written in the stars | sirius black | remus lupin

28

James Potter's birthday was on a Sunday. For anyone else, that would be a blessing. A day off from lessons, schoolwork, quidditch practice, yet anyone who knew James would have known he still had the team up at the crack of dawn.

Still, it didn't escape Charlotte's notice, Lily's lack of opposition as Sirius, Peter, Marlene and Charlotte spent most of the afternoon setting up their friend's school night party. She even caught Lily adjusting a crooked banner over the boys staircase, though she shrugged and rolled her eyes when Charlotte shot her a knowing grin.

And now, as the party raged on well after curfew, Lily had been the one to cast the silencing charm outside of the common room, allowing for the rest of the students to get some sleep upstairs, though judging from the crowds surrounding them all night, Charlotte figured most of Gryffindor tower was in fact still up celebrating their Quidditch Captain.

Peter and James had been locked into a heated discussion over the following week's Quidditch match, along with about a dozen other students Charlotte didn't recognize who were hanging onto every last word when Sirius tugged lightly at Charlotte's arm.

She glanced up from her place on his lap, her feet crossed on the arm of their shared chair and he nodded towards the window at the edge of the room, Remus waiting a few feet away, an unlit cigarette trapped between two fingers.

"I'll be back." Sirius pressed a soft kiss to Charlotte's temple, but she grabbed onto his arm as he moved to slide from the armchair.

"I'll come?" She spoke softly, not wanting to be left to the Quidditch conversation, as her only other ally was hanging onto James's every word, her green eyes sparkling in the low light of the fireplace.

"Yeah, alright." Sirius bit back a smile, pulling the blonde to her feet and leading the way after Remus towards the all too familiar seats beside the windows. The three took their spots, Charlotte making sure to find her own chair now that she was very conscious of Remus's presence, though the brunette had hardly looked to either of them until he held a cigarette out for Sirius. "Blondie?" The dark haired boy teased, and before Charlotte could even turn her nose up in disgust, Remus had answered.

"Knock it off." He ordered and Sirius threw his hands into the air, dramatically.

"Sorry, my lord." He grinned, still holding the unlit cigarette towards Remus who lit it silently with his wand, letting out an aggravated sigh.

"Yeah, we'll keep your lungs pristine, won't we, Charlotte?" Sirius smirked through a puff of smoke, turning towards Lupin at last. "Are you having a decent time, at least?"

A smile tugged at Remus's lips before he answered, tapping a bit of ash out from the cracked window.

"You guys did good. Bloody prat will be smiling all week." He glanced over to their abandoned group where James had now flung back onto the couch in laughter.

"All month." Charlotte assured him, scanning over their group of friends. It was clear it had been Marlene who had made the birthday boy laugh, the triumphant smile painted on her face as James finally found the strength to sit up, beaming up towards Lily who shook her head with a faint smile from their shared couch.

"God, what a travesty." Sirius grinned, smoke drifting lazily from the cigarette between his fingers. "Did Lily get him a present?"

Charlotte blinked, watching both boys eyes trained to hers.

"He hasn't told you?" She asked, and Sirius nearly dropped his cigarette.

"I knew it! That little cheat never tells us anything-"