The Think-Osipher, B-B Girl, and Martinez
And now, what you've all been waiting for: new chappie!
Dedicated to Rose! Thanks for reviewing, I'm glad you like the story so far! And as promised, here's a chapter for your review.
Oh, and PS, it'll be easier to understand if you read the previous chapter again, since it's been a looooooong time since my last post
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That morning at breakfast the remaining team, from Fidella, arrived early the next morning, a Sunday, with no problem, almost unnoticed by all save for the early risers. This happened to include all of the teams as well a few Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, and a single Slytherin. Andromeda entered the Great Hall in an attempt to escape from a certain Hufflepuff, Ted Tonks, who had been roaming the corridors searching for her the night before. She hesitated for a moment, spotting the empty Slytherin table. Then she took a tentative step backwards, with half a mind to leave, before sauntering over to the Gryffindor table and sitting beside a distracted Sirius, currently trying to eat a forkful of pancakes but missing and ending with a spot of syrup on his cheek instead. Interested, at least for a moment, she poked his shoulder, but he kept staring across the room. Curious, Andromeda followed his line of vision and… there she was, the Calisthanes girl, Madeline, or Marianne, or something like that.
She leaned over and said, right into his ear, "SIRIUS!" With a jolt he jerked up and looked around wildly, before noticing her.
"Andy! You scared the bloody hell out of me!" She smiled, pleased, and started to pick from the muffins set out for breakfast.
"Su wuhve uh bon?" (so where've you been?) Sirius asked, the forkful of pancakes finally in his mouth.
"You haven't heard?" Andromeda looked at him with disbelief, mouth agape.
Sirius gulped down the reminder of his food, confused, "Heard what?"
"The contract."
"They pulled one on you? Who to?" he said, taking a sip of cold, clear water.
"Avery."
Sirius half yelled in surprise, choking on the water and coughing a ruckus. Clearing his throat, he finally managed to splutter out, "Avery?"
She nodded grimly, "Avery. And the contract has already been signed."
"Don't you have to sign it as well?" he asked, still in shock.
"Yes, when I come of age, but you know I have no choice."
"Of course, you have a choice! You always have a choice."
"Not with Druella."
"Your mum was the one who told you?"
"Surprisingly no… my father."
"Wow." Sirius grew quiet, unable to think of anything to say, and an awkward silence filled the space between them. All of the sudden the clinks of forks and knives, the laughter and excitement of the visiting students oblivious to their conversation, the chewing of food and sloshing of drinks seemed much louder, and still there was nothing more Sirius could say to comfort his older cousin, and there was nothing she could say to lighten things up or change the topic. Nodding to herself, she stuffed a muffin into her mouth and waved good-bye quickly, just as James entered the Hall with a tired and worried expression, most likely wondering if he'd slept in too late. Sirius welcomed the change of atmosphere, laughing, "Oi, James, you look like a ruddy sod!"
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After breakfast James and Sirius headed out after the rest of the team to sit in the bleachers. Burrow Academy had the first practice time, then Hogwarts, so Virginia Cannon had convinced them to come early to watch the other team's strategy, despite the cold morning fog. As they watched, Calisthanes and Lisbanes made their way across the field and shuffled into the bleachers beside the already waiting Hogwarts team. Sirius immediately turned his eyes on Melanie's and he scooted over to sit beside her.
"So… after this weeks matches there's a Hogsmeade weekend, you know, like last year…" he said casually. Melanie flipped her hair over her shoulder and reached back, tying it into a loose knot, looking around and seeming more interested in the practice than in him.
"Yes, I remember," she finally answered, after a long pause.
"So, what about you, me, and a couple of butterbeers next weekend, eh?" She cocked her head to the side still watching the practice as a Burrow Academy beater swung a bludger that only barely missed them before answering lazily, "Maybe… We'll see."
"Of course, of course. I don't care that much, actually, just a thought. If you can't go, tell me now, so I can ask someone else," he said, trying to sound disinterested as well.
"Well if you're so keen on going with someone else, just say so DC."
"No, no, not at all! I mean… if you want to go, then by all means go."
"Well then, I'll think about it."
"Okay then."
"Okay."
There was a long pause. Then Sirius asked tentatively, "So wait, nothing until then?"
"Nothing."
"Even though last year-"
"DC, don't get all desperate on me now," she said, raising an eyebrow at him.
"I'm not, I'm just, you know. Wouldn't it be easier to just pick up before we left off?"
"It would, wouldn't it?" She smiled slyly, then bit her fingernail while alternately shifting her gaze between him and the practice. "Would you rather?"
He shifted uncomfortably, "Maybe?"
She smirked, "We'll see," and kissed him once, just a peck, before turning her attention back to the practice. With my think-osipher skills, I hereby conclude B-B Girl is still the best kisser I know…. Other than me, of course, hehe, he thought to himself.
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At the time, Remus and Peter were still sitting in the common room. The Fidella team had filed in a while ago, leaving their things in the extra beds left out for them, gotten their brooms and left to have breakfast before practice. Remus was sitting in the couch in front of the fireplace, contently reading a book, when Peter sat beside him.
"So," Peter hinted, "Don't you want to know?"
Remus didn't even look up, answering distractedly, "Know what?"
"You know…" He pointed at his cheek, which had previously held the pink lipstick stain. Remus sighed, finally putting the book down and squinting.
"You cheek looks normal to me, Pete, don't know what you're talking about," he said with a shrug.
Peter's eyes almost popped out, "The girl, you dolt, the kiss!"
"What kiss?"
"Well… the other night, when the three of you decided to disappear, I was… busy. You know who that slightly crazy girl from Hufflepuff is? The one everyone calls Whacko?" he said with relish.
Remus grew tense, "Yes, I know that girl."
"Anyway, her real name is Lavina Warhak. Her friend, Mabeline Tanner? I was talking with her the other day and she said she'd set us up. So that night I waited just outside the castle, on the grounds. You know that spot near the Gryffindor Tower? And she came, Lavina…" he spoke the name with a reverence reserved for only gods and above, "Lavina was beautiful. She had these locks of blonde hair, short and wispy, makes her look so delicate, but trust me, the nickname almost does her justice. Almost, I say, because she is definitely not crazy by my standards. And so we talked. A lot. All night long. It was… amazing. She's the most interesting person I know; a proper descendant of Helga Hufflepuff, how awesome is that?
"Then the next day, in class, you know that one class I have which I hated 'cause I was the only Gryff? Guess who takes that class? LAVINA! It was unbelievable. She helped me all class long and that evening, before lunch, we went for another walk. She said I was sweet, and more than other people thought, and all, and she kissed me," he jabbed at his cheek excited, for emphasis, "Right there she kissed me, with pale pink lipstick. Moony, you have no idea. And then she moved and kissed me on the mouth. On the mouth Moony! That's the first girl who's ever done it by her own free will! And wow… She could make one of the top ranks in Sirius' list… Right, behind B-B Girl… Maybe even better than B-B Girl!"
Remus plastered a fake smile on his face, muttering words of congratulations, but all the time wondering, Lavina? MY Lavina? The one who kissed ME? But he highly doubted there were two Lavina Warhaks, both claiming to be descendants of Hufflepuff. And she had only kissed his cheek. Not his mouth. Not like Peter… but Peter? How could his competition possibly be Peter, of all people?
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Back by the Quidditch pitch, Lily had arrived, dragging Severus along with her.
"Come on!" she said, "I want you to meet a friend of mine, a girl from Calisthanes!" He'd only agreed after lots of persuasion and promises that they'd leave as soon as he'd met the mysterious girl.
"Oi, Melanie!" she called, and girl with pale blonde hair in a loose knot looked up and smiled, before climbing down the bleachers. No one noticed Sirius nor James who were both watching this new development.
"Melanie, this is Sev… I mean, Severus," Lily blushed, and Severus shot her a look of quiet adoration before shifting his eyes over to the new girl and extending his hand, "Nice to meet you, Melanie."
"Nice to meet you too! Hey, Severus, Lily, I might be heading to the Three Broomsticks this weekend with a few others, coming?" Lily nodded, grinning, "We'll be there."
"If you say so, Lily," Severus babbled, as Lily turned and left, and he turned to chase after her.
Up on the bleachers, James pounded his fist into his hand, "I told you we ought to kill the bloody piece of filth." Sirius nodded, a darkness in his eyes as he watched Snape run away down the sidelines. They exchanged a wordless instruction and rose, telling Virginia they had to go to the bathroom and pulling out their wands after where Snape and Lily had gone off too.
The pair, still dressed in the Hogwarts Quidditch robes, crept through the bleachers to path that led back to the castle, surrounded by shrubs and trees at random intervals. Lily and Severus were walking up the path, her hand confidently in his, a visible red tint on his face. James growled, but Sirius nudged him and James grew silent.
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Oblivious to James and Sirius behind them, Lily and Severus stopped by one of the trees, huddled in the shade. A couple of leaves and a blossom or two tumbled down as Lily leaned against the tree and shot Severus a half smile. Sev reached up and tugged the scrunchie out of her hair, letting it hang freely over her shoulders. Then he leaned closer and touched his forehead to hers.
"You gorgeous, Lily," he whispered almost inaudibly. She laughed and pulled him into a hug, then froze.
"Shoot, I left my wand back at the pitch, wait for me, Sev?"
"Here, I'll go with you-"
"No, no, you stay right here," she smiled walking out of the shade and into the rays of sunlight, "I'll be right back, so don't go anywhere!" He smiled as she sprinted out of sight, down the curving path. There was a loud rustle in the leaves, and from the shadows to figures stepped out. Severus didn't even have a chance to pull his wand out.
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Lily laughed to herself, twirling her wand around and tugging at random strand of her hair as she trudged up the path. Her laughter stopped when she saw the lump in the ground and the two boys above it. She ran wildly up to the scene, her mouth agape as the lump groaned. She then shot a murderous glare at James and Sirius.
"Potter. Black. What the BLOODY HELL are you DOING?" She bent down helping Severus sit up, then looking at James wit pure hatred.
James refused to look her in the eye, stuttering a bit, "Lily, this isn't… I-I can explain." Sirius brushed him aside.
"I'd say we did you a favor, Evans," he said with a smirk pointing his wand at Snape's throat.
She trembled with anger, "A favor? A FAVOR? You little SODS. You TROLLS! You PRATS and TOERAGS, I HATE YOU BOTH!" She knocked Sirius' wand out of the way, saying "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
"Whoa, Lily," Potter started. With an irritated glance from Sirius he corrected himself and tried again, tasting a new name, "Evans, as Pads was saying, we bloody well did you a favor. This creep was dying to get his grimy paws all over you! He's Slytherin rubbish, is what he is!"
She stood up to face him, "Potter. Get. Out." Shrugging, he nudged Sirius, who nodded, and they both headed back down to the pitch. Immediately she bent down again, but Severus had already sat up and was mending the small cuts and bruises, fixing his nose once again and casting another to shrink his teeth to a normal size. She hesitantly put her hand on his forehead and wiped a strand of hair out, but he swatted her hand away, muttering, "Why did you have to do that?"
She paused, confused, "Sev, they were beating the bloody hell out of you! You can't possibly expect me to do nothing!" She had expected him to be thankful, but when he looked up there was nothing in his gaze other than anger, maybe shame.
"I'm old enough to fight my own battles, I don't need a nanny."
"Sev, I-" He stood up, helping her stand as well.
"I have to go," he said, "Avery and the others, I have to go."
"The others? Oh… them." She turned away, flinching when his hand rested on her shoulder, "Lily, don't start that again." She nodded and shrugged, indifferently.
"I'll see you later then," she said simply, leaving him standing there and heading back down to the pitch.
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In the common room Remus' patience was wearing thin as Peter told him, for the eleventh time exactly how she had kissed him. Shaking his head, his mind searched for something, anything that could take Peter's mind off Lavina. He vaguely remembered Sirius saying something about Hogsmeade and B-B Girl, and seized the bit of news with urgency.
Peter was on his twelth retelling: "And then, when I least expected it, she shut her eyes like this, just like this and then she opened them and rolled her eyes like this, and then she leaned in ever so slowly, like this…. And then, right, then, she-"
"Oi, Wormtail, did you hear Sirius this morning? There's going to be a bit of a get together at Hogsmeade, probably Zonko's or the Three Broomsticks."
Peter lit up, "Can I bring Lavina along?" Remus shrugged dejectedly, "I'm… I'm going down to the pitch… Ask Sirius… later sometime." He got up and made his way out into the corridor, and then leaned against the wall, sighing. Lavina Warhak. Strange girl. Funny to think that a girl like her would be fought over… but she was different than the other girls, unique.
Peter, much to Remus' annoyance, decided that was a great idea and tagged along behind him. As they trudged down the hallway, they heard a distant shriek and a blur of blonde as Lavina appeared out of nowhere, jumping up and crushing Remus in a bear hug.
"Silly! Haven't seen you in a bit Remus J Lupin," she said, arms still wrapped tightly around him. He blushed, not knowing what to say. Before he could decide what to do, she gave him quick peck on the cheek and let go of him.
"Have you heard, Remus J Lupin?" she squealed, now putting her arm around Peter, "Me and Peter Pettigrew are going on a date!" She squealed again and planted her lips on Peter's, who turned red himself. Remus shook with confusion, revulsion and anger. The lights flickered on and off in the hall, and for a moment Peter looked anxious, pushing Lavina away a little.
"I'll meet you at the pitch in a bit, Lavina." She nodded and skipped away. Peter looked at Remus concerned, "Moony, what was that?"
Remus shrugged, "A gust of wind? Peeves' tricks? I dunno."
Peter looked at him, not fully believing what he said. "Remus, you know your magic always peaks when the full moon is near, and I'm pretty sure that was you."
Remus tried to laugh it off, "Full moon is probably still too far away! Honestly Peter… you're way too paranoid!"
"I dunno… Full moon's next weekend anyway, on Sunday… I'm sure that was you Moony, wouldn't be the first time."
"You are officially hallucinating, my dear old friend. Come on, do you want to watch the practice or not?" Peter nodded uneasily before following him down the rest of the hall; unaware of the small red sparks bursting out of Remus' wand snugly tucked in his pocket. Just as they neared the doorway, Remus hesitated.
"You know what Pete," he mumbled, "I think I forgot something at the common room. I'm heading back."
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As Remus and Peter talked, Amelia sat in the common room, looking out the window. Despite her annoyance at Lily's attempt to get her to know knew people, she was bored, and not even reading her beloved charms textbook could cut it. No, boredom was an excuse. She wanted to read all right, just not inside. Sighing, she tucked her charms textbook in her book bag, slung it over her shoulder and pushed through the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. As she headed to the main doorway, which led to the lake and the path to the pitch, she kept her head down, deep in thought. She had almost reached the door, hitching her book bag higher up, when she glanced around and caught Remus' eye. She couldn't pretend she hadn't seen him now, he had seen her and acknowledged her presence, and she could've nodded as well and kept walking, but something made her pause. He paused as well and met her gaze with indefference. Tentatively, she took a step closer,
"Remus?" she murmured.
"Good day Ms. Rogue." He nodded and began to walk again, but she took another step closer and clutched a handful of his sleeve to keep him from walking away.
"Rem… I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, and… and I was stupid, and I'm sorry. Okay? I don't know what else to say." He nodded slower this time, though still not looking her in the eye. She could feel that this wasn't the only thing bothering him and prodded further, "Rem… what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." She put her hands on his shoulders and forced him to face her, "Remus."
"Ms. Rogue."
"Remus cut it out! What is it?"
"What, does Ms. Rogue fancy herself the Hogwarts' shrink now?" She frowned, blinking back mixed emotions of confusion and bewilderment before answering, "Remus, don't start this again."
"So now I'm supposed to spill my life to you? So you can give me your wise advice? Just because you're in Ravenclaw doesn't mean you know everything. The Miss thinks she's so smart, doesn't she? You think you have it all figured out? Well think again, Madame, think again," he said with the hint of a snarl, pushing her hands away. She looked like she was about to burst into tears, in fact he had already started to leave, when she reeled back and shoved him with every bit of miserable strength she owned. Startled he hit the wall gently, his eyes wide with shock.
She hissed at him, "You know what? You think you're so clever with your Madames and your Ms. Rogues, but you're NOT! Sure, maybe I don't know everything; I never said I did! What's the problem with you? I don't know! I never said I did either. I'm just trying to be a friend here, unless that's not what you wanted. In that case forgive me, your Highness!" She gave a mock bow, a scowl now on her face instead of his. In a surging moment of calm that overcame Remus, that sense of self-propriety he had always held dear, he murmured, "I've been a jerk, haven't I?" She let out a chortle of relief before rushing forward and hugging him tightly. Slowly, he raised his arms as well and embraced her back, as good friends do. For a moment, the pair just stood their, holding each other tightly for comfort from their own private troubles, before he finally released her. She took his hand and led him outside, despite his apparent resistance, and led him to a clump of trees by the lake. They both sat in the shade, in silence, for a bit before Remus muttered softly, "Peter is dating Lavina."
Amelia frowned as he tossed a pebble at the lake, "But I thought she… I thought you and her…"
He sighed, "Yeah, I thought so too. How've you been anyway? I meant it when I said I was worried about you that other day, you know."
She nodded, picking at the longer blades of grass, "I dunno really. It's just…"
Remus raised his eyebrow and she finally let out, exasperated, "If you must know, it's Sirius."
"I thought as much."
"But he… How can he… He tries so hard, you know… to annoy me and all… then he ignores me… and then we're back where we started. I almost wish I'd never answered him… The taunting, the teasing… Everything was fine until I started to talk back… and now look at where we are."
"You like him, don't you."
"I… I don't even know anymore."
"Haha. Well, the boys are getting together to go to the Three Broomsticks this weekend. What do you think?"
"Who else is going?"
Remus grimaced, "If Peter gets his way, Lavina."
Amelia leaned her head on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile, "I'll go."
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It was Wednesday, the Calisthanes/Lisbanes VS Hogwarts match, and the game was intense. James signaled Sirius who grudgingly nodded to Marcus, and the pair of beaters headed after a Lisbanes Chaser called Luke Anderson with the Quaffle in possession.
A Calisthanes extra had been granted the permission to narrate the events and she hollered now: "And there go the Hogwarts beaters, watch your back Anderson!"
As a bludger came their way, perfectly set, a loud whistle was heard. Sirius spun around, spying B-B Girl, or Melanie, who waved, perched on her broom gracefully, and blew him a kiss. He leaned forward on his broom and winked. In the distance James howled, "PADFOOT! WATCH OUT FOR THE-"
A bludger hurtled towards Melanie who raised her club.
"And there goes our very own Melanie Roberts, beater, preparing for a perfect hit straight at that guy gone gah-gah… I think that's a beater as well… and she goes and… Oh! It's a hit! The beater is down! The hit prevented any attack from Hogwarts and Lisbanes Chaser, Anderson, SCORES!"
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After the match, several people headed to the Hospital Wing to check on Sirius. Amelia was already there, biting her nails, but was lost in the crowd: the team, the rest of the marauders, and of course, Melanie. It was she whom he saw when he finally came to, and it was at him that she winked at only seconds after. He propped himself up on his elbows and smiled, and she smile back murmuring, "All is far in love and Quidditch, eh DC?" He chuckled before nodding to the others who asked if he felt alright.
"It's actually Marcus' fault you know, we beaters have got to look out for each other!" he said, with a smirk on his face. Marcus glowered at him and left, muttering, "Bloody Gryffs," under his breath, while the others (excluding Lucius, obviously, who had not even come in the first place) laughed.
He leaned closer to Melanie, and whispered, "Do me a favor and take the team with you? Me and my mates have got to catch up." She smiled and nodded, and they all filed out of the room, Madame Pomfrey rolling her eyes and ushering them out. Amelia glanced around, confused, and started to leave when Remus caught up to her and steered her back.
"Martinez!" Sirius grinned, and she noticed his chipped tooth, probably from the fall, for the first time, "Come to fantasize about me while I slept? Come to have your way with me?" He smiled suggestively. She glared at Remus, who simply shrugged, as if to say, that's just Sirius being Sirius. Nonetheless she kept her mouth shut and avoided eye contact. James elbowed Remus out of the way and waved his arms at Sirius frantically, "What was that, mate? I was calling you! I WARNED you!" Sirius blinked, then shrugged simply, "Sorry, but come on, it's B-B Girl!"
"MELANIE!" Amelias snapped suddenly, "Her name is Melanie."
"And why would you care, Martinez?" Sirius asked pointedly. They all looked at her blankly. Suddenly nervous and shy and NOT wanting the spotlight she stuttered, "I.. I mean she… Melanie wants… I… Like, can't you see?! You all can be so… So… UGH! What's the freaking word? So BLOODY THICK!" She threw her hands up into the air and tried to storm out of the room, but Remus wrapped his arms around her before she could leave and held her tightly, as she gasped, and choked, eyes tearing up and short, raspy breaths indicating that she had begun to cry. He exchanged looks with the others, feeling just as clueless as they looked. The tension in the room could be cut with a knife, and to help ease things along he ushered her to the corner by an empty bed while James continued to argue with Sirius, Peter making occasional comments but constantly looking over at the pair. Amelia continued to sob, feeling wretched, like a child, crying until she didn't even know why she was crying, simply knowing that she couldn't stop. Remus simply led her to the bed and sat beside her, rocking her back and forth and rubbing her back to try and soothe her.
"What the hell was that?" Sirius whispered, taking a quick peek over his shoulder to see the still bawling figure of Amelia.
James shrugged, "I dunno… haven't seen her since the date-crashing anyway. Peter?"
"Not a clue." The three of them looked back at her really quickly, now fiddling with her fingers and sniffing, saying something to Remus that they couldn't hear.
"Think it's got anything to do with Moony?" Sirius asked.
"Well… he has been acting weird lately… but that's to be expected, full moon's this Sunday." The other two thought for a bit, doing the math.
"Moony always goes all strange the week before." The boys all nodded, deciding this was the reason for everything, but although their conversation veered back to Quidditch, they couldn't help but glance back every now and then. Finally Remus offered her a hand and helped her off the bed, before guiding her back to where Sirius lay. She reluctantly stepped up, feeling ridiculously like a little kid who'd gotten in trouble.
"I…" she sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve, "I'm sorry. You… I… I had no right to tell you what to do." She hung her head and Remus nodded, before leading her to the exit.
"Oi, Martinez!" Sirius called, playfully. The three watched with equal interest as she flinched, pausing, before she followed Remus out the door.
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Just a little note, the next chappie is already written and will be released with the next review. Only three more review to get to fifty:D Any suggestions for the plot will be taken into account for further editing of the next chapter.
Haha, MELODRAMA! And cliché-ness, I apologize :( Help me!!!
On another note, I know that details and descriptions are sadly lacking in the past few chapters, more apologies for that as well. I'm trying, but I keep rushing through everything :(