Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Second Task

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Unfortunately, Peter and James hadn't found anyone when they were searching and even after Sirius investigated, since he stubbornly insisted on doing so, there was no hint anyone had been there. It was like whoever it was had vanished into thin air! Left in total confusion they tossed around the possibility of someone else being out at night with an invisibility cloak. After trooping back to the castle late at night and staying up discussing theories they went to sleep and dreamed of the upcoming task. Come morning Sirius and James went back and forth about their final guesses as to what the second task would be all throughout breakfast which Gideon and Fabian were absent from. 

By the time it was time for the second task the four of them had switched to trying to figure out what the burning piece of paper they had found had been. Remus had reported not being able to find anything about the strange words during his very early morning hunt in the library, while the others were still fast asleep. But Sirius was sort of enjoying the not knowing since it led to them making up potential possibilities that probably were much more badass than the real thing.

James recounted loudly and dramatically how they had snatched the clue out of the flames. Sirius decided to add in that they had fought off a dragon as well just for the fun of it. Black revelled in the surprised and questioning looks they got from their peers as they followed the procession heading to the second task. As they followed the rest of the school outside, the entire crowd abuzz with excitement for the second task, Lupin pointed out with a worried glance they shouldn't talk about last night around other people.

Sirius frowned at this, "Why the heck not? It was a grand adventure and probably has something to do with the Tournament," he pointed out in a boastful tone.

Remus cast a look around, the bags under his eyes slowly becoming a bit more pronounced day by day. "Well for starters, because you lot tend to shout and gain the attention of everyone," he began, sounding tired.

"Of course we do! That's the whole part of storytelling, Lupin," Potter laughed.

"Because I...I'd rather not explain...how we found the piece of paper...and if by chance whoever burned it is hearing your bragging...well we shouldn't have found it...I shouldn't have been able to find it..." Remus trailed off in the quiet tone he had been using, requiring his three friends to huddle around him. It took Sirius a moment to understand what Remus was getting at and when he finally did, even after talking to the werewolf briefly about it last night, he still grew a bit uncomfortable. 

At least he wasn't the only one because and by the look on Peter's face he was at a loss of what to say as well. But James didn't miss a beat, slapping the self-conscious boy's back and jovially explaining how it was a good thing Remus' 'furry little problem' had given him bloody superpowers. The werewolf blushed, mumbling something about not wanting to be different.

"Bollocks, you're special, you are, mate. Besides, just imagine the ways we can use this to our advantage for pranks. You've unlocked the potential for pranks we would otherwise not be able to even dream of," James insisted. Once more Sirius was left with a knot in his stomach. The Black heir wasn't entirely sure why but he felt like he was the one who should be consoling Lupin and building his ego, considering the damage to it was partly his fault. Then again Sirius reasoned that if anyone should be in charge of raising someone's self-esteem it was James Potter who was as bloody arrogant as they came. Still, there was an unpleasant feeling in his stomach he couldn't place and he felt himself slowing down, trailing behind and watching as James swung his arm over Remus' shoulder affectionately. 

Whatever James was saying seemed to be cheering Remus up, the chaser even managing to get the constantly tired-looking boy to laugh. Sirius rushed ahead, forgetting Peter who was weighed down and walking slower due to having insisted on bringing snacks and the large banner they had spent the better part of the morning constructing to show their support for Gideon. As they walked into the stadium Sirius caught up to the other two and joined in on the brainstorming of potential top-secret pranks that Remus could assist in pulling off. Black was not, after all, about to be outdone by Potter. Then they reached the Quidditch stands and started climbing up, big large signs distinguishing where students were to sit in support of each individual school. Sirius tried to usher them to some of the best seats of the house, where he knew Patricia and Fabian sat waiting for them, while Peter bustled over puffing.