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latenightreadingpdf · 3 days ago

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The Cutest Thing - Sirius Black

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: When you visit the Marauders' dorm to ask Remus for help with your Charms homework, you're surprised to find a large black dog in the room.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

You hurried through the hallways of Gryffindor Tower, clutching your Charms textbook and muttering to yourself. The essay Flitwick assigned was due tomorrow, and you were in desperate need of help. Luckily, Remus Lupin was your go-to for all things academic, and you figured he wouldn’t mind you dropping by the Marauders’ dorm.

When you reached their door, you knocked softly at first, then a bit louder when no one answered. From inside, you could hear what sounded like… barking? Frowning, you knocked again. Still no answer. The barking continued, frantic and insistent.

Worried something was wrong, you slowly pushed the door open.

“Hello? Remus?”

The scene that greeted you was not what you expected. Remus was sitting cross-legged on his bed, nose buried in a book. James was lounging on his bed, tossing a ball in the air, while Peter sat at the desk scribbling something on parchment. In the center of the room was a large, black dog pawing at Remus, barking as if trying to get his attention.

You froze in the doorway.

James noticed you first, the ball dropping to his chest with a thud. “When did you get here?”

You gestured at the dog. “Uh… whose dog is that?”

All three boys froze, exchanging a fleeting, panicked glance.

“Oh, him?” James said quickly, sitting up. “We, uh, found him outside. Poor thing was injured, so we brought him in to heal him up.”

Your heart melted instantly. “Oh, you poor thing!” You crouched down, extending a hand toward the dog. “C’mere, boy.”

The dog—who had been ignoring the boys entirely—turned to you immediately, tail wagging furiously. He sniffed your hand, then began licking it enthusiastically.

You laughed, scratching behind his ears. “You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. And your fur is so soft!”

The dog leaned into your touch, practically vibrating with joy.

James cleared his throat. “Yeah, he’s, uh, a good boy. Aren’t you, boy?”

“What are you going to do with him after he’s healed?” you asked, looking up at the boys.

The dog let out a whine, nudging your hand with his nose.

“Not sure yet,” Remus said tightly, glaring at the dog as if it had personally insulted him. “Probably just let him back out where we found him.”

You frowned, running your fingers through the dog’s fur. “That’s so sad. I’ll miss you so much, boy.”

The dog whined louder, pressing his head into your lap.

James stood abruptly. “Well, it’s getting late! You should probably head back to your dorm now.”

You blinked. “It’s six o’clock?”

“Yep, still, you’ve got a big day tomorrow,” James said, ushering you toward the door.

“Alright, alright, I’m going,” you laughed, giving the dog one last scratch behind the ears. “Bye, cutie!”

The dog barked, wagging his tail so hard it thumped against the bedpost.

The moment the door closed behind you, Remus rounded on the dog.

“Change back, now.”

With a shimmer of fur and a crack, Sirius Black stood in the middle of the room, his trademark smirk firmly in place.

“Did you hear her?” he asked, looking positively delighted. “She said I was the cutest!”

Peter groaned, dropping his head into his hands.

Remus scowled. “You’re insufferable.”

“I can’t help it,” Sirius said, throwing himself onto James’s bed dramatically. “I’ve got the charm—both human and canine.”

James rolled his eyes. “Just don’t get too comfortable, Pads. She’ll find out eventually.”

“And when she does,” Sirius said, grinning like a maniac, “she’ll already think I’m adorable.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ just a short little blurb because I’m bored

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latenightreadingpdf · 5 days ago

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Summer Nights - James Potter

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: Y/N and James Potter have been best friends since childhood. When Sirius and Remus decide to stay with him for the summer, James makes a pact to make it the most unforgettable one yet.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

You and James had known each other since the very beginning. Growing up in the house next door, you were each other's first friend, practically inseparable from the start. Your parents were close friends, wizards who had known each other even before you were born, and they would often joke that the two of you had been “partners in crime” from the time you could crawl. There were countless photos scattered around your house: a tiny James, his glasses too big for his face, helping you attempt your first levitation spell, or the two of you on your broomsticks, flying low and wobbling slightly as you raced across the yard.

But when it came time for Hogwarts, your paths diverged. James got his letter, of course, but for reasons your parents never fully explained, they decided you wouldn't go. They reassured you that it wasn’t a reflection on you or your abilities, but rather a decision to keep you safe, especially with the state of the wizarding world. Instead, they’d teach you magic themselves while you went to a regular Muggle school.

James tried everything to convince them otherwise, insisting he’d look after you and make sure you were never in danger. He promised he wouldn’t let you out of his sight, that he'd stand by your side through every lesson and defend you from anything Hogwarts could throw your way. While your parents found his offer adorable, they held firm. So, when September came, you stayed behind, and James went off to Hogwarts. Since then, the school year had always meant time apart, and you’d count down the days until the holidays and summers, waiting for him to come home.

But you never let the distance stop you from being close. You and James had an unbreakable bond, kept alive through a flurry of letters every term.

During the school year, those letters became everything. James would write about all the things he was sure you’d love: his new friends, his latest Quidditch achievements, the clever pranks he pulled off with Sirius, and the way Remus could calm down even the rowdiest moments. He sent stories of sneaking around the castle at midnight, stumbling upon Peeves the Poltergeist, and even daring detours to the Forbidden Forest. Every letter was filled with a whirlwind of adventures, and he’d end each one by telling you how much better it would all be if you were there to experience it with him.

You wrote back just as often, sharing every small detail of your life that he was missing. The mundane lessons, the Muggle friends who couldn’t know anything about magic, and the spells your parents taught you at home—magic that felt incomplete without being able to share it with him. You’d complain about how ordinary your school was in comparison, with no magic staircases or enchanted ceilings. In each letter, you’d tell him how much you longed to be there, side by side, where you belonged.

James would read your letters with a broad grin, practically glowing as he opened each one. He didn’t care how confused it made his friends when they caught him smiling like a maniac at breakfast, owl perched on his shoulder. He'd be quick to tell them, “Oh, it's just Y/N,” and go on about you until Sirius and Remus couldn’t help but be curious about this friend he adored so much but whom they’d never met.

As the end of the school year approached, his excitement reached new heights, because this time, he wasn’t just coming home to you; he was bringing his friends with him. He wrote letters counting down the days, telling you everything about how thrilled he was to finally introduce you to Sirius and Remus, and how he was sure you’d love them. The train ride back was filled with his chatter about you, barely giving his friends a chance to ask questions before he’d start rambling about how you were practically family to him.

And then, after what felt like forever, the last day of term finally arrived.

James could hardly keep himself in check. The moment he got home, he was already dashing down the lane toward your house, his friends scrambling to keep up. By the time he reached your door, his heart was racing, his hands fidgeting with anticipation as he knocked, practically bouncing on his feet. He could hear footsteps approaching, and he barely managed to hold still as the door opened.

The second he saw you, there was no holding back. You both leapt forward, and suddenly, you were in his arms, squeezing each other in a hug that held all the months and miles you’d spent apart. After a moment, you pulled back just enough to look at him, grinning as you took in his taller frame, the confidence in his smile. You raised an eyebrow and gave his arm an appraising squeeze.

“Quidditch really suits you, Potter,” you teased, laughing as he flexed under your hands.

“Glad you noticed,” he replied, playfully striking a pose as if to impress you. He was clearly showing off, but you couldn’t help but laugh, feeling the easy familiarity slip right back into place.

Your gaze shifted, catching sight of the two boys standing behind him, watching you with curiosity. Your face lit up as you looked at them. “Oh, you must be Sirius and Remus! It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

You didn’t hesitate, stepping forward and pulling each of them into a quick hug. Sirius was momentarily stunned, his cheeks tinged with surprise, and Remus’s reserved smile softened at the warm gesture. “It’s nice to meet you too, Y/N,” they both murmured in turn, caught a little off guard by your immediate warmth.

James beamed, practically radiating joy as he looked between you all. “So, want to come over and hang out?” he asked, as though he hadn’t already decided you would.

“Sure,” you replied with a grin, and soon you were all walking together back to the Potters’ house, James at your side, talking your ear off about everything and nothing at all.

When you arrived, he showed Sirius and Remus to their rooms, practically ushering them inside before taking your hand and pulling you up to his own room. Once inside, he flopped down on his bed, stretching out his arms toward you. “I’ve missed you too much,” he said, a boyish grin spreading across his face. “I need you right here. Come on!”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t help smiling as you climbed onto the bed, settling down with your head on his chest as his arms wrapped around you, familiar and comforting. For a moment, there was only a peaceful silence as you lay together, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing beneath you.

Then, in a quiet voice, James whispered, “I wish you could go to Hogwarts with me. Every day. I just… I want to do this every night.”

You felt your heart sink a little as you looked up at him, seeing the longing in his eyes. You reached up and brushed a hand through his hair, giving him a soft smile. “I know, James,” you murmured, your voice gentle. “But it’s summer now. So, we’ll make every minute together count.”

His arms tightened around you, and in that moment, you knew he wasn’t going to let you out of his sight for even a second this summer. And somehow, that made all the distance during the school year melt away.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

After settling into the house, James, Sirius, Remus, and you all gathered in the Potters' cozy living room, a comforting mix of excitement and ease settling over the group. Remus, carrying a well-loved book in his hands, took a seat on the couch beside you. His attention drifted to the cover as he cracked it open, and your eyes lit up when you noticed the title.

“Oh! I love that book, what chapter are you on?” you said, unable to hide your enthusiasm.

Remus’s face brightened, a genuine look of surprise and excitement sparking in his eyes. “Oh I’ve already finished it once, it was just so good I had to read it again,” he admitted, blushing a bit out of embarrassment.

“It’s honestly brilliant,” you replied. “Every time I read it, I find something new. I swear, it just gets better each time.”

“I feel the same way,” Remus said, smiling warmly as the two of you sat on the couch and dove into a deep discussion about characters, themes, and every twist that left an impression on you both. He seemed thrilled to find someone who understood the magic of getting lost in a book.

While you and Remus talked, Sirius claimed an armchair nearby, sprawled across it with the casual elegance only Sirius Black could pull off. James, of course, settled down directly in front of you on the floor, his back leaning against your legs. Without a second thought, your fingers found their way to his hair, gently playing with his messy curls. James hummed in contentment, tilting his head slightly to let you reach even more of his hair, his voice relaxed as he launched into a conversation with Sirius about Quidditch plays and Gryffindor’s prospects for the House Cup.

The topics bounced between everyone, shifting every few minutes—James told stories of his latest Quidditch victories, Sirius cracked jokes that had everyone laughing, and Remus shared bits of wizarding lore you hadn’t yet learned, each of you listening with fascination.

Hours slipped away, and before you knew it, exhaustion set in. The cozy warmth of the room and the quiet companionship felt like a dream as one by one, you all began to drift off. James fell asleep first, his head resting comfortably on your lap, breathing slow and steady as your hand gently rested in his hair. Sirius had curled up in the armchair, his long legs dangling off one side, his face relaxed and peaceful. You leaned into Remus, both of you resting against each other, his head lightly tilted onto yours, his book still clutched in his hand.

As you closed your eyes, a contented feeling settled over you. This was only the beginning of the summer, and you had a feeling it was going to be one you’d never forget.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

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latenightreadingpdf · 7 days ago

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Beneath the Moonlight - Remus Lupin

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: In the days leading up to a full moon, Remus Lupin receives an anonymous gift basket filled with potions, chocolates, and a carefully-brewed Wolfsbane Potion.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Y/N considered herself a rather observant student, especially when it came to the Marauders. It was hard not to notice them, really. They were practically a four-person parade through the halls of Hogwarts—pranks, laughter, and charm trailing behind them like a comet's tail. James Potter with his messy hair and endless attempts to impress Lily Evans, Sirius Black with his dazzling grin and effortless cool, Peter Pettigrew following close, always eager to please. But one Marauder stood out to her more than the rest. Remus Lupin.

There was something about him that had Y/N hooked from the beginning. Perhaps it was his quiet brilliance or the way he seemed to carry a world of mysteries in those warm, honey-colored eyes. Or maybe, it was the way new scars seemed to appear on his face and hands every so often, faint but unmistakable. They fascinated her, those scars, and as her gaze lingered on him in class or at meals, she found herself trying to figure him out.

And, admittedly, somewhere along the way, Y/N developed a bit of a crush on him. But who wouldn’t? He was brilliant, always top of the class without trying too hard, and—and yes, he was gorgeous. Handsome in that annoyingly effortless way. Soft, tousled hair that practically begged to be touched, sharp cheekbones, and—Merlin, those knit jumpers that always made him look so adorable. How was that fair? It was like he’d been sculpted by some benevolent god of tall, bookish, sweater-loving dream boys.

But Y/N’s interest in him was more than just attraction. There was something… otherworldly about him. She’d started to notice patterns—how he would seem worn and pale every few weeks, how he would disappear entirely from school grounds for a day or two, only to return looking exhausted and, if possible, even more scarred than before.

A month ago, after endless speculation and careful observation, Y/N had arrived at a conclusion: Remus Lupin was probably a werewolf. She wasn’t completely certain; it was more of an educated guess. But what could she do with this theory? It wasn’t like she could walk up to him and blurt out, “Hey, Remus! You don’t know me, but I’ve been watching you for months, and I just wanted to ask, are you, by any chance, a werewolf?”

The thought alone made her cringe. Y/N sighed, tapping her quill against her parchment. Remus Lupin might be full of mysteries and maybe—just maybe—she’d get the courage to actually talk to him someday.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The full moon was only a few days away, and Y/N could already see the toll it was taking on Remus. He was limping slightly, a stiffness in his stride that made her heart ache, and the dark circles under his eyes were more prominent than ever. He looked exhausted, like he hadn’t been sleeping in days, and though she knew he had his friends—the Marauders, always fiercely loyal—she couldn’t help but feel he needed more comfort than they could provide. She wanted to do something for him, something small but meaningful.

The idea hit her while she was rummaging through her bag in the library: an anonymous get-well-soon basket. She could leave it outside his dorm, a collection of little comforts to ease the days leading up to his transformation. She’d make sure it was subtle, not too personal, just enough to lift his spirits without drawing attention.

Excitement and nerves mixed in her stomach as she mentally listed what she’d need. A couple potions to help with sleep, pain, and anxiety, some of Honeydukes' finest chocolate, a soft blanket to keep him warm, and a few baked goods from the kitchen elves. She might even add a small note with a simple message—“Hope these bring you a bit of comfort during the full moon. Take care of yourself.”

Over the next couple of days, Y/N carefully gathered everything. She bought him a midnight-blue wool blanket that felt like a hug in fabric form and a variety of different chocolates. She used her advanced potion skills to make Murtlap Essence, a Calming Draught, and a Healing Potion.

But the most important addition was a small bottle of Wolfsbane Potion. She’d somehow managed to get her hands on the recipe, even though it wasn’t officially taught at Hogwarts—and she’d acquired a secret stash of the rare ingredients needed to brew it, though she'd never admit where from. It had taken several nights of brewing in the abandoned classroom she’d found, but she’d done it.

The full moon was only two days away when she finished assembling the basket, carefully placing the note on top before leaving it right outside the boys' dormitory. With a final glance over her handiwork, she quickly walked back to her dorm, satisfied with her work.

As she returned to her room, a little thrill of satisfaction bubbled within her. Maybe, just maybe, her small gesture would help Remus feel a little less alone, a little less burdened by the full moon’s approach. And that thought alone was enough to fill her with quiet joy.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Just a few floors below, the Marauders were still lounging in the Gryffindor common room, sprawled across chairs and couches as the fire crackled low. They’d spent hours discussing pranks, arguing about the latest Quidditch match, and bickering about everything from Potions homework to the best way to dodge Filch. When the last embers started to die, they finally decided it was time to call it a night.

As they made their way up the stairs, it was James who first spotted the basket. He froze mid-step, eyebrows raised as he pointed it out. "Er, lads... anyone know what this is?"

The other boys crowded around, peering down at the unexpected sight.

“No clue,” Peter murmured, squinting at the note resting on top.

Sirius, with his usual curiosity, leaned down and plucked up the note, inspecting it with a grin before his eyes gleamed mischievously. “Ooooooh, Remus, it’s for you!” he cooed, reading the note aloud for the group: ‘Hope these bring you a bit of comfort during the full moon. Take care of yourself.’

The boys’ faces all fell at once. Whoever had left this knew. Someone had figured it out. Their carefully crafted excuses, the timing of their sneaking around, all the little tricks they’d come up with—they thought it was foolproof. But apparently, someone had been watching more closely than they’d realized.

Without another word, they grabbed the basket, exchanging uneasy glances as they rushed into the dormitory, shutting the door firmly behind them. They gathered around Remus’s bed, where James set the basket down, and just stared at it.

“Well? Open it already!” James urged, his voice a mix of curiosity, excitement, and a tinge of concern.

Remus took a steadying breath. His friends were watching him closely as he slowly lifted the wrapping, half-expecting some kind of prank to burst out at him. But instead, he found an assortment of thoughtful items neatly arranged within the basket. A stack of Honeydukes chocolates, carefully tied together with string. A blanket, dark blue and soft, lay folded at the side. Several small bottles—potions, each labeled with precision, sat in the center, cushioned by tissue paper.

They all scanned the contents in awe and curiosity, but Sirius was the first to notice something unusual. He gasped, eyes widening as he pointed to one particular bottle.

“Holy shit, is that—”

“Wolfsbane,” Remus finished quietly, staring at the vial with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

They all fell silent, taking in the implications of that single bottle. Wolfsbane Potion was incredibly complex, nearly impossible for a student to brew, and yet here it was—crafted, sealed, and ready for him. Someone had not only figured out his secret but had gone to lengths far beyond casual concern. The potion’s presence in the basket hinted at more than just kindness; it was a deeply personal gesture, an unspoken understanding that spoke volumes.

Remus swallowed hard, his fingers brushing the cool glass of the bottle. "Did the card say who it was from?" he asked, looking over at Sirius, who shrugged and handed him the note again.

Remus read the short message over and over, searching for any hidden clues, some hint that might give away the sender. But the note was short, simple, and entirely anonymous. He turned it over, checked for invisible ink, even held it up to the light, but there was nothing.

“Not a single hint?” James murmured, peering over his shoulder, a frown deepening across his face. “Nothing?”

The group exchanged baffled glances. They examined the basket once more, handling each item carefully to make sure nothing seemed dangerous. The potions were labeled clearly and accurately, the chocolate smelled rich and sweet, and the blanket was incredibly soft—perfect for a night when he’d be feeling cold and drained. Every item seemed genuine, carefully chosen, with not a hint of a prank or hex.

As they finished examining the basket, they slowly started getting ready for bed. Remus sat quietly on his bed, his mind racing as he took in the kindness of it all. He tucked the potions into his bedside drawer, hiding the chocolate where he knew Sirius wouldn’t be able to steal it, and spread the blanket over his bed. It was soft, warmer than his own, and the weight of it settled over him like a quiet comfort he hadn’t realized he needed.

Sliding under the blanket, Remus felt a warmth blooming in his chest. Someone out there knew his secret, but instead of using it against him, they’d tried to make things a little easier. And he knew, without question, that he had to figure out who it was.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The full moon had passed in a calm that Remus had never experienced before. He woke that morning still feeling sore, but the aches were manageable. Normally, the transformations left him scarred and hollow, as if all the energy and warmth had been drained from him, leaving only exhaustion in its wake. But this time, thanks to the Wolfsbane Potion and the potions from the basket, he felt… human. Less broken.

After seeing the other Marauders off to class, Remus leaned back into his bed, feeling the softness of the new blanket wrap around him like a gentle hug. He’d spent the morning drinking one of the calming potions, using the healing salve for his aches, and nibbling on a bit of chocolate to ease his nerves. And though he was grateful, he couldn’t shake the strange blend of curiosity and unease that swirled in his mind. Who knew? Who cared this much? The secrecy felt like a burden, yet he couldn’t help but feel a small glow of warmth every time he glanced at the basket.

Meanwhile, James, Sirius, and Peter were trying to answer that very question in their own way. During Potions, they’d had an idea. Whoever had brewed Wolfsbane Potion had to be incredibly skilled, so finding out who had the best marks in Potions could narrow things down. The second Slughorn dismissed them, they pounced.

Sirius leaned casually on Slughorn’s desk, grinning with exaggerated innocence. “Professor,” he began, “say I wanted to improve my Potions skills. Just hypothetically.”

Slughorn’s eyebrows lifted, clearly intrigued by Sirius’s unusual interest. “Oh? Well, it’s about time, Mr. Black. I’d say your marks could certainly use a bit of boosting.”

“Oh, I know, I know!” Sirius waved his hands, laughing a bit. “That’s exactly why I was thinking maybe a bit of tutoring could help. So… who would you say is the top student in your class?”

James sidled up next to him, nodding earnestly. “Yeah, Professor. Who’s the best at brewing?”

Slughorn looked delighted, his chest puffing with pride at the idea of his Gryffindor students taking a sudden interest in his class. He lowered his voice as though he were sharing a prized secret. “Ah, if you’re looking for someone with real talent, you’d want to speak with Y/N Y/L/N. A truly gifted student! Absolutely meticulous with her brewing, and a Gryffindor as well! You boys ought to know her.”

Sirius and James exchanged baffled glances. “Y/N Y/L/N?” James muttered, frowning in thought.

Peter piped up, looking a little surprised. “Oh, I remember her. We did a project together in second year. She’s very sweet. I suppose she’s easy to miss, always keeping to herself.”

“Right…” Sirius trailed off, scratching his chin. “Doesn’t sound like the type to be sneaking around in the dead of night to drop off mysterious gift baskets, does she?”

“People can surprise you,” Peter shrugged. “I bet she’s got her reasons.”

After classes were over, the three Marauders nearly sprinted back to the dormitory. They’d waited all day to tell Remus their findings, and as soon as they saw him, they launched right into it.

“So,” Sirius said, flopping dramatically onto Remus’s bed, “we might know who left the basket.”

Remus looked up, eyebrows raised, though he tried to appear casual. “Really?”

James nodded, practically bouncing with excitement. “Y/N Y/L/N. Slughorn says she’s his top student in Potions. And she’s a Gryffindor, so she’d know where to find us.”

The name caught Remus off guard. “Y/N Y/L/N?” He knew exactly who she was—quiet, always hanging at the edges of things, never drawing attention to herself. He remembered her from their earlier years, especially a few years back when she and Peter had done that project together. She’d been kind and incredibly smart, but she always seemed to fade into the background.

Sirius shot him a curious look. “Wait—do you actually know her?”

Remus hesitated, carefully picking his words. “I mean… I remember her. We’ve been in classes together since first year.”

But what he didn’t say was that he’d once felt drawn to her quiet kindness. She wasn’t like other students; there was a thoughtfulness to her, a gentle intelligence that had always intrigued him. He remembered her now, the shy girl who had somehow made him feel seen, and the idea that she might have left the basket stirred something inside him—a mix of hope and nerves.

Sirius smirked, leaning in conspiratorially. “Oh, you remember her, do you?”

Remus rolled his eyes, trying to hide his blush. “Look, it’s probably not her. There’s no way she’d still remember… I mean, we barely ever talked.”

James raised his eyebrows. “Barely ever talked? That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t care. Besides,” he added with a grin, “you clearly want it to be her.”

Remus glanced away, not trusting himself to deny it. Because if it really was Y/N… she’d have gone to extraordinary lengths just to help him. It would mean she knew his secret and, rather than fearing him, had quietly found a way to ease his burden. And perhaps the most surprising part? He found himself hoping it was her.

Finally, he cleared his throat. “Alright. I’ll talk to her. See if there’s anything to this theory of yours.”

The next morning, with a hint of apprehension and excitement, Remus set out to find her. He decided to look in the library first, where he thought she might be studying between classes. But as he crossed the common room, he spotted her in the far corner, curled up in a chair with a thick book on her lap.

He took a steadying breath and made his way over to her. She looked up, clearly surprised to see him, her eyes widening as he gave a small, nervous smile.

“Hi, Y/N,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Do you mind if I join you?”

She blinked, a little flustered, but nodded, gesturing to the seat across from her. “Um, of course, Remus.”

They sat in a slightly awkward silence for a moment, and Remus could feel his heart beating hard in his chest. He cleared his throat, feeling the weight of her attention on him.

“So… I, uh, wanted to thank you,” he started, not sure how to bring it up. “For… everything.”

She stiffened slightly, her cheeks flushing, but kept her gaze steady. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she replied quietly.

He watched her, seeing the faintest hint of a smile playing at her lips, and knew then, without a doubt, that she was the one. “The gift basket. The potions. The blanket.” He lowered his voice. “The Wolfsbane. It helped me… more than I can say.”

Her face softened, and she nodded, understanding in her eyes. “I’m… really glad to hear that. I just wanted you to have what you needed. It’s not easy going through all that on your own.”

Remus felt his heart swell. Here she was, fully aware of the truth and yet sitting here, calm and kind, accepting him exactly as he was.

He met her gaze, feeling a sense of calm he hadn’t felt in ages. “Thank you, Y/N. I don’t know what I did to deserve that kind of kindness from you, but… it means a lot.”

They sat there in a comfortable silence, the unspoken words passing between them, understanding filling the space. He knew he’d found a friend in her—someone who saw through the mask he wore and had chosen to help, not out of pity, but because she understood what it meant to care quietly, deeply, and without expectation.

And perhaps, he thought with a hint of warmth, this was only the beginning of something much deeper.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ this is kinda rushed sorry, school is killing me :P

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latenightreadingpdf · 8 days ago

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Knock on the Door - Spencer Reid

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: In the midst of an intense investigation, Spencer and Derek bring you into protective custody after a disturbing discovery links you to their case. As you navigate the unexpected situation, Spencer’s calm presence offers reassurance, sparking an unexpected connection amid the chaos.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The quiet street was a far cry from the usual high-stakes BAU scene, but the tension in the air made Spencer’s skin prickle with unease. He glanced at Derek, who was already preparing to knock on another door, exuding his usual calm confidence.

"This one could be a lead," Derek muttered, showing a slight glint of hope in his eyes as he raised his hand to knock. The case had been dragging on, and frustration was growing with each unanswered question.

When the door opened, Spencer noted the faint hint of confusion in your expression. Derek immediately flashed his badge, his tone respectful but firm. "Ma’am, I'm Agent Derek Morgan. This is my colleague, Dr. Spencer Reid. We’re with the FBI."

Your eyes darted between the two of them, registering the serious expressions they wore. "The FBI? What's going on?"

"Have you had any strangers come to your door recently trying to sell you something?"

A flicker of recognition passed over your face, and Spencer leaned in, catching the shift. "Actually, yes,” you said, brows furrowing. “A guy came by yesterday… He gave me his card.”

Spencer and Derek shared a look. "Do you still have that card?" Spencer asked, trying to keep the urgency out of his voice.

"Yeah, I think so. Let me grab it." You turned back into the house, leaving the door partially open, and returned a moment later with a card in hand. As Derek took it from you, he confirmed with a nod that it matched the cards left at the other crime scenes.

You looked between them, anxiety creeping into your voice. "What is going on? Who is this guy?"

Spencer’s voice softened, his gaze meeting yours directly. "We believe he's a dangerous criminal who may be responsible for several recent homicides. His method involves gaining entry to homes under false pretenses."

Your face paled as the weight of his words sank in. Derek placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "We need to take you back to the station to make sure you’re safe. There are some steps we’d like to take to ensure you’re protected while we gather more information."

"Safe? Is he going to try and kill me?"

Derek’s expression turned serious. "We have reason to believe he might try to come back, and it’s important we get ahead of him."

A sense of dread settled over you as you let their words sink in. You followed them to the car, feeling your stomach twist with a mix of fear and disbelief. As you settled into the backseat, Spencer turned to give you a reassuring nod.

“Just so you know,” he began, his tone gentle, “we’ll have officers posted near your home to ensure he doesn’t have the chance to get in. We’re taking every precaution.”

“Thanks,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just… a lot.”

“Understandable,” Spencer said, glancing at you with a sympathetic look. “We’ll also have you meet with a sketch artist and undergo a cognitive interview. It’s standard procedure, and it might help us learn more about him.”

You looked out the window, processing the reality of the situation. The quiet chatter between Derek and Spencer drifted over you as they discussed possible motives, patterns, and theories. But for now, you were too lost in your own thoughts to make out their words.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

When you arrived at the station, Spencer took a moment to walk you through the cognitive interview process. "It’s designed to help you remember specific details," he explained, his voice calm and assuring. "It might feel intense, but I’ll be with you the whole time."

You nodded, glancing around the bustling police station, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and adrenaline. "Okay, so… I just answer questions, and you’ll be able to get a clearer picture of this guy?"

Spencer gave you a small smile. "Pretty much. Think of it as helping us paint a portrait. Every detail, no matter how small, could be useful."

The interview went smoothly; Spencer’s presence was patient and encouraging, never making you feel pressured to remember something you couldn’t. Afterward, he led you to a small break room, offering you a seat at a worn table with a coffee machine humming nearby.

A few minutes later, Spencer returned with two steaming cups, handing one to you. "Here," he said, "it's not gourmet, but it’ll keep us awake."

You took it gratefully, feeling a sense of normalcy settle in. "Thanks, Spencer." You sipped the coffee, savoring the warmth. "I didn’t expect to spend my afternoon in an FBI station, but… it’s definitely more interesting than my usual routine."

Spencer chuckled, seeming surprised by your laid-back attitude. "Most people aren’t as calm in situations like this."

You shrugged, feeling the weight of the situation but refusing to let it get the best of you. "I don’t know. I figure, if I’m in good hands, there’s no point in freaking out."

As you chatted, Spencer filled you in on some of the behavioral profiling techniques they used, giving you a peek into the mind of the BAU. His eyes lit up as he explained the ways they’d been analyzing the unsub’s behavior to find any possible patterns, and you found yourself genuinely interested, asking questions and absorbing his answers.

"Do you ever wonder why people do these things?" you asked thoughtfully, watching him as he considered your question.

"All the time," Spencer replied, his voice softening as he looked down at his coffee. "But there’s rarely a straightforward answer. The best we can do is study the behaviors and try to make sense of them. Hopefully, it helps us stop them."

A sense of respect grew in you as he spoke, and you found yourself admiring the dedication he had for his work. "That sounds exhausting. Important, but exhausting."

"It can be," he admitted, his gaze meeting yours. "But it’s worth it, especially when it means keeping someone safe. Like now."

You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you at his sincerity. "Well, I guess I’m lucky you guys were around."

The door to the break room opened, and Derek poked his head in, giving Spencer a grin. "You two doing all right in here?"

Spencer nodded, standing up to update Derek on the details you’d given during the interview. As they talked, you finished your coffee, feeling a strange sense of calm despite the unusual circumstances.

When Derek turned his attention to you, his gaze softened. "We’re going to have a team set up around your house tonight, keeping a close eye on things. We’ll catch this guy if he shows up."

You nodded, feeling reassured. "Thanks, Agent Morgan. I know you guys are handling it, so I’ll let you do your thing."

Spencer glanced back at you with a small smile. "If you need anything, or have more questions, just let me know."

As they walked you to the main desk, Spencer looked back, his gaze soft. "We'll keep you safe," he assured you once more, his sincerity unmistakable. "Until then, try not to worry. We’re on it."

A small smile tugged at your lips as you nodded. "I trust you," you replied, giving them one last grateful look before they escorted you to a waiting area. And as you waited, you felt a sense of calm, knowing you weren’t facing this alone.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

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latenightreadingpdf · 10 days ago

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A Hufflepuff's Heart - Regulus Black

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: Regulus Black’s unexpected friendship with a sweet Hufflepuff is revealed when Sirius catches them together.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The air in the castle was brisk, the cool draft weaving through the stone corridors and carrying with it the faint scent of autumn leaves and freshly lit torches. Regulus pulled his cloak a little tighter around his shoulders, his mind preoccupied with the latest round of pranks that had once again targeted Slytherin House. It wasn’t hard to guess who was responsible—his brother Sirius’s handiwork was as familiar as it was aggravating. Regulus could almost predict the moment Sirius would appear, armed with a smirk and a taunt, ready to test his patience yet again.

Sure enough, as Regulus turned the corner, Sirius was waiting there, arms crossed, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“Ah, Regulus,” Sirius drawled, that irritatingly self-satisfied smile tugging at his lips. “How’s my favorite Slytherin?”

Regulus forced himself to remain calm, carefully keeping his expression neutral, planning to just walk right past his brother.

Sirius’s grin widened, undeterred. “I take it you noticed the common room… enhancement? Thought the emerald and silver scheme could use a bit of sparkle.”

Regulus rolled his eyes, the irritation flaring up despite his attempts to stay indifferent. “If you’re going to make yourself a nuisance, at least have the decency to make it subtle.”

“Oh, subtlety is no fun, Reg,” Sirius replied easily, leaning back against the wall, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Besides, it’s not as if you’re incapable of a bit of rule-breaking yourself. Don’t think I don’t know about those after-hours trips to the library—”

“Sirius,” Regulus interrupted sharply, his voice low but firm. “I’m not interested in discussing my nightly habits with you.”

Before Sirius could fire back, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, followed by a familiar, bright voice that cut through the tension like sunlight breaking through clouds.

“Reggy!”

Both brothers turned to see you striding towards them, your Hufflepuff robes swishing as you approached, your face lighting up with a smile that was warm enough to melt even the most stubborn winter chill. Regulus’s expression softened instantly, his usual guarded look replaced by something more open, more vulnerable.

Without a second thought, you walked right up to Regulus and wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. He stiffened for a heartbeat, caught off guard by your sudden affection, but quickly melted into the embrace, his arms coming up to hold you close.

“Hey,” you said softly, pulling back just enough to look at him, your eyes filled with warmth and a hint of concern. “How have you been?”

“I’m… good,” Regulus replied, his voice softer than usual, almost as if he were afraid of breaking the spell your presence cast. A small, genuine smile tugged at his lips, a rare sight that seemed reserved only for you.

As you finally pulled back, still standing close to him, you seemed to notice Sirius for the first time, your gaze shifting over to the older Black brother with a look of surprise. A polite, curious smile flickered across your face as you gave him a small wave.

“Oh, hi! I didn’t realize there was anyone else here. I’m Y/N,” you said, introducing yourself in that sweet, open way that Regulus had come to adore.

Sirius raised his eyebrows, looking you up and down as if trying to solve a riddle. He offered a nod, his grin softening into something more curious, though he said nothing in reply. For once, Sirius Black seemed to be at a loss for words. There was something he couldn’t quite place about you—a gentleness, a warmth—that seemed so at odds with the icy walls Regulus usually built around himself. It was strange, almost impossible to imagine someone so kind being so close to his guarded, distant brother.

After a moment, Sirius managed a slight smile, finally extending his hand to you. "Sirius Black,” he introduced himself, his tone curious, though he kept his usual charm restrained. “Regulus’s… older brother.”

You took his hand, returning his smile with a polite one of your own. “Oh! It’s nice to meet you,” you replied, a hint of surprise in your voice. You turned back to Regulus, seemingly oblivious to Sirius’s scrutiny. “I had no idea you had a brother, Reggy!” you said with a laugh, your eyes shining with amusement. “You keep him quite the secret.”

Regulus shifted, his hand instinctively tightening around your shoulder. He’d dreaded this moment for so long, the day you would meet Sirius, the brother who seemed to draw people in without effort, who everyone adored and admired. Regulus had always felt invisible in his shadow, the “other” Black brother, colder and quieter, always on the outside looking in. But you had seen him—you had seen past the walls, the carefully constructed mask, and found something worth holding onto. And he couldn’t bear the thought of sharing that with Sirius, of watching you get pulled into his brother’s orbit and realizing he could never be what Sirius was.

Sirius, still watching silently, caught the faint, possessive gesture, the way Regulus seemed to pull you closer as if trying to keep you all to himself. His expression flickered with something unreadable, a mixture of curiosity and something softer, something he hadn’t expected to feel. Seeing Regulus with you—seeing his younger brother so fiercely protective of this rare connection—stirred something in him, a strange pang of almost… respect.

The silence stretched, and you shifted slightly, glancing between the two brothers as if sensing the tension, though you didn’t seem to mind. Instead, you gave Sirius a warm, friendly smile before turning back to Regulus, your hand reaching for his as you gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Well, Reggy and I should get going,” you said softly, looking up at him. “We’ve got some homework to catch up on.”

Regulus’s gaze softened at the touch, and he nodded, his lips curving into that faint, private smile that he reserved only for you. “Yes, we should.”

With a final nod toward Sirius, Regulus gently guided you down the hallway, his arm draped protectively over your shoulders. He glanced back once, catching Sirius’s gaze, and for a fleeting moment, the brothers shared a look of understanding—a silent acknowledgment, a truce of sorts. Sirius watched as you walked away together, his brow furrowed in thought, his mind turning over the strange puzzle of his brother and his unlikely friend.

How did someone as kind, as open-hearted as you manage to find your way into the life of someone as complex and withdrawn as Regulus? Sirius couldn’t understand it, couldn’t fathom what had drawn you to his quiet, brooding brother. But as he watched the two of you disappear down the corridor, he felt a spark of hope, a rare flicker of warmth in the cold, stone-cast walls of the castle.

Maybe Regulus had found something Sirius had never truly understood—a genuine connection that didn’t rely on charm or bravado, but on something softer, something real.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

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latenightreadingpdf · 13 days ago

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Hold Me - James Potter

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: After a hard-fought Quidditch match against Slytherin, Gryffindor’s loss hits James Potter harder than anyone expected. With the defeat weighing heavily on him, Y/N stays behind to offer comfort while his friends try to lift his spirits.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The sun was high in the sky, casting long shadows over the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. The stands were packed with students, their scarves and banners waving frantically as Gryffindor and Slytherin faced off in what was bound to be one of the most intense matches of the season. Y/N sat in the Gryffindor section of the stands, nestled next to Remus Lupin. He had a book in his lap, though he wasn’t reading it, his amber eyes fixed on the pitch below.

"Come on, James," Y/N muttered, her gaze darting between James Potter and Regulus Black. The two Seekers were neck and neck, their brooms weaving in and out of the players below as they chased after the elusive Golden Snitch.

Remus nodded silently, his lips pursed. "They’re so close." His knuckles whitened as he gripped the edges of his book, though he had abandoned any pretence of reading. He hadn’t turned a page in the past half hour.

Y/N could feel the tension in the air, thick like a storm cloud. Every single student in the stands was on edge, watching intently as the Seekers danced through the air. Gryffindor’s hopes rested on James catching the Snitch, but Regulus wasn’t going to let it go easily. Y/N's heart raced as she watched the two of them twist and turn in midair, the tiny golden ball barely a blur in the distance.

James and Regulus were neck and neck, brooms darting dangerously close as they sped through the maze of players. There was a collective gasp from the crowd as they narrowly avoided colliding with a pair of Beaters who were too absorbed in their own skirmish to notice the Seekers darting past.

“They’re going to crash if they’re not careful,” Y/N whispered, her hands clasping tightly together as anxiety bubbled in her chest. She could see the raw determination on James’s face, his hair windswept and wild as he leaned forward on his broom, pushing it to its limits. His focus was entirely on the Snitch, completely oblivious to anything else on the pitch.

Suddenly, something strange happened. James’s broom jerked unnaturally, wobbling violently as if an invisible hand had grabbed it. It veered off course, and for a split second, Y/N thought he might be able to regain control, but the broom jerked again, this time harder. It twisted sharply to the left, causing James to lose his balance. His fingers gripped the handle tightly, knuckles white, as he struggled to steady it.

The crowd gasped, and Y/N instinctively grabbed Remus’s arm, her nails digging into his sweater. James fought to steady his broom, his face set in determination, but it was no use.

“Merlin’s beard,” Remus muttered under his breath. “That’s not normal. Someone’s messing with his broom.”

Y/N’s heart sank. She had seen something like this before—the time during their second year when Professor McGonagall had to stop a match because someone had tampered with one of the school brooms. But this time, it was worse. It wasn’t just a Slytherin ploy to distract James; it was sabotage.

Regulus, on the other hand, seized the opportunity. With a final burst of speed, the Slytherin Seeker shot forward and snatched the Snitch from the air. The whistle blew, and the Slytherin section erupted in wild cheers. Their green and silver banners waved triumphantly as they celebrated their victory.

“Slytherin wins!” the announcer’s voice boomed, but all Y/N could hear were the groans and disappointed mutterings of the Gryffindors around her.

Remus exhaled slowly. “That was… unexpected,” he murmured, his eyes narrowing as he watched James struggle to bring his broom back down to the ground. Y/N's chest tightened with frustration. She knew something had happened to James’s broom—probably Slytherin sabotage—but there was no proof.

As the Gryffindor team trudged off the pitch, heads hung low, the cheers from the Slytherin stands rang in her ears. The energy in the Gryffindor stands had drained, leaving behind a dull silence, broken only by scattered conversations about what had just happened.

“Bloody cheats,” Mary Macdonald muttered, standing next to Lily Evans, her hands clenched into fists. “There’s no way that was an accident. They did something to his broom. You saw how it was jerking around.”

Lily nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with concern as she watched James descend toward the ground. “I don’t know how, but they definitely did something. James should have caught that Snitch.”

“Yeah,” Dorcas said, wrapping her scarf more tightly around her neck as the evening air grew colder. “You could see it from up here. There’s no way his broom would just do that on its own.”

The rest of the Gryffindors in the stands had already started to file out, but Y/N and her friends lingered. Marlene McKinnon, the Gryffindor Chaser, was the last to leave the field. Her shoulders were slumped, her expression dejected as she trudged toward them, her broom dragging behind her.

“Marlene!” Lily called out, hurrying forward to meet her. The group closed in around Marlene, pulling her into a big, warm hug.

“You played great,” Mary said softly. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Yeah,” Dorcas added. “That broom business was total rubbish.”

Marlene gave them a weak smile, her eyes filled with exhaustion. “Thanks, but it still sucks.”

“It’s not your fault,” Y/N said, stepping closer and resting a hand on Marlene’s shoulder. “It was Slytherin cheating. You did the best you could. James knows it too.”

Marlene gave a small nod, but the disappointment in her eyes was hard to shake. She had given everything during that match, and losing like this felt like a punch to the gut.

“Let’s head back to the dorms,” Lily suggested, glancing around at the emptying stands. “We can have a girls’ night, yeah? Chocolate, pyjamas, the works.”

Y/N gave Marlene’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “Go on. I’ll wait here for James and Sirius.”

Marlene nodded, a bit of the sadness lifting from her face as the group began to make their way back toward the castle. Y/N watched them go, then turned back to the pitch, waiting patiently as the last few stragglers left the stands.

After a few minutes, the locker room door creaked open. Sirius Black emerged, his usual cocky grin nowhere to be seen. His shoulders were tense, and his dark hair was damp from the post-match shower. The moment Y/N saw him, she stood up and hurried over.

“Sirius,” she called softly.

He looked up, his grey eyes dull with frustration, but before he could say anything, Y/N pulled him into a tight hug. “You were brilliant out there,” she whispered, her voice soothing. “It wasn’t your fault, and you know it.”

Sirius sighed, wrapping his arms around her in return, though his grip wasn’t as firm as usual. “Thanks, Y/N,” he muttered, but his voice was distracted. He pulled back slightly, glancing over at Remus, who was watching quietly from a few feet away.

Remus stood up and offered Sirius a small smile. Sirius walked over to him, and without a word, Remus pulled him into another hug. Unlike Y/N’s brief embrace, Sirius stayed in Remus’s arms longer, resting his head on his shoulder for a moment longer than necessary.

Y/N’s heart warmed at the sight, the quiet beginning of something unspoken passing between the two boys. She could feel it, even if they didn’t realise it yet.

Once they pulled away, Sirius rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “James… isn’t doing great. He’s pissed—mostly at himself—and he doesn’t want to see anyone. He’ll probably take a while to come out.”

Y/N frowned, worry creeping into her chest. “That bad?”

Sirius nodded. “He blames himself for losing. Thinks he should’ve been able to fight whatever Slytherin did to his broom.”

Y/N exchanged a glance with Remus. “He’ll come out when he’s ready,” she said.

Sirius gave a faint nod, looking relieved that someone would be there for his best friend. “We should head back. He’ll be fine eventually.”

As they made their way back to the castle, Y/N walked beside Sirius, linking her arm through his, offering comfort. The three of them didn’t say much, but their presence was enough to calm the disappointment that hung in the air.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Later that night, Y/N walked into the Gryffindor common room, the warmth of the fireplace casting a soft glow over the space. Sirius and Remus were sitting on one of the couches, close together, wrapped in cozy jumpers. Their heads were bent in quiet conversation, the firelight flickering over their faces.

“Is James back yet?” Y/N asked, approaching them.

Remus nodded. “Yeah, he’s upstairs. Hasn’t come down since.”

Y/N sighed and leaned down to give each of them a quick hug, planting a kiss on their cheeks. “I’m going to check on him.”

Sirius nodded, his eyes following her as she made her way to the boys’ dormitory stairs. “Good luck,” he called after her.

Climbing the stairs, Y/N reached James’s door and knocked gently. There was a pause before she heard his muffled voice from the other side.

“Go away, Sirius.”

“It’s me, James.”

Silence followed, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure if he was going to answer. But then she heard the soft click of the door unlocking, and it creaked open.

James stood there, his glasses slightly askew and his eyes red-rimmed from crying. Tear tracks marked his cheeks, his face crumpling the moment he saw her.

“Oh, Jamie,” Y/N whispered, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. She pulled him into her arms, and James buried his face in her neck, his breath shaky as he tried to hold back more tears.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.

“You don’t have to be sorry,” Y/N said softly, running her hands up and down his back, offering comfort. She guided him over to the bed, sitting down and keeping him close. James wrapped his arms around her, holding on as if she were the only thing grounding him.

“Is there anything I can do?” Y/N asked, her voice gentle as she played with his messy hair.

James shook his head against her chest. “Just… just hold me, please.”

“Come here.” Y/N said as she leaned back, pulling him with her until they were lying on the bed. His head rested on her chest, his body curled up beside her as his arms stayed wrapped around her waist.

Y/N smiled softly, her hands threading through his dark hair, massaging his scalp in slow, soothing strokes. She could feel the tension in his body begin to ease as he relaxed into her touch.

After a while, James’s breathing evened out, his grip on her loosening slightly as sleep began to pull him under. Just before he drifted off, he mumbled in a low, sleepy voice, “Godric, I’m so lucky to have you.”

Y/N’s heart swelled with warmth, and she pressed a soft kiss to the top of his head. “I’m lucky to have you too, Jamie.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

#fanfic #fluff #james potter #marauders #dead gay wizards from the 70s #marauders era #the marauders #james potter x reader #james potter x y/n #james potter x you #james #hurt/comfort #gryffindor #james x oc #james x reader #james x you #james x y/n #quidditch

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latenightreadingpdf · 16 days ago

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Spencer's Secret - Spencer Reid

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: All Spencer wanted was to finish his paperwork and go home, but now he’s in a bar, drunk, and confessing all his secrets to Derek.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The team had barely settled back into the office after a grueling case when Derek threw an arm over Emily’s shoulder, talking about needing a drink. Emily agreed with a weary smile, and soon enough, JJ, Penelope, and Rossi had chimed in, all eager to unwind together. Somehow, they’d even managed to convince Hotch, who gave them a reluctant nod, his rare smile hinting he could use a break too.

All that was left was Spencer. Sitting at his desk, he was hunched over, diligently finishing up his paperwork, when Derek strolled over and leaned in with his usual, "Hey, pretty boy."

Spencer looked up, already anticipating the question. "No, Derek, I’m not going."

Derek raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I didn’t even get to ask!"

"Doesn’t matter. I’m not going," Spencer replied firmly, looking back down at his files.

"Come on, kid," Derek urged, his voice dropping to a softer, pleading tone. "Just this once. If you come, I’ll never ask again. I swear."

Spencer let out a sigh, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up with him. There was a beat of silence as he mulled it over, glancing at the hopeful faces of his teammates nearby. Finally, he closed his file, resigned. "Fine," he muttered, “but just this once."

Derek’s face broke into a grin, practically bouncing on his feet. "You heard him, guys—he’s in! Let’s go before he changes his mind."

Spencer reluctantly stood up, pulling on his coat with a sigh. He glanced around, noticing the others already gathering their things, excitement buzzing among them. As they all filed out together, Penelope slung an arm around Spencer, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

"Oh, Spence, you’ll have fun. Trust me," she said, winking.

Spencer managed a small, hesitant smile, wondering just what he was getting himself into. It wasn’t exactly his ideal night out, but surrounded by his friends, he couldn’t help but feel a faint sense of anticipation growing despite himself.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

As soon as the team settled into the bar, the weight of the last case started to fade. They ordered the first round, eager to drink, laugh, and let loose for a few hours. The drinks flowed freely, and soon they were deep in conversation, sharing old stories and laughing harder with each passing round. Spencer, who rarely drank, was feeling more than a little tipsy. Nights like these weren’t really his scene—he usually found it far more comfortable to stay home. But now, with the warm buzz in his head and his friends around, he was actually enjoying himself.

Meanwhile, Derek had been off flirting at the bar, but eventually made his way back to the booth, where Spencer was the last one still sitting. Derek, who could hold his liquor well, was only slightly buzzed. He noticed Spencer's dazed expression and grinned, sliding into the seat next to him. "Pretty boy," he said, nudging him, "there are so many gorgeous women here tonight. You should go try and have some fun, maybe even get a date."

Spencer, a little too drunk to filter his thoughts, shook his head. "Don’t need a date," he said, his words slurring slightly.

Derek raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh yeah? And why’s that?"

Spencer’s face softened, and he blurted, “I’ve got an amazing girlfriend at home.”

"Right, sure," Derek teased, not at all convinced. "So what’s her name?"

Spencer’s face lit up. "Y/N," he said, his voice full of adoration. He leaned in, eyes dreamy, and started rambling. “She’s incredible, Derek. So smart, so beautiful. She’s way out of my league—I still can’t believe she’s with me.”

Derek chuckled, noticing just how drunk Spencer was. It was getting late, and he knew Spencer would never make it home on his own. “Why don’t you call Y/N to pick you up, then?” he said, jokingly.

Spencer’s face brightened, and he fumbled for his phone. Derek watched in amusement as he dialed, still skeptical, until he heard a faint “Hello?” from the other end.

Spencer’s face lit up even more. “Hello, my love,” he said, voice thick with affection.

You let out a soft laugh on the other side of the line. “Hey, Spence! Everything alright?”

Spencer grinned, completely forgetting why he’d called. “Yeah,” he said dreamily. “I just…wanted to hear your pretty voice.”

You laughed, clearly touched. Derek, now genuinely surprised that someone had actually answered, took the phone from Spencer, holding it up to his ear. "Hello?" he asked, still a bit skeptical.

"Uh, hi,” you replied, a little confused. “Who is this?"

Derek cleared his throat. “This is Derek. Spencer friend.”

“Oh! Nice to finally meet you, Derek, Spencer talks about you and the team quite a bit.” you said, sounding amused. “I’m Y/N, his girlfriend.”

Derek muttered, “Holy shit, you’re real.”

"Sorry?" you asked, sounding puzzled.

“Nothing, nothing,” he chuckled. “Listen, Spencer’s had a bit too much to drink. Are you able to pick him up?”

You let out a soft, understanding laugh. “Yeah, of course. Just tell me where you guys are.”

Derek gave you the address and hung up, handing the phone back to Spencer. "Your girlfriend’s coming to get you," he said, still slightly in awe that Spencer’s been hiding a girlfriend from them.

Spencer’s eyes lit up even more. “Y/N?” he asked eagerly.

“Yeah, pretty boy, Y/N,” Derek replied, shaking his head with a grin.

Spencer slumped back in his seat with a satisfied sigh. “Finally,” he mumbled. “Someone cool to hang out with.”

Derek just laughed, patting Spencer on the shoulder. He sat down with Spencer and waited with him for Y/N to get there, eager to meet her.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

As Spencer was still happily rambling to Derek about his incredible girlfriend, the door opened, and a beautiful woman stepped into the bar. Spencer’s eyes widened instantly. "Y/N!" he exclaimed, jumping up so quickly he nearly tripped. He stumbled over to you, practically throwing himself into your arms, clinging to you like he’d just found his lifeline. He buried his face in your neck, a contented sigh escaping him.

You wrapped your arms around him, laughing softly at his drunken enthusiasm. "Looks like someone had a good time," you teased, rubbing his back.

“Missed you so much,” he mumbled into your neck, his words muffled but unmistakably fond.

Looking up, you noticed a man standing a few steps behind Spencer, observing the two of you with an amused grin. "You must be Derek," you said, offering him a warm smile.

Derek smiled back, giving a nod. "Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you tonight."

Before you could respond, Spencer had already started tugging you gently toward the exit. You glanced back at Derek and gave him a quick smile. "Hopefully we can actually talk sometime soon," you said, laughing as Spencer clung to your arm.

Derek chuckled, nodding. "I’d like that. Take care of him. Goodnight, Y/N."

He watched as you guided a tipsy, lovesick Spencer out of the bar, a soft smile still on his face. Just then, Penelope popped up beside him, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “What are you staring at?” she asked, following his gaze to the exit.

“Spencer’s got a girlfriend,” Derek said, unable to keep a little laugh from escaping as he recalled the whole scene.

Penelope’s eyes went wide, and she gasped, practically bouncing in place. "Wait, what?! Our Spencer? Oh my God, I need details!"

Derek smirked, shaking his head. "Calm down, babygirl. You can interrogate him tomorrow," he teased.

Penelope pouted, but the excitement was already building. After a second, she sighed dramatically, then brightened up again and grabbed Derek’s hand. “Fine! But right now, you’re dancing with me.”

Derek let her pull him to the dance floor, chuckling as he made a mental note to tease Spencer about this night for a long time.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

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latenightreadingpdf · 16 days ago

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Here it is! - Spencer's Secret

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latenightreadingpdf · 17 days ago

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First Kiss - Remus Lupin

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: Sirius, James, and Peter tease Remus about his lack of a first kiss.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The Marauders’ dorm was a hub of noise and laughter that night, with Sirius sprawled out on his bed, proudly recounting his latest adventure with a girl he’d met in Herbology. He stretched his arms out with a smug smile. “Absolutely couldn’t keep her hands off me,” he said, punctuating the sentence with a wink. “Who could, right?”

James, perched on the edge of his bed, raised an eyebrow but couldn’t keep from laughing. “Right, because obviously, you’re the irresistible Sirius Black. Never mind your terrible reputation.”

Sirius rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “At least I’m doing something about my love life, unlike some people here,” he said, nodding toward James. “Speaking of—how’s it going with Evans?”

James grinned, his eyes brightening. “Actually, better than usual,” he said, a bit bashfully. “Last time I asked her out, she didn’t seem nearly as annoyed. Progress, right?”

Sirius clapped his hands together in a grand show of celebration. “It’s happening! Lily Evans is finally seeing the charm of our dear Prongs!”

Remus, sitting off to the side with a book in hand, did his best to block out the conversation, though his lips twitched into a faint smile. He turned the page, not really reading it, but it was better than participating in the banter. Maybe, if he was quiet enough, they’d forget he was there.

But, of course, they didn’t.

Sirius smirked as he turned to Remus. “What about you, Moony? Got any secret admirers you’re hiding from us?”

Remus shrugged without looking up. “No,” he said simply, his eyes stubbornly fixed on the book in front of him, even though he hadn’t comprehended a single sentence since Sirius started talking.

James leaned back, resting on his hands, and squinted at Remus with a skeptical grin. “I bet you haven’t even had your first kiss yet, have you?”

Remus felt the tips of his ears go warm. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Peter let out a small, surprised gasp. “Wait, really? Remus, you haven’t?”

Remus gritted his teeth, shrinking back slightly as all eyes in the room turned to him. “Yes, really. So what?” he said, bristling defensively. He sank lower into his chair, feeling the familiar urge to just vanish.

James held up his hands in a calming gesture. “Nothing wrong with that! It’s… noble, even,” he said, nodding. “I’m waiting for mine, too. For Lily.” He leaned back with a dreamy look on his face, as if he could see her there in front of him, and Remus had to bite back a chuckle.

But Sirius wasn’t about to let it go. With a mischievous grin, he jumped to his feet and swaggered over to Remus, leaning close. “You know, Moony,” he whispered conspiratorially, “I could help you out. Want me to teach you how to kiss?”

Remus’s eyes widened, and he tried to pull back, clutching his book tightly to his chest. “What? No, stop that!” he stammered, face burning. “I know how to kiss. I’ve read books!”

But Sirius was undeterred, moving even closer and pursing his lips in a ridiculous kissy face. “Oh really? The books taught you, did they?”

Remus flinched, scrambling back as much as he could while stuck on the bed, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. Sirius was nearly nose-to-nose with him when the door creaked open, and a voice interrupted their antics.

“Um…” You paused in the doorway, eyebrows raised as you took in the scene. “Should I come back later?”

Remus jerked upright so quickly he almost fell off the bed. He shot Sirius a warning look and quickly scrambled away from him, trying to salvage whatever dignity he had left. “No! No, you don’t have to leave,” he said, still looking as flustered as ever. “Stay. Please.”

You glanced between them, an amused smile on your face as you walked over. “What’s going on?”

Remus coughed, his gaze shifting to the floor. “Nothing. Absolutely no—” He could only hope you wouldn’t ask any more questions.

But, of course, Peter piped up. “We were just talking about how Remus hasn’t had his first kiss yet,” he said with a cheerful grin, clearly oblivious to Remus’s mortification.

Remus shot him a look, but the damage was done. He glanced at you, his cheeks going pink all over again. He hadn’t wanted you to hear about it, of all people. If he’d felt embarrassed before, now he was ready to crawl under his bed and never come out.

“It’s not a big deal,” he muttered, clutching his book like a lifeline. “I was just going to go somewhere quiet to read. A place where they don’t talk about my… kissing experience,” he added, shooting a pointed look at his friends.

Without waiting for a reply, Remus turned and made his way out of the dorm room, his heart pounding in his chest. He was halfway down the corridor when he heard footsteps following him. He slowed down and turned to see you jogging to catch up, your face softened with concern.

“Hey, Remus,” you said gently when you reached him, looking him in the eyes. “Is it true? You haven’t, um…?”

Remus sighed, pressing his lips together. He’d never thought about his inexperience much before, but now it felt like a glaring flaw. “Yeah, it’s true,” he admitted, his voice barely more than a mumble. “It’s a bit pathetic, really, isn’t it? Everyone else—Sirius, James—they’re all so confident, and I’m just…” He trailed off, letting out a frustrated sigh.

You reached out, your hand resting on his arm, stopping him in his tracks. “I don’t think it’s pathetic at all. It’s kind of sweet, actually.” Then, with a small, knowing smile, you leaned in and pressed a soft, quick kiss to his lips.

It was so brief that Remus barely had time to process it, but when you pulled back, he was frozen in place, staring at you with wide eyes and a stunned expression. His cheeks went a brilliant shade of red, and he swallowed, completely speechless.

“There,” you said softly, smiling up at him. “Now you don’t have to be embarrassed about it.”

The sound of voices suddenly broke the quiet, and the two of you turned back to see James and Sirius shouting about something from inside the room. You chuckled, rolling your eyes. “I should probably go check on them before they tear the place apart. You go enjoy your book, alright?”

With a final, reassuring smile, you turned and walked back to the dorm, leaving Remus standing alone in the hallway, still clutching his book and staring after you, completely dazed.

He finally looked down at the page in his book, a foolish grin tugging at his lips. He knew that focusing on reading was going to be utterly impossible.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ please tell me somebody gets the reference I made 🙏

#fanfic #fluff #first kiss #remus lupin x reader #marauders #remus lupin #dead gay wizards from the 70s #the marauders #mauraders #remus lipin x y/n #remus lupin x you #remus lupin x y/n #remus x reader #remus x you #remus x y/n

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latenightreadingpdf · 20 days ago

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Secrets of the Heart - Marauders Era

Chapter 6 - In the Stands

Secrets of the Heart Masterlist

The next morning, Aurora found herself waking up before the sun fully crested the horizon, determined to see what all the Quidditch fuss was about. She wrapped herself in a cozy sweater and, with her Hufflepuff scarf thrown over her shoulders, made her way down to the pitch.

When she arrived, the practice was already in full swing. James was darting through the air, leaning low on his broom as he scanned for the Snitch, while Sirius rocketed around, sending Bludgers flying with precise hits. She could just make out Peter in the distance, helping with drills. The only one who wasn’t on a broom was Remus, sitting a little ways up in the stands with a book in his lap, his gaze flickering between the pages and the action on the field.

Aurora approached quietly, but he noticed her footsteps, and when he looked up, his face lit up with genuine surprise and excitement. “You actually came!” he said, grinning as he closed his book.

She gave a small, shy smile. “Good morning, Remus. Thought I’d see what all the fuss is about.”

He chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you did. I was getting kind of bored just sitting here.”

They settled into a comfortable silence as they watched the players zip across the pitch. After a few moments, Aurora glanced at his book. “What’re you reading?”

He held it up so she could see the worn cover. “The Lord of the Rings.”

“What’s that about?”

His eyes brightened, and he started describing the journey of the hobbits, the sweeping landscapes of Middle-earth, and the concept of unlikely heroes. Aurora found herself getting drawn into the story through Remus’s passion and animated way of explaining it. He had a way of making even the most intricate details sound fascinating.

As they talked, they didn’t notice James spotting them from across the pitch. Mid-flight, he waved both hands and shouted, “Oi, Aurora! Good morning!”

She laughed and waved back, feeling oddly more at ease as she returned to her conversation with Remus. Seeing her in the stands seemed to spur James and Sirius into action; they started showing off their tricks, looping through the air and executing dives and spins. Aurora couldn’t help but laugh at their antics, giving them an encouraging thumbs-up, much to their delight.

They continued talking as the practice ended, both absorbed in discussing heroes and quests, not noticing the other players leaving the field. Eventually, Remus and Aurora realized the pitch had quieted down when Sirius and James sauntered up to them, fresh from the locker room.

James smirked, crossing his arms as he looked at the two of them. “Well, don’t you both look chummy.”

Aurora’s face flushed as she noticed just how close she had gotten to Remus during the practice. She started to shift away a bit, but before she could, Sirius plopped down on the bench beside her, effectively sandwiching her between him and Remus.

“So, did you enjoy the show?” Sirius asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“It was… fun,” she admitted, stifling a small laugh. “I’ll probably come again.”

At this, Sirius and James exchanged a triumphant look and pumped their fists in celebration. “It’s because of how cool we are, obviously,” James declared, earning an eye roll from Remus.

As the four of them made their way back to the castle, Aurora felt herself settling into their easy rhythm, amused by their confidence but also surprisingly charmed by their enthusiasm.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Later that night, past curfew, the Marauders found themselves wandering the darkened corridors, talking in whispers about their latest ideas. They were working on mapping out new routes and escape plans, testing ways to avoid getting caught when pulling off pranks. As they passed the Hufflepuff common room, James noticed a shadow creeping along the wall and nudged the others.

“Look, it's Aurora,” he whispered with a grin.

Sirius couldn’t resist. “Oi, Aurora!” he whispered loudly, his voice just carrying enough to startle her. She nearly jumped out of her skin, clutching her chest as she turned around.

“Oh my—Sirius! I thought you were a professor!” she hissed, slapping his arm as he laughed.

“Well, if I were, you’d be in detention,” he smirked, winking at her. “Want to join us? We’re heading back to the Gryffindor common room for a bit.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Sure, why not?”

Together, they quietly made their way through the castle, managing to avoid any wandering professors or Filch. When they finally slipped through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room, Aurora was greeted by the cozy warmth of the fireplace, crackling softly against the silence of the night.

They settled into the Gryffindor common room, laughter echoing softly in the quiet of the castle. The fire cast a warm, flickering light across their faces as they all sank deeper into the cushions. Remus and Sirius, leaning back on one couch, exchanged knowing glances as James scooted closer to Aurora on the other. Sirius stretched out, putting his legs across Remus’s lap, settling in comfortably with a lazy grin.

They spent a while chatting about professors, each Marauder throwing out impressions and imitations that had her snickering. Sirius gave a flawless rendition of Professor McGonagall’s sharp tone, and Remus did an exaggerated impression of Professor Slughorn’s affected voice. James’s version of Flitwick’s squeaky laugh had Aurora covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Eventually, the conversation turned to her. Remus, ever the curious one, asked her a question. “So, what was Beauxbatons really like? Is it as posh as they say?”

Aurora tilted her head, thinking. “In a way, I guess. It’s beautiful—everything’s so polished and ornate, like a palace. But it felt… strict. Formal, maybe? Hogwarts just feels more welcoming.”

“That’s Hogwarts for you,” Sirius said, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

“We’re glad you’re here,” James added, nudging her gently with his shoulder. “I mean, where else would you get a front-row seat to all our brilliant pranks?”

She smirked, but her face softened. “I think I’m glad to be here too.”

“Why the transfer, though?” Sirius pressed, his curiosity barely hidden. “Just tired of the French accent?”

Aurora glanced at her hands, feeling their gazes on her, and then shrugged. “My parents travel constantly for work, and they wanted me closer, so here I am.”

James nodded thoughtfully, then shot her a mischievous grin and leaned in close. “All right, serious question now. Which of us is your favorite Marauder?”

Aurora’s eyes went wide, and she burst out laughing, rolling her eyes. “Not you, obviously,” she said, pushing his face away.

He clutched his chest dramatically, pretending to gasp in horror. “Oh, Aurora Haven, you wound me!”

“Get up, you big baby,” she laughed, nudging him back upright. But he took the opportunity to slide his arm around her shoulders, giving her a grin as if daring her to protest. She hesitated, but after a second, relaxed, letting herself lean against him.

“Can’t believe she actually tolerated that, Prongs,” Sirius said, a playful smirk on his face. “Usually, girls last about five minutes before trying to run away.”

“Hey, speak for yourself,” James said, giving Sirius a mock glare. “I happen to be very charming.” He flashed her a grin that made her roll her eyes, though she couldn’t help but smile a little.

They settled back into more conversation, and soon, the Marauders started discussing the upcoming Quidditch season, each of them sharing their excitement, strategies, and hopes for Gryffindor’s chances. Aurora found herself enjoying the flow of their talk, the way they were so passionate about their house and their team, each of them with their own quirks.

As the fire crackled softly, she grew more comfortable, finding herself laughing freely with them and chiming in with her own thoughts here and there. Eventually, her eyes began to droop, and she felt herself getting sleepier with each passing minute. The warmth of the fire, James’s arm around her, and the low voices of the Marauders created a cozy lull that she couldn’t fight.

“You’re drifting off,” James murmured, noticing her eyes half-closed.

“Just a bit,” she admitted, stifling a yawn.

Sirius leaned over with a smirk. “Can’t handle a late night, Haven?”

She shot him a drowsy glare but couldn’t hide her grin. “I’ll manage,” she said, leaning her head back against the couch and closing her eyes, listening to the comforting sounds of their chatter.

As she was on the edge of sleep, she heard someone whisper softly, “Goodnight, love,” before she finally drifted off, a small smile lingering on her face. For the first time in a long while, Aurora felt truly at home.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ I'm not really sure if I like this story, I might not write anymore chapters :/

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latenightreadingpdf · 21 days ago

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Merry Christmas.

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latenightreadingpdf · 21 days ago

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A Happy Halloween - Marauders Era

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: At the Hogwarts Halloween party, Y/N plays matchmaker, leading to a magical night full of romance, laughter, and a bit of mischief among the Marauders.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The Gryffindor girls’ dorm was buzzing with excitement, every inch of space covered in notebooks, bits of parchment, and quills. A huge bowl of sweets from Hogsmeade sat in the middle of the floor, quickly diminishing as the girls threw out idea after idea for Halloween.

“We need something iconic,” Marlene said, plopping down on her bed with her legs crossed, fingers drumming on her knee. “Something that’ll turn heads and make everyone wish they’d thought of it first.”

Mary grinned, popping a chocolate frog into her mouth. “Yeah, but it’s got to be a group costume, too. Last year, half the school went as duos, and it was chaos trying to figure out who was who. Imagine if we rolled in as a full set. People would lose their minds!”

Dorcas leaned back, eyes gleaming. “What about fairies? Like…the Winx Club?”

“Too niche,” Lily replied with a slight smirk. “Maybe we’re aiming too young. What about something bold, like superheroes?”

The room exploded with ideas, each one stranger than the last. You leaned in, head on your hand, as they debated.

“What if we did Mario Kart characters?” you suggested, leaning in and wiggling your eyebrows.

Marlene snorted, reaching for another candy. “What, are we all supposed to carry around fake steering wheels all night?”

Dorcas snapped her fingers, eyes bright. “Ooh, ooh! Minions! We could be, like, a whole army of yellow.”

Mary burst into laughter. “The only ‘minion’ we’d look like is a nightmare with the amount of yellow we’d have to wear.”

At this point, they were sprawled out across the floor and each other's beds, snickering at the ridiculousness of it all.

“What if we tried Disney princesses?” Alice suggested finally, shrugging as she threw it into the mix.

Marlene and Lily’s eyes lit up immediately.

“Oh my god, that’s perfect,” Marlene exclaimed. “And we can put our own spin on it, make it look classy but still hot.”

Lily clapped her hands, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “We can each pick one and go all out. It’ll be like our own royal court, but dangerous and…beautiful!”

Everyone buzzed with excitement as you all quickly claimed your princesses, with Marlene insisting she had to be Aurora and Mary immediately taking Snow White. Dorcas was going as Tiana, and Lily being Megara. Alice obviously going as Alice from Alice in Wonderland and you end up choosing to be Belle.

By the time you’d dug through your trunks, swapped clothes, and haphazardly stitched what you could, everyone had their costumes mostly ready. Just a few last touches were needed, but it was time for dinner, and with a collective sigh, the girls abandoned their fabric chaos to make their way down to the Great Hall.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

As they entered, the Marauders were already at their usual table. Predictably, James shot up when he spotted Lily, putting on his best charming smile. "Evans," he greeted, clearly fishing for a reaction.

"Potter," she replied, unimpressed but with a glint in her eye that made Y/N smirk. Lily would never admit it, but the way she looked at James sometimes—like he’d just hung the stars for her—was hard to miss.

As they sat down, Y/N leaned in and whispered, "Why do you keep shutting him down? You know he really likes you."

Lily rolled her eyes but bit back a small smile. "He's just... a lot to deal with. And he's dramatic."

Still, Y/N could see the way Lily’s gaze trailed back to him as she spoke. Y/N had a plan forming, one that just might break down Lily’s walls once and for all.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Dinner didn’t take long. You could feel everyone’s eagerness to get back to the costumes; the group energy was practically bubbling as you finished dessert and prepared to head out. You were about to follow the girls out when a sudden idea hit you like lightning. Heart racing, you quickly told them, “I left something on the table, go ahead—I’ll catch up!”

You darted back into the Great Hall, skidding to a stop at the Gryffindor table. James blinked, surprised to see you there. “Y/N? Did you need something?”

“Yes,” you said, catching your breath, a smirk forming on your face. “So, here’s the thing: the girls and I are doing a group costume for Halloween—Disney princesses. Lily’s going to be Megara. You should be her Hercules.”

Peter raised his hand. “Wait, but we were going to be Ghostbusters!”

“Shut it, Wormtail,” James interrupted, eyes glinting with excitement. “Y/N, you are absolutely brilliant! You’re the best wing woman ever, thankyouthankyouthankyou.”

You grinned, knowing this might be the perfect plan to bring them closer. “She’ll be surprised, so don’t let on that I told you.”

After quick goodbyes, you dashed out to rejoin the girls. As you made your way up to the common room, you could practically picture the Halloween party—James dressed as Hercules, swooping in with some over-the-top line. It was going to be perfect.

When you arrived back at the dorm, the girls were waist-deep in costumes, trying to make the last adjustments. Dorcas waved a green sash at you, and Marlene threw a handful of glitter into the air, declaring, “Princesses of Gryffindor, we are ready for Halloween!”

And as you looked around at the chaos and excitement, you couldn’t help but smile, satisfied with your master plan. Halloween was going to be unforgettable, and with any luck, it might just be the night Lily finally sees James the way he’s always seen her.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The night of the Halloween party had arrived, Marlene’s playlist blasted through the dorm, a mix of upbeat tunes that kept them all hyped as they perfected their costumes. They took turns braiding hair, applying lipstick, and laughing about how they'd pulled this whole Disney princess thing together with their limited wardrobe and a lot of creative swapping.

As they descended the stairs to the common room, they were met with the sound of laughter and music echoing through the halls. The room was buzzing with students dressed in an eclectic mix of costumes, and Y/N could feel her excitement growing.

“Holy Merlin,” Lily muttered beside her, freezing in place.

Y/N followed her line of sight and almost laughed. There, in all his muscled glory, stood James Potter in a Hercules costume that made the costume look straight out of a Greek myth. He looked incredible—his broad shoulders and arms on full display, his hair charmingly tousled beneath a golden headpiece.

Lily was staring. Hard.

Trying not to grin too wide, Y/N nudged her. “Please don’t be mad, but… I kind of told James to go as Hercules. It seemed fitting, don’t you think?”

Lily shot her a half-hearted glare, but a reluctant smile broke through. “I want to be mad… but it’s actually kind of sweet he’d do that.” She paused, her cheeks going pink as she muttered, “Plus, he looks… really good.”

They burst into laughter, which caught James’s attention from across the room. Spotting Lily, he straightened up, his usual bravado suddenly replaced with nervous excitement. He came over, cheeks tinged with a blush.

“Lily,” he started, voice soft and sincere, “you look beautiful.” He held out his hand, barely hiding his nerves. “Would you like to dance?”

Lily’s surprise was evident, but she didn’t hesitate for long. She nodded, slipping her hand into his, and Y/N saw the look of pure disbelief on James’s face. Before they stepped onto the dance floor, he shot Y/N a look of pure gratitude, mouthing thank you. She winked back, feeling like a matchmaker extraordinaire.

With the night in full swing, Y/N wandered through the crowd, catching up with friends. Eventually, she bumped into Remus, who gave her a warm hug.

“Hey! So, what did you all decide to go as for Halloween, since James bailed?” she asked, grinning.

Remus smirked and gently turned her by the shoulders. There, in the corner, was Sirius Black in a Gaston costume, flexing and striking ridiculous poses to impress the girls around him.

“Sirius,” Remus explained, holding back a laugh, “doesn’t know much about Beauty and the Beast. He thinks Gaston is the hero who wins the princess.”

Y/N’s face twisted in horror and amusement as she tried to stifle a laugh. “You didn’t tell him?”

“Oh, no,” Remus chuckled. “I’m letting him figure that out himself.”

Her laughter bubbled over, and she shook her head. “Remus, you’re evil.”

You quickly look Remus up and down trying to figure out what he’s supposed to be, but it doesnt look like he has a costume on and you look at him confused.

He gave a soft shrug, his smile a bit sly. “I’m actually the Beast, for… obvious reasons.”

She blinked, processing his dark sense of humor, and let out a giggle. “You know, I really shouldn’t be laughing at that.”

He chuckled, nudging her lightly. “But it’s true.”

Her laughter was interrupted by a question. “Where’s Peter, though?” she asked, scanning the room.

Remus nodded toward the far corner, where Peter stood dejectedly in his Ghostbusters costume, arms crossed. “He’s still trying to make the rest of us feel guilty for ditching the group costume.”

Y/N couldn’t hold back a laugh. “He’ll get over it,” she said, grinning. They shared a knowing look before the crowd swept her away.

As she caught glimpses of James and Lily laughing together on the dance floor, Sirius flexing dramatically, and Peter moping in his Ghostbuster getup, Y/N felt a sense of warmth and satisfaction. This was the kind of Halloween she’d dreamed of—a night full of laughter, a bit of chaos, and just the right amount of magic.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ Just a quick one-shot i threw together to comfort all you Marauder fans out there on this sad day. Happy Halloween everyone!! stay safe <3

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latenightreadingpdf · 22 days ago

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Hidden in Plain Sight (3) - Dave Lizewski

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊ ☽◯☾ ₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 1 ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 2 ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: When Y/S/N saves Kick-Ass from a dangerous situation, he becomes obsessed with trying to uncover her true identity. Little does he know, Y/S/N is a girl from his school who secretly has a crush on him as well. As they patrol together, their worlds collide in ways neither expected, leading to a surprising revelation about who's really behind the mask.

Y/S/N - Your superhero name

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Y/N strolled through the neighborhood, her mind buzzing with ways to tease Dave. She was endlessly entertained by how adorably flustered he got under that mask—especially when she pushed the limits, gushing over him like he wasn’t the same guy beside her, trying desperately to stay composed. She knew he tried to be respectful, but she often caught him sneaking glances at her chest, and every time she called him out on it, he’d blush furiously under the mask.

Lost in her thoughts, she was pulled back to reality by a quiet cough from behind. Turning, she saw Kick-Ass himself standing there, adjusting his mask nervously.

“Hey, I thought you weren’t going to show up,” she teased.

“I–uh, sorry I’m late,” he replied, still slightly out of breath.

She smirked, nudging him lightly as they began walking. “Oh, don’t worry about it! I just wanted to tell you all about Dave. I finally talked to him yesterday, and it went so well! I asked him to tutor me in calc, and he said yes. Now we’re going to spend all this time together.” She glanced at him, watching his hands start to fidget as she kept going. “I’m just worried, you know? I’ll be trying to learn, but I don’t think I can focus when he’s around. God, he’s so hot. And those hands…” She trailed off dreamily. “I always wonder what they’d feel like on my—”

Suddenly, Kick-Ass stumbled over his own feet, nearly tripping into the street. Y/N pressed her lips together to keep from laughing out loud, but she couldn’t stop herself entirely.

“Sorry,” she giggled. “I know I’m rambling. What about you? Got anything spicy going on in your love life?”

Kick-Ass cleared his throat, clearly flustered. “Uh, yeah. It’s, um… good.”

She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. “Come on, you have to give me more than that! I’m basically pouring my heart out here, and I get ‘yeah, it’s good’? Spill!”

“Okay, okay, fine,” he relented, clearly trying to think of a way to answer without giving too much away. “There’s this girl, and she’s—”

CRASH.

Oh thank god, Dave thought.

A loud noise cut him off, followed by shouting around the corner. Instinctively, he snapped to attention. “I’ll tell you later,” he said, as the two of them took off, sprinting towards the sound to see how they could help.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The next day, both Dave and Y/N stepped up their game a bit. Dave put extra effort into picking a shirt that didn’t smell like his closet floor, even making sure his hair didn’t look like he’d just rolled out of bed. Meanwhile, Y/N chose a lower-cut shirt and wore that perfume she knew drove him crazy, adding just a hint more makeup for that extra polished look.

As calculus neared, Dave practically power-walked to the classroom, heart pounding, and took his seat, eyes glued to the door. When Y/N entered, she caught his gaze, offering a warm smile and a wave.

“Hey, Dave,” she greeted, walking up to his desk. “Are you still free to tutor me after school?”

“Of course!” he replied, perhaps a bit too eagerly, but she just smiled, and he watched as she headed to her seat.

For the rest of the day, Dave’s mind was nowhere near his classes. The only thing that seemed to register in his brain was the thought of his upcoming study session with Y/N.

When the final bell rang, Dave wasted no time heading to the library. Halfway there, his phone buzzed with a text:

Y/N: At the table near the back of the library :)

He found her easily, smiling as she waved him over. “Hey, Y/N. Are you ready to start?” he asked, taking the seat beside her.

“Yup! I was hoping we could go over the first unit,” she replied. “I think missing that might be why everything else isn’t making sense.”

“Sure, let’s start there,” he said, pulling out his textbook. He walked her through some basic concepts, then pulled out a sheet of paper to work through a few examples. As he began writing, Y/N scooted her chair closer to get a better view, leaning in, and he felt his mind go blank for a second.

“Uh, so, um,” he stuttered, nearly forgetting what he was supposed to be teaching.

With every example, Y/N seemed to get closer, her shoulder brushing his every so often, her perfume making it impossible for him to concentrate. By the end of the session, Dave was practically melting, trying to keep his focus.

“Thanks so much,” Y/N said as they stood up, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. “You’re a great teacher, Dave.”

He barely managed to stammer out a reply, feeling like he’d floated to another dimension. As they walked toward the library doors, she mentioned she was planning to walk home.

Dave felt a surge of courage. “I could, um, walk you home if you want?”

She smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.”

The walk was relaxed, conversation flowing easily. They talked about comics, giving each other recommendations, Dave told stupid stories about Todd and Marty, Y/N talked about a party she went to, and just learned more about each other. Every minute of it felt more natural than anything he’d experienced, like the superhero masks weren’t necessary anymore.

When they finally reached her house, Y/N turned to him, eyes warm. “Thanks for walking me home, Dave. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

He nodded, practically grinning from ear to ear. “Definitely. See you.”

As he walked back to his own house, he couldn’t stop smiling, mind whirling with every little moment he’d just spent with her.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Between superhero patrols and calculus tutoring, Y/N and Dave had been seeing a lot of each other lately. They texted all the time, and Dave had been noticing her texts popping up at any time of day, which made him grin even at the simplest “Hey, what’s up?”

Saturday afternoon brought him a new message:

Y/N: Dave, pleeease save me! I’m so boooored. :( Dave: I’m about to walk to Atomic Comics to meet Todd and Marty. Wanna hang out with us? Y/N: YES, THANK YOU. Dave: I’ll stop by your place on my way.

He set off for her place, nerves jangling. As she joined him on the walk to the store, he tried to keep his cool but couldn’t stop himself from blurting, “Just a heads-up: my friends are, uh… really weird.”

She laughed, nudging his arm. “They can’t be that weird. I bet they’re just like you—maybe a little shy.”

Dave only chuckled in response, inwardly wincing at how little she knew about Todd and Marty’s lack of social skills.

They slid into a booth across from Todd and Marty, who were already seated. As Dave introduced Y/N, both of his friends seemed frozen, eyes wide, staring at her like she was from another planet. Five silent, awkward seconds passed.

“Guys… Really?” Dave whispered, giving them each a nudge under the table. “Don’t act so… I don’t know… weird?”

That seemed to do the trick. Todd cleared his throat and muttered a barely audible “Hi,” while Marty attempted a smile and a wave.

Y/N just smiled back, unphased, and Dave jumped into conversation about a new Spider-Man x Wolverine crossover he’d been obsessed with lately. As he pulled the comic out from his bag, Y/N scooted closer to look, her shoulder pressing against his. Dave tried to keep his focus on the comic’s cover, but it was hard with her so close, leaning over to see. He felt his face flush and prayed that Todd and Marty wouldn’t say anything embarrassing.

From across the table, they exchanged looks, clearly unable to believe that Dave was sitting that close to Y/N.

Eventually, Dave got up to go to the bathroom, leaving Y/N with his friends. She looked across at them with a smile. “So, guys, I’ve gotta know—what are the best comics here? I’m kind of new to this whole thing.”

The question seemed to break through the last of Todd and Marty’s reservations. Todd’s eyes lit up, and he immediately launched into an enthusiastic explanation of his favorite series, going so far as to pull up comic covers on his phone and explaining key plot points. Marty joined in, pointing out his personal favorites on a nearby rack.

Y/N listened, nodding along and laughing at their side tangents. It didn’t take long before she was laughing along with them, chiming in with questions and responding to their recommendations with genuine curiosity. Soon, Todd was leading her around the store, showing her the most underrated comics and detailing why certain storylines were, in his words, “the best character arcs of all time.”

By the time Dave came back, Y/N was chatting with them comfortably. “So, okay, this whole series is a must-read,” she was saying, holding up a copy of Saga that Todd had practically forced into her hands. “Where should I start?”

“Volume one!” Marty and Todd chorused. Todd gave her a detailed breakdown of how she could get up to speed in no time.

Dave sat down, unable to keep from smiling at the way she fit in with his friends. “Making converts?” he asked with a grin.

“Oh, totally,” Y/N said, scooting back beside him. “I’m basically a comic expert now.”

The four of them ended up lingering at the shop, laughing over various comics and obscure references, until the store started dimming its lights to close up. When they got up to leave, Dave offered to walk Y/N home.

They talked the whole way, chatting about the evening, laughing about Todd and Marty’s passion for comics, and revisiting her new reading list.

“Your friends are funny,” Y/N said as they stopped at her door, smiling.

He laughed. “Funny? That’s new. Usually, they’re terrible.”

She laughed too, eyes twinkling, and then, without warning, she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Goodnight, Dave.”

For a moment, he just stood there, his cheeks tingling where her lips had brushed his skin. “Uh—goodnight,” he managed weakly as she turned and slipped inside.

Walking home, his head was all fuzzy. As excited as he was about how close he and Y/N were getting, there was that nagging thought in the back of his mind—could he really get close to her without ever telling her he was Kick-Ass? It made him wonder if he could ever have a real chance with her if he kept hiding half his life.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

After school one day, Dave was hanging out at Atomic Comics, flipping through the latest issues with Todd and Marty, when he heard the bell above the door chime. He glanced up from his comic just in time to see Y/N practically sprinting into the store, her face lit up with excitement. She beelined straight toward him, holding up a crinkled piece of paper with a big red “92%” circled at the top.

“Dave!” she almost shouted, her grin so wide it looked like her face might split in two. “Look! 92! I got a 92 on my calculus test!” Before he knew what was happening, she threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly and burying her face in his neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she said, her words muffled but still bursting with enthusiasm.

Dave’s brain went into overdrive, his senses zeroing in on the warmth of her arms around him, her hair brushing against his cheek, and the soft, citrusy scent of her perfume. Somehow, he managed to wrap his arms around her, gently squeezing her back.

“I knew you could do it,” he murmured, grinning ear to ear.

When she finally pulled back, her hands still rested on his shoulders. She looked up at him, eyes gleaming with excitement. “We have to celebrate. You should come over tonight. We’ll watch a movie, and I’ll buy a ton of your favorite snacks. What do you say?”

Dave’s heart pounded so loudly he was sure she could hear it. “Uh… yeah, sure,” he stammered, doing his best to sound casual, though the idea of spending an evening alone with her made him feel anything but.

“Great!” she said, her smile widening even more—if that was possible. With a final wave, she turned and headed for the door, throwing a quick “Bye, guys!” over her shoulder to Todd and Marty.

The door closed, and the three of them watched her leave, stunned into silence. Todd was the first to break it. He nudged Dave with his elbow, eyes wide. “Dude,” he said, barely able to contain his excitement. “This is it. Tonight’s the perfect night to tell her how you feel. You’ve gotta do it!”

Marty nodded enthusiastically, his expression a mix of excitement and impatience. “Seriously, man. She invited you over for a movie night. She wants to celebrate with you. You can’t just ignore that!”

Dave looked between his two friends, his excitement battling with nerves. “You think so?” he asked, even though he could barely contain his own excitement at the thought.

Todd clapped him on the back. “You’ve got this, Dave. Just be honest with her.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Dave thought he might actually pass out.

As soon as you opened the door, he had to fight to keep his mouth from hanging open—you were in the cutest pair of fluffy pajama pants and a tiny tank top that showed just a hint of midriff. It was unfair, honestly. Before he could even fully process it, you grabbed his arm, and with a warm smile, pulled him inside, leading him up the stairs and straight to your room.

Walking into your room felt like stepping into another world, one that was undeniably and entirely you. Posters lined the walls, your desk was organized in a way that was both chaotic and charming, and there were little knick-knacks on your shelves that seemed to tell a story all their own. It was exactly how he’d imagined it… Not that he imagined your room or anything like that. That would be weird, right? Totally weird. Totally not him. He definitely did not imagine your room all the time… though, looking around, it was kind of uncanny how close he’d gotten it.

"Go ahead and get comfortable! I’m just grabbing more candy from the kitchen," you said, heading out the door.

He nodded, sitting on the edge of your bed, still taking everything in. Then he noticed a plush bunny sitting at the top of your pillow. Grinning, he reached over and picked it up, giving it a little squeeze, admiring its big, floppy ears. He was caught red-handed when you came back, and his eyes widened slightly when he saw you laughing at him.

“Oh my god, you’re one of those people, huh?” he teased, holding the bunny up like a prized possession.

You put a hand on your hip, rolling your eyes playfully. “Yes, I am, and it’s cute, okay?”

He chuckled, flipping the bunny around in his hands. “What’s his name?”

You groaned, blushing. “Come on, Dave… do you really need to know?”

He put on a serious face, hugging the bunny dramatically. “Absolutely. His name is—”

You bit back a smile, rolling your eyes. “… it’s Mr. Floppy.”

He choked back a laugh. “Mr. Floppy? Well Mr. Floppy is my new best friend now.”

“Oh no, how will I ever survive,” you replied in a mockingly dramatic tone, unable to hide your grin. Within seconds, the two of you broke out in a fit of laughter, your voices mingling in a way that made your room feel like the safest, happiest place in the world.

Settling down, you handed him a bowl of candy and flopped onto the bed next to him, pulling up the movie. As it started, you shifted closer, so much so that Dave could feel the warmth radiating from you. By the time you were twenty minutes in, you were nestled against his chest, his arm resting around you almost instinctively. He didn’t dare move—this was the closest he’d ever been to you, and he could feel his heart racing, every nerve on edge. Every thirty seconds or so, he couldn’t help himself; he’d glance down at you, admiring the way the glow from the screen softened your features.

After a while, you must’ve felt him looking at you because you shifted, turning to meet his eyes. The two of you were so close that your breaths mingled, and the tension between you was thick enough to cut. In a quiet voice, you tilted your head and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Dave swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Nothing, it’s just… you look really pretty.”

Your cheeks warmed at the compliment, and you offered a shy smile, thanking him softly as you continued to gaze into his eyes. The movie was entirely forgotten now.

“Y/N, I… uh, I really like you,” he stammered, finally gathering the courage to say what he’d been holding back. “You’re so smart, beautiful, and… way out of my league, but I can’t help it. I really want to be more than friends.”

For a moment, you simply looked at him, and his heart felt like it might stop entirely. “Say something… please,” he whispered, his voice laced with nervousness.

Finally, a smile spread across your face, and with a glance down at his lips, you leaned in, closing the gap with a gentle, sweet kiss. When you pulled back, you whispered, “I like you too, Dave.”

A grin broke across his face, and he could hardly believe this was happening. “Can I… can I kiss you again?” he asked, breathless, as if he were asking permission for a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.

Laughing softly, you replied, “You can kiss me whenever you want.”

This time, he kissed you deeper, pouring every ounce of his feelings into it, savoring every second. The kiss grew more passionate, and his heart pounded in his chest, but when you finally pulled back, he couldn’t help but let out a soft, disappointed whine, not wanting the moment to end.

You bit your lip, an amused smile on your face. “I actually have something to confess, too,” you said, your voice softer now.

Sitting up straighter, he looked at you with wide eyes, a slight furrow in his brow. “What is it?”

You took a breath, meeting his gaze. “I know you’re Kick-Ass.”

For a moment, he froze, his mind scrambling. “W-What?” he spluttered, immediately trying to backtrack. “I—Kick-Ass? No, that’s—that’s not me! I’m, uh—”

You held up a hand to stop him, laughing softly. “And I know you know that I’m Y/S/N.”

His eyes widened even further, and he seemed completely thrown off. “But… you always talked about ‘Dave’ to me when we were out, you know, fighting crime together. I thought… I thought I had you fooled.”

You shrugged, grinning. “I just liked teasing you. It was… kind of adorable to see you get all flustered.”

“Oh,” he breathed, the realization dawning on him as his face flushed a deep red. He couldn’t help but laugh, feeling both relieved and slightly embarrassed. The two of you settled back into the bed, and a grin spread across his face as a new thought occurred to him.

“Just think about it, though—we’d make the most amazing superhero couple ever,” he said, his voice bubbling with excitement at the idea. “Kick-Ass and Y/S/N, taking down bad guys together? We’d be unstoppable!”

You smirked, raising an eyebrow as you poked his chest. “Not so fast, Kick-Ass. Before we start planning our crime-fighting future, you’ve gotta take me on a proper date first.”

He grinned sheepishly, nodding as he took your hand in his, squeezing it gently. “Right. Totally. Consider it done.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ and that concludes this story! thank you all for reading <3 I’ll probably go back through this another time and edit it a bit. If anyone has any Kick-ass fic recs or ideas please send them my way pretty please :)))

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Text

Hidden in Plain Sight (2) - Dave Lizewski

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊ ☽◯☾ ₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 1 ⋆˖⁺‧₊ ☽◯☾ ₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 3 ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Y/S/N - Your superhero name

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Monday couldn’t have come fast enough. Dave was jittery with excitement and nerves as he met up with Todd and Marty outside school. Clutching his hastily scribbled list of suspects, he gave the rundown.

"Alright, guys, these are the girls who could be her. We’ll watch them, check out their voices, see if anything clicks. If one looks even a little familiar from the other night, I’ll try to talk to her after class."

Todd smirked, looking over the list. "You’re gonna stare down all these girls and hope one of them gives you a hint?”

"Exactly," Dave nodded, grinning. "This’ll work. It has to.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

In first period, Dave’s mission began. The first girl on the list, Emily Sanders, sat two rows ahead of him. He stared at her intently, trying to imagine her face under Y/S/N’s mask. She had dark hair, like Y/S/N, but she looked over her shoulder at him with a disgusted expression and promptly switched seats.

Strike one.

In the next class, he focused on Lisa Connelly, suspect number two. Every time she moved or talked, Dave leaned a little closer, hoping to catch some flash of familiarity. Eventually, Lisa’s friend whispered something to her, and she gave Dave a strange look before moving to a different part of the room.

Strike two.

The third girl, Brianna Torres, noticed his staring almost immediately. After class, he mustered up the courage to talk to her, but she barely let him get a word in before brushing past him, muttering, “Creep.”

At the end of the day, Dave regrouped with Todd and Marty as they walked home, pulling out his list with a sigh. “I crossed three off today,” he said, folding the list back up.

Todd nodded. “Marty and I managed to cross one off too. I guess she’s not Susie. That leaves… what, three?”

Dave nodded, relieved. "Right. We’ll hit those three tomorrow. We’re close, I can feel it.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

That night, he suited up in his Kick-Ass costume, the mask and jumpsuit a comfort now as he headed out on patrol. The list was still gnawing at the back of his mind, though, as he roamed the city streets, keeping an eye out for any sign of trouble—or maybe even a glimpse of Y/S/N.

And just like clockwork, her voice called out from behind him.

“Hey, Kick-Ass.”

He whirled around, trying not to look as startled as he felt, hands suddenly sweaty under his gloves. “H—hey,” he managed, aiming for casual but landing somewhere between awkward and shaky.

She walked up beside him, giving him a friendly nod as they began to patrol together in easy silence.

After a bit of small talk about superhero stuff, he started throwing out questions, subtle but probing, hoping they’d reveal something about her identity. But she sidestepped each one with a smooth answer, too clever to let anything slip.

Eventually, a small lull fell over the conversation. Dave’s mind raced, wanting to ask something—anything—that would get him closer to figuring out who she was. Then, before he could stop himself, he blurted out, “So, uh… how’s it going with that Dave guy from your school?”

She let out a soft laugh behind her mask. “Oh, that? You don’t want to hear about my dumb crush.”

“No!” he said, maybe a bit too loudly, his voice cracking as he stumbled to recover. “I mean, I want to help. You know… give some advice, or whatever.”

She glanced at him, the amusement clear in her eyes even with her mask on. “Alright. I mean, I’d love some advice, but… I don’t think he likes me back anyway.”

“What? No way! You’re—you’re amazing! Like, I don’t think anyone wouldn’t like you,” he said, the words tumbling out before he could think.

“Thanks,” she replied softly. Then her voice took on a more teasing tone, as if she knew something he didn’t. “But it doesn’t help that he’s been staring at a bunch of other girls in class. It’s like he doesn’t even notice me.”

Dave swallowed, the heat rising to his cheeks. “Oh… uh… really?”

“Mhm,” she said, and there was a smile in her tone. “I sit near him in calculus. Not that I pay much attention—I’m usually too busy looking at him to focus on anything else.”

His mind spun as he absorbed her words. Calculus… that narrowed it down a lot. And then it hit him. Y/N. She sat right near him in calculus. His heart nearly skipped a beat.

Holy crap, it’s Y/N! How did I not figure this out sooner?

As the realization sank in, his nerves took over. He didn’t know what came over him, but he started stumbling over his words, trying to come up with a quick excuse. “Uh—um, yeah, s-sorry I’ve got to go… um… feed my cat! Yeah, feed my cat. She’s probably hungry. But uh… you should talk to Dave! To see if he likes you back.”

Before she could respond, he took off running, practically tripping over his feet in his rush to get away. “I’ll, uh, see you around!”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

When he got home, Dave immediately grabbed his phone, texting Todd and Marty.

Dave: Guys… I figured out who Y/S/N is.

Todd: Seriously? Who?

Dave: Y/N. You know, the Y/N from our calc class.

Marty: No way. Isn’t she, like, super hot?

Todd: Dude, how the hell did you manage to get someone like her into you? That’s insane.

Dave rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the goofy grin on his face. After shutting off his phone, he lay in bed, his mind spinning. He’d done it. He’d actually figured out who Y/S/N was. And more than that… she liked him, even when he was just awkward, nerdy Dave.

He closed his eyes, trying to calm down, but sleep wouldn’t come. All he could think about was Y/N—her laugh, her teasing, and, most of all, the fact that she was hiding right under his nose all along.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The next morning, Dave woke up with a renewed sense of purpose—and anxiety. Today, he was going to talk to Y/N. For once, he put a bit more effort into his appearance, doing his hair carefully and choosing an outfit that looked cooler than his usual. He even checked himself in the mirror before leaving, feeling oddly confident.

As soon as he got to school, he found Todd and Marty, who were waiting to discuss the plan.

“So, how are you gonna talk to her?” Todd asked, nudging him.

“Yeah, like, you actually need to have a game plan,” Marty added.

Before he could answer, Todd’s eyes widened, and he slapped Dave’s shoulder. “Dude, there she is! At her locker. Right now.”

Dave’s stomach did a nervous flip as he looked over to see Y/N grabbing her books from her locker. She looked effortlessly perfect, and he suddenly felt like he had no idea what he was doing.

“Holy shit, what do I even say?” he muttered, feeling himself start to freak out.

“Just go talk to her!” Todd whisper-shouted, nudging him forward.

But as they all panicked in silence, Y/N shut her locker and walked away toward her class. The three of them deflated, watching her go.

“Damn it!” Dave sighed, running a hand over his face.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

By the time calculus class rolled around, Dave was still on edge. When he walked in, he saw Y/N already seated and scrolling through her phone. He’d been planning all morning to talk to her before class, but now that she was right there, the nerves came rushing back. He chickened out and went straight to his seat, cursing himself internally.

But damn, she looked good.

Throughout the class, he found himself glancing her way, completely forgetting where he was. It was like she was the only person in the room, and every time she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear or shifted in her seat, he’d find himself staring all over again.

When the bell rang, Dave started gathering his stuff, still kicking himself for not making a move. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone approaching him. He looked up, and his heart nearly stopped.

It was her.

“Hey, Dave,” Y/N said with a sweet smile, her voice soft.

“H-hey, Y/N. What’s up?” he replied, hoping he sounded calm.

She looked a little shy, almost as if she were working up the courage to ask him something. “Um, I’m not doing too well in this class, and the teacher mentioned you’re, like, the best in here. I was hoping you could maybe… tutor me?”

His mind raced. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. He managed to nod, practically shouting, “Uh, y-yeah, of course!”

Y/N giggled, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small piece of paper. “Perfect! Here’s my number. Just text me when you’re free to help.”

She flashed him another smile, thanking him one more time before turning to walk away, a subtle smirk playing at her lips. Dave stared after her, feeling like he’d just ascended to another dimension. He could still smell a hint of her perfume lingering in the air around him, and he was left completely dazed.

Oh god, he thought, staring down at the paper in his hand. I’m so screwed.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

At lunch, Dave clutched the small piece of paper with Y/N’s number in his hand like it was a lifeline. He spotted Todd and Marty at their usual table and dropped into his seat, quieter than usual.

Todd noticed immediately, squinting at him. “Dude, what’s with you? You look… weird.”

Dave took a deep breath and held up the paper. “I got Y/N’s number.”

Both Todd and Marty’s eyes went wide, and they immediately broke out into grins.

“Are you serious?!” Todd said, practically jumping up from his seat.

“It’s not like that!” Dave blurted, trying to stay calm. “She just wants me to tutor her in calc. She thinks I’m good at it or something.”

“Still, that’s her number, man!” Marty elbowed him. “So, what’s your plan? Are you going to flirt with her? Sit super close? Or maybe pull the classic ‘oh no, I forgot my textbook’ move?”

Dave groaned. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I’ll probably just wing it.”

Marty rolled his eyes. “Yeah, ‘cause that always works out so well for you.”

“Come on, man!” Dave gave him a slap on the arm. “I’m not that bad at talking to her.”

The boys kept laughing, teasing him over possible things he could say, until eventually they switched to discussing a new comic that had just come out. But while Todd and Marty debated storylines, Dave couldn’t concentrate. His mind was on Y/N—and what he was actually supposed to text her.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

As soon as Dave got home from school, he went straight to his room, staring down at his phone, crafting the perfect text. His thumbs hovered over the screen before he finally typed:

"Hello, it’s Dave Lizewski from calculus class. Can’t wait to start tutoring you! Are you available after school tomorrow?"

He cringed, instantly deleting it. No, way too eager.

He tried again.

"Hey Y/N, it’s Dave from calc. Did you want to meet up tomorrow after school for tutoring?"

This time, it seemed more casual. He read it over about twenty times, taking a deep breath before finally hitting send. To his surprise, Y/N’s reply came back almost immediately.

Y/N: Hey Dave :) After school works for me. I’ll meet you in the library?

Dave grinned, typing back, “Yeah, sounds good.”

He set his phone down, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He couldn’t believe it was happening; he was actually going to meet up with Y/N outside of class. But just as he started to relax, he remembered something else—Kick-Ass was due out on the streets tonight, too. And he’d almost definitely run into Y/S/N. Or, well, Y/N.

He let out a frustrated sigh, grabbing his suit and getting ready. How am I supposed to keep this whole thing a secret while tutoring her and fighting crime with her alter ego?

Little did he know, Y/N had already figured it out.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ I got a little carried away while writing so now there’s going to be a part 3

#fanfic #fluff #dave lizewski x y/n #dave lizewski x you #dave lizewski x reader #dave lizewski fanfic #dave lizewski imagine #dave #dave lizewski #kickass x reader #kick ass x y/n #kick ass x you #kick ass x reader #kick ass fanfic #kickass #kick ass #kick-ass #fanfics #fanfiction

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latenightreadingpdf · 26 days ago

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Hidden in Plain Sight - Dave Lizewski

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 2 ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 3 ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Y/S/N - Your superhero name

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The night sky over New York had a strange way of making a person feel invincible. Dave Lizewski, aka Kick-Ass, was just starting out his amateur superhero career and was already way in over his head. Sure, he'd gotten a few decent hits in on some petty thugs before, but most of the time, he spent more energy trying not to die than actually fighting crime.

Tonight was one of those nights.

He sprinted down an alley, panting, adrenaline surging through his veins. Behind him, two guys—huge, brawny types who clearly had nothing better to do than terrorize the innocent—chased him with knives. His green suit felt like a second skin, clinging to him with every move, though it wasn’t exactly made for high-intensity situations like this. His lungs burned, and a stitch formed in his side. Not good.

“I swear,” he gasped to himself, “I’m gonna die.”

The alley came to an abrupt dead end. He cursed, turning just in time to see the guys closing in, grinning like they'd won the lottery. He raised his fists, trying to look braver than he felt.

"This... is not going to end well," Dave muttered.

Before either of them could lunge, something fast and powerful blurred from the shadows, hitting one of the thugs with such force that he flew backward, crashing into a stack of crates. The second guy barely had time to react before the figure was on him too, taking him down with an expert kick to the stomach.

Dave blinked in disbelief. The figure straightened, revealing a young woman in a sleek, black suit. It wasn’t flashy, but it looked way more professional than his own green and yellow DIY get-up. She had an aura of confidence and strength that radiated even in the dim light.

And, yeah, Dave noticed, she had a killer figure.

"You... you just saved my life!" Dave stammered.

The girl rolled her eyes behind her mask. “Yeah, and I’m guessing it won’t be the last time, Kick-Ass.”

Kick-Ass. She knew his name.

“Wait, who are you?” he asked, his voice still shaky from the adrenaline.

“Call me Y/S/N,” she said casually, as if saving people from imminent death was just another Friday night. “You really should be more prepared for situations like this.”

“I... I thought I was.”

Y/S/N snorted, crossing her arms. "Really? No backup, no weapons? Just... that?" She gestured to his suit. "You're gonna get yourself killed."

Dave flushed, partly from embarrassment and partly from the rush of adrenaline still coursing through him. “I’ll... I’ll do better,” he promised lamely, watching as she walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the night.

And just like that, she was gone.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

At Atomic Comics the next day, Dave was still riding the adrenaline high from his encounter with the mysterious heroine. His friends, Todd and Marty, sat across from him, distracted by the latest issue of X-Men, while Dave rambled on about her.

“I swear, you guys, she was like something out of The Avengers. She totally saved my ass last night. And she was hot. I mean, like, really hot. Her suit—it was super tight. I could barely focus.”

Todd raised an eyebrow, putting his comic down. “Dude, you’re such a nerd. A hot superhero saves you, and that’s what you focus on?”

Dave shrugged, grinning sheepishly. “I mean, yeah? You didn’t see her. She’s got this whole thing going on—great moves, great...uh...form. Her ass is—”

"Wow. Really going full perv, aren't we?" Marty quipped, rolling his eyes.

Unbeknownst to Dave, someone had been listening. On the other side of a nearby shelf, Y/N, the kind and somewhat popular girl from school, had been browsing comics too. She knew who Dave was—after all, they had a few classes together—but they had never really talked.

Y/N smiled to herself as she overheard Dave’s rant about his superhero crush. Little did he know that she was Y/S/N, the very girl who had saved his life last night. Hearing him talk about her alter-ego like that—saying she was cool, hot, and all that—was...well, flattering in a weird way. And the fact that he was so obviously into her made things a lot more interesting.

Still smiling, Y/N grabbed a random comic, paid for it, and headed out, a plan forming in her head.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Later that week, Dave suited up as Kick-Ass once again, hoping to catch a glimpse of Y/S/N during his patrol. After their first encounter, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. She had this presence that he couldn’t shake off, and it didn’t help that his crush was amplified by the fact that she’d saved him. She was the real deal—a hero, like he wanted to be.

“Kick-Ass.”

Dave turned at the sound of her voice, heart skipping a beat. She was there, perched casually on a rooftop ledge, looking down at him with that same cool confidence.

“Y/S/N!” He tried to sound smooth, but his voice cracked just a little.

“You’re not going to need saving again, are you?” she teased, dropping down to the street in front of him.

“I’ve got it covered this time,” he said, puffing out his chest just a little. “Totally prepared.”

Y/S/N gave him a once-over, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Sure you are.”

The two of them walked together, patrolling the empty streets, though it was a quiet night—too quiet, really.

“So, Kick-Ass,” Y/S/N started, her voice casual. “There’s this guy I go to school with. He’s in a few of my classes.”

Dave’s heart gave a little lurch. Was she... opening up to him? Maybe this was his chance to learn more about her.

“Yeah? What about him?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“He’s super nerdy, kind of awkward. But he’s... well, he’s hot. Like, really hot.”

Dave blinked. “Wait, what?”

“I bet he’s got... you know, a lot going on,” she continued, her voice dropping slightly. “In more ways than one.”

Dave felt his face flush. “Oh.”

“I can’t focus in class because I’m too busy thinking about him,” she added. “It’s a problem, I don’t know what to do.”

“Wow, okay. Um... who’s the guy?” he asked, not really wanting to know but needing to at the same time.

“Dave Lizewski,” Y/S/N said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Dave stopped dead in his tracks. His brain short-circuited for a second. “Wait... what? Did you just... did you just say Dave Lizewski?”

She turned to face him, her expression unreadable behind her mask. “Yeah, why? You know him?”

“I—uh—” Dave’s thoughts tumbled over each other in a chaotic mess. She knows me. She actually knows me. And she thinks I’m hot?!

Y/S/N didn’t give him any time to process. “Anyway, I gotta run. Crime won’t stop itself.” She gave him a little wave before disappearing into the night once more, leaving Dave standing there, still in shock.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

That night, Dave immediately FaceTimed Todd and Marty, pacing his room in a frenzy.

“Guys! You are not going to believe what just happened!” he blurted out as soon as they answered.

“What is it now, man?” Marty asked, exasperated.

“I think Y/S/N goes to our school.”

Both of them stared at him blankly through the screen.

“No, seriously! She was talking about a guy she likes in her classes. And then she said my name! My actual name!”

Todd snorted. “Okay, but how do you know she’s not just messing with you?”

“I... don’t know. But it seemed real,” Dave insisted. “I think she really goes to school with me. And now I have to figure out who she is.”

He grabbed his old yearbook off the shelf and flipped it open. “There’s gotta be some kind of clue.”

Todd and Marty exchanged skeptical glances but eventually joined in, helping him comb through the yearbook. They scanned faces, trying to match anyone they knew with the mystery of Y/S/N.

“Alright, so we need a plan,” Dave said, leaning over the pages. “Monday, we’re going to do some recon. Check out anyone who might be her. We’ll figure this out.”

Todd and Marty, albeit reluctantly, nodded in agreement.

“Sure, dude. Recon mission on Monday.”

Dave closed the yearbook with a snap, his mind racing. Somewhere in the sea of students, Y/S/N was hiding in plain sight. And now, he was more determined than ever to find out who she was—both in and out of her suit.

Little did he know, Monday would bring him more answers than he could’ve ever expected.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ there’s not enough Kick-Ass fanfics on here and I’m sick of it :( lmk if you want a part 2

#dave lizewski #kick ass #kick ass x reader #dave lizewski x reader #dave lizewski x you #dave lizewski fanfic #dave lizewski imagine #dave lizewski x y/n #kick-ass x y/n #kick-ass x you #kick-ass fanfic #kick-ass #kickass #kickass x reader #fanfic #fluff #dave #atj #aaron taylor johnson

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latenightreadingpdf · 27 days ago

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Secrets of the Heart - Marauders Era

Chapter 5 - Prank Gone Wrong

Secrets of the Heart Masterlist

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Aurora was running a bit late for Potions that morning, and as she hurried down the corridor toward the classroom, she had no idea what awaited her on the other side of the door. The Marauders had gotten away with their prank on the Slytherins the day before, but retaliation was inevitable.

As soon as she stepped into the classroom, a loud splat echoed through the air, and a thick, slimy green substance poured down from above, coating her from head to toe. She stood there frozen, dripping in goo as laughter erupted from the Slytherins. The slimy mess clung to her hair and robes, the sickly green substance dripping onto the stone floor. Her stomach tightened, embarrassment flashing through her chest.

The Marauders, walking in shortly behind her, immediately jumped to her side. Sirius was the first to reach her, James and Remus close behind. Peter followed a few steps back, his face a mixture of shock and concern.

"Aurora, are you alright?" Sirius asked, his voice unusually serious as he tried to brush some of the goop off her shoulder.

Professor Slughorn came bustling over, his face red with anger. "What is the meaning of this?" he barked, his eyes scanning the room. “Miss Haven, are you hurt?”

Aurora shook her head, swallowing her frustration. "I'm fine," she said, though her tone was tight.

The Slytherins were still laughing, their smug faces only making the situation worse. Aurora glared at them, feeling a wave of anger surge through her.

Professor Slughorn turned his sharp gaze to the group of Slytherins, his voice stern. “Twenty points from Slytherin for this childish behavior, and detention for all of you. I won’t have pranks of this sort in my classroom.”

The Slytherins’ laughter quickly died down, though a few were still smirking.

Slughorn turned back to Aurora. “One of you boys—take Miss Haven to get cleaned up. You can return when you’re done.”

Both James and Sirius jumped at the chance.

“I’ll take her!” James offered, stepping forward.

“Absolutely not, I’ll take her,” Sirius argued, pushing James back slightly.

“I saw her first!”

“Oh, please, like she’s going to want you helping her.”

As they started to bicker, Remus rolled his eyes. Without a word, he gently placed a hand on Aurora’s shoulder, his touch comforting. “Come on, let’s get you out of here,” he said softly, guiding her toward the door before James and Sirius could even notice.

Aurora followed Remus out of the classroom, her head still swimming with anger and embarrassment. They walked in silence until they reached the Prefect's Bathroom, its large, ornate door looming in front of them. Remus muttered the password, and the door swung open.

She stepped inside and, for the first time since the prank, let out a small sigh. “I didn’t know you were a prefect,” she said, her voice tinged with surprise.

Remus gave her a small smile. “Yeah, well, it comes in handy when the others want to pull off their stunts,” he said, grabbing a towel and offering it to her.

Aurora leaned against the sink, sitting herself up on the counter. Her legs dangled as she reached for the towel, trying to get the slimy substance off her face. Remus stood in front of her, closer than usual, and he started gently working the green goo out of her hair, his movements careful and precise.

“I can’t believe those Slytherins,” Aurora muttered, her frustration bubbling back to the surface. “They’re lucky Professor Slughorn caught them. I was this close to hexing them.”

Remus chuckled softly, his fingers still working through the tangles in her hair. “That’s what you get for being friends with the Marauders,” he teased, though there was a warmth in his tone.

She rolled her eyes, a small smile breaking through her frustration. “I’m not so sure ‘friends’ is the right word. You guys are a lot to handle.”

Remus smiled, the corners of his lips twitching upward. “You’ll get used to it. We have our moments.”

For a brief moment, there was quiet between them. The only sound was the water trickling from one of the golden faucets and the soft rustle of Remus’s fingers through her hair. The tension from earlier seemed to melt away, replaced by a strange sense of calm between them.

Once most of the goo was gone, Aurora let out a breath. “Thanks,” she said, meeting his eyes. “For this.”

Remus stepped back slightly, giving her a reassuring smile. “Anytime. You should probably head back to your dorm, though. Get properly cleaned up.”

Aurora nodded, hopping down from the counter. “Yeah, I think I’ll skip Potions for today. I’ll see you at lunch.”

“I’ll let Slughorn know,” Remus replied. “See you at lunch.”

As Aurora left the bathroom and made her way back to the Hufflepuff common room, she felt her anger begin to dissipate. At least Remus had been kind enough to help, and the Slytherins’ prank hadn’t completely ruined her day.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Back in the Potions classroom, Remus walked in and took his seat next to Sirius and James, who immediately bombarded him with questions.

“What happened? Is she alright?” James asked, leaning forward.

“Did you get all the slime out?” Sirius added, peering at him intently.

Remus held up a hand, clearly amused by their concern. “She’s fine. She’s going back to her dorm to shower and change. You’ll see her at lunch.”

James and Sirius shared a look of mild disappointment but settled back into their seats, clearly eager to see Aurora again and probably plot some sort of retaliation against the Slytherins.

Remus, for his part, simply smiled to himself. It was only the first few weeks of the term, and yet Aurora was quickly becoming someone they all cared about—maybe more than she realized.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

By the time lunch rolled around, the Great Hall was buzzing with chatter. The long tables were piled high with platters of food, and students from every house were scattered around, catching up between classes. The Marauders had already claimed their usual spot at the Gryffindor table, with Sirius and James deeply engrossed in an animated discussion about the upcoming Quidditch season while Peter eagerly listened.

Remus, however, sat quietly, keeping an eye on the entrance. After what had happened in Potions, he wasn’t sure if Aurora would show up right away. He was halfway through his plate when he spotted her entering the hall. She was dressed in fresh robes, her hair cleaned and free of the slimy mess from earlier. She looked around, seemingly scanning the Hufflepuff table where her housemates were sitting. But before she could make her way over, Sirius caught sight of her.

“There she is!” Sirius exclaimed, waving his hand enthusiastically. “Oi, Haven! Over here!”

James, noticing her as well, grinned and joined in. “Come sit with us, Aurora! We saved you a seat!”

Aurora hesitated, her eyes flickering between her housemates at the Hufflepuff table and the Marauders, who were all looking at her with wide grins and beckoning hands. After a moment of deliberation, she sighed softly and made her way over to the Gryffindor table, slipping into the empty seat next to Remus.

“Look at that, she actually came back to us,” Sirius teased as she sat down.

Aurora smirked, shaking her head. “Maybe I just enjoy watching you all embarrass yourselves.”

Sirius clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch, Haven, you wound me.”

James leaned in, his attention still half-focused on the Quidditch discussion. “Anyway, Aurora, you’ve got to come watch one of the matches when the season starts. Hufflepuff’s decent, but Gryffindor—we’re going to win the Cup this year. We’ve been training for weeks.”

Aurora raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? What makes you so sure?”

James’s eyes lit up. “With me as Seeker and Sirius as Beater, it’s practically a given. Plus, Remus here,” he gestured toward him, “keeps us in line.”

“Right,” Remus said with a wry smile. “Because I’m always the voice of reason.”

Peter nodded enthusiastically. “He really is, you know.”

Aurora couldn’t help but chuckle. “I don’t doubt it.”

As the conversation drifted back toward Quidditch, Aurora quietly picked at her food, listening to the boys’ banter. Sirius and James were getting louder, going back and forth about the best strategies for the upcoming match against Ravenclaw. They were completely engrossed in their debate, acting as if nothing else in the world mattered at that moment.

“Look, all I’m saying is, the Bludgers are key. If we can knock out their Chasers early—” Sirius started.

“Or,” James interrupted, “I catch the Snitch in the first ten minutes, and we win before they can even score.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “You say that every match.”

Aurora smirked at their antics but stayed quiet. She found herself glancing at Remus, who seemed to be the only one not diving into the Quidditch debate. He caught her eye and gave her a small, understanding smile, as if to say, Don’t mind them, they’re always like this.

“How’s the hair?” Remus asked softly, leaning closer so the others wouldn’t overhear.

Aurora gave a light shrug. “Mostly back to normal, thanks to you. I’ll still need another proper wash later, but I’ll survive.”

Remus nodded, his expression softening. “Good.”

As the conversation between the others continued, Aurora found herself relaxing a little more. Despite the chaotic morning and the embarrassment from the prank gone wrong, sitting with the Marauders wasn’t so bad. They were loud and a bit overwhelming, sure, but there was a warmth to their friendship that felt oddly comforting.

James suddenly turned to her again. “You ever play Quidditch, Aurora?”

“Not really,” she admitted, shaking her head. “I watched the matches at Beauxbatons, but never played myself. It’s not as popular there.”

“That’s a shame,” Sirius chimed in. “We’ll have to change that. You should at least try flying—get a feel for it. James’ll teach you.”

James grinned. “Yeah, I’ll show you the ropes. We’ll have you flying in no time.”

Aurora couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. “I’ll think about it.”

Before she knew it, the lunch period was winding down, and students began trickling out of the Great Hall to head to their afternoon classes. Aurora stood, pushing her chair back.

“I should go,” she said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. “Still need to clean up a bit before Herbology.”

“I’ve got that too. I’ll walk with you,” Remus offered.

Sirius and James immediately perked up. “What about us?” Sirius asked with a pout. “Aren’t we good enough to walk you to class?”

Aurora rolled her eyes playfully. “I think I’ve had enough of your Quidditch strategies for one lunch break.”

The boys groaned in mock disappointment. As she and Remus began to head out of the hall together, he glanced over at her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“You know,” Remus said casually, “I sometimes go and watch them practice in the mornings. You should join me sometime.”

Aurora raised an eyebrow, surprised by the offer. “Watch them practice? Isn’t that kind of boring?”

Remus chuckled softly. “You’d be surprised. It’s not as boring as all their Quidditch talk.”

Aurora smiled. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

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