She's gone mad! Officially! No seriously you guys, I am feeling so bad for leaving you out of the loop for the last couple of months so I thought I should post some chapters. For those who are new to the story and some have mentioned this to me, they find some of the language and characterization in the first few chapters rather off-putting. Well, I've decided, that I am going to re-work all the chapters when I get enough time. I'm going to chop and change some things, and hopefully make it better, because when I wrote this to begin with I was going through kind of a tough time and now reading back on it, I agree that I made them too… I don't know… There is a word but I can't think of it. Anyway. Enjoy.
James Potter frowned as he looked out the window out to the distance. There was a darkening in the sky above his home that he had never seen before. Clouds whirled and spun madly like tornado's but never touching the ground. He switched off the light and cleared his throat.
"JAMES!" His mother shouted from the bottom of the stairs. "JAMES! Your father wants to speak to you!"
"Coming mum!" James bellowed back. He looked in the mirror, forgetting how much he had changed since he last looked in it. Most of his puppy-fat had almost completely disappeared. He was thinner and taller with pronounced cheekbones and a strong jaw line. He rolled his eyes, ruffled his hair into its usual style before making his way downstairs.
His mum smiled at him and nodded towards the living room. "He's in there. Oh, and what day is Sirius coming around?"
It was usual custom for Sirius to spend his holidays at the Potter's instead of going home to London. But this time, he had been told that if he did not stay for a duration of three weeks, his parents would cut him off completely. So, Sirius bade his farewell to James at Kings Cross, following his father, mother and Regulus.
"I don't know," James said. "He said he'd send an owl."
"Okay," Mrs Potter said. "Living room. Now. Do you want a butterbeer?"
"Yeah," James replied jumping the last step and walking through to the living room. His father was sitting on the settee, the coffee table pulled in front of him. He wore his golden half-moon spectacles on the tip of his nose and was peering down at a pile of leaflets in front of him.
"James!" Mr Potter looked up. "Look, I know it's early, but I thought we could talk about your O.W.L's."
James groaned and fell to the armchair. He began picking at the pattern and staring into silence.
Mr Potter sighed and looked over at James. "I know you hate speaking about it, so I am going to make it quick and painless, like ripping off a plaster."
James grunted as Uri the house-elf came through with a butterbeer and a glass in his hand. James took it from him with a nod. Mr Potter removed his spectacles and looked over. "Okay, your grades-"
"Are excellent." James said.
"Prospects?"
"Excellent." James repeated.
"Good." Mr Potter said. "So I know Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration are your strongest subjects. Teaching?"
"No dad." James said.
"Ministry?"
"No dad."
"What's wrong with the ministry?" Mr Potter asked.
"Nothing," James shrugged. "But you know… There's bigger stuff to do."
"Like what?" Mr Potter asked.
"Dad, don't play stupid."
"If you think you're going out hunting for Voldemort-" Mr Potter said.
"Now you are just being ridiculous." James rolled his eyes. "No one man can bring him down. But bloody hell I'm going to fight for what it's worth."
"James-"
"There's a war coming dad! It feels like there is. You can't deny it!"
"James-"
"Look, I don't care what you think. Fine I'll stick to my schoolwork, but as soon as I hit 17, I'm leaving Hogwarts and joining the fight."
"James-"
James turned to look at his father who was leaning back in his chair, his hand gently massaging his brow and his eyes closed.
"Look," Mr Potter said patiently. "I understand you want to fight. And that is good. It means that your mother and I brought you up well. But please, please, think about what else you could do before rushing out of school without sitting your N.E.W.T's. What if Voldemort is defeated before you turn 17? What happens then? Please, just choose a path in case something happens."
James looked at his father then nodded. "Okay. Pass over some of those pamphlets."
…
Sirius was looking for something. He pulled out all the clean pressed green, silver and black robes that his mother had bought him the previous day and flung them to the side without much care and attention. His room was a mess. Nothing was in its proper place. As soon as he got home he had taken great liberty in covering up all of the green serpents that lined his bedroom wall with pictures of anything and everything he could find. The most prized photo that stuck to his wall was a picture of himself, Remus, James and Peter all standing together outside the train station at Hogsmede. Above the picture, Sirius had pinned his Gryffindor scarf, banners and other paraphernalia that he had collected throughout the year.
"Where the hell are you?" He muttered through gritted teeth. "Come on… Come on!"
"Talking to yourself is a sure sign of madness." Said a sneering voice behind him. Sirius looked up to see his brother leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded.
"Go away," Sirius said, turning away from Regulus.
"I'd rather not." Regulus replied, moving into Sirius' room and sitting on his bed. "So…"
"Regulus, I'm not in the mood to humour you," Sirius said. "Please, get out of my room."
"That's a bit rude." Regulus said.
"Regulus, I could try and be as rude as I possibly can towards you, and still wouldn't understand." Sirius said.
"Are you insulting my intelligence?" Regulus asked.
"No!" Sirius said sarcastically. "For me to insult your intelligence you would need to have some."
Regulus stood up quickly and ripped his wand from his robes, pointing it at Sirius' throat.
"Ah, now, baby brother," Sirius said calmly. "No magic outside of Hogwarts."
"You have no idea," Regulus hissed. "No idea." With that he stormed out of the room.
"Oooh!" Sirius called after him. "You gonna get your pal Voldemort to come and get me? Grow up Reg! You're not a Death Eater!"
Regulus slammed his bedroom door shut. Sirius rolled his eyes, his heart in his ears. "Stupid family's." He muttered, slamming his door shut.
He leaned down and continued to rummage through his things.
"Sirius!" called a sharp shrill voice. Sirius' head ducked in misery.
"WHAT?"
"Down here, now!"
"NO! I'M BUSY!"
"Doing what?"
"HOMEWORK!"
"You're lying."
"OF COURSE I'M LYING! I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU!" Sirius bellowed. "AH ha!" He pulled out the silver mirror and collapsed on his bed exhausted.
"James Potter," He said clearly.
James' face appeared on the mirror. "Hey Padfoot." He said.
"Hey," Sirius said.
"Family giving you hell already?"
"It's like you can read my mind." Sirius said.
"I already told you that I could." James shrugged. "Heard from Remus or Peter?"
"Nah," Sirius replied. "I'm sure Remus is too busy knee deep in his homework. And Peter… Jeez… What does Peter do during the holidays?"
…
Peter slurped up the cold cucumber soup, not looking up at his parents or brothers. His grandmother was talking vehemently about Moses' exploits in the India. Theodorus was listening intently whilst Peter wished he was elsewhere.
His grandmother turned to him. "And what have you done lately Peter?"
"School." Peter shrugged.
"Don't be cheeky," His father muttered, picking up some pepper and putting it into the soup.
"Eric," Mrs Pettigrew said exasperated.
"What?" Mr Pettigrew asked. "It's disgusting! I'm just adding a bit of flavour!"
Mrs Pettigrew gritted her teeth and looked away.
Peter's Grandmother watched the exchange and continued to question the 14 year old.
"Well? What are you learning in school?" She asked.
"Stuff." Peter shrugged.
"That is the most imaginative answer that you can give?" She asked. "Really Peter. When Moses and Theodorus were at Hogwarts, they were learning nearly 7 branches of magic! What were they again?"
Theodorus had a mouthful of bread so he shrugged, motioning at Moses who spoke up. "Artimancy, Divination, care of magical creatures, transfiguration, ancient runes, and advanced potions."
"That's six," Peter muttered.
"We dropped out of Defence against the dark arts," Moses said. "I mean really, what are they expecting is going to happen when we leave Hogwarts? That we are going to be attacked by someone?"
"You never know," Mr Pettigrew said.
"Oh tish," Mrs Pettigrew said. "People like this… What's his name? Nothing more than a fad. He'll sink into the background in another year or so. Nothing will come of him."
"I was thinking of being an auror." Peter spoke up.
His entire family burst out laughing. "Peter," Mrs Pettigrew said. "Darling, we love you and all. But be honest with yourself." She smiled. "You're not smart enough to be an auror."
Peter's entire face fell as he watched his family. Something snapped inside him. He pushed his plate away.
"May I be excused?" He asked.
"You most certainly can not." Mr Pettigrew said. "Now, Theo, tell us of dragons!"
Peter got up anyway, ignoring his brother who had started to retell a boring story of how he had to pin a Welsh Green to the ground. Peter knew perfectly well that the dragon in question was nothing more than six months old, had the strength of a horse and was one of the more gentler of the species.
"Peter, sit down." Mr Pettigrew ordered.
"Not feeling well," Peter grunted. "Going out for a walk." He grabbed his coat and wand, stuffing it into his back pocket and taking off into the night.
…
"Tell me why we have to look after your cousin?" James asked, as he, Sirius, Remus and Peter walked up the tiny one street village of Branxton to a small cottage at the edge of some woods.
Sirius shrugged. "Told to by mum," He replied. "To be honest, I think she wanted me out of the house."
James nudged him playfully. "Maybe she's planning a surprise for you."
"Hardly," Sirius scoffed. "It's probably Bellatrix and her stupid husband and Narcissa and Malfoy coming over to discuss Regulus' future."
"Are Narcissa and Lucius married yet?" Remus asked, folding his arms carefully.
Sirius shrugged. "I expect so." He said. "For want, I guess, of sprouting out little bastards to go and join Voldemort's army."
"Beautiful family sentiment." Peter muttered.
"Andromeda is the only one I can actually stand." Sirius said. "Ted is great. A little bonkers, I think he trained Gideon and Fabian on how to be complete trouble makers before he left."
"Oh no!" James said. "Gideon and Fabian have finished Hogwarts! Haven't they?"
"It'll be sad not seeing them around the grounds," Remus said. "They always brightened up our days."
"But, think on the plus side." Sirius said. "It means that we get to up our game as far as infamous pranksters go."
"Well said Padfoot." James said opening the greying white gate and letting his friends through before following them and closing it behind him.
Sirius pulled back his hair as Remus knocked the door. Barely a second later, the door flew open to reveal a witch who looked remarkably similar to the photos of Bellatrix Sirius had shown them previously. But her skinner was fairer, her hair lighter and her eyes kinder.
"Sirius! Thank god you're here!" She cried, a wailing child in her arms, it's hair unnaturally bright red. "What took you so long?"
"Mum wouldn't let me use floo powder." Sirius shrugged. "So we took a Portkey."
"Oh, well, never mind," Andromeda was only half listening. "You're here now. Oh, Dora! Will you please stop crying? Mummy and daddy won't be gone for long."
"Can I ask, why do I have to babysit?" Sirius asked. "Couldn't our loveable grandmother do it for you?"
Andromeda let out a laugh. "Let that detestable woman into my house? I think not! Oh Dora! Please stop crying! Ted's brother is getting married and we can't take Dora, she'll just sit and cry the entire time… TED?" Andromeda bellowed. "Are you ready yet? Come in!"
She ushered the boys into the small cottage and into the living room. They quickly realised that she was dressed in her finest with her hair tied up in an elegant knot. But her make-up had not been applied and she looked completely worn out. Ted fell down the stairs, tying a bow-tie at the front of his robes.
"We're running late," He said as Andromeda wiped his robes down. "Hello Sirius." He stopped and looked up.
"Oh, Dora, please stop crying! I have to get ready!" Andromeda moaned.
"Here, I'll take her." Remus offered, reaching out to the wailing child. Nymphadora fell into his arms and looked up curious at the stranger. "Hello." Remus smiled at her, the light scars on his face stretching slightly. Nymphadora reached out with her hands to touch them.
"Who are these?" Ted was asking.
"Oh," Sirius grinned. "These are my friends. Peter, James and Remus."
"Pleased to meet you." Ted replied, taking their hands in turn and shaking them. "Andromeda, get your make-up on and we'll have to leave."
Andromeda was putting on her earrings. "There's plenty of food in the kitchen. Money on the table if you want to go out to the local muggle shop – nothing worth anything, but some of the things they have are quite amusing. Dora was an early learner in the potty training, so don't worry about that. She's pretty much got her language down. Except for odd clicks of her teeth – don't know what that's about… She takes a nap around about two… Wakes up about six for supper. We won't be back till late. I mean, really late… So there are blankets and pillows, take what you boys need and sleep in the living room. Everything is set for you." She finished off with her lipstick. "Okay, Ted! We really have to go!"
Ted gathered a handful of floo powder and led his wife to the fireplace. "St Michael's Chapel, Edinburgh."
In a flame of green and smoke and ash, they were gone. Sirius looked around the tiny cottage and then at Nymphadora.
"Give her here Moony," He said taking her from his friend. Dora's hair had changed from the red to a gentler pale blue. "Jeez, I feel old. What is this kid wearing?"
"I think that's muggle-wear." Peter said. "Fancy dress? Perhaps?"
"What's she supposed to be?" Sirius asked.
"Looks like a fairy." Remus tried.
"It looks nothing like a fairy!" James scoffed.
"Serious!" Nymphadora turned to look at her cousin. "Serious! They making fun my clothes."
"I know." Sirius said. "I'll give them a good bloody nose later, promise."
"Yay!" Young Dora flung her arms into the air and smiled.
"Okay." Sirius turned to his friends. "What are we going to do for the remainder of the day?"
…
"Seriously," Sirius said. "The monster was this big!" He motioned with his hands to emphasise how tall it was. "Taller than Remus! And a lot scarier! With a huge beaked nose and black greasy hair and no soul in his eyes!"
Nymphadora was sitting on the couch, her legs barely reaching the edge as Sirius kneeled down in front of her, playing with her feet. James was in the kitchen rustling up some sandwiches and drinks for the rest of them whilst Remus had found comfort in a book. Well, for a good half hour he found comfort in a book. He was sound asleep on the couch, weary and sick looking. Peter was listening intently, adding in little details that made the story Sirius was telling more believable.
"And then!" Sirius said. "The monster came lumbering over to your cousin Sirius and said-"
"Sandwiches?" James asked, coming through with a big tray.
"Well… No… Not exactly." Sirius said, turning to James. "Is that what you've been doing for the last hour?"
"Yep!" James said happily putting the tray down on the table. "We have cucumber, cheese and tomato, tuna, bacon lettuce and tomato, chicken, ham, ham and cheese. And we've got lemonade too!"
"It seems a waste to sit and eat them inside," Peter said.
"Get Moony up, would you?" James asked. "Maybe we can take this out to the garden?" He looked over at Sirius who checked his watch.
"Sure." He shrugged. "Dora has time before she has to get ready for her nap."
James went over and shook Remus awake. He opened his eyes beadily.
"Oh…" He muttered, rubbing the sleep away. "Sorry guys."
"Nonsense," Sirius said, standing up and picking Dora up. "You should have told us that you were… Having troubles with your furry little problem. We could have left you at home."
"I want to be here." Remus said earnestly.
"Fair enough." James said. "Come on, we're going into the garden."
Together they moved through to the back door, which Peter opened and set themselves down on the plastic furniture. Dora got down from Sirius and began to move away from them, happy to be able to get away from them.
"You have no idea how middle-aged and British I feel right now," James muttered. "I should be out! Prime of my life! Battling evil men and rescuing damsels in distress. Instead… I'm…"
"Eating sandwiches and drinking lemonade?" Sirius asked. "James, you were the one who decided that we needed this."
"Where was I when this decision was made?" Remus asked interestedly, as he handed Dora a cheese sandwich.
"In the depths of the ocean slaying Moby Dick." Peter said. "Typical thing to do on a Tuesday afternoon."
"So, Dora, where was I in my tale of monsters?" Sirius said, taking a large bite out of a tuna sandwich.
"Black greasy hair… Big nose…" Dora screwed up her tiny face in concentration.
"You were telling her about the time you beat Severus up?" Remus asked. "I fear for your children."
Dora was screwing up her face so much that her nose extended over her lip and became identical to Snape's and her hair turned from the baby blue that she had been sporting previously to black.
"She makes a very good likeness to Severus, I will say that much." Remus said.
"Dare you five galleons to say that to her when she's old enough to understand you." James said.
"Sure, whatever," Remus replied. "We're only meeting this one time. Doubt we'll see each other after this."
"So," Peter said. "Dora, what do you think of Sirius' scary story? Is it any good so far?"
Dora shook her head. "Bad." She said.
"I am an excellent story teller." Sirius said proudly.
"Not likely," James said. "You hang out with a renegade of good banter and excellent stories to be told and you can't come up with a decent monster!"
"Daddy says mummy turns in monster!" Dora said, getting to her feet and walking over to the boys, adjusting her crown atop of her black hair, her nose gradually returning to normal.
"Oh really?" Remus asked amused.
"Once a month he says." Dora said proudly. "He's stupid. He gets them mixed up with werewolves!"
Sirius spat out the lemonade he was drinking and looked over at Dora. "Nymphadora Tonks!"
Dora looked genuinely surprised. "Did I say something wrong, Serious?" She asked, her eyes wide.
Sirius glanced at Remus, who hung his head low, his cheeks flaring with embarrassment.
"No." Sirius said. "You did nothing wrong. I just don't think you should talk to us about what your father tells you."
"But it's true!" Dora said.
"How would you even know what werewolves are anyway?" James asked, frowning.
Peter kicked him.
"Seriously though!" James complained, rubbing his shin, glaring at Peter. "She's only… Dora how old are you?"
"Two and a half in three months!" She said proudly, almost falling over. Remus caught her and helped her to her feet.
"I mean, I didn't even know about there being a difference in boys and girls let alone other species until I was at least nine." James said.
"That explains you having the mind of a child." Sirius said.
"Mummy doesn't like it." Dora said. "But daddy tells me better scary stories than you Serious!"
James and Peter burst out laughing at Sirius who frowned. "Is that so?" He asked. "Well, he obviously didn't tell you about the tickle monster!"
"Tickle monster?" Dora asked.
"Yes, he creeps into your room and takes you by the feet." Sirius said as he took Dora up onto his lap and took a tight grip of one foot. "And tickles you until you toes fall off!"
Dora fell down laughing as Sirius tickled her foot.
"Careful," Remus said making sure her head didn't bang off the ground.
"Serious," James said in a mocking voice. "I think it's time for Dora's nap."
"Right yes of course." Sirius picked her up and flung her over his shoulder before they followed him up to Dora's room to put her to sleep.
…
James, Remus, Peter and Sirius were all snoring, sound asleep on the living room floor when Andromeda and Ted returned in the early hours of the morning. Once they made sure that Dora was safe in bed, they stuffed ten galleons into each of the boys pockets as a thank you before Ted woke them up.
"Boys," He said. "Where do you need to go to get home?"
James answered sleepily with his home address. Ted nodded and pulled them close to him. Then making sure he had them all together, he apparated.
…
I couldn't resist the Sirius/Serious pun. So cute to do. Thought it would be funny. Loved this chapter. Don't know why. Could be rubbish since I stayed up till… God knows what time to finish it… Even though I have to get up super awesome early tomorrow morning. Night y'all.