Chapter 8:

Olivia didn't sleep much after she was awakened by Severus. Instead she merely stared at the ceiling and only managed to get about an hour of sleep before having to again, wake up for the start of the new day. It was hard for her not want to confront Snape about what in the hell he was doing so late that night. She watched him slink out of the common room floating through people as if a ghost would pass through the living. He was so strange but had an awful alluring mysterious side that made Olivia wonder why no one knew him. She picked up her bag and waited for her sister (who was up late even if she went to bed early) so that they could head to their classes together. Sam had left earlier to get some tutoring for a test she had that day and Olivia, though already awake, didn't feel like waiting for her to get done with ancient ruin babble.

"Ready?" Alyson asked, coming up behind her sister's shoulder.

Olivia jumped. "Uh, heh…Yeah."

There was silence between the sisters as they made their way towards Olivia's class first. Alyson fingered her hair as she glanced at her sister once in while. Olivia tried not to acknowledge the weird behavior her younger sister was displaying. There was a fleeting look shared between the two before Olivia rolled her eyes and said:

"What do you want to tell me?"

The younger sister smiled, pulling out a piece of paper from her bag and handed it over to her sister.

"What is this?" Olivia asked handing back the paper. "I don't do dances."

On a brightly colored orange and black decorated paper was a flier for the first dance of the year which would be in honor of Halloween. Alyson folded the paper in her hands and pouted.

"Why not?" She cried.

The older sister shook her head. "No. Because I said so."

"Fine, be lame! But you're gonna miss out. And besides it's a masquerade! No one will know it's you!"

Olivia had never liked dances. First it was because she was no good at dancing, and second because there would be people who would be attending that she wasn't too fond of. Although a masquerade could be fun. No! I'm not going if that couple from hell is there. Olivia thought quickly regretting even thinking of considering going.

"Oh look potions. Thank goodness that was a short walk!" Olivia patted her sister on the head and slid in between two Ravenclaw boys before Alyson could say anything else. I can already tell she's not going to let me forget about that stupid...oof! Olivia had hit a body while she was spacing out. As she looked up she met the cold eyes of Severus Snape. She was sure that he wasn't in her class and yet here he was, standing there brushing off his robes, walking away from her and to the professor. Huh? Olivia thought watching him as she took her seat.

"Why's Severus in our class?" Olivia questioned her potions partner, Gryffindor Brielle Wilkes.

Brielle looked up from her parchment. "Oh. Right, I believe he just got transferred. He was in a lower potions class. I guess he must have just been in the wrong level of potions."

Olivia shook her head and pulled out her books setting them on the table. Her eyes followed the shoes of the quiet Snape, following them to the seat next to her. He held his bag out ready to drop it on the floor, but was hesitant.

He cleared his throat. "Can I sit here?"

"Yea, sure." Brielle answered for Olivia, who at the moment was confused by his very presence.

Olivia looked down at her books and fumbled with her quill trying to get it wet with the right amount of ink. There was an awkward silence that filled the small space between the girl and boy slytherin. Severus wrote down calmly the instructions on the board, every once and while glancing at Olivia with his peripherals. She was resting her chin in the palm of her hand, lazily scribbling down the notes.

"Not very interested in potions are you?"

Olivia blinked and looked around her. "Who? Me?"

Severus rolled his eyes.

"It's not like I hate it. I'm just not good at it." She scoffed.

"I see. So being bad qualifies you to be in this higher level potions class then?" He asked.

Olivia cocked her head to see him. "Excuse me? I just don't get this chapter ok? Mixing solids and liquids is hard for me." The angle made him look dark and scary. Cold.

"Sorry." It seemed like he had smirked but Olivia wasn't quiet sure if he was even capable of that. He always seemed so stoic to her.

Potions was pretty much the same as it always was for Olivia (with just a hint of Severus' snarky comments). As she made her way to Charms the idea of dancing popped into her head, especially since she was going to see the person she liked the least. I don't hate anyone…but man does that dog come close. Sirius stood outside the classroom, leaning up against the door, running a hand through his hair attempting to be cool. Olivia averted her eyes from the pretentious fool and began to wonder where her new seat would be.

The doors opened and the students filed into the classroom. Olivia and Sirius both reported first to Professors Flitwick's desk. Sirius coughed trying to get Olivia's attention while to no avail. She kept a straight face and looked only in front of her.

"Ah, Miss Pruitt and Mr. Black." The tiny professor fumbled through some papers and then looked back to the two, "Miss Pruitt will be switching seats with Miss Cawthorne across the room. I presume that is alright with the both of you."

The two students nodded in unison. Olivia glanced at her seat and at that moment realized her seat was going to be no better than the last. James Potter waved down to Olivia who was trying her hardest not to scream bloody murder at the top of her lungs. She took in a deep breath as she made her way up to her new seat from hell. James had a grin that stretched from ear to ear. He was anticipating his new partner with open arms. Sirius on the other hand was a bit wary of the situation. Although James was his best friend he was unsure about what kind of conversations the two would have concerning him. He'd jut have to wait and see.

"Well, Potter. Looks like we're partners." Olivia commented without looking at him directly.

"Ah, yes," Was all he replied with. "So Olivia, is it?"

Olivia nodded. "Yea?"

"Well, I was wondering if you had a date to the mas—"

She cut him off. "Not going."

James blinked, lifting his head of the desk. "Well aren't we all excited?" He chuckled. "It was just a simple question. I heard someone wanted to ask you."

"Like I care."

He smirked. "Oh I believe deep down you are very interested in that sort of information."

The newly irritated Slytherin girl furrowed her brows, concentrating on the pages in the book in front of her. "Fine I'll bite."

James took a moment to gather his thoughts. He reached out to Olivia and gently shifted her face by her chin so that she was somewhat looking in the general direction of Sirius Black. Olivia took a moment to receive the indirect information.

"Nice try. I know he has a girlfriend. And besides what in your right mind makes you think that I would be happy about that? Has it slipped your mind that I am completely…-"

"Smitten?" James finished, removing his hand from her face.

She clenched her fists. "No. Not in the very least. Piss off."

"Oooh, touchy."

The sounding bell that let the students free to go for the rest of the day couldn't have come any sooner for Olivia then for any other student. She rushed out of her last class, speeding through the hallways towards the Quidditch field for practice. It was all she needed to get her mind off the day that had gone from bad to worse. If she could just get their sooner it would make her so much happier than she currently was. First years moved in awkward motions so that the racing sixth year could reach the doors quicker than the speed of light.

"Liv!" A familiar voice called from behind.

She spun around to come face to face with Samantha. "Hey, hurry up! We'll be late for practice."

Sam slowly made her way over to her friend. "Uh, sorry love but practice is canceled for today. Leon got sick. That's what I came to tell ya."

Olivia's face fell. "What?!"

"Yup, came down with some type 'o flu." Same twirled a blonde curl with her index finger.

"Well. What can I do?" Olivia sighed and limped away with a broken soul.

"Liv. Are you go-"

"NO!"

Sam cocked a brow. "I was just going ask if you were gonna go to dinner right away."

Olivia rubbed her temples. "Sorry. No. You go on without me. I'm bushed."

"Are you sure? I don't believe you."

"Yea. I got loads of homework. Really I'm fine!" Olivia flashed her best fake smile.

The blonde though still not convinced accepted the explanation and headed towards the Great Hall. Olivia began in the opposite directions toward the common room. As she made her way her thoughts raced about why all of the things that occurred went off so badly. As she walked she heard faint voices coming from in front of her through the hallway that crossed over the one she was walking into. She stopped short and waited for the small crowd to pass. The voices grew louder. The girl's voice was the only one recognizable to Olivia's ear.

"Lily?" She whispered.

"Look you really need to stop messing with her head." Lily scolded.

There was a rough scoff. "Oh please. I've done nothing of the sort. It was poor prongs here that put the idea in her head."

Olivia wanted so badly to jump into the conversation and just beat the living crap out of Sirius. She pressed herself up against the cold stone wall so as to not be seen.

"Really. It was all in good fun. To think you two actually being serious and civilized. Especially her?" He laughed.

Sirius and the rest of the marauders all laughed as well, minus Lily.

Olivia had heard enough. She pushed herself off the wall and began walking furiously passed the retreating Gryffindors. Her pulse was racing fed by anger and hurt. How could Lily just not defend me? I thought we were supposed to be friends.

"How could they? Where do they draw the line?" She whispered to herself.

As the fuming Slytherin walked into the common room she found her sister sitting comfortably on one of the black leather couches, reading. That's something you don't see everyday. Olivia plopped down next to her, going out of her way to disturb her.

Alyson smirked and put the book down. "What's up sis?"

Olivia sighed. "As if you don't know."

"I can't read minds. So yea I don't know." She sat Indian style taking a piece of her sister's shiny black hair between her fingers.

"I just had a really bad day. That's all." The older sister lowered her head in defeat.

"I really think you should go to the dance. It'll be fun. I promise."


As the days went on Olivia awoke to the same routine: Classes, Quidditch, homework, sleep. Nothing really broke the monotonous routine other than her sister's persistent attempts to interest her with the allure of the Halloween ball. Which always ended the same; Olivia objecting to the idea and once again trying to push the thought out of her head for the rest of the day. Potions was surprisingly normal. Severus was a good partner and Olivia actually found that she was learning something in the class. However, Charms just felt hopeless. Putting up with James Potter was almost as bad as sitting next Sirius. He was persistent in talking never giving Olivia a moment to form a thought. It was usual pointless mumbo jumbo about nothing in particular. She would just have to develop the art of ignoring his bothersome voice and concentrate on ways she could hex his mouth shut. As the days began to melt into weeks the Ball was approaching at a rapid pace. Girls and guys were getting excited just by looking at the bright huge fliers that aligned the alls at every turn.

"The trip to Hogsmeade is going to be fun. I wish the time would speed up though!" Alyson chirped one day while the two sisters were lounging on the grass next to the Lake.

"Awesome." Olivia replied bitterly.

Sam shook blades of grass out of her hair as she sat up from the grass. "Oh come on! Surely you can't be upset about a trip to Hogsmeade."

Olivia sighed. "I'm not. I'm just tired." She looked to Lily who was fumbling with something in her bag. "What are you doing, Lils?"

"I'm looking for my galleons." Lily said still searching through her bag.

"Oh." Olivia was still a bit P.O-ed about was she heard the other day but decided it best to let it go. Maybe Lily did try to defend her after Olivia left.

A whistle blew somewhere behind the girls. The teacher-chaperones were starting to arrive towards the train and the students.

"Thank Gawd.' Olivia sighed as she sat up excitedly.

The four girls quickly gathered up their belongings and rushed toward the increasing crowd of people near the teachers as they tried to make their way toward the train doors. By the time the girls had reached one of the entrances to the train, Lily had slipped way from the remaining three slytherin girls.

"She muttered something about having to keep her fellow Gryffindors' in line." Alyson remembered just before Olivia or Sam could question about her whereabouts. They both accepted that idea seeing as Lily was a Gryffindor prefect.

Inside the train was complete mayhem. Since only the upperclassmen were on this trip to Hogsmeade they had all seemed to let their hair loose, running wild through the train halls. The three friends pushed their way past excited students carrying on their rowdy antics before the teachers actually boarded the train and could conduct some order. It was pure luck that the girls found an empty compartment near the caboose of the train. Even if they did have to share it with someone else, the trip to the small wizarding town was fairly short. However no matter how short, Alyson had managed to fall asleep just as soon as they left Hogwarts.

Olivia was thankful for her own reasons for the ride being so short. She had managed to have a normal ride without having the urge to rip out someone's heart. Of course it wouldn't just be anyone's heart….no; it had to be from someone whose face she couldn't stand to look at for more than five seconds, which only included two people. There was also no mention of that stupid Masquerade, even though the whole idea of coming to Hogsmeade was based around the dance. And if it wasn't for her sister, Olivia wouldn't be getting standing outside of the not-so-small dress shop with Alyson, Sam.

"This is Ridiculous." Olivia crossed her arms, making it hard for a petite witch to measure her bust. "I can't believe I'm even here."

No matter how many times Olivia had protested to her friends about not attending the Masquerade, they wouldn't hear anymore. Somehow they had all managed to convince her that she should go, even if only for a little bit. That and Alyson had promised to pay half for the dress.

"It's for your own good, really." Sam chuckled.

"Yea! Trust us!" Alyson remarked, grinning widely.

Olivia rolled her eyes and finally began to cooperate with the petite seamstress. She put her arms up. "Fine. But I want ice cream after this." She shot a glare at Alyson. "And you're buying!"

Alyson smirked. "Of course."

Meanwhile, as the girls were getting fitted for dresses, the boys of Hogwarts seemed to have it fairly easy. Their dress robes were all gotten in advance before school even started. Most of them weren't as prepared but for the marauders a trip to Hogsmeade was just the vacation they were looking for. The four boys wandered the streets after a nice drink at the Three Broomsticks, taking in the pleasant cool autumn air. They strutted down the street with alarming confidence; for the marauders knew Hogsmeade like the back of their hands.

"Feels so good to be back in Hogsmeade." Sirius chuckled.

"Oye, it's been ages mate!" James winked, slapping Remus on the back.

Remus brushed loose hairs from his eyes. "Come on guys, let's not take this kind of visit for granted."

Sirius ruffled up the loose hairs Remus had just fixed. "Yes, you are oh so right, Moony." He paused. "Besides, look at all these pretty witches."

All four boys took a second or so to admire a group of seventh year girls walking by towards the dress shop that the boys were standing in front of. They giggled and clumsily entered the store. The marauders had now shifted their attention to the window that housed way too many girls in one vicinity, all looking for the same thing: A dress.

"Maybe we shouldn't be watching them from the windows like this." Peter whined, wringing his hands together nervously.

Before either James or Remus could put their two cents in, a very familiar girl with wavy black hair had emerged from one of the dressing rooms. She covered her face in embarrassment as she made her way towards her friends.

"Hold on a tick. Who's that?" Sirius wondered out loud.

The girl was still covering her face as she finally reached her friends. She was wearing a fitted, knee length, red velvet dress. Her legs were a bit shaky as she stood a little more then awkwardly in her high heels. James and Remus came up close to the window, eyeing the girl.

"Hey, that's…that Slytherin girl. The one from charms." James concluded.

Remus nodded. "Her name's…-"
"Olivia." Sirius finished.

James, Remus, and Peter all turned to look at Sirius, a confused expression all plainly written on their faces. It took Sirius a while to figure out that his three friends were all staring at him. He shook his head and held up his hands, shrugging.

"What? She's hot! I know their names." He looked over his shoulder. "Especially, when they have bodies like that." He threw a grin to his friends. Oye. He thought.

"Right. And here I was hoping to see a side of you I thought I never would." Remus remarked sourly.

"Dang!" Peter laughed. "Would've been a real treat to see."

Sirius smacked Peter across the back of the head. He then lunged for Remus but was too slow and nearly missed him.

"Come on guys we need to find some new tricks at Zonko's." James reminded the now arguing trio.

Before the three could answer, the large woman who owned the dress shop took a broom to the window and knocked on it. "YOU BOYS GET AWAY FROM HERE!!!" She yelled waving the broom menacingly in her hand.

The marauders took off towards the direction of Zonko's at warped speed. The girls' closest to the window turned to look at the fleeing boys, laughing at their expense. Olivia quickly turned as well to watch the scene and wondered what kind of perverts would actually peep on girls' in a dress shop. She giggled and went back into the dressing room to change out of her dress.

"I love strawberry!"

"Are you kidding? That's so plain! Try pumpkin at least!"

Olivia was debating whether to stay conventional or to branch out into the wild world of wizarding flavors. Sam urged her to try something she wouldn't ever have tried back home. Alyson waited patiently outside sipping her sherbet shake. She had given Olivia the money, knowing very well how long her sister would take to choose something. Anything. Olivia sighed and decided to try the peppermint, chocolate twist. The frustrated grin turned to a wide smile on the server as he gladly took Olivia's money and quickly retrieved her ice cream. Sam hurriedly ordered after and the two went outside to meet Alyson. Lily had found her way to them and was chatting up Alyson about something to do with butterbeer.

"Hiya Lily!" Sam called as her and Olivia took seats.

Lily smiled. "Get your dresses?" She asked.

Olivia looked away and halfheartedly listened to the conversation around her. She wasn't directly being asked anything, so she thought it best to wander in her thoughts. Her biggest concern was being apart of a dance she had no desire to attend. Her mask was already taken care of but really what was the point of going? She didn't dance and even is she wanted too dancing by her self didn't exactly sound like a blast. The other thing that bothered her was the conversation she heard in the Hallway. It bothered her to know people were making fun her behind her back, and the fact that Lily didn't try to stand up for her. It was hard to push it out of her mind. Olivia took a spoonful of ice cream, stuck it in her mouth, and quietly sulked.