James subtly made an excuse to leave the Great Hall, praying no one noticed the quiver in his bottom lip or the way his voice wavered when he muttered. He quickly pushed through the large doors, stopping to take a shuttering breath.
Everyone seemed to have forgotten.
James tried to be understanding. He knew unimportant things tended to slip people’s minds, and everyone had so much going on. Sirius and Regulus had just fled Grimuald Place, taking up residence in the Potter home. Remus had a grim full moon and was still trying to heal. Merely two days ago Lily finally ended her friendship with Snape and it was taking a toll on her. Marlene and Dorcas were in the midst of an argument, and James had been mediating for them. His father had fallen ill, and his mother was busy taking care of him.
James understood that he wasn’t important right now. He began to think it over as he walked, coming to the conclusion that what was important right now was taking care of his friends, which he didn’t mind. He took the burning that spread to his throat and pushed it down whilst drying his damp eyes on the collar of his robes. He was almost to the Gryffindor common room when he heard footsteps quickly approaching behind him.
“James!” the wild-haired blonde called, stopping in front of him to catch her breath.
“Is everything okay Marlene?” James asked, plastering a fake smile on his face. The worried look that followed came naturally when he saw how out of breath she was.
“Marlene, do try to breathe please,” he jokingly chastised, moving a hand to her back in an effort to steady her.
“M’sorry. I ran the- the whole way here,” she shuddered out then hunched over, placing her hands on her knees. “You walk too fast.”
“No, no. Don’t apologize. Walk this way with me? I want to tell you about something,” she replied with a poorly hidden mischievous smile.
Once she was breathing properly again the two set off, slowly making their way around the corner. There was a long stretch of silence before Marlene spoke.
“Dorcas and I made up. I realized I was wrong.”
James stopped walking and looked at her.
“Who are you and what have you done to Marlene?”
“Oh shut it,” she giggled, playfully smacking his arm. “I only have you to thank. You always do so much for us. Sometimes I forget to thank you, and I am sorry for that.”
“Okay, seriously, where did you come from? Where is the real Marlene? You’re getting all sappy on me,” James joked again, this time with a real smile creeping onto his face.
“Hey, what can I say, you bring out the best in me. All of us really.”
James settled on just nodding, the words processing in his brain. They continued to walk in comfortable silence, soon returning to the Gryffindor common room portrait.
“James?” Marlene called while gently opening the passageway.
James was immediately welcomed by a room full of almost all the people he loved, a chorus of Happy Birthdays soaring around the room. His chest swelled with a warm bubbly feeling, and a face-splitting grin spread across his face. Sirius immediately had him in a bone-crushing embrace, damp eyes pressing into his neck.
“You have no idea how hard it was to hide this from you.”
“I can imagine,” James joked, smiling brightly at the other boy.
Remus approached them, looking quite pleased with himself.
“Happy birthday Prongs,” he called, moving to settle next to Sirius.
“Thank you Moony. I presume this was your idea?”
“Me? No. That person is waiting for you upstairs.”
“Might want to head up there soon. They aren’t a big fan of waiting.”
“Remus who is-“ Sirius began, earning an elbow to the ribs. “Ow!”
James laughed at their antics and then headed to the dormitory stairs. He tried to go up slowly but anticipation got the best of him. He quickly arrived at the door, taking a moment to compose himself before gently swinging it open.
In the middle of the room stood Regulus with candles and various handmade decorations strewn around him. Under him was a blanket and basket, and his hands held a gift wrapped in newspaper.
James felt the air leave his lungs, stuck in a state of awe.
“Happy birthday James,” Regulus anxiously breathed, subtly playing with his silver rings.
James brightly beamed at him, making his way over and scooping him into a tight embrace.
“Of course, I remembered mon Cheri,” he breathed, holding James just as tight. “I spent all day working on this. I bribed Marlene with toffee to run all the way here to stop you.”
James chuckled wetly, the joy he was feeling trickling down his cheeks. Regulus pulled back slightly to cup the other boy's face in his hands, slowly wiping the tears with his thumbs.
“Thank you, Reg. This means the world to me.”
“I would give you the world,” Regulus reminded him, rolling onto the balls of his feet to reach up and plant a kiss on his lover’s forehead. “You shouldn’t stay here long. I wouldn’t want Sirius to find out about us on your birthday. I’m sure everyone wants to see the birthday boy, I had to threaten so many people to stay quiet. I even bribed your owl,” he continued, fishing a card out of his pocket.
James quickly opened it, scanning the lovely calligraphy that belonged to his mother.
“You even got Effie to keep this from me? What did you offer her, doing the dishes?”
Regulus stifled a laugh in his sleeve.
“Oh my God,” James blushed, hiding his head in his hands.
Regulus gently grasped his wrist and pulled his hands from his face.
“Let’s enjoy your picnic yeah? I heard you didn’t each much. I’m sorry to have caused you so much distress. You mentioned you always wanted a surprise party so I figured why not this year?” Regulus mentioned, a hint of anxiety in his voice.
“It’s perfect Regulus. This means so much to me. I’m okay, I promise,” James reassured.
“Perfect. I even got your favorite,” Regulus smiled as he knelt to begin unpacking the basket.
James plopped down beside him, sitting closer than reasonable for a picnic but neither boy cared.
“Those lovely crepes with the caramel and bananas?”
James faux cheered to emphasize his excitement earning a loud laugh from Regulus.
James froze. This was new territory.
“Of course I do. I know it’s soon but, there’s just, so much about you and, well, I’m not entirely sure how to articulate it but-“
The two boys smiled admiringly at each other. James decided at that moment this was the best birthday he had ever had.
I might come back to this one to edit a few things but I’m really happy to be writing again! Thank you for reading! Happy birthday James!
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