Comets and Cupids

“First on the girls list, we have Emmeline Vance and Mary MacDonald.”

Remus watched the two girls grin at each other. Off to a good start, he thought.

“Hestia Jones and Amelia Bones, you two are our second pairing for the girls.” Remus had predicted they would be paired, Evan said that they had been inseparable for practically their whole life and even Hogwarts knew better than to split them up.

“Finally, Dorcas Meadowes and Lily Evans.” He watched the girls subtly high-five. Dorcas would be happy, Remus assumed. Her fear of being paired with an incompetent dancer had clearly not made it any further than her imagination.

That was all the girls. Remus looked around at the pairs. They were incredible dancers and they all got along, Remus knew they could knock the boys out of the park any day. The boys were divided and that would be their downfall.

“Now on to the boys.” Slughorn announced. “As we have made it clear, girls will be paired with girls and boys will be paired with boys.”

“And why, exactly, is that?” A voice called from the back. Remus instantly recognised it to be Regulus. He was probably mad about the fact that he wasn’t paired with Dorcas. If Remus knew anything, it was that Regulus would’ve wanted to do his duet with either Dorcas or Evan. And his chances were becoming slimmer.

Slughorn sighed. “It will be a fundamental factor in choosing our male and female soloists. As you know, we will have two duets at the World’s, two soloists, and one group performance. It is easier for us, as judges, to choose who will come with us to the World’s.”

Remus could practically hear Regulus’ eye roll. “Easier for the judges, that’s what it’s all about isn’t it. Never mind the dancers.” Regulus muttered, and Remus was probably the only one that heard him. Years of eavesdropping had gifted him impeccable hearing.

Slughorn hadn’t heard Regulus’ snide remark, so he began with the boys pairs.

“Our first duet is…” The whole room seemed to hold their breath. “Regulus Black and James Potter.”

Oh, Remus thought. Oh no. He saw James’ eyebrows shoot up and disappear behind his hair. Pure surprise was written all over his face. He didn’t look displeased and Remus knew he wouldn’t be. James seemed to like Regulus, although the pair had had very little encounters, as far as Remus knew.

Regulus, on the other hand, did not seem as content. His arms were folded and while he had a blank look on his face, his eyes were blazing with anger. He didn’t make a sound, he didn’t protest in the way that Remus wouldn’t anticipated, he just glared at Slughorn in silence, not even glancing at James.

James didn’t seem to know what to do. Remus watched him wring his hands before leaning back against the wall. It was then that Remus saw the expression on Sirius Black’s face.

It must’ve been James first time noticing, because the boy immediately straightened up and a look of slight panic crossed his face. Sirius looked confused and if Remus didn’t know him he would’ve suspected a hint of hopelessness. But Remus knew that Sirius just didn’t want his brother dancing with his best friend, it might threaten his own chances. James hadn’t seemed to mind, not until he’d noticed Sirius, anyway.

The silence wasn’t awkward, only loud. James and Sirius seemed to be having some kind of silent conversation going on, but no one else would even have a chance of understanding them. Slughorn seemed aware of the tension but he continued with the list anyway.

Remus’ hands were sweating now and his fingertips were tingling. He was shaking and he cursed himself for letting his nerves get to him.

“Evan Rosier…” Slughorn called. Remus crossed his fingers behind his back. He cleared his mind and silently pleaded that Slughorn would read his name. Please, please, please, he thought. “You will be paired with-“ He glanced at his clipboard. “Barty Crouch Junior.”

Remus had thought that the tension for the previous pair had been bad, but the atmosphere changed so quickly this time that Remus felt his stomach become physically sick. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked around to help calm the nausea.

Evan was stood frozen in shock beside Remus. Barty, at the other end of the group, merely adjusted his rings and yawned. He looked bored. Remus had never felt as angry as he had in that moment. He turned to Evan with the full intention of saying something comforting, but the room was so hushed that not even a whisper would be secret. And after looking at his friend’s distraught face, he knew nothing he could say would help. Evan had been paired with his ex-best friend, now arch nemesis, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Slughorn coughed awkwardly. “And-uh-finally-“ Remus’ attention snapped back and for the first time he registered that he was in the last pair. He searched the room to locate his partner and the realisation hit him at the same moment that Slughorn announced it to the group. “Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.”

. . .

Remus wasn’t sure how quiet the room went after that, the buzzing in his ears droned out everything but his own thoughts. And giving that his brain wasn’t functioning properly, it was pretty quiet up there too.

Evan was the first to snap.

“It’s rigged!” He shouted at no one in particular. “It’s fucking rigged!” His voice was angry but Remus knew him well enough by now to hear the pain in it. He swung a kick at the pile of academy bags and exited the room, slamming the door behind him. Remus remembered Evan, the night before, crying and tearing at his hair, and his heart tore for Evan Rosier.

The group stood in a stunned silence for a moment, before it was interrupted by Regulus, who walked silently from the room. He didn’t make a sound, but his fists were clenched and Remus saw the anger raging in his eyes. James took a few steps back as Regulus walked past, not in an attempt to be humorous, but out of genuine fear. As he stumbled backward, Remus locked eyes with Sirius.

His stomach jolted and he felt suddenly sick again. Sirius was staring at him with a blank face, one that Remus did his best to return. But his cheeks were hot and people were beginning to pile out of the room and he felt distracted. He quickly looked away from Sirius and ran to catch up with the girls.

Mary, Lily, Hestia and Amelia were walking together, exchanging concerned glances.

“I know we’re awful lucky, getting paired up with our friends but…” Lily trailed off.

“It’s not fair, what they’ve done to the boys. Pairing Evan up with Barty, after he broke his heart only months ago?!” Mary said, exasperated.

“And everyone knows Regulus hates James.” Hestia added.

“I suppose you’re the only lucky one, Remus.” Amelia sighed.

Remus winced inwardly. He’d hoped to stay out of this conversation. “No, not really. I haven’t got the highest opinion of Sirius Black.” To put it lightly, he thought. “And he seems to hate me too, so feelings are mutual.”

Mary shook her head. “Glory, you boys are really fucked for these auditions.”

Remus laughed in spite of himself. “Fair point.”

His light mood disappeared quickly when he remembered that he would have to practice, almost everyday, on this duet with Sirius. He wanted to crawl up into a corner and die. Not to be dramatic.

Later that evening Remus found himself once again draped across the common room armchair. Regulus was nowhere to be found and no one had seen Evan for hours. So he was alone.

That was, until James Potter came into the room and threw himself across the couch opposite Remus. He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes.

“What. A. Day.” He yawned. If the matter at hand hadn’t been so serious, Remus might have laughed. James talked to everyone like he’d known them his whole life.

“Tell me about it.”

James looked up at him, surprised. “What have you got to be worried about? You’re paired with Sirius.” He said in genuine bewilderment.

“Yeah Sirius and I…we don’t exactly get along…” He raised an eyebrow at James. “He didn’t mention anything to you?”

James eyebrows knitted together and he shook his head. “Not a word.”

“So. You’ve got Regulus.” Remus said quickly, changing the subject fast before he had to explain why, exactly, he dislikes James’ best friend.

“More like he has me.” James said lazily. But as soon as the words left his mouth his eyes widened and he looked quickly around the room before settling again. Remus thought it was strange but he didn’t give it any further thought. “Well-you know what I mean.” James laughed nervously.

“Er, yeah. So rehearsals will be starting soon.” Remus said.

“Tomorrow I think.”

“That soon?! Lord, I haven’t gotten a thing prepared.” Remus felt himself beginning to stress. What was he to wear? Normal school training gear or official uniform? What time did rehearsals start? In Studio A or B? And what if-

“Don’t stress about it, Lupin.” James said groggily as if he could hear Remus’ thoughts. “‘S the same as usual classes, only difference is it’s on the stage.”

Remus rested his head in his hands. “I’m not looking forward to this.” He complained.

“Me neither. It’ll be a miracle if Regulus even shows up tomorrow.”

“What’s the deal with you too?” He wasn’t sure where they stood, if they hated each other or ignored each other, but he knew it was a personal question so he played it off in a light tone.

James didn’t seem to mind. “Well, he sure hates me, that’s for sure. Haven’t seen him crack a smile towards me in…let’s just say a very long time. He was never talkative-even when we were friendly. He’s just a quiet kind of person, y’know? But he’s very smart. Reads proper good books and studies fancy languages. He’s fluent in French, did you know? Used to speak it sometimes in random conversations, I never understood a word he said. He mentioned once, how he hates being small, but he’s not really that small, is he? I mean he’s up to my nose, but I’m kind of tall. So he’s not really. I don’t know why it bothers him.” He sighed.

Remus blinked. He knew James could talk but…the boy didn’t even seem aware that he’d gone off on a rant after answering the question within the first sentence.

James hung his head back over the couch. “I don’t hate him though. He’s…what happened with Sirius is complicated.” He seemed to be struggling to phrase exactly what he wanted to say. “I know I hang around with Sirius more-obviously, he’s my best friend-but it’s not like I think he’s innocent in that situation. He just refuses to talk about it. And as for Reg, well just because we don’t talk doesn’t mean I blame him for it, either.” He sighed again and his posture slackened where he was lying on his back on the sofa. “They’re both so stubborn-and more alike than they realise. It’s complicated, I suppose.”

“Yeah.” Remus said quietly in agreement. He was so tired and it was later than he had thought. If he was more awake he might’ve given more thought to James’ rant, or given him more of a response. But when he looked over, James was fast asleep on the couch. It wasn’t long before Remus drifted off too.

. . .

He was still tired and his back was sore when he woke up the next morning. For a moment, he wasn’t sure where he was. He looked around through squinted eyes. His blurred vision narrowed on James who still sleeping on the couch with his hair disheveled and his glasses askew. James…the conversation the previous night…Regulus…Sirius…

His eyes opened and his heart dropped. “Rehearsals!” He cried.

He jumped up, ignoring the pain in his back. Damn that armchair, he thought. He woke James up and the panicked boys ran to their dorms to get dressed. They had to be at the stage for nine sharp. Looking at the clock, Remus saw he had ten minutes.

His dormitory was empty, which only added to Remus’ stress. He knew Barty was lazy and undisciplined, so if he was later than him it wouldn’t be a good sign. He threw on his academy gear-including his Lupin jacket, unfortunately-and sprinted for the stairs. James was waiting in the common room and they bolted to class.

“Christ, if I’m late for one more class…” Remus complained as they rushed down the hallways.

They crashed through the stage doors, simultaneously, at exactly 9.01. The rest of the dancers were standing in a line and every single head turned as the pair burst into the room.

“Mr Potter. Mr Lupin.” Slughorn raised his eyebrows at them. He was standing beside Frank Longbottom and peered at them through his thin glasses. His usual clipboard was secured in his hands and he appeared to have been addressing the group.

“You’re late.” Slughorn commented. Remus thought it was a bit of a cheap criticism, coming from him, and he could’ve swore he saw Frank roll his eyes behind Slughorn.

“We, uh, we got lost, you see, sir.” James said with an unusual amount of confidence.

Slughorn blinked. “You got lost? You’ve been in this school for six years and you got lost?”

“Oh yeah. You wouldn’t believe how many corridors this place has.” James said seriously. If he hadn’t been with the boy on his way down here, Remus would’ve fully believed his story. Only for the fact that he knew the truth, was he able to notice the mischievous glint in his eyes and the small smirk on his lips.

Slughorn seemed to know better than to get into it with James, and he merely sighed.

“Alright, let’s get on with it. First day of practising the duets. I wish you all the very best of luck.”