Moony | The Marauders Series [Book One]

CHAPTER FOUR

The Tortoise and the Slug

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Sirius buried his face deeper into the pillow as he rolled onto his stomach, trying to will his body to stay asleep. He didn't want to get up, he wanted to stay in his bed for the rest of the day, or even better, the whole of the upcoming week.

For once, he was free of the constant and by now dreaded, creaking of the old rafters holding up the ceiling of his bedroom back at Grimmauld Place. About twice a week he'd wished they would just give in already, at least then he wouldn't have to stare at that horrid silver wallpaper anymore.

Sirius knew that wouldn't be the view greeting him today, but still, it was far from motivating.

With that, he clenched his eyes shut tightly and over a short span of time his breathing deepened gradually, until not-so-quiet whispering caused Sirius to groan in frustration, finding himself wide awake once more.

He gripped the covers tightly between his fingers. At least he didn't have to share his wretched room with anybody!

Sirius unstuck his cheek from the pillow and with a deep scowl on his face, he peered into the shadowy dorm.

"Are you trying to wake everyone up?!"

The words rushed from his mouth rather loudly, but he didn't really care. There was no way anyone could still be sleeping when someone had already decided to wag their gums without a care in the world. Who in the name of Merlin was even up this early anyway?

Sirius squinted, rubbing at his bleary eyes. He looked around the circular room, all the others appeared to have drawn their curtains yesterday night, but the fourposter to his left had them open just like his. He didn't have time to wonder why, because in that moment he'd already found the reason. James bloody Potter was casually sitting on his bed, legs crisscrossed under him and wand drawn.

His face was turned towards him though, clearly having heard his outburst. James' eyes were wide and Sirius thought he would've looked like a deer in headlights, if it wasn't for the smirk on his face.

"What are you doing?" Sirius asked indignantly.

James flicked his wand then and a shower of bright orange sparks lit up the room. At the display, Peter Pettigrew, who Sirius hadn't even noticed up until now, oohed and squealed in excitement, leaning out so far over the edge of his bed that he tumbled to the floor.

Sirius laughed at the scene; the comfort of sleep suddenly forgotten. His fingers itched for his own wand and he turned for it just in time to see Remus Lupin peek out from behind the curtains of the bed to his right.

He looked much more rested and less pale than yesterday and his mouth was opened, like he was about to say something. But Sirius never heard, because in that moment Davey Gudgeon sprang up from his bed and stalked towards James with a menacing glare.