A/N Firstly, a nod to the wonderful "Withnail and I" for inspiring one part of this final chapter. Those of you who know the film will spot the reference. Secondly, I appear to go wildly AU towards the end. I will explain later.
Disclaimer: these wonderful characters belong to JK: I just borrowed them for a bit
Sirius had manoeuvred a plate of food piled precariously high safely on to the table and was sitting watching the world go by with James.
"She's a very beautiful person," Sirius nodded towards Lily as he chewed a vol-au-vent. "And you're a very lucky bloke. Just keep praying she doesn't come to her senses and dumps you."
"You've been saying that since Lily and I started dating," James said drily.
"Don't you ever take her for granted, Potter," Sirius warned sternly.
James smiled and let his eyes wander round the party.
"Hard to believe, isn't it? The happy innocence on show here and back in the real world…" He left the thought dangling.
"Enough of that, I promised Moony we wouldn't talk shop tonight."
"I'm not Moony." He paused, then made up his mind to speak. "Padfoot, do you remember my Great-Aunt Violet at the wedding?"
Startled by the non-sequitur, Sirius thought for a moment then nodded. "Think so. Batty old bird who brought her knitting?"
"That's her," a grin flitted across James's face and disappeared. "We were showing her our wedding photos the other week and there was one of Lily and me with you and Peter and Remus."
"Yeah, I know the one."
James hesitated. "The thing is, Padfoot, Great-Aunt Violet is supposed to have Seer blood."
Sirius rolled his eyes: Divination was not a subject he treated with any degree of solemnity.
Ignoring him, James continued: "She looked at that picture and she said "Treachery, deceit and treachery! Death will come through the hand of a friend!""
"Well, don't invite her round for Christmas, will you? She sounds like a right bundle of fun."
"I'm not saying I believed her…Lily just laughed it off, too…but for the first time it made me think that we might not all get through this, Sirius. What if I lose Lily? What if Peter dies or Remus is killed? Suppose this is the last happy memory we have together?"
Sirius was silent for a moment then leaned forward. "James, we know what we're doing is right, don't we?"
James nodded.
"So if we fall," Sirius went on, "it'll be for something we believe in. And whoever's left will look after each other. It's as simple as that and you know it. There's no point in dwelling on what might be: all we can do is live each day as if it's our last."
He stood up.
"So, Prongs, with that in mind, I insist you introduce me to other female members of the Evans family circle. I feel I can say with all sincerity that Lily is the prettiest girl here but I do want to do my homework. Besides, I've been here for over half-an-hour and I haven't kissed anyone yet."
James shook his head in amusement and dutifully led Sirius off.
Meanwhile, a slow waltz had struck up and as they danced, Lily said softly: "Is it as bad as you thought?"
Remus looked startled at the blunt question.
"I know you, Remus," she continued. "As a Marauder you're every bit as confident, witty and charming as the others. Put you in a room with more than twenty people and you can't wait to leave."
"It's OK, actually," he confessed. "You're right, I thought I'd hate it but it's been good to see Sirius and James again. And Peter if he ever turns up. It's funny but I really miss them."
"Naturally, after seven years together."
"I guess. When we do meet up, it's like we've never been apart."
"I'd say that's the sign of a friendship built to last," she smiled.
He smiled back.
"Where are you staying?"
"Some hotel close by. Sirius's idea of course."
"Of course. Let me guess, twin room?"
"How did you know?"
"Idiot! Sirius misses you just as much. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't decorated it in Gryffindor colours and laid in stocks of Honeydukes chocolate."
Remus gave a laugh. "I did notice a large bag of Chocolate Frogs, " he admitted.
Lily did not smile. "That's why we're fighting, isn't it?" she said.
"Chocolate Frogs?" He tried to keep the conversation light.
"For love and friendship. Dumbledore says they're the two most powerful things in the universe and that's why we'll win."
He looked into the green eyes and thought briefly of the horrors stacked against them. He gave a sigh. "Dumbledore's never been wrong yet," he said slowly. "I just can't help thinking that the worse is to come. I hope when it does, love and friendship are enough."
"What do you mean?" Lily looked puzzled.
He paused for a moment. "This isn't really a topic for discussion at a party, Lily. I said to Sirius that we wouldn't discuss-"
"Remus!"
"Alright," he sighed again. "Look, I can't dance and talk."
He pulled her to one side of the dance-floor and continued. "It's just that the other side have formidable resource - I'm not talking just about numbers, I'm talking about the wealth to back them and the momentum…I just worry that there will be those who find that too hard to resist. And if we start to crumble…it'll be like a dam collapsing…" He broke off.
"Have you talked this over with Sirius and the others?" Lily asked, frowning.
"No. Its just me…don't say anything, Lily. I shouldn't have said anything to you. Especially not tonight. Not here." He gave her a smile.
She gave him a searching glance and then nodded. He was right. Time enough tomorrow to worry.
"Eat, drink and be merry, is that the idea?" she said lightly.
He led her back on to the dance floor. "You've been talking to Sirius," he replied.
Eventually, James reclaimed his wife and Remus made his way back to the table where Sirius had collected a plateful of egg sandwiches for him to eat.
He had devoured three of these and was enjoying the punch when he noticed Sirius, who appeared in high spirits, playing with a small, empty crystal bottle.
"What's that?"
Sirius looked sly. "Something to liven any party up. A love-philtre."
Remus choked on his drink and placed the glass hastily on the table.
"Oh, I haven't given you any." Sirius waved an impatient hand.
"Who have you given it to?"
"A strapping young lady called Marjorie who hauled me up for a dance. Awfully fond of dogs. Look."
Apprehensively, Remus looked in the general direction indicated, failing to notice as he did so that Sirius had ducked behind one of the hydrangeas. A large girl, squeezed into a bright orange dress which was at least two sizes too tight, was downing a champagne cocktail. As she did so, Sirius let out a piercing whistle which made Remus jump and she threw a glance over towards the table. Then she pushed the glass into the hand of the girl she had been chatting to and strode purposefully over.
Remus turned back to Sirius in a panic. "What does that love-philtre do?" he hissed.
Sirius came out from behind the foliage, smiled beatifically and shrugged. "Makes you fall for the first person of the opposite sex you see."
A large hand clapped Remus on the shoulder and he looked up into Marjorie. She blocked out the rest of the room with ease.
"Saw you from afar, what." She said in a loud voice.
"What?" Remus repeated, bewildered.
"Thought there's a young fella who'd show a girl a good time on the dance-floor."
"Oh, I don't dance-" he began.
"Rubbish!" she snorted. "Of course you do." She gripped his wrist in her massive grasp and pulled him on to his feet.
As she whisked him on to the dance-floor, he could see Sirius crying with laughter over her shoulder and promised himself that vengeance would be swift and sweet.
He extracted himself after three dances and an interminable discussion about dog-breeding.
Returning to the table, he unleashed a scowl at Sirius. "Not funny!"
"No," Sirius agreed. "Bloody hilarious, mate! Don't worry, it's not permanent. Another couple of hours she'll have forgotten all about you."
Remus picked up his drink and winced. Marjorie had not been gentle with him. He looked up again at Sirius ready to continue complaining but the words died on his lips. Sirius was staring intently at the sky.
Twisting in his chair to follow Sirius's gaze, Remus saw a solitary brown owl hovering over the party. Some of the other guests had noticed it too but were oblivious to its significance. Suddenly it flew down on the far side of the party.
Sirius and Remus were on their feet immediately and started to make their way to where it had landed. They were met halfway across the dance floor by James.
"Is it from Dumbledore?" Sirius asked.
James shook his head and grinned. "Try Peter."
"Peter?" Remus's eyebrows shot up. "That's not his owl. Is he OK?"
"See for yourself."
James held out the message the owl had brought. It was the party invitation. Scrawled on the back was the message:
"Lily, please send Rowan."
Rowan was Lily's owl. Strong and capable, he was also to be trusted to carry Peter when he had transformed into Wormtail.
"Is he hurt? Captured?" Sirius wanted to know.
In answer, James turned the invitation over: on the back was written:
"PS Not stupefied, just stranded."
"Lily's gone to send Rowan off. I think we should wait for Peter inside. There's a little study with a window - where Lily and I were when you arrived - it'll be more discreet."
He did not have to add that a rat transforming into a party-guest would draw unusual comment.
The three of them set off towards the house. As they neared the main terrace, Sirius became aware that Remus was no longer with them.
He turned and saw Remus doing a dance of sorts with Vernon Dursley as he tried to move round him and catch up with the others. Vernon seemed determined not to let him pass.
James turned also and started to go back but Sirius stopped him.
"Relatives and future relatives, remember. Leave it to me, Prongs," he said and backtracked.
Vernon's behaviour was as aggressive as ever. A small semi-circle of interested guests including, Sirius noted, Petunia and Marjorie were looking on.
"Now, look, Lupkin, you don't want to make an enemy of me," Vernon was saying.
Remus protested his innocence. "I promise you, Vernon - Mr Dursley - I haven't said a word to Petunia - I mean, Miss Evans!"
"That's as may be, but I understand you've been carrying on with my sister."
"Sister?" Remus said weakly.
"My sister, Marge. Well, man-to-man I can understand that - she's an attractive girl, 'spect you got a bit carried away in the heat of the moment - but I won't have her affections trifled with!"
Vernon pulled back his fist.
Remus froze. His fingers itched towards his wand and away again. He could not use magic, not here and while he felt he could acquit himself quite well in a fight with Vernon - hadn't he been in similar fights all his life? - he did not want Lily's family party spoilt. There was nothing for it. He was going to have to let Vernon punch him. He half-closed his eyes, waiting for the blow to land.
"Vernon, old chap," Sirius stepped in front of Remus and skilfully took hold of Vernon's arm, leading him to one side. "I wouldn't worry about Lupkin here." He whispered in Vernon's ear.
Remus could see Vernon's eyes grow wider and rounder than he would have thought possible.
"Marjorie! Petunia!" he summoned. "We're leaving!"
As the three of them departed, Remus shot Sirius a look of intense distrust. "What did you say?"
Sirius shrugged. "Something expedient. It worked, didn't it?"
They hurried back to James and as they reached him, Remus noticed the owl which had brought the message was now sitting on the shoulder of a nearby statue, trembling. Because it was a wild owl, he knew Peter would have had to use some strong magic to instruct it to find Lily. Obviously, it was still recovering.
"Look, it's still coming round," he pointed it out to the others. "You two go on. I'll make sure the rest of the enchantment's lifted and then I'll come and find you."
Having dealt with the owl, which flew off gratefully, Remus moved quickly through the entrance hall heading straight for the little side-door he had seen James and Lily emerge from earlier in the evening.
Too late, he saw that Vernon, Petunia and Marge were standing in front of the strange painting of the blue woman, no doubt waiting for a taxi.
"Miss Evans, Miss Dursley, Mr Dursley," he acknowledged politely.
Petunia and Marjorie turned their heads: Vernon threw him a look of supreme disgust. "On your way, Lupsmith, we don't mix with your sort," he said.
Remus froze, his hackles rising. Forget about being on his best behaviour, he told himself. He turned and marched purposefully towards Vernon who backed straight through Marge and Petunia into the painting.
"And what exactly would my sort be, Vernon?" he snapped.
Vernon swallowed. Like most bullies, he could not handle someone standing up for themselves. This thin, rather wiry chap had looked an easy target, he thought but there was no getting away from the fierce glint in his eye and the determined set of his jaw.
"Er- well, your sort…you know…er…"
Remus didn't. Wizards? Werewolves? What exactly had Sirius said. He held Vernon's gaze without blinking: Vernon lasted three seconds before wilting under pressure.
The door to the study was flung open and an incensed Remus entered, slamming the door behind him.
"How dare you!" He was shaking with rage. "Sirius, how dare you tell Vernon Dursley I'm besotted with you! Shut up, Prongs!"
James had dissolved into unhelpful fits of laughter.
Sirius was trying very hard to keep the grin off his face but failing miserably.
"Look, did it save you from the awful Vernon, Petunia and Marjorie otherwise known as a fist in the face and two fates worse than death?"
"I suppose." Remus still looked furious.
"Well, then." He sobered up a little. "You're never going to have to meet those people again, is he, Prongs?"
"No," James supplied promptly. "Probably not," he qualified.
"So, relax."
"This is not over!" Remus's mouth was set in a grim line. He turned on his heel and left, treating the door with as much consideration as he had on his entrance.
"He's really quite upset, mate."
"Yeah. Don't let him know I told Vernon it was unrequited, will you?"
Some ten minutes later when Remus had still not returned, Sirius went in search of him. He found him at one end of the long terrace, on his own, glowering at the party.
"Oh, Remus…" Sirius tried to explain. "I didn't want him to hit you. I just said something to distract him. "
Remus snorted.
"It was just a…look, I didn't mean to hurt you, Moony."
The retort was there on his lips. He almost said it: "No, you never do, do you?" but as the words formed on his tongue, he could imagine Sirius's eyes; the "I'm still not forgiven, am I?" look followed by the resignation and the guilt.
And in fact, it was a lie. He had forgiven Sirius for the incident with Snape. Not forgotten it, of course; he doubted he would ever do that. The truth remained: Sirius was one of his best friends and best friends forgave each other everything.
His anger died in an instant. Instead, he gave a quiet laugh which made Sirius's eyebrows shoot up.
"What…?"
Remus turned to him, his lips twitching into a smile. "I was wondering which Vernon would find more unpalatable: the thought of me fancying you or the fact that I'm a werewolf."
Sirius grinned. "Both equally objectionable concepts, no doubt."
"Look," Remus suddenly pointed. Rowan had returned.
They entered the study in time to see Rowan land at Lily's feet and deposit a large rat on the floor.
James shot the pair of them a quick glance, glad to see that they had made it up, then turned his attention back to the rat.
The shape on the floor grew larger, erupting into Peter, who looked flustered but unharmed. He pulled his evening jacket straight and threw a quick glance in the mirror to smooth his hair. Remus smiled to himself; all these years of hanging around with Sirius and James were bound to have some sort of effect.
"So spill, Wormtail," James instructed. "What was the emergency?"
"Clytemnestra and I have split up." Peter announced dramatically.
"Clytem- You told me her name was Nessie!" Sirius spluttered.
"Nessie-short-for-Clytemnestra." Peter said in an impatient manner which suggested this was not the first time he had had to provide this explanation. "We were driving through the countryside to get here, we had a huge row and she left me in the middle of nowhere. Thank goodness I found that owl or I'd still be there."
He shot an anxious look at the Potters. "Lily, James, I'm so sorry, what did I miss?"
Lily started to list things on her fingers:
"Granny and Grandad made a little speech, we toasted them, they said it was past their bedtime and left the night to us young things…"
"Moony managed to pull Lily's sister and future sister-in-law…" Sirius contributed.
"Sirius managed to sign his own death-warrant…" Remus retorted.
"But the best thing is that you're here." James closed the window and shut out the rest of the party. "Lily and I have some news. We've been waiting all evening to tell you but we wanted all three of you to be here." He turned to Lily and took hold of her hand. "We're expecting our first child."
There was a collective whoop of joy followed by hugs and kisses and back-slapping.
"That's terrific news!" "Congratulations!" "Fantastic!"
"So when is James Sirius Remus Peter Potter due?" Sirius wanted to know.
"Who said it's a boy?" Lily wanted to know.
"Of course, it's going to be a boy," James scoffed. "And he'll be a brilliant Quidditch player and a first-rate wizard."
"In that order," Peter smiled.
"I hate to shatter your dreams, husband, but our baby is most definitely a little girl."
"Lily Potter, I heard you telling your parents you had no idea what sex the baby was."
"It is a girl," she insisted. "I told Mum and Dad we didn't know because otherwise Mum would want us to call her Marigold or Buttercup or something."
James snorted. "Until she arrives - end of January, Padfoot - and proves me wrong, I'm going to continue to in my firm belief that we are continuing the Potter line."
He threw a shrewd glance at Remus. "You're awfully quiet, Moony."
Remus's face flushed. "I was just thinking back to something Lily and I were talking about earlier this evening," he confessed. "About how love can conquer anything." He met Lily's eyes and she smiled back at him. "It really is fabulous news."
"Right," Sirius said decisively. "Let's go and celebrate in true Marauder style. There's a party out there with our name on it."
The evening eventually drew to a close. Peter was the first of them to leave, disappearing into a taxi headed for Diagon Alley and a room at the Leaky Cauldron.
Then, it was Sirius and Remus's turn as they stood at the top of the marble steps surveying the city below.
"London really never sleeps, does it?" Sirius marvelled, as people rushed past on the pavement below hurrying away from one party and on to another.
A black cab pulled up at the foot of the steps waiting for its next fare.
Sirius took this as their cue to depart, giving Lily and James a farewell hug.
"After you," Remus stood to one side to let Sirius descend first.
If Sirius had bothered to look, he would have seen Remus's mouth moving and a wand appear from nowhere down his right sleeve.
"Come on, Moony," he shouted over his shoulder.
There was a high-pitched squeal which froze him to the spot. He spun round in its general direction and disappeared under a wave of female attention. From nowhere, teenage girls, their mothers and their mothers' mothers swarmed over him like locusts over honey.
"You know, they always say you should watch out for the quiet ones," Lily looked on in amazement.
A wide grin had appeared on James's face: Sirius should know by now the risks of playing tricks on Remus. "What did you just do to him?"
Remus shrugged. "Small transfiguration spell."
He made his goodbyes and walked down the steps, carefully avoiding the human scrum. He climbed into the backseat of the waiting taxi, leaving the door open.
"Where to, guv'nor?" the driver asked.
Remus gave the name of their hotel and then said: "We'll just wait for a moment, if you don't mind."
A huge black dog leapt into the cab as if its life depended on it. Remus leaned past it and sharply closed the door.
"'Ere! No dogs allowed! He'll have to-" The driver spun round then stopped, puzzled. Where his rear view mirror had distinctly shown an unwanted canine, there was now a trembling young man, black hair plastered all over his face, with no jacket, a torn shirt and trousers and only one shoe.
"Drive on, please." Remus said calmly.
Sirius stared straight ahead, swallowing a couple of times. They had paid the cab and were in the hotel lift before he could speak.
"Tell me, Moony, who is…?" he said the name the crowd of women had been screaming.
"Some Muggle celebrity - film star, rock star, something…" Remus waved a dismissive hand. "Someone people fall in love with at first sight and get besotted about," he added, keeping his voice neutral.
Understanding washed over Sirius.
Remus opened the hotel bedroom door and ushered his friend in.
"You're bloody dangerous, you are!" Sirius said, recovering his composure. He loosened his bow-tie and pulled off his shirt, examining the rips and tears. "Some of those women had scissors, you know."
Remus studied the back of Sirius's head. Large chunks of hair had been cut away in a haphazard fashion.
"Really? Scissors?" he said mildly. He shut the door, smiling.
It was at least two minutes before he handed Sirius a mirror.
A/N OK, so the baby Lily's expecting is not Harry. This story was supposed to be a prelude to a much longer, darker (and as yet unwritten) tale where she loses this child and it is the catalyst for the break-up of the Marauders and all the ensuing suspicion and betrayal. It is a plot bunny the size of Harvey and it has been firmly nailed in its hutch at the moment!