#mayleaorlaithwrites

He had promised to meet up with his three friends who were already waiting on the train. What had stopped the boy from running on the train already was his little sister next to him. 

“Are you excited, sweetheart? Hogwarts is a great school. I am sure you will love it there,” your mother said as she kissed your cheek. 

With a wide grin, you nodded to her. James had told you everything there was to know about Hogwarts. 

You could hear him call your name from the train.

“I’m coming!” You turned to your parents and quickly kissed both their cheeks before rushing to the train. You barely could believe you were leaving Platform Nine and Three-Quarter for Hogwarts

James offered his hand. “Finally. We still have to find my friends.”

With your trunk behind you, you followed your brother down the many coupes. You had;t met his friends yet but he had told you the stories. Just like he did at Hogwarts he had also told everything he had done with his friends. How they started to prank some of the other students, and the detention they earned from it. He laughed about it and you couldn’t help but even be excited for the trouble that would occur. 

“James, slow down.” You hurried after him, dragging your trunk behind you whil James was already several feet in front of you. Again you called his name when he dashed into the next coupe. 

With a sigh, you started a little run after him but when you got into the coupe yourself James was out of sight. 

“James?” you called out for him.

“He is in there.” 

You jumped from the voice next to your ear. 

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” the boy laughed. “But he is in there with my friends. You mean James Potter, right?” 

You nodded your head silently, taking in the stranger in front of you. “He is my brother.”

“Oh, you are his famous sister. I’m Sirius, his best friend if it wasn’t clear yet,” he introduced himself and extended his hand to you. 

He waited with a smile for you to shake his hand and after a little while you did. His smile didn’t falter when you still stared at him. You had heard about Sirius, James spoke very fondly of him. 

“Nice to meet you,” you whispered. You had to crane your head to look at him, not realizing yet how big twelve can be if you are still eleven yourselves. 

“Come on in,” Sirius said when he opened the door. James called you the moment he saw you. He introduced you to his other two friends, Remus and Peter. The only time you weren’t talking to his friends you were eating snacks from the cart.

It wouldn’t be a good day if the boys didn’t arrive late. Even in their fifth year they still manage to almost forget about breakfast in the Great Hall. Well, Sirius and James forgot. Remus and Peter were always the ones to remind them.

Today was no different. You could see them hurrying into the Great Hall. James his eyes searching for you from the entrance. 

Then Sirius pointed at you, finding you first. 

With a little wave, you beckoned them to join you, not that it was ever a question. Even after three years you were still always invited to their group. It didn’t matter what occasion, even if it was at dinner or at studying. 

The four boys arrived in their own way. Remus complained about almost missing breakfast, James told you that it wasn’t his fault, Peter greeted you with a hello and a sorry, and Sirius, Sirius threw his arm over your shoulder when he sat next to you.

“Good morning to you.”

“Good morning to you too, Sirius.”

“Please stop,” James groaned and when swatted his friend’s head. 

He could only laugh about it, leaving his arm still around you. “We weren’t even doing anything. Really, James, I think you need a new set of glasses.”

You joined Sirius’ laughter, covering your mouth when you saw the glare of your brother, but the little snickers still left you.

James wasn’t laughing, he didn’t find it funny how his friend was always flirting with you, even if Sirius denied it himself. 

Then you felt the arm around your shoulder slowly retreat from its position. Sirius gave you a smile but this one wasn’t as bright as his last one. Yours didn’t match either.

“Remus, how can you act like that book is more important than us? We are incredibly fun today and great entertainment for the world. I am shocked you don’t think the same as society does.”

Remus looked up from his book, his brows raised. “Who are you trying to convince here, Sirius?”

Sirius only smiled at him, taking up more of the couch in the common room. He wasn’t going to answer Remus. His point was already made when Peter and James started to talk to Remus waiting for him to put the book down. 

Then he saw you walk in and it was the perfect opportunity. 

“I’m sure James’ sister agrees with me.”

“Agree with what?” You asked so sweetly when you joined the group of boys.

Remus shook his head when he answered, “Nothing, Sirius thinks he is the center of the world.”

“You agree, don’t you, love?”

You didn’t have to answer, not when your brother hit Sirius with a book. “That’s my sister man.”

It was all so theatrical. How hurt Sirius looked and reached for his heart. How James threatened to hit him again. “Don't hurt him, James.”

He made a sound in protest when he felt you swat at his head. The book had fallen on the ground when he turned to you. “Really? Are we turning on me now?”

Sirius laughed and pulled you on the couch with him. “Of course we are against you. You hurt me.”

Your giggles filled the room when he pulled you in more, finally offering a bit of the couch to someone else other than himself. 

“I wanted to sit there,” James whined as he saw his best friend let his sister join him. “And stop flirting with my sister.”

“Whatever you say, Jamsie.” 

But Sirius wouldn’t stop, he enjoyed it too much. He wrapped his arms around you and wasn’t letting go any time soon. He made an agreement in his head that when Remus finished his book he would let you go.

There were many people that gave Sirius Black more attention than he needed. Next to his friends that watched him talk to some girls, you also watched him. A little scowl on your face that you tried to hide with a smile as you talked to Remus.

“I just think that with your notes I can be even better at Charms than I already am. Please, Remus.”

he shook his head. “No, you don’t need them and I know how that ends. Your brother always asked the same and he never studied if I gave it to him.”

“I am not my brother,” you quickly shot back.

“I know, but some traits are scarily alike.”

James dropped his homework and shut his books. He also carried a scowl when looking at his friend.

“See, scarily alike. Even when you’re both angry,” Remus said. 

“We aren’t” But again the two of you showed different when you said it at the same time. 

You folded your arms but the scowl you had carried disappeared slowly because of these amazing friends. They may have been James’ friends but they were also yours. 

Then you felt two pairs of arms wove themselves around you and the once bad mood you felt minutes ago had disappeared from you entirely. 

“Cheer up, buttercup,” Peter said with a laugh and you couldn’t help but giggle at the nickname he had given you.

You shook your head, laughing and grasping attention from people in the courtyard but you didn’t care. These were your friends that would cheer you up even if they didn’t know the reason. Even if they were James’ friends they showed friendship to you too. 

“Thank you, guys,” you said. “But I hate that nickname.” 

Peter laughed and let you out of his arms. 

Sirius had heard your laugh from across the courtyard, drawing him in every time he even heard a snippet of it. It was his favorite melody that didn’t need to be composed. He saw you joking with your brother, how Peter threw his hands around you. 

He balled his fist for just a second. He shouldn’t be jealous, he had no reason to be. You weren’t his and he was here talking to-

He was still talking to someone, a girl he had forgotten about the moment he heard you laugh. Sirius shook his head. “I’m sorry but I have to go.” 

Sirius wasn’t sorry at all when he joined his friends. Greeting them one by one, all in the same way. Except for you, you were always the exception for him. 

“Hello, love,” he whispered and kissed your cheek.

“Hello, Sirius.” 

James Potter almost didn’t want to invite Sirius to join him and his family for the summer holidays. he had seen the way his friend looked at his sister. Even when he told him she wasn’t his to flirt with, Sirius never listened.

But nearing the end of the vacation even he had to give in to the fact that Sirius Black hadn’t flirted with you as much as he did in school. 

It was as if the boy knew that this wasn’t the place and time to do so.

That didn’t mean he didn’t give you any attention. The three of you spend much time together, playing Quidditch, annoying either James or Sirius. Playing games with your parents. 

“I can’t believe we have to leave again tomorrow,” you said to the sky. 

Then a face propped itself above her. “You can sound a little happier.”

Sirius looked down at you, laying on the grass bed in between the flowers. 

“I am happy.”

He nodded at you, taking his own place on the grass. The flowers crushed beneath him but he managed to save one for you. He broke off the stem and placed it in your hair. 

“I am happy to go back, but I’m also happy here. A simple place, where nobody cares what I do or that I am James’ little sister,” you said and sat up, eyes still on the blue sky above you where clouds formed. 

Ever so softly, Sirius placed his finger on your chin and made you watch him. “You are so much more than that. If they don’t see it, they aren’t worthy of your time.”

He traced your lips, right over the cupid's bow, and stopped on your bottom lip. His eyes slowly reached yours, holding your gaze.

You had wanted this for so long. The moment you met him he was everything you looked up to. He was funny and a great friend. He made you laugh and he didn’t mind if you were down. He would lift up your spirits. 

This time you didn’t look away, you didn’t want to. 

Your eyes fluttered shut when you felt Sirius's hand on the back of your neck. Pulling you in. He didn’t need to do that, you were already pulled in at the attraction for him. Your whole body felt like it was lit on fire by the simplest touch. 

How quickly your whole body felt on fire, how quickly it turned cold from fear. 

You could hear James' voice from the house calling your name. 

He wasn't close and yet it felt as if you doing something wrong. You weren’t doing anything illegal but you knew his distaste for your flirting with Sirius. 

It felt like a betrayal, and it was the worst kind. Because you wanted this but the person you loved most didn’t. 

“We should go inside,” you whispered. 

He didn’t answer you and that might hurt more than the disappointment you felt before. But he did offer his hand to you, and he did pull you up. He made it hurt a little less when he kissed the top of your head like all the pain left in a simple sweet kiss you wished was so much more. 

•

All Sirius could think about were you on the grass, that flower in your hair. 

He was going to kiss you, he knew that you wanted him too. You would have moved away if you hated his touch. 

All he could think about now was you. At dinner he could only stare at you, wondering what your lips felt like. On the couch, he decided to sit far away from you.  

Now, looking at the ceiling of the room his mind was only on you. 

With a quick glance at James, he knew what he wanted. 

Sirius got out of bed as quietly as he could, making sure to miss the creaking floorboards when he went to the room next to his. 

He didn’t even dare to knock, scared to wake you if you were already asleep. 

Then the door opened and he had to swallow his scream. 

“What are you doing?” You whispered to him. 

“I came to see if you were already asleep.”

“I’m not.” 

Sirius nodded, licking his lips as he told himself not to stare. “I can see.” 

He caught himself staring at your lips again and this time he didn’t stop himself. He took a step forward and brushed your hair behind your ear. 

“James snores,” Sirius whispered.

You giggled softly, “He does not.”

“But that is what I’ll tell him in the morning, love” Sirius smirked at you, his eyes never drifting away from you.

He slowly leaned in. Taking one more glance in your eyes to see if you wanted this. To see if you didn’t change your mind but you hadn’t. He could see it. 

He could even hear it when you held your breath. 

Then his lips touched yours in a soft manner. 

First softly, cherishing your lips. Then the kiss turned hungry as if this was the last kiss you’d share. Maybe it felt a little like that on the last day before going back to Hogwarts. 

He kissed you until the breath had left his lungs. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.”

Your giggles were like a melody he played on repeat in his head. The one he’s play when you wouldn’t be near him and he needed a reminder of you. 

“Me too. Ever since I met you.” 

He led you to guide him into your room, he let you kiss him again. He would let you do anything to him if you wanted to. But this night wasn’t about more it was about everything you both had wanted all this time. 

So he kissed you again and he would kiss you when you woke up. He would kiss you till his lungs stopped. 

He pulled you next to him on the bed, holding you tightly to his chest. 

He wasn’t planning on staying the eternity of the night but feeling his muscles relax with you in his arms meant for him that he probably would. 

He kissed the top of your head before he too drifted off to sleep. 

Sirius had to constantly warn himself not to touch you. Just as close as you were to him, so were his friends. 

Even if you all were seated in the Great Hall Sirius made sure to keep his distance.

From the corner of his eye, he watched intently how you spoke to Remus. How EXTRA you talked to him. Your hands moved from right to left when you explained some of the games you had played. How you talked about how lovely the grass lay.

That made him smile a little. He remembered that as well. It wasn’t that long ago, two days only and he wanted to go back to that moment. 

Peter hit Sirius on his arm, grasping his attention. “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing, just a memory,” he answer but the smile never left. 

He expected you to jump up when he laid his hand on your leg but you didn’t. You took his hand in yours. Your fingers intertwined together, that’s how you stayed there until everyone would leave. You slowly let go of his hand, fingers touching till the last moment.

Sirius held your gaze until he had to turn around to walk away. 

You waited a moment, still talking to Remus before you too excused yourself from the table. It was a poor excuse but for now, it was perfect because it would get you away without much thought. 

He was already so far away, probably thinking you wouldn’t follow him. 

James wasn’t by his side anymore, he had probably already left him to go to the Quidditch field for practice. It would be perfect to surprise him now, but you weren’t sure if he wanted that.

Still, you did it.

You hurried after him, making sure he barely heard you when you placed your hands over his eyes. 

“James, you know I don’t like being the one that is blindfolded,” he said to the hands, taking hold of them and stroking the skin.

He loved when he heard your laugh come from the person. He knew it was you, he had hoped it was you.

Sirius grabbed your arms and pulled himself forward with you, hoisting you on his back and taking you with him. He laughed when you cried out his name. 

“Put me down.” 

“Nope, princesses get carried to wherever they want to go.”

You dropped your head on his shoulder. “I’m no princess.”

“You’re right, but you are mine, love.”

The moment James came through the picture frame he saw Remus and Peter sitting on the couches. 

“Don’t bother,” Peter said as he dropped his papers. “There is a tie on the door.” 

“I don’t have time for a stupid tie. I need some help from you guys.” 

Both boys looked at him, dropping whatever they were doing. 

“I know my sister is seeing someone. She is gone most of the time, hurrying away from me. I need to know who it is.” 

“why?” Remus asked. “She is sixteen, James. She is going to date at sometime. Rather now while you’re still here, right?” 

“No,” James answered immediately. He ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t want to picture my little sister with some bloke. What if he is a Slytherin.”

Both boys couldn’t help but laugh at him. They too had suspected you were dating someone, at this point many people suspected it. There were some names going around but nothing to really tie back to you. 

“I need Sirius for this. He always knows what is going on.”

Peter looked at Remus worried. “He is in his room with a girl. I wouldn’t disturb him if I were you.” 

“And even if he did stop, which I wouldn’t bet on. He might not even know.” 

What Remus said went to nobody’s ears. James still walked the room, frustrated by the resistance of his friends.

 “If anyone knows it’s him,” James said and went to the room. The red and gold tie hung from the door knob. 

It mocked him, laughed in his face telling him not to enter. James wanted to but it was a rule they had set up. When the tie was on the door, no one may enter. 

In frustration he ripped the tie of the knob before going back to his friends. “Let’s go to class.” 

Everyone had noticed how Sirius Black got into class without a tie on. 

Normally he would get a lot of questions from his friends about his escapades in their room but this time, everybody took the high road and left him to his own business. 

It was almost normal to him if it wasn’t for James’ silent treatment.

“What happened to him?” he asked Remus, the one friend that somehow always knew the answer. 

“He knows his sister is shagging someone and he is grumpy about it.” 

Sirius only dared to hum. 

“You wouldn’t know anything about that, do you Sirius?” Peter asked as he dropped next to him. 

“No,” Sirius whispered. “No, I don’t.”

That was the biggest lie Sirius had told them, because he always knew everything about you.

•

“I got a present for you,” you said when you took Sirius’ hand. 

“For me? You are to kind.” 

With a giggle you took of the tie. “Shut up.”

He let you tie it around his neck. he just stood there, watching his view when you looked so concentrated on tying it for him. 

You only watched your own hands move with the tie but Sirius only watched you, your eyes so closely watching him. He was always easily enchanted by you. Every little thing you did was like magic. 

“You don’t have to stare.” 

“I’m admiring.” He didn’t doubt his answer for a second. It was the truth he would never hide.

You wove your fingers through his hair and stood on the tips of your toes. Kissing him always felt like butterflies. A constant flutter that wouldn’t leave until he was out of sight and even then some lingered. 

Your mind was captivated by him. Everything around you had moved itself to the background when you kissed him, the little groans that he made when he pulled you further against him. 

Even when the kiss ended your eyes never strayed from his, and Sirius could only watch you. But it was Remus that watched you both.

Remus normally enjoyed the parties he attended with his friends. He might have to watch them sometimes but he always enjoyed them. Except for this one. 

He wasn’t planning on having to keep secrets but now, after he witnessed Sirius and you, he had no choice. 

It did give him time to think. Everything Sirius did made more sense. How he would constantly gravitate to you. It was as if you were the sun and Sirius was blinded by its beauty and never wanted to see anything different. Every planet always turned around the sun and Sirius always turned around you, a constant pull he never seemed to mind.

Everything made sense now.

Sirius twirled you around, danced with you. he got you drinks and made sure that everybody that ever bothered you stayed away from you. He would always pull you closer if someone squeezed past so you wouldn’t fall. 

He would be the one to join you on the couch first when your feet are hurting. He would be the one that would talk to you when you don’t know what to talk about anymore. 

He was always there, and it took Remus to see you two to realise you were always there for him too.

You always made sure to check on him first if he wasn’r as talkative. You would search for him when he was missing. You would tell the boys off if he didn’t share their thoughts.

You would make sure he always got his breakfast if he was running late. There would be a new lie leaving your lips why he is missing. You always laughed more when he was around.

Remus couldn’t stand on the side any longer.

Sirius felt a tap on his shoulder dragging him away from you. 

“I need to talk to you,” Remus said over the loud music. Sirius nodded and followed him to the stairs.

“What’s wrong?” 

Remus checked the stairway before turning bsck to his friend. “You can’t keep this up forever.” 

Sirius’ eyebrows shot up.

“What are you talking about?” 

“I’m talking about you and James sister,” Remus said hashly. “I can’t keep your secret forever.” 

He saw his friend turn white by the realisation of everything. He saw hw he searched for words. “Look, I know how it looks but-” 

“I know. I saw. You care for her but you can’t lie to all of us about it. What if James found out and you didn’t tell him? You have to tell him you’re the one that is with his sister.”

“You’re the bloke fucking my sister?” James shouted when he pushed Sirius against the wall. 

“It’s not like that at all,” Sirius said when he pushed him off 

Remus carefully spoke his names. His hand already on his shoulder but James only shook it off. 

“So you’re not fucking my little sister? My sister, Sirius, really? You couldn’t find some other girl to share a bed with.” 

Sirius pushed James. “Stop talking about her like that!” 

“Why? It’s what you’re doing isn’t it?” 

Remus couldn’t mean anything to them. This was their fight, he knew that, he just wished it was one later. When it wouldn’t come to light like this, but secrets always found their way to the light when one least wants it.

“I am not just fucking her, james. I am in love with her!” Sirius shouted back, his hair falling in front of his face when he again pushed James off. “I have been in love with her since second year!” 

James stood back when he yelled at him. The words hitting him. It was ammunition James never expected he would feel.

“I love her and if you can’t accept that than that is your problem. But I know I want her, and I am not giving her up. Not today, not tomorrow. Never, James.”

It should have soothed him, to hear his friend truly loved you but there was still knaging feeling left inside him. It didn’t stop. It was the constant reminder that he didn’t tell him, that you didn’t tell him and now even Remus didn’t tell him. 

He had to overhear it. 

The didn’t even stop when james hit him, or when remues shouted for him to knock it off. It only stopped when you screamed James’ name.

“What are you doing?” 

There was no time like today that James heard you this mad before. It startled him for a moment until he saw how you checked on Sirius and not him. “I can’t believe you started dating my best friend.”

“That is what this is about?” you sounded confused. Something he hadn’t expected. “I can’t believe you. You hit him because he is dating me?  What is wrong with you?” 

He didn’t answer you. All he did was walk away. He had started a fight he didn’t want to finish tonight.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me!” 

Not even the voice of Sirius calmed you any longer. 

“Out of all the people in Hogwarts you choose him?” 

“Out of all the people in Hogwarts, you don’t want me to date your best friend?” 

James was starteed by your question. It was the last thing he expected you to ask him. he expected you to scream, to tell him he was childish even. he had anticipated many reactions but to counter his question was not one he expected.

“You don’t want me to date the one person that always looked out for me without you having to ask? The one person you knwo you can trust to treat me fairly, because he does. he treats me much better than I cuold ever deserve and he loves me. he loves me as much as I love him.”

He didn’t say anything more. All he did was walk away and you let him.

Sirius took your hand in his and puled you into him. “Come here, love” he whispered to you and kissed your head. 

You had laid awake the whole night. Your mind was still at yesterday. The moment you stepped into the common room you were ready to start the fight again. You would start it a thousand times if you’d have to. 

But the moment you stepped into the room you stopped in your track.

Sirius was laughing with James. As if yesterday didn’t happen. Like nothing had changed and in thats second you wondered if yesterday happened at all. The blue mark on Sirius cheek showed it did.

The moment Sirius saw you he ran up to you and kissed you right there. Like there was no care in the world and like no one was watching. 

“Please, don’t ever do that again. I might throw up from you two.”

Your eyes turned to James and the smile Sirius left on your lips left. “I am still mad at you.” 

“And you have every right to be, just like I had every right to be mad at you for keeping this a secret.” James let the silence hang in the air, giving you a moment. “I am not mad at you anymore, and I hope you won’t be mad at me anymore. Because I am truly happy for you.”

Sirius pressed a kiss to the side of your head, grasping your attention and nodding furiously. 

With a sigh you turned to James. “I might be a little less mad now.”

Sirius always made the situation a little worse as he patted James on the back.

“Look at it on the bright side, she might be cute. Or he.”

“Shut up,” James grumbled and dropped himself on the couch next to Sirius. “Tomorrow is the first lesson or class?”

“You even need a tutor to tutor you about tutoring.” All his friend offered was laughter and jokes while to James it wasn’t a joke. He pushed Sirius off the couch and claimed it for himself. His arms are over his eyes.

“I am not going. I can get help from Remus, Right?”

From the look of his friend James should have known the answer was no, and it would stay no until James Potter was deemed hopeless to teach.

You could turn to the clock as many times as you wanted but the truth was, James Potter was late. Not just a little late but over thirty minutes late. He had reached the maximum of time you would waste on people.

With a sigh, you grabbed all books and papers that were scattered on the table.

You might have already left if it weren’t for your name being mentioned.

“I am James Potter.”

It took a second for you to turn around. Swallowing the annoyance you feel when looking at him. You had known James Potter, the boy that always pulled pranks with his mates. “You are late.”

“I know I’m-”

“Thirty minutes late,” you snapped at him and dropped down in the chair. This would be the second time you would occupy it and you wanted to make it quick. It was never a good start to be late but when they were thirty minutes late you were left with the feeling of disdain.

James didn’t finish his sentence. He just sat down, grumbling under his breath in order for you to miss it and watched you. Even when you raised your eyebrows at him he still watched you.

You sighed again and pushed your own books to him. “Next time bring something. No, next time don’t waste my time.”

“You sound mad,” he said in response, leaning back in the chair.

He jumped slightly at your dry laugh. The book was no longer in front of him as you pulled it back. “If you want to fail why didn’t you just say so?”

All he could do was watch you gather your things and watch you walk away. The screeching of your chair bought the attention of other students to the two of you and he hated that they witnessed this fiasco.

He cursed under his breath and quickly hurried after you.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You didn’t.”

“It feels like I did.”

“I’m not offended, I’m annoyed,” you stated and turned to him, “but that might not be something you usually pay attention to.”

James simply rolled his eyes and pulled the closest two chairs back. “Please?”

You weren’t sure if it was actually pity you felt for the boy or if you simply caved because of the shy smile he gave you but you sat down and opened your books again.

You really hoped the third time would be the charm.

If there was one thing you had learned from time it was that James Potter had a tendency to arrive late.

You promised yourself to leave after thirty minutes and this time the shy smile wouldn’t help him. The first fifteen minutes you kept telling yourself it wouldn’t be like last time. That James Potter truly wanted to be tutored in order to pass, but as minutes pass you also told yourself how stupid that now looked.

When twenty-five minutes had passed you were grabbing your things.

It was official, James Potter wasn’t worthy of your time if all he did was waste it.

“I know that look, you gave it to me yesterday.”

You hadn’t expected him to show up. The little jump made that clear. You even dropped some of the papers that you had in your hands.

“So you decided to show up?” You snapped at him.

James still took his seat, like he wasn’t almost a half hour late again.

“Are you always late for tutoring?” You asked him when you looked down at him.

James watched you as you still stood before him. He noted how you didn’t take a seat, how you didn’t put your books down.

“Is there anything I can do to make the situation better?” He pulled a sweet smile this time and it would have made you cave the first time but not the second time.

You laughed at him, dropping your books and letting the sound carry through the library. James shrank into himself. He wanted to hide behind the stacks of paper but you were holding them all.

“Maybe come on time. That would be a start, but I am not tutoring you today. You can come back in two days when our next session is scheduled.”

“But I need help now,” James tried as he rushed out of the chair.

You didn’t give in this time. You just looked at him and picked up your books. “You should have thought of that before you wasted my time, again.”

Sirius knew the moment James returned he had somehow made you angry at him. He already laughed before James had to explain everything.

“Yeah, keep on laughing. I am the laughing stock today,” James grumbled when he dropped onto the couch, “you laugh while I go get some new friends.”

“You are always so dramatic. Now, tell me, what did you do?”

He only groaned. James wanted to sink further into the couch, till nobody could find him again. “I was late.”

“That ain’t so bad. Just say you are sorry and really need this.”

James shook his head and turned to Sirius. “I was thirty minutes late. Twice.”

He waited for his friend’s reaction. he expected laughter and jokes, but nothing came from Sirius. Nothing but silence filled the room and came on James like a thick blanket waiting to suffocate him. he shouldn’t care that he made you mad at him, he barely knew you. He didn’t do it on purpose and that made him hate it.

You only tried to help him and he treated you and your help like something he can cast away and retrieve when he saw fit. Of course, you were mad at him, he should be mad at himself. He already was mad at himself without knowing what this felt like.

Disappointment, sadness, injustice. Everything James felt now was not something he liked and he had to agree with you. He should have given everything more thought.

“I’m here, I’m on time.” You jumped in your seat when James Potter stood hunched over the table. “Please tell me I’m on time.”

He looked like he ran a mile, and had to escape some teacher but he was in fact on time. “Yes, you are.”

He dropped himself on the chair next to you and took a book out of his bag.

You couldn’t help but watch with confusion as he then proceeded to take out a feather.

“Who are you and what have you done to James Potter?” you asked him with a laugh.

“Has nobody ever told you that I am a master in being excellent in everything?”

“If we forget about our first two meetings, I still wouldn’t believe that,” you said with a smile and took out your books too. You had kept them in your bag just in case but he had surprised you in the end. “I think we should start on page 394.”

You were impressed by James. There wasn’t much comparison to previous encounters but still, he exceeded expectations. He wasn’t your best student and he lost concentration quickly but he did make it fun.

When you had everything in your hands James turned to you. He wore a kind smile this time when he grasped your attention, “thank you, for helping me. I know I haven’t said that before.”

“It’s no problem. I think you will be just fine for the next test, all you need is just a little more tutoring.”

“Nobody needs this much tutoring,” Sirius said as he watched James sit on the wooden chair next to you.

He flipped the pages over while his attention wasn’t on them at all. Remus too could see he was doing things without a mind on it.

“That boy has been getting tutored by her for over two months now. He already passed. You can’t tell me he is doing this to learn. Yeah, learn how to actually get the girl.” Sirius laughed at his own words, still watching his friend

“You think he needs a little help, don’t you?” Remus turned to Sirius who watched the two with a devious smirk on his lips.

“Maybe just a little.”

They waited close to the library, all for James Potter to finish his tutoring session. The moment he was close to them Sirius spoke up, grasping his attention.

“She doesn’t do dates, James. Not once this year or any other year,” Sirius said as he pushed himself off the wall, “couldn’t you find someone easier?”

James jumped up. “No need to scare me, man.”

Sirius shook his head and watched you go, already rounding the corner out of everybody’s sight.

“James, you might want a great plan to agree on a date if you like her,” Remus said softly and placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder. He squeezed him softly for encouragement.

“What gave it away?”

“You. Nobody needs this much tutoring when they already passed. You look at her so long I’m surprised she didn’t notice it yet.”

James nodded. His friends were right, he knew that. He had told you he wanted more tutoring for other subjects, all to extend his time with you. He even had you agree to more sessions in a week. James was desperate to spend more time with you and it was only a matter of time for the boys to notice.

“I’m gonna make her go on a date with me, and if she doesn’t like me after that then that is fine. But I’d be damned if I didn’t try.”

James Potter managed to come on time for his tutoring session. In fact, he was never late again. It truly was the third time a charm.

“You got it?”

He hummed at your question, his eyes focussed on you, not your explanation but just you.

“James?” You waved your hand in front of him until he snapped out of his trance. “You good?”

“Yes, sorry. I was on a different planet I think.”

He could already hit his own head at the answer. Another planet? How dumb could he sound? But your giggle made brightened his mood instantly. Like the sun was the only planet he was on and he didn’t mind if he burned on it.

He didn’t mind the burn. He didn’t mind the answer. he didn’t mind if you told him no and didn’t want to see him again. The only thing he minded is if he didn’t try.

“I got a proposition,” he told you and sat straight in his chair.

Your eyes scanned his face for a sliver of information but there was nothing on his face that gave you an answer. You had to hear it from him.

“I had a test last week and any day now I will receive my results. If I end up being the best of the class I want to take you on a date.”

He said it like a man that had nothing to lose. Like the smile you gave him was his reward, it even felt like it when you shook your head smiling like a mad woman.

You had to give it to James, you had never had this proposition before. The chances of James actually ending up highest were slim. He still made mistakes every time you tutored him, he always asked for more time. But a part of you did hope for a good result.

Maybe because of that, you agreed so easily. Because no matter what outcome you would like it either way. A date, or him needing to spend more time with you. There truly was no downside in his little proposition.

“Okay, but if you don’t have the highest, you have to bring me my favorite candy at every other tutoring session.”

James smiled, he wouldn’t mind that at all.

You waited patiently for James to arrive. The courtyard was almost entirely empty except for some other students.

When he showed up he waved a piece of parchment in the air. A look of pure happiness on his face that instantly lit up your own. You knew what that piece of paper would tell you. James Potter was not so hopeless to teach as you first thought he was. He had surprised you in the way you liked it most.

“Look what I have,” he told you and held his score in front of you.

“I am so proud of you.”

When James pulled the paper away he could see the meaning the words held. You were proud of him, of his accomplishments. He almost felt sorry for making you think he still needed tutoring but he didn’t. He liked seeing you proud, especially when it was at him.

“I believe you owe me a date.”

“I do, but that also comes with a confession,” you told him with a smile. There was no need to fear what you would say next, he made all your past doubts vanish from the face of the earth. “I would have gone on a date with you even if you didn’t.”

James wrapped his arms around you and pulled you to him, beaming down at you.

“Then I will confess something too. I didn’t need those extra lessons. I just needed to spend some time with my favorite tutor.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at him. “I am your only tutor.”

James tightened his arm around you, pulling you in until there was barely any space between you two.

It was a merciless game between Gryffindor and Slytherin, it always was. Both teams played for the everlasting glory of which house was the best. Most people cheered for the more likeable house of Gryffindor. The one that beholds the seeker Harry Potter, a name that was known by all wizard families. But none of the Slytherin players went any easier on the boy just because of his famous name. It only made them fight for the victory even more.

You had been so entranced by the hoop and the line up of your shot that you had missed one of the beaters coming straight for you.

The boy approached with such speed you had to move out of the way losing the chance to make the shot. The quaffle had fallen into the hands of that said beater.

“That was blatching, Weasley!” you screamed over the pitch after him.

With desperate eyes you looked at the referee but he only shook his head. You threw your hands in the air and continued the match with an underlining hint of venom in it every time you would get in a verbal fight with a Gryffindor player.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

“That was blatching, Weasley, and you know it!” you barked out as you walked towards the twin who almost knocked you off your broom. You knew Fred wouldn’t have dived out of the way. He came right at you and if you hadn’t given way both of you would have laid on the ground after impact. He was testing the limits and no one punished him for breaking the quidditch rule of no blatching.

Fred snickered as he shook his head, watching with a glint in his eyes down onto you. He could see the tip of your ears tinted red from fury. “The referee didn’t think so.”

“Yeah, well, how much did you pay him?” You crossed your arms not faltering under his smug gaze. If there was one thing you hated more than losing it was losing to Fred Weasley.

“I didn’t. Guess some people just don’t like you, (y/l/n).” He wore the same stupid smirk as he did at the game from earlier. It infuriated you. How he pushed your buttons. How he always had something to say. That boy always worked his way under your skin. “Or, he thought you were just terrible at quidditch. Maybe both.”

You scoffed at his words. It didn’t surprise you how Fred would bring you down. “That is rubbish, Fred Weasley and you know it. If you didn’t blatch me out of the way I would have scored yet another point. Without cheating you couldn’t have stopped me.”

Fred Weasley would never dare to admit it but it was true. His blatching was his final option of keeping you from scoring. It appeared to be his last option at that time.He even believed you were one of the best chasers. It may have even slipped past his lips that he believed you were better than Angelina Johnson, but he would never admit that out loud.

“Now that is absolute rubbish, (y/n),” he said as he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked away. Leaving you with fuming red ears and a deathly glare that follows him till he rounds the corner.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

A week had passed since the last quidditch match. You still felt sour over Fred Weasley’s blatching. He targeted you, of all slytherin’s, of all players, he had to go for you. You had fallen victim to his jokes and now to his quidditch tactics too. It left a spiteful feeling inside you whenever you thought back to that match.

There had always been a rivalry between the lions and the serpents but Fred and you always pushed it a note further. When Fred had hit you with a new joke he tested with his brother George, you always beat them on the quidditch pitch. It was how you two function. But for Fred to beat you on your terrain infuriated you.

Fred was the first that spotted you in the crowded corridor. He elbowed his brother and both pairs of eyes followed you.

“Ready?” George asked as he fished their newest joke out of the bag that was hidden behind their feet.

Fred grabbed the round green item with spikes from his twins hand, whispering softly “you watch out for Filch.”

You were so caught up in your own thoughts you had missed them standing by the end of the corridor. You had missed their snickering and their silent conversation. What you didn’t miss was something green coming your way.

You let out a shriek as you ducked for the approaching disk. This time you didn’t miss their snickers and laughter.

“Fred Weasley!”

“Blimey, (y/n), I have never seen you look so scared before,” Fred choked out laughing. George was doubled over next to him, both amused by your enraged state.

You bit your lip, drawing blood from the force you put on it. You had fallen into one of his pranks again. Your whole body shook as you clenched your hands. Again, you walked right into it. Again, you let anger take control. But you couldn't help it, there was something so infuriating about Fred Weasley.

Your pointy fingernails brushed over the wood of your wand before you drawed it from its secured place inside your cloak.

It only took a simple incantation, "Aguamenti."

Fred Weasley has seen you angry before, how the tip of your ears would turn red, bawling your fist until your knuckles colored white. The deathly stare you would shoot him from afar before storming off. This time you didn't follow the known ritual of his aftermath of pranks. He realized that the moment a burst of water emerged from the tip of your wand that was pointed toward the boy himself. Sprayed with water he fell to the floor, soaking in your charmwork.

"Next time you pull a stunt like that Weasley, I'll fry your arse," you hissed to him.

Fred let out a low chuckle as he got up from the floor, watching you with amusement in his eyes. "Saving your challenging spells for me, love? I’m honored. Don't you worry darling, you are always special to me."

"Yeah, specialist in targeting," George muttered behind his brother's words.

The Weasley twins couldn't help but grin at the furious girl as she stomped away from them. George turned around quickly, still enjoying the look of frustration you had shown them. But Fred stayed watching your departing figure move behind the walls of Hogwarts. He had a smirk on his face at the remembrance of the satisfying grin you held when you charmed the boy.

The twins had pranked you many times. The moment they realized you had an awful temper and were sorted into Slytherin they made it their goal to target you for their newest pranks and jokes. It was a challenge, a form of excitement that would grow from it. Fred Weasley enjoyed your darkened eyes clouded with anger and your remarks he always countered. It was pure satisfaction for him to see you so worked up because of him.

This time was no exception. However, Fred especially loved it when you charmed him back.

It created an underlying feeling in his stomach. Knowing that he could strike a reaction out of you with his many jokes. It made him smile a little bigger and laugh a little harder as he felt the feeling of excitement and pleasure at the same time.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

Fred was walking the corridors of Hogwarts without the company of his brother today. He was composing another joke for his favorite Slytherin but couldn’t find the right source of inspiration.

He had bumped into several different people, four he actually knew. All four looked confused and some even concerned as the boy kept walking with his head in the clouds.

You had awaited the boy till he passed the corridor you were situated in. Your wand hidden in your cloak next to your very own form of a joke. You had set your own plan in motion as soon as a Slytherin had told you about Fred Weasley’s absent state of mind.

“This is for all the times you pranked me, Weasley.”

With your fingertips you could feel the scales on top. It reminded you of something a muggle would entertain themselves with, but it had some changes for a wizards purpose. The teeth on the sides snarled and were perfect for slicing. You grabbed the fanged frisbee in your hand, carefully drawing it from it’s secured place while watching out for the teeth. With a smile you threw it towards the Weasley twin.

Fred had his eyes on the ground until he heard the shrieks of students around him. His brown eyes caught sight of the approaching disc right in front of his nose. He lost his balance and fell on the ground.

You had the perfect position to watch Fred Weasley fall on his arse. It was your laugh carrying through the corridor that gave the boy an idea of who had pulled this joke on him.

He tried to be angry, to become furious about almost harming him the same way he almost harmed you with the fanged frisbee in the form of a joke. But he could only smile at the hearing of your laugh, seeing you doubled over with your hands on your knees.

No one ever tricked him back, he was always the one to pull the joke. But here he was, enjoying the fact that he was being pranked by you.

You had expected him to become furious but you froze when you heard him laugh too. You could feel your body freeze. You had hoped he would become as angry as you did, to feel the same form of glee by his unhappiness as he did by yours. But he was just laughing whens till sitting on the cold floor. It was not something you had anticipated, for him to laugh at your pathetic attempt of tricking him back with the same joke. He must have thought you were not original or couldn’t come up with something yourself, stealing his ideas.

Both your eyes met, his full of amusement and yours full of terror. “I’m gonna get you back for this (y/l/n),” he laughed out with hiccups in between.

You bolted out of the corridors when Fred got up. Laughing softly as you ran away. Hiding between the many corridors you hoped you lost him, but it were your soft giggles that betrayed you.

He took a hold of your wrist pulling you further into the dark. “Running away now?” he asked with a mischief grin dancing on his lips.

“No.” you shook your head wildly. “No, I was testing my running. Still good.”

He had you against the wall as both of you still laughed at the silly joke. You don’t know why you were laughing. You normally hated stupid jokes but now you understood why Fred liked them so much. It was the anticipation of the action that was nerve racking and exciting. The enjoyment that raked through your body when it happened. The reaction of the victim.

“You think you’re funny? Pulling my joke on me?” Fred Weasley tried to sound though, making you quiver with fear but the reappearing smile made that go out of the window. He wasn’t mad, he was entertained, he was surprised. And he loved it.

“You- You should have seen your face,” you laughed out, trying to grasp your breath.

His brown eyes met yours again, both of you wearing a smile. There was no fight, or any incantations of spells. No anger sourcing through someone's body. You didn’t feel the urge to scream or punch him. You could see Fred Weasley in a different light. One where you appreciated his jokes, thinking they were funny and well thought out. How you were captivated by the glint in his eyes and smile on his lips.

Fred saw you differently too, wanting to push your fallen strays of hair back. He loved the sound of your laugh, like music to his ears. How your voice sounded sweet and your persona entranced him.

The laughing died down and the world became silent as you stayed in the trance Fred Weasley had entrapped you in. And you never wished to get out of it.

Fred leaned in just a little, his eyes begging you for permission. “Can I kiss you?” It was almost lost in the air but you heard it perfectly.

You pulled the boy down and your lips met. A warmth filled your chest as you kissed slowly, there was no rush. Fred wrapped his arms around you pulling you flush to his chest as your hand trailed in his hair. You could feel your knees start to quiver as he forcefully pressed you against the wall and kissed you harder.

It had turned from something fragile to something desperate. Like this was what you seeked, an endless waiting neither of you never realized you needed. You pulled him even closer, moaning into his mouth as you felt him smile.

You only pulled back when you were left breathless. Fred Weasley looked down at you with a grin. He took in every little detail, how your eyelashes laid on your cheeks as your eyes were closed. He traced his thumb over your lip, pulling it down slightly.

“Blimey, (y/n), I didn’t know you had the hots for me,” he laughed out. You hit his chest as you laughed along, still living in the feeling of euphoria.

The other girl nodded her head, smiling and giggling while sharing her own gossip, “I heard that Sirius Black hasn’t been spotted with a girl in weeks. Well except for the ones in his friend group and quidditch team.” She turned to you, watching you laying in bed, eyes wide open by their evening chats. “What happened to Sirius' flirty nature? Did he stop?” 

You groaned and pulled the covers over your head, groaning louder when the questions were thrown at your head.

“Please stop,” you begged them. 

“Oh come on. You know if he has seen other girls, we just want to know if we have a chance.” 

It wasn’t the first time someone had approached you this week, all asking the same questions. Is Sisius seeing someone? Are the rumours true, is there a chance Sirius Black has a girlfriend? Everyday the same questions are asked by different girls.

“Please, let me sleep. If you want to know his relationship status go ask himself. He doesn’t bite.” You pushed yourself deeper into the soft pillow, trying to block out your two dormmates. 

But it didn’t stop, for half an hour longer their voices kept you out of the much needed sleep you seeked. “That’s enough,” you snapped. In your pyjama and a soft plaid you left the gossiping girls behind you and moved to the dorm of your friends. As quiet as you could you sneaked through the corridors and common room. 

You pushed open the wooden door, hurrying inside as it let out a creak. The room appeared empty. Beds unmade and no boy asleep. You sighed before moving over to one of them and tucked yourself in. 

A quiet room and a soft bed was all you needed to fall asleep. 

*＊✿❀○❀✿＊*

The group of four barged into their dormroom. Exhausted from their adventures through the castle. Silent laughter between them before it died down at the sight of you asleep. 

“Quiet,” Remus whispered to the other boys. 

James inched closer, not daring to wake you up by the creaking of the floors. “What is she doing here?” 

Sirius shook his head and smiled at the sight of you, in a deep slumber in his bed. 

The boys stayed quiet as he walked towards his bed that was now occupied by their friend.  “Hello,” Sirius whispered as he sat at your side. 

“My dormmates. They were so loud,” you were barely able to bring out. He stifled a laugh while watching you closely, ignoring the curious looks of his friends. You could feel him leaving until the bed once again dipped into the weight of a new body sitting on it. Sirius laid on the bed, taking you into his arms. A quick kiss was planted on your hairline as he smiled. 

You turned to face him, eyes still closed but you too wore a smile on your lips. Sirius couldn’t help but inch closer, laying a delicate kiss on your lips. There was no reason for him to do so but every fiber in his body screamed him awake when you laid there so peacefully in his arms. He felt drawn as he watched you and did the one thing that felt right to him.