Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter Twenty-Six - Peeving Off Peeves

Author's note: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or if you don't celebrate anything, happy reading!

CW: reference to near drowning, and emetoephobia warning.

-x-

When the Marauders woke up in the morning, James was extra hyper. He kept begging them to hurry up until finally they trooped downstairs to see the list of the Quidditch team

Patricia Bell (Sixth Year)– Captain – Chaser 1, James Potter (Third Year)– Chaser 2, Marcade Kirke (Sixth Year) – Chaser 3, Cassandra Inkwood (Third Year)– Reserve Chaser.

"OH I bet it burns him he's behind me," laughed James when he saw it. He rubbed his hands rather gleefully.

Cassie squealed loudly when she saw her name on the list, even if she was a reserve. Sirius wrapped his arms around her and swung her in a circle, both of them laughing. They exchanged a quick kiss on the lips, both looking a little embarrassed, before Cassie bolted back to Lily and Alice to share the good news.

Sirius ran his fingers through his hair, an awkward grin on his face while James made wey-hey-hey sounds, elbowing him. "Shut up!" Sirius gave him a light shove. "Chaser number two!"

James gave a spin. "That's me! C'mon lads, let's get some brekkie."

Remus planned on spending the day doing work, especially when Operation Aqua was briefly mentioned again. Sirius suggested they begin at around ten-thirty, which gave them plenty of time after eating. When Remus said he'd be going to the library, all three of them gave him looks.

"No, you're part of Operation Aqua," Peter blurted out.

Remus tried to keep his face impassive. "That's the first I've heard of it."

"I've talked about it," James said, rather nervously. "The Prefects' bathroom, remember?" Remus stared at him. "Bell gave me the password to get in, since it's also for Captains."

"You're going to repay her by setting up a big prank?" he asked incredulously. "That's awful—"

"Not—not a prank, really," James said.

"You'll see," Sirius said rather cheerfully. "You'll love it."

"I'm not going into the Prefects' bathroom," Remus argued. "I'm not going to help with a prank—"

"Not a prank," James muttered again.

"—and frankly, if you really wanted me to be part of this you should have mentioned it sooner," he continued, ignoring James. "I have plans."

Sirius grabbed his sleeve. "Aw, c'mon, Remy. It'll be fantastic, you'll see. You'll love it. I promise. Trust me." Remus looked away from his piercing silver eyes. "It's not a prank," he continued. "I promise."

"You're promising quite a lot there," Remus grumbled, feeling his resolve weakening.

"If you don't wanna trust them you can trust me, right?" Peter asked, giving Remus big eyes, his hands under his chin in a manner to accentuate his innocence.

Remus grunted. "Your elbow is in the butter."

"Oops."

He hated all of them staring at him like that, all with puppy dog eyes, pleading silently. "Oh, fine, I'll help!" he hissed out, grabbing his spoon. "Twats, all of you. At least let me do some studying first; is eleven all right?"

"Perfect," said Sirius in a voice that made Remus a little apprehensive.

After eating, Remus returned to the dorm to spend the next hour working on an essay, trying not to think about what was in store. His eyes drifted towards his tarot cards and he was half tempted to pull a card to see what his deck told him, but he kept his quill on the parchment. At ten till eleven, the other Marauders came into the dorm to get Remus. They were all very excited about something—about this big prank, obviously. James grabbed a bag from his trunk and the four of them headed down to the fifth floor where the Prefects' bathroom was.