Moonage Daydream

The next day after Halloween, Mary and Marlene begged Remus to join them for studying in the library. “Please, we need help with potions.” Marlene clasped her hands in front of her face.

“Ask Peter, he’s better at that than me.”

Sirius perked up from his book he was reading beside Remus. “Peter’s good at potions? How good?”

“I don't know, really good I guess.” Remus shrugged.

Sirius’ mischievous grin returned to his face. “I’ve got an idea,” he sang, leaping to his feet and running to find Peter on the other side of the room. “Come on! To the room!”

It astounded Remus how quickly Peter could brew something from scratch, it didn’t even take a full day for Peter to finish the potion. He took it as a mental note to start getting Peter’s help in potions class more often.

“This is the best birthday present,” Sirius laughed as they made their way down the hall. “There he is, okay, Peter go!” Sirius pushed the shorter boy forward. Peter made a show of pretending to stumble over his laces, barrelling into Snape and knocking him down. “Oh, Peter! You klutz!” Sirius announced dramatically and rushed over.

“You- you buffoon!” Severus growled at Peter.

“So sorry about that,” Sirius said, fake sweetness coating his voice like a thick phlegm. “Let me help you.” He grabbed Snape’s arm to lift him, uncorking a small vial and quickly dumping the contents on Snape’s head.

Snape sputtered, shaking Sirius off and trying to wipe off his greasy hair. “Why did you just spill on me?!” 

Sirius shrugged, unable to fight the smile on his face. Snape’s hair slowly shifted from the usual inky black to a shining, brilliant shade of gold. Gryffindor gold to be exact. James and Remus could barely hold back their giggles upon seeing their prank unfold. “Here, would you like a mirror?” James offered, holding up a hand mirror he had swiped from Mary.

Snape let out what could be best described as a shriek of horror. “Change it back!” He demanded. “Change it back now!”

Remus clicked his tongue. “Sorry, Snivellus, no can do. I think it’s a great colour for you. Much better than before.”

“This is an attack on me! So help me, I’ll be sure you’re punished for this!”

“Well, we wish you luck with that endeavour,” James started, laughing as he spoke. “But we know nothing of this. For all we know, you just decided to try a new colour.”

“You- you-” Snape growled. “You marauders!”

A collective smile formed on all of the boys’ faces. “Marauders, huh?” Sirius hummed. “Well, marauders, we ought to go!” The four ran off, leaving a fuming Snape who was despairingly staring at himself in the mirror.

The next day, Snape’s hair was still golden. “This is the best birthday ever,” Sirius laughed as they passed Snape who glared at them. 

“Just wait, it’s about to get better,” James teased. He, Remus and Peter were put in charge of keeping Sirius out of the dormitory for at least one hour after dinner. It was a feat to achieve but now their hour was finally up. They sauntered up to the Fat Lady’s portrait, James pushed Sirius in first. 

There was a gasp of excitement and cheers exploded in the room. Remus was last to enter finally, the common room was decorated in an explosion of streamers and balloons, more food was set out on the tables, along with a selection of soda and butterbeers. Music blasted from the turntable, some records supplied by Remus others supplied by the older students. Remus glanced over at Sirius, finding him grinning ear to ear. 

“Happy birthday, Sirius!” James cheered, throwing his arm around Sirius. Other members of the quidditch team dog piled onto him, punching his arms and rubbing their fists into his head. Remus couldn’t understand why all the shoving and punching left such a bright smile on Sirius’ face, he didn’t have a chance to ask before Sirius was whisked away. Remus followed behind with Peter over a huge red velvet cake with thirteen candles on it. “Otters convinced the kitchen to get you a cake,” James explains. “Come on, blow out the candles, make a wish.”

Sirius grinned, leaning forward and held back his hair to blow out the candles.. “There.”

“What’d you wish for?” Remus asked.

“Can’t say, it won’t come true,” Sirius hummed and winked.

Remus rolled his eyes at Sirius. Cake was doled out to everyone, the music was cranked high and Remus had officially lost the marauders in the crowd. He drifted through the party with a pop in his hands to avoid being forced to talk. Someone had brought out sparklers that were being passed around and one ended up in Remus’ free hand. Led Zeppelin III played over the speakers, a borrowed album that Remus was likely to borrow again. He found Rowan talking with a group of fifth years by the fireplace. 

At last he was met with a friendly face. “Hey, Rowan,” Remus hummed, sliding up to their group.

“Hey, it’s my favourite student! He’s trying out for the team in a couple years, you know?” Rowan hummed to his friend. The little band of fifth years was made up of two other boys and three girls; Neil Lambkins, Gideon Seymour, Ophelia Locsin Lansangan, Edna Boots, and Macy Langwood. Opehlia gave Remus a charming smile when he joined by her side, her brown cheeks seemed red as if she was blushing or sunburnt. 

“Really? A future quidditch player? Why not now?” Ophelia hummed, her words slurred slightly.

Remus blushed. “I’m not- I’m not joining the team, Rowan is just teaching me to fly.”

“Oh, how cute! Row, you’re so sweet!” Opehlia gushed. Remus eyed her, she wasn’t much taller than him, her long black hair was tied up in a ponytail with a ribbon, she had warm brown eyes that carried her smile, round cheeks, and full lips. 

“I’m not a little kid,” Remus told her, looking to Rowan for his defense. Rowan, however, was staring at Ophelia, his face just as red as hers. 

“Yeah, well, you know I just love helping out,” Rowan said, awkwardly shifting from standing to leaning, seemingly unsure of what to do with himself. He settled on taking another sip of his drink. 

Remus furrowed his brow at the two, who stopped paying attention to him. “Yeah, I’m getting to be decent now.”

“Mhm.” Rowan nodded. “Uh, hey, Remus I think I see James over there.” He nodded in a direction without looking.

“No he’s not,” Remus said after turning to look.

“You must have just missed him, maybe you could go look for him and I’ll catch up later.”

Remus opened his mouth to say something back but Gideon clapped his shoulder, startling him. “Why don't we all head off actually?” Gideon suggests, leading Remus and the others away from Rowan and Ophelia. “You can hang out with us for a bit if you want, kid. What’s your name again?”

“Remus.”

“Right. Nice to meet you.” 

Gideon and Neil had started up a game of launching grapes into their mouths by smacking down on a ruler balanced into a see-saw, and prompted Remus to join. After multiple grapes in his eye Remus couldn’t see the appeal of the game. He barely could at the start. Mary and Marlene apparently had been watching Remus embarrass himself for quite some time before finally walking up to him.

“Remus,” Marlene sang. “We know someone who wants to dance with you.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “Okay? Why are you telling me, not them?”

Marlene rolled her eyes at Remus. “Because. I’m asking you for her.”

“I don't dance,” Remus scoffed. “Sorry.”

“Oh, come on. Please, Remus?” She begged, pushing onto the couch beside him and clasping her hands together. “It’ll be fun. And it’s a party! You’re supposed to dance.”

“Let other people dance, I don't.”

“Stop being such a downer. Just one dance. Our friend will really appreciate it.”

Remus cringed at the thought of standing in front of everyone trying to dance with a girl he probably didn’t even know. Gideon laughed beside him. “Go on, Remus.” Gideon shoved his shoulder. “Have a dance.”

He groaned, reluctantly getting up. Marlene cheered and grabbed his arm, sending Mary off to presumably find whoever they wanted Remus to dance with. She dragged Remus to the designated dance floor, Mary came barrelling towards them with Lily in tow. Mary pushed Lily towards Remus causing him to catch her. “Have fun!” Marlene giggled before running off. 

Remus stared at Lily with wide eyes. “You wanted to dance with me?”

“No! I just- I said I wanted to dance and this was Mary and Marlene’s idea,” Lily explained, her cheeks turning red. “We don't have to if you don't want to.”

“It’s fine,” he muttered. Remus glanced around at other pairs dancing and hesitantly put his hands on Lily’s waist to copy them. “You wanted to dance.”

Lily smiled, still blushing and put her hands on Remus’ shoulders. “Thanks.”

“Yeah. No problem.” Remus looked off to the side, ignoring the heat on his face. What was the point in swaying in place? “This is boring.”

“Well, we’re not really dancing. And you’re not really leading.”

“I don't know how to lead,” he groaned.

“Then follow me,” she said as if it was obvious. Lily moved them to the beat, bouncing her shoulders. Remus smiled as they started to prance around, even going as far to spin her around. “See? This is way more fun.”

“It is,” he admitted. He snapped up when he heard some whistles and hollers. James, Sirius and Peter were cheering and wolf whistling at Remus and Lily. “Bugger off!” Remus shouts back.

Lily narrowed her eyes and flipped two fingers at the boys, causing them to laugh and shout whoa. “You three couldn’t get a girl to dance with you,” Lily taunts. 

Remus snickered and waved the boys off. “You know you’re probably right.”

“I know I am,” she laughed. 

Lily and Remus danced until they were barely keeping up with the music, both tired and practically holding the other up. Remus bid Lily goodnight when the girls decided they were done with the party. He found Sirius by the boxes of records flipping through them. 

Remus knelt down by Sirius, looking over his shoulder at the albums. “Enjoying your party?”

“I am,” Sirius said with a grin. “It’s great. Everyone’s got the best albums. Have you seen these?”

“I have,” Remus chuckled. “Fancy a fag?”

Sirius popped up from the records. “Really?”

“Really. It’s your birthday.” Remus stood up.

Sirius got to his feet, grinning brightly. “Yeah, let’s go.” He hurried towards their dormitory room with Remus on his heels. Sirius opened the window above his bedside table, letting the cold air in while Remus got out his cigarettes and lighter. 

They stood together by the window, Remus lit both of their cigarettes and they watched snow fall on the grounds. “So, you’re old now,” he hummed. 

Sirius scoffed. “You’re horrible. How was dancing with Lily?” He teased.

“It was fine.” Remus rolled his eyes. “Don't be weird about it.”

“I’m not! Really, I’m just offended, none of us get to dance with you,” Sirius hummed, blowing smoke in Remus’ face. “I’d almost think you like her more than us.”

Remus chuckled and shoved Sirius’ shoulder. “If you’re about to ask me to dance, you’re too late. I’m done for the night.”

“Awe, you’re moody again. Next party?” Sirius wiggled his eyebrows.

“Sure,” Remus hummed sarcastically. “Next party.”

“If the girls don't get to you first at least.”

Remus cringed. “Don't say it like that.”

“Am I wrong? They’re obsessed with you, half of them probably have a crush on you.”

He hummed, thinking back to when he had accidentally interrupted a conversation on which boys in second year were the cutest. “Nah. They’re all too interested in some guy in Hufflepuff.”

“Who?”

“Allen Cornwalsh.”

Sirius’ face squished together. “He’s annoying.” Remus nodded in agreement. “We should prank him.”

Remus smiled at Sirius. “Any ideas?”

“Well, everyone else should see how annoying he is.” Sirius donned that mischievous grin he often wore again.

After another cigarette each, Remus and Sirius finally rejoined the party to find James and Peter. The four had nicked some pop from the main party to enjoy in their room and end off the night.

James raised his cup. “Happy birthday, Sirius.”

“Happy birthday!” Peter and Remus echoed, raising their cups as well.

“Going to give a speech, birthday boy?” Remus teased, sleepiness laced in his voice.

“Absolutely not. I’ll give a toast. To the marauders!” he beamed, raising his cup. “More pranks to come!”

“I’ll toast to that,” James laughed.

All four boys tapped their cups together. “To the Marauders!” They cheered.