That Was Reason Enough
Platform 9¾ 1972
Peter had successfully made it to Platform 9¾ in one piece. Now he was just waiting for James to stop talking to other people and walk through already.
Why does he even know this many people?
But he didn't have to kick at small rocks or grumble tiredly anymore, because James walked through to the platform…along with Sirius. Peter's smile faltered when he saw Sirius there too, but nonetheless he was still happy to see James.
They walked right past him. Sirius waved at him when they went past, and James tapped Peter’s shoulder signaling him to follow, so he did, pushing his trolley, and walking behind James and Sirius.
They all stopped in front of where the train would arrive, Sirius still talking with James, and Peter still standing behind them being reminded once more of why he preferred to be with James alone.
Not too long after, a boy with short black hair, much like Sirius’ came to stand with them, his parents a few paces away not looking too pleased to see James, which is admittedly strange since almost everyone is always pleased to see James.
“Oh, I don’t think Pete has met you brother yet,” James abruptly turned around to Peter, and the Black haired boy, who is apparently Sirius’ brother. It wasn't hard to believe.
Before the hair was already similar, but now that the boy looked directly at him, he could see that it wasn’t just the hair. They had the same blue eyes, sharp and weary. Their face shapes were also quite alike.
The boy looked like a younger version of Sirius. A much colder, quieter version albeit.
Peter put his hand out for a handshake.
“I’m Peter,” His voice was quiet, but not enough to go unheard.
The boy stared at him blankly, “Regulus.” He replied but he didn't return the handshake.
“Rude,” Peter said under his breath, though by the look Regulus gave him, he had been too loud. Still, Regulus only glared.
Peter could see where Regulus got such a bone-chilling scowl from. His mother had been giving James a similar one sparing not a hint of mercy, even for a second year.
“Regulus you haven’t forgotten what we talked about have you?” His mother questioned, sparing him only a side glance.
“No Mother,” he assured her. It seemed though, that even if he had, he wouldn’t have changed his answer.
“See to it that you honor our name.” Walburga said, then looked not so subtly at her first born. “Unlike some.” The woman left as quickly as she came, the sound of her heels echoing loudly, even in a place as loud as the London train station.
“Gee, glad to see you too, mother.” Sirius scoffed.
“Not very nice, is she?” James looked the way the woman had left.
Soon after they all saw Remus Lupin walk through the wall into the platform pushing his own trolley with his old second-hand trunk. He spotted them almost instantly, a smile spread on his face as he made his way through the crowds of parents and children.
“Remus!,” both James and Sirius greeted him excitedly as soon as he reached them. James instantly started retelling everything he’d done in the summer, emphasizing the part where he got his own broom, and made Marlene and Peter practice with him every morning after that. Waking up at 7am during summer? Not great.
They had spent a great amount of time complaining about how early it was, but James never did give in to starting later in the day. As Remus was telling a few stories of his own. An idea seemed to have resurfaced James’ mind.
“Wait, Remus, I got you something!” he said excitedly as he pulled out a small bag and shoved it into Remus’ arms. Once Remus brushed off the shock he managed a smile.
“You really didn’t have to.”
“Of course I did. Now go on, open it,” Remus peered inside of the bag feeling pressured by
James’ unblinking eye contact, but all his unease quickly melted into pure joy.
“I love this brand of chocolate, and… I can’t wait to read this book. Thank you James.” Peter tried to suppress a grin at the last thing Remus said.
He knew for a fact Remus couldn’t read because in his attempt to make everyone think he could, Peter walked in on him ‘reading’ an upside-down book…more than once. He swore to Remus he would not tell anyone, but it seems his plan worked a little too well.
“Well as much as I love talking to you ladies, the train just arrived, and I want good seats,” Sirius chimed in.
“Race you guys there!” James called out while already darting towards the Hogwarts express. Sirius, Remus, and Peter quickly chased after him trying to win the rigged race to the finish line.
Lily and Mary searched for a comfortable place to sit in the train. Lily Told Mary all about Snape much to Mary's dismay, and Mary in turn told her about visiting her grandparents lakehouse over the summer. As they were catching up on lost time, an unfortunately familiar voice called out from behind them.
“Lily! Mary! Hey.” James Potter approached them with his usual friend group, which consisted of Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew, though the latter was more like a puppy that followed them around.
Lily did not like James.
That's an understatement actually, Lily hated James.
She kept walking, unwilling to turn around, and give him the attention he craved so badly. Mary had no such issues.
“James! Hi, what 's up?” She smiled warmly at them. Why, oh why had Lily made friends with such nice people?
Dutifully, Lily stopped to wait for her friend. She took a deep breath before turning around to face them. James, as always, had that grin of his permanently stuck on his face.
“I got you two something!” Lily looked unimpressed as James pulled out two goodie bags from behind his back.
“James, what is this?” Mary said as she peered at the chocolate frogs. “You’re too kind!” Lily did not share the same enthusiasm when pulling out the tiny cauldron from her goodie bag.
“James what is this” Lily said with more disdain than she initially intended.
“It's uh- they’re cookies? You see, the cauldron has a note glued to the side with the charm you need to say and then the cookies literally bake themselves.”
“‘Grandma Genevieve's Self-Making Cookies.’ So you think I can't make my own food, is that it? You take me for an idiot, Potter?”
“What? No, no, of course not. I would never.” James sounded incredulous, like it was an idea that he could not even begin to fathom. Naturally, Lily didn’t believe James could think that about her, but she wasn’t about to take a gift from someone as vain as James Potter.
“Yeah, well, I don’t want it anyway, you can keep it,” she tried to shove it back in his hands, “or give it to someone who’s interested in your suck-up presents,”
“Woah there,” said Mary, “I know you don't like him, but the cookies did nothing to hurt you! These aren't cheap either.”
Lily scoffed and gave the cauldron to Mary. She left the compartment with hot rage sitting in her chest. James didn't do anything wrong, there was just no way Lily would accept an extravagant gift from someone who bullies her friend.
“Sorry about her…but also if I don't follow her she'll never forgive me. Thanks for the chocolate though, that was very sweet James.” James nodded apprehensively, but stared off into the distance with an unreadable expression.
“Jeez, what was her deal?” Sirius scoffed.
“Yeah why would she do that, you literally gave her chocolate?” Peter turned his head to look at James and nudged him in the side. “I bet she's just upset because we keep picking on her little boyfriend, right James?” He said, but when he looked closer at James’ face he noticed his ears were far more rosy than before. “Are you actually blushing mate? Merlin, that's sad”
“Shove off Peter.”
Mary followed Lily into a compartment down the hall, the furthest away from the boys’ that was empty. Lily sat looking out the window.
“Why are you so mean to James? He got us a present! He got you the self-making cookies, and he’s done nothing but be nice to us since day one.” Mary sat across from Lily, and set the cookie cauldron on the seat beside her.
She waited for a minute watching Lily, she was clearly still mad about a conversation that had had no reason to be an argument. It occurred to her that Lily was always trying to get James to fight with her, of course he never did.
“He bullies Snape, that's reason enough,” she looked Mary in the eyes, “he may not be mean to us, but I won’t just stand, and watch him bully my friend, would you be friends with him if he bullied me?” The answer was no, Mary would not tolerate James Potter if he hurt Lily in any way.
But Snape was not Lily. Snape was a horrible person that hung out with Mulciber, and his group. They hurt many more people than James ever did.
“Well, of course not, Lils,” She took Lily's hands, “But you and I both know, even if you won’t admit it, that Snape’s not a good person, or a good friend, and James, and any of the boys’ don’t do anything bad to him close enough to what Snape and Mulciber do to others.”
Lily looked like she was going to deny it, instead she turned her eyes back to the window choosing to ignore it instead. Wanting to change the topic she took the cookie cauldron in her hands and inspected it closer.
“What even is a self-making cookie anyway?” The metal was cold in her hand. A label was adhered to the side. The thick yellowing parchment read,
To those who enjoy warm cookies as much as I do, simply read this charm aloud; instempra dozendia then state the flavor you wish for them to taste like. Have fun dear customers
“Instempra dozendia? What kind of charm is that?” Lily laughed, but all of a sudden she heard clanging and bubbling which was followed by a voice bellowing from the misleading depths of the cauldron.
“You ‘avent said a flayva’ miss!” To say the pair were shocked was an understatement, although the amusement this brought them was far greater. Lily looked to Mary for guidance but was met with a shrug.
“Um…chocolate chip?” Mary said.
Sparks flew illuminating both their faces with splashes of yellow, blue, red, and green. Soon all the gimmicks dissipated leaving behind only a ceramic plate with warm chocolate chip cookies stacked into a pile laying on it.
Lily looked at the plate in surprise. She held a cookie in her hand feeling the warmth of it before returning it to the plate and pushing it to Mary.
“Have it. I’m still not taking Potter’s gift,” It was incredibly obvious she wanted it. Mary knew Lily. And Lily loved magic, she also loved cookies. Cookies made with magic were the perfect gift, and Lily craved it.
“Aw, come on Lils, eat some cookies with me won’t you?” Lily frowned, but she seemed to hesitate, her resolve slowly dying away, “think of it this way, I’m sharing some of my cookies with you, yeah?” The cookies sat between them, each girl waiting for the first to bite.
Lily glanced at Mary, then the plate. She sighed. And picked up the same cookie she had before. Mary smiled victoriously and snagged a cookie as well.
“I hate you Mary.”
“No you don't.”
“Of course I don't