Reconciliations Ⅴ

The infirmary is silent as James at a glance takes in the dark eye shadows under Sirius's eyes and that of Peter Pettigrew. Both looked as though they had not slept in weeks especially that of Peter Pettigrew. Even Remus looked like he had not been sleeping too well, but not as bad as that of Sirius and Peter Pettigrew.

And as for Sn-, no, Severus Prince, he looked genuinely concerned. He had known Severus Snape all his life, but Severus Snape had never so visibly shown his emotion to anyone, not even Lily. And more importantly, even despite his inner turmoil, James had to his profound shock and amazement had found himself starting to like Severus Prince for his dry wit and humor as they interacted in their various classes together. It was something that he had great difficultly coming to terms with as they had always been lifelong enemies when attending Hogwarts together.

However, James forced himself to remember one very important fact, and that is that these were not his friends nor enemies. They were similar in so many ways but were so widely different. And even if that realization pained and struck him to the very core of his soul, but in another manner, it relieved him and took a heavy load off his mind.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, James flashes them a rueful smile with a tinge of sadness to it. "I am deeply sorry for my past behavior since the start of the summer and especially to you, Peter," James stiffly said with some difficulty, because of his pride. "I can't guarantee anything, but I would like to try to be friends again with all of you. Can we start with a blank slate again?"

"Yeah, mate," Sirius hastily replied unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.

Lupin, on the other hand, glances at Pettigrew and says, "Is that okay with you, Peter?"

Pettigrew is silent for a moment, before raising his gaze to meet that of his once called friend. "I would like to try," Pettigrew confessed. "But I don't want to be toyed with James. I don't think I have it in me to do this again."

Lupin expectantly glances at James, who says, "I can't promise that I won't slip up now and again, but I can promise that I will try."

"That will have to satisfy for now," Lupin muttered as he studied the contrite figure of James.

The five of them are all silent for a moment until Severus lets out a loud snort and unfolds his arms. "Well, I suppose, we should start with introductions, don't you think?" Severus coolly said, before continuing, "I am Severus Prince, and we have been friends since our first year at Hogwarts. I will confess James that I find your infinite optimism incredibly vexing at times, but it is a character trait that has grown on me over these past years."

Sirius and Remus let out soft chuckles of laughter as even Pettigrew finds himself unable to hide a smile. James blinks once again in surprise at Severus Sn-, no, Severus Prince's words. But the surprise was less than the time before. This was Severus Prince, and he was his own person.

Severus gently but firmly nudges Pettigrew with his shoe on the leg, who glares at Severus as he pulls his leg away. Letting out a sigh, Pettigrew with some apprehension says, "I'm Peter Pettigrew, and we have been friends, since our first year as well. I enjoy gardening and working outdoors. My girlfriend's name is Quyen Crowley, and I'd very much like to become a professional Quidditch coach someday."

"That's the spirit, Pete," Sirius exclaimed as he clapped Pettigrew roughly on the back-earning Sirius a fierce scowl from Pettigrew.

Sirius cheekily grins back, before proudly puffing out his chest. "We're the best of mates and have played plenty of tricks on suspecting victims. I am going to be an Auror someday, which even my Mother and Father approve of."

Although Sirius paused as his face darkened a bit as he adds, "But I have tutor's during the summer now as Mother and Father said that if I am going to become an Auror, I might as well have the political clout and ambition to become the Head of Auror's someday. It would do wonders for the family's reputation especially in the political circle."

A wisp of laughter escapes from Lupin, who sheepishly says, "Of course, Sirius, you are the first-born heir of the Black's, who else is responsible for upholding the family name?"

Sirius gives Lupin the stink eye, who only wolfishly grins back. "Well, I guess I'm up next," Lupin warmly said. "I'm Remus Lupin, and we have also been friends since our first year. I am a former cursed werewolf, but now I am cured. And I am not sure yet what I want to become, but I enjoy DADA and after being a Prefect for a while, I realized that I enjoy teaching. I think that I might like to be a Professor someday."

"Yeah, but the DADA position is cursed," Sirius muttered under his breath.

"Well, cursed or not, I think I would be a good professor," Lupin rather determinedly declared as he stared at Sirius rather pointedly.

Sirius merely loudly snorts in reply as Severus reaches in his pocket and pulls out a carefully polished silver watch on a silver pocket chain. Glancing at the time, he says, "It is nearly dinnertime, you lot best be going, while Lupin and I go for a quick patrol. Peeves was hanging about the third-floor classroom last time I checked, and I do not want to find the wall and floors covered in spit wads and gum again."

Lupin grimaces as he darkly adds, "He covered the floor in slime last time, and a bunch of first years tripped and hurt themselves. Peeves is a bloody menace!" In reply, Severus flashes Remus a heartfelt gaze of sympathy, since thanks to the Bloody Baron, Peeves never ever truly bothered the Slytherins.

"We'll see you later, James," Lupin promised as Severus ended the silencing spell, and the two Prefect's rushed out of the infirmary.

Leaving only Sirius, Pettigrew, and James behind, Pettigrew finally takes a seat on a chair at the side of the bed. The three of them are silent for some time as they listen to the sound of the infirmary's patients and the sharp footsteps of the matron rushing about. Finally, Sirius breaks the silence and says, "Er, so before all of this, Peter and I had been thinking what if you joined the Quidditch team as a trainer? We had a bit of help from Silvia, and her father, who knows the Hogwarts laws front and back. They said that is an official position even if you just would not be allowed on the field during the match. So, what do you think, mate?"

James feels a touch of guilt but slowly nods his head in reply. "I think I would like that."

Sirius perks up and immediately jumped to his feet. "I'll let Professor Babbling know!" Sirius said, and immediacy rushes out from the infirmary.

Pettigrew just sighs and drily remarks, "If he ever becomes an actual Auror, I think that he is going to get himself killed unless he fixes that terrible habit of his of always rushing off, before thinking first."

Pettigrew slightly pales as he realizes that he and James are all alone. Trying not to gulp nor flinch, Pettigrew slowly says, "I know that you are trying, James, but you don't have to force yourself to be friends with me again. I-, you'll always be my friend, no matter what. So, if you just want to be civil acquaintances that is fine too."

James studies the sincere expression on Pettigrew's face. A streak of pain, shame, guilt and bitterness flashes through James's chest. He could not recall a single instance, where Pettigrew had been so courageous nor ever truly expressed his mind. In retrospect, Pettigrew only ever seemed to chime in, and whenever he tried to express his opinions, he and Sirius would tease Pettigrew until he stopped. It was not Pettigrew, who had betrayed them first, but rather he and Sirius.

Feeling remorseful and bitter, James runs a hand through his tousled dark hair, before saying, "That probably would be the wisest course, but Gryffindor's never take the easy path."

Pettigrew blinks in obvious surprise, before a small grin flashes across his face. "Well, that certainly is true," Pettigrew wryly chuckled.

Before Pettigrew and James can continue to speak the curtain with a loud, painful screech is pulled to the side to reveal the figure of Madam Pomfrey. Firmly staring at them she says, "Mr. Pettigrew, my patient needs rest, and it is dinnertime. Visiting hours are now over, off you go."

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," Pettigrew obediently replied as he rose to his feet. "I'll see you later, James," before hurrying away under the stern gaze of the infirmary matron.

Madam Pomfrey turns her stern gaze at her patient and says, "And as for you, Mr. Potter, dinner will be brought by shortly. You are to eat all of your soup and vegetables, and then rest. There is to be no sneaking about and disturbing my other patients is that understood, young man?"

"Yes, Madam," James earnestly replied, before his curtains were shut with a loud screech.

Leaning back to rest against his pillows, James is lost in his own thoughts regarding the many events that had transpired that very same evening. So much had occurred that he could hardly believe, and at the same time, he was relieved. He would just all start over again, and in his case, that may very well be the best-case scenario.