Operation wolfstar

James potter was sick. Well he wasn’t actually sick, he was just sick and tired of having to listen to his two best friends pining over each other but doing nothing about it. 
So, thats why he had a plan. James was actually fairly intellectual but he would need some help. Some grounding.
He considered Pete at first but well now Peter has a bird so he apparently has better things to do then scheming like kids. Whatever. He’ll grow out of it.

”Evans. Evanssss. Lily!”

James called down the corridor to the flaming red hair he could see from behind. Getting Evans involved wasn't exactly planned but it made perfect sense. Evans would do anything for Rem. 

“What now Potter? And no i do not intend on letting you take me on a date anytime soon.”

”For once, its not about that. I have an idea and i need help. And i promise not to ask you out anymore. Ever again.”

Lilys eyebrows shot up, giving him a skeptical look. 

“Hm. Depends. What is this plan?”

James grinned a shit eating grin and filled her in on what he would like to call:

OPERATION WOLFSTAR 

To be fair Evans did seem to be listening contently and was nodding along in all the right places. Itll be a shame when she says n-

“Ill do it.” 

“What!?” James spluttered 

“Only rules are 

1) No flirting with me 

2) We are not making either of them upset 

Okay?”

James stuck out his hand and she shook it firmly. 

“It shall be somewhat of a pleasure doing business with you Potter.”

”Ditto Evans.”

”Library at 6?” 

“See you there”

That might have been his first conversation with Evans where she didn’t run off or hex him. Improvements. But that didn't matter anymore. This was operation wolfstar (or blupin as Lily suggested). Not Jily. He could lay off the flirting for now.  

“Oooohhh, what are you dressed up all nice for?”
Sirius teased.

“Nothing. N- none of your business.”

“Okay Jamie if you say so. You can tell me later.”

James scoffed before rushing out the door.

James was crap at keeping things from Sirius. Sirius was basically his brother, they told each other everything. While he did feel guilty, he knew it would benefit Pads in the long run.

“Alright evans?”

“Potter.” She greeted, looking dashing as always (which was something James wanted to comment on but he had to stick to the rules. For Sirius.)

“Right best get to work immediately before the boys come looking for you.”

They sat down, in easy silence, James grabbing some parchment and a quill from his robe pocket.

“I was thinking about it last night and I couldn’t come up with anything at first until..”
She grabbed her bag and started going through it, clearly looking for something.
“Until…?”

“Until i looked at our timetable.” She said, bringing out a crinkled sheet, it was clearly what she had been looking for.

“Okay…”

James had no idea how this would help. They all had the same lessons together anyway as they were all in the same side of Gryffindor.

“Potions tomorrow. We’re brewing amortentia.”

“Oh my merlin, have i ever told you how wonderful you are Evans?”

“All the time.” She sighed, rolling her eyes.
“They won’t need too much help because we know they’ll smell each, other just random comments like ‘oh that sounds like moony!’ It will work trust.”

“Oh I do evans. You with Moony, Me with Pads?”

She nodded eagerly before jotting down their ideas on his parchment.

“That will push them together but it’s unlikely that they’ll be brave enough to tell each other after just that. Another thing is that we could just full on parent trap them but that’s just a backup plan for the two idiots”

“Parent.. what them?”

“Ugh, Purebloods.” Though it was clear she was hiding a smile.

After reluctantly explaining the whole plot of the movie ‘Parent trap’ James paused before letting out a

“Huh.”

“What, Potter? I swear to godric if you need me to explain for a third time I will-“

“No, no not that but, a few days after the amortentia plan, we have DADA.”

“No shit.”

“Hear me out Evans.
DADA where we are doing patronus’ “

“That- thats actually amazing well done potter.”

“If they truly love each other, Remus will get a dog and Pads will get a.. y’ know.”

She knew.

“Oh but what if Re gets a.. and even if Black does get it, rumours about him being a wolf will start. Rem will be filled with guilt, it'll be terrible.”

“I guess thats just something we’ll have to deal with when we get there.”

“Hm. Wait what is Blacks thing with dogs.”

James nearly spat out his pumpkin juice.

“N- nothing. Nothing at all. What if he just likes dogs? Have you ever thought of that?”

Amused by Potters random outburst she chuckled and stage whispered,

“Okay weirdo.”

Bringing the conversation back to normal, and putting the previously drained colour back into Potters cheeks.

They talked and talked until they lost track of time. It was weird because normally they couldn’t last a minute without something going on but even Lily could admit Potter was.. Okay.. when he wasn’t asking her out. They packed their things and headed back to the common room.

“AHA.” Sirius Black shouted, pouncing on the couple before they could get through the doorway.

“I saw Jamie Boy getting all dressed up and I KNEW Evans Dear would be involved”

“Sirius go to bed.” Lily ordered.

“Padfoot I swear.” James pleaded

“HAH. Nope. Not until I hear all about what happened with you two.”

“Pads c’mon. Don’t harass them.”

“Okay Moons.” Sirius said simply, following Remus back to their shared room.

James and Lily shared a look of bewilderment before saying goodnight and going different ways. Not before Lily managed to give James a peck on the cheek. For the plot.

Back in James’ dorm, he could hear Pete snoring lightly and Sirius led on Remus’ lap while Rem was stroking his hair. Merlin forbid anyone else did that though.
James loved his friends. More than anything. He couldn’t wait for this to work out and for them to finally be together. Sharing a nice little cottage with a picket fence and have two little dogs running around chasing each other. Maybe a cat too! And KIDS! James could be the best godfather/uncle ever.
Okay maybe he’s getting ahead of himself. But This. Will. Work.
Never doubt Lily Evans.

Meanwhile, in the girls’ dorm Lily was being interrogated by Marlene and laughed at by Mary.

“We were just talking!”

“Yes but that’s the thing Lillibeth! You and Jamie don’t talk. So whats brought this on?”

“We were just planning something. A surprise/secret type thing for the marauders or whatever they’re called.”

“Why would you help with that?”

Mary sneered at her friend’s persistent way but she knew Lily wouldn’t crack. She was probably even telling the truth.

“I love Remus, I would bare Potter for him.”

“You haven’t before though? So why now!?”

“Can we just lay off it please ? At least for tonight?”

“Yes of course Lils. I better be the first person to know when you two get together.”

“There won’t be any of that.”

“Okay okay. So… How was it?”

“How was what?” She snapped exasperatedly.

“Hanging with Potter that’s all” She replied, hands up in a surrendering type way.

“He’s.. nice I guess.” Maybe that was an exaggeration, but she was too tired to change it.

“AHA-“
“Okay Sirius Orion Black III.”

“Changing subject!!” Merlin love Mary Macdonald.

“Who wants to hear about my Vance-Prewett love triangle?” She was rubbing her hands in a mischievous way, alighting the room with laughter.

Potions the next day was second period, and giving they all had a free first, that gave Lily and James enough time to go over the plans. Peter had noticed them together and did a double take but eventually just accepted it after giving both the teenagers a wink and walking away. Remus and Sirius were both still in bed (unfortunately it was their own but Sirius was wearing Remus’ favourite jumper so that had to count for something) and so they didn’t have to worry about being seen together by either of their best friends. The bell shrieked to life, causing everyone in sight to jump back, startled. “Well Potter, time to get these idiots together.” “Right on, Evans.” They shared a firm, business like handshake again before parting ways to find their other halves. “Right! Everyone in pairs please.” Everyone bustled around looking for their friends. James, of course got Sirius and Lily, Remus. Marlene went with Peter and Mary went with Hestia. “Today we will be working on the Amortentia Potion. In a short moment, the ingredients shall appear in front of you.” Slughorn explained,” First however, can anyone explain what Amortentia is?” Remus’ hand shot up like a bullet. “Amortentia, the strongest love potion in existence, was said to smell different to each person according to what attracts them.” “Ten points to Gryffindor my boy. Yes, yes exactly. If brewed correctly, you will all smell exactly what or who you love. For example if you were in love with a quidditch player, you might smell ‘broom polish’ ect ect. We must not mess around and this will not work unless brewed correctly. Understood?” 

A murmur of a collective ‘Yes Professor’ rung through the room. 

“Perfect! You have an hour. Good luck.”

• Ashwinder eggs.
• Rose thorns.
• Peppermint.
• Powdered Moonstone.
• Pearl Dust.
• Rose Petals.

”Jamie I’m going to be completely honest with you. We’re fucked.” Sirius whined. “We both literally suck at potions and this is fucking complicated.”

”No we aren’t. Evans gave me some advice and we are going to perfect this potion. You gotta tell me what you smell though. Okay?”

”Well obviously Jamie. When you smell Evans you have to tell me too!”

”Okay next. Can you stir for five while I prepare the pearl dust.”

Sirius took the spoon and began mixing delicately. Lost in the thoughts of who he would get. 

On the other side of the classroom Remus and Lily were having some different problems. 

“Why is this the easiest fucking potion ever? I don’t get why we need to do this. No one gives a shit who you’re fucking in love with. This whole shit is overrated.”

Lily laughed so hard the whole classroom turned to look at her. 

“Are we sure it’s ‘overrated’ or do you just not want to smell who you’re sure you are going to smell?”

”Wha- I- No!” Remus spluttered before quickly composing himself. “I don’t like anyone.”

”Okay.. but don’t be surprised when you smell cigarette smoke and hairspray.”

”Don’t be surprised when you smell honey and the quidditch pitch.”

”O- I- shut it Lupin. Truce?”

”Truce.” He agreed rolling his eyes fondly. 

Remus Lupin had a crush. Well it was more than that, seeing as he wasn’t 11 years old. He liked someone. And that someone happened to be one of his best friends. He knew the feelings weren’t reciprocated and so that’s why he was terrified that that same person might ask him what his amortentia results would be. He simply couldn’t tell him. Remus had liked Sirius Black since, he didn’t even know since when. Black was something else. He was caring and protective but also outgoing and honestly quite cool. Remus admired him. But unfortunately, Sirius was his best friend. His best friend who didn’t like him back. He had no idea how Lily had figured out his feelings but, she was like his sister. She always knew. That wouldn’t stop him from denying it for a while longer though. Sirius was true to his name. He was the brightest star and would always stand out. 

“Finished!” Lily announced, waking him from his whatever the hell that was.

High-fiving her swiftly he asked, “Same time?” 

Lily nodded and on three they both leaned in and smelt their finished potion. 

Remus’ nose was filled with the scent of so many of his favourite smells. Fire-whiskey mixed with the soft smell of vanilla, old vinyls and the smell of nail polish, hairspray and fags (like Lily had implied). Even a damn wet dog smell. Fuck. There was no escaping this, was there. 

The scent of the quidditch pitch erupted in Lilys nose. It wasn’t only that though. It was broom polish, oranges and cinnamon. It was the fresh spring air and the general smell of outdoors. She also smelt the warm smell of deer. Weird. This had to all be wrong though. Maybe she was misinterpreting it? It could never be Potter. She couldn’t like him. She didn’t. Well it’s not like she had to tell anyone anyway. 

“Tada! Now take a sniff before I dump your head in.”

”Nope. You first.” 

“Not like i have anything to hide anyway so okay.”

As expected, flowers. Lillies to be exact. And fresh strawberries. Dewy grass and cookies, with a top note of lavender. He could also smell her perfume and some ink. Well this just confirmed it. Hold up.. was that an undertone of sea salt? Weird. He wasn’t surprised by his results but it hurt knowing he couldn’t do anything about it. Even if they were mutual feelings. Lily evans hated him. Despised him. But that was okay. At least he could make his best friend happy. To do that though, he probably shouldn’t inform Lily of his potion. 

“Alright, alright quit moping about Lillibeth! My turn.”

Chocolate. Pretty common smell. Books. Old ones to be particular, the ones found at the back of the book shelves. Peppercorn and again a musky kind of smell? Black coffee and caramel. The top and most distinctive note was the powdered moonstone. They mustn't have mixed it correctly. 

“Prongs. Did we mix it correctly? Do you still smell the moon stone?”

James’ eyes looked as if they widened for a second before returning to somewhat normal. He coughed weirdly before speaking. 

“Uh- no Pads we definitely mixed it. I can’t smell any of the remaining ingredients anymore. Maybe that’s just- you know.. part of your mix.” James suggested.

”Hm- but who..” He locked eyes with Lupin across the room. Normally he would smile or run over to see his best friend but no. Not right now. Chocolate, books and coffee. Moonstone. 

He gasped aloud. “Fuck.” 
In a mode of panic, he hit the potion off of the desk purposely and it shattered everywhere, mixing with the free air and chemicals on the floor and eventually fizzing out. 

Everyone went silent and turned to look at the mess on the floor. 

“Oh dear.. not to worry my boy!” With a wave of his wand, the mess disappeared. 

“So what did you smell? Yknow, before all of that.” 

What the hell was Sirius meant to say? Oh only my best friend of how ever many years. What if Lupin found out and requested to move dorms? He would never forgive himself if he made Remus uncomfortable. 

James was staring at him, one eyebrow quirked, waiting for an answer. 

“I-“

Just then, the bell shrieked once again, signalling for students to go take their break. 

Sirius rushed out the door without a word to James. 
He sat in the nearest bathroom stall contemplating life and his new found feelings for his best friend. Great.