The morning arrived, letting sunlight wash through the windows in the girl's dormitory. Lily was, of course the first person to wake up. She did her business, and after being left alone for 2 minutes with her sleeping roommates, she woke Demi up.
Demi woke up to Lily jumping on her bed, "what on earth?" the poor, tired girl shouted, waking Kiaria and Alice up.
"I was bored and decided to wake you guys up," said Lily smiling, "I hope that's okay" she laughed.
Demi, peeled herself off of her mattress and made her way into the washroom, muttering about people and their lack of common courtesy. This made them laugh, the girl was easily irritated in the morning.
After ten minutes, Demi emerged her frizzy, wavy hair tied up into a bun. She dove for her trunk and pulled out her favorite white Weird Sisters shirt and black jeans, saving the best one for the party that evening.
After all the other girls had gotten dressed, they made their way down to the common room, and saw the other second years there. Lily was only able to tolerate James' bigheadedness for ten minutes before leaving to find Severus.
"You guys better not have a bad prank lined up for him!" she shouted as she left.
"Of course not," said Sirius, waving the girl out of the room. "Anyway, our pranks are never bad," he added.
"What is it this time?" asked Kiaria. Only last week the boys had lost Gryffindor 50 points for "accidentally" flipping the Great Hall over so everyone was sitting on the roof looking at the floor, rather than the right way around. It took Professor Dumbledore a second to fix, but the chaos that occurred took up around half an hour.
"All the second year Slytherins sit in around the same spot each day, right?" Sirius asked. The girls and Frank nodded their heads. "So we're going to plant an exploding pumpkin on the table, and when they least expect it. BOOM!" he finished laughing.
"Oh, Lily is going to be angry" said Demi.
"Yeah but she already knows it's the kind of thing we would do so she's probably already mentally prepared for it. Severus should be as well," finished James, laughing heartily. It was true. Although the two boys would prank everyone, Severus was a regular customer.
The day passed and soon it was time to get ready for the party. Kiaria, Lily, and Alice headed upstairs an hour before the party was set to start.
"Where're you lot going?" shouted James, as they got up from the intense game of exploding snap.
"To get ready," yelled Kiaria, as the door at the top of the girl's staircase shut.
James turned back to the rest of them, "who takes an hour to get ready for a party?"
Sirius shook his head, "women" he sighed.
Demi cleared her throat causing all the boys to jump, "excuse me?" she said.
"I-uh-um-I meant that-certain-um-w-w-women" stuttered Sirius, causing them all to laugh.
"Yeah, keep explaining," Demi laughed.
"How comes you're not up there with them?" asked Peter.
"What?" said Demi.
"You're a girl," began Frank.
"Last time I checked" she chuckled. "I don't need that long to get ready. Hair, a ton of makeup, pounds of jewelry, it seems like a bit much to me," she shrugged.
"That's it!" shouted Sirius, slapping his hand to his forehead, causing them all to jump. "I've been meaning to ask this for ages. How comes you hair is dark, dark blue. It's not a normal color is it?" he observed.
"No," she said, "it's not."
"Then what's up with the color?" James asked again.
"They use this harsh, burns your eyes and stings like hell. They would grab this thick, coarse paintbrush and grab you by the back of your neck and bend you over. Then they would dip the brush into the paint and stroke it all over your scalp. It tested your strength. The more you had it done, the stronger and more respected you were in the community."
"Who are they" whispered Sirius.
"People," Demi replied smiling, making her way upstairs to get ready.
"Sound like a lot of tossers" said James.
"They're actually quite . . . intelligent" she said before the door closed.
The boys looked at one another before going to get ready as well.
Girls Dormitory
Clothes were strewn around the room. Shoes lay abandoned and hair and makeup accessories were scattered on the floor. Demi picked her way through to her bed, where she had kept her outfit for the night tucked under her covers. She pulled it out. Her favorite cream colored, cable knit dress, dark brown leggings and brown riding boots. She pulled her clothing on. For a Halloween-y touch she pulled on a pair of orange earrings and orange knit legwarmers. She pulled her hair into a messy ponytail. Last but not least, she threw on a brown fedora with little badges of her favourite bands (muggle and magical). She left the rest of the girls in the room, stressing over hair clips and bracelets.
Demi was the first out of all the Gryffindors (all the Gryffindor girls left when Lily and the others did, all the Gryffindor boys left just after Demi) to get back to the common room. She slid her wand into the side of her boot and waited patiently.
She could hear the older girls in their dormitories yelling at one another about clothing and accessories. Just as she made to head down to the great hall, Sirius appeared at the bottom of the boy's stairway. "Love, you look amazing," he said.
"Er, thanks" she said, "you too." She wasn't lying. Sirius was wearing jeans, and a black shirt, his hair hanging down to his shoulders, curled and shining as a Black's hair always should. Somehow, he made a regular outfit actually look quite fancy. They waited patiently for the others to show up.
"So, think you and Lockhart will,-" he started.
"I hope so. He seems to like me, and I like him. Maybe. Keep your fingers crossed," she said.
"Oh, I will" he mumbled.
After ten minutes a flood of Gryffindors came down the stairs. Lily looked amazing in a white flowing top and grey jeans, letting her red hair down. Kiaria was wearing an orange shirt and blue jeans which went well with her brown hair. Alice was wearing a light pink sweater and a pair of black jeans, her short chestnut brown hair swept up in a ponytail. The boys all dressed the same; blue jeans and a neutral colored shirt.
McGonagall's voice was heard from the enchanted speakers in the common room, "Students and staff please make your way to the great hall."
The students let out a gasp when they saw what the teachers had done to the hall. There were floating jack-o-lanterns in the air and some placed along the tables. The walls were covered in (what Kiaria hoped) were fake spider webs. The bewitched ceiling looked magnificent. It was pitch black and dotted with stars, as though it were open to the heavens.
There was one star that shone very brightly in the north. Demi nudged Sirius, who was standing next to her, "I see you" she said pointing to the glimmering dot.
"Yep, that's me" he said laughing.
"They were pushed aside as the other students and staff came along. "Sit down and make yourselves comfortable" said Professor Sinistra, making her way up to the dais.
The Gryffindor's made their way to their house's table, settling in with the others. The chattering, which had been going on for the last few minutes ceased as Professor Dumbledore stood up to make a speech. "Now, I know we are all very excited, and I am glad to see the looks on your faces as you survey this amazing décor. I would like to thank Professor's McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sinistra and of course our gamekeeper Hagrid who have been toiling all day to make this amazing setting for the night." The students clapped and whistled in delight. "Alright. Please join me as we have our feast and then our dance." He sat down and the food appeared on the table.
"This looks amazing" said Sirius, grabbing a few chicken wings.
"You think anything to do with food is amazing, Sirius" said James from Sirius' left.
The others laughed and began to devour the magnificent food, courtesy of the Hogwarts house elves.
They poured their food out. "Remus could you please pass me the sriracha sauce?" asked Demi.
"Which one is that?" asked Remus, confused by the thirteen sauces on the table.
"It's the orange-red one by the ketchup" she said.
"Is it good?" Sirius asked, eyeing the sauce.
"Well, it is really spicy' began Demi, pouring a load of it over her veggie burger.
Sirius cleared his throat, "then what's up with the lake?" he asked pointing to her plate.
"How much you have depends on how well you handle spices," she said smirking.
"I'll make a deal. You, me and anyone else who wants to join it. We'll make it in rounds. Then eliminate people. First round, we each have to eat a tablespoon of red chili powder. Second round, an entire red chili, third round, an entire green chili, and then for the fourth round . . ." he trailed off.
"We eat a red and green chili, each dipped in sriracha sauce, with a generous coating of red chili powder on the top. Anyone who drinks water, is automatically out," she finished smiling. "I'm in."
"So am I" Sirius said.
"Me too," said James.
"Anyone else?" asked Demi. Kiaria, Lily, Alice, Frank, Peter, and Remus shook their heads.
"Alright here we go," said Sirius, shoving a spoon of chili powder in his mouth. He managed to get it down without his eyes watering at all. "Next, please."
James picked up a spoon of powder and put it in his mouth, his eyes began to water, but he never touched his goblet. He looked at Demi," your turn"
She smiled and put a heaping tablespoon in her mouth and swallowed, smiling. "Next round."
They each went through the next two rounds until in came to the last one. James got his peppers dipped them in the sauce and sprinkled some powder over them. Looking at the others he smiled feebly and stuck the peppers in his mouth. He sat there for a second until his eyes began watering, his face turned red and he jumped up, fanning his mouth. "Hot, hot, hot" he repeated, before taking his goblet from Sirius and gulping it all down. He sat down in his chair drying his eyes, "its suicide" he said, "don't do it."
Sirius grabbed his peppers, as did demi and both of them looking the other straight in the eye placed the fiery food in their mouths. Ten seconds went by, twenty, thirty, neither of them twitched. Finally when they had chewed enough, the swallowed, opening their mouths for inspection by Remus.
"All clear," he said sitting back down.
"Cheers," said Demi, clinking her goblet with Sirius. The rest of the feast passed, soon Lily moved and went to sit with Severus, and before the dance started Gilderoy made his way over to the table.
"Hi" he said, sliding into Lily's vacated seat.
"Hey, what's up?" asked Demi. Be calm be calm, she told herself.
"Not much, you?" he asked, propping his chin on his hand.
"Not much" she said.
They sat their quietly, neither of them noticing the dirty looks Sirius was shooting Lockhart. Suddenly Dumbledore stood up and said, "Let the dance begin." The long tables were gone and replaced by small circular ones. There was a clear space in the middle of the hall, and suddenly the newest album by the Weird Sisters began playing. Gilderoy looked back at Demi, "want to dance?" he asked offering her a hand.
Demi looked at the floor which was filling up with students, "sure." She took his hand as they both stood up making their way to the dance floor. Soon they were swept within the crowd and couldn't be seen.
The others sat there until James got up, walked over to where Lily was and said something. A moment later Lily's mouth moved and they saw James walk back over to the table.
"What happened mate?" asked Sirius, studying James, who seemed to be a bit surly.
"I asked Evans if she wanted to dance," he sighed, sitting down.
"And?" asked Peter.
"Said no" he replied slamming his head on the table.
"Bad luck mate" said Kiaria, "how about you and I got and dance, you know, to cheer you up" she suggested.
"Sure" said James, looking a bit happier, as he and Kiaria got up and made their way over to the dance floor.
"Alice, want to go and dance?' asked Frank, getting up and moving towards her.
"Sure," she replied standing up and walking to the floor.
"I'm getting real tired of this,' said Sirius looking at Peter. Suddenly Sirius got up and walked over to a second year Ravenclaw girl, "want to dance?" he asked dully.
"Sure!" she replied, and the two of them made their way to the floor.
After half an hour, the others came back to the table, Lily was still up, dancing with Severus, who looked lightly uncomfortable. Demi and Lockhart emerged from the crowd a moment later. Alice, Kiaria, Remus (who had gone off to find Kiaria and James after Sirius had left), James, and Sirius watched as he kissed Demi on the cheek before joining his friends. She stood there for a moment, red as a tomato. Upon seeing her friends, she walked over and sat with them. " I think he likes me" she said, sitting down between James and Sirius.
"What?" said James.
"I said 'I think he likes me'" she repeated slowly.
"Oh, I know that, but you've got to be careful. We don't want him to break our little Demitria's heart" he said pinching her cheeks, making everyone laugh.
"Excuse me?" she asked laughing
"We'll you're like the sister I never had, so I believe it is my duty to take care of you" he said, puffing out his chest.
"Okay, James Proper" she said.
"Ah, nothing like a good pun slash malapropos" said Sirius, wiping a fake tear from his eye. Everyone looked at him strangely. "What?' he asked.
"The hell is a malapropos?" asked James sitting back down.
"Oh, it's when you substitute a word that means something completely different for another word that sounds similar. Walburga made me and Regulus learn all these devices when we were kids," he added.
"Why do you call your mother, Walburga?" asked Peter.
"Cause that's her name?" Sirius deadpanned.
"I think he's referring to the fact that you never refer to her as your 'mum'" said Demi.
"Well, if You-Know-Who had a child, I don't think they would call him 'dad' now would they?" he said, making the others nod. "Anyway, my brother's the family favorite now. Doesn't matter what I call my parents."
"Yeah, I saw your brother," said Kiaria, "he's the one in the emerald green shirt and black pants. Looks a bit like you." The others followed her gaze to a boy in the back corner talking to Narcissa, Lucius, Nott, and Mulciber.
"What the hell is he doing with them?" asked Sirius suddenly looking very angry.
"Calm down mate, she's your cousin" said Demi thinking of Narcissa.
"No, I mean the others. They're practically Death Eaters," he said marching over to where the five Slytherins were congregating.
"He's going to get the crap knocked out of him" sighed Peter. They watched as Sirius marched over there and began pulling Regulus away. The older Slytheirns trapped the boys in a circle, blocking Sirius from his friends' view. A few moments went by and the Slytherins shifted away leaving Sirius standing alone.
Sirius' Point of View
I can't believe him! Thought Sirius making his way through the crowd and over to his brother. Why is he talking to those pieces of scum? Yeah, Narcissa I can understand, but the others are practically mini death eaters. Wait till I get my hands on him. He walked straight over to Regulus, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Talking?" said Regulus, "or is that not allowed" he said boredly.
"Well, im sure there are better people to converse with," said Sirius slowly pulling his brother away.
He watched as the Slytherins moved behind him, enclosing him in a circle with his brother.
"Whatcha want, cub?" said Nott, picking his nails with his wand, eyeing Sirius.
"To take my brother away from you psychos" said Sirius, raising an eyebrow.
"Fraid we can't let you do that," said Mulciber from behind Sirius.
Narcissa took Regulus' other shoulder and pulled him towards her. "I'm his older cousin" she sneered.
"Yeah older by two years" guffawed Sirius, pulling Regulus' other shoulder. "C'mon mate, do you really want to talk to these snakes?" he asked.
"Yeah," said Regulus in a small voice.
"Rhetorical question, mate" sighed Sirius.
"But if I want to talk to them I can. You can't stop me. I need to stay with the pure, it's a family belief. Mum said so herself, I shouldn't be talking to you. You're the butt of the family," he said.
Sirius let go of his shoulder, "fine, become a snake. I just thought I'd give you an option. A better option," he said. He watched as his brother and the others moved off out of the Great Hall. He stood there for a moment before heading back to the others.
"What was that?' asked Demi, as Sirius sat back down next to her (Lily was still with Severus).
"He's been brainwashed," Sirius sighed.
"Huh?" said the others.
Sirius got up and looked at the others. "Let's go back to the common room, I'll explain it to you there." They all got up and followed Sirius back to the Common room.
