Where: Borgin And Burkes Who: Open

Remus glanced up from his copy of Advanced Defensive Spells and Their Uses, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Well, someone’s in a bit of a mood,” he teased lightly, leaning back in his chair as he took in the storm of books and Lily’s apologetic wince. “Honestly, Lily, if you’re trying to scare the other library-goers into silence, you’ve nailed it. Even Madam Pince looks like she might bolt.”

He shut his book with a soft thud and gave her a knowing look, his hazel eyes twinkling. “One of those days, huh? Let me guess—Transfiguration’s been trying to ruin your life again? That subject has it out for all of us.”

He leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand. “You know, I could help you. But fair warning, if you let me look at your notes, you’ll have to endure my deeply insightful commentary. ‘Oh, Lily,’ I’ll say, ‘what a bold choice to redefine the laws of magical theory. Revolutionary, really.'"

His grin softened into something more genuine, and he gestured to the chair across from him. “Come on, let me save your evening. Or at least make you laugh a bit while you remind me I’m only a slightly less frustrating problem than Transfiguration itself.”

Lily was growing frustrated. She’d had a horrible headache all day, she’d had to take twenty-five points away for dueling in the corridors, some from her own House, and she’d spent two hours on her Transfiguration homework only to discover that she’d gotten the theory completely wrong.

Storming into the library in a flurry of impatience and irritation, she didn’t even pause to shoot Madam Pince an apologetic look for her noisiness. Taking her books out of her bag and practically slamming them back down on the table, she glanced at the person across from her and winced apologetically. “Sorry about that,” she said. “It’s just been one of those days, you know?”

{ mary tag dump }

Narcissa’s eyes flicked up from her book, her gaze landing on James with precise recognition, though she let the silence linger just long enough to be uncomfortable. Finally, she spoke, her voice smooth and honeyed, with an edge like polished glass.

"James," she said, the single syllable carrying both familiarity and an unspoken reprimand. "I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve always had a way of… inserting yourself into situations uninvited."

She closed her book deliberately, the soft thud punctuating her words, and leaned back slightly, folding her hands neatly atop the table. A faint, sardonic smile played on her lips as she tilted her head, studying him.

"So, what is it today? Idle curiosity? A desperate bid to procrastinate? Or just the sheer audacity of thinking I might enjoy your company?"

Open starter [ James ]

Having secured that morning's cup of tea from the friendly campus barista, James had looked around the claustrophobically small coffee shop. He found no hope of securing a seat by the window, which was his preferred spot to perch. No better entertainment than people watching, especially with the core textbook in his bag that was begging to be ignored. He'd read it eventually, of course.

So, choosing the next best distraction, he pulled up a chair on an otherwise taken table. He'd not so much as looked at the occupant, but he was never one to shy away from a conversation.

"You don't mind, do you?"

{ alecto tag dump }

“Enchantments is a mature and understanding partner,” Remus said solemnly, though his lips twitched. “It knows I have other interests. Broader horizons. It supports me in my pursuit of diverse intellectual stimulation.” He leaned back slightly, cradling the muggle book protectively against his chest as James’ curiosity flared. “It's called The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and it's about one of the best detectives in the world,” Remus said as he adjusted his grip on the leather-bound book. “And for your information, Holmes doesn’t judge me for my divided attention. He’s far too busy solving mysteries and being clever.” He paused, narrowing his eyes at James. “Unlike some people who barge in uninvited and disrupt perfectly peaceful afternoons.”

“Invited,” Remus scoffed lightly, shaking his head. “You call being dragged by the ankle out of the library ‘invited’? That’s a very loose interpretation of the word, Prongs.”

Still, the elbow to his side drew a reluctant smile, even if Remus tried his best to roll his eyes in response. “Fine. Moony and Prongs Take on the Outdoors—though I’m reserving the right to rewrite the title when this inevitably ends in chaos. I’ll have something like, ‘Two Idiots and the Consequences of Their Actions’ in mind.”

He allowed himself to be pulled to his feet, though his body language was more resigned than enthusiastic. “You do realize that ‘expanding my mind’ doesn’t have to involve reckless spontaneity, right? It could involve, I don’t know, sitting quietly by the lake. Or bird-watching. Or—Merlin forbid—letting me finish my book in peace.”

Remus gave James a pointed look as he watched him dig through his sheets for his wand. “Honestly, how you ever manage to keep track of anything is a mystery.” His voice was dry, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

And then James burst through the door like a whirlwind of enthusiasm, dragging him along in his wake. Remus barely managed to snatch his cardigan from the back of a chair as they went, muttering under his breath.

“Fine,” he called after James with mock exasperation. “But I’m counting these five minutes, and if I end up covered in mud—or worse—I’m hexing you.”

Despite the grumbling, Remus couldn’t quite suppress the faint smile creeping across his face. James was impossible, but he was also James. And that, frustrating as it was, made all the difference.

James had to fight back the laughter that pulled his lips into a smile, knowing if it made its way passed his lips, he'd lose his bargaining power with Moony. "Of course," he began when he'd effectively banished the urge, "your romantic coffee date with Enchantments for the Moderately Ambitious yesterday slipped my mind." He pulled his head back to get a better view of the muggle novel Remus was so enamoured by. "Does Enchantments know you're being unfaithful?" His lip curved into a smirk. "What's so alluring about this muggle book, anyway?" A brow raised, genuinely curious, since he wasn't able to glance the title of the thing. He was no purveyor of muggle fiction, although he had learned of its existence in muggle studies at some point. And he was certain he'd seen Lily carrying very non-wizard tomes throughout the years.

"That is an unfair comparison!" James protested. "Padfoot's bad ideas are always a good use of my time. And, if I recall correctly, you were invited. And thus, it was not neglect." He crossed his arms and a small nod punctuated the comment.

"I'll have you know I put a great amount of effort into entertaining myself. I just happen to enjoy company. Some people enjoy doing things with their bestest of best friends." He elbowed Remus in the side. "Besides, who would read a book about poor, old James Potter stuck inside on a bloody gorgeous day... when they could read: Moony and Prongs taking on the outdoors!" James exclaimed, though relented: "Okay, the title needs work - but that's why you're part of the story."

Upon Moony's agreement, James practically jumped off the bed, falling backwards to the floor and scrambling to get up before his friend even considered changing his mind. "Absolutely no quidditch... or wrestling. Yes, sir!" The dark-haired wizard saluted, smile plastered onto his face. Now the only conundrum was what they could do.

Seeing hesitation begin to cloud Remus' judgement, James grabbed him by the arm to tug him onto his feet. "Nope. You said yes - you have to expand your mind now." Admittedly, he didn't have a plan on what yet but he was sure it would come to him within the next 5 minutes. There were countless things they could do both on and off campus. "Besides, using the levitation charm on Sirius gave us some great new intel! It was absolutely benficial." He grinned. "Regardless of the... hitches."

James fished for his wand, which had gotten lost somewhere in his own bedsheets. He definitely needed to start leaving it in easily accessible places. But that was future James' problem. "Moony and Prongs take on the outdoors!" The wizard exclaimed, door bursting open as he did so. James, who hadn't bothered to remove his shoes when he entered the dorm the last time, hadn't even considered that Remus might need time to prepare. He looked back.

Mary’s eyes narrowed with an air of mock seriousness, her quill twirling idly between her fingers. Maybe I’ll try it. Though, if it fails me, I’ll be sure to cite you in my impending howler to Professor McGonagall.”

She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table as her grin widened. “Improper use of a charm, you say? Chaos? Potter, you’re against chaos?” She arched a brow, smirking. “If you’re against chaos, then I’m the Minister of Magic.”

At his dramatic display of being wounded, she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, forgive me, James. I underestimated your reputation as an academic prodigy. Of course, you’ve picked up a quill before—how else would you have signed all those detentions?” She propped her chin in her hand, her expression filled with feigned thoughtfulness. “Though, I imagine those are more co-signatures than solo ventures because no doubt Sirius, Remus and Peter were involved too.”

Her grin softened at his chuckle, though the teasing didn’t falter. “Still, you might be right. If you really applied yourself, the sheer brilliance of it all might collapse Hogwarts under the weight of your genius. I’d never get any studying done with McGonagall fainting in the halls, Remus sulking in the corner, and, worst of all, me having to admit that James Potter actually impressed me.”

She sat back in her chair, crossing her arms. “So, for the good of wizarding society, I agree—stick to the practicals. That way, the rest of us can keep up without your monumental brilliance overshadowing us.” The glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement as she picked up her quill and turned back to her parchment, though not without a final teasing glance his way.

"Exactly." A smile followed the tipping of his head, almost as though he was taking his crown off to her. "Why waste time flipping through pages upon pages when you can simply exist near the knowledge?" His gaze levelled with hers. "It's worked wonders for me. Really cleared up my schedule."

"As mentioned," James said, the whisp of a smile on his lips, "Osmosis helps you learn many things. Though I would advise against improper use of such a charm. It would cause chaos, I believe." He nodded his head as if to approve of his own point. "And we both know I am adamantly against chaos." Truthfully, he couldn't see what good the use of a flirting glow charm would have - much less have any reason to use it. It was a similar tactic to amortentia, which just did not work. Would you ever feel happy with the result?

"A very prestigious reference, that. Bound to propel you to an O." Those titles sat pretty well with James, if he was honest. "Scholarly indeed. I'll have to officially adopt those titles."

James propped himself up on one elbow, leaning against the table and feigning a look of utmost distress. “Mary, you wound me,” he drawled, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. "I've been known to pick up a quill or two in my time." He cocked his head. "But it is better done as little as possible. Chaos ensues, even with my best intentions." Fingers tapped against the desk. "Professors fainting from the sheer academic brilliance, Remus disowning me out of frustration, you having to admit you're impressed." A low chuckle filled the otherwise quiet library. "No, better to stick to the practicals where possible." He smiled, leaning back and running a hand through his already mussed hair.

ASLIHAN MALBORA via Instagram

Narcissa turned the serpent-shaped stopper in her hands, her expression cool but faintly touched with a wry smile. She didn't glance back at Regulus immediately, letting the soft glow of the library lamps play across the antique's coiled form.

"Fitting, yes," she murmured, her voice smooth and measured, but with an undercurrent of something sharper. "Though I sometimes wonder if it's the serpent that defines us, or we who give it meaning." She tilted her head, finally meeting his gaze. "Perhaps both."

Her lips curved in a faint smile, not unkind but marked by the weight of their shared legacy. "It is a good pick," she agreed, setting the stopper down with deliberate care. "You’ve always had an eye for what suits the family, haven’t you, Regulus? Even when you kept yourself a step apart." There was no reproach in her tone, only a quiet acknowledgment of truths best left unspoken.

Turning slightly toward him, her fingers brushed the edge of a nearby shelf. "The Blacks and their serpents," she mused. "I wonder if your brother will ever fully be able to shed his skin."

Regulus stood a step behind her, quiet but present. His gaze was fixed on the book stopper in her hand. "I didn't mean to startle you." He said, stepping back and giving his cousin space. His eyes drifted to the antique bookshelf stopper she'd acquired. "A snake for a Black — it’s fitting." It was quite interesting, really. The way everyone in his family gravitated towards serpentine imagery. Was it out of genuine pleasure, or was it some inherited trait they'd all received along with their name. To be part of the Black family was everything, once. Still was, on the surface.

"It's a good pick." He smiled.

“James, I swear to Merlin—” The words were more a resigned groan than a true threat, though Remus did manage to hold his book out of reach with one hand while the other tried halfheartedly to fend off his assailant. He twisted just enough to keep the precious novel safe from James’ grabby hands.

“You’re an absolute menace, you know that?” he said, glaring in a way that was entirely too soft to be convincing. His fingers still clung to the spine of the book, knuckles white with effort. “Some of us actually enjoy expanding our minds beyond hexing techniques and Quidditch strategies, you heathen.”

But James’ grin—wide, toothy, and maddeningly infectious—was doing its usual work of disarming him. He sighed, letting the book settle protectively against his chest, though his arms stayed firmly locked around it.

“Fine,” he said, relenting just enough to satisfy James’ need for attention. "What is it that you want?"

@maraudersmumu [ James x Remus ]

Bedsheets clung to the edge of the bed, fighting for dear life to remain on the bumpy mattress. Limbs sprawled over the width of it, dangling over the edge, while James watched his friend from a distance. Long fingers twirled his mahogany wand over and over, trying desperately to occupy himself in some way - not wanting to interrupt the clearly mesmerising words that clearly graced the crinkled paper of Remus' book. He'd long forgotten the tome he'd been skimming through. It lay facedown on the floor, open on some page with some dull, old scholar's tedious writings on this-and-that. Why bother reading any more? He'd already concluded that it was dreadfully boring. Remus, on the other hand, seemed rather enraptured by whatever it was he'd been reading. Been being the appropriate word, because at that very moment, James Potter finally spoke up.

"Okay, reading time is over." He announced, as if there'd been a literal timer, rather than the metaphorical one that was his own patience. And, without so much as a warning, he dove towards his friend in an effort to draw the riveting book-date to a conclusion.

where: Ye Olde Curiosity Shop who: open

Narcissa wandered through the aisles of the curiosity shop, an object catching her attention. Slender fingers collected the bookshelf stopper in the shape of a snake. It looked expensive yet there was something else about it... something magical perhaps. Excitement sparked in her blue hues. Her attention was pulled away from the antique as she felt someone at her side.

The blonde turned abruptly to the person. "Do you know it's rude to sneak up on someone?" Fingers clench around the snake book stopper in a possessive manner.