#he'd do anything for harry with regulus too

[calamitoustide]

I have a question about the sad James/sad Harry au you just posted about. Regulus seems to be the one really holding them together since he isn’t dealing with the same things as the other two. So I’m just curious how you think James and Harry would handle it if he wasn’t there to help/able to help. Like how they would react/communicate if he suddenly died or if he was injured or in a coma or if he had a really important work trip or something and he couldn’t physically be there to support them/help them communicate

okay so like Regulus is holding them together but that's not to say that James is doing nothing and I do think they get to the point where James is okay and not just depending on Regulus for a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to helping with his and Harry's mental health.

That being said in this case James isn't as mentally unwell as you might think he is, at least not the idea I had. His feelings are a lot of his old feelings resurfacing. He's seeing his baby go through he same things he did, so he's looking back at it. He's feeling a lot of guilt, but it's not the same as it was. So in that case I do think James would push through for Harry and could hold him up knowing everything he knows. He is in a better place, and he does have coping strategies. He'd also probably be going to therapy since his teen years which would help him work through it to fully be there for Harry.

If it's the case where both James and Harry are slipping I still think James would step up, he just would put off all his feelings for Harry. No matter how tired he is or how awful he feels Harry comes first. If he doesn't have anyone to lean all he'd figure out a way to stand anyway. For Harry, he'd do it.

Also in my original idea it was divorced jily so there is also Lily who would be able to help with Harry, and Remus would come in and help James stay on his feet when Harry isn't with him.

I don't think there's any world in which James doesn't have a support system around him to help him with Harry, but I also think if it was just him and Harry in the house he'd step up. Maybe he wouldn't be the best at communicating how he feels at first. Maybe he wouldn't be the best at seeming open for Harry to come to him, but they would figure it out. In no world does James just give up on Harry especially since he knows how isolating it used to make him feel.

Also with Regulus, there would come to a point where Regulus needs to be taken care of too. There's only so much a person can take, especially when his main support system is down. They would need to figure it out for him too.

All in all, yes I do think they would figure it out. I think it would be hard and James isn't good at talking about it, making it really hard for Harry to talk about it. But if James needs to talk about it for Harry's benefit he'd talk about it. I feel like without Regulus he'd just come to that conclusion even sooner.

[my-castles-crumbling]

jegulus with foster kid - @into-the-jeggyverse 's jegulus bingo - word count: 501

"So?" James asked softly, wrapping his arm around Regulus's waist and pulling him in close. "What do you think?"

Regulus looked slowly around the room and took a long moment to take in the changes they'd made over the past few weeks. They'd painted the previously-white walls a calming light green, added a twin-sized bed with the softest sheets and comforter they could find at the local department store, worked together to build a bookshelf and desk while only breaking out into an argument twice.

The room had been transformed from a bland storage-slash-office space to a child's bedroom.

"I think..." Regulus murmured, gazing at the bed, "I think it needs toys. A teddy, or something?" he asked, looking up at his husband, who smiled softly down at him.

"That's a great idea, love. What if we get one now, and then we let them pick out more when they arrive?" James asked, free hand moving to trace over Regulus's jawline, eyes sparkling with adoration.

"Alright."

Regulus swallowed and looked back into the room again. It had been a huge and terrifying decision to take this step. Never in his life had he ever thought he would want kids. What with his own traumatic upbringing and his lack of confidence with anyone under twenty, the idea still made him feel nauseous. But after the first time he and James had looked after Teddy, Sirius and Remus's son, something surprising and soft had stirred inside him that had taken a while to name. It had been the way he felt, curling up with James and the small three-month-old on their couch. The domesticity, far from scaring Regulus, had made him nearly melt, and looking over to see James beaming down at the pair of him had made him picture them sitting there with their own child.

It took him an entire year after that to bring the idea up to James. But as soon as he did, the other man was ecstatic.

"I want everything with you, Reg," he'd said breathlessly. "But if you don't want this...I don't want anything without you. It's absolutely your decision."

"I...I want this. With you," he'd found himself whispering.

So now they were here. Preparing a room for a foster child set to come stay with them in only 24 hours' time. And Regulus was...he was everything. Scared. Thrilled. Nauseous.

"What if he hates me?" Regulus mumbled as James pulled him into his chest, the warm embrace giving him just an ounce of comfort. "What if I'm a horrible parent?"

"He could never," James whispered into his hair. "And you could never. You're too perfect."

As it turned out, Harry, the tiny five-year old that showed up on their doorstep the next morning, took to Regulus just as quickly as Regulus took to him. And within another year, Regulus found himself sitting on his couch again, curled up with James, Harry in between them.

[ca-3-lestis]

Late night blues.

"Dad."

"Dad, wake up."

James jerked awake from his deep slumber, looking around. He saw a six year old Harry standing next to him, with his head down and hands to the side. The six year old was growing at a rapid speed, in James's opinion. But in that moment, he'd never looked smaller.

James got out of bed, trying not to wake up his sleeping husband. He and Harry walked to the kitchen. James got a cup for the boy as Harry took a seat on the countertop.

"Bad dream?" James asked, facing Harry.

The only reply that he got back was a timid nod from the six year old.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

In return, James received yet another nod.

Harry took in a breath. "I saw papa, he was drowning. It was on some rocky island, there was a basin filled with dark water. Papa was drinking the water, and it was hurting him. He was in so much pain, dad."

Tears were slipping from Harry's eyes, but he wiped them roughly.

"And then some creatures started to walk towards him, and pulled him in," Harry continued, his voice breaking. "They never let him go, he was drowning and he never made it up."

James pulled Harry into a tight hug, letting him cry out all his sorrows. Once Harry pulled back, James bent down to his level. James hated the fact Harry had to feel this pain, the fear of losing someone so close to him.

"Your father loves you very much, Haz," James said fiercely. "He's safe, and so are you. That's all that matters."

"You being safe matters too," Harry mumbled quietly.

James smiled. "You wanna sleep with us tonight?"

Harry nodded, and the two made their way back to the bedroom. James let Harry get into bed before getting in himself. Regulus stirred, and when he saw Harry next to him, he smiled and took him into his arms, the both falling asleep with each others comfort.

James looked at the two with a soft smile on his face, knowing that he had found his true loves. These were the people he would do absolutely anything for. They were his family.

[bradleysass]

Stay - @into-the-jeggyverse - wc: 578

Regulus recognized the knock before he even opened the door. It was uneven, hesitant, and followed by the telltale sound of someone leaning against the frame. He exhaled sharply, already knowing what he’d find on the other side.

And there he was.

James Potter, barely standing, reeking of whiskey and grief. His glasses were crooked on his nose, his shirt misbuttoned as if he’d tried—half-heartedly—to put himself together before coming here. But there was no masking the raw edges of him, the bloodshot eyes, the faint tremor in his fingers.

Regulus clenched his jaw.

"You can't stay here, James," he said, voice tight, carefully controlled.

James let out a slow, heavy breath and swayed slightly, catching himself against the doorframe. He tried to smile, but it was fractured. "Reg," he murmured, like that one word could fix anything, like it could make this moment any less pathetic.

"You're drunk," Regulus said flatly.

James laughed, a hollow sound. "Yeah. What's new?"

The words cut. They weren't meant to, but they did. Regulus had been here before—years ago, drowning himself in the same poison James now drank to forget. Five years sober, five years spent clawing his way out of the darkness, and now here James was, willingly sinking into it.

"I told you," Regulus said, keeping his voice steady. "If you showed up like this, I wouldn’t let you in."

James blinked, slow and heavy, like the words took a moment to register. "C'mon, Reggie," he slurred, and Regulus' fingers curled into his palms. James only ever called him that when he was drunk, when he was desperate, when he didn't want to be alone with the ghost of her.

Regulus closed his eyes. He wanted to be angry. Maybe he was. Maybe he was furious that James had let himself fall apart, that he was drowning in something Regulus had spent years pulling himself out of. That James knew—knew—how hard this was for him and still did it anyway.

But more than anything, he was tired.

"You need to go home," Regulus said.

James gave him a lopsided grin that didn’t reach his eyes. "I don't have a home."

Regulus' chest ached at that.

James had a house. A house filled with memories of Lily, of the life they had built, the life that had been ripped from him. A house where Harry still slept, where James was supposed to be a father, but instead, he was here. At Regulus' doorstep. Again.

"You can't keep doing this," Regulus whispered, voice barely above the sound of the wind.

James swayed forward, too close, his breath warm and soaked in liquor. "I don't know how to stop."

Regulus inhaled sharply, every part of him screaming to reach out, to pull James in, to fix him, to break alongside him if it meant he wouldn’t be alone. But he couldn't. He'd spent too long trying to put himself back together to shatter for James now.

So he stepped back.

And James, blinking in confusion, took too long to understand what that meant.

"Go home, James," Regulus said, and then he closed the door.

He leaned against it, fists clenched, breath shaking. He could still hear James outside, could hear the way he lingered, the muffled sound of his breathing, the way he swallowed back whatever words he wanted to say.

Then, after too long, he heard footsteps retreating.

Regulus exhaled.

He didn't open the door again.

[noblehouseofgay]

A Mix of Us

Jegulus microfic

Trans regulus

Cw: talk of pregnancy

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

They had just finished putting Harry to bed for the night, and now Regulus and James we're relaxing on the couch. James pulled Regulus into his side, kissing the top of his head. Regulus felt him smiling into the kiss, he let out a small sigh in response.

It was quiet, peaceful even. But quiet enough for Regulus to be thinking about too much. He has loved being Harry's dad along with James. He's loved it more than he ever thought he would. Well, he never thought he would be that to Harry. Never thought he deserved it. But one day Harry called him papa, and Regulus ran to cry for two hours over it.

Nonetheless, he's loved every bit of it. He's surprised to find that children can be wonderful things sometimes. And he's even more surprised at the next words out of his own mouth.

"If you ever wanted another.....kid, I mean....I think I'd be ok with that. I think I'd like it actually." James leaned forward a little to look at his husband. "Really? Enjoying fatherhood that much are we?" Regulus laughed a little. "I am, yes. I just mean, I know you're the family type. And I think I'm starting to see why. So if in the future, that's something we want. I'm alright with it."

James eyes softened as he kissed Regulus sweetly. "We could adopt Harry a little sibling. Oh, that would be so adorable, I think he would love it."

Regulus bit his lip. "Or we could...we could have one ourselves." He couldn't meet James' eyes. "One that's made from a little bit of us both. Together."

James was silent for a moment. He leaned forward and gently held Regulus' chin. "Are you sure? I'm completely fine with adoption or surrogacy or- whatever. You never ever have to do that if you don't want to, I know how you've felt about it."

Regulus nodded a little. "I know. But I think....I think with you, with Harry, with this life...it could be different. I think maybe, I'd like one that...looks like a mix of us." His face was warm, he could feel it. He never thought he'd feel this way and it was scary to admit.

James smiled, eyes holding nothing but love. "You can always change your mind, alright? It's not like we'd be doing it soon so you can always say no. I never want to make you uncomfortable, especially not for nine months." James laughed a little.

Regulus could only smile at his caring husband. So kind, so compassionate. He cared about Regulus so deeply it astounded him. How could he be so lucky to end up with someone like this?

He pulled James' close and kissed him. "I think I would do anything as long as I'm with you."

[changetheprophecy81]

Unpopular opinion but......

Am I the only one who misses the og marauders? The marauders fandom isn't even about the marauders now, 99% of their canon personality traits hv been replaced with cliqued behaviour. For some reason there's a massive obsession with their sexuality and I just don't get it? Lyk can't u have a character with any sexual orientation with personality traits outside it anymore? Does there really need to be a complete erasure of their most defining traits? I just wish we could get the actual marauders era characters back

James Potter: Pureblood, rich, intelligent, arrogant, a bully, but extremely loyal; took Sirius in and turned into an animagus for his werewolf bestie when the whole world would have shunned him; he could have led a life of utmost comfort but chose to risk his life and fight for those he loved in a war that didn't even concern him personally. His last words were asking his wife and child to escape while he tried to hold voldy off without a wand

Sirius Black: Haughty, a bully, extremely good looking, cool, rich, blood traitor by 16, comes from a family of literal death eaters, very intelligent, loyal, will do anything for those he loves( especially james and later Harry), thick as hell (my boy really survived in a depression prison for 12yrs, tht too after all the horror he'd seen before that), dark, very traumatized and broken

Remus Lupin: Gentle (yup u read that right), kind, mischievous (ppl really overlook this), very insecure, let james and Sirius bully Snape coz he was too thankful for their acceptance and affection to tell them off, considered himself undeserving of love, his self loathing prevents him from being a responsible adult/ parent for Harry, lowkey manipulative. Very compassionate and empathetic even after everything he's been thru tho

Peter Pettigrew: Considered slow and stupid, insecure, tags along with the others for protection, but obviously cunning and manipulative, a disgusting rat tho

Regulus Black: Teenage Reggie worshipped death eaters, he had newspaper clippings of them on his wall, completely believed in those racist ideologies until he realised what the reality of being a death eater was. He tried to bring voldy down but there's no evidence of him completely changing his beliefs about everything else like muggle borns, muggles, werewolves etc. Very cunning and intelligent tho, he discovered voldemort's secret before Dumbledore did. Liked kreacher but kreacher was also brainwashed with pureblood ideology, so I ll only give him half the credit. Bravely sacrificed his life in the end, but he still chose to protect his racist family.

Lily Evans: muggleborn, good at portions, described as popular and vivacious, pretty, the favourite sibling, isn't afraid of standing up to ppl (tht smirk in swm tho?), very brave, and most importantly (ppl really choose to forget this nowadays) a mother who stood in front of her baby boy in hopes of saving him from the darkest wizard alive even tho she herself was only 21 at the time, tht too right after losing her husband. Tho I'd still say that lily is a badly written character

It's fun to explore characters but not one of these core characteristics r even present. They're turned into one dimensional social justice warriors who r always right in everything they do

Now I get it, ppl want them to fit with current day ideals, but y not just create different/new characters then? What's the point of holding on to that nostalgia if most of their character isn't even there anymore? Where's all the toxicity coming from? And anyone who doesn't agree is homophobic and whatever other -phobic u choose to employ in the most irrelevant context ever. It's all so stupid smh🙄

[iamnmbr3]

If I may jump onto your recent ice cream question, what do you think these following characters’ ice cream orders are?

Lily, James, Sirius, Regulus, all of the Weasleys (or just the twins, Percy, and Ginny if that’s too much), Dumbledore, Narcissa and Lucius… and Voldemort? (or Tom Riddle if you think they might be different)

(Followup to this).

Lily: Strawberry-and-peanut-butter because I like the idea of this being another secret similarity between her and Harry that neither of them ever got to find out about.

James: Ice cream is for losers who don't have more fun entertainments like sadistically tormenting their classmates to amuse themselves with. Why bother getting ice cream when he can feast on Severus's tears instead? But if no classmates are available to victimize he'll settle for chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts (which seems strangely fitting for him and also makes the ice cream Hagrid buys Harry in book 1 a secret callback).

Sirius: He goes for firewhiskey & raisin when he's a child because it seems daring and kind of adult but discovers he genuinely likes it...and then it becomes a habit and he still likes it as an adult (for the little time that he actually gets to be an adult before getting chucked in prison). More often than not though he just ends up getting the same as James so he can share it with him when James inevitably wants to try some despite already having his own.

Regulus: Plain vanilla - but only a fancy expensive brand that probably nobody who isn't monied and pureblood has ever even heard of so it's not boring Sirius shut up.

Fred: Pistachio.

George: Chocolate. Sometimes after the war Mrs. Weasley forgets and gives him pistachio though and it hurts too much to say anything about it.

Percy: For a lot of years he pretends it's coconut because he thinks that sounds refined and unusual (and also probably bc he saw mr. Crouch eat some once at an event) but actually it's chocolate.

Voldemort: extra dark chocolate as dark as his soul. jk. Pretty sure post cauldron body Voldemort doesn't eat...or probably really have taste buds so he's gonna pass. And all the flavors taste the same to him anyway. A small price to pay for immortality.

Tom Riddle: Black pepper ice cream the one time he had it over Christmas at Hogwarts. But really when it comes to food he's not picky. Just having anything to eat at all is a luxury - doubly so if it's good quality food and not plain gruel or something that used to be halfway decent but has since gone moldy. Given his experiences with famine he's very much of the 'food is fuel' mindset and if he could do something to ensure he needed to eat again (and thus never needed to fear going hungry) he would do it in a heartbreak. But still, he must admit that black pepper ice was surprisingly nice. Alphard's probably the only one who notices tho.

Ginny: Also black pepper ice cream. She's pretty sure it used to be chocolate before second year but she doesn't really want to think about the implications of that so she convinces herself either she misremembers or her tastes just changed. It doesn't really matter either way though, as she usually just orders strawberry and peanut butter since she knows that's Harry's favorite and she wants them to have tastes in common.

Narcissa: Dark chocolate.

Lucius: He doesn't actually have a sweet tooth but if you asked him he'd pick dark chocolate because Narcissa probably knows what she's talking about.

Dumbledore: Waitrose duchy organic lemon curd ice cream. Some find this quirky and entertaining while others are horrified or just plain confused. He finds all the reactions equally entertaining. Also he absolutely shows up to buy it in full wizard garb.

[orchideous-nox]

what kind of books/movies do you see everyone reading/watching???

I love yapping about books and films, anon, how did you know?

Okay AHHHHHHH so many thoughts. I'm going to include modern films though

Remus - I think he loves Lord of the Rings (both the films and the books) and some Greek Mythology classics like The Odyssey and The Iliad

Sirius - Boy doesn't read. What's a book? Films though, I think he likes a good action film. Maybe something like Bullet Train with some comedy in there, or like John Wicke and he spends who whole time like "Keanu looks so good in a suit, don't you think?" and stares until you agree.

James - James says that he likes films like Blade Runner, but when he's home alone he's watching Krrish. I could see him being into Star War too. In terms of books, I think he prefers non-fiction or maybe like a sci-fi book, idk too much about those.

Peter - As a kid, he was reading Goosebumps like there was no tomorrow and loved the Swiss Family Robinson. I think he'd also like Star Wars with James and maybe Indiana Jones. I could see him enjoying Stand By Me and The Goonies as well, he's be really into classic 80s movies.

Lily - Anne of Green Gables all the way. I think she got called Pippi Longstocking when she was younger and has refused to have anything to do with it since. Lily would love the tv show Anne with an E. I think she likes watching the LotR films with Remus because she loves the women but would complain that they don't have enough to do. She's also a lover of Wuthering Heights, I feel. And The Princess Bride.

Mary - OUR ROMCOM QUEEEENNN!!! Her favourites are Clueless, The Notebook, The Proposal and whenever she watches Love Actually she gets irrationally angry at Harry before he's even done anything to hurt Karen, it's just a vibe. She reads those smutty romance books with the cartoon covers, but also loves Janes Austen like Emma and Pride and Prejudice. She's also into Eve Babitz and Joan Didion I feel.

Marlene - She reads a lot of biographies and autobiographies. One time someone caught them reading Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and they hated all men for two weeks, even James who she was normally friends with. I think films...I want to say Bend it Like Beckham but that feels so obvious. She can also recite a lot of The Devil Wears Prada but that's their girlfriend's fault. Marlene could probably be a horror film buff? That seems kinda fun.

Dorcas - Like I just mentioned, The Devil Wears Prada. I think she also likes period romances like the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and Atonement. She'll also watched Bend it Like Beckham...and there is absolutely no link between those three films that would explain why she likes them. In terms of books, I think she would enjoy some Stephen King, her and Marlene have a joint love for The Shining and Carrie.

Pandora - I've been thinking about this and I think Pandora would be a big fan of Guillermo Del Toro's film Pan's Labyrinth. Maybe also The Dark Crystal? In terms of books, I think she let Marlene borrow her copy The Bloody Chamber but she also likes Maya Angelou.

Regulus - Motherfucker is so pretentious. He is reading Russian novels and glares at anyone who calls him out for it. I think if Regulus watching films, he's watching very deep and thoughtful films, ones that either aren't particularly popular but are good for discussion. I couldn't name one though so 🙃

Barty - No.

Evan - I think he could be into horror novels or like psychological thrillers. The first one that came to mind was I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid, but I think he could fuck with The Picture of Dorian Gray which doesn't fit the same vibe but it makes since to me I think. Also medical journals and books about the human body. I've said previously that I think Evan would really like films like Martyrs and The Idiots and I stand by that. Maybe also Un Chien Andalou.

Xenophilius - I mentioned earlier in this post that I think Xeno fucks with folk stories so that's what he'd be reading. Maybe like a classic dystopian such as 1984? I am struggling with films though, I genuinely have no idea.

[somecluelessidiot]

Chapter 4 of 'A '70s Rhapsody' by somecluelessidiot on AO3 is up now!!

Something caused James to stop mid-rant, though, just as he was about to explain why he preferred Lily to Mary. The other boys followed his gaze to a group of boys in their year, who were huddled around a corner in a different part of the pub. Sirius hadn't noticed them before - there were constantly people moving between them, cutting off his view - but he now recognised a boy that he'd encountered on his very first day at Saint Andrew's. Remus had told him about this boy, along with James's intense - and deserved, from what Sirius had heard - hatred of him.

This was Severus Snape, if he remembered correctly, which he was fairly sure he did. Snape didn't seem to notice them, which Sirius thought was probably a good thing. His group of friends were all muttering in hushed tones, glancing around like they were discussing something that shouldn't be talked about in the open. It all looked very suspicious.

And then there was Regulus. Damn it, why did he have to get involved in the shady stuff? Sirius made a mental note to talk to him and warn him about it later. He didn't want his little brother getting wrapped up in something illegal.

"Mate, just ignore him," Peter muttered, leaning across the table to pat James on the shoulder. "There's no point in starting something in the middle of Spoons."

James frowned. "What do you think they're talking about?"

Sirius snorted. "Probably about how to get a girl into bed for the first time. Don't think on it, yeah?"

James grinned at his joke - which wasn't much of a joke, considering the fact that none of them were particularly attractive - and moved on, which Sirius was glad about. He did not have the energy for this.

Remus was looking at Sirius curiously, as if wondering how he knew exactly how to cool James's temper. Luckily, Sirius had plenty of experience with bad tempers, and while humour rarely worked with his parents, it did with Regulus, who would always look at him in mild confusion and forget his rage. Sirius just figured that James was probably somewhat similar.

And then David Bowie came on over the speakers in the pub, and while it was barely audible over the bustle of the customers, it was enough to lighten the mood. It was a song with a recognisable riff - Ziggy Stardust, Sirius was pretty sure it was called - and each of the boys' faces immediately lit up.

Ziggy played guitar

Jamming good with Weird and Gilly

And the Spiders from Mars

He played in left hand

But made it too far

Became the special man

And we were Ziggy's band.

As the song played over the speakers, the general thrum of conversation died down a lot, and many of the customers joined in singing. It was a sight to see, and it was honestly part of the reason why Sirius loved music so much. It brought people together in a way that nothing else did. He hadn't seen much unity in his life, what with his parents yelling and screaming at every imperfection, but he always found solace in music. Music, which could calm even the most restless spirits and cool the most furious tempers. Music, which he always played after a particularly bad outburst. Although the artists didn't necessarily mean to, certain songs and compositions could bring Sirius and Regulus closer than anything. They could express their feelings without having to actually talk about them, and, being Blacks, it was the only way they really knew how to.

So, while the music of David Bowie, who Sirius had fallen in love with only a few days ago, vibrated through the room, Sirius felt a melancholy happiness. He was far from his parents for the moment, in a school with relaxed punishments and lovely opportunities, joyful professors and kind students. He was finally somewhere in his life that felt happy, warm, and safe . This school, this town, this country, these people were all he could have ever asked for.

Here he was - him, Sirius Orion Black, only ever known for being a stain on his family name - making new friends, singing new songs, laughing at new jokes. He was a new person here. No one cared about his status or his money or his parents or his rebellious streak. Here, he was just Sirius Black, and there was no reputation tied to that name, no centuries of bigoted ideas, no prejudice or discrimination. No one had heard of him, and that was truly the greatest gift of all.

[brinkworth]

For the character ask: Peter, (Sirius if not already asked 500 times 😂) and Bonus PROFESSOR SPROUT if you like 😊

Oh, Peter! Fun!

How I feel about this character

I actually think Peter is super interesting, and it's too bad that he doesn't get more attention in the fandom. I think this is a side effect of most stories being focused on romantic ships (wolfstar & jily with Peter as a fifth wheel). Peter clearly worshiped James in school, and to then turn his back on him so violently a few years later - I think that's a potentially really interesting story to tell. From what we see, Peter will do anything to survive. He turns on his friends, he'll live as Snape's personal house-maid or whatever, he lives at Malfoy Manor where they treat him like dirt, and he sticks with Voldemort even though he verbally berates him, just because he thinks it's his best chance at staying alive.

The man is absolutely pathetic, but interesting, character wise!

All the people I ship romantically with this character

No one in particular, really. Maybe Mary MacDonald? I like seeing him in relationships during school. I see him as someone who would be constantly wanting to date someone, even during the war, when most people were focused on fighting, but he'd also probably be very clingy and drive people away.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Remus! I think Remus was probably a lot more patient with Peter than Sirius or James was, and they probably spent time together when JamesandSirius were off attached at the hip.

My unpopular opinion about this character

If he were considered more conventionally attractive, we'd get more fics of tragic love stories between him and James, Sirius, Remus, Barty Crouch Jr, Regulus Black, Severus Snape, etc.

One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in canon

Of course, I'd wish that he'd have a backbone and never turn traitor to the Order, turn on James and Lily, etc. But also!

Consider! Percy Weasley is in his dorm room with his pet rat Scabbers, practicing his transfiguration homework, which includes the incantation to force an Animagus back into their human form, which he accidentally aims at his sleeping pet rat, which then turns into a pathetic excuse for a man. Then Peter gets to trade places with Sirius in prison!

And you were actually the first to ask about Sirius!

How I feel about this character

Love Sirius! Love him the most when he's allowed to be arrogant, rude, loving, mean, and just a complex human. I think it's criminal how much his strength of character gets overlooked. He ran away from his family because he disagreed with their views on blood purity at a young age, bought his own place and lived independently as soon as he was able, joined the Order to fight in a war where he didn't really have anything to gain and he'd likely be facing his own family, escaped Azkaban, swam the sea and walked to Hogwarts to protect Harry! To see him reduced to a shallow version of his character is painful. But he's also not perfect, and his arrogance and cruelty get downplayed as well.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Love him with Remus or James! I think he respects them both and they both have the ability to soften his sharper edges.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

James Potter. Those two laid eyes on one another on the train and were tied together by a red string of fate from there on. Their love for one another is so, so special.

My unpopular opinion about this character

He didn't hate Albus Dumbledore, and still respected him, even after Azkaban. I don't think he would have done anything Dumbledore said if he didn't respect him, and he very much does what Dumbledore says in OotP (right up until Harry is in mortal peril). He just grumbles about it and is annoyed by it (understandably so).

One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in canon

Other than wishing he'd lived? I wish we'd seen a year of him as DADA teacher in disguise as someone else while he was in hiding. Only Harry, Hermione and Ron know it's Sirius. Remus gets to be his assistant sometimes. Snape is suspicious, and it drives him nuts. They cause a lot of chaos. Voldemort wouldn't dare take a run at Harry that year.

and I will, of course, do the lovely Professor Sprout as well!

How I feel about this character

Love Professor Sprout! I bet her classes were so fun, always being hands-on, practical stuff.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Minerva McGonagall. They are the perfect pair.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Professor Silvanus Kettleburn - Care of Magical Creatures. He's in love with her, but sadly, her love lies with Minerva.

My unpopular opinion about this character

She prefers coffee over tea.

One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in canon

[calamitoustide]

"are you crying?" from the prompt list (also hi gabby 🤗)

hi zar! so funny story. I completely forgot about this ask and game until I was sitting in class today not paying attention and thinking about this little scene and then I realized it fit the prompt you gave me so I used it. Even though I'm supposed to be focusing on so many other things right now... I wanted to write Regulus with Harry so that's what I did <3

"Papa, are you crying?"

Regulus' breath hitches at the noise. He would've thought if anyone would catch him like this it would've been James, he was kinda expecting it honestly. He didn't think it would be little feet running over to him, and a soft voice so small it weakens his heart every time he hears it. Through his blurred vision, he sees Harry rushing towards him, his little Spiderman shoes lighting up with every step he takes. He takes no hesitation clambering onto Regulus' lap.

"Hi, mon cheri," Regulus murmurs, his voice catching on each word, keeping Harry steady, even if his hands are shaking.

Harry's face scrunches up, "What's wrong?"

Regulus opens his mouth to speak but no explanation comes. His chest caves in more with every breath he takes. He wouldn't give the real one, even if he had one, but he can't come up with a false one either. The panicked breaths and brittle chest are something he's so familiar with, and yet it feels like a new feeling now. It's been so long since it's overtaken him, that he's not sure what to do with it. He learned things to make it better. He's learned the signs so he can call someone to help talk him down. He felt them now too, but he brushed it off. He feels sixteen. He never thought he'd feel sixteen again.

It's stupid. He knows it's not just something that goes away, it's built within him, and yet he had so much hope.

"Papa?" Harry calls out again, his fingers reaching out for the side of Regulus' face. Regulus almost wants to push him away, little tendrils reach for his brain begging him to find a quiet corner far from the light, but he doesn't. He just tries to take another breath, even if it comes out more like a wheeze.

Regulus wants to be able to explain this to him. He wants to explain that he's okay, he's just a little panicked for no good reason. He hates worrying him, especially for things like this. He's too young to see this. Regulus never wanted him to see this.

Harry sits back before suggesting, "Do you want a hug?"

Regulus' chest splits in two. He squeezes his eyes shut, trying again to take a deep breath but it's hard, and the most he can do is a hitched breath before he's consumed by it again. He feels himself nod even if anyone else's touch would feel like sandpaper against his skin right now.

Harry wastes no time wrapping his arms around his shoulders and pushing his face into his neck. Regulus holds him back keeping his eyes closed. He can feel his tears soak into Harry's shirt. He didn't even realize he was crying until Harry asked him about it, he couldn't feel anything, but he feels it now. It's an endless ache, not enough to really hurt him, but he feels it still.

It's been years since he's felt this trapped. He's not other sure what word to use even if it doesn't sound quite right. He grew up as nothing more than a kid trapped in his room. Trapped in a life he didn't want with no options of leaving it. Trapped in skin that didn't feel like his own and a brain that was working overtime to go against him. He's better now. He got out of his parent's house, and he fell in love with a man who showed him all the colors he could only dream of before. He has Harry now. He loves his life. He's even surprised to admit that but he does. He has no reason to feel trapped. He has no reason for his chest to fail him, but here it is caving in again.

Sirius used to tell him there's no straight line for progress. It's not linear. Going backward doesn't truly mean going back, you're always moving forward even if it doesn't feel like it. Regulus doesn't know. He thinks he might've believed it once. He tries to. He tries to be good. He just thinks no matter where he is in his life he'll always be that sad little kid who's trapped in his childhood bedroom. He's afraid it'll never leave him.

"Daddy's taking me to the park," Harry tells him, still refusing to let go. James taught him to not let go first if someone really needed a hug, and Regulus isn't ready to let go yet.

He can't manage to say anything, he only hums instead, feeling the texture of Harry's sweater underneath his fingertips.

"Do you wanna come?" Harry asks him, "We can go on the swings."

Regulus hums again, he wants to say more but all he can manage is, "Sure."

"Good," Harry tells him, "I like when you come."

Regulus' heart aches, but it's a good one this time, he takes a breath. It's shaky but it still fills his lungs all the same. He takes another letting his shoulders drop. He pulls away and finds Harry still smiling softly at him, it's like taking a first breath after you've just almost drowned.

"Better?" Harry asks.

Regulus only manages to nod before kissing the top of his head.

He doesn't have the time to say anything else before James is walking through the doorway, "Kiddo, you ready to go? I thought-" he cuts himself off.

"I'm okay," Regulus beats him to it, letting Harry off his lap.

James' eyes still flicker over him like he's trying to find an open wound he can stitch closed, "What happened?"

Regulus shakes his head, "Just..." he sighs, he knows he can't get out of it. James has never been known to just let these things go. "Worked myself up," he ends up on, "It's okay now."

James doesn't seem convinced, he opens his mouth to say something else but Harry beats him to it.

"Papa's going to the park with us," he says, grabbing at his hand to bring him to stand.

James looks over at him, "Are you-"

"I'm okay," he tells him, giving into Harry's pulling on his arm. He can't make it to the door before James stops him, forcing Harry to slip from his grip making a break for the door.

"Reg..."

Regulus sighs, "I'll talk about it later, okay?"

James' gaze flickers between his eyes before he nods, "Alright," he says, "If you promise you're-"

"James," Regulus stops him, "I'm fine."

Before either of them can say anything Harry's voice calls out from the hall, "Hurry up!"

Regulus smiles softly, "If we leave him waiting he'll kill us you know it."

James rolls his eyes, kissing his cheek, "Yeah, yeah let's go."

James goes through the door first. Regulus stays back to take a breath, he thinks he still feels that crack in the middle of his chest. He knows it'll never go away, but maybe he's okay with that, for a moment anyway. The water doesn't always have to be violent, it can be kind and innocent too.

"Papa! Come on!"

Regulus lets out his breath, dispersing the ocean around him, "I'm coming!"

[leogichidaa]

What are your thoughts on girldad Sirius and Regulus

My thoughts are: yes, please!

I think Sirius would make a great girl dad. I was actually having a conversation recently about how I tend to be a bit wary of men who hate their mothers because of how often I've seen men generalize "I hate my mother" into "I hate women". Sirius doesn't do that at all, though. Quite the contrary. He evidently has a strong friendship with Lily and in SWM when James tries to play the "what's wrong with her?" card, Sirius points out the obvious - she doesn't like you, she thinks you're conceited - because he actually listens to her in a way that James clearly does not. I think he would raise his daughter to be strong-willed and independent. He might have a hard time thinking anyone is good enough for her, but I think he'd learn to let her go. After all, he's very protective of Harry, but he's also the parent figure in Harry's life that acknowledges Harry's maturity the most.

Regulus on the other hand...he loves his mother (maybe a little too much), but the way I characterize him, he is a bit of a misogynist. He's a traditionalist and aligned with his family's beliefs, and his family is a patriarchy. I think that having a daughter would be challenging for him. She'd be his little girl, he'd want to give her the world, but I think he'd need someone to sit him down sometimes and say, "hey, you're being unfair, let that girl live." Especially when she's a teenager and starts getting interested in romance. He would be very overprotective of her in a really obnoxious way.

I swear I had an ask about girl dad Regulus before and I went looking through my archives to see if I had anything profound to say about it, but I couldn't find it, so I might be imagining things. I just think they should both live long full lives with as many children as their hearts desire. I would love to see a new generation of the Black family.

[wizardingworldlibrary]

Taylor Swift Lyric Titles (3) Masterlist

part one, part two

All You Had to Do Was Stay (ao3) - Morgs_writes (orphan_account) Hermione/Ron M, 50k

Summary: Navigating a post-war life is difficult. Ron and Hermione decided to make things a little bit more difficult by negotiating the fine line between close friendship and a relationship. When Hermione decides to go back to school and then on to Australia without Ron, will they find a way to survive?

anti-hero (ao3) - rweoutofthewoods Regulus/James, Sirius/Remus M, 237k

Summary: Regulus Black dies on a Tuesday.

Somewhere in the countryside of Italy, another man lives.

cheeks pink in the twinkling lights (ao3) - starchaser89 Sirius/Remus E, 9k

Summary: How do you tell your best friend that you’re in love with him?

Well, in Sirius' experience, you simply don’t. But somehow, things might work out anyway.

darling, everything's on fire (ao3) - moonysmates Marlene/Dorcas T, 3k

Summary: When Dorcas loses the love of her life, she will do anything to avenge Marlene, even if it means becoming a monster.

Fresh Out The Slammer (ao3) - dangomango1911 draco/ginny M, 2k

Summary: Taylor Swift's songs "Guilty as Sin?" and "Fresh Out the Slammer", but make it drinny

Guilty As Sin? (ao3) - thetorturedwizardsdepartment Hermione/Draco E, 3k

Summary: No one knows that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger were each other's first loves before the world went to shit. Draco made sure to push Hermione away after the battle at the Department of Mysteries. After five years of a brutal war, the Death Eater Draco Malfoy is now operating as a spy for the Order. Hermione wonders if he still has feelings for her, and he seems to send her a message that he does. Hermione certainly is seeing visions of them together, and of Draco writing "Mine" on her upper thigh. The Order would never let them be together, so without ever touching his skin, can Hermione still be Guilty as Sin?

I Go On Too Many Dates (It's Miserable and Magical) (ao3) - CorneliaAvenue Lavender/Ron, Dean/Ginny T, 2k

Summary: Of all people Lavender forces him to go on a double date with, it has to be his baby sister and her stupid boyfriend?

I Had the Best Days With You (ao3) - LyraDiana Regulus/James N/R, 3k

Summary: A few best days for Regulus, Sirius, and James.

I'm Just Too Soft For All Of It (ao3) - kccastner Draco/Harry G, 2k

Summary: He's mostly come to terms with his involvement in the war. Harry's helped with that. To get forgiveness from him and Ron and Hermione, however long and arduous the process, helped him to forgive himself. But days like today, when he's faced with his past and his present, with everyone who hates him, he can't quite brush it off. He's too much of a blood traitor for the pureblood lot (not that he'd want to be accepted there anyway), but too much of a pureblood for everyone else.

Or

Draco has a rough day at work, and Harry comforts him when he gets home.

in losing grip (ao3) - keep_driving James/Lily M, 128k

Summary: For her, summer did not exist before him. Now that it's been gone for so long, she wonders if it ever truly existed at all.

In silent screams, in wildest dreams. (ao3) - Bleedinghearts23 Remus/James T, 7k

Summary: It's the next full moon after the prank. James is antsy to do it without Sirius, Remus is acting cagey, Pete is in detention.

The long drawn out confrontation between James and Remus, right before the transformation. Feelings are unveiled, feelings are buried. Some wounds opened up, some healed.

it's you and me (that's my whole world) (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor Scorpius/Hugo T, 8k

Summary: Scorpius and Hugo have been secretly, dating for quite some time now. When Hugo suggests they finally come out to their families, Scorpius agrees. However, things don't exactly go to plan when his father finds out.

loving him was red (ao3) - serensical Regulus/James G, 1k

Summary: listened to red and thought it was very jegulus coded so here this is (also based on various songs i thought matched)

mosaic broken hearts (ao3) - bellairestrella Hermione/Harry T, 2k

Summary: (in which Hermione and Harry, who are NOT best friends, are partnered together for a project and discover that first impressions can fool anyone - even them)

Peter (ao3) - HopelessPedantic_01 G, 3k

Summary: Looking at moments in Peter's and Lily's friendship throughout times through the use of lyrics from Peter by Taylor Swift.

The Very First Night (ao3) - dramionelover1997 Hermione/Draco, Harry/Ginny, Pansy/Ron, Theodore/George E, 7k

Summary: "I actually leave for New York tomorrow morning,” Hermione replied, avoiding his eyes.

“Too bad,” Draco said with a sigh. “It would’ve been nice to catch up and well, get to know each other, you know, after everything.”

us traitors never win (ao3) - EnbyHighMage Marlene/Dorcas, etc. T, 16k

Summary: The missing story of the First Wizarding War, from Dorcas Meadowes' point of view.

you take my hand and drag me head first (ao3) - Ofmermaidsandmarauders James/Lily N/R, 2k

Summary: James inspires Lily to have one fearless night; a birthday, taylor swift inspired fic for the one and only petals

[nauticalparamour]

OBLIVION

Regulus x Hermione | M | Complete | 103k song inspo. asks, etc. genesis (drabble sequel). Kreacher sends Hermione back in time with the hopes that she will save Regulus and destroy the locket. Hermione figures she will have an ally to help her destroy the other horcruxes, too. But, Regulus Black doesn't turn out to be anything like she expected he would.

FFN | AO3

• • •    • • •     • • •     • • •     • • •    • • •    • • •

Finally, Regulus seemed to want to talk with her once his plate was cleared. Resting his elbows on the table, he leaned towards her. "I can't wait to tell my friend, Severus, that you are related to Dagworth-Granger!" Regulus said. "I just know that he will be so jealous that I met you first. He is a huge admirer of Hector Dagworth-Granger's research on compulsion and love potions."

Hermione found herself rolling her eyes. She couldn't think of someone she'd like to meet less than her surly, young Potions professor. It would be especially hard to bear as she'd always stood up for the man to Harry and Ron, only to have him murder Headmaster Dumbledore at Hogwarts. "You know, I'm not actually a Dagworth-Granger. Just as Granger actually."

Regulus's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would you say that you were if you weren't? You know so much about them."

"Well, I suppose I might be related to the Dagworth-Grangers through some squib relative whose been erased from their family history the way pureblood families always seem to do," Hermione said with a shrug of her shoulders, taking a bite of some toast. "I only lied about it because I knew that if your parents thought I was anything less than pureblood, they would have blasted me to the other side of the Thames!"

His eyebrows seemed to shoot up to his hairline, his face a caricature of shock. "Wait, so you aren't a pureblood?" His snobbish voice, with it's posh accent, sounded so aghast that it almost made Hermione giggle, except she was too annoyed with him over the incredulous way he'd asked her. As if she couldn't be anything but a pureblood.

"No, I am a muggleborn." She said proudly, squaring her shoulders.

"But…but you just told mother and father you were related to Dagworth-Granger last night?" he questioned again, his voice beginning to go just a bit hysterical. Regulus brushed some of his wavy dark hair out of his face. It was interesting to learn that he wasn't quite as perfect as Sirius would have led you to believe if learning something so simple as it was possible to lie to mummy and daddy was sending him this far off balance.

Hermione rolled her eyes, feeling a bit like she was talking to a child. "Yes, because in the future I am intimately familiar with your mother's portrait shouting at me about polluting the house of her father with my filthy muggle blood. Of course I lied."

[lilacella]

So this could be the end of the fic if you want to end on a untainted happy/fluffy note. There will be two more chapters but then the ending will be a bit more bittersweet, so suit yourselves.

Also, I am being very nice to the traitorous rat here because I think he deserves some happiness too (in this parallel universe at least)

Nightsky

Chapter 9: Old married couple

First   Previous   Next

"Of course he will be a Griffindor! He is our son. How would he be anything else?" James cheerfully loaded cake onto their plates. It was the day before Harry's first year at Hogwarts and of course the upcoming sorting ceremony was topic number one at the table. James seemed so convinced about the outcome, that he had gotten Griffindor themed cake for the occasion, full with red and golden decor.

Harry made a nervous but excited face.

"I can't wait for tomorrow! Do you think I will make friends on the train dad?"

"Of course you will! We all met on the train back then and look at us now." James gestured at the other marauders.

James and Lily had invited everyone for Harrys goodbye party: Of course Sirius and Remus were there but so were Grimsley and Avery, Mary, some of their Auror friends and the few magical kids, Harry had befriended in his time at muggle elementary school. Even Peter had shown up with his wife, Christie and their baby daughter Rose.

They hadn't had such a big get together in a while, probably not since Sirius and Remus housewarming party three years ago, when they had moved to a little cottage in the cotswolds. Sirius had gotten it for a reduced price. He had been the one who finally had managed to relocate the agressive poltergeist out of the house and into a more suitable, abandoned asylum. There it could socialise with similarly inclined ghosts and terrorize the youth that occasionally broke into the place to party. Sirius had haggled the price so low that even Remus couldn't find any counterpoints in giving up the shack for the humble limestone building with the overgrown backyard. He had actually loved it from the first time he'd set foot into it but had tried to remain neutral towards Sirius. He hadn't wanted to sound demanding.

It was nice seeing everyone again.

Lily returned to the dining room with a sour expression. "Petunia will not be coming. She says that 'such a ridiculous occasion' is no place for her precious little Dudley."

"Did you tell her there would be cake? That usually attracts that boy."

"Don't be mean, James. He's just a kid..."

"He's a little greedy Bastard, that's what he is."

"James! There are kids at the table!" James shot his wife an apologetic look and then glanced over to Sirius, faintly rolling his eyes. Sirius smirked back from over his tea cup.

"You should be glad they're not coming. They would have ruined the mood anyway," Sirius tried to cheer up Lily. She sighed.

"But she's my sister..."

"So what. Regulus is my brother and I for sure won't invite him to anything. Sometimes siblings are better left where they want to be."

Lily sank down in her chair and started listlessley picking in her cake.

"Maybe you're right. But it still bothers me..."

"I am glad they aren't coming," Harry stated. "Dudley always tries to take away all my stuff."

"Next time he tries that you call me and I will give him something special to take home," Sirius said grimly. Remus kicked him under the table and shook his head.

"Sirius. We've talked about it. No cursing the kids."

"Just this one..."

"No."

"It wouldn't have to be a bad one, even. Just something that makes him grow a little fur or maybe some beaver like incisors..."

Peter almost snorted out his cake, laughing at Sirius suggestions.

Remus shook his head again.

"No. None of that. They are muggles!"

"You two sound like an old married couple, you know that," Avery exclaimed amused.

James smiled fondly. "They always did. Do you remember that time when Remus would keep forgetting his beard shavings in the sink?"

"He still does," Sirius said grumpily.

**

On the way to the platform Harry suddenly plucked on Sirius sleeve.

"My shoe's open," he said sheepishly, pointing towards his untied shoelaces. Sirius frowned. Harry was by far old enough to tie his own shoes. But maybe he was too nervous? Sirius decided not to press the issue and knelt down instead, tying the shoe, while the others kept walking. Harry suddenly bent down to him.

"Uncle Sirius? What if I don't...what if I don't get sorted into Griffindor?" His voice sounded anxious and it broke Sirius heart. He looked up to the boy and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Harry. You will. And even if you don't. It doesn't matter, we all will love you no matter where you end up."

"Even if it's Slytherin?"

"Even if it's Slytherin. You know, my cousin Andromeda, I think you've met her once, she is a great person. She was a Slytherin too. There are some good eggs in between all the idiots."

Harry smiled relieved.

"You promise?"

"I promise." They shared a tight hug.

"Harry?" Lily called out, having noticed the absence of her son.

"Coming," Harry called back and took off towards her.

When Sirius stood up, dusting off his knees, he saw Remus watching him with fond eyes.

**

"Gadding with Ghouls." Sirius read the title of the book in his hand with a mocking tone. "He claims he captured a ghoul with a tea strainer! Well I'd like to see that in action!"

"Can we leave please? All these people are 'gadding' on my nerves," Remus grumbled and looked around the overfilled Flourish and Blotts in disdain. Sirius chuckled and put the book back.

"But Remus, don't you want to meet the famous adventurer Gilderoy Lockhart?"

"Juding from the success of the adventure I witnessed I'd say he seems rather incompetent," Remus said and tuggedd on Sirius arm. He had really no interest being stuck in this crowd for any longer. This had supposed to be a nice little trip to diagon alley, running some errands together but of course this attention seeking twat had to have a book signing today. Sirius smirked at him and wrapped an arm around Remus waist.

"Alright, Moons let's go."

They were about to leave when they bumped into someone.

"Oops sorry, just trying to get out of here," Sirius said cheerfully only to stop in his tracks when he recognised the man. Elliot.

Remus clenched his jaw.

It had been twelve years, but still. Remus couldn't surpress his jealousy.

"Sirius?" Elliot looked pleasantly surprised. "Fancy seeing you here. Got your book signed by Gilderoy?"

Sirius snorted.

"Certainly not. That guy couldn't catch a ghoul if it was already tied down at his feet."

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "I...You think?" He glanced thoughtfully towards the table at which Gilderoy was holding audience.

"I do. Now would you mind." Sirius tried to squeeze past Elliot but he turned to stop them.

"Sorry, not to hold you up but..." He mustered Remus closely. "Are you Remus?"

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Yes. Don't know why..."

"Oh, that's nice! I'm so happy for you," he smiled genuinely at Sirius but he didn't return it. "You put him trough so much pain. I'm glad you two figured things out. Maybe...maybe we could all meet for tea sometime? I could bring Gilderoy."

They gave Elliot a puzzled look.

"Oh," Elliot explained. "I'm here for him. He is my boyfriend you see. Anyway, I'd better get over there. Was good seeing you Sirius." He patted Sirius shoulder and Remus was tempted to shove him into the next shelve. Sirius looked after his ex with raised eyebrows.

"He...and Gilderoy. Huh. Weird combination."

"We will not be meeting them for tea, won't we," Remus asked pleadingly. Sirius smiled at him and shook his head.

"No bloody way. Let's go."

"I really think it's weird they are together. I wouldn't have thought that Elliot would be fooled so easily," Sirius said thoughtfully while they walked up the path to their cottage.

"Why, is he so smart?" Remus asked not without salt. Sirius raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you jealous? I know that tone."

"Well," said Remus while unlocking the door. "Can you really blame me? You dated that guy for months and now he wants to meet you again? And did you see the way he looked at me..."

"I did what?" Sirius interrupted him.

"You dated Elliot."

"I didn't."

Remus stopped in the hallway and put down the bags he'd been carrying.

"What do you mean, you didn't? You brought him to James and Lilys wedding. James told me you'd been seeing him for a while. Said you were 'quite a match'."

Sirius laughed loudly.

"James said that? Well I suppose I never really talked to him about it much...Remus, we never dated. We were never together. I just brought him to the wedding because I didn't want to face you and Greg all by myself. I honestly just met with him because he would listen to my whining about you..."

So that's what Elliot had meant. You put him through so much pain. The words kept ringing in Remus ears.

"So you never..."

Sirius shook his head.

"I mean...we hooked up once, after the wedding but it was...it wasn't great. I kind of regretted it."

Remus frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Sirius just shook his head defensively.

"Just wasn't great."

Remus chuckled.

"Was he bad in bed?"

Sirius flinched, but shook his head again.

"I don't want to talk about that. Let's just get this stuff put away."

Remus suddenly felt uneasy. He wondered what had happened between the two. Sirius had been really cold towards Elliot but he had thought that it probably had something to do with their breakup. But now he knew, that they never had anything to break up to begin with. What did Elliot do? Remus decided not to press this issue further. Sirius didn't want to talk about it and pressure him would only make him shut down.

He followed Sirius into the kitchen.

"So you never dated Elliot then? Did you...But you did date people while you were gone, right?"

Sirius didn't look up from sorting the potion ingredients they had bought and shook his head once more.

"Noone?" Remus asked in disbelief. "I mean I'm sure you had options..."

Sirius turned around looking annoyed.

"Yes Remus I did. But we have talked about this so many times. I don't want anyone but you. And after the Elliot thing I was quite certain that I also don't want to sleep with anyone else. I know it sounds fucking pathetic but I guess that's just who I am!"

Remus felt gutted, like always, when Sirius proved his utter devotion to him. He didn't deserve any of this. He didn't deserve to be able to hurt Sirius, to make him desperate, to ruin him for everyone else. But, like always, he didn't know what to say. So remained quiet and helped Sirius put away their purchases.

**

They sat on the couch, wrapped up in the same banket, Sirius cosily snuggled in Remus arms, and watched the rain pour down outside.

Sirius leaned his head against Remus shoulder and Remus nuzzled his hair.

"Is Harry coming home for Christmas?" Remus asked, finally breaking the comfortable silence.

Sirius nodded. "As far as I know. Do you want to go this year?"

The Potters had, like every year, invited them to spend the holidays with them, but so far they had always either declined or Sirius had gone by himself. Remus had a difficult relationship with Christmas since it had been then, almost thirty years ago, that he had been bitten. It had been then, that Greyback had ambushed him and changed the trajectory of his life forever. Ever since, Remus couldn't quite find it in him to feel particularly festive. James and Lily knew that and understood and Remus knew that Sirius did too but he also felt bad, for always being such a Grinch. Harry had introduced him to the movie a few years ago when he and Sirius had been babysitting and Remus had felt called out.

This year would be different. This year, he wanted them to go.

"Yes. I think I will." He gave Sirius a smile who looked up at him in surprise.

"Really? Are you sure you'll be alright? You don't have to. I understand..."

"I know. But I want to." He kissed Sirius head. This year he had a plan.

Remus was indecisively picking through the rings on display when the clerk approached him.

"Looking for anything in particular, Sir?" she asked.

"Yes. I need a ring. An engagement ring."

"Ohhh, how nice! These are the regular rings, may I show you the way to the diamond ones?" The clerk was already on her way but Remus shook his head.

"No, no diamonds. I'd rather take one of these, thank you." The clerk mustered him disparagingly. She probably thought that Remus was trying to be cheap. But that wasn't the point. Sirius didn't like diamonds.

"Do you happen to have any with a black opal? Preferably silver?"

He could still remember the discussion they had had in 3rd year, when some girl had asked them all what their favourite gemstones were. Remus had said amber, and Sirius had been adamant that amber wasn't a gemstone because it was technically just fossilized tree sap. Only to pick opals, a second later and Remus had made the point that opals weren't gemstones either, but rocks. They hadn't stopped playfully bickering about this for years. It still was one of their rare inside jokes that James wasn't a part of.

"There is one but it isn't a classical engagement ring. I really think that you should..."

"Show it to me, please," Remus said kindly but firm. He knew what he wanted. He finally knew.

Remus was standing at the sink, thoughtfully twisting the ring between his fingers. It was perfect. Sirius would love it. Or would he? Sirius had said his favorite gem was black opal, but that had been twenty years ago - Merlin, he was getting old. What if his taste had changed? What if he liked diamonds now? James had gotten Lily a diamond. Maybe he was being cheap and just hiding behind the thought of getting Sirius something special. Maybe he should return it and...

"What've you got there?"

Remus spun around, startled, fumbling and finally dropping the ring which rolled across the kitchen tiles before it tipped over with a clink, right before Sirius feet. Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Well that's a way to propose," he joked and picked up the ring. Remus stared at him like a deer in the headlights. This was not how things had supposed to go. He had intended to propose at Christmas. Wrap the ring up like a present. Maybe with a little note. He would have had enough time to figure out what to say.

"I didn't hear you come in," he said stupidly.

"Got off early today. Thought I'd surprise you."

Sirius stepped towards him, obviously entirely unphased by the situation.

"So what's this about? It isn't cursed, isn't it?" Sirius held up the ring, inspecting it suspiciously.

"I certainly hope not, I just bought it." Remus voice was weak with anxiety. Why didn't Sirius say anything? Did he think this was stupid? Was he making fun of him?

"You bought a ring? For what?"

For what?!

"I...For you!"

Sirius looked surprised.

"For me?"

"Yes. I...," Remus reluctantly took the ring back from Sirius, nervously fidgeting with it. He finally straightened up and forced himself to look at Sirius. At this point, he might as well do this now. He took a deep breath. "Since we've been together, you showed me over and over that I am the only one for you. And I just wanted...I wanted you to know that you're the only one for me as well. And I wanted to ask you if you want to..." he paused, steadying his voice "If you want to marry me?"

Sirius eyes widened and then immediately filled with tears. He dropped into Remus arms clinging onto him for dear life. Remus hugged him back tightly, feeling Sirius trembling. Was he crying?

"Sirius? Are you okay?"

Sirius lifted his head from Remus shoulder and looked at him with glistening eyes.

"I...Yes." He wiped his eyes. "I'm okay." His voice croaked and Remus gently cradled his face with his right hand.

"So, is that a yes or a no?" He asked, still a little anxious.

"Yes! Of course I...Remus I love you so much!"

Remus let out a relieved laugh and clumsily pushed the ring on Sirius finger.

"Is that an opal?"

Remus nodded. "Remember how you said they were your favorite?"

Sirius nodded and tears were rolling down his face again. Remus had once again made him cry, but this time at least they were happy tears.

**

Sirius looked breathtaking. His silky black robes falling perfectly around his body, the silver stars on it shimmering in unison with his eyes. Remus couldn't believe how he ever got so lucky. Sirius was smiling at him happily, holding his hands in his. A strand of his dark hair had fallen in front of his face and Remus wanted to reach out and brush it behind his ear but he was interrupted by Sirius expression changing first to expectancy, then to confusion and finally worry. Before Remus could wonder what could have upset Sirius on this special day, Peter nudged him violently from behind.

"Remus! You have to answer!" he hissed. A quick look around told Remus that everyone was staring at him. Including the officiate. Right.

"Uh...sorry! I do! I do...I was just distracted." He mumbled the last part more to himself but Sirius must have heard him and squeezed his hands in reassurance.

"And do you, Sirius Orion Black take Remus John Lupin as your husband?"

"I do."

Sirius smiled again.

They were sitting on the terrace of the venue. It had grown dark and it was still cold outside but they bothe had needed a break from the constant attention of other people.

Huddled together for warmth they were enjoying the stillness of the night around them. Sirius gently turned Remus head towards him and pulled him into a tender kiss. Remus let out a happy sigh, muffled by Sirius lips and threaded his fingers into his hair. Sirius licked teasingly against his lips and Remus immediately responded, deepening the kiss. When things, quickly, became a little too heated Remus pulled back, catching his breath.

"We can't get too carried away, love. We're still in public."

"It's our wedding night. Who can blame us?"

Remus chuckled.

"We should still wait util we're home."

Sirius rolled his eyes and buried his face in the crook of Remus neck and snuggled against him.

"Hey, I didn't say we should stop kissing all together," he protested, putting a finger under Sirius chin to lift Sirius head back up. Their lips met once again, gently, Sirius hand cupping his cheek.

"Can't we just stay here?" Sirius asked lazily. Remus smiled fondly.

"I'm afraid that would be considered quite rude. It is, like you said, our wedding night. We have guests to entertain."

"They can entertain themselves." They shared a giggle.

"Just five more minutes," Sirius mumbled and pressed his lips on Remus again, rendering any sort of protest useless.

[cosmiclove-jpg]

@microcest Prompt: “Shhh…Don’t Let Mom Hear”

Fandom: Harry Potter

Ship: Sirius Black/James Potter Implied Regulus Black/Sirius Black w/ a dose of future Remus Lupin thrown in the mix.

Word count: 741

-------

"Nmph anpmh bremph," Sirius struggled behind the large hand cupping his mouth and nose. James loosened his grip to hear Sirius below him gasp for air. It was the dead of night, with only the moon shining through the sheer curtains in James' room. 

"Oh, shit, sorry." James stilled his movement, moving his hand to rest on Sirius' cheek, allowing him to take deep, steady breaths. 

"Okay, okay, I'm - ah��- you can keep going - oh fuck" James braces himself, both hands palms down on each side of Sirius' head. Gripping the sheets, he slowly pulls out and thrusts back inside his best friend, his brother. This was the first summer break Sirius had spent every night at the Potters, his new home. 

"Pads, you need to keep it down."

"I'm trying just fuck; you feel so good, Jamie." This was the first summer break they did this almost nightly.

"Pads, please. Our mom's a light sleeper, you know that."

"Your mother." Sirius whispered with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Stop that, you're my brother. She loves you just as much."

"I already had a brother."

"Have, love. We'll get him out. We'll get him out and show him what a home feels like."

James quickened his pace, in and out in a steady rhythm mimicked by the smaller boys: Ah, ah, ah. James slowly lowered himself to his elbows, making sure his rhythm didn't falter. He placed his forehead on the others; they were breathing the same air. Puffs of hot breath tickled the other, lips centimeters apart, but they didn't kiss. James hasn't asked why. It's not something they do. 

"Kiss me," Sirius said, taking James by surprise. He looked into the other boy's eyes, trying to find anything that told him Sirius didn't mean it. All he saw was love. When their lips met, they made soft, gentle movements. They were passionate but not hungry. 

Their movements grew increasingly frantic, and their breathing became labored. Sirius lowered his right hand from their grip on James' hair and began to stroke himself as quickly as he could. James felt Sirius clench around his cock; he knew he was close. With a shuddering sigh, Sirius spilled over his hand and stomach as James gave one, two, three more thrusts and spilled inside his best friend. 

----

James wrapped his arm around Sirus' waist and pulled him close to his chest. They lay in the afterglow, waiting for their heart rates to slow and their breathing to even out. With his back against his chest, James couldn't tell if the smaller boy had fallen asleep until he spoke up. 

"He was my first kiss, and I was his... I haven't, not with anyone else." James didn't have to ask who Sirius was talking about. He knew he missed his brother, our brother. He knew the guilt that lived inside his best friend was eating away at him the longer he spent not knowing if he was okay. James squeezed Sirius a little closer to comfort him and remind him of his promise earlier that night. 

A few minutes passed before Sirius spoke up again. 

"Prongs?" 

"Mmm?" James replied sleepily, burrowing his face in Sirius' hair and breathing in his scent. 

"Do you think if we invite Moony to be with us, he'll want to?" James was waiting for Sirius to bring up their other best friend. He moved his head to rest his chin on the other boy's shoulder. 

"Like be with us or be with us?" 

"Both"

"I'd like him to be." And he did. James loved his best friends and would do anything to keep them all safe. 

"Me too…do you think – do you think he'd be weirded out about.."

"I think you can carve out Moony's heart with your bare hands, and he'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt." He knew he said the right thing as he felt his best friend wiggle in excitement and classic tell for his happiness. Leave it to Sirius Black to find that statement romantic. 

"I think I'm in love with him." 

"I know." and I'm in love with your brother, James thought, but that's a conversation for another day.

"I love you too, you know, and I love my--" His voice cracked, unable to finish his thought.

"I know, Pads; go to sleep, yeah? We'll owl Moony in the morning."

Both boys breathing evened out, and Euphemia Potter was able to go back to sleep.