Chapter 2
"I have no idea who that is...?" Emerson tilted her head with a confused expression, her gaze fixed on Victoria.
Both girls were now in their fourth year, their previous years filled with failed attempts at pranking James and Sirius to deflate their egos. This year, however, they felt a glimmer of hope.
"Of course, you don't...he's a muggle...I think?" Victoria shrugged, absently flipping through the book Hamlet, her parents had bought it for her awhile ago.
"Ha! See, you don't know either!" Emerson jabbed a playful accusatory finger at Victoria, releasing her grip on an old copy of Hamlet that Victoria had.
"Emi, I know who he is, I just don't know him personally, and he was born hundreds of years ago. I can't remember!" Victoria defended herself with a laugh.
Emerson couldn't care less about a dead man from centuries past; her indifference to Shakespeare's work was evident. She never really liked Hamlet anyway.
The girls had chosen to study outside under the shade of a tree. Emerson wasn't a fan of the library, she claimed it disrupted her thought process with its stifling silence. Besides, she was prone to thinking out loud and often found herself in trouble there. Victoria, on the other hand, preferred the confines of indoor study spaces. This time, they had brought along colouring materials to stave off boredom.
"Oh look, there's what looks to be two sets of failed abortions," Emerson whispered to Victoria, who burst into laughter before glancing up to see her brother with all of his friends. "This is why birth control is valuable."
"Hey," Sirius replied with a sarcastic smile, "you two look busy."
Remus sighed, taking a seat beside Victoria and massaging his temples, a silent observer to the banter.
"What do you want?" Emerson sighed, tossing aside the copy of Hamlet, which Remus secretly picked up, swiping through its pages.
"Curiosity," James chimed in, helping himself to some colours from the floor and selecting a page from the colouring book.
"Besides, we're simply worried, Em and Toria," Sirius added, falling onto the floor beside Emerson with his arms behind his head.
"Toria?" Victoria asked out loud to herself.
Peter shyly joined the group, playing with pieces of grass as if they were toys, while Remus continued his silent perusal of the novel.
Victoria sat up a bit, turning over to see Remus looking through the novel. "My mum and dad got it for me on a trip they went on. It seemed really popular and recommended in the muggle world."
"Can I borrow it?" Remus asked, his gaze meeting Victoria's.
There was no denying Victoria's fluttering heart at Remus's request. Her cheeks flushed with warmth as she replied, "Yeah, of course."
"Sweet, thanks," Remus smiled up at her, sending her thoughts into a whirlwind. Victoria couldn't help but admire the way the sunlight accentuated his features, casting him in a captivating glow.
"Oh, shut up!" Emerson groaned, burying her face in her hands as Sirius and James continued their raucous conversation, much to her dismay.
***
"Be honest here...should I go for bangs or no?" Emerson had been deliberating with Victoria all day about whether she should get bangs or leave her hair as is.
"Hmm, I say maybe, depending on how you style the rest of your hair. Perhaps cut it a bit shorter, add some thin bangs, and boom!" Victoria suggested with a grin.
"You are so correct!" Emerson exclaimed.
"Aren't I always?"
While they enjoyed their lunch, they sensed the presence of someone sitting next to them. Shockingly, it wasn't Sirius or James.
It was a boy in their year who shared their Potions class.
"Hey, um...sorry to bother, but I think I lent my Potions book to Black, or...?" the boy inquired nervously.
"You're Marco, right?" Emerson asked, still munching on her food.
"Uh, yes, yes I am," Marco replied, keeping his head low.
"Great! Look, Vic, we've made a new friend!" Emerson announced cheerfully.
Victoria tilted her head to the side to get a better look at the boy, "Sure we did."
"Oh, I—"
"Marco, you're going to love us, just wait and see!" Emerson interrupted, her enthusiasm infectious.
James and Sirius, who had been engrossed in a discussion about Quidditch, paused when they noticed a boy sitting with their sisters. A mischievous glint sparked in their eyes as they conceived a prank for their new acquaintance.
***
"Am I ever going to get my Potions book back, or...?" Marco's voice carried a hint of impatience as he glanced between Emerson and Victoria.
Emerson, undeterred, flashed him a mischievous grin. "Look, Marco, we need to perform a friendship ceremony; it's nothing out of the ordinary don't you worry."
Victoria chimed in, her eyes dancing with amusement. She had been indulging into her school work she forgot how fun it was to mess with people.
With a touch of reluctance, Marco acquiesced, settling onto the blanket laid out beneath the tree. Emerson, with exaggerated solemnity, sprinkled him with water, while Victoria showered him with flower petals. Marco endured the ritual, perhaps questioning his life choices, until it was over and he stood back up, now part of their trio. He didn't really care at that point. He did need friends.
"You're officially part of our friend group," Emerson proclaimed with delight.
"Do you think he's the right fit?" Victoria whispered to Emerson.
"Not sure, but he's one of the only people who talks to us, so why not..."
Marco's interruption brought their murmured conversation to an abrupt halt. "You two realize I can hear you, right?"
"Of course we do! Anyway, as your gift," Emerson retrieved Marco's Potions book from her bag, "Here! Your gift!"
"Thanks, so what am I supposed to do now?" Marco inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Be our friend, of course!"
Over the next few days, they got to know Marco better, while Sirius and James schemed to prank him. Marco Richard Carter, a Ravenclaw who loved watching Quidditch, found himself unwittingly drawn into their circle.
"Look! I'm telling you two, we should go to the kitchens! It'll be fun, I promise!" Emerson persisted in her plea. After awhile of being friends, she wanted to get to know Marco more, what better way than taking him to the kitchens?
"And I'm telling you, I have to study for tomorrow," Marco countered, his attention still on his notes.
"Marco, it would be the perfect time for us to give you a nickname! I have a list prepared!" Emerson was relentless. "Right Vic?"
"I'll go if you can convince Carter here. That'd be fun to see," Victoria teased, she was also trying to finish her notes for Potions, the subject she had struggled the most with.
"Challenge accepted!"
"Oh, lord..." Marco sighed, realizing he had unwittingly stepped into a world of delightful chaos.
***
"I've done it! Emerson has convinced Marco to go to the kitchens!" Emerson's voice rang out as she dashed over to Victoria, who moved to quietly study outside. Marco, often buried in books in the library, was lured out by Emerson's persistent persuasion.
"And why is Emerson talking in the third person?" Victoria couldn't help but chuckle as Emerson plopped down beside her.
"Because I am is so proud!" Emerson declared with a grin. "And he was a hard nut to crack."
"Wow, that was quick..." Victoria remarked, impressed by Emerson's persuasiveness.
"Well, living with Sirius for over ten years can give you skills on how to irritate people to the point where they have to agree," Emerson quipped with a smirk.
"Hm, learned that with James...you know-"
"You said my name?" James's sudden appearance startled both girls, causing them to place their hands over their hearts in mock surprise.
***
"Startled isn't even the word to explain it!" Emerson exclaimed, pacing around their shared dorm room with Marco reluctantly in tow.
"Emi, the branch barely hit you," Victoria remarked, attempting to calm her down, but to little avail.
"I feel bad for the branch..." Marco muttered under his breath, earning a bemused glance from Victoria.
Emerson continued to fume as they walked together, recounting the incident where a light branch fell on her shoulder.
"Don't you feel even the slightest bit dramatic?" Victoria teased. "Why did you even throw the branch Marco?"
"Me?! Dramatic! I'm simply expressing my feelings, and you take it as dramatic?! Rude," Emerson retorted, her frustration evident.
Their conversation dragged on longer than Marco would have liked, but despite his initial reluctance, he found himself growing closer to both girls, even if he wouldn't admit it.
"Anyways, we have to go to the kitchens now, like you both promised," Emerson declared, eager to change the subject.
Victoria didn't mind the prospect of sneaking into the kitchens, enjoying the thrill of a little mischief. On the other hand, Marco would have preferred to stay and read, but he knew better than to argue with Emerson's determination.
As they crept through the castle, trying their hardest to remain quiet, Emerson's infectious laughter filled the air, making their covert mission all the more challenging.
"Look there!" Emerson exclaimed as they approached the entrance to the kitchens, tickling the pear to gain entrance. "Now, where is Mibny..."
"Mistress Emerson! What shall I serve you? Oh, how about that pumpkin pie? Mibny would gladly serve Mistress Emerson's friends too!" Mibny greeted them warmly.
Emerson happily reciprocated Mibny's embrace, introducing Victoria and Marco. "You know Victoria Potter, and that's my close friend Marco." However, Marco was momentarily thrown off by Emerson's choice of words.
"Did you say closeted friend or close?" Marco quipped, earning a puzzled look from Emerson.
"Close...why would I say closeted?" Emerson replied, feigning innocence.
Victoria seized the opportunity to engage Mibny in conversation, while Emerson ordered some treats, and Marco resumed his reading.
"Marco, what do you want?" Emerson inquired, turning towards him.
"Passing grades..." Marco muttered, his attention still on his book.
"Marco, you pass like everything, now what would you like?" Emerson persisted.
"Hot chocolate is fine, thank you," Marco relented, accepting the offered drink from Mibny.
Amidst their lighthearted exchanges, the trio found themselves momentarily interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Emerson's brother, Regulus. His sudden appearance sparked Emerson's curiosity, prompting her to excuse herself to speak with him privately. Left with Victoria and Marco, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, with a touch of playful teasing.
While Marco and Victoria engaged in their usual banter, Marco couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in dynamics between Emerson and Victoria. Their interactions were filled with an easy flow, punctuated by moments of genuine connection and understanding. As he observed them, Marco couldn't shake the feeling of being on the outside looking in, a silent observer to the bond they shared.
However, Marco's musings were soon interrupted by the return of Emerson, her animated expression betraying her excitement. With Regulus in tow, the group resumed their lively conversation, seamlessly integrating him into their circle.
As the afternoon unfolded, Marco found himself drawn further into the orbit of Emerson and Victoria, his initial reluctance giving way to a sense of belonging. Despite the occasional argument or misunderstanding, their friendship continued to deepen, forged by shared experiences and moments of genuine connection.
And amidst the laughter and camaraderie, Marco couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected friendship he had found with Emerson and Victoria, realizing that sometimes, the most unlikely bonds are the ones that endure.
"And there he was! Standing there like a lunatic!" Emerson exclaimed, her voice filled with indignation.
"Emi, you can't call Marco a lunatic just because he scared you as a prank..." Victoria interjected, trying to diffuse the tension.
"The hell I can! This bloody idiot almost gave me a full-on non-existent heart attack!" Emerson retorted, still visibly agitated.
Marco had taken it upon himself to prank Emerson in retaliation for the prank her brother and James had played on him a few days prior. It wasn't anything too dramatic that Marco did; he simply orchestrated a scenario where Emerson found herself outside alone at night, at a peculiarly specific time. Then, just as he anticipated, he appeared out of nowhere, effectively scaring the wits out of her.
"Will you now allow Marco to sit with us?" Victoria asked, attempting to broker peace between her friends. "Or is he still in trouble?"
"Both," Emerson declared firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. She gestured for Marco to join them but insisted he sit a bit further away as a form of punishment. For Marco, the distance was hardly a penalty; it offered a momentary respite from Emerson's wrath.
"So I'm allowed back now?" Marco teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he approached the table.
"Yes, but only because I don't want to do my potions work, and Vic here doesn't want to do it either, so you're my second choice," Emerson replied casually, not bothering to look up from her food.
"Great...so I'm the second choice now?" Marco feigned disappointment, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Marco, one of us has to be your second choice, so..." Emerson started to explain before being interrupted.
"Yeah! Who!? It better not be me!" Emerson finally looked up, fixing Marco with a challenging glare.
***
"TIME! Two minutes and fifty-eight seconds!" Marco yelled with excitement, the trio was currently testing to see who could balance the longest on one leg. "Victoria, your turn!" "Alright," Victoria had gotten up, "start!"
Marco and Emerson both chanted and yelled. Then Marco stopped the time and they waited to hear the time.
"...FOUR minutes and THIRY SEVEN SECONDS!" Marco announced, "VICTORIA WINS!"
"YES!!" Emerson congratulated her friend. "I saw that one coming, did you know she could also do weird bendy tricks, they are weird it's like she has no bones..."
Victoria is fairly flexible considering she loved to dance as a kid but never really continued to. Emerson was not at all into dancing since she preferred painting, drawing, or anything of the sort.
"Shall we go down to the kitchens for snacks?" Marco asked getting two confused looks. Emerson didn't think Marco actually enjoyed going to the kitchens but agreed. While Victoria found it amusing how Emerson's personality was now rubbing off on him.
**
Emerson let out a dramatic sigh, leaning back against the wall with a heavy sense of resignation. "I doubt it! I'm probably going to end up lonely, with paintings of cats!"
"Emi, you won't—wait, why paintings of cats?" Victoria interjected, genuinely curious.
"Because taking care of multiple cats is exhausting!" Emerson replied with exasperation.
"Fair point. Well, I doubt you'll be lonely. That spot is taken by me," Victoria teased with a playful smirk.
"What?! You could snatch anyone here! Even me!" Emerson blurted out, immediately regretting her words.
"Even you?" Victoria raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"W-what?"
Suddenly, Marco appeared, breaking the tension as he sat down next to Victoria, offering Emerson the potions work she had requested. However, Emerson remained distracted, her gaze fixed on Victoria.
"So, I've completed the potions work you asked for," Marco said, holding out the papers. "Are we now having a staring contest?"
"No, Marco. Anyways, thank you," Emerson replied absentmindedly, taking the papers without breaking her gaze.
As a strange silence settled over the trio, each of them interpreted it differently. Emerson saw it as an opportunity to introspect, Victoria found it calming yet irritating, and Marco simply found it odd, shifting his gaze between them in confusion.
"Marco, we don't have a nickname for you. Should we—" Emerson began, but she was interrupted by someone patting her on the shoulder. She turned to see her brother, Regulus.
"Reg? What do you need?" Emerson asked, getting up to speak with him privately.
As Emerson left, Marco turned to Victoria, a curious expression on his face. "Now, may I ask what that was about? Or will I have to guess?"
Victoria chuckled, nudging Marco playfully. "Oh, that's Emerson's brother, Regulus—"
"Not that," Marco interrupted. "I meant earlier. Why were Emerson and you so...silent?"
"Are you implying we can't be quiet?" Victoria countered with a smirk.
"Oh, please. You're related to the famous James Potter, and she's related to Sirius Black. Quiet isn't even in your vocabulary...or genes," Marco remarked with a smirk of his own.
Victoria gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Ouch! Wait, what's your last name?"
"I love how you and Black didn't even refer to me by my last name and automatically called me by my first name," Marco chuckled.
"Maybe our friendship was meant to be then," Victoria quipped.
"Maybe it is," Marco corrected.
"Why did you say it like that?"
"Like what?"
"You corrected my wording!"
"Well, yes. Unless I'm informed incorrectly, but I'm almost certain that when someone is incorrect, you're supposed to correct them."
Victoria retaliated by flicking Marco on the nose. "Ouch! Why did you do that?"
"Why did you correct me?"
"Because you were incorrect! You said 'was,' and that's past tense. You're basically saying our friendship is dead!"
"Oh! Well, sorry!" Marco grinned, rubbing his nose sheepishly.
***
Regulus paused, leading Emerson to an empty hall.
"You summoned me?" Emerson joked, a playful glint in her eye.
"Well, technically, I patted you on your shoulder. Summoning you isn't quite the same thing—" Regulus started.
"Okay, okay! Just tell me what you need," Emerson interrupted with a grin.
"Right, so, for the break, I was planning on staying over at Avery's, and I didn't want to leave you alone with our parents. So, I thought I should ask if you would like to come along?" Regulus asked, concern evident in his voice. He didn't want to leave his sister behind, especially not alone. He figured Sirius would be off somewhere with his friends, as usual.
"Well, Avery and I don't exactly see eye to eye, but thanks for the offer, Reg. I'll probably ask Vic if I can stay over at hers," Emerson replied thoughtfully.
"Right, well, great! I just wanted to make sure you were going to be alright. Also, mind if I sit with you? Snape's complaining about Evans is irritating," Regulus said, shifting the conversation.
"Sure! You can listen to Marco and me argue, with Vic listening in amusement!" Emerson grinned, leading the way back to their friends.
***
Regulus had joined the trio for the day, his presence blending into the familiar surroundings with an air of intrigue. They were all sitting under the same tree they always did when they needed to study or just relax.
"And you threw my bagel at me!" Emerson pointed an accusing finger at Marco.
"Me? I didn't throw it! I would never hurt a bagel by throwing it at your face..." Marco retorted.
"D-did you just call me ugly?" Emerson exclaimed, feigning offense.
"Oh no..." Victoria muttered under her breath, sensing the argument brewing between her friends.
Marco and Emerson had been arguing for the longest time about a bagel that "Marco threw," but it was actually Victoria who had accidentally caused the mishap. Although their bickering might be mistaken as genuine conflict, it was actually a way for them to bond and express their playful banter.
"Regulus, right?" Victoria turned to the boy sitting a few inches away. He had originally been sitting beside his sister, but she had started an argument about Marco's height compared to hers, prompting him to move.
"Hm?" Regulus hummed in response, realizing Victoria had addressed him. "Yes, that's my name..."
"Alright, I'm Victoria," she said, extending her hand for him to shake. It was a formal gesture, considering they had technically met before, albeit briefly, on the train a few years ago.
"Yes, I know," Regulus replied, shaking her hand gently. "Emerson is always talking about you whenever she can."
"I'm a very interesting person, I assume?" Victoria said sarcastically, not really paying attention.
"Well, based on what Emerson has told me, I would assume yes," Regulus replied, still looking at her intently.
"Mm, James would disagree. He would describe me as more of a dramatic topic," Victoria said, leaning back on her elbows. "Which doesn't quite make sense, considering he almost cried when I accidentally broke his comb... But to be fair, he did tell me not to touch it, which only made me more curious!"
Regulus listened attentively as Victoria rambled on about her arguments with James, finding her anecdotes amusing. At times, he found himself admiring her features, noting the contrast between her dark hair and hazel eyes.
"Did you listen, or...?" Victoria trailed off, noticing his distant expression.
"So sorry, I didn't mean to space out," Regulus apologized quickly.
"No need for apologies. I don't blame you; I can be annoying sometimes," Victoria joked.
"I didn't find what you said annoying. You just have really pretty features," Regulus blurted out, immediately regretting his words. "I didn't mean—"
"Once again, no need for apologies. You have really pretty features too," Victoria interrupted with a warm smile.
Regulus let out a shaky laugh, relieved by her response. Victoria didn't find any of their conversation awkward; instead, she found it refreshing to talk to someone who was different from her usual circle of friends.
"Okay, Emerson, you're much taller than me!" Marco conceded defeat, finally giving up on arguing with the stubborn Emerson.
"Exactly! I will be at one point anyway. Just you wait!" Emerson declared triumphantly, already looking forward to the day when she could tease Marco about being shorter than her. She didn't consider herself tall or short, just average height.