{1} The Marauders and the Whomping Willow ✔️

Chapter 12: The Owl

Minerva McGonagall looked down the detention slips before her and sighed.

Sirius Black said one Hexing a third year

James Potter said another Assisiting Sirius Black in hexing a third year

Peter Pettigrew caughing trying assist James Potter.

The three names repeated themselves over and over again with different reasons for detention. It hasn't even been two months and they've already gotten a record number of detentions, twenty each to be more prescise (excluding weekends). The teachers were even running out of things to make them do, as the school was cleaner than it had been for quite a while. 

Remus Lupin's name came up a few times, he only totalled 5 detentions for much minor offences than his friends. But McGonagall suspected that perhaps he had more to do with the fiasco that anyone realised.

She'd given them the day off on the 4th of October, due to Remus's second transformations. It was their only respite in detentions.

She wouldn't admit it, but she admired their skill deeply. Despite being the most unruly first years she had ever met they, as their pranks showed, were quite bright (perhaps with the exception of Peter). As much as she wanted to hate them, she couldn't. They were all rather charming and sometimes she wandered whether she did right in doubting their claims of a masked man.

But their story was far too absurd. After all the security of Hogwarts rivalled that of Gringotts. They couldn't possibly have been serious.

The door opened and in entered Poppy. It was the 1st of November the day od Remus's third transformation at Hogwarts. She had given the four boys the nigh off for detention, she knew Remus hadn't told them about his conditions and didn't want to endanger his secret. She had also given them the next day off after desperate pleading from Sirius who said it was his birthday.

"Afternoon Minerva"

"Hello Poppy."

"More detention slips?" asked the young woman. The pranks had become notorious even amongst the staff.

"One more year and I'm afraid they will be well out my control." Joked the Professsor.

Madame Pomfrey laughed.

"They are quite humorous." said the nurse. "Especially when Dumbledore's lectern starting singing that obscene song to Hagrid by the Weird Sisters. Bless them. Though It surprises me that a sweet boy like Remus would choose to be friends with them." 

She had wondered the same thing herself. But she'd seen many strange friendships in her career as a teacher and these four were no exception. Though she still couldn't shake the feeling that Remus had quite a lot to do with these pranks. It was then that the boy himself arrived.

"Afternoon." he greeted.

"Afternoon. How are you feeling today?" asked Poppy.

Remus shrugged but McGonagalls noticed he was significantly less tense than he first transformation at Hogwarts. In face he managed a grin.

"Professor." started Remus solemnly as the made their way to the Willow.

"Yes Remus?"

"It's Sirius's birthday tommorrow."

"So I've heard."

"My owl was supposed to deliver his present to tonight." he said hopefully. "But obviously I can't be at the owlery so I was wondering if you can get it for me? If that's alright?"

"I'll leave it by your bedside at the hospital wings."

"Um Poppy?" he turned to the nurse.

"Yes?"