Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Nevermore
Chapter Text
Sirius POV
I don't understand why they decided to send Regulus and me to this damned school. When will the day come when my parents understand that this isn't for us? Reg and I thought that after the little fish incident, our parents would finally give up, that they would leave us alone.
But their solution was to send us to the school where they met, hoping to make us fit in with them, that something at Nevermore will make us change.
Good luck with that.
"Both know that Reg and I are not like you, right? We're not going to change."
"Good luck with that," adds Regulus, his voice as monotonous as ever. Although it's hard to read Reg, honestly.
"You should have thought about that before trying to kill the swimming team at the last school," Walburga replies, not paying too much attention to us.
"Both of you are going to love Nevermore, I have no doubt," Orion interjects, his tone always controlled, almost mechanical. "Maybe you could have fun."
Reg and I look at each other. Sure. As if that were in their plans.
Minutes later, we arrive at the school. The place reeks of magic, secrets, and unusual creatures. It doesn't surprise me, but that doesn't mean I like it.
A man waits for us at the entrance, dressed completely in black. What a surprise.
"Walburga, Orion, welcome, it's been years since I've seen you, I suppose these are your kids," says the stranger, greeting my parents as if they were the closest of friends.
I had never seen the guy in my life.
"Tom, what a surprise! Congratulations on your promotion," my father exclaims, shaking the hand of this Tom guy.
"These are our children, Sirius and Regulus," Walburga says, pointing at us.
"You always liked the stars, didn't you, Walburga?" to which my mother only smiles.
"Why don't we chat in private while your children explore the school? They must be excited."
"You have no idea," Regulus exclaims with all the sarcasm he can muster in his voice.
"We've already assigned you your rooms, you'll find them in the towers, your names are on the doors, Orion, Walburga, if you'll do me the favor of accompanying me."
With that, our parents quickly say goodbye to us and follow Tom.
.........
We were assigned separate rooms. Apparently, having a brother doesn't mean we share a room. So each one goes to find their bedroom.
It looks like a red and gold bomb exploded in mine.
There is a person sitting on one of the beds, with a big smile on his face, surrounded by open suitcases and clothes thrown everywhere.
I stop at the door, crossing my arms. "You must be my roommate, my name is Sirius Black. And before you ask, yes, I know it sounds pretentious. It wasn't my choice."
The guy laughs and stands up, extending a hand. "James Potter. Do you like it? I call it personalized decoration," he says, gesturing to the mess with a theatrical gesture.
I raise an eyebrow and shake his hand cautiously before letting go. "So the idea is to make it look like a hurricane has passed through here?"
James laughs and shrugs. "Chaos is part of the charm, Black."
I let out a sigh and drop my bag on the bed that hasn't been touched by the mess yet. "I'm going to need something stronger than relaxation to survive this."
James drops onto his bed and watches me curiously. "You know? I didn't think you were so dramatic. You look like the kind of guy who gets into trouble."
I glance at him sideways. "You're right, but you don't know me yet."
"Well, that's what roommates are for, right? To get to know each other," he says with a wide smile. "Come on, Sirius, surely we can find something in common. What do you like to do?"
I think for a moment before replying with a half-smile. "Sword fight, I guess?"
James bursts out laughing. "I definitely like you. This is going to be fun."
Despite our differences, James and I end up getting along surprisingly well. His relaxed and nonchalant attitude makes the conversation flow naturally. He's annoying and loud, but so am I, and he doesn't seem to mind my mood. Maybe, in the midst of this chaos, meeting him isn't the worst thing in the world.
-----------------------------------------------------
Regulus POV
My room is different from what I imagined. There are no traces of explosions or flashy colors, although the walls are a surprisingly pleasant shade of green with silver details. The atmosphere is calm, with the sound of waves breaking somewhere in the distance. I realize I'm not alone.
A boy with blonde hair and a serene expression, watches me from his bed, a book in his hands, he has amazing eyes. "Regulus, right?" he asks in a calm tone.
I nod. "And you are...?"
"Evan. And he's Barty," he replies, pointing to the other side of the room, where a boy with intense eyes and a sharp smile watches me with amusement.
"Regulus Black, huh? This will be interesting," Barty says with a mocking and mysterious tone.
Barty lies back on his bed with a lazy smile. "So, what brought you to Nevermore, Black? Murder attempt or just parents with impossible expectations?"
Regulus sighs and sits on his bed. "Let's say a little of both."
Evan closes his book and sets it aside. "It's not as bad as it seems. There are rules, of course, but most are easy to break if you know how."
Barty laughs. "Especially if you have the right support." He gives Regulus a knowing look.
To my surprise, the conversation flows easily. Barty is intriguing and chaotic, while Evan seems to be the voice of reason. They are completely different, but together they form a strange balance. I don't mind. Maybe this place isn't so unbearable after all.
Evan stretches and smiles. "If you want, we could show you the school. Nevermore can be a maze at first."
Barty nods, with a mischievous grin. "Yeah, and that way we can give you a tour without you getting lost in the attempt. Although, of course, if you prefer to wander alone and end up in the dungeons..."
Regulus shakes his head. "Sounds tempting, but I have to find my brother first."
Evan exchanges a look with Barty before shrugging. "Then let's all go. That way we'll meet your brother too."
Regulus sighs, but agrees. The three leave the room and walk through the dark corridors of Nevermore until they reach Sirius's room. Regulus knocks on the door and, seconds later, it opens, revealing his brother and his roommate.
Sirius raises an eyebrow. "What are you doing here, Reg?"
Before Regulus can answer, Sirius's roommate steps forward with a big smile.
"This is your brother? You look a lot alike. I'm James Potter, by the way."
"Regulus Black."
-------------------------------------
JAMES POV
James blinks a couple of times, somewhat surprised. It's not that he expected Regulus to be exactly like Sirius, but there's something about his cold gaze and perfect posture that leaves him momentarily stunned.
It's... interesting.
"So you're the younger brother," he says finally, with a lopsided grin. "I don't know why, but I expected someone more... chaotic."
Regulus raises an eyebrow. "Maybe because you've spent too much time with Sirius."
Barty interrupts with a laugh. "Alright, alright, enough. We were about to give Regulus a tour. You guys joining?"
Sirius sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "If it means I save myself from listening to James talk about how great Nevermore is, I suppose so."
James gives him a light shove on the shoulder. "You'll thank me later. Let's go."
The five of them start walking down the corridors of Nevermore, with James taking the lead enthusiastically. "Welcome to the official Nevermore tour. First up, the central courtyard. This is where we all gather between classes, and where most of the gossip happens. If you like drama, this is the place to be."
Evan nods with a smile. "I can confirm. Spending five minutes here gets you up to speed on everything."
James continues, pointing around. "Here at Nevermore there are four main types of creatures: vampires, werewolves, sirens, and gorgons. Each has their own abilities and characteristics."
Regulus crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow. "And which category do you all fall into?"
Evan smiles and points to himself. "Siren. We have the ability to manipulate others with our voice, but only if we want to. It's not something to be used lightly."
Barty laughs mockingly. "Sure, sure. Very ethical and all. Although there are sirens who aren't as... responsible as Evan."
Regulus nods, analyzing the information. "Interesting. And what about vampires?"
Barty points to himself with a sharp smile. "That would be me. Enhanced strength, heightened senses, and, well, the obvious: blood. Although here at Nevermore, we have strict rules about that. No biting without consent."
James interjects enthusiastically. "And then there are the werewolves, like me. We transform on the full moon, although with the right training we can learn to control it. And finally, there are the gorgons, who can petrify with their gaze if they don't wear eye protection."
Regulus nods slowly. "I suppose that explains the decor," he says, gesturing to the statues that adorn the courtyard.
James smiles proudly. "Exactly. Some of these statues are real art... others, well, unfortunate accidents. So if you see a gorgon without glasses, you better avoid eye contact."
Barty laughs. "If you don't want to become part of the decoration, of course."
Evan crosses his arms. "Don't worry, Regulus. They say that over time, the effect is reversed. Sometimes."
Regulus rolls his eyes. "Very encouraging. What else is there in this place?"
James points to a large building across the courtyard. "That's the library. It's also where vampires tend to hang out."
Evan scoffs. "I've never even seen Barty set foot in the library."
James laughs. "There's also the greenhouse, where they teach herbology and some weird potion experiments. And, of course, the cafeteria. Although you have to be careful there: the creature groups tend to sit separately, like it's an exaggerated high school movie."
Regulus observes attentively. "So Nevermore has more unwritten rules than it seems."
Evan smiles. "Welcome to survival at Nevermore."
Sirius, who has been listening silently until now, frowns and asks, "What about Jericho? I heard it's the only town nearby. Do they let us out or are we trapped here like in a prison?"
James laughs. "They let us out, but only on certain days and with permission. The school doesn't want us scaring the Muggles."
Barty crosses his arms with a mocking smile. "Which is a shame, because it would be a lot of fun to see their reactions."
Evan nods. "Jericho is quite small, but it has the basics. A decent coffee shop, an antique store, and an old movie theater. Most people go for the coffee shop, the muffins are delicious."
James smiles and points towards the path that leads to the exit of Nevermore. "The town is about a fifteen-minute walk. On visiting days, students usually go out to take a break from the gothic atmosphere of Nevermore. It's like a cultural shock every time we go."
Sirius rolls his eyes. "Let me guess, the Muggles have no idea what we are."
Barty laughs. "Some know, but the vast majority don't. To them, we're just a group of excentric students. The fun part is watching them try to figure us out."
Regulus seems thoughtful. "And no one has had any trouble there?"
Evan shrugs. "There have been minor incidents sometimes, but the headmaster keeps things under control."
Sirius frowns. "Speaking of the headmaster, who exactly is he? Is it that Tom guy?"
James looks at him in disbelief. "Tom? Tom Riddle? No, not at all. Our headmaster is Albus Dumbledore. Where did you get that from?"
Sirius shrugs. "I heard my parents talking to him when we arrived. I thought he was the head of this place."
Barty bursts out laughing. "Tom Riddle running Nevermore... that would be hell. No, Black, Dumbledore is in charge here, and believe me, he's a peculiar guy."
"Has anyone talked to him?" Sirius asked, curiously. "Or does he only show up at important events?"
Before anyone could answer, a firm but serene voice echoed behind them. "Mr. Black, perhaps we should talk in private."
Everyone turned their heads at the same time. Standing there, in his characteristic blue robe and with his shrewd gaze, was Albus Dumbledore. His smile was kind, but his presence commanded respect.
"Sirius, Regulus," the headmaster continued, addressing his gaze to both brothers. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd like a moment of your time."
James, Barty, and Evan exchanged glances, but said nothing. Regulus looked at Sirius with a neutral expression before nodding. "Of course, sir."
Dumbledore gestured with his hand, indicating for them to follow him. "It won't take long. I just want to make sure you feel... welcome at Nevermore."
--------------------------------------
Sirius POV
Regulus and I follow Dumbledore through the corridors of Nevermore. The atmosphere is solemn, and although the headmaster has a calm air about him, I can't help but feel uneasy. Finally, he leads us to his office, a space lit by a large fireplace and bookshelves filled with dusty tomes.
Dumbledore sits behind his desk and gestures for us to take a seat. "I know your arrival at Nevermore wasn't exactly voluntary, and I want to talk to you about an important matter."
I cross my arms, looking at him suspiciously. "Let me guess, you're going to ask us to 'fit in' and be good students?"
Dumbledore smiles slightly. "Nothing like that, Mr. Black. You are free to make your own decisions, as long as they don't affect the safety of the school. However, there is a special condition for you."
Regulus frowns. "What kind of condition?"
The headmaster interlocks his fingers. "Due to the events that occurred at your previous school, as part of your integration into Nevermore, you will have mandatory therapy sessions in Jericho. Once a week, each of you must attend a session with a specialist."
I clench my jaw. "Are you punishing us?"
"I wouldn't call it a punishment," Dumbledore replies calmly. "It's an opportunity for you to reflect and perhaps, over time, understand what led you here. The sessions will be on the same day, but at different times. Regulus, you will go first, and an hour later, it will be Sirius's turn."
Regulus and I exchange a look. It's not like we have a choice, but the idea of spending an hour in an office talking about our emotions seems absurd.
Dumbledore stands up. "It's not a request. It's a requirement for your stay here. But I assure you that in the time you spend at Nevermore, you will learn more about yourselves than you think."
I get up from the chair with a tense expression. "Fantastic."
Dumbledore watches us patiently. "Remember, the first session is on Thursday. I trust you won't miss it."
Without saying anything more, Regulus and I leave the office, walking in silence through the dark corridors of Nevermore. This is worse than I imagined.
------------------
Sirius POV
The next day, classes begin with an activity that, to my surprise, captures my interest: fencing. We are led to a large room with shelves full of well-maintained swords and a polished wooden floor that shines under the light of the hanging lamps. The students are lined up in rows, wearing protective gear and swords in hand, ready to face each other.
I put on my mask and take one of the swords with ease. The weight is pleasant in my hand, it reminds me of the improvised duels I had with Regulus when we were kids. Although this is more formal, more strategic.
"Alright, young people," the instructor says in a firm voice. "Fencing is not only a test of strength, but of intelligence and precision. Today, we will pair each of you with an opponent."
I look around, waiting to see who I will face, until a female voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Looks like you're stuck with me. I hope you're not easily scared."
"Marlene McKinnon," she says confidently, extending a hand. "Gorgon, in case you're wondering."
I shake her hand cautiously and raise an eyebrow. "Sirius Black. I'm not that interesting, but at least I know how to handle a sword." Her blonde hair is pulled back in a high ponytail, and the confidence in her smile provokes a small smile of my own.
"Scared?" I say with sarcasm. "I just hope you know how to handle a sword."
Marlene laughs and gets into position. "Oh, you'd be surprised."
We stand in the center of the room, ready to begin. As soon as the instructor gives the signal, she launches into the attack with impressive speed. I barely manage to dodge her before responding with a quick lunge. We clash swords, the sound of metal resonating in the air as we move with precision, neither giving ground.
"Not bad, Black," she says between gasps. "I thought you were just a rebel without a cause."
"And I thought you just liked to show off," I reply with a smile as I narrowly dodge her next attack.
The battle continues with intensity, both of us measuring our strength, until the instructor stops us. "Enough! Good job, both of you."
We retreat to the sides, still breathing heavily. Marlene gives me an evaluating look before smiling.
"You have good technique, Black. I didn't expect you to fight so well."
I return the smile with amusement.
I take advantage of the pause to notice her eyes, which are covered by a slight artificial glow. I lean towards her slightly with curiosity. "By the way, how come I'm not turned to stone right now? Gorgons are supposed to be able to petrify with just a look, right?"
Marlene laughs lightly. "I use protection. Special contact lenses that block the effect. I wouldn't want to go through life turning everyone into statues every time I take off my glasses."
I raise an eyebrow. "And what about the snakes on your head? Where do you hide them?"
Marlene lets out a laugh. "That's more myth than reality. Some gorgons may have a few small snakes in their hair, but for the most part, it's just an exaggerated tale."
Before Sirius can respond, a voice echoes in the training room.
"Next match! James Potter versus Lily Evans."
Sirius turns his head towards the arena with curiosity. James steps forward with his usual confidence, giving an arrogant smile to Lily, who only sighs and gets into a fighting stance.
"Ready to lose, Evans?" James asks, adjusting his grip on the sword.
Lily smiles calmly. "Don't worry, Potter, I'll be gentle when I defeat you."
The instructor gives the signal, and Lily moves quickly, surprising James with a fierce offensive. He tries to keep up, but she handles him with ease, dodging and attacking with impeccable precision. Sirius watches amused as James begins to lose ground, until finally Lily disarms him with an elegant move and his sword clatters to the ground.
"Victory for Evans!" announces the instructor.
James stares at his sword on the ground and then at Lily, who gives him a triumphant look before turning and returning to her place.
Sirius grins mockingly and nudges Marlene. "That was painful to watch."
Marlene nods, laughing. "Well, at least we now know who has the real skill in that duo."
--------------------------
Regulus POV
Herbology class begins in the greenhouse, a sweltering place with the penetrating scent of damp earth. Rows of plants of all kinds fill the room, some with vibrant leaves, others with menacing thorns. The teacher, an older woman with a stern expression, walks among us with her arms crossed.
"Today we will be working with the Mandrake," she announces, pointing to some pots with thick-leaved plants. "I want each team to describe its properties and perform the transplant without fainting in the attempt."
Before I can react, someone sits next to me with determination. I turn and find a girl with dark hair and an intense look.
"Dorcas Meadowes," she introduces herself quickly, without waiting for a response. "I hope you know what you're doing. I don't intend to waste time explaining the basics."
I raise an eyebrow, slightly amused by her attitude. "Regulus Black. And don't worry, I'm not an incompetent."
Dorcas smiles with a competitive edge. "We'll see. Do you know the best way to extract a Mandrake without ending up unconscious?"
"Use thick gloves, protective goggles, and proper sound insulation before pulling it out of the ground," I reply without hesitation.
Dorcas nods, seemingly approving my answer. "Point for you. But I bet you didn't know that if you cut its roots too soon, it loses its healing properties."
"I knew it," I reply calmly. "But you didn't mention that if you leave it out of the ground for too long without stabilizing it, it can wither and become useless."
Barty, who is at the next table with Evan, lets out a dramatic sigh. "Take note Evan, if they keep this up all class, we're going to lose to them."
Dorcas and I look at each other for a second before focusing on the task. Despite our instant rivalry, we work surprisingly well together. The transplant is a success, and when the teacher checks our work, she nods with approval.
"Good job, you two. I'm glad to see some initiative."
When the class ends, Dorcas turns to me with her arms crossed. "You're better than I expected, Black."
I give her a small smile. "You're not bad yourself, Meadowes."
-----------------------------
Remus POV
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the kitchen as I pour myself a cup, enjoying the only moment of tranquility in the morning. My father is in the study, his deep voice resonating through the hallway as he takes a call. It's not uncommon for him to be called at any hour of the day or night; being a police chief is not an easy job, even in a town like Jericho.
I lean against the counter, taking a sip of my coffee, when I hear a change in his tone. His voice lowers, becoming more serious, almost worried.
"Where did they find it?"
The coffee suddenly tastes more bitter. I sneak closer to the study door, staying out of his sight.
"Is it confirmed?" There is a tense silence. "Understood. I'll send a team right away. Don't let anyone near the area."
My father hangs up with a heavy sigh. I know that tone in his voice. Something terrible has happened.
I barely take a step back when the study door opens. My father looks at me with weariness, but without surprise. "I told you not to eavesdrop."
But I know him too well, I ignore his comment and ask.
"What happened?"
"They found a body."
Chapter 2: Chapter 2: No body, No crime
Notes:
Here we go, chapter 2, I apologize again for any grammar and spelling mistakes
enjoy it. :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
??? POV
The fog is thick, enveloping the forest in endless shadows. The crunch of dry leaves breaks the silence as a figure runs through the trees, breath heaving and steps clumsy.
There is no time to think, only to run.
A guttural roar echoes in the darkness. Something moves between the trees, too fast to be human. The beating in my ears is the only thing that competes with the sound of breaking branches.
A flash of bright eyes. Some fangs gleam in the dim light. The ground approaches suddenly.
I scream.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sirius POV
I wake with shock, my chest heaving. Cold sweat clings to my skin, and my hands are clenched in the sheets. The roar still echoes in my head, though the room is completely silent.
"Sirius?" James's sleepy voice breaks the stillness. From his bed, he watches me with a frown. "What the hell happened? You looked like you were drowning."
I run a hand over my face, trying to compose myself. "Just a nightmare. Nothing important."
James sits up, his already messy hair now tangled in all directions. "Nothing important? You don't sound very convinced. What did you dream about?"
I hesitate for a second before answering. "Someone running in the forest. Something was chasing them. Then..." I stop, the fangs still vivid in my mind.
James watches in silence for a moment before sighing and ruffling his hair. "You know what we need? Orange muffins. It's the best solution for any nocturnal crisis."
I roll my eyes, but a small smile appears. "It's the middle of the night, Potter."
"So? It's never a bad time for muffins." He gets out of bed and gives me a knowing look. "Come on. Let's bet the school kitchen still has something edible."
The idea doesn't sound so bad.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Barty POV
Night at Nevermore is different. There’s something in the air, an invisible tension that seeps through the shadows and clings to the skin. The silence isn’t absolute; unintelligible murmurs seem to echo in the empty hallways, barely perceptible to those who know how to listen.
A fleeting flash among the trees, an abnormal glow that disappears instantly, as if it was never there.
A feeling settles in my chest. Moving silently, making sure not to wake Evan or Regulus, I slip out of my room and glide through the corridors, avoiding the flickering candlelight.
Every shadow cast by the castle seems to shift, subtly distorting. A familiar sensation takes hold of me: anticipation.
As I turn a dark corner, a sudden movement catches me off guard. Before I can react, I collide head-on with two figures, and a strangled gasp escapes my throat.
"Shit!" exclaims a familiar voice.
I stumble back, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I recognize Sirius and James, who also look startled.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Sirius whispers, his gaze flickering between confusion and unease.
James frowns, still catching his breath. "Damn, I thought we’d run into a ghost."
For a moment, the three of us remain silent before breaking into nervous laughter. The tension dissipates.
"Come with us to the kitchen," James says with a smirk. "We're getting muffins."
Barty crosses his arms but nods. "Before that, I saw a strange light in the forest. Just for a second, but something was there. Did you guys see anything?"
Sirius frowns, his expression darkening. "That’s... weird. I had a strange dream too. Someone was running in the forest, and something was chasing them. There were fangs, and a roar."
The atmosphere shifts again. James glances between us, a mix of amusement and concern on his face. "So, strange lights and weird dreams? Right, we definitely need those muffins. And after that… maybe we figure out what the hell is going on."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James POV
As we walk through the corridors toward breakfast, I take the opportunity to talk to Sirius in private.
"Listen, I wanted to tell you something," I murmur nervously as we descend the stairs. My hands are slightly sweaty, and I shove them into my pockets to hide it. "I can’t transform during the full moon. I've tried everything, but it just... doesn’t happen."
Sirius stops for a moment and looks at me intently. "Since when?"
"For a while now." I lower my gaze for a second before continuing. "I haven't told anyone else, people are starting to notice, but every time the full moon comes, it’s like something is blocking me. I don’t know what’s wrong."
Finally, he nods slowly, his expression serious. "That’s not normal. Maybe something’s interfering." He falls silent, thoughtful. Finally, he sighs and adds in a low voice, "I have something to tell you too, James. Sometimes I have visions, strange dreams... I can’t control them. Most of the time, they’re unimportant details, but sometimes they end up coming true."
We enter the dining hall, and my eyes immediately land on Regulus. He’s sitting with Evan and Barty, breaking the unspoken rule that each species sticks to their own. Something stirs in my stomach—an unexpected warmth.
Sirius continues on toward his brother, but my feet remain rooted to the floor. Before I realize it, instead of joining the wolves as I always do, I walk toward Regulus and sit in front of him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulus POV
The dining hall is its usual chaos—overlapping conversations, scattered laughter, and the occasional clatter of cutlery against plates. I’ve always liked the structure of routine, the certainty of knowing what to expect each morning. But today, everything feels different.
Because James Potter is sitting in front of me, looking at me with that smile of his like it’s a game. And worse, because I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, and I can’t do anything to stop it.
I take a sip of coffee, hoping the bitterness will drown out the discomfort creeping into my chest. But Potter is still there, unfazed.
"Do you always stare at people while they eat, or do you have a particular interest in me?" I ask in a neutral voice, trying to regain control.
James props an elbow on the table, leaning in slightly. "Only when the view is worth it."
I roll my eyes and feign indifference, though the way Barty and Evan try to stifle their laughter tells me I haven’t been entirely convincing. I feel Sirius' gaze burning into us from the next seat, his annoyance almost tangible.
"Please, James, stop flirting with my brother. It’s way too early for this," Sirius groans, making an exaggerated gagging sound.
Barty and Evan finally burst into laughter, and I glare at them before turning my attention back to my coffee. The warmth in my cheeks intensifies, and I hate how obvious it must be.
"Shut up, Potter," I mutter, avoiding his gaze.
But the sparkle in his eyes tells me he has no intention of doing so.
Before he can respond with another one of his infuriating remarks, a shadow looms over our table. I look up to meet Professor McGonagall’s stern gaze.
"Mr. Black and Mr. Potter, if you’re done distracting the entire dining hall, I believe it would be wise to accompany me. The director wishes to speak with you. Now."
The air suddenly feels heavier. Barty and Evan stop laughing, and even Sirius falls silent. I glance at James, who simply flashes a confident smile before standing up with apparent ease.
I have no idea what Dumbledore wants with us.
***
Dumbledore stands beside his desk, watching us with a serene yet expectant expression. McGonagall gestures for us to take a seat, and we do so without argument.
"You may be wondering why I called you here this morning," Dumbledore begins, intertwining his fingers on the desk.
James and I exchange glances, waiting for his explanation.
Dumbledore smiles slightly before continuing. "As you know, the canoe competition is approaching quickly. It is a tradition at Nevermore, and I am pleased to say that, so far, the competition has brought out the best in our students."
James leans back in his chair with a confident smile. "If I’m not mistaken, Professor, I’m still the undefeated champion."
"Indeed, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore nods with an amused glint in his eyes. "And as team captain, I would like to ask you for a favor. I would like Mr. Black—Regulus—to participate in the competition this year. I believe it would be a great opportunity for him to get involved in sports activities and become more familiar with the school."
I blink, feeling the surprise rush through me. Me? I look at James, expecting him to protest or make fun of me, but his smile only grows wider.
"It would be an honor, Professor. I’ll personally make sure Regulus gets the best training possible," James responds with far too much enthusiasm.
Dumbledore nods in satisfaction. "Excellent. I am sure he will do well."
I press my lips together. I’m not thrilled about teaming up with Potter, much less participating in something where all eyes will be on me. But Dumbledore watches me calmly, as if he already knows the answer I’m about to give.
Finally, I sigh in resignation. "I suppose I don’t really have a choice, do I?"
James pats my shoulder. "Oh, come on, Reg. You’re going to love it."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evan POV
The room is dimly lit, illuminated only by the soft glow of the sun filtering through the window. The air is calm, heavy with something unspoken, and the rhythmic sound of Barty’s breathing fills the space. His warmth against my chest is a sensation I don’t know if I want to get used to. But I already have. Maybe a long time ago.
I wonder what we are.
His head rests just below my collarbone, his breath brushing against my skin with each slow exhale. His body fits against mine in a way that feels disturbingly natural, as if it’s something we’ve always done. This isn’t the first time we’ve ended up like this, tangled in a closeness we never discuss, never question. But tonight, the question feels stronger, more inevitable.
Are we friends? Are we something more? Or just two people too broken, looking for some kind of refuge in each other?
Barty shifts slightly and lets out a soft sigh, his messy hair tickling my neck. I have the absurd urge to brush it away with my fingers, to feel it between my hands, to memorize the weight of him against me. But I don’t. Because if I do, I know I’ll want more. And I don’t know if he does too.
"You’re really quiet," he murmurs suddenly, without moving.
His voice sounds drowsy, but there’s something in his tone, something that tells me he’s more awake than he seems.
"There’s nothing to say," I reply, though the truth is, there’s too much, and I don’t know where to start.
Barty lets out a soft chuckle, a sound that vibrates against my chest. "You always have something on your mind, Evan. What is it this time?"
I glance at the ceiling, not wanting him to see in my eyes everything I don’t dare to say.
"I don’t know," I lie, hoping he’ll let me off the hook this time.
Barty doesn’t push, but he doesn’t move away either. His breathing remains steady, his body still fitting against mine with a dangerous familiarity. I close my eyes, trying to ignore the weight of the question I’m too afraid to ask.
I wonder if this is as confusing for him as it is for me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sirius POV
The car moves down the road in heavy silence, the scenery of Jericho sliding past through the window. The sky is gray, thick with low, dense clouds, as if foreshadowing how dull and tedious this is going to be. Regulus sits next to me, arms crossed, staring at some undefined point along the way. He hasn’t said a word since we got in the car, but that’s not unusual for him.
What is unusual is Tom Riddle, who’s driving.
There’s no music playing, not even the slightest attempt to make the situation more bearable. Just the monotonous hum of the engine and the occasional screech of the tires against the damp pavement.
"It’s just a therapy session, Sirius. It’s not like you’re heading to the gallows," Tom finally comments, his tone cold and devoid of any real emotion.
"Don’t rule that out just yet," I mutter, resting my head against the cool window glass.
Regulus doesn’t even bother intervening, which means he’s probably just as annoyed as I am. We were forced into this, as if a few awkward conversations with a stranger would fix anything. As if talking about something would make it disappear.
Tom keeps driving with that same impenetrable calm, his hands steady on the wheel. His posture is too rigid, too perfect, as if everything about him is calculated. There’s not a hint of nervousness on his face, not even irritation. Just that absolute control that has always made my skin crawl.
"I don’t see what the fuss is about," he continues after a few seconds, without taking his eyes off the road.
"Have you ever been to therapy?" I ask, not really interested in continuing the conversation.
Tom barely smiles, but it’s an empty smile, devoid of warmth. "I don’t need it."
Regulus lets out a dry, humorless laugh. "What a surprise."
Tom doesn’t say anything else. He doesn’t need to. His silence says enough.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re here because he wants us to be. That somehow, this amuses him.
Regulus keeps staring out the window, his jaw tight, his body motionless. I know he hates this as much as I do, but he won’t say anything. He never does.
The car keeps moving, every mile bringing us closer to the therapist’s office in Jericho. A dull, lifeless building I can already picture.
When we finally stop in front of the clinic, Tom turns off the engine and looks at us with that same unreadable expression.
"Regulus, you go in first. Don’t be late," he orders, not bothering to soften his tone.
Regulus doesn’t respond, just opens the door and steps out of the car with his usual silent stride. I watch him cross the street and enter the building without looking back. As soon as he disappears inside, I turn to Tom.
"Can I check out the town?" I ask, not really expecting a yes. I just don’t want to sit here waiting.
Tom studies me for a moment, his cold eyes evaluating me. He seems to debate whether to say no and save himself the trouble or just let me go. Finally, he sighs.
"Don’t do anything stupid. And don’t go too far. I want you back here in exactly one hour—don’t make me regret this." His tone makes it clear he doesn’t expect me to listen, but he doesn’t really care either.
I flash him a cynical smile before opening the door. "Relax, Tom. I’m just going to explore a little."
I step out and stretch, enjoying the fresh air. Jericho is a small and monotonous town, but at least it’s better than being trapped in that car with Tom. I stroll leisurely through the streets, glancing at the shop windows until my eyes land on a small coffee shop on the corner.
Coffee definitely sounds better than being stuck with my thoughts.
Without thinking too much about it, I push open the door and step inside.
A soft chime rings as I tap the bell on the counter, but no one appears immediately. The café is nearly empty, save for a couple of customers scattered at the tables near the window. The air smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries, a stark contrast to the monotony of the town.
I tap the bell again, impatient. Before I can do it a third time, a voice calls out from the back.
"I'm coming, I’m coming. No need to break it."
A boy with light brown, curly hair emerges from the storeroom, wiping his hands on his apron. He looks up and studies me with curiosity.
"Haven't seen you before. Are you a tourist or a Nevermore prisoner?"
"What do you think?" I reply, leaning against the counter with a smirk.
The boy watches me for a second before letting out a short laugh. "Definitely the second one. You have that ‘I was forced to come here’ look all over your face." He extends a hand. "Remus Lupin."
I shake his hand. "Sirius Black."
Remus smiles in amusement before letting go and leaning against the counter. "Let me guess, you ditched therapy and now you're seeking comfort in caffeine."
"I didn’t ditch it, I just used my free time wisely." I glance at the menu written on a chalkboard behind him. "Though I wasn’t expecting to find someone like you behind the counter."
"Well, I have to do something to entertain myself." He shrugs. "What are you going to order?"
I cross my arms, pretending to think. "Surprise me."
Remus raises an eyebrow but doesn’t question it. He turns and begins preparing a coffee. I watch him as he works, noticing the ease with which he moves around the small bar. He’s meticulous yet relaxed, like he could do this with his eyes closed. I lean against the counter and grin.
"So, do you live here, or are you just a barista passing through?" I ask, pushing for more conversation.
"I was born here. And I’m still here. If I'm unlucky, I’ll die here too." He lifts his gaze for a moment, watching me curiously. "Though I suppose for someone from Nevermore, this town must seem terribly boring."
"Depends on what there is to do for fun," I reply casually. "Anything worth seeing?"
"If you like small towns, nosy people, and exaggerated rumors, then yeah, Jericho is quite the right place." He places a cup in front of me. "Here you go. Let’s see if I manage to surprise you."
I take the cup and sip. It’s strong, with a slightly bitter edge that somehow works. I give him an appraising look before nodding.
"Not bad," I say, pretending to be hard to impress.
Remus smirks in satisfaction. "I knew you’d like it."
I lean in slightly, fixing my gaze on him. "So tell me, Lupin, what do you do when you’re not serving coffee to students like me?"
Remus shrugs, unconcerned. "I work here, help my dad when he needs it, and when I’m lucky, I find a quiet corner where people don’t try to ask me things. Though it seems today isn’t my lucky day."
"Help your dad with what?" I ask, intrigued.
Remus glances up from the coffee machine for a second before answering casually. "He’s the town sheriff. So technically, I work for the law." He pauses and then gives me a smile and it is one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen in my life.
I raise an eyebrow, resting my elbows on the counter. "Really? So, what kind of mysteries does this charming little town hide?"
Remus chuckles briefly, but there’s something calculated in his expression when he replies. "Depends on what you consider a mystery. Sometimes it’s boring stuff, like antique shop robberies. Other times... well, let’s just say Jericho isn’t as quiet as it seems."
"Is that an invitation to get into trouble?" I ask with a mischievous grin.
"More like a warning." Remus mirrors my posture, resting his arms on the counter. "But from the way you look, I doubt you’re the type to listen to warnings."
I smirk in amusement. "You have no idea."
Remus watches me for a moment before shaking his head and returning to his work. "Alright, Black. Enjoy your coffee, try not to destroy anything."
"I make no promises." I lift my cup in a mock toast before taking another sip.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Remus POV
Sirius leans on the counter, that smirk of his making it clear he’s enjoying this conversation way too much. It’s not common to see a Nevermore student here, much less one who seems so comfortable outside of his school.
After a few minutes, I decide to sit across from him, crossing my arms on the table. There’s something intriguing about the way he carries himself, about how he completely ignores the fact that he’s an outsider in this town. Most Nevermore students tend to stick together when they come to Jericho, like they know they don’t belong. But Sirius… he seems indifferent. Almost like he’s having fun.
"So, Black," I finally say, taking a sip of my coffee. "What did you do to get sent to a town like this?"
Sirius grins, clearly entertained. "Let’s just say I have a history of making bad decisions. Or good decisions that people insist on seeing as bad."
"Ah, the misunderstood rebel," I murmur, feigning surprise. "How original."
Sirius chuckles, but before he can respond, the café door swings open abruptly, and Mulciber and Avery step inside. From the moment I see them, I know this won’t end well.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Mulciber sneers as he spots Sirius. "A Nevermore freak playing at being normal."
Sirius doesn’t even bother turning around. He just keeps drinking his coffee, completely unbothered.
"I don’t know if anyone’s told you, but this place isn’t for your kind," Avery adds, folding his arms.
I get up before things escalate. "Enough, Avery. Leave him alone and get out."
Avery steps closer to Sirius, leaning slightly over the table.
"Relax, Lupin. We’re just talking," Mulciber says, but there’s a cruel glint in his tone.
"If you need to assert your masculinity by trying to intimidate another student, maybe you should rethink your issues," Sirius says calmly, not even bothering to stand up.
Avery moves before I can stop him, throwing a punch straight at Sirius’s face.
Only, it doesn’t hit him.
Because I take the hit instead.
Pain spreads quickly through my jaw, but I barely have time to react before Sirius is on his feet, moving with surprising speed. He lands a solid punch on Avery’s face. Mulciber tries to step in, but Sirius stops him with another direct hit to the stomach, making him double over. Avery attempts to recover, but Sirius shoves him against one of the tables with enough force to send the chairs toppling over.
"Well, this has been delightful, but I think I’ve had enough," Sirius says, shaking his hands off as if the fight was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Mulciber and Avery take a few seconds to recover, but when they do, their expressions are full of hatred. However, they don’t try anything else. They know they’ve lost this round. They storm out of the café without another word.
I touch my jaw, feeling the dull ache beneath my skin. Sirius turns to me with an easygoing expression.
"Wow, Lupin. Didn’t think you’d take a hit for me," he says with a lopsided grin.
"Shut up, Black," I mutter, though without much annoyance.
Before I can add anything else, the door swings open again.
But this time, it’s my father.
Fuck that door.
Sheriff Lyall Lupin scans the scene with a deep frown, his gaze shifting between Sirius, the overturned chairs, and my bruised face. I can see him piecing it together quickly.
"Remus," he says in a stern voice. "What the hell happened here?"
I open my mouth to answer, but before I can, the door opens once more, and a familiar figure steps inside with his usual unsettling calm.
Tom Riddle.
Really, fuck that door.
His expression doesn’t change at all as he takes in the scene. He simply walks toward Sirius and places a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Time to go," he says, offering no further explanation.
Sirius lets out a dramatic sigh and raises his hands in surrender. "Well, it's been a pleasure, Lupin. See you later."
Before I can respond, Tom is already leading him out of the café. I stay there, watching them walk away, feeling a strange sensation in my chest.
Intrigued. And, much to my own annoyance, a little impressed.
Notes:
I hope you liked it. Did you find the reference? i love ahb
I will try to update at least once a week, but I don't promise anything, it all depends on how hard that week is at university.
With love, pau
Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Gold Rush
Chapter Text
REGULUS POV
The afternoon sun reflects off the surface of Nevermore’s small lake, creating golden flashes that contrast with the chill of the autumn breeze. I sit at the edge of the dock, an oar in hand, staring at the water with absolute disdain. Beside me, James Potter—the eternal enthusiast—grins as if this is the best thing that has ever happened to hi
“Come on, Black, this isn’t that bad,” he says, leaning toward me with his elbows on his knees. “It’s just rowing. A little coordination, and you’ll be ready for the competition.”
I roll my eyes and tap the water with the tip of the oar, unenthusiastically. “I don’t see the point of this. Why would anyone want to row?”
James bursts into laughter. “Because that’s how life works. Sometimes you have to trust your own skills. Besides…” He twirls his oar effortlessly. “Let’s be honest, I look incredibly good doing it.”
“You cannot be serious,” I reply in a monotone voice.
“I’m very serious. Look at these arms,” he says, flexing theatrically. “Rowing has given me a great advantage.”
“Yes, Potter, your talent for rowing is undoubtedly what wins everyone over,” I reply sarcastically.
James ignores my comment and claps me on the back. “Come on, stop complaining. It’s just a matter of practice. Let’s get in the canoe and try.”
“I’d rather not drown today,” I mutter, but I stand up anyway.
“Who said anything about drowning? I’m here to make sure you survive, Black,” he says with a confident smile. “Besides, if you fall in, I promise to rescue you. Though, to be honest, watching you fall into the water sounds pretty entertaining.”
I glare at him, but he just laughs and walks toward the canoe with irritating ease. I sigh and follow him, telling myself this is just a bad moment that will soon pass.
The canoe rocks slightly as we climb in, and I struggle to keep my balance. James, of course, moves with total ease, as if he’s part of the boat. He tries to offer me his hand to help, but I ignore it—I am not touching James Potter.
“All right, first, we need to learn the basic technique,” he says, settling behind me. “Rowing isn’t just flailing your arms around—it’s about rhythm and coordination.”
“Great,” I reply, gripping the oar without enthusiasm.
James chuckles before placing his oar in the water. “Hold it firmly, lean your body slightly, and make smooth, long strokes. Watch, like this.”
I do as he says, but the moment I try to row, the blade of the oar sinks awkwardly into the water, and the canoe tilts dangerously to one side.
“Fuck!” I exclaim, gripping the boat to keep from falling.
James laughs behind me. “That was… an attempt. But not exactly what I had in mind.”
“Thank you for your brilliant observation, Potter,” I mutter through gritted teeth.
Before I can try again, I feel him move closer. Suddenly, his hands are on mine, guiding my movements calmly, placing his oar in my grip.
“Let me help you,” he murmurs near my ear.
My breath catches for a second as I realize how close he is. His chest presses against my back, his breath grazes my skin. His arms surround mine as he adjusts the angle of the oar, guiding each movement with precision. The atmosphere shifts completely; it’s no longer about rowing, the lake, or the competition. It’s his closeness, the warmth of his body against mine, the way his fingers settle over mine with too much ease.
My mind goes on high alert, and in a sudden act of self-sabotage, I pull away abruptly.
“I got it!” I exclaim, louder than necessary.
James immediately pulls back, raising his hands with a teasing smirk. “Relax, Black. I was just trying to help. Or did I make you nervous?”
“Don’t say stupid things,” I mutter, refocusing on the oar, though my grip is noticeably tenser now.
To my relief, Potter changes the subject, though his tone remains light.
“By the way, how was therapy yesterday?” he asks casually. “Sirius came back to the dorm last night in a foul mood. And that’s saying something, considering he already looks like a stray dog half the time.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What did he do?”
“I don’t know, he looked upset but didn’t say anything. Just mumbled something about Jericho being full of idiots, that he wanted more coffee, and then threw himself onto his bed without talking to me.” James tilts his head, eyeing me with curiosity. “So I’m guessing your session wasn’t fun either.”
I look away toward the water, unsure how to respond. “Let’s just say I’m not a fan of talking about my problems with a stranger in a closed room.”
James nods, as if he understands more than he lets on. “Well, at least now you have a distraction. And a new talent, if I may say so. Though I doubt you’ll surpass my level in a single day.”
I roll my eyes and grip the oar with more determination. “Give me time, Potter. I don’t plan on losing to you.”
He grins widely. “That’s the spirit, Black.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIRIUS POV
The Nevermore courtyard is buzzing with activity. The competition canoes are lined up on the grass while students work on decorations. I’m sitting with Lily, Marlene, and Mary, painting the boats. Lily and I are in charge of James and Regulus’ canoe, designing it with suns and stars, while Marlene and Mary work on Barty and Evan’s, adorned with roses and small metallic daggers.
“So… how was therapy?” Lily asks as she carefully traces a constellation on the side of the canoe.
I scoff. “Horrible. My therapist was Lucius Malfoy. A weird guy with a permanent expression like everything around him stinks. I don’t know what’s worse—his questions or his existence in general.”
Marlene bursts into laughter. “That sounds… fantastic. And what else did you do in Jericho? Don’t tell me you came back without causing trouble. When I saw Tom after you returned, he looked stressed.”
I smirk and press the paintbrush against the wood. “Oh, well, there was a little incident at a café with some intolerant Muggle idiots… and I met a ridiculously attractive guy.”
Mary looks up with interest. “And?”
“And I wish I had asked for his number,” I reply with a dramatic sigh.
Lily rolls her eyes. “Tell me you at least remember his name.”
“Remus,” I answer with a grin. “Remus Lupin.”
Mary’s eyes widen with surprise and barely contained excitement. “The barista from the coffee shop?”
I nod with satisfaction. “The very same.”
Mary exchanges a look with Marlene and Lily before launching into an eager list. “Ridiculously tall…?”
“Yes,” I reply immediately.
“Serious expression but sarcastic smile?”
“Yes,” I repeat, already seeing where this is going.
“And a scar that runs from the top of his right eyebrow down to the end of his chin on the left side?” I add. “And let me tell you, he’s even more attractive up close.”
Marlene and Mary gasp in unison, momentarily putting their paintbrushes aside.
“Oh my god!” Mary exclaims, nearly hitting Marlene’s arm in excitement. “Remus Lupin has been our crush for months.”
“And two out of three of us here are lesbians. Even Pandora and Dorcas think he’s stupidly handsome,” Lily adds with amusement.
“He’s the mysterious, attractive barista that everyone wants to date in Jericho, but he never seems interested in anyone,” Marlene adds, sighing dramatically. “And you had an actual conversation with him… and didn’t get his number? Black, I’m disappointed.”
“I didn’t even know he had a secret fan club!” I defend myself, laughing. “If I had known, I would’ve tried harder.”
“You better find an excuse to see him again,” Lily says, pointing her paintbrush at me. “And this time, get his number—or you could invite him to next week’s fair.”
Before I can reply, Pandora, Dorcas, and a guy I’ve seen in some classes—Peter, I think—approach and sit with us. Peter seems nice enough, though we’ve never talked much.
“What are we talking about?” Dorcas asks, settling next to Marlene and watching our animated expressions with curiosity.
“Remus,” Marlene answers without hesitation, still grinning.
“Yeah, apparently Sirius met him yesterday,” Mary adds, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Pandora smiles, resting a finger against her cheek in thought. “He is really cute. His aura is beautiful, and his vibes too…” she murmurs before completely drifting into her own thoughts, as if reading some kind of mystical energy around Remus.
“The barista from The Three Broomsticks?” Peter chimes in, looking at us with interest while fiddling with the laces of his jacket.
Lily nods. “That’s the one. Curly hair, scar on his face.”
“My roommate, Severus Snape, hates him,” Peter comments with a nervous chuckle. “Something about an incident last year. But since he’s the sheriff’s son, nothing happened to him.”
Dorcas frowns and tilts her head. “Really? I’ve never heard anything about that. What happened?”
Peter shrugs. “I don’t know the details. Snape doesn’t talk much about it, but every time someone mentions Lupin, his face changes.”
Personally, I just shrug. I couldn’t care less. Snape has never been particularly pleasant in the few times we’ve spoken, so his opinion isn’t something that keeps me up at night. Besides, if someone like Snape hates Remus, that probably only makes him more interesting.
“Anyway,” Marlene interrupts, resting her paintbrush on the edge of the paint can, “the real issue here is that Sirius had a golden opportunity to flirt with the mysterious barista and didn’t take it.”
“I know!” Mary exclaims, shooting me an accusatory look. “How is it possible that you talked to him and didn’t get his number?”
I roll my eyes and lean back slightly, resting my hands on the grass. “It wasn’t exactly the best context. There was a fight involved.”
“You fought?” Peter asks, surprised.
“Not with him,” I clarify. “A couple of idiots from town tried to mess with me, and Remus ended up taking the first hit. Then, well… let’s just say they didn’t walk away so easily.”
Dorcas looks at me with a mix of surprise and amusement. “So not only is he attractive, but he also took a hit for you? Sirius, please tell me you at least thanked him properly.”
“Of course I did,” I reply with a smug grin. “With my charming presence.”
Lily rolls her eyes. “Right, because that surely made up for everything.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Evans,” I say dramatically. “Some say my natural charm is enough to disarm even the coldest heart.”
“And yet, you’re still single,” Marlene points out with amusement.
Before I can respond with a witty retort, Lily looks at me curiously. “By the way, have you told James about all this yet?”
I frown slightly. “I was planning to at lunch. Why?”
Lily exchanges an amused look with Marlene before replying, “Because James and Remus are actually really good friends.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BARTY POV
The room is dimly lit, with only the glow of the television screen faintly illuminating the space. Evan and I are lying on my bed, our legs tangled together as we play one of my video games. It feels… normal. Comfortable. Like always.
Or at least, it should feel that way.
My attention is divided between the game and the sensation of his arm brushing against mine every time he moves. I shouldn’t think about that. I shouldn’t give it any importance. But I do. And every time I catch myself glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, I hate myself a little more.
Because Evan is my favorite person. And if I mess this up, if I somehow cross a line I shouldn’t, I’d lose him.
—Are you okay? —he suddenly asks, without taking his eyes off the screen.
It takes me a second to respond. —Yeah. I’m just… focused.
Evan smirks slightly. —That would be more believable if you weren’t losing so miserably.
I frown and give him a light shove with my shoulder. —Shut up.
He laughs, and the sound is enough to make me forget, at least for a moment, the tangled mess of thoughts in my head.
We stay like that for a few more minutes until the door suddenly swings open, and Regulus walks in with an expression of absolute annoyance.
—I hate everything —he announces, dramatically throwing himself onto the other bed.
Evan pauses the game and watches him with amusement. —What made you angry this time?
Regulus groans into the pillow before lifting his head to look at us. —James Potter and the damn rowing.
I raise an eyebrow. —What are you talking about?
Regulus sits up and makes an exasperated gesture with his hands. —I had to spend hours with Potter on the lake, learning to row. It was hell. I don’t know how I didn’t push him into the water.
Evan crosses his arms, holding back a smile. —Let me guess, he enjoyed it way more than you did?
—Of course he did —Regulus replies bitterly. —Smiling, joking, too damn close…
Barty and Evan exchange a glance before Evan speaks. —Reg, what exactly do you hate about Potter?
Regulus sighs heavily and straightens up, as if preparing to list every detail.
—I hate his messy hair, like he thinks it’s charming. I hate his ridiculous glasses and the way he adjusts them on his nose like he’s the main character in some cheesy story. I hate the way he smiles as if nothing in the world bothers him. I hate how he always has something witty to say. I hate that he’s so insanely competitive and refuses to lose. I hate that he’s so damn good at everything he does. I hate how his muscles stand out when he rows. I hate how the sunlight hits him from the side and highlights every damn attractive feature of his face. I hate the mole under his eye. I hate his loud, obnoxious laugh. I hate that he’s so ridiculously charismatic that even the professors love him. I hate how he cares about others, even when he tries to hide it. I hate… I hate his damn scent. How the hell does he always smell so good?!
By the time he finishes talking, Evan and I are biting our lips, desperately trying not to burst out laughing.
—Wow, Reg —Evan says with a teasing smile. —That’s… a pretty detailed list. Are you sure you hate him?
—Or maybe you’ve just spent too much time staring at him? —Barty adds, amused.
Regulus glares at them, his face slightly flushed. —Shut up, idiots.
But that only makes Evan and me laugh even harder.
After Evan and I manage to catch our breath, Reg lies back on the bed again, looking annoyed. —What I don’t understand is how my brother and Potter became best friends. Sirius says Potter is his platonic soulmate or something equally ridiculous.
—That’s actually adorable —Evan comments, earning another warning glare from Regulus.
Barty stretches his arms and changes the subject, still amused. —Anyway, the rowing competition is coming up. Are you and James ready to lose this year?
Regulus scowls and crosses his arms, determined. —We are not going to lose.
Barty and Evan exchange amused looks at his competitive tone.
—I honestly don’t know how you guys haven’t beaten Potter yet —Regulus adds mockingly. —If half your team is made up of mermaids, how the hell does he keep winning?
Evan snorts and leans more comfortably against Barty, who, without much thought, wraps an arm around him in a casual gesture. The contact sends all sorts of feelings rushing through me, but I try to ignore them and focus on the conversation.
—I don’t know, maybe his perfect muscles and charming laugh are too distracting for our team —Evan replies, using air quotes as he directly quotes Regulus’ words.
I roll my eyes and hide my laughter behind my hand.
Evan smirks mischievously and says casually, —Well, at least this year, James will be the one getting distracted by someone else.
He says it in a suggestive tone, absentmindedly tracing circles with his thumbs on Barty’s arms, which are still wrapped around him.
Regulus turns bright red. Evan and Barty burst into laughter.
Trying to play it off, Regulus shifts on the bed and says with feigned indifference, —I wish they had put me on his team. At least then I wouldn’t have to deal with Potter all the time.
—Liar —Barty murmurs, amused.
Evan laughs even harder, and Regulus, unsure how to respond, shoots them another murderous glare—but that only makes them laugh more.
-----------------------------------------------------
JAMES POV
James is lying on his bed, a box of open candies between him and Sirius. Golden and silver wrappers are scattered across the blanket, proof that they've been eating and laughing about nonsense for a while.
"We should do this more often," James says with his mouth full of caramel. "Forget everything and eat until we can't anymore."
Sirius chuckles and grabs another candy. "Yeah, to hell with rowing. Let's have a competition to see who can eat the most chocolate without getting sick."
James nods solemnly. "Challenge accepted."
They laugh for a few more seconds until Sirius, in an offhanded manner, says, "By the way… I didn’t really tell you how things went yesterday."
James shrugs. "You looked annoyed, so I didn’t want to push. Figured you'd talk about it when you were ready."
Sirius shifts against the headboard, pretending to be uninterested. "Oh, you know. I was in town… went to a café… met a guy."
James stops chewing and raises an eyebrow, caught between teasing and genuine curiosity. "Interesting, because a very tall guy with a rather peculiar scar might have asked me yesterday if I knew you."
Sirius freezes for a fraction of a second before shrugging with feigned indifference. "So what if I did? It’s not a big deal."
James watches him with a slow, satisfied smile. "Oh, of course, not a big deal at all. You just went to a café, started a fight, got into trouble with some idiots, and met my friend Remus, who, for some reason, is now asking about you. But yeah, totally not a big deal."
"Exactly," Sirius says, popping a candy into his mouth with exaggerated nonchalance.
James props an elbow on his knee, watching him with amusement. "So tell me, did my dear friend Remus do something to catch your attention? Or was it just his natural charm that got you?"
Sirius glares at him. "Please, Potter. I'm not caught by anyone."
James bursts out laughing. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Though I have to admit, I'm surprised. Remus doesn’t usually ask about new people, especially not anyone from Nevermore. You must’ve made quite the impression."
Sirius scoffs, but his jaw tightens slightly. "It was just a casual encounter. We talked a little, he got into a fight for me… the usual."
James raises his hands in mock innocence. "Oh, right. The usual. But tell me, are you planning to go back to that café to ‘accidentally’ run into him again?"
Sirius narrows his eyes, pretending to inspect a candy in his hand. "I don’t see why I would."
James laughs and nudges him in the shoulder. "Come on, Black. Don’t be boring. It’s just an innocent question."
Sirius stays silent, but James notices how his jaw clenches, like he’s holding something back.
"Actually, now that I think about it…" James leans onto his side, resting his head on his hand with a smirk. "Remus may have asked something else about you."
Sirius flicks his gaze toward him quickly but tries to remain indifferent. "Oh yeah? And what did he ask?"
James savors the moment before answering. "Well… let’s just say he mentioned that you were quite entertaining at the café. And he might have hinted that he’d like to see you again. Maybe… "—he leans in slightly—"he even asked if I had your number."
Sirius goes completely still. His expression remains perfectly neutral, but James sees the way his fingers tighten slightly around the candy he's holding.
"Pfft…" Sirius laughs—too loud, too exaggerated. "As if that’s a big deal."
James gives him a knowing look. "Oh, sure, Black. You don’t care at all that a tall, attractive, and interesting guy asked about you."
Sirius rolls his eyes. "I said it’s not a big deal, Potter."
"Then why are you acting like you're trying to hold back a ridiculous smile?" James points at him with his chin, amused.
"I am not doing that," Sirius replies quickly, but James has already won.
"Oh, you definitely are. I should’ve brought a mirror." James chuckles and grabs another candy. "Come on, admit it—you got a little excited."
Sirius crosses his arms. "I wasn’t excited. It’s just… curious. That’s all."
James watches him with a smug grin. "Uh-huh. Curious. Like when you see a shooting star or when you find money in your pocket."
Sirius scoffs and throws a pillow at him. "Shut up, Potter."
James laughs as he dodges the hit. "I’m just saying, if you happen to go get another coffee tomorrow, let me know. Maybe I should be there to witness the reunion. Thought it was better not to give him your number—one of you should have the guts to ask the other for it. You should’ve seen Remus’s face when I told him that."
Sirius shoots him a murderous glare, but James just smirks. "You’re unbearable."
"And you’re interested in Remus Lupin," James replies smugly.
Sirius groans and flops back onto the bed, covering his face with a pillow. James just lies back and smiles, satisfied.
After a few moments of silence, Sirius changes the subject, feigning disinterest. "So, tell me, Potter, how was canoe practice? Did you survive that much time with my brother?"
James sighs, thinking about Regulus. About how the sun reflected on his skin, the way he furrowed his brows when he focused, the intensity of his gaze. How much he liked his voice, his sharp wit, and his determination. But just as he allows himself to think about all of that, a pang of guilt shoots through his chest. It was Sirius's brother. The person who had, so quickly and unexpectedly, become his best friend. How would he react if he found out?
"It was… interesting," he admits, scratching the back of his neck. "There was a small incident when he dropped the oar, but he did well. He’s very competitive, but really good when he puts his mind to it."
Sirius watches him suspiciously. "Do you like training with him?"
James chuckles softly, but his mind is still full of doubts.
"Yeah… I like it."
---------------------------------------------------------------
SIRIUS POV
Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. It's Regulus—speak of the devil.
"I can't sleep. Can I stay here for a while? I don't want to bother Barty and Evan, who apparently were already dozing off... in the same bed. Is it just me, or is their relationship really confusing?" he says with a mischievous smile.
James laughs. "Everyone knows how they feel about each other. Except them."
Regulus chuckles. "Yeah, it's kind of hard to watch. It's obvious how much they like each other."
Sirius opens his mouth to respond, but the moment he does, a jolt runs through his body. A sudden tremor, a wave of vertigo. He blinks, and suddenly, he’s no longer in the room.
He’s in the forest.
The light is dim and cold. Blood is smeared across the trees, a dark, sticky trail over the fallen leaves. In the distance, blue and red lights flicker, casting eerie reflections in the shadows.
Sirius moves forward, his breath coming in short gasps. He follows the trail of blood until he finds it.
A body. Destroyed. Unrecognizable. And beyond that—a silhouette.
Something huge, too strange to be just an animal. It stops and stares at him for a long, still second.
"Sirius!" Regulus shakes him, pulling him back.
Sirius gasps, struggling to breathe. James helps him steady his breath.
When he finally regains control, he whispers, voice trembling,
"There's another body. The beast killed them."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
REMUS POV
His father’s office smelled of old paper, cold coffee, and the faint traces of tobacco still clinging to the fabric of the leather chair behind the desk. The desk lamp cast long shadows over the cluttered folders, and the creak of the filing cabinet sent a brief shiver down Remus’s spine. He shouldn’t be here. But something inside him told him to keep searching.
The name Black had sounded familiar the moment he heard it. Not just because of Sirius, but because a persistent memory lingered in the back of his mind, telling him he’d read that name before.
His fingers skimmed over the labels on the files until he finally found it.
Orion and Walburga Black.
A sharp unease settled in his chest as he read the names. He couldn’t explain why, but something inside him twisted tightly. With tense hands, he pulled out the folder and carried it to the table. The papers inside were yellowed, the edges worn from age. His eyes scanned the first few pages quickly, searching through dates and reports.
And then he saw it.
Homicide.
Remus straightened in his chair, reading the word over and over again. His stomach churned as he flipped through the pages, finding witness statements, police reports, and black-and-white photographs of a crime scene. The names of the suspects were highlighted, and among them, Orion and Walburga Black were listed as persons of interest.
His heart pounded so hard it nearly drowned out his thoughts.
Sirius came from a dark family. Darker than he ever could have imagined.
Remus swallowed, his throat dry. His fingers trembled slightly as he made copies of the documents, carefully folding them and tucking them into his jacket. He didn’t have a concrete plan, but he knew Sirius had to see this. Something told him that Sirius had no idea of the magnitude of the history behind his last name.
His mind drifted for a moment. He thought about Sirius. About his defiant attitude, his carefree laughter, the way he always seemed to be running from something he never spoke about. His face still ached from the punch he took the other night, the massive bruise a constant reminder. But it had been worth it.
He couldn't deny that Sirius intrigued him.
Much more than he was willing to admit.
That surprised him. He never found himself particularly interested in anyone. And yet, here he was, stealing files from his father’s office to find answers about someone he barely knew.
Remus pressed his lips together, feeling a flicker of irritation when he remembered that James hadn't given him Sirius’s number. He knew James was familiar with nearly everyone in Nevermore, so it wasn’t surprising that he also knew Sirius. What was surprising was finding out that James wasn’t just acquainted with him—he was his roommate. And ever since Sirius had arrived at school, they had become inseparable.
Remus rolled his eyes, feeling a spark of frustration. He swore he would kill James the next time he saw him. He had refused to give him Sirius’s number just to drag out the game, to be there to witness the moment they met again. Damn Potter and his need to turn everything into entertainment.
But, on the other hand…
Remus couldn't help but be a little curious about meeting Sirius’s brother. James never stopped talking about him, mentioning him with a mix of admiration and something else that Remus couldn’t quite place.
There was something there.
Something James wasn’t saying out loud.
If Remus didn’t know him better, he’d say James was feeling too much, too quickly.
A noise outside snapped him out of his thoughts.
He frowned and moved to the window, just in time to see his father starting up the patrol car. Several flashing lights illuminated the distance as other vehicles followed, an ambulance speeding past.
Remus’s stomach dropped.
He didn’t need to ask.
Another attack.
Another body.
Notes:
This will be a little long and silly but we'll get there.
hope you liked it
pau :)
Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Suburban Legends
Notes:
Chapter 4, by this point you already know about spelling and grammar, soo
Enjoy the chapter, thanks for reading, and if someone really reads this and likes it, I would like to read your comments.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
REGULUS POV
James had obtained a special permit to go to the village, something that, according to him, was no surprise because he had an innate talent for getting on anyone's good side. "There's nothing a bit of charm and a big smile can't achieve," he had said smugly while waving the paper with the approval signature. And as expected, he didn't plan to go alone.
"Come on, Reg, you can't stay locked up all day," James insisted, with a smug grin. "Besides, Sirius is coming too, so you have no excuse."
Regulus sighed, crossing his arms. He didn't mind the idea of going out, but after what had happened the night before, his mind was too restless. The visions of Sirius worried him more than he was willing to admit, but if he had learned anything from his older brother, it was that Sirius hated being overprotected, he believed that as an older brother it was his mission or something. And the last thing he wanted was for Sirius to think he was treating him like a fragile child.
"Some fresh air wouldn't hurt," he finally said, though his voice lacked the same excitement as James'.
Sirius, on the other hand, seemed delighted with the idea of distracting himself. He shrugged with exaggerated disinterest while chewing on a red licorice.
"Reg, seriously, you let any nonsense affect you too much. They're just weird dreams or some hallucination. It was probably just my brain playing tricks on me."
Regulus pressed his lips together. He wasn't so sure. Something inside him told him they weren't just dreams or a coincidence. It was too much of a coincidence.
Sirius didn't understand that to protect him, to keep him safe, they had to understand what was happening.
But, instead of continuing to argue, he let out a sigh and nodded.
*****
The town was vibrant with activity when they arrived. People walked back and forth, shop windows were decorated with warm lights, and the smell of fresh coffee and baked bread permeated the air. James seemed to be in his element, greeting half the world as if he were the unofficial mayor of the place. Sirius, for his part, dedicated himself to finding a place that sold sweets or something that could keep him entertained.
Regulus tried to relax and enjoy the walk, but his attention was diverted when he saw a newspaper at the magazine stand. On the cover, in large, bold letters, it read:
ANOTHER ATTACK IN THE FOREST: ONE MORE VICTIM JOINS THE LIST
Regulus felt his stomach sink. His heart began to beat faster as he grabbed the newspaper and quickly unfolded it. His eyes scanned the article with growing unease. Not only did they describe the state in which the body had been found, but they also mentioned strange marks around the area, signs of something that could not be explained logically.
Too much of a coincidence.
He felt Sirius's presence beside him, who read over his shoulder and let out a snort.
"You know how people are. Always exaggerating everything to sell more newspapers, it's not important," he said lightly, but Regulus saw his jaw tighten slightly.
James, on the other hand, frowned and took the newspaper from his hands.
"This... this isn't normal," he murmured, and for the first time since they arrived, his tone lost some of its joviality. "Do you think it's...?"
Regulus didn't let him finish. He knew what James was implying, and he wasn't ready to give voice to the possibility.
"I'm going to investigate it," he said firmly.
Sirius turned to him in disbelief.
"What? No. We're not going to get involved in this. They're murders, Regulus. Since when are you a detective?"
Regulus stared at him.
"Since these things started chasing you, Sirius. Since this stopped being just a story in the newspaper."
"I said no, Reg, it's not your business, it's not worth it, we don't even know if it's true."
The silence that followed was thick. James cleared his throat.
"If we're going to do this... let's at least do it carefully. We're not stupid. And we definitely don't want to end up like the people in these articles. I'll help you in any way I can, Reg," James said just for him to hear.
Regulus nodded. His decision was made. He wasn't going to ignore what was happening. Not this time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAMES POV
James was still worried about Sirius's visions. He knew his friend was stubborn and preferred not to dwell on his problems, but this wasn't something that could be easily ignored. Regulus, on the other hand, was determined to investigate, and although James admired his determination, he was also concerned about what they were getting into.
He decided to change the subject before the conversation got even heavier.
"Well, I have to go get my things. I promised I'd stop by the sports shop. Are you coming?"
Sirius shrugged and looked towards a nearby café with a strange glint in his eyes.
"You guys go. I want to grab a coffee."
James raised an eyebrow knowingly and looked at him amused.
"Oh, sure. A coffee. It's not like you're looking for anyone in particular..."
Sirius shot him a murderous look, but Regulus simply sighed.
"Do whatever you want, but don't be too long," he warned before following James.
James and Regulus walked to the sports shop. James got excited seeing the new gear and started talking about every sport he was passionate about. Regulus listened attentively, but when James asked if he liked sports too, his answer was unexpected.
"I like them, yes. But I enjoy other kinds of activities more... other kinds of exercise," he replied with a half-smile.
James's eyes widened in surprise and he felt a slight warmth rise to his face. He decided not to think about it too much and simply nodded, laughing.
We finished our shopping quickly and, upon leaving the store, fate guides us towards a bookstore.
"How about we go in for a while?" Regulus suggests almost without thinking, and I can't refuse the idea.
Inside, the tinkling of the bell and the soft light emanating from the lamps create a cozy and quiet atmosphere. As we wander through the narrow aisles, I feel captivated by the passion Regulus shows as he looks at each bookshelf. His face lights up with each title, and his voice takes on an almost hypnotic cadence as he talks about authors and stories.
We stop in front of a classics section and, with a look that mixes admiration and melancholy, Regulus comments:
"You know what I like about books, James? They have that power to open doors to unimaginable worlds. Each book is an entire universe, a window to emotions and experiences, new stories, thousands of possibilities, an escape."
I can't help but feel a growing fascination, the way he talks, the sparkle in his eyes, the slight blush on his cheeks, God, he really is incredible.
He smiles, carefully closing a copy of contemporary poetry, and leans towards me in an intimate gesture.
"Sometimes, I think those stories can illuminate even the darkest shadow."
Silence settles for a brief moment, dense and sincere. I look into his eyes, trying to read his expression, to find an answer.
The conversation intertwines with the distant murmur of other customers and the rustling of pages being turned. Regulus sighs, and in a soft tone says to me:
"Maybe we need a break, let's go to the café, let's find Sirius," he finally says, lightening the tension that had built up.
Between soft laughter and words loaded with meaning that I never thought I'd share with him, we say goodbye to the bookstore. I make a mental note to come back for that classic book that had caught Regulus's attention. As we step out into the cool of the night, the sun sets behind the horizon and the city lights begin to flicker.
James remained silent, watching him, wondering what else was in Regulus Black's head.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIRIUS POV
Sirius entered the café with his heart beating a little faster than normal. His eyes scanned the place, hoping to find a particular person. And there he was.
Remus.
The boy noticed him immediately, and a smile formed on his face. He approached the counter and leaned his elbows on the surface, looking at him amused.
"You came, James told me you'd probably come. I get off in ten minutes, will you wait for me?" Remus said with a half-smile.
"I have nothing better to do," Sirius said with a nonchalant smile, but the truth was he had been waiting for this all day.
Before going back to work, Remus handed him a coffee without Sirius having to ask.
"The one from last time, the one you liked. Don't say I don't think about you," he said with a wink before disappearing behind the coffee machine.
Sirius stared at the cup with a silly smile before taking a sip. He waited for him at one of the tables by the window, watching people walk by on the street. Minutes later, Remus arrived and sat across from him.
"How have you been?" Sirius asked, stirring his coffee.
"I could ask you the same," Remus said, pulling something out of his backpack. An envelope. "But before you answer, I think you'll be interested in this."
Sirius took the envelope curiously and opened it. Inside were documents. Files with his parents' names. As he began to read, he felt like the ground was opening up beneath him.
"What... what is this?" he asked in a whisper.
"Your family has secrets, Sirius. And I thought you'd like to know them."
Sirius swallowed hard, still processing the information. He closed his eyes for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh.
"How did you get this?"
"My dad's the sheriff," Remus said, shrugging. "I found it by chance and thought you should know."
Before he could answer, the café door opened and the sheriff walked in. His gaze landed on Sirius and his expression hardened.
"You're not welcome here. Not when you might be just like your monster parents."
Sirius clenched his jaw, but before he could respond, Remus stood up.
"Dad, calm down, he has nothing to do with that. And if you have a problem, you can tell me."
The sheriff looked at him with disdain, but ended up walking past them. Sirius just felt more curiosity about his family and the reason why the sheriff seemed to hold so much resentment towards his parents.
Something was happening. And he was going to find out what it was.
"Let's go, Sirius," Remus said loudly enough for his father to still hear them. I couldn't see his reaction as Remus opened the café door and tried to put his arm around me before stopping and lowering it.
When they left the café, Sirius looked at Remus more closely. He had a huge bruise on his cheek, probably from the fight the other day.
"You have a bruise the size of the moon on your face, Lupin," Sirius commented with a half-smile.
Remus rolled his eyes and touched his cheek carefully.
"Yeah, well. It was a lunatic who tried to defend you."
Sirius blinked and then laughed.
"That was incredibly bad, Remus," he said between laughs. "But I like it. Moony suits you."
Remus frowned and saw a slight blush rise up his neck.
"Gods, James told you, I'm going to kill him. Don't call me that." James had told him that he had given him the nickname Moony months after they met, when at a party, in his drunkenness, he started howling at the moon. It didn't matter, for him he was Moony because of the bruise on his cheek, a bruise he had so that Sirius wouldn't have one.
But he couldn't explain that to him, not yet, it was too soon.
"Too late, Moony."
Remus sighed with resignation and shook his head, but couldn't help smiling.
--------------------------------------------------------------
REMUS POV
They were walking down the sidewalk, enjoying the cool afternoon breeze, when he spotted James and a dark-haired boy beside him. It didn't take him long to deduce that it was Regulus Black, Sirius's little brother James never stopped talking about. There was something in his posture, in his slightly arrogant expression, that gave him away as Sirius's brother. And yet, there was something else... something different.
James saw them and raised a hand in greeting. "Remus, Sirius! Just in time!" he exclaimed in his always enthusiastic tone.
"Just in time for what?" Sirius asked with a raised eyebrow.
"To go eat somewhere else," James replied, shrugging. "Besides, Remus, I want to introduce you to Regulus. Reg, this is Remus. Remus, this is Regulus."
Regulus gave a small smile before replying in a clearly sarcastic tone, "Oh, how nice. Another friend of James. I assume you're also incredibly loud and join him in getting into trouble."
Remus crossed his arms and pretended to think about it. "Well, not loud. But the trouble part..."
"I see," Regulus replied with amusement, tilting his head curiously. "You look like the one who gets him out of it."
"That's the polite way of saying I have bad luck," Remus retorted with a lopsided smile.
James rolled his eyes. "Well, now that you two get along, can we go eat?"
They ended up in a small restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. During the meal, he realized he got along surprisingly well with Regulus. They laughed together, shared biting comments, and, best of all, seemed to be conspiring against James and Sirius.
"Ah, so you can't stand James," Remus commented while taking a sip of his cola.
"It's a full-time job, but someone has to do it," Regulus replied with a dramatic air. "Although at least you can walk away when you want."
James narrowed his eyes and leaned across the table. "What are you two muttering about?"
"Nothing you'd understand, Potter," Regulus replied with an innocent smile.
Sirius burst out laughing as he nudged James. "Look on the bright side, at least they like you enough to joke about you."
James sighed dramatically and then quickly changed the subject. "By the way, there's a fair in town on Saturday. I was thinking we could go... as a group, of course."
He gestured with his eyes to Remus, who immediately caught the message. "Yeah, sounds fun. What do you say, Sirius?" he asked, pretending it wasn't obvious what James was planning.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, but ended up shrugging. "I guess it could be entertaining. Reg?"
Regulus pretended to think about it. "I might consider joining you."
James smiled contentedly and nudged Remus in thanks before turning to Sirius and flicking his forehead. "Perfect. Now let's get to the important part."
Remus raised an eyebrow, noticing something suspicious in James's tone. And then, he saw it coming.
"The numbers," James said with false innocence, taking Sirius's phone. "Sirius, give your number to Remus. Remus, give yours to Sirius."
Remus narrowed his eyes and looked at James with what he hoped was a threatening glare. "I'm going to kill you."
"You blushed, so if you kill me, it will have been worth it," James muttered, just low enough for him to hear.
Sirius rolled his eyes and took Remus's phone, adding his number before handing it back. "Don't make me regret this, Lupin."
Regulus, amused by the scene, took out his own phone and looked at Remus. "Well, since we're at it..."
"It's not that I want to receive messages from you in the middle of the night, but I guess I'll survive," Remus joked as he exchanged numbers with the younger brother.
Regulus gave him a half-smile. "Well, then I'll try to make them interesting enough that you can't ignore them."
James watched everything with his arms crossed, feigning disapproval. "Okay, okay, we're all friends now. Enough."
Remus laughed as he nudged him. "Relax, James, I like him as a friend." "Besides, I'm interested in Sirius and from what I see Regulus might like you." Remus whispers making sure the brothers can't hear him, too distracted by something.
And so, with new numbers saved and the promise of going out together, (he would have to thank James for his master plan later), the group left the restaurant laughing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAMES POV
Back in their dorms, James flopped onto his bed with a satisfied smile. The day had been interesting, to say the least. Sirius, however, stood still, arms crossed and an expression James knew all too well: the beginning of an existential crisis.
"Do you think Remus will text me?" Sirius asked suddenly, breaking the silence with his nonchalant tone, although James knew him well enough to notice the hidden anxiety in his voice.
James chuckled and turned to look at him amused.
"Oh, buddy," he said, shaking his head. "You're already screwed."
Sirius frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're waiting for a message," James sang, enjoying the moment too much. "And if you're waiting for a message, that only means one thing: you care."
Sirius scoffed and fell onto the bed with his arms open, staring at the ceiling.
"I don't care," he said, but his voice sounded less convincing than he surely intended.
"Yeah, right," James replied sarcastically. "That's why you've been pacing the room for ten minutes and checking your phone every 30 seconds."
Sirius glared at him, but James just smiled smugly.
"What if he doesn't text?" Sirius asked after a while, his tone now more serious.
James rolled his eyes.
"Then you just text him."
Sirius opened his mouth, clearly offended by the suggestion.
"What? Me text him first? No. That breaks all the unwritten rules of social interaction."
James burst out laughing, enjoying his friend's anguish too much.
"Oh, come on, don't be a drama queen. It's just a message."
"It's the beginning of something," Sirius muttered, and James raised an eyebrow.
"And that's bad?"
Sirius didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at his phone as if it held all the answers in the universe. James just smiled to himself. Oh, yeah. Sirius was screwed.
After a few seconds of silence, Sirius sat up on the bed and pulled a folder from his backpack. He looked at it with a frown before throwing it to James, who caught it without much effort.
"What's this?" James asked, opening the file curiously.
"Remus gave it to me today at the café," Sirius explained, his tone now more tense. "They're documents about my parents. About their past. Apparently, they were involved in... something."
James stopped smiling and began to browse the contents. His jaw tightened as he read the details about Orion and Walburga Black, the police reports, the vague testimonies, and the way everything seemed to have been buried at the time.
"Shit," James muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Did you know anything about this?"
Sirius shook his head.
"Nothing. They never mentioned anything. But it's not like they were the most open parents in the world," he said with a bitter laugh.
James closed the file and left it on the nightstand. His mind was already working at full speed.
"I have to find out more about this," Sirius said finally. "If my parents did something like this and managed to get away with it, there are more things we don't know. I can't leave it like this."
James nodded, his gaze determined.
"I agree. We'll get to the bottom of this. I'll be with you through everything. We're in this together Sirius, you're my best friend, I'm not going to leave you alone in this."
James patted him on the shoulder with a confident smile.
"Together."
Sirius smiled slightly and nodded. He didn't know what they would find in this investigation, but one thing was certain: he would be with Sirius, until the end.
James, still intrigued, picked up the case photos Sirius had brought. As he reviewed them more closely, his eyes stopped on one in particular. A blurry image of an object at the crime scene... and what he saw made his heart skip a beat.
"It can't be," he muttered, bringing the photo closer to his eyes.
"What?" Sirius asked, sitting up.
James turned the photo and showed it to Sirius, pointing to a symbol engraved on a piece of rusty metal. It was an emblem he knew all too well.
"This symbol... I've seen it before," James said, his tone serious.
Sirius frowned.
"Where?"
James swallowed and lowered his voice, as if afraid someone might hear them.
"It's the emblem of a secret society, here, from Evermore... The Marauders. And I'm part of it."
Silence fell in the room. Sirius looked at him, completely bewildered.
"You what?"
James sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"It's complicated. I can't tell you much yet, but swear you'll keep the secret."
Sirius narrowed his eyes.
"James, you just told me a symbol from your boy scout club was at a crime scene related to my parents. I need more context."
"It's not a boy scout club," James growled. "It's a secret society with a lot of history. There are things I can't tell you, but I'll try to get you to join. Maybe this has something to do with your parents' case. If they were members, then you could enter by legacy."
Sirius stared at him, assimilating the information.
"And how do we find out if they were members?"
James smiled sideways.
"Leave it to me. I'll check the files. If I find something, I'll let you know."
Sirius let out an incredulous laugh and ran a hand over his face.
"Damn, this keeps getting weirder and weirder."
"Oh, we're just getting started," James said with a knowing smile.
"James... don't tell Regulus anything. I don't want to worry him, not until we know more. You saw how he got with the visions. I don't want this to stress him out more than he already is."
James hesitated for a second, but finally nodded.
"Alright. I won't say anything."
They both looked at each other with a mix of excitement and concern. If there was something bigger behind all this, they were determined to find out. Side by side, no matter what.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGULUS POV
Regulus slumped into one of the armchairs in the room, running a hand over his face in frustration. He felt the weight of worry sinking into his chest, and no matter how hard he tried to shake off the feeling, he couldn't ignore it.
"I'm worried about Sirius," he finally confessed, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.
Barty, who was lying on the bed with his legs crossed in the air, turned his head with an amused expression.
"And what did he do now?" he asked with a lopsided smile, though noticing the seriousness on Regulus's face, his expression changed to a more attentive one.
Evan, who was sitting at the desk reviewing a book, closed the cover with a sharp thud and turned to us with a frown.
"Did something happen?" he inquired, watching us carefully.
Regulus sighed, searching for the right words to explain how he felt.
"I don't know for sure, but I feel like something's happening. Something important. And I don't want to sound paranoid, but I think it might be related to the attacks."
Barty dropped his legs to the floor and sat up.
"Wait, wait, are you saying Sirius is...?"
"I don't know if he's directly involved, I don't think so," Regulus corrected, rubbing his temple, "but I do know there's a connection. I've noticed it in his behavior, in how he avoids certain topics. And knowing him, if he doesn't want me to find out something, it's because he knows it would worry me."
Evan exchanged a glance with Barty before speaking.
"Now that you mention it... the first few nights, I saw something strange. There was a bluish light in the forest, something I'd never seen before. It was fast, but... it left me with a weird feeling. It was shortly after the attacks started."
Regulus straightened up, feeling his skin tingle.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't know if it was important. I thought someone else would have seen it, but no one mentioned anything," Barty shrugged, though his expression reflected concern.
Barty clicked his tongue and slumped into the armchair next to Regulus, crossing his arms.
"This sounds worse and worse. And if Sirius is involved in some way... we have to find out, we can help him."
Regulus nodded firmly.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I'm not going to sit here and do nothing."
Evan smiled, resting an elbow on the back of the armchair.
"We're with you, Reg. You don't have to do it alone."
Barty patted him on the back with a wry smile.
"That's what friends are for, right? To investigate horrible attacks and worse visions."
Regulus let out a slight laugh, feeling for the first time in days that he had real friends, who would always support him.
"Thanks, really."
The three exchanged a determined look. If something was happening, they would face it together. And if Sirius was in danger, they wouldn't rest until they discovered the truth.
Regulus sighed and settled more comfortably in the armchair, looking at his friends with a half-smile.
"Well, putting aside the impending apocalypse for a moment, do you want to know something interesting?" he said, trying to relieve the tension.
Barty raised an eyebrow.
"If it's juicy, go ahead."
"I went to town with James and met his friend, Remus."
Evan and Barty looked at each other before they both asked in unison:
"The handsome barista?"
Regulus blinked, confused for a second, before snorting with amusement.
"So you already know him..."
"Not personally," Barty replied, placing a hand on his chest as if in pain, "but we've seen and admired him from afar." He put on an exaggeratedly dramatic expression. "And now it turns out you were the lucky one to talk to him. What a betrayal, Reg."
Evan nodded, feigning indignation.
Regulus rolled his eyes, but couldn't help smiling.
"Of course, the first thing you mention is how attractive he is. You don't even ask about him."
"Oh, right, right," Barty interjected, leaning forward with an expectant expression. "What's he like?"
"He's nice," Regulus admitted, shrugging. "He has a sense of humor, he's smart... and he puts up with James, which says a lot."
Evan nodded in approval.
"He seems like a good guy."
"He is," Regulus admitted, a smile forming on his face, but he wasn't thinking about Remus anymore, but about a certain idiot athlete with a pretty smile and an irritating personality that made him feel like he could touch the sun.
Barty watched him for a moment before pointing at him dramatically.
"You're smiling like an idiot. What are you hiding, Reggie? Did something else happen?"
"And why do I feel like you're not thinking about the barista anymore?" Evan added with an irritatingly smug smile on his face. "Maybe it has something to do with Potter."
Regulus frowned and threw a cushion at his face.
"Shut up."
Evan and Barty burst out laughing, finally relieving the tense atmosphere that had formed earlier. Although the concern for Sirius was still present, at that moment, Regulus allowed himself to enjoy the company of his friends.
Regulus cleared his throat, trying to change the subject before Barty decided to make more unnecessary comments about his supposed silly smile, which was totally out of place.
"Anyway, what I wanted to tell you is that James and Remus are organizing a plan to go to the fair as a group. I thought it might be fun if we all went."
Barty and Evan were silent for a moment before exchanging glances and then bursting out laughing.
"James Potter invited you to the fair?" Evan repeated, with obvious excitement.
"And you accepted?" Barty added, placing a hand on his chest. "Reg, tell me the truth... are you sure you don't like him? Because first it's the canoes, then the fair... Next will be a wedding and I haven't even given my blessing."
Regulus gave him a look he hoped was murderous.
"Don't be ridiculous. It's not just James, it's also Remus... and Sirius," he said casually, though he noticed Evan and Barty perking up instantly.
"Oh!" Evan exclaimed with a mischievous smile. "Sirius is going too, and with Remus."
"How interesting..." Barty murmured, resting his elbow on the arm of the armchair and looking at him amused. "Because if I'm not mistaken and the gossip Dorcas told me is correct, Remus and he have been in this strange dance of 'I like you, but I'll never admit it'."
Regulus sighs wearily. "Even a blind person would notice. Sirius looks at him like he's the only person in the room, and Remus, although he tries to play it cool, always finds an excuse to be near him."
Evan giggles and Barty snaps his fingers.
"So basically this fair is going to be a kind of group date full of tension. I love it." He turned to Regulus with bright eyes. "And what about you, Reg? Are you going to try something with James?"
Regulus pressed his jaw and grabbed another cushion, ready to throw it.
"Shut up."
"BUT IT'S A VALID QUESTION!" Barty defended, laughing as he covered his face. "I'm just saying, if Sirius and Remus can have their love story, why can't you?"
"Because it's not like that!" Regulus scoffed. "Besides, I already told you James is insufferable!"
Evan shrugged.
"Yes, but you also didn't give many details about the way his arm muscles tense and the way his dimples show when he smiles."
"Yes, yes, and how the sun hits his face and frames his jaw and blah blah," Barty added. "So if I were you I would analyze my feelings a little more and the way I 'hate' people."
Regulus rubbed his temple, wondering why he had decided to tell them anything in the first place. Just as he was about to answer, an idea crossed his mind. He realized how ridiculous it was that Evan and Barty were making fun of him for being in denial with James, when they themselves were in the same situation.
It was obvious to anyone who knew them that Evan and Barty felt something for each other. They were always together, always found excuses to touch each other, look at each other too much, tease each other with a familiarity that went beyond simple friendship. But, like Sirius and Remus, they refused to admit it. Regulus wondered how much longer they would continue like this before realizing it.
And then, he smiled to himself.
If his friends wanted to play matchmakers with him, fine. But three could play that game. If everything went well, by the end of the fair, Evan and Barty would finally accept what was obvious to everyone else. Regulus would make sure of it.
Regulus sighed and slumped against the armchair
Notes:
The black brothers worrying about each other >>>
I love Jegulus moments
We have Moony
The small details of remus>>
Moonwater friendship is very important to me
Prongsfoot>>
I love the remus/james friendship, it's called wolfchaser right?
Wolfchaser plans>>
I love that everyone has a crush on Remus.
Slytherin friendship>>
Rosekiller pls open your eyes
well I hope you liked the chapter, the fair continues, I'm excited about that
With love.
pau :)
Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Friends
Chapter Text
SIRIUS POV
Sirius sat on the edge of Lily's bed, completely still as Mary held his face with one hand and swiped black eyeliner with the other. He tried not to move, but the excitement he felt for the fair made him impatient. His foot tapped the floor with light taps, and every so often, he smiled sideways as he watched Marlene and Lily argue over something seemingly insignificant.
"Don't blink," Mary warned him seriously, leaning in a little closer to make sure the stroke was perfect.
"I'm not an amateur, McDonald," Sirius replied with an arrogant grin. "My eye is a canvas and you are the artist."
Marlene, who was lying on the floor flipping through a magazine, snorted without looking up.
"Dramatic as always."
"Dramatic, but handsome," added Lily, watching him with amusement from her vanity as she adjusted the curls of her hair. "Although if it weren't for Mary, you'd look like a raccoon instead of a rock star."
"You know what?" Sirius said with feigned indignation. "I don't need these attacks on my person when all I do is beautify this group with my presence."
"Oh yeah, the cover model," Marlene scoffed, flipping through her magazine as if it were nothing. "I don't know what we'd do without your invaluable beauty, Sirius."
Mary let out a laugh as she finished the last touch of her masterpiece and gave him a light tap on the nose with the eyeliner.
"There you go, ready for the fair. Perfect, mysterious and with an air of 'I'm going to cause chaos'."
Sirius looked at himself in the hand mirror Lily passed him and smiled with satisfaction. The dark line highlighted his blue-gray eyes impeccably. He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not going to lie, I look spectacular."
"Well, don't get too excited," Lily teased. "If you keep admiring yourself like that, you're going to get trapped in your own reflection."
"It would be a fair price to pay," Sirius replied with a grin. Then he set the mirror aside and fell onto Lily's bed with a contented sigh. "I'm looking forward to it. I feel like the fair is going to be a show worth remembering."
"Of course it will be," Marlene said, closing her magazine and resting her chin on her palm. "It's always fun when we all go to town. Besides, I want to ride the roller coaster and feel my soul leave my body."
"You and your need for near-death experiences," Lily muttered, shaking her head.
"I just want the damn cotton candy," Mary declared, crossing her arms. "If anyone dares to take a piece without permission, I'll make them suffer."
"What if I ask nicely?" Sirius asked with a puppy-dog smile, leaning towards her.
Mary narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced.
"Maybe I'll let you smell it."
"You're ruthless, McDonald!" Sirius exclaimed, putting a hand to his chest as if he were hurt.
The comment made everyone burst out laughing. The room was filled with energy and excitement, and Sirius felt like he couldn't be more ready for what the night had in store. Between the food, the rides and the bright lights, he knew it would be an incredible night.
But, beyond that, there was something that gave him a tingle in his stomach.
Remus.
He couldn't ignore how much he thought about him lately. Sometimes, he caught himself staring too much, or meeting his gaze by accident and feeling something electric pass between them. And, although he kept telling himself that it didn't mean anything, he couldn't deny that there was something about the way Remus smiled at him that left him breathless for a few seconds.
Yes, tonight was definitely going to be interesting.
***
Back in his room, Sirius barely had time to close the door before a new vision hit him.
The world around him faded, and suddenly he found himself in a dark, damp basement. The stench of blood and death permeated the air. Around him, shelves full of jars contained what looked like organs floating in a thick, yellowish liquid. Each of them had labels with inscriptions that Sirius couldn't read.
Then he saw it.
The beast.
This time, he could make it out more clearly. It was enormous, its grayish skin looked hard and rough, like that of an ancient statue. Its muscles bulged under its taut, scarred skin. Its head was similar to that of a wolf, but larger, fiercer. Its eyes glowed with a supernatural radiance, as if they contained liquid fire inside. Its teeth, sharp and uneven, protruded from its jaw in a terrifying gesture.
But what struck Sirius the most was not its monstrous appearance, but the fact that the creature was screaming.
A heart-rending roar, full of suffering, echoed through the room. It wasn't just a howl of fury, it was a cry of pain, of absolute agony. The beast shuddered, as if something invisible tortured it, its huge claws scratched the stone floor, leaving deep furrows.
Then, their eyes met.
Sirius felt a shiver run down his spine when the beast seemed to see him. It was impossible. It was just a vision. And yet, the creature fixed its gaze on him, as if it could perceive his presence. Its incandescent eyes pierced him and Sirius felt his breath fail.
The world shook and, suddenly, everything disappeared.
Sirius woke up abruptly, his back against the cold wall of the hallway. His breathing was ragged, his heart pounded hard inside his chest. His stomach was churning, fear settling inside him like an impossible knot to undo.
The sounds of the beast still echoed in his head. Its cry of pain. Its eyes.
He ran a trembling hand over his face and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm down. He couldn't get the image of the beast out of his mind, the feeling that it had seen him.
He took a couple of deep breaths and, after several seconds, managed to pull himself together. He wasn't going to tell anyone. Not even James.
Not today. Not when the fair was about to start.
He wasn't going to ruin the night.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would think about it.
JAMES POV
James decided he would stop by Regulus's room before heading to the fair. Evan and Barty had left a little earlier since they had been assigned to escort the younger students to the village, but they would catch up later. Instead of waiting for Regulus to come on his own, he thought it would be better to go get him.
He went up the stairs with quick steps, adjusting his glasses out of habit. He knew it wasn't strictly necessary to pick him up, but any excuse to spend more time with him seemed worth it. As he walked down the corridors, he noticed how the castle seemed to be vibrating with excitement for the fair. He passed some students who were leaving, laughing and joking among themselves. However, his mind was elsewhere.
On Regulus.
When he reached the door of Regulus's room, he knocked gently and waited. Seconds later, the door opened, and James lost his breath.
Regulus was there, standing in the doorway, the waves of his hair styled in a perfectly disheveled way, and a tailored black coat that highlighted the paleness of his skin. His eyes, always cold and intense gray-green, shone under the dim light of the hallway. There was something in the way the younger Black looked at him, a mix of reserve and curiosity, that made James's chest feel too small to contain his heart.
For a moment, James could do nothing but look at him, taking in every little detail as if he wanted to engrave it in his memory. The slight arch of his eyebrows, the elegance with which he stood tall, the way the light seemed to dance on his pale skin. It wasn't fair that someone could look like that without even trying.
He felt ridiculous for staying silent for so long, but his brain seemed to have stopped working completely. The way the fabric of Regulus's coat clung to his shoulders, the slight silver glint of the rings on his hand, god his hands he didn't even want to think about them, everything had him trapped in a kind of trance that he couldn't and didn't want to leave.
Regulus tilted his head slightly, with an expression between amused and inquisitive. James cleared his throat immediately and forced a nonchalant smile, trying to regain his composure.
"Wow, Black, you look... you look wow."
Regulus raised an eyebrow, as if he didn't understand what he meant, and James had to remind himself to breathe.
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't fair that someone like Regulus existed and that he had to act like it didn't affect him.
REMUS POV
Remus leaned against the doorframe of the living room, his hands shoved into his pockets and the most nonchalant expression he could muster. His father was sitting in his old leather armchair, reading the newspaper with a slightly furrowed brow. Remus knew that asking him for the car keys wouldn't be an easy task, but he had a plan.
"Dad," he began casually, "can I borrow the car tonight?"
Lyall Lupin lowered the newspaper just enough to give his son a suspicious look.
"What do you need it for?"
"To pick up my friends and go to the fair," Remus replied naturally. "I know they can get there on their own, but... it would be easier and faster if I go get them. Besides, that way we avoid any mishaps on the way. Safety, you know."
His father let out a sigh, folded the newspaper and placed it on the coffee table. He rubbed his chin, staring at him.
"I don't know, son. You know I don't like you driving at night. Especially when there's an event in town. People drink and accidents happen, you know." Remus contained the urge to roll his eyes; deep down he was prepared for that answer.
"Dad, I drive well. I've never had an accident, not even a scratch. And I'm not going to an illegal race, it's just the fair. Give me a vote of confidence."
Lyall seemed to debate internally, but finally took the keys out of his pocket and held them in the air, without completely releasing his grip.
"I want it back at eleven o'clock," he said sternly.
Remus frowned and crossed his arms.
"Eleven? Dad, that's not even midnight. That'll barely be the best part of the night. How about one?"
Lyall shook his head firmly.
"At eleven."
"Twelve thirty," Remus negotiated with a smile.
"Midnight, and that's my final offer."
"One," he insisted, raising his eyebrows.
His father sighed heavily and looked at him with resignation.
"Alright, but not a minute later. And I want the car in one piece."
Remus couldn't help but smile broadly and, in a burst of happiness, leaned over and hugged his father briefly. It was an instinctive, quick, but significant movement. He barely realized what he was doing when he was already letting go, pulling away with a slight discomfort. They weren't used to those kinds of displays of affection.
Lyall seemed just as surprised, but just cleared his throat and waved his hand in the air as if nothing had happened.
"Go on, go upstairs and get ready before I change my mind."
Remus took the keys quickly and went up to his room with his heart beating a little faster than normal. Not just because of the excitement of the fair, but because he knew exactly who he was most looking forward to seeing tonight. And he was about to go get him. And his friends, obviously.
He fell onto the bed and took the phone out of his pocket. He knew that the logical thing would be to text James, after all he was the one he trusted the most, but no, he was going to use this as an excuse to text Sirius.
James would encourage him with this, without a doubt. In fact, if he were by his side right now, he would probably say something like “Don't be a coward, Moony. Send him a message and stop thinking so much.”
He sighed and, before regretting it, typed quickly:
"I'll pick you guys up at 8. Does that sound good?"
He pressed send and left the phone on his chest, staring at the ceiling. He immediately opened it again in Sirius's chat. He didn't know why he felt that strange anxiety in his stomach, as if he were waiting for something more than a simple answer.
Exactly five minutes later, the phone vibrated.
How did he know? Because he had been staring at the screen the whole time until the notification appeared.
"Yeah, see you then."
Sirius had answered. Just that, no emojis or strange words, but somehow, Remus felt the air return to his lungs.
Gods, he was screwed.
Remus stared at the screen for a few more seconds, debating whether to reply with something or leave the conversation like that. His fingers drummed against the phone case before, without thinking too much, he typed:
"Great. See you at the entrance."
Sirius replied almost instantly:
"Okay"
Remus smiled without realizing it and put the phone aside as he began to get ready. He put on light blue jeans and, after a moment of indecision, opted for one of his classic sweaters, a cream-colored one that had always seemed absurdly comfortable to him. He combined the outfit with his Doc Martens and ran a hand through his hair, tousling it a little more than it already was. His reflection in the mirror gave him back an image he was comfortable with, although he never quite felt completely satisfied with his appearance.
Before leaving, he looked at his phone again. There were no more messages from Sirius. He bit his lip, debating. Was sending a photo too much? He didn't know, but, in any case, he opened the camera and took a quick selfie. He didn't like it. He took another. And another. And twenty more. Until he finally found one that convinced him enough to send it without thinking too much.
He hated taking pictures of himself; for some reason he felt embarrassed every time he tried. He felt ridiculous seeing himself on the camera, as if he were someone else, as if the image he saw reflected wasn't entirely his. He preferred to take pictures of people or objects, landscapes. He liked to capture beautiful things, fleeting moments that became eternal with just the push of a button.
He looked good, he thought. He knew it, after all. His brown curls and honey-colored eyes had always earned him some attention, in addition to some phone numbers written on coffee shop napkins and higher-than-normal tips at his job. He knew that the scars left by the accident gave him a rougher air, something that inexplicably attracted some people, although he hated them. They were a constant reminder of the worst stage of his life. Of his father's.
The thought made his chest feel heavier. His mother. The image of her soft eyes, honey-colored eyes, like his, and her bright smile appeared in his mind without warning. No matter how much time passed, how much he tried to push those memories away, there was always something that dragged him back. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to release that oppressive feeling.
He shook his head and stopped thinking about it. It wasn't the time. Tonight was for enjoying himself. It was a night he had been waiting for, although he would prefer to be slowly murdered before admitting it out loud. There was something about the idea of picking up his friends, about the idea of seeing Sirius, that made him feel a tingling in his stomach that he didn't quite understand, or rather, didn't want to understand at all.
As soon as he sent the photo, Sirius saw it instantly. But Sirius took exactly four minutes to reply. Guess how he knew?
Because he was staring at the chat for those four minutes until the answer came. Again.
His heart was beating faster than normal, and he didn't want to analyze too much why. He bit his lower lip, feeling a mix of impatience and absurd nervousness, until finally the notification appeared on the screen:
Sirius just gave the photo a heart and then wrote:
"I like the sweater."
Remus felt an involuntary tingle in his chest. He stared at the message longer than necessary, as if he could decipher something more in those simple words. Finally, he decided to reply before thinking too much:
"And what are you going to wear?"
This time, Sirius didn't take long to reply.
"Wait till you see it."
Remus rolled his eyes as he read it, before remembering that Sirius couldn't see him. It was so typical of Sirius. Always dramatic, always trying to maintain the mystery. Just when he was about to write something sarcastic in response, he sighed, deciding that it was best to simply write:
"Okayyy."
He left it at that and finished getting ready. He looked at himself one last time in the mirror and shook his head. He couldn't help but feel that something in him was different tonight, as if a small internal change made him see things with a different perspective. Maybe it was the excitement of the fair. Or maybe... it was something else. But he wasn't ready to think about it any further.
When he left the house, his father's sheriff car was already gone. A sigh of relief escaped his lips. He liked to avoid last-minute lectures. He got into the car and, as soon as he turned on the engine, connected his phone to the stereo. His playlist started playing and, to his delight, the first song that came on was David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream."
Remus smiled broadly and turned up the volume. As soon as the first chords invaded the car, he knew he wouldn't resist. He began to hum the melody and, without thinking too much, began to sing out loud. Nobody was watching him, so what did it matter? His voice filled the closed space of the car, accompanying every word with enthusiasm. He wasn't a bad singer, although he didn't consider himself particularly good either. But at that moment, he didn't care. The outside world disappeared for a few minutes as he gave himself over to the music and the excitement bubbled in his chest.
The night was just beginning. He felt that vibrant energy, as if something big was about to happen, although he couldn't put a name to that feeling. He accelerated a little more, anxious to get to Nevermore and pick up Sirius.
Sirius and his friends, of course.
But mainly Sirius.
SIRIUS POV
Sirius was panicking.
Remus had texted him.
When he saw the notification, he literally jumped around his room like an idiot, waving his arms in the air and letting out a giggle that, if anyone had heard it, would definitely have made fun of him. But he didn't care. Remus had texted him first!
However, nothing had prepared him for what came next.
A photo. A damn photo of Remus.
Sirius almost fell backwards. He nearly had a heart attack. His eyes scanned the image over and over again, unable to process how handsome he looked. Of course, he had always known that Remus was attractive, he wasn't blind, but something about that photo hit him differently. Maybe it was the lighting, maybe the relaxed expression on his face, or the way his cream-colored sweater looked so damn good on him.
Or maybe it was simply because it was Remus.
He wondered how his hair would feel in his hands. Would it be soft? He felt like running his fingers through those messy curls and finding out for himself. And his eyes? They were like warm honey, and Sirius could swear that if he looked at them long enough, he would melt completely. And his mouth? Good heavens, how would it feel to kiss him? Would it be slow and sweet? Or would it be intense and desperate?
Sirius had no shame in admitting that he was mesmerized by the photo. In fact, he starred it. And saved it. And he would probably look at it more times than he was willing to admit.
He took too long to reply. He knew it. Remus must have found it strange that he took so long after opening the photo almost immediately. But, honestly, no one could blame him.
Remus was damn hot.
And Sirius was too damn lost.
And as if his crisis wasn't enough, now he was panicking about something else: Remus had asked him what he was going to wear. And although he managed to evade the question with a comment that he hoped would give him some anticipation for the whole thing, the problem was that he still had no idea what to wear.
Nothing in his closet pleased him enough. He took out clothes, tried them on, threw them on the floor in frustration. Nothing seemed up to par. This wasn't just any outing. It was an outing where Remus would see him. And, for some reason, that made him panic.
Remus would be picking him up soon... picking them up, he corrected himself quickly. And Sirius wasn't ready.
He tried on a leather jacket, discarded it. A fitted sweater, he threw it on the bed. A black shirt, tight pants, boots... nothing was enough. The room was a complete mess: clothes on the floor, on the beds, hanging from the back of the chair, even on the desk. Desperation grew every second.
"Damn it, why didn't I think of this before?" he muttered to himself, wishing he had planned his outfit when he was with the girls. But they had left a long time ago.
In his desperation, he threw himself into James's closet and started stealing things. He knew James wouldn't mind.
Finally, when he felt like he was losing his mind, he grabbed his phone and, without thinking too much, dialed Regulus's number.
This was an emergency.
The little idiot knew how to dress, he had good taste. And Sirius needed help.
Regulus took a while to answer, which only increased his anxiety. When he finally answered, Sirius practically barked at him to come to his room immediately.
When the door opened minutes later, it wasn't just Regulus.
James was with him too.
And for some reason, James seemed unable to take his eyes off his brother for more than two seconds.
Sirius was too desperate to make fun of that right now, but he would later.
Between the two of them, they helped him choose what to wear, while Sirius tried to convince himself that this wasn't a big deal.
(Spoiler: it was).
***
After a good 20 minutes of Regulus giving Sirius options and James swearing that everything looked good on him, he finally made up his mind. Thank all the gods for these people who helped him, because if it weren't for them, he would probably still be standing in front of the mirror in existential panic.
He looked at himself one last time, adjusting his leather jacket and running a hand through his hair to make sure everything was in place. He looked good. He looked damn good, but more importantly, he hoped a certain someone would think the same.
"Perfect," Regulus murmured, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, as if evaluating his work. "Now stop acting like Moony"
"I'm not acting like Moony, Remus is Moony," Sirius grumbled, rolling his eyes, trying to contain a smile as he mentioned Remus's nickname. He could see James smile knowingly, understanding the nickname, not noticing that it was for totally different reasons.
"You have the room in a mess and you almost forced us to give you an impromptu fashion show," James chimed in, with a playful smile. "Not that I'm complaining, but come on, Pads. You're nervous."
James had started calling him Padfoot and various variations since he discovered his Canis Major constellation necklace, which was shaped like a dog. Sirius's star, the brightest one, had a small diamond and he made him explain everything about his and Reg's constellations, he liked that James was curious about the stars of their names.
Sirius gave him a warning look before deliberately ignoring him.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm down. It's just Remus. It's just Remus coming to get us. It's no big deal. It's not a date. It's a group plan.
Damn it, he was so screwed.
He had barely finished tying his Doc Martens boots when Sirius's phone started ringing. If you ask Sirius, he will never admit that he screamed in public. Over his hot and dead body. But yes, he did. Indeed, he screamed.
Regulus smiled when he saw the name on Sirius's screen and mocked him mercilessly. James just smiled even more and handed Sirius the phone, telling him to calm down.
When Sirius answered, no one could tell that he almost had a heart attack. He heard Remus's voice on the phone and almost fell to his knees. Remus told him that he would be there in five minutes, and Sirius replied as normally as he could with an: "Okay, see you in a bit." And he hung up.
He pushed Regulus and James through the door. He didn't want Remus to wait too long.
When they left the school, they saw him. Remus was leaning against the car, waiting, with a cigarette between his lips, the moonlight reflecting in his tousled hair. His relaxed and nonchalant posture made him look damn hot.
Sirius stood still for a few seconds, paralyzed by the image. His heart stopped and then started beating hard, as if trying to escape his chest.
How is it possible for someone to look so good without even trying? He wondered, feeling the heat rise up his neck.
It wasn't fair.
No one had the right to look so casual and shatter his mental balance in that way.
He wasn't ready for this.
James and Regulus kept walking normally, but Sirius was frozen in place, unable to take his eyes off Remus. The way he exhaled the smoke slowly, the way his eyes narrowed lazily. Damn.
"Sirius, move," Regulus whispered, nudging him slightly with his shoulder.
Sirius blinked and shook his head, as if trying to clear it. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and walked towards Remus, pretending that he hadn't just had an existential crisis.
But he could still feel his heart beating in his ears.
REMUS POV
Upon arriving at Nevermore, Remus couldn't help but be surprised, as always, by the school's imposing presence. Its gothic architecture, tall towers, and huge windows gave it an air of mystery that he never quite fully absorbed. He knew it was a prestigious and exclusive school, but still, every time he saw it, it seemed like something out of a fantasy book.
He decided to take advantage of the waiting minutes to light a cigarette and lean against the car. The night air was fresh, and the sky was clear, full of stars. Remus looked at them curiously, wondering which of them was Sirius. He smiled a little to himself at the thought. Sirius's name seemed to have a special weight, a brilliance of its own, a name and a person impossible to ignore.
He exhaled the smoke slowly, enjoying the tranquility of the moment, until the sound of footsteps caught his attention. He looked down and saw the boys approaching. First, he spotted Regulus, his elegant and measured walk, with his usual imperturbable expression. Behind him, close enough to notice the tension in the air, came James. The closeness between them was subtle, but it was there. Like magnets, Remus thought. One advanced and the other inevitably followed.
But before he could analyze the scene further, his eyes finally found Sirius. And that's when his heart skipped a beat.
Sirius was wearing dark jeans, a gray sweater, and his classic leather jacket. On his hands, a couple of rings glittered, and he could see bracelets peeking out from his wrists, some leather, others with metal beads. A thin silver chain hung from his neck, reflecting the dim moonlight. However, what caught Remus's attention the most were his eyes. Deep, sharp as daggers, a stormy gray that seemed to contain entire universes. And they were lined. Damn it, Sirius Black had lined eyes, framing his gaze in a way that made him look even more dangerous, more beautiful, just... more.
Remus inhaled a puff of his cigarette in an attempt to maintain his composure. And he choked.
He. Fucking. Choked.
He hadn't choked since he started smoking, but now, seeing Sirius Black, his body decided to betray him in the most humiliating way possible. He coughed hard, trying to hide it, but the burning in his throat and the sudden heat rising up his neck to his face gave him away. May the earth swallow him and kill him. There was no other option. He could feel the blush spreading mercilessly, turning him red from head to toe.
Regulus let out a small laugh and James gave him a light nudge to tell him to hide it, although James himself had a smile on his face. Remus muttered a few rather rude things between his teeth, wishing he could erase that moment from existence.
Sirius, who had stopped for a second, walked forward with a slight blush on his cheeks. As he approached Remus, he tilted his head slightly with a lopsided smile and said in a low, amused voice:
"It wasn't the reaction I expected, but I'm not complaining. Hello, Moony."
And before Remus could answer, Sirius leaned in a little closer and left a kiss on his cheek. Almost too long. Almost too soft. Almost too everything.
Remus, still unable to move, watched Sirius walk away, the blush growing stronger on his cheeks. But this time, Remus reacted. He came out of his shock and, without thinking too much, grabbed him by the waist, his fingers brushing the fabric of his sweater and leather jacket. He tried not to analyze whether this was right or wrong and leaned into Sirius’s ear.
This game was for two. And Remus wasn't going to lose.
"It was totally worth the damn wait," he whispered, his voice hoarse and low. "You look fucking good."
And, in a burst of courage, before Sirius could react, he planted an almost imperceptible kiss, barely a brush below his ear. He felt Sirius completely freeze in his arms.
Remus stepped back with a smug smile on his lips, without letting go of Sirius's waist, and with his free hand, he opened the passenger door for him. Sirius took a few seconds to react, his eyes fixed on Remus as if trying to decipher what the hell had just happened.
Finally, without saying a word, he got into the seat. Remus closed the door gently and walked around the car to take the driver's seat, feeling his heart pounding hard in his chest. Yes, definitely, this game was for two.
Regulus and James were already in the back, chatting quietly. Remus thought he could hear James choking on his saliva. Apparently, choking was very popular today.
Or maybe it was just the effect of the Black brothers.
Regulus leaned forward and asked:
"Can I put on some music?" This unleashed a small fight over who would control the playlist.
"I'll put it on," James said, pulling out his phone.
"No way, Potter, it's my car," Remus replied, raising an eyebrow.
"But I have better musical taste."
"That's highly debatable," Regulus chimed in, settling back in the rear seat.
"Okay, we'll do it fair," Sirius said, turning to Regulus with a challenging smile. "Song for song."
"Sounds fair to me," James said with an amused grin.
"Alright, Lupin, surprise us," Sirius said, crossing his arms.
Remus smiled smugly, and the car filled with the opening chords of Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now."
"Oh, excellent choice," James said, tapping the beat on his knees.
Remus nodded in satisfaction as Sirius began to sing with contagious energy, his expression full of excitement. And he had to make a conscious effort to keep his eyes on the road because, honestly, Sirius looked too good singing.
"Why do you have to sing like that?" Remus muttered, not taking his eyes off the road.
"It's a natural gift, darling," Sirius replied with a wink.
When the song ended, Sirius grabbed his phone and made his own selection.
"My turn," he announced, and as soon as David Bowie's "Starman" started playing, Remus felt his heart stop for a second.
"Seriously?" James asked with a smile. "Bowie?"
"What? Too predictable?" Sirius asked with a sly grin, noticing Remus's expression.
"No, no," Remus cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "It's just that... you have good taste."
"Of course, I do, Moony," Sirius replied with a wink, and Remus almost bit his tongue.
Remus didn't reply. He just watched him out of the corner of his eye, certain that at some point in his life, somehow, he was going to marry Sirius Black.
Sirius gave him a smile of pure amusement, and Remus felt his fate was sealed.
It was James's turn. He chose a song in Spanish, one that neither Sirius, Regulus, nor Remus recognized, but the rhythm was catchy, and James was completely in his element. He sang with enthusiasm, his accent flowing naturally, while dancing in his seat with a genuine smile on his lips.
Remus glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Regulus. It looked like all the blood had drained from his face, and he was staring at James with his mouth slightly open. Remus let out a silent laugh and considered getting revenge for making fun of him earlier, but then decided to let it go. He perfectly understood the impact.
James Potter looked damn good when he was singing and enjoying something he loved.
The song ended, and it was Regulus's turn, who without hesitation put on "I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor's Version)." The reaction was immediate: everyone in the car started singing, some more passionately than others. Remus decided that after the cigarette incident, it didn't matter if he embarrassed himself a little more by singing. James, in particular, seemed to be enjoying it too much, but what really caught Remus's attention was the way his eyes stayed fixed on Regulus when he sang:
No apologies
He'll never see you cry
Pretends he doesn't know
That he's the reason why
You're drowning , You're drowning , You're drowning"
Regulus seemed focused on the song, but there was something in the stiffness of his posture, in the way he avoided looking directly at James, that made Remus raise an eyebrow in curiosity. James, on the other hand, didn't take his eyes off him for a second. Remus could almost feel the tension floating in the car's air, but he decided not to comment on anything... for now.
Sirius sang with enthusiasm, making small dramatizations with his hands in certain parts of the song, which provoked laughter from Remus and the occasional mocking comment from Regulus. The atmosphere in the car was electric, almost as if the excitement of the night was just beginning.
As the music continued to flow, the songs kept changing, each one choosing in turn. Remus remained trapped in his own world, trying to ignore the fact that every time Sirius sang, his deep and slightly raspy voice sent shivers down his spine. Fortunately, the road gave him a perfect excuse to keep his attention elsewhere.
When it was his turn again, Remus decided to put on something more relaxed, choosing David Bowie's "Heroes." To his surprise, Sirius gave him a look of pure excitement and began to sing without hesitation, with a radiant smile that made Remus forget, for a moment, that he was driving.
After two more rounds of songs, they finally arrived at the fair. The flashing lights illuminated the night, and the bustle of people welcomed them as Remus parked. He turned off the engine and let out a sigh. He turned slightly to look at the others, and the excitement on their faces was unmistakable.
"Well, guys," he said with a lopsided smile, "it's time to go."
Sirius returned the smile, with that mischievous glint in his lined eyes that made him look even more damn attractive. Remus mentally prepared himself. It would be unforgettable.
SIRIUS POV
A few minutes after arriving at the fair, Remus's friends, Fabian and Gideon, from Remus's Muggle school, showed up. Remus introduced Regulus and Sirius to them, since they already knew James. Gideon blatantly flirted with James, but James barely paid him any attention. Sirius, who knew that Gideon and James had dated for a month a year ago and that it was more physical than anything else, watched the scene with a mix of amusement and anticipation. However, what really caught his attention was how Regulus's expression subtly changed. His younger brother tensed up, his jaw tightened slightly, and his gaze darkened. He was jealous.
Sirius decided not to say anything, although internally he was screaming. Regulus had never been the type to show his emotions easily, but there he was, clearly annoyed, probably without even realizing it.
And then, with an almost desperate gesture, he told James to accompany him somewhere else, anywhere, to get him away from there, Sirius assumed. James, without questioning it, nodded and said goodbye to the twins with a calm smile before following Regulus, who took his hand.
Sirius crossed his arms and glanced at Remus, who had a half-smile on his lips as if he had noticed the same thing. "Well, that was interesting," Sirius said casually.
Remus let out a small laugh and shook his head. "Yes, it was."
Fabian, who had been watching everything curiously, finally spoke. "Are they...?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Sirius replied with feigned innocence, but Fabian's expression made it clear that he didn't believe him for a second.
The twins also walked away a bit later, and as they walked away, Sirius noticed how Riddle was watching him from a distance. A shiver ran down his spine. He had a bad feeling, but he couldn't pay too much attention because at that moment Kingsley, another friend of Remus, arrived, who immediately tried to flirt with Sirius when Remus introduced them.
Remus didn't like this at all, and his expression changed immediately. His gaze turned cold, and he fixed his eyes on Kingsley with a level of intensity that even surprised Sirius. Kingsley, for his part, seemed to realize Remus's change of mood and, although he tried to maintain his nonchalant attitude, he backed away slightly.
Remus didn't say anything, but his arm tightened around Sirius's waist, pulling him closer naturally. Sirius felt a warmth spreading through his chest. He loved it. He couldn't help but smile smugly as he nestled against Remus's body, enjoying the subtle possessive gesture.
"And what are we going to do now?" Sirius asked, unable to hide the amusement in his tone.
Remus glanced at Kingsley, who pretended to be distracted by the fair games. Then, turning his attention back to Sirius, he smiled at him in a way that took his breath away.
"I think we can start with the games"
REGULUS POV
Regulus took James's hand, pulling him away from Gideon with more force than necessary. James didn't protest at all; on the contrary, he smiled with that nonchalant expression that got on Regulus's nerves. He didn't know if it was because James didn't notice anything or because he simply enjoyed provoking him. When they were far enough away, Regulus released James's hand abruptly, as if the skin was burning him.
What the hell had he done? Why had he reacted like that? His heart was beating faster than normal, and it wasn't just from walking quickly. Regulus felt a knot in his stomach when he remembered the way Gideon had smiled at James. Why had he flirted with him like that? Was there something between them? Did James like Gideon? And more importantly... why did it bother him so much?
The idea that James could reciprocate Gideon's feelings turned his stomach. He felt an almost irrational impulse to go back and wipe the satisfied smile off Gideon's face for daring to flirt with James. But why? It didn't make sense, did it? This didn't matter to him. It shouldn't matter to him. He was supposed to hate James Potter.
And yet, his mind kept repeating the same image: the way James had laughed at Gideon's compliments, how he had looked away for a second, and the slight smile that still lingered on his face. James didn't seem uncomfortable... which meant he hadn't minded. He even seemed... satisfied?
Regulus felt a lump forming in his throat. He didn't know if it was anger, frustration, or something more dangerous that he didn't want to name. James turned to him with his usual smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Well? Where are you taking me in such a hurry, Reg?" James asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Regulus looked away, feigning disinterest.
He cleared his throat, sure that his face was red with embarrassment from his impulsive reaction.
"Let's go find Evan and Barty. They should be here by now," he said firmly, pretending that everything was under control.
James nodded, and they started walking through the fair. When James asked why he didn't just call them, they found them. Evan was buying Barty cotton candy, and they looked... well, absorbed enough in their own world that Regulus preferred not to interrupt.
James, however, walked determinedly towards them, but Regulus reacted quickly and stopped him, pulling him by the arm and taking him behind a nearby tent. James gasped in surprise when Regulus pinned him against the tent wall, placing both hands on his chest to make sure he didn't move.
"They can't see us," Regulus whispered, breathless.
"What? Why?" James asked, surprised but not moving from his spot.
"I want to make sure they're together. I have a plan," Regulus murmured, narrowing his eyes.
James nodded with a small smile. Regulus then realized how close they were. His hands were still on James's chest, feeling the warmth through the fabric of his shirt. He became aware of James's breathing, his gaze fixed on him, the way his own heart was pounding hard. He pulled away abruptly, as if he had realized too late what he was doing.
"We'll follow them until they get on the Ferris wheel," Regulus continued, trying to regain his composure.
James was still smiling, his voice a little hoarser than usual when he replied:
"Perfect, because I know the operator. We can ask him to stop it for a while when they get on."
Regulus rolled his eyes.
"Of course, you know the operator. Of course, you know everyone..." especially Gideon, he added to himself, unable to avoid the hint of irritation in his tone.
James tilted his head, amused.
"Are you jealous, Reg?" he asked with a mocking smile.
Regulus felt the heat rise to his face and quickly turned to walk towards the Ferris wheel without answering.
James followed him, chuckling softly.
JAMES POV
They don't have to wait long. Evan and Barty get on the wheel almost immediately, suspecting nothing. James greets the wheel operator with his characteristic charm, and Regulus pays him in cash to stop it at the exact moment. James is sure that plan will work; after all, Regulus organized it.
When they walk far enough away, James finally allows himself to think about everything that has happened in the last half hour. Since the twins arrived, he had noticed Regulus was different, more tense than usual. He knew it wasn't Reg's strong suit to socialize with strangers, but Fabian and Gideon had always been quite open and friendly. Although Gideon still wouldn't give up on his attempts with James, he wasn't interested anymore. However, Regulus pulling him away so abruptly... seemed strange to him. Was he jealous? The idea seemed absurd, but he couldn't stop thinking about how Regulus had taken his hand, the electricity in the contact, the warmth that ran through his body, just like that day at Remus's training. As if their hands were destined to be together.
Then there was the tent incident. Was it his imagination, or was there tension in the air? The closeness between them, the slight tremor in Regulus's hands when he held him against the canvas... God, Reg looked so good today. And when he pushed him, when their eyes met, the only thing James could think about was him. His eyes, his determined but nervous expression, how close their lips were for a second.
So, without thinking too much, he agreed to help him with his plan for Evan and Barty. But now that they have done their part, James feels the need to do something else, to release the energy contained in his body.
"We've already done our good deed for the day," he says with a mischievous smile as he puts his hands in his jacket pockets. "Now it's time to have some fun, don't you think?"
Regulus looks at him with an analytical expression, as if trying to decipher his intentions, but finally nods.
"Alright, Potter. Which game do you want to go to first?"
James lights up with excitement and, without thinking much, grabs Regulus's wrist and drags him towards the mechanical games. Regulus protests quietly, but doesn't stop him. James laughs, feeling the warmth of his skin in the palm of his hand. He doesn't know exactly what all this means, but he's willing to find out.
After several rides and talking with Regulus, James realizes that he's really having a great time. It's easy to be with Regulus when he lets his guard down, when he sets aside his reserved attitude and allows himself to enjoy. James notices it in the way his lips curve into a genuine smile after an especially fast ride on the bumper cars or in the way his eyes shine under the colorful lights of the fair.
"Let's go to the fair games," James proposes enthusiastically, looking at the booths for target shooting, duck fishing, and ring toss.
Regulus rolls his eyes, but a playful smile appears on his face.
"Only if you promise not to make a fool of yourself, Potter."
"I promise nothing," James replies, winking at him before running towards a knife-throwing booth.
James tries to win a stuffed animal for Regulus. He tries with all his might, aiming seriously and frowning in concentration. But after three failed attempts, Regulus crosses his arms and looks at him with a mix of amusement and mockery.
"Let me try," he says, taking the remaining knives from him.
James scoffs, but steps aside to give him space. Regulus holds the knife confidently, aims, and with a couple of precise shots, hits the target without problems. The booth operator hands him a stuffed animal: a deer with large antlers.
"Here, Potter," Regulus says with a hint of satisfaction, handing him the stuffed deer.
James receives it, examining it with a nostalgic smile.
"Prongs Jr.," he says affectionately.
Regulus frowns and looks at him in confusion.
"Jr.?"
James feels the heat rising to his cheeks, but before he can answer, an amused voice sounds behind him.
"Because a few years ago, James tried to chase a deer in the forest," Remus explains, suddenly appearing with a mocking expression. "To this day, he swears it was his inner werewolf who urged him to do it."
Regulus is silent for a moment before bursting into laughter. A genuine, carefree laugh that makes James's heart race.
"That's unbelievable!" Regulus holds his stomach, trying to catch his breath. "You're ridiculous, Potter."
James crosses his arms and snorts, his face even redder.
"I'll get you back for this, Lupin." Although inside he believes that the shame is worth it, he would chase deer forever if it meant that Regulus Black would laugh like that.
Remus pats him on the shoulder with feigned sympathy.
"It's in revenge for telling Sirius about 'Moony.'"
James opens his mouth to protest, but stops when he sees Sirius approaching with a big smile and a couple of stuffed animals in his hands: a star and a moon.
James smiles when he sees his friend so happy. He has been through so much, and now he seems so free, so full of life.
After a while together, between laughter and jokes, James finally manages to win a cat-shaped stuffed animal. Without thinking too much, he gives it to Regulus.
"Here. So you don't say I didn't win anything."
Regulus stares at him, as if he doesn't know what to do with the gift. His fingers brush the soft fabric of the stuffed animal, and for the first time that night, James notices a slight nervousness in his expression.
"I'm going to leave the stuffed animals in the car," he says abruptly, as if he needed an excuse to leave.
Remus nods and throws him the keys.
"Good idea, we'll go to another attraction."
Regulus turns and walks away before anyone can stop him. James watches him for a second, then without thinking too much, decides to follow him
BARTY POV
Barty is with Evan on the wheel. This ride has lasted too long, he thinks, but he doesn't care. He hasn't seen the others, although he thinks he can spot Sirius and Remus sharing some popcorn, talking quietly, too close. They decide not to interrupt them. They assume that James and Regulus are together, and Barty definitely doesn't want to distract Regulus from James. The longer they spend together, the fewer excuses Reg will have to deny the obvious: that he's attracted to James.
Evan is telling him something that happened in his Ethics class when a strong jolt moves their cabin and throws him forward. Barty catches him in a hug, his heart pounding. His body automatically tenses: he doesn't like heights. Evan notices and, without hesitation, takes his face in his hands, his fingers warm and firm. Barty holds his breath. His mind focuses on Evan, on his face, on his blond hair that seems to shine even under the dim lighting of the fair. His gaze is lost in the different shades of green that blend in Evan's eyes, and he concentrates on the small brown spots scattered across his iris. Fascinating. Barty could look into his eyes for hours.
He shifts his attention to Evan's pulse, beating fast in his neck. If he concentrates hard enough, he can even hear the accelerated rhythm of his heart. He wonders what Evan would taste like, how it would feel if he could taste his blood. His scent is intoxicating, warm and familiar, but it's a question he can never answer. Evan would never agree, and Barty wouldn't dare to ask. So he forces himself to return to the present, focusing again on Evan's face. His eyes have dropped to his lips, and Barty, almost without realizing it, bites them lightly. An unconscious gesture.
That simple action seems to be the spark that was missing. Evan holds him tighter and pulls him closer, closing the distance in an instant. Their lips meet in an unexpected but inevitable kiss. Barty freezes for a brief moment, surprised, before reacting. His hands cling to Evan's neck and pull him even closer. The kiss intensifies. It's rough, it's fast, it's messy. It's everything Barty has wanted for so long, and it's perfect. It's the best thing he's ever felt in his life.
The wheel starts moving again, but they don't care. Their bodies move even closer, and Evan, without even thinking, ends up straddling Barty, moving against him desperately. The adrenaline of the moment consumes them. They kiss hungrily, with a need that goes beyond words. They swallow each other's noises, the ragged breathing, the trembling hands running over skin and clothes.
They don't think, they just feel.
And in that instant, nothing else matters.
Until the wheel stops completely again, the magic of the moment breaks, and Evan jumps away, as if he's just processing what just happened. His eyes are wide, his breathing is still ragged, and without saying anything, they both leave the ride, walking in a silence charged with electricity.
Barty has to hold back a smile when he sees Evan nervously adjusting his pants, although he himself isn't in much better shape. He doesn't care. The only thing he can think about is Evan, how he looks now: his hair disheveled, tangled between Barty's fingers during the kiss; his lips swollen and bitten, Barty's mark still visible on them. He had kissed him. He had kissed him as many times as he had imagined, and it had been a thousand times better than he dreamed. His chest is still rising and falling rapidly, the blush on his cheeks spreading to his neck.
Barty thinks about the feeling of Evan against him, the desperation with which he had touched him, how his fingers clung to his clothes, the soft gasps that had escaped his lips. Knowing that he had left him like that, that he had been the cause of that mess, of that need, fills him with a pride that he can barely hide.
But then, Evan stops dead in his tracks. His expression changes. Barty follows his gaze and sees Regulus darting towards what looks like the parking lot. James follows him, calling him, but Regulus doesn't react, doesn't seem to hear him. Barty feels the magic of the moment completely dissipate. Evan and he look at each other, and without needing to say a word, they agree to find out what's happening. So, without hesitation, they follow James.
REGULUS POV
Regulus had moved a little away from the bustle when he heard some voices. Avery and Mulciber approached with mocking smiles, slowly surrounding him.
"Well, well, if it isn't the younger Black," Mulciber said with a smirk.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your dear little brother?" Avery added sarcastically.
Regulus scoffed, crossing his arms. "So you're still upset about the beating Sirius gave you at the café," he replied coldly, but he was already on alert.
Avery smiled sideways and gave him a shove on the shoulder. "Oh, of course we didn't forget about the café, Black. Your freak brother hit us, and that's not easily forgotten."
Regulus barely had time to react before Mulciber threw a punch at him. He dodged it narrowly and quickly counterattacked, hitting Mulciber in the stomach. Avery took advantage of the distraction to grab his arm and throw him against a nearby wall. Regulus struggled fiercely, managing to break free, but couldn't avoid the next blow that hit his jaw. The adrenaline kept him on his feet, returning the blows with the same intensity, but he was at a disadvantage.
Just as Avery was preparing to launch another attack, an impact knocked him sideways. James Potter appeared out of nowhere and, without hesitation, punched Avery with contained fury.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" James exclaimed angrily, grabbing Avery by the collar of his shirt.
JAMES POV
James had been following Regulus at a safe distance when he noticed Avery and Mulciber approaching him with suspicious attitudes. He didn't like the way they were surrounding him, and when he heard the first exchanges of words, he knew this wouldn't end well.
"Well, well, if it isn't the younger Black," Mulciber said with a smirk.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your dear little brother?" Avery added sarcastically.
James clenched his fists, feeling the anger building in his chest, but forced himself to wait. He didn't want to intervene too soon and give Regulus the opportunity to handle it himself.
Regulus scoffed, crossing his arms. "So you're still upset about the beating Sirius gave you at the café," he replied coldly, but James noticed the tension in his shoulders.
Avery smiled sideways and gave him a shove on the shoulder. "Oh, of course we didn't forget about the café, Black. Your freak brother hit us, and that's not easily forgotten."
James felt something inside him snap when he saw Mulciber throw a punch at Regulus. He dodged it and quickly counterattacked, but the disadvantage was evident. Mulciber grabbed him and threw him against the wall, and Avery took the opportunity to punch Regulus in the jaw.
James reacted without thinking. In an instant, he lunged at Avery with a primal fury and knocked him down with a single blow. His breathing was heavy, and his body vibrated with a visceral rage he couldn't contain.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" James roared, grabbing Avery by the collar of his shirt and slamming him against the wall. His instinct demanded he make him pay for touching Regulus.
Mulciber tried to pounce on James, but before he could do anything, Barty and Evan arrived on the scene. Without wasting time, Evan punched Mulciber, making him stagger back while Barty grabbed him with a lethal expression on his face.
"If we see you near Regulus again, we won't be held responsible for what happens," Evan spat coldly.
Barty grinned with a disturbing expression, baring his fangs threateningly. "Do you have any idea who you're messing with?" his voice was a dangerous whisper, enough to make Mulciber pale.
Evan, meanwhile, approached one of the thugs and, with an icy calm, used his siren voice. "Hit him," he whispered.
Unable to resist, one of them turned on himself and punched his own companion before realizing what he had done. James felt a twisted pleasure seeing the panic reflected in their faces.
Avery and Mulciber exchanged looks of rage and fear before spitting on the ground and staggering away. They knew they were at a disadvantage.
Regulus remained silent, massaging his sore cheek. His face had a shadow of surprise, as if he wasn't used to someone else fighting for him like that.
James, still with his pulse racing and his knuckles sore from the punch, looked at him intensely.
"Are you okay?" he asked in a hoarse voice, still with his breath ragged and the need to tear those idiots apart still simmering inside him.
Regulus nodded slowly, but James couldn't take his eyes off his lips.
SIRIUS POV
Sirius and Remus were in the middle of a fair game, one of those where you had to throw balls to knock down pyramids of cans. Remus laughed softly every time Sirius missed by millimeters, while he, with surprising aim, had already accumulated several small prizes.
"This is rigged," Sirius grumbled, narrowing his eyes as he watched another ball fall unsuccessfully.
"Or you're just bad at this," Remus replied with a mocking smile.
Sirius was about to retort when Peter suddenly appeared beside him, his face paler than usual and his breathing ragged.
"Sirius, we need to talk," Peter said in a low voice, glancing around as if he were afraid someone was listening.
Sirius frowned. Something in his friend's expression unsettled him.
"About what?" he asked, setting the ball aside.
"Not here," Peter shook his head nervously. "It's about the murders. There's something you need to know."
The mention of the murders chilled Sirius's blood. He felt the weight of Remus's gaze on him, inquisitive and worried.
"I'm going with you," Sirius said, even though something in his instinct screamed at him to be careful.
Peter nodded and began walking quickly towards the woods, away from the bustle of the fair. Sirius followed him without thinking, although his mind was already beginning to fill with questions.
Why was Peter so upset? What did he have to tell him that couldn't be said at the fair, surrounded by people? And why did he feel that tightness in his chest, as if something was about to go terribly wrong?
As the light from the fair's lanterns faded between the trees and the darkness of the forest enveloped them, Sirius knew there was no turning back.
REGULUS POV
Regulus watched Sirius walk away from the fair after Peter and a feeling of unease ran through him. He didn't hesitate before following them, keeping a certain distance so as not to be discovered. Sneaking away from James, Barty, and Evan, who hadn't lost sight of him since the fight, his jaw ached from the blow he had received, but he wasn't going to let this go unpunished. As much as he liked that James had jumped to his defense (he also appreciated Evan and Barty, but that was another issue), he wasn't going to hide behind him. He would have his revenge.
The sounds of the fair faded as he ventured into the woods, replaced by the crunching of dry leaves under his feet and the murmur of the wind through the trees.
When he was close enough, he saw Peter turn sharply towards Sirius with a sinister smile.
"You're destined to be a problem, Black. But not anymore, I won't allow it," Peter spat before lunging at him.
Sirius managed to dodge the first attack, but Peter didn't back down. Regulus felt his pulse quicken and, without thinking, he came out of his hiding place.
"Get away from him!" he shouted, his voice resonating with an intensity he didn't recognize.
Peter staggered, his expression contorted in surprise and for a moment he seemed paralyzed. Regulus felt a shiver run down his spine when he realized what had happened. His voice... had done something. But the distraction didn't last long, as Peter recovered quickly and with a growl, lunged at him.
Sirius reacted immediately, throwing himself at Peter with a fury that Regulus had rarely seen in his brother. They exchanged blows, but Peter was stronger than he appeared and managed to push Sirius against a tree with enormous force. Regulus tried to help, but when he tried to use his voice again, he didn't achieve the same effect. He had no control, he didn't know how to do it.
Peter smiled mockingly when he noticed his failed attempt.
"You're just discovering what you are, aren't you? What a pity you won't live long enough to master it," he said maliciously before launching a new attack.
Regulus barely had time to dodge, and the impact made him fall to his knees. But just as Peter was preparing for another blow, Sirius regained his breath and with impressive speed, lunged at him again.
"Don't you dare touch him!" he roared, his voice full of anger.
The forest turned into a chaos of blows, growls, and leaves scattering across the ground. Regulus knew he couldn't stand still, he had to do something. He took a deep breath and tried to remember what he had just felt with his voice. If he could control it, he could help.
But time was running out.
SIRIUS POV
The air in the forest was thick, charged with a sense of latent danger that made every shadow seem to move. Sirius took a deep breath, his senses on alert as he watched Peter, who was smiling in a way that boded nothing good for them.
"Today... today it ends," Peter said in an icy voice.
Before Sirius could react, he felt an invisible pressure tightening around his body, lifting him off the ground and throwing him against a tree with brutal force. A groan of pain escaped his lips as his vision blurred for a second. Peter extended a hand, his eyes glowing with power as he increased the pressure on Sirius, strangling him without touching him.
"No..." Sirius tried to speak, but air barely reached his lungs.
Suddenly, a scream echoed through the forest, a sharp and overwhelming sound that vibrated in the air like an echo impossible to ignore. Peter staggered back, releasing his grip on Sirius, who fell to the ground gasping. When Sirius looked up, he saw Regulus, his eyes completely different, completely black. His brother was using his strange voice, like a few minutes ago, although in an unstable way, without absolute control.
Peter tried to counterattack, but Sirius took the opportunity to lunge at him, hitting him with all the strength he had. Peter growled in pain and writhed, pushing Sirius away with another burst of telekinesis. Peter's magic was strong, but Sirius wasn't going to give up. He prepared to attack again when, out of nowhere, a chilling growl broke the air.
The Beast appeared.
A dark silhouette emerged from the trees, larger and more terrifying than any of them had imagined. Its eyes glowed with an intense red sheen as it lunged at Peter without hesitation. A harrowing scream rose as the Beast caught him with its huge claws and, in a matter of seconds, Peter Pettigrew ceased to exist. His body was dragged into the shadows of the forest, leaving behind only the echo of his last breath.
Sirius and Regulus froze in place, watching as the Beast stared at them. Its gaze locked on Sirius, intense and penetrating, before disappearing into the trees with Peter's corpse. The only thing left on the ground was a small piece of his little finger, the only proof that Peter had been there.
Sirius gasped and turned to Regulus, who was trembling slightly but seemed whole.
"Are you okay?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
Regulus nodded, though his face was still pale.
Before they could process what had happened, a group of hurried footsteps approached. James, Barty, and Evan arrived running, with expressions of concern and ready to fight.
"What the hell happened?!" James exclaimed, his gaze jumping between Sirius and Regulus. "Are you okay?"
"Was Peter with you?" Evan asked with a frown.
Before Sirius could answer, a new voice joined the conversation.
"What's all this commotion?!"
Remus's father appeared, his presence imposing as always. He looked at those present and then fixed his gaze on Sirius.
Sirius swallowed, his mind still processing what he had just seen. He looked at the ground, where Peter's finger lay inert, and then looked up with a serious expression.
"We saw the Beast," he said, his voice low but firm. "It killed Peter."
Notes:
I want sirius' ability to keep his eyes open when I put on eyeliner
I love girls and sirius, their friendship is very important to me
James having a fit with reg, they're so cute
Remus is me asking for the car and negotiating the time, the difference is that remus does get it
Remus is also me overanalyzing everything thinking he's not overanalyzing anything, remus I love you so much
Remus thinking 5 minutes is late, so desperate
We've all been sirius, admit it
James and Remus getting breathless from the blacks, we love
Above the car scene, I imagine them singing, btw James' song is Volando remix
Reg struggling to be indifferent to james
REG AND REMUS JEALOUS I LOVE
We have pads and prongs ladies and gentlemen
Standing applause for rosekiller, thank you thank you, my boys are They deserve it
The stuffed animals, I love that
James going headlong to defend Reg
Barty and Evan too because friendship is alive
Black brothers watching each other's backs
Rip Peter, rest in peace, only your pinky remains
Reg's voice, we'll go into more detail on that
AND WE FINALLY SEE THE BEAST UP CLOSE, I'M EXCITED
I hope you liked it, pau :)
Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Teeth
Notes:
This took a little longer but in my defense it was race week, lit I'm uploading this as soon as the race is over, btw the race was absolute chaos, well I'll leave more in the final notes, enjoy this chapter
pau :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
REGULUS POV
Regulus walked through the corridors of Evermore with a frown, his footsteps echoing in the silence of dawn. Beside him, Sheriff Lyall Lupin, his brother, and Headmaster Dumbledore walked with seriousness. The night had been long and full of unanswered questions.
"How is it possible that they haven't found more than a finger?" Regulus snapped, crossing his arms. His annoyance was evident.
"My team searched all night," Lyall replied with forced patience. "There are no signs of the body or traces of blood indicating that Peter Pettigrew was murdered."
Regulus scoffed in disbelief. "What incompetence..."
Sirius let out a sarcastic laugh, but his expression turned serious as he added, "We saw it with our own eyes. A beast attacked Peter, tore him apart. There was nothing left of him except... that." He pointed to the small plastic bag Lyall was carrying, containing the small finger fragment.
"Exactly," Regulus agreed, fixing his gaze on the sheriff. "Are you going to tell me we imagined it all?"
Lyall pressed his lips together before answering, "What I want are details. Describe the beast."
Regulus raised an eyebrow and smiled mockingly. "Sure, let me pull out the portrait I managed to make while it was attacking me," he said sarcastically.
Lyall glared at him. "For all I know, maybe your supposed 'beast' could be a student here." He didn't have a chance to respond because Dumbledore intervened with his calm but firm tone.
"That is a very serious accusation, Sheriff. To insinuate that one of my students could be that creature is unacceptable."
"The bodies are piling up, Headmaster," Lyall replied, tired. "We can't ignore it. I don't care how the newspapers paint it, these are not common animal attacks."
"Even so, there is no proof that a student is behind this," Dumbledore replied, folding his hands on his desk as he reached his office.
"What if Peter isn't dead?" the Headmaster suddenly asked, looking at them over his half-moon spectacles.
"Nevertheless, Peter was a cunning young man," the Headmaster continued without flinching. "It is possible that he escaped and left his finger as proof of his supposed death. I have already contacted his family, but they haven't heard from him."
Sirius clicked his tongue, visibly exasperated. "The dead can't communicate, Headmaster."
Lyall turned to him with an inquisitive look. "And what were you doing in the forest with Peter, Black?"
Sirius took a moment to respond, as if carefully choosing his words. "I saw Peter heading into the forest. He didn't look well... I decided to follow him to make sure he was okay."
Regulus noticed something in his brother. He wasn't lying, but he wasn't telling the whole truth either. He was covering for him. Without thinking too much, he decided to do the same.
"I saw Sirius walking away and went after him, in case he needed help. That's when the attack happened."
He intentionally omitted the part where he had used his voice. He wasn't ready to talk about that. Not even he understood what it meant.
"And then what happened?" Lyall asked, still suspicious.
"That's when James, Barty, and Evan arrived. Then you arrived with your team. That's the whole story," Sirius replied simply.
Lyall seemed to weigh his words, but didn't insist further. However, his gaze still reflected suspicion.
"It's time for the sheriff to leave," Dumbledore intervened gently.
Regulus frowned. "I want to talk to him alone."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, as if he didn't like the idea, but finally nodded. Sirius tried to stay, but Dumbledore pushed him out of the office along with Lyall. When the door closed, he turned to Lyall seriously.
"We both know they are covering up Peter's death."
Lyall let out a dry laugh, crossing his arms. "How adorable. The younger Black playing detective."
Regulus gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "It's not a game. Sirius and I were honest. We know there's something out there, a real monster. And you know it too."
The sheriff observed him with an inscrutable expression, but before he could respond, the office door burst open. They both turned, and what they saw froze them.
Standing in the doorway, with his Evermore uniform impeccable and an empty expression, was Peter Pettigrew. Entire. Alive.
SIRIUS POV
Sirius fell heavily onto his bedroom bed, feeling the tension accumulated in his muscles. In front of him, Regulus crossed his arms and cast a serious look at the others. James, Evan, and Barty were scattered around the room, each with a different expression on their face. There were many things to process, too many unanswered questions.
"Okay, let's recap," Regulus said with a sigh, settling on the edge of the bed. "Sirius and I saw the beast kill Peter. There's no doubt about that."
"But Peter showed up today like nothing happened," Sirius added, running a hand through his hair in a frustrated gesture. "And he didn't just have nine fingers..."
"Ten," James murmured with a frown. "Ten damn fingers. Which makes no sense. Unless..."
A thick silence fell over the room. Everyone exchanged glances until Barty clicked his tongue impatiently.
"Dumbledore is a shapeshifter," he blurted out with a mix of disbelief and admiration. "Damn, why didn't I think of that before!"
Evan nodded, but his expression remained skeptical. "If that's true, then we're in something much bigger than we thought," he said, crossing his arms. "How can we prove it?"
"Mary told me that Marlene told her that Severus told Lily that Peter is leaving school today," Sirius replied, leaning back against the headboard. "They're sending a car to pick him up this afternoon."
James sat up immediately. "I could ask Gideon to follow him to the station and see where the hell he's going," he proposed quickly.
Regulus frowned and shook his head firmly. "No. Have Remus do it," he said immediately.
James looked at him amused before shaking his head. "Remus is on duty at the café," he replied. "He can't."
Regulus snorted, annoyed. Sirius noticed the tension in his jaw and the look he gave James. Evan and Barty, from their corner, exchanged a knowing look, clearly entertained by the scene.
"Well, then we need another way to find out what's going on," Sirius intervened, trying to diffuse the tension. "Last night, Peter seemed worried and was mumbling things. Maybe he left something among his things that will help us understand what he was up to."
Regulus, still annoyed, turned to Barty and Evan. "You two should take care of that," he suggested. "Barty is fast, and if someone catches you, Evan can handle it with his voice."
Barty and Evan tensed almost immediately. The suggestion had taken them by surprise, and for the first time in a long time, Sirius noticed they were... uncomfortable. Their eyes didn't meet as usual, their bodies maintained an unusual distance. Regulus narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Any problem?" he asked with obvious suspicion.
Evan was the first to compose himself. He cleared his throat and forced a light smile. "None," he said with apparent calm. "We'll do it."
Barty, though with a more serious expression, also nodded. "Yes, we'll do it," he confirmed.
Regulus held his gaze on them for another second before nodding, satisfied.
James, however, kept his gaze fixed on the wall, as if lost in his own thoughts. Sirius frowned, noticing his pensive expression.
"James, what are you thinking?" he asked, leaning slightly towards him.
James blinked and exhaled slowly. "It's just that... I don't understand why the beast didn't attack you," he murmured. "It doesn't make sense. If it was close enough to kill Peter, it could have gone after you too."
Sirius exchanged a look with Regulus, who also seemed to be considering the same question. It was true. The beast had looked at them steadily and then disappeared, without even trying to harm them.
"Maybe it didn't want to attack us," Regulus whispered, more to himself than to the others.
"Or maybe it had another target," Barty intervened, his tone more somber than usual. "Maybe Peter was the only person on its list, this time."
A chill ran through the room. No one wanted to say it out loud, but the implication was clear: if the beast was hunting, who would be next?
"For now, we should focus on what we can do," Sirius said, shaking off the unease. "Barty, Evan, you check Peter's things. James, talk to Gid to follow the supposed Peter. And Reg..."
Regulus raised an eyebrow curiously.
Sirius frowned, remembering something. "There's something else... your voice."
Everyone turned to look at him. Regulus tensed immediately, looking away.
"What about it?" he asked cautiously.
"It was strange," Sirius admitted. "The way Peter reacted... as if your voice had some kind of effect on him. I've never seen anything like it before."
Evan nodded slowly. "It's weird. The siren voice doesn't usually manifest like that suddenly."
"Evan discovered it when he was eight... in the middle of a tantrum at a shopping mall," Barty said with amusement.
They both exchanged a strange look, and Sirius noticed how Evan tensed slightly at the mention of the memory.
"But it's true," Evan continued, regaining his composure. "If there's a chance that Reg has a siren voice, we should find out."
Regulus seemed doubtful, but Sirius supported the idea. "Maybe," he said, shrugging. "You have nothing to lose by trying."
Evan gave Regulus an assessing look and nodded. "I'll help you see if you can manifest it again. If you have it, it's better to learn to control it than for it to activate at the worst moment."
Regulus sighed heavily, but finally nodded. Reluctantly, but he agreed.
The tension in the room remained, but at least now they had a plan.
***
Hours later, Sirius and James were alone in the room. Regulus and the others had left a while ago, leaving behind an atmosphere charged with tension and uncertainty. Sirius, lying on his bed, tossed a small rubber ball into the air repeatedly, catching it easily each time it descended. James, meanwhile, was sitting at the desk, flipping through an old book with a distracted expression. The room was silent, interrupted only by the rhythmic sound of the ball falling into Sirius's hand.
Finally, James sighed deeply and slammed the book shut, breaking the calm. He turned to his friend with a serious expression and a flash of determination in his eyes.
"I went to where The Marauder meets," he began, looking directly at him. "I've been researching the archives and confirmed something interesting: Walburga and Orion Black were members. That means you could have access too."
Sirius blinked in surprise, feeling a mix of skepticism and curiosity. It didn't surprise him that his parents had been involved in something like that, but the idea of following in their footsteps, even for a good reason, wasn't exactly appealing to him.
"And you think we'll find something about their case?" he asked, crossing his arms and setting the ball aside.
James nodded confidently, leaning forward slightly. "Yes. They keep records of every important event that has happened on school property. If something is related to the murders, those files could tell us what's going on. There are documents dating back centuries, and if there's anything hidden in Evermore, we'll find it there."
Sirius nodded slowly, letting the information sink in. He knew James wasn't talking lightly. If he said they could find something useful, it was worth a try. If there was a chance to uncover the truth, he had to take it, even if it meant delving into the dark corners of his family's past.
"When's the next meeting?" he finally asked.
James gave him a half-smile, one that hid a certain concern. "Tomorrow night. The society meets in one of the hidden rooms of the library, tomorrow I'll show you the entrance. It's completely clandestine, so there are certain rules we must follow. You'll have to be discreet and not ask direct questions, at least at first. If they suspect you're just there to snoop, things could get complicated."
Sirius rolled his eyes, amused by the warning, but he understood the seriousness of the matter.
"Discretion is my middle name," he joked, although James gave him a look of disbelief.
"Sure, that's why we're in this mess," he retorted sarcastically.
They both looked at each other for a moment and, despite the gravity of the situation, shared a light laugh. It was a moment of respite in the midst of the storm that was brewing. Sirius didn't hesitate for a second longer.
"Count me in. Tomorrow night, we'll go together."
***
Later, Sirius found himself in the office of Lucius Malfoy, the therapist assigned by Dumbledore. Even though he hadn't asked for it, Dumbledore insisted on scheduling an emergency session after the incident in the forest. According to him, Sirius had "witnessed" something traumatic and needed to talk about it.
Sirius, for his part, thought it was a complete waste of time.
He sat in the chair in front of Malfoy's desk, arms crossed and a frown on his face. He hadn't said a single word since the session began. Lucius observed him with his usual cold and analytical gaze, waiting for Sirius to speak first, but noticing that it wasn't going to happen, he decided to take the initiative.
"Sirius, would you like to tell me what you think you saw in the forest?" he asked in an impassive tone.
Sirius snorted and looked away. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
"Dumbledore believes it was something serious enough for you to be here," Lucius continued, resting his elbows on the desk. "If what you saw affected you, it's okay to say so."
Sirius scoffed ironically. "You know what really affects me? Having to sit here, wasting my time."
Lucius barely reacted to the provocation. Instead, he flipped through some notes before continuing. "I've read your file, Sirius. I know you're not exactly a model student, but I also know you've been through a lot at home. Would you like to talk about that?"
"No," he replied immediately, in a sharp tone.
"Let's talk about your mother," Lucius insisted patiently. "Walburga Black is a woman with very high expectations, isn't she? She's always wanted you to follow her path, to be an exemplary son in her way."
Sirius clenched his jaw and his leg began to move impatiently. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"I know you've been running from her shadow for years. But tell me, Sirius, has she really let you go? Or do you still hear her voice in your head telling you that you'll never be enough?" Lucius's gray eyes pierced him intensely.
Sirius felt a knot in his stomach. His mother had always been an imposing presence in his life, even after he gradually tried to distance himself from her. Her expectations, her disdain, her way of speaking to him with poison when he did something she didn't like. All of that was still there, haunting him like a curse.
"You have no right to talk about it," Sirius growled, standing up abruptly.
"Did she yell at you a lot?" Lucius insisted calmly. "Or was it worse when she ignored you completely?"
Sirius felt like a dagger was piercing his chest. He remembered his mother's cold looks when he behaved in a way she didn't approve of, the icy silence that was worse than any scream. He remembered her cruel words, her disappointment every time he did something that didn't fit into her vision of a perfect Black heir. She called him a disgrace, looked at him as if he were a stain on the family. He was never enough. He never would be.
"You have no right," Sirius repeated, this time with a broken voice. Without saying anything else, he turned and left the room with firm steps.
As he walked into the hallway, his heart still pounding, he found Remus. He was sitting in one of the chairs in the hallway, waiting for his turn. When he looked up and saw him, his expression changed to one of immediate concern.
"Sirius," Remus called softly, standing up.
Sirius ran a hand over his face, trying to control his anger. He didn't want to take out his frustration on him.
"How did it go?" Remus asked, but his gaze already told him he knew the answer.
Sirius let out a tired sigh. "It was a waste of time."
Remus looked at him with understanding and moved a little closer. "I believe you, Sirius. About what you saw in the forest, I heard what my father said. I believe you."
Sirius blinked in surprise, not expecting those words. He felt something in his chest loosen slightly. Amidst all the confusion and skepticism of the others, hearing Remus say that so sincerely gave him a breather.
"Really?" he asked softly, as if afraid that by saying it out loud, Remus would change his mind.
Remus nodded. "Yes. I know you didn't imagine it, I know you saw something out there. My father can say many things, but I trust you. And... I was worried about how you were doing." Remus looked down for a moment, with a certain shyness.
Sirius felt a strange warmth in his chest. He wasn't used to someone worrying about him like that, not genuinely. Family meant control, expectations, pain. His friends were the closest thing to a real home, but Remus... Remus was different.
"Thanks, Moony," he said softly, looking away.
Remus gave him a slight smile before the office door opened and Lucius Malfoy called him in for his session. Before entering, he gave Sirius one last look, as if making sure he was okay. Sirius nodded, and for the first time all day, he felt like he wasn't so alone in all this.
As Sirius walked away from the hallway, his mind was still reeling from everything that had happened. The beast, Peter's disappearance, the finger... Everything still didn't fit. He couldn't help but feel that there was something much bigger happening, something that was beyond what everyone else could see.
JAMES POV
James watched Regulus, noticing the way his shoulders were tense as they prepared for another training session. With each passing session, they got to know each other a little more, although Reg still kept a certain distance at times. This time, however, James intended it to be different, he wanted to touch on a topic that had been lingering in his mind since their last conversation.
"How are you feeling about this whole voice thing?" he asked casually as he bent down to adjust the bandages on his wrists. He didn't want it to sound like an intervention, but rather a show of genuine curiosity.
Regulus shrugged, feigning indifference. "I don't know, it's not a big deal," he replied evasively.
James let out a brief laugh. "Please, Reg, don't give me that. Discovering something new about yourself, something you never even imagined you could have... it has to be strange."
Regulus frowned, clearly uncomfortable, but before he could say anything else, James decided to share his own dilemma.
"I know how it feels," he admitted, crossing his arms. "I always knew that at some point I would become a werewolf, it's what Potters do, what we do. It's part of our nature, like breathing, like walking. But I can't. No matter how much I train, how much I try, it just doesn't happen. Everyone else in my family, even those at school, managed it without problems. And no matter how patient my parents are and tell me not to worry... I do. It makes me feel like I'm broken, like I'm missing something that everyone else has. And that's why I try to compensate with other things."
Regulus looked at him for a moment, his lips forming a tense line. Then he looked down and murmured, "I feel like that too."
James raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue.
"I don't know what it means to have a siren voice, I don't know what I'm capable of or if I can hurt someone unintentionally," his hands clenched into fists. "I don't want to force anyone to do something against their will. I don't want to lose control."
James nodded, fully understanding the fear Regulus was expressing. Then, with a confident smile, he stepped forward.
"Then let's practice."
Regulus looked at him in disbelief. "What? No. I'm not going to do something to you without even knowing how it works."
"I trust you, Reg," James said seriously. "And that's something you should do too."
Regulus's cheeks turned a beautiful shade of pink at those words. With some doubt, but also with a hint of curiosity, he accepted.
"Okay," he said cautiously. "But let's start with simple things. Nothing dangerous."
James smiled broadly. "Of course. Let's try something basic. Make me raise my arm."
Regulus nodded and took a deep breath, trying to concentrate. James told him to try to remember the feeling in his throat, the strange echo he had felt when his voice manifested in the forest. He looked at James and said with determination, "Raise your arm."
James blinked. And then did nothing.
"Was that it?" he asked, holding back a laugh.
Regulus scoffed, frustrated. "Shut up! I'm learning."
"Sorry, sorry," James said, still smiling. "Let's see, try something else. Make me say something ridiculous. Something like... 'I'm the king of the world.'"
Regulus glared at him, but tried again. He tried to focus on the vibration of his voice, on what he felt last time.
"Say you're the king of the world."
James stared at Regulus. And then, nothing.
"Well, this is disappointing," Regulus murmured, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
James patted him on the back. "Don't worry. If there's one thing we know how to do well, it's to insist until things work out. We'll try again, as many times as necessary."
Regulus couldn't help but smile slightly at the confidence with which James said it. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but with James supporting him, maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be as scary as he thought. The simple idea that James was there, willing to help him without hesitation, sparked something warm inside him.
"Alright," he whispered, with renewed determination. "We'll try again."
James smiled at him with contagious confidence. "That's the spirit, Black."
SIRIUS POV
Sirius was in his room, sitting on his bed with his back against the headboard, while James was next to him, frowning, clearly focused on his own thoughts. After everything that had happened in recent days, the questions seemed to pile up unanswered, and Sirius knew he had to talk about something that had been tormenting him since before the fair.
"James, there's something I haven't told you," Sirius said suddenly, attracting his friend's attention.
James turned his face towards him, blinking a couple of times before nodding, giving him space to continue.
"Before the fair, I had a vision," Sirius swallowed, remembering the suffocating feeling of that moment. "I saw the beast... But not like we saw it in the forest. It was locked in a dark room. I could hear its screams... They were of pain, James. It was a heartbreaking sound, as if it were suffering."
The atmosphere in the room seemed to grow heavier. James straightened his posture, attentive to every word.
"What else did you see?" he asked seriously.
Sirius closed his eyes for a second and took a breath before continuing.
"The walls of the place... were covered... They were..." he shuddered at the memory, "they were human organs. As if someone had ripped them off, put them in jars, and glued them there, as part of the decoration."
James frowned in revulsion.
"That's disgusting... But do you think it's real?" he asked cautiously. "It could have been a nightmare."
Sirius shook his head immediately.
"No. It wasn't a nightmare. I felt it. I heard it. It was too vivid to be just my mind playing tricks on me. And the beast..." He paused, his voice lowering slightly. "Its eyes were red, they glowed in the dark, but not with fury. It seemed... sad. No, more than that. It seemed destroyed."
James ran a hand through his hair, thoughtfully.
"If it's true, then the question is... Where is it?" he murmured. "Where does the beast hide when we don't see it? If it's in a place like the one you describe... it means someone has it trapped."
Sirius nodded gravely.
"That's the issue. We don't know anything, or why it's here. But now, after what I saw, I'm sure it's not just a monster that appears and kills for no reason. There's something else... someone else behind this."
James pressed his lips together, crossing his arms.
"If someone has it trapped, there must be a way to find that place," he reflected. "A place like that can't be in plain sight. It must be a secluded place... hidden inside the school or in the surroundings."
"Or beneath us," Sirius whispered suddenly.
James looked at him in confusion.
"Beneath?"
Sirius leaned forward slightly.
"Evermore is huge, James. It has ancient tunnels, basements that no one uses, catacombs that were closed decades ago. What if the beast is trapped somewhere in those places?" His eyes gleamed with determination. "We need to find out more. We need to find it before it's too late."
James took a deep breath, evaluating the information.
"Alright," he nodded finally. "Then that's another thing to add to the list to investigate."
REGULUS POV
As he walked down the corridors towards his dormitory, Regulus felt a presence quickly approaching. He turned and saw Lily Evans with a frown and crossed arms, blocking his path with determination. Her green eyes shone with intensity, and her posture made it clear that she wouldn't let him go without answers.
"Regulus, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked seriously.
Regulus sighed, not wanting another conversation about Peter, but nodded. Lily didn't usually approach him unless she had a good reason.
"What's up?" he replied bluntly, trying to maintain his patience.
"I want to know what's going on with Peter," she said bluntly, her tone firm but not accusatory. "You said he was attacked in the forest, but everyone saw him at school this morning. How do you explain that?"
Regulus felt his stomach churn with irritation and frustration. He was tired of repeating the same thing and no one believing him. He wasn't delusional, he wasn't making things up. He had seen the blood, the body, the death in Peter's eyes, how they had torn him apart.
"I don't care who believes me and who doesn't, Lily," he replied coldly, fixing his eyes on hers. "I know what I saw. Peter died that night."
Lily studied him carefully, her analytical gaze penetrating his. Regulus felt a slight chill. Lily was intelligent, perceptive, and something in her expression told him that maybe she knew more than she was saying. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke in a lower tone.
"There's something else... When I approached the supposed Peter this morning... he smelled different. He smelled strange," she confessed, and a slight shadow crossed her face.
Regulus frowned.
"Different how?"
Lily pressed her lips together before answering, as if choosing her words carefully.
"He didn't smell like before. His blood... his essence... had changed. It was like... like he wasn't him," she admitted cautiously.
Regulus felt a chill run down his spine. Something inside him told him that Lily wasn't wrong. He bit his lip, trying to connect the pieces of the puzzle. If anyone could notice those kinds of changes, it was Lily. Her condition gave her a particular sensitivity to smells, to the essence of people. If she said Peter smelled different, then there was no doubt.
"Before the fair, did you notice anything strange about him?" he asked suddenly, watching her closely.
Lily nodded, although she seemed hesitant to share it or not.
"He was acting strange, quieter than usual. Peter has never been the most sociable, but... something about his behavior seemed out of place. I didn't consider it an alarm at the time because, well... at this school, weird is normal," she replied with a sigh, crossing her arms.
Regulus nodded slowly, considering her words. All of this was becoming increasingly confusing. What Lily said coincided with what he and Sirius had felt since the attack in the forest. Peter had been different... but how long before the fair had that change started?
"Maybe you should talk to Severus," Lily suggested suddenly. "He was his roommate. If anyone noticed anything more unusual about Peter, it was him."
Regulus considered the idea and, although he didn't like the prospect of talking to Snape at all, he knew Lily was right. Severus was observant and meticulous. If Peter had shown signs of being... changed, he would have noticed.
"I'll consider it," he said finally, although his tone implied that he had already made a decision.
Lily nodded in approval, although she didn't seem entirely satisfied. Regulus wasn't either. The feeling that something was terribly wrong with Peter was getting stronger and stronger. And he had to find out what it was before it was too late.
REMUS POV
Arriving home after his therapy session, Remus frowned at the sight of his father, Lyall, by the sheriff's truck. What caught his attention most was Freddie, his dog, jumping nervously inside the vehicle as his father firmly closed the door. It wasn't unusual to see Lyall immersed in his work, but there was something in his expression, in the way he moved with rigid determination, that sent a chill down Remus's spine.
"What are you doing?" Remus asked, crossing his arms, already feeling the annoyance growing in his chest.
Lyall didn't even turn to look at him. He finished making sure the door was securely closed before replying in a dry tone, "I'm following a lead on the case."
Remus felt a pang of irritation. He had spent months watching his father obsess over this case, with the idea that there was something lurking in the forest. No matter how many times the police department reduced the possibilities to a simple animal attack, Lyall remained convinced that there was a creature involved.
"I heard you talking to one of the officers," Remus said, trying to contain his irritation. "You still believe there's something in the forest, don't you?"
Lyall finally looked at him, with that same hardened expression he used whenever someone questioned his theory.
"The evidence indicates it's not a simple bear, Remus. There are patterns, tracks that don't correspond to a common animal."
"And you think it could be a student from Evermore?" Remus asked, closely observing his father's reaction.
Lyall looked away for a moment and then shook his head, as if he didn't want to continue the conversation. Instead, he abruptly changed the subject.
"I tried to talk to your therapist," he blurted out suddenly, looking at him seriously. "He wouldn't say anything about your progress in the sessions."
Remus let out a sarcastic laugh and shook his head. "It's called doctor-patient confidentiality, Dad."
Lyall clicked his tongue, clearly frustrated. "I don't need a lesson in medical ethics, I need to know what's going on with my son. But it seems you can't be capable of trusting me."
Remus felt a knot form in his stomach. It wasn't a matter of trust, it was a matter of space. He knew his father cared, but the way he did it always ended up suffocating him.
"What do you talk about so much with that therapist?" Lyall insisted, his tone hardening.
Remus rolled his eyes and decided to respond with his usual sarcasm. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe about the type of coffee he likes to order at the place where I work. I'm considering writing an essay about it."
"Always with your jokes," Lyall grumbled. "I'm paying for those sessions, you know? I think I have the right to ask."
Something inside Remus broke a little. He crossed his arms and stared at him, his jaw clenched.
"Fine, you want to know what we talk about? We talk about Mom. Do you remember her, Dad?"
Lyall was silent for a moment, and Remus saw his expression harden even more. Finally, his father looked away and murmured, "I just hope you don't speak ill of me."
Remus felt frustration mix with sadness. His relationship with his father had always been tense, but there were times when he wished things were different. That Lyall could be more open, more present, that he wouldn't always be distracted by his own obsessions. In the end, he always ended up affecting him.
"I'll be late tonight," Lyall said suddenly, focusing again on the truck. "You'll have to have dinner alone again."
Remus let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, no!" he exclaimed with feigned despair. "I was looking forward to our night of heartwarming father-son memories. How nice it is to remember the past with you, Dad."
Lyall just gave him a serious look before getting into the truck. Remus clenched his fists and entered the house without saying anything else. He dropped onto the sofa, feeling exhausted. No matter how hard he tried, he could never fully understand his father. And, at that moment, more than ever, he desperately missed his mother.
He ran a hand over his face, feeling the tension accumulated in his shoulders. He couldn't help but wonder what would have been different if his mother were still there, if she could have balanced his father's hardness with her warmth. But that was an unanswered question, one that only managed to make him feel an even greater void.
He stayed there, staring at the ceiling, feeling trapped in an endless cycle of frustration and longing for something that no longer existed.
SIRIUS POV
Sirius walked with his hands in his pockets, trying to contain the irritation he felt as he headed towards Dumbledore's office. He had received the summons just a few minutes earlier and had no desire to talk to the headmaster about what had happened in the forest. He knew exactly what he was going to ask him and had no intention of giving him more information than he had already given to the sheriff. The less he talked about it, the better. He didn't want to dwell on the image of the wounded beast, its red eyes glowing with agony in the darkness, or the feeling of despair that had enveloped him as he witnessed it.
When he reached the large wooden door, he sighed heavily before pushing it open and entering. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, his fingers interlaced on the surface, observing him with his usual perceptive gaze. The room had that ancient air, charged with secrets, as if the walls themselves contained years of buried knowledge.
"Sirius, please, take a seat," he said in his calm and measured tone.
Sirius reluctantly obeyed, crossing his arms and looking at him with a neutral expression. He wasn't going to make this easy for him.
"I would like you to tell me the true version of what happened in the forest," Dumbledore asked, leaning slightly forward.
"What I told the sheriff was what happened," Sirius replied in a dry tone.
Dumbledore studied him in silence for a moment before replying, "I know you saw more than you said. Your visions..." he made a significant pause. "They worry me."
Sirius felt his stomach tighten at those words. A bad feeling crept down his back, although he tried to hide it.
"My what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes patiently before continuing. "The visions. I know you have them. Your mother had them too when she was your age," he said calmly, although the weight of his words filled the room like an invisible but dense presence.
Sirius felt a chill run down his spine, but forced himself to maintain an indifferent expression. He wasn't going to let Dumbledore know how much that disturbed him.
"And what does that have to do with all this?" he replied, feigning disinterest.
"That they are dangerous, Sirius. They don't always show the truth of things, and when they do, it is often a distorted truth, impossible to understand at first glance. Your mother had them too... and I believe they contributed to her instability." Dumbledore's voice became more grave as he said that.
Sirius had to bite his tongue to keep from letting out a sarcastic laugh. The idea that his visions were to blame for Walburga's madness seemed, to say the least, ironic. As if another reason was needed to justify the disaster that was his mother.
"Oh, of course," he replied with feigned seriousness. "Because Walburga Black is the epitome of emotional stability, isn't she?"
Dumbledore looked at him with an inscrutable expression, as if trying to decide to what extent Sirius was joking or if he was actually hiding something deeper under his sarcasm.
"Don't underestimate what a mind can endure before breaking, Sirius," he warned. "I advise you that, if these visions become more frequent, talk to someone you trust. Don't keep this to yourself."
Sirius merely nodded, but in his mind he only thought about how unlikely it was that he would ever share anything with his mother. Or with Dumbledore. Or with any other authority figure. Pretending that nothing could affect him had always been his preferred method of survival. And now, more than ever, he felt that no one would understand what he had seen. Because he didn't fully understand it either.
When Dumbledore let him go, Sirius left the office with his jaw clenched, feeling that the conversation had only increased his discomfort. Now he not only had to deal with everything in the forest, but he also had to wonder what his visions really meant... and if his mother had seen the same things before becoming what she was. Was that what awaited him?
Sirius is sure that he would prefer to die in agony than to become something remotely similar to his mother.
REGULUS POV
The archery range was almost empty when Regulus arrived. At that hour, most students were in the library or their dormitories, avoiding the cold that was beginning to settle in the air. He adjusted the gloves on his hands and walked confidently to the shooting line. When he looked up, he noticed a familiar figure. Severus Snape was there, frowning and with his characteristic expression of disapproval.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Severus commented, crossing his arms as he watched Regulus examine one of the bows.
"I like to practice," Regulus replied naturally, choosing a longbow and testing the tension of the string. "You too, I suppose."
Snape nodded, although his expression suggested that he didn't quite believe Regulus's statement. Then, he took one of the arrows and positioned himself to shoot. Regulus watched in silence as Severus released the arrow, which hit the target, but not in the center. Snape clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Want to try?" he asked, extending the bow to him.
Regulus took it without hesitation, placing the arrow and aligning the sight with the center of the target. He took a deep breath, felt the tension in the string, and released. The arrow cut through the air and embedded itself right in the center of the target. Severus raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Are you sure you need to practice?" he commented sarcastically.
Regulus gave him a half-smile before lowering the bow and asking in a casual tone, "What do you know about Peter?"
Snape set aside his sarcasm and his expression hardened slightly. "At the fair, he was acting strange, more than usual, and hours before he left his room a mess, he was mumbling things, it was scary," he said, his tone measured. "But I didn't pay attention at the time. Although thinking about it, now it all seems to fit. He was nervous, evasive... Like he knew something the others didn't."
Regulus was silent for a moment, processing the information. His mind went over every recent interaction with Peter, looking for any clue that might have gone unnoticed. Then, Snape glanced at him and asked indifferently, "And what's going on between you and Potter? And with your brother and Lupin?"
Regulus tensed a little, but his expression didn't change. "None of your business," he replied dryly.
Snape snorted. "It should be your business," he insisted. "It's too late for Sirius and Potter, they seem to have a codependency, and let's not talk about Lupin, but at least do yourself a favor and stay away from them. They're not to be trusted."
Regulus narrowed his eyes, analyzing him. Snape's words were full of resentment, but also a kind of veiled concern. Still, he couldn't help but feel irritated. "Why do you say that?"
Snape pressed his lips together before answering. "Because they're idiots. And so are their friends. They can't stand strangers and loners, no matter what they say."
Regulus felt an automatic impulse to defend them, but instead of answering with words, he decided to demonstrate it in another way. Without breaking eye contact with Snape, he reached for the hidden sheath on his ankle and pulled out a sharp dagger. With a quick and calculated movement, he threw the dagger into the air, aiming at an apple that was on a nearby barrel. The blade went through it cleanly, and the fruit was thrown to the target, where it was stuck right in the center with a dry sound.
Snape watched the scene with a mix of surprise and poorly concealed admiration. His eyes moved slowly between the apple and Regulus, as if he were evaluating his skills in a new way.
"If you wanted to impress, you succeeded," he commented finally, although his tone denoted more analysis than mockery.
Regulus smiled smugly before picking up his bow again. "I don't need to impress anyone," he said calmly, before releasing another arrow with impeccable precision.
Severus crossed his arms, still watching him closely. "Then why are you still surrounded by them?" he asked softly. "You're not like them, Regulus. And you know it."
Regulus tensed the bowstring, aimed, and shot another arrow that embedded itself right next to the previous one. He lowered the bow slowly and looked at Snape. "Maybe. But that doesn't mean they're what you think," he said, picking up his things without taking his challenging gaze off Severus.
The wind blew strongly on the shooting range, shaking the dry leaves around them. Regulus turned and began to walk towards the exit without looking back, leaving Snape with his inscrutable expression and a dagger still stuck in the target.
***
After spending a few hours between classes and trying not to think too much about everything that had happened, Regulus decided to take a walk through the gardens to clear his mind. The fresh air and the tranquility of the surroundings helped him calm down a bit, although the feeling of unease remained in his chest. As he walked among the paths of flowers and ancient trees, he spotted a figure crouching among a group of plants with dark petals and twisted stems.
It was Pandora Rosier.
Evan's sister was known for being peculiar. Not in a bad way, but she definitely had a different energy than her brother. While Evan used to radiate confidence and a certain air of arrogance, sometimes mixed with a chilling tranquility, Pandora seemed to live in her own world, distracted by thoughts that no one else seemed to understand. Regulus had seen her a couple of times before, but had never exchanged more than polite greetings with her. However, at that moment, something about the way she examined the earth so carefully intrigued him.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Regulus," Pandora commented without looking up, as if she had sensed his presence before actually seeing him.
Regulus crossed his arms and tilted his head, watching as the girl stained her hands with dirt while manipulating some roots that seemed to move slightly under her fingers.
"I didn't know you had a fondness for gardening," he replied, with a slight smile of interest.
Pandora finally looked at him and smiled broadly, as if she had just remembered something funny.
"Oh, it's not just gardening. It's much more than that. Come, I'll give you a tour," she said, getting up agilely and shaking the dirt off her hands.
Regulus, surprised by the ease with which she had included him in her world, nodded and followed her. As they walked through the more remote gardens, Pandora pointed out different plants to him with genuine enthusiasm.
"These here are belladonna and aconite," she explained, pointing to some seemingly harmless flowers that Regulus knew could be deadly if ingested in large quantities. "And these here..." she added, gently touching some intensely green leaves, "are for making antidotes. It's important to always have a balance, you know? You can't create poisons without also knowing how to cure them."
Regulus raised an eyebrow, more than interested. He had expected Pandora to cultivate exotic plants, but not to have such extensive knowledge about poisons.
"Do you dedicate yourself to making poisons?" he asked with a mix of surprise and admiration.
Pandora gave him a sweet, almost innocent smile, but her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.
"Yes. They fascinate me. There's something incredible about how nature has the power to give life and take it away in an instant. It all depends on who uses it and for what," she replied, bending down again to delicately caress some reddish leaves.
Regulus watched her intently, trying to reconcile the image he had of her with what she had just said. Pandora had always seemed like someone soft, sweet, even fragile... and now she was talking with complete naturalness about poisons and antidotes as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"You don't seem like the type to be interested in something so dangerous," he commented, still analyzing her.
Pandora laughed softly and looked at him amused. "That's because people see what they want to see, Regulus. But we all have our own hobbies. Some people collect books, others practice archery... and I cultivate deadly plants," she said with a slight shrug.
Regulus let out a small laugh. He couldn't help but feel fascinated by her. Pandora Rosier was, without a doubt, someone who defied expectations.
"Well, I have to admit it's much more interesting than I imagined," he confessed, putting his hands in his pockets as he watched her work.
"I know," she replied with a mischievous smile. "And if you ever need a poison... or an antidote, you know who to turn to."
EVAN POV
Evan and Barty walked cautiously down the corridors towards Peter and Snape's dormitory. The tension between them was palpable, an invisible wall built since the night of the fair. Neither of them had touched the subject, not even with a glance, but Evan felt it in every held breath, in every empty space between them that hadn't existed before. He knew that what he had done had been a mistake, that he should never have kissed Barty. But how could he have avoided doing it when he saw him biting his lip in that way that drove him completely crazy?
The memory of the kiss haunted him. No matter how much he tried to distract himself, his mind returned to the feeling of Barty's lips against his, to the warmth of his body, to his smell—a mixture of mint, metal, and something indefinably his—, to the muffled sounds that escaped his mouth. He remembered with too much clarity the way he had buried his fingers in his hair, how he had pulled him closer, how desperation had burned in his veins. And, every time he remembered, he felt a stinging heat grow in his belly.
It was ridiculous. And dangerous. Because even though he longed to feel Barty like that again, he knew he couldn't allow it. Not when it meant risking losing him.
Because if he lost Barty, he would be fucked.
He was so immersed in his head that he didn't notice when Barty stopped, and only reacted when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He startled, blinking confused. Barty quickly removed his hand and muttered an apology. Evan felt a lurch in his stomach. Barty had never apologized for touching him before. And that broke his heart. Was he sorry? Hadn't he wanted it as much as he had?
"You watch the door," Barty said, without looking at him. "I'll go in."
Evan just nodded.
Time passed in tense silence. Every second that Barty spent inside the room felt eternal.
About fifteen minutes later, Barty's voice broke the wait.
"Evan, come here."
Upon entering, Evan immediately noticed the difference between the two sides of the room. It was obvious which belonged to whom. Snape's half was dark and austere, while Peter's had a predominantly yellow decoration, although with too many scattered colors throughout the room. However, what really surprised Evan was how tidy it was. He had never talked much to Peter, but he didn't see him as the type of person who would keep his space immaculate.
He walked towards where Barty was, near the window.
"Did you find anything?" he asked.
Barty didn't answer. Instead, he looked at him, directly in the eyes, and said, "Are we really going to ignore it?"
Evan's stomach shrank. He knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Nothing happened," he murmured. "There's nothing to talk about."
Barty moved closer, until he was just inches from his face. He tilted his head slightly and whispered, "Nothing? Was it nothing when you took my face and kissed me? Was it nothing when I took your neck to pull you closer to me? Was it nothing while I tangled my hands in your hair? Was it nothing when I made you moan against my mouth? Because I haven't stopped thinking about those little sounds you made while you rubbed against me, Evan. Your erection against mine. You were so desperate for me to touch you, Rosier. And you really want me to say that was nothing? You really want that? Don't you want it to happen again? Don't you want me to touch you again? Is that it?"
Evan felt the air leave him. Barty's voice enveloped him like a sweet poison, and his skin burned in every spot where his proximity was most intense. At some point, Barty's hand slid to his nape, holding him firmly. He was pulling him closer. His warm breath hit his lips, his body radiated a feverish heat that drove him crazy.
He wanted it. God, he wanted it so much it hurt.
But he had to stop it. He had to stop himself.
Gathering all the strength he had, all the will his body and mind could muster, he sighed a weak, "No."
And that was all it took for Barty to immediately step away. The hurt in his expression was a dagger in Evan's heart. But, as always, Barty respected his limits. And Evan hated it. He hated with all he had being the reason for that look in his eyes. But Barty didn't understand.
He didn't understand that Evan couldn't risk losing him.
Barty was the most important thing in his life, and if having him meant he had to keep him at a safe distance, then he would.
Because it was better to have a part of him forever than everything just for a moment.
Because if they allowed themselves, if they gave themselves to each other... there was a possibility that everything would go wrong. That he would lose him.
And Evan wouldn't survive that.
It would shatter him. It would leave him without air, without ground, without meaning.
Barty was his, even if he never had him completely.
And losing him was not an option.
The sound of a board creaking under Barty's foot interrupted the tension. Startled, Barty looked down and bent down to lift the loose wood from the floor. Carefully, he slid his hand into the makeshift hiding place and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.
A drawing.
One that appeared to have been torn from a book.
Evan moved closer, and his chest tightened at the sight of the image. It was the school, engulfed in flames. And in front, like sinister shadows, the figures of the Black brothers were clearly distinguished.
Notes:
well, Peter's damn pinky, well, now they had a plan, I love Reg jealous of Gid, Reg's voice AHHH, Prongsfoot investigating his own mystery, damn therapy session, poor Sirius and poor Reg and damn the rest of the Black family, damn Lucius, I love you both, James being a guinea pig and trying to help Reg, don't worry Reg will manage it sooner or later, the beast's screams break my heart, I love Lily and Reg together, Remus and his father make me so sad, btw Remus's other dog is called Georgie, Sirius prefers to die than become his mother he is so real, let Snivellus butt in his own business thanks, Reg with the daggers, arrows and his perfect aim, I wish Jamie had seen it, I love Pandora and Regulus and I'm sure they had a conversation about poisons in another universe, god Rosekiller I love them so much, Evan doesn't want to lose Barty. Understand, I understand. Barty wants to take the risk but always respects Evan, as it should be. We'll have more of them. I love writing them. And we have the picture of the Black brothers, as if they didn't have enough problems.
In other news, my bets were on Lando Oscar and Max, but it wasn't possible. I want to give a standing ovation to Nico, he did excellent, Kimi another jewel in the crown, Totto chose well and although in the end it didn't go very well for him, Yuki I love you, prove that RB seat was yours. Bad weekend for Ferrari and many DNFs. It's a shame that Sainz's first race at Williams ended like this. Let's hope he does better next time. But Alex, my respects, you did like never before. I almost cried along with Hadjar. Better luck to the rookies next race. Ollie and Bortoleto, you can do it. And not that there weren't driving styles Lawson , not that the next Verstappen project from RB. You probably miss Checo right now.
Well, always Team Max, never RB. Mention Stroll, who did well.
Well, I hope you liked the chapter.
With love.
pau :)
Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Thunder
Notes:
I know that some weeks have passed and I'm very sorry, but in my defense I've been very busy and I warned you, I had exams, the Zayn concert that, by the way, he canceled at the last minute and so my trip was for nothing but it doesn't matter because the important thing is that he's okay, just that he learns that you shouldn't eat lemon cookies, and Olivia's concert just happened so I released a lot of traumas, and also it was my brother's birthday and race week, I also don't promise a chapter next week because it's my birthday but I'll do what I can, I hope you like the chapter, sorry for the delay.
pau :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
JAMES POV
The dining hall was filled with scattered conversations and murmurs, but at the table where James and the others were sitting, the atmosphere was completely different. The tension felt thick, as if something heavy hung over them. James decided to break the silence with the information he had received earlier.
"Gideon lost sight of Peter when he went into the bathroom and never saw him come out," he blurted out, observing the others' reactions.
Regulus, sitting next to him, snorted and muttered disdainfully, "Useless idiot. How on earth do you lose sight of someone in a bathroom? Did the toilet swallow him?"
"Regulus..." James sighed, but couldn't help the small smile that formed on his lips. It wasn't the time, but sometimes his sarcastic dramatics were entertaining.
"I'm serious," Regulus insisted, crossing his arms. "It's impressive, really. Should we be worried that Gideon loses sight of his own shadow on a sunny day?"
James rolled his eyes but continued with the story. "That's not the weird part," he clarified. "The strange thing is that Gid waited outside, and instead of seeing Peter come out, he noticed another man going in. A guy he'd never seen before, an old man with a beard and strange glasses. So he followed him. He saw him get into a car, and when he looked through the window to get a better look..." James pulled out a photograph of Dumbledore taken from a distance and placed it in the center of the table. "Gid swears it was him."
Silence fell like a cloak over them. Regulus had an expression of distaste, his brow furrowed intensely.
James gave Regulus's expression an amused look, but decided to ignore it for now. He noticed that Evan and Barty were sitting on opposite sides of the table, which struck him as odd.
"We went to Peter's room," Evan suddenly interjected, without taking his eyes off the table.
Sirius, who until then had only been listening attentively, leaned forward with interest.
"Was there an incident?" he asked cautiously.
Barty and Evan exchanged a fleeting, uncomfortable glance before Barty responded with an indifferent tone:
"Snape entered the room while we were there."
"What? And he discovered you?" Sirius tensed visibly.
"No, I handled it," Evan said with apparent nonchalance. "He left without remembering anything about the incident. Everything is under control."
"How convenient," Regulus muttered, narrowing his eyes. "But let's get back to the important thing. Did you find anything?"
Before Evan could answer, Barty pulled something out of his jacket and placed it on the table. A piece of paper, crumpled and torn at the edges.
Everyone leaned in to get a better look.
It was a drawing, done in black ink, somewhat blurry, as if it had been torn from a book. It showed the school engulfed in flames. And standing in front of it, several dark silhouettes. Among them, two figures stood out in the center.
The Black brothers.
A chill ran down James's spine as he realized what he was seeing. Around him, no one dared to speak. The tension was suffocating.
"This... could be a coincidence," Sirius muttered, but his voice sounded unconvincing.
Regulus let out a dry, humorless laugh. His dark eyes reflected something sharp, dangerous.
"It's not," he stated coldly. "Not at all."
"Of course it's not," Evan interjected, his tone serious. "No one tears out a drawing like this and hides it unless it's important."
Regulus leaned forward slightly and looked at everyone at the table, raising an eyebrow.
"So, to summarize. Peter disappears as if by magic in a bathroom. Gideon, our star observer, instead of finding him, decides to follow a mysterious old man, who turns out to be Dumbledore. And in Peter's room, we find a drawing of my brother and me with the school on fire."
"It seems so," James confirmed.
Regulus crossed his arms and looked at the ceiling with feigned exasperation. "Wonderful. Everything sounds perfectly normal and absolutely none of this is disturbing."
No one tried to contradict him. Because deep down, they all knew he was right.
REGULUS POV
Regulus was in his room, his gaze fixed on the drawing they had found in Peter's room. He had been observing it for quite a while, trying to decipher any hidden meaning among its strokes. Something about that image gave him an unpleasant feeling, as if he were seeing a warning that he couldn't quite understand. He ran his fingers over the surface of the paper, and that's when he noticed something peculiar: in the lower right corner, there was a slight raised area. He frowned and turned the sheet under the light, discovering a strange, barely perceptible seal.
"What on earth is this?" he muttered to himself, leaning closer to examine it.
He pressed his fingernail against the raised area and felt the paper respond with a slight vibration. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but for a second it seemed like the drawing glowed faintly. He remained still, expectant, but nothing else happened. Even so, it only fueled his feeling that there was something more behind that piece of paper.
He was so absorbed in his analysis that he didn't realize how much time had passed. When he finally looked at the clock, he cursed and dashed out of the room: he was late for his next class.
Upon arriving at the classroom, he quickly scanned the place and realized that there was only one seat left. And, of course, it had to be Severus Snape's. Regulus sighed resignedly and walked towards his destination with an impassive expression, although inside he wasn't particularly thrilled about the idea of sitting next to Snape after their last encounter at the shooting range.
"Oh, wonderful," he muttered sarcastically as he dropped his things on the table.
Snape barely glanced at him before returning his gaze to his notebook. From the first moment, his hostility was evident. He kept his face serious and his jaw clenched, as if Regulus's mere presence bothered him.
"You don't have to act like I'm contaminating you with my mere existence," Regulus commented, rolling his eyes.
Snape didn't respond, simply continuing to scribble in his notebook with excessive concentration. Regulus noticed that he was drawing something on the edges of the pages: a snake. So far, nothing particularly strange. What was odd was what happened next. As Severus ran the pen over the drawing, the snake began to move. Not as a simple optical effect. No. It moved for real. Its scales trembled, its body rippled slightly on the paper, until the drawing came off the paper, the snake slithering across the table.
Regulus blinked, making sure he wasn't seeing things. But no, there it was. The drawing had come to life.
"Interesting," he whispered to himself, observing more closely.
Snape seemed completely indifferent to what had just happened, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. He moved his fingers slightly, and the snake slithered back into the notebook, embedding itself in the paper again as if it had never left. Regulus felt a chill run down his spine.
His instinct told him that this wasn't normal, even in a school like Evermore. And the worst part was that, with everything that was happening, he couldn't help but wonder if Snape had something to do with this whole mess. Perhaps he had been looking for answers in the wrong place. Perhaps he should start keeping a closer eye on Severus Snape.
Regulus tried to concentrate on the class, but his mind kept replaying what he had just witnessed. He glanced sideways at Snape, who continued to write in his notebook with absolute calm, as if he hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. It was unsettling. Since when could he do something like that? Why had he never seen it before? And most importantly... what else could he do that he hadn't shown yet? Maybe he could draw the beast and bring it to life?
When the class ended, Regulus lingered in his seat for a moment, pretending to review his notes while discreetly watching Snape. He saw him close his notebook normally and put it in his bag before getting up and leaving the classroom without saying a word.
Regulus felt a growing unease in his chest. Something was wrong. And he had the feeling that Severus Snape knew more than he was letting on.
SIRIUS POV
Sirius walked beside James towards the training field, watching with a mix of disbelief and admiration how his friend maintained inexhaustible energy. He didn't understand how James had so much enthusiasm for practice after everything that had happened in the last few days. If it were him, he would probably be looking for ways to get into trouble to distract himself, but James seemed to channel his stress into sports. An unconventional tactic, but effective, it seemed.
"How on earth are you not tired?" Sirius asked, rubbing his temple as if just thinking about doing sports exhausted him.
"Because I'm a natural prodigy," James replied with an arrogant smile before giving him a playful shove on the shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want to join the team? We could use you."
"I prefer to cheer you on from the stands with a pom-pom in each hand," Sirius retorted dramatically. "Besides, someone has to make sure you don't make a fool of yourself."
"Always so considerate," James rolled his eyes. "But if you change your mind, you can always join."
"Sure, sure, on the altar of sacrifice where you give your soul to sports."
James laughed and changed the subject:
"Speaking of competition, guess what I heard? Obviously, I'll win again this year, but there are rumors that some of the other teams are planning to team up to make me lose. I've seen several of them whispering suspicious things."
Sirius scoffed, crossing his arms.
"As if that would stop you. You're a damn hurricane. Although I'd like to see their faces when you humiliate them anyway. Are you sure you don't need us to 'talk' to a rival captain? You know, with diplomacy and charm... or a shovel."
James burst out laughing.
"No, no, I like that they're trying. It makes me feel more important."
"Oh, excuse me, Your Majesty Potter. I didn't know we needed conspiracies against you to keep your ego inflated," Sirius rolled his eyes. "We should send them a thank-you letter. 'Dear opponents, thank you for the free motivation. Sincerely, James Potter, future undisputed champion.'"
James laughed and then asked, "What are you doing later?"
Sirius shrugged.
"Reg offered to pick up some things with Evan's sister, Pandora, but he couldn't go in the end. So I guess it's my turn now."
James whistled softly.
"Pandora. She's... interesting. A bit eccentric, but I like her. Although she has that look of someone who knows too much."
"Yeah, she definitely gives me forest witch vibes," Sirius commented, laughing. "It's like she knows exactly how many times I've made a mistake before I even realize it myself."
"Or how many more times you'll make them," James added with a mocking smile.
"That's classified information."
They both laughed, enjoying the brief moment of normalcy amidst the chaos they had found themselves in lately. He liked having these moments with James, where they could just be two teenagers talking about nonsense without worrying about things like disappearances, disturbing drawings, and unsolved mysteries. But of course, the tranquility wouldn't last long.
"Hey, can I invite someone from outside to the matches?" Sirius asked suddenly.
James glanced at him.
"Yeah, why? Who do you want to bring?"
Sirius shrugged.
"I thought maybe Remus would want to come and see. That way, he'll have an excuse to leave the café and also take the opportunity to see us."
James nodded with a smile.
"Good idea. But tell him not to bring a book and start reading in the middle of the match, please."
"I'm not promising anything," Sirius said with a sly smile. "Although it would be funny to see him cheering you on while still reading."
James shook his head, chuckling to himself.
"God, the worst part is he'd be capable of it."
After watching James train for a while, Sirius decided it was best to start his journey towards the forest to meet Pandora. He still didn't understand exactly what he was supposed to pick up with her, but something in his gut told him it wouldn't be a simple walk.
Before leaving, James reminded him of something else:
"Hey, don't forget our secret meeting. Stop by the room before so I can help you prepare."
Sirius nodded with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, Potter. Don't make me bring pom-poms to the meeting too."
James threw a soccer ball at his head in response, making Sirius laugh as he walked away towards the forest. He walked with a relaxed pace, but deep down he felt a strange unease.
REMUS POV
Remus drummed his fingers on the table, staring at his phone screen with a frown. The message was written, but his thumb hesitated over the send button.
"Sirius, how are you?" he had typed for the fourth time in less than an hour, though none of the previous versions had been sent.
After what had happened with Peter and Sirius's last session with Mr. Malfoy, from which he had emerged with a vacant stare and slumped shoulders, Remus couldn't just sit idly by. He believed he was beginning to know, to understand Sirius, he knew that when things became unbearable, his instinct was to isolate himself. Maybe he wanted to be alone... but maybe, just maybe, he could use some company, and with a bit of luck, his company.
Finally, with a sigh, he deleted the message and wrote a new one: "I'm going to pass by Evermore in a bit. If you want, we can meet up. If not, no problem."
He didn't wait for a reply. He didn't need one. Sirius probably wouldn't see it anyway; his last connection had been several hours ago. But Remus wasn't going to sit still, having as his last image Sirius falling apart. He grabbed his jacket and headed towards Evermore.
The journey was familiar, almost comforting, but his unease didn't disappear. The cold afternoon breeze ruffled his hair, and the sound of his own footsteps on the sidewalk mingled with the distant murmur of the city. As he approached Evermore, an irrational impulse made him veer into the forest surrounding the area. Maybe it was instinct, maybe a hunch, but something told him it wasn't a good idea to enter through the main gate.
The air between the trees was denser, laden with the dampness of the ground and the scent of vegetation. The twilight was advancing rapidly, and the shadows lengthened around him. As he ventured into the thicket, a movement among the trees caught his attention. He stopped, squinting.
And there he was. Sirius, prowling among the trees, seemingly analyzing something on the ground, his silhouette outlined against the faint light of the sunset. He seemed restless, lost in his thoughts, walking as if he had lost his way. His posture was tense, his hands clenched in the pockets of his leather jacket.
Remus swallowed and took a step forward, but that's when he heard it. At first, a distant murmur, something subtle that could well have been the wind. But as he advanced, the sounds became clearer: deep voices, short, dry orders intermingled with the barking of dogs.
He stopped dead. His pulse quickened as his gaze shifted between Sirius and the source of the sound. Police dogs. He had forgotten, his father, why did they have to be so close to Sirius?
The barking intensified. There was more than one, that was for sure. The rustling of branches in the distance indicated that the officers were moving, and it wasn't hard to deduce that they were searching the area. Remus felt a chill run down his spine. He had no idea if Sirius was in trouble, if he had just gone out to clear his head, or if there was something more behind it. But if the dogs found him in that state, if the officers mistook him for someone dangerous, not to mention that his father had shown no great sympathy for Sirius...
Sirius seemed to have not noticed yet. He continued moving among the trees, his gaze lost on the ground, as if he were trapped in a thought he couldn't escape. Remus felt a knot in his stomach and, without thinking much more, cautiously approached, making sure his steps were silent. It seemed that Sirius still didn't see him, didn't hear the officers, he had to act quickly if he wanted to save them both from trouble, he doubted that his father would be very happy to find him with Sirius in the forest, especially considering their previous incident, and even less so considering he had explicitly asked him to stay away from Sirius Black.
SIRIUS POV
The forest was calm, or at least it seemed so. A strange silence enveloped it, as if nature itself were holding its breath. Each step Sirius took sank slightly into the damp leaf litter, absorbing the weight of his body as if the earth wanted to swallow him.
But even here, even in the solitude of the forest, he wasn't alone.
The beast followed him. He couldn't see it, but he felt it. It was a shadow among the trees, a presence hidden in every corner of his mind. No matter how many times he tried to ignore it, it always came back. It was always there.
Sirius closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled sharply, trying to clear his mind. He thrust his hands into the pockets of his jacket, feeling the torn lining in one of them. The cold air scratched his exposed skin on his neck, reminding him how real all this was. He wasn't dreaming. He wasn't trapped in a memory or a night hallucination. He was here, now, walking among the trees, looking for something he didn't even know existed, even though he should be going to meet Pandora.
That's when he saw the footprints.
They weren't his. They didn't even look human. He stopped dead and frowned, crouching slowly. He ran his fingers over the mark in the damp earth. They were recent. Something or someone had passed through there recently. A chill ran down his spine, but he didn't move. His breathing slowed, became quieter. His pulse, on the other hand, began to quicken.
The beast had passed through here.
Before he could process it, he felt an arm wrapping around his torso, firmly pulling him against his waist, and a hand pressing against his mouth. His body reacted before his mind. He tensed, struggled, feeling a flash of panic run down his spine. But then, a voice whispered in his ear, with a warm breath that contrasted with the cold of the night.
"Sirius, it's me."
Moony.
Relief came in a sudden rush, and he relaxed instantly against him, but not enough to calm his racing heart. Sirius stopped struggling, though his chest rose and fell rapidly from the adrenaline. The hand over his mouth relaxed until it moved away, but Remus didn't let him go completely. Sirius turned his head slightly to see him out of the corner of his eye, his expression serious, alert.
"What the hell are you doing?" Sirius muttered, his voice still tense.
"Quiet," Remus replied in the same low tone. It wasn't a harsh order, but a warning.
Sirius frowned, but before he could respond, he heard it.
Voices. Barking. Not too far away.
A chill ran down his spine, his breathing erratic for a moment. He knew exactly what that meant.
There were officers in the forest.
He felt Remus's grip tighten slightly on his waist, a gesture that said stay still, don't make noise, don't do anything stupid. Sirius forced himself to inhale deeply through his mouth, trying to calm the trembling in his hands, trying not to make a sound.
He could hear the rustling of branches, the footsteps on the ground. They were closer than he thought. Sirius looked at Remus and noticed that he was listening too, his jaw clenched and his muscles tense. Sirius could have banged his head against a tree at how attractive Remus looked like this, trying to take care of him, protect him. He felt strangely safe by his side, as if nothing and no one could touch him.
"We have to move," Remus whispered, barely pulling away enough for Sirius to turn towards him. His golden eyes gleamed in the dim light filtering through the trees, reflecting a mix of urgency and concern.
Sirius nodded stiffly, swallowing. He forced himself to release the air he had been holding, his gaze still fixed on the point where the voices were coming from. They couldn't stay there. They couldn't let themselves be found.
The shadows moved among the trees, and the barking intensified. Sirius felt his stomach churn. They didn't know how many there were or what they were looking for exactly, but staying still wasn't an option.
Remus looked at him, waiting for his signal. Sirius closed his eyes for a second, organizing the chaos in his mind, and when he opened them again, he nodded.
Remus took his wrist and gently pulled him into the thicket of the forest, where the shadows were denser and the trees taller. Sirius didn't protest.
***
When they finally stopped, they were far away, and Remus released his wrist. The sound of the dogs and the officers was behind them, but they could still feel the tension in the air, as if the adrenaline hadn't completely dissipated. Around them, the forest seemed darker, deeper. Only the murmur of the wind and the crunching of leaves under their feet broke the unsettling silence of the night.
Sirius leaned against a tree, trying to catch his breath. His hands trembled slightly, he wasn't sure if from the cold or from the tension of having been so close to being caught. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair and looked at Remus in disbelief.
"Are you going to tell me what the hell that was? How the hell did we escape the dogs without them noticing us?" he asked, his breathing still ragged.
Remus smiled slightly and pulled something out of his pocket: a small translucent fabric bag with ground coffee remains.
"Advantages of working in a coffee shop," he said casually. "The smell of coffee confuses dogs."
Sirius blinked, astonished. His mind was still processing what he had just heard.
"Are you telling me we evaded the police with coffee?" he repeated slowly, as if he needed to confirm he wasn't hallucinating.
Remus shrugged with an expression of false modesty. "Not just any coffee. Strong espresso," he joked, waving the bag near his face.
Sirius couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't a loud or exaggerated sound, but it was genuine. He still felt the adrenaline in his body, but at least the atmosphere didn't feel as tense anymore, it wasn't like being in one of those action movies that James liked so much.
He slumped against the tree, sliding his back down the trunk until he was sitting on the ground with his legs stretched out. Remus watched him for a moment before imitating him, sitting next to him, with his arms resting on his knees. For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. They were just there, breathing, listening to the distant sounds of the forest.
Finally, Sirius tilted his head, observing him curiously.
"And what were you doing in the forest?" he asked in a more relaxed tone, though deep down he had genuine curiosity.
Remus seemed to hesitate for a second before answering.
"I wanted to see you," he confessed without looking away.
Sirius felt a small flutter in his stomach, something warm and strange that twisted from his belly and made his head spin. He cleared his throat and looked down for a moment, pretending to examine a leaf he had near his hand.
"Oh..." he muttered. It was stupid, but he didn't know what else to say.
"I sent you a message," Remus added after a moment.
Sirius frowned slightly and pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocking it. Indeed, there was a message from Remus. He hadn't seen it. He felt heat rising up his neck to his cheeks.
"I didn't see it," he said softly, feeling a little embarrassed.
Remus tilted his head, studying him. His gaze was soft, patient.
"I was worried about you," he admitted softly. "With everything that has been happening... the therapy, Peter, the attack... I didn't want you to be alone, to feel like I wasn't worried about you, because I am, I care about you, Sirius. Does it bother you that I came?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
Sirius shook his head quickly, feeling the persistent heat in his face. He couldn't believe that Remus had said all that so normally, something so simple that made Sirius's pulse quicken again, but now for completely different reasons, God the power this man had. He didn't know why, but the fact that Remus had gone to find him, that he had found him, that he had wanted to see him... made him feel absolutely everything.
"No," he replied finally, with a small smile. "I'm glad you did... I also... I also wanted to see you."
Remus seemed to relax a little more at his response. He was silent for a moment, as if thinking about something. Then, with a slow movement, he pulled out what looked like small sweets from his pockets, opened one, and immediately a sweet smell of chocolate and coffee surrounded them.
"Want one?" Remus offered, raising an eyebrow playfully. "They're chocolate with coffee."
Sirius let out a brief laugh and shook his head.
"Do you always carry coffee on you?" he asked with feigned incredulity.
Remus smiled wryly. "Enough to save you from the police," he said playfully.
Sirius looked at him and couldn't help but laugh again.
REMUS POV
The cold air of the forest still weighed on his chest, and although his hands no longer trembled, his mind was still tangled in what he had just said. "I was worried about you, I care about you, Sirius." He had blurted it out without thinking too much, without measuring the intensity of his words until they were already floating between them. And yet, Sirius hadn't mocked him, hadn't moved away, hadn't done anything that would make him regret it.
On the contrary.
Sirius had smiled at him.
Remus felt his stomach clench with a strange mix of nerves and satisfaction. He wasn't sure what he had expected, but the way Sirius looked at him, the way his expression softened for a moment... made him feel something warm in his chest, something dangerous, something he was afraid to analyze too much. He had spent so much time worrying, so much time feeling like a stranger, that having that minimal connection, that moment when it really seemed like he had reached him, left him speechless.
The silence between them had become comfortable, a pause in which they both seemed to assimilate what had just happened. And then, Sirius spoke.
"Hey..." he murmured, playing distractedly with a branch between his fingers. "There's a rowing competition on Saturday. You could come. I mean, if you want. James will be there, you know how he gets with these things..."
Remus blinked, surprised by the invitation. Not because he didn't want to go, but because... he was already going to go. Like every year.
Since he met James, he had attended every competition, supporting him from the stands as if he were his brother, and he was, at least as close as he could be without any kinship, but for all intents and purposes, James was his brother.
James always said that Remus was his lucky charm, that if he wasn't on the shore watching him, he would probably drown or something worse, although they both knew that James was more than excellent in everything athletic. But this time, the invitation came from Sirius, and that changed everything.
James hadn't told Sirius that he was going, Sirius had naturally invited him, Sirius wanted to be with him.
He wasn't the only idiot with an intense crush here.
Thank God.
Remus remembered the last conversation he had with James about the competition. "It's your chance," he had said with that confident smile he always had when he thought he was right. "You know Sirius is going to be there. This time, don't just go for me, go for him."
But he didn't say any of that. Instead, he pretended to think about it for a moment before answering, sue him for wanting to play it cool.
"Sure," he said, shrugging. "I might go. Sounds interesting."
Sirius nodded with satisfaction, and Remus felt his chest fill with something soft, something similar to joy but much more intense, he could practically feel butterflies having a party in his stomach.
He would kill anyone who accused him of thinking that way, just saying.
After a moment, Remus turned slightly towards him, frowning slightly.
"And what were you doing in the forest, anyway? You know it's dangerous, especially at night, didn't you just get attacked recently? Right in this same forest? By you know a big rabid and horrible beast."
Sirius let out a brief laugh, but not entirely amused.
"I was going to pick up some things for Regulus," he replied with a shrug. "With a friend of his."
Remus raised an eyebrow.
"I'm going with you," he said without thinking.
Sirius turned his head towards him with a surprised expression.
"You don't have to if you don't want to..."
"I'm going with you," Remus repeated, more firmly this time. "Besides, what will you do if you run into the dogs again? I remind you that I'm the one with the coffee, Pads," he replied, using a diminutive of the nickname he had heard James call Sirius several times since he met him.
Sirius observed him for a moment, as if he were evaluating or admiring him, and then simply sighed.
"Alright," he finally accepted. "But don't say I didn't offer you a way out, Moony, we know I'm a magnet for bad luck in this forest."
Remus didn't respond, but deep down he knew that there was nothing dangerous enough in the forest, at least nothing as dangerous as him.
EVAN POV
The empty classroom where they had met had a particular acoustic. Every word echoed softly, as if the walls were made to keep secrets. Evan was sitting on the edge of a table, twirling a pencil between his fingers while Regulus reviewed some sheet music, more out of feigned concentration than genuine interest. Barty was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, jaw clenched. Evan could feel the discomfort floating between them like a thick fog that wouldn't dissipate.
It hurt. It hurt to see Barty so distant, so rigid, as if he were about to burst from contained tension at any moment. It hurt because he missed him. Because even though no one said it out loud, something had broken between them. And Evan felt it like a constant crack in his chest, like a dissonant note he couldn't silence. He would have liked to reach out, close the distance, tell him that he still thought of him every night and that he could think of him a thousand more times, forever if he was honest. But he said nothing. Because something in the way Barty avoided his gaze made him think it was too late. He was losing him, maybe he already had completely.
"So... are you going to help me or just stare like that the whole time?" Regulus broke the silence, without looking up, with the dry tone of someone who knows they have limited patience.
Evan straightened up, putting the pencil aside and forcing a small smile.
"Sure," he said, and motioned for him to stand in front of him. "The first thing is to learn to project without shouting. The voice should come from here," he gently placed two fingers on his own diaphragm, "not from the throat. And when you desire something with enough force, Regulus, your voice has to sound like the whole world is leaning in to hear you. It's not just about volume. It's about intention."
Regulus looked at him, still with some skepticism on his face. Evan encouraged him with a slight smile.
"Come on, try it. With Barty. Tell him something simple, like 'walk.' But say it with real intention. With desire."
Regulus hesitated, then turned to Barty, raising an eyebrow distrustfully.
"Are we really going to do this?" he asked.
"Come on, Barty doesn't bite," Evan joked. "Not unless you ask him to," he tried to joke, hoping to ignite something in the blue-eyed one, but only managed a small smile on the side. Well, something was better than nothing, he could work with that, as long as Barty still reacted to Evan, Evan would never stop trying, even if he didn't, but it was much better to deal with a restrained Barty, even if it wasn't his natural version, than an indifferent Barty. An indifferent Barty would kill Evan.
Regulus took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a second, and then said in a clear but still somewhat insecure voice:
"Walk."
Nothing happened. Barty didn't move. Evan shook his head gently.
"Again. But this time, feel what you're asking for. Look at him. Look at him as if there is no other option. As if the only option is that he has to give in."
Regulus tried again. And again. And one more time. Each time, his voice took on a firmer, more confident tone. Until, in a particularly focused attempt, Barty took a step forward, almost against his will. His eyes widened briefly, surprised.
"Did you feel it?" Regulus asked, barely breathing.
Barty remained silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"It was like my mind went blank for a second. There was no room to think, only the order existed. 'Walk.' It was like I couldn't question it."
He paused, frowning as he remembered.
"Although... it wasn't as strong as when Evan did it. With him, it was like... a wave. Like the order went right through me. With you, Regulus, it was barely a whisper... but you did great. Seriously. I felt something. That's already impressive. And take into account that Evan is practically a prodigy at this."
Evan smiled proudly from his corner, giving Regulus a knowing look.
"I told you. It's there. You just need to keep polishing it."
Then, as if remembering why they were really there, Regulus pulled a notebook out of his backpack and opened it to a specific page. He showed the image they had found in Peter's room.
"I can't stop looking at it. And I noticed this," he explained, pointing to a mark in one of the corners of the sheet, a kind of seal that seemed carved with ancient precision.
Evan leaned in to observe the symbol more closely. He blinked slowly, recognizing it instantly.
"That seal... I've seen it before. In an old, dusty book with a purple cover. It's in the library, in the forbidden texts section. I skimmed it once... they were weird stories more than anything else, I didn't pay much attention. But now it makes sense."
"We have to find it," Barty said, with sudden seriousness, his voice low and determined. There was no trace of mockery in his expression anymore. "But not now. Too much has happened today. We need to think before acting. Evaluate our steps carefully."
Regulus nodded, closing the notebook gently, as if by doing so he could control the anxiety that was bubbling inside him. His fingers trembled slightly, but he said nothing more. Evan looked at both of them, his chest still filled with contradictory emotions. They were together.
And although he didn't know how, Evan intended to do everything possible to recover what had been lost between him and Barty. Even if it was one note at a time. Even if he had to sing until their voices harmonized again.
The class was over, but for Evan, the song was just beginning.
JAMES POV
James adjusted his shirt in front of the mirror, stretching the sleeves with tense fingers, wondering for the umpteenth time if he should dress up more or less. His eyes scanned his reflection with a concentration that bordered on obsession, looking for something he couldn't even identify. There was a contained energy in his chest, a kind of restlessness that forced him to move constantly, as if he could wear down his nerves by pacing back and forth. Sirius was arriving soon, and although he knew his best friend was fine—Remus had sent him a message letting him know—he couldn't avoid that feeling that knotted in his stomach like a wordless warning. A part of him expected something bad to happen, even when logic screamed at him that Sirius could handle anything. Sirius was strength and fire and chaos contained in a single body, but he was also human. And James couldn't stop worrying.
And Regulus... Reg had been acting strange. Tensing up every time someone mentioned Gideon, as if his name activated some internal mechanism. He always disguised it with sarcasm, with some malicious joke or a dismissive comment, but James believed he knew him well enough to notice the stiffness in his shoulders, the way he clenched his jaw just seconds later. It was as if Regulus was constantly on the verge of saying something, but swallowed it just in time.
And that particular night, James knew he was especially nervous because he was waiting for Sirius, he wanted to prepare him for his initiation, and that responsibility got between his ribs like a dull pressure that made him feel more irritable.
Even so, no matter how much he tried to stay focused on Sirius's imminent arrival, his mind, treacherous as always, kept returning to the same place: Regulus. He hadn't seen him since breakfast. He had hoped he might run into him later, maybe they could walk for a while, to talk about nothing or everything. But the day had slipped away between classes, training, and confusing moments, and Regulus had simply vanished. He wasn't in the library, he hadn't passed by the practice field. Absent. Mysteriously, painfully absent. And that had him on the verge of collapse.
Worse still, what was driving him crazy wasn't just the disappearance itself, but what that uncertainty was causing in him. It was as if someone had torn an essential piece from the puzzle that kept him centered. He felt a constant knot in his chest, a persistent buzzing in his head that he couldn't silence. He was overthinking. All the time. And he hated it.
He fell heavily onto the bed, resting his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. Where was Regulus? With whom? What was he doing? Was he with Barty? Or with someone else?
The idea made him deeply uncomfortable. It didn't make sense. It wasn't his business. He had no right to demand or expect anything. But the brain doesn't always obey logic. What if it was a date? What if Regulus liked Barty?
James knew they were close. Very close, along with Evan they were best friends, inseparable. And he had noticed that when they spoke there was that quiet intimacy, that complicity that didn't need words—that made it difficult to ignore whatever they shared. But James had also thought that Barty was interested in Evan. He had seen it, or at least he thought he had seen it: those glances, those half-hidden smiles, that silent language between two people who understand each other in a special way. However, lately, Evan and Barty seemed more distant. They barely spoke. The spark that James thought he saw between them had faded, leaving an uncomfortable, tense space, or at least that's what he and Sirius noticed.
What if he had misinterpreted everything? What if Barty's true object of affection was Regulus?
The mere possibility made his stomach churn. Because, honestly, how could someone not like Regulus Black? It was impossible not to notice him. He had that way of walking that seemed to scream "stay away" and at the same time say "come and discover me." His voice, deep and slow, was like a soft echo that lingered in the mind of whoever listened. And his eyes... his eyes were an abyss, dark and serene, that seemed to know more than they said, as if they held secrets from other lives. Regulus had a silent magnetism, an enigmatic charm that captivated effortlessly. His intelligence was sharp, hidden behind a stoic facade. And when he smiled—really smiled, not that sarcastic grimace he used as a shield—it was like seeing the sun rise in a place where it never dawns. There was a sweetness, barely visible, but present, that slipped through his gestures when he let his guard down. James had seen it. James had felt it.
And he couldn't get it out of his head.
Maybe he was overreacting. He was sure of it. He repeated that to himself constantly, like a mantra. Regulus wasn't his. They had nothing. No promises, no agreements, not even a conversation that clarified what was happening between them—or if anything was happening between them. And yet, James felt like he belonged to him and was losing him without ever having had him. It was ridiculous. Completely irrational. But he couldn't help it.
Just imagining Regulus with someone else made him nauseous. As if a part of his body physically protested, as if his insides rebelled against a reality he couldn't accept. It was absurd. Exaggerated. He knew it himself. How could he feel like this for someone he wasn't even dating? For someone he couldn't have anything with? For someone who—and this was the most painful of all—probably didn't even like James.
He threw himself back on the bed, letting out a long, exasperated sigh, covering his face with his forearm. He was losing his mind, and he knew it. Day after day, thought after thought. It all piled up like a swollen river that he could no longer contain.
Maybe, just maybe, talking to Sirius would help. Sirius always had that ability to pull him back to earth, with his bright chaos and his brutal sincerity. Maybe that night he could regain some peace.
He was losing his mind, and he knew it. Day after day, thought after thought. It all piled up like a swollen river that he could no longer contain.
So he closed his eyes and settled between the sheets, ready to wait. To wait for Sirius. To wait for Regulus to notice him. To wait for everything to turn out well with all the bad things happening lately. To wait, simply for everything to make sense.
And while he did, the world outside kept spinning, oblivious to the whirlwinds that were unleashed within him.
***
The sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway pulled him out of his reverie. A second later, the door burst open, and Sirius entered like a gust of wind, his eyes shining and a wide smile on his face.
"JAMES!" he exclaimed. "You won't believe what happened!"
James sat up, blinking.
"What? Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes! I'm perfectly fine! Remus saved me!" Sirius seemed about to burst with excitement. "I went to the forest to meet Pandora for Reg's things, and I found a footprint! I found it! But just when I was going to examine it more closely, the police dogs showed up! And not just any dogs, huge ones! And Remus appeared out of nowhere and got me out of there just in time!"
James raised an eyebrow, a smile creeping up involuntarily.
"Remus showed up like a dramatic hero?"
"Exactly! It was like a damn movie. It was incredible! With his cloak billowing and everything. I swear the sky even darkened to make it look more epic." Sirius fell beside him, still with a goofy smile. "He's perfect. He's so bright... and brave... and damn beautiful."
James let out a low laugh.
"You're completely lost, Black."
Sirius just shrugged, as if he didn't care in the slightest that it was so obvious.
"Oh, by the way, before I forget. Pandora had some weird plants for Regulus. I don't know what they were. I dropped them off before coming here."
James tensed, just for a second.
"You gave them to him in person?"
"Yeah, but we didn't talk much. He was kind of... distracted."
James looked away and began preparing Sirius's clothes for that night. It was a ceremony. Ancient. Almost forgotten. An oath of loyalty and belonging. He had to dress in black, without markings, without ornaments, and he had to follow the path marked by candles.
"Remember what I told you," James murmured. "Don't speak until they ask you to. And when you reach the center, you must place your hand on the obsidian bowl. They'll do the rest."
Sirius nodded, watching him intently. Then he frowned.
He had forgotten that Sirius could read him better than he could himself.
"Are you okay?"
James hesitated. He felt his fingers tremble as he ran a hand through his hair, as if he could clear the knot in his chest with that. Then, very quietly, with his voice almost muffled by the mix of shame and fear, he replied:
"I think I have a little... crush on Regulus."
The silence that followed was overwhelming. James didn't dare to look directly at Sirius. His gaze remained fixed on the floor, on the wood grain of the floorboards, as if he could find some answer there. He expected a laugh, a joke, maybe even a little anger, something. But none came.
Sirius said nothing at first. He didn't laugh. He didn't make a sarcastic comment. He just looked at him in silence, with a calm, serious, understanding expression.
"I have no problem with that," he said at last, with unusual seriousness. "I know Reg can be complicated. But if there's anyone I want to be close to him... it's you."
James looked up, incredulous. His throat tightened as if he couldn't swallow.
"Really?" he asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper. It was as if the simple act of saying it out loud made his feelings more real, harder to ignore.
Sirius put an arm around his shoulders in a half-hug, not moving away from his side.
"You're my brother and my best friend. And he... well, he's Reg. He's proud, biting, and hides behind a thousand layers of sarcasm, but even if he doesn't say it, I know something about you matters to him. More than he lets on. Maybe more than he understands himself yet. And there's no one I'd prefer for him more than you. Although I must admit, in my head it looks a little incestuous," of course Sirius Black had to add something like that.
James swallowed hard. A strange mix of relief and anguish washed over him. He felt his heart beating strongly, as if something he had kept inside for a long time finally found a little light. He thought about how Regulus looked at him sometimes, as if he were fighting against something he couldn't name. In their cut-off conversations, in their tense silences every time James got too close. And in the way he avoided saying Gideon's name, as if doing so hurt more than he wanted to admit, maybe that's what Regulus felt for Gideon, jealousy, was it possible? Regulus was jealous?
"I don't know what's wrong with me," James murmured. "It's like I'm trapped in something I can't control. And I'm not even sure if he feels anything for me. I don't even know if he likes me as a friend, much less..."
"You don't have to know now," Sirius interrupted, softly, understandingly. "You just have to be you. If I know anything about Reg, it's that what he needs is someone who won't give up on him. And you, James, have that damn Potter stubbornness. Use it well."
James let out a small, nervous laugh. He felt seen. He felt accompanied. Maybe all was not lost after all.
And while Sirius got ready to enter the ritual darkness of that night, James sat there in silence, his gaze fixed on some distant point. Thinking about Regulus, about everything he didn't know and everything he felt. Hoping that, in some corner of that complicated world, he was thinking of him too.
Notes:
Well, I hope you liked it. We have Remus's revelation and James's confession, poor guy, I understand him, and Sirius's excellent reaction, excellent. Evan wants Barty back but not how Barty wants, but they miss each other, let's hope they solve it. Mmm, Snape as a suspect, Remus saving the day, and also what are Pandora and Reg's plants, we'll find out later, good luck to Sirius in his initiation, I hope you liked it, again sorry for the delay
By the way, I've noticed that I say a lot of excellent, also and maybe, among others, sorry not sorry
with love
pau:)
Chapter 8: Chapter 8: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good
Notes:
Hello again, I know I disappeared for a while but I hope to be back and I swear that even if it takes me a little longer than expected, I won't abandon this. I will finish this fic, it's just that I have been and surely will be busy, but I will continue updating. Besides, season 2 of Wednesday has already come out and in fact, my plan was to update this Wednesday but I didn't quite like the end of the chapter. Anyway, I hope you like it.
With love.
pau :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
SIRIUS POV
James had given him the instructions, had told him what to do, and Sirius had memorized word for word what he had to say. But even so, he was nervous. Not a common nervousness, not the one you get when you’re about to pull a prank, but the kind that shakes your stomach and leaves your fingers frozen.
James had dressed him in black. From head to toe. The color blended him with everything around, as if he had to camouflage there, and maybe in part that was true. He felt strange. Vulnerable. Almost naked, despite the fabric that covered him.
James had just left. He kept his promise and stayed with him until the last possible second. Before disappearing down a dark hallway, James took him by the neck with both hands, as if wanting to make sure those were the last words Sirius would remember:
“I love you. You’re my best friend. And no matter what happens, you’re my brother. And I got your back. Always.”
Both had their eyes full of tears, but neither let them fall. It was a short, tight hug, and then James walked away without looking back.
In theory, Sirius was supposed to solve a riddle in front of a statue to be able to enter the passage and meet the others. But James —bless that man— had given him the exact answer to avoid having to crack his head. Sirius was terrible with riddles, and the last thing he needed that night was another puzzle. He already had enough loose pieces in his head.
He stood in front of the statue, a gothic figure with spread wings and empty eyes, and snapped his fingers twice.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Sirius felt the panic start to bubble in his chest. Maybe it was three snaps? Or was he supposed to say something too? And what if he got it wrong? The last thing he wanted was to ruin everything right now.
But then, there was a faint click. A dull sound, like an old lock giving way. The statue slid to the side with a whisper of stone against stone, revealing a dark hallway, barely lit by a row of low candles.
Sirius swallowed hard. A knot formed in his throat. He stepped forward, crossing the threshold. The statue closed behind him with a dry thud, and there was no turning back.
The hallway was narrow, with walls covered in carved symbols that glowed faintly in the candlelight. Each step echoed, every breath seemed amplified by the absolute silence. He didn’t know how long he walked. It could have been minutes or centuries. But when he reached the end, the darkness opened into a wide, circular space, and Sirius froze in place.
He had arrived.
The center of the room was empty… for a second. Then, a flame lit itself in front of him, and as if that spark had given the signal, a circle of candles began to ignite, one by one, in a silent, precise choreography. They surrounded him completely, marking a clear line between him and everything else.
Outside the circle of fire, figures in black robes stood silently in line. He couldn’t see their faces. The air filled with a sort of chant, guttural and soft, in a language Sirius didn’t recognize, but that made his skin prickle instantly. It was as if the sound awakened something ancient. Something hidden.
In the center of the circle, beside a small stone altar, stood James. He was the only one without a black robe. His was red, vibrant, like living blood against the gray of everything else. His eyes were alight, his stance firm, his hands crossed in front of him with something resembling solemnity. Sirius could barely recognize him: it was James, yes, but at the same time, it was something else. A leader. A guardian.
"Step forward "said James, and his voice sounded different, deeper, graver. Almost as if he wasn’t speaking only with his own throat.
Sirius swallowed hard and did so. He crossed the circle of fire, feeling the heat wrap completely around him. James didn’t look at him as his best friend. He looked at him as part of something much greater. Sirius didn’t know whether to feel terrified or fascinated.
James extended his hand toward the altar. There was an obsidian bowl there, smooth and dark, as if it absorbed all the light that touched it.
"Place your hand” he ordered, without hesitation.”And say your full name”.
Sirius swallowed again. He stepped forward. The chanting of the figures intensified, the air trembled. Sirius raised his hand and set it on the cold edge of the bowl.
"Sirius Orion Black”.
The bowl vibrated under his palm. A red light, faint at first, began to glow from the bottom of the bowl, slowly rising until it enveloped his fingers. It didn’t hurt. On the contrary, it felt like warm fire, as if the obsidian recognized him.
From inside the bowl, a thin thread of dark smoke rose, curling around his wrist like an ethereal bracelet. The room fell completely silent. James nodded to him, and Sirius knew it was his turn to speak.
"I, Sirius Orion Black "he began, with a firm voice, though his knees trembled slightly", swear loyalty not to a family, nor to a bloodline, but to those I choose. I swear to be a shield when my brothers fall, fire when the world goes dark, and shadow when silence needs me. I swear to guard the secrets that dwell here, to protect them, to defend them, and never to betray that which has been entrusted to me. I solemnly swear that my intentions are not good”.
As he spoke, the smoke grew denser, slowly wrapping him from his arms to his shoulders. When he finished, the bowl glowed brightly for an instant before going completely dark, as if it had absorbed the words.
James raised his right hand and spoke:
"From this moment, before all of us and under the ancient judgment, we recognize you. Not for the name you were given. Not for the blood that runs in your veins. But for the choices you make. For the loyalty you bear. For the fire that burns within you.”
There was a collective whisper. And then James, with a firm voice, declared:
"Welcome, Sirius Black. You are one of us. Mischief Managed.”
The candles went out all at once, as if an invisible wind had swept through them in a spiral, leaving behind a sudden darkness, thick as ink. The smoke floating in the air began to slowly dissipate, curling upward until it vanished among the hidden frescoes on the ceiling. Sirius stood still, breathing heavily, with the feeling that something deep and unseen had just changed within him. Everything was silent, and for a moment he thought he was alone, that maybe nothing had gone as it should.
But then, warm lights began to turn on one by one along a wall in the back, soft as fireflies, revealing an old wooden door left slightly ajar. From the shadows emerged a tall figure, anonymous beneath the black hood, carrying a folded robe in their arms. They stopped in front of Sirius without a word, and with a solemn gesture, offered him the garment.
Sirius took it with still trembling hands. The fabric was heavier than it looked, with a strange smell like old dust, wax, and something indefinable that reminded him of magic. As he put it on, he noticed it adjusted to his body with precision, as if it recognized him, as if it had belonged to him before.
The figure stepped back in silence, and Sirius understood he was meant to keep walking, to follow. The door creaked softly as it opened fully before him. Crossing it, he found himself in a much brighter and warmer room. The walls were lined with wooden shelves filled with strange jars, old books, hanging amulets, and objects that he could not identify, but that gave off a faint, vibrant energy. Many were engraved with a symbol he recognized immediately: the same one he had seen in the evidence photograph James had shown him some time ago. The symbol of the Marauders.
In the center of the room, a long dark table was surrounded by chairs—some occupied, others empty—and a thin mist floated near the floor as if the air itself were enchanted.
That was when Sirius saw him.
"Barty? "he asked, stopping in his tracks. The tone of his voice betrayed his surprise.
Barty Crouch Jr. was leaning lazily against one of the side tables, his expression the same as always: a mix of indifference and studied arrogance. One eyebrow arched slightly upon seeing Sirius.
"Well, so you did make it in "he said in his usual tone, as if they were talking about a school errand, not an ancient ceremony that had just marked him forever.
"Does Regulus know? Evan? "Sirius asked bluntly, crossing his arms. His eyes searched for some sign in Barty’s face, but he only gave a faint, crooked smile.
"They have no idea. And for now… I’d rather it stayed that way "he replied with a shrug.
Sirius frowned. It bothered him not to fully understand, but before he could retort, another voice interrupted:
"Don’t be so cryptic, Barty, you’ll scare him off "said Pandora, emerging gracefully from a dark corner. She was holding a steaming cup in her hands, and a braid fell over her shoulder. Her robe, unlike the others, was embroidered with symbols that seemed to slowly slide like liquid ink over fabric if one stared at them too long.
"He doesn’t scare me "Sirius replied instantly, though he did feel a little out of place.
"Dorcas is here too "Pandora added, nodding toward the back of the room. A seated figure raised a gloved hand in a greeting gesture, speaking with another member.
" you should feel special "Barty added, turning slightly toward him." Not all guests make it this far. James moved heaven and earth to make this possible. Literally.”
And right at that moment, as if he had heard his name, James appeared through a side door. He had left behind the ceremonial red robe and now wore one like everyone else’s, though his face still showed the traces of the ceremony: eyes alight, bearing firmer. More adult. More leader. It reminded Sirius of when James used to lead one of the school teams, the same determined expression.
But the moment he saw Sirius, the smile crossed his face again as if nothing else mattered. He crossed the room with determined steps and hugged him tightly, without thinking, without hesitation.
He was, and always would be, his Jamie.
"You did it, Pads "he said softly, still with his arms around him.” I’m proud of you. You have no idea how much.”
Sirius remained silent for a moment before returning the embrace. He closed his eyes for a second, storing that feeling as if he could wrap it up and keep it safe forever in his chest. He didn’t know exactly why, but that gesture, that validation, meant much more than he would have imagined.
"What is this place, exactly? "he asked then, pulling back slightly, his eyes still shining.
James scratched the back of his neck and tilted his head.
"It’s a network… but also a refuge. It started as a game, yes, as a secret society among students who wanted to protect each other. But over time… it became more. Here we keep things no one else should see. We archive. We investigate. We train, we help each other.”
James lowered his voice a little, as if the words needed to be handled with care.
"It’s also a place where you can be yourself without anyone questioning it. Where your last name, your mistakes, your past… don’t define anything. Here we take care of our own. And now "he said, touching him on the chest right over his heart " You are one of ours. Well, you’ve always been one of mine, but you know what I mean.”
Sirius smiled at him with all the affection he felt for him.
He looked around: the shelves, the soft lights, the people gathered with calm but attentive faces. He felt something inside him loosen slightly. As if this place were giving him permission to stay.
He walked quietly through the room, letting himself be guided by instinct. His hand brushed over the spines of several old books, some with titles in languages he didn’t know, others with no visible title at all. They all seemed to throb under his fingers as if they had a life of their own. One of them caught his full attention: it was thick, made of dark leather, with worn details along the edges and a small mark engraved in gold: Internal Yearbook. Generation 1967–1975 .
He carefully pulled it out and opened it. The first pages were lists of names, dates, and places. Then photographs began to appear, clippings of what seemed to be important events. Sirius ran his fingers over an image in which his parents, younger, posed alongside other people in a circle very similar to the one he had just crossed. They all wore black robes. His mother, Walburga, held a lit candle, and his father, Orion, looked straight into the camera with an expression Sirius couldn’t interpret.
"What is this? " he asked, without looking up.
Pandora, who had been watching him from a distance with interest, approached silently.
"That book records the most relevant events of each generation that has passed through this network "she explained softly, standing beside him. " It’s a living archive, updated by the members whose task is to collect everything. It’s… a collective memory. Your parents were part of this too.”
Sirius swallowed hard. He turned the page. There were newspaper clippings carefully pasted between the photographs. Some spoke of school achievements, others of magical events that, at first glance, seemed like accidents.
But then, the tone changed.
On a double-page spread, the headlines were dark, unsettling: “Attack in the North Wing” , “Murder Under Unexplained Circumstances” , “The Night the Lanterns Went Out” .
"Is this also part of what’s kept here? " Sirius asked, running the tip of his finger over a fragment of an article that mentioned the Blacks as “unofficially implicated” in a list of unsolved crimes.
Pandora nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the page.
"Not all records are glorious " she replied. “But part of the job is to know as much as possible. Some things are full of gaps. Some cases… never had anyone convicted. Some victims. Too many questions. And no one wanted to dig deeper.”
Sirius looked up to meet her eyes, but Pandora wasn’t saying anything else. She had closed up like an old door.
The silence between them thickened. Sirius lowered his gaze again, staring at that image of his parents. For the first time, he didn’t know if he wanted answers… or if he was too close to finding them, and it would be better to leave it all buried.
"Thanks for telling me " Sirius murmured, closing the book carefully and returning it to its place.
He walked toward the area where he had seen James. He found him chatting animatedly with Barty about tomorrow’s match, laughing at something Sirius couldn’t catch. He approached with a smile meant to hide how unsettled he felt about what he had just discovered, but James noticed immediately.
"Everything alright? "James asked, tilting his head.
"Yes, of course "Sirius lied, shrugging his shoulders.
James didn’t press further, but threw an arm around his shoulders and kept him close as he continued chatting with Barty. For the rest of the night, Sirius stayed by his side, feeling that closeness helped silence the questions buzzing in his head.
When they finally said goodbye to the group, James and Sirius walked back to their room together. The silence in the hallway was comfortable, and although neither mentioned what had happened at the ceremony or what Sirius had seen that night, they could talk about it tomorrow, after the match—it was James’s moment.
REGULUS POV
Regulus woke with the gray light of dawn filtering through the high bedroom window. The cold mist from outside seemed to sneak in through the cracks, caressing his skin and reminding him that the warmth of the day hadn’t arrived yet. He blinked several times, trying to clear the drowsiness, and realized that the bed next to his was empty, the blankets rumpled, the pillow sunken. He frowned: Barty wasn’t there.
He got up slowly, letting his feet touch the cold floor, and ran a hand through his tangled hair. His gaze wandered around the silent room until it settled on the other bed, where Evan lay tangled in the blankets, half hidden by them as if dawn had nothing to do with him.
"Evan "he called, his voice still deep from sleep as he leaned over to give him a gentle nudge "Let’s go have breakfast.”
Evan grunted, shifting beneath the sheets.
"And Barty? "Regulus asked, trying to keep his tone neutral, though he was genuinely curious.
Evan opened a sleepy eye and looked at him lazily.
"Barty went off with James. He always takes the team out running and training before a match… motivates them, you know —he explained with a yawn—. We won’t see them until the game.”
Regulus stayed silent for a moment, processing the words, while Evan sank back into the pillow.
"Give me five more minutes "he added, as if the conversation was over, turning over and closing his eyes again.
Regulus straightened up, nodding almost imperceptibly, though inside he felt an unexpected pang. James wouldn’t be having breakfast with him. He knew it was trivial, not really important, but still, the thought left a strange taste. He didn’t understand why he expected otherwise. Since when did he care so much? He looked away, almost annoyed with himself, and started opening his trunk in search of clean clothes.
As he pulled out a shirt and sat down to buckle his boots, the feeling persisted. He told himself it was ridiculous, that there was no point in expecting James to be there. James had his responsibilities, his team, his rituals before every match. He owed him nothing, and it shouldn’t even matter to him. But still, a part of him would have wanted to see him, even if just for a moment. Even if just to say “good luck” and pretend that word didn’t carry an invisible weight behind it, a weight he didn’t even want to admit was only growing.
He sighed, closing the trunk with a sharp snap and casting one last look at Evan, who was already breathing deeply again. Regulus forced himself to set the thought aside; they had bigger problems, and now he had to focus on waking Evan up.
EVAN POV
The dining hall was warm, bathed in the golden light filtering through the high windows, casting a soft glow over the tables. The brightness caught the dust motes suspended in the air, making them shine like tiny, motionless fireflies. The scent of freshly toasted bread mixed with steaming coffee and the voices of students excited about today’s match.
Evan sat with his back straight, in front of a plate of toast he had barely touched and a cup of coffee that lost more heat by the minute between his hands. Next to him, Regulus kept his attention fixed on Pandora, who was speaking with more energy than usual. Her hands accompanied every word, drawing invisible shapes in the air, describing in detail the life of her greenhouse and the rare species she had managed to cultivate in recent months.
"This season, the Nepenthes are growing faster than usual "Pandora commented, making a gesture as if shaping an invisible pitcher. “There’s one that even developed a pattern on its leaves I’ve never seen before. It’s… almost hypnotic.”
Regulus leaned toward her, asking about the light, the temperature, the soil. Pandora responded enthusiastically, as if sharing an ancient secret. Evan, however, barely registered the words. His eyes followed the movement of the spoon in the coffee, creating dark swirls that slowly dissipated. His eyelids were heavy, and it wasn’t just sleepiness: it was the exhaustion from the previous night.
He had stayed awake longer than he should have, in a silence broken only by the distant ticking of the clock and some muffled noises from the sleeping castle. Waiting. Waiting for Barty.
But Barty arrived too late.
When he finally heard the faint creak of the bedroom door, his heart jumped, but his body remained still. He forced himself to breathe calmly, lying on his back, pretending to sleep. He didn’t know exactly why he did it. Maybe because he didn’t want Barty to know he had been waiting, that every minute had been counted. Still, inside him curiosity devoured him. Where had he been? With whom? The knot in his stomach tightened with every guess, and alongside it, a silent poison: jealousy.
He reminded himself he had no right to feel this way. He was the one who had put distance, who had pushed Barty away. Barty could do whatever he wanted. And yet, that certainty did not stop the bitter heat rising in his chest, nor the invisible but persistent image of Barty accompanied by another person. An image that hurt him more than he was willing to admit. Did he know them? Or was it her? Generally, Barty preferred boys, but there was this girl from the east tower he always looked at. Barty was kinder than usual to her, or maybe it was that guy who got him the weed and always tried to ask Barty out. Or maybe it was someone else?
He shook off the thought before following the impulse to throw himself out the dining hall window in jealousy and clung to a habit: before every match, he looked for Barty in the locker room to wish him and the team luck and to pick up his necklace. The rules forbade accessories during the game, but Barty was superstitious about that item and only took it off at the last moment. He entrusted it to Evan as if handing over a talisman; they hugged, and Barty whispered how nervous he was about messing something up or whatever was tormenting him at the moment, and Evan calmed him by saying it wouldn’t happen, but if it did, Evan could always hypnotize them and make them forget. It was a ritual between them, heavy with a weight neither dared to name—well, at least he didn’t dare to name it.
He remembered the last time: Barty’s cold hands brushing his own, the metal hanging in the brief space between them. A second that always seemed longer than it was, a moment when it felt like the world shrank to that contact.
"Evan? "Pandora’s voice cut through his daydream.
He blinked, looking up, having not heard what she had said. Before he could respond, a soft kick to his leg startled him: Regulus had kicked him under the table, a mixture of amusement and warning in his eyes.
"I was asking if you’ve already worked things out with Barty "Pandora repeated, as if stating something obvious, with no ill intent but genuine curiosity.
"Worked things out? "Regulus interjected, raising an eyebrow and fixing his gaze on him "What do you mean worked out? I thought by now you two would’ve settled things.”
Evan lowered his gaze to his coffee, feeling tension build in his shoulders and stomach. He didn’t know how to answer without revealing more than he wanted.
The silence that followed seemed to stretch longer than usual, heavy, almost tangible. Evan knew that question wasn’t going to fade away on its own. Sooner or later, he would have to face it… and Barty too.
Evan suddenly felt out of place, as if the air at the table had thickened and every word was a tightrope stretched above his head. The weight of Pandora and Regulus’s gazes made him shift in his chair, and he chose the safest exit he knew: feigning ignorance.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about "he murmured, shrugging with calculated indifference before taking a long sip of coffee as if the temperature and bitterness were the perfect distraction to change the subject.
Regulus and Pandora exchanged a brief but meaningful look, perfectly in sync, one of those looks that screamed nobody’s buying it. They didn’t need to say anything; disbelief was written all over their faces. Evan tried to ignore them but ended up letting out a sigh, surrendering a little to the pressure.
"It’s complicated… " he began, letting his fingers trace a distracted pattern along the rim of the cup, not daring to look at them.
"It’s not complicated" Regulus interrupted with a firmness bordering on stubbornness "You make it complicated. You play dumb, but we can all clearly see what’s between you and Barty. Maybe I don’t know all the details, because that’s his privacy, but I assure you anyone with eyes can see it.
Pandora nodded softly, but when she spoke her voice was more measured, almost as if reasoning an argument aloud:
"It’s not just obvious. It’s that if you really care, you should give him a chance. You can’t spend your life avoiding something you clearly want. Sometimes you have to take risks, Evan. Especially if it’s something that could make you happy.”
Evan listened to the little sermon without taking his eyes off his coffee, as if searching for answers on the dark surface. When Pandora finished, he raised an eyebrow and dropped a reply with a half-smile.
"Regulus is forbidden to preach until he admits what we all already know about a certain sunshine" he said mockingly, causing Pandora to burst into a clear laugh that broke the tension for a second.
Regulus immediately frowned, clearly offended, and muttered something unintelligible that Evan decided to ignore for the sake of his patience and ears.
"And I’m not saying anything to you "he added, turning to Pandora, ”Because you actually have a stable and functional relationship… something the rest of us apparently don’t know how to have.”
She laughed again, a playful sparkle in her eyes, but then, in a curious show of complicity, both she and Regulus spoke at the same time:
"Think about your situation, analyze it, and do something for heaven’s sake.”
Evan rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, but a faint smile betrayed his attempt to remain indifferent.
"I will, I will… " he finally conceded, standing up from the table while stretching his arms. ”I’m going to take care of some things before the match. Save me a seat.”
He left without looking back, but he could feel the knowing looks Pandora and Regulus exchanged behind him. As he walked down the hall, he was already turning over in his mind how, when, and with what excuse he’d show up in the locker room… because, as always before a match, he wasn’t planning to leave without seeing Barty.
REMUS POV
Remus returned from running with his pulse still racing and a thin layer of sweat beading his forehead. The cold morning air still pricked his cheeks, and he felt every muscle in his legs retaining the rhythmic vibration of exertion. He climbed the stairs of home with quick steps, noticing the contrast between the freezing outside and the soft warmth that enveloped him as he crossed the door. The living room was empty, in such absolute silence that he could hear the muffled echo of his own footsteps. It was in these moments that he was glad to leave home. He hated seeing everything like this—so clean, so monotonous, as if something was missing, and if it was, it was Hope.
His eyes scanned the space out of habit, as if expecting to find his father in his usual armchair, his mother dancing around the house with paint on her hands and face, but the absence of life was evident. He didn’t waste time; it wasn’t the moment to start remembering: he pulled his phone out of his pocket and wrote a brief but calculated message: “I’m going to take the car and go to James’s game. I’ll be back late.” He knew perfectly well that his dad was in the office, and that the message wouldn’t reach him until much later. That meant there would be no chance for him to say no, and that small advantage brought a satisfied smile that curved his lips.
He left the phone on the table and went up to his room with a clear goal. He opened the closet and, without hesitation, took out the sweatshirt James had given him: a deep red color, with James’s number printed large on the back in gold letters, designed to support the school during games. He had always considered it a ridiculous garment, too flashy for his taste… but, for reasons he didn’t say out loud, he wore it religiously at every important event.
Before putting it in his backpack, he stopped by the bed and opened a small wooden drawer. Inside, rested a bag of sweets he had bought days ago, without any special reason. He put his hand in and carefully picked out some candies he thought—or at least hoped—Sirius would like. He placed them in the front pocket of the sweatshirt and couldn’t help but smile imagining Sirius’s expression when he handed them over. He hoped Sirius liked them. Sirius, however, would act as if it were an insignificant detail but had actually planned it more than he admitted.
He sat on the edge of the bed, took out his phone again, and wrote a message to Sirius. As his fingers ran over the screen, a wide smile spread across his face that he couldn’t hold back. It was an almost involuntary gesture, born simply from thinking seeing him. He had been to that school dozens of times before, knew some people there, was going to support James as always… but today was not like always. Today he felt an electric restlessness in his chest, a mix of nervousness and anticipation that kept him alert. And he knew, without needing to analyze it too much, that it was all because of Sirius. That certainty stayed with him as he finished getting ready, feeling that this time excitement would win over habit.
JAMES POV
James walked down the long hallway leading to the locker room, his headphones firmly in place, letting the Spanish music slip through his thoughts and give him the necessary push to face the day. The warm voice and vibrant rhythm acted like a balm for his nerves, while also giving him a boost of energy. He felt strange enjoying that music when most of his teammates preferred other types of songs, but there was something in those lyrics and melodies that connected him with a more carefree part of himself—something he rarely allowed himself to show—something that reminded him of home, his family, his parents.
As he walked, he couldn’t help but replay the previous night, which had been, in a way, a relief amid the chaos. Sirius had had an initiation that, against all odds, had gone perfectly. He remembered the expression of happiness and belonging that shone in his friend’s eyes, that spark that gave him hope amid all the strange and dark things surrounding them at Nevermore. Despite the secrets and pressures and, of course, the recent deaths, Sirius seemed to have found a small respite, even if only for a short time—for whatever Sirius had found that had lowered his spirits afterwards. But still, all of that filled James with a bittersweet mix of joy and protective worry.
Then his thoughts drifted toward Regulus, who had recently started to become a silent but constant part of his mornings. It was curious how he had gotten used to that shared routine: having breakfast together, chatting, trying to make him laugh, and enjoying it—as if, if he was lucky, Regulus blushed sometimes, with that sometimes palpable tension, and the way how Regulus looked at the world, so distant and yet so intense. James knew that soccer wasn’t Regulus’s strong suit—in truth, the other barely understood the basic rules—but even so, he hoped that today he would be there to watch him play. Maybe not for the sport itself, but for what it represented, how important these events were to James, and who knows, today he felt lucky.
Getting closer to the start of the game, James prepared to mentally rehearse what he would say to the team. Of course, he knew he would end up improvising as always, but that little ritual helped him feel confident, calm his nerves, and ease the pressure a bit. He wanted them to feel his confidence and motivation, to sense that today, like every game, was special—not just because of the competition, but because of everything. And he secretly hoped Regulus would be watching him, though that was more for himself than for anyone on the team.
Arriving at the entrance, he lowered the music volume a bit and noticed the familiar presence there. There was Regulus, arms crossed, with that expression wavering between shyness and a kind of playful disdain that always managed to unsettle him. Unable to hold back, James spoke:
"Did you come to wish me luck with your magic voice, or are you going to leave me in suspense? Or maybe you missed me so much this morning you bothered me at breakfast?”
Regulus looked at him sideways, his face taking on a slight blush that contrasted with his usual impassiveness.
If today he was lucky.
"Ha ha ha, very funny. But actually, a little, yes. And maybe I won’t wish you luck with my “magic voice” ” He responded with that mix of sarcasm and tenderness, making air quotes with his hands " But you know you’re great at this, you’ll do well… admit it. But good luck, okay?”
Impulsively, James stepped close enough to brush Regulus’s cheek with a quick kiss. The gesture left Regulus stunned, speechless, and his blush spread to his neck and ears. James savored that moment of silence charged with meaning.
Definitely, today James was one lucky bastard.
"The goals I score today will be for you. From now on, every goal I make, I’ll dedicate it to you. Just so you know "James said with a smile. ”I expect to see you in the front row, cheering me on with that face you make when you pretend to understand everything, even though we both know you don’t understand a thing about football.”
Regulus scrunched his nose with fake disdain and replied:
"Scratch everything I said. You’re bad at playing, and I hope the other team wins.”
James let out a genuine laugh, delighted by that mix of scorn and affection.
"Thanks, honestly " he said, gently touching Regulus’s arm. ”Even though I appreciate your sarcasm, you know I love having you here.”
As Regulus turned to leave, he stopped for a moment and added with a crooked smile:
"Better not look for me today, and take back what you said. I’ll be in the front row cheering louder than anyone for the other team.”
James burst out laughing, completely charmed by the response. That was their way of talking to each other—a mix of teasing and hidden affection that made everything a little less complicated.
"We both know Sirius won’t allow that " he said, watching Regulus walk away toward the stands.
With his heart pounding and his mind full of thoughts about Regulus, Sirius, and the game, James entered the locker room. As he changed, his gaze got lost in the mirror and his own thoughts. He remembered the small kiss, Regulus’s surprised expression, his blush, relived every word, and the fact that Reg had come to find him to talk for five minutes, wish him luck, cheer him on—and how that gesture had said more than anything else ever could.
He thought about the team waiting for him, the expectations, the sweat and adrenaline he would soon feel on the field. But he also thought about Regulus, how that simple moment gave them both something more than just a game. It was an unspoken promise, a sign that even though the world was chaos, maybe there was a chance for them—a “them,” together.
James allowed himself a small smile, feeling a delicious mix of nerves and determination. He knew today he would play the game of his life, not just for the goals he’d score, but for everything they represented.
Of course, Regulus would have to share a couple of those goals with Sirius and Remus—but that was another story.
BARTY POV
The locker room was wrapped in a heavy silence, broken only by the distant echo of voices resonating down the hall. The dim, yellowish light filtered through the high windows, casting long shadows on the worn wooden floor. Barty leaned heavily against the bench, clutching the necklace he kept as a sacred talisman a piece that was more than just an object: it was a ritual, a silent pact with luck and with Evan, the way he calmed his restless mind before every game.
From deep inside, a firm certainty accompanied him that morning. He never doubted, not for a moment, that Evan would show up. He knew that despite the silences and distances, Evan never failed at the things that truly mattered. That certainty, amid all the uncertainty surrounding him, was like an anchor.
But the weight of the day wouldn’t leave him in peace. He wasn’t at his best. You could see it in how his shoulders slightly shrugged and in the faint tremor in his hands. Still, when the door opened and Evan appeared, a mix of relief and anxiety overtook him.
He knew Evan would arrive, because he understood his silences, his escapes, and his way of caring for what really mattered even if it was sometimes complicated and distant.
"You’re just in time " Barty said in a hoarse voice, trying to hide how nervous he was. He lifted his gaze and found Evan’s eyes, searching there for a calm only he could provide.
He carefully touched the necklace, feeling the cold metal against his fingers. He unclasped it and offered it to Evan with a mix of solemnity and vulnerability. It was a gesture loaded with meaning, a giving that said more than a thousand words. Evan took the necklace with steady hands, but the tension in his face was unmistakable.
"I'm scared " Barty confessed, his voice breaking as if revealing that fear cost every muscle in his body. ”Not of the game, not of missing a shot, not this time. I'm afraid of letting you down. That this breaks, and there’s no way to put the pieces back together.”
Evan stepped forward, wrapping Barty in an embrace that was more than physical it was a refuge. He held him tight against his chest, silently conveying that he wasn’t alone, that he could face anything.
Their heartbeats synchronized in that suspended moment, time seeming to stop.
When they pulled apart, their gazes didn’t break. They stayed like that, too close, the air charged with an electricity ready to ignite at any second. Barty felt Evan’s warmth, the closeness of his breath, and the contained desire filling the silence and half-smiles between them. For a moment, it seemed like the world shrank to that tiny space between them, until almost—almost—their lips brushed. But then Evan pulled away, clearing his throat, breaking the tension with a nervous gesture.
Fucking Evan Rosier.
Barty let out an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes with a tired smile.
"Well " he said, with an ironic tone but full of affection, raising an eyebrow and drawing a half-smile. ” If you're not going to make it easy, then let’s bet.”
The silence that followed was so thick you could almost touch it.
"If I score three goals today, we’ll have a proper date" he continued, his voice firmer, challenging but with a hint of tenderness. ”And not just that: we’ll have to sit down and talk about us without you dodging anything. Everything, no excuses, no running away.”
He let the words hang in the air, staring at Evan, searching for a sign, a crack where that hidden truth might peek through.
"But if I fail " he went on, with a crooked smile that gave him the air of a seasoned player, ”You win. We can pretend none of this ever happened and just stay friends like before. No complications, no expectations, just you and me, like always.”
Evan hesitated, revealing the conflict reflected in his eyes and twisting his face as he tried to hide it. But Barty knew him too well: he knew that deep down, Evan wanted him too, but he was fighting his own fears, the uncertainty, and maybe a little pain that held him back.
Barty stepped closer, lowering his voice, filled with sincerity, mischief, and a little challenge.
"So? " he asked, tilting his head with a knowing smile. ”Do you accept, or are you going to run like always?”
The air between them hummed, charged with promises, fears, and desires still without shape. And with his heart pounding, Barty knew this match was going to be much more than just a game. It was the chance they needed to start understanding each other, to break down the walls that kept them apart, and maybe to finally take the risk they’d always refused.
Evan never turned down a challenge, and Barty wasn’t about to lose.
Notes:
Well, better late than never, that was chapter 8! I hope you enjoyed it. We have a bit of the initiation, a bit about Sirius and Reg's parents, some Jegulus, the blessed match, and Rosekiller, of course. I hope I don't take too long with the next one, but as I said, I will finish this, I just ask for your patience. Anyway, if anyone missed the fic, I apologize again. I'd love to read your comments and opinions.
With love.
pau :)
AngelWithAnxiety on Chapter 2 Wed 28 May 2025 09:45AM UTC
Comment Actions
zxitria on Chapter 5 Mon 07 Apr 2025 06:47PM UTC
Comment Actions
paustarchaser on Chapter 5 Tue 08 Apr 2025 02:21AM UTC
Comment Actions