Chapter Sixty-Eight: Last Night at Hogwarts
Remus admitted he needed to get studying done cutting in just as the arguing about summer break was getting a little more intense and they all started back to the common room. As they walked they weren't able to continue their arguing though. Sirius particularly wanted to get James back for saying that his uncle's household ghost was boring compared to his own, but they had to stop bickering and calm Remus down who was freaking out slightly.
"You'll do fine on all your exams that are left," Sirius reassured him wishing he had managed to get in one last sharp retort to James but both of them were now focused on Remus and not each other. Peter said something, probably reassuring to Remus, but James talked over him so Sirius wasn't able to tell.
"Yeah bloody hell mate you did better than anyone at Defense Against the Dark Arts and Professor Blah was nuts."
"Professor Blah you just had to wait until it was too late to use that gem didn't you?" He accused James who shrugged and replied back cheekily that you couldn't plan when genius hit.
"Let's hope we won't have him next year anyway. I personally believe the rumor he got sacked was right." James added thoughtfully.
"I can't wait until next year. We're going to have to come up with nicknames for all the Professors!" Peter announced eagerly and James and Sirius rolled their eyes at him and grinned.
"You sound like a swat when you say that." Sirius teased him fondly.
"But I'm going to miss you." He protested with a little pout.
"Don't worry Peter I think it's sweet. We'll just hang out without Sirius if he's going to be a berk." James cried dramatically and swirled Peter around in the hallway with more loud declarations of Peter and James' friendship being something Sirius just couldn't grasp.
Sirius highly doubted Peter knew James was mocking him and being sarcastic but he didn't really see the harm because everyone knew he, Sirius, was James' best friend and he certainly wasn't threatened by Peter of all people, even if him and James might get to hang out a ton ...a ton without him. Nope, he wasn't jealous in the slightest!
"Well, I'll run away to come to visit you, James." He replied just as dramatically as James had, stepping in to disrupt the awkward dance that James had pulled Peter into. James grinned at him saying his parents already had a room set up for him. He wasn't expecting such an earnest response when they were clearly joshing around, but it still shouldn't have caught him that much off guard. James' parents were rich enough for it not to be a big gesture, but it sure seemed like one to Sirius no matter how he tried to push it aside in his mind. Luckily he pretended he had meant to stop dancing about abruptly and then proceeded to spin around with James so fast that he was sure no one could tell if his eyes got a little, only a little watery.
"I give up I give up!" James groaned and Sirius stopped the incessant spinning both of them wobbling around badly before falling to the ground laughing.
"You two are absolutely mental." Remus laughed amused. Sirius really did love the sound of his laugh, he grinned up at Remus who appeared upside down then collapsed as James barrelled into him knocking him flat on his back and tickling him in what he called justified revenge.
"I give up I give up." He gasped tears in his eyes, only from laughing so hard though. Remus was trying to convince Peter to leave the two of them behind before someone saw them but both he and Peter were grinning ear to ear.
"Your the only sane one left Peter come with me before it's too late," Remus said with such a serious expression, though it was clear he wasn't that it wasn't long before all four of them were on the floor in the luckily empty hallway laughing. If it was a little ridiculous and a little hysterical, but it certainly was called for after talking about Summer which was in less than a week and with Remus returning and being better and all.
"What on earth are you, absolute morons ...Oh, Remus! It's so good to see you feeling better." Lily called quickly dropping her insult as soon as she realized Remus was with them. She walked quickly down the hall towards them a big smile on her face. Remus flinched but smiled back at her quickly getting to his feet. Sirius followed suit helping Peter and James up as Lily reached Remus practically beaming at him. He was just about to whisper something to James, who had a dumb moppy look on his face at Lily being so happy over Remus, when Remus made a strangled sound.
"What's wrong mate?" James asked with a forced smirk.
"I know Lily's obnoxious but you have to talk to her to tell her to go away." He continued and Sirius realized he thought Remus was joking.
He wasn't though. Sirius noticed Remus had gone paler than usual, a faint distinction only obvious to someone who watched Remus as often and closely as Sirius did. His friend seemed frozen for a few moments and Sirius glanced at Lily who shot James a glare and used her hand not holding some books to tug on her hair unconsciously.
"No...that's not. Sorry, Lily I just...I'm still not feeling well." Remus finally spoke sounding uncertain. Sirius was sure Lily would be offended, she seemed like the type to be easily offended from what he'd seen of her interactions with James, but instead, she smiled and assured Remus it was fine.
"Don't worry, I know you are mature Remus, unlike SOME people!" She exclaimed, making it very clear who 'some people were.' James opened his mouth angrily but closed it quickly as Lily adjusted her books, resting her wand deliberately on top of them. Sirius would have laughed if Remus hadn't still looked so terrified. He was now staring at the ground and Sirius nudged him slightly giving him a confused look as James and Lily started arguing with each other about whether or not James was immature.
"Yes, you are Potter you are the most insufferable person imaginable!"
"I am not. Besides aren't you forgetting about Snivellus."
"That right there is my point! Why do you always have to bring him up?"
"Because he's an evil git."
"He is not!"
"Yes, he is!"
"James, Lily, that's enough." Remus cut in, whether because he was upset they were fighting or because he wanted to avoid Sirius' silent question was impossible to tell. He didn't speak very loud but his voice stopped both Lily and James immediately though they both shot glouring looks at one another.
"Sorry, Lily but I have some studying to get done so…" He was acting unusually awkward towards the fiery girl who had just stuck her tongue out at James when she thought no one was looking. It was then Sirius realized that when Lily had visited Remus by herself late at night something must have happened between them. For some reason, this filled him with a momentary stab of anger towards Lily, probably because she hadn't told them where Remus was. But it took him a minute to shake away the displeased feeling, after all, she really should have told them Remus was fine when she found out! But he wasn't going to pout about it, he unlike James was mature.
"I can help you study Remus it's no problem." Lily offered quickly her grip on her books tightening.
"Well…..I…..you…." Remus began sounding nervous. Something definitely happened between them and this time Sirius couldn't shove down the great wave of irritation he suddenly felt.
"And you would just get in the way." He added cooly though he knew that's not what Remus was thinking at all. Lily looked a bit surprised at the anger in his voice then opened her mouth to tell him off but Remus beat her to it.
"That's not it at all Sirius. I promise Lily you just have all taken your exams already and I don't want to bother any of you."
"Wait a minute Lily if you're done with exams why are you carrying books?" Peter asked sounding dumbfounded that anyone would carry a book without needing too. For the first time, Sirius actually looked at the books Lily was grasping, or he tried to at least. James who also finally noticed she had books quite quickly jerked them from her hands.
"JAMES POTTER!" She hollered angrily and made a grab for her wand before realizing James had it with her books. Rather than be nervous at now being at a disadvantage this just seemed to make her angrier, and Sirius sure didn't envy James for being on the other side of that glare.
"Claws and teeth, manual to dangerous beasts? Bites and stings and magical beast injuries? When to Report a Dangerous Beast? And Full Moon Mania, a guide to the dangers of Werewolves? What on earth are you doing with all of these Lily?" James had started off sounding unimpressed by her glare but his tone grew more surprised and now he just gaped at Lily who rather than looking angry was now bright red and staring at the ground.
"It's none of your business James." She replied shortly and stretched out her hand in a silent demand for her things back. James gave her back her books but kept her wand. Peter shot Sirius a worried look but he just shrugged. He knew James sometimes lost his head around Lily but he knew he wouldn't do anything as stupid as keep LIly's wand for more than a few seconds as a joke...at least he hoped not.
"What are the books for Lily? Some sort of extra credit project to raise your grades?" James laughed clearly joking but Lily went darker red and it became clear he hit the target dead on.
"Woah really?" Sirius interjected but quickly stopped smirking as Lily snatched back her wand from James who was laughing way too hard to notice.
"You must have done terribly in Defense Against the Dark Arts to need this!" James laughed slapping his knees not seeming to realize the wand pointing right at him.
"Uh, James…."
"Wow, Lily did you completely fail?" He asked delighted completely unaware of the danger looming in front of him.
"James…" Both Sirius and Peter tried to warn him but the poor fool was to busy digging his own grave to hear their warnings.
"You are the absolute worse James Potter!" Lily Evans screeched in an outraged tone that promised regret for the recipient. Sirius winced and Peter covered his eyes knowing what was coming. Sirius saw James straighten the color drain from his face, and his eyes widen in horror at what he no doubt knew was coming as well.
"Lily wait ...Lily, I'm sor…."
"Volatilis Lutum!" James crumpled clutching his nose as if he could somehow stop the inevitable. Sirius held in his laughter the best he could as Lily stomped off and the first bat bogey oozed its way between James' fingers and took shape in all its disgusting glory.
"Uuuuuugh"
"Gross!" Then Sirius realized Remus was gone, as a matter of fact, he couldn't remember him being there since James snatched Lily's books away. He hoped they didn't upset him too much but he probably just didn't want to listen to James and LiIy's bickering when he was stressed about exams. Or listen to them anytime at all the two which Sirius understood perfectly, those two were honestly insufferable together. But he had to forget about Remus and focus on the rather tricky business of dodging the nasty bat boogies while at the same time helping Peter drag James somewhere more private and less confined to wait out the hex and James' accompanying moans.
…
The last week of school went exactly as Sirius had expected it would, well some of it anyways. He was a little surprised when they returned after James' bat boogie experience to fill in Remus, at how quiet his friend was being about Lily's extra credit. Quiet and honestly seeming a little relieved which didn't make sense. He was sure Remus had wanted them all to get wonderful marks even admitting to Sirius long ago that if he didn't receive top marks but one of his friends did he would happy for them, which is why he wouldn't compete when it came to grades. James just pointed out Remus was too much of a goody-two-shoes to tease Lily about extra credit, and far too modest. However he still personally thought something more must have happened between the pair.
Other than that though most of the week was pretty easy to guess. For starters for the first three days, Remus studied, and studied, and studied which Sirius could have bet money on would have happened to the excessiveness it did. It wasn't until Lily of all people threatened to hide his books that he finally agreed to take the stupid exams which he did great on of course. James avoided Lily who shot dark looks at all of them but Remus as if expecting them to bring up her extra credit assignment.
As expected Remus avoided talking about himself which none of them pushed him on, well other than trying to make him admit something happened between him and Lily.
What Sirius had not expected, however, was having to stop teasing Remus as James would get too mad at him for saying anything, especially when Sirius pointed out he was certain they must have kissed.
Nor did Sirius expect James to be such a giant berk about it. Because he tried to assure James it must not have been a good kiss based on how awkward Remus was being around Lily. But anytime he tried to be a good mate James just told him to shove it and that he was mental to keep bringing it up because "clearly" James couldn't care less about Lily.
"Fine then just sulk by yourself for all I care." Sirius finally snapped at him after his third attempt to reassure James.
"Lay off it already Sirius," James muttered turning over on his bed so his back was to him. Sirius resisted the urge not to thump his mate with a pillow hard enough to hurt. Well maybe he would of if given the chance but lucky for James he was saved by Peter and Remus entering with armfuls of snacks.
Remus' smile fell as he quickly deduced what was going on. He dropped his armful into the center of the floor and went over to James in that quiet kind manner of his. Sirius didn't hear what Remus said to James, not for lack of trying, but was forced to join Peter counting the snacks due to being driven away by Remus' sharp looks anytime he got within earshot.
"Look Sirius we have enough to have two snacks each every hour!" Sirius turned his eyes away towards Peter and laughed despite himself. Peter was way too excited about staying up all night, to celebrate their last night at Hogwarts for the year, especially since it was highly unlikely he'd be able to stay up all night, or even close to it.
Sirius chanced a glance at James' bed and scowled seeing the curtains were drawn around it. He thought about sneaking over to hear the quiet murmurs protruding from the bed but he knew Remus would catch him in the act, he had scary good hearing sometimes and Sirius didn't feel like chancing Remus' annoyance. No, he'd just let Remus work his magic and cheer James up so they could all enjoy their last night together.
"You ok Sirius? You're glaring at James' bed." Peter piped up stopping his meticulous sorting of treats into their individual piles.
"Yeah just wish they'd include us."
"That's how I feel a lot but you get used to it," Peter replied nonchalantly with a shrug and Sirius gave a start. He looked at his friend who gave him an embarrassed smile and gestured to one of the piles.
"This one's yours Sirius since I know you like the really sugary biscuits."
"Oh, thanks, Peter." He ripped open the package and started eating one looking at Peter with a slight frown puzzling over what he said.
"What's wrong Sirius?"
"Nuthin. Just...well what did you mean Peter?" He asked feeling a little awkward, it was weird talking to Peter like this. He couldn't remember many conversations with Peter in which he wasn't at least slightly annoyed at his friend or teasing him, in a friendly way of course. But they didn't have very many serious conversations, not by themselves, Peter just wasn't the type.
"About what?" Peter opened his own package popping a snack into his mouth and Sirius suppressed his irritation.
"What you just said of course!"
"Oh bout being left out? Well, it's just you and James a lot, and Remus is gone a lot. Then there's ...just me."
"Don't be ridiculous Peter you're an important part of our group."
"Really?" Sirius could have smacked him, he actually looked surprised! Of all the git things to pretend not to realize by now. Then Peter smiled at him, the sort of nervous smile the boy often got when they just escaped getting in trouble, and Sirius realized he wasn't just being a prat, he just honestly hadn't realized this. He felt a little guilty and was sure to reply quickly and sincerely.
"Really. We're all a group together. Without you, we're just a lame trio or it's James and I nearly killing ourselves. Groups are way cooler than trios wouldn't you agree?." Sirius couldn't help but smile as Peter's nervous grin turned into him beaming at him and nodded quickly. It sure was nice to have a mate things were simple with.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Secret!" Sirius replied quickly before Peter could answer. He felt quite pleased with the surprised then annoyed look James gave them.
"We don't have any secrets with each other." He replied and Sirius rolled his eyes unable not to glance at Remus who was suddenly taking an unusually keen interest in the types of sweets in his pile, as if he didn't help Peter pick and carry them.
"Then what were you and Remus talking about?" He asked smugly and James' eyes widened then his face went rather pink.
"What game should we play first?" Remus cut in far too calmly for it not to be on purpose. He was getting really good at preventing or breaking up their bickering the smart little swat, it was no fun when he stopped them before they even got to argue a bit!
"Gobstones!" Peter announced loudly and they all fell into playing that game then another round. They also played cards, and chess, and had a contest to see who could throw their gobstones the farthest and who could levitate their pillow the longest. It was two in the morning by the time Peter fell asleep on all the blankets and pillows they had spread out in the middle of the room.
"Now what?" James asked between a huge yawn.
"Sneak out of the castle?" Sirius half suggested far too tired to think straight.
"I think our perfect record of not getting caught would be ruined if we went right now. You two can't even walk straight." Remus replied sounding amused. Amused! He didn't even sound tired which infuriated Sirius. But the cards in his hand blurred, or maybe it was his vision that did. He was vaguely aware of talking about birds with James and Remus making several amused remarks. He heard Remus say they really should go to sleep then James called him a grumpy muffin sounding grumpy himself and Sirius' head hit the pillow in an attempt to stifle his laughter. He wasn't sure why it was the funniest thing he had ever heard in his life only that it was. His face hitting the pillow was a mistake though.
"I think I weigh a hundred pounds." He groaned his head not cooperating with his demands to move. He heard Remus chuckle finally sounding a bit tired himself.
"Sirius just go to sleep. James even fell asleep. It's now four in the morning."
"Nooooo, it wassss just threee!"
"Yeah but then you and James talked about birds for an hour…..I think you guys were either really talking about birds or you both were talking about Quidditch using birds as an analogy without realizing it." Remus stifled a giggle and Sirius hit him lightly with his arm, at least that would move, sort of. Remus caught his hand and it took Sirius a few moments to realize he wasn't letting go.
"You're cheating." He whined trying to figure out why Remus didn't even sound that tired when Sirius, who prided himself on being able to do anything, was falling asleep against his will.
"You're causing me to sleep. What wizardry is this?" Sirius could barely understand what he was saying. Of course, there was a wizard they were wizards after all.
"I've spent a lot of nights not sleeping," Remus admitted in a quiet voice. He sounded sad. Sirius wanted to tell him not to be sad because he'd stay up with him, but all he could manage was to squeeze his hand gently before he too fell asleep.