Laughter Lines

September 9th, 1971

Remus wished they’d been taught the wand-lighting charm before the levitation charm. It would’ve made writing his essay much easier. 

It was after two; Remus had fallen asleep right after dinner and woke up around midnight. The other three boys had already been asleep, and now Remus couldn’t fall back asleep. He thought of playing his guitar, he hadn’t played it since he’d been at Hogwarts and missed doing so, but he did not want to risk waking up the other three. 

Remus decided to try and read but then remembered they had a Forgetfulness Potion essay due tomorrow, which Remus had (ironically) forgotten about. It was a particularly cloudy night, so Remus could not use the moonlight (he preferred other forms of light, anyways), and he did not dare to turn the light on.

Remus thought for a moment. The wand-lighting charm couldn’t be that difficult, right? It seemed so simple, and they would probably be learning it soon anyways. It wouldn’t hurt if he learned the charm a little early.

He moved aside his essay and took out The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1. He’d read a lot of his textbooks throughout the summer and would’ve sworn he saw it in there. Though if such a basic spell wasn’t in Grade 1 of the book, what would be? Remus found it in Chapter 1. 

Wand-Lighting Charm

Incantation: Lumos (LOO-mos)

Type: Charm

Light: White

Effect: Illuminates the wand tip

Counter-charm: Extinguishing Charm

Incantation: Nox (NOKSS)

Type: Charm

Effect: Extinguishes wand-light

The Wand-Lighting Charm is one of the most simple, yet useful spells to learn. Invented by Levina Monkstanley, she first used it publicly in 1772 in the British Ministry of Magic to help look for a fallen quill. Despite its simplicity, the charm still requires concentration, or the caster risks setting flammable substances, or their wand, on fire. See wand movement for charm and counter-charm below. 

Remus tried each wand movement, and they were both very simple. It was simple enough, why not go for it?

“Lumos,” he muttered. The tip of his wand lit up. 

During Astronomy that morning, Professor Estelle taught them about the stars rather than lunar phases, which Remus was grateful for. Astronomy was the only class Peter actively raised his hand in; he had said his Mother was an Astronomer. Sirius knew a lot about Astronomy too, but he did not raise his hand at all. 

“The brightest star in the sky, huh?” James said to Sirius as Professor Estelle wrote down facts about Sirius (the star), “More like the dimmest, you’re pretty dumb-”

“I’m brighter than you, at least my name is cool,” Sirius responded, leaning back on his chair. 

Professor Estelle left them a worksheet on various stars and to write an essay about a star of their choice, saying they would fill out their star chart on Friday at midnight. Professor Estelle was a favorite of the students, as she let them work on their worksheets together. 

“I know nothing about Astronomy,” Remus admitted, as he asked Peter and Sirius for help once again. 

“Lucky you,” Sirius mused, filling out his worksheet lazily. 

“Do you not like your name?” 

“Nah, I think my name’s epic,” Sirius grinned, spinning his quill. “I’ve been forced to learn about Astronomy forever, my entire family’s got stars or constellations. Another family tradition,” he rolled his eyes, “I’ve got Sirius, obviously, my brother’s Regulus, Orion's, my dad's name and my middle name, my Grandfathers are Arcturus and Pollux,” he shrugged, “It’s boring when you’re quizzed about it every damn day.” 

“I wish I had a cool name,” Peter mused. 

“You do!” James pointed out. 

“No, I don’t-”

“Your initials.”

Remus sighed, “Real mature, Sirius.”

There was nothing new in Herbology that morning, Remus spent the hour working on Dittany with Sirius. Remus had been avoiding the thought of Flying lessons all-day and was successful, as thankfully it seemed to have slipped James, Sirius, and Peter’s mind too. But it did not slip the girl's minds, and flying was a discussion at lunch. 

“August is on the Quidditch team, he’s a chaser, and my sister Millie was a beater before she left!” Marlene said, “My whole family are fliers, my Uncle’s the tornado's manager.”

“The only bad thing about Hogwarts is that we can’t bring our own brooms till’ next year,” Peter replied, “It’s the one thing I miss most about home.”

James' love for Qudditch was let out of its cage once more, “Someone’s got it right! I’ve got a Quidditch pitch in my backyard, I think I’ve spent more time on a broom than on my feet.” 

“Explains why you’re so dim, you’re head’s yards above you,” Sirius replied, to general laughter.

“How much have you flown, Sirius?” Marlene asked, gazing at Sirius. 

“I fly around a bit in our back garden,” Sirius shrugged, “I don’t wet myself when I think about flying, unlike Potter-”

“At least I fly! Unlike Lupin over here,” James jerked his head in the direction of Remus. 

“Oooh!” Mary perked up, “Are you muggle-born too?”

“No,” Remus responded, “My Mum’s a muggle, but my Dad’s a wizard. He’s never been big on flying, and I’m not either.”

“You’ve never even been on a broom before!” James exclaimed.

“And I like it that way, thank you very much!” 

“Hey, some people just don’t like brooms,” Dorcas said, “my brother, he’s in Ravenclaw, and he’s the same way. I’m better at flying by a landslide, and I’m three years younger!”

“I’m gonna look like an idiot!” Mary giggled. She looked at Remus and Lily, “If one of us falls off, we all have to fall off!”

“Um, Mary,” Lily said, “I’d prefer none of us fall off our brooms.”

“Yeah, same here.” 

They went to Charms, flying lessons forgotten briefly. Remus had been right, Professor Flitwick taught them Lumos. 

“Oh, Mr. Lupin, you’ve learned the charm already!” Flitwick squeaked, after seeing Remus do it immediately, “Who taught you?”

“Um, I taught myself.” Remus said quietly, “I couldn’t see well one night.”

“Excellent, excellent! 5 points to Gryffindor!” 

James nudged him, smirking. “Let me guess, you were reading?” 

“No, writing an essay.”

James groaned, “That is so much worse.”

The four boys had spent the time before flying lessons playing a four-way game of Exploding Snap, during which Remus had won most of the games. Remus was half-tempted to skip the whole thing and play Exploding Snap by himself in their dorm. He would be less nervous about flying if the Slytherins weren’t there. It would be the first time Remus saw them apart from Snape, Avery, and Wikes, and knew they wouldn’t back down.

“Don’t worry about the slimballs,” James assured Remus, “I’ll take care of it.”

Remus did not entirely trust this promise, James and Snape did not seem to like each other and Remus didn’t want James or Sirius to do something stupid. 

The first-year Gryffindors headed down to the Grounds together. When they arrived, the Slytherins were already there, and Madam Hooch was nowhere in sight. 

This was certainly about to go well! 

“Hey, it’s Lupin!” Holly Selwyn shouted, “Please tell me you’re not gonna vomit today!” 

“Hopefully he does,” James said, “Maybe it’d make you smell better.”

“I think the smells still on Black,” Wikes said, scrunching up his nose.

“For the record, I think I look stunning in vomit,” Sirius responded. 

“Good grief, I thought Potter was the blind one,” Snape scowled, “What’s next, Black’s hair sticks up at the back too?”

Marlene, Lily, and Sirius spoke at the same time. 

“Sev, was that really necessary-”

“Potter’s hair is better than yours, ‘least he doesn’t leave a puddle wherever he walks.” 

Sirius waved his hair dramatically, “I’ve got better hair than all of you, you’re jealous.”

Snape did not respond to Lily, “Jealous of what Black, the gossip you’ve caused?”

“Oh, no one asked you, McKinnon,” Carrow scoffed.

Remus noticed that at this point, the only Slytherins who had remained silent were Evan, Celeste, and Lucinda Talkalot. Marlene and Sirius spoke at the same time. 

“No one asked you to look like a troll, but here we are-”

“I strive to cause gossip, Snivellus-”

A whistle blew, causing them all to fall silent. “What are you doing?” Madam Hooch called, “Find a broom!” 

“Relax a little, mate,” Sirius said. “Don’t worry, I’ll make James and Peter run beneath you and be your personal fall cushion.”

Madam Hooch had taught them how to summon and mount their brooms as well as how to grip them. Then, she had them hover a few feet above the ground. James had done it with ease and with Sirius and Peter not far behind. However, Remus had struggled. 

Madam Hooch then put them in pairs and tasked them to fly 30 yards forward, and then come back. At least she had put the Slytherins on the other side of the grounds though, so Remus would make a fool of himself in front of fewer people. 

“I’d rather not need a personal fall cushion,” Remus responded, grimacing slightly. 

“You’re not gonna fall off,” Sirius responded. “Look at Evans, it’s her first time on a broom and she’s not doing too bad!”

Marlene and Lily had gone first. It was obvious that Marlene was the better flier, though Sirius was right, Lily seemed to be doing fine. She was going slower than Marlene was and looked a little shaky. Marlene got back first, laughing, and Lily returned shortly after.

Remus and Sirius mounted their brooms. “You ready?” Sirius asked, grinning.

“No.”

Sirius grinned again and took off. Remus followed.

It wasn’t as bad as Remus had anticipated. Sirius was much better of course, and Remus flew behind him. Remus held onto his broom tighter than he probably had to but did not loosen his grip at all. He found Sirius waiting for him before they turned back around.

“Having fun?” Sirius asked, still grinning. He did not wait for Remus’ response before flying back toward the rest of the Gryffindors. Remus followed and went a little faster than he did before. Remus landed next to Sirius, and Dorcas and Mary took off. 

“No, Sirius. I was not having fun.” Remus said as Sirius laughed.

“Oh, Remus!” James exclaimed dramatically. “Do I need to give another Quidditch lesson tonight?” 

“Don’t torture the poor bloke!” Sirius said, punching James in the shoulder. 

Remus would never admit it, but he had quite enjoyed James’ quidditch lecture. 

“He won’t need it anyways,” James said, “He just has to watch me fly and he’ll learn it all!” 

Dorcas returned, followed by Mary.

“That was fun!” she exclaimed, as James and Peter took off. 

James’ endless talk about Quidditch and flying isn't just for show. He made it look completely effortless as if flying a broom was as easy as walking. He did several loops in the air and did several barrel rolls as he turned around, as Sirius cheered and taunted. He was going much faster than anyone else had gone, almost looking like a bird in the sky, and returned several yards ahead of Peter. 

“That was amazing!” Mary exclaimed as he returned.

“Can you teach me how to do the barrel roll turn sometime?” Marlene asked eagerly.

“Sure, once we’re on some better brooms,” James said, grinning. He ruffled his hair. 

Peter returned. “That looked cool James!” He said, sounding somewhat breathless. 

“Thanks!” James turned to Remus. “So, how much did you learn?” He asked, grinning.

“I learned to never get on a broom with you.”