InsaneJournal

The sheer amount of chocolate James had been given meant it took him longer to get to Hogwarts than it usually would at this time of night--there way no way he could carry a giant box of it as a stag--but about a half-hour after he wrote he was on his way, he rapped the knuckles of his free hand against the door to Remus’s office. “Remus? You in there? I come bearing gifts. Well, things to share, anyway.” He’d had a couple pieces of the chocolate already, and it was good enough he wasn’t giving it all up.

--

NEWTs week was a trial for both students and staff- moreso the former, of course, though Remus had his share of late nights and annoyingly early mornings. That annoyance, though, was often turned into pride by the time the week had ended- it was the culmination of seven years worth of teaching, after all, and he couldn't help but be happy for what his students had accomplished in that time.

Sentimental shite, really, but such was Remus' way.

When the knock to his office door came, Remus glanced up from his papers- quickly whisking them away into a locked drawer for safekeeping until this visit was over. NEWTs were too important to be left lying about where wandering eyes or prying hands might find them, especially when such eyes and hands belonged to the father of a seventh year student. Not that Remus really expected James to try anything untoward, but you could never been too safe, with him.

"In here," Remus called back, finally. "Come in!"

--

James slipped inside and shut the door behind him. He was sure all the other professors were busy with NEWTs and OWLs as well, or at least busy with calming crazed fifth and seventh year students, but he didn’t want anyone to walk by and see him sitting in Remus’s office. Best case, they’d have to share the chocolate with one more person, and worst case, news of his presence would get back to Harry and distract him.

“Got anything to drink? I came straight from the office.” He had stuff there, of course, but that stayed locked in a bottom desk drawer and only brought out on special occasions. A minion bringing back chocolate didn’t qualify, as nice as it was, and he hadn’t wanted anyone to see him leave with it and talk.

They were going to talk anyway, of course, but damn if James was going to make it easy for them to generate juicy rumors. He wanted his people to be creative.

“I am always approving last-minute vacation requests if this is what I get in return,” he said as he set the box on the desk. “This stuff is beyond compare.”

--

Remus' eyes followed the box as soon as it was brought to attention, and when it was set in front of him on his desk, it was all he could do not to jump straight into it. But, no, if James was to be believed- and Remus had no reason to doubt him- then this sort of chocolate was better savored and enjoyed, not devoured.

Prying his eyes away from the box and looking back to James, Remus finally stood. "Wine, water, or whiskey?" he offered, knowing well enough the contents of a small locked cabinet set just off on one of the nearby low shelves. "At least, that is, presuming you've come to share the chocolate and aren't just dropping it all off for me."

--

“Wine or whiskey, whatever you’re having. I came to share.” Usually, James had wine with chocolate, but he usually ate it with Lily, indulging her sweet tooth. If Remus preferred whiskey, James would be equally happy to go that way, especially if the way Remus’s eyes had followed the box was any indication of the kind of day he’d had.

His eyes never leaving Remus, James flipped open the lid and pushed the box a little closer. “Have a piece while you pour. No point in waiting. I did bring it here so you could have some, after all.” He waited to take a piece, letting Remus have first pick.

--

With either wine or whiskey, Remus knew that his marking of papers was done for the night- which, perhaps, was for the best. So it was the whiskey that returned with him to the desk, along with two short glasses that were charmed to be just the right temperature for the liquor at hand. Remus motioned for James to sit- there were two chairs in front of the desk, normally reserved for visiting students, but Remus took up one and left the other for James. This way, at least, they could sit as equals and he might now, for the moment, feel like so much the consummate Professor.

Handing James his whiskey in turn, Remus then gave his attention to the box of chocolates. There were several that caught his eye- and his nose- but in the end he came away with a simple extra dark chocolate. No filling or frills, just the perfect snap and almost bitter taste on his tongue. Remus' eyes closed, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a faint smile as he sighed. "Prongs, I really do adore you."

--

James sat and poured them each three fingers of whiskey as Remus indulged in the chocolate. “And I you, Moony. Why do you think I offered to share?” He did have another box back at the office that he’d reserved for Lily--the minion had been very thankful for the last minute vacation approval--but he was glad to be able to share this one with Remus. Things had been stressful lately, and whiskey and chocolate was an excellent way to relax.

He took a sip of whiskey before biting into his own choice, one with just a hint of orange in it, and holding up his glass. “To good chocolate.”

--

Remus took his whiskey glass, raising it at James' toast and following this with a small sip, before sitting back in his chair. Oh, he'd have more chocolate in a minute, but he wanted to take his time, as much as he could.

"Sharing chocolate is a certain way to get yourself in my good graces, though I hardly need to tell you that now." Because if James didn't know that after this many years of friendship, well, he never would.

"What's new in the world, then, Prongs?"

--

“Oh, is that all it takes?” James asked with mock-surprise. “If only I’d figured that out years ago, things could have been so different.” He winked as he took another sip of his whiskey. Remus bought the good stuff, James had to give him that. It was almost as good as the chocolate, and the hint of orange in his complimented it perfectly.

“What’s new is that in a week a bunch of kids are going to think they’re actually adults and the whole world is going to expect them to act like they are, even though we should all know better.” He shrugged. “Other than that, I know about as much as you. I think after this last round of hiring--which I expect will include at least a couple of those kids I just mentioned--I’ll have the department sorted out. At least as far as personnel. Then I get to start looking at policies.”

He was dreading that almost as much, though at least once he had all the spots filled he could move a little slower on the policies, cut down on the long hours while Lily and the kids were home for the summer, at least.

--

Seventh years leaving and taking on the world was hardly a new situation for Remus, of course, though he could understand why it was at the forefront of James' mind, this year especially. Still, better to pose that as a question. "Could it be that you're concerned about said pseudo-adults because one among them bears your surname?" A quirk of an eyebrow over the edge of his whiskey glass. It wasn't that Remus wasn't concerned about Harry- or about any of his seventh years, come to that- but if he spent his whole time fretting he'd never get a damned thing done.

--

“It is hitting a tad bit closer to home this year,” James said, affecting a look of only mild concern about Harry’s future. It was a complete sham and Remus would see right through it, of course, but James had come here to relax, not to worry about what Harry would get up to as an Auror or how he was still determined to become an Animagus.

“The fact that some of them are likely to end up as my minions is slightly worrying too, though. I’m certain I’m not responsible enough to be in charge of seventeen and eighteen year olds… or old enough to be the father of one, for that matter.”

--

"Slightly so, yes," Remus agreed, though didn't prod any further. If James wanted to discuss Harry and his future, they could, but he wouldn't force it. Besides which, Remus had a feeling that James already discussed that particular topic quite a bit with Lily.

Leaning forward again, Remus chose another piece of chocolate- this time one with a hint of raspberry tart added. "I hate to be the one who has to tell you, James," he replied, levelly, "but we're old now. You could be a grandfather in a few years." Oh, Merlin, don't let Lily hear that he'd said that, she'd have his head for it.

--

"Now who's the blasphemer? We are not old. We're only 38! I couldn't possibly be a grandfather in a few years!" Of course, in a little over two years, Harry would be as old as James had been when Harry was born. But things had been different then, right? He and Lily had been very young when Harry was born, too young, really, though the joy of a baby had been a blessing in those dark days.

They weren't going to think about that, though. Absolutely not.

"We're still young and spry and totally relevant, despite what my son and his classmates might think." He nodded decisively, as though saying it made it so.

--

Remus made no effort to hide the way he rolled his eyes at James' proclamation. He might not have usually been so overt in such gestures, but with the Marauders, it was a bit different. "A charming mantra, Prongs. Delusion suits you, truly." Remus, at least, was used to feeling old- something he'd experienced long before his age matched that feeling- so informing his friend of his pending senility (more or less) was amusing to him rather than daunting or depressing.

--

James laughed and pulled the box of chocolates closer to him. "Careful, Moony, I might decide I'm done sharing my delicious chocolate." He wouldn't, of course, but if Remus was going to tease, he'd tease right back. "Besides, old and responsible are not the same thing, and I have yet to figure out how we convinced anyone we're responsible adults."

He snagged another piece from the box while it was close, and took a moment to savor the taste. This one had hazelnut inside and the nutty flavor mixed with the smoky whiskey in a way that tasted almost orgasmic. "Merlin, that's good. I'm going to have to find out where she bought this and see if they'll owl it over."

--

Remus laughed, as well, though he shook his head at the same time. "James, I was a responsible adult at age eleven, as you and Sirius were so keen to remind me, back then." It was true, at least, that Remus had always been a little too grown up for his age- he kept his friends grounded, he thought, and they reminded him to relax. At least occasionally.

"Surely your Ministerial connections ought to be able to loosen any international regulations prohibiting such imports, hm?" Remus asked, amused. He knew, yes, that James might not have actually had a hand in such things. "Or perhaps I can say that I need them for teaching aids, in Defense. Do you think they'd believe that?"

--

"I don't think anyone will buy that, Remus. Not expensive chocolate from Germany. Sorry." James didn't sound at all sorry and he smirked as he took a sip of whiskey. "The good news is that I'm fairly sure there aren't many restrictions on importing chocolate for personal consumption. So we'll just have to eat it all ourselves."

And wouldn't that be a tragedy. It would be just awful having to keep all the good stuff for themselves.

"Since I can't imagine you selling chocolate, the only issue with getting it here would be how much money it's going to cost." Not that James was worried about money. He had plenty, after all. “I do have ministry connections that might help with that, though.” A box of chocolate could easily be slipped into parcels already being sent to the ministry, diplomatic and otherwise.

--

Though Remus was better off, financially, than he had been as a young man- unemployed werewolf was not a time in his life he cared to revisit, thank you- he still tried to be somewhat conservative with his money. Which, for the most part, was easy- living at Hogwarts for most of the year meant that he didn't really have much in housing or food expenses, at least. But the chocolate in front of him surely begged the question- what was he willing to pay?

Finally, Remus sighed. Reaching for another piece, he took a slow, careful bite. Mint. "Alright, Potter. Name your price."

--

James chucked as he lifted his glass and took a sip. "Oh, I'll do my part for a share of the chocolate. The expensive bit is gong to be whatever the shop charges. I don't know where she bought this, but it can't have been cheap." This was premium chocolate after all, even considering the much higher standards German chocolate generally had.

"I'll contact the shop tomorrow, see how much they want for a box and let you know." He picked another piece as he settled back in his chair. "Think they'd let me institute a rule that all my minions have to being good chocolate back from an international trip?" It probably wouldn't fly, but it had to be worth a shot.

--

Remus considered the offer for a moment, sitting back in his chair for a moment. "I think, whatever rule you try to institute, they will go over at least marginally better if you don't call them minions, James." Not that Remus was offended by the language, in particular, but he had at least some idea how Ministry bureaucracy went.

--

“Oh, I don’t refer to them as minions when they can hear me. At least, not where most of them can hear me. There are a couple who can take it. And they give as good as they get.” Merry Goshawk, in particular, seemed to take great pleasure in coming up with names to call James as well, and their journal and owl conversations were always entertaining.

Smiling at the thought, James leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on Remus’s desk. “So what are you planning to do over the summer? Any exciting plans while all the sprogs are their parents’ responsibilities?” He wrinkled his nose in fake-distaste, though truly he was looking forward to having the cottage full of people again. The kids were reaching the age where they weren’t going to be coming home again. With Harry graduating shortly, whatever time he spent home this summer might be the last the whole Potter family lived in the cottage together.

--

He winced at the sight of James' feet on his desk- precariously close to the box of chocolate, too. Leaning forward, Remus nudged James' feet back off the desk. Honestly!

"I'm not certain," Remus admitted, once order had been more or less restored- or, at least, the chocolates weren't in any more immediate danger. "Sirius and I will be at our flat," they shared a flat in Hogsmeade over the summer holidays, rather than stay at Hogwarts, "but beyond that, I do not have any grand schemes to orchestrate." That was more Sirius' territory, anyway.

--

James let out an “oof” as Remus pushed his feet off the desk. Fortunately, the whiskey in his glass didn’t spill, though it sloshed close to the rim of his glass as he rocked forward as his feet fell. “Hey! I was getting comfortable here!” He stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles.

Once he was settled more or less comfortably, James nodded. He didn't expect Remus to have any big plans, at least not ones he'd orchestrated. "You always were better at going along with schemes than coming up with them." He smirked. "It's that responsible adult that's always been inside you. Can't come up with anything fun."

--

"It's not supposed to be comfortable, it's an office," Remus insisted, though he winced a bit at the sound of his own words. Dear Merlin, but they were all right about him. He was beyond hope.

And, really, there was no point to arguing James' verbal assessment of him, either. Most of the time, Remus didn't even mind being the responsible adult- someone had to be, and his other friends were (comparatively) not very good at it. So he just shrugged, letting the comments roll off his back. "I am exceedingly boring and content in being so."

--

"Don't see why it can't be both," James groused, though he was actually quite comfortable sitting like this. Remus's office was well-appointed and, aside from a place to prop his feet, James wouldn't change a thing.

"Fortunately for you, we like it when you're boring. Means we don't have to be." James downed the ready of his whiskey and held out a glass for a refill. "Pour some more and I'll tell you about the prank war that erupted between the Obliviators and the Invisibility Squad. They pulled off some good ones. It hurt to have to put a stop to it."