Cupid
It’s no secret James Potter had a horrendously embarrassing crush on Lily Evan’s from 1st-5th year. Not that she was embarrassing, of course. It was James’ methods of getting her attention that were mortifying looking back on it. It’s truly remarkable how Lily still wanted to be friends with him after all of that. Lily motherfucking Evan’s was a saint.
It couldn’t have been easy for her, being publicly humiliated by James’ antics and all. Especially since she was a closeted lesbian up until the year prior, it probably didn’t help make her feel more “normal” when everyone kept asking her why she didn’t just go out with him. Luckily, James told everyone to lay off her and since he’s… well, James, everyone listened.
“Hey James, what do you know about Pandora Rosier?”
James looked up from his charms essay, met with vibrant green eyes. Lily’s curly red hair was pulled into an effortless messy bun. Her freckles illuminated by the common rooms fireplace in front on them.
“Well, she’s a 5th year Ravenclaw, twin to Evan, kind, hangs with Regulus and his lot. Other than that, not much. Why?” He asked curiously.
Lily blushed. Oh. Ohhhhh.
Time for James to play matchmaker. One of his many talents.
“Nothing. She’s just-“ The freckled girl paused, trying to think of an excuse. “Intriguing. Yeah, intriguing is all.”
“Oh is that so. What specifically are you so intrigued about, Evans? Her interests? How about her jewelry? Hmmm or maybe you’re interested in what her chapstick tastes like-“ he’s cut off when a pillow used as a projectile is subsequently launched at his face.
“Be quiet, godric I should’ve never even asked” Lily huffs in annoyance.
“Come on Evans, I’m joking! I think you two would be cute together.” He playfully responds.
“No shut up. I see that look in your eyes. You won’t think about this again. Ever.” She gives him a death glare, which he might be afraid of if he didn’t know that it would be so worth it to die if he got to play matchmaker for Pandora and Lily first.
James silently nods.
Lily leaves the couch a moment later, following Mary to the dorms.
James’ new goal: Get Pandora and Lily together.
The only question is, how? He sits and ponders about the plan when it hits him.
Regulus.
Regulus is friends with Pandora. James has that potions project with Regulus. It’s perfect, he doesn’t think he’s ever been so grateful for this project. Come to think about it, this project could be the answer to so many problems. He could get Sirius and Regulus to reconcile, get Pandora and Lily together, get Dorcas and Marlene together, all while getting his potions grade up in the meantime. He’s also been unable to keep a certain Slytherin seeker out of his head.
James can make friends with almost anyone. Even Slytherins. Or at least some of them, okay friends might be a strong word but most at least tolerate him majority of the time. But Regulus? Regulus can’t stand him. And before 2 days ago, James had a totally different view of the grey eyed boy. The fact that Regulus was evidently less of a rule follower than James thought made him think about his preconceived notions of the boy. Does Regulus drink? Does he smoke? What pranks has he managed to pull off without any suspicion? How off base was he about all the other things relating to Regulus?
James was itching to find out.
——
“Hey Moony!”
James is met with a grunt.
“Moony it’s not even close to the full, there’s no excuse to be napping when you could be using your brain to come up with our next prank. Pads is with Mary, Wormy is playing chess. I need my mastermind!!”
Remus’ bed curtain open, with an annoyed expression on the scarred boys face.
“James, you are officially my least favorite marauder.”
James exaggerates, acting offended.
“Shove off, you know you don’t pull off dramatic gasps nearly as well as Sirius.” Remus retorts.
“He is pretty good at that, isn’t he?” James asks, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice.
“Yeah, he is.”
“I bet you’d like him gasping your name even better.” James can’t help the cackle that escapes him at the end.
The other boys ears turn a bright red. He drops his face into his hands. “Is it really that obvious that I like him?”
“Mate, I’m pretty sure the only person who doesn’t know is him. Which you could change if you just told him or something maybe even at tonight’s party…” James trails off.
Remus snaps up, eyes wide.
“Godric no, that’s a horrible idea!!” Remus exclaims.
James is about to respond when the door bursts open. Sirius is accompanied by Mary, Peter following a few steps behind.
“Lads! Don’t mind Mary, she’s helping me uh… what was it called?” Sirius turns towards Mary. She rolls her eyes before responding.
“Glow up. I’m helping him glow up, not that he needs it but I finished all my homework so I thought he could be my test subject.” She says clearly pleased. James notices her makeup bag in her hands and a drawstring backpack on her shoulder.
Peter settles on his bed while the other two excitedly set up in the restroom before closing the door.
40 minutes go by before the three boys hear the click of the bathroom door unlocking, promptly putting their conversation to a halt. The rest of them had gotten ready for the evening while waiting. Mary comes out alone before closing the door behind her.
“He’s changing so I thought I’d give him privacy. I’m not even going to attempt to be humble, I am a goddess when it comes to styling people it seems.” She beams.
The bathroom door opens and wow. Mary wasn’t kidding, she really is a goddess when it comes to this makeover stuff.
Sirius was dressed black bell bottoms with silver stars at the ends of them, accompanied with black chunky heeled boots. His shirt was a DIY cropped Queen shirt, the sleeves cut off. His ever so slightly exposed midriff showed off his navel piercing he got from a 7th year hufflepuff 7 months prior. What was different is that instead of the generic gem it was originally pierced with, it was replaced with a crescent shaped jewel. A moon. He was wearing the rest of his usual rings and necklaces of course. He looked amazing. Not just the outfit, but the makeup too. His winged eyeliner made him look even fiercer than usual. James realized Sirius also had seemed to have white glitter eyeshadow on his eyelids, making his eyes even more enchanting.
James just knew Remus had to be losing his ever-loving shit over this, but he restrained himself from looking over to the brown haired boy.
“Damn Padfoot, and here I thought you couldn’t get any sexier.” James hollered with a grin on his face.
“Bloody fuck mate you look amazing. Mary, I will give you my firstborn child for this. ” Pete chimed in, enjoying his friends new look.
“Oh you lot are ridiculous. I gotta go get ready with Marls and Lily, I expect to see you at the party later.” She called out as she left the dorm room.
Sirius was admiring himself in the mirror, absolutely ecstatic over his new look.
“Hey Moons, can you help me put my hair up? I think it would really pull it together.”
James finally looks over to Remus and it takes everything in him to not burst out laughing. He looks like he’s absolutely short circuiting at the moment. James can’t believe Sirius could ever possibly believe that Remus doesn’t reciprocate feelings when Remus looks at him like that.
“Moony?” Sirius calls again.
“Er yeah just uh give me a second.” Remus snaps back to reality and immediately starts looking for his stash of hair ties he keeps specifically for Sirius. Once he finds one he clears his throat and makes his way over to Sirius.
Godric, they are pathetic. James loves it.
The party goes great, everyone gets sloshed. James sleeps extremely well that night.
The next morning James has enough energy to get in some time practicing for quidditch before eventually heading back to the dorms to shower. His mates are finally up and heading to the great hall and he tells them not to wait up.
Turning the corner to approach the great hall, James is abruptly interrupted from his thoughts as he’s swiftly knocked flat on his ass. This wouldn’t be surprising normally, students are reckless and never watch where they’re going at Hogwarts. No, this is surprising because when he looks up at the other person his eyes meet a teary eyed, frantic looking, Regulus Black.