Chapter 3
By the time they were done planning their room was a mess. From scattered papers and pillows on the floor courtesy of Sirius because the whole five minutes that they didn’t have pillows he was complaining that he couldn’t think if he was uncomfortable, to which Remus replied with ‘then you must always be uncomfortable’ to which Sirius threw a pillow at him. There were also chocolate wrappers everywhere due to Remus’ midnight cravings. In the midst of all that James Potter sat in the middle of his bed surrounded by wool. That’s something that Remus has noticed, when James gets nervous he knits. And it wasn’t until it was almost two in the morning when Remus started picking up their room that he hadn’t realized just how nervous James was. He had collected two scarves, three pairs of mittens, and a half-started hat. He was debating keeping a pair of mittens for himself when a drunk Peter Pettigrew walked in. Which is still a mystery because none of the boys even realized he had left. He probably left once they all fell asleep Remus supposes.
The first thing Peter noticed when he arrived at his dorm that he shared with the three other boys was that two out of three of them had been sleeping. So he did the most rational thing he could think of at the moment. He shouted.
“Get up! Get up! It’s no time to be sleeping. The night is going and we’re younger! How could you be wasting such precious time sleeping when there’s a whole world out there waiting for us to explore? The night is ours, literally, there’s no one out there!”
Before he could shout any further, there was a hand on his mouth and he was being pushed up against the door. Remus leaned into the boy's ear and Pete could feel the hot air, brushing his neck. It wasn’t uncomfortable he found. Having Remus, one of his best friends, breathe on him, him being this close to him. It should’ve made him uncomfortable, but it didn’t. He liked it. Peter liked being this close to Remus.
It was Remus' voice that snapped him out of his head and though he’d never noticed it, he liked looking at Remus' mouth. The way it moved along with the words he spoke, the deepness to the sound of his voice, the way his facial expressions showed exactly what he was feeling if he wanted them to. “Let’s take this outside. Yeah?” His eyes. They were light brown, like honey. He couldn’t get a better description of them because frankly his head was spinning and he couldn’t focus on anything but looking into his eyes seemed to ground him. “Hey, you here?” Remus's hand came off of his coat and lightly smacked his face.
“Yeah.” Peter said, shrugging Remus off of him. He shook his head trying to clear the thoughts he was having of Remus but it ended up making him dizzier and he started falling.
To someone watching Peter fall, it might’ve been only a second that he was actively falling but in Pete’s mind, it felt as if he’d been falling for eternity. In fact, although it felt as if he’d been falling for eternity, his body anticipated that crash landing. His body tensed up the second he realized he was falling and only did that feeling of tension relieve itself when he felt himself land in Remus' arms.
“Yeah, let’s get you sobered up. You can’t even stand straight.” Remus' arm found itself around his waist, steadying him while the other one swung one of Peters's arm around Remus's shoulders and was clutching his hand.
“Yeah, please help.” That was the last thing Peter remembered before he passed out.
Unfortunately Remus was not only stuck with the job of cleaning up a drunk sloppy Wormtail, but he was also left with a sleeping drunk sloppy Wormtail. Which was definitely worse. He managed to rid him of his sweater and trousers, and swapping them for his night clothes. He washed his face for him and sprayed what seemed to be liquid toothpaste into his mouth. I don’t know it smelled like toothpaste and James uses it in the mornings when he’s running late.
He picked the smaller boy up and took him to his bed tucking him in and leaving two Advil and a glass of water on his bed stand.
Finally laying down in his own bed felt so relaxing, like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. When he began dozing off he heard something. It was so quiet and small that he wasn’t even sure he had heard anything at all, But there it was. “Thank you, Remus.” And he was sure it had come from Peter
***
If there was one thing that James did not want to deal with in the morning. It was a hungover Peter.
Hungover Pete was a whiny, needy, stubborn son of a bitch. There could not be any sunlight in the dorm whatsoever, nor and smell too strong and if he was usually a stubborn git when he was sober then there was no chance in hell of getting him out of bed before noon.
There was one exception though. A handsome 6’, bespectacled, jean jacket wearing, head full of untamed curls James Potter. Otherwise known as Prongs.
Prongs was the only one that he would listen to, for one reason and one reason only, His cooking, but more specifically his breakfast food. See Peter can’t cook to save his life so he’ll take free meals anytime.
So when he wakes up he isn’t surprised to see that there is a stack of pancakes on his bedside table. He also notices that the curtains are all closed and his favorite candle is burning. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and sitting up he took a look around to discover that he was alone -what time was it- he wondered. There was a note with the pancakes.
“Morning Pete, left you some pancakes for when you wake up and Moony left you some Advil’s with a glass of water; Don’t worry we’ll take notes for you. Text when you wake up. Also, Sirius wants to know where you were last night so be prepared for that. Bye :)”
A faint smile appeared on his face as he put the note back. Reaching out for his phone he saw the time and it was one in the afternoon. He texted the group chat as he ate his pancakes in peace and got ready for the day.
The four boys met at the Three Broomsticks and according to James they had very exciting news to tell Peter. Explaining the plan they came up with to get Frank to come along Peter listened intently.
“So I’m going to go to practice and well we already sort of talk so it won’t be suspicious. I’m going to ask him first if he has any plans and hopefully he doesn’t. Then I’m just going to get out with it, ask him if he’ll do me a favor and be Alice’s date and pray to the gods he says yes.”
“Okay,” Pete took a sip of his water, “and the girls are still coming right?” James laughed and gave him a wink.
“Of course, as long as Sirius didn’t mess anything up,” James pauses, looking at Sirius waiting for him to say something. Instead, he just nods and looks back down at his lap. “Well then it’s settled everything is alright.” He looked down at his watch and got up in a hurry. “Sorry lads, I got quidditch practice, “ He slings his backpack over his shoulder fixing his glasses "Well then plan to get Frank to come is officially in session.” He made his out leaving Moony, Pads and Wormtail alone.
“Well then, I suppose I can’t keep the ladies waiting too long.” Confused, Peter looked around trying to find what ‘ladies’ he was talking about, sure enough there they were. A ravenclaw, two hufflepuffs and a gryffindor, all lined up about two tables down waiting for Sirius. “I will see you guys later alright.” He got up, “And don’t worry Wormy I haven’t forgotten to scold you for going out last night.” he ruffles his hair, and before they know it he was walking out with a girl on each arm.
Remus chugs his water and leaves money to pay for their drinks
“Hey I don’t know if you wanted to be alone but I was going to go to this book/music/art store if you wanted to come along?” Remus asked him.
“Yeah let’s go. It’s not going to take long though?” He looked up at Remus and the smug bastard just smirked.
“Don’t worry Wormtail I’m sure we’ll get back early enough for you to get that scolding from Sirius.” They both laughed and Remus put his arm around his shoulder. Peter looked at him and though he didn’t mean to come off as disturbed that must’ve been what Remus picked up from him because in an instant his arm was off.
“Sorry did that make you uncomfortable? It’s just that Pads always lets me do it to him and it didn’t occur to me that some people aren’t used to it or don’t like it.” Remus was as red as a tomato and Peter couldn’t help but laugh at him.
“I’m sorry for laughing.” He says as he’s still laughing, “I really am, it’s just that you’re so worried and that’s really nice is all but it was just funny how you care so much.” He stopped to catch his breath, “But no it didn’t make me uncomfortable. You can put it back if you want.” They walked in silence after that, Remus gave him a nod.
Their first strip into the shop and Remus’ arm found its way over his shoulders.
•••
Remus lied. They had spent the whole day in the book/music/art store. Though it was quite convenient he supposes. Remus bought him an art set and he bought Remus a new book.
It was raining by the time they left the shop so they had to run all the way to their dorm. Disappointed to realize that they had missed dinner when they arrived at Hogwarts they made their way quietly to their dorm.
They were welcomed by an excited Prongs and an absolutely livid Sirius.
James got up from his spot on the floor and opened his mouth to say something but Sirius got to it first.
“Where in the bloody hell were you guys?! Huh! Do you have anything to say for yourselves?” Sirius looked at them with a fire in his eyes. A look Remus knew all too well. “You had Prongs so bloody worried I had to take over being the worrier, and let me tell you it’s no fun being the worrier. Every single scenario was running through my head. I mean for Godric's sake it’s raining cats and dogs out there, what if you're sick? Or what if you got electrocuted or a tornado took you? What would I have done?” Everybody looked at him, even James gave him a look of ‘what the fuck?’ “I mean we. What would we have done?” He blew a breath out before stepping to approach him.
“Sirius. Hey Pads we’re fine,” Remus pulled him into a hug but Sirius remained as stiff as ever. “Hey I’m here I’m okay.” He took his face in his right hand making the other boys eyes spill into his. “Pete’s okay, James is okay. We’re all okay, alright?” Sirius nodded still fighting Remus’ hold on him. “I’m sorry if we scared you, we just lost track of time.” Sirius looked at him with the words ‘I’ve heard that one before in fact I’ve used it’ written on his face. “I’m serious, look, I got you something.” Remus stepped away to get his bag and he was back by Sirius’ side. “Look I got you this.” He pulled out a record. A David Bowie record. “I’ve been looking for it for a while and I found a place online and asked if they would ship it to this book/music/art store in town.”
If Sirius had been upset at all before, there definitely was no trace of disturbance in his face anymore. His smile could light up a million burnt-out lightbulbs, the joy in his eyes was almost enough to make Remus’ knees buckle. What drew him in though was when the small boy threw himself into Remus’ arms.
“Thank you, ” He kissed his left cheek, “Thank you, ” He kissed the other cheek. “Thank you, ” He kissed his forehead.
“Alright, Pads that's enough. We don't want Moony going into sensory overload do we?” Peter said jokingly. Sirius just laughed and Remus doesn't think twice about tightening his grip on Sirius.
“You’re welcome.” Remus’ body went cold, missing the warmth that Sirius’ body had brought. Even if it was just for a few seconds. “Prongs don't think that I've forgotten about you.” He went back to his bag, pulling out a couple of stickers along with two papers. He handed them to James and watched as his confused expression morphed into a shocked expression.
“Moony, I-I-I can't. I-I don't know what to say.” He brought him into a hug. “I mean I can't accept this Remus.” Aah, the first name, how Remus lives that - “I mean seriously return this, please before I become a selfish git and accept. Please.” He pulled back and gave him a hard stare.
“No can do. Sorry, that's not how this works.” He shook his head, closing his eyes to not meet James' gaze. “I already bought it. Done deal.”
“Merlin, what's with the anticipation? Tell us already. What did Moony buy?” Sirius's voice cut in, obviously annoyed because no one was telling him what was going on.
“Remus bought me a new electric guitar.” Now all three boys had the same shocked look on their faces. “And a new case.”
“What in the bloody hell, Moony?” Sirius sighed. “Has someone died or something? Have you been selling drugs, man?” He sits down, his head in his hands “I mean where did this money come from?” All three pairs of eyes are on him now and he doesn't know what to say.
“Are we doing this right now?” All three boys nod their heads, “Well firstly to answer the questions. No, no one has died.” He takes in a breath to build suspense. “And no I'm not selling drugs, ” Sirius goes to ask him how then but Remus is already answering. “I've been tutoring people. I mean I usually tutor for free but they pay me for it. I- I've also been using my checks from the bar.” He admits. The room is still after his confession.
“Remus.” James starts. “You know I can't let you give this to me.”
“Me neither.” Sirius interjects.
“Yeah me neither.” Peter agrees.
“Guys it's fine. I want to do this. Look would it have been different if it was money that someone dead had left me? Or if I had been selling drugs?”
“Well firstly, I would be really upset with you for selling drugs. And second, if it had been a dead person's money I still wouldn't want you spending it on us.” James looks at the other two boys. “Right lads?” Sirius and Peter nodded.
“Just take them. As a thank you for being there for me.” James was going to say something.
“Alright Moony. I’ll accept your gift.” Remus smiled relieved. “So long as you don’t pick up a thing around this dorm till the end of the term.” Remus jaw dropped. “That’s right I’ll be in charge of cleaning, you don’t have to lift a finger.”
“Yeah and you have to let me make you pastries.” James added, though it wasn’t a horrible thing like Sirius’ he knew how much Remus loved his mini cakes, but only if he could help him clean up. And since Sirius just said that he couldn’t so much as lift a finger, he supposed this is the next best thing.
“I’ll carry your books all day.” Peter insisted, finally acknowledging the conversation and the two pairs of eyes looking very pointedly at him.
“No I couldn’t ask that of you guys. I won’t accept.” Remus struggled to get out.
“Yes you will or we will return everything you just gifted us.” Sirius stood now crossing his arms in front of his chest.
“Just a- accept this please, n- no payback needed.” Remus once again argued. This time the three boys moved to hug their friend.
“Hey let us do this for you. It’s only fair.” Peter consoled. After what felt like hours Remus spoke up.
“Fine. But only because I can’t return the guitar.” Remus joked. The four of them fell into a comfortable laugh. “Now Prongs tell us what you’ve been dying to talk about.” Remus not so subtlety changed the topic of conversation onto James. James just shrugged, appearing unaffected till a grin stretched across his face.
“Oh you know nothing. Just that Frank said that he’ll come. No big deal.”
“I DEMAND that we take celebratory shots, to celebrate such a GREAT day.” Sirius got out the firewhiskey and vodka and the night was just getting started.