#accio-sirius

[sliebman10]

Accio

Remus woke up shivering. He usually ran hot but tonight apparently was an exception.

Of course. Sirius had stolen all of the blankets. Remus couldn't even be mad about it as he fumbled for his wand. It should have been an easy reach, but with Sirius wrapped entirely around him, it was hard for him to move.

He finally picked it up and whispered, "Accio blankets," and the blankets untangled and flew into his hand. Remus whispered another spell and they neatly spread over both of them.

Remus shifted into a more comfortable position and Sirius moved with him as he settled again.

Word count: 105

@wolfstarmicrofic

[brandileigh2003]

what are you reading right now?

I just finished: If You're Gonna by @brigidfaye

Also befriending a ravenclaw by @kreestars

A couple of the wip I'm reading (excitedly waiting for)

Date me, Remus Lupin by @her-smile-forges-galaxies

Accio by imparfait

Kill your darlings by @sophsicle

As the Worm Moon Dies by @rollercoasterwords

And presque vu and Underground Gladiators by bizarrestars

disintegration (no spoilers, only on 21) by @mayescapade

[moonstruckme]

Ok, your little jily about hypothermia gave me the urge to see :

The reaction to the marauders to you falling through the ice. Like you were skating on the Black Lake with Sirius and James because they convinced you (against you initial worry) while Remus stands off to the side and watches (the most unsure and worried of them)

And I can see James and Sirius trying to race each other as you try to get a hand of ice skating. Then a crack and you fall through.

It’s like you know that scene with Amy in Little woman

I would totally get if you don’t like it since you’ve just written a similar one.

Your work is amazing ! Hope everything is ok for you ❤️

Thank you lovely <3

cw: ice skating trauma?

poly!marauders x fem!reader ♡ 1k words

It’s just like Sirius and James to goad you out onto the lake and then get bored of you when--as you tried to warn them—you can’t skate. James is fizzing with energy, promising to come back as soon as he makes one quick round of the cove, and of course when he challenges Sirius to a race your boyfriend is too competitive to decline. 

They take off at light speed, blades schwicking across the dark ice. Remus, sitting bundled up on land, eyes you worriedly over the top of his book. 

“Be careful,” he warns, not for the first time. 

You are nervous, with no handholds and no boyfriends to help you, but you’re eager to reassure him. “Don’t worry.” You smile. “I’m not going to go racing after them.” 

Remus returns your smile, and, mollified, returns to his book. 

The ice on the Black Lake is far from pristine. There are dips and ridges, and soon you find yourself being channeled down curving paths away from the shore, hardly moving your skates and arms out to your sides for balance. The ice beneath your feet begins to look darker, less of the frosty sheen or slashes from other skates. It feels smoother, too. 

You let yourself glide forward, raising your head to see if any of your boyfriends are looking to witness your success. The first crack is a light sound. Almost negligible, but it gets your attention. You scream as the ice falls out from beneath you. 

The cold shocks you down to your bones, freezing the blood in your veins and pressing in on your lungs. Instinct propels you upwards. 

“H—help!” 

Your voice is a tight cry. The air doesn’t feel much better, colder even, but you try to stay above the surface, the blades on your feet slicing uselessly through the water below. Each time you try to grasp at a piece of ice and pull yourself onto it, it breaks away. Your breaths are gasping, panicked puffs that send white clouds into the air in front of you. 

You can hear your boyfriends shouting. 

“Pads, wait—wait—” 

Sirius is crawling towards you on the ice, another shape moving quickly in your direction. 

“Accio branch!” 

James tosses the long stick to Sirius, who holds it out for you to grab onto. The bark bites into your palms, but you don’t let go as both boys use it to drag you out, ice jutting into your middle. As soon as you’re out to your hip you’re in Sirius’ embrace, his strong arms bringing you closer and helping you pull your legs from the water. 

“You’re okay,” he says, firmly. As though daring anyone to prove him wrong. “You’re okay, baby, we’ve got you. We have you.” 

James and Sirius keep you tucked between them, pushing you on dripping skates and wobbly legs to the edge of the lake. Remus looks like he tried to come out wearing his shoes. His face has drained of its wintery flush, brow set tense with worry. 

Sirius helps him back to the shore, but not before Remus casts a warming charm on you. You give an odd shiver at the change. 

“How’s that, angel?” James scrubs a hand up and down your arm. His voice is light, but its lightness is so forced and so different from his exuberant tone of a few minutes ago. 

Remus pulls you into a hug as you start to cry. Tiny sobs mixed with shivers, your frame shaking in every way possible. Remus holds you securely to him as he lowers you both to the ground. He casts another warming charm for good measure. 

“You’re lucky she didn’t get dragged under by the grindylows,” he says with your head tucked beneath his chin. He sounds angry, but it’s quickly succumbing to weariness. His arms wind around you tighter. 

“We didn’t know she’d try and go into the middle!” Sirius argues as he kneels beside you, James at his side. Your boyfriend’s face is lined with guilt as he reaches for you, unsticking a damp piece of hair from your cheek. 

“How was she supposed to know?”

“Sorry,” you offer wobbily. Each of them makes some sound of sympathy. 

“No, sweetheart, it’s not your fault,” Remus soothes, covering your cheek with his warm hand. James rubs up your calf from your ankle as though he intends to warm you inch by inch. “It was only your first time, you couldn’t have known.” 

“Yeah,” James agrees, “you’re fine, lovie. Nobody said for you to be sorry.” 

You try on a smile. There’s snot frozen above your top lip. “So I can only be sorry when you say?” 

“Yes,” says Sirius, very seriously. 

He grins when you laugh. Remus cracks, too, and James looks relieved at no longer being scolded. Sirius smooths another piece of hair from your face, looking at you carefully. 

“You okay, baby?” 

“I’m okay,” you confirm. “The warming charms are helping a lot. Thanks, Rem.” 

“That’s our Moony.” Sirius smiles at him, clearly eager to be back in your boyfriend’s good graces. “Always knows the perfect spell.” 

“You know that one, too,” Remus grumbles as James starts to unlace your skates for you. “You could’ve done it the moment you got her out.” 

“Ah, but we’re not all as quick on our feet as you, you swot.” 

“Do you think you can walk back inside?” James asks you, slipping your shoes on. “One of us could go get some tea from the great hall while you warm up in the common room.” 

“Fuck that,” says Sirius. “I know where Slughorn keeps his nice cocoa now. I’d say we’re entitled to some of that after our trials.” 

“One of us is,” Remus corrects him drily. 

“Right, then.” James takes your hands, standing you up slowly and fitting an arm around your waist for support. If the wet of your clothes chills him, he doesn’t complain. “We’ll pilfer enough of Slughorn’s cocoa for one person, and you’ll be good as new by dinner.” 

“I already feel okay,” you try to reassure him. 

“Shh, shh.” Remus takes you by the hand, squeezing gently. “Don’t correct them. Take your dues.”

[chiefbluepagoon]

All was quiet but for the crickets, not a soul to be seen. It was peaceful, if only for a little while. Grass as green as you had ever seen, trees as ancient as the gods themselves bordering the property. The light of the moon reflected in the water, clear as the sky above. Bright, raucous laughter broke the silence as four boys stumbled out from thin air. If one had not seen it for themselves, one would have declared it impossible. The boys were impossible. The tallest of the lot was the loudest, his smile infectious. His shirt was half-tucked in his pants and his tie loosened. He strutted over towards the lake, his arm draped over a boy with windswept black hair. “Like I was saying, James, it’ll never work!” The one called James threw his head back with a laugh. His tie hung loosely about his shoulders, more in spirit than practicality. The lanky boy hung back with the shortest one, a smile tugging at the ends of his lips. His robe was more patch than fabric, his uniform worn and tired. The shortest boy toted the tent bag along, looking quite pleased to be included. “You doubt me, Sirius? I haven’t led you astray in minutes!” The boy with the shaggy black hair shoved James off with another laugh, one that spread to the others. They paused as they reached the shore of the black lake, watching as the reflection of the moon shimmered. A comfortable silence settled between the lot as the lanky boy and the shortest began to wave their wands at the tent bag. Seamlessly, silently, it began to unpack itself. Sirius and James regarded the lake, quite oblivious to the other two. It was before anyone could object that James had flicked his wrist, his wand effortlessly falling into his hand.  "Remus, look quick, you'll miss it!" Sirius exclaimed, the lanky boy with the curly brown hair cursing as one of the tent poles fell on his foot.  It was lightning fast, the words tumbling out of James's mouth. "Accio fish!"  "James, no!" Remus muttered under his breath, his smile widening. Even if James had heard, it wasn't as if the prick would listen.  "I told you so, James-" Sirius began, just before the first fish flew out of the lake, slapping the aspiring wizard in the face.  Remus and Peter had forgotten the tent entirely, lost in laughter at the gaping look on James's face. It was like a deer caught in headlights! "Ah, well. It was only-" Before James could finish his sentence, another fish had flown out of the lake, slapping him in the face again.  Sirius had retreated back with Remus and Peter, the three thoroughly enjoying the show.  "James, duck!" He managed to wheeze out, falling to the ground with a roar as two more fish saw fit to assault the boy.  James had ducked this time, not that it'd done him much good. There seemed to be far too many fish rising up out of the lake... He stumbled back towards the three boys, lost in laughter like the rest. With a scream loud enough to wake the castle, the Marauders had been buried in fish!! 

"... Would this be a bad time to say I told you so?" 

[everythingisromant1c]

It's Always Been You - Chapter 7

james potter x fem!reader

summary - Now that things were seemingly going back to normal with James, the time had come for the marauders' next prank. But that doesn't mean you weren't in for some surprises of your own.

wc [5.0k]

all chapters | <- Chapter 6 - Chapter 8 ->

Classes for the next day went remotely better, considering the fact that no more potions had exploded and you'd given up on trying to avoid James. It seemed like it was physically impossible to do. You supposed that made sense, since you'd had him in your life for as long as you were old enough to form proper sentences. It was hard to imagine your life without him, no matter how much it may hurt to be around him.

You were forcing yourself to ignore that feeling now and focus on this impossible prank you were trying to pull off. You and the rest of the Marauders were stationed out in one of the hidden passageways within Hogwarts' walls, one that led you right in front of the Slytherin common room.

You lit the dark passage with your wand, the others having lugged the shampoo bottles you'd filled with red hair dye in a makeshift sack within the invisibility cloak, much to your displeasure.

"Remind me why we can't just accio all the shampoo bottles to us and get the hell out of here?" Sirius dropped the invisibility cloak and the bottles with a cringe-worthy slam to the floor, a sound that echoed through the dark passageway.

"Of course, Sirius," chimed Remus, smacking a sarcastic hand to his head. "Why hadn't we thought of that before? Let's just accio every single bottle at the same time and-"

"Okay, I get it," Sirius grumbled, rubbing at the shoulder that'd been carrying the bottles. "Someone's cranky."

James rolled his eyes at him. "No arguing with Moony, it's almost that time of the month."

"I wasn't arguing, only asking a reasonable question."

"Enough talking you guys," you butted in. "If we want this prank to work we need to start as soon as possible, alright?" You took their silence for compliance. "We remember the plan, yes?" From what you could see in the darkness, the four of them gave you a nod, albeit unsurely. "Okay, good."

You peeked around the corner towards the Slytherin common room and watched as the door swung open, a first-year girl walking through the doorway. With urgent eyes, you gestured for Peter to carry out his part of the plan. He didn't budge.

"Peter," you whispered, nudging him in the arm.

He turned to you cluelessly. "Hmm?"

You held back a groan, watching as the heavy door shut behind the first-year, your opportunity disappearing. "Okay, so we don't know the plan then?"

Peter looked at you guiltily. "Sorry, I spaced out when you went over it the first time."

"It's okay Pete," chimed Sirius. "I did too."

It took everything in you to stay quiet and not scold the two of them. You were already nervous enough. "I'm gonna go over it one more time, so everyone listen this time." You heaved a breath in. "First we need to make sure we can get the common room door open. Pete, you're going to wait until a Slytherin opens the door, and then run out in your animagus form and nudge that stone on the ground over there into the doorway. Got it?"

You turned to Peter, who was listening this time rapt with attention. He nodded.

"Good. Then, all we need you to do is make sure the Slytherins' bathroom doors are open, and that way James can hold the main door open so Remus can summon the bottles, about a dozen at a time."

"What?" Peter's eyes were wide and shifting around unsurely. "I have to go into the dorms? No way."

"It'll only be for a quick moment, Pete," you said, trying to comfort him.

"Yeah," encouraged Remus. "And you'll be in your animagus form, so nobody will even notice you. You don't even have to go inside the bathrooms, just make sure they're opened a crack. You'll be in and out."

You all stared at Peter expectantly, watching as he seemed to mull over the plan in his head. "I don't know."

"What's the worst that can happen?" sang Sirius. "If anything, they notice a rat in the dorms and go yelling. But this school has had rats before, so."

James stared at Sirius with widened eyes. "Don't give him any ideas, Pads." He put a hand on Peter's shoulder. "It'll go great. If anybody can do this, Pete, it's you."

James's determined words mixed with the sincerity in his eyes seemed to work, something you figured came from all his practice giving pep talks as Quidditch Captain. It took him a moment, but Peter eventually nodded, though he still didn't seem perfectly convinced.

You you looked at him meaningfully. "We won't let anything happen to you Peter, promise." That seemed to help, and you finished explaining the rest of the plan to your friends hurriedly.

You stared at the four of them once you finished. "Is everyone good with the plan now?" You rolled your eyes as Sirius raised his hand.

"All I'm saying is, everything would been a whole lot easier if we just drank Polyjuice Potion and turned ourselves into Slytherins like I said."

Remus sighed. "I already told you that Polyjuice Potion takes at least a month to brew."

"Yeah," you countered. "And besides, did you want to morph into Marcus Craggy, or were you planning on making one of us do it?"

"Oh please," Sirius laughed like you were the crazy one. "Don't be silly. Everyone knows I would've turned into a girl. That way I could-"

You held up a hand, cringing. "Don't finish that sentence, please."

Another ten or so minutes went by, though the way some of the others were acting would've had you believe it'd been close to ten hours.

"Remind me again how much longer we're going to have to sit here for?" Maybe it was the stress you'd been feeling for the past couple of days, but Sirius's sass had never been as irritating to you as it was then.

You sighed. "We could've been halfway done already if you'd all listened to the plan the first five times I said it."

"Well, we wouldn't need the plan if you'd just gotten the passwords to the Slytherin common room from Vance like we asked you to."

You reeled at the aggravating topic that he and James seemed to love to bring up. "Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm serious."

You squinted your eyes at him and whatever joke he was trying to make in a moment you did find funny whatsoever. "How would I have even gone about asking for a thing like that anyway? It's completely ridiculous."

Sirius barked out a laugh much too loud for the setting you were in. "Oh please. The bloke obviously likes you. All you would've had to do is bat your eyelashes and he would've handed it right over."

You squinted at him annoyedly in the dark lighting. "What the hell are you talking about?"

To your surprise, James groaned, leaning back against the wall. "Enough Sebastian talk, please." His tone was grim and tight, contrasting Sirius's overly loud drawl.

"Come on Prongs, just because you're jealous that-"

"Shh, look."

You all stopped arguing at Remus's call, turning to peak back towards the hall where a Slytherin boy was entering. You didn't have any time to think over whatever Sirius had begun to say, your mind settling itself on putting the plan you'd spent so much effort trying to formulate into action.

"Pete," you whispered. "That's your cue."

Ignoring the fact that he looked like he was going to be sick, you watched as Peter took a shaky step away from the group and, before your eyes, morphed into a measly rat at your feet. The sight was never something you could get used to.

Just as you'd told him to, Peter scurried across the hallway behind the Slytherin boy and, right as the door to the common room was about to close, rolled the stone you'd placed on the ground into the doorway. When it shut behind the boy, you could see the gap in the doorway that told you your plan was a go.

"Alright Wormtail!" Sirius whispered from across the hall, and you all watched silently as the little rat looked back toward the four of you before scampering into the Slytherins' common room.

"Bless the lad," you heard Sirius say from behind you, sounding overly sentimental.

"Let's hope he won't need any blessings if everything goes according to plan." You let out a breath. "Okay, next step. We need to see where the prefects are on their rounds. Who has the map?"

You looked between the three boys, watching as they all stared back at you with blank eyes. Your mouth hung in disbelief. "Don't tell me we forgot the map again." At that point, it was getting harder and harder to keep your voice to a secretive whisper.

"Relax," said James, voice hushed. "Padfoot has it."

Sirius scoffed, turning towards the brunette. "Prongs, I think I would know if I had it-"

"Turn around."

Sirius frowned. "What?"

James stared back at him with a confident set in his eyes. "Just turn around."

"Really?" Sirius fawned with a smirk. "In front of all these people?"

James shook his head, though you knew he could never resist a dirty joke. He hid his boyish grin and cleared his throat, gesturing to Sirius curtly. "Pads, c'mon."

At that, Sirius turned around with his back facing you, and lo and behold, you could see the corners of the map peaking up helplessly from the back of his pants.

You put an exasperated hand up to your forehead, features twisting painstakingly. "Why the bloody hell is it in your pants, Sirius?"

Sirius looked back over his shoulder towards the map, face screwed up in confusion. "I honestly don't remember putting it there."

You stared at him for a moment in disbelief. "Well, can you take it out please so we can finish the prank?"

"Of course, m'lady." He flashed you a grin you absolutely did not like the look of. "You sure you don't wanna do it yourself?" James elbowed Sirius in the side, his smile swapping itself out for a roll of his eyes. "Alright, alright."

The three of you looked on as he contorted his body to reach for the map, his struggle not seeming anything but overdramatic to you as you waited impatiently.

"C'mon Pads," chided James as he went to reach for the map despite its location.

"No, almost got it." The site of him losing a match against his own pants threatened to make you laugh even with how on edge you were, though you dropped your smile when he finally pulled the map free, only to drop it. You watched with horror as it slid onto the ground, out into the middle of the hallway.

"Great." You sighed at the site of the folded paper sitting unguarded out in the open and the fact that you had no idea where the prefects were on their rounds.

"Don't worry," cooed Sirius. "I'll get it." He took a confident stride forward, but you put a hand out just as fast.

"No," you warned, not having faith in his stealthiness after what you just witnessed. "Just- just stay where you are. I'll get it."

With that, you checked that the coast was clear on both sides before stepping out of the hidden passageway and into the open corridor, ignoring the irritated look you knew Sirius was giving the others at your orders.

With your heart beating fast in your chest and a glance at the slightly ajar Slytherin common room door, you bent over swiftly and picked up the map. Once it was secured in your hands you could already feel your senses returning to normal, though that feeling left as soon as it came.

You stood back up and were face to face with a body in Slytherin robes, your reflexes hiding the map behind your back right away.

"Sebastian!" you put on a cheesy smile in greeting before you could even think straight, though maybe it was because seeing the familiar face gave you some relief.

"Hey," he greeted back, and then you watched him process the fact that you were in the dungeons all alone. "What're you doing down here?"

You spoke before you even thought about what to say. "I was, uhm, seeing Slughorn for some extra help. Felt extra motivated after yesterday." Nice one. How easily the lie came to you concerned you.

"That's great." Sebastian's voice was warm, though there was a tug between his brow as he glanced over your nervous figure. "Are you alright?" his frown deepened. "Did Slughorn say something?"

It took you a second before remembering what he was referring to. Your lie, right.

"What? Oh, no, he didn't say anything bad. I'm great, really." You nodded at him and watched his features lighten up again, and then you felt bad because of how much he seemed to really care, and about the fact that you were lying straight to his face. You'd been doing more lying than you would've liked as of late.

Right when you were about to say something else, maybe wish him goodbye, you heard a small clang come from the knight armor to your right, and you mentally cursed because it came right from where you knew the boys were hiding.

Crap, you thought as you remembered they were listening to everything. You'd almost forgotten. You spared a glance over to where you knew they were hiding out, and luckily couldn't see anything. Hopefully, that meant Sebastian couldn't either as he surveyed the source of the noise.

You turned back to him, offering a smile you hoped looked as genuine as you meant it to as you freaked out internally. "Well, it was nice seeing you, Sebastian," you said through tight lips. "Night."

He looked back at you with the air of confusion at your rushed tone but didn't question you. "Yeah, goodnight." He nodded back and you, trying not to look suspicious, walked past him as if you wouldn't turn around in a second once he left.

"Actually," he called, and you turned right back around fast enough to give you whiplash, trying to keep the map hidden behind your back. "I've been meaning to ask you something. I wanted to yesterday, actually, before we got interrupted."

"Yeah," you rushed in, cringing at the memory and mentally cursing James. "So sorry about that. James feels sorry too, about the whole potions thing, in case he hasn't apologized already." You said the last bit with emphasis because you knew he hadn't, even after all your chiding.

"It's alright, Madam Pomfrey didn't even have to do anything. And, I hope you fixed your emergency, by the way." He was referencing the 'emergency' that James had interrupted you over, one that made you fight shaking your head at the memory.

You only smiled. "Yeah, we did, thanks."

"Great," said Sebastian, and he put his hands in his pockets, looking visibly tense. Then he took one hand out to rub it over the back of his neck, not saying anything for a moment as you both stood in the hallway.

"Sebastian?" you called, and that seemed to bring him back to life.

"Right, sorry." He exhaled, looking at you meaningfully. "I guess what I've been meaning to ask was, would you want to go to the Hogsmeade trip this weekend? With me?"

You paused your thoughts, stilling at his words. Whatever you'd expected him to say before, it was certainly not that.

You didn't know what to say right away, or how to react. He was waiting for you to say something, and you definitely wanted to, but you just didn't know what. Something warm did bloom in your stomach though, and the shadows of a smile grew on your face because someone was asking you on a date. Sebastian Vance was asking you on a date.

"So?" Sebastian asked softly and you turned your attention back to him. You didn't know how long you'd left him standing there as you became lost in your thoughts, but looking at his hopeful eyes and friendly smile, you felt like the answer you came up with was plain as day.

"Yes."

"Yes?" he asked, and maybe you hadn't spoken loud enough, or maybe he was in disbelief, but you could see a smile breaking out on his face and it felt almost contagious.

"Yes," you repeated through a smile of your own. "I'd love to go on a date with you, Sebastian." Your eyes widened. "It is a date, right?"

He laughed, soft and quiet in the empty hallway. "Yeah, it's a date. That is, if you're alright with that."

You chuckled shyly, feeling unfamiliar in your own skin. Was this really happening? "I'm alright with that."

"Great." Sebastian clapped his hands together low in front of him, chest rising and falling steadily as if some great weight had been lifted from him. He looked almost radiant—he was a good-looking boy, might you add. "You know, I wasn't exactly sure you'd say yes with Potter and all."

You paused, smile swapping out for a confused frown. "What?"

Sebastian looked at you like then like he'd hit a nerve and was suddenly cautious. He put his hands in his pockets again, shrugging it away. "It's nothing, never mind."

You tried to make your face more casual and less alarmed. "No, really. What do you mean?"

Sebastian seemed to pause for a second in thought like he was weighing his options, before letting in. "It's just that, I don't know, I thought you and Potter were kind of an item. At least at one point. A lot of people do." His words seemed to flow out endlessly and you couldn't believe you were hearing them right. "And you know, with the rumors about you guys, er, in the broom closet and all, I wasn't sure-"

"On my God no," you cut in quickly, feeling both mortified with flames at your cheeks and angry at whoever started them. "Those were just rumors. Godric, I don't even know how they started. James and I are friends. Just friends."

Even if Marlene and Lily had always poked fun at you about the topic, you'd never actually thought about what others thought of you and James. Could they see your crush on him during all these years too? The fact that Sebastian had assumed you might be together made you feel ... you didn't know how it made you feel.

But none of that mattered now. What you said was true: you and James were just friends. You wouldn't let the possibility of anything else interfere with your love life, or your lack of one, rather. At least not anymore. You thought about what Sirius had said to you the other night and hated him slightly less for it.

"Well that's good to know," said Sebastian contently, taking you out of your spiraling thoughts. "So, I'll see you then?"

You were about to say "yes," and finally wish him a goodnight until a high-pitched and truly ear-cover-worthy scream sounded from the Slytherin common room. Not more than a second sooner did you watch as a rat, not just any rat—Peter—scurried out of the small crack in the doorway and down the hallway.

You'd momentarily forgotten where you were and exactly what you'd been in the middle of doing before Sebastian had stopped you, and the site of Peter was a blaring reminder. You thanked Merlin that Sebastian had his back to the door because somehow he hadn't noticed Peter running panicked right past his feet.

He turned to you in confusion and some horror. "What the hell was that about?" he looked between you and the common room door, laughing, and you laughed too, albeit nervously to mask your horror.

"No idea."

Thanks to the commotion that the rat spotting had caused in the Slytherin dorms, your carefully planned prank had, for lack of a better word, gone to shit.

Peter had returned to the boys' dorm early after the chaos of his being discovered and hadn't come back. None of you blamed him very much, though. Especially not after Filch's cat Mrs. Norris made an unexpected appearance on the Marauder's map, and you all watched anxiously as she chased him all the way back to the dorms.

"'Was bloody horrifying," shuttered Peter as he took a seat on his bed. You'd all headed back to the dorms once you realized there was no way you'd be able to finish the prank after that.

"We're so sorry Pete." You sat down on the bed next to him. "I really didn't think they'd notice you. They usually don't."

"Yeah," added Remus. "And I don't know how we missed Mrs. Norris on the map. It's our bad, really."

"Some first-year girl threw a book at me. Nearly missed my head!" Peter rubbed at the back of his skull as if he could still feel the almost-impact.

Sirius walked over, patting him on the head. "We'll get our revenge soon, Wormy. Don't you worry."

You stared up at him wryly. "We will not be 'getting revenge' on an eleven-year-old, Sirius."

"Of course not," he rang, patting you on the head too, which you batted away. "I only meant with the hair dye, is all." You ignored the wink you saw him give Peter as he went to sit on his own bed.

You watched as James walked into the dorm room last, sitting on his bed next to Peter's wordlessly. You all had a defeated air to you because of the failed prank, though James looked the worst.

"C'mon guys," you urged. "It could've gone a lot worse."

Peter shook his head from next to you. "Could it have? I almost got eaten by a cat."

"Yeah," Sirius said, tone sour. "Excuse us for being so down about that disaster of a prank. Not all of us scored a date from it, you know."

You looked down at your lap with a scoff. "I knew you wouldn't let that go."

"Did you really expect us to? I mean, really? That Slytherin bloke?"

"Oh my God." You shook your head. "I am done listening to you all groan about your house rivalry. Him being a Slytherin has nothing to do with whether or not I should date him."

Sirius looked squinted over at you, looking like he had a thousand responses on the tip of his tongue, but then he shrugged. "Okay, fine. But house aside, Vance is a total player."

You scoffed again in annoyance. "He is not." You traced back all memories of the boy in your mind and could think of maybe two other girls that he's dated. You rolled your eyes. "And I find it pretty ironic that you of all people are calling someone a player, Sirius."

He laughed, obviously finding the conversation much more amusing than you were. "Do you even like him?"

You were getting more worked up than you would've liked, confused as to why Sirius was challenging this so much when he was just lecturing you about never going on dates. "What is there not to like?" you retorted. "He's nice, smart, he's a great Potions partner-"

"But do you like him?" Sirius cut you off with a seriousness in his tone, looking at you challengingly. A silence filled the room for a moment, the others all sprawled around it as an audience to the argument you wanted nothing to do with.

You stared back at him, considering things in your head for a moment before answering. "Yes, I do." You put a hand on your hip. "Are you happy?"

Sirius didn't respond to your frustrated question, shifting his gaze to something behind you. "Prongs, what do you think about all of this?"

You frowned at the unexpected change of focus, following Sirius's eye-line over to James, who sat on his bed, hunched forward with his elbows to his knees. He looked pensive, maybe still defeated from the prank, but something unidentifiable simmered behind his gaze, seeming to harden it. You didn't know what it was and you didn't know what Sirius was trying to do by involving him either.

He was silent for long enough that you were beginning to think he hadn't heard Sirius, until he shrugged. "I just can't believe you're missing our first Hogsmeade trip of the year."

If there was anything you were expecting James to say, it wasn't that. You ran a hand through your hair. "I guess I hadn't really thought about that." You turned to James thoughtfully. "It isn't like I'll be gone the whole day. And there will be other Hogsmeade trips for us to all go to, right?"

"We always spend the first one together, though," James said, tone heavy.

"He's right," Peter agreed. "It's practically a tradition."

You sat back down on the bed, feeling tired. "What do you guys want me to do? Tell him I can't go out with him?"

"Of course not," Remus chimed. "We're happy for you. They're just saying they're gonna miss you being there on Saturday, is all." He stared at the others expectantly. "Right guys?"

It took a second, but they all nodded, some apologies muttered, and you'd never been so thankful for Remus.

"Thank you," you said sincerely. "That means a lot." You sat in thought for a moment, before an idea sprang into your mind. "Why don't we all go get butterbeers from the kitchen like we always do after a prank?"

"After a successful prank," Sirius corrected.

"Yeah, I don't know if I'm in the mood to celebrate." Peter looked like he was reliving the horrors of the rat fiasco in his head again.

"It would cheer you up though, wouldn't it?" You nudged Peter's side before standing up. "Come on." You pulled on his arm until he was standing up lazily, though you knew he was fighting a smile. "Let's go. The house elves would love it if we paid them a visit." You motioned for them all to follow as you walked towards the door, Sirius and Remus doing just that, but James stayed put. "James?" you called. "You coming?"

He looked up at you from where he sat, face seeming drained of any excitement at the prospect of his favorite drink, eyes avoiding yours. "I think I'll just stay back."

Your brows furrowed in concern at his dejected voice and unconvincing flash of a smile, and you took a step closer to him. "Are you sure? You never turn down a butterbeer."

His face had gone stonelike and revealed little to nothing, but you knew something was off. "Just don't feel up to it. You guys go."

You didn't budge right away, looking at your friend more closely in an attempt to figure out what was wrong, but Remus stepped in front of you.

"You guys head to the kitchens. James and I will catch up, just give us a minute."

You stood there, looking back and forth between Remus and James unsurely like there was some unspoken secret they both shared. Remus met your eyes, nodding at you assuredly, and you relented, glancing back at a confused James before leaving the dorm room. Sirius and Peter followed behind you.

"What do you think that's all about?" Peter asked as the three of you walked through the common room to the portrait exit.

"It's James," Sirius responded naturally. "It's probably either about Quidditch or Evans."

By the time the three of you all made your way down to the kitchens and ordered up five butterbeers, Remus had followed through on his promise and had James following him into the kitchen, though he looked a tad off. Not his energetic James self, his head was slightly hung forward with his hands in his pockets.

Remus took the spot next to Sirius at the table you sat at, and James took the spot next to you. You peeked over at him concernedly, but he didn't look up from wherever he was staring off.

"Alright," Sirius announced. "Now that we're all here," he picked up his butterbeer, "let's make a toast, shall we?"

"To what exactly?" asked Peter. "Not like we can toast to a good prank."

"I know," you said as you raised your glass. "To a great school year and successful future pranks."

"Yes," agreed Sirius. "And to many more hot Hogsmeade dates."

Laughter bubbled from Peter and Remus with your lips parting in alarm, though you were holding back laughter too. "Sirius," you chided, and he shrugged.

"Only being supportive."

With a roll of your eyes, your glass collided with three others, one glass missing from the toast.

"James?" you called. His eyes snapped up like he hadn't even noticed the conversation going on. You turned to him with a lowered voice that revealed your worry. "Is everything okay?"

He cleared his throat slightly, eyes not meeting yours, though you could've sworn he shared a look with Remus. "Yeah, sorry." He hurriedly raised his glass too. "Cheers," he added, and took a sip of his butterbeer that had his head tipping back.

The others seemed to overlook James's odd mood and conversation flowered regularly for the rest of the night, though you noticed time and time again James's offness in the way he talked less, or the times he'd space out or seem distant.

After some time the five of you headed back to the common room. Even during the walk back James was a few feet ahead of the group, veering off into his dorm room before you could even say goodnight. You stood there in uncomfortable thought, staring at the staircase he'd just climbed before Remus came to stand by your side.

"You alright?" he asked, and you could see from your peripheral the way he peered at you in curiosity.

"What happened back there with James?" You shifted to face him, watching as he waved an arm casually.

"Nothing, really." You gaped at him disbelievingly at his obvious avoidance of your question. "He'll be alright," he added under your scrutiny. "He's just having an off night."

"What'd you say to him to get him to come with us to the kitchens?"

"You just have all the questions lined up, don't you?"

You glared at him and his sudden annoying sense of humor. "Remus."

"Alright, alright," he chuckled, putting his hands in his pockets. "I just told him to lighten up," he shrugged. "Be happy for you, is all."

Your mind faltered, eyes widening. "You think he's upset about me?"

Instead of answering your question, Remus simply tipped his head down, a one-sided smile tugging at his lips.

"What?" You pried, feeling like there was some big joke you'd been left out on. Remus looked back up at you, shaking his head, but you were feeling more irritated than playful. "No seriously, what?"

With a knowing glint in his eye, Remus bowed his head before taking a step back towards the steps. "Night."

It took you a second to realize he was going off to bed and ignoring your question, leaving you clueless in the common room.

"Remus Lupin!"

Your shouts only met his back as he disappeared up the steps. You huffed. When Remus really wanted to, he had it in him to be even more aggravating than Sirius in a bad mood.

taglist!! ->

@hisparentsgallerryy @msmk11 @garfieldsladybird @empath-bunny @urmykindofwoman

[spacegoblin2106]

Clingy Sirius

I love the idea of Sirius being really affectionate and clingy.

Like they’ll be at a party and Remus will be talking to someone and Sirius will just walk up to the group and settle himself in Remus’ lap. And Remus would just casually lean down to kiss Sirius on the nose or forehead and then go back to the conversation while Sirius surrounds himself with Moony, occasionally jumping in to the conversation but mostly just recharging.

Or they’ll be at dinner and Sirius will take Remus’ hand and place it on his thigh. And Remus will complain saying he need both of his hands to eat but Sirius will just pout and tell Remus to take his hand back then and Remus will just roll his eyes and try not to smile but his hand won’t move for the whole meal.

Or some random person will be flirting with Remus in the hallways between class and Remus, as obvious as he is, won’t notice, even with the persons giggling and touching his arm. But Sirius notices, and seeming to appear out of nowhere he’ll come up behind Remus and lean into his back, and Remus will ask if there’s anything wrong and Sirius will say he’s just tired while he nuzzles into Remus’ neck, pulling the collar of his shirt down a bit to reveal the dark red marks Sirius left there the night before, and he might start adding to the collection and when Remus can’t suppress a shudder as he leans back into his boyfriend, Sirius will look up making eye contact with the person and smirks as they let out a huff and walk way.

Sirius will even get jealous of books. Remus will be reading in the common room only to have his book snatched from his hands and lobbed across room. Sirius will then sit himself in front of Remus grabbing his hands and bringing them up to his hair all while looking up expectingly at his boyfriend. Remus would just mumble something like “daft old mutt” and start carding his hand through Sirius’ hair, accioing his book back as Sirius melts into a content puddle at his feet.

And you can’t forget all those time Remus wakes up to a comfortable, if suffocating, presence on top of him, dark hair strewn across his pillow, some getting in to his mouth, even though he’s certain he went to sleep in an empty bed. And despite the drool and the morning breath he’ll just cuddle in closer to Sirius and fall back asleep unable to fight a love sick smile.

[my-castles-crumbling]

November Fic Recs!

As always, please remember that these recs are not in order, and are based on my own interests! They're not law, and there are many other amazing fics out there! Also I don't post recommendations for E-rated fics!

Taking Off Your Clothes - rated T - wolfstar - 2.5k - by @accio-sriracha

with my corkscrew hair - rated T - wolfstar - 6k - amortentia trope

Just Looking - Rated M - wolfstar - 19k - Muggle AU, Sirius raising Harry

don't blame me, love made me crazy - rated T - jegulus - 15k - 5+1 of James calling Reg nicknames - by @panevanbuckley

in my heart is a christmas tree farm. - rated T - jegulus - 3.5k - muggle AU meet-cute (featuring kid Harry!)

Enjoy!

[engie-ivy]

@wolfstarmicrofic 23rd: Accio

373 words

"I wish I had a boyfriend," Mary sighs wistfully, staring at Frank and Alice snuggled up together in front of the fireplace.

"Iew." Dorcas scrunches up her nose. "Don't say such pathetic things ever again please."

"No, I feel you, Mary," Emmeline says. "Snuggle season is coming up, and it sucks to have no one to cuddle up to."

Remus nods in agreement, but Marlene rolls her eyes. "Boys are twits." As if to confirm her words, right at that moment, a Quaffle flies right past her head, as James and Sirius apparently thought it a good idea to pass it back and forth in the middle of the common room. "Oi, watch it, you bunch of Flobberworms!"

"I know, I know," Emmeline says, hugging a pillow to her chest. "But I want one of them to be my twit."

Mary picks up her wand. "Accio future husband!"

Lily snorts. "It doesn't work like that, honey. The thing with love is-" She's interrupted by a loud bang as the Quaffle hits one of the shields hanging on the wall. "Oh, for Godric's sake, Potter! Isn't it enough for everyone to stare at you on the Quidditch pitch? Gotta show off here as well?" She shakes her head and turns back to Mary. "Anyways, as I was saying, the thing with love is that it comes when you least expect it, it can't be conjured up by a spell."

"But there's no harm in trying!" Emmeline happily chimes in, lifting her own wand. "Accio tall, dark and handsome wizard who worships the very ground I walk on!"

Mary, Emmeline and Remus chuckle.

"Okay, my turn!" Remus says. "Accio love of my life!"

At that moment, James throws a tricky curve Quaffle and Sirius has to quickly step to the left to catch it, but as he does, his foot gets caught on the rug and he trips, toppling over onto the chair Remus is sitting on, ending up right on his lap.

"Whoa! Oef! Oh, hiya Moons." While Remus' face turns beet red, Sirius gives him an easy grin. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Huh." Lily brushes a strand of hair away from her face. "What do you know. Maybe it does work like that."

[wizardinggirl]

The Snake & The Raven

Summary: Starting out as unlikely friends in Hogwarts, you and Severus don’t realize your feelings for each other until adulthood. When the world is dark and bloody, at least you have each other.

Warnings: none I think, but buckle up, this is gonna be a long ride

Parts: Prologue (1/2) || Prologue (2/2) || Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 (I will link the rest as they are posted.)

Prologue (Part 1/2): When We Were Young

Word Count: 2.5k

“Hi, Severus.” You said quietly as you sat in the chair next to his own. He acknowledges you by taking his eyes away from his book to look at you, the chair, back to you then back to his book. You were used to this reaction from your fellow first-year. Even when you would run into each other’s families as children he had the same closed off reaction to your presence. You didn’t mind though. You took comfort in the quiet times you could spend together reading.

“Hi.” Your eyes snapped up from the cover of the book you had grabbed and looked to the boy sitting next to you. His eyes were still scanning the pages of his own book, but you knew you hadn’t imagined it. You smiled softly and leaned back in your chair to begin reading your own novel. You knew he would warm up to you eventually.

By your second year, you had graduated from ‘Hi’ to small conversations. Never too long or too personal though, otherwise he would shut down and become tight-lipped. Sometimes, would even walk away from you. You learned not to push him. You were grateful for the few conversations you would have. Particularly about Potions. It was the only time you would see his eyes truly light up and talk almost enthusiastically about the subject. You were thankful that your mother had been so into Herbology. Not only did it make that class so much easier for you, but you could also nerd out with Severus on certain plant properties and the best way to mix them into your brews.

“Here, look, like this.” You watch with curious eyes as he uses the broad side of the knife to crush the Sopophorous Bean. You and Snape, had gotten permission from your professor to use the classroom before class to practice some of your potions. Now the two of your were standing shoulder to shoulder making the Draught of the Living Dead “It’s much simpler this way.”

“I must say, I’m impressed Snape.” Straight forward, very Slytherin of him. “But, isn’t this potion for the advanced class?” He lets a small smirk grace his lips as a response. You can’t help, but smile back. It’s not often that he gets so close to a smile. It’s usually if he’s talking about potions or Lily. He always smiled brighter when he spoke to her, and you couldn’t blame him. Lily was probably one of the sweetest people you had ever met and apparently, they had been friends for a long time and eventually, she would become one of your best friends.

“Really Potter?” You ask, snatching the book that was once in Severus’ hands out of the air with Accio and handing it back to your friend. He and his group had found you and Severus at your spot in the library. Your glare turns to the Gryffindor with glasses and his snickering entourage. “What are you? 5?” You’d think that being third-years would mean that they would at least mature a little bit, but alas, you don’t think they’ll ever change.

“Oh, come on lil Raven.” You didn’t like that nickname. What might’ve been endearing sounds condescending coming out of his mouth. “We’re just having a bit of fun. Right Sev?” Sirius Black steps up, a hand on Potter’s shoulder and his eyes on Severus. He simply glares back at him and starts walking away. “Where’re ya going?” They all have a laugh. You grab your book bag and secure your own book inside of it, not to have it end up flying away as well and follow after Severus.

“Ew.” Was all you said as you and some of your girl friends were sitting the fountain together. Each of them sharing what boys they thought were cute this year. “Potter? James Potter? Really Lily?”

“I don’t know, I just think he’s kind of cute.” She says shyly. You let out grunt. You really didn’t like him and even the thought of her finding him in any way attractive made you want to gag. He was far too arrogant for your tastes, the whole lot of them were.

“Well, what about you, y/n? Who do you have eyes for here?” You friend Elizabeth asks from her spot next to the fountain, her sketches strewn about on the ground as she tries to find the best way to draw a hippogriff.

“No one.” You respond stubbornly, crossing your arms in defiance. There was a certain raven-haired boy that came to mind, but you wouldn’t dare speak his name. Besides, you saw the way he looked at Lily. You wouldn’t even have a chance. You wouldn’t want to ruin the friendship you had worked so hard to cultivate over the past few years.

“Oh come on that can’t be true.” Your heart nearly leapt out of your chest and you almost fell backwards into the fountain when a familiar voice popped into your ear out of no where. The culprit laughed and took the spot next to you on the stone, too close.

“Not funny Sirius.” you deadpanned.

“It was a little funny.” Remus walked from around the fountain to stand infront of your group. That’s two of four, there’s no way the other two aren’t with them. Sure enough Potter and Pettirgew come around the other side.

“Hello, ladies.” He turns his attention to Lily. “Hi, Lily.” His voice was softer when he spoke to her and she blushed, you rolled your eyes. He sat next to her on the fountain and started his own conversation.

“Seriously though, who do you think’s cute?” Sirius asks, wiggling his eyebrows at you. If you rolled your eyes any more today they were sure to roll out of your head.

“None of your business.” you started grabbing your bag to stand, careful not to step on Liz’s drawings.

“Aw come on little Raven, you can tell us. Don’t leave.” He had grabbed the sleeve of your robe to pull you back. When you stepped back from the force you stepped on the bottom of your robe and lost your balance, falling into the fountain. There was a scream from Lily and Elizabeth probably splashing both of them and laughter coming from some of the boys. You sat up and saw red and shot daggers at Black that had gone wide-eyed. It wasn’t his intention to sent you flying into the fountain. He reached out his hand with an apologetic expression, but you slapped it away. You pulled yourself back up to the ledge by yourself.

“Y/n, are you okay?” Lily asks, a hand on your shoulder.” You stand up and grab your bookbag from the ground, you had dropped it during the fall.

“I’m fine.” You tried to keep your voice from breaking. You’d be damned if you’d let those boys see you cry.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean t-” You swing around to face Sirius, standing now too, and just glared at him. If looks could kill, he’d be six feet under. He’d never seen you so furious. Without another word, you turned and started heading toward the lake. No one followed.

You found a sunny spot next to a tree by the lake and unclipped your school robe and laid it across one of the low handing branches. You set your bag down on the ground and sat down next to it, hugging your knees and pulling them into your chest. Only then did you let a few silent tears fall. That’s when you heard quiet footsteps approaching you.

“Go away Sirius, I don’t want to talk to you.” A pause.

“It’s Severus.” You looked up quickly to find your friend staring down at you, confusion written all over his face. “Why are you all wet?” You couldn’t help it then, and the tears overflowed onto your cheeks. Severus looked at you like a dear in headlights. “I-I didn’t-” He wasn’t sure what to do, he had never seen you cry before and he didn’t exactly know how to comfort anyone that was. He opted to sit down next to your carefully and pulled out his wand. “Hold still.” You sniffled and nodded your head. With of the flick of his wrist you were dry. Even your tears that had been on your cheeks moments before were now gone.

“How’d you do that?” You asks astonished.

“Magic.” He replies matter-of-factly. You know he wasn’t trying to be funny, but you couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “What’s so funny?” He asks, putting his wand back in his robes.

“Nothing, nothing.” You wave your hand in dismissal. Then rest your arms ontop of your knees. “Thank you Severus.” He gives you a nod then stares at you for a beat.

“Why were you all wet?” He asks again. You frown and look away and back to the lake.

“Sirius pulled me into the fountain.” You could feel his body tense next to you. He’d grown to hate that group of boys, even more so this year. It seemed like Potter had a personal grudge against him and was always finding new ways to pus his buttons. “I don’t think he meant to…” You add softly and Severus snorts.

“I doubt that.” Maybe you did too. You just couldn’t get the way he was looking at you when you opened your eyes after falling. It looked like genuine remorse on his face.

“Maybe you’re right.”

“I usually am.” You smirk and turn your head back to him. He had already pulled out his book and started reading, leaned up against the tree.

“That’s very cheeky of you.”

“It’s the truth.” You let out another small laugh and he glances up at you. You hadn’t noticed the slight blush on his cheeks as he watched you laugh.

Once your fourth-year rolled around things started to shift. Lily and James started dating during the second term which meant even more face time with the boys who had taken to calling themselves the Mauraders. It was fitting for as much as they terrorized the school. Thankfully their little group had lightened up on you a bit, Sirius included. At first he avoided you like the plague after he pulled you into that fountain last year, but when Lily and James started dating, he knew he’d have to say something with as often as you were seeing each other.

“Hey, can we talk?” He found you in the library in your usual spot with Severus. You hadn’t even bothered to look up at him.

“No.” You lick your finger and turn the page of your novel. Hearing Sev let out a quiet snicker. You heard Sirius sigh softly.

“Please?” You met his eyes then. The were softer than usual, and pleading for you to hear him out. You close your eyes along with your book and stand up, placing it in your spot on the chair. You open you eyes to look at him again and he looks far more hopeful.

“Alright then.” The two of you walk out of earshot of your friend and you could feel his eyes boring into your back. That’s when Sirius apologized. It wasn’t just a sorry, but a truly heartfelt apology. You had never heard him sound so sincere. So, you forgave him and agreed to be his friend, after much pleading on his end. You just couldn’t say no to those puppy dog eyes. By the time you parted ways and turned back towards your chair, Severus was gone. Later that day, you saw him at dinner. Sitting by himself, per usual. You wondered why he had abandoned you earlier without a word. It wasn’t like him. At the very least he would give you a short nod goodbye.

“Y/n?” You felt your cheeks flush at being caught staring and turn your attention to Lily.

“Yeah?”

“James wanted to know if you wanted to come to the Gryfindor party tonight?” They had never invited you to one of those before, but that wasn’t really your scene. You appreciated the sentiment however.

“Oh, no thanks.” You took your fork and started playing with the food on your plate.

”Come on lil Raven…It’ll be funnn.” You look up to Sirius siting across from you waggling his eyebrows and then point his own fork at you. “It wouldn’t hurt to let loose you know.” You roll your eyes and focus on your food again.

”Thanks, but no thanks Black.” You hear him whine like a kicked dog before he went back to eating. You look back towards where Severus was and he was looking your way. More specifically, glaring at James wiping some frosting off of Lily’s cheek. “I’ll be right back.” You push off the table and swing your legs over the bench and make your way to your Slytherin friend. He only stops his glaring when you’re sitting down infront of him. “Keep that up and you’ll burn a hole through his skull.”

“We can only hope.” You let out a dry laugh then cross your arms over the table.

“Where’d you go earlier?” He looked in your eyes then. There was something there, but you weren’t quite sure what it was.

“I thought you wanted to spend some time with your new boyfriend.” You didn’t like his tone.

“Boyfriend?”

“You two’ve been spending more time together this year. I thought you didn’t like him, especially since what he did to you last year.”

“Its not like I have a choice Severus, he’s one of James’ best friends. Besides, He didn’t mean it. He apologized for it, he wasn’t asking me out on a date.” Not that it should matter to him.

“And if he was?”

“Was what?”

“Asking you out on a date, would you go with the mongrel?”

“That’s not very nice Severus.”

“So you would then.”

“That’s not what I said.”

”Whatever.” He went back to reading his book. You grabbed it from him and slammed it shut. He glared at you. He’d never looked at you like that before. But, you didn’t falter.

“What’s wrong with you Sev ? We’re supposed to be friends.”

“Are we?” That hurt. You narrowed your eyes at him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s a simple question, y/n. Or has your brain rotted from spending too much time with them?” That’s it.

“Fine, Severus. Push your only friend away, see where that gets you.” You stand up from the bench and shove the book back towards him so hard he lets out a grunt when it hits his chest. “And to answer your question.” You say, putting your hands on the table and leaning down. “I would say yes.” There was venom in your voice as you whispered to him that you would indeed go out with Black if he asked. He knew the dig was intentional, but it didn't hurt any less than you intended. He glared right back at you. You pushed off the table and stormed out of the Great Hall. His eyes trailed after you, ashamed of his actions. Sure, he had said some insensitive things to you before, but he had never been so attacking of your character. You’d forgive him, surely you would. You always did. He was watching the doors of the Great Hall close, but before they could he saw Sirius Black rush out of them, presumably after you. His blood boiled.

Thank you for reading! If you’d like to be added to the tag list for the next chapter please let me know!

Next: Prologue (2/2): When We Were Young

[sendandburn]

An analysis of Severus Snape as a teacher

"Three things always come up in the context of Snape’s abusiveness. One of them is not something Snape does but a reaction to him.

1. Threatened to Poison Neville’s Toad

This is one of two direct interactions between Snape and Neville in the books. Since it merits real-time narration, it must stand out: Snape is at his worst at this moment.

A particularly nasty mood is understandable:

“have you heard? Daily Prophet this morning — they reckon Sirius Black’s been sighted.” “Where?” [...] “Not too far from here,” said Seamus.

Snape believes that Black betrayed the Potters and wants to go after Harry. Black also nearly murdered Snape in their fifth year, so Snape has reason to be on edge.

His potion, which was supposed to be a bright, acid green, had turned — “Orange, Longbottom,” said Snape, ladling some up and allowing it to splash back into the cauldron, so that everyone could see [Harry assumes]. “Orange. Tell me, boy, does anything penetrate that thick skull of yours? Didn’t you hear me say, quite clearly, that only one rat spleen was needed? Didn’t I state plainly that a dash of leech juice would suffice? What do I have to do to make you understand, Longbottom?” Neville was pink and trembling. He looked as though he was on the verge of tears. “Please, sir,” said Hermione, “please, I could help Neville put it right —” “I don’t remember asking you to show off, Miss Granger,” said Snape coldly, and Hermione went as pink as Neville. “Longbottom, at the end of this lesson we will feed a few drops of this potion to your toad and see what happens. Perhaps that will encourage you to do it properly.”

Not great. Snape is not a suitable teacher for an introductory class, or for insecure children like Neville, but abusive, this is not. The fact that Neville brought Trevor to class shows that Neville never expected to be very severely sanctioned for doing that or for Trevor to come to any harm, before that lesson. Snape is at the end of his rope with Neville and wants him to take the lesson seriously. He states his motives plainly - to get Neville to understand.

Did he mean harm to Trevor? Snape is competent enough that if he’d wanted that toad dead, it would be. In any case, the potion turned out alright, and Snape knew it - he can tell from the way the potion looks. Snape also has a bottle of the antidote in his other pocket:

Snape picked up Trevor the toad in his left hand and dipped a small spoon into Neville’s potion, which was now green. He trickled a few drops down Trevor’s throat. There was a moment of hushed silence, in which Trevor gulped; then there was a small pop, and Trevor the tadpole was wriggling in Snape’s palm. The Gryffindors burst into applause. Snape, looking sour, pulled a small bottle from the pocket of his robe, poured a few drops on top of Trevor, and he reappeared suddenly, fully grown.

Is he sour because he hoped to kill Trevor? Why give it the antidote, thus saving it? Maybe he is sour for the reason he says he is:

“I told you not to help him, Miss Granger. Class dismissed.”

This is also why he docks five points, not because Neville got it right. This was a misguided attempt to teach. Nothing was ever going to happen to Trevor.

[Sidenote: Animal cruelty is commonplace at Hogwarts. sentient or semi-sentient animals are experimented on regularly in Transfig. They even vanish cats. Even the herbology plants seem able to feel pain, but 2nd year students are expected to chop up humanoid mandrakes. Flitwick demonstrates levitation on Trevor, and Harry practices Accio on him.]

Let's be clear here: putting the wrong number of spleens into a potion suggests someone who either doesn't consider the instructions to be important, or simply doesn't care.

Something else to consider is just how dangerous someone like Neville is to the class. In university, one of the requirements for my degree was Organic Chemistry, which contained a large lab portion to it. Organic Chemistry, for those who don't know, is chemistry that focuses on carbon-containing compounds, which includes things like oils and chloroform. To put it mildly, it's dangerous. Many of the compounds used are either explosive, or are placed in potentially explosive situations. Many of the chemicals are directly dangerous all on their own, too.

Rules in that lab were particularly strict, they have to be, because one wrong move could end disastrously. Case in point, one of the experiments involved a type of round bottom flask which were needed to heat a set of chemicals in. Critically, the pressure had to be relieved from the flask. The instructor told us what happened in a prior class when someone had failed to do so: it exploded, and everyone in the lab was lucky none of the glass had cut anyone. That particular person was ejected from the lab for it, and with good reason.

Potion class seems just as dangerous at the end of the day, perhaps more so since unlike chemistry where adding different amounts of ingredients is more likely to cause the reaction to fail, people like Neville appear to be able to produce something, it's just something that's likely to be toxic or have completely unexpected effects. We know from the books that producing an antidote to a blended toxin is a complicated, almost quantum endeavour, I shudder to think what you need to do to properly reverse or mitigate the effects of a poorly blended potion are.

Similarly, Snape isn't being cruel when he docks points for Hermione's successful recovery of Neville's toxic potion, because in actuality what we see here is an academic offense; Neville is essentially presenting someone else's work as his own." (reddit)

Plus, bringing a pet to class always causes problems,specially if it is to the wixen equivalent of a chemistry class.

Granted his bad mood does not in any way excuse or justify his actions towards neville but it does help explain them.

2. Neville’s Boggart

"True, his boggart is Snape.

This does not mean that Snape is truly scary. (assuming Snape is scary because Neville fears him because he is scary is circular reasoning). His fear of Snape is not overwhelming or traumatizing. Neville’s fear is on par with Ron’s fear of spiders (which itself was caused by the twins, who are much scarier), Dean’s fear of hands, etc.

If Snape had been abusive, other students would not have found this funny, and Neville would not have smiled. If the fear had been overwhelming, Neville would not have defeated the boggart on his first try.

Neville looked around rather wildly, as though begging someone to help him, then said, in barely more than a whisper, “Professor Snape.” Nearly everyone laughed. Even Neville grinned apologetically. Professor Lupin, however, looked thoughtful. “Professor Snape... hmmm… Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?” “Er — yes,” said Neville nervously. “But — I don’t want the boggart to turn into her either.”

Neville seems more scared of admitting he fears Snape than of Snape. He does not want to confront his grandmother either, probably because, like Snape, she makes him feel inadequate, which is what really scares him. But she should have loved Neville unconditionally and not compared him to his parents, and Snape is his teacher, whose job it is to let him know when he is doing poorly.

Neville defeats his Snape boggart on his first attempt because it’s a trivial fear. Molly, an adult witch and the bad-ass who killed Bellatrix, fails to beat her boggart, in OOTP, because there’s nothing trivial about her fear of losing her husband or her children.

Snape is listed among the meaningless boggarts the kids defeated with ease:

“Did you see me take that banshee?” shouted Seamus. “And the hand!” said Dean, waving his own around. “And Snape in that hat!” “And my mummy!”

This is the textbook definition of a boggart:

Hermione put up her hand. “It’s a shape-shifter,” she said. “It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most.” “Couldn’t have put it better myself,” said Professor Lupin.

The boggart is whatever’s on your mind, not your true deepest, darkest fear (unless Ron is a monster for fearing spiders when just last year, he nearly lost Ginny). POA already introduces a creature that actually makes you relive your worst moments - Dementors. Introducing two creatures that do essentially the same thing is redundant. Snape’s on Neville’s mind because this lesson immediately follows the toad scene.

If that does not convince you: Hermione’s boggart is McGonagall (but actually, failure).

An out-of-universe explanation for Neville’s fear of Snape is that his parents’ story, just like the Cruciatus curse, did not exist at the time of writing the boggart scene. You’d think Draco would tease Neville about it, if it had existed by POA.

This passage is from GOF, after the lesson about unforgivables, in which Neville was clearly thinking about his parents:

“What was that?” said Seamus Finnigan, staring at the egg as Harry slammed it shut again. “Sounded like a banshee... Maybe you’ve got to get past one of those next, Harry!” “It was someone being tortured!” said Neville, who had gone very white and spilled sausage rolls all over the floor. “You’re going to have to fight the Cruciatus Curse!”

This scene shows that Harry is unlike the rest of his classmates because his fears are real and serious. It provides comic relief, because the big meanie is in drag. It’s the beginning of Neville’s arc from someone who fears Snape in Y3 to someone who leads the DA in Y7 and fears nothing. It hints at the Snape-Marauders relationship. It’s used to make Snape’s behavior in the werewolf lesson seem petty and vindictive, to obfuscate the fact that it actually takes place right after Sirius infiltrates the castle for the first time, which is what’s actually bothering him.

In conclusion, the boggart says nothing about Snape, only about Neville.

3. I see no difference

In context:

“And what is all this noise about?” said a soft, deadly voice. Snape had arrived. The Slytherins clamored to give their explanations; Snape pointed a long yellow finger at Malfoy and said, “Explain.” “Potter attacked me, sir —” “We attacked each other at the same time!” Harry shouted. “— and he hit Goyle — look —” Snape examined Goyle, whose face now resembled something that would have been at home in a book on poisonous fungi. “Hospital wing, Goyle,” Snape said calmly. “Malfoy got Hermione!” Ron said. “Look!” He forced Hermione to show Snape her teeth — she was doing her best to hide them with her hands, though this was difficult as they had now grown down past her collar. Pansy Parkinson and the other Slytherin girls were doubled up with silent giggles, pointing at Hermione from behind Snape’s back. Snape looked coldly [as opposed to his usual smirk/smile, when he enjoys whatever he’s saying. Also, what’s the difference between being “calm” and being “cold”? Harry is awful at reading people, and at reading Snape in particular] at Hermione, then said, “I see no difference.” Hermione let out a whimper; her eyes filled with tears.

Snape is demanding an explanation from Malfoy, not the trio. Harry admits that both of them attacked each other. You’d think Snape will never miss an opportunity to punish Harry, who attacked his favorite, right? Wrong. He sends Goyle to the hospital wing calmly, despite Goyle being in pretty bad shape. Ron seems to expect Snape to be helpful, otherwise, why does he direct his attention to Hermione? The Slytherin girls hide their giggling from Snape, as if expecting him to discipline them if he sees them. But he simply says he sees no difference. Why is he acting this way, so out of character? Because at this point, in GOF, the Dark Mark is already growing darker and Voldemort is coming back. Snape will soon have to resume his spying role. He cannot act like he otherwise would have, which is to punish everyone, including the Death Eaters’ children - he is downplaying the whole thing to avoid punishing anyone.

Did he absolutely have to mock Hermione? No. Does he ever do that in any other context? No. It was an easy way to demonstrate his hatred of Harry and supposed disdain for his Muggle-born friend, when he needed to reinforce that image of himself.

Some resentment is understandable: Hermione had set Snape on fire, stolen from him, and slammed him against a wall, knocking him unconscious. That she gets away with a mean-spirited comment indicates that he doesn’t hate her.

He wasn’t even necessarily thinking of her teeth. He might have meant “ISND between what Malfoy did to you, and what Potter did to Goyle”, “ISND between what I told Goyle to do, and what you should do”. We know he can insult her outright when he wants to, and nothing stopped JKR from writing “your teeth look the same as yesterday.”

Maybe he was thinking about how, just a few chapters previously, McGonagall had watched Moody torture Draco, and instead of asking Draco how he was feeling (redundant question, since he was visibly in pain, but it would have been her duty nonetheless), and sending him to the Hospital Wing, she had allowed Moody to drag him away for more punishment, meaning it was she who had set the precedent that students in obvious distress can be dismissed.

She gets over this comment instantly. She even defends Snape later in the same book, and up until he kills Dumbledore.

Snape is definitely an asshole. Here are other bad things he does:

The first Potions lesson: calls Neville an idiot and then accuses Harry of not helping Neville because he wanted to look good. Absurd.

“Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We’ll be sending what’s left of Finch-Fletchley up to the hospital wing in a matchbox.” Hilarious, but ouch!

Calls Hermione an insufferable-know-it-all (which she was), following several more civilized attempts to shut her up.

Reading the article about Harry in front of everyone, when the Trio is discussing it in class instead of working, then separating them, ordering Harry to sit next to him, and taking the opportunity to taunt him, culminating in calling Harry a “nasty little boy” and threatening to use Veritaserum on him. This is clearly an empty threat, or Snape would have simply slipped him some without warning him, like Umbridge (not that the legilimens needed to).

Doesn’t punish the Slytherin who hexed Alicia Spinnet before the big Quidditch game (McG before that: “I’ve become accustomed to seeing the Quidditch Cup in my study, boys, and I really don’t want to have to hand it over to Professor Snape, so use the extra time [from the lack of homework] to practice, won’t you?”

In the first occlumency lesson, calls Harry a lamentable potions maker (irrelevant and uncalled for), as well as implicitly calling him stupid: “The mind is a complex and many-layered thing, Potter… or at least, most minds are.” Why should Harry know how legilimency works? He’s never heard of it. Even that can be explained away, though: Voldemort might be spying on the lesson through Harry’s eyes.

When escorting Harry from the train to the school in HBP, he calls Tonk’s Patronus weak, and needles Harry. He accuses Harry of only wanting attention: “I suppose you wanted to make an entrance, did you?” Then he says this: “No cloak. You can walk in so that everyone sees you, which is what you wanted, I’m sure.” Make up your mind, Snape.

When Harry says ghosts are transparent: “Yes, it is easy to see that nearly six years of magical education have not been wasted on you, Potter.” When Ron points out that this is the most useful way to tell ghosts and inferi apart, because inferi are solid, he says this: “I would expect nothing more sophisticated from you, Ronald Weasley, the boy so solid he cannot Apparate half an inch across a room.” Possible explanation: Harry and Ron were publicly discussing Snape’s and Fletcher’s involvement in the Order, so shutting them up was imperative.

That’s 9 things, so with the toad scene and ISND, that’s 11 bad things Snape does to students, in 6 years. Snape is the teacher we spend the most time with, so we get a large enough sample to have an accurate impression of him. All of his transgressions are insults of varying severity, and that’s it.

He’s rude to everyone, not just his inferiors: Tonks and Sirius, fellow Order members, Bellatrix, a “fellow” Death Eater, and even Dumbledore, his superior in every way. Yes, he should have been gentler with students. He is harsh, unkind, strict, impatient, and overbearing, but not bullying or abusive.

His treatment of Harry is truly unfair. He projects the trauma James had caused him onto Harry, which is completely undeserved (but he also protects Harry out of guilt and love for Lily, which is also, strictly speaking, undeserved). Snape doesn’t see Harry for who he is, but even that is not as superficial as it seems, and it’s not entirely the result of Snape’s “immaturity” (i.e., long-term trauma).

PS: When they first make eye-contact, both of them are set on the wrong path because of Quirrell. Harry feels a pain when Snape is looking at him, pulls a face, and continues to stare at Snape. The legilimens might be sensing Voldemort in him. Harry then sasses at him in the very first lesson, and nearly knocks him off his broom.

COS: Harry arrives at school by flying car, launches a seemingly random attack on Slytherins, the appears to be encouraging the snake to attack Justin.

POA: Harry displays recklessness truly worthy of his father, sneaking off to Hogsmeade, throwing snowballs at Malfoy, lying about it

GOF: Harry becomes the center of attention. Snape resents this, as do Ron and Sprout. Twice, the legilimens is looking into Harry’s eyes while Harry is fantasizing about hurting him.

OOTP: Harry violates Snape’s privacy and endangers him, Snape does not know that Harry regrets the whole thing. He also catches Harry at this:

“What are you doing, Potter?” said Snape coldly as ever, as he strode over to the four of them. “I’m trying to decide what curse to use on Malfoy, sir,” said Harry fiercely. Snape stared at him.

This must have been flashback-inducing. What we see as fiercely, Snape sees as vicious.

6. HBP: Harry hexes people at random, including Filch, and worst of all, Snape catches Harry casting Sectumsempra on Draco.

Snape has a disincentive to try with Harry: He knows he will return to Voldemort as a spy. The cover story is, “I thought Voldemort was finished, and that Harry did it.” Becoming buds with Harry would have been inexplicable; becoming buds with Harry and then NOT using that to deliver Harry to Voldemort (i.e., what BCJ has done) - unforgivable. Snape relied heavily on half-truths and misdirection but there was one thing he could be honest with Voldemort about: He hates Harry with a passion. That, ironically, helped him protect Harry.

FWIW, I believe the memory of Snape ranting about Harry, and Dumbledore dismissing Snape and telling him he’s wrong, is included as an apology.

Snape’s three biggest victims are Harry, who names a child after him; Hermione, who doesn’t mind him and even likes him; and Neville, who clearly got over it with ease.

Dumbledore will never fire Snape. He has a free pass to be as cruel as he wants, because he has a cover to keep. Other than the DADA teachers and Hagrid, he is the least experienced, and he is the youngest by far except for, briefly, Lockhard and Lupin. Hogwarts is a site of lifelong trauma for him. Since he is so young, some of his students probably saw or heard about him being publicly humiliated. It also meant that he was initially barely older than some of the students' siblings, so he had to cultivate a very strict persona to control his classroom.

Hence, if you find judging teachers’ conduct in a children’s book a worthwhile pursuit (I don’t think it is, but here we are), Snape should be judged less harshly, not more harshly.

He has no incentive to dial down his cruelty and a wealth of excuses for being cruel, so the cruelty we see in him is the worst he could do, despite being under extreme stress. Yet it is limited to sarcastic remarks, docked points, and mild detentions.

He never lays a hand or a wand on a student, except when pulling Harry out of the Pensieve and then blowing up a jar over his head. Pulling him out was obviously justified - Harry not only violated his privacy and humiliated him, he also risked showing Voldemort classified memories. I believe that if he had wanted the jar to hit Harry, it would have, and he missed on purpose. He never takes advantage of his position over students or his relationship with them, and his punishments are never dangerous.

But he is biased, right?

Not as biased as people think. He has issues with the Trio+Neville, but not other Gryffs, or with students in other houses. He assigns zero house points, including to Slytherins, and his deductions are rarely substantial. He does not bend the rules to get a 1st year student on the Quidditch team, and he does not give 170 last minute points.

Unlike points, grades do matter, and he grades fairly:

According to Lucius in COS, Hermione beat Draco in every test, including potions:

“I would have thought you’d be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam,” snapped Mr. Malfoy.

Harry expects Snape to grade him fairly, when he tries:

Determined not to give Snape an excuse to fail him this lesson, Harry read and reread every line of instructions on the blackboard at least three times before acting on them.

Harry does fail. This is the Strengthening Solution they work on over two lessons. In the second lesson, Harry isn’t paying attention because he is too busy listening in on Umbridge’s interrogation.

Except the bit where Harry's vial breaks, there is no evidence that he grades unfairly. This was petty, but Hermione is the one who vanished the rest of the potion and prevented him from being able to turn in a second sample.

At the end of the lesson he scooped some of the potion into a flask, corked it, and took it up to Snape’s desk for marking, feeling that he might at last have scraped an E. He had just turned away when he heard a smashing noise; [...] His potion sample lay in pieces on the floor, and Snape was watching him with a look of gloating pleasure. “Whoops,” he said softly. “Another zero, then, Potter…” Harry was too incensed to speak. He strode back to his cauldron, intending to fill another flask and force Snape to mark it, but saw to his horror that the rest of the contents had vanished. “I’m sorry!” said Hermione.

This is after Harry views SWM. Assuming Snape did this on purpose (we don’t know), he might have been vindictive or he might have been putting on a show of it because Voldemort was watching through Harry’s eyes.

Snape appears unfair in the sense that when Harry does poorly, he receives poorer grades than he deserves (in Harry’s opinion), but when Harry does well, he expects to be graded fairly (OOTP29). Specifically, Harry complains that Snape grades only him unfairly, and not Ron or Neville, meaning that the issue is with Harry and not with all Gryffindors (OOTP12+15).

Snape’s bias shows only in that he does not punish his own students for their wrongdoings on-page. However, Slytherins wait until Snape’s back is turned to misbehave, and that includes Draco, Snape’s favorite:

In the ISND incident, Pansy and her friends giggle behind Snape’s back.

Draco flashes his Potter Stinks badges when Snape’s attention is directed elsewhere.

Draco taunts Harry with his “remedial potions?!” jeer when Snape isn’t looking.

Right before the toad incident, Draco was pretending to be badly hurt, and pointed out to Snape that Ron (who was sitting next to him and whom Snape had asked to help Draco) wasn’t helping him properly. Draco lowers his voice to admit he pretends to be hurt partly because it means Snape will have someone help him.

They routinely bother to hide their nastiness, because they expect some sort of sanction. McGonagall sends Slytherin transgressors to Snape for punishment, meaning she expects him to handle them.

Snape also assigns Crabbe and Goyle detentions liberally to make sure they “pass their DADA OWLs”. This is also done to thwart Draco’s attempts to kill Dumbledore, but nobody is surprised at this.

Snape is a very effective teacher and the students don’t all hate him

In Y2, Snape teaches students about Polyjuice Potion, which exceeds the curriculum requirements. Umbridge’s objective is to discredit Dumbledore’s hires, but even she recognizes that his class is advanced. Snape constantly explains to the students what they did wrong, even if Harry calls this bullying. His exam pass rate is high: The trio earns two Es and one O even though Harry and Ron don’t care about the subject. Snape is an effective, albeit very imperfect, teacher (Harry, Ron, and Hermione all earn the same grade in Potions as they do in Charms and Transfiguration; Neville can be deduced to have passed his Potions and his Transfiguration OWLs with an A).

He only admits O students into his NEWT potions class, whereas Minerva is “very pleased” with Harry’s E. This is not as restrictive as it sounds:

This is the composition of Harry’s 6th year Potions class:

The four Slytherins took a table together, as did the four Ravenclaws. This left Harry, Ron, and Hermione to share a table with Ernie.

Everyone but Harry and Ron had earned Os, because they all had the textbook already. That’s at least 10 out of 28* students in Harry’s year who got the highest grade.

*There is some debate about the size of Harry’s year. I’m only counting students who have names.

25 out of 25 eligible students take DADA with Snape in their 6th year:

”Before we start, I want your dementor essays,” said Snape, waving his wand carelessly, so that twenty-five scrolls of parchment soared into the air and landed in a neat pile on his desk.

The missing ones are Crabbe and Goyle, who failed their OWLs, and Abbott, who left.

Neville definitely took DADA with Snape:

Typically, ten minutes into the lesson Hermione managed to repel Neville’s muttered JellyLegs Jinx, a feat that would surely have earned her twenty points for Gryffindor from any reasonable teacher.

Harry whines, but note that Snape doesn’t take points from Neville for muttering, either.

That’s how unbiased students talk about Snape:

“Harry,” Ernie said [...], “didn’t get a chance to speak in Defense Against The Dark Arts this morning. Good lesson, I thought.”

Safety is his top priority

Snape:

stops Ron from hitting Draco

Upon hearing that a student had been taken into the Chamber - he was distressed enough that he had to grab a chair "very hard" (even though his Slytherins alone were not in danger)

is the one who nags Lupin to drink his potion in POA, and not the other way around

runs into the Shrieking Shack to face Black and Lupin on the full moon to save the trio

when the egg starts screaming in GOF, runs toward the sound of someone screaming as though they’re being tortured in the middle of the night

Supplies Umbridge with fake Veritaserum

Orders Harry to release Neville when he thinks Ron and Harry are fighting him

Saves Neville from being choked by Crabbe

Runs toward a woman screaming in the middle of an occlumency lesson (it’s Trelawney getting fired)

Makes an unbreakable vow to protect Draco, keeps it

Runs toward Myrtle’s cries of a murder, not knowing who was hurt or how and what danger he might face there

Steers Hermione+Luna out of harm’s way before the Astronomy Tower battle

After killing Dumbledore, he stops Death Eaters from Cruciating Harry when Harry confronts him. Harry tries to curse Snape, including an attempt at Crucio, yet Snape risks breaking cover to spare Harry pain

He is the one Dumbledore assigned to keep students safe during DH. Snape did not have to stay at Hogwarts at that point, both of them knew Harry won't be attending next year, so this had nothing to do with the original mission, Dumbledore just trusted him this much, and rightly so - nobody is reported to have died during Snape's year as headmaster, which is more than can be said for Dumbledore. Within this, he Sent the silver trio to Hagrid as a form of "punishment" for trying to steal the sword.

Only in one of these cases is Harry even in the picture (that Snape knows of before springing into action). I omitted things like saving Harry in PS. In one case, he leaves Harry to go see what’s going on. Also not included are multiple instances of Snape saving students at no risk to himself or to his cover, by brewing potions or using his Dark Arts expertise (COS, HBP). His attempts to save adult characters are not included either.

“Her [the Doe Patronus’s] presence had meant safety.” (r/harrypotter on reddit)

Note: the writer of this post said it the the title that Snape is the best teacher at Hogwarts, wich i frankly do not agree with as, despite being a master in his subjects and prioritizing safety, Snape comes of as unaproachable to his students wich causes strugling students like Neville to go to peers for help instead of him, wich is far from ideal.

[musicoftheheart]

That Time of the Month

inspired by @accio-sriracha’s post

A/N: it’s shorter than id planned and i might one day expand on this idea, but here we go! enjoy <3

“Who the fuck ate my fucking chocolate?”

Sirius and James exchanged a look of pure, unbridled terror. James’ wide eyes and quivering jaw seemed to imply it hadn’t been him, and Sirius was trying to communicate the same with his own expressions. Neither of them were daft enough to touch Moony’s chocolate these days; they’d learned that lesson the hard way.

A voice spoke up in the silence. “Sorry Rem,” Regulus mumbled from where he’d buried himself in James’ chest. “I’ve got some in my dorm — I’ll replace yours, I promise. I just really didn’t feel like getting up. Sorry.”

Something in Remus’ harsh expression softened — as it usually seemed to do for Regulus (something Sirius was often quite dramatic about, barring this one week of each month).

It had been dubbed ‘hell week’ by all those who had to experience it — both Remus and Regulus described it as such quite openly amongst friends, but Sirius and James were careful only to complain to one another, and not to their boyfriends — because it was quite frankly, hell. It was bad enough back in their early years of Hogwarts when it was only Remus they’d had to dance around near the full moon, but ever since Regulus had started his period in his third year (an unfortunate consequence of his being trans, and something that — as of yet — had no potion to fix) it had only gotten worse.

By some unfortunate sort of fate, Regulus’ time of the month had synced up almost perfectly to Remus’. The pair would wander around Hogwarts snapping at anyone who even slightly grated on their nerves, complaining about their aches and pains, demanding this, that and the other from their boyfriends. But as much as this caused Sirius and James a great number of headaches trying to please not one, but both of them at the same time, it seemed to have brought the pair together in an odd bond that could almost never have otherwise been created.

For a start—

“Oh, that’s fine Reg,” Remus brushed off, if still a little pouty. “You know you can just help yourself.”

Remus never let other people eat his chocolate. Regulus seemed to be the only exception to his rule.

“No, no,” Regulus grumbled, dragging himself upright. “I’ll get it.”

Sirius knew just from the tone of his voice that Regulus really didn’t want to go all the way down to Slytherin for more chocolate, and a glance at James told him he knew the same.

So James — in a valiant effort to make up for ‘breathing too loudly’ around Regulus earlier — quickly piped up, “No love, it’s okay! I can get it for you. You just stay right there, all comfy and cozy. I’ve got it.”

Smiling smugly and clearly pleased with himself, Regulus settled back into James’ bed while his boyfriend tucked him up with blankets and his hot water bottle. “Thank you, baby.”

Oh Merlin, his little brother really had James wrapped around his finger.

“Padfoot,” Remus whined, laying himself gingerly face down on his bed. Sirius snapped to attention like a soldier called to duty. “Will you be my weighted blanket again?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Sirius shifted into his animagus form and gently laid himself down over Remus until he heard a contented sigh. He let himself snuggle into his boyfriend’s warmth happily.

Perhaps hell week wasn’t entirely hellish.

[coyotelip]

[late] wolfstar microfic: wand || wolfstar raising harry pt.9 || @wolfstarmicrofic || wc: 560 || full on ao3

“Oh, shit,” Sirius whispered under his breath, squeezed his eyes shut, and faced the inevitable truth.

He needed Remus' help at this moment.

Luckily, his husband was off from his professorial duties that day, but he had once again gotten a lot of homework, so man was safely locked in his office during those hours in need of some peace and quiet. And only if it was really important did Sirius have the right to disturb him.

But losing his wand was important enough, right? He could have just asked for Remus' wand for a moment, cast Accio, and put everything back in place. So, a little nervously, he stands in front of the office door and plucks up the courage to knock.

However, he doesn't have to knock, because the door opens for him, and Remus stands on the threshold, not surprised by his presence. “You sighed very heavily at my door about ten times. It's a little distracting. Is something wrong?”

Sirius isn't surprised to be noticed, he rolls slightly from his toes to his heels and snaps his fingers as he asks, “Um... there's a little problem,” one corner of his mouth lifts in a wry and nervous smile. “I think I've lost my wand.”

Sirius says the words quietly and quickly, wanting to get rid of this embarrassment and let the man get back to work. But Remus' eyes sparkle with something playful in response, looking Sirius up and down.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I'm sure.” Sirius replies irritably, offended that he would question his words. “I've checked all the pockets and tore through the kitchen, I've even stepped into the sacred territory of Harry's room, but it's a bit of a mess, so... will you help me?”

Remus continues to stare at him for a few more seconds, and then bursts out laughing, leaning his shoulder against the doorframe. Sirius raises his eyebrows in response, not understanding what's so funny, his suffering? The man's hand rises and comes closer to Sirius' face, to which he reacts without a second thought, leaning his head closer to the warm palm, rubbing his cheek against his fingers. Remus doesn't linger on his cheek, though, but slips further in and pulls something out of his hair, letting the wild black curls fall over Sirius' shoulders. He'd tied his hair up in a bun before so it wouldn't get in the way of his cooking, but now...

Oh.

Remus's hand is in front of Sirius's face, and between his fingers is his wand, the one and only.

Sirius doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he just puts his hand over his mouth and closes his eyes, processing the thought of how dumb he's become. Meanwhile, Remus breaks into a smile and slides his wand into the man's other hand, then hugs him, holding the man close to his chest. With a heavy sigh, Sirius buries his face in his husband's neck and squeezes Remus' waist.

“I think you need a few more hours of sleep, darling. If you don't mind, I can take care of Harry tomorrow, okay?”

Normally Sirius would object, pointing out that they've split the chores between them and he's perfectly capable of doing his part without any help. But now he goes soft in the hug and nods silently, relying on Remus.

[kay-elle-cee]

@jilytoberfest 31 Prompts: Day 8 || 758 Words || Read on Ao3 —

8 October 1977

Lily knew a late dinner would mean fewer seats in the common room, but as she and Dorcas emerge through the portrait hole, they’re met with nearly all of Gryffindor laid out around the room. The study tables are full, the couches and armchairs are overflowing with students (frustratingly, James and his friends have still managed to snag some of the better spots even though they’d left the Great Hall maybe ten minutes earlier than the girls), and even the floor in front of the fireplace is littered with students stretched out writing essays.

Dorcas lets out a frustrated sound from beside her, perfectly voicing Lily’s own sentiments.

“Up to the dorm, then?”

As the last word leaves Lily’s mouth, one of the younger students rises from a plush armchair by the seventh-year boys and Dorcas makes a lunge for it. Lily trails her with laughter, close at her heels as she pulls at her friend’s school bag to try and gain an advantage. Their antics draw some fleeting attention from the others, who quickly go back to their own business. Lily can feel a set of eyes on her, though, and she determinedly resists looking to the couch where she knows she’ll find them shining with laughter behind a pair of black-rimmed glasses.

Dorcas unceremoniously flops herself into the chair and hugs her school bag to her chest with a grin, Lily glowering down at her.

“Thanks for sharing, Dor.”

Dorcas flashes a cheeky grin. “Survival of the fittest, babe.”

She’s about to give her friends’ legs a shove to the side to perch on the armrest when Dorcas’ bag suddenly jerks out of her arms and across the room. Immediately, Lily’s eyes flick up to the couch where she (predictably) sees James’ wand out, a look of mild amusement on his face. Dorcas follows her gaze to the culprit and sits up straight.

“You git! What the hell is your problem?”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have taken Evans’ seat.”

Lily scoffs, a flush rising up her neck. “Oh, like I need you to fight my battles for me, Potter.”

“This is what I get for being chivalrous?” 

“Chivalrous?” Lily laughs in disbelief. She whips her wand out and waves it with a muttered Accio to retrieve Dorcas’ bag. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”

“Thank you.”

Remus sighs wearily from beside him on the couch. “Prongs—”

“That wasn’t a compliment.” Her eyes narrow as she holds his gaze, and a spark shoots up her spine when he winks at her, almost imperceptibly. 

“I don’t have the patience for this tonight,” she announces, grabbing Dorcas by the hand and dragging her towards the stairs to their dormitory, leaving the four boys where they sit.

She hears Peter’s tired voice float up the stairs behind her. “I thought you two were getting on this month.” As she reaches the landing, she pulls open the door for Dorcas and glances behind her once more and has to fight the twitch of her lips.

Once in her dorm, she throws herself on her bed, rummaging in her bag for a particular piece of parchment while Dorcas fumes on her side of the room. 

“I swear, Lily. He’s worse now that you’ve gotten along and are on the outs. Prick.”

She nods, muttering agreements as she finds a quill and starts writing. 

08 October 1977 7:31pm

Lily: Might’ve gone a little too far there. Dorcas is pissed. 

Putting the quill to the side, she pulls out her Charms textbook to peruse while waiting for a response—she doesn’t expect one immediately. Not knowing that he’s surrounded by his friends. 

A few minutes later, the parchment heats up. 

James: Sirius has gotten suspicious. Perhaps I overcommitted. 

A smile tugs at her lips and she darts her eyes over to where Dorcas sits, now taken up with what looks to be the Herbology essay. She allows the smile to settle on her face as she writes back. 

Lily: We’ll, maybe we can find out what the hell your problem is over dinner tomorrow? Say we’ve got Head duties to sort out and nick some food from the kitchens?

James: I worry I’m becoming a bad influence. 

Lily: So full of shit. No you don’t. 

James: No I don’t. That sounds perfect except for the part where I’ll be distracted all day. 

Lily: You and me both, Potter. 

Lily: Oh and you’ll need to apologize to Dorcas if you don’t want her actively rooting against this when we tell them all.

James: Understood.

[daddiesdrarryy]

James: Hey, I think I lost something here at your table

Regulus: You’re welcome to check the school’s lost and found box

James: Yeah, er, okay, it’s not there though

Regulus: The Accio spell exists for a reason. You’re a wizard, Potter

James: Yes, ah, I know, but I think you might know where it is

Regulus: I don’t think I do

James: Actually, you probably have it right now

Regulus: Me? What did you lose?

James: My heart

Sirius: That’s what you’ve been mumbling for the past hour before we got here?

James: Pads! Shush!

[interstellarlyinlove]

Found (June 19th)

word count: 550

@wolfstarmicrofic

There is a red cardboard shoe box that is maybe 78 of Sirius’ current 99 problems. His stupidity is the other 21.

“Did you see it anywhere?” Remus asks.

Sirius deliberately doesn’t look up from his homework. “No.”

“This is so weird. It definitely should be under my bed.”

“So weird,” Sirius mumbles. His face is all sweaty. Sirius swears he won’t do anything this stupid ever again if he gets away just this once.

“You know the box I’m talking about, right? The one with the pictures?”

The box has pretty pictures that Remus takes with his old camera and pieces of paper with scribbled poem excerpts that Sirius now knows like he knows his own name. It has something that Lily told Sirius is called ‘glue’ and maybe seven different notebooks and two scissors and Sirius stole the damn thing. “I think I’ve seen you with it once or twice.” Sirius’ quill snaps in half. 

Remus opens their wardrobe. “Maybe It’s still in my luggage.”

It’s not like Sirius meant to steal it. He was just going through it (which is maybe not that much better) but he always puts it back. And Remus shows all of them his notebooks with all the different spreads and drawings so it’s not a secret. Sirius likes looking at them more than once because they’re pretty and sometimes there are photos of Remus himself scattered throughout that are entirely too gorgeous just to be looked at once, and–

“Ah!” Remus exclaims, and Sirius jumps. “I can Accio it.”  

“No!” Sirius blurts, standing up and heading toward his bed. Why he put the stupid thing under his own bed, he will never know. How stupid–

“No?”

Sirius shakes his head. “It doesn’t work like that.”

“What doesn’t work like that?”

“The spell.”

Remus raises an eyebrow. “Sure, it does. Look, Accio bo–”

Sirius yanks Remus’ wand from his hand. He blinks. “I–”

Remus blinks. “Are you quite alright?”

No, I am not, Sirius thinks. I stole your crafts box. I’ve clearly lost it. Sirius laughs awkwardly, handing Remus his wand back. “Sorry, I thought that was mine.”

“You–”

“Maybe James has it.”

“Has what?”

“My wand,” Sirius says, then he gets an idea. “Your box! I saw it with James. James has it.”

“James has my box?” Remus asks. “And– and your wand?”

Sirius nods. 

“Why would James have–”

Sirius fake laughs. “Why does James have anything? He’s an enigma, really.”

Remus is looking intently at Sirius as he summons the stupid, stupid box. It flies out from under Sirius’ bed and hits Sirius’ calves, making him fall over.

“Did that come from–”

“Ow,” Sirius all but screams. “I’m hurt.”  

Remus takes Sirius’ hand to help him up. “Did you take my box?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, that came from under James’ bed–” (James’ bed is the bed furthest away from Sirius’) “–My legs hurt! Ouch.” 

Remus is grinning. “I’m sorry about your legs.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it.” Sirius doesn’t look at Remus once. “I’m glad you found your box. Let’s go have dinner.”

“Let’s,” Remus says, opening their bedroom door and ushering for Sirius to walk in front of him. Sirius’ brain is mostly fried. He hopes Remus doesn’t think too much about what just happened. 

[evermoreismychild]

remus: you can’t just mask your trauma with jokes, you have to be vulnerable—

sirius: accio fucks i give!

remus: sirius—

sirius: oH lOoK tHeRe’S nOtHiNg ThErE

remus:

sirius: >:)

remus: you need help.