Lacerta Black -- James Potter --

10

"I WANT HIM EXPELLED FROM THE SCHOOL!" Snape shouted as he pointed furiously at Remus, who decided that he should be there for the meeting with Dumbledore. His face was unnaturally pale as his mother put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "I COULD'VE BEEN KILLED!" 

"But you weren't you Snivelly git," James said, his face was turning a bright red with uncontainable anger. "The worst you got was a bruise on that fat nose of yours."

"James--" Euphemia started as Fleamont coughed to hide his snort of amusement.

"How dare you speak to my son like that?" Eileen Snape, formerly Prince, sneered at him with the same crooked nose on her face. "The fact that you support that creature speaks wonders about your character Mister Potter."

"I don't think we have to worry about my son's character," Fleamont was no longer amused, glaring at the woman and daring her to say anything else about his pride and joy. He'd heard plenty of stories about the Snape boy, none of them good.

Dumbledore watched the families argue, well, all of them besides the Lupins that is. Snape wasn't finished either, "Black should be expelled as well. After all, he was the one who orchestrated the entire ordeal. He sent me to the Whomping Willow and I'm sure Potter and Pettigrew helped."

"They didn't have anything to do with it, sir," Sirius assured immediately. 

"Bloody right I didn't," James snapped. "The only thing I did was go after Snape because he was being a complete dumbass."

"You pretentious--" Snape began.

"That's enough, Severus," Dumbledore finally spoke. His blue eyes were twinkling unnaturally, like he found this entire situation to be laughable. It almost made James shiver, but he was certain that his brain was just playing tricks on him. 

"I understand if you want me to leave, sir," Remus finally spoke up, ignoring his parent's protest. "It was wonderful while it lasted and I'm very grateful for the opportunity."

"Shut your mouth, Remus," James snipped at him motherly. "If anyone deserves to be at Hogwarts, it's you."

"Like hell it is," Snape scowled. "He's a monster unworthy of life--"

"Don't you dare say another word about my son," Lyall's hand twitched towards his wand before his wand intertwined their fingers with her free hand. "He hasn't done anything wrong, Albus."

"No one is being expelled today," he held up his hand to silence the protests coming from the Snapes'. "However, we do have some punishments to deal out and a paper to sign. Sirius, you are herby banned from all extracurricular activities, including Hogsmeade, for the rest of your time here as well as detention every night for a month."

He nodded, though James could tell he didn't like nor agree with it.

"Severus, you too will have a week's worth of detention--"

"My son is the victim in all of this Dumbledore!" Eileen exclaimed.

"Your son also broke curfew to go into an area banned to the student population," the Headmaster said in a smooth tone.

"Then why isn't he being given a detention as well," Eileen pointed at James.

"I believe that my son saved your son's life and almost payed for it with his own," Euphemia said as both Remus and Sirius winced. His mother's voice was thick as she held back tears. "He had to spend almost a whole week in the hospital wing."

"I agree with Mrs. Potter," Dumbledore smiled at the older woman. "It was a reckless, but heroic act on your part James."

"Of course," Snape narrowed his eyes. "Trust Dumbledore to show his favoritism to Gryffindor."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Severus," he said unapologetically. "Now, onto this paper. I need you all to sign saying that you will not tell anyone about what transpired that night nor will you tell a soul about Remus' -- what do you call it James? His furry little secret."

"And if I refuse?" Snape crossed his arms. 

"Anyone who doesn't signed will be immediately expelled," he said, his demeanor suddenly serious. "Is there anyone else who knows?"

"Lily knows about my problem," Remus said, twiddling with his fingers. "But Lacerta and Peter know everything, including what Sirius did."

"I will have them sign the paper at a later date," he smiled comfortingly to the nervous boy.

"What if I tell everyone what that freak did?" Eileen threatened.

"Then I will have you blacklisted from every job in the Wizarding World," Fleamont said with a look in his eyes that James had never seen before. "And if you try to get a Muggle job, I will do everything I can to get you fired from there as well."

Her black eyes widened in shock, but she must've known that the Potter name had more of a reputation than the Snape one. She frowned, not saying anything else but motioning for her son to sign the paper Dumbledore conjured.

"Mother--"

"Just sign it, Sev," she sighed irritably.

The rest signed without any argument, Remus obviously didn't have to but James noticed that his eyes were filling with tears that he stubbornly refused to let fall. He reached out to take his hand, sending him a grin to let him know that it was all ok.

"Parents, you may use the floo to go back home," he motioned to the fire tucked in the corner of his office. "And students, you may return to your dorms."

"Remus--" Sirius grabbed his arm as soon as they walked down the stairs, Snape pushing past them all as soon as he could. 

"Don't fucking touch me. Don't come near me. Don't try and speak to me. Just don't," he said through gritted teeth. He didn't look away until Sirius nodded in defeat and walked away.

Lacerta was leaning against the wall outside, James perked up quickly at the sight, "What are you doing here?"

"Don't cream your pants, Potter," she smirked. "I'm here because Rem asked me to be."

"Lets just go, Lacey," he grabbed her arm and made to walk away when James grasped his wrist.

"Can I come with? I don't fancy going to the dorm and sitting in awkward silence." 

"I know that you miss him, James," Remus said. "You want to be with him, you're closer to him so just go."

"Why would I want to forgive that prat?" he said, surprised. "Do you really think that my love for Sirius would blind the fact that he almost got me fucking killed?"

"He didn't almost kill you, James. I did."

"No, he was the one that sent Snape," he snapped. "He is the reason it happened at all, so it is his fault. He used you as a weapon and that was not ok."

"Thank you for saying that, James," he said after a pregnant pause.  He seemed unsure about the words as he spoke them. Lacerta was looking between the two, obviously feeling uncomfortable witnessing their fight. "But I just need time away from the group right now, all of you."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Moony," he frowned. "I understand you need space and I'll be there whenever you need me. See you around?"

"Obviously doofus," he rolled his eyes. "We do share a dorm."

He smiled sadly as he watched the two walk away arm-in-arm. He had never felt so alone. James was a people person and now the only one he had left was Peter. He was ashamed to feel like that wasn't enough.