Three are the Charm
“I don‘t get it, mate.”
“Wanting children or to want one from a specific person?”
“Both?”
“Well, regarding the former, it is important to have heirs and isn‘t it like the normal thing to do? The main character is around 30, right? Most people have built a family by then. What I don‘t understand is, why does it have to be that bloke?”
“Yeah…we really gotta talk about your conservative worldviews there…”
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“Honestly, mate. What’s so great about this book anyways? We don’t even have to read Muggle Poetry yet. That’s 6th year material.” Barty grumbled and stared at the blue book.
They had all gathered in the Library to study. Well, most of them were studying, Barty “doesn’t need to learn and still writes straight A’s” Crouch Jr. did not participate in these kinds of things, as he phrased it.
Regulus had brought the little book, which also included some of the remaining charmed papers, to read in between all the studying. Bec had explained this study method to him.
First you had to concentrate for 45 minutes. Followed by a 15 minute period to relax. It would’ve worked pretty well for Regulus, if it weren't for Barty constantly distracting him.
“I enjoy reading it. Do I need any other reason?” he answered, rather irritated by now.
Suddenly, Barty stood up and at the same time scooped up the book. He opened it on a random page and exclaimed with amusement “Oh that’s why. All the time, you were talking with someone through the book.”
Now even Evan and Dorcas abandoned their studies to follow the spectacle. Pandora, who already knew about the little notes, continued unbothered.
“Is that true, Reggie?” Dorcas asked surprised, then to Barty “What did they write? Does it sound like friends or more?”
No need to ask him twice, because Barty had already started reading one of the discussions in the book. Specifically the one about children. Regulus’ cheeks turned red and he sprung up to grab the book from Barty. Not that it would matter. Barty could remember whole pages word by word after looking at them for just a few moments.
Accompanied by Evan’s and Dorcas’ laughter, Regulus tried to take back the book, which Barty held high above his head. So, Regulus did what every small person would do, and kicked the other one in his shin bone (he is not a monster). And indeed, Barty let the book fall to the floor, in favour of clenching his leg with both hands.
The next second loud noise was heard from outside the library and drowned out the pained groans Barty made. Everything about the little book was forgotten, as students ran to the doors. Outside was turmoil. The corridors were packed with students talking over each other.
“We should definitely find out what’s going on.” Evan stated matter of factly.
“It’s probably just another prank.” Regulus grumbled in response and took his notebooks to go back to his own room to study. Though, when Evan and Barty linked their arms with his, one on each side, and dragged him outside, he didn’t fight them.
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“I think we did it, without anyone seeing us.” James whispered and threw back the Invisibility Cloak.
Peter leaned against the door and gasped for air. “Why did we have to run like that, if nobody could see us anyways?”
Remus grunted in agreement, his leg hurt from the strain, and fell onto his bed. James and Sirius tended to forget that not everyone is part of the Quidditch team.
Meanwhile Sirius and James jumped around, filled to the brim with adrenaline.
They had just finished another successful prank, by filling the Great Hall with nifflers. The little creatures, naturally, had immediately started to look for anything shiny.
“Where did you even get all those nifflers?” Remus asked Peter.
“I know someone, who knows someone.” the boy answered and took out his hair tie, which had loosened in their fast escape.
“That’s suspiciously vague…” Remus eyed Peter, who answered with an innocent grin and redid his hair. After all these years Peter managed to still have all these little secrets. Remus was amazed by it time an time again.
With a laugh, Remus sank back into his bed and watched as Sirius dramatically recounted how he managed to divert everyone's attention long enough for the others to execute the prank.
Needless to say, they would get detention for the next week, as everyone (especially Minnie) knew who was behind the prank. But not for now. Right now they were sitting in their room, laughing, joking, ignorant to what would come tomorrow.
Two years, had James explained at the beginning of this year. We have two years left and then we will graduate, become adults and have to find jobs. But not today. Today we are still children and we can prank and joke and live as much as we want.
So that’s what they did. Not because James was some kind of leader, to whom they had to answer. Not because Sirius needed a distraction and Remus would do anything to give him that. But because Peter and Remus had looked at each other in that moment and came to a silent agreement:
James and Sirius would never stop being childish. As long as they were together, there would be pranks. And those two would never stop being together. But Remus and Peter? They never had this strong of a connection with each other or those two. Sure, they would stay friends, but who is to say that they wouldn’t move away and lose contact eventually?
They had to make the last two years memorable, so they could look back at them in a few, maybe ten, maybe twenty years and laugh about it.
Later, when James and Sirius went off to Quidditch practice and Peter joined some other students in the common room, Remus took out the paper on which one simple sentence was written.
I hate those pranks.
Why? You don’t find them hilarious? I myself think the nifflers to be rather adorable.
Sod off.
Really? Don’t you ever laugh.
I laugh if something is fun. Due to that incident I forgot the blue book and now I have to wait for whoever found it to give it to the librarian.
That would be me, hi.
Remus stared down at the new handwriting. Not as elegant as Arcturus’ but still rather neat. Without a doubt Arcturus was doing the same thing as for the next minute no new words appeared on the paper.
By Salazar Slytherin’s locket. Does nobody here know not to touch things that don’t belong to them!
In my defence, the papers fell out of the book when I picked it up. I just wanted to put them back, but then I saw all the notes.
Well, nothing to be done now. Nice to meet you.
My pleasure. What do I call you?
Arcturus and the other one is Bec.
Wait, what? You thought that’s my name the whole time?
Well, yes. You never told me.
You never asked!
Cuz I didn’t care.
Why Bec though?
It’s short for imbécile.
Aha…
That’s french for moron.
Why did you tell him?
Only fair.
Are you another one of those righteous Gryffindor gits?
Says the Slytherin twat?
Glad to see that you two are just like you were in the notes in the book.
What do you mean?
Well the bickering with each other. It is cute. You really seem like good friends.
Friends? I would rather call Bec an acquaintance. One that has enough braincells to talk to. But acquaintance none the less.
Lovely, isn't he?
I am not.
Very lovely. Like a kitten. With little claws. Very cute.
I take it back. You don't seem to have any braincells either.
You two are amusing.
My name is L.
Just L? And I thought my name was special.
It’s not my real one obviously, since you two seem to not know who you are, I will abide by the rules.
Yeah well, as long as you bring back my book.
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Regulus covered the charmed letter with some of his books to ensure that Barty wouldn't find it by accident and made his way to the Quidditch field.
The rest of the team was already there and stood in a circle, all listening to Dorcas, their team captain. When Regulus swiftly took his place between Evan and Barty, she only acknowledged him with a glance and continued her speech.
“Therefore we will share the practice field with the Gryffindors today, as well as tomorrow. We do not practise with them. Everyone has their half of the field and neither we nor them are to cross the middle-line. Is that understood?” Dorcas asked the whole team, but deliberately looked only at Barty.
The 5th year nodded but didn’t look very sincere in his answer.
“Okay, then I wanna see you all run 3 rounds around the field to warm up.” Dorcas instructed and waited for everyone to go, before turning around to Regulus. “Listen, if Sirius tries anything or makes you uncomfortable in any way, let me know. I want you to train your reaction speed today and then I’ll let the snitch go. I have your times from the last games, I want you to be faster by 1 minute at the end of tomorrow's training.”
Regulus nodded and went to the middle of the field, where he waited for Evan to join him for reaction time training, which was important for both keeper and seeker.
“I swear, ever since Cas became captain, the training got way harder.” Evan groaned as they had finished their joint practice and walked to their brooms.
“Ever since then we have also won significantly more games.” Regulus noted. Dorcas was a ruthless captain. The first day of her being captain, she threw an idiot off the team for disrespecting her. Apparently, a female team captain was too weak. Regulus couldn't understand wizards who thought like that. They should meet the women of his family.
Evan grumbled, but couldn’t really argue so he just rolled his eyes and sat on his broom. Regulus followed him into the air, where they met Dorcas and the rest.
After she gave some last instructions to the rest of the team, she flew down to let loose the Snitch. Regulus used that time to let his eyes wander to the Gryffindor side. Similar to his own team, they had by now all gotten on their brooms and hovered a few feet over the ground.
They seemed to be in a circle having a discussion. Regulus’ eyes immediately found his brother. The hair he had grown out to his shoulders was braided close to his head, most likely done by the blond girl beside him, who had her hair up in a similar way.
Regulus grimaced. If their mother would see Sirius like that…
Suddenly, Sirius started waving his hands enthusiastically at someone. Regulus looked to the ground and saw two boys entering the Quidditch field. Lupin and Peter. Lupin he didn’t know much about, other than the rumours about him being mean and scary. Prejudice because of his height and scars, Regulus assumed - Sirius wouldn’t be friends with someone that bad.
Peter was nice. Regulus had talked to him every once in a while when therelationship with his brother hadn't been that bad yet. Peter had given him his notes for some classes, so Regulus could use it to learn.
They hadn’t been in contact since last year though, so Regulus would need to get his material from other sources now. With some luck, Bec or L were 6th or even 7th years. He should probably ask them.
While in thoughts, Regulus didn't realise that Lupin had noticed him staring and now Sirius, following the other boy’s gaze, also eyed his little brother. His brother was too far away for Regulus to spot any emotions on his face.
Right then, the rest of the team dissolved into smaller groups and Sirius used that moment to steer his broom into Regulus' direction. He stopped only a few feet away.
Regulus didn’t move, didn’t say a word. Sirius steadied his grip around the broom and opened his mouth. Then he closed it, thought for a second and opened again.
“Hey.”
Regulus starred in disbelief. “Hey? That’s all you have to say?”
“Merlin, Reggie. I wanted to ask how you are. Can’t you be so defensive all the time?” Sirius cursed.
“Oh, you know. My brother left me for another boy. But other than that I’m doing splendid.” Regulus answered sarcastically.
“You know what, brat, I tried to have a conversation like two adults, but if you can’t even talk normally with me for one bloody second, why even try.” Sirius turned his broom and flew off to meet with Potter. He said something - probably unkind about Regulus - which earned him a sympathetic pat on the back from his best mate.
Dark brown eyes met Regulus for a moment. They looked sad. Maybe even pitiful. Then they turned back to his brother.
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Did you guys know that apparently female hurricanes are more dangerous than male ones?
They are? How does that even make sense?
Simple. Men underestimate them because of the female name and therefore more men die. So it’s because of sexism, but to the disadvantage of the men for once.
Interesting, I like it. How do you even know that?
My mom is a Muggle, so I like to learn some Muggle facts every now and then. They are pretty interesting or even rather entertaining.
I am muggle-born and didn’t even know that fact.
Oh, Arcturus, do you even know what we are talking about?
I think he isn’t reading the messages right now. Otherwise he would have already given some snarky remarks.
Hmm, seems like it. Well, I gotta go study now.
Gotta go as well. Later.
Remus folded the paper and tucked it into the book he brought to the Quidditch field. Peter had left earlier, leaving Remus to watch a very angered Sirius all by himself.
When Remus had observed Sirius flying over to his younger brother, he was rather hopeful. Sirius, normally living up to his name to be the brightest person in the room, had been getting gloomier with every day he didn't talk to Regulus. Sometimes Remus could even catch a glimpse of a shadow falling over James’ face. When Sirius' light went dark it never took long for James to follow suit. They were dependent on each other. Like a heart and lungs. If one didn't work, the other one would soon stop working either.
If Remus had any clue what was going on between the two brothers, he would be the first to help. It made him restless, the feeling of being so far away from Sirius. Emotionally, just as far as they were physically. Remus on the ground, looking up at Sirius and Regulus and finding himself powerless, as Sirius had turned around with apparent frustration.
Remus was pulled out of his thoughts as Regulus caught the snitch and flew over to Dorcas Meadows. They talked a bit, throwing occasional glances at the Gryffindor team, doubtlessly talking about Sirius. Shortly after Regulus left the field, Remus did too.
“Listen, I know their situation is shitty and all, but Sirius being angry is kinda-” Remus explained (yes he didn’t feel great about being attracted to Sirius when the latter was mourning the relationship with his brother, but putting that aside- yeah, no, still not nice. But hormones, okay?).
“If you say one more word, I’ll throw this bowl at your head.” Peter warned him, holding up the spoon he used to stir, threateningly.
“Can’t you indulge me one time? You are like the only one I can talk to about that.” Remus cried and let himself sink into the nearest chair.
Peter eyed him. He then opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it and instead took another spoon to hold some of the cookie dough before Remus' face. “Taste.”
Remus obediently opened his mouth and let the dough melt on his tongue. He was ready for some explosion of delicious flavour, like it was normally the case with Peter’s creations, this time though? “Tastes odd.” he mumbled.
“You taste odd.” Peter grumbles in response, definitely not realising what he had just said - lucky him, Remus was neither James nor Sirius. “Honestly, your taste buds must have been destroyed by all the chocolate you consume, it’s so unhealthy, mate. Maybe you should-”
Remus took the spoon and shoved some of the cookie dough into his friend's mouth to shut him up.
Peter stared back at him, slowly took out the spoon and spun around to come back with a can. “I forgot the sugar.”