The Collision Theory | Remus Lupin

14. Farewells to sweet sixteen

September passes quickly, and October brings with it the icy winds and pouring rain. It seems to dampen the spirits of the castle when the first Hogsmeade trip is cancelled, but nothing seems to be able to get Sirius down.

"SEVEN MORE DAYS!" Every morning from mid September the usual countdown could be heard through the whole entirety of the Gryffindor tower, replied by with a collective groan.
Just one more week of this torture.
All the Gryffindors- including myself- couldn't wait for the tenth of October, when Sirius would finally shut up.

Tuesday is even worse than any other day. Sirius is at least ten times louder this morning, "Last day of being sixteen! I will no longer be restricted to living magicless!"

We have Charms first, and the hour seems like Hell for Remus, with Sirius constantly humming Bohemian Rhapsody- with ALL of the vocal parts- under his breath, drumming his fingers over the desk. It's rather amusing watching Remus constantly turned to James, mouthing, save me or kill me now.

*

They sit down for lunch in their usual seats, a few seats away from me. I have my Herbology book propped open over a jug of water, trying to get some last-minute notes crammed in. Lily looks over my shoulder as I scribble notes on the parchment, "Looks like someone forgot homework."

I roll my eyes, "Says Miss Perfect. Honestly Evans, just ride the wave of low expectation-"

James bursts out, "SIRIUS! ENOUGH WITH THE BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY PLEASE."

We all jump at the unexpected screech, turning to watch the usual troublemakers.

"Or what?" A smirk is growing on the boy's face as he puts down his sandwich. All Gryffindor eyes are on the boys now.

James takes his glass of pumpkin juice, and pours it over Black's head. Sirius' mouth is wide open, but it turns into a large grin as he takes a piece of cake and shoves it into James' face. A bit splatters onto my homework, and I pretend to have a horrified expression, "Black!"

He grins as I slam my book shut and take a handful of the nearest food, "Linnie dear, you wouldn't do that to poor old Sirius, would you?"

"Oh, you have no idea, Sirie dear." I chuck whatever it was directly at him, but he ducks, and it hits Frank. I clasp my hands over my mouth, but I can't hold in my laugh.

He wipes it off slowly and I expect to be screamed at, but instead he just says, with a stern expression, "You've declared war Aylin."

Frank flicks some pasta at me with his spoon, but the good makes a lot of collateral damage, landing on all of the people I'm sitting next to, including Alice. His smile drops and for a moment you can see the poor terror in his eyes as Alice grabs a handful of mashed potato, "You're so dead."

Soon the whole of Gryffindor house is at it, and then the hall. Teachers fight hard to control the students, but even some of them seem to be enjoying it. I get Sirius once in the chest with what I think might have been a slice of a tomato, and manage to hit Lily in the forehead with cake frosting.

Everyone is covered in food when McGonagall's voice boomed through the hall, "ENOUGH! ALL OF YOU SIT DOWN! 50 POINTS FROM ALL HOUSES! NOVAK, BLACK, POTTER AND PETTIGREW MY OFFICE NOW!"

The whole hall his immediately silent, and I feel as if I've been shared out of a daze. All eyes are on us as we leave the hall, James leading the pack, and Sirius begrudgingly ushering us out. Remus gives us one last look as if to say, 'I'll pray for you all'.

*

James stares at his feet in an attempt to force himself not to laugh, occasionally nudging Peter who is grinning like the Cheshire cat. Sirius' shoulder brushes me every so often as he rocks back and forth on his heels. We all jump as McGonagall slams the door behind her, and turns to stand in front of her desk, it's as though a dark aura of anger shines around her.
That's it, say goodbye to life as we know it.
We are screwed.
She says in a low stern voice that makes us shiver, "Just what...were you all thinking? Are you aware of how hard the house elves and chefs work to prepare the food you so mindlessly wasted?"