Fighting isn't productive, especially if your mum is about to show up.
“I cannot express how badly I want him to fall asleep.” Lily was currently walking back and forth in the dorm looking worse for wear. The two brothers together meant absolute havoc all day, Lily was a bit frazzled to say the least. Regulus had gone back with Lucius because after the boys fought Lily couldn’t handle both tonight. Plus McGonagall was right: Lucius shouldn’t get out of this.
“I was thinking of owling my mum.” James was catching the snitch on repeat as he watched Lily pace with Sirius in her arms.
“That’s what you’re thinking about right now?”
“If she visits can she bring those fruit tarts?” Peter asked from his bed, half awake.
“I bet she would.”
“Your mum just can’t pop up and visit, James.” Lily stated.
“She’s friends with Minnie, plus I think Sirius would like to see her.”
“Sirius doesn’t know her right now.”
“Come on he warmed up for you.”
“I was the first one to reach for him. He was terrified of you.”
“Come on, he loves her. He literally cuddles with her more than I do anymore.”
“He cuddles with everyone more than you do.”
“Attention whore sometimes.”
“Sorry he’s three now. Definitely more likable than you.” She walked over and sat down finally.
“He’s asleep?”
“Yeah, finally.”
“He doesn’t sleep well at 16 either.” Remus chimed in, they both looked up.
“What is it with this group of friends with holding information?”
“He crawls in bed with me if not with James or Peter to fall asleep. That’s probably why you’ve been laid victim to sleeping in the bed.”
“He had Regulus the last night, didn’t help. I slept with both children.”
“Have ‘im sleep with James tonight.” Lily thought of that.
“How does he sleep at your house?” Lily questioned.
“Either plastered to me or he waits up and falls asleep at the early hours.”
“Maybe he will sleep all night with you.”
“You’re staying right?” James looked worried.
“Yeah. I’ll sleep in your bed. You sleep in Sirius’, he might feel better there.” James nodded as Lily got up to lay him down.
“You know whenever I ask you to stay, I don’t mean like this.”
“No one means like this.”
“I’ll wake you?”
“I’d rather you didn’t unless you have too.”
“Hey hey, let’s wake up Lily.” James screamed over Sirius. Trying to illuminate the room, Lily guessed it was Remus who had succeeded in completing the spell.
“Let’s wake up the whole bloody dormitory!” Peter shouted.
“What the fuck is wrong?” Lily finally made it to the other bed.
“He’s screaming.”
“No shit.” Sirius finally was looking at Lily, crawling over James to get to her.
“Can you please tell me what’s wrong?” James tried, Remus walked over to Sirius’ bed as well looking sympathetic.
“No.”
“Great talk. Great talk Siri.”
“James don’t be a dick.” Remus glared.
“Sorry sorry you’re right I’m sorry, I can’t sleep all night and I’m bitchy.”
“Oh you’re just bitchy when tired now?” Lily mused, scratching Sirius’ head. Holding him close, she had leaned back, eyes closed as he calmed.
“How do you do that?” James looked irritated.
“Do what?”
“He’s quiet. None of us can ever get him to be quiet like that.”
“I can.” Remus pitched in.
“Fine Remus can. Why can’t I? I’m his best friend.”
“When he’s 16. He’s three.”
“Yes Lily I’m aware of that.”
“Well you seem to forget.”
“No I do not.”
“Yes you do! You act like he’s going to be back to normal at any second, we have a time line.”
“Doesn’t explain why he doesn’t like me!”
“Yes let’s shout more.” Peter was muffled by his pillow.
“James he goes to Lily because she reminds him of his nanny.”
“Remus, he lives with me, shouldn’t we have like a natural connection.”
“No, not really.” James rolled his eyes at the statement.
“Remus you barely even like him anymore.” Remus looked hurt.
“Do you ever think I distance myself to ensure the safety of others?”
“Oh fuck off Remus, you’re just still mad.”
“He’s my friend too James. Sorry we aren’t still acting like we’re in year two, my bad.”
“You’re a right ass, do you know that?”
“Maybe, but at least I’m being honest. You’re pitching a fit because you aren’t getting your way.”
“I am not!” James shouted louder than before.
“It’s a rough night isn’t it? Now that we find it necessary to fight.” Lily muttered to Sirius, making James groan in frustration and fall back.
“It’s late, we shouldn’t fight now, Lily is right.” Remus reasoned.
“When can we fight? If we’re being honest I’m in a fighting mood.”
“James don’t, just don’t. I will bring him back to my dormitory.”
“You can’t take him from us.”
“I can and will. It’s late, he’s calming down, let’s just go back to sleep.”
“Can I sleep with you guys?” Lily was already laying down again, getting comfortable with Sirius who remained quiet as they shouted, she remembered earlier he requested them not to shout.
“No, I think we’ve had enough for the night.”
“James, if it is that much of a problem you can sleep with me.” Remus offered, beyond tired.
“Sorry for wanting to sleep with my girlfriend.”
“James, stop being a prat. Go back to bed. Stop raising your voice, he doesn’t like it. Why are you acting like this?”
“I’m tired of this. Lucius can drop Reg off whenever with us, but we haven’t gotten a bloody break.”
“You’re about too if you don’t shut it.” Lily threatened.
“I don’t think the girls dormitory would want him.”
“That’s it. Find me in the morning, all of you, I don’t want to see anyone until breakfast.” Lily stood up, grabbing blankets off the bed and walking towards the door.
“Lily, come on Lils, don’t take him. He’s used to it here. James can sleep in the common room.” Remus offered, Lily looked sharply at James.
“You would sleep in the common room?”
“For the sake of Sirius, yes.” He sighed heavily.
“Then you can stay unless you act up again.” She dimmed the room.
“I’m sorry.”
“Keep your shit together, I don’t care if you’re tired or not. I’m tired too.” Lily whispered over to him. James made a huffed noise and rolled over.
“James Potter!” James’ head shot up and he smiled wide, falling off the seat at the table in the great hall before he took off towards the woman smiling.
“Mum!” Was shouted, several people were looking now, Remus’ head hit the table and Lily looked distressed.
“I thought we agreed to wait on writing his mother.” Lily said through her teeth.
“He apparently had other ideas.”
“Do you think she brought fruit tarts?”
“You only asked last night Peter, apparently James sent her an owl yesterday.” Remus responded, almost in an apologetic tone.
“Mum, mum, here’s everyone.” James had her hand and was pulling her a bit fast considering her age Lily thought. They had met multiple times now, but somehow it always amazed her that she raised such an energetic boy and then brought in a second one with no questions.
“There’s my boys and my Lily! How is everyone, come up, come here, get a cuddle.” Each of them greeted her with hugs, Sirius remained stilled on the bench. His breathing had hitched some.
“Mum, this is Sirius Black.” James said to her as a way to introduce her before turning to Sirius, “Sirius, this is my mummy.” He smiled, Lily frowned lightly. Sirius may refer to her as mum while he was older, but he probably wanted a name as a small child.
“Hello Sirius. My name is Euphemia Potter, you can call me whatever you’d like though.” At least she had a brain Lily thought as Mrs. Potter sat down across from them.
“Mum I am so happy Minnie let you come. We have so much to show you.” James began rambling some.
“James, as much as I love to visit, maybe we save that for another weekend I can come. I’m here to see Sirius.” She said gently, James nodded, looking down some.
“Of course. You can come again for a quidditch meet.”
“I always do dear. Now Sirius, I had an inclination that some sweets should be in order. I heard about what happened from Minnie and began baking. I thought I would just send an owl, but your friend James is very convincing.” She always had a warm feeling to her as she spoke, the small group smiled amongst themselves.
“James brought up the idea of writing you last night, but apparently, he had already done so.” Remus commented, looking at James who suddenly found the napkin very interesting.
“James, you said you told them.”
“Technically I did.”
“You should have said she was coming today.” Remus muttered.
“I dressed Sirius in a sweater she made, thought that gave it away.” Lily rolled her eyes.
“We’ll talk about that later James. Besides the point, would you lot like some fruit tarts to go with breakfast. I had an inclination that everyone would enjoy them.” She winked at Peter who had a large smile.
“Always one step ahead.” Peter had a smile as she enlarged her bag.
“Of course I am. Sirius would you like one or maybe you and Lily could share one?” She suggested it gently, noting how Sirius clung to the girl she was more accustomed to seeing in her pajamas for breakfast before her and the boys would take off for the day.
“Mother says not to have sweets unless we’ve been good.”
“You haven’t been good? I find that hard to believe. You’re always on your best behavior.” The three other boys tried to hide their smiles or snorts of laughter.
“You’ve been exceptionally good Sirius. Do you want to split one?” Lily asked, Sirius seemed unsure.
“How about you split one with your brother, hmm? Does that sound better?”
“Reggie isn’t here.”
“We can fetch him, do you want to see him?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“James, go fetch Regulus.”
“Mum he’s with Snape and Lucius.”
“James.”
“If I get hexed it’s on you mum.”
“So dramatic that one, isn’t he?” Mrs. Potter stated to Sirius to earn a laugh as James walked over to the Slytherin table to collect his brother.
“Yeah. They fought last night.”
“Who had a disagreement sweetheart?”
“James and them.” He pointed to the group. Lily and Remus had their heads on the table for a moment with an inward groan, of course he would rat them out.
“That wasn’t very nice now was it? I’ll tell you a secret, James sometime likes to pick trouble even with you when your big.” Sirius giggled at her.
“James started it.” Remus muttered.
“I’m not shocked by that.”
“Blamed sleep deprivation.” Lily looked as Peter just ratted out his best friend.
“He gets very cranky when he doesn’t sleep.”
“Don’t tell lies mum. Plus I got Reggie.” Regulus had the same scared look he always did.
“Hello Regulus. I’m Euphemia Potter, I’m James’ mummy. I made some sweets and I think your brother wants to share with you.” Sirius nodded and Regulus smiled ducking under the table to pop up with his brother.
“Thank you ma’am.” Regulus stumbled over his words as he typically did, Euphemia had a soft smile reminding her of the times she had met Regulus briefly, somethings never change.
“Of course. Now, James, why did you all had a fight last night?” James’ head hit the table with a groan.