the secret of Erised {s.b.}

chapter 7: revealing

The Gryffindor Common Room was roaring with cheers and applause as the Quidditch Team walked in. They had just won a match against Hufflepuff. James had scored eighty points before the Gryffindor Seeker, a seventh year named Vincent Wood, caught the Snitch. It was the last game before Winter break because there was so much snow and Madame Hooch didn't want anyone playing with the field like that. McGonagall and the rest of the teachers were glad because this meant that the students could focus on schoolwork before leaving. There were still three weeks before the break.

Sirius and Peter were carrying James on their shoulders while every Gryffindor tried to get a quick hold of his hand. The celebration got a little quieter when the younger students went to bed, everyone from fourth-year up stayed until one in the morning talking about the game and whatever was going on in their lives. The Marauders were sitting down in front of the fireplace, Remus and Peter were sitting down on the couch, James was laying on the floor with his feet up on the couch, and Sirius was leaning his back on the couch and facing the fire that was starting to die down.

"I'm so tired," James groaned, "Winning that game was the hardest thing I've ever done."

"Yeah, like producing a full-bodied Patronus wasn't," Sirius replied sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.

"And how has that helped us become Animagi ?" James said raising an eyebrow.

"I said it the other day and I'll say it again," Remus began, "If none of you help me look for a book with instructions, then neither one of you will be able to become one. You know I am not the biggest fan of this idea and I'm the one doing all the work, it doesn't make sense. Sirius helped me for two days and then ditched me."

"I'm sorry, Moony," Sirius said, "I've just been... busy."

"You ? Busy ?" Peter asked.

"Yes Wormtail, I've been busy."

James took his feet off the couch and sat up straight beside Sirius. Remus and Peter straightened up and looked at Sirius. James shot them a concerned look and looked back at Sirius.

"Are you sure you're okay mate ?" he asked, "We've barely seen you these past few weeks. It feels like you're not even at school sometimes."

Sirius turned to look at him and saw the concern in his eyes. He looked at his other friends and saw the same look on their faces. He sighed and looked at the floor.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I've been distracted... Erm... I can't exactly begin to explain why or h-"

"You don't have to," Remus interrupted, putting his hand on Sirius' shoulder, "We just miss you, Padfoot."

Sirius smiled at him.

"I've missed you, too," he replied, "How about I make it up to you ?"

"I'm interested..." James said, smirking at his friend.

"Okay, so here's what I'm thinking..."

It was a Friday afternoon and the Slytherin students were leaving their last class of the evening. Most of them would go to the dungeons and into their Common Room, while others would walk around the castle or the grounds before dinner. Severus Snape dis neither of those things. He always rushed past his classmates to get to Lily's last class and walk her to the Gryffindor Common Room. But that day, things didn't go as planned for him.

He was taking his usual route through the seventh floor to get to Lily's classroom when he was stopped by James and Sirius.

"Woah there, Snivellus," James said, "Don't run so fast, you might fall and hit your face."