November 1971
Two nights before Peter’s birthday, Remus, as expected, was in the hospital wing overnight again. Sirius wore a smug look, which also signaled that when Remus would return, they would test the silver out on him. Unfortunately, Peter’s birthday was close, y’know, it was two nights before his birthday this happened. And usually, James would go all out. Beg his parents to host a huge party despite it only being Peter, James and sometimes the McKinnon girl who lived just over a hour away.
James had a crush on her for a while.
To a seven year old boy, McKinnon was perfect. She wasn’t like the other girls essentially, despite however cringe and crude that may sound. She played in the mud and allowed herself to get dirty, she caught worms with her bare fingers and chased everyone around with them. She loud, everyone recognized her voice. And she had gorgeous hair. She’s dye it different colors every month, whatever she felt. James loved the color purple on her, the bright kind, that made your eyes squint. McKinnon also obsessed over the Guitar. She loved music, especially that of rock. McKinnon said she was going to become a famous rockstar one day.
James had thought of her a cousin after a while. Not sister, they weren’t that close.
Point in case: James was unable to plan a party for Peter.
He didn’t know what Peter would’ve liked really. Never once did Peter ask for a celebration, it was just a thing James did. James hoped Peter found it insufferable or something because he doubted this year he’d be able to do something.
One night before Peter’s birthday, Remus returned. Though this time, things were different. He had a bruise on his cheek and his arm was healing from being broken.
“What happened to you?” James was astonished, staring. Remus clearly felt uncomfortable because he muttered a pathetic excuse and hid in their bedroom, leaving Peter, James and Sirius alone in the common room (which had become their official hangout spot, specifically, the couch in front of the fireplace).
“A word, Potter.” Sirius gestured to James, excusing himself from the chess game he had been playing with Peter. James obeyed, shooting a “I’ll tell you I swear but I won’t” look at Peter, who just shrugged.
“Look, it all matches up. Last night was a full moon and look at his state! He clearly injures himself while he transforms.” Sirius’s voice was hushed, but loud all at once.
“Okay, okay. I get it.” James knew he couldn’t deny it anymore. Remus had be a… He couldn’t bring himself to say the word, but it lingered.
“Tonight, we’ll-“
“We’re going ahead with the thing? Isn’t this proof enough? Look at him!” James was part furious, part amazed at Sirius’s willingness to follow the plan. He thought that Sirius might’ve felt some empathy and decide to forget the whole thing – James had.
“Well, it’s good to have a variety of evidence. Plus, aren’t you curious?”
“That’s beyond sickening!” James couldn’t believe Sirius. So, he had proven himself to be apathetic, and a bit of an ass at times, but Remus was their friend. It was horrible for Sirius to treat Remus like that.
“Didn’t realize you were such a saint. You always act like I’m too much, when all I’m really trying to do is help you! Despite you knowing all this, you still treat Remus the same!”
“Like a person?”
“Exactly! He’s not a person. He’s a werewolf. A freak. And you still try to convince yourself he’s not. He’s not a good person. He isn’t worth your time or kindness.”
“Since when do you get to decide who’s worthy of me or not?”
Sirius was fuming at this point. He was holding back, James could tell. He didn’t know how he could tell, but he knew Sirius was holding back. And it was dangerous.
“Just leave it then!”
“I’m not that one who keeps mentioning it-“
But before James could finish, Sirius stormed off. And James didn’t run after him.
-
“Where’s Sirius?”
James had returned from a walk outside the common room, clearing his mind. He hated fighting, especially with friends.
“I don’t know Pete.”
Peter didn’t care all that much. On the contrary, he seemed to be more cheerful than usual.
“I’d like something simple, for tomorrow. Just us two, out flying on broomsticks.”
James’s brain woke up immediately and started functioning. Peter hummed a tune, a joyous one and he seemed content.
“Right! Yeah, of course! Whatever you want.”
James was glad he didn’t have to do anything. Pete’s present had arrived a couple of days earlier, so that was all sorted. And it would just be James and Peter. Sirius and Remus could do whatever they wanted for all that James cared. He was just glad it’d be him and a close friend.
“Tomorrow. Just us two.” He voiced aloud. Peter repeated the statement back at him, and James offered to play Wizarding Chess with him.
He lost all three rounds.