Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
The rest of the week passed rather uneventfully. Well, as uneventful as spending everyday with the Weasley twins can be. I mean, some dungbombs here, a few angry Slytherins with pink hair there, no biggie.
After what seemed like forever, it was finally Friday. "So boys, what are the big plans for tonight?" I asked the twins with a wide grin, which they both returned.
"Party in the 5th Year dorms. They wanted only 5th, 6th, and 7th years, but we generously offered to donate a few bottles of Firewhiskey," George informed.
"We also said you would handle the music," Fred added.
I beamed. "I knew there was a reason I'm friends with you! I'll bring the party mix CD Angelina, Remus, and I burnt over the summer!" I could barely contain my excitement. Angie, Remus, and I had spent nearly four hours in the muggle library near our house trying to make a mix of her Celestina Warbeck and Weird Sisters collection with the best of my muggle CD's. Lemme tell you, it was followed by one wild karaoke night. I hadn't shown the boys yet (I know, selfish, but in my defense I wanted to save it for a special occasion).
"Is that the one you were going on about that's half muggle songs and half magical?" Georgie asked. I nodded fervently.
"Wicked!" Freddie grinned.
"What should I wear?" I asked, somewhat stressed. I mean, it was rare for older students to let 4th Years into their parties. I needed to dress to impress.
Fred and George shrugged. "Does it really matter?" George asked.
"Of course it matters! I can't flirt with Oliver Wood if I look homeless!" I exclaimed. Merlin, do they know anything?
"You always flirt with boys while you look homeless," Fred grinned cheekily. I rolled my eyes. The nerve of that boy.
"Our little one is quite the flirt Freddie, maybe we should reign her in," George suggested in a faux-strict voice.
"How could I need reigning in? I haven't even had my first kiss," I slumped, taking a bite of bacon.
As if she'd been timing her entrance, Katie sat down next to us at the perfect moment. (Knowing her, she probably did time it out. She's got bat ears, that one) "The only reason you haven't had your first kiss is because everyone assumes you are dating one of these two goons," she pet my head soothingly. I wrinkled my nose in distaste.
"Hey! What's so bad about people thinking you've snagged one of us?" Freddie exclaimed, gesturing between him and his brother.
"Yeah, we're hot tickets!" George added.
"Devastatingly handsome," Fred wiggled his eyebrows.
"Dangerously mischievous," Georgie rubbed his hands together.
"And we know how to handle a broom," They winked. Katie and I rolled our eyes.
"Wait a minute!" Fred suddenly seemed to have a 'lightbulb' moment. "2nd Year after the Halloween Feast! We kissed!" He cried, a tad overzealous at his sudden realization.
"Keep it down you banshee, people are actually gonna think I'm off the market!" I swatted his arm.
Fred gave me an affronted look. "Settle down tiger," Katie said to him with raised eyebrows. "You two kissed during a game of truth or dare, that doesn't count,"
"Yeah, I'd like a somewhat willing participant!" I added, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I was willing!" Freddie defended. George, Katie, and I all howled with laughter. "I was!"
"Freddie, you protested the dare for a solid five minutes while my self-esteem plummeted!" I informed him.
"Both of you wiped your mouths after as if you'd just kissed toads!" Katie giggled.
"And later that night you swished mouthwash around in your mouth for ten whole minutes!" George continued cheekily.
I gasped. "That's just offensive! We didn't even use tongue!"
Freddie at least had the decency to look sheepish (a real rarity to be honest). "Alright, alright. In my defense, I was 12. I still thought girls had cooties!"
I was on my way to the third class of the day, Transfiguration, when I saw a familiar mass of pin-straight black hair swaying next to a wild head of bouncy curls. I quickened my pace so that I could step in between Katie and Angelina and linked our arms. "How are my two favorite girls in the whole wide world?" I grinned. They both gave me identical 'what's with the bs' looks. "Ohhh you can bet your skinny arses that you won't be shooting me those looks once I tell you about the plan the twins have for us tonight," I sang cheekily.
The girls' eyes lit up immediately. It was as if I had just told them Father Christmas was coming, honestly. "Spill!" Katie ordered.
"I dunno...I feel like I am owed some groveling," I tutted, a mischievous glint in my eye.
"Have I mentioned you look beautiful today?" Angie asked.
"And might I add, that school uniform is doing wonders for your skin tone," Katie pretended to gush.
Angie nodded quickly, "And that Gryffindor tie is really making your eyes pop."
I giggled at their antics. "Wellll, now that I've been reminded of how sweet my besties are, I suppose I could invite them to a party in the boys' dorm. The 5th year dorms to be precise," I whispered, glancing at Katie for her reaction. She was gripping the straps to her book bag so tight, her knuckles were white. I linked our arms a tad closer just in case she were to faint. You really never know with her. I looked over at Angelina. She was giving me a 1000-watt smile and I could see the gears turning in her head, already figuring out how to do her hair and what outfit to wear.
"I haven't even told you the best part! Guess who's in charge of music?" I squealed.
That seemed to snap Katie out of her nervous fit. "WE CAN DO OUR ROUTINE TO DRAGON DUST!" She screamed.
A deep chuckle erupted from behind us. The three of us whipped around to come face to face with none other than THE Oliver Wood. "Keep it down about the party will you? We don't need McG busting us before it's even begun," He laughed.
"Sorry Cap," Angelina said to her (extremely handsome) quidditch captain. To her credit, there was only a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
"You two better not be too hungover tomorrow morning, don't forget we have an 8am practice," Wood eyed Angelina and Katie sternly.
Katie rolled her eyes, "One track mind as always Wood."
"Someone's gotta keep their priorities straight," He shrugged.
I finally found my voice. "I'll keep them in line," I saluted him with as much confidence as I could muster.
Wood gave me a not-quite-subtle once over. "I have to get to class. I look forward to you guys' uh, 'routine'," He nodded. "We should talk more often, Star," Wood added with a smirk. Thank Merlin he turned around right after that because I am sure my face was a right picture! I could feel the blush on my cheeks and my eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.
We turned into the Transfiguration classroom, my head still spinning, when McGonagall brought me back to reality. She really is the sole voice of reason in my life while I'm at Hogwarts. "Girls, do you have a reason for being nearly 7 minutes late to my class?" She asked, one thin eyebrow raised.
I cringed when I saw the twinkle in Katie's eye. As if in slow motion, I watched her open her (big) mouth. "Actually Professor, Star here was just being hit on b-" I clamped my hand over her mouth.
"By Ol-OUCH!" Angelina attempted to finish but I pinched her arm before she could further expose me.
"Won't happen again, Professor," I apologized quickly and violently yanked Katie and Angelina into the two nearest seats. "I'm getting replacement mates," I grumbled at them before slouching in my chair, ignoring the curious looks Fred and George were giving us.
"You coming to lunch?" Angelina asked. It had taken me approximately 9 minutes to forgive the two of them. I truly don't have the attention span for grudges and, if I'm being honest, who isn't a sucker for some attention every now and then?
I shook my head. "I forgot to finish that potions essay we have due next period, I've gotta go grind." The two rolled their eyes and headed to the Great Hall.
I grabbed my favorite Manchester United hoodie out of my bag (and by mine I mean Remus' that I snatched over the Easter holidays) and tugged it on. The castle sure could get drafty, I mean it was nearly June!
As I made my way to the library I noticed Blaise Zabini walking, scratch that, strutting towards me. "McKinnon!" He called. Did someone spike my pumpkin juice this morning with Felix Felicis or something? "We still on for tomorrow?"
"Well, we both are being required by professors to attend sooo...," His chocolate colored eyes glimmered with amusement. Ick, I sound like some lovesick poet. My inner voices of Fred and George were currently taking the mickey out of me.
Blaise fell into step beside me and we continued in a comfortable silence. "It's weird that you dress so muggle," He said after a few moments, looking at my sweatshirt confusedly. He didn't necessarily sound judgmental, but where else could this conversation lead other than a harsh argument over blood purity? Drat, I knew he was too good to be true.
"Why wouldn't I? I live in a muggle town with my Uncle--well, fake Uncle, who works as a teacher in a muggle school," I said stiffly, the teasing in my voice long gone.
Blaise didn't seem to be catching my drift. He opened his mouth again and I preemptively drew in a breath. Shame for such a pretty face to be a supremacist. "You don't live with a blood relative?" His voice was laced with confusion. Man, this boy is daft.
"I don't have any blood relatives," I said shortly. It wasn't really a sore subject, I mean I can't even remember my Mum, but still, that didn't mean I was ready for a heart-to-heart with Blaise Zabini.
Blaise stopped walking abruptly. "What are you talking about, you're related to half the Slytherin house!" He said incredulously. Blaise didn't give me time to respond. "I suppose no slimy snakes are worthy of being related to brave ol' Star McKinnon," His voice was thick with sarcasm. "You know, I didn't take you for the prejudiced type," With that, he turned on his heel and started walking away from me. Did he sound hurt? What was he on about?
However, my temper outweighed my confusion as I ran up to him. "I am not prejudiced! I know that all the pureblood families are related at some point or another, but the McKinnons are a Gryffindor family!" I defended myself angrily. Who was he to lecture me! He was the one who didn't like that I wore muggle clothes!
"Stop pretending! We both know the Blacks aren't!" He shouted, voice laced with venom.
I looked at him with my eyebrows knitted together before what he was saying finally clicked.
Shit.
I felt the color drain from my face, my throat seemed to be constricting. I was so lost in my thoughts, my vision got fuzzy. The Blacks were famous for their part in the war. No wonder Remus got so sad the one time that I had asked him about my father, the man was an evil Slytherin, probably a Death Eater. After that day, specifically that night, 8 years ago, when I heard Remus crying from his bedroom, I stifled any and all curiosity I harbored towards my mystery father. Can't even remember the last time I thought about him. Guess that's why I wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw.
Blaise's eyes widened. "You didn't know." All traces of his suave demeanor were gone.
All I could manage was a small nod.
Blaise muttered a small string of curses. "I am so sorry Star, I really thought this was common knowledge," He explained, pulling his arm around me and ushering me into a dark passageway. He say me down beside him on the dusty floor.
It could've been seconds or it could have been hours, but I finally spoke. "H-How did you know about my—" I cringed when my voice cracked.
Blaise looked at me, and I could see the pity in his eyes. "The Malfoys...they're your cousins I suppose. They have a huge family tree in their dining room, to prove how pure their blood is. It is charmed to add any relatives the minute that they are born. I saw your name underneath Sirius Black's," He told me slowly. Sirius Black. It felt odd, finally knowing his name.
"So everyone ever to enter Malfoy Manor knows," I whispered hopelessly.
"It's probably no more than ten people besides the Malfoys themselves who have ever actually looked close enough at it to see your name. I only read it because I was at some crazy boring dinner party there," He tried to comfort me.
I stood up, not trusting myself to hear any more information without having a breakdown. "Would you like me to walk you to Gryffindor Tower?"
"I think I'm just gonna go to potions."
Blaise looked like he wanted to protest, but thought better of it. "If you want to know more about him, Star, I'll help. I only know the basics, but I could ask around the dungeons," He offered just before I entered the hallway.
I turned to face him and forced the corners of my lips upwards, "You're alright, Zabini."
Author's Note: Well, Star finally knows!! Next chapter will be full of more discoveries about her father! Thanks so much for reading! Please review!!!