RP: Boys' day out

[tt_james]

Date: 24 March 2002
Characters: James, Remus, and Sirius
Setting: World's End Pub
Content: TBD
Status: Private : Open

James arrived at the pub a little before noon, not wanting to make his friends wait and pretty sure his reputation for lateness had most likely always driven Remus up the wall (as it had with Lily, he'd learned). He said hello to Lisa and Paul (the grumpy kitchen worker was actually a nice enough guy, especially if you were on Lisa's good side, which James made sure to be) and then took a booth in the front corner and faced the door to keep an eye out. Not that the place was very busy - they had brunch but not a huge selection and James figured the younger people of the settlements weren't necessarily the 'brunch set' like there had been back in London.

Lisa brought him three menus and a coffee and he ordered a bloody mary - it was brunch after all - and waited for Remus and Sirius to arrive. Part of him was nervous, especially as he'd decided to tell them about himself and Lily and he was afraid Sirius might take him to task to make sure he didn't screw things up. He'd also recently heard that an Auror named Nymphadora Tonks had come through the Portal and according to the datapad, she'd been married to Remus at some point. In a way, he hoped he and Remus could commiserate - both had children they'd never known and a wife they didn't realize they'd had, right? And everyone needed a friendly ear sometimes, what else were best friends for, even over space and time and death?

Comments

[tt_remus]

Remus wandered in a few minutes before schedule and after his eyes adjusted to the not-as-bright-as-outside interior, looked for James. He spotted him and headed over. How strange. James looked so young! He wondered at what age his friend had been pulled.

He was at a near loss for words. "It's great to see you!" He exclaimed. It had been 12 long years since he'd seen James. Remus wondered what James would think of him... so old. Of course, Remus mused, Sirius was old than him.

He took a seat across from James, wondering what to eat and drink.

[tt_james]

James stood when the man who looked like an older version of Remus stopped near his table with a surprised look on his face. He looked him up and down as Remus exclaimed and then moved to hug him tightly. "Moony! My gods! You could be your father!" He laughed heartily, hoping his friend knew he didn't care about his age.

"Sit, sit!" He sat back down and pointed that Remus should do the same. "My gods, Moony, how old are you? I mean, how are you?" James joked.

[tt_remus]

Remus couldn't help but laugh. "Good to see you too mate. I'm...34. Wow. I got old," he said with a chuckle. "Otherwise, I'm doing good. How old are you? You look like you can barely shave. Not that you could ever grow facial hair..." It felt good to be back with his friend, teasing and messing around. "how are you?"

[tt_james]

"34, wow," James mimicked his friend sincerely. "I'm 18, I'd say, got pulled in '78, about a year after mum and dad passed," he figured pointing out an event was easier than doing the math on both of them. "I was about a month from finishing my Auror app, and about six months from getting back with Lil, according to the history books," he explained.

"What about you? When did you come through? What were you upto at 34?" He'd read about Remus' role in the second war, of course, but sadly didn't know more about his friend's life.

"I'm doing great, but details will have to wait for our dear Padfoot," he grinned his signature, cocky smile.

[tt_remus]

"18? Wow. Long time ago. Well, I've been teaching at Hogwarts for the '93-'94 school year. Mostly I've been trying to work odd jobs here and there. Dumbledore is a good man." Remus said with a slight shrug. "At present, your son has discovered the Marauders Map... in my time at least. That was a surprise. I thought you had it all along."

[tt_james]

James laughed out loud, "You were teaching?! And Harry found the map? Filch snatched it up 7th year, remember? I tried to sneak in and steal it back from his god-awful office, but it wasn't there, no matter where I looked, tried accio till I was hoarse." He shrugged, happy that it had at least found it's way into the right hands.

"So what was teaching like? I bet you were good at it, always the studious one of us," James thought out loud.

[tt_remus]

Remus nodded. "I was teaching. The kids seemed to enjoy it... Or at least fake it well," he said with a grin. "I forgot about that... well. Harry is figuring it out. I suspect the ones who gave it to him could make us look innocent. Molly and Arthur's twin sons."

He shook his head slightly. "Why do we have to wait for Sirius? You haven't got anyone pregnant have you? You haven't even been here that long!" he asked suspiciously. He wondered if he could keep a straight face.

[tt_james]

James laughed, "Only takes once!" But then thought of what Remus had said, "That's right, Molly and Arthur had twins. I really should send them a note, see how much they've changed..." He said it almost wistfully. It was true -- all of his friends, colleagues, schoolmates... they had all either died since he'd last known them, or they'd grown and lived their lives without him.

He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, messing it like he usually did during casual conversation, "So, speaking of getting people pregnant..." He wasn't sure how to ask about this Tonks person. "Have you heard about the recent arrivals? Like us, I mean?"

[tt_remus]

Remus eyed the man. "Have you heard about the new arrivals?" He was curious to know what James knew. And what James was hinting at.

[tt_james]

"Merlin, Moony. I can read. Nearly the first thing I did, after Sirius made me at least, was read up on everything I'd missed. Have you yet?" He didn't want to drop any bombs on Remus, especially less than a week before the Full.

[tt_remus]

"I got caught up. Yes. On everything." Remus said, hoping his friend would catch the hint. Remus was trying to avoid the Full moon despite what his body was protesting at not having any Wolfsbane.

[tt_james]

"Oh for crying out loud Moony, we're both adults here." He looked down at himself and shrugged at his friend. "It seems we both came back to learn we have wives and babies we never knew anything about. Care to share?" James had never been a patient man.

[tt_remus]

"I know what you know. You've read. Yeah, I did talk to Bill and Fleur Weasley but they couldn't provide me with exact insight either. I mean they weren't there." Remus didn't know what else to say. At least Lily had more knowledge about their life than Tonks did about the pair of them. He was the one who knew more. Surprisingly.

[tt_james]

"Have you..." James broached, "Have you met her?"

Just then Lisa came by with their drinks and part of him was incredibly relieved. He made sure to point out that Remus was one of his best friends so that Lisa might treat him nicely if he were ever in.

[tt_sirius]

Sirius was running ten minutes late to the World's End. Kingsley had called him up and there were some details he wanted that just couldn't wait.

Apparating over to the path near the pub, Sirius raked his fingers through his hair. He was dressed casually in jeans and a dark blue t-shirt, and he waved to the barmaid as he entered, finding James and Remus easily enough.

Crossing to the booth, he leaned over and shook James hand before sliding in beside Remus with a lop-sided grin. "Sorry I'm late. Boss man never gives me a day off," Sirius joked dryly.

[tt_remus]

Remus answered James' question, "I was the one who told her about us. That was awkward." It could have been more awkward if he said his next comment around Sirius. Seeing as how they were related.

"Hello Sirius. Work is supposed to keep people out of trouble. In theory."

[tt_james]

"This one? Out of trouble? Remus, have you ever met us?" He asked jokingly, shaking Sirius' hand. "Lisa's already brought out our drinks, what are you having?" It was brunch after all, made for day drinking and evening hangovers.

[tt_sirius]

James' joke lifted some of the tension he felt. It would take some getting used to this, but he was thankful for the opportunity.

"Lisa, ah, that lovely lass already knows my drink. She'll be along with it," he assured James.

"Now what's this about awkward?"

[tt_remus]

"James got someone pregnant already. How crass," Remus said drily, picking up his mug to take a drink. He decided to make things interesting. "He just wanted to wait until you got here to tell us."

[tt_james]

James started, "I did nothing of the sort! I just figured I'd wait until Sirius got here to share the good news." He waited as Lisa appeared as if out of thin air with Sirius' drink, and when she'd left them alone again he lowered his voice to advance the drama.

"Well, news is, your very own teenage playboy has a lady friend." He waited to see their reactions before fully divulging.

[tt_remus]

Remus just stared at him and looked to Sirius as if to say 'are you surprised?'. Remus remembered 18 year old James. He knew he enjoyed his ladies. "Is she pretty?" He shouldn't have asked. It was James.

[tt_sirius]

It was a good thing he didn't have his drink yet because he would have spit it out with Remus' unexpected joke.

He was grateful when Lisa appeared with his drink, winking at her in thanks. Sirius took a bracing drink of it.

"Wait a minute. You..." he narrowed his gaze, then his eyes went wide. "You mean Lily, right?"

[tt_james]

James laughed out loud, "Yes you old fool, have you ever known another girl who could rope me into monogamy?!" To Remus he said, "Prettiest witch any of us have ever known." He grinned.

"She called herself my girlfriend last night as we watched a movie and I actually didn't drop dead of a lightning strike or heart attack." He lifted his glass as if to toast.

[tt_remus]

"He does have a point. Monogamy isn't his forte..." Remus said with a grin. "I'm impressed, Prongs! Does this mean you're... committed? The Big C?" This was news to him. He hadn't expected it, though seeing who it was, he shouldn't be entirely surprised.

[tt_sirius]

"It was with Lily," Sirius pointed out with a broad grin. "The minute he asked her out, he was a changed man. Didn't see him looking at a skirt when she was around, either."

Sirius lifted his glass and clicked it against James. He was pleased but optimistic. "The Big C? Give the bloke a minute to breath, Remus. Not everyone jumps in with both feet like you did, mate."

[tt_james]

James shook his head, "I wouldn't call it that much yet. Do you think she's thinking that? I'll admit I've been... Worried. Do you think she thinks I'm the same I was in 1980? I don't even know that bloke."

He looked his friends in the eyes, his concern and thoughtfulness obvious on his face. If he were another man, he might even be sweating while waiting for their thoughts on the matter.

[tt_remus]

"I think she's realized you aren't the same and you may never be that man. I think she enjoys having you around because you're familiar. Not that she doesn't really like you, don't get me wrong. She may want full commitment down the road, but doesn't every woman?" Remus finished, and turned to Sirius.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said innocently enough. Remus wasn't that man either.

[tt_sirius]

He nodded. "I think Remus is on the right track. I know she's just damned grateful you're here at all, never mind when you are from," Sirius added, taking another drink. "As am I."

Sirius growled, shaking his head. "It bloody sucks being the only bloke who knows the end game, you know. I was talking about you and my cousin, Moony."

[tt_james]

"And that's the question of the hour!" James announced with much fanfare.

"So, fess up Moony, you said you saw her, you said you're the one to tell her all the details, so what gives?"

[tt_remus]

Remus stared at the pair of them. "There is nothing to tell. I told her everything I read. That is all. She's nice." Remus was not digging all this attention.

"Since when have you been a watch-a-novie guy and not a 'let's-snog-and-make-up-our-own-plot?" He was trying to turn the tables back on James. Or Sirius. What was Sirius doing with whom?

[tt_james]

"She's nice. Please." James rolled his eyes to Sirius.

"And I'm a movie guy because I like movies, and the snogging is strictly between Lily, me, and Leo." He didn't know why he threw in the kneazle, but it seemed appropriate.

He eyed Lisa at the bar and gestured for another round.

[tt_sirius]

"Of course she's bloody nice. She's my cousin," Sirius pointed out indignantly. "I still haven't seen her since she arrived. I've been over on Australia working on the bloody Floo network."

He winked at James, nodding slightly back to Remus. "What's this I hear about Ginny Weasley spending time with you, Moony? Is that all 'research'?"

[tt_remus]

If there was ever a quicker way to make Remus blush, he didn't know. He instantly turned red. "It's research. I'm fairly certain she is not interested in me. I'm old and ... wolfy." Remus was nearly stammering. How he had actually missed this when the others were gone. WHY did he miss this?

He turned to Sirius, "What's going on with you, Padfoot? Any ladies woo'd by you? Surely you aren't all innocent."

[tt_sirius]

"You are old," he stated firmly, arching an eyebrow. He hadn't missed the enthusiasm in Ginny's voice when she'd talked about the upcoming moon or Remus. "I'm not about to ask her - give her the wrong idea, there. I'm asking you."

Sirius downed the last of his drink and glanced over toward the bar. "Woo'd? Right, because ladies just love Azkaban escapees, Moony," Siriurs replied dryly. "I'm lucky Lily looks at me without flinching."

[tt_james]

"You both are," James added with a smile at the pair. They we're old, but he loved them just the same and it felt as if things hadn't changed at all, even if it'd been nearly twenty years since they thought they'd last seen him.

"Wait, who's this Ginny girl? Not Arthur and Molly's daughter? Isn't she their youngest?" He asked, feeling woefully out of the loop.

"And as for you, Padfoot, I remember more than one of our classmates falling over themselves to get to you, a stint in Az doesn't change that, especially when you come out a hero of the war, right? Though I will say, paws off Lily," he laughed, joking.

[tt_remus]

"In my defense, I'm not as old as Sirius." Remus stated flatly, taking a drink. "And yes. Ginny is Arthur and Molly's youngest. I know. But apparently if I had continued on my life in the other world, I would have ended up with someone just a few years older than 21."

Remus suddenly felt like a dirty old man. "I'd think a stint in Azkaban would be more looked upon than someone cursed with being a werewolf. Speaking of which... Do you two want to run around on Wednesday evening keeping me in line?"

Remus was master of changing subjects. "Lily has a good heart, I doubt she'd ever shy away from either one of us, no matter what."

[tt_sirius]

"Neither of you are as old as I am," he growled good-naturedly. Sirius didn't mind that, not as much as one might think. "Then you are interested in her for more than this research," he declared, a hint of disapproval in his tone. He didn't approve. Not in the least. Ginny had been unfailingly kind to him. "I don't care about your age, Moony. I care about her not crying on my shoulder."

He shrugged. "A stint in Azkaban is only romantic to those who weren't losing their memories to Dementors every day," he stated grimly.

"If this is the research thing on Wednesday, I'll be there, if only to keep Ginny out of trouble," Sirius answered glancing over to James.

[tt_remus]

Remus frowned, was his record with women that bad to where Sirius would voice his disapproval? "I didn't say I was pursuing anything. She's a pretty young woman. Her interest in this research has me interested." Remus felt annoyed. Who was Sirius to say anything?

He chose to stay quiet. Personally, he'd rather a spell in Azkaban than having to be a werewolf. He'd take that. If the requirement to be cured was 20 years in Azkaban, he'd take it.

[tt_james]

James sat back and watched his friends go back and forth as if they'd been doing this all their lives, not just for their teenage years. Remus and Sirius both seemed younger now than when they had walked in and he couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face as he listened.

Lisa brought out brunch items and he thanked her, not interrupting the boys. Best barmaid he'd ever known, that was for sure.

Digging into his food he finally interjected and indicated they should do the same, "For what it's worth, Moony, if you like the girl go for it! It's like the normal rules of time and age apply around here," he shook his head and then pointed his fork at Sirius, "And as for you, glum dog that you are, haven't we decided this is a second chance? I won't have my best friend dwelling, even if it is Azkaban, so what can we do? Is it that you want a lady friend and haven't found one?" He waggled his eyebrows and took another grinning bite of his ham.

[tt_sirius]

Sirius took the plate and glass from Lisa with a nod and a thank you, pausing in his talk with Remus for a moment. "Ginny is a friend. A young, impressionable friend," he retorted sharply. No, he did not approve of Remus having anything more than a scientific interest in Ginny and he sure as hell wasn't going to back down from that.

James interrupted and Sirius sighed. Damn Prongs for using his own words against him. "I don't need your matchmaking, Prongs," he growled. "This isn't a contest to see who can get the prettiest girl and even if it was, there's no second chances for me. Not... not like that. Be happy with Lily, that's all I ask."

[tt_james]

James laughed loudly, "You're damn right it isn't a content because we all know Evans is the most beautiful witch any of us have ever been on the wrong end of a wand for. Point and match."

"And besides," he continued, "Who said I was going to try to match you up? I can't do all the work for you." He shook his head as if it made perfect sense.