Help the people
James
Chaos began around them. James could almost swear Sirius had stopped breathing.
“They will be arriving tomorrow. That is all.” Headmaster Grimm finishes quickly.
Panic erupted through the room; students started yelling, and some started arguing loudly to the teachers in the room. James needed to gain control of the situation. He looked over at the platform, but Grimm and Minnie were already gone. Everything’s ok. I will make everything ok. Turning slightly, he places his hands on his friend’s, his brother’s, shoulders, and looks him in his eyes.
“Sirius. Are you ok?” he asks. Priority one was making sure he’s alright, always. The look on his face seems vacant; blank. He keeps a tight grip on Sirius’ shoulders.
“Sirius! Answer me.” He demands gently.
“I-I um” his words and breath were choppy and his eyes were unfocused. It seemed like he was waging a war in his mind, one that James was helpless to help him in. He felt someone tap his shoulder.
“James?” Peter spoke timidly, “Is he alright? Should I get Poppy?” James shook his head. No. He could fix this. He noticed that Remus had been strangely quiet throughout this event, but elected to think about it later.
“I’m fine.” Sirius finally speaks up.
“You sure?” He asks, though he knew Sirius wouldn’t show any vulnerability until it was just them.
“I’m fine James, don’t worry.” Now that that’s established, James needs to talk to the Fairy Godmother.
“Ok good, we need to go find Minnie.” James declared. Remus, seemingly being pulled from his thoughts, clears his throat.
“Lily, do you know where Minnie went?” He asks. Lily, though she looks rather pale, to her credit answers in a steady voice.
“Yeah, she should be in her office from now until lunch.” James nods to Remus, who gently grabs Sirius, to pull him out of his seat. The four of them stand up and start walking.
“Wait, where are y'all going?” Mary yells after them.
“No time. Explain later.” James calls back. Together they made their way through the cafeteria, though many students were currently up and running around, which made navigation rather difficult. James held Sirius on one side while Remus held his other side, and Peter walked in front and cleared a path. Even once they make it out of the cafeteria, they continue to walk in a tense silence.
They arrive at the office and James opens the door. Normally he’d knock, but right now he needed answers. The room was pretty plain; muted, yellow wallpaper covered the walls. Minnie sat in a cushioned, oak chair behind a large, brown desk that sat in the center of the room. Upon hearing them enter, she raised her head from the papers on her desk.
“Yes?” She asks tiredly.
“Hey Minnie, I don’t want to get you in trouble or anything…” he started slowly, “it’s just that with Sirius’… past, we wanted to know if you could give us some more information.” He was half expecting her to turn them away. Instead she just sighed.
“I’m glad you all came here. There’s much to discuss, and two of you will be directly affected.”
The marauders all exchanged looks with each other, wondering, aside from Sirius, who else would be affected. Even James wasn’t optimistic enough to believe that having the villain's kids here would be a picnic, however he can’t imagine it would directly affect anyone, except for Sirius of course.
“What do you mean?” Remus asks, crossing his arms in contemplation. Minnie takes a deep breath.
“The Villain kids coming to Auradon are; The twin children of the Mad Hatter,” Ok, they’re probably crazy but not the worst.
“The daughter of Maleficent,” Oh! That’s slightly terrifying. James made a mental note to warn Marlene. He noticed Minnie pause and shoot a worried look towards him.
“The son of Jafar,” she continues. Oh. Against his will, he lets out an undignified squeak, but quickly clamps his mouth shut.
“And the youngest son of..” she hesitates, “The Evil Queen.” Shit. His friends all gasp. Out of instinct James reaches for Sirius’ hand and squeezes. His best friend tightly hangs on to him, using him as a life line.
“I’m sorry, I am. I just couldn’t in good conscience continue to let those children be forced to stay on that island, it isn’t right.” she says looking determined, yet apologetic, “I’m also sorry about this. The headmaster has assigned you four to give the newcomers a tour of the school.” For fucks sake. This can’t get much worse.
“What! Minnie you can’t be Serious.” Remus exploded, losing his calm demeanor.
“Yeah, you can’t just throw Sirius into that. He hasn’t seen his brother in four years!” Peter argues. James had half a mind to argue as well, but Minnie spoke first.
“I understand it’s not ideal. I tried to tell him, but Albus- I mean the headmaster, insists you’re all the best representation for the school. With Remus’ test scores, Peter’s extracurriculars, and Sirius and James’ roles on our Tourney team, he feels this is the best option. I’m sorry.“ James opens his mouth to argue.
“It’s fine guys” Sirius interjects, “I’ll do the tour.” This is where James draws the line. He knows his best friend. He knows Sirius just doesn’t want to disappoint Minnie, but he refuses to let him do this.
“Sirius, come on mate, you and I both know this is a bad idea.” James tries.
“It‘s fine, seriously. I haven’t thought of Regulus in years. He’s not my brother. Not anymore. I can do the stupid tour.” Sirius insists, resolute.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Sirius. I have a different job for you.” The Fairy Godmother says.
“I don’t need to be babied, Minnie.” Sirius objects. Remus rolls his eyes.
“Stop being so damn proud,” he snaps. Sirius huffs.
“I’m not saying you can’t do it,” Minnie placates, “but I need you to print out each of their class schedules and school maps for all five of them. Can you do that?”
“Yes ma’am.” He sighs, calming down. James swears he sees Sirius mouth a thank you to Minnie as they turn to leave.
The Marauders all make their way back to their dorm, except for Peter who was tasked with informing the girls, specifically Marlene, of their newfound information. Sirius immediately heads to James’ bed and closes the curtains. James moves to follow him, when Remus intercepts his path.
“What?” He questions distractedly. He really doesn’t want Sirius to be alone right now.
“Are you ok?” he asks. Slightly taken aback, James blinks.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be, it’s Sirius you should be worried about.” he says, confused. Remus scoffs.
“Then who would worry about you? I’m just asking because, you know, the son of Jafar is coming. I know Jafar did a lot of messed up shit to your parents, now you’re going to give his son a tour of the school. I just want to make sure you’re ok.” his words tumble out awkwardly. James looks away in guilt. Honestly he hasn’t even thought of that. Shame crept up his spine.
“Thanks Moony, you’re a good friend.” He thinks it over. He tried to think up a reason to hate the son, but his mother’s words came back to him.
If I didn’t give second chances, I wouldn’t have you.
“I’m good. Jafar’s son hasn’t done anything to me, or to my parents. I owe him a chance,” he continues genuinely, “besides, you know better than most that not all villains stay bad.” Remus laughs in understanding.
He still remembers the day Remus shared his big secret. He’d been acting weird all day, so that night they all followed him into the enchanted wood and watched in awe and fear at his transformation. When Remus found out what they’d done he was livid, he didn’t speak to them for a week, but eventually he told them the story of how his mom, little red riding hood, and his dad, the big bad wolf, fell in love. James thinks he was just scared they’d judge him for it. Truthfully, he could never judge Remus, nor did he judge his parents. He believes everyone deserves a chance at love. He saw the way his own parents looked at each other, he’d count himself lucky if he ever experienced a love half as real as theirs.
Remus gives him a quick look over. “Don’t forget to worry about yourself. Even the Sun needs help from time to time.” With that he heads to his bed, grabbing a book as he lies down.
Refocusing on Sirius, he makes his way to his bed and pulls back the curtains. He finds Sirius curled up with his knees to his chest. Quickly he climbs into bed, closing the curtains behind him. Sirius lifts his head to reveal red rimmed eyes and a tear stained face. James wraps his arms around his friend's body.
“You alright?” He asks quietly.
“No.” Sirius cries quietly, finally letting himself show his true emotions, now that it was just the two of them.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.” He holds Sirius tightly, and the two sit in silence for a couple seconds.
“James?” Sirius croaks.
“Yeah?”
“I left him.” Tears streamed down his cheeks thickly, soaking through James’ shirt. Still he rubs his back gently.
“You didn’t have a choice, Sirius.” He repeats the same words he’s been telling Sirius for years.
“James?” Sirius repeats.
“Yeah?”
“I don’t regret leaving,” he hesitates, “Does that make me evil?”
“You are wonderful, and kind, and good. Ok?” Sirius snuggles in closer, holding James like he’d never let him go. Tomorrow would be hard, but they’d make it through. They were Marauders after all.