Chapter Text
Scarlett skipped along holding her fathers hand, a large candyfloss in her other hand.
the carnival was so loud and bright, the five year old could barely contain her excitement.
"There they are" her Father said, and she spotted her best friend Remus holding his own fathers hand. The two men greeted each other as Scarlett offered Remus some of her candyfloss.
A couple of hours later, as they walked home from the carnival, the two children ran ahead racing each other.
"Stay where we can see you" Scarlett's father shouted after them.
Scarlett stopped as they reached a corner, but Remus carried on running out of sight.
"Remus" she shouted "you're meant to wait here" when he didn’t respond she called out to him again "Remus stop hiding."
She stepped forward peering round the corner, and felt all the air leave her body.
Remus stood stock still as the monster crept towards him, the way her cat did when it was teasing a mouse. Neither child moved, as the monster got closer and rose on its hind legs.
"Scarlett? Remus?" shouted her dad, as the two men got closer to them "is eveything ok?"
The sound of her Fathers voice made her and Remus gasp and the monster lift its nose to the air. Scarlett screamed as the monster pounced on her best friend.
.....................
The letter shook in her hand. She had been accepted. But she wouldn't be going, not without Remus. Her father had explained to her that because of his condition, it wouldn't be safe for Remus to go to Hogwarts, but he had encouraged Scarlett to go anyway.
She had refused. She couldn't imagine being at Hogwarts without her best friend, it wasnt fair if she went and he didn't.
"Scarlett!" she heard Remus call out as he bounded up the stairs to her room. She quickly hid the letter and tried to act normal. Remus skidded into her room exicitedly and jumped onto her bed.
"Scarlett its happening professor.
came to the house" he gasped between words, out of breath from running up the stairs.
"Remus slow down, what are you talking about?"
"I'm going to hogwarts!" he said suddenly
"You're. what? how?"
"Professor Dumbledore came to the house. He said he has a plan to keep me safe at the full moons. He said I deserve to be there as much as anyone else."
Scarlett was stunned, "so we're going?"
Remus grinned, "yes Scar. We're going."
................
The platform was packed. Scarlett and Remus bounced excitedly to see the train over the heads of taller students.
“Are you two listening?” Hope Lupin asked.
“We need to be sure you remember what we told you.”
“Of course we remember Mum” Remus replied, “we are to look after each other and do exactly what Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey say”
“and?” said Hope
“To only use the story we agreed on” Scarlett added. Several times in the run up to 1st September, the two friends had been subjected to long explanations of the full moon plans during their time at school, and what they were to tell anyone that questioned Remus's behaviour or absence.
The pair were well and truly ready and going to Hogwarts.
....................
Remus couldn't believe it when the hat shouted “Gryffindor." He had been sure he would be a Ravenclaw, after all, there was nothing brave about him.
He sat down next to Scarlett, who was beaming, and opposite the boy with neat black hair and a stiffly pressed uniform.
So far it was the three of them and one girl sorted into Gryffindor.
“Hi” the boy said, although he was smiling, Remus thought he sounded nervous.
“My name's Sirius Black.”
“Remus Lupin” he shook hands with him.
“Glad to see I am not the only boy to be sorted into Gryffindor" Sirius said, after another two girls, Mary MacDonald and Marlene McKinnon joined their ranks.
“Wonder if its just going to be the two of us.”
But it soon turned out that there would be two more boys joining them in Gryffindor that year.
Remus did not sleep well his first night at Hogwarts. Although the full moon wasn't for a few weeks, he kept having nightmares about transforming whilst still in the boys dormitory.
He had just begun to doze off again when he heard shouting from outside his bed curtains.
“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" he recognised the voice as James Potter's and heard the sound of curtains being thrown open.
“Merlin. Don't tell me I have been roomed with a morning person. I think I will have to be moved” said the sleepy voice of Sirius Black.
“Too late now. You're all stuck with me” replied James. “Time to get up. Peter.
Remus.” He shouted as he bound around the room throwing open everyone’s curtains.
“Time for our first day. Get up. Get up.
Get up.”
Remus was tired and nervous, but he sat up smiling. He was really here, at Hogwarts. He had not had much chance to get to know the boys in his dorm last night, the three of them had all fallen asleep immediately, but he thought they all seemed nice In their own ways.
James Potter was loud and playful, Remus thought he was probably the sort of boy who could make friends with anyone. Peter was quiet and shy, but he seemed nice and just as pleased and shocked as Remus felt to be placed in Gryffindor. Sirius Black he wasn't sure how to feel about yet, he had mentioned he was the first of his family not to get put in Slytherin and he had joked about how his family hated him, which Remus found odd, being hated by your family didn't seem funny at all.
Remus thought maybe Sirius was hiding how he really felt, not wanting to seem like it bothered him.
That he understood, he was going to have to do a lot of hiding himself over the next seven years.
They all dressed and went down to the common room. As the others went to leave, Remus stopped, “I said I would wait here for Scarlett” he told them. “You guys go ahead.”
Sirius stopped and said, in his posh upper class accent that didn't suit his personality, “no, we'll wait. It'll be fun to all go down together. So how do you two know each other anyway?”
“We have always known each other.
Our Dads are best friends, they were at Hogwarts together and both work at the ministry now.”
“That’s cool” said James, sitting on a table opposite them. “What about your mums? Did they go to Hogwarts too?”
“Nah both our mums are muggles.”
“So you are both half-blood?” asked Sirius, a little too cautiously.
“There’s nothing wrong with that," said James suddenly,
“Oh yes I know" said Sirius, biting his lip.
“I just wondered.”
Remus suspected Sirius's family didn't like half-bloods. But he liked Sirius, he seemed nice, although maybe he would have to be careful around him. If his family didn't like half-bloods what would they think of werewolves?
Just then Scarlett appeared. “Oh, morning everyone" she said, surprised to see all four boys stood there.
“Morning” James replied happily.
“Remus was waiting for you so we thought we would too. That way we can all sit together at breakfast.”
Scarlett smiled shyly, “ok. Sounds fun.”
She walked next to Remus at the back of the group as they navigated their way to the Great Hall. It wasn't easy, and they took a few wrong turns.
“So what are your roommates like?” Remus asked her as they walked.
“They are nice" she said “just. you know. Girls.” Remus laughed, Scarlett had never spent much time with other girls before, then again he had not spent much time with other boys. The two of them had never really mixed with other children.
“Yea well, I guess you will have to get used to girly things. Hey maybe they'll make you wear dresses and make up and stuff” he teased.
“Eww. No way. I will just hang around with you four what are they like?” she added quietly, so the three boys ahead couldn't hear.
“They are cool. James is really nice. Peter is kind of quiet. Sirius.” Remus lowered his voice “well I think he has had a strange childhood. His family are all pure-blood Slytherins. But he seems ok. I don't think he is like them.”
“Hmm” Scarlett looked cautiously at the black haired boy, who was smiling at something James said. “I hope he isn't. I guess the sorting hat must have known he was different to put him in Gryffindor.”
Finally they had found their way to the entrance hall, the Great Hall already bustling with students starting their breakfast.
The five of them sat down and helped themselves to the mass selection, Remus had neverseen so much breakfast food.
He grabbed bacon, toast and eggs to start off with, but eyed upthe plate of pancakes and maple syrup, hoping he had room for them too.
Once the three other Gryffindor first years had joined them, Professor McGonagall, their head of house and deputy headmistress, came over to them.
“Good Morning First years.”
“Good morning Professor" they all said a little nervously.
“I have your timetables here” she continued, handing the bits of paper out.
“You are in my class first thing, I expect you all their promptly at nine thirty. A prefect will be in the entrance hall to point you in the right direction. Enjoy your breakfasts.”
As she strode away Remus looked down at his timetable. Today they had Transfiguration, followed by potions.
Then after lunch double Herbology and charms. He couldn't wait, he had read all of his text books already. He was most looking forward to Defence Against the Dark Arts, but they didn't have that until tomorrow.
After breakfast (Remus had managed two pancakes and was now slightly uncomfortably full) all eight first years went out to the entrance hall and were shown the way to theTransfiguration classroom, where they were joined by the Hufflepuff first years.
The classroom was empty except for a tabby cat who was sat on the desk.
The students all took their seats, a few were commenting on how cute the cat was.
“I hope we don't have to change it into anything” said one Hufflepuff girl nervously.
The desks were for pairs, so Scarlett and Remus sat together. After a few moments of silence and still no appearance from Professor McGonagall, whispers broke out amongst the class.
Sirius and James were sat at the desk in front and Remus could hear Sirius saying, “Go on I dare you."
Grinning James jumped up from his seat and approached the desk at the front.
“Hey Kitty. Are you covering the class for old McGonagall today” he said stroking its chin.
The cat bounced down from the desk and immediately turned into McGonagall.
The entire class gasped and James turned pale.
“Who are you calling old Mr Potter?” she said sternly, her eyes baring down on him.
“S-s-s-sorry Professor.”
“Back to your seat.”
James ran back and sat back down next to Sirius, who was looking apologetically at him. By the time they left the class however, the two boys were laughing. As soon as they realised they were not in any trouble, they had decided it was a hilarious start to the first day of school.
“It was amazing the way she just.
changed like that. Must be so cool to become an animal. what do you think Remus?” Peter turned to him and he felt his face flush.
How could he answer that? His own experiences was nothing like McGonagall’s. Sensing his sudden fear, Scarlett answered for him.
“Yeah it was great. But becoming animagus is really hard AND potentially dangerous. I read all about them in the guide to transfiguration.”
Luckily Peter continued the conversation with Scarlett about Animagi and Remus was spared having to answer any questions.
He was glad the boys had accepted Scarlett so quickly into their group.
He wanted to hang out with his roommates, but needed Scarlett more.
................
It was a few days in to term and students were beginning to receive letters from home. James had written to his parents as soon as possible to tell them he was in Gryffindor (which of course he knew he would be) and all about his new roommates.
They had sent not only a letter, but a parcel filled with all his favourite treats to congratulate him.
“Wow. That’s a lot of sweets" said Peter enviously as he stared into the box he had been sent,which appeared to contain things he had forgotten from home.
“Here” said James happily pushing it to the middle of the table.
“Help yourselves.” Peter beamed and grabbed a chocolate frog.
Remus and Scarlett, having finished reading their own letters happily did the same.
“Sirius you want some sweets?” said James, but he got no answer.
He looked up at the boy sat opposite him, he was holding a red envelope in his shaking hand.
“Is that a howler?” Peter asked with a mouth full of chocolate.
“I.....I didn't even tell them” said Sirius, James could see his eyes filling with tears.
There was loud laughter from across the hall and James noticed a group of Slytherins pointing at them.
One girl in particular was staring triumphantly at Sirius, she was older than them and had long blonde hair.
Without really thinking James snatched the envelope, which was now beginning to smoke, and ran from the hall, Sirius close behind him.
They got into the entrance hall just in time as the envelope burst open and a horrible screeching woman’s voice filled the room.
“So you thought you could hide away from us, keep this betrayal a secret? Lucky for us the Black family still have loyal Slytherins in Hogwarts. We always knew there was something wrong with you boy.
Just you wait until you are home. You are a disappointment to this family.”
Finally the envelope burst into flames and the ashes scattered to the ground at Sirius's feet.
Sirius stared at them for a long time, sniffing and wiping his eyes on his robes. James was shocked. Sirius had told him his family were all Slytherins, but he had never expected they would react this way to their son being in Gryffindor.
Weren't parents meant to love their kids unconditionally? That’s what his Mum always told him.
“It was my cousin, Narcissa" Sirius said finally.
“The blonde girl?” James asked Sirius nodded.
“She’s in fifth year. They probably have her spying on my every move.”
James put his hand on the boys shoulder.
“Ignore her. You're a Gryffindor now, you are brave enough to stand up to some stupid Slytherin girl.”
“She won't make it easy for me.”
“Well you have me to protect you. And the other Gryffindor’s. You're our friend Sirius, we will help you.” Sirius smiled shyly.
“I have never had any friends before" he said as his face reddened. “I was always made to hang around with my stupid family.”
“Well now you do” James smiled broadly “and you have a best friend.”
“I do?”
“Yes. We are going to be best friends forever Sirius. I can tell. I am really good at picking friends.”
Sirius wiped the final tears away from his eyes and grinned. “I am glad I got sorted into the same house as you James.”
“Me too. Lets go back in and show your cousin how glad you are.”
.................
Two weeks into term and the moment Scarlett and Remus had been dreading had arrived. They sat in the hospital wing at five pm, (Scarlett had insisted on staying with him until the last possible minute) as Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey explained once again what was going to happen. Remus was visibly nervous, he was chewing on his nails and his arms were shaking.
“Madam Pomfrey will sneak you into the hiding place using a dissolution charm.
The hiding place has been set up by Dumbledore himself so it was as safe as possible. As soon as the sunrises Madam Pomfrey will be back and will administer some potions and charms, which should hopefully speed up your recovery, before returning with you to the hospital wing, where you will stay until you feel recovered enough to return to your dormitory.”
Remus nodded to show that he had understood.
“Where is the hiding place?” Scarlett asked, although she was pretty sure she wouldn't find out.
“For safety reasons we believe it is better that you do not know Miss Bontruck. But you may visit Mr Lupin here tomorrow morning.”
Scarlett wasn't happy about not knowing where Remus would be, but knew Professor McGonagall would not back down easily. She nodded and looked away from the headmistress.
“if you are comfortable with the plan Mr Lupin I will leave you with Madam Pomfrey.
I shall come and see you here in the morning.”
After she had left, Madam Pomfrey said she had to get some things from her office before she walked away and left the two of alone. Scarlett suspected this may have been intentional to give them a moment.
“You ready to tell the others when they ask?” Remus asked her.
“Yep" she nodded. “You have a rare incurable condition that is not dangerous and means you have to spend some time in the hospital wing occasionally.”
“Its not really a lie I guess except for the dangerous part. do you think they'll ask about it?”
“Probably” she answered honestly.
“But that doesn't mean we'll tell them.
They will just have to deal with not knowing.”
Remus nodded, wringing his hands in his lap, “you should probably get going, before she comes back.”
They hugged for a long time, neither wanting to let go first.
“It will be ok Remus. I will see you in the morning ok?” Scarlett said.
Remus nodded against her shoulder but didn't say anything. With one last look at her scared best friend, Scarlett turned and left the hospital wing.
.................
By mid October Sirius was feeling well and truly settled at Hogwarts. He got on with his room mates and Scarlett, he was doing well in classes, finding his way around the school and he had not heard from his family since the beginning of term.
One Saturday afternoon, the five of them were sat outside, it was hot for October and they were making the most of it.
James had bought along his exploding snap deck and they were having a particularly vigorous game by the lake.
“Haha! Snap!” Sirius yelled as the pack exploded once again, momentarily surrounding them in a puff of smoke.
Once they had emerged they were all covered in soot and rolled around laughing at the sight of each other.
“There you are traitor," said a voice beside them.
They were suddenly covered by shadows as a group of older Slytherins stared down at them, fronted by Narcissa Black.
“I have a message from your mother.”
Sirius was no longer smiling, he wanted to act brave in front of his friends, but it was difficult in front of the group of much larger students.
“What is it?” he asked, looking up at her.
“I don't want them to hear. Why don't we go for a little walk cousin?” she turned her nose up at his friends, as Sirius started to stand.
It would be easier he knew to just do as he was told, hopefully it'd be over quickly.
“NO” said James suddenly, jumping up to stand beside him. “He isn't going anywhere with you.”
“Who the hell are you?” Narcissa responded
“James Potter. His best friend" said James bravely, puffing his chest out and standing up straight.
Sirius was grateful for the support, but just wanted this to be over and especially without James getting hurt.
“Potter” Narcissa hissed “I have heard of your family. Blood traitors the lot of you.”
James looked confused “what’s a blood traitor?”
The Slytherins laughed. Sirius kept his head down, he didn't want to be the one to explain what they meant. James had been bought up in a happy judgment free home, it wasn't fair that he had to get involved with this.
Suddenly Remus, Scarlett and Peter were standing too. Remus who was on James right spoke first. Although he was answering James question he glared at the Slytherins, “Its a term only purist idiots like these use.”
Narcissa moved in very close to Remus and Sirius began to panic. He couldn't let his friends take his punishment for him, but he seemed to have lost his voice and his legs wouldn't move.
Remus however didn't look scared as Narcissa stood over him and said, “you seem to know alot about it? What’s your blood status?”
“Not that it matters but my Mums a muggle" he said boldly. “My Dad has dealt with your type for years.”
Narcissa stepped back, a look of deep disgust on her face. The other Slytherins behind her were sniggering and whispering to each other.
“You better watch yourself halfblood" said Narcissa, before turning back to Sirius.
“The message is that they are giving you another chance. Aunt Walberga realises you can't change house now. But start associating with the right kind of people outside of your house, and they may consider not disinheriting you.”
Sirius looked up finally, determined to live up to his house. “No. You can tell Mother the sorting hat made its decision and so have I.” He kept his voice steady, which wasn't easy as he was still shaking.
“You're a vile traitor Sirius Black. You'll regret it one day. I just hope Regulus doesn't follow in your footsteps.” Narcissa went to walk away before looking at Remus again, “See you around halfblood.”
The group walked away and Sirius suddenly started breathing too quickly, his chest pounding. He became light headed and before he really registered what was happening James's hands were on his arms, pushing him down into a seated position.
“Its ok mate. They've gone. You’re ok.”
“What’s wrong with him?” he heard Peter say, but his voice sounded like an echo and far away.
“I think he is having a panic attack" said Remus. “I. um I have seen someone have one before.”
“So what do we do?” said James.
Sirius was struggling to hear them now, his ears buzzing slightly. Remus's face appeared in front of his own and he felt warm hands holding his.
“Sirius, can you hear me?” Remus said clearly.
Sirius nodded.
“You are ok Sirius. They have gone.
You need to take deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth for 5 seconds each. I will count for you, just breath ok?”
Sirius nodded again, feeling sweat dripping from his forehead. The two of them breathed in unison until Sirius began to calm down.
“Thanks guys" said Sirius, looking tearfully around them, “you didn't have to stick up for me like that.”
“Of course we did" said James as he sat down next to him. “That’s what friends do for each other.”
..................
"Hey Remus" James jumped onto the end of his bed after the other two had fallen asleep. Remus had been reading and he had a feeling James was waiting up to speak to him alone.
"Whats up James?"
"How did you know what was wrong with Sirius earlier?"Remus had been hoping this question wouldn't come up, he was unsure how to answer it without revealing too much about his past.
"Like I said, I have just seen it happen before"
"To who?"Clearly James wasn't going to let this go.
"To my mum" Remus admitted sadly, "She um. she sometimes gets like that because of worrying about my illness."
"But I thought your illness wasn't dangerous" James said confused.
"It isn't" Remus said quickly, "But I guess mums just worry sometimes."
He couldn't admit to James that his Mum had been this way since she thought Remus was going to die that night, that everytime his parents had, had to lock him in the magically enhanced shed each fullmoon she cried and begged that he be ok. Remus hated that it was because of him that his Mum felt this way.
His parents had tried to hide it from him, but one day when his Dad was at work he had started crying over an injury he'd gotten the previous moon. His Mum had tried to comfort him, but suddenly her breathing had become rapid, as if she was suffocating.
Remus had been so frightened, he forgot about his injuries and ran all the way to the Bontrucks house, where luckily Scarlett and her Mum had been home. They had all ran back and Tania Bontruck had helped calm his Mum down.
That night his Dad had sat him down and explained what had happened to her and why, he'd also told Remus what he should do to help her if it happened again. Luckily, as Remus had gotten older and better at dealing with his condition, his Mum had improved too. But he still felt guilty for what his parents had to go through taking care of him, even if it wasn't really his fault.
"Well, I'm glad you knew what to do anyway," said James slightly akwardly.
"Sorry about your mum and you know, your illness and that."
Remus just shrugged, "I hope Sirius is going to be ok."
"He will be" James smiled, "because he's got us now."
...........
It was Halloween night and the Gryffindor’s had just returned from the feast.
James was eager to continue the fun of his favourite holiday into the night and convinced the other boys and Scarlett to stay up and play exploding snap, whilst eating horrendous amounts of sweets.
After their fifth game Sirius leant back and sighed.
“This is getting boring. Its Halloween, we should be doing something scary.” It had not taken long at Hogwarts for Sirius to lose his well spoken accent and stiff, neat clothing and attitude, two months around 'normal' eleven year olds had been enough for him to become much more laid back.
“Like what?” said Peter
“I dunno" said Sirius “a walk in the forbidden forest perhaps?” he grinned.
James nodded eagerly, he knew he had picked the right best friend.
Remus rolled his eyes, “and how do you suppose we do that Sirius. If we get caught out of the common room we'll be expelled.”
James thought hard, he had an idea, but his Dad had told him not to tell anyone.
But these guys were his friends, they deserved to know and where was the fun in keeping his coolest possession hidden.
“Guys” he said making his decision, “can you keep a secret?”They all looked at him confused,
“of course we can" said Remus.
“Good. well you can't tell anyone but I kind of......own an invisibility cloak" he said quietly.
“WHAT?!”
“Sssh Sirius. Yea it was my dads and he gave it to me. Its not just any invisibility cloak either, it protects from spells as well.”
“That’s awesome James. Will we all fit under it?" Sirius asked, now whispering.
“I think so. Its pretty big.”
“Great! Then lets go.” Sirius jumped up, quickly followed by James.
The other three hesitated, but in the end followed them up to the boys dorm where James revealed his prized possession.
To show off its skills he threw it over himself. The others gasped in amazement.
“Come on then,” he said sticking his head out, “lets get going.”
“Are we really going to the forest?” said Peter in a nervous voice.
“I heard there are monsters in there.”
“The monsters won't see us under the cloak" James pointed out. But still it only seemed to be him and Sirius that wanted to go. “How about we just go to the edge of the forest.....maybe a little way in.
Just to see what its like. Then we'll come straight back, ok?” he suggested.
The others agreed and they all huddled under the cloak.
It wasn't easy navigating their way out without slipping out from under the cloak occasionally, and they kept stepping on each others toes, but eventually they made it to the edge of the forest. James stared over the heads of Scarlett and Peter who were stood in front. Ahead of them was nothing but darkness beyond the trees. He could feel someone shaking, but they were all so close together it was impossible to tell who.
“Lets go a little further" he whispered.
“Just a few metres.”
Sirius nodded, “Definitely” the boy who was so scared in the face of his family, now sounded excited beyond believe at the idea of a terrifying walk in the forest. James grinned, Sirius was clearly as adventurous as he was.
They crept further into the forest all stopping suddenly when they heard a rustling up ahead.
“What was that?” said Peter , his voice high pitched and frightened.
“We should get out of here” said Remus, although none of them seemed to be able to move. James held his breath as the sounds of the mystery monster got closer to them. He gripped the cloak.
He had told his friends they'd be safe under here, he just hoped he was right. The noise grew louder and was joined by the sound of crunching teeth. This was it, James thought, he'd killed them all.
All five of them stiffened staring at the moving bush in front of them. A small face poked through the bush, munching on the fresh grass next to it.
“Wooah" said Sirius under his breath, as a unicorn foal stepped out, happily oblivious to their presence. James thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
“I am gonna go touch it” he told the others.
“I'm coming with you" said Sirius.
“Well I am staying under the cloak” said Peter defiantly, Remus and Scarlett quickly agreeing with him.
Sirius and James stepped out together and slowly made their way to the foal, their hands outstretched. It did not seem worried about them at all and continued eating grass as they patted its soft back. James looked at Sirius who was grinning broadly, looking happier than James had ever seen him.
“WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOIN' OUT ‘ERE?” a strict voice said behind them making them both jump and the Unicorn bolt back into forest. Hagrid the Games Keeper was walking up to them, his face angry.
The tall man loomed over them with his hands on his hips and both boys gulped.
“WELL?” he asked again
“I am sorry Mr Hagrid. S-s-sir” said James quickly, “please don't punish Sirius.
I made him do it.”
“That’s not true,” joined Sirius.
“Please don't let him take he blame.
Punish both of us.”
“Sirius shut up. It was my idea.”
“No! I am not going to let you take the blame you didn't force us.....I mean me.”
“Enough" said Hagrid, holding up his large hands to silence the two boys. “Truth is I can't punish neither of ye. I ain't yer teacher. What’s yer names?”
“I am James Potter. This is Sirius Black.”
“Potter eh? Yea I have heard of yer family.
Good people they are. and a Black, in Gryffindor?” he raised his eyebrow at Sirius. “I've heard of yer family too boy.”
“He is nothing like them” James blurted out. “He is nice.”
“Hmmm. Well we can’t all be judged on our parents" he said thoughtfully and seemed to drift off into his own thoughts.
“Um Mr Hagrid? Are you going to tell on us?” James asked after a few moments.
He snapped his attention back to the two boys almost as if he had forgotten they were there.
“Do ye think I should?” he asked.
“Um. well I guess we shouldn't have done it. But we'll be expelled. In our first year.” His voice filed with panic, “please Mr Hagrid. We can't be expelled.”
“Alrigh' alrigh' I won't tell on yeh.
Just don't do it again mind? And get straight back to the castle.”
The two boys ran away thanking the Games Keeper. James hoped the other three were still close by. When they were out of sight of the forest they stopped.
“Where are you guys?” James hissed, glancing wildly around him.
Three pairs of feet appeared next to them and James and Sirius joined the others under the cloak.
“That was close guys. You could have been in so much trouble” said Peter.
James feigned confidence. “I'm James Potter, I can talk myself out of anything.”
James couldn't see Scarlett’s expression in the dark, but the sarcasm was clear in her voice. “Oh really. That was you talking your way out of trouble? Pleeease Mr Hagrid, don't expel me Mr Hagrid” she imitated James, making the others laugh.
Peter shushed them all quickly though and they all checked around them to make sure no one heard. They made their way back to the common room. By the time they got there they were already planning their next adventure.
James hoped that all of their Halloweens together would be as eventful as the first