epiphany ♕ | 𝗷𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

51

"IS THIS SUPPOSED TO AMUSE ME?" Siobhán Parten stared at the five boys in front of her. Regulus awkwardly eyed Sirius, giving him a small wave. James crouched down to their level, lending out his hand.

"Come out of the bleachers, please." His hand was still in the same position. Siobhán and Regulus had been sitting under the stands for who knows how long, observing the sky. "We want to do something fun. I'm sure you'll love it."

Siobhán hummed in thought, glancing at Regulus. "I'll come if Regulus can too." Regulus's eyes widened, glancing at her in surprise.

"It's fine." He quickly put in. "I'm not the type to go exploring at night anyway." Siobhán nudged him slightly in the shoulder. He gave her a confused stare, not realizing what she was trying to do.

"If you guys will have me, then I'll go." He rephrased. Siobhán latched onto James's lent-out hand, pulling herself up. James led them outside towards the stairs as the other boys watched.

"So, is this going to be an exploring party?" Sirius implored with an uneven tone. Regulus awkwardly stood in front of the group, not knowing where to place himself. Remus gave him a nod, smiling softly.

"An interesting one." Leonardo put forth and went toward Siobhán, giving her a tight hug. James watched their interaction with a smile. He became reminded of his bond with the Marauders. It was an unbreakable friendship that could never end, no matter the circumstances. "Black, will you come with us?"

Regulus hesitated. Sirius observed his younger brother, who he hadn't spoken to in a while. There was a thick tension between the two from previous events, and everyone in the group could tell. The stolen glances and unreadable expressions they shared: a brotherly bond that became broken. The Black brothers had lived together for years and experienced the same things, but even then, they could barely even speak to each other.

"I'll..." He paused. "I'll go with you lot." Siobhán gave him a genuine smile, squeezing his left arm softly. James went next to the pair with confidence.

"Well, little Black." He gave him a mischievous smile. "Be prepared for the time of your life." Remus gave a supportive thumbs-up as he knew what kind of things they'd make Regulus do. Peter went down the stairs first, almost tripping on his feet.

"Wormtail being as clumsy as ever." James quipped with a brief laugh. Peter turned around in the middle of a step to glare at him.

"If you weren't so strong, I would push you down these stairs right now." Peter gave him a tight-lipped smile and stuck out his tongue. James laughed even louder, gaining the attention of Siobhán.

"I'd like to see you try." James teased him. Peter clenched his fist, muttering loads of curses under his breath. Siobhán gave James an amused look, lacing her hand with his. He glanced down at her and brought her closer to his side. "Now go down the stairs, will you?"

"Merlin, help me so for what I'll do," Peter spoke loudly, stomping down the stairs. "I hope Filch catches us, and then we can all get in trouble." Sirius overheard this, struggling to contain his laughter.

"Oh, Prongsy~." Sirius serenaded as the group went down the Quidditch Stadium stairs. "What did you do to make poor Wormtail wish that upon us?" James's eyes flickered with mischief, sparing a glance towards Sirius.

"Teased him too hard." He smiled in between his sentence. "You know how sensitive he is." Peter slowly turned to face James, walking toward him in anger.

"I swear, Siobhán might have to hold me back." Peter seethed while clenching his fist. Siobhán moved away from James, letting out a laugh.

"You can count on me to do that." She gestured towards Peter. "But I would enjoy seeing James's face when dear Peter charges at him." James gave her a facade of hurt, placing his hand on his chest.