Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Fifty-Five: An Unregistered Animagus

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James agreed with Sirius that "Santa should stick to delivering toys, not teaching," but felt that his dramatic friend was taking matters too far. It had been obvious that Remus had barely been paying attention due to learning something from the matron, though their stubborn friend insisted on not saying anything until the Marauders could speak alone. Which made logical sense but meant that James had to put up with Remus scribbling secretly into his journal. Of course, this led to Sirius getting into a whispered argument with the boy who wasn't sharing information about Corbyn right off the bat. James sort of expected Remus to wait to tell them but apparently, Sirius expected the information immediately and was not pleased when he didn't get it. Because of this, James really didn't have the luxury of feeling awkward around Remus or ashamed for how deep down he knew his mum and dad would not accept his friend. Instead, the chaser had to be the mediator between Black and Lupin. Yet again!

"I mean, it's no bloody wonder the other schools are piss poor at everything!" Sirius shouted loudly from the dinner table. The boy seemed to be purposefully acting out. After DADA Remus had informed them with chilly politeness that he'd tell them about stuff later because the oldest Marauder has been so bloody infuriating. Now, Sirius was getting Remus back by dissing the foreign students which obviously their kindhearted friend had a problem with. James kicked Sirius who kicked him back then jerked a thumb at Remus who hadn't touched his plate and seemed to be growing more and more agitated. James was missing something, as it seemed he and Peter often did when it came to their other two stubborn friends. 

"Maybe they should just go back to where they came," Sirius continued to speak loudly, though everyone at the Gryffindor table had learned to ignore it when he was in a mood. Well, nearly everyone. Dorcas shot them a particularly nasty look, but Marlene pulled her into their own conversation before she could say anything.

"Will you pipe down," Remus hissed through clenched teeth, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. Sirius shrugged, looking unbothered.

"I'm just speaking the truth. Santa was the worst professor I've ever had, more boring than Binns even and that's bloody saying something," Sirius laughed. Peter nodded absentmindedly before jumping as he realised the other Marauders weren't outwardly agreeing. Pettigrew's beady eyes met Potter's in confusion and he shrugged back. Again, he agreed with Sirius but it was bothering him that the oldest Marauder was exaggerating this fact seemingly just to get under Remus' skin. Would Black never learn? James gave Peter a hopeless look and they both turned their attention to the bleeding row brewing between Remus and Sirius.

"Will you be quiet, Sirius? Not everyone thinks your opinions are valid," Remus hissed again, still looking unusually agitated by their often loud and immature friend.

"But they are valid!" Sirius retorted lamely, though James realised that the oldest Marauder simply must not just be doing this just to piss off Remus, but because he was searching for something in particular. Right? Not that James had any clue what that could be!

"Maybe if you had paid attention in class instead of pestering me and trying to read over my shoulder you would have thought differently," Remus muttered, picking around his shepherd's pie halfheartedly. Sirius muttered under his breath something about damn secrets. James literally slammed his head on the table though he doubted Sirius and Remus even noticed. Of course this was about Remus being secretive and Sirius being nosy, was it ever about anything different? 

James had half a mind to drag Sirius by his ear, much like Narcissa had done early this year, and tell him off for giving Remus such a hard time. Did Black really already forget how horribly he had originally responded to Lupin's lycanthropy? The fact Sirius expected Remus to tell them everything was getting old, even though James, a lot of the time, wished their shyest friend would open up to them more.