#dorcas falls in love right there.

[enbysiriusblack]

thinking about pirate captain dorcas and runaway noblewoman marlene

[alwaysanundertone]

hiw Abt a marauderers x FEM reader, like where it's after a double moon or smth and Remus is EXTREMELY clingy to the reader, snuggled in her, doesnt let her move, literally anything...and sirius on the other hand is in an awful mood cuz he had some family problem or some thing...he needs support and the reader or Remus aren't there to help him out..and jamesie? Well he had a quidditch match and lost that and is in an equally depressive mood...they all need the reade..but she isn't able to comfort them all...

Sirius becomes and and shouts at the reader...rmeua shouts at sirius for shouting at the reader and James (he can't shout, he's too sweet lol) argues with Remus for being to clingy to the reader...

And so they all get mad and stuff and go to other rooms of the house (lol)

This keeps on continuing until the reader lashes out on all three of them!!!

(p.s: u can totally not do it, if u don't like it lol)

my first request! I'm kind of nervous. My requests are open, and while writing this I realized how much I love them! So feel free to send them <3

Love can be overwhelming | poly! marauders x reader

slight angst / a bit of fluff

word count: 1.8k

CW: mention of abusive household

part 1, part 2 , part 3

When you started dating the Marauders, the first thing that your friend Dorcas said was to beware, polyamorous relationship could be tough. At first, you brushed her off: you knew that, but your love for the boys would have overcome everything.

Or at least you thought so.

You have been experiencing the worst week of your whole life, you were stressed over your head with schoolwork, wanting to stay on top of your class but, also, struggling too, and this time, your boyfriends weren’t helping at all.

It all started with the fact that, obviously, it was the week before the full moon, meaning that Remus was extremely on edge, but also clingy. Having an afternoon for yourself was a luxury: the werewolf had to stay by your side all of the time. You didn’t quite get this clinginess, because he behaved this way only with you; he wanted to have the other two marauders near, of course, but he was fine as long as you didn’t wonder off, and sometimes he seemed to be a bit possessive over you. So, let’s say that if you felt the need to have some practice lessons for potions, he had to be there, and it didn’t matter if the professor didn’t want anyone else in the room with you: you had to choose between having him near you, or skipping the extra lessons you so desperately needed.

“Remus, I know it’s stressful for you, but you must understand I have to take this class. It’s not like I’m going to be gone all afternoon, I’m asking you for two hours maximum. You know that Slughorn doesn’t like having other people during these lessons, and he’s doing me a favour here” He looked like you just might have kicked him.

“I don’t understand why my partner suddenly doesn’t want me around.” You took a deep breath: truth was, you knew that he wasn’t being unreasonable because he wanted to. If his werewolf instincts weren’t acting up, he would have probably pushed you to take even more lessons, but now he wasn’t in his right mind. You had to chance tactic.

“Baby, you know that I love you, right? I love you so, so much” You took his face into your hands, you saw his expression visibly shift. “And I know it isn’t easy for you, I know that. I swear, if you go napping now, you won’t even notice I’m gone”

“But napping is way more fun with you” His voice turned sultry, his hands now groping your ass lightly. You couldn’t help but feel a pang of need, but now was not the time.

“Tell you what, I’m going to lay down with you until you’re asleep. I’ll give you some head scratches, then, when I’ll be back, you’ll have me all to yourself. Does this sound good?” His pupils were now a little bit wider; he nodded and hauled you on his shoulder, making you yelp when he made you fall on the bed. He positioned his head on your chest, a hand crawling underneath your shirt to grip one of your tits possessively, while the other one stayed underneath your ass, the tips of his fingertips hovering dangerously close to your core.

You knew that his hold wasn’t casual: he was trying to make you stay, knowing the effect that he had on you, but you couldn’t give in: you had to stay strong,  because deep down you knew that, if you failed this exam, you wouldn’t be in the right mind to help Remus during the full moon.

You just had to get through this week, it was only 7 days, right? And most of today was gone, if the other boys would be helpful, as they always did, everything was going to be just fine.

You wandered off to the Great Hall for breakfast, exhausted. After the lesson with Slughorn, you came back to a very needy Remus, who took all of his clinginess out of you, leaving you sore and tired; while he slept soundly, though, you had to study and make up for the hours lost being supportive for your boyfriend, leaving you with about two hours of sleep in the last forty-eight hours.

“Hey girl, didn’t see you in our dorm room yesterday, oh what the fuck-“ Dorcas looked at you like you might have grown another head during the nighttime. “Babes, have you slept? Like, at all?”

“No, I haven’t. Remus is being extremely clingy, and you know that I’m not the best when it comes to Potions. Given the fact that the test is going to be next week, I barely have time to rest” She scoffed, but you interrupted her before she could start. “I know that James and Sirius should help, but he’s being this clingy only with me, and they can’t do much about that; plus, the upcoming game is stressing them out so much, yesterday they came to bed after practice, they didn’t even eat anything. I just want to support them”

She sighed. “I know baby, but try to not burn out, okay? If you need any help, I’m here, you know? Now, let’s go eat something”

You were happy to share some time with her and your boyfriends, but when you sat next to Sirius, one look at him told you anything that there was to know.

He didn’t greet you, didn’t sport his usual smirk: he was looking down at his plate like it might have held the answer to all his problems, while James looked at you preoccupied. Remus just held you close to himself. You tried to peel yourself away from his embrace, to not avail.

“Sirius, baby, do you want to talk? We can skip the first few hours and go on a walk to the Black Lake?” Now he was looking at you, his eyes were red and puffy, you tried to not cringe at his expression.

“It’s okay, Y/N, just the usual” You hated how he always seemed to shut down, not wanting to share his problems with you. As you tried to reach for his hand, Remus snatched you back, holding you close to him: you could see the moment in which Sirius shut you out for good, and you wanted to kick Remus for it.

“I’m going to handle this, you’re going to think about Remus, okay darling? Then I will report back to you, I swear” James whispered in your ear, You took a deep breath, nodding: you were thankful for him, but you still didn’t want to make Sirius feel like he couldn’t count on you.

You had the time to eat a biscuit before you had to head to class, Remus trailing behind you. You just had to wait for a few days, a few days and all of this would be over, and you had James to help you get through this week. You would be fine, you told yourself.

On Wednesday, you were thankful that Remus had an important herbology test, which gave you enough time to check in with Sirius. You entered their dorm room, spotting his curled frame under piles of blankets: you felt a pang of guilt, you swore your heart broke just a little.

Without making any sounds, you peeled the blankets off and wrapped your body around his, he startled in his sleep.

“Shh, baby, I’m right here. You’re safe, you know that? And I’ll always be here for you, no matter what” It was like you opened a faucet: his body started trembling, and then came the sobbing, he turned around and hugged you back, you caressed his head and back softly. After he quieted down a bit, you took his face into your hands, forcing him to look into your eyes. “Would you like for me to sing for you?” He nodded eagerly, burying his face in your chest, while you sang him a lullaby.

After a bit, you heard his breath even out. Your heart ached for your lover, you didn’t know what living in an abusive household felt like, and you sometimes even felt guilty over the fact that you had the most loving parents someone could ever asked for. You knew it was silly, but if you could, you’d swap family in a blink of an eye, everything to take this burden off of Sirius’s shoulders.

“Is he okay?” James whispered, startling you. He bent down, placing a soft kiss on your head. “I don’t know, Jamie. He had a breakdown, now he is asleep. I don’t know how to help him, I don’t want him to suffer like this every month.”

“I know, love, I know. You’re doing your best, and he appreciates it. But” He looked at you embarrassed, and you already knew what was going on, you sighed. “Remus just finished his test, and he’s going kind of nuts, he wants you by his side. You should go”

“Can’t he just come here, so we could cuddle?”

“I don’t know, love. This moon seems different, he got a lot more possessive over you. He just wants you for himself, I think we’re going to fix this before the next month, but for now, I think you should go”

You nodded, looking down art Sirius for the last time, before looking for Remus.

You prayed Sirius didn’t feel abandoned by you,  but you still had James to count on.

On Thursday, you stayed in bed all day with Remus. You studied, of course, and he seemed happy to have you around. You didn’t see Sirius at all, given the fact that you stayed at your dorm, but you thought that James was handling him well.

Exactly, you thought, because, as you and Remus took your seats for the Friday’s night Quidditch game, after having studied all day in the library, you felt a bit anxious. You told yourself you were being paranoid, but deep down, you knew something was off, and when Sirius entered the Quidditch pitch, you knew he wasn’t okay. He didn’t come to greet you, didn’t even look at you, and when you shoot a glance at James, he just averted his gaze: you were fucked.

You took a deep breath and snuggled closer to Remus, his clinginess now comforting, as the game begun. From the first actions, you knew that they were going to lose: Sirius looked like he wasn’t even trying, while James was too preoccupied to check on him to score a single goal.

And as the game ended, you knew your night was going to be an awful one: Gryffindor just lost the game.

[ellecdc]

hi! so i was wondering if i could make a request of poly!jegulus x reader fic where the reader goes out to maybe a bachelorette party or smth and gets drunk and james and regulus takes care of her afterwards? if not then no worries! hope you have an amazing day!

thanks so much darling! I love our little Jegulus fics <3

please note: my requests are currently closed as I finish exams and work through the requests that I currently have.

poly!Jegulus x fem!reader who they pick up from a bachelorette

Regulus tried to ignore the strobe lights and the booming bass that currently accosted his senses as he pushed through the masses of sweaty bodies and drunk people “dancing” in his mission to find you.

Fortunately he needn’t search long.

Unfortunately, his and James’ appearance elicited blood curdling squealing from the bachelorette party you were currently attending.

The bride (Alice) and maid of honour (Lily) started wolf whistling at the two boys and Regulus was certain it was Marlene who started the chant “take it off!”

Much to Regulus’ chagrin and to everyone else's joy, James actually started lifting his shirt before Regulus pinched him harshly in the side.

“James Fleamont Potter, you keep your sodding clothes on!” Regulus hissed before his eyes finally landed on you.

He ignored what sounded like a petulant “I was only giving the ladies what they wanted” from James as he crouched in front of you.

Regulus tried (and failed) to control his love sick smile as your foggy gaze cleared when you realised who was suddenly situated in front of you.

“Regulus!” You cheered, your mouth hanging open in a permanent smile as if you couldn’t possibly believe he was truly here.

“And James!” James added as he sat beside you on the pleather settee and roughly pulled you into his side. 

“What are you guys doing here?” You slurred slightly as you looked lovingly between your two boyfriends. 

Regulus felt his eyebrows pinch, but James - ever the master of nonchalance - simply pressed a kiss to your hair. “You asked us to come for you, angel.” He explained plainly.

Your eyebrows pinched to match Regulus’ as you let out a quiet “oh.” 

“Well, that was ver-very smart of me.” You declared through a hiccup. 

“Yeah? Why’s that?” James asked as he rubbed your arm and Regulus confirmed that all of your belongings were safely stored within your purse.

“I was just thinking how much I, how much I would like to be home with my boys now.” You admitted in a sigh, letting your head - which seemed to weigh far too much for your neck - fall onto James’ all-too-willing shoulder.

“Awe, you’re such a sweetheart, aren’t you?” James murmured, earning him a snort from Dorcas. 

“Right, you’ve got yourself a real sweetheart there Potter - which one of you taught her how to play poker?” Dorcas sneered, causing James to bark a laugh, you to hide shyly into his shoulder, and Regulus to grin proudly.

“Did you take them for all they’re worth, amour?” He whispered as he encouraged your face from its sanctuary in James with a gentle hand on your chin.

“Of course she did.” James answered for you, blowing a cheeky raspberry over your head at your friends. “She’s an all-star.”

Dorcas laughed good naturedly as Lily rolled her eyes fondly. “That may be; but she’s officially banned from playing with us.”

“Fair enough.” Regulus admitted as he smiled at your petulant pout and helped you stand like a baby fawn in your heels. 

“How’s everyone else getting home?” James asked the other girls as he supported you with a gentle arm around your waist.

Dorcas, Marlene, and Pandora were getting a ride from Barty and Evan, and Lily, Mary, and Alice were getting picked up by Frank.

After far too many hugs and cheek kisses and what looked like the beginning of tears on Pandora’s part as Regulus finally pried you away from the group, you clumsily made your way into the back of Regulus’ waiting car with James. 

“Did you have fun tonight, sweets?” James asked as he ensured your buckle was properly clasped. 

“Oh, yes.” You declared breathlessly; as if being chaperoned to the car, basically lifted in and buckled up was exhausting work. 

The streets were quiet at this time of night and Regulus enjoyed the comfortable silence that came over the three of you as he stole sneaky glances over his shoulder, sharing soft smiles with James at having their girl back.

“What time is it?” You asked urgently; your tone and words suddenly sounding half-sober as you interrupted the serenity of the car.

“It’s almost three, amour.” Regulus answered, peaking in the rearview mirror to see you staring straight ahead and James looking at the side of your face concernedly as Regulus navigated the quiet, lamp lit streets. 

“In the morning!?” You shrilled, causing James to snort a laugh and rub at your hairline with his thumb as he rested his hand at the nape of your neck. 

“Yes, baby. In the morning; that’s usually when the party’s over, yeah?”

“Did I wake you guys up?” You asked far too shyly for Regulus’ liking.

“Of course not, amour.” Regulus responded quickly, which was followed up with a “we stayed up waiting for you” from James.

Regulus heard a disbelieving breath escape your lips, the sound of James pressing a kiss to your hair, and then nothing but the sound of the tires on the road beneath you for a few moments.

Suddenly, disturbingly, upsettingly; he heard a sniffle.

Regulus immediately took his foot off the gas as he looked at you through the mirror to find your face pointed down in your lap and James leaning forward in an attempt to see your face.

“What’s the matter, angel?”

“Do you feel okay?” Regulus asked quickly, worrying you may be sick.

“I feel fine.” You cried quietly; Regulus could just make out what looked like the fall of a fat tear from your eyes where your head was lowered.

“What are the tears for, sweetheart?” James asked again, trying to encourage you to face him which you stubbornly refused.

“Why is she crying, Jamie?” Regulus asked desperately.

He pretended he didn’t see James shoot him an unimpressed look in the rearview mirror.

“Amour?” He whispered which elicited a quiet sob from you.

Regulus - only slightly unsafely - hastily pulled onto a side street and parked the car before he moved out of his seat, opened your door and crouched beside you.

“Amour, please darling. What’s wrong?”

“Do you feel sick?” James asked, still rubbing affectionately at the nape of your neck. You quickly shook your head no.

Regulus was at least a little relieved you weren’t about to sick up on him.

“Why are you crying, mon cheri?” He whispered, moving a lock of your hair behind your ear and tracing his thumb across your cheekbone.

“You guys are so lovely.” You admitted miserably.

“Angel.” James cooed as he roughly rubbed between your shoulders as if trying to ‘shake you out of it’. “You’re crying because your boyfriends are lovely?”

“Yes.” You sobbed and hid your face in your hands.

“Okay, that’s it.” Regulus demanded as he stood and closed your door gently before walking around the car and opening up James’.

“You’re fired. Get out.” He barked simply.

James let out a disbelieving laugh and looked at Regulus strangely. 

“I beg your pardon?”

“You have our sweet girl sobbing back here.” He explained (overdramatically) as he flung a hand in your direction. “So, you’re fired; you have to drive now.”

James couldn’t help the fond grin that took over his face (the kind Regulus loved the most; the kind that resulted in two dimples instead of just the usual one) as he shook his head in exasperation and acquiesced to his new role as chauffeur. 

“Okay amour, that’s enough now, yeah? You had a good night? Lot’s of fun with the girls? And two boys who love you a lot?” Regulus cooed as he took James’ recently vacated seat.

“I know!” You cried and flung your hands into your lap. “I’m so lucky!”

Regulus made an embarrassingly gooey ‘tsking’ sound as James laughed.

“Thank you, but we’re the lucky ones, angel.”

This just caused you to cry harder.

Regulus could have killed James right then and there if he didn’t look so sodding good behind the wheel of his car.

He’d deal with him later, though; for now, he had a sweet drunk lovie to snuggle.

[my-castles-crumbling]

bed - October 19th - jegulus - @stag-microfic - word count: 358

"It's late," James drawled, the haze of the alcohol he'd consumed moving sluggishly through his system.

Regulus only groaned.

Looking around the small dorm room, it hit James how late it really was. Sirius's birthday party, which had started in the Common Room below, had ended there, with about ten of them talking into the wee hours of the morning, laughing and laying together in a nest of pillows and blankets spread out on the floor. But as the sun threatened to peek out of the clouds seen through the window, people slowly fell asleep where they lay or retired to the beds around the edges of the room.

Peter slept soundly in his bed with Mary curled into his side. Marlene and Dorcas snoozed in a pile of blankets nearby. Barty and Evan had somehow taken Remus's four-poster, while Lily and Pandora were curled in a nest of pillows by the fire. Remus and the Birthday Boy himself were, of course, tangled up together in Sirius's bed.

It seemed James and Regulus were somehow the last people awake.

"Reg? Why don't you go sleep on my bed, love. I'll stay down here," James suggested, as he was decently comfortable and he didn't want to make Regulus sleep on the floor or move to the Common Room.

But a warm hand pulled him upward, guiding him to his familiar mattress, pushing him downward into his pillows. "Reg?" he asked sleeping, only half-awake.

There was no real answer. Just a body curling into his own like it fit perfectly, arms winding around his torso and a head of dark curls resting on his shoulder.

The entire world stilled. Was this a dream?

Sure, he craved this type of affection from Regulus. He constantly dreamed of holding him close and pressing kisses along his jaw; breathing him in and never letting go. But until that moment, it had just been a fantasy.

"Goodnight, Jamie," Regulus sighed, completely oblivious to James's shock, melting into him.

But James didn't fall asleep right away. Instead, he took a few moments to take in how right it felt to be so close to him.

[marauders-bs]

Regulus & Dorcas microfic

Okay. First things first, Regulus Black is fine.

He's fine. Everything that just happened meant nothing to him at all. So what if Lily likes girls? It doesn't mean anything to him. He couldn't care less.

So what if the way she described Mary felt like he felt at James? It didn't mean he was in love with James. It meant nothing, nothing at all.

"Reg? You alright?"

It's just Dorcas. She's standing on the staircase to the Astronomy tower where Regulus comes to stargaze. "Fine," he calls back. "Everything is perfectly fine."

He can literally feel her raised eyebrow, even if he's not looking at her.

"Bullshit," she says plainly.

Regulus sighs. "Dorcas, did you know girls can like girls?"

Her footsteps pad over to him, and he looks over to her. Her hair is tucked into a bonnet and she's makeup-less. She looks tired and puzzled.

"Reg, you know I like girls, right?"

He stares at her, shocked.

"You didn't," she sighs. "Well, I do. Never fancied on a guy in my whole damn life. And Dora and I have a bet going on how long it'll take Barty and Evan to realize they're gay for each other."

Barty and Evan?

"What's brought this on?" Cas asks, sitting down beside him.

He thinks about saying nothing, briefly, but Dorcas knows him too well. "Lily likes Mary," he says. "They're dating, I think."

"They are," she supplies.

"I didn't know you could do that," Regulus whispers, and he can feel every emotion he's ever suppressed flood him at once, all the feelings just errupt inside him, and he doesn't know what to do but collapse into Dorcas's arms. He feels the tears on his cheeks and he didn't ask them to be there, and he still doesn't know why.

"Oh, Reg," Dorcas says, holding him. She's not judging him, not calling him weak, not doing anything but accepting him. It's so foreign that the tears only fall harder. "Who is it?"

He doesn't offer an answer, and she doesn't ask for one. They just sit there with just the stars and Regulus's tears to keep them company.

[msmk11]

Marauder's Era HC's- How They React When You Ask Them If They'd Still Love You If You Were a Worm

(This is the most unserious thing I've ever written)

James

When you ask him the question, he is SO confused.

I mean, he has no connection to the muggle world, so he's never seen the trend.

James has endless questions for you: "What is the point of this question?" "Why are you a worm?" "Why am I not a worm?"

You have to beg him to stop asking questions and just answer yes or no.

James, of course, is a sweetheart. So even though he's still very confused, his response is lovely: "Well I reckon I'd love you in any universe in any form, so yes I would still love you, even if you were a worm."

Sirius

Sirius is not even fazed by the question.

He INSTANTLY answers yes.

His lack of hesitation makes you all giggly and happy.

But then, he asks you if you'd still love him if he were a worm.

Obviously, you say yes.

Side note: you two would totally have this conversation in bed before going to sleep because that's when you talk about all the weird shit.

Remus

His immediate response is an exasperated, tired sigh because he's so used to your shenanigans.

The first thing he'd say is, "Well am I a worm too?"

Once you tell him no, that he wouldn't be a worm, his answer to you is no because, "he's not attracted to worms?"

You try and explain to him that he'd still know it was you, you'd just be in worm form.

He doesn't budge on his answer and only replies that, "this seems too complicated for a hypothetical, dove."

Peter

I'm sorry, but he instantly laughs in your face after you ask the question because he thinks you're being goofy.

But when he realizes that you're 100% serious, he sobers up real fast.

"Wait, is that a genuine question?

My guy is SWEATING. He doesn't want to say the wrong thing.

He slowly drags out his answer to gauge your reaction and figure out the correct response.

"Nnnnnnnno-" (sees your face fall) "Yes! No yeah, yes, I'd totally still love you if you were a worm."

Lily

She's so happy you asked (if not a little mad that you beat her to it.)

I mean she's muggle born, so she's definitely seen the tik tok trend.

Answers with a giggle and happy, "Yes ofc, lovely."

She'd then go off on a little tangent about all the ways she'd treat you like royalty, even as a worm- she'd get the nicest soil, the best little habitat, etc.

Girl is so precious

Marlene

Marlene doesn't hesitate and instantly responds yes.

But honestly, I think she'd be way more interested to know if you'd still love her if she was a worm.

(There's only one right answer.)

I'm also certain that this question and variants of it would become her obsession for the next month.

Like every day she'd ask you the same question but with a new animal: "Would you still love me if I were a frog?" "A penguin?" "A squirrel?"

Dorcas

Babe is too logical to answer this question.

She's instantly coming up with solutions/alternative answers rather than just saying yes or no.

"I wouldn't need to worry about this, because I'd just turn you back into a human."

Starts listing off all the spells or potions she could use to turn you back into a human.

When you try to protest and tell her that that wouldn't be possible, she'd only take it as a challenge.

Would literally come up with her own spell or potion to prove a point if necessary.

Mary

Her answer is yes

Why? Because she "loves worms and loves you. What's not to love?"

I'm pretty sure this question doesn't linger on her mind very long. But worms do.

Within the week she has a pet worm and a whole habitat for it.

Might even name it after you (which is a ?compliment?)

Regulus

Regulus isn't fazed by the question, but that doesn't mean he will give in to your shenanigans.

Immediately responds no.

Despite your pouty lips and frown, he does not budge.

You say, "So you don't really love me unconditionally?"

"Just be glad you're not a worm."

[ma1dita]

no hard feelings

this was a request! find it here

words: 5k (CHRIST)

summary: How can you be in love with someone you barely know? Feelings are hard. James potter x fem!reader

warnings: none! Angsty, tumultuous feelings, insecure!reader, teenage awkwardness, consensual veritaserum dosing, tiptoeing around feelings, headboy!james

a/n: why is james always so easy to write for… hope yall like this one!! I miss having a crush lol

(posted 12/14/23)

—-

“You’re staring again…” Dorcas drones next to you one day in Potions class. Your ears are barely listening to Professor Slughorn drone on about the magical properties and proper use of Veritaserum but your eyes are most definitely focused on James Potter, as they always are. It’s kind of hard to not notice him when his energy breaks through every room he walks into.

“Can’t help it. He’s doing that thing again…” You mutter, leaning against your arm as Dorcas flips through the pages of the textbook. Air escapes you in a puff of exasperation and your quill thumps against the desk in a tiny rhythm. The truth serum you both have been brewing for the past month was steadily bubbling in your shared cauldron, colorless and almost complete, if it weren’t for your usual distraction in the form of Hogwarts’ most eligible bachelor.

“Him being a nuisance?” She smiles at you crookedly, looking at the soft gaze in your eyes.

“Him existing. How dreadful for me.” You say simply before turning back to the task at hand.

There’s something about James Potter that captivates the female gaze. All of Hogwarts knew, hell, he did too. Whatever it was, it’s starting to get annoying. Your eyes flicker back to him, hair swishing as your head shakes in contemplation. Dorcas grins at your predicament, this not being a new topic between the both of you.

James glances at you from his desk at the back of the room, fingers brushing the metal frame of his glasses as he catches you looking at him again, and he smiles boyishly when he sees your eyes dart elsewhere. Compared to other girls’ ostentatious efforts to grab his attention, you’d always been more reserved and standing a distance away. And despite your mutual friends, you both had never really had a proper conversation. Not alone at least. So yes, you may have an insanely big crush on the most popular guy at Hogwarts, but it didn’t mean he’d have to hear it from you. That would involve…having to actually find time to talk to him, which proved to be difficult with every girl that spent their free time batting their eyelashes at him, sending him declarations of feelings in the post, or falling over in front of him to ask him on dates. Slightly pathetic, but you admired their bravery. Silence was your own death sentence, and perhaps it was more suave in your mind. The cool girl who was anything but. Godric, why are feelings so annoying…

Your heart rate stays elevated through the rest of class, and as you pack your things, you rush to put your stuff in your knapsack, digging through the leather to find a hair ribbon. The distraction impairs your vision and your foot slips on a leather strap. Your body runs right into a solid wall of muscle, sending you into James’s seated frame, and both of you sprawling across the classroom floor.

“Wotcher, love,” Sirius laughs as he sees the blush rise to your cheeks. James daintily grasps your waist as you’ve landed bent over onto his lap, feet tangled in the fallen chair.

“I am so sorry…” You blubber, hair in your face as you scramble to lift off of him. Both you and James kneel on the floor picking both your belongings up, and you feel like the Earth could swallow you whole right now with everyone staring at you.

“Looking completely stupid is what. Pete, you have to stop putting your bag in the aisle! I could’ve killed Potter!”

Peter blushes as he nudges his bag with his foot, and James hands you back your things, both of your hands touching as you figure out who belongs to what. Your hand fumbles over a clear vial of Veritaserum he definitely wasn't supposed to take home, and your eyes meet James’ with a tilt of the head. His grin screams mischief, biting his lip, and taking the glass from between your fingers with a wink. I won’t tell if you won’t, his gaze says.

“Not a problem, darling. Anyone would be honored to be trampled by a pretty lady,” he says finally, dusting off his pants and offering you a hand to stand up. You scoff, taking it and not meeting his eyes in embarrassment. Remus lifts the chair that toppled over, handing you the hair ribbon you spent so long finding.

“Thanks, Rem. See you all later at the party?” Bobbing heads follow you out of the classroom where you are quickly bombarded by a gaggle of girls calling you lucky for bumping into James.

“You’re so smart for falling on him like that…” “He seems so strong picking you up so easily…” “Did he smell nice today? He always smells nice…”

All of the chattering voices make you laugh at these mere acquaintances who don’t care as much for you as they do for the boy standing in the doorway with his friends.

“Off to class now, ladies.” James reminds them, his Head Boy badge gleaming against the sunlight in the corridor. They scatter, leaving hushed compliments and giggles in his direction. But you don’t look at him at all, tying your hair back almost methodically. His eyes fall upon the slope of your neck, and he’s got that look in his eye…

“What, James?” Remus asks inquisitively, all four boys looking at you as you walk off down the hall.

“How come she barely talks to me?” he ponders, shoving his jumper over his elbows, and Sirius slings an arm over his best friend as he laughs.

“All the attention you get, and you’re still greedy, huh?”

“Not that, she talks to all of you so easily, and then she goes and calls me Potter like we aren’t friends…” he says, swiveling to look at his boys, walking backward to see their reactions. Well, he didn’t expect them to laugh that hard.

“Are you though? She’s our friend, we hang out with her… Have you ever had a real conversation between the two of you?” Pete points out, scratching the back of his neck.

“Suppose not…”

“Suppose you should… She’s really nice. Pretty funny too.” Remus pipes up.

James thinks back, and regrettably, he can’t remember much about you, always a wallflower in his periphery. He hasn’t made much of an effort to get to know you since you started being around the gang. Maybe that should change.

“She’s stunning, if I’m honest, boys. Way less forward than the other birds…”

“I can see an idea forming in your head James Potter, don’t even start…” Remus says, book in hand ready to hit him across the chest. Sirius and Peter laugh, starting to run around the two, and everything stops once the sandy-haired boy blurts, “Word out is that she majorly fancies you, Prongs…Maybe you should go for it!”

James stops in his tracks, bumping into a marble column as they round the corner. How can you like him if you don’t know him…and he doesn’t know anything about you?

“Highly unlikely, Worms. She doesn’t even call me by my first name…” The new predicament of this admission rises to the forefront of James' mind, and it’s all he can think about for the rest of the day, through the rest of class, and Quidditch practice, up until he gets ready for the party at Gryffindor Tower.

—

You’re getting ready with the girls, hands brushing over microscopic lint on your silk top, and you’re quite unsure of why there’s a nerve-wracking feeling overtaking your body.

“You look lovely, babe,” Alice says as she admires you from Marlene’s bed, legs hanging off the side.

“I need a drink,” you laugh, looking at the girls through the mirror, and Mary tosses you a shooter of firewhiskey to ease the nerves. The door swings open and Lily walks in, looking almost sternly at the lot of you.

“How are you all still up here? Everyone looks beautiful, now let’s all get drunk! Godric knows we need it after this week we’ve had…”

The girls walk down the stairs to the common room, you following slowly as your eyes meet the crowd of students all partaking in the grand celebration of nothing. Merlin, you love this school. Cracking the bottle open, you toss your head back as you take the shot, and then Sirius is swinging you around onto the dancefloor as you try not to gag. The party is in full swing—students dancing on the tables, drinks flowing, and music playing as loud as possible that you wonder how McGonagall won’t shut this down by midnight.

James tries to find a moment to talk to you all night, but he can’t seem to get an edge in. Were you always this popular? You were always dancing with someone else, or talking to a friend, and it’s also distracting to have girls trying to chat with him about who-knows-what, and he almost gets frustrated at the fact he’s unable to catch your eye.

“James, do you think I look pretty in this dress?” a hand grazes his bicep, and he remembers he’s in the middle of a conversation with… Flora? Frannie?

“Mhmm,” he mutters noncommittally, eyes searching the crowd for where he last saw you, watching you walk out towards the balcony.

“Sorry Fizz, gotta go find someone!” He skirts around the girl who yells, “It’s Faith!” almost indignantly, and James shakes his head as he weaves through the sea of drunk people to reach you before you get away again.

You stand on the balcony, alone. The party hums on behind you, through the open doors, but all of it feels miles away. You take a deep, steadying breath into your chest as you stare out into the field. The quiet serenity of the night and the alcohol is giving you a head rush, making you dizzy and lightheaded, but you feel your pulse beating like a drum as your hands are steady on the railing.

Sudden footsteps break the silence, and you turn to find that James is standing right behind you. He places his hands near yours as he steps closer, staring out into the night as well.

"Leaving so soon?" he asks as he slides up beside you.

"Just needed some air," you reply, looking towards the dancing masses spilling out onto the stairs and tables behind the glass.

"What’s a Gryffindor gathering without its resident life of the party?" he teases, leaning on the railing and smiling cheekily at you.

“Says you…” Your eyebrow quirks at his boldness. You don’t think you two have ever even been at a table alone, much less out here on the balcony by yourselves.

James is leaning close to you, still gazing up at the night sky. You can feel the warmth of his breath on your neck, and you suddenly have a strange urge to turn to him, to look him in the eye and tell him how badly you wish to have a proper conversation with him. For him to know you like you know him.

His voice pulls you out of your thoughts, a sly grin on his face. James raises an eyebrow, almost as if he's reading your mind.

"Can you keep a secret?" His voice is like cinnamon, sweet with an edge.

“If it’s about the Veritaserum, I didn’t see anything….” you joke, throwing your head back.

His eyes flash with amusement as he smiles at you, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"Maybe you should look up at me for a minute." You turn to look at him, and your heart flutters at his words.

"I want to ask you something," he whispers, his face close to yours. You're not sure why he's whispering - there’s no one else out here, but you don't mind.

"What?" you ask. James grins at you, and you can't help but grin back. He pauses, biting his lip to hold in his laugh, and then he leans in closer, his face so close you can count his lashes, curly hair falling softly against your temple.

"Are we friends?" he asks, and the hilarity of it makes you scoff, but the smile on your face lets him know it’s not unkind.

"Maybe, but not really. You've always been out of reach for me, Potter."

"Do you wish we were?" He seems genuine in this moment, hazel eyes staring into yours as if he's trying to see into your soul. He's always been popular, and he knows girls fawn over him, but he's never spoken to you this way before. Perhaps his bravery only goes so far when he’s with you.

"I would love for us to be friends," you say quietly, unsure of his intentions. "I'm so awkward around you, I just... have a hard time saying what I want to say. It always feels like I'm going to say something stupid." You blush as you admit this, but you force yourself to meet his eyes.

James gives you a light, charming laugh, and you're left speechless as your words fade away. His eyes are so intense, and the way his jaw sits firm just makes you want to melt into a puddle at his feet. You stay still for a moment, your heart racing, waiting for him to say something, do something you know you don’t have the guts for.

"What if we tried..." he pauses as if he's thinking it through himself.

"Just being completely honest with each other? For the rest of the night?" he asks, his fingers pulling a familiar stolen vial out of his pocket.

"For the rest of the night?" you ask, your voice slightly shaky. "I... I don't know if I can..."

He tips a few drops of Veritaserum into both of your drinks.

"Bottoms up." He downs his cup in one go.

Your eyes meet his in shock, your lips slightly parted as you take in the realization that you'll finally get the truth out of him. But in the adrenaline that courses through your veins, you don't stop to think that this will affect you too. He can see how nervous you are, and he winks at you, and his voice drops to a whisper.

"Trust me," he urges, and it's impossible to deny his request with a smile like that.

“You’re crazy,” you mumble, but you take a heavy sip of the Veritaserium-laced drink anyway, and every single word that's on your mind attempts to escape, the air around the two of you feeling charged with blind confidence.

"We're playing a dangerous game here, Potter. Too bad I've had enough to drink to care."

You laugh at that, and he chuckles along with you. The alcohol seems to make the Veritaserum work even faster, and it's not as if it tastes bad. In fact, it's rather delicious. Addicting.

"You're right," he replies, laughing so much that he has to hold his sides. The mirthful grin that curls into your lips is only increased as you take in the scene before you. "So. What do you want to know?" he asks. He puts his hand on your waist, fingers grazing your belt loop and you feel your blood rush to your face.

“Do you still like Lily? And if not, do the girls chasing you around school get annoying?”

"Honestly, I'm not sure," he answers you with such seriousness that it makes you grin toothily. This is dangerous.

"I used to like her... a lot." The admission makes you lean in until you can hear his breathing.

"I've never felt anything like that towards anyone else, but I could. I might already." he continues, his voice so low, almost sultry, that your pupils dilate. Watch yourself. You're so taken with the way he looks at you, so focused, that you wonder if it’s really him or the alcohol.

“Ask me something, Potter. It’s only fair.”

James looks down at you with a mischievous smile. "Let's start with the big one, then... what are your intentions with me? Little mouse told me you have a crush."

He says it almost in a whisper as if it's a dangerous question, and you can feel his breath on your lips as he waits for your response. It is dangerous. The way he words it makes you laugh, but instantly, your deepest thoughts come tumbling out of your mouth. This was definitely a terrible idea….

“I genuinely think I’m in love with you,” you admit to him, unable to hide the slight quiver in your voice.

“But you barely know me, so you probably think I’m crazy,” you blurt out, hand slapping over your mouth.

"And I've wanted to be near you since the first moment I ever saw you. Something about you is... so..." You trail off, suddenly shy with your words, but you can feel his eyes on you as he waits for the rest of your answer.

"It's silly," you say, not wanting to admit the true reason you want him.

James grins at you and his nose brushes your cheek, the scent of his aftershave making you weak. He could be extra mean right now, coaxing the rest of the truth out of you with a single word, but the embarrassment that wrestles in your being is enough for the next few lifetimes.

"It's okay," he whispers and places a hand gently on your cheek, his fingers brushing against your skin.

"Maybe things will be different now that I know."

He stares at your lips and then suddenly asks, "Do you want to kiss?" His voice is soft as silk, and you can't believe that you've heard right. What the hell just happened?

“Um, no. Sorry.” The door cracks open with Sirius peeking out to see the two of you, but you push past him back into the party. James is left dumbfounded by your rejection, feeling like he got caught in a riptide as he drowns in embarrassment.

His eyes are wide as you hurry out the door, and you don't even turn back to look at James - instead, you're so preoccupied with getting away from him and back to your dorm that you almost run into Dorcas, who offers you a curious look as you dump out the rest of your drink in a potted plant.

“What happened, Prongs? You scare her away?” Sirius says with raised eyebrows as he looks at James standing stupidly at the edge in the dark.

“Actually, she’s in love with me and she just rejected me. And I’m on truth serum for the next few hours, and I can't figure out how I fucked up.”

James has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth when he’s left alone, and usually he’s aware of it. But even with the Veritaserum, he can’t figure out for the life of him why you ran away, no matter how many times the boys rephrase the question to him.

—-

You avoid him like the plague in the days after.

As much as you've wanted to pretend that the experience with James with just a figment of your imagination brought on by the amount of alcohol you drank, you can't help but feel utterly mortified around James. You keep your distance, only leaving your room when you absolutely have to, running out of classes you share like you’re being timed.

As the truth serum left your body that night, you’ve become increasingly sure of how you feel about James - even more so than before. It was the first time you’ve ever said you’re in love, and how can you be in love if you didn’t know it yourself before the fact! You're absolutely terrified of looking crazy like that again, of being vulnerable. Even as you try to keep your distance from him, he's literally everywhere, which only makes things worse for your emotions.

It's late in the evening and you're finally mustering up the courage to leave your room and make your way to the kitchens to grab a midnight snack.

As you turn the corner, you stop in your tracks to see James leaning against the wall, his eyes closed as he seems to be enjoying the peace and quiet. The dim lighting of the passageway casts shadows over his features and makes you wonder if he can see you at all. Your heart races and you feel as if you're back on the balcony all over again.

His eyes pop open, almost as if he was waiting for you and you can feel your stomach drop to your feet as he stares straight back at you,

"Where do you think you're going, pretty girl?" He asks, a small smile on his face.

"And why are you out this late?" He sounds almost suspicious, and you suddenly feel like a criminal just for sneaking around him so much.

"Umm... nowhere," you stammer, wishing you could disappear into the night.

"I…” You take a deep breath. Own it, already! You were already caught!

“Are you asking that as Head Boy, or…”

His smile widens, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth as he steps closer.

“I could, but I’m asking as a friend.”

“Didn’t know you were patrolling tonight.”

He makes a noise that doesn’t sound like a yes or a no, because honestly, he wasn’t. The crinkle of the map in his pocket would give him away if you only knew about it. You sigh, running a hand over your hair and he’s still standing there, waiting for you to say something next.

“I just came out to grab a snack. I missed dinner, so I wanted to go to the kitchens.”

“Can I come with?” And before you can reply, he’s offering his arm out for you to latch onto. You both walk silently through the halls and tickle the pear, and this somehow feels normal, comfortable, though you’ve never hung out alone like this. The house elves whizz past you, tending to your needs, and they set a tray of pastries out for the both of you to snack on. He just watches you silently as you both tiptoe around the true reason you’re both here. You're in the middle of eating a danish when he suddenly speaks.

"Why did you say no?"

You stop, flaky crumbs hanging from between your lips as you look at him.

"I asked if you wanted to kiss me, and you said no. But you said you love me, so I’ve been thinking about it since that night," James says, and you almost spit out your food. Did he actually want to kiss you?

“We were under Veritaserum…I just... I got embarrassed. I've never told anyone I've loved them before." you mumble, eyes falling to the table.

"And you barely know me. Why would you want to kiss me?" you add, dusting crumbs off your shirt. He leans in closer to you on the bench as if he’s whispering a secret.

"You barely know me, why would you say you love me?" James counters, as if he’s making a point. In truth, you know him well enough from hanging around his friends. You just never mustered the confidence to actually be his friend. Intimidating as he is, point A being him leaning so close to you that you think he might smell your fear.

"But I do know you, you just don't notice me." you mumble.

You and James both sit in silence for a moment, still in shock by the words that you've both said. The sound of the creaking wooden floorboards catches your attention as someone enters the kitchen. The two of you freeze, looking up to see Remus entering.

"What are you two doing here so late?" he asks, confused.

"I'm not sure," you stammer, feeling your face flush as you realize that you're both alone together, almost cuddling on the kitchen bench. You grab another pastry off the tray and stand up to walk out.

"Goodnight!" you blurt, walking away quickly, but James isn't letting you off that easy.

"Scuse us Moons, I'm not done with her yet," he says, following your footsteps quickly out into the hall.

You hurry away from Remus and out of the kitchen. All of your fears and insecurities seem to fill you once again as you try to process everything that's just happened. You're halfway up the stairs when James catches up to you.

"Wait," he says, putting his hand gently on your arm. You turn around, your arms wrapped tightly over your chest as you face him.

"I'm not trying to scare you, I just wanted to know," he continues, the dim light from the candles above creating deep shadows under his eyes.

“I just... Why do you care? There's so many girls that go after you, so why are you so interested in me? I already embarrassed myself in front of you like the rest of them. What makes this different?”

"Because you're different," he replies instantly.

"You're honest. Not in the way they are which makes me wonder if they even like me or just want to be associated with me. I want what you have with our friends. I want to know you," he continues quietly.

"Those girls are so focused on the idea of me and what I have to offer, but something tells me you’re different than that. And I want to know you, love. I want to know what makes you tick. You're not just some pretty girl to me," he says softly.

“You already make me tick. Standing here makes me feel like I'm going to burst into flames.” You breathe shakily, throwing caution to the wind as you continue, "You already know you're attractive, and I don't lo----like you just because of that. You're really kind when you help other students, and you don't usually prod at me like this when I can't articulate my feelings, but you're considerate. You asked me if I wanted to kiss you. You care if people are happy, and you make people feel seen, even if they're bothering you. James, even if you're a leader it's because you're a great team player. Even if you don't really know me, it makes my day when you smile at me in class. You...make me feel important."

James just stares at you with wide eyes as you spew words like a waterfall. He suddenly bites his tongue as if he's trying to stop himself, a heavy blush covering his cheeks even in the darkness of the candlelight.

You suddenly take in everything that the two of you are saying - and you realize that he's actually listening. He's really listening. There's such a raw honesty to it, and your heart races so fast inside your chest as you tack it onto the mental list of why you love him.

"So I guess that's why. Even if I didn't know it myself. Sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry for what? For sharing your heart with me?" he asks, his voice growing soft and a boyish smile crosses his face. He steps up onto the landing so both of you are eye level.

"If I asked to kiss you, would you say no again?" he whispers.

“As a friend?” you joke, but you don’t move away when his nose brushes yours.

His voice sends shivers through your spine, and you look up at his hazel eyes as he gazes down at you. He pulls you gently towards him, your back meeting the stone wall as he lowers his lips to yours. You close your eyes for just a moment, but the moment between the two of you lasts an eternity. There’s something electric about your lips meeting his, and the two of you melt together in the darkened alcove. It’s funny how it works, your confidence making you feel like you’re floating as you loop your arms around his neck, and the usually assertive Marauder can’t figure out where to place his hands as they hover over your waist.

As soon as it ends, James breaks away from you as if he's suddenly embarrassed that he’s just kissed you right in the stairwell. Now he’s the bashful one. The taste of cinnamon and mint still lingers even as he steps away, hand scratching the nape of his neck.

"I didn't know what else to say. Can’t seem to be cool around you," he says as he fixes your hair, a quirk in his kiss-swollen lip as he stares at you, eyes twinkling.

"I like you a lot," he says, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I want to be with you. I want you to call me by my first name."

"You'll have to get to know me first. No hard feelings though, Potter," you say cheekily, stepping away and walking back to your room.

All that’s left of you is the forgotten pastry on the ground. James’ chest rumbles with a laugh as he scoops it up, almost skipping away.

—

He doesn’t leave you alone after that. And you make him work for it. It’s new for him, to be someone’s first and earnest choice. He thinks about you often, even when you’re right next to him, and he wants to do this right. James learns to love like you do, quietly, honestly.

You’re all hanging around the Black Lake with your friends as he leans against a tree lazily, both your fingers intertwined in the grass. James watches you laugh at Sirius and Mary splashing each other in the water, and he can see how easy it is to love someone by just watching them.

"You know," he remarks after watching silently for a moment, "you radiate when you smile."

Your face goes flush and you look down at the ground, your fingers still intertwined with his. You can feel his gaze on you, but you're too nervous to look back up at him.

"I like it when you laugh loudly, and the crease in your forehead that shows you’re thinking too hard," he adds softly, and you look up at him with wide eyes. He gives your hand a gentle squeeze and a small smile plays across his lips.

“I’m finding all these reasons why I’m falling for you. Is it supposed to be this easy?” He asks, leaning his head on yours.

“Yes James,” you say without hesitating, no Veritaserum needed.

The next time either of you says I love you, it leaves his lips first, and you know it’s true because he’s more than a friend now too.

—

“To feel anything deranges you. To be seen feeling anything strips you naked.” -Anne Carson

love me some tunes! i listened to "you're here, that's the thing" by beabadoobee while writing!

taglist: @jsjcue

[diana-rose-25]

★*☆ Eugh, As If

pairing/s: Sirius Black x Evans! Reader

warnings: Severus Snape.

description: The younger sister of Lily Evans takes revenge for her when slimy old Snape betrays her and calls her a mudblood. Sirius wants to marry her now.

status: unedited

word count: 5.2k

Note: I word vomitted.

“You think Potter will ever stop with his shenanigans in getting Lily to fall in love with him?”

Dorcas leans back while biting on the toast to look at the entrance of the dining hall, watching Potter try to stand tall and cool in front of the woman he fancies, and failing miserably.

It’s no secret that James Potter is one of the most sought out bachelor in the school, maybe even the Wizarding World, and he fucking knows it. When one is constantly praised for everything he does, have the ground he walks on practically worship, a star player in Quiddich, comes from a prominent family, insanely wealthy, and, there is no denying it, a handsome lad; one while develop a massive ego.

James Potter knows he is the shit. He is not only gifted in the athletic aspect, he can also hold himself well in the academic aspect.

Strutting around the school like a peacock, as if he runs the school, and maybe he looks like it from the swooning glances he gets from the ladies and the envious looks from the guys. With his charming smile, messy hair that compliments his features, and laid back attitude, James Potter can attract anyone and everyone.

Well, anyone but the one he wants.

Dorcas and Marlene sighs at the sad, and almost pathetic efforts to woo their friend. While James is trying his best to appear cool and composed, they know the young man well enough that his palms is sweating by the way he brushes them in his trousers, his stance is somewhat off by the ways he’s constantly shifting his weight from side to side, the way he constantly brushes his hair back, and if they squint closely, they can see how the corners of his lips are shaking in his smile.

Meanwhile, Lily Evans could care less. Despite her look being indifferent and the way she nods her head from time to time, she has this far away look in her eyes. Dorcas and Marlene shares a concerned look, if the rumors are true, then that event from yesterday and last night are the cause of it.

Lily then made an excuse from the looks of it before walking away towards them and James looking surprised. It’s the first time that Lily actually made a civil excuse to get away from his attempt at making a conversation rather than cussing him out and walking away.

Dorcas hummed, tearing away her look once she sees Lily walking towards their seat to look at Marlene. “You think she knows?”

“Only way to find out is when she walks through that door,” Marlene replies before sipping on her tea. As if she’s summoned, (Y/N) walks into the dining hall right after Lily takes her seat beside Dorcas who rubs a hand on her back comfortingly.

“Oooh, she definitely knows something,” Marlene smirks in her cup.

Lily and (Y/N) couldn’t be any more different from each other despite being twins, well, fraternal twins. Although the twins share those deep, forest green eyes, and a few quirks and mannerisms, everything else couldn’t be anymore different.

Lily is known for her famous, shiny, flaming red locks with a matching extroverted fiery personality, a beautiful stars of prominent freckles painted all over her face and body, always with her big group of female friends wherever she goes and is academically competitive. An overachiever honor student. Hence, joining a few orgs that catches her interest to broaden her horizon in the Wizarding World. Lily Evans is unafraid to speak what’s on her mind and call people out on their bullshit, earning her the title of the Gryffindor Princess.

Unlike her older sister, (Y/N)’s hair does not command the attention of the room upon entering. Although it’s still beautiful on its own way, being pitch black even when the sun hits her hair. She also sports freckles on her face, not as noticeable and its only littered around her nose, cheeks, and a little on the chin. (Y/N) mostly keeps to herself but enjoys the company of her two friends, Pandora and Elisia. She’s not as intense in academics, but still impressive as she only falls right behind her sister, being number 2 in their whole year. (Y/N) is more mellow compared to her sister, though still sporting that fiery temper but is rarely shown and more controlled. That doesn’t mean she can’t show her blatant dislike for her someone, her face says everything without uttering a single word.

The two sisters couldn’t be any more different physical and personality wise, yet are the most desirable bachelorette in the castle to both muggle born and purebloods (they will never admit it publicly other than a few friends).

You would think that between the two of them, Lily is the most terrifying. But if you ask Lily Evans herself, she would only smile at you and say: “you have no idea.”

James instinctively raised his arms and swiftly moves aside before (Y/N) crashes to him by the way she walks. The woman usually sports her rbf (resting bitch face) which is often mistaken as annoyed or indifferent, but her face is now devoid of any emotion. Like suppressing a fire beneath the exterior. The only evident clue about her burning rage is her body language, the frown on her lips, and her clenched jaw. None of her admirers dares to approach or even bother her once she sits down beside Pandora on the Ravenclaw table.

“Isn’t she a part of the dueling org? And she’s with you, right?” Marlene nods at Dorcas’ question. “And there is a compulsory meeting this afternoon to welcome new comers?”

“Who are you talking about?” Lily asks with a bit of her toast, getting her answer when Marlene nods her head towards her twins’ direction.

“Yeah, there is, what about it?”

Dorcas shrugs her shoulders, sneaking a glance towards Ravenclaw’s way. Noting the way (Y/N) had a fist resting on her cheek with her elbow propped on the table, blowing on her coffee before taking a sip, face still visibly annoyed.

“Can non members watch later?”

~~~

“Think Snivellus’ll show up his face today?” Sirius jumps towards James’ back, wrapping an arm around his shoulder as they walk towards the Dueling Org’s room.

James scoffs, “better not or its on sight.”

The pair followed the clump of first year students who are taking their time ogling at the wide infrastructure of the room. The walls are lined with ceiling to floor windows, craved with different magical creatures ranging from the tiny fairies to the huge dragons seemingly soaring through the sky. In the middle of the room, four pairs of tables are assembled together to create a stage where practice spells are demonstrated and duels will commence.

Students are idly chatting around the tables, the first years almost bouncing around excitedly from the front whilst the older years can feel their nerves shake from the building adrenaline the more they wait. Having the compulsory meeting as a welcome to new new members means having the chance to be picked in a duel demonstration.

Professor Flitwick and Professor Slughorn stands on the make believe stage of the room, talking amongst themselves and another student. Sirius Black smirks upon seeing her figure from beside the professors, taking notes in whatever they are talking about. Sirius taps James’ chest to direct his attention towards (Y/N). The two of them share a knowing smirk before walking towards where she is.

(Y/N) had barely touch a foot down to the ground when she hears the annoying voice of a certain, older Black.

“How is my favorite Evans doing today?”

She could feel a headache forming earlier today, it turns worse when she saw the infuriating grins by what she calls the Dumb and Dumber Duo. There in front of her stands James Potter and Sirius Black, shoulder to shoulder with arms crossed against their chests, a playful gleam in their eyes as they peer down at her.

She sighs and rolls their eyes at them, before turning her back against them and looking through the notes she just made. “What do you idiots want now?”

“Can’t I just approach my favorite sister-in-law for no reason?” James playfully pouts, approaching her side and wrapping an arm around her which earned him a hard shove against his chest that has him wheezing on impact.

“Eugh. As if.”

“Oh come on now, Sweetie Pie,” (Y/N)’s face scrunches up in disgust when she feels a breath on the other side of her face and her hair getting twirled around a finger. Sirius shot her a playful wink and smile when she slaps his hand away and takes two steps back, his proximity is too close to her liking.

“Didn’t I already tell you not to call me that?” Sirius tilts his head in confusion, smile still on his face, “did you?”

“Yes, I did you mongrel,” (Y/N) says with a roll of her eyes. “I’ve told you countless of times already.”

“Really?” The tall man mocks, placing his pointer finger and thumb on his chin and looks up, painting himself to be thinking of a deep thought.

“Hm, I don’t remember. Mate, you remember anything about (Y/N) Evans telling me to stop calling her Sweetie Pie, Honeybunch, Sugar Pie, Light of my Life, Apple of my Eye, Baby Babe, and Darling Princess?”

(Y/N)’s eye and fingers twitches at the sheer audacity of the man in front of her, her grip on her pen tightening to the verge of snapping when James skips to Sirius’ side with a faux, innocent wide eyes.

“Really? She said that? When?”

James mirrors Sirius’ pose, the duo somehow forming an innocent aura around the two of them. To the first years, it seems like two men deep in their thoughts, to those who knows better, the two idiotic duo are up to something again.

(Y/N) is one of the people who knows better. Yet before she can conjure up her wand to send a stinging spell their way. Professor Slughorn calls everybody’s attention to the front to start the introduction.

Sirius stuck himself to her side whilst James positions himself to his other side, hoping to catch a glimpse of Severus and send a certain finger his way.

The other first years and new members flocked themselves to the front, squeezing themselves together as much as they can to listen eagerly and get the best view. Unknowingly shoving the three sixth years together until their shoulders press together.

It might be a sharp quill or paper, but something stung (Y/N) on her arm causing her to let out a low hiss and instinctively pull it away, all without looking at the perpetuator.

Sirius looks down at her, brows furrowing when he catches her pull her arm away and the eager first years once again pushing themselves and crowding the front row.

“Hey, hey, hey.” He calls out loudly, taking (Y/N)’s shoulder and pushing her against his side whilst he holds the other arm out towards the first years. The small crowd looks at him with slight fear in their eyes at the strict tone of his voice and freezes in their feet.

“Stop pushing guys,” he reprimands. “I assure you all will see and hear everything, but let’s avoid an accident by not pushing and let’s make some space, yeah?”

Sirius shoots them a charming smile as he uses his hand to motion a push to create some space. As if activating his Black Charm, the girls swooned at his strong and charming appeal and immediately listened to him, taking a few steps back while keeping their eyes at him. Emitting girlish giggles while the boys scoffs and turns their heads away, still following them nonetheless.

(Y/N)’s eyes widens at how effective and fast Sirius can make the crowd listen to him, she almost finds it admirable. She gently pushes herself away from him and looks up at him with an impressed look.

“Thanks,” she says before looking at the front again. “Not bad, Black.”

Stunned, Sirius’ eyes widens at her acknowledgement of him. She rarely, or him ever, compliments him on anything. Although he had never done anything worth complimenting before. He made a happy sound at her, eyes almost disappearing at how large grin makes its way in his face. There’s a bounce in his step when he turns his direction to Professor Slughorn again. This time, he stands more taller with his posture straight and chin tilted upwards, a small, proud smile still on his face.

James looks at his mate with a playful scoff before shaking his head, finding the situation all too amusing. Unaware that he acts a lot more worse with Lily, and she doesn’t even acknowledge his presence most of the time other than calling him out on his bullshit.

The meeting continues on with discussing the rules, attendance, and basic etiquettes of dueling. The long lecture already had some of the older years almost dozing off due to boredom as they have had this discussion before. James falls victim to that boredom, opening his mouth widely to yawn without any sound and shaking his head to shake away his tiredness.

Sirius, on the other hand, is having the time of his life by constantly teasing the younger Evans beside him, poking her constantly and unnecessarily commenting to her about anything and everything. He only stops momentarily when (Y/N) pinches his arm so hard that he had to stick himself to James’ side, rubbing the wounded area before talking (Y/N)’s ears off after the pain disappeared. (It was bruised when he checked.)

“Now,” Professor Slughorn claps his hands once, effectively gaining the attention of everyone, including those who are in the midst of dozing off.

“Now that the rules and regulations are stated, I do hope you all take it seriously and to heart. After all, punishments are not to be taken lightly.”

“To formally start off the welcoming ceremony of the Dueling Club,” the older students perk up at Professor Flitwick’s insinuation. James, Sirius, and (Y/N)’s back straightens, feeling their fingers twitch in anticipation. “Professor Slughorn and I will choose students from the older years to give you a glimpse of a proper duel.”

The older students starts whispering excitedly, some playfully raising their hands in hopes that they will be picked while some try to turn their heads away to avoid being seen. James and Sirius holds their head up high, if the professors want to show the new comers some entertainment, it is in their best option to pick them two. If it’s a show they want, then it’s a show they’ll get.

Professor Slughorn and Professor Flitwick whispered amongst themselves before nodding and walking to the other ends of the stage, anticipation and excitement fills the air once they face the students.

“From my house,” Professor Slughorn starts, “I would like to call upon Mr. Severus Snape as one of the students for demonstration.”

Giggles and small laughter can be heard in the room, the heads around Snape’s area turn to look at him with proud smiles and pats on his shoulders. Of course the idiot will surround himself with the other posies after yesterday’s event. They are the only ones left who will so much as talk to him.

James, Sirius, and (Y/N)’s eyes narrows, shooting stabbing glare towards Snape’s direction as her climbs up the stage and proceeds to where Professor Slughorn is standing. The older man clasps his shoulder and wished him a silent good luck.

“If Professor Flitwick picks me, I’ll make sure to end this lesson with him bald to put an end to his greasy monstrosity of a hair.” James says, crossing his arms while not tearing his gaze away from the Slytherin boy in front.

“Oh please, you’ll be just doing us a small favor.” (Y/N) scoffs, “I don’t think his hair is the only greasy thing about him.”

“I bet you, he’s never heard of a body exfoliator and wash cloth before.” Sirius adds, lips twisted downwards as they continue to stare daggers at him. “I don’t think he even knows what a regular shower is.”

The three chuckled darkly before Professor Flitwick calls upon one of them.

“In that case, I will pick out someone from my house as well. Ah, Miss (Y/N) Evans, would you kindly join us?”

“Certainly professor,” (Y/N) replies with a smirk and a wicked gleam in her eyes before quickly masking it with a beam and wide eyes. She immediately walks up the stage, head high and shoulders squared, causing the young boys and girls to awe in the confident aura she’s portraying.

Throughout the years, Severus Snape gained more confidence for himself, getting acknowledge and praised for his growing mastery at potions, and surrounding himself with fellow Slytherins with the same aspirations in life. His friendship with Lily really helped him out throughout all the unfavorable events that happened to him, and although he should also be friends with (Y/N) by extension since they all grew up together, they never really clicked but remained civil.

(Y/N) had always kept her mouth shut about her opinions on Severus Snape in respect towards Lily. She never understood why Lily would befriend him when he does, and is still doing questionable things, and his whole vibe is off. Her older sister was protective of their friendship, even once not talking for a week when (Y/N) said she refuses to be in the same room as him without her. It was one of the hardest week of her life. Ever since then, she never brought him up to anything ever again unless Lily started it.

However, due to him calling her a mudblood yesterday, the unspoken civilized rule between the two of them shattered.

Severus Snape never thought he would experience so much fear just by looking at someone’s eyes. There was ringing on his ears and sweat starting to form on his forehead, he grips his wand for some sort of comfort with a shaky hand while trying to maintain eye contact with her.

He doesn’t know why he’s so terrified, (Y/N) is just standing in front of him with arms crossed over her chest with her head tilting down to hear what Professor Flitwick is talking about. She nods her head from time to time but her face remains devoid of any emotion and green eyes are still burning deep to his soul. Snape gulps down, praying to whoever is out there that no one can see how difficult it is to hide how terrified he is right now.

It’s just (Y/N), he never has to worry around her before. Besides, she’s not much of a duelist and he’s probably better than her. She can hold her own but nothing special nor spectacular about the way she duels. She’s lost more than won duels from last year. Snape shakes his head and rolls his head around to release the tension, it’s just her look that’s making him terrified. Yes, that’s right, he soothes himself, I’ll be fine. He’s a better duelist than (Y/N) will ever be.

A sigh of relief escapes his lips before quirking up to an arrogant smirk. His posture changes, from his shoulders slightly hunch back, chin tucked on his chest causing his disgusting greasy hair to cover his face, to standing tall with an overconfident aura about him, sporting a nasty smile that almost looks like a grimace.

It’s just (Y/N) , what could happen? Snape thought, now casually twirling his wand around.

Sirius and James noticed the shift within Snape from their view. They grit their teeth in annoyance and worry about their friend (at least, they consider her as one, they don’t know if she considers them as one). Sirius feels his fingers twitch, wanting nothing more to take his wand out and blast the ever living shit out of the man to snap him out of his arrogant stance.

“We ought to teach him a lesson,” James says through gritted teeth, Sirius only hums in response.

Professor Flitwick was saying something to the class, but Sirius couldn’t hear anything that comes out of his mouth. He looks at where (Y/N) is standing, he’ll say that he’s surprised, but he honestly expected it.

(Y/N) remains the same, except this time, she had her head tilting downwards as she stares at Snape through her lashes with lidded eyes, a reminiscent of a taunting snake. Sirius let’s out an impressed noise, he’s 100% sure that if she wasn’t sorted into Ravenclaw, she would have perfectly fit in with Slytherin house.

Sixth year students know that (Y/N) is not the best duelist out there, but Sirius can’t help but feel that there is nothing to worry about. He hums as he crosses his arms against his chest, still looking at her when the two of them starts walking towards the center of the stage, wands in front of their faces in customary respect to formally start the duel.

James looks at him, stunned at the laid-back demeanor of his best friend. He taps him on the chest, “mate, why do you look like that? Your crush is over there about to have a duel with that git.”

“Relax, James,” Sirius glances at him briefly before looking at her again, the smirk still on his face. “Just watch.”

Five paces apart, now the two are facing each other with wands drawn. Snape smirks, opening his mouth to conjure up his spell, “confringo!”

“Protego!” (Y/N) let’s out instantly, effectively blocking the spell with a wave of her arm. The way she projects the shield spell causes a ripple effect, making Snape stagger back before regaining his footing while she remains the same.

Snape’s eyes widens at the force of the spell. She didn’t even use Protego Maxima to project that kind of ripple effect. It was just a simple spell, Snape gulps, but why the hell was it so strong? Enraged, Snape grits his teeth holding onto his wand tightly before swinging his arm and shoots another spell. “Everte Statum!”

(Y/N) successfully blocks the spell without moving an inch. The nonchalant attitude of hers rubs Snape off the wrong way, further frustrating him. He then sends spell after spell after her, his adrenaline getting the best of him as he hurls his arm left and right while taking step forward after each step. His face contouring, not bothering to hide his frustration anymore.

Professor Flitwick sees this, and calls him out, “easy on the spells Mr. Snape! This is just a demonstration.”

The younger crowd watch in awe at the display of magic, witnessing the how much potential possibilities they have with the use of magic. They watch with eager eyes at the colorful display of cells Snape lets out from his wand and how flawlessly it is counteract by (Y/N). His group of friends continues to cheer him on and constantly belittling her calling her names, shuting up only when Professor Slughorn called by out and someone sending a stinging jinx at them. All of them had to exit the room immediately to head on to the infirmary room.

Sirius continues to glare daggers at Snape, his fingers gripping tightly into his arm as he watches (Y/N) continuously blocking spells but not doing anything to counter back. He gnaws on the bottom of his lip, wondering what the hell is your plan? Do you even have one?

Gusts of wind blows (Y/N)’s hair back as she continues to counter spell. It’s beginning to tire her arm out, and frankly, it was starting to bore her. The force of a spell causes her to momentarily stumble back, and that distraction is all Snape needs. ”Mimblewimble!”

Gasps echo around the room as they witness (Y/N) recoil back from the force of the spell, sending her straight to the floor with her back first, effectively punching the air off of her.

James and Sirius let out a shout of concern an disbelief, immediately running to the side of the stage. James had to hold on to Sirius’ sleeve to prevent him from jumping up. Shouting out strings of curses that shocked the first years and reprimanded by Professor Flitwick who’s tending to his student.

“Watch your mouths Mr. Potter and Mr. Black!” He scolds before turning his attention to his student, who is now shaking her head, arms and elbows on the side of her as she props up her body on the floor. “Are you well Ms. Evans? Can you stand?”

(Y/N) cracks her neck to the side before opening her mouth to answer her professor, but nothing coherent escapes her lips. The Mimblewimble spell ties the targets tongue in a knot, preventing them from making a coherent speech, or saying incantations correctly.

She clicks her tongue in annoyance, standing up after nodding to the head of her house, signaling that she is fine and is still able to duel. She made a show of dusting her skirt a cloak, then making her way towards the center of the stage once again.

Snape looks rather pleased with himself, much to the annoyance of James and Sirius. If looks could kill, the Slytherin would be dead from the moment he set foot on stage.

“Wands at the ready!” Professor Slughorn says, the two students immediately had their wands up, waiting for the signal. A beat has passed, then two. “Begin!”

“Immo-” Snape could himself ascend from the ground before he can even finish talking.

Wordlessly, (Y/N) blasted him a spell that sent him flying out the ground. A shout escapes his lips until his body roughly slams down to the ground with a loud thud. A sound of ‘oohh’ escapes most of the audience while James and Sirius lets out a victorious ‘yeah!’

It takes a few seconds for Snape to snap out of it, tapping Professor Slughorn’s arm when the former offered his hand out to help. To say that Snape is completely taken aback is an understatement, because how the hell did (Y/N) know how to use wordless magic before him? That requires intense concentration, skill, and proper technique.

A muggleborn besting him at something? And humiliating him in front of everybody in this room? No, that is not acceptable.

Snape’s face contorts again into that ugly face he likes to show as he sends furious spell after spell again after the signal. However, unlike the beginning, (Y/N) didn’t only counter spells, she also started sending one of her down.

Students watch in awe at the two who looks like they are fencing with the way they both take steps forward and back, symbolic of a dangerous dance the two are tangled in. The new-comers think that these are the two most eloquent and dangerous students in the org. However, older students will tell you that this is the first time someone lasts this long in a wordless duel, let alone a sixth-year student. A pretty impressive feat that not even older witches and wizards have mastered, yet alone confident enough to perform it.

Here is (Y/N) Evans, going from a mediocre duelist to being one of the best in school. A muggle born who struggles to think and recite spells during duels is now blasting magic left and right as if it was as easy as breathing. No word or sound escapes her as she continues shooting spells left and right before ending the duel.

“Yeah! Yeah! Kick his ass!” Marlene and Dorothy shouts from the back.

(Y/N)’s lets out a jet of water, not enough to take Snape down but enough to push him back and lose balance. His mouth then starts bubbling up with soap as she uses scourgify (to which James and Sirius laughs loudly at) before bandages wraps itself around the head out of thin air, effectively blinding him and covering his mouth. Snape’s hand went to his face in a panic to claw the bandages away from his face and spit out the putrid taste of soap in his mouth, yet he is unable to when (Y/N) turns her body to gain momentum for the spell, throws her wand out, sends the final blow, immobilizing him and sending his paralyzed form down the ground.

His body falls down the floor with a thud. The room is silent, then booming cheers fills the room.

(Y/N) hums at the sight of Severus Snape on the ground, now currently being tended to by Professor Slughorn who is undoing the effects of her spells. She twirls her wand around her finger twice before tucking it into her pocket, then facing the crowd with a grin and curtsying for them.

Professor Flitwick claps his hand, congratulating his student with a tap on her hand. “Well done my dear! I see you’ve been working on what I taught you. Hurry along now to Madame Pomfrey, get that spell of yours fixed with an antidote.”

The said girl hums and nods her head in agreement before bouncing down the steps, feeling much more better and preppy than this morning.

(Y/N) meets the awestruck faces of James and Sirius whose jaws are open in shock along her way, shooting them a teasing smirk and a wink. She pass by them with an air of arrogance she rarely sports, but she’s proud of herself this time. Basking in the attention of heads turning towards her with stars and envy in their eyes.

They continue watching the girl as she walks towards the door with a bounce on her step, hands out in a girly way, and hips subtly swaying from side to side with the crowd parting their way for her.

James feels a shiver down his spine as he witness the raw power and skill she has. Now all too aware that she can kick his ass anytime if he ever pushes her or her sister again. “I’m gonna be nice to her now.”

“Yeah? You do that,” James turns his attention to his best mate. Rolling his eyes at the love struck gaze he still holds after the woman exits through the door, eyes still fixated on it.

“I’m gonna marry her.”

note: idk why, I sat down for three days straight and started writing this. It's originally a series, but I don't know if you guys would like it.

[andillneverbethesame]

hi! my first req so i apologise if it's incredibly awkward >.< saw you were looking for ts x hp requests and i would love to see 'mine' with james, if possible? tysm!! <3

𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.

❥ pairings; james potter x fem!reader

❥ summary; after a failed marriage of your parents, your views on love are pessimistic. however, a certain handsome waiter makes you believe in it again.

❥ warnings; muggle au

❥ a/n; this is so bad n short but i have a writer's block so i'm sorry yall :(

"and what can i get you?" the waiter turned to you and gave you a smile he didn't give your friend.

you weren't stupid. you knew this boy— james — was flirting with you. you knew this since the very first time you walked into this café and he was there. but you had to act clueless. you didn't want to give him a chance just to get your heart shattered.

"cappuccino would be good," you said with a small smile. it was the kind of smile that shouldn't get his hopes high.

he nodded and winked at you. "i'll be right back."

your friend dorcas elbowed you harshly in the ribs and you let out a groan of pain.

"what was that for?"

she placed her hands on your shoulders and started shaking with you.

"wake up! that bloke's totally into you!"

you slapped her hands away. "well, i know that!he's not being really secretive about it."

"then why aren't you flirting back? he's really handsome, i'd totally go for him if he was a girl."

you rolled your eyes. "he probably just wants to get into my pants anyway."

"he's been flirting with you for weeks! if he really only wanted to sleep with you, it would already happen."

you didn't respond to that because james was back with your order.

you looked up and thanked him and he gave you that smile again, not even bothering to glance at dorcas before walking away.

when he was gone and dorcas started talking about her new job, you noticed a piece of paper on the small plate under your cup.

you furrowed your eyebrows and read it.

call me;

his number was scribbled bellow.

mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine

when you got home that day, you placed the piece of paper on your bedside table and stared at it. you wondered all afternoon and evening if you should call him and give him a chance or not.

as you were lying in bed, trying to fall asleep with that handsome waiter in your mind, you thought about it all.

you hated to admit it but your heart did in fact skip a beat when he smiled or winked at you and you really wanted to see that more often and not only in the café.

before you knew what you were doing, you propped on one of your elbows and reached for the piece of paper and your phone.

you dialed it, your heart beating fast and your palms getting sweaty.

it was only after one ring you heard his voice.

"hello?"

you opened your mouth but no sound was coming for about a second before you managed to stutter, "h-hi..."

he must have recognised your voice because the next thing he said was, "thank god, i was already thinking i made a complete fool out of myself!"

you let out a small laugh. "no, not at all. i'm sorry i'm calling this late but i had a lot of things to...consider."

you imagined him nod even though you couldn't see it.

"no, that's completely alright. i'm very glad you called. . ." when you didn't say anything, he continued, "this is the part where you say your name."

your eyes widen. "oh, right! sorry. my name's y/n."

"y/n," he repeated. "pretty name for a pretty girl."

it was cliche and you knew it but it made you blush anyway.

"i was wondering if you wanted to. . maybe grab a coffee or go to the cinema or something."

you smiled. "i'd like anything."

"okay! it's a surprise then. how about i pick you up tomorrow at four?"

you quickly thought if you have any plans for tomorrow at four but you knew if there were any, you'd cancel them.

"yes, sounds great. i'll text you the adress."

"awesome!" even though you couldn't see him, you swore you heard a smile in his voice. "all settled then. see you tomorrow, y/n."

"see you, james. goodnight!"

"goodnight."

mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine

the next day at four, just as he promised, james's car was outside your flat building.

you practically ran out of the door and soon regretted to giving into dorcas pleads to wear dress when it was almost autumn already but you didn't want to go back to change now that james saw you.

he got out of his car and like a true gentleman he opened the door for you.

"hi!" he beamed when you reached him. "you look beautiful."

blood rushed into your cheeks. "thank you. you don't look bad yourself."

to say james was good looking would be an incorrent statement. he was so goddamn beautiful with his black curls in his eyes and you didn't regret anything.

you got into the passenger's seat and james got into his driver's one.

"ready to go?"

you nodded.

mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine

the whole way to wherever james was taking you, you both spend it by saying the most basic things about yourselves. you found out he's a college student and he plays rugby and that he'd like to be a professional rugby player in the future and at that moment you decided you were going to watch his nearest game to surprise him.

you yourself talked quite a lot during the care ride which was unusual because you only talked a lot with people close to you.

you arrived at a lake you haven't been at before. it was surrounded by forest and grass. as you were looking around, james pulled out a blanket and a picnic basket out of the car. when you turned back to him, the blanket was laid on the grass by the water and james finished pulling out all the food he brought. you suddenly realised that he must have remembered everything you ever ordered because that's what was lying on the blanket; all your favorite donuts, croissants, ice creams...

"wow," you gasped quietly.

you started to believe for the first time.

mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine

"can you believe it?" you said, looking up at james from your place on his chest.

you two were lying on his couch in his flat just minutes after your first fight. it was a silly one, you knew it but you still were surprised it didn't end up with you slamming the entrance door of his flat.

he chuckled. "i do." he pressed his lips to the topof your head and intertwined his fingers with yours. "we'll never make your parents mistakes."

that was the most comforting sentence anyone could ever say to you and you thought, i can see it now.

mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine

flash forward and you and james were taking on the world together. you two went so far that you started sort of living together (you spent most of your time at his place and you couldn't remember the last time you were at yours).

your relationship with james was sky-high. you told him everything and you started to think he may already know you better than you knew yourself. it was scary at first but you soon realised it could be the best thing you had ever done.

however, even the best things come to end.

or so you thought.

you still remembered it. 2:30am, screaming at james because of something stupid but he didn't even raise his voice at you. he was completely calm and that was maybe what made you so angry.

you ran out crying out into the streets and the realization hit you harder than ever. James was trying to talk things out and all you did was shout and then ran out without giving him a chance.

you could feel an ache in your heart that you knew so very well.

was he going to leave me now?

your hands began to shake, the rain mixing with your tears as you began thinking of the worst scenarios ever; a future without james.

but that's when you saw him; he was running towards you with his hair wet and his shirt glued to his body.

he stopped in front of you, breathing heavily. he brought his hand to your face and you didn't flinch. you knew you didn't have to. he got some of your hair out of your face and looked straight into your eyes. he knew what you were thinking. he always did.

"i'll never leave you alone."

[v7lgar]

i believe bartylus was really toxic in a way they suffered a lot during it. they had fights, they fucked a lot instead of solving their problems, it was like playing with fire all the time. neither of them win in any argument, they always ended up in bed and it eventually drained them really fast and then they had an awful break up, trying to stay as friends but neither of them was in the right mindset. evan, pandora and dorcas + james played a big role in trying to gain their friendship back. evan was barty's rock whereas james was the person who caught regulus while he was falling in a pit of madness.

james grounded regulus, he taught him how to love and how to talk. he didn't let regulus when he tried to avoid a fight or trying to fuck instead of fighting. he made him sit down and even yelled at him saying "i don't care if you cry or scream at me. you are not leaving this room until we solve this problem." he was persistent, regulus was stubborn as fuck. he didn't think talking would do any good but it did and he saw it. james gained his trust and earned his love bit by bit, he didn't shy away when regulus started shit talking to him to make him give up. he didn't give up, he shout back but he made his point across in the end. the way he never give up on regulus made him stay. regulus learned how to talk, learned to communicate. he learned to show his feelings more and be more open w them. it was hard and maybe it was always going to be hard but it didn't matter. he knew james was there and he was always gonna be there for him.

evan was the best person to heal barty. he was sneaky abt it, he even gaslighted barty into thinking "oh he is just in his usual self, i think i'm changing bcuz i suffered so much" when in fact evan was doing all the work. he knew forcing barty into anything would backfire any minute. he needed his insane friend and he got it. evan was there, in every room he stepped into and every places he went, evan was there and he always had his hand back on his shoulder. barty didn't even realize he was healing, he was learning to talk. evan did the all work yes, but after some time barty started to talk, he started to talk abt the things that mattered, the things that needed to be solved. he needed to move on from the things he held onto, and he did. it was painfully slow, he saw jegulus here and there. he heard abt them getting together and while they were trying to mend their friendship w regulus he still got hurt by them but it didn't stink like it would before. he counted on evan and he become the only clear thing in his crowded mind.

after some time it got better, bartylus got used to see each other w other people. they had to move on from each other, and they did. they couldn't do it together but at some point they still could manage to talk and got their closure. they promised each other they would never harm their friendship and they did that. they survived their relationship.

it was hard but it eventually passed and they moved on

[ilyregulus]

imgonnagetyouback – james potter x reader

summary: after a breakup your ex james starts posting to get your attention

warnings: social media au, female reader, y/n is portrayed as maia mitchell and james is portrayed as xolo maridueña.

note: it's been a while and i've been missing it so much that this one got a little bit long so tell me if you guys are up for part 2 :)

note²: got the plot from a pjo au i read those days ago, i lost the post but credits to that

liked by notsirius, ppettigrew, yn.yln and others

prongspotter: hello, i guess

comments:

notsirius: look who remembered his password

↪marlsmcknn: it's been a while right?

moonylupin: looking good prongs

↪prongspotter: not as good as you moony

↪notsirius: stop flirting with my man!!

ppettigrew: did you get me an ice cream too?

↪prongspotter: yes pete :)

lovelypandora: such a pretty post, james!

Direct Messages – marauders:

notsirius: did you guys also noticed yn in prongs' likes or...?

ppettigrew: i guess that's the whole reason why he decided to post

prongspotter: i'm not posting for her if that's what you meant

ppettigrew: wasn't that place her fav?

prongspotter: maybe? i don't really remember...

ppettigrew: if you say so

moonylupin: but are you okay with that?

prongspotter: why wouldn't i be?

notsirius: well...you did cried for like 2 weeks

prongspotter: that's in the past

notsirius: that was yersterday

prongspotter: who care about details? besides, we decided to be friends

moonylupin: good luck with that!

liked by moonylupin, bartyjr, marlsmcknn and others

prongspotter: i'll make you wanna think twice ;)

comments:

rosierevan: pls delete i'm afraid my boyfriend might fall in love

↪prongspotter: lol not what i had in mind when i posted this

↪bartyjr: and what did you had in mind?

↪notsirius: i'm with rosier

rablack: damn potter!!

↪justmary: right?

marlsmcknn: looking good cap!

lilyevans: wow jamie!!

moonylupin: i know what you're doing

↪prongspotter: being hot?

Direct Messages – valkyries + remus:

justmary: with all due respect but james' looking fucking hot

itsdorcas: right?

yn.yln: and i'm about to kill him

lovelypandora: for looking hot?

marlsmcknn: i think is more likely that he's the one killing you

yn.yln: oh shut up

yn.yln: can't you all see what he's doing?

yn.yln: besides being hot i mean

moonylupin: you gave him that keychain, haven't you?

yn.yln: i fucking did moony!!! i have a matching one

moonylupin: that's what i thought

lilyevans: oh i see it now...

itsdorcas: and that caption? well...

yn.yln: THANK YOU DORCAS

yn.yln: thought i was seeing things

marlsmcknn: it looks like he's trying to get you back girl

yn.yln: guess i'm okay with that

prongspotter storie:

replies:

yn.yln: you're unbelievable

prongspotter: thanks, love

yn.yln: not a compliment

prongspotter: go on, it's okay, you can say i look hot

yn.yln: maybe a little

prongspotter: maybe a lot

yn.yln: maybe

liked by itsdorcas, prongspotter, lilyevans and others

yn.yln: i can tell when somebody still wants me

comments:

marlsmcknn: girl you're killing it

↪yn.yln: told you i would

lovelypandora: omg give me a chance

moonylupin: nice move!

↪yn.yln: i don't know what you're talking abt

notsirius: black suits you well

↪yn.yln: are you flirting with me?

itsdorcas: giiiirl i love you!!!

prongspotter: are you trying to say something?

↪yn.yln: who knows?

↪bartyjr: WHAT THE HELL

↪rosierevan: something's happening...

yn.yln storie:

replies:

prongspotter: are you serious?

yn.yln: what do you mean?

prongspotter: that's our spot

yn.yln: if i remember well you were the first to post something here

prongspotter: not the point

yn.yln: so what's the point honey?

prongspotter: can you meet me for lunch?

liked by lovelypandora, justmary, yn.yln and others

prongspotter: when do flowers bloom?

comments:

lovelypandora: aesthetic king!!

rab: looking very much romantic

notsirius: since when do you like flowers that much?

↪prongspotter: since yersterday

yn.yln: wow cutie, are you single?

↪marlsmcknn: YOU GO GIRL

↪ppettigrew: i wasn't ready for that

↪itsdorcas: james can you fight?

↪yn.yln: calm down you guys, we are friends :)

↪prongspotter: yep, just friends!

Direct Messages – valkyries + remus:

moonylupin: so tell me, when do flowers bloom?

lilyevans: lol you really came for that gossip

justmary: but he's right thought, we all wanna know

lovelypandora: give us the tea girl

yn.yln: there's nothing to know

yn.yln: i don't know when do flowers bloom if that's the question

marlsmcknn: that's not

moonylupin: yeah, that's not

moonylupin: tell us, are you seeing james again?

moonylupin: do you wanna get back together?

moonylupin: are you in love with him giirl?

itsdorcas: what's going on with you remus?

yn.yln: yes deeply in love remus

yn.yln: in fact i'm thinking abt making babies with him tonight

yn.yln: you're acting so weird

marlsmcknn: guess he's drunk

marlsmcknn: but were you being serious?

moonylupin: yes bestie, were you being serious?

moonylupin: because i am

moonylupin: i am sirius actually

justmary: you what??

moonylupin storie:

replies:

yn.yln: you fucking bastard

yn.yln: give the phone back to remus

moonylupin: but are you in love with prongs?

yn.yln: NOW SIRIUS

moonylupin: fine, fine

liked by rosierevan, justmary, marlsmcknn and others

yn.yln: music date with my girl marlsmcknn

comments:

marlsmcknn: i love youuuu

↪yn.yln: i love you more!!!

lilyevans: queens!

↪notsirius: no, it's abba

↪moonylupin: you need to stop

rosierevan: what a duo!!!!

prongspotter: that should be me

(this comment was deleted)

↪ppettigrew: I SAW THAT

↪rablack: so did i

prongspotter: i love abba!

↪prongspotter: and you look cute!

↪prongspotter: so do you marls!

↪marlsmcknn: this is getting so hard to watch...

prongspotter storie:

replies:

yn.yln: i'm sorry james but i don't think we can be friends

prongspotter: what? why not?

prongspotter: is it because of the flowers?

yn.yln: no, the flowers were lovely

prongspotter: so? i don't get it

yn.yln: it's because you're fucking hot potter

prongspotter: oh

prongspotter: i guess we can fix that

yn.yln: can we?

prongspotter: yes, i'm gonna get you back ;)

[bimoonphases]

@wolfstarmicrofic May 1 - prompt 1: Accidental Eavesdropping [word count 487]

“Come on, Remus,” Lily nudged him with her foot. “Tell me.”

Remus opened one eye, narrowing it under the bright spring sun barely shielded by the tree they had settled under, not too far from the banks of the lake.

“Why? You hate him.”

“I don’t,” Lily waved her wand in the air. “Do I think Black is as obnoxious as Potter? Yes. Do I wish them harm? Only occasionally. Do I judge your pining after Black? Of course no, it wouldn’t be nice of me. Besides, it’s not like you actively chose to have a crush on him.”

Remus chuckled and looked at the banks of the lake, where May lay sprawled in the sun and Marlene sat with her feet in the water, quite blatantly eying Dorcas Meadowes who had left her group of Slytherin friends behind and was now swimming in lazy strokes not too far from them.

No, he definitely hadn’t chosen to fall for Sirius Black. Of course, he didn’t agree with Lily’s opinion of him or James but that was because she had never gotten to experience the fierce loyalty the both of them were capable of. Lily didn’t know about his furry little problem, as Sirius called it, and the lengths to which the Marauders had gone to help him and stand by his side. Still, she was right about him not actively choosing to have a crush on Sirius fucking Black of all people. Who in their right mind would subject themselves to endless pining after the handsomest guy in their year, always popular, always the centre of attention, always with a cohort of girls following him around.

“I don’t have a crush on Sirius,” he sighed.

“Right,” Lily rolled her eyes. “And Dumbledore has notoriously cropped hair.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Remus forced himself to look into Lily’s green eyes. “I think I’m in love with him.”

“Oh,” Lily stared back at him. “Oh, shit.”

She twirled her wand between her fingers and opened her mouth again in the same moment a loud crack came from above them. In the following second they managed to move away before a huge branch fell between them, along with a tangle of limbs and robes. Remus stared, recognising the human-shaped tangle on the grass.

“Pete said it would end up like this…” James’s voice groaned, half-muffled by Sirius’s stomach.

“Yeah, well, we never listen to him,” Sirius’s voice answered from the grass, a bit clearer.

“What the fuck, Potter?”

Lily had gotten to her feet and was glaring at them.

“Alright, Evans?” James managed to smile as he removed Sirius from his chest.

“You could’ve killed us! And you were eavesdropping on a private conversation!”

Remus felt his cheeks heat up as Sirius managed to sit up, the echo of his declaration of love still ringing in his ears.

“Come on, Evans…” James raised his hands in an appeasing motion.

“Fuck no!” Lily pointed her wand at him. “You’d better run.”

For once, James did as he was told and scrambled to his feet, ending up running along the bank with Lily on his heels.

“You arsehole!”

“It was innocent, Evans, I swear!”

“Bullshit!”

Remus grimaced at the thought of what ugly spell-induced boils he would have to remove from James’s face later on and turned away from the scene, coming face to face with a grinning Sirius, still sprawled on the ground in that annoyingly elegant way of his even if he had literally just fell out of a tree.

“So…” Sirius cocked his head. “How about Hogsmeade next weekend, just the two of us?”

Remus’s heart skipped a beat.

“You mean like… a date?” he managed to whisper.

“Yes, unless you were lying to Evans about your feelings for me.”

“I wasn’t,” Remus forced himself to say. “But I didn’t think…”

He saw Sirius’s cheeks redden, and his grin soften.

“I just didn’t think you’d ever like me this way,” he said. “I thought you’d go for someone calmer, less… chaotic. I mean, I’m always around causing some mischief or trying to get a party together.”

“Yeah, that’s probably why,” Remus smiled.

He saw Sirius hesitate then he leaned slightly forward, carefully putting his hand over his.

“So… Can I take you out on a date to Hogsmeade?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Remus nodded, his heart pounding in his head. “Definitely.”

[alwaysanundertone]

Love can be overwhelming | poly! marauders x reader

angst

word count: 1.4 k

CW: mention of abusive household

tag list: @reggieswriter @call-me-mishi @moonyxoxo

part 1, part 2, part 3

Losing a Quidditch game usually resulted in James and Sirius taking their anger out on you, which you didn’t mind at all, but today was different. This time, Remus wasn’t going to leave you with the boys, Sirius was clearly upset with you, and James was probably going to be pissed for the loss.

You took a deep breath, taking Remus’s hand in yours and going straight to your dorm, waiting for your other boyfriends. You were pacing the room in front of Remus, the anxiety eating you alive; what you hated the most was the fact that you knew for sure that Sirius was mad at you.

“I’m an awful person, Rem, I couldn’t give Siri the attentions he needed when he was in pain“

“That’s right, you didn’t!” Sirius entered your room, James behind him. “I thought that being in a polyamorous relationship meant that I could count on three people when I was sad, instead you left me with poor James, do you want to stop this relationship now? So that you and Remus can go live happily ever after?! What the fuck, Y/N”

You felt your breath quicken, you knew that if he kept this up, you were going to break. “Sirius, you have to understand that- “

“No! None of that, I don’t want to hear it! You know what, Y/N? You’re just as heartless as everybody says, I was just too blind to see how the rumours were true.” You felt a pang to your chest, you knew that Sirius didn’t mean what he was saying, but it hurt you still. You spent your whole life battling against the fact that you usually didn’t know how to show love to the people you cared about, but you thought you’ve been good to them, you thought that all your efforts were seen. “You don’t give a fuck about other people’s wellbeing; you didn’t even ask me what happened! If we lost today, it was all your fault, you’re a self-centred-“

“Knock it off, Black. You don’t get to treat her like that! Just because your family is treating you like shit doesn’t mean you have to make everybody else feel what you’re feeling.”

“Remus, you’re the one to talk” You whipped your head in James’s direction. “You are the reason behind this mess, if you could control your stupid instincts everything would have been fine, and we’d be here celebrating our victory”

He scoffed. “Yeah, because it’s my fault if you both suck at Quidditch, isn’t it?” They kept on bickering, but you weren’t listening to them anymore, your mind too focused on Sirius words. You hated yourself for not being enough for them, maybe Dorcas was right, maybe you should have thought about it before diving headfirst in a poly relationship; you weren’t even sure if you were made for a relationship, period.  

“What, Y/N, too focused on yourself to care about our feelings?”

You decided you had enough, you needed time to think, and Sirius anger wasn’t helping you at all. “You know what? Yes, I am, because the ones who were supposed to love me just treated me like everybody else. So go fuck yourself, next time you’ll need me, I’ll be gone” You stormed off their dorm, running to your room and casting a spell, leaving them behind.

As you were about to start sobbing, Dorcas entered the room, sighing as she saw you on your bed. “You were right, Cas, maybe I’m not made for a relationship”

She shook her head, hugging you tightly. “Shh, don’t think about it now, okay? Tomorrow you’ll have time to process all of this, now you just have to rest.” She started scratching your back, singing a lullaby, and you found yourself falling in a deep slumber.

“Hey, Y/N” You mumbled something, covering your face with the duvet. “Y/N. It’s 2 P.M., you have to start studying”

That made you sit up so quickly, you felt dizzy. “Shit, the test” How could  you be so dumb?  Sacrificing all of the work you put to ace this test for a stupid fight was really pathetic, even for you.

“Yeah, the test, listen I finished your notes and made you some flashcards, now you just have to start studying, but first you should eat-“

The idea of seeing the marauders made you physically ill. “I don’t want to go-“

“Yes, I know, I brough you some food” She shook a paper bag in front of you. The fact that she spent her morning doing your work and even brought you food made you feel really close to crying, and she noticed it. “Nope, no more crying. I know you, you’re about to thank me, don’t do that! I’m your best friend, I love you and this is nothing, okay? I just want you to be happy, and I know you will feel like shit if you don’t pass this test. So, start studying, okay?” She kissed the top of your head. “I got to go, Marlene’s waiting for me. Love you, bye!”

She left you on the bed, staring at the now closed door.

You looked at the sandwich: she knew you too well, if she didn’t bring you food you wouldn’t have eaten, but since she brought it to you, you felt guilty.

You pulled out your flashcards and started eating, you could be heartbroken, but you wouldn’t allow yourself to fail for your stupid feelings.

Meanwhile, Sirius just woke up. His head was feeling heavy, but most of all, he was regretting every single thing he said to you. Deep down, he knew that you were just trying to be there for everyone, and that it wasn’t an easy task. Remus didn’t control his instincts; he couldn’t blame him for being clingy.

“Someone’s decided to grace us with his presence” The werewolf was looking down at him, his brows furrowed: he knew that look, he was mad.

“I’m so, so sorry” And just like that came the tears. Remus was stubborn, but if there was something that made him cave, that was his lovers’ tears, so he hugged him close to his chest. “I was awful to you yesterday, Y/N is going to leave us, I know it, and I hate to be the one to do this to you. If you want to leave me I will understand”

James scoffed. “Leave you? You really think we are this heartless? We know you didn’t want to act like that, Sirius. We just want to know what is happening, and then we’ll go and apologize to Y/N”

Remus scratched his head. “Thing is, I don’t know how we will get to her. I went to her room earlier and Cas was about to physically fight me”

“She won’t fight us, Rem, for God’s sake we’re Y/N’s boyfriends, she can’t stand between us. Back to you, Sirius, can you tell us why you acted that way?”

The long-haired man sighed. “It’s just- You know how awful the relationship with my family is, and I know it’s wrong but when I get their letters I don’t want to talk about it, I just expect everyone to know how I’m feeling and what to do about it. So, when she wasn’t there for me this time, I lashed out. Rationally, I know that Remus wasn’t being clingy because he didn’t want to share her, but because he gets super protective during the full moon. I hate myself for treating her that way, for using her weakness against  her, but I didn’t know how to communicate how I was feeling, so I just took my anger out on her, in the wrong way” He chuckled sadly. “If I was her, I’d break up with me.”

James shook his head. “She’s too good for her own good, Sirius, you know she won’t ever leave you. But we’ll have to talk it out, you know? You’ll have to be vulnerable, and I know  it’s difficult, but you’ll have to try for us”

Sirius nodded, everything for you. James pulled out the map, but as soon as he saw your name, gasped.

“What? What have you seen?”

“Y/N is in the infirmary” They exchanged a look, running out of their dorm room.

[marauder-misprint]

Charms

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Sirius Black x Fem!Slytherin!reader

1.5k words

cw: fluff

After lunch, you had a free period. You had gotten comfortable in a bay window with a book and it didn’t take long for one of Hogwarts’ strays to find you. You had started with just absentmindedly petting it, but then it curled up in your lap and fell asleep. You both loved and hated how content it looked snoozing away. You groaned when the bells chimed to signal the end of the period. You couldn’t move, not with a sleeping cat in your lap. How could you disturb its rest? 

You sigh. At least it’s only Charms. You accept your position and continue to read. You’re certain that Pandora or Dorcas will take notes when they notice you’re not there. If worse comes to worst, you could see if Evan or anyone else has notes. Or you could have Dorcas ask Marlene for Lily’s notes. Staying with the cat seemed more acceptable with each person you added to the list of possibly having notes. For all you know, Professor Flitwick could be reviewing a spell you’ve already mastered and you’d be bored out of your mind anyways. Yes, staying here and letting the small creature remain unbothered was okay. 

Sirius, who had gotten better at sneaking glances at you during the classes you shared, notices right away when you aren’t in your seat next to Pandora when Charms starts. As much as he wants to point it out to his friends and get their opinions on where you might be, he doesn’t. If he did, he’d endure more teasing about “still being intrigued” by you. He was. He just doesn’t want to deal with his friends right now. 

Despite knowing you aren’t there, Sirius continues to glance toward Pandora throughout the class. He also looks at the door. He’s hoping you’ll walk in with some excuse for being late, but you never do. Sirius has never found it so difficult to pay attention in class. He really hopes that his friends don’t notice him scanning the room and ask him what he’s looking for. Still intrigued. He wasn’t sure if this intrigue was developing into something more. Interest. More than interest. He felt a need to get to know you better. To get you to like him. You were a dog person after all. You should like him. 

After class, rather than heading straight to his next lesson, he looks around the corridors a bit. He’s looking for you, but if anyone dared to ask, he would claim to be looking for a dropped quill or something. Is a quill a believable thing to be searching for? If he dropped an ink pot, that would break. Maybe a misplaced textbook? He’s still thinking of possible excuses for what he was looking for when he spots the real thing: you. Your hair seems to glow in the sunlight from the window where you’re sitting, book in hand and cat in lap. Of course you had an animal with you.

“Ah, there you are!” Sirius exclaims, strolling toward you. “You missed Charms!”

You tilt your head, looking up at the voice. 

“Have you come to give me your notes?”

“Do I look like I take notes?”

“No, but looks can be deceiving.”

A crooked smile appears on his face. 

“And how do I look, darling?” He strikes a pose, earning an eye roll from you.

“Like a pompous arse who doesn’t have notes to offer me?”

“Hmm, not the answer I was going for.”

You snort a laugh, which slightly disturbs the cat still sleeping in your lap but it adjusts and falls right back asleep.

“What do you want to hear? Oh, Sirius, you’re so dreamy and fit and charming and dashing,” you say in your falsetto.

Sirius laughs and leans against the wall near your feet. 

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Then go find your fan club. They’ll tell you that.”

You turn back to your book, hoping he’ll leave. He doesn’t.

“Are you not in my fan club?” he asks, tapping your shoe with his finger. 

“No. Never have been,” you say. Your eyes are glued to the pages of your book. 

“It’s always accepting new members.”

You look up at Sirius with an annoyed look, which softens quickly when you see Regulus approaching from behind him. 

“Reggie!” you call with a wave.

Sirius spins around, coming face to face with his brother.

“Sirius,” Regulus greets his brother coldly. His tone warms when he looks back to you. “I have bad news for you.”

You groan. “It’s formal?”

He nods and Sirius looks confused.

“What’s formal?”

“You’re still coming, right?” Regulus asks you, his eyes pleading you to say yes. “Please?”

“Yes, I’m still coming,” you say and his face lights up. “But! You’re coming dress shopping with me.”

His face falls. “Why?”

“Because I’m not taking Dorcas or Pandora.”

“What do you need a dress for?” Sirius asks. 

His interest in whatever his brother has invited you to is growing. What event was Regulus taking you to that you needed to wear a dress? He was amused that you would be dragging his brother shopping for said event. That unnerving feeling that he had in his stomach a few days ago outside returned as he thought of you twirling in a dress in front of Regulus for his opinion. 

Regulus shot Sirius an annoyed look, as if saying it wasn’t any of his business. 

“Just a Slug Club thing,” you say, waving your hand dismissively at Sirius. “So, Reg, we’ll go to Hogsmeade this weekend, yeah?”

Sirius didn’t wait for Regulus’ answer. He left you two with his mind spinning on how he could be invited to this Slub Club thing. Who did he know that was in Slug Club and would likely not already have a date picked out? 

“Yeah, this weekend works,” Regulus says. He pauses as he turns to see how far away Sirius had gone. “Why was he here?”

You shrug. “Don’t know. Thought he was maybe going to offer me notes for Charms, but no.”

“You were here all period, weren’t you?” he asks, eying the sleeping cat.

“Little thing is just so comfortable. You can’t blame me!”

“You’re unbelievable sometimes, you know that, right?”

“It was just Charms!” you exclaim. 

“And you skipped it.”

“Yes, I did.”

“What do you have next?”

“Transfiguration…”

Regulus gives you a small smile before he scoops up the cat. It chirps with wide eyes at the sudden movement. He gently places it on the ground and it runs away. 

“Come on,” he says, grabbing your hands. “Let’s get you to Transfiguration.”

“But!”

“No buts! As your friend, I can’t let you skip classes all day because a cat was sleeping.”

“Regulus,” you whine.

“I won’t hear it,” he says definitively. “You’ll thank me later.”

“Doubtful,” you grumble but now that you’re standing, you let Regulus lead you to your next class. 

---

It hits Sirius after dinner when he’s in the Gryffindor Common Room. Lily is in Slug Club. Despite all of James’ attempts, she is very single and likely needs a date to the party. She could be his way in. He was fairly certain he hadn’t seen her buddying up to any guy recently. He approaches the table where she’s sitting with Mary and Marlene. He puts a genuine smile, hoping it helps his cause.  

“Evans! You know how we’re best friends, yeah?” 

“Words never used to describe us, but go on,” Lily laughs as she looks up from her homework. 

“I’ve decided that I’ll be your date to Slughorn’s party.”

She looks at him with a confused expression.

“You’ve decided?”

“Yes.” 

“And you want to go to that?”

“Yes.” 

“Do I want to know why? Usually people not in Slug Club are more than glad not to go,” she says.

He presses his hands on the table and leans forward. “I just need to be there.”

“Need to, huh? Would you behave?”

“Yes!”

“I don’t believe you, Black.”

“What would I even do?”

“I don’t know. Prank Severus or something stupid.”

“I thought you didn’t like him anymore,” Sirius says, his brows scrunching together in confusion.

“I don’t,” Lily says pointedly. “But that doesn’t mean I want my guest at Slughorn’s party to be causing a scene. It’s my image on the line.”

“I promise I’ll be on my very best behavior.” SIrius looks around the common room. “I swear it on Remus’ books, James’ broom, Peter’s wizards’ chess and my hair.”

“You almost have to say yes now,” Mary says with a giggle. “He swore on his hair and I want to see what happens when he fucks it up.”

“I won’t!” he asserts. 

“I suppose it saves me from actually asking someone… Alright, Black. You can come.” She pauses and looks Sirius up and down. “You know you have to dress up, right?”

He nods and smiles at her. “That’s part of why I need to go.”

Lily exchanges glances with Marlene and Mary as Sirius returns to where his friends are gathered near the fire. 

“You’ll have to give us a play-by-play. Black needing to go to Sluggy’s party?” Marlene tells Lily. 

“Do you have any idea what that’s about?” Mary asks.

Lily shakes her head with a sigh. “No… I just hope I don’t regret it.”

tags: @2dloveshp, @yearninglustfully, @made-for-oliverwood, @ilovejamespottersomuch, @hisparentsgallerryy, @itsseaberri, @corawithfanfiction, @devilslittlehelper, @jllyunn, @barnes70stark

[danaewrites]

you with the dark curls (you with the watercolor eyes)

part ii: i wanna hear you speak to me

james potter x reader // read it on AO3

word count: 3.6k

summary: “Falling in love with your best friend was never a good idea, but you’d managed to do the idiot thing anyway, carrying a torch for a boy who would never look past Lily’s emerald eyes to see the watercolor ones that had always been by his side.”

tags: best friends to lovers, angst with a happy ending, based on the song "dear arkansas daughter" by lady lamb, fem!reader

author's notes: new year, new chapter! i started writing this one back in SEPTEMBER and finally had enough time away from the terrors of calculus homework to finish it. thanks for reading my story so far and i hope you enjoy this incredibly self-indulgent chapter, because i had way too much fun writing it!! i promise that the angst in this chapter *will* be resolved, but it was too deliciously tempting to resist sprinkling a wee bit of hurt/comfort and dramatics in there as well. sorry not sorry!

read it all here: part i, part ii, part iii (coming soon!)

“I’ve got no bloody clue how Dumbledore can be so energetic all the time,” you groaned, head in your hands as you peeked out at the headmaster’s more-than-slightly manic grin from your seat at the Gryffindor breakfast table. You were far too sleep-deprived to process his latest choice of garish attire: a bright chartreuse robe covered in plaid polka dots, topped off with what appeared to be rhinestones and tinsel attached to his beard.

Perhaps if Kettleburn hadn’t assigned you three feet of parchment on the seventeen glorious properties of dragon dung yesterday and expected it done by this afternoon, you might have appreciated the headmaster’s creative fashion choices– oh, who were you kidding. There really was no understanding that wizard, even properly rested. James and Peter had made a bet during fifth year on how long it’d take Dumbledore to crack under a constant deluge of pranks in his office, but they’d quickly realized that the man was too far gone to do anything but take inspiration for school events– an idea that was quite frankly, comically frightening, and the sort of thing you weren’t keen on pondering on a normal Tuesday morning.

Sirius wrinkled his nose sympathetically and slid the pile of raspberry jam tarts closer to you. “Late night in the library again?”

You nodded sheepishly, gratefully taking a pastry from the pile. “I honestly don’t know why Pince allows me to stay past curfew. Marauder’s luck, I guess?” Your attention was diverted by the sound of hoots and flapping wings as the morning owl brigade arrived, apparently choosing a kamikaze dive-bomb approach to deliver this morning’s newspapers. Ah, the joys of living at the world’s most advanced magical school.

Sirius, ever the epitome of grace, slipped under the table as a rogue owl zipped past, popping himself back up just enough to throw you finger guns. “Exactly right, doll, exactly right,” he grinned. “Trust me, Marauder’s luck gets you everywhere. And I mean everywhere,” he winked, sending you a lecherous smirk.

“Ew, Sirius, I don’t even want to know,” you sniffed. “I’ve learned my lesson after the mental trauma your tales of Dorcas’ birthday adventures inflicted upon my psyche. Please, spare me the details.”

“What? All I meant was Slughorn’s Christmas Party, of course!” He batted his eyelashes angelically, still partially covered by the tablecloth.

Your mouth gaped open in shock. “Last year’s Christmas party? Sirius Orion Black, I refuse to hear another word! What on earth would your ancestors think, with you bragging about such exploits-”

He leaned over, eyes wide with laughter. “No, I meant the one Slughorn is throwing on the 21st, it’s exclusively for us lucky seventh years this time. Although, you bring up some very fond memories… okay, okay, I’ll stop, don’t kick me–”

“What are we kicking Sirius for?” James slid onto the bench across from you, eyeing a groveling Sirius with interest. Peter joined him, but wisely chose to stay away from the ruckus, piling his plate high with the bacon the owls had spared. Remus was noticeably absent, spending the morning resting in the infirmary after a rough night of shifting– which you assumed was much more peaceful than the current chaos at the Gryffindor breakfast table.

“Oh! Good morning, Jamie,” you beamed up at him, passing him the plate of desserts you’d been protecting from Sirius’ nefarious advances. “Morning, dove,” he greeted you, and then paused. “Ha, get it? Morning dove?” He puffed up his chest smugly and nudged Sirius with his elbow in a futile effort to make him laugh. You huffed fondly at his antics. Boys.

Sirius rolled his eyes and took advantage of your momentary distraction, retreating back onto his seat to nurse his wounds– to your ever-growing delight (and Sirius’ woe), you had recently discovered that the Hogwarts girls’ uniform shoes were quite sharp. “At this point we should call you Lames. ‘Cause your puns are lame,” he muttered.

You shooed him away with a brush of your hand, remembering what Sirius had mentioned earlier. “According to Sirius, Slughorn’s hosting a Christmas Party again this year. Let’s pray it won’t be like the last one.” You muttered. James and Peter both looked vaguely ill at the prospect, shuddering in unison. “My tie will never look the same again,” Peter griped, but suddenly sat up straight in his seat. “Hey, wait, we’re finally old enough to bring dates to this one! Without sneaking them in, I mean.” 

Sirius snickered and lightly punched his shoulder. “Why, Petey, got some lucky girl in mind?” Peter reddened and glanced over at the Hufflepuff table, where a certain freckled blonde was chatting with her friends– a move that didn’t go unnoticed by James, who gave a delighted wolf-whistle. “You got a thing for Lucy Abbott, huh? Might want to make a move before Smith does,” he grinned, gesturing to the tall brunette boy who’d just arrived and sharing a knowing smirk with you. You giggled at Peter’s increasingly pouty expression; he’d figure out sooner or later that Smith was definitely not interested in Abbott– or witches in general– but it was entertaining to see him out of his comfort zone. Peter had always been the quietest of your little group, and you privately thought that a bit of momentary romantic angst might spur him to be more assertive. An ironic opinion, considering how your own love life revolved around the fact that your best friend had feelings for someone else… and you couldn’t do anything about it except mope.

Peter scowled. “Easy for you to say, Prongs, you’ve finally got precious Lily-flower wrapped around your finger. I bet you’ve already asked her!”

There it was: another reminder that James wasn’t yours, and never would be. You watched as the Gryffindor boys good-naturedly jostled his shoulder and tousled his curls. James grinned sheepishly, shrugging off their teasing. “Not yet,” he admitted, glancing hopefully at the end of the table, where Lily was chatting with her friends. 

Peter rolled his eyes. “Aw, come on, we all know she’ll say yes this year.” Sirius winced, looking at you out of the corner of his eye. Peter glanced at Sirius, drawn by the movement. “What’ve you got to worry about? Half the population would kill Dumbledore to get one dance with you. The only person who’s got to worry about a date is me– well, and maybe Y/n, I guess.” His face suddenly turned contemplative, looking you up and down. “Are you going with someone?” 

Sirius’ grimace became doubly pronounced at Peter’s tactlessness, and you felt your face heating up. Peter had a way of accidentally hitting on the issues others tried to hide. It wasn’t his fault he’d never heard about your trips to Hogsmeade with a paramour– in fact, none of the boys had. Because there hadn’t been any. You’d spent your entire time at Hogwarts pining after James, and as a result had missed the romantic milestones your classmates had already blissfully bragged about. 

Peter looked at you expectantly, waiting for a response, and you opened your mouth to confess your lack of experience when you spotted a familiar redhead walking gracefully towards your side of the table– to James, you realized with a start. Something within you ignited as you watched her glow with confidence, carefree and lovely as ever. Lily would never pine after someone uselessly; she knew she could get anyone she wanted with the right amount of banter and flirty gestures. You... Well, you weren’t there quite yet, but maybe it was time to take inspiration from the Muggle saying and ‘fake it til you make it’. And before you could think about what you were about to do, you turned to Peter and smiled coyly. “I might.”

James’ and Sirius’ heads snapped up immediately from their perusal of the breakfast lineup as they let out an identical murmur of surprise. “What?” James furrowed his brow, looking you up and down– seemingly trying to discern whether you had taken a holiday from your senses, most likely via Bludger-induced concussion at the last Quidditch match. Sirius merely raised a questioning eyebrow at you. You groaned internally, knowing that you’d have to explain yourself later… although, if your half-baked idea worked, you’d be spending a lot more time with him anyway. For now, you beamed innocently at both of them and took a sip of your pumpkin juice. Apparently, the Sorting Hat had placed you in Gryffindor for a reason- you were either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish to commit to this plan, but with Evans quickly approaching, you saw no other choice.

Peter looked momentarily shocked, then glumly began to assemble an egg and bacon sandwich seasoned with the occasional mutterance of “unfair” and “perpetually single, my arse”.

James’ eyes were still trained on you. “Who is it?” he asked, searching your face again as if he was looking for some indication that you were joking. You shrugged, trying to look casual. “I guess you’ll just have to find out, won’t you?”

“Dove-” he began, but Lily finally reached his seat and placed one stupidly perfect hand on his shoulder, diverting his attention momentarily. “Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but Professor McGonagall asked me to bring you to her office for Quidditch scheduling.” James blinked, glancing up at her and then at the rest of the table. He stood up and focused on you again, expression clouded. “I’ll see you in Potions, yeah?”

Sirius stood up quickly, ushering him out of his seat with a speed you’d only seen him use to gulp down cheap Firewhiskey. He gave you a significant look. “Actually, Y/n and I were just about to take a walk, isn’t that right? So we'll both see you in Potions, what a sublime coincidence, now don’t be late for your meeting–” he chattered on as he shoved James toward the doors of the Great Hall, the latter eyeing him suspiciously but moving nonetheless. Sirius turned to you and pointed to the courtyard entryway. “You. Me. Talk, as in right now.”

Once you were sure that you’d made it out of earshot of Peter and the rest of the Gryffindor table, you wheeled around to face him. “Okay. First of all… I didn’t plan that.” Sirius raised an eyebrow again. “Second of all, I need a favour,” you pleaded, staring up at him with the most adorable doe eyes you could physically summon. They were usually most effective on James, for some reason, but you were sure that Sirius wasn’t immune to your manipulation either. He groaned, resting his face in his hands. “How do you even have a date? Last time I checked, also known as yesterday, you were still head over heels for Prongsie, doll. So do I need to check you for Amortentia or somethi–” He peered out from between his fingers with annoyed realization. “You don’t have a date, do you.” 

You blinked innocently up at him. He let out a long-suffering sigh and ran his hands through his hair. “This is what you need the favour for? You want me to go with you to Slughorn’s party so you can pretend in front of the rest of Hogwarts that you’re not madly in love with Jamie?” 

You grinned confidently up at him and slung an arm around his shoulders. “Aw, Siri, you know me so well. It’s almost as if you were maaaade to be my date for the party...” You fluttered your eyelashes up at him one more time for good measure, trying to hide a smirk. “Alright, alright, stop with the Bambi act, I’ll take you.” He scowled good-naturedly. “You know, this is going to ruin my dating pool for the next month.” 

You scoffed. “As if! If anything, you’ll just have more people fawning over you– temptation of the forbidden apple and all, you know.” 

Sirius brightened up considerably at this revelation. “Well, why didn’t you say so in the beginning, doll! I vote that we match in purple velvet, it does wonders for my complexion–”

You gave a very unladylike snort at the thought of you and Sirius swanning into the party in some sort of horrendous plum-coloured disco getup, and shooed him away towards the Potions classroom. That was an eyesore to imagine sometime when you weren’t about to get a headache from the dim dungeon lighting.

Slughorn greeted you and Sirius by directing you to the front of the classroom with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Oho, a pair of latecomers, I see!” He winked at you and Sirius in exaggerated motion. You winced as Snape jeered and nudged Malfoy, who was busy enjoying Flint’s crude gestures at you. Ugh, Slytherin boys. The worst of the lot. Their snickers were quickly stopped by James chucking a handful of powdered wormwood at their heads when Slughorn turned away, making Malfoy’s prized hair appear covered in soot. You shot him a grateful smile. 

“Since you two missed my initial remarks, let’s see if you can make it up by identifying today’s potion, hmm?” Slughorn gestured dramatically to a shimmering green brew in a cauldron next to his desk, cherry-coloured smoke curling off of the top invitingly. 

Sirius shot you a panicked look, clearly not expecting to be put in the academic spotlight, but you shook your head and stepped closer. You smelled something rich and incense-like, which meant that Bumburrel leaves were a key ingredient. And combined with the way the smoke was drifting lazily around your wrists, curling higher and higher… “Brew of Mandelian, sir. Used for sharpened acuity under times of pressure.”

Slughorn gave a delighted chuckle and clapped his hands. “Well then! Ten points to Gryffindor for paying attention in lectures!” He dismissed you and Sirius with a wave, moving on to explain the finer points of ingredient preparation to a very bemused George Goyle as you slipped into your usual seat beside James.

You worked in quiet harmony for a moment, methodically slicing and crushing the slippery beetles needed to give the brew its signature green colour while James handed you the insects. He broke the silence after six beetles (not that you had been counting or anything) with an awkward, “So… you have a, erm, date?”

You huffed, motioning for him to hand you the foul-smelling Moorish tubers next. “Honestly, James, is it that surprising?” He scratched the back of his neck, frowning. “Well, I– yeah, I guess.” he trailed off, seeing your expression. 

“The tubers, Jamie, thank you. I mean, you looked at me like I was a ghost back in the Great Hall!” You were decidedly not making eye contact with him, trying your best to focus on the slimy plants in front of you and not the fact that your best friend-slash-unrequited crush doubted your romantic potential. What a way to be humbled– and while covered in tuber juice, no less!

He huffed, running a hand through his already messy curls. “Come on, Y/n, it’s not like that. What did Sirius want to talk about in the Great Hall, anyway? You two looked… chummy.” 

You glared down at the copper slicing board. “Well, it’s none of your business how chummy we are, is it? I don’t interrogate you every time you converse with Peter. In fact, it’s rather expected that Sirius and I speak to one another on occasion, considering the amount of time we all spend together thanks to you.”

You moved to grab another tuber from the jar, but James reached out and grabbed your hand, forcing you to look at him. His hazel eyes were alight with frustration, a look you knew by heart thanks to the hours you’d spent tutoring him in History of Magic after he napped his way through the entire first semester. “Are you serious? You’re actually going with someone?”

“Please, Jamie, do enlighten me on whyever you think I couldn’t possibly get a date with my numerous and diverse charms,” you sniffed, hoping to Merlin that he would just leave the entire subject alone. 

“No, it’s–” he groaned, leaning back in his seat. “The other boys, they don’t know how– you’re so, I mean, just look at you!” he exclaimed, gesturing at you. He stopped, frowning to himself, looking more confused than before. He glanced over at Lily, expression becoming even more muddled, brow furrowed and hard to read to anyone but you. 

Your mouth parted in shock, and to your dismay you felt tears bubbling up again. You blinked fiercely, refusing to let him see you cry. James thought the issue was… your looks? You suddenly wanted to crawl under Slughorn’s desk and never come out again, except perhaps to find a shovel to dig your grave with. This was far, far worse than watching him transfigure chocolates for Lily every Valentine’s Day. Now you knew for a fact he didn’t find you attractive– thought other boys didn’t either, even! And the way he’d clearly mentally compared you to Lily after what he’d admitted… well. There was no recovering from that. Teenage boys could be dense, but Merlin, how you had wanted him to at least let you down gently. 

You wished you’d never opened your mouth to lie about having a stupid date in the first place, but you forced yourself to laugh and mutter something trite about how that could all be fixed with a couple glamour charms anyway so it really wasn’t an issue for the party, thank you very much. He looked even more confused, opening his mouth to respond, but Snape chose that moment to interrupt.

“Hey, Potter!” James turned to scowl at the greasy Slytherin as you thanked your lucky stars for Snape’s interruption (a rather disturbing thought– potentially a harbinger of an imminent apocalypse. You’d never thanked Snape before in your life and hoped to never do it again). “Here’s payback for earlier,” he smirked, checking that Slughorn had dozed off and the other students weren’t paying attention before whipping a mottled yellow bottle at James.

James’ carefully honed Quidditch reflexes kicked in and he quickly dodged the object, but as the vial soared up, up, past your carefully diced tubers, over James’ messy notes, it hit your arms and shattered. You flinched in pain, crying out as the glass shards embedded themselves in your arm and the congealing, repulsive liquid dripped down your hands and onto your thighs. James lunged towards you, but it was too late– the potion had already seeped into your skin, causing an awful sparking sensation. 

You gasped, grabbing onto the desk as the feeling bubbled upwards. “Jamie, I don’t– I don’t feel–” you stuttered, suddenly lightheaded, and you heard someone gasp as you began to taste something metallic. You absently touched your nose. Why was it so cold and wet? You had been so careful not to touch your face around those horrid tubers and oh, oh Merlin and Morgana what was that pain in your hands and legs, please no make it go away someone help me help me HELP

You vaguely registered someone whimpering in the background. It might have been you, but you weren’t entirely sure what was happening outside of the electric symphony of agony crescending in your nervous system. The pain built swirled flooded through until you weren’t sure where you ended and the potion began which was a funny thought because of course you were you, but you couldn’t remember who you were before this so you laughed but that really hurt, oh how that hurt no no no no no bad idea–  

“Fuck– no–” James? Was he here too?

You blinked– when did your eyes open?– and saw him reach for you, frantically pushing his dark curls off his forehead. Why would he do that? You loved his hair, even when you were feeling funny awful things from the potion. You felt his arms scoop under you, lifting you off your seat as he caught your head from falling back. You heard a door slam open, footsteps, darkness clouding your vision–

His voice. “Sweetheart, no– don’t do that, I need you to keep your eyes open.”

You blinked again, trying to focus on James’ face. He looked pale, jaw set and tensed like it was before his Quidditch games. Were you moving? You couldn’t tell whether James was walking or the hallways were walking around you. He glanced down again, exhaling with relief once he saw whatever he was looking for. “Yeah, just like that. Keep those pretty eyes focused on me, okay?” 

He thought your eyes were pretty? 

James gave a tight laugh. “Yeah, I think your eyes are pretty, dove. Hold on a bit longer, we’re almost there,” he choked out. 

Oh. Had you said that out loud?

But you thought– he had said something, before, you couldn’t remember now but it was important and it hurt–

Some part of you, deep where the potion hadn’t reached, had melted at his words. That part was tinged with pain, too, but in a different way, raw and honest and hopeful and all for him. Or maybe that was the potion, you were pretty sure witches weren’t supposed to melt unless they were green and lived somewhere much further west, but your thoughts on the whole process evaporated as you reached a white door and a woman and your words started to swirl until they melted too and everything went black.

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[mightbeimpossiblenotto]

Silver - Oct 14 - @rosekillermicrofic - 871 words - Warnings: none

Barty loved his job at Insidious Ink. He had always loved to draw, but he had no interest in recreating landscapes or detailing a portrait of someone. He liked to draw snakes, and skulls, and unrealistic eyeballs, and all kinds of other things. When he secured an apprenticeship with his local tattoo shop, he had already had several tattoos of his own on his skin. He was thrilled — the only thing that was better than pen and paper was ink and skin, in his opinion.

It was the first thing that he excelled at that he actually wanted to continue to do well. In school, everything came easily enough to him, but he didn’t want the good grades that came with learning if it meant his father only expected more of him. But his father resented tattoos, so it was something into which Barty could throw his whole self. He quickly became the best artist at that little shop, and one of the owners encouraged him to open his own studio.

Insidious Ink was opened only six months later; when Barty put his mind to something, he was determined to finish it. He hired a few of his own artists to work for him, a gorgeous woman named Dorcas whose line work was incredible, and a sullen young man fresh out of school named Regulus who excelled in florals and other plant work. In their free time, Barty taught them everything he learned from his mentors, and they quickly grew an unbreakable bond between the three of them.

The Rosier twins came in on a rainy Monday afternoon. The shop was quiet, only one girl getting tatted from Dorcas in the very back. She had been here a few times before in the past few months. Her name was Marlene, and this time she wanted a single line tattoo of a two women almost kissing. Dorcas seemed a little too interested when she was consulting with Marlene, which is why Barty sent them to the back. He didn’t need to see lesbians flirting while trying to get his work done, as cute as it usually tended to be.

When the two blondes, one man and one woman, entered the building, Barty and Regulus had been sketching out a few designs for clients they were consulting with via email. Regulus didn’t even look up when the bell over the door indicated their arrival, but Barty was trained like a dog to react. He sprung up out of his chair to greet them, but the words died in his throat when he took sight of them.

They were the two most beautiful people he had ever seen, especially the man. The woman was stunning, with long white-blonde wavy hair down to her lower back, braids twisting the face framing pieces back away from her eyes. She had lovely dark skin and bright grey eyes. Her smile was utterly dazzling.

But the sight of the man with her — who had to be her brother with the matching features — had Barty almost falling back onto his stool. He had the same dark skin and gorgeous eyes, the same sharp cheekbones and long nose. But his blond hair was in dreads, with silver cuffs adorning them, glinting in the fluorescent lighting in the tattoo shop. He had a lip piercing, a little silver hoop in his plush lower lip. His ears were pierced, too, with silver safety pins hanging from each of them. He had a hoop in his nose, a hoop sticking off his left eyebrow, studs over right brow.

Barty had never really been interested in piercings before. He certainly never had reason to get any himself, but seeing all of the silver glinting off this man, he was dying to know if he had any other metal anywhere else.

“Barty,” Regulus hissed behind him, bringing him out of his daydream about getting the man pantless in his shop. “They’re talking to you, answer them.”

“Huh?” Barty said rather eloquently, and sure enough, the two blondes had approached the desk, and were waiting for his response. “I mean — Welcome to Insidious Tattoos. What can I help you with?”

The woman just blinked at him, unconcerned with his odd behavior, but the corners of the man’s mouth were twitching as if he were hiding a smile.

“I’m Pandora,” the woman introduced. “This is my brother, Evan. We would each like to get a tattoo today, but they will be different.”

“What exactly are you looking to get done?” Regulus asked for Barty, because he was still staring at Evan’s mouth.

“I would like three red spider lilies,” Pandora said, “to represent those close to me who have passed.”

“The death flower,” Regulus said softly, then he stepped forward to speak to Pandora directly. “My work is mostly florals. Would you like to take a look?”

Regulus led her off to a table used for consultations with clients, leaving Barty alone with Evan.

“And what are you looking for?” Barty asked, trying not to stare at the other man in front of him.

I want a jackal skull,” Evan said. “With plenty of detail.”

Barty grinned then. “That, I can do.”