The Marauders: Year One (female)

28. They're Only Children

It was pitch black in the Gryffindor dormitories. Petra and Jamie were snoring in synchrony, as usual. Frankie was talking rubbish as she tossed and turned, Remus was emmiting high-pitched whines in her sleep, and Sirius Black lay awake under the covers, restless.

Her mind kept going back to her chat with Paisley. She refused to tell anyone what they'd talked about, even Jamie...

But other than that chat, Sirius still really didn't know anything about Persephone Paisley.

'Lumos.' The room was illuminated in pale, silvery light. The clock on the wall read one o'clock. Sirius sighed. 'Nox.'

She thumped back in bed heavily, and stared at the drapes above her vacantly.

'Sirius?'

The black haired girl twisted around in her bed.

Remus was sitting up groggily, rubbing her eyes, her voice thick from sleep. 'What you doing awake? It must be -- what, after midnight?'

'It's one,' answered Sirius. 'Can't sleep.'

Remus cracked her neck, alarmingly loud. 'Ugh. Well now it seems, neither can I.'

'Sorry,' Sirius said quickly.

'S'not your fault.'

Neither of them said anything for a minute. Then Remus spoke. 'What say you we wake the rest, and do a little Maraudering?'

Sirius jumped in excitement. 'Of course! Why didn't I think of that? You get Petra and Frankie up, and I'll get Jamie. This one'll need help getting up.'

Remus nodded, and swiftly got to shaking Petra. Petra was up soon, blinking like a new born fawn, but Frankie simply would not get up.

'Bugger off!' she murmured sleepily, waving her hands about.

She slapped Remus in the face.

'Ouch!' Remus exclaimed, jumping back. Frankie was already back fast asleep. 'She won't get up.'

Sirius dragged Jamie out of bed by her ears. 'Leave her, then. We'll just go. Grab your pillows, lasses!'

Yawning, the other three girls all grabbed their pillows, and slid down the slide silently, as Remus recited the charm. 'Glisseo!'

By now, they had mastered the art of going down without screaming or crashing into each other, but it was late, and Petra's coordination was off. Thump! She landed splat on top of Jamie, who let out a high pitched squeal, as the air was crushed out of her, and rolled sideways into an armchair. Several books toppled off the armrests, and a mug shattered loudly.

Sirius froze, gaping at their stupidity. 'Idiots! You're going to get us caught and put in detention!'

'Sorry,' Petra squeaked, as Jamie groaned, and rubbed her midsection.

Sirius looked at her darkly. 'Shouldn't have eaten so many Yorkshire puddings at supper, Potter.'

Jamie opened her mouth for an indignant retort, but shut it immediately as footsteps could be heard coming down the boy's dormitories stairs.

Remus kicked into action. 'Quick!' she hissed. 'Hide, you lot! Come on, get behind the armchairs!'

They all scrambled into action, ducking behind the plush sofas, and hoping to Merlin that the visitor didn't stay long. Petra breathed heavily with the effort of it.

The lot of them held their breath as the unknown boy walked closer.

Jamie squeezed her eyes tightly shut, as the stranger stood directly behind her. She did not know if he could see her or not.