Maybe James isn't entirely in the dog house
“I wish I didn’t have to leave either.” Euphemia was whispering to James, his head was currently tucked into her neck. They had been speaking for the last half an hour to one an other, no one dared interrupted it. Sirius had enjoyed his time with her, warming up very fast. Regulus not as much, but she understood.
“You’ll come back soon right?”
“Of course dear, I told you earlier I would. I love seeing my boys play quidditch. Plus I miss you kids when you’re all gone.” James finally dislodged himself from his mum as she stated the last part.
“Thank you so much for visiting. I think you put James in his place.” Remus smiled and James elbowed him.
“I don’t think I have that power anymore. Now, Sirius,” she knelt down to be eye level with the small boy who smile at her, “I have a couple surprises for you. I brought them from your secret stash from your room, maybe don’t label it next time. Or possibly don’t only try to keep it a secret when you’re at school.” She laughed a bit and Sirius smiled.
“I live with you.” Sirius affirmed with her again, she smiled.
“Of course you do. I brought your blankie and your puppy. Two of your most favorite things. Now they might not look the same as your remember, but they’re still yours.” She enlarged them from her pocket and he had a huge smile.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He hugged her suddenly before taking the objects, James felt dumb in the moment, of course he wanted those items why didn’t he ask for them.
“Of course baby. You owl me as soon as your big, we have things to discuss. Other than that, I love you my dear come here, let me get a good cuddle.” She stood slowly holding him, he was pressed into her. It reminded James of how he hugged her when they left their home, he would hold on as long as possible with her promising to see him soon. “I love you Sirius. I really do. You be good now, okay? Minnie doesn’t need to floo me because you boys decided to get into trouble.” She handed him to Lily and he nodded, she then looked down at Regulus. “Can I hold you? You look like you could use a cuddle too.” Regulus agreed to be held and seemed to appreciate the embrace.
“Thank you for the sweets.”
“Anytime Reg, now, when your big always write me if you need anything. I hope you do. I never get an owl from you. I would really love it.” She set him down as he nodded, she knew he more than likely would never write her.
“Thank you so much Mrs. Potter.” Remus stated smiling softly at her. “Don’t call me that, it makes me feel old. Come here Remus. Thank you for keeping him in line, don’t be afraid to write.” She kissed his cheek.
“Of course.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” She released Remus, cupping his cheek one more time.
“Peter, same goes to you, over Christmas I expect you to be over. Come here dear.” She held Peter close, he smiled against her.
“Of course. Who else is going to sing with me? You’re the only one who can play the piano so good.” She laughed at his response.
“If James had paid more attention he would be just as good. Oh I love you. Write.”
“I love you too.” She turned to Lily after leaving their embrace. “Lily darling, you have no idea how in debt I am to you. You always keep them together, keep my baby in line, plus you somehow ended up being a mother hen.” She laughed as Lily hugged her, Sirius between them, Regulus holding onto her leg.
“Oh Euphemia, I love them no matter their flaws.”
“I know. I love you dear. I can’t wait to see you.”
“I love you too. I’ll see you soon, definitely cheering with you in the stands.” They broke off and the woman smiled widely.
“I know having your mum visit isn’t as cool as it once could be, but I’m happy you kids let me join today.” A series of “of course” and “anytime” came from their mouths.
“Does she visit lots?” Sirius asked. The woman smiled again.
“Not enough. I’ll visit you more this year, all of you better get used to losing a Saturday here or there.” Her finger waved and Sirius giggled at it.
“Anytime, we love seeing you.” Remus stated.
“Now, you better keep it together. No more fighting, you hear me? I will come storming through that floo if Minnie calls again.” She seemed stern, but James was just laughing at her.
“Mum, you always say that.”
“I mean it this time.”
“Sure you do.”
“Come here baby.” James once again somehow managed to hide into his mother despite being taller, she kissed his face multiple times. “I love you baby.”
“I love you too mummy.” He was barely audible, Lily wasn’t sure if they should turn away.
“I’ll talk to you soon okay? I’ll visit soon.”
“Course mum.”
“When Sirius is big make sure he doesn’t feel neglected.”
“I never do mum.”
“I know, I worry.”
“I know mum.”
“I love you, I love you so much James. I’ll come in a few weeks to watch you okay?” James smiled as they finally broke away, their fingers lingered on each other shoulders.
“Can you make the pumpkin pasties again?” He asked.
“Of course I can. Okay, I must go find Minnie. Be good children.” A chorus of “yes mum” and “yes ma’am” came from their mouths as she waved goodbye, not wanting to leave her children really but realizing she had too.
“I like her.” Regulus was the first to speak which shocked everyone, James was rather small looking at the moment.
“She’s the best.” Remus promised.
“Your voice is clearer today Reg.” Lily pointed out, he had an awkward face as she said, she thought he would be happy.
“Can we get snacks?”
“Of course we can, come on Reg.” Remus replied.
“Why did Siri get toys?” The group walked awkwardly now.
“They were from James’ house.”
“Why didn’t mama come?” Sirius joined the conversation.
“Mama is busy.” Regulus huffed.
“He’s right, your mama is really busy, now how about we go get some snacks from the great hall?” Remus smiled as they walked.
“Can you watch the prat for me tonight?” Lucius loomed over them at the dinner table.
“Don’t call him that.” Lily shot.
“Frankly, I figured it’s what we’ve been doing.” James said to him, taking the attention off of Lily.
“Bold from someone who had to call in their mother.”
“Sirius likes her.”
“Sure Potter. Besides the point, can you keep it?”
“Yes, of course we can Lucius.” Lily stated, looking over at Regulus. Sirius had gotten a lot of love, she felt as if she was letting Regulus down in a way.
“Perfect. I’ll collect it in the morning.”
“He,” she emphasized that Regulus was not an it as Lucius kept saying, “can just stay with us. I’ll take responsibility.” Regulus looked at Lily’s fierce face, she seemed determined to keep him.
“If you insist Evans.”
“First, I want to know if Regulus has anything he wants from his dorm.” Remus looked up, unsure of his words.
“We haven’t been to his quarters.”
“You’re the prat here Lucius.” Lily stated. She cut some more of Regulus’ food for him, he stayed silent not sure if he was allowed to talk.
“You filthy little” he was cut off by James.
“Don’t finish that sentence. We have him. Don’t worry.” Lucius stalked off.
“Has he been mean?” Lily asked him concerned. Regulus shook his head no. “Have you been in trouble?” She asked as a follow up, he shook his head yes this time.
“I’m going to kill him.” James snarled almost.
“No. No you aren’t.” Remus had his hand on his shoulder.
“You aren’t in trouble. Not now, not ever. You’re such a bright little boy Regulus.” Lily had pulled him into her lap, she was kissing his head trying to wrap her own head around what could have been happening in the dorms.
“No matter what anyone says Reg. Come to us if anyone says you’re in trouble.” James said more gently than his tone had been a few seconds ago.
“I’m the bad one Reggie.” Sirius stated looking up.
“No, you aren’t bad either. Neither of you are bad. You can do naughty things, but you aren’t bad.” Lily looked hurt, wanting these children to understand how important their worth was.
“Okay Lily.” Sirius said to her, she could almost see the sixteen year old boy responding with “whatever you say sweetheart” to irk James.
“Okay, who wants some sweets. I think we need sweets.” Lily decided out loud, the older boys nodding with her.
“Do we want ice cream?” Remus offered.
“Chocolate?” Peter offered. They nodded at both suggestions.
“We have both then.” Remus smiled.
“You guys spoil them the way my mum does to Sirius.” James laughed a bit, pushing plates away.
“How can we not?” Lily smiled at the boy in her lap.
“Mama says spoilt children are bad.”
“Well then you’re the best children in the world.” Remus muttered at Sirius’ words, Lily shot him a glance.
“I don’t get to spoil for long, no one is spoiled when you’re older,” James snorted a laugh at that, Sirius just had to pout for Remus or Peter or Lily or him to give in, anyone really
the more he thought even Minnie gave in, “now who wants desserts?” She smiled brightly.
James watched Lily hum a gentle song, she was rocking Regulus back and forth as she paced, Sirius fell right asleep clutching his blanket. Regulus had decided to be difficult tonight.
“I’m magic.” Lily beamed as she laid Regulus next to Sirius in bed, watching them cuddle into one an other. She cast a one way silencing charm before smiling at the others.
“Lily I hate to break it to you, but we’ve known for a while. You’re a witch.” James had a cheeky smile, Lily smacked him gently as she climbed into bed next to him.
“I mean with kids.” She laid back, sighing in content.
“You really are.” Remus muttered.
“You were brilliant tonight Remus! A bubble charm for a bath? Absolutely brilliant.” Lily stated.
“Lily you thought to charm that stuffed animal for Sirius to play with while you dealt with Regulus, simply brilliant.” Remus stated back.
“Yes, you’re both simply brilliant.” Peter muttered in a mocking tone.
“When did we decide going to bed at eight in the evening felt late?” James said through a stifled yawn.
“When we acquired children.” Peter stated.
“You are cranky when you don’t get enough sleep.” Lily joked.
“Oi! Just because my mum said it does not mean you all get too.”
“No, she was right.”
“Traitors, all of you.”
“It was nice to see her.” Peter sat up looking at his friends.
“She looked happy to see us.”
“She’s always happy to see us.”
“She loves you and Sirius so much.” Lily smiled at James.
“You have no idea.”
“Does it make up for all the howlers you get?” Peter laughed some.
“I only got one this year.”
“It’s still early, I wouldn’t count on just one coming.”
“Remus, let me dream.”
“So are we really going to bed now on a Saturday night?” Peter asked.
“Yes. James get me a tee shirt to sleep in.” Lily wasn’t moving at all.
“Why do I have to get up?”
“Because I got them to sleep.”
“Okay guys, pajama time.” James mocked Lily’s upbeat tone.
“Here I thought I was going to let you actually sleep in bed.”
“No, no, please I’m sorry.” James tossed her a large tee shirt he typically slept in.
“How’s your back James? You barely ever get the bed anymore.” Peter asked as Remus had also gotten up to find pajamas. He turned pink when Lily just hid under the covers to change.
“Sore Wormtail, sore.”
“We agreed not to use nicknames until he’s back to normal.” Remus warned. Lily popped out from the covers, startling the boys who were all in various stages of changing.
“If he turns into a dog, all of you are dead.”
“You know?” Peter looked horrified.
“Yeah, have since third year. I’m not dense.”
“You never mentioned it.” James muttered.
“Wasn’t necessary. I mean it though, I do not want a puppy running amuck.” Lily’s pointed finger and sharp eyes gave them all they needed to know.
“Are you wearing pants?” James asked as he slid into the bed next to her.
“No, is that a problem?”
“We could always use a one way silencing charm.”
“Gross.” Peter muttered.
“James do you want to sleep on the floor?”
“No, sorry.”
“I don’t want to find pants right now. Just let me sleep. Good night you guys. I’ll see you in the morning.” Lily smiled.
“See you in a few hours.” Remus said hopelessly.
“The whole dorm is going to hate him. He’s never going to hear the end of it.” Peter said.
“Does he scream like this typically? James said he did.”
“One way silencing charms work both ways. He can’t use magic outside of school.” James said coldly.
“You all let him shout all night?”
“He climbs with one of us.”
“How did Regulus come out unharmed?” Lily asked, looking over at the small forms in the bed.
“He probably does the same thing.” James suggested. Her heart broke.
“He just has his mum and dad at home now.” She sounded hurt as she whispered it.
“He might not have the same nightmares. Sirius took as much as he could.” James tried.
“He’s so young James.”
“He’s just a year and a half younger.”
“He’s a baby.”
“Had we called you a baby a year and a half ago you would have had our heads.” Remus laughed.
“We have to watch him closer, what if he’s struggling all alone.”
“He doesn’t want Sirius.”
“That’s ridiculous. That’s the damn pureblood shit.”
“Lily, we don’t know their entire relationship.”
“I know they love each other.”
“We can always talk to them.” Remus said from his bed.
“We’re going to have too. James, make the bed bigger.”
“I didn’t want a foot in my kidney for the first part of my sleep.” James muttered before grabbing his wand to enlarge the bed. Lily slipped out of the bed, bare feet walking over to pick one child up at a time.
“The shirt looks like a dress.” Peter muttered, looking to see what she was doing.
“It’s my dads.” James admitted as she laid Sirius next to him before getting Regulus.
“Real sexy James, she’s sleeping in your dads clothes.”
“Peter shut it.”
“Hi little guy.” Lily whispered as Regulus stirred gently against her as they climbed back in bed. She cast a silence charm once again.
“Enjoy the kidney in the back James.”
“Peter!”
“Goodnight boys.”
“Goodnight.” Rang in her ears as she watched Remus preform nox over the room.