1
1976, Platform 9 ¾, Start of the summer holidays
The platform was full of happy faces and greetings, whenever he looked there were a family reuniting after a very long time, classes had ended and the Hogwarts Express had taken them back home once again.
James Potter was able to see his parents waving with smiles on their faces wrinkled by age but projecting the tenderness and kindness that defined them, he couldn't help but smile at them too, feeling like a little child at the end of the day in the kindergarten expecting for his mum and pa to come and get him.
It was no mystery that James was a spoiled child, his parents had him when they were already older after years of trying, so he had no siblings and his family's fortune had been directed to fulfilling his dreams and pamper him when he was a child.
But, he was extremely grateful to his parents, he loved them more than anyone else in this universe and he knew that they loved him equally, so he couldn't complain about them in the slightest.
He was already feeling the imminent hug he'd be into soon when he saw two black hair heads passing by, some that he knew very well, making their way across the crowd of people to reach the most eccentric duo in the platform. No, the most eccentric duo in the whole wizarding world.
Every member of The Noble House of Black always cause a escenario when they decided to show up somewhere. Walburga and Orion Black were not the exception. Especially when they represented an image that was totally parallel and different compared to the people around him. The Blacks knew that they were special and superior, not only speaking about pureblood status.
Again, James only knew loving and dedicated parents, so when he came to Hogwarts years ago and was faced with the parental situation of Sirius Orion Black, his mind was blown.
At the end of the first year, he has the pleasure (not) of meeting his best friend's parents, he remembers approaching Sirius when he was reuniting with his parents, stupidly thinking that even though they were strangers, they must be nice and kind as their son, which he already consider a best friend since the very first minute they met in the train.
Innocent as he was, his greeting was responded with an unpleasant gaze from Sirius's mother and father, an expression of full terror in the pale face of his roommate, and a curious and confused look on the tender face of Regulus Black, the little brother Sirius couldn't stop talking about with so much love.
He also remember the speech his mother gave him trying to explain who his friend's parents were after his babbling at her about the fear his 12-year-old self felt at Walburga Black's presence. Since then, every summer and holiday he spent day after day thinking in the complex family life of Sirius. Specially when he could see the signs that not everything was perfect in the perfect Black Manor as they try to demonstrate.
So, nobody could blame him for worrying after watching his friend disappear with his bloody parents to that freaking house, the one he knows it's not the home Sirius (and Regulus) deserves.
He also knew that the horror that his friend would live in that house with that people, Sirius... Sirius in this moment had the state of mind so troubled and blinded by dark clouds that James knew that he was going to think he deserved All the atrocities his parents were going to put him through to punish him, Sirius was going to take it as a punishment for the stupid prank on Snape. What's more and worst, James knew that he was fully capable of making any anger of his parents worse, only to punish himself more than what had already been punished.
All the way back home in the muggle car that his father owned and loved to use, his body and soul were full of a weird feeling that he couldn't shake off, until after his mother's delicious dinner which didn't sit well with his worried stomach, when James came out with something, a dangerous and extremely stupid but efficient (in his head at least) plan.
Later that night when his parents went to sleep, he started writing on his personal diary (try.to.make.fun.of.it), first, two letters, well three, but he needed a little bit more of courage to send that one.
The first for Peter Pettigrew to receive, although his mousy friend told them last night that he and his family were going to visit his grandparents in Germany, James wanted to let him know what is happening.
The second to Remus Lupin, he had mixed feelings about sending the letter, it was a fact that the boy had every right to reject his proposal. After all, Sirius had screwed up horribly with him last month. But, before that, they were in love (they are, James is not blind when he has his glasses on, thank you).
If Remus finds in himself wanting to help in the madness of James, he'd be welcome. If he isn't, it'd be okay. (James was praying a yes from him, deep down he knew he needed Remus, not only because of the fact that he's a freaking mastermind, but also because Sirius seemed to lose all fear and would accept anything if Remus just says so).
His letter wasn't long, but it was concise and neutral, he didn't intend for Remus to think he was trying to manipulate him into accepting, even when he was.
Dear Moony
Hope you're having a good term already, send my love to your mother. Tell her I "hope" her the best summer vacation (please with the joke included)
I need to tell you something and before that, you're totally on your right to deny and call me crazy and get angry with me for bringing it to you when you're mad at him. Again, totally on your right. He behaved like an asshole who doesn't have a brain to think.
The thing is, I want to take Sirius out of his house, i have a huge bad feeling on his family and how they treated him.
If your keep reading and didn't fucked me off, my plan is basic, i want to break in that house and take him to mines. AND I know it's mad and suicidal, but he won't come just by himself and I'm afraid of what they 'd do this summer. If i come out with a better and more elaborated plan, i think I could make it. And for that to succeed I need your wonderfully wolfy welsh brain.
If by chance you want to help me (It's not necessary, but I would appreciate it) write me back. If it's not the case, which its okay, write me back too, i really want to hear about your lovely mother.
Loves you so much, James Potter.
And the last, the one that James didn't send until having gone through a long moment of reflection, Andromeda Tonks, who once in the past was a Black. The woman who is, in words of Sirius, his favourite cousin and family member after Regulus. She was feral, it was crystal clear that she loved her little cousins and would do anything to protect them.
They shared a year in Hogwarts since Andromeda was in seven year when they started, at that time she had already abandoned her blood family and had become engaged to Ted Tonks, a kind and cool hufflepuff who is a muggle born, like the worst nightmare to the pompous Black family.
He thought she would help them from her position, James knew that she was pregnant and so close to have her baby. He thought right. She answered in the same day he sent the letters.
Dear James Potter
Your letter surprised me, but I am pleased to hear about the famous James Potter that my little cousin mentions so much. I'm not gonna lie to you, because your idea is too kind to be real, but also is a one way ticket to death.
Unfortunately, Sirius and Regulus live in the most protected house in all the wizarding world, and not with the protective and friendly charms we learn at school, it's physically impossible to enter and live to tell the tale if you aren't a family member or invited. You and your comrades will have a terrible death if you enter the flu right now and try luck.
But, fortunately for you, every system has its flaws and all the children of the Black house know how to find them to sneak away. Read carefully and you'll be in, once you're in, get out is easy. Please get out.
The next two pages of the letter were a detailed explanation of how to break in the 12 of Grimmauld Place, James started to smile bigger and have some faith while reading.
Definitely it wouldn't be easy, but he had a good feeling, they would make it. There was nothing more powerful and persevering than James Potter when he set his mind to something.
I expect news from you soon James, please, be careful. No need to remember how complex my family is.
Knowing that my little cousin has such good friends and that they care so much about him fills my heart with joy.
Write if you need more help, I'd be glad to do more.
Yours, Andromeda Tonks.
Remus didn't answered as fast as Andromeda, actually took him a good two full days to show signs of at least receiving his letter. James already started his master plan, the first point was easy, his parents didn't even doubted at agreeing when he asked if it was remotely possible to accept Sirius in. They loved the shy boy who sends letters on birthdays and christmas with gifts, even when he doesn't knows his parents more than of what James tells him about them. They also sends things to them when he is at Hogwarts and can actually receive the stuff.
The first point was done, although James tried not to think that he was lying to his mum and dad as he moved on to the second, saying that he would go to visit Marlene for a few days, fully knowing that they would agree. Marlene was a childhood friend.
He was about to start that part of the plan when Remus Lupin appeared on the front door with a tiny bag under his arm.
– You're a total suicidal idiot, I'd be go with you, you're totally mad if you are even considering to go there alone – was the first thing he said when James opened the door.
He would have kissed him if it weren't for the faces in the back of his mind of the two black brother who could go crazy and kill him, one for kissing his man, the other for his man kissing another.
– Hi, Moony, long time no see – try to joke to lighten the atmosphere, wrong choice, the usual lovely Moony wasn't in the right stage of the month to joke.
Actually, he was in the most feral days as the full moon was two weeks behind, which was both good and dangerous for the plan. The boy became passionate and everything he did was charged with an alarming ferocity. Whatever awaited them at the Black house, Remus would handle it in that crazy and calculated wolf way.
That was also the hottest and sexiest time of the month, but then again, James treasured his life enough to say it out loud. Remus would roll his eyes and go on with his business, Sirius would gouge his eyes out so he would stop looking at the hot welsh werewolf.
Anyways, his mom was excited to have him over, it's always funny how polite Remus would become when an adult is near. Parents and teachers have no idea what a sewer this boy is. With that beautiful saintly face, he was a little shit and his mouth a shithole.
After a dinner full of his parents and Remus going crazy about "wizard nerd things", a dinner in which he couldn't stop imagining Sirius and his brother joining in (yes, Regulus was a part of the plan, he'd drag him out of Grimmauld if necessary), he took Remus to his room to tell him everything he knew thanks to Andromeda and that he had planned himself.
Thankfully, Remus with that "I don't break a plate" face was a freaking mastermind. He took his original idea and make it bigger and better. How he expected, more calculate and precise to details.
Meanwhile, James kept trying to call Sirius through the mirror they shared to moments like this when he needs to know that his friend is safe and sound, the fact that he didn't answer only motivated them to move faster.
He worried minute by minute, Remus' thoughtful silence didn't help. He knew the werewolf was sensitive about the Sirius topic. There were still very latent strong emotions that kept Remus from confessing how worried he was about his ex-boyfriend and James really understood that, but it still stressed him out.
Thanks to Merlin, Remus finally open his mouth when they were already in bed. James listen to him and wish he hadn't said anything.
– I... You know Regulus and I study together, two or three days a week in the library, he is very smart and funny once you gain his confidence – started talking capturing all James attention, he nodded to let him know he heard him. Remus continued. – Last week I was late for our Thursday meeting, so i overheard a conversation he was having... with Sirius.
James turned to lean on his elbow and look at Remus as he spoke, intrigued by what he had heard from his friend and brother, who usually pretended to dislike each other when the reality is that they love each other deeply, in their own way.
Sirius told him something about his brother needing to be perfect in his parent's eyes, even when that means making it seem like he hates his older brother and everything he represents in Gryffindor. James usually forgets about that when the fights in the hallways turn rough. The Black's family love language was, to say the least, complex.
– We have studied together for a long time, we have talked about many things, and I have never, never heard him like this - Remus said and then gave him a look with complicity- You better than me knows that it's impossible to know what he really thinks or feels.
James decided that it wasn't the night for that talk, so he doesn't open his mouth. Remus let him go after rolling his eyes and kept speaking.
– Talking with, you know, he was another person, they were talking and doing that weird french-english thing, so i couldn't understand the whole thing, but Regulus was not at all excited to have his brother home, he sounded distressed and begged that Sirius behave at the wedding, I don't know what wedding.
– Narcissa, their cousin, she's marrying Lucius Malfoy soon, I think next weekend– James repeated the information that Regulus casually gave him weeks ago.
It wasn't as if they couldn't open the daily prophet and find at least four articles about the wedding of the year. Anyone who is somebody in the wizarding world was invited. James knew that even his parents had received an invitation only to be part of the sacred 28. Of course they are not going, but...
Suddenly, it was like a light bulb turned on up on their heads. They didn't sleep that night, and from Andromeda's quick response at the letter they sent her with the final plan, she doesn't slept either.
★★★