Chapter 6- An early return
James and Remus sat on Remus' bed for quite some time in silence,
and when Peter woke up, decided to have a chess tournament. Lily
came to visit James once she had heard from Sirius what had
happened. And when Snape finally woke up that evening, he took one
glace at Remus and fainted again.
After a check over from Madame Pomfrey, both James and Remus were
free to walk the halls of Hogwarts once more. Their first stop was
the kitchens, as they had missed dinner, and both were starving.
Once they stepped in they were as usual surrounded by house elves.
"Does master Potter want a sandwich?"
"Does master Lupin want Some Pumpkin Juice?" All the elves came at
them at once, but one caught James' eye.
"Sirs, Frecker has been asked to give this to master Lupin, sirs,
by Professor Dumbledore sir." He handed Remus a letter, which he
tore open.
Mr Lupin,
Once Mr Potter and yourself are done in the kitchens, I would be
most grateful if you would attend my office, for a brief meeting.
Mr Potter is welcome if you wish for him to come.
Professor Dumbledore
P.S. the password to my office is JUMPING JELLY BEANS.
"Oh great." Remus stated downhearted, "I'm going to be expelled."
"What makes you say that?" James asked. Remus handed him the note,
"This doesn't say anything about expulsion or the like. I bet he
just wants to see if your ok."
"You don't mind if I go alone, do you? I just want to deal with it
myself."
"No problem mate." James said patting Remus on the back. With that
Remus turned round, completely forgetting how hungry he was and
heading for Dumbledore's office.
When he reached it he found both Sirius and Snape leaving it. Snape
looked at him with a weary eye, and fled when he saw Remus looking
back. But when Sirius saw Remus, he just hung his head and looked
at his shoes, almost in shame.
Remus didn't know why but he felt a pang of guilt. Pushing that
thought out of his mind, he said the password and made his way up
the spiral staircase and into Dumbledore's office.
"Ah Mr Lupin, do sit down." Dumbledore greeted. "Would you like a
sherbet lemon?" He smiled
"No thank you sir." Remus declined politely.
"Now, about last night..." Ahh here it comes, Remus thought. "Last
night was a very unfortunate mishap and has, I believe, ended in
the right course of action- suspension. I have suspended Sirius
Black for purposely leading Mr Snape into grave danger. Had Mr
Potter not saved him he would have been killed most certainly. It
would've been expulsion, but Mr Black did the right thing in
realising his mistake, admitting the error of his ways in coming
and finding me straight away." Dumbledore paused and looked at
Remus an understanding in his eyes. "But I for one don't want you
blaming yourself in anyway for last nights events. It was not your
fault. Mr Snape has promised not to tell anyone of the information,
which he found out. So you needn't worry about that." Remus was
startled; he almost attacked and killed 2 students. He was sure he
would be expelled.
"Lastly Remus," Dumbledore had lowered his tone and looked at Remus
sympathetically. "I know that Sirius has hurt you, but you must
understand that he has realised what he did was wrong and he has
apologised. I'm not asking you to forgive him anytime soon.
After all, the wounds your friends cause are the hardest to heal,
the best medicine is time. But do consider the fact that Mr Black
loves him dearly he cannot fulfil the positions as both mother and
father. Sirius lacks authority and the ability to tell the
difference between what's wrong, and what's taking things too far."
Meanwhile James had filled his pockets with food and headed up
through the castle to his dorm. He gathered Remus would be hungry
when he returned. However when he turned up in his dorm, he found
Sirius packing.
"No way man! Dumbledore didn't expel you?" James gasped,
outstanded. Sirius looked up at him, a look which could only be
described as pure shame and regret in his eyes.
"No, I'm not expelled." He croaked, "Just suspended until next
year." James fell onto his bed in disbelief. "Dumbledore said he
would send me work to do, written work." Sirius paused, bending
over his now full trunk.
"He was... so... disappointed." He continued in a muffled voice.
"And I was made to apologise to Snape, which I deserved." He added
hastily. "And.. And he was made to promise not to tell a soul,
about Remus." James looked at Sirius, as he hid, all the while.
They had known each other inside and out. Sirius could tell when
James was in love... no not love, when he really liked his girl.
And now James could tell that Sirius was distraught with guilt.
He regretted what he had done. His hand shook as he folded his last
robe and placed it scruffily on top of the rest of his belongings.
And finally he picked up a photograph and stared at it longingly.
James saw him mouth the words "Sorry mum." as he shed a small tear.
For the first time since the incident James felt sorry for Sirius.
He was paying severely for a daft mistake made in a minute of
frustration.
Remus returned late that night, he had wanted to think about what
Dumbledore had said. As he went into his dorm he found everyone
asleep and a plate of food, left by James. Remus gladly accepted
it. Then he went over to Sirius' hangings, parting them. He poked
Sirius in the side until he woke up.
"Wha..?" Sirius said sleepily.
"I need to talk." Remus whispered. This was urgent, he needed to
talk to Sirius before he left. Remus climbed onto Sirius' bed and
then pulled the curtains round.
"Sirius, I realise you didn't think about what you did, it was just
a stupid mistake. I just wanted to tell you that I forgive you. It
will take me a while to truly forgive you... deep down and to trust
you once more. But for now, I don't want to lose you as a friend."
Sirius smiled.
"Aww, Remus. I'm so sorry. I really can't relate how sorry I am.
Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you as a
friend." He choked out.
"Hey, is this a private party?" James and Peter had poked their
heads through the hangings of Sirius' four-poster. And soon enough
all four were sitting inside the hangings. This was quite a funny
site as they were all quite big.
They laughed and joked and did the simple things they used to, just
to pass time. Every now and then one would fall off the bed due to
lack of room and over excitement. But each one had vowed to have a
laugh, as it was Sirius' last night at Hogwarts for quite some
time. They needed to make the most of it. Each knew that Hogwarts
would not be the same without him.
Sirius boarded the train with a heavy heart. He was leaving his
friends and heading home with the prospect of having to explain the
whole ordeal to his father. He couldn't stand the thought of
another disappointed look.
He was left a good few hours to broad alone with his thoughts. For
a busy body like Sirius, this was pure hell.
When he arrived at platform 9 and 3 quarters his father was
standing there waiting, a large smile plastered to his face. He
walked over gave Sirius a hug and helped him with his stuff.
Sirius was a little weary... no yelling yet? They travelled home
in Mr Black's car. It had been his mothers pride and joy, she loved
Muggle transport.
The journey was in silence, but not an awkward angry type of
silence, but a calm tranquil one. When they arrived home Mr Black
led Sirius to the kitchen. He looked at Sirius pensively.
"Now Sirius, this has to be said. I am not proud of what you did to
this Mr Snape, but I can understand that you boys do not get on and
that he provoked you.
You do after all take after your mother with your temper and
myself with your rash decisions." He smiled at his son. "Dumbledore
told me what you asked him. It was very noble of you, but I'm glad
he refused you. You do deserve punishment, but you asking him to
expel you was a little severe. Don't punish yourself too much.
Dumbledore has punished you for your mistake, you've apologised and
Remus will forgive you in time." Sirius walked over to his father
and wrapped his arms around him, as he would've his mother.
"Thanks dad." They stood like that for a while until Mr Black
pulled apart.
"No problemo, sonny boy, now go unpack your trunk. We're going to
have fun this summer, whilst it's still term time we're going to
study hard. I will be your teacher; you can do the work I set you
when I am at work.
And then we're going away... where'd you fancy? How about Italy?
That's where your mother and I spent our honeymoon." Sirius' face
lit up. They hadn't been on holiday since Michelle Black had left
them.
"Yeah, that would be great dad. But what about James?"
"Oh I'm sure he can fend for himself for a few weeks, I'll get
someone to keep an eye out for him and Claire whilst we're gone,
don't you worry."
Jonathan Black, couldn't stay mad at Sirius, he knew his son was
sorry for what he had done.
And life was too short to not spend it having fun with those you
loved. He learnt that one the hard way!
Back at Hogwarts, the Easter holidays had drawn to an end. The
castle was returned to it's usual hustle and bustle. Although it
still seemed subdued. The 3 remaining Marauders were not the only
ones to miss Sirius' presence.
The castle was allot quieter, the boy's found less need to play
endless pranks, Padfoot had always been the one to spark the fire.
There were also allot of girls who seemed less giggly and didn't
know where to batter their eyelashes. Sirius' disappearance had
definitely not gone unnoticed. A week after term had started Lily
found the excuse to go and sit at the Griffindor table for
breakfast, along with Andi, Crystal and Haley.
"James..." She said in a sickly sweet voice. "Where has Sirius got
to? Amelia Bones said she heard he and his father had moved to
South Africa? Is that true?"
"I heard he was expelled, because he set Professor Mcgonnagal
alight on purpose." Haley said eagerly.
"Nah, Heather Johns said he got caught going to Hogsmeade without
permission and Dumbledore allowed Filch to torture him in the
dungeons." Andi said. Lily gasped.
"Nooo... they wouldn't." James, Peter and Remus were laughing into
their eggs.
"Sirius wouldn't get CAUGHT when he goes to Hogsmeade, what do you
think he's stupid?" James said.
"YES!" All three boys laughed.
"Well what did happen then Mr Smarty pants?" Lily said poking her
boyfriend seductively in the chest. He smiled at her and opened his
mouth.
*COUGH*
"Remus... oh, right, You really need that 'cough' sorting." James
backtracked, getting up with Remus and Peter. "Sorry Lil's got to
go with Rem to Madame Pomfrey." He smiled at her and left- Remus
coughing until he reached the entrance hall.
The boy's concocted a plan, to tell anyone who asked, that Sirius
had to go away for a while. However they told the girls the truth.
Well the selective truth. They said that Sirius had been suspended
for a prank which went wrong. And that's where they left it. Most
of the school had forgotten about it anyhow as the ever impending
exams were setting their sights on them.
Every 7th year and below had begun to revise. James spent his
revision time in the prefects common room with Lily, revising and
chatting.
Whereas Remus spent his with a different girl each day. Peter spent
his with Crystal. She helped him through allot. She was patient
with him, understanding he needed a little more help to learn
things.
The Marauders for the time being were officially split. Although
James did have an ongoing communication with Sirius via their
mirrors.
The exams finally came, each one seeming more difficult than the
previous.
Although Lily was more confident, James had not needed to give her
something this year, to remind her that he was always with her.
This year she knew he was everywhere she went, as he was always in
her heart.
James and Remus sat on Remus' bed for quite some time in silence,
and when Peter woke up, decided to have a chess tournament. Lily
came to visit James once she had heard from Sirius what had
happened. And when Snape finally woke up that evening, he took one
glace at Remus and fainted again.
After a check over from Madame Pomfrey, both James and Remus were
free to walk the halls of Hogwarts once more. Their first stop was
the kitchens, as they had missed dinner, and both were starving.
Once they stepped in they were as usual surrounded by house elves.
"Does master Potter want a sandwich?"
"Does master Lupin want Some Pumpkin Juice?" All the elves came at
them at once, but one caught James' eye.
"Sirs, Frecker has been asked to give this to master Lupin, sirs,
by Professor Dumbledore sir." He handed Remus a letter, which he
tore open.
Mr Lupin,
Once Mr Potter and yourself are done in the kitchens, I would be
most grateful if you would attend my office, for a brief meeting.
Mr Potter is welcome if you wish for him to come.
Professor Dumbledore
P.S. the password to my office is JUMPING JELLY BEANS.
"Oh great." Remus stated downhearted, "I'm going to be expelled."
"What makes you say that?" James asked. Remus handed him the note,
"This doesn't say anything about expulsion or the like. I bet he
just wants to see if your ok."
"You don't mind if I go alone, do you? I just want to deal with it
myself."
"No problem mate." James said patting Remus on the back. With that
Remus turned round, completely forgetting how hungry he was and
heading for Dumbledore's office.
When he reached it he found both Sirius and Snape leaving it. Snape
looked at him with a weary eye, and fled when he saw Remus looking
back. But when Sirius saw Remus, he just hung his head and looked
at his shoes, almost in shame.
Remus didn't know why but he felt a pang of guilt. Pushing that
thought out of his mind, he said the password and made his way up
the spiral staircase and into Dumbledore's office.
"Ah Mr Lupin, do sit down." Dumbledore greeted. "Would you like a
sherbet lemon?" He smiled
"No thank you sir." Remus declined politely.
"Now, about last night..." Ahh here it comes, Remus thought. "Last
night was a very unfortunate mishap and has, I believe, ended in
the right course of action- suspension. I have suspended Sirius
Black for purposely leading Mr Snape into grave danger. Had Mr
Potter not saved him he would have been killed most certainly. It
would've been expulsion, but Mr Black did the right thing in
realising his mistake, admitting the error of his ways in coming
and finding me straight away." Dumbledore paused and looked at
Remus an understanding in his eyes. "But I for one don't want you
blaming yourself in anyway for last nights events. It was not your
fault. Mr Snape has promised not to tell anyone of the information,
which he found out. So you needn't worry about that." Remus was
startled; he almost attacked and killed 2 students. He was sure he
would be expelled.
"Lastly Remus," Dumbledore had lowered his tone and looked at Remus
sympathetically. "I know that Sirius has hurt you, but you must
understand that he has realised what he did was wrong and he has
apologised. I'm not asking you to forgive him anytime soon.
After all, the wounds your friends cause are the hardest to heal,
the best medicine is time. But do consider the fact that Mr Black
loves him dearly he cannot fulfil the positions as both mother and
father. Sirius lacks authority and the ability to tell the
difference between what's wrong, and what's taking things too far."
Meanwhile James had filled his pockets with food and headed up
through the castle to his dorm. He gathered Remus would be hungry
when he returned. However when he turned up in his dorm, he found
Sirius packing.
"No way man! Dumbledore didn't expel you?" James gasped,
outstanded. Sirius looked up at him, a look which could only be
described as pure shame and regret in his eyes.
"No, I'm not expelled." He croaked, "Just suspended until next
year." James fell onto his bed in disbelief. "Dumbledore said he
would send me work to do, written work." Sirius paused, bending
over his now full trunk.
"He was... so... disappointed." He continued in a muffled voice.
"And I was made to apologise to Snape, which I deserved." He added
hastily. "And.. And he was made to promise not to tell a soul,
about Remus." James looked at Sirius, as he hid, all the while.
They had known each other inside and out. Sirius could tell when
James was in love... no not love, when he really liked his girl.
And now James could tell that Sirius was distraught with guilt.
He regretted what he had done. His hand shook as he folded his last
robe and placed it scruffily on top of the rest of his belongings.
And finally he picked up a photograph and stared at it longingly.
James saw him mouth the words "Sorry mum." as he shed a small tear.
For the first time since the incident James felt sorry for Sirius.
He was paying severely for a daft mistake made in a minute of
frustration.
Remus returned late that night, he had wanted to think about what
Dumbledore had said. As he went into his dorm he found everyone
asleep and a plate of food, left by James. Remus gladly accepted
it. Then he went over to Sirius' hangings, parting them. He poked
Sirius in the side until he woke up.
"Wha..?" Sirius said sleepily.
"I need to talk." Remus whispered. This was urgent, he needed to
talk to Sirius before he left. Remus climbed onto Sirius' bed and
then pulled the curtains round.
"Sirius, I realise you didn't think about what you did, it was just
a stupid mistake. I just wanted to tell you that I forgive you. It
will take me a while to truly forgive you... deep down and to trust
you once more. But for now, I don't want to lose you as a friend."
Sirius smiled.
"Aww, Remus. I'm so sorry. I really can't relate how sorry I am.
Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you as a
friend." He choked out.
"Hey, is this a private party?" James and Peter had poked their
heads through the hangings of Sirius' four-poster. And soon enough
all four were sitting inside the hangings. This was quite a funny
site as they were all quite big.
They laughed and joked and did the simple things they used to, just
to pass time. Every now and then one would fall off the bed due to
lack of room and over excitement. But each one had vowed to have a
laugh, as it was Sirius' last night at Hogwarts for quite some
time. They needed to make the most of it. Each knew that Hogwarts
would not be the same without him.
Sirius boarded the train with a heavy heart. He was leaving his
friends and heading home with the prospect of having to explain the
whole ordeal to his father. He couldn't stand the thought of
another disappointed look.
He was left a good few hours to broad alone with his thoughts. For
a busy body like Sirius, this was pure hell.
When he arrived at platform 9 and 3 quarters his father was
standing there waiting, a large smile plastered to his face. He
walked over gave Sirius a hug and helped him with his stuff.
Sirius was a little weary... no yelling yet? They travelled home
in Mr Black's car. It had been his mothers pride and joy, she loved
Muggle transport.
The journey was in silence, but not an awkward angry type of
silence, but a calm tranquil one. When they arrived home Mr Black
led Sirius to the kitchen. He looked at Sirius pensively.
"Now Sirius, this has to be said. I am not proud of what you did to
this Mr Snape, but I can understand that you boys do not get on and
that he provoked you.
You do after all take after your mother with your temper and
myself with your rash decisions." He smiled at his son. "Dumbledore
told me what you asked him. It was very noble of you, but I'm glad
he refused you. You do deserve punishment, but you asking him to
expel you was a little severe. Don't punish yourself too much.
Dumbledore has punished you for your mistake, you've apologised and
Remus will forgive you in time." Sirius walked over to his father
and wrapped his arms around him, as he would've his mother.
"Thanks dad." They stood like that for a while until Mr Black
pulled apart.
"No problemo, sonny boy, now go unpack your trunk. We're going to
have fun this summer, whilst it's still term time we're going to
study hard. I will be your teacher; you can do the work I set you
when I am at work.
And then we're going away... where'd you fancy? How about Italy?
That's where your mother and I spent our honeymoon." Sirius' face
lit up. They hadn't been on holiday since Michelle Black had left
them.
"Yeah, that would be great dad. But what about James?"
"Oh I'm sure he can fend for himself for a few weeks, I'll get
someone to keep an eye out for him and Claire whilst we're gone,
don't you worry."
Jonathan Black, couldn't stay mad at Sirius, he knew his son was
sorry for what he had done.
And life was too short to not spend it having fun with those you
loved. He learnt that one the hard way!
Back at Hogwarts, the Easter holidays had drawn to an end. The
castle was returned to it's usual hustle and bustle. Although it
still seemed subdued. The 3 remaining Marauders were not the only
ones to miss Sirius' presence.
The castle was allot quieter, the boy's found less need to play
endless pranks, Padfoot had always been the one to spark the fire.
There were also allot of girls who seemed less giggly and didn't
know where to batter their eyelashes. Sirius' disappearance had
definitely not gone unnoticed. A week after term had started Lily
found the excuse to go and sit at the Griffindor table for
breakfast, along with Andi, Crystal and Haley.
"James..." She said in a sickly sweet voice. "Where has Sirius got
to? Amelia Bones said she heard he and his father had moved to
South Africa? Is that true?"
"I heard he was expelled, because he set Professor Mcgonnagal
alight on purpose." Haley said eagerly.
"Nah, Heather Johns said he got caught going to Hogsmeade without
permission and Dumbledore allowed Filch to torture him in the
dungeons." Andi said. Lily gasped.
"Nooo... they wouldn't." James, Peter and Remus were laughing into
their eggs.
"Sirius wouldn't get CAUGHT when he goes to Hogsmeade, what do you
think he's stupid?" James said.
"YES!" All three boys laughed.
"Well what did happen then Mr Smarty pants?" Lily said poking her
boyfriend seductively in the chest. He smiled at her and opened his
mouth.
*COUGH*
"Remus... oh, right, You really need that 'cough' sorting." James
backtracked, getting up with Remus and Peter. "Sorry Lil's got to
go with Rem to Madame Pomfrey." He smiled at her and left- Remus
coughing until he reached the entrance hall.
The boy's concocted a plan, to tell anyone who asked, that Sirius
had to go away for a while. However they told the girls the truth.
Well the selective truth. They said that Sirius had been suspended
for a prank which went wrong. And that's where they left it. Most
of the school had forgotten about it anyhow as the ever impending
exams were setting their sights on them.
Every 7th year and below had begun to revise. James spent his
revision time in the prefects common room with Lily, revising and
chatting.
Whereas Remus spent his with a different girl each day. Peter spent
his with Crystal. She helped him through allot. She was patient
with him, understanding he needed a little more help to learn
things.
The Marauders for the time being were officially split. Although
James did have an ongoing communication with Sirius via their
mirrors.
The exams finally came, each one seeming more difficult than the
previous.
Although Lily was more confident, James had not needed to give her
something this year, to remind her that he was always with her.
This year she knew he was everywhere she went, as he was always in
her heart.