The Boys Are Back in Town

17- The Prank (Part 1)

"Almost time," James spoke nervously as the group sat around their spot. "Thanks for the reminder, every 12 seconds," Remus mumbled as Carter laughed slightly, their face remaining emotionless. Jesse was staring daggers at James, unable to pay attention to the impending full moon. He'd be lying if he said he didn't notice. "You right?" He asked, no malicious intent behind it but that didn't stop Jesse from poking her tongue into her cheek and smiling sarcastically. "Oh I'm fine," she said, leaning forward. Remus scoffed at Jesse's immaturity. "Alright, I'm off, you coming Carty?" He asked as he kissed the top of Jesse's head and stood up. "I should, but can we stop off at my room first? I'd like to eat something before I go and there's a block of chocolate in there," she said. Remus excitedly nodded. Sirius saw Snape staring at them from across the courtyard. "Fuck this fucking kid," Sirius hummed as he stood up. "Hello dumbass, looking for something?" Sirius smiled as he approached the black haired boy. "He's off again huh? You going to meet him?" Snape hummed. "You're delusional Snivellous," Sirius laughed. "Alright tell me where he's going then, you obviously know," Severus spoke. "Get fucked," Sirius said. "Fine- faggots," Severus spat. The word cut through Sirius like a knife. Fuck he hated it. And it was being used to describe him and one of his best mates. "Snape why don't you just fucking follow him yourself if you're so interested. I don't really know what he does to be honest, but he goes through the whomping willow, if you tap some knot at the roots apparently it lets you through with enough time to get to the passageway," Sirius shrugged. Severus looked at him oddly, almost confused as to why he hadn't thought of this yet. "Why are you telling me this?" Snape asked. Sirius shrugged, unaware that James was standing nearby. "You clearly want to know, just go find out," he said before turning away. That's when James locked eyes with him, making Sirius bite the inside of his cheek from guilt. "What are you playing at?" James asked as the two began walking to dinner. He had a terrible feeling his best mate had gone too far.

Carter watched Sirius from afar. She couldn't help the feeling that grew in the pit of her stomach. He's been different. Nicer. It was weird. Sirius spun on his heel beginning to walk backwards towards the great hall when he locked eyes with her. He smiled that cocky, crooked, full of himself smile and much to Carter's dismay, a rosy blush fell upon her cheeks. "Nervous?" Remus asked from beside her, snapping her from her daze. "I don't think so, we've got this covered," she said as he offered her a comforting smile. Severus hid around the corner, watching as the two of them began their trek to their shack. Lily and Fiona tan up to James, happily sitting down next to him and across from Sirius and Peter. Jesse grumbled as she watched. "You alright?" Blue asked. Jesse looked to her, trying to relax her face. "Peachy," she put simply before walking over to her table where she sat next to a 6th year boy named Kent. Blue's eyes flickered to the Slytherin table where she met Regulus' grey eyes. She softly waved and smiled before making her way over to her own seat. "You got something going on with Delacour?" Barty asked from beside him. "Hm? Oh uh, she tutored me for a little, pretty isn't she?" Regulus spoke, almost to himself as he gazed lovingly at his girlfriend. "Gorgeous, she's nice too, usually the pretty ones are assholes," Barty laughed. From the Ravenclaw table Jesse could be heard swearing at a 4th year who was bogarting the potatoes, making Barty chuckle. "My point exactly," he smiled. "Hey how are you and Carter?" Regulus asked. "I don't even know. I planned this picnic under the stars for tonight and she completely blew me off- said she was studying with Jesse," he hummed. "Huh..." Regulus mumbled. "What?" Barty asked. "Well it's just, I wanted to get a head start on our charms homework but Blue told me that she had to finish her ongoing chess match with Jesse tonight," Regulus pondered.

Sirius finished eating and left for his dorm as James ran his hand up Fiona's skirt slightly, leaning into her ear making her giggle. "Ugh, you two are nauseating," Lily gagged. "Hey, James, why is Severus going to the Whomping willow tonight?" Lily asked, making James spit out his sparkling grape juice. "Excuse me?" he practically shouted, making the entire table flinch. "Merlin James, what's the deal with you and your friends? You guys are so weird," Lily said. Peter's eyes were wide and he was basically frozen in place. James felt like his head was going to explode. "Sirius- he told Severus to follow Remus to the Whomping Willow tonight," Lily spoke, not understanding why this was such a huge deal. James clenched his jaw tightly standing up and running out of the great hall.

Carter and Remus casually strolled across to the Whomping Willow, not stressing because they left with plenty of time to spare. "So..." Carter mumbled. "Jesse?" she asked. Remus didn't understand where she was going with this. "What about her?" he chuckled. "You two seem very touchy considering you broke up just recently," Carter prodded. "I love her," he said simply. "There's something else though, something both of you are hiding," she hummed. Remus bit down on his lip, knowing what he had to say. "Carter," he started, grabbing her wrist and turning her towards him. "Yeah?" she asked, looking up at his looming figure. "I'm gay," he said. Carter's face didn't change at all. She simply squeezed his bicep. "I know," she said softly. "You do?" he asked. "A little part of me always did," she shrugged. "So Jesse and I-" he started. "I thought you were cute together, but every time you kissed her you'd fidget with your fingers uncomfortably," she smiled. "Every time?" he asked. "Every time," she nodded.

"Good luck," Remus smiled. "You too Moony," Carter smiled as they separated. Little did they know they weren't alone. Snape snuck through the dimly lit shrieking shack. Staring around him at the peeling wallpaper and tatted furniture. Suddenly deep, intense growls came from within the shack. Carter was safe enough to get shackled up and locked for the night. Remus wasn't as fortunate. And by the grace of Merlin could he smell the presence of an unwanted person.

James was bolting through the grounds, pulling Jesse along with him. The full moon reminding them of their very slim time limit. Jesse couldn't handle how long it was taking to get there so she swiftly morphed into her animagus and started running on all fours, taking over James and sliding down into the Shrieking Shack. She morphed back into her human self, her chest heaving with exhaustion as she saw Severus being approached by Remus, sharp teeth snarling and eyes narrowed. "Snape! Behind me!" Jesse shouted as Remus started to charge. Jesse quickly intercepted him as he spear tackled her into the wall, drywall crumbling around them both. James watched in horror as Remus clawed three long nail marks down Jesse's left leg, from her hip to her ankle. She screamed in pain as Carter howled in the distance, even in her state being able to identify her friend in excruciating pain. Snape was frozen in terror, trembling behind James. Remus turned his attention to the two boys, black eyes narrowing, stalking towards them like a panther, shoulder blades torturously adjusting under his thin grey skin. James ran at Remus, trying not to think about how crazy what he was doing was. He managed to get behind him and get ahold of his front legs, restraining his bony, violently writhing body in his arms. James was thanking all those early morning workouts right about now as he avoided Remus' snapping jaw. "Snape! Get her the fuck out of here!" James screamed over Remus' snarls and grunts. Snape looked over to Jesse who was breathing through tightly gritted teeth and clutching her profusely bleeding leg. That's when a terrifying clang was heard from the other side of the shack. Carter.