A/N: Hi , just want to say thank you for my reviewer RachTyler! Thank you! Hope you enjoy. Read and review. I also want to make it clear from this chapter onwards, there will be no rape storyline in this story.

Chapter 2- Confrontation and Hatred

Emmeline

I hate Sirius Black. He was such a vile excuse for a human being. How could he just talk about Dee like she was a piece of meat? There to betted on and passed around his friends. All people are the same they just want to use everyone else in order to make their lives better. Worse yet, sometimes the reason was just that they could mess with others. How could someone so rotten and cruel look so nice? I pushed the thought to the back of my head. Under no circumstances did I think that he looked cute. Shit, I meant nice.

He wasn't nice or cute anyway. No one looked good to me that way anymore, not since I realised that people just weren't good. Not since this summer anyway.

No, I refused to acknowledge it here. Not at Hogwarts, not in my happy place. I would be strong.

I met Sirius's grey eyes. However whilst looking into his eyes, I couldn't be mad, I was just hurt. My anger fizzled when I met his questioning gaze and all that was left was the hurt.

Nothing made sense anymore. I looked away fast. I wouldn't let him break down my barriers. I had to carry on. It was just me now. And I refused to be anything but mad at him. I hate Sirius Black. I wasn't upset. I was fine. I had nothing to be hurt about. Nothing at all. He was simply a prize prick like the rest of them, and I wouldn't care enough about him to be hurt by him.

However I was shocked at was Edgar Bones, he was always such a nice boy. I guess they are all rotten when it comes down to it. He was always staring at Dee, we all had noticed it, well everyone but Dorcas herself. If he thinks that's the way to her heart, he's in for a shock.

Despite all the rumours and the offers from certain males in the school, Dee was very disinterested in sleeping around. Out of our group she was the one everyone wanted to lay. Well unless you were James Potter, then it was Lily you wanted. I always thought that she was a bit harsh to him and should maybe give him a shot. But now I understand her need for the distance. Lily was the bookish one out of us all, if we ever needed to find her we would always check the library first. Plus she was handy at helping us with our homework too as she had the top grades in practically all the classes. Underneath it all, Lily had an undeniable amount of love for us all, but she wouldn't let it show to anyone but us. Marlene or Mac as we know her, was our mother essentially. Which was good for me now, I needed that more than ever after this summer. She looked after us all no matter the cost to herself and was never far behind from giving us all a good lecture. Mac was quick to temper too, she was always on guard and ready to defend us. And me? I'm not really sure. I guess I used to be the quiet hopeless romantic who knew her way around a broom.

At least I still knew my way around a broom. There was only one thing wrong with Quidditch, the whole time I was there, Sirius just stared at me. He wanted his next meal, I was certain. But I couldn't ever break his gaze. This year I didn't think I could deal with those steely grey eyes looking at me, not after everything.

I turned to my friends and interrupted them feverishly.

"Did you hear what Pothead, Black and Bones were saying just then?" I glared at them.

"Somehow I get the feeling that we aren't going to want to know." Lily sighed into her goblet looking a little deflated by the prospect of hearing my tale.

"Tell us Em," Mac demanded.

"You will be pissed Mac. It was about Dee."

Dee turned her head questioningly but then simply shrugged her shoulders. She knew it would just be something she'd have heard before.

"Tell me please Em." Mac pleaded. Lily groaned.

"Go on tell us." Lily rolled her eyes at me as if exhausted with it all.

I knew I shouldn't tell Mac. Dee yes I should tell, though it would have no effect on her anyway, I knew she would turn them down with or without the knowledge. Lily would rather live in ignorance from James's and his gangs' stupidity. But Mac? Mac would hex their balls over to Merlin's graveside. I knew I shouldn't tell her. But it was out there now. And I wanted someone else to be in pain.

"They were placing bets on whether Sirius or Edgar could get into Dee's knickers first before the end of the term." It was a fast stream of words fueled by revenge that slipped out of my mouth sooner than I could do any damage control.

Mac quickly picked up her fork and threw it down the table directly hitting Sirius in the chest. The whole table came to a silence. The other tables followed close behind.

"Hey Jackass," Mac shouted at them. To which Sirius cheekily twisted himself round pretending it wasn't him she was addressing.

"Alright Mac, good holiday?" Remus quickly chimed in trying to control the situation at hand.

"It was perfect until you lot reminded me I was back here having to put up with your shit," Mac replied tight-lipped.

"I think there has been a slight misunderstanding here." James squawked.

"Shut up Pothead. You know exactly what's going on. You caused it as usual." Lily snapped at him, he recoiled quickly.

"Leave it guys, it doesn't matter honestly." Dee smiled at us.

"See the lovely lady in question doesn't mind, so why should we?" Sirius barked his joyous laughter.

"Because you should have more respect for another human being than just a lump of flesh you can use and toss around your mates." I bit fast at him, stopping his laughter in one. Most people stared at me now. I never bothered to get involved in the two tribes' quarrels before now.

Dumbledore entered the hall as if on cue. "This isn't over Black, I will talk to you later in the common room I'm sure. And Edgar you aren't getting off easy either." Mac words dripped venom. I was sure glad in that moment I wasn't Sirius or Edgar.

As we headed back to the common room I couldn't help but think we were probably the luckiest generation yet of Hogwarts students. We had the brilliant mind of Albus Dumbledore as headmaster. I wasn't sure whether there would ever be a greater man to carve the next generation of the wizarding world than him. Of course, he was only saying the standard things, everyone is to respect curfew etc. but he had the most enthralling quality about him that made all of his words mesmerising.

Most students by the time they have reached their sixth year in Hogwarts like myself hate sitting through the sorting once again as it does become a tad repetitive. However each year I looked forward to it. Not to see the terrified faces of the first years as the approach the sorting hat, but to see the houses faces when that student is then part of their house. There is never a sad face from anyone in the house when the new member is announced. Although there maybe a few envious faces from the other houses, in that moment the welcoming sensation is overwhelming.

I remember when I first came to Hogwarts I was terrified. I had no idea what was going on. I had just been introduced to this whole new world that apparently I belonged into. I thought I would be the only muggle born there, I was so scared that it meant I would be less magical than the others. Even though Professor McGonagall assured me otherwise when she visited my family, I still had residual doubts.

Then I met Lily on the train, and we shared our muggle heritage and we eased each other about our insecurities. The excitement began to take hold. Mac and Dee joined our carriage shortly after and our friendship was solidified in place. Dee relieved both of us when she shared that her mother was a muggle-born like us both and that she fitted into both worlds with an exceptionally good balance. Mac comforted us both by answering any of our questions, and there were a good few. All of us came from very different backgrounds, even Lily and myself, but in that carriage, we found out that we were all just as scared as one another. For different reasons, but scared all the same.

Lily caught up with me and released me from my dream world as she linked my arm, she nudged me gently in an affectionate way that only she could do, "So while we all do like your new hair Em, I can't help but wonder what was the reasoning behind the scissors?"

I smiled at her blissful ignorance, "I was just a little desperate to look like someone else for a change."

"Well then sweetie, I'm sorry to tell you but no matter what you look like, you will always be the same Em to us." She gave my arm a little squeeze.

"Thanks, Lily." Her beautiful green eyes held my gaze, she always did make me feel better. "How was your summer?"

"It was eventful thanks, Em. The car broke completely this time, and so my parents were in a right tizzy about it of course. Luckily though my dad just got a promotion at the paper, so we got a new car. Which I sure you know it's always a nice feeling. I spent less time than normal with Severus much to Petunia's delight of course. Other than that the usual and of course the little things I've already told you about. How was yours?"

"It was fine." I panicked I didn't want to talk about my summer. My brain was screamed at me to deflect and avoid and fast, "How come you didn't spend much time with Snape? I thought outside of Hogwarts you two were good friends?" I sighed deeply. It had worked, for now at least.

"Well… You see…" she paused in great thought, "I knew it was bound to happen one day."

We were suddenly interrupted. The familiar screech of Mac's voice could be heard. Lily looked at me and rolled her eyes once more. I laughed for a few seconds at her.

We both forced our way to the front of the fat lady portrait hole and climbed through quickly. I knew I shouldn't have told her.

There in front of us was Edgar Bones backed into a wall by Mac's accusing pointing finger as she screamed at him. Black and Potter were nowhere to be seen. If they had any sense about them, they wouldn't hide. That way Mac didn't have time to build her fury into any deep hatred filled plan.

Dee was at the front of the crowd that had recently developed and seemed to be growing from the looks of things. We made our way over to her.

"How bad is it?" I inquired at Dee.

"Do remember that time we transfigured all her clothes pink?" Lily immediately started to laugh, it had been her handiwork after all. I smirked along with Dee in acknowledgement.

"I may happen to remember that time." I giggled.

"Well, it's worse."

"Really?" Lily suddenly stopped laughing. We all looked serious.

"Afraid so," Dee answered.

"Well then, we may as just sit back. She is way too far gone for us to make any impact now." We all sighed. They both knew I was right.

"And I thought you were a decent guy. We all know you have always had a thing for Dee. This whole time we have been trying to build you up to her, to make her see you are different from the others. But you aren't are you?" she paused from her rant, indicating he had to answer her question.

"Err…" he voice shook as he pondered.

"Well then, go on. Answer!" she shouted at him.

"Err… Well… Err. I am different really! It was just a joke." He replied.

There was a joint intake of breath from most people in the room.

"Just a joke hey?" Mac said rather calmly. "WELL SOME OF US DON'T FIND IT VERY FUNNY WHEN YOU PIMP OUT OUR FRIENDS! How dare you? You are just like the rest of them. A Little joke here, another one there. It's all just a laugh and everything is fine. WELL, IT'S BLOODY WELL NOT FINE!" she screamed at him.

"I know that now! I'm sorry!" Edgar quickly chimed in.

"Oh, you are sorry now! Well, that's all very nice, but you shouldn't have to say sorry in the first place! And you are saying it to the wrong person! What about Dee in all this? HOW DO YOU THINK SHE FEELS?" everyone inclined their heads towards Dee. Which of course made her look to the floor.

"Not good?" he said carefully.

"NOT GOOD? Not good? I will give you not good!" Mac screamed and lunged forward.

As she lunged forward though, there was a sound of barking laughter that only belonged to one person. And where Sirius was, James was never far behind.

Mac's attention was suddenly re-diverted. The crowd instantly split as she headed towards them.

"AND YOU TWO!" she shrieked.

"Seems like we have been missing a good show, James." Sirius laughed loudly.

"I'd have to agree, Sirius." James joined in with the laughter.

"Do you think this is funny?" she demanded quietly. "DO YOU THINK THIS FUNNY?"

Their smirks quickly disappeared.

"Mac they aren't worth it," Lily shouted to her.

"You two think you are so great. When actually all you are is a pair of bullies who don't care who gets hurt in the process of your jokes. BOTH OF YOU MAKE ME SICK!" she advanced forward to them ever closer.

"James started it." Sirius gestured quickly to his friend next to him.

"Don't blame me! Sirius carried it on! What are you doing mate? We go down together!" James rambled quickly.

"No way James, if I can escape the Mac fury, I will!" he told James fast.

"I don't care who started it! I DON'T!" Mac directed at them.

"Well, I do," Lily stated.

"Lily, it wasn't how you think," James said painfully to her.

"Sure it wasn't Pothead. GOD will you EVER change?" she demanded from him.

He just stood there. Lily quickly turned away from him and walked away from the crowd. Dee followed her.

"Lil? Please?" he begged he moved forward to chase after her, but Mac pushed him back.

"Come on guys, we weren't ever actually going to follow through! Everyone lighten up. I know, you are all invited to our welcoming party to kick off the year in style on Friday, the room of requirement. Be there or be salamanders!" Sirius jested to the crowd, there were, of course, a few quiet exclamations of yes, most people just stayed silent.

"Lighten up Sirius? Do you really think you can pry us off with party invites?" she gathered herself together, "You call yourself a man? All you are is Horn Tailed Slug, and that's on your best day!"

"Well, that's just a bit harsh!" Sirius exclaimed, "Listen, Marlene, we were only saying what everyone else was thinking. Every guy wants to have a go."

I winced, I knew what was coming next. "You're in for now mate." Someone shouted from the crowd.

"WHAT?"

"Come on Mac, let's just go." I tried to soothe desperately.

She ignored me. "It's the truth and you know it, she's the Gryffindor wet dream." Sirius looked rather impressed with himself.

Mac's fist quickly connected with Sirius's nose. James burst out laughing. Black's nose started to pour with blood. Most people just stood there shocked.

"She hit me! She fucking hit me!"

"Maybe you will have a little more respect next time!" Mac shouted at him as he clutched his bloody nose. She turned away fast. Everyone in the crowd dispersed until it was just me staring at Sirius and a laughing James.

"Vance?" he called out to me gently.

"You disgust me, Black. Leave me alone." I whispered to him.

I turned away from them both and walked away. Ignoring Sirius calling after me. His eyes lingering in my mind as I walked away. I really do hate Sirius Black. I really do.