Ficlet: A Serious Thing, nest_of_spiders Day 1

[such_heights]

Drabble earlier at sirius_remus100, here.

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A Serious Thing
G, 500 words
Marauders, James/Lily
Summary: April Fools Day in Seventh Year.
Notes: For nest_of_spiders Day 1.

James wakes up, and instantly tenses. No sleepy forgetfulness about the date today for him – after seven years, he knows much better than that. But the dormitory's not suspiciously silent, instead there are normal getting-ready noises and complaining noises coming from Sirius' corner. James ventures cautiously out of bed, peering out from the curtains. Remus waves sleepily at him then continues to hunt for his socks. With a jolt, James suddenly suspects that in fact he isn't in danger; there are no pranks planned.

He says nothing on the way down to breakfast, and eats his toast mostly in silence. Lily smiles from opposite him, but then frowns as noise erupts from down where the First Years are sitting. Rolling her eyes, she heads over to sort it out.

"Ah, look at them," Sirius remarks fondly. "Not a patch on us, of course, but bless them for trying."

James looks around the room, before double-taking when he notices Snape staring sullenly at them from his table. It's difficult to tell, but he certainly seems to have his wand clutched underneath the table. Nonplussed by this, James just gives Snape a winning smile, which only produces an even bigger glare.

Lily returns, laughing. She looks over at the Marauders, puzzled. "So, what's going on with you then? Surely you're not letting April Fool's slide?"

Sirius and Remus exchange a sad look.

"Well, ever since this muppet over here went and got himself Head Boy, he can't exactly get himself involved," Sirius explains.

"And just wouldn't be right with only three of us," Peter adds.

James is oddly touched. "You're not playing tricks today because I couldn't join in?"

"Pathetic really, isn't it," Remus shakes his head. "We'll make up for it somehow, I'm sure."

"Time to pass on to our successors, anyway." Sirius scans the Gryffindors around him. "I’m sure some of this lot will be wrecking the common room very shortly."

"This is making me feel incredibly old, you know." Lily pulls a face. "Very, very weird."

James laughs. "Do you really want me to revert to my old ways?"

"No, I suppose not," she answers lightly.

"Serious business, pranking," Sirius says. "And I think it's about time we retired from the profession."

Remus nods. "Progressing from the Hogwarts league, anyway. We've got a whole other division to move into now."

Lily covers her face with her hands. "Lord protect us all!"

James grins suddenly. "Yeah, it's time for the big league."

A small Ravenclaw scurries up to them. "Help! Help! My owl's grown another tail!"

James shares a glance with Lily, and begins to get hesitantly to his feet.

"Ha! April Foooooll!" the girl yells delightedly, before fear overcomes her and she runs back to her friends, who are watching with open mouths.

"See?" Sirius looks skyward. "We're way too old for this."

James tangles his fingers in with Lily's. "Seems so, doesn't it?"

Lily beams at him, and James decides that he doesn't really object to this realisation at all.

Comments

[lyras.livejournal.com]

Hee, I do like the little girl who's brave enough to play James for a fool and then loses her courage and runs away.

This is a nice "growing up" piece, too.

[such_heights]

Thank you very much!

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

D'aww, James. Loved the sense of shifting perspectives & priorities in this; lovely. ♥

[such_heights]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed! =D

[magicalweasleb.livejournal.com]

Aww The Marauders+Lily growing up. Very cute!

[such_heights]

Thank you very much indeed!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_xanthia/]

Awww, they're growing up.

James is oddly touched. "You're not playing tricks today because I couldn't join in?"

They are so sweet! For boys, even. :D

[such_heights]

I know, they are rather aren't they? Thank you very much =D

[http://users.livejournal.com/_thirty2flavors/]

I liked this a lot. I liked the slightly nostalgic, slightly resigned, slightly optimistic tone. It was sweet. =)

It's really a sort of bittersweet piece, though, isn't it?

(Fred and George will do them proud, at least.)

<3
Kali

[such_heights]

Thank you! Yes, it is a bit bittersweet, isn't it? And of course, none better than Fred and George to carry on. =D Glad you enjoyed!

[happi-feet.livejournal.com]

Awwwwww! *gush* That was so sweet! Seriously, I think I'm diabetic now!

[such_heights]

Hee, don't overdose! Thanks very much. =D

[sambethe.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I do so like 'passing of the guard' stories.

[such_heights]

Mm, indeed. Thank you! =D

[minnow-53.livejournal.com]

That's very touching, and rather moving! I hope that nobody ever gets too old for April Fool's Day: the very fact that the Marauders think they are underlines how young they are. I don't know if you intended that, but it adds a lot of poignancy and sweetness to an already sweet story. I really like it.

[such_heights]

Thank you very much! Yeah, they're really not very old after all, are they? Glad that tone came across for you =D

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Very sweet and fun. I enjoyed that Remus seems to want to keep it up and Sirius's 'but bless them for trying' comment tickled me.

[such_heights]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com]

That's lovely - I liked the James/Lily interaction and the way Remus was just quietly himself in the background.

You got a lovely sense of the dignity of being seventh years, when you think you're adult and serious.

[such_heights]

=) Thanks very much! I'm glad you liked it.

Heh, I'm laughing at myself more than a little here.

[liseuse.livejournal.com]

A small Ravenclaw scurries up to them. "Help! Help! My owl's grown another tail!"

I love this little girl! That is fantastic, and even more fantastic in the lack of followthrough.

It's a sad day when you get too old for an April Fool.

[such_heights]

Hee, I quite like her too! Thanks very much indeed.

[trowicia.livejournal.com]

Aw, very sweet!

"Ha! April Foooooll!" the girl yells delightedly, before fear overcomes her and she runs back to her friends, who are watching with open mouths.
That's absolutely precious!

[such_heights]

Thank you very much, glad you liked it! =D

[dolabellae.livejournal.com]

I've made a resolution to try and tell people that I really like a fic even
when that's all I can say since others have picked up on the things I like.
So - I did! Lovely!

[such_heights]

Aww, well thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[ishonn.livejournal.com]

I must agree with others that the piece is bittersweet. I like the slow pace and the gentle tension as we anticipate some prank to be pulled. And then it comes in a disarming way. Lovely and thought-provoking!

[such_heights]

Thank you very much indeed! I'm very glad it had that effect.

[secondsilk.livejournal.com]

Aw. Ha! at their growing up, and Sirius's "We're way too old for this."
And the girl with the owl.

[such_heights]

Thanks a lot! :)