It was March and there was excitement in the Gryffindor house. They had won the Quidditch cup with their last game. And to celebrate their victory they got the approval of McGonagall to display the cup in their common room. Alistair was over the moon when the snitch was caught. He wasn't an emotional person normally but this time he couldn't push his tears back. His victory speech after the game was filled with gratitude. But Alistair became very possessive of the cup once he held it. And now that is was on display in the common room he was guarding it with his life. Everybody who came close to it with something like ink, food or drinks would be yelled at by Alistair.
Sirius had made it his game to rile Alistair up as much as possible. He would try to get as close to the cup as possible with stuff like quills dripping with ink and his cloak covered with mud. At one particular try with an egg roll and some hot sauce Alistair went totally mental. "Are you literally that stupid, Black? Or are you just messing with me right now! This is the fifth time already that you tried to come close to the cup with food! Let alone those other times when you were so dirty that even by looking at it you would already soil the cup. I swear to Merlin and Dumbledore, Black. If you don't get out of my sight right now I will hex you!" Sirius pretended to play afraid and to back off. When he returned to James, Remus and Peter he couldn't help but snicker. Remus rolled his eyes when Sirius sat down. "Aren't you tired already with this stupid game?" Remus said annoyed, watching Sirius sit down. Sirius sighed loudly in response. "I think you know the answer to that, mate." James saw this fight coming from a mile away and he was tired of it. The exams were still two months away and every single Gryffindor knew that if somebody was going to pass it, it would be Remus.
Sirius and Remus were now bickering with each other. Sirius was arguing that Remus needed to relax more and not put so much pressure on himself. Remus fired back that Sirius could care more about school and not leave everything to the last minute. "I am not going to help you this time. Just so you know." Remus added. "Oh no. You aren't going to help me this time? Is that true, Remus?" Sirius said sarcastically. "Well, how will I ever pass those exams without your help? How, oh how?" Remus abruptly stood up, grabbed his book and marched to the stairs. "Mate…" James said knowingly at Sirius. "What? Are you also going to start with me now, James?" Sirius barked at him. Wow! James raised his hands defensive. "No mate. But just give him some slack. He is stressed with school. You know how serious he is." Sirius shrugged, but James knew that he had hit a nerve. Sirius didn't like arguing at all and always felt guilty afterwards. Especially when it was with one of his best mates. "You are right. But the exams aren't until May. Why stress now already? Before you know it he will need to go to the Hospital Wing for a calming potion."
James heard Peter chuckle while he was watching James and Sirius discuss this. "What are you laughing about?" Peter put his hand behind his head while he lay back on the couch. "I am laughing at the both of you." He grinned at Sirius and James while looking very smug. "And may we ask why?" James asked. "Because you are so oblivious. Remus is using the exams as an excuse for his real concern." Peter's face now fell a bit, the smug was gone and replaced with a mixture of pity and pain. Sirius was thinking deeply but James knew instantly. "It is almost time again. For his …" James quickly looked around them, lowered his voice and whispered: "His transformation." Sirius eyes grew big and there was a look of guilt in them. "Shit!" He said. He was rubbing his neck now with a pained expression. "I totally forgot about that. I feel so terrible." Peter moved himself to the edge of the couch. "I think you guys also forget what day it is when the full moon is visible." Now it was Sirius who was quicker than James. "Oh shit. It his birthday. The tenth is his birthday." Sirius stood up. "I need to make this up to him. I was a jerk for no reason. I know we cannot support him during his thing, but we have to do something." James nodded along. "You are right. First of all, we need chocolate for the day after. And a lot of it." Peter suggested to go to Hogsmeade. "We can use the passage that will bring us right to Honeydukes. We will leave some money for them." Sirius was pacing around while nodding to everything he heard. "Yes, yes. This is good. But we need more. What else can we do so we can take away some of the stress?" James was thinking back to the fight Remus just had with Sirius. "We can pay attention in class and do our homework." James said, enlightened. "And we would help Remus with that?" Peter looked confused. James nodded. "Yeah! You know that even though we don't ask for it, he always helps us. Nagging us about our homework, sharing his notes with us and checking our essays and stuff. If we make sure that we do it and do it well we'll let Remus of the hook." Peter nodded. He understood it and was definitely agreeing with it. "That will probably put his mind at ease."
They knew better then to return to their dorm right now. Remus needed space right now and it is better no to disturb him right now. So James, Sirius and Peter spend the rest of the night discussing how to help Remus and they came up with some pretty good options. Around 1 in the morning they decided it was enough already and headed up stairs to get some well-deserved sleep.
On the tenth of March Remus was feeling particular sick after his transformation from the night before. Luckily it was a Saturday and most of the students were visiting Hogsmeade. Dumbledore and McGonagall decided that it was okay for this time for Remus to be in the common room, as long as he stayed in his dorm. It was around 9 in the morning and Peter just got back from the Great Hall with a plate of food for Remus. "Here you go, mate. Your favorite." He gave Remus the plate, who responded with a smile. "Wow, you must be famished." Sirius said when he saw how his friend was devouring his breakfast. A small piece of toast fell on his Remus his cover, but he couldn't care less. After he was finished his toast and eggs, he inhaled deeply. "That was so good! I was so hungry!" Sirius smirked at James, rolled his eyes jokingly and shook his head lightly. James snorted a bit, but was able not to laugh out loud. Now was not the time for jokes.
"So, happy birthday!" James said. Remus looked up and gave James a watery smile. "Ha, thanks! Yes, that is indeed today. Doesn't feel like my birthday to be honest." He looked down to his lap. "Well, you might not feel like you just turned thirteen, but you surely did. So we got something for you." Sirius stood up and walked over to the dresser. Remus still didn't look up, but picked up the piece of toast that had fell on his cover earlier. "I am not going anywhere. Just so you know." Sirius chuckled at this remark of his friend. "We know, mate. Even we wouldn't put you through something like that after a night like this. No, we just know what you need." He opened a drawer and grabbed a big box.
Remus frowned a bit when he looked at this display. "Okay, fine. You got me curious." Sirius walked over the bed and gave the box to Remus. He opened it and his whole face lit up. "It is filled with chocolate!" He smiled broadly and stuck his hands in the box. "And all kinds of chocolates! Oh my God, this is amazing!" Peter, Sirius and James looked at each other smiling. "Good to see you are happy, it was quite an adventure to get all of this." Remus looked up to Sirius. "It was?" Peter rolled his eyes in response to Sirius. "No it wasn't. He is just messing with you. Do you remember that night when we found that secret tunnel behind the statue of the ugly witch?" Remus nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think so. You mean the witch with the one eye?" Peter nodded. "Yes, that one! So James and Sirius figured out where it ends. And you'll never believe it! It leads to the basement of Honeydukes. So last night we grabbed our bags, got under the cloak and got you your stash of chocolate." Remus, who was halfway through opening a chocolate bar, dropped everything. "You stole it? You just went to their basement and got it out of their stock?" Peter clearly didn't expect this reaction. He started to stumble over his words. "No, no… w-w-we didn't steal it of course." Remus raised one eyebrow. "Mate, we left money." Sirius said impatient. "Don't worry about it!" Remus gave a short, hollow laugh.
"Oh, you left money? So what? You took from their stock, without them knowing about it. They still think they have a certain amount in the back and they don't. Now they will just find a random amount of money left on one of their boxes somewhere." Remus was getting more and more worked up every second by this. "And now what? They realize some of their products are gone and find random money somewhere. What if they find out about the secret passage?" While Remus was ranting about his frustrations, Sirius had taken a seat and just heard his friend out. "Are you done now? You worry way too much. Let it go! Do you honestly think we are that daft? James here found their safe and their lock was easy to pick. So we stuffed the money in there, we took the chocolate and we made sure nobody will find that passage. When they notice that they are short on some products they will count the money and see that they aren't short on any. They probably will just blame each other with not writing everything down correctly." Remus was still not looking completely relaxed, but apparently decided to let it go for now. James had the feeling that the box full of chocolate and his clear craving for it played a big part in this. The rest of the day they four of them just spend in their room. They talked, laughed, played games, shared stories. This was mainly the case to make Remus feel better, to get his mind of his painful transformations. James was happy to see when he returned with dinner for the four of them that their plan worked out. Remus' face didn't look so pale anymore, he laughed with Peter about something stupid that James and Sirius had done in the previous weeks and he looked less troubled. James locked eyes with Sirius who winked at him. They both know Remus was feeling much better now and that he needed this. This is what friends were for.
XXX
A few weeks later, and the end of March, it was time for yet another birthday. This one was the one and only James Potter himself. During breakfast his parents brought him several gifts by owl. James couldn't help but smile when he opened them all. At the fourth gift he saw something attached to it. "Hey! This is for the three of you as well." He showed them the gift and it was a lot of candy together with an invitation to spend the summer at the Potter mansion. "Cool! I will discuss it with my parents and I will let you know." Peter said. James nodded, but he wasn't quite there with his thoughts. His parents also included a letter.
Our beloved son
Happy birthday with you thirteenth birthday. Merlin's beard, you do grow up so fast and we like what we see so far. Of course we knew from the beginning that you would go to Hogwarts and we wouldn't be able to be with you on every birthday, but that doesn't mean that we miss you less. We are delighted with the fact that you are surrounded by your friends everyday and that eases the pain a little bit. But do know, and always remember, that we miss you and think about you.
There is a something that I would like to let you know, but your father asked me not to. He says it has no use for you to worry while you are so far away, without being able to do anything. But I do believe you have the right to know, but I want you to know that you do not have to be worried. Your father has become ill and is currently treated at Sint Mungo's. Unfortunately he has caught the Dragon Pox. He got it because they were working on a new kind of hair gel that has Peruvian Vipertooths as an ingredient.
For now he is fine and nothing major is going on. We were quite quick with recognizing the symptoms so treatment started almost as soon as it had begun. But due to your fathers age the Healers at Sint Mungo's wanted to keep him there at least until the greenish tinge will disappear. And you do know how your father gets, dear. He is all worked up, ready to go home and mad at every single Healer for not letting him go. I am with him everyday for the better part of the day.
Maybe you can visit him this weekend. I do believe that Professor McGonagall would let you leave the afternoon for a hospital visit. Your father would love to see you as well.I apologize for this bad news on what should be a happy day. I do hope that you will still make it a day to remember. Your father loves and misses you and so do I. Write back soon.
Many hugs and kisses,
Mum (and of course also dad)
"James? James? What is wrong? Why is your face so white?" Remus was talking to him in an alarmed voice. James shook his head, unable to speak. So he just shoved the letter their way. Remus grabbed it, scanned over it and put his hand over his mouth. "What is it?" Sirius asked, trying to grab the letter. "Fleamont is in Sint Mungo's. He's got the Dragon Pox." Sirius eyes grew big. He finally got a hold on the letter, now reading it for himself, almost as if he was trying to read that it was all a joke or something. James didn't feel like food at all right now. This morning he had woken up with joy, he was so happy. He was finally thirteen. One year closer to becoming of age and doing magic outside of Hogwarts. But within an hour everything had changed. He knew the letter said his dad was fine, but still. If he was fine why wouldn't they let him go? Why would they keep him in the hospital? Was there something that his mum was not telling him? Or maybe that the Healers weren't telling his mum and dad?
James felt an hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Potter." He looked up. None of his friends would address him that way. And he was right, because it was Professor McGonagall. She looked at him with a small smile. "Could you maybe come with to my office?" James nodded. He stood up and gathered his presents. "Leave it, mate. We'll do that." Sirius said while he swapped James' hand away. James tried to smile at his best friend, but couldn't remember how. Something inside of him told him this was not right at all. He followed Professor McGonagall out of the Great Hall to her office.
When they entered her room he sat down in front of her desk. "Well, first I believe congratulations are in order. But I don't think you feel like celebrating right now." James made a move with his head that could mean several things. "I received a letter from your mother this morning with some dreadful news. And looking at the state of mind you are in right now, you received it as well already. I am terribly sorry about your father, James. But you must know that he is in good hands in Sint Mungo's. The fact that they acted so quickly helped him a lot." She paused for a moment. James finally made eye contact with her, only to see a sad look in her eyes. "I do not know if we can let you go and see him, Mr. Potter." James noticed how she said his first name a few second ago and now used his last name. "Believe me when I say that Professor Dumbledore and I want to let you visit, but the Ministry is very strict about these things. Especially since you're only thirteen years old."
It was like this news was finally hitting James. "So, you're telling me that my dad is in the hospital and I cannot even see him?" He said with a hoarse voice. McGonagall closed her eyes for one second. "I am afraid so. The Ministry does make exceptions, but only if it was a life or death situation, and this isn't one according to them. Your father is almost better. They are just waiting for the greenish tinge to go away. They see no reason why they should let you leave the castle." James couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt a white, hot anger shooting up his throat. "That is bullshit! And you know it! I want to see my dad. I need to see him!" McGonagall looked at him through her spectacles. "I must ask you to calm down, Mr. Potter. Lower you voice." James furious right now. "How can I calm down? I get a letter on my birthday that says my dad is in the hospital. He is fine, but somehow he still needs to stay. Then I hear that I cannot see him at all due to my age. What is the point in keeping my voice down? I… I…" James voice started to break. He took a deep breath and tried to regain a little control. "Professor, listen to me." He continued after a few seconds, his voice already softer. "I need to see him. Something feels not right. Please, I am scared." James didn't mean to say that last part. He felt exposed. His cheeks reddened quickly and he stared down at his feet. It was true though, he did feel scared right now. But somehow it felt like he just gave McGonagall a look into his soul right now. Why was she not saying anything? Why was she so quiet? But then he heard her scrape her throat.
"Let me discuss it with Professor Dumbledore, James." Okay, James thought. Back to first name basis and the answer isn't a no. "I cannot promise you anything, okay? But I will do my best. I think I can make a strong case for you. Especially with the fact that if we don't let you go and see your father, you might find a way to do it by yourself with your accomplices." James shuffled his feet back and forth. He couldn't look McGonagall in the eye right now, because he knew he would betray himself. He was already thinking of ways to contact his father. Sneaking of the grounds with his broom and fly to London or try to create a Portkey. He was also making a list in his mind with teachers with fireplaces in their offices and how to get himself some Floo Powder. Because if they didn't let James go with permission, he sure as hell would go without it. this was his father they were talking about.
"I know by the look of you I am right. Which is not a crime at all, James. You are merely thinking about something that every single student, and probably teacher, would also consider. But before you do anything rash, let me speak to Professor Dumbledore first. I will dismiss you from class right now. You go back to the Common Room and stay there. I will be with you hopefully no later than lunch with an answer." She leaned on her desk to get closer to James. "Promise me that you will just wait there for now." James looked his professor in her eye. He saw that she meant it, she understood him and wanted this for him as well. He knew that McGonagall would try her best with Dumbledore and he just had to trust her. "I promise. I will wait for you." He said. But in his thoughts he added the following words: But only for now.
