A/N: Before y'all start yelling at me for how long this took (not that any of you have so far, and for that I'd like to thank you profusely), I am very, very aware of the fact that it's been over a month.

This chapter is choppy. Most of it is intentional, some is not, but I had to get it out. I've been trying to work on the following chapter, but I found I could not do it until I posted this. And so, because it is finals season, I might just be able to post again in early 2017.

But I'm getting ahead of myself! This chapter is over four thousand words! That's super exciting! Fantastic Beasts is also exciting. As is Rainbow Rowell and Miraculous Ladybug. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you're missing out.

Thanks for bearing with me - I hope you enjoy! x

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Especially not the awesomeness that is Celestina Warbeck.


Chapter Seven

Or

You Stole My Cauldron


(Immature Slytherins)

It was the first day of the month, and Lily Evans hadn't made it to class.

She was supposed to be in Potions.

Instead, she was in the Hospital Wing, visiting Cassie Higgs, a fellow Gryffindor girl, who had shown up shaken and bruised to the infirmary the previous day.

Lily wasn't worried about skipping class; Slughorn was halfway in love with her already, and a quick explanation of what had happened was sure to keep her in his good graces. And, after all, Professor McGonagall would back her up.

She had run to the Hospital Wing as soon as she had heard about what happened, leaving her breakfast half eaten.

Lily tried talking to Cassie about what had happened, but her efforts were proven fruitless, as Cassie could not recall anything from the incident. Lily, however, had her suspicions. She really should have known.

She didn't have any other classes that day and, even though there were still around thirty minutes left of Potions, Lily couldn't stomach the idea of going back to a room full of her friends, Slytherins, and him, so she decided to simply stay in the infirmary for a while. Then she'd head to the library to tackle some of her homework. Professor Flitwick had assigned the class a huge essay and, due to the Quidditch match and the Halloween festivities, Lily hadn't gotten the chance to work on it during the weekend.


It was just after supper.

The Marauders were lounging around in the common room, sitting by the fireplace. Sirius and Peter were playing wizard chess, their third game of the evening.

"How come you've beat me again?" Sirius groaned.

James rolled his eyes. Not only was Peter exceptionally good at chess, Sirius was exceptionally bad at it. Everyone knew it; Sirius knew it, Peter knew it, Professor Slughorn knew it, Madam Pomfrey knew it… It was a well-known fact that Sirius Black was absolutely rubbish when it came to chess.

Looking around the common room, James spotted Susan sitting on one of the armchairs, slumped over a book. Her brow was furrowed and she was biting the end of her quill, clearly feeling perturbed by what she was reading, and so he decided to go over and talk to her for a bit.

He thought to warn his friends about it, should they look at his spot and find him gone, but he quickly scrapped the idea. They were clearly too engrossed in their own discussion on wizarding chess rules. Much to Sirius' chagrin, Peter seemed to be winning the argument.

"Hey," James greeted Susan with a smirk. "Transfiguration giving you trouble?"

"Oh, hi, James. It's McGonagall's essay. I procrastinated so much that it's due tomorrow and I still haven't gotten around to doing it yet. And to think we had a full week to work on it, as well!

"I can help you with that."

"Yeah?"

"Of course! You're talking to a Transfiguration prodigy here," he added, coaxing a laugh out of Susan.

All right, so maybe she wasn't the love of his life. Maybe he didn't want to write sonnets about her beauty, maybe his heart didn't feel like bursting out of his chest, but she was funny and she liked him, and wasn't that enough? Wasn't he allowed a little bit of fun?


Later that night, long after curfew, the students had ditched the common room in favour of their dormitories. Huddled together in one of the beds, the four Marauders could be found poring over the map, working on some final adjustments.

"Have any of you seen Evans today?" James asked. Lily hadn't showed up to Potions, and none of her friends had heard from her the whole day. He'd checked. Twice, to be precise.

"I don't think your girlfriend would appreciate that thought, mate," Sirius snickered, which caused James to roll his eyes.

"Susan is not my girlfriend."

"Yet," teased Sirius.


In retrospect, Lily shouldn't have even left Gryffindor Tower. She should not have climbed down the stairs to the dungeons, and she certainly she shouldn't have hidden behind Hooky the House-Elf's statue, waiting for him to leave the Slytherin common room on his nightly patrol. In retrospect, Lily shouldn't have gone after Severus Snape, but she was annoyed, she was tired, and she'd had enough.

"Snape."

"Evans," he replied with practiced ease, as though he was expecting her to be there.

"What did you do to Cassie Higgs?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Lily sighed. "Of course you don't."


"Oh, shut up-"

"Crap." Remus gulped.

"What?"

"It's Evans."

"What about her?" Peter piped in.

"She's alone with Snape in the dungeons."

At once, James scrambled out of the bed. "What are we waiting for, then?" he said, grabbing his wand.


Snape was silent, until after a moment, he quipped, "So now you care about my whereabouts?"

Lily threw her hands in the air, before crossing them in front of her chest, anxiously tapping her foot against the floor.

"I can't handle this. You're such a child."

"And Potter is better, huh?"

Lily made a face. "Why do you keep bringing Potter into everything? Be straight with me for a second… Are you in love, Severus?"

"You never used to be like this, Lily," replied Snape, ignoring Lily's question.

"Be what? A Mudblood? That much hasn't changed."

"You never used to be so… arrogant. You're just like one of them now, strutting about Hogwarts thinking you own the place, convinced that you're so much better than everyone else…"

"Shut up, Sev. For the love of God, shut up."

"You've never been fond of hearing the truth, have you, Lily?"

"Honestly," said James, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, followed by the rest of the gang, "I know it's hard for you, but try not to play dumb for a second, mate."

"Potter," Severus replied, the disgust evident on his twisted expression, "is it physically possible for you to stay quiet? Or are you afraid your gigantic ego won't survive-"

"Or what?" Lily interrupted, "Are you going to do to us the same you and your aspiring Death Eater friends did to Cassie?"

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Snape hissed.

"Care to fill us in?" Remus asked, smirking as though they weren't in the middle of a feud, one that would undoubtedly get much, much worse as the years went on.

"Not particularly," Snape taunted. Feigning heartbreak, Sirius clutched at his heart for a second.

"That's too bad," Peter responded. Snape's wand slipped inconspicuously from his sleeve, into his open hand.

"I will say this, though…" he stated with a sneer, Lily's presence all but forgotten, "…personally, I can't wait to get to know Regulus better."

"You stay the fuck away from Regulus," Sirius snapped, raising his wand, moulding his body into a fighting stance. The remaining three Marauders mimicked his actions, attempting to shield Lily from the argument, if only as a precaution.

"And deprive myself of your lovely temper tantrums?" Snape replied with a sneer. "Why ever would I do that?"

"Sirius," Lily began, cautiously bringing Sirius' raised arm down, "he's not worth it."

Sirius chose not to reply, focusing instead on the greasy-haired target in front of him.

James coughed, wrapping one of his arms around Sirius' shoulders, carefully manoeuvring him away from the impending fight. "Evans is right. Come on."

"How typical, running away," said Snape. "And you call yourselves Gryffindors."

"Oh, shut up, Severus," Lily snapped at him and, for a single second, Snape looked flabbergasted. Then, noticing the sound of approaching footsteps, Severus carefully rearranged his features back to his usual disinterested expression.

"What is going on here?" asked Professor Slughorn, who, upon hearing commotion happening just outside his office, had decided to come out and check for himself.

"Nothing at all, Professor," replied Lily, putting on her best innocent voice. "We were just leaving."

Before leaving, Lily spared a look at her former best friend, sad to see that the little boy who had first told her about witches and wizards was long gone.

That evening, Dumbledore had stood up and given one of his usual speeches, about how some wizard from the Ministry would come to the castle next week to speak about the dangers and consequences of using dark spells, and about how, in times of adversity such as the ones we were currently facing, it was our duty to join forces instead of tearing each other down.

Yeah, right. That was likely to happen.


(Mouthy Ravenclaws)

It started, she would later conclude, with Mary.

As soon as she stepped foot inside the Charms classroom that particular Tuesday, and Professor Flitwick had announced he would be assigning partners, Lily grew anxious. By the time he had paired Marlene off with Valerie, she was certain something would blow up.

And blow up it did.

You see, Ravenclaw Valerie Elwood and Gryffindor Marlene McKinnon had never really gotten along. Valerie was known for her gossip-prone personality and, if there was anything that Marlene positively abhorred, it was egotistical and nosy know-it-all's.

If one were to ask Lily Evans what exactly had happened, she wouldn't have been able to tell you. In fact, she was still trying to figure things out herself.

When the first half hour of the class had passed by without a hitch, Lily had started to relax, which she would later write off as a rookie mistake.

The clock marked fifteen minutes until the end, and Lily was at ease. Everything had been completely fine. Until it wasn't.

From what little information Lily could understand, these were the few conclusions she was able to come up with:

One: To underestimate the volume and pitch a female's voice could reach was a mistake. Especially if that female was a tiny, dark haired Ravenclaw.

Two: It was a good thing, really, that Mary had chosen that particular moment to go to the loo.

Three: Marlene McKinnon had a mean right hook. But that, of course, you knew already.


"McKinnon, I'm not doing anything wrong," complained Valerie, tapping her foot on the floor, pulling at her strawberry blond curls.

"Well, obviously you are, or the spell would have worked properly!" Marlene clutched at her face in despair.

"Oh, I'm so sorry that I turned your nose into a duck's beak. Personally, I think you look much better like that."

"Miss McKinnon! Miss Elwood!" Professor Flitwick protested in his usual squeaky voice.

"Oh, thank you for your input, Valerie. I've always wondered what it must feel like to have a stick shoved so far up your arse."

"Language, please!"

"Well, at least it's not my best friend who's the one putting up with a lying, cheating, boyfriend!"

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"You can't actually believe MacDonald likes to be treated that way. I mean, the sex must be mind-blowing-"

Thump!

That was when Marlene's closed fist collided with Valerie's nose.

"That is enough! This is unacceptable behaviour! This is a classroom, not a circus! Detention, the both of you!"

"Worth it."

"Quiet, Miss McKinnon!"


After a quick conversation with Professor Flitwick, Lily swiftly left the classroom in order to go after Marlene. She wasn't hard to locate. In fact, Lily found Marlene not too far away, leaning against the wall by the girl's lavatory.

Lily fixed Valerie's mistake with ease, but brushed off her friend's brisk thank you with a "Marlene! What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't about to let her talk about Mary like that!"

Lily took a deep breath.

"Look, you know I'm all about that 'Do no harm, take no shit' life, but do you honestly think that Charms class is the proper place for such an argument?"

"Well, I'm sorry not all of us can be as sensible as you, Lily. Perfect Lily Evans, with her perfect fucking attitude-"

"Don't you dare, Marlene McKinnon! I know you're frustrated - God, I'm angry too! But taking it out on me isn't going to solve anything!"

"The thing is, Lily, Valerie had a point! How can Mary stay with someone like that? Especially after that stunt he pulled last week? He's always tearing her down! It's always 'That was really smart, for a Gryffindor' this, and 'Can't you take a joke' that, and I'm fed up of it!"

"I know! We've had this conversation before!"

"Exactly! And it's been nearly two months, and everything is exactly the same!"

"And somehow that's my fault?"

"Well, you aren't helping!"

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Stop being so passive! It was the same thing with Snape!"

Lily looked as though she had been slapped, her eyes in slits. She took a deep breath and, in a much colder tone, she replied, "I have no idea what's gotten into you these past few days, but check yourself, Marlene. Honestly."

Perhaps it was fate, or maybe it was something else entirely, but for some reason neither of them could discern right then, Mary MacDonald chose that particular moment to come out of the toilet – both Lily and Marlene had forgotten about their friend's whereabouts – utterly confused, asking what was going on.

Instead of replying – for Lily was far too exhausted, and frankly, quite hurt, to say anything – Lily simply threw her hands in the air and left the scene.

She stomped all the way to the Great Hall and, by the time Transfiguration rolled around, Lily hid so far in the back of the classroom that her classmates wondered if she had even shown up at all.

That night, she dreamt of thick, dark clouds in the sky, growing, and growing, and growing.


(Stubborn Gryffindors)

It was the third day of November.

For Professor Fraser, the Astronomy teacher, that meant it was Scorpio season. Mars and Pluto ruled the skies, and those under the influence of a certain zodiac would undoubtedly be more driven by their own desires than usual.

For Madam Pomfrey, it was prime cold season. Most students were dealing with some form of stuffy or runny nose, and the Hospital Wing's stash of Pepperup Potion was at a lower supply than it had been all year. Lily herself had woken up with a scratchy throat and a pounding in her head.

For Professor Hatheway, it was a Wednesday, by far her busiest day of the week.

Most importantly, however, it was Sirius Black's birthday.

It was Sirius' birthday, and so, despite it being the literal middle of the week, the Gryffindor common room had been converted into a party venue. The little kids had been sent to bed, (the fact that it was a school night wasn't lost on everyone, after all), and it was, as James had put it one or two hours prior, a booze fest. Lily herself was sipping a glass of Butterbeer; she didn't feel like showing up to Transfiguration hungover, thank you very much.

Most upperclassmen were drunk off their arses, staggering around the common room, knocking over chairs, and the birthday boy and his friends were no exception.

The wireless was on, and some Celestina Warbeck song was playing.

You think you're quite the wizard, got me under your spell,

But guess what, Mister Wizard, you don't know me so well…

Leaning against the wall, Lily tapped her foot to the beat. Marlene was way beyond sober, and so Mary had taken her up to bed before she was sick. Lily, on the other hand, didn't feel much like going to her dormitory. In fact, ever since her argument with Marlene the day before, Lily had spent the least amount of time possible around her classmates. She got up at the earliest time possible, and only went up into her dormitory when it was time for her to sleep. In DADA, she partnered up with Remus; in Ancient Runes, she sat next to Ada Walsh and, in Potions, she requested to work by herself.

It was, by far, the longest the two girls had gone without speaking (save for the holidays, of course) since the Sorting Ceremony.

You thought you were so clever, but, in truth, you're a crook

And no way you're gettin' away with all the things that you took…

James was on the loveseat, chatting with Susan, his hand in his hair, and her hand touching his bicep. They were leaning towards each other, and James had probably just cracked one of his ridiculously unfunny jokes, for Susan was laughing uncontrollably, gasping for air.

Next to the refreshment table, Remus was discussing literature with Dorcas Meadowes, Gryffindor Chaser and seventh year Prefect. Igor Hastings was passed out on the table and at least two students had already run to the bathrooms upstairs in order to throw up. Oh well, at least it would save them the hangover.

You stole my cauldron,

My favourite black hat,

Purloined my owl,

Then flew off like a vampire bat…

Peter was sat in one of the scarlet armchairs, giggling at the crackling fire, Elizabeth sprawled across Malcom Gudgeon's lap. Sirius had stumbled his way up the stairs a few minutes ago and Edward Macmillan was downing drink after drink after drink in the middle of the room, probably in a half-arsed attempt at forgetting his recent breakup with Wesley Doge. The two of them had been Hogwarts most famous on-and-off couple and, while a permanent breakup seemed inevitable at this point, Lily couldn't help but feel bad for the poor guy.

You claimed that you loved me,

Said we'd never part…

She turned back around to look over at James, only to find that this time around, it was Susan's fingers threading through his hair, and her lips were the ones locked with his own.

Then you stole my cauldron,

(Oh, you stole her cauldron),

But you can't have my heart.


James Potter had lost track of time. In fact, it was close to one in the morning by the time he finally stumbled into the sixth year boys' dormitory. Tripping over himself, he landed on his bed with a thud and-

"D'you reckon Reg was part of it?"

Instantly sobering up, James replied, "Part of what?"

"The thing with Cassie."

"He wasn't, that much I can assure you. He was at the Slug Clug thing." Something flashed in Sirius' eyes. "Promise me you won't go after him, Sirius."

"You know I can't promise you that."

"At least try to lay low for a bit, will you?"

"Sure. But if he touches so much as one hair on my brother's head… I'll kill him."

"Snivellus is all talk. He's not going to do anything, Sirius. He's not."

"And if he does?"

"Then I'll help you kill him."

Sirius nodded. The two boys lay in silent for a moment, until-

"I may or may not have snogged Adams."

"Cheers, mate."


In the late hours of the night, Mary and Marlene were stretched out atop the former's four poster. Lily could hear them, speaking in hushed tones, trying to keep the conversation private. She could hear Marlene's gentle sobs and, even though she wanted nothing more than to go and comfort her friend, she couldn't. Not yet. Besides, her friends thought her asleep.

Lily tried – unsuccessfully, of course – to block out their voices, to focus on the steady thumping of her heart, and yet she couldn't fall asleep.

"She'll come around, Marlene," she heard Mary's comforting words. On Marlene's end, near radio silence, until-

"And if she doesn't?"

"She will."


It was a universally acknowledged fact that news in Hogwarts travelled exceptionally quickly. That of James and Susan's drunken make-out session was no exception. In fact, when Lily ambled down to the Great Hall for a spot of breakfast the next morning, everyone was already buzzing with the new gossip. It seemed as though the Hogwarts population had run out of things to talk about.

She sat at the end of the Gryffindor table, next to a couple of fifth years. Marlene was nowhere to be seen, and neither was the newly formed couple. It was a good thing, really; Susan had never enjoyed being the centre of attentions. She found solace in painting, not in nosy crowds and indiscreet questions.

Soon, however, she notice someone sitting down next to her; it was Mary.

"Lily," she breathed.

"Good morning, Mary," she replied, not even looking at her friend, opting instead to stare down at her toast.

"Your food is not going to kill you, you know." Lily made an non-committal noise. Sighing, Mary added, "How are you?"

"I'm fine. You?"

"Fine." Hearing the defeat on Mary's voice, Lily finally spared a look in her direction. Her ash brown hair had lost some of its usual shine, and so Mary had secured it in a plait. Her eyes – somewhere between grey and hazel in colour, usually alight with happiness – had dark bags underneath them, just like they did most days after fighting with her boyfriend.

Lily and Marlene didn't fight often – as if to prove that particular point, Lily couldn't recall more than two other incidents in their six years of friendship - and when they did, it never lasted long, but every time, it seemed as though Mary's body somehow sensed it; her skin got paler, her complexion pastier. In fact, she and Marlene hadn't even been arguing for a full three days, and already Mary seemed more tired than usual. It made Lily feel even worse.

"Well, good."

"We miss you, Lily. Marlene misses you."

Instantly, Lily felt anger flaring up inside her. She wasn't usually an aggressive person – despite having heard a lot of fiery temper jokes in relation to her hair colour – but a line had been crossed. Not only did Lily feel hurt, she also felt disappointed (something, she decided, Lily never thought she would feel towards Marlene.)

"Yeah? Then maybe she should have thought about my feelings before opening up her mouth."

"She didn't mean to-"

"You don't have to make excuses for her, Mary."

Mary's figure slumped, and she rushed to apologize, "I'm sorry."

"'S not your fault," replied Lily, shrugging, guilt eating at her insides.

"I'm still sorry."

Lily took Mary's hand.

"I know."


Meanwhile, in a different part of the castle, a very different (although no less important) conversation took place.

It had been a murky night, but the fog had cleared up in the morning. It was actually quite sunny outside. After his morning shower, James Potter had gotten dressed, checked the map, and was now headed towards the Owlery. Tapping the paper with his wand, he uttered the words 'Mischief Managed' and the detailed drawings faded until the piece of parchment in his hands was blank.

"Good morning." Susan greeted him with a smile. Her light brown hair was secured in a ponytail, and there was a streak of red starting just behind her earlobe, ending at her jawline. James fought the urge to trace it with his fingers.

"You have something on your neck," he opted to say instead.

"Oh." She touched the mark. "I was up painting last night."

"Right." Lifting one hand to his hair, he added, "I think we need to talk."

Susan sighed. "James, you already know where I stand. It's not like I've been trying to hide my feelings these past months. I like you. But if you don't want it to, our kiss doesn't have to be anything more than that."

He leaned in a little closer. "I do want it to."

"Really?" Susan asked, looking up at James through her lashes. She was smiling, and it was contagious.

"Yeah."

"Good. Does that mean I get to kiss you every time I want to now?"

James simply replied by closing the distance between the two of them.


Arguing with Marlene had been weighing Lily down, and it had finally caught up with her. She was still hurt, of course, but maybe there was some truth to what Marlene had said. Maybe she had been too passive, maybe she had given Snape one chance too many. She was allowed to make mistakes, was she not?

Mary's voice had floated inside her head the whole day because, if she was granted the right to slip up sometimes, wasn't Marlene also allowed to let her tongue run free, to speak before thinking, from time to time?

In reality, Lily wasn't angry anymore, she was just too bloody proud. But she was tired, and she wanted her best friend back.

Lily climbed up the stairs to her dormitory, only to find Lizzy and Susan making their way down. Lily opened up the dark, wooden door, and there Marlene was sitting on her four-poster, clutching a piece of parchment in her hands, staring at her and, while she heard Susan's voice somewhere in the distance, gushing about her newly established relationship with James Potter, Lily smiled.

"Marlene…" she started, before being interrupted by Marlene.

"I'm so sorry, Lily. I don't know what's gotten into me." Marlene paused, before continuing, "Actually, I do. There's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?" asked Lily, settling down on the bed next to her. Marlene seemed nervous; she kept fidgeting with the hem of her blouse.

"I like someone."

"Okay."

"A girl someone."

"Okay."

"And I don't know what it means, and maybe I don't have to figure it out right now, but I like her… and yeah." Lily opened her mouth, but she was cut off before she could interject. "I just don't know what to do because this has never happened to me before… I mean, she's in Slytherin, for Merlin's sake, you know?'

"I was wondering when you were going to speak up about that."

"You don't mind?"

"What, that she's a Slytherin? Do you not remember the fact that I was best friends with Severus Snape for six years?"

Marlene winced. "I'm sorry about that, by the way."

"That's the reason I came up here in the first place. I'm not mad anymore, Mar. We all muck things up sometimes."

Marlene threw her arms around Lily and, after a moment, the two friends left together for the Great Hall. It was, after all, dinnertime.

"Oh, and by the way, Marlene…" Lily smirked, "I definitely saw Lucinda check you out at lunch today."


A/N: I'm sorry. Feel free to yell at me via review though! (And YES for 'canonically' queer Marlene.) x