Well, hello peoples of this planet XD. For all you people wondering how I could put off uploading a chapter in so long, clearly don't know me well enough. But it's a new dawn, it's a new day, and I was feeling good, so here's a chapter ;) Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes, today was 'editing day' for a couple of my other works, fanfiction and nonfanfiction alike, and I am tired.

Thanks to the lovely people, Hpdwlotr24 and Professor McGonagal for reviewing, I love both your comments and your names XD.

Chapter Six: Winners and Losers

Jars of eyes and bits of arm and leg surrounded the dungeon, collections of 'How to Brew Jealousy' and other odd reads scattered the room, and purplish coloured smoke was thick in the air. This was potions class. Or at the least, it was potions class. Or at least, it was the end of it now.

"Alright, before you go, I just have one more thing to mention." And with a flourish, Professor Slughorn popped a nicely sized bag of Honeydukes' sweets.

"That's right. It's time to announce the winner of the Cure for Boils contest." Professor smiled as he saw the heads of the previously preoccupied students look up.

"Before I do so, I must take this time to go over how amazing this year's entries were." The interested faces suddenly looked down. It seemed as nice as a class could be, they would always have 'being competitive' on top of their priorities list. If they weren't going to find out the winner, they would not be interested in the conversation in the least.

"This might've been the best in class contest I've ever seen, the entries were all really close. I don't think there was anything wrong with any other the potions that I've received. When I finally sat down to mark them, I find I had to consider every aspect of the brewing process. So at the end, I decided to choose the student who had not only been extremely diligent with his work, he had also dedicated some of his time and porcupine quills to another student. Another student who did a fabulous job as well, albeit with a later finish." Slughorn smiled jokingly.

"Alright, the winner is...James Potter. Well done James." Slughorn sent a very proud look in the direction of James. That Potter returned with a very surprised smile. That smile turned into a smirk when he twisted in his seat to look at a certain red-head behind him.

"Well, I guess this means you're free to go." Slughorn said, allowing the commencement of the scraping of chairs, the shuffling of feet, and the general sounds of happy students getting out of class.

James got up and with his friends started walking towards the door. Suddenly, James felt something brush his shoulder with a forceful 'I hope your teeth rot, toerag'. It took a moment for him to realize it was Lily who bumped him. Her hair seemed to turn into a more vivid shade of red as it followed her out of the classroom.

"Well, she's a pleasant one." James thought out loud.

"What'd she say?" Sirius asked.

James turned abruptly towards to Sirius, forgetting that he was there too, "nothing", he replied with a shake of his head.

"Thanks again James." Peter said, interrupting whatever it was Sirius was about to say. "I never would've finished that potion without your help."

"Ah, no problem, what are friends for right?" James replied. "Just remember to repay me with some help next time alright?"

"Yes of course." Said Peter quickly.

The train compartment friends minus Remus, who was still visiting his sick mother, returned to their journey to the Great Hall for Dinner. Just before they made it to the door, they heard Professor Slughorn call out to them.

"James, you don't want to forget your well earned sweets." Slughorn held out the Honeydukes bag out for him. The plastic of the bulged as a result of the sudden movement. The swinging bag of sweets with the expectant look on Professor Slughorn's face resulted in a fairly funny image.

"Right of course Professor, thanks again." James replied smiling.

"Not a problem at all James, it is only right to reward a young wizard who helps another young wizard in his moment of need right? We can't leave people just as they ask for our help." Professor Slughorn said with the question etched on his face. It was as if he was asking for comfort, perhaps for something for someone that he had done. James had a feeling he would never know what Professor Slughorn was implying. But he nodded for a response anyways.

James awkwardly added. "Well, thanks for these," he held up the bag of sweets, "hope you have a great day professor".

"No problem James, I'm sure you'll amount to great things in your future." Slughorn promised. It was a compliment to James, though he wasn't sure he was meant to hear it.

To Peter and Sirius James said, "Let's go, times a wastin' and food's a waiting'".

{}{}{}{}{}

True to Severus' words, carved pumpkins were suspended in the Great Hall above the tables. Delicate candles were placed inside every one of them giving the room a orangey glow. It was a warm light which gave the room a warm feeling. It was a picture without the fame, it was Hogwarts. James certainly felt at home, though anywhere was home for him as long as it had food.

James for some reason wasn't as interested in the food as he normally was. Instead, he was in a deep conversation with Peter and Sirius. And even when the house ghosts had popped up, quite literally from under the table, James concentration did not waver.

"Well, what do you want us to do?" Sirius asked. He looked concerned, though that emotion did not hide his frustration that well.

"We really shouldn't bud into someone's life without giving them a fair enough warning, especially for someone who doesn't seem like they want anyone to know." Peter said. Sirius looked at him surprised as it was the most Peter had seemed to have said in the past two months. This sudden outburst wasn't completely out of the blue as he occasionally had nice conversations with Remus, the one of the four that was genuinely nice to him. If it wasn't Peter's job to protect Remus in any way possible, it wasn't anyone else's.

"See, Potter, Pettigrew's on my side." Sirius smirked. As if to make a point, he bit into a slice of pumpkin pie. "I'm sure Remus is fine, he's simply trying to take care of his mom, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, I wouldn't necessarily help my mom that much, but I would wish her good health." Sirius continued.

"Yes, I know that, but like Severus said, he was gone last month too, don't you think it's weird that he's gone again this month?" James retorted.

"Oh, so you're listening to Snivellus now? Okay, now I understand why you`re acting this way. That little git`s finally gotten to you." Sirius remarked.

"I'm simply pointing out something he said correctly, that doesn't mean anything. Everyone's bound to have their moment." James replied.

"Well, maybe you're wrong about his," Sirius noted, biting into his pie, "I don't think Severus will ever have his moment."

"What, so you're not going to help me find out what's happening with Remus?" James asked.

"Of course not, because there's nothing to worry about, he's been gone two times. There's no guarantee that he's going to go again." Sirius said.

"You're sure you don't want to do anything?" James asked. When Sirius didn't answer, he asked, "are you serious?"

Sirius smirked, "of course I'm Sirius, who else would I be?"

"No, that's not what I meant." James said with an exasperated tone.

Though he signed and took a piece of pumpkin pie for himself. Though he didn't want to admit it, he really did care about his friends and no matter how mean anyone, namely Lily, thought he was, he was not an arrogant toerag.

There was a few passing moments of silence between the three friends before Peter found something interesting to talk about.

"Hey, have you heard about the Shrieking Shack, even Dumbledore says it's haunted, perhaps it really is." Peter said excitedly. "You know, we should visit it sometime, you know, bring back some epic story about how epic it really is."

James and Sirius shared a glance. "I don't think it's really haunted," James started, "but we'll definitely have to check to make sure." Sirius finished.

Although the trio had wanted to leave right away to ensure they had enough time for a decent adventure, they knew that if they had left during a feast, it would raise suspicion. So they decided to leave when everyone else left. That way, through the herd of people all trying to get somewhere all at once, they could simply slip out of the crowd; they'd be hiding in plain sight. So as they sat down to eat, as they were talking animatedly about a subject or another, they were all secretly planning the stories they'd tell as they returned from the Shrieking Shack in one piece. 'Only first years' they'd hear bouncing from mouth to mouth.

As soon as Dumbledore had wished them a good night, they left to try to find a way into the Shrieking Shack.

"Do you know how to get into the Shack?" Sirius asked.

"I have absolutely no idea." James replied.

"Wow, I think it's amazing that you're the one leading us on this adventure." Sirius deadpanned.

"I think we should worry about how to get into the town first." James said. "It's in Hogsmeade, right Peter?"

Peter nodded in affirmation. Of course it is, thought James, of course the place he most wanted to visit is secluded in the town that he can't see until third year. So he decided to simply walk around until he came up with an idea, there was definitely a way to get into Hogsmeade without apparating, or else how did the masses of third years and higher get in. As slow as it was, he decided to walk towards the doors that the students had normally used when traversing to and from Hogsmeade. They had to start somewhere if they wanted to find the entrance.

"Shitake mushrooms!" Someone said suddenly. James turned around to see Peter sprawled beneath a large tree with spindling branches. His eyes widened as he realized what the tree was, he had heard rumors from older students talking loudly about the scary Whomping Willow. He had heard stories about the tree that fought back. He turned to find Sirius, he too held himself in a guarded position in a place far enough away from the tree. James knew that Sirius must have heard the same stories.

"Okay Peter, we're going to tell you to back away from the tree, slowly, try not to push any of the branches." James said.

"Why, I mean, I tripped over this branch and nothing happened, I don't really think this is a scary tree. Nothing like what they say. Hey what's this hole, where do you think it leads?" Peter asked.

James and Sirius cautiously climbing over to the mysterious hole, careful to avoid stepping on any of the roots or bumping into any of the branches.

It appeared to have been some kind of a hole at first glance, thought upon further inspection, the 'hole' seemed to drag out longer than it should have.

"A tunnel." James concluded to his surprise. Looking around to his companions, "shall we see?" He asked.

"Let's." Replied Sirius and Peter together.

And the three friends started down the tunnel together with the thought adventure hanging in the backs of their minds.