Chapter 10- Holly Everway's downward spiral from greatness
Holly Everway was, at one point, a total bombshell (which was definitely appropriate language when one was describing Holly), but this completely changed one day in late November. It all started when she agreed to go on a date with Remus Lupin.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. He looked a bit down on his luck, what with his scars and lack of friends, so she decided to accept his offer. What she never expected was Lily Evans. Everyone knew that Lily was generally friends with everyone. She was the type of person you would consider your friend even when you've barely spoken ten words to her.
A slightly lesser known fact was that Lily was very much into Remus Lupin. Maybe it wasn't a fact, considering Lily denied it profusely and Remus would pretend that he was deaf, force you to learn sign language, and once you have it down he would shout "surprise!" and admit that it was all a fib, he was quite conniving.
Holly was never one to believe gossip so she saw no problem with accepting a date. Surely nothing could go wrong, maybe they'd have nothing to talk about, but that didn't concern her too much.
So on that crisp day in November Holly and Remus walked hand in hand through the corridors, their destination being the carriages which would take them to Hogsmeade.
"How's Hufflepuff?" Remus asked timidly.
Holly sighed. "It's my house, you don't have to be so nervous about bringing it up. It's not as if you're mentioning a missing limb." Remus chuckled awkwardly and Holly made an effort not to snort or yank her hand from his. He was being insensitive, just because she wasn't a Gryffindor didn't mean that her house was meaningless or something to be ashamed of.
Then she heard a crash.
Lily Evans and Sirius Black fell from a nearby broom closet. From her position on the floor Lily screeched, "She's a witch, Remus! I knew she had a secret. I can't let this relationship go on!"
"Geroff me." Sirius mumbled from under Lily.
"Shut up, Sirius, I'm busy." Sirius sighed.
Remus let go of Holly's hand. "What do you mean she's a witch?" A horrified expression was on his scarred face.
"Yes, I'm a witch." Holly said slowly. "It's the female counterpart of a wizard. That's how I got into Hogwarts, you know, by being a witch."
"I really thought we had something Holly." Remus said. "But clearly I was wrong. This will never work out, not when you're keeping such big and terrible secrets."
"But I-" Holly started.
"No Holly. It's over." And Remus, Sirius, and Lily walked away leaving Holly in the corridors wondering what exactly happened.
News of Holly's witchcraft spread throughout Hogwarts like wildfire. She had not expected people to actually take the news seriously, a large portion of Hogwarts was also witches! Nonetheless people avoided her; the Hufflepuff's left her a wide berth at each meal and she was no longer regarded as a bombshell and asked out daily.
Needless to say, Holly was upset. Ok, maybe she was more than just upset. She was downright pissed. It was a bit of a dark time for her, she may or may not have set fire to Lily's scarf one evening in the great hall and she also may have "accidentally" added extra newt's eye to Remus' potion. That last one made her feel a bit sorry.
So now Holly, branded as a freak, had a vendetta to settle with Lily. But sometimes on those late nights alone in the common room, through mouthfuls of firewhiskey she had carefully snuck into Hogwarts, she would blame it all on herself. And maybe she was right, maybe she was too soft, maybe she shouldn't have found it in her heart to accept a date with a disfigured Ravenclaw.
But really she knew that it was all Lily Evans' fault. And she knew that, despite being told that all Hufflepuff's were kind and good, she needed to ruin Lily, just as Lily had ruined her. And deep down she knew that revenge was sweet.