Solemnly Swear

Solemnly Swear

Chapter Three - 1972

Professor Kettleburn had one leg and seven fingers. Lily Evans was the only Gryffindor girl to sign up for Care of Magical Creatures. She looked lonely, standing with her Peter-crafted Gryffindor scarf, dark red curls and little black buckled shoes against the backdrop of black-locked, boot-wearing, bejewelled Slytherin girls. James pretended he wasn't watching, and switched his attention to Lucius Malfoy, who seemed to be deriving a dry sort of pleasure from dropping earthworms onto the tentacles of a fat Horklump, and watching the thing gobble them up.

Remus shivered and moved to the back of the crowd, extremely grateful when the deep, booming school bell rang for lunch, and four mischievous Gryffindor Third-Years were free to return to the castle and practise placing hexes on the staircases. That trick step thing that Sirius had worked out was really quite ingenious.

*

On their very first Hogsmeade visit, James and Sirius had spent the whole day playing pick a fight with Severus, where he said something and they'd just disagree. They were in extremely good spirits, therefore, when they reached the Common Room to find a bright notice surrounded by milling second, third, and fourth years. Posted were the shining results of last week's Quidditch Team tryouts, and one Drusilla Birch was looking very, very pleased with herself.

Sirius stalked off to his dormitory in a huff. James scrambled after him, completely oblivious to the words 'Chaser: James Potter,' that were scribbled boldly for the rest of the house to see. Lily, Raven and Gypsy watched James' long-legged progress upstairs, where a Mr Sirius Black was moping.

Letting himself get really really down really cheered Sirius up. Depression might have felt like wearing damp socks but at least it was safe and secure. Nothing could threaten it, nothing could take it away. Happiness by comparison, Sirius mused, letting his dark hair fall artfully over one side of his forehead, was fragile. Sometimes he thought he didn't want to be happy because happiness always ended. He didn't really want to be happy, cause it was just downhill from there.

James beamed and asked Sirius if he'd like to pop downstairs and try to find a way into the kitchens again, then maybe get Remus and Peter to help them set up some sort of cream pie arrangement near the Slytherin dungeon entrance.

Sirius cracked a grin and raised a dark eyebrow.

His best friend knew him far too well.

*

Argus Filch and his fat, grey, dribbling cat Mrs Rochester were the ever-alert guards of the Hogwarts corridors. But as luck would have it, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter were hiding behind a tapestry near the kitchen corridor when they caught Professor Dumbledore sneaking downstairs for a pre-dinner snack.

The ticklish pear was their newest and best-kept secret. And the food tasted even better when it had been so sneakily pilfered.

It was a pity, though, that the House-Elves wouldn't come within ten feet of Remus.

*

Gypsy, Bilius, Tobias and Peter all bought crystal balls back from a Divination lesson in November. James and Remus gazed into Peter's, musing over their curved, bulbous-nosed reflections. A nose to put Severus to shame, James proclaimed, his grin stretched to Cheshire-cat proportions. Sirius joined them, peeking over Remus' shoulder. Give it a go, then, Potter, he nudged.

James pulled out his wand and poked at the thing, causing the white mist inside to revolt against the opposite side of the crystal.

Gypsy frowned from her table nearby. You're supposed to gaze. It's called crystal-gazing for a reason. She blinked, blushing, and turned back to her book.

Remus watched after her for a second, then turned back to his friends, who were drawing streaky, oily images with their fingers on the glimmering surface. He poked Sirius, who cleared his throat and rubbed the globe succinctly with the rolled-up sleeve of his jumper.

James leaned his face close to the crystal. Okay then, shiny thing, he commanded. Tell me what I need to know.

The orb flashed green.

A thin line materialised, twisted and bent itself into a wonky sort of 'Z'.

Sirius tilted his head. Remus dropped his quill. Did you see that?

Peter bounded over, scarf flapping. See anything? I stared for two hours. Do you think she'd be happy if I made something up?

James closed his eyes and shook his head quickly. Sure, Pettigrew. Now, come on, I had this idea involving a repelling charm and the girl's toilets...