It had taken a solid week and even a letter from Professor Dumbledore, but my father finally agreed to keep both Harry and I enrolled at Hogwarts. A troll attack and an attempt on Harry's life had been at the very least, extremely taxing on my father's nerves, however it had been eventually agreed upon that Hogwarts still remained one of the safest places for magical children to attend school.
However, Harry and I had another feat to go up against since Flint had taken it upon himself to start rumours in lieu of our confrontation on the quidditch pitch. Since Hagrid had prevented him from direct action and he was still being watched by Dumbledore, Flint had instead told the entire school that I was dating Harry. This meant that the entire school concluded that I was out to harness some of Harry's fame for myself while Harry was out of his mind for dating a squib's daughter. Oh yea, he had also told the entire school about my dad.
Harry and I then spent the next week with our heads down, especially when we were seen together. George had been telling everyone off who tried to approach me whenever I was with my friends, which I was extremely thankful for, but Fred just sulked. I couldn't even comprehend how the rumour that was ruining my life could upset him so much, but I also didn't really want to ask; I had enough to deal with.
By the end of the week I was exhausted from trying to keep a low profile and trying to avoid explaining myself. Although Harry and I were obviously not dating, our tight family connection and our self-proclaimed sibling status still seemed too private and intimate to share, especially when it was still so new to us.
So, this meant that when I entered Potions class with my friends, I tried to stay in the middle of my friends before taking our usual seats on the unofficial Gryffindor side. Soon after, Professor Snape made his austere entrance and immediately started firing off his usual pointed questions.
"What is the purpose for brewing Tempus Gloria Miss O'Hara?" was the first question he posed as I looked up unsurprisingly at Snape who had his usual sneer.
"I'm not sure professor, it wasn't in this week's readings," I answered as I tried to rack my brain for a detail I may have missed.
"You foolish girl, you read about it in the first year's lessons," he retorted with contempt.
I then started to think back to our lessons two years ago before the professor continued with his snide remarks.
"Not surprising, Potter didn't have the answer either this morning while he was actually supposed to have read the chapter," he said pointedly while I felt my ears turn red. "Obviously not drawn by magical ability, just as sure as your mother wasn't" Snape continued before I looked up in horror.
"Harry is my brother!" I shouted, knocking back my chair in anger. "Not that I should have to explain that to you or anyone else," I continued staring down the professor. "And how dare you bring up my mother or my family when we are just supposed to be talking about potion brewing."
By this point I was completely outraged. I shoved my things into my rucksack and stormed out of the classroom. I couldn't be bothered with how many house points I had surely lost or the smirking Slytherins from the other side of the room, including Flint. My relationships with both Harry and my mother were two of the most intimate and complicated things in my life, neither of which should be broadcasted around the school, especially by a professor. But what could I expect from the man who made an attempt on Harry's life only a week ago?
I stormed my way to the library where I pulled down the textbook for first year Potions. I was even further annoyed when I couldn't locate Tempus Gloria anywhere; what a lying git.
About twenty minutes later, while I still poured over the Potions texts for the answer, I was approached by Harry, Hermione and Ron.
"Erm Marnie," I heard Hermione say timidly. "Is everything okay?"
"Snape is a slimy git," was all I answered.
This seemed to be an acceptable answer for the three first years as they then proceeded to sit down.
"Can I see that?" I asked, pointing to Hermione's Potions text she had just taken out.
"Erm, sure," she said as she passed it over.
I began flipping through it feverously and finally arrived at the page labelled Tempus Gloria
"It's for brewing glory!" I exclaimed, having finally found the answer.
"Ugh, it's because this is a new addition," I added while looking at the cover.
"You were learning about this potion too?" Hermione asked while I just scoffed.
"Snape got after Harry for not knowing the answer too," Ron explained.
"Oh, don't I know it," I exclaimed while the other three looked around at each other nervously since I had been noticeably angry ever since they sat down. "Snape told me all about how my idiot boyfriend Harry Potter hadn't known the answer either and how I should know a first year Potion; but this is a new addition!" I yelled while Hermione looked around nervously. "Slimy git probably knew that too and just wanted to make me look like a fool while he insulted my mother," I went on hearing Harry gasped.
"He did what?" Harry asked clenching his fists.
"He went on about how my mother wasn't attracted to magical ability, obviously a slight on my father since the whole school now knows about that too," I went on. "That was the last straw. I yelled at Snape after that about how he was insulting my family and I shouldn't have to defend myself, before I stormed out," I finished noticing Ron and Harry looking loathsome.
"You stormed out of class?" Hermione asked a bit disapprovingly.
"For Merlin's sake Hermione, he was insulting her mum," Ron said while Harry nodded vigorously.
"We should do something," Harry finally said.
"Harry, he's already trying to kill you, we have bigger issues to worry about," I said, placing my hand over his before he finally nodded. "Plus, I'm sure the twins already have that handled."
Before I could say anything else the librarian, Madam Pince, came over with a disdained look.
"Miss O'Hara, kindly remove yourself from my library since it appears you have no control over your own volume," she ordered.
I was now too exhausted to argue so I collected my things.
"I'll see you guys later," I remarked before I made my way up to the common room.
When I got there, I sat down by the fire and waited for my friends to return from class.
"Don't worry Marnie,' George said when he entered the common room and made his way to sit down beside me.
"We definitely got Snape back," Fred continued with a smile.
"Opened all the jars with horseflies in the supply cupboard," George went on with a devilish grin.
"He'll find himself a nice surprise when he opens the stores tomorrow," Fred finished proudly.
"Hey Hare," Fred said gently. "Why don't we just go down to the kitchens for dinner."
I stood up and Fred followed me out without hearing my answer.
"Isn't George tagging along?" I asked but Fred shook his head.
"Thought maybe it could just be the two of us this time?" Fred asked.
We made our way down to the cellar and were greeted by the usual energetic Posy.
"Our usual table there Posy," Fred said causing the house elf to giggle.
We sat down just as Posy ran off to bring us some food.
"It wasn't right Hare, what that slimy git said to you, in front of the whole class no less," Fred said gently.
"It's just because he hated James when they were at school and now it's anyone who associates with Harry," I said with no further ability to muster anymore anger.
"That doesn't make it right or appropriate," Fred said but I just shrugged.
"I'm a little more preoccupied that he seems intent on attacking Harry," I said while Fred lowered his gaze.
"Are you sure it was Snape?" he asked for not the first time.
"I've told you Fred, we saw him casting a curse, he wasn't blinking," I replied.
Posy then brought along some food which interrupted Fred's line of inquiry. I didn't really eat much but I did take the cookie Posy offered when she noticed my untouched plate.
"Fancy going up to the Astronomy Tower?" Fred asked on our way back.
I figured I didn't have anything to do but didn't have much energy to be sociable like we usually were in the tower.
"We'll be away from everyone," he added which led me to agree.
Fred took out the map and directed us through the hallways. The sun was setting over the horizon as we stared out, remaining silent. At some point Fred put his hand over mine as we continued to stare out in an easy silence. I knew I wasn't giving Fred much to go on, but I just felt exhausted from the day's events and didn't really want to explain myself. I hadn't noticed but eventually I nodded off as I leaned on Fred's shoulder. I felt him move from under my head as I opened my eyes sometime later to gaze out at the night sky.
"How long was I out?" I asked as I sat up properly.
"About an hour," Fred answered.
"Why didn't you wake me?" I asked incredulously.
"You needed the rest," he answered matter-of-factly.
I just stared at Fred, somewhat surprised by such a selfless act.
"Hare, I know I've been brooding all week while the whole school harassed you. Plus, it ended with a teacher trying to humiliate you in front of the entire class; it's too much for one person to handle, especially the person who means the entire world to me- besides George," he added which made me smile.
I then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"Come on Freddie," I said as I stood up and offered my hand to him.
Once he stood up, I kept my hand in his while we made our way back to the common room. We stayed in an easy silence, but I knew Fred knew I felt the same way about him and had accepted his form of an apology. The twins didn't always articulate their emotions effectively, but their gestures were always well-intentioned, and I appreciated Fred's admittance to his odd behavior. I still didn't want to know the reasoning, plus I'm not even sure Fred knew. He had probably just acted out of instinct instead of actually figuring out why he felt the way he had. Regardless, I walked hand-in-hand with one of my best friends to the common room. But right before we gave the fat lady the password, I stood on my tip toes and whispered in Fred's ear. He nodded at my proposal and headed in while I ran up to my dormitory. Seconds later I came down with my pajamas in hand while the twins bid our friends goodnight. The three of us then made our way up to the boy's third year dorm to make our bed-fort where I could sleep in the middle.
As we walked away, I was unaware of the concerned stare coming from my brother.
"Where is my sister going with your brothers?" Harry asked pointedly while Ron and Hermione turned to look at the retreating trio.
"Oh Harry, they're just friends, you need to relax," Hermione said shaking her head before returning to her book.
"Yea, don't sweat it mate, Marnie is just really close with Fred and George. Plus, she's had a rough day," Ron said a little less confidently than Hermione.
Harry just stared after them. He kept his gaze at the empty staircase for a few more moments before sighing and returning his attention to his Charms essay. Having a sibling was a full-time commitment; he couldn't have anyone taking advantage of his sister now.