The Marauder's Tale [MOONY, WORMTAIL, PADFOOT, & PRONGS]

LIII. Traumas Large and Small

James ran down the dormitory stairs. He was late for Transfiguration for the first time all year. Since he was attempting to send Professor McGonagall into shock with an entire year of punctuality, he couldn’t afford to be late. He jumped down the last six steps, and landed silently in the common room.

“I can’t BELIEVE you said that!”

“Well, it’s true!”            

“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean you can actually acknowledge it!”

“It’s not like I pointed it out! YOU brought it up!”

James rolled his eyes. Sirius and Olivia were arguing again. They had Transfiguration with him – they really needed to wrap this up. He was going to step in to help speed up the process when Olivia turned to Sirius was a smile.

“I’m overreacting,” she said in a low voice.

“I was out of line,” Sirius said, stepping closer to her.

“I’m sorry.” Olivia put her arms around his neck.

“Me, too.” Sirius leaned down to kiss her.

James shook his head. Who knew how long they’d be snogging? He had to get to class.

He ran all the way to McGonagall’s classroom, ignoring everyone who laughed at the sight of the Head Boy racing through the halls. He made it to class on time, sliding into his seat next to Lily just as the bell rang.

“Where are Olivia and Sirius?” Lily whispered as McGonagall closed the door.

“They were arguing . . .”

“So now they’re snogging,” Lily finished with a giggle. She shook her head. “They really are ridiculous. Thank goodness we aren’t like that.”

“Yeah, we definitely don’t argue that much.”

Lily smiled, and rolled her eyes. “Good morning,” Professor McGonagall said as she walked to the front of the room. “Today we are going to continue our work on –“

She stopped abruptly as the door opened and Sirius and Olivia stepped in. They both looked rather disheveled. They walked toward their seats quietly, almost as though they were trying to not to draw attention to themselves. McGonagall’s lips formed a thin line.

“And might I ask what kept you?”

James quickly turned his laugh into a cough. Judging by their appearances, there was no question as to what had kept Sirius and Olivia from arriving on time. Remus caught James’ eye and grinned.

“We lost track of the time,” Sirius said as he and Olivia finally made it to their seats next to Lily and James.

“Hm,” the professor replied. “Ten points each from Gryffindor. The next time you’re late, it’ll be detention.”

Sirius and Olivia nodded silently. James glanced as Sirius, whose expression clearly said that it had been worth it. McGonagall frowned at them again, and returned to her lecture.

James and Lily exchanged a glance. They both knew that Sirius and Olivia were treading a fine line with McGonagall. They were lucky not to have detention already – not that something like detention would stop them. Sirius and Olivia’s relationship worked because of their shared tendency to disregard the consequences. Lily shook her head. She could never be like that. She never acted without knowing that she could take the consequences – whatever they might be.

***

“Can you believe how much homework McGonagall gave us?” James exclaimed as they walked to the Great Hall for lunch after class. “Does the woman think we’re machines?”