𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗭𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡 [𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚍]

Chapter Thirteen: A Pumpkin's Worst Nightmare

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

It didn't take long for Sirius and Blake to grow close. Turns out they had a lot in common and she was a lot of help in class and homework which was an added bonus. Also James liked having her around because he was under the impression that Blake could help him get closer to Lily.

Blake was a force to be reckoned with and so proud of being a Muggleborn witch to the point of it being a little scary. Not many who know her would be surprised if she formed her own squad of Death Eaters to wipe out chauvinistic purebloods like Rabastan and his goons.

She was also, simply put, a God send when two weeks later Remus disappeared again in the middle of the night.

Unlike last time he did that though, Sirius, James and Peter didn't have to worry about handing in less than acceptable work in class thanks to Blake and Lily (without her knowledge of course).

But they were probably more worried about Remus this time because they thought that maybe his mother's health was deteriorating or something even worse could have happened.

Nevertheless, just like last time, they came back to their dorm after a long day to find Remus sitting on his bed, books and bits of parchment strewn around him, already doing homework.

They didn't yell at him this time but approached him gently.

"Was it your mother again?" asked James. "Is she okay?"

"Oh, yeah. She's fine." said Remus, with a dismissive wave of his quill. "She just wanted to see me. That's all."

"But why did you have to leave in the middle of the night then?" Sirius asked, noting how tired and sick Remus himself looked.

Remus was silent for two heartbeats. "I have to disapparate from Hogsmead with one of the staff. So I have to do it when they're not busy." he answered. His voice was steady but he still took too long to answer.

Sirius found that a little odd and was about to ask more but James gave him a look that clearly said, Drop it. But James didn't look too convinced himself either.

"Luckily, you won't miss the Halloween Feast tomorrow." smirked James when he turned to Remus. "My dad said they're legendary."

"Yeah. Sounds great." said Remus, with a weak attempt at a smile.

"I've also heard it's a pumpkin's worst nightmare." Sirius added and Remus' smile grew bigger.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

Halloween finally arrived.

The Great Hall was decorated with thousands of real live bats that flew over the heads of the students and staff, making the candles stutter. Jack-o-lanterns carved with sneering and leering faces lined the walls and tables for the Halloween Feast and the Hall was lit by the usual floating candles and many more flickering from inside the carved pumpkins and some from the tables.

Nearly Headless Nick seemed to be in an especially good mood tonight and greeted the boys more merrily than he usually did.

The Great Hall filled up quicker than it normally did (Sirius didn't think it was possible either) and they tucked into the Halloween Feast, savoring every bite. It was one of the best things that could happen to anyone after a long day of classes.

"I could get used to this." Sirius sighed when he'd cleaned his dessert plate.

"I used to be able to do that, you know." sighed Nearly Headless Nick, looking down at the plates with longing.

"Yeah, that goes without saying." said James. "Because you were alive at some point."

"No. Really? You don't say." huffed Nearly Headless Nick before he glided off to a few feet down the table and started a conversation with a couple of uncomfortable looking first years.

"He's pretty sensitive about his death." stated Remus.

"I would be too if I was murdered." Sirius said.

"He was executed actually." said Remus.

"What's the difference?" asked Peter, licking the last of the cream off his spoon.

"Execution is by law and is legeal but murder is . . . murder is when some git decides you just shouldn't be alive anymore." Remus replied matter-of-factly.

"It really wouldn't make a difference to you if you're the one doing the dying." countered James. "Anyone responsible for your death would just be a git who decided you shouldn't live anymore whether he or she is backed by the law or not."

"Humm. I guess you're right." shrugged Remus.

Professor Dumbledore dismissed the students and the Great Hall emptied slowly, everyone stuffed to the brim and feeling drowsy.

"Caput draconis." said Remus once they got to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

The Fat Lady huffed. "Why do you insist on coming in trickles and make me do this every second?" she grumbled before letting them through.

Once in the common room, Sirius, James and Peter sat by the fire to digest and relax but Remus went to their dorm and came back with his book bag before settling down in front of the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" asked James, looking at Remus with one eye still closed.

"Homework." Remus answered, pulling out books and laying them on the rickety table in front of him. "You do know tomorrow is a school day, right?"

"Nah. I'll just do it tomorrow over breakfast." said James and closed his eyes, the common room fire reflecting on his glasses.

But legend has it that James never got around to doing that homework.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾