Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) - Book One (Marauder Era)

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Show Off

"YOU'RE IT!"

Remus stumbled as James gave him a rather hearty shove. He nearly fell to the ground then steadied himself, spinning around and sprinting back towards James. It was a very crisp sort of beautiful October Saturday afternoon with the sun blazing overhead, although a chilly wind cut through the warmth. At lunch James decided he wanted to go do something outside. Remus had never been much of a run-around type, never before having anyone to run around with, and had never in his life played tag but... it was more enjoyable than he expected. Plus it did help him discover something: he was clumsier than he ever realized, tripping over every rock, stick, or bump he came across. Still, it was a lot of fun.

"You're IT!" Remus shouted as he managed to snag Peter's sleeve, nearly sending the both of them to the ground. Remus scrambled up and took off as fast as he could (tripping a couple of times as he went).

Peter huffed and puffed and Remus wondered if he'd even catch anyone then he finally got James who had to have purposely let it happen. James, declaring it unfair that none of them had caught Sirius yet, decided all three of them were 'it' so they could team up to hunt Sirius down. Sirius, with the long legs, who bounded around yards ahead of James, the most athletic one of the group. Remus and Peter both gave up to just watch James's legs pumping as he tried to catch up to Sirius, finally tackling him to the ground.

"You have to give US a head start," Peter insisted.

Sirius got up, staggering a bit. "All right, all right. Ten seconds, go on then."

After about half an hour more of playing and running, the four of them collapsed on the ground, panting for air. Remus stretched out, staring at the clouds above him drifting across the blue sky. His legs burned for another moment or two then the pain began fading, leaving just the exhaustion.

James was the first to get back up, brushing the grass off his clothes. As he rubbed his head vigorously--mussing his hair up--he froze. He brought one hand down to shield his eyes, looking across the grounds. "Hey, check that out."

Remus held back a gasp. There were figures in the distance, near the Whomping Willow. He remembered seeing people there before, on his day he had detention with Hagrid. Why are they there?! he thought, panicked.

"What are they up to? That tree's dangerous, isn't it?" Peter asked, stepping back as if the tree could reach them from there.

"I've heard some older students are playing some sort of game with it," Sirius replied, hands on hips.

James grinned. "We should go join them."

"What?! B--b--but Dumbledore said the tree c-could kill you!" Peter whimpered.

"That's half the fun," James suddenly swung his arms around, slamming one of them into Peter's midriff, knocking the wind out of him as he went sprawling to the ground. Peter clutched his middle while James laughed. "Let's play Whomping Willow."

"L--let's n--not," Remus stammered out, hoping his legs weren't shaking He wanted to know what game was being played by the other students. It couldn't be good. However, he didn't want to ask. It might make James want to go over. But James was now chasing Peter with his arms flailing around, so Remus turned to Sirius. "What are th-they doing?"

"James and Peter...? Oh you mean those kids over there? Dunno." Sirius gave a little shrug. "I think they're trying to jump over the swinging branches or something."

Remus shuddered, thinking about Pomfrey chucking rocks to hit the knot as the branches tried to hurt the two of them every evening of the full moon. "Th-that's very dangerous."