Moony : Neville’s birth

Harry was not the first baby I carried in my arms.

By the times of happiness and danger, Sirius and I lived together in London, and so did Frank and Alice Longbottom, but in Frank’s mother’s house.
Usually, Augusta Longbottom was not exactly comical; or despite herself, but she’s been an impregnable stronghold for her family, until the end. She was made to survive us all.

Forced to give birth at home, so as not to attract Death Eaters, Alice had been in a painful labor for thirteen hours in her bedroom with the only help of the old witch. But there he was, a joyful and round baby, welcomed by the pride of his parents and grandma.

As we came, Sirius and I, to cheer the newborn, Augusta immediately tried to find us slippers, but not having my size, I had to spend the evening in socks.

“ Remus ! Please take the baby while I cut your delicious cake!” Sirius and I had managed to cook an triumphant Black Forest ( or Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte for the purists) … We knew that it was Alice’s favorite cake. What better way to recover from such childbirth than a mountain of whipped cream, a rain of dark chocolate chips and a lot of kirsch ?

“ But Alice … I really don’t know how to carry babies.
– Uh, there we are ! growled Augusta, those fellows, they’re huge; they can flatten a dozen enemies; and they’re not even able to take a baby in their arms…
– Please mum … implored Frank
– I guess it’s not that difficult Rem, said Alice,  make a cradle of your arm, like this… His neck just needs to be supported… You see, it seems that he feels comfortable here !”

The tiny boy was looking at me with an expression of frank surprise. At me, or maybe at a big and distant face with a shadow of  mustache to which he stretched out his little hand. I was really surprised by the tone of this small body, muscles in the back and thighs that were contracting hard against my arm, and legs high, pedaling furiously through the void. Sometimes he clenched his fists against his mouth with big, concentrated sighs…

“ Hey Neville, you’re such a strong boy! Hulloooo …”

Augusta and Sirius laughed together.

“ What’s the matter, Padfoot ? You don’t like my mummy style ?
– It’s your Hulloooo , dude, answered Sirius by serving Augusta her third glass of brandy; it’s so exquisite ! “
Augusta giggled in her glass, and I wondered what capacity of resistance she could have developed at alcoholic evenings. Elders are often formidable at this sort of game…

“ Don’t listen to this pathetic guy, Neville, he’s just jealous … I can carry you all on one arm, what’s totally impossible with him, even if he’s not very thick…”

So the little baby started to waddle happily in my arms, uttering little hoarse cries of satisfaction that made all of us laugh with delight.

It was Neville’s joy …  

Moony : James

Potterheads still talk about this era , during the first wizarding war, when mistrust grew between Sirius and I.

We have lived together after Hogwarts, by the time James offered me financial support.

” Don’t feel bad about it, Remus, he said.I know what your real value is. You’re such a fucking erudit ; you can fight like a lion , you know a huge amount of spells and remedies to heal animals, creatures, and even us if we’re broken! You will be recognized one day, promised…
I don’t pay you for anything, old chap; I just want you to stay with us. Lily loves you, you are the only one who can control Sirius, and you’re to me the most amazing companion I can imagine.
I’m sure you’ll be a marvellous uncle for my child, too…Take this money as the pledge of our unique friendship that shall never die .”

James didn’t use to speak with this solemn tone; I think it’s the only time he did. Think what you want about him, or against him ; I don’t care. His hates were incredibly strong; but once you’ve gained his affection, he was the embodied trust. And nothing, really nothing could question it.

Sadly it was Sirius who noticed a change in me.
I can’t deny the change was real. I can’t deny my body had kept on transforming.When I arrived as a young boy in Hogwarts; James and Sirius were both taller than me. But now, my human body had reached his full size to bear full moon metamorphosis. And when I was in a bad mood, it could really look disturbing, I understand.
Dumbledore asked me more and more often to go in immersion amongst werevolves.I don’t swear I’ll have one day the strength to talk about those missions. They were so painful that when I came back with my friend ; the thought of losing them forever haunted me.

Did I really deserve them? My little Peter, my sweet Lily, my adorable James … and of course, Sir Padfoot, my very beloved.