four firewhiskey & chocolate

✧

"YOU'RE AN IDIOT, AND I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT, MATE," James deadpanned, shaking his head softly and pulling away, "I mean, really, why on earth did you think that this would be a good idea?"

Sirius glowered at him. Did he think it was a good idea to set his long suffering but mostly silent crush up with Remus? No, no he did not. Contrary to what James was calling him, he wasn't that dumb – he realized that it was completely foolish, but it was his only chance to actually make Nadia like him.

And honestly, it's not like they ever interacted before, so he couldn't quite understand why she didn't like him so much. So he goofed off in class a little, who cares? Life didn't always have to be so serious – he believed in the philosophy of having fun, and sometimes that meant slacking off and joking with his best mates. Maybe dying some people's robes pink, or their skin blue, but only temporarily. It made everyone laugh, so what was the harm?

"I'm aware that it may not be the smartest move," he conceded. Never would he be willing to admit that James Potter was right when it came to crushes. He tailed after Lily Evans for years and it's gotten him nowhere, so trusting his instincts when it came to asking a girl out would not be wise. Sirius, however? Well, he's picked up plenty of people before!

He's gotten plenty of dates, snogged people sober and drunkenly, and he knew how to be a gentleman, at least a little bit. And, well, yeah, getting the girl should not include setting her up with Remus – and honestly, what did she see in Remus?

No, that's cruel.

Remus was a catch, anyone would be lucky to have him. Hell, he'd date Remus if given the chance; if Sirius could be a gentleman, Remus actually was a gentleman. All the time, without prompting, and without stressing over hours and rehearsing conversations so he got it alright. Yeah, he was better at light flirting than Remus, but Remus definitely had the classic flowers, chocolate, and tea shops dating experience down naturally while Sirius actually had to work towards it.

James snorted. "Not the smartest move, he says," James mocked, "Sirius, I love you, truly – you're my brother – but this is the stupidest thing I have ever heard you say. You should absolutely not set Nadia up with Remus. I mean, you finally have a chance to get to know her, and you're just gonna waste it because she doesn't like you? Seems like a small challenge at best. You can overcome it."

"I think you've been reading too many 'enemies to lovers' books," Sirius shook his head.

"It's not my fault they're good!"

"But not everything is a romance novel," he pointed out, "You're just hoping that if I can convince Nadia to date me, you'll have a better chance with Lily."

James gave an indignant noise of protest. "Hey, Lily and I are destined to be married, I just know it. And I've been good idea, yeah? Been backing off like she's asked, letting her take control."

Sirius barked out a laugh. "Take control, yeah," he mumbled, it was a funny way of saying Lily has yet to talk to him all year because he hasn't been chasing after her.

Flopping down next to Sirius on his bed, James stated again, "I don't think this is a good idea."

"I'm still gonna do it."

"You shouldn't."

"But I am," Sirius concluded, "I mean, it's not she knows I fancy her. Nobody knows, except you, and we're gonna keep it this way. Best case scenario Remus isn't interested."

"Worst case scenario is that they fall madly in love and you have to give a best man speech at their wedding," James pointed out. Sirius quickly elbowed him. "Hey! It's a real possibility! What would you even say then? Hello, my name is Sirius Black, and I was madly in love with Nadia but set her up with Remus anyway and now they're married and I fucking hate myself for doing this! Congrats on your marriage, though."

"My speech would not be like that!" Sirius protested, "It would be much better and much more elegant and I would never mention that I fancy her. Come on, James, be realistic."

"Me? I'm the one being realistic, you're not," James slapped his arm.

"It doesn't even matter. I'm gonna ask Remus if he'd be interested and that'll be that."

"Fine," James gave a long suffering sigh, "And if he says yes, I'll get you some Firewhiskey and chocolate. We can cry about our failed romance lives together."

"You're the best, Prongs."

"Don't forget it, Pads."

✧

LOCATING REMUS WASN'T a hard feat, not that he'd thought it'd be. Remus was predictable; he had a certain routine and stuck to it, and since Sirius had known him for years, he had successfully memorized it. They had a free period after lunch, and while Sirius liked to spend it outside either practicing Quidditch or laying out by the river, Remus' place of choice was the library. Obviously, sometimes they all came together, but time apart from the rest of the Marauders was good for the soul, so free period was usually their designated time away from each other.

But today it was the perfect time to ask. James wouldn't be there glaring at him and mentally communicating how shitty of an idea this was – no one would; he could ask Remus alone, then leave, either elated or crushed depending on the answer.

He sauntered in, acting as cool as he could muster, finding Remus easily at the table near the back. Perfect place to plan a prank, or just talk above a whisper in general. He hesitated for a moment when Remus wasn't alone, Lily Evans sitting opposite of him.

Internally, he groaned. He could wait because he did want to talk to Remus alone, but he's already mentally prepared to talk to Remus, and waiting would only prolong his suffering. Shaking off his apprehension, he approach like normal, sitting down next to Lily.

"Hey, Evans," he greeted, giving her a smirk before turning to Remus, "Moony."

"I thought you were practicing Quidditch with James," Remus said. Not a question, though one implied.

Casually, he shrugged. "Change of plans. Better be glad I didn't bring him with me," he winked at Lily.

"Thank Merlin," the girl muttered.

"You need anything?" Remus asked.

"Now, Moony. I'm offended! I can't come and just hang out with one of my best mates, I have to have a reason to visit! Unbelievable!" Sirius sighed dramatically.

"No, you don't need a reason," Remus chuckled, "But you don't have any of your books, and I doubt a library would be your choice of hanging out. Specially when James and Peter are free."

Sirius stuck out his tongue.

"Fine," he relented, as large and theatrically as he could, "You guessed it – I did have a reason. I just have to ask you a teensy little question then I'll be out of your hair and you can go back to your nerdy little study session."

"We're studying hexes, so I'd chose your next words carefully, Black," Lily threatened.

"Oi, feisty," Sirius retaliated, leaning in, "What if I'm a masochist, Lily? Maybe I want you to hurt me."

"You're disgusting."

"Sirius. Your question?"

Sirius gave him a little pout. "Yeah, yeah, I'll get on with it. So, you know how I'm a Prefect now?"

"I still don't know how that happened," Lily commented. Remus nodded.

"And you know how they want to promote house mingling and cooperation so I'm assigned to Prefect duty with Nadia Greene?" again, Remus nodded, "Well, she doesn't quite like me. Don't know why, I'm amazing, I know, but she doesn't."

"Are you wondering if I have any tips to make you more likeable?" Remus questioned, eyes slit, "Because, out of the two of us, I think you're more outgoing, so I don't think I can help."

"No, not that," Sirius shook his head, "It's just – Nadia told me that she fancies you and asked me if I'd set you two up. Said if I did her this favor she'd lighten up on me, maybe even start to like me. So, do you want to go on a date with Nadia?"

Remus frowned, sitting up straighter as he considered it. "I've never been set up like this before," he commented.

"You don't have to," Sirius blurted out, "If you don't want to, no one's forcing you. I can just tell her it's a no."

"No," Remus shook his head, "Yeah, I'll go out with her. Ask her if she's free in two weeks? For the Hogsmeade trip?"

Oh.

Fuck.

He felt his heart drop – no, not drop, more like it was thrown off the top of a tower and splattered on the ground many floors down. Crushed. And he couldn't help but hear James' voice in his head reciting the worst case scenario and see it now. Remus would look handsome in a suit, and Nadia would probably wear her hair down with some braids in it. She'd look stunning and they would say I Do and he'd just have to stand on the sidelines mentally pounding his head into a wall asking himself why he did this in the first place.

He could've just lied to her. It wouldn't have been the right thing to do, but he could've just lied. Not even asked him at all, but told Nadia that Remus wasn't interested, and that would be that. She would never need to know, and they would move on, hopefully be friends, maybe more than that later.

But no, he didn't lie. He did the right thing, he asked, and now Remus said yes. Why the fuck did he say yes?

"Great!" he smiled, hoping that no one say the disappointment and sadness in his eyes, "I'll tell her and get back to you!"

He stood up abruptly, half-remembering to wave them goodbye before running off to find James who was with Peter. He flopped down dramatically and leaned his head against James' shoulder. "You were right," he said.

James patted his head.

✧

NADIA SMILED WHEN he told her the news. Eyes shining bright, joy apparent on her features. It crushed him that she was happy because of a date with someone else, but also made butterflies erupt in his stomach knowing she was smiling because of something he said. She confirmed she was free for Hogsmeade, spilling ideas of what their date could be, before giggling and walking away. Barely giving an afterthought to thank him.

James had the Firewhiskey and chocolate prepared in the Astronomy tower that night as promised.

authors note i'm aware that it's been almost a year since i updated. i would say sorry but honestly i had no time or inspo to write when i was in school. going to college was wild, but hopefully this coming year i'll have more motivation to write because i honestly to do want to complete nadia and sirius' story (again)

but i hoped you guys liked this chapter. there wasn't any nadia or nadia and sirius content, but it felt more right to write this from sirius' perspective and get to know his psyche