Chapter Text
Chapter One: James Potter
“You alright James?”
“Never better.”
It was true. He’d never been better. Ever since winning their last game, James had been completely over the moon. Of course, the win was lovely, but what excited him even more was the fact that the Wiskayok Yellowjackets were headed for Nationals.
“You’re shaking,” Peter, his best friend, continued. “Like, a lot.” They were sitting on the locker room benches before their final practice. James’s nerves were buzzing like flies.
“I’m happy, Pete,” James huffed. “This,” he motioned to himself. “Is happy.”
“Well you look like shit. Like a vampire. A sleep deprived vampire,” Peter scoffed. “And I’m not fucking happy.”
“Before you go into a fit,” James rolled his eyes. “Does it have anything to do with Regulus Black, perhaps?”
“He’s a fucking dick!” Pete spat. “You know, he keeps on talking shit about me to his brother? Sirius will come up to me, all ‘Regulus says this’ and ‘Regulus says that’. They think I’m shit at soccer and I can fucking tell.”
“Sirius,” James laughed. James knew Sirius well. He was hilarious and fucking fast. Best center back he’d ever seen and pretty much the single reason they’d gotten to Nationals in the first place. Maybe except for James. His father was filthy rich too, which scored some points for post-game parties. “He’s just trying to get to you, Pete. You're wonderful, and you know it.”
“Well I don’t feel wonderful asshole,” Peter shrugged. “I feel like the biggest loser on the team. I’m gonna make us lose.”
“All we’ve done is won,” James reminded him. “With you. Just because you're a freshman doesn’t mean you're bad at soccer. It just means you got on this team faster than the rest of us. That’s all.”
“Whatever,” Peter shook his head. But James could see the small smile peeping through his lips. “See you out there?”
“Don’t wait up,” James smiled. Peter left, muttering something about wishing he were on the bench. Peter had talent, but not quite enough. James wanted to make Peter feel like he could do it. Maybe then he would actually be able to.
“Well don’t you look like shit.”
“Why does everyone say that?” James groaned, rolling his eyes as another one of his teammates and friends entered the locker room. “Do I really look that bad?”
“You didn’t even try to look presentable,” Remus Lupin raised his eyebrows, tossing his bag onto the floor and slumping onto the bench next to James. “Do you even know we’re going to Nationals?”
“Yes, fuckface,” James replied dryly, standing up and throwing off his shirt. “I was the first to know we’re going.”
“Good, because you don’t look like it.”
“Fucks that supposed to mean?”
“It means you look like a slag. Try and catch maybe more than thirty minutes of sleep before the plane flight tomorrow?”
“Ha-ha,” James bit his lip, pulling on his Yellowjackets jersey. “I’ll try, but it’ll be hard with your mom moaning in bed beside me.”
“Yeah? Go fuck yourself.”
“I will,” James smiled. “Right after I go down hard on Hope.”
“Fuck you.”
“I’ll consider.”
When James and Remus exited the locker room together, the sky rumbled with thunder and their cleats squelched on the wet grass. He smiled as he looked out on the field, the Yellowjackets gathered like a swarm around Coach Potter.
“Boys,” Fleamont Potter nodded to Remus and James as they approached. “Alright Yellowjackets, now that we’re all here,” he cleared his throat, scanning the crowd of eager boys and girls. “This is our last practice before Nationals. For some of us, this is our last practice ever,” his eyes glazed over James. “Any questions, ask them now or we’re all screwed. Speed, people. Speed. Okay, 3, 2, 1, Yellowjackets!”
“Yellowjackets!” The team echoed, hands shooting for the sky as people ran for drills.
Thirty minutes in and James felt like he was dying. Too much excitement meant he wasn’t able to sleep well, which was going to be his downfall for… well, probably for the rest of his life. He kept his eyes peeled, and legs as ready as he could. For heaven's sake, he was the coach’s son and the team captain and the goalkeeper. There was quite a bit of pressure on him.
He watched the ball, but admittedly he watched Peter Pettigrew and Regulus Black equally as much. Regulus was known to be a rough player, and his emotions could get in the way. If Pete wasn’t careful, he could get really hurt.
James watched as the ball shot across the field, bouncing in the sloppy grass. Pretty much everyone was drenched and muddy, kicking up slop each time they got the ball. It passed from player to player, only getting dirtier.
Then, by some magic, Peter got the ball.
Fuck.
James’s eyes caught Peters. Before Peter could even make a move, the ball was shot out from underneath him. In a tangle of legs, Regulus Black slid forward, taking the ball for his own.
Shit.
As Peter fell, James knew something was wrong. Hard and fast, he landed right on his hand. And instead of getting back up like he always did, Peter’s face buried deep into the mud.
“Fuck,” James shot, running from his position. “Pete? Peter?”
Everyone froze.
“James, don’t touch him,” Fleamont yelled, jogging to meet James as he approached Peter.
James crouched on the ground. “Peter? You good?”
“Fucking awesome,” Peter replied, his face still smushed in the mud. “Holy shit this hurts.”
“I’m going to lift you Pete,” Fleamont said. His brows were furrowed in such a tight line it looked as if they were one. “Is that alright?”
“Splendid,” Peter groaned.
Fleamont flipped Peter over onto his back, and then up into a sitting position.
“It’s fine,” Peter groaned. “I’m fine, shit.”
“Not even,” James shook his head. “Fuck, we need you.” He stood. “This can not be happening.”
“Yeah, this is unfortunate,” a voice muttered from behind James.
“Yeah? Fuck you,” James spun to face Regulus Black. “This is fucking unfortunate? Well guess what, this is also your fucking fault. I saw you, you tripped him on purpose.”
“James,” Fleamont warned, occupied with helping Peter stand.
“He can’t play if he’s fucking hurt,” James spat. “He can’t go to Nationals because of you.”
“Maybe,” Regulus waited until Fleamont and Peter were out of earshot. “Maybe that’s a good thing, Potter. He’s a freshman, James. He’s got a million more Nationals. Us? You’ve got one and I’ve got two. He’ll get over it.”
“You're a shit-show,” James scowled. “You’re really fucked up, you know that right?”
“Oh?” Regulus stepped closer. “Am I fucked up? Or am I the only reasonable one here?”
“Woah woah,” Remus Lupin jogged up. “Calm it–”
“Reasonable?” James cut him off. “He could have gotten really hurt and you think that’s okay? Thats so fucking messed up.”
“What’s messed up is that he’s on this goddamn team to begin with,” Regulus was too close for comfort now. The rain drenched his curls, making them lay flat on his face. “Coach should have never let him on. He’d be better suited for fucking Football or Sumo Wrestling.”
“You fucking pussy!” James shouted, making a lunge for Regulus. “Your a fucking dick, yeah?”
James felt arms pulling him back as he tried to tackle Regulus to the ground. He was a lot taller and stronger than James, but with determination James could do anything.
“James, stop,” Remus tried again. This time other voices joined him, and James could hear Lily Evans and Marlene McKinnon pleading with him to let it go.
“I don’t give a shit,” Regulus growled. “I don’t give a shit that Peter fucking Pettigrew might not get to go to Nationals.”
“Fuck you,” James yelled, letting Remus win. He felt himself being pulled away from the sly face of Regulus Black, speckled with mud and grinning cheek to check. God he looked like his fucking brother.
After practice James didn’t bother changing back into his regular clothes. He furiously grabbed his bag and made a beeline for his car out in the parking lot. He seethed as he slammed the door shut, pressing his head to the cold of the steering wheel.
He knew deep down that it would all be okay. And that’s what hurt the most. That's what made him feel really shitty. The fact that the Yellowjackets didn’t need Peter.
James tapped his hands on the wheel repetitively as he waited for his father. Coach Potter had come back after dropping Peter off at the nurse, telling the team that Peter would not be participating in Nationals. But since the plane they’d be flying on was owned by Orion Black– Sirius and Regulus’s father was so utterly sorry for what his youngest son had done– Peter was agreed to be allowed to come along. He could watch, but he could not play.
James lifted his head as the door beside him opened. Expecting his dad, he was taken by surprise when a different face popped into his car.
“Sirius?” James raised his eyebrows.
“Look man,” Sirius sighed. “I’m really fucking sorry. He’s a douche, I know. And Pete… Well, he deserves to play as much as the rest of us. It was a really fucked up thing for him to do.”
“Thanks,” James attempted a smile. “I just hope it’s not too bad.”
“Just a sprain,” Sirius pursed his lips. Of course, James knew this but it didn’t erase the fact that it still sucked. It sucked because it was the smallest injury that ultimately resulted in him being kicked off. “But hey, we need to be prepared. We’ve got a long flight tomorrow and a game the next day.”
“What are you hinting at?” James asked, noticing a trace of a smile peeking through on Sirius Black's lips. Just like his fucking brother.
“Party?” He now grinned. Sirius Black was one for grinning.
“Where?” James nodded.
“My place,” Sirius replied. “Starts at seven. Parents out of town for a couple weeks, that's why dad called the school instead of coming here himself.”
“I’ll be there,” James smiled. “I’ll be sure of it.”
Sirius left, closing the door as Fleamont Potter approached the car.
“Hey dad,” James greeted, trying to sound a bit somber as he turned the keys to start the car. His mom and dad weren’t too keen on partying, and the last thing Fleamont knew was how upset James was about Peter being wounded.
“Hey kid,” Fleamont replied gruffly. “Hey, it’s a real fuckin’ shame about Pete, you know? But we’ll get through this. We have subs for this reason. He’s going to be fine.”
“I know,” James shook his head, pulling out of the Wiskayok High School parking lot. “I just wanted him to be there for the win, you know? He’s worked so hard this whole season… you know how much he’s grown. And for Regulus to just trip him like that?”
“I was watching,” Fleamont sighed. “Regulus didn’t trip him. It was a complete accident.”
James scoffed. “Fucking bullshit.”
“Langauge,” Fleamont warned.
“You don’t care,” James reminded him. Fleamont seemed to rethink himself, and then nodded along in agreement.
“You're right, I don’t. But when you talk shit about your teammates like that, I do. Whatever happened out there today, whatever you think Regulus Black did, you’ve got to let go of it, Jamie. Your team needs you. You can’t hold grudges when we’re this close to winning this thing.”
James drove in silence for a bit before speaking. “Fine. But he’d better keep his mouth shut about Peter. Even if you think he didn’t do it on purpose, he’d still better be chill about Pete. Or else I’m running out onto that field and putting a goalpost between his eyes.”
“I’ll have a conversation with him,” Fleamont replied, much too enthusiastically. He always loved a good resolution. Even if James offered violence, Fleamont knew he’d never actually hurt anyone. “Just think about Nationals, and nothing else.”
“Alright,” James nodded along, thinking very much about something else. Because tonight? He was about to get fucking wasted.
James pulled up to the Lupin house at exactly seven thirty at night. The whole team had been invited to the Black Estate, as well as pretty much half of the school. The Wiskayok Yellowjackets were a staple of the whole town, earning high respect and popularity from everyone at Wiskayok High. James being the captain and all, he was no doubt the most popular boy in the school.
Mere seconds after James arrived, the door swung open and Remus Lupin sprinted down the steps and into James’s car.
“Eager are we?”
“Just drive,” Remus urged, buckling quickly and keeping his eyes on his front door as they pulled away from the house.
“Oooh, what’s in there!” James exclaimed, jabbing at the black backpack resting in Remus’s lap.
“Noting much,” Remus grinned. “Stole it from my mom’s liquor cabinet. God knows she keeps that thing fucking stocked.”
“Ace,” James exclaimed. “What’d you snag?”
“Just some tequila,” Remus said, rifling through the bag and making the bottles clink. “And some Bombay Sapphire… I dunno, I think it’s Gin. Also grabbed Vermouth, which is usually in Martini’s, I think, but my moms been drinking it straight the past couple months.”
“Shits got bad,” James chuckled. “Sweet.”
“Tastes like straight cough syrup and mouthwash and nail polish and–”
“Nuh,” James shushed him. “Let me experience it myself. Bad liquor is part of the teenage years, Remus. We have to savour it!”
“Sure, whatever you say.”
“Whatever I say!” James hollered.
The Black Estate was bustling with people when they arrived. Its huge lawn out front was strewn with people, all smoking and drinking and laughing and making out. It was quite a sight.
“Fucking disgusting,” Remus stuck his tounge out. He rolled down the window as they pulled up the driveway. “Get a room!” He yelled as they passed a couple practically humping in plain sight.
“You think if I plead hard enough Lily Evans will let me do her like that?” James laughed.
“Dude, gross,” Remus gagged. “She doesn’t even like you, asshole.”
“But I bet she’d like sucking my dick,” James replied.
“Enough,” Remus shook his head, rubbing his eyes. “Why are you so fucking messed up? That’s so messed up. I think I need to powerwash my brain out now.”
“I’m joking,” James chuckled, stopping the car near the front of the house. But he sure wouldn’t mind if Lily Evans wanted a passionate makeout session with him. The center forward of the Yellowjackets, Lily Evans was incredibly dedicated to her role in the game. But as dedicated as she was to soccer, she was equally dedicated to her image. Smart, witty, and unstoppable, James thought they would be quite a pair together. But Lily seemed to think the exact opposite. It was like James wasn’t good enough for her or something.
“Sure, yeah,” Remus got out, James after him. Remus and Lily were almost as close as Remus and James were. James mostly talked about her to Remus to piss him off, but it was fun to think about her too sometimes.
Inside wasn’t too much of a madhouse. James was expecting surround sound speakers and mosh pits, but was surprised to see much more of the same as the front lawn. Except this time people had couches and tables to fuck each other instead of grass.
“I’m going to find Lily,” Remus groaned as he passed yet another couple making out.
“I’ll come–” James tried, but before he could reply Remus slipped away. “Or not.”
“You made it!” James turned to see Sirius waltzing his way through the living room and right up to James. “Welcome to my home!”
“Lovely,” James nodded. “Is it always full of squatters?”
“I didn’t know this many people would be coming,” Sirius shrugged. “I tried to put on some music but the speakers broke, so now people have resorted to drugs and fucking. Charming, right?”
“Mhm,” James pursed his lips. “Oh, we brought some liquor. Remus and I. Though he went off to find Lily and I don’t know where…”
“Remus is here?” Sirius asked. “Remus Lupin?”
“Well yes,” James smiled awkwardly. “You invited him and he is on the team… no?”
“Oh, yeah,” Sirius nodded. “Yes, you're right he is. I did.”
“Okay man,” James shook his head. “See you around?”
“Yeah. Bye,” and for the second time that night, James was left alone. One huge house, a million people, and enough drinks to kill a herd of elephants. Deciding to make the most of his time, he wandered into the kitchen, hoping to find some non-water drink to quench his “thirst”.
He spotted Marlene McKinnon slumped against the counter, furiously chugging down a red solo cup. He hoped for her sake it was water. But knowing her, it definitely was not.
“Potter!” She exclaimed.
“McKinnon,” he nodded back. “Taking it easy?”
“Never,” she gurgled, setting the cup down on the counter beside her. “You know, drinking always helps me get into the spirit. I do so much better when I’m–”
“Nope,” James shook his head. “Believe me, you do not.”
“Bullshit!” She laughed back, the red of her lipstick smeared a bit next to her lips. “You like coke?”
“Coca Cola?”
Marlene laughed again and James grinned. “Sure. Yeah. Powdered Coca Cola.”
“Never tried it,” James shrugged, opening the fridge and taking out whatever can he could find. Any alcohol at all was alcohol to him, and he was young enough to not know the good from the bad. “But I’m open to doing new things.”
Marlene rifled through her jacket pocket, producing a small pouch of white powder. “This shits expensive,” she slurred. “So don’t make me waste it.”