#And Sirius is not precisely straight either

[mrsfrecklesmarauders]

"Admit that Sirius Black is everyone's type" Mary commented as she munched her fruit.

"Not mine" Lily shivered as her eyes scanned the book in front of her.

"Mine either" Mary shrugged after considering it "But I bet he's Marlene's" and she winked at her.

Marlene rolled her eyes "Bloody hell, what is so special about Sirius Black?" he asked her friends and mostly herself "What makes girls act like that?"

Marlene pointed to the spot where the group of boys was just crossing the door. Alecto Carrow and her friends were immediately surrounding them. One of her friends being Dorcas Meadowes.

Alecto was all over Sirius, like she didn't have any dignity left.

It was clear that Sirius was over her. He used her, snogged her and now he was done. The poor brainless princess just didn't get it.

"I don't know" Mary started looking at the scene as well, fork still inside her mouth "Probably the fact that he is really good looking"

Marlene groaned "What makes him good looking?"

Mary smirked "He has a symmetrical face, you know..."

Marlene's eyes tried to lay on Sirius to see what Mary was saying, but somehow they flickered to another person near him. Marlene knew it was inevitable. Since she was very attractive and beautiful. Bloody Dorcas Meadowes.

That was a symmetrical face. She had a smaller nose and rounder face. Everything was well proportioned.

"Girls say he has peachy lips, you know, desirable to kiss..."

Dorcas's lips were big and soft. She was always wearing that glittery lipstick that moisturized them. Marlene knew it was watermelon flavored. She had seen Dorcas put it on. And Marlene wanted to have those lips, she like watermelon candies so...

"Also those gray blueish eyes that have like some sort of profundity to them..."

Dorcas's eyes were more interesting and intense. They were so black that it was difficult to notice the pupil. They were big. They reminded Marlene of the immensity of outerspace. The nothing. The darkness and the magesty of mystery.

"Plus, some might say those thick eyebrows are very sexy...."

Marlene agreed. Dorcas's eyebrows were unique. She didn't keep them thin and delicate like other girls. They were thick, even joining in the middle of her eyes. Something like Frida Kahlo. But with more style. Marlene wished she could pull it off.

"Oh Mary" Lily tutted "Sounds like you have a crush on Sirius as well. Have you also succumbed to his beauty?"

Beautiful. Dorcas Meadowes was truly breath taking. Marlene had always observed her, had always admired her since the day she met her. It was pure envy, because she wanted to be like her. Have a little of Dorcas's grace. Right?

Then why did Marlene feel a strange sensation inside her belly? It was the same shot of happiness that the adrenaline of playing rugby gave her.

"Yeah..." her subconscious concluded.

And God! As soon as Dorcas noticed her watching, Marlene went bright red and looked away immediately as if she had been caught doing something indecent. And she drank her morning juice as if it was alcohol.

"See, Lily?" Mary laughed when Marlene finished drinking like a maniac "It's Marly who is into him, not me"

Marlene blinked before taking one last look at Dorcas to make sure she had looked away.

"Sure" she said without thinking, which made Mary squeal in happiness. And Lily raised an eyebrow but smiled nevertheless.

Marlene was screwed. Maybe it was not Sirius Black who she fancied.

[loserboyfriendrjl]

“Sirius should be, out of the two of them, the one who joins his ranks.” Orion Black’s voice echoed down the hall, as he stepped down the long corridor.

“Categorically no.” Walburga Black snapped.

“It’s the Dark Lord’s wish. He believes Sirius would be an asset to them.”

“Considering the possibility that he does join, which he will not, because I will not allow it, if he dies, what will we do? Make Regulus the heir?”

“Precisely. He would be the better heir, either way; he’s much more obedient and malleable.”

“However obedient he is, Sirius possesses the qualities a heir to our house needs; determination, resilience, strength and intelligence, above all, which would make him the suitable candidate.”

“Are you implying that Regulus is not appropriate enough for the role, Walburga?”

“I am implying Regulus resembles you entirely, Orion,” She hissed.

Sirius attentively listened to his parents’ conversation from the tapestry room. His eyes were fixated on the wall, his gold-woven ancestors looking at him from the tapestry. He rolled his eyes. His previous namesake scolded him.

“That is not the appropriate behaviour for a bearer of our noble name,” He said, tutting.

Sirius got up from the dark, velvety cushion and pulled the curtains over his great-grandfather’s portrait, who let out an indignant noise.

His parents entered the room. His father had walked in first — he was a tall, slender man, with black hair down to his ears, and he was dressed as if he was about to leave the house. Sirius’ mother stood behind him, a willowy woman with pale skin and long, straight black hair, falling down her back. Her neck was adorned with her necklace with the family crest, and the skirt of her dress brushed the dark, polished floor.

“What are you doing here, boy?” Orion demanded.

“Observing,” He answered, standing up and making his way to the tapestry. “Am I not allowed to do that now, either?”

“Your brother announced us that you snuck out of the house last night and ventured out to Muggle London.” His mother’s voice was cold, yet she was no longer intimidating to Sirius; even on her heels, he was quite taller than him. “Is that so?”

“No.” Sirius lied through his teeth. “And even if I did, Regulus has the habit of not minding his own business. Maybe you should teach him that, father, since you mind your business so much you’re not often around.”

Sirius and Orion shot each other poisonous glares. He stood about five centimetres taller than his father, yet their eyes met with the same raging fury.

“You insolent—”

“Orion, I thought you said you had to meet Abraxas Malfoy,” Walburga sighed.

His eyes turned into slits. “We will have an important conversation later. I expect you to be home, not anywhere else, by the time I return from the Ministry.”

Sirius nodded, as his father left the room. His mother’s eyes lingered in the tapestry, right where her family’s names were; Walburga, Orion, Sirius, Regulus. Stars and saints.

All sinners.

[noopienoopiernoopiest]

Sirius Black (C) - #12 - Keep Quiet...Nothing Comes as Easy as You

For fic-o-ween @noots-fic-fests. As always thanks to @lumosinlove

Pairing: Coops! (Sirius/Remus)

Rating: E

Description: Sirius doesn't usually go to charity galas. Remus doesn't usually come to them either...

It wasn’t the usual kind of thing they attended. Sirius was more than happy to give worthy people and noble causes his money, but he wasn’t often the type to give them his publicity, his face. He’d had cameras shoved in front of him since he was fourteen—wide-eyed and away from home for the first time on his first billet. The constant attention had made him allergic to anything involving the media that wasn’t necessary (read: contractually obligated) for his job. But this was different.

It was kids and hockey. Gay kids and hockey. And Leo’s eyes had done that thing they did where they got all wide and blue when he’d asked Sirius to help. Leo hadn’t been a rookie in a solid five years, but he was still a rookie to Sirius. How Logan and Finn ever told Leo no was beyond him. Somehow, he doubted they ever did.

‘It’s still really new, you know. The foundation. Lots of high schoolers. I’m just…I want to leave something that makes all of this better. Makes it so what happened to you can’t happen again.”

That had sealed it—Leo’s earnest concern and his bare affection.

He’d almost regretted it until he’d seen Remus. Remus wasn’t exactly a snazzy dresser most of the time. Sirius didn’t care. He didn’t need it. Remus was gorgeous in his ratty workout clothes, holes and all, while he was panting and covered in sweat from the drills he insisted on running in the basement, even on days off.  If Remus had his preference, he’d wear the same navy suit every single game day. Given Remus’s propensity to ritual, Sirius was kind of surprised he hadn’t already insisted on it. When Remus had shrugged at the question of his attire, Leo had shaken his head and sent him away with Finn for an afternoon.

Now he was coming down the stairs, still fiddling with a cufflink.

“Ready to go?” He asked.

“Ugk,” was Sirius’s brilliant response.

The tux jacket was a coppery kind of brown. Fairly dark, but it caught the light and tossed out warmer flashes of rust and bronze. It made Remus’s amber eyes look almost otherworldly, golden and glowing.

Remus gave a smirk like he knew what he was doing.

“What’s wrong, baby? Cat got your tongue?” He asked.

Okay…definitely knew what he was doing.

He reached out straightening Sirius’s already perfectly straight lapels and smoothing them across Sirius’s chest.

“I��ve always liked this tux on you,” Remus mused, looking up at him through his lashes.

“You like all of them on me,” Sirius croaked. When had his throat gotten so dry?

“Fair point. Your shoulders, you know?” Remus admitted with a little shrug saying, ‘what can you do?’ “C’mon handsome, let’s get a move on.”

Sirius had followed him out like a lost puppy.

The fundraiser was at an art museum. They  had spent the evening taking in the sculptures and the paintings, and not for the first time, Sirius wished he had more time for things like this. What would it be like to make something for a living? Real things he could touch and feel? He wondered sometimes about how things would have gone had life been different? Wondered, but then dismissed it. He looked at Remus and thought that if life had to be precisely what it had been—Walburga included— to be right here, right now, so be it.

“Come on, there’s something I want to show you,” Remus said, tugging at Sirius’s hand. He wasn’t sure where Remus was taking him, but it didn’t really matter. Sirius would follow him regardless.

Remus looked over his shoulder before tugging him into a darkened room. By the light of the moon in the tall windows, Sirius could make out the soft pastel brush work of what looked like paintings of a million ponds and rivers, all the colors melting into one another. In the back there was an alcove. It looked like a place where a sculpture should go, but there wasn’t anything there right now.

Wasn’t until they were.

“What is—”

Suddenly, Sirius was being kissed. Not a peck or something romantic.

No, it was something filthy. Remus was kissing him like he played—full throttle, zero to 100 immediately, no time for you to mount a defense or catch your breath. And just like when Remus played, Sirius chased him.

“You’re so fucking hot. Jesus Christ,” he said against Sirius’s mouth. It came out slick and panting against his lips, and Sirius was helpless to say anything other than,

“Remus.”

Remus’s hands were knitted into his hair, pulling his head to the side so he could kiss a hot line up the cord of his neck. “I want you,” he whispered, breath hot against Sirius’s cheek.  

“What? Here?” Sirius could hear the party still going from down the hall, but something about that made him hard so fast in his tuxedo trousers that he felt lightheaded from the blood loss to his brain. They’d talked about a situation like this, gasped into one another’s ears when they were teetering on the mutual brink. And then, later in the sheets, they’d discussed it more calmly in theory. If the opportunity ever presented itself, of course.

“Mmmhmm. I’m gonna ride you into the fucking ground, baby,” he said, crowding Sirius against the wall. One of his hands found the front of Sirius’s trousers. “Oh, you like that.”

Of course he liked it. It was Remus.

It was Remus…getting on his knees and drawing him out from the confines of his pants and boxers.

“Mon Dieu,” Sirius breathed.

Remus made a show of laving his tongue up and down Sirius’s cock, worshiping the crown with moaning laps and greedy eyes.

“Love the way you taste,” he panted, pink tongue pressing to the tip where Sirius was steadily leaking. “Drives me fucking crazy.”

It was incongruous. Remus looked to put together, so fussy and formal, meanwhile his mouth was wrapping around his cock, cheeks hollowing. Sirius had the urge to muss him, so he wove his hand into Remus’s sandy hair when Remus finally pulled him deeper into his mouth.

“Fuck, Re.” His head thunked back against the wall as he felt Remus’s throat teasing at him, just out of reach. God, if he kept going Sirius was going to come.

Remus pulled back. “I gotta…”

He didn’t explain further, just yanked Sirius down against the wall. Clothes and limbs were tugged and arranged until Sirius was sitting bare-assed, back against the wall, and Remus straddling him in his lap. His hands found Sirius’s jaw and he leaned down to kiss him, slow and languid.

He reached down for Sirius’s cock, next moves telegraphed to Sirius as if he’d described them.

“R-Remus,” he gasped. “What about—”

Remus did that thing he always did, knowing what Sirius’s thoughts were almost before he’d had them. He took Sirius’s hand, kissing his fingertips before guiding it to his entrance.

“Oh fuck,” Sirius moaned. “When?” 

“Right before I got dressed,” Remus said, going up on his knees to grind into Sirius’s hand. “Didn’t want to have to wait. Knew I wouldn’t last…you looking like that. Fuck.” Sirius tried to ignore the image of Remus fingering himself open and fantasizing about what he was going to do to Sirius later.

“You planned for this?” Sirius asked, dumbfounded. It was hard to concentrate on anything with Remus’s clinging heat clutching around his fingers.

“Hoped, baby. Now, are you gonna let me ride you?” 

Sirius nodded urgently like it was the best idea Remus had ever had. Honestly, absent the gold band on his ring finger, it might be. 

Remus lined him up and worked himself down slowly just the way he liked it. 

“Fuck,” Remus sighed, throwing his head back, his skin pale and perfect in the moonlight. “God, I love the way you split me open. So good. Feel so perfect.” 

Sirius wanted to thrust his hips up, but the angle meant all he could do was sit there and let Remus fuck himself on him. Remus’s head came back to his ear, and he started whispering to Sirius in low murmurs punctuated every so often with sighs. 

“So fucking gorgeous, Sirius. I wanted to rip your clothes off and fuck you in the middle of that gallery hall,” he admitted. “Just so everyone knew who you belonged to.” It was ridiculous that anyone looked at Sirius and couldn’t immediately glean that he was for Remus, designed and tailored just for him. Still the idea of it made him gasp. 

“You like that, baby? People watching us while I fuck you?” He’d love to tell him that it was him fucking Remus, but it wasn’t really. Instead, all he could do was quiver and nod. “Everyone watching you lose it?” 

Sirius’s hands clutched uselessly at Remus’s hips. He knew trying to drag him down faster would just mean slower. Harder would mean softer. Demanding would just mean refusing. He’d learned that lesson the hard way…several times.

He let the idea of it invade his mind. The shocked crowd watching as Remus made it crystal clear just who was in charge for the evening, Sirius desperately trying to choke back moans and being unable to. People seeing just what a mess Remus could make him. 

Finally, Remus was seated, his ass firmly resting on Sirius’s hips. Remus started moving his own hips in little circles, just enough to be a tease, nothing that’d bring either of them relief anytime soon. 

“There wouldn’t be any hiding from it, then, Sirius. Everyone would know. Intimidating Captain Sirius Black’s a desperate slut. Is that what you want? For them to know?” 

That word was like a hardwire into Sirius’s brain, and he moaned a little too loudly. 

Remus laughed and kissed him quiet. “Shhh, baby. Unless you’re serious.” 

Sirius quirked an eyebrow at him. 

Remus groaned, this time not in pleasure. “That joke will eventually get old.” 

“Hasn’t yet, Loops.”

Remus laughed despite himself and then started moving in earnest. Sirius bit at his throat, one of his hands scrabbling to find grip against the stiff fabric of Remus’s dress shirt and feeling the heat of his back through it. 

“Remus. Remus. God. Feel so good. So…tout.” Everything. Fuck it was true. Sirius never felt more than he felt right here, Remus as close as he could be—blood hot, vice tight, and velvet soft—both of them working together to chase this bliss. Working together to make it. 

“That’s right, baby. Just like that,” Remus said, finding his mouth again and tongue licking inside. 

Sirius moved to grab Remus’s cock, hard and leaking between the tails of his shirt, but Remus shook his head. “Wanna come from just your cock. You can do that for me can’t you, baby?” 

Sirius felt drunk. Way more than half a glass of champagne would have accomplished. No, it was just Remus, finding and mashing every one of Sirius’s buttons in a complicated sequence only he knew. 

“Fuck, yes. Yeah, yeah, I can do that.” 

“Good boy.” 

“Calisse. Are you trying to kill me?” Sirius hissed. 

“No, sweetheart. I’m trying to make you lose your mind.” 

Sirius got hazy from there, got lost in the two of them rutting into one another and keeping rhythm. Remus’s mouth was pressed to his ear, whispering and murmuring filthy half-phrases between hard rocks of his hips. And then—suddenly.

A noise. 

Closer than any of the ones before. Hard heeled steps down the hallway. Closer and closer by the second. Remus pulled back.

He expected Remus to stop, freeze. 

He did. Just for a moment. And then, he didn’t. 

He put his hand over Sirius’s mouth. 

“Shhhh, baby. Quiet now,” he whispered firmly, eyes boring into Sirius’s.

Sirius’s eyes rolled back in his head as Remus resumed their pace and kept talking to him, just barely loud enough for Sirius to hear even with his mouth so close. 

“Who knows? You might just get your wish. Wanna show them some art, pretty baby?” 

Sirius felt pinned down and glued in place. Between the weight of Remus on top of him, the look in his eyes, and his hand at his mouth, Sirius couldn’t have moved if he wanted to. He didn’t want to. The threat of being caught made the tension ratchet up, made the urgency of it as sharp as a skate blade. He wanted it. Wanted them, whoever they were, to see. See him held down and fucked ruthlessly by his gorgeous husband, a plaything for Remus to get off with, something needy and desperate that only belonged to Remus and no one else. Even if they wanted him for themselves, tried to tempt him away with bedroom eyes and bitten lips, it didn’t matter. It was just Remus to whom he’d crawl to on his hands and knees. Remus who he’d beg for, break for, breathe for.

The noise got closer and closer, and Sirius was certain at this point they must be close to the entrance to the room.

Remus’s eyes went glassy and then he was coming, lips bitten shut to keep from moaning out loud. Sirius could feel the hot streaks of it against his stomach, shirt rucked up and out of the way.

He paused only long enough to ride out his peak and then kept going, if anything, more intently now, watching Sirius with the same focus he gave everything he wanted.

“What’s in here?” A unfamiliar voice asked.

Oh fuck.

Sirius was coming helplessly, mouthing Remus’s name silently against his palm.

“Oh, nothing much. Come on, there’s a sculpture room down the hallway,” another voice answered.

The steps receded into the background, but Sirius wasn’t aware of anything beyond the hot pulse of his cock pouring into Remus, the solid weight of him the only thing holding Sirius down in his own body.

Remus moved his hand, replacing it with his mouth as he kissed Sirius down from his high.

“Perfect, baby. You’re so perfect for me,” he crooned between kisses. “Fucked me so good, sweetheart. Filled me up so well.”

The praise was heady, bubbling in his cortex and making his spine shiver.

“Holy fuck, Remus. You’re going to fucking kill me one day.”

Remus laughed, something dark and deep and promising.

“No way. Where’s the fun in that?”

Somehow, Remus got him back into his tux and got himself dressed, too. Sirius was certainly no help, still reeling from endorphins. He smoothed his hands through Sirius’s hair several times, eyeing it suspiciously. Sirius doubted there was anything he was going to do for it that avoided ‘just fucked,’ but if it made Remus feel better about it, he’d stand here and be pet.

They slipped back into the main room, most people lingering over after dinner drinks and fancy little desserts floating by on trays.

“Enjoying yourself?” Leo asked, giving Sirius a wry smile.

“I have no idea what you mean,” he sniffed.

“’Course not. Dumo’s house all over again,” Leo said, smirking into his whiskey.

“If I remember correctly, someone was really interested in looking at Dumo’s guest bathroom that night…” Sirius said. “Besides, didn’t Finn have that tie on earlier?”

Leo turned to look at Logan and Finn and rolled his eyes. Logan’s teal tie clashed with Finn’s navy suit. “They really are hopeless.”

“Good thing they’ve got you, huh?”

Leo laughed now. “Hardly. Who do you think it was that got them out of their ties in the first place?” He asked before wandering over toward the pair of them.

“I was going to get more drinks, but I’m kind of ready to go home,” Remus said, appearing at his elbow. “Think Leo’d be okay with it?”

Sirius snorted. “Leo will be just fine.”

He thought about getting Remus back out of all his fancy clothes, stretching him out in their bed and licking into him, tasting the place he’d just marked before pressing back into him and hearing Remus’s high whine from the almost-too-much of it all.

He looked over at Remus, who looked like he had similar ideas.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

[eastwindmlk]

Day 7 of @jilypadweek

Write anything! I picked the prompt getting together. This is very much experimental and I hope you guys bear with me!

It had all started with one simple declaration, throwing them into a spiral, a whirlwind of events that promised nothing but chaos. A storm that would pick up everything she knew and thrust her into an adventure. Much like Dorothy, she’d embark on a frankly absurd journey with her loyal dog and someone she sometimes wondered if he’d ever had a brain to begin with. 

What was this statement? You might ask. Well, let me set the scene. 

It was a warm summer’s night when our three unsuspecting main characters—Well, alright; they were all three very aware that they were a main character.—went about their lives waiting for their story to begin. Little did they know that the party they wandered into, colourful and overflowing with strong drinks and pretty people — Though none quite as good-looking as our trio — would be their opening scene. 

They navigated the writhing ocean of bodies that stretched, shimmed and shook between them and the bar. An obstacle that stood between our trio, the rest of their friends, and a drink that they desperately needed. “Pete wasn’t lying when he said this was the party,” said Sirius with a groan that was supposed to convey his reluctance to dive into the mass of people. 

“Don’t be like that, Pads! Next time we’ll pick a more sophisticated hunting ground!” James promised, despite having no actual intention of prowling. Nor was he ever, really. He preferred to be the hunted. To prance and present. A dance rather than a chase, and his partner was right beside him. 

James, in a show of interest, let his hand wander along his companion’s back. Something that did not go unnoticed by his friend. Who, with similar intent, mimicked his motions. Which turned the declaration of intent into a competition. 

Which was when the promised words were spoken by our elusive third member of our main character trio. “I am not doing this tonight!” she declared with a stern look to both men, their hands still casually lingering on the curve of her arse. 

The two men exchanged a curious look, a question asked wordlessly—which was probably the easiest way of communicating over the music and the din of people, the ocean of bodies they were yet to navigate—a shared confusion that was only caught by Lily when she investigated their long silence. 

“I am not picking tonight,” she declared, much to the bewilderment of both men. “I am done picking. Either you two work out how to share, or I will be sleeping alone tonight.” 

Yes, just like you, both men gasped at this notion. One was excited, the other one fully taken by surprise. It is up to you to decide which one felt what and you will probably be right. 

Lily avoided their questions by finally taking the plunge, diving into the sea, and trying to move like water toward the bar. Leaving behind two untethered buoys that would have to make their own journey. Captainless and confused.

The two men looked at each other, and for just a moment, they saw the other as something they’d never considered before. They saw each other as competition. Naturally, this meant that James was the first one to speak up. Did you really expect anything different? 

“I saw her first. I should go home with her tonight,” he declared, boisterous and daring, his chest puffing out as his shoulders squared. Like he would actually consider starting something with his best friend. Both of us and both of them are very much aware that nothing of the sort is happening. 

Still, Sirius huffs and puffs, his spine snapping straight as he tries to remind his friend that he is, in fact, taller. Not by much and he would lose in width, but at least he could look down his nose as he announced: “I’m older and too mature to even consider calling first like she is cattle.” This, dear reader, was a lie. Sirius would and absolutely have, in the past, done this precise thing. 

James stretched his neck in an effort to compensate for the height he technically lacked and brushed his thumb along his lower lip. His eyes darted across the room, and across the ocean to find Lily, standing at the bar already being chatted up by some bloke in a designer t-shirt and sunglasses. 

Who wears sunglasses in a club? Anyway. This sentiment is one we all can agree on, right? Right?

Mayhaps it was that moment that made the pair realise something: ground breaking, world shifting. Something that did not need to be said with words. All they had to do was lock eyes with each other and curse simultaneously. 

This is when both of them realized that they were only willing to share with each other. “Our girlfriend?” James asked, extending his hand, palm open, to Sirius. 

“Our girlfriend,” he agreed. 

And this is where our journey begins with an ultimatum, a gentlemen’s agreement and an ocean to cross. 

[mundrakan]

Problem

Dear Mutuals. I have this one scene (under the cut). Can anyone tell me what to do with it? I am clueless, helpless, hopeless. It's... well, at least I hope it's good, but... I can't explain where to get there and how to get out again...

Also: kind of a little gift for @metalomagnetic

When Sirius walked through the door, Tom could tell he was in pain, even though the boy didn't show much, compared to most people. But Tom, like him, was used to hiding it that he saw all the small signs, the shoulders too drawn back to be comfortable, the overly precise movements and the way he looked straight ahead as if meeting someone's eyes would make him break.

Tom frowned. Jealous rage was not exactly the reaction someone should have, when another person came for their help after being cursed, much less if it was a student one was supposed to protect, but given the fact that this was Sirius Black and therefore literally the only reason the current 7th-years were even worth teaching them, Tom felt justified. “Who did this?” he asked, even before Sirius could explain why he was here.

With only the smallest sigh of relief Sirius sat down in the chair opposite his desk and shrugged, ignoring the fact that he had not been invited in the first place. “How would I know? The bastard hexed me in the back. Had Slytherin robes, though.” Despite the pain he looked cheeky, with hard, challenging eyes. “For all I know you could have orchestrated it. Hell, could have been it.”

He was not wrong, Tom had a thin enough built that he could still pass as student, if he tried, and he was not above making someone hex Sirius if only it brought him here. Which only made it more annoying that he hadn't. That someone else dared touch something he defined his, if not openly. “Why did you come then?”

“Are you kidding?” Sirius sat up straight-backed like the good pure-blood child he was. “I'm not exactly friends with the other Heads of House either, and they will come looking, when I hex the Slytherins back, once they know I have an open tab with them.”

“And I won't?” Tom chuckled, the amusement slowly replacing the rage.

“Nah.” Sirius waved it off. “You'd pretend, if someone caught wind, but that's it.” His eyes scoured the room, taking in all the little details with great care, as he was very clearly gathering ammunition.

Tom didn't begrudge it. Most Gryffindors were... stupidly good. Sirius had never even touched that terrain. He always stood with one leg firmly in Slytherin territory, keeping an eye on his enemies and even watching his friends. He knew better than not to. “So, are you going to help me or not?”

Tom left his seat, strode around the desk slowly and then turned the chair, so he could face Sirius directly. “Oh, I am.”

“At what price?” Now his face was under the same scrutiny as his room had been.

“I am a teacher, I am supposed to...”

“You are a Slytherin, and you will ask for a price.” Sirius knew him too well for comfort, and with anyone else he would have taken... measures. But he liked it, how the boy slowly spiralled along the edge of his attraction, being pulled in bit by bit by bit. It would have been a pity to destroy that.

“How about a kiss?”

Tom took solace in the fact that Sirius was close to his coming of age. This kind of dubious look just didn't belong to a child. “I haven't kissed, and I won't kiss you.”

“So...” Tom pushed down the new waves of jealousy threatening to overwhelm common sense. “How'll get the honour? What disappointing wench or irrelevant guy will have your first kiss then?” Instead of him, who deserved it, who would value it accordingly.

Sirius lips ticked into a smile, but it dissolved into a grimace right away, as he was reminded of his pains. “None of your business. So... are we done?”

“What about this?” Tom wasn't so fast to give up. “For once you come visit me when you don't need my help.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow? Office hours?”

Sirius hissed, but caught himself again fast. “Not scared that your dear Slytherins will figure out your little scheme of wooing a Gryffindor?” It was scary how much he understood with how little context.

“No. If things go my way – and they will – they'll congratulate me on my cunning.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “If you say so. But okay. Tomorrow.”

Tom leaned in, whispering into his ear, so his breath hit the lobe. “I take your word for it.” Then he waved his wand and removed all curses and hexes present on Sirius with just one wave of his wand. “There you go.”

Sirius didn't bother to thank him, when instead he could pay up. He turned the chair just enough so he could get past Tom's arms, as he stood up. “I see you tomorrow then.”

What should have been an icy shower, made Tom almost giddy with anticipation.

[calmlyerratic]

Encounters of the Future Sort

Chapter 6: The Toad's Lair

by @calmlyerratic

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Read it here on Ao3.

Ch Summary: AU. The Marauders time travel to 1996.

“Lift up your fringe, James.” Fred implored, crossing his arms.

“What? Why?”

“Look,” George began, also crossing his arms. “Either you’re actually Harry and you’ve just gone bonkers—”

“—or you’re not Harry—”

“—and the only way to be sure—”

“—is for you to lift up your fringe.”

ch word count: 2.8k — rating: T — cw: Umbridge. Lol.

Read Chapter 1 | full Summary & Chapter Index

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Continuation of Chapter 3: The Calm Before the Storm, from Ginny’s perspective

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Ginny

Hospital Wing

With Hermione and James

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“I trust there is a good reason for this intrusion?” Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips, glaring at Ginny and Hermione.

“Well, you see…” Ginny began, twirling a strand of fiery hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. She watched as Madam Pomfrey handed a very pale second-year Hufflepuff a glass of dark green, syrupy liquid.

Ginny opened her mouth, then hesitated.

How can I explain this properly? Yes, Madam, I believe Harry Potter has finally cracked…

To Ginny, Harry was tall, dark, and mysterious—but always very humble. Almost intimidatingly so. When he wasn’t brooding, and he usually was these days, he was so gentle and always unusually kind. He had a sharp edge sometimes, though only when it was warranted.

Harry had never been full of himself in the slightest—even when he had every right to be. That was one of the many things she always admired about him, so it was very off putting when he puffed out his chest and ran a hand through his (quite lovely) untidy hair, like he had suddenly developed an insufferable ego.

Hermione also seemed to be at a loss for words as she chewed on her bottom lip, nervously hugging her crossed arms.

Ginny glanced around to make sure no Slytherins, familiar faces, or any members of the Inquisitorial Squad were lurking about. There was a handful of younger students lying in hospital beds, two of whom had large red boils sprinkling their faces. She smirked. Apparently, Fred and George’s skiving snackboxes were becoming quite the trend.

Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat and appeared rather irritated. Ginny decided it would be best to jump straight to the point.

“He, er,” Ginny lowered her voice, “he thinks he’s his father…”

She glanced over her shoulder at Harry, who was tying his shoe.

“Hey, I don’t see Evans here,” Harry called from across the infirmary. “Tell her I’ll catch up with her later, yeah? I still need to find Sirius, Remus, and Peter.”

Ginny heard Hermione gasp as she watched Madam Pomfrey clutch her heart.

Having spent the entirety of last summer at Grimmauld Place, Ginny knew there was no one in the world Harry loved or valued protecting more than Sirius. The way he yelled Sirius’ name so casually gave her goosebumps, like he wasn’t a world-renowned escaped convict in hiding. Like he was talking about a different Sirius, from another time…

Maybe a time when Sirius and Remus had been friends with his father? He’d also mentioned Peter, who Ginny was nearly positive had been the same Peter masquerading as Scabbers for nearly twelve years. No one ever seemed keen on discussing precise details of that disturbing revelation, but she’d gathered bits and pieces of the story listening in on Order meetings over the summer and she knew the whole subject made Ron insanely uncomfortable.

“Oh-okay?” Harry said as Madam Pomfrey led him to a bed with white cotton sheets, his expression akin to that of her brother’s when their mother was overreacting.

It was awful to hope that he had been cursed, but she’d honestly prefer it to the thought of him losing his mind. Ginny watched as Madam Pomfrey examined Harry with her wand, then checked his pupils—

Weird.

Ginny stepped a foot closer, in case her eyes were deceiving her.

By the tip of Madam Pomfrey’s wand, Harry’s eyes were lit up—and they were brown. Or rather hazel, with amber tones and subtle flecks of green.

But, Harry has bright emerald green eyes…

She took a moment to digest this information, then glanced over at Hermione, who had a strand of frizzy hair falling across her anxious face. Ginny didn’t suppose she noticed his eyes—Hermione had been incredibly strung out preparing for her O.W.L’s. It had been difficult for her to string two words together unless they were about the history of Giant wars, the properties of moonstone, or the translation of rather complicated looking runes.

Harry blinked and his strange hazel eyes looked right through her. Something was very off…though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

For all of his physical appearance, he looked just like Harry: tall and thin—but muscular from years of quidditch—with his long nose and unruly raven hair. Even his voice sounded the same, it was only what he said, and how he carried himself that was so eerily uncanny.

Ginny gathered herself from fixating on Harry’s jawline and watched curiously as he answered Madam Pomfrey’s questions.

“My name—it’s James Potter.” Harry said once again, and he was so convicted, Ginny couldn’t help but consider the probability…

Madam Pomfrey, however, grew increasingly concerned. “A-and what year is it?”

“It’s April 1st, 1976.”

Ginny tuned out of the conversation. 1976…how old was Sirius again?

Madam Pomfrey left for her office and Ginny blinked, wondering how viable it was that he was telling the truth.

At that moment, Harry ruffled his lovely hair again, like it was a reflex, solidifying this nearly impossible thought. She thought of what her brothers would say.

“The thing about growing up with Fred and George, is that you sort of start thinking anything’s possible…” —Ginny, OotP, chapter 29

Harry turned quite pompously to Hermione and Ginny when Madam Pomfrey was out of earshot.

“Look, I respect your dedication, but this is kind of becoming a drag.”

He jumped to his feet and waved a hand in farewell, with a disarming smile.

“Peeves is at large and I’m a deserter, so…nice to meet you both, I appreciate your time, and see you around!”

Ginny watched him leave the infirmary; mouth slightly ajar.

How could this be Harry?

“We’re supposed to write an essay on the properties of moonstone, which is the main ingredient in a love potion…” Hermione squeaked, tucking a long frizzy strand behind her ear. “I wonder if maybe someone slipped him one? Although I don’t think it’s possible to—to, you know, use it in connection with a deceased person…”

Ginny bit her lip, wondering if Hermione could handle her new theory, and feeling slightly vulnerable being the one to point it out. Everyone knew Ginny had a terrible crush on Harry when she was younger and she didn’t particularly enjoy calling attention to it.

“Hermione, did you notice his—erm…his eyes?”

Hermione blinked, staring blankly. “What about them?”

“They…weren’t green.” Ginny bit her lip again, feeling her cheeks flush.

Damn red headed complexion, she thought haughtily.

Hermione knit her brow, her eyes darting around as if searching internal files for an explanation.

"What do you mean?"

“When Madam Pomfrey was shining her light...his eyes were hazel.”

Hermione blinked again, still seated at the foot of the bed, staring at the infirmary door. She suddenly jumped to her feet.

"We should go after him.”

Ginny nodded and the two of them hurried out the grand wooden doors of the infirmary, leaving an agitated Madam Pomfrey in their wake.

“He can’t have gone far—oh!” Hermione stopped short; eyes very wide.

Ginny spotted a flash of pink a little way down the corridor, just outside the entrance to the library.

One good thing about Umbridge, Ginny mused, you could always see her coming.

“Is that—?” Hermione squinted.

“Yeah, it is.” Ginny sighed. “Bullocks.”

Harry was standing there, caught right between Umbridge and Snape. Ginny and Hermione watched for a moment, as Umbridge turned on her heel and led a reluctant Harry down the opposite end of the corridor.

Ginny adjusted her fiery ponytail, preparing for battle. “I bet she’s taking him back to her lair…”

“Her lair?” Hermione bit her lip and cracked a smile.

Ginny nodded, unable to stifle a grin herself.

“That’s what Fred and George call her office.” Ginny shrugged. “It’s quite fitting, actually.”

Hermione gazed down the corridor, contemplating. “We have to do something.”

Ginny took a sharp breath in with a bolt of inspiration. She grabbed Hermione’s elbow.

“C’mon, I have a plan…”

James

DADA Classroom, Umbridge’s Office

James walked in silence behind Umbridge, the sharp click, clack of her pink heels piercing his brain with every step along the stone floors.

He lingered as far behind her as he could, hoping to dodge down a corridor before she realized he was gone. Every time he came close to escaping, she cast a glance over her shoulder with a nasty smile.

Who the hell was this woman?

Finally, they reached a classroom on the third floor in the North Tower. It was a room unfamiliar to James, as he haughtily climbed a short staircase to her office. She opened the door and gestured him inside.

It took all of James’ remaining patience not to throw up then and there, on her knit carpet. It was like an eerie, pink paradise.

“The surfaces had all been draped in lacy covers and cloths. There were several vases full of dried flowers, each residing on its own doily, and on one of the walls was a collection of ornamental plates, each decorated with a large technicolor kitten wearing a different bow around its neck.” —OotP, chapter 13

James wrinkled his nose at the dense, pungent scent of roses and potpourri. Umbridge delicately closed the door and motioned to a small table draped in lace.

“Sit, Mr. Potter.” She said sweetly, her lips curling into a sickening smile.

James supposed it was more of a command than a request. She clicked over to her desk and sat down, where he spotted a large wooden block with ‘Headmistress’ in gold writing.

“That says Headmistress…Professor Dolores Umbridge?”

The toad woman’s head snapped up, giving James the impression he’d fallen right into her trap.

“Yes?” Her cruel eyes pierced him. “Is there a problem?”

James raised an eyebrow. Despite the fact she was obviously baiting him, he was unable to resist.

“Er, yeah. There is. You aren’t Headmistress, Albus Dumbledore is—or the Headmaster, anyway.”

Umbridge became very red in the face and she jumped to her feet, which didn’t make much of a difference as she wasn’t much taller standing than sitting. James bit his bottom lip to hold back a smirk.

“Don’t-test-me-Potter,” she whispered scathingly, the sugary sweetness evaporated from her voice. “You’ve caused quite enough trouble for me to have you arrested for the remains of your school years. Albus Dumbledore can no longer protect you—just one quick call to Cornelius and you’re off to Azkaban!”

Sure, James had pulled a few pranks here and there, but nothing that serious. However, this woman was clearly unstable and vindictive, which was enough of a disturbing combination to keep James locked in place.

He watched silently as the toad smoothed her cardigan and drew a piece of parchment from a desk drawer. Her sugary smile flickered back on.

“Now, sit.”

James was not feeling eager to provoke her, particularly because he wasn't sure what he'd done to begin with. So, he sat on the edge of the straight chair in the corner, just in case it came alive to strangle him.

“Now, shall we begin?”

Umbridge set the parchment on the table in front of James and handed him a long, thin black quill with a very sharp point.

James poised the quill in his fingers. Umbridge sat behind her desk and laced her fingers together, continuing to smile psychotically at him. He waited for a few moments, trying to ignore the eerie purring and stares of a thousand cat eyes looming down upon him.

“Not to be presumptuous,” James twirled the quill between his fingers, unable to quell his defiant nature. “But may I be so bold as to assume I will be writing lines?”

Umbridge smiled, if possible, even sweeter.

What was that muggle saying Remus used? You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

The toad certainly seemed quite keen on this theory as she opened her mouth, and James wondered if she’d spotted a particularly juicy fly, but before she could speak a deafening CRASH sounded above their heads.

The creepy purring went quiet as Umbridge jumped to her feet and the room shook slightly as several smaller crashes followed. She drew her wand from her frilly pink cardigan and ran towards the door. At the last second, she whipped her head around and pointed menacingly.

"We are not finished here, Mr. Potter!”

James, however, begged to differ. He stuck his tongue at her back as she jolted out of the office.

Jumping to his feet, James peered out the crack in the door until it was safe to follow. Umbridge turned right down the corridor, so he turned left, truly hoping she would meet her demise with this godsend of a distraction.

What a weird day, James thought, with absolutely no concept of just how weird it was about to become.

As he rounded a corner, James came face to face with two tall, gangly red heads that appeared identical in every way. He blinked twice with the fear he was seeing double.

“Made it out alive did you?” the grinning twin on the right asked.

James looked back and forth between the two, confused—but that did seem to be a familiar pattern today.

“That,” the twin on the left began, “was a clever little diversion we refer to as—”

“—‘tempt Peeves into pelting Mrs. Norris with dungbombs’—” the one on the right added.

“—‘and inconsequently, give Filch an aneurism.’” The one on the left finished with a wink.

“That was you?” James baffled.

The twins nodded in unison, grins mirroring one another.

“Ginny tipped us off,” the one on the right grinned. “And here we are, your knights in shining armor.”

The one on the left bowed regally. “No need to thank us—just preforming our civic duties.”

James wondered why these odd, identical people he'd never seen before were helping him with such aplomb.

“Well blimey, thanks anyway! Thought I was a goner in there, dunno who put a crack in that toad's cauldron…”

“No problem, mate. Wouldn’t want that scar to get any deeper,” the twin on the right nodded to James’ hand.

James stretched his fingers, examining his hand; quite unaware of any scar he had attained.

The twin on the left knit his brow. “Huh. Murtlap essence does work wonders…”

“Saved our hides with the fever fudge,” the twin on the right grimaced. “Cleared up those awful puss filled boils, especially good for pesky ones right in the—”

“Look, I haven’t the faintest clue what you’re on about,” James admitted, running the hand in question through his hair. “Actually I don’t even know who you are, to be honest. Have we met?”

The twins exchanged a cryptic glance.

“Fred—” the one on the right pointed to the one on the left.

“—and George.” The one on the left pointed to the one on the right. “Blimey, Harry—did Umbridge confound you?”

James scoffed in frustration, his ego swelling. “Why does everyone keep calling me that? My name is James. As in James Potter. Who this Harry bloke is, I’d really like to know!”

Fred and George exchanged another glance. They nodded in unison, as if they’d had a whole conversation in two seconds without actually speaking.

“Lift up your fringe, James.” Fred implored, crossing his arms.

“What?” James puzzled, wondering what difference his hairline could possibly make. “Why?”

“Look,” George began, also crossing his arms. “Either you’re actually Harry and you’ve just gone bonkers—”

“—or you’re not Harry—”

“—and the only way to be sure—”

“—is for you to lift up your fringe.” Fred resolved matter-of-factly.

James shrugged, sighing. “All right, then.”

It seemed like a ridiculous request, but James was just glad to be speaking with people who actually seemed to comprehend what he was saying.

So, he lifted his fringe.

To James’ curiosity, Fred and George leaned in and squinted their eyes while they examined his forehead.

"How intriguing..." Fred considered.

“Did you put Murtlap essence on that scar, too?” George puzzled.

“Unless, George…”

“Yes, Fred?”

“Unless he’s actually—

“—not Harry, at all?”

James nodded his head in exasperation. “I’m definitely not Harry.”

“The resemblance is uncanny, George.” Fred commented lightly.

George stroked his chin and nodded. “Indeed it is, Fred.”

The twins contemplated James for a few moments, circling around and eyeing him over from top to bottom.

Fred straightened up, turning to his twin. “Shall we?”

George nodded solemnly. “I believe so.”

The two simultaneously waved their wands and James’ arms and legs were bound by invisible ropes.

“Hey—!” James squirmed; his arms pinned to his sides.

Fred flicked his wand upwards and James’ tongue glued to the roof of his mouth.

“Sorry, mate. But seeing as we don’t know who you are…”

“And also that you’re nearly indistinguishable from Harry,” George added.

“We can’t leave you gallivanting around unsupervised.”

Fred waved his wand again and James’ feet levitated slightly off the floor.

James, tongue tied and bound, thought of many foul cuss words and it was rather fortunate for the twins he was totally incapacitated.

Whoever this Harry bloke is, James thought, I’ll hex him into next Tuesday.

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Notes: Fred and George are so much fun to write heheh. Next chapter we're back to Harry, Ron, and the remaining Marauders! Young Sev and Lily are going to make an appearance here soon, too.

A gigantic hug to everyone supporting this fic! As a writer, feedback is so incredibly invaluable. It helps me process the chapter from a new perspective. Whatever strikes a chord or makes you giggle, let me know! Hearing from you totally fuels my day and inspiration. I <3 you all.

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[blitheringmcgonagall]

@jilyawards thanks so much for all your hard work which you do FOR FREE to celebrate our love of Jily.

For some godforsaken reason, every year these have been run - going back to when @petalsthefish (at her own detriment as she didn’t allow herself to win because she was running it, despite her fics being so popular st that time etc) and Eva and others took over - some eejits have thought it ok to be small minded and mean to the person(s) running it.

As a fandom elder (I’ve been here too long and give precisely zero fucks what anyone thinks 😬🤣), and in the spirit of my username and iconic character can I just say -

*meant to be heard in Maggie Smith’s voice*

Minerva McGonagall: HOW UNBECOMING THIS IS KIND OF BEHAVIOUR IS, AND HOW APPALLED LILY AND JAMES WOULD BE - ARE - WITH IT!

Lily: 100% Minnie, couldn’t agree more - by all means don’t participate if you don’t like the format, or the fact that there are winners (you knew this though, it’s literally what this is, every year?!). But don’t go all passive aggressive anon-ing the people running these awards! That’s embarrassing and bullying behaviour and you do know I hate bullies, right? What age are you? Twelve?

James: Yeah, no, she’s not joking - she really does hate bullies. And this isn’t the sort of thing that Lily or Sirius and I would do. If we were unhappy with something we would either tell the people running it straight up, no bullshit, no hiding behind anon, or - much more likely - set up our own awards, run them exactly as we want to, and let the others run theirs in peace!

Sirius: But we do know someone who would go all snooty and passive aggressive, don’t we?

Minerva McGonagall: Mr Black, please do not finish-

Sirius: The guy who- oh. We were just talking about you, Snape

Snape:

Minerva McGonagall: I do in fact, in this particular case, agree with you, Mr Black

Sirius: *smirks* I know, I’m always right, Minnie. You know, maybe these people are in the wrong fandom? They could waltz into the appropriate fandom by just removing the J and swapping in two letters, an S and a P, specifically, and Bob’s your uncle?

Peter: Godric’s Gonads! *stares at camera with anxious eyes*

Minerva McGonagall: THAT IS QUITE ENOUGH, SIRIUS BLACK! NOT ANOTHER WORD, OR I SHALL BE FORCED TO TURN YOU INTO A -

Sirius: I’m being perfectly Sirius, Minnie, I-

SWOOSH!

James: Padfoot, I don’t disagree with you. But I think you need to, er, apologise to Minnie if you want to be back to yourself by dinner time?

Sirius:

Since one of the admins is going on a hiatus are the awards officially called of?

No, the awards are not called off and will not be called off no matter how much abuse anyone tries to pile on us as a team or on Ray in particular.

[birlwrites]

i'm curious: how do you imagine all the slytherin 5th yrs/your ocs in ttdl looking? ie eye color, hair, height, fashion, etc, since regulus isn't really one to take note of these things lmao

excellent use of understatement, regulus is surrounded by magical talking sacks of potatoes of varying sizes and also evan

one thing i want to make clear right off the bat is that in my head, regulus has short hair - i am not against depictions of him with long hair, i just really latched onto it as a visual opposition to sirius afhsglskdfhdskj. like the summary of my mental image of regulus is 'short hair, incredibly buttoned-up all-black clothing'

okay SO. i'm going to kind of radiate outwards from regulus to get an order for how to do this, so let's start with barty:

it's established that he's quite tall, by which i mean over six feet and basically all arms and legs - i think it's amusing to make him rather scarecrow-esque given that he canonically has straw blond hair or smth like that (i don't remember the exact description? and of course it's possible i've made this up lmao i live in a fairly different world from canon). i also think it's funny that he's so much taller than regulus. they were similar heights in first year and then barty just shot upwards and regulus. didn't

i think of him with kind of ambiguously hazel-ish brown eyes

he doesn't need glasses now but oh boy he will. the boy is slowly destroying his eyes with all that nighttime reading

also i will let you in on a secret which is that one of the reasons that i don't often describe what characters are wearing (besides the fact that regulus doesn't really give a shit) is because with many of the characters, my mental image immediately jumps to muggle clothing, but given the worldbuilding of ttdl, they absolutely wouldn't be wearing that

barty is one of these characters. my mind ALWAYS jumps to 'future disheveled professor' and listen, i don't know WHY i keep manifesting khakis, but i do afjlskghskfghjdkjfsk (i think in some ways it's similar to me latching onto short hair for regulus - i like the idea of barty bastardizing business casual, given his father). one thing that CAN translate onto the page (or onto the word doc) is rather haphazardly rolled-up sleeves. barty's basically the only person in that dorm room who ever shows more than an inch of forearm. he rolls up his sleeves to think better

i feel like i've gone over what evan looks like in a fair amount of detail in ttdl, but some details that don't make it onto the page/word doc: he's precisely 2 inches taller than regulus (although they don't know this because neither of them has measured), and my brain is always manifesting either dress robes or a sweater and button down combination. also, this will come up in a future chapter, but evan also wears a heir ring (an heir ring?) - his is gold because the rosiers are just Like That™

honestly a lot of evan's appearance comes from me taking the phrase 'golden boy' and running with it - gold shows up a LOT with house rosier and wow i could talk a lot more about that but! that's outside the scope of this ask, which i don't want to respond to with a million words

ok let's do emma next:

5'9 which renders her the tiniest bit taller than evan

straight black hair that's like... shoulder-blade length? idk how to describe this afjsgkhskfj like - not quite mid-back, but clearly past her shoulders. center part and she usually has it pulled back into a ponytail with a hair ribbon, but it is a relief to actually let it down afhsglshdfj, so occasionally she does a half up/half down to keep it out of her face without pulling it all up

very dark brown eyes

emma is, at her core, a jock, but when she's not wearing either the hogwarts uniform or her quidditch uniform, she tends towards very simple, comfy robes in jewel tones - big fan of greens and blues. sometimes she matches her hair ribbon with her robes but she's not obsessed with doing it (and a lot of the time it's just accidental because she happens to own a lot of green ribbons afjsghsjkfj)

she also likes painting her nails - she's not the type to always have them painted (because she lets the polish chip all the way off before doing more), but she does paint them a lot

she has a necklace that she wears pretty much all the time (she doesn't wear it for quidditch because a chain around your neck when you're flying around and changing directions really fast is a Bad Idea) which her parents gave her for her twelfth birthday - it's a pendant with a calligraphy-style letter E

ok now on to maeve!

literally an entire foot shorter than barty, maybe a little more

long black hair with a center part - if it's getting in her face she's more likely to just deal than she is to do anything about it, but if she Has to do something with it (like if she's in potions and her hair is at risk of dipping itself into the cauldron) then she'll throw it into a ponytail. so she usually has a ribbon or something in her bag just in case

wears a lot of jewel tones because she's a bulstrode, favors purple

maeve likes accessorizing - she's usually wearing earrings and some rings, and she switches it up instead of having Go-Tos that she wears every day. but she's not a huge necklace person - like she's fine with them but they're a special occasion thing for her instead of an everyday thing

however, maeve does not like accessorizing as much as lucinda does. no one likes accessorizing as much as lucinda does. not even heather

WHICH BRINGS US TO LUCINDA

our first person with curly hair! lucinda's hair definitely has a looser curl pattern, but like, it's There. she likes headbands and scarves and rarely uses them to actually keep her hair out of her face. her hair is also black we have a lot of people with black hair in this fic afshlgsjfhdj

lucinda is all about color coordination, she lives for the matching hat/gloves/scarf combo (in which the hat could potentially actually be a headband, but sometimes it's more of a beret thing)

she always manifests in preppy clothes in my head, but like.... 80s prep. but without the shoulder pads

a solid 5'4, which makes her the second-shortest of the slytherin 5th years, maeve being the shortest and regulus being the next tallest

her nails are Always painted

to round out the 5th years before moving on, let's do charlotte:

around evan and emma's height

long brown hair that's usually in one braid, but it's not a super tight braid

charlotte is with emma in the 'simple, comfortable robes' camp, although she does like very flowy sleeves, and then she berates herself for the flowy sleeves because they get in the way as she's writing. many of her clothes have tiny little ink splotches along the cuffs

she likes earrings but doesn't like how the dangly ones get tangled in her hair so she pretty much exclusively wears studs

ALSO manifests to me in the sweater and button down combo for some reason

wow i just want to pause here and reflect on how i keep forgetting to include people's eye colors. anyway maeve has brown eyes, lucinda green, and charlotte brown

ok i'm not gonna do all my OCs in this one post because again i don't want it to be a million words long, so i'll finish up with heather, geoff, and megan!

heather:

coily black hair that's in a bob, but like, a bob with a hell of a lot of layers because triangle hair is a bitch. heather also favors headbands and scarves as hair accessories (the scarves-as-headbands in particular are In at the moment)

so much pink just like imagine pink everything

well not pink EVERYTHING but it's her favorite color and you can tell. even regulus can tell

also heather gets cold easily so she usually has some kind of extra layer - often it's under her robes as opposed to over, but she loves a good blanket cape moment

has simply grown accustomed to all the gray cat hair because it's how priscilla parkinson shows affection (or rather, curling up in heather's lap is how priscilla shows affection, and the cat hair is a natural side effect). like heather knows spells to get rid of it but it Will simply continue to accumulate

geoff:

short brown hair and hazel eyes

he's a little taller than emma, i'll call him like 5'10 (which is also how tall lily is in my head!)

the slytherin quidditch team are clustered as such: regulus is 5'6, theophania is 5'7 (yeah it hurts to be shorter than a third-year but she *is* fourteen and regulus is fifteen and theophania is tall for her age so. whatever), evan is 5'8, emma is 5'9, and geoff is 5'10, and then thomas and megan are the outliers on either side. thomas is like 6 feet tall and megan is... ok i like researched the average heights of 12 year olds to figure this out and then forgot, but i'll call her 5'2

ANYWAY THIS IS ABOUT GEOFF

freckles

also a jock at his core, for some reason i envision him wearing a lot of brown?

sophia warrington is dating him basically solely because he is hot and treats her well

he deserves way better than her rip geoff

throwback to my ao3 tag 'Geoff Pucey (Who I Made Up) Deserves Better'

regulus is literally never going to figure out that geoff is hot

and finally megan:

as i said above, i forgot how tall i made her, but now i'm officially saying she's 5'2. for now. she will grow that's what (most) 12-year-olds do

dark brown hair in two braids and brown eyes

also has freckles. has many more freckles than geoff does, especially when considering that megan is much smaller than geoff

megan is adorable until she smiles and then she's a little menace

figured out how to weave a ribbon into her braids one day and now does it whenever she can - usually green and silver because TEAM SPIRIT BABEYYYYYYY

but she also has a lot of montrose magpies merch because her mom is an assistant coach and megan asks for quidditch merch or gear for Every Birthday

[miiamour]

tequila kisses

gn!reader x remus lupin

summary: remus gets stupidly drunk one night and shows signs of admiration. what happens the next morning when he got too wasted to remember?

warnings: drunk remus, alcohol, fluff, slight angst, illusions/mentions of sex, kissing.

word count: 2k

a/n: remus is very tall so you could be 5’10 and he’d still be able to rest his head on yours. this is gender neutral reader so please let me know if it has gendered pronouns or anything that implies a gender. also big thanks to @destourtereaux for helping me with the plot! <3 ily rosie!!

the gryffindor common room was lit up with red tinted lights. the furniture was pushed to the corners of the room for dancing space, although the dancing seemed more like sex with clothes on. the tables that were near the entrance of the common room, had drinks and snacks.

it was felt hot and sweaty. the smell of alcohol lingered throughout the room. teenagers either grinding on one another or taking shots of whatever alcohol james brought. it was a weirdly comfortable feeling.

sirius and james decided to throw a party for the pure reason that they got an O on transfiguration— though they’d throw a party even if they failed.

you had been standing around in a corner with a cup full of firewhiskey. you had been friends with the marauders for years so i’d have been wrong for you not to go.

james, and sirius were currently dancing with some random girls who’s names they probably didn’t know while peter watched, swaying by his lonesome. and as for remus— where is remus?

you scoured the room for him, couldn’t have been too hard, he was extremely tall. you saw him in the corner of the other side of the common room, with a bottle of— you squinted— tequila.

you squirmed your way through the people. you watched the room as you made your way to the table; people making out in corners, others doing shots, dancing on top of tables, every cliche teenage party thing was currently happening.

“hey remus, you alright?” you asked loudly, trying to talk over the music that was bouncing off the walls.

“who? me? yeah.” his words slurred together. “peachy keen” he said. he leaned against the wall and his long fingers gripped onto the bottle like his life depended on it.

it was the night after the full moon and peter had told you that remus got into an argument with james and sirius. chances are it was about something stupid and the boys would come crawling back to remus; they couldn’t live without their moony.

“yeah, that’s totally believable” you looked at remus, he stared back at you with half-open lids as he took another sip from the bottle.

“i think you’ve had enough rem” you attempted to take the bottle of tequila out his hands, he protested at first before loosening his grip, allowing you to take it away from him.

you turned your back to place the bottle on the table and when you turned back, you catch remus with a cigarette and a lighter in hand.

“seriously?” you scowled.

“don’t mention the twats name” he mumbled, the cigarette in between his slightly chapped lips. he lit it then took it between his slender fingers, releasing it from his mouth and a cloud of grey smoke fell out his mouth effortlessly.

maybe it was the firewhiskey talking, but remus looked extremely fit. merlin, the things you’d do to be in the place of the ciga—

“y/n?” remus interrupted your promiscuous thoughts. “did you hear me? i asked if you wanted a hit.” he mumbled while he waved the cigarette in your face.

“hmm? oh, no thanks” you responded cluelessly. you watched as he took another hit.

“i love this song!” remus exclaimed as fernando by ABBA began playing “dance with me, y/n.” he threw his cigarette in a random cup of punch and grabbed your hands, and you just couldn’t say no.

you laughed at him lowly, he was a horrible dancer. it was as if he had no control over his limbs. he swayed his head to the beat of the song. you adored his shaggy hair that was perfectly sprawled all over his head as if the gods precisely placed every strand. you admired him as he danced, his scars made him all the more beautiful.

“there was something in the air that night. the stars were bright, fernando” remus sung as he spun you around.

remus pulled you chest to chest and rested his arms on your shoulder and you wrapped your arms around his torso.

“they were shining there for you and me. for liberty, fernando” he continued to sing.

you held him closely, the subtly woodsy smell of his cologne and his heartbeat brought you comfort. as he hummed to the song, you couldn’t help but feel an oasis of serenity, like you and remus were the only two people in the world.

yes, he was drunk, but something about his actions seemed genuine; the way he rested his chin on top of your head lingered with a sense of sincerity. you felt protected in his arms.

“y/n?” he murmured.

“yeah?” you responded softly.

“i’m drunk—”

“—i know rem” you chuckled.

“i’m drunk, and i hate everyone and everything.” he breathed out. remus pulled away from you, brushed the front pieces of hair away from your face, and said sweetly, “everything but you”.

you smile at him and that must’ve done something because within three seconds, he grabbed the sides of your face and his lips collided with yours, your top lip stuck between his. his lips tasted like the perfect mix honey chapstick with tequila. once again, the world felt empty, just you and remus.

you felt remus’ tongue drag along your bottom lip and you attempted to pulled away only for him to chase your lips. “remus, you’re too drunk for this”, you mumble against his lips.

“but i’m sober enough to know that i want you” his lips grazed yours as he spoke. remus had never been this confident, and that’s how you knew he exactly how drunk he really was.

“remus, come on. you’re not thinking straight, you’re probably going to completely forget about this in the morning” you half-jokingly scowled him, and a part of you didn’t want to stop. but it would have been wrong to continue given how drunk he was.

“how ‘bout i bring you up to your dorm, eh?” you suggested.

he hesitantly nodded his head, and grabbed your hand. as you two squirmed your way through the crowd, you managed to catch a glimpse of peter who had a confused look on his face. the boy nudged james, and gestured towards you and remus. james then nudged sirius, and motioned to the two of you as you disappeared from the party.

he staggered up the stairs, nearly tripping a few times causing you to laugh quietly.

“quit giggling” he playful frowned as he caught his balanced and pulled you towards his room. as you two walked in, remus pointed to a corner i’m the room, which was presumably his side of the dorm.

his side was cleaner than james’ and peter’s, who’s sides were messes, paper scattered around and dirty clothes pile near their beds. sirius’ side was the tidiest of the four, with organized records and a neat side table. remus’ side had a few things strewn around but it was overall fairly tidy. his bed was slightly made, he probably rushed to make in the morning.

remus crawled under his covers comfortable— not even bothering to change into pajamas— and you sat next on his bed, next to him, he was already falling asleep. “i need to go remy, you gonna be okay?” you said softly as you stroked his hair.

he looked up at you half-lidded and remus sleepily shook his head, “can you stay? just for tonight?” he pleaded as he lifted the blanket, gesturing for you to get in.

you’d leave in the morning before he wakes up and he’d forget all about it, you reminded yourself.

you shifted uncomfortably in his twin bed. remus adjusted himself, turning his body to face yours so that there was more space. his pinky grazed yours and you interlocked yours with his.

“goodnight y/n” he whispered, his warm breath hit your face before he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss against your lips.

•••

rays of sunshine shone through the windows, and birds sung. you squinted due to the bright sun greeting you, once able to open your eyes, you looked to your side and saw remus; asleep and snoring quietly.

you quietly wiggle out of the blanket, you caught a glimpse of his roommates; sirius was turned on his side with his back to you presumably sleeping, but james and peter were no where to be seen. you tiptoed to the door before—

“where’re you going?” you heard a voice, only it didn’t belong to remus. the question almost sounding like a teasing... sirius.

you slowly turned on your heels and faced something you’d though that you would never see— sirius with messy hair, he laid on his bed, elbows propping himself up.

“hey pads” you smiled and waved awkwardly.

“hiya” he wiggled his fingers as he waved “let’s just get to point, did you and moony shag?” he asked bluntly.

“what—!” you covered your mouth, forgetting to keep quiet and you walked towards him “what? no, he got stupidly drunk last night and nothing happened” you whisper screamed.

“my head hurts hell” a sleepy voice came from the side of the room you just snuck away from. both you and sirius turned your heads and saw remus, who was clutching his head.

remus saw you on sirius’ side of the room and his eyebrows furrowed, “what’re you doing here y/n? did you and sirius... sleep toge—”

“no!” you both shouted.

“please stop yelling” remus said, rubbing his temples.

you could sense the slight tension between the two boys. you remembered that they had a fight and they hadn’t made up yet.

sirius looked at you, then remus, then back to you. “i’m going to go; leave you two alone.” he stated, walking out the room, a bit dramatically.

silence filled the room. you shifted on the balls of your feet while remus was now sitting crisscross against his headboard as he played with his fingers.

“sit?” remus asked and gestured towards his bed. you tread over to his bed and sit right across from him.

“so what happened last night? because honestly, i don’t remember anything, ‘cause if didn’t sleep with sirius, why were you here at—“ he looked at the clock “eight am on a sunday?” he looked at you with sunken and luminous eyes.

“well, i actually slept here.” you said as you played with blanket on his bed.

“uh, like, here here? as in, in my—my bed? with— um— with me?” he began to stammer over his words.

he was so endearing when he was flustered. he fidgets with his fingers or basically anything he could find.

“yes, rem, you asked me to stay last night. and other things happened, i told you that you’d forget about them, and well you did so—“

“i kissed you.” he said, almost surprised at his own words.

“yeah. you did.” you responded. “you— um, remember last night?” you asked.

“parts of it; i remember drinking my body weight times two, i remember dancing to ABBA, and kissing you—“ he paused “and then holding your pinky?” he said with confusion.

you gave a half-suppressed laugh “that’s about everything, the gist of it at least .”

“‘m sorry about last night, i know i was drunk—” his nose scrunched up every few seconds; it was a tic he developed over the years, you noticed it happening whenever he felt sheepish.

“—but, um, but i was being truthful, sort of. with my actions at least. what i’m trying to— what i’m trying to say is that drunk remus does what sober remus doesn’t have the confidence to do” he said softly. remus looked up at you, his irises resembling pools of caramel. “basically what i’m saying is that i like you. and it’s completely okay if you don’t like me back, i understand. i just can’t keep this bottled up or else i’d exp—”

you interrupted him with a kiss, he caught on quickly and kissed you back and cradled your face with his left hand. yours eyes were fully closed with delight as you ran your fingers through the bottom of his hair. your nose bumped against his as the two do you moved your heads, trying to find synchronization and once you did: pure bliss.

drunk remus and sober remus are very different, but you preferred when he was himself and his kisses didn’t taste like tequila.

taglist: @anywherebuthere @keepawaythenargles @myloveforluna click here to be added to my taglist <3

[saidrolav]

🐧can I get a Stranger Things Ship if you’re still doing them with one of the older characters, Im not a minor Im turning 19 on the 28th! I also use she/her pronouns and Im straight.

(This is super chaotic ik but I opened Tumblr then I simply forgot how the English language works💕)

As far as personality, I’ve been obsessed with the Marauders since I was 11ish and made them my entire personality. I have adhd and a lot of people say Im EXACTLY like James Potter personality wise. I’ve also been in LOVE with Sirius Black forever (Remus too but mostly Sirius). I have no aesthetic really I’ll wear a super frilly pink dress and those Amazon knock offs of the Versace platform heels in hot pink one day and one of seven leather jackets and old beat up black converse the next. I’ve been a competitive figure skater for 15 years and in middle school I skated to ACDC’s Back In Black after all the rude looks from old ladies I went on to do Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, ZZ Top, The Rolling Stones, Queen, and more. I also live in a small town in Illinois and shot trap in HS (just in case thats where you shoot clay pigeons with a shotgun) I got Top Female 3 years in a row and did better than most of the “redneck” boys who got their egos bruised when I STILL shot better when I showed up in my prom dress THREE TIMES. I drive a cherry red Mustang and sometimes wear lipstick and press on nails to match it. I have a MESSY room and car but you best bet everything else is organized, all my notes are color coded with rainbow pens and I have a 3.75 gpa, I work on campus at my university in the DEI office and I’m the president of the Disability Awareness club all while I’m running off of iced lattes. I loved all the kids of ST I just don’t relate as well because I’m older than them, but I do relate to Dustin and love his comedy. I somehow got MULTIPLE rare genetic disorders (how one gets multiple RARE genetic disorders idk the drs dont know either and all these rare disorder foundations want to test me now) one of them is Ehlers-Danlos and I have all the generic symptoms like stretchy skin and bad joints my knees actually dislocate and pop back in as I walk sometimes but the latest thing was my middle finger dislocated and I got it xrayed to make sure I set it correctly and now I have my xray of me flipping off the xray machine taped to my wall and I sent it to all my friends too with no explanation. Ive also become the nurse friend of the group because I currently have 12 diagnosed conditions and I used to have to give myself Subcutaneous infusions once a week before I switched to IVs in the hospital and even though I in no way went to medical school when someone comes to me hurt usually I can fix it or when they come with symptoms I can give them advice but tell them to still go to a dr then they go to a dr and usually the dr says the exact same thing I did except Im a Human Resources major and an anthropology minor and Im keeping it that way. As far as a best friend in ST I’d have to say it would be Robin because because she’s exactly like one of my real life best friends.

Tysm!! I hope you’re having a great day :)

Hiiii! I'm somehow happy you talk about Ehlers-Danlos because my cousin has it and i know how hard it can be 🛐 But even tho all the difficulties YOU are the main character and i love you!! 💚 i ship you with..

Steve Harrington!

If you're bestfriend with Robin you betcha she would do the match maker between you and Steve and she would precise to him that if he breaks your heart she would break his neck 👀

He ADORES the badass vibes you give off and he's head over heels for you!! He's also in love with your Mustang and any time he has the chance to drive it you bet he WILL.

He'll be super protective over you even tho you're the doctor of your friend group he wants to make sure that you don't get hurt in any way!!

If he would've been here when you kicked those redneck's asses he would've probably been like "YAP THAT'S MY GURRRL!! 🗣🗣"

[willowbleedsonpaper]

Good Company

Lupin!Reader x James Potter

W.C. : 2849

This is a Request from my friend @fleurdeslunes! I hope you like it and that I didn't change your request that much. I can´t find the request but it was something along the lines of: The reader is the twin sister of Remus and James' girlfriend where she doesn't like to be touched, the only one that can are Remus and James.

Warnings: Mentions of blood and a wound.

The mornings at Hogwarts were usually quiet. The morning breeze flowing around in the air as the cold settled on the cheeks of the many students in the form of a faint pink blush. It was almost like being in a dream. The echo of your footsteps on the grand hallways, the firm feeling of stone as you ran your hand over a wall, some owls flying here and there in the morning sky, where there was light but still the sun wasn’t fully out. The kind of sky you could enjoy from the hills that rolled straight into the black lake, feelling the sun touching your skin as it slowly made its way up for the day.

If you weren’t watching precisely that, you would think it was about a dream and sadly, all dreams must come to an end.

Time for breakfast was almost upon you, and if you wanted to get your seat with your friends you had to leave immediately. Staring at the sky for a couple more seconds, you said a silent goodbye to the picture before you, smiling as you started walking. Your eyes remained on the horizon, taking a couple steps backwards before you fully turned in your heel.

You didn’t even see the people running in your direction until it was too late.

You could swear they didn’t see you either, pushing you out of their way with the same force they carried with them as they ran. Your feet stumbled back, your back hit the stone wall, making you fall with a hollow sound, one that didn’t go unnoticed by the others in the hall.

Soon the air was filled with murmurs, questions directed to you as many gathered around you. Two girls were to your right, one talking to you as the other tried to reach for your hand.

Your free hand rubbed your head, your eyes squinted closed due to the pain in your back and the throb in your ankle. It was too loud. Once your head started registering the voices from the girls next to you, you tried to muster your best smile, a tight smile appearing on your face as you shook your hand out of her grasp.

They gave you a worried look as you placed both hands on the floor, pushing yourself to a standing position when a hissing sound flew from your mouth, your body falling once again to the floor. Your grunt making the girls move again.

“Let us help you.” she said kindly, her hand coming to your forearm as her friend tried to do the same. “We’ll take you to the hospital wing.”

You were shaking your head furiously, fighting their hold from your arms. “It’s fine, please…”

“Y/N?” you heard your name being called, the crowd around you opening as a relieved sigh left your mouth. “Don’t” James said, pointing to the hold the girl had on your hand as she tried to pull you to your feet. She let go as soon as James got to your side, kneeling beside you and placing a hand in your cheek, nodding in your way and never moving his eyes from you until you nodded back at him, a smile spreading on his face “Thank you, but I got her.” he told the girls, both pulling away with a smile as he turned his attention to you.

The crowd dissipated as soon as James arrived, the incident turning to a distant memory in the student’s brains.

“Hi.” he said to you, your defeated face lighting up as he spoke “Don’t get me wrong, you look gorgeous sitting on the floor but I have to ask, Why are you sitting on the floor?”

You chuckled, pointing to your ankle that was quickly swelling, the little skin that showed between your shoe and the jeans you were wearing for the weekend now a bright red where a dark bruise would form in the following days “You could say that I fell and now I can’t stand up.” you told him, getting a questioning look from him as he moved to check on your ankle, his eyes asking for permission to take off your shoe as you explained what had happened.

“You saw who it was?” he asked once you finished, his eyes deep in thought as he moved your feet, quickly apologizing at the hissing sound that left your lips.

“No,” you mumbled, knowing exactly why he wanted to know “I was too busy falling.”

He looked up at you with a smile. Of course you wouldn't tell him who pushed you, it was alright, he would find one way or another. Just matter of time. “Good thing is that it doesn’t look so bad but I’m not a healer.” he said, taking your hand and pulling you to your feet, your good foot supporting all of your weight as you rested your back against the wall “I’m taking you to the hospital wing, m’lady.” he said with a smirk, turning his back to your as he lowered his body.

“What are you doing?” you asked with confusion, looking as he turned again to you.

“You’ve never had a Piggyback before?” he asked “Moony is the worst brother.”

“Hey!” you laughed, “He is the best. And I know what a piggyback is, I’m just not letting you carry me all the way to the hospital wing.”

James made a sound with his mouth, turning to his side as he murmured “Like you have a choice.”

Next thing you knew, James had picked you up with both his arms, your arms instantly around his neck as you let out a surprised squeal. His smile reached his eyes, walking the halls as he glanced down at you “What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t take the chance to carry you, huh?”

“A normal one.” you chuckled, pulling yourself up to reach his cheek. He moved his face down automatically, your lips connecting with his skin in a quick kiss “Thank you for saving me back there.” you murmured, your voice soft as you thanked them.

“Anytime.” he said truthfully “You didn’t look very comfortable, I thought you needed some help.”

“Yeah.” you mumbled, snuggling closer to him in thought. When did you start to trust him enough so that now he was holding your entire body without a trace of anxiety in your body ?

**************************************

Remus is your brother, your twin. There was no other person on the planet you were closest to. He knew you better than anyone and you knew him like the back of your hand. You could put on a smile and he could tell by the sound of your voice you were hurting. He could put on a calm face and say something didn’t matter to him but you knew he was a second away from punching someone across the face. Maybe you had a twin connection, or maybe growing up together and being the only ones there for one another brought you closer than anyone else could ever dream of. No one really knows, and you don’t care at all. You just knew you loved your brother above all else.

The nights of the full moon were the worst for both. Remus suffered what a person should endure in a lifetime during one night. You felt his pain as your own and even then you knew, it didn’t come any closer to what he actually went through.

You made an arrangement. Every full moon, you would go to the Shrieking Shack and sleep there, waiting for the morning to arrive so he could return and meet you there or you would have to go and look for him. Needless to say, you didn’t sleep much those nights.

One specific full moon, you were sitting at the Shrieking Shack, resting your head over your hands on the old piano that sat in the middle of the room. It was something that brought you comfort during the hours you spent there, playing soft tunes that Remus had taught you. It was the only thing that could bring a smile to your lips. You started playing the keys slowly, the sound lingering in the air as your movements became faster, the melody taking a shape that engulfed you in your own little bubble that you didn’t even hear the clapings behind you until they were right next to you.

You jumped in your seat, stumbling to your feet as you pulled your wand from your sleeve.

“No need for that.” James said, hands in the air as he watched you slowly relax.

“What are you doing here?” you asked him harshly, closing the piano’s lid and falling to your seat once more.

“You can drop the act, Y/N.” he told you softly, walking around and taking a place on the floor across from you “We know about Moony.” he said, your face going pale at his words.

“What?” you stuttered, “What about him?”

Your heartbeat quickened as a soft smile appeared on James’ face, he had his head low, fingers drawing lines on the dusty floor as he shook his head. “We’re not that stupid, you know?” he told you “And you two aren’t that discret. We put two and two together and followed you.”

You stared at him with an eyebrow raised “We?” you asked.

“Sirius and Peter are arranging some things for Remus.” he answered, the questioning look on your face making him sit straight, his full attention on you making you shift, a soft grunt leaving your lips as your eyes danced between your side and the boy in front of you. “For when he gets back, I’m sure he’ll need more than just bandages…” he trailed off, seeing the glistening in your eyes as tears started to form “Hey, are you alright?” he asked, standing to his feet and taking a hesitant step forward, coming to halt as Remus’ words echoed in his ears.

No one touches my sister.

By the look on your face, James gathered Remus wasn’t just an overprotective brother.

You were pressing your hand over your arm, the white fabric sticking to your arm as a red spot formed. Your eyes held no emotion as you shrugged your shoulders, pressing your hand once more over the wound.

“You’re bleeding.” he mumbled.

The serious look on his face made you nervous as you nodded. “It’s nothing.” you whispered “I tripped and fell over my arm, that’s all.”

James said nothing as you avoided his eyes, knowing for sure you didn’t trip. “I’ll go look for something to clean that up.” he said, almost at the door when your voice stopped him .

“I have everything I need here.” you picked up your bag, wiggling it in the air with a shy smile “Apart from sister I’m half nurse too.”

James breathed out a laugh, returning to his spot on the floor, this time sitting closer to you. “You need help?” he offered, watching as you stretched your arm over your chest to reach the place you needed.

“I got it.” you whispered surely, moving thoughtlessly for a couple of minutes before your arm was bandaged.

He had stared in awe as you cured yourself, him being a frequent visitor at the hospital wing couldn't even think of tending to his own wounds, he knew how but never did it himself.

“You’re really good at that.”

“Taking care of Remus has its advantages.” you said, remaining in silence for a good couple of minutes, the previous conversation you held with him running circles inside your head. “You never told me what you were doing here.”

“What are you doing here?” he said back with a smile, making you shake your head as you crossed your arms over your chest, turning your body to the side. “Fine,” he laughed, “I’m here to keep you company.” he said after a few seconds, the light of the moon doing nothing but show even more the pink that appeared over his cheeks.

“Really?” you asked in disbelief.

“Is it that hard to believe?” he asked you back with the tilt of his head.

You nodded, not fully sure of what to do with that information. “Why you, though?” he looked taken aback, not sure what you meant until you added “Why not Sirius or Peter?”

“Do you want me to go get them?” he said pointing back at the door, an amused smile on his face “Didn’t know my company wasn’t worthy for the lady here.” he placed a hand over his heart, faking a hurt look as you erupted in laughter.

“You know that’s not what I meant!” you laughed, missing the glint that appeared on his eyes as he watched you laugh wholeheartedly. He had completed his task for the night.

“Don’t worry,” he said, ignoring your comments as he kept on “Next time you’ll get to choose who keeps you company. I’ll let Sirius know you asked for him first, let’s see how Remus feels about that one.” The smirk that formed on his lips did nothing to help you, the amusement in his words making it hard for you to stop laughing for a while.

But, when you did finally calm down, a comfortable silence had filled the space. You looked up through your lashes, James’ gaze completely focused outside the window where the sky started to get lighter, the night coming to an end. “So…” you said to capture his attention “Next time I’ll get to choose?”

He chuckled nodding his head “Peter has the better food and Sirius...” he told you, but you cut him off before he could say anything else.

“Can I ask for you again?” you asked in a whisper, but you knew he heard you. Wide eyes snapping up at you before he returned his face to his confident self once more. “Maybe?” you added.

His smile softened, no longer the smirk he carried wherever he went as he whispered back “Maybe.”

*****************************************************************

“And…” he said, making some twirls as he paced you down on one of the beds “We’re here.” he informed you triumphantly, the smile on his face only growing as he sat next to you and you placed a quick kiss to his cheek.

“My hero.” you said with a smile as you waited for Madame Pomfrey to get to you, the Hospital wing unusually flowing with students. “What do you think happened?” you asked curiously looking around to the line of beds, each one with a student.

James scratched the back of his head, his smile now nervous.

“James?” you asked again, looking for his eyes as your attention drifted from him to the fast footsteps approaching the Hospital wing.

Three figures slide through the floor, running and hiding behind a curtain as a very angry Professor McGonogall storms past the room. You stared with wide eyes, your gaze only moving when the figure of your brother emerged from behind the curtain.

“What did you do?” you asked him.

His smile fell and appeared over his face, his attention finally settling on James as he said “We found them.”

James let out a sigh, looking at his friends “You didn’t wait for me?!” he asked in frustration, a rant about to explode from his lips as the sound of Professor McGonagall’s echoed the halls once more.

“Black! Potter!” she yelled.

“I wasn’t even there, why is she looking for me?” he whispered shouted, the only thing making him react being the closer sound of her voice. James cursed under his breath, reacting immediately as he ran to your side “Sorry Love,” he said, placing a quick kiss on your cheek, not giving you time to respond “Someone’s gotta distract Minnie.” he said, the mischievous look in his eyes coming back as he elbowed Sirius.

Sirius nodded in return, both boys running out of the Hospital wing before you could react.

You squinted your eyes before turning to your brother “You found who, exactly?” you asked.

“The ones that pushed you.” he answered, letting his shoulders fall.

“James told you, didn’t he?”

“Yep.” he said, wrapping an arm around your shoulders “Peter found them, Sirius and I took over and… well, McGonagal wasn’t happy.”

You smiled at Peter, the boy sitting next to you, the three of you watched Professor McGonagall walk past the door with James and Sirius close by. You all stifled your laughter as they walked by.

“Someone’s got to get them out of detention.” you said, patting both Peter and Remus on the back “Go, I’ll wait for Madame Pomfrey here.”

“You sure?” asked Remus.

“Go get me my boyfriend.” you said.

Remus stopped, looking back at you with the tilt of his head “If you put it like that…”

“Go!” you laughed, throwing the pillow in the bed right at his head. They both ran out of there before you could do anything else but wait for Madame Pomfrey. You’ll see if they’ve made it out of detention later.

TAGS

@fanficflaneuse @nebulablakemurphy @lupins-sweater @accio-rogers @gloriousrebelrunaway @slytherinprincess03 @not-today-anxiety @iwritesiriusly @trinimalfoyyy @haphazardhufflepuff​ @deafgirltingz @remmyswritings @peeves-a-legend @it-was-three-am @pamelalur15

MARAUDERS TAGS

@destourtereaux

[theeslytherinslut]

12 Grimmauld Place (5/?)

Pairings: Sirius Black (post Azkaban) x reader, Remus Lupin x reader’s brother, Sirius Black x Slytherin!reader 

Word Count: 2,909

Warnings: lil angsty

A/N: The longest chapter yet and it’s entirely in Sirius’ perspective! Hope I wasn’t too far off from his inner monologue. Also lots of spicy Tonks cause I love her. 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 6

Sirius’ POV

Feeling intrusive, I caught Tonks’ eyes as Remus and Y/N hugged each other, her sobbing into his shoulder. With a quick twitch, I signaled to her that we let them have a moment. She nodded and followed me into the living room. 

“Still haven’t gotten around to cleaning anything, have you?” she teased, gesturing to the layer of dirt and dust that seemed to cover every inch of the house. 

“Whenever you feel up to joining in...” I teased back. 

“Well, it looks like you’ll have Y/N to help you with that,” she responded, raising her eyebrows at me in a funny way. 

“What?” I asked. 

“Y/N,” she looked at me meaningfully. But not knowing what she meant, I stared blankly back. “You men--it’s a wonder you make it up in the morning by yourselves...Obviously, her flat is no longer safe. She’ll have to stay out of sight for a while too. What better place to both be safe and stay out of sight than here?” 

“Stay here?” I asked dumbly. Sure, I figured she’d stay the night, but it never occurred to me that this would be the best place for her. But now that Tonks pointed it out, it did make sense. Not like she could go back to her blown flat; besides, she was vulnerable there. Vulnerable and alone. 

“Yes, cousin. Are you alright?” she laughed at my bewildered state, but I didn’t find it so funny. It was difficult to ignore my feelings for her when I wasn’t seeing her every day. How was I supposed to manage now? 

At school, it was easier to manage. In the hallways, I’d look at anyone but her, smirking at any girl I caught looking at me, any sort of distraction. But when Moony wanted to go have a chat with her, well, I’d have to plainly look away, instead contenting myself with glaring at passing male members of her house, daring any of them to speak up or look at her. 

Remus had made his views very clear in the year of her arrival. He’d been gushing about since first year, always saying how she’d enjoy something or another. I still remember her terrified face during Sorting dissolving into a bright smile when her eyes found us seated at the Gryffindor table. Remus waved excitedly at her from his seat, the rest of us doing the same--all hoping she’d soon join us. However, upon seeing the rest of us with him, her face turned bright red, and her eyes went terrified once more. Before I could even shoot her a reassuring smile, she’d turned back to McGonagall. Unfortunately, she’d been placed in Slytherin, something we never let poor Moony forget. That night in the common rooms after everyone else had long gone to bed, he’d made us all swear to never lay a finger on her--to essentially be another three big brothers--never to look at her in any sort of way. Of course we all made the promise, but I couldn’t honor it. 

I still found myself scouring the Great Hall for her face at mealtimes, ducking around shelves in the library in between classes looking for her. I always made sure to be on my best behavior in front of Remus, but behind his back, my eyes couldn’t wait to hungrily devour his sister. Her witty remarks as some Gryffindor teased her, her filthy mouth when a fellow Slytherin made the wrong comment--and just when I thought I couldn’t fall for her any more deeply, I’d caught her hexing a Gryffindor in the corridor. The poor bloke came out a few seconds later, clutching his jaw and nose, both of which were expanding at an alarming rate. She came skipping round the next moment, smiling broadly at her achievement. It was all I could do not to kiss her right then. 

“Sirius?” Tonks asked, pulling me from my memories. 

“Sorry, yes?” I asked, trying not to appear as anxious about it all as I was. 

“What’s your problem?” she asked. Looking at her, I weighed my options. On the one hand, the only living soul who knew about how I felt about Y/N was now no longer, in fact, living. On the other, keeping it such a secret allowed me to continue in my friendship with Moony. Lovely as she was, I couldn’t have anything come between us. Not when we were the only ones left. 

“I--” I started to begin the story, but upon remembering James, I stopped. “Nothing.” 

“Sirius,” Tonks started, an offended look on her face. “I am your cousin. You tell me right now, or I’ll go get Remus, and he will.” 

“You would, wouldn’t you,” I said, a fond smile coming on my face as I looked at her. 

“I most certainly would.” she threatened. With her hands on her hips, I was suddenly reminded strongly of Mrs. Weasley, which only made my smile bigger. “Now, go on and tell me, you grinning git!”

“Alright, lower your voice. Can you keep a secret?” I asked, looking at my hands. 

“Course I can,” she indignantly responded. 

“Well, there’s a, a slight--er, problem, with Y/N staying,” I said quietly, keeping an ear out for her sniffles. 

“Problem? What problem? Not like you don’t have enough rooms. Or is it you fancy her or something?” she said, laughing. I kept quiet, and after a moment or two, realization began dawning on her face. 

“Oh, but Sirius, she’s Remus’ sister!” Tonks said, looking at me scoldingly. 

“Don’t you think I know that, Nymphadora?” I barked, angry that she responded the way I feared.

At the sound of her birth name, her hair began burning bright red, and I retreated. 

“Sorry, it’s just--I know, okay? I’m very much well aware of the fact she is Remus’ sister. Why do you think I’ve kept my distance all these years?” I said. 

“Likely cause you were in Azkaban,” she pointed out. I gave her a nasty look, and she smiled softly. “Next time, don’t use my full name.”

I rolled my eyes and began anxiously pacing the floors. This was wrong; this was all wrong. The one girl Remus said was off-limits. All he let me get away with all those years at Hogwarts. With a fresh pang of guilt, I recalled a put-out looking Remus looking at me while I talked to a tall, blonde Ravenclaw during Charms. It was only years after I learned he’d had a thing for her--but to my defense, I’d have backed off without a complaint if he’d only told me. 

“All these years?” Tonks said, liking working things out in her head. “Surely that doesn’t mean...since Hogwarts?” 

“Yes,” I admitted miserably. “Since her first year.” 

“First year?” she shouted. 

“Keep down your voice.” I hissed at her, pausing to hear Remus speaking softly to Y/N. 

“Sorry,” she winced. “But really, since first year and you’ve never said anything?” 

“Well, I couldn’t. Remus made us all swear to leave her alone--and bloody hell, was that a job. After school, it was easier, once I was able to keep my distance. Out of sight, out of mind, as the Muggles say. Sorry, you know how Arthur loves his Muggles.” I laughed as she gave me a funny look. “And then--as you so astutely pointed out--I was in Azkaban. So it really hasn’t been a problem these last few years.” 

“But now she’s living in your house,” she pointed out. 

“Precisely,” I responded, running a hand over the scruff on my face. She remained quiet, looking thoughtful for a few minutes before responding. 

��Well, this is just bloody ridiculous. You’ve got to do something,” she said. 

“Do something? Do what? How could I betray Remus like that? He’s the only one left, Tonks. How am I supposed to betray him this way, especially after James, and then all the time apart, and then managing to let Peter slip through our fingers? I can’t do this to him.” I reasoned, beginning to harden my resolve. 

“Oh, you are bloody ridiculous, you know that?” she sighed, running her fingers through her now bubblegum-pink hair. 

“Excuse me?” I said, stopping my pacing to glare at her. 

“Bloody ridiculous!” she repeated, “Sirius, that was years ago. That was a feeble promise forced to be made by an older brother before his friends got horny and couldn’t think straight.” 

“What?” I said, pulling a face as I considered her words. 

“Remus made you all promise that so young so she wouldn’t become a plaything of yours, especially when the both of you turned out to be such whores.” Tonks laughed. 

“Whores? I was not a whore! And certainly not James, why after fifth year I don’t think I ever heard so much as a comment about any girl besides Lily.” I defended the both of us, vaguely aware of how I’d ridiculously brought my hands to my hips in indignation. 

“Sirius, you’re family, you know I love you--but Merlin, you were the biggest sodding slut the whole of Gryffindor has ever seen! I’d bet there isn’t a room in the castle you haven’t done something naughty in.” she laughed once more. I opened my mouth to protest, but couldn’t come up with a room fast enough--only proving her point. 

“Now, you two are not schoolchildren anymore. You are a grown man, Sirius. There’s no need to honor such a trivial and unnecessary pact.” She took a step towards me and put her hand on my cheek, dropping her voice. “Think of how much you’ve suffered, Sirius. Think of what you’ve lost; think of who you have lost. Remus has suffered the same loss. He lost James just as you did, but he also lost you. He thought you’d gone bad, thought Peter dead--James and Lily were dead. And then, years later, you return--innocent. You came back to him, and he, you. Things like that change a man. I’m sure there’s no one on this planet he trusts more with his sister than you. Don’t sacrifice your happiness for one more minute, cousin. Especially not when things look so similar to how they looked before, back when it all went wrong. Don’t waste another minute; I’m not going to either.” 

Shaken at her words, I remained quiet for a few moments. So much had changed since that night in Gryffindor tower. Maybe he wouldn’t mind the idea so much anymore. Besides, he trusted me enough to keep her safe.

My happiness...I’d never given the idea much thought, never considered it much of a possibility after being imprisoned. Never had reason to since. But now, my brain was swimming with possibilities. 

“Hang on,” I said, remembering the end of her monologue. “You aren’t going to either?”

She cursed under her breath before looking at me.

“Noticed that, did you?” she grimaced. I merely looked at her expectantly. “Alright, fine. Can you keep a secret?” 

“I mean, if I outed you, you could just out me,” I pointed out.

“True, alright. Well, it’s Remus,” she whispered, avoiding my eyes. 

“You and Remus?” I asked, frowning in thought. 

“And what about it?” she said, looking at me testily. 

“Well, nothing really. It’s just I never thought about it...are you sure?” I asked after a moment. I loved them both, but the thought had never even crossed my mind once. Surely if there was something between my cousin and my best friend, I’d have suspected something by now. 

“Of course I’m sure, you git,” she hissed at me. 

“So then why aren’t you together?” I asked. I couldn’t think of any reason they shouldn’t be if they both felt that way. Not like I had a sit down with the lot of them about not dating her. 

“Because he too is being ridiculous. Refuses to even look at me most of the time. Says I’m too young, says I deserve better than him.” 

“Better than Moony? Good luck with that one, cousin.” I laughed, shaking my head at the thought. 

“That’s what I keep saying, but he’ll hear none of it. Says I deserve better than a shabby, poor old werewolf.” she rolled her eyes. 

“Is that really what he thinks of himself as? A shabby old werewolf?” I asked, sad for my friend. If anybody deserved happiness, it was Remus. Before she could answer, we heard him calling. 

“Pads?” I suddenly heard. He entered the room alone, smiling softly at the two of us. 

“Hey, mate.” I smiled at him, opening my arms once more. Remus had always grudgingly accepted my affection, which only made me more inclined to give it knowing it bothered him. And as I knew he would, he rolled his eyes and smiled as he accepted. 

“Perhaps we should stay...” Remus said, looking to Tonks and then back to the kitchen. 

“Ooh no, you don’t. We’ve got to go, cut up sister or not. Besides, who better to take care of her than Sirius? Isn’t as if he’s got anything better to do. Perhaps she could persuade him in actually cleaning something in this wretched house.” Tonks added, gesturing to filth. I glared at her but remained silent; she was right. The house was filthy, but it was painful enough to be here, let alone restore the bloody thing.

“Suppose you’re right...” Remus said after a moment, “Take good care of her, Pads.” 

“Course I will, Moony. Always took good care of you, didn’t I?” I jeered.

“Not bloody likely! And don’t you go taking credit for that, that was all Madam Pomfrey,” he scolded, wagging his finger at me like he used to as a Prefect. “The group of you could hardly stand to sit still in the hospital wing for half an hour, let alone get me through a transformation!” As Remus told his story, Tonks looked at him with a funny look, and with an alarming pang, I realized Y/N often shot me the very same look. Did that mean she felt for me as Tonks felt for Remus? 

“That is bang out of order, mate! I worked hard at becoming an Animagi! Took years, it did. Don’t remember seeing Madam Pomfrey out trotting about with a teenage werewolf. Besides, kept your arse out of trouble!” I bantered back, smiling jovially. 

“Oh, it just as easily could’ve gotten me in trouble,” Remus shook his head at the memories.

“But it didn’t, did it?” I teased, “You know you loved it just as much as we did, Moony. Try as you might to remain all high and mighty. Ickle Prefect Moony,” I jeered, poking at him as he laughed. 

“Alright, alright. C’mon, let’s go before the two of you really start down memory lane. We’ve got to meet Dumbledore.” Tonks said, gently steering Remus towards the door. 

“Hang on, you’re going to Hogwarts?” I asked. I couldn’t help but be jealous. 

“Briefly. That wretch woman gets nosy when we’re there for more than a quick pop in.” Remus said; the disgusted look on his face told me he meant Umbridge. 

“Ah, well, say hello to Harry for me if you see him. I hear the little scamp likes roaming round nearly as much as we did.” I smiled after them. 

“That he does; I still remember catching him with that map...I don’t even know how he got ahold of it. James would’ve been so proud, out in the dark corridors taunting Snape. Like father, like son.” Remus smiled fondly at the memory before hanging his head slightly and ambling off to join Tonks. My chest hurt at the mention of James and Harry, and I was once more painfully reminded of my solitude. What I wouldn’t give to see James again...

I followed them to the door, waving goodbye as the two of them popped out of sight. I stared longingly at the spot where they’d disapparted. 

Standing in place, I gave myself a moment to gather my thoughts before returning to the kitchen. 

Tonks had made many good points, but were they just good because I was looking for any kind of reason to be with her? Did they actually make sense, or was I just looking for an out?

Remus had only made us promise once in the wee hours of the morning in the Gryffindor common room. Besides, if family was off-limits, well, that made him a right hypocrite, didn’t it? He did leave her here with me though, with the promise I’d take good care of her. That meant, to some degree, Remus trusted me with her. Would I be breaking that trust by going with my gut with Y/N? 

Good and evil continued to argue on my shoulders, but if I waited for a decision, I might be here for years. 

What’s more, was she even interested in me? I mean, sure, I’d caught her staring in school--but that was years ago; a lot had changed since then. But then there was the blush that always colored her cheeks every time I said something cheeky, the relief on her face when I’d met her in the port key room. Surely she wouldn’t let someone she detested bathe her, right? 

I resolved to simply flirt. If that went well, then she felt something too. And if she felt something too...well, let me not get ahead of myself. 

*******************************

Taglist: @geeksareunique @fredweasleysbitchh  @green-intervention​ @stopbeingcurious

[etheraella]

𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴, 𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕦𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕖𝕣𝕒

(James Potter x Reader x Remus Lupin)

Summary: Midnight tours, sitting on rooftops, blithe relationships and smiles full of ecstasy, (everything was perfect). Sleepless nights, pitiful eyes, bitter lies and forced promises, (until it all changed). Nothing hurts more than picking a side, especially if it’s between two people you cherish the most. So tell me, is it James or Remus?

Warnings: mentions of forced marriage, sorrow

P.S: We came across a song that describes this story perfectly right as we were about to post, and we thought it would give that final touch to the story. The lyrics will only make it’s entrance after a while. here it is

* - used for flashbacks

!! bold italics - used for lyrics !!

Made up twists:

- The public knows about the marauders being animagus’s 

- The crystal ball used for Divination was found early and only the higher ups, like Dumbledore, had access to it.

- Wizards actually relied on the crystal ball considering how accurate it was

You slammed the fork on the table, annoyed as what you hoped would be a quiet meal got interrupted, causing everyone to freeze still at the abrupt noise.

“Is it really that hard for me to enjoy a meal? One meal. That’s all I’m asking for.” You eyed every single presence on the table, keeping your gaze as intimidating as possible, yet some still mumbled under their breaths and puckered their lips so their smiles would look less obvious.

“Why? Getting shy? Oh, c’mon Y/N, you and James make quite the couple and you know that. Quite probably, the whole school does.” Your eyes shifted towards Sirius, who looked at you from the side of his eye, smugly smiling with a bit of his teeth exposed.

“Open your mouth again, Padfoot, and I’ll shove my fork down your throat.” You threatened, grabbing the fork you previously slammed on the table and pointing it at him. You glared at James, who had never once done anything about the teasing from the entire school. In fact, he just feeds the people with what they want.

While your meal was disturbed, he seemed to be enjoying his. He sat slouched on his chair, with an arm resting on the one beside him, the corner of his lip was perked up as he looked at you. “Don’t look at me, it’s not my fault we got exposed.” He raised his eyebrows, assuming to be portraying the innocent one, with his hands raised up lazily while his arm was still glued onto the chair beside him.

Frustrated, you combed your hair back with your left hand, looking to your right, where Remus happened to be sitting. He gave you a small smile. You returned it.

You and James were the impeccable duo, or at least as Hogwarts thought. Well, it is quite out of the ordinary for a woman to have a male animal as an animagus, specifically, a stag; which was James’s animagus too. It was funny how James, a coarse, vile-tempered boy had a stag, an animal that indicates looking out for others and leadership roles as an animagus. It was all so strange, almost as if you were meant to be… was what they convinced themselves with. Either that, or one of you loved the other so dearly, not only their patronus followed the other person’s, but their animaguses too. However, you didn’t take any of it into account. You thought it was all inconsequential.

Besides, it wasn’t James that had caught your eye, it was Remus. Not that James was irrelevant or anything, you still loved him, but not in that way. And you didn’t want your friendship to rupture. You had more of a connection with Remus though, and you felt as if he did too. But neither of you had the courage to tell each other. Although, there were times when “friendly” wasn’t the word to describe your relationship.

*

“Move!”

You dreaded these kinds of days; the days Hogwarts made their Steak and Kidney Pie. Not because they didn’t taste good, but because you’ve never reached the dining hall fast enough to pick a table where they actually served it. It was just ridiculous to you how they only serve the pies at certain tables. It almost felt as if the staff wanted to watch the students hurdle up like sheep getting chased by a sheepdog and the dining hall playing as their sheep pen.

You stretched your arms out in between the two people in front of you, making a big enough hole for you to push through.

“I’ll even swim if I have to.” You thought to yourself. It was no use, even as you went further forward through the line, the people beside you would push you more towards the wall. And once you reach the wall, it’s game over.

“Budge it.” Losing your balance as you felt a sudden push from one of the ‘sheep’, you got smacked against the wall, or so you thought was a wall.

“Well, good morning to you too.” Looking up at the low-pitched voice, you realised what you were previously slammed against wasn’t a wall, but rather someone’s rock hard torso, or more precisely, Remus’s rock hard torso. Rattled, you try backing away, trying to create space between the two of you, however the hallway was too cramped for that.

Remus slightly tilted his head to one side, making his double chin visible as he looked down at you, grinning. “Cramped places could be useful at times, don’t you think?”

“Don’t try it, Remus.” You said as you buried your face deeper into his shirt, hoping he wouldn’t notice how red you had become. But what you didn’t know was that he could feel your heartbeat fastening, being the reason for his chuckle.

*

“She sure is having quite the dream, isn’t she?” The sound of a pair of hands clapped together was enough to make you snap out of it. In a swift move, you sat straight on your chair. James, who was sitting in front of you was laughing hysterically. 

“You could have picked a different time to daydream about the future you and James hold, you know.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Later that night, you stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep. You were always the last to fall asleep out of your dormmates, probably due to the continuous night tours around Hogwarts with the rest of the marauders. There was no way you would have a normal sleep schedule now.

Suddenly, you heard what seemed to be a knocking coming from the window. Looking towards the sound, you spotted a familiar owl pecking the moonlit glass window. You smiled to yourself, fully aware of what was happening. Hopping off the bed, flinching once your feet came in contact with the cold floor, you slowly opened the door, hoping not to wake your dormmates up. There stood James, a grin plastered across his face. “Hogsmeade tour?”

You smiled from ear to ear, all too familiarly.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

 You and James found yourselves sitting on the roof of a random shop located somewhere in the middle of Hogsmeade after a walk around what felt like the whole of the village, until you started to feel pain in your legs. You yawned, finally feeling a hint of tiredness in your eyes as you rested your head on his shoulder.

“Tired already?” Unable to open your mouth, you just hum in response. “Another round, perhaps?” Lifting your right hand up, you slightly nudged his head to the opposing side with your index and middle finger, causing him to let out a short giggle followed by a kiss on your forehead.

“G’night, Y/N.” He rested his head on yours as he drifted to sleep along with you.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

You woke up to James screaming. “Get up! We’re late!” Still half-asleep, you let out a lazy groan as he continued screaming in your ear. “If you don’t get up now, I’m pushing you off this roof.”

“Shut up.” You mumbled a quick response in hope of James to stop talking.

“Get. Up.” Letting out a loud sigh, you lazily shook the sleep off your body and stood up. “How late are we, exactly?” You asked, your voice still a little croaky.

“They’re probably having lunch by this time.” Your eyes widen, almost as if they were about to pop out. “Damnit, James! You couldn’t have woken up a little earlier?” Cussing under your breath, you jumped off the roof and started running towards the school, James laughing to himself, following behind you after grabbing his jacket.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

 You two just stood there, your hands behind your backs.

“I swear, it’s not what it looks like.” Looking at the two of you, anyone would have easily misunderstood. How your hair was all messed up, along with James’s, your clothes wrinkled and only returning to the school the next morning. As the students walked by, they stole glances and exchanged giggles. Even at a time like this, where you and James were accused of scandalous behavior, James seemed to be doing nothing about it. It has always been you who had to solve misunderstandings.

You nudged James with your elbow, signaling for him to do something with your eyes. To no surprise, he just frowned and shrugged. Professor McGonagall, on the other hand seemed unamused, with her arms crossed.

Clearing her throat, she finally spoke. “Be that as it may, professor Dumbledore is expecting you. Both, Of you.” And with that, she walked away, leaving you and James exchanging looks with each other.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

“Ah, yes. Please, sit.” Dumbledore was standing behind his desk, admiring a crystal ball which was placed neatly on it. While on your way to Dumbledore to take a seat, he unanticipatedly posed a question.

“So, what are your thoughts on marriage?” Finally looking up from the crystal ball, he looked up at the two of you, with a small smile.

“Pardon?”

“You two are romantically involved, are you not?” You were taken aback by the professor’s sudden straightforwardness.

“No.”

“Yes.”

You shot your head at James, who did the same. Whilst you and James were busy arguing under your breaths, Dumbledore approached the two of you. “Well, it would be nice if that was the case, seeing that you two have a probability of ending the war.”

You shifted your attention to Dumbledore, curiosity filling your head as you wondered what he meant by ‘ending the war’. “End the war?”

“Precisely,” While Dumbledore was walking back to his desk, you and James followed behind him. “You see, being an old man has its own perks as well. Whilst being locked inside this room with nowhere to go, my mind has been pondering.”

Fascinated by the topic Dumbledore had bestowed upon you, you sat down, your gaze still fixed on the headmaster. “It is unquestionably impossible for a female to possess a male animagus, yet somehow you accomplished it.” He turned his back around to look at you. “If it’s not a deep connection that mirrored each of your animagus’s, which surely it must not be, it must be the power you hold. With the both of you combined, surely Voldemort won’t have a chance against you, or your children.”

“Children?!” You almost screamed. Once realising how loud you had been, you sniffed and fixed your position back on your chair. 

“I am aware of how sudden this all seems, however at times like this, I’m afraid not everyone has a choice. But of course, we will not take any risks. Therefore, to determine the success percentage of my proposal, we will be using, this.” He held the crystal ball he was previously admiring in his hands, as delicately as possible. “Divination?” James interfered, his tone smooth.

“Correct, James. We will be announcing the marriage publicly with the purpose of having everyone believe it being true. At which point, this crystal ball will analyse and interpret a wizard’s surroundings by logical thinking and sensibility of mind and body in comparison to Arithmancy, which focuses on calculating probabilities, magnitude, strength and effectiveness of magical forces in general, including properties of numbers and their application, which will be used to foresee a glimpse of the future. If perhaps, there is no sight of the victory of Voldemort, be it in love or not, this marriage is compulsory for the safety of the wizarding world.”

With no words to say, you were forced to carry all the pressure that was caused by what you thought was a miracle; having a powerful animagus. You were forced to pick a side.

“What if it still shows Voldermort’s victory?”

Dumbledore sighed before slumping down on his chair. “Then, I’m afraid my proposal was hopeless. And the marriage would be called off, publicly. I would have to yet again, sit here and… ponder.”

You sat there, thinking about both the possibilities. Although there were positive sides to both situations, the only thing that circled your head was the negative effects; what would happen to you and Remus?

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Your mind was still lingering in the headmasters office that you almost bumped into a wall. Fortunately, James was there to stop you.

“Does it really bother you that much?” He looked at you, his hand grasped onto your arm from when he stopped you from hitting your head onto the wall.

“This is about marriage, James! No, it’s about reproducing!” You looked at him, wide-eyed, seeing as he seemed all too unfazed by all this.

“Well, it’s not as bad when you really think about it. You could be ending up with Snape for all you know!” He laughed hysterically at his own line, whilst you blankly stared at him, unbelievably. “How could he be joking around at a time like this?” You thought.

You’ve been avoiding Remus since yesterday; when the news was announced. You were too afraid he would be disappointed in you; that you didn’t have the courage to do anything about it. You didn’t want to hurt Remus, but neither did you want to hurt the rest of the wizarding community. You decided that your decision would be made once you see what the crystal ball portrays.

“Run along, you too! We don’t have all day!” Your thoughts were interrupted by professor McGonagall who pushed you and James into the headmasters office. She didn’t know that your marriage was a part of a strategy. Dumbledore suggested she shouldn’t know so that she could be the one controlling the crystal ball, in order for the crystal ball to be analysing the professors surroundings; someone who wasn’t aware that it was all a part of a scheme.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

“Well? What do you see?” James pushed, forcing a quick answer.

“If you want to know so bad, why don’t you just look?” You glared at James from the small hole you made in between your fingers which were covering your face. You were too anxious of looking into the ball; you were scared of the outcome. James must’ve felt the same way, since he was also covering his eyes.

There was silence for a while. Nobody said a word. Dumbledore and professor McGonagall exchanged looks before putting the crystal ball away and facing the two of you. Before speaking, Dumbledore cleared his throat, which caused the two of you to turn your backs and face him.

“It seems as though the marriage will come to a great outcome. My proposition was well-built indeed.” He smiled, seemingly pleased with his way of thinking. Meanwhile you, on the other hand, were thinking about how on earth you were supposed to face Remus now.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The moon had already made it’s entrance as you were still seated on some rocks near the Whomping Willow, with the waning gibbus moon and the forbidden forest in your range of view. You had completely lost your sense of time due to the messy state your mind was in. It was so quiet, even the sound of your stomach rumbling caused you to jump.

“Hungry?” You looked to your right, Remus was looking back at you with a softened gaze. You forced a smile before switching your gaze back to the forest, Remus making his way to seat himself beside you.

“Have you ever imagined life on the other side, Remus? You know, behind the forest and it’s deadly creatures.” You pointed the word deadly out in a sarcastic manner as you thought life inside the forest wasn’t as dangerous as people thought it was.

“Sunshine and rainbows?” He smiled, only the higher points of his face visible as the moon shone on them. “I’m serious.” You frowned, his smile growing bigger.

“What do you say we find out?” he raised an eyebrow.

“What about the deadly creatures?”

“Hey, I’m here for you.” He nudged you back with his shoulder a little too aggressively, causing you to almost fall on your side if he didn’t catch you. “Steady on! The moon already acting up?” You teased, but he seemed to be offended.

“Y/N, my shift was yesterday.” The realisation hit you; you were too caught up with the whole scheme that you didn’t even make time to think about the one person you cherished most. “Oh, I’m sorry,”

“No, no. It’s okay. I mean, I don’t blame you. With your marriage and all.” He sighed. You closed your eyes as you realised what you had done, or more specifically, what you hadn’t done. You wanted to be the one to tell him, he deserved to hear it from your own voice. “Remus, I-“

He took a deep breath in as he stood up and straightened his uniform, giving you a small, reassuring smile.

“ Somewhere far behind The scenes Two thousand and seventeen The start of a story Rumors about you and me Talking 'bout our chemistry But no need to hurry ”

“Congrats, Y/N. I’m glad it’s with James and not someone else.” He tried letting out a laugh, which only came out as a small, forced huff. Hesitating, he walked away, as if he had more to say but he couldn’t bring himself to. You only watched as his silhouette faded. The fact that you weren’t able to stop him built the guilt inside you. It was either this or the lives of many wizards being thrown away. 

It was at times like this that you wished you had gotten a different animal and not a stag as your animagus; even if it meant you had to be rotten inside.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

You winced at the bright light that shone through the window. Not aware how you ended up in your dorm, you looked around you. No one was there. “Has class started already?” You thought.

You studied yourself in the mirror as you fixed your tie. You’ve always had dark circles, but this time it was the most noticeable. But things like this didn’t bother you; it couldn’t. Not with all the bigger burdens you had to carry. You shook your head, giving yourself the idea of the weight being brushed off your body.

As soon as you opened the door to leave, a conversation was already being held in front of you. “Yeah, he got caught shifting the night before the last. He’s been hiding in the Shrieking Shack this entire time! Can you believe it?”

“What?! I mean, I’ve always thought Remus was weird, but I really didn’t think that far! So what’s going to happen to him now? I don’t want to be in the same building with that freak!”

“Trust me, nobody does. They’re having a meeting with some of the student’s parents, regarding his stay at Hogwarts. I wish he gets—"

As much as you wanted to fight back to the two good-for-nothing gossipers, you couldn’t waste the very little amount of time you had left. You would have been an idiot if you didn’t try to speak for him now. After everything else you hurt him with, it was only right for you to take action as a loyal friend, no, as someone who loves him.

Your mind was too occupied with thinking about what would happen to Remus if he got kicked out that you didn’t feel the pain in your stomach and legs as you ran with all your might. The wind harshly hitting your face as you ran, and your tie loosening. You couldn’t let him get expelled; not for something he didn’t ask for, not for something he couldn’t control.

“ 'Cause I will light up Your heaven tonight Light up your whole world Just for you ”

Your running came into an abrupt halt when James reached out for your arm. Worry filling his expression. “Y/N, what’s wrong?”

You looked at him, breathing heavily as you snatched your arm away. “Remus needs me.” Seeing as you were about to rush away again, James placed his hand back on your arm, pulling you to face him.

“Tell me what’s happening. Why does Remus need you? What’s going on?” You studied him before combing your hair back with your left hand. “Someone caught him. Shifting. Yesterday. He’s going to get expelled if I don’t do something about it. He’s not a freak! He doesn’t hurt anyone!” Your shaky voice raising with every word you said, tears filling your eyes as you thought about what would happen if you don’t get there in time, huffing in between your sentences.

James stood there, examining your face, not able to find the right words to say. You sighed, “Let me go. I need to do something.” Trying to push his hand off your arm with your left hand, he only tightened his grip.

“Do you even know where he is? Do you even know where to go? Y/N, are you just gonna go running around the whole castle? With an empty stomach? Do you have any idea how you look right now?! You look like you just got up from your grave, Y/N! You would collapse before even seeing him!”

He paused, before taking a deep breath, followed by you. “Look, he’s going to be okay. Who do you think he is? A weak, fragile little boy? All we can do right now is be there for him when he gets out. Listen to me, It’s gonna be okay, alright?” His tone softening as he lifted your chin up with his folded index finger and looked into your eyes with raised eyebrows. You forced a tight smile and looked away.

“ Wherever you go I will follow Whenever you're low Just let me hold you Let me hold you Don't be afraid I will show you I'll make it okay Just let me hold you Let me hold you ” 

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

 It’s been almost a week since you last saw Remus, and your wedding was in a few hours. You never got to see him that morning. He left without even saying goodbye. Everything was happening too fast for you to take anything in. All you knew was that you were attending a wedding that was held in the entrance of Hogwarts as a bride, and James being the partner in-crime.

A quick knock from the other side of the door was enough for you to snap out of your thoughts. “Come in.” The door slid open, James leaning against the door frame in his suit, holding a bouquet of lily flowers in his hands. You gave him a small smile; you knew this was as hard for him to handle as it was for you. You shared the same burden, the only way for you to cope was through each other.

He walked towards you, his gaze fixed onto you the entire time. Finally reaching for the chair in front of you and seating himself down, he handed you the bouquet. “You’re gorgeous.” He commented, as he studied you in a white gown, your hair tied up in a bun and features enhanced with the way you looked at him.

“The same to you, I almost drooled.” You teased, followed by him cocking an eyebrow. But his eyes soon softened as he remembered the reason why he came to you in the first place. “Y/N, I have something to tell you,” You simply looked at him, listening attentively.

He dithered, still unsure whether he should tell you or keep it to himself like he did all this while. “We were never going to stop the war.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, confused. “What do you mean? I thought this marriage was supposed to—”

“I know, that’s what I wanted everyone to believe.” He paused, realising how much of a problem he was going to cause if he came clean, but he couldn’t keep it any longer; he had to tell someone. He took a deep breath and looked into your innocent eyes before speaking. His tone was filled with desperation.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry. I really am, but I lied to you. I lied to everyone. I messed with the crystal ball to make it look like we could end the war and I—”

“What? Hold on, James, what are you saying? Why would you mess with the crystal ball? What is wrong with you?!” The more you thought of it, the more it aggravated you; it didn’t make any sense, not even a single drop of anything he said made sense to you.

“Y/N, listen to me, I—”

“Were you in your right mind?! Do you have any idea what that silly prank of yours caused? Is that why you were so relaxed about all of this? Because it was one of your stupid jokes all along? And why on earth are you telling me this now?! James, what were you—”

“It wasn’t a prank!”

That was the first time you had ever seen him as exasperated as he was now. You’ve never seen this side of him. You only knew the bully, James, the prankster, James. The spoilt child, James. Seeing all this was new to you.

“It was never a joke. Do you really think I would be that narrow-minded? I wouldn’t go this far if I didn’t mean it. I wouldn’t have went this far, if I didn’t love you.” As he kept talking, his tone softened, as well as his expression.

Your face untensed as you looked at him. “I love you, Y/N. I always have and I still do. I know I shouldn’t have done it, but I knew if I didn’t, you would’ve left. I see the way you look at Remus, I can’t do it anymore.” You avoided eye-contact as soon as he mentioned his name. He was the reason you couldn’t say goodbye.

“Look, I’m sorry. But please,” his breathing became uneasy as he mumbled the next words. “Please don’t leave.”

“ I'm not gonna leave I'm here to stay 'Cause I ain't nobody If I ain't got you ”

You couldn’t scream at him for what he did. You couldn’t tell him off, because you knew how it felt to have someone to cherish. You knew how it felt to love and lose someone. You felt for him, and you hated it. He caused the chaos you didn’t ask for, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to get mad at him.

“We should go.” Your tone softened as you stood up, the bouquet falling off your lap and onto the floor as you did.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls,"

This was meant to be a day filled with joy and happiness. Everyone else seemed to be having the time of their lives except you, and a concerned James, who was standing before you. You examined him, your eyes landing on your joined hands with a ring wrapped on each of our right ring fingers. Who would have thought the moment you’ve always imagined as a child would end up being something you were forced into doing?

“James Potter, do you t…..”

You weren’t paying attention. The rest of his words became blurry for you. It felt as if your ears automatically filtered out the noise and all you could hear was your own thoughts.

Your eyes wandered the venue. Although this wasn’t the memorable moment you’ve always dreamed of, you knew for sure this moment was ought to hold a place in your head.

“Y/N?”

“ Baby, don't let me down ”

You shot your eyes at James, who called your name, then at the crowd. They seemed to be waiting for an answer; it was your turn to make your promise. You paused, your eyes still searching the crowd, until it stopped. And your body froze. “Remus?” you mumbled under your breath. James, following your gaze as he halted to look at him too.

He was leaning against the far behind wall, his arms crossed as he smiled at you. You didn’t expect this would be the first time you would see him after he left; at your wedding, without him being the one who joined hands with you.

“Y/N,” James whispered, causing you to look at him, then back at Remus. Your gaze shifted back and forth between James and Remus as wild thoughts were running your head.

“ Don't let me down Without you, I'm frozen Without you, I'm frozen Baby don't let me down ”

Something was screaming inside your head, and the more you listened, the more you were intrigued to catch it. Your gaze deepened into James’s eyes as you finally gave in. “Just this once,” You thought to yourself. “let me do what I want.”

You held his head in your hands, delicately, caressing his cheeks as you felt sorry for him, then placed a gentle kiss on his forehead as a tear left your eye. Pulling away, you noticed his confused eyes looking back at you. “I’m sorry.” Pulling the ring off your finger and placing it in his right hand before closing it again, you spoke. “We’ll be waiting for you.” Giving him one last smile, you turned to see Remus, his smile faded as he looked at back at you.

“ Wherever you go I will follow “

Lifting your gown up, your feet took off, your gaze still fixed on Remus as a smile plastered itself across your face.

This was the freest you felt in a long time. You deserved this, you deserved a happy ending. It felt as if the weight flew off your shoulders with the wind the more the momentum picked up as you ran. You felt your bun come loose, but you couldn’t care less. You decided to look at what was in front of you, and in front of you only. And in front of you, stood Remus. Your contagious smile now grew on Remus’s face as you grabbed his arm and pulled him with you.

“ Even if time will Fly away We will be hotter Than a flame 'Cause I ain't nobody If I ain't got you No, if I ain't got you ”

“To the forest?” His voice grew bumpy with each step he took, his eyes were fixed on you the entire time. You briefly glanced behind at him as your smile grew wider. “To the forest.”

Without hesitating, he twisted his arm away from your grip and grasped a hold of your hand, slowly intertwining your fingers as he picked up his pace, now leading the both of you towards the forbidden forest.

He shortly looked back at you, his eyes filled with ecstasy as he did.

“ Just let me hold you Let me hold you Don't be afraid I will show you ”

“I’m free,”

“I’m finally free.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Author’s Note: We are very proud to finally be able to share this project that we have been working on. Celeste has been tirelessly working on the plot, studying more about the project and writing this story, which took her 5 working days to finally accomplish. Meanwhile Luna has put in much effort into editing and polishing everything. It would mean the absolute world to us if our hard work would get noticed. Sending love and happiness to every single individual who interacts with this ♡

[imaginejamesandsirius]

Hello, first of all, I love your work and I am so thankful that you literally keep this ship over water (lol). I would like to ask if you could write a fic where Sirius and James are enemies and Sirius then tries to seduce James (for whatever reason, maybe he tries to get something?), but falls in love on the way. When James finds out he's obviously angry, so bit of angst. I leave it up to you, but I would like a happy ending!

((A/N: Most of this fic is dealing with the fallout of James finding out, not the build-up to it, just fyi. This is a vague historical AU, where they're both lords at court or somthing. Bit of a warning for starting a relationship under false pretenses.))

Sirius didn't start his day with it in mind. He didn't sit alone in his room and come up with a scheme for how he could achieve his goal.

He was going about his day as normal, and when him and Potter traded insults, he ended it by whispering in his ear. Sirius didn't get close to people. Physically, he didn't get close. He liked his space. He didn't want people to touch him. Potter knew this, so he knew that it was out of the ordinary when Sirius leaned in and put his mouth by his ear.

He did it to throw Potter off. He didn't have any intention behind it other than that. He left him behind with a smirk and called it a victory. He thought that would be the end of it.

The next time he saw Potter, he was looking at Sirius warily, like he expected for something else to happen.

Looking back, Sirius had no excuse for it, other than that he thought it was amusing. It didn't take long after that for Sirius to fall head first. He knew that it was a mistake while it was happening, but he didn't do a damn thing to stop it.

*

"What the hell is this?" James asked.

Sirius blinked, closed the door, then squinted to try and make out what James was holding. Paper, obviously. Maybe they were letters? But there was a black seal on some of the envelopes on the desk behind him, and the only people that used black wax-

He stopped cold, all the blood draining from his face and leaving him ghostly pale. The only people that used black wax was in his family. Sirius thought he'd burned those letters when he couldn't find them later, but evidently, that had been a failing of his searching skills. He swallowed thickly. "It's not what it looks like."

James looked down at one of the unfolded letters in his hands and started to read. "'Sirius, good work on keeping the Potter heir distracted. Do whatever you need to to ensure he doesn't learn of-'"

"I know what it says," Sirius interrupted, his fear making him rude. "It's not true."

"Have your lies always been so transparent? You've been making a fool of me for months, and these letters are the proof."

"James, I swear it's not what it looks like," Sirius pleaded. "I know that it seems unbelievable, but if you would let me explain, I swear you'll understand."

James looked at him, expression unreadable. Then he said, "Fine. Explain."

Sirius opened his mouth, and nothing came out. He didn't know what to say. All he'd had in mind was that he couldn't let James walk out of here, because if he did, it would be for good. "I- okay, when it started, it was- I didn't know you. You were an enemy of my family and I didn't think about it, but-"

"So when you said that this wasn't what I thought, what you meant was that it's exactly what I thought," James interrupted, voice hard.

"It started out that way, but I fell in love with you."

Silence.

He hadn't said it to James before. It wasn't really something that was said in their family. It was supposed to be implicit. He was pretty sure that James knew how he felt, but he'd never said it to him until now. His heart was beating a mile a minute in his chest, nerves making him jittery. He already regretted saying it, sure that something horrible was about to happen, simply because he'd said it. "Ever since this stopped being casual, I haven't... I haven't been manipulating you this entire time. In the beginning, yes, I- I had ulterior motives, but it's not like that anymore."

James kept looking at him, expression unchanging. "That's it?" he asked eventually.

"What do you mean?"

"That's your entire explanation? That the letters are all correct except for the ones you've gotten in the last month?"

"Well..." Yes, honestly. That's all he had in his defense. "It's been more like a month and a half."

James tossed the letters behind him carelessly, allowing some of the letters to fall to the floor as he got to his feet. "How marvelous of you to correct me," he said flatly. "Instead of five months of you pretending, it was only four and a half." His throat worked, but it was several seconds before he said anything. "Consider your work done. I'll be leaving the capitol in three days."

"What?" Sirius said numbly. Surely he'd misheard. "What did you say?"

"I'll be leaving. I will no longer be in a position to hinder your family's plans. You can pretend we never met."

There was a ringing in his ears, but he knew that he'd heard every word precisely as James said it. "In three days? No, it will take you more time than that to make the preparations."

"My staff was instructed to prepare two days ago. Rest assured, I will be gone when I say." James started to brush by him for the door, but he stopped when Sirius clamped a hand around his upper arm so they were standing right beside each other.

"Two days ago?" Sirius repeated. He hadn't known about the letters then. He'd had no reason to suspect that there had ever been anything amiss in their relationship, and yet he'd still made the decision. "You told me you loved me," he said, voice wobbling as tears sprang to his eyes. Before he'd had reason to doubt Sirius, he'd still been planning to leave him.

"Don't- for fuck's sake, don't do that," James said, sounding upset for the first time since Sirius had walked into the room. Before had been a cold anger, but he'd been in perfect control-- like a mask. This was real, and Sirius knew how to talk to James when it was real. "You played me perfectly, I admit it. You don't have to rub it in like this."

"I'm not rubbing it in!" Sirius screamed, turning to face him instead of letting their shoulders go in a straight line across. "You told me you loved me, but now you admit that you were going to leave me? After promising to always be by my side? You made these plans before you found out. I lied to you, and I tricked you, and yes, it was horrible of me but I thought you were my enemy and I acted in accordance with that. You spoke of love and still ended it in betrayal."

"I did not," James snarled, whirling to face him in kind.

James had never been angry with him before, and he relished in it. If this was to be the end, he would have it be memorable.

"You were supposed to come with me. I came here to ask you to come to my home with me, and instead I found that," he said with a violent gesture to the desk.

"What?"

"It doesn't matter anymore," he said dismissively. He made to leave, but Sirius grabbed hold of him desperately.

"It matters to me."

"I don't care about that anymore, either. I don't have to tell you anything. I don't owe you an explanation. I'm going to leave and then- I won't see you ever again."

"That's not what you want," Sirius said. Then, anxiously, "Is it? I mean, we-" deep breath, don't puke "-we love each other. You can't throw that away."

James took in a shaking breath, sounding as if he were about to cry, though his face didn't look the part to match. "I don't trust you anymore."

Sirius flinched, hand jerking away from James.

"It doesn't matter that I love you as if nothing's happened, because I wouldn't be able to trust you."

This time, when he tried to leave, Sirius didn't stop him.

*

Sirius knew that if this didn't work, he'd be completely humiliated. A Black did not get on their knees and beg, but that's exactly what he did.

"Don't leave me," he pleaded, looking up at James.

James's eyes were wide in shock as he looked down, and his mouth was agape. Clearly, he hadn't expected for Sirius to do something like this.

"What do I need to do for you to forgive me?" Sirius asked, and he was sure he sounded as desperate as he felt. "I will do anything."

"You-" James stopped, eyes darting around. People were staring. "Get up," he hissed.

"I will stay down here for as long as I need to prove to you that I'm serious about this and about you."

"Fine, you've proved you're serious about this, not get up."

Sirius narrowed his eyes. He wasn't sure he believed him. The choice was taken from him when James reached down and drug him to his feet.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked in an undertone.

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me," Sirius said honestly. It made him feel a little jittery, but not half as much as saying the word 'love' had. Besides, James already knew that he was the best hing to happen to him. He'd known that from the first time they spent the night together, even though Sirius had still been trying to manipulate the situation to his family's benefit back then. "I will do whatever it takes to make sure you don't slip out of my life." He swallowed thickly, worried that, despite his best efforts, this wouldn't work. "I mean it, James. Whatever it takes. Tell me what to do, and I'll do it. Whatever you want me to do, name it and it's yours. Give me a chance, and I'll be able to prove that I'm capable of regaining your trust."

James wanted to believe him; Sirius could see it in his eyes. He wanted to accept, but Sirius didn't know what else to say to make him believe that he was being sincere. He had nothing else to add. He'd told James everything that he'd meant to.

"Please," he whispered. It couldn't make the situation worse, but he didn't really expect for it to do anything. After all, it was just one word, and it was one that he'd ignored plenty of times when someone said it to him.

But James caved. Not much, but it was enough. A little dent. His defenses had the slightest crack, and he was letting Sirius through. "You'd have to come home with me. I can't cancel my plans; I already wrote home and said that I'd be-"

"That's fine," Sirius said, pairing it with a weak smile-- weak, because he didn't know how happy James would be if he started grinning like a loon. "I'd be happy to go with you. You don't need to change a thing for me."

*

"I need to know one thing," James said. It was late, and Sirius had been half-asleep when he answered the door.

"Mhm?"

"When we started talking about the future, did you mean it?"

Sirius had avoided all questions about what they were and how long they'd be doing it when he hadn't cared about James. It was only after he'd fallen for him that they'd talked. He didn't need a single second to think it over before answering, "Yes. Every word."

"You don't make this easy, you know that?"

"I thought me caring would make this easier."

"Well." James cracked a smile. "It does. It's easier than if you didn't care about me, and I know I prefer it this way."

"I do too," Sirius said, rubbing at one of his eyes. "But like, it's late, and I'm tired, so can we finish talking about this in the morning?"

"I don't think we need to talk about anything else." He hesitated, then asked, "Can I stay with you tonight? Just sleeping, I promise."

Sirius nodded, a bit too enthusiastically.

James didn't say anything about his overly happy reaction, but his smile widened knowingly.

Once they settled in, he pressed a kiss to Sirius's hair. "I love you."

“You too,” Sirius said, because it was easier to say, but he did mean it.

[maraudersftw]

7 or 26 for the prompt asks? ❤️

Thank you so much for the ask, Mia! I’m going for 26 in fluff (”you’re really warm”) because we all know I’m a slut for mutual pining!Jily.

Little Triumphs

“Lily, where are you going?” Marlene yelled when I broke away from the group, her arm slung across Mary’s shoulder, “Come on, there’s sure to be a party soon.”

“I’ll enjoy the peace and quiet for a while, thanks!” I shouted back, making my way towards the Great Lake, “The team’s going to take some time to return to the common room anyway.”

“Alright, see you!”

“Don’t be late, Evans!” Mary yelled with a small wave, the pair of them disappearing with the crowd as they made their way back to the castle.

I took off my sneakers and socks, settling down on the lakeside and unwrapping the scarlet and gold scarf from around my neck. Letting my toes curl around the damp grass, I closed my eyes and leaned back on my hands. The sun had almost set over the horizon, the last few minutes of its warm rays washing over my skin in the most pleasant of ways.

It’d been a rather long afternoon, the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw having run for over four hours. The seekers on both sides had constantly been in a touch-and-go state and several feints were attempted to fool the opponent team. By the end, even the spectators on the stands had grown tired of shouting and the adrenaline had all but dried up. When the whistle finally sounded, signaling that Gryffindor had managed to catch the snitch, ending the match with a lead of hundred and eighty points, the stands had erupted into one of the loudest cheers I had ever experienced during my entire time at Hogwarts.

Not that I was anyone to judge, being one of those madly screaming spectators myself. My eyes had been trained onto a very specific player for most of the game, whose grin had been visible even from a great distance, erupting pathetic little butterflies in the pit of my stomach.

He was also incidentally the captain of the bloody team and my best-mate, which meant I’d been able to conjure up a banner with his name on it without drawing any suspicion to my glaring crush on the blighter.

Not that I cared. I just wished he’d catch on to the hints I kept dropping already. It was getting rather ridiculous.

Just the other day, I’d all but gone and sat on his lap, and even Sirius—whose lack of subtlety was notorious throughout the school—had shaken his head pityingly at me when all I’d received for my attempts was a pleasant smile and a simple ‘hullo, Evans.’

Well, he could shove his hullo—

“Why didn’t you come congratulate me?”

A smile spread across my face at the voice, knowing he’d come looking for me using that brilliant map of his. Not that he could’ve missed my noticeable hair blazing in the orange light on his way up to the castle, but I allowed myself the happiness of thinking it was the former since he was alone.

“You were rather busy with your admirers.”

“Are you jealous, Evans?” He asked, dropping down onto the grass beside me. My eyes moved to look at him, a cheeky smile pulling back to reveal his straight, white teeth, the happiness all but spilling from his eyes, and the light shining on his damp, dark hair, meaning he’d taken a shower already. I was glad for that—I could smell the clean soap and Jamesness off of him from this close. “You know you don’t need to be.”

“Yes, Potter,” I rolled my eyes, bumping his shoulder with mine and not entirely able to keep the grin from my face either, “Thank you so much for that assurance.”

“I thought you’d come,” He said, his voice slightly softer as he looked at me with a strange expression.

“Were you looking for me?”

“Well, you know, yeah,” He said, and my heart swelled like a balloon, “everyone else was there, even the lads.”

I rolled my eyes again, wishing he’d move beyond thinking of me as one of ‘the lads’, even though I did adore the group of idiots with all my heart. Pulling out some more of my Gryffindor courage, I decided to go for another reckless try. “That’s precisely why I wasn’t there, James. I wanted you all to myself.”

My eyes didn’t miss the red spots that appeared on his cheeks at my words and hope bloomed in my chest, but the git just laughed, trying to cover up his flustered state, “You know you can pull me away anytime you want, Lily.”

I almost groaned out loud, but reined it in just enough that it came out as a heavy exhale, and dropped my head onto his shoulder. Almost immediately, his arm came around to wrap around me and pull me closer to his side.

"I know I don't need to tell you this, but you were brilliant. As always."

"No harm in hearing you say it."

I closed my eyes and smiled, letting silence settle over us as the sun finally disappeared over the horizon. We sat there like that for a while, and I didn’t know what he was thinking, but it didn’t matter—it felt nice, just having him hold me like that. Like it didn’t matter that he couldn’t speak the words I so longed to hear, for his touch told me enough.

“You’re really warm,” His voice was a husky sound that pulled at my heartstrings. “How long have you been sitting here?”

“I was waiting for you.”

“Hmm,” I could hear the pleased note in just that little hum, “Well, I’m here now.”

“I can see that, James,” I laughed, “Do you want to go inside?”

“To the party, you mean?”

“Yes. And to great food and Firewhiskey, as I’m sure the boys have already arranged from Hogsmeade.”

He was quiet for a while, and I wondered if he was going to reply at all, but then his lips settled gently on the crown of my head. “In some time, maybe.”

“Good.”

[scarletosprey]

Fanfic

Harry finally becomes a true Weasley after marrying the love of his life-Ginny, well she is the only person who is suitable for him....or is she?

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Who does he likes the most?

Ron stumbled into Burrow’s kitchen scowling. Everyone was gathered in the kitchen for breakfast. Bill was sitting beside Charlie. Mr Weasley had left early for ministry. Percy was also there who has returned after the public announcement of the resurrection of Voldemort. He had begged for forgiveness to his family. His parents had readily forgiven him, but the siblings were still sore to him sometimes. Mrs Weasley was busy making breakfast for everyone. Only Harry and Ginny was absent from the kitchen.

Ron groaned and flopped on a chair.

 “Oh you are up dear, What would you like for breakfast? ” Mrs Weasley asked him.

 “I don’t think I can eat anything right now.” said Ron in a disgruntled voice.

 Every single person’s head snapped at him at his statement.

 “Ron are you all right”, Hermione asked bewildered. Cause Ron can stop doing anything but eating.

 “Are you ok? You or not sick are you?” Mrs Weasley started fussing over him, checking his head for temperature.

 “Did you heard what I heard dear Georgie!” Fred exclaimed with a mock panicked look

 “Oh, surely Freddie” George replied, copying the look of his twin.

 “Dear Ronnikins denied the food…the food.” 

 “Next thing we know will be Malfoy kissing our shoes.” 

Everyone else would have laughed at twins banter if they weren’t busy deducing reason behind Ron’s denial for food.

 “Stop it you two. After seeing your best mate and sister eating each other’s face off –first thing in the morning, anyone will lose their appetite.” Ron said Scowling

 Harry and Ginny had got together after Harry arrived at Burrow two weeks ago. He had realized his feelings for her during the end of his fifth year. She helped him through his grief for the loss of Sirius. He has confessed his feelings to her before it would have been too late as she has mentioned something about Dean Thomas on a return train ride. Ginny waved his concern. She told him that she had said that to piss-off Ron because he was acting like a overprotective git. They were together since then. Everyone was happy for the couple. Except for Ron, as he was having difficulty accepting the fact that his best friend likes his younger sister in that way. He always made the gagging sound even if they just held hands. Ginny was getting irritated by his behaviour. And now he has seen his baby sister and best mate snogging first thing in the morning.

 Mrs Weasley heaved a sigh of relief after hearing that nothing was wrong with his health.

 Hermione rolled her eyes. She had had this conversation with Ron many times. Many times she had to distract Ron when an argument seemed rising between him and Ginny.

 “Honesty Ron you’re just overreacting.” She said throwing him an irritated look.

 But Weasley brother’s faces were contorted.

 “Well we’ll just have to accept this fact.” Bill said acting as mature big brother all though he didn’t like the mental image of his sister snogging Harry.

 “I knew she had a crush on him but never thought Ginny could date him. It was just silly fangirl crush actually.” Charlie said thoughtfully

 “True, but she matured.” Hermione said catching everyone’s attention

She continued, “Ginny initially had that fangirl crush but she grew out of that. she even dated one other guy, that’s when she started seeing the real harry. Harry needs someone who can see him as harry as a real person and not as some hero.

 Everyone just stared at her.

 Fred and George had to my comment after such thought-full explanation-so they did,

 “Besides he just loves Weasleys” said Fred.

 “Just can’t resist the Weasley charm.” George said, merrily tucking into his breakfast.

 Hermione rolled her eyes smiling fondly

 “And that’s why he doesn’t have any other options. There aren’t many Weasley girls. Ginny is the only girl born in seven generations in Weasley family.” Bill mused out loud.

 “He doesn’t have many options cause he is walking straight.” Fred huffed.

 “If only he swung another way he would have had six options to choose from.” said George.

 “And he would have chosen me seeing that I am his favourite.” Fred said and continued eating.

 “Excuse me we both are his favourite, so why would he choose only you?” George asked crossing his arms in front of his chest.

 “Because I am a most handsome twin, everyone knows that.” Fred said that as if stating obvious.

 George was about to restore but Bill cut in.

  Bill brushed his ponytail before looking up at them and saying, “If we are going on looks then sorry brothers I think I am most handsome Weasley. So he would have chosen me.” 

  “You see we are talking about a boy here and seeing that I am one who is into a boy, his natural choice should be me.” Charlie stated matter-of-factly.

 “But we are speaking hypothetically. It is not important whether you are gay or not.” Percy waved away Charlie’s argument.

 “Percy shut up if you don’t have any valid argument. And he would never choose you so shut up.” Charlie glaring at Percy.

 “Of course it is a valid argument and how would you know that he wouldn’t choose me,” Percy asked him.

 “Why dear brother”-Fred

 “Want to choose one all for yourself.”-George said smirking at Percy, causing him to sputter incoherently.

 “As if he has any chance.” It came from Ron, who was silent during the argument.

 Percy raised his eyebrow and said “why not? Then tell Ron who has a chance with Harry.”

 “Yes you are his best friend you will be able to judge precisely.”- Bill

 Ron stared at his brothers as if they are small children and he is teaching them two plus two is four and said “Of course it would be me. I am his best friend after all. I know him better than any of you. And if you had forgotten I am the one whom he had rescued from the black lake during the second task in Triwizard tournament which means I am the person whom he will miss the most.”

 Everyone was quiet for a minute. Then Charlie exclaimed suddenly “We need a fair judge.”  

 Everyone nodded in agreement.

Fred scanned the table. His eyes stopped on bushy-haired girl and his lips turned into an evil smile.

 “Dear Hermione you are looking magnificent today.” said Fred.

 “Yes absolutely gorgeous.” George continued knowing what Fred was trying to do.

 “Stunning”

 “Charming”

  “Ok ok shut up, I am not judging which Weasley boy has a chance with Harry Game.” Hermione said frowning at them.

 “Come on Hermione, you would be the perfect judge. You are his best friend and you are not competing either.” said Ron in an attempt to convince her, hoping that she would be partial to him..

 “Competing, honestly Ronald.” Hermione said exasperated.

  Harry and Ginny entered the kitchen. No one noticed them except Hermione as they had resumed their previous argument.

 “What’s going on?�� Ginny asked piling food on her plate.

 “Ah! Just the man we wanted to see.” said Charlie looking happily at Harry.

 “Go on, tell them, Harry, you would choose me upon them any day,” Ron told Harry passing him the butter.

 Harry was confused as to what was going on and seeing at Ginny she was in the same state as him.

 “Ron don’t pressure him, let him decide for himself,” Bill told Ron glaring at him.

 “Harrykins just tell them I am most handsome and close the topic.”-Fred

 “First of all we look alike and why you when we have already decided that we both are his favourite.” George turned to Fred frowning.

  Charlie growled at them. “Will you just stop praising yourselves.” 

 “Everyone be silent. Let us ask Harry what he thinks.”-Percy said solemnly.

 Harry was now extremely confused. Were they fighting over him? No, they won’t do that, would they? Well, they were Weasleys and they can do absolutely anything. He had had the first-hand experience at that. He shot an enquiring look at Hermione. She was trying hard not to laugh at them ….or him.

 “Alright shut up and speak one by one.” Ginny said over the raised voices.

 “Ginny we were just wondering that who would Harry chose among us if he swung the other way,” Bill stated calmly

 Harry and Ginny kept staring at them until Ginny burst out laughing. That set Hermione on laughter fit. Harry can’t understand what they were finding amusing in this situation where he felt more and more uncomfortable by passing minute.

  “This is serious Ginny,” Ron said sending her irritated look.

 Still chuckling Ginny said, “Of course it is Ron.” Then she turned to Harry and asked him managing a straight look “What do you think Harry? Who would you dump me for?”

 Harry let his head fall on the table with a groan. Still, he could hear the boys arguing and girls laughing their heads off.

 Mrs Weasley entered the kitchen listening to the bickering of her children and honorary children.

 “What’s the racket?”

 “Mum…Your sons are trying to steal my boyfriend.” Ginny managed to tell between her laughs.

 “Boys leave the poor boy alone. I have told you not to threaten him.” Mrs Weasley scolded her son. 

 “We are doing nothing like that.”-Bill

 “Then what are you on about.” Mrs. Weasley asked narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

 All boys looked at each other, trying to come with reasons to tell their mother.

 “Mrs Weasley they were doing quite the opposite. They were fighting for…err…what can we say…Harry’s affection.” Hermione told her looking in amusement.

 In the meanwhile, Harry had gulped down his breakfast. He stood up thanked Molly and slowly walked towards the kitchen door.

  Ron saw him and said loudly ”Harry at least answer us.”

 But had leapt in the run towards backyard already.

 “I think he doesn’t want to disappoint anyone by choosing me.” Fred stated and started the argument once again.