Sunday 9th May, 1977

It had been two weeks and James and Sirius were still ignoring me. I'd made up with both Remus and Peter, but they usually followed James and Sirius's lead whenever all four of them were around me, making me feel like I'd lost all of them instead of only two.

To make things worse, O.W.L.s were in a month. A single month. I'd been cramming as much study time as possible, though without any of the marauders help I was worried I'd fail and become the black sheep of the family.

I'd been sending my mother letters more often as well, feeling a need to be able to talk to at least one family member that didn't hate me. I'd informed her about everything that had happened, hoping she have some sort of helpful advice or support. She had both, though whatever I did didn't seem to matter, because my brothers stayed stubbornly angry at me.

I opened my eyes groggily. As I started being aware of my surroundings, the first thing I noticed was Regulus's body against mine. I smiled, still not used to sleeping with him every night, so every morning I got the nice surprise of seeing him. It also didn't hurt that he was the last thing I saw before I went to bed and the first thing I saw when I woke up.

I let myself stare at Regulus's sleeping form, noting how peaceful he looked. His hair was dishevelled, the only time I ever saw it like that, but it was very attractive on him. His mouth was parted slightly as he slept, his chest slowly rising and falling with each breath he took. I light brushed some of his hair from his face and he stirred, eyes fluttering open.

A tired smile appeared on his face when he saw me, sleepily pulling me towards him and burying his head in the crook of my neck. I let out a chuckle, softly stroking his hair as he sighed contentedly, nuzzling my throat.

We stayed there for a while longer, just enjoying one another's company as we lazily lied in bed. When my stomach started to ache and my mind kept drifting to food, though, I knew it was time to get up. However, when I tried to leave the bed Regulus let out a noise of displeasure and tightened his grip around my waist, tugging me closer to him once more.

I laughed. "Come on Reg, I've got to get up."

He huffed, cracking his eyes open to glare at me, a pout on his face. "No."

I ruffled his hair fondly. "Yep."

Regulus gave another sound of disapproval from his throat but let me untangle myself from his arms and leave the bed. I got some clothes and went into the bathroom, getting ready. When I exited the bathroom Regulus was also fully dressed, his hair suspiciously neat.

"How is your hair so perfect when you didn't even have a hairbrush?"

Regulus shrugged. "A magician never tells their secrets."

I scoffed, but smiled at him, and together we made our way to the Great Hall. Breakfast was a quick affair, both of us wanting to spend as much time as possible studying. So that's how we spent the first half of our day, holed up in the library with mounds of books surrounding us. Soon enough Barty, Evan, Avery, and Pandora joined us, and then Dorcas also found her way to our table. There was some speaking and jokes that were made, but majority of the time was spent in silence.

"I'm bored," Evan stated after a while of studying, tossing his work aside. "Who's up for some quidditch?"

Avery's hand shot up. "Me, please. I think I'll die if I have to write one more word on the theory of switching spells."

Regulus sent a questioning look at me and I nodded. It wouldn't hurt to spend a little time away from studying. Everyone ended up agreeing, Dorcas splitting up with us for a bit in search for some food to bring.

When we got to the quidditch pitch all the boys got on the brooms, while Pandora and I settled in the stands, watching the game instead of playing. All the boys were on the Slytherin quidditch team, so they were all plenty good at playing. Avery and Barty were beaters, Evan was a chaser, and I already knew that Regulus was a seeker. They didn't have enough numbers though, so their positions were changed to cater to the small amount of people playing.

I stared at Regulus as he flew, mesmerised. He was so elegant while flying, moving in fluid, graceful movements and outflying the others by far. It was enthralling to watch him, and I'll admit I got a bit distracted watching him than actually keeping score of the game.

"He's happy when he's with you," Pandora said, noting what I was looking at.

I felt heat rush to me cheeks from being caught staring, but also felt a blessed warmth fill my heart at her words.

"You think?"

Pandora nodded, her gaze flickering from me to Regulus. "Yeah. He's much more open now that he's with you. You're doing him a lot of good." Her face contorted into one of concern as she stared at me. "I'm just worried about his parents and what they'll say when they find out he's dating you. I'm sure they already know, because purebloods are nothing if not gossips, and it scares me. I don't want him to get hurt."

I felt a similar concern weigh me down, staring at Regulus as he flew through the sky, seemingly worry free. "I'm worried too. He never mentioned what his parents reactions were when he defied them, and honestly I'm scared to ask." I let out a humourless laugh. "Not very Gryffindor of me, I'll admit."

Pandora gave me a smile, moving to grab my hand. "That's what everyone here seems to forget. What house you're in is not who you are. Did you know you're actually only sorted into the houses that you share similar values with? Not because you actually are whatever they represent? For example, you can be in Slytherin and not be ambitious, you just value ambition. Or a Ravenclaw who doesn't enjoy learning, but values knowledge. It's the same with any other house. People forget why they were sorted into their house to begin with and end up hating whatever parts of them don't fit within that stereotype. A Slytherin doesn't have to be cunning. A Ravenclaw doesn't have to be wise. A Hufflepuff doesn't have to be kind, and, Y/n, you don't have to always be brave. It's okay to be scared."

I smiled at Pandora. "Wow, that was something. Thank you, though. I needed to hear that."

Pandora smiled back and squeezed my hand in a comforting gesture. My smile widened with the knowledge that I had people, just like Pandora, who cared about me. That I had a family other than the one I was born into.

Dorcas eventually arrived with a basket of food and the boys stopped their game. We decided to have a picnic on the quidditch pitch grass, because Dorcas had had the good insight to bring along a picnic blanket. I sat next to Regulus and was reminded of our study date, all those months ago. I smiled.

"Hey Reg," I said. "Remember when we had that picnic study session outside one time?"

Regulus raised his eyebrow curiously and nodded. "Yeah, why?"

I leaned into whisper into his ear. "I lied that day. I'd said I noticed what everyone wore, but it wasn't true. I just noticed you."

A smile came over Regulus's face at my words and then suddenly he was kissing me, a hand resting against my neck and the other against my cheek. I leaned into the kiss, savouring the feeling of his lips against mine, before we were interrupted.

"Get a room!" Barty hollered.

Regulus and I broke apart, sharing a look as we rolled our eyes at Barty's behaviour. We were told to keep our hands to ourselves from Evan who barely managed to supress his laughter and give us a stern look. We followed his instructions though, and I stuffed my hands into my pockets, only to find something already in there.

I pulled it out and realised it was a letter to my mother I'd forgotten to send to her. I looked at the time and knew if I sent it then I might've been able to get a reply from her in the same day. I told my friends I needed to send the letter and bid them goodbye, walking up to the castle by myself.

I arrived at the Owlery with no problem and borrowed James's owl to send the letter. I knew he probably wouldn't like me using his owl when we were at odds with one another, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

After I sent it, I left the Owlery and started heading to the library. I'd assumed they'd left the quidditch pitch by then, but even if they hadn't it would be good for me to get some alone time while studying before they found me again.

My plans were interrupted though, when I turned the corner and was ambushed by a group of Slytherins. This group included Wilkes, Mulciber, two of the worst Slytherins I knew, and Selena Rowle and Emma Vanity, best friends and also two of the worst Slytherins I knew.

Just great.

"Heard what do you did to Selena," Wilkes said. "Not very nice of you, stealing someone's boyfriend."

I rolled my eyes. "He was mine first."

Selena scowled, her lip curling as she crossed her arms. Somehow even a scowl looked good on her. A scowl!

"We've decided to repay you for that," Wilkes continued.

"Among other things," Mulciber spat.

The first spike of fear went down my spine as I glanced around. I was in a dead end, the only places I could go being the Owlery or through them. I had my wand, thankfully, but nothing else. The question was, would I be able defeat them, four against one? Not to mention Wilkes and Mulciber were both seventh years and I was only a fifth year. Selena and Emma I could take easy, though together might be a bit of a challenge. All four of them combined and I knew I didn't stand a chance.

I had to try though, right?

Not bothering with anymore small talk, I shoved my hand into my pocket, retrieving my wand before anyone else had the chance to. It was a slight advantage; one I was going to use. I shot a spell at Wilkes, knowing it would be best to get the bigger players out of the game first.

It hit him just as I'd hoped it would, and he flew back into the wall, slumping down with a groan. He wasn't unconscious and would be back up soon enough, but for now I only had to battle with three people which was an improvement.

Now the others had their wands out, ridding me of my advantage. I shot another spell, this time to Emma, but she blocked it. My next spell was also blocked, and then I was the one being forced to block them as all three Slytherins started firing at me at once. I could only go so fast though, and as Wilkes joined the fray again I knew I wouldn't last long. Soon enough one of the curses hit me, making me flinch as a burning sensation appeared on my cheek. I'd missed the brunt of it, so it had only grazed me, but that had been enough for me to lose my focus.

I was thrown back by one of them, tumbling through the air as I lost grip of my wand before I hit the floor harshly. I winced at the hard impact and started getting up, feeling my muscles ache from the action, when I felt someone's boot press into my back, pushing me down to the ground. I landed back down with a hiss of pain, feeling their foot press painfully hard into my back.

My fear hit me at full force as I realised what a vulnerable position I was in. They could do anything to me, and I'd be powerless against them. I'd dropped my wand when I'd flown through the air, and as my eyes searched the floor I found it several metres away from me, too far to reach. I was alone, with four vicious Slytherins who were desperate to make me pay for all the things not only I had done to them, but also my brother. I'd been in a few situations like this before, where Slytherins seeking revenge against my brother punished me, but usually I'd had the marauders to help me, or been able to save myself.

Now though, I was alone. I had no one to come to my rescue, and I was gonna have the ever-loving shit beat out of me. Probably worse. It scared me, but I couldn't do anything about it. All I could do was not give them the satisfaction of screaming. So that's exactly what I did, keeping silent as the four Slytherins threw taunts and jeers my way, enjoying the humiliation I was feeling.

I saw Mulciber's foot rear back and squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the painful impact. I was already in enough pain as it was, my body screaming at me from being thrown to the floor and the gash on my cheek on fire as it was pushed against the stone ground. Still, that wasn't enough to satisfy the Slytherins bloodlust, so I closed my eyes and received the pain.

Except it never came.

Instead I heard Mulciber let out a yelp followed by the unmistakable sound of a body hitting concrete. Or multiple bodies. I opened my eyes when I felt the pressure on my back leave, and found Wilkes with his wand out, pointed at James. My eyes darted to Mulciber and I found Sirius wrestling with him. Wrestling was a bit of a stretch, though, because Sirius had himself straddled around Mulciber's waist in a moment's notice and was throwing punch after punch at him.

Remus was having a stand off with Emma, his lips curled in distaste as he stared at the girl. There was an anger in his eyes, one I didn't see very often, and he threw curses at her with brutal efficiency, disarming her in a matter of seconds and firing more spells to throw her onto the ground and keep her there.

Peter was also holding his own against Selena, throwing spell after spell at her. From the aggravated look on her face, it was clear she was struggling against the rapid pace he had set for her. Peter, while not the best in the classroom, was an absolute legend outside of it, and I was grateful to have him by my side.

James was fighting spectacularly against Wilkes, shooting spells with the air of someone who was very angry. Each spell he fired was strong and vicious, and each time he fired another one Wilkes got slower and slower at defending himself, until eventually he got hit and James had the upper hand.

With fighting and chaos surrounding me, I tried to pick myself up off the ground. Every bone in my body screamed in protest, an ache resounding through me, but I gritted my teeth and kept going until I was standing, heaving one breath after the other. It was excruciating, and I felt like I would drop dead at a moments notice, but one look at my attackers fighting my friends gave me all the adrenaline I needed to get over it.

I moved to my wand and picked it up, relief rushing into me now that I had something to defend myself with, because at the current moment my body was useless. I looked around, noting what battles my friends were fighting and which needed the most help. Remus was more than fine, finishing Emma off with cold, harsh curses. James was fighting Wilkes ruthlessly, using every dirty trick he knew to defeat him. Sirius had stopped punching Mulciber and was in the act of tying him up, the boy's face covered in blood. Though he looked bloodied beyond recognition, I could tell Sirius hadn't hurt him too much. It was mainly the blood nose that was making him look like the victim from a crime scene.

He'd been brutalised so much over the year by my friends and I that I nearly felt bad for him, until I remembered why. Every time he got hurt he'd asked for it, so I was perfectly fine with letting Sirius continue tie Mulciber up. Finally, I let my eyes land on Peter and Selena.

He'd tired her quite a bit, but she was still fighting viciously like the beast she was. I moved towards them, not because I didn't think Peter was capable of beating her, because he clearly was, but because I wanted to be the one to beat her. She had been a large factor in ruining my life these past few months, and I was thirsty for vengeance.

Peter wordlessly let me take over, stepping back as I took his place. Selena started fighting with newfound energy, snarling at the sight of me, but I as just as angry and fuelled by adrenaline, barely feeling the sting in my cheek as I let my power go unchecked, throwing curse after curse at her.

It was brutal, I could tell that much from the way everyone seemed to stop fighting for a second to risk a glance my way. I barely gave myself time to breathe, firing as many vile curses as I could think of at once. I wanted to beat her. I wanted to stand over her crumpled form and have her know what it feels like to lose everything. To lose the person you love most in the world, because that's what she did to me. She took my happiness, my boyfriend, my friends, my brothers, the life I'd worked so hard to get, and she had the gall to try and take more from me. It was enraging.

"Y/n, stop."

I was brought back to the present when I felt my brother's hands on my arms, restraining me. I snarled and struggling, trying to escape his grip, until I saw the scene before me. Selena, curled up on the floor, cowering. From me. The sight was both satisfying and horrifying in equal measure. The only question going through my mind was:

What had I done?

"You're okay," James assured me. "You're fine. Now let's get out of here, yeah?"

I was too focused on the sight before me, so I just let James take me away, walking until I felt him stop. I wasn't sure how far we'd gone, but James seemed to think there was a safe amount of space between us and them.

I was mostly just startled, shocked that I was capable of making someone look as scared as Selena had looked. She had been scared because of me. Scared of me. It made me feel powerful, yet at the same time it made me feel like a monster.

She deserved it, some vile part of me thought. After all she's done, a little fear would do her good. I banished the thoughts, feeling remorse fill me instead. I regretted my actions, or at least how far I went, lost in my own bloodlust. It made me think maybe she and I weren't so different after all.

"James?" I asked when I finally got my bearings. I glanced around at my surroundings. We were in the boys' dorm. "What are you doing here? Why did you save me?"

James scoffed, shaking his head. "Why did I save you? Because you're my sister, idiot."

I sighed, disappointed. "So you're still mad at me?"

James shared an incredulous look with the boys. "Dude, you literally just got beat up. No, of course I'm not upset with you anymore. You could have been really hurt Y/n-"

Before he could finish I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him tightly. James returned the embrace just as quickly, and I could tell he'd missed me as much as I'd missed him. I pulled back and hugged the others, feeling relieved that I was finally with my family once more.

"So you're... okay with Regulus and I dating?" I asked hesitantly once we'd all hugged.

Sirius grimaced at my words. "Not exactly. The very thought of it still makes me want to throw up, but we can accept it, or at least not hate you for it. I'm sorry, for how we reacted. We all are. We should have supported you from the beginning, even if we didn't like it."

I felt relieved from his apology and nodded.

"Also," James added. "Mum threatened to send a howler if we didn't make up with you soon."

I laughed, then felt a sting from the gash in my cheek. I winced, and the others noticed, their eyes also going to my wound.

"We should probably get that cleaned up," Remus noted, "and we can't very well go to the Hospital Wing, because the others will no doubt be there."

Peter stepped forward. "Don't worry, I'm pretty good at healing minor wounds like this. Madam Pomfrey taught me."

He raised his wand and I stood absolutely still, fearing what would happen if he made a mistake. He didn't though, and I felt a relieving cold wash over my cheek, getting rid of most of the pain. I glanced in the mirror and found no evidence of the gash besides some raw skin and dried blood.

"Thanks Pete," I said.

I sighed, feeling the exhaustion sink in now that the adrenaline had worn off. Without even talking to the others, I walked over to James's bed and crawled under the covers, curling into a ball as I let my eyes flutter closed. I felt a heavy weight join me in the bed and James's arms wrap around me, pulling me close. I let out a quiet noise of irritation but nothing else, letting him lie in bed with me.

"I missed you," James murmured into my ear.

I was too far gone to answer him, but I knew he knew I'd missed him too.

A/N:

a lot of stuff happened in this one.

y/n and reg being cute <3

y/n getting beat up by the slytherins and then the marauders save her 🤭🤭🤭

and y/n having her bad girl moment 😌 i was actually listening to NDA bu billie eilish when y/n had her villian era moment and it fit so well

y/n and the marauders are back together!!!