Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Fifty-Seven: Cabin 18234 in Dyfnant Forest

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James figured that after hexing several Slytherins and exploding the toilets in the prefect bathroom that Sirius would have calmed down some. But, if anything, it seemed to make him angrier. Luckily, the chaser had gotten his fuming friend away from the castle under the invisibility cloak as he was beginning to worry Sirius would legitimately hurt someone. Not just pranks but that he would physically attack someone. Which was how it was unanimously decided by them by the time their first class was starting that they were going to play hooky.

"Come on, take another sip, mate," James urged, pressing the glass of water into his friend's hand. James' mum had said more than once when he had been crying, about some rather childish and downright stupid thing looking back on it, that staying hydrated after was important. Being at a complete loss at how to help any of his friends lately, James figured the most he could do was make sure Sirius took care of himself. It took some convincing but the Black heir took another sip, glaring at the glass as if imagining it shattering into a thousand pieces. James was glad that they had the invisibility cloak otherwise they would have been hauled back into the castle by now. Instead, they got to sit on the Quidditch pitch with the gentle spring breeze occasionally tugging on the cloak, away from everyone and everything. James found it peaceful which was what he desperately needed after talking to Remus before breakfast. He hated with all his heart how Sirius had been right and Remus had, yet again, been lying to them.

"I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to just sit here. I want to do something," Sirius raged. James had to grab his impulsive friend's wrist to keep him from standing up.

"I hate to break it to you, mate, but if someone sees us...our arses are going to be stuck in class."

"I don't care about stupid Hogwarts. I don't care about anything. How can you be so calm and not care at all?" Sirius hollered, glaring daggers at him.

It took everything James had not to rise to the bait. He knew his mum would be proud of him for being 'the mature one' but even thinking of her hurt too much at the moment. "You caught me, turns out I don't give a lick about our friend who is in agony. Nope, this is the new and improved heartless Potter you're speaking to. I could give Mouldy Voldy a run for his money by how cold-hearted I am," he stated calmly.

Sirius gave a snort of amusement and shoved him. "Bugger off."

"Someone has to be calm and it sure as bloody hell isn't going to be you at the moment. You should be thanking me for saving you from blowing up the dungeons."

"I'm not going to thank you for being a blighter," Sirius pointed out petulantly, arms wrapped defensively around his chest, making him look like a rather cross child.

James rolled his eyes and let out an amused laugh. "Yes well, I'm a massive swot for not wanting you to get expelled, I suppose."

"You're right on your way for being as cruel as Voldy, that's for sure," Sirius mumbled. James nudged him, grinning. Sirius' eyes were still bloodshot but his lips twitched slightly before a cloud of darkness passed over him once more. "I want to kill Voldemort! That would brighten my day."

"Me too mate, I reckon we could...you know...if only we could find him."

"I just...want to hurt someone," Sirius admitted reluctantly. James knew better than to joke about that. His friend had let slip several times how he was certain that having Black blood running through his veins made him much more likely to be a dark wizard. Of course, Sirius had always said such things with a forced sense of humour, but Remus and James could read between the lines enough when it came to the oldest Marauder's jokes.