Chapter 631 - Dumbledore’s Office (1/2)
The start of the following week was full of excited whispers as the third years and higher years were thrilled about the Hogsmeade trip that would be held that upcoming weekend. All the students seemed to be in high spirits except for the Prefects, who all bore dark expressions including Remus Lupin. Lupin poked at his food with dread as Peter Pettigrew stared at his friend with pity and offered him a foil-covered sweet.
”Thanks, Pete,” Remus muttered with a genuine, but weary smile as he accepted the foil-wrapped chocolate from his friend.
”Why aren't you excited, Remy?” Sirius asked as he stuffed a mouth full of food into his mouth that had many a pureblood sighing considering this was the firstborn heir of the Black household. That and plenty of pity filled glances were sent Regulus's way, who merely shrugged and mumbled, ”He's a Gryffindor,” as if that answered everything.
”This year as usual one of the Prefect's of each house has to stay behind to watch over the first and second years,” Remus grumbled, before casting James a dark look. ”And James asked Lily out already, so naturally I am stuck here while Mary and Lily head off to Hogsmeade.”
James sheepishly smiles back at Remus, who only glares back. ”Sorry, Moony,” James apologetically said, before shooting a glance at Lily, who was seated further down the Gryffindor table. Lily's emerald eyes sparkle as she chats with Mary and Willa causing James's stomach to twist and churn with pain and pleasure.
Wrenching his gaze away, James turns back to Remus, who was still glowering at him. Innocently shrugging, he says, ”What about the other Prefect's?”
”I know that Rowan is patrolling in Hogsmeade and Severus is staying at Hogwarts, and last I heard Pandora and Andrew are having a coin toss with the other Prefect of their house to see, who gets to go to Hogsmeade,” Remus sighed dejectedly, before taking a bite of food.
Taking a sip of his pumpkin juice, Peter mumbles, ”What about you, Sirius? I haven't heard the usual gossip nor rumor mill about your date. Have you truly not asked anyone yet? I mean you're busy being Quidditch Captain and all, but you're not that busy!”
Sirius, who was mid-bite begins to wildly choke as Remus pounds on Sirius's back until Sirius ceases to choke. ”Why do you ask?” Sirius stammered as he wiped his face red face clean.
The three Marauder's pointedly stare at the fourth marauder, who only turns even redder. Arching his brow at his handsome friend, Peter dubiously says, ”You've always gone to Hogsmeade with a girl, Sirius. So, does she have a sweetheart or is she engaged? Or maybe, she is not giving you the time of day?”
”No, of course not,” Sirius snapped. ”And it's not like I like her, so there!” Before stomping off in a huff back to the Gryffindor dormitories.
James, Remus, and Peter all just blankly stare at each other as if failing to understand, what had just transpired before them. ”So, he must really like her?” Peter muttered out loud in bewilderment.
”I think so, since he got all huffy with us,” Remus mumbled back in surprise. ”Huh, I wonder, who she is?”
Peter loudly snickers and says, ”I bet it's a Ravenclaw. They usually turn him down after one date cause Padfoot can only talk about Quidditch.”
Remus chocked at the remark but was unable to refute the statement of his friend. It was tragic but true. And especially to Walburga Black, who was at her wit's end when it came to betrothing her firstborn son.
Seeing that Remus and Peter are both arguing about Sirius's unknown romantic partner, James sneaks away and heads to the Headmaster's office. With dinner in full swing, his departure would largely go unnoticed, and which gave him enough ample time to meet with Dumbledore in private without being seen.