"Is there anything else to add?" Remus asked, reviewing their plans.
"Yes; don't go to so much effort," Sirius implored. He was excited, of course, but also overcome with anxiety about the welfare of James and Lily if they were to leave their home just for his birthday.
"Bosh," James said, "We've waited bloody months for something to celebrate. This birthday is going to be one of the best. Trust me; I've got it all figured out."
The others nodded in agreement, finishing the last of their drinks as they did so.
"Yes, I think that's everything," Lily concluded, rising from her stool.
Following suit, Sirius and Remus also rose from their seats, as did Peter and James. The café in which they had settled down in would be closing in half an hour, and as James had reminded them periodically, it would also be time for little Harry to be put to bed.
"See you Tuesday," they chorused, exchanging hugs and smiles as they prepared to part ways.
"Look after yourself," Lily whispered to Remus as they bade each other a farewell, for he had just returned from a two-month stint with the wolves in the north.
James, Lily and Harry turned left and disapparated the moment they left the café. The meeting point had been several miles away from their home address, so as to avoid crossing paths with anyone untoward.
It had been a great risk to the Potters for them to have met up with their old friends as they had done, which was why only Sirius had known they would have been in attendance.
Their presence had been a wonderful surprise for both Remus and Peter, who had joined Sirius in order to plan his 22nd birthday.
"It's a shame we couldn't have done anything for Halloween," Remus mused, as he left the café with Peter and Sirius.
Sirius shrugged, "It's too risky. I tried to put Prongs off leaving home for this, but he was adamant it would be okay."
"You knew they'd be coming?"
Peter chuckled, then, "Of course he knew. He knows everything, he's their Secret Keeper."
Sirius shot his smaller companion a look, which did not go unnoticed by Remus.
"What's going o-"
"I have to go," Sirius announced suddenly, "As do you, Peter. You've got to get the decorations."
Peter offered a small smile to Remus, before disapparating as instructed.
Remus smiled, and pointed out innocently, "It's not like you to be so organised. Then again, there's little else to do these days. I'm looking forward to your birthday; I came upon an amazing gift the other week. And of course I'll make sure the cake-"
"Yeah, okay. I'll see you later," Sirius interjected, a far cry from the attitude he had displayed in the café, "Bye."
Then with that, he also disapparated.
Remus was left feeling quite stunned, but figured that it was completely understandable that the tensions were getting to his friend.
These were dark times, after all, and anything could come around the corner.