born to be kings.

“It’s families like mine that have been ruined, though. It could have easily been mine, my family in the papers. It makes my stomach churn just thinking of it,” Charity replied, a soft sigh tumbling from her lips.

Bellatrix was fed up with all the talk about the attack, it was pretty much the only conversation topic anywhere in the school. Hearing yet another person speak about it, the Slytherin turned round, raising her eyebrow. “Yes, i know how horrible this stuff was but can’t we talk about something else for a change?”

“You know what? LET’S talk about something else! Can I propose a new topic of conversation?” He didn’t wait for an answer, continued quickly, his voice having an angry edge. “We should talk about your terrible personality, and how hard it is to stand, especially during times like these.”

“I know that right now probably ain’t the time to be askin’, but could I look over your notes? I saw they looked so pristine and I’d just love to take a peek.” Rosemary drawled out, her voice meek and timid. “If I don’t pass defense against the dark arts I’m gonna be in a world of trouble.”

Xeno frowned and straightened themselves out, fixing they hair before speaking again. “Don’t know why my being injured is funny..” they said in a grumble. “Im fine, thank you…I suppose I can’t be mad at you when it was myself not looking where I was going..”

“You’re injured?,” he asked, his laughs quieting. “I mean, like, are you properly injured? Or just ... achy? D’you need to go to Poppy? She loves me, I’ll take you, if you want.” James had a more serious look on his face, but not TOO SERIOUS. He’d be shocked if the other was seriously hurt. “That’s the least I can do, for letting you crash into that rude wall.”

“I just feel so sad for them all,” Charity added. “My family are safe - for now, who knows what might happen - and their families have been torn apart.”

“What the Hell is going on in the world?” Charity sighed, tossing the Daily Prophet to one side. “How am I going to look these students in the eye?”

Xenophilius wandered down the hall a little aimlessly, a book open in thier arms. They didn’t watch where they were going when they walked, too focused on the book in their hands, so it was understandable when they eventually missed a turn and ran right into the wall. They looked up with confusion at the person watching them. “You know you could of warned me there was a wall there..”

James tried to stop himself from laughing, but could not, laughter bubbling past his lips, head shaking. “Sorry, sorry --- I could’ve, should’ve, would’ve ...” He chuckled again, ran a hand over his face. “I mean, wow, that was just proper funny.” This whole trying to better his act thing was going to be hard, if people kept walking into walls, James thought. “I’m a shit person, just say it. You okay?”

He approached Lily ( @fxrecracker ) when he moved into the common room, a plan already forming in his mind. “Hey Evans,” he said, halting at the table she was sat at, his usual smirk absent from his face. “Wanna ... go for a stroll? I want to talk.” James knew that was vague, and he shifted a little. “We gotta do something, man.”

“I meant your record, ponce,” Lily couldn’t help but laugh, rolling her eyes out of amusement as opposed to the usual annoyance. “But let’s get one thing straight, yeah? If Freddie is getting with anyone, Potter, it’s me. Maybe, maybe you’ve got a nice arse but me? I’ve got a fantastic EVERYTHING. You don’t stand a chance.” 

“You didn’t say that. You said Freddie,” said James, too stubborn to admit that he’d misheard the other. He let out a laugh then. “As if! Freddie would choose me, that much is clear. He’s ---” James cut himself off then, remembering all of Lily’s words properly now. “HOLD ON, did you just say that I’ve got a nice arse? I mean, you’re right, but ... wow, Evans. That’s kinda dirty.”

“and he has a beautiful range.” she agreed, amused at his reaction to mercury’s voice ringing through the area. 

“He DOES. If I didn’t love him this much, I’d try to steal his vocal chords,” he said, imagining a world in which he could sing like Freddie Mercury.

Daisy laughed and shook her head at his dramatics. “The appropriate way to appreciate him is to sing along and fully enjoy the song.” She reached out to take his hands in her own. “What do you say? Come sing and dance with me Jay.”

“Dais, I thought you’d NEVER ask,” he said, jumping up and taking her hand. “Let’s show these fools what we’ve got.” James grinned, move over to a clearer space. “I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva!!!!”

sirius smiles lazily while watching everyone dancing. it’s nice; this year might be nice DESPITE everything. he glances up when he hears a familiar voice. “ jamie ! ” he calls happily, grinning wildly the moment he sees his best friend, his⸺  “ dear brother, ” he stands up as his mind slowly processing the fact that he’s just spoken out loud ( but then again, james KNOWS it, they ARE brothers ) & he wraps his arms around the other. “ buddy. where’ve you been ? you always have the best ideas. ” okay, maybe he’s a little TOO MUCH to drink, but it’s fine; what’s a party without getting wasted & causing some havoc, like james has suggested ? “ let’s go find MOONY & WORMY. ”

      remus hadn’t intended on drinking so much that night — but suddenly it was by all technicality morning and he could barely feel his legs as he stumbled through the still-raging party to try and find his friends. it was almost CRIMINAL that they had yet to spend time as a whole together on this particular night, and though he had spent most of his time with peter cheating at beer pong, he still wasn’t even sure he’d seen sirius since they’d split up upon arrival. just as he were about to turn and ask someone for help, he heard two slurring voices sound from behind him and he quickly turned ( almost tripping in the process ) and half-ran towards them. “ PADFOOT! paddy and prongs! i found ya! i’m like a — like a finding genius or something. wait… wait where’s wormy? ”

peter plucked his bottle from the table, bringing it to his lips an-empty. he hiccuped and frowned at it, peering through the brown glass, fingers still tight around the neck of it. how many had that been? one?                                                                                     or two?                                                                                                 …s e v e n?          he was pulled from his train of thought by a shout in the distance, and a wide grin pulled at his lips as he turned to see his friends banded together, staggering perhaps- or is that me- he wondered, carding a hand through his hair, blinking through groggy eyes, and feeling freer than he had in so goddamn long. “my boys!” pete called, spreading his arms wide - left foot, right foot, don’t trip over the tree root, left foot- and all but falling into sirius,  “my boys, how are we?” there was once a path between his brain and his mouth, he was sure, but now, head caught in a haze of booze -lightweight? me? jus-jus’ short, not a lightweight- and absolutely glowing with cheer, with a lightness he wanted to hold onto forever, and that path was gone, every word that occurred to him spilling from his lips, and merlin he was fine with that.  “are we having fun?”

James could WEEP when all of them were together, feeling a wave of happy sentimentalism wash over him. In his drunken state, his love for these boys was even bigger, it seemed, and it overwhelmed him a little. “The fun is just starting, Petey,” said James, his voice serious, his finger pointing at the other’s chest. “Because we are reunited once more!” He grinned, widely, corners of his lips curling up. He threw an arm around Remus, let his mind run wild for a moment --- his thoughts were jumping from one thing to another, his drunken state forbidding any clear thought. “I have a PLAN: we’re going to think of a plan to wreak a little havoc and make this party even more itneresting.”

“Well, I’ll certainly give it a go.” Jasmine chuckled at James. “I’ll suggest it to my parents but who knows what they’ll say. Some people are really against muggle music.”

“You can’t give those dickheads what they want, though, by not playing it! Screw ‘em! You shouldn’t try to match their needs when they’re bullshit and elitist.”

“Well then I will pay proper attention, and perhaps I will see or hear what you mean.” She laughed a tad, sipping on her little solo cup on wine she brought for herself. She knew potter’s stuff was too strong and too cheap for her tastes. 

“Rule number one of living: ALWAYS  pay proper attention when Queen’s playing,” he said solemnly, closing his eyes a little to focus on the music more. “You’ll live more happily and longer. Trust me.”

“Hm..it is much nicer to look at.” Amycus said with a small nod. “I come out here to think sometimes, clear my head. And its a good place for a cigarette.” Amycus really thought that the one thing muggles got right was their way of rolling cigarettes. If his parents ever caught him with muggle cigarettes they might have his head, but they were his favorite.

“Right? I don’t miss London a SECOND when here,” said James, before backtracking. “No, no, that’s not right. I always miss London a little.” The city matched his spirit more than the Scottish countryside, and it was home, after all. “That sounds pretty good, yeah. I prefer flying to clear my head, though, and I don’t smoke, so yeah. It is pretty here, though.”