I've always wondered if there were perks to being stupid. If you were treated differently, if your brain worked in different ways. Somehow, the girls who were stupid always got more attention. Weather or not it's for the reasons I believe, I guess I'll never really understand.
Things are different for me, for my life. I've never known what it's like to be stupid, to look at the world behind unknowing eyes, ones that could only see behind a barrier of innocence. Only real intelligent people could see the truth and reality of the world. And that's the way things work, that's the way life goes.
Throwing the ball up and down, I watched as the heavy circular object bounced in my hand. This time, I was waiting outside of Professor Cockshut's room. It was a normal occurrence, I suppose it was something I just got used to, for once again, detention had striked.
Me, no… I got off easy, this time it was Lee's turn to pay the price.
Students may think a flying stink bomb is highly amusing, but when it lands in your Professor's cauldron while trying to brew a certain love potion, when you lean into take a smell… things take a turn for the worst.
I had always thought the trick had sentimental value, the amount of times we had pulled it off had surely struck and a new record… but it still failed to sit with the teachers as easily as it sat with us.
The door opened as I turned just in time. Smirking, I watched as a very proud Lee sauntered out of the classroom like it was the easiest thing in the world. She was tall, with blond streaked brown hair that exceeded her shoulders by far. Her eyes blazed a brilliant bronze as she danced with excitement at the thought of a new idea.
She was slender, with a quick mind and rational thinking, always taking into consideration the well being of others before laughing at the thought of destroying it. She was smart, brave and cunning, just like the rest of us, making her the perfect addition to our team, our brand.
There were three of us. Lily Evans was another of three. Taken into the click when she managed to weasel us out of trouble in Third year. Sure, she was a stick in the mud, never wanted to get in trouble and tartar her perfect record, but I counter we were a force to be reckoned with when friendship marched into the picture.
She was tall, with mahogany coloured hair and bright, vibrant green eyes. Intelligent, with natural common sense and a rebellion against anything that threatened to mess with her. We were each a natural beauty in our own way, but Lily had the most natural look.
Lee had always been beautiful, tall and dazzling, with stunning eyes and a quick retaliation. Me, I had the dark beauty that every girl possess, but only some have the knowledge to use. All the same, as 'over the counter' beautiful Lee was, and the strong dark attraction I had, Lily would always be the one to hold the natural beauty, it was as simple as that.
We each had our place, our spot within our private triangle of friends. Sure, we could be mean, who isn't? But what made it different was that we had earned our places with time. For instance, Lee, was like the beta, she came second, so she would always be second, and considering ours spats and feuds over the fact… some things you could not change.
Lily, would always be our brains, our hearts. And her faithful followers were just as much a part of her life as they were ours, so naturally they were stuck with us also. For as much as Lee and I value friendship, and how easily we could drop some… Lily Evans was a girl you wanted as a friend. And that wasn't about to change.
I was a natural leader. Things just were the way they were and as much as I loved the power, I also hated the idea of ruling over someone other then younger students. It made me feel like I thought I was better then others, and truthfully… that was far from it.
Now, things were different from where we all came from. There were things that made us individuals, and others that brought us closer together as a set of friends. For instance, our looks all countered one another. Lee and Lily were towering figures, with long hair and the smarts to take them anywhere.
Me, I stood on low bases as the shortest in four surrounding years. There were Second years taller then I'll ever be and that was something I'd never live down. I was slender, there was just nothing to me and no matter what I did, that wasn't going to change any time soon. With bleach blond hair and dark brown roots, I had electric blue eyes and a quick reaction that exceeded my ability to think before I acted. It was compulsive… and it was how life was for the girls' 'It' crowd of Hogwarts.
"How was it?" I asked as we began our walk down the long corridor towards our common room. We were proud Gryffindor, sadly, that also meant we had the most stairs to climb.
Lily could have been in Ravenclaw any day… she had the smarts to beat out everyone's. But Gryffindor suited her just as much, if not more, and she was a proud school contributor no matter what anyone says. Lee and I, I couldn't say the same for. Truth be told, we knew for a fact that we should have been in Slytherin, with her compulsive behaviour and my twisted ideas, we would have been perfect factors. But something in the hat changed when it set us into Gryffindor and no matter what anyone says. Still to this day I wonder what he had in mind.
"Same as usual. This time, the teacher asked I wouldn't do it again. After a few seconds of silence, she just paused and claimed that she had given up. If detention couldn't straighten me out, and deducting points did no good, there was nothing else she could do. Lazy old cow, she could have tried something more creative I reckon." Lee smirked and shrugged her shoulders as I let out a quick laugh.
"Are we going for it tonight or not?" she asked as a small smile spread it's way across my face.
Freedom always came with a price, and as cheap as ours' came, sometimes, the price is in the risk.
For instance, being an illegal animagus came with a high price. If ever we should have been caught, things would turn ugly, and quick. But life outside of school was just as important as life within. And somethings never will change.
Lily had no knowledge of our small falters, but being animals was just as good as being people with more freedom and more to eat. Lee was a glistening silver and midnight black cheetah, not something you would see in the London zoo mind you, but unique and intelligent all the same.
I, on the other hand had taken a form much different. I guess it's true when they say opposites attract for when Lee turns into an over sized puff ball of kitty fur, I turn the exact opposite. A large canine with bleached white fur stands in my place, the electric eyes and all.
"I don't see why not." she mused as we passed a group of sixth years and through a smirk their way as one of them mockingly whistled through their lips and wagged his eyebrows suggestively.
"In your dreams…" I smirked as his friends laughed and chuckled at my response.
"Yes you are, beautiful." he shot back as Lee sent a smirk over her shoulder before turning to me with warning eyes.
"Oh how flattering. I love a boy that can sweet talk a girl." I smiled as we paused in our wrath and turned on the naïve victims. In all our years at Hogwarts, boys had never been one of our main topics of speech. Sure, every girl has their fancy, their secret crush, but I suppose in our minds… they were either friends or they didn't exist, I didn't need the complication in my life, and both Lee and I never wanted to be held back.
"I can do more then sweet talk you gorgeous." he smiled while sliding off the perch beside the towering window pane and took a few countering steps forwards, his friends closely taking up the rear for the support.
Finally… a string to pull.
There was three parts to the perfect execution.
The lead in.
"Oh, I'd love to see that happen."
The distraction.
Taking a piece of my hair, I wound it around my index finger and vigorously batted my eyelashes, egging him on as his confidence tenfold. Plastering on a smile of encouragement as his friends gave him a shove forward and he leant towards my face, oblivious to my real temptations and outlook on the situation.
And the downswing.
"Tarantallegra…" I whispered in his ear immediately as his body suddenly struck rigid before his legs broke out simultaneously into an uncontrollable dancing pattern to silent music.
His friends were also lead to victims as Lee and I laughed before turning to leave, only to run into the school's 'It' boys. Sirius Black, James Potter, and Remus Lupin all stood defiantly behind us as we took in the smirks plastered across their amused faces.
The three were Hogwarts idols. Trouble, intelligent, handsome and players. What more could a school ask for out of three leaders? Sadly, that was their downfall. Each were good kids overall, pure and interesting, but I knew what it was like to have something thoroughly expected of you, and in school… a reputation means nothing and everything all the same.
Sirius Black was tall and muscular, years of Quidditch sculpting him perfectly, with shaggy black hair that fell into his eyes and dark eyes that starred through the soul and into something that sent chills right to the core. With raven hair and a capturing smirk, he was essentially the groups playboy.
James Potter was much the same. Equally good looking but with glasses and a slightly more lean body. He had always been the intelligent one, the Quidditch captain, faithful to his friends and a true Gryffindor at heart.
Remus Lupin was the questionable one. He was more quiet, intelligent and witty. With a humorous side and the technical back up to Sirius and James's mad schemes. With shaggy blond hair and deep set blue eyes, that could turn your head and twist you within seconds.
Normally Peter Pettigrew tagged along with the three, but today he was no where to be seen. A short stalky boy with a rat like face and a horrible snigger.
"Ah, Black, Potter, Lupin. What a surprise." Lee sneered as the three stood before us unmoving with a half amused look on their faces.
"Why so Serious?" I asked dropping my voice. Trying not to laugh at my own joke. It had always been amusing, how a mother could name her son after an emotion, or a feeling, or a way of life. But I assume it did him well as Sirius Black and never been serious in his life.
"Yeah, like I haven't heard that one before." he hissed while taking a step forwards. By this time, those behind us were dancing a jig like parade of flailing limbs as I backtracked for an idea to escape. They weren't a factor to dwell on, so now it was only a matter of running from those before us.
"Well then, we'll just be going." I shrugged indifferently whilst moving to take a step around the three and descend downwards through the hall rapidly.
Sadly, my plan worked to no avail. I suppose that Lee, Lily and I should have got along with these three as our ranks and reputations were around the same, but there was no way we could coexist. We hated everything about each other and that wasn't about to change for the sake of a better image.
"We had a deal to make with these guys. And you just ruined our chance, now we'll have to settle with you two." Sirius smirked as I scoffed and Lee simply rolled her chocolate eyes.
"Oh please… three on two isn't very fair. Besides, we have a class to get to, and so do you." I smirked as they raised their eyes defensively. "Oh for Merlin's sake… guys don't look now, professor McGonagall at twelve o'clock." I added in a hushed tone as I watched the blank wall behind them.
Within the instant they all turned around, clearing an optional escape route as I grabbed a hold of Lee's hand and shot off in the other direction. Only half hearing the boys' protesting cries over the shrill sound of my own laughter.
With minutes to spare, Lee and I bounded back into the DADA room and took a seat towards the back. We had potions, the Dark Arts, a free period and DA again at the end of the day. And we hadn't moved far from our previous location to get here also.
Cursing under my breath, I watched as Black, Potter and Lupin trailed into the classroom and took the desks opposite ours. "Good afternoon class. I trust you had a satisfactory free period. This time slot, we will be practising the patronas charm. Difficult… but not impossible." I sighed as I twiddled with my fingers, running through the steps in my head.
"Think of a happy memory or thought, and repeat the words, 'Expecto Patronum' with a slight wave of your wand. Try to create a full patronus by the end of class. And those who are capable will be rewarded at the end of the day." with that, all the students set off in different directions as Lee and I found ourselves situated beside the three boys we had run into earlier.
"Watch how it's done." Potter joked with Sirius as I heard the words escape his mouth, and watched the silver wisps' leave the end of his wand then end suddenly. With a defeated look, Sirius and Remus simply patted him on the back and chuckled despite his best efforts to glare their way.
Shaking my head, I searched for a happy memory, for I hadn't many left to remember. "Expecto Patronum." I stated tonelessly as I watched only a few signs of action shoot from my wand.
"Try and have at least a little enthusiasm for my class." I heard the Professor sigh as I couldn't help but snicker at the thought.
I was seven, I had received my first broom and was practicing in the backyard with my older brother. Then, I was ten, my first Quidditch match for the local team. My first snitch as seeker in the first game. The roar of the families around me and the deafening pound of a great victory. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" I called out loudly as I unthinkingly closed my eyes with force and suddenly felt the energy and happiness surge through me.
Opening my clenched eyes, I turned to see rather then a few flickers of light, a full, large animal sitting before me. Looking me in the eye, it suddenly bounded from it's position and raced around the room. Zig zagging in between awestruck students.
When Lee patted my arm forcefully, I could only faintly hear her words of caution. "Look at your patronus, better keep sure it doesn't reveal anything." sure enough, one more look and I turned to see that my patronus had indeed taken the shape of my own animagus.
"Ah… class look here. Our young, Cailin Faine has managed to produce a full patronus charm already. As you see, the form of your patronus is based on what is within. Weather it be a trait you share with your animal, or one you favour most of all. Continue students." the teacher mused as I turned to her, her eyes clearly showing a sign of amusement. "Cailin you are free to help the others if they so require your assistance." she stated before walking away.
"Alright Piper, I require your aiding assistance. I didn't know…"
"I molest dogs for a living, I know, shocker…" I snickered as some of the students turned to glare at me before I could continue.
"Oh… so that's why my new puppy always liked you better then she did me. Everything seems clear now." she mocked as I shook my head and took the few needed steps to close the distance between us.
"Alright, favourite memory?" I asked as she sighed and turned on me.
"I shouldn't have to tell you. Meeting you was one of the fondest memories I have." she smiled as I scoffed and shook my head.
"If I remember correctly we were in grade school together and we met because I tripped you at our school play when you had the lead role in Peter Pan as Wendy, and while everyone rushed to stop the blood… they let me stand in for you while your parents rushed you to the hospital. Now I don't know about you, but I wouldn't say that's exactly a pleasant memory." I chided as a smirk grew on her face as the other students surrounding us laughed.
"Ah but do you remember when I got back to class?" she asked with a wicked smile as I shook my head, remembering all to clear how her planned revenge took place.
"They forced us to sit beside each other at lunch to resolve our conflict and when I looked away you dumped crayon shavings into my sandwich." I glared as she burst out laughing, as did many around us when the teacher sauntered forwards. "You know I still can't look at crayons, or eat ham and cheese sandwiches."
I shivered on the spot when Lee cut in, "Well then I saved you the trouble. Face it Piper, your mom isn't exactly the best in the kitchen." she sniggered as I shook my head again.
"Wasn't Lee. Wasn't the best in the kitchen." I corrected as she nodded her head and sighed.
"Right sorry… so about this patronus," she added as I let out an involuntary scoff and instructed her to find a better memory or dream, one that made her smile or laugh… anything.
Suddenly, as Lee took a deep breath… the words fell from her lips as her eyes momentarily squinted together and a large cat like feline jumped from the end of her wand and turned to face us. As she opened her eyes, the cat began to fade, but it was still easy to see it was in fact a slightly larger replica of her kitten, Ashen, the pet she had received in her first year for Christmas.
Gasping, she smiled triumphantly as the class watched in envy as the teacher simply nodded her head and congratulated Lee, who in a sense was slightly offended. "What's up with that. Your mutt prances around and you get all high and mighty, and I don't even get a round of applause. Well that's fair!" she explained sarcastically, even though I knew there was more to it then that.
"Lee your brilliant in every other subject and everyone knows it. You don't try in this class at all, so the professor isn't all to keen on you anyways." I offered as she turned on me.
"Well she doesn't like you to much either!" she countered as I shrugged my shoulders.
"Hey, in my defence… I actually try in this class. Besides, I wasn't in detention today." I replied before looking around to see if anyone should be listening in.
"So… it was your spell!" she hissed as I caught eyes with another student. Tall and muscular, with honey blond hair and light blue eyes. With a single smile, I could see him react as suddenly a friend hit his shoulder and demanded his attention.
Turning back to Lee and her bantering, I sighed when something changed unexpectedly. The cold rush hit me a million miles an hour as I felt something tear through me then leave just as quickly as it had come. Churning my stomach and making me feel empty enough inside to knock my wobbly feet out from under me, I felt my body stagger back and forth and a wave of nausea and dizziness take over, only faintly hearing the protests of someone close by along with the rapid orders of an aged suitor.
"Come on Faine, stay with me here." I heard the familiar voice coo as everything pounded down on me once more before things turned black all around me.