Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Hogwarts Academy VII
Everyone was abuzz over James' party, knowing that the Gryffindor house always held the most amazing parties at Hogwarts. Now that Sirius Black was involved, it just got more amazing than the last few years. Whilst most of the ones who were invited were on board with the party, there were some who were reluctant to join until Sirius spoke the magic words that made them want to join.
"There's gonna firewhiskey," Sirius said and the rest was history.
Everyone could see how much their actions had puzzled James when they acted like they didn't know that his birthday was today. It was part of the plan, actually, concocted by Sirius that they act none the wiser. Only Peter, Sirius, and Remus greeted him a happy birthday before proceeding to act like it was nothing. Hermione also greeted him, acting surprised that it was his birthday. Other than them, no one bothered. They could tell that he was hurt and Hermione was distressed by this, hating that she had hurt him despite their surprise later.
"I don't want to do this anymore," Hermione muttered to Alice and Mary as she glanced at James' forlorn face. "He looks so sad."
"I know it's hard," Alice said, "but imagine what would his face be like if you surprised him."
Mary nodded. "It will be worth it, Hermione."
Hermione still looked unconvinced and she tried to cheer James up for the rest of the day. Although she had gotten him to smile a few times, she could still see the pain in his hazel eyes. Hermione sighed and couldn't wait for the surprise to begin.
"Where should I put the cake?" Remus asked, levitating the five foot and four layered chocolate cake behind him.
"On the center, please!" Hermione called over her shoulder as she charmed another bluebell flame and casted it towards the ceiling where they floated and provided lights.
"Alright!" Remus said, carefully setting the cake that Sirius insisted they get for James. He chuckled as he remembered the argument that he had with Hermione about using the house elves to make the cake. In the end, Hermione won and all five of them made the cake with their bare hands.
"Heeeeeelp!" Peter screamed when long garlands made of red autumn leaves had somehow been encircled around his body, pinning his arms to his side and locking his legs together.
Sirius barked out a laugh when Peter started hopping around the room. Remus, shaking his head, helped him by casting a spell to loosen the garlands around his body. Remus then directed the garlands to decorate the walls. Hermione merely rolled her eyes at them as she opened a box that contained fairy lights that entwined themselves on the garlands.
"Okay!" Sirius pulled out his checklist and examined the whole room. "Food? Check. Cake? Check. Decorations? Could use some work but check!"
"It would work if you stop being a lazy arse and help us," Remus ranted, shooting a glare at Sirius.
Sirius scoffed. "I can't help. I have a checklist." He waved his list and stuck his tongue out.
"Am I late? Sorry, I'm late!" Regulus exclaimed as he came inside the Come and Go Room.
"Reggie! About time!" Sirius barked out. "Did you got the stuff?"
Regulus grinned as he opened the door again and levitated a large crate in. Sirius, Remus, and Peter whistled when Regulus opened the crate and they saw twenty bottles of Ogden's most finest Firewhiskey. Sirius gave a high five at Regulus, who looked at him smugly. Hermione made a noise of disapproval from her spot but she only shook her head instead of ranting to them.
Despite Hermione's initial reluctance about the alcoholic drinks, she and Remus had a plan to make a Sober Up Potion and Anti-Hangover Potion for each guest if they wanted it. It took almost three days but they managed to make enough for a hundred of guests.
"So, how will you get James to come over here without suspicions?" Regulus asked his older brother.
Sirius grinned and there was nothing good in it. "You'll see."
The Come and Go Room wasn't exactly well-known to the majority of Hogwarts and the students were pleasantly surprised when they saw the large room that they provided for the party. A few had asked Remus how they found the room but Remus had kept his mouth shut, simply saying that it was always there. The rest of the Marauders weren't no better than Remus.
The party would begin at 8 PM sharp and it would end at 11 in the late evening. Those who were invited had already started arriving at 8:15, however the party would not officially start until James came in. Many were shocked when they saw Lord and Lady Potter with them as guests but they didn't question it, since it was clearly obvious that they were there for their son's birthday celebration.
"Aunt Dory! Uncle Charlie!" Sirius and Peter exclaimed as they hugged them respectively.
Remus was the only one who smiled and approach them in a calm manner. "It's nice to see you here, Aunt Dory, Uncle Charlie." He kissed Dorea's cheeks and hugged Charlus.
"What are you guys doing here?" Peter asked with wonder.
"We were invited," Dorea answered coyly.
"I like how you decorated the room, lads," Charlus Potter said, clapping Sirius on the shoulder as he eyed the large chocolate fountain beside the mountainous cake. "You really went all out, huh?"
"Only the best for the best, Uncle." Sirius grinned.
"Hello, my dears." Dorea kissed Sirius' cheeks, then Remus', then Peter's, and then Regulus'. She gave them a dazzling smile right after. "You've done well for yourself, boys."
"Wouldn't want to disappoint you, Aunt Dory." Sirius grinned cheekily.
Someone new entered the room and those who saw them had gasped. They swiftly captured everyone's attention. Seeing the commotion, the Marauders and the Potters looked behind them to find two beautiful girls, Mary and Alice, who immediately went to their respective partners. Every guy shot envious looks at Peter when Mary kissed his cheeks.
The third one who entered the room had almost stunned them into complete silence.
"Is that Hermione Granger?" Someone exclaimed from the crowd.
Sirius gaped. Remus blinked. Peter blushed. Mary grinned. Alice smirked.
Hermione stood unsurely, her hands smoothening the non-existent wrinkles of the skirt of her dress. She was wearing a strapless dress in Gryffindor red that flattered her curves that no one had noticed before. Her hair, which was so normally wild and bushy, was now tamed into a French braid that draped over her right shoulder. She didn't wear any heavy makeup aside from gold eye shadow, that complimented the colour of her eyes, black mascara that made her eyes seem to pop, and red lipstick that brought more attention to her lips. With just a few touches, she actually managed to make herself pretty.
Hermione blushed, seeing so many faces trained on her person. She quickly went to the Marauders who finally snapped out of their shock.
"Bloody hell, Kitten." Sirius eyed her and her long, toned legs. "You look good. If I knew that you would dress up for James' party, I'd probably declare everyday as his birthday."
Everyone laughed as Hermione slapped his shoulder.
"You look very beautiful," Remus said with a sincere smile.
"I told you so!" Mary exclaimed, her arm wrapped around Peter's. "She wouldn't believe us when she said that she looked beautiful."
Alice nodded in agreement. "Oh, she wouldn't even come here. We have to bloody convince her not to run whenever we came closer."
"My dear, you should believe them." Everyone silenced when Dorea spoke, silver eyes soft as she regarded the brunette. "You look stunning this evening."
Hermione gave her a heartfelt smile. "Thank you."
"James wouldn't know what will hit him if he sees you like this!" Peter was still blushing whenever he looked at Hermione.
Dorea laughed and then looked around. "Speaking of James, where is that son of mine? Is he here yet?"
"Not yet, Dorea," answered Hermione, missing the Marauders' shock for addressing James' mother by her first name. "But he will be here soon."
"Hey, Wormy!" Sirius called Peter who was making eyes with Mary. He rolled his eyes as Peter jumped and looked at him. "Come here for a minute."
Peter casted one last look at Mary before heading towards Sirius. "Yes? What is it?"
Sirius leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Check James' name in the map and see where he is at. Then we can send Remus and do the plan. Hurry. Everyone is eager to get the party started. Make sure no one sees you."
Peter immediately nodded and went to the farthest corner in the room, pulling out the Marauder's map underneath his robes. When he found James' name on the map, his blood ran cold when he saw the name right next to him. Sirius, breaking away from the group they created with Dorea and Charlus, made his way to Peter.
"So?" He whispered, looking around to see if anyone noticed them. "Where is he?"
Peter slowly looked up and Sirius paused when he saw the expression on his face. Normally, Peter was easy to read. His expressions were always open and unguarded. Now, however, Sirius had trouble deciphering his expression.
"Well? What is it? Where is he at?" Sirius demanded.
Peter gulped.
"James is in the library," he croaked out, "with Lily."
