Get One Thing Straight, I'm Not

Chapter 3 Potions Predicament

They were on the second floor when Sirius climbed onto a windowsill and announced, "I've always wanted to jump out of a window and land in the snow."

He bent his legs to spring when Remus exclaimed, "Don't!"

Sirius stared at Remus in bewilderment. "Why not?"

"It's dangerous," said Remus slowly and carefully like he was teaching Crabbe or Goyle their right from their left.

"Actually," interceded James, "We're not that high up, so it's not too bad."

"He could still break a bone," Remus argued.

The law that Sirius lived by was "Do whatever is fun." He truly had wanted to know what it felt like to dive into the snow from a sill; however, he speculated that it would be equally as entertaining to make his calm lycanthropic comrade nervous. "Okay, Remy, I won't jump if you beg me."

Remus groaned, "You can't be serious."

"I'm always Sirius."

"Fine, please don't do it, Siri, or we'll be late for Potions."

Sirius shook his head and stuck one of his legs out of the open window. "I'm disappointed in you. You can do much better than that."

"Quit fooling around. I'll-" He winced and offered, "I'll share my chocolate with you."

"Tempting, but not good enough." The gray-eyed lad say down with both of his legs out in the open January air and put his palms against the sill, getting ready to push off.

Remus had no doubt that Sirius, being the impulsive individual that he was, would leap unless he stopped him. Frantically, he searched his mind for something that would convince Sirius. He could think of naught, thus he said the first statement that entered his mind: "I'll do anything you want if you don't jump."

With a triumphant laugh Sirius hopped back into the corridor. "Very well, Mr. Lupin, and I'll hold you to that promise." He slipped his arm aound Remus' waist affectionately.

"That's what worries me..." Remus attempted to concentrate on anything but Sirius' touch.

"Guys, we better hurry or we are going to be late," informed Peter.

The Marauders ran the rest of the way to the dungeons and arrived in the classroom just as the bell rang.

"Take your seats," Slughorn jovially instructed. "You have a pop quiz today."

There were moans of disgust from both the Gryffindors and the Slytherins.

"Come now, it isn't that hard," chided Slughorn as he distributed a piece of parchment to everybody, beaming at his favourite pupils like Lily Evans and Severus Snape.

James' handsome features twisted into a hideous grimace at the thought of anyone harboring any admiration for the greasy Slytherin.

The professor said, "Your bonus question is on the board. It's N.E.W.T. level, so I'll be amazed if any of you get it right."

All of the students involuntarily glanced up. What is the potion that causes overconfidence and recklessness if taken in excess?

Lily raised her hand.

"I'm sorry, Miss Evans, but you know I can't answer questions during an exam."

"I know, sir. I just wanted to point out that the question on the board refers to the potion Potter and Black take everyday."

Chuckling, including that of the Marauders, filled the dungeon. One of the qualities that made the four Gryffindors so popular was that they could laugh at others as well as themselves.

"Perhaps it does, my dear," remarked Slughorn smiling.

Once everyone handed in their quizzes and the bell chimed to end the lesson the professor asked Remus to stay behind.

"Your written work in this class is very good, and I must admit that you can pronounce the names of some potions that even I have trouble with, though when it comes to making the potions...Well, that needs work."

"Yes, professor," agreed Remus, knowing that what Slughorn said was one hundred percent correct on the subject.

"So I have arranged for you to meet in this room every Tuesday and Friday with a tutor."

"Oh?" He had expected detention or extra homework, but certainly not a tutor.

"He's one of my best students," assured Slughorn.

For the love of Merlin, don't let it be Snape, Remus prayed.