{1} The Marauders and the Whomping Willow ✔️

Chapter 5: Brutum Fulmen

Sirius Black sat at the edge of the bed trying his best not to look shocked as James was excitedly showing off his new broom. He was still trying to get over the fact that he wasn't in Slytherin, like his family had been for many generations. His parents would be very disappointed in him, being pure-blooded Slytherins was something that they prided themselves in.

He simply couldn't wait for the scathing letter that was sure to come by owl in a few days. 

Sirius took a quick glance at the quiet stout boy who sat in silence at the other end of the room. His had introduced himself as Peter Pettigrew but took the fourth bed. He probably would have taken the fifth had Kingsley Shacklebolt, already fast asleep, not claimed it.  James had taken the first while Sirius the second. Sirius then looked at the vacant bed in the middle and was instantly distracted from the issue of his family.

He remembered Remus from their meeting in Diagon Alley. He remembered his mother's scathing comments, despite his scars Sirius didn't think Remus was a filthy animal as his mother had said. He wandered what was taking the boy so long to get here? It was almost 10 o'clock and there was no sign of him save for his leather trunk, a bag of books and chocolate as well as a cage with a beautiful white barn owl.

"Do you think Madam Hooch'll let me play chaser?" asked James.

Sirius shrugged. "If you're good enough maybe."

James grinned and struck a ridiculous pose.

James was cool in Sirius's opinion, just a bit over the top.

"Imagine James Potter youngest chaser of the century..."

"Don't get your hopes up." interrupted Sirius slyly.

James merely rolled his eyes and continued striking his poses with his broom, messing up his hair and soliloquising his make-believe epic Quidditch exploits. It was when James was explaining a particularly intricate manoeuvre that Remus Lupin finally came into the room. 

He stood awkwardly for second seemingly unable to make out why James had his posterior sticking out towards the door. 

"Oh!" exclaimed James through his legs. "Hello!"

"Um..." started Remus.

Sirius could help himself, so started laughing hysterically.

"Remus right?" he asked finally calming himself down. "I remember you from Diagon Alley. Sorry about James he's a bit of dunce."

"Hey!" cried James in protest.

Remus smiled and nodded politely before making his way to his own bed. If it was any other person Sirius may have felt hurt but his brusqueness, but seeing the dark rings under the boys eyes he excused it. Peter had finally looked up.

"Hey Remus!"

Remus gave him a tired smile.

"Hi Peter."

Remus then proceded to take out his stuff from the trunk arranging it neatly by his bedside as Peter asked where McGonagall had taken him. The boy tensed before muttering something incoherent and started arranging his books.

A bit of a neat freak this one thought Sirius Merlin's beard he even has everything colour coded!

He proceeded to talking to James again, wanting not to bother the obviously very tired and agitated boy. Suddenly he heard a low thud. Sirius turned around to Remus who was gripping his foot, his face screwed in agony. He had stubbed his toe against the side of of his four poster bed. After a few painful seconds he let out the most eloquently vulgar string of curse words that Sirius had ever heard in his life.