The inevitables

Everything about today felt off. The boys were not really talking to each other which was weird, Lily wasn’t sitting next to Severus but with us, Mary was starring at Sirius- which wasn’t odd at all-, and Marlene was reading. Not that it was weird Marlene could read, it was weird she was reading during class. I think she just wanted Mary to leave her alone about Sirius, because as boy crazy as Mary was, Marlene was not.

“Welcome boys and girls to you Second year at Hogwarts!” The professor cheered, he seemed to be the only one to think it was a big deal. First year was fun but duh it’s your first year. Third year is exciting because you get to pick classes and you get to go to Hogsmeade. Second was more like a filler year. “We have so much to learn, so much to do. Which brings me to our first potion, the pleasant dream potion! Does anyone know what this does?” He asked the class, no one answered. I wondered why Lily didn’t try to look for the answer and why she was sitting with us.

“Are you ok?” I whisper asked her.

“Of course.” She was not a good liar.

“Did something happen with you and Severus?” I asked.

“I’ll tell you later.” She dismissed me and we went back to listening to Slughorn.

“You’ll need to come back regularly in the evenings to check on your potion’s progress – I shall be marking you on persistence and attentiveness. To that end, I think it’s best if you all pair up so that you can take it in turns.” Slughorn explained.

Mary grabbed Marlene’s hand and said “ok so we’ll trade off weeks, you can go first.” Marlene had put down the book and was listening intently, I think she liked the conversation better when it wasn’t about Sirius.

“Partners?” I asked Lily

“Sure.” She smiled and I could tell she meant it. I wondered if Severus the creep did something to her, if so the two of us would have words.

“No no, I’ve learnt my lesson,” He shot my brother and friends a disappointed look, “You may not choose the same partners you had last year. In fact, I think I should assign the partners.” Slughorn looked proud of himself as everyone in the room groaned and looked around nervously. Severus looked defeated as of now certain that he and Lily wouldn’t be partners. I just hoped that I would keep me with my friends.

As if assuring us that the professor was indeed a smart man, he mostly kept the two houses separate. Peter got paired with Munclair after he and Snape looked too excited to be together. Their evil grins were distinguished when Slughorn put Snape with a different Slytherin and Munclair with Peter.

Mary had the best luck out of us all, Slughorn saw to it that she was paired with Sirius. Mary looked like she had just won the lottery, Sirius looked afraid for his life. Lily gave a massive sigh of relief when she was put with Remus and not Severus who looked like she was just run over by the Hogwarts express ten times. Fortunately for me, there was an odd number of people so James, Marlene, and I got partnered up.

“She’s not going to attack him is she?” James asked as we started our brew. All three of us were looking at Mary and Sirius. Mary was practically on top of Sirius who looked terrified.

“I’m honestly not sure.” Marlene shrugged. “I’ll slice the rat tails, Hazel you can smash the beats then James you can stir.” She ordered, we listened.

“You want to slice the rat tails?” James asked.

“Yeah, so?” Marlene looked over it with him, I was just glad she didn’t give me the rat tails, gross.

“But you’re a girl?” James said confused.

“What does that have to do with anything?” Marlene met James eyes, she looked so powerful like she could tear him apart ever thinking about it.

“Nothing I’m sure you’ll do great, I’ll sit here and stir.” James spoke fast and quiet then went to go get the wooden spoon to stir. I started laughing and so did Marlene.

“Did you see how scared he looked!” She giggled.

“You owned him!” I laughed smashing the beats then putting them into the cauldron. “Do you have any idea what this potion does?” I asked her.

“No clue, but most of ol’ sluggies potions make no sense to me.” She shrugged and started chopping.

“True.”

James came back and started to stir. “Hey I think we’re the fastest group! We’re like halfway done!” He cheered, I didn’t know who he wanted to beat but he seemed content with himself.

“You think if we finish early Slughorn will let us leave?” I asked.

“Godrick I hope so.” Marlene was watching Mary and Sirius again. Sirius still looked scared but not as terrified as he had at the beginning. Was Marlene upset that Mary was partnered with Sirius? I knew she didn’t like talking about him, but she seemed sad that they were together. I couldn’t understand why.

“Shut up Severus! Why do you have to be so horrid?!” Lily shouted, we looked at their corner. Remus looked upset, but Lily looked livid. Severus looked just as hurt.

“Lily just look!” Severus pointed to Remus’s scars, I could feel James also getting mad now.

“Mind your business!” Lily screamed. I wondered why Slughorn wasn’t doing anything since the entire classroom was watching this showdown and definitely not working.

“Oi, Severus, what are you says about our mate?!” James spoke up, he looked like he was ready throw a punch, Sirius did too.

“Oh, stay out of this Potter!” Lily matched James fierce, “you’ll only make it worse!”

“Silence, please!” Slughorn boomed, “You’re not first years any more, I should think you’re able to concentrate on the task at hand.”

Everyone immediately fell quiet. Most of the room began to work again. James looked back at us.

“What was that all about?” He asked. I couldn’t give him an answer, I had no idea. Lily seemed to be just as disinterested in Snape as she normally did James. It should be great, but they were such great friends that something had to have happened.

“No idea. So James are you ready for Quidditch next week?” Marlene asked, she was smart to take his mind to quidditch. The two of them could talk about it for hours. They spent most of the time talking about it as I finished the potion. They helped of course I just did most of the work.

“Oi Potter!” Lily called, James’s head snapped to her. I knew she wasn’t calling me, she’s never called me Potter. Most of the school only calls James Potter and I’m just Hazel. Still I looked, and so did Severus.

“Huh?” James looked very confused, I didn’t blame him. I was confused too.

“Oh nothing.” She smiled then went back to her work. I had no idea what she was up to, but then Snapes potion literally blew up. I mean there was nothing left in the cauldron it was all over Snape. Everyone started laughing, Snape looked white with rage.

“Oh dear! A bit overeager with the beetle husks, eh Severus?” Slughorn smiled, he looked like he was holding in his laugh.

 “It wasn’t me!” Snape demanded “He did something!” He pointed at Remus, who rightfully flinched, “He must have!” Snape started to make his way to Remus but Slughorn stopped him.

“Did you see Mr Lupin tamper with your poition?”

“No, but…”

“Come now boy,” Slughorn let out a very satisfied laugh, and gave Snape a small green towel “We all make mistakes – even you!”

Snape was utterly defeated, he looked so mad but he couldn’t do a single thing. I looked over at Lily who was smiling brighter than anyone else. She caught my eye and winked at me, I knew she had done something.