Stars In The Dark
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: James Potter wants Lily Evans. Too bad that's not enough, for her, or for his family. Enter Ursa Black, a faithful friend, a pureblood heiress, and more recently, his betrothed. Not that he knows it yet. A prequel to 'All The Stars In The Sky'. OOC. AU. James/Ursa (fem!Sirius).
Rating: T for language, violence, mild adult themes, and character death.
Author: tlyxor1.
Stars In The Dark
Chapter One:
"Chin up, mate. They won't pair you with someone you can't stand." Frank Longbottom glanced at Alice Prewett, grinned boyishly, and turned back to his friend. "Merlin, you'd think someone died, with the look on your face."
James grimaced his acknowledgement, stirred his porridge in his bowl, and glanced blankly across the hall. It was the last day of term, and most of his classmates were eagerly anticipating the summer ahead, but James himself was not. Instead, he dreaded it, and he wasn't the only one.
At the end of O.W.L exams, the start of magical Britain's social season began, and for the outgoing fifth years, it would be their first appearance as witches and wizards eligible for courtship, for betrothal, or for marriage.
For those, like James, who'd been born into wizarding aristocracy, and whom had also wished to choose their on spouse, it was something akin to a death sentence.
"Might as well have," he answered bleakly, gave up on his breakfast, and instead rose to his feat. "I'm going to collect my things."
"I'll come with you," Remus Lupin decided.
They retreated from the Great Hall, and made the walk to Gryffindor Tower in an easy, companionable silence. They'd been friends since their early days at Hogwarts, had become pseudo-brothers in the time since, and none of them - Remus, Frank, James, or Peter - needed to fill the quiet that sometimes fell between them.
"Are you scared?" Remus queried. His parents were descended from a long line of private contractors, and were private contractors themselves - a curse breaker and warder, respectively - and although moderately wealthy, they generally made an effort to avoid the politics and social graces that dictated the pureblood aristocracy. It left Remus available to choose his own life partner, and James envied his friend that freedom.
"Resigned, mostly," James answered. "I always knew it was a possibility, you know? I just wish…"
Remus nodded his understanding. James' pursuit of Lily Evans wasn't a secret, and although Remus had not understood the reasons why James had become more or less desperate in the last year, he did now, and Remus could say nothing that would make it better.
As they reached the portrait hole, it opened from the other side, and James smothered his grimace. Lily Evans exited the tower, accompanied by Mary McDonald. They both sneered at James, contemptuous, and Remus glared back, unimpressed. James himself was stoic, his expression impassive, and it seemed to unnerve the two witches.
James felt almost vindicated, and if Remus' smirk was anything to go by, he did, too.
"Maybe it'll be better," Remus mused, "At least you won't wind up with someone entirely ignorant to our culture."
It was somewhat mind-boggling to realise that Lily Evans didn't know James' role in magical Britain. She insisted he was an arrogant, self-centred burke, but in all actuality, the girl knew nothing about him, about his family, about the wizarding community's social hierarchy, and the House of Potter's place in it.
His friends weren't the only ones who wondered what James saw in her.
Beyond her looks, anyway.
"Right," James muttered, "Small favours, I guess. I'm just glad Bellatrix Black is already married. That girl's nuttier than squirrel dung."
"Can't disagree with you there," Remus acknowledged, chuckling. He paused, thoughtful. "Aren't you two related?"
"If I were Dorea and Charlus' biological son, we'd be first cousins, once removed," James answered, "We're actually more like fourth cousins. I'm Not sure about the specifics. Our mothers were both Rosiers, though."
"Merlin, I'm already confused," Remus muttered, following James into their dormitory.
As usual, Frank's things were yet to be packed, though the rest of them weren't nearly so disorganised. James had a few books to pack away, and Remus his pyjamas from the night prior.
Peter - typically - had finished his packing two nights ago.
"Don't worry," James answered lightly, "The old family trees are all so tangled, no one bothers to try make heads or tails of them anymore."
"You don't say?" Remus parried, tone droll.
James managed a tired laugh, locked up his trunk, and shrunk it down until it could fit into a pocket of his trousers. He slumped onto his bed while Remus packed up the last of his own things, stared at the ceiling, and prayed for time to stand still.
He didn't want this school year to end.
"Are you ready to go?" Remus asked. Peter and Frank had arrived, the latter occupied with packing his luggage.
"No," James answered, "But I guess I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"Not in the slightest," Peter confirmed. He twisted the rat's tail he'd grown out since third year between his fingers, and James threw a pillow at his face.
"Thanks, Wormtail. I really needed to hear that right now."
Peter shrugged, his hands thrown out in a gesture of supplication. "I'm just being honest, Prongs."
Nearby, Frank forced his trunk closed, slid the latches in place with a triumphant grin, and turned to the rest of them.
"Are we going, then?"
James sighed, resigned. "I guess we are."
Remus pocketed his trunk, shouldered his satchel, and met James at the dormitory door. Peter and Frank trailed behind them, discussing their summer plans.
Frank, of course, would see James at the various events on that summer's social calendar. Peter, however, would spend his holiday working at his father's law firm, gaining experience and learning the ropes. Remus, in contrast, would spend his somewhere in South America, studying Ancient Runes and Arithmency at his parents' side, acquiring practical experience, and avoiding the social machinations Frank and James could not.
As Remus spoke at length about his plans, the four piled into the Gryffindor common room, unsurprised to see it nearly empty. There were a few reminiscent seventh years by the empty fireplace, and a few procrastinating lower years on a few of the couches, but the only individual to truly capture his attention was Ursa Black.
She was a witch in their year, best friends with Alice Prewett, and probably as miserable as James felt.
It was no wonder, too. Her family was probably as traditional as they got, and if Ursa didn't wind up betrothed by the end of summer, then James would eat his hat.
"Why so glum, chum?" Peter queried.
"I don't want to go home," Ursa replied, startlingly blunt.
"You and me both," James commiserated, "But there's no use putting it off, I suppose. Walk with us?"
"Of course," she acquiesced, "You boys always manage to make me smile."
As Ursa accepted James' offered arm, Frank gave her a winning smile.
"We do try, Heiress Black."
"Ugh, don't call me that, Heir Longbottom. I want to stay 'Ursa' for as long as I possibly can."
"There's a ball tomorrow," James contributed, tone deadpan. Behind him, Remus snorted indelicately, and chuckled to himself.
"I'm aware," she answered, "It's all Narcissa wants to talk about. Merlin, I don't even know why she's still writing to me."
"Family is important," Peter said sagely.
"Yes, well, so is my sanity," she replied, unhesitating. They laughed, as Ursa had intended, and her own gentle smile was pleased. It softened her face, made her appear distinctly more attractive than her usual state of unattainably beautiful. James observed that whatever wizard received her hand would be one lucky sod, indeed.
"You'll have to save a dance for me," James informed her.
"Of course," Ursa agreed, "I always do."
They smiled at each other, in their own world, and behind him, James' free friends shared knowing glances. Before long, however, they'd reached the Entrance Hall, and they were joined by Ursa's 14 year old brother.
Regulus Black was a Slytherin third year, with the customary features of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. He remained the sole male heir in his generation, and that fact seemed to have matured him far more than anyone expected of anyone his age. He accepted his responsibilities with grace and dignity, however, and James couldn't decide if he respected or resented the boy.
"Regulus," Ursa greeted, "Am I needed?"
"I wanted to make sure you were well," Regulus answered, acknowledged James with a nod, and queried, "Are you in need of a chaperone?"
Ursa's eyes widened, startled, James stuttered comically, and behind them both, his friends laughed.
Bastards.
"Heir Potter was just accompanying me from the Gryffindor common room," Ursa answered, "I was dawdling."
Regulus tipped his head in acknowledgement, and made to depart. "Of course, I apologise. I did not mean to presume. I'll be on my way then. Heir Potter, Heir Longbottom."
He left, headed towards a small cluster of lower year Slytherins whose names James hadn't cared to memorise. The exception was Bartemius Crouch Jr, whose father was slated to be the next Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. It was one of the most important roles within the Ministry of Magic - beyond the governmental and judicial systems, of course - and thus, James had been certain to maintain a wary distance from the Crouch boy. He didn't want to make enemies of important people, and insulting someone's son seemed like a great way of doing exactly that.
Ursa sighed. "I should go. Before anyone else gets ideas."
"You don't have to," James assured her, "But if that's what you'd prefer…"
Ursa's responding smile was tired. "I wouldn't want to jeopardise any courtship opportunities for you, James."
James nod was abrupt. "I understand. In that case, I'll walk you to your friends?"
"I'd like that."
Ursa's closest friend was Alice Prewet. She'd gathered with the other Gryffindor girls in their year, Emilyn Bones and Hestia Jones. Among them, also, was Lily Evans and Mary McDonald, and they both scowled at his approach.
"James," Alice greeted cheerfully, "Or Heir Potter, rather. I suppose I ought to start calling you that, shouldn't I?"
"Not until tomorrow, if you don't mind," James answered, a wry grin on his face, "I'm still not used to hearing it, in truth."
Alice laughed. "Tell me about it. Can we do anything for you?"
"Not at all," he answered, "I thought it only right I accompany Ursa over here."
"And here I am," Ursa concurred. She dropped her hand from James' arm, and offered him a smile. "Thank you, Heir Potter."
"It was my pleasure," he answered, offered them all a bow, and added, "I'll leave you to it. Heiress Prewett, Heiress Black, Heiress Bones. I'll be seeing you, I'm sure."
He returned to Remus, Frank, and Peter, scratched at the nape of his neck, and walked alongside them towards the castle's front doors. Frank and Peter were roughhousing, of course, and Remus had produced a block of chocolate from his messenger bag, and as they reached the front steps, he sighed to himself. For once in his tenure at Hogwarts, he wasn't eager to return home. Time wasn't inclined to wait for anyone, however, and James had never been one to put off the unavoidable.
With that in mind, he straightened his shoulders, exhaled slowly, and braced himself for the days and weeks to come.