A Pearl For Arrogance

First year - September

The dinner was delicious, like it was every other night. Conversations flowed easily amongst the group, mostly. Remus was ignoring Marlene. She knew why, it was because of the talk they were waiting to have. Remus was reserved and anxious by nature, as everyone had come to realise. But Marlene still felt a little put out because of it. Normally when Marlene spoke, Remus would listen with intent. A small smile here, a gentle nod there. Tonight? Nothing. Perhaps he was nervous, it wasn’t unlikely. It was starting to unsettle her though. 

“Remus, are you finished?”

“Um, yeah.”

Maybe Marlene was right. She was almost certain that Remus had been overthinking this whole thing. Because without saying anything, Remus stood up from the table, and walked out with a quick goodbye to the rest of the group. Scarily in sync they all turned towards Marlene with a suspicious look etched on their faces. 

“What?”

“Does this have anything to do with this morning?” 

James asked pointedly, with a raised eyebrow. Marlene set her face in a defensive manner, lips pulled in, and eyes levelled. She was not going to take the blame for Remus’ behaviour, even if it slightly was her fault, she was not responsible for his actions.

“Yes it is. Now if you don’t mind, we need to have a little chat, me and Remus.”

With that Marlene escaped the dining hall, setting off after Remus in a hurried fashion. They agreed to meet in the courtyard, just outside their dormitories. As she approached the open grounds, the sounds of leaves on trees drowned out the noise her shoes made against the pavement. Remus was hidden in the dark, pressed against a tree’s bark, legs held tightly to his middle.

“Remus?”

When their eyes met, Marlene noticed the frightened look in the small boy's gaze.

“You know we don’t have to talk about it. And it really isn’t that bad, nothing to be scared of.”

“I’m not scared.”

Marlene muffled her laugh behind a quick cough.

“Alright, you’re not scared, but believe me it really isn’t bad. I couldn’t say anything in the corridors because if a teacher heard me, I would get in trouble.  It’s weird though, because it’s a normal thing to happen, and Madame Pomfrey will teach us about it next term anyway. I asked the Headmistress. So it’s not anything really bad, ok? Just something that isn’t considered an ‘appropriate’ topic of conversation.”

“Can you tell me now?”

“I can. I’m not like, an adult , though. I can only tell you what I know. Which isn’t all that much, but we’ll learn more from Madame Pomfrey’s lessons.”

Remus nodded with understanding. His eyes held more curiosity than fright at this moment so Marlene took the chance to explain how babies are made.

_ _ _

It had been a few weeks since Marlene spoke to Remus about reproduction. The talk with Remus went well, and if he cried at the thought of a girl seeing or touching his penis, then only Marlene knew. She comforted him as best she could, then spent the remaining time before dinner ended, to relay stories about growing up in Manchester. After that night, the two of them had become quite close. Sneaking off during dinner, to their tree in the courtyard, had become tradition. The others respected their privacy and let them go every night without a single questioning look. Now . Of course at first there had been some questions, but they answered them honestly. Even Peter and Eliana had started their own tradition of sitting out by the Black Lake. No one knows when they became so close, and no one has asked. Marlene thinks it’s best to let them be.

Today was Rugby Try-Outs. Marlene was excited. There had been an assembly late last week, where Headmistress McGonagall announced a list of clubs, teams and activities that would be available to students. A flyer was stuck up on the notice board just outside the Great Hall.

Women's Rugby Try-Outs

Saturday September 26th 

Meet on the Oval @ 9am

Years 7-9 ONLY

Please wear your kit or sports uniform and bring boots. Pack water and some healthy snacks.

Can’t wait to see you all on the field!

Coach Hooch

Lily was here, also trying out for a spot on the team, and James would be trying out for Men's Rugby later today. Marlene knew that Mary was auditioning for a spot in this year's Ballet right now, and Peter would have his try-out for Chess Club tomorrow. Remus and Eliana didn’t have an interest in joining anything at the moment. They are more content to explore the grounds and finish homework. Weirdos . Except Eliana had woken up with her dorm mates, and was sitting in the stands as she waited for Lily and Marlene to finish. 

Everyone had been waiting for Sirius to tell them what he was doing. They knew he was joining something, because Remus asked and he said yes. However no one had managed to figure out whatit was. Although they had narrowed it down. Sirius was acting much more frantic this morning, worrying about his hair, his clothes, everything. So it couldn’t be Chess Club, the Choir, Band, or Swimming, as they were scheduled for Sunday. It couldn’t be Fencing either, because you had to be a Fourth Year. That left Horse Riding, Tennis, Gymnastics, Rugby or one of the dance companies - Hogwarts offered Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip-Hop. It would soon be uncovered later, either today if someone was with him, or next week when lists were posted. 

Right now Marlene had to focus. Get her head in the game, if you will. She was confident in her skills, considering the amount of time and effort her parents devoted to allow Marlene to learn and compete growing up. There were eight spots open in the Junior Team, now that last year’s Third Years, have moved into the Senior Team. Marlene was hoping to fill in the spot as a winger. She was fast and agile, and this position allowed her to work for her team quite impressively. 

Try-outs started strong with a few warm-up drills. Marlene paced herself, like she had been taught, in order to maintain her endurance. The real stuff hadn’t started yet. As they ran, tackled, and kicked balls, Marlene started to lose herself in it all. The excitement which built up from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. There was nothing on Earth that could be compared to this feeling right here. 

“Alright let’s work on those explosive get ups. Beth, you’re with Charlotte. Amy with Lucy. Taylor with Lily. Rachel with Naomi. Marlene with Dorcas.”

She turned to the girl Coach Hooch had just pointed towards. Not bothering to listen as their coach listed off more pairs, as she made her way over to the beautiful, dark, skinned girl. Dorcas Meadows was also a First Year - a Slytherin, if the green school jumper she had turned up in was anything to go by. 

“Hi. Marlene McKinnon. Gryffindor.”

Adding her house was Marlene’s idea of baiting Dorcas into exchanging her own. She stuck her hand out, an imitation of her dad making a business deal.

“Hi. Dorcas Meadows. Slytherin.”

Ah ha!

Dorcas gripped Marlene’s outstretched arm firmly and shook it once with force . Marlene wondered what her parents did for a living.

“Do you know what explosive get ups are ?”

If Dorcas was trying to be nice, she was failing miserably. Marlene couldn’t ignore the slight pang in her chest, already losing the chance to befriend the girl standing in front of her. Her words were condescending and the look she gave Marlene, mirrored that of a self-entitled brat. Maybe she wasn’t worth Marlene’s friendship.

“It’s quite simple. I would be happy to talk you through it. Only if you need it, of course.”

Her words sounded sour. Which was entirely insane considering the person who spoke them looked exceptionally sweet. Don’t judge a book by its cover, Marlene.

“Of course.” Marlene spoke through gritted teeth. “Thank you, but I do know what explosive get ups are. I’ve been playing Rugby most of my life” Which you would know if you cared to ask.

“Right. Well what if your old coach didn’t run that exercise? Not everyone knows how to do them. Not everyone uses the sameexercises.”

It did make sense. Perhaps Dorcas was trying to be nice and offer a hand in teaching Marlene how to perform a suitable explosive get up. But the words she spoke sounded harsh and judgemental. Almost like, if Marlene didn’t know , she would have been utterly humiliated. She was glad it was her who got partnered up with Dorcas. She wasn’t as emotionally vulnerable like a lot of her friends were. She could take Dorcas’ hurtful tone, and let it slip away. 

_ _ _

Try-outs lasted almost two full hours and Marlene was desperate for a cold shower, and a full stomach. As Lily and her discussed the practice game with Eliana, they heard the boys starting to flood onto the oval. There were so many more boys trying out compared to the amount of girls now leaving. Around thirty boys ran over to Coach Hooch, already pumped up, and ready to try their hand for a spot on the team. Even though they had to wait another hour, as Hooch would be taking her lunch break now. With only fourteen girls who tried out, currently heading back inside.

Marlene spotted James, Remus and Peter walking towards them, slower than some of the others who were eager to get started. When the two groups stood close enough they stopped walking and engaged in a friendly conversation. Lily and Marlene talked James through their own try-out. How it was set out, what drills and exercises they went through, and how the game at the end had played out. Marlene could see how excited James was, she almost forgot he was the Prince. They shared a similar bond over their love of the sport and how competitive they could be. It was nice to know that there would be someone else in the group who would always have her back in that sense. Lily was amazing, don’t get her wrong, but she was way more open-minded, and level-headed. It also wasn’t as serious to her, just something that was fun. Lily was an incredible player, someone who would go really far in the industry if she fully committed. 

James and Marlene were fully committed. It had been Marlene’s dream to become a professional player after she graduates. She knows James wants to as well, but it just isn’t possible, considering the role that awaits him. Given to him, more like, the day he was born. James’ future had already been decided before he was born. Marlene pitied him. Although she would be damned if her future King didn’t grow up with the best friends on offer. To support, guide and cherish him. He had every right to be rude and selfish, and abuse his power of authority. Yet Marlene would always thank the Potters for raising such a kind hearted person.

Their conversations were interrupted by a nasally voice. It was a First Year boy, someone Remus seemed to recognise straight away. His hands turned to fists by his sides, and the glare he was sending to their uninvited guest could have sent the ill-favoured boy six feet under.  Marlene placed a hand on Remus’ shoulder and sent him a small look of worry. He shot a quick look toward Lily and then the boy with a scowl, but his shoulders started to lose some tension under her touch. 

Marlene understood the look. After sitting out under their tree one night in the courtyard, Remus had told Marlene everything about his suspension. 

“I was meant to stay at Bloom, did you know?”

It was a rhetorical question. Of course she didn’t know. How would she know?

“They’re a big College. Educating from Nursery all the way to Year 11. Then if you want to, you have to find somewhere else to complete Sixth Form.”

There were quite a few schools like that across England that Marlene knew of. One was located in Manchester, just a few streets away from her house. 

“So why did you leave?”

Remus laughed, suddenly finding this conversation very funny. But as his head laid back against the trunk, and his eyes fell shut, Marlene understood. It wasn’t funny.

“They were all snobs - ‘cept Lily, o’course, or my sister.”

“You’re a snob then?”

Remus snorted for real this time, gently digging into her side with his pointy elbow. Marlene squirmed, laughing loudly. Her friend became serious again soon after, the smile fading from his face.

“I was suspended for punching someone. That ‘fight’ Peter told you all about.”

He used his fingers to put air quotes around the word ‘fight’. Dismissing any real value that it might have had.

“Why did you punch him?”

Marlene felt Remus shrug his shoulders from his spot beside her. She tilted her face down to watch as he ripped blades of grass out of the ground, his head hung low in defeat.

“He was rude. A bully.”

“And you’re not a bully for punching him?”

She raised a blonde eyebrow high on her face. Remus lifted his own brown one back.

“Never said that, did I?”

They shared a laugh again before Remus continued with the story.

“His name is Severus Snape. He transferred here as well, but I’m not sure he knows I’m here. I’ve seen him around, but we don’t share any of the same classes. He also isn’t the type to just ignore me. So I am fairly certain that he in fact does not know I’m here.”

Remus didn’t normally speak so much, to Marlene or otherwise, but it was nice to listen to his Welsh accent. Some of it she couldn’t understand, but she normally got the general idea. 

“So one day I noticed Snape hanging around with his friends. They’re all god awful. Anyway, I heard someone mention Lily’s name. So I walked over, but no one noticed me. That’s when I heard what they were talking about. Now Bloom is not the most pogressive school. They don’t have a girls rugby team. Well one of the guys somehow knew Lily played outside of school, and Snape offered his very unwanted, sexist, opinion.”

Marlene had also become quite agitated alongside Remus. They were fuming. She ground out her reply, almost inaudible.

“What did he say?”

**

Remus flashed her a sarcastic smile, dripping with venom.

“‘Lily is such a beautiful and talented girl, why is she wasting her efforts trying to be a boy? She is a girl. Girls play with their hair and makeup. Maybe she needs to go back to the kitchen, and learn to cook, instead of pretending to be a boy. I’ll teach her what’s right and wrong, chaps, don’t worry.’ Then I pulled him by the back of his shirt so hard, he ended up on the ground. I had the perfect opportunity to punch him, so I took it.”

**

Now Severus Snape knew Remus was here at Hogwarts. There was no denying that. Though, while Remus and Eliana looked at him in anger, Lily looked almost… happy?

“Severus? Gosh, it’s so good to see you.”

And then something bizarre happened. She hugged him. Hugged him. Lupin definitely forgot to mention that these two were friends - and it was something worth mentioning.

“It’s good to see you as well Lily. A shame we aren’t sharing classes this year though, isn’t it?”

“It is. I’m glad you found me, I haven’t seen you around the grounds at all.”

“No, well, neither have I. Except meal times, but you look busy then, and I wouldn’t want to intrude .”

He looked around at the rest of the group, returning a mild glare at Remus. Lily was oblivious, or ignorant to it all, as she started to introduce them all to Severus in an excited gleam.

“Yes, yes. Well it was nice to meet you all. Perhaps we could organise a time to meet up later, Lily? I’ll message you.”

“Of course. See you later.”

They hugged again . Marlene almost threw up.