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

Untitled Part 132

Author's note: CW for underage drinking, major emetophobia

-x-

James looked exhausted in the morning. He had some dark smudges under his eyes, and kept yawning as he got ready. He promised he was ready to play and in fit condition.

Despite being terrified still of what he went through, Peter was in a good mood. "I knew you'd come for me," he said as Sirius painted a lion on his cheek. "That's what got me through the scariness."

"Of course we came for you," James promised with another yawn.

"All for one, one for all, and four to the end," Sirius said, leaning in closer and squinting as he added a dead snake under the lion's paw.

"You jumped in for me," Peter added, looking adoringly into Sirius's face. "Thank you."

"I didn't jump in, I fell in," Sirius argued but he smiled, pleased.

"I wonder if that's really where the ghost died..." Peter trailed off and glanced at Remus.

Sirius grabbed Peter's chin and forced him to look back. "It's going to be a mess if you don't sit still."

"I don't know," Remus said, wrapping his arms around his knees. "It seems rude to ask." He thought back to earlier in the year when he had been on the steps and heard a voice telling him to be careful. Had that been... Theodore?

"Done." Sirius pulled away from Peter then sat in front of Remus, holding his chin as he began painting. Their faces were uncomfortably close. What was worse was when Sirius's lips parted slightly and the tip of his tongue stuck out, touching his upper lip as he focused. So... so close. Remus tried not to squirm.

Peter stood in front of the mirror to admire the paintings on his face. "I'm sorry, though, James. I shouldn't've gone to the meeting last night. Now you're all tired because of me."

James gave Peter a big hug. "It's fine, Petey. Stop wor—wor—worrrry-iiiiing..." He covered his mouth as he yawned again. "We'll destroy them."

Sirius's eyes locked with Remus's for a second before he sat back. "All done." He gave Remus a pat on the head before dancing over to the mirror to paint his own cheek.

All three boys were in new shirts James had gotten for them: t-shirts with crossed brooms on the front with JAMES above them and POTTER below; there were Gryffindor crests on the back. Sirius and Peter wore theirs without any additional layers, but since the shirt fit so well, Remus had to wear a long-sleeved shirt underneath to make sure his scar didn't peep out at any point. It was extremely, oddly warm out, so Remus hoped he wouldn't get too overheated. If Sirius bent in close like he did a moment ago at any point during the game, he knew he definitely would overheat.

Once they were all finished—and Remus put his earplugs in—the Marauders went down to the Great Hall. The Gryffindor table burst into applause when James appeared, as they did every other member of the team, and James gave a bow before they sat down to eat.

"You look tired, Potter," Bell said, appearing out of no where.

James jumped. "Oh, bloody hell, Bell, you scared me. No. I'm fine."

"How late were you up?" She scrutinized him carefully. "We need to get a lot of points—a lot of points—today."

James rolled his eyes. "I know. I'm fine, I promise. Nothing comes between me and Quidditch. Or me destroying the pathetic Slytherins."

"Good," she said before whisking back to her friends.

A few minutes later, though, James looked less than fine. The owl post arrived, and a school owl dropped a letter in James's lap. When he opened it, all the blood drained from his face and he pressed his lips tightly together à la McGonagall. He swore, and then set the note down so they could see it. It was made up of letters cut out of the Daily Prophet and stuck to a piece of parchment.