Gryffindors' Bet

"What do we have first?" James asks and Remus thinks, that his friend is the most unorganized person he has ever met. Though the way he remembers things is actually something Remus is jealous of. Because, James will remember his schedule after one week without even looking at it. James once said it's because he has a great memory of places.

"Potions," Remus announces, while the three of them are leaving the Great Hall and going to the class. "And you have luck, that's the subject we all have. I'm not going to remember your schedule for you."

And the other thing about James is that he is kind, noble and obsessed with quidditch when the match is coming, and then he is so diligent (about quidditch, not classes) that it is actually surprising. But the thing is, James got so used to the fact that most of their classes matched, he sometimes forgets that their schedules are different. He still does well in school, though. He is even one of the most brilliant students in Gryffindor. So Remus just lets him be.

"Oh… Lucky we're not in a Slug Club. I've heard from Lily… Wait." James suddenly stops, so Remus and Peter stop, too, and look at him.

"You got some kind of revelation?" Peter asks.

"Regulus Black is in the Slug Club." James says and starts walking again. They follow him, and Remus understands why it is such a welcome thought to James. If James tried to befriend Regulus, there would be more 'natural' occasions to do so. James even got an invitation from Slughorn, but decided he won't have time for this, and besides, he told them he isn't even too invested in potions. Now, he has different reason to join the club, and maybe he will decide to really do so. Though, Remus thinks, it could be tiresome with all quidditch practices and with James' new duties as the Head Boy.

"And Snivellus," adds Peter, making a good point. Severus Snape was one of the reasons, James didn't want to have anything with a Slug Club.

"I don't know, I will think about it."

And when Remus finally enters the room, he sees that most students are already sitting. He looks at all the Slytherins, scanning the class. There is nothing unusual here. It is weirdly familiar how Gryffindors have Potions with Slytherins, year after year. Even the faces of them don't evoke hostility in him, though they did really well to sneer at him and ridicule Gryffindor in the most low-key way they could. On the spur of the moment, Remus sees Sirius, siting alone, and he wonders if it's a good idea to sit next to him. Because he will have to befriend a Black, sooner or later, and since Regulus is James' target, Sirius is probably the least scary from the Blacks. Remus is actually a bit irritated, because Regulus always seemed interesting to him, and Remus wanted to try talking to him, and now he had an excuse. It's in the past tense, though, because he doesn't want to steal him from James. If Regulus even can be stolen. So, now, Remus wants to make acquaintances with Sirius, and sitting beside him seems like the best first step for now, but the worst option at the same time.

Firstly, because the room is literally divided between Gryffindors and Slytherins. There is no mixing of the Houses. If he sits next to Sirius, he will focus the attention of everyone on himself. What's more, he will find himself in the danger zone, consisting of only Slytherins, who will treat him as their enemy. There is also possibility that Sirius will kick him out immediately and Remus will be mocked not only by Slytherins but also can be considered a traitor by Gryffindors. For nothing if Sirius will just force him out.

And there is a second issue, that is Remus' little, passing but coming back time after time, crush on Sirius. When they decided on befriending someone from House of Black, Remus automatically thought first 'everyone but Sirius'. Then he decided on Regulus, since he seemed like the least aggressive one. For Regulus, it is James who now have the best chances, though. And if they want to be serious about this, Remus has to make a decision. A very serious one.

He looks at Peter and James, who talks about how they all will sit this year, and Remus takes a deep breath.

"You can sit next to each other," he says to them. Both, Pete and James look at him surprised. And before Remus loses his courage, he goes straight for the Slytherins side of the room and sits next to Sirius Black.

He tries to seem nonchalant about it, but his heart is pounding so strongly, that if Sirius really will scream at him, or verbally abuse him, or, he doesn't know… literally kick him out, Remus thinks he may get a heart attack.

Though, nothing is going on. Sirius hasn't even looked at Remus. For a moment he believes it was all in his mind, he didn't really sat where he sat, but then he hears the classroom erupting with whispers and knows it's because of him.

After a few heartbeats, Sirius stills and slowly, really slowly turns his head to Remus.

Remus looks him straight into his eyes.

"May I know, what are you doing?" Sirius hisses.

"Taking a seat," Remus answers calmly. Or, he hopes it sounds calm.

"I can see it," whispers Sirius. Remus, just now, notices how they are leaning into each other to make their conversation quieter. And here it is, Sirius' eyes move across the class. He is observing their surrounding, observing people's reactions, before he again looks at Remus. "I can't see why."

"Well, can I talk to you for about five minutes after Potions?"

Sirius looks at him, like he lost his mind.

"Why would you want to talk to me? Do we have something in common that I don't know of? Piss off."

Remus shrugs and places his book on the table. When Remus looks at Sirius again, he is eyeing him, a little taken aback.

"Can't you understand 'piss off'? Congratulations. It's something rare for a Gryffindor not to have heard it before." And Remus notices the way Sirius is tense, and he seems stressed out, but Remus can't really go back, now, can he? "And are you blind? Don't you see all green and silver robes on this side?"

Remus sighs. "What? Are you afraid of one, little Gryffindor?"

They have a sight battle, both of them looking into the eyes of the other person, trying to convince the said person to back off. And somehow Remus must have won this battle, because Sirius clenches his jaw and looks away. Just in time for Slughorn to come in. Or maybe, that's why, Sirius turned away. He doesn't want to be childish with the professor in class. It still amazes Remus that Sirius actually backed off. It could be Slughorn, it could be his 'are you coward' argument that he took from James, but either way, Remus could breathe out a little. Remus could bet that a few years earlier Sirius would have made a fuss, because, well… He was much more unrestrained when he was thirteen than he is now. Remus doesn't know if it's for better in general, but it's better for him at this moment, for sure.

"Welcome to the first Potions this year," Slughorn says and looks around with a smile, which falters a little, when he sees Remus and Sirius siting together. He doesn’t comment on this, for Sirius' apparent displeasure. "We will start with Veritaserum, it is an advanced potion that makes anyone who drinks it unable to lie. The brewing time is one lunar phase, so it will take us a whole month to finish it. Is there someone who would like to add something?"

And Remus, thinking he will find Lily with a raised hand, is surprised, seeing she looks straight at him. So he smiles at her, and she shakes her head, before focusing on Slughorn. Remus sighs, because he has no idea if it has ever been a good plan.

The lesson goes on, though, and nothing is happening. Sirius is pretending that Remus doesn't exist, but it is actually convenient for Remus, because he was scared that Sirius would take a far more hostile stance. So they're denying each other existence. Sirius, because, well, Remus is an obstacle for him, and Remus, is going along with it, because the last thing he wants is to get himself kicked off or make a bigger show.

So they work relatively peacefully with each other, and when the lesson ends, Sirius bolts from the classroom, before Remus can even say a word.

Remus doesn't wait to let him run away, so he stands up and is going to follow him, because he doesn't know when another chance will arise. And the last thing Remus wants is for this game of cat and mouse, to take forever. When he passes James, he looks at him with approval and ruffles his hair.

"Haven't expected it from you, Moony," he says.

Then he passes Peter, who calls, "You're sick," but then laughs, a little bit astounded, and Remus can't really colour himself surprised, for he himself isn't sure, from where this bravery and stupidity came from. Probably, he has finally started to feel the effects of being in Gryffindor for six years.

He passes his friends with a small smile on his lips, and wants to turn into the corridor. He can see the disappearing silhouette of Sirius, but just then, Remus feels a hand on his wrist. He stops.

"Remus," Lily says, though it sounds more like a question. "It's about James' yesterday words?"

"Yes, Lily, it is," Remus answers gently, and disentangles his hand from Lily's. "See you later, okay?" he asks, but isn't waiting for the response, rushing off, looking for Sirius.

And the problem with Remus is, that he exactly knows Sirius' usual spots, that is, if he is not with Regulus, or surrounded by his many Slytherin admirers. He should feel a bit ashamed, really, that he approached the one wizard he has this little obsession about, but it's not like he had much choice, anyway, right? And it's not like he is in some kind of denial about the whole situation. Remus is curious. Remus is curious about the boy he's seen so many times, the boy with whom he exchanged a few glances around the years, and the boy, who is in Slytherin, but just accepted that Remus sat next to him, and worked with him, without making a fuss. Remus is curious. Remus is interested and isn't in denial of it. So when he is searching through well-known places, he feels like he's relaxing actually, when he finds Sirius hidden in a more secluded part of the library.

However, he can't say, he isn't stressed at all.

Remus approaches Sirius, who has books scattered on the table, always without an order, and the boy looks up, when Remus' shadow covers his place of quiet.

"Oh, really?" Sirius says with irritation audible in his voice very clearly. "From where comes your sudden interest in pestering me?"

Remus smirks and sits in front of Sirius.

"There's this thing," Remus begins, but is interrupted, by Sirius.

"I don't actually care. You should find someone else to annoy."

"I can't really, though. Well, not now. And you know, if you decided to hear me out, it could be beneficial for us both."

Sirius quirks an eyebrow, "Enlighten me."

"Alright, so with James and Peter…"

"Of course it has something to do with Potter and Pettigrew," Sirius throws in.

"We thought that it would be a great idea," Remus continues, not acknowledging Sirius' remark, "to befriend the Blacks."

Sirius coughs a little, and Remus has the compelling impression that he tries to cover his laugh. "You thought, that befriending my family would be a great idea?"

"Well, I'm here, am I not?"

"And it's going so smoothly for you," Sirius snorts. And it actually is, even if it might sound surprising. Because Sirius is interacting with him, and though there were a few piss-offs, they are talking like two civilized wizards, that Remus supposes they are. And it is a bit of a plot twist, since Remus's been seeing how Sirius acts for six years, and he knows that the Slytherin boy has no or only little hesitation to draw attention to himself. Though it’s true that the older they get, Sirius gets quieter and more self-controlled.

"I'm making you laugh," Remus observes, even though, he knows, it's more of a mocking laugh, and Sirius looks at him with a blank expression.

"Yes, you're so funny, Lupin."

And Remus doesn't know why, because Sirius evidently knows the names of James and Peter, but he feels surprised finding out that Sirius Black knows his name. He can't really ponder about it this instant, though, since Sirius can flee any moment.

"Good to know, you're appreciating my sense of humour," Remus jokes or maybe tries to irritate Sirius a little. And it's working, because he can see Sirius practically scowling at him. He has no idea, though, why it's so entertaining for him. Or maybe he does understand his intention, but thinking about, how it is enjoyable to arouse some emotion in Sirius is an issue for another time. "Going back to the main topic of our lovely chat, though, the thing is, our companionship could be beneficial for both of us."

"Yes, you said so, though I still can't see any sense in it."

"I'm trying to explain. So, I must admit this situation is something similar to a bet, but the point is, if you agree to act like my friend for a few days, or maybe weeks, I can do something for you in exchange?"

Sirius sighs. "And what the great Remus Lupin can do for me to compensate for all these stressful days or weeks of enduring his company?"

"Well," Remus shrugged, "for that you would have to tell me, what do you want."

"Yes, I'm going to tell you all my wants, so I can spend a sweet time with you, thank you for the offer."

Remus grins. "It could be anything, really. Don't you want to take revenge on someone? Someone from your lovely family? Bellatrix for example?"

Sirius watches him for a few moments, before he answers. "I can see you lot pranking Bellatrix."

And Remus doesn't have to hear Sirius' biting voice to know it's sarcastic. Putting aside that they are exchanging ironic comments from the start of their conversation, it's actually a bit endearing for Remus, to be so freely sarcastic with someone new. It's weirdly comfortable.

"Well, if it really is Bellatrix, then we'll do the prank after your pretending to be my friend, because I want to see you suffer a little, before I die."

And for Remus' surprise, Sirius barked out a laugh. "You sound like…" Sirius starts to say, but suddenly stops, like he realizes he is talking to Remus. And it's a bit disappointing to Remus, because, for once, he was really curious to whom Sirius was going to compare him to, and what's more, Remus comes to the conclusion, he really likes talking to unguarded Sirius. Not that he talked a lot to any version of Sirius, but it's extraordinarily fast, the way they come to get along. It seems like they really could be friends, if only Sirius would let them. Let himself. If he could forget they are from rivalrous Houses.

Or maybe it's just Remus' silly wishes speaking.

"I don't need anything from you, and even lesser I need to be tangled in your stupid bet." Sirius says instead, and here comes being fast friends.

It also seems like the time for the change of tactics.

"Alright," Remus nods, but instead of going away, he leans into the table and props himself on his elbows that are on the table. "So, from what I understand, you want to spend time with me without any additional benefits?"

"How on earth," Sirius speaks slowly, like he isn't sure Remus is going to understand him. Remus snorts. "Have you reached this conclusion?"

"Because," Remus answers with the same pace, "I'm not going to buzz off, either way. So you can have something from it, or not. It's pretty generous of me, actually."

Sirius raises his eyebrows. "You have so warped concept of things."

"Pretty exceptional of me, right?"

"You wish," Sirius answers simply.

"Alright, there's also the other option for you," Remus states.

"Oh yes? I'm starting to believe you really are generous," Sirius says, but Remus can only grin. It's actually funny for him, how Sirius is indirectly complaining about Remus' presence, but he keeps talking with him, either way.

"Yes, and it's the one, you might like the most. We could just tell we're friends, so I can shove it in James' face, and I'll stop pestering you. You would have to admit we're friends, though. But if you know it's false, then it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

And that's something really easy to do. Just saying the words, and having Remus out of his hair. The easiest solution for Sirius, so he could agree and they would make a deal.

But when Sirius is looking at Remus with a flicker of annoyance on his face, Remus knows it's not a decision Sirius is going to make. 

"Mate," Sirius says, shaking his head with an expression similar to disbelief. Remus would be entertained by Sirius calling him his mate, but there is something uncaring about it. Like Sirius doesn't want to call Remus by his name. Like it would be too personal. "I'm not going to call you my friend in any way." He rubs his eyes in an exasperated manner. "Piss off," he adds, almost like on reflection.

Remus watches him for a short while. Their eyes locked, like looking somewhere else would mean losing a battle. And it feels personal to Remus, and he is annoyed by Sirius calling him his mate, and he is irritated, just because it's annoying him. So instead of troubling Sirius further, Remus lets himself smile, a lazy, lopsided grin. The motion draws Sirius' eyes to his mouth, but it's only a moment before his gaze flickers towards Remus' eyes again.

"Alright, I have to go, anyway," he says, standing up. "But, I guess I will see you again, soon," Remus winks at the boy who is still looking at him. "See you, then," Remus declares, before leaning down a little and adding, "Sirius."

And it is the most deliberate name-calling that Remus has ever experienced. He doesn't wait to observe Sirius' reaction, though. He just walks away.

---

James doesn't see Lily, standing next to the door, when he talks to Horace about joining the Club. So when he finishes talking to him, and is leaving the classroom, he jumps, noticing Lily, standing there with arms crossed and raised eyebrows.

"You're such a diligent student, James," Lily scoffs.

"I've always been," James answers with a wink.

Lily laughs, "Yes, and it's all because of the right reasons."

James quirks an eyebrow at her implication. He knew Lily was quick and understood why he signed for the Slug Club. "You say that your six-years-long rivalry with Remus is the most upright reason you could have?"

And it is the truth, that Lily and Remus have been academic rivals, since the first year. When James was fourteen years old, jealous git, he once thought it was suspicious how they were once rivals and once friends, and it was an endless cycle of friendly and competitive remarks. He was convinced they were hiding some sort of romantic relationship, and he was equally thankful for Remus that he didn't want to hurt James by admitting it, but at the same time he was simply bitter because of them. And though Remus could be oblivious to the infinite level, he always noticed things about people he cared for or was interested in. So he confronted James and asked what his sudden moods were about. James has hazy memory of his answer, but he surely told Remus about him and Lily being really friendly and though it wasn't only James that was fourteen, but also Remus, he instantly knew what the problem was. So he asked James if he had time, and they had a long conversation about how having a challenge and a real opponent was pushing Remus forward, when he had no energy for studying. And how rewarding it was for him and Lily to win, when there was mutual rivalry going on. This way was also more fun.

It was also time when Remus came out to James and then Peter.

James wondered if his jealousy pushed Remus to tell them about him being gay, but Remus told him many times, that he wanted to let them know for some time, and James just gave him the perfect opportunity.

And then he literally thanked him, for giving this opportunity to him.

That, James remembers very clearly.

"You say it, like you've never tried to compete with us," Lily rolls her eyes and James grins.

One more thing he did when he was fourteen, was trying to get Lily's attention by studying more, so he could be an equal rival, just like Remus was. His envy had some pros, because James never in his Hogwarts career had such good marks as in the fourth year.

"Well, I had to find out what the fuss was about."

"Tell yourself that," Lily says, and suddenly stops. James halts, too. "If you're so occupied with Blacks, now, does that mean, there will be no pranks this year?"

The only thing James can do, is to laugh.

---

When Peter enters the Gryffindor common room, girls are sitting next to the fireplace, casting accusatory glances at him. He raises his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Whatever I've done, it was not me," he says, and Marlene snorts.

"Oh, it's not you. Not yet. We're waiting for your turn to do something."

Peter sits next to Emmeline, with his back resting on the armrest, so he can see everyone, and smiles widely at Marlene. "Does that mean, James already made his first move?"

Marlene gasps. "See? I told you, they were onto something."

Mary laughs and pokes Emmeline with her elbow. "And we said, there is no chance they aren't."

"I would be so disappointed if you said so," Peter claims with a grin. Emmeline rolls her eyes, so Peter raises his finger accusingly at her. "Did you just roll your eyes at me, madam?"

"Indeed, I did. You, troublemakers, need someone equally strong-minded to stand up to you," she says. A few Oohs are voiced by Mary and Marlene, but Peter only snorts.

"Then I should find Lily to talk to," he says, and though the girls laugh, while nodding their heads with amusement, Emmeline looks at him sharply. Peter grins at her, but before anyone can tell more, a fourth person approaches their group.

"Marls?" a soft voice interrupts the laughs and Peter turns his head around, so he can see, who stands behind him. "Can we…?" Elspeth asks quietly, not meeting anyone's, but Marlene's eyes. She gesticulates something, that Peter thinks mean going somewhere private, but Marlene sighs, and isn't going anywhere.

Peter feels a bit sorry for Elspeth. She is a one year younger cousin of Marlene and since the first time she gathered some courage to approach their group, nothing really changed. First, she didn't even answer to hellos, because she is so shy and intimidated by them. At first, Marlene was patient with her, but it soon came to an end. Marlene has never been a tranquil person, and she quickly became frustrated by her cousin. She used to say that she is the McKinnon, and Gryffindor, so she should be able to answer 'hi' when told the same. Peter though understands it a bit, because their group of friends is really close to each other, and it's hard to merge with a group that is so united already.

So he tries to be less scowling and more welcoming, when he says, "Don't you want to sit with us for a bit? Then Marlene will come talk to you."

Elspeth looks at him, and starts to blush furiously, before avoiding his gaze, once again.

"Sorry, maybe next time," she mumbles, and Peter believes he is the only one who heard it, and it's only because he sits the closest to her.

"That's alright," he says, and kicks Marlene in the calf. She yelps, but stands up, glaring at Peter. He just shrugs.

"OK, so let's talk," Marlene goes with her cousin, who casts a few quick glances at Peter during their walk. Mary laughs next to him, so he turns his head to her.

She quirks an eyebrow, "Pete, she has a total crush on you. I'm starting to believe that she would be less shy, if you weren't always nearby."

Peter casts a quick glance at Emmeline, who is looking at him, but the moment their eyes meet, she turns around to watch Mary. Peter smirks, but stops when he locks his eyes with Mary, who has a smirk on her face, herself.

"If you're talking about her blush, then you noticed as well, that she's a bit timid," he says, and Emmeline scoffs.

"A bit more than a bit, innit?"

Peter narrows his eyes at her. "Don't act superior, just because you don't know how it is like to be shy."

"I'm just telling she's more than a bit timid, I don't act superior."

"Yeah, and your scoffing wasn't mocking in any way," Peter adds, a little annoyed. Maybe he takes it slightly personally, since he would probably act the same way, if not James, who let him open up. This is true, that Peter is more unfazed, now, more relaxed. But when he first met James, he was just a tiny, introverted kid, who was afraid of never finding a friend in a new school. Remus was similar, even though he seemed like he didn't care.

James took them all under his wings, and now, both Peter and Remus have a group of friends, and it's a bit paradoxical, that those shy kids, they were, are now the most known troublemakers in Hogwarts. Because James can make anything possible. Because James is James, and he is the best person in the world. Because it's not like he can make anything possible, but because he wants his friends to have anything they want, and he will make it possible, even if it's the last thing he does.

And Peter would love to make anything that James asks him to do, but the problem is, James asks for nothing.

He just asks them to be happy.

"Oh, if you only weren't so uptight about everything," Emmeline derides.

"Why ridicule me, again?" Peter asks and have a glaring battle with her, before Mary sighs so loudly, that it has to be intentional.

"I never know, when you'll start fighting like you're enemies, and when you'll be bickering like an old-married couple, seriously," Mary shakes her head.

"Are you mad? We're not anywhere near being a couple," Emmeline says with a venom in her voice. Peter tries to act like it doesn't hurt him.

"So you're not denying us being enemies?" he laughs and Emmeline blushes to his great surprise.

"You're impossible to talk to, I'm leaving," she says and really leaves the room, letting Peter and Mary be. She furrows her eyebrows, but Peter only shrugs.

"Oh, Emmeline left already?" Marlene enters the room and sits at her previous place.

"The usual," Peter mutters, and Mary gives him a friendly pat on the leg.

Peter just wants to talk with James and Remus.

He still doesn't know if James made his first move.

And if he is still alive.

Well, both of them.