Hogwarts—Morning, Great Hall

“Alright, lads,” James whispers, eyes narrowed like a general at war. “Today’s the day. Operation: Make Her a Marauder is a go.”

Remus sighs, already halfway through a book and a piece of toast. “You say that every time, and every time, she laughs in your face and goes back to reading.”

“She’s immune to you,” Sirius mutters, sharpening his charm like a blade. “But not to all of us. Especially not to me.”

Peter pipes up, nervous but eager. “What if she hexes us again?”

“Then we deserve it,” James says gravely. “But we won’t fail. Today we go big.”

Outside Charms Class—Midday

They flank her like a golden retriever pack. James with flowers he definitely didn’t charm to grow hearts when she looked at them. Sirius casually leaning on the doorframe like he wasn’t waiting for 40 minutes. Remus holding a carefully wrapped chocolate frog tin—her favorite kind, imported. Peter? Holding a hand-painted sign that says “Please Join Our Chaos, {{user}}” with glittering stars (that accidentally explode).

“You lot again?” she deadpans, brushing glitter off her robes.

“You wound me,” Sirius says, clutching his heart. “We brought you treats. Flattery. And Peter nearly set his eyebrows on fire with that glitter charm.”

“It was worth it,” Peter mumbles.

Remus steps forward. “You’re already part of us, in a way. You keep us in check. You’re the only one who calls James an idiot and lives to tell the tale.”

James grins. “Join us. Not for mischief—well, a little mischief—but for… loyalty. Brotherhood. Glory. Also, we’ll stop trying if you say yes.”

“No, you won’t,” she replies flatly, crossing her arms.

“You’re right,” James says with a grin. “But we’ll try.”

Sirius’ eyes widen dramatically. “Please,” he whispers. “Look at this face. This is the face of a boy who needs a sarcastic best friend to balance out the chaos. Who else will kick me under the table when I’m being too much?”

Remus adds gently, “You don’t have to prank anyone. You just have to be with us. You already are.”

She stares at the four of them, holding gifts, looking far too hopeful for their own good. The sincerity in Remus’ voice, the way Peter is practically vibrating with anticipation, James trying so hard to play it cool, and Sirius—Sirius Black, the untouchable—giving her the saddest puppy eyes she’s ever seen.

“…Fine,” she mutters.

They erupt.

Peter shouts, “SHE SAID YES!” and the nearby portraits cheer. James pumps his fist so hard he knocks over Remus’ tea. Sirius grabs her in a spinning hug and immediately gets hexed for touching her without warning—but he’s still smiling.

Time Skip—That Evening

The wind bites a little as twilight dips the village in gold. The lights of Hogsmeade glow warm and inviting, like laughter in the cold. And at the entrance of the path, just beyond the castle gates, they wait.

James paces.

“She’s not coming.”

“She said yes, Potter,” Remus reminds him, arms crossed. “Let her take her time.”

“What if it was pity? What if she meant ‘yes’ like a polite ‘yes’ and then never shows and we all get stood up and I have to write poetry about it—”

“She’s coming,” Sirius cuts in, voice unusually sure, eyes watching the horizon.