Chapter Text
Sirius leaned against the wall of the castle, puffing out smoke and thinking. Why did he decide to transfer to Hogwarts from Beauxbatons again? It’s not like he’s made any real friends, and it’s been a week!
Okay sure, he got away from his abusive ass family in France. But maybe he should’ve picked Durmstrang instead. These English just don’t seem to get him.
Not that he ever had any interest in the Dark Arts (in fact his family would’ve loved if he went to Durmstrang which is exactly why he didn’t go but that’s besides the point). The point is he’s lonely.
He watched as James Potter played with a snitch, as he strode across the lawn to a group of students under the tree by the lake. His black, thick, hair was artfully messy, as usual, and his wooly maroon sweater and thin glasses ridiculously hipster and annoyingly attractive. Sirius huffed out a breath, and dropped his half-smoked cigarette to the cracked dirt. He crushed it with his combat boot, and thought what the hell. He had been watching James Potter and his friends since his first day at hogwarts, and they seemed a decent lot, and he was bored and lonely.
Sure, James was stunning, popular, and constantly surrounded by people, but Sirius was cool right? He could totally do this. He tried to look more confident than he felt as he made his way over to the group of people. Quickly, many pairs of eyes fell on him from the group. He recognized the tall, thin brown haired boy as Remus Lupin from his Herbology class, who often answered Professor Sprout’s questions. He thinks he remembered the three girls in the group names to be Lily, Marlene, and Dorcas. James was standing with his back to him, and he was still catching and releasing the snitch.
Okay he can do this, he can do this. Not like he has much choice by this point anyways what with everyone watching him and all.
He cleared his throat.
“Uh hi?”
James spun around looking confused and way too much like a model (it made Sirius’s stomach drop). Marlene smiled at him encouragingly and Remus raised his eyebrows.
“I’m Sirius Black, I’m kinda new”
Dorcas smirked up at him from her sprawl on the blanket. “We know who you are, everyone has been talking about the transfer kid from Beauxbatons. It’s not everyday Hogwarts randomly gets a brand new fifth year and a French one at that”.
Sirius tried and probably failed not to look more awkward and uncomfortable. “Uh yeah I guess. Anyways, I was wondering if I could eat with you guys sometimes. I know, I know so kindergarten, but it’s getting old sitting by myself and not knowing anyone and you all seem cool...” he trailed off uncomfortably.
James had sat down by this point. Everyone except Remus was still sorta staring at him. Remus had opened a book after sending him a small smile. James answered first, “yeah that would be cool with us, right guys?”, sending a crooked smile towards Sirius, who tried to smile back.
“Mmh”
“Sure”
They all murmured.
“Want to sit down?” James asked still smiling. “We’re just chilling out here until dinner because the weather is nice”.
“Uh okay thanks” Sirius sat down. He was sorta shocked it worked.
“Good, you can help settle a debate then” Lily perked up. Marlene scoffed and leaned back on her elbows. Dorcas rolled her eyes, but continued to watch Lily fondly. Remus continued to ignore them and read his book. Lily elbowed Marlene, who was next to her, and continued, “Do you like the food at Hogwarts?”
Sirius laughed, “uh, it’s alright” he tried. Privately, he missed the lighter and more varied options Beauxbatons offered, but it was a small price to pay to get way from his family, particularly his mother.
Lily grinned victoriously, “Alright? You can be honest! It’s too much meat right?” I talked to the staff in the kitchens recently, and offered to help make some vegan/vegetarian options. Isn’t that great?”
Sirius smiled back at her, then glanced at the others and saw Dorcas still looking at Lily adoringly, sunlight hitting her black skin and long braids making them almost sparkle. Lily didn’t seem to notice. Marlene pouted, and pushed a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. “The food is fine the way it is Lils, and the staff have enough to do as it is”. “I know” Lily agreed. “That’s why I’ve offered to help!”
James, who was pretty close to Sirius given that the blanket wasn’t that big, so Sirius could almost feel his body heat, was back to playing with his snitch and didn’t weigh in. Sirius wondered if this was a frequent debate they had. He tried to focus on rest of the conversation between the girls rather than the body heat from James, but it was difficult.
Soon enough, Remus was closing his book and rubbing his eyes. “Speaking of food”, he said, “shall we go eat?”
“Ugh please” said Marlene, who stood up. Dorcas got up next and offered her hand to Lily. James smiled at Sirius and Sirius stood up, with his stomach in somersaults. Marlene quickly folded up the blanket, and they walked back to castle together. As they walked, Dorcas muttered to him, “welcome to the group”. Sirius smiled softly to himself. He might actually like this school and the English.