Chapter Text
September 2nd, 1977
Noor Shafiq loved the Black Lake. Which is exactly why she dragged the Marauders down there during their free period. The autumn leaves created the most gorgeous scenery that she lived for. She was kicked back against the tree with "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" propped in her lap. The boys were sprawled around haphazardly; Sirius Black was playing with a snitch, Peter Pettigrew was eating his crisps, Remus Lupin was getting a head start on his homework, and James Potter was...looking for Lily Evans.
"Mate, for the love of everything, PLEASE can we play catch?"
"No can do, Padfoot! Lily is about to do her rounds; need to stay sharp."
Noor rolled her eyes and scoffed, earning the attention of the Head Boy.
"You alright, Shafiq?" he asked, briefly abandoning his vigil.
She looked up from her book.
"Yeah, why would I not be?"
Sirius stopped with his fidgeting and grinned at her, "Yeah, Shafiq. You alright?"
She glared at him, the warning in her eyes clear as day. But Sirius Black was never one to listen to warnings.
"I'm. Fine. Thank you for your concern."
She bit out, pointedly turning back to her novel. But Sirius couldn't leave the situation well enough alone, always having to double down.
"You sure? You're looking a bit...green."
"I'm NOT—"
"I think she looks a bit red, actually!" Peter piped up.
She flushed, snapping the book shut.
"I'm not red! It's the...humidity!"
"Can you lot shut UP!?" Remus shouted.
Noor flinched, imperceptibly, averting her gaze to the ground and picking at the grass.
A head of fiery red hair crossed the grounds, and James shot up like a chocolate frog coming out of its box. He waved his arms around to get the girl's attention, but Noor didn't look up to see. Her gaze was fixed on the fascinating grass. Though that pang in her heart was hard to ignore. But she did so anyway because what other choice did she have?
"LILY! EVANS! WAIT UP!" he said, racing across the lawn faster than a hippogriff.
With James gone, the only sound was now the gentle lapping of the lake and Peter eating his crisps.
"Want one?"
Noor looked up to see he was offering a crisp to Sirius, who waved him away. Peter merely shrugged and went back to his munching.
"I nicked a new Bowie album," Sirius said.
This was his usual go-to tactic when James was off wooing Evans. Completely change the subject.
"What? So, you stole it?" she asked, deadpan.
"Stealing is a matter of perspective! I'm borrowing it for a long time." Sirius said, grinning manically.
"So I can ste—borrow your leather jackets for a long time?"
"Absolutely not! You haven't even returned the other ones you stole."
"But it's just borrowing for a long time!"
He barked a laugh, throwing the snitch at her, which she caught with one hand.
"Good reflexes." He said, leaning back on his elbows.
Remus, then, snapped his textbook shut. Noor, again, flinched. Cursing herself internally, willing her body to just stay still.
He was getting up to leave, dusting off his jeans. Not making direct eye contact with any of them.
"Right. I'll see you lot at dinner."
"I'll come with you!" Sirius said, getting up to join him.
"That isn't necessary. I'm just going to the library." Remus bit off, already making his way back to the castle.
"I'll walk you then."
Sirius put an arm around Remus's shoulder as they made their way to the castle, which seemed like more of a hostile gesture than a brotherly one.
"Oh, not again," Peter muttered.
Noor looked over at him.
"What do you mean?"
"They're about to have a row; I can feel it."
"You can feel it? Right."
Peter gave her a look, more pitying than angry.
Peter rarely ever got angry.
Which was a good thing for Noor, one less person to worry about.
So for the rest of the afternoon, the duo sat by the lake, absorbing what very well might be the most peaceful moments of their lives.