My Marauders // J.P. , R.L. , S.B x OC

Ch. 1, Hide-and-Seek

"James!" Calliope yells out, her shout echoing throughout the green, crowded forest, trees askew from all angles. She pauses, takes a deep breath, and then begins to call out all four of the boys' names, her voice growing more urgent with each one.

She is afraid to leave the position where the boys left her, but as nearly eight minutes pass, she feels she has no choice but to walk around the gloomy timber and sharp shrubbery. The shadows seem to close in around her as she steps cautiously, calling out their names again, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.

"A simple game of hide 'n seek," she huffed to herself as she gently placed her foot against the wild sticks and puddles of slightly dry mud. Each step felt like a test of courage, the forest's eerie silence pressing in around her. She continued to call out, hoping for a response, her eyes scanning the dense foliage for any sign of the boys.

They usually played hide-and-seek just outside of the forbidden forest, but due to years of practice, it had become incredibly easy for Calliope to find them. It was also difficult for them to find new places to hide from her "all-seeing eyes," as Sirius jokingly called them. Today, though, they'd ventured deeper into the forest, turning a simple game into something far more daunting.

Before officially leaving her post, Calliope took a step back and left a signal of sorts, marking her starting point with a small pile of stones and a broken twig arranged in a distinct pattern. This way, she could avoid going in circles. She may not be as brave as the Gryffindors among her, but she undoubtedly had some Ravenclaw wits—though the boys might disagree.

As she walks through the forbidden forest, her paranoia gets the best of her, making her look over both shoulders every time a single crack or pop reverberates through the tall trees. Her heart pounds in her chest, and she clutches her arms tightly around herself, the oppressive atmosphere of the forest heightening her sense of unease.

"Remus!" she shouts out, hoping to get the attention of her taller, more openly compassionate friend. She knew if she were to repeat herself, he would eventually come out, not wanting to worry her. She smirks at the tactic as this was something she explored in the past when she was close to losing. "Rem! Remus!" she calls again, feigning a panicked tone in her voice. Given the eerie surroundings, it wasn't a hard task.

The forest seemed to respond with an unsettling silence, her voice echoing back to her. She listened intently, hoping to hear the familiar sound of Remus's footsteps approaching.

Soon enough, branches begin to creak, and Calliope turns to face the sound, hiding her smirk. Remus emerges from large bushes, stepping on the lush underbrush. "Cal? You okay?" he says in a concerned tone as he joins her side, his brow furrowed with worry. Calliope lets out a small sigh of relief, glad to see a familiar face in the intimidating forest.

"Sorry, Rem... I was really nervous all alone out here," she says, putting on her best frown. "I feel better with you here..." Her voice wavers slightly, selling the act.

"Oh," Remus says, putting an arm around her shoulder and gently giving a small squeeze to her knitted sweater, hoping to provide her some security. "Sorry, love. It isn't the most welcoming area here, huh?" His warmth and presence offer a small comfort amidst the towering, shadowy trees.

"Mhm, help me look for the boys?" she shyly smiles, hoping that Remus's sweet spot for her extends enough to appease her request.

A light chortle escapes his mouth. "I would be breaking the rules. You can do it, Cal," Remus says with a playful glint in his eye, encouraging Calliope to take the lead in their search.

A groan escapes Calliope's mouth as she is denied her request. "Fine. I'll remember this later, Lupin," she grumbles playfully. Remus pats her shoulder reassuringly.