i solemnly swear i am up to no good

Jean frowned, watching the wizard take a bite into that gloriously juicy hamburger. He wouldn’t have been too sad about it, but the smell alone was enough to cause his stomach to rumble – it didn’t, of course. At least not loud enough to be audible, that is. “You’re killing me!” He said, laying down along the bench of the picnic table, one leg propped up on the seat. “They said half an hour. Are they made by the heavens themselves?” He questioned with a sigh. Man, he was hungry. 

It was cruel really but Sirius was finding it rather entertaining. “Mmmm, this is delicious. You should really try one.” He teased talking through his mouthful. “I wish I could help you, man.” The male gave a sigh as he shrugged taking a seat on the other side of the picnic table. “Wow, half an hour? That’s like a lifetime away, hope you’re not too hungry.”

“Hey! I was about to buy that!” Lucy pouted as she watched him take a bite, she couldn’t help but look at the burger wistfully. “Do you at least know how long it will be?”

“Should have been quicker Lucy Loo,” Sirius replied smirking with a mouthful. “I imagine it’ll be about ten minutes.” 

“Honestly, I’m having a hard time convincing myself not to go back to the crepe stall for a second one…” Remus admitted with a small laugh. The first crepe had been an impulse buy and he absolutely did not regret it. It had been fantastic and he’d basically inhaled it. “Have you been yet? They’re delicious. I had chocolate and strawberries in mine.” 

Emmeline forced herself not to smile too much, knowing he’d know he’d won. “One of us needs to be a little bit serious, no pun intended.” The brunette nodded, “Okay, okay. But you better make sure I get home tonight, Sirius Black.”

“Well, I’m always Sirius so I’ll let you be serious just this once.” The male joked finding himself way too funny. “Just Sirius will do, thank you kindly, but yeah... of course, I’ll be your own personal carer.”

“By that logic, you’re being ridiculous by suggesting that I am the one being ridiculous.” Odessa may have been sinking to his level, but she was one too many drinks in to care much about that. “I fail to remember the part where I told you I was polite.” She said, meeting his gaze. “You have your own assumptions to blame for that one.” Turning to the bartender, she ordered the same. 

"What kind of ridiculous logic is that?” Sirius asked looking at the brunette as though she was mad, though he couldn't help but smirk as he watched her resort to his level of behaviour. "Oh, so you admit you’re rude?” 

Remus smiled at Sirius’ assumption about him making the tea. “That’s a wonderful offer, Pads, thank you very much.” He answered, partly playing, partly genuinely grateful for not having to stand up if Sirius actually did make it for him. He sighed a little when he thought about all his walking. "Everyone seems to have needed me to do something today, but none of them or their tasks were in near each other. I feel like I’ve walked around the whole town multiple times.”

“Look, I don’t have time to be sat about twiddling my thumbs waiting. I need to be out there.”

“And tell me, what exactly is it that you need to be doing out there?” 

Emmeline pouted, though knew that with Sirius, there was no way he’d let her study in piece. Back in Hogwarts, her friends had often had to force her when she was stuck in the Gryffindor tower. “What do you have in mind?” She looked up at him, a soft smile on her face. “And no jumping in a freezing lake this time.”

As soon as he saw the female pout he knew he had won. Grinning, he took her hand and gently pulled her up to her feet. “Well, now that’s just boring but if you insist.” He gave a disappointed sigh. “Let’s go get rat-faced.” 

Sitting down felt so goooood. His feet in particular were very grateful for the rest. Remus watched his friend’s exaggerated response to the question with a small amused smile. “Well, I pride myself on being a good friend, so I suppose I’ll have to do that then. I don’t suppose I could entertain you after having a cup of tea though?” He shifted in the chair, getting properly comfortable, not actually bothering to make any effort towards tea. He’d get it later. “Long day. Lots of walking. Too much walking. I think I could happily sit for a week.”

Her eyes widened at his words, not exactly feeling comforted by his description or example. “I– Uh– Remus or Lily will be with you right?” She questioned uncertainly.

The male gave a loud laugh before smiling fondly at his cousin. “You mean you don’t trust me on my own?” He asked raising a brow. “Sure, I could invite them over to help.” 

It was moments like this where Andromeda found herself realising just how different the two of them were from the rest of their family. She found herself wishing the rest of the world got to see this side of her cousin rather than just the side he usually presented to the world. “Thanks Sirius, I may just take you up on that. Though I can’t say I’ve ever seen you with a baby..” She attempted to tease him.

“Well, I haven’t actually taken care of a baby before but they’re just like tiny humans so it’ll just be like looking after a drunk James, or taking care of a puppy, right?” Sirius teased, he’d never looked after a baby before but he did actually know the basics.

“Jealous? You think I’m jealous of your silly little group who spent half their time causing trouble and losing us house points? Please, Black, don’t be delusional.” Lily scoffed rolling her eyes, though as she felt him tap her nose an outraged look soon over took her features. “Sirius Black, you patronizing swine! Godric Gryffindor himself won’t be able to protect you once I’m finished with you.”

Sirius couldn’t help but wind the redhead up, she made it way too fun. He watched with an amused smirk as Lily errupted. “Yes, I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.” He pointed out nonchantly before scrunching up his nose as the female addressed him by his last name. “Sirius will do just fine, thank you very much.” A small chuckle fell from his lips. “Y’know lils, you’re quite cute when you’re angry.”

“It’s a cold but unfortunately she’s too young for the pepperup potion.” She rubbed her eyes tiredly as she moved to sit next to her cousin and leaned back to rest her head against the wall.

Sirius frowned slightly feeling sorry for the small baby, and of course, Andromeda.·“Well, you know if you ever need a night off or something I’m always happy to babysit.” He wasn’t about to admit that he’d never changed a nappy in his life, it couldn’t be that hard anyway, him and the boys would figure that out afterwards.·

“Uhuh, I’m sure they will.” Remus agreed with an amused but tired smile, letting his friend do as he wished. “If they include some chocolate too as an apology, then I might even consider forgiving them.” There was no harm in trying to get something extra out of it and he wouldn’t say no to more chocolate. “So, what have you been up to today, oh purest padfoot?” He asked as he headed towards the nearest soft seat and flopped into it, not realising how tired his busy day had made him until now. 

Emmeline had been working on her essay for her healer training all day, utterly exhausted. She’d been looking from book to book to make sure that she had everything needed. not realising someone had come up to her and obviously had spoken. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch what you said.”

Sirius rolled his eyes at the brunette. “Come on Vance, you need a break and luckily for you, your old pal Sirius could do with some company.” He stated as he leaned over her to shut the books she’d been reading. 

For a very brief moment, it was more like fleeting seconds, Lily began doubting herself and believing his words, then she remembered who she was dealing with. Instead she found herself scowling at him and having to refrain from resorting to using magic. “Yes, stupid group. I don’t care who’s group it is, all of you are stupid along with the stunts you pull.”

“Lily, Lily, Lily.” Sirius clucked his tongue—tsk, tsk—and shook his head, “Not only are you sound paranoid, but now you sound jealous too. Did you want to join, is that it? As much as I enjoy your company we already have our resident bookworm-- dare I say nerd? We don’t have room for another person to say I told you so, but if there is an opening you’ll be the first to know, okay?” He told her grinning as he leaned forward and tapped her nose with his index finger.