Semper

18

"Ibis I have no idea how you got your sister to be civil with me, but thank you!" James cheered as he excitedly hugged his bestfriend as she laughed. The Marauders were out of the castle, Remus was once again healthy – as much as he can be – and even Sirius for once was happy, not being plagued by Regulus and his gang of cronies who would jeer at him; all because he was finally blown out of the tapestry of the Black house. Sirius had all but rolled his eyes, muttering "Good riddance" whenever he heard the jeers, but his friends saw that he was still hurting.

"It might not hurt to talk to him once Pads, just get him alone from the trashy cronies and Snape he surrounds himself with, and I'm sure you'll get through to him and make him see your point." The ever so optimistic James said as Remus and Peter nodded.

The young werewolf looked at the female Marauder, who didn't look so convinced with James.

"Rory." He started as Aurora looked at him, surprised. "Do you agree with Prongs?" He asked as all the other boys got the hint and looked at Aurora expectantly, as she sighed.

"I can't really judge, because I don't know what you and Regulus witnessed and faced in your house all these years, but Siri, you got out. He didn't. He had the same opportunity, so why didn't he?" She pointed out, immediately biting her tongue when she noticed the crest-fallen face of her bestfriend – almost brother, and James' subtle glare.

"Because he didn't have the support system that Padfoot has. He doesn't have James, or anyone else to point it out to him that what he's doing is wrong, and that he can get out." Remus pointed out as she nodded. He does have a point there.

"But I tell him, I've been telling him all this since my bloody first year, but he just doesn't listen!" Sirius cried, clutching the hair on his head tightly as the others exchanged alarmed glances as James came closer to the sad Black.

"Hey Prongs? Prongs, it's not your fault." Peter stuttered as the others nodded along.

"Walburga must have already turned him against you as soon as she heard you got into Griffindor, remember the letter she sent? It's not your fault Siri. It's all because of that blasted woman." James comforted him as Aurora got him into a hug.

"Padfoot, Regulus will come around, if he has any sense, he'll come around. It's only a matter of time." Remus said as Sirius finally stopped hyperventilating.

Wanting to change the subject, Aurora turned towards her boys. "I want to give my gift now." She said as everyone other than Remus raised an incredulous eyebrow at her – with the exception of Peter who couldn't do it.

"Uh, Ibis? I think you're forgetting that it's currently January and you and my Lilyflower's birthday and even mine is before his!" James said as Sirius and Peter nodded, all the while poor Remus looked so confused.

"Yes, but by the time his birthday comes, we'll-" At another show of raised eyebrows she hastily corrected herself, "I'll be busy with the final exams. You guys might be natural geniuses but I need my time, and I wont be able to properly celebrate." She said, grinning as if she had the best idea in the world as the boys with the exception of Remus sighed.

To his credit, Remus was smart, and he had figured out that whatever it was must be revolving around his birthday, and that thought for some reason always made him uncomfortable. "Uh, guys. I've always told you I don't want anything for my birthdays."He said, awkwardly scratching his neck as everyone laughed.

"And we agreed not to have a big party like we have for James and Sirius, but come on Remy, since when have we ever listened to what you say?" Aurora teased as Remus blushed, Sirius – who was back in his normal mood – wolf whistled as everyone around the werewolf laughed, including Aurora who had seen his blush, and was trying to fight off her own. It was painfully clear to everyone but Remus that Aurora was practically head over heels for him, and it was the same way around. The boys even had a bet going on how long it would take for them to cave in. Peter had placed his bet on Aurora, saying she'll cave in first, while Sirius and James knew their love sick fool would give in and tell Aurora first.