Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
I stepped into the Common Room, figuring everyone would be asleep, only to be met by two familiar heads of red hair, staring at me in all of my tear-streaked glory. The three of us stood frozen like deer in headlights, them probably wondering how to comfort me, me rather embarrassed at having two more people witness me in this state.
"What are you two still doing up?" My voice seemed to draw them back to reality, and they abruptly sprang into motion, Fred putting his arm around me and guiding me towards our favorite plush couch, George wrapping me in a red and gold blanket.
"Ginny came up before she went to bed, outright worried, saying you still hadn't come back to Gryffindor Tower, which we found rather odd considering you said you were going to bed," Fred fixed me a look that would have made Mrs. Weasley proud.
My (very emotionally volatile) self was struck by the injustice of it all, "Oh sure Mom, you totally have the right to lecture me!" I snapped, throwing the blanket at him and making my way towards the girls' dorms.
"Well maybe you need a lecture! Who the hell leaves after curfew without telling anyone where they are going?" Freddie shouted, mimicking my tone.
"As if responsible is your middle name! Merlin, you guys were getting drunk at a party while I was out, how is that any better?!" I threw up my hands incredulously.
Fred's nostrils flared. "At least we didn't lie about our location then go running off dressed like that!" He gestured towards my outfit. George nudged his shoulder, but Freddie paid no attention. "Who knows what could have happened to you with all the shady characters around here!"
I could practically feel the steam coming out my ears as I clenched my fists. "Oh, so now I'm a slut! The only reason you were worried was because I was in a short skirt?" I let out a bitter laugh, "You're kidding right?"
"That's not what I said!" Freddie exclaimed, looking ready to pull out his hair. My brain gave a short laugh. Remus had always said I should form a Hogwarts debate team.
"Isn't it? Rather hypocritical coming from the 15 year old who has gotten with 7 different girls!" I hissed.
Fred opened his mouth to retort but George elbowed him sharply in the ribs, a smart move on his part considering I was barely restraining myself from launching at Freddie.
"We saw on the map that she was with McGonagall, will you calm your tits?" George whispered furiously to his brother.
"Right, right." Fred slowly regained his composure. "You're far from a slut, I didn't mean to wig out," he apologized. "I was just worried because you look really pretty, and some greasy git could have tried to take advantage of you."
That was the thing about Freddie, sure he was a grand muck-up on occasion, but his teddy-bear self was always quick to apologize. And in the rare instance that he wasn't immediately forgiven, he'd whip out his world-renowned big blue puppy-dog eyes and without fail, any grudge would melt. Except maybe his mother's; Mrs. Weasley was far too familiar with his tricks.
I stuck my chin up and pretended to still be angry (couldn't resist). "I can hold my own, thank you very much," I sniffed and crossed my arms over my chest in an effort to mask the goosebumps rapidly appearing on my arms. Damn the lack of a heating system in this bloody school and my somewhat controversially slutty outfit.
"Oh, we know. Remember when Marcus Flint grabbed your ass and you hexed him into next week?" George chuckled, breaking the tension.
I gave my first genuine smile of the night. "I was doing him a favor, judging by the murderous looks that the two of you had been sporting," I teased softly.
"Damn straight," Freddie saluted.
The moment was quick to fade, and I shifted nervously as I awaited the inevitable question. "Are you ready to tell us why you are coming back from McGonagall's office with your mascara running down your face?" Fred asked slowly, wary of setting me off for a second time.
I thought momentarily, trying to figure out where to start. Oddly enough 'Turns out my mystery Dad is allegedly the reason why Harry's an orphan. Oh yeah, and he supposedly killed 13 innocent people' doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
George grabbed my shoulder hesitantly. "Was it about your Dad?"
And just like that, a wave of emotion hit me. My breathing sped up, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. They were going to think I was crazy, look at me the same way McGonagall had. I mean who wouldn't, what right did I have thinking some stranger was wrongfully convicted based on a few stories about his childhood?
But I just couldn't believe that my Mom had fallen for a Death Eater, couldn't believe I had traitorous blood pumping through my veins. I knees buckled and I crumpled, slowly siding down the wall like a ragdoll. I pulled my legs to my chest and let my sobs shake my body. The twins quickly came to either side of me, sandwiching me into a bear-hug.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Fred murmured into my ear, patting down my ruffled hair.
I shook my head. If I didn't get it off my chest now, I never would. I recited everything McGonagall said verbatim, employing the same mechanical tone. It really did help me keep from bursting into tears, bless Minnie.
I wrung my hands together once I finished, avoiding eye contact with either twin as the silence hung in the air. "Star, just so you know," Freddie started.
"We don't think any less of you for who your father is," George continued. "It's not like you can help what he did."
I grimaced, because no matter how grateful I was that they were being so understanding, I knew they probably wouldn't remain that way. "That's not all," I whispered. I scooted away from the wall so that I was facing them, silently pleading them to listen to me. "I think he's innocent."
Their silence was deafening. I glanced anxiously between Fred's wide eyes and George's gaping mouth, waiting for the unavoidable lecture on how I was letting my daddy issues get the better of me. George opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally speaking.
"Star if you're just trying to—"
"Even you have to admit that the story doesn't add up. Trust me, I know I'm biased. And I know that this makes me sound like a basketcase, but I'm going into research mode with or without your help," I cut in, meeting his eyes with an icy stare.
"I just don't want you to get crushed if it turns out that he is guilty," George murmured.
I gave him a half smile. "I know what I'm signing up for, Georgie. Think of this mission to be the trial he never got."
George sighed. "You're oddly quiet," He eyed his twin curiously.
"You're sure you aren't just clinging onto this idea because he's your dad and you don't want your dad to be a murderer?" Fred asked, pursing his lips together.
"No," I admitted, biting my lip. "But the way McGonagall was talking about him… the story wouldn't have added up no matter who he was to me."
Freddie seemed satisfied enough with this answer. He stayed quiet for a moment, tapping his fingers to his chin. "Well in that case...if Minnie said he went all murderous after Hoggy's, and if my math is correct, he impregnated Ms. McKinnon at age 19, wouldn't she have you know...seen his Dark Mark while they were doing the nasty?"
Despite the gravity of our conversation, all three of us erupted into a fit of laughter. Only Freddie, I swear.
"Georgie you have to admit...he has a fair point," I wheezed, gripping my side for support.
"I suppose it'd be better if Detective McKinnon was chaperoned anyways," George flashed a toothy grin, and we burst out laughing all over again.
"You know, you are keeping every Gryffindor up with your obnoxious laughing!" The voice of an irate Percy Weasley rang down the staircase of the boys dorms. We only laughed harder.
"I'll write home to Mom! And Remus too!" He threatened.
"Tell me Perce, do you always sleep with your Prefect badge on, or did you pin it onto your pajamas just now to better assert your authority?" Freddie taunted, his feigned curiosity cut short by his own guffaws.
I watched Percy clench his fists so tight that he was probably drawing blood. I sighed. The last thing I needed was a howler from Remus announcing to the entirety of the Great Hall that me and the boys had the Common Room to ourselves at 2am on a Friday night. They all already think I'm dating one of them, this would send the gossip mill over the edge.
In an instant, I turned on my patented 'McKinnon Charm' though I now suppose it was more likely that I got it from my Dad. Definitely was not doctrinated into me by Remmy though, the man is absolutely hopeless when our mailwoman flirts with him.
"Percyyy," I purred, batting my eyelashes at him. "You wouldn't really write to Remy would you? I mean it would turn my day absolutely foul if he were cross with me," I pouted, jutting out my bottom lip and blessing Katie for forcing the 24-Hour Magic No-Smudge Lipgloss onto me.
Fred was barely containing his laughter beside me and George suddenly had a mysterious cough that sounded much more like a poorly-hidden snort.
Percy definitely looked out of his element, not used to being on the receiving end of any flirting. "Well, err…I suppose I could let you off…just this once," He managed, blushing furiously.
"You truly are a lifesaver Perce," I flashed him my most dazzling smile.
"Yeah well…ummm…you three should be off to bed now," He muttered.
I dropped my voice to a whisper. "Boys, our uh research project stays within the triangle of trust right? I really don't want to be known as Daddy Issues Girl,"
"You never know, that might be a real turn on for blokes." Freddie wiggled his eyebrows.
"I'm being serious!" I scowled, slapping his arm.
"Of course we won't tell anyone," Reassured the twins in unison. I smiled in thanks.
"Sleep tight boys," I whispered before giving them each a kiss on the cheek. I looked up to see Percy still blushing like mad and gave him a crooked grin. "Don't worry Mr. Prefect, I'll save some action for you so long as you keep giving me a free pass," I winked.
With that, I turned on my heel, leaving Fred and George to take the mickey out of a stuttering Percy.
"You have a hot snakey date waiting for you in the library," Katie's chipper voice woke me up from my much needed slumber. I groaned, last night's firewhiskey causing my head to pound.
"How are you not hungover?" I mumbled into my pillow. Katie miraculously still managed to decipher my question and giggled.
"I didn't drink much last night. Me and Anj have practice today, remember?"
"And Alicia gave us both Anti-Hangover Potions this morning!" Angelina shouted from the bathroom.
"Keep your voice down," I moaned, putting a hand to my pounding head.
"She gave us some for you too," Katie added.
I sat up in confusion. "Why'd she do that?" Me and Alicia had never been particularly close afterall.
"We had a sleepover in her dorm last night since the Twins said you were sick. I may have let it slip that Wood had led you to believe you were to be his victim last night," Katie shot me a sheepish look, "BUT that led Alicia to deem it necessary to give you a sort of apology gift!" I truly didn't have it in me to be grumpy towards my loose-lipped friend this early in the morning. Especially when she was dangling a hangover cure directly in front of my face. I downed it in one gulp, and an immediate wave of calm washed over me.
"Remind me to write her a thank you note," I murmured, relief evident in my voice.
"So I take it you're not too broken up about Wood?" Angie asked while tying the laces of her trainers.
I shook my head. "Yay!" Katie exclaimed. "I'd hate it if you and Ali were beefing, I'd be torn in two!" I rolled my eyes at her flare for the dramatics.
"If it helps, Alicia said his snogging skills weren't anything to write home about!" Angie giggled.
"I'll be sure to include my gratitude for her saving me from a subpar first kiss in my note," I laughed.
"You are always thinking, Miss McKinnon," Katie approved. I winked back at her.
"So, are you feeling any better?" Angie asked.
"Loads," I answered, plastering a fake smile onto my face.
As much as I hated lying to them, and as bad at it I was, I just wasn't ready to tell them. I wasn't so sure that my weird gut feeling would be enough to convince them like it had been with the boys. The girls were more logic-driven than the twins. Or at least Freddie, who could then convince George. Me and Freddie are "on the same astrological wavelength" as Trelawney once put it. Or as George, Angie, and Katie like to say, "we are riding the same crazy train."
"We are heading to breakfast, wanna join?" Angelina asked. My stomach growled as if to answer her for itself.
I quickly threw on my acid-wash 'Werewolves' Rights' T-shirt that I had gotten at a rally that I had dragged Remus too. He needed to see that there are people who saw the good in him and in all werewolves. Poor guy actually believes he is a danger to society and that businesses have the right to be turning down his job applications, can you believe that? The same man who bakes chocolate chip brownies in a floral apron for me every time I get my period. Pft, about as dangerous as a marshmallow. At least he has me to stick up for him and the rest of the werewolf community, honestly.
"You should wear your star jeans with that," Katie suggested from her bed. I couldn't help but agree. The girl was a fashion whiz, lemme tell you.
In April, Katie, Angie, and I had dedicated an entire rainy afternoon to painting white and gray stars all over a pair of old black jeans and bewitching the stars to move around and twinkle slightly (with a little help from Professor Flitwick of course). Then we duplicated the pair so that we each had one, a real Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants moment, if I do say so myself. We even made a fourth, shrunken pair, for Flitwick to show our appreciation. He never wears them, but he once assured me that he's just waiting for a special occasion to show them off after I told him how offended I was to never see him wearing them.
We sat at our usual spot in the Great Hall and my eyes were immediately drawn to the delicious looking tray of golden waffles and the array of fruits beside them. Shoot. So much for grabbing a muffin and rushing off to the library to meet Blaise.
"Do either of you have a scrap paper?" I asked them. They shook their heads.
I shrugged, guess my old Transfig essay would have to do. When would I need to reference the spell for turning water into wine anyways? Actually, now that I think about it, that could come in handy…no matter, you don't need papers and books when you have a full-fledged Hermione Granger at your disposal.
I tore the paper in half and scribbled Gonna be 20 min late. Need waffles. I tapped my wand and the paper folded itself into a paper crane and flew off to go find Blaise.
On the other half I put in a little more effort.
Remmy- Hope all is well holding down the fort. You must be straight up distraught without me, not that I blame you. I suppose I miss you as well, if only a tad. But never fear, I'll be home in two weeks, ready to talk your ear off about all of my totally rad shenanigans. I just wrote to you to let you know that I am currently repping my Werewolves' Rights shirt and I fully expect you to be long distance twinning with me. Maybe wear it around the muggle town, you never know, you might fool some people into thinking you're actually cool.
All my love,
Star
P.S. Don't worry the essay I wrote this on has already been graded. Might I add that I got an O, no biggie. Didn't even have to copy it off of a Ravenclaw!
P.S.S. Okay that was a lie. But only the conclusion paragraph! And the Ravenclaw OFFERED. What was I supposed to say, 'No'?
I shoved the letter into my bag, making a mental note to mail it later, and dug into the waffles rather ravenously.
"You made it!" Blaise observed, his voice a mixture of surprise and relief.
I knit my eyebrows together. "Didn't you get my note?"
He shrugged. "Well yeah, but I kinda figured you wanted to avoid me after the whole, you know…"
"Actually…quite the opposite," I informed dutifully, taking a seat next to him.
"Oh?" He smirked.
"I am enlisting you for a mission because, as my only Slytherin friend, you hold a very unique position," I inspected him, trying to gage his reaction. His Slytherin mask remained calm, but I could see the excitement dancing in his eyes.
"If you are trying to get me to be a double-agent to help you and the Weasley Twins pull a prank on Slytherin, I'm gonna have to turn down your offer," Blaise warned, tilting his chair on two legs and placing both hands behind his head. The kid was suave, you had to hand it to him.
"Not even close," I rapidly shook my head, but couldn't help quirk my lips. "Besides, we don't exactly need help pranking Slytherins."
Blaise rolled his eyes, "You know, you could prank the other houses every once in a while."
I shook my head. "Too many Ravenclaws let me copy their assignments, it'd just be plain ungrateful. And the Hufflepuffs, well, that's like kicking a puppy."
To my surprise, Blaise was not bitter in the slightest. "Touché," He laughed. "Now fill me in on this scheme that I am the key part of," Blaise ordered cockily.
"'Key' is a bold statement, Mr. Zabini," I reprimanded. He just looked at me expectantly. "Anyways, after a debriefing of the extensive history of Sirius Black, I have concluded that he is in fact, innocent."
Blaise's eyes widened. "Star," He tried to start lecturing me, but I cut him off.
"Just hear me out, please." Blaise nodded. "It doesn't add up, someone who went through all the trouble of turning away from Pureblood Mania, only to end up selling out his best friend's entire family to Voldy himself? Something is fishy and I plan to get to the bottom of it. And, before you ask, yes, I am fully prepared for the crushing disappointment that I am the descendant of a homicidal maniac," I clarified.
Blaise looked at me pensively for a few moments before sighing. "I can't believe I'm about to agree to this," He muttered.
I squealed in delight and threw my arms around him. After about three seconds of me squeezing the living daylights out of him, I noticed that Blaise's arms were limp at his sides. I slowly untangled myself from him. "What, snakes don't do hugs?" I asked.
"We are more of a 'firm hand-shake' bunch." Blaise snorted.
"Fair enough," I sighed, offering my hand. Blaise took it and grinned.
"Now, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to do some digging and find out any bit of information on my father," I instructed.
"I'm on it chief," Blaise saluted dutifully.
I smiled cheekily, "You know, I like the sound of that. Maybe I should have Fred and George start calling me chief too."
"OUT OF MY LIBRARY!" Madam Pince's high-pitched voice suddenly pierced our eardrums. "I ALREADY WARNED YOU TWO LAST WEEK!"
"Man, if I had to hire one person to break up a party, it'd be that lady," Blaise muttered as we made our escape.
"I dunno, I reckon Filch would be quite good at killing a vibe here and there," I pondered.
Blaise chuckled, "Nah, he was definitely a right wild child back in his hayday."
I giggled as the image of Filch dancing on a table popped into my head. "I'll see you around, Zabini."
"Looking forward to it, chief," I saw Blaise wink before I headed to the Owlery.
Author's Note: Hi everyone! Thank you so much for reading, I think this is my favorite chapter so far! I'd like to give a special thankyou to amy.c.wright.4, your reviews really motivated me while I was writing! I'd love to hear any and all feedback from everybody!! Hope all of you who celebrate Easter have a lovely holiday!