two
so inviting, i almost jump in
“I don’t get how you’re doing so poorly,” Lily’s voice broke the silence in the library. Mary watched her sort through the papers, shifting uneasily at the expression Lily was currently wearing. “I literally was your partner. You did great with me.”
“That’s because I copied your every move.”
“Exactly,” Lily sighed. “I don’t know why your score is so low.”
“Because she sucks at it, obviously,” Marlene snatched a paper from her. “There is no coming back from this. You’re too far gone.”
“Thanks,” Mary answered dryly, taking them from her hands. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
“Remus has a study group, you know,” Lily told her. “Maybe he could help you since I can’t.”
“Yeah, but he tutors in other subjects, not potions. He dropped the course for a reason.”
“That’s true,” she shook her head. “I don’t know what to tell you, Mary. You have to figure it out, you need the credits to graduate.”
Mary could almost hear Regulus Black’s condensing laugh if he had any idea how bad she was really doing.
“I’ll find something that helps,” Mary said, standing up after collecting her belongings. “It can’t be that difficult.”
Lily looked unconvinced, and Marlene was too invested in her phone to say anything in argument. “Are you coming to the Halloween party James Potter is throwing?”
“No she is not,” Lily smacked her arm. “She needs to study!”
“Maybe what she needs is a minute to relax,” Marlene crossed her arms. “You make her all work and no play. You guys used to be fun. She can take a day off, can’t you? If you study any more you’ll turn into a full on nerd like Sirius’ brother.”
“His name is Regulus,” Lily corrected.
Marlene rolled her eyes. “I don’t care what his name is, all I know is that I’ve never seen him without a book by his side. And you’re starting to act the same, too,” she nodded in Mary’s direction. “So come to the party or I’ll drag you there myself.”
Mary was grinning. “When have I ever turned down a party?”
***
The sunrise was beautiful the following morning. Mary didn’t know what it was about them, but somehow every time the sun began to shine and peek through her bedroom curtains, she rose with it.
Which was unfortunate for her part, especially now since she had stayed up all night worrying about potions. The last thing she wanted was to wake early, but it was too late. She was already up.
Quietly, she grabbed her art supplies after hurriedly pulling something on that wasn’t pyjamas, and left the dorm. Emmeline was a heavy sleeper, lucky for her, and didn’t show any signs of stirring as she left.
She had just barely missed Marlene exiting her own dorm for her daily run, and returned the blonde’s flip of the middle finger like it was second nature.
Mary had discovered most of the best painting spots her first year, but her favourite had to be the window in the west wing. The lighting always seemed to be just right, and hardly no one ever ventured there. It was bliss—not even Sirius Black or James Potter showed their faces.
There were probably a ton more productive things Mary could have been doing, such as fixing her potions problem, but painting was really the only thing that could clear her mind, and that was exactly what she needed. Because her brain felt like scrambled eggs, and nothing was sitting right.
Ignoring the annoying bird that had been consistently chirping outside from the tree branch it was currently perched on, the only sound was Mary’s brush against the canvas. Listening to it was almost therapeutic in its own odd little way, but it was during times like this where she could really think.
She’d have to get a tutor, that much was obvious. And as much as she adored Lily, she didn’t have the patience for trying to teach, she lost her temper too easily. But who else? She supposed she could just stay after class with Slughorn and ask him for any type of suggestion, but that felt extremely vulnerable for no apparent reason.
She would have to get over it. Asking for help wasn’t any sign of weakness or anything of the sort—but the thought still made her stomach churn.
Sighing, Mary turned her attention out the window as the paint dried. Her fingers tapped absently against her jeans as she continued to think, and eventually, she rose to her feet. Her only conclusion had been to ask Slughorn, and surely she could have come up with something worse. Like dropping out to become a stripper, because then, at least, she wouldn’t have to worry about her potions marks any longer.
She was so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn’t even heard the approaching footsteps, and she hadn’t noticed the figure that just turned the corner ahead of her, and she definitely didn’t have the time to pause her footing before she crashed into said figure.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorr–” the apology died on her lips the moment she glanced up, and immediately met Regulus Black’s gaze. Her lungs seemed to stop working, only momentarily, as they stared at each other in silence. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Well, aren’t you going to see if I’m okay?” He asked, and Mary felt her annoyance kick in, like it always did wherever Regulus was involved.
“I don’t care if you have a beating heart, nevermind if you’re okay.”
“So much hostility,” he mused, eying her. It wasn’t often she stood next to him, but whenever she did, she was reminded of the fact that he was tall. Like, above averagely tall. Felt like he could step on her, tall. She’d honestly probably be intimidated by him if she hadn’t ever met him before, but unfortunately, she had. “In such a tiny package.”
“You would know all about tiny packages, wouldn’t you? Give me that,” she demanded, snatching the canvas that she had nearly dropped onto the floor when she bumped into him. Hopefully he hadn’t seen the sketch, she never showed anyone, and if the person she disliked the most saw it before her actual friends, she’d be furious.
Regulus didn’t offer any sort of argument at her claim, he actually seemed amused. The smirk on his face was incredibly infuriating, and she wished she could find a way to wipe it off.
“I bet you’d love to find out.”
Mary tucked her painting under her arm. “You wish. Unfortunately for you, though, I have standards. Goodbye.”
“Am I ever going to get an apology for you spilling that drink on me?” He asked once she had gotten a few steps away.
Mary turned, a thoughtful expression taking over her features. She even went as far as putting a pretend pondering finger to her cheek. Then, she smiled sweetly at him. “No. Screw you.”
Lily was used to Mary’s rants about Regulus by this point, but no matter how angry or annoyed she got by him, Lily always found it hilarious. She found their new appointed seats in potions even funnier, even now Mary could tell she was fighting off a grin. Marlene, however, offered her a sympathetic smile
During their dispute earlier that morning, it slipped Mary’s mind that she had potions. She stared longingly at Marlene and Lily from across the room, who were both snickering at something. Disappointment settled in her stomach as she watched Regulus slid into the stool next to her. Slughorn really did have it out for her, the new seating charts showed that.
“You’re doing it wrong,” Regulus told her.
“I didn’t ask for your input.”
Rolling his eyes, he stepped over to the cauldron and scooped out the ingredients she had just dumped in. “You’re supposed to cut them in half. Did you even read the instructions?”
“No. But I think you should read a hair gel manual next time you try a different style. You look like a wannabe Elvis.”
Regulus blinked, slowly. “Who?”
Mary sighed. “It must be so exhausting being such an idiot all the time, isn’t it?”
“You tell me.”
Glowering now, she faced forward in her seat. The snide comments continued, but she was too busy trying to not chuck one of the almonds at his forehead to attempt any sort of effort in reply.
By the time the class ended, Regulus was wearing his signature cocky smile, and left without a word. Mary finally stood when she was sure he was gone. The last thing she needed was for him to have anything like this on her.
“Professor?” She called, walking up towards Slughorn’s desk. “Do you have anything that could help me with my, um. My low scores.”
Slughorn hummed and looked at something before he answered. “All of the tutors I’d usually recommend are all booked up. Let me ask around, and I'll get back to you.”
“Of course,” Mary forced out a smile. “Thanks.”
“I do have one more option, though,” Slughorn said as she reached the door. “It’s free. Plenty of students go to it already. I’ve heard great things.”
Mary cocked her head to the side. “What is it?”
“Regulus Black offers tutoring help every Tuesday. I’m sure he’d be happy to help you.”
Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.