The Ties That Bind
Chapter Twelve: Tutoring
March 26, 1972
"Are you sure about this?" Remus eyed the set-up that Sirius had conjured. The long staircase that led down to one of the lower levels was now smooth and a pile of mattresses sat at the top.
"Of course. Trust me," Sirius said with a grin.
"That's what I was afraid you'd say," Remus said, still wary.
"Mattress surfing! Wicked!" James grinned. "I'm gone!" With that, he took one of the mattresses and hopped onto it, sliding down. "WhooHOO!" came his cry of delight and then a thump. "Landing's a bit hard but I'm good!" he yelled up.
"I'll go next," Peter said, a bit nervous. He sat down on a mattress and stared at the slope. Great Merlin... he thought.
"Go!" Sirius pushed Peter off with his foot and Peter cried out, gripping the mattress. The walls flew by him as he sped down the slide and the next thing he knew, his mattress crashed into a wall. He was fine, just a little shaken.
James helped him up, grinning. "That fun or what?"
"Or what," Peter said, looking up the long curving slide. "Won't we get in trouble?"
"We're pranksters, remember?" James nudged him. "We're supposed to get in trouble."
Meanwhile, at the top, Sirius was persuading Remus to go. "Come on, it'll be a blast. Promise," Sirius said, pushing Remus lightly.
"Oh fine." Remus shoved a mattress to the starting position. "So long as it gets you off my back." He sat down on the mattress and the next thing he knew, he was flying down, yelling the entire way.
When Sirius was sure Remus had hit the bottom, Sirius hopped onto his mattress and proceeded to surf down the curved slope. At the end, the mattress hit the wall and James caught Sirius as he fell off. "Wild ride!" Sirius grinned. "Oh yeah!" They all laughed
They heard someone clear their throat and froze. Four pairs of eyes looked up in dread and saw Professor Dumbledore looking down at them. The stairs returned to normal with a flick of Dumbledore's wand and the boys were silent as Dumbledore descended, finally stopping in front of them.
"While I'm sure you had plenty of fun," he said, with a twinkle in his eye, "I suggest you continue this in a more...disclosed area. Perhaps your tower?"
They nodded. "Yes, Professor," James said. He pulled out his wand and made the mattresses disappear.
"Very good, then," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "Run along." They didn't need any further prodding as they ran up the stairs, heading back to their tower.
"A good chap, Professor Dumbledore," Sirius said, flopping onto one of the couches.
"Indeed," James agreed, sitting back in a chair.
Remus and Peter took seats on the opposing couch. "Wouldn't want to get on his bad side, though," Sirius said.
"He defeated Grindelwald," Remus said. "He's tough." Peter rested his chin on top his arms, which lay on the arm rest, staring into the fire. Remus looked over, noticing that he was deep in thought. "What're you thinking about, Peter?"
"My parents. I'm worried," Peter answered.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
Peter looked at them. "I got a letter today from them. They said there was an attack in London on some Muggles, but a few wizards were caught in it too. They said the Muggle newspapers blamed it on a gas leak, but the Daily Prophet suspected dark magic."
"You can never be sure with that paper," James pointed out. "It's not as bad as the Quibbler, but it still has a load of rubbish in it."
"Those attacks are very real, though," Remus said. "Peter, I'm sure your parents will be fine."
"Peter, why would the paper think dark magic was used?" Sirius asked.
"There was a mark in the sky with a skull and serpent. They're calling it the Dark Mark," Peter said.
"That doesn't mean dark wizards did it," Remus said.
"Don't you remember the shack incident? That was dark wizards," Peter said, sitting up.
"You think Voldemort's behind this?" Sirius asked.
"Who else would it be?" James said darkly. "We all know he's a dark wizard, but if he gains followers ..." His voice trailed off.
"Then the wizarding world is in far more trouble," Remus said quietly.
"Won't your father tell you?" Sirius asked. "He's the Head Auror, he should know, right?"
"He won't tell me about that," James said. "Remember those attacks during Christmas? I only found out because I listened in on conversations."
"So what are we supposed to do?" Peter asked.
"We can't do anything right now," James said, sitting back. "But we will. Once we learn enough magic and we become Animagi, then we can start planning." Anyone that deals with dark magic has to be stopped, James thought venomently, as anything to do with dark magic left a bad taste in his mouth.
That night, sneaking out of the castle beneath the invisibility cloak, the boys headed off towards the Whomping Willow. "Watch," Remus whispered and took a long stick. Slipping out from beneath the cloak, he dodged the swinging branches and tapped the stick against a knot in the trunk. The tree froze.
"So that's how he did it," Sirius whispered in awe, looking up.
Remus motioned for them to come and they scampered towards the trunk, sliding into the hole. James removed the cloak so that they could move easier and headed down the root-strewn passageway. Once they got to the stairs, Remus went first and they followed up into the Shrieking Shack.
Sirius looked around and shivered. "Can we go? I really don't like this place."
"Scaredy-cat," James teased.
Sirius scowled. "You forget I was held here by those crazy wizards."
"Sorry, mate," James apologized.
Remus, who had been looking around the shack, walked back over to them. "There's no way we can get out of here except through the passageway. Not until we learn more spells. This place is layered in advanced magic."
"Alright," James glanced around once again before looking at Remus. "Let's go back and we'll go the regular route to Hogsmeade." They nodded and headed back down the passageway. Once they were back outside beneath the cloak, they snuck across the grounds into the well-lit walkways of Hogsmeade.
They entered The Three Broomsticks as they took of their cloak. James pocketed it and they walked over to the counter. "Madam Rosmerta!" James called and soon a young woman bustled over to them, a smile on her face.
"Ah, Mr. Potter. So good to see you, again I might add," Rosmerta said with a laugh.
"We just can't stay away," Sirius said with a grin.
"Obviously," Rosmerta said, smiling. "Be back in a tick." She left and James turned to them.
"We've been here a lot," James explained.
"I can tell," Remus said, taking a seat.
"How many times?" Peter asked as he took a seat as well.
James shrugged. "Dozen or so. Probably more."
"Best service," Sirius said, grinning.
"Here you go," Rosmerta said, smiling and handing out butterbeer. "You boys enjoy yourselves. Don't stay too late. I want to keep my customers," she teased and left to tend to another customer.
James sipped his butterbeer and a dreamy expression came over his face. "I love this stuff."
"Best ever," Sirius agreed.
Peter stared at his and then tentatively took a sip. Then a few more sips. Pretty soon the entire mug was gone and he had asked for a refill.
"Ever had butterbeer, Peter?" Sirius asked, his eyebrow arched as he watched Peter down a second mug.
"Now I have," Peter grinned stupidly.
James and Sirius both arched their eyebrows at this. "He's pissed. Completely pissed," James laughed.
"Bloody hell," Sirius laughed. "And this is only butterbeer. I hate to see what would happen if he had fire whiskey. I've heard that gives a lot more kick."
Remus just shook his head, as he had only taken a few sips. "Let's get him back before he drinks any more." Remus stood and helped Peter off his stool, which nearly sent them both toppling.
"Whoa," Sirius said, jumping off his stool and helping Peter stand. "I got him."
"He only had two..." James shook his head in amazement. "Low tolerance. Come on." With Remus and Sirius supporting Peter, they headed out and went beneath the cloak again.
As they headed back across the grounds, Peter began weaving badly. "He's going to get us caught," Sirius hissed.
"No, he won't," Remus whispered and pulled out his wand. "Firme. Now he won't fall." Peter's walk improved and he wasn't weaving nearly as much.
"Good thinking," James said as they re-entered the castle. Once they were back in their common room, Sirius helped Peter upstairs and into bed.
Remus stopped James before they went up. "What you did back there...thanks. Maybe this won't be so bad, us becoming friends."
James smiled. "You know, at first we weren't so sure, but now...I've got to admit, you two aren't too shabby yourselves. I think we'll be best friends." James placed a hand on Remus' shoulder.
"I think so," Remus said, smiling. "Let's check on Peter and get to bed."
"At least tomorrow's not a school day," James laughed as they walked upstairs. "I don't think Peter would be going to class."
Remus laughed. It feels so good to laugh. "Highly doubtful." They headed to their dorm.
March 28, 1972
When Peter woke up the previous morning with a hangover, James gave him a potion that made him feel twenty times better. Later that day, they planned their next adventure and that night, they headed out.
Their goal was to find at least one secret passageway or room and as they were in a castle full of those, they didn't expect it to be that hard. But it was.
"Bloody hell," Sirius muttered as they walked. It felt like they had been walking for hours. "You would think that we'd have found something by now."
"Maybe we just aren't looking in the right places," Peter offered.
"There has to be an easier way," James sighed, stopping. They all stopped as well.
"Like what?" Sirius asked, fiddling with his wand. "Go around tapping walls and saying Dissendium," he said, hitting his wand lazily against the wall he was leaning against. Suddenly that wall moved and Sirius felt himself falling backwards. He landed with an 'oof!' of surprise.
"Something like that," Remus said softly, stepping over Sirius.
"Blimey," James whispered as he entered the room.
"What?" Peter asked, so excited he almost tripped over Sirius.
"Nice of you to help me up," Sirius muttered, standing and brushing his pants off. Then he stopped and stared as well. Wall to wall bookshelves, filled with dusty books. A darkened fireplace filled one wall with cobwebbed chairs sitting around. A large round table sat in the center, where several chairs had been sat upside down upon.
"Tergeo," James said, flicking his wand and they watched as the room cleaned itself. The cobwebs disappeared and everything looked shiny.
Remus walked over to the fireplace and said, "Incendio." A flash of fire erupted from the tip of his wand and a fire was soon burning brightly inside the room.
"Nox," Sirius said and the light from his wand went out. Remus walked around, lighting all the oil lamps and soon it was quite bright in the room.
"This place is amazing!" Peter exclaimed, looking around. His eyes drifted over the titles of the books. "They have everything here! From first year courses to graduate courses. Old magic and new! It's like a private library."
"The Magician's Study," Remus said.
"I like that," James said, looking at him.
"I do too. Catchy," Sirius said with a grin. "That's what we'll call it. The Magician's Study. And we can do all our homework in here and no one will ever know."
"Brilliant," James grinned.
Peter yawned and they looked at him. "Sorry, I'm just really tired."
"We can head to bed," Remus said, smiling. "We'll have plenty of time to check this place out."
"Definitely," James agreed and they headed out, but not before memorizing where it was.
March 30 1972
When the students returned, some were happy and some were not. Chatter filled the towers and halls once again and stories from the holidays were heard constantly.
"You're not joshing me," Leon said, looking at James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter. "You really are friends."
James nodded. "Call it bonding over the holidays."
Leon smiled. "About time. Glad to hear it. So what did you do over the holiday?"
"Pranked a little, snuck into Hogsmeade and saw Rosmerta," James grinned.
"Peter got pissed," Sirius laughed.
Leon's eyebrows rose. "He did? Peter?" He looked over at Peter who nodded sheepishly. "Never would have thought. You two are a bad influence."
"Only on those that don't know how to have fun," Sirius said, still grinning. They all laughed.
"I am so glad to be back," Lily said, flopping onto her back on her bed.
"Why more so than usual?" Jaina asked as she put away her clothes.
"Petunia was positively horrid. She had her boyfriend over, Vernon, and they wouldn't stop picking on me. While we were at dinner, Petunia would always make jibes, even if Mum and Dad were listening. They chided her, but what can they do? She's fourteen, almost fifteen now. She doesn't listen. Claims I'm still my mum's pet." Lily sighed. "I tried to be nice but honestly, what can my parents expect? I can only take so much."
"We all know your sister is a prat. I only had to meet her that once when I came to rescue you. Staring at me down her long nose, thinking she's better than me. I wanted to punch her, but I suspect that wouldn't have gone too well."
Lily laughed. "Doubtful." She smiled over at her best friend. "Don't know what I'd do without you, Jaina."
"I don't know what I'd do without myself either," Jaina said with a grin.
Lily just rolled her eyes, grinning. "You're something, you know that?"
"I'm a Lemay, of course I am," Jaina said in a deep voice, doing a very good impression of James.
Lily laughed, sitting up. "That was good."
Jaina grinned. "Thought it was."
"Just don't get too arrogant."
"Moi? Nevah!" Jaina said in a very bad French accent. Lily just laughed and threw a pillow at her. "Oh, now you've done it. Pillow attack!" Jaina laughed and threw a couple pillows at Lily.
Moments later, they both lay on Lily's bed, breathing hard. Pillows and feathers were strewn all over the dorm. "Erica's going to toss a fit when she sees this," Jaina laughed.
"Maybe we should clean up."
"What did you two do?" a shocked voice asked and they looked over to see Erica standing in the doorway. "It looks like a tornado went through here."
"Just a bit of fun," Jaina said, rolling over onto her stomach to look at Erica. "No harm done."
"Sorry, Erica, we'll get it cleaned up," Lily said, sitting up.
"It's alright," Erica said. "Just next time, ask me to join." She gave them a small smile and left.
Jaina and Lily stared at each other. "Was that...Erica?" Jaina asked, shocked. "As in, Baddock, the annoying, snobby prat that should have been in Slytherin?" Lily nodded mutely. "Bloody hell. Something happened over the holidays."
"Maybe we should ask her to join next time we go somewhere," Lily said, finding her voice. "It'd be the nice thing to do."
Jaina shrugged. "Whatever. We'll see how long this lasts."
A knock came at the door and Lily looked towards the doorway, where Lucille stood. "Lily, Professor McGonagall would like to see you before supper."
"Okay. I'll be right there." Lily stood and began gathering pillows.
"What do you reckon she wants you for?" Jaina asked, helping to clean up the mess.
Lily shrugged. "Not a clue."
"Well it can't be anything bad. You're the top of everything," Jaina teased.
Lily laughed. "We'll see."
"Miss Evans, with your top marks and exceptional skill in Charms, I would like you to be a tutor. It is only three times a week and all you'd need to do is go to the library after supper. If no one comes to get help, then you are free to work on your homework," Professor McGonagall said, sitting back in her chair.
Lily nodded. "Yes, Professor."
McGonagall smiled. "You're a good student, Miss Evans. You'll have your first student tomorrow evening, as I've arranged it so you can tutor him. He's not one to come on his own, so that's why for a fortnight he's been instructed to have you tutor him."
"Of course, Professor. Do you need me for anything else?"
"No, that's everything Miss Evans. Why don't you run down to supper and get a good night's rest for tomorrow."
"Thank you, Professor," Lily said, smiling, though inwardly she was confused. Why's Professor McGonagall having me tutor? I don't know that much but...I suppose she has her reasons. She's as crafty as Dumbledore sometimes. Professor McGonagall nodded and Lily left.
"Tutoring?" Jaina asked, an eyebrow raised.
Lily nodded as she bit into a toffee. She swallowed. "Yes. She said I was very good in Charms."
"Have fun." Jaina made a face. "You wouldn't catch me in that library if my life depended on it."
Lily laughed. "I know. Who do you think I have to tutor?"
"Hopefully not someone too daft or annoying."
"Like James Potter?"
Jaina laughed. "Spot on," she said, pointing her forkful of cake at Lily. "I doubt you could get anything through that thick skull of his."
April 1, 1972
That evening, Lily sat at a table in the library. She had her books spread around and was currently working on her Potions assignment. Turning a page in her book, she wrote down a few terms. Might as well get my homework done while I wait.
"You have got to be joking," a voice said.
Lily didn't even have to look up to know who it was. "James, I don't want to tutor you anymore than you want to be tutored by me but fact is fact and we have to put up with each other for the next fortnight."
James dropped his books onto the table, making Lily jump slightly but she didn't look up. "Well aren't you all high and mighty, trying to be better than me."
"Hardly. And if you don't want me tutoring you, then go find someone else, but everyone else is full so I doubt you'll have luck."
"This is completely not fair," he grumbled, flopping into his seat.
"Stop your whining and start on your homework."
"You're the tutor; you're supposed to help me," he retorted.
She sighed and looked up, green eyes meeting hazel. "Don't think your attitude will help matters. Why don't you start by reading Chapter Ten. Write down something about each of the charms. Then we can use that for your essay." She looked back at her own paper and continued to write. Noticing that he was just looking at her, his arms crossed, she looked up. "Just staring at me isn't going to get anything done."
He rolled his eyes and sat up, opening his book. He began writing. She went back to her homework, finishing it and placing it in her bag. Then she took out her Defense Against the Dark Arts book and began reading. I know we're only on Chapter Thirteen, but I want to finish Twenty before the end of the week. That way I can prepare for the end of term test. I've got to do well on it. I'm top of my class in marks and I intend to keep it that way.
James glanced at her before continuing to write. She's so bloody annoying. What gives her the right to be my tutor? I don't need a tutor. I get good marks. Just because I'm weaker in Charms doesn't mean I need help. Why is it that of all people I had to get Evans? Stuck up know-it-all. "If you're so smart, then name all the Charms in Chapter Ten," he said on a whim. I'll get her yet.
"Forgetfulness, Confusion, Disarming, Clumsiness, Silencing and Scouring Charm," she said without looking up from her book.
He made a face, mocking her. "You didn't say them in Latin."
"Alieno, Confundo, Expelliarmus, Inconcinnus, Silentium, Tergeo."
He glared at her. "Stupid bloody know-it-all," he muttered under his breath, writing with a vengeance.
She smirked slightly behind her book and continued to read. He won't get to me that easily. He thinks he's the best. I'm going to show him that he's not.
"Having fun with your tutoring?" a voice asked, snickering. They looked up to see Sirius.
"Shove off, Sirius," James grumbled, continuing to write.
Sirius grinned. "James actually doing homework. What a surprise. Evans has more influence over him than I thought."
"If you don't have something useful to do, then leave," Lily said, looking at Sirius coolly. "We're trying to get work done."
"Seems to me all James is doing is writing 'I hate Evans' over and over on his paper," Sirius smirked.
Lily looked at James, who ignored her. "Then he's just wasting his time. That's his fault," she said simply and returned to her book.
"Ooh, cold," Sirius grinned. "You've got your work cut out for you, mate. Have fun. I'll go enjoy some nice ice cream and candy."
"Real funny, Sirius."
"Always." Sirius walked off, but stopped when he spotted Andromeda. "James is over there getting tutored by Evans," he snickered.
Andromeda looked at him. "Oh really. Poor Lily."
Sirius laughed. "I don't know. She's got a pretty big bite."
"James will handle himself, I'm sure."
"Andromeda, I told you not to talk to him," a cold voice snapped and Andromeda looked over to see Bellatrix standing there.
Sirius just glared at her. "Bella, there's nothing wrong with it," Andromeda said.
"Remember what Uncle said at our last supper? I suggest you remember that," Bellatrix said, snapping her book shut and walking away.
Andromeda sighed and looked at Sirius. "Sorry, Sirius. I'll ...talk to you later, maybe." She hurried out before Sirius had a chance to respond.
"Bloody hell," Sirius muttered, pounding his fist into the table and getting a glare from Madam Pince. "He's turning my entire family against me." He stormed out, fighting back tears. Not fitting for a Black to cry, he thought bitterly.