Sanctuary

Chapter 16

Monday, 20th September 1971, 2:10 pm

Sitting in Charms next to Peter after lunch, Remus felt delighted with himself. His plan had gone perfectly and everyone seemed to be enjoying their transfigured outfits. Even Professor Dumbledore hadn't changed. The morning had gone well. Transfiguration was easy since he'd already mastered the art of changing a material's colour, and Sirius had commented on how good he was at it. Remus had wondered if the boys would suspect him, but so far they seemed to believe the Hogwarts Marauder was someone much older than themselves.

They were now working on the gouging charm Defodio. It was a simple charm, and most of the class had grasped the basics the previous Wednesday, but now Professor Flitwick wanted them to work on their precision and had given each of them a flat piece of wood and asked them to produce a decorative carving. Peter was attempting some kind of star pattern, but it wasn't going well, and his stars were somewhat lopsided. Remus was working on an intricate pattern of lines and swirls, and it was coming along nicely. He just had a few finishing touches to add.

'Wow, that's fantastic, Remus,' Peter said. Remus looked up from his work to see Peter staring at his carving with wide eyes. 'Hey, guys, look at this,' he said, turning round to speak to Sirius and James.

Sirius and James looked up from their own work. Remus had no idea what James' was supposed to be, but Sirius seemed to be carving some kind of dog.

'What?' Sirius asked.

'Remus' carving. It's brilliant,' Peter said, picking it up to show them.

Sirius and James stared at the wood for a moment before looking up at Remus.

'How are you so good at everything?' Sirius asked. 'You're the first to get it right in every class. Well, except Potions.'

Remus felt his face heating. That was happening a little too often for his liking. 'I kind of read all the books when I was little, and I practised the wand movements with a stick too.'

Sirius stared at him for an uncomfortably long moment. 'You are such a nerd, Remus Lupin,' he said. But his tone held a hint of affection and his eyes were twinkling. Remus decided he didn't mind being called a nerd when it was Sirius.

When classes were over for the day, they returned to their dormitory to relax, and discussion immediately turned to the Hogwarts Marauder, much to Remus' amusement.

'Who do you think it is?' James asked the room as he flopped onto his bed.

'It doesn't really matter,' Sirius said, his voice thoughtful. James shot upright and opened his mouth, presumably to argue, but Sirius stopped him by holding up a hand from where he was lounging on his own bed. 'I mean, the real question is how are we going to top them?'

James' mouth gaped for a moment, closed and opened again twice before he responded. 'You are absolutely right. It needs to be amazing and spectacular and awe-inspiring.'

Remus laughed inwardly. This was too funny. 'What do you mean? Top them?'

Sirius, James and Peter all glanced at each other, appearing to have a silent conversation. Sirius twitched his eyebrows. James wrinkled his nose. Peter shrugged. James frowned. Sirius rolled his eyes, and James nodded.

Sirius grinned and turned to Remus. 'You remember the unpoppable balloon parade a couple of weeks ago?'

Remus nodded and plastered an interested expression on his face.

Sirius smirked. 'That was us.'

Remus attempted to look suitably surprised and impressed. 'Really?' he asked. 'That was very impressive. How did you get the balloons to animate exactly?'