The Marauders Rise (II)

The Duel

March 9, 1974

REMUS: Lily, wait up!

LILY: (turning around) Hey, Remus.

REMUS: How- how are you?

LILY: (smiling) I'm fine.

REMUS: Good. I mean- good.

LILY: What's with you?

REMUS: Nothing, I just feel like we haven't talked in a while.

LILY: That tends to happen when you break up with people.

REMUS: Lily, I-

LILY: Calm down, calm down. I'm not mad. I was just upset at the time. I thought we had something. But I guess- I guess we were meant to be just friends.

REMUS: I'm glad you feel the same way. You want to get some lunch?

LILY: (smiling) Yeah, I'd love to. Also, I think I hear Potter and Black coming, we'd better hurry-

REMUS and LILY sprint up the grounds to the entrance hall, while JAMES and SIRIUS approach from behind.

JAMES: I don't know, mate. Herbology's getting pretty hard.

SIRIUS: (shaking his hair like a dog) Oh, relax. Sprout adores me.

SEVERUS hurries up the hill past them. JAMES takes out his wand.

JAMES: Watch it, Snivellus.

SEVERUS: (turning around) Shove off, Potter.

JAMES: How'd you think of that Quidditch match against Ravenclaw? Think Slytherin'll still hold up for the Cup? Let's see, how many times did they reject you from the team?

SEVERUS: Everyone knows you got rejected last year, Potter. And a small amount of talent on the Quidditch pitch doesn't nearly makeup for a moronic choice in friends and a rubbish personality.

SIRIUS: What did you just say, Snivelly?

SEVERUS: You heard me.

JAMES: No talent? Well, why don't we just see who's better? How about a little duel?

SEVERUS: (sarcastically) Two on one. Very brave.

JAMES: It'll just be you and me, Snivelly. Come on-

SEVERUS: (suddenly) Expelliarmus!

JAMES' wand flies out of his hand. SEVERUS, smirking, turns around and heads back up to the Castle.

JAMES: Oh, we're not done, yet, Snivelly! (He picks up his wand) Engorgio skullus! (The hex just barely misses SEVERUS' head).

SEVERUS: Stupefy!

JAMES: Densaugeo!

The two spells hit each other, and the two boys stand locked in a magical stalemate for a few seconds.

SIRIUS: Come on, James!

They continue to hold their wands to each other, locked in a duel. From the castle, NARCISSA glances out the archway on her way to class. Angered, she sprints down to them.

NARCISSA: (furiously) IMPEDIMENTA!

JAMES and SEVERUS are each knocked backwards, hurled toward the ground.

NARCISSA: What did I tell you, Potter?

JAMES: (bitterly) To watch myself.

NARCISSA: And it looks like your head's far too thick to follow basic instructions.

JAMES: (angrily) Oh, yeah?

SIRIUS: James, come on, just drop it-

JAMES: You don't think he deserves it? (he points at SEVERUS) Oh, wait, I guess you don't, being in with the Death Eaters and all.

NARCISSA: Excuse me, Potter?

JAMES: You're close with You-Know-Who, aren't you? Have him over for dinners and weddings all the time? You and your loser of a boyfriend are gonna end up locked in Azkaban soon enough. And be sure to give Bellatrix Lestrange my best when you're there.

NARCISSA: Shut your mouth, Potter! Quit talking about what you don't understand! You want to duel on Hogwarts grounds and insult Prefects? You're closer to jail than I am, buddy boy. Believe me, were you in my House, you'd be in detention until the day you graduate! Now, get your arse straight to McGonagall's office. And stay out of my sight from now on! (to SIRIUS) That goes for you, too, cousin. (She turns around and helps SEVERUS up).

SIRIUS: (to NARCISSA) Andromeda had it right, you know.

NARCISSA: (pointing to the castle) NOW!

JAMES and SIRIUS sprint up the slopes. SEVERUS brushes himself off.

NARCISSA: I told you to come find me whenever they started horsing around.

SEVERUS: It's not my fault! They started it-

NARCISSA: Nevertheless, Severus. I'm gonna have to take away some points from Slytherin for this.

SEVERUS: Come on!

NARCISSA: Rules are rules. Twenty points.

SEVERUS: That's unfair!

NARCISSA: (consolingly) You have to learn to swallow your anger, Severus. When they provoke you, fight them with words instead of magic. Show them that they can't hurt you. You've got thicker skin than you know. (She puts an arm around his shoulders) Let's get you something to eat.

Together, the two friends walk up to the castle.