The Altar of the Phoenix

Don’t go trying some new fashion

Don’t change the colour of your hair

You always have my unspoken passion

Although I might not seem to care 

17th February 1974

The Wildflowers presence was felt before the trio had even entered the Great Hall. A warmth to the February chill; three unlikely friends stood proud as they drifted into the Hall. 

Heads naturally turned to the entrance, feeling the force of the bond as the girls waltzed towards the Gryffindor table. 

On the left was Lily Evans; her long red hair billowing behind her as she walked. Bright emerald eyes roaming the Hall, magic glittering in her feline gaze. Even the Slytherins had to admit that she was an absolute beauty, with her striking colouring and soft features - lightly blushed cheeks with freckles scattered like flecks of sparkles. She simply glowed. 

To the right was Pandora Ollivander. Perched atop her corn-silk locks lay a pair of bright pink glasses with iridescent swirling lenses. Her deep, ocean eyes so very seeing - so very entrancing in their rich warmth. Almost protrudent, as though consistently surprised by the world surrounding her. The tallest of the trio, with a sweet button nose that suited her bright face. 

Sandwiched between the two, walked Ara Black. Certainly the most unique of the three, despite her more muted colouring. A mass of dark chocolate curls sprouting from her head like a lion’s mane; far more tamed than they had been even the day before. Once one could see past the faded scars that splashed across her face - they’d be transfixed by her eyes. A deep silver, glowing with raw magic and madness; so very seeing. As she laughed at something Lily whispered, all were privy to a new development; her once slightly prominent front teeth now in line with the rest. 

Pinned to the front of the three girl’s jumpers were similarly sized flowers. 

A daisy for Pandora. A forget-me-not on Lily’s chest. And a dog rose across Ara’s heart. 

A breath was held by all as the three finally sat at the Gryffindor table - organising their breakfasts as though they hadn’t noticed the silence over the Hall. 

As though they hadn’t seen the Marauders gawp at them on their journey. 

“Can you pass me the jam, Petey?” Ara’s voice broke the spell, the Hall resuming their meal as Peter absently tossed the pot over to his friend. 

Sirius scanned the girls with an intense gaze, tilting his head slightly as he took them all in. Nothing had truly changed. And yet, everything was different. His sister held herself a little taller, a little stronger. As did the other girls, both smiling at each other as they swapped trays of food, picking out their favourites. 

He’d heard all about the previous afternoon through the bond, sure; but it was entirely different to see the effects of the trio’s pact in action. The magic radiated; a clear connection between the trio. A sisterhood bonded through magic’s consent. 

“So… anything new happen?” James’s voice broke through the fog. He turned to his friend, unblinking as he regarded her expression. It was a little unnerving, how intensely the boy watched Ara Black - eyes oddly dark. It took a great deal of might for the curly-haired witch to look away. 

“How’s the marauding?” Lily cracked a wry grin, pouring a splash of milk into the girls’ teas. 

“You heard about that?” He nervously laughed, pulling at his collar.

“Secrets do not last long in these whispering halls.” Pandora spoke absently as she lapped sugar into the drinks. “Though, your aura is too red for that, anyways.”

Ara and Lily both snickered at that, clearly in the loop on Pandora’s quirkiness. 

“Huh?” The bespectacled boy blinked, scratching the top of his head. 

“You didn’t think we’d let you four have all the fun, did you?” Lily tilted her head as she regarded him with great amusement. 

“If you guys get a group name, so do we.” Ara informed them, winking at James briefly, before turning to sip her tea. He flushed at the attention, awkwardly ignoring Remus’s knowing look and Sirius’s confused squint. Damn his stupid crush, he chided himself internally. 

“Is that why you’ve got those flowers?” Petey chimed in, pointing at their jumpers. 

“They’re the Wildflowers.” Sirius broke from his deep thoughts, grinning at his twin. “And they’re definitely doing the whole group thing better than us. They’ve got pins.”

“Why, thank you, twin.” Ara beamed. 

“What does a red aura mean?” James suddenly questioned. The three girls shot each other a brief glance, before falling into a fit of giggles. “Never mind.” He grumbled awkwardly, returning his attention to his breakfast. 

“Whoa! You guys look wicked.” All heads shot to look up at the newcomers - Marlene and Alice both moving to sit besides the girls. Alice had clearly been training that morning - her hair darkened by dampness. The pair made a lovely comparison; Marlene’s pale locks standing almost brighter next to Alice’s wet locks. “Love the new pins.” Marlene winked at them, prompting a faint blush on Ara’s cheeks. 

What’s that about? Sirius peered over the bond, laughing at how she shoved him from her memories and flushed dramatically. 

Shut up, she growled back. 

He barked out a laugh, grabbing a piece of toast. 

I’ll find out, he sang in their mind.

Not if I have anything to say about it, she replied in a similar tone. 

The girls barely stayed to collect their mail - Lily receiving the Daily Prophet and Ara a letter from Andromeda. Apparently baby Dora was teething awfully, Ted was doing well at work and she was bored out of her mind. Being trapped at home, unable to interact with the magical world without fear of her family finding her… it was miserable. 

With a heavy sigh, Ara handed Sirius the letter; climbing from the bench and signalling for the girls to follow. Her plate sat, untouched. 

“Did you see the way people were looking at them?” Remus spoke up, once the girls were out of earshot - three heads bobbing in the distance. He glanced to Marlene and Alice, but they were busy talking with the Prewett brothers about the next House Quidditch game. Judging by Gideon’s great gestures and Fabian’s furrowed brow, the boys suspected it was a rather serious chat. 

“Like they were a feast up for grabs. Prey to predators.” James chimed in, shaking his head with disapproval as he glared down any boy he saw still watching them. With a bitter sigh, he turned his attention to his breakfast - picking at eggs thoughtfully. 

“I think we might be watching our friends grow up.” Remus nodded sagely, a knowing look in the Potter boy’s direction. 

“Maybe we should too.”

“Oh no.” James looked up, eyes narrowed in jest as he scanned his best friend. He shook his head, laughing fondly. “Nope, I don’t like that look.”

“What?” Sirius shrugged innocently. “I’m just pondering.”

“Whatever it is, surely can’t be good.”

“If they’re growing up and thinking about boys, maybe we should do the same?” Sirius mused, resting his chin on his palm. 

“I think your phrasing might be off, mate.” Remus gave him a pointed look, prompting the dark haired boy to flush as he thought over his wording. 

“Fuck. I meant, maybe we should start thinking about girls?” 

“What are you suggesting?” Peter chimed in, head tilted as he regarded his friends. 

“Whoever gets their first kiss quickest gets to pick a dare for the others?” Sirius offered, grinning broadly. 

“I’m in.” James nodded, eyes darting to the Hall entryway. Remus shook his head with a silent laugh, constantly amused by his friend’s blatant crush on their curly haired companion. 

The older he got, the more Remus saw. Little looks, little gestures and body language that he could not ignore. The wolf in his mind, whispering exactly what all of his friends were thinking. He had not been proven wrong yet. 

“Me too.” Peter chimed in, thoughtfully. “I’m going to make you all wear skirts for a week.” He grinned. 

“Not if I make you sing Christmas carols for the next fortnight.”

“I hate to derail this plot,” Remus sighed, “but I’ve already checked that one off.”

Three heads spun to gawp at him. 

“Who?”

“When?”

“You didn’t tell us!”

The three cried out. Rolling his eyes derisively, Remus shrugged. 

“Wondered what it was like. Ended up snogging Jody, that Ravenclaw with the big ears.”

“And?” Sirius prompted, looking to Remus with awe. The scarred boy blinked at the attention, deciding he rather liked being looked at as so extraordinary. And especially by Sirius Black. 

“And our teeth clanged.” He answered with a shiver. “But I am intrigued by this competition you’re laying out, Siri.”

“Ooh! What about if we change it to whoever kisses the most girls?” Peter chimed in.

“Brilliant idea, Pete!” Sirius cried out approvingly. “Shall we say, by this time, tomorrow?”

“Deal.” Peter nodded. 

“Deal.” James chimed in with a grin. 

“Deal.” Remus smirked. 

With a four-way hand shake, the competition was set. 

——

18th February 1974

“Petey, how are your numbers going?” Sirius asked as he slumped into the armchair opposite, wiping his mouth as he shook the rain from his curls. 

It had been raining all day, though that had hardly stopped Amelia Bones dragging him to the greenhouse and planting one on him, right by the flowers and weeds. He’d blushed scarlet, much to her amusement as she sent him back on his way - embarrassingly as the second years left Herbology. His brother Regulus had been amongst the crowd, tutting at Sirius before departing with his friends. It had been rather embarrassing, especially as he’d had to chase the younger Black - finally making good on his promise to Ara and apologising to the boy. 

“You’re an idiot.” Reg had sighed, before jumping to hug him, whispering in his ear: “Just… you have to look out for her better. I can’t, not when I’m already looking out for half my bloody dorm mates.”

The unspoken remained, and Sirius did not ask why Reg was so worried. Instead, he had promised to do better and asked if his brother would join him and Ara for dinner that night. Blinking, he focused back on Peter - the boy looking to him with amusement, resting his sketchbook in his lap as he grinned. 

“Either eleven or twelve.” He waved a hand dismissively, sinking deeper into his armchair with an idleness that Sirius could not falsify. 

“How the bloody hell did you snog eleven girls?” He gawked, sitting upright as his eyebrows shot to his hairline. 

“Have you seen me?” He raised an eyebrow, amusedly. Begrudgingly, Sirius admitted to himself that his younger friend had a point. With his big blue eyes and soft blond waves, the loss of baby fat that left him with soft features but a leaner build. He was growing up pretty. 

“Dammit.” He groaned, sinking further into his seat.

“What are you on?” Pete asked with amusement, looking down as he smudged the lines of his drawing. 

“Six.” He grumbled, not meeting Peter’s eyes. 

“Ha!” Petey laughed, puffing his chest a little. “I’m going to make you streak across the pitch, next Quidditch game.”

“Oh, some on.” Sirius scoffed, looking through the bond to his twin. She was still in the meadows with Pandora, telling him to mind his business as she gently pushed him from her eyes with a wave of warmth and fondness. 

“How’s Ara?” Pete asked, knowingly. 

“Told me to piss off.” He shrugged, slumping further into his seat as he crossed his arms over his chest. 

“To be fair, haven’t you been doing the same.” Peter replied, a pointed look the black-haired boy’s way. 

“I suppose.” He admitted, begrudgingly. 

“Remus is a bit unhappy with it, you know?” Peter commented, idly brushing over his pastels with a thoughtful expression. “I mean, she wasn’t even there when we became Marauders.”

“So?”

“So, shouldn’t you be, I don’t know…” he sighed, “she didn’t ask us for help with the bracelet.” He frowned slightly, half-shrugging. 

“I get it, alright.” Sirius grumbled. “Reg is already on my case about how she keeps disappearing on plans. But I can’t make her join in if she doesn’t want to.”

“But she does!” He exclaimed, tutting at his hopeless friend. “You both share a mind and you can’t see that she’s been feeling excluded?”

“Maybe I want time away from her, Pete.” Sirius replied, tersely. “Besides, why does Remus care if Ara’s nor about so much?”

“For someone so smart, you really can be thick sometimes.” Peter shook his head with exasperation, returning his attention to his sketchbook. 

It was clear to Sirius that his friend would not listen to any more of his excuses - a fact most surprising from the consistently patient Peter Pettigrew. Though, he supposed there was one catch to the boy’s patience. Ara. Wasn’t it always Ara? 

As if she had heard his grouching, his twin appeared in the entryway - a bright grin on her face. 

At once, all frustration and grouchiness was lost. Because how could he be glum in the face of her bright joy. It radiated from her, seeping through the bond as it flickered back to be fully open - memories of her afternoon tricking into his mind. Flashes of Pandora’s smile, of flowers and greenery… of feeling calm and content. 

How could he be down when she was finally, actually happy? 

“Sounds like you’ve had a nice afternoon.” Sirius grinned, patting the arm of his chair. With a soft roll of her eyes, Ara skipped towards him and perched upon the side. Pete looked up with a soft smile, nodding to Ara. 

“It’s been lovely.” She confirmed with a nod. “Panda’s been trying to find these little creatures in the grass, apparently they look like petals but they can brighten moods. We didn’t see them, but they were all around us.” 

Sirius smiled, laughing fondly at her belief in Pandora Ollivander’s odd creatures. The rest were certain that the girl was making them up, save for Ara. Despite her academic mind and struggle to belief in the unknown, she would always trust Pandora and her beliefs. 

“So?” Sirius asked, extending a hand and making a gimme motion, much to her amusement. 

“Yes, I’ve got your pin, twin!” Ara beamed, presenting a small flower in her hand to him with a flourish. Grinning, he accepted it - immediately securing it to his jumper. Bless her brother, he had no qualms about donning a flower; no worries about snide comments or questions as to his new accessory. Merely, he wanted to match her. As had Regulus when she’d handed him the little kingcup. He’d puffed his chest with pride as she pinned it on, showing it to his friends as though it were the greatest of honour as she’d ruffled his hair. 

Ara was often glad of how she raised her boys; so very different in spirit to the other, far more reserved boys of the seventies. Her boys were unafraid to express themselves, however they wanted to. And believe her, it took a lot of work to help that bloom while Walburga tried to install obedience. Especially in Regulus. If Wally knew that he wore yellow at school and muggle jumpers he borrowed from Henry… well, Ara dreaded to think. Two blood-traitors in the family was bad enough. 

“What is it?” He asked, marvelling at the magic Lily had conducted. 

“It’s called a scarlet pimpernel.” Ara explained, smiling fondly. “We found it growing by the greenhouses and Panda said it simply had to belong to you.” 

“It’s brilliant.” He blushed. 

“What’s brilliant?” James asked, the three jumping at the sight of him and Remus. The bespectacled boy was wrapped in his quidditch training gear - still with the helmet atop his messy hair. He was flushed, skin glistening and small licks of hair plastered to his forehead. Remus looked far more put together - donning one of James’s warm jumpers over his lithe frame. A book under his arm, hair swept away from his scarred face. 

“How was practice?” Ara asked, noticing the grass stains on James’s clothes. 

“Brutal.” James laughed, flopping onto the sofa beside Peter. “It’s Fabian’s first year as Captain, and he isn’t letting up for anyone. He even made Gideon skip a date, just for the practice.” 

“Next match is against Slytherin, and they haven’t lost one yet this year.” Peter commented, flipping the page in his sketchbook. “I mean, you haven’t either but I imagine Fab’s probably just stressed about beating the snakes.” 

“We will.” James spoke with surety. “We’ve got a great team, and Alice is getting faster at catching the snitch.”

“She told me she’s thinking of quitting, you know?” Ara asked, giggling at James’s deep frown. “But Marls and Conor Wood - the boy in the year below - are both thinking of trying out next year.”

“Fresh blood will be good. Our current chaser is graduating next year, I hope one of them will try out for his spot.”

“Ask Conor.” Sirius mused. “I’ve seen him practicing with his older brother, and he looks to be in good nick.”

“Will do.” James nodded, the motion prompting him to inspect the filth on his shirt. “I ought to get changed. Marauders?”

“Yes?” The group chorused.

“Come on.” He laughed, jumping to stand and lead his friends up the stairs to the boys dorm. Sirius took the lead - Ara following closely behind as she was ushered by Pete and Remus. 

As they entered the dorm, James made a beeline for the shower - shaking out his sweaty hair as he pulled the helmet from his head. Sirius dragged his twin to his bed, silently asking if she’d stay the night. With a roll of her eyes, Ara agreed. 

Thank you for sorting things with Reg, she smiled; clearly relieved. 

Of course, Sirius shrugged, I’m sorry for taking so long to do so. 

It’s alright, she shrugged back, just don’t do it again. 

“Are you both finished?” Blinking, the Black twins turned to face their friends - Remus shooting them a dry smile as they flushed red at being caught. 

“Sorry.” They spoke together, blushing further at their unison. 

“Pete,” Ara smiled, jumping from the mattress to approach the soft-hearted boy, grinning as she inspected his sketchbook. “These are lovely.” She spoke with awe, brushing a soft hand over his drawings as he blushed at the praise. 

He was beginning to add pastels to his sketches, soft shades of indigo and yellow across an image of her and Reg. It was a memory from a couple of weeks back; the two siblings playing exploding snap in the Common Room. He’d perfectly captured the wry smile upon Reg’s thin lips - the way Ara looked to her brother with fond exasperation as he’d nearly burned down the sofas with a risky move. 

“Cheers, Ara.” Pete smiled, flipping the page to show her a few of his other sketches. 

They stayed over by his bed until James emerged from the shower - dressed in his pyjamas with his messy hair flopped around his face. 

“Merlin, Jamie. You really need a haircut.” Ara laughed as he tried to push it back; the thick locks caught against his deep skin. 

“Oh not you too.” He groaned, laughing as he explained: “my mum keeps owling to try and arrange a proper one over Easter, since I didn’t let her cut it over Yule.” 

“Are you growing it out, too?” Sirius asked, flopping onto his stomach and looking up at the boy with a grin. Over the months, his hair had reached a decent stage of messy curls - just not to the level he was accustomed to. 

“Nah, I can’t pull it off like you can.” James shrugged, flopping onto the mattress beside him. “But I just hate how mum cuts it.” He laughed, halting self consciously as he looked to the twins. “Sorry.” He winced.

“It’s fine, James.” Ara smiled, brushing his worries aside. “We also hate how our mother cuts our hair.” 

“At least you both suit any hair length.” Peter offered, his lips twitching, “James has too much hair, got a life of its own, hasn’t it, mate?” 

“Sure does.” He laughed. “Ellie, the Hufflepuff in Reg’s year, told me that she wouldn’t dare kiss a boy with a mop like mine.”

“She did not!” Sirius gasped, breaking into a fit of chuckles at the image. “Looks like you’ve had a rough day, eh.”

“At least you didn’t lose a snog on a McLaggen.” Remus spoke, dryly. “Have you seen her cousin? He’s been trying to get Alice to go out with him for the last month, keeps following her with his pocket thesaurus in case he runs out of compliments.”

“Looks like I might be the winner of our little bet.” Peter grinned, suddenly freezing as Ara spun to him with a look of utter shock. 

“Wait, what?” Ara spoke, her voice filled with disappointment. “Have you all bet on who can snog the most girls?” 

“Maybe?” Pete winced, looking away as Ara scanned all the boys. James scratched his head, awkwardly - Remus shrugging casually as she glared at them all. 

“How did it even start?” She groaned, not blind to the look the boys all shot Sirius. 

“Petey over here mentioned that you’d… he mentioned that you’d had your first kiss and we hadn’t yet.” Sirius raised his hands in yielding. “I figured we should see if we could beat you for numbers.”

“Damn it, Pete.” She growled, eyes flashing like lightning. “I told you that in confidence!”

“I didn’t say anything!” He held his hands up, and she shot a dirty look at her twin. 

“Toerag.” She glared as he grinned at her. 

“You weren’t telling me.” He shrugged, before continuing in a song-song voice. “But now I know your dirty little secret.”

“You won’t be finding out anymore.” She replied snootily. 

“Are you sure we can’t convince you to tell us?” Sirius pouted. 

“I am not gossiping about who I snog! Not like all of you.”

“But I’m your twin.” He stuck out his lower lip, speaking his next words over the bond. I won’t tell any of the others if you tell me. 

Fine, you big moper, she groaned internally. Darting her eyes to the boys quickly, she flicked her focus back to her twin. 

It was Marlene. 

His eyes bulged in shock; the boy falling back on the bed as he blinked through the words - pointing at her in accusation. 

I bloody knew it! I saw that memory over the bond, I saw you checking her out!

We just wanted to practice! We’re not having some tawdry love affair, so get that thought out of our mind. And no being weird to her. She warned. 

Fine. As long as you promise it’s just her. 

Well… she smirked, Petey was awfully convincing. 

Don’t you dare! He glared, horror in his eyes at the image of his mate and Ara snogging. 

I wouldn’t dream of it, she winked. 

You know, she was my first kiss too.

Her eyes boggled. When?

Yesterday. I asked and she told me I wasn’t the best she’d ever snogged. I bet that title falls to you. 

I should think so, she smirked - though still slightly taken aback by her dorm mate snogging both her and her twin, I have a lovely soft mouth, apparently. 

Her twin merely blanched in reply. 

“Are you both done?” Remus’s amused voice broke their distraction; the twins peering at him with matching wide and blinking eyes. 

“She snogged Marlene!” He pointed at his twin. The three looked to Ara as if they’d never seen her before. 

With a gasp, Ara spun to glare at Sirius. 

“You’d better start running.” She warned, voice laced with ice. 

Gulping, her twin’s eyes glassed over. It did not have the effect he wanted, the boy blinking back to normal and saluting to the boys.

“Nice knowing you, lads.” He nodded, before jumping from his bed and sprinting from the door - just as Ara lunged for him. 

“So who won in the end?” James asked once the twins had sprinted down the stairs, leaving the three others. 

“Dunno.” Pete shrugged, though the smug smile on his face gave away the truth. “What did you end up on?”

“Zero.” James admitted, though clearly not put out by the fact. “I couldn’t find anyone I really wanted to do it with.” 

Pete and Remus exchanged a glance, both silently agreeing not to comment on matter. After all, James’s crush was getting a little obvious and they both knew that probing him about it would only lead to stress on the poor boy. 

The poor boy that clearly was struggling to admit to himself just how deeply his crush truly went. 

“I think it might be Petey, then.” Remus smiled, nudging his friend with a cheeky grin. “I only snogged four girls before I gave up.” 

“I’m going to make Sirius streak across the Quidditch pitch.” He declared. “Might need to warn Mary so she brings her camera to the next game.”

“I’m so sending the pictures to dad.” James laughed, tucking his hands under his head as he thought about his ridiculous friends.