Chapter 605 - Reconciliations Ⅴ (2/2)
”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.