Sirius trudged along the Hogwarts corridors, the worn stones beneath his feet echoing the heaviness in his heart. The weight of the past summer's events bore down on him, casting a dark cloud over his sixth year that seemed to follow his every step. He was well into the first trimester, but his spirits were far from soaring.
Ever since the altercation with his younger brother during the summer, Sirius felt a profound sense of loneliness gnawing at him. The fallout from the fight lingered magnifying the pre-existing isolation he felt. Remus remained an unspoken presence in his life and despite the occasional conversations he had with James and Peter, the once vibrant and easygoing dynamic of their friendship had fractured.
Moreover, another matter weighed heavily on Sirius's mind – Hermione. Despite the internal conviction that an apology was unnecessary, as the conflict had primarily involved Remus, Sirius recognized the need to mend the rift and salve the wounds he inadvertently inflicted upon her. She was more than a friend; she was akin to a little sister, closely entwined with his brother and someone he held in high regard. A surrogate for the love and affection he lacked from his own family since his sorting, Hermione had become an integral part of his life. She had an uncanny ability to penetrate the barriers surrounding him and Regulus without speaking.
Lost in his contemplations, Sirius collided with someone, jolting him back to the present. An automatic reproach formed on his lips, but when he looked up, he found himself face to face with Hermione.
"Sorry," he mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
Hermione, ever understanding, reassured him, "Don't worry, I wasn't looking where I was going either." As she walked away, Sirius summoned his Gryffindor courage and spoke louder.
"I'm sorry."
She halted, turning to scrutinize him. "Why exactly are you asking for my forgiveness this time?"
Sirius, fidgeting under her penetrating gaze, ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "You already know why," he admitted.
"No, I really don't," Hermione crossed her arms, her frown deppening. Sirius sighed, expressing remorse, "I,um,I'm sorry for endangering your brother last year. It was stupid and reckless of me, Remus could've ended up in Azkaban if James hadn't saved Snape. I promise I'll never do anything similar in the future."
"Why did you do it?" she queried, and Sirius, defeated, shrugged, letting out an empty laugh.
"I'm pathetic, that's why." He conceded self-deprecatingly. He still remembered what Remus and Regulus had said to him.
"You're not pathetic, you just have a permanent tendency of putting your foot in your mouth and speaking before thinking, you hot-headed Gryffindor." A hesitant laugh escaped Sirius, and for a brief moment, silence enveloped them.
Abruptly, Hermione shifted the tone by expressing her own apology."I'm sorry too," Sirius, raising an eyebrow, silently questioned her. "Reggie told me about the fight you had over the summer break."
The Black heir's shoulders dropped defeated, giving her a sad smile, "Don't worry your pretty head about it. Reggie was never the type to go against Walburga's rules. I, on the other hand, am sick of it. I'm planning on leaving that blasted place." Hermione's raised eyebrows betrayed no surprise, leaving Sirius taken aback by her apparent understanding.
"Leaving Grimmauld?" she repeated, as if confirming what she had heard.
Sirius shifted uncomfortably, avoiding direct eye contact. "It's just... things at home have been getting worse. I can't stand being there anymore. And after the argument with Regulus, I feel like I'm alone."
Hermione's gaze softened, and she pulled him into a hug. "You're not alone, Sirius. You have people who care about you. James, Peter, my brother, despite the fight, cares about you. And so do 's never too late to make things right. Just take it one step at a time."
"Yeah, you're right. I need to figure things out and make amends where I can."
"And if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me."
James strutted across the Quidditch field with an infectious grin plastered across his face, basking in the triumph of Gryffindor's victory over Slytherin in one of their clandestine friendly matches that were sprinkled throughout the school year. The atmosphere was lively, as students ate, drank, and engaged in conversation. The usual house rivalries took a backseat, allowing everyone to relish the night without the weight of competition.
The unique twist was that they played with only the Quaffle and the Snitch, with usual Beaters taking on the role of Chasers. Casual attire replaced the standard uniforms, and the players took turns, fostering an inclusive environment where anyone could join in.
As he reveled in the afterglow of the victory, receiving pats on the back and congratulations, his mind was preoccupied searching for his girl. "She's not your girl yet," a nagging voice in his head reminded him. Undeterred, James, fueled by determination since his summer conversation with his parents, aimed to secure a date with Hermione.
As he scanned the crowd for her, memories of their encounters flickered in his mind. James reminisced about the New Year's dance at the Blacks', where Hermione looked enchanting, albeit frustratingly accompanied by Regulus. The two had been on the verge of a kiss during a mistletoe-induced moment, but the spell was broken when Rosier intervened, leading Hermione away. Despite the palpable chemistry between them, Hermione vehemently denied her feelings for him, a mystery that both James and Lily, now friends, often debated.
The Gryffindor duo puzzled over Hermione's reluctance to acknowledge her feelings, even as the whole school recognized that Lily and James were past their romantic entanglements, except for the stubborn Ravenclaw who seemed to believe otherwise..
The situation escalated when rumors circulated about Regulus and Hermione being a couple, fueled by the Slytherin's protective behavior towards her. It made James' anxiety reach astronomical heights, but he brushed it off, praying that his fears weren't realized, akin to his horror at the ending of 'Pride and Prejudice.' fervently hoping the parallels ended there.
Now, flushed with a newfound confidence after beating Regulus, he decided it was time to make a Hermione by the Black Lake with her friends, a mix of excitement and nervousness engulfed him. Attempting to compose himself, he ran a hand through his hair and checked his breath before walking towards her, only to be halted by a familiar voice behind him.
James spun around, scowl etched on his face, to find Regulus standing there with a raised eyebrow and a cocky smile, "Potter, where do you think you're going? The Gryffindor Tower isn't in that direction," he remarked with an air of superiority.
With a scowl, he retorted, "It's none of your business where I'm going, Black."
"None of your business where I'm going," he retorted, his voice tinged with irritation
Black chuckled, an air of arrogance surrounding him. "Anything that concerns my girl is my business," he replied, his tone dripping with possessiveness.
James felt the muscles in his jaw clench as he tried to quell the rising anger. He knew all too well that engaging in a confrontation wouldn't do him any favors. Taking a deep breath, he replied through gritted teeth, "She's not your girl, and you know it. Last time I checked, she wasn't dating anyone, especially not you,"
Regulus circled around him, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Are you sure about that, Potter?" he leaned in, his voice low and taunting, analyzing him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Hermione and you are not dating."
The younger boy laughed, a derisive sound that grated on his nerves. "Funny, the entire school seems to disagree with you on that."
"I don't care about rumors. I don't believe them."
Regulus chuckled condescendingly. "Really now? Your face tells a different story, Potter. Looks like it bothers you more than you're letting on."
The Gryffindor fought the rising frustration, knowing that Regulus was trying to get under his skin. He took a deep breath, reminding himself of his goal With a forced calmness, he replied, "It's just baseless gossip."
Reveling in the discomfort he was causing, the Slytherin continued to mock. "Well, well, the great James Potter, the unbeatable Quidditch star, seems to be losing his touch, especially since Evans doesn't give you the time of day."
James clenched his fists, the urge to lash out at Regulus almost overwhelming. But he resisted, knowing that any confrontation would only upset Hermione. He took another deep breath. "I don't need your commentary on my personal life. Excuse me." With that, he turned away, attempting to walk off and leave the brewing confrontation behind.
"Leave her alone, Potter. If you really care, leave her alone," Regulus' tone shifted abruptly, his voice stern and devoid of any amusement shedding the mockery.
"Fuck this, I've had enough of your shit. You're no one to tell me what I can or can't do." The bespectacled wizard turned around to face Black again, his frustration now boiling over.
"You're nothing more than an arrogant and prejudiced mommy's boy who thinks that everything revolves around him. You act like everyone should kiss the ground where you walk. You don't deserve her."
In retaliation, he spat venomously, "And you don't deserve her either. None of your disgusting Death Eater buddies do. All you'll do is hurt her."
Regulus's smile turned dark, and he issued a stern warning, "Stay away from her. I won't repeat it again. Let her live her life, and you focus your attention on another girl."
As the Slytherin began to walk away, James couldn't let the confrontation end there. He shouted after him, unable to resist the urge to hit a nerve. "Does she even know you're a Death Eater?"
The younger boy halted, turning back to face him. With a swift movement, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing an absence of the Dark Mark. "I would never join them," he retorted furiously, dispelling the insinuation. "Especially not after one of them almost tried to murder her."
He was taken aback, his preconceived notions shattered. He had expected the boy to be one of Voldemort's fanatics. "I'm sorry," he muttered bitterly.
"Grow the fuck up and get over your prejudices, Potter," With that, he turned on his heel and continued walking away towards the Black Lake.
The Hogwarts library was bathed in a soft, muted light as Sirius cautiously made his way through the towering shelves of books, the air was thick with the hushed whispers of students engrossed in their studies. He scanned the room, searching for a familiar face among the labyrinth of bookshelves.
His eyes fell upon Remus, sitting alone at a secluded table, engrossed in a thick volume on Potions. Sirius took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. As he approached, Sirius could feel the weight of his own guilt pressing down on him.
"Hey, Remus," he began, trying to sound casual but failing to conceal the nervous undertone. The taller boy looked up, his amber eyes locking onto his gray eyes with a mixture of surprise and wariness.
"What do you want, Black?" The werewolf asked, closing his book with a deliberate calmness.
"Can we talk?"
"Go ahead"
The shorter boy took a seat, fidgeting with the hem of his robes. "Look, about last year... the prank we played on Snape. I wanted to apologize."
"Apologize?" he echoed. "Well, that's a first."
"Yeah, well," Sirius stammered, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened. It was stupid, and I should have thought it through."
Remus leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Stupid doesn't even begin to cover it. I hate that git but he could've been seriously hurt. Do you even realize the consequences of your actions?"
Black swallowed hard, his pride taking a backseat to the gravity of the situation. "I know. And I'm genuinely sorry, Remus. I never meant for things to go that far."
"You put your brother in danger, you know that right? Luckily for you, Mimi was there with a vial of her pheromones to prevent me from killing Regulus."
"I didn't think about that," Sirius admitted, remorse coloring his voice
Remus leaned forward, his tone softening slightly. "The harsh words I said to you afterward... I apologize for that, too. I was angry, and I let my frustration get the best of me."
"I deserved it," the Beater admitted. "But, Remus, I really am sorry. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."
Lupin studied his best friend for a moment before finally breaking into a small, wry smile. "You're not getting off that easy, Black. You'll have to make it up to me, but I suppose I can find it in me to forgive you."
Relief washed over Sirius, and he managed a grateful smile. "Thank you, Remus. I won't forget this. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Remus chuckled, shaking his head. "You better. Now, I've got this amazing idea for a prank. So it goes—."
As Lily's revelation lingered in the air, the atmosphere around them seemed to shift. The brunette, her dark locks catching the sunlight, stared at her friend with wide eyes, a mixture of surprise and fear painting her features. Her lips slightly parted, she couldn't help but react to the unexpected news.
"You have a boyfriend?" The words hung in the air, breaking the peaceful flow of the surroundings.
The redhead nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Yes, and before you ask, it's not James."
Hermione's reaction was a subtle blend of emotions – a blush tinged her cheeks, and her gaze momentarily averted from Lily's intense green eyes. However, she quickly composed herself, the analytical mind kicking in, and a curious expression replaced the initial surprise.
"Why are you telling me this?" she inquired, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to gauge the motive behind the revelation.
Lily, with a calm demeanor, reached for her hand, holding it gently. Her eyes, reminiscent of Harry's, met hers. "Because I know you like him, and I want you to know that I'm not interested in him at all. We would never work, and I'm happily taken."
The words settled between them, carried by the soft breeze from the lake. What Lily didn't know was that Hermione, with a depth of knowledge of the future, had glimpsed a different reality. She knew that she and James could work; Harry's existence was a testament to that.
"We're not meant to be together," Hermione insisted, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation.
Undeterred, the Gryffindor offered a different perspective. "How can you know that if you don't try?"
"I just know," the Ravenclaw muttered, her eyes flickering towards the Black Lake, its rippling surface reflecting the internal turmoil within her.
Lily's eyes softened, and a small chuckle escaped her lips. "You know," she admitted reluctantly, "James is actually an amazing boy underneath all that ego."
"Really, Lils?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
The older girl nodded, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "He may act like a prat most of the time, but he's got a good heart."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And how did you come to this realization?"
"Well, for starters, he read Pride and Prejudice."
Her eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Pride and Prejudice? That's my favorite novel!"
The redhead couldn't help but laugh at the synchronicity. "It was you who told him?" the brunette shrieked hitting her Lily laughed even louder, a tear escaping from the corner of her eye.
"The poor boy is in love with you, Mia. I didn't actually think he'd read it."
Hermione's eyes widened, and she blushed even deeper. "In love with me? That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"
"No, really. He's always talking about you, I'm—Peter, Sirius and your brother are sick of it. At first it was cute but it's reached a point where it's unbearable. The other day, Remus threatened to bite his head off because James even rants about you in his sleep."
"He just likes the idea of me," Hermione whispered, her voice barely audible above the rustling leaves. "I'm not—I'm not good for him."
Lily's eyes, usually bright with mirth, hardened with determination. "Listen to me," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "That boy was there day and night when you nearly died, Hermione. Every damn day, and it was heartbreaking to look at him because he looked utterly miserable. He looked worse than all your family combined. And when he looked at you, my God, he's never looked at me that way. He had this look on his face like he just realized what love is."
"But he shouldn't. I'm not the girl for him. You are," she denied, her eyes pleading for Lily to understand. She needed Harry to live, and she needed James to be with Lily. "We're just friends."
"I've seen the way you look at him," the redhead exclaimed, frustration bubbling in her voice.
"What does that even mean?" the Ravenclaw groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "You sound like my mum."
"You know perfectly what I mean. Whenever you two are together, it's the only thing you focus on. He's just James with you. He's not the arrogant, boisterous prankster and Quidditch extraordinaire we all know and suffer. You look at him with pure, raw adoration when he's not looking at you. You like him and if you deny it, I will hex you."
The night settled around them, the stars beginning to twinkle in the darkening sky. Hermione sighed, feeling the weight of Lily's words pressing down on her. The truth of her friends' observations cut through her defenses, revealing a vulnerability she wasn't ready to confront.
"He deserves someone far less complicated than me," she murmured, her voice heavy with conflict. "He deserves someone who can love him freely, Lils."
"And who's to say you can't be that someone?" Lily insisted, her gaze unwavering."Plus, he's a bloody Gryffindor and he's James Potter, have you met him? Complicated doesn't exist in his vocabulary."
"He doesn't love me." Hermione kept insisting. "He likes the thrill of the chase, not the girl."
Gryffindor's gaze softened, her eyes filled with a mixture of empathy and sadness. "Mia, you can't be so sure of that."
The younger girl shook her head, her curls catching the moonlight. "I've seen it before. It's not love; it's the excitement, the challenge."
Lily sighed, realizing that her friend needed time to come to terms with her feelings. She'd talk to James and urge him to get his head out of his ass and make a move to get rid of Hermione's insecurities.
"You deserve to be happy, Mia. Whether it's James or someone else, I just want you to be happy."