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jamesbetch · 10 months ago

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The Return Of Time

Chapter 8

“Don’t you think you should eat something?” Clare worryingly asks her.

“If I do, i’ll just throw it back up again.” Sofia grimaced.

“Again? Fuck’s sake, you already threw up?”

“Twice.”

“If you feel like throwing up a third time, do it on James.” Michelle pointed at her.

“Why me?” James sadly asks.

“Why wouldn’t it be you?” She retorts.

Sofia tunes them out as she stares at her hands that laid on the table. She kept on picking at her cuticles to try and calm down, though it was really of no help as her hands would shake every few seconds.

In that moment it felt like it was just her and her mind. Even though her friends sat next and in front of her, she paid them no mind. None of the chatter and screams that filled the Great Hall were processed by her, only her thoughts were.

Had she been paying attention, she might have noticed Lucerys staring at her from across the table. The own boy was dealing with his own thoughts, though they didn’t consist of the tournament like her’s did.

No, his thoughts were about the sense of deja vu that he felt as he stared at his mum; behaving the same way she did in 1995.

Before the mother and son duo could fall further into the depths of their minds, everyone was instructed in making their way to the Forbidden Forest where the first task will take place.

They stay seated as everyone starts making their way out the Great Hall. The students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang loudly cheered as they carried Luca Delacour and Aleksandar Krum on their shoulders before their cheers were drowned out by the chanting of Ada Diggory’s name, who was also being carried on their shoulders.

And even though they weren’t in the way, many students pushed, shoved, and elbowed Sofia as they passed by her. She glued herself to the table as close as possible but it was of no use as they continued to hurt her; some even going as far as insulting or taunting her which was met by a swift ‘fuck off’ from Michelle.

The group of six watched as the last of the students left the Great Hall, with the exception of the few students that lingered around, before James broke the silence between them.

“We can carry you and chant your name.”

“Don’t be such a dick, James.”

“Aye. We’re already seen as losers, James. If we do that, we’ll just been seen as mega losers!” Clare spits out.

“I was just trying to be nice!” He retorts.

“Well, don’t. Don’t be nice, James.” Michelle snaps.

Someone clears their throat causing them to snap their eyes in their direction.

“Shouldn’t you all be down by the Forbidden Forest?” Professor Mcgonagall asks with a raised eyebrow before she focuses on Sofia. “Especially you, Ms. Adams?”

“Aye, we were just about to head out, Pro-Professor Mcgonagall.” Clare stutters.

“I suggest you do. It won’t be long before the first task begins.” At her pointed look, they all stand up and begin walking away before Sofia is stopped. “Ms. Adams?”

The others keep on walking, waiting for her by the doors, as Sofia turns to face Mcgonagall. “Yes, Professor?” She asks with a nervous tremor that she tried to hide but failed to, something Mcgonagall noticed alongside her shaking hands.

“I know that you might feel nervous thinking you are at a disadvantage but you truly are an exceptional witch. And not just for your age.” She kindly smiles. “I know that you are more than capable of competing in this tournament.”

Sofia feels her fear and anxiety slip away at the comforting words.

“Do remember that you don’t only have your friends’ support, but also from the Head of your House.” Sofia nods with a small smile. “Good luck, Ms. Adams.”

“Thank you, Professor.” She gratefully sighs.

She started to gain confidence in her skills as she made her way to her friends. Who knows? Maybe after the first task is over, she would take the lead in points.

——————

It was safe to say that that small ounce of confidence that Sofia gained quickly diminished as she arrived at the tent where the other champions were waiting. Each of them sat in their makeshift beds that they had for them, not looking or talking to anyone.

Sofia kept on picking at her fingers, which were already bleeding, as they all waited. Every few seconds, shivers would rake through her body due to the chilly November weather. Even though she wore a red set of joggers and a jacket, they weren’t of much help. And it seemed as though she wasn’t the only one, as the other three champions were also shivering.

All four champions jump in fright as a loud voice booms through the tent.

“Alright! These are the rules, make sure you read them very carefully.” Ludovic Bagman Sr. cheerfully states as he hands a piece of parchment to each champion.

1975-1976 TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT RULES First Task: 1. Champions are only allowed their wands. 2. Each Champion will have 30 minutes to perform their task. 3. Each Champion will have its own subject to face. 4. The shield will only open to allow the Champions in and to let them out. 5. The shield will close at the exact 30 minute mark. 6. If a Champion is unable to exit at the 30 minute mark, they will remain inside until the task is officially over for all Champions. 7. If a Champion needs to be rescued, they must send red sparks into the air.

The four teenagers share looks of unease after reading the rules before facing Mr. Bagman who beamed at them as if it was Christmas day. Though for him, it might as well be.

“Any questions?” He cheerfully asks.

“All it says is the rules,” Krum begins. “But we do not know what we must do.”

“Ah, you must-“

“Bagman! Are we ready to begin?” Barty Crouch Sr. asks while carrying a small bag, each of the Headmasters closely followed him.

“Yes, I was about to explain-“

“Cut to the chase.” Karkaroff grumbles.

Bagman sighs. “You must each collect an egg pendant necklace. It is hidden somewhere in the forest.”

“What’s the catch?” Diggory stares at him suspiciously.

“As it says in the rules, you will have a subject to face.” Crouch replies while opening the bag, though no one is able to see what is inside. “Which will be determined right now.”

Delacour is the first to be gestured in putting his hand inside the bag, something he does though with visible hesitation.

“The Chimaera for Mr. Delacour!” Crouch moves on to Krum.

“What will it be?” He eagerly asks as Krum reaches inside the bag. “The Quintaped for Mr. Krum!”

“Let’s see what it is, the Manticore for Ms. Diggory!”

“Doesn’t that mean-“ Madame Maxine begins.

“C’mon now, don’t be shy.” Crouch pushes the bag closer to Sofia, who very obviously hesitates in wanting to place her hand inside.

“That leaves-“ Dumbledore stops as Sofia takes her hand out of the bag with the small beast sitting in her palm.

“The Nundu,” Crouch states with a wide grin. “For Ms. Adams.”

——————

The loud roar of cheers cause her to jump as Sofia walked back and forth inside the tent. Those cheers meant one thing and one thing only; Aleksandar Krum, along with Luca Delacour who went first, had returned and successfully completed the challenge.

“I guess you weren’t lying.” Ada Diggory breaks the silence before her name’s called out.

“What?”

“About the beasts.”

“Oh.”

After Lucerys showed them the caged beasts, and she calmed herself down as much as possible, she found Ada and told her about them. Even though she only told Ada, Sofia had a feeling that the boys already knew, if their faces were anything to go off of.

“I know I didn’t say it but thank you.” Ada kindly smiles as they hear the cheers growing louder. “And I’m sorry about the stupid badges-“

“It’s fine, it wasn’t your fault.”

Ada nods. “Good luck, Adams. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

“Thank you.” Sofia smiles.

“And now, give it up for the Hogwarts Champion, ADA DIGGORY!” They hear Bagman announce as everyone goes crazy, screaming at the top of their lungs.

“Good luck, Diggory.” They nod at each other with grins on their faces before she turns around and walks out the tent.

“Psst.”

Sofia looks around the empty tent before she’s hit by a small pebble coming from the back. Peaking through the tent was Michelle, Clare, Orla, Luke, and James. They weren’t able to go inside because of the many strings that tied the tarps together but they were able to talk to one another through the empty spaces between.

“What are you all doing here?”

“Talking to you.” Orla replies as she gestures outwards in an obvious manner.

“I mean, you can’t be here.” Sofia worryingly whispers before glancing behind her towards the entrance. “We can get in trouble.”

“Oh, what are they gonna do? Make you fight a fat furry fuck as punishment?” Michelle sarcastically asks. “News flash, they already are.”

Sofia desperately sighs. “No, but they can give us detention!”

“How the fuck is detention worse than fighting an ugly scary beast, Sofia?”

“To hell with detention and the fat furry fuck!” Clare snaps as she hyperventilates. “Everyone is going to be watching your every move in there.”

“What!?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s because everyone wanted to see the fighting going on so they have these invisible cameras that will follow you around and we will be watching it through these sort of projectors shit.”

“It’s like a tv but without the actual tv.” James chimes in.

Orla hums before raising her hand. “My favorite part is when the beast finds them and they scream really loud before it starts attacking them.”

They turn to eye Orla before Michelle chimes in. “Aye, that’s my favorite part as well.”

“It is so cracker!”

“It is not cracker!”

“Keep your knickers on, Clare.” Michelle scoffs.

“My knickers are none of your concern.” She bites back. “You want to know why it isn’t cracker? Because everyone will see every single thing she does!”

“That’s kind of the whole point of the cameras, Clare.”

“Shut the fuck up, James.”

“I mean, if she falls, they will see it. If she trips, they will see it. If she screams, they will see it. If she runs away crying like a baby, they will see it!” Clare stomps her foot as the groups’ eyes widen in realization before she grips onto her clothes. “We are already losers, Sofia. Losers! You are our only hope. This could either make us or break us even further.”

“Aye, you really gotta put in the fucking work. Because then what? No rides will want to be seen with me.” Michelle worryingly says.

“Yeah, and I need to get a girlfriend. I can’t graduate a virgin.”

“James, you’re going to die a fucking virgin.”

“And I cannot be kicked off the Step Aerobics Club.”

“Didn’t you make the Club?”

“Aye.”

“And aren’t you the only person in the Club?”

“Aye.”

“So how can you be kicked off if you made the Club and are the only person in it?”

“Ok, I have had it with you, James, and your pickin, pickin, pickin.”

“No- I wasn’t-“

“You’re such a dick.” Michelle shakes her head.

“Aye, James.” Clare adds.

He helplessly turns to look at Sofia as if begging for help, causing them to look at her.

“You were being a dick, James.” Sofia murmurs.

“Sorry.” He breaths out.

“Go back to our seats!” Michelle instructs him as she crosses her arms and shakes her head.

“What were we talking about before?” Clare asks causing them to look away with concentrated looks.

“You were talking about the cameras.” Luke speaks up.

“Oh, yeah.” Clare replies with a smile before it drops and she grabs onto Sofia’s collar once again. “You are only hope, Sofia, our only hope. If you fail, it will be social suicide. For all of us!”

“Alright, Clare, we need to go. You’re freaking her out,” Michelle begins to pull away before murmuring. “And you’re freaking me out.”

“Social suicide, Sofia, social suicide!” Clare yells as Michelle drags her away with Orla following them closely behind.

Sofia sighs as she helplessly stares where Clare had just been standing. “I need to run away, change my name and passport, and move to a country where no one knows me.”

Luke can’t help but snicker at her dejected tone.

“Are you laughing at me?” Sofia stares at him offendedly. “You’re laughing at me as I tell you my plans on running away.”

“No, sorry. I’m sorry.” He clears his throat trying to hide his amusement. “I just don’t get what the big deal is.”

Sofia stares at him for a few seconds. “I’m literally about to fight a deadly beast.”

“I know- What I meant to say was, who cares if you complete the task or not.” He shrugs. “Whether you get 50 points or 0 points, I’m still going to be your friend. And regardless on what they just said, I know that they will still be your friends as well.”

Sofia’s face softens as a soft smile forms on her face.

“If you get scared, or if you’re hurt, or if you’re tired, or even if you don’t want to fight the beast anymore, just shoot the red sparks and they will go and save you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, a lot of them are good at talking but wouldn’t dare walk into that forest.”

“Thank you, Luke.” She sighs in relief. “You’re a really good friend.”

The both turn to look at the tents entrance as cheers loudly erupt, no doubt because Ada had just successfully completed the task.

Sofia tightly swallows as nerves start to creep back up again. “You should go… You don’t want to miss Orla and Michelle’s favorite part.”

They dryly laugh. “Good luck, mu-“ He clears his throat. “Good luck, Sofia.”

“Thank you.” Sofia whispers before he walks away.

She shakily sighs before picking her wand that laid on her bed. Her hands begin trembling as her breathing picks up causing her to drop on the bed as she squeezes her eyes shut.

‘Breathe. You’ll be fine. Just breathe.’ Sofia thinks while holding her head in her hands.

The abundant cheers start to diminish; she holds her breath until she begins to feel light headed. She stands back up again on shaky legs before making her way to the tent’s exit.

“Witches and Wizards, now has come the time for the last Champion - better known as Hogwarts’ Second Champion, SOFIA ADAMS!”

Sofia steps out of the tent only to be met with a bright light flashing her in the face causing her to wince. She looks up to find her face plastered on two large projectors for everyone to see (no doubt what the girls had been referring to) before looking towards the stands.

Every single person silently watched her, some even making faces, but at least they weren’t booing her.

“Good luck, Adams.” Rita Skeeter, the editor of Hogwarts newspaper, mocks as a huge camera floats behind her, no doubt being the one responsible for almost blinding her.

“Let’s go, you don’t have much time.” Professor Moody grumbles as he drags her by her wrist.

“Sorry.” She murmurs.

“Enough of that. You know the rules, right?” She nods. “Good, don’t try looking for the beast. Just get the necklace and come back. And don’t try to show off, it’ll only get you killed.” She nods again.

She looks up only to find a stopwatch, that was counting down, floating about six feet from the ground.

“You have less then a minute, the shield will open like a door and close after you step in. As soon as you step in, the 30 minutes start. Got it?”

She nods as she takes a deep breath, she notices how every few seconds a small blue ripple would occur in front of her. As she looks to each side, she realizes that it goes as far as she can see.

“That’s the shield, isn’t it?” Moody only grumbles in agreement. “How far does it go?”

“The entire forest. There is no possible way for any of the beasts to escape.” He eyes her face, that as much as she tried to hide, could show how nervous and scared she was. “Watch where you go. Some areas are cut off, that is where the other beasts are being kept at the moment.”

Sofia nods.

“You have ten seconds.” He grumbles while drinking from his pouch before walking away.

Sofia turns to look at the stands trying to find her friends before making eye contact with Regulus. He stares back with a blank face that falters as their eyes meet. They haven’t spoken a word to one another in months, though not because of Sofia’s lack of trying.

She has sent him many letters, sent him notes in class, and even tried to speak to him in person but she was met with rejection each time.

She didn’t know what it was - her fear ridden eyes, her trembling hands, or her broken lip from all the biting - but instead of ignoring her, he brings down his guard.

He stares at her with his sweet and gentle eyes that she was used to and nods.

Sofia slightly smiles before facing forward as the shield open upwards. She lets out a shaky breath while clutching tightly onto her wand before stepping through.

A/N: I know that canonly the Quintaped was rumored to be a family that only existed in a small island but in this story they exist in different countries and are even looked after/investigated by the magizoologists.

Also the Nundus, I know that their breath can kill an entire village and they still can in story but only after an extended period of time (1-2 hours).

If you have any other questions, feel free to comment and I’ll answer them to the best of my ability. :))

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jamesbetch · 10 months ago

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The Return Of Time

I have been working on the next chapter for “The Return Of Time” which is all about the first task of the Triwizard Tournament BUT it is getting longer than my usual chapters (and I haven’t even began writing about Sofia completing the task 💀) so please help me decide.

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jamesbetch · 11 months ago

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The Return Of Time

Chapter 7

Sofia walks into the library wanting to find books to help her with her research on Mcgonagall’s project. It has been a few days since she’s assigned the project and Sofia has yet to talk to Sirius.

She figured he didn’t want to be seen with her or wanted her to do all the work so he could get an easy grade without stressing - something she didn’t mind. She much preferred to do everything by herself, and do it perfectly, than have someone else do it incorrectly.

She grabs a few books off the shelves before rounding the corner and bumping into someone.

“Sorry, I wasn’t looking-“ She starts while bending down to pick up the books she dropped.

“I-I-I-It’s alright. I drop books all the time, no worries.”

She looks up only to make eye contact with the blonde Ravenclaw girl she met last week, her group of friends standing behind her.

“Right…. Thanks.” Sofia murmurs.

She flashes them an awkward smile before beginning to turn around when Michelle speaks up.

“We do actually want you in our group, you know. We weren’t fucking around or anything.”

“It’s true, we do.” Clare adds as they all nod.

“If you want we can kick James out so you can join.” Michelle says.

“Hey!”

“Aye, you are a much lovelier english fella than he is.” Orla says while licking her lollipop.

“Orla, I thought you liked me!”

“I’m sorry, James, I just like her more.” She replies before grabbing Sofia’s hair. “And her hair is a great plus.”

“Aye, she does have lovely hair.”

“Yeah, she does. Do you think I could have extensions done like hers?”

Clare and Michelle state as all three girls begin playing with her hair - Michelle even going as far as putting Sofia’s hair as close to hers as possible to see whether it would look good on her or not.

In that moment, Sofia contemplated running away - like last time - but remembered Lucerys’ words. She figured there wasn’t any harm in taking the chance in befriending them. She didn’t have any friends apart from Lucerys and if it did end up being a joke they were pulling on her - well, how much worse can her life really get?

She pulls away from them before pushing her hair behind her back. “You don’t have to kick him out of your group.”

“D-D-Does that mean you’ll join us?” Clare asks with wide eyes.

“It depends.”

“On?” Michelle asks desperately.

“Is there enough room for another Gryffindor?”

——————

It has been two weeks since Sofia and Lucerys joined their friend group. Five of them were currently in the back of the library discussing what the first task could possibly be, considering none of the champions had received any hints or tips to help them.

“Maybe you’ll be tasked with preparing a potion.” Orla said in her usual slow and dragged speech.

“Why the fuck would they task them with preparing a potion?”

“Because they can use that potion for the second task?”

Before Michelle can begin bickering about why that would probably be the last thing they would do for the first task, Clare speaks up.

“Where is Luke?”

“I’m not sure.” Sofia replies with a shrug.

“He told me he was going to be in the library with his friends.” James chimes in.

“What friends? We’re his only friends.”

“He has more friends.” Sofia defends him at Michelle’s comment. “They’re his dorm mates. Also known as the Marauders.”

“What kind of losers go by the name Marauders?” She cackles.

“James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew.”

“How do you even know who they are?”

“Everyone knows who they are.”

“I don’t.”

“Me neither.” Clare, Orla and James say in unison.

“They’re the ones that are always pulling pranks on everyone.”

“Not a fucking clue.” Michelle replies as they all shake their heads. “Are they new or something?”

“No… They’ve been attending Hogwarts since their first year. They’re all fifth years now.”

“Oh, well, that’s besides the point. Why don’t we tell Luke to join us, maybe we’ll have more luck then.” Clare says.

“I can go look for him.” Sofia offers.

“Grand because I am way too fucking tired from thinking to go looking for him.”

“The library isn’t that big, Michelle.”

“Fuck off, James.”

That’s the last thing Sofia hears as she walks away. She almost reaches the front of the library before she spots him sitting down at a table with Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew. As she gets near, she can hear them whispering as they are all huddled up together - though she can’t make out the words.

“Luke.” She freezes as they all jump away, staring at her with wide and shocked eyes. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I just- I was looking for Luke.”

They all continue to look at her with shocked faces, not moving from their frozen state. Though she did notice how James Potter and Peter Pettigrew had nudged Sirius Black; for what, she wasn’t sure.

“If you’re busy, I can-“

“Uh no, no. Sorry.” Lucerys says as he begins to stand up. “Why were you looking for me?”

“The girls and I were discussing what the first task could be. We’re trying to come up with a plan.”

“What do you have so far?”

“Nothing.” Sofia winces.

They were about to walk away as Luke had already finished collecting his things but stop at the sound of the boy’s voice. Both were unaware of how his friends kept hitting and kicking him during their conversation - trying to force him to talk to her.

“Sofia?”

She turns around only to be met with the same grey eyes that she has started to grow familiar with. “Yes?”

“I… I wanted to… ask you about the project.” Sirius hesitantly says.

She misses the looks Lucerys shares with the other three boys.

“Oh, I’m almost done with it.”

“What?!” Potter yells, gobsmacked. “But that was assigned two weeks ago!”

“Three.”

“What?”

“It was assigned three weeks ago.”

“That’s besides the point. How is it that you’re almost done with it? We still have a month to finish it.”

“I just began working on it when it was assigned.” She shrugs while glancing back at Lucerys.

“You started working on it the day Mcgonagall assigned it?” asks Sirius.

“Yes?” Sofia plays with her fingers nervously. “Was I not supposed to?”

“No, I just thought we were going to work on it together. You know, because it’s a group project.” Sirius continues.

“Oh. I thought you just wanted me to do it.” She shrugs again. “I mean, I’m still going to put your name on it and I won’t snitch to Mcgonagall.”

Sirius stays quiet not knowing what to say, before Remus stomps on his foot underneath the table. “I- I can do the rest of the project.”

“No, it’s fine, you don’t have to. I don’t mind finishing it.” She shakes her head. “Besides I already have all of the information, I just need to write it down and then I’m done.”

Sofia was telling the truth, she already had all the information written down messily in her notes, she just needed to write it down on the huge parchment they were given.

She knew that he could take over that job to contribute in doing the project but if she was being honest, she didn’t want him to. Sofia knew how things needed to look and how they needed to be written, and it had to be done perfectly - something she only trusted herself with doing.

She held no grudges against him, if anything she was quite glad that he didn’t try to contribute in anything. That way she could do it all by herself and know that it was done the way she wanted it to be done.

If it was up to her, she would partner with him in everything for the rest of her school years.

“Ok.” Sirius nods hesitantly. “Um- Thanks.”

Before Sofia can reply, James cuts into the conversation yet again. “Luke, could you do our project all by yourself?” He asks with a bright smile.

“No.”

He ignores James’ complaints as he spins around and walks away with Sofia following him close behind, though not before she waved at them with a kind smile.

“You know, I can help you with the project so you and Potter don’t have to work on it together. Or you can copy from what I have.”

“Thanks but James is just lazy. He has to do his part of the project.” Lucerys replies causing her to snicker.

“I found him.” Sofia says as they near the group of girls.

“Oh thank fuck. I didn’t know how much longer I could put up with James.” Michelle sighs in relief.

“I wasn’t even talking.” James argued.

“But you were breathing.” Michelle retorts. “An absolute fucking racket you were making.”

“It’s normal. It’s normal, average breathing!”

“It’s English breathing, James.”

“Aye. It sounds almost like when you let the air out of a bouncy castle.” Orla chimes in as they nod in agreement.

“Fine, then I’ll just quit breathing.” James sarcastically replies.

“That’d be grand.”

Sofia clears her throat. “Not that James’ breathing isn’t important, but I do believe we were trying to come up with a plan so that I don’t die.”

“Ah, yes, we were.” Clare nods.

She stares at them expectantly. “So… Have any of you come up with anything?”

All four of them share looks with one another, hoping that one of them will speak up but none of them do.

“I haven’t come up with a plan,” Lucerys speaks up before Sofia can begin panicking. “But I do know what you will face in the first task.”

“What is it?” Clare asks nervously.

“I think it might be better if I show you.”

——————

“Where the fuck are we even going?” Michelle spits out.

All six teenagers were making their way through the forbidden forest, closely following Lucerys who was leading the way.

“Shhh, we’re here.” Lucerys replies as he crouched down near a bush. “Get down!”

The five teenagers immediately crouched down to the floor before looking through the bush.

There was a clearing with four cages that each contained a different beast. They shook every few seconds at the strength of the aggressive beasts. Aurors and Magizoologist’s surrounded the area - the Magizoologist’s tried to calm the beasts as the weary Aurors stood around the clearing in case of an emergency.

“S-S-She’s going to fight them?” Clare stutters.

“One of them.” Lucerys replies with a wince.

“Ooh, this is so cracker!” Orla exclaims.

“Sweet suffering Jesus.” Clare whispers while looking like she is seconds away from fainting.

“Yeah, you are so fucking dead.” Michelle breaths out.

Sofia struggles to swallow as bile forms in her throat; her stomach twisting and turning in fear. Her ears close and begin to ring as she terrifyingly stares at each vicious beast.

“Sofia, are you ok?” James worryingly asks.

They are met with silence as Sofia focuses on controlling her fear and anxiety. Not only was she terrified of what she will be forced to face but she couldn’t help feeling a pit in her stomach because of the tournament.

A feeling she will grow to understand in time. How a simple tournament caused so much pain, destruction, and death.

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jamesbetch · 11 months ago

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just started reading "the return of time" LITERALLY SQUEALED WHEN YOU BROUGHT DERRY GIRLS IN I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhhh! I’m so happy people know who i was talking about. I finished derry girls a while ago and i’ve been obsessed since!! I just knew I had to add them in.

I hope you’ve been enjoying “the return of time” and please feel free to comment any thoughts or criticism you might have.

thank you so much for reading my work!! <33

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jamesbetch · 11 months ago

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The Return Of Time

Chapter 6

“She wants me.” Sirius proudly states.

All five boys were in their dorm, each of them laying in their beds except for Sirius who stood in the middle of their dorm.

It was currently three in the morning and none of the boys were able to sleep because of Sirius’ nonstop yapping that began since they arrived - at six thirty.

Remus stared at the ceiling, as if he was contemplating his life decisions. James grumpily looked at Sirius, knowing that this was his payback for all the times he went on rants about Lily. Peter laid sprawled across his bed, shivering and sleep deprived because Sirius took his pillow AND blanket when he caught him falling asleep.

Luke, on the other hand, found the situation quite amusing.

Was he yawning every few seconds and rubbing his eyes so he wouldn’t fall asleep? Yes. But would he prefer to miss out on his father’s theatrics? No.

The three marauders loudly groaned in annoyance at Sirius’ words causing him to look at them offended and in indignation.

“Why are you lot groaning like a bunch of cows when I’m talking about Sofia?” He asks, placing his hands on his hips. “You got a problem with her or something?”

Remus was in a bad mood but he was especially in a pissy mood because the next full moon was on the 20th of October, which was in a couple of days. Topped off with the fact that Sirius had been nonstop yapping for hours and didn’t let them sleep, of course he was going to snap at him.

“For fuck’s sake.” Remus grumbled while standing up. “No, Padfoot, we don’t have a problem with her. We have a problem with you! It’s three in the fucking morning! Let us fucking sleep!”

Sirius scoffs. “So it’s a problem when I declare my love for Sofia but it’s not a problem when James does it for Lily?”

“It’s a problem when both of you do it. Especially at three in the fucking morning!” Remus retorts before snatching Peter’s pillow and blanket that Sirius held and throwing it towards Peter, who was smacked in the face by them. “Now, go to bed. You can rant all you want about her tomorrow.”

Really, Remus had just said that so that he would finally shut up and let them sleep but he didn’t really mean it. He just hoped that Sirius would forget all about it by tomorrow morning.

But, boy, was he wrong.

——————

The Marauders were sat in the Great Hall trying to eat breakfast. Well - James, Peter and Remus were, Sirius was still ranting about Sofia smiling at him.

“Mates, she smiled at me. That’s got to mean some-“

“Sirius!” Luke yells while sitting down next to him.

“Thank Merlin.” Remus muttered.

“Luke, I was in the middle of-“

“That’s not important.” He cuts him off.

“Excuse me-“ Sirius starts with an offended look.

“I figured out a way to get you to talk to Sofia.” Luke cuts him off once again.

At this, Sirius’ face changes to one of excitement and intriguement. The three boys that sat across from them couldn’t help but straighten up in curiosity at his words.

“Well? What is it?” Sirius asks impatiently.

“A group project.”

“A group project?” The four boys asks incredulously.

“How in the bloody hell am I meant to convince a Professor to assign a group project and on top of that, ask her to be my partner?”

“I’ve already figured it out. I was speaking with Professor Mcgonagall and she said that in our next class, she will assign a project that we will work on with our desk partners.” The marauders groan in annoyance at his words. “So you’ll work on the project with her, become friends, and then you can ask her out on a date.”

“There’s one tiny problem though. I’m partners with Sirius and you’re partners with Sofia.” says James.

“We’ll both miss class. It’s an even amount of students so they’ll obviously be paired together.”

James whines. “But I don’t want to miss class.”

“Too bad. You’re missing class and that’s final.” Sirius sternly replies.

“But-“

“James! This is my one chance and I swear on Godric’s name, if you ruin this for me, I will make your life a living hell.” Sirius snaps back.

“Damn.” Peter mutters.

“Fine! But then who am I meant to work on the project with?” James complains.

They all blankly stare at him before Remus answers him.

“With Luke.”

“Oh.”

——————

Sofia sat in Transfiguration waiting for class to start. Students were still making their way to the classroom and Professor Mcgonagall hadn’t arrived yet. She sat in her usual seat while looking around the room and glancing back towards the classroom’s door every few minutes waiting for Luke to arrive.

She turns to look towards the door when she hears several pairs of footsteps, only to find three fourths of the marauders walking into class. She knew that Lucerys was friends with them, after all they were dorm mates, and expected to find him walking with them only to be left disappointed when she doesn’t see him.

She makes eye contact with the older Black brother before facing the front of the class as Professor Mcgonagall walks into the classroom.

During the entire class Sofia is unaware of the three pairs of eyes that stare at her from the back of the classroom as she writes her notes. She was so focused on writing two sets of notes, the second being meant for Lucerys, that she couldn’t feel their eyes burning into the back of her head.

The three boys were getting impatient with the fact that Mcgonagall had yet to utter a single word about a project. They were starting to believe that perhaps it was all bullshit or Mcgonagall had decided to change the date last minute.

Sirius, in particular, was the most desperate of them all. His knee couldn’t stop bouncing up and down, his hands kept on fidgeting with his quill and his eyes were glued to the clock that was mounted on the wall, though he would occasionally glance at Sofia.

There was less than five minutes left of class and Professor Mcgonagall still hadn’t mention the project. She was droning on about… well, Sirius didn’t really know what she was droning about but he did know that it was about Transfiguration. Though unluckily for him, it wasn’t about the Transfiguration project.

Sirius froze as the clock hands landed on 11:00, which meant the end of class. Surely enough, the bell loudly rings all throughout Hogwarts indicating that it was time for the students to change classes.

Remus and Peter eye one another as Sirius curses under his breath before all boys stop what they were doing, alongside their classmates.

“Wait. You are not dismissed yet.” Mcgonagall begins causing the class to groan in annoyance. “I am assigning a project you must all complete with your desk partners.”

At this, the students groan even louder though Sirius is unable to hear any of it as a wide smile grows on his face. He nudges Peter, who sat with Remus, at the table beside his - both boys looked surprised yet amused that it seemed like the plan would work in Sirius’ favor.

“Silence. You all will start your sixth year next year and will take Advanced Transfiguration if you qualify. This project will help you have insight on what to expect in that class.” Professor Mcgonagall says as she walks around the class handing out parchments that had the instructions for the project. “And it will count for sixty percent of your grade.”

As she nears the marauders to hand them their parchments, Sirius knows that this is his opportunity.

“Minnie, I don’t have a partner.” Sirius says after being handed the roll of parchment.

Professor Mcgonagall eyes the empty seat beside him. “And where is Mr. Potter?”

“He slept in.” He replies, not caring that he could land James in detention for that.

Mcgonagall arches an eyebrow before Remus intervenes. “He wasn’t feeling very well. He had a major headache and decided to sleep it off."

She eyes them all - Sirius had a gleam of excitement in his eyes, Peter was nodding frantically (no doubt trying to convince her that Remus’ words were true), and Remus looked calm and collected, though she could notice a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

Mcgonagall hums. “And you are unable to work on the project with Mr. Potter when he recovers from his headache because?”

Sirius’ face falls. “Uh- Well, because- You know-“ She arches an eyebrow at the sight of him stuttering. “You said so yourself, Professor! This project is worth sixty percent of our grade. I want to start working on it as soon as possible, I don’t want to be irresponsible and leave it to be done last minute.”

She stares at him, almost as if wanting to see if he’ll crack before eyeing Remus and Peter who stared at him with their mouths slightly agape and disbelief in their eyes.

“Very well.” She states before walking to the front of the class. “Do all of you have partners?”

“Yes, Professor.” Most students monotonously reply.

Mcgonagall glances around the room before her eyes land on a long-haired brunette. Her eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as she wrote on a piece of parchment, her eyes constantly glancing at the parchment beside it.

Laughter is heard around the room causing her to look up, only to find Professor Mcgonagall standing right in front of her. Sofia places her quill down while murmuring an apology - for what she didn’t really know, she just felt the need to apologize.

“You didn’t finish your notes?” She asks after glancing at her paper.

“I did, I’m just copying them so I can give Lucerys the notes that he missed today.”

“Where is Mr. Granger?”

“I’m not sure, Professor. I haven’t seen him all morning.” Sofia responds.

And it was true. When she came down to the common room, he wasn’t there even though he always came down from his dorm first and would wait for her so they could head to the Great Hall together. She figured he might’ve made his way to the Great Hall already but when she got there, he was nowhere to be found - she had to eat breakfast alone. She thought that he decided to sleep in and was running late but this was their third class and he had yet to be seen.

“In that case, Mr. Black will be your partner for this project.”

Sofia’s eyes widen as all of her classmates began whispering to one another, some were even snickering. She knew that Professor Mcgonagall wasn’t referring to Regulus, who sat two tables in front of her to the left, as he was sat with Evan (Barty and Pandora sat right behind them).

Which meant that she was left partnered with none other than his older brother. Sofia looks back only to be met with the intimidating grey eyes of Sirius Black.

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jamesbetch · 11 months ago

Text

Begin Again

Chapter 7

In the days that followed, the Triwizard Tournament had been announced as well as the arrival of the student from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. In a few days the champions from each school will be chosen but that wasn’t important at the moment.

What was important was that her date with James was tomorrow.

It was currently Friday night and her dorm was a complete and utter mess. Hermione sat on her bed, alongside Lily, as they watched her pull out every piece of clothing that she owned.

She would pull out an outfit, try it on, complain that it wasn’t good enough before practically tearing it off, and throwing herself on her bed while groaning as she tried to control her tears of frustration.

“I have nothing to wear!” Stephanie whined.

Hermione and Lily looked at the huge piles of clothes, her clothes, that laid scattered around the room before glancing at one another.

“What if I can’t find anything to wear? I can’t just show up naked!” She exclaimed while sitting up on her bed.

“I doubt James would complain.” Lily snickered.

“Lily!” She scolds before throwing a pillow at her. “I’m serious!”

“I thought you were Stephanie.”

Lily continues to laugh as Hermione joins her while Stephanie just throws herself backwards, staring up at the ceiling.

“How am I meant to impress him if I can’t find anything to wear?”

——————

“How am I meant to impress her if I can’t find anything to wear?”

James laid on his bed while staring at the ceiling, his dorm in a similar state as Stephanie’s. The four marauders stared at him as he wallowed in self pity, completely unaware of the fact that Stephanie laid in a similar state as him.

As Chris moved closer to try and cheer him up, stating that ‘it wasn’t anyone important, it was just his sister’, Harry, Luke and Ron walk pass their dorm - whose door was open for some reason.

The three boys stop their conversation as they see the state in which the marauders dorm was in, and the state their father was in.

“Is he ok?” Luke asks while looking at his dad who was sprawled over his bed.

“No.” All four boys replied at the same time.

“Prongs, here, is worried about his date and claims that he doesn’t have anything to wear.” Sirius adds in a mocking tone causing Chris, Remus, Peter and Ron to snicker - Harry and Luke tried to hold back their laughter for their dad’s sake.

“Wait!” James suddenly sits up on his bed as if he just had the greatest idea of all time. “You’re all friends with her!”

“What a keen observation, mate.” Remus says as all the boys continue laughing.

“No-“ James starts while standing up after shooing Chris away. “I mean, you’re friends with her.”

“I think you’ve made it perfectly clear that they’re friends with her, James.” Peter says causing another round of laughter.

“Shut up!” James yells back at them before turning to look at the three boys, who he now stood in front of. “What I meant was that since they’re friends with her, they obviously know what she likes.”

“So?” Sirius asks.

“So,” James says with a wide grin. “You’re going to help me find an outfit that will impress her.”

“We can’t.” Harry replies.

“Why not?”

“Well- because we- uh-“ Harry stutters, not wanting to throw his mum under the bus and tell their dad that they were on their way to his mum’s dorm to help her find an outfit to impress him. “We have homework.”

“Homework?” James repeats before scoffing. “Homework isn’t as important as my date with the love of my life.”

“But-“ Harry glances at Luke.

“No buts, come on. I need your help, these tossers don’t know what they’re doing.”

“Hey!” Four voices exclaim at the same time.

“I can’t!” Luke says.

“Why not?”

“I- uh- have detention. With Mcgonagall.” Luke replies, glancing around the room nervously. “And I’m already late. So, I should really get going.”

“But-“

“Good luck!” Luke yells before running away - Harry staring after his little brother with an offended look, knowing that he was actually going to their mum’s dorm.

“Well, I still have you two.” James says before dragging them into their dorm and slamming the door shut.

——————

The door to their dorm was slammed open causing the three girls to jump in fear. They look towards the door only to find a disheveled Luke standing in front of the closed door with his back resting on it.

“Merlin’s beard, Luke.” Hermione breathes out while placing her hand on her heart.

“Are you okay?” Stephanie asks in concern.

“Why are you so out of breath?” Lily adds.

“I had to run away from James and the other boys, though Harry and Ron weren’t so lucky.”

“James?” Stephanie sits up. “You were running away from James? Why? What do you mean Harry and Ron weren’t so lucky?”

Lily and Hermione eye one another with teasing smiles, trying to hold in their laughter at their friends’ desperation.

Lucerys on the other hand wasn’t sure on whether or not telling her the truth. He didn’t want to throw his dad under the bus but he also didn’t want to lie to his mum.

So he did the only logical thing.

“We were on our way to your dorm when we passed by theirs. He was laying in his bed freaking out about not being able to find a good enough outfit that will impress you, so when he saw us he begged us to help him. Harry said that we couldn’t because we ‘had homework’ but he didn’t care so I said that I couldn’t because I had detention, which was obviously not true, and then I ran away.” Luke finishes before taking a deep breath.

Stephanie smiles while her face heats up. “He was freaking out because he couldn’t find an outfit to impress me?”

“He begged Harry and Ron to help him?” Lily asks.

“He didn’t care about your homework?” Hermione asks.

They turn to look at Hermione who had an annoyed look on her face at the thought of him dismissing the topic of homework like that.

“Right, that’s not important right now.” She clears her throat. “Continue.”

“Well, what did he say? What did he do?”

“Well, he was mostly laying in his bed looking, somewhat, depressed. And Chris, Sirius, Remus and Peter kept on making fun of him. But he looked really happy when he got Harry and Ron to help him.” Luke recounts after sitting down beside the girls.

Stephanie squeals in excitement while getting up from her bed and running over to her pile of clothes. “No one is leaving this dorm until we have chosen the perfect outfit. We need to make sure that he’s left impressed - like so impressed that his jaw is on the floor.”

All three teenagers take a deep breath before getting up from the bed and start rummaging through the countless piles of clothes that were scattered around the room.

Lucerys and Hermione in particular had a different level of desperation than Lily, and even Stephanie, as they knew that this was the moment that could kickstart Stephanie and James’ relationship, that would later bring the birth of Harry and Luke.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

The Return Of Time

Chapter 5

Sofia walked down the corridor by herself as she had no idea where Luke was. They planned to head to the courtyard during their free period to study, which is where she was heading to.

She ignores the insults, the laughs and how they quite literally shove their badges in her face. Those badges were made by none other than Eloise Garnier, who made them to loudly proclaim their support for Ada and their hatred for her.

This was all a part of her daily routine now, she had grown so used to it that she didn’t even bat an eye at their behavior anymore. Sure, it hurt her that practically the entire school hated her guts but she learned to normalize it, especially because it didn’t seem like it would be going away any time soon.

As she walks towards the opening in the archways that lined the courtyard, she is forced to stop as a group of Hufflepuffs block her way.

“Do you like our badges?” The boy says with a mocking grin. “They’re brand new, Eloise gave them an upgrade.”

Before the badges only said ‘Support Ada’ before it changed and showed ‘Sofia Sucks’. Now it said ‘Support Ada Diggory: The Real Hogwarts Champion’ before flashing a ‘Stinky Sofia: The Real Hogwarts Cheater’.

“I just want to go to the courtyard.” She mumbles, trying to squeeze past them.

“But you haven’t answered his question.” A girl replies, not letting her by. “Didn’t mummy ever teach you manners?”

Sofia sighs. “They’re great… excuse me.”

She manages to squeeze past them but not without hearing them insult her on ‘not having any respect’. The students that stood near by laughed at their interaction, finding it hilarious that they were able to witness her reaction to the new badges.

Though once again, Sofia just ignored them all and sat down underneath the tree she had claimed since her first year.

She had already began reading her books, while waiting for Luke to arrive, when the sunlight was suddenly blocked from her view.

She looks up only to find a group of three girls and one boy. At first she braces herself, expecting more insults and teasing remarks to be thrown her way but she soon relaxes.

The boy, who wore a Slytherin uniform, looked as if he was seconds away from throwing up. The first girl, who also wore a Slytherin uniform, was absentmindedly eating cream crackers. The second girl, who wore a Ravenclaw uniform, had such a wide smile on her face that it looked like her eyes would pop out. And the third girl, who wore a Hufflepuff uniform, looked confident and almost boastful as she played with her curly hair.

Sofia waited for one of them to start talking, as they were the ones who came up to her, but it seemed as if they were waiting for her to start the conversation. The group stared at her while she stared back at them, causing an awkward silence to linger.

Sofia opens her mouth to ask them if they needed anything but soon closes it when the Ravenclaw girl speaks up.

“We want you in our group!” She blurts out.

“Ah, for fucks sake, Clare!” The Hufflepuff girl groans. “You’ve already fucked up!”

Clare sighs. “Dammit.”

“She did?” The boy asks in a weird accent.

“Yes, dickhead. If you didn’t know, you’re supposed to introduce yourself when you meet someone for the first time.”

“That is true.” The Slytherin girl speaks up. “My granda also said you are supposed to firmly shake their hand… so they take you seriously.”

“Aye, that is true.” The boy replies.

“Anyways!” The Hufflepuff girl exclaims. “What Clare was trying to say is that we want you to be a part of our group.”

“You forgot to introduce yourself.” He replies.

“Ah, shite! I’ve fucked it.” She yells out while shaking her head in disappointment.

“Ok, fuck it. Let’s start over.” She says before spinning in a full circle. “I’m Michelle.”

Sofia blinks. “I’m- uh- I’m Sofia.”

“Right, well… these are my friends.” Michelle gestures towards them expectantly, before nudging them. “Introduce yourselves!”

“I’m Clare!” The Ravenclaw girl introduces herself even though they said her name several times now.

“I’m Orla.” The Slytherin girl says while pushing her hair back.

“Hi, I’m James. It’s very nice to meet you.” The boy mumbles while nervously playing with the strap of his shoulder bag.

All three girls stare at him with baffled looks on their faces.

“What the actual fuck was that?” Michelle asks.

“Yeah, you’re going to scare her away!” Clare adds as Orla and Michelle nod in agreement.

“I’m the one who’s going to scare her away?” He asks incredulously. “You practically shouted in her face before any one of us could even introduce ourselves!”

“Whoa. Calm down, James.” Orla says.

“But-“

“Anyways! Do you want to be in our group or not?” Michelle asks, cutting him off.

Sofia looks around the courtyard, groups of people already talking about them all. She could see them pointing towards them - some were laughing, others were baffled and a few even looked annoyed and disgusted.

“This is a joke, isn’t it?” Sofia asks before beginning to pack her things.

“What? No, it’s not.” Clare replies while nervously looking at all of the students that were laughing at them, or more specifically, laughing at Sofia.

“It’s fine… you’ve made your joke and made me the laughing stock.” She says before walking away. “Now, please, leave me alone.”

——————

After she walked away she realized that Luke could go to the tree expecting to find her there, only to find no sight of her.

So Sofia did the only logical thing.

She wandered around the entire castle looking for him.

She knew it would’ve been much easier just heading back to the courtyard and waiting for him to arrive, but if she was being honest - she would rather jump off a cliff than go to the courtyard, where everyone will be staring at her.

Her feet were already hurting but she decided to check the library before giving up and apologizing to Luke when she next saw him, in case she didn’t find him there.

But thanks to Merlin, she found him.

Though, he looked… off? He stood in the middle of the aisle, staring off into space with his hands hanging by his sides.

Sofia was completely oblivious to the fact that the reason he was like that was because of the conversation he had just had with his dad.

Sirius had been nagging him none stop for weeks now to put in a good word for him with Sofia, claiming that ‘he was the perfect man for her’, ‘they belonged together because they were soulmates’, and because ‘she was the love of his life and his future wife’.

Of course Luke knew that all of it was true - he’s their bloody son for goodness sake - but he had no clue how he could get his parents together so that he can exist one day.

Luke knew he couldn’t just randomly bring up Sirius in a conversation and talk about his character because she would become suspicious, and maybe even a little weirded out.

He knew he had to come up with a plan - and fast.

“Luke?” Sofia says with a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

“Huh- oh yeah. Yeah.” He replies after snapping out of his daze. “What are you doing- We were supposed to meet at the courtyard!”

Sofia is quick to reassure him for forgetting. “It’s fine. I wasn’t there for long, I left to go look for you after… it got awkward?”

“Did they do something?” Luke asks, bothered that they wouldn’t leave his sweet mum alone.

“No, just the same old laughing and teasing.” She shrugs.

“Assholes.” Luke murmured.

“Luke!”

“What? It’s true!”

She sighs. “Well… yes. But you don’t have to say it out loud.”

“Sorry.” He grumbles.

At that, Luke looks towards his left only to find a group of three girls and a boy staring at them.

He immediately recognized them as he had been shown pictures of them during their time in Hogwarts by his dad and uncle moony. Some of those pictures were of his mum with her friends that she made after her friendship with Regulus ended.

The only difference is that his mum and his uncle didn’t stop being friends until the summer after their fifth year, she didn’t even meet them until a few weeks into her sixth year.

“Do you know them?” Luke whispers while discreetly eyeing them.

“Shit.” She winces.

“What? You do know them?”

“Sort of. They might’ve been the reason things got… awkward when I was in the courtyard.”

“What did they do?” Luke asks after eyeing them again.

“They just came up to me and told me they wanted me to join their group.” She shrugs. “I don’t know, it just seemed like it was in a mocking way. At least that’s what everyone else thought, they all laughed.”

“Maybe they were being sincere. Everyone else probably just laughed because that’s what everyone has been doing to you recently, making jokes at your expense. So they assumed that they were doing the same thing.”

Sofia hums, deep in thought. “Maybe.”

As both Gryffindors head to exit the library to go to their next class, Sofia looks up hoping to see the abnormal group of friends only to make eye contact with a pair of grey eyes.

Of course she knew who Sirius Black is, she would be stupid not to, especially since she had been close friends with his younger brother for years.

Though she expected him to ignore her, or even glare at her, as that was what everyone did nowadays but he didn’t.

Instead, he caught her off guard by the friendly smile he flashed her way.

A friendly smile that she was quick to reciprocate.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

The Return Of Time

Chapter 4

By the time Sofia was allowed to leave, everyone was already in their dorms sleeping. Luke tried to stay in the common room to wait for her and make sure that she was fine but the marauders, mostly Sirius, dragged up him up to their dorm to interrogate him.

James was mostly interested about finding out how she got her name in the goblet, as he tried everything he could think of and failed each time. Remus was mostly concerned about whether or not they would force her to compete. Peter was mostly intrigued in listening in to the gossip and feeling sorry for the girl, as he knew that if he was in her position he would probably die out of fear.

But the worst out of the four boys was Sirius. He couldn’t stop pacing around the room while asking Luke every question that he could possibly think of, most of which Luke had no answer to.

At one point, he was prepared to march into Dumbledore’s office and demand that he didn’t allow Sofia to participate in the tournament. But was quickly stopped by all the boys, including Luke.

Before the champions had been chosen, Sirius - alongside James - tried every trick in the book to try and place their names in the goblet. He was ecstatic when the tournament was first announced, but now he wanted to curse the tournament and all the people involved in creating such a thing.

He believed without a doubt that Sofia had no part in her name being in the goblet.

For starters, he had heard several conversations that Junior and Rosier had with her, practically begging her to help them find a way to put their names in the goblet and she refused every time. He could see that she, alongside his brother, were not the slightest bit interested in the tournament. Regulus just looked bored and annoyed whenever someone mentioned it while Sofia looked worried and slightly anxious. And lastly, if you were to go off of her reaction when her name was called, you could easily tell that she had no interest in participating.

Soon enough the boys forced Sirius to get ready for bed and to go to sleep, while they discreetly took turns in supervising him.

—————————

Sofia’s eyes flutter open as the sunlight shines on her face, seeping through the small opening in her curtains. She stretched and rubbed her eyes before sitting up and glancing around her dorm. All four beds laid untouched and empty. Not because her dorm mates had already left but because she didn’t have any dorm mates.

Every year she was left with an entire dorm to herself. For the most part, it was because the other dorms were filled with girls who were already friends with one another but there were a few instances where there was a bed or two that was left empty but she couldn’t claim it as her own as she would just end up receiving dirty looks from the other girls.

The first time it happened was in her first year. There was a group of three girls that sat on their beds giggling with one another, though their faces soon turned into glares and judgmental looks after she asked them if she could join their dorm room. It ended with her rudely being told there was no space left before getting the door slammed on her face.

It wasn’t until after her second year that she finally learned to stop asking to join them. It hurt a lot at first, as she would normally end up crying herself to sleep, but she soon learned to accept it and look at the positive side of things.

She had more privacy for herself, could do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, and could have sleepovers with her friends without anyone snitching on them.

After Regulus found out about the dorm situation a few months into their first year, he came up with the idea to have a sleepover once a month. And it became tradition, every month three slytherin boys would sneak into gryffindor tower - with the help of the fat lady and one gryffindor girl - to eat junk food, talk gossip, and play games until they fell asleep in one giant pile.

Sofia freezes at the bottom of the staircase, glancing at all of the faces that looked back at her. Most looked furious, others looked annoyed, and a few looked bored.

She felt as though she was the prey being hunted by the predators. Each and every set of eyes careful calculating every and any move that she made, waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

As she begins to take her first step, the predator decides to strike.

“You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” A seventh year girl says while glaring at her.

Sofia freezes again before furrowing her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, don’t try to act all innocent.” She scoffs. “You’re just constantly wanting to prove how much better you are then everyone else, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what-“

Her friend rolls her while groaning. “Admit it! You’re a teachers pet and a know it all. Always the first to raise your hand with that smug look on your face! Trying to make it seem as if everyone else is beneath you!”

“And now you want to steal Ada’s spotlight! Just like you do with everything else!” The first girl continues.

Sofia is completely oblivious to the fact that Sirius tried to make his way towards her, wanting to shut those girls’ mouths but was stopped by James.

“But I didn’t put my name in the goblet-“

They share a humorless laugh. “Then who did?”

“I don’t know.” Sofia shrugs, looking nervously around the room.

“Yeah, right.” A sixth year boy starts. “You honestly expect us to believe you?”

“You’re a cheat!” A voice in the back yells out.

Those words cause everyone to yell out their own insults and accusations. Sofia froze, not knowing what to do or say when everyone was practically yelling in her face. It isn’t until she feels a hand softly grab her bicep, that she finally reacts.

“Come on.”

The common room door is slammed shut after they both step out.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, yeah.” She clears her throat. “I’m fine.”

Luke flashes her a sympathetic smile. “Why don’t we head to the great hall? We should eat before our classes.”

“Right.”

They wordlessly begin to walk towards the great hall before she stops.

“I didn’t put my name in the goblet.”

“I know. We spent most of our time together and even if we hadn’t, I could tell by your reaction when Dumbledore called your name.” Luke replies.

She sighs in relief. “At least you believe me. I think it’s pretty safe to say that most people won’t.”

“Well, I believe you. And I’m sure Regulus, Barty and Evan will too.” He reassures.

“Merlin, I hope so.”

——————

It was safe to say that Luke was wrong.

When the two gryffindors arrived at the great hall they began to make their way to their usual seats but stopped in their tracks at the sight of their glares.

Well, it was only Barty and Evan that glared at her.

But all three boys stood up from their seats before pushing past her to leave the great hall.

For the first time in over four years, Sofia ate her food at the gryffindor table.

Sofia and Luke had sat across from one another, with plenty of empty seats around them as none of their fellow housemates wanted to be sat near them.

——————

As the weeks passed, things stayed the same.

At first, they only really Sofia because she was the cheat but because Luke stayed by her side they soon began hating him too.

Sofia constantly told him to make other friends, or to even talk with their old friends instead, so that he wouldn’t face the same repercussions as she did. But he never budged.

He claimed that he ‘wouldn’t be a good friend if he abandoned her just because things got a bit difficult’.

He also didn’t want to talk to Regulus, Barty or Evan because he was mad at them. He would constantly go on rants about how they were being bad friends for not sticking by her side.

He would especially go on his long rants when she tried talking to them or being kind and they would ignore her.

In the beginning, Sofia had tried to talk to them by sending them letters or notes but they were all left unanswered. In class, she would smile or wave at them but she would only receive glares in return and occasionally, an eye roll.

After a while she just gave up.

Instead she would cry herself to sleep or occasionally cry in Luke’s arms as he comforted her.

She cried for the loss of her best friends but also because of the torment she faced every day as soon as she stepped out of her dorm.

Though no one seemed to hate her as much as one girl in particular.

Eloise Garnier, a fifth year Beauxbatons student, was determined to make her life a living hell.

And so far, she was succeeding.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

The Return Of Time

Chapter 3

Flashback

Wednesday, September 3, 1975

The day was almost over before Luke even realized. He had all of his classes with Sofia as they were both in the same house, and because he chose the same electives as her - not that she minded.

Sofia was quite grateful as she no longer had to be alone in those few classes she didn’t share with the other three boys. Before Luke she would sit alone and not converse with anyone while keeping her head down, only focusing on finishing her work.

Completely oblivious to the pair of eyes that couldn’t help the need to look her way.

Before the marauders even arrived to their first class, they already knew about the boy. It was all that anyone was talking about. Everyone trying to figure out the name of the boy who was approached by the beautiful, sweet but shy, Sofia Adams.

It was safe to say that everyone already knew his name by the time their first class was barely about to begin.

James, Remus and Peter couldn’t help but poke fun at Sirius. They knew how he has been in love with the girl since their second year but never having the guts to do anything about it. Every time they teased him, he would arrogantly claim that he could easily score a date with her but didn’t because he didn’t want to.

Which was the biggest lie the boys, including Sirius, had ever heard.

Sirius had no problem flirting with girls, he could wink at any of them and easily score a date (or end up in a broom closet) but it was different with Sofia.

He had never once attempted to even speak to her but he knew that if he did he would only end up embarrassing himself. Even the thought of her caused him to get nervous - his hands would get sweaty, he would start stuttering (something Sirius Black never did), and butterflies would fill his stomach.

That was part of the reason he had never spoken to her before.

The other being because she was best friends with Regulus.

Even though his relationship with his younger brother was strained, he still cared about him and didn’t want to cause problems or take away his source of happiness.

Sirius knew that Sofia was Regulus’ James.

And while he was selfish, he wasn’t selfish enough to take that away from him.

So he lived his life with his friends, pretending every single girl he talked to was her. And even though he made himself promise to never go near Sofia, he still couldn’t help looking at her or the jealousy that would fill his chest when he noticed the attention she received from other boys.

Which was exactly why Sirius Black was glaring at the new boy, who he learned was named Lucerys, that sat next to Sofia from across the great hall.

They had earlier that day been informed by Professor Mcgonagall that he would be their new dorm mate, as it had previously only been them four after Frank moved rooms because ‘he couldn’t sleep with all of their constant yelling’.

Something all four boys took great offense to.

Before Sirius realized, dinner was over and everyone was leaving the great hall. He had been so focused on watching Sofia and Luke that he barely ate any of his food - not that he minded as he had more important matters at hand.

Sirius hurried back to their dorm, knowing that he can finally talk to him without anyone listening in, well except for the other guys but he knew they would never utter a word about it to anyone.

As Sirius and the rest of the Marauders enter their dorm, they see that Luke had not yet arrived. Remus’ bed was beside the door, then James, then Sirius, and finally Peter. The remaining bed that was next to the bathroom used to be Frank’s (before he abandoned them) but now it had the belongings of Luke.

“Are you going to try and intimidate him so he backs off your girl or what?” James asks with a wide smile as he leans back on his bed, Peter and Remus snickering at his comment.

“I’m not going to intimidate him, I just want to get to know him better.” Sirius begins while the three boys eye one another, knowing that that was a lie. “I mean for all we know he could be some sort of mass murderer.”

“Do you really think Dumbledore would allow a mass murderer to be a student at Hogwarts?” Remus asks.

“Well, no. Which is more of a reason to get to know him better, to ensure Dumbledore that he isn’t a mass murderer.” He adds while pacing in front of his bed. “Besides we must look after a fellow gryffindor. You know, make sure that their new friend isn’t bad news.”

“Since when do you care about looking out for others?” Remus asks.

“I think Padfoot is just jealous that the new kid has already talked to her and he hasn’t in all the four years that he’s known her.” Peter said which caused James to burst out laughing while Remus tries to hold back his laughter.

Sirius scoffs. “At least I can talk to girls, you just freeze before running away!”

“You can talk to girls but you can’t talk to Sofia.” He adds which causes Remus to finally burst out laughing.

“You know what-“ Sirius stops to grab a pillow before repeatedly smacking Peter with it.

Unbeknownst to all the four boys, Luke stood next to the open door witnessing the entire thing. Peter was balled up on his bed as Sirius stood over him, hitting him over and over again with his pillow. James, on the other hand, was turning red from how hard he was laughing while Remus, who was also laughing at the three boys, was fanning James with his book to help him try and catch his breath.

Luke had no idea what to do. Should he knock? Ask them if everything was alright? Try and help Peter? Or should he just close the door, leave, and pretend he didn’t see a thing?

He was about to do the last option before Remus, unfortunately, noticed him. He smacked James to get his attention, before he also widened his eyes in realization. Meanwhile, Sirius remained completely oblivious.

“Sirius- Ow! I take it back! I’m sorry, I take it back!” Peter yelled out.

“Sirius!”

“What!”

“Our dorm mate is here!”

As the realization of Remus’ words sink in, Sirius freezes with his hands in the air while holding the pillow. He slowly turns to look towards the door, only to find the new kid staring back at him.

Nobody moves or utters a single word, not even poor Peter.

James, though, quickly recovers. He stands up before heading towards Luke with a wide and giddy smile on his face.

“So! You’re our new dorm mate!” He says while wrapping an arm around his shoulders and leading him further into the room after closing the door. “I’m James. The one with the book is Remus, the one being beat up is Peter, and the one beating him up is Sirius.”

Luke nervously looks at the boys, while also trying to avoid the glare that he was receiving from his dad. “I’m Lucerys but you can call me Luke.”

“Luke, huh?” Sirius asks while walking towards him after shoving the pillow into Peter’s arms.

“Uh- yeah. That’s what everyone calls me.” He replies while trying to discreetly step back.

“You got a last name?” Sirius asks while crossing his arms and, almost mockingly, turning his head to side.

“Um- Blak- Granger. Blake Granger.” He stutters while trying to avoid his father’s intimidating look. “Blake is my middle name and Granger is my last.”

“I don’t think Granger is a common last name in the wizarding world.”

“It’s not. I’m- uh- a muggleborn.” He replies while his eyes quickly look at each of his father’s eyes, easily displaying how nervous he was.

“Mhm.” Sirius hums while looking him up and down, judging every little thing about him in his head. “You look a little young for a fifth year.”

Everyone could agree that that was true, because it was. When Luke time traveled back in time, he didn’t stay the same. Sure, he had the same outfit, injuries, and hair cut but he had shrunk a couple of inches and gained the baby face he used to have in his fourth year.

He no longer looked like an adult, that was scarred from all the battles he had to face, but rather a young boy, who still had his innocence, naivety, and gullibility.

Being put in a year above his supposed grade level also added to him looking so young. Since he was supposed to be in fourth year, that meant that he just turned fifteen less than two months ago.

“I am. I’m supposed to be in fourth year, but Dumbledore placed me in fifth.”

Sirius knew that this was the perfect moment to add Sofia’s name into the conversation without making it obvious.

“Is that why you became friends with that group?” Sirius asks before adding upon seeing his confused face. “The gryffindor girl and the three slytherins.”

“Oh- no. Sofia came up to me and introduced me to her friends. I didn’t know that they were also a year above until I spoke with them.”

“Mhm. And what do you think about your new friends?”

Sirius, and the marauders, knew that what he really wanted to ask was, ‘What do you think about Sofia?’ but he knew he couldn’t be so obvious. One, because he knew his friends would never let him live it down and will relentlessly tease him about it. And two, because he didn’t want this Luke fella snitching on him to his girl.

“They’re kind.”

“Even the slytherins?” Sirius asks him in a mix of disgust and disbelief.

“Well- moreso Sofia. But they’re also kind.” Luke replies before muttering. “In their own way.”

“So you like her?” Sirius asks more harshly, intentionally making it a double meaning so that if he was interested in her, he would fall for the trap and confess his feelings for her to him.

“She’s-“

“I think it’s time we all head to bed, we have classes early tomorrow morning.” Remus interjects, while harshly patting Sirius in the back. “Wouldn’t you agree, Padfoot?”

“Yeah, perhaps we should.” Sirius replies before harshly patting his chest.

Luke glanced at the two boys who glared at one another, as if they were telepathically communicating with one another before heading to bed.

Even after all five boys laid in their respective beds, Luke couldn’t help but feel the glare that was coming from behind as he laid facing the bathroom door.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

The Return Of Time

Chapter 2

Something that Luke was unaware of was that the Triwizard tournament was going to happen.

During his time, the tournament happened in his fourth year but before then the tournament hadn’t occurred for over two centuries. So there was no possible way that it would have occurred when his parents were in school.

At first, Luke figured everything would be easy to fix. He knew what happened to everyone and he knew how to defeat Voldemort. But this made him realize that times would change, whether drastic or not, he now knew it wouldn’t be as easy as he thought.

Something that stayed the same was the rule that didn’t allow any students under the age of seventeen to enter or compete in the tournament.

Many underage students still tried to put their name in the goblet of fire, one of them being his dad, but none of them succeeded.

Sofia and Regulus weren’t that interested in the tournament and didn’t want to even attempt to put their name in the goblet. Sofia was quite worried that something bad would happen because of the tournament while Regulus thought that only arrogant and dumb witted morons would be interested in participating.

Some of those arrogant and dumb witted morons happened to be their best friends.

Barty and Evan became obsessed with the whole thing, Barty more infatuated than Evan, and were determined to put their names in the goblet. However, just like everyone else, all of their attempts failed.

They had begged Sofia to help them figure out a way to put their names in, as they knew that if anyone could do it it would be her, but Sofia denied.

She had a gut feeling that this was going to be bad news and she didn’t want two of her best friends to be in any way of danger. So even though they were constantly complaining and in a mood, she never gave in.

They knew that Regulus would never help them so they didn’t even try. They did try to get help from Luke, more like they forced him to help them, but all of their attempts still failed.

They were all now all sitting in the great hall, alongside the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons.

“Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The champion selection.” Dumbledore begins before dimming the fires, their main source of light coming from the goblet that was in the middle of the great hall.

Everyone watching in silence and anticipation as Dumbledore approaches the goblet. The bright blue fire turning a dark red before it spits out a piece of paper.

“The Durmstrang champion is,” Dumbledore begins. “Aleksandar Krum.”

The great hall erupts in cheers as the seventh year walks up to Dumbledore before shaking his hand and heading out the great hall through the back door, where all the champions were supposed to go to.

Luke immediately knew that Aleksandar had to be Viktor’s father. They had the same last name and looked quite identical. Luke began to think that if Viktor’s dad was chosen, Fleur and Cedric’s parents might be chosen too. And if Harry was chosen during his time, the only possibly option would be for James to be picked.

He tightly swallows as he feels the anxiety envelop his body. He remembers seeing Cedric’s cold and stiff body laying on the grass as Harry sobbed while holding on to him.

“Are you ok?” Sofia whispers while looking at him worryingly, the other three boys completely oblivious to their conversation.

He lets out a deep breath before nodding. “Yeah- yeah, i’m fine.” He replies with a weak smile.

“If it makes you feel any better, I feel quite nervous too.” She whispers back.

“You do?” He asks.

“Yeah. I don’t know, I might just be overthinking but I don’t really have a good feeling about this.” She replies while glancing at the cheering students.

“Yeah, neither do I.” He replies while exhaling.

“Here, it’ll make you feel better.” She says while handing him a small heart shaped chocolate that was covered in a red tin foil wrapper.

He shakily grabs it before unwrapping it and beginning to eat it, Sofia doing the same to her own piece of chocolate.

“I’m sure everything will be fine.” She reassures him after they finish their chocolate.

She turns to look at Dumbledore as he grabs another piece of paper that no doubt states the champion of Beauxbatons, completely unaware to what Luke muttered to himself.

“The champion of Beauxbatons,” Dumbledore states while holding the piece of paper that came out of the goblet. “Luca Delacour.”

The great hall erupts in cheers again as the seventh year boy from Beauxbatons shakes Dumbledore’s hand before heading to the back room.

“The Hogwarts champion,” He starts while holding the piece of parchment. “Ada Diggory.”

Everyone in the great hall erupts in cheers once more as the seventh year Hufflepuff walks up to shake Dumbledore’s hand.

Sofia clapped while Evan and Barty loudly cheered, they were just happy that it hadn’t been an arrogant Gryffindor that had been chosen to represent them, and Regulus watched in boredom.

Unbeknownst to them, Luke was terrified. Viktor and Fleur’s fathers were chosen and instead of Amos Diggory being picked as well, it was his twin sister that chosen instead.

If someone else had been chosen instead of Amos, what was to say that it wouldn’t be the same with James? If James isn’t chosen, than who is? Or was there even going to be a fourth champion?

He had been so deep in thought that he hadn’t heard a single word that Dumbledore said but he focused as he realized his answers were going to be answered very soon.

The goblet’s fire turns a dark red again before spitting out a piece of paper, Dumbledore catching it before it falls on the ground. He sees Dumbledore mutter something to himself before looking around the great hall.

“Sofia Adams.” Dumbledore calls out, causing Sofia to freeze. “Sofia Adams!”

Everyone turned to look at the young girl who stared back in shock as she grew more pale by the second. She turns to look at Regulus, who was sitting to her right, before shaking her head.

“I didn’t put my name in the goblet.” She whispers to him with a terrified look, Regulus sharing a similar look.

“SOFIA ADAMS!” Dumbledore yells.

“Sofia, go.” Regulus says while softly pushing her forward.

She walks towards Dumbledore, trying not to fall over with her shaking legs. Her hands hanging by her sides while playing with her skirt, trying to hide how fast they were shaking. She takes shaky breaths while glancing at all the people that sat staring at her - some in shock, but most in anger.

“Professor-“ Sofia begins once she reaches Dumbledore.

“Go with the rest of the champions, Ms. Adams.” He cuts her off before handing her the piece of paper with her name.

As she walks towards the back door, where all of the previous champions walked through, the whispers begin before they turn into screams.

“She’s a fifth year!”

“That’s not fair!”

“She isn’t even fifteen yet!”

She ducks her head trying to avoid their stares before walking through the door - their voices diminishing the farther she walked away.

Two gates open automatically as she nears a room before entering what looked to be a trophy room. All three champions stood near a window, staring at her expressionless before they all turn to look towards the entrance as they hear voices getting louder.

“Sofia, did you put your name in the goblet of fire?” Dumbledore asks calmly.

“Of course she did! How else would her name be chosen?” Madame Máxime calls out.

“She’s a cheat!” Karkaroff yells with a snarl on his face.

All four students silently watch as all of the professors yell over one another, Sofia only getting more nervous at the sight.

“Silence!” Dumbledore yells. “I will settle this. Sofia, did your put your name in the goblet?”

“No, sir! No, I didn’t.” She replies while shaking her head.

“Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?”

“No, sir!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir!”

“She’s lying!” Karkaroff yells out.

“The hell she is! The goblet of fire is an exceptionally powerful magical object, only an exceptionally powerful confundus charm could have hoodwinked it. And while Ms. Adams is an exceptionally smart witch, she is not smart enough for that. That magic is way beyond the talents of a fifth year.” Alastor Moody, that years D.A.D.A. Professor, loudly states.

That causes them all to start yelling over one another again before crowding around Barty Crouch Sr, who was the one that was practically in charge of the tournament. Sofia anxiously watches them, hoping and praying that she won’t be forced to compete.

“The rules are absolute. The goblet of fire constitutes a binding magical contract.” Barty Sr. says before looking at Sofia. “Ms. Adams has no choice. She is, as of tonight, a Triwizard champion.”

At that, they all turn to look at the worried young girl who was picking at her cuticles to try and calm herself down.

Madame Maxime and Karkaroff stared at her in fury while Professor Mcgonagall and Slughorn stared at her in pity. Barty Sr stared at her expressionless while Professor Moody looked to be analyzed her.

Dumbledore had a similar look as Moody but he also seemed to be in a daze, almost as if he was recounting something or experiencing deja vu.

Sofia in that moment wanted to speak up and state that she didn’t want to compete, because she really didn’t, but didn’t have the guts to. That’s what she’s always done - held back her tongue, look at the floor (or her hands) and accept everything and anything that anyone told her.

She always knew that that would come back to bite her in the arse but everything had always been fine, for the most part, for almost fifteen years.

Until today.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

The Return Of Time

Chapter 1

Tuesday, September 2, 1975

Sofia and Regulus walk down an empty hallway while talking about the classes they shared together and the fact that they were placed a year above.

Her, Regulus, Barty, and Evan were placed with the fifth years instead of the fourth years, the year they all were in. They were told that they were too academically advanced to be placed with their fellow fourth years.

And it was true.

Sofia was the smartest out of their group, most would say from the entire school, while Regulus, Barty and Evan were all tied for second place.

Many assumed that Barty and Evan weren’t very smart, as they spent most of their time doing dumb shit and talking out of their arses, but they were incredibly smart.

As the duo walk around a corner, heading down another hallway, Sofia feels herself run straight into someone else. She had been so focused in her conversation with Regulus that she forgot to look forward.

“Oh, Merlin! I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” She quickly apologizes.

In front of her was a young boy who looked to be their age, yet she had never seen at Hogwarts before. She shares a worried glance with Regulus, silently questioning what happened to the poor boy.

His hair looked to be knotted, he had blood running down his face and covering his nose, he was covered in grim, his clothes looked dirty and extremely worn and he looked exhausted, to say the least.

It looked as though the poor boy had just gone to war.

“Holy shit.” Regulus states while looking at him in shock.

“Godric.” Sofia says in disbelief. “Are you alright?”

Sofia felt concerned for the poor boy who looked shocked. He stared back at her with wide eyes and his mouth agape while his face looked pale, as though he had seen a ghost.

The injured boy looked towards Regulus before his face becomes even more pale. She was immediately worried that he would pass out. He looked as though he had been through hell and back so she wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if he didn’t pass out.

“Are you alright?” Sofia softly repeats.

He blinks several times as if trying to make sure that what he was seeing was true. He opens and shuts his mouth several times before finally being to speak while stuttering.

“Uh- Yeah. Yeah. I’m fine.” He begins. “I just- I might sound a bit crazy but what year is it?”

“What year is it? Did you hit your head?” Regulus says before Sofia can open her mouth.

“Reggie.” Sofia sternly says while looking at him with a ‘shut up, you’re not supposed to say that to him’ look. “It’s 1975. September 2, 1975.”

“1975?” The boy almost yells out in what appeared to be shock. “Holy shit.”

Sofia began to worry for the boy, silently questioning whether what Regulus asked him was true or not. There was a possibility that he had a head injury, which could explain why he seemed shocked at the year and why he looked so pale when he looked at them.

She knew he had to get help, and heal his injuries, before things got worse.

“Um- Why don’t we go to the Hospital Wing. You’re injured and-“ Sofia begins before he cuts her off.

“No!” He yells out with wide eyes, suddenly looking panicked. “No. Is Dumbledore al- Is Dumbledore here?”

Now Sofia felt confused. Why did he stop and change what he was going to say? It almost sounded as if he was going to ask if Dumbledore was alive, which he clearly was.

Besides, why would he even ask if Dumbledore was here. It was barely the second day of the new school year, of course Dumbledore was going to be at Hogwarts.

“Yeah. He should be in his office.” She replied, confused as to why he felt eager to speak to Dumbledore rather than heal his injuries. “Would you like for us to take you to him?”

“Yes, that would be greatly appreciated.” He eagerly nods while he looked all around the hallway, most likely not recognizing where he was as she had never seen him at Hogwarts before.

What she wasn’t aware of was that he had been to Hogwarts before, just twenty years in the future. And the reason he looked as though he didn’t recognize where he was, was because the hallways - and the rest of the castle - looked very different from when he attended Hogwarts.

Sofia almost felt the need to urge him to go to the infirmary before talking to Dumbledore as he looked paler by the second, but she bit back her tongue knowing he would most likely refuse.

All three of them didn’t share a single word as they walked him towards Dumbledore’s office.

Regulus kept on side eyeing Sofia. Every time she would make eye contact with him, he would slyly nudge his head to the side as if telling her they should ditch the boy and leave him to find Dumbledore’s office.

He finally stopped when Sofia harshly elbowed him in the ribs while the boy looked around at the courtyard that they passed by.

Regulus wasn’t the most social person, much less a talker. So Sofia knew he was definitely uncomfortable being around a boy they had never seen before.

Especially because he looked as though he had gotten beat up by a group of boys.

They arrived at Dumbledore’s office, much to Regulus’ relief, but before Sofia could tell the boy that she didn’t know the password, the gargoyle began to move, displaying a long stair case.

All three teenagers stood silently as awkward silence filled the air. The boy standing in front of them, with his back towards them, was looking towards the stair case that had just appeared while Sofia and Regulus silently shared a conversation behind him.

Regulus silently urged her to be the one to speak while Sofia did the same, urging him to begin the conversation.

Finally, much to Sofia’s dismay, Regulus nudged her towards the boy causing her to slightly push him forward.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry. That was an accident.” She says while stepping back. “I uh- I tripped.”

“Oh. That’s fine.” The boy awkwardly replies.

“Um- So this is Dumbledore’s office. You just have to walk up the staircase and there will be a door. Just knock, i’m sure he’ll be there to answer.” She replies just as awkwardly.

“Right.” The boy nods while walking towards the stairs. “Thanks, Sofia.”

The boy begins to walk up the stairs before the gargoyle begins moving again, causing the staircase to slowly disappear.

She stares at the gargoyle in confusion before looking towards her right at Regulus.

“How does he know my name?” She asks Regulus, in suspicion.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged, just as confused. “You didn’t even introduce yourself.”

“Well, who knows.” She shrugs as they begin walking away.

“Really, though? ‘I tripped’?” Regulus asks. “Come on, Sof.”

“You pushed me, you arse!” She yells back while smacking his arm. “What was I supposed to say? ‘Oh, sorry. My idiot friend pushed me towards you.’”

“I don’t know but you could’ve come up with something better than ‘I tripped’.” Regulus loudly laughs as he dodges the hit Sofia sent towards him, again.

“I panicked! It was the best I could come up with.” She grumbles as he starts to wheeze. “Shut up!”

—————————

The next day, Sofia waited for Regulus, Barty, and Evan in their spot. The walk from Gryffindor tower and the Slytherin dungeons to the Great Hall united in one place, which is where they would always wait for one another before walking the rest of the way together.

Usually, Sofia would be the one to arrive at their spot first. And Regulus would probably beat her at arriving first more often if it weren’t for Barty and Evan.

Just like how it usually went, Sofia and Regulus walked side by side while talking about the potions essay they had already been assigned yesterday on the first day of school, as Barty and Evan sluggishly walked behind them.

They sat down at the Slytherin table, Regulus and Sofia on one side while Barty and Evan sat across from them.

Even though Sofia was in Gryffindor, she always sat with them at the Slytherin table. The only times she wouldn’t was when it was the welcoming feast or the leaving feast, the only reason being that it was against the rules to sit anywhere else but your houses table during these feasts.

At first many Slytherins would hiss at her, tell her to move, or even threaten to hex her but she didn’t care. She ignored them or the boys would threaten them. Soon enough, there wasn’t a single Slytherin that would tell her to move.

Sure, they would hiss or glare at her once in a while but she didn’t care. She just wanted to be with her friends.

The group of four were eating their breakfast, as Barty loudly complained about the potions essay, before what seemed to be everyone in the Great Hall had quieted down.

Sofia looked around to see what was the reason for the sudden silence before she saw the same boy from yesterday standing alone by the entrance to the Great Hall.

He wasn’t covered in grim or blood anymore and his hair wasn’t knotted either, but he did have several bruises and cuts visible on his face.

He was wearing Gryffindor robes and looked around at everyone with wide eyes before slowly and stiffly walking towards the Gryffindor table and sitting down alone.

Soon enough, everyone broke out into whispers with their own friend group as the people sat around him eyed him as if he was some sort of exotic animal.

He looked down at his empty plate with a wince while trying to hide his face with his hands, no doubt not appreciating all the attention that was on him.

“Right Sof?” Regulus asks.

“Huh?” She asks while focusing back on her friends.

“That’s the same kid from yesterday. The one we took to Dumbledore’s office.”

“Oh yeah.” She agrees.

“So he’s the creep that knew your name even though you didn’t introduce yourself?” Barty asks while looking back at him.

“I see you told them all about it already.” Sofia says to a guilty looking Regulus who slightly shrugged. “But anyways, he’s not a creep. Don’t be mean, Barty.”

“You don’t know, he could be a creep. Like a serial killer, stalker kind of creep.” Evan says.

“Oh come on, look at his face.” She replies before the four teenagers look at the boy. “He looks like the most innocent person ever. If i’m being honest, he kind of looks like a sad, kicked puppy.”

“It could be a facade.” Evan says before they see him hide his face even more after some Ravenclaw boys threw pieces of food at his head.

“It’s definitely not a facade.” Regulus says while staring in pity at the poor boy who kept on being made fun of.

“Why don’t we invite him to sit with us?” Sofia says, feeling bad for the lonely boy.

“Uh no. We don’t invite people into our friend group.” Barty says.

“Oh, come on. Look at the poor thing.” She says while staring at him. “He’s all alone and is being made fun of for no reason.”

“I agree with Barty. Four people is enough, there isn’t anymore room for others.” Evan chimes in.

Sofia groaned while rolling her eyes before looking at her best friend. “Reggie?”

“Uh-“ He begins while staring at the two boys that sat across from him, who were glaring while shaking their heads, before looking at Sofia who was silently pleading. “ I mean, I don’t really mind.”

“Great! I’ll go over and invite him to come sit with us!” Sofia squealed before standing up and walking towards the boy.

“Mate, come on.” Barty groaned while Evan kicked Regulus in the shin.

“Ow! What was that for?” Regulus asks incredulously.

“‘I mean, I don’t really mind’. Seriously?” Evan groaned. “We don’t invite people, especially losers, to our group.”

“Barty and I thought you were a loser in first year and Sofia still invited you to our group.” Regulus replied causing Barty to cackle at the memory.

“That’s true, mate.” Barty cackled.

“Sod off, tossers.” Evan grumbled.

The trio were oblivious to the conversation that was happening between their friend and the new kid. And about the fact that a certain marauder was staring at their friend with a lovesick look.

“Hi!” Sofia said while sitting down across from the brunette boy. “I’m Sofia Adams.”

The boy looked up at her in what seemed to be admiration, confusion and shock. He opened and closed his mouth several times as if trying to figure out what to say before shaking her hand that was held out to him.

“Lucerys Bla- I’m Lucerys Blake Granger.” He shakily replies. “But everyone calls me Luke.”

“Nice to meet you, Luke.” She replies with a soft smile.

Her smile falls as another piece of food is thrown at his head before the group of Ravenclaws start to laugh. Her eyes narrow at the blonde Ravenclaw that was loudly cackling as if it was the funniest thing in the world. She knew that he had been the one to throw it, if the remaining toast in his hand was anything to go off of.

“Do you think you’re funny?” She asks him.

“Absolutely!” The Ravenclaw replies with a smug look on his face. “Do you not find it funny?”

“No.” She immediately replies. “Maybe you should focus on your studies instead of bothering innocent people, Gilderoy.”

The smug look on his face immediately goes away as fellow Gryffindors and Ravenclaws that were listening in began laughing.

Everyone knew that even though Gilderoy Lockhart was in Ravenclaw, he wasn’t very smart and struggled in most, if not all, of his classes.

“Why don’t we go sit with my friends?” Sofia asks Luke, not waiting for a reply as she starts walking back to them while Luke was quick to follow.

Sofia sat down next to Regulus again while Luke sat down next to her, to her left.

“Boys, this is Lucerys Granger but he goes by Luke.” Sofia begins. “Luke, this is Barty, Evan and Regulus.”

“Hi.” Luke muttered.

The three boys didn’t say anything back, they just stared back at him with blank looks on their faces. She glances at Luke, who was nervously looking at the three boys.

“So.” Sofia says, trying to end the awkward silence. “Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself, Luke? If you don’t mind.”

“Uh- Well, i’m in Gryffindor.” He shakily starts.

“Really? We had no idea.” Evan sarcastically asks while glancing at his Gryffindor robes. Barty snickers at his comment causing her to kick them both in the shin as Regulus smirks in amusement.

“I’m in Gryffindor too. I’m supposed to be a fourth year but i’m going to be taking classes with the fifth years. We all are.” Sofia finishes while gesturing towards her three friends.

“So am I.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, Dumbledore told me yesterday.” Luke says while nodding.

“That’s great! Maybe we can all sit together in class.” Sofia says with a wide smile, excited to make a new friend.

“That’d be great.” Luke says just as excited but for a different reason.

“So, you said your last name is Granger.” Barty begins. “I’ve never heard that last name before.”

“Oh- Uh- I’m a muggleborn.” Luke replies before the Slytherins around them began to hiss at the boy, causing him to lean closer to Sofia while looking at them with wide and panicked eyes.

“Don’t worry, they won’t do anything.” Sofia says with a reassuring smile. “It stops after a while.”

“Why- why did they do that?” He asks after they stopped hissing at him but still glaring at him nonetheless.

“Some of them believe in blood purity. But don’t worry, not all Slytherins are like that. None of us care about that sort of thing. I’m a halfblood myself, actually.”

“Really?” Luke says, faking surprise.

“Mhm, my dad was a pureblood and my mum is a muggle.”

“Both of my parents are muggles.” He replies.

“Yeah, that’s usually what it means to be muggleborn.” Barty replies while he and Evan chuckle, Regulus holding back a smile at the boy’s comment.

“Barty.” Sofia sternly says. “So, Luke, do you have any siblings?”

“No, i’m an only child. What about all of you?”

“I have two siblings. My sister is the oldest, then my brother, and i’m the youngest.” She replies.

“Do they also attend Hogwarts?” Luke asks, already knowing the answer.

“No, they’re both squibs.” Sofia quietly replies.

The boys knew that her family, especially her siblings, was a bit of a sensitive topic for her. She didn’t like talking about it much, as she would always end up crying when she did, but the boys still knew how much it actually hurt her.

Especially Regulus. While she had talked about her family with all three boys, Regulus was the one who knew everything.

The only person who knew every single thing about her was Regulus. Same for him, even though that person used to be Sirius, it changed after he was sorted in Slytherin and Sirius cut all ties with him. After that, she was the only one who knew everything about him.

“I’m also an only child.” Barty chimes in.

“Me too.” Evan adds.

“I have an older brother.” Regulus says.

“What about your parents? What do they do for work?” Evan says, trying to change the subject.

“I’m an orphan.”

All four teenagers freeze as they share glances with one another. None of them knew what to say after that and were silently communicating with one another, trying to figure out a way to get out of this without offending him or saying something insensitive.

“Uh- that’s cool.” Barty says before Evan harshly elbows him in the ribs. “No, I just mean that we don’t have a problem with orphans. We like them. They’re great, very lovely people.”

They all stay quiet before Barty opens his mouth again.

“You know, Sofia is half orphan.”

Regulus kicks him in the shin as Evan smacks him in the head. Sofia stares in shock at Barty before making eye contact with Luke.

The three boys stare in shock and wariness as Sofia and Luke start laughing. Luke was trying to contain his laughter but lost it at the sight of Sofia.

She smacked the table as tears filled her eyes. She was laughing so hard that the boys couldn’t help but join.

Barty was laughing so hard, he began to choke on his spit causing Evan to smack him in the back as he kept on laughing. Sofia clutched her stomach that began to hurt as she cackled at the sight of his red face.

They soon calmed down, not focusing on the looks that they were receiving from the students that were sat by them.

“You know Luke, I like you. I think you’ll fit in perfectly with us.” Barty says as Evan and Regulus nod in agreement.

“Sorry to break it to you, but you’re stuck with us from now on.” Sofia says with a wide smile as she wraps an arm around his shoulders, all five of them walking to their first class that they all shared.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

The Return Of Time

Prologue

Lucerys ran down the crumbling walls of Hogwarts while holding a tight grip on his wand.

He had just killed Nagini, the last horcrux.

The sword of Gryffindor appeared out of the Sorting Hat right before she was able to kill Ron and Hermione.

Everyone had already run away towards the Great Hall, Harry and Voldemort now battling it out.

He looked down at the pocket watch he tightly held on with left his land. A few hours ago when they were in the Room of Requirement looking for the diadem, he found an old pocket watch. It called his attention for some reason, as if it were calling to him to pick it up.

He grabbed and placed it in his pocket before Goyle set the room on fire.

He stops running before looking up at his surroundings. He was in a random hallway for some reason. He was so focused on looking at the pocket watch in his hand that he didn’t realize that he was running farther away from the Great Hall, where everyone else was at.

He tensed up at the sound of a chill laugh and several voices. Rounding the corner was none other than Bellatrix Lestrange with two other death eaters he didn’t recognize.

“Little baby Black. Did you get lost?” Bellatrix teasingly asks after the shocked gasp that she let out.

Luke immediately raises his wand, readying himself to fight them. Before he is able to spit out a spell, all three of them send a curse his way. He tightened his grip on the pocket watch, preparing himself for the pain before he passes out.

Bellatrix and the two death eaters stare in shock at the sight in front of them. Or rather, at the lack of sight of the Black boy.

“You bloody idiots! What did you do!”

Luke wakes up with a jolt. He feels as though he were falling through an endless tunnel, bright blue and purple lights surrounding him.

He falls with a hard slam on the concrete floor before looking up and taking in his surroundings. He was standing outside of 12 Grimmauld Place, where he lived for the first 11 years of his life.

He sees Dumbledore, who was accompanied by Professor McGonagall, walk towards the front door of 12 Grimmauld Place before knocking. In his arms, he held a small figure covered in a light blue blanket that had the initials ‘L.R.B.’ sewed in the corner.

“Professor!” He calls out but neither of them turn around. “Professor?”

Before he can call out to them again, the front door is open. Kreacher stands there while looking at them with a snarl in his face.

“Kreacher!” He hears a voice call out.

Soon, Kreacher is joined by a woman who looked to be in her early fifties. He immediately recognized her as his grandmother, Walburga Black.

“Albus. Minerva.” She curtly says while looking at them with disdain.

“I’m sure you already know why we are here.” Dumbledore calmly states. “This is your grandson, Lucerys Regulus Black.”

They could all see how her sneer immediately faded as she looked down at the baby boy. His wife grey eyes that he inherited from his father stared back her in amazement before he started giggling. His chubby arms reached out towards her, begging for her to carry him.

“You are his grandmother. If you won’t take care of him, he will be sent to live with Sofia’s siblings.” Dumbledore adds.

“You want to send him to live with squibs?” She asks in disgust. “Absolutely not! They are demon spawn. He will live with me, I shall raise him.”

Walburga grabbed a hold of the giggling baby, causing him to loudly squeal in excitement. He babbles as he places his chubby hands on her cheeks. She stares back at him, feeling her throat tighten and her eyes start to glisten with tears.

She immediately composes herself, as if remembering that people were standing in front of her.

“I will raise him.” She says before slamming the door shut.

Luke feels himself being pulled back into that portal before he appears in 12 Grimmauld Place again. This time he stood in the kitchen.

He watched several memories happen right in front of him. Walburga feeding him as he sat in his high chair, his crawling towards her before standing up and taking his first steps, her teaching him how to read and write, playing with Kreacher, losing his first tooth, being told stories of his dad and uncle from when they were kids and being read bed time stories before being tucked into bed.

He wasn’t allowed to go outside, really. If she had to buy anything or run any errands, she would send Kreacher or leave him in charge of Luke while she was gone.

For an entire decade, no one in the wizarding world saw, knew or heard of the Black boy.

They knew he was put in the care of Walburga Black but that was it. Many assumed he would be tortured, abused and neglected, as that was what had happened with Sirius and Regulus, but that was far from the truth.

Walburga cared for him and loved him. He was her only grandson and she would protect him. That same night that he arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place, Walburga promised herself that she would be different this time. She wouldn’t raise him like how she raised Sirius and Regulus. She wouldn’t standby and watch anyone hurt him like how she did with her boys.

No, every mistake she committed with Sirius and Regulus, she fixed with him. After all, he was all she had left. Sirius was in Azkaban, for something she felt to be untrue, and Regulus was dead. Her only daughter-in-law laid in a coma for almost an entire year after what happened and when she did wake up, she was deemed mentally insane.

Most people were shocked to see an old and stern looking, Walburga Black standing in Platform 9 3/4 while an excited and hyper young boy bounced up and down beside her.

They were even more caught off guard when she took the young boy in her embrace while kissing his face. The boy reciprocating the love his grandmother was showing him.

He was unaware of her illness and how that would be the last time he would ever be held by his stern but sweet grandma, Wally.

As the months passed he grew more and more excited for Christmas break but his excitement quickly diminished. In late November, he was called to Dumbledore’s office where he received the news that his grandmother had passed away.

He watched as his eleven year old self sobbed in McGonagall’s arms. The older witch holding a tight grip on the young boy, with a look of pity on her face.

He had been excused to be able to attend her funeral. He didn’t want to go at first but relented after Professor McGonagall reassured him that she would accompany him. The young boy stood with tears streaming down his face as he watched the casket be lowered into the ground, the older witch had her hands placed on his shoulders comfortingly.

During Christmas break, he stayed at Hogwarts with Harry and Ron. In his mind, he figured he would go and live with Kreacher in 12 Grimmauld Place. But as the summer break approached, he realized he had guessed wrong.

He had been forced to live with his aunt, Meralda, and his uncle, Robert Jr. They lived together in a house he later found out belonged to his grandparents. After their death, they inherited the house they grew up in and they just never moved out.

Both of them were single, unmarried and childless. But they were both bitter as if they had gone through five marriages and divorces and had twenty kids each.

They were kind enough to let him sleep in the room that used to belong to his mum when she was growing up. Though it was completely vacant, apart from a twin sized bed and an empty dresser, he still felt comforted and at peace. Almost as if he could feel his mum’s warm embrace holding him in her arms.

He saw himself when he started second year. When the chamber of secrets was opened, all of the attacks, trying to figure out what was attacking the students, and finally when he, along with Harry and Ron, entered the chamber with Lockhart to save Ginny.

He saw everything that happened when the school year ended and he was sent back to live with his aunt and uncle. How they would starve him, force to clean and cook, hit him when he committed small and simple mistakes and all the words they would yell at him with strong hatred.

He learned to keep his mouth shut about his mum and dad, quickly realizing that their names or them being mentioned immediately pissed them off which would result in him getting beat.

During all the years he lived with his grandma, Wally, she never mentioned why his mum and dad weren’t around. He didn’t know anything that happened. Sure, he knew that he was one of the two kids that could have become ‘the chosen one’ and what happened with the Potter’s on Halloween in 1981 but he didn’t know what happened to his family.

Every time he would ask his grandma, she would change the conversation or just plainly tell him not to ask about that. The only time she would speak of them would be when she would tell him stories of his dad growing up and when he was at Hogwarts or stories of his mum when she was friends with his uncle and a few after she started dating his dad.

He didn’t know that his dad was in Azkaban, much less that he was there for a crime he didn’t commit. Or how his mum was in St. Mungo’s after being tortured into insanity by his dad’s cousin.

It wasn’t until third year when the truth started to unravel for the young boy.

He had immediately connected with Professor Lupin, someone he soon found out that was friends with his parents when they attended Hogwarts. During that time, it felt like his only friend was his Professor.

Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly ditched him when they found out that his dad was Sirius Black.

At first, Harry was a bit bothered that Sirius was his father but reassured him that he wasn’t his dad and he didn’t hate him. But that quickly changed after Sirius tried breaking into Gryffindor tower.

The trio immediately pointed fingers at Luke, not hesitating to ditch the young boy. They would glare at him, talk behind his back and even speak ill of him. But they weren’t the only ones.

Everyone in Hogwarts hated Luke. They all picked on him because he was Sirius’ son, therefore he had to be responsible for helping him trying to break into the castle.

The only person he could really talk to was Professor Lupin, who was always there for him when he would break down and cry. He would offer comforting words before offering chocolate to him. The same chocolate his mum would always have, as he told him.

They were small heart shaped chocolates that were covered in a red tin foil. She always said that that was her favorite chocolate and was one she always ate since she was a small child. She loved those chocolates so much that she always carried them with her, so that whenever someone was sad, angry, hungry, or moody, she would give them a chocolate.

Professor Lupin soon found out that he had never once visited his mum because his grandma never let him out and because his aunt and uncle would rather die than step foot in St. Mungo’s. So, as a surprise, he took Luke to St. Mungo’s during christmas break to visit his mum for the first time.

He could see how terrified he was. How his hands shook as he slowly walked alongside Lupin down the white and empty halls of St. Mungo’s. They continued walking before stopping in front of a light brown door.

Remus, unbeknownst to Luke, was incredibly familiar with this door and the hallways. Of course he was familiar with the route, he had probably walked that route over a million times whenever he visited his dear friend over the twelve years that she’s been in there.

Luke watched his thirteen year old self stand completely still as he looked at his mum for the first time in twelve years through the window. The blinds were open causing him to be able to see his mum as sat on a fluffy chair while knitting what looked to be a blanket.

She had dark brown hair that reached her hips and front bangs, just like how her hair was in all the pictures he’s been showed of her when she was in Hogwarts. She had a slight furrow in her eyebrows as her dark brown eyes concentrated on the task she was doing.

He watches Remus comfort his younger self, reassuring to take his time while agreeing to stay with him.

His hand reaches out and knocks on the wooden door before opening it. He slowly walks into the room, Remus following him in before closing the door, while staring at his mum.

She places her things down while slowly standing up and walking towards him. Her hands close to her chest as if she was nearing a wild animal. She stares at him with her eyes wide in wonder and her mouth slightly agape, as if she was trying to process what was happening.

“Luke.” She softly says while placing her right hand on his cheek.

Remus stares in shock after hearing her talk. He had warned Luke that she wouldn’t speak as she hadn’t said a single word since Halloween of 1981. But finally after twelve years, she spoke.

She breaks out into a wide smile before giggling, “Luke.” She repeats.

“You know who I am?” He asks with his voice cracking as tears stream down his face.

She nods, “Luke.”

She looks around the room, as if trying to find something to help her say what she wants to say before ultimately giving up. She points to her stomach, eagerly.

“Stomach?” Luke asks in confusion causing her to shake her head.

She continues to point to her stomach before moving her hand in a curve. She grows a bit frustrated as the young boy continues to look at her in confusion before moving her arms in a rocking motion. She points to her stomach, moves her hand in a curve and rocks her arms before Remus finally guesses.

“Baby?”

She excitedly nods while pointing at Remus, as if trying to say that that is what she wanted to say, before she speaks up again.

“Baby.” She excitedly says while pointing towards herself.

“You?” Luke asks as she points to herself before she shakes her head again. “Me? Mine? My?”

She excitedly giggles while clapping and nodding her head, slightly jumping up and down.

“My baby.” She says with a wide smile. “Luke.”

The young boy stares at the excited woman in shock before bursting into tears and tightly hugging her. His shoulders shook as he hid his face in his mum’s neck as he continued to sob.

His sobs growing as his mum wrapped her arms around his shoulders and softly ran her fingers through his hair.

“My baby, Luke.” She continuously says. “My baby. Luke. My baby, Luke. My Luke.”

She kept a wide smile on her face as she hugged her son while softly swaying them from side to side.

After he’s able to calm down, she eagerly and excitedly pulls out a huge cardboard box from a small closet in the room. She opens the box and pulls everything out while excitedly showing him.

There was sweaters with a big ‘L’ at front, blankets with the initials ‘L.R.B.’, beanies with a small ‘L’ sewed on, scarves with the same ‘L’ sewed on and crocheted plush toys of a black dog.

Just like how there was sweaters, blankets, beanies and scarves with his initials, there was also with a ‘S’ and ‘S.O.B.’ initials on them.

Tears were streaming down his face as he watched his younger self with his mum, who was now probably confused and terrified while being all alone in 12 Grimmauld Place.

The scene changes as his third year continues. He sees as the three teenagers run after Ron after saying their goodbyes to Buckbeak. They run into the Whomping Willow after him, after almost being killed by the bloody tree.

They walk up the old and creaking stairs before walking into the room where Ron was in, laying in the bed while holding Scabbers in his hands.

“He’s an animagus!” He faintly hears Ron yell out.

The three teenagers face the door after it’s slammed shut, showing Sirius Black standing there. Luke faced his father, who had long matted hair and dirty, ripped clothes that showed his emaciated body.

“If you want to kill Harry, you’ll have to kill us too.” Hermione says while standing in front of Harry after shoving Luke away from them.

His father stares back at him with the same grey eyes. Tears gather in the older man’s eyes as he looks at his son for the first time in twelve years.

“My boy.” He whispers before Harry lunges at him and throws to the ground while chocking him.

Sirius chuckles as Harry points his wand at him. “Are you going to kill me, Harry?”

Before anyone can say a word, the door is slammed open. Professor Lupin barging in before yelling out a quick ‘Expelliarmus!’ causing Harry’s wand to go flying.

Luke watches his father and Remus reunite, before Hermione stares yelling at them and his younger self. Exposing Remus of being a werewolf and accusing Luke of helping his father with trying to kill Harry.

“Wait!” Remus calls out to Sirius.

“I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban!”

“Very well. Kill him.” Remus states while handing him his wand. “But wait one more minute. They have the right to know why.”

“I know why. You betrayed my parents. You’re the reason they’re dead.”

“No, Harry, it wasn’t him. Somebody did betray your parents but it was somebody who until quite recently I believe to be dead.”

“Who was it than?”

“Peter Pettigrew!” Sirius yells out.

Professor Snape barges into the room, Remus and Sirius bickering back and forth with him before Harry blasts him into the bed. They grab Scabbers from Ron’s hands and send several spells it’s way before it finally turns into an old, ugly, short man with a huge bald spot.

“Remus. Sirius. My old friends!” Peter calls out before trying to escape.

He looks around the room before making eye contact with Luke and walking up to him.

“Luke, you look so much like your father. And your uncle, Regulus. Your mum and uncle wouldn’t want Sirius to become a murderer.” He desperately says.

“Get away from my son, you filthy rat!” Sirius yells while pushing Peter away from Luke. “How dare you speak to Luke! You’re the reason he grew up without his father!”

“You sold James and Lily to Voldemort, didn’t you? And you framed Sirius!” Remus yells out while pointing his wand at Peter.

They continue yelling back and forth, trying to kill Peter before all conversation ceases once Harry says that they’ll give Peter to the dementors.

The four teenagers are sat by the Whomping Willow, checking up on Ron’s injury.

“I’m sorry for accusing you and for everything i’ve done this year.” Harry says while staring in remorse towards Luke.

“It’s ok. I know you thought that my dad was the reason you lost your parents, I would’ve probably reacted the same if I was in your position.” His younger self replies while shrugging.

“I’m sorry too.” Hermione says.

“Yeah, me too.” Ron adds.

“It’s alright. I understand.” He says while smiling at them.

“You should go.” Ron says while nodding towards Sirius.

“No, Harry should. He just found out that he’s not responsible for his parents dea-“

“He’s your dad, Luke.” Harry says. “Go.”

Luke stands to the side as he watches his thirteen year old self walk up to his father, him following. He feels his eyes start to water as he watches himself with his dad, who he lost two years ago.

“I’m sorry, Luke. I’m sorry for not being there for you and your mum. I would understand if you didn’t want anything to do with me-“

“Are you mental? You’re my dad.” Luke says after cutting him off. “Besides your the only one I have left, really.”

“What do you mean?” Sirius asks while staring at him confused.

“Well, Grandma Wally passed away in my first year and mum’s in St. Mungo’s. I barely met her a couple of months ago. And no offense to mum, but her siblings are awful.”

“Sofia is in St. Mungo’s? What do you mean? And Grandma Wally - what are you talking about? Her siblings. How do you know them?”

“Do you not know?” Luke asks. “After what happened, I was sent to live with Grandma Wally- Walburga. She passed away right before Christmas break in my first year.”

“You were sent to live with my mother?” Sirius asks incredulously. “Who sent you to live with her?”

“Dumbledore-“

“Dumbledore?!”

“Yes, Dumbledore.”

“Why weren’t you living with your mum? Why is she in St. Mungo’s? You said you barely met her a couple of months ago-“ Sirius asks while looking terrified.

“You don’t know?” Luke slowly asks.

“Know what?” Sirius basically yells back, desperate to know what happened to his wife while he was incarcerated.

“After you left that night, I’m guessing to go after Peter, death eaters found mum’s location. It was four of them, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Rabastan and Barty Jr. They tortured her into insanity.” Luke softly says.

He watches his father stagger backwards as his eyes fill up with tears, disbelief written all over his face.

“No, no. That’s not possible. She was safe.” He says while shaking his head, looking everywhere except at him.

“Dad-“

“What happened? What happened to her?” He desperately asks while holding Luke’s face in his hands. “What happened when I was gone?”

“Remus told me that she was in a coma for months, almost an entire year to be exact. I was sent to live with Grandma and she passed away during my first year in November. After first year ended, I was sent to live with my mum’s siblings, Meralda and Robert.”

“What happened afterwards?” Sirius asks, desperate to know everything.

“Well, Grandma never spoke about what happened to you or mum. I didn’t know that you were in Azkaban and that she was in St. Mungo’s. Every time I asked Meralda and Robert, they would get mad and never said anything. It wasn’t until this year that I found out that you were in Azkaban and you escaped. Professor Lupin spoke to me about you and mum, he was the one who told me where mum was. And he took me to visit her during Christmas break.”

“All this time, she’s been in St. Mungo’s?” Sirius asks, his voice cracking and tears streaming down his face.

“Luke!” Hermione and Harry yell.

The father and son turn to look at them, only to find Remus staring at the full moon.

Seventeen year old Luke watches his younger self help his friends. He watches Remus, in the werewolf form, run into the woods.

After watching them use the time turner Hermione had and help his dad escape, the scene changes.

He watches himself finish his third year and start summer break. Before he is picked up by the Weasley’s to attend the Quidditch World Cup.

His fourth year starts with the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament. He slightly winces as he stares at Cedric Diggory sitting in the Hufflepuff table with his friends.

The names are chosen, Harry being picked as well. The tasks begin and watches them all with a pit in his stomach, knowing what would happen to the Diggory boy but being unable to do anything about it.

During the first week of summer break before his fifth year begins, he receives a letter from Dumbledore informing him that he had to speak to him urgently.

He watches himself as he sits in Dumbledore’s office, the older wizard just having finished informing the young boy of the attack on St. Mungo’s. Explaining how death eaters swarmed the hospital, no doubt trying to kidnap his mother.

He sees himself relax when he’s informed that she was unharmed and they were unsuccessful in kidnapping her as there were several auror’s already there who happened to be visiting an injured coworker.

He arrives at 12 Grimmauld Place through floo after his conversation with Dumbledore ends. He had all of his belongings with him already as Dumbledore mentioned him to do so in the letter. As he steps out the fire place, the first thing he sees is Kreacher dusting a painting.

“Kreacher!” Luke excitedly calls out at the sight of the house elf.

“Master Lucerys.” He replies while bowing. “Kreacher is pleased to see Master Lucerys.”

“I’m very pleased to see you too, Kreacher. I’m sure you have time to play tea time with me, just like old times.” He finishes with a laugh as he fondly remembers them, more like Kreacher being forced to, playing together.

“Of course, Kreacher would be honored to play with Master Lucerys.”

“Luke.”

He turns to look at his dad standing by the doorway with a bright smile on his face.

“Dad!” Luke excitedly exclaims before tightly hugging him.

“Do you know what happened to Mum? Or where she is? Dumbledore wouldn’t tell me where she was-“ Luke rapidly asks his dad, desperate to find out where his sweet mum was and if she was safe.

“Luke.” A soft voice calls out causing a fond smile to form on older Luke’s face.

“Mum.” He says in relief at the sight of his, unharmed, mother.

“My Luke.” She says while hugging him, unaware of the pair of eyes watching them fondly.

“Are you okay? Dumbledore told me about the attack, but he said that you were alright. Are you going to be staying here from now on or are you going back to St. Mungo’s?” Luke rapidly asks every question.

His expression lightly falters at the sight of unawareness on his mum’s face. Even though he had just asked her so many questions, something most people would reply to, his mother looked as though he hadn’t said a single word. As though none of the words he said were processed in her mind, something that happened quite often whenever he, or anyone else, spoke to her.

She was sort of like that saying ‘In through one ear and out the other’, the only difference was that the words never even make in through one ear, much less go out the other.

It didn’t matter who it was. Anyone could be speaking to her but she, for the most part, never replied.

She was always in a sort of daze.

As if her mind was somewhere far, far away from here.

Though many wizards and witches have tried legilimency on her to see what she was thinking when she would dissociate, they never discovered anything. It was always blank. Absolutely no thoughts were being processed or thought about in her mind.

Sirius, at the sight of his upset son, immediately intercepted into the conversation.

“She’s alright. Nothing happened to her, they weren’t even able to reach the section in which she was in.” He states while wrapping his arms around the shoulders of his son and his wife.

Both of them stare at Sofia as she keeps the same small smile that always seems to be on her face. Her warm but vacant eyes looking around the room while her small and frail fingers play with her wedding ring, one she never took of.

“She’s staying with us now.” Sirius softly says while fondly staring at his oblivious wife.

“She is? She’s not going back to St. Mungo’s?” Luke asks.

“No, I didn’t want her there after what happened.”

“But how were you able to get her discharged from St. Mungo’s? Isn’t she supposed to be there at all times?”

“Dumbledore helped.” Sirius replies with a wide smile. “I don’t really know what he did or how he did it, but she’s staying with us now.”

The scene cuts to one he constantly thought about no matter how hard he tried not to. It wasn’t long before his fifth year would start, the Weasley’s, Hermione and Harry were all at Grimmauld Place already.

Fred and George, in the midst of pulling a prank, accidentally lost his mum’s wedding ring. She was constantly playing with it, twirling it around her finger as if it was the only thing that was helping her keep the last bit of her sanity.

No one really knew how it happened or what happened exactly, all anyone knew was that her ring was nowhere to be found and she was losing it.

He watched as Mrs. Weasley immediately urged all the kids back to their rooms, making sure they were locked inside.

Back then when it happened, he couldn’t see his mum as they were all locked into a room by Mrs. Weasley but he could hear her. Her loud and chilling screams causing her voice to crack at times. He remembered feeling terrified, he knew she wasn’t injured but it sounded as though she was being tortured. His mind quickly making him think that that was how she sounded when she was tortured into insanity.

Now it was so much worse.

He could see her.

And he could see her mental breakdown.

She was screaming bloody mary as tears streamed down her face and sob broke through her chest. She pulled at her hair and scratched down her face.

Sirius kept on trying to calm her down, talking to her in a soft manner while grabbing her hands so that she wouldn’t hurt herself. He desperately told her that everything was fine, they would find the ring. But he made the mistake of saying that he would get her a new ring.

She pushed him away from her, throwing things, kicking things and pushing things off of their places.

The other adults present watch in pity at sight of the young woman. Remus, specifically, had tears streaming his face as he tried to help Sirius.

Both men, who had tears streaming their faces, grabbed a hold of the woman causing her to trash around, desperate to be freed. She kicked, scratched, punched, and even attempted to bite them.

All of the adults, including the twins, had already tried to accio the ring but it didn’t appear. Every ring in the house appeared, except for her wedding ring.

Mrs. Weasley bursts in through the door while carrying two potions. One being a sleeping draught and the other was a calming drought.

He watches as she forces the liquid down his mother’s throat while Sirius and Remus hold her down.

Soon enough his mother is knocked out in his father’s arms. They all excuse themselves, leaving his mum and dad alone on the living room floor.

His dad holds her while softly brushing her hair back and away from her face before he breaks out in sobs. He feels tears cascading down his face at the sight of his broken and crying father.

His shoulders shake as deep sobs break through his chest. He starts rocking her body back and forth while whispering broken “I’m sorry”s over and over again.

The scene cuts to one he isn’t present in.

His mum sat in the bathtub with her legs bent towards her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. She blankly stares straight ahead, no doubt not processing the fact that his dad was sitting next to her.

His dad is sat on the side of the tub, his left hand running through his mum’s wet hair while his right hand slowly pours water out of a cup onto her hair, washing away the remaining soap.

The scene cuts to a bit later. His mum now sat on his dad’s bed, his dad walking in through the bathroom door while carrying a brush and hair ties.

His mum sat crisscross, with her back facing his dad, while playing with a small black dog plush toy that sat on her lap. She was softly humming as his dad softly ran the brush through her hair. He watches him part her hair before braiding it in two braids, not forgetting to fix her front bangs.

He fixes her on the bed to lay her down before covering her with her blanket and softly kissing her forehead. He goes to walk away before she grabs onto his wrist. She looks at him questionably, as if trying to figure out the words to say before softly uttering a single word.

“Stay.”

The scene continuously changes as it displays the beginning of his fifth year. Dealing with Umbridge, creating the D.A., practicing in the Room of Requirement, Mr. Weasley getting attacked and detentions.

Before it cuts to Christmas break.

He gifted his mum a few candles, something he knew helped her calm down, and lots of yarn for her to knit, something he knew she greatly enjoyed. He gifted his dad several records that he thought he would enjoy, knowing that he loved listening to music.

His mum gifted him and his matching plush toys. They were both black dogs, though Sirius’ was bigger, as if demonstrating that he was the dad, while Luke’s was smaller, as if demonstrating that he was the baby.

Even though Sofia didn’t really understand any of the words they spoke to her, she brightly smiled as she knew they liked their gifts if their wide smiles were anything to go off of.

Luke remembered how happy he felt. He didn’t care that his mum wasn’t sane or that his dad was a fugitive. He was just happy to have them both, to be the family he always imagined them to be.

He watched his younger self as he loudly laughed while sitting next to his mum, completely unaware of how drastically things would change.

The scenes continue, displaying the rest of his fifth year for him before displaying the scene he dreaded the most.

Tears immediately prick his eyes, knowing he’s going to be forced to witness this all over again.

Everyone was throwing spells everywhere. Aurors gathering the children, protecting them from the death eaters.

Sirius, Luke and Harry were standing together.

Next to the veil.

All three of them sending spells towards the death eaters they were dueling before his dad pushes himself in front of him, blocking him from the killing curse Bellatrix had sent his way.

He stands completely frozen, watching his father fall into the veil before disappearing.

He watches as Harry attempts to run after his dad before being grabbed by Remus. Harry runs after Bellatrix shortly after. Luke completely unaware of everything that was happening to him.

Finally reacting, he attempts to run straight into the veil before being grabbed by Remus. He pulls him away as he screams, tears streaming down his face as loud sobs break through his chest.

The scene changes as tears continue to stream down his face. They were in St. Mungo’s. It was right after what happened in the Department of Mysteries.

He sat in a chair in a random long, white hallway. The bright light illuminated him - his eyes swollen and red, blood running down his face, dirt and grim covering him and his shaking hands that laid on his lap.

He was completely unaware to the fact that his friends sat right beside him in a similar condition.

He finally looked up as he faintly heard loud voices. Rushing from down the hallway was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, followed by a dazed and confused Sofia Black.

They immediately begin talking to their kids and making sure everyone else was alright, all while Luke just stared at his mum.

His poor mum who looked around at everyone, confused as to what was happening and where they were. Unable to understand anything they’re saying, she continues looking around for the man she’s grown to enjoy the company of. The man she remembers to be named, Sirius. The man with the dark brown hair and grey eyes, who had several tattoos covering his body.

Unable to find him, she finds her baby.

Luke.

“Sirius?” She softly asks him.

Her baby breaks into loud sobs before he runs towards her, tightly hugging her while hiding his face in her neck. Confused, she tightly wraps her arms around him.

She looks around at the other kids and adults who were staring at them. She can see a few kids crying while the adults had sorrowful looks on their faces.

Finally a ginger haired woman, who was the one dragging her with them, walks up to her and says something thought Sofia is unable to understand what she said so she just continues to look at them confused.

She wasn’t able to understand what she said. But Luke who was watching his younger self cry in his mother’s arms could.

“Sirius is gone, sweetheart.”

The scene continues to change.

It displaying moments like when he refused to get out of bed so his mum, albeit a bit confused as to why he wouldn’t leave his bed and where Sirius had gone to and when he would return, joined him in bed. Tightly hugging him to her chest as a few tears slowly streamed down his face.

Or when his mum made him food, with the help of Kreacher, after struggling to figure out what to say to get him to understand what she meant. It was safe to say that Kreacher made all of the food while his mum stood there holding onto a spoon the entire time, but it was the thought that counts.

It showed his entire sixth year.

Meeting Professor Slughorn, who constantly praised his mother, Snape becoming their D.A.D.A. Professor, figuring out what was happening with Draco, being curious of who was the ‘Half-Blood Prince’, finding out about the horcruxes, Dumbledore dying, Snape being a death eater and killing Dumbledore, and coming to the decision that they wouldn’t return for their seventh year.

Spending his entire summer with his mum before he goes on the run, going through the Battle of the Seven Potters, attending Bill and Fleur’s wedding, leaving his mum behind to fond the horcruxes with Harry, Ron and Hermione, finding the locket and destroying it, finding the cup, almost dying a million times before arriving at Hogwarts through the secret tunnel.

He watches it all.

Ron and Hermione destroying the cup. Harry finding the diadem, which was destroyed in the fiendfyre that was cast by Goyle. Harry being ‘killed’ by Voldemort with the killing curse. And him killing nagini with the sword of Gryffindor.

The last thing he sees is the same thing he last remembers seeing, Bellatrix along with two death eaters by her side, each casting spells at him.

He feels himself being pulled back into the tunnel, like he originally felt and every time a scene would change. The bright light blue and purple lights surrounding him as his body warps as if he were apparating.

Finally his body fell on the hard concrete floor. He loudly groans in pain as he sits up, instantly recognizing the hallway as the same hallway where he encountered Bellatrix and the other death eaters.

He was confused as to what was going on. Why did he just witness his entire life story? Why weren’t the walls of the castle crumbling? Why is it bright out when it was barely going to be morning?

He walks down the hallway with a limp while tightly holding on to his wand with his right hand. He pauses as he realizes the pocket watch was nowhere to be found.

“Shit.”

Before he can continue walking down the hallway, a body slams into him causing him to stagger backwards.

“Oh, Merlin! I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” A voice quickly says before abruptly stopping.

“Holy shit.” Another voice calls out.

“Godric.” She says in disbelief. “Are you alright?”

He stares back in shock. Standing in front of him was his mum. Not only had she just said several sentences, something he’s never heard her say, but she looked much younger. Almost as if she was at student at Hogwarts.

He looks to the side before his eyes widen. His uncle Regulus Black, who has been dead for almost two decades, was standing in front of him. Staring at him with what looked to be concern and confusion.

“Are you alright?” She softly repeats.

“Uh- Yeah. Yeah. I’m fine.” He starts. “I just- I might sound a bit crazy but what year is it?”

“What year is it? Did you hit your head?” Regulus asks.

“Reggie.” Sofia sternly says while looking back at him. “It’s 1975. September 2, 1975.”

“1975?” Luke asks incredulously. “Holy shit.”

“Um- Why don’t we go to the Hospital Wing? You’re injured and-“

“No! No. Is Dumbledore al-“ He cuts himself off, remembering he can’t say that. If it is 1975, than Dumbledore is definitely alive. “Is Dumbledore here?”

“Yeah. He should be in his office.” She replies while looking confused at the young boy. “Would you like for us to take you to him?”

“Yes, that would be greatly appreciated.” He hastily nods as they stare at him in concern, his face getting paler by the second.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

Begin Again

Chapter 6

In the days that followed, there was not a single break for Mulciber and Avery. The boys placed dungbombs in their dorms, dyed their hair a bright orange and placed explosives in their food.

They didn’t die.

Sadly.

They just had to spend a few days in the hospital wing and the boys all received two weeks of detention.

But that’s not all. They were constantly getting hexed. Not just by them but by the rest of her friends. Soon enough everyone at Hogwarts found out about the fight and many Gryffindors, and few students from other houses, started hexing the two boys as well.

It was safe to say that they were going through hell. They constantly had to watch their back, and even then they would still get hexed.

Most Slytherins didn’t care as most of them didn’t like the two boys either, some even joined in hexing them, so they would just turn a blind eye when it would happen.

As the time passed she figured the boys would just let it go as they had already gotten their revenge.

It wasn’t until a few weeks after it happened that James arrived to the common room covered in blood.

It was late at night and the common room was empty, everyone already was in their dorms as the curfew had already passed a few hours ago but she had trouble sleeping so she decided to go to the common room to read by the fireplace.

“James! Are you ok? What happened?” She asked as she ran over to him.

“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?”

“I couldn’t sleep so I came downstairs to read.” She says after making him sit down and beginning to clean his face with a random cloth she found. “But don’t try and change the subject. What happened?”

“I might’ve gone out looking for Mulciber and Avery.” James replies while looking away from her.

“You fought them? Why?” She asks incredulously. “You could’ve seriously been hurt! It’s hardly fair for two to go up against one.”

“Careful, love. It might sound as if you’re worried about me.” He says with a cheeky grin.

Stephanie scoffs while trying to hide her blushing cheeks, “I’m not worried! It was just an observation.”

“Then why are you cleaning the blood off my face if you aren’t worried?”

“Don’t try to change the conversation. Why did you go and fight them?”

“Because I wanted to. They deserved it after hurting my girl.” He replies while shrugging.

Stephanie felt her stomach flip and fill with butterflies at his comment. ‘My girl’. She held back the grin she so desperately wanted to let out while squealing in her head.

She wanted to run up the stairs, wake up Hermione and tell her about what he said before squealing while jumping up and down.

But she forced herself to stay seated next to him. She didn’t want to act like a fool, especially in front of him.

“They could’ve hurt you, badly.” She quietly mutters.

“I don’t care. I would gladly end up in St. Mungo’s for defending you.” James replied.

She stopped cleaning his face when he tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. She held her breath as she made eye contact with him, his blue eyes focusing only on her. They silently stared at one another before she looked away, feeling nervous.

“Did you win?” She jokingly asks causing him to laugh.

“I think so.” He replies smugly. “They’re in the hospital wing and I’m not.”

“How do you know that they’re in the hospital wing?”

“We may or may not have been caught by Professor Slughorn.” He replies with a sheepish smile.

“James!” Stephanie exclaimed incredulously.

“It’s just detention!”

“How long did you get detention for?”

“Well I got two weeks and they only got one.” He replies while rolling his eyes. “Favoritism.”

“To be fair, you did beat up two students.” Stephanie says with a slight grimace.

“How dare you! I did it to defend your honor!” James dramatically gasps causing her to laugh before he starts smiling while staring at her.

“Well, my knight in shining armor, what would you like as a reward?” She asks with a wide smile.

“A date.”

She stares back at him in shock. Even though, she had agreed to go on a date with him right before they went on summer break, she had been avoiding it.

Not because she didn’t want to go on a date with him - Merlin, no - but rather because every time she thought about it, she would get so excited that she would begin to feel sick to her stomach.

She was quite terrified, if she was being honest. She didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of him but she also didn’t want to go on the date, only for him to get bored of her and realize that she wasn’t worth it.

James could tell she was shocked by what he said. He knew she was quite nervous about going on a date with him, mainly because Chris told him after overhearing her conversation with Hermione and Lily, but also because he could tell she was nervous.

He acted quite confident in front of his friends and in front of everyone really but he was just as terrified. He was scared that they would go on a date and she would find him annoying or not up to her standards. That maybe she would see him in the way so many people did, an immature arrogant spoiled brat.

“A date?” She nervously asks.

“Yeah. We can go to hogsmeade on Saturday.” He replies before growing even more nervous. “If- If you’d like, of course.”

“How could I say no to the boy who got in a fight to defend my honor?” Stephanie says with a shy smile.

“Is that a yes?” James asks with a growing smile.

“Yes, it’s a yes.” She replies while giggling.

“I’ll meet you by the entrance then, after breakfast?” He asks before she nods.

“I’ll see you there.”

“I’ll be waiting.” James replies with a lovesick smile causing her to giggle again.

“Goodnight, James.”

“Goodnight, Stephanie.”

They stood from the couch facing one another before Stephanie moves towards him. She stands on her tippy toes before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. As she pulls away, she can see him stare back at her in shock causing her to giggle.

“Goodnight.” She says for the last time.

As she walks up the stairs, heading to her dorm, she is unaware of the lovesick look he stares at her with. He softly held his cheek, where she placed the kiss, while grinning excitedly before fist bumping the air and jumping in excitement.

It was safe to say that neither of them slept that night.

Stephanie laid in bed imagining what would happen during their date and what she would wear. And maybe even what their future would look like if their date went successful.

Would he also want a summer wedding? What dress would she choose? Where would they get married? Who would they invite? Will they have kids? Would they be boys or girls? And how many kids would they have?

She was completely unaware of the fact that James Potter laid in his bed awake with a wide grin as he stared at the ceiling thinking of the exact same thing that she was.

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jamesbetch · 1 year ago

Text

Begin Again

Chapter 5

During the summer break, Stephanie spent every waking moment writing in her journal. The diaries were an amazing idea by her as the four teenagers wouldn’t stop talking to each other. Everything was great.

Until it wasn’t.

It was late July of 1976 when the communicating between the four teenagers stopped.

She wrote to them every hour of every day but never received a reply. She was worried that something had happened to them.

The first thought was that maybe Regulus and Pandora’s parents found out about the diaries. But that was almost instantly discarded as Barty’s parents knew they were friends and didn’t care, he should at least be to answer her.

But he didn’t.

She wrote to them as group and individually, but never received a respond. It wasn’t until almost a week later that she finally got a reply.

‘Sirius has been disowned.

R.A.B.’

She wrote back to him day and night but he never replied again, neither did Pandora or Barty.

Chris, who had been over at the Potter’s the day Sirius ran away, hadn’t told her what had happened. Which is why she found out through Regulus. In his words, ‘it has nothing to do with you.’

She spent the rest of the summer depressed. She was worried about Reggie. Every time she would think about what could happen to him now that Sirius was no longer the heir, she would feel sick to her stomach.

By the end of the break, she had lost weight. She was pale, had dark circles under her eyes and was skinnier from all the times she was sick and from of the lose of appetite.

By the time September 1st rolled around, it looked like she had been through hell.

She still looked beautiful. Her dark brown haired that reached the bottom of her back, her front bangs that laid delicately on her face, her dark brown eyes that looked like pools of honey while in the sun.

Even with the lose of weight, her body had matured over the summer - many people had already commented to her. She had lost any remaining baby fat from her face, her breasts had gotten bigger, her hips had gotten wider, her thighs had gotten thicker and she had gotten taller - she was now 5’8”.

She had already said her goodbyes to her parents before boarding the train with her three brothers and her friends. Lorenzo and Matthew were starting their seventh year, Chris was starting his sixth year and she was starting her fifth year, alongside Harry, Luke, Hermione and Ron.

Even though she desperately wanted to see Regulus, Pandora and Barty already, she was nervous. She didn’t know if something else had happened that she wasn’t aware of. She was scared that maybe she had unintentionally done something to offend them.

So she spent the majority of the train ride in her usual compartment with Luke, Hermione, Harry and Ron. She only left the compartment to get changed into her robes and when she had to go to the prefects meeting with Harry.

They could tell that she was anxious - if her bouncing leg, her bitting her bottom lip and picking and her cuticles was anything to go off of.

They talked about everything and anything, with Stephanie barely adding in on the conversation, before receiving a visit.

It was Lily, Marlene, Alice and Mary.

They greeted everyone before sitting down, albeit it was a bit of a tight fit but they made it work, and continuing the conversation.

She was so deep in thought while looking out the window that she didn’t hear them calling her. She feels Luke, who was sitting to her right, nudge her.

“What?” She softly says to him.

“They’re calling you.” He replies.

She looks up and see them all staring at her, alongside their new visitors that she hadn’t noticed.

The marauders stood by the compartment door, all them crammed together by the door to be able to look into the compartment.

“Congratulations on making prefect!” Alice excitedly told her.

“Thank you.” She replies with a weak smile.

“Are you ok?” Lily asks with a worried look.

“She’s fine, probably still worried about her boyfriend.” Chris says while sitting down.

Hermione had charmed the compartment to be able to also fit the rest of the boys.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” She tells him after rolling her eyes.

He had been like that during the entire summer. He, along with the rest of the marauders, never liked Slytherins. He only liked their brothers and their mom because they’re ‘the good kind of Slytherins’.

He also wasn’t very happy with the fact that she was friends with Slytherins but never voiced his opinion much as he knew she wouldn’t hesitate to tell their mom. Last time that happened, he had been grounded for a month and received an embarrassing howler.

But after Sirius ran away, he immediately began badmouthing his entire family, including Regulus, so Chris and James joined in.

Remus and Peter hadn’t been at the Potter Manor when Sirius arrived, and they also didn’t hate every single Slytherin like the other boys, so they mostly kept quiet when they would go on their rants.

Their rants being about how all Slytherins were trash, they’re all evil and will all end up being death eaters.

“What are you talking about?” Marlene asks Chris.

“She’s worried about Regulus.” He replied with a disgust look on his face. “Has been for the majority of the summer.”

“Can you stop?” She tells him.

“Why would she be worried about Regulus?”

“Something about him not replying to her love letters or something like that.”

“They’re not love letters.” She glares at him. “And if you just came here to talk bad about my friends, then you can leave.”

“But we just got here.” He replies with a mocking frown causing Sirius and James to laugh.

“Remus and Peter are welcomed to stay, you three can leave.” She says while glaring at the three laughing boys.

“I think I’ll stay. I’m quite comfortable here.” He says with a cocky smirk.

“Don’t be an asshole.” Remus says while looking at her brother.

“Who cares about that stupid Slytherin,” James starts, not noticing how Sirius’ grin slightly fell at his words. “When you got me.”

She glares at him as he stares back at her with a cocky grin. He looks her up and down, checking her out. She noticed how his eyes lingered on her chest.

“I think I’d rather be with that ‘stupid Slytherin’ than be around you.” She replies before walking out the compartment.

“Wait, darling!”

“Ooo.” Sirius, Chris, Marlene, Mary and Alice say, making fun of James.

She noticed it wouldn’t be long before they would arrive at Hogsmeade Station causing her to hurry. She wanted to speak to them before they had to leave the train.

She soon finds them sitting in a compartment together. Regulus and Pandora sitting on the left bench while Barty sat on the right bench.

“Reggie, Panda, Barty!” She exclaims while closing the door and pulling down the blindes, not noticing the look they shared with one another.

They stayed sitting down, they would always stand up and hug her tightly, and just stared at her. Pandora had a weak smile on her face - though Stephanie could tell that it was forced - while Regulus and Barty had a serious look on their face.

She knew that look. It was the look they wore in public. When they were around others so that they wouldn’t talk to them. They had never once had that look when she was with them. But now they did.

She wanted to hug them but knew it would only make things more awkward so she sat down next to Barty instead.

She picked at her fingers as the awkward silence filled the compartment. No one saying a single word. It seemed as though they weren’t even breathing from how quiet they were.

“I’m sorry about what happened, Reggie.” She says after a while. “If I could have, I would’ve gone over to make sure you wer-“

“I’m fine.” He replied sternly.

“Right, sorry.” She quietly murmurs while looking down at her lap. “You guys didn’t come over.”

It was tradition. Ever summer break, since first year, they would go over to the Thornhart Manor for about a week or so. There hadn’t been a single summer where they hadn’t gone over.

Except this summer.

They didn’t say anything. Pandora looked around the compartment, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone, while Regulus and Barty stared at each other, as if they were silently communicating.

“Why didn’t any of you reply to me?” She quietly says. “Did I do something? Or did I say something mean to one of you? What- What did I do? Why won’t you talk to me?”

Again, she was met with silence.

“Was it because I called you ‘Bartemius’, Barty? Because if it was, I won’t do it again. I swear I only said it as a jo-“

“We don’t want to be friends with you anymore.” Regulus says while staring at her with a serious look on his face.

She felt her heart drop. Her best friend - her little brother - was looking at her as if she was an annoying stranger that was sat too close to him. He just told her that he didn’t want anything to do with her, after they pinky promised each other to always be best friends in their first year.

She felt her heart break, she actually physically felt pain in her chest. Her ears started ringing before her stomach started turning, as if she was going to barf.

“What?”

“We don’t want to be friends with you anymore.” He repeats with the same look on his face causing her to start tearing up.

“Wh- what? Why?” She says as the first couple of tears start to roll down her cheeks. “Did I do something? I mean, what did I do? I’m sorry - I don’t know what I did but-“

“We didn’t answer you because we didn’t want to.” He replies while looking her in the eye.

Pandora was looking down at her lap and Barty was looking out the window. Neither of them looked surprised or opposed to what Regulus was saying.

“What?” She asks with a hurt tone.

“We figured you would get the hint and save yourself the embarrassment,” He says while staring at her with a judging look. “But I guess not.”

“But- We’re best friends, Reggie!” She says with her voice cracking. “We all are! Panda, Barty, you guys can’t be serious. Is this some sort of sick joke?”

“It’s not a joke.” Regulus says while rolling his eyes, now looking annoyed.

The train had stopped, she hadn’t noticed when, and they could hear the commotion outside the compartment as everyone left the train.

“But I didn’t do anything!” She says with a chocked sob. “Reggie, please. I didn’t do-“

“Don’t call me that.” He says while glaring at her.

“I’ve always called you Reggie.” She states with a look of hurt and confusion.

Everyone had left the train by now, the aisle outside was quiet. They were most likely the only ones on the train now.

Before Regulus could reply, Barty beats him to it.

“It’s not that big of a deal. We don’t want to be friends with you anymore. It’s that simple.” He says while groaning before standing up and grabbing his belongings.

He waits on the aisle, waiting for Pandora and Regulus who were doing the same he just did.

“Panda, come on. We’re best friends! We have been since first year.” She says as more tears streamed down her face.

“Sorry.” Pandora murmurs while shrugging before walking away with Barty.

“Reggie, please.” She begs, now getting desperate that she was going to lose her best friends.

“I already told you to not call me that.” He glares at her before walking out the compartment.

“But-“

“We’re not friends, Thornhart. We never were.” He replied before slamming the compartment door shut.

Thornhart.

He called her, Thornhart.

Her best friends just told her that they didn’t want to be friends anymore and her best friend called her by her last name.

It didn’t matter if they were arguing or if he was annoyed or in a bad mood, he had never once called her by her last name.

She now knew that they were being serious. She wanted to believe that they were playing a sick prank on her, that she would open the compartment door and they would be waiting for her before they would all burst out laughing. But they weren’t.

She walked down the aisle of the quiet and abandoned train while sobbing. She didn’t care about wiping her tears away or being quiet, no one was there. She thought that no one would see her or hear her.

But she was wrong.

“Awww. Is the little princess hurt?” A voice mockingly says behind her as a loud and annoying laugh is heard.

She turns around to find the two most annoying Slytherins that have ever existed, Mulciber and Avery.

She turns back around, trying to get off the train as she didn’t want to start any problems. Avery, who saw what she was trying to do, quickly ran in front of her.

“Leaving so soon?” He mockingly asks

“I just want to get off the train.” She replies while wiping away her tears. “I don’t want to start any trouble.”

“Oh, she doesn’t want to start any trouble?” Avery asks as they both laugh. “Well, princess, what if we do want to start some trouble?”

She immediately knew she was fucked.

She had left her wand in the compartment and hadn’t grabbed it when she left to go talk to Regulus, Barty and Pandora. She knew Hermione, or one of her other friends, would get her wand for her but she needed it now.

“I just want to get off the train.” She repeats.

“What’s the magic word?”

She sighs, “Please.”

“Mmh, no. I think we should have some fun instead.” Avery says while tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “Don’t you think?”

Stephanie took a deep breath as he touched her cheek. She knew she had to get out of there before things took a turn for the worse.

She could see the exit to the train, it was about fifteen to twenty feet away from where she was standing. She tried to think of a plan on how to get out of this situation but she came up short handed. The only thing she could do was run away.

So that’s what she did.

She pushed Avery out of the way before booking it towards the exit. She wasn’t able to get far before she was pulled back by her hair.

Mulciber had a tight grip on her hair and pulled it back harshly before slamming her to the wall. She groans as her back and her head harshly hits the wall.

“Thought you could get away?” He mockingly asked before gripping her neck.

She desperately clawed at his hand as he tightened his grip. She felt the air leaving her lungs and grew more desperate the longer he held his grip.

“Why don’t we take her to a compartment and have so fun with her before she’s back on her way to King’s Cross?” He asks Avery with a huge grin.

Her eyes widened at the realization of what he was referring to. She felt more tears roll down her cheeks, terrified of what could happen to her.

She didn’t know what to do, her mind blank of any spells or hexes that she could without her wand.

The only thing that popped into her mind was the saying her mom always told her since she was a little girl.

‘If you’re ever in trouble because a boy is trying to hurt you, kick him in the nuts as hard as you can and run.’

She quickly brought her knee up and hit him in the groin before taking a deep breath. He fell to his knees holding on to his crotch.

Avery quickly lunges at her, punching her in the nose. She loudly groans as she feels blood gushing out of her nose before punching him back.

She immediately turns around and runs towards the exit before he grabs her from behind. He had his arm around her neck, trying to choke her.

In her desperation, she reaches behind her as scratches his face. He loosens his hold on her causing her to bring her head back and headbutt him in the face.

He lets her go, holding on to his noise that was bleeding. Mulciber had gotten up and punched her in the face, knocking her down to the ground.

She laid on the floor groaning in pain while holding her nose, that was throbbing in pain and wouldn’t stop bleeding. She sees Mulciber and Avery walking towards her with the same grin on their faces before freezing.

“Don’t touch her!”

“Come on, mate. We weren’t doing anything.” Avery says as they both hold their hands up.

“Leave.” A voice says. “Or i’ll hex you.”

Both boys shared annoyed looks with each other, silently agreeing it wasn’t worth it as they were without their wands, before leaving the train.

She sits up while groaning in pain before looking up to see the person that saved her.

Standing in front of her, with a worried look on his face while clutching his wand, was Xenophilius Lovegood.

“Are you alright?” He asks while holding his hand out to help her up.

“Yeah,” She loudly groans while standing up with his help. “Thank you. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t saved me.”

“I didn’t save you, I was just helpin-“

“You did. You did save me.” She says with a grateful smile. “Trust me, from what they said, they didn’t have good intentions.”

He nods with a soft smile before they walk out the train together. They start walking towards the trail, where the carriages would always be waiting, before finding it empty. Mulciber and Avery weren’t there so she could only assume that they took the last carriage to the castle.

They continue walking down the trail, that leads straight to the front gates of Hogwarts, before she finally speaks up.

“I’m sorry I made you miss the carriages, by the way.” She says guiltily.

“That’s alright.” He replies with a reassuring smile. “Besides I like to walk.”

“Oh! I didn’t even introduce myself.” She says before sticking her hand out. “I’m Steph-“

“Stephanie Thornhart. Yes, I know.” He says while shaking her hand. “I’m Xeno-“

“Xenophilius Lovegood.”

“You know my name?” He asks in surprise.

“Of course I do. We’re in the same year but you’re in Ravenclaw. We’ve had classes together since first year.”

“Oh.” He says in realization.

Stephanie continues holding her nose in her hands, trying to stop the bleeding. She hisses in pain, immediately knowing that her nose was broken.

“Would you like me to fix it for you?”

“Um- Have you ever fixed a nose before?”

“No but I’ve done several toes,” He starts before slightly shrugging. “And how different are they really?”

“Um- Ok, yeah.” She replies while nodding. “Give it a go.”

She stands still as he points his wand at her. “Episkey.” She loudly groans in pain while staggering backwards and holding on to her nose. She takes a deep breath as the pain starts fading away before facing him.

“How- how do I look?”

“Exceptionally ordinary.”

“Brilliant.” She nods. “Thank you again, Xenophilius.”

They continue walking down the trail while talking about their mutual love for magical creatures.

“Bowtruckles are lovely, I’ve always wanted one since I was a child.” She excitedly says.

“Yes, they are quite lovely creatures. I’ve written about them in The Quibbler.”

“The Quibbler? What is that?”

“It’s a tabloid newspaper. I’m the editor.”

“Really? What do you write about?” She asks in intrigue.

“Mostly conspiracy theories and magical creatures.”

“Where can I buy it?”

“You want to buy it?” He asks in surprise.

“Of course, it sounds interesting.” She replies as they arrive at the front gates.

“Here.” He hands her a magazine after taking it out of his bag.

“How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing.” He replies with a smile.

Before she can respond, a voice interrupts their conversation.

“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for the two of you.” Professor Flitwick says.

“Sorry, Professor. We missed the carriages.” She responds with an apologetic smile.

“Very well, you should get to the Great Hall. The feast should be starting soon.”

“Yes, Professor.” She nods before they head to Great Hall.

“I hope there’s pudding.” Xenophilius says as they near the entrance to the Great Hall.

They part ways, with Stephanie thanking him again, as she heads to the Gryffindor table and he heads to the Ravenclaw table.

“Why are you covered in blood?” Harry and Luke ask in unison.

She sat beside them, Luke in between the two, while Hermione and Ron sat across from them. Much to her dismay, as she knew they wouldn’t stop asking questions, the marauders and the girls were sitting next to them.

James sat next to Harry while Sirius and Chris sat next to his right, Remus and Peter sat across from them, next to Ron. Lily sat to Stephanie’s left, with Alice to her left, while Mary and Marlene sat across from them, next to Hermione.

“What happened to y-“ Lily is cut off by James.

He stood up from his seat before cramming into the spot to her left, making Lily move farther down to give him room, much to her annoyance.

“Who did this to you?”

She was surprised at his eerily calm tone, she was sure he was going to cause a big scene. But she hadn’t notice the hidden anger in his voice, something all their friends immediately noticed.

He grabbed a cloth napkin before delicately grabbing her face and softly wiping the blood away.

She stared at him, almost as if she was in a daze, as he focused on cleaning her face. His furrowed brows, something he always did when concentrating and his blue eyes that now stared back at her.

His left hand delicately held her face as his right stopped cleaning her face. He stared back at her, as if he was silently asking her if she was okay.

“Holy shit!” One of them exclaims causing her to snap out it.

She turns to look at them, only to find them staring towards the entrance of the Great Hall. She turns and sees Mulciber and Avery walk in.

Mulciber had scratches all over his face, scratches she hadn’t even realized she made while he was choking her, and Avery had a broken and bloody nose with a long and deep scratch on his face that went from the right side of his forehead down to his right cheek.

They seemed to have noticed the big group staring at them as they glared at them - most importantly, glared at her.

Her group of friends noticed this and immediately began asking questions after glaring back at them.

“Did you jump them?” Marlene jokingly asks.

“More like, they jumped me.” She replies while wiping the blood that kept pouring from her nose.

“They jumped you?!” They all ask in shock at the same time.

“Yeah.” She groans while getting another napkin, the other being full of blood already.

“Why?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs.

“I thought you went to go talk to Regulus? Was he in on it too?” Lily asks.

At the mention of Regulus, she looks up towards the Slytherin table. She looks around trying to find him, only to find him and Barty staring back at her already. They stare at her for a few seconds before looking away.

“He was in on it?” Sirius asks with a tone of disgust while glaring at his brother.

“No. He didn’t know. We sort of had an argument.”

“An argument? You two never argue.” Chris states.

And it was true. In their five years of friendship they hardly ever argued, so much so that they could probably count in one hand the amount of times they ever fought.

“Well we did this time.” She snaps at him.

Stephanie was usually very calm and patient, she was the most patient out of all of them, so her snapping at him made it very clear that she didn’t want to talk about it.

“So what happened with Mulciber and Avery?”

She sighs before explaining what took place after her ‘argument’ with Regulus. She obviously left out the part where they said what they planned on doing to her, not wanting to cause anymore problems and not really feeling comfortable enough to speak about it.

All of them were obviously left seething in anger after she finished explaining the story. They all wanted to go over to them and hex them nonstop.

“I’m fine, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Not that big of a deal?” James finally snaps. “They beat you up for no reason and you say it’s not that big of a deal?”

“I’m fine-“

“You’re injured!”

“I’ll heal. It’s just a bit of blood and a few bruises.” She says while shrugging.

“A bit of blood is what they’ll lose after we’re done with them.” Chris says while glaring at them. “Come on, prongs.”

“Where are you going?” She asks them after James stands up.

“We’re going to get them back for what they did to you.” James says angrily. “Padfoot, you coming?”

James and Chris start walking away before they’re quickly joined by Sirius. All three boys already talking about what they’re going to do to the two Slytherins.

“But you haven’t eaten dinner!” She exclaims.

“That’s not important right now, love.” James says while walking back and pressing a kiss on her cheek. “You are.”

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