1975 (5th Year)
Petunia’s 5th Year: A Journey Through Time and Dimensions
The year 1975 marked a turning point for Petunia Evans , and not just because it was her OWL year. No, this year would alter the course of her life forever. Even before receiving her OWL results, Petunia had already caught the eye of an enigmatic branch of the Ministry of Magic—the Department of Mysteries. Specifically, its Japanese division, which specialized in the arcane, secretive, and forbidden magics of time and dimension.
As part of an exclusive arrangement, Petunia was recruited to train with the Unspeakables. The work was far beyond what most students could even dream of, and the only catch was she couldn’t talk about any of it—at least not openly. It was this strange, weighty silence that intrigued Petunia the most. There were whispers about the ancient, forgotten magics—things that the Muggle world dismissed as fantasy, like reincarnation, parallel universes, and the theory of multiple realities.
Her life as a witch, once defined by the typical Mahoutokoro curriculum, now took on a far more profound dimension. She found herself learning about ancient doctrines of rebirth and the secrets of time itself. The Japanese wizards had a different way of looking at the universe—one that balanced between the seen and unseen, the known and the unknown. Time wasn't just linear; it could be bent, twisted, and even traversed. Concepts like transmigration and the idea that one's soul could shift between different lifetimes or realms intrigued her to the core. It made sense to Petunia in a way she couldn’t fully explain. The whispers of these truths reverberated through her very being, like forgotten memories that had once belonged to her.
And somehow, despite all of this newfound knowledge, she still had to keep up with her regular studies at Mahoutokoro. A feat that seemed impossible, but for Petunia, nothing was truly out of reach anymore. Using a special Time-Turner, granted to her by the Unspeakables, she managed to juggle both the regular demands of Mahoutokoro’s fifth-year curriculum and the additional, mind-bending magic of the Department of Mysteries.
Her course load was heavier than most students could fathom—Astronomy, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, History of Magic, Potions, and Transfiguration at NEWT level. And, unlike her classmates, Petunia wasn’t content with just the OWLs; she decided to sit for the NEWTs as well, determined to prove herself capable of the impossible. It was a choice few could even consider, and fewer still would dare. But Petunia was no ordinary witch.
Her mind, sharp and driven, had always set her apart from others. Though her magical core had been somewhat unstable early on, preventing her from mastering the Animagus transformation like her sister Lily and their friends, she soon realized that there were far more fascinating things in the magical world than becoming an Animagus. The concept of transforming into an animal no longer seemed as important when compared to the ability to travel through dimensions, manipulate the flow of time, and glimpse into the mysteries of the universe itself.
The magic she was studying with the Unspeakables felt like a higher calling. Time travel, dimensional manipulation, and even the possibility of shaping the future—not just her own, but the world's—drove her forward. This wasn't just about magic. It was about understanding the very fabric of existence, how everything was connected, and how one could shift the balance of that connection. If she could master these arts, she would be able to do things no other wizard had ever imagined.
Petunia knew that the path she was on was not one most people would understand. There would be no turning back, no easy way to explain what she was learning or why it mattered. She wasn’t sure if her family would ever grasp the significance of it all—her quiet journey through the corridors of time and space—but that didn’t bother her. In her heart, she knew this was her destiny. And nothing—no exam, no family expectation, no magical boundary—would stop her from walking it.
The year was only just beginning, and already, Petunia felt as if she had crossed a threshold. As she prepared for the OWL exams that would determine the rest of her magical career, she couldn’t help but wonder—was she meant to be a part of something much greater? Something beyond even the boundaries of the wizarding world itself?
Hogwarts 5th Year: The Train Ride and the Shift
The atmosphere at Platform 9¾ felt different this year. It wasn’t just the usual chatter of students and the bustle of luggage; this year, the tension was palpable. Teenage hormones were almost visible in the air, electrifying the atmosphere as if magic itself was reacting to the inevitable changes in the students around them.
When Remus and Sirius stepped onto the platform, they immediately became the center of attention—though neither of them showed it.
Remus, his tall, lanky frame draped in a comfy sweater and faded ripped jeans, had the aura of someone who had spent the summer exploring more than just the world of magic. His look was artsy and academic, but there was a calm confidence about him that drew people in. A cigar perched lazily on top of his ear, a subtle yet clear sign that he had changed in ways most of his peers couldn’t begin to understand. Women of all ages turned their heads as he walked by, and though he noticed the lingering gazes, he paid them no mind. He was more experienced than most of his classmates—his time with Grant and the hippie community had expanded his view of the world, and his open bisexuality was now a part of who he was. But more than that, Remus wasn’t looking for fleeting encounters. After spending his summer exploring his sexuality, he was ready for something deeper, something real. But who could he find that with at Hogwarts?
Sirius, on the other hand, had transformed into something out of a rock-and-roll dream. His ears and tongue pierced, black eyeliner smudged like the badge of a true rebel, and clad in a black leather jacket that screamed ‘don’t mess with me,’ he walked with the swagger of someone who had spent the summer riding with bikers, getting tattoos, and living loud. His black combat boots clicked sharply on the pavement as he joined his best friend, his attitude as rebellious as ever. Sirius exuded a “ready to a have a good time with me” energy that made it clear he was always looking for his next adventure—both in and out of the bedroom. Yet, as soon as he caught sight of Remus, something shifted. He fought to keep his cool, but his heart skipped a beat. Not now, he thought, but the tension between them was undeniable. There was a spark—something neither of them could easily explain, but something they both felt all the same.
Regulus, stepping on the train with his usual cool, dark demeanor, couldn’t help but smirk at the scene. He had seen it all before: his brother and Remus trying to hide the fact that they were secretly crazy about each other. The look of tension that hung between them was not lost on him. It wasn’t as subtle as they thought.
Severus Snape had his own transformation to deal with that year. In another life he was the awkward, lanky teen with a greasy fringe, in this timeline Severus had grown significantly, the growth spurt hitting him hard. He had put in the work over the summer—listening to Petunia’s advice on hair care, using products that gave his dark hair a healthy shine, and taking better care of his skin. His parents, now successful business owners, had given him access to clothing that fit him well and made him stand out. As he and Lily made their way toward the train, Severus was acutely aware of the different kind of attention he was receiving this year. He’d been used to being overlooked or even ridiculed, but now, his classmates were noticing him. Lily, ever the popular girl, teasingly nudged him, a mischievous grin on her face.
“You’re getting all the attention this year, Severus,” she said, her voice playful. “But you better behave if you want to get together with Petunia and be my brother in law. I will tell her everything you do. Don't forget that.”
Severus, still adjusting to this newfound attention, couldn’t help but smile at the reminder. He had been close with Petunia in recent years, and there was a quiet part of him that hoped maybe, just maybe, this year would be the one where something between them clicked.
Meanwhile, James Potter and Peter Pettigrew arrived at the station, Peter as unremarkable as ever with his soft, London-boy looks, while James—always the confident, charming one—was undeniably the center of attention. His years of playing Quidditch had paid off, his tall, lanky frame now more muscular and defined. With that natural confidence and easy smile, James could flirt with anyone and everyone without ever crossing the line. It was no surprise that he was the one everyone seemed to be looking at this year. He had this magnetic energy that drew people in, and even though he was surrounded by admirers, it was clear he had a soft spot for Lily.
As the train doors opened, the students began filing inside, but the air around them still buzzed with the unspoken electricity of the year ahead. There was something different about this group of friends. Something had changed, and they could all feel it. As Remus, Sirius, Regulus, Severus, Lily, James, and Peter made their way to their usual spots, the sparks of romance, rebellion, and tension simmered beneath the surface, promising that this year at Hogwarts would be one to remember.
The First Party of 5th Year
The common room of Hufflepuff was alive with the kind of energy that could only come from a big, unregulated party full of magic, alcohol, and teenagers on the cusp of discovering more about themselves and each other. The large circle of students sat in anticipation, giggling, leaning in, and trying to suppress their excitement as the game of Truth or Dare began. The participants were Marlene, Emmeline, James and Peter from 5th year Gryffindor's, Sirius and Remus from Ravenclaw 5th year, Pandora and Barty Jr. from 4th year Ravenclaw, Dorcas, Alecto, and Severus from Slytherin 5th year, Regulus, Evan from Slytherin 4th year and the Hufflepuff Mary and lily from 5th year a long with the quidditch team.
At the heart of the group were Marlene, Emmeline, James, and Peter from the 5th-year Gryffindors, all with slightly flushed faces, some from the alcohol they'd sneaked from the kitchens, others from pure excitement. Across from them sat Sirius and Remus from Ravenclaw, both feeling a little smug. Remus' fingers fidgeted with the edge of his sweater, already anticipating what would come next. He wasn’t nervous, but he was intrigued.
Marlene, ever the instigator, grinned as she raised the glass in her hand. “Alright, let’s make this interesting. No wimping out! And if you refuse to answer a truth or do a dare, you’ll drink. And not just any drink,” she paused for effect, “but the drink—courtesy of the Hufflepuff kitchen. Think firewhisky and a bit of... essence of frog.”
The group groaned, but the challenge had been set.
Round 1:
Marlene kicked things off. Her eyes glinted as she turned to Peter. “Truth or dare?”
Peter, who had already had a couple of drinks, was looking a little more daring than usual. “Dare,” he slurred slightly, puffing out his chest.
“Alright, then,” Marlene smirked. “Kiss someone on the lips.”
There was an audible gasp, and Peter looked around, his eyes landing on the least terrifying target: Evan, who was sitting beside Regulus.
“I—uh—no, not me!” Evan squeaked, his face turning beet red.
Peter, clearly not reading the room well, leaned forward to kiss Evan on the cheek, causing a ripple of laughter across the circle.
“NO, Peter! I said lips!” Marlene insisted, clearly enjoying herself.
Peter looked as if he were about to pass out from embarrassment, but with a small muttered curse, he leaned in and planted a quick kiss on Evan's lips. The whole group erupted into laughter, and even Severus cracked a small smile despite his usual brooding nature. Evan looked mortified, his face a shade of red that matched his house colors.
“That’s what you get for refusing to answer a dare,” Marlene teased, sipping her drink.
Round 2:
Next, it was Regulus’s turn. He looked around the circle with a bored expression before making eye contact with Remus.
“Truth or dare, Lupin?” Regulus asked, his voice deliberately casual.
Remus raised an eyebrow. “Dare,” he said confidently. He had a feeling this would go badly, but he was never one to back down from a challenge.
Regulus smirked. “I dare you to take off your sweater.”
The room went silent for a split second, but it was enough to make Remus laugh. His face turned a bit pink, but he shrugged and pulled the sweater over his head. As soon as it was off, he tossed it dramatically over his shoulder and took a deep breath, exhaling like it was nothing.
“Alright, alright, I did it,” he said, rolling his eyes at the teasing.
Sirius, who had been watching the whole exchange, looked slightly uncomfortable. His eyes lingered on Remus for just a moment too long before he caught himself and glanced away.
The game continued, and things were getting increasingly chaotic.
Severus, of all people, was next, and Marlene couldn’t resist her opportunity. “Truth or dare, Snape?”
Severus sneered, though there was a slight glint of mischief in his eyes. “Truth.”
Marlene leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Who do you fancy, Severus? Don’t tell me you’ve never had a crush on someone.”
The group fell into a sudden, expectant silence. Severus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly weighing his options. The alcohol in his system wasn’t helping his nerves either. He could either reveal something personal, or he could drink. He knew what the penalty would be.
“Fine,” he muttered, a rare blush creeping up his neck. “if you had ask before first year I had a small crush on Lily Evans when were little but her sister Petunia is the only person that can make me hold my breath with her beauty .”
The room fell into a stunned silence, everyone processing Severus’s words. It wasn’t so much the fact that he had a crush on Lily Evans as it was the way he had spoken so openly about it, and the unexpected mention of Petunia. The air shifted, the game suddenly feeling like less of a lighthearted distraction and more of an awkward reveal.
Marlene, who had been the one to ask the question, blinked at him for a moment, her smile faltering as the weight of his words sank in. “Lily Evans?” she repeated, her voice laced with curiosity. “Didn’t see that one coming…”
James, who had been sipping his drink, froze mid-swig, a surprised laugh escaping him. “Wait—what?” His grin was still there, but it faltered slightly. “You had a crush on Lily Evans? You, Snape?” His voice rose in incredulity, but there was something almost disbelieving, as if trying to reconcile the idea of Severus and Lily together was too much.
Sirius couldn’t help himself and burst out laughing, but it wasn’t the typical mischievous laughter—it had a nervous edge to it, like the whole room was on the verge of chaos. “Snape and Evans? That’s a plot twist no one saw coming,” he said, shaking his head in mock disbelief. He glanced at James, then back at Severus. “I mean, we all know you were a bit… infatuated, but I didn’t think you’d admit it so publicly.”
Severus, now redder than before, looked around the room in irritation, wishing the floor would open up and swallow him whole. “Can we just—not?” he muttered, trying to brush it off with a sneer.
But Marlene wasn’t done yet. She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “And Petunia?” she asked with a slight smirk. “You never struck me as the ‘blonde bombshell’ type, Severus.”
Severus shot her a venomous glare, his discomfort growing. “She has her… charms,” he said tersely, clearly trying to change the subject. “Now, if you’re quite done—”
But it wasn’t over. From across the room, Lily, who had been listening quietly until now, raised her voice with an air of amusement tinged with a hint of disbelief. “Well, well. This is news,” she said, her eyes sparkling with an odd mixture of surprise and something else. “I can’t say I ever expected you to admit that, Snape. Though, I suppose it makes sense that you had a crush on me when we were kids. I was pretty irresistible, back then,” she added, teasing him with a playful wink.
The group snickered, though it was more out of a shared awkwardness than actual amusement. But Lily’s teasing tone made it clear she wasn’t hurt by Severus’s confession—perhaps even a little amused by it.
Petunia’s name hung in the air, though, and for a split second, Lily’s expression faltered as she caught a glimpse of Severus's unease. She softened, giving him a faint, almost sympathetic smile. “As for Petunia,” she said, her tone light, “well, I’m glad someone finds her ‘charming,’ I suppose.” There was a slight edge to her words, but it was gentle, as though she was trying to smooth things over.
Severus didn’t respond. He was beyond uncomfortable now, his eyes flicking back to his drink, his thoughts clearly far away from the room. Everyone had their own theories, but it was clear that the game had gone from fun to a little too personal for him.
The group fell into a hesitant quiet before Marlene, clearly sensing Severus had had enough, grinned and said, “Alright, alright, enough about Snape’s childhood crushes. Let's keep this going, shall we?
Round 4:
Sirius, ever the troublemaker, decided to turn the heat up. He turned to Marlene, his grin sly. “Truth or dare?”
Marlene, emboldened by her earlier dare, chose “Dare,” clearly thinking she could handle whatever Sirius threw her way.
“I dare you to kiss Alecto Carrow,” Sirius said, his voice low and teasing.
Alecto, sitting beside Dorcas, turned to stare at him, her eyes wide. “Excuse me?”
Marlene’s face turned a shade of pink as she looked around the circle, but she stood up. “Fine,” she muttered, then leaned over and quickly kissed Alecto on the cheek. Alecto looked a bit flustered but said nothing, leaving the rest of the group howling with laughter.
Round 5:
Then it was Lily’s turn. She looked around, eyeing her friends before finally locking onto James.
“Truth or dare, Potter?” she asked with a smirk.
“Dare,” James replied confidently.
“I dare you to tell everyone your most embarrassing moment,” Lily said, her grin growing.
James’s face turned a shade of pink that would’ve rivaled Evan’s earlier. “Er... I got stuck in a broom closet once... with a very, very heavy broom.”
The group stared at him, waiting for more details, but James just buried his face in his hands. “Fine, you win.”
As if Truth or Dare wasn’t enough, the group, fueled by enough alcohol to make the world spin, decided to switch things up. It was Dorcas who suggested it, her voice a little slurred but her grin wide and mischievous. "Alright, let’s take this to the next level—Spin the Bottle," she announced, the words hanging in the air like a spell waiting to be cast.
The circle rearranged itself, each student shuffling slightly closer to each other. The bottle was placed in the center, spinning lazily as everyone exchanged glances, some nervous, some excited. Sirius, already looking far too pleased with himself, exchanged a knowing look with Remus, who was already regretting not having more of a drink earlier to deal with the impending chaos.
Marlene was the first to spin, and the bottle came to a slow stop, pointing directly at James. A collective sigh went up from the group, and James, ever the showman, grinned widely.
"Well, this is going to be interesting," he muttered, winking at Marlene.
Marlene, slightly tipsy, leaned forward, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. “Prepare yourself, Potter.”
The kiss was quick, but it lingered just a second longer than it should have—long enough for the entire group to notice. James pulled back with a smirk, his eyes still locked with Marlene’s. He was used to flirting, used to being charming, but something about the way the kiss had felt—the heat of her lips and the tension that was hanging in the air—made him pause for a fraction of a second longer than usual.
"Alright, alright, your turn, Potter," Marlene teased, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, trying to act nonchalant, though the heat in her cheeks was impossible to ignore.
James spun the bottle, and it landed on Lily.
Lily, always the calm one, raised an eyebrow. She leaned in, her breath hitching ever so slightly as she caught James’s playful grin.
“Do you really want me to kiss you?” she asked, her voice teasing but her eyes betraying a hint of something more. Was it curiosity? Or something deeper?
James leaned in without waiting for a response. The kiss was soft—too soft—but the tension between them was so thick it felt suffocating. As their lips brushed, time seemed to slow. The kiss was short, but their closeness lingered in the air. James pulled back just a tad too quickly, his hand brushing against hers as they both pulled away from the moment, unwilling to admit how much it had affected them. His heart was beating a little too fast for comfort.
“I, uh—didn’t think you’d be so—delicate,” he stammered, his usual bravado cracking for just a second.
Lily didn’t reply, just turned her attention back to the spinning bottle.
Round 2:
The bottle landed on Severus this time, and the room went deadly silent.
Severus was known for his reserved, brooding nature, and the mere thought of him participating in something like this seemed ludicrous. But as he glared around the circle, his eyes briefly flicking over to Lily, something almost unreadable passed across his face.
“I dare someone to kiss me, then,” he said, his voice deliberately cold but his words a little too casual for comfort.
There was an awkward pause as everyone looked at each other, uncertain. Severus couldn’t have been serious, could he?
Finally, it was Alecto—who had never been shy in her life—who leaned forward, her lips curling in a grin. “Fine. You want it, Sevie? You’ve got it.”
The kiss was rougher than anyone expected, and Severus seemed to lean into it a little more than he probably should have. Alecto’s hand lingered on his jaw a moment longer than necessary, her thumb brushing against the skin just below his ear. When they pulled apart, there was an awkward silence, everyone unsure of how to react to the strange mixture of discomfort and strange electricity between them.
"Well, that was... something," Peter mumbled under his breath, but no one was really listening anymore.
Round 3:
Sirius was next, and of course, he spun the bottle with a dramatic flourish, giving the group his usual cocky grin. The bottle slowed down and landed on Remus.
Remus froze, feeling his heart pound just a little too loudly in his chest. His stomach churned with nerves, but he did his best to hide it behind a calm mask. Sirius looked over at him, an eyebrow raised. Their gazes locked for a moment—an electric moment.
The room was very aware of the tension. Every eye was on the two of them. Remus could feel his pulse thudding in his ears.
"Come on, Lupin," Sirius said, his voice teasing, but there was something more in his eyes. Something that spoke louder than any dare.
Remus couldn’t stop himself from smiling nervously. He leaned forward, not sure if he was doing it because it was the game or if something in him was just responding to the weight of the moment, to the pull of Sirius’s eyes.
The kiss was a mere brush of lips at first, but something inside both of them clicked when their lips touched. The air grew thick with tension as they pulled apart, and for just a moment, neither one of them moved.
Sirius’s thoughts raced. Why did that feel so... good?
Remus’s heart was beating faster than he cared to admit. Why does this feel like... more than a game?
They both quickly shifted their attention, not making eye contact again for the rest of the round. But the unspoken tension between them? It was undeniable now.
Round 4:
The bottle spun again, landing on Dorcas, who immediately shot a playful smirk at the group.
“Alright, Dorcas. You know what to do.”
Dorcas grinned and shot a glance at Regulus, who was trying hard not to make eye contact with anyone. Without hesitation, Dorcas leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. It wasn’t much, but Regulus visibly froze for a moment, his face turning a deeper shade of red than anyone had ever seen. He quickly turned away, glaring at the floor, clearly not used to this kind of attention.
“That’s what you get for making me kiss Severus,” Dorcas teased, her voice still playful but a bit too loud as she sipped more firewhisky.
The bottle kept spinning, each turn adding more chaos to the night. The group’s laughter rang out through the Hufflepuff common room, but beneath it, the sexual tension simmered. Every kiss felt like a little spark, each dare another push toward the inevitable. There were lingering glances, awkward silences, and inner thoughts betraying even the bravest of faces.
The party was winding down, and Remus had found himself alone in the corner, trying to nurse his drink. He kept catching glances of Sirius, who was flirting with just about anyone who crossed his path, showing off his usual charm. Remus tried to ignore the twist in his stomach when Sirius’s laugh rang out, flirtatious and carefree, as he leaned in too close to someone else.
Why does it hurt? Remus thought to himself. It’s just a game, right? He’s just playing. But deep down, Remus knew it was more. He wanted something real, something solid. Something more than just a series of fleeting, meaningless kisses. He didn’t want to be one of Sirius’s many temporary flings, though he was starting to feel like maybe he was the only one who thought there could be more.
Sirius, on the other hand, had noticed Remus standing alone. He pulled away from the latest flirtation and made his way over, a smirk still playing on his lips, but with a hint of something else in his eyes.
“You good, Moony?” Sirius asked, his voice just a little softer than usual, though his playful tone didn’t quite hide the worry. “You’re looking a little... serious.”
Remus sighed, pushing his hair back. “I’m fine,” he muttered, taking another sip. “Just... thinking.”
Sirius sat beside him, eyeing him curiously. “You know you can tell me anything, right? I know I’m a terrible listener when I’m busy... but if it’s important...”
Remus chuckled dryly. “You’re a terrible listener, Sirius.”
Sirius grinned and nudged him. “I know. But I do care, you know. About you.”
Remus froze, his heart pounding. Did he really just say that? Sirius wasn’t usually so direct. For a split second, they locked eyes, and it felt like everything stopped. The rest of the room faded away as Remus finally allowed himself to believe—maybe there was something more.
But before he could say anything, Sirius turned back to the room, his usual confidence masking whatever that moment was.
“I’ll get you another drink,” Sirius said, his voice back to its usual teasing tone.
And Remus? Well, he just sat there, a little less certain than before.
James and Regulus
James had been watching Lily all night, as he always did. The way her hair shimmered in the candlelight, how her laugh seemed to draw everyone in... his heart had always fluttered for her, though she had made it perfectly clear that they were better off as friends.
But tonight, something shifted. He wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol, the firewhisky buzzing in his veins, or the way Lily had looked at him during their dare, but he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
She’s gorgeous, he thought, watching her across the room. But then, his gaze shifted. Regulus was sitting not far from Lily, looking unusually... flustered? He wasn’t exactly known for being shy, but there he was, staring at Lily with that blush on his cheeks, his dark eyes darting away every time anyone looked his way.
And that’s when James realized. He wasn’t just seeing the annoying little brother of Sirius Black anymore. Regulus was different. Adorable, even. His pale skin flushed red like a rose petal, his nervous glances—James couldn’t help but feel a rush of something unfamiliar.
Since when did I find Regulus Black... cute?
The thought came and went as quickly as it appeared, but there was no denying it. Something had changed. He found himself feeling conflicted now—between the girl he had pined for since forever and the guy who made him laugh with his sarcastic remarks. And James, always the confident one, wasn’t used to feeling torn like this.
Regulus caught his gaze across the room and, instead of the usual sneer, he threw James a sardonic look, as if he knew exactly what was going through his head.
"Potter," Regulus said dryly, strolling over, "thinking of trying your hand at both of us now?"
James blinked. "What?"
Regulus smirked, crossing his arms. "You keep looking at me, and I’m not that desperate, you know."
James laughed nervously, but internally, he was panicking. God, what is happening to me?
Lily and James
Lily, meanwhile, was busy trying to make sense of her own feelings. She had spent so long denying any interest in James. The cocky Gryffindor who had always teased her and had made her life difficult—wasn’t he just like every other boy she had known? But tonight, something was different. The way James looked at her after their kiss, the way he had leaned in and made her feel... important.
But the confusion was overwhelming. She had spent so long pushing down the connection between them that now that it was bubbling to the surface, she wasn’t sure how to handle it.
What if he’s still the same? What if he’s just flirting with me like he does with everyone else?
And then, just as she thought she was getting her bearings, she caught a glimpse of Regulus again. His eyes flicked over to her, and there was a nervousness there that she wasn’t used to. He had always been cold, aloof, but tonight, there was a softness in his gaze—a vulnerability that she hadn’t noticed before.
Lily swallowed, torn. She had spent so much time thinking about James, but now, Regulus was in her thoughts too.
This is a mess. She thought. What do I even do with this?
Severus and Pandora
Pandora, ever the observer, had been watching the chaos unfold with a bemused expression. She wasn’t involved in any drama, and she had long since given up trying to make sense of the strange relationships that unfolded in front of her. But her brother Evan? That was a different story.
She glanced at him and Barty, who were seated across the room, the two of them looking so obviously in each other’s orbit that it was almost painful.
“You know,” Pandora said, sipping her drink, her words slow and deliberate, “if you want them to get together, you’ve got to stop acting like you don’t care.”
Severus, who had been silently fuming over his earlier interaction with Lily, glared at his sister. “And you’re going to help them?”
Pandora shrugged. “Well, they clearly need a little push. And if you’re not going to do it...”
Severus rolled his eyes, but deep down, he knew she was right. Why not? He had never really understood relationships or the ridiculousness of romantic gestures, but something about Barty and Evan just felt... right. Maybe it was time to let go of his bitterness and give them the chance they deserved.
Peter, Emmeline, and Mary
Meanwhile, Peter was still fumbling, trying to catch Emmeline’s eye as she exchanged whispered jokes with Mary, who was clearly enjoying herself. Peter, feeling brave from the alcohol, nudged Emmeline. “You, uh, you’re really funny,” he said, a little too loud.
Emmeline turned to him with a slight smirk. “Aw, thanks, Peter. You’re sweet.”
Peter smiled awkwardly. “Do you... want to maybe—”
But before he could finish, Mary kissed Emmeline on the cheek, causing Peter to freeze.
“Well, that answers that question,” Peter muttered, suddenly feeling about a foot shorter.
Dorcas and Marlene
Of course, Dorcas and Marlene were their usual chaotic selves. Marlene had been eyeing a very flustered Alecto, while Dorcas was causing trouble with Regulus, flicking her hair and making snide comments that only made him more flustered. In a moment of sheer chaos (with a touch of alcohol), they found themselves laughing uncontrollably, all of their usual boundaries gone, lost in the fun of the night.
“Honestly, Marlene, if we weren’t at Hogwarts, I’d say we’d be kicked out for our troublemaking,” Dorcas remarked with a grin.
Marlene raised her glass in a mock toast. “To inter-house chaos,” she said, leaning in for a kiss that lingered just a little too long for anyone to miss.
As the party finally began to wind down, everyone sat back and thought about the evening—about the people they had kissed, the ones they had ogled, and the connections they weren’t quite ready to admit to. But one thing was clear: the games were just beginning, and this year was going to be filled with a lot more than just spells.
The chaos of the party had barely worn off by the time the students were back in the familiar routine of classes. The first few days of their OWL year were a blur of lectures, assigned essays, and long study sessions in the library. The tension that had simmered at the party hadn’t disappeared entirely—it still hung in the air—but everyone was trying to focus. Everyone, that is, except for James, who couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Lily in the hallways. He still hadn’t figured out if it was the alcohol or the adrenaline from Quidditch, but something in him had shifted. And that only made things more complicated.
In Charms Class
The sound of Professor Flitwick’s voice trying to control the class was drowned out by the chatter of the students. The assignment was simple: Levitation Charm practice. However, there was more focus on the students than the spell itself.
James, sitting next to Lily, kept catching her eye. It was like the more he tried to act normal, the more awkward everything became. He had always been able to banter with her, but now? He was unsure. Every little glance from her sent his stomach into somersaults.
Lily, equally distracted, found herself trying to focus on her wandwork. But every time James’ hand brushed against hers, her heart seemed to skip a beat. It didn’t help that their levitation charms kept misfiring, making the feather in front of them wobble and twitch erratically.
“James,” Lily whispered, leaning in close as she tried to steady her charm, “we're supposed to be controlling the feather, not making it look like it’s possessed.”
James grinned sheepishly. “Right. Sorry. I think I just distracted myself with... other things.”
The double meaning in his words made Lily blink, and she fought to hold back a blush. “You’re impossible.”
James chuckled, letting his charm settle the feather into the air. But the distance between them felt like it had shifted slightly. Neither of them could deny the sparks that were still crackling under the surface.
In Transfiguration
Transfiguration was another story altogether. With Professor McGonagall’s strict standards, there wasn’t much room for distractions, though that didn’t stop them from finding them.
Remus sat next to Sirius, who kept nudging him every so often, whispering absurd things under his breath to break his concentration. Sirius had been the same as always—charming, confident, but something was different about him now. Remus noticed the occasional lingering glance, the way Sirius seemed to watch him just a little too intently. But with his own distractions—especially the ever-present longing for something more—Remus was torn.
Sirius, as if sensing the confusion, leaned in during a moment when McGonagall wasn’t looking. "You know, Moony, I’m really good at Transfiguration. So if you ever need help..." He smiled suggestively.
Remus rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “You just want to distract me more, don’t you?”
Sirius gave him a playful wink. "Maybe. But it’s working, isn’t it?"
By lunchtime, everyone needed a break from their study-induced stress. The atmosphere in the Great Hall was buzzing, not just with students talking about their homework, but with the whispered excitement of what was going to happen next. It started with a small prank from Dorcas and Marlene. In the middle of lunch, they quietly used their wands to switch all the salt and pepper shakers on the Gryffindor table. The result? The entire table ended up in a fit of sneezing as the pepper spread uncontrollably everywhere.
Peter, who had been in the middle of trying to talk to Emmeline, was covered in pepper, causing him to choke and sputter. “Well, that’s just fantastic,” he groaned, wiping his face as Marlene tried (and failed) to stifle her laughter.
“You should be more careful around Dorcas and Marlene,” Emmeline teased, offering Peter a napkin. “They’re lethal together.”
Peter smiled awkwardly. “I’ll keep that in mind next time.”
Meanwhile, Regulus was sitting in front of Lily at the Slytherin table, his gaze flickering between her and James. Every time he saw them exchange a glance, it was like a wave of heat washed over him, making him go quiet. It wasn’t just that James had gotten stronger and more confident—Regulus was realizing, slowly, that he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t affected by the fact that Lily was starting to notice James. God, this is too complicated.
But before he could stew over it too much, the chaos escalated. Marlene and Dorcas had set their sights on Regulus, and before he knew it, a piece of pie was floating across the table, smacking him right in the face. “What the hell?!” Regulus snapped, his usual icy demeanor slipping for a second.
Dorcas just grinned. “You looked like you needed something to lighten your mood.”
Later that afternoon, after the prank-induced chaos had died down, the group found their way to the library. The collective tension from the party was still there, but the stress of OWL prep seemed to force everyone to buckle down.
Remus, James, and Sirius sat in the corner, their textbooks open but their attention elsewhere. Remus caught himself glancing at Sirius more than he cared to admit, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
James, on the other hand, found himself side-eyeing Lily, who was studying with Marlene. He wasn’t sure if he could ever work up the courage to tell her how he felt, especially with Regulus lurking nearby. Every time Lily laughed, James' heart skipped a beat. But instead of saying anything, he chose to focus on his Transfiguration notes.
Meanwhile, Pandora, who had started to take charge of the study group, found herself quietly talking to Severus. “You know,” she said softly, “if you smile just once, I’ll actually believe you’re not plotting the world’s demise.”
Severus shot her a look, his lips twitching with the barest hint of a smile. “I’d love to, but I have to keep up appearances.”
Pandora chuckled. “Sure, sure. Just don’t go too long without cracking that cold exterior.”
As the afternoon dragged on, everyone worked in their own way, trying to focus. But there was no denying that the undercurrents of tension were still there—just a little less obvious now. Still, they had all learned one thing that day: the party might have ended, but their feelings, unspoken or not, were still very much alive.