Title: Glass Hearts
Rating: PG-13/M
Summary (of chapter): Regulus and Marlene chit chat in the library, the Quidditch match, and a truth or dare game!
--
Marlene nearly let out a scream when someone touched her shoulder. She spun around, nearly hitting Regulus in the face. "Oh, my gods!" she exclaimed. "You scared the dung out of me!"
"Sorry," Regulus said, raising his eyebrows. "What are you doing in the library so early in the morning on a Quidditch game day?"
"I could easily ask you the same question," Marlene said with a smirk.
"Oh, right," Regulus said. "But I asked first."
Marlene rolled her eyes. "I'm getting a book for Defence class," she said.
"It's a Saturday," Regulus said flatly.
Marlene turned back to the bookcase behind her. "Well, I want to get good grades," she said. "I have to be an Auror."
Regulus nodded, falling silent. Marlene pulled the book out that she wanted. She turned around and looked at Regulus. "So, why are you scaring Gryffindor girls who are minding their own business?" she asked.
"I just saw you," Regulus said with a shrug.
Marlene raised her eyebrows. Regulus had never talked her outside of Potions. He was usually pulling his snotty Slytherin self. Plus, they had finished their Potions project yesterday. She didn't have a problem with Regulus, but he was a Slytherin, and that usually complicated things. So did all the rumors that he was a Death Eater. "And you just . . . came over to talk to me?" she asked.
Regulus shrugged, looking as though he didn't see a problem with this.
"Your brother's going to kill me," Marlene said, shaking her head. She started walking down the aisle, and Regulus followed her.
"What do you mean?" Regulus asked.
Marlene looked at Regulus. "He just doesn't like that we hang out," she said. "I mean we don't really hang out. I think that picture in Witch Weekly pissed him off."
Regulus looked at her with an incredulous look on his face. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Why?"
Marlene shrugged, trying to sound careless. She wasn't about to get in the middle of the two of them. Blacks were enough trouble on their own. "Beats me," she said.
"Well, I mean, why would he care?" Regulus asked.
"He said he didn't want me going soft on you in the game today," Marlene said, "but we all know that's a load of dung." She approached Madam Pince and laid the book on the counter.
Regulus looked lost for a words for a moment, an angry expression on his face. This was different; he didn't usually express much emotion around her. What was the world coming to?
Madam Pince checked the book out to her and slid it across the counter. "Thanks," Marlene said, putting the book in her bookbag. She headed for the door, Regulus following her.
"Honestly, why do you think he cares?" he asked.
Marlene didn't respond until they got out of the library. She stopped in her tracks, glancing around the empty corridor. "You want the truth?"
"Yeah."
Marlene let out a small sigh. She should just say she didn't know. She waited a moment, looking at her feet. She finally looked him in the eyes. "I think he's trying to protect me," she said.
Regulus stared at her for a moment. He then looked away, putting his hands in his pockets. "But I don't know," Marlene said quickly. "It's not like Sirius and I are that close. I think he was disappointed in you after last Christmas -"
"He told you about that?" Regulus asked.
"No, I heard it from home," Marlene said. Her older brother had told her. He had actually made her promise that she wouldn't hang out with the guys who had been involved. If he saw her now . . . well, he would be just about as happy about it as Sirius was. "I just think that he . . . gave up any hope he had in you."
Regulus's shoulders sagged.
Marlene shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "Look, I don't know, though," she said. What happened to staying out of it?
"I think you're right," Regulus said. "And I think he's an insufferable bastard. What does he know about . . . anything? How can he even . . . he doesn't even know. He has no idea what it's like. I mean, we're two totally different people. God, he pisses me off."
Marlene nodded. "Well, I stuck up for you," she said. "I told him what my dad tells me. There isn't black and white in this world and no one's beyond forgiveness. I said that people aren't good or bad, we just make good or bad choices."
"Well, I don't really need you to stick up for me," Regulus said. "We don't even know each other."
"Yeah, I know," Marlene said. She felt anger rise up in her chest. She went out of her way, risking her friendship with Sirius, and this was how he treated her. "But it's just - it's what I believe. Whether it was you or Rosier or . . . anyone."
Regulus rolled his eyes. "See you later," he said. He turned and walked away.
Marlene shook her head as she walked towards Gryffindor Tower. No way was she getting even more in the middle of their fight. She found out a long time ago getting in between two brothers wasn't a wise idea.
--
Severus walked behind a few other Slytherins as they walked towards the Quidditch pitch. The students had been tense over the past few weeks, and today was the cause of all of the fights, duels, insults. Severus didn't know who all was on the Quidditch team this year, he just knew Black was Keeper and that Avery played. He didn't keep up with Quidditch much.
It was windy outside, Severus's black robes willowing around his legs. They joined the crowds of students and teachers. There were less people than usual due to Dumbledore closing the Quidditch games off from people other than those originally in the castle. Severus missed Hogsmeade trips, not because he ever had much money to spend, but because of the change of scenery. Weeks of the same places and the same people became monotonous. Not that his seventh year wasn't difficult. His teachers gave them much homework to fill their extra time.
Severus glanced around, realizing where his friends were headed. Lily and other Gryffindors weren't far from them. Severus felt his heartbeat quicken. He had heard all of the rumors about Lily kissing Potter yesterday, heard the insults the Slytherins tossed around. He had left after fifteen minutes of dinner and stayed in his room for most of the night.
Please keep walking, he thought. Mulciber sat down behind the Gryffindors, smirking at his friends and motioning to the Gryffindors in front of him. Severus's stomach sunk. He thought about finding someone else to sit by, but couldn't see any other Slytherins he knew. He sat down next to the sixth year William Worme, slumping in his seat.
"Hey, Evans, I heard about you necking with Potter," Mulciber said loudly.
Lily looked over her shoulder, raising her eyebrows at Mulciber. "Congratulations," she said shortly.
"Don't you think that all you'll do is put him in danger?" Mulciber asked. "You-Know-Who hates blood-traitors. Especially ones who go off to shag Mudbloods."
The Slytherins around him laughed stupidly. Severus slumped further in his seat, watching Lily. He saw her annoyed expression from his view of the side of her face. Lupin sat on one side of her. He glared at Mulciber. "Shove off," he said.
"Why don't you make me, Lupin?" Mulciber asked. "Or do you not fight when Potter and Black aren't around?"
"Get a life," Lupin said loudly.
"Very harsh, Lupin."
Lily just shook her head, sighing. The girls on the other side of her shot glares at the Slytherins. Lily seemed to feel Severus's eyes on her. She looked over at him, but looked away quickly, blushing. This confirmed his fears; she had snogged him.
When Slytherin was losing by fifty points, Severus left the pitch. He squeezed past everyone as they stood, either cheering for Gryffindor or booing. He made his way down the stands, keeping his eyes on the ground. Damn James Potter. How did he manage to get everything Severus didn't?
--
When Sirius saw Sophie had caught the Snitch, he threw up his arms, cheering loudly. The crowd erupted into cheers. "Sophie Dillon has caught the Snitch!" Mary yelled. "Gryffindor wins the game two-hundred-thirty to thirty!"
Sirius began to fly towards Sophie, who was towards the middle of the field, but out of nowhere, a Bludger hurled towards him. He realized just in time to move his head out of the way, but the Bludger hit him in the stomach. He was knocked off of his broom, and he swore he was throwing up as he fell through the air towards the ground.
When he woke up, Sirius's side was aching. He let out a groan, closing his eyes again. "Sirius!" he heard James's voice. There were other voices around him, and then Madam Pompfrey was yelling at all of them to be quiet.
Sirius opened his eyes again. Pompfrey propped him up. Sirius was in his usual bed, the one closest to Pompfrey's office. He and his friends had earned themselves these beds. Although their names weren't branded on them or anything, no one else ever used them. "How're you feeling?" Pompfrey asked in a no-nonsense voice.
"Eh," Sirius said. "My side hurts. Did we win?"
"Of course we won," James said. "Sophie is the best Seeker in the whole school!"
Whoever else was in the room - Sirius saw Marlene, red hair, and a black boy - cheered in agreement. Pompfrey gave them a severe look, which silenced them all. "Some idiot Slytherin nailed you with a Bludger right after he realized we won," James said. He was out of his Quidditch robes, his black hair wet from the shower after the game.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"Don't worry, McGonagall took fifty points away," Lily said.
"She was livid!" Marlene exclaimed.
"Pompfrey, can he leave?" James asked. "We've got the victory party waiting!"
By the time she let him out, about twenty minutes later, only Remus and Jewel were still waiting for him. James said he would save the best butterbeer for him; although, of course, Sirius knew he was lying. Sirius smiled at his last two fans. "I'm so touched," he said. "I know who my real friends are now."
"That's us," Remus said.
"You guys played great," Jewel said.
Sirius smiled at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I need to take a shower," he said.
Jewel nodded gravely. Sirius smelled himself and grinned. "I know you love the smell of my sweat," he said.
"Sure, Sirius," Jewel said. She looked at Remus. "You can tell him he's delusional, I wouldn't even think about it."
Remus grinned. "Sirius, you're delusional."
Sirius sighed as they walked towards Gryffindor tower. "Hey, Jewel, I can sneak you again."
Jewel smiled. "I'm thinking about taking you up on that offer," she said. "You're going to shower, right?"
"Maybe."
--
The Gryffindors were all partied out. A good chunk of them were missing from dinner. The Marauders went, because earlier on the house-elves had let them know that lamb chops were on the menu. They ate everything in sight, then headed back to Gryffindor tower with Lily and Marlene.
James and Sirius led the group. Sirius looked over at Remus, Peter, Lily and Marlene. "She still fancies him," he said.
"I know," James said. Marlene laughed a bit and nudged Remus. "She doesn't even try to hide it anymore."
"It's obvious to everyone but him," Sirius said, shaking his head. "I'm starting to think he's asexual."
James pondered this for a moment. "It very well could be," he said. "Except for remember him and Candace at your birthday party?"
"And that ugly girl in second year," Sirius added. "What was her name?"
"Hey, Remus," James said. "Who was that girl in second year?"
Remus groaned. "You mean Wendy Casterbridge?"
James and Sirius yelled out at the same time, throwing up their hands. "Wendy, of course!" Sirius said. "Because we kept saying she liked Peter better."
"Why are you bringing her up?" Remus asked.
"And then in fifth year, he kissed Bertha Jorkins underneath the mistletoe, remember?" James said, laughing.
"Why are we talking about Remus's love life?" Peter said, his interest piqued.
"For fun," James said shortly, shrugging.
"Well, I'm game," Peter shrugged.
"No, please," Remus said, waving his hand. "Let's do something. Something to stop talking about this."
"This nonexistent topic of Remus's love life," Sirius said. "We could sneak out to Hogsmeade."
Lily narrowed her eyes at him. "Right, never mind," Sirius said, shaking his head. "I forgot – Head Boy and Head Girl and all that rubbish." He smirked, draping an arm around James's shoulder. "Let's play truth or dare, then."
"Truth or dare?" Marlene said, grinning.
"Yeah."
"You might want to leave now," Remus said. "Truth or dare games with Sirius and James – especially Sirius – are ruthless and not for the faint of heart."
"What do you mean especially Sirius?" James asked, sounding offended. "I would like to say I was – oh, no, I am – the ultimate truth or dare master."
"Come on," Sirius said, starting to walk to an empty classroom.
The others followed him. James talked more about his mastery of truth or dare, and Remus merely rolled his eyes. They walked into the empty classroom and Sirius jumped unto the teacher's desk. The others took a seat or stayed standing. "All right," Lily said. "Who's going first?"
"I'll go first!" Sirius said with a flourish. "Marly, truth or dare?"
Marlene grinned mischievously. "I don't think you should call me Marly again," she said, shaking her head. "But I'll take a dare."
"I thought you would," Sirius said, smirking. He looked around the room, a look of thoughtfulness on his face. "Well . . . I dare you to kiss Remus."
"I thought you would," Marlene replied. She looked at Remus, who was shaking his head.
"It's just a game, you know," he said to her.
"Shut up," Sirius groaned, waving his hand.
Marlene got up from her desk next to Lily in the front row and walked over to Remus, who was sitting on top of another desk in the front row. She stood in front of him, smiling a little bit. "Are you sure about this?" Remus asked, clearing his throat.
Marlene nodded, then leaned in. Lily rolled her eyes as James and Sirius high-fived. "Immature," she whispered.
James put his hand by his ear, his eyes wide and blinking innocently. She made a face at him, and he smiled back at her.
Marlene kissed him lightly on the lips, her hands on his knees. Remus's eyelids fluttered shut and she leaned into him, the kiss deepening. Sirius gave it a moment to see a little tongue, then let out a catcall. As he suspected, Remus pulled away from her, his cheeks flushing.
"Good lord," Lily said breathlessly, raising her eyebrows at Marlene. Marlene just gave her a satisfied smile and sat back down in her seat.
"Your turn," Sirius said, smiling at Marlene.
Marlene looked around. "Peter, truth or dare?"
"Truth," Peter replied after a moment's hesitation.
"Do you have a diary?" Marlene asked.
Lily muffled a laugh into a snort, then covered her mouth with a fist and coughed into it. James's eyebrows did a funny bit, and Peter blushed. "Well, no," he stuttered. "I mean, I had one – I mean, it was just something my mom wanted and Remus used to have one and – and I wanted to try it out."
"A diary?" Sirius repeated. He screwed up his face and snorted a bit.
"Oh, shut up!" Peter crossed his arms and made a face at him.
"What do you write in it?" Sirius asked. "How pretty Sophie is?"
"No!" Peter said as James started laughing with Sirius.
"Sophie?" Lily asked. "The Seeker?"
"She is pretty," Marlene said fairly. "But how old is she?"
"She's a third year," Peter said. James and Sirius laughed louder, leaning on each other. "If I had something to throw, I would throw it right now!"
"All right, Peter, go," Remus said.
"Right," Peter said, his face returning to its normal color. "Right. Well. Er, James, truth or dare?"
"Dare," James said firmly, lifting his chin up.
"Okay," Peter said. He paused for a moment and thought for a while, talking and then stopping, opening his mouth and then closing it.
"He's horrible at dares," Sirius said. He jumped off the teacher's desk and walked over to Peter. He whispered something in his ear. Peter nodded, grinning.
"James, I dare you to serenade Lily," Peter said.
"Serenade?" James asked as Lily rolled her eyes.
"I knew this wasn't a good idea," Lily said.
"Sing her a song," Sirius said, grinning. "Make a song up as you go and it has to be at least . . . thirty seconds long."
"Are you kidding me?" James asked.
"Go on, go on," Sirius replied. He looked at Remus. "Have you got a camera on you?"
"I could go get one," Remus suggested.
"Not within thirty seconds," Sirius said. "We'll go without. I couldn't bear if you missed this moment." He looked at James, who was walking up to Lily. "And it's got to be about her. No singing to her about broomsticks or Potions class or something stupid."
"Okay, okay," James said, rolling his eyes.
"Kneel, too," Sirius said.
"Isn't this Peter's dare?" Marlene asked.
"Kneel, too," Peter repeated. "And hold her hands."
James rolled his eyes again, dropping to his knees before Lily. She glanced at him, a smirk on her face, and she uncrossed her arms. She held out her hands with the air of one who was going to a funeral.
"Okay, everyone," James said loudly. "I'm going to start." Sirius, Peter and Remus walked over to the corner that they were in.
As soon as James started singing, everyone in the room was laughing, even Lily. He was an all right singer, but wasn't very good at improvisation. "Lily Evans, you've got some crazy red hair," he sang. "It's really pretty, because it's really . . . crazy red . . . there's no one who's got hair like you. And you're the – uh, only one who could . . . pull it off so well . . . you – er – look like a Weasley, except for you're shorter than them and you're a girl. And Weasley's don't have those bright green eyes like you. No, they don't, they don't, they don't – only you have bright green eyes like you . . . oh, yeah . . . I don't know how much time I've got left, but I could sing to you forever, if I had some cool words right in front of me –"
"About her, remember?" Sirius said.
"Because you're easy to sing to," James sang. "And you've got warm hands, even if you're trying to touch me as least as possible. You're a very funny, girl, Lily Evans. And I'll never forget you, oh, yeah."
Everyone cheered and applauded for him, and even Lily clapped a bit. "Beautiful, beautiful," Remus was saying grandly.
"I'd pay to see it again," Sirius said in a professional tone.
"Thanks, I think," Lily said, patting James on the shoulder.
"Sirius!" James exclaimed, after bowing for everyone. "Truth or dare."
"Dare," Sirius said. "As if you even needed to ask."
"I dare you to moon the Hufflepuffs outside," James said, motioning to the window.
The new Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain was a more aggressive Hufflepuff than most, a boy named Jason Thistle, and while most captains didn't practice after a game, the Hufflepuff team was flying around and practicing.
"I'd be glad to," Sirius said, walking to the open window. He pulled down his trousers without any sort of warning and bent over, giving the boys and girls on brooms a clear view of his rear end. Lily and Marlene looked away – well, Marlene looked for a moment – and they both giggled to each other.
Somebody threw a spell that nearly missed him, and Jason Thistle started yelling at him. The six of them laughed as he pulled his drawers and trousers back up. "It's my turn again," Sirius said. "I would choose Remus, but then he'd have to choose Evans because she would be the only one left. And I want to make sure I get her really good while I can. So, Evans, truth or dare?"
"Truth," Lily said, crossing her arms.
Sirius let out a yell, throwing up his hands. Not a second after the display of disappointment, he asked, "Did you snog anyone this summer, and if you did, who?"
Lily sighed. "Do I have to answer that?"
Marlene gasped. "You did?"
"I snogged Dennis a few days before I came to school," Lily said, crossing her arms.
"Twist the knife, why don't you?" Sirius said, putting his fist up to James's chest. "You don't have to say those sorts of things in his presence, you cruel, cruel bird."
"Shut up," James said, pushing him off. "She can snog whomever she likes." He met Lily's eyes for just a moment and then both of them looked away.
"All right, Remus, truth or dare," Lily said, looking at Remus.
"Truth," Remus replied.
"He always picks truth," Sirius and James said at the same time, looking at each other.
Lily thought, looking up at the ceiling. Marlene whispered something in her ear and the two of them started giggling. "No, I couldn't."
"Couldn't?" Remus asked. "Come on, ask it. I'm up for a challenge."
"No," Lily said, shaking her head. "Really, no." She chewed on her bottom lip, thinking for a moment longer. "On the night of Sirius's birthday party last year, did you tell Candace you liked the way she talked?"
"What?" Remus asked. "No. Who says that? What sort of thing is that to tell a girl?"
"She said you were telling her over and over that you liked the way she talked," Lily shrugged. "Her voice and words and stuff. She was just trying to show off because Debra fancied you."
"Debra?" Remus repeated, his eyebrows raising to the heavens.
"Debra?" James said. "Fancied Remus? This Remus Lupin right here?"
"Yeah," Lily said. "Most of the girls have fancied Remus Lupin at one point."
"I fancied him," Sirius said in a quiet voice.
"Shut up, we're trying to be serious here," James replied.
"Do you honestly think you could be me?" Sirius raised his eyebrows. "It takes a lot, you know. I mean, more than the brooding, handsome, mysterious type. You've got to be funny and witty and –"
"Did Mary like me?" Remus asked, ignoring Sirius's instructions on being himself.
Lily nodded. "All of fourth year, she was head over heels for you," she said. "She said she liked your jumpers."
"What about Katie?" Sirius asked.
"Definitely," Marlene nodded.
"Man, Remus," Sirius said, looking impressed, "What do you do?"
"You need to give the rest of us some tips," Peter said.
"Well, everyone's liked Sirius, too," Marlene said. Lily looked at her pointedly. "Except for Lily. And about half of the girls have liked Peter or James." She laughed. "You know, I was about to say except for Lily again. But I guess that's not true anymore!"
"Very funny," Lily said sarcastically, though her smile betrayed her voice.
"Who's liked me?" Peter asked, perking up.
"Who's liked me?" James repeated
"This conversation is stopping right now," Lily said. "Honestly, you guys have got enough ego for the entire school. I'm not egging it on."
"Me, neither," Marlene said. "Remus, it's your turn."
--
A/N: I think that was the quickest I've ever updated! Thank you for the reviews!! You guys rock :) Please review again!
Here are a few sentences from the next chapter, in no particular order:
"It smells like dog in here."
Oh, gods . . . someone had put firewhiskey in the butterbeer.
It was as if neither of them wanted walls separating them, but felt obligated to make them.