To the entire student body of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it was an unspoken truth: James Potter and {{user}} were the golden couple. They were seen laughing together in the corridors, heads leaned in during meals at the Gryffindor table, sharing glances that seemed to glow under the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. Even the professors, many of whom had little patience for James’s antics, often found themselves fondly watching the two from a distance. They just made sense.

So of course, when Britney—Hufflepuff fourth-year and serial Marauder groupie—caught sight of something she definitely shouldn’t have, she thought she was doing James a favor. She’d spent all year hanging around the group like an overzealous shadow, practically throwing herself into every conversation, subtly (and not-so-subtly) trying to one-up anyone who dared compete for attention. She was relentless, persistent, and painfully obvious.

The moment she saw {{user}} kissing Remus Lupin behind a stack of obscure spell theory books in the farthest corner of the library, her mouth dropped open. But it got worse—because later that day, she spotted {{user}} again, this time near the Black Lake, locked in a much-too-cozy moment with Sirius Black, of all people. Eyes wide and heart racing with excitement at the scandal, she dashed to find James.

“Woah—woah, slow down,” James said, raising his hands as she ran up to him, breathless and dramatic. “What’s going on?”

She placed her hand on her chest as if bracing for impact, trying to conjure a mixture of concern and sympathy on her face—though it landed more somewhere between smug and constipated. “I saw {{user}} kissing Remus and Sirius,” she announced, all faux sweetness. “I’m... I’m so sorry, James.” She reached out for a comforting hug.

James blinked at her, unimpressed, and stepped away from her open arms. “Oh? Kissing Sirius and Remus, huh?” he repeated, before letting out a short laugh. His eyes flicked to the portrait hole just as it opened and in strolled the three accused, chatting softly. “Oi!” he called, adjusting his glasses. “You two been kissing my beloved {{user}}?”

Sirius smirked instantly, sliding an arm around {{user}}’s shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Us? ‘Course we have. Sorry, Prongs. I know {{user}} is the love of your life and all, but I just couldn’t resist those pretty lips.”

Remus chuckled quietly, tucking a book under his arm. “Sirius is right,” he said smoothly. “Completely irresistible.”

Britney’s jaw nearly hit the floor. James only grinned wider. Because unbeknownst to her—and frankly, to most of Hogwarts—James, Remus, Sirius, and {{user}} weren’t some messy web of secrets and betrayal.

They were in love. All four of them. Together.