𓂃 𓈒𓏸‪‪Tea𓈒𓏸‪‪𓂃

Gryffindor JJ who…

...Seems simply unable to follow the dress code; strutting around with his shirt untucked, tie usually hanging loosely or wrapped around his head, and his hoodie on underneath his robes. In the warmer months, he undoes the top half buttons of his shirt and walks around with his chiseled chest exposed - and it drives you crazy.

...Is a skilled beater on the Gryffindor quidditch team despite how often he misses practice - much to the annoyance of the rest of his team. He loves doing dangerous stunts; swerving and dropping in ways that make your heart skip a beat. His best friend John B is a chaser and the captain of the team, and in severe arguments before has threatened to kick JJ off the team for his lack of effort - although he never does.

...Struggles to pay attention in most of his classes except for Care of magical creatures and Defence against the dark arts - which he's both incidentally very good at. He loves the dangerous creatures; feeling a connection to them, and vents his frustrations with practicing hexes at magic dummy’s - sometimes imagining them to be members of the rival Slytherin team, his father, or even your ex.

...Starts paying attention in Charms just to learn sweet spells that he knows you will enjoy, such as one that blooms a bouquet of flowers out of a single petal and another one that conjures bluebirds who sing a specific tune for you. Over time, he develops a genuine knack for it - especially once he realises how good charms are for pranks.

...Has a pet niffler that is constantly going missing and then reappearing with stolen goods. JJ names it Scrappy and as much as you adore the little creature, you often scold JJ for not keeping a closer eye on it. It's a miracle that it hasn't been caught by the caretaker yet, and although you often find inconspicuous ways to return items, you worry that it's only a matter of time until JJ gets caught.

...Alongside the help of Scrappy, JJ has another secretive hustle of sneaking items around Hogwarts - only these are lucrative and forbidden items, and usually snuck into the castle using one of the secret tunnels. All of JJ's closest friends are in on the hustle - some more than others - and when JJ eventually takes you to the hidden, smuggling entrance, you kiss for the first time - realising that the blonde haired firecracker must really trust you to show you the place, and therefore perhaps you could trust him.

...Hosts crazy parties whenever given even the slightest excuse to do so. Even if Gryffindor lose a match (which rarely happens), he's smuggling bottles of Firewhisky, and anything else he can get his hands on, into the tower. If he's feeling like the night should be bigger than just the capacity of the common room, he's been known to be able to access a version of the Room of Requirement solely set up for partying.

...In the early morning hours beyond the noise of these gatherings, can usually be found smoking a blunt on the astronomy tower, or asleep on the rug in front of the fireplace in the common room. Some of your favourite times are the ones spent with him in these places, with his arm wrapped around you and either the blessing of the beautiful sky or the warm fire encompassing you.

…Isn’t able to completely escape his tumultuous home life even when he’s in the Wizarding World. His alcoholic, muggle father very rarely contacts him, and when he does it’s always trouble. When JJ's stressed or overwhelmed, he'll curl up against you, rest his head in your lap, and let you run your fingers through his hair. You whisper lines of soothing comfort whilst he stares blankly at nothing - remaining uncharacteristically silent as he collects himself.

…Because of this estrangement, usually spends his holidays at John B’s house, although after a short while of being your boyfriend that becomes your house. Romantic summer evenings are spent together; whether you manage to sneak off and disappear into each others arms or end up practicing quidditch with your friends in some far away field, JJ is always happy to spend his holidays with you. When he struggles with thoughts of his own home, you remind him that he’ll always be welcome at John B’s, Kie’s, Pope’s and yours

…Isn’t the most natural romantic and struggles to plan proper dates - usually just acting off pure impulse. He does however regularly sneak you into the Forbidden Forest at all hours of the night - sometimes to spot rare creatures, but usually to smoke a blunt and get a rare chance of privacy. The trees have bore witness to multiple orgasms from you both - which is somewhat of an inside joke to the pair of you.

…Whilst experimenting with a fresh batch of new smuggled potions, accidentally takes a large gulp of something he later sells as ‘Viagra drops’. The potion makes him painfully hard and he is embarrassed to have to beg you for relief. You on the other hand, are amused and even slightly aroused to see him so desperate - his lips pulled beneath his teeth and a very visible lump straining at the material of his trousers.

...Despite his skill in defensive spells, is known for using classic muggle methods to win a fight. He's not afraid to throw a punch and sometimes even prefers it over a spell. You see this up front and personal on the night of the Yule Ball when your ex drinks too much and refuses to leave you alone, following you out onto the castle grounds without realising that JJ was in close pursuit. If the bloody and beaten man had snitched, you’re certain that JJ would've been expelled.

…Always provides you with a rotation of his wardrobe to wear; liking how his sweaters hang from your frame like a parachute, and the sight of his name written across your back when you wear his quidditch jerseys. You like the safety that being in his clothes brings you, and how they always carry his scent of firewood, broomstick wax and ferns.

…Holds you when you’re having panic attacks and grounds you by telling you fantastical stories of all of the gnarled and unique dragons he wants to work with, and how he would slay any one of them to rescue you.

You feel the gravel scratching your skin before you can realize you’ve fallen, board flying away with the force of your fall. “Fuck. Shit—” you push yourself to stand, but not to your full height. You flick a wrist towards your board to catch it before it can continue rolling down the street. Even if it’s empty. It certainly won’t survive another accident.

“Jesus fucking christ,” you exhale sharply, looking down at your elbow and feeling the sleeve of your jumper slightly damp. Well, so much for your injury free night. 

At the thought, your head snaps up, immediately ignoring the stinging sensation and the way it morphs into pure, unadulterated dread at what you see. Your friends, laughing and joking around no other than Barty Crouch Jr. And worse—him laughing back. Engaging. Letting Sirius play with his hands and tuck his hair and openly flirt with at the table. Wait—

You look back down at your phone, scrolling up your open conversations and text messages.

SB: attention 

SB: free pints on me 2nite at 3 broomsticks 

SB: pls pls pls don’t miss it 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” you whisper, each word leaving with more urgency than the previous one. Of course. Of course Barty is off duty tonight—he’s being paraded around with Sirius, as his new fling or whatever they’ve got going on. Of course. “Fuck.”

You chance a quick glance inside the pub, heart clenching with dread before slamming into your ribcage as a person comes back from the bar. Jesus fucking Christ—one thing after another. Regulus sets the brand new pints on the table, looking unusually calm and relaxed despite the times you’ve seen him before. Lately closer to Barty than Sirius, to your own nightmarish luck. And then, of course, he slides into the booth next to Remus. 

YN: james james james james james jamesjaens

You glance back up, catching the way James is already picking up his phone and angling himself away from any prying eyes. Your fingers type to their own accord, mostly driven by panic.

YN: i’m outside. pls come out

Inside, James scrambles to get out of the booth, and you groan.

YN: don’t be so obvious my god.  

YN: and DONT tell anyone i’m here please

The bell chimes, letting the warmth of the heater travel through the door. “Yeah, just something I… yeah. Be right back,” a pause. The door clicks shut. “y/n?”

“Down here.”

James looks around, then down at the pavement where you’re hunched down over your knees. He cuts a quick glance back at the window, making sure he’s not within sight before lowering himself to the pavement, you sigh deeply as he tries to crawl the rest of the way to you. Meanwhile, you try to ignore the fact that this is definitely an odd sight to anyone that might be walking outside or across the street—two people crouching down a pub window? 

“What’s wrong?” he whispers.

“What the fuck is Barty Crouch Jr. doing here?” you whisper back, though a tad harder. Panicked, mostly. 

“Who? Oh.” James shifts, freeing a hand to fix his glasses. “Sirius invited them.”

“Them?”

“Junior and Reg.”

You blink, aghast. “Junior and Reg—Fucking hell, since when are you lot on a nickname basis?”

“They’re nice.”

“No. James, listen to me. Barty Crouch Jr. may look nice, and laugh and whatever the fuck he’s been telling you—but he’s not nice. At all.”

“Well, he and Reg—”

“And don’t even get me started on Regulus Black.”

He frowns, turning his head back to study you. “Wait…” he levels you with a look, one you return with far more deadpan than his. “Are you jealous?”

“Jealous? What—James, I need you to listen to me,” you reach for his shoulders, stopping him from trying to take a peek inside again. “Those two are not nice. They’re dangerous people. They can’t be here.”

“What?” he blinks. “How can they not be nice? You’ve met Reg—”

“Yes, I’ve met ‘Reg’, and Regulus Black. And Barty Crouch Jr,” your whispers grow sharper and sharper the longer he takes to grasp the intensity of the conversation. “As Spidergirl.”

“Wait—” his head whips back to the window, where Sirius is whispering closer and closer into Barty’s ear as the conversation carries around the table. Completely smitten and in their own bubble. “He doesn’t look…”

“Why would I lie about that?”

“Maybe he’s not really part of the Clan, y/n. He doesn’t strike me as…”

“Evil?” you finish off, a bit sharp and in a way that you immediately feel guilty at the way he frowns. But your panic overrides your guilt. “James, him and his men nearly blew up a bank just last week. Held people hostage, for fuck’s sake.”

“But that was his father, how can—”

“Oh my god,” you twist, reaching for your board. “I can’t do this right now. And they can’t see me, so tell them I got sick or something, please.”

James sighs. “y/n, wait.”

You’re about to stand, nerves spiked enough to miss the way his tone changes. What you don’t miss, though, is the sound of steps shuffling towards the door. The bell chimes again.

“Thanks, I'll be back—oh. Dove?”

You screw your eyes shut, letting your head drop to your knees. Scrapped, too. For fuck’s sake.

Remus immediately plucks the cigarette from his lips, not thinking twice about walking towards you and crouching down. “What happened? Are you okay?” his eyes study a meticulous path from your face to your shoulders, they linger a tad longer on your arms and knees. “Did you fall?”

“Um,” you rub your lips together, forcing your gaze to stay down and not on him. Or your elbow or knees. “Yeah.”

He reaches for your elbow, turning it to the side and guiding it towards the light. James winces, just noticing the blotch of blood that has stained your jumper—the one you deliberately picked and fixed for tonight. You drop your head to your knees again, resigned and not at all caring about how this can be interpreted. James, of course, sighs like he understands.

But Remus misunderstands completely, and somehow it’s the reaction that aches the most. “Oh, that was a brutal fall. Let’s get you inside,” he helps you up, taking your board as well. “M’sure Sirius has a kit somewhere.”

You still, casting James a panicked glance. “Um, no, don’t worry. I’m okay, Remus—really…” you falter, in the same beat Remus does when he glances down at your board. Sticky with webs where you tried to stop it from rolling into traffic. Your heart stutters. “Ran into Spidergirl on the way. You know her.”

He glances at you. “What?”

“I mean, not that you personally know her but—well, she’s always leaving a mess behind and all,” you swallow nervously. “All that.”

Remus glances at James, then back at you. Million questions flashing across his face before he shakes his head, setting them aside as he turns to you. “Let’s get those treated.”

James’ eyes widen in raw panic. “Um, Remus. I think—actually…”

You exhale deeply, and in resignation as well. Remus shakes the webbing off your board, frowning in lingering confusion before he opens the door for you. Even with every instinct screaming at you to not step inside, a small push at your lower back is enough to lower any of your remaining defenses. Damn Remus.

James only nods reassuringly at you, already reaching for his car keys. Just say the word, he mouths at you. 

Sirius perks up when he sees you walk in, scrambling to stand and not at all caring at the way he startles Barty and the entire table as he beelines towards you. His smile dims when his eyes flicker down to your scrapped up knees, then at the board tucked under Remus’ arm.

“y/n,” he sighs, exasperatedly fond. But mostly exasperated. “Again?”

“I’m… sorry?” you hesitate, trying and forcing your gaze to stay on him and not on the two figures you can make out the silhouettes of over his shoulder. “And sorry I’m late.”

He waves you off. “Late? Please, this is the earliest you’ve ever been since we met. Oh, speaking of,” he hooks an arm around yours, already dragging you deep into the pub and missing both the wince on your face and your very obvious nerves. “I want you to meet someone.”

“Now? Sirius, my elbow is bleeding.”

“Yes, yes, it’ll be quick. I promise, then I’ll go fetch the kit while you get to know each other.”

I rather not, you think to yourself. You must have made a sound that exposes your train of thought, because Remus huffs a laugh behind you. Already turning towards the bar to fetch the kit. You watch him go with barely contained panic. Then back at James, whose eyes are so wide it borders on comical. I have to go now, you mouth at him.

“Barty, this is y/n. The mastermind behind every fabulous shot you’ve seen of me at the theater department and the only one I trust with the lighting.” Sirius explains. You’d feel very emotional and touched by his introduction if he weren’t introducing you to the devil himself. “And Reg—you’ve met y/n, right?”

“I have, yes. Nice seeing you again.” Regulus says, stretching a hand out to you. His eyes glance down at your elbow when you stretch it back. “Oh, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just fell off my board, nothing too serious,” you manage to say, somewhat calmer and stalling to not turn towards Barty. You can already feel his piercing gaze all over you. “Um, nice meeting you, Barty.”

His eyes snap back at you, and he flashes you a grin. “Likewise. I’ve heard quite about you, Sirius won’t stop raving about you.”

“He does?”

“Of course, I do. I worship the ground you walk on,” he glances down at your knees. “and fall on, too. Apparently.”

You swat his arm away. “Prick,” you grumble. Then realize who is actually in front of you, silent and scrutinizing despite the charismatic demeanor they’ve put up with your friends. “I, um, I’ve heard many things about you, too.”

Barty leans back, lips twitching in a smirk you recognize. It makes your skin crawl. “Have you, now?”

“Why are you tossers doubting my ability to speak great things about you?” Sirius muses out loud, already making himself comfortable on the booth. Nearly on Barty’s lap. “Yes, I have talked about you with everyone.”

“Even when he was in denial about your date.” Marlene quips, still busy toying with the lemon slice at the bottom of her pint. “Couldn’t shut his sodding mouth about you.”

Sirius frowns. “I don’t think that I appreciate you throwing me under the bus, either.”

Marlene answers back, then Mary joins, then Lily—and conversation goes on like normal. Like any other get together with friends. You swallow nervously, trying to ignore the way your senses keep screaming at you, acutely aware of the set of eyes still sneaking glances at you. 

A hand, gentle and steady, flattens over your lower back. “Dove?” Remus’ voice breaks through your rushing thoughts, making you snap your head towards him. 

At the table, Regulus lights up nearly in the same beat you do. He slides back to his previous spot, like he had been saving Remus’ spot during his time away. Your heart clenches at this, in panic and an unidentified feeling you can’t entertain right now, you don’t know. 

Remus only nudges you, giving your back a gentle push towards the bar. But he only sends the table a small smile. “We’ll be right back, yeah?”

A chorus of agreements follow, and you only manage to catch James’ panicked gaze desperately trying to get your attention. Don’t leave me with them, he mouths. You hear him clearly, but Lily only frowns at him in confusion and it’s almost pathetic how quickly he scrambles to flash her an innocent grin. 

“Alright.” Remus pats the barstool, already going through the kit and taking out plasters and ointments. In his other hand a damp cloth. “Let’s see.”

“Remus,” you murmur, equal parts embarrassed and fond. “You don’t have to. I’ve fallen many times, I won’t bleed out.”

“I know.” He says easily, cleaning your knees first. “Still, wouldn’t want to take any chances, hm? ‘Sides,” he pauses, eyes flickering quickly at you. “It looked like you needed a minute.”

At this, you feel the floor giving out under you. Remus only devotes himself to finish cleaning the wounds, not speaking and giving you exactly what he thinks you want. A minute.

“Was it that obvious?”

“A bit,” he concedes, standing straight to take the ointment. His lips twitch, sending you a sideways smile. “Want to get out of here as soon as we’re done?”

“What?” you blink. You’re beginning to suspect you hit your head with the fall. ”But I thought… What about Regulus?”

“What about him?” Remus asks, bending a little to spread the ointment on your marred skin. 

“I thought you were, um,” you brush your hair away. Remus’ eyes flicker up, lingering on your stained sleeve before returning back to your knees. You try to find your courage. “Um… with Regulus?”

Remus huffs a laugh. “That ship has sailed, y/n. We’re just friends now.”

You cut a quick glance towards the table, noticing the way Barty and Regulus keep sneaking glances towards the bar as well. “Still…” you hesitate, head snapping back to Remus as he stands straight again. “It looked like…”

“Like we were chatting? Yeah,” he points at your arm, and you wordlessly push the sleeve up. “He was actually asking me about you.”

“About me?”

“Yeah. Just the usual stuff, how you’ve been and things of the sort,” he murmurs, divot forming between his eyebrows as he takes your arm. “Ow, y/n…”

“S’fine, barely hurts.”

Remus’ lips twitch, almost in recognition. To both your words and the stubbornness of your tone. “Having a high pain tolerance doesn’t mean you must test it every day, dove.”

“The pavement is faulty, and I was distracted.”

“Were you now?” he asks, cutting you a quick glance when you wince. “Sorry—why were you distracted? Were you texting and skateboarding again?”

“Um,” you brush your hair away. “Yeah.”

He only laughs, knowing and fond at once. The sound is enough for the hand tightening around your heart to loosen, a nervous chuckle bubbles out of you. Both at his closeness and the tenderness of his touch, tending to your marred elbow and spreading ointment with never ending patience. He flattens a plaster on your skin, thumb sweeping circle motions over the plastic and bringing goosebumps to your skin.

“Shall we then?” He asks. Your breath hitches when he leans closer. “I can’t fucking stand that tosser.”

“Who? Barty?”

Remus’ eyes flicker up to you, nodding slowly. “Yeah.”

You swallow nervously. “Why?”

He glances at the table, erupting in laughter as Barty continues speaking, hands moving around in explanation. At his side, Sirius stares at him like he hung the moon. Your expression sours, and it’s enough for Remus’ lips to twitch into an actual smile when he turns back to you.

“Should we have a reason? He’s a tosser—spent the first hour talking about his trips around the world. He’s got a personal jet, apparently.”

That you know. And you know it’s actually not as big as he probably made it sound like. But these are things Spidergirl knows, not y/n. So you have no other choice but to school your expression into one of pure surprise, and a twinge of annoyance. Though that one is far more sincere.

“And Sirius seems to like him just fine,” he finishes off, busying himself as he puts everything back inside the kit. 

“Yeah, and it’s driving me insane,” you push your sleeve down. Wincing a little when you manage to notice the actual blood staining your jumper. “I told him to be careful.”

“And he is. It’s that tosser I don’t trust.”

“No?”

He sends you a funny look. “You said it yourself, he’s involved in dangerous things. He dragged Regulus with him and now I’m scared he’ll do the same with Sirius,” he closes the kit, and finally turns to you. “You mean to tell me he’s suddenly taken an interest in Regulus and Sirius… Black? Just because they shared classes one time? Just because he liked Sirius’ play?”

You blink. “So you’re saying… he’s got,” a pause, weighing your words and feeling them in your chest. “Ulterior motives?”

“Maybe.” Remus concedes, shrugging. “Or maybe he’s just a tosser, who knows. I still don’t like him.”

You huff a laugh, and Remus mimics it almost unconsciously. You’re acutely aware that he hasn’t stepped away yet, something your heart won’t let you forget as it slams and pounds inside your chest. 

“Come on, then. Pizza on the way? The spicy one you like from that place?”

“You want spicy honey pizza?” you ask, genuinely startled and a tiny bit more in love. Especially when he shrugs, head tilting to the side. You mimic it almost unconsciously, and something about his expression pauses. “I thought you said it was too much for you?”

Remus only blinks, you think you’ve imagined it as he gestures at you towards the door. “I never said I’m having a slice—that one’s for you. I’m sticking to my usual order.”

“Fine,” you jump off the stool, swallowing back a wince and knowing it’s futile when Remus clicks his tongue. “You stick to your boring pizza and I’ll stick to mine.”

He chuckles. “I like my boring pizza.”

“Of course he does.” Sirius says as soon as you’re within earshot, nearly sitting atop Barty at this point. You pointedly ignore the worried twinge that overcomes you at the sight. “What? Already running off?”

“I’m feeling a bit knackered. y/n, too.” Remus explains, sending the table a sorry smile. “We’re just going to grab a quick bite before heading home.”

“You mean eating it outside on the porch instead of walking in?” Sirius jokes, and your friends follow. You try to, at least. “How romantic.”

Lily nudges him. “Be nice.”

“I am being nice!” he spreads his arms in front of him. Then turns to Barty, seeming to pick up on the way neither him nor Regulus know what he’s talking about. “y/n doesn’t like people coming into her dorm. She’s prickly.”

Your heart stutters. “Sirius.”

“What? It’s true.”

Barty turns to follow his gaze, meeting yours. “Why’s that? If it’s okay to ask, of course,” he wraps his arms around Sirius’ hip, pulling him closer. “Uni rules?”

“Yeah, something of the sort,” you answer, trying to not sound too dry. “Bit ridiculous if you ask me but, well, what can you do, huh? Um, Remus?”

Remus nods at you, then turns to Barty. “It was nice meeting you,” he says, polite and with a feigned warmth that only you and your friends spot. His warmth is more sincere when he turns to Regulus. “Nice seeing you again, Reg.”

“Of course. Catch up later?”

“Sure.”

You hug your elbows, thumb brushing over the damp fabric of your jumper in the same motion he did to your skin. Pushing down the strange feeling in your gut at the ease of his answer.

“Um, it was nice meeting you. Sorry I have to go early.”

“It’s okay.” Regulus nods, smiling politely as well. 

You only wave at them, locking eyes with James and nodding reassuringly at him. He deflates in relief, slumping sideways over Lily as he watches you walk out the pub with Remus.

When you step outside, he doesn’t feign surprise when you set the skateboard back down on the pavement. Hooking an arm around his in muscle memory. Remus only smiles to himself, stepping on the side of your board to tuck it under his arm.

At your baffled expression, he laughs. “What? You think I’d let you use it after how you showed up?” he tilts his head, almost playfully and squeezing at your heart. “I’m confiscating this all the way home.”

“What!” your lips part, both in surprise and betrayal. And a bit of fondness, too. “Remus!”

Remus only gives your linked arms a small tug, careful of your tender skin. “You’ll survive, come on.”