A/N: Well, well, well, guess who decided to update? ME! This chapter is really as long as the last couple. But sigh. It will have to do. You see, this chapter was one of those ones where you know or think you know where the chapter will finish and then you don't get to that point because you think it will make it too long if you add that part in at the end. Just another chapter to write. Speaking of chapters, I am determind to get this story done. It has been decided (by me!) that this story WILL be complete by February the 25th. And if it isn't, you can all AVADA KEDARVA ME! Which now that I think about it isn't really good, coz how can I finish the story if I'm dead?
THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO: HEADSIMO1987 Thanks for reviewing! Your review made me post this!
ME: Freckles, red hair, hand-me-down clothes, you must be a Weasley!
(Not really. I'm not that mean. I just can't resist! Please don't kill me! Let's just forget about that start again, huh?)
ME: Hey Arthur!
ARTHUR: Hello! Dear, may I ask are you a Muggle?
ME: Sort of.
ARTHUR: Oh! Would you mind telling me the function of an aezoplan? (You do not know how tempting it was to put 'rubber duck'. You're all so lucky I've already done my temptation thing is this chapter. Just saying.)
ME: Do you mean aeroplane?
ARTHUR: Ah, yes! That's the thing! It flies doesn't it?
ME: Yeah it does. It takes people to places like floo powder, a portkey or apparition. Just slower. But of course it's awesome and really fast to the Muggles.
ARTHUR: Wow. That is astounding. How Muggles can up with these ideas I will never know!
ME: Me either. So anyway, a little friend of mine is going to come asking round for something later. Can you give something to him?
ARTHUR: Of course! What do you want me to give him? Who is it?
ME: You'll know who it is when you see him probably. Give him this.
*I hand him something (It's a secret. Wow, I really have to stop doing this (bracket) thing)*
ARTHUR: Well this is simply marvellous! How I wish to keep this for myself! But no, I will give it to the person who asks.
ME: Ask him for 2 galleons. That was an expensive thing.(Still not telling. I DID IT AGAIN! I'M SORRY!)
ARTHUR: Of course anything you say. How will I give you the money back?
ME: Keep it.
ARTHUR: I couldn't.
ME: You need it more than me. Now bye!
*Arthur disappears*
ME: Well there's my good deed for the day done and dusted. That was the longest conversation I've ever had with someone. AWESOME! (I'm on a bit of a hype. Erh- again.) ON WITH THE STORY!
28
'Happy birthday Remus!' James shouted on the morning of March 10th, also known as Remus John Lupin's birthday.
'Shut up James.' Sirius grunted.
'But it's Remus's birthday!' James protested and because of his frustration of Sirius not listening to him, he picked up a grape from a nearby salad bowl on the lunch table and threw it at Sirius.
The grape hit Sirius on the forehead; it pinged off and landed with a splash into Remus's bowl of vegetable soup.
'Hey!' Remus cried out in surprise as the soup splattered on him.
Luckily it was cold.
'Yeah, hey Sirius! Don't do that to Remus on his birthday!' James crossed his arms in annoyance. 'He could've got burnt!'
'Erh- James,' Peter spluttered. 'Didn't you throw-'
'It's Remus's birthday?' Sirius interrupted a look of panic across his face.
'Yeah. How did you find out it was my birthday anyway?' Remus asked his confusion obvious.
'Well-'James began to explain.
'Remus's birthday? Why didn't anyone-' Sirius groaned.
'I was speaking to Gracie the other day-'
'I should've known.' Remus admitted and shook his head sadly.
'We were wondering when everyone's birthdays were-'
'Really should write these things down-'
'-Gracie found out and told me. For instance, for proof, Peter's birthday is the 24th of August.'
'That's right.' Peter supplied helpfully.
'See? And before you ask, I did ask how she found out and she said and I quote-'
'I think I have a few galleons. Try and buy something from someone quit-'
'-"I ain't telling you anything Jamey-boy." She got up and laughed then. Walked away.'
'Sounds like Gracie.' Remus grinned.
Peter and James nodded in agreement.
'Yes, that would work out alright-'
Sirius coughed uncomfortably when he noticed James, Peter and Remus were staring at him and listening to him speak to himself.
'Erh- so yes I- I didn't forget Remus's birthday. I'll just give your present to you later. Is that alright Remus? I just haven't- erh- wrapped it yet.' Sirius said in a guilty-but-trying-to-fake-being-innocent voice.
'That's fine Sirius. Although I didn't really expect you to buy me anything.' Remus reassured.
James and Peter both sniggered in the background.
Oblivious, Sirius hid his smile of relief.
'Thanks. Don't worry Remus! You'll have the best present ever! Wait- you already have the best present ever…' Sirius stuttered. 'It's not like I'm going to skip next lesson and go find you a present or anything. Only horrible friends forget their friend's birthdays. I think I'm going to shut up now.'
Sirius did indeed miss next lesson (which happened to be Potions). Luckily, Professor Slughorn brought their excuse they made up. It was simple and was Peter's idea. Sirius had overslept. Many of their class mates had seen Sirius at breakfast but fortunately chose not to say anything. When Slughorn asked why they couldn't wake him, they explained Sirius's sleep hitting problem and his snoring (Gracie backed them up on that point of the argument).
Sirius didn't show up at all during the lesson.
When Potions ended, Remus, Peter and James headed to lunch.
To their surprise, Sirius sat waiting for them at the table, a messily wrapped parcel in front of him.
'Hey.' He greeted them.
'Hi.' They replied, taking seating across or next to him.
'Here's your present Remus. You'll love it. I know it. I had to skive off Charms to wrap it you see.' Sirius explained with a large smile spread across his face.
'First off we had Potions and secondly, it took you a whole lesson to wrap you this? It's not even that big and no offence, not really that neat.'
Sirius cheeks tinged red.
'Well-'
'Sirius. You don't have to lie. We know you just got the gift.' James assured.
'Urgh-'
'Who did you get it off?'
'Arthur Weasley,' Sirius sighed in defeat. At their blank faces, he explained further on. 'He's a 7th year Gryffindor. Dating Molly Prewett, Gracie's sister. I was asking around the common room before to see if anyone was selling anything for a few galleons. Arthur so happened to be. I got that. Open it up then Remus.' Sirius nodded at the red and gold wrapped up present in front of him.
Remus slowly picked up the present and held it up to his left ear, shaking it.
Rolling their eyes, the three of them said, 'Open it!'
Remus tore off the wrapping paper to reveal…
A watch.
'It's not a wizard's watch. It's a Muggle one. You put it on your ankle. It's called a digty clock or something.' Sirius announced proudly.
'You mean digital? And don't watches normally go on wrists?' Remus pointed out, picking up the watch and twirling it between his fingers.
'I knew that.' Sirius insisted.
'Sure you did.' James smiled kindly at Sirius, causing him to scowl.
'It has lots of special features Arthur said,' Sirius blurted out. 'You can change the watch to a normal clock face, it tells you the time in different areas of the world, it tells you the date and when full moons are-'
(A/N: I don't know if watchs can actually do this in the 'real world'. To be honest, I reckon they probably can't do all of those things on the same watch. But let's pretend that I have magically made some imprivements to this watch. You know, 'coz I'm like totally a witch.)
Remus paled dramatically.
Sirius stopped ranting and stared at Remus sadly.
'Don't you like it? If not-'
'No. I do like it Sirius. I love it. It'll be really useful. Thank you.' Remus replied softly.
'No problem mate.' Sirius beamed.
He leaned over and gave Sirius a 'man hug'.
'Hey Sirius, you do realise you didn't forget Remus's birthday?' James asked.
'What do you mean?' Sirius asked quietly.
'I only found out it was Remus's birthday 2 days ago. I forgot to tell you. I only just managed to send a letter home and ask mum to send a present over. It arrived this morning.'
'Merlin's saggy-' Sirius cursed.
'Language Sirius!' Remus cut across.
Sirius frowned and looked like a 5 year old child that had been caught putting his hand in the cookie jar.
'Sorry mate.' James said.
'Doesn't matter. I would've felt really bad if you all gave Remus's his gifts later or something and I wouldn't have had anything to give him. Speaking of later I-'
Remus suddenly groaned.
'Please tell me you haven't organised a party.' Remus pleaded.
Sirius gulped.
It seemed he was searching for someone at the table.
'Gracie.' Sirius muttered.
She didn't look at him.
'Gracie!' He hissed a little louder.
Not even a glance.
'Gracie!'
Still nothing.
'GRACIE!' Sirius shrieked.
Everyone surrounding them turned to look at him.
One of those people was Gracie.
'What?' she hissed.
Sirius then began waving his arms in the air.
First his arms went together then floated about.
Gracie seemed to get that message as she nodded and winked.
Then he shook his head and drew his finger across his neck.
'Why?' she mouthed.
Sirius jabbed his finger in Remus's direction (nearly poking his eye out) and crossed his arms.
Gracie frowned at them.
Then she opened out her hand as if asking for something.
Sirius groaned.
He started mouthing protests.
'I brought them.' Gracie mimed going to a till and buying something.
Sirius smacked his hand on his forehead.
Gracie shrugged.
Sirius put his hands together in a begging motion.
Gracie shook her head and grinned.
Sirius sighed in sorrow and nodded.
Gracie smirked.
Sirius held his hand out in a deal motion.
Gracie did the same.
To James's, Peter's and Remus's amusement, they shook their hand sin the air like they were actually shaking them together.
After the show, Sirius turned back to them like nothing happened and picked up a large apple, taking a bite out of it.
'What was that all about?' Peter voiced all of their thoughts.
'Just having to cancel some plans. Just the usual.'