The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Solemnly Swear

"Nice of you to join us, Mrs. Black."

"I thought we've already discussed this Siri; you're taking my name."

"We did not discuss that, Renee Euphemia Potter! Isn't it a bit early to be considering marriage?" He grimaced at the thought of them marrying James pulled his sister down to sit next to him and not her boyfriend. He knew that most of it was an act but the look Sirius was giving her suggested otherwise. It made James a little nervous. He knew Renee, inside and out. Sirius might get hurt by this solution. His sister hasn't received much backlash from the rumour being leaked, and he hoped that this wouldn't change that. That was the point of the relationship. To show Matthew and the other unpleasant people, that she was meant to be loved not hurt.

Renee never had a reason to doubt who she was. Until she started seeing slurs written in the girl's toiletries. Notes are being thrown at her in class. Publicly dating Sirius Black had put a stop to those at least for now. All she got was glares in the corridors and snarky comments said loudly as students passed by her. This was something she didn't tell the boys. Only Dorcas when she curled up in her bed while her best friend held her. It would all boil over after Christmas, and become a distant memory. At least that's what Dorcas told her.

"You did say like two weeks ago that it's about time I settle down." Sirius chimed in, incredulously. Throwing his arm around the older twin. "Plus, then we'd be brothers. Or is that not something you want now? I can pack my bags during Christmas. Be a stray, out on the streets." The Potter boy shook his head with a smile, pushing his glasses up his nose.

"You know I wouldn't kick you out, Paddy. Not when Mum and Dad already got you your birthday present."

"Oh! Is that coming up soon, I haven't noticed. Time flies when all you're doing is snogging." Remus looked up from the newspaper, his eyes meeting Renee's across the table. She just sipped her tea innocently. Putting it down with grace.

"Who is the person you're snogging Black?" She took a bite of her jam-covered toast.

"My lovely fiancée, I think you know her. Her name is Renee Potter. Talented, beautiful, not the smartest out there, but I'm in it for her body." A whack was heard throughout the Hall and the group erupted with laughter. Lily Evans lowered the paper she had taken from Remus. Unrolling it without hesitation as if she didn't just hit Sirius on the head. James couldn't help but stare at her in awe.

"I didn't know you too were engaged. Congratulations." Peter said sincerely, sneaking a glance at the werewolf beside him. Who just shrugged and sipped his coffee.

"They're not and if Sirius would like to live, he'd stop with those comments," James uttered, pulling Renny to his side.

"Another family. That's the fourth one in the past three weeks. What if it's one of us next? One of our families? I just don't understand..." The redhead put the paper down on the table. Remus gently rubbed her back, throwing James a look.

"Mum and Dad reckon there'll be a war. Our side is starting to recruit people into this secret society. They won't tell us what it's called. But we're almost done here. And as soon as I'm out of this school Lily, I'm going to do my very best to ensure it isn't any of us. The oncoming war will end with us." James promised, standing, and striding out of the Hall. Evans just watched, a new light sparking in her eyes.

"If it's a secret then why does he get to know?" Peter questioned the group, earning no response.

"Jamie! Wait." Renee followed him, linking their arms. Sirius is on his other side. "I'm with you, Jamie. Until the end."

"Me too, always."

"Ren—as much as my entire being is telling you 'No' I won't. But we need to start training. I'm not going to let you go into a war when you don't even know how to properly cast 'Expelliarmus'. You absolute nutter." Sirius laughed whole-heartedly at James' comment.

"DADA isn't my thing, okay?" She hunched her shoulders in frustration.

"Trust me, love. We know."

✿

They sat in the boy's dormitories in a circle on the floor. Sirius had his head lying in Renee's lap as she played with his hair. James stood up grabbing something from his bedside table. "A piece of parchment?"

"Au contraire, mon amour. This isn't just any piece of parchment." Sirius stated, sitting up and gesturing to her brother. "What are we telling her?" He looked at Remus, who just shrugged. The mousy-haired boy already had an idea that she knew.

"Might as well tell her everything, Padfoot."

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," James said clearly, the tip of his wand pressed against the map. He handed it to his sister who let out a chortle.

"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot & Prongs are proud to present the Marauders Map." She read out in amusement. Renee unfolded the paper to observe the castle come to animation. Student's names were moving about the halls and Dumbledore was pacing in his office. "Is this real?"

"Wormy, walk to the other side of the room." The girl watched 'Peter Pettigrew' inch towards the end of the sixth-year boy's dormitories on the map.

"Did you do this?"

"Petey mapped out the castle while Rem did the homonculous charm. Pad and I made up the idea and they made it come to life. It's our baby."

"Homonculous charm? That's very advanced. Can't say I'm surprised though. This is brilliant boys!" Remus loved the attention he was receiving from the girl. He looked at her with a broad smile, showing off both cheek dimples.

"It's how we've gotten away with most of our pranks, and how we found you dancing with Wilson last year." James spat out his name like it was poison on his tongue.

"Let's not talk about that... Can we show her?" Sirius asked the scarred boy before standing up. Before her eyes James, Sirius, and Peter all turned into animals. Peter ran up to her feet, she almost squealed out. A big, black dog sat in front of her, watching as she placed her hand gently on Prongs' snout. The stag backed away slightly, hitting his antlers on the post of Peter's bed.

"Wow, they did this for you, Remmy?" She asked, looking at the boy still sitting on the ground. Remus nodded, finally getting the answer he suspected. Renee knew he was a werewolf and she wasn't scared of him.