The Clockwork Locket || SIRIUS BLACK

The Midnight Marauders

"I'll give you two Galleons if you strip naked and jump into the lake."

James looked over at Sirius, his eyebrows rising as he ruffled up his already wild hair. The other boy just grinned at him, a mischievous glint in his grey eyes.

"Make it five and you have yourself a deal," James said, waiting as Sirius cocked his head, clearly deliberating his offer.

Before Sirius could even open his mouth to speak, Remus murmured, "Don't even think about it, you two."

Sirius looked to his sandy-haired friend, pouting as he whined, "But Remus..."

Remus just shook his head, his eyes never once leaving the book he was reading, and Sirius huffed.

"C'mon, Moony, it'll be brilliant," James said, already tugging at his tie. Peter nodded enthusiastically, watching James with shining eyes. "And I know you'd give anything to see me in my skivvies."

He gave Remus a roguish wink as Sirius laughed. Their sensible friend finally looked up from his book, his green eyes narrowed.

"I'd rather see a naked house-elf dancing in front of me than witness anything you have to offer, Prongs," he said coolly, and James pressed a hand over his heart as Peter giggled.

"You wound me, Remus!" he cried, falling back on the grass and giving a mock-writhe of pain. "Oh, how will I ever go on after this devastating blow?"

"Shut it, James," Remus said, though a smile twitched at his lips all the same. "You're being too dramatic; the fourth years are staring again."

James sat up and looked in the direction indicated by his friend, seeing a gaggle of fourth-year Hufflepuff girls casting surreptitious glances at the boys sitting beneath the beech tree near the lake, and they immediately squealed and started whispering when James gave them a jaunty wave.

Sirius snorted. "Careful, Prongs. Soon you'll have a fan club if you keep that up."

James shrugged, wholly unruffled as he messed with his hair again.

"I wouldn't mind a fan club," he said thoughtfully, before turning to Sirius with a suggestive grin. "As long as you're my number one fan, Pads."

Sirius batted his eyelashes, pretending to swoon. "I thought you'd never ask, darling."

They both leaned in, making as if to snog, before Remus's exasperated yet clearly amused voice broke them apart. "Oi, get a room! Some of us are trying to concentrate here."

"It's the weekend, Moony," James moaned, flopping back on the grass and putting an arm behind his head. "What are you possibly trying to concentrate on?"

"Slughorn mentioned something about starting a lesson on Sleeping Potions next class, and seeing as I'm going to be out of commission..." He trailed off, and the boys all exchanged a look at the unspoken bit. Monday was the full moon, which meant it was time for Remus's "furry little problem," as James put it.

"Don't worry, mate, we'll take good notes for you," Sirius said, flicking the cover of Remus's Potions book and causing the other boy to roll his eyes.

"The day I let you lot take notes for me is the day Hell freezes over."

"I resent that remark." Sirius sniffed. "I work hard for my grades, thank you very much, and you should be grateful that I am offering my services."