The Art of Hating You: Part Two - Sirius Black x Reader
AN - hello part two is finally here. sorry for the wait - i posted this the other day and then swiftly deleted it and rewrote it lol. thank u for reading <3 (3.2k words)
Part One
The Art of Hating You - Masterlist
Y/N couldn’t stop thinking about Sirius. It was driving her insane. The altercation that they had last night lingered in her thoughts. She had always assumed that Sirius simply chose to be reckless. A thorn in his family’s side just for the hell of it. She wasn't so sure anymore.
She saw the way his mother’s sharp gaze cut through him like glass, how his father barely acknowledged his presence unless it was to scold him. And Regulus? She hadn’t even realised he lived in the house until she met him at dinner one night, stiff-backed and silent, sparing Sirius nothing more than a fleeting disapproving glance.
Dinner that evening started as most things did in this house - with Walburga Black’s disapproval. With a sharp thwack, she slammed a newspaper onto the table, sending the fine china and silverware rattling.
“Sirius,” she began, her voice cold, “do you ever think about the family name before embarrassing yourself?”
Absentmindedly swirling the mind in his glass, he didn’t even look up, “Not if I can help it.”
His mother’s nostrils flared. She read aloud, “’Black heir or black sheep? Sirius Black spotted at underground party with questionable company’” Her bony fingers stabbed at the page.
Y/N couldn’t help herself and craned her neck to get a better look at the article. Sure enough, there he was – a rather impressive photograph of him lounging on a velvet sofa in a dimly lit bar, a cigarette hanging from his lips and a whisky glass dangling from his fingers. He looked infuriatingly unbothered and several equally unbothered looking women surrounded him.
Y/N breathed out a quiet laugh, “Could you at least pretend to be miserable about our engagement.”
“I was,” Sirius said smoothly, “That’s why I went out.”
Across the table, Orion Black, who had remained silent up until now, set his own glass down with a heavy thud.
“Do you enjoy humiliating this family?” he asked, his voice deceivingly calm.
Sirius took a moment to respond, stretching his arm along the back of his chair completely unfazed. He drained the rest of his wine, reached for the bottle and poured himself another glass without breaking eye contact.
“Immensely.” he replied.
Regulus sighed sharply through his nose, shaking his head barely enough to be noticed. Walburga closed her eyes for a second, like she was asking an unseen force for some patience.
Dinner ended in tense silence, the clatter of silverware the only sound filling the room. Y/N pushed her food around her plate uncomfortably as Walburga muttered something about disgrace and wasted potential under her breath. Opposite her, Sirius remained infuriatingly composed, lazily twirling his wine glass between his fingers.
After what felt like an eternity, Orion stood up, signalling the end of the meal. Everyone filtered out of the room silently apart from Sirius who stayed seated. He was glaring at the seat his mother was sat in, his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Surely you’re not abandoning me just yet?” he called as Y/N made to leave the room, “No post-dinner debrief? There’s still wine left.”
She lingered by the doorway, casting a glance over her shoulder. Against her better judgement, she sighed and turned back, crossing the room and wordlessly sliding back into her seat. She pushed her empty glass toward him.
Sirius’s lips twitched as he reached for the bottle, pouring generously, “I think my mother’s warming up to you.”
“Oh, yes, I can tell.” Y/N replied dryly, “The way she scowled at me all evening really radiated maternal affection.”
Sirius huffed out a low laugh, “That was nothing. You should see her when she’s really angry.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Smart choice. She has a real talent for ruining evenings.”
Y/N took a sip, the warmth of the wine settling in her chest, “I don't know, this one was quite eventful. She insulted you. You antagonised her. Your father looked like he’d rather shit in his own hands and clap than acknowledge your existence. And Regulus has perfected his silent disappointment act. A true Black family dinner.”
Sirius snorted, “You catch on quick.”
“Do you not get tired of pissing them off?” Y/N asked, glancing towards the abandoned newspaper still laying on the table.
“I enjoy reminding them that they don’t own me.”
“I just find it interesting that you play into their game just as much as they do. You act like they don’t matter, but everything you do is a reaction to them.”
For the first time, his smirk faltered. He blinked at her, amusement flickering into something more guarded. She wasn’t sure why she said it or why she was pushing. Maybe it was the wine or the lingering frustration at their situation, or maybe it was because she was starting to see the cracks in his carefully constructed facade.
“And what about you?” Sirius leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
“What about me?”
“You sit through these dinners, endure their judgement, play the part of my loving fiancée,” he cocked his head at her, “Tell me, Y/N, who are you trying to please?”
Her grip tightened around her glass, the stem pressing into her fingers. His gaze was heavy and tore through her in a way that made it impossible to hide behind a clever remark.
“I don’t know.” she said finally, her voice coming out quieter than expected, “I’m hardly playing the part of your loving fiancée. We both know that I can’t stand you.”
Sirius hummed, studying her as if he was trying to pick her apart. He was good at that. Shifting so quickly from being arrogant and teasing to aiming a sharp jab at her weakest points.
“You’re different from what I expected.” He said after a while.
“And what did you expect?”
“Someone like them,” he gestured to the door, “another pawn. Someone desperate for their approval. Someone who wouldn’t challenge me.”
“Disappointed then?”
“Surprised.”
She wasn’t sure what to make of that, so she looked away, tracing the rim of her glass with her fingertip. “This whole thing is ridiculous.”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“They actually think forcing us together will change anything.”
“They’re delusional.” Sirius shook his head.
“The conversation the other day...The one your parents had-”
“The one you were eavesdropping on?” He interrupted, “I don’t know what that was about. I’m just as in the dark as you are.”
Sirius stood up abruptly, pushing his chair back with a scrape, “Come on.”
Y/N frowned, “Where are you going?”
“I need a cigarette. And you need fresh air before you start spiralling.”
“I’m not spiralling.” she muttered, following him nonetheless.
The night air was crisp and cool, tinged with the scent of rain. Outside, the Black manor and all it’s suffocating expectations felt far away. Sirius strolled down one of the pebbled paths, Y/N followed behind him. He pulled a pretty cigarette case from his pocket. The glow of the flame cast sharp shadows across his features as he lit it. The smoke curled ie curled into the night as he exhaled.
“If you’re lucky, maybe my mother will disown me before the wedding.”
Y/N huffed out a quiet laugh, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth, “And what? You’ll be free?”
Sirius didn’t answer immediately. He averted his gaze up to the night sky. It was clear out - it always seemed to be here. The acres of land around the property meant that there wasn’t as much light pollution as in the city Sirius frequented on his rebellious nights out.
“Something like that.”
It was early afternoon when Remus showed up. Unannounced, unbothered and about halfway through a cigarette. He leaned against the bonnet of his car, wearing the same beat-up jacket that he had worn since university. As soon as she spotted him through the grand front windows, Y/N darted out to greet him before one of the maids could ask if he had an appointment.
“You look like hell.” he said, by way of greeting, pulling her into a hug.
“Nice to see you too.”
Remus held her in his embrace a moment longer than necessary, his eyes flicked up to the house behind her, “So, how’s aristocratic captivity treating you?”
She sighed and pulled away, “Like a nightmare that I can’t wake up from.”
“And the groom-to-be?”
She looked over her shoulder at the manor, as if Sirius might appear in one of the windows, “Complicated.”
“That bad, eh?”
“He’s infuriating and smug and impossible to read, but he’s also-” she broke off, biting her lip, “not who I thought he’d be.”
“God help you,” Remus muttered, “You’re starting to like him.”
Y/N scoffed, “Far from it. I’m starting to understand him, and I think that might be worse actually.”
Remus dropped his cigarette and ground it out with his heel, “Am I getting a proper tour of the prison then?”
They eventually settled in the library, one of the only rooms that didn’t feel as cold as the rest. Significantly less portraits of long deceased family members adorned the room; the walls lined with books instead. There was a large fireplace at the end of the room, it blazed as if someone had just been in here.
“Where is he?” Remus asked, settling into a velvet armchair in front of the fireplace.
“Brooding somewhere, probably,” she sat across from him, curling her legs beneath her, “Or winding his brother up.”
“So, nothing’s changed then.” Remus laughed.
Y/N was about to speak again when there was a patter of dress shoes in the hall, and then a voice that didn’t belong to the manor at all. She shot Remus a look and he just shrugged his shoulders.
“Black?” The voice called out. A second later, a mop of curls appeared around the doorframe, “Your front door is ridiculous, and your groundskeeper just threatened to shoot me.”
He strolled in like he owned the place and when his eyes landed on Y/N and Remus his expression brightened.
“Remus bloody Lupin! I thought you’d either died or moved back to Wales.”
“Still disappointingly alive,” Remus stood up to greet the other man, “However you literally saw me in the pub a few months ago.”
James waved him off and rolled his eyes, turning to Y/N. “Friend of Remus. Friend of Sirius. Frequent witness to disasters. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He shook her hand.
“Half of those things are lies.” said Remus, slouching back in his chair.
“Which half?” James frowned and Remus waggled his eyebrows at him, “Which half, Lupin!?”
“I’m Y/N,” she interjected, “Professional hostage.”
James let out a laugh, “Brilliant. You’ve got a sense of humour. You’ll survive.”
He was taller than Sirius by a few inches, stockier too. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows – smartly dressed but in a way that looked like it came naturally to him, as if he hadn’t put in any effort at all.
“So, what are you doing here?” Remus asked as James perched on the arm of his chair.
“He called me last night. Said, and I quote, ‘Come over before I set fire to something I actually like.’ Which from Sirius, is basically like receiving a love letter.” James folded his arms across his chest, “Where is the prat anyway? Phoned me up in a huff and told me to come over and now is nowhere to be seen.”
“He called after it all kicked off at dinner I assume?” Y/N questioned.
“Yeah, he mentioned about that,” James pushed his glasses up on his nose, “So, how bad is it?”
“The engagement?”
“No, Y/N, his deranged mother’s wine selection at dinner. Yes. The engagement.”
She let out an almost laugh, “Somewhere between tragic and mildly entertaining. I haven’t actually come to terms with the fact that this is my life yet.”
“Tragic and mildly entertaining. That sounds like Sirius.” James teased.
“He’d kill you if he heard you say that.” Remus chuckled, nudging the other boy in the ribs, “Actually, Y/N was just telling me that she’s starting to see through him.”
James cocked his head and smirked, “To the tortured soul beneath?”
“To the wreckage underneath the performance.” Y/N corrected.
“Hah! No wonder he likes you.”
She froze, “He doesn’t-”
James raised both of his hands in mock surrender, “I didn’t say he admits it!”
There was a short silence before James grew a bit more serious, his voice quieter, “Listen, I know this whole situation is – well it’s fucked up. But Sirius... he’s been different the last few weeks. He’s been phoning me at odd hours and, he hasn’t said anything but I feel like he’s planning something.”
“Planning what?” Y/N picked nervously at a loose thread on the arm of her chair.
Before James could answer, the door creaked open again. Sirius stood in the doorway, a lit cigarette in one hand.
“Well,” he said dryly, “If I’d have known it was a bloody reunion, I’d have got the cook to bake a cake.”
Sirius stepped further into the room, flicking ash into a crystal tray on the sideboard. When he got to James, the stoney expression cracked and a genuine grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“You took your time.” he pulled him into a hug.
“You called me at two in the morning with vague threats of setting the place on fire. I thought I’d give it until the morning so you could cool off. Didn’t want to accidentally become an accomplice to arson.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Sirius smiled and settled into an armchair. He flicked his cigarette into the fireplace and looked at Remus, “Moony, still dressing like a haunted literature professor I see.”
Remus winked at him, “Consistency is key.”
“You alright?” James shifted uncomfortably on the arm of the chair and eyed Sirius carefully.
Sirius waved off the question and reached for another cigarette, “Better now you’re here, Prongsy.”
James didn’t look entirely convinced but he let it go. Y/N sat still, becoming increasingly aware of how out of place she felt in amongst the trio of old friends. She hadn’t realised how close they all were. Remus had mentioned Sirius and James before, of course, but she never imagined how deep their friendship ran.
“So?” Remus prompted, “Are you going to tell us what’s going on, or are we supposed to guess?”
“Guessing would be more fun. I can act it out like charades if you like?” Sirius smirked, leaning forward. Y/N reached over and smacked him on the arm.
“Ouch!” Sirius clutched his arm dramatically, “Violence? In front of guests?”
“Talk. Now.”
“Fine, fine.” he sat up straighter, his smirk slipping just slightly, “If you’re all that desperate to know... they’re pushing for a wedding date.”
Y/N could tell he was looking at her as he said it, but she kept her eyes trained on the fireplace. The fire curled around the logs in the hearth, the embers glowing for a moment before turning to ash. She could tell Sirius was bracing himself for her reaction. She didn’t give him one.
“Already?” James frowned, “You said you had time.”
“Apparently not. Mother’s worried about appearances. Father wants to tie it up before I embarrass them further.”
“I suppose it’s not ideal when you have a disobedient heir and a noncompliant bride.” Remus added dryly.
“Charming, cheers, Rem.” Y/N shot him a look and Sirius flipped him off without even looking. Remus only laughed.
“They’ve moved it. 6 weeks, give or take.” Sirius dropped his voice a little. He nudged Y/N’s foot with his, trying to get her attention. His shoes were scuffed, the black leather on the toe of them worn smooth. Y/N imagined his mother’s disapproval as he carried on speaking.
“I didn’t know anything about it, obviously.” Sirius continued, “Reg overheard them talking in the parlour the other day. The silly little git accidentally let it slip to me this morning.” he chucked but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“This is all your fault.” Y/N spoke suddenly, standing up so quickly and with such force that it caused her armchair to screech on the wooden floor. James and Remus winced. “If you hadn’t have pulled that stunt the other day, getting your name in the papers again, we could’ve had more time. You’re so unbelievably selfish.”
The words hit like a slap and Sirius blinked. He stood up too, although a lot more calmly than the girl in front of him.
“You think I did that on purpose?” his calm cracked, “That I planned for them to move the date just to spite you? Believe me, darling, I’m in no great rush to marry you either.”
“You knew it would piss them off. You always know and you do it anyway.” She seethed, “You know exactly how to provoke them and you do it time and time again – because you like it. Because for once it makes you feel like you have some sort of control over them.”
James let out a low whistle, both his and Remus’s heads turning from side to side between the pair like they were watching a tennis match.
“Oh, brilliant,” Sirius spat, “I forgot you’re the world’s leading expert on me after, what, three weeks of tolerating each other? You’ve barely seen me apart from the times my family force us to be together. Yet, you think you’ve got me all figured out?”
“I’ve seen enough. I’ve spent every waking minute since I’ve been here trying to figure out a way to get us out of this mess.” She raked a hand through her hair, pushing it out of her face, “I’ve watched you and all your little performances. Behind all of the bravado and smoke you’re just as afraid as I am.”
“Don’t fucking psychoanalyse me like you’re any better. You walk around the place playing the victim, like this whole thing is happening to you. Your family is just as much to blame as mine is.”
“Don’t.” She warned.
“Hit a nerve, did I?” Sirius said, quieter now, but no less cutting, “Breaking news - I don’t want to marry you either! Stop acting like you’re the only one with something to lose.”
“Well, thank God.” she said coldly, “Because I’ve spent the last few weeks perfecting the art of hating you and I couldn’t imagine anything worse than actually having to go through with this marriage.”
She turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the heavy library door with a sound that echoed through the hall.
The quiet that followed was thick. Sirius stood still, jaw clenched, hand gripping the arm of the chair as if he was trying to steady himself. Remus and James eyed each other, stunned into silence as the pair argued.
James cleared his throat softly, “So... should we start drafting the table plan for the wedding or...”
Remus shot his friend a warning look before focusing back on Sirius, “Tell us what you’re planning.”
Sirius didn’t answer straight away. His body jerked as if he was going to head towards the door but his feet stayed rooted to the spot.
“Everything.” he muttered, “I’ll burn the whole fucking estate down before I marry her.”
“Ooh, look at this one!” you gasped, crouching down to pick up a shiny, near-perfectly round pebble on the edge of the Black Lake. You rolled it between your fingers, admiring the smoothness, the slight shimmer. Without thinking twice, you slipped it into your pocket.
Sirius, standing just a few feet away, raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been collecting rocks all term, love. Dare I ask?”
“They’re fun to collect,” you replied with a shrug and a perfectly casual smile.
It wasn’t a lie. Exactly.
You just didn’t mention the part where your animagus form had an instinctual habit of hoarding pretty rocks. Nesting behavior, apparently. Not that you were nesting. Obviously. That would be weird.
But, you suppose the collection in your drawer was starting to look suspiciously nest-shaped.
Sirius tilted his head. “You're not planning to summon a rock golem or anything, right?"
You snorted. “Sorry to disappoint. Just a harmless hobby.”
Later that evening, you slipped away as usual, transforming once you reached the edge of the lake. The cold water welcomed you like an old friend, and you dove beneath the surface, graceful in a way your human form could never match.
Unbeknownst to you, Sirius had been looking for his own shiny pebbles to add to your odd collection.
He caught a glimpse of a small black and white creature disappearing into the icy lake, and blinked hard. “Is that… a penguin?”
Sirius Black wasn’t paranoid. He just happened to like pacing around his dorm after failing to find you in your dorm to tell you about what he just saw.
And now that he thought about it, there was definitely something off about you lately. You’d always been a little odd—quirky, clever, and frustratingly unreadable—but now you were secretive. Slipping out of the castle at strange hours, suddenly obsessed with rocks, and somehow not bothered by the frigid Scottish air.
He didn't have proof, yet. But he had a hunch.
And Sirius Black always followed his hunches, especially when they involved you.
Monday
You were crouched near the greenhouses, sorting through pebbles when Sirius walked up behind you.
“Is this some kind of new plant-growing ritual, or are you just starting a weird little rock cult?”
You smiled over your shoulder. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“I would, actually,” he said, stepping closer. “You’ve been pocketing pebbles all week. They don’t even sparkle.”
“They’re soothing,” you said casually. “Merlin forbid a girl has a hobby.”
“Sure,” he muttered, watching as you tucked one into your coat. “Just... feels familiar, somehow.”
You gave him an innocent look. “Maybe you were a crow in a past life.”
Tuesday
You showed up to dinner late, your tie hanging loosely from your neck. Sirius leaned over the table when you sat down.
“Let me guess. Library?”
“Mmm,” you said, grabbing a roll. “It’s warmer in there than the dorm.”
“Except it’s not,” he replied, studying your cheeks, still pink from the cold. “Unless you’ve discovered a fireplace I don’t know about.”
You smirked. “I’ll never reveal my secrets.”
Remus looked up from his plate. “You’re have been sneaking off lately.”
You raised a brow. “Should I start sending invites?”
James shrugged. “As long as it’s not homework.”
You just winked and bit into the roll.
Sirius frowned down at his shepherd’s pie.
Wednesday
Everyone was huddled around the Gryffindor common room fire. James and Peter were trading cards, Remus was half-asleep with a book in his lap, and you were curled up in an armchair with your legs tucked beneath you.
Sirius slid onto the floor beside you, resting his arm across the seat. “You’ve been out a lot lately,” he said casually.
You glanced down at him. “Getting fresh air.”
“In January?”
You just smiled and tossed a handful of popcorn into your mouth. “I like the cold.”
“You used to complain every time we'd walk to Hogsmeade.”
“I’ve evolved.”
Sirius blinked. Remus snorted. No one else batted an eye.
Thursday
You were sprawled in the common room with everyone, lazily quizzing each other for exams. Sirius leaned over to grab a cushion from under the table and froze.
A tiny feather—black and white—was caught on your bag.
He plucked it off, twirling it between his fingers.
“Lose a pet?” he asked casually.
You looked over and blinked. “Huh. Must’ve stuck to me when I sat outside.”
“Funny,” he said, watching your face. “This looks like a penguin feather.”
You didn’t even flinch. “What would you know about penguin feathers?”
“…Enough.”
You grinned. “Sirius Black, do you have a penguin we don't know about?”
Sirius narrowed his eyes.
Friday
You were clearly sneaking back in from somewhere when you spotted Sirius watching from the top of the stairs.
Without missing a beat, you called up to him, “If you tell anybody I was out, I’ll start rumors about what you really got caught doing in third year.”
His jaw dropped. “I didn’t eat the frogspawn! That was Peter!”
You grinned and squeezed past him to head back to your room. “Exactly. See how easy it is?”
He was too busy defending his honor to chase the real question: why your boots were muddy and your socks were missing.
Saturday
He found you near the lake again, bundled up, casually tossing a pebble across the ice. You barely looked over when he approached.
“I brought you something,” he said, pulling a smooth, dark stone from his pocket. It was flat, polished, and shimmered faintly in the afternoon light.
You glanced at it. “Did you steal that from the Herbology fountain?”
He grinned. “Maybe. Thought you’d like it. You’ve got a bit of a... collection going, don’t you?”
You took the stone from him, twirling it between your fingers with a neutral expression. “Thanks. It’s a nice one.”
“I figured,” he said, stepping closer, “if you were hypothetically a penguin animagus, and hypothetically collecting rocks because of deeply ingrained nesting instincts… you’d probably appreciate this one.”
You were silent for a beat, then smiled softly. “That so?”
“Also,” he added, voice softening, “I hypothetically have feelings for said penguin. And I thought maybe… if I hypothetically gave you a rock, you’d hypothetically consider making a nest for two.”
Silence.
Then a laugh bubbled up from your chest—half disbelief, half affection, “You’re hypothetically ridiculous."
“But am I wrong?”
You shook your head, smiling. “Not even a little.”
And just like that, you leaned up and kissed him—quick, warm, easy.
When you pulled away, Sirius looked dazed. “So... not denying the penguin thing?”
You patted his chest. “You’re cute when you’re nosy.”
AAAAAHHHHH!!! THIS WAS SO CUTE!!! I don’t think I have seen a fic that had penguin as an animagus. I must admit, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS! Didn’t knew I needed a penguin and a dog love story until now. 😔💗 MWAH 💋
“Ooh, look at this one!” you gasped, crouching down to pick up a shiny, near-perfectly round pebble on the edge of the Black Lake. You rolled it between your fingers, admiring the smoothness, the slight shimmer. Without thinking twice, you slipped it into your pocket.
Sirius, standing just a few feet away, raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been collecting rocks all term, love. Dare I ask?”
“They’re fun to collect,” you replied with a shrug and a perfectly casual smile.
It wasn’t a lie. Exactly.
You just didn’t mention the part where your animagus form had an instinctual habit of hoarding pretty rocks. Nesting behavior, apparently. Not that you were nesting. Obviously. That would be weird.
But, you suppose the collection in your drawer was starting to look suspiciously nest-shaped.
Sirius tilted his head. “You're not planning to summon a rock golem or anything, right?"
You snorted. “Sorry to disappoint. Just a harmless hobby.”
Later that evening, you slipped away as usual, transforming once you reached the edge of the lake. The cold water welcomed you like an old friend, and you dove beneath the surface, graceful in a way your human form could never match.
Unbeknownst to you, Sirius had been looking for his own shiny pebbles to add to your odd collection.
He caught a glimpse of a small black and white creature disappearing into the icy lake, and blinked hard. “Is that… a penguin?”
Sirius Black wasn’t paranoid. He just happened to like pacing around his dorm after failing to find you in your dorm to tell you about what he just saw.
And now that he thought about it, there was definitely something off about you lately. You’d always been a little odd—quirky, clever, and frustratingly unreadable—but now you were secretive. Slipping out of the castle at strange hours, suddenly obsessed with rocks, and somehow not bothered by the frigid Scottish air.
He didn't have proof, yet. But he had a hunch.
And Sirius Black always followed his hunches, especially when they involved you.
Monday
You were crouched near the greenhouses, sorting through pebbles when Sirius walked up behind you.
“Is this some kind of new plant-growing ritual, or are you just starting a weird little rock cult?”
You smiled over your shoulder. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“I would, actually,” he said, stepping closer. “You’ve been pocketing pebbles all week. They don’t even sparkle.”
“They’re soothing,” you said casually. “Merlin forbid a girl has a hobby.”
“Sure,” he muttered, watching as you tucked one into your coat. “Just... feels familiar, somehow.”
You gave him an innocent look. “Maybe you were a crow in a past life.”
Tuesday
You showed up to dinner late, your tie hanging loosely from your neck. Sirius leaned over the table when you sat down.
“Let me guess. Library?”
“Mmm,” you said, grabbing a roll. “It’s warmer in there than the dorm.”
“Except it’s not,” he replied, studying your cheeks, still pink from the cold. “Unless you’ve discovered a fireplace I don’t know about.”
You smirked. “I’ll never reveal my secrets.”
Remus looked up from his plate. “You’re have been sneaking off lately.”
You raised a brow. “Should I start sending invites?”
James shrugged. “As long as it’s not homework.”
You just winked and bit into the roll.
Sirius frowned down at his shepherd’s pie.
Wednesday
Everyone was huddled around the Gryffindor common room fire. James and Peter were trading cards, Remus was half-asleep with a book in his lap, and you were curled up in an armchair with your legs tucked beneath you.
Sirius slid onto the floor beside you, resting his arm across the seat. “You’ve been out a lot lately,” he said casually.
You glanced down at him. “Getting fresh air.”
“In January?”
You just smiled and tossed a handful of popcorn into your mouth. “I like the cold.”
“You used to complain every time we'd walk to Hogsmeade.”
“I’ve evolved.”
Sirius blinked. Remus snorted. No one else batted an eye.
Thursday
You were sprawled in the common room with everyone, lazily quizzing each other for exams. Sirius leaned over to grab a cushion from under the table and froze.
A tiny feather—black and white—was caught on your bag.
He plucked it off, twirling it between his fingers.
“Lose a pet?” he asked casually.
You looked over and blinked. “Huh. Must’ve stuck to me when I sat outside.”
“Funny,” he said, watching your face. “This looks like a penguin feather.”
You didn’t even flinch. “What would you know about penguin feathers?”
“…Enough.”
You grinned. “Sirius Black, do you have a penguin we don't know about?”
Sirius narrowed his eyes.
Friday
You were clearly sneaking back in from somewhere when you spotted Sirius watching from the top of the stairs.
Without missing a beat, you called up to him, “If you tell anybody I was out, I’ll start rumors about what you really got caught doing in third year.”
His jaw dropped. “I didn’t eat the frogspawn! That was Peter!”
You grinned and squeezed past him to head back to your room. “Exactly. See how easy it is?”
He was too busy defending his honor to chase the real question: why your boots were muddy and your socks were missing.
Saturday
He found you near the lake again, bundled up, casually tossing a pebble across the ice. You barely looked over when he approached.
“I brought you something,” he said, pulling a smooth, dark stone from his pocket. It was flat, polished, and shimmered faintly in the afternoon light.
You glanced at it. “Did you steal that from the Herbology fountain?”
He grinned. “Maybe. Thought you’d like it. You’ve got a bit of a... collection going, don’t you?”
You took the stone from him, twirling it between your fingers with a neutral expression. “Thanks. It’s a nice one.”
“I figured,” he said, stepping closer, “if you were hypothetically a penguin animagus, and hypothetically collecting rocks because of deeply ingrained nesting instincts… you’d probably appreciate this one.”
You were silent for a beat, then smiled softly. “That so?”
“Also,” he added, voice softening, “I hypothetically have feelings for said penguin. And I thought maybe… if I hypothetically gave you a rock, you’d hypothetically consider making a nest for two.”
Silence.
Then a laugh bubbled up from your chest—half disbelief, half affection, “You’re hypothetically ridiculous."
“But am I wrong?”
You shook your head, smiling. “Not even a little.”
And just like that, you leaned up and kissed him—quick, warm, easy.
When you pulled away, Sirius looked dazed. “So... not denying the penguin thing?”
You patted his chest. “You’re cute when you’re nosy.”
vienna – billy joel , l'amour de ma vie [over now extended edit] – billie eilish , baile inolvidable – bad bunny (i don't have a fav rn but some i like)
besame mucho – joão gilberto
thank you for the tag @goldennhr + @lydiasfalling !
Tuesday mornings were slow at the café. Remus opened alone because of this, but he didn't mind. In fact, he enjoyed the mornings hours to himself before the lunch rush. He got to refill the syrups and espresso beans with his personal playlist coming through the speakers, and arrange the pastries in the case the right way – James stacking the biscotti like a game of Jenga is the wrong way.
The café smelled like cinnamon and espresso with the faintest hint of something floral from the mop water. He liked that, too. Predictable. Calm.
Until 8:12am.
The door chimed softly at exactly 8:12am, and Remus, who was mid-pour, nearly overfilled the cup in his hand.
You were wearing that pale yellow scarf again—the fluffy one with flowers embroidered on the end—and your smile was too soft, too much for Remus to handle before 10am.
You’d started coming to the café not long after you moved in with your roommate, just a few blocks down the street. At first, it was just out of convenience, but it didn’t take long for the quiet charm of the place to win you over and become part of your routine. You told yourself it was the coffee.
You did, however, feel a little bad for making the cute barista recite your roommate’s overly specific order every single time.
"Morning, Remus."
Remus tried to smile back without looking too obviously smitten. “Morning. Getting your usual?”
“Yes, please,” you nodded, leaning on the counter slightly. “One vanilla oat milk latte, and…”
Your voice turned sheepish, almost apologetic, as you pulled out your phone, squinting at the screen like you hadn’t already ordered this a dozen times.
“…and a venti iced matcha with two pumps of white chocolate, one pump of peppermint, light oat milk, no ice, shaken exactly seven times—”
“—and a caramel drizzle in the shape of a star,” Remus finished, grimacing slightly. “Right.”
She grinned. “You’re getting good at this.”
He opened his mouth to reply, closed it again, then turned to start the drinks. His cheeks were warm. Remus had been trying for weeks to get that stupid matcha order just right, he’d even started practicing stars in the milk foam on slow days, though he’d never admit that out loud.
While he worked, she leaned slightly over the pastry case, one hand tucked under her chin, gaze thoughtful.
“Did you stack the biscotti like that?” she asked suddenly, voice light with amusement.
Remus looked up from the milk steamer, brow furrowing as he followed her line of sight. The biscotti were balanced haphazardly, tilted like dominos mid-fall—James’s signature chaos. Remus always fixed it in the morning, but today, he hadn’t gotten around to it yet.
“Oh,” he started, setting the milk pitcher down. “Actually, that’s—”
“I really like it,” she added, turning her head toward him. “It’s whimsical. Like someone had fun with it.”
Remus blinked, caught between honesty and the very sudden, very desperate need to keep that look on her face.
“It’s—yeah,” he said finally, his voice catching slightly. “I, um… thought I’d try something new.”
“You have a good eye for details,” she said. “Most cafés are all so… boring. I like this.”
Remus blinked.
He opened his mouth again—say it was James, be honest, she’ll still think you’re nice—and then closed it. His ears were warm.
“…Thanks,” he said, voice quieter than usual. “Just trying to keep things… interesting.”
“I love it,” she said sincerely. “Feels like something out of a storybook café.”
Remus made a soft sound of agreement, trying not to panic over the fact that he’d just taken credit for James’s biscotti chaos. But she looked so pleased, and he was pretty sure he’d agree to just about anything if she smiled at him like that again.
When he turned back around, she was tapping her fingers along with the song playing. He wasn’t sure if she knew it was one of his favorites, or if she just had really good taste.
Maybe both.
He slid the drinks over to her. The star on top of the matcha was a little lopsided.
“Thanks, Remus.”
You hesitated for a moment like you might say something else, but just smiled again as you picked up the drinks.
“See you next Tuesday?”
His heart did an embarrassing little flip.
“Yeah,” he said, already thinking about new caramel designs to try. “I’ll be here.”
the fictional character being matt hitt (my fav remus fancast) is so telling of what i look at on Pinterest lmao. the outfit and everything else is all so me as well wtf.
The last plate clinked onto the counter, signaling the end of your shift. You wiped your hands on your apron and slung your coat over your shoulder, ready to head out. The diner had quieted down after the usual dinner rush, and the last few stragglers were finishing their meals. It had been a long, tiring evening, but the thought of curling up with a book at home made the exhaustion feel worth it.
“Hey, someone’s here for you,” Amelia, your coworker, sang through the order window, her voice bubbling with excitement. You had just changed out of your uniform, coat in hand as you had been preparing to leave when the other waitress had called out to you.
"Who?" you asked, already pulling your bag over your shoulder.
Amelia's grin widened, her gaze flicking toward the diner’s large front window. “A cute guy—dark hair, tall, looks like he’s been standing out there forever, poor thing. He’s got this bouquet, too.” She said the last part like it was a secret, her tone playful.
Before you could ask any more questions, Amelia was already grinning at you, clearly enjoying the surprise. “He looks like he’s waiting for you. You better go check it out, girl.”
James is wet.
So is the bouquet of (flowers) he'd conjured up to present to you. He’d been standing in the pouring rain for what felt like ages, the excitement of seeing you mingling with the nerves that made his stomach flutter. It had been exactly one week since he’d been blessed with your existence, and every moment since had been a mix of longing and exhilaration.
“James!” The call pulled him from his thoughts. He was suddenly yanked by his sleeve out of the rain and under the diner’s striped awning, his heart racing as he finally saw you.
Your name escaped his lips in a lovesick sigh, his eyes drinking in the sight of you. You stood there with your cheeks flushed from the warmth of the diner compared to the chill of the rain outside. Specks of mascara freckled the skin under your eyes, and stray curls framed your face, having escaped from your fallen ponytail. You looked utterly enchanting, and for a moment, he forgot all about the rain.
“James, you’re soaked!” you exclaimed, laughter dancing in your voice as you took in his disheveled appearance. The bouquet of flowers, though a little worse for wear, still held a certain charm, droplets of rain glistening on the petals.
“I'll dry off sooner or later,” he replied, his voice a bit sheepish as he offered the bouquet, the flowers bobbing slightly in the drizzle. “They’re not exactly at their best, but—”
You cut him off with a laugh, gently taking the flowers and cradling them against your chest. “They’re lovely, thank you. I can't believe you actually showed up with flowers.”
“Anything for you,” he said, his tone earnest as he looked deep into your eyes.
“Well are you going to stand there all day, or are you taking me somewhere?” you teased, a playful smile on your lips.
“Right! I have a plan,” he said, recovering quickly.
“Alright then, lead the way!” you laughed, slipping your arm through his as he guided you away from the awning and back into the rain.
The two of you made your way to a cozy bar tucked away on a side street, its warm glow inviting you inside. As you entered, the atmosphere wrapped around you like a comforting blanket, the chatter of patrons and the clinking of glasses creating a welcoming ambiance. You found a booth in the back by the fireplace, the low lighting and rustic décor making it feel instantly relaxed. James ordered drinks—two warm ciders to warm you both up—and you smiled as he walked back to your table, his easy demeanor making your heart flutter.
"So, tell me," James said, leaning forward slightly, his hands wrapped around his mug. "You’re American, right? But you’ve been living in London for a while now, that’s got to be a big change."
You smiled at the sudden curiosity in his voice, feeling that familiar question coming. "Yeah, I moved here a couple of months ago for work, and it's been great so far."
“Work, huh?” James raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “That’s a bit of a jump from home. I mean, interesting that you’d move all the way here.. for an American-themed diner?”
You caught yourself for a moment, then laughed, shaking your head. "No, I'm just there a few nights a week. I work in.. foreign affairs. Just paperwork and stuff, really boring. Anyway, I’d much rather hear about you."
As you settled into conversation, the rain outside continued to fall softly, creating a comforting backdrop. James talked animatedly about his friends and personal life, his passion evident in every word. You listened, captivated by the way he shared stories of his teammates and their antics, his laughter infectious.
And then, just as you were lost in the rhythm of his words, something unexpected happened. He was telling a particularly funny story about his roommate's antics when his hand shot out to emphasize a point, accidentally knocking his cider glass precariously close to the edge of the table. It wobbled, teetered, and in an instant, it was almost on its way to disaster.
Instinctively, you reached out, your hand brushing against his as you tried to save the glass. The cider glass wavered, frozen in the air as if it, too, was caught in the shock of the moment. It felt as though time slowed—each second stretching longer than the last—as you locked eyes, both of you startled, your heart racing from the unexpected moment.
It wasn’t just the shock of nearly spilling the cider—it was the awareness that you were caught. And as the glass, finally steady, settled back into its place, the room seemed to sigh with relief.
"Was that you or me?" he asked, a playful grin spreading across his face.
A laugh bubbled up from your chest. There was a magic in the air—one that felt entirely different from the spells you knew.
James grinned, his voice laced with mischief. “Well, I did promise the night would be magical.”
The Art of Hating You : Part One - Sirius Black x Reader.
AN - hello it has been a while but i have finally finished the first part of this. pls pls pls let me know what you think and give it a reblog if you enjoyed! i've already started part two so if enough of you like it, i can post it soon. thank u love u bye x
3.6k words
Contains: Arranged marriage Sirius x Reader. Mentions of alcohol, some swearing - nothing too bad in this part.
The clinking of crystal glasses was deafening, a symphony of wealth and power all concentrated into a single ballroom. Y/N stood by the towering bay window, staring out at the sprawling grounds of the manor. There was a muted hum of conversation mixed with the gentle music of the band behind her, though the blood was pumping in her ears, almost muffling it.
“Stand up straight,” her mother’s voice cut sharply at her shoulder, snapping her back to reality, “People are watching.”
She adjusted her posture automatically, straightening her back and lifting her chin. A marionette pulled into position by invisible strings. Like a bloody puppet, she thought bitterly as her mother’s polished nails adjusted the sleeve of her gown before drifting off.
A server passed by with a silver tray and Y/N’s fingers reached out instinctively for a flute of champagne. It took all of her self-control not to tip the entire contents down her throat and immediately grab another one. The bubbles fizzed against her lips as her father’s voice broke through the noise.
“Ladies and gentleman,” his voice rang across the room, immediately silencing the chatter, “I just wanted to thank you all for attending tonight as we celebrate the announcement of the union of two families. I also want to thank Mr and Mrs Black for welcoming us into their spectacular home and hosting, what I hope, will be a very memorable evening.”
Y/N’s stomach clenched, but she kept her expression neutral. She had been dreading this day for weeks. Its presence lingered in the distance, gradually growing closer and closer until she couldn’t escape it any more. The finality of it, spoken aloud to a room of hundreds of people, felt like a guillotine blade suspended above her.
“Some engagement party, eh?”
The voice came from behind her, low and close to her ear. Soft and familiar.
“Remus! I didn’t think you’d be able to make it!” she exclaimed, relief flooding her chest as she lowered her voice, “Thank God you’re here.”
“My flight landed a few hours ago,” he smiled, leaning in to kiss her cheek, “Thought you might need some moral support and, well, Mum and Dad weren’t going to let me get away with not showing my face.”
“Remind me to thank them for that later. I need all the support I can get.” she whispered, glancing towards the centre of the room where her father was still preaching about “legacy” and “union”.
Remus followed her gaze and grimaced. Y/N nodded solemnly and drained the remaining champagne from the flute. Seamlessly, Remus grabbed another from a passing server’s tray and handed it to her.
“That’s why you’re my best friend,” she softly clinked her glass against his own.
“Always at your service,” he bowed jokingly and then leaned in slightly, “So, he’s here somewhere I assume?”
She didn’t need to ask who he meant. The weight of Sirius Black’s presence had been pressing all night, even though she had done everything to avoid him.
She hesitated, letting her eyes drift over the room. The ballroom was crowded: older men in pristine suits were smoking cigars by the balcony, their wives dripped in diamonds and murmured conspiratorially over flutes of champagne, and the younger guests milled about in groups that were carefully curated by their parents.
And then, there was him. Leaning against the mahogany bar, perfectly at ease in the busy room. He was infuriatingly composed as ever, dressed in a tailored suit that he made look effortlessly dishevelled. His tie was loose, the top few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a sliver of his tattooed chest. He looked like he belonged and didn’t belong all at one. A study in rebellion with polished edges.
As if he could feel her gaze, Sirius turned his head and caught her staring. A slow, deliberate smirk curled at the corner of his mouth and he tilted his head slightly, one of his eyebrows arching. To her horror, he pushed off the bar and began making his way towards them.
“Lupin,” he drawled, his voice low and smooth, “It’s been a while.”
Remus raised his glass in acknowledgment, “It has indeed.”
Sirius’s smirk twitched into a grin as his eyes flickered to Y/N, “And you,” he said, gaze locking onto hers, “You look...thrilled.”
“Absolutely ecstatic,” she said flatly, meeting his stare head on, “happiest day of my life.”
Sirius chuckled and reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, relighting the cigarette that dangled between his fingers.
“You’re smoking.” she pointed out sharply. He exhaled a curl of smoke, unfazed,
“Observant as ever.”
Y/N clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to swat the cigarette from his hand, “You’re not supposed to smoke in here.”
“And yet here I stand,” he gestured grandly to the room, “Alive and thriving. Remarkable, isn’t it?”
Remus stifled a laugh behind his glass, earning a glare from Y/N. Sirius didn’t miss the exchange and turned his attention back to his old friend, his smirk softening into something genuine.
“It’s good to see you, mate. Really. How long’s it been?”
“Three years-ish, I reckon.” Remus replied, his voice friendlier now, “Last time we crossed paths you were getting thrown out of the Gryffin Club for setting off fireworks in the billiard room.”
Sirius barked out a laugh, “Ah, yes. A classic. Who knew aristocrats were so touchy about singed velvet? Well, in my defence, leaving fireworks unattended in a store cupboard wasn’t their wisest move.”
“A locked store cupboard, if I remember rightly.” Remus added, grinning.
Sirius shrugged, flicking ash into an ornate plant pot nearby as though the memory pleased him, “Details. Though, if I remember rightly, it was your lighter that got things going.”
Remus chuckled and clinked his glass against the other boys, “Touche.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin, “Perhaps you two should have been the ones set up to marry each other.”
Sirius’s eyes snapped back to hers, his smirk turning wolfish, “Sorry, darling. I forgot tonight wasn’t a reunion for Remus and I. Tonight’s all about us – The happy couple.”
Her champagne glass froze halfway to her lips, her fingers tightening around the delicate stem, “Don't call me that.” she said, her voice low and sharp.
“Why not? You are my fiancée, are you not?” he asked innocently, though the glint in his eyes betrayed him, “The whole room is here to celebrate our impending union.”
Her expression didn’t waver, although her heart was hammering in her chest, “If you’ll excuse me,” she said icily, “I think I see someone I actually want to talk to.”
As she strode away, she could hear Sirius’s laughter behind her. She didn’t look back. Instead, wove her way through the crowd, the familiar faces of family friends and society elites blurring together as her mind raced.
It wasn’t until she reached the edge of the ballroom, near the double doors leading out to the garden, that she let herself pause. The cool night air drifted in, nipping against her heated cheeks. For a moment, she just stood there, breathing deeply, trying to steady herself.
“I thought you might come this way,” a voice said softly.
She turned to see Remus standing a few feet away, his expression gentle. He held out a fresh glass of champagne. “You looked like you needed this.”
She accepted it wordlessly, staring into the golden liquid like it could fix all of her issues.
“Do you ever wonder,” she said after a long moment, “what it would’ve been like to be born into a normal family? One where your future wasn’t mapped out before you even knew how to walk?”
Remus leaned against the doorframe, his own glass dangling loosely in his hand, “Every day.” he admitted quietly.
She looked at him, her expression softening, “You’re lucky you got out, you know.”
He didn’t respond, but the shadow that passed over his face told her that he knew exactly what she meant. Remus jerked his head towards the garden and Y/N followed him.
The cool air was a relief from the stifling atmosphere in the ballroom. The garden lights twinkled softly, casting long shadows across the pristine hedges and gravel paths. Remus settled down on one of the stone benches, pulling a crumpled packet of cigarettes from his pocket. He tapped one out and offered her the pack.
“I don’t know how you put up with him for so many years,” Y/N muttered, sitting down next to him,
“He’s not all bad. Though he does seem to have a knack for getting under your skin.” he tilted his head back.
“Under my skin?” she huffed, reaching down to loosen the strap on one of her high heels, “He’s practically burrowed into my soul just to annoy me.”
Remus smirked, blowing out a puff of smoke, “You make it sound so romantic.”
She shot him a glare, “Don’t even joke about that.”
“I’m not joking,” he said lightly, “You know, there’s a fine line between love and hate.”
“That line doesn’t exist here,” she retorted quickly, crossing her arms, “It’s all hate. Pure and simple.”
Remus stayed silent, his smile lingering as he tapped the ash from his cigarette into a nearby rosebush. The faint glow of the garden lights caught the curve of his face, his eyes flickering with amusement that he didn’t bother to voice.
Their quiet moment was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. Y/N stiffened, her fingers curling around the edge of the bench.
“You’ve not stolen my fiancée, have you, Lupin?”
Remus turned his head towards the source of the voice, unbothered, “If I had you’d only have yourself to blame,” Remus joked, “Should’ve kept a closer eye on her.”
“I’d hate to have to duel you for her.” Sirius quipped, “It’s such a bother – laundry bills for bloodstained silk and all that.”
Sirius stepped into the moonlight, his tailored suit still managing to look deliberately rumpled, as though he’d gone to great lengths to seem as effortlessly dishevelled as possible.
“And yet here you are, conveniently lurking in the shadows with her,” he countered, grin widening as he looked at Y/N, “Careful, sweetheart. People might start talking.”
“Let them,” she snapped, standing abruptly, “Maybe it’ll save me the trouble of this farce of an engagement.”
“Oh, don’t be cruel,” Sirius feigned a wounded expression, “You’ll hurt my feelings.”
Remus stubbed out his cigarette on the bench and stood up, “I’m going to need infinitely more champagne if you expect me to bear witness to this all night. I’ll see you both back inside.”
Sirius stepped closer to her after Remus’s departure, “You ran off so quickly, I thought perhaps I’d done something to upset you.”
Y/N let out a sharp laugh, turning away from him, “If only you were that self-aware.”
He stepped closer still, his voice dropping, “Steady. People might start to think that you actually hate me.”
She spun back around to face him, her chin tilted defiantly, “I do.”
“Good.” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “Hate makes things far more interesting. And, for the record, I’m not too fond of you either.”
Y/N held his gaze, her heart thundering in her chest despite her calm facade, “Glad we’re on the same page.”
Sirius smiled again, his expression infuriatingly nonchalant, “Crystal clear.”
“Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to continue trying to avoid you for the rest of the evening.”
As she re-entered the bustling room, the noise and brightness felt suffocating after the peace of the garden. She manoeuvred through the crowd smiling and nodding with the practiced ease of someone who had been raised to perform.
“Y/N.” her mother’s voice drew her attention and she turned to find her mother standing with a group of guests, all of whom were watching her with polite interest. She plastered on a smile, stepping into the circle, immediately being swept up in the niceties of conversation.
Her practiced smile never faltered, even as her mind raced. But then, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw him. Sirius had returned to the room. He didn’t look her way, engaging effortlessly with a cluster of guests near the bar.
Y/N forced herself to focus on the conversation, they were talking wedding venues, but her resolve crumbled when her father strode purposefully across the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” he announced, all hum of conversation vanishing immediately, “As you are all aware, tonight is a celebration of the union between two great families. One that promises to strengthen our legacy and secure the future for generations to come.”
Y/N’s throat tightened as the room erupted into applause.
“And what better way to seal such an occasion than with a little tradition?” he continued, “Y/N, Sirius. Join us.”
Every muscle in her body screamed at her to run off. She wished that the server that was walking past with a champagne bottle would crack her over the head with it. But her body betrayed her and she found herself moving towards the centre of the room.
For the first time that night, Sirius’s smirk was gone, replaced by a look of mild surprise as he stepped forward, his cigarette hastily extinguished. Her father gestured grandly to the band who struck up a waltz and the crowd parted, leaving an open space in the centre of the room. All eyes on them.
Sirius reached her side, offering his hand, “Shall we?”
She wanted to glare at him but placed her hand in his. As he pulled her into position, his grip on her waist firm, he leaned in just enough for her to hear him over the music.
“Tell me,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear, “Did you know about this little spectacle, or are you just as blindsided as I am?”
Her jaw tightened as they began to move, “If I’d known,” she hissed through a fake smile, “I’d have faked the flu.”
“Glad to know we’re equally as miserable.” his lips quirked up into a smile, his eyes scanning the room, “My father told me people were asking why we haven’t been joined at the hip all evening. I told him we were both...mingling.”
Her grip on his shoulder tightened just enough to make him glance down at her, “How generous of you to cover for me.” Her steps remained perfectly in time, “And what did he say to that?”
“Oh, you know, the usual,” he replied, his tone breezy, “Something about how mingling is well and good, but appearances must be maintained. Wouldn’t want anyone thinking that the happy couple isn’t happy. Terribly romantic, isn’t it?”
“Do you enjoy making everything sound insufferable or does it just come naturally?”
“It’s a gift, really. But let’s not pretend you’re any better at playing the part, darling. That smile of yours could make a baby cry.”
“Maybe if you stopped talking, I wouldn’t have to force it.”
They moved through another turn. To anyone watching, they looked the perfect pair: graceful and composed, perfectly in sync. Yet, deep hatred was bubbling beneath the surface. Eventually, the dance ended, the music drawing to a soft close. Applause echoed through the room as they pulled apart.
Sirius stepped back, “Always a pleasure, sweetheart. Shall we make the rounds? Wouldn’t want anyone getting suspicious now, would we?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t want to ruin your sparkling reputation.”
He held out his arm for her and she took it, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow as they floated around the room.
Sunlight streamed through the towering windows of Y/N’s bedroom, too bright and too unforgiving. She groaned loudly and buried her face into her pillow. Her head was pounding, a clear victim to the bottomless champagne. Eventually, she sat up, pressing her palms against her eyes as if it could block out the memory of Sirius Black’s insufferable smirk.
He had played his part well last night. Despite his less than stellar reputation, people seemed to fawn over Sirius. He was the black sheep of his family, infamous for his defiance of their traditions. His face often graced the tabloids alongside stories of wild parties, broken rules and a long line of flings. It didn’t tarnish him. If anything, it only added to his appeal.
When she finally emerged from her room, the house was still and quiet, save for the distant clatter of breakfast preparations in the kitchen. She could have stayed in bed much longer but the pounding in her skull made it impossible. Fresh air, she thought. That would help.
She regretted the decision instantly.
The morning air was sharp against her skin as she stepped out onto the terrace. There he was, standing by the stone balustrade with a cigarette balanced between his fingers. The warm morning light caught in his tousled hair, giving him the air of someone who had either just rolled out of bed or hadn’t bothered sleeping at all.
She scoffed and crossed her arms when she saw him, “Should’ve known you’d still be lurking.”
Without even turning, he took a slow drag from his cigarette, “And yet, you walked right into my presence. Starting to think that you might actually enjoy it.”
She rolled her eyes even though he couldn’t see, “Hardly.”
Finally, he turned to face her, an infuriating smirk plastered on his face. “It seems all that champagne you downed last night has muddled your memory.” His voice was smooth, teasing, “This is my house, remember?”
Her fingers twitched with the sudden urge to shove him over the balustrade.
Instead, she let out a slow breath through her nose, levelling him with a glare. “Trust me, Black, I haven’t forgotten whose house I’m imprisoned in.”
He chuckled at that, a lazy stream of smoke escaping from his lips. “Imprisoned? Dramatic, even for you.”
“Oh, I’m dramatic? Your parents are the ones who decided I should move in like some weird prisoner.” She gestured vaguely towards the manor, “I half expected them to have a dungeon prepared.”
Sirius smiled, tapping ash from his cigarette, “Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” he said smoothly, “The dungeons been out of use for years. I think Mum uses it to store wine now.”
She huffed out a laugh despite herself, shaking her head as she turned back toward the railing. The morning was deceptively peaceful – dew clung to the hedges, birds flitting between the trees, the world blissfully unaware that her life had be forcibly intertwined with his.
“I assume we’re expected to play the doting couple again today?” she asked dryly.
“That depends. Do you want to cause a scandal before breakfast?”
“Tempting.” she mused, “Though I imagine your parents would spontaneously combust if I threw myself off the terrace.”
“Perhaps. Although the headlines would be amusing to say the least.” he turned to face her, “I can picture it now. ‘Y/N L/N’s death – tragic accident or sweet escape? Find out on page 3’”
She let out another laugh, “Your parents must really hate me, huh?”
Sirius arched a brow, “Hate you? Fuck no. They adore you. You’re pure-blooded, well bred, and – miraculously- not me. You’re their dream daughter-in-law.”
“Exactly.” she deadpanned, “They like me. Which is why I find it cruel and unusual that they’ve forced me to live with you.”
He grinned, wicked and amused. “Maybe they’re hoping I’ll charm you into loving me.”
“More likely, they’re hoping I’ll kill you and save them the trouble.”
“You wouldn’t last a week without me, love.”
She turned her expression mockingly serious, “You’re right. I’d be devasted. Absolutely inconsolable. I’d do a Queen Vic and wear nothing but black for the rest of my life. Mourning for at least a day. Maybe two.”
Sirius clutched his chest theatrically, “You wound me.”
“Not yet.” She muttered.
During the first weeks of living at the Black estate, Y/N had gotten quite good at avoiding Sirius as much as possible. It was difficult at times. Every hallway, every grand staircase and every insufferably elegant room seemed to contain him at some point. He was everywhere. Sprawled out on the library sofa with a cigarette dangling from his lips, arguing with the house staff in the kitchens, strolling in at ungodly hours after doing god-knows-what.
She had become very good at ignoring him. Until now.
“It’s getting out of hand, Orion.” Mrs Black’s voice cut sharply across the corridor. Y/N stopped in her tracks, turning to linger outside of the door.
“Sirius is an embarrassment. He’s reckless. Irresponsible – he refuses to carry the weight of this family’s name.” her voice continued.
“I agree.” His father’s voice rumbled, “But marrying her might be the only thing that reins him in. If he ruins this, Walburga, we lose everything. The contract is binding.”
Her stomach twisted. Contract? She knew their engagement was arranged but this made it sound almost sinister.
“Do you truly think this will change him?” Walburga scoffed, “The boy is incapable of loyalty. He’ll self-destruct before the year is over.”
She should have left. Walked away and pretended that she never heard a thing. But before she could, a hand suddenly closed around her wrist.
She gasped, spinning on her heel, only to meet a familiar pair of stormy grey eyes.
For once, there was no teasing smirk on his face. Just something unreadable.
“Enjoying yourself, eavesdropper?” he muttered.
Y/N opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself. There was something off about him, he wasn’t his usual arrogant, unbothered self. Sirius knew what his parents thought of him, but now he knew that she did to.
She yanked her wrist out of his grip, "I- I didn’t mean to-”
“Save it.” He raked a hand through his hair. His expression had turned into something distant, “Welcome to the wonderful world of being a Black.”
Then, without another word, he turned and walked off, leaving her standing alone.
For the first time, Y/N felt something unexpected. Pity.
James Potter was never one to shy away from chaos, but this time, it wasn’t his fault—well, not entirely. He had been talking with Sirius about sneaking into the library undetected when out of nowhere, a small, furry creature darted across the corridor.
“Did you see that?” James whispered, his attention caught immediately.
Sirius squinted. “A rat, maybe?”
“No, it’s too… fluffy,” James muttered, leaning down to get a better look. Sure enough, it wasn’t just any animal—it was a rabbit, hopping quickly along the stone floor as if it had a destination. Sure, curiosity killed the cat, but James and Sirius were far from felines, so they followed it without thinking.
The rabbit led them into an empty classroom, and for a moment, they lost track of it. That is, until it suddenly stopped and turned around, staring at him with wide, bright eyes.
And then, with a soft pop, the rabbit transformed.
"Why are you following me?" came the voice, sharp and tinged with a hint of annoyance.
James stood frozen, jaw slightly agape, utterly certain that he was hallucinating. But there you were, standing in front of him, disheveled, a little out of breath, and looking entirely unamused.
You were a Slytherin—one the boys knew vaguely, a classmate who didn’t exactly run in their crowd. You were known to hang around Regulus Black and Narcissa Malfoy. Though not particularly close, James was well aware of you—always quiet and mysterious.
You ran a hand through your hair, clearly trying to look unbothered. “That was… not supposed to happen.”
"My own cousin, a fluffy little bunny?" Sirius snorted, eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Just because Druella took me in, does not make me your cousin." you scoffed, stepping closer. “Look, I’m not exactly ready to broadcast it, alright? No need to make a big deal of it.”
Sirius grinned, suddenly leaning in with that mischievous glint in his eyes. “But I love making a big deal of things.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at the corner of your lips. “So I've heard.”
You took a deep breath, trying to center yourself as you stared at the two Marauders, both of them still grinning in a way that made it hard to take them seriously.
James just stood there, still blinking as if he was trying to fully process what had just happened. “I mean, honestly… a rabbit?”
You shot him a glance, your eyes narrowing slightly. “Yeah, well, it’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”
James opened his mouth, but you raised a hand to stop him. “I’m serious. I didn’t mean for you two to find out. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Sirius chuckled, leaning against the doorframe as he looked at you with that same mischievous grin. “And what exactly were you planning, then? A big reveal? Dramatic entrance? ‘Hey, look at me, I can turn into a rabbit!'"
“It’s not a party trick, Sirius.” You huffed, crossing your arms as you leaned against the wall.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, his earlier teasing tone now replaced by a more genuine curiosity. “So, you’re really just doing this for yourself? You’re not planning some grand scheme to rule Hogwarts with your rabbit powers? Actually, that explains why I saw a rabbit around the dungeons the other night. Thought I was going mad.”
You gave him a dry look. “You probably were.”
James scratched his chin thoughtfully, clearly trying to digest everything. “So, this whole time, you’ve been hopping around Hogwarts as a rabbit?”
A heavy silence settled in the room, the kind that seemed to stretch on forever as James and Sirius exchanged glances. It wasn’t that they were angry, but there was that unmistakable air of mischief in the air, the kind that made you feel like you’d just inadvertently opened a door to a whole new world.
Finally, Sirius broke the quiet with a wide grin. “You know, this is brilliant.”
You blinked, clearly not expecting that response. “Excuse me?”
“I mean, think about it. You’ve got a secret power no one knows about. You could really have some fun with this.” Sirius' grin only widened, as though he could already see a thousand new pranks unfolding in his mind.
You crossed your arms again, resisting the urge to roll your eyes. “This isn’t about pranks. The fewer people know, the better.”
James tilted his head, still absorbing the situation. "But come on, imagine the possibilities. You're basically a ghost, but in a rabbit form. You could slip into places, overhear things, see things no one else could. You could have fun with this."
You shot him a look, your expression hardening. "I don't need your encouragement to act like a clown, Potter."
Sirius leaned in closer, clearly undeterred. “But that’s the thing—you don’t have to act like a clown. We could be—”
“Stop,” you sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. “You two seriously have no sense of boundaries, do you?”
Sirius threw his hands up dramatically. “Nope. Boundaries are for people who don’t know how to have fun.”
You stared at them for a moment, wondering how you always ended up in these situations. Part of you regretted your lack of a solid exit strategy—though, to be fair, this was the first time you’d ever found yourself transforming in front of anyone.
James let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “You know,” he mused, slipping his hands into his pockets, “I always knew Slytherins had their secrets, but I never expected one quite this... adorable.”
You groaned. “Don’t start.”
Sirius barked out a laugh, but James only grinned wider. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said innocently. Then, as you turned to leave, he added, “But something tells me this won’t be the last time we catch you hopping into trouble.”
You shot him a glare over your shoulder. “Try it again, Potter, and you might find yourself hexed.”
eeeee bunny animagus x james is here!!! was so excited when you told me about this and it defo did not disappoint <333 i love the dynamics between her and james haha he’s such a tease! and sirius being her goofy cousin is hilarious. so real how she’s literally parenting them lmaoo
James Potter was never one to shy away from chaos, but this time, it wasn’t his fault—well, not entirely. He had been talking with Sirius about sneaking into the library undetected when out of nowhere, a small, furry creature darted across the corridor.
“Did you see that?” James whispered, his attention caught immediately.
Sirius squinted. “A rat, maybe?”
“No, it’s too… fluffy,” James muttered, leaning down to get a better look. Sure enough, it wasn’t just any animal—it was a rabbit, hopping quickly along the stone floor as if it had a destination. Sure, curiosity killed the cat, but James and Sirius were far from felines, so they followed it without thinking.
The rabbit led them into an empty classroom, and for a moment, they lost track of it. That is, until it suddenly stopped and turned around, staring at him with wide, bright eyes.
And then, with a soft pop, the rabbit transformed.
"Why are you following me?" came the voice, sharp and tinged with a hint of annoyance.
James stood frozen, jaw slightly agape, utterly certain that he was hallucinating. But there you were, standing in front of him, disheveled, a little out of breath, and looking entirely unamused.
You were a Slytherin—one the boys knew vaguely, a classmate who didn’t exactly run in their crowd. You were known to hang around Regulus Black and Narcissa Malfoy. Though not particularly close, James was well aware of you—always quiet and mysterious.
You ran a hand through your hair, clearly trying to look unbothered. “That was… not supposed to happen.”
"My own cousin, a fluffy little bunny?" Sirius snorted, eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Just because Druella took me in, does not make me your cousin." you scoffed, stepping closer. “Look, I’m not exactly ready to broadcast it, alright? No need to make a big deal of it.”
Sirius grinned, suddenly leaning in with that mischievous glint in his eyes. “But I love making a big deal of things.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at the corner of your lips. “So I've heard.”
You took a deep breath, trying to center yourself as you stared at the two Marauders, both of them still grinning in a way that made it hard to take them seriously.
James just stood there, still blinking as if he was trying to fully process what had just happened. “I mean, honestly… a rabbit?”
You shot him a glance, your eyes narrowing slightly. “Yeah, well, it’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”
James opened his mouth, but you raised a hand to stop him. “I’m serious. I didn’t mean for you two to find out. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Sirius chuckled, leaning against the doorframe as he looked at you with that same mischievous grin. “And what exactly were you planning, then? A big reveal? Dramatic entrance? ‘Hey, look at me, I can turn into a rabbit!'"
“It’s not a party trick, Sirius.” You huffed, crossing your arms as you leaned against the wall.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, his earlier teasing tone now replaced by a more genuine curiosity. “So, you’re really just doing this for yourself? You’re not planning some grand scheme to rule Hogwarts with your rabbit powers? Actually, that explains why I saw a rabbit around the dungeons the other night. Thought I was going mad.”
You gave him a dry look. “You probably were.”
James scratched his chin thoughtfully, clearly trying to digest everything. “So, this whole time, you’ve been hopping around Hogwarts as a rabbit?”
A heavy silence settled in the room, the kind that seemed to stretch on forever as James and Sirius exchanged glances. It wasn’t that they were angry, but there was that unmistakable air of mischief in the air, the kind that made you feel like you’d just inadvertently opened a door to a whole new world.
Finally, Sirius broke the quiet with a wide grin. “You know, this is brilliant.”
You blinked, clearly not expecting that response. “Excuse me?”
“I mean, think about it. You’ve got a secret power no one knows about. You could really have some fun with this.” Sirius' grin only widened, as though he could already see a thousand new pranks unfolding in his mind.
You crossed your arms again, resisting the urge to roll your eyes. “This isn’t about pranks. The fewer people know, the better.”
James tilted his head, still absorbing the situation. "But come on, imagine the possibilities. You're basically a ghost, but in a rabbit form. You could slip into places, overhear things, see things no one else could. You could have fun with this."
You shot him a look, your expression hardening. "I don't need your encouragement to act like a clown, Potter."
Sirius leaned in closer, clearly undeterred. “But that’s the thing—you don’t have to act like a clown. We could be—”
“Stop,” you sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. “You two seriously have no sense of boundaries, do you?”
Sirius threw his hands up dramatically. “Nope. Boundaries are for people who don’t know how to have fun.”
You stared at them for a moment, wondering how you always ended up in these situations. Part of you regretted your lack of a solid exit strategy—though, to be fair, this was the first time you’d ever found yourself transforming in front of anyone.
James let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “You know,” he mused, slipping his hands into his pockets, “I always knew Slytherins had their secrets, but I never expected one quite this... adorable.”
You groaned. “Don’t start.”
Sirius barked out a laugh, but James only grinned wider. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said innocently. Then, as you turned to leave, he added, “But something tells me this won’t be the last time we catch you hopping into trouble.”
You shot him a glare over your shoulder. “Try it again, Potter, and you might find yourself hexed.”
omg i love this! i can just imagine james and sirius wearing her down until she gets involved in their shenanigans. reader being sirius’s kinda cousin is also such an interesting dynamic
thank you lovie ! this isn't the first time sirius has annoyed her and unfortunately for her it won't be the last 😔 and so excited to progress her relationship with james !
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