Disclaimer: I don't own Pong. It was created in 1972 and all rights go to Atari.

Translations!

Mademoiselle (French) - Miss

Ma chérie (French) – my dear


"And I want you to know that my feelings are true, I really love you. You're my best friend." – Queen, 1976


A few days later, a group of Muggles Studies students found themselves in a quandary.

"I don't understand - it just bounces back and forth?"

"Seems like a rubbish idea to me."

"I'll have you know," Professor Llewellyn retorted with an arched brow as the class continued to watch the small pixilated ball shoot across the screen, "that this game has been extremely profitable in the Muggle world."

"How can that possibly be?"

"It's so stupid."

"Yeah, the little thing rallies back and forth until someone mucks it all up. Boring."

"But it's revolutionary!" Aeryn Miller finally interjected. Her classmates, Peter included, stopped doodling in their notes and gave her their attention. "Muggles don't have magic, they have science … so to us, this game looks rudimentary and childish, but to them, it's amazing. Don't you understand how progressive this is? Muggles don't have the luxury of spells or charms, but somehow, they managed to create an artificial power source to project light and motion on a display surface. It's brilliant!"

"Well … if you think about it like that …"

"Yeah, I guess that's true."

"Five points to Gryffindor," Professor Llewellyn awarded, "for such an insightful comment. Now, go ahead and test the game for your next assignment … but I will warn you, Pong is infectious."

"I'll never understand why you take this class," Peter muttered as the students around them started to pair up. "You're a Muggleborn – you already know all the answers."

"It's fun," Aeryn grinned as she settled back into her chair. "And besides, I didn't want you to be all by yourself every Thursday afternoon."

Peter smiled smugly and reached for his modified joystick; importing actual arcade units proved to be too difficult, so their Professor had conjured up something similar with a few spells. Aeryn reached for her own joystick and soon, the game began. Peter started out with a healthy lead, however slowly but surely, she ground him down her with practiced skill.

"This isn't fair," Peter groaned. "You've played this before, you're better at it."

"Well then try harder," she giggled as she moved her bar back and forth. In an act of survival, he decided to distract her with Marauder gossip and in an act of familiarity, she automatically obliged him.

"Remus talked to Sirius yesterday," he began cautiously and picked up the pace of the game.

"Did he now?" Aeryn muttered. She rallied the blip towards the opposite corner. "Didn't know they weren't friendly."

"He just about ignored him for a week and a half," Peter said as he stuck out his tongue and pounced back. "I mean, I thought Padfoot mucked everything up, but I still talked to him … But Moony took it really poorly, since I guess he and Gemma were actually close."

"Makes sense," Aeryn said as she finally knocked the blip past him. Peter grunted and they entered the next round.

"That's why things might be a little tense at lunch today, just warning you … or maybe not, 'cos Padfoot said he apologized to Marianne earlier this morning for being such a git. Dunno what he did to her, though … So did you hear that some Fourth Years confronted Rose for being a slag? They poured pumpkin juice on her head."

"No way," she responded with a laugh. "Well, actually, I believe it. Despite all the rumors, people seemed to generally like Sirius and Gemma together. But I didn't expect them to care this much."

"I know," he agreed, "but it's Hogwarts. What else is there to do but meddle in other people's affairs?" He groaned softly after she scored. "Padfoot's still peeved about the Sixth Year who stormed onto the Quidditch pitch during one of his practices and accused him of being a 'heartless bastard who should be locked away in Azkaban for his crimes'."

"Well, I'd be cross if that was happening to me," Aeryn said. She grimaced, but quickly grinned after she beat her boyfriend yet again.

"Well, he deserves it," he muttered under his breath. Although she didn't approve of Sirius' drunken betrayal, she felt genuinely surprised that Peter was talking behind his best friend's back. In all the years she'd known him, he had never strongly disapproved of another Marauder's actions.

"Ummm, do you think you'll be fine by yourself for a bit?" Aeryn said after another round. "I have to go to the loo."

"Can't you wait 'till this class is over?" Peter distressed. "I can't do the assignment without you."

"It's urgent."

"Fine," he huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I didn't want to play this stupid game anyways."

Aeryn fought the urge to playfully roll her eyes and instead asked for permission to leave. Once outside, she noticed that she wasn't the only one escaping their studies; in the distance, Cora was striding towards her and waving idiotically. The Gryffindor smiled and noted that her best friend always seemed to randomly appear out of thin air, brightening her mood instantly.

"Awrite!"

"Hello to you too."

"Where you headed?"

"Loo."

"Cool, let's go."

Aeryn grinned and followed her down the corridor.

"Wait, you don't actually have to go in there, do you?" Cora asked when they finally reached the toilets.

"You don't?" she tittered.

"No," Cora admitted. "I like to run around a wee bit to keep my mind busy … and Flitwick's more than happy to oblige a house Quidditch player and let her 'go to the loo'. He's quite keen on surpassing your team since, well, we might be your challenger in the Cup this year."

"Always running," Aeryn giggled. "Well, let me pop in here and then I'll join you if you're willing to slow it down to a leisurely walk. Llewellyn loves me and I actually wouldn't mind stretching my legs." Cora nodded and waited outside the door. When Aeryn returned, she winked at her good-humoredly.

"Let the corruption of Aeryn Miller begin."

"This isn't the first time I've done this!"

"Since when did you skip?"

"Peter rubbed off on me when we started dating."

"Ha! Remind me to thank him. Now come along, lassie - we've got some adventuring to do."

They decided to enjoy the warm spring air and moved towards one of the small outdoor courtyards. Aeryn was so busy enjoying her little slice of rebellion that she failed to hear the sound of footsteps; it was Cora who shrieked with fright and pulled both of them into a storage cupboard before anyone saw them. Even though it was pitch black, Aeryn still perceived Cora turning towards her.

"If we're caught, it's all your fault."

"No one's going to find us. You're just hearing things," Aeryn shushed. They waited in silence for a couple of seconds, just in case.

"Mademoiselle," a deep male voice suddenly drawled from just outside the door. The two girls froze, recognizing the student's voice. It was Rabastan, who was just the type of person to serve them with detention just because he felt like being vindictive.

Cora gasped, grabbed her hand and squeezed it softly.

"Following me, Lestrange?" a female voice answered.

"Don't flatter yourself, Rosier."

"Luciana," Cora whispered. "Merlin's curly toenails, they better not find us." Aeryn cringed, very aware of the Slytherin's ruthless personality.

"So what are you doing out of class? Aren't Prefects supposed to be examples of good behavior?"

"I wanted a cigarette. You?"

"The same."

As the Slytherins paused for a moment to presumably light the ends of their cigarettes, Aeryn felt her heart race. She did not like the idea of being trapped, knowing that the two snakes outside would eat her alive if they discovered her whereabouts. She gulped nervously and continued to listen in silence, unsure of what else to do.

"So how's your training going?"

"Oh do shut up, not everyone can become a Death Eater in a matter of weeks. You only found a willing apprentice so quickly because Snape was already practicing the Dark Arts on his own."

"I made wise decisions, Rosier. Unlike you."

"My protégé is perfectly adequate … a bigger fish than yours, in fact."

"He's not as good as you're making him out to be."

Aeryn tried to figure out whom the two Slytherins were talking about, but suddenly noticed that she and Cora were still holding hands; in fact, her best friend had started rubbing her thumb in languid circles.

"His information will factor into my grand scheme."

"Good luck. I doubt you're going to come up with anything special."

"Piss off, Lestrange. I've got a lot going for me."

"Not as much as me."

She didn't anticipate Cora's change of direction and a new sensation lingered on her soft skin as she retraced her previous movements. Aeryn tried to explain her quivering bottom lip - reasoning that her sudden alertness was due to her extreme terror of being caught - but when the Ravenclaw switched directions again, small tremors of warmth moved up her arm.

"Oh really? What makes you so much better than me?"

"I'm always one step ahead of you - you're still trying to prove your worthiness and I'm about to be betrothed."

"Betrothed? To whom?"

"Well certainly not you, ma chérie."

Aeryn let her head fall backwards, reveling in her best friend's touch. She didn't know if Cora could sense her enjoyment, but as the girl switched directions again, Aeryn tried not to sigh softly. She couldn't explain it, but she had never been this aroused in her life, not even with Peter. Nothing compared to Cora's lackadaisical circles.

"Oh shove off and smoke elsewhere."

"But then I wouldn't be able to annoy you!"

"Ugh, this isn't even worth it anymore, I'm going back to class. I hope you have a slow and painful death, Lestrange – preferably in the next hour or so."

Aeryn heard footsteps echoing down the corridor; another person's forceful clumps migrated in the opposite direction. Cora took it upon herself to cautiously open the door and when the coast was clear, Aeryn finally let out the small cry. She felt her knees wobble and reached out to grab something to steady herself.

"I don't think we were meant to hear that conversation," Cora mumbled as she looked down at her shoes. "We should go back to class now."

"Yeah," Aeryn answered breathlessly, "I think you're right."

As Cora continued to stare at the ground, the faded tapestries on the wall, the suits of armor down the hall – anything but her, really – Aeryn's heart didn't slow down as she expected. In fact, it practically exploded into overdrive as she felt ghostly traces of Cora's touch.

"Well, I'll see you later then."

"Yeah, laters."

After a quick hug, which spurned another wave of impassioned twinkles throughout Aeryn's body, Cora's spirited nature resurfaced. Aeryn tried not to imagine the Seeker's hands exploring her shoulder blades.

"Still would have been your fault, you know. If we'd been caught."

"Oi! Not fair!"

"I'm joking," Cora laughed. "Alright, bye - for real this time."

The two girls parted ways; one going back to Charms, the other aimlessly and hopelessly contemplating her newly discovered perceptions as she wandered back towards her Muggle Studies classroom. Aeryn whipped her hands back and forth to try and expel all her nervous energy through her fingertips, but couldn't erase the feelings she'd felt minutes earlier.

A small pool of dread gurgled and fizzed in her stomach. How was she supposed to pretend nothing had happened? How was she supposed to sit next to Peter with an unreadable poker face for the rest of class? She suddenly caught the glint of her promise ring and panicked. How was she supposed to ignore this for the rest of her life?

"There are so many things wrong with this scenario," she muttered to herself. "First – I'm with Peter. Second – she's my best friend. Third – she's a girl …"

Her voice trailed off; she felt herself gravitate towards a wall, put her back against it, and slide down to the floor in a daze. She looked down at her trembling hands, realizing that none of those things held a candle to her biggest fear.

The troubled teen sighed and shut her eyes. On the night of her tenth birthday, she stayed up past her normal bedtime and planned every last detail of her perfect wedding. She was going to wear a capped sleeve lace gown, complete with a veil with real flowers in it, and after her father led her down the aisle of their local Irish Church, she would be in the arms of her handsome husband – her one and only love who would always be by her side, through sickness and in health.

Currently, she had all the makings for her fantasy wedding. Peter was her one and only love, her first and last. He promised to marry her when he had enough money, just so she could have the day of her dreams … and yet, currently, her heart didn't gravitate towards him at all.

It wanted Cora.

"This isn't how my life is supposed to be," she whispered as she rubbed her temples with her fingers.

"… Aeryn!"

"Everything is supposed to be perfect."

"Aeryn!"

"I'm not supposed to want a … girl."

"Aeryn!" Peter finally skidded to a halt in front of her and put his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. "Didn't you hear me shouting?"

"I-I'm sorry," Aeryn answered, stunned by his timing. "I was going to come back, I -"

"What are you even doing in the floor?" he interrupted.

"I – I - "

Her lips moved aimlessly, like the Giant Squid out of water.

"Oh, dear," Peter sighed. He extended a hand towards her and Aeryn gladly accepted it and returned to her feet. "You're having female troubles, aren't you?"

She choked on her tongue and fell into a fit of racking coughs.

"There, there," he cooed as he put an arm around her shoulders. "You'll be alright." Aeryn didn't agree, but leaned against him regardless as she settled down. "I brought your messenger bag – class finished a couple of minutes ago, so we can head to lunch now. Let's get you some Red Velvet Cake Tea … and I can probably nick some chocolate from Remus. Doesn't that sound nice, hmmm?"

Aeryn nodded sheepishly and the couple made their way down to the Great Hall, Peter trying his best to cheer her up and distract her with idle gossip and corny, but still slightly hilarious jokes. Yet, just before they reached the Gryffindor table, her boyfriend took her elbow.

"… You know, I figured your … time of the month was coming soon. You don't have to be so embarrassed about it. It's fine, really," he said with an awkward smile. "Now come on, look what Sirius did to the Slytherins last night. It's hilarious!"

She followed his pointer finger towards the silver and green table and saw that Erastis, Regulus, Thorfinn and Severus were covered in little green shamrocks. All four of them were furiously glaring over at the other Marauders, who were sitting at the Gryffindor table. It would have been funny if Aeryn had been in the mood to laugh.

"Wormy! Aeryn!" Sirius barked with joy. "Come, sit!"

"Don't mind if I do," Peter muttered smugly. He sat down at the table and she joined him, but kept her hands in her lap as she glumly looked down at her place setting.

"How was Muggle Studies?" James asked.

"Boring and fun – the Professor let us play a game, but it was too simple for my taste," Peter answered. "Oh! Here you are, dear!" He beamed as a custom kettle appeared on the table, reached out to grasp the handle and poured some of Madame Puddifoot's famous tea into her cup. "Your favorite!"

"Thank you, dear," Aeryn muttered. She blinked idly.

"Brilliant idea, eh?" Sirius grinned as he cocked his head towards the Slytherins and loaded his plate with chips.

If Aeryn had been paying attention, she would have seen Remus roll his eyes, but smile and secretly rejoice that he and his best friend had settled their differences and were speaking to each other again. Perhaps, if she could have stopped thinking about Cora, she would have noticed that Miranda had her skirt tucked into her pants. She even would have registered that she had eavesdropped on a very sinister conversation between two students of the Dark Arts, but instead, she stared at her empty plate and felt her stomach twist itself into knots.

"Aeryn," a voice said softly, "are you alright?"

She looked up and noticed that Lily had slipped into the seat next to her – another thing she would have observed had she been her normal, astute self. Aeryn took a deep breath, gulped and answered quite honestly, even though she was lying.

"I'm having female troubles."

"Chocolate, then?" Remus offered after he reached into his pocket and produced a Honeyduke's candy bar.

"I told you he'd have some," Peter whispered into her ear.

Aeryn reached out and took the treat from him. She gingerly pulled back the foil, sunk her teeth into the milk chocolate and didn't acknowledge his attempt to make her laugh. As the other Marauders fell into a long conversation about the current Professional Quidditch standings, Aeryn continued to nibble on the Honeyduke's bar, trying her best to avoid Lily's concerned stare and keep her lascivious thoughts about Cora out of her head. And when Peter suddenly grabbed her hand under the table to try and comfort her, she fought the urge to vomit as well.