Everything was perfect.

The rooms had been set up to hold a majority of the Order, if necessary, and the final touch-ups were being finished before Dumbledore arrived to make the final call. Of course, Dumbledore wouldn't be too picky about small things such as 'this couch is a little too dusty', or 'there's a mouse in the basement', but with years spent by himself in his own little dirty cell, I think Sirius Black had finally snapped.

"But this is okay, right?" Sirius asked. He must have asked the same question in fifty different variations, all leading to the same thing. 'How does this look?' 'Are you sure it's okay?' 'You have to say it looks okay, you're my best mate.' This conversation had gone on for hours, and I think he had finally sniffed out my lie.

"Do you really want to know what I think, Padfoot?" I asked, finally becoming frustrated as Sirius pulled the hideously orange curtain up and around his shoulder, examining it closer as he squinted his eyes.

"Of course, Remmy," he said, rolling his eyes as he glanced over his shoulder out the window. "That's kind of why I asked you."

"They're hideous." I said blankly, awaiting for the storm to erupt. Sirius let his eyes linger on a group of children playing hopscotch on the sidewalk before he finally gave the curtains another look.

"Orange is not a hideous color, Remus," he said, defending the curtains as if he were defending his honor.

I snorted.

"Orange is not a hideous color, but if that's orange, then I'm a bloody orange monkey." A wicked smile grew on his hallow face. It held the same mischievous-ness that the old Sirius had, but I had no idea what was bringing it on.

"You know, Remus," he said, trying to sound as calm as possible as he bounced on his toes. He slowly pulled out his wand, giving it a thoughtful look before that smile fleeted across his face again. "You could very well be an orange monkey."

I took a step back, feeling frantically in the robes of my pockets for my own wand. In fact, any defense against Sirius would be great right about now. He took a step closer, and I contemplated making a break for the door. It was shut, that would buy him some time. And bloody hell, his legs were longer than mine. Not to mention he was faster with a wand, and-

A spell whizzed past my head, and I turned and raced toward the door, dodging another one that collided with the bedside table.

"That orange is beautiful!" Sirius screamed, but I had made it out the door, and slammed it shut behind me. Trying to buy myself more time, I took the steps four at a time, but within seconds, more spells were flying by my head. Footsteps thundered after me, and adrenaline kicked in as I took five steps at a time until I reached the bottom landing.

"Merlin's Beard!" Molly cried out as I raced in the kitchen. I frantically searched my pockets for my wand as I hid on the other side of the table. "What is all that racket?"

I pressed my index finger to my lips, hoping she would pretend like I wasn't here as Sirius pushed his way passed the grumbling house elf and into the kitchen.

"You!" he cried out, and I was thankful he was pointing at Molly. I pulled myself under the table, squeezing between two chairs as I tried to make as little noise as possible. I could see Molly's feet shift, and I assumed she was putting her hands on her hips.

"Sirius Black! What is all of this racket about?" she sounded as if she was scolding one of her twins, but it all flew over Sirius' head.

"Where is he?" he demanded, taking a closer look behind Molly to make sure he wasn't merely hiding behind her.

"Where is who?" I felt a surge of gratitude towards Molly as I pulled my legs under the table as well.

"That curtain-hating maniac, where is he?" Molly snorted, and turned her back to Sirius to resume cleaning the cupboards.

I watched as Sirius' footsteps slowly made their way towards the table, and I scooted back in an attempt to hide. He knelt down, but with his long legs, he had to stoop down even lower to get a good look under the table. By that time, I was already on the other side, and wondering if I could make it to the door in time.

'Evargero!'

There was a bright flash of light, followed by the hysterical laughter of Sirius Black.

I climbed out from under the table, pushing two chairs out of the way as I stood and examined myself.

What the bloody hell has he done, now?

"You git!" I yelled, holding my hands out in front of me.

My orange hands.

"You look very pretty in orange, Moony," Sirius said, that same wicked smile on his face as he held onto the table for support. I jumped forward, missing his jacket by inches as he bolted out the door.

"Change me back!"