HEYO-
Woop Woop. This chapter is way longer than its original. Still the same path, though. No extreme changes. (Am I lying?)
Without further adieu, I present to you...
S U M M O N E D
lucille granger
During our first dinner back at Hogwarts, I've received nothing but bickering from Draco. Sure, he hardly spoke at the dinner table. But anytime I tried to input conversation, he always found a way to shut me down.
"All I'm asking at this point, Draco, is some respect," I snapped. I spoke over the voices around us as Lorenzo and Onyx's attention diverted onto us. Blaise was too busy stuffing his mouth with lamb chops.
"With an outfit like that, you think I should respect you?" Draco sneered.
"Outfit like this? You mean my school uniform, idiot?" I retorted.
"You dress like a slut, Lucille."
"What is your problem? You've been rude as a child, Draco, but you've been such a dick since we got here," I asked.
"Short skirts and thigh-high socks make him so angry," Lorenzo spoke with sarcasm. "I apologize on his behalf, Lucille. He can't control himself—"
"Shut up," Draco told Lorenzo. "You all just love budging in a two-person conversation."He got up from his chair and stomped away.
Lorenzo, Onyx, Blaise, and I looked at each other with confusion plastered on our faces.
"Bloody hell, is the git okay?" Blaise queried with a mouth full of basmati rice. "Why'd he just leave like that?"
"He hates my fucking guts," I huff, aggressively stabbing my stringed beans. Realizing my choice of vocabulary, I pause for reflection before continuing to eat. I can feel Onyx's eyes on me.
"Babe," Onyx spoke softly, "I know he's always been... an asshole. But I heard from the grapevine he and his Daddy have been going through problems. Not that I am justifying his horrible actions—"
"I mean— I get it. People go through family conflicts all the time," I replied, "But why of all people is he blowing his steam off on me?"
Onyx shrugged. "Spoiled little brat, I suppose. Likes to pick on people he thinks are smaller than him."
"It's annoying," I stated. I glanced at Lorenzo when his eyes were already on me. "Can you tell him to chill out? He'll only listen to you."
"I mean, I could try. He's been pretty moody with me, too," Lorenzo huffed. "I do notice he's been nitpicking at you more frequently, though."
"Bloody hell, and none of you say anything?" I beckoned. Annoying as hell!
"I'd rather not step on his stupid feet," Blaise wiped his mouth to rid the grease. "He's such a baby."
"And we still let him hang with us because...?"
"He's not always a dick," Lorenzo replied. "Draco just needs to work on himself. There is room for improvement."
I shake my head in disappointment. "You guys deserve better. Hell, I deserve better. How am I supposed to just sit here and let him—." I run out of words to even defend myself, solely because there is no point.
Lorenzo, Blaise, and Onyx will still be his friends. I can't afford to lose three of them in an attempt to lose one. Instead of trying to convince them, I bit my tongue and kept quiet.
I huffed and continued eating.
Lorenzo's eyes were still burning on me. "Look, I'll talk to him. Don't worry, okay? I'm sorry we didn't speak up sooner. I mean—. We thought he'd cool down by now—."
"Yeah, I really thought he was going to chill out—." Onyx's hand found placement on my thigh.
"It's alright," I replied flatly. "Just know I refuse to talk to him until you guys knock some sense into him."
Lorenzo placed his hand over his heart. "You have my word, darling."
Rolling my eyes, I finished the rest of my food as he softly chuckled in response to my annoyance.
***
"I don't know why you're even friends with that group!" Hermione yapped.
We walked alongside one another as we wondered about the realms of Hogsmeade. The formation starts with Harry, me, Hermione, and Ron. Hermione's arms were linked with mine as we spoke about our first day back.
We didn't exactly have a set destination. We walked in stores and window-shopped.
"Now, the only intolerable person is Malfoy. You know the rest are nice to me," I defended. "Plus, Onyx and Lorenzo love you."
She was stubborn. "Still can't believe that dense Hat put you in Slytherin," Hermione grunted. "You aren't like them, Luce."
"Which is exactly what makes me different," I replied. "Can we not talk about my dreadful first day back? Tell me how yours went."
"Well, Luna and I were knitting scarves. She's thinking about selling a few on the side for the holidays," Hermione paused to think. "Oh! Which reminds me! Apparently, she and Lorenzo got together over break for two days? I refused to hear any details. The thought of Slytherins and Ravenclaws, y'know, together, make me squeamish."
I shook my head and laughed. "You're so...extra. Slytherclaw relationships seem pretty powerful. A potential dominant pair, but you're not ready for that conversation."
Ron scoffed. Hermione and I turned to face him.
"Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, you mean?" Ron arched his brow. "Now that's a dominant pair."
"A pair in terms of one dom and one sub," Harry added.
"Harry!" I blurted out loud.
"What? Am I wrong? It's written on paper!"
"The school drama newspaper does not count," Hermione badgered. "Who even wrote that grotesque column about the roles of each House in a relationship?"
"Lavender Brown," Ron murmured with a smile.
"Of course she did," Hermione bickered. "People say she gets tossed around like a—."
"Okay, okay. The slander ends here, Mione," Ron lifted his hands out of surrender. "She wrote a supposedly inaccurate column, though that doesn't mean she—."
"Gets tossed around like a whor—."
"Mione, bloody hell," I retorted. "Never knew you had it out for her."
"I do not!" Hermione grunted. Silence gathered in the group before she let out an exaggerated huff. "I don't! She's—. She's—. A nice person."
"Whatever you say, Hermione," I said.
We found ourselves heading to The Three Broomsticks and took a seat at a vacant table. Receiving our menus, the group already knew what they wanted.
"Do you have the means to stay with us for the rest of the night? Or are you going back to Hogwarts?" Harry queried. "Let me know before I start a tab here."
"I won't be here for long. My friends have some sort of get-together in our Commons tonight. Or someone's dorm. Plans change out of nowhere—." I bantered. Catching myself rumbling, I clear my throat, politely smile, and nod. "Sorry."
"You're too apologetic," Hermione jeered. "Talk all you want. Do you get hushed with your friends?"
"I dare them to tell me to hush," I joked. "Over my dead body."
***
"Geez," I mutter under my breath as I stand afront of this large mirror. I adjust my bra to ensure it doesn't suffocate the living shit out of me.
"What?" Onyx asked from across our room. "Want to borrow a sports bra?"
"No, this is fine," I huff out of exhaustion, still adjusting the bra for my comfort. "I think my chest has grown larger."
"Share some boob," Onyx murmured. I softly chuckled as she appeared behind me with her eyes gazing at my reflection. "Luce, you're hot."
"Oh, shut up," I groan as I hurry to put a shirt on. "Not as stunning as you are." I step away from the mirror and head towards my dresser.
"You have the ideal body. I would kill to have your curves," she whines. "What're you wearing tonight?"
"I don't plan on wearing anything extravagant," I say. "Are you?"
She makes her way towards her closet. Sifting through the hangers until she finally pulls out a top, she holds it against her chest. "Is this too much?"
"It's a bloody drinking get-together in the Commons, Onny. That's way too sparkly," I commented. "Just wear something casual." I pull out a pair of sweats and slip them right over my bare legs. "See? Casual."
"But you rock casual," Onyx sifted through her closet again, "I don't have the body to pull anything casual off."
"Enough with the self-hate," I reprimanded. Nearly stomping towards her, I cup her face with both my hands. "You're stunning, Onyx. Stop that."
Onyx's eyes pooled. "I'm sorry. I just—. I haven't been feeling...pretty."
Worrisome grew in my chest. I pulled her body against mine as she buried her face in the crook of my neck.
"Why? Is everything okay?" I asked.
"I feel like I gained so much weight," she said flatly. "None of my skirts fit me anymore. My mum took me shopping for skirts and I just—. I'm not a size 3 anymor—."
"Onyx!" I raised my voice. "Numbers on a stupid size chart don't define your beauty. You are so freaking beautiful. Inside and out, Onny. From the bottom of my heart, I am the luckiest person to have a best friend as stunning as you."
She quietly wept as I continued to offer my comfort. Kissing her head, she eventually composed herself.
"Thank you, Luce. I love you so much."
"I love you more, Onny," I pulled from our embrace and found a comfortable and casual outfit. "Now, shall we rock casual for this drinking conundrum together?"
Through her subtle cries, she laughed. Nodding, she grabbed the shirt and pants from my hands. "Okay, we'll rock casual."
Together, we wore Quidditch shirts of different names. I, Lorenzo's, while Onyx wore Malfoy's. She wore loose grey sweats that hugged her figure. How does she not look stunning in sweats? It's Onyx De Loughrey.
"I'm surprised Malfoy hasn't looked for this shirt," Onyx beckoned as we walked down the corridors. "I've had this shirt for a year and a half now."
"Lorenzo hasn't asked for his shirt back," I replied. "Maybe because it no longer fits him anymore."
As a younger child, I used to run down these halls with adrenaline. Being away from home rhymed with freedom. If only I knew that I'd be constricted in these stone walls, too.
With one more year of education left, I knew I had to make this sixth-year count. Year 7 would only get harder.
At this moment, I've made the decision to step out of my comfort zone. It's time to try something new—something I've never thought about trying before.
Whether it be weed from the Netherlands or drinking past 3 cups of alcohol, I'd have to try it my all.
"I thought it was in the Commons?" I pestered. Onyx ended up leading me to the boys' corridors.
With her hand in mine, she smirked. "We can't smoke in the Commons, now can we?"
We scurried to Blaise's front door where she knocked a specific knock exclusive to our friend group. Within seconds, a tall figure emitting from smoke stood afront us.
"Just in time," Lorenzo said with a tight throat. He exhaled the smoke as it blew in our faces inattentively. "Please take a seat on our rug, for we have no seats for you beauts." A dazed grin played on his face as he stepped aside to make room for our entrance.
Upon entering the cloudy room, the pungent smell of the supposed herb gathered the room and the burning smell of alcohol accompanied its fumes.
On the ground, a circle formed that included Malfoy, Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and, oddly enough, Susan Bones. In the middle of the circle, small shot glasses of different designs were scattered around, and an ashtray with a few rolled joints was lit.
"Make room," Onyx demanded. All but Pansy expanded the circle. She looked ridiculous just standing her ground. Onyx gave me a look to ensure whether or not I caught on, too. And I did. "Good evening everyone. I see we've invited newbies!" She took a seat
I ended up sitting between Lorenzo and Crabbe, whereas Onyx sat between Goyle and Susan. Blaise, Draco, Pansy all sat in a row. My eyes took a quick glance around the circle. Reading the room as I call it.
Crabbe seems relaxed. Goyle looks eager to smoke. Lorenzo is high. Blaise is high. Onyx is delighted to be here. Draco is dull. Pansy wants Draco's attention. Lastly, Susan looks overwhelmed.
"Who invited Bones over here?" I whispered to Lorenzo. He turned his head to face me as he leaned over near my ear.
"Goyle's conquest," he whispered back. His close presence reeked of the weed he was smoking, but with it being Lorenzo it almost felt normal. "I doubt this will play out, though. It's bloody Goyle for Merlin's sake."
With a playful nudge, I dismissed his doubtful comment and self-rooted for Goyle's conquest.
"I'm only joking Luce. You know I hope for the best for my friends," he swings his arm around me as I find myself in the comfort of his embrace. Platonically, of course.
Right?
Onyx is already on her 3rd shot of Firewhiskey, while I barely downed my first one. I can never find myself keeping up.
Step outside my comfort zone. Right, step outside my comfort zone.
"Pour me another one," I bubbled with an empty shot glass in my hand. "I'm not holding back tonight."
Onyx and her widened mouth, she grabs the bottle from the middle and, with all her strength, reaches for my glass to pour me another shot.
"That's my good girl," Onyx cheered. Downing the shot, I couldn't help but react towards the burning liquor.
"A good girl indeed," Lorenzo muttered. "Say, Luce. You want to smoke a little..." He gestured towards the lit joint between Blaise's fingers.
After quick contemplation, I nodded.
Draco hogged the liquor in an attempt to blur out Pansy's nonstop bickering. Onyx, too, couldn't handle her talkativeness.
"You really want some of this, Lucille Granger?" Blaise held the joint up. "This isn't some cozy herbal roll—."
"Don't talk me out of it, Blaise," I bantered. I held my hand out. "Pass it here."
The boys, but Malfoy, got rowdy the moment I held the joint. Borderline cheering me on, I held it against my lips.
Lorenzo ended up helping me, though I knew I didn't need it. I was smart enough to know how to inhale. I just let him 'help the clueless me' for his ego.
He had his fingers on the joint and guided it to my lips. "You're gonna want to sip it like a straw. Inhale the smoke, hold it, then exhale. Clear?"
"Clear," I replied. I had the joint between my lips as I inhaled the dry smoke. Vapor filled my lungs making it hard for me to breathe, but I obeyed and kept it in. After a few seconds, I exhaled. Coughing ferociously, Lorenzo and Onyx couldn't help but laugh. "Is it always—ahem—that earthy?"
"You did such a good job, Luce," Lorenzo boasted, tucking my hair behind my ear. "Just let us know when you want another hit. But do monitor how you feel. You don't want to get too high."
I passed the joint to Goyle and let the weed take its course in my system. Whoever is out there, I really do pray this doesn't make me freak out. It'd be too embarrassing and I could never recover from it.
Nowhere near 3 minutes, I already felt quite slow. Turning my head felt like hours, and blinking felt like ages. I knew everything around me was fast, but my mind couldn't keep up.
One by one, I examined each person in our circle. Goyle and Susan were already talking one-on-one, Blaise started to roll his own joint, Onyx was reading the ingredients of the Whiskey out loud, Pansy kept talking, and Draco nervously fiddled with the rings on his fingers all while—. All while looking at me? With worry, almost.
Breaking my contact with each person, Lorenzo slightly nudged me. I turned my head—which felt like ages—and saw Lorenzo with a newly lit joint.
"Care for another hit?" He orated with a comforting voice. His eyes were low and bloodshot, and his...lips were rather...defined.
Snap out of it, Lucille. Not that big of a deal.
"I don't mind," I mumbled through giggles. "Let me hit it alone. Let me. I'll hit it alone. I can hit the joint alone—."
"Darling," Lorenzo cut me off, "Just hit the joint. No talking. Hm?" He passed me the joint as I held it against my lips. From there, I inhaled more than last time, held it in longer, then exhaled the smoke following a very significant and loud and aggressive and very ouchy and very scratchy cough.
"Bloody hell," I stammered through my coughs. "Okay, don't let me smoke that again."
Lorenzo cupped my chin and smiled. "Are you really Lucille Granger? The half-sister of the Gryffindor Granger?" He let out a soft giggle as I inattentively shoved his hand away.
"I'm the one and only," I replied. I turned to Onyx when my body felt incredibly heavy. "Onny! You're so pretty. Do you know that?"
Onyx, 8 shots in, nodded with a wide smile. "Do you know that you're pretty?"
"I think so?" I chuckled. "Susan! I love your hair! Did you always have it that way?"
Susan's attention diverted from Goyle to me. She smiled a gentle smile, thanked me, then went back to talking with Goyle.
"Pansy!" I blurted. Her head turned as she gave me an irritated gaze. "I was going to say something nice, but after that look you just gave me, I don't think I ca—."
"Alright, love," Lorenzo dryly laughed as he covered my mouth with his palm. "Too talkative I see."
His rings brushed against my tongue as I shoved his hand away. "Do you ever take those metallic things off? Almost felt like I tasted blood," I bantered. "Hand me that joint, sir. I want to give it—. I want to give it another go."
Lorenzo looked at Blaise for assurance. "You think I should give her another hit?" he asked Blaise.
Blaise shrugged. "If the girl wants another, why not? How many joints have you smoked tonight, Enzo?"
He smirked. "One," he replied as he turned to me, "and a half."
"Don't be greedy with the damn thing," Onyx spat as he ripped the joint out of Blaise's hand. She took an even larger hit before passing it to me. "Let the good girl live for once."
"You be careful, now," Lorenzo declared. "Not too much. It'll all hit at once."
"I'm a big girl," I said side-eyed. "I can handle it."
After I finished inhaling, I had the joint between my index and thumb. Feeling loose and heavy, I closed my eyes.
Only for me to open them again.
A pair of feet stood in affront of me as I looked up to see Draco with sheer disappointment. He snagged the joint from my hand and took a hit from the remaining contents of the joint. Exhaling, he said, "Don't hog as a first-timer. You made the fucking joint wet, too."
He walked away with the joint and sat right where he came from. His attitude nearly sent me to the moon. I was going to say some absolutely disrespectful words, but I couldn't ruin my high.
I was feeling great.
"Such an asshole," Lorenzo snarked. "You're such a buzzkill, Draco."
Draco gave Lorenzo a look. An unsettling one.
"Don't let me stop you from trying to get in her skirt," he murmured. "By all means, I wouldn't want to be a cockblock."
"Excuse you?" Lorenzo raised his voice. "Me? Trying to what?"
"You heard me, blood traitor," Draco spoke dully without eye contact. "Don't let me get in the way."
"You seem jealous. Are you jealous, Draco?"
The blonde scoffed. "She's clearly out of her mind and yet you keep enabling her to smoke."
"Why do you care?" Onyx condemned. "It's not like you respect her."
Lorenzo paused before finally coming up with something to say.
"Luce," he said cockily. "Could you come closer to me? Come closer to Enzo, yeah?"
Dazed and cheerful, I obeyed. "I have been summoned," I giggled.
"Yes, you have been summoned, love," Lorenzo smirked. "Look at you. All high and happy. Are you feeling okay?"
I nodded. He swung his arm around me and turned to Draco.
"See? She's fine. Look at her. She's smiling."
I had no idea I was still smiling, to be honest.
Lorenzo turned back to face me. He held my chin with his hand as his eyes latched onto mine. With a low voice that only I could hear, he whispered, "Can I kiss you, Lucille?"
Did...Lorenzo Charles Berkshire just ask me to kiss him?
I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone. What better way than to kiss Lorenzo as a stepping stone? Without hesitation, I had already slithered my hand behind the nape of his neck and pulled him towards me. It was an invigorating feeling.
Immediate warmth overtook my body as his hands found my hips. Our lips swayed and melted onto one another as the taste of his Firewhisky lingered in the back of my throat. It was an electric feeling—almost surreal.
Our mouths slightly ajar, his tongue swiped against mine where we eventually found ourselves making out. Too high to realize, Onyx and Blaise cheered me on. Wild girl, they said. Lucille with some sass, they said.
As I pulled away from the kiss, I wiped my mouth with my wrist as I made my way towards the middle of the circle to pour myself a shot.
"O...kay that just happened," I told myself with a strong urge to laugh.
"How'd that make you feel, Draco? Me kissing Luce?" queried Lorenzo.
I faced Draco with curiosity. He looked annoyed, that's for sure. Draco was too busy fiddling with his rings. A tic, I suppose. Was it weird to admit he looked almost... good while annoyed?
Almost too stunned to speak, he spewed out a few words. "Nothing."
What everyone didn't notice was the tight grasp around his shot glass.
To him, it wasn't just nothing.
And I knew that.
Now, how would I make this benefit me?
***
Who even is Lucille Granger anymoreeee. If there are any errors like NBlaise, please let me know. PLEASE. Before it gets iconic and I can't delete it.
D I S C U S S I O N