Golden Years

“C’mon, I’ve been gone three days. Give me the gossip.” Marlene pouted in the dorm room. She had been cleared to return to school as long as she took it easy, seeing as most of her injuries had healed.

“You know we’re not actually that interesting, right?” Mary piped up from the desk.

“Like I said, I was gone three days. In those three days, Remus shaved Sirius’s head for calling him Granny, Peter ate almost 4 kilograms of cheese and threw up in McGonagall’s classroom, and they used a charm to glue every Slytherin to their table at lunch,” Marlene listed off, not moving from where she was sprawled across Lily’s bed.

“Sounds like you’re all caught up then,” Lily answered from the table where Alice was braiding her hair. It was a Girl’s Night, which meant all the typical things, plus a bit of mischief.

“I’m back with the snacks,” Dorcas announced as a few platters of candy floated in behind her. She settled on to her own bed as a plate floated to each girl.

“Yes, you remembered my Pumpkin Pasties this time,” Alice crowed triumphantly.

“Those things are nasty, Alice,” Mary piped up.

“Well at least I don’t like the pepper Bertie Bott’s beans,” Alice replied, finishing Lily’s hair. “Alright, time for the Satanic Circle.”

“We need a new name for that,” Dorcas said as the girls did not actually form a satanic circle, merely sat in a circle filled with cushions and blankets.

“Why, do you have something against Satan? Cuz I have a twelve-step plan to seduce him, and I’m gonna need constructive criticism now,” Marlene replied.

“Marlene you’re gay.”

“I don’t have to be sexually attracted to someone to seduce them, steal their throne, and lead their forces of doom into an apocalyptic battle.”

“This. This is why the last time we had a Girl’s Night you ended up at the bottom of the lake,” Lily sighed.

“Pretty sure that was due to the firewhisky, actually,” Mary mused.

“Thanks for that incredible observation, Mary.”

“I will cut you bitch.”

“Do it, end my suffering you coward,” Lily challenged.

“Ok, while murder is a fun pastime, one of the three rules of Girl’s Night is no murdering people. And it’s the only one we haven’t broken yet and please just let me have this one thing,” Alice said as Mary launched a pillow at Lily’s face.

“Guys, guys, c’mon, Alice is right,” Dorcas said.

“Thank you, Dorcas!” Alice exclaimed.

“If we kill someone, it can’t be on a Girl’s Night. You would need a better alibi than that.”

“Dorcas, honey?” Alice said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, Mum?”

“Shut the fuck up and don’t give them ideas.”

“Fuck off, Mum.”

“I literally just wanted chocolate. That was all I asked for, that was all I needed. I was fine with not being able to play Quidditch for a bit. It won’t hurt my career, Gryffindor won’t play for another two weeks. I was fine with having to catch up in classes, even though they’re notoriously difficult N.E.W.T. courses. I was fine with all of that, because you said you’d get me chocolate. I asked you for one simple thing, and you would rather start a war than give it to me. You think you can see the world from your high horse, you think you’re unconquerable, bloody and undefeated, but someday you will fall. Someday you will look out at the world on your own two feet, starving and alone, and you will watch as everything you knew burns. You will watch your fondest memories be devastated, your homes falling to that cold unforgiving ground, that which defines you as a human slip from your weak grasp into oblivion. And when that happens? When everything you thought would be your empire has fallen? I’ll be there. And I’ll be eating some fucking chocolate.”

Everyone stared at Marlene after her speech, each with varying expressions of terror.

“I……I don’t know how to respond to that. I can’t…. I just……what?” Mary could barely string a sentence together.

“I want some fucking chocolate,” Marlene grumbled. She was immediately hit in the face with a Chocolate Frog.

“That enough chocolate for you, oh great conqueror?” Dorcas teased.

Marlene grinned. “You’re so going to regret that.” She began to move towards Dorcas, still grinning.

“Oh shit oh shit oh shit.” Dorcas hid behind Lily. “You wouldn’t hit a redhead with a mental disability, would you?”

“Hey!” Lily gasped in outrage. “I’m not the one who wore bellbottoms on their head and dived into the lake.”

“You dared me to!” Dorcas answered as she abandoned her attempts to hide from Marlene, instead leaping over obstacles and running around. Marlene followed at an unhurried pace, still smiling, which was somehow more menacing than if she ran.

“Do we stop Marlene from killing Dorcas?” Mary asked Alice.

“Nope,” Alice said, conjuring some popcorn, watching the chase. “We just enjoy the show.”

——————————————————————————————

“Dorcas, are you limping?” James asked as Dorcas and Lily walked in to the Great Hall and sat next to the group.

“Um, no,” Dorcas replied, trying to conceal it.

“You are. Are you ok? What happened? Did someone hurt you? Who was it? I’ll kill them,” James rambled angrily.

“Merlin, Potter, no need to get so worked up. And we all thought Remus was the mother hen,” Alice said.

“Stuff it, Prewett. Are you ok, Cas?”

“I’m fine, James. Things just got a little crazy at Girl’s Night,” Dorcas answered.

“Didn’t McGonagall ban you guys from having those?” Sirius asked.

“Only for last year,” Mary responded.

“We still don’t know why Cas is limping though?”

“Oh yeah, that’s my bad, James,” Marlene said as she shuffled into the hall, yawning and running a hand through her hair. “I kinda wore her out last night.”

James gaped. “You……..what did you……what?”

Dorcas blushed furiously and elbowed him. “Not like that, James!”

“Oh. Well then hurry it up, this is getting annoying.”

“Go to hell.”

“I’ll see you there.”

“I’ll tell Satan to torture you a lot more,” Dorcas said, throwing sausage at James.

“I’ll tell him you’ve always wanted to be eaten alive by a snake,” James answered, throwing the sausage back.

“Oh my god, will you two just bone already,” Alice said.

Dorcas fell over. James was, for once in his overdramatic life, speechless. Even Remus turned from where he was kissing Sirius to observe the drama.

“I…… would rather fuck a fish, to be honest,” James said, finding his voice again.

“Shut up, Potter, you couldn’t handle me if you tried,” Dorcas teased.

“Is that a bet, Meadowes?”

Lily looked over at Marlene beside her. Far from looking sleepy, she looked almost murderous as she watched James and Dorcas tease each other.

“Hey,” she said, nudging her friend. Marlene looked at her. “Don’t worry about that. They’re just friends.”

“Pretty flirty for friends,” Marlene muttered.

“Yeah, but that’s it. It’s just a little fun flirting, like how you and Black do sometimes,” Lily reasoned.

“We’re both gay. It’s different,” Marlene responded. “And no one wants me and Black to get together.”

“Black and I.”

“Nobody likes a nerd, Evans.”

“Fight me McKinnon.”

“I will,” Marlene grinned, using a spoon to throw grits at Lily’s face.

“That was the last thing you’ll ever do bitch.” Lily lunged for Marlene.

“Oh shit oh shit oh shit. Please no I have so much to live for. What will happen to my children?”

“Your nonexistent babies can see you in hell.”

“Jesus fuck Red that’s violent- no god please!”

“Lily, dearest?” Alice said calmly.

“Yes Mum?” Lily answered from where she was attempting to strangle Marlene.

“Don’t kill her, we need her alive to keep giving me charms notes.”

“Yes Mum,” Lily said, releasing Marlene, who began to gasp for air.

“Well, I think an attempted murder is the most violent thing we’ve accomplished during breakfast. Well done, team,” Sirius said.

“Not true. Valentine’s breakfast of fifth year,” Peter replied.

“Oh shit, you right,” Sirius responded.

“Right, well, I gotta get to class,” Lily said.

“Wait, could you stay for a minute?” Dorcas asked. “I have something I want to tell everyone.” Lily only had to look into her friend’s eyes to know what she planned to do.

“Are you sure?” Lily asked. “You said you weren’t ready.”

“I don’t think there’ll ever be a better time,” Dorcas answered. “And I trust you guys. I want you all to know.”

“Ok,” Lily said. “Take it away.”

“What is it, Cas?” Alice asked.

“Ok, right well……. Nope, can’t do it, James do it for me.”

“I’m sure he’d do a lot of things for you,” Marlene muttered bitterly.

“Shut up.” Lily elbowed her. “They’re not like that, and even if they were, it would suck but you’re not entitled to her,” she whispered furiously.

“I know, but I….. whatever, it doesn’t matter,” Marlene said.

“Dorcas, this is yours to tell. Not mine,” James was saying. “You tell them.”

“Tell us what?” Mary asked.

“Yeah, what’s up Cassie?” Sirius asked.

“Right, ok, yeah. Ok. So, I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and, um, I think I’m bisexual.” Dorcas looked nervously at the group.

“Hell yeah, Gay Gryffindor Group,” Lily said, high-giving her friend.

“Wow, two people out of the closet within a few months. I’ve never been prouder,” Sirius said, faking wiping away a tear.

“Shut up, Black,” Alice said. “Dorcas, you’ve always been my favorite daughter-“

“What?”

“Excuse you?”

“Explain.”

“Unacceptable.”

“Sirius you’ve never been her daughter.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m not offended.”

“AS I WAS SAYING,” Alice continued. “Dorcas, honey, you’ve always been my favorite daughter, and that hasn’t changed. Your sisters are trash. You will always be superior.”

“Well, that was rude, but yeah, the basic sentiment was true. We won’t stop loving you because of who you like, Cas,” Mary said.

“Thanks, Mare,” Dorcas said.

“Welcome to the bi club. There are only two of us, which is ironic, but still, hope you enjoy your stay.” Remus smiled.

“Thanks Remus,” Dorcas grinned, happy her friends accepted her.

“Marly? You’re a bit quiet. Hey, kinda like Cas was when you came out,” James said. Dorcas turned to Marlene, who was looking at everyone except her.

“Marls? You ok?” She asked nervously.

“Huh? I, um, shit. Yeah, yeah, I’m ok Cas. So are you, you know that?” Marlene grinned softly. “You’re pretty fucking brave, Meadowes.”

Dorcas grinned back. The two girls gazed at each other for a few moments, seemingly separate from everyone else.

“Well this is nauseating,” Sirius remarked.

“Like we didn’t catch you and Remus dry-humping on the couch,” Marlene responded without missing a beat.

——————————————————————————————

“OK, you two, kitchens, now.” Dorcas burst in to the mostly empty common room and gestured at James and Lily.

“I mean, sure, but why?” James asked.

“I need to talk to you both and I don’t want to be overheard,” Dorcas answered.

“Yeah alright, I’m done studying anyway.” Lily got up and followed Dorcas through the portrait hole, James at her heels.

“Ok, so I’ve hit a minor snag in life,” Dorcas said when they made it into the kitchens.

“What is it?” James asked.

“Marlene is fucking hot and I can’t deal with it.”

“Ok I’m not dealing with this, James you deal with this I swear to god I will cry,” Lily immediately said, turning to James.

“Ok, fine, I’ll handle it. What’s the problem, Cassie?” James asked.

“Ok, so, the doctors told Marlene to take it easy but start getting back into her regular routine, right? So obviously, she needs someone to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself by taking on too much too quick, right?” Dorcas began to ramble.

“Sounds about right,” Lily snorted. “That dumbass would try to lift heavy weights and break her ribs again somehow.”

“Yeah, exactly, so I ask if she needs someone to spot her while she’s working out. That’s probably creepy but I swear I’m just trying to help her.”

“We know, Cas. As long as she’s ok with it you’re fine. If she was uncomfortable, then you back off,” James replied soothingly. “You’re not a creep for being attracted to her.”

“Ok, yeah, yeah. Anyway, she agrees to it, so I go with her to the training shed-“

“Training shed?” Lily asked.

“It’s this shed where beaters hit bludgers around to improve accuracy and lift weights to improve strength. I have to kick Marlene out when she trains for too long in there,” James answered.

“Oh ok. Go on, Dorcas.”

“Right, and so I go to watch and make sure she’s not hurting herself, and she starts stretching and stuff. And she was wearing a tank top and shorts that were like, barely there. Her legs go on for miles, Lily. Miles.”

“Bit too much info for me but ok.”

“Anyway, she’s stretching, and so I can see all of her muscles and her shirt starts to ride up and she has a fucking six-pack, Lily. I’m talking fan-fucking-tastic abs. And then she ties her hair up into this gorgeous messy bun, and she just kind of grins at me? For like a few seconds and she looked so soft but so fucking strong too? And then she started lifting weights. She said she wouldn’t start hitting bludgers until she was fully healed, but weights are ok, I think?” Dorcas directed the last part at James.

“Yeah, weight training should be fine,” James answered.

“Right, and so she started lifting weights and I wanted her to lift me instead, but obviously I didn’t say that out loud. Her arms are so incredible. She could literally do a push-up with me on her back. You know how I know that? She fucking did. She did a ton of push-ups, and I thought she was done when she started planking, but hen she told me to get on her back. I’m no damn fool, so I take the opportunity I’m given. And then she starts doing push-ups with me on her back. I’m going to cry just remembering it.” Dorcas finally finished her rant, breathing heavily and looking wildly between her two friends.

“Holy shit,” Lily said in astonishment.

“That was nothing,” James replied. “One time she went on for literal hours. I timed it. It was scary as hell.”

“Guys, focus, please?” Dorcas asked. “I can’t act this weird around her all the time. She’ll figure out why, and she’ll hate me for it and I’ll lose our friendship!”

“Bullshit,” Lily responded. “Is Marly the type of person who couldn’t get over that?”

“I mean, no but….” Dorcas’s face fell. “I really don’t want to lose her. I mean, she threatened absolute destruction of our dreams over some chocolate. Why would you let go of a girl like that?”

“Cas, you won’t lose her. I swear,” James said, “that things will work out for the best. Remember what I said over the summer?”

“Beginnings are more important than endings.”

“Don’t you think we’ve had a pretty fucking great beginning?” He grinned. Dorcas smiled back. Lily looked at her friend, happy James could cheer her up. Her gaze drifted over to the boy in question, and she smiled as he ruffled Dorcas’s hair.

“What do you guys say we have some ice cream or something, huh? All that useless pining made me hungry,” he remarked teasingly.

“I could go for a pint,” Lily said.

“Bet I can eat mine faster than you.”

“You’re so on, Potter.”