JAMES KNEW ABOUT...
It was a couple days later. From when James shouted out his love for Lily. She's been ignoring him since then. He hasn't done anything else either. He stares at her though. When we're all in the Common Room. When we're at breakfast. When we're walking in the corridors. When we're in class. He just stares at her. It was cute to watch. I always found myself smiling at it.
***
It was breakfast now. I was sitting next to James. The other boys weren't here yet. James and I were quietly talking. And eating. Wondering how long the boys were going to sleep for. Class started in thirty minutes. They better get here soon.
"I'm surprised Remus isn't here. He's usually up early." James said.
"I know. Sometimes he's up before me. Or he wakes up after me. So. Yeah. I'm surprised he isn't here either. Did you try waking any of the boys up?" I asked.
"I tried, honestly. Peter didn't hear me. Sirius woke up, told me to fuck off, and then went right back to sleep. Remus didn't do anything either."
"Well. Let's hope they wake up soon."
"Well, just are luck, here they come now." James was looking over my head. I turned to the door. Sure enough. There were the three other boys. Sirius and Remus still looked very tired.
"You two alright?" I asked Rem and Sirius. Once they sat down. Sirius just put his head on the Table. Remus yawned. Nodding his head. "Ok then."
I frowned. Why are they so tired? Neither of them are ever this tired. Weird. Wonder why.
Sirius lifted his head. And ran a hand through his hair. Before grabbing some food. And start eating.
I squinted my eyes at Sirius. I thought I saw something. On his neck. But. It was probably just a shadow or something. I still thought I saw something.
***
It was now after dinner. Remus. Sirius. James. And I. Were sitting at a Table. Doing our homework. Peter was somewhere. I think in their Dorm. But. Didn't really care.
"What did you guys get for question number five on the Charms work?" James asked. From right next to me.
"It's a Non-Verbal Spell." I answered.
"Ok, good. That's what I got too." James closed his book. And leaned back in his chair. "I'm done with everything now."
"So am I." I said. Putting my quill down.
"I'm not. I still have to finish the Creatures homework." Sirius replied. Putting his Charms work aside. And getting out his Creatures book.
"I just have Transfiguration." Remus said. Not looking up.
"Hey, I have a question." Sirius asked.
"A normal question? Or a stupid one?" I asked. Sirius just glared at me.
Remus sighed. "Just ask the question, Sirius."
"Ok. So. You know how, if something bites you and you die, it's venomous. And you bite it and it dies, it's poisonous?"
"Yeah." James, Remus, and I. Chorused.
"Well, what if it bites me and I die?"
"That means your poisonous." Remus answered. Yeah. This was the stupid question.
"What if it bites itself and I die?"
"It's voodoo." I answered.
"What if it bites me and somebody else dies?"
"It's correlation, not causation." James answered this time. We all looked at him. "What? I know things!"
I smiled. And then turned back to Sirius. "Is that all?"
"One more." Sirius paused. "What if we bite each other and neither of us die?"
"That's kinky." I answered. Instantly.
Sirius gave a short nod. "Ok. I'm done."
"Thank Salazar..." I yawned. Homework makes me sleepy for some reason. I looked over at Sirius. Who was across from me. Opposite James. He ran his hands through his hair. Exposing his neck. I did a double take. Leaning forward. Slightly. What I saw. Almost made me burst out laughing. He has about seven or so hickeys on his neck. Then. Sirius fanned his neck and face with his shirt. Which had the first two buttons. Unbuttoned. I noticed more hickeys there. It was hard for me not to laugh. I looked over at Remus. Who was opposite me. He was too busy doing his homework. To notice me staring. And shaking slightly. From silent laughter.
I saw a hand slide my way. When I looked down at it. There was piece of paper on there. I recognized James's handwriting.
"Are you alright?" It said.
I got out my quill. And dipped it back in the ink. "No." Was all I wrote. The letters slightly messy. I slid the paper back.
"Why?"
I thought about it. Do I mention it? I smiled. Biting my lip. As I wrote. "Look at Sirius's neck."
I watched as James read it. His eyes widened. Looking at me. Before looking at Sirius. His eyes got bigger then. I saw him write quickly and pass the note back to me.
"What the fuck? Oh, my God!"
"I know I'm trying not to die of laughter."
"Look like someone was busy last night."
I paused. Trying not to die of laughter. "Looks like it. I don't think he knows that they're exposed."
"I count seven."
I looked at Sirius. Trying to count his hickeys. This was too much fun. "I count nine. There's two on his color bone as well."
"Damn. I bet there's more where we can't see."
I had to stick my fist in my mouth from that comment. "Probably. I would bet on it."
"The one who gave him them sure were horny."
I choked a bit. I did not want to think about that. Cuz I knew who gave them to Sirius. It was Remus. And I didn't want that image in my head. I shuddered. "Oh, God. Now I have that picture in my head. Thank you. Not!"
I heard James chuckle. Softly. "Do we tell him?"
I looked at James. He too. Was shaking in silent laughter. I looked back at the note. "Leave it to me."
I tried to regain some control. It wasn't going to well. I looked over at James. Big mistake. As soon as he. And I. Locked eyes. We both bursted out laughing. Hard. I put my hand on his shoulder. And squeezed it. So that I wouldn't try and fall on the floor. And roll around. Laughing. I wanted to though. I really did. I had tears in my eyes. So did James. As far as I could see.
"Are you two alright?" Sirius asked.
I looked up at him. And at Remus. They both had confused faces on. I took a deep breath. Trying to calm myself down. It took a bit. But. Finally. I did. And so did James.
"No." I paused. "Hey? Sirius? How's that Care of Magical Creatures work coming along?"
"Um. Good. I guess. I just finished. Are you sure you're alright?" He answered.
James and I were still shaking. Slightly.
"We will be." James replied. He then turned to Sirius. "Hey, Sirius, I forgot to ask. How did you sleep last night?" James bit his cheek. To try and stop laughing.
"Um... it was kinda hard, but I eventually did."
"Really? No staying up late with things?" I asked. I saw Remus's head jerk up. I couldn't look at him.
"Umm... no? Why would you ask that?" Sirius asked. Looking at me.
"You really sure? Absolutely positive?"
"Yes?"
"Well. I don't believe you." I replied.
"I'm telling the truth." Sirius replied. Slowly.
"Really? Well. Tell that to the." I turned to James. "What did we agree on? Nine?"
"Yeah, I believe so." James put his hand over his mouth.
I turned back to Sirius. "Ok then. Tell that to the nine hickeys on your neck." I looked at Sirius. Pointedly. Laughing more.
He stared at me. In confusion. For a second. Before my words registered. His eyes. Slowly. Widened. He also started breathing faster. He then put his hand to his neck. Looking at the table. Eyes darting back and forth. "Shit." Was all he said. Before jumping out of his chair. And bolting. Up the stairs. And to his Dorm.
I was beyond laughing out loud. At this point. I was still laughing. But it was that chest hurting. Silent laugh. Where you can't breath. That was how I was. I clutched my chest. It hurt. It hurt so much. But the good kind of hurt.
I finally took a look at Remus. He was still. Like a statue. And. His eyes were also wide. I could see his chest. Rising and falling. Rapidly.
"Are you done with your Transfiguration work, Rem?" I asked.
His head snapped to me. "What? Oh, yeah, I finished."
"Good. If you're going up to our Dorm, can you bring my stuff up there, please?" James asked.
"Yeah, sure." Remus replied. Gathering up his stuff. And James.
"Don't forget Sirius's stuff too." I added. Remus looked at me. I looked at him.
"Yeah, I'll do that too." He quickly grabbed Sirius's stuff. And practically ran up to his Dorm. I watched him as he went. Smirking a bit.
"Well, I guess we know who the top and bottom are in the relationship." James said.
I whipped my head to his. Eyes wide. Did he just...? Does he know about...?
"What?" Was all I said.
James looked at me. And laughed. A quick one. "Oh, you don't know. Well, I guess I'll tell you. Don't tell Remus and Sirius any of this, but they-"
I cut him off. "Like each other? Are a thing? Yeah. I already knew that. I was just surprised that you did." I paused. James smirked. "How long have you know?"
"Well, I got my suspicions in Fourth Year, forgot about it in the begging of Fifth Year, then realized it again. You?"
"Ever since I first saw them together. At the Welcoming Feast last Year."
"Really? That quick, huh?"
"Yeah. How did you find out?" I asked. Still shocked that he knew. I never saw any indication that James knew about Wolfstar. I would have never had guessed that he knew. You really do learn something new everyday.
"I first noticed how they looked at each other. Then, one night, last Year, I woke up in the middle of the night. I saw that both of them weren't there, so I took out my Map, and looked for them. They were in the Common Room. So, a bit later, I put on my Cloak and went down. I saw them snogging. That's when I remembered my suspicions from Fourth Year." He answered.
I nodded. Impressed. "When was this? When you caught them snogging?"
James smirked. Looking at me. "December 13 at around 2:30 in the morning. That's when I saw them on the Map. Didn't go down until almost three." He gave me a pointed look. Like I should know something. He also just kept smirking. Weird.
"Oh. Cool." I replied. Then. Looking at him. Something popped into my brain. "Oh." I said. In realization. December 13 around 2:30 in the morning. 2:34 to be exact. Was when I caught the two love birds snogging. If James saw them at 2:30. And didn't go down till three. He saw my name. My real name.
"Oh indeed." He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I rolled my eyes. "So?" Was all I said.
"So." Was all he said.
"I really don't have anything to say about that. No one words come to mind." I pursed my lips together. Trying to think of something to say. I didn't know. It was weird. He's known my real name for almost a year. And said nothing. Why was that?
"I bet."
I looked at him. "How come you never said anything about it before? It's been almost a year."
James shrugged. "Didn't feel the need to." He paused. "Plus, I figured you'd tell me at some point."
"To be honest. I wasn't planning on telling anybody." I admitted.
"So I'm the not the only person who knows?" He was still smirking.
"Nope. Rem and Siri know as well."
"Rem and Siri?"
"Nicknames for Remus and Sirius."
"I get that. But Rem and Siri?" James laughed.
I hit his arm. "Shut up. It's hard making nicknames for those two."
"True. Do you have one for me?"
I looked at him. And though about his name. "How about J or Jamie? I like J better."
"I like J better as well."
"J it is then." I nodded.
"But, that's not what we are talking about now. So, Moony and Padfoot know?"
"Yes."
"I'm guessing there's a story behind it?"
"Yup."
"Are you going to tell me?"
"I don't know. I am still shocked. That you know. My real last name. So. Yeah. I have no idea." I replied. Honestly. I looked at him. He was smiling.
"You want to know my thoughts on the subject?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. I want to know what you think."
"Well, then. For starters. You're last name. It's cool." He grinned. I rolled my eyes. "Then, that day when we all told each other our middle names. I thought it was cool. That your middle name was Lily. Then, I saw you and Moony mouthing to each other. When you said that you shouldn't have told me. I saw Moony mouth the words, 'that's not the only reason though.' It was weird that he said it, but it also kind of clicked. Also, you're left eye, same color as Lily's. I would know that eye anywhere. You also have the same temper. I've seen it so many time. Also also, right eye, same color as mine. I know my eyes." He paused.
"That's just creepy. Do you stare into the mirror for that long? I thought that was only Sirius." I grinned.
"Shut up. Now, I asked myself, 'Why does she have the same color eyes as both me and Lily, middle name is Lily, and her last name happens to be Potter?'" He paused. He smirked at me. "And then it clicked, but it was only a guess. I had no real proof, but seeing the look on your face right now, I'm guessing my guess was correct." He smiled. "You see, I noticed a lot of things. I just don't say them out loud sometimes. Keep them to myself. Until the proper moment. Which, most of the time, it never comes out."
I stared at him. Damn. Can't believe he got all that. "So? You're saying? I got my noticing things and not saying anything? From you?"
"Yup. Best stuff always comes from the father." He grinned.
I hit him. "Not all the time." I smiled though. I didn't mind saying that I got it from him. He already had a guess. There was no way to deny it. That I'm his daughter. That felt weird to say.
"Most of the time." He paused. "So? Story time? You have some explaining to do." He paused again. Before leaning to me. "Daughter." He whispered.
I sighed. Rolling my eyes. "Ok. Story time. Here goes." I explained my story. Well. Only the Time Travel part. Nothing else. I couldn't. I wouldn't. But. Time Travel? Yes. I told him that. He had the same reaction Lily did. Just listening.
"Oh, and I should mention. Lily knows about the whole Time Travel thing. And she knows I'm her daughter as well. But. I didn't tell her my last name. Didn't really know how she would react."
James chuckled. "I bet. Can you tell me when she agrees to go out with me?"
"Nope. You know I can't do that." I smiled. Shaking my head.
"Damn."
I chuckled. "My advice. Don't be overly obsessed with trying to ask her out. Don't want her to be suspicious."
"Alright. I won't."
"Any questions?" I asked.
"Yeah. How come you didn't deny my guess?"
I shrugged. "I saw no way around it. So. I just said it straight up."
"Ok then. And Moony and Padfoot knows all about it? And Lily knows most of it except for me being your dad?"
"Yup." I paused. "Hey. I have an idea. Let's not tell Remus and Sirius that you know about me. Not yet. And. At some point. We will just randomly bring it up. I would love to see their reactions to it. Also, maybe if Lily is around, we can say it then. We just won't mention the Potter part." I smirked.
So did James. "I like that idea."
"So do I." I paused. "Also, how about we don't tell Peter? I mean. I feel like he should know." No I don't. "But. I don't really trust him with this secret. I feel like he might accidentally tell other people. And that might not be bad thing. Especially during these times."
"I must have to agree."
"Also, I kind of like the idea of people finding out in their own. And not me telling them."
James chuckled. "Well, that is a cool thing. You don't get that from me, that's for sure."
"I know. I don't get it from either of you. It's entirely my thing." I smirked. "How come your so ok with this?"
James shrugged. "I don't know. I just am. I tend to just go with things and just think that anything is possible really."
"So do I. I know where that comes from." I chuckled. So did he. "It feels nice. That you know. Now it feels complete. It felt weird. Having only Lily knowing. Now. both of you know. It also felt weird when just Rem and Siri knew. And now. All four of you know. The four most important people in my life." I smiled. He smiled back. The same smile as me.