𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚 || 𝘳.𝘢.𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬

015. james and lily

"Oh god—it took so long!" Sirius howls and Maria cackles as he falls off his bed and their laughter becomes louder until there's a knock on the door.

"Shut up already!" Another seventh year called Mark Alban shouts through the door and they pause before laughing even louder.

"Come on then." Sirius yanks Maria from James' bed and the brunette furrows her eyebrows.
"Where are we going?" She asks, shrugging her jacket on and the boys do the same.

"Oh, you'll see." Remus sighs, indicating he had no say in Sirius' plan and Sirius nods at the messy haired werewolf, throwing a book at Peter as the blonde goes to eat one of his treacle fudges, making Peter groan and get up, also getting his coat on.

The quartet stroll out of the portrait hole, Maria still clueless as to what in earth they're doing and they reach the carriages to Hogsmead.

"Oh no." Maria mumbles, stepping into the carriage after Remus and sitting next to Peter who smiles at her softly. "We're spying on Lily and James aren't we?"

"Yep." The boys say in unison and Maria groans, throwing her head back onto the cushioned seat.

"It'll be fun!" Sirius reassures with a grin before leaning back and propping his feet on the space next to her.

"If I get in shit, you're dead meat." Maria warns and Sirius nods, Remus snorting at the glint of fear in Sirius' eyes.
"What? Baby Potter can be scary." The Black hisses and Remus holds his hands up in defence.

"I'm right here."

"Merlin's balls!"

"Sirius!"

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The quartet are now strolling down the chilly street of Hogsmead, students and locals bustling around them, pointed witches hats standing up above the crowds and excited third years on their second visit to the magic village. Maria's hand is clasped in Peter's to stop her and even him from being dragged away in the large mounds of witches and wizards. It's particularly busy this time of year because Christmas break is in a month so everyone tries to buy their gifts early.

Maria is almost certain that Sirius had flirted with at least five girls on their trek towards the three broomsticks. They finally reach the small inn, the battered sign swinging slightly in the cold gusts of wind as they push open the heavy door.

"Ah ladies first." Sirius mocks, stepping out of the way and bowing sarcastically, Maria just kicks his shoe making him stumble and drop the door handle, making the door swing onto three men exiting the inn.

"Oh. . .sorry." Remus says sheepishly, the men just grunt and continue, making Sirius do stupid faces behind them before he's dragged into the pub by Maria and Peter.

They quickly hurry over to a table near the bathrooms, crouching behind the booth and Remus spots them, nudging the others and pointing.
Maria sees James and Lily sat on stools at one of the tables, steaming mugs of butter-beer clutched in their icy hands, James watching Lily admirably as the red head talks about something.

Maria smiles slightly when Lily laughs loudly at something James said before clamping a hand over her mouth to stop her from laughing any more, making James smile lovingly.

"What are we doing?" A voice whispers, making Sirius and Maria jump in shock and clash their heads together.
They look and see Marlene and Clarissa stood together and Alice, Dorcas and Danielle behind them.

"Merlin, you almost gave me a bloody heart attack woman!" Sirius hisses at Marlene who just smirks and shrugs.

"We're not doing anything." Maria says unconvincingly.

"Really?"

They look between the three boys and Maria sceptically before—
"We're spying on Lily and James." Peter blurts. "Sorry!"

"Traitor!"

"The betrayal is killing me!"

"I'm sorry it was like word vomit!" Peter defends quickly, holding his hands up defensively and the other three groan.

"We'd better go." Remus says, looking around and they nod before hurrying out of the inn. Sirius keeps his hand in Maria's through the large crowds as they trudge back towards the carriages that go back to the castle.

Meanwhile, Regulus Arcturus Black is sat in the Slytherin common room after just being discharged from the hospital, his bones now healed and back to normal. On the sofa next to the armchair he's currently slouched in sit Alyssa and Stan — his two best friends.
A few others are scattered around in the emerald chairs and sofa's in front of the roaring green flames, mostly some first or second years trying to catch up on homework they missed because of watching quidditch and exploring the grounds.

Voices are heard approaching and suddenly Evan Rosier, Gasper Avery and Ruben Mulciber stroll into the common room, more specifically, in the direction of the three sixth year Slytherins.

"How nice to see you out of hospital, Regulus." Evan greets cheerfully but his face gives away that it's all just some strange facade.

"Yeah, I s'ppose." Regulus shrugs, ignoring them as he continues to flick through him and Maria's notes — earlier in the week he'd begged her for hers as well as his because he barely took any, resulting in a lot of sarcastic comments and eye rolling from the youngest Potter.

One of the three notebooks is suddenly snatched from his grasp and he looks up at the trio of seventh year boys in frustration.

"Hm, Maria. . .Potter." Avery smirks, reading the name on the front of the notebook and the other two smirk maliciously also.
"Been warming up to Potter, haven't you Black?" Mulciber asks, taking the notebook and twirling it around in his hands, examining it.

"So what if I have?" Regulus asks with a raised eyebrow and the trio cackle with each other.

"Nothing, nothing." Rosier shakes his head. "It's just, I'm sure mummy dearest won't be pleased if she finds out what you've been doing — or should I say who you've been doing."

"Don't fucking talk about her." Regulus snaps, standing up and Rosier laughs slightly as he stands eye level with Regulus who's jaw is clenched.

"Easy." Gasper grins, shoving Regulus' chest slightly. "I'm sure it'll be over soon, wouldn't want to associate with her anyway. Did you hear that rumour in her fourth year that she shagged Gilderoy Lockhart?"

"That's a lie." Alyssa says, sticking up for the brunette Gryffindor that she sees her friend caring so much about.

"Sure it is." Avery grins. "But, I still wouldn't want to care for her too much, the dark Lord already had her on his hit list, and she's a slut—"

No one in the now rather packed common room could see what was going to happen until Regulus' fist had collided with Avery's jaw and the seventh year had tumbled onto the ground.

"You're dead Black!" Avery spits as Mulciber and Rosier drag him to his feet. "She's turning you soft—you'll get yourself killed!"

"What is going on in here?"

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