Distract with Pen & Paper.

Goldfish

“Er… James? what are you doing?” Asked Remus, as him and Sirius entered the dorm room to spot James crouched over rather randomly by his bed.
“We didn’t catch you wanking again did we?” Teased Sirius.

“Hmm? Oh, no..no!!.” Responded James, suonding rather distant, jumping  round to face them but looking over his shoulder to whatever was behind him, as though he couldn’t be dragged away from it. “It’s just… y’know… its not quidditch season… and without Quidditch to distract me, I needed a project!” Said James, Attempting to hide what ever this new project was behind his back like a child.

“You mean a new project that doesn’t involve pranking Snape or harassing Lily, OR actually doing your homework?” Remus asked sirecastically, pretending to sound shocked.

“Well, I was sitting here really bored… thinkin about stuff. Y’know, after what happened yesterday..” James muttered, refering to yet another declined date from Lily. He always felt sore for about a day but It didn’t take long for him to shake it off before planning to attempt once again.  “So y’know, I got fed up thinking, and went for a small stroll instead. So I went to Hogsmeade…”
“Oh yes, a small stroll.. of course.” Added Remus sirecastically once again.
“And then I just sorta went to the pet shop, and… saw this fish here!!!” James said, his voice perking up as he leapt back to reveal a small gold fish bowl on his bedside table. “Tadahh!”
“oh god, don’t tell me there’s an actual fish in there.” Remus said, both his and Sirius faces dropping in bewilderment. That was the last thing they had expected.
“Whaaat! A fish?! tut tut James, that’s not permissioned on the Hogwarts pet guidelines…” Sirius said, immitating Proffessor McGonagal, before spotting the fish floating in the bowl and dashing towards it. “LEmme see! !!!!”

Remus, less intruiged, joined them at the bedside slowly. Sirius remained rather silent, watching the fish float there not doing much. There was a pause as they looked into the fish bowl, not sure what to say, rather unimpressed.

“What’s that dodgy tumor thing on its head?” Sirius asked, banging a finger on the glass, looking closer at the  poofy red bobble that sat on the fish’s forehead.
“Be gentle, she doesn’t like loud noises! AND, Its her fro, isn’t she stylish!” James defended, as though the goldfish was a thing of beauty.
“Ohhhh, so it’s a she now is it?” Sirius asked, his grin growing immediatly, as he lapped up the oppotunity to toy with James. His eyes flicking to Remus’, inviting him to join in.
“Ahh… is it just me or does the fish sliiightly resemble Lily?” Remus asked.

“What?!?! How could you even - no!!! She’s just… it’s a fish!!”
“Hmmm yes, now you mention it.. if Lily was a fish…”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“Did you transform Lily into a fish, James?” Teased Remus.
“What? No!” James cried, getting defencive as he fell for their torments.

“Okayokay, fine. So, what’s her name then anyway?” Asked Sirius casually but with a glint in his eye, a coy look spreading across his face as though he knew the answer already.

There was a pause as James stuttered to answer; Remus and Sirius’ eyes burned for the response. Both their faces growing more and more amused, as the growing pause emphasised the answer they were hoping for.

“Oh does it matter?!” James burst, stroppily walking off, knowing he looked pretty daft right now.

Sirius released a bark of laughter and Remus grinned widely, James’ reaction being an answer enough to confirm their suspicions.

 Suddenly, they were both majorly entertained by the previously boring fish.
“Ahhh, Lily the fish! How adorable!” Sirius swooned, trying to hold back more laughter, taking one more glance at the ugly red headed fish, before releasing a snort and bursting with more fits of giggles.
“Ohhh, yay! and now she’s always there by your side, just like you wanted.” Remus added, before they laughed some more.
“Oh shut it, both of youu!!.” James whined, knowing they would never let this down.

Needless to say, after being harrassed all night with fish jokes, James couldn’t handle the responsibility of Lily the fish anymore, and she was ceremoniously released into the lake the next morning. Where, a few moments later, she became a rather healthy, tasty snack for one of the merpeople and that was that.

Hope you enjoyed that! It was a short story written via email to my best pal, Jo (who most of you should also know for awesome marauder fanart and illustrational work. if not, shame on you. go here rait NOW : www.jolly2.deviantart.com ) We were playing an email game (to keep me entertained and alive while at the office in my temp job.) And this is one of the stories I did, which I thought I’d share! XD

 She appointed me the title and I had to write a short Marauders story based on that. Hense the randomness!

The summer job is also the reason why comics and Marauderz art is taking longer to complete. (12 hours, monday - friday. its the death of me!) But don’t worry, every chance I get I’m working on drawings!