Before || A Marauders Era Story

Chapter Sixteen: Remus

"The books flying off the shelves in the library?" James was saying. He clambered up onto his bed and stood on it, holding onto the tall bed post with one hand and holding his other one out wide. "That was an amazing prank!"

"It was pretty great," Sirius agreed. "Especially since we didn't get caught. But personally, I think we could do better."

"We?" asked Peter. "But, didn't Remus put the spell on the books?"

Remus laughed and Sirius nodded rapidly.

"He did, but it was James and my idea. Then Remus cast the spell, and you were there for moral support. So, it was a team effort." Sirius explained. 

"So, what're we doing next?" James asked, trying to lean forward. His hand slipped on the bed post and he tumbled to the floor, right into his open trunk. "Ow!"

Remus grabbed his arm and helped him back to his feet while Sirius yelped.

"Oh, is the trunk alright?"

"Yes," James glared at him. "And so am I, by the way."

"I didn't ask, but okay," Sirius shrugged. "Anyways, I think we should go to dinner. I'm starving!" 

In the Great Hall, they were sat at the Gryffindor table close to Lily, Marlene, and Dorcas, who were huddled together and talking amongst themselves. 

"Amos said it was the pear," Lily was saying.

"Are you sure?" Marlene asked. "Because I'm pretty sure he said that we had to tickle the apple to get into the kitchens."

The boys exchanged excited looks.

"Does it matter right now?" Dorcas asked. "I mean, can't we just try both once we get there, and see which one works? It won't take that much time, and we'll still be able to be in the kitchen by seven o'clock."

"Hey," James slid over so he was sitting across from Marlene before anyone could stop him. "Are we talking about sneaking into the kitchens?"

Remus sighed. 

Lily shook her head rapidly. "Nope. What gave you that impression?"

"Oh, I don't know," James stroked his imaginary beard thoughtfully. "Maybe the conversation you were just having?"

"You were eavesdropping?" Lily demanded. James faltered and glanced back at the other boys for help.

"No," Sirius denied. "We were just... accidentally... overhearing..."

"We were eavesdropping, though," Peter admitted. Remus nodded, defeated.

"Uh, yeah, that's true. Sorry, Lily." 

"So can you show us where the kitchens are?" James asked.

"Why should we...?" Marlene asked. 

"We just apologized." Sirius offered.

"No, you didn't," Lily said. 

"Remus did." Dorcas finished. 

"Fine, I'm so terribly sorry!" Sirius clasped his hands together. "Please forgive me, I beg of you-!"

"We get it, you're dramatic, now shush." Lily snapped--they were starting to get on her nerves.

"I'm sorry, too," Peter muttered. James huffed. Lily glared at him.

"Fine, me too." James conceded. "Can you show us where the kitchens are and how to get in now?"

"Amos said we shouldn't tell anyone..." Dorcas trailed off. "Sorry...?"

"Hold on." Marlene said. "We'll show you, you'll just have to do something for us in return."

"Why can't you show us for free?" James asked. 

"That would hardly be fair, now, would it?" Lily asked. 

"Well, it would be kind..." Peter mumbled.

"Oh, let's just show them, it can't be that bad, can it?" Dorcas asked. 

Lily made a sound of disagreement, which was ignored. 

"Fine, we'll show you," Marlene agreed. "If you give us chocolate frogs by the day after tomorrow."

"Deal!" James held out his hand. Marlene shook it. 

"Wait, how do you guys know where the kitchens are?" Remus asked.

"This guy in Hufflepuff that Dorcas knows told us." Marlene explained. 

"Alright." Sirius said in a business-like manner. "When are we going?"

"Tomorrow at seven o'clock?" Dorcas suggested. Remus saw Lily bury her face in her hands and sigh. "We can meet in the common room beforehand."

"Sounds good." James said, sliding back to their original spot at the table. He turned to Sirius. "If we know where the kitchens are, we can get food whenever!"

"Wait--then can't we just get the chocolate frogs for Marlene and them in the kitchens?" Peter asked. 

James and Sirius began to laugh. 

"Oh, yeah!" Sirius chuckled. "That's a lot easier than sneaking out to Hogsmeade."

"But it's a lot less fun!" James argued. 

"True..." Sirius nodded thoughtfully.

"Maybe we should see if they have some in the kitchens first." Remus put in firmly.

"You think?" James asked.

"Yeah," 

"Okay, then," James nodded.

"Okay," Peter glanced at James, nodding as well. 

"Hmm... Fine." Sirius decided. "But if there aren't any chocolate frogs in the kitchens, we'll go to Hogsmeade."

"Sounds like a plan." Remus fist-bumped Sirius.

"Oh, I also have a good idea!" James said.

"Well, what is it?" asked Sirius.

"Don't house elves work in the kitchens and send food up to the tables here in the Great Hall?" James inquired, tapping his finger against the wood of the Gryffindor table.

"Yeah, I think so," Remus agreed, wondering where James was going with this.

"Well, what if we convince the house elves to send nose-biting tea cups up to the professor's table?" 

Sirius nearly jumped out of his seat, grinning broadly at the prospect of the prank. "Brilliant idea!"

"Yeah, let's do it!" Peter agreed. "Do we have nose-biting tea cups, though?"

"We'll definitely need some of those..." Remus looked up at the table the professors were sitting at unsurely. "But if we get caught--"

"We won't!" Sirius promised.

"And I still have about seven nose-biting tea cups from last time." James added.

"Last time?" Remus asked, feeling about as confused as Peter looked. Sirius opened his mouth to answer but Remus held up a hand. "Actually, never mind. I don't want to know."

"Wait, but I do!" Peter exclaimed. "James, Sirius, what happened?"

"Oh, it was awesome..." James began.

"A great adventure," agreed Sirius.

"The adventure that got you detention?" Remus asked.

"Shush, don't interrupt!" Sirius nudged him. "But yes, if you must know. Anyway." 

"Sirius and I snuck into the Slytherin common room," James started the story, "You know, to get back at that girl from a while ago who called that other girl a mudblood."

Remus nodded, propping his head up on his hand as he listened to the story of how James and Sirius had pranked a bigoted girl that they suspected was part of some evil organization secretly formed by a group of Slytherins.