Chapter 3.

"I am never drinking again," Aliyah groaned, resting her head against the table in the Great Hall.

"How many times have you said that now?" Lily, who was sitting next to her friend, asked.

"I mean it this time," the blonde said, lifting her head to look at the redhead. "I swear I was still drunk when I woke up this morning. Next party, I think I will just stick to Butter Beer, no more Fire Whiskey for me."

"Well, you did get awfully pissed last night. You have a bad summer or something? You don't normally drink much unless you're mad or upset. What's up?"

Every summer for Aliyah Mortel had been a horrible one. Everyone in her family, except her, had been sorted into Slytherin. She was considered a disgrace for having any association with Gryffindors. To make matters worse, her twin brother, Derek, had told her parents that she was 'conversing with mudbloods', something a Mortel should never do.

This summer though, had been by far, the absolute worst. Derek's best friend, Damien-also in Slytherin-had taken a liking to being around her, a lot. He was always constantly talking to her, touching her, yet she was useless in his actions. He told her that he wanted her, despite her being sorted into 'that fucking mudblood-loving house'. Aliyah had kindly told him that he could 'go suck her father's cock for all she cared'. Damien did not take this too well, and neither did her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Mortel had approved of him and wanted their only daughter and Damien to get married; even if she had been sorted into Gryffindor. Her parents wanted her to be married into a good family.

Damien wouldn't take her 'no' for an answer. So he decided to take matters in his own hands. I mean, who wouldn't want him? He was tall, handsome, had brown hair that would make any girl want to run her hands through it. He was definitely desirable, and egoistic. Late one night, when he was staying over, he cornered Aliyah in her room and forced himself on her; that was only the beginning. Every night that he stayed at the Mortel house he went to her room and bent her to his will. Of course she tried to fight back-biting, kicking and scratching-but it was only denying the inevitable. She couldn't beat him; he always got the upper hand. Even when she was able to use magic, since her birthday was in late June, didn't help. Her parent's took her wand-they didn't want her to use her wand against Damien. In their eyes, Damien was perfect for her, and they hoped he would straighten her up. Straighten her up? He achieved the exact opposite. She was now jumpy and was pretty much depressed all the time. She believed that the only one for her was Damien, because that was what her parents had made her believe. Even if she did have some feelings for Sirius, she would never be able to be with him, her family, and Damien would see to that.

"What's up? Nothing, it was another boring summer spent with my stupid brother and parents."

"Well, duh, but still, what happened? You were ranting on about something before you disappeared with Sirius." All the color in Aliyah's face drained as she heard Lily's comment.

"You know about that?"

"Well of course, you both disappeared and Remus heard noise from the boy's dorm. I would have to assume that it was you guys."

"Merlin," Aliyah groaned and put her head back onto the table. "Lily, can I tell you something you can't tell anyone else?"

Lily nodded her head and answered "Yeah of course."

"Last night-" She stopped abruptly and looked around, making sure that no one was listening to her story. She saw Cassie and Carol whispering with their heads together. Remus was handing out timetables and talking to first years. Probably making sure they know where their classes are, she thought.

"Last night?" Lily hoped her friend would continue on with the story.

"Yeah, last night, me and Sirius did sleep together." Lily gave her an I-knew-it look. "I don't know how drunk we were, but I'm beginning to remember bits of what happened. I remember that we talked for a bit. Lily, I told him I loved him," she said with a strained face.

"Are you serious? What did he say?" Lily's eyes were huge.

"He said he loved me back. He also asked me out." The blonde let out a long sigh and looked down at where her hands were clasped on the table, next to her untouched breakfast.

"Oh my God. Does he remember?"

"I asked him this morning, but he said he didn't remember anything of last night. What am I supposed to do? Do you think he was telling the truth, or was this some bullshit drunk thing he came up with. Or maybe he was talking about how he loves me as a friend. We have been friends since first year."

"Do you want my opinion?"

"Well that is why I asked you…"

"I think he does love you. You guys have always been close, and I really think he might. The way he looked at you on the train yesterday was not the look you give a friend."

"Yeah well, we slept together again this morning."

"You what?" Lily shrieked.

"Keep it down, but yeah. I'm pretty sure I was still drunk."

"What would make you think that?"

"Well, he is my best friend, I just don't go around sleeping with friends." This brought a smile to Lily's lips.

"Well, why don't you ask him his feelings now? He's right there." The redhead pointed to the three boys approaching the table.

"Hey babe," Sirius said, slipping down beside the blonde. Aliyah managed a small "Hi." Sirius didn't seem to notice her nervousness and picked up a piece of toast off her plate and shoved it in his mouth.

"Slow down man," James said disgustedly, plunking himself down next to his girlfriend. Peter sat down across from the foursome next to some sixth years.

"I am so hungry this morning!" Sirius said, picking up another piece of toast off Aliyah's plate.

"I wonder why," Peter said, inexpertly cocking an eyebrow.

"I forgot a book in my room," Aliyah said abruptly standing up and leaving the table. Why the hell did he tell Peter? She thought savagely. He had no right to talk about that kind of thing. Well, she did tell Lily, but that was different, she had wanted advice. Does he actually like me? Or am I just another girl he wanted to fool around with. Am I going to be just another elaborate sex story that he's going to tell the rest of the Marauders? Aliyah was so confused and so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't even notice that she walked straight into the person she wanted to see least, Damien.