Title: The Masks we wear
Author: CC (aka Orlandoinabedsheet)
Rating: PG-13
Archive: Temporarily at FF.net
Summary: It's Lily's birthday but she's not the only one looking forward to a special party.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Authors note: Give me Love and I let you see more, as much more than is posted is finished. I'm only posting it here as it's feeling lonely on my hard drive.
Lily smiles as James pulls her into his lap, "James, you know I happen to be a big girl, fully capable of sitting in a seat."
"But Love, you're the youngest, the baby if you will," James defends.
"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?" Lily asks irritated.
"But we mean it lovingly Lils, honest," Sirius promises her.
"And there are worse things to be teased about," Remus adds.
Peter says nothing, mostly as he was the baby prior to Lily's addition to the group and feels for her but won't risk drawing attention to himself.
"Oh I give up," Lily groans in annoyance. "Between you lot and Petunia it's a wonder I don't have a complex already."
"I'm sorry Love, I'll stop," James tells her sincerely.
"You've reminded me just the same. Mum's throwing me a costume party for my birthday. It should be fun but I only have a couple of muggle friends so Mum's agreed to let me invite all of you. It's the tenth at six o'clock. Please say you'll come," She's lost all of the previous annoyance at their antics.
James speaks up first, "I'll be there Love, I promise."
Sirius smiles, "I'll do my best Lils. Da might not be too keen since I'm spending two weeks at Remus' next month."
"I don't know Lils..." Remus says reluctantly.
"Come on Remus, it's a costume party, no one has to know it's you, not even us," Lily says encouragingly.
"I'll ask," He assures her softly.
"Peter?" Lily asks expectantly.
"Can't. Mum and I are leaving for Spain with Aunt Ruby on Saturday," Peter explains with an apologetic smile. "But happy 15th Lily, I'll owl over your present before we leave."
"Thank you Peter. I'm sorry you can't come to the party," Lily tells him.
"So what is our lovely lady doing for the costume portion of the event?" Sirius questions amused.
"I don't know yet. All the ideas I've had so far seem too obvious. Maybe I'll go as a tiger," Lily offers thoughtfully.
"Then James will have to dress as a deer to match," Remus teases.
"Not funny Remus," James complains.
"Don't listen to Jamie, he's just uptight, it was gold," Sirius assures him.
"And what of you Sirius? Will you come as your reflection?" Lily teases.
"I think not Lils, too much beauty for mere Muggles," He winks at her. "I think I'll remain anonymous myself. Full mask and all. Or I'll go as Cleopatra if I can find an acceptable Marc Antony."
"Going to ask them to fall on their sword for you Sirius?" Remus asks him.
"For the right Marc Antony I'd think about changing that bit of history," Sirius suggests grinning.
Lily laughs at the utter confusion on James' face.
"The result of a home based primary education, that's what that look is," Peter comments chuckling.
"It would take too long to explain Jamie," Sirius says patting his shoulder.
"And you Remus? A dashing young King Arthur perhaps? Or Robin Hood? Or the Prince Charming of oh so many stories?" Lily presses grinning.
"You forget Dear Lady, you promised me my anonymity," Remus reminds her.
"A villain then? Bandit or Pirate perhaps?" James asks, joining Lily's pursuit.
"You both forget Remus' love of Muggle literature, I'm sure he'll surprise us all," Sirius announces grinning.
"Just remember, both of you, masks or no you're responsible for any hearts you break," Lily warns.
"I never break any hearts Lils," Remus protests.
"What on earth ever gave you that impression?" Lily asks genuinely surprised.
"Haven't you ever seen the look on a girl's face just after you decline her offer of a date?" James asks looking at him in disbelief.
"No I haven't," Remus admits.
"They tend to look as though they've walked square into a brick wall," Peter offers helpfully.
"Oh. I really didn't know," Remus sounds guilty.
"We all know you don't mean to hurt anyone," Sirius reassures him.
"Sirius is right, though I have to say I don't understand it," Lily comments.
Remus blushes in anticipation of the teasing he's about to receive. James smiles, "Haven't we told you Love? Our dear scholar has a crush and he'll accept no other."
"Is that so?" Lily asks Remus curiously. She takes his silence as a yes and smiles, "What's her name?"
Remus turns scarlet but stays silent.
"He won't tell," Peter informs her sounding disappointed.
"And believe me we've tried tirelessly to get him to," James imparts.
"Jamie's just mad. He told Sirius he had a crush on you and never heard the end of it," Remus explains to Lily.
"No wonder you won't tell them then. Would you tell me if I promise to keep it quiet?" Lily asks eagerly.
Still blushing Remus shakes his head, "I don't think so Lils. It's not that I don't trust you it's just that the more people who know a secret the less time it stays secret."
"A secret eh? Must be some crush," Lily says looking impressed.
"Bit more than a crush really," Remus responds before he can stop himself.
"Really? What is it then? Oh you don't have to say who but if it's not a crush, what is it?" Lily presses curiously.
"Love, okay, now leave me be," Remus implores.
"I could help you know, if you'd tell me who," Lily tells him as the train arrives at King's Cross.
"I don't need help Lils, but thank you anyway," Remus tells her as they depart the train and collect their things.
"See you in the fall," Peter class over his shoulder as he makes his way to the barrier.
"I want you to come meet mum James," Lily tells him before turning to Remus and Sirius, "See you boys next week."
"See you lads soon, don't get punished too harshly and miss the party," James warns.
"You're the only one who's that foolish James," Sirius says snickering.
"Goodbye Jamie, Lils," Remus says with a smile.
When James and Lily are through Remus and Sirius move to a bench out of the main flow of traffic. The other students are filing out quickly and no one is paying them much attention. After a moments silence Remus asks curiously, "Would you really go as Cleopatra if I dressed as Marc Antony Siri?"
"Would you fall on your sword for me?" Sirius asks grinning.
Remus chuckles, "No but if you ask nicely I might fall on yours."
"If I ask at all you mean. Unfortunately Dad's waiting for me," He kisses Remus deeply. "I'll see you next week ceadsearc. Write to me when you pick your costume."
"I will," Remus promises giving him another kiss, "Miss you already."
Sirius stands and starts to push the trolley with his luggage on it toward the barrier. He stops suddenly, abandons the trolley and runs back to Remus, "Love you."
"Love you too Siri, always, now go before your dad worries himself to death," He pulls Sirius in for another kiss and reluctantly removes his hand from where it's tangled in Sirius' hair as he pulls away.
"And you better find your mum, she'll have kittens if you don't turn up soon," Sirius warns as he hurries off, pausing at the barrier to blow one last kiss.
"If only she'd understand what I feel for you," He murmurs after his retreating boyfriend.