Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-One - Trapped Like A Rat

Friday night James, Sirius, and Remus sat in three of the comfiest armchairs in the Gryffindor common room. Everyone was willing to give up their seats for the team which James, naturally, took advantage of. It was after the Gryffindor practice and the three Marauders were waiting for Peter to return from his photography meeting. As they waited, they played a game that mostly relied on reflexes which Remus was losing at. It involved slapping one anothers hands so not only was Remus awkward with it, he also didn't want to actually hurt them so he wasn't fully putting himself into the game whereas the other two were. At least the slaps on his hands didn't leave red marks like it was for them.

"Potter!" Bell came by, gripping James's shoulder tightly. "Don't stay up too late."

"I won't, we're just waiting for Peter."

Bell nodded, ponytail swishing as she looked over at the big clock. "It's nearly nine. Well after curfew."

"He had a Photography Club meeting," James explained, yanking his hands back as Sirius tried to slap them. "About the game tomorrow."

"All right. Well, try to be in bed before ten, all right?"

"Will do, Captain my Captain!" James gave her a salute then succeeded in slapping Sirius's hands.

Music blasted from the radio, groups of students were chatting loudly, and everything was warm and cozy. Loud. But warm and cozy. Remus bowed out of the slapping game and curled up in the armchair, sipping some tea while he scanned through some of his notes. Only three more days until the exams, and he was especially anxious about Runes, Arithmancy, and Potions. At least his theoretical Potions would get him a decent grade, if anything else.

"How long is that meeting going for?" Sirius asked.

James was shaking his hand after a particularly nasty slap from Sirius. "It's almost nine-thirty now. Even with a long meeting, he should've been back by now."

Remus set his tea down and glanced towards the door. "He wouldn't stay behind too long to chat. He hates being out after curfew, unless we're with him. What other Gryffindors are in the club?"

"Erm." James scanned the room. "I dunno. Hold on." He stood up on a table and cupped his hands around his mouth. "HEY!" he shouted, getting most of the Gryffindors' attention. "IS ANYONE IN THE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB?"

"I am," said a girl, getting up out of a chair. "Why? You want your picture taken?"

James climbed down off the table. "If you're going to offer—"

"We were wondering about the meeting tonight," Remus cut him off. The fact someone else in the club was already back gave him a bad feeling, although she very well might not have gone. "Do you know how long it was supposed to be?"

The girl folded her arms. "I do, because I was there. It ended at eight. Why?"

Now all the Marauders were standing, all of them looking uneasy. "Peter Pettigrew," Sirius said. "He went."

"Yeah, he was there," she said, wrinkling her nose. "He was walking behind me for a few minutes when we left but he creeps me out so I ran ahead."

"Why does he creep you out?" James demanded hotly, going right to Pete's defense. She rolled her eyes and returned to her seat, not replying. James turned to the other two. "That was an hour and a half ago."

"Maybe he ran into some trouble on the way and is hiding out," Remus said slowly. "He's done it before, when he found the Room of Thrice."

James began running his hand to and fro on his head, making his hair spring up more. "If he isn't back soon p'raps we should go check that room out, or go look for him."