Chapter Text
Friday, September 1st, 1972
Kings Cross Station, Platform 9 3/4, 10:15am
“So then I-” Mary is saying, “are you even listening Lils?”
“What?” She snapped back to the present where she was totally not staring at her best friend and admiring how pretty she looks when she talks or when she smiles or when she doesn’t or when she’s looking at her or when-
“Earth. To. Lily. Hello?”
“Oh right, you were saying?”
“Yeah, I was saying how you know my neighbour, I think I mentioned her a couple times, she was my best friend when I was little, before I went to Hogwarts…”
“Yeah, I think I remember, what about?”
“She’s a wizard too!”
“She is?”
“Yeah, but her Birthday is in September so she’s starting this year!”
“Oh cool, like Sirius’ brother, right?”
“Yeah, I heard he’s just another purist like the rest of his family.”
“Have you actually met him, Mary?”
“Well no, but-”
“We wouldn’t want anyone making unfair assumptions about us, so give him the same treatment, he could be nothing or everything like his family, but we can decide it when we meet him and not a moment before.”
“Alright, I get it Lils, treat people how you want to be treated and whatever . I know! I’ll listen, but if he does one thing-”
“Yes Mar, then you can assume those things about him.”
“Okay, you want to meet Marls now?”
“Sure!”
The Great Hall, 6:55pm
“As much as he’s a mama's boy and a people-pleaser, I think that he’ll make the right choice and not relent into the snake pit.” Sirius was explaining as Lily and Mary sat down.
“What’s up?” Mary asks.
“We’re talking about Regulus, Sirius’ brother.” Peter chimes.
“Oh, do tell.”
“Well, as I was saying earlier, as soon as James came into the carriage after he escaped you menaces,” Sirius jokes, “Regulus just said ‘Hi, I’m leaving now’ and left. I think he just felt out of place or something and now I’m scared that he’ll choose them.”
“That sucks Sirius.” Lily responds. “As the only other person here who has a sibling, I know what it’s like when they close themselves off and distance themselves and I know how much it hurts to be on the receiving end. I hope that you aren’t disappointed by what he chooses.”
“Thanks Lils.” Sirius offers a gentle smile before McGonagall calls for everyone’s attention.
“Okay, time for this year’s sorting!”
7:07pm
Sirius is holding Lily’s hand while Regulus is being sorted. She understands Sirius’ nerves more than anyone.
“I’m sure it’s going to be okay Sirius.”
“But what if he-”
“Then that’s his fault. If he can’t see that you're the only person in that god-awful family that actually loves him, then it’s his fault, not yours, okay?”
“You’re so wise Lils.” He tries a smile.
“Right?” She smiles back sadly. “It’s going to be okay, eventually anyway.”
He hugs her. She squeezes him tightly before Regulus’ name is called.
“Regulus Black.”
While still holding her hand, Sirius looks up to the teacher’s table.
After a few moments that felt like hours the hat finally yells;
“GRYFFINDOR!”
After a couple seconds, Sirius jumps up and starts clapping, everyone around him joining, aside from a stumped looking Slytherin table.
Sirius sat up and went to go give his brother a big hug. Lily could tell they were saying something but couldn’t make out what.
“Okay, okay, enough with all the soppy stuff, come sit.” Lily heard Sirius say once she could finally hear him. Sirius practically pushed Frank out of his seat. “This is Peter, Lily, and Mary. They’re my friends, and yours by association.”
“Hi.” He says. Lily could tell how nervous he looked.
The rest of the table that Lily assumed he hadn't met, said hi back.
“Hi.” Lily says kindly. “How are you Regulus?”
“I’m alright, you?”
“Well, I am quite hungry at the moment, but other than that, I’m good.”
Lily’s dorm, 8:45pm
“Uh, Lils,”
“Yeah Mary?”
“You realise curfew isn’t for another 45 minutes right?”
“Yeah…?”
“Then why are you already in your pyjamas?”
“Because, I’ve had a long day and I just want to lie in bed and read for a while.”
“I mean this is the nicest way possible Lily, you need to get more friends.”
Lily scoffs. “I have plenty friends.” Lily protests.
“You have me… and Snape.”
“I also have the boys.” Lily defends.
“Okay, but-”
“Mary, if you are really worried, then I’ll find some more friends.”
“Good, I-”
“ Tomorrow .”
“Fine, night.”
“Night.”
Saturday, September 2, 1972
The Great Hall, 8:00am
“So, how’s Regulus settling into his dorm?” Lily asks Sirius at breakfast.
“Good, I think. He didn’t talk to me much. Sharing his dorm with uh, Dorcas Meadowes, Rita Plaquins and uh, oh!” Sirius snapped his fingers once he remembered. “Cato Prewett.”
“I remember when I learned I had to share with a boy, you see muggles aren’t very open minded . I learned to live with it though, anyway, I got lucky, Lonnie’s very well mannered compared to some people .”
“I’ll have you know that I would have made an excellent dorm-mate. Just ask them.” Sirius motioned towards a half-asleep Remus Lupin, a hungry Peter Pettigrew stuffing his face with bacon and an absent James Potter.
“Huh?” Peter mumbled once he realised he was being called upon.
“I’m a good dorm-mate, no?”
“Sure.” Peter returned to his bacon.
“Moony?”
Remus mumbled something incomprehensible before Sirius turned back to Lily.
“Okay, they’re not in the right headspace right now to testify towards me, but ask at any other time than 8am in the morning on a Saturday.”
“That reminds me, Sirius, how are you so awake?”
“I simply have no idea what you’re talking about Evans.” He deflected
“I haven’t seen you this happy in the morning ever .”
“Well that seems like an overstatement.”
“Sirius, to put this nicely, you suck in the mornings.”
“Well, I didn’t really sleep at all last night so technically it’s not morning for me.”
“Sirius!” Lily whacked him on the back of the head.
“What was that for?” He whined
“What do you think it was for? Eating bacon?”
“Well I wouldn’t know!”
“Sirius! It’s the weekend, go. To. Bed!” Lily made sure to punctuate each word.
“Fine, fine! I’m going, jeez, no need to assault me.”
“GET SOME SLEEP YOU WANKER.” Lily yelled from her place at her table.