The Opening Ceremony
The next morning, the gym was buzzing with activity as the athletes gathered to train, stretch, and socialise. In the gym the energy was so intense that you could nearly feel it bounce off the walls, a vibrant blend of excitement and a touch of nervous anticipation. For many, this was their chance to fine-tune their skills, bond with teammates, and perhaps size up the competition. James and Sirius had arrived early, eager to get in some training before the day's schedule became too hectic. As James and Sirius stepped inside, they were immediately struck by the sheer scale and modernity of the gym. The facility was designed to accommodate the diverse training needs of the world's top athletes.
The space was well-lit, with large windows allowing natural light to flood in, creating a fresh atmosphere. The walls were colourfully painted with motivational murals, featuring iconic Olympic moments and quotes. State-of-the-art cardio machines lined one side of the gym, while an extensive array of free weights and resistance training equipment occupied another. In addition to these areas, the gym had specialised zones for different types of workouts. There were strength and conditioning sections, flexibility and stretching spaces, and even areas designated for group exercises. There were even high-tech digital training systems that allowed athletes to monitor their performance in real-time, an essential tool for those fine-tuning their preparations for the upcoming events and somewhere around the coroner there also laid a spa.
The clinking of weights, the rhythmic thud of sneakers on treadmills, and the chatter of athletes filled the air as James and Sirius headed towards the free weights area. As they warmed up, they couldn't help but take in the sights and sounds around them. The two of them were about to set up for a bench press when they spotted familiar faces across the room. Lily and Mary were deep in conversation near the stretching mats. Lily, with her ginger hair tied back in a ponytail, looked every bit the focused athlete as she was continuously keeping up with the conversation whilst she stretched. Mary, on the other hand, seemed more preoccupied chatting than stretching.
The four of them had known eachother since high school. James and Sirius may have forgotten that Lily and Mary existed the day after graduation, however they rekindle their friendship when the four of them were chosen for the olympics. James had added them all to a group chat and asked to catch up and that was how they ended up speaking again. Yes, James was well aware that Sirius and him were pieces of shit to drop all contact with the girls, but after the break up between him and Lily it just felt weird. Though today, the both of them had moved on and put their past behind them, it had been the better alternative to break up anyways. It was never meant to be Lily and James forever.
As soon as James spotted the redhead and the brunette he had waved them over. "Lily, Mary! Over here!" The two women's conversation came to a halt. They turned around and when they saw James grinning like an idiot they laughed before swiftly walking over, smiles lighting up their faces. "Hey, you two," Lily greeted, her green eyes sparkling. "Getting some early training in?"
"Yeah, figured we'd beat the rush, but apparently everyone had the same idea" Sirius replied, grinning. "How about you? Do you have a plan or are you guys just here to socialise?"
Mary laughed. "A bit of both, actually. Gotta keep up with the competition, right?" Sirius chuckled at the statement.
As they chatted, Lily's gaze wandered across the gym, and she suddenly grinned. "You know, I saw the most attractive guy yesterday. Or I mean, you would think he was the most attractive guy, Sirius. I believe he is one of the commentators—tall, with fluffy brown hair and these really sharp eyes. I think he was covering the swimming events. I mean I wasn’t really listening."
Sirius's ears perked up, his interest stirred. "Oh? And what else did you notice, Lily?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, causing everyone to laugh.
"Not much else," Lily admitted. "But he definitely stood out. Very handsome."
James chuckled, nudging Sirius. "Sounds like your type, eh, Pads?"
Sirius grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Well, you know me. Always a sucker for tall, handsome men."
Their laughter was interrupted by the arrival of a group of French athletes, including none other than Regulus. The air seemed to shift slightly as they entered, the French contingent exuding a quiet confidence. James's attention was immediately drawn to Regulus, who was dressed in a sleeveless training top that showed off his toned arms and he found himself subtly admiring Regulus, noticing the way his muscles moved as he talked with his teammates. He felt a flicker of...something. Admiration? Curiosity? He wasn't quite sure, but he couldn't deny the magnetic pull he felt. When Regulus met his eyes from across the room James quickly looked away, trying his best not to blush.
"Isn't that Regulus?" Mary asked, glancing over. "He looks intense."
"Always is," Sirius muttered, a complicated look passing over his face. "But he's here to win, just like the rest of us."
Lily glanced between Sirius and James, catching the subtle tension. "Well, let's not get too caught up in rivalries just yet," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "We should grab some breakfast before the dining hall gets too crowded."
"Good idea," James agreed. "Let's go. We need our energy for the opening ceremony tonight."
As the group made their way to the dining hall, James couldn't help but steal a final glance at Regulus. The younger Black was already engrossed in his training, seemingly oblivious to the attention he was drawing.
Breakfast in the dining hall was a lively affair, with athletes from all over the world mingling and chatting. As James, Sirius, Lily, and Mary settled at a table, they couldn't help but feel the weight of the days ahead. The competition was fierce, but so was their determination.
As they dug into their meals, the conversation turned to lighter topics—funny training stories, quirks of their respective sports, and, of course, speculations about who might take home the gold. But even amidst the laughter and camaraderie, James couldn't shake the image of Regulus from his mind. There was something about him that was...captivating and as the meal drew to a close and they prepared to head to their next training sessions, James felt a sense of anticipation building. He glanced at Sirius, who was still grinning over Lily's description of the mysterious commentator. Sirius had a hate love relationship with his brother, James was more than aware of that, and what friend goes for their best friend's younger brother? It is a shitty move and James knew that, but there was something telling him to try. The thought that he could at least try talking to Regulus would not escape his mind. Perhaps it would not be stepping too far, James thought as he swallowed the last bit of his bread.
–
At the same time, in another part of the village Remus awoke to the soft, golden light of dawn streaming through the windows of his modest Olympic Village room. He was not one for sleeping in, especially on a day as significant as this. Despite the early hour, he took a moment to savour the quiet stillness of the morning, a habit he had developed over the years. There was something peaceful about the world before it fully woke up, a time when he could collect his thoughts and mentally prepare for the day ahead.
After a quick shower, Remus dressed in his commentator’s uniform—something casual yet professional. He had always been meticulous about his appearance, preferring simple, well-kept clothing that didn’t draw too much attention. He was never one to flaunt or stand out unnecessarily, a trait that often made him the quiet observer in the room.
With a book tucked under his arm—something by a French author he’d been meaning to read for a while—he made his way to the cafeteria for breakfast. Remus was a man of routines. Every morning without fail, he would select the largest, most chocolate-laden muffin he could find and pair it with a steaming cup of coffee. It was a small indulgence he allowed himself, a sweet start to what was often a long day.
Today was no different. As he entered the cafeteria, his eyes immediately scanned the spread for his beloved muffins. Spotting them in a basket near the pastries, his face lit up with a rare smile. He grabbed one, along with his coffee, and settled into a quiet corner of the dining area.
The cafeteria was quiet, only some athletes and officials eating breakfast before the day began, but Remus slipped through unnoticed, he was a commentator. Remus was not her to be the centre of attention, people did not recognize him but he liked it that way, preferring solitude or small, meaningful conversations over loud, crowded spaces.
Halfway through his muffin, his phone buzzed. It was Peter Pettigrew, his colleague and fellow commentator for the Olympic Games. Peter was a different sort of person, more outgoing and always eager to please. They got along well, despite their differences, and Remus found Peter’s energy a good balance to his own more reserved nature.
“Morning, Moony,” Peter’s voice chirped through the phone, using the old nickname. “Are you up for a quick run-through of tonight’s events?”
Remus chuckled. “Already on it. I’ve got the schedule in front of me now.”
“Of course you do,” Peter replied with a laugh. “Meet me at the commentary box in an hour? We can finalise the notes.”
“Sounds good,” Remus agreed. He finished his breakfast and packed away his book, planning to read it later in the day.
An hour or so later, Remus settled down next to Peter in the commentary box. The hours passed quickly as Remus and Peter worked together, preparing for the evening’s opening ceremony. They reviewed the athletes' profiles, discussed the key points to highlight during their broadcast, and shared a few light-hearted jokes to ease the tension. As they spook Remus doodled in the margins of his notes. It was one of his old habits that he did when he was deep in thought. As they went over the finer details, his pen would absently draw little stars, moons, and random shapes, a subconscious way of processing information.
By the time they were done, the sun had dipped low in the sky, signalling the approach of the evening. Remus took a moment to step outside, breathing in the cool air. He always found solace in these quiet moments, a chance to ground himself before stepping into the spotlight and as the time for the opening ceremony neared, Remus joined Peter in the commentary booth. The stadium bubbled with excitement, a sea of colours and flags as athletes from all over the world gathered for the grand event.
“Ready, Moony?” Peter asked, his voice laced with excitement.
Remus smiled, adjusting his headset. “Always.”
As the lights dimmed and the ceremony began, Remus felt a familiar rush of adrenaline. This was where he belonged—observing, narrating, and capturing the essence of the moment for millions of viewers. Despite the noise and the spectacle, he remained focused, his calm voice guiding the audience through the unfolding events with the same steady grace he brought to every aspect of his life.
–
The stadium was packed with thousands of spectators, as the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games prepared to begin. The event was set to showcase the very best of French culture, art, and history, and the air was thick with anticipation. James, Sirius, Lily, and Mary were seated together, along with the rest of the athletes, in a special section near the centre of the stadium. The night was cool, with a light breeze that carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant aroma of gourmet street food.
As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the crowd, followed by a swell of music that grew louder and more powerful by the second. The show began with a stunning visual display—drones lit up the sky, forming intricate patterns that represented the Olympic rings, the Eiffel Tower, and other iconic symbols of Paris. The spectacle was breathtaking, the lights dancing across the night sky in perfect synchronisation.
“Bloody hell, this is incredible,” Sirius whispered, his eyes wide with awe.
James nodded, equally captivated. “They’ve really outdone themselves this time.”
The drones dispersed, making way for a procession of performers who flooded the stage below. Dressed in vibrant, flowing costumes, they began a choreographed routine that blended traditional French dance with modern elements. The performance was a celebration of the nation’s rich history, taking the audience on a journey from the days of the French Revolution to the present, showcasing the resilience and spirit of the French people.
As the dancers moved in perfect harmony, the stadium erupted into applause, the crowd swept up in the energy and passion of the performance. The music shifted, becoming more upbeat and contemporary, and the lights turned to a dazzling array of colours. It was then that the giant screens around the stadium flickered to life, displaying a montage of past Olympic Games, moments of triumph, and the unity of nations.
Sirius leaned over to Lily, who was equally engrossed in the ceremony. “This is what it’s all about, isn’t it? All of us, coming together like this. It’s magical.”
Lily smiled, her gaze never leaving the spectacle. “Absolutely. It’s what makes all the hard work worth it.”
The ceremony continued, each segment more impressive than the last. There were acrobats soaring through the air, their movements defying gravity, and a parade of France’s most famous artists and creators who took to the stage to present their work in a unique, live exhibition. The crowd watched in awe as one of the artists painted a massive mural in real-time, his brush strokes projected onto the screens for everyone to see.
Finally, it was time for the athletes to make their grand entrance. The roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch as the teams from each nation paraded into the stadium, waving their flags proudly. James felt a surge of pride as he walked alongside his fellow athletes, the Union Jack held high above them. He could see the same pride reflected in the faces of the others as they took in the cheering crowd and the grandeur of the event.
When the French team entered the stadium, the noise reached a crescendo. The home crowd erupted into deafening applause, and James couldn’t help but look for Regulus in the sea of athletes. He spotted him easily, his tall frame and confident stride making him stand out among the others. Regulus looked completely at ease, a small smile playing on his lips as he waved to the crowd. James felt his heart skip a beat, but quickly pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the moment.
The final act of the ceremony was the lighting of the Olympic flame. A towering figure emerged at the end of the stage, and the crowd fell silent in anticipation. It was a symbolic moment, a ritual that marked the beginning of the Games and carried with it the weight of history and tradition. The torchbearer, a French athlete who had won multiple medals in past Olympics, made his way to the massive cauldron that stood at the centre of the stadium.
As the flame ignited, the crowd erupted into cheers once more, the stadium bathed in a warm, golden glow. Fireworks exploded above, lighting up the sky in a dazzling array of colours. The noise was deafening, but James did not mind. He was completely caught up in the magic of the moment, the feeling of being part of something much larger than himself.
Sirius clapped James on the back, his face lit up with excitement. “This is it, mate. The Games have officially begun.”
James nodded, a smile spreading across his face. The anticipation, the excitement, the nervous energy—it all culminated in this one moment, but right now, as the crowd cheered and the flame burned bright, James knew he was exactly where he was meant to be.