Class of 1978

Chapter 3: When A Wolf Howls

Hey brother,

There's an endless road to rediscover.

Hey sister,

Do you still believe in love I wonder?

Oh if the sky comes falling down,

For you, there's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

(Hey Brother- Avicii)

"Ready boys?" James asked.

Peter just nodded but Sirius, ever the epitome of excitement, shot him a crooked grin and announced, "I was born ready!"

James smirked. "Let's go."

The three made their way down the steps, hoping that their actual nervousness wasn't showing to the other. They crossed the Common Room and James had just put his hand on the portrait, intending to push it open, when a voice piped up, "Curfew's in half an hour."

Lily raised a brow from where she sat, in the armchair by the fire. "What?" she asked their questioning looks. "I just thought that it would be better to inform you lot about that fact. Because if you're not back by then, and I happen to be on rounds tonight, and if I find you, I will drag you by the ears to McGonagall's office to see her sign that week long detention slip."

"Evans, we've been in this school for four years and this term started a month ago," Sirius informed, amused. "I think we'd know what time curfew is."

"One never knows with you blokes." She shrugged. "Merlin knows that you all act like you're deaf when it comes to rules."

"Because rules don't apply to us." Another smirk.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night Sirius." Another shrug. "Just keep your Hogsmeade escapade short tonight." Having said her piece, she turned her attention to the book that sat on her lap and continued her reading.

Taking it as their cue to leave, James pushed open the portrait door, feeling the air that gushed in. Once the three had reached the main gate, Peter transformed.

James had seen him do it about a handful of times but there was something about an Animagi transformation that still made him stare. Peter shut his eyes and screwed up his face, a look of immense concentration gracing his features. And then just like that, his form morphed, from a short chubby boy, it looked like at of his limbs were shooting into his skin. He grew smaller and smaller and vanished. Instead there stood a gray rat.

James pulled out his Invisibility Cloak from his robes pocket, watching it shimmer in the moonlight that fell through the window before them. He threw it over himself and Sirius, the two standing close so that their shoes didn't show.

Once outside, they followed rat-Peter to the Whomping Willow, careful to keep their eyes on the scurrying creature lest they lose him in the grounds. "Mate?" Sirius began.

"Hmmm?"

"Evans talked to us in the Common Room and you didn't say a word. Why? That's not like you."

James sighed and ran a hand through his head. "You saw how she acted back there? As if I wasn't even there? She didn't even look at me. I guess I'm just sick of being looked at as if I burned the castle down."

"There was a time when you used to say that angry was when she was the prettiest."

"That was thirteen year old me." He smiled ruefully. "Sure she still does. Actually she looks pretty doing anything. But it's when she laughs." He had a more true smile on his face now, his eyes clouded over as if daydreaming. "I love seeing her happy, laughing or smiling. And for once I just want her to laugh because of something I said or did or even smile fondly. I want her to be happy around me. I don't want that smile to wipe off every time she sets her eyes on me." He was back to dejected, mopey, post-rejection James.