RISE OF THE FALL | R.B.

XLII.

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter World belongs to J.K. Rowling.

*

CHAPTER XLII.

"MOONY!"

Reia jumped a little at that yell.

"Hello, Prongs," Remus said, breaking out into a grin as a messy-haired boy pulled him into a hug, "How are you?"

"Fine," 'Prongs' said, and as he and Remus released each other, Reia realised that 'Prongs' was James Potter.

"I brought my sister. She's joining the Order," Remus said, gesturing to Reia, who gave James an awkward smile.

James turned around and said, "Oh, hello. You got a bit taller, didn't you?"

"Well I—,"

"You're still sorta short, though." He cut her off with a grin, running a hand through his already messy hair, "I mean—,"

"I know what you mean, Potter," Reia rolled her eyes, "No need to clarify."

"Cool," James said, his grin only widening, "I missed your sass, little Lupin."

"Don't you dare call me little Lupin again, Potter."

"Okay...little Lupin." James gave her a mischievous grin.

"That's so overused," Reia scoffed, to which James just grinned even wider.

***

Reia watched from the door where Remus had told her to wait as Sirius landed his flying motorcycle quite smoothly, and dismounted quickly, removing his helmet and shaking his shoulder-length hair loose.

He looked so much like Regulus...yet not at all.

Sirius had a more arrogant look to his facial features—especially when paired with his mischievous grin.

But Regulus was more reserved—gentler, almost, as his features were not as sharp as Sirius'.

"PADFOOT!"

What's with the weird nicknames? Reia thought to herself absently as she watched James pull Sirius into a hug, with Remus and Peter following close behind.

Each of the boys proceeded to embrace one another as if they hadn't seen each other for fifty years.

But the Marauders were known for their dramatics.

Thanks to Reia's open window, she was able to hear their conversation without even trying because they were so loud.

"How's your girlfriend, Prongs?" Sirius asked as he clapped James on the back.

"Gorgeous, as always," James replied.

"And you, Moony? Finally get a girlfriend?" Sirius asked, turning to Remus.

"Sirius," Remus sighed, though there was a smile on his lips, "You were barely away for a day."

"Well, sometimes relationships can happen and appear quickly, y'know?"

"For you," Peter said jokingly, "Especially when it comes to you, Sirius."

"Ah, Wormtail," Sirius said, ruffling the blonde hair of the shorter boy, "You know me too well."

The boys shared a laugh, and for a moment Reia wondered what her friends were doing.

They're probably in danger—doing something they probably don't want to do...they're probably afraid...