letters
James and Sirius are frantically throwing stray clothes into their trunks, upturning the dormitory in search of my trousers- fuck, where’s my trousers? I dunno, mate, shite, where’s my trainers? The ones with the stripe on the side- I saw them like, an hour ago. You and Remus sit against his headboard, watching with smug grins. You check your watch- they have fifteen minutes until the train departs for King’s Cross, where James’s parents will pick them up with loving smiles and warm embraces and Happy Christmases. The thought makes you shiver.
“Thanks for staying with me,” you mumble to Remus, leaning your shoulder against his. He smiles down at you, the scars on his cheeks stretching with the expression.
“I’d rather be here. Less…” he glances at the fumbling duo, “mess.”
You snort a laugh, hiding it behind your hand before you address Sirius and James. “Just leave it. You should go, the train leaves soon.”
“Fuck,” James mutters, slamming his trunk closed. “Fine. Okay. I’ll see you two in a few weeks, alright? I’ll send over one of Mum’s owls.”
“I’ll see you at the Malfoy Christmas.”
Sirius’s head whips around as he lets the heavy lid of his trunk fall. “What?”
It’s been awkward between you and Sirius, but better. Slowly, you’ve been repairing what you tore away from him with cold, unfeeling hands. You’ll occasionally catch him staring at you with an odd look on his face, or he’ll fall silent at random times, but you’re working on gaining his trust back. James quickly slipped back into your normal friendship- you didn’t expect any less. The bloke could be best mates with a wall if he wanted. You clear your throat. “Yeah, Mum said something about it being mandatory this year. Didn’t want to get on her bad side. I’ll see you then.”
Sirius groans, burying his face in his hands. “James already gets to see me in those bloody horrendous dress robes- now you, too?”
“Go catch your train, diva.”
“Fuck off. Bye.”
Sirius and James levitate their trunks out of the door, waving and bye-ing for far too long. The door slams shut behind them.
Remus looks over to you, a mischievous grin on his face. “I hid James’s cloak. Want to dick around with the Room of Requirement?”
“You’re brilliant. Godric, I love you.”
“Obviously.”
---
Dearest Moony and my brilliant tutor,
I GOT AN O IN TRANSFIGURATION!!! It’s all thanks to my brilliant tutor! Have you lot gotten yours yet? I’m not sure how they do it if you’re at the castle.
Prongs and I are great. I missed the cooking and their garden- it’s perfect for flying. (You’ll have to visit at some point, watching you two spin out on a broom would make my year.) I’m not looking forward to the “party” next week- my dress robes were just sent over, and they’re even more horrendous than I remember. (He looks like Madame Cinanti, it’s absolutely lovely!) How many ruffles can you even sew onto this shite? Have you gotten yours yet? From what I can remember, they were just as bad as mine, thank Godric. So not your color.
Prongs and his family aren’t going to the Malfoy’s this year, with everything in the news, and all. (THANK GODRIC!!!! THANK MERLIN!!!!!!) They’re good people for it, but I can’t say I won’t miss them. (How cute) At least you’ll be there with me to spark some mischief. I’ve got some Filibuster's burning a hole in my pocket.
Prongs and I snuck into a muggle village a few miles north yesterday- it was difficult without the cloak (yet another thing we forgot) but we palmed some cigs. The people are odd over there, all quiet and calm, but it’s nice. I think I’ll like muggle London after we graduate. Hopefully Reg will see reason and come with me. Maybe all of you will, too. We’ve got the space, it was my uncle’s and has plenty of rooms.
Write soon,
Padfoot & Prongs (James’s part is written in much neater handwriting, carefully inserted with arrows and distinguished from Sirius’s letters. A small enchanted doodle of a broomstick and a snitch flies over the parchment, dodging between the words.) New quill. Neat, right?!?
(A separate envelope, hastily addressed to my tutor, houses a clipping from The Prophet. The paper reads: ATTACK KILOMETERS FROM GODRIC’S HOLLOW AND MINISTRY! Late last night, only days from Christmas, the humble village of Barnton suffered an attack killing dozens. Some speculate the motive for said massacre is the community’s welcoming perspective on Muggle/Wizard relationships; most claim to have seen the Dark Mark nearby. “Three homes were burned, and there are several missing persons in addition to those that lost their lives,” Chief Auror Wigglespurt states. “The Ministry sends their condolences to these casualties, and we will continue our efforts to keep the Wizarding World safe.” When Wigglespurt was questioned on the motive of said attack, she stated, “We cannot speculate. No further questions.” Sirius’s handwriting in the margin is sloppy and almost illegible. Too close to Prongs. Worried about R.A.B. Talk at party?)
Padfoot and Prongs,
Congrats! I knew you’d do fine. (That makes one of us.) I’m glad you lot are having fun. I’m spending most of my time on the internship, to be honest, but I don’t mind. Keeps me busy, and all. Moons even got in on it, too, with my recommendation. (I got in on it with my own persuasive talents, thank you very much!) We’re exhausted, but excited for Christmas. We’ll be more free after the holidays, hopefully.
I got my dress robes. They’re putrid. (They really are. She looks like an angry peacock, especially with the face.)I haven’t worn anything like this in years. The shoes are horribly uncomfortable. I’ll miss Prongs at the Malfoy’s, but I’ll see if we have anything else laying around to cause some trouble- perhaps we could spike the punch? Or is that too cliche? I should bring those ancient dress robes from the RoR for us to wear. (They’d suit me better. Maybe I’ll crash the party. I’d love to see the look on your mum’s face.)
The library is lovely now- absolutely no one is here except for us. The window has been storming more, for a reason I nor Moons can figure out. I’ve been set up here for most of my free time.
Maybe I will join you after graduation. I’m not sure what I’ll do anymore, but muggle London sounds far better than what the Prophet has been reporting. At least there isn’t anything to fear there. I hope Regulus is well, I wasn’t able to talk to him before he left. Maybe he’ll speak to me at the Gala. Probably not, but here’s to hoping.
Moons’ furry little problem was smooth this go-round, thank Godric. I think the quiet of the castle helps. (The lack of two bumbling idiots helps, as well.)
See you,
Your tutor + Moony(Remus’s handwriting is sloppy in the margins, written in blue ink. A shaky sketch of a dog, deer, wolf, and cat are scribbled underneath.)
P.S. get cigs to share, we’re running low over here! Yes, Godric!
(“Pads” is written on the front of a smaller sheet of folded parchment, tucked away in the envelope. The seal seems to be indestructible to anyone other than the addressee, to James’s chagrin. Moments after unfolding, the ink disappears. James seems to instantly forget its existence.)
Brush up on defensive spells. Keep an eye on R.A.B. Don’t be a complete idiot.