━━ chapter fourteen.
where it began
JAMES POTTER was pulled from his slumber by the sound of ocean waves peacefully crashing. He'd rarely heard this noise seeing that he lived in England, and the specific part he lived in was very rainy and depressing. His light hazel eyes craned open, only to squint shut when a ray on sunshine struck his view and impaired his vision. Warm air nipped at his soft skin, flushing his cheeks pink. When his sight was restored, his pupils dilated as he took in the palm tree hanging over him. Confusion overcame him as he found his surroundings very unfamiliar.
The sand beneath him was a comforting warm temperature underneath his pale skin, making him feel like he was wrapped in a soft blanket. His fists subconsciously enclosed around the material, the particles running down through his open fingers. His hand flew to his face to fix his crooked circular spectacles before his gaze went to the view in front of him.
He looked down to see his chest half covered in a thin ripped white shirt, the tear going down the middle of his body, reveling his muscular torso. His legs were covered in a kaki like material of pants, the back of them slightly wet from the damp sand beneath him.
Clear blue water caught his view. He'd never seen such stunning and calm water in his life. Sun rays reflected from the softly crashing waves, making the body of water seem like a sparkling crystal. The air was sweet and salty, invading all of his senses, and sending him lulling into a daze. Seagulls loudly squawked above him, making his eyes snap up. His attention trailed from the birds to the bright blue sky. Far in the distance, pastels of all shades swirled with the fluffy white clouds, reminding James of a watercolor artwork he saw when he was just a young boy.
The scenery around him was absolutely astonishing, his breath unintentionally hitched in his throat. After a few moments of staring off at the ocean, he slightly turned his body to look behind him. There was a extremely tall hill in the distance with a large assortment of oddly shaped small houses, most being a spotless paper white or a red-brown mud color. All roofs were different, some being round, some pointy, some flat. The windows were circular and square shaped, all lined in rugged stones.
He knew exactly where he was.
James recalled seeing this place in a few books or newspaper, and the houses were a spitting image of the picture in one of the muggle studies books in the library at Hogwarts. He'd read the book when he was a second year and his gaze had lingered abnormally long on this picture in particular.
Greece.
What a lovely place it was. He'd imagined visiting the beautiful country when he was older, however, his parents were entirely against the idea of visiting an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar people. The wizarding world was a very fragile thing, with the ministry receiving endless threats from anonymous dark wizards. The Potters were always careful with where they were and aware of who was around them.
I'm dreaming, he thought. I've never had—a lucid dream is what they call it?
The sound of approaching footsteps in the sand snapped him from his engrossing thoughts. His hazel orbs snapped from the body of water, to the nearing person. His eyes squinted once more, a bright light blinding him from making out the upcoming figure. At first, all he could see was the shape of a lean body.
Finally, when the person finally was only a few feet from him, his jaw dropped. In front of him stood an absolute angel—no, goddess.
Her delicate features were glistening under the Greece sun, accentuating her high cheekbones and the other high points of her face. Her long eyelashes emphasized her almond shaped eyes, which were a deep mahogany brown that seemed to completely entrance him with her stare. The look was enough to send shivers up his spine and for heat to crawl up his neck.
She had a small button nose, heavy splatters of unique freckles dotted it along with her rosy cheeks, reminding him of the constellations he'd identified in the sky. He wanted nothing more then to count every freckle, just to be able to study her face for an extended amount of time. Thick brown curls surrounded her heart shaped face, drawing attention to her facial features. The hair brushed against her bare collarbones, making her shiver at the light touch.
Her body was hugged in a flowy white dress, latching onto her hips and bust. The dress was so simple, yet so perfect.
James' body went ridged and his muscles stilled at her presence. His stomach twisted and turned as what felt like a whole zoo paraded around. He couldn't fight the small smile that spread on his pink lips. She looked as though she had been sent down from heaven and she completely captured his undivided attention. Her fierce, stunning looks were enough to send intimidated girls into tears. Her peach lips pulled into a small, dear smirk. She knew exactly how much she affected the boy.
She was all too familiar. He saw her practically every day, and only until recently did he ever look at her the way he had been now. His eyes watched her so intensely with adoration, as if she was his entire world. As she walked towards him on the lovely beach in Greece, he knew.
The girl in front of him was Lori Rose.
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It was around eight-thirty in the morning of November 2nd when the four Marauders slid into their normal seats at the Gryffindor table. Usually, the boys were booming in laughter and hollering about something to the other house tables. Halloween would be a good topic of conversation, however, there wasn't that much chatter between them this morning. In fact, there was an awkward silence that seemed to swallow them all whole.
It was all because of one person, James Fleamont Potter. Instead of making jokes and flirting with Lily Evans like he did every morning, he was staring blankly down at his empty plate. After a few quiet moments, he stiffly pilled pancakes and began slowly eating them, eyeing them gingerly and reluctantly placing a piece in his mouth.
All of his friends were watching him oddly. Remus made knowing eye contact with Sirius and Peter who looked equally as confused as him. They all stared at James, but he was in his own little sulking world, and was completely oblivious to the attention.
"Prongs," Sirius cautiously started eyeing him with an odd look, "You've been quiet all morning. Is something troubling you?"
James' hazel eyes snapped up to the boy's as he gulped down a bit of pumpkin juice, "Erm, no. I'm fine, perfectly fine—in fact I'm brilliant."
This was a lie. James was the furthest from fine. The night before, he'd had an intense and emotional dream of a girl he thought he didn't think much of. Sure, the boy had always thought Lori Rose was incredibly beautiful—there was no denying it, but the dream he had of the girl was more then admiration. For example, he admired Lily. The girl he'd been chasing around Hogwarts like a mad man for the past few years. He had a huge crush on the redhead, yet he never dreamed of her like he just did of a certain freckled slytherin.
Whether he liked it or not, this changed everything.
He didn't even understand his own emotions for Lori—if he did have any. Usually, he would consider the Slytherin girl as an enemy, but the way his dream made him feel was so much more then simply friendly. He thought of Marlene and Alice as friends, but they didn't manage to make the heat crawl up his neck like she did. It was all more then a simple attraction.
I hate Rose, he thought as he narrowed his eyes in determination, I hate her. I hate her. As much as the boy tried to block out her face and instead imagine the muggleborn's straight red locks and sparkling emerald eyes, images of Lori from his dream kept flashing through his mind.
The Marauders watched as their friend's eyes darted back and forth, appearing to have an internal battle. They could all tell he was obviously going through something as they saw his fists clenched and his lips curl downward into a frown. None of them had ever seen poor James so troubled.
"Right." Peter flatly responding, unconvinced at his friend's facade.
"You look at war with yourself mate," Sirius pointed out as he shoved a piece of hash into his mouth. His grey eyes studied the boy for a bit more before making an obscene hand motion, "When's the last time you . . . you know, wanked off ?"
His words made the others facepalm in embarrassment, ducking as a few nearby students looked over incredulously. Sirius was unfazed nor ashamed, simply winked at them. He was very outspoken about his sex life ( though he hadn't been getting much action since he's been turning girls down left and right, hoping a certain someone would find their way to him ) and pretty much everything that had to do with that.
"Merlin Padfoot!" James groaned, burying his head in his hands.
"What!?" Sirius held up his hands in defense as he shrugged, "You seem as though you need to relieve a bit of tension—sexual tension."
His eyebrows wiggled suggestively as he cheekily grinned like a little boy. At his words, the other boys let out a few chuckles, clearly amused with their friend's silliness. James however, held a straight face as he stared blankly down at the table like he was doing before.
His hazel eyes trailed over to the slytherin table, immediately catching the seated figure of the very girl he'd intimately dreamt about. Lori. What was he to do now? Continue as though nothing had happened he guessed. There were too many reasons as to why he couldn't even think about her. 1.) He dispised her 2.) She was a snake (yuck!) 3.) Sirius' obsession for her is in too deep 4.) The hate he felt was a two way street! Fancy certainly wasn't a possibility ( especially with the girl with practically no emotions ) 5.) He just was clamming his love for another for the last few years 6.) hell would freeze over before his pride let him admit anything of that sort.
So, ignoring what he felt seemed to be the only option. Oh, he really had no idea how hard that would be.
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Tension was thick in the air all throughout Hogwarts. For once, chatter wasn't loud in the Great Hall or even in the corridors. It seemed like everyone had a chip on their shoulder—which was so unlike the students. But, this day wasn't like any other day in the year, no, this day was special for one reason and one reason only.
Quidditch Tryouts.
Even the sound made some cringe and flinch in fright. Dramatic, but sadly true. Everyone knows that practically half the school tries out for their house team, and only a lucky seven players actually make the team. This day also happened to be known to demolish many egos, which Lori certainly needed, seeing that her confidence was through the roof.
But, like she had mentioned to Klay weeks ago, her ex, Lucius Malfoy ( the petty dickwad! ) would never allow her on the team. Even if she was better then the whole starting line up . . . don't tell Corban that, he'd throw a fit.
Speaking of Corban—the boy had been completely ignoring her ever since halloween which had been a week ago. This greatly confused her, but she tried not to think about it too much. He moved his normal meal seating from next to her to diagonal, which as it was expressed before, is a big deal. They never change their seats. And since he decided to move, Klay was also forced to move into the green eyed boy's old seat—but he had no problem whatsoever sitting next to Lori. Actually, he grew quite excited being able to be close to her, but the butterflies his stomach once held were slowly leaving.
His liking for her wasn't as blinding as it was for Corban. He didn't think about her all the time nor was his every thought captivated by her. Corban loved Lori. He absolutely adored everything about her from the moment he saw her, and that feeling hadn't dimmed in the slightest over the years. She was his soulmate.
And Corban was Klay's best friend. How could he do that to him? How could he press his lips to hers, knowing that his best mate was back in their dormitory, contently dreaming of doing the same? He was absolutely disgusted with himself the day after it happened and seeing the deer in headlights look flash across Lori's face was enough for him to know she regretted it also.
So, with a odd look and a knowing tilt of their head, the two had nonverbally, yet mutually agreed to never speak of it again.
"C'mon girls!" Lily cheered, her hand firmly grasped in Alice's as she yanked her forward.
Marlene, who trailed behind them alongside Alice, rolled her ocean eyes, "Ease up, dear Lily."
Lori snickered at that, knocking shoulders with the blonde playfully.
At her words, the redhead whipped around to send the blonde a glare, "Do not tell me to 'ease up'. You know these tryouts are hilarious to watch. Besides—we must not wait for the grass to grow!"
Marlene spoke in a hushed tone to Lori, slightly nudging her with her elbow, "I've angered the beast."
Alice giggled.
"Umm, I should really be checking on Emeli." Lori hurriedly started, brushing a curl away from her freckles face as the quidditch pitch came into sight.
The tall blonde had caught a harsh cold the night before and could not stop coughing and sneezing, hence the slight bags under Lori's mahogany eyes. Pricilla Parkinson whined the entire time of Emeli's sickness, like the spoiled fucking brat she is, as if the blonde could simply tell her body to stop acting up. What an absolute pea-brain! Though, Marie and Serena, Lori and Emeli's other kinder roommates, helped Lori bring up a plate of eggs and sausage in the morning for her.
You know, Lori was beginning to like them a smidge more.
For a moment—just a small moment, the Slytherin seemed to genuinely be concerned about someone other then herself . . . and well that seemed to end quickly when she spoke a few seconds later.
"I don't want her to be so lucky to catch death while I'm stuck watching lions scramble for so small of a slab of meat as a quaffle." Her voice had an edge that made the three Gryffindor's make knowing eye contact at the slight jab to their house.
Marlene let out a sigh before tossing her arm over Lori's shoulder, making the curly headed girl cringe at the human contact ( the warmth of a hug was a feeling she never had and would never be used to having ). She pulled down the sleeves of her grey Slytherin sweatshirt over her hands as she felt her fingertips tingle in the cool air.
The fall season was just at it's high peak and the environment of Hogwarts certainly showed. Dry leaves gracefully fell down to the grassy floors from the tall trees that were planted around the grounds, with each of their colors varying from a merigold to a ginger orange and even a crimson red. They crunched under the girl's shoes as they walked, the satisfying sound echoing throughout the crisp autumn air.
Marlene's newly chopped front blond bangs dangled only slightly in front of her crystal blue eyes as they twinkled in amusement, because, despite Lori only occasionally being a bitch, Marlene couldn't help but find her funny. And, it was a known fact that Marlene liked funny people—hence her slightly-more-then-friendly relationship with the school comedian, Julian Wardle.
"Emeli must not match your feelings about us in Gryffindor." Marlene winked cheekily.
She was hinting at the things that took place at the very eventful Halloween party. You see, the lovely, angelic, kindhearted, pure and untainted Emeli Glass, somehow, found herself engulfed in a long and heated snog session with the infamous red haired twin, Gideon Prewett, who just happened to be one of Baron's best friends. He was a handsome boy in his seventh year who had no problem locking lips with the tall slytherin who seemed to be glowing as bright as her golden hair. The two teenagers had a wonderful night, and it just so happens half of the upperclassmen population saw it happen up close.
"Obviously," Lori snorted with a short laugh.
The four girls were just a few strides into the quidditch pitch as they carefully made their way onto the wooden bleachers. They chattered and giggled among themselves, mostly oblivious to all the eyes and curious stares of the Gryffindors trying out for the Quidditch team and the others who just came to watch, like the girls did.
Lori walked ( or as many say, strutted ) beside Marlene with a blank expression on her freckled face. Her peach lips were pulled in a slight frown as she heard the playful laughs and joyful squeals that came from Lily and Alice. It was all very . . . unusual for the Rose daughter. She'd always felt cold and shunned—mostly by her beloved brother—and she realized this was normal for those outside of the pureblooded families of emerald and silver.
How lucky those folks were. Many of them were so blessed, and they hadn't the faintest clue.
"Are you alright, Lor?" Marlene curiously questioned as she noticed the way the curly headed girl had quieted significantly.
She quickly snapped out of her trace and her mahogany eyes snapped over to the dirty blonde before giving a short reassuring hum in response.
The girls carefully began to climb up the stairs of the bleachers. Lori, who would normally be leading the group, ( she's just that witch ) was now trailing behind with a troubled expression on her face. Though, it dropped quicker then anyone was able to spot it. Yes, her family life is rather sad and lonely, but she has great friends. The thought of moping around like a depressed loser, stuck on the fact that "awe poor Lorelei Rose isn't loved" had no point.
She might as well live her life to the fullest.
"Would you look who it is!?" A deep voice from the distance exclaimed, "Freckles!"
Lori stilled in her step and whipped around to see the frame of James Potter. Her eyebrows raised at the sight of him jogging across the field over to her with a small smile on his face. He wore all of his heavy quidditch gear, making his muscular body seem more bulky then it already was.
"Hello to you too my lovely lily flower" James gave a sweet smile and nodded at the redhead who turned her nose up at the sight of him.
Lori walked back down the few steps she climbed, leaning over the ledge of the bleachers, peering down at the boy who's head now only reached her thighs. Good thing she was wearing black sweatpants or the boy would see right up her skirt and have perfect view of her knickers. Yikes. While James was noticeably taller then her by a good four inches when they were normally standing ( and he was still growing! ), the difference in height from the raised bleachers to the floor allowed Lori to tower over the boy.
"Come to see me you little nightmare?" He bit at her as he playfully tilted his head to the side.
Ironically, she had proved the night before in his lovey dream, she was the furthest thing from a nightmare.
The tone in his voice didn't go unnoticed by the girl. Her orbs raked over his face quickly, studying him for a quick moment. His scruffy raven locks hung over his forehead, the ends of it just brushing the top of his circular glasses which were slightly fogged up. The tip of his small pointed nose was flushed pink from the cool air, just like her button one.
In all honesty, Lori didn't know what to say at first, which was a very new thing for her. The two hadn't really talked to each other since the Halloween party, only small chats in the Great Hall. Thought the both of them were drunk, they still vividly remembered the words they exchanged. You're pretty fuckin' hot. You too. There wasn't much emotion behind those words, yet the depth they held was far too much to consider emotionless . . . you know? After a quick moment of blankly staring at him, she quickly regained her composure.
"Just to see you fail." Lori nonchalantly shrugged as she placed both of her forearms on the wooden plank, leaning her weight on them. "Going out of your way to talk to me Potter? Not going soft on me are you?"
"In your dreams." He scoffed and rolled his eyes as his front teeth bit his pink lower lip. "But prepare to be impressed by yours truly."
The girl rolled her eyes, "Impressed by what?"
"I am captain," He proudly boasted with a wide smirk.
His hands rested on the wooden surface that the girl stood on, his palms pressing right beside her dirty white chuck converse. She subconsciously shifted away. His statement though made her eyes widen incredulously. Fifth years were rarely ever captain. Oh, wait til Corban got a load of this. Corban was the best chaser on Slytherin and James on Gryffindor, so naturally the two boys were always neck and neck.
"Wow. Congrats. Turns out you aren't as hopeless as I though!" She sarcastically smiled.
James in no way was offended, only amused. He stifled a laugh, his head hanging as a few chuckles bubbled from his lips before he looked up at her, his eyes squinting as a few sunny rays shone on his face. Deep dimples dented both of his porcelain cheeks as his pink lips turned upwards. The only clear view he had was Lori's angelic face. Huh, figures.
"Well—"
"Potter! Let's get started!"
The two teenagers turned around to see Conner McLaggen standing a few strides away with his arms crossed and an impatient expression in his pale face. His light eyes averted upwards towards who James was talking to, and his entire body language changed from annoyance to excitement.
Noticeably perking up and straightening his posture, the boy spoke incredulously, "Lori! Oh—uh—I didn't expect you to be here!"
The girl rolled her eyes once more before making jazz hands and dryly responding in a flat tone, "tada."
He neared the pair, choosing to ignore the way James' face scrunched up in distaste, obviously annoyed with the blond boy's presence. He'd never liked McLaggen. While his best mate Sirius loved to fool around with girls, he at least knew to treat them with respect as a human being. McLaggen had no problem throwing girls away and making the worst of rumors about them. One rumor he made about a fourth year ravenclaw, Josie Ruckett, blew up so much, literally all of Hogwarts knew ( a little of Beauxbatons too ). It was about her . . . you know—let's just say satisfying his needs. She didn't leave her dormitory for an entire week and a half.
So, it was safe to say James didn't like him.
"How are you?" Conner questioned the freckled girl before flashing her a bright smile.
That smile would've worked on many girls, but Lori wasn't just any girl. She'd be damned before she had any sort of relationship with the boy, let along get caught swooning for him. He wasn't ugly in anyway—maybe even attractive, but his personality made him more ugly than any.
"Brilliant," She smirked, sarcasm evidently seeping into her words.
Her tone made Conner blink, taken aback by the obvious coldness she had. Sure, many said she was a bitch, but she couldn't be that bad . . . could she? Well he hoped not. Either way, he wanted her in his bed and he wasn't one to back down.
He opened his mouth to speak, but James, who had been glaring daggers at him finally interjected, "Is there a reason as to why you interrupted our conversation, McLaggen?"
Conner scowled, "Yes, actually. I was just going to ask Lori to Hogsmeade if you didn't mind."
"Why would I mind—"
"It's Rose to you, McLaggen," Lori's eyes narrowed dangerously at the boy, "Funny for you to think you can address me as anything else."
Conner wasn't fazed as he flirtatiously smiled, "I was hoping to get to a point where I could address you as mine."
"Please tell me that rubbish line has never worked on a girl," James commented in disbelief.
"Shut it, Potter."
Lori laughed, "If my answer wasn't obvious, I'll be nice and spell it out for you—fuck n-o."
"But—"
"I think it's time you walked away, mate," James chuckled in amusement before playfully grimacing, "I mean your perseverance is inspiring—really it is! But, you're embarrassing yourself beyond belief! I mean even I, the notorious reject, an embarrassed for you."
Lori's sweatshirt covered palm pressed flat against her mouth as she suppressed the giggles that threatened to escape. The look on McLaggens face was more than enough to entertain her. He looked between horrified and embarrassed and maybe even a bit of anger at the both of them ( though he had nothing to be angry about seeing that even his friends warned him about asking Lori out ).
"What is wrong with you lot!?" Conner scowled, trying to recover from the enormous blow to his ego.
"What's wrong—us?" Lori incredulously repeated, her dark brows furrowed yet still a faint smile pulled at the corner of her lips.
"We're just fine . . . I mean I'm fine and you're fine, right freckles?" James feigned confusion, looking up to see the slytherin smirking down at him.
He leaned back on the bleachers, resting both his elbows on the wooden surface. His tone was obviously mocking, and both of the other teenagers caught onto it. One grew annoyed and the other had never been more amused. Lori glanced down at the top of James' head, the only part of him visable being his raven waves and gear covered arms. As he turned his head upwards, reveling his pearly white skin, circular glasses, and sparkling hazel eyes, she couldn't help but feel proud. Atta boy!
She loved nothing more than taunting another, and it seemed James enjoyed it too.
"Yeah, I'm fine," She nodded down to him, the both of them having silly grins plastered on their faces.
"Brilliant! Well now that that's settled, I think it's time you get back to the third years," James dryly smiled, motioning to the chattering group of young gryffindors who were excited about trying out for the first time.
Conner was dead silent, but the glare he sent the boy was deadly, yet James leered back. As if he'd be intimidated by a five-eight dumb blond bloke with no brain. If McLaggen was smart, he wouldn't talk back to the bespectacled boy, seeing that he's quidditch captain and decides whether he will even make the team.
"What—are you two like . . . together?" He questioned, his whole face scrunching up in disgust.
James' eyes widened like saucers at the other boy's words. That was probably the last thing he expected to come out of his mouth and he was not prepared. The rapid reddening in his cheeks showed this. He had flashbacks to how close they were on Halloween and the way her face glowed under the candlelit common room.
"Uh, absolutely not!" He quickly denied.
This caused Lori to scowl down at him at his eagerness to turn the thought down. Ouch! Is she that bad? If she wasn't who she was, she might be offended! But, then she remembered how easily he became putty in her hands only weeks ago, and she felt a bit better.
"Well what if we were?" She raised her eyebrows, her mahogany eyes trailing back towards the blond. The mere thought of her words coming true made her stomach during in absolute disgust, but she continued to toy with Conner.
James gasped and his head snapped upwards, "What?"
"That would just be preposterous!" Conner seethed, placing his fists on his hips.
"Why?" The curly headed girl raised a quizzical brow.
The blond's mouth opened and closed multiple times as he thought of what to say, making him appear as a fish out of water. He stuttered, "Because . . . because—he fancies Lily Evans!"
His hand pointed up the bleachers toward Lori's friends, motioning towards the redhead.
"Lily? Lily." James thickly swallowed, still flustered by the girls words. ". . . right. Evans." He cleared his throat with a short nod.
Lori looked down at him with an odd expression. For someone who so-called loves the redhead and never had a problem admitting it, he sure sounded dreadful when mentioning her. Usually, just at the name of his precious Lily flower, the bespectacled would be jumping for joy with practically hearts for eyes. But he wasn't, and that confused her greatly. Maybe he was finally taking her advice from detention about knowing what he deserves and getting over her who obviously doesn't return his feelings. It's about damn time!
"I don't understand why you're still here," The girl crossed her arms as she feigned confusion to McLaggen, something she seemed to be doing a lot.
The boy scowled in return, "I guess I'll be going."
"As you should," She mockingly sang with a jeering grin.
His want to take her to Hogsmeade was long gone as he glowered up at her. All his friends were right, she isn't the nicest. His light orbs averted over to James who's expression was just as taunting as the freckled girl who stood above him. There was no winning this conversation and the only way out for him was by backing down and walking away.
"Let's just get started with tryouts Potter," he grumbled as he turned, ready to stride back to the other gryffindors.
James rolled his hazel eyes that glinted from beyond his circular spectacles at the blond's attempt of authority over him, "We'll get started when I say we can get started."
"Whatever."
And Conner walked away.
"Thank Paracelsus!" Lori sighed in relief, "I thought the nutter was never gonna leave."
"I know," James grumbled under his breath in agreement.
His hazel eyes watched as Conner's head kept turning back as he stalked to the middle of the quidditch field, oddly eyeing the pair as if they were the weirdist thing he's ever seen. And in fact, they pretty much were. They speaked with each other as if they already knew what the other was to say and their body language was all . . . just weird. That's how a bystander who might've witnessed the conversation would describe it. Bloody weird.
"Well, anyways, I should probably get back to . . ." James trailed off as his thumb motioned to the group of crazy gryffindors a few yards behind them.
Lori nodded with a tight lip smile, "Yeah, sure. I hope to never see you again but I would never have that good of luck."
He dryly responded, "Charming."
The girl turned on her heels, flashing the boy one last half smile ( because she was incapable of really, truly smiling ) before beginning to make her way back up the steps to her awaiting friends. James watched her retreating figure curiously and couldn't help but remember his dream from the week before.
Merlin, she confuses me, James incredulously thought.
"I'll catch you later, freckles!" He hollered up the bleachers.
Her head turned as she flashed him a cheesy grin, "I really hope not, four-eyes."
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"He's complete bullocks," Marlene giggled giddily as she yanked a chewy liquorice wand from her teeth.
Her blue eyes were casted in front of her at Conner McLaggen as he struggled to stay upright on his broom as James, Gryffindor's star chaser, easily threw yet another quaffle through the left hoop. Conner was trying out as keeper for the second year in a row, except he seemed to be even worse then the last year. He was quickly cut from the team last year, mostly because they already had a great keeper by the name of Katherine Luckfell.
But, now, he came back more determined then ever . . . only, unfortunately for him, determination can't make up for lack of skill. His dirty blonde eybrows were knitted together in concentration and his thin lips were downturned into a frown. His hands flew out to grip his broom as he almost wobbled off for the the twentieth time since tryouts started.
If it wasn't obvious he was doing bad to everyone who came to watch tryouts, it sure was when Marlene cupped her hands around her mouth ( the action alone caused all of her friends's eyes to widen and then scramble to try and shut her up ).
"You suck McLaggen!" She shouted before shamelessly lifting both of her middle fingers in the air.
Marlene McKinnon had a crush on Conner McLaggen since the beginning of fourth year. At first it started off with finding herself staring at him for too long, but it rapidly became worse when she found herself blushing when talking to him. The silly boy of course had no idea—instead continued on snogging the next five girls he saw. Her friends encouraged the blonde to talk to him, but fourteen-year-old Marlene had little to no experience with boys, so she was far too terrified.
Though, by the end of her fourth year, she bucked up the courage to finally talk—well actually she skipped that part and went straight into kissing him . . . and well she got r e j e c t e d. A rather embarrassing situation for her. Actually very, very embarrassing. He said it was because he didn't want to have any romantic relations with someone ( yet he continued to whore around ) and he just needed time.
So, she gave him the summer then asked him to Hogsmeade in the beginning of fifth year and, get this, he rejects her, again. To make matters worse, he tells her that he fancies Lori fuckin' Rose, the "it girl" of Hogwarts. Honestly, as much as Marlene hated to admit, she hated Lori for a good three days, then she realized it wasn't her fault a boy didn't like her back.
"Marlene," Lily hissed, reaching over and smacking the blonde's arm as she continued shouting a bunch of profanities, "For goodness sake, Mar. Shut your bloody trap!"
Lori watched as Alice and Lily eagerly tried to hush the blonde as their cheeks heated in embarrassment with an amused smile playing on her lips. Everyone else who'd come to see the tryouts was looking over at the group of fifth year girls curiously, few of them throwing some last looks. Lori caught the glaring eyes of a girl sitting a few yards to the right of them and it didn't take much more then slightly narrowing her mahogany eyes to make the girl whip around, very well knowing better then to mess with Lori Rose.
Her eyes then trailed towards McLaggen who was now scowling at Marlene in the bleachers from up on his broom, getting completely distracted from tryouts. It seemed like he was shouting something back, but he was too high up for anyone to hear him. He's such an wanker. It's obvious he thinks he can use girls whenever and how much he wants and that wasn't okay.
I might as well join in, Lori inwardly grinned.
"Fuck you, McLard-ass!" The freckled witch screamed, mirroring her blonde friend's action and raising her middle finger to the flying boy.
"Yeah, fuck you McLaggen!" A boyish voice from the bottom of the bleachers called, making the girls all look down to see Sirius Black.
His hands that were just cupping his mouth dropped as he looked up at the group of girls with a wide silly smile. Alice covered her mouth as she tried to suppress her loud giggles—yet everyone in a mile radius could hear the noise. Sirius squinted his famous light grey eyes as a ray of autumn sun shone directly in his face, but even then, he was still able to make out the seated figure of Lori. Shoulders slumped in relaxation and head resting on the shoulder of Marlene as the two giggled amongst themselves, clearly still taunting poor Conner.
A smile immediately made its way on his lips at the sight of her heavily freckled face. He felt like the giddy little boy he once was when his parents told him the Black family was going over to the Rose manor ( which wasn't that much of a rare occurrence ). The boy used to literally jump for joy on his bed, causing the head of his bed to hit the wall and the entire manor to shake. While his parents screamed at him, even younger Regulus used to tease him to no end.
He climbed the steps of the bleachers with his hands stuffed in his jean jacket's pocket. His eyes were still glued to Lori, but she refused to make eye contact let alone spare him a glance. You would think she didn't like the boy if it weren't for the faint smile her peach lips held as he approached her and her friends.
"Lori," Sirius nodded with smile.
Her lips turned into a smirk as she mocked his tone, "Sirius."
His eyebrows raised as he looked taken aback momentarily at her use of his first name. She hasn't called him Sirius since they were kids—and even then, she was just as stubborn and only called him by his surname.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned, as he absentmindedly squeezed between Lily and Lori, practically shoving the poor redhead over to sit next to the freckled girl.
"Hello to you too," Lily scowled.
The boy ignored the odd glances that Lily, Marlene, and Alice threw him. They never did get used to the usually confident Sirius Black get all spastic and giddy in the presence of someone. But, when the girls and marauders were friends in the first year ( so before the boys got annoying ) they faintly remember the boy boasting to the Gryffindor table that he was friends with the small freckled Rose daughter who sat over at the table of emerald and silver.
"Same as you," Lori shrugged before her dark eyes locked with his stormy ones, "Though Emeli's caught a cold and there was nothing better to do."
He hummed in response with a small smile, "Nothing better to do then torment McLaggen?"
"I guess not," she dryly laughed.
The grey eyed boy paused before speaking, "Where are your other friends?"
"Julian is most definitely still asleep, Klay is studying in the library, and Corban—well I don't even know." She shrugged nonchalantly.
"Henson's—from what I've seen, has been a bit cold lately . . . you reckon?" Sirius slowly spoke, as if he was scared it would make the girl snap.
His pale long fingers fiddled with the strings of his crimson and gold scarf that was draped around his neck, shielding him from both Lori's intense stare ( that could drill holes through one's every last bit of self confidence ) and of course the cold.
But, she only looked over at him oddly, "Really? I haven't really noticed."
This wasn't a lie—or at least not fully. Obviously, she'd noticed he's been a bit distant. If it wasn't the abnormal quietness that told her this, it was surely when he moved his seat at the Slytherin table in the great hall. They've had the same seats since . . . well forever! Though, she thought everything was fine because even with all these things, Corban couldn't keep his bloody eyes off of her ( like always! ) and she assumed he was just having a phase or something.
Maybe he was hittting puberty and was just moody or something. Yes, that would be a good explanation, she had told herself. But, as Sirius sat next to her, eyeing her knowingly, it seemed like he knew something she didn't. He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to come to the right conclusion so he wouldn't have to be the one to buck up and tell her. Imagine telling Lori "your best friend who is madly in love with you...". Oh, the bloody irony.
"Why?" Her mahogany eyes narrowed at the boy suspiciously.
"Oh, I just uh—" Sirius rambled as he ruffled his shaggy hair and looked anywhere but at her.
"Cut the rubbish. Why." She cut him off and spoke with a harsh tone.
His eyes finally met hers and he knew there was no other option then tell her. He thought it would be obvious by now, but then again, Lori really never was the most observant, especially when she didn't care to be.
"I mean, c'mon Lori, it's plain as day. He's mad at you." He shrugged, pushing his charcoal locks away from his pale face.
"At me?" Her eyebrows furrowed incredulously, "Why would he be mad at me?"
"Well, that I don't know, but I know for a fact that he is. Usually, he'd be following you around—don't try to even deny it because everyone knows he does—and you know, be all over you, glaring at any bloke who gets even arms length of you." Sirius nonchalantly explained.
"Are you sure?" She expressed exasperatedly.
"One-hundred bloody percent! I speak men—"
"—boy you mean."
"—men and poor Corban has been walking around like a kicked puppy!" He exaggeratedly waved his hands in the air.
Lori's eyes widened as she realized the urgency and seriousness of this. Corban never got so mad he ignored her so whatever she did must've been very, very bad. Her brain went in overdrive as she flicked through memories of the last few weeks, but there was nothing for him to get this mad. She had no clue!
"Fuckin' hell."