Quidditch
9th November 1972
Procrastination is my biggest nemesis.
We had been given an assignment by Binns to write an essay on prominent witches and wizards of the 13th century. Tomorrow is the submission day. We has been assigned this task two weeks ago. However, I had been slacking off these two weeks.
This had resulted in having just tonight to finish the essay.
I've been working on this since the end of the classes. I even had to skip dinner because of it. Its a quarter past midnight and I have finished the essay. Although I'm not really satisfied with the end result but the essay is at least... acceptable.
I shoved it into my bag.
I didn't bother to go through it. My writing might horrify me.
I stretched my sore muscles. Suddenly my stomach let out a rumble. The realisation of starvation finally dawned upon me. I was so absorbed in writing the essay that I hadn't noticed how hungry I was but now...
I looked around. The common room was empty. I had two choices. I could either go to bed on an empty stomach or I could head to the kitchens. But it was past midnight. It was past curfew. What if some professor spots me...
I walked out of the common room.
The thrill of this little adventure tempted me. I'm certain that my parents will go ballistic if they get to know I'm not being the diligent student that they expect me to be. But how will they know? Its just me. I'm alone. No one will know.
Cautiously, I tiptoed through the hallways and up the stairs. I must be vigilant about that codger, Filch and his pesky cat.
What I had been fearing happened. The meowing of Mrs. Norris fell into my ear. I immediately hastened into the broom closet that I had spotted. The meowing drew closer after I had shut the door of the closet. To my relief, the meowing had receded.
Warily, I exited the closet and hurried towards the kitchens.
But just near an intersection, I spotted Filch with his lantern, I immediately altered my course. I pressed my back against a wall. I glanced over my shoulder. Filch was gone. I finally released the breath I hadn't even realised that I was holding.
Okay maybe this adventure is a little too-
Black?!
My eyes landed on another hallway where four boys were giggling and hurrying.
I shifted to the adjacent wall. To a spot that will be a blind spot to them. Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew. They were out of bed. But not only that, their hands were filled with sweets and candies...
I don't think sweets are available here at Hogwarts...
Pixie Puffs, Pumpkin fizz, Pumpkin Pastries, Salt Water Taffy, Shock-o-Choc, Skeletal Sweets, Sugar Quills and much more candies that were flooding their arms were recognised by me. Hold on, if I'm not wrong... fucking Honeydukes!! I slammed my hand on my mouth.
The sweetshop of Hogsmeade, the wizarding village near Hogwarts.
But... we're not allowed to go there until our third-year! And definitely not in the middle of the night! How can they cross the campu- Oh...
Realisation dawned upon me. I've heard that there are several secret passageways within the castle that leads to several places. I've never bothered to try to learn more about them. I don't really have friends to go causing havoc with anyway. I bet my entire fortune that they have discovered the one that leads to Honeydukes.
I smirked.
If I just go and find a professor, oh! they'll be in a huge trouble.
But wait, I'm not supposes to be out of bed either. I'll land in hot water alongside them if I snitch.
Going to the kitchens after curfew and sneaking out of the castle to a village at midnight are on two entire different levels though. The later one is obviously a greater blunder. Even if I receive a week's detention for being out of bed myself, Black and his friends will receive a month's. It doesn't sound that bad.
I'm still on the plus side.
McGonagall's office is the closest. Let's head there then! I smirked slyly. I was about to turn on my heel to leave when my eyes landed on Black and somehow everything slowed down.
There he was with candies almost spilling out of his arms, his long hair bouncing as he skipped through the hallway with sparkling eyes and the biggest grin ever. Black was... happy.
Suddenly the urge to snitch against him subsided. Should I really go snitch about him?
He looks too elated.
~.~
11th November 1972
I did not snitch about him.
I had headed to the kitchens instead that night.
Oh its definitely not because he was ecstatic. I'm not that soft-hearted. Definitely not for that impudent git. I myself would've landed in trouble if I had snitched against them.
After dinner, Severus and Evans were talking just at the bottom of a staircase. Severus and I had forgiven one another. None of us apologised, of course. However, we just started talking again as I had approached him for assistance on a Potions assignment. I have priorities.
I, their forever third-wheel was intently examining a tapestry. I had nothing to do.
Just then, the bitch that was partnered up with Black during that Potions skipped over Evans. "Lily!" She chirped. Evans turned to her while Severus rolled his eyes.
"Marlene is waiting for you at the party!" She nudged Evans. "Oh no! The party! It had completely slipped off my mind!" Evans cried out. She turned to Severus. "I'm sorry Sev, but I have to go."
"What party?" Severus grumbled.
"Oh the try-outs for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team was held today. My friend, Marlene was selected," Evans grinned, "The Gryffindors are throwing a party in the common room to welcome the new team members."
"Team members?" Severus questioned. "Other students are selected as well?"
"Oh yeah," Evans rolled her eyes, "That Potter was selected."
"Yes, James and Marlene are the new members added to the team. Sirius had tried out as well but he wasn't selected. He must be upset. Have you seen him, Lily? He probably needs some comfort. I should find him after the party." MacDonald spoke.
"I don't remember asking you to open your filthy mouth." Severus snapped at MacDonald.
"Sev!" Evans gasped.
I would've added to the fuel but what that cow spoke had interested me. "Black wasn't selected?" I finally joined the conversation. "N-no..." MacDonald stammered. This is the first time I've talked to her.
"C-come on, Lily. We should go." Her tone was much less enthusiastic than it was when she had arrived.
Evans nodded. Shooting a sharp look at Severus, she departed with her friend.
"Did I say anything wrong?" Severus turned to me after Evans was out of earshot. I shrugged. "Not wrong according to me. Very wrong according to your crush."
Severus' cheeks flushed. "S-shut up."
"Black wasn't selected." I played with a strand of my hair with my fingers. "He must be devastated. His ego must've been shattered. He deserved it tough." Severus responded.
"He must be sulking somewhere." I snorted as the conceptualisation of the idea.
"Inde-" Severus was interjected by a gruff voice. "Ivy?"
I turned to the source of the voice. Gaspar Avery. "Hey."
"Hey," He appeared sheepish, "Its the weekend. So, I was assuming if you'd like to go for a walk." He's evidently trying to win against his friend. "With you?" I asked, coyly. He nodded.
"Where to?" I didn't drop the coy tone.
"Just around through the hallways."
"Oh! I'd love to!" I displayed fake enthusiasm. I liked the attention truthfully.
Avery put forward his hand. I was about to take it when I was hauled back by my arm by Severus. "What?" I hissed. "Be careful. Don't go into any dark corners that he suggests. Remain in crowded areas." Severus muttered so that only I could hear what he was saying.
I rolled my eyes with a groan. "I'm not a child!"
"Would you like me to follow you?" Severus murmured.
"What?! No!" I groaned out, "Fine! I shall be careful." I pulled away from his grip and fixed my robes while glaring at Severus. I flashed a smile at Avery and took his hand.
"What was he saying?" Avery asked once we were out of Severus' earshot.
"Oh," I let out a forced laughter, "He just told me to be back soon. We have a combined Potions assignment to work on." I lied.
"Combined Potions homework..." Avery repeated, "Does he hit on you, Ivy?" I stifled a snort at his question. "Oh, no! We're just friends. Everything platonic. Besides, he fancies a Gryffindor girl."
"A Gryffindor girl?" Avery questioned.
His countenance calmed.
"Yeah. A mudblood to be exact." My words made a disapproving grumble escape Avery. "A mudblood?! Oh that greasy half-blood!"
I didn't respond. Avery continued, "Let's not talk about those inept people. You look beautiful tonight, Ivy. As alluring as you look all the time."
His words were sweet. But somehow it didn't ignite any spark within my heart. I didn't hate the attention though. "Why thank yo-" I was interjected by a sharp voice.
"Y/n?! Gaspar?!"
"I-Irene!" I didn't know why I was stuttering. I realised that we had walked past the crowded parts of the castle and had bumped into my sister. Irene looked a little flushed and her hair was disheveled. Has she been sprinting around or something. Her eyes landed on me for two mere seconds before she turned to Avery.
"What are you doing with my sister, Gaspar?" Irene raised a brow. Irene was in the same year as Avery.
"We were just on a stroll, Irene. Don't overreact." Avery rolled his eyes.
"She's just thirteen, Gaspa-" Irene spoke but I interjected her, "I'm twelve. My birthday isn't until March."
"O-oh yeah. Right. Worse. She's just twelve. Don't try anything funny." She austerely said. "Halt your indecent thoughts, Irene. What do you understand by a stroll?" Avery snapped. "Oh I understand your meaning of stroll well." Irene hissed.
She abruptly grasped my arm and yanked me close. "I won't tell you what to do or what to not. But be careful, Y/n. Do not go to solitary or confined spaces. Hex him if he tries to pull you into some dark corner or tries to touch y-"
With a sarcastic scoff I pulled away my arm. "Why do you care?" I bore my eyes into Irene's.
Irene appeared to be taken aback momentarily. "I beg your pardon? I am your elder sister."
"Right. Sister," I snorted, "A sister who finds succour in pretending that she doesn't know me at school. You pretended I didn't even exist in first-year and now you suddenly got reminded of your elder sister duties?"
"Y/n!" She sharply warned.
"Don't meddle with my life, Irene. Just like you, I too have started to find solace in pretending I have no sister here." I snapped and walked past her. I have no clue as to which devil possessed me but I just couldn't quell the urge to snap back at her. Everything and everyone has a snapping point.
I heard Avery mutter a taunting 'oof' at Irene before catching up with me.
"I'm telling Mother about this!!" Irene yelled from behind me. "Do whatever you want." I yelled back. I am ware that I will be doomed if she snitches about this to Mother. However, I had a nonchalant facade to maintain.
We sauntered for some distance. A square-jawed blond Hufflepuff who looked senior to me had bumped into Avery and he hexed him. Avery told me that it was Sturgis Podmore, a Hufflepuff in the same year as him. Podmore's already flushed face reddened further as the hex made it be covered with boils.
We continued our stroll after a laughter.
I realised that the hallway we were walking through led to solitary places of the castle. Although I had acted though in front of Severus and Irene, I had to keep myself safe. I didn't want to do anything with Avery or any one. At least not yet. I wasn't ready.
"Lets go here!" I altered the course at an intersection. Avery momentarily raised his brow but didn't say anything and joined me.
I recognised this hallway eventually led to the staircase that takes you to the Gryffindor tower's hallway. I didn't mind it much. But as we reached the staircase, a loud commotion could be heard from the Gryffindor tower. There were no students around. Everyone must be at the party. Avery was blabbering some nonsense that I didn't really bother to pay heed to.
Suddenly, my eye caught the tapestry at the corner move.
I raised a brow.
"H-hey," I turned to Avery as my tracks halted, "Go wait for me at the Astronomy Tower. I have something to do."
I am aware that he would've interrogated what I had to do but the mention of the Astronomy Tower lit his face up. It must've excited him to think that we could finally be alone there. The loophole was that that was what every couple thought and it wasn't curfew yet. That place is certainly swarmed right now.
Avery nodded and hastened away.
Pathetic.
I approached the tapestry in the dark corner. I had an assumption. I went behind it. There was someone. I could recognise that dark hair anywhere.
"Black?"
He flinched and turned around with a squeak. "What are you?! A ghost?!" His chest heaved up and down as he clutched onto his robes. However, my gaze lingered on his puffy face and swollen red eyes. "Were you crying?" I asked. My tone wasn't jeering or sarcastic.
Black hastily wiped his eyes with his sleeve and turned away from me. "Piss off, Lierre. What are you even doing here?"
"Nothing," I shrugged, "I was on a stroll but I spotted a bulge in the tapestry. So, just curious. Why are you crying thou- Wait- Is it because you lost your position in the quidditch team to some girl?! Don't tell me, Black! Is it because of that?!" I laughed hysterically.
"I told you to piss off, didn't I?" Black hissed, glaring at me.
"You're not denying it. Its because of it, right?" I laughed convulsively.
"Piss. Off." Black was trying so hard for his tone to be menacing but instead, it escaped his mouth very hoarsely because of the crying.
I raised my hands in mock surrender as my laughter eventually died down. I wiped away a tear of joy. "You're pathetic, you know?"
"Shut up." He hissed.
"No, really. You're sulking here instead of celebrating your friend's selection. Potter was selected, right? Oh Black. You're worse than us Slytherins!" My tone was full of taunt, mockery and jeer.
Black scoffed. "Why is everyone saying the same shit? Remus just said this and has gone like two minutes ago."
"Wow! Didn't realise that people of your friend circle have brains!" I jibed.
"Don't speak like that about my mate, Lierre." Black muttered through gritted teeth. But with his puffy face, he just ended up resembling a toddler. I snorted.
"Whatever it is, Loony Lupin isn't wrong. Go to the party."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"Then continue sulking. I don't care. I'm just wondering how scintillating it'll be! The Sirius Black was crying behind a tapestry just because he lost to a girl. Oh, the Slytherins will relish the news." I sneered and was about to walk out but Black grasped my wrist and yanked me back.
"Don't. You. Dare." His other hand was reaching for his wand.
I slapped away his hand.
"I swear to Godric if I discover you spreading the news..." He tried his best to appear malicious. I sneered as I went closer to him and stood right in front of him, "Why? What are you going to do?"
Did you forget that day's Potions class and what happened there?" Black scoffed.
"It was you?!" My sneer dropped.
"Oh no. It was Remus. I won't stop at mere bubbles, Lierre." Black spat.
"I knew it! That scarry git!! You and your entire friend circle is pathetic! Just a bunch of cretins." I snapped.
"Don't you dare talk about my mates like that, you unscrupulous snake," Black spluttered, "What about your friend circ- Oh wait. You don't even have any real friends. You just go around that greasy git and other airheaded seniors. You don't even have any real friends, Li- OUCH!!"
His words were cut off as I had trampled on his foot. He struck a nerve that had been bugging me lately.
"I hope you rot in hell, you son of a bitch!!" I splat. Turned on my heel and sprinted out of there.
I inhaled heavy breaths in an attempt to calm myself down. I blinked away the traces of tears that had formed in my eyes. Its fine. Everything is fine. I mustn't let the words of a vapid airhead bother me. But Black wasn't wrong. At least he had friends...
Who cares about friends?!
I'm fine on my own. Like I've always been.