James woke up next morning oblivious to the internal struggles of Remus Lupin, oblivious to the fact that he had hurt his friend and, above all, oblivious to Professor McGonagall who was waiting for him and Sirius in the Great Hall.

Indeed, he was quite surprised to find McGonagall's lips pressed into a thin line and her voice burning with anger and disappointment as she asked Sirius and James to follow her. For some reason, it reminded him of the countless times his mother would yell at him for causing trouble around the house, and his feet tingled with an intense itch to run away, just like he did back home.

Yet James followed Minerva McGonagall through the busy corridors, ignoring the funny looks they were getting by other students, ignoring the vicious smile on Severus Snape's face and the look of utter superiority that Lily Evans was giving him just then. He was quite visibly scared and so was Sirius, as they climbed staircase after staircase, so scared that they didn't even dare ask her where she was taking them or why. But it was quite clear that they had done something wrong and were about to be punished. Although, James wasn't sure which one of their pranks she had discovered.

They stopped in front of a gargoyle statue on the third floor, James and Sirius were looking at the back of Professor McGonagall's head as she said, "Acid pops." At once the statue leapt aside revealing a slowly ascending staircase. She then stepped aside and gestured for them to climb the staircase.

As James and Sirius went on Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. They turned around nervously and faced her.

"I am thoroughly disappointed with you two. Such exemplary students, this isn't what I expected off you." She then proceeded to look at them with such disappointment in her eyes that James felt his cheeks and ears burning with shame, even though he didn't know what they were being scolded for. "I don't know what the Headmaster will do, but I deduct seventy points each from the Gryffindor House for your actions."

It felt like James had been slapped. Seventy points- no- one hundred and forty points. James and Sirius had done something so terrible that it had cost their House a hundred and forty points. James looked at the shocked pale face of his friend Sirius Black as Minerva McGonagall turned around and left. They both swallowed thick air and looked up. The Headmaster- they had done something so awful that it had landed them in Dumbledore's office.

But James just could not think of anything that would lead him here. None of their pranks were so extreme, none of the jests so intense. Maybe, he thought, maybe she had figured out that they were involved in wrecking the Astronomy Tower with Snape during the duel. But that didn't seem right; as far as James was aware, Professor Mcgonagall had dealt with Snape herself, then why would she send them to the Headmaster's Office.

With heavy feet, they both started climbing the stair case which led them to a set of heavy oak double doors. James extended his hand to knock but then stopped, his palms folded into a fist hovering just before the door. An elderly voice could be faintly heard coming from inside.

"You must know," it seemed to be saying, "You did the right thing. As you are well aware, it is quite dangerous for them to go wandering about in there again. Twenty points will be awarded to Gryffindor House for your honesty."

James hand fell to his side and he looked at Sirius, his eyes wide with shock. Someone had ratted them out, someone from Gryffindor House. But that was impossible, none of his friends would do it.

James was standing still, outside Dumbldore's Office with disbelief etched all across his face when Sirius knocked on the door timidly. "Come in," said the voice which, they now knew, belonged to Albus Dumbledore.

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A/N: Well this is tense. How do you think Dumbledore should deal with the situation?

So I recently had my work reviewed by candleliteyes (totally amazing person, you should check them out) and I feel that my work needs some re-editing. I won't be changing the plot or anything, just changing some random sentence structures here and there and adding some minor details. So this is just a heads-up for all the future notifs y'all will get. Sorry for that. Also, to make it easier for both you and me I'll be numbering the chapters. Just for reference so that you don't get confused with all the updates, the next one is gonna be 35th (I think =P). Again, sorry for the inconvenience. 

And thank you so much for reading! I have reached another milestone- 3k+ reads and 500+ votes! You guys are freakin awesome! I really cannot thank you enough. 

Please let me know what you thought about this chapter in the comments. Also, if you liked this chapter please consider voting. :)