The Mini Marauder.

Chapter 17

Emerald waited impatiently by the tapestry. It was five to nine. You'd think Lupin would be eager enough to show up early but no. 

"What are you doing, deary?" A portrait asked curiously. 

"Waiting for an acquaintance." She shrugged. 

"You kids and your 'acquaintances'. What happened to friends?" The portrait sighed. 

"But he's not my friend." Emerald crossed her arms over her chest. "We have never spoken before today therefore he's an acquaintance." 

"Hey Dolohov." 

Emerald jumped and spun around to face Remus. "Lupin. Don't creep up on people like that." 

"Yeah Moony it's very rude." Came the voice of James Potter. 

"Oh wonderful the whole cavalry's here." 

"You wound us with your words." Sirius said, sticking his head out from behind the tapestry. 

"Is this what you meant by 'we'?" She asked Remus. 

"'Fraid so." 

"Are you going to explain or are we just going to stand in the hall with your friends hiding behind a tapestry? Because I assure you I have better things to do." 

"Nice to see you too, Dolohov." Peter said dryly as he stepped out from the hidden tunnel. 

"I wish I could say the same, Pettigrew." 

"Ouch." 

"Come on we'll explain." James swept the tapestry out of the way and directed her towards the tunnel. 

"Where does it go?" Emerald asked, glancing down the dark tunnel. 

"Gryffindor tower." Sirius shrugged. 

"Yeah not a chance. Would you like to accompany me to the Slytherin's Dungeon?" 

"No way." 

"Then we've reached an impasse." 

"A compromise then." Sirius said, clapping his hands. "The kitchens." 

"Alright." Emerald shrugged. "Lead the way, Black." 

---- 

Emerald swirled the wine in her glass as she stared down James. 

"How come the elves will give you alcohol but not us." Sirius complained. 

"Because I have explicit permission from a parent. Now are you going to explain?" 

"Fine, fine." Sirius said.

They sat in silence and eventually Emerald made an impatient gesture. "Well?" 

"Fine. Three months ago we wanted to prank Snape." James began. 

"Hardly a remarkable thing." 

"Shush I'm telling a story. And we slipped a potion into his drink." 

"Ah the fun world of illegal pranks." 

"Shush! But then you sat down in Snivellus' seat. Then we found out someone put too much potion in the cup." 

"Which wouldn't have been a problem if someone hadn't smashed the antidote." Sirius replied irritatedly. 

"Anyway!" Remus interrupted loudly. "You drank the potion that we overdosed by accident. It was a de-aging potion." 

Emerald's grip tightened on her drink. "I beg your pardon?" 

"Before you start throwing jinxes and hexes let us finish." Peter said placatingly. 

"Go on." 

"Well we went to a teacher." Sirius said. "And then to Dumbledore. And he said as punishment we had to look after you until the antidote was brewed. 

"I beg your pardon?!" 

"Look we didn't like it at the start either." 

"You were an alright kid." Sirius shrugged. "You didn't cry that much which was a plus." 

Emerald slowly put her glass down and took a calming breath. "You are telling me I spent the last few months of my life as a baby?!"

"Well...yeah. But you were six." 

Emerald pushed herself up from the table. "I'm going to need a moment. Or a few days. Good night." 

She slammed the portrait shut behind her. 

"That went well." Peter said. 

"Did it?" 

"Sarcasm, James. Sarcasm."