Blessed Wild Apple Girl
Your hands are dangled with flowers
Tangled torn, so stately born
2nd October 1975
“Well. I think that went well.” Ara Black grinned, looking to her boys with merriment through coal-lined eyes.
The Marauders were stood by a willow, sheltered by its leaves as they looked to the Black Lake. Matching grins of great pleasure as they held their wands aloft, magic sparking as they patted each other on the back.
The sun was just rising in the distance; the cool of autumn brushing their robes in a soft breeze. They’d snuck through one of Peter’s passages in the end of night, bleary eyes full of spirit as they’d whispered through the spells needed and roles assigned for their latest prank.
Their best prank, as far as they were concerned. After all, the Prewett twins had commented on their lack of decent mischief so far that year. They’d been preoccupied with the events of the summer, and sudden horror as they’d realised OWLs were that year. Well, save for Remus, who’d been preparing for years.
It was a challenge, that bloody comment from the Prewetts (who’d flawlessly pranked throughout their exams, both getting solid ‘E’s), if they’d ever heard one.
“I mean, it certainly is the Black Lake now.” Remus spoke in his dry drawl, lips twitching as he tried to suppress a laugh.
“It’s so… still.” James laughed. “Think your brother’s coming out for his swim still?”
“We’re counting on it.” The twins spoke together.
“Where did you send the squid?” Petey asked Ara, reaching an arm around her shoulders as she shivered against the morning chill.
Despite the weather, since her loss of the band around her left wrist, the girl had barely sported the long sleeves she was never seen without. Damn if it didn’t hurt, knowing she hadn’t been making some fashion statement with all the jackets.
Ara had been hiding the serpent, wrapped around her arm.
“Oh, you’ll see.” She spoke with a mischievous smirk.
“Oh, you can’t hold off on us.” Peter groaned, shaking his head fondly. “Did you put him in the Slytherin Common Room, or something?” She shook her head.
“Better. I stuck him in the Prefect’s bathroom.” She burst into laughter, the others joining as the hilarity overtook them. As they wiped tears from their eyes and looked to Sirius; the boy holding their map with wide eyes as he watched the footprints of Regulus Black approaching, followed by a few of his Quidditch teammates.
Sure enough, as they looked to the distance - casting disillusionment charms upon themselves - they spied the youngest Black sibling leading his Housemates along the dew-coated grass.
It was almost comical, the difference between Regulus and his peers. The brightness of the boy as he waved them to follow, compared to the sleepy dredging of the others behind. All donning robes over swimming trunks; clearly warmed by numerous charms.
The tallest of the bunch surely had to be Kingsley Shacklebolt - the prefect and Captain that watched over their brother kindly. Helping the boy in shepherding the rest, doing his duty as Captain in the brisk morning. They spied Henry Jordan too, being caught under Reg’s arm as he marched them along. The boy had only just gotten onto the team, having worked hard with Reg over summer to boost his skills and make it as a Hufflepuff chaser.
The Marauders watched as the group reached the edge of the lake. Breath hitching as Regulus pulled off his robes, stepped to the edge, and promptly froze in utter disbelief as he stared at the depths.
The depths that were no longer viridescent and gently waving with the breeze.
No. The Black Lake was as dark as its name. Thick and brown as sludge.
“Do you think McGonagall will give us points for our transfiguration?” Sirius pondered aloud, watching his brother dip a toe into it, shuddering as he stepped back with a stained foot and yelled to his friends.
“She’ll have to if she wants Gryffindor to have any chance at the House Cup.” James laughed, nudging the boy.
“I think Reg is looking this way.” Ara’s words broke their joshing as the boys looked back to the Hufflepuffs.
Sure enough, the steely gaze of Regulus Black had focused their way, as though he could spy them through the disillusionment. His head shook, lifted chin as the boy let out a hearty laugh.
“The Marauders are back in business.” Sirius clapped the backs of his friends. There was a moment, a stillness as they looked to their work with great pleasure. A lake turned entirely to treacle, just to prove a point to their pranking elders.
“So what next?”
“Make Minnie bald?” Sirius proposed with a wicked grin.
“Classic.” Ara snorted.
——
11th October 1975
Things were going well for Sirius Black.
For starters, a week of working with his brother to rescue their sister had done wonders for their relationship. Truly, the pair were communicating far better than before. Training in the mornings with James and Marls (even if he was on a different Quidditch team, and Sirius didn’t play at all). Studying on Tuesdays, since both had an afternoon free of lessons.
And since they’d gotten Ara back, she was being less violent. Which was excellent for his head, no longer getting a smack whenever he was being stupid. And for their stash of healing supplies, no longer being stripped bare by duels on the Quidditch pitch or fights in the corridors.
He hummed as he strolled through the halls of Hogwarts, a smile twitching at his lips on his way to sneak snacks from the kitchens. The sun was yet to rise; the castle lit by candle light in a hue of yellowish flame.
Everything was going to be fine, he decided. Now that the Potters were officially their guardians, and the contract was in question, surely it had to be looking up for them? A lifetime of rotten luck had to give. It had to.
“Will you stop walking so fast?” He heard an unfamiliar voice huff behind him. With a frown, he spun in place, his song frozen in his throat as he regarded the last person he had expected to see.
There, in her flawless robes with her flawless hair and eyeliner, stood Elara Delphine. Tall and willowy, with hair almost as dark as his, and eyes a far darker shade - almost as black as her pupils. She was the talk of the older years, known for her lethal beauty and the fact that she would not accept a second date with any boy.
So it was rather odd, in itself, since she was a Slytherin and as a sixth year, probably wouldn't want to snog him.
“What do you want?” He frowned. “Oh, Merlin, did Ara finally get in another fight?”
“Your mother is in talks with mine to sort an arrangement between us.” Elara Delphine informed him with a rather pinched expression. “Can you get your Potters to put a stop to it? Daddy might let me marry this Italian if this falls through.”
“Yeah, I’ll send them a letter.” Sirius grumbled, because apparently his would not be improving quite as soon as he had hoped. “Who’s the Italian chap?” Her eyes absolutely lit up at the question, her excitement clear as day.
“He owns most of Magical Italy. The architecture, anyways. Nico Zabini. He saw a picture of me in the Daily Prophet, back when my daddy did some Ministry thing, and wrote to say he would wait until I was of age just to ask me to marry him. It’s all very romantic.”
“Sure.” He huffed, still caught in his frustrations. This was clearly not the reaction Elara was seeking; the Slytherin narrowing her eyes and exhaling sharply.
“Just put a stop to this before I have to run away. I quite like my friends here and I would hate to have to part.” With that, the girl spun and stalked away.
Well, fuck, he thought with great dismay.
What’s happening now? He heard Ara’s voice peering into his mind.
Now, Hermie, Wally’s put her sights on me.
Fuck, she thought as she watched through his memories of the last few minutes.
Indeed.
——
“It’ll be alright, mate.” James reassured Sirius, clapping a hand on his back as they walked to the carriages.
Hogsmeade weekend had turned rather romantic in recent months for the fifth years. Gone were the days of group outings, replaced by dates and couples stealing carriages to snog. Alice was off with a boy from Hufflepuff, though none thought it would go further than that one date. Marlene and Dorcas Meadows were going steady, though their dissimilarity seemed to bring its longevity into question. Even Pandora had started going out with a boy from her house; the willowy girl utterly entranced by the peculiar Xenophillius Lovegood.
Everyone seemed to be coupling up.
That is, save for the majority of the Marauders.
“Yeah, yeah,” Sirius waved his friend off with a huff, narrowed eyes as he looked to his sister, “you still ditching us for the Claw?”
“Yes, Siri, we’re still meeting at the carriages.” She smiled meanly, rolling her eyes as she stepped between Remus and Pete. “That is what happens when people start dating. They do tend to go to Hogsmeade together.”
“What about your Wildflowers?” Peter asked with a friendly smile, reaching an arm around her shoulders.
“Lily’s going with Mary, since Panda’s off with Xeno again.” Ara explained, grinning at the boy. “They’ve been getting closer, Mary and Lils.”
“Probably good for the pair of them.” Remus mused as he strolled beside them. “Especially after what Snape’s friends keep saying about Mary.”
“Oh, I know.” Ara sighed, a frown pinching her brow. “I’ve been trying to broach it with Lily, but everything is a mess with her and Severus right now. Apparently his dad’s sick, so she doesn’t want to be too rude.”
“She called me a ‘prim ponce’ the first day back after my hair got shaved!” Sirius exclaimed with great bitterness.
“Yes, well she wasn’t quite aware of the joys and foils of our family at the time.” Ara rolled her eyes; the lids sparkling pale blue against navy liner. “Besides, that was years ago. I can’t believe you still remember it.”
“Hard to forget.” He shrugged.
“Are you really still going with Clearwater?” James scowled, tugging at his corduroy jacket to straighten the collar.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Ara’s eyes narrowed.
“Considering what your twin just learned, I thought you might ditch him for a boy’s day.” He shrugged, kicking at dirt as he walked along.
“Just because I’ve been Sirius’s twin to you for the past four years, doesn’t mean no one else has spotted I’m a girl!” Ara snapped at James, rolling her eyes. “I don’t have a ridiculous bracelet anymore, and I’m no longer bloody chopped liver. So, yes I’m going to Hogsmeade again with Tucker, and I might go with him for the next one too. And it will be none of your business!”
With that, the girl pushed free from between Pete and Remus, and stalked up the path without even looking back. Leaving the four boys to watch her with squeaks of horror as she walked away.
It was safe to say that the Marauders’ day did not improve.
For starters, James was in a rotten mood the entire time they roamed through Hogsmeade. Eyes roving the roads, searching for a head of indigo next to blond.
He had yet to spy them.
Ultimately, with two of their number in a great grump, and another off with a boy none particularly liked, the Marauders had opted to hole themselves in the Hogs Head until they had to return to the Castle.
The windows of the pub were almost opaque with a thick layer of dust and grime - the interior dim and dank and frankly smelling like a petting zoo. A sticky floor of dark wooden panels, littered with sawdust and broken glass. Behind the bar, stuck on the wall and blinking slowly, was the mounted head of a boar. A great and ugly beast that snorted as the four boys approached.
It was decidedly a far more interesting pub than the Three Broomsticks. Far dirtier too, though they daren’t admit that to the grumpy old barkeep.
“When’s your birthday?” The old man behind the bar grunted, eyes like slits as he scanned Sirius Black. He had ordered a firewhiskey, elbows propped on the bar as he raised a brow at the barkeep.
“November.” Sirius replied with that classic Black grin.
“What year?”
“Every year.”
“Nice try.” The wizard pulled the whiskey away, setting down four butterbeers.
Before Sirius could try another move, Remus thanked the barkeep and set down a couple coins - dragging the boy to a booth by the back of his shirt.
And thus, the Marauders spent their day drinking and bitching.
“What’s got you in a slump, Pete?” James asked, following Sirius’s third rant about his sister’s lack of loyalty. At a certain point, it was easier to ignore him and tune out the whining. At least Ara didn’t whine. Frankly, James Potter would have preferred her company to that of her twin that day, but life tended to stick him and the other Black twin together more often than not.
“I overheard McGonagall say I wasn’t on par with the rest of you.” The boy confessed in a mutter, taking another sip of his butterbeer. “She said I probably just stood watch while you guys charmed the Black Lake.”
“It was your bloody idea.” James squawked, utterly taken aback.
“Well, you know how it is.” He shrugged, jaw tight. “Everyone thinks I trail after you guys. Like I hero-worship you or something.”
“As if.” Remus frowned, offering his friend a little nudge. “You’re the only thing stopping them from being as annoying as they’d like to be.”
The two boys shared a commiserating look before they burst into chuckles; thoroughly amused by their friends’ miserable expressions.
“Oh, piss off!” Sirius grumbled, taking a long swig of his butterbeer.
“We’ll stop as soon as you ruddy grow a pair, mate.” Remus shook his head with a light laugh.
“Am I not allowed a day to be pissed that Wally’s trying to betroth me?”
“Not when you won’t let your sister do the same.” Peter shook his head, snatching the boy’s butterbeer and chugging the remnants. “Did you even listen to me, last term?” He gasped out as he slammed the empty bottle on the table.
“I listened.” He grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. “Fine.” He sighed. “Whatever, I’m getting another beer.”
As he left the booth, James Potter turned to his remaining friends with an apologetic half-smile.
“Sorry, gang.” He winced. “Just having a bit of a day.”
“It’s not you we’re mad at.” Remus shrugged.
“If it weren’t for Ara, I’d have thumped him by now.” Pete added, mimicking his friend’s gesture.
“You’re telling me.” James laughed. “He’d better get it out of his system before Yule break. Aunt Dorea will have his head if he keeps up with it.”
“Can I come for Christmas?” Remus blurted. “Dad’s been…” he winced, “well, it would be best if I didn’t go back, you know.”
“Of course, Moony.” James nodded, squeezing his friend’s shoulder as he scowled lightly at the unwelcome nickname. “You’re always welcome.” With that, he stood; dusting off his jeans before he chugged the remains of his drink. “I’m off for a piss.”
“Have fun.” Remus remarked dryly, prompting a snort from the bespectacled boy as he saluted adieu.
As he stepped into the loo, James Potter thumped into a sturdy body with a yelp of apology.
There, looking rather dishevelled, stood Evan Rosier. His pale hair was darkened by grease, pulled back off his face and tucked behind his ears. Weekend robes creased and muddied along the hems - the shade a deep navy that made him look paler than usual. Spotty skin from that awkward stage of puberty, made clearer as his voice cracked as he greeted James.
“Oh, greeting Potter.” The boy nodded stiffly, eyes darting to the doorway as though expecting more company.
“Hello, Rosier.” James nodded politely. “Good summer?”
“Better than yours, I imagine.” He shrugged, still looking behind James, though a little more confused. “How’s your gang?”
“Fine.”
“The Blacks?” Evan looked him properly in the eye for that question. As though he too had that Burke gaze, able to spy the fainted cracks in any Pureblood mask.
“As fine as they can be.” He admitted with a shrug, the younger boy nodding to that.
“And you?”
“Also fine.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Don’t you hate me and my friends?” James frowned, blinking up at Evan as the boy scowled lightly.
“Just because we’re different sides of some bloody House feud, doesn’t make me hate you. If Reg vouches for you, that’s enough for me.” He nodded again, looking back to the bathroom door, as though waiting for something.
“Blimey.” James laughed. “Is that another one of those ‘Black cousin’ things?”
“A bit.” Evan shrugged, awkwardly pulling his collar straighter. “I grew up with them, you know? Before all you Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, Reg was my friend. I uphold that.”
“I suppose I ought to apologise for misjudging you.” James scratched the scruff of his neck.
“It’s fine. I’ll probably never speak to you again, anyways.”
“Alright.” He nodded, brow furrowed as the boy barged past him and out the bathroom - just as the door began to squeak open.
And, well, he wondered what in Merlin’s name that was all about.
James turned to the door, expecting some other patron, and yet… he was alone.
“That was bloody weird.” He spoke to the empty bathroom, before he simply shrugged his shoulders and headed into a stall.