The next morning, I woke up, got out of bed, and had one hand on the doorknob when I realized that I wasn't at home. The Marauders would have loved the sight of me out in ratty old pajamas, in front of half the school, and it was a good thing that I had stopped in time. I wasn't giving them that pleasure.
I came into the Great Hall and looked around. The Gryffindor table was almost full, and many were watching me expectantly. I guessed that most of the school had heard of my excommunication from Gryffindor Tower by now, as the Slytherins were grinning and gesturing for me to join them. Bella had a murderous look on her face, but Lucius Malfoy seemed to want me to sit with them, and he held more power than Bella.
I wasn't going to tempt Bella, though. I headed toward my fellow Gryffindors when I spotted Florence Gupta frantically waving from the Ravenclaw table. I had never spoken to her before, but I knew that she was Head Girl and it was probably best to find out what she wanted. I quickly walked toward her, making sure to pass the Slytherin table on the way. I slowed as I walked past Bella, smirking across the room to James Potter, whose eyes were flashing angrily.
Continuing on, I grinned goofily at Lucius, and went over to Florence. "Hi. Did you want to talk to me?" 'Talk to me' was an understatement. The girl had been trying everything in her power to get me to come over.
"Um, yeah," she said, grinning sheepishly. "I've been hearing some rumors, and I just wanted to get everything straight. Not to tell teachers, or anything," she added hastily, "but I figured that the source and cause of the rumors would be able to tell me what's going on. It's Magda, right?" She held out her hand. I shook it, nodding.
"There's really nothing to explain. I was threatening to stop the Marauders' diabolical plot against the Sl- someone," I put in hastily. I still hadn't decided what to tell the Slytherins. "So, they decided to kick me out of the Common Room and dormitories."
Florence looked horrified. "That's terrible! I'll take off thirty points from Gryffindor, and ten from Hufflepuff…"
"No," I put in. "I don't want any problems with this. It's personal. But do you mind if I sit here for breakfast? It may be kind of awkward with the Gryffindors."
Florence was happy to introduce me to Evelyn Tucker, Bart Macmillan, and Aaron Diggory, three other second years. I had met them once during double Charms, but didn't really know them. I've never been shy, though, and made sure that we hit it off. Luckily, we had Charms first period, and I walked with Evie, Bart, and Aaron, to it. I didn't intend to become good friends with them, but they were nice enough. Besides, the look on Sirius Black's face, when I walked in chatting with Aaron as though we were old friends, was priceless.
"Yes, Sirius, I've decided to switch Houses to Ravenclaw. They're way more my type," I muttered, watching his face turn bright red. He was so easy to bait. "Dumbledore even let me, but said if I changed my mind, I could go to Slytherin." Sirius knew that I was mocking him, but that didn't stop him from turning pale, though he didn't comment.
Remus shook his head, as though to warn me to drop it, but didn't say anything. Something smelled fishy. I sat beside Emmeline and Molly, and without a word, Molly got up and moved a few desks down. Emmeline gave me an apologetic look before following Molly.
Something was very strange. It didn't take a genius to figure out was going on, and I realized all too quickly that all the Gryffindors were shunning me, presumably as Sirius and James had ordered. I spotted Lily, firmly sandwiched between James and Harry, looking helplessly at me, and felt better. At least James felt that there was a danger of someone daring to talk to me.
My head high, I turned and sat beside Aaron. "Do you mind if I stay here for now?" I asked. He nodded, grinning. We had fun in class, as it seemed that Bart and Evie were best friends, and Aaron just another friend. From my exploits with Emmeline and Molly, I knew how Aaron must feel, and spent most time with him.
In the middle of Flitwick's lesson about Memory Charms, a paper airplane flew onto my desk. I touched it, and the charm that had made it fly immediately ended. I read it quickly. It was from Lily.
They want to get away with this, but you can't let them. I'm sure that the Ravenclaws are very nice and all, but you are a Gryffindor, and no one can keep you away from your House. Think about it. There's so much you can do with this new development.
"Roger that," I said, grinning, and watched James's eyes narrow into slits, and Professor Flitwick turned and asked me what was wrong. I decided to have some fun and stared blankly at him. "Who's the midget?" I said aloud. "For that matter, who are all of you?" I had to admit, though it may sound vain, I was a pretty good actress. I grabbed my head, ignoring the scowl that grew on Sirius's face and the concerned look on Flitwick's. "Who am I?!" I cried out.
"You've been hit with a stray Memory Charm," Flitwick squeaked worriedly. "Mr. Lupin, take Miss Mardec to Madam Pomfrey. Miss Mardec, that way."
The diminutive teacher was slyer than I thought. But he wouldn't trip me up. I continued looking around in bewilderment, then gasped. "Oh! Were you talking to me? I should follow the were-" I deliberately let that slip, then continued. "-weirdo by the doorway?"
Flitwick nodded, suddenly suspicious. "Go on."
We walked silently out into the hall, Remus looking slightly angry. "I wouldn't have finished that, you know," I said suddenly. "Whether or not your friends were acting like prats, you were against this from the start."
"I know," he almost whispered, a blush beginning to form on his cheeks. He turned around hurriedly, as though Sirius or James were right there, hearing him break the excommunication. "And I really shouldn't be speaking to you. I was so worried that I wouldn't make any friends when I first got here, but I found James and Sirius and Peter. I'm so afraid to lose those who accepted me, and normally would agree with them no matter what. But this whole thing seemed too severe. You haven't even spoken to the Slytherins yet."
"Don't think I won't," I said grimly. "Maybe not all of them, but I'm warning Selena, Annie, and Rabastan."
He cocked his head at me. "And Sniv- Severus?"
At this I grinned. "You can do what you want to him, but be prepared to face the consequences."
Remus looked both amused and nervous. "What are you plan-" he began, but stopped short as Peter came around the corner.
"Remus, what are you doing? We've got Herbology now, and you're going to be late," he whined. Then he caught sight of me. "What's she-"?
"Professor Flitwick made me escort Mardec to the hospital wing," Remus said quickly. "Come on, let's go." They made a quick exit, not looking back.
Herbology was okay, but lonesome. I sat down with two Hufflepuffs, Sarah Abercrombie and Cassandra Zabini, who were friendly enough, but they weren't Emmeline and Molly.
At lunch, I had a plan. James Potter came swaggering up to the Gryffindor table at the same time that I did. He quickly sat beside Lily, and just as swiftly, I sat next to him. Sirius, right behind James, put his things down by mine, and glared at me.
Officially, I didn't exist, and James and Sirius were determined to keep it that way. They began a conversation over my head, and I straightened so they couldn't see each other. Sirius leaned forward, and I leaned forward. James leaned back, and I leaned back. It was childish and spiteful, but I was a child, and couldn't resist enjoying my fun immensely.
Finally, James got up and stormed away, followed by Sirius and Peter, who had been sitting at Gryffindor table. Remus looked at me for a moment, then walked after his friends. I could tell he approved, albeit silently.
I moved over to where James had been, and winked at Lily. She grinned back, ignoring Shannon Helta's infamous glare, now directed at Lily. It looked like she had pegged another enemy.
I didn't say anything to Lily, not wanting to get her in trouble with the Marauders. Brian McDonald, who often served as the Marauders' enforcer, was watching our exchange warily, and though I knew that James wouldn't do anything to Lily, Sirius would be more than happy to.
I was fine with not saying anything, though. Lily and I knew each other too well to need to speak to know what we were thinking.
Instead, I mused about what my revenge would be on the Marauders if they did anything to Severus. I plotted for a while, then got up and went to the one place I hadn't set foot in since school had begun this term- the library. I had some magical research to do…
