Back in the common room, I was handed the first firewhiskey.
"We thought you were joking," Miranda said with a wicked smirk.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and knocked back the double measure.
I lifted the next shot that was poured.
"If you would all raise your glasses for your valiant Quidditch team, and the most deserved win any of you have ever seen," I toasted sarcastically, earning laughs from the Ravenclaws.
Yes, you could say I was bitter about it.
And as I got drunker, I got more pissed off at Orion. What right did he have to judge me anyway?
The thought struck me, after I admit too much whiskey: maybe he was doing this so he would be disinherited. I smirked evilly at the realisation and retreated to my room. My handwriting at this moment would have given my grandfather a fit, so I took out my dictation quill.
"Lord Sirius of House Black," I started, chest welling with malice. "My dear grandfather, no doubt you have heard about today's incident between Orion and I on the Quidditch pitch. I apologize most profusely if shame has been brought upon the House of Black. However I beg you dear grandfather, that you not treat Orion too severely on the matter. He is still so young, and I fear the pressure of being the future Lord of our noble House is getting to him a little, in combination with his NEWT studies and his new status of being the son of his grace, Uncle Arcturus. I beg, for the sake of my dear cousin and the longevity of the House of Black that you pardon him for this indiscretion."
I paused for a moment, that same smirk still curling my lips.
"I am quite confident further instruction into eloquence and familial traditions will be most beneficial to dear Orion over the holidays. With all my affections, your humble servant and loving granddaughter, the Lady Poppy of House Black."
And without a hesitation it was on its way to Lord Sirius, and I went back to join the party.
I was reading through my completed Transfiguration essay in the library when he seated himself opposite me.
My expression was impassive, and I did not look up at him.
"Poppy," he said finally.
"Ah Tom," I said sarcastically, obviously pretending I had only just noticed his presence. "How nice of you to grace me with your presence finally."
His dark eyes narrowed imperceptibly, he was studying me. I smiled sweetly.
"And by that I mean, how much I appreciate you not ignoring me anymore."
"I wasn't ignoring you," he countered stiffly. I raised my eyebrows.
"If we are going to continue this conversation with the same level of honesty as at this moment, I have no inclination to sit here, wasting both our time," I said coolly.
Tom looked at the window in irritation. It was the first sign of true emotion I had seen in weeks.
"I was not ignoring you deliberately, Poppy," he corrected.
"Tell me, what was it which made you so disgusted by my presence?" I questioned.
"I am not disgusted by anything about you," he countered.
"Why Tom that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me," I exclaimed, clutching my heart in mock elation.
Tom ran a hand through his dark hair in exasperation. I had never seen such a human gesture on him.
"You've been avoiding because of that stupid article, haven't you?" I asked, cursing at how disappointed my voice sounded. He was silent. "You believe it?" I asked incredulously.
"No," he denied quickly. "I for one do not believe everything the Daily Prophet tells me."
"Good."
"However, one must recognise, that events of the last year and a half may be construed as-"
"You're not being serious?" I interrupted.
"How many times were you in his bedroom last year?" Tom asked pointedly. "Everybody knows you and Raimond are closer than you have any business being."
"That is my business," I replied. "Besides, why would you care about an article about me and Raimond? You're not jealous are you?"
"That is a ludicrous statement."
"Of course," I responded, a sly smile spreading across my lips.
"Poppy," he said warningly as I gathered up my scrolls and books.
"I'll see you in Potions tomorrow Tom," I said with a small, wicked smile. "It was good seeing you. You hold in there."
I slowly walked the corridors on prefect duty, praying for the clock to tick a little faster so I could remove myself from the draughty hallways and retreat to the warm sanctuary of my bed.
The calling of my own name made me jump. I turned toward the source, clutching my chest.
There as bold as brass, smirking casually, sauntering in my direction was Alphard.
I rolled my eyes at his swagger.
"Alphard you walk around these corridors much too openly," I scolded playfully. "You are not even a prefect."
Alphard merely smirked more as he came to a stop next to me.
"And yet I still managed to sneak up on you, dearest," he teased. I lifted an eyebrow. Alphard was the kind of person who made you feel like the conversation you were having was one giant euphemism- family or not. I looked my second up and down, taking in the disarray of his chin length hair and the skew of his tie.
"Who was the lucky lady today then?" I questioned. He smirked.
"A gentleman never tells," he replied with a wink.
"You are no gentleman," I retorted with a smile of my own.
"Ay and she is no lady," he countered.
"Alphard you know this will get you nowhere, what is she, the third girl this month?" Alphard shrugged, as if he hadn't been keeping score. "You know what would happen if Sirius or Arcturus found out, don't you?" I pressed.
The muscle in his cheek was working. But he nodded.
"Yes," he said softly, looking off into the distance. "They would bind me in a marriage with unbreakable vows, to stop me bringing shame upon the family."
"Correct," I agreed, softening slightly, and linking my arm through his. "So you must be discrete with this hedonistic lifestyle of yours. If you brag, it will fall onto the wrong ears and will wind up with Arcturus."
Alphard locked gaze with me.
"Arcturus will make a despicable ruler," he said, in a voice barely more than a murmur. If I had not been watching his lips I would missed him saying anything.
"Hush," I replied softly. "If that were to get back to him he could try you for treason."
Alphard smirked and I wondered whether he doubted that it would happen.
"Just be careful Alphard," I told him seriously. "Don't provoke them."
"I'm never going to give in to them," he whispered, his eyes locked with mine. "As soon as I'm done here… It's my life. It's not their choice who I marry or what I do. It's mine."
I nod.
"But you have to get out of Hogwarts first."
An owl was waiting on my desk when I returned. I did not know the bird, though I could tell by its condition and breeding that it belonged to a great family.
I gave it a treat before plucking the letter from its beak. I broke the Longbottom seal and opened the heavy parchment envelope.
To the Lady Poppy of House Black
You are cordially invited to Longbottom manor on the 5th of April, to celebrate the imminent arrival of the new charge of House Longbottom, child of Sir Harfang of House Longbottom and his lady wife Callidora, of Clan Black.
The infant, expected to be born in the latter half of May, will be the direct heir of Lord Augustus of House Longbottom.
Yours faithfully, the House of Longbottom.
"Oh," I said aloud.
After potions the next day, Slughorn approached me I was packing my things into my bag.
"Ah, Miss Black," he said, his voice sugary sweet.
"Lady Black, Professor," I correct stonily. "I'm a lady of the aristocracy."
"Of course, of course, my apologies," he replied, clasping his fat fingers together. "I was just wondering whether you received my latest invitation. It seems you must have missed the invite for my little Christmas soiree."
"Forgive Professor, I ignored your invitation," I replied in a clipped tone, finishing packing my belongings. "Every other teacher in this castle recognised my worth before I became titled. So I would consider it a slight upon them, should I accept an invitation from you, before each of them."
I turned on my heel and stalked from the room.
Tom said something deferential to Slughorn, before following me.
"What was that about?" he demanded as soon as we were out of earshot of the potion's classroom.
"That was me politely declining my potion's teacher's invitation to a Valentine's Day party," I replied shortly.
Tom grabbed my arm and pulled me into an alcove, placing a silencer between us and the corridor.
"That man, is head of Slytherin House and knows anybody, who's anybody in the wizarding world," he spat, seething. "You cannot go around bad mouthing him to his face. To be successful he must be on my," he stopped, before correcting himself. "Our side."
"That man, is no more than a jumped up teacher, who is only so intimately connected because he makes people so uncomfortable that they cannot refuse to attend his stupid parties. He is elitist and patronising, and I for one will stand for being around such an intolerable creature."
Tom took a deep, calming breath, but there was still fire in his eyes.
"Are you so proud, that you would deliberately alienate us from a man who knows and can call in favours from everybody of consequence?" he demanded. I bristled.
"How dare you say proud in such a manner?" I spat, eyes narrowed. "Of course I am proud, why would I not be? If Slughorn is the best shot you have, I feel any of our future plans should be made very separately." I deflated, looking almost sad.
"I am the niece of the ruler of this kingdom, and yet you feel you need Slughorn to garner influence amongst its subjects," I added musingly, shaking my head. "Have you no faith in me, Tom?"
Tom visibly shocked by my change of emotion, from haughty to hurt in a moment, floundered for a moment. I turned and swept away, leaving him with his lips parted and brow furrowed.
I took advantage of my free lesson and went for a walk in the grounds, fending off the winter chill with my thickest cloak and bundled scarf. I was surprised to see someone sat by the water's edge, and even more surprised to see the broad shoulders I knew so well.
"You'll catch your death of cold sat still like that," I said brightly.
Liam turned.
"It's good to see you Poppy," he said with a small smile, but his eyes did not crinkle at the corners.
"What on earth is the matter?" I asked, elegantly dropping myself beside him.
"Lady Bones is insisting that I think about marriage," he said, with a shrug of the shoulders.
"She's not the only one, my family are putting pressure on all of us girls," I replied with a small smile. He held my gaze for a moment. His eyes were the colour of honey and churning tempestuously.
"I'm sorry about what happened with you and Malfoy," he said softly, laying a comforting arm around my shoulders.
"It is of no importance," I replied airily, brushing off his concern in a way which sounded as if I was actually upset about the turn of events. "It means I have many months of mourning that relationship before my family insist I become engaged again. It gives me time to select a candidate."
I looked back out over the steel grey water.
"Have you anyone in mind to suggest to your family?" I asked casually.
There was a pause.
"I am an honest person Poppy," he replied. "You. Of course."
I turned to him, eyebrows lifted.
"You don't mean that," I responded immediately. Perhaps my voice was hard. There was silence.
"Of course I don't," he replied eventually. "Because you only want me when you are feeling bad about yourself. You use me, and that's not healthy." His mouth was set in a hard line, and his eyes were no longer on my face, they were fixed to the horizon.
Instantly guilt, like lead closed around my heart, dragging it down.
"You're right," I murmured, gathering my skirts and cloak as I stood.
"Poppy, wait-" he tried to say, getting to his feet too. "That was unfair of me, I-"
"No," I said firmly. "You are right Liam. I have treated you most… despicably. I had no idea I was playing with your affections. I pray you will forgive me, I can only apologise." He clasped my slender pale hands within his own. They were still strong and warm.
"Poppy I… I…" he trailed off.
"I can only apologize," I repeated, biting hard down on my bottom lip. "And thank you." He raised his eyebrows in confusion.
"Thank you… for being there, when I need you."
I cast my gaze down at my shoes before rocking up onto tiptoe and placing a soft kiss on cheek, unable to ignore the scent of his aftershave.
"I am sorry."
He looked like he was about to argue again.
I returned to the castle.
(AN- sorry about the wait, I started my first term of university and had to a small break from writing whilst I settled in etc. Thanks)