Who would have guessed that Sirius Black would be a regular at the Hufflepuff table at the start of his last term at Hogwarts?
At least she wasn't a Slytherin? Really, the badgers weren't a bad lot. They were quite friendly, just a little less showy than the Gryffindors.
"Grace, I didn't want to say anything the other night because I wasn't sure how much you told your parents about the nature of your attack…"
"Gracie tells mummy everything. Mummy loves Gracie best, after all." Marlene rolled her eyes and elbowed her sister.
"I don't tell her everything. But I did tell them about Avery. What of it?"
"It's just I think I have something that could help you, if he tries to bother you again?"
"You have a big arse sword or what?" Grace sounded skeptical
"Oooo Marls. That would be very Gryffindor of him. I hope it's that." Lucan commented as if Sirius weren't sitting right across from him listening. Only breaking the facade with a wink to Sirius afterwards.
"Why do I even tolerate you lot? No. It's a potion."
"The potion you invented and got a T on?"
Marlene remembered mentions of it during their game on New Years Eve. There had been so much else going on that she'd forgotten to ask what all that was about.
"The very same."
"Why on earth would I want a potion that got a T? How would that help with a death eater getting handsy?"
"Wait I think I recall… the one you did with Potter?"
"The very same, Dear Lucy. The very same."
"When did you tell your boyfriend that it was ok to call me Lucy?"
"I dunno. But I like it, keep doing that Sirius."
She planted a quick kiss on his mouth and smiled up at him. He really was… something. Things had changed a lot in the past 4 months. Sometimes eating your pride was well worth it though.
"What potion are you referring to? I took NEWT potions last year."
"I call it essence of revulsion."
"Ok I want to be on your side, but you aren't making it easy."
Marlene buried her head laughing into Sirius's shoulder. He was a ridiculous person a lot of the time. But a good one, nonetheless. He really was quite a lot like a puppy.
"It was meant to be an antidote for amortentia but it turned into its own thing. It doesn't even need to be drunk. It works topically. I used to keep a vial of it around all the time but eventually someone stole it."
"Why would they want such a thing?"
"Probably because they found me particularly repellant on the days when I found instance to use it? It might have been pretty strong. My dorm mates had fits over it. But you see, if it could do that with me and my best mates, then surely it could help dissuade Avery?"
"I suppose I could give it a go. It won't make him any better of a person. He's still dangerous to everyone here. I still want him gone from this school. But it might be worth it for my own personal protection."
"I thought you'd see the logic in it. You're a good egg Grace McKinnon. I knew I liked you when you told me you sister's name."
He turned his head to kiss the top of Marlene's curls.
"Wait a bloody minute… you used to use this stuff yourself you say?"
"Right, but I don't have any of the original brew left now. I can brew another. I remember how it's done and all."
"No my point, and I do have one… was when did you use your last bit of the first brew?"
"Well certainly not just recently! If you're feeling repulsed at the moment that's down to my own charming personality."
"You aren't getting the picture."
"I dunno when I used the last bit. Actually... I didn't use the last bit. I think Remus Lupin nicked it and did away with it."
"Are you sure. When was that?
"The last time I saw it was Early October, I'd say? It could have been any time after that. And it really could have been anyone. Or I could have just dropped it, I guess..."
"Like the time you knocked into my lovely baby sister in the hallway in early October and she irrationally hated you for over a month after that? Would that have been a time you could have dropped it?"
The realization dawning first upon Marlene and then on Sirius was a sight to behold. Grace personally thought the whole month of Marlene behaving oddly was was worth it just for that comic image.
After a moment's consideration Sirius shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess that worked out then."