Saturday 8th December 1979

Potter Manor, 11:00

"Come on, duel me then, Oh Great and Nighty Padfoot," Lily taunted. "Prove yourself."

Sirius grinned cockily and replied, "Really Lily Flower?" I thought you were intelligent - there's no need for me to hurt you."

"Maye, even I know that you're about to get whipped," James informed him.

It was one of those days where they were actually acting like normal, young adults- fooling around instead of worrying about war and missing people, dead friends. They were at Potter Manor, mainly because James and Lily had been hanging around there more on their days off rather than at the Marauder Flat because, well, Euphemia and Fleamont hadn't been doing too well recently. They had never really recovered from their bout of Dragon Pox last year and now with winter coming in, well, they weren't too strong. So, yes, James and Lily had wanted to stay close and, truth be told, so did the rest of the Marauders. The Potters had been family to all of them and they now wanted to help look after them in turn, even if it just meant making them smile.

Which they had done earlier, quite literally. They had talked Potions (mainly Fleamont, Lily and Severus), goofed around (James and Sirius) and just chatted about things in general (Remus and Peter). It was all good fun and everyone had been happy. Now the elder Potters needed a rest and the younger adults had all excused themselves tactfully- making the excuse that they needed to settle one of the discussions.

"Tell me the result," Fleamont instructed them with a mischievous smile - it may have been a tired one but it was still mischievous. "I have money on it."

"Which you are going to lose to me," Euphemia said promptly.

"Lily is definitely going to win."

"But our Sirius is the Auror."

The couple bickered good-naturedly as they went upstairs.

Which left the rest of them to herd outside to settle this. This being deciding who was the better dueller; Lily or Sirius.

Of course, if it had been a question on who was better in battle, no doubt it would have been Sirius. Lily was a strong fighter in such a situation (as had been proved by the few times she had been in one) but Sirius had more experience. And Lily tended to do better in a battle when partnered with someone. A straight up duel though? It was anybody's game.

They had made their way to the lake on the Potter's property - the ground was loose and sandy there so if anyone fell it would cushion their fall a bit.

Which was not going to be him, by the way. It was going to be Lily. With that thought in mind, he squared up to her confidently.

"Ready to lose?"

"No."

"Pity."

"Not really. Because it's not going to happen."

Sirius grinned. Sometimes he forgot just how much fun it was to banter with Lily, they hadn't had much time for it recently so this was even better than usual.

"I'm going to make sure you end up in the water," he bragged.

"The only way I'll end up in the water is if you drag me in after you fall in first."

"Enough of the smack talk," James said impatiently. "Come on, get going."

"Oh, hush, James," Lily scolded him. "This is all party of it."

"How else am I supposed to get her to make a mistake without ruling her up?" Sirius added.

"Ha! So, you admit that you wouldn't be able to beat me the normal way?"

"Of course, I would, but that way would be quicker."

Lily made a scoffing noise at his confidence and brandished her wand. Granted, Lily Evans aiming her wand at you was cause for concern even though you knew it was just for fun. That didn't stop Sirius gulping and taking a step back. Hey, it was pure instinct! And self-preservation and all that.

"Not too confident now, are you, Padfoot?" James taunted.

"You're meant to be on my side, Prongs!"

"She's my wife!"

"And I'm your brother!"

James actually looked conflicted at that which made Lily and Sirius laugh at him.

"My money's on Lily," he heard Remus say to Peter.

"Same," said Severus.

"Hey!" Sirius protested. "I'm good."

"But Lily's better," Severus said with a shrug.

"Hwy! Oof!"

That was the sound of a banishing charm meeting Sirius. It wasn't a particularly strong one, or else he would no longer be on his feet but still.

"Hey! I wasn't ready!"

"Too bad!"

And that sort of nonsense continues as he and Lily continued to sling barbs at each other and fire off spells. None of them really hit their mark and they continued to dance around in a circle, much to everyone's amusement. It felt like they were going to do this forever.

Then it all ended so quickly. One second, Sirius was upright, casting a shielding spell, and the next he was on the ground, rolling towards the shoreline of the lake with some force. He stopped just in the shallows of the water with it seeping through the back of his robes. He looked up to see Lily standing over him, looking incredibly smug. He could hear James, Sirius and Severus in stitches. They were probably doubled over with laughter he thought, disgruntled.

"Told you," she informed him airily before she just walked away!

Three of his friends were still laughing as he floundered about, trying to get to his feet so he could make a good comeback. You couldn't make a comeback when you were splashing about in the water, after all. But he wasn't having much success.

"Need a hand?" Peter asked, now standing over him.

"I'm fine, Wormtail."

Sunday 9th December 1979

12 Grimmauld Place, 13:30

Regulus rubbed at his eyes, trying to stave off the headache that was pounding at his temples. It felt like he hadn't left this room in weeks even though it definitely hadn't been that many days. He and just been doing a lot of studying and research. Actually, that's all he had been doing ever since Kreacher had returned.

And, yes, Kreacher had, thankfully, returned to his service. Shaken, in pain and physically trembling. But he was alive and Regulus felt like he hadn't been so grateful in his life. It was weird, feeling this relieved over an Elf of all things but Kreacher wasn't just any Elf. It was like Kreacher was the only one who really knew him. Like maybe... his brother used to. Certainly not his parents. His parents never really knew him. Even less so now. Regulus had been pulling away from them recently, not wanting to disappoint them with his inability to serve the Dark Lord appropriately. And he stayed away now because he didn't want them to even suspect what he was feeling. What he was thinking.

He was thinking that he didn't want to serve the Dark Lord anymore. No. Not thinks. He knew that he didn't want to serve the Dark Lord anymore. But no one left the Dark Lord's service. Not alive, anyway. Regulus had come around to that fact in recent days. Become almost resigned to it.

Resigned to being in his service forever? No. No. That wasn't going to happen. It couldn't. He couldn't.

What he could do was make sure the one person he could still talk to was okay. Because he wanted to do some good. Well, not person. Elf. Kreacher.

He had made Kreacher tell him everything that had happened. Everything. So, he would know if he had to treat him for potions, curse, who knows what the Dark Lord would have made him do. He had come back shaking and trembling uncontrollably, after all. Unable to work, obviously, so Regulus had hidden him from his parents, pretending the Dark Lord still had him until he was better.

And he did get better, thankfully. Regulus didn't think he would be able to forgive himself if he didn't. Especially when he heard all that the Dark Lord had put him through. And all for what? Putting an amulet in a potion? What sort of amulet had to be put in such an awful potion?

Rosier Manor, 15:00

Leila was smiling at him and, as usual, Peter found himself smiling back. Like with Reginald, it was just nice to be with someone who he could talk easily to without feeling like he was being judged.

Not that the Marauders ever judged him, out loud that was, but still. Je always felt like he was a step behind them. They were always so great and good and Peter couldn't help but feel inadequate sometimes. Leila didn't make him feel inadequate.

Actually, she made him feel wanted. She shyly asked him to get things for her, things she wanted to surprise her husband with or things for herself that she couldn't necessarily get because she shouldn't be seen in certain areas (like Knockturn Alley) even if the shop catered to a specific set of people. Peter was happy to do these sorts of jobs for her, they never took much time and she was always so grateful to him. It was nice.

Even her husband was nice, though he stayed away a lot. But he didn't mind him hanging out with Leila. No, not hanging out. That was crude. Spending time with Leila. He wasn't so sensitive that je disapproved of his wife having male friends. He was actually confident in himself, something Peter admired even if he didn't know the man that well. He wasn't around much. No wonder Leila seemed eager for his company. She hardly got to talk to people. Which made Peter sound pathetic but he didn't mind.

"You're such a sweetheart, Peter," Leila said in a gushing voice as he handed over her most recent packages.

"It's not a problem," Peter mumbled with a blush.

"You're much nicer than Reginald," she said pointedly.

The man in question chuckled and shook his head.

"I barely have time for myself never mind anyone else."

Time with them was often spent like this. Leila goading Reginald and Reginald countering her. Peter made a comment every now and then and they listened to him. It was fun.

"Give me a moment," Reginald excused himself, leaving the two of them.

Peter didn't know where or not that Reginald leaving was preplanned by him - he had given Peter a pointed smirk when he left. Why, Peter wasn't sure because Leila was married.

"You know, I'm glad Reginald found someone like you and that group you all belong to," she said suddenly. "It's good for him to be around like-minded people."

"Don't you and your husband think the same?" Peter asked in confusion.

He had thought that they did, wanting to stay away from war and conflict when it didn't really affect them.

"Oh, yes, of course," she said dismissively. "But we're just two people and, well, your little group is trying to give the Ministry a little push, isn't it? Reginald always did have an interest in politics, something that my husband and I don't," she finished with a little laugh.

"We're quite a big group," Peter said reproachfully.

They were quite a serious one too. And they were trying to make the Ministry aware of them. Trying to get the Minister to realise how silly all this fighting was. How it wasn't necessary. It had all been Merton's idea. The Ministry ought to know by now that what they were doing wasn't working and they really should be looking at other options.

"Hmm. Yes. I suppose."

That didn't sound very positive. He thought she would have been supportive.

"But wouldn't you rather do something?" She asked before he could say anything. "Actions do speak louder than words, after all."

Peter frowned. Now she was starting to sound like James and Sirius.

Thursday 14th December 1979

Marauder Flat, 06:30

Tonks blinked slowly before opening them properly and couldn't help but smile at what she saw as she woke up. A very nice, firmly muscled, chest. To be exact, it was Remus' very nice, firmly muscled chest. Something she didn't think she'd ever tired be tired of seeing. Or feeling. Or-

"You're staring," Remus mumbled, his voice rumbling through his chest.

"Yes."

There was no point in denying it and she didn't particularly want to. Not when it was obvious and she liked doing it. She let her tongue run over her lips for emphasis. Had she mentioned that she really liked what she saw? Yum.

Another chuckle and then he moved, turning his body away from her.

"Hey!"

She definitely didn't appreciate this!

"Time to get up," he said, stretching and swinging his legs out of bed.

"Noooo, staaaaay," she complained, making grabby hands at him, which he easily dodged.

"Food."

"No. Bed."

Which would hopefully lead to other activities.

He leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. "Food."

And then he just left! Just like that! Hmpf. And then her stomach rumbled. Loudly. Maybe food wouldn't be such a bad thing. Certain activities required energy to do them. Lots of energy.

Tonks wasn't sure when this had become a habit but it had and she really wasn't complaining. And Remus wasn't either so it couldn't be a bad thing. It was good, right? It made her feel good and Remus hadn't had any complaints so it must be good.

She didn't know what they were or even if they were anything except for people who slept together when they were stressed out. Was it healthy or normal? Probably not.

Was it something that was enjoyable? Definitely.

Monday 18th December 1979

Potter Manor 1979, 19:30

"I am sorry for this, you know?" James said suddenly as they put the potions for his parents away in a cupboard.

He hadn't wanted the Elves to do it, feeling like he should be responsible for them.

"For what?" Lily asked, looking up from the instructions that came with the potions.

His parents were still on a potions regiment because of complications from their dragon Pox last year and this cold weather really wasn't helping them. They really ought to be somewhere warm but neither of them wanted to leave the country at the moment. And, if he was being honest with himself, James didn't want them to go either. Them being far away from him where he couldn't easily check up on them frightened him. He knew it was selfish of him.

"For all of this," he gestured at the cupboard and the instructions. "You didn't sign up to be helping me look after my parents."

His voice broke slightly on the last few words. He shouldn't be looking after his parents either. Neither of them were that old, in Wizarding terms. They had been relatively healthy until recently. It just wasn't fair. Why were his parents declining and people like Sirius' parents all fine and well? It wasn't fair.

"I didn't," Lily said earnestly. "But I want to."

"But-"

Lily got up and interrupted him by hugging him and he all but melted into her, not realising how tense he had been.

"It's not fair," he said brokenly.

"It's not," she agreed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not."

He was glad that she wasn't pretending that things were going to magically get better. He had seen the look on the Healer's face the last time he had come over. It wasn't good, let's just say that. His parents were getting worse and, in his heart of hearts he knew that. He just didn't think he could face it right now.

That wasn't supposed to happen. None of this was supposed to happen. The plan was, when they originally were planning their quick wedding, that they'd stay in Potter Manor in the heir's wing (like was tradition in a lot of pureblood families, it meant that they could basically operate as their own household) and then look for a house for themselves. It just seemed like a fun idea. Maybe they'd end up back in the heir's wing and maybe they wouldn't. James was up for trying anything at least once.

"But were supposed to be looking at houses and-"

Lily put a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"We have all the time in the world for that."

"Bu-"

"And anyway, that is it important. Family is important. Helping each other out is important. So that's what we're doing."

It sounded so simple when she said it out loud like that. But it wasn't that simple, wasn't it?

"And anyway, it's not just me and you doing this for your parents," Lily reminded him. "Sirius has as well because he views them as his own."

"That because they actually treated him as a son," James said darkly, thinking of how the Black's treated his brother in all but blood.

"Exactly. So, you have people here. You have help."

"I know that..."

Sure, knowing that helped and lightened the burden some but it still didn't stop the anxiety around the whole situation.

Why was being an adult so hard?