Talk

Talk and an Itch or Two

“To best friends,” said Sirius loudly as the four laughed at a very red Malfoy and a very golden Snape. Seemed to be dye of some sort.

“Here, here,” said the other three Marauders in unison. All four lifted their mugs of pumpkin juice, clanking them together loudly and gulping them down.

“Best friends to the end,” said James as he finished off his drink.

“You can say that again,” said Remus happily. Then he looked up. “But don’t.” James looked unhappy for only a moment before the wide grin spread back across his face.

“Nothing will ever come between us. Not girls, not guys, not war or enemies or anything.”

“Well, maybe girls,” said Sirius shyly.

“I don’t think Lily is much of a threat,” said Remus raising his eyebrows. “Though you are going to marry her, James. You know that, right?” James blushed, though he didn’t deny it.

“Whatever comes, we will always stick together, no matter the circumstance,” replied James, referring to the current condition outside. In spite of their happy atmosphere currently, they all knew that there was a war going on in which James himself was a target, though for what reason, they didn’t know.

“Through thick and thin,” grinned Sirius in spite of himself, “we’ll always be there to protect you. Seeing as you’re just so defenseless by yourself.” James elbowed Sirius in the ribs, hard.

“But I appreciate it, nonetheless. I’m not exactly eager to die. It’s nice to know I can trust you guys and count on you, no matter what.” Remus reached over the table and ruffled James’ dust mop that seemed to grow out of his head.

“You can always count on us. I’ll always be there for you. Sirius will too, though he might be away sometimes on that flying motorcycle he’s actually going to get one of these days.”

“I’m going to get it as soon as we finish school.” Everyone rolled their eyes. He’d been saying that for seven long years.

“And then of course we can’t forget Peter,” Remus said, glancing at the pudgy boy sitting next to him.

“Oh, can’t we?” joked Sirius. Peter grumbled for a moment before perking up again.

“Oh, be quiet, Sirius. You know he’d do anything for you as you would him,” said James reprovingly. “Wouldn’t we, short stuff?”

“Th-that’s right,” said Peter, squirming uncomfortably. “I’d do anything for you guys. You’re my best friends in the world.”

“And I’m going to need all your help if I’m supposed to defeat this Voldemort character. Besides that, Dumbledore recently told me that someone close to me is actually a spy for him, so I’m going to need your protection, seeing as I still can’t figure out who it is. I just can’t think of anybody I would be close to that would sink that low. Even the Slytherins wouldn’t betray the few friends they have.”

“Well you know we would never betray you,” said Sirius, nudging James.

“We’re your best friends. In fact, we’re your only friends,” laughed Remus.

“Right. Best friends. We would never give you over to the Dark Lord,” said Peter, squirming again.

“You okay, Peter?” asked James concernedly.

“You don’t look so good,” put in Sirius.

“Eat too much again?” sighed Remus.

“Yeah, I guess so. I’ll be fine - I think.”

“Well, get better soon,” said Remus kindly.

“Yes, because we care so much. We’re your best friends, remember?” teased Sirius.

“How could he forget?” teased James back.

“If only I could,” sighed Peter wistfully.

“Forget? Why would you want to forget? I’ve had some of my best times here!” exclaimed Sirius. “The time we dyed Malfoy and Snape red and gold…”

“That was half an hour ago, Sirius,” said James.

“How about the time that we shaved Snape’s head?” continued Sirius.

“That was last week.”

“Or the time we stuck Dungbombs in the Quidditch storage area right before their match against Hufflepuff. They almost forfeited because they were so embarrassed.”

“That was pretty funny,” agreed Remus.

“Funny? It was hilarious! And we did it all together. We really are best friends till the end. And you guys do mean more to me than anyone in the world. I’m just glad I became friends with you of all people. There are no better mates in all the world. I mean it.” Everyone stared. Sirius was never…well…serious. After a moment, James put his hand on Sirius’ forehead and stared him in the eyes very sternly.

“Are you feeling all right? Who are you and what have you done with the real Sirius?” he asked seriously. Sirius grinned in response.

“I…am…a…dementor,” he said, putting his arms out like a zombie. He drew a deep, rattling breath and ended up in a coughing fit that made the rest of them burst out laughing.

“You’re one in a million, Sirius,” laughed James.

“Thank goodness for that,” said Peter. “I don’t know if I could stand another one.” Sirius made a face at him.

“Well, he’s my friend,” said James. Sirius looked up appreciatively. “Which must be the reason I’m the way I am,” he continued. Everyone laughed.

“Thanks ever so much,” Sirius grimaced. James grinned back at him.

“No problem. Because, you see, that’s what best friends do.”

“You and Lily seem to do a heck of a lot more,” teased Remus very nonchalantly. James blushed.

“Be quiet, Moony.”

“I’m just saying. Besides, I always speak the truth.”

“Or so we think,” grumbled Peter.

“Funny, that’s what I was just thinking about you,” put in Sirius to Peter. Peter squirmed a bit, understanding that statement a bit better than even Sirius himself.

“You seem to be squirming a bit more than usual, Peter,” said James.

“Got an itch?” asked Remus, not really paying very much attention.

“Yeah - I guess. That’s it. On my back.” He squirmed once more for emphasis. “Got it.” The others seemed to accept this as they did not question him further.

“So who do you think it is?” asked Sirius.

“Who what is?” questioned James.

“This filthy rat that would betray you. No offense, Wormtail.” Peter didn’t respond.

“I don’t know. I just can’t imagine myself making friends with anyone that could sink that low as to give up my life for some meager reward.”

“Maybe they were being offered power,” said Peter, squirming. “Nobody can refuse that.” James gave him an odd look.

“I would never accept that in place of a life, not just you guys, but anyone. Even the life of a Slytherin is worth something, no matter how much we degrade them. That‘s why I had to pull Snape back when Sirius led him in the Whomping Willow. Because, if not to us, then to someone else, he is worth something.”

“But some people can’t refuse that offer. The weaker portion of the population would want more power. I would know.”

“But even you would never do something to kill your best friends in the world. Not power, not money, not threats, not anything would be worth the life of your friends. I would rather die than willingly give up the lives of you guys.”

“Not everyone thinks like you, James.”

“They ought to.” He looked at Peter expectantly, but Peter just squirmed in his seat again and didn’t say anything. James sighed. “Whose side are you on, anyway?”

“Yours, of course! I’m just making a point.”

“Well it’s not a very good one. Your mind works in strange ways, Peter.”

“Nevertheless, it is a point. And everyone ought to have the right to make their own decisions and choices about what they want and who they want to be allies with.”

“But if you choose one way, say for your friends, then you ought to stay with them. Never sink so low as to betray them, even if the going is hard.”

“We’re not all strong, James! Not everyone has the same virtues and morals as you. This is harder for me than it is for you. What I choose is my own decision and not anyone else’s and that’s what counts. That I make my own choices and know what I want.” He stood up to gain some height on James, who was taller, even sitting. “And if you don’t like that, I DON’T CARE! I need to look out for me first before anyone else.”

“Calm down, Peter.”

“HOW CAN I BE CALM? This is not some minor choice that will never affect anyone. This is life-changing!” Now James stood up.

“Well I thought that your friends would mean more to you than some fringe benefit!” By this time the entire Hall was silent, staring at the two.

“They do! But some things are not fringe benefits! Unlike your little pranks, these have consequences!”

“I would think that when the repercussions are deaths, you would at least have the decency to stay away from those who would lead you astray!”

“I try! But it’s not that easy!”

“WHY? What is so hard?”

“You wouldn’t understand!”

“What’s betting I would?”

“You can’t! This is something that is beyond you and your little imaginary world of safety and security!” Peter turned on his heel and stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving James fuming and red in the face.

“How can he think that way?” asked James to no one in particular.

“He didn’t mean it,” said Sirius softly at his side.

“Sure, you just set him off,” agreed Remus, albeit reluctantly. “He was just saying that everyone should have the right to make their own choices, no matter what they be.”

“If everyone made choices based on yours then we wouldn’t have this war,” said Sirius, showing an unnatural amount of insight. “But they don’t and sometimes it is hard. Go talk to him if you want. I’m sure he still values your life over everything else.” James sighed.

“You’re probably right.”

“Go on. We’ll be along in a minute,” said Remus. James nodded and started to walk towards the doors, but was stopped by a red and gold sight.

“Trouble in paradise?” asked Snape. James pulled back his fist and hit Snape squarely in the jaw. Then he walked around him and out the door. Peter was leaning against the wall next to the entrance. James sat down against the wall across from him.

“You know I trust you more than anything else,” said James softly. Peter nodded.

“I know.”

“I’m sorry I yelled. It’s just…this is hard for me. Not knowing who to trust when everyone I know I would trust, normally.”

“I’m sorry too. I really am.” Peter sniffed and a large drop rolled down his cheek. He slid down the wall until he too was sitting. Within moments, he was crying quite openly which left James feeling slightly uncomfortable.

“Oh, come on. Buck up. You haven’t really done anything. It’s me who should be sorry.”

“No, no you shouldn’t. I was making an unfair point. Some thing just are hard to choose. And once we make those decisions, you can’t go back on them.”

“You should never go back on your choice if you know it’s right.”

“What if it’s not?”

“Don’t worry about things that you’ll never have to ponder. I trust you enough to make the right choices. I’m your friend and I’ll always be here for you, as will Padfoot and Moony.”

“Not always, you won’t,” Peter mumbled. Just then, Sirius and Remus came out of the doors.

“You did a nice job on Snape there, Prongs,” said Sirius happily.

“What’d he do?” asked Peter.

“Snape’s out cold,” said Remus, somewhat disapprovingly. “And I suppose James’ll have more detentions than he can count, now.” James grinned.

“I might beat your record, Padfoot.”

“Mine? Not a chance!”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Yes, we’ll see.”

“Everything all right here?” asked Remus bringing back the subject of Peter.

“I think so,” started James. “At least it is on this side of the corridor.”

“Over here too,” agreed Peter sullenly. He still had tear streaks down his cheeks.

“Then we’re agreed,” said Sirius, “that this requires an after dinner celebration snack of Chocolate Frogs.”

“You just ate!” exclaimed Remus.

“My metabolism can handle it. I’m a teenager. Come on. I expect the Slytherins’ll be out any time now to come and kick our - ” He was cut off by a loud clatter of plates and feet which meant that a large group of people were definitely coming.

“They can try,” said James, “but they’ll have to find me first.” He changed into a stag and took off at full speed to a nearby tapestry where he slid through to a secret passageway. The others that could followed suit and Remus just ran as fast as he could on two legs. Within moments, the Entrance Hall was deserted and there was no sign of the four teens who had previously occupied it for the large group of Slytherins that came storming out a moment later to follow.