Chasing Dreams (A Harry Potter Marauder fanfiction)

In the Forest?!

"All I ever wanted was the world, I can't help that I need it all, the Primadonna life the rise and fall. You say that I'm kind of difficult, but it's always someone else's fault. Got you wrapped around my finger babe. You can count on me to misbehave."
- Marina and the Diamonds

It was dark when Skye finally trudged away from the transfiguration room, sighing and taking a hand through her hair. James grinned at her.
"Tired?"
"Exhausted."
She replied easily. James threw his head back and laughed, his eyes gleaming. Skye smiled; she had missed this. Since she had dinner with the Marauders the night before, her and James hadn't been able to stop talking. They spoke in the common room after dinner and at breakfast that morning, about everything from mermaids having sex to muggle doctors to the very foundations of the whomping willow. The dinner had been awkward; Sirius and Skye exchanged only a few words and even then, they were formal and forced. Remus hadn't seemed fazed that Skye was there, they were on the best of terms now. peter had gulped awkwardly and his gaze had shifted too often, as if he were waiting for a fight to break out. But it didn't. All five of them had kept up a steady conversation for about an hour, smiling and chatting. There was, of course, an underlying air of tension and there was no swapping of insults or teasing each other like they used to. It had been nice though. Not as nice as they would have liked, but as nice as it could have been under the circumstances. James and Skye had talked a lot since last night; they had a lot of catching up to do. In fact, it was that that landed them in detention with McGonagal. The two had been flying paper birds at each other, James being the one that started it, to annoy Skye due to her refusal to make up with Sirius. She was on good terms with them all now, apart from him. Then again, he was the one that snogged her when going out with another girl and practical used her to prove a point. Skye hadn't forgotten, but she still wished it hadn't happened.
"Did you notice the papers McGonagal had us copy out were from a book on-"
"Werewolves? Yeah."
Skye sighed, dragging a hand through her knotted hair.
"She's so clever."
James smirked.
"Yeah, the information was great! Sure it'll come in handy during.. Well, your special time of the month."
She emphasised. James rolled his eyes.
"Piss off, Turner, you know full well it's not my time of the month."
He grumbled, but he couldn't hide his goofy smile.
"Oohh! Sounds like it's your time of the month right now, is it Prongs?"
She laughed. James reached out to punch her shoulder playfully but she grabbed his wrist at the last minute. They struggled for a second, until finally James tripped Skye and she landed with a thump, her back against the wall. James held her wrist now and she held his, their eyes locking, laughing.
"Prongs you absolute-"
Sirius was cut off by the sight in front of him. He stopped dead in his tracks before his grey blue eyes sunk. He looked tired, dark circles under his eyes with pale, hollow cheeks, chapped lips and messy hair.
"Hey, Sirius."
James greeted awkwardly, clearing his throat. Sirius' eyes flickered upwards, a hint of anger flashing in them that didn't go unnoticed by Skye or James. James and Skye realised each other and broke apart, their eyes shifting about.
"Heya, Prongs. Skye."
"Hey, Sirius."
Skye smiled slightly.
"Um.. Moony is looking for you, Prongs. I told him you were in detention with McGonagal, so he sent me to get you. Have fun?"
He smirked, lightening the mood.
"Oh yeah, loads."
James grinned as he walked forward, Skye falling into step beside them. For once, it wasn't awkward and the air was clearing.
"So.. How are things, Skye?"
Sirius asked. Skye twisted the urge to roll her eyes, the small talk boring her as always.
"Good. I've been.. Great, actually. Can't complain. You?"
She smiled up at him.
"Top of the world."
He replied airily, waving a dismissive hand. James snorted and Sirius glared daggers at him, his fists clenched. James backed down and Sirius turned to Skye with a gracious smile.
"Are you coming to the Halloween party tomorrow?"
"Wouldn't miss it."
Skye smiled.
"Skye would never miss an excuse to get drunk and dress up and dance."
James laughed. Sirius grinned and Skye smirked, unable to deny it.
"Hippogriff."
James told the fat lady confidently. She rolled her eyes as Sirius smirked, knocking twice on her frame to annoy her. The three stepped into the common room, silent as Peter ran up to them.
"Moony has had an amazing idea!"
He told them all, his eyes bright.
"Yeah?"
James questioned, raising his eyebrows. Peter bounced up and down on the balls of his feet.
"Because the party is for Halloween, why don't we have it in the Forbidden Forest?"
He asked excitedly, glancing between Skye, Sirius, and James. Their eyes widened and their faces split into expressions of shock and excitement.
"That would be-"
"Fucking amazing."
"Absolutely bloody brilliant."
Skye and James said at the same time, cutting Sirius off.
"Let's do it!"
James exclaimed, making his way over to Remus.
"Moony! You're brilliant! It's an amazing idea!"
He called across the common room. Remus looked up from his muggle book, his eyebrows raised. He looked amused as his three friends approached him.
"Don't thank me, it was Lily's idea."
He shrugged nonchalantly. James' and Sirius' eyes widened, but Skye remained non plussed. Her and Lily had often talked about where to have the best party, and Lily had suggested the forbidden forest. James ruffled his hair and marched determinedly towards Lily. Skye and Sirius followed. Lily was laughing with Alice and Emmeline by the foot of the stairs.
"Evans! You're fantastic!"
James called loudly, gaining everyone's attention. Lily turned, rolling her eyes.
"Thanks."
She stated shortly. James made his way over to the red head.
"No, I'm serious! I didn't know you were in to all that party stuff. Especially not when I'm throwing the party."
He smirked. Lily looked sheepish.
"Well uh.. I just thought it would be fun, some place different, you know?"
"I do! I do know! And thanks again Evans. I'll see you at the party."
James grinned hugely, walking away.
"Yeah.. Sure."
Lily nodded softly, her eyes thoughtful as James walked away. Skye smiled at the three of them and walked back over to Sirius and James, who were in a heated conversation with Remus and Peter.
".. Moony, come on! Please?"
Sirius was begging dramatically, his hands clasped together, on his knees.
"You know you could just do it yourself."
James was saying, looking down at Sirius with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, good point Prongs."
Peter chimed in, smiling as he sat down on the couch opposite.
"What's wrong?"
Skye smiled, rolling her eyes, amused. Sirius turned to her with wide eyes and a grin.
"Moony won't put a big silencing charm around the clearing where we want to have the party."
Sirius winged, pouting. Skye smirked.
"James is right you know, Sirius, you could just do that yourself."
"Yeah but Moony is South better at silencing charms than I am."
"He is right."
Skye smirked, glancing between Remus and Sirius.
"Moony is brilliant at silencing charms. Good and all as you are, Sirius, you just.. Couldn't do it."
She stated cooly, cogs working in her mind. She knew Remus would never put the silencing charm on the forest; he was too good to do that. He would, if it came down to it, but Skye knew how nervous Remus got breaking big rules, and didn't want him to be the one to get in trouble for putting up the charm. Sirius however, wasn't too good for these things, and just needed a push to do it. So Skye, being the good friend she was, manipulated the situation.
"Sirius you just.. Aren't good enough."
She finished with a smirk. Sirius looked around, dazed.
"Well that might be a bit of an exaggeration, Skye."
He reasoned, glad that they seemed to be speaking again. They weren't, necessarily, but they were having a civilised conversation.
"No, no. I'm sorry, Sirius, I just.. Don't think you'd be able to pull it off."
"Yes I would."
He laughed easily.
"I don't think so."
"I do think so! I could pull it off easily."
"Well then why don't you?"
"I will."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Sirius crossed his arms.
"Great, thanks Sirius."
Skye smiled, before walking away towards Lily.
"Looks like the party plans have changed."