first year - your bloody owl
5th April
James and Sirius were sniggering amongst themselves, Peter’s eyes were full of delight and Remus was trying very very hard to keep a blank face.
None of the teacher’s were to be seen, except from Dumbledore who was now striding up to the front, ready to announce something.
“Attention!” their headmaster boomed as silence immediately fell over the great hall “Our Professors have found themselves to be incapable of teaching today” he said softly, eyes twinkling with a sharp blue “Which means!” he raised his voice as students around them started muttering amongst themselves “All lessons for today will be cancelled” he nodded as the muttering turned to whispers of excitement “However” he raised a hand and everyone went silent “There is a reason why our Hogwarts Professors are incapacitated for the day and so if anyone” he scanned the hall with his eyes “has any information, I urge you to come forward”
Dumbledore then left and James went around high fiving the rest of the marauders, beaming like this was the best day of his life.
Not very subtle.
And because of this, of course, of course Lily Evans had to pick up on it
“You had something to do with this?” she appeared just like magic by Remus’s side, looking at them with eyes full of suspicion
“And so what if we did Evans?” Sirius raised an eyebrow, daring her to answer
“You’d get in trouble”
“Don’t start complaining Evans” James smirked, ruffling his own hair “You should be grateful, us Marauders just freed up the whole day for everyone to enjoy”
“You just admitted to the crime Potter, congratulations” and with that she turned away, exiting the great hall, no doubt off to go and tell Dumbledore the confession she’d just heard
Remus rolled his eyes, Peter whined and Sirius scoffed slapping James on the back “Yeah well done Potter, we’ll all be spending the next week in detention because of you”
Sirius Black had not been wrong.
The rest of the week, consisted of the four of them carrying out what was considered to be care-taking duties, things like polishing trophies, mopping the floor, cleaning the broomstick cupboard, Peter had even drawn the short straw one night by having to clean a toilet that someone had tried brewing a potion in (Sirius and James had been well and truly inspired)
They were of course separated because Professor McGonagall was not a woman to allow friends to serve punishments together, because would it really be a punishment if you were having fun?
But the prank’s consequences wasn’t all detention, oh no.
The Marauders were now becoming even more increasingly well-liked, because although Dumbledore had not actually specified the details of the Professors’ absences, it had somehow gotten out that the teachers were in fact speaking the foreign language of Gobbledegook without meaning to, and if that classified information had leaked, then of course the fact that Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and James Potter were behind it, had also come to light.
So in a way lessons were becoming more enjoyable because all people were whispering about was how on earth four first-years with very basic magic ability had managed to do something on that scale, something that managed to halt lessons for an entire day! It was all very exciting.
But there was a downside to everyone knowing who did it.
The teachers weren’t hesitant in showing their annoyance toward the Marauders, especially James and Sirius who were already starting to build a reputation of having a certain trouble-making ability themselves, and so often it was those two who were being picked on to answer questions - with the added addition of Peter every so often.
No one seemed to be too angry at Remus though, because apparently people didn’t see him, the quiet and clever kid, capable, so he just sat back in lessons and watched James and Sirius get absolutely grilled with warnings, and questions and reminders about their upcoming end of year exams - honestly the entertainment was popcorn worthy.
The only teacher who treated the four of them as equals in terms of punishment was Professor McGonagall who was continuously giving them her tell-tale look of disapproval and asking them questions on every little thing.
James had taken this as a compliment though
“Professor I’m so glad you trust us enough to answer all of your questions” he smirked, knowing that she couldn’t really say anything else to that
McGonagall had just stared at him, with an eyebrow raised “It is not a matter of trust Mr Potter, it is my job as an educator to help students achieve their best”
From then on McGonagall had laid off of them just enough to be noticeable, simply because of the questions sure to be raised after what she had just said. If asking students questions meant she was helping them to achieve their best, why wasn’t she asking and therefore helping the whole entire class?
Between classes and detentions and the revision the four marauders had started doing there wasn’t much time for anything else. Not that they didn’t mind much as all of them were eager to do well in the first big exams coming up in around two months' time.
Sirius had even started going to the library more often. Not that he hadn’t been to the library before, he just never usually stayed there for a prolonged amount of time, preferring to check books out and take them up to his dorm/common room straight away to read. James, Peter and Remus were also joining him in making revision resources and so the whole revision experience was turning out to be quite pleasant. They were all motivated enough to focus on what needed learning so although they did have moments of joking around they did manage to be quite productive.
Maybe that was more due to Madam Pince and her general strictness rather than their focus, as the librarian seemed to hate it whenever they started laughing.
Sirius felt the need to right this wrong and so just before they were about to leave he went up to her desk by the entrance and asked her a simple question
“What’s a book you recommend?” Sirius smirked at the older lady
“Hm” she looked at him for a split-second before averting her gaze to a spot just over Sirius’ shoulder, which prompted him to twist around to see what she was looking at. Remus was stood just behind him, looking at Pince with as much dislike as she was.
“Don’t worry Madam Pince that’s just my dear friend Remus Lupin, he won’t be a bother” he smiled easily at her.
“Hm, somehow I have trouble believing that” if it was even possible she narrowed her eyes even further. The librarian hadn’t actually looked in Sirius’ direction once despite him being right in front of her
“Oh I‘m truly sorry Madame Pince but surely you must understand that sometimes when you’re with friends things can get a little rowdy, Remus apologises for disrupting the peace of the library” ok that was a lie, Remus hadn’t been disrupting anything really but Sirius didn’t get why Pince kept shooting angry looks in his direction so Sirius had to at least try something to save this poor boy from her harsh gaze. Sirius had no clue what her actual problem was. He then had to fortify his lie a little more so it seemed less like a lie “so do me James and Peter”
“Hm” Madam Pince did not look convinced and stabbed another angry look behind him to where Lupin was standing
“Anyway Madame Pince if you please, what book do you recommend?”
Finally she looked at Sirius properly, and her eyebrows raised “Depends on what topic you’re looking for”
“History of Magic”
The woman almost seemed to laugh in the unpleasant grunt she gave “Your name?”
“Sirius Black”
She nodded “Well Sirius Black let me show you to the books I most recommend”
And as she guided him toward the back of the library they walked past Remus, looking almost impressed, and James and Peter who were whispering together and giggling just like they had when Sirius had talked to Dorothy at Christmas.
June 25th
April and May flew by and before Sirius knew it, it was the end of June and their exams were over.
Sirius was truly confident in his abilities so he wasn’t surprised that he had gotten top marks in every single subject once their tests were handed back to them. James had done as well as he had which to be frank Sirius was a bit annoyed about as they had started a competition between themselves seeing who could do the most hours of revision and it had been unspoken but they severely wanted to be better than the other in their final exams. Too bad James was his equal, they had gotten the exact same marks when you added all their tests up. Sirius was sure Remus had gotten something similar but he had kept most of his results hidden, he wasn’t sure why. Remus Lupin was a clever boy and he had every right to flaunt it. Even Peter had done pretty decently, which he had obviously been quite relieved about since out of the four of them he struggled the most with school.
And honestly? Sirius had been relieved too, even if he had been confident. If he had failed any of his tests, his family would probably poison his food and kill him. Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration. His mother needed the Black heir to stay alive after all, but Sirius knew for certain that she would not hold back on punishment for any apparent wrongdoing.
It was almost the end of the school year, meaning Sirius would be going back to Grimmauld place. And honestly? He wasn’t quite sure what to expect. They hadn’t spoken for almost an entire year and although Sirius didn’t mind that as much when it came to his parents, he was starting to go insane from not speaking to his brother for such a long amount of time; he still wasn’t sure on what things were like for him back at home and so didn’t dare write a letter unless Regulus wrote one first.
“You’ll write?”
“Of course Reggie”
“And you’ll tell me all about it?”
“Definitely, I can’t leave you entirely out of the picture now can I?” he nudged his brother on the shoulder with his pointer finger “I’m going to Hogwarts and you’re coming along with me”
“Not actually though” his brother frowned
“In spirit you will be”
“Great”
“Don’t scoff, you’ll join me next year and I’ll show you around and everything”
“Next year is a year away”
“By Merlin! How do you know that?” Sirius rolled his eyes as he joined his laughing brother, both their shoulders shaking and smiles placed easily on their faces. It hadn’t really been that funny, but when you were with your sibling it seemed that every emotion and every feeling was magnified so vividly, so intensely that no matter the circumstance, it seized every aspect of you, the memory to be engraved at the centre of your body.
As soon as they had calmed down, they looked at eachother, right in the eyes, piercing blue with stormy grey and that one millisecond of eye-contact made them explode with laughter once again and so they ended up rolling around on the pillow covered floor, clutching at their aching stomachs.
There was a small part of Sirius’ gut that hoped that his mother and father would have improved in the time he’d been anyway. Maybe they wouldn't bring out any 'disciplinary measures' as his mother called it. But that hope was quite silly. Even before the 'Gryffindor Fiasco' his mother had never relented on punishments. If anything, he was in for worse - not better.
What Sirius wasn’t sure on however was what the punishment would consist of. Would they keep isolating him from the family like they had been all this time? Or would the pent up anger that Walburga had surely been keeping in, be finally brought down on him?
They had under three weeks left and he hoped that they would be the longest of his life
He was very rudely woken up on Sunday morning by the extremely loud screeching of an owl. Probably Mrs Potter sending James something, he was the one out of the four to get the most letters. From what Sirius knew, Peters' parents were too busy fighting to send anything regularly, and if Remus got any letters his owl was usually very tame. It definitely wasn't anyone from Sirius' family. As he had just clarified, they had been ignoring him for the entire year.
The bloody owl kept on screeching.
Did it not have any respect for him and his beauty sleep?
When Sirius couldn't take it anymore he called out "James get your bloody owl to shut up!"
"Excuse me, but this fancy owl is not mine"
"Then whose is it?"
"Yours!" James flung Sirius' curtains wide open.
Ah. It was for him. No wonder the owl didn't have any respect.
"And please hurry up I don't want this place smelling like bird shit" a disgruntled looking Remus Lupin appeared next to James.
The letter turned out to be from Regulus. And the date, well today was Regulus' birthday. He felt even worse now. He should’ve gotten him a present, he thought of his brother waking up not to a gaggle of friends jumping wildly on his bed shoving cake and gifts in his face but instead to the wrinkly face of Kreacher who was always ordered to help the one with birthday get ready for a day of mind-numbingly boring activities.
Nevermind, he was coming to Hogwarts in September. James would be more than happy to throw him a proper party. He sat down on his bed, ripping open the letter excited to hear something from the outside world, it was probably to say his brother’s letter had arrived!
Dear Sirius
Mother has asked me to inform you that on your arrival to King’s cross in sixteen days time you are to exit the train immediately and locate her at the barrier where you will apparate to number twelve Grimmauld Place.
Furthermore she has requested me to inform you that you are not permitted to speak to me upon your arrival, before you are allowed to do so you are requested to have a meeting with Mother and Father in which they will remind you of the responsibilities that come with being the heir to this most ancient household.
Please do not reply to this letter as it will not be read and be simply burnt on arrival.
Yours faithfully,
Regulus Arcturus Black
Right. Obviously this was not from Regulus. Well it was in his handwriting but Sirius could just envision the scenario in which Walburga was peering over Regulus’ shoulder dictating the words that she wanted written down.
However, in the envelope there was another little slip of paper with a few sentences hastily scrawled on.
Don’t argue Sirius, they will not be in a good mood - trust me.
I cannot wait to speak to you properly. My Hogwarts letter has just arrived by owl and I want to know everything there is to know
See you soon
R.A.B
Stupid idiot. Regulus shouldn’t have risked putting that in the letter.
But still, Sirius couldn’t help smiling.
It had finally hit him just how sorely he had missed his little brother. Because selfishly Sirius had thought about him very little during his time at Hogwarts simply because he didn’t want to accept the fact that they couldn’t communicate and that Sirius couldn’t tell him everything in a letter just like he had promised
He was interrupted from his thoughts as the owl screeched again and flapped it’s wings wildly, with surprising power "Get rid of the owl Sirius" James pushed the glasses up his nose.
"I quite like the company”
"Then for our sanity take it down to the common room" Remus swung the door open so that Sirius could reluctantly head towards it
"You have your wand?" James called out. This was a very annoying habit that his best friend had picked up on after he had lost his own one a few weeks back - apparently he felt that people didn't have it on them as much as they should do. Yes, his wand was important, but he didn't need James to be asking if he had it on him every five seconds.
"Yep" Sirius replied. It was a lie.
"No you don't, it's on your bedside table"
"Why do you ask if you know?"
"Sirius take it"
"Bloody hell I don't need my wand in the common room"
"You never know so take it"
"Are you ever going to stop asking?" Sirius huffed, turned around and picked up his wand.
"Eventually, but by that time I won't need to ask”
He just rolled his eyes and went downstairs - the screeching owl on his shoulder. Sirius wrote back to Regulus despite the fact he was told not to and scribbled down a few simple words, who knew maybe the letter wouldn’t be burned
Reggie! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
PS. Sort your bloody owl out.
That would do. He went ahead and sent off the letter.
Later that night...
Sixteen days.
Sixteen days.
Sixteen days.
Sixteen days.
And he contorted, stretching into two with immense difficulty, the seams of flesh begging him to stay put until they could hold no longer and the strings connecting the two dark shapes finally snapped and formed the imposing figures of Walburga and Orion Black, glaring down at him with voidless eyes.
Sirius sat up frightened, heart pounding in his ribcage.
Merlin, what a way to scare someone.
He then hiccupped, and became aware of the fact that he was crying. Something he hadn’t done in a while.
And just then a whispered voice called out
“Sirius?” It was James, and his footsteps were getting closer and closer to his bed until his curtains opened, James squinting down at him, no glasses on.
“Yeah” Sirius croaked as he quickly wiped his tears away with his sleeve. How embarrassing. James would think he was a right sissy now.
“What’s up?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sirius”
“It’s a bit embarrassing if you ask me”
“That’s what a best mate is for” he nodded “talking about embarrassing things” in the dark Sirius could just about make out James’ gentle smile
He then crossed his legs beneath him to allow James space to sit on the end of the bed.
“I had a nightmare, that’s all”
“That’s not embarrassing”
“Sure”
“No” his friend frowned “It’s normal Sirius, everyone gets them”
“Right”
“You want to talk about it?”
“It was just scary is all” Sirius gave a shaky laugh “Think I took Hogwarts for granted”
“Scared to go back home?”
“Yeah” he sighed “Yeah, thing is I can deal with it, the shouting and the punishments, I’m strong enough to go against it and I know that, but it’s scary especially now because I haven’t been there to see how they feel about it all”
“You’re walking into the unknown”
“Exactly, and I don’t even know how much they know. They know I’m in Gryffindor so they’ll be angry at that because one of the key family legacies was that everyone was to be sorted into Slytherin. But I just… who knows what else they know?”
“You haven’t done anything that bad though”
“Well in my parents eyes something as simple as laughing at the dinner-table is inappropriate”
“Oh” James looked at him straight in the eyes, face full of pity “Well that’s pretty awful that they think that”
“Tell me about it”
“Sirius you can always come around to mine, it’s a never-ending invite you know”
“Thanks” he nodded gratefully and then rubbed his eyes yawning “I just don’t know if they’ll even let me”
“I’ll rescue you, if I have to”
Sirius snorted “I don’t think it will ever come to that”
“Still” James replied “You give me the word and I’ll do it anytime” he nodded as confirmation “seriously”
“You’re not Sirius I am”
That got him a punch in the arm.