𝕹𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖊'𝖘 𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖐𝖊𝖍𝖔𝖑𝖉
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!TW!
!MENTIONS OF EATING DISORDERS!
!MENTIONS OF CHARACTER DEATH!
!SLURS!
!DEPRESSIVE THOUGHTS!
!MENTIONS OF SELF HARM!
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3rd Person, Harry’s POV
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Harry Potter was extremely bored. He and Draco had been alone in the castle for about a month. Granted, there was McGonnagal and Dumbledore, but Madame Pomfrey seldom let him leave the Hospital Wing and Draco would usually leave him to be around the castle. So yes, he was tired of being unable to move from his cot surrounded by uncomfortable white.
He groaned in frustration. He had put more fat on his face, no longer worn-looking but his eye bags wouldn’t go away, making him insecure. The nutrient medicines also put more meat on his bones, he was still entirely too thin but it wasn’t as bad anymore. Still, Harry felt like he was getting too fat but didn’t protest knowing that Madame Pomfrey would have none of it. The students of 1977 would be arriving at Hogwarts tomorrow and the less he complained the more likely it is that the strict nurse would be obliged to let him go.
As much as he disliked Draco, he wished he’d at least keep him company. It was so lonely and boring while Draco was allowed to go about without being hassled. Harry huffed crossing his arms. The only time the blonde was around was if he was carrying a message from Dumbledore or if he was trying to force Harry to memorize their cover-up. He really was no fun, but he did come at night to sleep in the Hospital Wing with him but he said it was just because he didn’t want to sleep in the Gryffindor Tower more than he had to. Harry had picked up drawing as a hobby since there was quite literally nothing to do. Harry had never had time for hobbies other than quidditch back in his time. He had always been busy trying not to die, not failing potions, the ministry and Daily Prophet were always up his ass, plus clinical depression happened to be very time-consuming.
He thought about his time at Hogwarts. It was very stressful, especially for someone who had learned he was worthless all his life and was then thrust into the position of savior. It had been a lot but Dumbledore depended on him to be the boy who lived so he did what he had to. Things had been easier when he had been with Cedric. He made him feel like a person again. He didn’t have to be anything more than a scrawny teen who was socially awkward. Cedric had been his savior. And then he killed him.
Harry took a sharp breath at the screamfilled and tearful memory. He shook his head, he couldn’t bear going down that rabbit hole of memories with no way of shredding his wrists afterward like a cheese grater. He couldn’t be alone with his thoughts right now. He wished the bloody ferret would just come back if he were to be his only company during this.
He thought about what his parents would be like. He envisioned his father to be handsome, confident, funny, and easy-going and his mother to be beautiful, smart, charming, and gentle. Everything he wasn’t. He wondered how they’d feel if they knew that Harry was their son. He imagined they’d be terribly disappointed. The thought made him frown. He didn’t want them to know. He wished, at the very least, he could just watch them from afar. They didn’t even need to like him, he just wanted to see them happy, just once. Happy before him. Harry ruined their lives. Fuck. Maybe he shouldn’t do this. Maybe he could just hide in the Room of Requirements until they found a way to go back.
His thoughts were interrupted by Madame Pomfrey coming for his daily round of medicine. It was foul-tasting, sometimes he thought she did it on purpose. Certainly, there was a spell to make it taste better. He shivered, thinking about Skeligrow.
He conjured himself a notebook and a pen and sketched to keep his hands busy until sunset. The Hospital Wing had a spectacular view of the colorful sky that Harry rather enjoyed. The clouds dragged along it like streaks of paint. It made him smile. He wished he had a camera. He thought of Colin Creevy, he was a funny guy, a little annoying at times, but a true Gryffindor.
Speaking of true Gryfiindor, a certain Malfoy decided to finally show his face.
“About time. I thought you might’ve been held hostage by Peeves.”
“Settle down, mum. I’m not home after curfew, am I?” Draco sassed.
“Come off it. Where’ve you been?”
Draco smirked and wiggled his brows cockily. “What? Have you been missing me, Potter?”
What a ponce. “Fine, whatever. Go sleep in the shrieking shack for all I care.”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, I was looking for timeline context, you dolt.”
Jesus Christ, this boy was so punchable sometimes. Damn him for being smart. “Well, then? What’d you find?”
“Slughorn is Potions Professor this year, your sweetheart was born this year, your parents are head boy and girl for Gryffindor, The Weasleys have already got 3 kids by now, they breed like pack rats that family, that idiot Lockhart is a second year if you’ll believe it, The Dark Lord is on the rise, and some bloke named Harold Minchum is the Minister of Magic.”
Harry processed all of the information. He had entirely forgotten that Cedric had been born in 1977 as well. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Most of the information Malfoy had acquired was interesting but not entirely useful. “This is important because-?”
“Because I reckon it’d be suspicious if we didn’t know anything about the 70’s, retard.” He sneered.
“Alright, fine! Calm your tits,” Draco’s face fired up about to retort but Harry cut him off. “Students are arriving tomorrow for the feast and I think we should at the very least be on the same page.”
He groaned. “Fine. But that doesn’t mean I have to like you.”
“That’s fine, but we at least have to be on the same team if we don’t want to ruin shit.”
“Whatever, scar face.”
“For starters, if we’re supposed to be childhood friends we sort of have to be, you know, friendly. Plus we’re supposed to know a lot about each other so if you’re done acting like a ponce- what’s your favorite color?”
Draco stared at him in disbelief but sat on the single-seater sofa he conjured. “Potter, are you serious?” Harry stubbornly watched him expectantly. “It’s green.”
Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Such a typical Slytherin.”
“Alright, then what’s your favorite color!”
“. . . Red.” Draco snorted.
“Fucking hypocrite.”
“Ok, fine! What’s your favorite class then?”
“Easy, potions.”
“That’s not fair, Snape’s practically your uncle.”
“Not my fault you’re shit at instructions.”
“Whatever, I like defense against the dark arts.”
“No shit.”
“Just shut up, will you?”
“I thought you wanted to learn more about each other,” Draco smirked, he always knew how to press his buttons.
“You’re impossible.” Harry tossed his head back with a groan of frustration. “There’s got to be something we agree on.”
“We both think you suck.” Thanks, Malfoy. You’re ever so helpful.
“We both like quidditch?” Even the stubborn ferret couldn’t deny that. He sighed.
“We’re both only children?” Finally, the snake decided to be useful.
He thought long and hard. Why was it so impossibly difficult to find something they could have in common? At the end of it all, they were both just two teenage boys. He stared dumbfounded. Where they really that different? “Um, we had detention together that one time in first year?”
Draco snorted, “My father didn’t let me hear the end of that for ages.”
“Good, you bloody left me like a scared cat.” Harry bantered.
“Oi, it was our teacher drinking a deformed horse’s blood in the forbidden forrest and I was 11! I’m sorry not everyone can be Harry bloody Potter, the boy who loves to almost get himself killed!” Draco defended himself while Harry laughed, quirking his brows at Malfoy, poking fun.
The blonde huffed, crossing his arms, mumbling, “At least I have some sense of self preservation.”
“Well that’s no fun.” Harry grinned. “D’you think Snape will have a heart attack if he finds out who we are?”
Draco glared. “We’re not supposed to get found out, you git.”
“I know that, but what if people did? How’d you think they’d react?”
Malfoy frowned for a moment before laughing. “My father would hate that I’m a Gryffindor,” He smirked, “Might not even correct him just to tick him off.”
Harry thought the blonde’s laugh to be rather contagious, he had never heard a real laugh from him, not just a snide laugh, but this was genuine joy. “I might kill Pettigrew if I get the chance.”
“Not very golden boy of you,” Draco hummed. “Plus, I think that’d bug the timeline a bit.”
The raven haired boy snorted. “Yeah, a bit.”
“Oh, something you should know, don’t mention it when the marauders-”
“Who?”
“That’s just what my dad and his friends call themselves, just don’t mention it when they sneak out sometimes, I don’t know if you remember but Lupin’s a werewolf,” Draco scowled. “Oh shut up, and they’ll be defensive about it so just don’t.”
“Fine.”
“Also they’re animagus.”
“Of course they are, what else would I expect from someone who created someone as insufferable as you.”
“Beleive me, Malfoy, the feeling is mutual.”
The sky was now dark and clear, not a single cloud covering the crystal stars. “Look, you can see my constellation, there.”
Harry snorted. “You don’t own stars, Malfoy.”
“Are you dull, my name is literally after a constellation, it’s right there, the one that looks like snake.” Harry squinted and spotted it, letting out a small ‘oh’. “Draconis means dragon, which you’d know if you ever paid attention in astronomy.”
“Sorry, I sort of space out when the topic turns to anything you related.” Sigh, bothering Malfoy never gets old.
“That’s untrue, you stalked me all of last year.”
“Only cus I thought you were up to something and no one would believe me!” And maybe because he was somewhat intrigued by the blonde. “And I was right! Plus you tried to kill me!”
“That’s such an exhageration, you’d think you’d know when someone was trying to actually kill you by now. I was simply intending to scare you into leaving me the hell alone.”
“You broke my nose.”
“You didn’t take the hint.”
“You almost killed my friend with a necklace.”
“You almost killed me in a bathroom!”
“You killed Dumbledore!”
Ooh. Ouch, that seemed to have struck a nerve because Malfoy’s face went stony and silent. He silently stood and turned to leave. “Wait-”
“Good night, Potter.” Harry’s mouth felt dry as he watched the tall Slytherin retreating to who knows where. Great. He doesn’t know why he said that, it was stupid. No, what he didn’t know is why he felt sorry! It was true, afterall, he had killed Dumbledore, Harry had nothing to apologize for. Still, he felt his heart clench as soon as the words left his mouth. It was probably just because talking about Dumbledore’s death hurt.
Harry turned to sleep but couldn’t help but feel as though Nerine’s flower petals where reaching through his chest to claw at his heart. The long, thing flower bulbs were entangling around his arteries and clenching around them. Harry wished the boy hadn’t left. Whatever, He didn’t need him if he was just going to sulk around.
He just hoped they could get a grip by the time the feast started.
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3rd person, Sirius’ 1977 POV
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Sirius Black couldn’t be happier. This was his year, he could feel it. He no longer had to live in the Black household, for the past two summers he’s lived at James’ and now he gets to spend the rest of the year with his best friends all over again. Nothing could ruin this.
“Hey, how many new Gryffindors this year, place your bets boys!” James swung his legs over Peters’ messing around with a chocolate frog, tossing the card.
“I say 5!”
“Peter, you bet the same thing every year.”
He shrugged. “What can I say, I’m a man of habit.”
Sirius laughed, shoving him playfully, leaning on Remus. “Oh, a man now, are we? Does that mean old Wormy’s gonna get a girlfriend this year?”
James grinned. “Peter, you dog!”
“Nah, that’s Sirius.”
“Guilty!” Sirius fell off the seat when James’ frog landed flat on his face with a yelp. Remus chuckled, rolling his eyes.
“Do you guys think we’ll beat our detention record?”
“Fingers crossed.”
“Mates, I have so many new prank ideas for this year, I’ve been planning all summer! It’s our last year and we’ve really got to make it count.” Sirius’ face lit up, showing off his dog-like canines.
“It’s true, he’s been writing all summer, I was scared he was going Moony on us.”
“Padfoot can write?” He stuck out his tongue at Peter.
“Yes, I can write,” He turned away his face indignantly. “And I’ve happen to write a lot of genius pranking, but if I’m unappreciated-”
“Quit being melo-dramatic, Pads, what are the Marauders if not Hogwarts most feared pranksters?” Potter ran a hand through his black, messy hair, and his glasses laying gently over his joyful hazel eyes.
“I’m starved, I hope the feast is good.”
“Peter, you’re always starved and you know damn well the elves know how you like cheese platter.”
“Speaking of which, we’re here boys.” They all got up, cleaning after themselves and getting their luggage from above. He cast a simple floating charm on his trunk and had it glide softly behind him as he strolled up to self-moving carriages with the rest. Frank and Alice squeezed in with them.
“Hey, Frank, how goes?”
“All good, my mums been on my arse about grades.”
Ah, Sirius had met Longbottom’s mother once while waiting for the train at 9¾ and she was perhaps looked almost as stern as McGonagall after losing a quidditch match. She wore an odd hat with feathers sticking out in every direction. He and James had tormented Frank about it for months. “But your practically one of the brightest in our year!” James shouted incredulously.
“Yeah but I s’pose mum expects me to be at the very top.”
“Tough luck, Evans lives at the top and you’d have better luck convincing Hagrid he’s a dwarf than evicting Lily from her spot.” Alice smirked.
“Yeah, she’s pretty great, isn’t she?” James smiled fondly. Sirius rolled his eyes and Peter did a fake barf over the side of the carriage.
“Oh, that’s right, I heard old Jamie here finally got Gryffindor’s resident redhead to give in to his endless antics.” Frank patted him on the back while cocking an eye brow.
Lily Evans had agreed to date James near the end of last year and the boy was positively the sun since then. The poor Potter owl couldn’t catch a break all summer. “About time, too. I was terribly worried that I’d have to watch you two circle around eachother til my grave.” Alice snorted. Alice Fortescue was a pretty girl, she had a short brown hair and brown eyes, and although she was only 5’4 she could glare you down any day.
“Look! We’re here!” The wooden wagon came to a stop and the Marauders toppled out over eachother running up to enter the great hall. They went to their usual spot at the far end of the Gryffindor table. James spotted Lily along with Marlene and Dorcas and ran up like a love-sick puppy spinning her around by the waist and giving her a peck on the cheek. The other two girls coo’d at them while Lily turned a bright pink and shoved his face away while smiling. Sirius couldn’t be happier for his friends. Such dorks.
“Shut up the sorting is starting!” The girls went to go sit a little bit down the table with their own conversations, Prongs glancing back now and then to look at Lily. The sorting went by fairly quickly, the three of them each sliding James five sickles each as there had been in fact 7 new Gryffindors this year as he smirked triumphantly.
“Look, it’s good old Dumbledore, then we can eat.” Peter commented quietly.
“Settle down now, I know we all have a very exciting year ahead of us with new classes and perhaps new friends. I want you all to be welcoming to our new first years as well as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year, Proffesor Brindlemore.” A witch with long, auburn hair pulled up in a claw clip and purple robes gave a curt smile. She seemed nice and young, hopefully not too strict.
Dumbledore continued. “Among other announcements, Filch has asked me to remind all students that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students and to refrain from spells in the halls and that you all must remain in bed after curfew.” Aha. Sirius would quote him on that later, he already had a prank in mind. Also, when has anyone ever taken Filch seriously?
“One last announcement before my last few words and then you may all eat as I’m sure many of you would wish I’d hurry this up.” Some people laughed softly as the old wizard’s eyes linger particularly on the Gryffindor table. “Very well, we have two new exchange students this year, please come out Misters Harry Elphric and Julian Alban.”
The Marauders shared a curious look as two boys came out. One was shorter than the other and rather nervous looking while the other had an air of indifference. Sirius assumed the more anxious looking one was Harry Elphric. He had rather big doe eyes that where a sky blue and messy brown hair that seemed to defy gravity with curls that went in every direction. He was cute, perhaps he’d steal a snog at some point, Sirius smirked. The other had to be Julian Alban, a lanky boy that trailed after the other had sandy hair with neater curls that sat perfectly on his head with brown eyes. Sirius noted that he had the perfect build for a chaser.
The two boys stood next to Dumbledore, the brunette’s gaze darting around the room while the taller seemed to pointedly look anywhere but the Slytherin table. “They’ve been privately been sorted in my office before hand and I’m proud to say, GRYFFINDOR!” The table erupted with cheers competing with the Slytherin boo’s and jeers. The two made their way down to the table slowly, seeming to be arguing under their breaths until they decided to sit at the emptiest part of the mahogany table.
“Now I’d like to say a few words. Ostrich, chimney, horseshoe, centaur, canary, initiative, and niffler. Enjoy your feast!” The tables became covered in fantastic foods and the Great Hall was filled with chatter as the Headmaster returned to his seat at the staff table.
“Weird, I didn’t know Hogwarts had an exchange program.” Remus conversed as he shoved some potatoes on his plate.
“I wonder what year they’re in.” James slid cranberry sauce next to his chicken.
“The small one looks like maybe a 5th year but the blonde one could be in our year.” Watching Peter try to beat his record of ‘how many cheese chunks can I shove into my mouth at once’ never gets old.
“Well they’re Gryffindors so they can’t be too bad.” Sirius tore into the ribs messily.
Remus grinned mischievously. “Too right, Sirius, they are Gryffindors, aren’t they? Dear James, what do you suppose that means?”
“What?”
“It means there were nine new Gryffindors this year, not seven. Hand over the winnings.” Remus grinned wolfishly. James tossed over the coins with a groan.
“I wonder what’s the story with those two.”
“Peter, don’t eat with your mouth open.”
“Yes, mumsie jamsie.” Peter grinned at him with a ton of chicken in his teeth. Yuck.
“Maybe they’re actually vampires or something. They are really pale.” Peter was usually full of nonsense but he was right, glancing back at them he noticed that the doe-eyed boy looked as though he had just been coming back from a particularly bad illness, pale faced with a pink nose and flushed cheeks. The other was a more porcelein kind of pale, like he was made of sculpted glass. The two seemed to be arguing over the Caesar salad.
“That’d be cool as long as they don’t kill anyone.”
Remus snorted. “Please, look at the short one, I don’t reckon he’d kill a bug.”
“We should go give them a Marauder welcome to Gryffindor, see what’s their story.” James picked at his teeth with a a thin chicken bone. They slid down the table right in fron of the two new Gryffindors.
Harry seemed shocked, staring wide-eyed at the four of them with glassy eyes. Julian seemed skeptical and reserved. “Hey there! Welcome to Gryffindor, the best house at Hogwarts,” Sirius was sure he saw Julian’s lip curl down slightly. “I’m James, this here is Sirius, Remus, and Peter.”
Harry seemed to be at a loss for words (who could blame him, Sirius knew he was drop dead gorgeous) until his friend elbowed him. “Oh- um- sorry, hi. Erm- nice to meet you?” So he was a little awkward.
James laugh seemed to make things worse as the boys eyes seemed to gloss over. Thank merlin for Moony, he sensed it and quickly took the reigns. “Harry and Julian, right? Don’t mind this lot, bunch of idiots they are. What year are you two in?”
Harry was apperently non verbal at the moment so Julian took over for him. “7th years.” He seemed colder and less friendly. Damn, maybe this new kid was a git. Pity.
“Really? Us too, but blimey, Harry we thought you were a 5th year!” Shocked out of his daze at being spoken too directly, he just numbly nodded with big eyes.
“Excuse him, he’s just rather shocked at being in a new place.” Julian side eyed the other elbowing him again under the table and he became responsive again.
“Ouch-! Sorry, um I’m Harry.”
The Marauders looked at eachother silently. If they were in the same year as them that meant they’d be sharing their dorm. This could be very bad indeed. “Yeah we got that much, mate. Why’re you two transferring so late?”
“We were home schooled together but then our parents decided to send us here because of the Death Eater scares, if that explains why this dotter is so socially retarded.” The blonde responded in a neat manner. Definitely pure blood etiquette, Sirius took note.
“Shut up, I’m plenty more sociable than you.” Harry picked around his plate with his fork, occasionally nibbling on a cucumber slice.
“So you two are friends, then?” Peter took one of their baskets bread buns. They nodded stubbornly, not making eye contact.
“I must say, Alban, you’ve got the perfect build for a chaser. You play quidditch much?” Sirius felt giddy. He and James were quidditch celebrities at Hogwarts. “James is Captain if you want to try out for the team. We’ve been looking for two new chasers and a seeker. All graduated last year.”
Julian looked them up and down judgmentally but nodded. “Yeah, I play. Haven’t brought my broom, though.”
“That’s alright, you can borrow the school brooms.” Julian frowned in disgust. Bloody hell, was this boy uptight. Harry had been quietly listening the whole time and Sirius couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being inspected by the boy. He was used to people looking at him of course, but this was different. It wasn’t in awe but rather, in remorse.
Moony seemed to be extra curious about Harry. “What about you? Do you play?”
“Oh- um yeah, I’m alright.” Alban snorted incredulously.
“Oh quite the timid act, Elphric. He’s the best bloody seeker anyone’s ever seen.” Although, he didn’t sound like it was a compliment. Harry went a little pink in the ears.
“That’s not true-”
“You should try out for seeker, Harry!” James positively beamed. Whatever hesitation the boy had seemed to vanish. It was as almost like if James had said so, Harry agreed.
“Ok, then.” Harry grinned. The rest of the feast carried on like always until it was time for the prefects to gather all the first years and head up to their houses.
“Moony is Prefect, the perfect little saint he is, and James and Lily are are Head Boy and Girl. They basically represent their house and they can give detentions. Which is convenient for us since it means we’ve practically beat the system. We’re renowned pranksters here at Hogwarts, you see.” Sirius and Peter stayed behind with the two while James and Remus guided the ickle firsties to the Gryffindor Tower.
“I’ve got friends like that, back home. Er- Greg and Ford.” Alban snorted and mumbled something that sounded like ‘smooth’.
“Watch the last step there, the staircases move.” Even as Sirius said this, neither of them looked phased and even seemed to already know their way around. Alban, the smarter of the two as much as Padfoot could note, noticed his confusion.
“Oh, um, Dumbledore let us stay a week or two early to get a feel of the castle.” Sirius found this strange.
Peter almost tripping on a disappearing step with a squeak. “Blimey, only a few weeks? It took me til the 3rd year to get this place figure out.”
“Ah look, the lovely fat lady.” The plump woman rolled her eyes and blushed.
“Hello to you too, Mr. Black.” She smiled and looked at Harry and Julian with an odd expression.
“Just Sirius, if you please.” He gave her a charming smile. “Hippopotamus, please.” The portrait swung open to let them in. They found Remus and James already sprawled on the red sofa by the fire place. Sirius took a running leap into James lap and Peter took his spot next to Remus. Harry and Julian followed behind closely. Harry smiled, looking around fondly although, the other appeared bewildered at the amount of red everywhere. He looked vaguely green.
“The Fat Lady likes us so she lets us sneak out at night without snitching.” Sirius explained while the two took a seat on the love seat except they couldn’t be sitting farther apart.
“Do you guys like Gryffindor Tower?” James grinned, the fire glowing.
Harry nodded enthusiastically. Julian looked rather disgruntled. “It’s wonderful.”
“Gryffindor is the best house, after all. The Slytherins get the dungeons, slimy gits.” Alban’s jaw clenched but said nothing. What was his problem? He’d talk to the others but him later.
“Oh- erm, yeah-”
“Seems a bit biased, no?” Oh boy. He was a Slytherin lover. Dear Merlin.
James smile faltered. “Um, what?”
“Just seems like you’re trying to indoctrinate us into hating Slytherins without cause.” Harry looked like he was dying a little on the inside. He tried to slap at Julian’s leg but he just shoved his shoulder right back. “Who’s to say that Gryffindors aren’t the brash meat heads?”
The boy couldn’t have said anything worse in the middle of a Gryffindor common room. The results were immediate. Remus and Peter looked at each other in silent judgement and James leaned back incredulously.
“Well if you such a snake lover, why’re you in Gryffindor?” Sirius thought viciously, maybe they were really Slytherin death eaters trying to infiltrate their glorious tower.
Harry glared long an hard at his friend. Well, at least one of them was salvable. “I’m here because that’s what the hat told me.”
A awkward silence fell over the group before Elphric excused himself and his friend up to the dorms. He wouldn’t even think on how they knew where to go. Sirius waved goodbye as they descended up the spiral stairs.
“So. . .”
“He’s bloody weird.” Remus nodded.
“What a git, he just got here and he’s already dishing dirty looks. Proper ponce, that one.” James frowned.
“The Elphric kid doesn’t look half bad, though. Little awkward but seems nice enough.”
“Did you guys get the feeling that he was staring a little too much?” Sirius couldn’t shake the feeling.
“Pads, we’re great, of course he was staring.” James cocked a smile.
“No,” Remus though long and hard. Heh. Long and Hard. “No, Sirius is right, did you see the way he looked at you, James? Thought he would’ve started sobbing on the spot.”
“Well, I mean, you’re pureblood, aren’t you? Maybe he knows you from somewhere or something. Could probably be your long lost cousin twice removed.”
“No, I don’t recall seeing him from anywhere or old family books. Matter of fact, neither of them are on any pureblood trees as far as I can remember.”
“So muggleborns?” Peter suggested.
Sirius interrupted. “No, the Alban kid, even just how he talked and manners at the table. Everything about him screamed pureblood heir etiquette.”
“So you think he’s a pureblood?”
“Maybe. I’ll try to do some digging on the last name. No offence, Prongs, but your folks wouldn’t know much about older dark families and definitely don’t have books about them laying around.”
“If he is, that’d explain why he got fired up about Slytherins. His families probably full of them.” James popped out some Bertie Bott’s and made a sour face at a bright lime green one.
“Also, anyone find it strange that they’re childhood best friends that can’t agree on anything?”
“Yeah, I almost feel bad for the bloke. He don’t seem too bad. Bit scrawny, but definitely potential there.” James tossed up a pink jelly bean and Sirius caught it with his mouth. Blegh. Raw salmon.
Remus yawned. “I s’pose we should head up soon. It’s getting kinda late.”
“Yes, mum.” Sirius popped off the couch and made his way up the stairs with the rest in suite. When they got up to the 7th year door with a big ‘M’ on it, they found two new beds added by the bathroom wall and the two new occupants of said beds in the middle of a screaming match.
“You- ugh!”
“How articulate, really-” They paused to stare at them, like deer caught in headlights. Hah, puns. Harry flushed red and Julian glared at them before trudging to go sit on his bed. What the hell was up with these guys?
They all strolled over to their bunks, Sirius flopping dramatically onto the polished wood beds with drapes that were a brilliant red. They all pretended they hadn’t just walked into them arguing. Interesting. Harry kept glancing back at the other. Their trunks were already there, Harry muttered a good load of spells under his breath before his trunk popped open. Odd, and Sirius was sure James and Remus had noticed, too. He took out some night clothes and muttered at his trunk again, locking it back up before going to the bathroom to change. Odd, yet again. Typically, no one had issue of changing openly in the dorms. Maybe he was self conscious?
“So, what’re your schedules for tomorrow?” Remus made conversation although Sirius didn’t like how Alban made a face at Remus. He knew Moony was nervous enough as is because of his scars.
“Transfiguration with Slytherins then Herbology with Hufflepuffs before lunch. DADA with Slytherins followed by Potions also with Slytherins. I added History of Magic with Ravenclaws and Care of Magical Creatures with Hufflepuffs and Astrology with Ravenclaws. Elphric’s got the same.” He answered stiffly. James, ever the socialite, tried to be friendly.
“Really, us too! Except Sirius has muggle studies with Ravenclaws instead of Herbology and Peter took Arithmancy instead of Care of Magical Creatures. I don’t think any of us have Astronomy, we all went for ancient ruins instead but I think Lily might be there.” James either couldn’t tell that Alban really could not care less, or the Gryffindor in him was just pushing through despite.
“Ah. Lily Evans, my girlfriend.” James grinned with pride. “She’s got red hair and smartest witch of our time, I tell ya.”
“Couldn’t have been that smart if she’s with you.” Julian had a death wish. That had to be it. He had muttered it under his breath so quiet that it was barely audible but he heard. James smile fell and Sirius was fuming. Who was this prat?
Just then, Harry came out in a extra large old and worn Jaws t-shirt that went down to his knees and swallowed his frame with red and black plaid pajama pants. He had a grey muggle zipper up hoodie that also seemed entirely too large on him and weathered brown socks. Sirius glanced back at his friends. James was still clearly upset but he knew what he was thinking. Definitely muggle background and not too rich by the looks of it.
“Um, bathroom’s free.” The boy tousled his hair awkwardly, much like James did when he was being cocky, and criss-crossed applesauce on his bed. Alban silently took his things with him and went to change in the bathroom as well. Odd, again. Harry felt the tension in the room and huffed.
“Dear god,” Ok, so DEFINITELY of muggle background. “What’d the git do this time?” Oh? So he was well aware that his friend kinda sucked. Remus tried to descale before James went on a rant.
“Ah, just ran into a bit of scuffing with James, that’s all.” Remus laughed dryly.
“Bit of a bugger, ain’t he?” James crossed his arms. “I was just trying to be friendly after the bit he pulled downstairs and he acts like I personally plotted the death of his family.”
Harry winced. “Sorry, I really am. I wish I could say it’s not like him but, you know. . . Don’t take anything personally, he’s just mad at me. I dragged him into Gryffindor with me.”
Remus smiled empathetically. “Not your fault, mate. You said he’s been your friend for a long time then?”
Harry snorted. “Since the womb.”
“Sounds fun.”
Elphric had a contagious laugh. “You’ve no idea.” Alban came out of the bathroom in a full set of satin green pajamas. The marauders stared, then looked at eachother, then burst out laughing. The boy burned red as Sirius wiped a tear.
“What!?” Julian was incredulous. “Well excuse me for not sleeping around like some muggle totter in boxers!”
Definitely of pure blood background. Some while later, the Marauders got into pajamas, Remus in his plain white t-shirt and sweatpants, Prongs decided shirtless and fluffy pajama bottoms with little snitches on them, Peter pulled over a navy muggle hoodie and shorts, and he adorned a white muggle wife-beater (horrible name) and his Hollyhead Harpies boxers. Quote Sirius, they were the best team because ‘It’s girls and Quidditch, what more could you want?’.
For one thing or another, Sirius and James began wrestling on the floor, James holding him in a head lock. “Surrender!”
“NEVER!” Sirius laughed, flipping them around and pinning Prongs to the ground. “Aha! Victory!” Sirius flexed and grinned being caught off guard by a flying foot that threw him off.
“You wish, pads!” Harry seemed content just watching them and laughing while Alban rolled his eyes and scoffed, pulling to close his bunk’s curtains and off to bed. What a buzzkill.
“I think I’ll be going off to bed too, now. See you in the morning, boys!” James called out. Sirius yawned in agreement mumbling a ‘goodnight’. Harry seemed oddly disappointed but turned out the lights. Sirius heard him mumble a good load of silencing spells around his bed. What? It was dark but he knew the others were awake and on the same thought as he.
They would talk and get to the bottom of this tomorrow. Right now nothing could ruin his year. Not even a mild infestation of a weird but beautiful flower.
He wouldn’t let Nerine’s chokehold kill his year.
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Word Count: 6,173
Finished Date: December 20th, 2023, Wednesday, 1:44 pm
Hey so this was supposed to be a lot longer but I felt like I had to cut it off at some point. I also know this is really late and I don’t want to make excuses, I just had a really long week cus my parents kicked me out so I’ve been living on my sister’s couch lol. Don’t judge my bad writing I’m just some 15 year old from NY pretending to know anything about British people lmfaooo. Also, am I imprinting ym trauma on a fictional character? Yes, yes I am. DEAL WITH IT. Next chapter is already under way. We’re almost at a thousand hits! Please comment and bookmark :)
-Rae Mina