The Marauders Year Five Part 2 #Wattys2017

Can You Hear Me Major Prongs?

Can You Hear Me Major Prongs?

The first thing James noticed was that the forest had never been attacked by the erumpent. All of the trees were still standing exactly where they'd always been, the yard of the Shack was clear and without damage. So there was no erumpent the night of the Snape-Werewolf Incident. Which meant there'd been no Newt Scamander present that night. So probably inside would be neater - no Niffler to tear apart the clubhouse. But it also meant that Remus was in the Shrieking Shack the entire time. It meant that Sirius knew Remus was in the Shrieking Shack the whole time, knew that he was sending Severus Snape to an actual werewolf that night.

James squinted - thinking of what that meant, trying to figure out why Sirius would do that - as they stood at the fence surrounding the Shack, waiting for an opportunity to jump the fence and run up to the door without being seen by any students watching for ghosts. They were standing in exactly the spot that they'd left from in James's future-past-whatever and he wondered where Regulus Black was and what was different in his life now, with everything that had gone on in his own.

Maryrose, for one.

When had they broken up and why and how? It occurred to James that if Maryrose never died, then they never went to the cave, which meant Regulus Black had never been given the Dark Mark - his arm should be clean. James felt a thrill of joy go through him for Regulus and he couldn't wait to see him again, just so he could pull up his jumper sleeve and see the pale wrist bare again. Regulus would never understand why James was so happy to see it, but James could already feel his heart beating with excitement at the thought of it.

"Merlin's miniature monkey - are they selling fucking tickets to this thing?" Sirius groaned as one set of students meandered up to the fence, talking and pointing to the Shack. "One little rumor and the whole damn school is all over this place."

"Rumor?" James asked before he could stop himself.

Luckily, neither of them heard him.

Sirius plowed on on his own accord, "I should fucking go in there, change into Snuffles and scare the bejesus out of the whole lot of them! Imagine their faces if I came running out of there, all vicious and snapping and they all think I'm the bleedin' werewolf and they run away screaming and soiling their pants?"

James's heart stopped. There were werewolf rumors about the Shack? Well, we all know who started those don't we? he thought bitterly.

Peter snickered, "They either think you're the werewolf of the Grim, like Bilius did!"

"Exactly!" Sirius snorted, "Either way they soil themselves! What do'ya think James? You dare me to do it?" Sirius was grinning and he slapped James's arm to get his attention. "Oi, Prongs. Grouuuund control to Major Prongs... grouuuuund controlllllll to Maaaaajor Proooooongs!"

James had lost himself into the thoughts about the werewolf rumors and what that would mean for Remus - was that what had upset Remus so much? He was sure that was why Remus was quite distant acting, but there was something more - something recent - something about last night. It was driving James mad....

"Don't think he's listening," laughed Peter.

"CANNN YOUUU HEAR ME MAJOR PRONNNNNNNGGGS?" Sirius waved his palm before James's face. "Your circuits dead! There's something wrong! CAN YOU HEAR ME MAJORRRRRR PROOOOOOOONGS?!"

James blinked as Sirius flicked the end of his nose with his fingertip. "What?"

Peter and Sirius both started laughing. Sirius slapped James 'round the back with his palm, "Merlin's beard! You're odd today. What's up with you, mate? Seriously. You didn't hit your head or anything yesterday did you?" This time, Sirius actually looked concerned. He studied his mate a moment.