Work Text:
Room of Requirements, Hogwarts Castle, Scotland
Early 1976
A tall, black haired teen dozed on a dark blue sofa, his head in the lap of a smaller black haired teen, who was running long fingers through messy strands of hair while using a mixture of magic and his free hand to read a book on spells. It was a common enough picture. Sometimes another teen would be in the smaller teen's place and sometimes in the larger teen's place. Sometimes there was a third teen just on the sofa somewhere in general. This was their safe space, where they came to be away from the world and just enjoy being with each other. The current peace was broken by the door flying open and slamming shut behind another tall, black haired teen.
"That-that idiot attacked me," the new arrival snarled, beginning to pace in front of the sofa, "while my back was turned. I thought he was all about honor and-and-I don't know! Stupid Gryffindor stupidity!"
A snort escaped the smaller teen as he tried to keep his concentration on his book, while the dozing teen jolted awake in time to register "stupid Gryffindor stupidity."
"Hey! I'm a Gryffindor," the just woken teen managed to slur, pushing himself up and rubbing a hand through his hair.
"And just as full of stupid Gryffindor stupidity as the rest of them," the angry teen drawled, "but you're our stupid Gryffindor."
"Full of stupidity," the other answered with a snicker as he finally gave up trying to focus on his book, "and your nose is broken, Sev."
The tall teen waved the words away, his wand dropping into his hand as he tapped his broken appendage and muttered the healing spell. There was no point in going to the Hospital Wing when he could easily do it. Seemingly satisfied that the other was now healed up, the smallest teen placed his book to the side so all of his attention was on Severus.
"Now, what is this about my lovely brother attacking you?"
And the question set off a whole new set of curses and complaints from the oldest of the three as he paced back and forth, hands moving quickly as he vented about every stupidity Sirius Black seemed to possess and some neither James nor Regulus had ever heard of, which was a feat.
James hadn't made it a habit of keeping up with everything that his best friend said because the other teen was filled with hippogriff shit most of the time. Sirius Black thought everything involving his family and Slytherin house was evil incarnate. And for some reason he believed that the worst of them was Severus Snape. A strange thing to believe considering Severus had never done anything to him and Sirius' favorite family member was a former Slytherin. So, learning that the other Gryffindor had attacked his older boyfriend from behind wasn't unusual, but it also wasn't normal. And it was worrying because from what he'd managed to catch of Sev's ranting-which was only a bit because the other teen seemed to have been ready to burst in anger-there had been no reason for such an attack.
Granted, most of the time there wasn't a reason, but Sev also retaliated when it happened. It was worrying that the Slytherin hadn't mentioned anything about spelling Sirius or any plans he had to get revenge-no one did revenge quite like Slytherins. It seemed that their youngest boyfriend had also noticed, if the mild flash of worry in silver eyes was anything to go by.
"Sev," the other Slytherin said as he stood from his seat and approached the other teen, "what exactly are you planning on doing?"
No answer was forthcoming, which worried both of them.
Severus stayed quiet as Regulus came to stand in front of him, grabbing his arm in a gentle hold and pulling him to the sofa. His thoughts were a whirlwind as he came up with and disposed of various plans of revenge. He could still hear Black's taunt from earlier.
'"If you're so interested in what Moony does then follow him. Maybe if you know you'll leave Prongs alone. I can imagine he'd appreciate not having your greasy head following him all the time."'
He knew that neither he nor Regulus tended to spend that much time around James to bring attention to themselves. James wanted it to be a secret for a while, understandable, and Regulus wanted to get a feel for how his parents would react to the news before they said anything, which was also understandable. So, what made Black think that he was following the Potter heir around?
"Sev," James called as the teen was pushed down to sit between James and Regulus, "you've got something planned. It's all over your face."
Regulus rolled his eyes as he dropped down on Severus' other side and leaned against the tall teen. "Of course he's got something planned," the youngest pointed out dryly, "but getting him to fess up to it is useless. He'll tell us when he's ready...or after he's done."
"Or never," Severus chimed in with a raised brow as he leaned back on the sofa, causing Regulus to fall back with him. "He offered some good suggestions," Severus told them after a moment of silence, "suggestions that will be perfect revenge."
He didn't expand on those suggestions and neither teen pressed him about them. They just reminded him to be careful, and Regulus told him to be careful because "I have a bad feeling about whatever you're about to do."
Gryffindor Common Room
Early 1976
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"Woah, Jamie, calm down," Sirius said, hands up in a 'calm down' or 'I surrender' or 'I come in peace' motion.
"Don't. Tell me. To Calm. The Fuck. Down."
Grey eyes were wide with surprise in the face of his best friend's anger, but he did as ordered and let his hands drop, sliding them into his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. "Fine. I won't tell you to calm down."
"I want to know exactly what you said to him."
"Sheesh Prongs. I don't remember. He was getting on my nerves, always tagging along close behind you and watching Moony so suspiciously. So I said something about following Moony and leaving you alone."
"You intentionally set a defenseless student to Remus on a full moon? Do you know what could happen?"
"I mean...yeah, Snivellus might get a little injured, but it's not like he's gonna die."
James let out a wordless scream as he ran out of the common room. There was a very loud "we'll talk about this later" shouted over his shoulder just as the portrait slammed shut.
School Grounds
Early 1976
James managed to get there just in time, out of breath and terrified that he was going to be too late. He hit the tunnel and moved as fast as he could, eyes wide and wand at the ready. It felt like a weight had been lifted off of him when he saw that Severus was still waiting to go barging into the room. Sneaking up on him -a feat he'd never managed before- James covered his boyfriend's mouth with his hand and quickly dragged him as far back up the tunnel as he could without getting out from under the Whomping Willow.
"What the hell James," Sev whisper yelled as he spun around, "I was about to find out what Lupin does every month."
"You were about to get killed," James snapped, not in the mood for his boyfriend's bullshit right this minute because they were still in serious danger.
"Your little lapdog said I could find out what was happening. I'm going to find out."
James grabbed Sev's arm as he went to shove by and pulled him back, hazel eyes staring into black. It was obvious when he got Sev's attention because the teen froze and instead of trying to charge passed him again, he really looked at him.
"Whatever Lupin's doing, it's really that dangerous?"
The Gryffindor was torn. If he admitted what was going on it would keep Sev from continuing to try to investigate, but it would be breaking the trust that Remy put in him to keep his secret. On the other hand, if he didn't tell his boyfriend, the idiot would just keep trying and it could get both one of his boyfriends and one of his best friends killed.
"Yes, it's really that dangerous and I've been sworn to secrecy and can't tell you. But you just...you need to trust me Sev. For the sake of your own life. Just let it go."
Severus felt torn by the plea. On the one hand he wanted to know what was going on, but on the other, the two most important people in his life were in agreement about him doing this. Maybe there was some truth to it being a bad idea. But before he could follow his gut feeling, which was now telling him to just turn back, a giant black dog came bursting through the opening and quickly transformed into Sirius Black.
"Jamie, what are you doing?" the teen whined, "holding a conversation with Snivellus? Did he find out about what Moony's doing yet?"
There was an eagerness in the Gryffindor's voice that Severus just couldn't ignore anymore and with his gut telling him to turn the fuck around and the little voice in his mind that sounded an annoyingly lot like Regulus, the Slytherin shoved passed his boyfriend and stalked up the tunnel once more.
"Sev! Sev, no!"
The Slytherin completely ignored the calling of his name as he heard the screams start up. In some reckless Gryffindor-ish stupidity and excitement over finally getting one over on the group, he burst into the room. Only to come to a sudden halt, face horrified as he locked eyes with Remus Lupin. The Gryffindor was arched back, arms and legs twisting and cracking as they re-positioned themselves, fur sprouting along what Severus could see of the teen's body, his face shifting and elongating. He was suddenly yanked back and the door slammed closed just inches from his nose.
Severus said nothing as he was dragged back up the tunnel and out into the cool night air. It wasn't until he was staring into the glaring face of his boyfriend that he finally came back to it enough to react.
"Fuck! Sev! I told you not to go in there!"
The pale Slytherin managed to drag up one of his usual sneers, but it lacked the usual disgust or anger behind it. "And yet Black showed up and mentioned it again. I took that to mean that it was something that would finally get one of the 'perfect Gryffindors' into trouble. I see now what his intent truly was."
James was shocked for a moment before his mind latched onto the last of what his Slytherin had said. "What do you mean 'his intent'? Do you know something I don't?"
"I know plenty of things that you don't, James," Sev said with so much sarcasm it actually made the Gryffindor flinch.
"Let me rephrase, do you know something about Sirius' reasons for showing up like he did?"
"Considering he suggested that I follow Lupin tonight and then showed up again and made it sound like whatever was happening was something I could get the lot of you in trouble for, yes I do believe I know what Black was aiming to do."
"Care to share with the class?"
The look Severus shot him, made James feel more stupid than it usually did.
"He was trying to get me killed James. Open your eyes! Look at what he did! Look at how he went about it. He knew exactly what I would find if I followed your friend. He knew exactly what would happen if I had to go up against a werewolf with no knowledge that he was a werewolf before I got there. The whole plan was meant to make sure I either didn't make it out of there alive or I didn't make it out of there in one piece."
By the end of his rant, Severus was panting from his anger. "Black is nearly as bad as the rest of his insane family."
Slytherin Common Room
Early 1976
Severus stormed into the common room and was about to go straight to his room when he caught sight of who was currently sitting in front of the fireplace. Regulus Black looked for all the world like he was greatly invested in whatever book he currently had perched on his knee as he leaned back. It was only the slight tilt of his head in Severus' direction that told him otherwise. The fifth year moved over and dropped into the seat next to his boyfriend.
"You were right," the older teen whispered after a moment.
Regulus said nothing as he closed the book and turned his gaze onto his boyfriend with an eyebrow raised in silent question.
"When you told me you had a bad feeling," Severus explained, glaring into the fire. "I followed Lupin and found out what he was doing alright," a bitter laugh escaped him, "Lupin is a werewolf. And your brother goaded me into following him. If James hadn't shown up I would have probably been killed, or as good as."
Normally, Regulus was good at keeping his emotions hidden, at staying calm in the face of whatever happened, but he couldn't stop his jaw from dropping. He'd known Sirius was crazy; he's known that Sirius had it out for most Slytherins, but to send one to their death. That was something the fourth year would have never expected from his -supposedly- perfect, light oriented Gryffindor brother.
"Let me guess, you don't believe me," Severus sneered, already moving to stand and go pout or something in the comfort of his own bed.
"I believe you!" Regulus gasped, jumping to his feet as well and grabbing hold of Severus' arm. "I believe you. I just...I never would have expected it from my 'oh so perfect and light Gryffindor' brother. You know that I'm well aware of the things my brother is capable of. It's just...the actually acting them out that threw me."
That seemed to be the necessary way to go about it because Severus relaxed and moved back towards the chairs before seeming to make a decision.
"Come on, I don't feel like dealing with anyone else right now," the fifth year declared before leading the other teen out of the common room.
Gryffindor Common Room
Early 1976
"Sirius Orion Black!" James screamed as he entered the common room. The teen in question nearly fell down the stairs at hearing his best friend scream his name like that.
"Jamie? Wha's goin' on? Something happen with Moony?"
There was a gleeful excitement to the questions that had James' mind going back to what his boyfriend had said before he'd walked off. "No, Sirius. Nothing has happened to Moony. Nor has Moony done anything unforgivable." James assured, a look of anger and mild disgust on his face and aimed at the boy who had been his best friend since first year.
"Then...why are you screaming for me like something terrible has happened?"
"Because something terrible has happened."
His anger was starting to get the better of him, fist clenching at his sides as his mind kept repeating what Sev had said before storming off.
"Did it happen to Snivellus? He finally get what was comin' to him?"
"Do you know what would have happened if I hadn't been there," James asked, voice filled with anger and body nearly shaking in an attempt to keep from lashing out.
"Probably something to celebrate," Sirius grumbled, pouting at the floor.
"Sev would have been killed or bitten and since it would be considered a wild werewolf attack on school grounds Moony would have been killed."
"Psh. No he wouldn't have. It would have been Snape's fault for being stupid and out after curfew."
"Are you truly that unconcerned that you could have gotten two people killed tonight? Are you that heartless? Because what you're saying is something I can see your family saying."
Those words had Sirius puffing up in anger. "I'm nothing like them!"
"THEN FUCKING ACT LIKE IT SIRIUS! WHAT YOU DID WASN'T A PRANK IT WAS ATTEMPTED MURDER AND YOU DON'T EVEN FUCKING CARE! YOU WOULD RATHER SEE A SLYTHERIN DEAD AT THE COST OF A FRIEND THAN YOU WOULD SEE HIM BREATHE ANOTHER BREATH!"
Sirius was shaking his head back and forth at the words. "No. No. That's not...that's not..."
"IT'S JUST LIKE ANY OTHER MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY! And you claim to be different. If you're so different than fucking act like it."
Then, having no more patience to deal with his best friend at the moment, James left the common room. He had a very good idea of where Sev would be right now and he needed to be near him. To see him, make sure he was safe and alive. Still breathing and not dead or bitten or turn to shreds or worse.
Room of Requirements
Early 1976
Just as he had thought, Severus was reclined on the sofa with a book resting on his chest as he read, potion stained fingers ideally tapping on the back of the sofa as he lost himself in various recipes. He hadn't expected to see Reggie there too, but it wasn't an unwelcome sight. His other Slytherin was reclined on the other end of the sofa with a book-something involving hexes-resting on his chest. His feet were shoved under Severus's legs and both of them seemed lost in their own little world. It made something in James' chest tighten at the sight. Two of the most important people in his life, safe and unharmed.
"Hey," James greeted, a little nervously.
A set of black and a set of silver eyes both glanced up at him at the same time, which was honestly a little freaky in James opinion. They were both sporting the same expression too. 'Must be a Slytherin trait,' his mind teased.
"I'm sorry for not listening to you. When we were outside. I was just...I didn't want to believe that my best friend could do something like that and...I don't want to lose you Sev. I don't want to lose you either Reggie. Neither of you. I don't-I don't want to lose either of you."
What if Sev didn't want anything to do with him after all of this? What if Reggie didn't? Would they be mad that he'd kept the secret? Would they reject him? Because he knew Sev would have told Reggie what happened. The idea of not getting to be near them, of not getting to cuddle them, kiss them, run his fingers through silky hair, tore at him.
Both Slytherins had put their books down and were looking at James with an indecipherable look. The Gryffindor shifted, fingers nervously twisted together. Slowly, the two pushed themselves up into more straight positions and laid their books on the arm rests. Regulus watched as Sev offered their boyfriend his hand and felt something tighten as James seemingly flew across the room and into the older teen's arms.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he apologized repeatedly as long potion stained fingers began to run through his hair.
"Hush now, you silly Gryffindor," Sev soothed as he made them lean back and get comfortable, Regulus being waved over to join the cuddle, which he happily did. "All will be forgiven."