Birthday presents
5pm, 1st of November
After that late night talk, Sirius didn't come back to talk to James for weeks. Something bothered him, it was obvious. He often spaced out or seemed deep in thoughts. He just seemed withdrawn, less overexcited like ususal and less teasing. He looked so busy with himself that he didn't notice much happening around him. If James hadn't known that he was simply processing the events, everything he told him and probably also what James had told him, he would've been worried. But fortunately he did know since he had been there himself.
Who didn't know what Remus. And well Peter but he was so busy with his new girlfriend that he didn't notice anything going on with Sirius. But Remus noticed. And he worried.
James could read it on his face every time Sirius didn't respond to someone calling his name, every time he spaced out and every time he spend time in the dorm room rather than the common room with everyone else. Because Sirius was a social person. The most extroverted, people-loving person he knew. After James himself maybe.
But James could see Remus frown in worry, he could see that he wanted to say something, help somehow but struggled to know how.
So he took Remus to the side one day and told him not to worry.
"Sirius is fine. He talked to me. He is figuring stuff out but he is okay, really."
Remus had frowned like he did so often but he had not commented on Sirius' behaviour since and looked less restless overall. Obviously, James couldn't actually stop him from worrying because well he was Remus and Remus loved his friends. Over everything. Even though he didn't walk around telling everyone, they knew. Even though Remus often didn't talk about feelings at all and rarely showed them, they knew.
So the days went on. One day like the other. It was their 7th year in Hogwarts so they had the NEWTs coming up but since the school year had just started, not even 2 months ago, they didn't worry about that yet. Well, noone except Remus. He spend more time in the library than the year before, doing homework, completing essays and reading. Assigned reading, reading that would be assigned somewhen in the future and when he was done with all that he read Sirius' muggle books. Sometimes James wondered if Remus saw letters behind his eyes when he closed them since he spend more time looking at then than looking anywhere else.
After exactly 2 weeks and 4 days Sirius suddenly went back to normal. He stopped drowning in his thoughts and quite literally snapped back into reality. That was obviously not just James' observation. Remus noticed and because Remus noticed, Lily noticed and with Lily, Mary and Marlene noticed too. It was like someone ripped off a heavy blanket that had layed over them without anyone know that it had. Or like someone opnened a window in a painfully stuffy room. To say at least: it was a fucking relieve. For everyone.
James had no idea what had come to Sirius' mind so suddenly that he stopped worrying because, well Sirius didn't tell him but frankly he didn't care. He was too glad that it had come to his mind to care what it actually was. Maybe it was Sirius upcoming birthday. Maybe it was the knowledge he could get so pissed that talking would be difficult. Because Sirius never did anything halfway, especially not getting drunk.
To be completely honest James didn't know what to get Sirius for his birthday except alcohol. He never wished for anything. But matters were pressing since his birthday was exactly 2 days away. It was on a Thursday this year which made a party difficult but no impossible. No one was stopping them from getting drunk in the middle of the week. And for Sirius Blacks sweet 18 everyone was ready to give up on their sleep.
There was always the possibility of getting his best friend muggle books. But he did that last year. And on christmas. And to be honest even though Sirius loved anything muggle related he wasn't the biggest reader. He enjoyed a book from time to time but he was nowhere as book obsessed as Moony.
Wait. That was it! Muggle stuff! Muggles had other things that weren't books. James almost jumped up when it hit him. Oh he had the perfect idea. And he didn't even need to worry about how to get it. He smiled satisfied and leaned back in his armchair.
"What are you smiling about?" a soft voice called out beside him. James looked over and saw Lily watching him with her lovely eyes. His heart fluttered. Oh how lovely she looked tonight.
With a slight blush in his cheeks he explained: "It's a surprise."
She furrowed her brows thoughtful. James wanted to walk over and straight the wrinkled on her forehead. Carress her soft skin.
"Sirius?" she asked expectantly.
James nodded affirmative. He was not the only one knowing about their friends upcoming birthday. Lily probably was figuring out a present for him herself. She looked at him curiously.
"Common, tell me. What are you getting him? I won't tell, I promise."
James smirked mischievously and put his hand on his lips as if he locked them. Then he made a throwing motion as if he threw the key away. He winked at Lily in excitement.
She rolled her eyes at him but a slight smile tugged at her lips. Sighing she put her hands on her thighs and stood up at once. "Fine. Don't tell me. I'll find out anyway. I'm heading off to the library."
James looked up at her. "Again?! Haven't you been studying earlier?"
Lily threw him a look. "I have indeed. But I have a study date with Remus now. I promised him."
If James hadn't known about Remus' preferences, he'd been jealous. But that man was so gay, Lily could sit on his lap naked and he wouldn't do as much as bat an eye. So he just nodded and lifted his eyesbrows. "Alright. Have fun then. Studyingsounds so delightful." His voice was literally dripping from sarkasm.
Lily gave him a contemptuous look. "Of course you don't study oh Mr Potter the holy." And off was she, chirping "Oh Remuuus, my best friend of all, we had a date remember?"
James sighed. Was she ever gonna think of him as anything else but an arrogant show-off? How could he prove to her that there was more to him? Yes, he was a show off, he knew that but he also knew that he was loyal to his friends, he could make them smile and laugh and he really cared about them. He was always trying his best to set a good mood and be there for everyone who needed help. He knew he had at least some qualities.
He lulled his head back and looked at the ceiling. Well, at least Sirius was feeling better and could actually enjoy his birthday party. That was what mattered most at the moment. And James himself was excited as well. Excited to let all the bad thoughts behind him and get so drunk that it wouldn't hurt to get rejected again.
Oh yea, he was so ready for this party. It was gonna be epic.
*****
7am, 2nd of November
Wednesday was a boring day. Sirius woke up this morning to James shuffling his stuff around. Gathering all his gear, his broom and stuffing it in a brown bag. Sirius watched as he disappeared to the bathroom, came back and got dressed. Usually he would complain about James being a loud prat and yelled at him to do his shit quietly. Today he didn't want to wake up Moony. When he went to the bathroom last night he caught him reading at fucking 2 am in his bed. At 2 am! That man was crazy. But he probably didn't choose to stay awake and simply chose to read instead of tossing around all night. So he figured Remus needed the sleep and quit moaning to James to not wake him up. He knew that Remus usually was the first to wake up after James since he had a very light sleep and struggled to find sleep in the first place.
Just after a full moon he slept like someone knocked him out. But about a week had passed already since the last night they trolled around in the forbidden forest as animals.
"Morning", Sirius mumbled as James threw his bag over his shoulder. He turned around in surprise.
"Oh hey, you're up early. Good morning."
Sirius couldn't stop himself from saying:"You're fucking loud in the mornings mate."
James rolled his eyes but smiled softly at him. "I love you too fucker. See you at breakfast." And gone was he.
Sirius rolled aroung groaning. Maybe he could find another hour of sleep.
******
"Get up." A loud voice ripped Sirius out of his beauty sleep. "Oh fuck off", he groaned and pulled his pillow over his head. It took him way too long to fall asleep after James woke him up ealier.
Something hit him forcefully. "Quit moaning and get up Pads.", Remus called out again.
"Common have mercy on an old soul", Sirius begged. "5 more minutes."
"No. You're gonna make me miss breakfast."
He sighed and sat up in his bed. "You're cruel, you know that Moony."
"I know. Now get up and get ready."
"Okay okay." Sirius held up his hands and pulled a face. "Im coming." Slowely he stretched his arms over his head and let them fall down with a sigh. Then he peeled himself out of his blankets and trotted to the bathroom yawning. Fucking mornings.
5 minutes later he walked down to the great hall, stumbling tiredly after Remus, who hurried down impatiently.
"We could've gotten something from the kitchen later." He said after they say down at the gryffindor table. He rubbed his eyes again and poured himself a huge mug of coffee. If he was gonna start this day now, he might as well start it with a bit of energy.
"We have a lesson right after breakfast. So we could've gone right after yea. But seriously, don't expect me to work without food in my stomach. Especially not potions." Remus argued and Sirius had to give him that. He did have good point. Noone survived potions hungry. They barely survived it full, how would they ever get out there alive unprepared?
He nodded yawning again. "You're right Moony. As always. No-one survives Slughorn hungry. I still hate you for waking me up. I hate waking up early." He shuddered.
"Oh yea you're a right nightmare in the mornings." Mary appeared behind them and sat down next to Sirius. Lily and Marlene followed, Marlene next to Mary and Lily next to Remus on the other side of the table. "Morning boys." Lily said. Then she furrowed her brows confused and looked up and down the table. "Where is your 3rd member?"
Sirius cocked an eyebrow. Since when did she care where James was? Unless.... "Depends if you're talking about Peter or James."
Lily's cheeks heated up visibly. "I eh.... I'm talking about Peter.... obviously." She stuttered. Interesting. Could it be that...? No she had never showed interest in any marauder, she was not gonna start now. She was probably just embarrassed or something. About what, Sirius didn't know.
"He wanted to pick up Sammy from the Ravenclaw tower", Remus threw in.
"Samantha Harley? Oh yea i forgot that they're together now." Mary sighed. "Everyone's got a partner nowadays. Maybe I should look out for romance."
Sirius lifted his eyesbrows. "What do you mean, everyone? I'm single. And as far as I know, Remus is too. And James. And Lily and Marlene."
Mary shot him a look ans threw her hands dramatically in the air. "Okay maybe not everyone. But Peter's got a girlfriend. And the amount of couples I see snogging in some dark corners from day to day is almost painful. Oh by the way, Marlene, do you remember William from last year? Even he's got a girlfriend now."
Marlene gasped and leaned in. "No way. Really?"
Mary giggled. "Yea you wanna know who?"
"Spill the tea" The two girls stuck their heads together and whispered excitedly about this William guy. Sirius had never heard of him but he didn't really care either. He didn't really bother to learn all the names of people he was introduced too. If he did, he would probably know half the school by now. Funnily enough he met most people on his own birthday. The parties the maurauders threw in his birthday were well known all over the castle and lots and lots of people came, mostly people Sirius didn't know.
The thought of parties made Sirius smile excitedly. He was more than looking forward to his birthday tomorrow. He was about 99.999% sure the other marauders were throwing him a party. As always he didn't notice anything but if anything was suspicious then it was his friends following rules and acting innocent.
Suddenly with more motivation Sirius chucked down his coffee and shoved the rest of his scone down his throat.
Still chewing, he said: "Common Moony, we got a potions lesson to attend."