The Polyjuice potion’s effects were fading fast, and Harry and Ron stumbled out of the Slytherin common room, their breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. Their stolen uniforms were rumpled, the hems dragging as they sprinted toward freedom. But as they rounded the corner, they skidded to a stop.
“Why the bloody hell are you wearing Slytherin uniform?” James nearly shrieked. He looked like he was having a panic attack. Lily rolled her eyes at his antics.
Cyril stood there, leaning casually against the stone wall, the torchlight casting sharp shadows across his face. His hands were tucked neatly into his pockets, his posture deceptively relaxed. Yet his piercing gaze was anything but.
“Well, well,” he drawled, his voice cold and cutting. “"Two nosy little Gryffindors crawling out of the snake's den.”
Harry and Ron froze, their stomachs plummeting like stones dropped into a lake. Before either could react, his hand shot out, grabbing Ron by the collar and slamming him against the wall with a force that knocked the wind from his lungs.
Collective gasps could be heard throughout the hall.
“Stealing ingredients from Professor Snape, brewing Polyjuice potion unlawfully,” Cyril began, his voice a low growl. “Disguising yourselves in Slytherin uniforms and sneaking into our dormitories. How nosy must you be to pull off this off?”
“YOU DID WHAT NOW?” Now it was Lily’s turn to shriek while McGonagall eyed the trio.
The trio could practically feel the heat of glares of Slytherins.
James and Sirius exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes gleaming with mischievous intent, a silent exchange of trouble brewing between them. Their smirks only widened as they turned their gaze toward Remus, whose expression was a mixture of suspicion and mild resignation.
“Don’t you guys open your mouths,” Remus warned. He pointed a firm finger at them, eyes narrowing. “And shut your minds while you’re at it.”
James feigned innocence, leaning back in his chair with exaggerated casualness. “What? Us? We didn’t say a thing!”
“Not yet,” Remus shot back, his tone sharp but laced with familiarity. “But I can see the wheels turning in those thick skulls of yours.”
Sirius couldn’t resist. His grin turned wolfish as he crossed his arms. “Thick skulls? That’s a bit rude, Moony. And here I thought we were friends.”
Remus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, shaking his head. “Friends don’t encourage chaos every waking moment.”
“Oh, but chaos is half the fun,” James chimed in, flashing his trademark grin. “Besides, you love us for it.”
Remus groaned. “I tolerate you for it. Barely.”
Sirius clapped a hand on Remus’s shoulder, his grin never faltering. “You’d be bored out of your mind without us, admit it.”
“Some days, I think I’d prefer boredom,” Remus muttered, though the slight upward quirk of his lips betrayed him.
James nudged Sirius with his elbow. “See? He loves it.”
Remus threw his hands up in mock surrender. “You’re both impossible.”
“And proud of it,” Sirius quipped.
YOU ARE READING
SOLSTICE
Fanfic"My lord," Cyril hummed in reply. Theo always preferred this title. Theo asked, referring to the future they all would be witnessing, "Are you okay with what tomorrow brings? It's like privacy being snatched away, and secrets won't be secrets anymo...
