Chapter 6
Chapter 6
“On the Upper East Side, it's easy to think that the world is exactly as it appears. Refined, elegant, imposing... but sometimes, all it takes is a little key to open the door to the wild side.”
Xoxo, Gossip Girl
James Potter
James sat at his desk in his spacious bedroom at Potter Manor, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and papers scattered haphazardly. He was focused on his homework, determined to finish it before the evening's end. The quiet solitude was broken only by the occasional sound of Peter buzzing around him.
Peter moved about the room with his camera in hand. He was in the midst of filming a documentary for the grant that allowed him to study at Hogwarts. The project aimed at capturing the extravagant lifestyles of young women and men in the bustling metropolis. James had reluctantly agreed to participate, viewing it as a favour to his friend rather than a source of excitement.
As Peter filmed various angles of the room, James couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness. He shifted in his chair, trying to ignore the distraction and focus on his studies. But as the minutes stretched on, the monotony of the task began to wear on him.
James glanced up from his homework, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he addressed his friend. "Hey, Pete, you might need to find a more interesting subject for your documentary. I think watching me do homework might put your audience to sleep."
Peter chuckled, adjusting the focus on his camera. "Oh, come on, James. Your thrilling study sessions are going to be the highlight of my film. Who wouldn't want to watch the great James Potter tackle an essay?"
Rolling his eyes, James couldn't suppress a smirk. "You've got a point there. I'm sure the excitement is palpable. But seriously, mate, I don't think anyone wants to see me scribbling away for hours on end."
Grinning, Peter leaned in, capturing James's reaction on film. "Maybe not, but it's all part of the glamorous life of a rich kid, right? The struggles, the sacrifices... like actually having to do homework."
A laugh escaped James's lips. "Ah, yes, the hardships of the elite. Truly, we suffer in silence."
Peter playfully nudged James's shoulder. "Well, maybe if you were a bit more interesting, I'd have something exciting to film."
James raised an eyebrow, feigning offence. "Oi, watch it, Pete. I'm fascinating, thank you very much."
Just as James was about to give in to the urge to take a break, his phone rang, shattering the quiet of the room. He glanced at the caller ID and saw the name flashing on the screen.
“Finally,” Peter grumbled,
"Reg," James said, answering the call with a smile. "What's up?"
Reg's voice crackled through the phone, breaking the silence of James's evening. "Are you free right now?"
James leaned back against the cushions of his favourite armchair, considering his response. "Well, the girls are having a sleepover at Mary's tonight, so Sirius, Remus, and I have been exiled. What about you?"
There was a pause before Reg's voice returned, filled with a hint of mischief. "I told Mother I was spending the night at Pandora's, then we snuck out to meet up with Evan and Barty. We came across some more people along the way, then we ended up here."
James's curiosity piqued. "Wait a minute, what's 'here'?"
Reg's reply was cryptic. "719 East 82nd Street."
James's brow furrowed as he processed the information. "That's school, is it not?"
A chuckle sounded from Reg's end. "Bring your bathing suits."
With that, the line went dead, leaving James intrigued.
Pete's eyebrows lifted in intrigue as he watched James's reaction. "What was that all about?"
James glanced at Peter, a hint of apology in his eyes. "I gotta talk to Sirius first."
Peter followed James out of the room, camera in hand, but before he could press for more information, James turned to him with a regretful smile. "Wormy? No camera for this, sorry mate."
Understanding, Peter nodded and remained behind as James ventured out to find Sirius. Moments later, James knocked on Sirius's door, and it swung open to reveal his best friend's curious expression.
"Pads, Reg just called me," James began, his voice a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. "He wants us to go to some party at school. We're supposed to bring our swimsuits."
Sirius's eyes widened with surprise. "Reg invited us somewhere? We have to go, Prongs."
James's expression turned slightly concerned. "Are you sure? You've been drinking a lot these past few weeks. I don't want you falling into old habits."
Sirius waved off James's concern with a dismissive gesture. "I'm fine, Prongs. Plus, this is the first time he's really invited me to hang out with his friends. I can't say no."
James hesitated, but ultimately nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's do it then. But promise me you'll take it easy tonight, alright?"
Sirius flashed James a reassuring grin. "Of course, mate. I'll be fine. Let's go have some fun."
James's voice echoed down the hallway, a grin spreading across his face as he glanced at Sirius. "Pete?"
From down the hall, Peter's voice rang out in response. "Yeah?"
Still grinning, James raised his voice to be heard. "I think your documentary is about to get a lot more interesting…"
Evan Rosier
Evan Rosier leaned back against the cool tile wall of the change room, a contented smile playing on his lips as he caught his breath. The air was thick with the scent of chlorine and something else, something intoxicating that always seemed to surround Barty. His heart was still racing from their encounter, but it was a familiar thrill, one he had grown to crave.
Across from him, Barty straightened his shirt with a casual ease, his dark eyes glinting with mischief as he met Evan's gaze. "Enjoyed yourself, Rosier?" he teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Evan chuckled softly, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Always," he replied, his voice low with satisfaction.
Barty stepped closer, the space between them crackling with tension. "Good," he murmured, reaching out to trace a finger along Evan's jawline. "Because we've got a party to get back to."
Evan nodded, reluctantly pulling away from Barty's touch and straightening his own clothes. They had been down this road countless times before, sneaking away from the crowd to steal moments together in secret. It was a dangerous game they played, but one that neither of them seemed willing to stop.
Evan couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in his chest. He knew he should feel guilty for indulging in their hook ups, for allowing himself to fall deeper and deeper for Barty with each passing day. But in that moment, surrounded by the faint, pulsing beat of the music and the glow of the moonlight, all he could feel was a profound sense of longing.
He stole a glance at Barty, the man who unknowingly held his heart in his hands, and he knew that no matter how dangerous this might be, he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. He loved Barty, even if he hadn’t had the courage to say it outloud yet. That has never been the problem though. Barty is reckless, spooked easily by anything requiring permanence and whatever they had, it was too delicate to withstand his reaction. It was fragile but he got to touch him and kiss him and feel him, and he got to keep him as a friend. Evan told himself it was enough, because it had to be.
As Evan and Barty stepped out of the change room together, they were met with the unexpected sight of Regulus and Pandora waiting for them. Regulus arched an eyebrow at their slightly dishevelled appearance, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"Looks like you two had fun," Regulus quipped, his tone teasing but not unkind.
Evan felt a flush creeping up his neck as he exchanged a glance with Barty, both of them trying to suppress a smile. Before they could respond, Pandora excused herself with a graceful nod, slipping away to mingle with the other partygoers. It seemed like she knew everyone here, Evan noted with a hint of admiration.
Just then, the scene was interrupted by the arrival of James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter.
"Hey, guys," James greeted with a grin, clapping Peter on the back. "Hope we're not interrupting anything too scandalous."
Remus chuckled softly, shooting a playful glance at Evan and Barty. "Knowing these two, I wouldn't be so sure," he remarked, earning a playful shove from Sirius. Peter had a camera in hand, and James quickly explained that Peter was filming a documentary for his Grant.
Evan laughed nervously, feeling a pang of guilt at the inside joke. He hoped they couldn't see right through him and Barty, couldn't see the tangled web of secrets and desires that bound them together. But as he glanced at Barty, a flicker of something warm and hopeful stirred in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he could keep his love hidden a little while longer.
Evan watched as Regulus and Remus struck up a conversation, their voices mingling easily as they delved into some shared interest. There was a warmth in the air between them, a connection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment. It was a sight that Evan couldn't help but envy, the easy camaraderie between two people who had just met.
Beside him, Sirius shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flickering with a hint of something Evan couldn't quite place. Jealousy, perhaps? It wouldn't be the first time Sirius had shown a possessive streak, especially when it came to his brother.
Barty, ever perceptive, seemed to sense the tension radiating from Sirius. He leaned in close, his voice low as he addressed him. "Are you jealous, Sirius?" he asked, his tone teasing but with a hint of concern.
Sirius tensed at the question, his jaw clenching as he avoided Barty's gaze. "Of course not," he muttered, but there was a defensive edge to his words that didn't go unnoticed.
Barty raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Are you jealous of Remus because he seems to be bonding better with Regulus? Or are you jealous of Regulus because he's talking to Remus?" he pressed, his tone teasing but gentle.
Sirius hesitated for a moment, his expression conflicted. Finally, he let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Maybe a bit of both," he admitted reluctantly, his gaze darting between Evan and Barty.
Evan couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Sirius, caught between his friendship and his feelings for Remus, even if Sirius didn't quite understand how he felt yet.
The poolside gathering was disrupted by sudden, aggressive yelling. His head snapped in the direction of the commotion, just in time to witness a heated altercation unfolding between two partygoers, their voices rising in anger.
Before anyone could react, a forceful shove sent one of the men careening backward, his skull connecting with a nearby metal pole with a sickening thud before he plummeted into the water below. A gasp escaped Evan's lips as crimson liquid began to mingle with the clear pool water, staining it a gruesome shade of red.
Instinct kicked in as James, ever the hero, wasted no time in springing into action. With swift, decisive movements, he launched himself into the pool without a second thought, disappearing beneath the surface in pursuit of the fallen man.
Evan's heart hammered in his chest as he watched, helpless, his mind racing with a mixture of fear and concern. Every passing second felt like an eternity as he waited anxiously for any sign of James resurfacing.
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the seconds stretched into what felt like agonising minutes. Evan's heart pounded in his chest as James emerged from the water, the unconscious man cradled in his arms. Relief washed over Evan as he watched James carefully lay the injured individual on the poolside, wasting no time before beginning to administer CPR. The urgency of the situation was palpable, every second feeling like an eternity.
Amidst the chaos, Regulus's voice cut through the din, sharp and commanding as he called for an ambulance. Evan felt a surge of gratitude towards Regulus for taking charge in the midst of the crisis.
As Regulus dialled for help, the other partygoers sprang into action, hastily gathering their belongings in preparation to leave. Evan joined the flurry of movement, his mind still reeling from the shock of the accident.
In the midst of the rush, Evan's attention was drawn to Barty, who seemed to move with a purposeful determination. His eyes darted to the table nearby, where the key to the pool lay abandoned amidst the scattered belongings. With a swift, decisive motion, he pocketed the key.
Evan's brow furrowed in confusion at Barty's actions, his mind whirled with a mixture of emotions as he watched Barty's seemingly calculated move, but there was little time to dwell on it amidst the chaos. With a final glance towards James and the injured man, Evan followed the others as they hurried away from the scene, the weight of the night's events heavy on his mind.
The room fell silent as Professor McGonagall's stern voice filled the air, commanding attention from all the students gathered before her. Evan's heart pounded in his chest as he exchanged nervous glances with his friends, the gravity of the situation sinking in with each passing word.
On the large screen at the front of the room, images flickered into view, captured on a cellphone left behind at the ill-fated party. Faces blurred in and out of focus, frozen in moments of revelry and mischief, undeniable proof of who had been present at the party.
"Thanks to the cellphone somebody left behind," Professor McGonagall began, her tone cutting through the silence like a knife, "we've got plenty of evidence of who was at the party."
Evan swallowed hard, his palms growing clammy as he listened to the professor's words. He couldn't shake the sense of dread that settled over him like a heavy cloak, the weight of the consequences hanging heavy in the air.
"Lucky for you," Professor McGonagall continued, her expression grave, "the individual who was injured is going to be fine."
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the room, but it was short-lived as the professor's next words brought the reality crashing back down.
"Unlucky for you," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment, "we need to hold someone responsible."
Evan's heart sank as he realised the severity of their predicament. They were facing not only the wrath of their parents but the very real threat of expulsion from Hogwarts.
"I've already contacted your parents," Professor McGonagall announced, her gaze sweeping over the assembled students, "at least those I could reach,” Her eyes settled on Pandora, “And I look forward to reading your 10,000-word personal essays on how you ended up on school property after hours, using alcohol and drugs, where a fellow student almost died."
Evan struggled to process the professor's words. How had everything gone so wrong? And more importantly, how were they going to get out of this mess?
"In other words," Professor McGonagall concluded, her voice steely, "what the hell is wrong with you?"
Evan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his mind racing with a million unanswered questions. But before he could dwell on them for long, the professor's next words brought a sense of impending doom crashing over him.
"I'll be conducting one-on-one interviews until I discover who broke into the pool and initiated the party," Professor McGonagall declared, her gaze lingering on each student in turn. "That person will be expelled. If that person is not identified, then all of you will be facing expulsion."
The group gathered at the front of the school, the weight of their predicament heavy on their shoulders as they huddled together, voices low and tense.
"So we all know how this works?" Barty spoke up, his tone sombre but resolute.
Evan nodded, his jaw set with determination. "If no one talks, no one gets into trouble."
James piped in, a hint of frustration colouring his voice. "And who did break in anyway?"
Sirius shot James a teasing grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Guess we don't have to worry about James cracking under pressure."
James rolled his eyes in response. "Hey!"
Sirius chuckled, nudging James playfully. "You're terrible at keeping secrets, mate. But don't worry, it's endearing."
James shot a pointed glance at Regulus, who merely shrugged in response.
Remus spoke up, his voice firm. "So, are we all agreed?"
Regulus nodded in agreement. "Agreed."
But James couldn't help but voice his concerns. "Are you guys sure about this 'don't ask, don't tell' shit? I mean, Peter's here on a Grant."
Pandora stepped forward, her expression confident. "It works every time. As long as Peter keeps his mouth shut, we'll be just fine. I just hope he knows how to keep a secret."
Evan glanced around at his friends, noting the mixture of determination and anxiety etched on their faces. They were in this together, bound by the unspoken code of loyalty that had long defined their friendship, all of them except Peter. They didn’t know him, not like they knew each other. And James’ affinity for taking in strays was gonna screw them all over if he couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"I know Peter," James spoke up, his voice calm and steady. "He's loyal to a fault. He won't say a word."
Peter nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with determination. "I won't, I promise."
Sirius clapped Peter on the back, a reassuring smile on his face. "That's the spirit, mate. We've got each other's backs."
Evan scanned the faces of his friends, noting the tension that gripped each of them. They were standing on the edge of a precipice, and one wrong move could send them all tumbling into oblivion.
"If one person breaks, we're all screwed," Barty's voice cut through the silence, his tone grave.
Evan nodded in agreement, his jaw set with determination. "We can't afford any slip-ups. We need to keep quiet, no matter what."
Barty's voice was firm as he spoke up. "So, we stick to the plan. No talking, no matter what happens."
With a silent understanding, the group dispersed, each of them carrying the weight of their shared secret as they went their separate ways. As Evan watched them go, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over him. They were walking a dangerous tightrope, and one wrong step could spell disaster for them all. But as long as they remained united in their silence, they stood a fighting chance of making it out unscathed.