first day of term
“Lily!!!” a familiar whiny voice cried from downstairs.
“Merlin's beard” Marlene complained, covering her head with her pillow. Clem laughed softly her eyes switching focus from her book, Lily was sitting at her vanity straightening her tie. Clem and her shared a vanity, the dark wood was mildly covered in scratches and chips, from them and alumni. Both girls having their items on opposite sides, organized and clean. The room overall was tidy, all of their beds made, little to nothing on the floor besides shoes, all of their luggage under their beds. Clem had her blanket draped on the end of her bed, books in an organized chaos. Their curtains draw open to let the sunshine through the windowpained and stained glass. On the other hand Marlene and Mary’s vanity was a mess, spewed with their makeup and jewelery all along the desk, the mirror covered in random stickers or items. The two of them still bundled in bed, their sheets and beds messy, their clothes from the night before along the beds and their trunks that sat at the end of their beds.
“You continue to straighten a tie that can’t get any more straight. Relax Lils” Clem came up from behind her, pushing down a few flyaways.
“It’s year 6, the year of OWLS and other exams. Two weeks from now, looks will be the last thing on our minds” Lily had a slight sigh of relief grabbing her bookbag,
“You're right Clem, I think my head would be upside down without you” She smiled,
“You guys coming?” she asked Marlene and Patricia.
“We have to shower, later” Patricia groaned, throwing her sheets over her head,
“Just make Potters screaming stop” He hadn’t stopped crying out her name since earlier this morning. It woke Clem up while the rest of the girls were still asleep.
“Let’s just go. Before I turn him into a toad.” Clem complained, rubbing her eye slightly with a yawn following. The girls ran down the swirled stairs,
“Wow Lily! Pretty as always!” James smiled with the other Marauders sitting in front of the fire behind him. The boy’s sprawled about the red couches, with their robes hanging on the near coat rack by the fire. The windows created a pattern on the ground as sunshine overtook the warm room. Candles sprawled around and lamps slowly adjusting to the natural light overtaking the room. The boy’s things and books resting on the round wooden table in front of them. Covered in muds, parchment, wands, book bags and miscellaneous things. Clem had always loved the rugs that covered most of the room, the eccentric patterns that added color and warm to the room. The multiple paintings and banners covering the stone walls, adding character and history.
“Shut up James” Lily snarked, Clem behind her as they quickly left the common room. Pushing their way through the herd of underclassmen rushing back up to their rooms.
“How was practice this morning?” Lily asked, it was fairly early so the halls were nice and quiet. The gothic styled architecture glowed with the golden hour, making the walls seem yellow, occasional pops of color from the stained glasses windows. Their shoes making small sounds as they went down the stone and ever changing staircases, smiling at some of their favorite portraits or classmates. The ceiling always felt never ending, the fixtures adding a warm glow to the halls, a larger chandelier above them before walking through the large dramatic wooden doors of the great hall.
“Good, just warm-ups and getting back in the groove of things really” Clem sighed, grabbing a newspaper from the stool next to the door of the hall, smiling at the ghost sitting on a stool reading the same paper. Lily hummed in understanding before sitting down in her normal spot on the long dark table, filling up a cup of coffee.
“Can you hand me an Earl Grey tea bag Lils?” she asked not veering from the paper,
“Mmhm” she hummed with a piece of toast in her mouth. Soon enough the hall began filling up, the rest of their roommates coming in with the crowds.
“James and Sirius did it again” Mary groaned, dropping her bag on the table dramatically, Clem hit her shoulder slightly telling her to get the bag off.
“Oh no” Lily whined.
“Yeah, started the year off with a bang” she paused for a second, a large bang rattled the windows and lights,
“Literally” Marlene added.“I heard McGonagall mentioning detention to them… but knowing them they’d suck up to her and be here for breakfast.”
Soon after the three came in laughing and screaming before James quickly got a seat next to Lily.
“You are such a piece of work!” Lily complained, James made a kissy face at her as Sirius laughed, Peter finding a seat across from the boys, leaving a seat open.
“I don’t get how you have time for quidditch practice, schoolwork, studies, and pranks!” Lily added, James just shrugged and began to fill his plate.
“I’m very talented at my craft what can I say” flashing a big toothy grin before shoving a piece of buttered toast in his mouth.
Sirius whispered something to James before he started to open his mouth,
“James! Drop it!” Sirius spat quickly, Peter eyed Sirius and then Clem before chuckling lightly. “Something funny Wormtail?” Sirius snapped back, he choked on his juice slightly
“Nope!” he responded popping the ‘p’. The trio of boys stayed a trio for the entirety of breakfast, Clem sighed softly closing the paper and finishing her tea and grabbing a muffin.
“I have Potions this morning, anyone else?” asked the girls, Lily nodded
“Let’s get out of here” finishing her coffee and grabbing her bag shoving an orange from the silver dish into her bag.
“Aw Lils, funny enough so do me and Padfoot here!” James smirked, throwing his arm over Lily and Sirius on either side. Clem rolled her eyes patting Lily’s shoulder.
“Good luck. I’ll see you there” leaving her with James and Sirius. She usually could bear walking with those two behind them but today just wasn’t that day. She had a headache already and too many classes to let those boys make it worse.
Clem often loved walking from the great hall to the potions and dark arts hall, there was a route she would take when alone that let her pass the courtyard and enjoy the beauty that is Hogwarts. It was raining again which was even better since the smells would be heightened. But this also meant the hall would be darker than usual since the sun was gone and hidden beneath the clouds. The hallway colder since the windows were dim and housed the weather. Most professors would wait outside their doors on the first day of classes to meet and say hello to everyone, and this potions professor was no different. Clem had taken her time to get to class being one of the last ones in the room.
“Hello! I’m Professor Slughorn.” the older man smiled tilting slightly down at Clem, she coudln’t tell if it was because he wanted to meet her eyes or because he has started getting a hunchback. His hair had been to thin a little in comparison to the last few years, his dark hair gaining streaks of grey and silver. His nose slightly hooked, his combover still present as ever. He wore a stiff from suit, red vest and bow tie. A cup of tea and saucer in his hand. She had taken his class multiple times but this was the first advanced potions class she had taken, slight disappointed he didn’t remember her.
“Clementine Bones” she smiled back,
“Ah! I’ve heard loads about your family! Welcome, please find a seat, you can sit wherever” She usually hated when professors did this, students would sit near friends and always talk over the professors. The dark stone brick caked in the runes pained on the doorways, the walls almost covered in shelves stuffed with glass bottles, each table housing four seats and small cauldrones prepped for each student. Her shoes making a slight clicking sound on the stone before finding a seat near one of the windows, locking her eyes on a familiar red head, she hoped people would be smart with where they sat, the marauders especially.
“Nope!” James smirked “This is my seat” placing his bag down. She rolled her eyes and took the seat in front of them. Luckily no one was in the seat next to her, she quietly hoped no one would sit there. But as the bell tolled two more walked in, Sirius and Remus, praying quietly they'd sit somewhere else
“Nuh-uh” Slughorn spoke out pointing at the two of them, “I’ve heard about you two! Sit separately” Sirius smirked and sat next to Clem, but they never exchanged a word, she didn’t even look at him.
There was the familiar smell of cigarettes however, Clem rested her head on her hand, and desperately wanted a smoke. The smell on the boy’s jacket was not helping, she promised Lily she’d quit after last year, Lily hated smokers. She never ratted her out to Dumbledore but he did catch her once, all he said was that he was there once too, and hoped she’d find the strength to quit. Clem had started solely because of stress, she was always top of her class and it had just become too much. She involved herself in the wrong crowd, mainly Slytherins, that’s why she and Snape had become closer. He was her smoke buddy, but they both vowed to quit. The smell brought back so many memories, she placed more weight on her wrist and mindlessly sketched on her notebook counting down the minutes till she could get away.
Potions class had been a drag. Slughorn rambled about what to expect. He had a special club he’d start selecting members after the first month, along with his dinner parties. Clem didn’t like him much. He seemed very full of himself especially in this course, but who was she to judge? As the bell rang she quickly got up and wrapped her arm around Lily sweeping her out of the classroom.
“I love advanced potions but this professor seems awful!” Clem complained quietly, Lily shrugged.
“I don’t know… I want to be in his club again. The Auror I was under knows him and said to try to get close to him” Clem put her body weight on her and groaned.
“Lily… come on..” She squinted her eyes almost immediately as she walked out the door, the sun had come out for sure, and very brightly. Lily chuckled before someone caught Clem’s eye slightly.
“I’ll see you in our next class, okay?” breaking off from Lily and going back to the student she saw. Meeting them in a less populated area of the castle.
“Sev where were you?” He sighed
“James and Sirius locked me out of the corridor, I missed the class” Clem scoffed. Maybe that’s why James was in such a good mood.
“Remus let me out though, which surprised me.” Clem agreed and began walking up to their shared class. “I still don’t trust any of them.” He added, his attitude seemed more cold towards her this year. Ever since the summer his overall mood had changed.
“But Lily is who your attention is on so just focus on reaching back out. Did you send her the owl I told you to?” Clem asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the professor's lecture. He shook his head writing down the notes slide.
“Sev you can't just lurk around her in hopes that she’ll talk to you.” Clem groaned. He said nothing and continued to write.
The rain clouds began to fully clear out right before lunch the letting the sun beam out.
“Lily!” she shouted out, looking up the forever-changing stairways, Clem motioned her to come down. Lily smiled at her other friends placing a calm hand on a Hufflepuff girl smiling, turning her back, and waving halfway down.
“We are eating outside today. It’s turned into such a nice day.” Clem smiled. Her mood often matched the weather. When it was sunny she seemed to be in a better, happier mood, the rain brought out her introversion and quietness, and often huddled in a corner of the common room reading a book. Lily smiled and followed the auburn girl as they quickly made lunch plates and headed to the grassy fields near Kettleburn’s hut. The girls quickly dug themselves into their studies while eating occasionally. Clem took a bite of her fruit
“Which one of James’ goons smells like cigarettes?” she asked. Lily took a deep breath basking in the warm autumn sun.
“Sirius I believe?” she responded cautiously,
“The one who sat next to you in potions, he is quiet… something.” She added, her eyebrows raising as she said this, Clem chuckled.
“Why do you ask? Don’t tell me you’re wanting to pick it up again.” She whined. Clem shook her head, placing her book back into her bag, reveling in the sun a little.
“No, I just was wondering because I’ll have to ask to switch seats. The smell makes me want to smoke again. I don’t break promises for stupid boys.” She grinned. Lily chuckled softly deeply exhaling again, placing her hands behind her head as she laided in the grass.
“Great idea to come out here for lunch. I forgot how lovely the sun and weather are this time of year.” Marlene, Mary, and Patricia joined them not long after the Sirius discussion the group sitting in a circle basking in the sun like cats. The autumn breeze brought a sense of comfort, the warmth of the sun keeping the chilly weather from being uncomfortable.
“I forgot how lovely this time of year is” Patricia mumbled softly, lying in the grass next to Clem. Clem nodded placing her book on her face.
“Sunbathing? are we, ladies?” James teased, and a collective groan was heard from the witches,
“Go away Potter.” Lily spat, chuckles were heard from the others.
“Aw you’re disturbing their cat naps” Sirius added. Clem didn’t bother to move an inch. Lily from the sounds of it threw a slight hex at the boys the two of them ran off complaining loudly.
“That wasn’t very prefect of you Lily” Marlene teased, she swatted her hand in the air and popped a grape in her mouth before slowly getting up.
“I have to get to class, Clem are you coming?” she nodded begrudgingly and got up as well, linking her arm to Lily's elbow.
The other girls waved goodbye enjoying their remaining lunch time before classes. The other girls weren’t taking as many classes since they weren’t seeking a profession in being an Auror, besides Patricia of course, but even she decided to lighten her courses this year. They began their trek to the charms class the two shared, knowing that the boys would also be in their class. “You know, Sirius really isn't that bad. I’m sure he’s a good guy.” Lily paused cautiously before continuing,
“Maybe keep your seat and talk to him…” She expected Clem to immediately react but nothing came out of it.
“I don’t know Lils, after the whole Regulus thing I don’t think he likes me.” Lily rolled her eyes, nudging her,
“I’m sure Regulus’ fling with you is nothing. Besides, I heard they never even talk… they don’t like each other.” She whispered the last part as they neared the door. Clem scoffed and walked in first, seeing the four sitting next to each other and picking the opposite side of the room to sit, near a window, which was a perk.
The day went fairly smoothly for students. Everyone was calm after this morning's events. The common room was loud as usual, and Clem found it hard to concentrate on her studies because of it. Sometimes she wished she had been sorted into Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff like her mother. Lily was nowhere to be found, probably downstairs socializing with classmates, a very Lily thing. Clem had tried the same her first two years but always felt like the odd man out in situations. Lily was a joy to be around and an easy person to grow close to. No wonder James was infatuated with her since she walked in on the first day of classes all those years ago. She packed a quick bag, tossing her classwork and books in, filling a water bottle, and a snack from under her bed just in case, along with her father's hoodie from his college days in England. As she walked down the stairs she passed what she assumed was Mary snogging a random 7th year, chuckling quietly and squeezing past them.
“Lils!” she called out, making her way to her on the edge of the couch, James sitting in the chair next to her,
“I’m going to the library to study. Did you need anything from the great hall?” she shook her head and pushed herself back into her book. Clem smiled softly and quickly pecked her cheek. Lily smiled softly and waved goodbye. James immediately began his whining and chased after Clem,
“Hey! How come she lets you do that but not me?” Clem grabbed the strap of her bag tighter, “Because I’m not an asshole who bullies other classmates for the fun of it.” She snapped back. James scoffed
“Old sniv- Severus deserves it!” he complained.
“Sure.” she finished, turning down the hallway. James threw his hands in the air and began to head back.
Soon enough that intoxicating smell blew past her again, Clem knew that she shouldn’t but maybe just peaking to see who it was would help tear her away. She began to walk cautiously towards it,
“Come on Moony, don’t be this way, I’m sure Pomfrey will help” Sirius spoke out, Clem knew immediately to turn back and head to the library.
“Nope,” she said to herself if Lily knew she wouldn’t hear the end of it, ever. Drowning herself in her studies should help distract her from the itch to go back and ask for a smoke. On her way to the library, a familiar sniffle came from a corner in the books, she walked over quietly,
“Sev…” she paused, grabbing the seat next to him, “What did they do now?” He said nothing, his eyes red and puffy, he began to hold out his hand. It had been burned, possibly from a prank box of some sort, her eyes widened, and grabbed his wrist lightly. The back of his hand had a large burn reaching from his knuckles to his wrist just shy of a scar he had already from previous pranks. They had turned into welts already, filling up with puss, it seemed to be increasing as time went on. It wasn’t going to stop, if anything it would spread.
“We are going to Dumbledore.” He furiously shook his head,
“No, he won’t believe me” She chuckled lightly
“He will if you’re with me. Besides, he's believed you before. I promise he’s not all that bad.” They began the way to his office, passing McGonagall on the way,
“Professor!” she called out, McGonagall turned, her arms filled with books,
“Yes dear?” she showed his hand to her, Mcgonagall only sighed and motioned them to her office. She was in her house robes, she was on her way to her sleeping quarters they assumed. They felt terrible tearing her away, but this was an emergency and Dumbledore would be even harder to get to stop what he was doing.
She handed them an anti-burn gel she had stored from before,
“Here dear” she paused examining Snapes’ state,
“It was James and Sirius again I assume?” He nodded but it was almost hidden, as if he didn’t want them to get in trouble. That made things worse for him, usually.
“Alright dear, Clementine I’ll take him back to Slytherin house, please start going back to the dormitory… It’s almost curfew” Clem nodded and gave Snape a gentle rub on his back,
“I’m sorry, I’ll talk to Lily about it okay?” Snape said nothing, she gave an apologetic look and began to head back. Clem had never been someone to talk to those boys, except James during practice, but she was done with their behavior. As she stormed back to the dorms the smell hit one last time,
“Maybe that’s what I need, just to take the edge off” She began walking over to the balcony the smell wafted from, but this time it wasn’t Sirius, it was Regulus. He turned to her, his eyes swollen, he had been crying again.
“Hi,” she said softly, her eyes motioning to the cigarette in his hand. He dug around his pocket and handed her one,
“Thanks” She took a long drag, reminiscing on the feeling it gave her. Her thoughts began to go away, as she stared up at the stars.
“You okay?” She asked softly, getting ever so slightly closer. He scoffed and shrugged,
“I guess,” He said.
The two didn’t exchange any words after that, smoking in comfortable silence. After she finished, she looked at him one last time and softly smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder before grabbing her bag and continuing to the common room. Regulus knew she didn’t miss him being around, she was in a dark place before. But he missed her, deeply. For once he wished he was his brother.
As she walked in Lily was passed out on the couch, her book on the table. James was asleep as well, and another boy was across the coffee table reading.
“James was going to take her up but forgot he can’t go up there.” He spoke softly, with a calm tone.
“I’ll do Lily's rounds tonight, can’t sleep anyways” Clem only nodded, She knelt in front of her chair swinging her onto her back. Adjusting her as well as she could before making her way up the steps. She inhaled rapidly, sniffing Clems’ shirt.
“I’m going to kill you!” She screeched,
“You were smoking again!” Clem rolled her eyes
“Yes, and? Lils I needed it, I ran into Sev… he was a wreck Lils… It was bad” Lily got quiet and nodded, Remus’ ears perked up at this. Slightly cringing to himself. He began to hate how close to truthful injury his friends had gotten.
“I’ll speak with James tomorrow morning” Clem smiled and headed towards the bathrooms “Thanks Lils”
Soon after Lily turned her light off, symbolizing she is going to bed. Clem was restless the entire night, around 2 am she gave up and decided to make a cup of tea and take a walk around the castle for a while. She filled her cat-printed mug with steamed milk and dropped a tea bag in the cup. The fire in the common room slowly losing heat and light, she tossed another log in while waiting for her cup to steep.
“You’re up early” a voice mumbled, Sirius, was half awake on the couch. The voice made her jump slightly, she said nothing and began to leave the common room,
“Oh come on Bones, I see you sneaking around with Severus,” He paused
“Is he your boyfriend?” He teased, She scoffed turning towards him rather quickly. Sirius was a lot closer than she thought, his breath was felt on her face.
“Back up” she warned, Sirius took this as a challenge more than a threat.
“Someone is upset” he took a step closer, his breath smelled like whiskey. “I heard about you and Reg, you wanna sleep with the better brother?” He whispered.
A sharp inhale came from Clem, her senses now at an alltime high.
“Back up Black” he ignored her, looking at her that had her stomach in knots. For once she wished that James would come down and talk her ear off.
“Come on Clemmy” A loud slap was heard, Sirius chuckled, his head turned away from her, “Don’t ever. Call me that” His eyes locked on hers one more time before chuckling, his mouth opened but before he could say anything or reach to touch her another voice called from a corner.
“Padfoot, drop it.” nothing. “Be a good dog and drop it” Remus called softly, he had been there the entire time with his nose in his book, the flame bringing a warm light to the side of his face. Lighting his silver scar that ran across his face. Sirius huffed before backing up with his hands in surrender.
“Did you enjoy the show?” She spat, “Could’ve interjected earlier.” Clem gripped her now cold tea tighter to her chest and walked out to clear her head in hopes of being able to sleep tonight