chapter five
Sirius and Remus used to adore watching the quidditch games. Partly in support of their best mate, but also because they could admire Marigold getting all hot and bothered for hours at least interrupted.
“She’s fucking fit,” Sirius grinned, speaking to anyone who would listen.
“One of you needs to make a move already,” Peter rolled his eyes.
“It’s all about longevity, Wormtail,” Remus countered.
“But I suppose you would know about that, the way you leave six feet distance between you and either of the girls that actually give you the time of day,” Sirius teased.
“And who would they be?” Marlene’s dirty blonde hair tickled Peter’s cheek as she leaned forward to get in on the conversation.
“How much of that did you hear?” Remus jumped slightly.
“Enough to note that you two seem to find Marigold or that third year Marley Hill ‘fucking fit’,” Lily smirked, and the boys finally noted how the group of three girls had made their way down the stands throughout the game when others had fled to the warmth of the castle.
“Marigold, definably,” Sirius beamed back at the three, relishing in their looks of satisfaction.
“Padfoot,” Remus questioned.
“Relax, they’ll help us win her over, won’t you girls?”
“Only if you’re nice to her,” Lily warned.
“No ill intent at all, we swear!” Remus agreed.
“They won’t shut up about her,” Peter indulged. “I think they’re seriously in love,”
“Peter you little sneak, you can’t keep any secret can you?” Marlene giggled.
“He’s right, we’re love stricken and in desperate need of Goldie’s adoration and affection,” Sirius laid it on thick, never one to shy away from theatrics.
“Goldie? Wow, you really are charmed huh?” Dorcas laughed this time.
“I say if we win this, we all retire back to our dorm to celebrate,” Remus gave, turning back to the game to watch Marigold as she whacked the blunger with her bat back towards a Ravenclaw.
“And deny our classmates the pleasure?” Marlene pushed, her endless social energy never drained.
“Alright, pregame the victory with some fire whisky in the common room, then I’ll roll us up some papers and we can retire to our beds,” Sirius gave, half jokingly.
“Beds? Oh my god, you boys!” Lily chuckled, shaking her head.
“Wait, I want to know these women giving dear Peter the time of day,” Marlene smiled down at the blonde beneath her.
“Dorcas,” He swallowed thickly, turning around so the pretty girls wouldn’t see him blush. “And you,”
“Well…how charming,” Marlene flirted coyly, watching the game once again.
The red and gold team did in fact win that match, but you would’ve thought it was the world cup the way the six of them jumped up to cheer as James caught the golden snitch. Their three mates in the pitch even looked over at hearing the commotion made.
Marigold looked over all her friends standing with the remainder of the Marauders in the stands, and knew instantly something was brewing. James must have known as well, as he made eye contact with her and smiled. She glanced over at Alexander, who had already flown over to talk to William and a couple other guys in their year.
She figured she might as well see what was the matter, shrugging to James and flying over on her broom to halt directly in front of the Gryffindors.
“Great hits out there babe,” Sirius beamed at her.
“Yeah we were watching you the entire time,” Remus supported.
“Thanks, what’s going on over here?” She did her best to keep her composure at the pet name, her breath already heavy from the game.
“Party tonight in the common room,” Dorcas explained. Lily gave James eyes of adoration as he flew next to the brunette.
“And an after party in our dorm,” Remus informed cheekily.
“They said their beds, actually,” Marlene laughed.
“Beds?!” Marigold was blushing like mad, but laughing even stronger at the insinuation and the feeling it gave her. These were the skinny little twerps she’d gone to school with for four years prior, but suddenly each of them were aware of their maturity.
“I have a secret to tell you,” Lily sang, ignoring James’ cheesy pick up lines.
“Alright,” She nodded and floated a few feet away from the crowd of their friends so Lily could whisper in her ear.
“Sirius and Remus both have the hots for you,” She giggled.
“Well that’s good news,” She glanced back at the boys, who both stood grinning at her, unembarrassed.
"Do you want me to do something?” She asked.
“No thanks Lily, I’ll try something,” Marigold tore her eyes from her admirer’s.
“Wait, with which one?” Lily gasped.
“Which either takes the bait,” Marigold threw her head back to laugh.
“Alright, you two have had enough time, let’s hit the showers and continue this later,” James called over, jokingly jealous of the girls getting a moment alone.
The Ravenclaws and her younger teammate Hill had already left the girls’ locker rooms by the time Marigold was considering getting out of the shower. She must have spent close to half an hour standing under the warm water, smiling to herself and making sure she felt clean enough for a night of flirting.
As she turned off the water, she heard a couple of hushed voices in the locker area. She instantly recognized Remus’ reprimand and the stifled laughter of his best friend Sirius.
Her jaw dropped with surprise, and nervousness. They were good guys, even if Sirius had a reputation as a lady’s man and Remus was often considered mysterious. She knew they weren’t in there to cause her any harm, so she racked her brain with what to do next now that she knew the three were all there, Marigold’s clothing nonexistent till she reached the lockers.
“Sirius and Remus,” She called out, pulling the curtain to only allow her head to stick out.
“Yes ma’am!” Remus returned after a few moments of struggle between the boys.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes!” Sirius answered.
“Good,” She smirked to herself. She wrapped the white towel around her body and exited the shower completely. “What are you doing in here, you better not get caught!”
“Peter’s waiting for James, we were sent to escort you to the party,” Sirius explained, both the boys stood with their backs to her, eyes on the ceiling or wall.
“Curious... where are my girls?” She opened her locker, glancing at the back of their heads.
“Lily and Dorcas are setting up, Marlene and your brother are getting the word out,” Remus sighed shakily, evidently nervous to be in the situation at hand.
“So you’re not here to watch me shower and get dressed?” She feigned disappointment.
“We are if you want us to be-“ She could hear the smirk in Sirius’ voice.
“He’s joking, he’s joking!” Remus laughed nervously, ever the gentleman.
“It’s okay if you were,” She flirted, tossing the towel behind her into the bin. “You can look if you want,”
Sirius and Remus looked at each other, nearly snapping their necks with the speed and force of the turn. Their eyes were the size of saucers, smiles etched with surprise and delight. They spared a glance over their shoulders.
Marigold stood proudly with her hands on her hips, fully dressed much to the boys’ surprise. She wore her famous ripped bell bottoms and a tight crimson turtle neck, her robe and wand in her hands.
“Come on, you trouble makers,” She shook her head, laughing at the trick she pulled off. She led them out of the locker room after deeming the coast clear.
In an act of good sportsmanship, the Ravenclaws and been invited party as well, and then joined the Hufflepuffs, and eventually even some Slytherins.
“Well, you three coming in late, all together,” James sat on the common room couch between Lily and Peter. Marlene perched on the arm of the sofa closest to Peter, while Dorcas leaned on the one nearest to Lily.
“Nothing happened,” Marigold tried to hide the flush in her cheeks with her hands.
“The boys do look awful bashful,” Lily giggled.
“Alright,” She tried to flee, embarrassed for the boys to see her so red, and worried they’d start to hear how fast her heart was beating.
“Not so fast,” Sirius grabbed her wrist before she could cross in front of him, and tugged her down on the opposite sofa.
Remus was quick at their heels, jumping into place so that she was once again squished between them. They got plenty comfortable, spreading their knees and slouching down, Remus’ arm around her shoulders, Sirius’ hand on her knee.
Marigold wasn’t one so used to physical touch. Her family didn’t express their affection in that manner, spare maybe a hug on holidays or birthdays. The way Alexander and William were always so close was beginning to make his older sister believe there was something between the two.
She understood now, however, how deliciously intoxicating it was to have a cute guy snuggled up close to you. She decided she quite liked the warmth of it all, though she didn’t know if she preferred one or the other between the two boys.
The room was filling up quickly with members of every house, years fourth and up. If Sirius and Remus had wanted to speak they likely would have had to raise their voices, but thankfully they didn’t. The three sat there, silent and content on watching the shameless flirting of James and the shy acceptance from Lily.
“Longbottom’s gonna do a trick!” A Hufflepuff yelled, and Marigold mindlessly hopped up to watch.
At some point in the night, Sirius made an escape upstairs, Peter and Marlene following him. Lily and James sat almost in their exact same spots as the night was coming to an end, chatting to a few Ravenclaws on the Quidditch team.
Alexander and William had all but disappeared under everyone’s noses, leaving Marigold, Dorcas and Remus.
“Oh my god, he’s finally alone,” Dorcas whispered to her best friend.
“Kasson?” Her green eyes found the man in question alone leaning against the far side of the fireplace, looking bored. Likely because neither Snape nor Malfoy had joined him to the event.
“Romeo,” She sang, tipsy and flushed from the night of drinking.
“Alright Tiger, you want to go talk to him?” Marigold mused.
“Oh my god, what would I say?” Dorcas fretted.
“Hi Romeo, I’m Dorcas Meadowes, I’m in love with you and I think I might want to have your babies. Doesn’t that sum it up?” She giggled as she backed closer to the guy, facing her best friend still.
“No! I can’t, that’s not funny!” Dorcas shrieked with a laugh, evidently, it was funny. Or she was just drunk as a skunk.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry I bumped into you!” Marigold apologized insincerely, having lightly but precisely almost stepped on Kasson’s foot.
“It’s fine.” He dismissed cooly, looking between Dorcas and Marigold.
“I’m such a klutz, but have you met my best friend Dorcas?” She pulled the quiet girl to her side.
“No, we’ve had classes since first year, but I don’t think we’ve spoken,” He shook his head and offered a hand to Dorcas.
“I’ve got it from here,” Dorcas whispered.
“Are you sure?” Marigold exchanged.
“Yes, go save your prince charming,” She nodded her head to a far chair under a window where Remus sat glumly, a Slytherin girl standing in front of him looking agitated at his short responses.
Marigold took a deep breath before approaching, knowing she held no claim to the man. She mulled over her options, she could either watch from a distance or go over and offer a distraction. She figured she ought to offer at least.
As she got closer, Remus caught her eyes and began to smile, sitting up a little straighter and ignoring the green-clad woman once more as she spoke about herself.
“Remy,” Marigold hummed, pleased at his reaction to see her.
“Gold,” He smiled back at her innocently, and near loopy from the drinks.
“We were having a conversation,” The girl tried to turn to Marigold.
When she did, Marigold took that as an opportunity to slide right past her and place herself on Remus’ lap. Her legs straddled his waist in the large arm chair, and she placed her hands gingerly on his shoulders.
The two looked at each other with questions, gauging whether too many boundaries were being crossed. Hesitantly, Remus looped his idle hands around her waist.
“Fuck you two,” The unwanted woman slurred before stepping back to her friend group.
“Thanks, I’ve been trying to get her to leave for ten minutes at least,” He sighed.
“What are friends for?” She shrugged, offering him a flirtatious smile. Before their foreheads could connect or their lips could touch or their hands could explore, a voice startled them.
“Ought to move this up to your bed, don’t you think, Remus?” Sirius had a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Siri,” Marigold let out with a chuckle, her heart pounding at an alarming rate.
“You finished rolling?” Remus asked the boy.
“Yeah, hurry up, and you better leave room for me in that bed!” Sirius nodded, looking over at James to signal a move upstairs.
Kasson and the other Slytherins had left, almost all the Ravenclaws as well. The only individuals still in the common room when the marauders and their female counterparts retreated up to smoke were a handful of Hufflepuffs and the older Gryffindors.
The door was shut behind Sirius who led Dorcas up with him on the trail of his best friend and his crush. She plopped face down on his bed, and was instantly berated with questions about Kasson by Lily and James.
Marlene and Peter were laying half off his bed upside down, their heads dangling near the floor, a solid three feet between their bodies, but lost in the same joint they passed between themselves. It must have been only recently lit, as it remained mostly there.
“Mind if I borrow this?” Marigold tucked her messy hair behind an ear and reached for Marlene’s joint.
“Of course darling, try it, it’s wonderful,” Marlene giggled.
“Sirius is the best at rolling,” Remus complimented, sitting back against his headboard, and grabbing a throw blanket.
“Ah but you’re the best at packing our bowls,” Sirius flattered, sitting in the same position, only a foot away.
“Yes yes, you’re both great with your hands I hear,” Marigold smirked, took a puff, and settled comfortably between the two in the bed.
“Whoa whoa!” James laughed loudly across the room at the quip.
As she exhaled the smoke above their heads, Remus cast a smell-disintegrating charm and Sirius gently took the weed. Only, instead of grabbing it from her fingers with his hand like a normal person, he leaned his head down to her hand and put his lips on it.
As the night wore on later, and the kids got more cross-faded, it became more apparent how sleepy everyone was becoming. Sure they still laughed obnoxiously and made jokes, telling long-winded stories and listening to a Led Zeppelin record.
The weed may have torn down inhibitions and communication barriers, but it did nothing for the cold castle’s draftiness. Marigold had gotten under the warm covers only a half hour into the hangout, both guys on her either side grateful for the warmth as well.
“Alright girls, I’m gonna head back to our dormitory,” Marlene stood from Peter’s bed where he snoozed.
“Me too, don’t want any rumors spread about our activities or whereabouts,” Lily agreed, stretching her arms over her head.
“You coming girl?” Marlene leaned on the bed poster, looking down at Marigold snuggled nicely between her two boys.
“Nah, the rumors don’t bother me,” She shook her head.
“Don’t bother Dorcas, she can stay too,” Sirius mumbled, his eyes closed already.
“We’ll take care of her,” Remus agreed with a yawn.
James did his best to convince the ginger to stay the night, promising he wouldn’t do anything cheeky, but she affectionately declined. When the door shut softly behind the girls, Remus was laying on his stomach, one leg hooked over Marigold’s. Sirius laid on his side to fully face the girl and held her hand on her stomach. She faced the ceiling, beyond comfortable and content.