James v. Snape
“You alright?” James asked and he sat with me in the common room's bay window. I was alone and reading, but that wasn’t what was surprising. The shocking turn of events was that James was alone too. We so rarely had time that was just the two of us. My shock must have shown on my face for James cleared his throat. “Sirius locked himself in the bathroom.. Snape said something rotten about his family. But Remus is with him now.” James explained.
The Black family would always confuse me, the way Regulus grasped onto every tail and notion while Sirius tried as hard as he could to get away. Even so, Sirius stayed with his family. He never once questioned or tried to stop his marriage. He may have complained but gave minimal effort to stop it. As horrible as they were, the members of the Black family were just that: Sirius’s family.
“I have no idea why Evans decides to spend her time with that slimy git.”
“Hey wait… for you it’s Lily, not Evans. What’s the matter?” James knew me way too well. I wasn’t keen on telling him. Everyone knew Lily spoke harshly about my brother, but it still hurt knowing someone I care for could say those things about him. I didn’t want to tell him, but I knew he had to know.
“Lily.. she said… she said mean things about you. And I think she only apologized because she said it in front of me.” I twisted my bracelet and started at the ground. I could feel my cheeks and ears becoming hot from the pressure.
“Hmm…” James pondered his life, “isn’t she great.” I whipped my head to look at the boy smiling as smart as a loaf of bread.
“I’m.. not following.”
“Evans talks about me more than anyone else in this school! She’s practically obsessed with me!” My brother, who I normally describe as smart, was an absolute idiot.
“You do realize she’s saying bad things… right?”
“So far. But mark my words Hazel Potter, one day Lily will realize she’s in love with me and then I’ll come tell you I told you so.” His smile was so confident I had to smile too. James was someone who could lighten any situation just by being himself. I tried to be like him every day.
“I hope the first thing you do isn’t to prove your right to me. At least peck the girl on the cheek!”
“Don’t worry, you’ll know when that day happens because the birds will sing, the sun will shine, all the animals in the world will come to you and personally tell you how right I am!”
“I can’t wait!” I laughed, he was so foolish and… dare I say a little too hopeful. I could never understand any animal unless I happened to become one. Remus… Sirius’s plan.. it all came to me. “Do you think we could honestly become animagi?” I asked, completely out of the blue.
“Yes I believe so. The four of us combined have centuries of magic at the ready. We have been fighting for top of class for three years! If anyone was going to pull this off, it’s us!”
“All we need is a book?”
“Just one small book!”
“Alright.”
“Alright?”
“I’ll grab the book, you speak to remus. Deal?”
“Deal!” James hugged me. I felt accomplished by the evening. Finally I could be doing something to help Remus.
****
I didn’t do that yet though, I was too busy fighting Snape.
It was after lessons, just Mary, Marlene and I. I still hadn’t completely forgiven Lily and the M’s didn’t seem to mind. I knew the silently resented Lily for being friends with Severus, but I never imagined how easy it was for them to pick sides. The two had spoken to Lily, but they primarily hung around me or just with each other. Snape continuously insulted them and called them bad names, but I’m not sure if Lily deserves this. We’re all mates, Lily just has one really bad, really horrible friend. Maybe she is in the wrong for that and Mary and Marlene icing her out is a sign.. or maybe we’re just pushing her to more one on one time to Severus! Why is every possibility always bad!?
“Do you think I could pull off being blonde?” Mary asked us. She tilted her head and grabbed a bit of Marlene’s hair and put it against her own. I tried to think hard on how she would look as a blonde, I think she could definitely pull it off, but she may as well just destroy her curls in the process. I tried to think of a polite way to say no.
“No you couldn’t. I’m the only blonde here.” Marlene said outrightly. She smiled and shook her head like a dog does when it’s wet until Mary let go of her hair.
“McKinnons got fleas now? Or is she just so ill mannered she behaves like a dog as an improvement.” The root of all evil, Severus Snape, appeared out of thin air. He looked past Marlene like she wasn’t even here. Unfortunately he made eye contact with me which had to be purposeful.
“Say it to my face grease ball!” Marlene grabbed Snape's tie and pulled him down as soon as he reached her. Snape panicked and was rushed down to the ground. He flung his arm around to push Marlene off. The three of us laughed as Snape stood up and brushed himself off, I didn’t really see the need for that since he smelled like he just ran three kilometers.
“Keep your hands off of me! I don’t want your contaminated DNA getting onto me!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?!“ Marlene stepped towards him again, but Snape just backed up and looked at me once more.
“You may want to think about the filth you choose to surround yourself with Hazel,” Snape threatened. I knew he hated muggle borns but he was a halfblood too, why was he picking on Marlene? I suppose my confusion showed in my face because Severus cleared his throat. “Oh you haven’t heard? Marlene’s muggle father thinks he has any right to intervene with Wizard issues. He’s even made a name for himself at the ministry as the most useless and annoying muggle on the planet. I just wanted to warn you Hazel, you know sooner or later fighting will start, and that gross excuse for a man is going to be the first to die. Along with the rest of Marlene’s family.” Snape had the nerve to smile. It was like he was winning some game that only he was playing. I wanted to push him down the stairs. I had hoped the war would continue away from Hogwarts, but I knew exactly what side Snape had already picked. I looked at Marlene who looked seconds away from crying. Marlene was the toughest person I knew, but everyone has a breaking point.
“Listen to me very carefully. You are one of the worst wizards in all of history, you and I will never EVER fight on the same side, but I will beat you no matter what because according to your little supremacy philosophy, I am superior to you and you should never forget that.” I wanted to hex him, I wanted to find all of his secrets and ruin his life! I wanted to learn extreme magic just to find a new way to destroy him. But my friends came before him and they needed my attention. I turned and took my friends, grabbed their arms and just started walking. I didn’t have any sort of reasoning in the way that I walked until I realized we were on the fifth floor, we could go to the room or requirement.
Violetta waved us hello as we rushed past, I didn't mean to be rude to my portrait friend but the sooner we were alone the sooner we could fall apart. Please create a nice, comfy, room that we can go to and relax in. Please create a nice, comfy, room that we can go to and relax in. The room was created with couches and pillows and draperies over a window. How there was a window I was beyond lost on since we were in the middle of the floor but this room was a mystery in itself.
Marlene flopped on one of the couches with the most blankets and began to sob. Mary and I sat by her and hugged her. I had no idea Marlene’s dad was interested in wizard politics, but why shouldn’t he be? His wife and kids are all wizards, I think it’s inspiring he wants to learn more and take action. Mary and I both told Marlene to ignore Snape and that her dad was in the right but she was still upset. We all sat there together and just held each other. Eventually a radio appeared and started playing music, it was one of my favorite songs.
I really want to know you
Really want to go with you
Really want to show you, Lord
But it won't take long, my Lord (Hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (Hallelujah)
My Lord (Hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (Hallelujah)