Eclipsed

After a semester of change, James was thrilled to be headed home for the winter holidays. A few days into the break, he was surprised to receive a letter from Lily, who he’d only really started speaking to outside of class often after the unexpectedly good time they'd had at Slughorn's Christmas party. James read Lily's letter a few times, and penned his response quickly, eager to keep the conversation between them going. While he'd mostly given up on dating her, especially after ending things with Marlene, one of her best friends, he was hopeful to have her as a friend. Lily ended up writing him back, and they exchanged letters to each other throughout the entire break, filling each other in on the mundane and exciting details of their holiday apart. 

Since Sirius’ birthday had fallen during the school term, as well as during the tail-end of Fleamont’s recovery in St. Mungos, and additionally as a celebration of his first year living with the Potters, Effie and Fleamont decided to throw their newest son a one-year Anniversary of being a Potter celebration. Peter and Remus were the only guests invited from outside the family, and they shared Sirius’ favorite meal of Effie's, saag paneer with garlic naan, and of course, a chocolate cake with a single candle, which Sirius blew out gleefully. 

As the party gathered in the Potters' cozy living room after dinner, Fleamont cleared his throat, gathering the attention of the group. "Sirius, Effie and I have something we'd like to give you."

Sirius looked up. "Really?"

Effie smiled warmly and handed him a small, elegantly wrapped box. "We know it's tradition to receive a watch on one's seventeenth birthday.”

Sirius looked at the wrapped box in his hands incredulously, then back up at Effie and Fleamont. “This belonged to my father,” Fleamont began, “and now we'd like you to have it."

Sirius unwrapped the box carefully, revealing an antique watch with intricate engravings, and small red stones inlaid in the silver case. His breath caught in his throat. "I... I don't know what to say."

Fleamont placed a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to say anything, son. You're family."

Tears welled up in Sirius's eyes as he looked at the watch, then back at the Potters. "Thank you."

James wrapped an arm around Sirius's shoulders. "You're stuck with us now, mate. No turning back, even if you wanted to."

Remus smiled at him from across the couch, Peter from the chair next to them. 

“Happy Birthday, Sirius!” he cheered, and they all followed, laughing as the belated-birthday boy playfully bowed and waved from his seat. 

The rest of the holiday was equally joyful, even with the downsized New Year’s Eve celebration due to Fleamont’s more delicate health. They still decorated the house, and ordered delicious food, but the guest list dwindled to the Potters’ closest friends and colleagues, who all still had a wonderful time. 

The Marauders joined the adults this time around, introducing Sirius to Fleamont and Effie’s friends as their son for the first time. There was, of course, mischief managed, and guests were all treated to cookies that made their voices sound as though they’d inhaled all the helium from a balloon. Fleamont helped himself to at least three. 

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, they toasted to the new year, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends, the Marauders lifted their glasses to 1977 being a better, and brighter year than the one before. 

Returning to Hogwarts after the winter break, James found himself immediately swept back into the hustle and bustle of school life. Between Quidditch practices and planning sessions with Ivy, classes, and his self-imposed social calendar, his schedule was jam-packed. Though he managed to stay on top of everything, it was starting to take a toll on him. Back at school, he’d gone back to his non-tinted glasses, and so not only was he exhausted, but fighting a headache nearly half the time.

One blustery February morning, James hurried through the corridors, his bag heavy with books, late to class after one of the new players on the team, Rohan, had stopped him in the common room and asked his advice on a new play they were trying out later that afternoon. James skidded to a halt once inside the Charms classroom, making it just in time before Professor Flitwick closed the door.

"Cutting it close, Mr. Potter," Flitwick said with a raised eyebrow but a smile.

James grinned sheepishly down at him. "Sorry, Professor. Won't happen again."

After Charms, James had a brief break, which he spent racing to grab food from the kitchens, before his O&M lesson with Felicity. He jogged across the school to her small classroom, where Felicity was waiting.

"Hello, James," she greeted him as he stumbled loudly into the room. "How was your break?"

"It was good, thanks. How about yours?" James asked, setting his bag down and stretching his arms above his head.

"Quiet, but nice," Felicity replied. She paused for a moment. "How are you holding up? I know this semester is shaping up to be a busy one for you.” 

James shrugged, trying to downplay how tired he was already feeling, only a month into term. "I'm fine. Just a lot going on with Quidditch, classes, and everything else."

Felicity raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Are you sure? It's important to take care of yourself, you know. When you're exhausted is when mistakes are made, and when accidents happen."

James smiled reassuringly. "I promise, I'm okay. All I need is one lazy Sunday morning, and I’ll be reset.” 

"Alright," Felicity said, though her tone suggested she wasn't entirely convinced. "Let's get started, then."

Their lesson began with basic cane techniques. Felicity handed James a white cane, its tip enchanted to glide smoothly over uneven surfaces. "Today, we'll work on navigating the castle using the cane," she explained.

James looked at the cane with a mix of reluctance and skepticism. "Do I really need to learn this now? My vision isn't that bad yet."

Felicity met his gaze, her expression gentle but firm. "It's about preparation, James. The more comfortable you are with these skills now, the easier it will be if your vision gets worse."

He sighed but nodded, taking the cane. "Alright, let's do this."

They started with basic maneuvers, Felicity demonstrating how to sweep the cane in front of him to detect obstacles. James followed her instructions, but his heart wasn't in it. His mind kept drifting to Quidditch strategies and the pile of homework waiting for him.

"Remember to keep the cane low to the ground," Felicity reminded him. "It's all about rhythm and consistency."

James tried to focus, but the cane felt awkward in his hand. It wasn’t instinctive, to him, it didn’t feel necessary, and on top of all that, he was tired, making this whole lesson more frustrating than it needed to be. 

Felicity paused, looking at him intently. "James, I understand this is difficult. But think of it as learning a new spell. You practice and master it before you need it in a real situation."

He nodded reluctantly, pushing his doubts aside. "Yeah, I get it. I'll try harder."

"Good," she said, her voice encouraging. "Now, let's try navigating the corridor.” 

They mainly stuck to the underused or abandoned corridors, as to not be in anyone’s way, or have any witnesses to James’ first attempts at navigating without vision. 

Felicity guided him through the exercise, having him close his eyes intermittently to rely more on the cane and her instructions. 

“Continue down the corridor, and take a left after you’ve passed four doors.” 

James moved cautiously, eyes closed and the cane sweeping in front of him. He felt a small sense of accomplishment as he successfully navigated the turn, but the effort was mentally exhausting.

"Well done," Felicity praised, after James opened his eyes and looped back around the corner and up the hall. "Keep practicing, and it will become second nature. By the time you actually need the cane to get around, you’ll be a natural. It won’t be such a terrible adjustment."

"Thanks," James said, his tone more genuine. "I'll keep at it."

It was late, and the castle was beginning to settle into its nighttime hush as the two boys settled into couches by the common room fireplace. Both James and Remus were deep in concentration as they attempted to absorb as much information as possible before their brains turned to complete mush.

James rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn. He was exhausted from the endless cycle of Quidditch practices, captain duties, and an increased dedication to his classes. Remus, too, looked weary, his chronic tiredness ever-present but more pronounced under the dim lighting.

Although they’d only been back at school for a month, James was desperate for another break. It seemed as though the work had piled up, and would never stop. Peter and Sirius, who were both taking more hands-on courses, like Potions, Herbology, and Wixen Anatomy, seemed to be having an easier time of it all than Remus and James, whose reading-heavy courses assigned so much to their students outside of class. 

"You holding up okay, Moony?" James asked, his voice low to avoid disturbing the silence around them.

Remus glanced up from his notes, a small, tired smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, just the usual:  bones shifting into a new form on a regular basis and a boyfriend who needs to be constantly scratched behind the ears. You?"

James shrugged. "Quidditch, classes, my eyes slowly but surely failing me, and not enough sleep: the usual."

Remus sniggered, and they fell into a companionable silence, the only sound the rustle of parchment and the scratching of quills. After a while, James set his quill down and looked over at Remus, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Hey, what did you and McGonagall talk about during your career meeting?" James asked. "I mean, we have most of the same classes, so I was just wondering what she suggested for you."

Remus paused, his quill hovering over his notes. He took a deep breath before answering, his voice measured and calm. "She suggested something research-focused. Solitary work that I could do on my own time, like spell development and research or something similar, without anyone asking too many questions."

James nodded thoughtfully. "How do you feel about that?"

Remus gave a noncommittal shrug, his expression guarded. "It's... practical. Something I can manage."

James knew better than to push. Remus was always careful with his words, never revealing more than he was comfortable with. And tonight, James didn't have the energy to pry further.

"Well, whatever you decide to do, you'll be brilliant at it," James said, offering Remus an encouraging smile. “And I’ll never complain about getting to study with you.” 

"Thanks, Prongs," Remus replied, a hint of warmth returning to his tired eyes.

They returned to their studying, each lost in their thoughts. The hours slipped by, and despite their tiredness, they pressed on, driven by the relentless demands of their classes.

At some point, James leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. "I think that's enough for tonight. My brain's about to explode."

Remus chuckled softly, closing his book with a satisfying thud. "Agreed... But what do you say to quick kitchen trip before bed."

They gathered their things and made their way to the kitchens, their footsteps echoing softly in the deserted corridors. The pear portrait swung open at their tickle, and they stepped into the warmth, the crackling in the hearth and the house elves excited to see the two boys, and fix them a plate of whatever they wanted.

When they finally made it back to the common room, it was far from empty, but James and Remus waved to their housemates and headed for their dorm. It was time for bed.