/𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒\ [𝒔. 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌]

𝟑.𝟝.𝟤

"and I rose in rainy autumn and walked abroad in a shower of all my days..." ~ Dylan Thomas

~november 1973~ (continued)

The Great Birthday Wars of 1973

Two days before Artemis's birthday, Marlene, Lily, and Mary all gathered in the common room for 'official party planning matters' as Lily called it. "Okay," she said, brandishing a notebook and quill. "We've got two days to get this done, so we need to divide and conquer. Mary, you're in charge of decorations. We need banners, streamers, the whole lot. Got it?"

"On it," Mary said, already working out sketches in her own notebook for a 'Happy Birthday Artemis' banner.

Lily nodded. "Okay. Marlene, I need you to do setup and guests. Get everyone in Gryffindor on our side, not James'. Make sure everyone knows it's a surprise party. And if you can sneak a few people from outside our house into here, that'd be great."

"You got it," said Marlene.

"Great," Lily said, crossing a few things off of her checklist. "I'll cover keeping it a secret from Art and also food and little details-" She broke off when she looked over Marlene's shoulder and saw James and Peter approaching their group, Remus trailing behind them begrudgingly.

"What's up?" asked James, crossing his arms over his chest.

Lily quickly closed her notebook. "None of your business, Potter."

"Party planning?" said James. He scoffed. "A bit late for that, don't you think? We've had all this covered for days now."

"Yeah, because you don't know the first thing about party planning," Marlene snapped.

Remus rolled his eyes. "You all know this is really dumb, right?" he said with a sigh, crashing onto the armchair next to the girls. "Why don't you just have a joint party?"

"Absolutely not," said Lily. "Planning a party with him must be a nightmare." She jerked her head at James and then turned to Peter. "I'm sorry you have to deal with that," she said with false sincerity.

Peter shifted uncomfortably. James snorted. "You think party planning with me is a nightmare? You're a tyrant, Evans. A literal tyrant."

"At least I have an actual plan," said Lily. "Your party's just going to be a bunch of idiots standing around bored."

"Shhhh," Mary said quickly. "Look."

All six of them turned around at once to see Sirius and Artemis climbing through the portrait hole together, arguing back and forth as they walked towards the little group by the fireplace. "Act natural," Lily hissed.

"I'm not saying cheating on your homework isn't easier, I'm just saying it's not ethical," Artemis was saying.

"Why not, though?" argued Sirius. "They give us all this work and expect us to do it all in a matter of hours- what do they expect? I can guarantee all of the teachers know students cheat."

"That doesn't mean they think it's right!"

"But if you're not going to get caught, why not do it?"

Artemis flopped down on the couch in front of the fire. "Bottom line is that I'm not letting you look at my Charms homework. Do it yourself." She turned to the others and gave them a small smile. "Hey, guys."

"Hey," Marlene said, her voice jumping up an octave. "We were just... uh..."

"Talking about the Charms homework," James finished for her.

Artemis groaned. "Don't mention the Charms homework to me. I've had enough of it."

"She won't let me copy off of her," Sirius filled them in.

Remus raised his eyebrows. "Well, I've had enough of this conversation too. Art, you want to go for a walk?"

"Absolutely." Artemis jumped off of the couch. "Let's go."

Peter gave James a pointed look, and then turned to Sirius. "Hey, there's something I want to show you in the dormitory. Come on." Then, turning back to James. "Keep working on that homework," he muttered before leading Sirius up the stairs and out of sight.

Lily watched them go, and then turned back to the girls. "Alright then. Back to work."

~

It was November third and the common room was split in half. On one side, James and Peter were directing the goings on of Sirius's party. They'd recruited most of the Gryffindor team to help with setup, and James stood on one of the tables directing traffic. "There's something missing..." he muttered to himself. "Mitch, do you have those Gryffindor banners they use at the games?"

"In the dormitory," said Mitch. "I'll get them."

On the other side of the room, most of the girls in Gryffindor were setting up Artemis's party. Marlene had worked some sort of magic to get so many people on their side, and Lily was thriving on the energy of it all. "Mary, the decorations look great," she said as she breezed past on her way to the food table. "Alice, d'you mind moving the couches over to make more room? Maybe get Dorcas to help."

"Got it," said Alice.

Lily nodded and then turned to survey the room as a whole. She had no doubts that her side of the room looked better than the boys'. She accidentally caught James's eye from across the room and narrowed her eyes. James glared right back before turning to keep directing the preparations.

On the boarder of the two sides, Alice was having trouble moving the couches. "Come on, Ally," Dorcas said from the other end of the couch, "On three."

"Want some help?" Frank asked, sidling over to the girls.

Alice raised her eyebrows at him. "Not from your side," she said with a mischievous smile.

Frank laughed. "Well, our party's going to be better, anyway."

"Oh, definitely not," Alice said, her eyes sparkling. "D'you see all the work we're doing?"

Frank looked around the room, shaking his head with a good-natured smile. "Two parties in one common room. Bet this is a first."

"Better be a last, too," murmured Alice. "So are you going to help us move this couch or what?"

When at last both parties were finished, Lily and James met in the center of the room. James stuck out a hand. "May the best party win."

"Glad you're admitting defeat," Lily said, begrudgingly shaking his hand.

James laughed. "No, I'm just warning you you're going to lose."

"What determines if you win or lose?" Mary asked, looking confused.

James and Lily hesitated. Neither of them had thought that far ahead. "Number of guests in each party?" said James.

Lily nodded. "Number of guests. Prepare to go down, Potter."

"In your dreams, Evans."

~

"They're throwing us a birthday party, aren't they?" Artemis asked gloomily.

Remus nodded. "Yep. Wasn't supposed to tell you, though."

They were walking back to Gryffindor Tower from the library, where Remus had been instructed to keep Sirius and Artemis occupied while the parties were being set up. Sirius sighed. "I don't want a party," he said. He'd been in a bad mood all day.

"Well, you're about to walk into two at the same time," said Remus, equally as moody.

"They could've at least asked us," murmured Artemis. Sirius nodded. Artemis wasn't up to talking to anyone just then. Percy had been in the library just a few tables away from her and he wouldn't even make eye contact. They hadn't spoken since the failed prank on Bellatrix and Artemis was slowly losing hope that they ever would.

Sirius stuck his hand in the pocket of his robes and clenched his fist around the crumpled letter he'd received from his parents that morning. The words blood-traitor, mudblood lover, and disappointment were still circling around in his head. A party was the last thing he wanted just then. "What d'you mean by two parties?" he asked, trying to distract himself.

"There's been this big birthday war between James and Lily," explained Remus. "Everyone's divided. You know them, they'll look for a competition anywhere."

Artemis groaned. "Great," she said sarcastically. "Even better. I get to choose between my friends on my birthday."

"Happy birthday, by the way," Sirius said with an attempt at a smile.

"You too," said Artemis, but she didn't sound any less miserable.

When they rounded the corner that led up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower, they were met by Regulus, leaning up against the wall with a book in his hand. When he spotted Sirius, Remus, and Artemis, he stood up straight and gave them a wide grin. "Happy birthday!" he said all-too-cheerfully.

"Thanks," said Sirius.

Regulus turned to Artemis. "And you too, jolie."

"How did you know it was my birthday too?" Artemis asked, distracted from her bad mood for a moment.

Regulus winked at her. "I have my ways. Anyway, I have to get back to my common room, I just wanted to wish you a..." He trailed off when there was a clattering on the stairs and Marlene appeared, a sour expression on her face.

"Where have you lot been? We've been waiting," she said impatiently.

"I held them up," Regulus apologized. "Sorry, I was just leaving."

Marlene gave him a look of dislike and watched as he disappeared down the hallway. "What was he doing here?" she asked, her face wrinkled like she'd just smelled something bad. Sirius started towards her furiously, but Remus held him back by the sleeve.

"He was just wishing us a happy birthday," Artemis said, miserable once again. "Jesus, Marlene, calm down."

Marlene shrugged. "Whatever. Come on, follow me. We- ah- Lily wants you to help her with her Charms homework."

Sirius and Artemis exchanged a look of pure sorrow, and then followed Marlene up the stairs to the portrait hole.

The moment they stepped into the dormitory, what seemed like the whole of Gryffindor jumped out from various hiding spots and shouted, "Surprise!"

Artemis jumped at the noise and Sirius flinched hard, but they both covered it fairly quickly and pasted on smiles, ready to pretend to enjoy themselves for a few hours. "Come on, Art," Marlene said, whisking Artemis away to the other side of the common room. "The girls are over here. This is your party. And-" She gestured to the other side of the room, "-that's Sirius's."

"Ah," said Artemis, allowing herself to be shunted around without really caring where she was going.

Lily and Mary ran up first and hugged Artemis, both glowing with excitement. "D'you like it?" Lily asked eagerly. "Happy birthday!"

"It's great, Lily," said Artemis, forcing a smile. "Really, it looks awesome."

Alice was next to give Artemis a quick hug. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Alice."

The next few minutes were filled with hugs from people Artemis barely knew and thanking people for throwing her a party. She tried her best to seem surprised and as excited as everyone else, but her energy waned with every moment. She ended up sitting on the stairs that led up to the girls' dormitory with Mary. "I did all of the decorating," she said proudly.

"It looks wonderful," said Artemis, and she truly meant it. "Really, Mary. I love the banners- did you paint those?"

Mary's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Oh, yeah," she said excitedly, "I didn't know if they were going to turn out because I don't draw letters much, but I think they look alright."

"Better than alright," said Artemis, admiring the nearest happy birthday banner. "You're one of the most talented artists I know."

"That's a lot coming from you," Mary murmured genuinely. "You're always reading those books about art and things. I wish I could learn more about the history of it and techniques and stuff, but I really just like drawing and painting."

Artemis smiled. "I wish I could draw or paint like you do, but I really just like reading about it." Both girls giggled.

Near the border of the two parties, Remus sat on the arm of a couch pushed to the side of the room. Dorcas stood next to him. "So, this is completely insane, right?" she asked, taking a sip of butterbeer.

Remus nodded. "I have my theories about mass-insanity spreading through the house."

"Really?" said Dorcas. "I was thinking more herd-mentality."

Remus laughed bitterly. "I'm glad they're getting a party and all. They both deserve it. But, come on, birthday wars?"

"People around here will take any excuse to throw a big party."

"And start an argument," murmured Remus.

Dorcas nodded. "Glad I'm not alone in sanity."

"Might just be the two of us, though."

Nearby, Emmeline was talking animatedly to James about the professional quidditch season. James adamantly refused to cross the boarder to the girls' party, so they sat right on it, one on each side of the line. "And the Appleby Arrows-"

"Oh, don't talk to me about the Arrows," James groaned. "They haven't had a good season in years. Damn shame, really."

"But they won their last match!" argued Emmeline. "People are saying they might have a shot this season!"

James shook his head. "People are always saying that. Trust me, they'll start losing again pretty soon here."

Emmeline shook her head. "I don't believe it. Imagine if it was the Arrows against the Cannons in the world cup."

"That would be the quickest match in history," said James. "The Cannons would destroy the Arrows in seconds."

"Who d'you think it'll be then?"

James thought for a second. "I'd say the Wasps and the Harpies."

"No way," said Emmeline. "It'd be a great match, but it's wishful thinking. I'd say it'll be the Cannons and the Tornadoes."

"The Tornadoes?" James said incredulously. "That's bloody insane, Em. Bloody insane."

Across the room, Sirius and Frank were having a similar conversation about cars. "Did you see the Porsche 917?" said Sirius. "It's one of the fastest."

"Ahhh, I'm not big on Porsches," said Frank. "Did a lot of work on them over the summer at this muggle garage I work at. Honestly, the engines in the 917 are faulty."

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "What kind of rich car garage are you working at?"

Frank grinned. "The best kind. In my opinion, the Triumph 270 is one of the best cars out there right now."

"Boring," said Sirius. "It looks like a car a dad would drive."

"But it runs great!" argued Frank. "Foolproof."

Sirius laughed. "If you had to work on it in the garage, then it must not be totally foolproof."

"Oh, shut up."

~

Once everyone else had cleared out and gone up to bed, only Sirius and Artemis were left in the scattered remains of the party, sitting side by side on their usual couch by the fire. "I think we're the only ones who stuck to the 'girl's side boy's side' rule," Artemis said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I even caught Lily talking to Fabian Prewett on our side near the end," laughed Sirius. Then, shaking his head in wonder, "Birthday wars... bloody insane, isn't it?"

"Well, that's James and Lily for you," said Artemis.

"Who d'you think won?" asked Sirius.

Artemis shrugged. "I think they lost track halfway through. Did you have fun?"

Sirius thought about it for a long moment. "No," he said at last. "Did you?"

Artemis shook her head. "No."

"Fantastic."

"It was a nice thing to do, though," said Artemis. "I just wasn't in the mood."

Sirius nodded. "Me either. People kept hugging me- did they do that to you?"

"Yes!" cried Artemis, happy to have someone to commiserate with. "People I barely even know. Why do they do that?"

"I haven't the faintest idea," said Sirius, shaking his hair out and running his fingers through it restlessly. "Hey, d'you think you can give me a haircut again?"

Artemis looked up in mild surprise. "Sure, but not right now."

"Come on," Sirius protested. "As a birthday gift? It's getting way too long."

"Mmmm, no."

"But Artemis, you're not supposed to say that- it's my birthday!"

Artemis laughed out loud. "It's my birthday too, you idiot, and I can say no to whatever I want."

Sirius let out a dramatic sigh and hung is head back, letting his long hair sprawl over the couch cushions. They were quiet for a moment. Then, in a more serious tone, "Have you... noticed anything strange... about Remus?" Sirius asked.

"There's a lot of strange things about Remus. You're going to have to be more specific," Artemis said, narrowing her eyes.

Sirius picked his head back up and sat up straighter, choosing his next words carefully. "Like... he... he disappears every month. Like clockwork And it's like... it's like he knows when he's going to be leaving. Even when he says there was an emergency at home- it's like he knows beforehand."

Artemis nodded her head fervently. Sirius had just confirmed something she'd been thinking about for a little while now. "And he always gets really sick before he leaves. Even if he says his mum is sick- he's the one who looks- just... sick."

"Yes!" said Sirius. "And he gets all strange when you bring it up. Like he doesn't want you to know, even when he's obviously not feeling well."

Artemis crossed her legs under her, suddenly riveted by the conversation. Sirius noticed her change of demeanor instantly. For the first time that day, she seemed wholeheartedly invested in what they were talking about. "And he won't except help- ever. Even if it's just carrying his books for him. Do you think he's got some sort of illness?"

"That's what I thought at first..." Sirius said thoughtfully. "But now I'm not so sure."

"Then what d'you think it is?"

"I have no idea."

They stayed in the common room for a long time after that, the conversation lapsing in and out of discussion about Remus. Neither of them were good at staying on one topic for long amounts of time, but they always veered back into discussing what might be wrong with their friend. The theories they came up with got wilder and wilder, none of which seeming very plausible. Hours later, Artemis was laying on her back, her head propped on a pillow. Sirius was sitting at the edge of the couch, his legs drawn to his chest, his head lulled against the cushions. The conversation had gotten lazy in the last hour or so as they got more tired.

"Oh look..." Artemis said sleepily. "The sun's coming up."

Sirius picked his head up to look over his shoulder at the window. "Brilliant," he said, too tired to sound sarcastic.

"We should get to bed," said Artemis, but she made no move to stand up.

Sirius gave her a small smile. In one laborious movement, he pushed himself off of the couch and staggered slightly. "There. Come on, Art, you can do it too." He reached a hand out and when she took it, he quickly dragged her off of the cushions and let go.

She fell to the floor with a crash and Sirius let out a shout of laughter. "Have I mentioned..." Artemis muttered, stumbling to her feet, "That I absolutely hate you, Sirius Black."

"Feeling's mutual," he said, still laughing. "Now, to bed with you."

"Don't tell me what to do," Artemis said, pushing Sirius's shoulder, but she brushed past him and started towards the stairs to her dormitory. "Goodnight, Sirius."

"Goodnight, Art."