha dark lord ‘n’ tha win’er solstice. ’s freaky as shi’ ‘n’ I don’ know where th’ ideas are comin’ from.” She complained.
“Oh!” Lily exclaimed, “I might have something that can help with that, Pandora was having similar ones apparently. She said that Lepidolite helps.” Lily withdrew a violet stone from her messenger bag.
“Since when are you friends with the mad Rosier?” Mary asked with a laugh.
“Her name is Pandora and we started talking during my rounds as Prefect.”
“I didn’t know she was a Prefect?”
“Oh, she’s not. She just kept showing up wandering the halls at night and I gave up on taking away house points, to be honest.”
“Ah, so she’s your shadow.” Sirius nodded.
“My what?”
“Yer shadow.” Mary repeated, “Sometimes seers click to’a person ‘n’ they shadow ‘em. Funny she’d click ta you tho, wiv all yer skepticism ‘bout precognition.”
“Actually, I’d say that’s likely exactly the reason why I clicked to Lily.” A melodious voice replied from behind the Lily, and she turned with a smile.
“Panda!”
The light-haired girl smiled dreamily.
“Hi, Lily. Sirius, James. Ah, Marlene, I’ve heard all about you.” Pandora smirked knowingly, offering Peter merely a nod as she turned, “And you must be Mary. Sorry about the dreams, they are rather dreadful, aren’t they?”
Mary nodded in reply, eyes flitting between Lily and Pandora with an odd expression on her face.
“About what you were telling me last night, it will be sorted soon, auras speak Lily. That said, just be aware, Barty and Evan are planning something at the moment, and they won’t tell me what because they know we are friends.” Pandora patted Lily’s shoulder then reached down and unclipped a chain of bells from her waist, “Take these, they help with turmoil.” She offered them to Sirius. “Dorcas likes lavender.” She said to Marlene and turned to go before spinning around quickly, “Oh, and James, don’t freeze.”
Pandora skipped off leaving a cluster of very confused Gryffindors and no context. Lily burst into a fit of giggles, receiving a number of lost looks.
“Okay, what the fuck just happened?” Sirius was sat, wide-eyed, clutching the chain of bells.
“Don’t question it, everything she says proves fruitful eventually.”
“Didn’t seem too keen on me, did she?” Peter asked with an awkward chuckle.
“I’m sure it’s nothing, Pete.” James assured, “You probably said something to her in a dream.” He laughed.
Despite Sirius’ bewilderment, he clipped the bells around his waist as he stood. He had always been the superstitious type, James thought it might have something to do with family traditions.
“Well, we’ve gotta head to Quidditch practice guys but enjoy breakfast.”
Sirius, James, and Marlene trailed out of the hall in the direction of the Quidditch pitch. The morning air was misty and cool and the grass was still wet with dew. They arrived to see Frank in a yelling match with the Slytherin Captain, both teams watching in mild disinterest as they debated who had the pitch this morning.
“We booked the pitch MONTHS AGO!” Frank bellowed.
“I really couldn’t care less Longbottom. Slughorn gave us permission yesterday afternoon. It’s ours.” Emma Vanity, the Slytherin Captain for the last four years replied.
“Like hell!” Sirius snapped, the bells at his hip tinkling as he strode up to the Slytherin, wand drawn.
“Sirius!” Marlene snapped, “You’ve got enough detentions as is. Plus, McGonagall won’t let this slide.”
Sirius lowered his wand and stepped back. James, ever the pacifist stepped forwards next.
“Okay, so we both have claim to the pitch. We all play better with a little competition right?” He got a few nods, “And there’s only so much drill practicing will prepare you for a real game.”
Both teams were waiting curiously for James to elaborate.
“Oh my god. Get to the point Potter.” A voice from the back of the Slytherin team snapped, the owner of said voice indistinguishable.
“I’m saying we should practice together. Like a mock game. No stakes but we all get to train and it’s a more productive experience anyways.”
There were a number of agreeable grunts.
“Okay, everyone in favour, wand up.” Frank called. A majority of wands rose. “It’s decided.”
James, Sirius, and Marlene headed towards the changing rooms while the other players spread out to start some warmup drills.
“Okay change quick, meet back in five.” James said and Marlene nodded and went to split off in the direction of the female change rooms, did a full three sixty and buried her face in her hands, mumbling something unintelligible.
“What?” Sirius asked, trying to pry her hands away from her mouth.
“Dorcas is in there.” She squeaked.
The boys laughed,
“Hurry up then Marls you’re missing out! All alone in the changing rooms with your crush. What an opportunity.” Sirius laughed, slapping her on the back.
“I don’t wanna embarrass myself!”
“Don’t care. Go change Marls, try not to drool.”
Marlene skittered off to the changing rooms, cheeks flaming red.