Chapter 68: Fourth Year: March
Summary:
CW for underage drinking and smoking.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Didn't know what time it was
the lights were low-oh-oh
I leaned back on my radio-oh-oh
Some cat was laying down some rock n roll, lotta soul he said
Then the loud sound did seem to fade (ah ade),
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase (ah aze);
That weren't no DJ, that was hazy cosmic jive...
Saturday 8th March 1975
Considering the events of the spring term, Remus was not expecting much of a celebration as his fifteenth birthday approached. Of course, the marauders were as pleased as ever to prove him wrong.
As usual, everything was planned with extreme secrecy, and Remus was completely unaware until the very last moment. It was the saturday before his birthday, and he had been lounging on his bed reading, with one of Sirius's records playing low in the background. He often borrowed the record player and camped out in his bed these days - Sirius never seemed to mind.
It was only about nine o'clock, but he was alone, and considering an early night. Just as he had made his mind up to get into his pyjamas, Sirius burst into the room with a wicked grin on his face that could only mean one thing - it was going to be a long night.
"Ready?!" He said, bounding across the floor, bringing in the smell of woodsmoke from the common room fireplace.
"For what?" Remus asked calmly, marking his place and setting his book aside.
"For your birthday surprise, obviously ," Sirius sighed, as if Remus was being very slow. "C'mon, up you get, shoes on please - wear those mad muggle boots you've got, with the crazy laces."
"Er... where are we going?"
"Out." Sirius began digging around in his trunk. He withdrew a pair of muggle jeans and a plain black t-shirt.
"Oh, you mean out out?" Remus raised an eyebrow, as Sirius began to undress.
"Yeah, take your cloak."
Sirius looked good in muggle clothes, Remus thought to himself. Really, most people looked better in a t-shirt and jeans than they did in a school uniform or seventeenth century robes - but Sirius wore everything well. Remus asked no further questions as he laced up his boots. It was clear that Sirius was enjoying the surprise, and he saw no reason to spoil it.
He was led down the stairs, feeling very odd in jeans and a travelling cloak, but still not complaining - Sirius probably thought they looked the height of muggle fashion. In the common room they were met by James and Peter, also grinning mischievously.
"You know my birthday isn't for two days, yet." Remus said, a small smile of his own playing on his lips.
"Tonight's events are time sensitive." Sirius replied, briskly. He was trying to retain an aloof air of mystery, but was clearly bursting to tell Remus everything.
"And don't worry," James said, eyes twinkling as he held back the portrait door to exit the common room; "We won't forget to sing for you on Monday at breakfast."
"And lunch," Peter added,
"And dinner." Sirius finished, now they were winding their way down the Gryffindor Tower staircase.
