Book Learning (Harry Potter drabble)
Title: Book Learning
Characters: Remus, James, Sirius, Peter
Ratings & warnings: PG, none
Prompt: For katyscarlett76, who asked for Remus, James and books.
Word count: 724
Summary: Sometimes it's more difficult to give than it is to receive.
Author's note: Written in 2008 and never posted here.
Book Learning
The book is bound in holly red leather and gold, embossed with a small, intricate square of tiny rosettes in the centre and down the spine. He can see the quality of the dark parchment, knows the pages will feel thick and heavy to the touch as they turn. It’s the words inside that are the uncertainty...
“Hurry up, Moony!”
Sirius, predictably, is bored at the delay, and Peter is eager to go because Sirius is. Remus resists the childish impulse to press his face and hands against the shop window pane for one final look, and turns away to find James beside him.
“You’ve been eyeing that every day this week.” James peers through his glasses, frowns. “Magical Myth Conceptions? That would be help for the wizard with a speech impediment, then?”
Remus smiles. “The Ministry tried to ban it because the author wouldn’t let them approve which myths he was planning to expose. There are only a few copies around.”
Which explains the cost. Shame it wasn’t merely an arm and a leg, at least he had those available.
“Got a chapter on wer-furry little problems, has it?” James glances quickly over his shoulder for any passers-by, although Sirius and Peter, more patient now because James is showing an interest, have closed ranks behind them.
“The review mentioned some observations.” Remus shrugs, not wanting to be questioned further. Not wanting the other two to listen. He’s never been as close to anyone as he is to these three boys, but seeing him at his physical and mental weakest each month is something he’s come to accept. Rely on. To bare his soul out loud he is not sure he can ever do, unless it’s to someone who is something of a rarity or myth themselves and can therefore truly understand.
It’s not the hope that for once something is said apart from fearsome, loathsome beast, to be avoided at all costs, but more what the book represents. A look at prejudice and fallacy, and apparently done with humour, too.
No wonder they’d tried to ban it. It might make people think.
“I could, you know…” James grimaces, makes a gesture that’s equal parts embarrassment and red-cheeked resolve.
Buy it. For you.
“No.” Remus never saw this coming because James is always so... He hesitates to use the phrase full of himself, because it’s not totally fair, but it does explain why it’s a shock when you get a glimpse of his often well-hidden capacity to think of others.
And yet this different, potential James, albeit one scowling madly with apparent anger at himself, is somehow both endearing and impressive. Reminiscent of how he was when he first asked if Remus’ monthly absences had anything to do with him being a werewolf, and on being told that sometimes the best help is to do nothing but keep quiet, spent three years risking life, limb and expulsion to give the most unexpected and practical aid imaginable.
So he really has gone over and beyond the call of friendship, without buying a bloody expensive book Remus just happens to fancy reading.
“No. Thank you,” he adds hastily, the scowl on his own face probably matching that of James' because it’s trying to hide the twist of feeling inside.
“Or…” Sirius’ sleek dark head bobs up suddenly, mostly joking, but in this mood always ready to consider something reckless and new. “We could just steal it for you?”
“Or we could pretend you never said that and head back for dinner.” Remus decides it’s also time to pretend to be a prefect and takes a step forward to encourage them all to get the right idea.
“There’s a library of books at Hogwarts,” Peter says as he goes by, quickening his pace to catch Sirius up. “They’re all free.”
Remus nods, not wanting to say that that is a good point, if not the one that matters, but James still lingers by his side.
“Moony.”
“Prongs, I don’t want-”
“I know. You’re such a pillock.” Remus smiles because this sounds like James again. But the tall figure with the ridiculously spiky black hair is still stood there, still red-cheeked, now scuffing the edge of one shoe against the cobbles with his hands thrust deep in his pockets. Words spilling out in a rush. “I know I’ve always had it easy, but it’s hard to-to give things, you know. Especially to you. I don’t want to give you that book because I can and you can’t. I’d give it you… for me.”
And as he strides hurriedly off to catch the others up, Remus is left to stare after him, wondering if he’s the one labouring under a misconception after all.
Characters: Remus, James, Sirius, Peter
Ratings & warnings: PG, none
Prompt: For katyscarlett76, who asked for Remus, James and books.
Word count: 724
Summary: Sometimes it's more difficult to give than it is to receive.
Author's note: Written in 2008 and never posted here.
Book Learning
The book is bound in holly red leather and gold, embossed with a small, intricate square of tiny rosettes in the centre and down the spine. He can see the quality of the dark parchment, knows the pages will feel thick and heavy to the touch as they turn. It’s the words inside that are the uncertainty...
“Hurry up, Moony!”
Sirius, predictably, is bored at the delay, and Peter is eager to go because Sirius is. Remus resists the childish impulse to press his face and hands against the shop window pane for one final look, and turns away to find James beside him.
“You’ve been eyeing that every day this week.” James peers through his glasses, frowns. “Magical Myth Conceptions? That would be help for the wizard with a speech impediment, then?”
Remus smiles. “The Ministry tried to ban it because the author wouldn’t let them approve which myths he was planning to expose. There are only a few copies around.”
Which explains the cost. Shame it wasn’t merely an arm and a leg, at least he had those available.
“Got a chapter on wer-furry little problems, has it?” James glances quickly over his shoulder for any passers-by, although Sirius and Peter, more patient now because James is showing an interest, have closed ranks behind them.
“The review mentioned some observations.” Remus shrugs, not wanting to be questioned further. Not wanting the other two to listen. He’s never been as close to anyone as he is to these three boys, but seeing him at his physical and mental weakest each month is something he’s come to accept. Rely on. To bare his soul out loud he is not sure he can ever do, unless it’s to someone who is something of a rarity or myth themselves and can therefore truly understand.
It’s not the hope that for once something is said apart from fearsome, loathsome beast, to be avoided at all costs, but more what the book represents. A look at prejudice and fallacy, and apparently done with humour, too.
No wonder they’d tried to ban it. It might make people think.
“I could, you know…” James grimaces, makes a gesture that’s equal parts embarrassment and red-cheeked resolve.
Buy it. For you.
“No.” Remus never saw this coming because James is always so... He hesitates to use the phrase full of himself, because it’s not totally fair, but it does explain why it’s a shock when you get a glimpse of his often well-hidden capacity to think of others.
And yet this different, potential James, albeit one scowling madly with apparent anger at himself, is somehow both endearing and impressive. Reminiscent of how he was when he first asked if Remus’ monthly absences had anything to do with him being a werewolf, and on being told that sometimes the best help is to do nothing but keep quiet, spent three years risking life, limb and expulsion to give the most unexpected and practical aid imaginable.
So he really has gone over and beyond the call of friendship, without buying a bloody expensive book Remus just happens to fancy reading.
“No. Thank you,” he adds hastily, the scowl on his own face probably matching that of James' because it’s trying to hide the twist of feeling inside.
“Or…” Sirius’ sleek dark head bobs up suddenly, mostly joking, but in this mood always ready to consider something reckless and new. “We could just steal it for you?”
“Or we could pretend you never said that and head back for dinner.” Remus decides it’s also time to pretend to be a prefect and takes a step forward to encourage them all to get the right idea.
“There’s a library of books at Hogwarts,” Peter says as he goes by, quickening his pace to catch Sirius up. “They’re all free.”
Remus nods, not wanting to say that that is a good point, if not the one that matters, but James still lingers by his side.
“Moony.”
“Prongs, I don’t want-”
“I know. You’re such a pillock.” Remus smiles because this sounds like James again. But the tall figure with the ridiculously spiky black hair is still stood there, still red-cheeked, now scuffing the edge of one shoe against the cobbles with his hands thrust deep in his pockets. Words spilling out in a rush. “I know I’ve always had it easy, but it’s hard to-to give things, you know. Especially to you. I don’t want to give you that book because I can and you can’t. I’d give it you… for me.”
And as he strides hurriedly off to catch the others up, Remus is left to stare after him, wondering if he’s the one labouring under a misconception after all.