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James did not know what possessed him to threaten his best mate's sister that way. His interactions with Aquila were limited until last year, and he had no intentions of having it any other way, but good pranks required a good sense of people and direction, for which they desperately needed the map, which they had christened 'Hogwarts - A Mystery' (quite cleverly, they felt).
But when he heard the little Slytherin make snide comments about his best friend, all he saw was red, which did not cease until he was sure no one else besides the nosy twins knew Remus' secret. He couldn't exactly say anything else to her, not because he was sure she was very talented in a duel, but because they still needed her and her clone to help make the map. James had seen them in Charms, and even though it pained him to admit it, he knew she was absolutely amazing. But as amazing as she was at Charms, she was that much terrible at Transfiguration, which was just icing on top of the cake as it took a lot of effort for the girl to swallow her pride and actually admit it.
Now, nearing Christmas, he knew they had to meet up, and meet up soon to discuss the fate of the map. The group of six had met up earlier, but it just resulted in loads of arguments between the twins, James and Sirius, each one more proud than the last. So now, James was strolling down to the dungeons to take Regulus and Aquila and hold a proper meeting.
"You stupid arse! I told you to let it simmer. Not grab the stirrer like it's fucking cake batter!" came the annoyed voice of Aquila Black from the open door of the Potions lab.
"Now, now, language, Aquila. I'm sure we can reverse its effects," Slughorn said quite calmly, considering the reddish-brown slime that was on his undoubtedly expensive robes.
Aquila huffed with her back to the door. "Reverse? Reverse its effect? Sir, we shouldn't have to do that because this daft boy cannot listen to instructions."
"Alright, shut up. As you can clearly see, Potion Princess," Regulus said, putting the title in double quotes, "it's not as per the instructions, but stirring decreases the sitting time of the potion. If you want to be here all night to add the stewed mandrake centimetre by centimetre, then you're welcome to reverse the effect."
Indeed, the potion had turned the green colour it was required to be, which was prime time to add the stewed mandrake. Aquila pushed Regulus away, which prompted the boy to push her back, and before the scuffle could proceed any further, James stepped into the room.
"Evening, Professor. Can I borrow Regulus and Aquila?" James said, pushing further into the dimly lit room, nodding a greeting towards the Black twins.
Slughorn turned towards Aquila with a raise of his eyebrows that made Regulus chuckle.
"No, I swear, I'm not failing Transfiguration. Potter has been helping me, actually. Innit, Po- James?" she said hurriedly, casting a charming smile towards James at the end.
Even though it was only one session, James nodded along anyway. "Yes, sir, i've been tutoring her. But Professor McGonagall is not calling them. I'm calling them for purely selfish reasons."
Slughorn beamed. "No matter, no matter! Run along, Aquila, Regulus. But do come back in time to add the Jobberknoll Feathers!" and with a wave, he proceeded to add the stewed mandrake to the murky green coloured potion.
"Bye, Professor!" the twins said in unison before following James outside.
- - -
"Fair folk, we are gathered here to discuss the fate of our activities during Christmas break. Twin Blackies, what's the status?" James asked, looking at the gathered people in front of him.
Aquila rolled her eyes, but answered nonetheless. "We're done with learning the Homonculous. We will need someone, aka, Remus, to draw out Hogwarts on a sheet of parchment before, and organise it as per your convenience, and also, give us the type of markings you want for the tracings."
Peter held up a finger. "So, you're both doing the work all by yourselves?" seeing Aquila nod, he continued. "But, why? I mean, it is our map, and our idea, and we'd like to participate in making it," he looked towards the rest of the Marauders, who were all nodding vigorously.
Regulus and Aquila shared a look of deep, deep suffering. "We did think about that, and very sorry to say, but it is a very difficult charm, first, and second, none of the books actually say anything about multiple people casting the charm," Regulus shrugged.
Sirius furrowed his eyebrows. "Then how are you two doing a spell meant for one?"
Aquila took in a sharp breath. "For legal reasons, that is to remain confidential," she said, and shot a flat smile at him.
Sirius opened his mouth with a furrow between his eyebrows, but his words were muffled by James slapping a hand on his mouth.
And, of course, as any person, who was as sane as Sirius, would do, he bit James' hand. James, perhaps used to Sirius' antics, drew his hand a bit away from Sirius' face and slammed it back with double the force. Sirius let out a muffled 'ow!'.
"Anyway," Remus said with a pointed glance towards Sirius and James, "we want to be a part of this thing too. And I'm afraid you're not getting a choice."
"We don't have a problem with letting you guys do the spell," Regulus frowned. "The simple fact is, we have no idea how to do this spell with so many people."
"Yeah but how are you two doing it then?" Sirius pressed.
Aquila sighed and Regulus shot her a look. They had what seemed to James a silent conversation, and Aquila sighed again.
Regulus gave the four boys a sheepish smile. "We just have a lot of practice doing spells with each other, you know?"
Sirius snorted. "Bull crap. I won't buy that excuse even if it were on sale, brother."
Aquila pressed the bridge of her nose and silently muttered something to herself. "We are able to do that spell together because we have intertwined magical signatures which allow us to merge our powers. Happy?" she said with a sickly sweet smile, the explanation said too quickly to be taken seriously.
Apparently, her tone had the desired effect. Sirius scoffed and looked away from her, clearly not believing her. James narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything to her.
"Well, then, so it's decided! The Wonder Twins will find out a way for us all to perform the spell, Remus will draw the map with Peter's assistance, and me and Sirius will go to kitchens!" James said, clapping his hands excitedly.
"First of all," Aquila held up a finger, "Sirius and I, and second, the 'Wonder Twins'," she gestured to herself and Regulus, "are not going to figure out a way for all of us to do the spell, because it is not possible."
Regulus looked at her. Isn't it, though? Have we tried talking to Flitwick about it?
Aquila tilted her head. We're thirteen year olds performing a spell meant for thirty year olds. If we do find a way to do it with them, we'll have to rally our power together and we can't risk the Farce Four knowing about this.
Regulus scoffed, forgetting they had an audience watching their silent exchange. You literally said it to their faces just now, Aqua.
Aquila gave him a teasing smile. Believed it, did they?
Regulus shot her a disgruntled look. She smiled right back.
"Ahem," James let out a slight cough to get their attention. They turned to look at him innocently, making him roll his eyes.
"Well, then, get to work, Terrible Two, because we have a map to make!"
- - -
"Does he think he's funny, with all those names?" Aquila demanded when they had reached the privacy of their common room.
Regulus lazily slumped on the sofa, letting out a slight yawn. "It was funny, Aqi. stop taking offense to everything everyone says."
"How can I not? He called us the Terrible Two for Merlin's sake! We're not terrible. If anything, we're the- the- uh, Not Terrible Two. Take that, Potter!" she pointed at the air, as if taunting the currently not present James Potter.
Reaching out a hand and pulling on Aquila's waist length black hair, Regulus spoke. "Well, as tragic as that is, we have to figure out a way to do the charm with six people."
Halfway through a scowl at Regulus for pulling her hair, her lips turned into a sly smirk. "Or, we have to find a way to charm four people."
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i suck at endings
truly i mean
it's not that hard, hylla, what is wrong with you?
ooh and welcome to act ii! thank you for sticking here as long as you have everyone
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 1K READS IM CRYING BITCHES
anyway, welcome back, old readers, and welcome, new ones!
all my love :*
(omg enzo is so cute i cant-)
(the tvd one)
༻hy༺