A Trip For The Yearbook
“This will be my final warning. Make sure you have your slips signed for the trip on Monday.” Professor McGonagall announces. Standing at the front of the classroom. “Those who do not have a signed slip can not go. Let me make that clear. They will not be able to go .”
Sirius leans into Remus' ear. “Why's she telling us again . And like we're toddlers who don't speak English.” He whispers.
Remus chuckles and scans the classroom, stopping on James' raised hand. Giving Sirius a there's-your-answer look.
“Mr Potter please don't tell me you've lost your slip… again .” McGonagall asks with clear annoyance.
“It's not my fault if it keeps disappearing.” James pauses, lowering his head. “Professor.”
Remus leans into Sirius’ ear, whispering “That's why.” Sirius just rolled his eyes.
McGonagall however, slowly makes her way to tower in front of James's desk. Looking down her pointed spectacles at him, her face painted with disdain. “This will be your last slip Mr Potter and when I say last, I mean your very last.”
James slowly reaches out and grabs the slip McGonagall’s offering. “Thank you professor.” James regards quietly.
McGonagall turns sharply and makes her way to Peters desk at the back of the classroom. “And I suppose you’ll be needing another slip Mr Pettigrew.” She slides a slip on top of Peter's English books, struts back to front and instructs the class to “go home and be free.”
🕸
Back in the orphanage, Remus changes into his too small pyjamas (the trouble of only getting hand me downs) and brushes his teeth before getting comfortable on the rusty steel wired thing the Mistresses call a bed.
Remus is lost in thought when comes a knock at his door. Breaking his trance. He quickly flattens out his breaking blankets atop his bed and offers Mistress Pomfrey a seat. She sits next to him while putting her hair in a bun at the nape of her neck. It's gotten greyer over the years, probably due to the stressful kids.
“So, tell me about this trip.” She asks politely, placing her pale hands atop his contrasting light brown ones. “I know you've been wanting to go there since you were a babe, because of your p-”
“That's not the reason anymore.” He cuts her off. Immediately regretting it and giving her an apologetic look. “It’s just… I've stopped wondering about them now. What they did doesn't interest me anymore. I'm just excited to go with friends to be honest.”
She gives him a kind smile. Small wrinkles pulling at her cheeks. It's only then that Remus realises he actually doesn’t know how old Mistress Pomfrey is. Only that she’s been here his whole life.
“Shall we read tonight instead? Your gonna need all the sleep you can get Sunday if you’re going with those loud hooligans.” She asks. By “loud hooligans” she means James and Sirius. Even though she's only ever seen them once, when she still came and picked him up after school, it somehow won them the permanent nickname.
“Aren't I a bit old to be read to now?” Remus asks rhetorically. Mistress Pomfrey just gives a light laugh.
The sound of rain starts outside. Droplets hitting the window pane. Filling the room with the sound of water hitting glass. Madam Pomfrey looks at Remus with awe. She slips a hand out and reaches to cup his cheek. When she finally speaks its quiet yet sincere and full of love.
“Oh how you've grown up. You look just like your father.”
Remus' mouth falls open in an o and is rendered speechless. Mistress Pomfrey continues. “You’ve grown into quite the gentleman. I guess you don’t need me anymore.”
“I'll always need you.” He blurts without thinking. Then feels instantly embarrassed. Mistress Pomfreys smile just widens. The bed creaks as she stands, reaching over to draw the curtains. The rain muffles slightly. The only light coming from the hallway through the open door.
Before Madam Pomfrey leaves she puts a tentative hand on Remus’ head and bends to kiss his forehead. “You've made me very proud.”
With that she leaves, plunging the room into darkness. Leaving Remus full of jovial fulfilment.
Remus spends that night dreaming of the school trip. He can see Lumos Labs from the roof of the orphanage. It's sign glowing gold amongst the tips of skyscrapers. Tomorrow he would be visiting Lily's place of work. The place she had always denied him entrance because of “dangerous experiments”. Well if she didn't trust Remus in there she sure as hell is gonna be on edge with James poking his nose (and camera) about.
🕸
Chaos is the only suitable word to describe class Monday morning. McGonagall flailing around trying to collect everyone's permission slips. Thank god James hadn't lost his fifth and final slip. Or caused Peter to “loose” his too.
Overall it takes an hour just to board the bloody bus as Sirius had gone missing for ten minutes (he was in the bathroom covering it in messages and inappropriate drawings) and James had to sprint all the way home for his backup pair of glasses because they'd broken upon impact with the bathroom door (when they were frantically looking for Sirius).
Unbeknownst to the pandemonium going on outside Peter and Remus sat at the back of the bus playing cards. Both arriving early and being one of the firsts to actually get on the bus.
Though it ended with a sweaty McGonagall stuck on a bus with 26 riled up students, they were on the move. Peter and Remus had to stop their game of cards when Sirius came and sat right on top of it. After some petty arguing the final arrangement ends up with Peter and Remus against the windows James and Sirius in the middle, with James next to Peter and Sirius next to Remus. Peter reading silently. James and Sirius playing hangman with famous singers. Which left Remus to gaze out the window, watching the world fly past. He watches as people slip on the wet pavements. Hurry to work, walk their children to primary school and just overtly get on with their lives.
An elbow digs into his side. “Ow Sirius what the hell?” he asks annoyed.
Sirius gives him an exasperated look. “You weren't responding would you rather me slap you?”
“Were you daydreaming again Remus?” James’ head peaks out behind Sirius.
“No and no.” Remus says, still rubbing at his side. “What did you need me so desperately for?” He raises his eyebrows. Sirius looks over at James. A blushing James. Oh god. “You know Lily.” His voice comes out somewhat squeaky.
Remus just audibly sighs. “In matter of fact I do know Lily.” He glances forward, searching for her red hair. He spots it near the front. Next to Severus Snape.
The four of them don’t usually agree on things but one thing they all 100% agree on is that ‘Snivillus’ Snape is a posh greasy git. Holding wealth the highest status, generally being an arsehole to anyone of “lower status”. Status meaning money. Lily had told him that Snivillus only started picking on them once Remus entered the picture. He'd begged James and Sirius to let it go but it all grew too much when around ten months ago Lily and Sirius had found him in the behind the school after missing P.E. Crumpled against the wall, with a black eye and his face covered in blood from a broken nose.
Sirius had immediately guessed it was Snapes fault and before Remus could protest he sprinted off to give Snape some matching black eyes of his own.
Once interrogated by Lily, Remus had left out the threat. Stay away from Lily or you'll end up with worse than a broken nose.
Lily had helped him to the nurse who called Mistress Pomfrey. Snape and Sirius had both been reprimanded and suspended. Sirius for three weeks and Snape for a month. Both receiving letters home.
The coming two month had been a strange one. Three weeks without Sirius presence, then when he did come back he was awfully quiet for a few days.
Once Snivillus had returned they'd adjusted to snide remarks back and forth. Lily being a divider between them. Stopping them doing any worse to each other. She had made it perfectly clear that if they ever did that kind of damage again she would…
Well she didn't officially finish that threat but they all understood it. Loud and clear.
Back on the bus, Snivillus sat next to Lily obviously unnerved the whole group (minus Peter who still hadn't looked up from his book). Though to be fair her sat with her earphones in, facing away from him gave them all some relief.
“Has she said anything about Snivillus to you Remus?” James asked. Eyes like a puppy dog behind his glasses.
“No she hasn't said one word about him to me. He's not really a topic we like to discuss.” Remus says with a frown.
Remus hears Sirius say a hushed “well done James” in James' direction before going back to drawing on his arm.
“Do you think if I asked she'd give me a private tour of the lab?” James asks with excitement.
“No.” Remus, Sirius and Peter say in unison. Peter still not looking up from his book.
James' face is filled with shock. “But what if I-”
Bang.
The entire class whips their heads round to the source of the noise. Remus is closest to the window so he gets smushed by Sirius and James behind him. Eager to find out what that was.
The class emits a low chatter while searching the outside. “He's got a gun!” One of the people closer to the front shout. Causing even Peter to take interest.
Three police officers chase after at least five men wearing black balaclavas and black turtlenecks down the packed street. One of the criminals waves a gun unsteadily in the air. Trying to aim it, clutch tightly to a duffle bag and watch where to run. One of the police officers successfully catches up to them and heroically tackles one of the stragglers to the ground.
The whole class cheer.
As the officer restraints the one below him, the others dressed in black turn down an alleyway, closely followed by the rest of the officers. Remus and everyone else loses sight of the chase.
“Woah.” James says to fill the silence.
“That was-”
“Awesome.”
“Boring.”
“Awful.”
“Thrilling.” They all say at once.
They all look at each other. “James that was not awesome.” Remus states.
“Pete how the fuck was that boring?” Sirius argues. Peter just shrugs and goes back to reading.
“Yes awful too Remus.” James defends.
The chatter dies down as they approach their destination. James motions them to come closer. Whispering “My dad says that's the same gang that's been hassling his work for the past four months” followed with “I'm not supposed to tell you that.”
“You really do have perks having your dad as the chief of police.” Sirius says getting something from his schoolbag.
“Yeah, except he doesn't tell me anything . It's why I love it when you tell me Remus.” James smiles at him.
“If that’s been going on for four months surely your dads got some sort of idea or lead on them?” Remus questions. “That must be what, eight- nine attacks now?”
“Twelve apparently, from what I can gather from dads mess of a study. He doesn't like to ‘bring work home’ but I think he's close.”
“Let's hope he's close.” Remus says.
“Do yo’ g’ys wa’t s’me swee’s?” Sirius asks, his mouth full of liquorish.
“Not if it’s that rubbish.” Remus says.
“You couldn't have brought any nice sweets?” James asks with disgust on his face.
Sirius swallows. “This is nice, it's not my fault your taste buds are screwed.” He takes another bite.
The bus slows to a halt. McGonagall orders everyone off row by row and retakes the register once the bus leaves. The class huddles just outside the entrance to Lumos Labs.
“Lily darling why don't you go inside and help set up.” McGonagall says to Lily and she does just that. Pushing past everyone and waltzing in. Sirius has to hold James back from following her in.
McGonagall clears her throat before talking. “As I'm sure your all aware. There was a police matter on our way here. But I have been informed that's it's all been sorted and we all safe to continue our trip.” The class give a woooo.
Once finally inside the building the class goes silent. The circular structure make the lobby look larger than it actually is. They all follow McGonagall to an open room. The spotless floor echoing every step they take.
Marble walls surround them. Going from the floor up to the ceiling. The centre of the building hollow, causing sunlight to shine through the glass ceiling. The ceiling which lies 42 floors above them. Made of glass. Remus looks up to see birds flying over high in the sky.
While everyone's in shock of the whiteness of it all, two people in lab coats appear. One’s Lily, holding a clipboard, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail. The other a boy an inch or two smaller than her, he’s got pale skin, his eyes green and hair black. He kind of looks like Sirius.
Oh.
Regulus Black. Regulus Black who is a year younger than them all, works here. At Lumos Labs. With Lily Evans.
“What the fuck?”
For a second Remus thinks he said his thoughts aloud until McGonagall snaps “Mr Black no swearing!”
“Sorry Professor, just… Reggie I didn't know you worked here… how do you work here?” Sirius asks. Looking like he’s just seen Regulus sprout antlers.
Regulus sighs. “Well I don't have to tell you everything brother. And I got in just like Evans did.”
“You. My little brother worked your arse off -sorry professor- and got an apprenticeship here?” Sirius says still in disbelief.
“Well someone was gonna get the brains of the family and it clearly wasn't you.” Regulus says. Face emotionless.
Lily buts in just before Sirius retorts. Getting everyone's attention. “Anyway, everyone say hi to Mr Black.” She gestures to Regulus. “He will be assisting me on our trip today. We are thrilled to have you here. The place where the future happens. Aren't we Regulus?”
“Indeed.”
“Well, if you would like to follow me over here where we’ve set up our newest experiment for your viewing.”
Lily leads the class to the left of the massive first floor. Where 3 glass boxes reside. Lily stands in front of them. The class fans around the boxes, trying to get a good view. While Regulus stands off to the side, near the 3rd box.
Lily waffles on about the newest experiment while Remus shifts his focus to a still in shock Sirius.
“I don't know about you guys but Lily in that lab coat has me rethinking the schtick on lab coats.” James says.
“Now’s not the time to be calling her sexy James” Peter says quite matter of factly.
“Yeah, can't you see Sirius is catatonic.” Remus says. “He hasn't said a word in 3 minutes, something clearly wrong.” That seems to snap him out of whatever state he was stuck in.
“Oi I don’t talk that much.” He pauses. “Do I?”
“I think you and James share.” Remus assures him.