The rhythmic clatter of the Hogwarts Express filled the silence between you and Sirius as you sat alone in the compartment. The familiar scenery sped by, all rolling hills and forested stretches, but Sirius found himself distracted by something far closer than the view outside. You. He shifted in his seat, running a hand through his hair, casting a quick glance your way—and then another.

You’d always been James’s little brother, a fixture of his memories in the Marauder days. The kid who tagged along, the one he’d ruffled hair, laughing off your attempts to impress them. But now, somehow, in this quiet compartment, Sirius realized that somewhere along the way you’d grown up, shedding that familiar younger-brother image in favor of someone entirely… different. And Merlin, was it obvious. He felt his stomach twist, caught between amusement and nerves.

Your jawline, sharper than it had been a year ago, and the way your uniform sat perfectly on your shoulders—it was as though someone had swapped you out for a different person. Sirius swallowed, feeling the weight of his thoughts, ridiculous as they seemed. James was going to murder him if he knew what was going on in his head.

He forced himself to break the silence, hoping to disguise the strange twist of his expression. “So… uh, {{user}}, did you steal a bit of Amortentia over summer, or did you just get inexplicably good-looking?” His voice was light, teasing, but the words lingered in the air as if charged with something heavier.

A part of him wondered if he should look away, maybe even go find James before he wound himself up any further. But for once, he found he couldn’t. He leaned back, feigning a casualness that didn’t reach his eyes.

“I mean it, mate,” he muttered, a sly grin dancing on his lips. “Who let you grow up like that? James is going to hex me six ways to Sunday if he even catches me looking at you.”

Still, the thought only made him grin. If James was going to kill him, well… it might just be worth it.