Chapter 28
James Potter's birthday was on a Sunday. For anyone else, that would be a blessing. A day off from lessons, schoolwork, quidditch practice, yet anyone who knew James would have known he still had the team up at the crack of dawn.
Still, it didn't escape Charlotte's notice, Lily's lack of opposition as Sirius, Peter, Marlene and Charlotte spent most of the afternoon setting up their friend's school night party. She even caught Lily adjusting a crooked banner over the boys staircase, though she shrugged and rolled her eyes when Charlotte shot her a knowing grin.
And now, as the party raged on well after curfew, Lily had been the one to cast the silencing charm outside of the common room, allowing for the rest of the students to get some sleep upstairs, though judging from the crowds surrounding them all night, Charlotte figured most of Gryffindor tower was in fact still up celebrating their Quidditch Captain.
Peter and James had been locked into a heated discussion over the following week's Quidditch match, along with about a dozen other students Charlotte didn't recognize who were hanging onto every last word when Sirius tugged lightly at Charlotte's arm.
She glanced up from her place on his lap, her feet crossed on the arm of their shared chair and he nodded towards the window at the edge of the room, Remus waiting a few feet away, an unlit cigarette trapped between two fingers.
"I'll be back." Sirius pressed a soft kiss to Charlotte's temple, but she grabbed onto his arm as he moved to slide from the armchair.
"I'll come?" She spoke softly, not wanting to be left to the Quidditch conversation, as her only other ally was hanging onto James's every word, her green eyes sparkling in the low light of the fireplace.
"Yeah, alright." Sirius bit back a smile, pulling the blonde to her feet and leading the way after Remus towards the all too familiar seats beside the windows. The three took their spots, Charlotte making sure to find her own chair now that she was very conscious of Remus's presence, though the brunette had hardly looked to either of them until he held a cigarette out for Sirius. "Blondie?" The dark haired boy teased, and before Charlotte could even turn her nose up in disgust, Remus had answered.
"Knock it off." He ordered and Sirius threw his hands into the air, dramatically.
"Sorry, my lord." He grinned, still holding the unlit cigarette towards Remus who lit it silently with his wand, letting out an aggravated sigh.
"Yeah, we'll keep your lungs pristine, won't we, Charlotte?" Sirius smirked through a puff of smoke, turning towards Lupin at last. "Are you having a decent time, at least?"
A smile tugged at Remus's lips before he answered, tapping a bit of ash out from the cracked window.
"You guys did good. Bloody prat will be smiling all week." He glanced over to their abandoned group where James had now flung back onto the couch in laughter.
"All month." Charlotte assured him, scanning over their group of friends. It was clear it had been Marlene who had made the birthday boy laugh, the triumphant smile painted on her face as James finally found the strength to sit up, beaming up towards Lily who shook her head with a faint smile from their shared couch.
"God, what a travesty." Sirius grinned, smoke drifting lazily from the cigarette between his fingers. "Did Lily get him a present?"
Charlotte blinked, watching both boys eyes trained to hers.
"He hasn't told you?" She asked, and Sirius nearly dropped his cigarette.
"I knew it! That little cheat never tells us anything-"
"Alright, calm down!" Charlotte laughed, "She just got him a quidditch poster signed by some player..."
"Which?" Sirius asked and Charlotte shrugged.
"I am surprised he managed to keep it a secret all day." Remus mused.
"They're so in love..." Sirius sighed, leaning back into his seat and kicking his feet up onto Charlotte's knees. "Dibs on best man."
"I'll give it to you just to hear you fumble your way through the drunken speech." Remus grinned, ducking out of the way as Sirius shot a jinx which sailed just over his head, smashing through the window pane behind them.
"Boys!" Lily called, hardly a second later.
"It was Charlotte!" Sirius called, hopping up to fix the glass before Lily could push him through it.
☾
While James Potter's grin and laughter had lasted long into the morning, no one else seeming concerned for their early morning classes, and the Quidditch Captain had still managed to hold a frigid early morning practice, Charlotte had found it quite difficult even pulling herself out of bed. Now, after hours of lessons and a few bites of lunch which didn't feel quite right in her churning stomach, she found herself carefully climbing the familiar flight of steps to the boys dormitories, a steaming cup of coffee balanced in one hand and a sandwich wrapped in a napkin in the other.
Sirius had somehow managed to escape all of the morning's classes, an exceptionally rare feat considering James and Remus could usually drag him from bed even on his worst days and force him into pretty much anything.
She paused for a second outside of the dorm before knocking with the hand not wrapped around the coffee mug, hesitating for only a second before nudging the door open and peeking inside. Maybe a few months ago she would have let the boy sleep, though by now she knew he could and would sleep the entire day away, waking up ready for mischief at midnight.
"Sirius?" Her eyes landing on the dark haired boy sat in the middle of his bed, a small box splayed out before him, a few small photos and letters scattered over the blankets. "Hey... Thought you were sleeping."
"I was." He answered, finally meeting her eyes, though she was unable to read his expression.
"What's wrong?" She took another step towards the bed, setting the lunch on his night stand.
"Nothing... Nothing's wrong, it's... It's good, actually." He sighed, rummaging through a few of the papers to hold one out for her, the top of it stamped with an official looking header. "It's my uncle."
"Oh..." She felt her stomach jolt, though he had said it was good news... "Do you want to be alone?"
"No..." He shook his head quickly, his fingers surrounding her wrist as if he thought she was going to leave. "His lawyers released his will."
Charlotte nodded, looking around at the letters and photos and the tattered looking box. "He left you some stuff?"
"These are just... whatever was with him... In his briefcase. When he... you know." He shrugged. "Couple letters, mostly about work. Old family photos though..." He jerked his head towards a few of them featuring nearly identical dark haired boys running around a dark green sofa. "Charlotte... he left me..." He paused, and Charlotte sat gently on the bed across from him, pulling the photos towards her for a closer look while she waited for him to go on. "He left me everything."
She met the gray eyes again, and though they looked sad, there was a brightness to them that she had missed so much the last few weeks.
"Everything? What do you mean?"
"I mean... everything. His whole estate. His flat, his furniture, his inheritance." His eyes widened on the last word, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"Inheritance?"
"They've got to be... so pissed." He chuckled madly, shaking his head and scanning over the letter once again. "I mean, he didn't have anyone... no wife, no kids... I just never thought... I mean, I loved him, and I know he loved me, but... God, my parents have to be so livid." He laughed again, and Charlotte's lips pulled into a confused smile at the sound.
"Sirius! What are you talking about?"
"They disowned me, Charlotte! I left, I left everything. The name, the titles, the money, my inheritance, my only chance at anything from the Black Family-"
"Sirius,"
"No, and I know, Charlotte, I know. We were going to be fine, I know. But now we really are. We are going to be fine, I mean... His whole bloody estate, Charlotte!" He jumped up, crossing towards her and grabbing both hands into his to pull her to her feet, bright gray eyes linking with hers. "I didn't know how I was going to take care of you... if I couldn't get a job..."
"Take care of me?" She scoffed, her mouth pulling into a grin. "I didn't realize, are we back in the 20's? I'm perfectly capable of working-"
"Yeah, yeah, save it." He grinned right back, pulling her back to the headboard, collecting the letters and photos and dropping them back into the box so they could sit. "I'm going to work. We can do whatever. I just... feel better, knowing... I don't know, with the war and everything... We have something, for emergencies."
"We?"
Sirius glanced at her, eyebrows raised in confusion.
"You're making an awful lot of plans for our future, Mr. Black."
"Don't call me that." He nudged her playfully and grinned as she laughed. "Look." He muttered, reaching back into the box and pulling out a silver ring, a small black gem stone stuck into the top above an intricate cursive B.
"That was his? Your uncle's?" She asked, watching as he turned the ring over in his fingers.
"Yeah... was probably his great-great-great-grandfathers or something..." He shrugged, pausing for a second before reaching for Charlotte's hand, pulling it over to his lap and sliding the ring easily onto her finger.
"Sirius..." She left her hand against his knee, watching as his eyes scanned over her face. "You want to keep this. It's yours."
"Nah. I want you to have it." He answered instantly, an easy smile spreading over his face. "Oh, come on, blondie, it looks so good on you."
She hummed under her breath, watching as the gemstone caught the light filtering in from the curtains over the window pane before looking back to Sirius. "Alright... Thank you... It's lovely. And you can have it back whenever you want-"
"I don't it back. I want you to have it. Je suis à toi pour toujours." He drawled, and Charlotte smiled, rolling her eyes back to meet his.
"Sirius."
"I'm yours." He translated, "Forever."
"Hmm..." She stalled, ignoring the skip of her heartbeat and the heat creeping into her cheeks. "If I'll have you."
"It's too late now, Charlotte. You're stuck with me." He lunged for her before she could even blink, hands wrapping around her waist and yanking her back onto the bed with him, the tips of his fingers trailing teasingly along the hem of her sweater, enjoying the giggles it was earning him.
"Gladly." She mumbled, rolling over and hovering above him before closing the gap, her lips finding his easily. "Forever."
☾
"Alright, alright! Everyone settle down, I've got a pretty good lesson for us today." The class fell into silence, or as close to silence as once could hope for with the Marauder's around. "Now, can anyone tell me what a Patronus-" Their professor trailed off as his eyes found Lily's, her hand thrusted high into the air, James smirking from the table behind her. "Miss Evans."
"A Patronus is a magically conjured guardian against dark creatures, specifically known for being the only true way to ward off Dementors. The charm is really difficult, and apparently a good portion of adult wizards can never conjure their full Patronus, but can still manage a non-corporeal glowing mist."
"That is correct, Miss Evans, ten points for Gryffindor." The professor nodded, returning to the board at the front of the room and listing off some of Lily's points. "Now, as we all know, Dementors are the chosen guardians of the wizarding prison, Azkaban... but that does not mean they are not also found in the wild on occasion. Patronuses are also useful for other things, as they can ward of Lethifolds and can be used to send messages in case of emergencies."
The class was practically on the edge of their seats, surely itching to get started on the new spell, though Charlotte couldn't help her mind drifting back to Lily's words.
Really difficult
A good portion of wizards can never conjure their full Patronus
"Alright, everyone, the incantation is 'Expecto Patronum.' Everyone say it with me." The class muttered the spell back in terrible unison. "The key here, before I set you loose to practice, this spell takes an enormous amount of thought. Happy thoughts, to be exact. And not just any happy thoughts, a memory that is strong enough to conjure such a powerful guardian. I would guess that it would take most of you multiple lessons and encourage you to practice on your own as well."
At last, he set everyone free, encouraging them to partner up. Before Charlotte had even turned her head, James was at Lily's side, and though she sighed dramatically, she hardly hesitated before standing up and starting to the corner of the room with him.
"Alright, blondie? You're with me?" Sirius nudged her, playfully, catching her arm before she toppled and dragging her towards their friends at the end of the classroom. Mary and Marlene had of course partnered up, and Charlotte met Remus's eyes for only a second before he pulled his wand from his robes and looked back to Peter.
"Doubt anyone else will go with her with the giant crest on her finger." James teased.
"Yeah, careful when you're reaching for things, Charlotte, that could give someone a black eye." Marlene grinned, watching as Sirius shook his head through an eye roll.
"Yeah, well then, I suggest you stick close to Snivvelus." He muttered, as though Lily couldn't hear him.
"I just hope Padfoot isn't setting the new standard for romance... I don't have a terrible gaudy ring to give to my future girl." James whined, though his eyes were alive with laughter as Sirius lunged for him, knocking him easily into the stone wall.
"As if you could ever get one to look your way, Potter." He grinned, the boys laughter drawing a stern glance from their professor.
"I should think you would all need some time to practice, or do you have it down by now?" He called, shooting them a knowing look.
"Sorry, Professor, you're right. Ladies first?" James answered, looking to Lily who rolled her eyes, aiming her wand out before her, green eyes deep in thought.
"Expecto Patronum." She called, a sputter of mist erupting from the tip of her wand, her face sinking in disappointment.
"That was quite good for a first attempt, Miss Evans!" Their professor assured her, moving on through the room which had now exploded as everyone began their practice.
Mist too flew from James's wand on his first try, though Charlotte wondered for a second whether he was holding himself back for Lily's sake, though it didn't sound like him. She glanced over towards Remus and Peter, neither of whom seemed to have had any luck so far.
"Quit stalling, blondie." Sirius muttered, bringing her attention back to him.
"You first!" She said, watching as he held his wand up, the picture of confidence stood before her.
"Expecto Patronum!" He exclaimed, waiting for a few seconds before his face fell into a scowl at the lack of silvery mist.
"What memory are you thinking of?" She asked, watching as his eyebrows knotted together.
"Oh, wouldn't you like to know." He teased, shooting her a dramatic wink and chuckling as she crinkled her nose, glancing towards her friends who were thankfully all in their own worlds.
She let her gaze fall to the floor between them, her mind racing over a few memories... Her first day at Hogwarts... A couple of birthdays flashed through her mind, her parent's smiles, dancing with Sirius on Christmas eve... Sirius's grin lighting up beneath the tree in the rain... "Expecto Patronum!" She said, quietly, nearly jumping in place as a mist crept out from her wand, evaporating almost instantly into thin air.
"Hey, way to go, Charlotte!" Remus smiled from beside Peter, who was still whipping his wand through the air with no results.
"Look at our little Charlotte, top of the class." Sirius grinned, knowingly, leaning against the stoney wall beside her. "What are you thinking of, love?"
"The last quiet night I had without you harassing me." She teased, "You're up. Not going to let me show you up, are you?"
They set back to work, in near silence aside from the repeated incantation every few seconds, usually followed by a frustrated groan from somewhere in the room, until at last, there was a great burst of silver light, everyone spinning towards Lily, who's face was illuminated by the glow of the slender doe stepping through their friends.
"Holy shit!" Peter shouted without thinking, slapping a hand over his mouth as the room sank into laughter, though earning a glare from their professor.
"Miss Evans, I am not surprised. Well done... on your first day, that is quite a feat..." He muttered, returning to his desk as the doe faded into thin air.
"Lily, leave some room on the wall of best students for the rest of us, couldn't you?" Mary grinned, setting back to work once again, seeming more determined than ever now that she had actually seen a real Patronus.
"Evans, that was brilliant." James's eyes were wide as he watched Lily, a flush creeping to her face.
"Well... keep practicing, Potter, I'm sure you're nearly there..." She shrugged, smiling towards Charlotte who had nearly given up for the day. While she would have been the first to guess that Lily would have conjured hers day one, she was perfectly happy with the progress she had made with her silver mist.
"Alright class, thank you all for the hard work! Class is nearly finished, but I'm sure you will keep practicing and I will see some progress next week!" There was a collective shuffle as everyone hurried to grab their bags and be first out the door. Sirius, Remus and Peter, however seemed to be in no hurry, slinking slowly back towards their desks, all looking rather put out at their lack of progress made.
"Oh, come off it you guys. Once in a while you can't be the best at everything. It's probably doing loads to boost the class's morale-" Marlene trailed off with a gasp as another burst of silver light engulfed the room, everyone spinning towards James, though it was hard to tell which was brighter: his grin, or the enormous stag standing proudly over him.
"Oh, of course." Sirius shook his head, a lopsided grin pulling to his lips. "Of course!"
"Evans!" James shouted, though Lily's jaw had dropped so low, Charlotte was beginning to think it might fall off.
"Absolutely not." She stuttered.
"Evans, we match!" James grinned, his stag still sauntering around the room.
"What are the odds?" She fumed, gathering her things and starting out the doorway, pulling Charlotte along with her, obviously not noting the laughter the blonde was trying her best to bite back.
"There is no way." James called, rushing towards his friends. "No way you can deny it now. We're meant to be. I mean, come on, that can't be a coincidence!"
"Keep it down, Potter." Sirius warned, "As your future best man, I thought we had decided to keep your screaming about your love in the hallways to a minimum."