Title: Girl of His Dreams
Disclaimer: I don't own the Marauders, but I sure wouldn't mind if I did. ;P They belong to J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own Leah Matthews and the other OCs. Don't steal, please!
Girl of His Dreams
Chapter Eleven: The Art of Violence
Leah tied her dishwater blonde hair up into a ponytail, sighing as she stared at herself in her full-body mirror. Her usually bright eyes were still glazed, as though she had gone days without sleep, while her posture sagged slightly. Anyone who knew her would see the change in her usually laid-back and cheerful disposition, but only a few would know why.
"I think I'll go talk to Lily," she told her reflection quietly. "Make sure to cheer up while I'm gone."
Because it was still early, Leah had no trouble leaving the common room unnoticed. The halls weren't very crowded either, and it wasn't until she reached the main hall to the library that she heard voices. It was Lily talking to a group of Slytherins.
"You leave her alone," Lily was demanding. "She's done nothing to you Slytherin bullies but stand up for herself."
Leah recognized the girl whom Lily was talking to. She had long black hair and a haughty look on her face. How strange to see Lily talking to Bellatrix, even if just to give her a warning. Leah brushed past Bellatrix and stood by Lily, giving her a look of mock disapproval.
"Hanging out with a bunch of Slytherins, Lily?" Leah grimaced. "I thought you knew better."
"No, I -"
"As if we'd want her around us," Bellatrix sneered. "The stupid mudblood isn't welcome anywhere in the wizarding world, let alone with people like us."
There was a bright blue flash, followed by a scream, and it took Leah a moment to realize that her wand was in her hand, pointed directly at Bellatrix. She must really be itching for a fight, if she was reacting so strongly to Bellatrix's words. Bellatrix picked herself up off the floor a few yards away, a crazed look in her eyes.
"Oh, my dear little wolf-lover, you've made the same mistake twice now!" She gripped her wand and laughed. "I won't allow a third time!"
"I don't consider knocking you onto your ass a mistake," Leah said casually. "Especially when it's making me feel better!"
"I heard all about your fit of depression," Bellatrix retorted, a grin on her cat-like face. "How your little wolf friend finally got what monsters like her deserve…"
Leah's eyes flashed as she brought her wand tip down, slashing like a sword. The curse missed when Bellatrix dove out of the way, but Leah was already striding toward her. She could tell by the chorus of voices that more people had gathered, and she vaguely heard Lily tell someone to go get Sirius.
"Yes, go get the blood traitor," Bellatrix leered. "See what good he'll do."
"By the time he gets here," Leah promised, "I'll be finished with you, you filthy bitch."
"Oh, Wolf-lover has such pretty language!" Bellatrix circled around in the large ring that students had formed around them, her black eyes never leaving Leah's blue ones. "That's a pretty big promise, Wolf-lover."
"I won't disappoint you." Cheers erupted from Leah's left, and from the corner of her eye, she could see the gold and maroon colors of her classmates. She stepped forward, watching with satisfaction as Bellatrix stepped back, her eyes wide. "What's the matter, Bellatrix? Frightened?"
"Expelliarmus!" Leah didn't even blink as her wand flew from her hand. Bellatrix cast a quick glance to the man who had disarmed Leah, a Slytherin boy with medium-length blond hair. Leah, taking advantage of her diverted attention, jumped at Bellatrix with a clenched fist. Bellatrix raised her wand swiftly in defense, but Leah was faster, and tackled her to the floor. Bellatrix's wand clattered across the stone floor and out of her reach.
"Get off of- !" Bellatrix's indignant shriek was cut off as Leah reeled her fist back and slammed it into Bellatrix's face as hard as she could. There was a sickening crunch as her nose was crushed, and Leah pulled her arm back for another punch.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Bellatrix let out a pained screech, and another girl from Bellatrix's posse pointed her wand at Leah and yelled,
"Flipendo!" A burst of violet light blasted Leah backwards into the wall, and she slid down to the floor, breathing heavily. Wasting no time, she staggered to her feet, her eyes wild with the adrenalin of the fight. She grinned almost maniacally at Bellatrix, who was climbing to her feet in front of her.
"You're so weak, Bellatrix! Are you nothing without that wand?" Bellatrix snarled in response, and Leah jerked forward, latching her left hand around Bellatrix's pale throat as her right fist smashed into her face once again. Bellatrix howled, her claws reaching viciously for Leah's face, but Leah's grip on her throat kept her out of reach.
"Leah, no!" It was Lily's voice, frantic and stern at the same time, and she stepped forward with a reproving look in her brilliant green eyes. She gripped the fabric on Leah's shoulder. "Leah, stop this! You're going to get in trouble!" Leah ignored her while her right hand, still balled into a fist, connected violently with Bellatrix's face, repeating the violent movement until her knuckles bled. Bellatrix thrashed in pain, her yelps almost unheard over the cheers of the Gryffindor crowd. Suddenly,
"Leah, stop it!"
Leah hesitated, her fist pulled back uncertainly as his familiar voice reached her. Her mind had been hazed with rage, but as a soft hand closed over her fist, it began to clear. She turned her head slightly to see Sirius' wide eyes. Leah pulled her hand away from his in anger, but he grabbed her elbow firmly.
"No, Leah… Come on, let her go. You're done."
Leah made no move as if to release her, her eyes locked onto Bellatrix's bloody, swollen face as she tightened her grip on her throat. Sirius forced her to let go, his hands locking her arms at her side as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. Leah growled and jerked toward Bellatrix again, but Sirius' restraining arms held their grip, and Bellatrix scrabbled to her feet.
"You fight like common muggle trash!" Bellatrix spat blood onto the ground and touched her bruised features. "You belong with my pathetic blood-traitor cousin!"
"Be grateful he stopped me," Leah snapped. Sirius placed a hand gently over his girlfriend's mouth, smiling wryly at his cousin, who was wiping the blood off of her face with her sleeve.
"I'm glad I have your blessings, cousin," Sirius said sarcastically. "Now get out of here and fix that mess that used to be your face."
The man with who had disarmed Leah put an arm around Bellatrix consolingly and led her away, the other Slytherins grouped around them.
"What a savage," one said.
"You can certainly tell why she's in Gryffindor," another quipped. The Gryffindors, however, were much happier about the outcome of the fight. They cheered and laughed loudly at the retreating Slytherins. Leah's breathing had evened out as they disappeared from sight, and Lily sighed with relief.
"I'm glad no teachers showed up," she said. "Alright, you guys! Show's over, get out of here!" The Gryffindors whispered to each other while they dispersed, and Lily put her hands on her hips. Sirius brushed Leah's hair out of her eyes and released her, but his hand hovered beneath her elbow as she sagged slightly. Remus lifted her wand off of the floor and held it out for her.
"Thanks," Leah said quietly, accepting it from him. Remus looked at Leah curiously, as he fished a chocolate bar out of his pocket and broke off a piece. "What happened, Leah? Here, eat this. It'll make you feel better." Leah rolled her eyes and took the chocolate. She didn't need it, but he would force it down her throat if she didn't take it.
"Bellatrix was making fun of Heather," Lily said angrily. "It was completely uncalled for…"
"Are you okay?" Sirius' left hand drifted behind Leah and rested on her back. She tensed and inhaled sharply as she flinched away from him, ignoring the hurt on his face.
"Leah, what's wrong?" he asked softly. His hand reached out again, and she took it without hesitation, gripping it in hers to soothe him.
"Nothing," she lied, rotating her shoulder. "Just a little sore."
"From when Narcissa hexed you?" Lily asked.
"Probably." Leah gave Sirius an exasperated look as he turned her in a slow circle, examining her for injuries. "It's not that bad," she told him. He rolled his eyes and managed to hold her still long enough to yank the back of her shirt up to her neck.
"Bloody hell, Leah…" Concerned by his best friend's reaction, Remus peered over Sirius' shoulder and winced at the sight.
Blue and black bruises splotched Leah's pale skin, nearly covering her entire back. There were a few cuts and scrapes, too, but not much blood. Remus handed Leah the whole bar of chocolate, grinning at her sympathetically.
"You're going to need more than a little piece of chocolate to make that pain go away."
"She's going to need more than chocolate," Sirius corrected, taking Leah's hand again. "Let's go to the infirmary."
"I'm fine," Leah insisted. "We have Quidditch practice tonight, remember? I can't skip out now."
"I don't care about Quidditch," Sirius argued. "I care about you!"
Leah stopped struggling at his words, and Lily stifled a giggle by going into a very fake coughing fit while Remus developed a sudden allergic reaction to their relationship. He sneezed through a smirk.
"Alright," Sirius grumbled, his cheeks red. "Shut up, Moony."
Leah ignored Lily and Remus and allowed Sirius to pull her gently into his chest. She looked up at him. "I'm fine," she said softly. "I promise I'll go to the infirmary if Quidditch practice makes it worse."
"I'm not going to let you find any loopholes," Sirius said, frowning. "Promise me you'll go to the infirmary after practice, whether it hurts or not."
"But -"
"Please, Leah?" He gave her his ultimate puppy dog pout and she grimaced, looking away bitterly.
"Yeah, yeah… I promise." He tilted her head up and gave her a soft, lingering kiss.
"Thank you," he said quietly. Leah smiled back at him and raised herself up onto the tips of her toes so that she could steal another kiss. Sirius' lips brushed against her own, his hands lingering on her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her.
"Ahem." Remus coughed lightly for their attention, but they made no move as if to part. He sighed and turned to Lily. "Shall we head back to the common room?"
"Beats standing around here," she agreed. Leah pulled back for air, giggling as Sirius nuzzled her neck.
"Wait up," she said. "We'll come with." Sirius kept a tight grip on her hand as she led him after Remus and Lily. Sirius ran his thumb in calming circles over the back of her hand, looking down in confusion, only to see her knuckles, still torn and bleeding. He let out an exasperated sigh and tugged her to a gentle stop.
"How could I not see that?" Leah opened her mouth to argue against his inevitable decision, but Sirius' mind was made up, and there was no arguing with the irritated look his silver eyes.
"I'll be at the infirmary," Leah grumbled to Lily and Remus. She frowned up at Sirius. "I knew I should have given you my left hand instead."
"Alright, see you later! And try not to get into any trouble," Lily insisted.
"Or broom closets," Remus added. Sirius gave him an impish grin in response. As soon as Lily and Remus were gone, his smile faded and he led her along to the infirmary.
"You're mad," Leah said quietly.
"I'm disappointed," he said. "I really wanted to see that fight." Leah chuckled lightly and they lapsed into silence.
Sirius said suddenly, "Christmas is almost here."
Leah recognized his desire to change the subject; he was obviously aware of her irritation. She sighed, smiling wistfully.
"Yes." She swung their arms lightly between them. "Are you staying here for the holidays?"
"James and I usually go to his parents' place," he said, "but they're going to Germany to visit one of his uncles, so we're staying here."
"Two weeks of free time," Leah said, an innocent smile on her lips. "Wonder what we'll do when we're bored…"
Sirius grinned at her suggestively, and they entered the infirmary. Leah held her breath. She really hoped Madame Pomfrey wouldn't take too long to heal her.
--
"You're still healing, you need rest!"
"I need to go to practice," Leah argued, wincing at Pomfrey's screech. The nurse was just as stubborn as she had feared. And just as loud. "It's been ages! I think I'm healed by now!"
"There will be other practices," Pomfrey said, rearranging Leah's pillows. "Lie down!"
"I'm not staying here! I have to go to practice, our first game is in a week!"
This time Pomfrey didn't even bother answering her. Using her wand, she forced the covers up to Leah's chin and tucked her in. Leah growled.
"Let me go! Look, my bruises are healed!" Since she couldn't see her own back, she wasn't exactly sure if that was true. However, she felt no pain. "At least look at them!"
"Fine," Pomfrey snapped. "But if I see a single bruise, you're staying!"
"Okay!" Leah turned onto her stomach and prayed for the bruises to be gone. After a moment of Pomfrey's soft fingers probing her spine and shoulder blades, she heard a defeated sigh.
"Fine, you can leave." Leah sprang to her feet immediately. "Don't remove those bandages on your hand, Matthews!"
"Okay, okay!" Leah sprinted out of the infirmary as fast as she could, glancing at the large clock overhead. It was already one o'clock, which meant practice was about to start. She had been in that bed for hours. Four hours, actually. Oh, Sirius was going to get it. It was his bloody idea to take her there, and then he takes off as soon as Madame Pomfrey arrives and kicks him out!
She heard footsteps behind her, not quite in sync with her own echoing pace, and slowed to a walk, turning to see no one behind her. Before she could turn back around, something soft traced a trail down her spine.
"Boo."
Leah 'eep'ed and turned back to see Sirius standing directly behind her, a silver cloak in his hands. Leah's anger faded immediately as he ran a hand through his charcoal hair.
"You didn't really leave?"
"Well, I went to get the cloak, but not after that." He grinned, tugging Leah's ponytail affectionately. "Couldn't leave my girl in there to fend for herself. Pomfrey's a right old witch, she is."
"That's so sweet," Leah said, kissing him softly. "But we have to get to practice."
"Screw practice," Sirius breathed, capturing her lips again. Leah grinned against his lips and pushed him away.
"You'd be willing to screw anything," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Or anyone."
"I don't think anything could compare to you," he said honestly, a smirk on his face. Leah flushed and continued walking back to the common room, wishing, as Sirius continued rambling about the various places that they could 'do it' and not get caught, that she had never brought the subject up.
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A/N: This took longer than expected… How is it? Pretty long… The longest of my chapters, so far, I think. Anyway, thanks for the patience! PLEASE REVIEW!!