Feelings
Marlene had been careful not to scare away these friends, after all, she usually distanced herself. She'd probably have gone back to her caravan and smoked had they not become mermaids overnight. She was now, somehow, walking to the smoothie bar with none other than Mary Macdonald - her polar opposite.
It had been roughly a week since the whole powers and tails incident, and the three girls had met up a total of eighteen times through the course of seven days. School was right around the corner, roughly two days away, and they still didn't have any idea on what to do about their issue.
Mary walked side by side, in sync with Marlene. Mary was wearing a red, leather skirt, a black tank top and massive hoop earrings. Marlene, on the other hand, was wearing denim shorts (which were intended for overweight men), a baggy band tee along with some black sunglasses with silver star studs.
"Where's Lily?" Marlene asked Mary, breaking the tense silence.
"Smoothie bar with James and his mates. Not very safe to be around liquids right now, but his friends probably won't spill anything on her." Mary responded, staring into the clear skies as she fiddled with her fingers. "Sirius is cool, Peter not so much. Remus is so fit, if he wasn't so obviously gay I'd tap that." Mary continued, speaking such profanities shamelessly.
"Blimey, she hangs out with a lot of boys, don't she?" Marlene commented, humorously.
"Eh calling those twinks 'boys' are a bit of a stretch." Mary responded, tilting her head back, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Joking! James Potter is one of the manliest men I know, except for the fact that he screams like a girl when there's a spider." Marlene chuckled, as she fumbled for a lighter and cigar in her tote bag. She placed the cigarette between her lips, and lit it casually, blowing smoke in the opposite direction of Mary.
"God, you're always smoking aren't you?" Mary commented, coughing dramatically. "Never see you around campus without one of them."
"And I never see you around campus without a certain ginger attached to your hip." Marlene put the cigarette between two of her fingers, twirling it around wordlessly, before raising an eyebrow at Mary, who was giving her an extremely frustrated look. "Problem?" Marlene joked.
Mary shook her head, and that's when they arrived at the front of the shopping mall. The building was Modern, with an overall grey theme. It was decorated with lots of windows, lights, and even a car park out front. Mary happily hopped through the automatic doors, as Marlene cautiously trailed behind her.
Mary showed her around all the different shops, and even some of the blind spots from the security cameras. Marlene ended up leaving Sephora with a free bracelet, along with a bubbly Mary Macdonald next to her. In the quaint little boutique which was near the back of the mall, the girls found themselves surrounded by an array of vibrant women's garments. The two friends couldn't resist the temptation to indulge in some retail therapy, their laughter echoing through the shop as they sifted through robes and dresses.
Marlene twirled in front of the mirror, draped in a flamboyant, emerald-green cloak, while Mary sported a mischievous grin, holding up an eccentric hat adorned with floating feathers. The duo, caught up in the whimsy of the moment, began playfully swapping accessories, creating a mismatched ensemble of hats, scarves, and gloves. The friends revelled in the joy of friendship, which neither were all that familiar with, the magical garments serving as a backdrop to their carefree escapade.
Neither of them eventually bought anything, but Mary revealed after they were farther away that she had sneaked one of the pairs of sunglasses in her handbag. "I never pitched you for the thief type." Marlene wheezed out, through breathless laughter. She was quite fond of Mary, actually.
"Well then I guess I'm pretty good at hiding it." Mary responded, draping her arm over Marlene's shoulders and giggling along with her. Anyone walking past ought to think they were drunk. After a few hours of messing around, Mary and Marlene had come to the joint decision of leaving the mall and heading down to the smoothie bar to join Lily if she was still there.
"I bet you a quid that she's gone by now!" Marlene declared, as they strolled through the flourishing gardens which were located behind the bar.
"With Sirius there? Fat chance, you're on." Mary said, and they both shook on this agreement. They both crept around the back of the bar, before entering from a side-door which specifically has 'Employees Only' painted across it in silver letters.
As they crept in, a figure appeared next to them, a very brooding one in fact. "Can't you read? It's an employee only entry!" Molly Weasly shouted far too loudly. She was six years older than them, and had graduated a bit ago. If Marlene recalled correctly, she was the assistant manager there - and Sirius' cousin worked alongside her. Her navy-blue apron was tied far too tight, Marlene noticed.
Molly was twenty-one, and already pregnant from none other than Arthur Weasly. Marlene didn't know Molly too well, but Arthur lived in the same trailer park as Marlene did before he moved in with Molly at eighteen. Molly had long, curly, ginger hair, freckles and was quite plump. Arthur on the other hand had short, straight, ginger hair, no freckles, big ears and was the size of a twig. They made an unlikely couple, but were nonetheless, undoubtedly in love.
It's sickening.
"Sorry Molly, we're wondering if Lily is still here?" Mary asked, sweetly - as she wore stolen sunglasses. Molly sighed in defeat and pointed her finger over towards a table with none other than Lily, James, and some others whom Marlene didn't care about. Marlene scoffed in disbelief as she placed a sweat-covered cold coin into Mary's hand sneakily.
Lily waved them over, and offered them both seats next to her, so she sat.
"Welcome guys!" Lily said, eagerly. "Everyone introduce yourselves to Marlene, alright?" Lily ordered everybody at the table, earning grunts of annoyance from everybody. Marlene couldn't help but notice how Lily was the only one without a drink, possibly out of fear.
"Peter Pettigrew," One boy spoke up, a chubby and cheerful young boy whose presence radiates joy. His sandy blonde hair, like grains of sunlit sand, adds a warm and inviting touch to his overall appearance. With rosy red cheeks that glow with an infectious happiness, Peter seems to carry a perpetual blush, as if life itself constantly whispers delightful secrets in his ear.
His plump cheeks accentuated the playful roundness of his face, giving him an endearing, cherubic quality. Peter's presence is a celebration of youthful exuberance and unabashed joy, as his radiant personality is mirrored in the sunny hue of his hair and the rosy bloom on his cheeks.
His outfit consisted of a classic plaid shirt paired with comfortably baggy jeans. The plaid shirt, a symphony of earthy tones, features a pattern that weaves together hues like deep burgundy, forest green, and muted mustard. The fabric drapes loosely, offering both style and comfort. The shirt's buttons add a touch of rustic charm, creating a relaxed yet put-together vibe. Paired with the plaid top, the baggy jeans are a study in laid-back coolness.
The denim, a shade of vintage blue, hangs loosely, allowing for ease of movement. The jeans boast a comfortable fit, with a slightly worn-in look that adds character. Together, this plaid shirt and baggy jeans combination strikes the perfect balance between casual and stylish, embodying a carefree, comfortable sense of fashion.
Peter's voice was high pitch and squeaky, like a rat. "I'm friends with Jamie here!" He happily announced, slapping his hand harshly on James' back.
Another boy cleared his throat, Marlene already knew who this was, though. He was a captivating young boy with a gaze that could rival the warmth of the setting sun. His eyes, a mesmerising shade of amber, seem to hold the secrets of countless adventures. Tousled waves of messy brunette hair frame his face, adding an air of untamed charm to his presence. A defined jawline accentuates his features, lending an appealing structure to his countenance. His tanned skin hints at a life spent beneath the open sky, basking in the golden hues of sunlight.
However, what truly sets him apart are the silver scars that crisscross his face like a map of resilience. Each mark tells a story, a testament to the challenges he has faced and overcome, adding an intriguing depth to the enigma and Casanova that is Remus. "Remus Lupin." His voice was raspy and strained, his chin turned upwards slightly.
"Sirius Black!" Another boy interrupted. This boy emanates an unmistakable air of defiance through his distinct appearance. His shoulder-length black hair cascades in wild waves, a statement of untamed rebellion that frames his angular face. Piercings punctuate his features like silver punctuation marks, with studs adorning his eyebrows, nose, and lips. Each metallic accent seems to tell a story of defiance, a personal narrative etched into his skin.
His pale complexion serves as a canvas for his rebellion, an almost ghostly backdrop against which his expressive features stand out boldly. The intensity in his eyes suggests a spirit unbound, a devious flame that refuses to be extinguished. In every detail, from the untamed strands of his hair to the glint of silver in his piercings, he declares his rejection of conformity and embraces a unique, daring identity.
He was infamous as well, known more for pranks and mischief rather than for knowledge and being sexy as Remus was. The last person at the table was a girl, a determined teen with an air of focused intensity. Her wavy, brunette hair falls gracefully around her shoulders, framing a face adorned with thoughtful green eyes. With a notepad clutched in her hands, she sits hunched over the table, pencil moving across the paper in a hurried dance of inspiration.
The serious expression on her face reflects the depth of concentration as she channels her thoughts onto the notepad, capturing ideas with urgency. In this moment, she is a portrait of determination and creativity, a young mind translating the vivid landscapes of her imagination into the tangible strokes of a pencil.
"That's Amelia Bones, she needed help studying and Remus agreed to be her tutor." Lily provided, probably after noticing Marlene's puzzled expression. They were there for twenty more minutes before Marlene had decided to leave. She excused herself politely as she pushed past the others, saying her goodbyes in the form of waves.
Marlene now knew that she preferred big groups.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Regulus hates Thursdays.
Not only was school in a few days, but ever since Sirius ran away he has duties which he never had before - including attending meetings on Thursdays. The moon shone high in the sky, making his shirt stick to his skin through his sweat. Regulus was free to do as he wished almost every day, but on a Thursday he was forced to stay inside until eleven at night.
It was eight-thirty when his phone buzzed inside his pocket during his meeting with the Prime Minister as they discussed inheritance. Really, it was his parents asking how much money and power Regulus will obtain when they die. Not a second too soon, in his opinion. Nobody seemed to notice his phone vibrating, so he thought it'd be safe to check it under the table.
He drowned out the sound of distant chatter with his thoughts, trying to contain his groan when he saw the message on his home screen.
Evan - 8:31
Meet me down the road in five minutes
Barty has a gig at the smoothie bar
Regulus - 8:33
I'm in a meeting, can this not wait?
Evan - 8:33
why are you using punctuation in text you freak
and no it cant wait Reg its a fucking gig
Regulus - 8:33
Don't punish me for not being illiterate, and you know I can't leave until eleven.
Evan - 8:34
Climb out the window then???
Come on Reg take one for the team
Regulus - 8:35
Fine, but I want my objection noted.
[ read - 8:35pm ]
Regulus placed his phone back inside his pocket, and glanced around the table to see if anybody had seen this. Luckily, nobody had. He cleared his throat, as he began to stand up without an excuse. "Mother, Father, is my presence here necessary? I'd like to study, please." His parents shared a glance before placing their hands on the wood, thoughtfully.
"I suppose not, do say thank you to our visitor." His mother insisted, and of course Regulus listened and did as he was told. The only time Regulus had ever disobeyed was when Sirius was on the verge of death, a sword impaling his side - inches away from his vital organs. His mother had commanded Regulus to just stand there and watch, but he couldn't take it anymore. Regulus had ran over towards Sirius' limp, quivering body and dragged him to the hospital by hand.
Regulus was nine when this all happened.
Sirius had only stolen a pen from father's study.
When Sirius ran away, it felt like both a breath of fresh air and being suffocated. Regulus was ecstatic that Sirius was safe now; free. Although, now Regulus was alone here, wanting so desperately to break free just as Sirius did, to live with the Potter's and live a normal life - one that he was so entitled towards. He dreamed of this, but that's all it was, a feeble dream.
He nodded his head quickly, shaking off this feeling of pent-up frustration and anger which had built up inside himself from one look at James, making his cheeks grow red. He scowled from across the crowded dance floor, watching James effortlessly charm everyone around him. The way Potter laughed, his unruly hair catching the dim light, irritated Regulus to no end.
He despised the boy's arrogance, the easy confidence that seemed to draw people in like a magnet. Regulus couldn't deny the growing awareness of Potter's presence, the subtle allure that made him question his own feelings. As the music played on, Regulus discovered an unexpected fascination for the very person he swore to dislike, a sentiment that crept into his heart without him realising it.
Again, he attempted to get rid of these thoughts, which he accomplished by turning to his right and noticing Evan flirtatiously punch Barty's side, which was strange seeing as Regulus didn't even notice Evan walking away from his side. Suddenly, Regulus was very aware that he was now alone in a crowded room, and panic began to creep up inside him. Breathing became more of a chore, and he struggled to control it.