── Wednesday 22nd September 1971

"NOW, CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT VERMICULUS DOES?" Professor Swinderman asked during the final minutes of Defence Against the Dark Arts for the day. James' hand shot up from beside Sirius, same as Lily Evans'. They'd been at this for a while now; contending academically for no specific reason. Sirius thought perhaps it was pride - that's what he'd personally fight for. "Yes, Mr Potter?"

"It's a form of transfiguration actually, which turns things into worms, Sir," the boy responded. James sent a bounteous smile Evans' way. The girl's expression soured and she turned away, stretching her arm higher in an attempt to get the teacher's attention.

"That's correct. Thank you, Mr Potter," Professor Swinderman said, smiling at James. He turned his gaze to Lily, "Would you like to add something, Miss Evans?"

The redhead nodded, "Yes, Professor. I was just going to add that Vampyr Mosp are especially susceptible to Vermiculus, and that any other spell cast on them whilst they're in this state will cause them to explode in a flash of bright colours."

"Brilliant addition, Miss Evans! Five points to Gryffindor," he rewarded, before glancing at his watch to check the time. "A'right, kids, that's all for today," Professor Swinderman said as he shut his copy of 'The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection', "Don't forget to revise chapter two before your next class with me."

Sirius slipped out of his seat, reaching for his bookbag. He looked up to find James sitting there, mouth wide open. "Trying to catch flies, mate?" Sirius teased, cocking a brow.

"Did you see that?" the brunette asked, grabbing his things as well.

Sirius furrowed his eyebrows as the two exited the classroom along with Remus and Peter, "See what?"

"Evans," James huffed, stepping down the spiralling staircase. The boy watched after the redhead, who'd left accompanied by Mary MacDonald and Marlene McKinnon. "Merlin, just why does she always need to compete?" he asked the group after a moment, seeming exasperated.

"Well, she is kind of smart," Peter said, trying to stuff his textbook into his bag as he did. He looked up, "but you're also smart so I dunno."

James sighed, "I bet it's that git she's friends with. I don't like the look of him, y'know? He's probably why she doesn't like me."

Sirius nodded, "He's a Slytherin and we all know how those lot are."

"I think you lot should just leave her alone," said Remus, raising an eyebrow at the boys. "She hasn't done anything really."

"Neither have we!" exclaimed Peter, seeming worried all of a sudden. "Right?"

"Neither have we, Peter." Remus reassured, sighing.

"Yet," James added, winking at the boys and earning a laugh from Sirius in the process. The four approached the doors to their common room and Remus looked up at the fat lady with a small smile, uttering the password - shrivelfig. The giant doors opened wide and they strolled inside. James and Sirius took their seats near the fireplace while Peter and Remus retreated to the dorm, saying they had to complete their astronomy work.

"Where do you think Evans is right now?" James asked, pressing his head back into the auburn sofa, his arm hung over its armrest.

"Evans?" Sirius repeated after him, glancing at the other boy. He shrugged, mirroring James' movement, "Don't know. What do mudbloods do for fun?" the boy questioned, genuinely curious. Leading a life without magic must have been so off, Sirius couldn't imagine doing so himself — Muggles truly seemed so much more capable than wizards, and so much more intriguing. James straightened up, turning to stare at Sirius with narrowed eyes. "What's wrong?"

"You shouldn't say that, Sirius," James said, eyebrows knitting together. "That's a horrible word to use!"

"What is?" the Black boy blinked, puzzled as to why his friend was looking at him with such shock.

James' expression softened, seeming to sense his befuddlement, "The m word. It's discriminating," he explained.

The pieces began to fit together after that small comment. Sirius blinked at his new realisation, doubts fogging up his mind as he queried, "You're telling me everyone doesn't use it?"

"'Course not. Except the Slytherins," the brunette informed him.

"Oh," Sirius uttered, looking down at his lap, "I didn't know that," he admitted quietly.

James rested a hand on his shoulder, "It's alright, you do now," he assured, offering Sirius a small smile. "Just say muggleborns, yeah?" Sirius nodded. "Great."

── ✧ ──

── Tuesday 12th October 1971

IT WAS QUITE CLEAR TO REGULUS that, when he realised he had to supervise not just two hyperactive children, but three, Rodolphus Lestrange wanted to die just a little. The man had greeted him and Evan with a purely vacant expression that Regulus was certain was only masking his utter annoyance. He almost felt bad for him, though the Black boy doubted he was even nearly as curious Evan or Rabastan — he was sure his presence would make little difference.

Besides, the very moment they had entered the Lestrange manor, Evan and Rabastan had taken one look at Rodolphus and burst into childish giggles, leading Regulus past him before he had the chance to even say hello.

"Is it just me or did he get crankier?" Evan asked. He strutted between him and Rabastan, still holding both boys' hands as they crossed the extravagant main hall, heading who knows where. Regulus blinked at his question.

"That's what I said!" Rabastan exclaimed, "All he does now is complain, it's so depressing."

"I heard that, Bastan," Rodolphus said, glancing at the three as he strode past them and towards the stairs. He paused for a moment, turning his head to look at them all. "I sealed the kitchen doors shut with magic. Do not even try to get in, you won't be able to," he said, giving Evan a pointed look towards the end. Rabastan made a face at his brother, to which Rodolphus scoffed, turning around, "Am I clear, Rabastan?"

"Am I clear?" Rabastan mocked, snorting, "Yeah, everyone can see right through you."

"Be quiet," he retorted, rolling his eyes, "you have so much to say for someone who's shorter than five foot."

"I'm taller than most people my age!" Rabastan said, "Just look at these two," he said, jabbing a thumb in Regulus and Evan's direction.

"I'm not short," Regulus stated, frowning at the brothers.

"Neither am I," Evan added, dropping the boys' hands in order to cross his arms.

Rodolphus appeared to bite back a smile, "Of course," he said, his hand moving to take the railing of the staircase, "Don't damage anything."

"So what are we going to do?" Regulus asked the two once Rodolphus had left, "Read, maybe?"

"Read?" Evan repeated aghast, while Rabastan snickered, mumbling something about Regulus joining his brother instead.

The dark haired boy scowled, not appreciating their reactions, "It's fun!" he defended.

"Yeah, if you have no friends," Evan responded, also snickering now, "You really are a nerd!"

He folded his arms, "I am not! I like doing other things too, like- like chess!"

"Nerd!" the other yelled.

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Shut up, twats!" Rabastan interjected, stepping between them both, "I want to play Quidditch, not watch you two bicker."

The two stopped their squabbling, though Regulus raised his eyebrows, confusion lacing his expression, "How would we play though? There's only three of us."

"Well," Rabastan started, trying the kitchen door, "we'll all be on our own teams, and every round one person will sit out and keep score while the others play," he explained. Regulus nodded, quickly picking up the concept.

"Great," Evan said, "Last one outside is a cow!" he declared, rushing off. Regulus shared a look with Rabastan before sprinting after the boy.

Rabastan came last out of three and was therefore dubbed a cow by Evan, who then retreated to the shed to grab two brooms and a quaffle — Regulus watched as Evan strolled towards him and offered him one, "I'm going to crush you in this," he then said with a grin.

"You can do it, Regulus!" Rabastan called from the bench, "Humble him a bit for me!"

Evan gasped, turning around, "You're a traitor!" he yelled, pointing at the brunette.

"I thought I was a cow?" came Rabastan's response. Regulus' lips twitched into a faint smile, he was becoming more fond of this duo than he had expected.

"You're both!" Evan shouted back, decidedly, "Isn't he, Reg?"

"Rabastan has the better argument, you have a big head," Regulus replied, finding his smile growing incredibly as the blonde gasped again.

"Traitors!" Evan huffed, feigning offense as he mounted his broom.

"You're surprisingly good at this," the blonde commented later, when Regulus had scored the final hoop.

"I used to play with my cousins and Sirius," he explained, hovering near Evan. "He's good at it too."

"You mean the blood traitor?" he asked, pausing, "That's funny," Evan scoffed, drifting towards the ground, "Rab! It's your turn!"

"About time!"

Regulus watched Rabastan and Evan converse, his frown returning. Was everyone going to push his brother aside like that? Just because he was a Gryffindor?

05.12.21