Chapter 10
The first days back to school, for Lily, were quite… grounded. Grounded, of course, in the sense that they were a mixture between good and bad, like the way believers see heaven and hell. One is up, the other is down, and Lily was right there in the middle. On Earth.
That’s how Lily thought about it, at least. This combination of lows and highs.
A high: the way Mary’s hands found her waist when they hugged on the Hogwarts Express.
A low: feeling the way Lily subconsciously distanced herself from Mary to try and make her feelings go away. Because, even though she promised herself she wouldn’t let anything change between them, she couldn’t help it. How could she carry on with Mary like usual, when all she wanted to do was feel her lips against her own, breathe in her exhales, memorise the patterns of brown in her eyes, and run her hands along every one of her curves? How could she let Mary touch her, when she didn’t know what it meant to Lily?
She couldn’t.
It felt wrong to do this to Mary. It felt wrong to let her be as close as she wanted to Lily, because Lily was enjoying it much more than she ought to. It felt wrong to push her away, because Mary wasn’t aware of the the fucking storm inside Lily’s head, and she would feel guilty, wondering what she’d done to deserve that.
But she didn’t deserve that. She didn’t deserve any of it, yet she had to put up with it, simply because Lily couldn’t keep her emotions at bay. Just great.
Marlene had kept her promise, and she hadn’t betrayed her trust, but she often gave Lily knowing glances. Lily could feel that she wanted to talk to her about how she was handling the whole situation, but Lily honestly couldn’t imagine anything worse, so she evaded her with half-hearted excuses and surrounded herself with people at all times (who would’ve thought she’d be doing that willingly anytime soon?).
***
“This has to stop, Lily.” Marlene whispered to her in the library one afternoon. Lily had gone there precisely because she wanted to ignore everyone and get some time to herself, some silence. Apparently, Marlene had other plans.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Lily said, not lifting her eyes from her book.
“Don’t play dumb. I know you’ve been avoiding me because we both know what I want to tell you.”
“Good job, Sherlock, you figured it out.” Lily said sarcastically. “Why are you here, then?”
“Because you still need to hear it, Lils, and I’m not going until we have this conversation, so you better get comfortable.” Marlene declared, crossing her arms and sitting on the table, less than a metre from Lily.
“Fine.” Lily sighed, running her eyes across the last page of the chapter before dog-earing the page she was on and closing the book. “Talk.”
Marlene, who had apparently been expecting a much different reaction, hesitated for a few seconds before regaining her composure.
“Okay. I think you’re being really stupid and inconsiderate right now.” She said bluntly. Lily opened her eyes wide, not expecting her to be so direct.
“How is what I’m doing inconsiderate?” Lily defended herself. “It’s not like I am the one getting anything out of it.”
“Neither is Mary.” Marlene retorted. “You’re just going to end up hurting her, and yourself, when it can be easily prevented.”
“But it’s not fair to her either way!” Lily practically shouted, because she wished Marlene would just understand.
Realistically, she knew Marlene couldn’t magically appear inside her mind and comprehend exactly what she was feeling, but Lily really didn’t want to have to explain it. Everytime she tried, she felt a knot in her stomach, a lump in her throat, and she started seeing everything through tear-tinted glasses. Lily hated crying in general, but she especially despised doing it in front of other people.
“Lily…” Marlene softened, “You need to stop overthinking everything. I know why you may feel like that, but-”
“But you don’t really know, Marls. Nobody does. It’s like… in my head, everything is very clear and perfectly laid out, but whenever I try to explain it, it just… it gets lost on the way.” Lily murmured.
“It’s alright.” Marlene assured her. “I just want- need you to know that you don’t need to do all this. I promise you’re not being selfish or anything like that. You can’t help who you fall for, okay? It’s not your fault, and it’s not Mary’s fault. Don’t feel like you have to stop being close to her, because you really don’t.”
“So, you’re saying it’s all Cupid’s fault?” Lily smiled softly, trying to lighten the situation.
Marlene chuckled. “That is exactly what I’m saying, Lily. Fuck Cupid!”
“Fuck Cupid.” Lily agreed. “And, er… thank you, Marlene. Really.” Lily said, looking into Marlene’s eyes to let her know she meant it.
“Anytime.” The girl smiled. “Now, go be best friends with Mary. Enjoy yourself.” Marlene grinned, taking Lily’s arm and guiding her out of the library.
***
“What do you think you’re doing, Evans?” Mary questioned.
They had just arrived at the common room after having dinner, and Lily took a seat in her usual spot on the sofa, book in hand.
“Reading?” She said, unsure, feeling vulnerable under Mary’s gaze.
“It’s late, though.” Mary argued. “Don’t you think you should go to sleep?” She said. Lily could tell she was plotting something.
“Not really.” Lily shrugged, finding the page she had last read. “Why do you care so much, anyway?”
“Have you seriously forgotten a years-in-the-making tradition?” Mary said, feigning offence. “Tomorrow’s your birthday, Lils!” Mary said, taking her by the shoulders and shaking her, as if that would somehow make her words sink in faster.
“I really don’t see how you can possibly think that waking me up at the crack of dawn is the best present to give me on my birthday, but okay.” Lily shrugged.
Every year, on the 18th of January, Lily was woken up by Mary and Marlene, right between the end of the night and the start of the day, when the sky was painted by oranges and pinks, and the sun was just peeking his head out in between the mountains.
Once they had properly showered her with kisses and birthday wishes, the three of them would go to the boys’ dorm so they could all get together and give Lily her presents. Of course, the tradition stood for all birthdays, but it originated on Lily’s 12th birthday, so it felt a bit more special when it was her birthday.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” Mary said, intertwining their fingers together and leading Lily to their room.
“Fine.” Lily said, rolling her eyes, but how could she complain with Mary’s hand in hers?
“Goodnight.” Mary said in a sing-song voice once they arrived. “And goodbye to 16 year-old Lily, forever.” She said dramatically, pretending to wipe a tear from her eye.
Lily chuckled, but the sound died in her mouth when Mary hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. Lily would not make it to seventeen, because she just died inside at that very moment, melting right into Mary’s hands.
“Goodnight, Mary.” Lily said once they had sprung apart. She climbed into her bed and pulled the curtains around it, putting on her pyjamas before completely ignoring Mary’s demands and using her wand as a nightlight to continue reading.
She was just three chapters away from finishing her book when the bed hangings suddenly opened, and Lily saw Mary staring disapprovingly at her with one hand on her hip.
“Seriously, Lily?” She said, unimpressed. Even wearing a simple nightgown and a bonnet on her head, she looked absolutely breathtaking. Lily was fucked.
“But I’m almost finished.” Lily complained.
“There are more than a hundred pages left in that book of yours, Lils. You’re going to sleep now.” Mary ordered.
“Make me.” Lily challenged in a stroke of boldness. She’d have time to panic about it later.
For now, she could simply focus on the way Mary looked at her before forcefully removing the book from Lily’s hands and placing it on her bedside.
“I won’t let you be cranky on your birthday.” Mary said. “I’m afraid I’ll have to stay here to make sure you don’t do any other stupid things.” She smiled, and then jumped into bed with Lily, pulling the covers over her whole body.
“Really, Mary?” Lily said, her heart beating faster and louder with every second that passed.
“Really.” Mary asserted, looking at Lily in the gloomy light. “Now sleep.” She said, booping Lily’s nose with her index finger and placing a hand on Lily’s eyes, forcing her to close them.
Lily didn’t complain. Maybe Marlene was right, after all. If Mary thought this was what best friends did, who was Lily to tell her otherwise? Let Mary decide which boundaries to push. How far their friendship went. Lily simply had to go with it. What could be easier than that?
***
“Happy birthday!”
Lily was woken up by her two best friends, jumping on top of her as she blinked her sleepiness out of her eyes.
Both Mary and Marlene were wearing party hats (glued onto a hair pin so it looked more fashionable and didn’t ruin their hairstyle), and Lily sighed as she saw a tiara in Mary’s hands.
“No.” Lily said simply, pointing at the crown. There was no way she was putting that on.
Obviously, the tiara was on her freshly-brushed hair less than five minutes later and the girls, still in their pyjamas, went up to the boys’ dorm, giggling and hugging Lily every two seconds.
“Your first birthday present, as always, is annoying the boys into waking up.” Marlene grinned, opening the door that led to their room.
“My favourite activity of the day.” Lily joked.
Once everyone was rudely awakened, with frowns on their faces and occasionally yawning, Marlene made them all form a circle, placing wrapped-up packages at the centre of it.
Lily ended up between Marlene and Remus, with Mary practically in front of her.
“Okay, before you start with the presents,” Sirius said, “I would just like to say that I think it should be illegal for someone’s birthday to be so close to Christmas. I can barely think of one present for each of you, let alone two.” He complained.
“Shut up, Sirius.” Lily smiled. “It’s not my fault you’re a Valentine’s baby.” She said, making Sirius fake-gasp with a hand on his chest.
“Yeah,” Mary agreed, “stop making everything about yourself for once, Black, and let Lily open her presents in peace.” She said jokingly, urging Lily to take one of the gifts.
Lily opened Marlene’s first, which turned out to be a beautiful sky blue dress that Lily had been banging on about for months.
Next up came an ABBA record from Sirius (as much as he complained about not knowing what to give her, it made Lily pretty happy), an assortment of sweets (courtesy of Peter) wrapped in crumpled paper with too much tape on it; a set of quills and inks from Remus (Lily had seen it many times on Scrivenshaft’s window, and knew how much it must’ve cost him, so she made sure to thank him profusely).
James gave her a fucking owl, which Lily was way too excited about. Her parents didn’t want to buy her one (something about it not being fair to Petunia, even though it was the only way for Lily to communicate with her friends while at home without them having to send something first), so James thought the night-black owl would be a nice gift. Honestly, Lily had stopped trying to understand rich people long ago, so she wasn’t as surprised as she would’ve been during her first or second year.
“So, what are you going to name it?” James asked, grinning at her proudly.
“I don’t know…” Lily shrugged. “You guys know I’m shit at making decisions of any kind.”
“Oh, c’mon, Lils, whatever pops into your mind.” Marlene insisted, trying to pet the nameless owl by putting her finger between the bars on its cage, and recoiling, betrayed, after it tried to bite her.
“Hey, it’s my birthday. I’m allowed to refuse to do things. You guys choose.” Lily said, taking the cage away from Marlene, who made the same mistake two more times, and Sirius was getting dangerously close to following her footsteps.
“What about…” Started Remus thoughtfully. “Nah, I’m stumped.” He sighed. “I suppose anything having to do with the colour of its plumage would be too obvious to appeal to you, right?” He asked Lily, who nodded, a bit distracted by the last present standing in front of her, which could only be Mary’s.
They brainstormed a bit over the next few minutes, each name more ridiculous than the last, until Mary declared she’d had an epiphany.
“Oh, I’ve got it!” She exclaimed excitedly. “Bella.” The others looked at her, confused, but Lily thought it was absolutely perfect. Although, she may be a bit biassed, because Mary could suggest the most idiotic name to ever leave someone’s mouth, and Lily would think it marvelous.
“Now, Mary, I’m not really fluent in Italian, but I’m pretty sure that’s not how you pronounce it.” Sirius said.
“That’s ‘cause it’s not Italian, you idiot.” Mary retorted, rolling her eyes. “It’s Spanish.” She said, slowly, as if she was talking to a bunch of toddlers. “It means beautiful, but in feminine, because it’s an owl.”
“Er… Aren’t owls male and female, too?” Peter asked, genuinely confused as Mary rolled her eyes once more, exasperated. Lily thought it looked good on her but, honestly, what didn’t?
“Merlin, it’s like I’ve got to explain everything to you lot. Pretty much every noun and adjective has a feminine and a masculine form, you nitwits. It just so happens that owl is a femenine word, but I don’t have it in me to give you all a grammar lesson.”
“Well, I think it really fits her, Mary.” Lily said. “And, since it’s only my opinion that matters today, Bella it is.” She proclaimed, smiling brightly at Mary. “Thank you, Mary. And thank you, James, for the gift.” She said sincerely.
Mary barely gave him a chance to respond before she practically begged Lily to open her present, squeezing between the birthday girl and Remus, handing her a neatly-wrapped rectangular package.
Lily tried her best to not rip the wrapping paper, which slowed things down quite a bit, until Mary took matters into her own hands, literally, taking the present and ripping away its cover.
“Here you go.” She smiled, winking at her, and Lily thought about how utterly stupid it was to hold a gift in her hands, when she’d just gotten the best one right at that moment. Oh, she was completely and irrevocably fucked.
Ignoring her private little crisis, Lily looked down at her lap, finding a muggle book, by the looks of it, bound in brown leather with golden letters engraved on it.
“Open it, open it!” Mary demanded, looking at her so intensely that Lily’s hands started shaking a bit.
On the very first page, Lily found a paragraph in Mary’s fancy handwriting, and smiled as she read it. It could’ve been the same letter again and again, and Lily would still love it, because it was just for her. Just for her.
“Happy 17th birthday Lily! I actually read a book for you, who would’ve thought? I think you’ll like this (and the little notes I’ve put in it for you). It took me an embarrassing amount of time to finish this, actually, so I hope you love it. And I hope you don’t kill me for writing (with actual ink) on a book. Enjoy!”
Lily flipped through the pages and, sure enough, on almost every single one of them, she could see sentences, or just simple words, scattered across the margins, or any blank space Mary was able to find.
“I love it.” Lily said, closing the book and carefully placing her present on the floor before hugging Mary tightly. “Really.” She added, feeling Mary smile even when she couldn’t see her face.
***
“Where’s Mary?” Lily asked, emerging from the shower about half an hour later.
“Ouch.” Marlene said jokingly. “She said she’d wait for us in the common room.” She shrugged. Lily squinted her eyes at her, but Marlene seemed to have nothing to hide (how blissful that must be, Lily thought).
“Okay.” Lily nodded, grabbing her clothes from the top of her trunk and opening her bed curtains (had she closed them before leaving? She couldn’t remember).
There, on top of the covers, Lily found a painting.
It wasn’t very big, probably about thirty or forty centimetres, but it was beautiful. Merlin, it was so beautiful. Much like the girl who had painted it, Lily suspected.
In it, the sky was cloudy and grey, and Lily could make out tiny little snowflakes falling from it all the way down onto the buildings and streets of Diagon Alley. Christmas lights were hanging from the balconies, and there, on the far left, were two girls sitting on a table, sharing a meal and smiling at each other. Mary and Lily.
Mary had painted their definitely-not-a-date date they'd had over the holidays, and it was the most precious thing Lily had ever laid her eyes upon (Lily thought it would be too cringy to say that it was actually second to Mary herself, but she couldn’t stop herself from thinking it).
Lily picked it up, holding her breath, and admired it once more. On the right corner of it, Lily saw Mary’s signature in black. She noticed the amount of details that Mary had included in her work. The spider necklace. The lily necklace. The exact outfit Lily was wearing that day, all the way down to her baby blue socks. Everything.
She flipped it over, not really expecting anything, just to properly take all of it in, but stopped when she saw something written on the back of the canvas.
“Te amo. Te quiero. Te adoro. Me encantas. Con cariño, Mary.”
Lily, of course, had no idea what any of it meant, but her friend’s name on it warmed her all the same.
“Hey, Marls?” Lily said, turning around.
“Huh?” The girl answered, looking up from her tie knot. “What’s that?”
“It’s… Mary left it for me in my bed, I’m pretty sure.”
“Oh, it’s so cute!” Marlene practically squealed, regarding the painting. “See, what did I tell you? Hope is not lost, my dear Lily.”
“I’m sure it’s not like that.” Lily said. She couldn’t afford to think, even for a second, that there was any possibility of her thing (which wasn’t a thing at all, she reminded herself) with Mary working out, or else she’d be even more heartbroken when it didn't. “But, since you’re so invested, you wouldn’t happen to know what any of this means, right?” Lily asked, though she knew it was probably pointless.
“Well, that means Mary.” Marlene said, pointing at the only word Lily had also identified.
“No shit. I mean the other stuff.” Lily clarified, rolling her eyes.
Marlene frowned. “Well, I thought “te” meant tea, but I highly doubt she loves tea to the extent of writing it three times, even if she’s become a bit more British over time.” She shrugged. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright. Why do you think she didn’t give it to me when we were opening all the gifts? Or at least in person?” Lily wondered.
“No idea. She was probably embarrassed.” Marlene explained. “I mean, this is basically a love confession.” Lily shook her head, cradling the picture like it was her most prized possession. Truth be told, it probably was.
“Okay, shall we go down?” Lily asked once she had finished dressing.
“Hang on.” Marlene said, her hands behind her back. She could barely contain her smile.
“Marls,” Lily complained, “you got me another present?”
“Couldn’t resist.” Lily opened her mouth to protest. They had agreed on only one gift each, so as to not show any favouritism, but no one really stuck to it much. “Don’t even start, Lily. Mary got you a second gift, too, and I don’t see you complaining.”
“Fine.” She said, crossing her arms, though she wasn't really all that fussed.
Marlene handed her yet another book, though this one was heavier.
“Collected poems of Sappho.” Lily read the title, smiling fondly despite herself.
“Thought it was fitting.” Marlene grinned.
Lily was suddenly engulfed by a wave of gratitude towards her friend, and couldn’t resist the urge to hug her. She even got a bit teary-eyed just thinking about how nice Marlene was, how good of a friend she was.
“Thank you.” She said. They both knew she wasn’t really talking about the present. “I love you, you know?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Marlene waved a hand dismissively once they had sprung apart. “Save it for Mary.” She teased, and Lily elbowed her gently.
“Shut up.”
***
“Oi, Lily,” Mary shouted as she saw her entering the Great Hall, “where’s your tiara?”
“Oh, no.” Lily said, her face flat. “I forgot it, how sad.” She deadpanned, sitting next to Mary, who was still dutifully wearing the party hat. Apparently, she’d convinced the boys to wear them, too.
“Well, it’s a good thing I came prepared.” Mary smirked, taking out another tiara, identical to the one forgotten on the bathroom counter, and placing it delicately atop Lily’s hair. “You’re welcome.” She grinned, and Lily rolled her eyes.
“Thank you. Not for this,” Lily said, gesturing to her crown, “but for… the other thing.” She looked at Mary significatively, making sure she got it.
“You liked it?” She asked, almost shyly. She was so cute.
“I mean… It’s not the galaxy, but it’ll do.” Lily teased. “But, seriously, I loved it.” She added.
Mary looked disorientated for a few seconds, before realisation dawned on her.
“Oh, Marlene, I’m going to fucking kill you!” She announced, making the blond girl look up from her plate, brows furrowed.
“What did I do now?” She complained, raising her arms in a confused gesture.
Mary didn’t respond, opting instead for getting up and starting to chase after Marlene, who was running for her life with a piece of toast in her mouth.
Merlin, Lily loved these people. All of them.
***
Dorcas stepped foot into the potions classroom that day, her brand new electric blue braids brushing their waist with every stride, and got immediately annoyed by the sight of one Marlene McKinnon, glaring daggers at them.
They rolled her eyes, settling into her seat and taking out their supplies. She glanced back at the blonde, showing her their middle finger. Marlene stuck her tongue out immediately after, and looked away to complain about something Mary had told her.
Dorcas was tired that day. They’d spent several hours with Regulus, talking about the new developments his life had suffered throughout the holidays. A few tears were shed here and there but, ultimately, it did more good than damage. The only problem was that Dorcas had severely underslept.
Their eye bags were more pronounced and noticeable, her blinks more spaced out, and she was extremely irritable (more than usual, and that’s saying something).
So, when professor Slughorn announced he’d be mixing up all the work partners, having handpicked everyone very meticulously, according to him, it took Dorcas an infinite amount of strength to contain a frankly exasperated groan or pull their hair out.
“Now, children,” Slughorn continued in his usual halo of superiority, “keep in mind that these will be the couples you’ll stay in for the remainder of the term, so do your best to work as a team, together, and understand each other.”
Dorcas was only half-listening to him, too busy drawing triangles with common edges between them all over her parchment paper. They were already dreading what was to come and, if they thought about it more than superficially for more than two seconds, she’d either burst into tears of pure frustration or knock the table upside down (it was nailed onto the ground, mind you, so they weren't playing around).
“As I said, every pair has been carefully assembled by me, so I trust they will all work out perfectly. Once assigned, your partner cannot be changed, under any circumstances, so I recommend you try to get along.”
Dorcas thought the only person she wouldn’t mind being paired up with would be Mary, honestly. They weren’t friends, but that drunken night at the party had brought them a step further than simple indifference. Hell, they even nodded at each other when they crossed paths on the corridors (if Marlene wasn’t there, of course).
Slughorn started listing off names, in groups of two, and pointed at the table they should both make themselves comfortable at, until there was only a handful of people to be coupled up.
“Dorcas Meadowes, and…” Please don’t say McKinnon, please don’t say McKinnon, please don’t say- “Ah, miss McKinnon.” The professor grinned, delighted, even acting a bit surprised, as if he hadn’t been the one to pair them up in the first place.
“Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Dorcas complained under their breath, shaking her head disapprovingly as Slughorn pointed to where they were seated, indicating Marlene to grab her stuff and join them.
At least Dorcas wouldn’t have to do the walk of shame from their seat to McKinnon’s. And, at least it wasn’t Snape. That was her, always so bloody lucky.
“What are you so angry about now?” Marlene demanded, sighing as she crossed her arms. Dorcas thought that girl needed an ego check immediately.
“What, you’re telling me this is your ideal situation?” Dorcas countered, crossing their arms as well. “Oh, wait, I forgot you’re helplessly in love with me.” She winked, moving their stuff to the edge of the table so it would be as far away from Marlene’s as possible.
“Obviously I’m not happy about this outcome, Meadowes, but you’ve been angry and looking like shit since before you knew about any of this.” She said, rolling her eyes.
“Merlin, stop with the compliments already, I’m getting flustered.” Dorcas retorted sarcastically, making Marlene roll her eyes yet again. Dorcas hoped they got stuck on the back of McKinnon’s head, actually, but she refrained from saying so.
“Just tell me what’s bothering you already.”
“Well, that’d be you, at the moment.” Dorcas smirked.
“You know damn well what I mean.”
“What’s with the sudden interest? It’s not helping your case about you not being in love with me at all.”
“I’m just curious.” Marlene said through gritted teeth. “Besides, if this is the influence of someone, I really have to thank them. Half of my work is done already.”
“Aw, it’s so cute how you’re literally saying that your only purpose in life is to annoy me, which is just another excuse to be close to me.” Dorcas said, plastering a fake smile over their face.
Marlene opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Slughorn (seriously, did this man ever shut up?).
“Now, couples,” he announced, saying the word almost suggestively, which Dorcas thought was downright repulsive, “the first project you’re going to be working on is the Draught of Living Death, a very powerful, and therefore dangerous, potion, which causes the drinker to fall into a deep, death-like slumber, so be careful when brewing it. You’ll find the ingredients and instructions in your books, if you’d be so kind as to open them.”
Rustling could be heard as everyone rummaged through their belongings, their hands deep-diving into their bags to retrieve “Advanced Potion-Making”, their book for the year. Dorcas, of course, already had their book in front of her even before the class started, and had put their bookmark on the right page as soon as the professor started talking about the Sleeping Draught.
“Wonderful. Now, on the half-way stage, your potion should become a beautiful shade of pale lilac, such as this one.” Slughorn said, lifting up a glass vial with the started potion in it. “I’ll do some rounds at the end of the class to check your progress, so stay alert.”
Dorcas looked at her open textbook, going over the ingredients in their mind. She got up to collect them from the shelves, creating a mental image of each one as they approached the broad exposition of potions and their components.
They grabbed everything they could in one trip, then made a second one for the knives and mortars they’d both need to properly get the ingredients ready.
When Dorcas dropped it all on the table, arranging everything neatly once they’d gotten their hands free, she noticed Marlene staring at her discontently.
“What, are you just going to do everything by yourself why I rot here?” She asked.
“Well, I don’t see you helping, McKinnon.” Dorcas retorted. She would not be feeling guilty for not bossing this girl around. Marlene was more than capable of finding something to do, or asking if Dorcas needed her help.
“You didn’t even give me a chance!” Marlene complained, raising her hands in exasperation.
“Fine, I’ll give it to you now, then.” Dorcas said. “Why don’t you chop and then grind the Root of Asphodel?” They asked, trying their best not to snap at her. Even if Dorcas didn’t like her, they understood that, to actually do good on their assignments together, they both had to cooperate, and be a bit civil around each other. Of course, that didn’t mean they had to like it, because Dorcas certainly didn’t.
“Why don’t you get your head out of your ass?” Marlene said mockingly.
“You literally just asked for something to do.” Dorcas scoffed. “I’m simply granting you your wish, McKinnon, but don’t get used to it.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Marlene muttered, taking a knife and chopping. To her credit, she stopped cursing under her breath about halfway through, which was something, but the frown didn’t leave her face. That should’ve appeased Dorcas but, for some reason, it didn’t.
“C’mon now, girl,” they said in their best Slughorn voice, “you’ve got to work together, or else the harmony in the world will break, and rainbows will fall from the sky.” She continued, trying to hold in their laughter. “Speaking of the sky, let me tell you a little story that has absolutely nothing to do with it, and everything to do with my pathological need for attention and the satisfaction I get from hearing my own voice.”
Dorcas could see that Marlene wanted to laugh, but was trying her best not to, for the sake of her reputation. Eventually, though, a snort escaped her. Dorcas knew she could make her laugh. Take that, McKinnon.
Dorcas smirked, seeing Marlene look absolutely mortified that she’d laughed at something her rival had said.
Dorcas went back to work, shaking the bottle containing the infusion of Wormwood before taking the stopper out and adding it to the already boiling potion water in their cauldron.
***
Marlene and Dorcas spent the rest of that lesson bickering, quite predictably.
“Are you fucking mental? That sloth brain can’t go in in those conditions, McKinnon. I’d suggest we use yours instead, seeing as you don’t really use it, but I’m afraid you don’t even have one.”
“Meadowes, if you don’t stop kicking my leg, I’m going to literally rip your foot off and make you eat it.” “I’d like to see you try.” “I bet you would.”, etc.
However, they somehow managed to complete all the steps they were meant to do during that session, and their potion’s colour was damn close to the one depicted in their book by the end of it.
Dorcas looked at Snape’s potion, a bit curious to see if he’d somehow managed to beat them, but his cauldron was steaming way too much, and Dorcas could see a splash of yellow when one of the bubbles formed by the heat popped.
Apparently, Snape had been placed with one of the stupidest Slytherins in their year (Wilkes), probably because Slughorn thought they would balance each other out, or Snape would be a good (ha!) influence on him. If Severus wasn’t such a prick, maybe Dorcas would even feel a bit bad for him, but they had no sympathy at all, knowing exactly how he was.
Marlene had turned to look at the failed draught, too, and their gazes met for a second. They shared an amused look, Dorcas’ mouth tugging up against her will, but they both turned away almost immediately, scowling to make up for that little moment of complicity.
By the end of the class, Slughorn had thoroughly congratulated them (Dorcas may not like the man, but praise was always appreciated), and reminded everyone to check on their potions twice a week for the next two weeks, urging them to come up with a schedule in which each person did the same amount of work.
“Right, and I’ve just got to trust you not to mess up the potion, now?” Dorcas said after they’d been arguing a while, rolling their eyes as she did.
“Why on Earth would I want to sabotage my own potion, Meadowes?” Marlene retorted.
“Well, I’m not saying you’d do it on purpose.” Dorcas argued, smiling smugly as they saw Marlene turn red from anger.
“You know damn well that I’m one of the best in class, Dorcas.” Marlene spat the name, but it honestly caught Dorcas by surprise, making them hesitate a bit. It just sounded… different, in Marlene’s mouth. Must be all the hate in it, Dorcas thought.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Marlene.” Dorcas said, once she’d recovered from the initial shock. To be fair, Marlene wasn’t much better, honestly.
“Not you, obviously.”
“Really? ‘Cause I think I’d be quite good at tiring you out, McKinnon.” Dorcas winked, flustering Marlene a bit.
“With your annoying comments, I don’t doubt it.” She said, though her voice didn’t come out quite as sure as it normally would.
“Anyway, I’ll do Tuesdays, you do Fridays.” Dorcas declared, just wanting to go lay down and ditch whatever class they had next. Priorities were priorities.
“What?” Marlene said, confused, not quite there. “The- the potion, right. Yeah, perfect.” She nodded, then hastily dumped all her belongings inside her bag and joined her friends, who were waiting for her at the door.
Dorcas rolled their eyes. “Goodbye, Marlene.” She shouted with a sort of melody to it, forcing her tone to sound sweet and mellow for the full effect. Marlene turned back, glaring at her, and walked out of the classroom, dragging a giggling Mary behind her.
***
“C’mon, Dorcas.” Pandora basically pleaded, her head on Dorcas’ lap as they stroked her blond hair.
They were sitting on the bleachers, waiting for Regulus and Barty to finish their Quidditch practice. Evan was sitting beside them, doing his homework, and Pandora was pestering Dorcas, as usual.
“No.” Dorcas repeated for the umpteenth time, tugging a bit at a strand of her hair to make themselves understood.
“Why not?” Pandora whined, frowning up at them.
“I don’t like performing in front of people and, as you can see, we’re far from alone right now.” Dorcas explained, gesturing at the little groups formed here and there, chattering amongst themselves.
“You didn’t seem to have a problem with that when you were showing off to Marlene on Halloween.” Evan, the traitor, muttered, not even lifting his gaze from his parchment.
“That was different.” Dorcas scowled. “Besides, I don’t even have my guitar on me right now.”
Almost immediately, she regretted saying anything, because they barely had time to groan before Pandora’s mischievous smile gave way to her summoning Dorcas’ electric guitar with a simple “accio” and a wave of her wand.
“Problem solved.” The girl grinned and, sure enough, a few seconds later, the instrument made its way to Dorcas’ arms delicately (because of course Pandora had to be good at summoning charms, too). “Nobody’s even gonna be listening, Cas.” Pandora rationalised, making puppy eyes at them as she got out of Dorcas’ lap to make space for the guitar. “Do it for me?” She asked, pouting, and Dorcas muffled a laugh, rolling her eyes.
“Fine. But you owe me.” Dorcas sighed, holding their guitar carefully. “What do you want to hear?”
“Something Muggle.” Pandora requested with a wide smile on her face.
Dorcas thought for a second as they enchanted the instrument to sound, even unplugged. They also lowered its volume, just in case a flying Regulus on the pitch wasn’t enough to distract the students from her.
Finally, they found a song in her repertoire they thought would sound good, and started playing the very first notes of “Search and Destroy” by The Stooges.
“Sing!” Pandora urged her excitedly, and Evan nodded encouragingly. Dorcas rolled her eyes, but they weren’t really that annoyed.
So, she started singing a sort of mellowed down version of the song, humming instead of screaming in some parts, their voice softer than the original, but her friends didn’t seem to mind.
Dorcas plucked the strings mindlessly, their fingers moving to the correct chords, and it didn’t take long for them to lose herself in the music, flowing away with it like a jellyfish flows with the waves.
They closed their eyes for a few moments and, when she opened them back up, they found Marlene and James staring at her.
Marlene’s mouth was agape, her eyes following Dorcas’ fingers like they had done at the party. Her hand was grabbing Potter’s arm with force, making her knuckles white. Dorcas was sure they had come there so James could stare at Regulus without the chance of him running away, or maybe they just enjoyed the cold air but, whatever their plans were, they had seemingly been interrupted by Dorcas’ impromptu performance, which had basically frozen Marlene in place.
Dorcas held her gaze as they sang, feeling emboldened, and smirked when, even with the distance separating them, she saw Marlene’s cheeks turn redder by the second until the girl looked away.
When Dorcas finished the song, Evan and Pandora clapped, as did a few of the people that, according to Pandora, wouldn’t even notice them. Marlene didn’t. Not like Dorcas would’ve wanted her to.
Dorcas dropped their guitar by her side, and looked up to find Regulus flying quite closely. He mouthed “show-off” with an amused smile before going higher, leaving Dorcas to roll their eyes.
“Don’t we get another one?” Pandora asked innocently.
“No.” Dorcas said simply.
“Well, you’re no fun.” She complained half-heartedly before returning to her initial position in Dorcas’ legs.
“I thought that was already established.” Dorcas joked.
After a handful of minutes, Quidditch practice had ended and, once they had showered and changed, Barty and Regulus joined them at the bleachers. It didn’t escape Dorcas’ notice that James and Marlene were still there. Even worse, they were getting closer. Just her luck.
“I can’t believe you played when I couldn’t hear it properly, Meadowes.” Barty complained, crossing his arms.
“I’m sorry, Barty, I completely forgot that I’m meant to do everything for the sole purpose of entertaining you.” Dorcas deadpanned.
Barty opened his mouth to retort, but someone cleared their throat rather loudly behind him, making them turn around to see Potter, with Marlene not far behind him.
“Er…” James started, scratching the back of his head. “Hi, Reg.” He smiled, and Dorcas could see Regulus rolling his eyes at the nickname. “Sirius told me to give this to you…” He continued, holding out an envelope. “I’m not sure what it is, but-”
“And why hasn’t Sirius come to give it to me himself?” Regulus asked, though not unkindly. That was a new development, but it was to be expected by this point. After all, it was James’ parents who had taken him in when he had nowhere to go.
James faltered, not sure how to answer. Dorcas was sure he had somehow managed to convince (or bribe) Sirius to let him deliver the mysterious letter himself as an excuse to talk to Regulus.
“I-” James started, trying to find an answer that wouldn’t reveal his obvious crush. Luckily for him, Marlene came to his rescue.
“Just take the sodding envelope, Black.” She said, with no real bite to her words. Regulus had told Dorcas about the little New Year’s party, so they supposed it wasn’t that weird for those two to get along, even a little. Still, it felt weird to Dorcas. Traitor, they thought with a small smile.
“Stevie Nicks.” Regulus greeted. Oh, Dorcas was going to murder him. “Fine.” He sighed, taking the letter James was holding out. “Thanks.” He said.
To his credit, he tried his best to hold back a grimace at the word. He obviously wasn’t used to thanking the people who, until recently, he had considered his enemies, but Dorcas only noticed because they knew him too well. She was sure James would be swooning at the simple word the moment he was out of view.