The Marauders Era

You do know it's winter, right?

"It's no trouble. I'd be happy to take it."

James shook his head and gave the older boy a disapproving glance. "I'm sure you would. But I'm saying that I can pay too, or at least take half of it."

Cassie looked up at the boy next to her and smiled softly. "Just let him take the half, or he's never going to stop," she whispered so James wouldn't hear her. Rabastan locked eyes with her and thought for a moment before he nodded. Turning his head slightly, he looked at James. "I suppose we can do half-half."

"See, that wasn't so hard." James started as he gave the older boy a gentle pat on his shoulder. The two boys made their way over to the bar to pay for the two rounds of butterbeer the group had. "Besides, we did come here unannounced and sort of crashed your meeting. It's the least we, meaning I, can do."

"Don't worry about it. Really. I had fun, and I think she did too." Rabastan smiled reassuringly at the messy-haired boy, who stared at him for a moment with an expressionless face. The older boy's smile slips gradually as he started to get slightly uncomfortable under James's stare, and just as he was about to open his mouth, a smile appeared on James's face, so sudden that the older one was slightly frightened. Though as he saw the shocked expression on Rabastan's face, James couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to laugh," James stressed out, though he visibly relaxed as he saw the smile growing on Rabastan. James looked at him for a moment before he spoke. "You're a good guy Rabastan. Though it was unplanned, I'm glad we got to do this."

"So am i."

After the two boys had paid the bill, they exited the three broomsticks in search of the five who had decided that they'd rather wait outside, much to Cassie's dismay.

"Oh, thank Merlin, I thought I'd freeze to death out here." Exclaimed the dark-haired girl the moment she noticed the two boys walking out of the building.

"Oh, come on, Cas, it's not that bad."

Cassie shot her brother a dirty look as she noticed the black winter coat he was wearing along with the scarf given to him by James's mother, Dorea, on their birthday. Just as she was about to open her mouth to tell him off, Remus cut in, saving the older twin from the wrath of his sister.

"Well, I think it's about time we return to the castle." He stopped as he shifted his eyes from the watch on his wrist and looked at Cassie. "Dinner's in an hour. Try to be back before then, okay?"

She nodded in agreement as she sent him a rather thankful smile.

"It was nice meeting you, Rabastan," said Lily as she sent the boy a warm smile as she started to retreat to the castle with the others. James, along with Peter, smiled at the boy as they both sent him a wave. Sirius looked at the pair for a moment before he softly shook his head as if trying to rid himself of a thought that appeared.

"Try not to get caught, okay?" he warned her as he slowly started to walk backward. As he caught her nod, he changed his gaze to the boy, and surprisingly or rather not so surprisingly as Cassie thought, Sirius smiled at Rabastan. "It was nice meeting you again." A thoughtful look covered his face for a moment before he continued, "I'll look forward to next time." He sent them both a final smile before turning around and running off after the others, who had a few good meter head start on him.

"Huh, who would have thought?"

Rabastan looked down at the girl and raised an eyebrow at her as he asked, "What?"

"I'm just surprised, that's all," Cassie answered him as a small smile appeared. "This day went a lot better than I thought it would." The two watched the retreating figures for a moment before they looked at each other, smiled, and walked down the street.