Phases of the Moon

Title: Phases of the Moon (1/?)

Chapter 4

-------------------------------------------------------------







Sirius glided down the long corridors with students and even professors

watched in awe as Sirius strolled through the walkways. He held himself

with a confidence that hadn’t been seen in months; though slimmer than

before, he still was a sight to see.





Everyone watched avidly as Sirius came to a halt in front of the conversing

Marauders, they were sitting out on the stonewalls out in the open hallway.





Sirius was aware of everyone’s eyes on him as he stopped in front of James

and the others. The conversation they were having, trickled off as they noticed

him standing there.







Peter was the first to speak. “Sirius- what do *you* want?” he sneered; apparently

thinking he could bully Sirius. The others watched quietly, curious to see what else

would Peter do.





They were surprised to say the least. Peter was the runt of the group, only as tall

as Sirius’s chest, and that was saying a lot onsidering, Sirius was the next shortest

of the four. Normally a very nervous person with a stuttering problem, Peter didn’t get

much attention, except from the other three, but it seemed that Peter was nowhere around

today.



“There’s no dogs allowed, *Padfoot*.” With that, Peter stood up, reaching out to shove Sirius.





The surrounding students and a few professors, perked up as soon as they saw Peter approach

Sirius; it escalated from there.





Before Peter’s hands connected with Sirius’s stomach, Sirius sidestepped him, causing Peter

to trip. After he fell, Peter stared up at Sirius, blinking confusedly.





Sirius grabbed Peter, his protective instincts jumped into high gear; Peter had unknowingly

threatened the baby inside him. “Don’t *ever* touch me, Wormtail,” he growled a warning to the frightened boy. Sirius shook him roughly, emphasizing the point.





The professors had already moved to stop the argument when the students began to rush forward, trying to get closer to the action; everyone was pushing and shoving trying to get to the ‘infamous four’.





Remus and James watched, a bit shocked at how aggressive Sirius was; they paid no attention to the chaos that had begun around them, only watching the frail looking Sirius continue to shake a distraught Peter.





Snapping out of it, James stood up from his perch; rushing over, he gripped Sirius’s hands

while Remus watched quietly, his gaze on Sirius wistful and more then a touch sad.



Sirius didn’t seem to notice James, only focusing on the plump little creature in his hands.







“Let him go, Sirius!” James yelled. He managed to loosen Sirius’s grip slightly.





But Sirius wouldn’t let go; all he could think in his mind was that someone had tried to hurt

his baby, *this* person tried, and something inside him was telling him to defend himself, protect the tiny life inside.





Watching Sirius, James could see that he wasn’t even with them anymore, lost in his thoughts.

“You’re hurting him, Sirius.” James trying again to coax Sirius let go; finally he felt Sirius’s hands freeze.







Sirius looked in shock at Peter, who was sniffling with tears. His fingers loosened slowly, dropping away from Peter’s robes.





Running a hand in his hair, Sirius stammered, “I’m-I’m sorry Peter, I-I don’t know what got

into me.” He brought one hand up to cover his mouth, while the other wrapped around his middle.





Finally, the noises from the crowd drew all four Marauders’ attention. The Marauders stared as

the crowd of students turned on one another; things had broken out into a huge fight on the castle grounds. The professors were trying to contain them all, but failing as their wands were jostled in the crowd.





“Stop this at once!” A booming voice froze the entire open corridor; not once in the entire

school’s history since Professor Dumbledore teaching career started had anyone ever heard him speak out so loud.



He marched out of the open double doors towards the mass of students and teachers. His head was

held high and his usually twinkling eyes sparked with blue fire.





“Now that I have everyone’s attention, who is to blame for all of this?” The words were softly

spoken; everyone cringed, knowing that they were all in for it.





The Marauders stood still, Remus, James, and Peter looking at Sirius next to them as he watched

Professor Dumbledore question several people.



Feeling eyes on him, Sirius turned to look at his old friends, making a step toward them, an

apology on his lips. “Guys, I-” Sirius was cut off by the hand on his shoulder.





Professor Dumbledore was looking down at him. “Come along my boy,” he said. Startled, Sirius

looked around, to find that they were the only ones left in the corridor. “Wait for me in my office, that’s a good boy,” Professor Dumbledore said as a confused Sirius walked through the open doors.





Turning to James and Remus, Professor Dumbledore beckoned, “James and Remus, you too, we have

lot’s to discuss.” Before James had a chance to protest, Professor Dumbledore hands were on his and Remus’s shoulders ushering them inside the castle.





“Peter, you too, go off and visit Madam Pomfrey, the others will be along later.” With that,

Professor Dumbledore, closed the doors behind them, leading both Remus and James up to his office, where Sirius was.



* - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *



A/N: I just wanted to thank everyone who reviewed! I enjoyed all your feedback :) - Jaino