Boredom's Calling {Tag Sirius and Remus

[James Potter]

James sighed slightly as he ran his hand through his hair. It was hot. . . he wasn’t sure if he liked the hot. All he wanted to do was sleep. And he wasn’t sure if sleeping twenty-four seven was good for him. He doubted it though, because anytime he slept for more than twelve hours, he became hyper active. More than once he wondered if he had ADHD. It would explain a lot about him . . . especially those crazy impulses to just act out at random times. He’d have to see a doctor about it.

He was seated outside Florean Fortescue's, slowly eating an ice cream. He was wearing a pair of loose fitting shorts and a white tank top. He pouted slightly as he propped his head on his hand, his elbow resting on the table as he stabbed at his ice cream. He was tired . . . As much as he didn’t want to, he wanted to sleep . . . Maybe he had a blood sugar problem? Dear Merlin!!! He was sounding more and more like Remus!! He groaned, allowing his head to fall and bang on the table. He raised it slightly before banging it again. He repeated this process for a few minutes, not worrying if people were looking at him weird.

After a few minutes, he stopped, his head resting on the table. He glared at his shoes, as if it were their fault that he now had a headache and he was STILL tired. “Ow. . .” he said, leaving his head where it was, not bothering to move to a less tender part of his forehead.

[Remus Lupin]

Good god, it was hot outside. Wasn't the end of summer supposed to bring cooler weather, not the other way around? If he had a choice he wouldn't be out, he'd be sitting in the guest room he'd been occupying in James' house reading or something. The irony of it was that books had been the cause of his venture outside - those needing to be purchased for the upcoming school year, plus new ones that he could just read for fun. He really should have been in Ravenclaw, honest, he liked to read way too much.

Brushing the back of his hand against his forehead, Remus walked down the cobbled street of Diagon Alley, a very light breeze grazing his face and touching his hair, making the astray wisps blow in the way of his eyes. Passing Madam Malkin's, he made a mental note to himself to stop by there too - he needed new robes, he had grown another inch somehow during the last part of their 6th year. Slipping his hand in his short pocket, he was coming to pass by Florean Fortescue's when he spotted a familiar figure sitting outside the ice cream parlor.

James, hitting his head on the table? Did he not realize how stupid he looked as he did that? Walking up towards him, his friend had just muttered an audible 'ow' and kept his head down on the table's surface. Ruffling James' hair lightly, Remus then slid into the seat across from him. "Seems like we can't go anywhere alone without seeing each other, eh?"

[James Potter]

James wasn’t even able to think of a new way of beating himself up when he was brought back to reality. Some. Touched. His. Hair. An unspeakable crime had been committed. They. Were. Going. To. Die. He very slowly turned his head so that the side of his face was resting on the table and he was staring at Remus as he spoke.

"Seems like we can't go anywhere alone without seeing each other, eh?"

Oh, it was just Remus. His only mature thing to do was to stick his tongue out at him. He then proceeded to glare at Remus, his hazel eyes narrowing in an accusing manner. His eyes darkened slightly, however they were still warm . . . meaning? Nothing dangerous. He then picked his head up slowly, pointing a finger into Remus’s face.

“It’s all your fault, Lupin. . .” he said to him, wagging his finger slightly, He then angrily grabbed his spoon and began to eat his melting ice cream. He wasn’t about to waste his money . . . He then pointed the spoon at him. “You ruined me, you know that? RUINED!!”. Mock tears then filled his eyes as he looked at him, his lower lip trembling for added affect. “Why did I get the Head Boy badge? You’re the Goody, goody one!” he said.

James had been shocked speechless when he found out that he had been made Head Boy. He had somehow determined that it had been a mistake and had sent the badge back to Dumbledore telling him (pleading was more like it) that he had made a mistake and that it was suppose to go to Remus. The response to that? Well, James had gotten the Return owl this morning before anyone else was up (yes he was up that early). He grudgingly threw the Envelope with the Headmasters Slanted writing on it . . . the badge inside with a letter telling him that a mistake had not been made and that he had indeed been made Head Boy. He’d even put a P.S. note of Congratulations on it. James saw no reason to be happy about that.

[Remus Lupin]

He knew that touching James' hair would get his attention, and the reaction he expected from that gesture was a quick one. Folding his arms over the other against the table, he made a face back at James after seeing him stick his tongue out in response to his arrival. Then James' finger was almost poking his eye out, and Remus flinched a little, leaning back in his chair to put more space in between. "How's it my fault?" Blinking, the boy watched his friend whine as he devoured his ice cream - honestly, his friends could be so childish sometimes, even if they were acting. But this time he wasn't actually sure whether or not James was serious.

Remus looked down at his hands. How exactly was he supposed to respond? Part of him felt a little guilty, and he did still wonder exactly how James got the Head Boy spot over him. He did have the grades, the ethic, and the maturity and dependency for the job...but then again, no matter what, while Professor McGonagall favored Remus, Dumbledore had always had a soft spot for "the infamous Mr. Potter." On the other hand, this was good the way it was - he also thought it was high time that James started to grow up and take responsibility. Remus had always thought that if he had matured quicker and earlier, he wouldn't have had to try as hard to impress Lily like he had to for all these years.

"Being a goody goody doesn't always get you everywhere, dear Jamesy. Besides, Dumbledore always liked you, y'know." It was the most fitting response he could think of. Looking around, the streets were filling up with families that had the same goal as he did, shopping for the new term. Perhaps they'd see someone else they knew, hopefully someone they liked. He turned back to James, watching him dip his spoon back into the ice cream glass and contemplating getting some himself. "You look awful tired, mate - has that whole thing been keeping you up, or is someone else?" Oh, he'd probably get it for inserting that last part into his sentence!

[Sirius Black]

"Mr. Black. I don't think your professor wants you to by 'Potions for Dummies' as your seventh year textbook," a lady told him as he moved around Flourish and Blotts. He gave her one of his most charming smiles and continued brandishing his wand so that books (some he needed and others he didn't) landed in her cart. The old woman sighed with indignation, but continued to follow after him until he'd gathered all the books he 'needed.'

While she calculated his buys, Sirius looked around at all those still shopping. He saw a few Hogwarts students milling around with their parents, laughing, smiling and having a great time. He felt no resentment toward them. Sure, he had no parents who cared about him, but he did have a family. James, Mister and Missus Potter, Remus, Peter, and now Lily were his family. They made quite a strange group, but that's what he loved about it. They weren't your normal lovey dovey group, but they understood each other and would always be there in each others time of need. That's all he needed in this life--that balance.

"That'll be forty-eight galleons, thirty knuts and ten sickles," the old woman said, bringing him back to reality. He pivoted on the spot and grinned. Digging into his pocket he pulled out the money, giving her what she asked and a bit more. "Keep the change."

The woman gawked at the amount of money before her, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Sirius could only laugh at her. Silly woman!

He waved his wand at the books, shrinking them to a reasonable size to carry at his side. "Thanks hun," he said, using a fake southern drawl. He winked at her before leaving the shop and stepping at out into the streets of Diagon Alley. The sun was blazing out. Using his quick thinking he waved his wand once more and a pair of flashy sunglasses appeared out of thin air. He slipped them on and continued down the lane.

It was sure bloody hot out. He fanned his shirt in an attempt to cool himself. It was then that he came to Florean Fortesques. Ice cream. Now that would definitely help.

He continued on, quickening his steps until he reached the shop.

"Being a goody goody doesn't always get you everywhere, dear Jamesy. Besides, Dumbledore always liked you, y'know. You look awful tired, mate - has that whole thing been keeping you up, or is someone else.

Hand on the door handle to the shop, Sirius turned and looked over his shoulder. Remus? Jamesy? What a coincidence.

"He looks quite dapper to me," Sirius chimed in as he moved to his friends side. He slipped his sunglasses back onto his head, making himself look like some posh supermodel. "Amazing how being named Head boy and having a girlfriend can liven a person's mood," he said, speaking the opposite of what he truly meant. He clasped James on the shoulder as he took a seat.

"Think of it like this mate. Now that you're head boy we can't get caught by the head boy. The school is our playground," he said grinning around at them both. "I've just bought a load of books to rearrange the library with. Should be fun to see everyone scramble around trying to study for Newts with "Potions for Dummies" as their only tome. I can hear the panic already." He said looking toward the sky as if lost in a peaceful day dream.

He looked at James again and smirked. "Remus may have ruined you, but trust me, after this semester you'll be back to good old James. I'll make sure of that," he said, winking, a mischievous grin on his handsome face.

[James Potter]

When Remus asked how it was his fault, James shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t figured that out yet.” he said. But when he did, he’d let him know. He took a few more mouthfuls of ice cream, glaring at his ice cream now.

"Being a goody goody doesn't always get you everywhere, dear Jamesy. Besides, Dumbledore always liked you, y'know."

He frowned. He highly doubted that. He caused too many problems while at Hogwarts. Sure, he was a good student grade wise, but that was about it! “How do you figure? I’ve been in detention more times than the entire school combined . . .minus Sirius. And he’s been just as many as I have.” he said to Remus. So how could he be a favorite of Dumbledore’s? He was nothing more than a troublemaker.

"You look awful tired, mate - has that whole thing been keeping you up, or is someone else?"

"He looks quite dapper to me. Amazing how being named Head boy and having a girlfriend can liven a person's mood."

He glared at both of his friends. “For both of your information’s, Lily and I haven’t done anything except snog and small make out sessions. I don’t just get with a girl and jump down her knickers. You should both know that.” he said. He got a scoop of Ice Cream on his spoon and flicked it at Sirius. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the return letter Dumbledore had sent him, with the badge inside. He grabbed the badge and pulled it out, looking at it. It was his . . . truly his.

"Think of it like this mate. Now that you're head boy we can't get caught by the head boy. The school is our playground. I've just bought a load of books to rearrange the library with. Should be fun to see everyone scramble around trying to study for Newts with "Potions for Dummies" as their only tome. I can hear the panic already. Remus may have ruined you, but trust me, after this semester you'll be back to good old James. I'll make sure of that,"

He rolled his eyes slightly at his friend clenching his hand into a tight fist around the badge and shoving it in his pocket again. “Jee thanks Mate . . . That’s loads of help. You forgot one small detail. I’ll have to punish you for putting those books in the Library. Even if I don’t see you do it. It’s alright for a Prefect to let that slide by.” he said miserably. Bright side to this, he’d get to put Snivellus into detention. He continued to pout slightly. “I need a drink . . . “ he mumbled under his breath.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus sat there in silence, even as Sirius came by and greeted them, joining in their conversation. Truly, the three were inseperable - moreso James and Sirius of course, since they were more like brothers than any of them. It was nice to be around them again. " 'Lo, Padfoot," he said. "Well, James, you know the old man loves tricks and oddity as much as you do, even if he doesn't show it in front of the whole school." Sirius commented about pranks, and Remus snickered slightly. Sometimes they made him feel uncomfortable and left out - Remus was different, similar enough but different in other ways. He was all for having fun, but there were more important things that took precedence to him.

Once James started going all Greta Garbo on them again about the woes of being Head Boy, Remus frowned. The more the two of them talked about it, the more irritated he got. James was understandably shaken by Dumbledore's decision, they all knew it, he wouldn't let them forget it. But the fact that he kept making it seem like it was the end of the world - god forbid he grew up - really struck Remus as very stupid. And now they were saying that it was him - him! - that ruined James, it very much ruffled his feathers - rather, fur, if you wanted to get all technical. Someone had to be the voice of reason, the mature one in a bunch of nutcases. Well, James and Sirius weren't really nutcases, they were a little hyperactive and crazy, though. And Peter...well, face it, he was a wimp.

Looking away and towards the street again, he rolled his eyes. "Merlin forbid that you ever grow up and mature, James Potter," he said, trying to hide the sour note in his voice. "Merlin forbid that you ever turn out to be like poor studious Remus." Honestly, he didn't know why he bothered to try and make the best of the situation for the past couple of days if all he was going to get in return was insult and blame for something that wasn't even his fault. Yes, he thought he deserved it better, but what could he do, beg Dumbledore to take James out of his misery? No, he'd learn. He'd stop whining eventually. Shifting in his seat, Remus sighed, hearing James' comment about drinking. "At least you're talking sane now...I could use one as well if the whole year is going to be like this..."

[Sirius Black]

“Jee thanks Mate . . . That’s loads of help. You forgot one small detail. I’ll have to punish you for putting those books in the Library. Even if I don’t see you do it. It’s alright for a Prefect to let that slide by."

"I'll rue the day you ever punish me for a prank, mate" he said, frowning, though his eyes still shone with mirth.

A waitress came to their table then and took their orders. She fidgeted uncomfortably under his gaze and he only grinned, letting his pearly white glimmer in the sunlight. Sirius ordered a banana split with extra chocolate sauce. He winked at the girl before she retreated, bringing a crimson flush to her cheeks before she sauntered away. He still had it. Maybe he could use it to find someone this year. Heaven knows he couldn't expect James to entertain him all day anymore.

"Come on Moony. He didn't mean anything by it. He's just riled up. Give the guy a break." Sirius rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, letting the front legs lift up from the ground.

"Plus James has grown up a fair amount," to his immense dismay, but he kept that to himself. "He may not like being named Head boy, but he'll do his job." Unfortunately. He may have sounded like he was playing before, but if James put him in detention this year he may stop talking to him. A complete hypocrite. That would be what James had become.

At the mention of drinks his appetite for ice cream vanished.

At least you're talking sane now...I could use one as well if the whole year is going to be like this..."

He scoffed, but ignored that comment altogether. He hadn't come to Diagon Alley for an argument, and though he liked a good heated verbal battle now and again, he wasn't in the mood eerily enough.

"The Leaky Cauldron then?" He said as he dug into his pocket for money enough to cover the ice cream he had yet to receive. He dropped it on the table, plus and extra tip for the pretty young waitress. He gathered his bags and made to stand. "Or did you have some other place in mind," he asked looking at James first then Remus. He didn't care where they went to be perfectly honest as long as they settled enough and were able to enjoy what was left of their last real summer together.

[James Potter]

"I'll rue the day you ever punish me for a prank, mate."

He rolled his eyes, allowing a small smirk to cross his features. He would never get his buddies in trouble. He’d think up some lie or another to get them out . . . well, for Sirius and Peter. Remus didn’t need his protection, seeing how he was a Prefect again. He then rolled his eyes at Remus’s comment about growing up and becoming studious. “It ain’t like that Mate. Merlin knows I’m not afraid of responsibility. If any of our pranks go bad or we get caught, I take it. Hell, I’m able to keep the Quidditch team in shape. It’s just not fair. You deserve it more than I do. That’s all I’m saying.” he said with a frown. “And I do study for your information. All my summer homework was completed within the first week. You can even ask Sirius. All twelve essays included.” he said, pouting a little.

Sure, James hated doing his work. But he always did it when he got it. He just always said that he was putting it off till later. It wouldn’t do to have one of Hogwarts top pranksters doing all of his homework when he got it. He needed to keep up an image here!

When they both agreed to drinks, with Remus’s answer coming as a slight shock, he though. “Dunno. The Leaky Cauldron seems so . . . “ he threw his hands out slightly, his palms upwards as he failed to come up with a word to describe the Leaky Cauldron. “It feels like one of those places you go to get drinks . . . or rather sneak them. You get what I’m saying?” he asked, looking from Remus to Sirius.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s our last year . . . we should celebrate it with a bang . . . I say we go someplace we’ll get in trouble for later if the parents ever found out.” he said. But the problem was, now that they were of age, that was a hard thing to come buy . . . He grinned. “Let’s drink in the Muggle world! In the muggle world, you’re not of age until your eighteen!” he said. They could still break the rules!!!

[Sirius Black]

“Let’s drink in the Muggle world! In the muggle world, you’re not of age until your eighteen!"

Sirius could see James' excitement in every minute line of his face and it exhilarated him. Now that was exciting. He rarely partook in the festivities of the muggle world finding their world confusing and too fast paced. It was just the sort of thing they needed to kick start their final years of youthful freedom.

James was a GENIUS!

"Yes, yes. The muggle world. Wow, where to begin?" He wondered. There were so many places to explore, so many venues in which to thrust themselves in with utter abandon. His eyes practically glazed over as he retook his seat. He blinked and looked at James, his gray eyes glinting with the mayhem they could wreck on the darkened streets of London.

"There must be dozen of bars in London. We have to find the one with the hottest girls, the loudest music, the best alcohol!" Oh yes, he was getting excited now. Very.

He squirmed in his seat at the prospect of doing something to amazingly new and worthwhile, it was like reliving their first year again. Hogwarts had been their new playground and they had explored it with such childish enthusiasm that at the end of the year he almost cried while walking back to the Hogwarts Express. Now this, bar hopping in muggle London, held the same sort of fervor.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" he said. "London here we come!" He said throwing his head back in a bark-like guffaw.

[James Potter]

James was quite for a while as he thought. Where to go, where to go. . . It was hard to say. The Muggle World had so many places to go to break the rules. He grinned slightly as he heard Sirius say what the place needed.

"There must be dozen of bars in London. We have to find the one with the hottest girls, the loudest music, the best alcohol!

He laughed slightly as he looked at him. “Mate, what we’re looking for isn’t any bar. It’s a Club. They have the hottest girls, loudest Music, and so many alcohol drinks you won’t know where to begin.” he said. Of course, he only heard about them from the Muggle TV’s . . . “And, they get in trouble a lot by their . . . please men or whatever their called. It just the place for us!” he said.

Of course, being that he was a Wizard, this meant that he was unaware of the Drugs that also filtered in through them and that you were more likely to get your drinks spiked there than in a bar. He grinned at his friend. “And to make our nights, there’s about five of these clubs near Diagon Alley!” he said to him.