The Marauders and the Hollow Hill

The Howler

Why had James been so angry? Sirius found himself wondering this hours after Quidditch training and long into the night. Perhaps he hadn't been angry, but merely irritated that he had gotten a detention. Or maybe James was frustrated that Snape had succeeded in Confunding his broomstick. That surely was it. James had been complaining for what seemed like hours about how Snape was an idiotic, attention-seeking moron who was out to get James.

"I mean, why else would he do it?" James had muttered, shoving his foot into his pant leg so hard it ripped. "Why else would he - damn-"

"Reparo," Remus had yawned, pointing his wand at James's pajamas and not taking his eyes off his book.

" - Thanks, mate. Why else would he confund my broom? Confund it, eh? Eh? He can't be out to get me! Can he?" He had stared at the three other boys in the dormitory. Sirius had remembered them all avoiding his gaze.

There was silence. Then -

"You're welcome," Remus had said, grabbing his pajamas and heading towards the bathroom. "I'll change in here, shall I?"

The conversation had ended there. But Sirius still didn't understand. At that time, James had seemed more confused than angry. But when they were leaving the Quidditch pitch, James had definitely been angry. Furious, even. Did he have a history with Snivellus? Did James know him somehow?

It's not your business, Sirius reminded himself. It was still dark out. Three, maybe four o'clock in the morning. He slammed a pillow in his own face. Now go to sleep.

But it bothered him. James was keeping secrets from him.

But Sirius kept secrets from James. And if that bothered James, Sirius supposed they were even.

*      *      *

Sirius woke up the same way he'd been waking up for the past week.

"SIRIUS BLACK!"

It was as if someone had shoved an alarm clock in his ear. He screamed and tumbled off his four-poster, landing on the floor still curled up in his sheets like a cocoon. Remus and Peter, meanwhile were chuckling as they watched Sirius thrash around, trying to emerge from the blankets.

"Need help, Sirius?" Peter managed to say between fits of laughter.

"No!" Sirius struggled for a few more moments. "Yes."

Remus bent over and helped Sirius up. With a start, Sirius realized that Remus was noticeably paler than usual. Sirius squinted at him. "You alright, mate?"

It seemed to take a few seconds for the words to sink in. Remus blinked a few times. "Oh. Er. Yes, I'm fine. A bit tired."

Sirius frowned. "You sure? You seem a bit buggered."

"Oh? Well. Um - No. I'm fine."

Sirius watched Remus shoulder his bag and make his way down towards the Common Room. Then, arching an eyebrow, he turned towards Peter. "Is he always like that in the morning?"

Peter scratched his head. "Just about."

Sirius shrugged. Remus would be fine after a cup of tea. Or perhaps coffee. Sirius never fancied it, but Remus might. He noted this as a possible Christmas gift.

"I'm peckish," he announced, suddenly realized how hungry he was. Quickly, he lobbed a pillow at James, who was still passed out in bed. "Oy, James! Breakfast!"

It smacked James right in the face. "Ow! Bloody hell!" He rolled off the mattress and onto the floor, his hair managing to stick up in every direction. "What day is it?"