first year - an aura
Remus was sitting in the library reading a book, he was trying to find some peace because the last few days had been too hectic for his liking, however he was finding it incredibly difficult as he could feel the librarian Madame Pince zeroing down on him about every five seconds to make sure he wasn’t ruining the book he had borrowed.
Now Remus didn’t know what sort of satanic aura he was giving off because seriously, this women was watching him like a hawk, and there were other people in the library for God’s sake who looked like they were a lot more capable of destroying a book than his skinny, shy, eleven year old self.
That’s not to say that his skinny, shy, eleven year old self wasn’t capable of it….
Just a few rows behind him he knew there were two sixth years who seemed to be more invested in each other's faces than the multiple books and papers spread out in front of them. And more frighteningly, there were some fifth year Slytherins not so far away from him whispering about a book that was one hundred percent something to do with dark magic because of how it looked rotting and shrivelled - anytime Remus looked at it he felt sick.
But still! Pince was looking at him. He kept on reading the same line over and over, not taking it in at all, and his skin started to feel a little prickly, so he sighed, set the book down gently, sighed again and then proceeded to shove it in his bag as hard as he could just to spite her. Quickly, he stood up and walked past Pince toward the library doors, glaring her down as he did so.
“Mr Lupin!” she shouted after him
Did he hear her? Yes.
Did he listen to her? No
He’d already checked the book out, there was no reason for him to be in trouble.
Remus wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do now. He didn’t want to face Pince in the library, and he didn’t want to deal with the other three boys in his dorm, he didn’t even want to walk around the castle adding to the little map he had started to make because his legs were achy.
The little map was a wonderful thing though, and he hoped that one day it wouldn’t be so little.
Cartography was something he had started to immerse himself in. Whenever he had free time he had taken up the hobby of just wandering around the castle, marking little things down here and there, sketching out the rooms - it was all quite fun really. He had even looked up some spells to help him with it because he was a shit drawer.
The castle was so incredibly huge and the map they had been given at the start of first year had absolutely not done it justice. In other words it had been utter crap and had only gotten him so far - even with his added annotations and labelling.
Starting fresh on a bigger piece of parchment and making his own map meant that he could really flesh it out in detail, so that he could make sure he never got stuck in a trick step again, never accidentally encountered moaning Myrtle in the girls bathroom after going through the wrong door again, and never feel like ripping his hair out in chunks just from trying to find his way to the common room again.
Anyway, by now he didn’t really need a map to get to all his commonly visited places like the library and the Great Hall, he needed it more so that he could uncover the secrets of the castle and plot it down so that he wouldn’t forget. And he knew at first he had said no to trying to find all the secret passages, but the other evening he had found one accidentally and he realised that finding secret passages meant he could spend more time alone.
Maybe he could set up a den in one of them and call it home. Then he’d get peace and quiet.
And Christ did Remus need it. James Potter and Sirius Black were rambunctious kids, who were constantly making jokes, constantly sniggering, constantly pestering him. And Peter? Well Peter was witness to it all, joining in a lot of the time, not so much the pestering, but still, he was a bystander.
Pince ruled out the library as a safe place.
His legs started to ache. Great, he had been thinking for so long about what to do that he had started doing something he knew he didn’t want to do. Maybe he’d just have a sit down in the middle of the corridor he was about to turn down.
But even that plan was thwarted because as he turned, he collided straight into none other than James Potter and Sirius Black who were of all things running.
Great. Just what he needed to finish his day off. Two eleven year old boys hurtling right into him with full force
“What do you think you’re doing?!” he retorted, staring angrily at them.
Both of them were laughing, doubled over and out of breath
“Sorry Remus” James’ eyes glinted as he wheezed
He narrowed his eyes at them and grumbled “Yeah better be”
Honestly, he just really wanted a sit down
“Just got our first detention” Sirius straightened up with pride, a gleaming sparkle in his blue eyes
“Hey look!” Sirius stopped James as he was about to turn the corner “McGonagall’s there”
James then peered around the corner and as soon as he saw the tabby cat sitting contently in the deep window sill he snapped his head back to face Sirius
“Brilliant! The cat has made a return!” James grinned, rubbing his hands together “Let’s stroke her”
“That’s boring. You already tried to do that”
“It’s a cat how much can we really do?”
“Turn it’s fur pink?”
“Well come back to me when you know the spell for that “ James pushed his glasses up his nose “Also I think you’re forgetting that technically I never stroked it, plus you have to try as well”
“Finee” Sirius grinned “ Let’s stroke it”
And so they creeped up as quietly and slowly as possible, but not even half way the grey cat turned around, eyes gleaming. Dang it. She wasn’t meant to see them
There was no other option
They had to act quickly
Both of the boys sprinted toward the animal just sat there glaring at them, and just as they both reached there hands out to stroke her, the cat transformed
And there stood Professor McGonagall towering over them, her mouth a thin, thin line
Getting caught wasn’t really part of their plan.
“Mr Potter and Mr Black that is unacceptable behaviour” the witch scolded, peering at them through her glasses
It felt like something his mother would say. 'Unacceptable behaviour' that is. It was something she said often, pretty much in every argument that they've had she would remind him how 'unbefitting' his actions were because to her Sirius was ninety percent of the time doing something wrong.
But McGonagall wasn't his mother, and he'd seen her give a detention or two, she was strict but posed no real threat. Plus James wasn't freaking out about getting told off, why should he?
So he did what he usually wouldn't dare to do. He looked the older witch directly in the eye and smirked.
“What pray tell is so funny Mr Black?” she arched an eyebrow at him, her mouth getting even thinner
“Couldn’t tell you” his smile widened as James, who up until this point had worn a solemn face, sniggered beside him
“Mr Potter” McGonagall scolded as James tried turning his laughter into a cough, which made Sirius snort too. It was a nice feeling, being able to take condemnation with less seriousness.
“Sorry professor” James looked at her apologetically, trying to return to his poker face but quite unsuccessfully as there was still a mischievous glint in his eye.
“And you Mr Black?”
“I’m sorry too” he stopped grinning now, and looked down at the floor just like James was doing, trying to look sorry
“Thank you” she nodded curtly “You will both be getting detention of course, tomorrow four o’clock my office”
“Yes professor” both of the boys mumbled
She nodded again and turned to walk away and just as the two boys looked to each other smirking, she turned back around again
“And no running” she narrowed her eyes as they wiped their grins of their faces
“Yes professor”
James and Sirius then made sure she had actually walked away before they burst out into giggles.
James then lightly punched Sirius in the arm “Race you to the common room”
And they did
That’s when they ran right into Remus
“What do you think you’re doing?!” he retorted, staring angrily at them.
Both of them were laughing, doubled over and panting
“Sorry Remus” James’ eyes glinted as he wheezed
He narrowed his eyes at them and grumbled like an old man “Yeah better be”
“Just got our first detention” Sirius straightened up with pride, trying to catch his breath whilst grinning at the annoyed Remus Lupin stood in front of them
“Is that something to be proud of?” he arched an eyebrow
Hm, maybe not so annoyed?
“Of course!” Sirius exclaimed, and he thought he saw Remus smile, just a tiny little bit.
“Especially for master troublemakers like us” James stood up straight as well pointing to himself “First detention! What an achievement!”
“It’s not something you get trophies for James” Remus commented
James just shrugged and grabbed Remus by the arm to turn him around as they started walking towards Gryffindor common room again - the opposite way Remus had been heading
“Come on mate, Pete’s waiting for us”
A few days later...
Peter could not believe his eyes. Marlene McKinnon sitting right there, next to Mary McDonald, talking to Lily Evans.
“Mazzie!” he shouted, making the blonde girl whip round to see where the voice had come from.
“Peter Pettigrew!” she darted over to him and threw him into a hug. It made him realise just how much he had missed her company, actually he had just missed company that wasn't James and Sirius
Speaking of the two, they were both standing beside them, dumbfounded. James' eyes looked like they were about the fall out of his head
“What are you doing here?!” Peter smiled widely at her, delighted
“Stalking you" the girl winked
"Oh because my life is sooo interesting"
The girl laughed a little and then smiled "I've come to learn magic of course! What else?!"
Apart from James, Marlene had been his childhood best friend. Honestly there was no one better to have by your side. Peter and Marlene had spent nearly every day together playing in the neighbourhood park, gossiping about the other kids, flying (usually accompanied by James) and spending time round each other's houses a pretty unhealthy amount. Many people, including the parents, and sometimes James as well had teased them about being so close, always making comments on how their romance was going and they would always reply with the same thing. It was not going. It was not even an ‘it’. It would’ve been weird if it was.
It had been an incredibly sad goodbye when she had moved away two years ago. Effie told him that James had cried for almost two days straight, Peter had cried that very night as he went to bed, but most of all he had just felt a little lost thinking he’d never see her again. But now here she was. Marlene McKinnon. And she only looked slightly different from the last he saw her. The only major change was that she’d cut her hair into a bob, and that her face looked a little more defined from growing up - her eyes were still a sparkling blue and her hair still a beautifully soft blond.
“Am I going to get a hello!?” James’ voice came from behind, now out of his shocked state. He had his hands outstretched as if he wanted Marlene to run right into them
“Wait your turn Potter” She scoffed, looking at Pete “I mean I know I'm awesome but can you believe the desperation?”
“Ok time’s up sorry Pete” James nudged him out the way to hug her. She had one of those wide smiles on her face and as they pulled away she caught Peter's eye and shook her head a little as if to say 'idiots'
“Thought you had abandoned us!”
“What can I say?” Marlene shrugged “You can’t get rid of me” She punched James in the arm.
“How come you’re late?” Peter asked, wanting to know everything that had happened to her in the last few years. Seriously, he couldn’t stop grinning.
“Dad gave me a small delay, you know how it is with him” Marlene smiled a little sadly “Can’t handle change, so me and mum had to sort him out a bit before I left”
“Oh I’m sorry Marlene” Peter consoled her.
Marlene’s home life had always been a bit rocky, it's why Peter usually liked to stay away from her house in their childhood, he just wouldn't know what to expect and would rather skip the feeling of being overwhelmed if something by chance did happen.
“Don’t be!” To his surprise she smiled “He’s been set up on the right path, sobered up and is doing the best he’s ever done, I wouldn't have come to Hogwarts today if I didn’t think mum and the rest of the lot weren’t safe. Dad’s been in an excellent mood, helping around the house and apologising and everything, so I’ve got some real hope Pete”
“Wow, I’m really happy for you Marlene” Peter said, genuinely. When Marlene talked openly like this, it meant that she really was doing well.
“That’s brilliant Marls” James added
“And who’s that over there, his mouth hasn’t closed since Pete shouted my name”
“That’s my best-mate Sirius, you’ll love him” James beckoned Sirius over, who before was kind of stood to the side, watching the whole interaction take place.
“What were you standing over there like a lost soul for?” James laughed lightly
“Don’t blame me for not wanting to break up the little reunion you’ve got going on here” Sirius gestured to the three of them standing in the middle of Gryffindor Common room “Sirius Black” he nodded, introducing himself
“Black?” she raised her eyebrows “As in Noble and Most Ancient?” She looked at Peter for confirmation and he nodded. Noble and Most Ancient was correct.
Sirius’ face darkened
“Yeah, and who are you?” he snipped, slouching has he did so. Peter kind of thought it was rude. Marlene wasn’t being mean after all.
“Marlene McKinnon, and don’t get pissed” she scolded “I’m asking, not judging”
“Sounded like you were judging” he muttered
“Well I’m not, personally I love people like you”
“Meaning?”
She just smiled enigmatically “You can decide that for yourself, all I’m going to say is that I congratulate you for being a Gryffindor”
Sirius cracked a smile, and Marlene turned back to Peter
“So I’m assuming these are the people you hang out with then” she smiled. Marlene had always been a smiley person when it came to her friends “Sirius Black, and well I can see you haven’t ditched Potter” she smiled again
“As if anyone could ever willingly ditch me” James grinned ruffling his hair, probably making sure that it was the perfect amount of messy
“Can’t forget about Remus” Sirius added like it was of utmost importance
“Oh yeah, there’s another boy,” Peter nodded “Remus Lupin. He’s been a bit quiet but he’s nice, pretty clever”
“Just nice?”
“Well there’s not much to say”
“We were on our way to find him in fact ”Sirius added, “we’ve got big plans coming up and he’s apart of them”
“Big plans eh?"
"Very big plans" Peter nodded seriously
"So where is he now then?”
Uhm. What a good question. He looked to his friends for an answer but they had already answered that between themselves with a shrug.
“He just likes to wander off sometimes” Peter replied, realising how bad of a friend they all seemed
“You haven't forced him into your plans have you?” Marlene raised an eyebrow suspiciously “I know what you’re like James”
“Marlene! Of course I haven't” James looked Marlene in the eye for a long time and apparently this gave her the confirmation needed.
“Ok then, I’ve got important things to discuss with Lily and Mary, so I’ll speak to you later" she then turned to Peter "Peter meet me at the greenhouses after breakfast tomorrow ok?”
“Of course Marls, see you later!”
"Meet her at the greenhouses?" Sirius and James snickered
"Oh shush"
And off they went to find Remus. Luckily they didn’t have to look far because just as they were about to descend down the stairs, his voiced called out from behind them.
“I’m over here”
“Remus!” James and Sirius said at once, then James continued "what were you up to?"
"Er, nothing really"
Peter thought Lupin was a little odd to be honest, he was their friend but at the same time he never really seemed to be around much, the only reason they had been talking to him more recently was because ever since James and Sirius declared revenge on Snape they had been having nightly meetings, for about five nights in a row now.
They hurried up to their dorm, saying a quick hello to Marlene and her friends on the way, and started talking about their plan of action.
But before they could begin, James and Sirius of course had to start play fighting. All because Sirius had accidentally bumped into James walking through the door way. Peter watched, amused, as they wrestled with each other giggling like 5 year olds.
It didn’t continue on for much longer though as Remus sighed "I don't think rolling around on the floor like animals will help us with our attack on Snape"
"Wait" Peter shot a worried glance at Remus, as James stood up glasses askew and hair rumpled "I thought we were getting revenge. Not attacking him"
"Well Pete, it's not a violent attack" Sirius smirked as he pulled himself up with the hand that James had put out for him "Just a bit of fun" he smoothed his shirt down "Well not for Snivellus, but that's the whole point, isn't it?"
James quickly changed the direction of the conversation by putting on his most plummy accent
"Right Gentlemen, let's get on to business" he waited for someone to say something else, but honestly Peter was waiting for him to come out with a brilliant idea, he was the one building it up and calling the nightly meetings after all.
"You got any ideas?" Sirius asked when the silence had gone on for a bit too long
"Nope, none at all"
"That was very anticlimactic"
Peter agreed.
"No it wasn't"
"Well you made it sound like you had this mind-blowing idea" Sirius took a pillow from his bed and sat on the floor with it "Obviously I underestimated your intelligence"
"Oi!" James lobbed a pillow at him and Sirius didn't even try and defend himself and instead grinned up at him like the idiot he was.
Peter decided to join Sirius on the floor by taking the pillow that had just been thrown and using it as his cushion, James also followed and then after a moment of hesitation Remus did too. He looked deep in thought, and Peter could instantly tell that his mind was working hard.
"Do you have an idea or are you just disappointed that you're sitting next to Sirius?" James asked Remus, smirking slightly and pushing his glasses up his nose.
"Excuse me!" Sirius said in a very fake offended tone.
"I…” Remus began and James nodded in encouragement “I might do"
"Tell us then!" James exclaimed, opening his hands out wide.
They would take anything at this point, unfortunately five nights worth of meetings had gotten them no where. The best they had come up with was to attach a magical 'kick me' sign to Snape which according to James had been an idea based on what Remus had said the other day in the flying lesson. It was quite a weak prank though and even James had admitted pretty much straight away that it wasn't very original or particularly exciting - something he'd do in his spare time James had said. Carrying out successful revenge that sent a clear message was why they needed to use their meetings to come up and plan for something else entirely. And what Remus was about to say sounded like it was going to really get their purpose across.
"Well, I'm not sure how we'd do it but I remember one time... " he trailed off and took a moment to find his words "Y'know those baths that have like mountains and mountains of bubbles, basically I'm envisioning that, but instead of the bubbles being in bath-water they're absolutely covering Snape head to toe, is there a way we could that?"
"Oh yeah definitely" James nodded eagerly
"Snivelly has needed a good clean for a week now, probably more" Sirius looked delighted at the prospect
"Won't that suffocate him?" Peter asked a bit nervously
“No, no! Not so many bubbles that he’ll suffocate” James explained hurriedly
Remus added on to this “Just enough to be effective though"
"Enough to cover his whole body?" Sirius asked
Remus nodded "Of course"
"And be a general nuisance" James said
"Not to mention give him a good old wash" Remus smirked "Make him smell slightly more pleasant"
“Can we do it on a bigger scale?” Sirius asked, he was the one who now looked deep in thought
“The bubbles?” James asked and Sirius nodded in reply “Of course!
The other boy cracked a grin “Why don’t we fill the Slytherin common room with bubbles as well? Make them work a bit harder to start their day off”
“I like your way of thinking Sirius” James then smiled, obviously giddy at the thought of their prank expanding
Peter couldn’t help but grin too, it was all going to be very stressful and incredibly hard but he was excited to be apart of something this daring and cool.
There was only one flaw in their plan.
“How would we get into the Slytherin common room though?” Peter asked
“Yeah Peter’s right actually” Remus nodded and then smirked a little “Anyone fancy going up to Lucius Malfoy and asking for the password?”
“You’d catch me battling a dragon before I ever willingly speak to Malfoy” Sirius pulled a face “Slimy git”
"Well everyone here is in luck” James sprung up from his seat, and smiled down at them all like a lunatic “I have the perfect solution which requires none of us to talk to any Slytherins" He started rummaging through his trunk, throwing aside all his belongings and practically bouncing from side to side. Peter started wondering what James could possibly have so that they could pull of this prank without a hitch.
"Merlin" Sirius started "it's going to be something stupid isn't i- FUCKING HELL JAMES!"
James had swung what looked like a heavy cloak around himself and without a warning he had completely disappeared.
Now Peter wasn’t big on swearing but Fucking Hell indeed.
"Where did you learn such language Sirius?" James dropped the cloak to the floor and put a hand on his chest in mock horror.
"You've got an invisibility cloak?" the shock on Sirius' face was evident
"How come you never told me James?" Peter asked, accusing him slightly. He had known James for a long time, how come this incredibly rare and precious item in his possession had never come up? Surely James would’ve wanted to boast about it.
"Don't be mad at me. I only knew about it when my Dad gave it to me at the station" James looked at him earnestly, apologising.
Oh. Fair enough.
"Wow James" Sirius grabbed the cloak and looked at in awe. "This sacred object gives us the power to prank not just Snivellus, but the whole of Slytherin as well!" he said this like all his dreams had come true at once.
James turned to Lupin to confirm.
"I call bullshit"
"Lupin it's one hundred percent real" James looked at him eagerly, smiling and nodding encouraging him to give the seal of approval. Not that James needed it anyway, knowing him he'd use it for their prank with or without his friends approval.
Remus looked at him, then at the cloak
"Well then, it's perfect" he declared
And Remus gave them a great big genuine smile.