STRIKHEDONIA | MARAUDERS

FOUR;

1977, HOGWARTS, THE GREAT HALL

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The next morning, five of the six friends were eating breakfast, small talk slipping in every now and then. Students gradually began to fill up the house tables in the Great Hall as the time passed, the relaxed air of the Saturday morning evident. Many students had slept in, apart from those Gryffindors who wanted to try out for the Quidditch Team. James was elected Captain this year, and he was determined to make his team the best there ever was because of his prominent house pride and ego. That and his grudge against Mark Flint, who also happened to be the Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch Team.

"Row, how did you let Thea sleep in this late? You two are still trying out, right?" James questioned, almost finished with his meal. The girl examined his expression with amusement.

"Oh boy, here we go," Peter muttered, knowing that James was about to have one of his signature freak-outs about Quidditch.

Rowen chuckled. "What makes you think Thea would break a promise to you, of all people?" She raised an eyebrow at James. "And yes, we are still trying out. We lost a bet, so we're sticking to our end of the bargain."

James narrowed his eyes at his childhood friend before letting the subject go, quickly finishing his eggs. Sirius laughed at James's childish demeanour, before Rowen sent a quick glare at him, seemingly still angry at him from the incident earlier in the week. Remus and Peter shared a look as the raven-haired boy sighed.

"Alright, Row, you win. What can I do make it up to you?" Sirius asked defeatedly, desperate to rid his close friend's annoyance at him.

Rowen pursed her lips and took a moment to think before her lips curved into a smirk. "Dye your hair a wonderful bubblegum-pink. For two weeks."

Peter cackled and Remus snorted at her demand, sending a shrug to Sirius when he glared at him. "He'll do it, he loves you too much."

"Do not! But fine, I'll dye my hair pink. Are we good now?" Sirius said hopefully. Rowen glanced at him for a split second before rolling her eyes.

"Maybe. Depends whether you look stupid in pink or not." she stated indifferently with a half-hearted shrug.

Sirius groaned in annoyance at her response. "I'm never gonna get anywhere with you, am I?"

"Hey Thea," Remus greeted the approaching girl out of the blue, deciding not to get too involved in the "lover's quarrel".

"Thea! Oh, thank Merlin, I thought you weren't gonna show up!" James exclaimed exaggeratedly. "Why are you so late?"

The girl in question rolled her eyes with a small smirk on her face as she sat herself in the empty seat besides Remus. "Don't get your panties in a twist, Captain. I decided that I didn't wanna deal with you lot before nine in the morning."

James feigned a look of hurt. "I am so painfully offended that you find us annoying."

Thea imitated his expression mockingly. "And I am so tragically out of damns to give."

The four other friends at the table let out 'ooh's in unison at her reply, leaving Remus to chuckle at the pair. "Seems like you're a lot better now, Thea."