The Padfoot Twins

9: Surprises at Hogsmeade

Chapter 9.

Chloe's PoV
December 3rd 1993

Malfoy's glare was upon me whenever we'd be in each other's presence. I was glad that it was all he would do though: he didn't want to tell someone because they'd probably just laugh at him for being punched by a girl. Much more a girl in Gryffindor.
Hermione was still astounded by my actions but didn't lecture me for them, thank goodness. She loathed Malfoy only a little less than me, which is quite a lot.
Noah told me this is the most he's ever been proud of me. Ron and Harry too. I was extremely pleased.
Professor. Lupin was back teaching, looking about as good as my dead grandmother, but still able to make our lessons entertaining and 101% better than anything Snape could ever teach.
It was the day before semester break which meant it was pretty much already break, considering all 3rd years and up were at Hogsmeade and the teachers were all on holiday mode (except for Snape who somehow, I could never picture being on holiday mode).
Noah's bitterness about not being able to go to Hogsmeade ceased ever since he discovered a secret passageway behind a painting that lead right to the kitchen. He made it his duty to continue finding the secrets of Hogwarts and "what better way to do it when 3 quarters of the school is gone? Plus, none of you got to experience the sensation of riding a hovering scooter" is what he would say.
I was only a little bit sad that all my friends were staying at Hogwarts during Christmas break when my parents required us to go home. Don't get me wrong, I loved my family more than anything but missing out on all the action always made me anxious for school to start back up again (I know, I'm crazy).
All I was concerned about in that moment though, was filling my stomach with some warm butterbeer and treacle tart, and filling my bags with multiple Christmas presents.

Noah's PoV

I stood there, watching the retreating figures of Fred and George, their identical saunter and mop of ginger hair disappearing behind the entrance leading to Hogsmeade. I turned back to look at Harry and we just stared. This. Is. Brilliant.
"Harry this has got to be the best day of my life!" I finally gasped, running a hand through my hair that was getting a little too long for Chloe's liking. Harry grinned, then asked "this map is going to be useful, don't you think?"
"Useful? Of course it will be! It's the key to my success! Oh- we can't tell Hermione, or Chloe! I want them to think I found all the passageways by myself-"
Harry laughed at my idea. "Well we've got to give Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and -" Harry squinted closer to the names written on the map, "Prongs some credit."
I nodded in agreement, "that's right, this is truly impressive." 
Harry started walking away, towards the witch statue, "well are you coming to Honeydukes, or not?" He asked with an excited look plastered on his face.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Flashback
Their fifth year, December 17th

"Ready?" Asked Sirius with a dangerous grin on his face. Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter stood in a small passageway leading into the dungeon where they knew he would be leaning over a potion. The others nodded back, some nervous, but some with an expression that reflected his.
"In 3... 2... 1!" 3 voices (and one squeak) echoed throughout the dungeon. Three streaks of dark purple magic shot toward a young boy with long, greasy black hair and dark eyes. He only started to whip his head around when the spells reached him and the cauldron, blowing it up all over the room. Dark orange liquid exploded over Sirius and the boy, scalding their skin. Sirius yelped and backed away from the mess, cradling his wand arm which was soaked with the sticky fluid. Before Sirius could start complaining about the foiled plan, Peter yanked his arm from the entrance of the dungeon door, sprinting after the other two boys.
"Why didn't that work like you planned? Oh right. Because you didn't plan" Remus said harshly, panting from running up five flights of stairs.
James and Sirius exchanged guilty looks. Everyone in Hogwarts knew that they were the two ring leaders of the Marauders. They often planned the pranks and schemes, while Peter and Remus tagged along as masterminds put into action. Although, this particular time didn't require much planning. You see, Severus Snape, the sworn enemy of the Marauders, had just pulled Lily away from talking to James, claiming that he 'created a new potion' and 'it was vital she helped with the finishing touches'. This was the first time since, well, ever, that Lily voluntarily talked to James about something other than how James was an arrogant toe rag. James said he would never forgive 'Snivellus' for taking away his precious Lily flower, and demanded vengeance with the marauders.  Little did he know that Sirius would get stung in the process.
"We honestly should get the the hospital wing!" Peter suggested, pointing at the orange sticky liquid clinging, and starting the harden around Sirius's arm.
"No, then Poppy will inform Dumbledore! Or worse, Minerva. They can't know that we were the ones who ruined that dungeon room!" Sirius protested.
"Oh come on, who else would they think it was?" Remus asked seriously. "I mean, they'd accuse us even if it wasn't us."
James buried his face in his hands. "Sorry guys, we should have planned better. And Sirius," he picked up Sirius's arm that was starting to swell up, bulging around the hardened orange liquid. "I'll find a cure without having to go to any professors or the hospital wing. I promise. We just have to make sure we don't run into any professors along the way. Follow me."