Remus, Sirius, James and Peter were on their way to potions class. None of them enjoyed potions class for a couple of reasons. The professor for it, Professor Slughorn, was biased. He showed favoritism to Slytherins since he was head of Slytherin. Not to mention they unfortunately had potions with Slytherin which meant they got unfair treatment during class. Then the last reason was Snivellus aka. Severus Snape was in their class. He was the teacher's pet. Slughorn always called him his star pupil.
“I am so glad that we can drop potions after this year.” Remus said as they waited for class to start. “Yeah, I know then we don’t have to deal with Old Sluggy anymore.” Sirius said. James didn’t say anything. Sirius nudged him and said, “Prongs are you even listening mate.” “Yeah,” James mumbled, not fully listening. “Give up Padfoot. He is too busy staring at a certain redhead named Lily to listen.” Remus said. Sirius looked and sure enough James was watching Lily sitting talking to her friends. Sirius snapped his fingers in James face to get his attention. “What were you guys saying?” James asked with his attention back on his friends. “We were talking about how glad we are that we don't have to take this class next year. Do you agree?” “I don’t know. Potions isn’t that bad of a class.” James said. “You only think that because you like being able to watch Evans.” Sirius said.
At that moment Professor Slughorn came into the classroom. “Ok, class, turn in your book to page one hundred and thirty five for our next lesson. We will be learning about Amortentia. Can anyone tell me about this potion?” Snape and Lily both raised their hands. “Yes, miss Evans.” Slughorn said. “Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in existence. It causes the drinker to experience a powerful infatuation or obsession with the person who gives it to them. It also smells different to everyone depending on what attracts them.” Lily said. “Very good miss Evans ten points to Gryffindor. Does anyone know how to identify it?” Slughorn said. Snape raised his hand and Slughorn called on him. “You can identify amortentia by its mother-of-pearl sheen and the smell.” Snape said. “Exactly Mr. Snape. We will be learning about this potion, so you will know how to identify it. So you will know it if you come in contact with it and you will be able to avoid it.”
“We will be brewing this potion next class in groups of two, and don’t even think about trying to sneak any of it when we are done, because anyone caught with it in their possession will find themselves in a whole lot of trouble.” Slughorn said.
The gang was sitting in the Great Hall eating their lunch. When James brought up their next potions lesson. “I already know what I will smell in the amortentia.” James said smiling. “Yes, we know Plong you will smell Lily.” Sirius said. “Well smarty what do you think you will smell?” James asked Sirius. Sirius glanced over at Remus. He was thinking to himself about how he was sure his amortentia would smell like Moony. He felt a blush rising to his cheeks, and he shook his head to clear his thoughts and answered James. “I don’t know Prongs.” The truth was Sirius did know. Sirius was in love with Remus, and he was pretty sure he had been since the first day they met on the train. He had immediately been drawn to Remus.
James had caught the look on Sirius’ face, and knew what he was thinking. It hadn’t taken James long to figure out that Sirius had feelings for Remus. In fact he is surprised that no one else has ever figured it out. Sirius always looked at Remus like he hung the stars, and he would always find excuses to touch Remus. James also knew for a fact that Remus felt the same way. He had seen the looks that Remus gave Sirius. Not to mention that after a full moon Sirius is the only one Remus will let touch him to help him. James didn’t understand how two people could be so oblivious that they could see that they were in love with each other.
Remus heard bits and pieces of their conversation, and he was pretty sure his amortentia would smell like Sirius. He couldn’t tell you the exact moment he fell in love with Sirius, because he doesn’t think there is one. There were so many moments that came to mind when Remus thought about it. Sirius was the one that came up with the idea of them becoming animagi to help Remus during the full moons. After the full moons he would always get work for Remus that he missed and bring him things he liked. One of the most important moments to Remus though was that Sirius never treated him like he was a monster.
It was the day of their next potions class. Sirius had already decided that he wanted to be paired with James for this lesson. He was afraid that Slughorn would make them list what they smelled in the amortentia, and he didn’t want to risk Remus overhearing what he said. Sirius was afraid that if Remus heard his list he would figure out that Sirius was in love with him. That scared Sirius, because he didn’t want to lose Remus as a friend.
Before they started brewing their potions Slughorn went over some rules with them. “Ok, class before we begin we need to go over some rules. You will brew the potion in pairs. Once you are done raise your hand and I will come over and check your potion. Then I will vanish the potion. No one is permitted to take any of their potion. Once you have finished, you and your partner will share with each other what you smell, so you will be able to see how the smell is different for everyone.”
Peter and Remus were paired together as was Sirius and James. Everyone was working hard on their potions. The first pair to finish was of course Snape and Lily. When Lily smelt the amortentia she smelt broomstick polish, quidditch pitch, and a woody smell that she couldn’t place. Lily thought about it for a moment, and realized that she smelt James Potter in the amortentia, and all she could think was no, it can’t be him. I don't feel that way about him. Do I?
James and Sirius finished their potion and James said that he wanted to smell the potion first. James leaned over the cauldron and took a whiff. He smiled at the smell and told Sirius, “it smells just like Lily. I smell the flavoral smell of her perfume, and the coconut of her shampoo, and peppermint just like her favorite sweet.” Sirius went next and smelled the potion. He said to James in a whisper because he didn’t want Remus to hear. “Prongs it smells just like Moony. I can smell the woody smell of the forest, books, his favorite tea, and a really strong smell of chocolate.” Sirius looked over at Remus and smiled. James asked Sirius, “Are you going to tell him Padfoot?” “I don't know Prongs. If he doesn’t feel the same it could ruin our friendship.” Sirius said.
Peter and Remus had finished their potion. Remus let Peter go first, because he was afraid of what he would smell in the amortentia. Peter took a whiff of the potion and got a confused look on his face and said to Remus, “Remus all I smell is my favorite sweets is that normal?” Remus told him, “it never said that you would smell a person Pete so it is very possible that you won’t smell anyone.” Remus went next and smelled the amortentia. He smelled the forest, leather, wet dog, and the last scent he wasn’t sure at first and then he realized that it was Sirius’ cologne. Remus knew at that moment that he was indeed in love with Sirius. Now Remus had to figure out what to do about it. Peter asked him what he smelled and he said, “can you keep a secret Pete?” Remus asked. “Yea, is everything ok?” Peter said. Remus looked to make sure no one was paying attention and whispered to Peter, “I smelled Padfoot in the amortentia.”
Later that evening in the common room Peter and James were playing a game of wizards chess, Remus was sitting on one of the couches reading and Sirius was laying across the couch with his head in Remus' lap as Remus absentmindedly ran his finger through Sirius' hair. See they were distracted James whispered to Peter, ‘“Wormtail did you and Moony share what you each smelled in the amortentia today?” “Yea, why prongs?” Peter asked, a bit confused. “Well what did you guys smell?” James asked. “Well mine was a bit confusing. I only smelt my favorite sweets. Moony said it was probably because there isn't anyone I like at the moment.” Peter said. “What did Moony smell?” James asked. “I can't tell you Prongs Moony asked me to keep it a secret.” Peter said. James said, “If I guess then you wouldn't be telling me.” Peter replied “well that is true I guess.” James asked, “Did Moony smell Padfoot in the amortentia?” Peter didn't reply, but he wouldn't make eye contact with James and James knew that meant he had guessed it right. Now James just had to find a way to get Sirius and Remus to realize how they felt about each other. He said, ‘“Wormtail, it is obvious that Moony and Padfoot like each other. So we need to figure out how to get them together.”
James knew that he had to find a way to get Sirius and Remus together. He knew it would take some very careful manipulation because neither one of them would admit to the other on their own how they felt. Both of them were too afraid of ruining their friendship to make a move. James had two different ideas on how to get Sirius and Remus together. One that he didn't know how well it would work, and one he knew would more than likely work. The one that would work could get them in trouble though. He was trying to decide between locking them in a closet together and not letting them out until they kissed. The other idea involved stealing potion ingredients and brewing amortentia again and having them smell it without knowing so that maybe they would accidentally reveal that they smelled each other in it.
Either way James would need help to make his plan work, and Peter being friends with both Sirius and Remus had agreed to help James if he needed it. That is how he found himself under the invisibility cloak with James using the map to sneak into Slughorn's classroom. Peter asked, “Prongs, what are we looking for here?” James told him, “we are seeing if Old Sluggy has an amortentia in his stock and if not we are going to swipe the ingredients to make it.” “Won't we get in trouble if we get caught by Slughorn Prongs?” Peter asked nervously. “That is why we can't get caught Wormy. We are just going to brew the potion, get Padfoot and Moony to smell it without knowing and ask what they smell. Then we will vanish it like Slughorn did. It will all work out, trust me Pete.”
Once they were in the potions classroom they removed the cloak. Peter kept watch while James checked for the potion. He didn't find any so he got the ingredients they would need. After they had gotten everything they needed, James and Peter snuck back to Grtffindor tower.
Now all James had to do was find time to brew the potion. He was perfectly capable of brewing it on his own. James got his opportunity to brew the potion the next day. Remus wanted to go to the library to get a book. The minute he said about it Sirius jumped up and said that he wanted to go with. James hid a chuckle behind his hand, because Sirius was reminding him so much of his animagus form at that moment. While they were gone James and Peter went back to the dorm. While James brewed the amortentia Peter kept watch for Sirius and Remus. When James finished the potion he laddled some into a bottle and then vanished the rest of it.
Later that night when they were in the dorm room. Sirius and Remus were laying beside each other on Sirius’ bed looking at a muggle magazine. James got the potions out and went over to them and said, “Padfoot Moony can you two tell me what this smells like to you.” as he held the bottle towards him. Neither one of them looked up. Sirius said, “Prongs all I can smell is Remus' chocolate.” “Well you are one to talk, all I can smell is your cologne.” Remus said back. “Uh guys. Would you look at what I am asking you to smell for a minute.” James said. Sirius and Remus both looked up and saw the bottle of potion. They noticed the mother-of-pearl sheen and knew right away that it was amortentia.
“Where did you get amortentia?” Remus asked. “And why are you having us smell it?” Sirius added. “Don't be mad you guys. I just wanted you two to realize how the other one felt. You smelled each other in the amortentia.” James said Sirius looked at Remus and said, “Moony I should have told you sooner. The minute I sniffed the amortentia you were all I could smell. Moony I love you, and I want you to be my boyfriend.” Remus said, ‘“Sirius you were all I could smell in the amortentia as well. I wanted to tell you, but I was so scared that you didn't feel the same and it would ruin our friendship. I love you too and nothing would make me happier than to be your boyfriend.”
Sirius grabbed Remus’ jumper and pulled him closer crashing their lips together. The minute their lips touched it was like a million fireworks had gone off. They kept kissing, not breaking for air. James said, “Moony Padfoot I am happy for you and all, but Wormy and I are still in the room.” Sirius broke the kiss for a minute and said, “we have to make up for lost time James.” Meanwhile Remus was kissing Sirius' neck. James was about to tell them to go somewhere else when Sirius let out a moan cutting him off. Peter squeaked from over on his bed trying to cover his eyes. Remus stopped kissing Sirius' neck and said, “no offense, Prongs or Wormy but can you please leave for a bit.” James and Peter wasted no time in leaving the dorm shutting the door behind them.
Sirius and Remus kept making out for a while. They broke the kiss to catch their breath. Remus leaned his forehead against Sirius and said, ‘“I love you so much Sirius.” Sirius gave him a quick peck and said, “I love you too Remus.” They just lay there cuddling share small pecks with each other until they fell asleep.
James and Peter came back a while later and found Sirius and Remus cuddled on Sirius' bed asleep. James vanished the amortentia, and smiled as he looked at his two friends. He was so happy for them after everything they both had been through in their lives they deserved to be happy. James was glad that he had medled and helped them figure out they were in love.
Years later at their wedding Sirius and Remus would thank James in their speeches. Tell of how thanks to him they figured out sooner than they would have on their own that they loved each other. That if he hadn't medled they might not have figured it out yet. James would share a smile with his wife Lily as she whispered, “thank you amortentia right Jamie.” He would whisper back, “yea Lils.”