Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter Fifty-Four - Rest In Peace, James Potter

Author's note: So I will HOPEFULLY have a chapter out Friday however I am having some oral surgery on Thursday. There is a chance I'll be feeling too awful on Friday to get a chapter out and if that happens I will get the chapter out Saturday

CW reference to the cut from last chapter, imagining something feels like a knife, and also emetophobia warning

-x-

November dawned grey and drizzly. Remus yawned, sliding out of bed and rubbing his eyes, trying to wake up. He had only gotten a couple of hours of sleep, and all he wanted to do was skip Arithmancy to sleep some more. Instead, he got dressed and headed down to the Great Hall. As he walked, he curled his fingers against his palm where he had cut himself the night before, wishing he didn't heal so quickly. That there was still something there as evidence for the vow they made.

The day stretched on forever, the only really interesting part being Muggle Studies when Professor Lewis talked about the upcoming Guy Fawkes celebration and the history behind it. Even Transfiguration was a little boring, since it was just McGonagall lecturing without any spell work. Really, the day was as dull as the sky after all the fun from the day before.

Except for the fact James was insisting they do Project TJ soon. He wanted to do it that night which Remus shot down, refusing to help him. He suggested they wait a few days so that way they weren't doing two similar things one after another. James thankfully agreed, and made the declaration they'd do it Saturday night.

"Don't you have practice Saturday evening?" Remus asked, since the Quidditch game was coming up soon.

James shook his head. "Afternoon. The Ravenclaws got the evening stretch."

"Saturday is my birthday," Sirius remarked and everyone looked at him. He jammed his hands in his pockets. "Only wanted to point that out."

James put a hand against his arm. "Want to sneak into Hogsmeade, then? To celebrate? After practice?"

Sirius grinned. "Nah, doing Project TJ is a thousand times more fun. That is a much better birthday present."

"What, watching your best friend get murdered?" Peter asked.

"Yes," Sirius replied. "Definitely."

Now they all looked at Remus who held his hands up in defeat. "Very well, Saturday."

*

Except Remus wasn't sure if he was going to even make it to Saturday. Thursday finished off being as boring as the rest of the day had been, and Friday dawned just as grey and dull. Potions dragged on, the free period dragged on, Defense dragged on, and then it started sleeting. Kettleburn had planned on an outside class, however was unable to do it due to the weather, so he was rather grouchy inside as he gave lectures on animal anatomy. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs who had been in the greenhouses the period before were still damp, some of them—including Remus—shivering. He considered summoning some bluebell flames under his desk but didn't want to risk it.

As soon as class let out he did, though, carrying the warmth in his hands as they walked through the halls.

"I thought you couldn't touch bluebell flames even if they don't burn you?" Peter asked, staring. "Doesn't that hurt?"

"Mine don't," Remus replied honestly, feeling a little proud at the ability to do this already. The only students he had ever seen carrying around fire like this were sixth and seventh years.

Sirius tried to imitate him and conjured some flames in his hand... and promptly dropped them to the floor, yelping. James put them out while Remus tried not to laugh.