The Years of Prongs

Chapter Two:

New Neighbors

    The product of an incantation depends on the way you move your wand. For example, if you were to say —

    At that moment I dropped my book at the loud, high-pitched scream that came from the kitchen. Now, Mum only screams when Sirius or myself pulls a prank on her, so this surprised me, because Sirius wasn't here, and I certainly hadn't pulled a prank.

    "Mum?" I called from my room, hoping she could hear me from all the way up here, with my door open. I heard nothing, so I stepped out onto the landing. I thought I'd see my mother in the sitting room, which the third-floor — as well as the second-floor — hallway over-looked, but her chair was empty. Growing suspicious, I crept downstairs.

    The house was dead-quiet. Not even one of the four house-elves was making noise. I slipped into the kitchen, where the scream had come from, finding it empty. Just as I went to look out the window over the sink, I heard a door slam nearby. The sitting room door. Careful not to make a sound, I tiptoed into the sitting room. At least, I tried to, but ended up smashing into it. How stupid of me; I had just heard the door shut, but still expected it to be open.

    I swore loudly, rubbing my sore nose. I closed my hand around the doorknob, which was very cold. I turned it, but it was locked.

    "Mum?" I said loudly, pulling on the doorknob. There was no response, and no sound coming from inside. I rummaged through the drawers of the hall desk, looking for a bobby pin. You see, there's no key to that door, because it's never been closed. Luckily, there was a pin in the very back of the last drawer. I picked the lock, and the door swung open, squeaking. I'd have to remind Dad when he got home to oil it. And get a key for the lock.

    Hesitantly, I stepped into the large room, probably one of the largest rooms in the house, after the study and the dining room. I looked around, seeing no one. But I had that tingling feeling on that back of my neck that you get when you sense you're being watched. Again, I called for my mother. "Mum?"

    "James, over here."

    I spun around, startled by the whisper. Crouching behind my dad's favorite maroon armchair was my mother.

    "Mum —" I started, but she put a finger to her lips, silencing me.

    "There's someone in the house," she hushed.

    "Yes, and it's me!"

    A pair of arms grabbed hold of me around the shoulders, like a hug from behind, and I yelled. Mum burst out laughing, and so did the person who had snuck up on me. It was a familiar laugh, similar to the barking of a dog —

    "SIRIUS MAVERON BLACK!" I spun around, finding my best friend doubled-over, laughing so hard he was making no sound.

    "— couldn't — resist —" he gasped, his face beet-red. I turned to Mum.

    "I'm sorry, James," she said, holding back another burst of giggles. "But I just couldn't say no to pranking you. I mean, you do it so often to me."

    "But, Mum, that wasn't funny," I said, feeling my cheeks burn.

    Mum pulled me into a hug and ruffled my hair. "I know, dear. That's not really a laughing matter. I promise to never pull a joke on you again." And she kissed the top of my head.

    "No, Mum —" I pushed away from her as she tried to give me another kiss. "Not in front of Sirius —"

    "Oh, I don't mind, Jams," Sirius winked at his childhood nickname for me. "I think it's sweet to see you getting a kissy from your mummy..."

    "Shut up, Sirius," I muttered at the sound of my childhood nickname.

    "Oh, Sirius, do you feel left out?" Mum asked, a twinkle in her eyes. "I'll give you a kiss too." And she grabbed hold of his arm and planted a kiss on his cheek.

    "MUMS! Don't do that!" Sirius moaned, jumping away and wiping at his cheek.

    "Aw, Sirs got a kissy from my mummy," I laughed.

    Sirius punched my arm, scowling. "Can it, James."

    There was the soft patter of footsteps in the hallway, and I turned. A pair of large brown eyes peered around the doorway, as if seeing what all the commotion was about.

    "It's okay, Nettle, it's only Sirius," I assured.

    Nettle gave out a loud squeal of delight, and the house-elf ran into the room, throwing her arms around Sirius's waist.

    "Sirius!" she cried. "Nettle has missed Sirius very much."

    Sirius grinned, and patted the elf on the head. "Good to see you too, Nets. But it's only been a week since I came last."

    I couldn't help but smile at the sight of my best friend and the house-elf. Nettle was the daughter of Brants and Milly, Mum and Dad's personal house-elves, and the twin sister of Jenzer, my house-elf. Strangely enough, the twin elves were born just a week before me, and a week after Sirius. And ever since Sirius "joined" the family seven years ago, Nettle had grown very fond of him.

    "Nettle, now that Sirius is here, why don't you and your family go and prepare lunch," Mum said. Nettle nodded, and ran out of the room.

    "Blimey, Si, Nettle acts as if you're her brother," I said, shaking my head as I flopped into the overstuffed armchair.

    "I'm just that loveable," Sirius winked, placing a hand over his heart.

    "Sure, Si," I rolled my eyes. "Come on, lets take your stuff upstairs."

    "James, I really don't see how you didn't figure out I was here," Sirius said as I followed him into the kitchen. Nettle smiled broadly at Sirius as she got the bread out of the cupboard. "You came in here, and didn't see my trunk?"

    His trunk was right next to the fireplace, and I felt foolish for not noticing it.

    "Yeah, well, I thought someone was really in the house," I muttered, grabbing one end of the trunk.

    "Oh really?" Sirius raised an eyebrow as we carried the trunk towards the staircase. "Like who?"

    Dark wizards, I thought bitterly. That was probably my biggest fear, and Mum's as well. With Dad being a top Auror and all, none of us were really safe. But Sirius didn't know that I was worried about that.

    "I dunno," I lied, starting up the staircase. Neither of us said anything as we headed up to Si's room. Mind you, everytime Sirius looked at me he had to hold back another fit of laughter. It even brought tears to his eyes. Oh, he'd pay. He would definately pay.

    We finally got to the third floor, and I left Sirius to unpack and went into my own room. It was a mess, as usual; Jenzer refused to pick up after me.

    Everything in my room was Quidditch. My walls were plastered with posters of my favorite team, the Scotland Skrewts. Sure, I'm not from Scotland, but I've always been a fan. If something in my room wasn't Quidditch, it was in the team colors, red and black. It was also perfect that my room was red because it's the color of Gryffindor house, the house every Potter had been in. The house I'd be sorted into when I got to Hogwarts.

    I flopped down on my bed and watched Marvel Wilton zoom through the poster beside me. He had to be the greatest Seeker in the entire world. He was my idol, the one who inspired me to want to become a Seeker.

    "I just got a brilliant idea!" Sirius yelled, bursting in. "It's perfect. I mean, I amaze myself at how clever I am ! I —"

    "Care to share this 'brilliant idea' with your best mate?" I asked, interrupting Sirius's ranting on about how great he is. I propped myself up on my arm and stared at him.

    "You've got new neighbors, right?" Sirius asked, clearing off my desk and hopping on it.

    "Yes," I nodded slowly, wondering where this was going.

    'Well, they haven't met you yet, right?"

    "Right," I nodded again.

    "So if we prank them, they wouldn't blame you!" Sirius grinned.

    'That's your brilliant idea?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "Yeah! But I already know what we can do," Sirius said. "Of course, it involves your stash. . . ."

    "How much?" I asked suspiciously. "And besides, they'd figure it was us, because we're the only other house for two miles!"

    Sirius shrugged that off. "It would only take a couple of Filibusters, a few Dungbombs, your sling-shot. . . ."

    "And when do we plan to do this?" I asked, though I was already sure of the answer.

    "Tonight."

* * *

    The hardest part about our little prank would be getting in and out of my house. My room is on the third floor, as is Sirius's. Mum and Dad's room is on the second floor. And on the staircase, there's a creaky step. Mind you, I never remember which step it is.

    So we had to talk Nettle and Jenzer into helping out. Sirius and I would be under my dad's Invisibility Cloak, which I had nicked after I excused myself from dinner to "use the bathroom." Nettle would be on the staircase, so when we stepped on the creaky step, if Mum or Dad came to see who was up, she'd say she was bringing Sirius a glass of water.

    I stood out in the hallway, listening for when Mum and Dad retired to their room. Meanwhile, Sirius was gathering everything we'd need — and searching for my sling-shot.

    "Damn, James! You're the most unorganized person I know!" he swore loudly.

    I stuck my head in, catching him crawling out from under my bed, now covered in dust.

    "Don't let my mum here you talking like that," I said, trying not to laugh as he tried to brush off the filth.

    "Well, maybe if you actually had some sort of organization. . . ." he muttered, looking around as I returned to my post. He'd been searching for over an hour, and suddenly, a thought popped into my head.

    "Hey, check under my pillow."

    Silence, and then —

    "You stupid prat! You could have saved me an hour of crawling around your room!"

    "Shut up!" I hissed, hearing voices steadily growing louder. I peered over the railing. Sure enough, Mum and Dad were heading to their room. "Okay, Si. We should be able to go in about twenty minutes or so."

    "Good," Sirius grumbled. "I'm getting bored."

    I rolled my eyes, and filled my backpack with dungbombs and Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks. Sirius jotted a note on a piece of paper and folded it into an airplane.

    "Let's see if Nettle's up," he said, and went into the hall, throwing the plane down to the sitting room. Thirty seconds or so later, it came back up.

    "They're on their way up," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. I picked up the liquidy material that was my dad's Invisibility Cloak and threw it over Si and me.

    Without a sound, we tiptoed out of my room and closed the door.

    "James, is that you?"

    I groaned inwardly; I had forgotten that Jenzer would lie in my bed pretending to be me sleeping. And after Nettle pretended to bring Sirius water, she'd go and pretend to be Sirius sleeping. You know, in case Mum or Dad peeked in to check on us.

    "Yeah, Jenzer, it's me," I whispered. "Go on into my room."

    "Yes, James, sir," Jenzer nodded, and slipped past.

    "Let's go," Sirius urged, prodding me in the middle of my back.

    We quickly yet silently made our way to the staircase, and before stepping on a single one, we waited for Nettle. She stopped at the bottom just seconds later, a glass of water in her tiny hands.

    "Nets, it's us," Sirius hushed, loud enough for her to hear. She nodded, and in unison, we all stepped onto the staircase. There was a loud creak! as the three of us stepped on the old stair at once. We stopped, listening for the sound of someone getting out of bed. There was a deep snore, but other than that, all was silent.

    "Okay," I muttered. "Let's go. Thanks, Nettle."

    Sirius and I hurried down the rest of the staircase, and down the second one. In a matter of minutes, we were outside.

    "That wasn't so hard," Sirius said briskly. He tried to throw off the cloak, but I grabbed his arm.

    "Not yet," I shook my head. "We don't know if Mum or Dad is looking out the window."

    Sirius rolled his eyes. "James, c'mon. Half the fun of pranking is taking risks."

    He had a point. "All right. C'mon."

    We tossed the cloak to the porch floor; we wouldn't need it until we tried sneaking back inside. We bolted down the path, racing, and when Sirius reached the iron gate — he beat me, of course; he always was faster than me — he opened it slowly and we slipped through.

    It took about five minutes to walk next door, so Sirius jabbered on about what we would do.

    "You'll be in charge of the first floor," Sirius instructed. "Put a dungbomb in every room. We'll save the fireworks for the end."

    "Si, what exactly do we do if someone wakes up?" I wondered.

    "Run like hell," Sirius grinned.

    I had never got an upclose look at this little house. Well, it's nice, but a lot smaller than my manor. It was kind of depressing-looking, though. It was hard to get a real good look at it, as it was night, but everything seem to be in shades of grays and black. The whole lawn looked dead and dry, and, well, gray.

    "They need some serious decorating help," Sirius muttered. I nodded in agreement.

    We snuck around to the back of the house, and crouched right up against the side, so if anyone were to glance out the window, they wouldn't see us. I took an armload of dungbombs out of my backpack, and began circling the house. Good thing it was summer — all the windows were open a few inches. Just wide enough to fit a dungbomb through. I stopped under the kitchen window and pulled the plug on one of the bombs. I slipped it inside and shut the window. That way, the stench wouldn't leak outside. I did the same with all the other windows, and within a few minutes I was finished.

    I ran to the backyard and waited for Sirius, who turned up seconds after.

    "Okay," he grinned. "Let's go."

    We quickly grabbed a couple fireworks out of my bag before I slung it over my shoulder. We dashed back to the front and vaulted over the crooked gate. Just as we were about to pour some water on the fireworks, a loud yell came from inside. So loud it was clearly heard through the closed windows.

    "WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT GOD-AWFUL SMELL?"

    "RUN!" Sirius and I yelled in unison, and, dropping the Filibusters, made our way back to my house as fast as we could.

    "That — was — close —" I gasped, trying to catch my breath as I slammed the iron gate shut.

    "Too — close —" Sirius nodded, doubled-over.

    "You may have gotten away from whatever trouble you two just got into, but now you have your parents to deal with."

    Sirius and I looked at each other, and gulped. Putting on our most innocent faces, we turned towards the house.

    "Hello, Mum. Hello, Dad," I smiled. "What brings you two out here at this hour?"

    "We were just about to ask you the same question," Mum said. "Inside, now."

    We groaned, knowing we were in trouble, and stomped inside.

    "It would have been wise," Dad whispered from behind us, "to keep this old cloak on the whole time."

    Sirius and I merely nodded. We flopped down on the couch in the sitting room, while Mum and Dad remained standing.

    "What were you doing?" Mum asked, hands on her hips.

    "Pranking the neighbors," Sirius admitted.

    "With wizard products, when for all you know they could be Muggles! You don't even think to realize that you could give us away! Did you not think of the Statute of Secrecy?"

    "Mum, it's not like we used magic!" I argued. "We didn't exactly use our wands, did we?"

    This obviously got through to Mum, because she gave a heavy sigh.

    "Are you going to punish us?" we asked, pouting.

    "You two will go and apologize first thing in the morning," Dad said.

    "Yes, sir," Sirius and I muttered, and trudged upstairs.

* * *

    "James! Get up!"

    I groaned into my pillow. It seemed as if I had just fallen asleep. Mind you, it took me an awful long time to fall asleep, because I realized that all of my Filibusters had been left at the neighbors, and I wouldn't be able to get any more before school.

    "James Henry Potter, I want you out of that bed and dressed in five minutes!" Mum screeched, and I heard her storm downstairs.

    I muttered something along the lines of "grouchy old bat" and rolled out of bed. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt before stumbling downstairs where, to my surprise, Sirius was already down in the dining room.

    "'Morning," I yawned, slipping into my seat. Without a word, Mum set a plate of pancakes in front of me.

    Sirius nodded a hello, as his mouth was rather full with chewed pancake.

    "Eat up," Dad said, setting down The Daily Prophet. "You have to go next door."

    Sirius and I groaned.

    We took our time walking over to the small house, comtemplating what we would say. I had never really apologized for my actions before, and I doubt a simple "I'm sorry" would cut it.

    I was thinking the house would look better in the sunlight than it did at night, but the difference wasn't pleasing. It just looked more depressing now.

    We stepped up to the door, and Sirius nudged me forward. Apparently I would have to do all the talking. I cleared my throat and rapped on the door knocker, which was in the shape of a crow. It seemed to echo in the dead yard, causing chills up my spine. It was at least a minute before the door opened, but when it did, I launched into speech.

    "We're sorry to bother you, but —"

    "I was expecting you two to come back."

    My mouth hung open, as I hadn't closed it after I was interrupted. I squinted my eyes with surprise, and Sirius punched my arm so I'd shut my mouth.

    I thought the one who would answer would be an old man with a pale, sunken face in all black with a knobbly cane. But this person was very much the opposite.

    She looked about the same age as my mum, maybe a few years younger. Her brown hair was pulled into a loose bun, and she wore jeans and a bright yellow blouse, topped with a flowered apron. She looked stressed, but cheerful nonetheless.

    "You were expecting us?" Sirius asked.

    "Of course," the woman nodded, her light chestnut eyes sparkling. "My husband woke up to that stench from your bombs, and I saw you two make a run for it. But you left your fireworks. I expect that's why you're here?"

    "Actually, we came to apologize," I corrected.

    "Really?" the woman seemed surprised, but only briefly. "Did your mother send you?"

    "Er," was all I could say.

    "I see," she smiled. "Do come in. You can have some tea, and I'll get you your fireworks."

    Sirius and I swapped curious looks before following the woman inside.

    The room seemed small, but it could have been because, aside from the furniture, the house was cluttered with boxes.

    Me and Sirius sat down on the couch in the living room and the woman disappeared into the kitchen. The house was warm and inviting, despite what the outside looked like.

    "The house is small, but so is my family," the woman entered the room, carrying a tea tray. "Now, which one of you is James Potter?"

    I was surprised that she knew my name. But I wouldn't let her know that.

    "I am," I said. "How'd you know?"

    "It's written here on your sling-shot," the woman said, pulling the wooden contraption out of her apron pocket. "You left this here as well."

    "Thanks," I said, cramming it into my pocket, mentally reminding myself to slap Sirius for leaving that. "Well, now that you know my name, this here is my best friend, Sirius Black."

    "Pleasure to meet you," the woman nodded, shaking Sirius's hand. "My name is Mira Lupin." She then went about pouring us tea.

    "You said your family is small," Sirius said, making conversation. "Do you have any kids?"

    "I have a son, Remus," Mrs. Lupin nodded. "He's eleven years old."

    "So are we!" I said. "Is he around?"

    "He's probably sleeping, he's just gotten over a bout of the flu."

    I suddenly noticed a rather disgusting smell. Apparantly it was obvious on my face, because Mrs. Lupin smiled.

    "You left my house smelling pretty horrible with those stinkbombs of yours," she said, pouring me a cup of tea.

    "Mum, they're called Dungbombs," a quiet voice corrected. "You should know that by now."

    We turned our heads. Remus Lupin was the spitting image of his mum, with brown hair and light amber eyes. His face was pale, which gave the impression that he was in fact sick, or getting over it. He was thin, and looked a bit shorter than myself.

    "You're wizards then?" Sirius burst. I groaned inwardly. I hoped to hell that they were, or we'd have a hard time covering that up.

    "I am," Remus said, coming over. "So is Dad. Mum here's a Muggle."

    "Remus, this is Sirius Black and James Potter," Mrs. Lupin said. "James and his family are our neighbors."

    "So you two are the ones who attacked our house with Dungbombs?" Remus asked.

    "Yep," I nodded. "But it was all Sirius's idea."

    "Remus, why don't you take the boys up to your room. It'd be good for you to get to know some children your age before you go to school."

    "Yes, Mum," Remus nodded. "Come on."

    Without a word, Sirius and me followed Remus out of the living room and up a rickety staircase. He led us into a small sunlit room, about a third the size of my room. The walls were an orangey color, which seemed weird as the outside was gray.

    "I don't like the color of my room," Remus said, closing the door. "Dad's going to repaint it while I'm away at school."

    "What does your dad do?" Sirius asked.

    "Really boring office work at the Ministry," Remus shrugged, flopping down on the bed. "What do your parents do?"

    "My dad's a school governor," Sirius said with a fake yawn. "James's dad is an Auror."

    "Really?" Remus asked with great interest.

    "Yeah," I shrugged.

    I looked around the room, trying to find out a bit about him. But it was hard, as his room, like the rest of the house, was packed in boxes.

    "It's good to know you two are wizards," Remus said, staring up at his ceiling. "Mum said she was unsure of whether we'd live near any wizards. Mind you, it doesn't phase her much, with her being a Muggle and all. But don't think of trying to fool her. She's known my dad since they were kids, so she knows all about magic."

    Sirius looked stunned, and I knew my face showed the same. "How do you know I was thinking of that?"

    "I dunno," Remus said. "It's kind of like a sixth sense, I guess. It comes in handy."

    It seemed Sirius and I had someone we had to watch out for at school, someone who could get us in trouble. Unless we could get him on our side.

    "Are you going to Hogwarts this year, then?" I asked.

    "Yep," Remus said. "You?"

    "Uh-huh," Sirius grinned. "And after me and James arrive, that school will never be the same."

    "Then I should watch out for you?" Remus asked.

    "Nah, we won't prank our friends," I shook my head. "Much."

    "Well, that's reassuring," Remus smiled. "So, Sirius, where do you live?"

    "He lives in London," I said.

    "Yeah, with my stupid parents and dense little brother," he muttered.

    "You don't like your family?" Remus confirmed.

    "You try living with my family and liking them," Sirius said bitterly.

    "His family's into the whole purity of blood," I explained.

    "Ah," was all Remus said.

    We continued talking for well over an hour, where we found out that Remus's favorite Quidditch team was the Wimbourne Wasps — yuck! — and I was just about to invite him over for lunch when Mrs. Lupin stuck her head in.

    "James, your mother just sent an owl. She wants you home for lunch."

    "Can Remus tag along?" Sirius asked, sitting up.

    "If he wants to," Mrs. Lupin nodded. "Have a good time, and behave yourself."

    "Yes, Mum," Remus said, and we headed off to my house.

    Mum absolutely loved Remus. He had this perfect, innocent air to him that Mum thought Sirius and I needed around.

    "Maybe you could keep these two out of trouble," she smiled.

    "Oh, come on, Mums," Sirius said through a mouthful of bread. "If you can't keep us out of trouble, what makes you think Rem can?"

    He had a point.