Chapter Eleven ~ James's Judgement
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"Now, the best way to quell a Graphorn is to…Sirius, what are you doing?" Remus asked exasperatedly, leaning against the desk at the front of the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom.
Sirius stared innocently at Remus from the back of the classroom. "What? I'm not doing anything!"
Remus rolled his eyes and continued to inform the Gryffindor students of the best ways to subdue a Graphorn.
A week had passed since Voldemort and Wormtail had been thrown in prison and Sirius had been cleared of all charges. An uneasy peace had fallen over the magical community - uneasy due to the fact that Voldemort was merely imprisoned rather than receiving the Dementor's kiss. Life had returned to normal, well, as normal as it could be now that Sirius was back at Hogwart's.
Sirius was whispering something in his godson's ear and Harry was grinning wickedly.
Remus continued his lecture, well aware that he held the attention of everyone in the class, except for one student.
"I'm sure Professor Snape has informed you all of the many uses for powdered Graphorn horn in potions. Unfortunately it is expensive due to the difficulty collecting it so it is unlikely that you will ever use it here at Hogwart's. Graphorn hide is the toughest known substance, tougher even than dragon hide and it repels most spells. Again it is expensive but if you are thinking of a career as an Auror or an Unspeakable or even a hit wizard I would advise you to invest in protective clothing made from Graphorn hide."
Remus stopped talking and watched as the students scribbled down his words. Everyone except Harry, who had a mischievous expression on his face. Sirius had moved away from Harry and was now slowly walking up to the front of the room, checking the students' work as he walked past them.
Draco was whispering in Harry's ear now. It seemed to Remus that he was trying to find out what Harry and Sirius were up to. Sirius appeared to have taken on the task of teaching Harry all the tricks and pranks that he and James had come up with. Already this week, Harry and Sirius had added a potion to the Hufflepuff pumpkin juice at breakfast so that their hair turned hot pink, they had charmed all the suits of armour to insult people as they passed by and, in perhaps their greatest triumph to date, they had charmed Snape's chalk so rather than writing lecture notes on the blackboard, it wrote messages similar to those that had appeared when Snape had tried to use the Marauder's Map in their third year. It was now Friday and Remus shuddered to think of what they were planning to do now.
"For homework, write two feet of parchment about the magical properties of Graphorn body parts. Class dismissed. Harry, I need to talk to you." Remus said as the bell rang.
The students filed out of the room, Ron, Hermione and Draco stayed behind as no one had specifically told them to leave.
"Okay, Harry, Sirius, what are you planning now?" Remus demanded, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice.
"What?" Both directed identical innocent gazes towards Remus.
"I've been watching you for the entire lesson. I know you two were planning something, now out with it? Who are you going to humiliate next?" Remus was starting to get annoyed.
"They're going to photograph people in the Prefects bathroom and stick the photos up around the castle," Draco volunteered as Harry gasped.
"Draco! How could you? It was supposed to be a secret!" Harry cried.
"Harry, Sirius may be your godfather but Remus is practically your godmother," Draco said calmly, "Sorry, Remus, but it's true. Anyway, I really don't think you should be keeping things from him. I mean, wasn't he just as much a part of these pranks Sirius and your dad did?"
"You're right, Draco," Sirius said seriously, "I'm sorry, Moony. I didn't mean to leave you out, but you were in Professor mode and….I don't know….you've just.…you've changed since you've grown up. You're more mature now and I didn't think you'd be interested."
"Sirius, just because I take teaching seriously doesn't mean I can't have fun," Remus replied with a smile.
The four students backed out of the room as Sirius and Remus eyed each other with a decidedly wicked glint in their eyes.
"So you were watching me, huh?" Sirius asked with a sly smile.
"I always watch you," Remus said seductively as he leaned in to kiss his lover.
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Ron, Hermione, Harry and Draco walked down the hallway towards the Great Hall for lunch.
"I shudder to think of what on earth they will come up with now that they are working together," Hermione said. "I mean, Sirius on his own was scary enough but with Remus on his side now….we all know Remus was the brains behind the more obscure pranks the Marauders pulled."
"Hey! Sirius wasn't on his own, I was helping him," Harry protested, "I'm just as good at pranks as my dad was."
"Honey, don't take this the wrong way but you really are too sweet and gentle to really do any damage with a prank," Draco replied affectionately "Would you really have embarrassed the prefects by photographing them in their private bathroom?"
"Yes" Harry retorted, then his face fell, "Okay, so I probably wouldn't have gone through with it but it was my idea! I was part of all the other pranks."
"Yeah, but they were pretty harmless pranks, weren't they," pointed out Hermione. "No one was seriously embarrassed and some of those Hufflepuffs were delighted to have pink hair. You did them a favour really."
Harry looked downcast at this announcement.
Draco slipped his hand in Harry's. "I still love you," he said sweetly.
Harry smiled at him, "I love you too."
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"Harry! Wake up! Harry!"
Harry awoke to someone poking his back. He was spooning Draco so he knew it wasn't the former Slytherin poking him. He gingerly disentangled himself from Draco and sat up. Ron was holding the bed's curtains open so obviously it was him who had so rudely awoken Harry.
"Ron? What's up?" Harry yawned as he blearily rubbed his eyes. "What the fuck? You're glowing!"
"No shit!" Ron said angrily as he paced around the bedroom, casting a small circle of green light around him as he walked. Harry pulled on his boxers and climbed out of bed.
"Well…why do you glow?" Harry asked curiously.
"How the hell should I know? I was, well, I was out and all of a sudden I started glowing. Look, Hermione's down in the common room, put something else on and meet us down there," Ron said as he left the room.
Harry pulled on a pair of jeans and his Weasley jumper and peered in at Draco. He was still sleeping soundly. Harry smiled tenderly and left the bedroom.
He entered the common room to find Ron pacing again and Hermione sitting in front of the fire.
"Hermione, you're glowing too?" Harry asked, amazed that his two best friends were both glowing an eerie green.
"I can't work out what happened. I've searched through all my books and there's nothing about people suddenly starting to glow," Hermione sounded almost hysterical that her books were of no help whatsoever.
"Walk me through it. What were you doing when it happened?" Harry asked, trying not to smile.
"Well, we were-"
"Out, we were just out," Ron interrupted Hermione quickly.
Hermione glared at Ron as Harry wondered what on earth Ron obviously didn't want him to know.
"We were in," Hermione said firmly, glaring at Ron as if daring him to interrupt her again, "the Astronomy Tower. We had just left and it was then that I noticed that Ron was glowing and then he told me I was glowing too."
"Do you feel okay? I mean, you don't think this is some kind of curse, do you?" Harry asked worriedly.
"I feel fine," Hermione replied.
"Me too," Ron replied.
"Maybe we should go see Remus and Sirius, just in case," Harry suggested.
"But it's 3am!" Hermione protested.
"Good point – what were you doing in the Astronomy Tower at 3am?" Harry asked with a sly smile.
"You were in the Astronomy Tower late at night?" a voice came from the stairs to the boys' dorm. Draco entered the room and excitedly leapt onto Harry's lap.
"Do tell," Draco said encouragingly, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Hey, you're glowing!"
Harry pushed Draco up out of the chair and stood up. "We'll explain on the way to Sirius and Remus's room. I don't think they'll mind being woken up for something like this."
The four of them made their way stealthily towards the staff quarters. This was the most dangerous part of the castle to be in late at night. If a teacher woke up and caught you, you were guaranteed a month's detention.
With a whispered 'alohomora' the four students crept into Sirius and Remus's living room. As Ron quietly closed the door, Harry knocked on the bedroom door. They heard someone yell something unintelligible.
"It's Harry!" Harry yelled back. There was the noise of sudden scrambling and the door was unceremoniously thrust open as Sirius and Remus practically fell through it in their haste to make sure that Harry was okay.
"What is it, Harry?" Remus asked, "Is it your scar?"
Sirius suddenly burst into gales of laughter. He grabbed Remus's arm and directed his attention to Ron and Hermione. Remus joined him, laughing uproariously at the glowing pair.
"Been having a little fun in the Astronomy Tower, have you?" Sirius asked between laughs.
"How did you know?" Ron asked angrily.
"I told you it would work!" Remus said to Sirius.
"I should never have doubted you," Sirius replied to Remus.
"Hey, this was a prank?" Harry asked as he filled the blanks from their conversation. Draco looked impressed as Ron and Hermione sent indignant gazes at the professors.
Remus and Sirius sat down as they gained control over their mirth.
"It was all Remus's idea," Sirius said proudly. "He combined a few spells and charms to create one that would cause anyone who entered the Astronomy Tower after dark to glow upon leaving the Tower. Ingenious really."
"How long does it last?" Draco asked, in awe.
"Twenty-four hours," Remus replied.
"Twenty-four hours?" Hermione cried. "I'm going to glow like bloody ET for twenty-four hours."
"ET?" Ron asked as Harry started laughing.
"I can reverse it, Hermione. Don't worry," Remus got up and fetched his wand.
"Finite Incantatum," Remus said as he pointed his wand first at Hermione and then at Ron.
Hermione sighed with relief as her skin returned to its normal colour.
"Why?" Draco asked curiously.
"Why?" Sirius repeated with a laugh. "At breakfast we are going to see how many students were in the Astronomy Tower last night. We all know what people do up there. It's going to be hilarious. Especially when we start the rumour about why they are all glowing."
Harry noticed Draco smiling knowingly at him. "What?"
"You're worried about the feelings of all these glowing people, aren't you?" Draco said perceptively. "I told you. You're too noble to be a true prankster."
Harry tried to glare at him but failed miserably. He didn't want Draco to think he was angry with him.
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The next morning at breakfast, the sheer number of people glowing in the Great Hall astounded Draco. He knew the Astronomy Tower was a popular place for couples but this was ridiculous. He glanced up at the head table and saw Remus and Sirius trying to contain themselves. Even Dumbledore looked amused.
"Hey, what's with all the glowing people?" Seamus asked curiously.
"Anyone who was in the Astronomy Tower after dark is glowing," Draco said, eager to start the gossip spreading. Seamus certainly was the right person to tell. Within minutes it was a repeat of the 'Harry's gay' incident from a few months ago.
Draco happened to glance at Harry and saw him cringing. He rubbed Harry's back supportively. It really was adorable the way Harry reacted to other people's embarrassment. He turned back to watch the action. People all over the Great Hall were trying to figure out who had been with whom. Draco was disgusted to see that Millicent Bulstrode was one of the glowing people. Who on earth would want to snog her? he wondered.
Dumbledore rose to address the school. "Students who are not glowing, please proceed to your first class. Students who are glowing, please come up the front here and Professor Black and Professor Lupin will reverse the spell."
There was angry muttering around the Hall as those who glowed realised that the Professors were behind the prank. However, not all students were angry, some were appreciative.
"Alright, way to go Professor Black and Professor Lupin!" Seamus called out enthusiastically as he stood up clapping.
"I wonder who was with Millicent?" Seamus asked curiously as he sat down.
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Draco skipped lightly down the last few steps into the Gryffindor common room. He noticed Harry sitting near the fire and frowned. Harry was staring into it as if it held life's answers, although Draco would be willing to bet that he wasn't actually seeing the fire. Something was obviously bothering Harry.
"Hi honey, what're you thinking about?" Draco asked as he squeezed into the same armchair beside Harry.
"Oh, you know, stuff," Harry replied noncommittally.
"Oh stuff, don't know why I didn't think of that. Come on, Harry, it's me. Talk to me," Draco cajoled gently.
"I was just thinking about last week," Harry said so softly that it was lucky Draco was sitting so close or he would have missed it.
"Last week? But Voldemort is in Azkaban. He can't hurt you now," Draco said comfortingly.
"I'm not thinking about him. I was thinking about my parents. I've never seen them in anything other than a photo before. Well, apart from the Mirror of Erised but that doesn't really count, it's like a life-size photo. They just looked so real and I….I guess it just hit me what I've been missing all these years. I just wish I could remember something about them, something happy, not their murder," Harry said disconsolately.
Draco put his arm around Harry and pulled him close. He kissed the dark-haired Gryffindor on the temple and just held him as Harry let out all the emotion he'd been pushing away all week. Draco hated seeing Harry this upset. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to never know his parents and to grow up with relatives that hated him. It really was amazing that Harry was as normal as he was.
It tore Draco apart that he couldn't help Harry with this. Hey! That's it, he thought. I might not be able to help, but Sirius can. He was Harry's dad's best friend so surely he would be able to help Harry feel closer to his family.
Harry had virtually stopped crying and was sniffling into Draco's neck, still clinging to the blond boy.
"Harry," Draco whispered in his ear. "How about we go and talk to Sirius about this?"
"O….okay," Harry gulped as Draco tenderly wiped the tears from his face. "I'm sorry to be such a baby."
"Shh," Draco replied with a loving smile. "You're not a baby, you're just sad and it's okay to be sad."
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Sirius was scribbling notes on various pieces of parchment when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," he called while frantically clearing the desk of all prank related materials.
Draco's head appeared around the door. "Do you mind if Harry and I talk to you for a bit?"
"Of course not, Draco. Come in, sit down," Sirius said warmly, gesturing to the sofa as he sat down on an armchair opposite.
Draco grasped Harry's hand and led the red-eyed Gryffindor into the room. They sat opposite Sirius who gazed at Harry, concerned by his godson's appearance.
"Are you okay, Harry? What's wrong?" Sirius asked.
When Harry didn't reply, Draco did. "He's been thinking about his parents and how he doesn't remember anything about them other than their murder."
Sirius looked pained at the mention of James and Lily. "I guess I could tell you some stories about them, but it really wouldn't be the same. I'm sure it was hard, seeing them last week looking like they were alive."
"Thanks for the offer, Sirius. But you're right. It wouldn't be the same. I want to see them but I know that's impossible. Don't worry, I'll get over it," Harry said forlornly.
"Wait a minute, let me think. There could be a spell that could allow me to project my memories so that you could watch them, rather than me just telling you……" Sirius scanned his memories for an appropriate spell.
Harry was trying not to look hopeful. There probably wasn't any way for this to happen so he should just forget about it.
"Hey!" Draco suddenly exclaimed. "What about a Pensieve? Couldn't you put some of your memories into it so Harry could go in and have a look?"
"That's a great idea," Sirius said, smiling at Draco. "But I don't have one."
"I do. I'll just go and get it," Draco volunteered. He left the room, eager to help Harry.
A few minutes later Draco reappeared holding a shallow basin with a silvery light coming from within it.
"Here it is," Draco announced, setting it down on the coffee table between the boys and Sirius. Draco sat back down next to Harry.
"Uh, Drac?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"Do you think maybe you should take your memories out first?" Harry asked, trying to keep the grin off his face.
"What? Oh, right. I forgot about that," Draco said, blushing.
Sirius looked intrigued. "What's going on?"
"Well, uh, we, I mean, I put some of my memories of Harry and I, uh, doing stuff in the Pensieve so we could go in and watch," Draco explained as Harry grinned at him.
Sirius looked impressed. "That's a great idea! I'm going to have to tell Moony about that."
Draco removed the memories and Sirius added some of his.
"There you go, Harry. Let me know if you want some more. I have to go corrupt some innocent young minds now. See you later," Sirius said with a wave as he left the room.
"Let's go back up to Gryffindor Tower," Harry suggested. Draco nodded and gingerly picked up the Pensieve.
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"Here I go," Harry said as he reached a hand into the Pensieve. Draco shot him an encouraging smile as he fell into the swirling memories.
Harry looked around and realised he was standing in front of his parents house in Godric's Hollow. A younger Sirius was walking down the garden path and knocked on the door.
Harry gasped as his father opened the door. He looked so real and so perfect that Harry felt like he couldn't breath for a moment. He quickly caught up to Sirius and followed his godfather into his parent's house. There she was, his mother, standing in the middle of the living room. She was so beautiful. Harry leant back against the wall as tears welled in his eyes.
"Hi Sirius, how have you been?" Lily was asking Sirius.
"Fine. How's my godson?" Sirius replied.
"He's upstairs sleeping and no, you can't wake him up," Lily said sternly. It was incredible to watch his mother interact with his godfather. If he tried really hard, Harry could almost imagine she was chastising him for doing something wrong. What he wouldn't give to be able to change the past…
"Lily," James called from the kitchen, "When's Remus getting here?"
"Remus is coming over?" Sirius asked with a gleam in his eye. Lily smiled knowingly.
"Yes," she replied to Sirius before calling to James, "Soon, honey, he should be here any minute now."
James entered the living room with two beers. He handed one to Sirius.
"When do you want me to light the barbeque, hon?" he asked Lily.
"After Remus and Peter arrive. I'll just go and put the dressing on the salad," she replied sweetly and left the room. Harry felt sick at the mention of Wormtail's name. He hadn't realised that naturally the fourth Marauder would be included in any of Sirius's memories of his parents.
"So, three years ago today you gave up your freedom, Prongs. Any regrets?" Sirius teased.
"None whatsoever," James replied with a broad grin. "Lily and Harry make life so much better. You'll know how it feels when you settle down. Met any nice girls lately, Padfoot?"
Sirius looked uncomfortable which immediately told Harry that he hadn't told James he was gay. Harry was amazed that Sirius had managed to keep it from him for so long.
"What is it?" James asked, obviously sensing something amiss.
"Uh, look, James, there's something I haven't told you. I'm sorry I kept it from you all this time. I didn't mean to, it just became easier to not tell you if you know what I mean. Anyway, the point is I'm gay."
Harry watched anxiously for his father's reaction to this news. This could give him an answer to a question that had been bothering him for a while – what would his parents think of him being gay and in love with Draco?
James grinned. "I know, I was just baiting you to see if you'd crack!"
"You….you know?" Sirius sounded as stunned as Harry felt. His father didn't seem at all bothered by the news.
"Of course I know! I've known you for more than ten years, Padfoot. Did you really think I wouldn't notice you checking Moony out?"
Sirius blushed, something Harry hadn't realised was possible. "Has he noticed?"
"No, he's oblivious to the whole thing. He's got a lot going on at the moment," James replied.
"You don't think he's the one Dumbledore was talking about at the last meeting, do you?" Sirius asked hesitantly.
"Moony? No, no. Of course not," James didn't sound too sure of himself though. Harry felt even worse as he realised that this was why they had chosen Peter, rather than Remus, to be the secret-keeper.
"So it doesn't bother you? That I'm gay, I mean," Sirius said, changing the subject back.
"Why would it? You're still you – the best friend a guy could have. As long as you're happy, I'm happy," James said as he pulled Sirius in for a manly hug
Someone knocked on the door and the two men broke apart as Lily came in from the kitchen to open the door.
"Remus, Peter, so glad you could make it," she said happily as she hugged each man in turn. Harry felt his stomach turn as Peter kissed his mother on the cheek.
"Prongs, happy anniversary," Remus said warmly.
"Thanks, Moony. I'm glad you could make it. You too, Wormtail," James smiled at them both.
"So what's new?" Remus asked. James raised his eyebrows at Sirius.
"What's going on?" Remus asked curiously.
"Padfoot just came out of the closet!" James announced. Lily, Remus and Peter gasped.
"I'm glad you felt you could be open with us," Lily said as she hugged Sirius, James had obviously told her of his suspicions. Remus and Peter added their support.
Harry followed them out the back and watched as James lit the barbeque and Sirius teased him for using the muggle way of cooking. It amused him to see Remus looking speculatively at Sirius whenever he thought no one was looking, however Harry noticed his mother had seen and had a glint in her eye, like maybe she was thinking of playing matchmaker.
Harry sat a little way from the group, just watching. It was obviously only days before Voldemort attacked and this group was changed forever. It was painful to watch, knowing what he did about the future, but curiously it filled a hole in Harry. His eyes hungrily watched their every move, memorising their mannerisms.
No one treated Sirius any differently and Harry was confident that his parents would have felt the same way about him being gay, if they'd lived to find out. They would just want him to be happy, and if Draco made him happy, then they would be as supportive and loving as they could.
He was vaguely aware of another person joining him as he felt an arm across his shoulders and a pair of lips on his temple.
"Sweetheart, it's almost time for dinner," Draco said softly as he watched the four Marauders and Lily.
"Thank you for this," Harry said, turning to face Draco. He kissed the blond ardently.
"I didn't do anything, this is Sirius's memory," Draco protested.
"It was you're idea. But you're right, I'll have to thank Sirius later," Harry replied.
"Hopefully you won't thank him in the same way though," Draco teased. "Hey, is that Remus checking out Sirius's butt?"
"Yep," Harry said fondly. "I'll tell you all about it over dinner. I guess we'd better go now."
"You can always come back another day. Sirius put more than one memory in here," Draco reminded him as they both stood up. Draco kissed him and they both left the memory.
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~to be continued~