Hello all! I am finally updating again! Woohoo! Now for the legal jargon.
Disclaimer: I don't own, so don't sue. No, I take that back. I own Mercy, Alvin, and anyone else that originates from Diamond, Dessy, or Washington in general.
Dedication: Krissie Q. Without some of your wonderful little sunshine entering my life, this chapter probably wouldn't have gotten out.
Response to reviewers:
Congratulations to Harrypotter, moveover who recognized the lines Sirius and Severus said in the beginning of Chapter 7 from the show Degrassi. Thanks for your review. And, yes, this will be slash, eventually. I've already let it out that Severus, Harry, and Draco are gay (See Chapter 4). Harry and Draco will be a couple, sooner or later. Other pairings include, but are not limited to: Seamus/Dean, Ron/Mione, Sydney (from Chapter 1)/ Charlie Weasley, Blaise/Neville, Alvin/Licia (also Chapter 1) and many, many more! Try taking a stab at where I'll be going with the couples. Here's a hint, neither Fred or George will be paired with Mercy.
Thanks also go to Berserker Nightwitch. Thanks for your comments about Mercy and Alvin. I normally don't like OCs either. This story actually didn't even start out in the HP fandom! Somewhere in the first chapter the plot just shifted and it fit!
crystalcillusion: Thanks for your review hun. I know I don't seem like it in rl, but I'm a slash addict. Shh... It's another one of those secrets no one knows.
And on with the story . . . . .
Chapter 8: Introducing Jim Millosh!
"So, Mercy, I love the latest hairdo," Fred Weasley joked Friday afternoon as Mercy walked out of Defense.
"Gee, thanks, Fred. I just thought the red and gold needed a little something extra," She said sarcastically, running a hand through her glittery Gryffindor strands, "At least until I can get to my salon appointment this afternoon."
"What?"
"Didn't you know that Muggle bleach can fix anything?"
George joined his twin, "BLEACH!"
"Actually, I think I'll go brunette this time around. What, you didn't know that I'm not a natural blonde? Poor, poor dears."
"Muggles can do that?"
"Of course. They can invent just about anything."
"No way," Fred protested.
"Really. Take electricity for example. Of course, it wasn't really invented, it was discovered, but the thought remains the same. And exploring outer space and the Internet. You can't forget the Internet. It's the best thing since sliced bread!"
"Interwhat?" George asked.
She rolled her eyes, "The Internet. You know, AOL, MSN, Yahoo, Fanfiction, the best way to send mail since the United States Postal Service was invented?"
"And you use this how?"
"On a computer! Geez, I knew wizards were secluded from Muggles, but I didn't know it was that bad!"
"Well, maybe you could show me sometime?" Fred stepped closer to her, "A little personal one-on-one tutoring session with this computer thingie? Sound good?"
She stepped away, "Not really. Alvin's better at computers than me. He took classes. Maybe you should ask him."
"But, Mercedes," She winced as George used her full first name, "I want you to teach me all this wonderful technology that Muggles have."
"No, really. I barely passed Chemistry and I never even took Physics. Alvin would be much better than me. Really."
"I'll help you pass Chemistry, Mercy. We can create our own," Fred grinned, stepping into her space again, "Then maybe we can study anatomy."
"How about not. I know my anatomy pretty well. Like, if, you take another step towards me, it will be a physiological response for my knee to slam into your weakest point. Do I need to demonstrate?"
Fred blanched and backed off, "No," His voice raised, "That's okay."
"Good, glad that's settled. Hey, Lee!"
"Hey, Merce. How's it going?" Lee questioned, pulling the girl into a hug.
"Not too shabby. Don't you have Potions today?"
"No. Snape has the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. We have him on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday," He explained as the twins looked on confused.
"Oh, I see. So, you don't have any classes this afternoon, then?"
"Nope."
"Cool, you want to go to Muggle London with Harry, Draco, Sirius, Severus, Blaise, Neville, Alvin, and me? Siri's going to be under a glamour."
"Sure. When are you guys leaving?"
"Um, I'm not sure."
"Hold up!" Fred exclaimed.
"When did you two become friends?" George finished for his brother.
"Tuesday?" Mercy looked at Lee for confirmation.
"Yea, after Potions. I stayed back to help them clean up."
"MERCHE!" A male voice hollered.
She turned, a grin breaking out on her face, "JIM! What are you doing here?"
"Duh, I'm your BF, remember? Where else would I be but at your side?"
"Too cool! Have you found Alvin yet?"
"What's he doing here?"
"You mean Dumbledore didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Oh, dear Lord. Lee, I have to go straighten Jimmy here out. Oh! Lee Jordan, this is Jim Millosh. We grew up together in Diamond."
"Oh, that's a nice way to put all that we've shared together, Merche!" Jim pouted.
"Fine, fine. We didn't just grow up together. We've been inseparable since I was about five and he was three!"
"That's better. Now where's my hug!"
She laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist, "I missed you, you know."
"Oh, I know," He squeezed her tightly to him, "Now, what's going on with Alvin? And why's your hair that color and—is that glitter? Merche, you got a lot of explaining to do."
"I know, I know. Lee, do you mind if we go? Just ask Al for the deets on the London trip, okay? I have a feeling that me and Jim are going to need to have a long talk."
"Sure thing, Mercy. Don't worry about it. I'll let Professor Snape know what's going on for you."
"Thanks, hon. I'll talk to you later," And the best friends left, leaving the twins staring at the place they were entwined at.
"Who was that?" Fred asked after several moments.
"Her boyfriend?" George questioned.
Lee shrugged, "You two know as much as I do. Well, no. I take that back. I probably know more, but I'm not sharing."
"Come on, Lee," George pouted, using puppy dog eyes on his best friend.
"Don't do that, George."
"Please?"
"Fine. He's her best friend. You know, the whole prophecy thing? Well, they've figured that he's one of the ones that it's talking about."
"So, they're not together?"
"Mercedes is single?" George clarified as Lee looked at them confused.
"To my knowledge," He answered with a sigh as the twins broke into grins.
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"So, let me get this straight," Jim said a while later as the two friends walked around the lake, "You're a witch."
"Yep."
"And Alvin's actually your cousin and you've made up."
"Yes."
"You've found long lost relatives."
"So far, so good."
"And you're part of a prophecy to destroy one of the most vicious dark lords ever!"
"Not quite. We're part of it. I need my best friend with me, you know."
"I know, Merche, but still. Only you could come across something like this. And manage to drag me in. So have you figured out Al's best friend, his soul mate, and your soul mate?"
"I have my suspicions. I think his best friend and my soul mate might be one and the same."
"John?"
"Yea."
"Maybe."
"Definitely a possibility, Mercy," The two jumped as a voice spoke behind them.
"Alvin! Don't do that!"
"Sorry, Mercy. But everyone's anxious to leave," Alvin grinned.
"Okay, let's get going then before they send the hounds after us."
"Too late," Alvin laughed as Padfoot came bounding after him, barking.
"Very funny," She muttered as Sirius transformed back.
Jim blinked, "That did not just happen."
"Believe it, fuzz head," Mercy grinned and swiped his ball cap, placing it jauntily on her own head, "Okay, now I'm ready to go."
"Merche, you better not get glitter in that."
"I make no promises."
"Hi," Sirius looked at the trio, "Remember me? I just came out barking? Are you going to introduce me or what?"
"Oh, sorry. Sirius Black, this is my best friend, Jim Millosh. We've known each other since I was four and he was two."
"You don't need to go advertising that, Merche."
She stuck her tongue out at him, "Yes I do."
"Use it or lost it, brat."
"Um, how bout neither."
"Just ruin all my fun, why don't you?" He pouted.
"Exactly!"
"You missed this, didn't you, Mercy?" Sirius questioned.
"Well, duh. Of course I did. We've been best friends forever and a day! It's almost like a part of me is missing without him!"
"Well, isn't that sweet."
"Shut it, Blaise," She grinned at her friend, "You Slytherins have a problem with stuff like sweetness, don't you?"
"Hey, don't lump us all together like that, Merce!" Draco grinned as he joined the group, "Now, are we going shopping, or what?"
"Not dressed like that, you're not!" Mercy exclaimed, raising an eyebrow at his shorts and tank top, "You'll freeze to death. Al, don't you have something?"
"Of course."
"Great. You go dress Draco and we'll go meet up with everyone else," Alvin nodded and grabbed Draco's arm, dragging him away.
"Or everyone will meet up with you," She felt a tug on her ponytail.
"Harry! How many times must I tell you? Don't mess with the hair!"
He grinned, "I would say I'm sorry, but that would be lying."
"Ugh. You are such a . . . such a . . . such a BOY!"
"Why, thank you."
"That so wasn't a compliment."
"Sure sounded like one to me."
Sirius chuckled at the exasperated look on Mercy's face, "Hey, now. No murdering my godson."
"But . . . but . . . It's just not fair! I'm so outnumbered here! Jim! Do something!"
"What am I supposed to do? I'm a guy too!"
"True, but you're more of a girly boy."
"Hey!"
"What? It's the truth!"
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"That you're in touch with your feminine side," She smirked, "It's not necessarily a bad think, you know."
"Whatever, Merce."
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"So, which color are you going with this time, Merche?" Jim asked as Mercy leafed through a magazine at the salon.
"Um, I was thinking blonde again. It's so natural on me, you know?"
He laughed, "Right. Do you even remember what your natural hair color is anymore?"
"Hm . . . ash-blonde I think. Don't quote me on that one though."
"Why wouldn't you remember?" Draco asked as he glanced around the shop.
"Well, I've been dying my hair since I was . . . what? Thirteen, Al?"
"Something like that. Seventh grade is the first that I remember, so about that then."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "And your parents let you?"
"Of course, my mom did it herself. But, it was a washout dye, so it only lasted about a month."
"Yea, Merche's mom is cool. Hence, the tattoos and the pierced ears."
"Tattoos?" Alvin asked.
"Yea, this last summer. Jim went with," She explained.
"Huh. I didn't know that."
"Yea. She got a really cool butterfly on her shoulder. And about killed my hand while it was being done."
"Hey, you're the one that offered to let me hold your hand!" Mercy defended.
"True. Hey, you're not wearing your piercing!"
"It was bugging me. I took it out . . . God, before school started the day we got here. I think it's in my purse, hold on," She dug through her purse until she found her tongue ring.
"When did you get that?" Alvin questioned.
"Over winter break," She answered once she had it in.
Harry looked at her, "You're not exactly what you seem to be, are you?"
"Not at all."
"Mercedes?" The stylist called her name.
"That would be me."
"Go ahead and have a seat, have you chose a—oh, dear sweetheart, what happened to your hair!"
"Practical joke gone bad, unfortunately. Can I be a strawberry blonde this time around?"
"Of course, dear. You do know that we'll have to strip this out, right?"
She sighed, "Yes."
Later, as the teens walked through London, Alvin questioned Mercy, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Tattoos, tongue ring, the hair . . . Why?"
She shrugged, "I am who I am. I'm more comfortable like this. Besides, I only have the butterfly. I want a paw print on my ankle and the Aries sign in the mid of my back."
"So exactly what piercings do you have?"
"My tongue, two in each of my ears, and my belly-button. I want another in both ears. I think I have to wait until I turn 18, though."
"Legal age here is 17, Mercy," Draco smirked.
"Really? Too cool! So, maybe while we're out and about today, we can all get stuff done?"
Harry grinned, "Yea, I totally want a tattoo! Siri, can I?"
"I guess so," Sirius sighed.
"Thanks, Siri!"
"So, maybe our next stop should be a tattoo place?" Alvin suggested.
"Perfect," Mercy smirked, "You're getting one, too?"
"Yea, why not?"
The group headed towards the nearest tattoo parlor where Harry, Draco, Alvin, and Mercy each chose tattoos.
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The group of people returned to Hogwarts awhile later, satisfied with their outing. The teenagers split off from the adults to picnic at the lake. Mercy stretched out under a tree, her head pillowed on Jim's leg as Draco and Harry debated Quidditch in the background. She was just about to doze off for a nap when—
SPLASH! She shot up and looked around for the source of commotion.
"Don't mind us!" Fred exclaimed, helping his twin out of the lake.
George grinned, "I just couldn't help falling over you, Mercy."
She rolled her eyes and settled back into her position, "Why do I seem to attract the weird ones and not the ones I actually like?" She muttered.
Alvin cracked up laughing, "Bad luck, Mercy, just bad luck."
"Well, it's about time for my luck to change, don't you think? I mean, I really don't deserve it."
"Merche, we all know you're waiting for Mr. Perfect," Jim smiled softly, "It's not your fault your standards are so high."
"Hey, I've found my Mr. Perfect, I'm just waiting for him to realize it. Now if John would open up his eyes and see what's right in front of him, life would be excellent."
"Hey, Percy!" Harry hollered, interrupting the conversation, "Come on over here and meet Merche, Jim, and Al!"
The former Head Boy walked over, "What was that, Mr. Potter?"
"Geez, Percy. I think you could call me Harry. I mean, you've known me since I was a first year," Harry sighed, "But, these are my new friends, Alvin Garrick, his cousin Mercedes Dellan, and her best friend Jim Millosh. They're from the U.S. Guys, this is Percy Weasley."
"Another Weasley?" Mercy raised an eyebrow, "Certainly gives new meaning to the saying go forth and multiply. Call me Mercy—Not Mercedes. Exactly how many of you guys are there?" She tossed her newly dyed locks over her shoulder and grinned, "I've already met Ginny, Ron, and double trouble over there."
Percy sighed, "I have two older brothers, Charlie and Bill. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dellan."
"What's with the 'Miss'? Didn't I just say to call me Mercy?"
He blushed, "All right, Mercy."
"Don't monopolize his time, Merche. He probably has something else to do besides talking to a ditzy blonde," Jim grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "By the way, I'm Jim and that's Alvin. It's nice to meet you."
"You too," Percy replied, "Actually, I do need to meet with Professor Snape."
"Uncle Sev? He should be with Siri and Remy right now, right, Ry?" Mercy questioned.
"I think that's where he said he would be. Ray, do you remember?"
"They had a meeting with Professor Dumbledore. They told us when we got back, remember? Uncle Sev asked us that if we saw Percy that we would direct him to his office? Any of this ringing a bell with you?"
"Oh. Sure. Of course," Mercy grinned, "I was preoccupied, Ray. So many guys, so little time."
"We could be—"
"those guys—"
"for you, Mercy," Fred and George exclaimed, joining the group.
She rolled her eyes, "Um . . . I'll have to think about that. C'mon, Percy, I'll take you to Uncle Sev's office," She grabbed his arm and pulled him away to escape the twin terrors.
"So, Alvin, you're her cousin, right?" Fred asked after his brother and Mercy had left.
"Sort of. Why?"
"What do you think my chances with her are?" George questioned.
Jim snorted, "Slim to none, buddy. Neither of you are exactly her type. Trust me on that one. I've known Merche since before we can remember. We grew up together. You're not even in her league."
"Well, what type does she like?" Fred inquired.
Jim and Alvin exchaned looks, "Musicians who have known her for as nearly as long as I have," Jim replied, "Tall, dark, quirky musicians at that. I've heard her list his attributes enough times to know her opinion on that."
"When I see him again, I'm going to have to have a serious talk with that boy about how he is to treat my cousin," Alvin muttered.
"First you'll need to make him realize that she's interested in him like that. And get her to admit to it to him. I've tried time and again to let him know but she always denies it."
"Well, that just won't do," Draco grinned, entering the conversation, "Mercy's too sweet to just be single and pine for someone. We'll have to hook them up."
Jim sighed, "Good luck, I've been trying forever."
George grinned, "Well, maybe it's time for Mercy to consider someone else then. Someone like me."
"Or me," Fred added.
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"Thanks for escorting Mr. Weasley here, Mercy," Severus smiled at her, "Care to join us?"
"Love to, Uncle Sev. Are Remy and Siri here as well?"
"Yes, come on in. Remus, Sirius, Merche's here!" He called to them as Percy, Mercy, and Severus entered the office.
"MERCHE!" Sirius exclaimed, rushing up and hugging her, then hiding behind her.
"What did you do, Siri? Why is Remy glaring at you?"
"I didn't do anything. All I said was that maybe he should consider dating. Then I mentioned that Bill rather attractive."
"Siri," She sighed, "Don't match-make. You're no good at it. But, how did the meeting with Dumbledore go?"
"Excellent, Mercy. Have a seat, and we'll explain what's going what's going to Percy," Severus suggested.
Awhile later Percy finally spoke, "Let me get this straight, you want me to assistant teach Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin starting as soon as possible? What should I tell my superiors at work?"
"Fudge is assigning the position to you," Sirius replied. And you won't be the only assistant teacher. Madam Hooch was complaining the other day to Severus about her workload and we'll be bringing in someone to help her, as well. I believe the final decision was Oliver Wood, right Sev?"
"That would be correct, Sirius. But besides assistant teaching, both will be required to be available to helping students with their work," Severus added, "Well, Mr. Weasley, what will your decision be?"
"I'll do it," He answered after a second of thought.
"Great!" Mercy exclaimed.
Remus spoke up then, "Wonderful. Your first task, Percy, is going to be to help Mercy with her homework, if you don't mind. She was just mentioning that it was gibing her trouble."
"Not a problem," Percy agreed, "Mercy, would now be a good time?"
"Perfect, actually. I'll just have to grab my books."
And that's all for now. But, hopefully, it won't be such a long time until I update again! Be kind and review, please?