𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬

IT WAS SUPPOSED to be a nice, normal night, and it was supposed to be spent entirely with your mum. You hadn’t seen her in a while, so getting to spend an entire night at hers was something that filled you with a little bit of hope.

You never had the best of luck at a good relationship with her when you were younger, but you’d both matured over the years (or you’d like to think) and put the past behind you, no matter how much it changed you mentally and emotionally.

You didn’t know whether it was because you were too different, or too similar, but nothing ever clicked for you two.

There was never that solid bond that you were promised by the other kids in your year at school who bragged about their picture-perfect family dynamic. There was always this weird, lingering animosity beneath the unstable foundations that you called the relationship between you and your mother.

Alfie never hesitated whenever you called him for help, and you were ever so grateful that this unofficial agreement withheld tonight.

Storming out of your mums house was not what you expected to be doing so late into the night, bordering on the next day, but here you were, sat in your boyfriend’s car, violently sobbing your eyes out as he drove you back to his.

“I know, darlin’.” He sighed, hand on your thigh, thumb rubbing back and forth, “I know.”

He was the cautious one when you’d mentioned spending the night with your mum. He’d seen how strained your relationship with her was, and hesitance was written all over his face when he dropped you off six hours prior.

Getting you into the grotto seemed to be a bit of an issue, because your body was locked tight and rigid, holding onto yourself, desperate for any bit of comfort. He chose to carry you in himself, taking your shoes off for you.

He skipped the living room, and went straight to the bedroom, sitting up against the headboard with you in his lap, cradling you into his chest as you let out the most awful, raw, child-like sobs.

He held you tighter with every one, his jaw clenching and Adam’s apple bobbing at the sound of your sadness. He wished he could take all your hurt and give it to his worst enemy, but life didn’t work like that.

Nothing came from his behalf except for gentle, meaningful strokes of his fingers over your skin, and the occasional shifting of his arms as he adjusted to hold you better and protect you from whatever nightmares that plagued you.

“I’m so tired of her, Alf.” You croaked, “She’s so draining.”

He hummed in acknowledgement of your words, choosing not to speak in fear of interrupting whatever cliff edge of thoughts that were about to come spilling out just as quick as the tears did down your cheeks.

“I don’t understand her. She acts like a child and I don’t understand how I’m supposed to win in situations like that.”

Your voice was hoarse, and your cries still weren’t done, pausing after every sentence to let out a sniffle or a fresh wave.

“I wish she would’ve cancelled instead of inviting me over knowing she was in a bad mood. I felt it the moment I walked in. You know?”

Alfie didn’t know.

He’d grown up in a fairly healthy environment, where one person's energy didn’t determine that of the rest of the house. So, again, he didn’t say anything. He just hummed, letting you know that he was present.

“I don’t get how an adult can be so immature. You can’t blame everything on me because you’re in a shitty mood, but she managed to do it anyway.”

“What actually happened?” Alfie asked softly.

“It’s so long …” You sighed, tone just as exhausted as you were.

“I’ve got all night, angel.”

You began explaining it from the very beginning, the way you felt the energy zap out of you the moment you stepped foot into her house. You tried to ignore it, to brush it under the rug, but that rug seemed to have a mind of its own as it kept skidding around the house, lifting of its own accord, causing you to take the brunt of your mothers anger, that was really directed at herself.

You knew that.

You knew she was only really angry at her own faults, but that didn’t mean you had to be okay with taking the brunt of it.

You’d been doing it since you were a kid, and that had an effect on you deeper than you’d ever know.

“I’ve never felt so drained just by being around someone. She, like, sucks the life out of me.”

“I know.”

Now, that was something Alfie did actually know.

He’d seen it from the moment you started dating (and even times before that) where your expression dampened at the thought of going home, and all the times you showed up to school looking upset and sunken.

Her constant judgemental words and belittling actions snatched the light from your eyes and crushed it up into tiny specs of dust. Of nothingness.

Alfie had been the one to return it to you, all pretty and pristine, ready to shine again.

It sucked to see all of his hard work tampered with because of one night.

But the difference between the anger in Alfie and the anger in your mother, was that you only faced the effects of one.

Alfie kept his genuine anger to himself. He threw himself into the gym, turning it into something positive. And when he couldn’t do that, he harnessed it and expressed it to you through calm, perfectly selected words that let you know the when, the why and the who.

“I just—… Alf, the thought of our daughter ever feeling the way I do is putting me off kids forever, like … what if I become just—“

“Don’t do that.” Alfie shook his head firmly, pulling you away from his chest so he could hold your face in his hands and have you look up at him, “Don’t you dare do that to yourself. You are nothing like her, do you hear me?”

“Not yet. But, I could be—“

“You won’t. I promise you that.” Alfie said adamantly.

“But it’s a fear, Alf. A genuine, honest fear that I have. I know you want kids, and I want to have your kids too, but I am so fucking scared of making them feel all the ways my mum has made me feel.”

His head was still shaking side to side, a non-verbal rejection of your words.

“You can shake your head all you want, Alf. But I feel it. I feel it everyday and I don’t know what to do. I feel it when your friends make their little joke about us having kids soon, I feel it when I see videos of other influencers having kids, I even feel it when I look at photos of myself from school. Alfie, I was so blatantly miserable in them.”

“I know, angel. I know. I remember, okay? I do. But, Reader, you will never be anything like your mum. You will make the best mummy for our kids whenever we have them, and it doesn’t have to be now, or tomorrow, or this year, but when that time comes, I promise you, you will be incredible. I believe in that for you.”

You sniffled, bottom lip trembling as he swiped away a tear with the pad of his thumb, “You don’t know that.”

“I do. What’s that thing you’re always saying to me? About you think I know you better the you know yourself?”

You let out a teary laugh, “That’s different.”

“Is it?” He challenged.

“I—“

“Look, I love you, okay? Whether we have kids or not, I will love you forever, but please stop comparing yourself to her. You are so much more mature and emotionally in touch than she is.”

You suckled on the inside of your cheek, tears blooming for another reason entirely now.

“C’mere.” He sighed, tugging you closer so you were straddling his lap, legs bracketing his thighs and face buried in his neck as every blink produced a rolling droplet. “For the record, you looked beautiful tonight.”

🐰 COMING IN CLUTCH WITH MY FAVOURITE PAIRING!!!

oh my god, i need this so bad. i can imagine will being a little bit older and slightly more gentler than alfie during the whole ordeal, like alfie is very very rough with you, cause your cunt just feels too good, whilst will is massaging your tits, cockwarming your ass as you mewl and whine at alfie’s thrusts.

i can imagine will also muttering praises as he kisses your neck softly when you stir from your sleep, trying to console you despite being absolutely obliterated in both holes, whilst alfie is on top, grunting, “she finally awake yet? wanna see her eyes when i come in her,” through gritted teeth.

YOU MADE EYE contact with Alfie across the sofa, thumb in your mouth as you anxiously nibbled on the skin around it.

“Stop.” He mouthed to you, and you moved your thumb from your mouth.

“There’s been a lot of talk about alliances,” Ethan read from his card, eyes tracking over everyone, making sure there were no rulebreaks, “So, it’s time to see who you can really trust. Each of you will head down to Room 19 and cast your vote for someone to eliminate.”

Your hands flew to your cheeks, jaw hanging loose and open, “Fuck…”

“That person will be going home this evening.”

“Oh my God, no. That’s disgusting.” Chloe scoffed.

“First person to vote will be Alhan.”

Everyone was a fidgeting, writhing nightmare as the threat of elimination loomed over you all.

“I think I’m going to send my vote to … Um, Expressions. Just because I feel like he has some kind of weird vendetta against me? There’s constant comments that are made, and there’s no one else in the house that I get along with less than him so … Yeah.”

“Everyone’s done so well in the challenges, but today … Expressions made a comment towards Reader during her challenge that I wasn’t a fan of. Again, don’t think he’s a bad bloke, but … gotta vote for someone so I’m voting for him.”

Expressions was the last person to vote, and by that point you were itching to jump up off of your seat and beg for them to end this torture.

“So, you guys have all gone down to Room 19 and cast your votes …” Ethan dragged out the moment, causing you to feel this awful pit in your stomach, “I can now reveal that the person that had been eliminated is …

AB.”

There was silence.

Your head snapped towards Alfie immediately, lips parted and a familiar burning forming behind your eyes.

“Could you please collect your things and head down to processing?” Ethan finalised, exiting the house solemnly.

Alfie nodded, getting up and walking towards the bedrooms.

Alhan was up immediately, kicking a cushion forwards and sending a couple of loose items skidding across the floor.

The boys followed Alfie through into the bedrooms, whilst you were frozen in a state of shock, staring at the seat your ex-boyfriend was previously sitting.

They spent a while all standing around, trying to figure out how this could’ve possibly happened considering all of the boys were supposed to vote for the same girl. It was then that Eddie revealed he’d voted for Indiyah instead of Saffron, and Alfie himself had voted for Expressions instead of Saffron.

“Does that mean Reader voted for you? Surely all the girls must’ve voted for you?” Expressions rambled on.

“Nah, she didn’t.” Alfie shook her head.

“Bro, come on.” Alhan tilted his head, “You said yourself she could be playing everyone in here and you wouldn’t know.”

In the living room, back on the sofa, Indiyah reached across to you, rubbing your back.

“Reader, hon? Are you okay?”

You remained wordless, pulling your hoodie up over your mouth to hide the violent trembling of your lower lip.

“Oh, babe.” She cooed, shuffling closer to you and holding you, rubbing your arm as your eyes squeezed shut, fat globs of tears spilling down them.

It physically hurt to know that he was going to be walking away from you again.

“He’s leaving me again.” You sobbed quietly, hiding your face out of sheer embarrassment from being so emotional.

“No, no.” Indiyah shook her head, her tone stern but gentle, “We’re not doing this. It’s not like that this time.”

“Reader …” Saffron whispered gently, sitting on your other side and rubbing your knee as Chian and Chloe stood in front of you, all of them muttering words of reassurance and encouragement.

The boys spoke for a few more minutes until Alfie came back in, parting the circle that the girls had made around you and taking your hand, pulling you up and out of the room.

You cupped a hand to your mouth, letting out a sob.

“Did you vote for AB?” Expressions asked you immediately.

“What?” You whimpered.

“Why’s he gone out then? All you girls must’ve voted for him.”

“Bro, back off, seriously.” Alfie said, pushing him away from you, “Just leave it, let me talk to her. Get out of her face.”

“You think I voted for him?!” You exclaimed.

“Alright! Alright! It’s calm, it’s calm!” Alfie placated you, standing in front of you. “Stop, darlin’. Just breathe.”

“Are you blaming her?” Alhan exclaimed as well, laughing purely out of shock.

“How can he say that?!”

“Alhan, chill, bro.” Alfie turned his attention to you, “Stop. Stop.” He shook his head, caging you into his arms, “None of that, ‘kay? It’s alright.”

“It’s not fucking alright.” You cried.

“What is going on?” Chian poked her head out the door.

“Exterminator is pissing Reader off.” Alhan scoffed, still pacing as a way to release anger.

“I don’t think an elimination has ever been this explosive before, Jesus Christ. Reader’s crying and overwhelmed, Alhan is pissed off, Expressions is in Reader’s face. How is AB the calmest person there?!”

“Come on.” Alfie huffed, picking you up.

You wrapped your legs around his waist, arms around his shoulders and face buried in his neck as your tears dribbled onto his skin.

He carried you into the bedrooms, and all the boys left, leaving you two to have your moment.

He sat down on his corner bed, having you in his lap, facing him and straddling his lap.

“Oi, c’mon now, no tears.” He muttered, wiping your cheeks.

“It’s not fair.” You croaked, “You didn’t even do anything wrong.”

“I reckon it’s the spending thing, you did warn me about it.” He chuckled, trying to lighten the tone, “It’s fine, okay? I’m just happy you’re still here. Win it, yeah?”

“How?” You croaked, “I feel like we bridged the gap between the boys vs girls thing and now you’re gone it’s gonna be so weird. Like, the boys are just gonna send the girls off. There’s no guarantee I’m safe.”

“I will talk to them, okay? I promise you, if I find out any of them have voted you out at any point or nominated you for any type of elimination, I’ll lose my shit.” He began pretending the box with someone, making you giggle tearily.

“You’re leaving me again.” You whispered, tone broken.

“No, I’m not, angel. You’ll see me soon when you win all that money.” Alfie smiled, tucking your hair back, “And when we get out, I’m gonna sort things out. Properly this time. I’m trying harder. I’ll be so much better for you. I hate having to do this whole thing on television because I know there’s bare cameras around, but I promise you with my whole heart I will fix things when I see you on the outside. I’ll be a proper boyfriend this time, yeah?”

“Why did you never say it back?” You asked, eyebrows furrowed, “It was all I asked you to do in an argument where I was convinced you didn’t want me anymore, and you couldn’t even say it.”

“I just … I was in shock. I swear, that was all. I didn’t think it was real, at the time. But clearly it was and you weren’t muckin’ about. I see that now. But, Reader, I promise you I love you more than fucking anything. ‘Kay? Please please please never doubt that.”

You let out a cry, nodding, “I love you too.”

He wrapped you in a hug, letting you bury your face in his neck again. He sighed heavily, feeling your chest wrack against his. His hand caressed over your head, stroking through your hair.

“Who did you vote for?” He asked in a whisper.

“Expressions. You?”

“Same.” He nodded.

Your head poked up and you frowned, “Really?”

He nodded again, “He has some weird vendetta against you, I didn’t like it.”

“Oh, okay. I thought the same.” You hummed, resting your chin on his shoulder.

“Hey, look at me.” He hummed, cupping your cheek, “Give us a kiss.”

You didn’t even hesitate, it was like second nature. The hands clasped behind his head pulling him closer as you pressed your lips to his.

There was so much passion behind it, an entire year of pent up emotion and longing for each other.

It didn’t take long for positions to be switched.

You both kicked your slippers off, you lying back on his pillow and him clambering over you, not disconnecting your lips for a second.

He was starving for you.

Alfie grabbed his covers, pulling them up over the both of you so the majority of both of your bodies were covered except for the tops of your heads as your lips moved in a synchronised dance you thought you would’ve forgotten by now.

“Alf …” You muttered against his lips as he nudged your legs apart, allowing his body to sink closer to yours.

“Fuckin’ missed you so much, angel.” He broke apart to whisper, stroking your nose with his before connecting your lips again.

Your hands held onto either side of his face, thumbs rubbing over his cheekbones while his biceps bulged on either side of your head, his forearms holding him up above you.

His tongue slipped past your lips, rolling against your own and making you grin into the kiss. You let a soft moan pass from your mouth into his.

It wasn’t fast or rushed or panicked, it was slow and dedicated and controlled.

The tips of his fingers scraped along your hair, keeping it pushed back out of your face.

“Where are Alfie and Reader?” Saffron asked while everyone was gathered in the hallway outside the showers.

“Probably fucking.” Alhan deadpanned, foot kicking and sliding against the floor, still in a mood that his mate had been voted out.

They all looked between each other.

“There’s no way they’re actually.” Chloe laughed.

“Nah, I gotta check.” Eddie shook his head.

“No, one of the girls go. It’s gotta be sneaky.” Marlon said.

“I’ll go, I’ll go.” Indiyah whispered, creeping up the stairs and silently crossing the hallway and glancing into the bedroom.

Through the glass doors, all she could see was bedsheets rustling on top of Alfie’s back and the sound of lips smacking.

Her jaw dropped and she ran back to the group, squealing.

“Are they? Are they?” Chloe asked.

“I couldn’t tell but they’re definitely doing something. Oh my God! Why are my cheeks hot?!”

“You just watched AB and Reader make out with each other, maybe?” Alhan deadpanned again.

A loud ding rang throughout the house.

“Can it fucking wait?” Alfie groaned, dropping his head to your collar bone.

His hair tickled your neck and you giggled, pushing him up and back.

“I like this, by the way.” You hummed, threading your fingers into the curls on the back of his head, “Could be a bit longer, but.”

“Yeah, I know. My barber fucked me before this.” Alfie scoffed, cupping your face once you’d stood up and swiping away the messy lipliner around your mouth.

You walked back into the living room, everyone eyeing you.

Alhan began clapping loudly, “Walk of shame.”

“We didn’t fuck, bro, what are you talking about?” Alfie frowned, pushing his friend away jokingly.

The TV was lit up, and everyone took their seats on the sofa, you under Alfie’s arm, which curled around your waist, resting on your outer upper thigh.

Another ding made, and the TV changed to rows of names and who voted for who. It read:

Expressions — Reader

Chloe — AB

Indiyah — AB

Saffron — AB

Alhan — Saffron

Ben — Saffron

Marlon — Saffron

Chian — AB

Eddie — Indiyah

AB — Expressions

Reader — Expressions

“Okay, the girls makes sense.” Alhan muttered, running his fingers through his beard.

Alfie’s head snapped up to look at Expressions.

“What? I didn’t vote for you.”

“Why’d you vote for Reader?” Alfie asked, freakishly calm, but you could feel his hand clenching against your thigh.

“Wait, yeah.” Marlon mumbled, looking to the man as well, “What the fuck?”

“You can’t be mad at me when youse were all saying you were gonna vote Reader off!” Expressions shouted.

You played with your lower lip, feeling a little awkward about being in the centre of attention.

“We said it as a joke!” Alhan shouted back, “It was ragebait to AB ‘coz it’s funny pissing him off. We were never actually— Oh my days, man!”

“Why’d you vote for her?” Alfie asked again.

When you looked up, you could see the muscles ticking in his jaw.

“Alf, stop.” You whispered, “It’s fine. Be mad that you’re going home. Not over one vote.”

“No, I wanna know why.” He demanded in a low voice, pursing his lips.

“You two also voted for me.” Expression argued, gesturing to the TV screen.

“Oi, Sidemen, if you’re here can you reload everyone’s reasonings?!” Alfie shouted out to the house.

There was silence.

“Nah? Calm.” Alfie grumbled, standing up with Alhan.

“Why did you vote for Reader? I’m so confused.” Ben mumbled, doing a mental count of the votes on screen.

You spoke first, admitting your reasoning, “I voted for you because I feel like you have some sort of … issue with me. Like, I don’t know. I don’t know. I just got those vibes… Clearly, I was right.”

“It was just a throwaway vote.” Expressions shrugged, “I didn’t think you would be voted out and I didn’t wanna send anyone home.”

“That’s snakey.” Marlon muttered to Alfie and Alhan.

“Yeah.” The latter agreed.

“And he was having a go at Reader saying ‘Oh, you picked AB, you picked AB’ he didn’t even fucking vote to keep him safe!”

“Why’s he picked fucking Reader?” Alfie frowned, still shaking his head.

“I can hear you.” Expressions said.

“Shut up. Don’t care.” Alhan shrugged, unperturbed by the confrontation.

You stood up abruptly, moving towards Alfie and holding him still with your hands on his waist.

“Stop.” You hissed, “Don’t turn it into a big thing. It’s one vote. I don’t care. I’m not arsed. Stop it. I don’t want the attention or drama on me.”

“He’s got a vendetta against you, darlin’.”

“I know, but he’s one person out of the ten of you. I. Don’t. Care.”

“Okay, let’s rephrase this.” Alhan hummed, “If he voted for Saffron, like we planned, it would’ve been a draw. If Eddie voted for her, it would’ve saved AB, but he wasn’t aware, so it’s fine. He’s got a reason.”

“Where did the Saffron thing even come from?” You flapped your hands.

“The whole girls vs boys thing. She’s like the leader of the girls movement.” Marlon said.

“God, this is such a mess.” You huffed, rubbing your temples.

“Oi, we got your back.” He muttered, standing behind you with his hands on your shoulders, “Fuck that, you ain’t leaving. You gotta get to the final or AB will hunt us down on the outside.”

You must admit, that made you laugh.

“You boys go talk, I’ll stay with the girls.” You hummed, waving them away and joining the girls on the couch.

“Hey, babe. You okay?” Chloe asked.

“I’m okay, yeah.” You nodded, turning to Saffron, “You alright?”

“Do you know what that’s about?” She questioned, gesturing to the amount of times she was voted for.

“I literally just asked them it came out of fucking nowhere, like, I never knew they were planning this.” Your eyes widened as you explained, “They said it’s just the boys vs girls thing and how they felt like you were the leader of the girls side. Kind of like how you all voted for Alfie.”

“I haven’t done anything wrong?” Saffron’s voice broke.

“Oh my God, no!” You gasped, wrapping your arms around her, “No, it was just a thing of them wanting to get the girls out one by one.”

“It’s just hard knowing half the people in here want you out.” She sniffled.

“I know, I know.” You hummed.

“Are you doing okay?” Chian double checked.

You nodded, “Me and Alfie are going to be having a chat on the outside. He said the boys have my back, but I don’t know how 100% I am about that.” You whispered.

“If they have any real loyalty to AB, then they will keep you in.” Indiyah said.

“Yeah, I agree.” Chloe nodded.

“Still, I don’t wanna … I still wanna bridge the gap between the boys vs girls ‘coz it’ll be so awkward if we’re in a completely separated house, but … my loyalty lies with you guys.”

“Hell yeah, girl.” Indiyah whooped.

“I feel so dumb for full body crying earlier.” You admitted.

“Don’t be. Don’t be.” Chian shook her head, “Your situation with AB is so much more complicated and different to just some random person you magically got close with being voted off.”

“Yeah, honestly! I think you held yourself together really well, actually.” Indiyah assured you, “Whether the outside viewers think you over reacted or not, it doesn’t matter. Fuck what they think. You know your true feelings, and so does AB. That’s all that matters.”

“It felt really nice to get the girls’ reassurance that I didn’t overreact to Alfie getting voted out, because it really felt like I did. I did say I was sensitive before I came in, so now you guys have seen it properly.”

In the shop, you, Chian, Marlon, Alhan and Ben sent Alfie off with a glass of prosecco, one of 15 (which cost £45,000 by the way) before walking him to the exit.

“I would’ve been more upset if I never made any good moments, but we had a fuckin’ little movie.” Alfie spoke while hugging the boys goodbye. “And I made up with my angel girl.” He winked at you, bringing you in for a hug.

“For now.” You hummed, making the lads laugh.

“Cheeky. Oi, Reader, spend some money for me, please? Take my meal upgrades, treat yourself, whatever.”

“Oh, shush.” You groaned.

“And you lot.” He pointed to the guys as you and Chian stood with interlocked arms, “Keep her fucking in, I swear to God.”

“Yes, boss.” Marlon jokingly saluted him.

“We’ve got you, bro.” Ben nodded, dapping him up a final time.

You unwhinded your arm from Chians’ and fed them around Alfie’s neck, kissing him again before he disappeared through the doors of the elevator.

“Honestly, all I’ll say is … Good luck to Marlon, Alhan, Chian and Reader. Oh, and Ben, spend some for me. For fuck’s sake, please, Jesus Christ.”

That night, you shared a bed with Indiyah, unable to face the mattress alone knowing that the boy you had fallen for all over again was no longer a few spaces down from you. You slept back to back, though your legs ended up spread across majority of the bed, leaving her in a crumbled ball.

When you woke up, it was the first thing said to you by Alhan.

“Reader, do you want any Indiyah with your mattress?”

“Shut up, Alhan.” You groaned, yawning and sitting up beside your closest friend in here, “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You needed comfort last night. I don’t mind.” She smiled, resting her head on your shoulder.

You and the girls went straight to the bathrooms to get cleaned and freshened up before sitting at the makeup table and redoing the same routine that you’d been repeating for the past three days.

“My gorgeous girls, where would you lot like you breakfast?” Alhan questioned, walking in with boxes of cold porridges stacked up to his chin.

“No, thanks, don’t want that.” Chloe replied immediately, unimpressed by the bland, disgusting meal.

“Here.” Ben mumbled, putting a container down beside you, “With the honey in it again.”

“Thank you.” You yawned, accepting the brief hug from him.

“Feeling better?” He asked, rubbing your arm.

“Uhm, a little, yeah. It’s just weird that he’s gone. It’s too quiet. Also, not sure how I feel about being voted off by Explosives.”

Ben chuckled, “I know, it was so out of nowhere but, we’ve all got your back in here.”

“Thanks.” You smiled, continuing with your makeup.

“I’m feeling a little better about Alfie being gone, I mean, I’m not okay with it, but … hey ho. I’m just glad I still have Indiyah, Ben, Alhan and Marlon to keep my moods up.”

In the shop, there was a range of new items added to the list.

“Can I confirm a skateboard, please?” Ben asked.

“A skateboard?!” You gasped, mind going way back to the times Alfie begged to teach you his tricks, and all the times he made you record whatever moves he was pulling at the park.

“Disposable cameras!” Saffron gasped.

Two of those were ordered as well, a picture immediately being taken.

You made sure to get one with Indiyah, her lips to your cheek.

“Everyone in!” Eddie gestured, his arm stretched out, hoping everyone was in frame as he snapped a photo.

The moment the skateboard came through, Ben took it, clipping the helmet on and kickflipping.

You laughed at his attempt, obviously not going well since he was wearing slippers and had limited space in the box room that was the shop.

“Are you laughing at me? You think you can do better?” Ben smirked.

“Should I try?” You grinned.

“Go on, Reader!” Chloe clapped as you took his space.

You mounted the board and performed a sloppy attempt at a kick flip, trying to remember the technique Alfie had taught you. Your ankle clicked, having not been used like that in a while, but the board did do a full flip, you just ended up stumbling off of it.

“Oh my God.” Alhan cackled, covering his mouth as that ridiculous laugh left his mouth.

“How did you do that?!” Chloe gasped.

“I’m just the goat.” You shrugged cockily, taking a bow and gesturing for Ben to take the stage with it again.

“Okay, well now I have to do better than you.” He grinned, a different gleam in his eye.

As if seeing you perform a skateboarding trick you learned from another man made you ten times more attractive.

“Be my guest.”

He did it once, landing bent over with his hands on the floor.

You clapped with an impressed nod.

He wasn’t as good as Alfie, though.

You all migrated to the living room, watching Ben in amusement as he jumped off of different things with the board and rolled around the floor.

“This is the maddest we’ve seen Ben all week. You give this guy a skateboard, he’s lost his head. Actually, I’m convinced it’s because AB’s gone so now he’s got a clear shot at Reader. Kinda mad, but I respect it. Game’s the game. Wait, nah.”

Ben ended up on top of the table, riding the skateboard off of it. Everyone cheered and clapped, laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

“Reader, can you ollie?” He asked.

“I never learnt! I tried it once and the skateboard slipped out into the main road. Alfie was fuming, but I bought him a new one for his birthday.”

“Oh, AB taught you?” Alhan piped up, nonchalance running through his tone, immediately alerting you.

“… Yeah.”

“Cool, well now Ben’s gonna replace him. Take it away Mr Steal Yo Girl.” Alhan joked, pulling out a camera, “Let me get a picture for AB too.”

“You’re horrible!” You scoffed, slapping his arm, “Worst friend of all time.”

“No, I’m plotting big things, babe.” He said, “Just you wait.”

“I’m not your babe.”

“Yes you are. You’re my babe. I’ve gotta protect you so AB doesn’t slaughter me when I get out of here. I’ll genuinely never vote you out.”

“You’re such a fucking liar.”

“Nah, I’m just scared of your man. He looked like he was gonna knock Exclamation Mark's head off last night.”

The room burst into laughter and you shook your head, giggling behind your hand.

After this, everyone began playing human bowling ball, in which Eddie propelled everyone forwards on the skateboard individually with a helmet on, crashing into the water bottles and then the soft blow of a mattress.

“I’m so scared!” You squealed, “Okay, go!”

Eddie launched you forwards, the wheels rolling speedily along the smooth floor. You kept your head down, the helmet knocking bottles down as you flopped into the protective mattress.

“That’s so fun!” You gasped, taking Marlon’s hands as he helped you up.

When Eddie went, you and Indiyah pushed him forwards and the entire set shook as a result of his crash, causing loud cackling from everyone.

“I think we’re genuinely losing our minds in here. We’re using ourselves as bowling balls … what the fuck!?”

In the shop, Ben, Alhan and Marlon were gathered, plotting to each other.

“The girls have got to go.” Alhan said what they were all thinking, “I love them, but for us to get to the end, they’ve gotta go.”

“Mmm, not Reader, though.” Marlon tutted, “We promised AB.”

“Is she on our side?” Ben furrowed his eyebrows.

“Yeah, yeah,” Alhan nodded, “The only girl she’s really, importantly close with, is Indiyah. Saffron and her are getting closer, but …”

“We need to get Indiyah on side then.” Marlon hummed. “Can we use Reader for that? Do you think—“

“We can try.” Ben shrugged, “I think whatever happens, Indiyah and Reader will have the same mindset.”

“You say that but look at their votes. Indiyah voted for AB. Reader voted for Expressions.” Alhan toyed with his waterbottle, “I think us three and Reader we have to get to the final no matter what. Fuck everyone else, and I mean it.”

“Saffron’s still next to go?” Marlon double-checked.

“Yeah, yeah.” Alhan nodded, “Bro, Reader doesn’t even have to win, she just needs to be in the final. That’s all we promised AB. Then, sack her off.”

“Dude …” Ben muttered.

“Shush, you just wanna fuck her.” He deadpanned, “It’s true. The final thing and the fucking thing.”

“I don’t wanna fuck her.” Ben said exasperatedly.

“Stop acting like it then.” Alhan shrugged.

“This trio alliance is gonna do us really good in getting to the final, especially since we have Reader on our side too. But, I don’t want her to win. I wanna win. So, yeah, I swore with AB to get her to the final, but that’s it.”

In the afternoon, Indiyah got alerted that her temptation was ready in the temptation room. She was gone for a long while, around 30 minutes or so, and when she came back she had good news.

She’d managed to add £9,000 to the prize pot by having kittens standing on a circle for ten seconds without moving.

Everyone applauded her, happy that she contributed back to the prize fund.

After a rather emotional conversation with Chloe and how she spent majority of her life fretting over whether or not she was worth enough due to her looks, you ended up opening up about your past of bad relationships with food and how horrible it was now that you looked back on it, because there truly was never anything wrong with how you looked.

It’s crazy what an insecure, underfed brain can convince you of.

You found it slightly insane how much you and Chloe had in common simply from being on social media from such young ages.

A loud ding rang from the television, alerting you all of a notification, sending you to the challenge arena.

The room had doors in them, painted red and green alternately and numbered 1 to 16. Simon and KSI stood at the centre of the studio.

“Welcome everyone to Mystery Doors.” The latter introduced, “Over the course of this challenge, each one of you will open at least one door.”

Simon took over, “And, because this is INSIDE, anything could be behind those doors. So, pick carefully. We have randomised the order, and the person going first is … Saffron.”

Everyone clapped in encouragement for her as she stood to join the two men. She ended up picking door six due to it being her favourite number.

Behind the door, were chickens, and she was now tasked with acting like a chicken for the rest of the day every time a clucking noise played over the speakers. She was only allowed to stop once someone pat her on the head and called her a good chicken. If she kept it up, you’d be rewarded with 100 chicken nuggets at the end of of the day.

It was a humiliation ritual, but you must admit, it was so funny to watch her skip around, flapping her arms like chicken wings and ba-kawk.

Indiyah was up next, picking door number four, in which she had to nominate another person to play rock, paper, scissors against KSI. If he won, they took £10,000 from the prize pool. If he lost, you got to add £10,000.

Chloe asked to go, and after two intense rounds of drawing, he won, draining the already speedily dwindling prize fund.

Marlon was third to be eliminated, and he got to chose whether to add £30,000 to the prize fund or take £10,000 for himself when he gets out of the Inside house. Thankfully, he did the team player thing of selecting the first option, contributing to everyone.

You were fourth up, rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet.

“Which door are you feeling?” Simon asked.

“11. It’s my lucky number.”

It was actually the day that you and Alfie had gotten together, but the rest of the world didn’t need to know the reasoning behind your lucky number.

You slowly opened the door, scared in case something jumped out at you.

Instead, there was a stationery object.

A gold envelope with a black skull on it.

“Oh, shit, what does that mean?”

“Take the card, please stand in the middle and read it out.” Simon instructed.

You took the envelope, walking to stand between him and KSI while opening it, reading out the contents.

“Your time is up … Please head to the Processing Room and leave immediately.”

Everyone gasped loudly, Indiyah rising to her feet in protest.

“There’s no way!” She exclaimed.

“I knew it! The moment I saw that skull.” You huffed, shrugging as you accepted your fate.

The group came to say their goodbyes, and you hugged everyone as they came.

Indiyah held you especially tightly, annoyed that your fate was a loss to this stupid game and not something fairer.

“Stop laughing, prick.” You slapped Alhan’s stomach, laughing yourself.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He tried to hold himself together but pulled his shirt up over his face.

You gave him a brief hug.

“Kiss AB for me.”

“For you?” You laughed.

“Yeah, he knows I wanna lips him.”

“You are so, so strange.” You commented, moving to hug Marlon.

“I’m sorry, we tried.”

“It’s okay. Thank you for having my back last night anyway.”

Ben hugged you double as tight as well.

“I hope you enjoyed those two honey porridges you got.”

“Oh, I did.” You sighed, rubbing his back, “Thank you.”

Everyone was told to sit back down as you waved goodbye and walked off of set.

It was an odd feeling, being in the house on your own as you gathered your things and put them in your suitcase. It was bittersweet, because it was such a shame your time ended here, but at least you went out due to a challenge and not someone voting you out.

“Well, I guess that’s it … I wanted to get to the final. I didn’t come in here expecting to win, but to see the final day would’ve been nice. Oh well. Everything happens for a reason. It’s a bit shit but, life goes on and I’ll see everyone soon.”

In the elevator, the doors shut in front of you, and you waited to feel the movement of it going down, but it never came.

Instead, a secret door in the back panel of the lift slid open.

You turned around slowly, not expecting anything drastic, but—

~

“Harder Alfie.” You whimpered eager for him to fuck you deeper. “Fuck girl you’re so tight.” He grunted as he gripped your hips harder, digging into your skin so tight you swear he drew blood.

You reached up to him, pulling him closer to you for support burying his head in your neck. He used this opportunity to kiss your neck roughly, his lips leaving sloppy trails all over you. His teeth bit down on your skin making sure to leave marks. You moaned at him only egging him on to fuck you even harder.

He pounded into you so hard, his pelvis smacked against your thighs repeatedly. Your heat was already leaking all over him.

Alfie needed a harder grip on you to pound into you deeper, he threw your legs over his shoulders and wrapped his large, muscular hand around your neck almost choking you. His fingers wrapped around your much smaller neck perfectly.

Your lips were puffy, tears were rolling down your cheeks as you felt his tip slam into your g spot. The pressure on your neck pushing you over the edge, sending you into a euphoric orgasm. You reached up, gripping his large bicep to help you handle the insane feeling that was pooling in the pit of your stomach.

You couldn’t hold on anymore, you felt yourself release all over his cock. “My dirty girl.” He said in his husky voice. He kept fucking you until he reached his climax making you spill over in extreme pleasure.

He pulled out of you, lying down beside you, pulling you over his chest. You fell asleep together after that intense experience.

~

“fuck’s sake” you murmured under your breath. You ignored it for the moment and continued getting ready, taking a brisk shower and doing your morning routine. 

You were washing your face under the faucet when you felt a pair of muscular arms reach around your waist. “Morning princess.” Alfie’s morning voice was so sexy, it made you wet just hearing him.

“Morning love.” You said wiping your face with a soft yellow towel then turning to face him. 

“Jesus.” He said in surprise. “What?” You shrieked scared of a possible bug on you.

“Did I do all that? Jesus.” He muttered the last part, lifting your arms and examining the bruises, then lifting your jaw to look at all the marks on your neck.

“Yeah.” You said quietly, turning around and looking at yourself in the mirror while he continued to stare at the bruises through the mirror.

“Sorry about all that.” He said, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink in embarrassment. You turned around, cupping his cheek and aweing at the way he got all soft and cute.

“Stop it Alf, you don’t need to apologize. I like them.” You said proudly planting a soft kiss to his lips. 

“Well, are you still gonna head to London with me?” He said furrowing his brows.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?” 

“Well, you’re covered in bruises babe. People are gonna think I battered you up or somethin’.” He said.

“No they’re not Alfie, you’re ridiculous.” You said with a chuckle finally moving on to your hair. “Okay but if one person even assumes it, I’m ditching you in London.” He said, stepping into the shower. You rolled your eyes and kept getting ready. ‘No one will think that.’ you thought to yourself.

You both took the tube to London and even though you were bundled up in a nice fluffy coat with a small turtle neck, you still got odd looks from strangers while Alfie got even dirtier looks from them. Every time your turtleneck slid down, you pulled it up making people think you were hiding something. 

You tried to ignore it but it was hard. It was much harder for Alfie since people were disgusted with him. Ladies clutched their purses, mothers pulled their daughters closer, even men gave him unpleasant looks.

You grabbed his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He looked down at you and immediately felt better. 

The first video shoot you arrived at was a more sidemen video with a couple of the guys including Simon, Ethan, and Harry.

“Jesus.” Ethan said the second he saw you. “Alfie what the hell man?” Simon said his voice filled with concern.

Alfie gave you a knowing look, with a deep sigh. “Guys, it’s nothing. Really.” You tried.

“Hey, give me a sign if he’s hurting you.” Harry told you quietly, elbowing your arm. 

“Guys I know what you’re thinking and he didn’t do anything.” You defended, struggling to explain your case.

“You know, the only times Faith gets bruises like that is when…” Ethan began but realization set in and Alfie immediately grew a deep shade of red. 

“Holy shit, Alfie is a fucking dog!” Ethan cheered while the other boys stood there with confused looks on their faces.

“He fucked the shit outta her!” 

“-Ethan!” Alfie shouted embarrassed, placing a protective arm around your waist. 

“Sorry but damn, I didn’t know you were like that Alfie.” Ethan laughed.

“I’m still confused.” Harry said innocently.

“I think Alfie got a bit too rough in the bedroom.” Simon explained. 

“Right, you man, can we change the topic here.” Alfie said loudly, you couldn’t contain your laughter at how embarrassed he was. 

“Not you too.” He said. 

“Sorry, it’s just, you look so cute when you’re embarrassed.” You booped his nose. 

The boys ‘awed’ at that, making Alfie wince. “Not in front of the boys babe.” He whined. You put your hands up in defense walking to the couch and taking a seat.

The next stop was filming a video with Chip. 

You walked into the studio on Alfie’s arm and were quickly greeted by Frampton and Kian. 

“Damn Ab, abusing your missus nowadays.” Frampton joked. Alfie sighed as you rubbed his arm lightly. 

“Obviously not, Alfie is so whipped, he’d never harm a hair on her head.” Kian continued. 

“Exactly.” You smiled up at Alfie. “Yeah, yeah.” He responded rolling his eyes playfully.

“Reader! Long time no see girl!” You heard Sabina say as she walked up to you, giving you a tight hug. Her smile quickly fell when she noticed your bruises.

“Are you alright love?” She said lifting your jaw to get a better look. You let out a small chuckle. “Yes. I’m okay. It’s not what you think.” You began. She gave you an ‘are you serious’ look. 

“You know how Alfie is built like a giant?” She nodded her head. “Well sometimes he doesn’t know his own strength.” You replied proudly. Her jaw dropped with a smile. “No way, he did all that?” She gasped excitedly. You nodded your head with a huge smile.

“My big beef cake.” You chuckled watching as Alfie began getting ready to film with Chip.

“You guys gonna do anything after this?” Sabina asked. 

“Probably get a bite to eat, we haven’t had a proper meal, just a small breakfast bar.” You explained.

“Oh we gotta go out to this great restaurant I found recently. They have an amazing lunch menu!” You nodded along, agreeing. 

The shoot was over and you four were off to lunch. 

You sat in the back of Chip’s car with Alfie, his hand rested on your thigh. Each second, he kept lifting it higher and higher. You gave him a warning look and he just kept that smirk on his face, the one that shows off his fangs, the one that makes you go crazy for him.

You rolled your eyes and looked out the window until the restaurant.

You sat at the table in front of Alfie and next to Sabina. 

“God girl, he’s so crazy for you.” Sabina said, sipping her drink. 

“Stop it, no he’s not.” You denied. 

“You should hear how he talks about you when you’re around. He talks about your smile, your laugh, whatever you’ve got going on lately. Chip makes fun of him all the time. It’s adorable though. He is so head over heels in love.” She went on. You felt your heart feel so full for him. 

You looked over at him, he was chatting to Chip but noticed you looking, sending you a toothy grin, a sort of sparkle in his eyes, the one that shines only for you.

“Well, I’m crazy about him too.” You said quietly, taking a swig of your drink.

Lunch went by quickly, you got to catch up with your friends and enjoy a nice meal.

You split with Alfie to do some solo shopping as he went back with Chip and Sabina. 

“You sure you gonna be ‘aight by yourself?” Alfie asked not wanting to leave you alone. “Yes Alf, I think I’ll survive.” You joked. 

“Okay fine. Call me when you’re done. Call me if anything happens. Call me if-” 

“Okay, I’ve got it babe. Don’t worry! Go record your podcast and you can meet me later.” You tried to reassure him. He was hesitant but left you anyway. 

You went on your way to the shops to buy some things you can’t get back home, especially some new clothes you’ve desperately been needing.

As you shopped around for a while, you noticed plenty of odd looks, some judging and some of concern. It wasn’t until one of the sales girls made a comment did you remember the bruises all over your body.

You had taken off your coat to try on some clothes, the bruises perfectly on display for anyone to see.The sales girl was quick to walk up to you.

“Hi, sorry to bother you but-” She paused looking around. “Are you okay? Are you safe? Did someone do that to you?” She bombarded you with questions. You were taken aback but shook your head quickly.

“No, of course not, well yes but not like that, I-”

“Hey baby.” You felt that familiar grasp around your waist followed by that familiar, husky voice you love. 

You looked to see Alfie with a cheesy smile on his face. He planted a quick kiss on your lips and looked towards the girl. She had a horrified face on her, one that would make anyone think he straight up murdered you right then and there.

“Oh my. Um, if you’d like I can help you find a coat that will fit your style. Seriously, come with me, I’ll help you find one.” She grabbed your hand lightly, delicately, almost scared that if she touched you too roughly you’d shatter like glass.

Alfie noticed her hand on you and instinctively pulled you closer, making her expression turn to one of extreme concern.

“I’ll call the police right now if that’s what you need, you just tell me.” She leaned in, saying that loud enough so just you heard her. 

“Okay.” You said, having enough of the situation.

“Love, you are absolutely brilliant for wanting to help me. Seriously bless your heart and I pray that, god forbid, if the situation ever does arrive then someone like you is there to help a sister out but in this case, this is my boyfriend, yes, but he would never, and I mean never hurt me. He wouldn’t even hurt a fly. He may look big and scary but he’s so sweet and soft. He didn’t do this~ well he did but not because he hit me but because he is quite rough in bed-”

“Okay, you don’t have to tell her the rest. I don’t need everyone in London knowing our sex life.” Alfie stopped you. You looked up at him, giving him an apologetic smile.

You turned back to the girl who was now beet red in the face. 

“I am so sorry to assume, I just, ~wow he really did all of that in bed?” She exhaled deeply.

You nodded your head almost cockily. “Yup, all my man.” You said wrapping your arms around his waist making his face turn a light shade of pink. 

She definitely began seeing him in a different light in that moment. It kind of made you jealous, the way she stared at him with those ‘fuck me’ eyes.

“Alright that’s enough, you know the truth now please leave us alone.” You said full of jealousy. “But thank you.” You said. She nodded and walked away, not without another glance at Alfie making you roll your eyes.

“Okay, I think it’s time to go back home before I lose you to a London girl.” You said, grabbing your items and tugging his arm. 

“You don’t have to worry girl, I only have eyes for you.” He said. 

“You’re so whipped.” You teased. He opened his mouth offended as you just laughed. 

The ride back home was much better than earlier. Much better since neither of you noticed all the stares you received because you only had eyes for each other.

“Of course I do!” Remus suddenly exploded, standing from the chair and holding his palms to his temples. “Don’t even—don’t you dare for a minute insinuate that I don’t miss her with every fibre of my fucking being! You have no idea what it was like when you were in Azkaban—when I thought I’d lost both of you! How much I wished you both were here!”

Sirius scowled. “Imagine how I felt from my cell!”

Remus’ hands trembled as he shook his head, turning from Sirius. “Save the story, Sirius. I’ve heard it a hundred times before.”

“You’re such a dick.”

“You want me to break the law, Sirius! You’d like for us to go against the Order’s wishes to see—to go and see her, and fuck, Sirius, Merlin knows how much I’d kill to see her again, but we can’t! Horrible, terrible things happen to wizards who meddle with time! We were given strict orders—to retrieve James’ cloak. We can’t let anyone see us, Sirius!”

Sirius felt like he could rip his hair from his head. Instead, he bit his knuckles. “But horrible things happened to us anyway, Remus! How the fuck could it get any worse than it’s ended up? There’s another war raging on. I went to Azkaban, you spent thirteen years alone, and Y/N is fucking dead! She’s gone, and you can’t even say her fucking name!” He watched Remus’ face go completely white. “Go on, say it, Remus! Because I haven’t heard you say her name since she was—since she was here with us!”

Remus’ fists curled. “Fuck off, will you?”

“I said your names every single day when I was in Azkaban! I refused to forget any of it. Any of what we had! Just say it, Remus!” Sirius’ voice rose to yelling, and he stood from the bed. “Go on. It’s Y/N—in case you fucking forgot. Say Y/N’s na—”

Remus caught Sirius’ wrists when Sirius went to shove him, his large hands gripping him hard. “You’ll be back in Azkaban if we were caught! And I’d be in the cell next to yours! Is that what you want?” “I don’t care—”

“Of course you don’t, but one of us needs to think rationally. You said you’d be fine doing this when Moody asked! You said—”

Sirius jerked away from Remus, his face stony and his glare cold. “Fuck off, Remus.”

Remus rolled his eyes and quickly shuffled for the pack of cigarettes in his coat pocket. He watched Sirius stalk back over to the bed and chuck himself in it, yanking the duvet up to his shoulders. He felt the strain in his chest and his throat, his eyes growing incredibly hot as he propped open the inn’s window. He lit his cigarette and hung his head out into the cold air, and only then did he let the tears drip down his face.

He glared at the snowy pavement, seething with rage—furious that Sirius had put him in such an awful position, angry at you for no longer being here, and absolutely sickened at the fact that he had the time turner around his neck. He couldn’t use it for the one thing in the world that he wanted. 

He glanced over at the vibrant pink and green sweet shop. Honeydukes was always the first place you went to, every Hogsmeade trip, and you always used to get the same thing—toffees and a chocolate frog. Across from Honeydukes was the bench where the three of you had drunkenly admitted your feelings for one another back in your sixth year. He stubbed his cigarette out on the windowsill hard and then lit a second one. 

 When he finished and shut the window, he turned, and the room was cold and smelled of nicotine. He pulled off his clothes and got into the bed next to Sirius, careful not to touch him—apprehensive that the feeling of their skin touching would only fuel their furies. 

Sirius’ voice was thick with clogged tears when he spoke a few minutes later, filling the heavy silence. “We don’t work without her, Remus. You know that.”

He bit the inside of his cheek and didn’t say anything for a long while. He thought Sirius might have fallen asleep, and perhaps that was how he gained the courage to speak. 

“I miss Y/N all of the time,” he whispered, barely audible. “I miss her first thing in the morning, and the last thing at night. I think about what the three of us had back then. It was the last time I was actually happy. And we all took it for granted.”

“We were idiots,” Sirius whispered back croakily. “Young, and we all thought that made us fucking invincible or something.”

“It should have woken us up when Marlene died.”

“They—” Sirius’ voice cracked. “Peter was always going to have to kill Y/N if he wanted to frame me and make you go away. There was nothing we could have done.”

Remus’ fists clenched. He scrunched his eyes shut. “She loved Peter.”

Sirius choked. “What he did to her—” He felt physical pain shudder through his system. “The state he left her in—He was fucking brutal, Remus.”

“I know,” Remus whispered, his eyes growing fuzzy, his brain numb. 

“She didn’t deserve that. She was still—she was alive when I—”

“I know,” Remus said, harder. “I already know.”

Sirius lifted his shaky hands as if he could still see the blood on them, even in the dark. Remus reached over to encase one of them, and he tugged his hand against his chest. Sirius shook as he cried, wriggling closer to Remus, sobbing into his chest. Remus felt himself begin to crumble, too. 

“She was only twenty-one.”

And that was enough for Remus to really sob. They were in their late thirties now. Remus was aware they were never supposed to get this old without you. You had always spoken of your future together, every word as optimistic as the last. You were supposed to be here. He would let you take his place any day. He’d let you and Sirius have this at the drop of a hat—you deserved to see the world beyond the first war. 

“Just one more time,” Remus whispered, and he grasped Sirius’ hand tighter in both of his, moving them upward from his chest to the time turner sitting around his neck, engulfing the cool metal. 

Sirius’ eyes were wide and wet with shock. “Remus?”

Remus spun the time turner back and back and back—all the way to 1978, before they had become soldiers for the Order.

── .✦

Remus inhaled the familiar smell of the Hogwarts corridors. He’d been here only a few years ago at his temporary position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, but somehow, this felt different. Perhaps it was because Sirius was by his side, or maybe it had something to do with the fact that they had gone back to the 1970s. He swallowed as he glanced around at the empty halls, his expression nearly matching Sirius’. 

“Merlin,” Sirius muttered. “This is fucking insane.”

Remus nodded in agreement. “This was a bad idea.”

Sirius swatted him hard. “Are you fucking kidding me, Remus? She’s here! She’s in this building right now!” “And we’re nearly forty years—”

“-I’m thirty-six, actually—”

“We will not blend in with everybody else here! We’re going to be noticed immediately,” Remus worried. “And Dumbledore will quickly realise we’re from the future, and we’ll be hurled off to—”

Sirius grabbed Remus’ wrist and yanked him closer to an alcove despite the lack of anybody around them. “Okay, so we’ll sneak into Slughorn’s classroom. He’s bound to have some sort of de-ageing potion.”

Remus scratched the back of his neck anxiously. “This is so wrong, Sirius.”

“I’m not leaving here without seeing her, Remus,” he told him firmly, and Sirius took off in the direction of the dungeons, as if it hadn’t been twenty years since they were last students here. 

It was rather easy for Remus and Sirius to find the correct potion in Slughorn’s storage cupboard. Sirius and James used to have their fair share of fun experimenting and swapping things over to cause chaos for early-morning potion lessons. Remus watched Sirius throw his head back and down the potion as if it were a shot at the bar, his face scrunching at the taste.

Sirius wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, ridding the purple residue, and he blinked at Remus strangely. “Well? Do I look any different?”

Remus shook his head. “No, you—”

Sirius suddenly jerked forward with a violent cough, one of his hands grabbing onto Remus. Remus’ hands gripped him, trying to keep him upright, his dark eyes wide. 

“Pads!” Remus panicked. “Shit, are you—”

He watched the silvers that had been starting to appear on the back of Sirius’ head turn black again. His shoulders seemed to broaden ever so slightly, his body rejuvenating after the thirteen years spent malnourished in prison. Remus gawked, helping Sirius back up when he’d stopped trembling.

“Sirius?” He whispered. “Are you alright?”

Sirius groaned and touched his forehead. “Yeah, I think so.” His voice. Remus felt his heart skip a beat. He grasped Sirius’ head, forcing him to look at him, and Remus felt everything inside him freeze over and then promptly ignite. Gone were the first signs of wrinkles around his eyes and the bits of silver that had started to make an appearance on his head. Sirius’ stubble was gone, replaced with smooth, clear skin—his eyes youthful, his face a little fuller.

“Did it work?”

Remus couldn’t help but laugh. “It fucking worked, Pads. It actually worked.”

“It’s your turn, Remus. It’s your turn. Hurry!”

Sirius spent the next ten minutes looking at himself in the reflection in one of Slughorn’s cauldrons, while the effects of Remus’ took place. The coat he was wearing suddenly felt looser, his back and hip far less stiff. Remus moved Sirius out of the way to look, touching his scarred face in awe at the youthful man looking back at him. 

“How long does this last?” He whispered in awe.

Sirius reached over to touch Remus’ face. “A few hours. Merlin, Rem. You look so young, it’s terrifying. We were so young when all of this was happening.”

Remus swallowed and touched Sirius’ hands. They were smooth. “I’m scared,” he suddenly admitted out loud—he didn’t even realise he was going to blurt it, and hadn’t a clue that he was really feeling so anxious. “Part of me isn’t sure I can handle seeing her, Sirius.”

Sirius exhaled and splayed his fingers broader on Remus’ face, as if to cup as much of him as he could in his palm. “You can do it, Remus.”

“What if she asks questions, Sirius?” Remus whispered painfully. “I can’t spend these moments lying to her. I can’t—I don’t know if I can do this knowing it’s the last time I’ll see her. I accepted years ago that I never got to say goodbye. I can’t say goodbye to her tonight, Sirius. I ca—” He was cut off by a pair of lips pressing against his own. Remus hesitated for a moment before he kissed back, and he was startled by the familiarity of kissing a much younger Sirius. It almost felt wrong, and yet it felt like no time had passed, as if he was back home. He pressed his hands to Sirius’ arms as if to physically force himself off of him. 

“Shall we find her?” Sirius pleaded breathlessly.

Remus nodded, his chest tightening. 

── .✦

“It’s only eleven at night, so chances are, everybody’s in the common room,” Sirius said as they headed up one of the staircases. 

Remus pulled a face. “Yes, including us, Sirius. How are we going to get past that one, hm?”

Sirius chewed on his bottom lip. “Errr—” “Mr Lupin!” Madame Pomfrey exclaimed, and both men jumped as they turned to face the older woman. “Did I or did I not tell you to stay put exactly where you were? You shouldn’t be moving with your leg the way it is!”

Remus exchanged a panicked glance with Sirius. “Er, I’m sorry, Madame Pomfrey. It’s only, I’ve been feeling better, you see, and Sirius was just walking me back up the dorms. I’d like to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“Mr Black, you should also be in bed!” Madame Pomfrey scowled. “You’re in no position to be helping Mr Lupin yourself! Where on earth is your splint?”

It dawned on Remus very quickly which full moon had just occurred. He remembered it all too well, with a sick feeling in his stomach still to this day. He had badly hurt Sirius in his Animagus form, and Sirius had ended up with a snapped arm and a broken nose. It was the Christmas break, and you had stayed to not only keep Remus company over the full moon but also because you would rather be with them than back home.

 If Remus was remembering correctly, you were one of the only students to stay that year. The war was raging on, and people didn’t feel as safe at Hogwarts anymore. James’ father was starting to get sick, and he wanted to take Lily back to them for their first Christmas as a couple. 

“Miss Y/L/N will come and see you boys first thing in the morning, she told you herself,” Madame Pomfrey scolded. Remus flinched, and Sirius nearly swayed in his spot. “So get back down to the infirmary right now. I’m heading back in ten minutes—I expect to see you back in your beds, and you with that splint on, Mr Black!” She turned away from them, marching down the corridor. “For Merlin’s sake, these children…”

“Fuck,” Sirius said, holding his hand against his pounding heart as soon as they were out of sight of the school nurse. “That was so fucking close. How lucky was that?”

“Lucky,” Remus said, though he was hardly as amused as Sirius. “Come on, before I make us turn around.”

They hurried up the stairs even quicker than they had been going before. Remus took three steps at a time easily, though his legs felt like lead, as if they wanted to plant to the ground and stay there. When they reached the portrait of the fat lady, Sirius groaned.

“It’s you,” he said distastefully. 

“Not the password!” She sang to him. 

“We don’t have time for this. If you’d be so kind as to let us in,” Sirius said with a forced smile, his teeth practically gritted. “You know who we are.”

“You could be anybody!” The Fat Lady argued. 

“Do I look like anybody to you?” Sirius huffed. “I am Sirius Black, you know exactly who—”

The portrait swung open, causing the Fat Lady to scream unexpectedly. Her shrieks dimmed in both their ears, and their mouths dropped open. Remus swallowed thickly, his heart nearly coming out of his throat. Sirius was as silent as Remus had ever seen him. 

You stood there, wearing one of Remus’ old knitted jumpers—one he still had at his home to this day, and the plaid bed shorts you swore matched it. You looked just as beautiful as they both remembered you, though your face was yanked down with the heavy weight of concern. Remus felt like he had been sliced open. 

“I thought I heard you two bickering out here,” you said uncertainly, your furrowed brows scanning them both over. “Oh, Merlin, I am so glad you’re both okay.”

You hopped from the small stair and landed with your arms thrown around both their shoulders. Your touch was all to familiar, like hearing a song you had completely forgotten about, and fuck, you smelled of the oils you ran through the ends of your hair each evening, and the moisturiser you always used to “bribe” him or Sirius to slather on your skin (they were more than happy to do it for you, they just liked when you asked). 

Remus thought he might be sick as he wrapped his arms around you, too. Sirius was as stiff as a board, his eyes startled as if somebody had just murdered his entire family in front of him. 

“Sirius,” you murmured as you pulled away, and your hand touched his face. He flinched back to life. “Are you okay, darling?”

Sirius choked a laugh and then began to laugh harder. 

Remus anxiously grasped the back of Sirius’ neck, squeezing it gently. “I-I think maybe he’s still in shock. From last night.”

You nodded and traced your hand down so that it met with his. You squeezed his fingers. “Come on then. I didn’t know Madame Pomfrey was going to let you both out tonight; otherwise, I might have asked the House Elves to prepare us all a nice dinner. I already ate something, but I could maybe—”

“We’re fine, thank you, Y/N,” Remus murmured and followed you into the common room. It was easier to talk to you when he was covering for Sirius. If he’d had to speak purely for himself, he was sure he might be in the same boat. 

Remus had visited your grave for more years than he had known you alive, and yet there you stood, walking around, smiling and doting over them as if nothing was wrong. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He was sure he’d wake up, and it would be a dream. 

“Y/N,” Sirius suddenly rasped from where he sat on the sofa. You quickly turned to him. “Y/N.”

He touched your face and then stroked your hair behind your ear. His eyes were darting all over you, as if he was looking for any sign of injury. He looked down at his hands after he had touched you, and he found no blood this time. Last time, his skin had been stained with it. He’d woken up in his cell covered in the crimson that used to keep you alive, and they did not let him scrub it off of himself for weeks. 

“Sirius,” you repeated, and cocked your hide to the side with a small smile. “Do you want a cup of tea or something?” You reached up and touched his forehead. “You are quite warm,” you told him. 

“He’s fine,” Remus said pointedly. “How are you?”

You thought for a moment and then sighed, your face contorting into a pinched smile. “I’m okay. Better now that you two are here. It was awful without you last night—it’s really scary in the tower alone.”

Remus felt the guilt start to eat him. You’d been alone when it had happened. You had most likely been the most terrified you had ever been in your entire life. 

“I missed you both,” you said, and ran a hand through Sirius’ hair. 

He closed his eyes and leaned into your touch. 

“I missed you, too,” Sirius whispered, and his hand reached up to cup yours over his face.

You furrowed your brows at him. “Why are you being so solemn, hm? You’re concerning me a little bit, love. And you’re being awfully standoffish over there, too, Rem.”

Sirius shook his head quickly. “No, no. I think—I think the full moon just reminded us that it’s scary when we’re all apart. And that—and that anything could happen. We’re just glad nothing happened to you.”

“Because I wasn’t stupid enough to chase after Rem when he clearly wanted to be alone,” you chuckled at Sirius and leaned forward to kiss him. “Always have to insert yourself into places you don’t belong, don’t you?”

Sirius frowned. Remus nearly chuckled at the irony. She was right, and Sirius never grew out of it. 

“It’s not a bad thing, sweetheart,” you told him affectionately. “Just don’t like seeing you get hurt because of it. It’s bad enough when Remus has torn himself apart every month. Don’t need both of you in there.”

Both of them were in awe at your kindness. They had forgotten that people like you existed. Someone who was so understanding of them—someone who saw all of their flaws and loved them for them. You were so young, and yet so emotionally intelligent. Neither had met anybody like you before. 

“It won’t happen again,” Sirius whispered. 

“I’ll believe that when I see it!” You called with a laugh as you headed over to the staircase. “Come on then, we should head to bed. It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow! It’d be nice to take a walk through Hogsmeade if you’re both feeling up to it. We’ll need to check your hip first, Rem.”

Remus felt his heart lurch. He grasped Sirius when he stood to follow you eagerly. 

“We might stay down here for a little bit, baby,” Remus said as softly as he could, his brown eyes nearly melting in the warm lights of the Gryffindor common room. “We’re not tired yet, but we’ll follow you up.”

Sirius pulled away as you frowned. “But—but I don’t want to sleep without you again,” you said. “Please, Rem. I don’t mind you’re awake. You can read or—or do whatever you’d like, but I just want to sleep with you next to me.”

“Of course we’ll come up with you, sweetheart,” Sirius said, and turned back to give Remus a wicked grin. “Come on, Remus. Don’t be so ridiculous.”

Remus could have smacked Sirius. The look on your face was enough to make his heart burst in his chest. His logic was battling with his feelings, and he knew the right thing to do for all of you was to leave now, but he couldn’t force himself. He found his long legs carrying him up the familiar staircase that led to their old dormitory. You pushed open the door like it was yours, and quickly rushed to jump into Sirius’ bed, which had been transfigured into a king-size at some point. 

You wriggled under the covers. Remus glanced at Sirius and saw him staring at the bed at the end of the room. James’ bed. His Quidditch kit was chucked over his chair, a pair of red Converse by the end of the bed as if he had been there only the other day—because he had been. He bit down on his bottom lip and gently pulled Sirius over to you, who hadn’t noticed the strange behaviour from the boys. 

Sirius felt his face melt, and he was quick to head over, kneeling onto the bed and climbing into your side. 

“You need to put your pyjamas on!” You told him. “Both of you, hurry.”

He laughed as your hands half-heartedly pushed him away. He opened the drawer at his bedside and then the one beneath. He couldn’t quite remember where he put them until—

“Idiot,” you muttered and threw a pair of plaid trousers at his head. “Under your pillow, remember?”

“Right,” Sirius said, and ripped his shirt from his body, then his trousers. 

He pulled on the pyjamas and glanced over at Remus, who was doing the same. They were both moving like teenagers again, slightly more effortlessly than men in their late thirties. His gaze flickered to his own chest and his arms. He had the start of a couple of tattoos, but nowhere near as many as he got as soon as he had left Hogwarts. He felt naked.

“James sent an owl asking how you both were, by the way,” you said, and it was so casual to you, and yet so horrific for them to hear as they got dressed. “He said he feels bad for leaving while you were asleep, but I reminded him it’s not his fault. Oh, and Lily asked about you both, too.”

“We’ll owl them,” Remus said, his chest hollow, his smile fragile as he turned back to you and climbed into the bed. 

You were in the middle tonight, it seemed, and neither of them was complaining. It was where you often ended up, if Sirius wasn’t in a mood and desperately after the most attention. 

“Pete asked too,” you said, and all the blood left both their faces immediately. “He’s such a sweetheart, honestly, you two—he sent in a box of chocolates for you both. It’s got some of your favourites in it, Rem, but from the looks of it, he chose which ones went in himself. It’s got a note and everything, bless him.”

“Bless him?” Sirius retorted, his fists clenching the bedsheets.

He suddenly felt as sick as he did that day. He could see you lying on the kitchen floor of the house, which the three of you shared. Remus and Sirius weren’t talking to each other—they were arguing for the hundredth time that week, and you were being a fucking saint putting up with them. It had ended particularly awful that morning, with both of them accusing the other of being the traitor that the Order was searching for. Remus was off doing werewolf-related tasks for the Order, and Sirius went out for a ride on his motorbike. It was better than having to listen to you and your excuses for Remus.

He walked slowly up the path, dreading your kindness, but the sight of your front door knocked open enough to make him feel nauseous. He was lightheaded all the way through to the kitchen, where your record player had stopped singing and instead rested on a static pause. The sink was full of cold, soapy water, dishes half done, and you had baked something—he remembered the air was so sickly sweet that night. Cinnamon. He couldn’t stand that smell anymore. 

It had mixed with the scent of iron. He had nearly slipped on all of the blood. It was thick. It pooled over the tiles you used to dance on, it caked the hair he used to run his fingers through. Your dress was ripped, a slice down your arm that was obvious to him in seconds. Your chest was home to a massacre, and the kitchen knife you always used, because it was the sharpest, lay discarded feet away, painted crimson with your blood. Your wand had rolled beneath the table, your fingers still open like you were reaching for it.

You musn’t have gone down without a fight. The kitchen was a mess. 

He lay there for an hour next to you. He kept thinking about how this would be the last time he’d ever get to do it. Eventually, his howls dimmed, and he lay staring at the kitchen ceiling as lifelessly as you. Sirius dragged himself up from the floor. He needed to find James—see if James knew where Remus was. He needed Remus. Remus needed to know about you. Remus had no idea. 

Sirius had continued to sob when he leaned over and gently grasped your wrists. He settled for leaving them on top of your stomach, and his fingers shakily reached to close your eyelids. He hovered over you for a few more minutes, and gripping the skirt of your dress, bunching the material as silent sobs racked through his body. 

It took him another hour to get up. His legs felt like lead as he left you there. He wasn’t sure he was fully alive as he Apparated to the back of the Potter’s cottage, where they often snuck in and out to avoid being noticed. Sirius startled when he found the air had shifted, a dark green cloud smoking over James’ home, a snake coming from a skull. 

He knew it was Peter immediately. The Secret-Keeper. Of course it was. He had been the traitor the entire time. Whilst Remus and Sirius had been pointing fingers at each other, Peter had been sitting there, often next to you, and he had probably been plotting all of your deaths. Sirius thought of James. Lily. Harry. You. He thought of you, and he knew what he had to do. 

The rest of the night was such a blur to Sirius now. He remembered hunting down Peter in his Animagus form, using his sense of smell to realise he wasn’t too far. He found him down a Muggle street in London, trembling and shaking down an alleyway. He remembered having Peter pinned, he remembered seeing blood down Peter’s arms, and a splatter across his face. 

Peter himself was missing a couple of his fingers. You must have gotten him. Sirius remembered how furious he had been: that Peter had gotten away, and you were gone. 

He was so furious that he wasn’t thinking straight. He could only imagine your confusion, your hurt, and the agony you must have been in. He hurt Peter the Muggle way. He wanted him to hurt as much as he hurt you. Only, Peter seemed to be thinking more rationally— he drew his wand, and he created an explosion. 

It was so large that Sirius had dropped him, and by the time he’d looked back, Peter was in his rat form—gone. 

The Aurors arrested him near enough on the spot. He screamed and protested. He yanked at his chains and gritted his teeth as they told him he was going to be imprisoned for all of his crimes. He begged for Remus over and over again. His screams turned to laughter when he realised how easily he had been tricked by Peter Pettigrew. Everybody had underestimated him. Sirius himself had seen Peter as meek and underpowered. Sirius had lost absolutely everything in a matter of hours, and he had woken up that morning thinking the day would be no different from every other. 

He went manic. He screamed and screamed all night. He rattled the bars of his cage until somebody Crucio’d him. He wondered if he was in as much pain as you had been when Peter had stabbed you over and over and over again. He told himself he deserved it for not being there for you. He deserved to rot behind bars just for that. 

“Did Pete do something?” You asked, and Sirius nearly leaned over the side of the bed to be sick. 

His eyes flickered over to Remus, who was watching you with such a haunted look that Sirius couldn’t take it. Sirius thought to himself that if he were to ignore hindsight and the future, then he would be sending you off to your death. You’d die again. It really would be his fault. He could have saved you. He should have saved you. He should have—

“I just don’t really like him very much anymore,” Sirius murmured. “I’ve… I’ve seen something in these tea leaves, okay? I saw something, and I didn’t like it.”

You snorted and tapped Sirius’ chest. “You’re rubbish at Divination! Last month, you thought you were going to end up riding a Hippogriff back to London!”

Sirius and Remus cast a look at each other, Sirius’ mouth slightly agape. “Actually, I think I have a knack for it. Maybe my timing’s just a bit off.”

“Sirius,” Remus warned. 

“He won’t freak me out, don’t worry,” you reassured Remus, and patted his leg over the duvet. “Why, Siri? What did you see that Peter did?”

Sirius swallowed and shut his eyes. “I have to go to the bathroom,” he panicked once he reopened them, and he was quick to dart away. 

You worriedly watched him go and looked back at Remus. “What’s wrong with him, Rem? Seriously. I’m worried about him. He’s not acting like normal.”

Remus sighed heavily. “Let me go and check on him.”

He climbed carefully from the bed, walking over to the bathroom. Just as he touched the handle of the door, he glanced back at you. You were watching him, your head tilted curiously. 

“What?” You asked. 

He shook his head. “Just stay right there, okay? I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“I don’t plan on going anywhere any time soon, don’t you worry,” you told him innocently enough. 

Remus shook his head and pulled open the door. He shut it behind him immediately when light poured through, and he found Sirius bent over the toilet, trembling.

“I can’t do it, I can’t do it,” he kept muttering. 

Remus felt the rage ignite inside his chest, hot and raw. “Sirius, this was your idea.”

“I thought I could handle a peaceful evening with her,” Sirius heaved. “But I can’t, Remus. How can we leave her here, knowing what’s going to happen to her? We’re essentially sentencing her to her death!”

Remus’ face curled, but his eyes were hot with tears. “It’s difficult. It’s how…” his voice broke. “It’s how it’s supposed to go.”

“You don’t even believe that!” Sirius shot back. “I can tell in your voice! You want to save her, too! Didn’t we always promise her that we’d keep her safe, Remus? Didn’t we? Look at her! She’s eighteen years old, and she only has three years left! That’s not fucking fair, Remus! Why did we get to live for so long, and she didn’t?”

They’d had this conversation a hundred times since Azkaban. Sirius held a particular amount of survivor’s guilt and PTSD. Remus was slightly better at burying his grief and self-loathing, just about content enough to survive until he saw Voldemort and Peter dead. He always thought he’d see how he felt after that. 

“Sirius, I know,” Remus hushed him, smoothing his face with his hands. “I know. I know.”

“We could save James and Lily, too,” Sirius said desperately. “And Marlene. Harry’d never have to go to the Dursleys. The second war would never have broken out. We just have to kill that fucking rat! Right now, Remus! I can gut him as he did to her!”

Remus closed his eyes, grounding himself by gripping Sirius’ shoulders. “Calm down, okay?”

“Calm down—?”

“If Harry and Lily didn’t defeat Voldemort, who would have, Sirius? We were losing the war back then. If it had never happened, the Dark Lord most likely would have become even more powerful. Eventually, he would have taken over. You’d have been used as an example of blood treason. James, too. Lily and the other Muggleborns would have probably been rounded up to be slaughtered. I’d be carted off to the werewolf packs. Y/N…” His face went green. “Fuck, Sirius, Y/N would have probably been married off for her blood status—used to repopulate the Purebloods.”

“You don’t know that!” Sirius seethed, but his face was crestfallen, his breathing rapid. 

“You don’t know that wouldn’t happen either, though, Sirius! Everything has a knock-on effect.”

“Then…” He hesitated, a strangled expression over his face. “Then perhaps we can just try to save Y/N.”

He mentally apologised to James over and over and over again. He’d make it up to him through Harry. 

Remus covered his face with his hand. “You’re not listening.”

“I don’t care!” Sirius cried. “Is that what you’d like me to say, Remus? In all honesty, I will take whatever risk it is to give Y/N the chance of living! So we don’t kill Peter then. Fine. But maybe we can make sure that Y/N is not in the house that night. That nothing bad happens to her that night. I won’t—I won’t go to Azkaban, she won’t die, you won’t have to spend years alone, and Harry can have a family! The three of us can raise him, Remus. We’ll stop the second war from breaking out. We’ll let Peter go to Azkaban for what he’s done! That’s worse than death!”

Remus blinked, and for a few moments, it looked as though he was truly considering what Sirius was saying. Sirius could feel the hope blossoming and blooming in his chest. He grasped onto Remus and shook him impatiently, as if that would make him hurry up with his decision. 

“Well? You look like you like my idea.” “Of course I do,” Remus melted. “Of course I want all of that to happen.” He tugged his lip between his teeth. “I have always said I would do anything to have her back.”

Sirius could have burst into tears. “Remus, don’t say all of this to take it back. Please.”

“Sirius, if we get caught, we’ll be arrested at the very minimum.”

“I’d go back to Azkaban for a hundred years for her, Remus,” Sirius said so determinedly that the air knocked from Remus’ lungs, and it was as if Sirius’ words had burst Remus’ morality bubble for the first time that evening.

His body sagged, his eyes sinking. “Yeah, me too, Pads.” “Then let’s risk it. Or give me the time turner, Rem. I’ll do it myself. We can send you back, and I’ll come and get her. I’ll make it right. You’ll never know the difference,” Sirius pleaded.

Remus’ trembling hand took Sirius’, and he shook his head. “You won’t have to do this alone, Sirius. We’ll do it together.”

There was a knock at the bathroom door, gentle and quiet. They both glanced at each other with softened eyes, and for the first time, their chests deflated. There was a feeling of ease knowing they were going to rewrite their story, that they would get to spend the rest of their lives together after all. 

Remus moved forward and opened the door, letting it swing open. Your eyes squinted blearily at the bright light of the bathroom. 

“Sirius, are you okay?” You asked softly. “I’m sorry if I made you feel silly about your… vision of Peter. It’s just… it’s Pete. He’s our best friend.”

“Y/N, I think we should all sit down and have a talk,” Remus suggested as calmly as he could muster, placing a hand on her arm, gently guiding her back into the room—back to Sirius’ bed. “It’s probably best we come clean to you.”

You peer at them even more anxiously. “Did something happen? Oh Merlin, Sirius, is your arm actually okay?”

“My arm is perfectly fine, baby,” Sirius couldn’t help but laugh, and he wanted to lean in and peck your hairline, but he was scared you’d want him nowhere near you in the next few minutes, so he refrained. “It’s something else entirely.”

“And you’re clever,” Remus said. “So we’re going to try not to sugar coat things. It’s going to be… hard to listen to. But we’re here for you the whole time, alright, sweetheart? Okay?”

You hesitated, staring them both over for a few more moments. Then you nodded, and Remus took a deep breath. 

“Good girl. Do you know what this is?” He reached under his shirt and pulled out a golden chain with a circular pendant.

You shook your head. “I don’t think so, Rem.”

“This is a time turner,” Remus explained. “Do you want to see how it works?”

“Yeah,” you agreed, and Remus was positive you didn’t fully understand the meaning behind his words from how nonchalantly you were reacting to the information he was giving you. 

“Give me your hands, sweet,” he instructed, and when you did so, he cupped your hand beneath his and gave the time turner one small spin. 

Suddenly, the two of you were standing up in the exact place you had been moments ago, right before you sat on the bed. The past versions of you disappeared, and Sirius’ gaze flickered between you both, his lips quirking up. 

Your eyes were nearly bulging out of your sockets. “What just happened?”

“We went back in time,” Remus explained. “Only by a few seconds. It’s not always good to go back too far.”

“When did you two get that?” You gaped and pinched your brows together at Sirius. “Did you steal it? Potter heirloom?”

“No,” Sirius laughed. “No stealing, not an heirloom. The Order gave it to us.”

You cocked a brow. “The Order of the Phoenix?”

“Yes.”

You nearly howled with laughter. “Well, that’s absurd! Why would the Order of the Phoenix trust you two with a time turner? You’re only eighteen years old, for goodness sake! We’re still at school!”

The silence that followed quickly made your amused smile evaporate. It started to settle in that this was not a joking matter, and that they were being very serious. Your gaze flickered between them, and your eyes widened as you seemed to put two and two together. 

“You're not from this time, are you?” You whispered to them both. 

“No,” Sirius admitted quietly. 

“But how is that possible?” You demanded, standing from your seat and pacing, running a hand through your hair. “Are you from the future? By what? A couple of years? You both look exactly the same as you did when I saw you a few hours ago.”

“Y/N,” Remus swallowed. “Sit down.”

You did as you were told, but you felt incredibly lightheaded, the dizziness starting to make you sway a little. Sirius supported you with a large hand. 

“We’re from the future, yes,” Sirius said. “We’re from, well, 1996.”

You paused. Your stomach flipped and your hands grew clammy. You stared at them both, unsurely. 

“This is a prank?” You asked, but you had a feeling even these two weren’t such good actors. There was no way they would do this to you so close after a full moon. Even if Sirius had come up with the sick idea, you don’t believe he’d ever be able to do it to you, and Remus would never agree to it anyway.

“Not a prank,” Remus assured her. 

You were silent for a few moments. “Well, that would make you each thirty-six years old. That’s not possible, is it? You look so young. Do your appearances change with the time you go to?”

“We took a de-ageing potion,” Remus admitted shamefully. “To blend in.”

You stare for longer. “Rem, I don’t like this. It’s not funny.”

“It’s not a joke, I swear on your life, sweetheart,” Remus said. “Look, I can prove it.”

He moved over to the coat he’d thrown over the chair and went into the pocket, pulling out a box of cigarettes and a few crumpled bits of paper. “Er, receipts with the year on them.” He dug in the other one and found his wallet, taking his seat next to her again. “That’s you. In the future.”

Sure enough, Remus opened his wallet and in the plastic covering was a small Polaroid of you. Your breath hitched and you took it from him. You looked hardly any different to the way you looked now, except your hair was cut differently, in a way you had never had it before, and this was your first time seeing the image. 

“That’s me?”

“That’s you,” Sirius said thickly. “In 1980.”

You shook your head. “Wow. Well, this is only a couple of years away, then.” You handed it back to Remus. “Why… Why are you showing me this? Why are you two here? Are my Remus and Sirius okay?”

“They’re fine, darling,” Remus said. “They’re still in the hospital wing healing, and if I remember correctly, they’re anxious to come and see you—but they’re fine.”

You smile waveringly. “Is this to do with Peter, then? Like you said before? You don’t like him?”

There was a long silence.

“What did the Order send you here to do?”

“The Order didn’t exactly send us here,” Sirius said. “This was more of my idea, really. I just…”

Your breath hitched at the look on his face. Suddenly, their strange behaviour made so much more sense. Sirius getting emotional, Remus becoming shut off. 

“That’s the last photo you have of me, isn’t it?” Your voice came out deadpan, dread icing your insides as you watch their faces for confirmation. “That’s why you don’t have a newer one, hm?” Their expressions crumbled. Remus looked positively ashamed, avoiding your eyes. Disgust crept over Sirius’ features.

You tried hard not to let the panic swallow you. “Can you…what happens to me?”

Remus hesitated. “You die during the war.”

You don’t say anything for a moment, but hot tears flood your eyes. “When I’m twenty-one? In 1980?”

Sirius nodded, and you dumped your face into your hands. “Oh, Merlin. Oh no.” Your mutterings broke their hearts, and then they heard you begin to cry, your frame shaking with each sob. “I don’t get any older?”

Sirius felt sick. Remus couldn’t open his mouth as he watched you cry, but Sirius had been itching to comfort you since the second he saw you on the kitchen floor eighteen years ago. All he’d wanted was for you to wake up and cry, so he could reassure you, wrap his arms around you, and reassure you that you were going to be fine. 

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry,” Sirius cried. “We weren’t… We weren’t there the day it happened. I’m so fucking sorry.”

“What happened?” You whimpered. “What happened to me?” It dawns on you. “Pete?” 

When neither said anything, you became more frantic. “No! Did I die saving him? It must have been—it must have been some freak accident, surely!”

Sirius shook his head, fists clenched. “It was not an accident, Y/N,”

You rubbed your eyes. “But—but—Peter is—”

“Not at all what any of us thought,” Remus finished for her sternly. 

“Oh Gods. Is it painless at least?” 

“It doesn’t matter,” Remus cut in before Sirius could. “Because it’s not going to happen again.”

“Wha—what do you mean?”

Remus lifted the time turner. “We’re not going back to a world you’re not in, Y/N. Not ever.”

Your breath hitched. “What?”

“I know this is overwhelming,” Sirius said. “I’m sorry. We just—we want to be sure that you want to be saved, Y/N. That you want to live. We don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want to do.”

You thought for a few seconds. “Of course I want to live,” you croaked. “I want to grow old with you both. But I don’t want to change the future for the worse. What if bad things happen?”

“Bad things happen anyway,” Sirius mumbled.

“Sirius is blamed for your death,” Remus said, and purposefully left out the news of James and Lily. “He goes to Azkaban for thirteen years, until he breaks out.”

You look over at him, agony nearly shredding you apart. “Sirius,” you breathed, and your sniffling nose and flushed eyes were enough to make him coo and bring you into his warm chest. “Merlin, Sirius, I am so, so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” he murmured into your hair. “Never your fault, honey.”

You stayed like that for minutes. Your eyes began to feel tired from the emotion and weight of the day. Sirius couldn’t take his eyes off of you, curled up in his arms, finally safe.

“Let us save you,” Remus pleaded with her quietly, brushing her hair from her face. “Please.”

“But what if it makes everything worse in the long run? I don’t want you two to get into more trouble.”

“We’d Obliviate you after this, sweetheart,” Remus said, and Sirius was nearly surprised that he’d come up with a plan so soon, but also not really because it was Remus. “You won’t remember this, and you’ll go on like normal. Sirius and I will jump to the day you pass. We’ll make sure Pete doesn’t get to hurt you.”

“Why can’t we stop Peter now?” 

“We can’t change too much of the timeline, baby,” Sirius swallowed thickly. “No matter how much we want to. Some things have to stay the same.”

There was a long silence. Minutes ticked by agonisingly slowly.

“What do you think?” Remus asked quietly. 

“Let me sleep on it, Rem,” you said, furrowing your brows, but not opening your eyes as you rested against Sirius’ chest. “I can’t—I can’t think straight right now. Too much.”

“Okay,” Remus whispered, though his fingers twitched and his lips pursed. “Yeah, darling. Go to sleep. We’ll still be here in the morning.”

It took you a very long time to finally lose consciousness. You lay there, dwelling and agonising for hours, until the steady beat of Sirius’ heart lulled you to sleep. 

── .✦

The next morning, you were the first to wake. You studied the men on either side of you, unsure if you were freaked out by their aged faces or calmed by them. A part of you was relieved that they got to see this age, and they survived a war you hadn’t managed to. The other part of you couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that there was no other version of you that got to wake up to this. 

They both mostly looked the same. Both had a few silvers running through their hair, and the slightest of wrinkles around their eyes. It was obvious they were older in a handsome way, tattoos adorning every inch of Sirius’ skin in a way that had you almost breathless. 

You traced them until he stirred slightly, and then you froze, a nervousness washing over you that you usually didn’t get with the boys. You supposed that was because these weren’t boys, but men. You didn’t know this version of Sirius and Remus; these were around eighteen years older than you and had lived lives you’d never know about. 

You hesitated for a few moments, your thoughts drifting to the version of Sirius and Remus who were downstairs in the medical wing. You suddenly yearned for them more than ever, even if their elder selves were with you. Very carefully, you chose the one who used to always sleep like a log and prayed that was still true. Climbing over Sirius’ sleeping figure was a sport you had become extremely skilled at, especially because he liked to lie flat on his stomach. 

Pulling on Remus’ jumper, you hesitated, watching them both sleep peacefully in the bed. Remus’ nose twitched, just like it always did. His hand splayed out across the mattress, as if looking for you or Sirius. You decided to leave before they woke up. 

You stalked down all of the staircases, not a soul in sight, until you made it to the infirmary. You pushed the door open and headed straight for the two occupied beds at the end of the hall. Remus was already awake, a book in his hands and his eyes bleary from, knowing him, lack of sleep. 

“Hi,” you breathed, and dropped into the chair next to him. 

He looked pleased to see you, his face melting into a smile. “Y/N. It’s so early. Why are you here?”

“I just needed to come and see you both,” you whispered, but your voice cracked at his gentle face, and your eyes welled with hot tears, much to your horror. 

Remus quickly placed the book down, concerned, and he pulled his blankets off his legs. 

“No, no, no,” you attempted to usher him back in. “Rest, Rem. Stop. Don’t worry about me, I just… I had a nightmare last night. I’m being silly.”

He looked dramatically less concerned, his face easing into a look of sympathy as he made a soft sound in the back of his throat. “Oh, sweetheart. You had a nightmare, did you? What was it about?”

You hesitated and gulped down the lump in your throat. It felt like all of the air was stuck there, and something was squeezing your chest unrelentingly. 

“I died,” you blurted. “A couple of years into the war. I got murdered. You and Sirius—you both were really sad afterwards.”

Remus’ brows tugged together, and he opened his arms out to you. You climbed into them, careful of all of his wounds, resting your head on his chest. You felt better nearly instantly, but dread sank in your stomach like an anchor—a constant, aching reminder that you would only have this for the next couple of years. You looked over at a sleeping Sirius. In a couple of years, he would be in Azkaban. Remus would be alone, a shell of the person he was before. 

“That won’t happen,” Remus whispered, stroking your hair. You almost believed him from the softness and sincerity in his tone. “You’re safe with us, baby. I’ve got you.”

The tears streamed even more easily down your face.

“Y/N?” Sirius’ groggy voice came from the bed over. “Is she okay, Rem?”

“Poor thing’s had a nightmare,” Remus said, and it wasn’t long before you heard the duvet shuffle and the padding of feet over to you. 

“Darling,” Sirius whined dotingly, and stole you from Remus’ arms, dotting kisses throughout your hair. “You’re alright. Was it that bad?”

“I just—it felt really, really real,” you sniffled. “And I’m—I’m— I was thinking what would happen to the two of you if something really did happen to me.”

Remus’ face contorted. “Don’t ask questions like that, love.”

“Yeah, it won’t ever happen,” Sirius said forcefully. “Never, Y/N.”

You grasped his jumper tighter. 

“Gods, your hands are shaking, sweetheart,” Sirius muttered. 

“Sorry,” you murmured, and dragged yourself away from him. 

They both watched you with such soft, kind eyes. Your heart ached, pulsating and dying all at once. You itched to grab them again. 

You wanted this forever. You wanted to know the two boys in the tower above you, too—you wanted to watch this Sirius and Remus grow into the men upstairs. Hopefully, happier, less traumatised versions. 

You’d felt a weird sense of nausea when you’d woken up earlier, looking at the familiar faces of your boyfriends and realising you didn’t know them, and would never know them. 

You needed to know them.  

“I’m going to get ready for the day,” you breathed out. “I’ll shower and put some clean clothes on, and then I’m going to come down here with some games or something for us to play. It’s Christmas Eve, you know.”

Remus frowned. “Let us come with you.”

“No, no. I’m going to get the house elves to make us something really nice, okay?” You said, and your encouraging smile lifted their spirits slightly. “You’re right. Both of you. It was just a dream.”

You had your answer for the Sirius and Remus upstairs.

Now, years later, you had established a reputation at Hogwarts as one of the most benign sudents. Even those who detested your father were friendly with you — many of them even attempting to convince you to lessen your father’s harsh demeanour.

“You know I can’t do that, Neville. He’s really not as rude as everyone acts, he’s just.. strong-willed,” you defended, as you walked alongside Neville Longbottom through the school grounds towards your first class of the day, Herbology with Professor Sprout.

“Maybe to you..” Neville whispered under his breath, as the two of you neared the greenhouses through the calm wind.

Everyone knew that Snape had an obvious bias in favouritism towards the Slytherin students of his House, which extended to his daughter, even if you were a Gryffindor.

As you entered the greenhouse, the sight of Harry, Ron, and Hermione waving towards the two of you caught your attention. You received a few nods of acknowledgment from many of the Slytherins, who you shared the class period with.

“We’re supposed to be — OUCH — getting Bubotuber pus from these,” Ron said as the two of you joined their table, undiluted pus shooting towards his arm as he gestured towards a box full of slug-like plants, Hermione reaching for his arm to cast a quick remedy spell.

“Wow, Weasley, even the infestations don’t like you,” Draco Malfoy’s voice roared from the table behind the five of you, his friends laughing obnoxiously at his comment.

You turned to face him, spotting six familar Slytherin students; Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini laughed stupidly at his side, Enzo Berkshire was coddling over one of the plants, and Mattheo Riddle and Theodore Nott were trying to stab towards the middle of one of the plants with their wands.

“Shut up, Malfoy,” you said, rolling your eyes.

He stared at you for a moment, before smirking. “I’m sure your father wouldn’t be pleased to hear how you speak to your fellow classmates,” Draco teased.

“And I’m sure he won’t be too pleased once I tell him that you threw a pair of pliers towards us,” you said, eyeing one of the instruments that lay on the wooden table next to him.

“He didn’t — OUCH,” Enzo shrieked, as Blaise had swatted him over the head. “You idiot, she’s going to tell him that he did,” Blaise said.

“We can vouch for him, you know,” Pansy said, crossing her arms in front of her.

You mirrored her stance, looking at her with a look of disgust. “Oh, really? Who’s he going to believe? You five,” you gestured towards them, your gaze lingering on Theo as he wiped pus from his hair where the plant had exploded from his prodding, “or his daughter?”

Draco scoffed. “Whatever,” he said, turning back towards his own table.

“Blimey, never thought I’d see the day where Snape’s existence worked in someone’s favour,” Ron said, earning him a glare from you.

“Merlin, I feel like they’re all staring at me,” you said, as you peered over Harry’s shoulder towards the Slytherin table. At your words, Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned towards the long table in the Great Hall, and, sure enough, the dull eyes of six Slytherins glared directly at you.

“Malfoy’s just being a git, ignore him,” Harry said, as Ron stuffed his face with ham and cheese sandwiches to his other side.

“Easy for you to say! They’re not looking directly at you,” you pleaded, picking up your goblet of pumpkin juice with shaky hands to conceal yourself against their stares.

“For once,” Ron said. As you watched him reach for a roasted chicken across the table, your attention was diverted to a brown owl soaring towards your table. Hermione quickly reached for Harry’s goblet, moving it out of the way as the owl landed in front of you, a small folded piece of parchment held limply in its beak.

You took the parchment from the small owl, before reaching across towards Ron’s plate, handing it the crust of his sandwich against his protests. The owl hooted gratefully, before taking off again towards the owlery.

“What is it?” Hermione asked, eyeing the small roll of parchment you held. You unfolded it, an unfamiliar scratch of messy writing meeting your eyes.

The end justifies the means. Don’t dwell on the

conclusion, love — Draco

You looked up, facing the Slytherin table. Draco looked smug, his friends smirking at his side. Harry snatched the note from your grasp, reading it.

“What’s he playing at?” Ron spoke, reading the message over Harry’s shoulder.

“Don’t know,” you said, glaring at Draco, as you watched Theodore Nott whisper something in his ear.

Potions was always your favourite class of the day, as it was one of the only times where you would get to visit your father during school hours. The Gryffindors, however, always hated having to attend the same Potions class with you, as Snape would always replace his harshness for you by being extra hard on them — offering you and the Slytherins a free-pass from his torment.

“Did I not say to add three drops of leech juice until the liquid brewed to an acid green shade?” Snape asked Neville, who shuddered under his gaze. “Why, then, has Longbottom’s,” he gestured towards Neville’s cauldron, “turned to a putrid shade of orange?” Snape asked.

Wearily, Hermione raised her hand up, which Snape ignored. “I think we should test out Longbottom’s potion on his fat toad,” Snape suggested, as the Slytherin’s laughed at the horrified look on Neville’s face. “If it works as it should, which I highly doubt, as failure seems to follow Longbottom everywhere he goes, then this toad should shrink down to the size of Longbottom’s intelligence,” Snape said, earning choruses of laughter from the Slytherins. “If not, then Longbottom might benefit from saying his farewells to the amphibian.”

“Professor, please-,” Hermione began. “Did I pick on you to answer, Ms Granger?” Snape snapped coldly, his gaze shifting from Neville to Hermione now.

“Ten points will be-,” he began, before his eyes landed on you, who looked at him wide-eyed. “Five points from Gryffindor for meddling into matters outside of your own,” Snape said harshly to Hermione, turning back towards his desk.

. . .

“Do you see what we mean? He only lessened his punishment of the Gryffindors because you’re in our House!” Ron said exasperatedly as the four of you departed from the dungeons. Neville walked next to you, still shaking slightly as he held Trevor clutched against his chest.

“He’s goal-oriented,” you defended sharply, your books held tightly against your own chest.

“And I think he had a point,” Draco Malfoy said from behind your group. “Granger, you really should think about keeping your mouth quiet once in a while.”

Ron looked as if he were about to pull his wand out of his robes, but Hermione placed a hand on his arm to stop him.

“What’s the matter, Weasley? Afraid Snape’s going to pick on you like he did Longbottom?” Theo asked, as Mattheo reached for Trevor.

“Stop,” you said, reaching for Trevor yourself. Mattheo and Theo laughed, as Pansy, Enzo, and Blaise made their way over from where they’d left the Potions classroom. At the sound of your words, Draco looked over at you.

“Mattheo, stop it,” he said.

Shocked, everyone turned towards him. “But, this toad’s as useless as Longbottom’s-,” Mattheo began. “I said stop,” Draco said. Mattheo’s shock allowed you to seize Trevor from his grasp, handing him back to Neville, whose mouth was agape.

“And what is all this commotion?” Snape had made his way out of the dungeons, joining the group of Slytherins and Gryffindors who stood down the corridor. He turned towards you for an explanation.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville stared at you, waiting for you to rat on Draco and his friends. Yet, as you caught Draco’s eye, his friends standing a small distance behind him, something overcame you.

“N-nothing. Neville’s toad was just.. reacting to the potion a little late,” you said, as you stared up at your father. He glared at you, giving you a look that inexplictly said he didn’t believe your defence.

“Get to class, all of you,” he said, his eyes lingering on you for a moment, before turning swiftly back to the dungeons.

“What was that?” Harry demanded angrily once Snape was out of ear-shot. Your eyes locked with Draco’s again, before you continued down the corridor, passing the bewildered faces of his friends.

“She’s gone mad,” Ron spoke softly to Harry and Hermione over dinner; you were currently in your father’s office, helping him restock his potions ingredients. “We were this close to finally watching Malfoy snuff it,” he said, as he helped himself to a plateful of stew.

“Talking about little Ms Snape, are we?” Fred Weasley said, as he and George joined the Gryffindor table. “Quite a change of heart she’s had recently, don’t you think?” he added on, as he sat on Ron’s side.

“Whatcha mean?” Ron asked through a mouthful of steak and kidney pie. “Oh, come on, Ron, we knew you were thick, but not this thick,” George said.

“She’s normally really nice — unsettlingly so, actually, considering her relatives,” Fred said. “But recently,” George said, as he loaded his plate with mashed potatoes and gravy. “She’s been acting more and more like the wretched version of Snape. Been lashing out at the Slytherins, who normally treat her fairly well — you know how they are, prioritizing family trees and all that,” he mocked.

“A lot of the Slytherins even think that she should’ve been sorted into their house,” Fred said, as he withdrew a couple of pieces of Nosebleed Nougats from a packet that was in the pockets of his robes.

“That’s absurd!” Hermione shrieked. “She’s nothing like Snape!”

“The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, though, does it?” Fred said.

“Where’s your little girl friend, Potter?” called a voice from behind them. Draco Malfoy was shouting across the hall now, drawing attention from all four tables. “She’s finally decided where her loyalties lie?” he said, as the Slytherins stared at Harry, waiting for a reaction.

“Ignore them,” George said, as Ron placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder to turn him away from the Slytherin’s stares.

Hermione quickly shoveled heaps of shepherd’s pie into her mouth, causing Fred to place a hand on her wrist. “Calm down, it’s all yours, mate,” he said at her sudden rush.

“I have to get to the library,” she said, as she quickly downed the remnants of her pumpkin juice.

“For what?” Ron asked. Ignoring him, Hermione placed her knife and fork down neatly on top of her plate, before rising from the table, making her way quickly out of the hall.

If Harry, Ron, Fred and George hadn’t been so preoccupied by Hermione’s sudden departure, or the fact that Neville had mistakenly eaten one of the twin’s Nosebleed Nougats during dessert, they would have noticed the six seats at the Slytherin table that now stood vacated.

“Knight takes the King!” Ron exclaimed, as his Knight piece came barrelling towards Harry’s fallen King. The common room was empty except for the two of them, who were playing one last round of wizard’s chess before bed.

The sound of the portrait hole swinging open caught their attention, as they spotted Hermione hurrying through.

“Guys!” she said, spotting them. “You’ll never — believe — what I just heard,” she breathed out, as she clamped a hand over a stitch in her ribs.

“Well, get on with it,” Ron said, as he packed away the chess board from where he knelt next to the table near the fireplace.

She caught her breath for a moment, before hurriedly saying, “Malfoyandhisfriendsweretalkinginthelibrary.”

“Sorry?” Harry asked.

“Malfoy — and his friends — were talking in the library,” she said slower.

“Wow, that’s strictly against school rules, isn’t it?” Ron said.

“That’s not what I meant. They were talking about her, Malfoy wants to ask her out,” Hermione said, as she told them the details of how she had overheard Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson teasing Draco over falling for a Gryffindor, Enzo Berkshire congratulating him on ‘coming to his senses,’ and Theodore Nott and Mattheo Riddle shooting him outrageously unrealistic ideas on how to ask you out.

“Malfoy fancies a Gryffindor? Snape’s daughter, too? Blimey, he’s asking for trouble,” Ron said.

“What do you mean?” Hermione asked.

“Come off it, Hermione. Snape would never allow anyone to date his daughter, not even Malfoy. Remember what he did to that one Hufflepuff whose hand accidentally brushed against hers when they both tried to grab the same textbook?” Ron said, as the three of them recalled when Snape had hexed a Hufflepuff boy’s cauldron to blow up in his face, singeing the top of his hair.

“Besides, she’d never date a Slytherin,” Harry said firmly.

“Who wouldn’t date a Slytherin?” you asked. Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned towards the portrait hole where you’d just entered. “Sorry I’m late, my father had to skin a few Boomslang snakes because he’d ran out of their skin-sheds,” you said, waiting for a response.

“Uhm, Crabbe fancies Hermione!” Ron shrieked out. Hermione glared at him, outraged.

“Urgh, really?” you asked, disgusted.

“Yeah, he’s been boasting about it to the Slytherins,” Hermione said, clearing her throat, “but I would never date a Slytherin,” she clarified, shooting Ron a furtive look of appall.

“They’re not all that bad,” you defended quietly, a gleam of a smile on your face, as you made your way up to the dormitories.

The three stared after you, shocked.

“Bloody hell, she would date a Slytherin,” Ron said, horrified.

“She can’t be this naive, can she?” Pansy asked the surrounding Slytherins the next day. The five of them watched as you stroked the long, glittering white fur of a unicorn Hagrid had brought along for your Care of Magical Creatures lesson.

“You think she’s naive? Draco’s been staring at her for the past two minutes,” Theo said, looking over at the boy, his silver eyes unblinking as they stared at you affectionately fawning over the unicorn.

“I don’t think he’s even blinked once,” Mattheo teased.

“Draco!” Pansy grinned, snapping her fingers in front of his line-of-sight.

He drew his eyes away from you as you stared up at the unicorn with the most endearing look he’d ever seen on your face, the shine of brightness illuminating from the magical creature’s fur casting a soft glow over your skin. “Yeah?” he asked.

“Did you hear anything that we said?” Enzo asked.

“Yeah, sounds great,” he said, his attention drawn back to you. Theo and Blaise chuckled, never having seen their friend so dumbstruck before.

“Come on, mate, just ask her out,” Theo encouraged.

“Yeah, the worst she could say is no,” Enzo added.

“Unless she decides to hex you, that is,” Mattheo chimed in.

Draco sighed heartily. “You know I can’t ask her. She’s Snape’s daughter. He’ll poison me or something.”

“So? At least you’ll die a happy lad,” Mattheo said, earning him a disapproving glare from Draco.

“Just go for it,” Theo said, pushing Draco towards where you stood.

Stumbling, he fell face-first on the patch of dirt in front of him, wincing as he pulled himself up.

“Malfoy, get away from ‘ere!” Hagrid yelled, but it was too late; the unicorn, which was accustomed to females rather than males, sensed Draco, and roughly kicked its front legs out at him, causing him to fall back on to the dirt.

“No!” Hagrid warned the creature, hurtling forwards and seizing Draco by his arms away from it.

“It’s okay! It’s okay..,” he heard you say softly.

You had neared the unicorn once more during its outburst, even as the rest of the students had hurried a safe distance away. You stroked the unicorn’s coat of fur gently from where you stood at its side, calming it down.

The class watched in astonishment as the unicorn obeyed your soft lulling, nuzzling further into your delicate touch.

As the class ended, Draco watched as you made your way back to the castle with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, the sounds of Ron saying, “That was brilliant!” and Hermione sharing the reasoning behind a unicorn’s historical discomfort around males that she’d read in Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them following after you.

“To be completely honest with you, mate, if you don’t ask her out soon, I will,” Enzo said.

Soon enough, Draco realized that everyone was thinking along the same lines as Enzo. The story of how you’d tamed a unicorn during Hagrid’s class spread throughout the school the following day, with many people even expressing their shock. “I’m sorry, a Snape did that? Aren’t they the kind of lot that would, I don’t know, skin the unicorn alive instead?” they heard a Ravenclaw say during their Charms lesson.

Even the Hufflepuffs, who had a premeditated disdain for your father, were suddenly gawking at you the next few days.

“Just tell her the truth,” Pansy encouraged Draco, as she sat on the floor in front of one of the sofa’s of the common room.

“Yeah, tell her how you’re absolutely whipped for her,” Mattheo teased, dodging out of the way as Draco had launched a pillow at his head from where he sat on the sofa.

“Guys, be serious,” Enzo said on Draco’s behalf.

“We are!” Theo defended, as he cast a floating pink heart bubble into the air from the tip of his wand.

Draco reached forward, his slim finger popping the burst of pink. He rubbed a hand through his silver-blond hair, sighing loudly as he leaned back into the couch cushions.

“Just start off small, mate. Girls are weirdly enamoured by simple gestures,” Blaise suggested, clapping an encouraging hand on Draco’s shoulder.

Draco stared with his mouth agape after you, fighting the urge to strike Mattheo across the back of his thick head as he laughed behind him.

“We didn’t mean like that!” Theo said through his own hysterics, as Pansy, Blaise, and Enzo struggled to contain their own laughter.

Having taken Theo’s advice to heart, Draco had decided that the most effective way to, indirectly, ask for your attention was by planting a Boggart that he had nicked from the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor’s desk inside an empty classroom. As he had recruited Crabbe to help with his plan, his beaty foot had knocked you off your feet in the hallway, sending your books to the floor. Draco, who lurked behind the statute of an old wizard, swiped his wand lazily over one of your fallen books, sending it into the empty classroom. As you blushed furiously, you had made your way into the classroom, letting out a horrified shriek that echoed through the hallways.

Draco smirked to himself, making his way out from behind the statue towards the classroom, intent on ‘saving’ you. What he hadn’t expected was for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to come barreling through the hallway at the sound of your distress, Harry’s voice echoing through the halls as he protectively yelled out, “RIDDIKULUS!”

As he watched the four of you make your way out from the classroom, Harry’s arm wrapped around your shoulder, his face distorted with a bitter look of dejection.

Pansy cleared her throat. “May I suggest something?”

It appeared as if Harry, Ron, and Hermione had taken it upon themselves to always have at least one of them at your side at all times following your encounter with the Boggart. Draco stared bitterly at where you, Ron, and Hermione stood in the stands of the Quidditch pitch, sporting scarlet memorabilia alongside the rest of the Gryffindors.

He rubbed furiously at the handle of his broomstick, cleaning at a spot that had no signs of smudge. As Marcus Flint stared intently at the Gryffindor Captain, Draco glared menancingly at Harry. The sound of Madam Hooch’s whistle brought him back to earth, and the Quaffle was released, feet kicking off the muddy ground, broomsticks rising into the air.

“Rough start for Potter over there,” Lee Jordan commentated loudly throughout the pitch. It had taken Harry a few seconds to fly upwards into the air, as Mattheo had roughly bumped into his shoulder — a few valuable seconds that Draco had used to surmount his broomstick over the height of the pitch on the Slytherin side.

“Chaser Angelina Johnson’s in possession of the Quaffle — OOH, fantastic save by one of the Weasley twins, I think that was Fred? Or George — kind of difficult to tell from here..” Jordan said, as a Bludger had come barreling towards where Angelina Johnson flew from where Theo had aimed it.

Theo looked over at Draco, shooting him a curt nod. Blaise, who had just swerved away from one of the Gryffindor players in attempts of confusing him, and Mattheo, made their way over, following Theo’s lead.

Draco hitched the handle of his broomstick roughly forwards, aiming towards the stands filled in shades of scarlet and gold.

Many people shirked, dodging out of the way through frightened gasps. Hagrid swore loudly, stumbling backwards, stepping on the feet and colliding harshly with a group of small first-years.

“Blimey!” Ron Weasley shrieked, as he reached for Ginny’s hand, pulling her downwards to duck out of the way, Hermione doing the same to you.

“Oi! What was that?!” Seamus Finnigan roared, as yells of outrage flew from the mouths of the Gryffindor crowd.

Draco caught your gaze as you looked up at him with wide eyes from where you were crouched next to Hermione. He shot a sly wink your way, before indiscreetly reaching into the pocket of his emerald Quidditch robes, pulling out an enchanted piece of parchment. He dropped it from where he hovered, your hand quickly wrapping around the wrinkled sheaf before it could hit the floor.

He hurriedly turned back towards the match, catching sight of Blaise, Theo, and Mattheo crowded around Harry’s broomstick, blocking him from searching for the Golden Snitch.

You looked down at the sheaf of parchment, carefully unfolding it with trembling fingers outside of Hermione’s sight.

A drawing danced around the paper, the ink blotches from where the quill had met its surface moving around. It appeared to be a terribly drawn sketch of Draco flying on his broomstick as he neared a poorly drawn girl, hearts moving around her head. Before you could even wonder what the drawing was supposed to mean, it had vanished from your grasp in a heap of burned parchment.

You dropped the small burned remnants of the sheaf onto the ground of the stands, before looking for Draco once more.

It seemed that everyone else had also been preoccupied by Draco’s arrival, many people continuing to angrily blurt out, “He’s a bloody cheat!” Everyone’s attention was drawn back to the boy, however, at Lee Jordan’s shout of, “Malfoy’s leering dangerously close to the stands once more, he’s spotted the Snitch!”

Harry extracted himself from the huddle of Slytherin’s around him, barrelling after Draco to the calls of encouragement from the Gryffindors. Then …

“Malfoy’s caught the Snitch — SLYTHERIN WINS.”

Everyone around you groaned, Seamus Finnigan angrily throwing his red winter cap onto the floor as he swore. “THAT’S RUBBISH!” Fred and George Weasley yelled from the pitch, as many of the Gryffindors called for a re-match.

“They can’ just block him like ‘at!” Hagrid roared, as Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor’s sombrely made their way down to the grounds. “Come on,” Ron said, as you, Hermione, and Ginny made your way towards him.

As you barrelled through outraged Gryffindor’s, many of them yelling so furiously that their cheeks matched the shades of scarlet they wore, you were abruptly yanked by your arm by someone on the pitch.

“Pansy?” you asked, looking back at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny as they neared Harry, who looked as if he were to snap his broomstick in half.

“Come with me!” she giggled, pulling you by your arm towards the pitch.

She pulled you towards the Slytherin team, all of whom wore looks of triumph on their faces. Draco, however, was watching you and Pansy with a stern look on his face.

She pulled you towards him, stifled giggles continuing to fall from her lips. “Draco here has something he wants to tell you,” she said, before making her way over to Mattheo, Theo, and Blaise behind where the two of you stood.

You watched her as she left, before looking up at Draco, your eyes narrowed in confusion.

“Uhm,” he cleared his throat, “well, more so show you, actually,” he clarified. He pulled his wand out of his Quidditch robes, waving it with the tip aimed at the sky above the pitch.

Red sparks emitted from the tip, soaring high into the air. Many people gasped and pointed above, students proding their friends to draw their attention to the sight.

You looked up, squinting against the bright sparks that now spelled a message in the sky.

Don’t dwell on the conclusion, love

You looked at Draco with wide eyes, a blush beginning to creep across your cheeks. “I-I don’t understand..” you stuttered out, looking at him as his face shone with a red glow from the spell.

“It was kind of Pansy’s idea,” he said, as he looked down at the pitch to hide his own flushed skin. You looked over his shoulder at the girl, who giggled behind her hand. Enzo had also made his way onto the pitch, craning his neck to look at the sky with a look of astonishment on his face. Blaise stared at Draco as if he were already a dead-man walking. To the side of him, Mattheo and Theo were talking in hushed whispers, exchanging Galleons through a firm handshake.

“Look, I wasn’t really sure how to ask you at first, but, do you want to, maybe, go out together at the next Hogsmeade visit?” he asked. You looked up at him, conflicted, yet also shocked at how uncertain Draco seemed at this moment; the same boy who had just confidently won the Quidditch match for his House. You smiled softly at him, nodding your speechless approval.

You looked towards the Slytherin side of the pitch, spotting a familiar silhouette of long black robes and greasy black hair. Snape was sitting in a raised seat of the stands alongside some of the other Professors; Dumbledore acted as if he noticed nothing unusual, whereas Flitwick admired Draco’s spell work. Snape stared down at you with a thin line of lips, his body language stern.

You gasped, stepping a few steps back from Draco. “Draco, my father..” you said. It was no secret that Snape was overly protective of his daughter, and considering Draco as one of his favourite students wouldn’t lessen this burden.

“Don’t worry about that, love,” he said, “that’s a problem for later.” Yet, by the way his face started to become more and more red outside from just the fading sparks of the message, you knew that he was just as worried as you were.

© angelicchris

notes ⋆. 𐙚 ₊˚ yeah so i had noo idea how to end this, but thank you for the request, anon !! hot take — if harry had been born a girl, snape would have been murdering people left and right on lily’s behalf

𝓗𝐎𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝓛𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 — @oopsiedaisydeer @drcamin