Magnetism

RLRB Fan Fiction

Harry Potter

ObsessiveDevil23

Chapter 21

James tried desperately to curb his sobbing as he heard a knock on his bedroom door. He held his breath for a second and then let it out shakily as another round of tears fell from his eyes. His whole body was shaking, his eyes were puffy and hurt, and his nose was running like a tap. He felt pathetic and was incredibly embarrassed that it had happened in front of his friends. Usually when he burst into tears like this he managed to find some place quiet to do it, but now all of his friends knew just how much of a cry-baby he could be.

He tried to sniffle down his cries as his door creaked open. He was stood in the middle of the room, having been too agitated to sit down, and he looked over at the door to see his mother stealing her way inside. She closed the door behind her and held out her arms, so he shuffled into her embrace.

"It's all okay now baby." She whispered, sending him into a fresh bout of sobs. She held him for a long time, humming gently at the back of her throat until finally he had calmed down enough that his gasping sobs had turned to sniffles. When he was ready the two of them moved so that they were sat on the edge of his bed. Then, Euphemia spoke softly so as not to make him jump. "So what happened?" She asked.

James shrugged his shoulders, wiping away the remaining wetness from his cheeks.

"Severus and I had a fight." He told her, and then frowned down at his lap. "I mean, I sort of just shouted at him a lot."

Euphemia smiled at her son. That sounded like her when she fought with Fleamont. He would make well-rounded points, and she would scream and every now and again throw the toaster at the wall.

"Severus is a strong man, I'm sure he can handle a raised voice Jamie." She reassured him. James nodded, rubbing at his still running nose with the back of his hand. He gulped down a lump in his throat and looked down at his lap, not yet confident enough to look his mother in the eyes.

"I… I think it's getting worse." He confessed.

Euphemia frowned. She knew exactly what her son was referring to – his illness, Flamouriadesis. She could still remember in excruciating detail the day he had come down with his first fever. How his temperature had risen to dangerous levels – enough for him to start fitting. She remembered the Healer explaining to them all about Cinis; what it would do if left unattended, and all the awful side-affects her son would have to live with for the rest of his life. Severus had become James' saviour, his confidant, and his lover, but even he couldn't shield James from the mood-swings and the pain, or the nightmares he suffered of burning up.

For awhile things had been picking up. James had become better at managing the symptoms – his appetite returned and he gained back some of his muscle, and he developed coping mechanisms for the moods. But keeping his feelings bottled up only lead to outbursts like this, and they were becoming more and more frequent. She'd lost track of the number of times they'd fixed Fleamont's potions cabinet by now – James seemed to target it when he was upset.

"Maybe you need to find a healthier way of dealing with the mood-swings." She suggested cautiously. Perhaps she ought to buy him a punching bag. James only shook his head dejectedly though.

"It's not just the moods." He confessed. "I feel sick all the time, and I'm sleeping through my classes because at night I wake up from nightmares. Just the other day Severus had to douse me in water… I… I actually caught fire, mum." He explained.

Euphemia fought down the urge to gasp and cuddle her only son to her. It wouldn't do James any good if he knew how worried that news made her.

"Have you told Severus?" She questioned. James shook his head.

"I'm sure he knows some of it." He explained. "I just… I'm scared."

Euphemia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Scared that it's getting worse?" She tried to clarify. James shrugged.

"Yes, a bit." He replied. "But I suppose also… Severus already looks after me so much and so I'm… I'm also scared that I'm becoming too much of a hassle for him. It's not his job to do all this extra stuff, he's only supposed to make the Elixir."

Euphemia raised her eyebrows at her sons worries, even though James was looking at his lap and wouldn't see her expression.

"I don't think Severus would ever see you as a hassle." She told him. James huffed.

"You don't know him like I do." He challenged. "Sometimes he can be so loving and supportive, and other times it's like he hardly knows me at all."

Euphemia chewed thoughtfully on her tongue. She didn't like to think that they were having relationship issues – it would make it very awkward for the future, when James would still have to rely on the boy for the Elixir.

"And which one do you think is the real Severus?" She asked. She watched as James frowned in concentration.

"I honestly don't know." He confessed. Euphemia sighed.

"Well, that's not exactly what I want to hear about the man my son is sleeping with." She told him. James hummed low in his throat in agreement, and then his eyes grew wide and he hurriedly stood from the bed in a panic, blushing bright red.

"What do you mean? We're not sleeping together!" He lied.

Euphemia rolled her eyes.

"Please Jamie, your father and I are old – we're not deaf." She admonished. "Our room is only across the hall you know, I think I heard more than enough last night to wager that the two of you are sleeping together."

She tried not to be amused over her sons nervous and terrified look. Especially as he evidently thought back to what he had been up to the night before, and what noises he had been making, and blushed furiously.

"Shit." He said, and given the situation Euphemia figured she could probably let the swear slide. James ducked his head in embarrassment. "So does that mean… that dad..."

Euphemia almost laughed at her son's worry.

"Oh yes, he heard." She confessed. "I had to stop him from storming over to your room and making a scene. We only went on our walk this morning so that I could take some time to talk some sense into him."

James winced.

"S-sense?" He questioned. Euphemia smiled.

"Oh yes, I just had to remind him that it wasn't like we didn't do those things when we were your age." She explained. James wrinkled his nose at the idea of his parents getting it on, and this time Euphemia did laugh. Then she frowned. "Don't be surprised if he does want to talk with you at some point though." She warned.

James sighed, nodding his head.

It was going to be a long, difficult Christmas.

- x -

A few minutes after this conversation took place, James and Euphemia made their way back downstairs. James had managed to get his sobbing under control, but there was the tell-tale red blotching around his eyes and across his cheeks hat gave him away. They entered the living room to see the remaining three teens crowded around Fleamont, who was holding up a model replica of his Morris Marina and trying to transfigure it so it had more seats.

As they entered Severus looked up. He took stock of James' blotchy face, and the way his hands were still shaking. They caught eye-contact across the room and Severus saw all the hurt and upset in his boy's eyes. He knew now that his comment on James' knowledge or lack-thereof of crafting potions had been ill-conceived, and the boy's shouted arguments had been more than enough proof that James obviously knew what he was doing. He regretted the comments – but what he regretted more was how he had handled the entire situation – from making a leap in Wolfs-Bane to attempting to blackmail Remus into cooperating, and that he had made James cry.

He took the four long strides across the room, to where James was standing in the doorway, and swept the Gryffindor into an embrace. One hand circled around his waist, and the other buried itself in his birds-nest hair, pulling his head up for he could capture his boyfriend in a searing kiss.

There was a cough of protest from the other side of the living room, which Severus figured was probably Fleamont, but could have just as easily have been Sirius. He ignored it in favour of drinking in every single details of his lover. James' eyes had widened in shock at being kissed in front of an audience, but had quickly fluttered closed as he melted into the affection. His hands travelled up and took fistfuls of Severus' shirt, and he let out a breathy noise of pleasure that Severus had no doubt he would feverishly deny later if their audience picked him up on it.

He broke the kiss and pulled James' hands around so he could hold them in his own. James looked up at him with a slight frown, as if he wasn't sure if the PDA was enough for him to be forgiven. Severus knew that it wasn't.

"I have decided to help Black and Lupin, without the need of compensation." He told the boy he was holding on to, but he spoke loudly enough that the mated pair could still hear him from across the room. "I will ask Lupin for the samples I need, and if doesn't wish to provide them then I will find another way to advance the potion." He added.

James made a small, weak sound.

"Sever-" He began, but Severus shook his head, cutting the boy off before he could get side-tracked.

"I also want you to know that I am not doing this as a favour to you, or because you shouted at me." He said, although inwardly he admitted he had only come to this conclusion because he had been shouted at. He sighed at James' confused look. "I am doing this because you are right. I am always going to be bitter about how you and your friends treated me in the past – but you changed, and I think it's time I realised that Black and Lupin are capable of change as well. They are… they might be better people than I originally thought. And I'm sorry I didn't understand that sooner." He finished, trying to gage James' face for a reaction. After a second he gave a small, unsure smile, and nodded.

Severus couldn't help himself – he cupped James' face in his hands and bought him in for another kiss – mindless of the roomful of occupants watching them.

There was another protesting cough.

"I think we've had more than enough public displays of affection for one day." Fleamont stated loudly, making James break from the kiss and blush furiously.

Not that Severus wasn't grateful for the kindness and hospitality that the Potter's had shown him since he came into their lives, but at that moment he solemnly wished that he lived alone with James, so that he might kiss and love the boy whenever he wanted.

He turned back to the conversation they had been having about how to transport the six of them of Broadsands Bay, and walked the length of the room to stand next to Remus, pulling James along by his hand as he was of yet unwilling to let go of his lover. When he got there, Remus smiled at him.

"I would have always given you the samples." He said under his breath. Severus had to stop himself from breathing a sigh of relief – if Remus really had said no, then production on Wolfs-Bane would have come to a stop. After all, how many werewolves could he reasonably expect to find? Especially ones that would willingly give them samples of their skin and fur.

He nodded back to the boy.

"I can't remove that mark until the next full moon." He replied. "Black will need to be thoroughly prepared before then."

He glanced across the room to the calendar that was hanging on the wall. The next full moon coincided with Boxing Day – five days away. He glanced over at Sirius, who was pointing out various points on the model car when the transfiguration needed improvement.

Hopefully five days would be enough time.

- x -

The next day saw the boys up bright and early, their swimwear and towels packed into rucksacks, and stowed down by their feet as they crowded around the kitchen table to get some tea or coffee inside them. Sirius had opted for another turtle-neck, trying desperately to hide his mark until the last minute, and the other boys were in their own heavy-duty jumpers. It was colder outside than any year previously, and there was a general feeling amongst the teens that one of these years they would jump off the cliff and smack straight into ice.

"Everyone excited?" Fleamont asked as he entered the kitchen. The boys had all been talking under their breaths about the ceremony Severus planned to execute on the next full-moon, and the potions Sirius would have to take every night before bed until then, and they stopped at he entered and gave him their best innocent smiles.

"You bet." Sirius said, when no one else was forthcoming with a response, and then the other boys all grumbled their half-hearted agreement.

Yesterday they had transfigured Fleamonts old Morris Marina into a people carrier, giving them some extra height and two extra seats in the boot. Fleamont had taken one look at it and added some roof-bars and a luggage box they could all store their rucksacks in, as well as the picnic Euphemia insisted on taking, despite the fact that nobody ever felt like eating once they had dragged their freezing cold body's from the depths of the bay.

Euphemia waltzed into the kitchen now, having been up for some time preparing extra food, blankets, towels and hot-chocolate for their trip – and also because she had been making some rather special arrangements.

"Sirius, darling." She said as she poured some hot water into her own mug of tea. Sirius glanced up from where he had been watching Remus drink coffee and stood, assuming she would want a hand lifting something. She smiled at him. "You told me so much about your girlfriend Lily that I simply had to invite her along today." She told him excitedly.

Sirius' jaw went slack, and he stared at the woman for a moment, and then glanced back at his mate.

"I… what?" He asked. Euphemia laughed.

"Oh yes, and your brother too. I know you said you had a fight, and that simply wont do. There's no better bonding then a jump into Broadsands!" She added, almost in a sing-song kind of way. At the mention that not only would Lily, but Sirius' little brother, be joining them on the trip, Remus stood from the table as well.

"Regulus?" He asked, at the same time Sirius spluttered.

"There was no need to invite my brother."

And Fleamont said:

"Wait, two more?"

Euphemia looked between the two boys and her husband cocked her head to the side with a smile.

"Lily will be here any minute and Orion said he was going to -"

She cut herself off as there was a commotion in the living room that sounded suspiciously like people flooing through the fireplace.

"Euphemia?" Called a deep, booming voice. Euphemia brushed her hands down her skirt.

"Well, that will be them now." She told the group. "We're in the kitchen Orion, come on through!"

A couple of seconds later saw Orion Black, dressed in a deep navy suit under matching robes enter the room, clutching a trilby in his one hand and holding a brown leather briefcase in the other. Next to him stood Regulus, wearing a white dress shirt with a grey jumper over the top, and black slacks. The Black idea of Muggle attire. Orion had his hand on his son's shoulder as he steered him into the room, but he let go of it to shake hands.

"Fleamont." He greeted, clasping their hands together firmly. Then he turned to the man's wife. "Euphemia!"

Euphemia surged forwards to wrap the man in a quick hug and give fake air kisses to each other. Their respective children watched the scene with something akin to disgust. When the adults had all greeted each other Orion turned to his eldest son, and, surprisingly, held out his arms.

Even more surprisingly, Sirius shuffled into the hug.

"Hey daddy." He mumbled against his father's suit, unheeding of how much of a pretentious rich-kid he sounded. Orion allowed himself a small smile at the endearment his son had given him, and then held Sirius at arms length.

"Well, you're definitely growing." He assessed. Sirius rolled his eyes. Orion's expression softened. "We've missed you, kid."

Sirius nodded, rubbing at his nose self-consciously. He looked away and chewed on his tongue.

"I missed you too." He said, and in all honesty it wasn't a lie. He had missed his father, and his brother – it was his mother that he never wanted to see again. Orion was a decent enough man, as far as Black's went – he was just blinded by his love for Walburga and put her above everything else – which hadn't exactly lead to a happy childhood when his mother was the abusive one. Orion smiled at him now.

"You know you can always come home." He said. Sirius finally broke away from his fathers grip and took a couple of steps backwards.

"I'm not going back there." He said, crossing his arms. Orion held up his hands in surrender. He reached out and ruffled Sirius' hair, but did little more to try and convince him to return. He turned to Regulus and clapped a hand down on his shoulder.

"Now Regulus," He started. "Be good for the Potter's. Lord knows they've put up with enough from your brother – please show them that at least one of our sons learnt some manners, eh?"

Regulus stared at his father for a long time, not saying anything, and then shrugged his shoulders. Orion sighed, but turned to Fleamont and Euphemia, motioning for them to join him out of the kitchen for a private word. They followed him into the hall and swung the door shut behind them, leaving the teenagers to talk amongst themselves.

"What's up Orion?" Fleamont asked.

The Potters and the Blacks went way back in history, and had always been close. They never saw Walburga – the woman was almost a recluse, choosing to stay cooped up in their home in London, but they often saw Orion when their children were in school, and would give him news of Sirius – because the boy didn't send too many letters home, but would send letters to the Potters. Orion, like any father, worried about his first born, and relied on them for any news about how he was doing in school. It had only become worse since Sirius had decided to permanently move in with Fleamont and Euphemia, but Orion was glad that if his teenage son was going to run away from home, at least he had done so to a couple he knew and trusted. Now, Orion grimaced.

"I was hoping to ask you a favour." He stated, wary of how much the Potter's had already done for him. Instantly Fleamont and Euphemia nodded. Orion fiddled with the trilby in his hand nervously as he began to explain. "You know Walburga's not been well since Sirius decided to move in with you. And of course we're grateful for everything you've done for him, but I need to let you know that she's getting worse. She doesn't leave the house – she barely eats, or washes. She's begun to call Regulus by Sirius' name and it's not good for him either." He explained.

Euphemia pursed her lips.

"I understand it's hard." She said, placing a comforting hand on her friends arm. "But you know Sirius doesn't want to return there."

Orion nodded solemnly.

"And I'd never force him to. What I'm trying to say is that 'Burga hasn't exactly been a model mother, and I can see it's hurting Reg. I think she and Regulus need some time apart." He replied, sighing. "There's a sort of spa retreat I'd like to take her to, so she can get away from it all, maybe start to recuperate, and, well..."

He trailed off, but they all knew where he was going with it. Euphemia nodded kindly.

"Of course we can take Regulus in for a little while." She said. Orion smiled gratefully.

"It's just for a couple of nights." He assured them. "We'll be back before Christmas Eve." He added, passing his briefcase to Fleamont, which was full of things for Regulus, on the hope that they would agree.

Fleamont took it and nodded, bidding his friend goodbye, and wondering where on Earth Regulus was going to sleep.

- X -

"I didn't know you'd be here." Regulus mumbled, looking at his shoes, but obviously addressing Remus. The sandy-haired boy moved around the table to get closer to his ex, but Regulus just stepped backwards, glaring. He turned to Sirius. "I didn't want to come, but dad basically forced me." He added.

The elder black smiled weakly, but Regulus just rolled his eyes. Severus sent James a look, and the Quidditch Captain shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll fill you in later." He whispered under his breath, whilst Sirius, Regulus and Remus stared off with each other.

Before the silence could stretch to thin the Potter's arrived back in the kitchen.

"I think I saw Lily walking up the street just now, but time is getting on." Euphemia announced. "We'll meet her out front by the car." She said, rallying the boys into scooping up their rucksacks.

They made their way outside and Fleamont took all of their rucksacks and placed them in the overhead luggage box. A few seconds later Lily arrived, giving Sirius a quick hug whilst she yelled 'Surprise!'. The two of them grinned at each other for a minute, and Fleamont took her bag and placed it in the box as well, slamming it closed. He turned to the six teens, who had obviously realised there were seven seats and eight passengers, and were standing around awkwardly next to the car whilst Euphemia buckled herself into the front passenger seat. He sized them up.

"Okay, Lily and James, you'll be in the boot-seats I think." He started. As the slightest of the collective teens they would be the most comfortable in the smaller space. He pushed down one of the middle seats and watched them climb in a buckle themselves up. Then he turned back to the group, pushing the middle seat back up. "Right… Severus on the left for me, Sirius in the middle, and Remus on the right." He ordered, watching them take their seats. Sirius was the shortest of those three, so hopefully with him sat in the middle he would still be able to see out the back window. Then he turned to Regulus, who was standing awkwardly, like the last one to be picked for a sport. Fleamont had left him until last because he was by far the smallest of his charges, and he needed someone smaller. "I'm afraid you'll have to sit on Remus' lap." He informed.

The boy looked at him with something akin to heartbreak, and instantly began to protest.

"Why does it have to be Remus?" He asked. Fleamont rose an eyebrow at him, and then looked over at Remus, who, out of all the teens, had by far the most muscle.

"He's the strongest, he can catch you if I have to break sharply or something." He explained. Regulus huffed, but then shrugged his shoulders, probably taking heed of his own father's words to be polite, and gently eased himself onto Remus' knees. The werewolf wrapped his arms around him.

"What are you doing?" Regulus seethed. Remus swallowed heavily.

"Getting comfy." He replied. "But also, you don't have a seat belt, I need to look after you."

Regulus huffed in annoyance, and he noted that oddly, so did Sirius. He glared at his brother, and then into space.

"I don't want to be here." He mumbled to himself, wondering if he could just get out of the car and find his way back home. But then Fleamont was in the front, and the car engine had roared into life, and their trip to Broadsands Bay had begun.