Tale of Four Brothers - Part 1
Hello! I'm new to this community and bring some Sirius/Remus slash to kick things off!
Title: The Tale Of Four Brothers (1/?)
Rating: PG for this chapter, eventual R or NC-17.
Pairing: Sirius/OFC, eventual Sirius/Remus, James/Lily.
Animagus: Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs! Who else? ;)
Length (Chapter): 2767 words.
Warnings: Swearing, violence, eventual slash. MWPP era.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling's characters and world, I'm just messing with them now. Don't sue me, I have no money. I am not writing this for profit!
Author's Notes: Hello! Welcome to The Tale of Four Brothers, the first in a 3-part series. This part details the adventures of James, Sirius, Peter and Remus throughout their sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts. The next part will entail the Lily/James era, and the last will reveal the mysteries of Sirius/Remus Post-Azkaban. Please be aware that by clicking on ANY of the LJ-cuts in my journal that you are of legal age in your country for the rating that I have stated above. If you are under age and reading material that is rated for people older than yourself, then it is YOUR responsibility.
Enjoy! (and comment!)
Fifteen year old Remus Lupin breathed in the familiar smell of Kings Cross Station. Smoke was billowing from the exhausts of many waiting taxis, and his chest was almost uncomfortably tight with his most recent transformation. He dragged behind him a large, tatty-looking red trunk with a large H emblazoned on the lid. He looked a little out of sorts in too-long jeans with worn in knees and a long, bright green jumper that hung off his small frame. He got a few stares as he made his way into the station, and a man with a flat cap and a sack which looked as though it was full of parcels and letters almost tripped over a trolley from staring. He looked up at the arched ceiling and smiled, remembering the first time he had encountered it and been so fascinated, tugging on his father’s worn hand and pointing. He drew his gaze away and was surprised to notice that he had walked so far with his nose in the clouds that he had already reached platform 7. He smiled, seeing an obvious muggle mother and father with an obvious magical child looking confusedly between the 8, 9 and 10 signs.
“Excuse me,” Remus said, taking pity on them. They recoiled slightly and gave him an untrusting look; he realised it was probably the scars marking his face. He was so used to being with James, Peter and Sirius who never mentioned his appearance except to jibe at his hilarious attempt at muggle clothing, that he was a little uncomfortable at the stares of these strangers. “I’m sorry I... Are you looking for platform nine and three-quarters?”
“Dad! Daddy! The man knows where to find the platform!” The girl said, tugging on the man’s hand and accidentally knocking the owl cage that was on top of her large trunk. The owl hooted in offence. Remus smiled at the girl and motioned with his head. “If you want, I can show you how to get through?” The adults looked a little apprehensive but the girl almost launched herself forward. “I’m Cathy, who’re you?” she asked, pushing the heavy trunk after Remus. “My name is Remus,” he said with a smile, leading the little family to the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
“I’m not sure how else to explain it,” he said, looking around, “but you can’t be scared. You have to believe that the platform is on the other side, or it won’t work. Just trust in your magic and you’ll make it through. Watch.” They observed as an older boy ran at the barrier, his eyes closed, and suddenly he disappeared. The muggles gasped in horror, expecting the boy to smash right into the solid brick. The woman almost fainted when the wizard disappeared into thin air.
Standing back with his trunk, he smiled at Cathy who was watching in avid fascination, her father’s hand on her shoulder. He thought of James and Sirius and Peter, his eyes closed and a soft smile on his face as he ran at the barrier, feeling it give before him. When he opened his eyes again, he was on the platform. The Hogwarts Express was billowing out smoke, but he had at least thirty minutes before the train left. He was, of course, always early for the Hogwarts Express. Missing the train had always been a nightmare of his. He let out a small “oof!” of surprise when Cathy and her muggle parents barrelled into him.
“We did it! Daddy we did it! Look at the train!” The girl said excitedly, jumping about and pointing. The man looked at Remus and nodded to him. “Thanks,” he said, “We would never have done that without your help.” Remus smiled and nodded back, leaving the little family to share their excitement. He made his way to the train and stowed his trunk in the luggage hold, then climbed aboard and made his way to the end compartment. He was delighted to find that Peter was already there, reading a book. He looked up when Remus entered and smiled.
“Remus!” he greeted, standing up and shaking Remus’ hand, “Good to see you! How was your summer?” Peter sat down again and Remus sat opposite him, tilting his head to see what book he was reading.
“It was alright, how was yours?” he asked with a smile. He was more than a little disturbed to see that the title of the book Peter was holding was The War Against the Jews by Lucy Dawidowicz. He frowned and Peter put the book back into his bag.
“What’s with the book?” Remus asked, his brow furrowed.
“Oh... just for er... Muggle Studies. We’re studying World War Two this year, you know?”
“Oh. Right.” Remus allowed himself to relax back into his seat and forgot all about the book due to the arrival of James, Sirius in tow. “Remus!” Sirius bellowed, shoving James out of the way with a hefty shove and throwing himself upon the smaller boy. Remus laughed, embracing Sirius as enthusiastically as he was being embraced, and then started to cough.
“Oh Jeez, I forgot about...“ Sirius got off him and looked around them. “The full moon,” he whispered, settling himself next to Remus, “You alright, Moony?”
“Yeah, I’m fine now,” he grinned, greeting James with another hug. The boys settled into their compartment as the train lurched forward; the whistle signalling the last call for kisses and hugs from parents. Remus watched absently out of the window and noticed the muggles he had helped waving at the train, the woman crying and waving until he could not see her anymore. “Remus?”
“Hmm?” the hazel-eyed boy turned to James, who was looking at him in bemusement.
“Are you alright?” Sirius asked worriedly, “Are you in pain?” He started gently prodding Remus’ arm, then his ribs and his legs and eventually the game turned into a poking war, which turned into a laughing, excited tickle war.
“Alright! Alright! I give up!” James panted as Remus and Sirius attacked his ribs. He opened his eyes and noticed that a pretty, ginger-haired girl was looking through the window of the compartment at them, mixed emotions of amusement and that I wish you would grow up look that James hated. He shoved Remus and Sirius off him and they landed on the floor with protest, and he leapt up, deliberately tousling his hair with his hands and then turned around. Lily was already laughing when he opened the door.
“Alright Evans?” he said, leaning against the door jamb in what he hoped was a cool gesture. The train lurched as they slowed to round a corner and James lost his grip, falling on his face. He heard Lily’s echoing laughter all the way down the train for at least ten minutes. He stood up huffily to find Peter looking at him sympathetically, Remus looking anywhere but at him and trying to conceal his laughter, and Sirius had his hand stuffed in his mouth, eyes wide and full of unshed tears.
“Shut up!” James said angrily, giving Sirius a shove that dislodged the fist and made the laughter pour out. James sat down and crossed his arms, but Sirius’ moods were always infectious and soon they were making fun of James, James included.
They chatted inconsequentially until lunchtime, when the trolley passed and the middle-aged witch gave them a smile and offered them sweets. Sirius bought them all a cauldron cake each and they munched on sandwiches that James had brought. “Best get the last one down you, Moony,” James offered the last cheese and pickle sandwich, “You look half bloody starved!”
“Thanks, James,” He said, taking the offered sandwich and taking a bite. Mrs. Potter always did make the best sandwiches. They played a few rounds of exploding snap, resulting in Sirius sloshing pumpkin juice all over himself when the cards unexpectedly exploded. They spent half an hour chasing a chocolate frog all over the show, and James cursed Peter to all hell for letting it loose.
The sun was beginning to get low in the sky and the boys each pulled out their school robes, pulling them on quickly. They were excited to be back for their sixth year, and since passing his OWL exams with nothing below an E, Remus felt ready to begin his studies for NEWTs. He had sent off the parchment detailing his choice of classes for the next two years, and was hoping that when he got his timetable he would have been accepted to everything he wanted.
The train slowed to a stop and the four wizards gathered their things and made their way onto the platform. They waved to Hagrid, who was ushering the first years toward the boats on the lake, and began making their way to the carriages that would grant them passage to their home. Sirius chatted on happily to Remus and Peter about the Chudley Cannons, when Remus looked over his shoulder to check that James was still with them. “Where’s James?” Peter asked, and then they spotted him.
He was a fair distance away from them, his eyes narrowed as Severus Snape stood between him and Lily Evans, his wand pointed firmly in James’ chest. Sirius growled; a sound that meant a lot more to Remus than to Peter and took off in their direction. “Sirius! No! Wait!” the werewolf cried, watching in semi-horror as Sirius cast a bluish-green spell that had Severus dangling upside-down by one leg. Remus couldn’t hear what was being said, but he was sure it was threats of some sort as Lily smacked him in the face. The sound of skin on skin resonated around the station and a gathering of students were beginning to stop and watch them. Remus made his way back toward them and a soft spell had Severus crashing to the ground. Lily gasped and put a hand underneath his arm, helping him to his feet and then she stood almost nose-to-nose with James. Then Remus heard what was being said.
“Sirius,” he said, tugging on his best friend’s arm, “Sirius, come away.” The mark on his face where Lily had hit him was red and beginning to swell, and Sirius wrenched himself out of his friend’s grip and marched up the hill toward Peter, grabbing him and practically dragging him toward the carriages.
“How dare you, Potter!” Lily was shrieking, “I’m with Severus, alright? Just because you don’t like him doesn’t mean you can hex him! You’re just jealous because you want to go out with me and I’ve already rejected you! Now stay away!” she said, taking Severus’ arm and marching much like Sirius up the hill toward the carriages. Remus swallowed. James’ jaw was working and his face was flushed red. He gently touched James’ shoulder but it was shrugged off moodily, and Remus sighed as he trailed after the hurt, raven-haired boy.
Severus, Lily, Peter and Sirius were nowhere to be seen as they rode in the carriages up to the castle, James in stony silence with tears that he was valiantly trying to sniff away gathering in his eyes. Remus looked at him evenly, but he refused to look back. By the time they were in the Great Hall, sitting at the Gryffindor table together was an awkward, silent affair. Remus sighed at what a great first day they were having. They watched the Sorting with a moody indifference and the werewolf noticed that Peter was reading his book under the table. His stomach rumbled in appreciation when the food arrived, and everyone but James dug into the feast.
The food seemed to break the mood and Sirius was soon full up and laughing about his brother Regulus, who had accidentally set his mother’s favourite elm tree on fire over the summer and burned it to the ground. Though he and Regulus often argued about their parent’s pure-blooded beliefs, he was glad of the company during the long summer months.
The arrival of pudding pulled even James out of his stony silence and he dug into the chocolate mousse with gusto. He was smiling now as Sirius told them another story, but he paused with his spoon half way to his mouth when the red-headed Lily Evans sat down stiffly beside Remus.
“I... I just came over here to thank you,” she said to Remus, whose eyes were wide and confused. He chanced a glance at James; his eyes were starting to narrow and the mousse was dripping from his spoon and into his lap. Sirius growled softly into his ear and put a hand on his shoulder. Remus felt unexpected shivers all over his body, settling in his groin and frowned.
“For letting Severus down from that awful spell,” Lily reiterated, and the hand dropped from his shoulder, the feelings skittering away with it.
“That was you, Moony?” James asked, finally putting the spoon down. Remus nodded and James looked angrier.
“It was the right and noble thing to do,” Lily said with a little huff, “Remus is a prefect, one that has his head screwed on right, unlike you!” she directed at James. Sirius gave a bark of laughter that had no humour in it.
“You’re hanging around with that weirdo who is into dark magic and all sorts of rotten things when you could be hanging out with decent, honest people like-“
“Like you?” Lily asked with a snort, “Decent, honest people don’t dangle other people upside down because they don’t like them. He was unprovoked, he was protecting me!”
“Protecting you from what?” James asked, his voice soft now and his expression carefully blank. Lily seemed placated by his tone and his expression and swallowed hard. “From me?” James asked, “Because he thought I was going to hurt you? I only wanted to talk to you, Evans. There was no need to set the snake on me.”
Lily sighed. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me, Potter. I’m better at hexes than you are anyway,” she waved a hand dismissively at his incredulous look, and Sirius snorted. Probably learnt some of those hexes from Snape, he thought. “Look, I’m sorry for hitting you, Black, I don’t condone violence but you were dangling my boyfriend twenty feet in the air by his foot for no apparent reason.” Sirius scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“But you Potter. You really do have to get over yourself. Just because you’re James Potter doesn’t mean I’m going to dump my boyfriend, who I am perfectly happy with for your information, so that you can freely grab my tits whenever you feel like it.” James made a sort of choking sound in his throat as if he had ingested his spoon and the puddings disappeared. Remus rose from the bench uncomfortably.
“I’d better make sure the first years get up to the tower alright,” he said, and departed the scene with Sirius’ eyes boring into his back. The last thing he needed to be was stuck in a fight between those three. He noticed with a little jolt that Peter had gotten up from the table and followed him, a half-frightened look on his face. He hoped that James would remember to get up and lead the back of the gaggle of little wizards and witches.
After collecting the password from Professor Dumbledore, Remus led the excited, exhausted first years up to Gryffindor Tower, whispered the password to the Fat Lady and let the eleven year olds flood the common room. He noticed the girl he had seen earlier at the train station, and he was somewhat delighted that she had made it into Gryffindor.
Once they were all settled (and one particularly loud little boy had been shown the location of the toilet), Remus allowed himself to sit in his favourite spot on the squishiest sofa by the fire. He had just begun to doze peacefully when James and Sirius burst through the portrait; Peter had to let them in, since they didn’t have the password.
“Did you sort things out with Miss Evans?” Remus asked, not looking at them. James chuckled and sat down next to his old friend, ruffling his hair. “Yes, thanks to you!” he said, “Now come on, let’s get up to the dorm. I’m dying to light the fire in there. You know how cold it gets if we don’t light the fire before we go to sleep!” Remus followed his friends up the stairs, the realisation sinking in that he was finally back at Hogwarts.
Title: The Tale Of Four Brothers (1/?)
Rating: PG for this chapter, eventual R or NC-17.
Pairing: Sirius/OFC, eventual Sirius/Remus, James/Lily.
Animagus: Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs! Who else? ;)
Length (Chapter): 2767 words.
Warnings: Swearing, violence, eventual slash. MWPP era.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling's characters and world, I'm just messing with them now. Don't sue me, I have no money. I am not writing this for profit!
Author's Notes: Hello! Welcome to The Tale of Four Brothers, the first in a 3-part series. This part details the adventures of James, Sirius, Peter and Remus throughout their sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts. The next part will entail the Lily/James era, and the last will reveal the mysteries of Sirius/Remus Post-Azkaban. Please be aware that by clicking on ANY of the LJ-cuts in my journal that you are of legal age in your country for the rating that I have stated above. If you are under age and reading material that is rated for people older than yourself, then it is YOUR responsibility.
Enjoy! (and comment!)
Fifteen year old Remus Lupin breathed in the familiar smell of Kings Cross Station. Smoke was billowing from the exhausts of many waiting taxis, and his chest was almost uncomfortably tight with his most recent transformation. He dragged behind him a large, tatty-looking red trunk with a large H emblazoned on the lid. He looked a little out of sorts in too-long jeans with worn in knees and a long, bright green jumper that hung off his small frame. He got a few stares as he made his way into the station, and a man with a flat cap and a sack which looked as though it was full of parcels and letters almost tripped over a trolley from staring. He looked up at the arched ceiling and smiled, remembering the first time he had encountered it and been so fascinated, tugging on his father’s worn hand and pointing. He drew his gaze away and was surprised to notice that he had walked so far with his nose in the clouds that he had already reached platform 7. He smiled, seeing an obvious muggle mother and father with an obvious magical child looking confusedly between the 8, 9 and 10 signs.
“Excuse me,” Remus said, taking pity on them. They recoiled slightly and gave him an untrusting look; he realised it was probably the scars marking his face. He was so used to being with James, Peter and Sirius who never mentioned his appearance except to jibe at his hilarious attempt at muggle clothing, that he was a little uncomfortable at the stares of these strangers. “I’m sorry I... Are you looking for platform nine and three-quarters?”
“Dad! Daddy! The man knows where to find the platform!” The girl said, tugging on the man’s hand and accidentally knocking the owl cage that was on top of her large trunk. The owl hooted in offence. Remus smiled at the girl and motioned with his head. “If you want, I can show you how to get through?” The adults looked a little apprehensive but the girl almost launched herself forward. “I’m Cathy, who’re you?” she asked, pushing the heavy trunk after Remus. “My name is Remus,” he said with a smile, leading the little family to the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
“I’m not sure how else to explain it,” he said, looking around, “but you can’t be scared. You have to believe that the platform is on the other side, or it won’t work. Just trust in your magic and you’ll make it through. Watch.” They observed as an older boy ran at the barrier, his eyes closed, and suddenly he disappeared. The muggles gasped in horror, expecting the boy to smash right into the solid brick. The woman almost fainted when the wizard disappeared into thin air.
Standing back with his trunk, he smiled at Cathy who was watching in avid fascination, her father’s hand on her shoulder. He thought of James and Sirius and Peter, his eyes closed and a soft smile on his face as he ran at the barrier, feeling it give before him. When he opened his eyes again, he was on the platform. The Hogwarts Express was billowing out smoke, but he had at least thirty minutes before the train left. He was, of course, always early for the Hogwarts Express. Missing the train had always been a nightmare of his. He let out a small “oof!” of surprise when Cathy and her muggle parents barrelled into him.
“We did it! Daddy we did it! Look at the train!” The girl said excitedly, jumping about and pointing. The man looked at Remus and nodded to him. “Thanks,” he said, “We would never have done that without your help.” Remus smiled and nodded back, leaving the little family to share their excitement. He made his way to the train and stowed his trunk in the luggage hold, then climbed aboard and made his way to the end compartment. He was delighted to find that Peter was already there, reading a book. He looked up when Remus entered and smiled.
“Remus!” he greeted, standing up and shaking Remus’ hand, “Good to see you! How was your summer?” Peter sat down again and Remus sat opposite him, tilting his head to see what book he was reading.
“It was alright, how was yours?” he asked with a smile. He was more than a little disturbed to see that the title of the book Peter was holding was The War Against the Jews by Lucy Dawidowicz. He frowned and Peter put the book back into his bag.
“What’s with the book?” Remus asked, his brow furrowed.
“Oh... just for er... Muggle Studies. We’re studying World War Two this year, you know?”
“Oh. Right.” Remus allowed himself to relax back into his seat and forgot all about the book due to the arrival of James, Sirius in tow. “Remus!” Sirius bellowed, shoving James out of the way with a hefty shove and throwing himself upon the smaller boy. Remus laughed, embracing Sirius as enthusiastically as he was being embraced, and then started to cough.
“Oh Jeez, I forgot about...“ Sirius got off him and looked around them. “The full moon,” he whispered, settling himself next to Remus, “You alright, Moony?”
“Yeah, I’m fine now,” he grinned, greeting James with another hug. The boys settled into their compartment as the train lurched forward; the whistle signalling the last call for kisses and hugs from parents. Remus watched absently out of the window and noticed the muggles he had helped waving at the train, the woman crying and waving until he could not see her anymore. “Remus?”
“Hmm?” the hazel-eyed boy turned to James, who was looking at him in bemusement.
“Are you alright?” Sirius asked worriedly, “Are you in pain?” He started gently prodding Remus’ arm, then his ribs and his legs and eventually the game turned into a poking war, which turned into a laughing, excited tickle war.
“Alright! Alright! I give up!” James panted as Remus and Sirius attacked his ribs. He opened his eyes and noticed that a pretty, ginger-haired girl was looking through the window of the compartment at them, mixed emotions of amusement and that I wish you would grow up look that James hated. He shoved Remus and Sirius off him and they landed on the floor with protest, and he leapt up, deliberately tousling his hair with his hands and then turned around. Lily was already laughing when he opened the door.
“Alright Evans?” he said, leaning against the door jamb in what he hoped was a cool gesture. The train lurched as they slowed to round a corner and James lost his grip, falling on his face. He heard Lily’s echoing laughter all the way down the train for at least ten minutes. He stood up huffily to find Peter looking at him sympathetically, Remus looking anywhere but at him and trying to conceal his laughter, and Sirius had his hand stuffed in his mouth, eyes wide and full of unshed tears.
“Shut up!” James said angrily, giving Sirius a shove that dislodged the fist and made the laughter pour out. James sat down and crossed his arms, but Sirius’ moods were always infectious and soon they were making fun of James, James included.
They chatted inconsequentially until lunchtime, when the trolley passed and the middle-aged witch gave them a smile and offered them sweets. Sirius bought them all a cauldron cake each and they munched on sandwiches that James had brought. “Best get the last one down you, Moony,” James offered the last cheese and pickle sandwich, “You look half bloody starved!”
“Thanks, James,” He said, taking the offered sandwich and taking a bite. Mrs. Potter always did make the best sandwiches. They played a few rounds of exploding snap, resulting in Sirius sloshing pumpkin juice all over himself when the cards unexpectedly exploded. They spent half an hour chasing a chocolate frog all over the show, and James cursed Peter to all hell for letting it loose.
The sun was beginning to get low in the sky and the boys each pulled out their school robes, pulling them on quickly. They were excited to be back for their sixth year, and since passing his OWL exams with nothing below an E, Remus felt ready to begin his studies for NEWTs. He had sent off the parchment detailing his choice of classes for the next two years, and was hoping that when he got his timetable he would have been accepted to everything he wanted.
The train slowed to a stop and the four wizards gathered their things and made their way onto the platform. They waved to Hagrid, who was ushering the first years toward the boats on the lake, and began making their way to the carriages that would grant them passage to their home. Sirius chatted on happily to Remus and Peter about the Chudley Cannons, when Remus looked over his shoulder to check that James was still with them. “Where’s James?” Peter asked, and then they spotted him.
He was a fair distance away from them, his eyes narrowed as Severus Snape stood between him and Lily Evans, his wand pointed firmly in James’ chest. Sirius growled; a sound that meant a lot more to Remus than to Peter and took off in their direction. “Sirius! No! Wait!” the werewolf cried, watching in semi-horror as Sirius cast a bluish-green spell that had Severus dangling upside-down by one leg. Remus couldn’t hear what was being said, but he was sure it was threats of some sort as Lily smacked him in the face. The sound of skin on skin resonated around the station and a gathering of students were beginning to stop and watch them. Remus made his way back toward them and a soft spell had Severus crashing to the ground. Lily gasped and put a hand underneath his arm, helping him to his feet and then she stood almost nose-to-nose with James. Then Remus heard what was being said.
“Sirius,” he said, tugging on his best friend’s arm, “Sirius, come away.” The mark on his face where Lily had hit him was red and beginning to swell, and Sirius wrenched himself out of his friend’s grip and marched up the hill toward Peter, grabbing him and practically dragging him toward the carriages.
“How dare you, Potter!” Lily was shrieking, “I’m with Severus, alright? Just because you don’t like him doesn’t mean you can hex him! You’re just jealous because you want to go out with me and I’ve already rejected you! Now stay away!” she said, taking Severus’ arm and marching much like Sirius up the hill toward the carriages. Remus swallowed. James’ jaw was working and his face was flushed red. He gently touched James’ shoulder but it was shrugged off moodily, and Remus sighed as he trailed after the hurt, raven-haired boy.
Severus, Lily, Peter and Sirius were nowhere to be seen as they rode in the carriages up to the castle, James in stony silence with tears that he was valiantly trying to sniff away gathering in his eyes. Remus looked at him evenly, but he refused to look back. By the time they were in the Great Hall, sitting at the Gryffindor table together was an awkward, silent affair. Remus sighed at what a great first day they were having. They watched the Sorting with a moody indifference and the werewolf noticed that Peter was reading his book under the table. His stomach rumbled in appreciation when the food arrived, and everyone but James dug into the feast.
The food seemed to break the mood and Sirius was soon full up and laughing about his brother Regulus, who had accidentally set his mother’s favourite elm tree on fire over the summer and burned it to the ground. Though he and Regulus often argued about their parent’s pure-blooded beliefs, he was glad of the company during the long summer months.
The arrival of pudding pulled even James out of his stony silence and he dug into the chocolate mousse with gusto. He was smiling now as Sirius told them another story, but he paused with his spoon half way to his mouth when the red-headed Lily Evans sat down stiffly beside Remus.
“I... I just came over here to thank you,” she said to Remus, whose eyes were wide and confused. He chanced a glance at James; his eyes were starting to narrow and the mousse was dripping from his spoon and into his lap. Sirius growled softly into his ear and put a hand on his shoulder. Remus felt unexpected shivers all over his body, settling in his groin and frowned.
“For letting Severus down from that awful spell,” Lily reiterated, and the hand dropped from his shoulder, the feelings skittering away with it.
“That was you, Moony?” James asked, finally putting the spoon down. Remus nodded and James looked angrier.
“It was the right and noble thing to do,” Lily said with a little huff, “Remus is a prefect, one that has his head screwed on right, unlike you!” she directed at James. Sirius gave a bark of laughter that had no humour in it.
“You’re hanging around with that weirdo who is into dark magic and all sorts of rotten things when you could be hanging out with decent, honest people like-“
“Like you?” Lily asked with a snort, “Decent, honest people don’t dangle other people upside down because they don’t like them. He was unprovoked, he was protecting me!”
“Protecting you from what?” James asked, his voice soft now and his expression carefully blank. Lily seemed placated by his tone and his expression and swallowed hard. “From me?” James asked, “Because he thought I was going to hurt you? I only wanted to talk to you, Evans. There was no need to set the snake on me.”
Lily sighed. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me, Potter. I’m better at hexes than you are anyway,” she waved a hand dismissively at his incredulous look, and Sirius snorted. Probably learnt some of those hexes from Snape, he thought. “Look, I’m sorry for hitting you, Black, I don’t condone violence but you were dangling my boyfriend twenty feet in the air by his foot for no apparent reason.” Sirius scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“But you Potter. You really do have to get over yourself. Just because you’re James Potter doesn’t mean I’m going to dump my boyfriend, who I am perfectly happy with for your information, so that you can freely grab my tits whenever you feel like it.” James made a sort of choking sound in his throat as if he had ingested his spoon and the puddings disappeared. Remus rose from the bench uncomfortably.
“I’d better make sure the first years get up to the tower alright,” he said, and departed the scene with Sirius’ eyes boring into his back. The last thing he needed to be was stuck in a fight between those three. He noticed with a little jolt that Peter had gotten up from the table and followed him, a half-frightened look on his face. He hoped that James would remember to get up and lead the back of the gaggle of little wizards and witches.
After collecting the password from Professor Dumbledore, Remus led the excited, exhausted first years up to Gryffindor Tower, whispered the password to the Fat Lady and let the eleven year olds flood the common room. He noticed the girl he had seen earlier at the train station, and he was somewhat delighted that she had made it into Gryffindor.
Once they were all settled (and one particularly loud little boy had been shown the location of the toilet), Remus allowed himself to sit in his favourite spot on the squishiest sofa by the fire. He had just begun to doze peacefully when James and Sirius burst through the portrait; Peter had to let them in, since they didn’t have the password.
“Did you sort things out with Miss Evans?” Remus asked, not looking at them. James chuckled and sat down next to his old friend, ruffling his hair. “Yes, thanks to you!” he said, “Now come on, let’s get up to the dorm. I’m dying to light the fire in there. You know how cold it gets if we don’t light the fire before we go to sleep!” Remus followed his friends up the stairs, the realisation sinking in that he was finally back at Hogwarts.