Chapter 2
"So Dorcas, how's the team looking this year?" James casually questioned her on the way down to Potions. Dorcas was the seeker for the Ravenclaws, the only girl on the team.
"Back off, Potter. You aren't getting any information out of me. How's your team looking? I hear you're hurting for a beater since Longbottom graduated last year."
"Shouldn't be hard to find, obviously no one is going to be quite as good, but it's just one position." James offered, hoping to gain some information back.
"Want to know what I heard?" She didn't wait for his answer, she was sure he wasn't opposed to gossip about Quidditch teams. "Ravenclaw's going to win this year. For sure. Hands down. Gryffindor doesn't even have a chance." She laughed and shoved him over as they continued to walk. "God James, if you cared as much about Quidditch as Miss Evans over there you would have won her by now."
"If I had to sacrifice winning the Quidditch cup or being with Lily, I'd never sit on a broom again." He sighed. Dorcas looked at him surprised.
"Those are big words , Potter."
"Yeah, and they're true." He passed her and sat in the back row. The thing was those were big words, and the other thing was, Dorcas believed him.
"Mission, if you chose to accept it." Dorcas had pulled Mary aside after class as Lily stood joking with Slughorn. "Potter. Evans. Together."
"Yeah, because I haven't been trying mission impossible for like, ages now." Mary laughed.
"This time it's different. We have each other. And multiple people I can use for my bidding." Dorcas looked determined. Mary was slightly impressed.
"Hey, I'm not going to like, not try. I would die a happy girl if those two fell in love. How romantic would that be?" She sighed, and got a far off look in her eye.
"Look alive Macdonald. We need to stay grounded here." She snapped her fingers in front of Mary's eyes pulling the girl out from her dream world.
"I'm just saying, if it works out for them, it just... it goes to show you love still is out there. We need this. I think the whole school needs this. Just like a ray of hope. A love, strong enough to show us how to love again." Mary sighed again.
"Oh god, Macdonald. You're going to make me gag. I just think, they'd be... they're just right for each other and that's all there is to it." Lily began walked to the two girls. "We'll discuss later." Dorcas flagged down Prewett as he went to leave class and began walking with him to the Great Hall.
"What were you and Dorcas discussing?" Lily questioned her friend.
Ah. The eyes. Don't look at the eyes. Mary couldn't lie to those. "Nothing, just... okay. So it's extremely embarrassing. You can't tell anyone." She looked over her shoulder. "Okay, just... don't laugh. I'm registering her help to make Sirius Black love me." She rushed the last part, inspiration hit as the two girls walked by a broom closet. Every time she walked by a broom closet she just couldn't help thinking about Black. It was like a disease. "It's like a disease." Lily laughed.
"If it's meant to happen, it'll happen, especially if you work hard enough." The two girls laughed together. Mary couldn't have said it better herself.
"Where is Peter?" James questioned, looking around the Hall for his friend.
"Here he comes." Lupin pointed toward the door where a large group of people emerged, Peter in the middle of the mass. Peter hadn't made it into seventh year Potions, it was a slight relief considering he was a bit of a liability.
"We missed you in Potions mate." James grinned at his small friend as he clamped a hand on his shoulder.
Remus' eyes found the small blonde that just walked into the Great Hall, and he wondered what her punishment had been for that comment last night. He definitely wouldn't want to share a room with his arch nemesis. Lily sat down next to him, with Mary next to her.
"I heard she got a year's worth of detention." A loud whisper travelled over to them from down the table, where Bertha Jorkins was chatting loudly to some other Hufflepuffs. "And Bellatrix Black shaved her head while she slept last night, that's totally a wig."
Violetta stood for an awkward moment at the doors. With a determined look on her face, she went to sit at the Slytherin table when a loud, projectile, voice sounded over the chaos of the Great Hall.
"Oi! Roiser! Saved you a spot!" Dorcas Meadowes was waving her arms like a nut job. Violetta smiled and walked over to the Ravenclaw table. "Welcome to the good side." Violetta laughed and sat in between Dorcas and Gideon.
"So Lily, I was wondering if you could help me with our potions essay?" James asked, ever so casually. Lily raised her eyebrows as Sirius chocked on his pumpkin juice.
"Is that a serious question?" Lily asked as she wiped pumpkin juice off of her hand.
"You want help with homework?" Sirius coughed, still regaining the use of his lungs. "You're doing homework?"
Remus grinned and lowered his face to his plate.
"Yeah, look I've been thinking... I need to get my marks up and..." He trailed off, seeing the look his friends were giving him. "Never mind.." He muttered and looked down.
"No James," He looked up at the use of his first name. "I'd love to help you." She looked at Sirius pointedly. "Tonight? After supper. Meet me in the library."
"Does this mean I don't have to come any more?" Mary looked up hopefully.
"I was never forcing you to do anything. If you don't think that the potions essay is important..." Her disapproval was clearly heard.
"Awesome! Now I can paint my nails tonight. God. Just look at them, I can't believe I go out in public with this chipped mess. Thanks Potter, I owe you one." She grinned and stood.
"Where are you going? We have Charms soon." Lily questioned.
"Just need to speak with Dorcas. No worries. Don't leave without me." She walked over to the Ravenclaw table and situated herself across from Dorcas. Lily was looking at the back of Mary's head with a confused look on her face that was until she was pulled into a conversation with Remus.
"So, the plan-e-o is a go." Mary winked at Dorcas as she sat down.
"Details?" Dorcas asked casually.
"They're working on potions together in the library. I can see it now, love blooming over potions books in the quiet setting, shoulders touching, hands reaching for the same book. A causal flirt here, something there. They'll be in love in an instant. It's fate."
Dorcas rolled her eyes.
"You are quite the romantic Mary." Violetta smiled at her.
"It's a disease." She sighed. "But love is in the little things, and I think this is a really great start."
"Right you are Macdonald! I guess we can't exactly assume that they're going to start shagging right here in the Great Hall. Homework together is an amazing start. Charms anyone?" The group stood and began walking out, Lily joining up with the three other girls on their way.
"So Violetta, I heard there is a bit of history with you and Sirius Black." It wasn't a question, Mary made it more like a statement.
"Er-." Violetta looked at her questioningly. Lily and Dorcas fell silent.
"I was just wondering. I'm sure you weren't aware or anything, but I'm like, pretty much completely in love with him."
"Er-."
"So I was just wondering, now that your single and everything, are you planning on like, getting back with, you know, him?"
"Oh wow." Realization dawning on Violetta's face. "No. No way. What me and Black had... wow. No." She looked at Mary. "I am not planning on anything like that."
Mary looked at her and smiled. "Brilliant." Violetta smiled back.
"I know you probably do not care, considering he is the love of your life and everything," Violetta lowered her voice as the four girls sat together in charms, something never seen before. "But I think you could do a heck of a lot better than him. No offence or anything, but I have heard that he has become a bit of a play boy."
"That's putting it nicely." Dorcas muttered under her breath.
"Yeah, but I think, and this is probably just me, being a crazy love sick girl and everything, but I think if he found the right girl-"
"He will change? I have seen many girls think that, not just with Black, but other, worse guys. They get pulled into something... something they do not deserve. You are a pretty swell girl Macdonald and it is only a matter of time before he will realize that too, but just watch what you let yourself get pulled into." Violetta fell silent as Flitwick stood up to begin class.
Violetta looked down at a note Mary slide under her and a smile formed on her face.
You think I'm swell? Okay Mom. –M.M.
Cut me some slack. Look at where I came from. –V.R.
It's true, you really can't judge her. –D.M.
Ever wondered why Sirius swears so much? I think every time he does it, it feels like he spites his mom or something. –L.E.
Deep. You're so insightful Lil. –M.M.
I don't know if I'd say that, all I know is a true lady never cuss's. –V.R.
And people say you're not smart –D.M.
Hey! Is that-
"Ladies, that better not be a note."
"Sorry Professor." They chorused.
