"We're wounded, y'know," Peter pipes up, arms folded.
James points at him. "What he said!"
"Lads, let's be reasonable—"
"Reasonable? You should've thought about that before you betrayed us. You and one Cove Henderson, might I add."
"What do you have against Cove? Also, betrayed is a bit extreme—"
"No, I wouldn't say it is, Moony," James scoffs. "Why couldn't you follow my example? I've never so much as breathed a word about any of our secrets to Lily and you know that fine well."
"Maybe because she doesn't like you?"
"Oh, low blow," he murmurs. "And for your information, I'm working on it."
"Yeah, sorry, mate," Remus apologises. "Felt wrong after I'd said it. I didn't mean it."
"Nah, that's alright— No! I take that back. We're supposed to be very cross with you. Stop making me forgive you."
Guilt gnaws at Peter's heart. "I dunno, guys. I think he's sorry..."
"Don't let him mislead you, Wormy!" Sirius cries, throwing an arm around him. "We can't lose you to his deception."
"Listen," Remus says gravely. "In my defence, I had to show her to get us out of detention. She's also really lovely and I wasn't about to let her get lectured by our cow of a teacher for no apparent reason. She doesn't deserve that. I dunno, is that not part of our moral code?"
He's met with silence.
"Well, why didn't you just say that in the first place?" James replies brightly, perking up significantly. "This changes everything."
Remus is instantly suspicious. "Hold on. Why have you had a change of heart? You're up to something."
Sirius skelps him on the back of his head playfully. "No, Remus, not at all. You see, we've just noticed that someone's come down with an awful case of the love bug."
"You're awful."
"Quick, everyone!" James announces. "Hide! He's contagious!"
"Ourlittle Moony finally has someone. He's growing up so fast."
He scoffs. "Puh-lease, you're only a few months older."
"Cove is really nice Remus," Peter chirps. "We don't blame you for fancying her."
Remuscan't help but laugh. "You're so mean to me. I don't fancy her. We're only friends."
"Liar!" Sirius squawks.
"Aw, you totally fancy her," Peter cloys.
"Look, he's blushing," James teases.
"That's it—"
James shrieks, leaping over Sirius' bed and sprinting away from Remus as he lunges at him. He narrowly dodges a stray trunk in the middle of the room, skidding over a discarded chocolate frog box and almost going flying into the wall. When Remus gets too close, he shoves him into a Bowie poster on the wall and makes a quick getaway to the other side of the room, using Peter as his shield. They mirror each other, dodging from side to side until James finally breaks away and starts running away from him all over again.
"Get away from me! I'm too young to die!"
"Come back here—"
"Y'know, you're only angry cause it's true."
"Don't start, Padfoot. You're next!"
Frank opens the door to see them all chasing each other in circles all around the dorm, took a quick look at the state of the place, and promptly walks back down the stairs.
author's note!
why did nobody ever tell me how fun it is to write the marauders
this is more of a silly little filler chapter while i cook up something better for the next one lmao 😭 hope u enjoyed nonetheless
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