The first Hogsmeade visit was coming up that weekend, and on Friday, as she was working together with Evelyn O'Connell (whom she barely spoke to) in cleaning out the griffin's shed, Ambrosia was not in a good mood. As they shoveled dung in silence, the Hufflepuff continually giving her strange, frightened glances with every dig, she had to bite the urge to snap at her. This urge would probably have gotten the better of her, had Professor Kettleburn not walked in at that exact moment, and told them to meet the others outside. Stretching her back, Ambrosia cast down her shovel, (goodness knows why they weren't just using magic, but the teacher had just smiled toothily and patted Jake on the head when he'd grouchily asked this question), and left the shed and O'Connell's annoying twitchy behaviour.
The rest of the students were gathering in the clearing, all sporting various traces of dung and straw on their clothes and faces. She suspected it was Kettleburn's favourite lesson, as he didn't make it a secret how much disdain he had for his students. Her eyes fell on Edwin, who was moodily trying to get rid of something that had caught in his hair with his wand, accidentally setting his sleeve on fire in the process. As the boy squawked and patted it out, gazing around furiously to check if anyone had seen, Ambrosia smothered a smile, and caught eyes with Nicandro, who was trying to smooth his face as well. The tiniest breath of laughter escaped her lips before she could contain herself, unlocking the most luminous grin she had ever seen on Nicandro's face. Biting the insides of her cheeks she relaxed back into a frown, trying not to notice how his eyes gleamed at her and how warm they seemed.
Coughing, Kettleburn clapped his gloved hands together for attention. 'Students, it's your seventh year now. You'll all be adults sooner than any of us wish.' Alright then. Kettleburn ignored the small snickers in the crowd and widened his eyes, 'Whilst my class prepares each and every single one of you for the dangerous creatures that can be found in our magical world, I think it important to discuss the one creature we never study; that is most dangerous of all.' Out of the corner of her eye, Ambrosia saw Nicandro roll his eyes,
'Wizardkind.' Awkwardly shifting her stance, she tried to ignore how the rest of the students heaved a sigh in unison, the meeting with Professor Buchanan uncomfortably close in her mind. Kettleburn seemed not to notice the shift in the crowd's attitude-or didn't care as he carried on. 'We as a species have a tendency to flock together to scorm what is other, in order to protect ourselves from one day becoming that other that will be hunted.' Did every teacher in the whole school have to address the war with such thinly veiled words? Glancing over at her fellow Slytherins she noted their sniggers and the nudges they gave each other; didn't the teachers see that their words had no real impact on its intended audience, and how much worse they were making it? 'The problem in doing so, is that we drive ourselves to extinction. For once one 'other' has been eliminated, we appoint a new one, and begin to eradicate them. It is vital that we understand this side of our kind, and that we take active measures to stop it from dominating us. Now more than ever, it is important to stand on the side of humanity, and appeal to our senses and emotions. For who knows, the next common enemy could easily become you.' With this little speech over he inclined his head gruffly, in a rare show of sincerity, and without offering them time to clean themselves up, started rushing the students back into school. As she earned a particular shove from the teacher towards the direction of the castle, Ambrosia couldn't help but feel anger towards him; towards the naive attempt to sway people. As if they cared for his opinion, as if they saw him as anything other than a crotchety old fool. As if she saw him any different. Once the parents caught wind of this they weren't going to like it, and Ambrosia herself wasn't so sure how comfortable she was in knowing that the entire faculty knew...and that they were all actively rooting against her, against her family, against her housemates. Muttering a scourgify she entered the castle, darkness weighing on her mind as heavily as Edwin was following her, trying in vain to carry her bag.
Dropping her bag on the floor Lily opened her arithmancy books, eager to lose herself in the equations. The morning had been a stressful one, she had woken up late only to find that she had forgotten to do the homework for herbology, and had spent the entire morning rushing. A few weeks had passed since they'd been back in school, and aside from the Cresswell incident things had been notably normal, with only the newspapers showing any sign that there was a war going on outside. Hogsmeade was coming up soon, and Lily was determined to go and just enjoy her last year here, if only for the fact that if she stayed in the castle she was sure to be stuck with Severus again. He'd been giving her shifty looks and as much as she tried to ignore them, she knew he would catch up with her eventually. Speaking of Severus and things he wished to say to her, Potter was sitting in the corner, near the window, his nose buried in his work. It was strange, to see someone so loud and flashy be so studious and serious. As he pushed his glasses up his nose with one finger, the hint of a smile on his face she wondered what was so funny, and what it would be like to be the person he shared that detail with. Horror and revulsion crashed down on her. Why was she thinking this about Potter? Stupid, stupid intrusive thought. She quickly made a list of the all the reasons he was annoying, counting all the times he'd teased her, the time he set her book on fire by 'accident', the time her cat went missing and she found it, hair on end, being chased by Potter's cat- the wiry bastard. 'Why do you look like you're constipated?' Dorcas plopped down on the seat next to her, fastening a bun and skewering her wand through it. Wincing in embarrassment Lily banished all thoughts of said boy, and turned to her friend. 'It's nothing,' she muttered, turning to the assignment on the board and dipping her quill in the ink. Next to her Dorcas still hadn't started taking her books out. The quill snapped and Lily hissed, 'Stupid archaic writing device. Why can't we just use pens.' She hadn't expected an answer, it was more directed at the wizard god of stationary but Dorcas pounced on it, 'Speaking of muggles and their devices, have you noticed anything strange about Mary recently?' Pressing her tongue to the roof of her mouth Lily halted in her cursing and laid down the useless feather. She slowly turned towards Dorcas, who was staring at her imploringly. 'Um,' was it wise to get in the middle of relationship drama? No, it really wasn't. 'I haven't noticed anything. But if you think you have you should ask her,'
'I did.' Dorcas frowned, scratching the nail polish from her index fingernail. 'She said she was fine. But I know she isn't. She's never this quiet and darting around me. Now she's always hiding something, I see her speaking to Leila and they always stop talking when I enter the room.' This was news to Lily, her heart quickened as she leaned in,
'You don't think she's…' Miserably Dorcas gave her shoulders a little shrug.
'We haven't been dating that long, and she was already hesitant to date a pureblood.'
'Yeah but your mum came around right? You guys sorted everything out last year.'
'She did. We did. But Leila's a muggleborn, maybe there's an understanding there that I can't have with her. She comes from a whole other world to mine.' Tears glistened in her eyes as her voice rose higher and higher. Lily felt her skin heat up as her temper started to rise, 'Rubbish,' she said firmly, 'Mary's not even a little bit interested in Leila. Besides just because you come from two different places doesn't mean you can't date and be in love.' Dorcas shrugged again, plastering on a smile and running a finger under her eye. 'Well what else could it be? We had such a nice summer you know, but the closer we got to going back to school the more she pushed me away. I don't know. Maybe you're right, maybe it's nothing.' She didn't sound convinced. Threading her fingers through her friend's, Lily racked her brains for anything strange Mary had said to her, but all she really knew was that Mary was reading the Prophet and hiding it from her. Surely that didn't warrant this level of secrecy and late night talks with Leila? She shook her head, it wasn't possible. Lily didn't like the witch much, but Leila wouldn't do that to Dorcas- or would she? Her thoughts were interrupted by Remus running in, just a second before the Professor did. The teacher opened her mouth, as if about to reprimand him but Potter looked up at that moment and flashed her a charming grin. Shaking her head fondly, the matter was dropped and she moved to the front of the room. 'I know I'm late. But the assignment is on the board, keep working.' Sitting down behind the desk she pulled out the Prophet and started working intently on something in it. Lily didn't see what, the crossword maybe? Turning back to Dorcas, she saw her attention had been caught by Remus taking the seat next to Potter, and rubbing his eyes with a yawn. 'Poor thing,' she muttered to Lily, 'I heard his mother's gotten worse. I can't imagine what it must be like having a mother so ill you need to visit her all the time, and for seven years.' Her voice was laced with sympathy, which Lily reciprocated, but for a different reason. She knew the shadows under his eyes and the faded scars under his shirt were from the nights he spent as a werewolf. Severus had been wrong about many things, but his theory of Remus' lycanthropy was the one thing he'd gotten right. Of course she only knew this after she had approached him and asked him herself. Lily winced at the memory, she'd been so young and eager to question he'd thought she was accusing him and grew pale and begged her not to hate him or tell anyone. It didn't matter to her, of course it didn't matter. But she was embarrassed about the way she'd questioned him, and her utter lack of sensitivity.
'Don't you think it's strange?' Tearing her gaze away from the Remus who was now glancing at the work Potter had already done in order to catch up, Lily asked, 'What?' Dorcas fiddled with her bracelet, 'Just that everytime he comes back, it's like none of the Marauders have slept.' Furrowing her brow, Lily didn't want to admit that she'd noticed that too, a long time ago. 'Honestly I think they wait up for him. To give him support you know?' Dorcas raised an eyebrow, 'After seven years of it happening every month?' Lily shrugged, irritated that she didn't have a better explanation. 'What else could it be?' The Gryffindor shrugged.
'I don't know. Ah well, it's not really important.' Noticing Lily's broken quill, 'Do you want to borrow one dear?' Nodding gratefully, Lily accepted the offered quill and continued with her spells, trying to ignore the little voice inside her that pushed for answers, especially seeing as Dorcas couldn't care less about whether or not the Marauders waited up for their friend.
After the lesson had finished and the class slowly filtered out Lily turned to Dorcas to return the quill...but she'd already disappeared with Mary, who had been waiting for her outside. Sighing, she shoved the quill back into her bag and took a side route, determined not to be third wheeling.
Unlike Marlene, who couldn't stop groaning about the decrepit state of it all, Lily liked the castle. She liked that she could just as easily get lost this year as in her first, she liked that it had personality and that it could change. She even liked the musty smell- most of the time- and if it was stifling sometimes, living in something that so many generations before her had, she never showed it, and eagerly let herself be swallowed up by smaller and smaller passages. It was in such a musty, small and winding passage that Lily found herself now. Only she wasn't lost, not yet anyway. The detour to lunch put her in good spirits, and she found herself humming the tune of some or other band that Petunia had been obsessed with that summer; which Lily had found herself liking against her better judgement. There were less portraits than normal adorning these walls, only here and there did she spy the painting of an unfortunate witch burning eagerly acted out, or grindylows playing cards (why she had no idea). Torchlight dimly washed along the ceiling, barely lighting her path but she happily strolled on, secure in her knowledge that this path she could follow, that it would deliver her. She had accidentally come across it in her fifth year, after the incident at the lake when she had needed a place to hide. There were countless nooks and crannies, and it wasn't until a very worried Marlene accidentally stumbled across her that she was even found. She didn't even know how Marlene had coincidentally managed to find the same path as she had, but when she mentioned this Marlene had blushed and mumbled something about Potter and Black-she'd been crying too hard to fully pay attention.
Her thoughts idly swirling around in her head, she was about to turn the corner when a sight arrested her. Dirk Cresswell, his face a blank slate as he took the staircase that would lead to the dungeons. Hesitating only for a moment, Lily cast a furtive glance about her and followed him.
Down the spiralling staircase both students clambered, one determined, the other oddly serene and soundless. It could be nothing, he could just have forgotten something in potions and hurried to retrieve it before the next lesson began. But something that nagged inside her warned her not to underestimate this, that Dirk's intentions were not as harmless as they seemed. Her heart leapt in her throat as they neared the potions classroom, and privately she begged him to go in, even if it meant she had given up lunch for nothing. Briefly he paused at the archway, and halting, Lily slid behind a corner, urging him to go in, go in, go in. His head turned, and then he was off again, causing her stomach to sink to her feet. Rushing faster now, her robes flapped about her as she kept up with the boy who had no more inhibitions about being hidden, and was actively making a lot of noise as he neared the one room Lily hoped he wouldn't go into. The door beckoned both teens enticingly, the green gleaming against the dankness of the dungeon walls. All her hope was futile, as Dirk didn't even slow down before approaching the wall, whispering something, and revealing the passage. He was gone before she could even draw a breath.
Panic blinded her, and she turned in such a hurry to notify someone, anyone, that she crashed straight into something and fell to the floor. Fellow crashee let loose a string of curse words. 'I'm so sorry,' she stammered, scrambling upright, 'Are you ok?' Jet black hair emerged from under a cloak and all her panic melted into disdain. 'Potter. What on earth are you doing here?' A flush covered his cheeks for some reason, but he retorted,
'I could ask the same of you, I thought you and Snivellus were over?'
'Don't call him that.' It was a knee jerk reaction, a stupid force of habit and although it surprised him, he clenched his fists and muttered an apology. 'And yes, we're not friends anymore. I wasn't meeting him for a romp before charms idiot.' The slightest hint of a grin curved its way in the corner of his mouth, 'Romp?' Scowling she retracted the hand she had offered to help him up, 'We don't have time to argue about my lexical choices, I was following Dirk. He just went into the Slytherin common room.' Picking himself up off the floor he paused in dusting off his clothing. 'Really?' Lily nodded,
'With no password.' He frowned, gazing at the wall where the entrance was concealed,
'As far as I'm concerned, he doesn't have any Slytherin friends.'
'I mean, I don't know. But with what happened…'
'...it's too big of a risk to assume that's all it is.' She nodded, suddenly very cold. Dirk Cresswell wasn't a massive figure in her life, she'd probably said hi to him a total of three times in the past few months but he'd always seemed...good. Now she wasn't so sure. 'Isn't it only the Slytherins who are supposed to buy into all that blood purist crap?' She knew she was being stupid, but sarcasm was the only defense right now, standing in the enermy's territory with none other than the person she hated most in the world. Well, maybe second most, You know who and his cohorts admittedly had to come first. 'Beats me Lily, I'm still getting used to the fact that the Chudley Cannons are even still a team with their terrible track record.' She rolled her eyes at the feeble attempt at humour, but a smile flickered on her face. His answering grin dissipated the tension and she sighed, rolling out her shoulders, 'I think we should watch him, find out what he's doing.'
'Exciting.'
'Not like that.' She shoved his shoulder at his suggestive eyebrow waggle and he snickered.
'Sorry sorry, I would love to join you in watching Ravenclaw boys.' Rolling her eyes she said,
'Tomorrow?'
'Ah, no can do. Tomorrow's Hogsmeade remember? Rosemerta's missing me, and you can't honestly deprive her of the pleasure she only gets once a month at most.'
'I suppose not,' she said wryly.
'Aww Evans, don't get jealous now. You know you're number one in my heart.' Shaking her head she heard a grumble, and both her and Potter stared down at her stomach. 'Well as much fun as this has been, I think I should go eat lunch now.' Potter nodded, hand jumping to his hair. 'Right, well I have some business to take care of...so I'll be going the other direction.' he pointed to said direction with the hand still in his hair. 'Alright Potter, see you.'
'Bye, oh and Lily?' She turned to face him, the question in her eyes. His earnest gaze relaxed into its usual lopsided grin, 'If Rosmerta's been murdered tomorrow, I'll know who's done it.' Huffing a sigh she stalked away to lunch, trying to fight the amusement that danced in his eyes, reflected in her own face.
Charms was uneventful, apart from Peter Pettigrew getting his hand caught in the desk and requiring all three other Marauders' -pealing with laughter- assistance. It seemed she really couldn't go anywhere without seeing Potter; it was strange how many classes they shared. Dinner had been brief but sorely needed as lunch had been missed, and it was back in the dormitories, where she was nursing a too full stomach whilst lying back on her bed, that Marlene burst in, clearly upset.
Sitting on Lily's bed, she started fidgeting with the end of her skirt, her hair falling over her face. 'Marls?' Lily sat up; had they broken up? 'What's wrong?' Marlene sighed heavily in response, and turned to Lily with weary eyes, 'I just can't do it. I've had so many opportunities, and now he's taking me to Hogsmeade.'
'Marlene,' Lily said firmly, 'You are one of the strongest witches I know, this is something you definitely can do. What in Merlin's name is still holding you back?' Biting her cheek she looked at her sideways, 'We've been dating for like a year now. I don't want to hurt him. He's been there for me through really hard times.' Lily gave her a look. 'I don't know, some part of me is worried that maybe he's it you know? That me wanting more is just me being in love with love, that something better doesn't exist. Then what if I give up something that's the real deal because I don't believe it is?' Lily's gaze softened, and she threw an arm around her shoulder, cuddling her close. 'Babe, if you'd rather go to Hogsmeade with your friends than Benjy Fenwick then I'm sorry but he's not the one. If every time he asks to spend time with you you're annoyed, then it's not him. Think of how many men you're going to date in your life. You with your stunning personality and rocking bod.' Marlene snorted. Lily's gaze turned more serious, 'You're hurting him a lot more by not telling him. Come on Marls, Gryffindor courage remember?' Huffing she leaned her head against Lily's. 'Tell you what, I do it tomorrow and then we meet at the Three Broomsticks because I've missed you. Benjy has been taking up all my time recently, it's like he's guessed something's going to happen. I've neglected you because of my guilt, I'm sorry. But tomorrow we party together again.' Laughing out loud Lily pulled away again,
'You're such an idiot,' she said fondly and Marlene crossed her eyes. A thought struck her, 'Speaking of idiots,' she began, 'I ran into Potter today.' Marlene raised an eyebrow,
'Oh?'
'Yes, I was following Dirk- I told you about that night- and then when I turned around there he was. You don't think he has business in Slytherin do you?'
Scratching her head Marlene said, 'Potter? Nah, it's more likely he was following you.'
Snorting Lily said, 'Why would he be following me-' at Marlene's pointed look, 'Marlene he liked me a year ago. It ended resolutely in our sixth year, he dated Emmeline remember?' Marlene, who had long since accepted Lily's ignorance on all matters covering Potter's regard for her, just shook her head, wondering how she could be so naive. 'Alright hon, whatever you say.'
'Marlene.'
'Well what do you expect me to say; you won't believe me anyway.' A chill ran down Lily's spine, 'Did he say anything to you over the summer, about the end of term-'
'-Lily I have no idea what shifty thing happened between you and James at the end of term, he hasn't told me and you've been weirdly locked up about it. Trust me. I don't know. I would however, recommend you telling me, your best friend about it because every time anyone so much as mentions last term you clam up and get that weird constipated look on your face.'
'I do not-' Lily muttered, and at Marlene's look she stuck her tongue out. 'Nevermind. Just forget it, I just thought it was weird.'
'Hmm.' Lily stuck her tongue out again, and lay back on her bed, wondering what on earth she was going to do in Hogsmeade the next day.
The next day dawned, and Ambrosia drowsily rolled over in her sheets, only to come face to face with Twinkletoes. Screaming, she sat up immediately, only to watch the mangy cat roll his one eye before disappearing with a flick of his tail. 'What's wrong?' Giselle's eyes were wide, mirroring many of the other girls, apart from Magnolia, who was still snoring. Feeling slightly embarrassed about her outburst, Ambrosia drew the sheets tighter around her as she muttered, 'The stupid cat.' Narcissa snorted before falling back onto her pillow as Giselle huffed loudly. 'No one but you has a problem with the cat, he's very well behaved.'
'I bet someone magicked him to be creepy with me. I told you he watches me sleep.' Giselle gave her a look, 'The cat did not watch you sleep. It's a cat, not a person.'
'It's a demon cat.' Thoroughly embarrassed by the amused look Lucienne was giving her, Ambrosia got out of bed and ran into the bathroom to get dressed.
She didn't bother to wait for Giselle, who always fell out of bed right before they were supposed to be going. Taking a seat on the bench a few metres away from some gossiping fifth years, she reached for a piece of toast and an apple, decidedly ignoring the Prophet that lay open to the side of her.
'Lily this is literally the last time I'm going to ask you to wake up before I leave your sorry ass here for the rest of the day.' Groaning, Lily checked the clock on her bedside table and buried her head under the covers.
'Why do we always have to go to Hogsmeade so early.'
'Beats me love,' Marlene said with no trace of sympathy in her voice. Lifting her head from under her pillow Lily shot her a glare. Marlene shook her covers, 'Get up Lil.' Scowling she threw back the covers to reveal her owl pyjamas, 'Ooh, fancy.' She flipped off her friend and stumbled, half asleep into the shower, muttering a string of curses about ungrateful friends and all the ways to kill said people.
Together they reached the dining hall, where Lily was just able to grab a croissant before her so-called 'friend' dragged her to the carriages. 'Look I'm meeting Benjy at ten, and by eleven I'll see you at the Three Broomsticks.' Lily paused in eating her croissant,
'So I could have gotten up an hour later,' she seethed before Marlene gave her a little smile,
'Everyone from our year is leaving now so you'd be alone.'
'It would have given me some much needed peace and quiet,' she muttered, picking apart at the piece she still had left. 'You're so grumpy in the morning, I'm sure someday someone will find that charming.' Lily stuck out her tongue, aware that it was getting a lot of use lately, but sometimes one didn't have the energy to flip someone off. 'Not as much as someone will appreciate your inability to tie your shoes.' Turning bright red Marlene shoved a snickering Lily, 'That was one time Lily. I forgot for like two seconds.'
'Mhm.' Having finished the croissant, she was in much better sorts. The two walked arm in arm to where the rest of the Gryffindor girls were waiting. 'Come on, you ready?' Alice's cheeks were pink with anticipation, gesturing towards the walk. Leila stuffed her hands in her pockets and Dorcas tucked Mary's scarf in her coat. Lily caught her eye, from the gleam in them everything seemed to be going fine with them. Grinning, Lily nodded.
'Then let's go.'
'Um, Ambrosia-do you mind if we talk?' Ambrosia looked up in the middle of finishing her apple to find Edwin running his fingers through his gelled blond hair nervously. She so wasn't ready for this. 'Um,' without realising it she had copied his stellar opener. 'Sure, sit.' She was going to regret this- but at the same time it might be better for him to just get it out. Smiling in what she was sure he deemed a charming way, he awkwardly folded himself onto the bench next to her, and leaning forward, much too close, he began. 'So, I'm sure you've noticed by now that I...hold a certain regard for you.' Oh dear Merlin, silently she begged Elle to come and rescue her. 'I certainly haven't made a secret of the fact that I am fond of you. I hope today to be explicitly clear however, so that we can flesh out this thing between us.' There really wasn't any such thing between them but the boy was determined to make his point, so he ran with it, and didn't allow for any interjections. Not that she wished to interrupt, it was easier to rip the bandage off, and let this ridiculous matter be put to rest. 'I mean, i could sit here and talk about marriage and the future, but I won't. You know me too well to know they're on my mind anyway.' Did she? 'The thing is, you're so...I...I really want you to be my girlfriend.' She felt it apt to step in here, sympathy did twinge her heart at his earnest expression. 'Look, Edwin,'
'Please, let me finish.' There was more? She already didn't take to being interrupted, but as she was about to hurt him she pressed her lips together and let him carry on. 'I want to say this right. I would like you to accompany me to Hogsmeade today, and then be my girlfriend. I've liked you for such a long time Brosia.' Everything he was saying was making her feel worse,
'Really, such a long time. I mean who wouldn't? You're so beautiful.' And poof. It was really amazing how quickly Edwin was able to shut off all kindly feelings towards him, and ice her heart. 'As touching as that description of my virtues is,' she began coldly, 'I'm afraid I must decline.' He purpled, and cursing herself she added, 'It's just, Maggie likes you, and she's my friend. I couldn't do that to her.' This intended gentle let-down seemed to make matters worse.
'Magnolia? What does she have to do with this,' he spat, and she flinched as some of the spittle landed on her face. Gross. 'She's my friend Edwin, and she cares about you.'
'No no no.' He stood up. 'This is about you and me. I have no interest in her whatsoever. If you don't like me then just tell me, don't hold back on her account.' Sighing, Ambrosia set down her core: like ripping off a bandage, 'Ok, you're right, I'm sorry. I don't like you that way.' Or in general, but she couldn't really say that. Clenching his jaw he stepped out from the bench. 'I see.' It didn't seem like he did. 'I see.' He ran a hand against his jaw and turned to leave. Her heart rose in her throat, relieved that it had gone somewhat calmly when he turned back, shattering it again. 'Is it because I'm not good enough for you. Perfect Ambrosia Flint.' The venom in his tone took her aback, she'd never seen him seethe so much, especially not directed at her. 'Excuse me?'
'Don't act so innocent. We all see it. Stuck up, perfect little Ambrosia Flint. They all warned me against you, told me you were waiting for a fucking PRINCE.' more than a few pairs of eyes were staring at them, and she winced in shame, hating that she was the centre of attention. 'But I thought no. I thought I could see something in you that no one else did. But I guess I was wrong. Merlin, it's like you're always tuned out when people are talking. Do you even hear what anyone other than Elle says? Always on another cloud, destined for a higher purpose because you're just so. Fucking. Perfect. Is my family not esteemed enough for the great princess of Slytherin? Am I not handsome enough-not rich enough? Am I not successful enough as a student?' Venom seeped through her pores, he was forgetting just one little thing. 'Merlin, it's no wonder that no one in our house can stand you. Enjoy that feeling of superiority while you can, because before you know it you'll be all alone, a spinster because no man could stand you for longer than a week.' He'd taken her for meek, submissive because she was always so quiet. But he'd forgotten that just like him, she'd been sorted into Slytherin, and with that came the capacity for greatness, and the conviction to get revenge when she sought it. The same poison that ran through anger's veins ran in hers. Revenge she would get, and she would get it soon. It helped, cherishing that thought as he hurled insult after insult at her, worked as a shield against the words that cut into her heart, words that she knew she would have to cry out later. Most of the seventh year had entered the hall by now; everyone wanted to be at Hogsmeade before the younger years, so that they didn't crowd everything. Nothing beat the humiliation she felt in that moment, as all of her classmates witnessed Edwin's tongue. Elle's face was barely concealing fury, but she stayed back at Ambrosia's look. Scanning the faces of the people she didn't care about, but had known since childhood she only saw sympathy on a very choice few. The most looked...vindicated. Is this what they all thought of her? That the reason she never spoke to them was because she thought them beneath her notice? Her eyes fell onto Nicandro. His face was unreadable, Narcissa next to him had the grace to drop her eyes to the floor, her cheeks pink. Slowly she turned back to where Edwin was still fuming...and smiled. He paused in his rant, eyebrows raised. She kept on smiling, until her cheeks hurt, until her eyes stung, until the laughter barrelled its way up from her stomach out into the silent air. It echoed off the walls, the only audible sound as everyone stared, and the boy at whom it was directed became more and more furious. Laughing and laughing, she threw her head back, allowing her hair to fall onto the table behind her, spreading across the surface like a dark fire, simmering, just not ready to boil. More furious and uncomfortable than ever, he started forward, but just as his wand reached the tip of her chin she snapped out of her laughter and brought her hand down across his face. He staggered back with the force of the hit, before the sneer carved into his features and he raised his wand again, 'You foul little slu-' Before he could even finish the word she'd knocked him back with a bright flash, and the next second he was groaning, with his stupid gelled hair clean gone, and the word 'Tosser' flashing on his bald head in bright red. Her wand trembling in her hand, Ambrosia had to stop herself from going one further, and to be content with the gasps and then the hesitant laughter that followed her actions.
'Miss Flint.' Professor Slughorn, looking thoroughly uncomfortable and upset, made his way over to the students. 'This is absolutely unacceptable behaviour, and from a seventh year no less. Both of you, my office.' Holding her chin up high, Ambrosia didn't even bother looking at her year as she and Edwin were ushered out of the hall, fury and misery amalgamating in her stomach, whispering to her that this was far from over, whether she liked it or not.
'-supposed to be a lighthearted excursion, a form of amusement for our students, not a lover's den.' His hands were twittering in a flurry of movements, each showing the depth of his distress. 'This is absolutely unacceptable. What were you thinking?-No don't answer that,' he snapped as both students opened their mouths. 'I'm well aware of what you were thinking.' Ambrosia was seated on a chair right in front of the desk Slughorn was pacing around, whilst Edwin was lounging on the sofa, still holding his head. It gave her a rush of triumph to see he was still in pain, although she knew it was wrong. 'Twenty points each from Slytherin for your behaviour, and you each have detention, I don't even have to mention that you are banned from this Hogsmeade session do I?' Ambrosia shook her head quickly, and after looking like he wanted to argue, Edwin grudgingly followed suit. 'Miss Flint you have a week, and Mr Avery you have two.'
'WHAT.' He jumped up, pain forgotten. 'That's incredibly unfai-'
'One week to teach Miss Flint to use her words, not her wand,' Slughorn interrupted harshly, 'And two weeks to learn that being a...as Miss Flint so delicately put it; tosser, is not the way to win a lady's favour, or treat anyone in general. Are we in agreement?' Snarling, Edwin nodded. Slughorn smiled, 'Good. Now you are free to visit the hospital wing to salvage what is left of your scalp.' Nostrils flaring, Avery stomped out of the room in the direction of the hospital wing, leaving Ambrosia alone with Slughorn. He cleared his throat uncomfortable, looking like he wanted to say something important; but then just dropped his gaze, 'Please close the door on your way out Miss Flint.' Disappointment sinking in her stomach, she nodded and left, gently closing the door before slipping into the nearest toilet stall.
There she was; Slytherin's queen of ice, the eldest child of the Flint residence, the best student in her house, curled up and shivering like a blancmange beside a toilet. The tears leaked as silently as possible down her cheeks, as she experienced the full blow of Avery's words. Instead of spending the day drinking Butterbeer with Giselle and laughing in Honeydukes she was crying in a stall, hoping no one would walk in. She didn't care that the floor was dirty and cold, or that the more she cried the louder she became, all she could feel were those words, and the faces of her house as they all stared at her. Was that how people saw her? Ambrosia Flint, stuck up bitch who thinks she's too good for her peers; it was a miracle she even had Giselle. He was right. That was the worst part of it all: he was right. She hated them all, she was alone. But she didn't think herself better than them, she didn't think herself perfect or on a higher plane. Oh what did that matter. It was what they thought, and they all hated her. It was like he'd reached into her heart, taken a look and mirrored all her worst fears. She was a bad person, an unlikeable one. All she had going for herself was that she was beautiful, and people seemed to resent her even for that. Even her own mother had only ever praised her face, and had said she could marry any boy because she was so pretty. Sometimes, when she was very lonely, she wanted to change her face, she wanted to chop off her hair and twist her nose and scrape out her eyes, turn them into anything other than what it was. If only because then people would be forced to say something other than there's Ambrosia, what a gorgeous girl. Or maybe, if it were all gone, all she would have left was a vapid, shallow girl, someone not even worth looking at. Maybe her face protected her, meant at least some people stayed. What if without it, she was nothing at all?
Awkwardly sipping her iced tea, Lily counted the seconds until lunch as Benjy's hand slowly made its way up Marlene's thigh. The wizard had attached himself to her as she had sat down with Lily to drink pre-breakup, and had not left since. Marlene herself had been too nervous to do it before lunch, as he had made reservations and she didn't want him to waste his money. The witch was trying to ignore the movement, an incredibly irritating strategy, seeing as it meant the hand was steadily rising, forcing her to look anywhere else. So far, the Three Broomsticks was relatively empty, as most students were still happily shopping, away from their best friends and PDA. The only other Hogwarts students in the pub were Emmeline and Hestia Jones talking with Carmen and her boyfriend Jake around a table, clearly waiting for lunch; and the Marauders, who up until this point had been lounging at the bar and heavily flirting with Rosmerta, who was steadily growing pinker. They'd been here when she'd arrived, but hadn't turned around or even noticed her, so absorbed were they in their task. She had to admit, not that she liked them or anything, but they seemed to be having a lot more fun than she was. Every so often one of them would throw their heads back, roaring with laughter and audacious comments.
With a sigh, Lily turned back to her sad little table, just as Marlene snapped, and shoved Benjy's hand off. 'Look, we need to have a conversation,' she began wearily, eyes darting towards Lily, who smiled in what she hoped was an encouraging way. Benjy blushed bright red, 'I knew it,' he mumbled, and Marlene creased her eyebrows,
'I know, I'm so sorry. But I feel it's been a long time coming, and we need to have this conversation,' Oh Merlin, were they going to do this with her here? Scanning her surroundings she was about to excuse herself to the bathroom when rubbing his eyes, Benjy said,
'Look, I only need to know one thing.' Marlene stopped talking, 'Is it still going on now?' Lily's eyes widened with understanding; he thought she had been cheating on him. Marlene however, did not understand yet. 'I mean, that's why we're breaking up, because it's still going on now. We just don't fit anymore.' Nodding furiously Benjy paled as Lily tried to frantically signal to her friend. Unfortunately, in doing so she knocked over the tray the poor waiter was trying to bring to Hestia's table.
Butterbeer sloshed onto the floor and cups shattered as he barely managed to stay upright, grabbing on to Lily's chair. Lily sprang up, wringing her hands, 'I'm so, so sorry!' Both Marlene and Benjy had jumped at the noise, and were now gaping at the scene, as if they had just realised where they were. Taking out his wand, the wizard repaired the glasses and siphoned the liquid from the floor, reassuring her adamantly it was, 'No trouble at all, don't worry.' His gaze fell upon her nervous face, and a dazzling smile overtook his features. 'Believe me, it's absolutely no problem.' She didn't know why she blushed at those words, perhaps it was his eyes, the way they stared meaningfully into hers. He seemed young, barely older than her, with gorgeous wavy hair and light blue eyes and dimples that could go on for days and...Merlin, she needed to get a hold of herself. Flicking his hair out of those eyes he offered her his hand, 'I hope you weren't hurt, um…'
'Lily, Lily Evans.'
'Lily, Lily Evans,' he repeated, staring at her so intensely that all questions about his name flew out of her mind, the way he sounded when he said her name made it sound so beautiful, so lyrical, his eyes were so blue…
'Oi Evans, you've got Butterbeer on your shirt, I can see your bra.' The moment was gone. Ready to commit bloody murder, Lily snapped around to where Sirius was grinning cheekily at her, raising a bottle of butterbeer, 'Not that I'm complaining, it's a very pretty one.' What? Oh no, she checked her shirt anxiously. She hadn't even felt it but sure enough, a stain flowered on most of her left boob, revealing the lacy blue bra of all things, her everyday ones had been in the wash. Hoping the waiter hadn't noticed (and hoping that he was staring at her because of her natural charm and not the bra sticking in his face) she muttered a cleaning and drying spell, and the offending item was hidden again. 'Thanks a million Black,' she flipped him off and he blew her a kiss. Patting the seat next to him he set down the bottle on the bar with a clink, 'Come sit, they're all boring me and I long for your company. I'll buy you a drink.' She was about to tell him where he could stick that drink when she realised she'd been trying to escape from the Marlene and Benjy thing- which had resumed by the way- and the waiter was already hurrying back to replace the order she'd ruined. Sighing, she wandered over to him and sat down on the proffered seat. 'I must say,' he frowned at her, 'Most women are a lot more flattered to be in my company.'
'Most women didn't just leave behind the most gorgeous boy they've ever seen,' she responded, gazing mournfully at the waiter as he entered the store of the pub. Sirius followed her eyes and snorted, 'He's ok. I've met better.' Raising an eyebrow she said,
'If you're talking about yourself-' he giggled, of all things and shook out his hair.
'Oh ginger, ginger, ginger.'
'Do NOT-' Judging by his grin this was exactly the reaction he wanted. Scowling she dropped the matter, 'I've met feet that are more attractive than him,'
'Is this your way of telling me you've got some kind of foot fetish?'
'I don't have any kind of fetish Lily,' She snorted,
'Right.'
'No I'm serious.' He smirked at the joke and rolling her eyes she stole his drink,
'Oi.'
'You were being dumb.'
'No, I was being serious.' She brandished the bottle,
'I will hit you.' Shrinking back he held up his hands,
'Alright calm down Lilybird, give the bottle to me,'
'What is it with you and these infantile nicknames?' And honest to Godric Gryffindor the man actually pouted. 'I'm trying until I find the one that fits, it's a testament of our friendship remember love? I'm starting to think it's rather one-sided at this point,'
'The boy sees reason,' she muttered, taking another sip before he swiped it away.
'You know what fine, don't listen to me, I was going to give you a very interesting piece of information but I guess you don't care.' At this point Potter, who had continued flirting with Rosmerta and was definitely not eavesdropping, turned his head to give Sirius a weary look, to which the boy sobered up a little. 'Alright alright, I'll tell you.' She turned around to see what he was looking at, but all she could see was the back of Potter's head and a red neck. Frowning, she turned back, 'Go on then,'
'It's a sound piece of advice,'
'I'm enthralled,' He leaned closer, widening his eyes for effect,
'Only those that speak Parseltongue will open the Chamber of Secrets.' Forehead creasing, she stared at him, 'Is that some weird kind of sex thing?' He shrugged, a gleam in his eye,
'It means whatever you want it to mean love.' A small smile curled in the corner of her mouth as she shoved him, 'I find you very annoying,' he caught her hand and kissed it loudly, causing Potter and Remus and Peter all to turn around. 'You couldn't live without me, admit it.'
'Sorry about him,' Remus said, shaking his head. Lily smiled brightly at him, holding out her hand to take his, 'Don't worry about it, I put up with him for you.' Shaking his head, he blushed lightly, causing Sirius to roll his eyes, 'Don't compliment him Lilybug, he can't handle it.'
'Sod off,' he scowled, squeezing her hand before retracting it. 'Boys, are you actually planning on paying for any of the drinks, or are you just going to sit here until I kick you out?' Rosmerta's hands were on her hips, but the flush on her face betrayed her true emotions. 'I'm so sorry my darling, please forgive me.' Potter grabbed at his chest before pulling out a handful of galleons and presenting them to her with a flourish. 'Prongs, I can pay for my own,' Sirius protested but Potter waved him away, 'It's already paid for.' Wagging her finger at them she addressed Lily, 'Can I get you anything? Be careful not to have too much, because these can charm the socks off you given the chance.' Lily tried not to look too amused,
'That's alright, I should be going to Honeydukes now that the crowd is coming to lunch. Thank you though.' Pushing herself up from the bar she drew her coat tighter around her. Remus jumped up, 'Pete and I need to get some supplies there as well.' This was followed by a pointed glare at the boy who moaned, 'I'm sorry Moony, how was I supposed to know it was your stash.'
'Maybe because it was a stack of chocolate and no one but him consumes such an insane amount of the stuff,' Potter chimed in, grinning like a cat that had gotten at the milk as Remus swiped at him. 'Anyway, he owes me more.' Grumpily Peter stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets. Lily gave the pair a small wave, 'See you,' Without looking at her, Potter returned the wave, and Sirius blew her a kiss. With one last glance in Marlene's direction, who was still deep in conversation, Lily walked out through the door that Remus was holding open for her and into the frosty
air.
It was getting colder, Lily had to brace herself against the chill in the wind that cut through her coat. The cool winter light starkly picked out the scars that cut across Remus' face, more than last year. Sympathy twinged at her heart at the reason for those scars, and the hardships he had to endure every month. He noticed her looking, and quirked his eyebrow in a question, to which she shook her head. He didn't need her pity. 'So what kind of chocolate are we talking?' she asked. Peter slowed down to keep up with the rest of the group, 'Just the normal Honeydukes kind: simple, understated, perfect.' Lily couldn't help but snort. Peter caught her eye and laughed as well. 'What?' She had never seen him look so affronted, he stopped and looked her in the eye. 'Simple, understated, perfect?' she quoted back at him; Remus wrapped his scarf around his face and started walking faster, 'You know what, I'm tired of defending myself against these constant attacks. The best chocolate is just the average Honeydukes chocolate and that's the truth.' Laughing, Lily hurried to match his pace,
'The best? What about their chocolate mice filled with caramel? Or their chocolate fizzy stamps? Or their triple chocolate snitches?' He scoffed,
'No.'
'That's it, that's your whole argument?' Peter shook his head,
'Don't argue with him about chocolate, it's just not worth it. He's single-minded until he gets it.'
They were nearing the shop now, the delicious aroma of warmth and sugar curled around her nostrils, beckoning her in. Students were spilling out, loaded with bags and bags, all headed towards the Three Broomsticks. The tension in Remus' shoulders dropped the closer they came, crunching leaves under their feet that came from the large balding trees bowing over the path. 'There'll be snow soon,' she sighed happily, but Remus wasn't paying attention and Peter was on his other side, too far away to hear. Shrugging she followed the two in, pushing at the heavy door until it fell firmly shut behind them, trapping the heat.
Unspooling her long scarf she unzipped her coat and looked around, the shop seemed brighter than usual. Shelves upon shelves of treats beckoned her, and she had to remind herself of the pitiful amount of galleons she currently had in her possession, as she'd been rushed out of bed and hadn't had the time to take her stash, or else she surely would have bought out the entire store. Remus had not so lightly shoved his friend in the direction of the chocolate, leaving her to her own devices; just the way she liked it. Taking her time, she slipped in and out of the rows, halting over the glacial snow flakes, wondering if she should bring Marlene a pack of breakup chocoballs. Her fingers ran over the multicoloured packets, all boasting to be the winner of the 'magic confection of the year'. In doing so, she bumped into Parkinson. 'Sorry.' it was automatic, she hadn't even realised that she was standing before someone she hated. Parkinson just shrugged, looking as if she had caught him at something, his eyes darting over his shoulder. 'It's not your fault.' Rosier ran up behind him, her long brown hair flying as she shoved her arm through his, 'There you are. Why did you run off here? Ohhhh, are you getting me something?' her eyes shone with appreciation, and Parkinson turned an interesting shade of purple as he started stuttering; clearly whatever he'd been doing here had not been for her. Rolling her eyes, not really interested in their drama Lily turned around to scan the shop for Remus and Peter. Spotting them a few shelves over, she quickly hurried to them, the packet of chocoballs still in her hand.
Upon reaching them she witnessed the smug look on Remus' face as Peter grumpily counted his galleons for the price of the immense stack that rested in Remus' hands. Catching sight of her he happily chirped, 'Ready to leave?'. She glanced at the chocoballs, hoping Marlene was doing ok.
'Yep.'
A knock resonated through the toilet as her door shook. Wiping her nose with her sleeve (something she rarely ever did, and only out of sight of her mother), she croaked, 'Occupied.'
'Brosia, open up. It's me.' He'd come. A rush of warmth filled her as she smiled through her tears. No matter what, when it came down to it he loved her, and the thought somehow made the fact that her legs were asleep and half frozen and she was leaning against a toilet fade away. Reaching up she unlocked the door, and let it swing open to reveal him.
His eyes were bright with concern as he dropped to his knees and sat down in front of her. 'Are you ok?' She let out a humourless laugh, but nodded anyway, reaching for his hand.
'Yes, I am.' He squeezed her hand in his,
'He won't get away with this. We're going to get him back.' Her heart melted,
'We?'
'Of course. The Ambrosia I know wouldn't leave it at 'tosser' and a bald head, even if you did hit and jinx him. No one takes on the Flints and lives to tell the tale.' She stopped smiling, the cold seeping into her legs again. 'Arnie,' she began slowly, 'Why are you here?' He stared at her, uncomprehendingly. 'Because we're Flints, no one insults our family name like that. Come on Brosia, what are your plans?' Withdrawing her hand she felt her heart shut down.
'Just go Arnold.' He let out a breath of disbelief,
'You can't be serious. Ambrosia he insulted our honour.' His voice raised in distress but she snarled at him; she knew how to drive her little brother away. 'Leave, flobberworm'
Hurt flashed across his face as he wrenched himself up and left, slamming the door behind him.
'Lily?' Waving goodbye to the smug Remus and the still complaining Peter, Lily turned to see Dorcas and Mary, arm in arm. 'Hi,' she said, wrapping her scarf tighter around her.
'Hiya,' Dorcas beamed, 'You want to have lunch with us? We're meeting Leila and her brother at the Three Broomsticks, he's going to tell us all about his job.' Mary smiled fondly at the excitement in her girlfriend's voice, 'If you don't say you'll come now she might drag you,' she warned, a soft teasing in her voice. Dorcas opened her mouth in protest, 'I'm calm. I've been calm all day. I haven't even mentioned his five nominations for his designs.' She huffed at the nearly identical looks she was given by both witches. 'Look, we're going to be late. Are you coming, Lily?' She nodded happily, she hadn't seen Leila's brother in a long time, not since he'd helped her pick out her dress for her first Slug Club gathering. Together the three of them returned to where she'd left little more than an hour ago.
'Look Dorcas, if you're interested I can definitely get you an internship after Hogwarts. We're always looking for young witches and wizards with an eye for magical design. Send me a portfolio sometime and I'll have a look at some of your work.' Dorcas looked fit to burst,
'Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.' He waved her gratitude away,
'Come on, it's no trouble at all. Besides, it'd be nice to have someone in Berlin who went to Hogwarts. I need to be allowed a little bit of nostalgia and talk about the past. Especially seeing as Lei,' he leaned over to ruffle her hair, causing her to scowl and push his hand away, '-here has absolutely no sense for any of this. Do you remember when I asked you to give me an invisibility cloak for Christmas so I could study it and you tried to just charm it with a disillusionment charm?'
'It worked didn't it?' She grumbled and he threw his head back in laughter,
'For like two seconds, you were in your fifth year, you couldn't perform a spell that strong.' Everyone burst into laughter. Leila rolled her eyes, but the hint of a smile lifted her lips. Dorcas, who had been her best friend for as long as they'd been at Hogwarts nudged her, and the smile toppled out. 'Ok ok, so I made a mistake.' Daniel Alfonse picked up his glass and took a sip,
'Ah, don't worry about it. The one I really wanted to study I couldn't anyway.'
'Which one did you want to study?' Lily asked, wiping away her tears. Daniel's face turned serious all of a sudden, 'I mean, it's only a legend...but there are some who believe it to be true.' Lily shook her head in confusion,
'Go on.' He set down his glass and leaned in, clearly enjoying every word of the tale as Leila grumbled, 'Here we go again.'
'So you know the Tale of the Three Brothers?' The atmosphere was lost, Dorcas slumped back in her seat, 'Come on Daniel, it's a kid's story.' Turning to Mary, Lily saw she shared her confusion. 'I'm sorry, what?' With an impatient huff Leila leaned forward,
'It's just some stupid story they apparently tell pureblood and half-blood kids. Like Cinderella. And in it is this invisibility cloak which supposedly conquers all, and will never stop working. It's like the most powerful piece of enchanted clothing ever or whatever.' Daniel looked affronted, 'It's not 'whatever' Lei, it's real. I swear it's real, over the years in old old records you can find mention of an invisibility cloak like that. Which has to mean that it's circling our society still, in some lucky bastard's hands.' Mary looked unsure, but Lily shrugged her shoulders. 'I mean, why not? Up until I was eleven all of this seemed impossible, so why can't this cloak be real?' Dorcas snorted,
'I admire the optimism, but come on, all cloaks lose their magic-how can this one have been given extra special ones?'
'There's a lot to magic we don't understand, I'm just saying it's possible,' she argued, but then Leila started protesting, and soon the rest of lunch was spent debating the possibility of said cloak even existing.
'Ambrosia? Arnold told me you were here. I've been looking for the whole day, did you have to pick a toilet so far away from the common room?' Ambrosia didn't respond to the forced amusement in her tone, just leaned her head back and let Elle come in. she stood there for a moment, watching her friend, noting her tears. 'Come on Brosia, you can't honestly let that troll hurt you like this.' She didn't get a response. Sighing, she dropped to her knees. 'Who knows you better than anyone?'
'You,' she mumbled,
'Exactly. And would I let the person he described hang out with me? Or become my best friend?'
'...no.'
'Exactly. Come on, he doesn't even know you, and everyone knows he's full of shit. That's no no more a representation of you than a representation of Madam Puddifoot.'
'It's how everyone sees me though, isn't it?' Elle scoffed,
'So? Since when have you cared what they thought? Literally all of them suck. All of them. Who cares if they think you think you're better than them. You are.' Ambrosia laughed, a few tears leaking out of her eyes. Elle's tone softened, 'Don't let him do this to you. He's not worth it. You're not like that and you know it. Now come on, it's time to plan out the second revenge plan.' Ambrosia lifted her eyes,
'And why is that?' Elle took her hands and stared deep into her eyes,
'Because you're Ambrosia fucking Flint. And you never let anyone one up you, least of all the dumbest person in our year.' A smile bloomed, transforming her mood, brightening her day. The promise of revenge winked deliciously at her, beckoning with its slippery tentacles. This wasn't over. She was Ambrosia fucking Flint. And he would pay.