Song:
Heather (Conan Gray)
"She's got you mesmerized, while I die."
Callisto was tempted to arrive later than what Remus had instructed her to just to spite him, but the lack of entertainment in her dorm made her decide against it. Surprisingly enough, Callisto managed to enter the Gryffindor Tower quite easily, seeing as it wasn't past curfew yet and the commotion to and from the Gryffindor Common Room was rampant. The girl got up the staircase leading to the boys' dormitories and walked along the unsurprisingly loud rooms, finally stopping in front of the room she was looking for.
She knocked on the door twice, "It's Callisto!"
Just like every other time, the door opened immediately and Peter's hand dragged her from the shoulder inside the room.
"Callie!" He cheered, Callisto's eyes falling on James and Sirius looking frantically in the closets, while Lily was in Remus' bed, going through the box of books.
"Callie, dude," Lily called, raising the book and pointing aggressively at it. "How?"
"Old bookshops, private collections and the Lawson mansion."
"The value of those books in money is equivalent to at least two libraries!" Lily shrieked. "It even has-"
"The first edition of Moby Dick and a signed, first edition copy of Wuthering Heights." Peter, James and Sirius chanted together.
"Mock all you want but those are priceless." Lily mumbled, rolling her eyes.
"I mean," Callisto sighed, sitting on the bed. "I bought them, so they're not actually priceless, but they are indeed rare."
"Is Remus still hogging the bathroom?" Peter whined, knocking on the bathroom door. Callisto heard an incoherent sound that caused Peter to sigh loudly and sink on the floor. There was a knock on the door and Lily got up from the bed to open the door.
"What are you looking for?" Callisto asked Sirius who was currently going through his underwear drawer.
"I had some bottles of firewhiskey somewhere here." He answered, letting out a triumphant cry as he touched the bottle. "There she is!"
"He found them, Jace." Callisto said, James letting out a similar cry and kicking the drawer shut.That was when Callisto heard a voice that was familiar and one that wasn't quite as much. She turned around, where Marlene McKinnon and another girl she hadn't seen before were talking with Lily.
"Who's that?" She asked Sirius, who in the sight of the girl smiled and stuffed all the three bottles in his backpack. "Remus said it was going to be you four, Lily and Marlene."
"Lily's roommate." Sirius answered in a low voice. "Prongs invited her too."
"Haven't seen her before." Callisto stated, observing the girl. She was rather tall, definitely taller than her, with shoulder length, curly brown hair. The color was rather lovely on her, Callisto noted. It complimented her brown eyes that were so dark she could barely make out the pupil.
"Callie," Marlene called. "Where the hell have you been, loca?"
"Long Christmas..." Callisto answered, taking a seat next to the Gryffindor. "You got your hair cut."
"Yes, I did it myself." Marlene answered, smiling with pride at her work. It did look a bit messy, but it worked perfectly with her overall appearance and attitude. "Mom almost had a stroke."
"I feel for the poor woman." The alleged roommate interjected, messing Marlene's hair even more. And then everything seemed to make sense. The moment her hand touched Marlene's hair, the expression that spread on the blonde's face could only be described as lovestruck. "You're Callie, right?"
"Callisto." She corrected, nodding. "I don't think we've met before."
"No." She answered, smiling. "Dorcas Meadows."
"Nice to meet you." The door of the bathroom opened and Remus came out, making Callisto turn around. She usually saw him in his school uniform, which he did pull off as much as a uniform can look good on someone, but he looked much better in normal clothes. The knitted sweater he was wearing was big on him and the pattern was a bit ridiculous, but that was something oddly appealing about it.
"Eight sharp, huh?" Dorcas teased, making Callisto's head snap so fast to her direction that she almost pulled a muscle. The brunette was smirking with her arms crossed under her chest. Callisto looked her up and down, not noticing her eyebrows furrowing more and more. Her jeans seemed to fit her perfectly and complemented the brick red shirt she was wearing.
"Just because I said you're supposed to be here at eight doesn't mean that applied to me."
"You should have made that clearer when you invited us, Rem."
If looks could kill, Sirius Black wouldn't really be able to tell us much more for the rest of the night. Callisto was so sure he had said James was the one that told Lily and Dorcas, that she would put her hand in fire. However, based on what "Rem" was saying now, Sirius was not living up to his first name's expectations.
"Shouldn't we get moving?" Marlene asked, the blush still on her cheeks from when Dorcas messed her hair.
"Yeah." James confirmed, looking at the clock. "We need to go before they start their rounds."
"Sirius." Callisto called when they had reached the area they were going to camp. It wasn't very deep in the forest, just isolated enough to not get caught by professors. "What the hell? What was up with that James business?"
"Okay, Remus did tell Lily about the camping, but Lily invited Dorcas, not him." Sirius whispered, glancing at Lily, Peter and Dorcas to the front. "I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about him."
"About who?" Sirius and Callisto both freezed, turning to look at Remus and Marlene behind them, waiting for a response. "The wrong idea about who?"
"Prince Philip?" Callisto blurted out, the answer sounding more like a question.
"Yeah, you're lying." Marlene snorted, glancing briefly between Callisto and Remus. Usually, Callisto got along very well with the girl, but this time she wished she could just kick her off the astronomy tower.
"Why would I lie?"
"Because you're talking about someone else." Marlene smirked. "I know who."
Sirius huffed, "Who?"
"Your mom." The Gryffindor retorted, letting out a chuckle at Sirius' and Callisto's expressions. "Nah, I'm playing. I have no idea who you're talking about, but it isn't Prince Philip for sure."
"Who were you talking about, Listo?" Remus insisted, curiosity gnawing his insides. What could they be possibly talking about that caused them to whisper like that?
"Why do you even care, Rem?" She questioned, emphasizing on the nickname.
"I don't care." Yes, he did care. Not a little, but a lot.
"Good." Callisto said, pursing her lips together. "Go talk to your friend now and leave us alone to discuss about Prince Philip, or stay and don't ask stupid questions."
"Damn..." Marlene sighed, her eyes widening. "I should have brought the weed."
Sirius' head perked up, "You didn't?"
"No, but y'all need to chill."
"I'm chill!" Remus and Callisto both said simultaneously. Marlene snorted and shook her head, raising her hands in defeat.
"Okay, you're chill." She agreed. "Now, if you two don't mind, I'll steal my girl for a bit. We have lots and lots to chat about."
"Oh, about the team?" Peter asked, sitting down next to them. "Callisto said you play for similar teams."
"I didn't know you two played Quidditch." Dorcas chimed in. "Did you know that, Rem?"
Marlene looked at Callisto unsure of what to say, "We don't play Quidditch."
Dorcas smiled awkwardly, "What do you play then?"
"Bass." James answered proudly. "It's a muggle thing."
"There are teams for bass players?" Dorcas wondered. "I don't think I've heard of that before."
Callisto cleared her throat, "It's like chess clubs, but cooler."
"And gayer..."
"Preach." Callisto mumbled, nodding slightly. "Pass me a bottle."
Lily passed her one of the fire whiskey bottles and Callisto popped open the cap, leaning back on the tent James and Lily had loosely set up. Usually James wouldn't engage in any type of hands on work, but something about Lily asking him for his help setting it up changed that really fast. Honestly, Callisto would be surprised if they didn't get together at some point soon.
"Strawberry flavor." Callisto mumbled, taking a swig. She could recognise that flavor anywhere after that Gryffindor party. By the time Callisto and Remus had decided to drink, all the traditional fire whiskey had run out. He tasted like strawberry fire whiskey and she was pretty sure she did the same.
"Yeah, they've been sitting with my underwear for months." Sirius barked out a laugh, passing the bottle to Peter. "I'd say since the Gryffindor party."
"If you were going to steal my fire whiskey, Black, you should have made sure to get the plain one." Despite her comment, Marlene still happily took the bottle from Callisto's hand and took a swig.
"I prefer the strawberry one." Remus shrugged, making Callisto's heart pound ten times harder.
"I wonder why he thinks so..." Marlene chuckled, thankfully keeping the volume down. Callisto shot her a look, immediately recognizing the glint in Marlene's eyes. "So, are you two together yet or nah?"
"No." Callisto firmly said, bringing the bottle to her lips. "How come I've never seen Dorcas with you or Lily before?"
"She's shy." Lily answered, shrugging. "It took us about a year to convince her to hang out with us and mind you, she's our dorm mate."
"She's talking with Remus now, though." Callisto pointed out, her eyes fixed on Dorcas. The girl was still next to Remus, with the remaining bottle of alcohol in her hands, talking to him. That's when she passed the bottle to him and he drank a bit, making Callisto's jaw clench in annoyance.
"Do you want to dance?" Marlene asked, standing up and extending her arms for the girls to take. Lily immediately nodded, allowing Marlene to lift her from the ground. Callisto's mood for dancing and any type of similar activity seemed to not be as present, and she just mumbled a ridiculous excuse, watching as the two girls walked towards the guys.
"Well, this is dark..." Callisto mumbled to herself, playing with the cap of the fire whiskey. She was supposed to be having fun, but she had ended up sitting alone with a bottle of fire whiskey that had been sitting with Sirius' underwear for months, knowing that the guy she was in love with was having a hell of a discussion with a proper model. Marlene was probably feeling the same way, only that she was at least making an attempt to enjoy herself.
"Hey there." Even her voice was like an angel's, Callisto thought as she turned around to face Dorcas and Remus. "Mind if we sit?"
"It's fine." She mumbled, observing as the pair sat down next to her.
"You look bummed." The boy observed. He was discussing with Dorcas about the entire Collins situation, when he noticed Marlene leaving with Lily and Callisto sitting alone, looking like the Great Depression. He had been hesitant to suggest they went to sit with Callisto, but Dorcas seemed to have read his mind and said it first.
"Bite me." The blonde retorted, drinking some of the fire whiskey. She never really caught Remus becoming significantly paler at the response.
"She's always that likeable." Remus commented, averting his gaze to Dorcas who let out a clear laugh.
"Maybe she just doesn't like you, Rem." Dorcas justified, shrugging.
"Nah, she loves me." He reassured her, nudging Callisto. The blonde turned to look at him, her expression softening for a bit before she glanced at Dorcas. "Oh, come on, Listo. What's wrong?"
The fact that you're with her.
"Nothing, Remus." She forced a smile, standing up. "I don't really feel like being a third wheel, so if you'll excuse me."
She didn't stay long enough to hear any of their responses, not that she really needed to.
~ ~ ~
"Do a turn now!" Sirius shouted, twisting his hands and making Callisto turn around messily. Maybe it was watching Dorcas and Remus standing there all alone while the rest of them had been sitting together by now, or the fact that Sirius kept the bottles coming her way, but Callisto was positively drunk. Sirius was in no better situation, only that he didn't feel the need to throw up, unlike Lily who was groaning in pain.
"Merlin, please make me not throw up and I swear I will never do that again." Lily mumbled, sweat forming on her forehead as she rolled in a ball. "Fucking fuck..."
"Here, Lils." James passed her a bottle of water, only to be met with a stern refusal. "It will help you sober up."
"I'm dying..."
"I'm not." Callisto mused, her hands joined with Sirius' as they moved aggressively back and forth. "I feel like a wave..."
"I feel like a hot motherfucker." Sirius responded as they both jumped and twirled at the same time. "Marlene, put the music louder!"
"Oh, let's sing!" Callisto yelled, clearing her throat. "LISTEN TO THE WIND BLOW, WATCH THE SUN RISE!"
"RUNNING IN THE SHADOWS!" Sirius screamed, his voice breaking. "DAMN YOUR LOVE, DAMN YOUR LIES!"
"AND IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME NOW! YOU WILL NEVER LOVE ME AGAIN! I CAN STILL HEAR YOU SAYING YOU WOULD NEVER BREAK THE CHAIN!"
"Be more quiet, guys!" Lily yelled, her voice barely audible over Sirius' and Callisto's singing. "James, tell them something."
"I love that song!" James exclaimed, standing up and joining arms with Callisto and Sirius. By this point, Callisto had kind of forgotten about Remus' presence. Fire whiskey was stronger than most muggle alcohols and she had drunk quite a bit of it, meaning that Remus had started to fade in her mind. That was until she glanced opposite from where they were sitting and saw Remus and Dorcas sleeping together under the tree, Dorcas' head on Remus' chest as his arm rested on her back.
All desire to dance and sing with her friends seemed to disappear, the pit in her stomach growing as she felt tears stinging in her eyes. She broke the dancing circle created by her, Sirius and James and walked further away from where they were all sitting, stumbling slightly on the rocks and raised tree branches.
"Where are you going?" Sirius shouted, catching up to her surprisingly fast for someone drunk off their ass. Callisto didn't say anything, but glanced back at the pair before she sat on the blankets on the ground and covered herself with a spare one.
She didn't bother to respond up until the fire had dimmed to a few sparks. Peter and James were fast asleep, James' arms around Lily who had dozed off the moment the music stopped playing.
Marlene had sat next to them right after James had fallen asleep. Peter was too tired to keep her entertained for much longer, so she naturally found herself lying on the ground with her head on Callisto's lap and her legs on Sirius.
"I'm fucking dumb..." Callisto mumbled, her eyes fixed on the sleeping pair. "God, I'm a fucking idiot."
"We knew that already, but please, elaborate." Marlene yawned, looking up at her.
"I mean, look at them." She continued, not bothering to reply to Marlene's comment. "I would do everything for him and he just doesn't care."
Sirius' eyes widened, "Remus?!"
"Who else?" Callisto answered, her eyes watering. "I don't even know what to do anymore. I've done everything to show him how much he means to me and he goes and spends all night with her. He's never spent all night with me..."
"Callie, that's not true." Sirius comforted her, the last bit of drunkenness disappearing from the revelation. "What you have with Remus is very special to him."
"Is that why he's sleeping with her now?" Callisto retorted. "Is that why he leaves me every fucking time?"
"Maybe he's scared." Marlene stated sadly, watching as Callisto hastily wiped her eyes. "He's never been like this with anyone before."
"Those are just excuses. The truth is that he could never like someone like me, because he's who he is and I'm a pathetic loser who can't keep a relationship and goes completely batshit every so often." Callisto blurted out, unable to stop the tears from running down her face. "This is pointless."
"He cares for you." Sirius said, trying to hide the fact that it was the first time he had seen Callisto tear up, much less cry. Remus being the reason behind it was completely wrong.
"I don't want him to just care for me." The girl retorted, anger and desperation in her voice. "And I doubt he thinks what we have is special too. I am just one more of his many friends, and it just so happens we fuck sometimes. It doesn't mean shit to him!"
"Remus doesn't go around fucking people, Callie." Marlene tried to reason with her. "You obviously mean something to him."
"Obviously not as much as Dorcas does." There was anger boiling in her chest that she hadn't felt in a long time. Perhaps it was good that she wasn't really registering what she was saying, otherwise it would have been building inside of her for a long time before she burst.
"Now that we're on the topic of Remus and Dorcas," Marlene stated quite unsurely. "I am fairly sure I'd like to hold her hand, and take her on dates and adopt many cats with her."
"Shit..." Callisto muttered, engulfing Marlene in a bone crushing hug. "I wiped my nose on your shirt."
"I know." Marlene chuckled, the sound echoing oddly among the whispers and sobs.
"I hate cats..." Sirius absentmindedly mumbled, receiving a smack in the face from Marlene. "Not the time, got it."
"It's their loss." Marlene comforted, tightening the embrace ever so slightly. "I know you're in love with him, but fuck him."
Callisto let out a laugh, "Likewise..."
"Oh, come on you two!" Sirius exclaimed, joining the hug and wrapping his arms around them as tightly as he could. Just like Peter and James, he had suspected that Remus was in love with Callisto, but the fact that he had never admitted it made it hard for them to be sure. And surely, he might not have known Dorcas as much, but she spent so much time with Marlene he was surprised they hadn't become one person by now.
The sun had almost risen up in the sky when Marlene and Callisto fell asleep, the tears drying on Callisto's face while Marlene and Sirius hugged her loosely.
~ ~ ~
The power Sirius, Marlene and Callisto hold. The ultimate trio.
Also, we love Dorcas in this household. No wood fairy meadows slander will be tolerated.
Gif is Dorcas.