A/N: I don't own the rights to any of these characters, settings or anything to do with Wizarding World. This is a work of fiction based on
the universe created by J.K Rowling.
CHAPTER EIGHT – REMUS
June 1977
"Accio Robes!"
Remus ducked as a set of robes soared across the room in to James' outstretched hand and he stuffed them in to his trunk. Peter sat at the foot of his bed frowning at his overstuffed trunk.
"How did I get it all in here in the first place?" He moaned and turned to watch Sirius who was lazily throwing objects and clothes into his own seemingly never-ending trunk, "How are you doing that? Moony! How is he doing that?"
Remus chuckled, "He's always been a good packer."
Sirius' head shot up and he winked at Remus, "Thank you darling!"
"Ooooooooh!" James gushed and blew kisses at the boys.
Sirius leapt up in the air catching the invisible kisses in an over the top manner and fell back onto his bed fanning himself. James shook his head chuckling.
"You precious boy." James teased.
"Don't be jealous, Prongs, it clashes with your hair!" Sirius said.
"Honey nothing clashes with my hair!" James laughed.
Sirius puckered his lips as a balled-up t-shirt collided with his face. James and Peter laughed and Sirius looked around flabbergasted to find Remus leaning against his bedpost, arms folded and eyebrows raised.
"Too much?" Sirius asked.
Remus winked, "There's no such thing."
"Try to keep in your trousers boys." James said.
Remus rolled his eyes and smiled at Sirius, "Help Peter."
Sirius looked over at Peter who was now sitting on his trunk trying to squash everything in, a pile of clothes behind him on his bed. Peter looked up at Sirius sheepishly.
"Padfoot, help!"
"How blessed are you Wormy, to have a Padfoot in your life!"
Sirius sauntered over to Peter's bed and began casting an undetectable extension charm while Peter watched over closely. Remus grabbed his t-shirt and dropped it into Sirius' trunk, it was his favourite to sleep in and while he'd never admit it Remus knew Sirius wanted it for the summer break. Smiling to himself, Remus walked back to his bed and continued packing away the last of his things.
"Sensational day we've got lads." James said.
Remus looked out the window at the bright sky, "Maybe we should make the most of it?"
"We could get some food and have a picnic?" Peter said, "Just the four of us."
"Just the four of us?" Sirius asked and closed Peter's trunk, "I'm sure the girls think it's a nice day too."
"Padfoot..." Remus said and sat down on his bed.
Sirius frowned at Remus and turned back to Peter who was staring hard at his trunk. Sirius nudged Peter.
"Sorry Wormy." Sirius said, "I'm an idiot."
"Well admitting it is the first step to recovery." James laughed.
"Sod off Prongs!" Sirius said and turned back to Peter, "Are you two still not talking?"
"I usually leave the room whenever she's around." Peter said.
"Peter..." Remus said, "You can't move forward if you're holding on to anger."
"I'm not angry!" Peter snapped.
"Wormy... You're a tad angry mate." James said and got to his feet.
"Is it really not possible to be friends?" Sirius asked.
"I miss her." Peter said, "I'm not sure I'm going to suddenly stop missing her."
"I'm not sure you will either... Especially when you're leaving a room when she enters it."
Remus said.
"What do you suggest instead?" Peter asked.
"Extend an olive branch." James suggested.
Sirius frowned, "Where the bloody hell is he supposed to get one of those?"
Remus rolled his eyes, "It's a saying, idiot."
Sirius shook his head, "Ridiculous."
"What I mean is, don't run away every time you see her." James said, "You don't have to be close friends, Wormy. But you don't have to be enemies either."
"Baby steps Peter, try staying in the same room." Remus said and smiled at Peter.
"And if all else fails I can live out my days as a rat!" Peter remarked.
Sirius laughed and nudged Peter, "You could find yourself a nice wizard family to take you in as their pet!"
"Don't encourage him Sirius..." Remus said.
Peter chuckled, "Don't worry. I wouldn't actually do that! But you lads are right, I need to let go of some anger."
"Attaboy!" James nodded and got to his feet, "Come on Wormy, let's go for a stroll to the kitchens."
"Get some muffins, would you?" Sirius said, "Oh! And some pie!"
"As you wish sir!" James said.
James dropped in to a low bow, when he stood upright again he saluted Sirius and Remus and led Peter out the door. Sirius chuckled as the door closed and sauntered over to Remus.
"You should come visit us over the Summer break." Sirius said
"I would love to." Remus said.
Sirius lent over Remus and kissed him, "I'll miss you."
"Who would've thought my boyfriend was such a softie." Remus chuckled.
Sirius grinned and pushed Remus back down onto the bed. Remus ran his hand through Sirius' hair and sighed.
"What is it?" Sirius asked and rolled onto his side taking Remus' hand in his.
"I'm worried about my Mum." Remus said. "When she writes me she says she's okay, but I'm not sure I believe her."
"What does your Dad say?"
"That she's sleeping more. I can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
"Sleep is always a good thing... Has she had any more of the Muggle tests?"
"In his last letter Dad said her Muggle Doctor suggested something called Chemotherapy and that he would explain that to me when I get home..."
Remus fell silent and gripped Sirius' hand tighter. Sirius pulled Remus closer to him and kissed him softly. They stayed close together, their foreheads resting against one another and Sirius smiled.
"If you want to spend your summer with your parents I'm happy to come to you instead. You don't have to leave her if you don't want to."
Remus sat up, "You'd do that?"
"I'm sure James can survive without me for a bit."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Rem." Sirius kissed Remus again, "I'll do anything for you."
"Careful, you might live to regret that one day!" Remus said and nuzzled closer to Sirius, "I just want to stay in bed with you all day…"
"You'll get no complaints from me!" Sirius chuckled and kissed Remus, "Somehow I think the boys may have a complaint or two…"
"Let's save it for later?"
Sirius grinned and winked at Remus before rolling off the bed onto his feet. Remus watched him stretch and shrug out of his shirt. Sirius sauntered over to his bed and opened his trunk. Remus smiled to himself as he watched Sirius change. Sirius pulled on a faded Rolling Stones tshirt and caught Remus' eye.
"Enjoying the view?"
Remus chuckled and stood up, "Absolutely."
Remus crossed the room and kissed Sirius. Remus gripped Sirius' shirt and they moved across the room until Sirius was pinned against the door, his hands entwined in Remus' hair. Remus groaned and pulled back.
"We should go…"
Sirius pouted dramatically, "Do we have to?!"
"You know James will kick up a fuss if we don't!"
Sirius sighed and opened the door. Remus linked his fingers through Sirius' and they walked down the stairs to the Common Room. Remus looked over and found Lily sitting by the window with Marlene and Alice. They walked over to them, Sirius lent against the wall and Remus took the vacant seat at the table.
"Hey Lil, enjoying your last day?" Remus asked.
"It's a beautiful day, there's a group of us heading down to the lake for a swim." Lily said,
"You boys should come along."
"Yes!" Alice said, "Come down with us. The twins are already down there. Frank and Dorcas are meeting us in the Great Hall now."
"We were going to have a picnic in the grounds." Sirius replied, "But a dip in the lake sounds much better."
"James and Peter have gone to get some food." Remus added and noticed Marlene's head snap up, "So we'll wait for them and see what they fancy."
"Do you think they'll fancy it?" Marlene asked.
"By them do you mean Peter?" Sirius asked.
"Sirius!" Remus said.
"No, it's alright." Marlene said and smiled sadly, "I haven't seen him properly since we broke up. Seems we're never in the same place these days. I hate the way things ended between us."
"Not the smoothest of break ups around here." Lily added.
"Exactly. But I would very much like to move forward." Marlene said, "So if he's comfortable, I'd love for him to join us too."
"We'll let him know." Remus said.
"Thank you." Marlene replied and got to her feet.
"Let's go, Frank will be waiting." Alice urged.
"Alice, Frank would never leave without you." Lily said, "But alright let's go."
The girls walked to the Portrait door as James and Peter came barrelling through, each one clutching a basket filled with food. Remus watched as Alice and Marlene disappeared through the Portrait, Marlene stopped for a moment to say hello to Peter. James lent against the wall and began talking to Lily who was grinning at him and helped herself to a muffin from the basket. Remus heard Sirius gasp behind him.
"Did she just take a muffin?" Sirius said, outraged.
"Calm down, I'm sure there's more than one." Remus replied.
Lily hugged James and waved goodbye before disappearing through the portrait door and James and Peter hurried over to Remus and Peter.
"Soiree down by the lake apparently!" James said, beaming.
"So we've heard." Remus said, "What do you think Peter?"
"I think it's a good opportunity for me to extend an olive branch." Peter said.
"There's more than one muffin, right Prongs?" Sirius said, "Because I saw Lily take one and I am ready to tackle her down and get it back!"
James opened the basket and threw a muffin at Sirius, "And you say you're not a Drama Queen."
"At the moment I'm a hungry queen." Sirius said and stuffed the muffin in his mouth.
"Well come on let's go to the lake then." Remus said, "I'll conjure us some towels when we get down there."
The four boys walked down to the lake together. Peter and James challenged each other to a swimming race and Sirius held on to Remus' hand the whole walk down. Remus had gotten used to being with Sirius in public now. He was too aware of the way some students had watched them but over time they slowly looked away and today Remus couldn't feel any eyes glued to him as he approached the lake hand in hand with Sirius. When they reached the lake, there was already a group of students splashing about in the water. The Prewett twins were chasing Emmeline Vance and Amelia Bones along the shore, the girls giggling as they ran. A group of Seventh year Ravenclaw girls were lying in a circle soaking up the sun while some Hufflepuff boys sat next to them eating and laughing.
"James!" Lily called out from the lake, waving, "Come in!"
Remus smirked at James as Sirius nudged him and chuckled. Peter and James placed their baskets on the ground and Remus conjured four towels for them. They all peeled their shirts and shoes off and transfigured their trousers into swimming shorts before running into the lake. The water was cool and refreshing so Remus plunged under the water before swimming along with Sirius. James and Peter dove ahead and began racing each other out to the deeper water where the girls were bobbing together. Lily, no doubt, had conjured a platform that students were diving off and Remus spotted Benjy and Carodac sitting on one of the edges, deep in conversation.
Remus and Sirius swam along together until they reached the others, James whooping in his victory. Lily's face lit up when James approached her and she splashed him playfully. Sirius reached for Remus in the water and pulled him close to him, hugging him from behind. Marlene beamed at Remus.
"You two look really happy." Marlene said, "It's so nice to see."
"Thank you." Sirius said and rested his chin on Remus' shoulder.
"How long have you been together now?" Alice asked.
"Since October." Remus replied.
"Well you certainly kept that quiet for a while!" Alice said, "I don't blame you."
"Why's that?" Sirius challenged.
"Haven't you noticed? Everyone likes to know everyone's business. Seems like nothing gets to be private anymore." Alice said and Marlene chuckled.
"She's just bitter because everyone knows about her and Frank." Marlene said, "Well, everyone knew about it before it even happened."
"Of course we did!" Peter said, "Anyone could see you two fancied each other."
Alice blushed, "Yeah well it would have been nice to keep it to ourselves for a while. I envy you two!"
Remus laughed, "Thank you, we're excellent secret keepers."
"Better than me, that's for sure. I'm terrible at keeping secrets, throwing surprises. All of that." Peter said.
Remus looked over and noticed Lily and James laughing with one another, Lily's arm wrapped around James' neck as if he was holding her in the water. Marlene followed Remus' eyes and chuckled.
"How long do you think it will take for those two to get their act together?" Marlene asked.
"Knowing James, an eternity." Sirius replied, laughing.
"Don't be so sure." Alice said and her eyes drifted over to Frank who was approaching, with Dorcas.
"I was wondering when you lot were going to turn up." Dorcas said and splashed Remus, Sirius and Peter.
"We got the memo eventually." Peter said and splashed him back.
Frank swam to Alice and she wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him. Marlene splashed them.
"Oi! Reign it in!" She teased and Alice, still kissing Frank, lifted her hand and raised her finger at Marlene.
Dorcas chuckled and nudged Marlene, "Not a romantic huh?"
"I'm all for romance, just not when I'm swimming in the same lake..." She replied, blushing.
"I'll keep that in mind." Dorcas said and grinned at Marlene.
Marlene grinned back, "I might head back to the shore, do you want to come?"
"I'd love to." Dorcas replied and the two of them swam off chatting with each other.
Remus looked over at Peter who was staring at the water, running his hands across the surface. James appeared to have noticed the same thing and was swimming over with Lily, his eyes fixed on Peter.
"Oi, Wormy! Fancy jumping off the platform for a bit?" James asked and Peter's face lit up.
"Biggest splash wins?" Peter replied.
"You're on!" James said.
"I'm coming too!" Sirius said and moved forward letting go of Remus, "Coming Rem?"
"You go, I'll hang out here." Remus said, "Have fun!"
"Last one there is flobberworm!" Peter shouted and the three of them took off swimming to the platform.
Lily chuckled, "It's always a competition with you boys, isn't it?"
"There's nothing wrong with some healthy competition." Remus replied.
"We're going to go back to the shore for a bit." Alice said, "We'll grab a spot on the shore for all of us."
"Sure." Said Lily, "I'll come find you in a bit."
Frank and Alice swam off together until they reached the swallow water, Frank promptly scooped a squealing Alice up into his arms and carried her out of the lake. Lily sighed.
"They're perfect for each other, don't you think?" Lily asked.
"They're a great match." Remus replied.
"Things seem to be going well for you and Sirius."
"He's going to come visit during the summer break... Meet the parents."
"I thought he already met your parents?"
"He has, but now he has the fun task of meeting them as my boyfriend."
"How do you think that will go?"
"It'll be fine, to be honest I think my Mum suspected it already."
"How is your mum?"
"She's okay, it's hard to tell through letters but I think she's alright. It will be good to see her again, Dad too."
Lily smiled at Remus and her eyes trailed over to James striking a pose on the bobbing platform before cannonballing into the lake causing an explosion of water. Remus laughed.
"Forever on show." Remus mused, "He's certainly settled down a fair bit these past few months.
Lily tore her eyes away from James who was pulling himself back on to the platform, shaking water out of his hair.
"Yes." Lily said. "He's definitely calmed down a fair bit."
"He's always been that person, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"James. He's always been exactly how you see him now. His bravado and joking, it's how he protects himself. You're seeing who he really is now because he trusts you."
"I trust him too."
"I've noticed."
"Are we still talking about trust, Rem?"
"He put himself out there with you earlier in the year and you turned him down."
"I wanted us to get to know each other first..."
"And I think that's great. I just don't want to see my friend get hurt."
Lily frowned and looked over at James again; he was laughing on the platform as Sirius walked up down as if it were a catwalk. Peter ran along the platform and tackled Sirius into the water. James dove into the water after them.
"What do you think I should do?" Lily asked.
"I think you need to decide if you want to be friends with James or if you want to acknowledge how you really feel about him."
"I don't know how I really feel about him."
"Yes you do, Lil."
"Then maybe I'm not ready."
"And that's okay. Just be careful."
"I will, I promise. I won't commit to anything unless I'm sure."
Before Remus could respond Sirius suddenly sprang out of the water. Lily shrieked and Remus toppled backwards. James and Peter swam over laughing.
"Priceless!" James laughed.
"We're heading in, I'm starving!" Peter said.
Sirius grabbed Remus' hand and they swam to shore together with James, Peter and Lily close behind them. Remus wrapped a towel around his shoulders and scanned the shore for the others. He spotted Alice leaning against Frank's knees laughing with Marlene and Dorcas. Remus looked over at Peter quickly and back at Marlene. Peter caught his eye and smiled.
"It's alright." Peter said, "I'm okay to join them."
Lily and James scooped up the baskets while Remus, Peter and Sirius picked up their clothes and they all wandered over to the others. Dorcas' face lit up when he noticed the baskets.
"Yes, food!" He said.
"Good thing we got lots of it then!" James said and laid his towel on the ground.
Lily walked around and spread her towel out between Alice and Marlene and perched on the ground between the two girls. Peter set himself up next to James.
"There's always Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration." Frank suggested.
"Gamp's what now?" Sirius asked and sat down, patting a spot next to him for Remus.
"Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration." James said and began unpacking the baskets,
"One of the principles is that you can increase the quantity of food you already have."
"Are you telling me I can have more muffins?" Sirius asked.
"Seriously what is it with you and muffins today?" Remus asked and Sirius shrugged.
"More like what is it with Padfoot and food in general?" Peter asked.
"It's a love affair for the ages!" James teased and tossed a muffin at Sirius.
Dorcas chucked and helped himself to a sandwich. James handed Remus a slice of apple pie and continued laying out the food for everyone. Sirius lay back and rested his head in Remus' lap. Remus ate his pie watching the other students run around the lake and splash in the water while he mindlessly ran his fingers of his other hand through Sirius' hair. It had been a big year for him in many ways, Remus still couldn't believe he and Sirius were finally together. Remus swallowed the last bite of his pie and lent over to gently kiss Sirius when he heard a voice behind him.
"I can't believe they allow this sort of nonsense at Hogwarts."
Remus sat upright and dropped his hand from Sirius' hair. Sirius opened his eyes and gazed up at Remus, concerned. Remus tensed as he heard the voice of Yaxley again.
"What's the only thing worse than a Mudblood, Rowle?"
"A faggot." Rowle responded.
James was on his feet immediately; Dorcas, Frank and Peter close behind him.
"James." Remus said, "Don't it's not worth it."
"Yeah Prongs, let it go." Sirius said.
"I won't have it." James snarled, "No one speaks about you two like that. Not in front of me."
Sirius sighed and got to his feet and pulled Remus up behind him. Remus turned around to see a group of Slytherin's sneering at him and Sirius. Yaxley stepped forward and narrowed his eyes at Remus.
"You're a filthy little faggot." He hissed, "You two are disgusting!"
James made a sudden movement and Dorcas grabbed the back of his shirt, holding him back. Sirius hissed under his breath.
"Sod off Yaxley, we don't need opinions from your kind."
"My kind? I'm not the disgusting faggot, Black, you are!"
"Let me go Dorcas, I'll show him a thing or two!" James snarled.
Yaxley laughed and Rowle stepped forward, "You two ought to take yourselves to St Mungo's, they'll be able to sort you out in no time."
Sirius stepped forward angrily and Remus grabbed his hand, "Don't. You're better than this."
The Prewett twins suddenly appeared and shoved their way past the Slytherin's and stood between them and Remus and Sirius.
"Everything alright lads?" Fabian asked and James grunted nodding his head at Yaxley.
"This wanker is being a homophobic asshole."
Gideon cracked his knuckles and turned back to Yaxley and Rowle, he made a point of counting out Snape, McNair, Nott and Travers.
"Seems to me that you lot are outnumbered." Gideon said, "So why don't you clear off."
McNair narrowed his eyes, "I wouldn't exactly count the faggots."
"Yeah? Well I do so unless you're looking to get hexed beyond repair, fuck off." Fabian growled.
The Slytherin's glared at the twins and Yaxley spat at Remus, Sirius lunged forward but was stopped by the twins.
"See you later... Filthy faggots." Yaxley sneered and walked away, the others followed behind him.
Sirius was panting and Remus remained cemented in the same spot until he felt a gentle hand run along his arm.
"Are you okay Rem?" Lily asked.
Snape turned back around and met Remus' eyes. Remus glared at him and turned away, his cheeks hot.
"I'm fine." Remus said and sat back down, "I'm alright."
James walked over to Sirius and threw his arm around his shoulders, "Don't let them get to you Padfoot. Everything they have to say is absolute bullshit!"
"I know. I know it's bullshit." Sirius replied and looked up at the twins, "Thanks for coming over guys."
"Yeah." Remus said, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Gideon said and conjured himself a sunbed next to their towels.
"Can't be having that sort of hateful nonsense thrown around." Said Fabian conjured himself a sunbed too, "We've always got your backs."
The twins lay down and began chatting with Dorcas about the Order and their plans once they leave Hogwarts tomorrow. Lily walked over to James and rested her hand on his back. James turned to her and smiled, letting her lead him back to the picnic where she now sat next to him and got him chatting again. Frank and Alice excused themselves and headed back to the castle arm in arm and Peter and Marlene split a piece of pie laughing together.
"Sirius." Remus said, patting the ground next to him.
Sirius wandered back over and sat down next to him. Remus linked his arm through Sirius' and took his hand in his. Sirius lifted their entwined hands and kissed the back of Remus' hand before resting his head on Remus' shoulder.
"I'm sorry they said those things to you." Sirius whispered.
"They said them to you too." Remus replied, "And you don't have anything to be sorry about. You didn't say them."
"I just hate the idea of anyone being cruel to you."
"I know. I feel the same about you."
"I'm glad I have you, Rem."
"I'm glad I have you too, Sirius."
They spent hours down by the lake alternating between swimming and lounging around by the shore. By the time the sun went down only James, Peter, Remus and Sirius remained by the lake.
James lit himself a cigarette and rested on his elbows watching the sun slowly disappear and Peter was sprawled on his back snoring softly. Remus and Sirius were sitting next to each other again, Remus had his arm slung over Sirius' shoulders and Sirius rested his arm on Remus' leg. Remus couldn't imagine a better way to end his year at Hogwarts than with these three boys.