Whimsical {James Potter}

Chapter 41

Chapter 41: James Knows

Cressida points to something in the Potions book as she and Peter work together on the homework due by the coming Monday. Remus lies in the bed to their right, fast asleep as the call of the moon splits him. James is lazing on his own bed, playing with his snitch quietly – almost in his own entire world. Sirius is also currently napping, laying exactly how he was when he first dropped onto the mattress. It is a quiet afternoon, to say the least.

Peter reads over the textbook, double-checking his own parchment then scrawls something down, showing it to Cressida once he finishes. She reads over it, scrawling a copy of his words as her own. The sound of the quills is the only thing they can hear other than soft snores.

The anticipation of the night to come is reaching all of them in their own ways. Peter constantly chews his cheek, blinking more rapidly than usual. Remus has little idea of what is to come but already suffers from his own afflictions. Sirius becomes snappier – as he was to her earlier that morning. He's not the most pleasant person to be around during times like this, but his friends are hardly going to step away from him. And James busies his mind with mundane tasks, thinking and keeping to himself.

Feeling her patience for potions coming to an end, Cressida places her homework off to the side. "I think I'm done for the day," she murmurs to Peter. "Do you want a snack or anything? I think I might head to the kitchens."

"I'm fine, thanks," he mumbles back with a short smile. Cressida nods in acknowledgement, shifting off his bed as quietly as she can. She first turns to Remus, debating whether to rouse him to see if he'd like anything but decides to leave him be for the time being. Instead, she wanders over to James' bed, leaning against the post. He pauses playing with his snitch, gently smiling.

"Anything from the kitchens?" she questions softly, the skin of her temple pulling up against the friction of the wood. "I'll pay."

James laughs silently at her attempted joke, running his tongue over his lips. "A ham and cheese sandwich if you remember. Do you want me to come with you?"

Cressida exhales slowly, leaning more of her weight onto the post while she contemplates the offer. "As long as you're quiet. I'm not really in the mood for talking."

As though to show his devotion to her request, his lips seal. While he pulls on some shoes, Cressida tiptoes towards Sirius, crouching by the foot of the bed where his head is. Reaching out, she brushes the loose hair away from his head, smiling as she knows he won't let her dote once he wakens. She wouldn't want to be overbearing.

"Sirius?" she calls to awaken him, jostling his shoulder. His eyes flutter open ungracefully, his breath catching. She waits for a moment to let him gather his bearings. "I'm going to the kitchens, you want anything?" He blinks slowly, eyes hazing around to take in the room. "It's going to be a long night," she reminds him. They still have dinner to come, but not for another few hours and she'd rather have some extra food in her stomach.

He nods stiffly, using his elbow to push himself up. Cressida leans back, resting on her haunches as he sits over the edge of the bed. Rubbing his eyes, Sirius takes another long breath as he fully wakes. He goes to answer, but his eyes dart way above her head. Cressida glances over her shoulder, nearly yelping as a pair of legs are right behind her. Huffing away her shock, she looks back to Sirius.

"I'm not really hungry," he mumbles, sniffing hard. Cressida observes him for a moment longer, already deciding that she'll bring him back something anyways as she will for Remus.

"Alright," she says despite her intentions. "Sorry for waking you."

Sirius shakes his head half-heartedly. "It's fine," he whispers.