Chapter Text
The chattering of students filled the Great Hall, and the numerous annoying conversations about mindless topics were making your head spin. It was breakfast time, and all that came to your mind was, ‘It's too damn early for this, and I need sleep.’ You planted your palms on your face, covering your eyes from the light emitted by the floating candles in the Great Hall. However, this only solved one of your problems; the noise was still present.
Why were you so tired? There was a two-part workshop in potions today, and you stayed up well past midnight studying until your eyes could no longer stay open.
The first task in Potions was to create a laugh-inducing potion, which would cause anyone who takes it to laugh uncontrollably until they cry, soil themselves, or are left with a horrible stomach ache. The second task is to create the reversal potion. You had the first one down, but you're struggling with the reversal. However, staying up all night to master it helped a little.
Now, choosing to bury your head in your arms, you found it relaxing to have the sounds around you muffled; it was so peaceful that you began to drift off to sleep. Only a few minutes had passed when you felt a nudge against your left arm. You ignored it, but then you felt it again three more times. The last nudge was accompanied by a deep voice that you knew so well—it belonged to none other than Sirius Black.
“ You should wake up and eat something, love; we have a test today." You lifted your head to look at your long-haired friend, who was smirking at you. "You know, as the Muggles say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day," he said, eyeing all the delicious-looking food displayed in beautiful bowls, waiting to be eaten.
“And you're concerned because…?” you questioned in a low tone while sitting up and filling your plate with food. At the end of the day, it wasn’t like you’d ever miss breakfast for anything.
“Because I plan on sitting next to you in Potions so I can follow along step by step. I’m sure I’ll get a good grade too.”
“Ahh, so you need to copy?”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it that, and it’s not the only reason why I plan to sit next to you.”
“Oh, is it? Do tell,” you say, taking a bite of your food.
“Well, I overheard Slughorn discussing with some of the other professors that he plans on having us make a love potion sometime this year,” he says, sitting a bit closer to you with a toothy smile.
“Okay, and?”
“And whoever we sit by today will be our partner for the rest of the year. So be ready to be my girlfriend for however long the potion lasts.”
You really should have kept that to yourself; now I'll be sure to stay clear of you today. So, thanks for the heads-up." His face fell, and he placed a hand over his heart. 'Oh, here comes the dramatics,' you think with an eye roll.
"Ohh, Y/N, you break my heart..." he bellows, throwing his head back. His expression then shifts to one of seriousness as he leans forward, hovering over you. "You forget, love, I'm Sirius Black. And no one would dare sit next to you," he whispers, lifting your chin with his finger and bringing your lips closer to his. It was a bold attempt, but you jerked your head away, turning your attention to your food.
"If you think you can, please try," you tell him while stabbing your fork into your food for another bite.
"I'll barely have to try, love." He turned back to his own food just as James Potter sat down across the table in front of both of you with a cheeky smile.
“And what got you all chummy this morning?” Sirius asked while James Potter happily piled an insane amount of food onto his plate.
“This is my year!” he exclaimed, filling his cup to the brim with orange juice.
“How so?” Sirius inquired.
“Lily finally agreed to go on a date with me!” he said, and you gave a sad look to your friend.
“That poor, poor girl,” you chuckled, while James gave you a frown.
“Ha ha, very funny, but it wasn’t like that at all.”
Wow, I can't wait to hear all about it! I'm just bursting with anticipation for the details," you asked sarcastically.
“ You know what? Just for that, I’m keeping it to myself. Anyway, Remus, are you joining Quidditch this year? We are looking for a replacement after the old one fell from his broom and landed on his back. The poor guy is now paralyzed from the waist down." You leaned forward, glancing past Sirius and noticing Remus sitting there quietly. 'Has he been there the whole time?' you think to yourself as you turn your attention back to James.
"Maybe, but I’m not interested in being a Seeker," Remus stated.
"Sirius?"
"I think not. I can’t risk this pretty face or end up like the last guy. I think I’ll just watch the games like everyone else." You interjected, finding the comment about the last Seeker very rude.
“He has a name, guys, and don’t you think it’s rude to be talking about who will be Asher's replacement? How would you feel if you were one of the best seekers that Hogwarts has ever seen, only to be in an accident that leaves you paralyzed? Plus, who hasn’t heard about his girlfriend breaking up with him after all of this? On top of that, half of the Gryffindor boys will be at tryouts tomorrow, eager to take his place!” You looked at your friends and saw both James and Sirius awkwardly picking at their food.
“Well, when you put it that way, I kind of feel horrible for considering trying out for the seeker position,” James said, regretting all the food he had put on his plate. The only thing that looked appealing to him was the orange juice.
“Bloody hell, y/n, now I feel like… like… I don’t know how to describe how I feel! I just feel bad!” Sirius said, running his fingers through his hair.
“Well, you should feel that way. Just don’t tell Asher, because he’s probably had enough of all the pity parties since the accident,” you replied, stabbing your fork into your food again.
As you were eating, another person sat at the table with the four of you. You looked up and saw Lily Evans. She looked upset, and her eyes were a little red. She usually sat at the end of the Slytherin table for almost every meal with Severus Snape, but it seemed that wasn’t happening today.
Looking over to the Slytherin table, where you would normally see Lily and Severus sitting, you noticed that he was nowhere to be found.
“Hey, do you mind if I sit with you guys?” she asked, looking at you. You simply stared at her, and when you glanced at your friends, you saw that they were waiting for your answer. ‘The hell, are they waiting for my approval?’ You nodded your head.
“Yeah, sure,” you said, while James happily patted the seat next to him.
“Lily, you’re more than welcome to sit with us at any time,” James added, and you nodded again, as did the other two males. She smiled and took a seat beside James.
“Is everything alright with you?” you asked.
“Oh yes, I’m great!” she smiled. You didn’t want to press the issue if she didn’t want to talk about it, but you could only assume it had to do with her friend.
“Hey Y/N!” You looked back and saw two girls waving at you as they walked by. You smiled and waved back.
“Do you even know them?” Sirius asked, watching the two Hufflepuff girls leave the dining hall.
“I think I have Charms with them…” you said, taking a swig of your drink. You were halfway done with your meal, but your friends wanted to tease you a bit.
“So how does it feel?” You looked up at James with a confused expression.
“How does what feel?” you replied.
“How does it feel to be the most interesting person at Hogwarts?”
“I am not,” you said plainly, rolling your eyes.
“Oh, but you are. In fact, after our first year, you were one of the most sought-after people to befriend. Even some of the professors constantly ask you about your life.”
“No, they don’t!”
“Yes, they do.”
“NO. THEY. DON’T.” you argued back.
“Come on, Y/n, even now, the first and second years worship you,” James said while trying to suppress his laughter.
“I know I do,” Sirius whispered, and for that, you whacked his arm.
“Ouch!” he yelped, rubbing his arm.
“Do shut up, Sirius.”
“Hey, he’s right. You’ve traveled all over the world with your parents, and you always have the best stories to tell when you get back from them,” Sirius said, still rubbing his now sore arm.
“I’ve only traveled in the Muggle world, so it’s nothing special.”
Y/n, you're downplaying it. Most wizards haven’t even traveled in the Muggle world. Lily, what do you think?" James asked.
"Why are you asking her? She doesn’t even know..." Lily interjected.
"Well, I think that for the most part, people find your parents very interesting. Their lines of work have given you the opportunity to travel, and people are delighted to hear the stories you tell. The boys in the school admire your father for being a great fighter, and the girls are influenced by your mother being a clothing designer," she said with a small smile.
"Okay... I get it, I'm liked for my parents' accomplishments and not my own," you said plainly, returning her smile.
"That’s not how I meant for that to come out; it’s just..." you cut her off.
"You do guys know my parents are Muggles, right? And I’m not trying to imply that it’s a bad thing because it is not. But I’ve been here long enough to know that blood status matters here." You leaned forward, resting your elbows on the table, waiting for anyone to tell you that you were wrong.
“If I can continue?” Lily says, and you nod. “What makes you likable is that despite what your family has done well for themselves, you are true to yourself and lead with a kind heart. There are other students here who also have parents with status but are very rude and arrogant.”
“It is quite a breath of fresh air,” Remus said in his low tone.
“Okay, I’ll take that. Thank you Lily, but now that I’m done eating, and I’d like to get to potions. So, see you guys later!” you say, packing your things and getting out of your seat.
“I’m right behind you, Y/N!” Sirius said, also getting out of his seat to follow you to class. ‘Can’t he just study? It’s not that hard if you know how to manage your time,’ you think to yourself as you walk out of the dining hall with Sirius Black right behind you.