she wasn't scared to walk away
she was scared he wouldn't follow
Sirius cleared his throat in an attempt to ease the palpitating tension that engulfed them after James had taken it upon himself to give the new girl an exceptionally warm welcome. Uncomfortable glances were exchanged between everyone but James and Marion, who continued looking at each other somewhat awestruck.
"See you around?" Marion batted her eyelashes and gave James her most alluring smile before walking away with two very uncomfortable girls following behind.
"Count on that." James flashed her his infamous coy smirk as his gaze followed her all the way until she was eventually out of view. "So," he clapped his hands and for once acknowledged their presence, "should we get going?" He pointed in the direction the girls had headed to with his thumb, long forgotten were their plans to have dinner in the common room. "Their sorting is going to begin soon."
Alexis could feel Sirius' and Peter's concerned eyes on her, and with good reason considering she could feel her chest tighten at the sight of a completely unbothered James. More than unbothered, James looked genuinely delighted, emitting a childish glow that sparkled with his new excitement. And more than simply outraged, Alexis was seething, her hand tingling with a sudden desire to smack the grin from his face. She stuck her nose up in the air and turned on her heels before stomping her way to the Great Hall. Peter and Sirius gave each other one last worried look before going after her, followed by a dazed James who was biting his lip with a stunned expression.
Ivy could tell Remus wasn't in the highest of spirits and mentally cursed the rest of their friends for being absent when they both needed them the most. After all, anyone could tell you that Ivy Edwards was the least competent person when it came to comforting people. So when an enraged Alexis plopped down next to Remus in what appeared to be the foulest of moods it went without saying that they were certainly taken aback. Sirius and Peter followed soon after with apprehensive and anxious expressions that did little comforting. Ivy's and Remus' confusion reached its peak when James joined them a minute later with the most dumbstruck expression as he eagerly looked around.
A content smile appeared on James' lips when he located the news girls receiving instructions from McGonagall. The rest of them gave each other disbelieving and disturbed glances as they communicated wordlessly. Both Remus and Ivy were smart and competent enough to understand what was happening. James' dazed expression and the girl's veela-like complexion did all the explaining.
"Earth to unbearable twat!" Alexis shoved James to break his trance and wasn't the least bit displeased about the extra force she used.
The same unbothered expression reappeared on James' face when he turned his attention back to his girlfriend. "What is it, love?" He asked unfazed, taking the opportunity to give Remus a nod of his head as a greeting.
"I would appreciate it if my boyfriend stopped undressing other girls with his eyes," she whispered harshly, trying with all of her might to stop herself from making a scene. Their friends shifted uncomfortably but knew better than to intervene.
James chuckled and gave her a dismissive peck on the lips. "That's cute," he snickered, his eyes subtly and almost involuntarily looking for Marion.
Another wordless conversation ensued as their friends joined in on the outrage Alexis felt. Dumbledore interrupted the tense moment by announcing the arrival of the new students and informing everyone that dinner would take place after the three girls were sorted. It was clear then that Marion, who seemed to be the most veela out of the three, had a similar impact on most boys than it had on James. Over half of the male Hogwarts population was shamelessly gawking at her, but Marion had her eyes set on one boy, and James was loving every bit of the attention.
"Cecilia Drouillard," McGonagall unknowingly interrupted their moment as she called for the only brunette of the trio to step forward.
Alexis could feel James constantly fidgeting, eagerly awaiting for Marion's turn. Her hands were balled into fists and the tingling sensation had turned into a full-on desire to straight up punch him.
Cecilia was followed by Priscilla Drouillard, her non-identical twin, and they were both sorted into Gryffindor. The sisters looked clearly ecstatic to be in the same house as they sat across from the Prewett twins.
"Marion Favreau," read McGonagall. Reactions across the Great Hall differed, with boys sitting on the edge of their seats hoping to hear their House called out while most girls looked bothered by the attention the french girl was receiving.
"Very well then," the Sorting Hat exclaimed for everyone to hear. "Gryffindor!"
The way Alexis' heart dropped coincided with the cheers that erupted all around her. Marion would be sharing dormitories with James and every horrible scenario had already flashed through Alexis' mind. She wasn't the only one who wasn't the least bit content about it though, preoccupied and grim expressions were all that could be seen in the faces of three Marauders and Ivy as they watched James join in on the clapping and whistling.
Marion proudly strutted towards the Gryffindor table and didn't bother giving the Drouillard twins a second glance as she walked right past them. James didn't join in on the dread they felt when they saw Marion make her way straight towards them.
There was a small space in between Sirius and Ivy which Marion forcefully occupied because it happened to be right across from James, leaving everyone astounded as she had unknowingly sat between the two biggest smart asses and least filtered people in all of Hogwarts.
"I told you you'd see me around," James leaned over the table with a crooked grin playing on his lips.
"We'll be seeing each other a lot now, housemate." Marion did her usual flirtatious routine, which consisted of a coquettish smile and batting eyelashes which gave the impression there was something wrong with her eyes.
"Hi," Remus blurted, purposely trying to interrupt their conversation. "I'm Remus."
"Marion," she gracefully extended her hand for Remus to shake. She was behaving in a warm and friendly way that, for some reason, came off as fake. "French minister of Magic's daughter."
"Excuse their lack of manners," Remus glanced at the rest of his friend that didn't look the least bit interested in exchanging formalities with the girl. "That's Sirius on your left," he pointed at the completely uninterested boy who didn't even bother looking up to greet her. "Ivy on your right," he said uneasily as he watched the way the Ravenclaw stared Marion down with a scowl. "And Peter," he tried hard to keep a stoic expression as he fought to hide his amusement at his friends' hostility. Peter offered a strained smile. "Oh, and that's Alexis. But I'm sure you've met her already since she's James' girlfriend." He said loud and clear, purposely emphasizing those two words.
Marion had managed to keep a kind smile despite the clear animosity but her facade fell with that last sentence. It was almost comical to see her face change so drastically as she now reciprocated the hostility she had been given. It was clear that she was blatantly scrutinizing Alexis looking for something to hold against her.
"You shouldn't be here," she stared condescendingly at Alexis, her eyes set on the green tie which was a feeble excuse to make the girl leave. "The Slytherin table is over there," she pointed at the table on the other end of the Hall.
"That's adorable," Ivy faked sweetness. "You think we give a rat's ass about what you think? Isn't she cute?" She asked Sirius sardonically, making the boy lift an amused eyebrow.
"Oh, look! Another intruder!" Ivy's hostility appeared to have rubbed off on Marion, who didn't bother with kind smiles anymore.
"You just got here, princess." Sirius whispered menacingly. "I'd mind my business if I were you."
Sirius certainly managed to intimidate Marion who, although reluctantly, made the wise choice of standing down. James awkwardly cleared his throat and gave Marion an apologetic smile just as dinner began and food finally appeared. There were no times for awkward silences as Ivy was adamant on establishing conversation that purposely left Marion out, and the rest of the boys were quick to follow up.
James and Marion abstained from exchanging any more words although Alexis was awfully aware of the flirty looks they gave each other every now and then. Her initial anger had faded, leaving behind a gut wrenching sadness as she silently watched how he was absolutely mesmerized by someone else. Her hand instinctively reached for his under the table, making him turn to give her a warm and reassuring smile just as he squeezed her hand back and ran his thumb over it. She sighed relieved although she could tell that his behavior was far too odd and his emotions mixed. Something was simply not right.
Marion set her plate aside and spoke up for the first time since dinner began. She ignored everyone else's belligerence and directed her attention to James only. "I want to have a look around the tower before it gets too crowded. Mind giving me a tour?"
A chorus of answers interrupted James as everyone decided to speak at the same time. "No!" Blurted Remus.
"He can't," declared Ivy.
"You don't need a damn tour! It's just a tower!" Sirius called out.
Peter scratched the back of his head uncomfortably. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Sure," James stood up amidst his friends' excuses, slipping his hand from Alexis' grasp, and hurriedly making his way out next to Marion to avoid being stopped.
"What. The. Fuck." Ivy slammed her fork down on the table with frustration.
"It's her veela powers." Remus muttered concerned. Alexis could feel his leg bouncing anxiously next to hers.
"Veela powers?" Ivy asked, her expression revealing how pathetic she found the whole thing. "If she's got some veela powers then why don't they affect the rest of us?"
"They sort of do," Remus blushed. "It's just that we didn't have the opportunity to fall for it because we were more concerned about other matters."
"Are you okay, Lex?" Sirius asked cautiously as he reached over the table to squeeze Alexis' hand.
Alexis felt as if she had lost her voice with her gaze remaining glued to the Great Hall's doors where James Potter had disappeared next to his new infatuation.
A/N: can anyone smell the drama that's coming?
Also I posted twice in a week! Yay me! Tbh I felt bad leaving you hanging like that so I posted another chapter so you can learn a bit more about Marion.
(Watch out for shameless promotion) there's a new chapter in my Sirius book titled ELEMENTARY. Read it. Please. I beg you.
I hope you liked this, babes! And I hope you're feeling the same deep rooted hatred for Marion I feel. If you do please vote and comment and follow me and share and comment again xx