The Gryffindor Commons
“You can’t be serious. There’s no way that Bulgaria will lose to Norway. Their seeker is incompetent, and their chasers are some of the slowest in the league. They’ll be knocked out of the qualifiers in the first round!”
“But the match will be held in Norway! That’s home team advantage.”
“That doesn’t matter James. Last World Cup, Bulgaria won against Spain. And where did they play the winning match? IN SPAIN!”
“Then how do you explain their pitiful performance in the Gold League? They came in fifth for the Gold Cup!”
“Well obviously they wouldn’t use their top players for something like the Gold League. They have to save them for the World Cup.”
“Sirius that doesn’t make any sense. The Gold League is just as important… no, it’s more important. It’s how they find their players from the European teams.”
“There’s the problem with the Gold League, it only covers Europe. What about the Americas? Or Asia?”
“Sirius, the Americans don’t take quidditch seriously. I’ll give you some credit for Asia, but they still don’t stand a chance against any European team. Even the Greeks beat the Japanese!”
“I’ll have you know that game wasn’t for any tournament. The Greeks only won by a ten-point advantage, and that was after catching the snitch.”
“Guys, could we focus on our homework?” Remus interjected.
“But this is important Remus.” Sirius said. “The World Cup is only a couple months away and we still need to get through qualifiers. How can you not see that this is important?”
“I would think our homework is important. I don’t want to fail my first year at Hogwarts.”
“The essay isn’t even due for another two weeks. We just got it assigned two hours ago.”
“Well last time we put it off, Peter nearly failed it.”
“He’s right Sirius. I had to take tutoring after that.” Peter said and looked down at his essay.
“Besides, its not like we can watch the match anyway. Its happening in Norway.” Remus said and slid Sirius’ parchment back in front of him.
Sirius grumbled as he took his quill and looked at the textbook. Who cares about the Goblin Wars anyway? Long story short was that the wizards won, and the goblins had to acknowledge that wizards were better. Right?
He didn’t really pay attention to Professor Binns, the man was a ghost. A ghost who had a very bland voice that could put anyone to sleep. It was worse than astrology. At least in astrology they had a living professor.
How could they not be more excited about the World Cup? This one was happening in England! They would all be able to go! None of them had been able to go to the last one in Spain, but now they had no excuse. They could all go and watch the final matches!
Sirius really tried to focus on his essay. He really did. The Goblin Wars was a boring topic, but he could power through.
“Okay, maybe Bulgaria will win against Norway. But they’ll lose to the French.” James said.
“What?! Bulgaria losing to the French?! James what are you on about?!” Sirius couldn’t believe the words coming out of his friend’s mouth.
“The French have already beaten the Austrians, and they’re a good team. The Bulgarians are lacking good chasers and the French aren’t.”
“Okay, but the Austrians aren’t comparable to the Bulgarians. You might as well compare the English team to the Belgians.”
“Guys. We have homework to do.”
“We can do it tomorrow Remus. James here must have hit his head if he thinks the French are going to win one over the Bulgarians.”
“I’m almost done as it is Remus, I only need like one more paragraph.” Peter said.
“Fine, but I don’t understand why we’re rooting for the Bulgarians. What about England?” Remus said as he put his parchment away.
“The Bulgarians are the favorite to win. They’re also the defending champions, so of course we have to root for them.” Peter said.
“Plus, its not like England has any real chance of winning. We just lost our keeper to retirement and McKenzie just isn’t as good.” Sirius added.
“Is that the only reason you’re throwing your lot in with the Bulgarians? What about national pride? We’re all English here.” Remus looked confused.
“That doesn’t really matter when we’re talking about the World Cup. Gold League? Fine, go England. But this is the WORLD CUP. Nobody cares about national pride when we got other big names in the mix.”
“You do know that both England and Bulgaria play in the Gold League as well?”
“That’s beside the point. Bulgaria is going to defend their World Cup title, not lose it the French. Isn’t that right James?”
Sirius was met by silence.
“James? What are you looking at… oh never mind.” Sirius looked over to where James was staring and then frowned and looked away.
Lily Evans had come into the common room with some of her friends and was sitting by the fireplace. Sirius didn’t know why James was so obsessed with the girl. Sure, she was pretty, had really nice hair, blazing green eyes, a soft face, a light voice that almost had a sing song quality to it, overall cute appearance… okay, maybe he did see why.
But that didn’t make her the center of attention to any room she walked into. Sirius didn’t understand why James was so taken with her. The moment he had met her on the train it was like his world had changed. James could barely get any words out when she greeted them, and Sirius had to step in before his friend choked on his own tongue.
Sirius didn’t really expect much out of the girl. She was sorted into Gryffindor and was a fairly good student, but by no means the smartest. In fact, the only remarkable thing that she had was a friendship with the Snape boy.
A Gryffindor-Slytherin friendship wasn’t common and so everyone took notice when they heard about it. James had immediately stated that the Snape boy was up to no good. His good friend might not have been thinking with his head there. Sirius knew that Snape and Evans studied together and were partnered for any class that the Gryffindors shared with the Slytherins.
That didn’t mean that there was some nefarious plot going on.
Sirius would know, his entire family was in Slytherin.
Although he did start to suspect something when they had come back from Yule holiday. When his cousin had walked over to the Gryffindor table, Sirius was sure that something bad was going to happen. Was he going to get revenge for that prank he played during lunch that one time? Public humiliation wasn’t above Corvus.
But no, it was something that even Sirius hadn’t expected. Corvus had went to Evans and gave her a handkerchief at that!
The moment that they had left the Great Hall rumors were flying everywhere. James was shocked into silence by what they had seen. Remus and Peter were shocked as well but they quickly started to consult the other first years about what just happened.
Sirius didn’t know what to think about it.
He obviously knew a lot about his cousin. Corvus was the first male of their generation to be born and for a long time he was the Heir Presumptive of the Black Family. Sirius knew that with his own birth, Corvus was knocked down in the line of succession. His mother harped on about it for years.
His father had later told him that after he had been born, there had been some tension within the family.
For all that he hated the plots that his family were involved in, he did know how to see through the veiled words to get at the meat of it.
His mother and father had taken quiet a long time to conceive a child and for a while it was assumed that they couldn’t. If they couldn’t then that meant that the family had to look else where for the next heir. That just happened to be Corvus.
Sirius wasn’t on the best terms with his cousin, but he did consider themselves at least cordial.
Corvus himself had said that he didn’t hold anything against Sirius for taking the position of the Black Heir.
A small part of Sirius didn’t believe him. It was obvious that he wasn’t Corvus’ favorite. That position was actually a toss up between Bellatrix and Narcissa. It was also obvious that Corvus’ mother resented Sirius.
Sirius’ mother said that the woman was just a “French bitch”, and that Sirius was superior in terms of breeding.
Sirius didn’t really believe that. How could he be superior if the rest of the family was so ready to take Corvus as the heir, regardless that his mother was French? Corvus was powerful and smart. Did it matter that he wasn’t born in Britain? Or that his first language was French instead of English?
Sirius just didn’t know what to think.
He became even more confused when he saw Corvus offer the handkerchief to Evans.
Sirius knew that Corvus followed the whole “Pureblood supremacy” thing. Hell, he agreed with Sirius’ own mother when she scolded him for some of the pranks he pulled. But he also told him and Reggie to think for themselves. He showed them around muggle London! He treated muggles like people instead of the dirt under his shoe.
It was so confusing.
Why would he openly court Evans?
“Would you stop looking at her like that James, you’re going to make me sick.” Peter said and nudged James in the ribs.
“What?” James was a little flushed in the face.
“Merlin help us, you can be rather thick headed at times.”
“I don’t understand what’s so special about her.” Remus said. “Sure, she’s pretty, but there’s no need to go stupid for her.”
“You don’t understand guys. She’s perfect.” James said with a sigh and looked back at Evans.
“Good luck buddy, cause so far you’re losing the race.” Peter said and patted James on the arm.
“What race?”
“Really James? You had like what? Six conversations with her that didn’t end in you stumbling over your words. There’s also the fact that Black is courting her.” Peter looked at James like he was missing something obvious.
“Hey! That’s not fair. I don’t stumble over my words and Sirius isn’t courting her.”
“I’m sorry James but you do, and he’s talking about my cousin.” Sirius said.
“But he’s not actually courting her right? He was just being nice.”
“Actually, he is. I went to the library and got this.” Remus said and took a book from his bag out and dropped it onto the table.
“Basics of Pureblood Courting?” Peter read the title.
“Yep. This book here states that courting most commonly starts with either a declaration of intention or a gift in the form of jewelry or silks.” Remus said.
Sirius grimaced at that. His mother had put him through several different lectures about courtship and what was expected of him as the heir.
“So, he really is?” James asked.
“I mean just take a look at it.” Peter said and all four of them looked towards Evans.
She had the handkerchief with her and kept it in her breast pocket. Even from the distance, they could see some of the gold embroidery along the edges of the pink fabric.
“That doesn’t mean he’s courting her.”
“James, come on. You should know that it does. You’re a pureblood heir as well.” Remus said.
“I think he’s right guys. I know my cousin. He wouldn’t court a first year.” Sirius said.
“See! They aren’t courting and there is no race.” James said and poked Peter.
“Well, that’s not how the rest of the school sees it.” Remus said and shook his head.
“Didn’t you say you weren’t friends with your cousin?” Peter asked.
“Well… he’s still family. That’s basically friends.” Sirius knew the answer was a weak one.
“Well, we can just go and ask him then.” James said and got up.
“What are you doing? Sit down.” Sirius dragged James back into his seat. “We can’t just go ask him.”
“Why not? You are family and if you think about it, I also could be considered family. So, we’re all friends, right?”
“James, we are in no way related by blood.” Sirius didn’t get where James was coming from.
“Aunt Dorea used to be a Black before she married Uncle Charlus and became a Potter. So, we’re kind of related.”
“That’s not how bloodlines work.” Remus said. “She may be your aunt, but only by marriage. You don’t actually share any blood with her. At least I don’t think you do. There might be a common ancestor that both of you have… we should look that up.”
“That’s beside the point. Yes, Great Aunt Dorea married your uncle and became a Potter. In my eyes we’re family. But Corvus might not see it that way. Besides, he hasn’t actually met her.”
“Really?” Peter said.
“You know how some call the Potters, blood traitors?”
It was a little awkward, but Sirius was met with a round of affirmatives.
“Well, when Great Aunt Dorea married Charlus Potter she was basically thrown out of the family. She also hasn’t come to any Black family events, invited or not. Merlin, Corvus might not know she’s even alive.”
“I think you might be overexaggerating it. Isn’t there like a giant family tapestry at the Black Manor? It would only take one glance at it to know that Aunt Dorea is still alive.” James said.
“Oh yeah, I kind of forgot about that. Either way, Corvus doesn’t know Great Aunt Dorea and so he won’t consider you family, and that’s why we can’t go to him.” Sirius said.
“But you are considered family. You literally are his cousin.” Peter said.
“Well…”
“There is nothing stopping you from going and asking him.” Remus said.
“It’s not that simple…”
“Why haven’t we thought of this before?” James said.
“Guys! We can’t go and ask him.” Sirius said.
“But he’s the one with the answers.”
“Look, he’s not courting her. No matter what the rest of the school says.”
Hopefully that was clear enough to get the message across.
“Unless you’ve gone deaf or stupid, you know that’s not true Sirius.” Peter said. “Just look, Evans is showing the handkerchief off right now.”
All four of them turned to look and saw Evans holding the handkerchief up for Mary MacDonald. It was actually the first time Sirius had clearly seen the handkerchief and he had to admire the quality to it. The gold embroidery was rather intricate and was made in the shape of what Sirius could only assume were lilies.
“Unless I’ve gone blind or Remus got his facts wrong, that’s a courting gift.” Peter said as he patted the book Remus brought.
“I’m not convinced.” James said.
“James, as your friend. I need you to grab a hold on reality. He’s courting her. We know it. The school knows it. The book knows it.”
“It could just be a… gesture of good will.”
Even Sirius wasn’t convinced by that.
“Really? Gesture of good will? This isn’t the Wizengamot James.” Remus said with a sigh.
“Hold on guys. Why can’t we just ask Evans herself?” Peter said.
“What! NO! We can’t do that.” James looked horrified at that line of thinking.
“Well why not, she’s right here.”
“It would solve our problem.” Remus pointed out.
“We can’t. We just can’t.” James said.
“That’s not a reason.” Peter said.
“It would be too obvious and a little uncouth.” Sirius said.
“What does uncouth mean?” James asked.
“I don’t see how it is. We’re all Gryffindors here and it is the simplest solution.” Remus said. “We are literally like… fifteen paces from her.”
“We just can’t.” James said.
“So let me get this straight. We can’t ask Corvus Black because… reasons? We also can’t ask Lily Evans because… I don’t even know what James is on about.” Remus sighed.
“I still don’t see why we can’t ask her.” Peter said.
“We are not asking her.” James nearly hissed out.
“Is it because you can’t talk to her? I could ask her for you.”
“None of us can ask her. Everyone in Gryffindor knows we’re friends, so if you ask her, they’ll trace it back to me.”
“So, the only solution is accepting that they’re courting.” Remus said and clapped his hands. “I’m glad we’ve had a productive session here boys. Oh, would you look at the time. Lunch is right around the corner.”
“What? No, you’re not going anywhere Remus. We’re not done yet.” James said and blocked Remus from getting up to leave.
“If we can’t ask Black or Evans, then what are we going to do?” Peter asked.
They were all stumped. Sitting at the table, the four of them thought in silence about what to do about the problem at hand.
It was during these moments that Sirius wished he had more of the Slytherin in him. If he did, he’d probably already solved this. Or maybe Corvus would have just told him what he was doing.
“I give up. They are or they aren’t, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I’m hungry.” Peter said and stood.
“But you can’t give up now.” James said.
“I’m not giving up. I’m tabling this discussion until a later time.”
“I still don’t see why we can’t just ask her.” Remus said.
“You know what, I’m going to do just that before we all die here.” Peter said and turned to leave.
“NO!” James yelled and tackled Peter to the ground.
A scuffle ensued as Peter kept trying to get off the ground and towards Evans and James kept trying to stop him. Peter grabbed James head and pushed it away while also trying to stand up, which just ended him back on the floor. James grabbed onto Peter’s leg and wouldn’t let go.
They had gathered a sizable crowd before one of the prefects came in and broke it up.
“Oi! Everybody get your asses to lunch! Potter! Pettigrew! I don’t even want to know what this is about. Just get up and out of the common room.” David Sharpe gave them all a pointed look and gestured for the door.
Sirius and Remus helped James and Peter off the ground as everyone else made for the Great Hall.
“I still think we should just ask her.” Remus said.
“We can’t.” James said as he dusted off his robes.
Sirius was getting tired of the conversation as they made their way towards the Great Hall.
Maybe he should just ask Corvus.
What was the worst that could happen?