Falling Double

Chapter 3 – This is Tomorrow

Disclaimer: All characters, spells, world entities and general Harry Potter terms are the property of JK Rowling. The plot of Falling Double, original characters and ideas are the property of Frayed Misfit. Any song lyrics, poems and other inspiration will be in italics and duly noted in the authors note.

The next day was calm and even, it spread its light over the school and protected for the time.

James Potter leaned forward into the group, his head almost touching Peter's, speaking in a low harsh whisper.

"They are planning an attack for next Hogsmede weekend, some kind of mass murder. Malfoy was blubbering about a charm that makes it snow, causing all the students to congregate in the Three Broomsticks, it's there they'll stage the attack. We have to alert Dumbledore."

Sirius shook his head quickly, "No Prongs! We can handle this ourselves, intervene, confront them on their way to Hogsmede, take them out one by one."

"This isn't about revenge Sirius, this is about saving peoples lives, we need to tell Dumbledore to cancel the trip." Remus locked eyes with Sirius as he spoke, his voice merely above a whisper but it contained traces of frustration, when was Sirius going to put his pride behind him and focus on helping people.

"I agree with Sirius, it's better if we stop them, let them know that we aren't going to let this kind of thing continue, let them know that we will stand against them." Peter nodded in Sirius' direction, his eyes alight with passion.

"This is ridiculous!" James let out a vent of anger, lifting a hand to his head, "You both know it is. Have you thought about the consequences if we fail? Half the school annihilated, we'd be dead too, not much use to anyone, let alone Dumbledore, if we're dead. Don't be stupid, there is no way we can handle something this big ourselves, not even my ego stretches that far."

"I'm not stupid, don't think I haven't thought about ways to back up our counter-attack, don't think I haven't thought strategies!" Sirius hissed, moving his chair closer into the circle.

"Oh what strategies this time Padfoot! We morph into our anamagi forms, you scare them off with your barks while I butt them with my antlers! Oh and yeah Peter can bite anyone who tries to get away, it's not the full moon so Remus can sit back and watch! Get real Sirius, this is not a game, and I won't let you jeopardize people's lives." James huffed, his hands crossed firmly over his chest.

"Lily's life! Stop putting your love life before friends James, frankly I'm getting sick of it." Sirius spat, running a hand through his black hair before pushing his chair roughly aside and striding out of the library. Peter looked hopefully after him.

"Great, now he's in a huff and we have a serious case to discuss, what the hell is wrong with him today? It's not like I was even talking about Lily, half the school will be down there, including you three, I couldn't cope if something happened to any of you. I'm going to talk to Dumbledore, this is way beyond our capabilities, and it's my duty to the school." James sighed, he hated going against his friend's wishes but this was everything, this was life and death, it wasn't a midnight duel with Snape, it wasn't asking a girl out, this was Lord Voldemort, heck he could even be there! Since James had become head boy, his priorities had seriously changed, he was looked up to by so many of the students, Dumbledore expected him to fulfill his role, his chance to show people he wasn't just a show off or Sirius' best friend. It was Sirius who was being selfish about this, he let his own issues with his family enter into a serious situation, James didn't have the heart to tell him so, but someone would have to.

"I'll come with you, you know I'm with you James, this is beyond us, I'm not going to pretend we can handle this, it's ridiculous. I guess Sirius is just grumpy, he'll come around, he didn't mean that, about Lily, you know." Remus lifted a hand to place on James' shoulder, if there was one thing Remus knew about his best friend, and that was that he would always be loyal to those he loved, Lily would never come between them, no matter how much he loved her.

"Well I'm getting sick of him being 'grumpy' all the time, it's not like him and when I try to talk to him he just shrugs it off or puts it onto me. It's not like before anymore Moony, when we would all talk about everything, it's like we aren't all best friends anymore now that other things are taking priority. Girls, NEWT's, family, all this serpent stuff, me being head boy, you a prefect, quidditch, we don't have time to just be ourselves together anymore, and it's stupid. I guess we all have secrets, but before we wanted to share them, wanted help and to be comforted, now we are all alone." James leaned back in his chair, a frown creasing his forehead, "You'd still tell me everything though, right? I don't want you to hold things back from me, you know I'd never judge you, hell you're my best friend."

Remus didn't look up, the guilt in his stomach threatening to open up, what would James do if he found out about he and Sirius, would he accuse them of holding secrets against him, would he be disgusted, repulsed, would he not want to be friends anymore? Staring at the space between his shoes he swallowed his guilt and lifted his head.

"Remus?" James inquired, his face contoured with concern.

"Sirius and I have been seeing each other, I wanted to tell you, Sirius wouldn't let me, he hates it, he refused to admit what he is, shit, it's horrible, I'm sorry." Remus spat he words out like a disease, his head spinning, his heart threatening to beat out of control, now that the words had started they couldn't stop. "I'd always liked him, you know, never liked girls and then well we just kissed, last year, and it's been going on since then and he's been denying it and I hate the way that makes me feel, and I hate what this means and what it doesn't mean. Last night he said he didn't want to keep doing it anymore and I don't want this to ruin anything and I hate holding this all back from you and Peter."

James laid a quiet hand on Remus' shoulder, it seemed to steady the both of them, James' mouth opened and closed, fighting for the words to say what he felt, "Well that was a surprise."

Remus lifted his eyes to James' and when they connected both boys broke into quiet sobs and clung to each other, scared of what to say, but relieved that there was no more distance between them.

After a short while James pulled back, holding Remus at arms length, "Fuck, I don't care! This doesn't change anything, besides our sleeping arrangements! I thought you were going to say you were a vampire and could I please lend you some blood!"

Both let out relieved laughs, Remus had stopped shaking and found it surprising that he knew that this was how James would react, and was ashamed he hadn't confided in him earlier. "I don't know how you put up with me! First I'm a werewolf and now I'm gay too!"

"Come on, lets get some lunch, and well, I won't say anything to Sirius, I think it's best if he tells me in his own time." James smiled, glad that he and Remus were still friends, nothing would come between them now, he was sure of it.

Author's note: Sorry for all the conversations and such, I'm just getting all the relationships and character building out of the way so I can work on the plot. Not sure even if anyone is reading this as I haven't gotten any reviews, but I'll keep writing anyway, fills some spaces in my life anyhow. This is another short chapter, I know, but at least I am writing!