kill me{marauders+regulusblack}

an antler

          Christmas 1974

The first few weeks of their relationship flew by, taking the time to develop and plan. Nat invited James over for a week visit in the holidays, and they decided to tell their friends on the train back home. They were happy, James was the humanity she could hold on to.

The winter became harsher; but spirits were cheery and moods were soft. Sirius had taken to holding mistletoe over Remus' head and Remus had taken to shoving the mistletoe in Sirius' mouth. James and Peter found this hilarious. Natasha had been trying to spend as much time as possible away from the boys with Marlene. Marlene spent a lot of time with Dorcas and Mary. Mary enjoyed seeing Natasha more often; she often missed her when she spent time with the boys. Natasha enjoyed spending time with them, but felt like she was lying. She wasn't, but of course she wasn't telling the whole truth. Peter was the only one who had really noticed, but he was too afraid to point it out. 

When it was finally time to finish school, she was relieved. Her belongings were packed up, she was in a good mood and she met the boys to walk down to the Hogsmeade Station. She smiled at them and slung her arm round Remus, the same way she had done the four years she had known him, yet it had become a stretch now. She couldn't reach his head anymore. He smiled down at her, grabbing her waist and twirling round. Natasha put her feet back down, and looked back at James. He was watching her, head on the side like he did when he was interested in something. James cared for her truly, feeling she deserved all the best. Sirius nudged him, obviously noticing the gaze. 

"Stop being a creep Prongs." 

"Shove off, you pansy." James said, shoving him lovingly. Sirius grabbed his bag and ran off, obviously wanting James to chase him. James took off, laughing putting his head back, pushing through the crowds. Natasha watched, she'd always loved their bond. Remus put his other arm around Peter and sighed. He knew that the holidays weren't really going to be fun for any of them, but they always smiled and pretended. They reached the station and it dawned upon Nat and James that they were about to expose themselves. 

After finding an empty compartment and doing the usual food trolley and checking, they were settled. Natasha had her head in James' lap, Peter was sitting next to James reading a muggle book about Christmas( A Christmas Carol- Charles Dickens), Remus and Sirius were sat the opposite side chatting about the moon cycle or something. James looked at Nat, for reassurance and cleared his throat. 

He started, "So, uh- basically I feel the need to explain the missing Hogsmeade trips and late Quidditch practise and Nat's extra tutor sessions-" 

Sirius laughed and looked at the other two, " You mean Nat wasn't using my brother to get closer to me, shock, horror, dismay." 

Peter smiled, as Natasha's brow furrowed and James blew his hair out his eyes, "We know about you two."

"You know what?" James asked, genuinely confused. He felt exposed, and like so,egging wasn't being said. 

Remus just smirked and calmly said, " We saw you in Hogsmeade." 

Now it was Natasha's turn to laugh, " Well yeh, you aren't the best at hiding." She blushed, " At least the airs clear now anyway."

As the station rolled in to view, they grabbed their belongings and divided the sweets between them. Nat tucked hers in to Peters bag when he wasn't watching for his sister. They spilled out on to the hidden platform and hugged goodbye. James grabbed hold of Nat's hand and they saw Marlene and Dorcas with Jason and Emrys and Ted Tonks. Nat dragged him over through the masses, and they spotted their Mother and Father.