The Things That Happen In The Night - Wolfstar

Chapter Nine: Preparations

The first week of school went by quickly. It was Friday and I was currently sitting in transfiguration with James, Remus and Peter. Professor McGonagall was at the front of the classroom going over whatever we were supposed to be doing today. James and I were passing notes back and forth and Peter was asleep. Remus was the only one paying attention and I was glad he was because I would need these notes later. Somehow, us boys have been able to stay seated next to each other the entire week. Most years McGonagall has separated us after a day or two.

I look down at the note James passed me a while ago. Bet you five galleons you can't grab a quill off Minnie McGee's desk without her noticing. I stifle a laugh and write back. Well I bet you ten galleons you won't announce to the class that you'll marry Evans one day. I look to see if McGonagall is looking and hand the note to James.

After reading the note, James leans over," you first." I get up from my desk and wander over to the desk at the front of the room. "Professor McGonagall?" I ask, not really having a plan. McGonagall turns around quickly,"yes Mr. Black?" I lean against her desk and ask,"have I told you how lovely you look today?" My hand reaches onto her desk and slips a quill into my robe pocket while James and several other students laugh. "No you haven't but I would suggest that you get back to your seat before I don't look so lovely anymore."

I turn around and head back to my seat without a word to McGonagall, but before I get there she calls after me. "And Mr. Black, I would also suggest returning my quill." Damn it! James laughs at my failure and I turn around and place the quill back on the desk giving Preofessor McGonagall a smile. She gives me a small, sarcastic looking smile back and I head back to my seat. Remus smiles and shakes his head at me. I smile back and Remus looks down at his notes. I sink down into my seat as I wonder about Remus' odd behavior lately.

"Would anyone else like to interrupt the class?" She asks the class, eyeing everyone. James' hand shoots straight up into the air," I would!" James quickly stands up and gets on top of his desk and declares," I would just like to announce that-"James is interrupted by McGonagall," sit down Potter!" But continues anyway. "-Lily and I are getting married this Saturday and you all are invited! We're getting married by the Black Lake and-" James was cut off again as McGonagall approached his desk looking more angry than lovely. James plopped down on his chair and shut up at once.

"Detention Potter! And move to that desk in the corner, as I'm sure Black has something to do with your behavior." Professor McGonagall directed her attention to me and I tried to keep from laughing but it was no use. "Detention for you too Mr. Black. Separate detentions."

For the rest of class James and I sat on opposite sides of the classroom. James quickly struck up a one-way conversation with the boy he was sitting next to and I was sat next to two girls I didn't know. "She's seems uptight today, don't you think? Usually we can get away with shit like this." One girl ignored me while the other shook her head and told me to fuck off.

~*~

After detention that evening James, Peter and I met in our room. Remus had gone with Madam Pomfrey as tonight was the full moon. James laid out his invisibility cloak and the map on his bed. We were going over last minute preparations for tonight. "Okay, so Remus says to be careful in Hogsmeade but fuck that. We'll be fine. Should we use the secret passage to Hogsmeade or should we take the road?" I ask the others. I was sitting on James' bed with James and Peter was kneeling on the floor beside it. "I say take the passage, it'll be more fun," Peter suggests. James sits and thinks for a while. "If we use the secret passage then we'll have to sneak into the castle and up to the third floor. But if we use the back road to Hogsmeade instead of the main road we won't have to risk being seen."

I immediately agree with Remus but it takes Peter a while. "Who cares if we get seen? We'll just look like animals  that got into the castle." Me and James look at each other. We both know that Peter isn't the brightest. "Peter," I say," first of all Remus is a werewolf, how many people see werewolves just running around? Even most wizards have never seen a werewolf. And second, if someone passes by, they'll see a rat, werewolf, dog and a stag just walking around the castle." I try to explain to Peter. Peter looks confused,"so?"

James puts his face in his hands while I continue," so, most people aren't going to look at a rat, werewolf, dog and stag walking around the fucking castle and think "oh, they must just be taking a midnight stroll", most people would think it's fucking bizarre." Peter sits and thinks for a while,"oh," he finally says,"didn't think about it that way." Peter starts to laugh and James and I follow.

"Okay, and lastly, we need to make sure Remus is back in the shrieking shack by seven a.m. Madam Pomfrey comes to get him at seven thirty so that should give us enough time to get out of there. So that means we need to leave Hogsmeade by six, just in case we get lost or Remus won't follow us." James puts the last of the plans in place before stands up.

He folds up the map and stuffs it in the pocket of his cloak. "Okay, it only eight now, we should wait until ten or so to sneak down. It's a weekend so most people are going to stay up late." After changing into muggle clothes for tonight and making sure we have the map and James' cloak, we go down to the common room and pretend to do homework.