Chapter 1: Mischief Not Managed

"I'm busy, Potter."

"C'mon, Morrigan, it'll only take two seconds. For you, anyway. I never quite got the hang of those reversal spells…"

"Maybe if you'd paid attention in Transfiguration last week instead of flirting with Florence Pettiford, you would have a better grasp of it."

"Ah but Florence Pettiford's considerably more attractive to look at than McGonagall, you see.."

Ariadne glanced up from her parchment, every inch of which was covered in ink runes, at James Potter's flushed, boyish face and rumpled hair.

"Gryffindor boys, the only species that prioritizes the possibility of reproduction over potential economic success and survival," she replied dryly.

James' grin only widened. "Aw Morrigan, that's a bit unfair. It's not a possibility with Florence Pettiford. It's a certainty."

Ariadne rolled her eyes. "Can you explain to me one more time why it's my responsibility to ensure that Gryffindors are able to walk on the floor of the common room, rather than the ceiling, after you screwed up the gravity?"

Just then, Remus Lupin appeared at his shoulder. Another Marauder, one of James' inner circle. "How's the reversal coming along? Stebbins is starting to look quite red in the face. Might want to hurry it up."

James leaned forward, resting his hands on the three-volume-deep stacks of books that covered the table in front of Ariadne, accidentally knocking one or two to the floor (much to her displeasure.)

"Morrigan, think of poor Stubbins, stuck upside-down, doomed to roam the common room ceiling for all his days. Isn't it your responsibility as a prefect to look out for the well-being of your fellow Gryffindors? What would McGonagall think?"

"It's my responsibility as a prefect to report both of you for disrupting everyone's study time with a stupid prank," responded Ariadne, arching a brow.

James immediately backed away from her table with a look of mild alarm, and Lupin raised his hands in surrender.

"While I entirely support your right to report the masterminds of this little trick to Professor McGonagall, I promise you on my honor, Miss Morrigan, that I had nothing to do with it," said Lupin.

Masterminds? thought Ariadne. Then who else…?

Her question was answered for her when the portrait door swung open and a tall, lean young man with dark shoulder-length hair slipped effortlessly into the common room. Deftly avoiding the enchanted spot that would flip him upside-down and glue his feet to the ceiling, he sauntered over to the table where Ariadne was studying.

Of course, she thought. Sirius Black.

"James, Remus," greeted Sirius languidly as he rested his elbows on their shoulders and crossed his legs. "Miss Morrigan," he added, tilting his head toward her slightly in acknowledgement.

Ariadne responded with silence and a look of distaste. When Lupin called her "Miss Morrigan," she had no doubt it was out of gentlemanly politeness, and Remus had never been anything but warm and cordial towards her (despite keeping company with a less than savory group.) But when Sirius addressed her the same way, she couldn't help but detect the slightest hint of mockery in his tone, as though there was a little smirk hidden behind the words.

Without speaking to any of them or even uttering an incantation, Ariadne twirled her wand in a complex but precise movement and Stubbins yelled and fell to the floor in a heap, along with a few other unfortunate souls who had been trapped in the enchantment.

"Consider that your warning. One more prank like this and all three of you will be enjoying a lovely personal tea date with McGonagall." She had already returned to her Ancient Runes notes.

Sirius scoffed. "That's what you needed help with? A reversal charm? I can do those in my sleep."

"I don't remember ever learning that in Transfiguration," said James blankly.

"It's a complicated spell. It can go badly wrong if you're not careful. Messing with gravity fields and such," replied Lupin.

"You should've just asked me," said Sirius, clapping James on the back.

"Couldn't find you in the dormitory or the Great Hall, mate," answered James.

Sirius grinned. "That's because you only checked our dormitory." James grinned back. Lupin smiled but seemed otherwise indifferent. Ariadne watched them head out of the portrait hole, probably to eat more or hatch their next absurd plot. It seemed like they never studied, yet they exceeded expectations in classes and the teachers praised them for their brightness. James, Remus and Lupin had both earned a good number of OWLs and were preparing for their NEWTs, just like Ariadne. But she knew for a fact that she had earned the highest marks on her OWLs in the last hundred years of Hogwarts history—"Outstanding" in eleven subjects. Surprisingly (or perhaps not) Sirius was right behind her with the second-highest marks in their year. She had just edged him out with a better grade in Arithmancy.

And she knew her reversal spell was better than his.