Chapter Text
October 20th 1977
As James and Sirius were sitting in the dorm thinking about plans on how to become actual brothers, Sirius came up with an idea that neither of them would like, but nothing else really worked so this would be the only “safe” option.
“What about, you marry my brother. It would make us kind of brothers, well brothers-in-law but still brothers” Sirius suggested, a bit unsure if it would be a good idea.
“We could try, but I don’t think your brother likes me very much, he’s always so cold and rude-” James answered.
“Only if you’re willing to give up your chances with Lily for it tho, you won’t be able to get with her tho” Oh. Oh, James hadn’t thought about that. He would marry Regulus, he won’t be able to get together with Lily, or even marry her. Well she was always rejecting him anyway, so what was the point of trying anymore. But then again. He didn’t know what to do anymore.
“I’ll think about it” That’s all James said before leaving to go for head boy duty.
Ever since he became Head Boy, he was going out every night to look for students out of bed with Lily. Tonight he would go on patrol alone, since Lily was sick and had to stay in bed. James told her he could do it alone, which came out perfectly, now he had the peace and time to think about the plan and Lily. His possible future he could have.
⟻⟼
James didn’t sleep that night, he came to the dorm at around 6am just to leave not even 10 minutes later. It was a bit visible, but he knew how to hide it.
“You look like shit, Prongs” Sirius said at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.
“Did you even get any sleep last night? If this is about the plan, it was just an idea, you don’t have to do this.” Peter and Remus looked rather confused about this.
“I know, but I've made my decision about this.” James answered, still pretending like he isn’t tired but it was visibly quite obvious. “I’m doing it. I’m giving up on Lily for the plan.”
The others looked really curious and confused now. Lily. The plan. It was all confusing. The other two kept talking about it until Remus finally snapped. “What plan, what does it have to do with Lily? Are you two planning a prank on Lily? I thought we were only pranking the Slytherins.” The other two hadn’t even noticed that they were listening, so they seemed surprised by it.
“We’re not planning any pranks now, it’s a long story” James answered after a tiny moment of silence.
“Well then say it short.” Remus said, not very pleased. If he wanted to know something, he would get to it.
“You know that me and Prongs always say we’re brothers, right?” Remus nodded, after finally someone answered his question. “Well we came up with the plan to make Regulus marry James, so we can be brothers. That meant that James can’t get with Lily though, because that would ruin the plan, entirely.”
Then there was the moment of silence again, but this time it was longer. It was pretty loud in the background but they were just sitting there quietly. Remus was sitting there in shock and Peter was still a bit confused.
“So how are you planning on getting Regulus, the Regulus Black, to like you?” The silence between the boys had been disrupted by Peter, who was clearly ready to help at any time.
“Now that’s the thing, it’s not really a plan, just an idea.” Sirius answered. “I haven’t really thought of how we're supposed to do that.” He was telling the truth, he hadn’t even thought of how they were supposed to do that, or were to even begin. Luckily, they had Remus, he was practically the brain of the group, he was the one who came up with plans on how to do pranks and get away with them.
After classes were done that day, they came up with a plan in their dorm.
Everything was gonna work out perfectly fine, their plans have never failed them before, so why would it now?
All James has to do is be nice to Regulus and flirt with him, see where they can get with that and keep trying until they get together, then James would have to be a perfect boyfriend for Regulus and after Hogwarts, get married, have maybe have 2 children in the future and grow old together. Easy, right?
⟻⟼
The next morning James wasn’t the only one who was tired. After making the plan, the boys had to finish their assignments and homework. It was Hogwarts after all, of course they had a ton to do of work.
Luckily they had Remus to help them, they had to do their own work of course.
“Thank you, Moonyy” Sirius kept saying and practically whining.
“Yeah, thanks mate.” James answered.”I don’t think we could’ve done it without you-”
“It’s no big deal” Remus said, but he loved it, he loved helping them, especially for chocolate.
Always for chocolate.
⟻⟼
Remus had a good relationship with Regulus, since he actually came to Hogwarts Remus was always there to help him with anything. Their relationship had grown after The Prank . Oh, that was a time that they both hated Sirius more than themselves. They would prank Sirius and hex some annoying kids like Snivulles. It was fun. After Remus came back to Sirius, he and Regulus kept in touch but became distant. Remus might have forgiven Sirius, but Regulus hasn’t. Regulus wouldn’t.
Overall, the two still had a good relationship. Remus felt bad for Regulus tho, he was gonna get played just because two idiots want to be brothers. He knew Regulus kind of had a thing for James, so it would be painful in the end. He didn’t tell the others though, that would be cruel.
⟻⟼
In Potion class they had to make Veritaserum, basically a truth potion. The person who finished it first and worked could keep it. Professor Slughorn had his ways to keep students busy. Everyone got to work immediately and it was chaos. Ingredients flying around the classroom, explosions and frustrated students. In the end it was Lily who had finished first and successfully.
The marauders had put something in Snape’s potion to make him fail and turn his hair red, he of course blamed the marauders but they denied it and said they hadn’t had anything to do it. In reality when Peter had to go to the toilet, he transformed into his animagus and put the potion in his and came back into the classroom like nothing had happened. Professor Slughorn had taken 5 points from his own house for false accusation. Snape got furious and had to leave the classroom, he was even more dramatic then Sirius after Remus ignored him.
Lily had plans with the potion, and oh boy, it was gonna get interesting.
⟻⟼
That evening she had invited Regulus and his friends to come play a game with the potion. And surprisingly they all came, that same evening Dorcas and Pandora came. Marlene and Mary were already there since they came together. They met up in the empty Charms classroom, they had gotten permission from professor Flitchwick to use his classroom, as long as they left it in perfect state.
When everyone finally arrived they could finally start. There was just enough for everyone to drink one time. Remus had suggested to spin the bottle and on who it lands, has to drink from the potion.
When they did that it first landed on Marlene, she had been asked 3 questions so that the rest would have time as well. Next was Pandora, she had been asked some spicy questions, and specific questions like: “Are you and Reg dating?” “Do you have any romantic feelings for Reg?” Those questions were asked by Sirius. Pandora answered with “no, he’s more like a brother to me than a lover.” Because that was true, they were so close that you could say that they were more siblings then her and her real brother, Evan. He had been invited but Barty said no and It was obvious he didn’t like sharing his friends. People would think they’re also like brothers but that’s quite the opposite for them, they were rather boyfriends who snog in the broom closet then brothers who are overprotective.
After some people, it was James’ turn. When Lily asked him “How long are you gonna keep asking me out” she expected him to say “Until you say yes.” but instead of that he just answered “Today.” Everyone looked a bit shocked, except the ones who knew already. The room was quiet for a while and after that they just stopped and cleaned up to leave and go to bed. They were all tired after all and it was pretty late. They got back at around 1 am, luckily the next day it was Saturday and they had nothing to do against then.
It was gonna be a long year for sure.