❃.✮:▹ 　◃:✮.❃

7th Year of Hogwarts
❃.✮:▹ 　◃:✮.❃

ALL THE FALLEN snow had melted two days after falling, meaning that game plan 49-Y was set in motion. It would be the final match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The match orders of the houses had changed, due to a sudden flu outbreak in the Slytherin house and Professor McGonagall needing a personal day out. The first match occurred between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff instead of Gryffindor and Slytherin on the first weekend of November. The reason for that personal weekend of McGonagall was heavily speculated, and the wildest theory was that the professor had left on a mission to kidnap a Harpie and force her to play on the Gryffindor team. The truth, as Remus would overhear years later as a teacher at Hogwarts, was that Minerva had returned to her cottage near Edinburgh due to her partner suddenly taking ill. Elspeth would make a full recovery.

Eloise tightened the straps of her protective gear and patted it for good measure. Her fluffy hair was braided tightly and dangled between her shoulder blades. The girl's locker room bustled about as the Gryffindor girls got ready as they exchanged pep talks.

"I'm not looking!" James's familiar, loud and obnoxious voice sounded as he walked into the locker room with a hand over his eyes. "Please all be decent!" He yelled out once more.

Grumbling, Eloise grabbed her scarf and whacked it at James. He jumped and screamed in pain before peeling open his eyes and glaring at Eloise.

"Get out, Potter," Hildred Jones hissed as she shoved herself into her quidditch jumper to cover her black sports bra. Her blond curls sprung up, and she started gathering them into a low, puffy bun at the base of her neck.

"Not before I personally wish you all good luck," James sang as he turned around to look at the other girls.

Francesca smiled and uttered thanks as she tied off her waist-long black braid, and Adjoha winked at James. "Okay, time to go," Adjoha motioned for the door.

Once more Eloise whipped James with her scarf, and he squirmed. "Okay, okay, okay," He skipped away as Eloise continued to whack him. "Merlin, you guys are mean--"

Whatever other words James was screaming were muffled by the shut door of the locker room. Eloise turned back to her teammates with a smirk before bursting into laughter. The other girls joined in. "See you later, Cap," Eloise shouted through the door."

1977-1978 was the first year that came to know a Gryffindor quidditch team where most of the players were women. And the Gryffindor girls were determined to make it a quidditch cup-winning year to celebrate.

☆——⍟——☆

The Quidditch stands were packed, a sea of red and gold on one side and green and silver on the other. Gryffindor versus Slytherin, a loaded match as always. The air was crisp, the sky clear, and the anticipation was palpable.

The players took their positions, Eloise tightened her grip on her broom, and her eyes locked onto the goalposts. She looked back at the red and gold stands and winked, hoping Remus or one of her friends would see.

"Mount your brooms! Three, two, one!"

The whistle blew, and the players shot into the air. The cheers that came from the stands were deafening. The quaffle was tossed up, and James Potter snatched it immediately. As was explained in plan 49-Y part A, James started flying in wide curves. As expected, the Slytherin chasers started chasing after James.

The Potter smirked before glancing down at Arthur, he dropped the quaffle promptly. The brown ball fell into Arthur's expecting hands and then he was off.

"Potter to Lockhart, and he's off! Look at that coordination!"

A bludger headed for Arthur, but was intercepted by Francesca. She smacked the bludger hard enough, and it soared back before burying itself into the stands.

Arthur tossed the quaffle to Eloise, who upon receiving it started to dive. One of the great things about her small stature was that she was more agile in the air. A bludger appeared in front of her nose, and Eloise threw the quaffle away before she was hit.

Just as Eloise made contact with the bludger and nearly fell of her broom, James caught the quaffle and raced off. He feinted a left, then a right, and then hurled the quaffle with his strong arm. It flew through the left hoop, brushing the Slytherin keeper's toes.

"Ten points to Gryffindor!"

Once more cheers erupted.

Slytherin managed to score twice, but Gryffindor quickly retaliated with two more goals from Arthur and Eloise, bringing the score to 30-20 in Gryffindor's favour. Regulus Black also made contact with a bludger, but much like Eloise he managed to stay on his broom.

With the Black boy distracted, he missed the sliver of gold flying past him. Lewis Coralialis spotted it, and was off immediately. He rounded the stands in pursuit as Regulus recovered and joined the chase,

A little way up, the game of quaffles and bludgers was still going. Eloise managed to intercept a handover from the Slytherin team and raced away with the quaffle in her hands. She looped in the air to avoid a bludger and whilst upside-down, she scored a fourth goal for Gryffindor.

"Another ten points to Gryffindor! They're on fire today!"

With a well-timed bludger against Hildred, Slytherin managed to score another goal.

All the while, the two Seekers were engaged in a battle of manoeuvres. The snitch was zigzagging, leading the two boys on a wild goose chase. Lewis pulled up in an attempt to distract the Black boy. He succeeded as Regulus overcorrected for Lewis' fake manoeuvre. Lewis took his queue and whizzed ahead after the fluttering snitch.

Arthur reeled his arm back to score a goal when a bludger hit the quaffle in his hand. His arm jerked backwards unexpectedly and the boy cried out as the tendons in his arm gave out.

At that exact moment, Lewis managed to take hold of one of the snitch's wings.

"Gryffindor wins! 180-30!"

James pumped his fist in the air, grinning broadly as he swarmed Lewis in celebration. Eloise tackled James with a hug, nearly making her fall off her broom.

The gold and red players were met with praise and enchanted confetti that screamed each time it hit something. And Remus would swear that the slight tinnitus in his ears came due to the loud confetti that day.

Despite his limp arm, Arthur cheered just as loud as anyone else and attempted to help the crowd-surfing Lewis. If it wasn't for James and Adjoha standing beside the injured Arthur and carrying Lewis, Lewis would have fallen to the floor.

Eloise was promptly kissed by Remus who had a small golden lion on his cheek. She grinned up at him, proud that quidditch was becoming a mutual interest for the two.

"It's time to party!" Marlene whooped as she pulled Eloise away from Remus with an arm around the brunette's shoulder. "I see a club in our future," Marlene sang loudly.

"Oh fuck yes." Sirius pumped his fist into the air in agreement. Peter was glued to Sirius' side and squeaked at Sirius' enthusiasm.

The group ventured back into the castle, their common room was warm and cheerful with butterbeer and firewhiskey being handed out with no stinginess in sight. House elves had baked scones, cookies, and brownies which the students were scarfing down as though starved.

Alice sat on Frank's shoulders as she tried to fix the string lights that crossed the common room so many times that they would be tangled forever by the end of the night. Marlene was handing out shots and convincing Peter to chug down a bottle of black liquid. Dorcas sat on a loveseat with a deck of cards in her hands, and Sirius watched her every move. James and Eloise were riding out their victory by taking pictures with their teammates and the young Gryffindor kids, their significant others were left to their own devices.

As the party raged on, Remus and Lily found themselves sitting together on a plush, overstuffed couch in a corner of the common room. The glow from the fireplace cast warm, flickering shadows on their faces, and the roar of celebration buzzed in the background.

"So," Lily began, taking a sip from her butterbeer and glancing over at James, who was currently attempting to teach a group of first-years how to do a victory dance. "I suppose the quidditch talk will only become worse from now on."

Remus chuckled, leaning back. He pushed the paper label of his butterbear to shreds. "Oh, definitely. James is cocky enough, winning only makes it worse. He'll be floating on air for days."

"I fear I'll be hearing about this win all night," Lily laughed and threaded a hand through her red hair, tossing it to the side and giving her a side part.

Remus shook his head, grinning. "You'd think she'd invented Quidditch the way she talks about it." He looked over at his small girlfriend who was chanting with James and Hildred.

Lily laughed, nodding in agreement. "Absolutely. Though sometimes I wonder how much more of James' gloating I can handle before I hex his mouth away."

The Lupin boy raised a brow at Lily. "Lily Evans hexing a mouth away?" He rested a hand on his chest. "We really are a terrible influence-" He was interrupted by his own laughter as Lily shoved him. Remus' bottle of butterbeer slipped from his long fingers and tumbled to the floor, the last few drops bled onto the carpet.

Too drunk to care, Lily and Remus burst out laughing, and Remus covered his face with his hands and Lily's shoulder. "Oh noooo," He hiccuped. "I'm going to get a new one!" Remus declared as he stood up.

The night was dwindling down, most of the younger lions had already retreated and the older ones were starting to take their leave. Remus was heading for the refreshment table and sobered up with each step he took, a curtsy of the butterbeer and water he had been drinking no doubt.

"Moonseyyyyy!" Remus felt Eloise before he heard her, she wrapped around him with her head on his shoulder and laughs raking her body. Remus pressed a kiss to Eloise's forehead. She tilted her head back and grinned up at him.

Confidence overtook Remus and he cupped her face before kissing her deeply. Eloise was more than happy to return the gesture. Both forgot that they were in public as Remus grabbed Eloise's belt loops and pulled her closer. Eloise crumpled Remus' jumper in her left hand whilst her right darted under Remus' sweater and over his bare skin, making the boy shudder.

Remus pulled back and took Eloise's hand and walked towards the stairs of the boy dormitories. The couple raced up the steps and into the Marauders' bedroom, which was empty seeing as the boys were downstairs or in the girl dormitories.

The Lupin boy locked the door and turned to Eloise, returning for an extra kiss. A slight moan came from Eloise and she pushed Remus' jumper up and over his head. The duo stumbled back to Remus' bed.

Remus' bare back fell onto the ruby sheets and Eloise climbed on top of him. They kissed and she took care of his neck as Remus' hands pushed her jumper up. He marvled at Eloise and she winked at him. "Are you sure, love?" She asked, lips brushing over Remus' collarbone.

He gulped before nodding. "Very sure, Elo." He pressed a kiss into her hair.

Eloise pulled back smirking, her fingers digging slightly under Remus' belt. "Bloody fantastic."

☆——⍟——☆

James Potter, Frank Longbottom and Peter Pettigrew never returned to their room. James had spent the night with Lily in a closet with a loveseat from the common room. Frank had spent the night in Alice's room and Peter had simply fallen asleep on a couch by the fireplace.

So when morning came, and Eloise woke up with Remus in her arms, she sighed happily and peeled herself loose from him. She plucked a t-shirt out of Remus' trunk and pulled it over her head. She pressed a kiss against Remus' bare shoulder before leaving the bed.

Eloise headed for the bathroom but was intercepted by Sirius. "You two are vile," He huffed with his arms crossed. "I hate you, gits."

The Prewett girl laughed. "I tolerate you too, Padsy." She patted his cheek before entering the bathroom.

☆——⍟——☆

In a shabby tattoo parlour in Hogsmeade, Sirius and Eloise walked in. Eloise had a bandana in her hair, a blue short top with large blue bell sleeves and worn-out flared jeans. Her clogs lacked against the creaky floors. Sirius had let his locks down and was dressed in flared jeans, a black leather jacket and a blouse that was too unbuttoned for the taste of older folks.

Eloise sat down in the chair and tied her hair away to reveal the ear that Remus had accidentally mauled one night. A few pieces were missing in the outer curve of her ear, and a few thick scars ran out from the gaps like roots of trees.

The scars were covered up with black vines and leaves, small flowers were dotted around. Eloise looked at her new tattoo with a wide smile. Her mother was surely killing her in the afterlife, but it was so worth it.

"This wasn't a very good idea," Sirius mumbled as he took his place on the chair. He gulped at the sight of the needle and turned to Eloise.

"Sod off you big baby," Eloise punched Sirius' shoulder and he glared at her.

As soon as the needle made contact with Sirius' skin, he passed out. Eloise looked at his knocked-out body and shook her head.

A cartoon black dog took up residence on Sirius' left underarm, and it would wag his tail every time Sirius' heart rate picked up.

☆——⍟——☆

Eloise returned to Hogwarts alone seeing as Sirius was off to a date, and he didn't allow Eloise to crash it. The brunette lit a cigarette as she strolled over the green grass, chilly air kissing her face and colouring her rosy.

"Hey, Rocket!" James laughed and before she knew it, Eloise was hauled up into James' big strong arms. "Let me see," He dropped Eloise onto the ground and he pushed her hair to the side. "Looks good, Foxy."

The girl brushed her clothes off and she pulled her cigarette out of her mouth, she offered it to James without a word. "Thank you Cap." She smirked as James took the cigarette and inhaled before allowing the smoke to leave his lips.

"You know, you're going to get yourself into trouble one of these days, Foxtail," He teased, handing the cigarette back to her.

She rolled her eyes, her smirk widening. She popped the cigarette between her lips again. "Like you don't get into enough trouble for both of us, Prong."

They walked side by side towards the castle, the fading light cast long shadows across the grounds. Hogwarts Castle looked warm, a beacon. Eloise sighed at the sight of it, soon enough she would leave and never return.

Despite his terrible eyesight, James was able to read Eloise as easily as he could transform into a deer. He threw an arm around Eloise's shoulders and pulled her close. "Feels sad doesn't it? To think we're leaving soon..." James trailed off and looked around at the Hogwarts grounds. The quidditch goalposts were stark against the dimming sky. The Forbidden Forest was dark and unwelcoming, but still, he'd miss it and all the nights he spent there. The Whomping Willow stood serenely on the grounds, and James smiled at the tree. The castle stood there, with laughter and tears engraved in its old stones.

Hogwarts had been there long before the Marauders, and it would outlive them tenfold.

"Don't get emotional on me, Potter. Where's my strong captain?" Eloise laughed, and when James shoved her, she stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry.

"Sod off," James seethed, he crossed his arms in fake anger.

But Eloise had known James all her life, she knew when he was cross and she knew when James was feeling whimsical. "Fear not Prongs, you won't be getting rid of me any time soon," She wrangled her arms through James' as they walked. "I'll be annoying you until the day I die, and that's a promise."

James glanced down at Eloise and pushed his rectangular glasses up his nose. "Sounds like a nightmare."

Eloise winked. "Sorry, Captain's orders are to stick close to your enemies."

Momentarily James didn't feel Eloise's arms around his and took a few big steps away from her, accidentally dragging Eloise along. "Git!" Eloise punched James' shoulder as her feet dragged over the grass and he laughed at her.

"At least I taught you well," James looked down at Eloise and his eyes softened. "We're a good team, Foxtail."

Eloise grinned and tilted her chin up at James. "The very best," Her voice was firm, and James could hear the smile in her words. Eloise blew out more smoke in James' face and he shook his head.

"O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, // The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won, // The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, // While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring," The voice of Dorcas Meadows greeted the two Gryffindors. The girl sat in the courtyard with Marlene and Remus. "But O heart! heart! heart!// O the bleeding drops of red, // Where on the deck my Captain lies, // Fallen cold and dead." Dorcas looked up and saw James, she smiled and continued the poem.

Eloise took a seat and showed her new tattoo as Dorcas continued reading. "O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; // Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills, // For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding, // For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; // Here Captain! dear father! // This arm beneath your head! // It is some dream that on the deck, // You've fallen cold and dead."

"Well, this is depressing," Eloise sighed as Dorcas stopped for a moment to collect her breath. "Utterly depressing, in fact."

"I think it's noble," James hummed. "Dying for something you believe in, being a hero..." He trailed off as he received looks from everyone.

Marlene snorted. "Heroes get killed in war, Potter. Wouldn't be so wishful in dark times."

"Leave it, Marlene, he's right," Dorcas said with a nod. "Remember the oath we all took," Dorcas looked around and saw no one. "I swear loyalty to the order and to you all," Remus joined in. "To lay down my life if necessary," Eloise and Marlene jumped in. "So that freedom may prevail," James joined in. "I swear to better this world."

Eloise looked around and then closed her eyes. To better the world.

a/n:
omg it's been so long, i'm so sorry! hopefully you enjoyed the chapter!
four more years until godic's hollow... time's running out for our babies...
let me know what you want to see in the next few chapters, it might
just happen...

sad post

the black brothers... oh how they deserved the world.
actually hate the fact that sirius never learned of regulus' betrayal,
and especially because he'd never know it was due to reggie loving kreacher
date published:8 june 2024
word count: 3299