Chapter Text
A Ravenclaw walks into the Gryffindor common room, something that she’s done numerous times before in her six years attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. On this occasion, she sees her two groups of friends. One contains James, Peter, Sirius, and Remus. The other contains Marlene, Dorcus, Mary, and her younger sister, Lily.
She approaches the second group to say hello to her sister.
“Hey.” She nudges her.
Lily turns to look in her direction, a smile already on her face.
“Hi, Heather!” she says cheerfully. Dorcus and Mary wave.
Heather sits down with her usual question. “Homework, social, or game?”
“A bit of all three,” Mary answers.
“So a study game?” Heather tilts her head.
Dorcas shakes her head. “More like we’ve done a little bit of each since we started hanging out. How about you? Anything interesting happening in Ravenclaw?”
Heather rolls her eyes. “You keep asking me that when you know I don’t pay attention to that sort of thing. All I know is that if we beat Slytherin in the next match, we will be in first place for the House Cup.”
Dorcas raises an eyebrow playfully. “And what makes you think you’ll win against Slytherin?”
“That’s the thing. I don’t. Matches between Slytherin and Ravenclaw are always so exciting because of the clever plays and strategies.”
Dorcas nods. “That’s true, and they are normally pretty close, right?”
Heather nods excitedly. “The deciding factor of the game could very well be who catches the snitch.”
Dorcas leans forward, her elbow on her knee. “Who’s the better seeker, you reckon?”
“Me, statistically speaking,” Heather answers without a moment of hesitation, having already made the calculation.
Dorcas grins. “Confident, are we?”
“Why not?”
Dorcas chuckles, “I suppose we can root for Ravenclaw, right, everyone?”
Mary, Marlene, and Lily nod in agreement.
“I’d hope my own sister would cheer me on.” Heather nudges Lily again.
Lily giggles and ruffles her hair playfully. “Of course I’ll be rooting for you, though if you lose…I’ll be teasing you all night.”
“It’s not your teasing I’d fear.” Heather nods to where the second group is hanging out, and by the sounds of it, they are playing Exploding Snap.
Dorcas looks over her shoulder and grins. “Oh, true, Potter’ll tease you just as much if not more.”
“I’m glad I don’t share a common room with him in particular,” Heather gives the Gryffindor girls a sympathetic look.
Mary sighs. “You’re lucky. We’re stuck with them 24/7.”
“Honestly, how do you survive?”
Dorcas shrugs. “I have no idea. We’ve had many close calls.”
“I swear they are insane,” Marlene adds on.
Heather glances over again, her eyes lingering on a figure. “Well…one of them isn’t so bad.”
The others collectively swivel their heads to look at her with varying degrees of interest. “Oh, and which one of them would that be, hmm?” asks Dorcas.
“She means Remus,” Lily reveals in a hushed whisper, relieved to finally spill the secret, “I’ve been trying to get her to go out with him for years.”
Mary raises her eyebrows, looking quite surprised. “Lupin? He’s the one you like?”
Ignoring Mary, Heather sighs and looks at Lily. “I told you already. The day you confess to James, I’ll ask Remus out.”
Lily rolls her eyes. “Yes, I know, you’ve told me a million times, but why do I have to go first?”
“You’re the youngest.” Heather ruffles her hair. “You should be first in something.”
Lily bats her hand away and groans, “I don’t care that I’m younger! You just don’t want to ask him first because you’re a coward.”
Heather snorts. “I have a right to be. Bravery isn’t a requirement for Ravenclaws. Besides, everyone in Hogwarts knows James fancies you, Lils. You aren’t taking that big of a risk.”
Lily sighs, “True…but you don’t have a right to lecture for taking so long when you haven’t done it either.”
“How about this? I’ll do it tomorrow. You have until Saturday or…I’ll tell James for you.”
Lily’s eyes widen at the threat as a look of panic washes over her face. “You wouldn’t dare…”
“Are you sure?”
She groans. “Okay, fine, I’ll do it this weekend…I swear if you tell him before I do, I’ll hex you.”
Heather laughs and holds up her hands. “Please, don’t.”
She points a warning finger. “Don’t tempt me. I’ll hex your ass so hard not even Pomfrey will be able to fix it.”
“I believe you.” Heather nods seriously.
Lily drops her hand and sticks her tongue out. “Good, you should. You have no idea what kind of spells I have in my arsenal.”
“And I don’t want to find out.”
Lily grins evilly. “You’d better behave then, and I’ll spare you.”
Heather scoffs. “I always behave!” She gets up to observe James’ group and their game.
The other girls follow Heather’s gaze and watch James and Peter have a heated argument, while the others watch with amusement. “They’re at it again, huh?” Mary sighs.
“Looks like it.” Heather walks over and sits on the arm of the chair Remus is sitting in, his expression amused as he picks through Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. “What happened this time?” she asks quietly.
Remus chuckles at her question and glances over at James and Peter, still arguing, and back at Heather to answer her question. “Apparently, James’ ego got bruised by something Peter said earlier, and now they’re at each other’s throats. They’ll probably go at it for another hour if left alone.”
“Should we stop them?” Heather asks wryly, reaching for a bean from the bag. “Or do we let them tire themselves out?”
Remus smiles at the suggestion, chuckling again. “Let them tire themselves out. That way, we don’t have to deal with a sulky James for the rest of the night. If anything, this is entertainment.”
Heather chuckles in agreement. “Right? But um, well. You are the prefect!”
Remus huffs and rolls his eyes. “Ugh, you’re right. I suppose I am. Fine, I’ll break them up once they start throwing punches.”
“Smart. Because Sirius looks about ready to defend James’s honor.”
Remus snorts, glancing over at Sirius, who is indeed looking rather ready to pounce on Peter if necessary. “Yeah, that’s true. Those two would burn the school down for each other.”
“How…sweet?” Heather laughs.
Remus grins, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “Oh yes, how very sweet. Nothing says 'love' like being willing to commit arson for a friend.”
“Mmm, I’d commit arson for Lily. But so would James probably.” Heather pops another bean, a pink one, into her mouth.
Remus laughs at this. “True, true. I think the whole school knows how much those two are willing to do for each other. Even if they insist that they hate each other and are at each other’s throats with the passion and dedication of a married couple.”
Heather tilts her head. "So what about you and Sirius? You fight like a married couple when he does something overly stupid that gets Peter in trouble.”
Remus groans, but he's clearly just playing along. “Oh, don't get me started on that idiot. He's got a knack for getting into trouble and dragging Peter along with him. And the way he talks so confidently, as if nothing bad will happen… It's like he enjoys driving me mad, I swear.”
"Mhmmm.” Heather raises an eyebrow.
Remus rolls his eyes, though the corners of his mouth twitch slightly in amusement. “What? You think I enjoy being the parent of the group? You think I want to constantly babysit those two morons so they don't get themselves killed?”
"You are like a mother hen," Heather teases.
Remus huffs, unable to stop a small smile from forming at the corner of his mouth. “Oh, shut up. I am not a mother hen. I just happen to be the only one with any common sense and self-preservation.”
"Lily doesn't really help.” Heather glances over. “She cherry-picks when to enable them.”
Remus nods in agreement. “Oh, don't get me started on Lily. She pretends to be all 'responsible' and then turns around and encourages them to do the dumbest stuff. It's almost like she gets a kick out of watching their antics, sometimes.”
"I know, right!" Heather says in a hushed tone. “It’s more annoying at home because she can't do wrong in our parents' eyes.”
Remus raises an eyebrow at this, intrigued. “So she’s got the 'perfect child' thing going on, huh? I bet she gets away with everything.”
“Definitely. I feel bad for Petunia, though, with two sisters being witches, she must feel very isolated.” Heather, who has stolen the bag, swirls a finger through it.
Remus nods sympathetically. “Yeah, I can imagine that would be tough for her. Being the odd one out, not part of the magic, you know? Must be a lonely feeling.”
Heather hums as she faces him fully, her fingers tugging at the ends of her wavy hair as she thinks carefully before asking her next question, “What would you do? To try to help without seeming patronizing?”
Remus rubs his chin, thinking for a moment before answering, “Well…I think the main thing is just to make sure she knows she’s included, you know? Show her that she’s just as important and valued as you and Lily, even if she doesn’t have any magical abilities. Spend time with her, listen to her, and try to understand what she’s going through. Little things like that can make a difference.”
Heather nods, processing his advice that sounds like it came from first-hand experience. “I’ll try that. Thanks.”
Remus smiles warmly at her. “Anytime. Just remember, she might not show it, but I’m sure she’ll appreciate the effort you’re making. Family is important, after all.”
“It really is.” Heather looks over at James and Peter.
Remus follows her gaze, watching the two continue to bicker, though it seems they are beginning to run out of steam. He lets out a sigh, shaking his head slightly. “Thank God, they’re finally winding down. I was beginning to get a headache from their bickering.”
Sirius notices Heather sitting there and, to distract Peter and James, he says a bit louder than his normal speaking voice, “Hey, Evans! How long have you been sitting there?”
Peter and James both stop immediately.
Remus watches as the attention shifts to the 7th-year girl sitting on the arm of his chair, a small smirk forming on his face. “Oh, she’s been here for a while. Just observing your little show.”
“I thought you were arguing about your game of Exploding Snap.” Heather shrugs casually. “What happened?”
James and Peter exchange glances before Peter answers sheepishly, “Uh…just a disagreement about whether James pre-shuffled the deck. Nothing too serious.”
Sirius snorts, knowing this wasn’t the full truth, but he plays along anyway. “Yeah, just some friendly banter. Right, Prongs?”
James shoots Sirius a glare but nods reluctantly. “Yep, just harmless banter, nothing more.”
Heather shakes her head. “I’m not buying it, you guys.”
James and Peter fidget awkwardly under her skeptical blue gaze, while Sirius grins, getting a kick out of watching his friends squirm. Finally, James confesses, “Fine, fine. We just got a bit…let’s say, competitive. And things got a bit heated. But it’s all good now, honest.”
Heather crosses her arms. “Do I have to make you hug it out?”
James and Peter both shudder at the thought, looking horrified. “Oh God, please no. Anything but that.”
Sirius, on the other hand, looks quite amused by the idea. He nudges James. “Oh come on, Prongs, a little hug wouldn’t kill you.”
James glares at Sirius, not sharing in his amusement. “You shut up, Padfoot. Nobody asked you.”
Sirius smirks and holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Just saying, Prongs, a bit of affection might do you some good. You’re looking a bit uptight lately.”
“A hug doesn’t make you less manly if that’s what you’re worried about,” Heather adds.
James grumbles, looking away and folding his arms across his chest. “I know that. I’m not some kind of insecure little baby. I could hug anyone I wanted to.” He shoots a glare at Sirius, who is still grinning mischievously.
Peter chimes in, trying to defuse the tension, “Yeah, come on, Prongs. It’s just a hug. What’s the worst that could happen?”
James huffs, still reluctant but slowly caving. “Alright, fine…but only because you all insist.” James opens his arms, and Peter and Sirius waste no time pulling him into a smothering group hug. James grunts and tries to wiggle out of their grip, but it’s obvious he’s secretly enjoying it.
Remus can’t help but chuckle at the scene unfolding before him. “Well, well, looks like you’ve managed to get James to hug it out.” Her satisfied smirk doesn’t escape his notice. “Bravo, Evans.”
“Do you want to get in on this?” Heather asks, smiling.
Remus raises an eyebrow, giving her a playful smirk. “Oh, trying to rope me in on this group hug, huh? Hmm…” He pretends to consider it for a moment before sighing dramatically. “Alright, why not? I suppose I could join in on this display of affection.” He stands up from his chair, approaching the group hug, completing the circle.
Heather gets up from the chair and turns toward the portrait door. “Goodnight, everyone.”
James and Peter both look up from the hug as she starts to leave, still tangled together with Remus, who attempts to wave goodbye.
James calls out, a hint of tease in his voice, “Oi, Evans! Where are you off to in such a hurry? Can’t handle this level of affection?”
“Is that a challenge, Potter?” Heather doesn’t even turn around.
James grins. “Course it is. Can’t let you walk away while we’re still all cozy and hugging.”
Remus snorts at James’ comment, but Peter, clinging to James, pipes up, "Come back and join the hug! Then it’ll be a giant group cuddle party!”
Heather turns and grabs Lily’s arm, dragging her into the group hug. Lily lets out a surprised yelp from being suddenly pulled and immediately becomes squished between the group. James makes exaggerated noises of protest, pretending to be annoyed at the addition. He groans. “Great, just what we needed, another Evans joining the cuddle pile.”
Remus pats Lily on the back, teasing her gently, “Ah, now the cuddle party is complete. Welcome to the festivities, Lily.”
Lily rolls her eyes, but has already accepted her fate. She tries to shoot her sister a playful glare, her voice slightly muffled as she’s squished between the boys, “Thanks a lot, Heather. I was totally planning on getting squashed tonight.”
“If I had to join this, so do you, Lils.”
Lily sighs dramatically. “Fair enough. If you’re suffering, so am I.”
Peter squeezes Lily a little tighter, grinning. “Come on, it’s not that bad. It’s a good bonding experience.”
James laughs. “Yeah, a team-building exercise.”
Lily tries to adjust her position, wriggling a bit to get more comfortable, which only causes the boys to squeeze her tighter, much to her faux annoyance.
James grins and pokes her in the side. “Ah, come on, Lils, admit it. You’re enjoying this. It’s not every day you get smothered in a group hug with a bunch of handsome guys.”
Heather groans. “You are all the worst. Can I go to bed now?”
James pouts, pretending to be hurt. “Aww, Evans, you’re breaking our hearts here. Why do you always have to be so hasty? Can’t we just stay like this for a little longer?” The other boys join in, fake whining and making puppy dog eyes at her.
Heather is starting to miss her bed, but they are so hard to say no to, especially when they pull the puppy dog eyes. “Ugh. Fine. I’ll stay.”
The boys cheer victoriously. James grins, pulling all of them into a tighter embrace.
Sirius pats her on the head, affectionately. “You’re too soft, Evans. We know all the right buttons to push to get you to stay.”
Peter cackles like a cartoon villain. “Now we’ve got you right where we want you. Resistance is futile.”
Heather laughs, unable to be annoyed with them as a collective.
The boys bask in the sound of her laughter, feeling a great sense of accomplishment for making her stay and enjoying the moment of togetherness.
Remus has a small smile on his face. “See? This isn’t so bad.”
Peter nods in agreement. “Yeah, who needs personal space anyway? We’re so much better off all squished together like this.”
James grins and leans his head back to get hair out of his eyes. “Personal space is overrated. We’re a team, and we stick together…literally.”
Lily rolls her eyes at the boys’ antics, but there’s a hint of a smile on her face. “You’re all ridiculous, you know that?”
Sirius snickers, looking quite pleased with himself. “We know, but you love us for it.”
“We’re the perfect mix of endearing and insufferable, a combination that’s hard to resist,” says James.
“Yeah, and you can’t deny we’ve got charm, wit, and the ability to constantly annoy you. What more could you want?” adds Sirius.
“We also have excellent hugging skills, clearly,” says Peter excitedly. “We should start charging for these services.”
“You are already charging precious time,” says Heather dryly.
James grins, pretending to be offended. “We’re not wasting precious time. We’re creating fond memories, Evans. These will be the kind of moments you’ll look back on with fondness when you’re old and grey.”
Sirius nods in agreement, a sly smile on his face. “Yeah, think of this as an investment in future fond reminiscing.”
Heather does eventually break out of the hug to get back to her own dormitory. She’s grateful for the quiet of her own bed, but also grateful for true and loyal friends.