Mischief Managed (Discontinued)

CHAPTER THREE

"Hey! Remus! Come over here, I want to play a game of Wizard's Chess with you!"

Remus looked up from his book and across the common room. James was looking at him from by the window, snickering. Remus rolled his eyes, closed his book, and crossed the busy room to sit across from James.

"You sure about this?" asked Remus, knowing full well James was still chuckling. "I'm going to win, you know. I've never lost to you. Or is this a joke?"

"Nah, I want a fair match." James grinned. "I think I have a chance of winning this time."

Remus gave an involuntary snort. "You said that last time." He sighed, setting down his book and examining the chess board, preparing to make his first move.

Around them the Gryffindor common room was full of chatting students. James and Remus were sitting by one of the windows, looking out over the school grounds. A few fourth-year girls were giggling at a table nearby, some of them eyeing James, who acted like he didn't notice their stares.

Sirius was leaning back in a chair by the fire, hands tucked behind his head, eyes closed. Some people looked at him curiously until he opened one eye, showing he was actually awake. A small smile tugged at his lips. He pulled out his wand and twirled it around, eyes shut again. Peter had already headed upstairs to the boy's dormitory when they'd all come in.

Fifteen minutes later, James and Remus had finished their chess game. Remus, of course, had won once again. Sirius got up from his place by the fire and headed over to them as Remus grabbed his book and stood, walking towards the entrance to the boy's dormitory. Sirius took Remus's place as he headed up the stairs.

Sirius inclined his head toward a girl sitting near the fire, chatting with a couple other girls. It was Lily Evans. James let a sly smile cross over his face as his gaze met hers from across the room. Lily rolled her eyes, looking away from her and continuing her conversation with her friends. James sighed, glancing at Sirius.

"You still have a chance with her, you know," Sirius supplied helpfully. "Just because she's friends with old Snivelly doesn't mean she won't go out with you." He wiggled his eyebrows. James laughed quietly, looking down.

"As long as she's defending Snape I don't think I have a shot with her. They'll probably end up hating each other, anyways. Evans and Snivellus? Not in this world."

"I'd say you should try asking her out, but... you know..." Sirius frowned. "You've already tried, she'll most definitely decline. You'll have to figure out some way to win her over."

James looked back over at Lily, watching her laugh, watching her green eyes sparkle like emeralds in bright sunshine. He blinked. "Maybe I could impress her with some Quidditch? There's no way she won't be amazed by my outstanding moves." James stuck out his chin slightly.

A stomping noise sounded throughout the common room. Most people went quiet, looking around for the source of the sound. After a few seconds Peter appeared, panting, coughing. He gasped for air, then choked, "There was a D-Dung Bomb in my b-bed! Who p-put it there?"

Sirius and James roared with laughter at their prank. Peter stormed over to them. It would have been intimidating had he not been so small and scrawny. "Guys! Guys! Did you do that?" he squeaked, watching them laugh. "Stop it! Stop laughing! It wasn't funny!" 

"It was hilarious!" James said, wiping tears from his eyes. Sirius's laughter started fading until he was only taking a few deep breaths, grinning. Peter huffed and turned, stomping up to the boy's dormitory again. Remus looked up from his book, smiled slightly despite himself, and went on reading.

James let out another chuckle and pulled a chocolate frog from his pocket, tearing open the wrapper and leaning back in his seat. He stuffed the frog into his mouth, chewed it, swallowed it, and removed the card from the package with a quick glance.