Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish these characters were mine. And real. But alas, I can't always get what I want.

And That's How I Got to this Point

So lay down, the threat is real,
When his sight goes red again.
Seeing red again,
Seeing red again.

Chevelle – The Red

And What did I Do?

September 4th, 1977 Sunday

"Oh, piss off Black! You drive me insane! You've made my previous 6 years at Hogwarts a living nightmare. I can't catch a break with you, so you know what? GO FUCK YOURSELF!"

I was beyond pissed. How dare he treat me like this, after all these years you would think he would have gotten tired of picking on me but nope, it was apparently still amusing to him. If only he knew that he words still inflicted me with pain. That many-a-nights I laid in my bed, with the red and gold curtains pulled shut, crying into my pillow. But I have news for you Black! I'm tired of it.

He looked visibly taken back by my verbal attack, his steel grays widening with shock but his surprise didn't last long for his eyes seemed to quickly turn charcoal gray with anger.

Great, my personality just had to pick this particular moment to change from meek and timid to a spitball of fire and now I had just pissed off the one guy that had been making my life a misery without being provoked. What was he going to tell me now that I had provoked him? That I was an uptight brat? Ha, he'd already told me that one.

He sneered at me with his hardened charcoal gray eyes,"Oh, that's real rich, Mancini. You think you can stand up to me? Please. You're nothing but a frigid bitch."

He took a step closer to me and laughed humorously, a scary sound for sure and I became aware that if he came any closer I would be backed up against the library's bookshelf and that his body would be pinning me to it. Everyone who had been anywhere near us in the library went completely still and quiet; transfixed on the scene in front of them. They had never seen us fight like this before, and we have been around the block or two when it came to fights. But we had never resorted to cussing each other out. Until now.

Clenching my teeth I managed to grounded out, "As it so happens, yes, I am sticking up for myself. Finally. Like I said, I've had enough of you and your huge ego. You may have every other girl in this school fooled, thinking that you're God's gift to women but not me," I had taken a step closer to him, glaring up at his 1.84 metre frame towering above me and poked him in the chest with my finger to emphasis my point.

"I know you for who you really are." Poke.

"You saunter around this school like you're Merlin himself! That we should all bow down at your feet and climb into your bed!" Poke.

"You may say you're better than your pureblood-is-the-only–way family, but you treat others just like they do, with NO respect!" Poke.

"Do you even have feelings? Huh? Or did your family teach you not to have those either?" Poke.

If I thought I had pissed him off before, it was nothing compared to the way he looked now. If there was an anger scale that went from annoyed to murderous, he would be at serial killer. There was pure fury written across his tan face and there was even a vein popping out of his forehead, threatening to burst if he got any more peeved.

Actually, no. Peeved came nowhere close to describing the way he looked right now. Pure explosive was more like it. Bloody hell….what did I just do?

When my brain finally got done playing catch-up and realized the seriousness of the situation I felt my face pale and I attempted to take a cautious step backwards, but his hand whipped out and caught my wrist in a vice-like grip.

Ow.

"You think you can just insult me and get away with it? You know NOTHING about my family! Nothing! So keep your damn prude mouth shut and stick to things you actually know about. Like books or being a snob", his voice was dripping with venom and the grip around my wrist tightened to a brutal hold.

I was scared, to be quite honest, I had never seen this side of Black before. Sure, I had seen him play some mean pranks on unsuspecting students that had ended badly, I had seen him play some rather cruel ones on Snape in particular and he had been teasing and torturing me for years but it had never gotten to this point; the point where he was actually threatening my wellbeing.

I took a shaky breath.

Don't cry, Lorraine. Whatever you do, don't cry. He doesn't deserve to see you cry. He shouldn't be this scary! You didn't mean what you said to him.

Or…did I? I didn't mean to hit a nerve like that…. but-but I was so tired of the bullying. He really treated others like he had no emotions or at least to anyone outside his little group.

"Let go", I whispered, trying to pull my wrist out of his grasp. It was really starting to hurt.

At that point I guess everyone saw how far things had gotten because the next thing I knew, Potter was stepping in between us, putting his hands on Black's chest and pushing him back away from me and I felt my wrist being released. His gray eyes found mine and he no longer looked furious, he looked…almost scared. I quickly dropped my gaze from his; I didn't necessarily want to look at him right now. I was on the verge of tears.

Why would he look scared? He wasn't the one that was pushed up against bookshelf by an angry bloke twice his height and weight.

Potter was muttering quiets words to him, I'm assuming to calm him down but I wasn't paying attention any more. My head was reeling. That was most scared I had ever been. No one had ever touched me like that, had ever looked at me like that.

But what was with the scared look that came over his stormy eyes? Had I made that up? I must have, why in Merlin's fat hat would Black ever have a reason to be scared. Especially of me?

I finally looked up in time to catch the look Potter sent in my direction. Disappointment. Great. So, this whole thing was my fault? Had they not seen Black tormenting me before I went off? I knew I shouldn't have said those things about his family but…

Ugh. He deserved it, that prick. He thinks he's this awesome person and that nothing he does has repercussions or consequences. Well, bad news Black, it does. I just hope he wouldn't get back at me for pointing that out to him. He was clearly a big guy who had some anger issues.

Hailey's voice broke through my thoughts and I turned my head to look at her. Her small, cold hand reached out and rested on my forearm.

"Lo, dear, are you ok?"

"Yeah", I mumbled and then I turned to face her, letting the tears I had been holding back slip from my eyes, reality of what just happened hitting me full force now.

Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuuuccckk. I had just signed my death warrant.

Hey everyone, I'm back to write some more. It took me forever to find the inspiration to continue this story and I hope I did a good job. As always, review! Tell me what you liked, didn't like, or what I can do to improve the story.

Yours,

Whatamess