Boys Before Magic

Author's Note: I'm sorry. Las Vegas, work, PGA championship, radio, concerts, power outages. You get the picture. I'm a slow updater because I'm the pickiest editor in the world. Anyway, HYD's own Kazuya made a brief cameo appearance last chapter. I know the stylist thing came out really strange, but I think he would've made a great stylist despite his overwhelming hyperactivity and weird tastes. (It makes him creative after all.) More HYD cameos will sporadically appear throughout my story. This story will probably become a huge epic. (100+ chapters)

HYD is finally ending in Japan. The next issue of Margaret will mark the end of Tsukushi's coming of age in the Hanadan epic. I can't wait. ^_^

I know many of you wonder when Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape will make their entrance. I have plans for these characters, so you must be patient.

DISCLAIMER: SAME AS BEFORE. DON'T SUE ME.

I made my resolution

To silently walk through Hogwarts.

I thought status and blood were everything in this harsh reality.

Yet…

I found the one thing money can't buy.

Chapter 6: The Nasty Bitches… I mean Witches

"Look, it's the Marauders!!"

"Oh my god! I think Sirius just winked at me."

"They are so wicked hot."

Unfortunately for me, it was my lunch break when the Marauders made their grand entrance into the Great Hall. I was sitting alone at the Gryffindor table surrounded by many love struck female students. After all of my time at Hogwarts, I grew accustomed to hearing the giggles and sighs from the single girls in the school. I have learned to drown out the annoying gossip, yet, for some reason, it gradually turned louder than usual.

"Man," I said to myself with a sigh. "Where can a girl get her space?"

"Well, it's not my fault that I'm the most eligible bachelor in Hogwarts."

My cheeks glowed bright red when I turned to face James's goofy grin. Behind James, Sirius gave me a playful wink as Peter Pettigrew took no notice. I was disappointed when Remus was nowhere in sight.

Apparently, James noticed my slightly saddened face and teased, "Why is the Miss Prefect so blue today? Is she too awestruck to talk to the great James Potter?"

'Even now he has the nerve to show his ego,' I thought. Attempting to suppress the crimson anger swelling up within me, I mildly jested, "Awestruck, Potter? More like disgust."

James laughed loudly and mocked, "I see that you're quite inexperienced with men, Miss Prefect. Don't you see that all the girls want to be able to even look at me?"

Before I could spat back with a smart retort, Sirius sighed and said, "James, didn't you have enough already? I really don't like to bully girls."

'Did I hear that right?" I immediately thought. 'Maybe I was too harsh about the other Marauders.'

Peter nodded in agreement and quipped, "I agree with Sirius. I know you're bitter because she's a Muggle, but for Merlin's sake, she's not worth out time."

While James turned back to the Marauders to respond to their comments, someone grabbed my arms and dragged me out of the Great Hall. Before I knew it, I found myself outside in the courtyard. Relieved that I escaped from Potter's sinister clutches, I forgot about the three female students standing before me.

"Emmeline Vance? Amelia Bones? Hestia Jones?"

The three girls standing before me were also fifth year students. Almost all the pure-blooded students denied my existence, and these three were no exception. They consider themselves the "ideal beautiful witches." (Of course, I'd rather refer them as the "three ideal bitches.") Amelia Bones was one of the Hufflepuff prefects all thanks to her father's high position in the Ministry. Amelia always had a new accessory to show off every single day. Hestia Jones was in Ravenclaw, and she is the epitome of a two-sided person. Everyone gets along with Hestia as long as you fulfill her "requirements." With her wavy strawberry blonde hair and deep blue eyes, Emmeline Vance is the so-called alpha female of the three. Although her nymph-like features hugely contrast with the rest of her fellow Slytherins, her personality is as nasty and snooty as the rest of her pure-blooded classmates.

'That's strange,' I thought cautiously. 'They would never associate with me.'

Emmeline broke the silence and quietly spoke, "We can safely talk here. Lily, I was surprised when the Marauders would bully a girl."

"We can't forgive such guys," interjected Amelia. "I'm glad you stood up to them."

"Most definitely," Hestia nodded with agreement. "We have always admired your strength."

Emmeline grasped my hand and earnestly pleaded, "I know we have never talked to you, but we regret that. Can we be friends?"

I was so dumbfounded by their sudden gesture of kindness. This situation was too unusual for me to grasp. Then again, nothing is too unusual anymore. "Thanks, I guess."

Emmeline smiled warmly and continued, "There's a party during the next Hogsmeade weekend."

Hestia hugged me and squealed, "You should definitely come with us, Lily."

"Next Hogsmeade weekend?" I asked. "I have to work at Honeydukes that afternoon."

"You can come afterwards. It's not a big one. Only a casual party. The fee is 50 Galleons."

My jaw dropped to the floor. "50 Galleons!! No, I can't afford it."

"That's okay," Amelia answered with a wink. "We'll take care of it. Just meet us at the Three Broomsticks at 6 o'clock."

The three girls squeezed my hand and left me alone in the courtyard. I could still feel their warmth that emanated from their hands. It's been so long since I felt such companionship and camaraderie. I missed the abundant smiles and jovial laughter from my primary school days. For once, I finally felt like I belonged.

Work was boring as usual. Although I was tempted by the various sweets and delicious candies in Honeydukes, I willed myself to save all my earnings towards tuition and books. My Hogwarts scholarship only covered tuition, room, and board. I have to pay for books and incidentals on my own. Fortunately, the school arranged a work/study program with Honeydukes. My boss understands that my studies come first, so my work schedule is really flexible. Nonetheless, I try to work as much as I can.

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon. The Hogwarts student rush has passed, and I was amusing myself with the new Exploding lollipops that came in this afternoon. I was about to taste the cherry-flavored samples when I heard the doorbell signaling a new customer.

Putting on a wide smile, I babbled my textbook welcome, "Welcome to Hogmeade's very own Honeydukes! How may I serve you today?"

As if fate was determined to make my life more miserable, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin waltzed into the store out of the blue.

With his signature wink, Sirius greeted, "Miss Evans. What are you doing here?"

After letting out a deep sigh, I sarcastically answered, "Unfortunately Mr. Black, I have to work to pay for my school supplies."

"Oh that's right," responded an amused Sirius. "You are the working Muggle girl. No, let me correct myself. I mean the working Muggle virgin."

I averted my face away, so the two wouldn't see my blushing cheeks. Determined to hide my growing embarrassment, I steadily retorted, "What the hell are you talking about? How did you know that I was a virgin? The message on the blackboard said otherwise."

I glanced quickly back. Sirius looked keenly into my eyes with interest and answered, "It's so obvious, Miss Prefect. A non-virgin would not take such violent offense from an accusation like that."

Ignoring the squabble between Sirius and me, Remus Lupin gazed intently at the tiny Italian pastries inside the glass counter. My heart skips a beat every time I stole a glimpse at the quiet gray-eyed boy. Apart from status and blood, Remus is so different from the rest of the Marauders.

'I feel like he's trying to hide something,' I subconsciously thought. 'Who are you, Remus?'

"I like this pink one," Remus murmured softly. "How much is it?"

Amazed, Sirius interrupted, "Remus, I thought you couldn't eat something sweet?"

"Right," replied Remus, "but this one is pretty."

"5 knuts," I meekly answered while giving Remus the pink pastry. 'Why am I so shy?'

Remus placed a Galleon on the counter, and the two Marauders began to exit the store.

"Hey, change!" I exclaimed.

Sirius replied back, "Keep it."

They exited the store leaving me as clueless as ever.

'The girls said that this was going to be a casual party,' I thought to myself as I approached the Three Broomsticks later that night. 'I really hope that I'm not too fashionably late.'

Since closing took longer than I thought it would, I arrived at the party in my work clothes. I wore a short jean skirt and green stretch polo tee. When I approached the doors of the Three Broomsticks, I took a couple minutes to pull back my dark red hair into a simple ponytail.

When I opened the door, I immediately realize how stupid I really was. All the guests were dressed in formal gowns and black tuxedoes. Illuminating candles were floating above gently lighting the small dance floor. In the corner, a string quartet complemented the elegant setting with waltzes and minuets.

I immediately spotted my new found "friends" flirting with some well-dressed men. Emmeline wore a satin blue gown that accentuated her bright blue eyes and blonde hair. I recognized Amelia's red cocktail dress from a high-end designer magazine; however, Amelia's gaudy jewelry derided the intended purpose of her dress. Hestia was in a slinky sequined gown cut for any male's conspicuous enjoyment. In a few seconds, Emmeline noticed my entrance and exclaimed, "Our dear Lily is here. We were worried that you wouldn't come."

I still remained silent. 'This is not a casual party.'

Aware of my silent discomfort, Amelia joked, "You really thought this was going to be a CASUAL party. We were just joking."

'Joking,' I incredulously thought. 'You have to be kidding me.'

Hestia snickered behind me, "The food comes with the entrance fee. Since you are a Muggle, these deviled dragon eggs must be appalling for you. Don't eat so much though, you'll get fat."

"I want to go home," I firmly answered.

Emmeline grabbed my arm and said, "Oh but you must stay. This will probably be your only chance of experiencing what it's like to be a pure-blood."

As I struggled to escape, two young men approached our group with interest.

One of the men asked, "Hello ladies. Are you college students?"

Emmeline immediately released her hold and enthusiastically answered, "Oh no. We are high school students."

The other boy replied, "Really? I could've sworn you were college students."

Flattered by the boys' tactless flirting, the girls around me squealed with delight. I was about to make my escape until the young men turned their attention to me.

"You're cute too since you're a little different from them. Are you from the same school?"

Before I could reply, Amelia interrupted, "She's a special one in our school."

"Special…?" I nervously asked.

Hestia continued, "She aborted twice in junior high."

Déjà vu struck me at once. 'That message…'

The color drained from the boys' faces, and they quickly excused themselves away from my presence.

Seething from bubbling anger, I faced the girls and said, "You were responsible for that message."

Emmeline sneered, "Of course, we charmed that blackboard."

"Why?" I stammered. "Why would you do such a thing?"

In a matter of fact tone, Amelia spoke, "We need to find ourselves nice guys for marriage. Nice guys like the Marauders."

Hestia continued, "We know you fancy Remus, but you have no chance. He already has someone special. He'll never care for a Muggle girl like you."

Emmeline purposely tipped her glass of champagne on my skirt and said, "You can bring French champagne back to your dorm room."

I was utterly shocked with disbelief. From this moment, I realized that female bullying is much crueler than anything the Marauders have done to me. It doesn't matter. It does not excuse them from treating people so badly. Suddenly, my confidence went into overdrive as I calmly spoke, "You're right Emmeline. What can a Muggle girl like me compare to such prestigious witches like you?"

I grabbed a glass of red win from the waiter's tray and dumped it on Emmeline's blonde hair. With mocking sarcasm, I continued, "Oh how silly of me. You probably already understand that I'm such an inconsiderate and unsophisticated Muggle."

I turned my head to point to Amelia's gaudy jewelry. "Dear Amelia, I do hope that you don't get wrinkles and folds from wearing such weighty and garish jewelry."

Knowing that I crossed the line, I commented on Hestia's gown. "Hestia, what did you do to your gown? Were you so voluptuous that your gown tore in all the wrong places?"

By this time, the music stopped and everyone was watching us. I took this moment to face the three girls and boldly said, "I'm glad that you invited me to this party because you just made me realize how different I am from you. In fact, I will never be like you even if my life depended on it. I wish you best of luck in your hunt for rich bachelors. I just hope that they're dense enough to fall for your charm."

With that final statement, I walked out of Three Broomsticks. My first three potential friends turned out to be complete bitches. Although I headed back to Hogwarts alone, I was not disappointed. I am a Muggle, and I am proud and confident.