AN; Hey guys sorry for the two week delay, I've been working super hard on completing this Fanfiction and working on the sequel. I'm afraid this is the penultimate chapter, the next one is the last one! I have already finished the first two chapters of the sequel so you will not have to wait too long for it to be uploaded!
DISCLAIMER; All HP related goodness belongs to Queen Rowling. OCs and plot belong to me.
Text that is in italics are direct quotes from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN; A PLAN IS BORN
The next morning was awkward. Simona cried herself to sleep that night and when exhaustion finally took over her she decided something. She was going to ignore Severus. When it came to people wronging Simona she was adept at cutting them out of her life. She had done it before back in America when a girl whom Simona had considered a close friend had spread a vicious rumour about Simona when she attended a muggle school. Needless to say Simona never spoke to or even thought of that girl again.
Simona was sat in the Great Hall for breakfast. Romagna, Celestica and Vicki were not talking to Simona because of their fight about Remus, and Severus was looking lovelorn at Lily. Lily was smiling back, which sent a pang of jealousy through Simona's heart. Simona didn't know what happened after she had left, she decided to ask Sirius about it before everyone left for the Christmas Holiday. Sirius was staying behind along with Remus and James who preferred Hogwarts over their own homes.
"Hey Simona," Remus said as people started to clear out of the Hall. Simona looked up at smiled sadly.
"Hello Remus," she replied as she slung her bag over her shoulder and got up from the Slytherin table. A handful of Slytherins aware of the exchange shot Remus contemptuous glares.
"Are you okay? Sirius told me about last night," Remus said with his voice full of concern.
"I'm fine. I thought James would be more upset," Simona said with a careless shrug of her shoulders.
"Oh. Well yes, he is a bit downhearted by the situation," Remus said slightly taken aback. He thought Simona would have reacted differently.
"Where are Sirius and James?" Simona asked as the Slytherin and Gryffindor left the Great Hall.
"Outside by the lake. I was just heading there now. Do you want to come with me?" Remus asked.
"Yes please. I want to talk to James," Simona said with a polite smile. Simona wanted to know exactly how James felt. She knew that he would be devastated, she knew how it felt.
"Hiya mate. Hey Simona," Sirius said when Remus and Simona reached the two Gryffindors.
"Hello Sirius," Simona said amicably. Remus nodded at Sirius.
"James, could I talk to you?" Simona inquired as James looked sullenly up at Simona. He was sat down, his legs crossed and picking forlornly at a patch of grass.
"Sure," James replied, standing up and brushing down his clothes.
"I just wanted to ask how you were feeling," Simona said as they strolled down the path next to the lake.
"Crap. I don't know why she's talking to Snivellus. They have barely said a word to each other for months," James said glumly.
"I know. I was confused too," Simona said with a deep sigh.
"I really thought she liked me you know. When she accepted my invite to the ball I was almost certain we'd start dating," James groaned, kicking a stone in front of him.
"I don't understand it either James. I know Remus asked me to the ball, but Severus said I was pretty and I thought we were going to kiss, but he went off with Lily," Simona replied, her words becoming heavy with emotion.
"That little snake," James said, anger rising in his voice.
"He told me he loved her you know," Simona said, beginning to blink back tears.
"What?" James said in shock, his eyes narrowing.
"He did. That day you told me about the letters. After you left I wanted to know more about the so called embarrassing incident. He told me he loved her," Simona said, swallowing down her tears and watching James' reaction.
"What a git. He'll regret that," James growled, his murderous expression mixed with hurt.
"He is and he will. I'm done, I don't even care anymore," Simona snarled.
"Me too. Screw Lily, there are other people right?" James said, stopping in his tracks and looking at Simona.
"Of course," Simona said, taken aback by James' sudden change of tune.
"Oh but there isn't anyone else," James said dejectedly, his shoulders slumping.
"There are James. Both Lily and Se-Snivellus played us like fools. It's time to move on," Simona said resolutely. James sighed and shook his head.
"I wish I had your determination Simona, that's one thing I've always secretly admired in you Slytherins. You don't let anything get you down," James said appreciatively.
"I don't. But I have a way of letting people know they've hurt me," Simona said, smiling to herself vindictively as she recalled the time she exacted her revenge on the girl who spread rumours about her. Simona was so angry she turned the girl's hair an unattractive shade of green.
"I have a feeling I don't want to know," James said with a small smirk. Simona laughed weakly.
"You don't. Now shall we get back to the guys? I'd like to know their input on getting Snivellus back," Simona said as she spun around. James scoffed and followed Simona, he liked this new side to Simona.
"Have a nice little chat?" Sirius asked as the two returned. Remus sat against a tree, his eyes glued to a large book.
"Yes," Simona replied as she sat down next to Remus.
"It was interesting," James said with a smirk, sitting next to Sirius.
"Well then. What was said?" Sirius asked, clearly curious.
"We're getting revenge on Snivellus," James replied. Sirius smiled.
"Excellent, how are we going to do it?" Sirius asked, clapping his hands together. A startled Remus jumped in surprise and dropped his book to the floor.
"Remus, so glad to see you in our world again mate," James said amusedly. Remus laughed shyly and blushed.
"We don't know yet, but I've got an idea," Simona said, her lips tipping up into a smile.
"Are you in on this Simona?" Sirius asked in confusion.
"Simona's the one who came up with pranking Snivellus," James replied with a mischievous grin.
"Really? I didn't know you had it in you," Sirius said appreciatively.
"You don't mess with an Italian," Simona said smugly.
"Nor do you mess with a Slytherin I guess," Remus said looking pleasantly surprised.
"That is true," Simona replied with a smile as she looked at Remus.
"So what's the plan, oh capitano?" James asked as the three Gryffindors and the Slytherin huddled around in a makeshift circle. Simona smirked at James' attempt to speak Italian and leaned forward.
"I think we should strike after Christmas, just long enough for Snivellus to forget what he's done. That way it'll really surprise him," Simona said in hushed tones. The boys listened intently as she explained the plan.
"Sounds good," Sirius said with a smirk.
"A little humiliation wouldn't go amiss, so he knows how much he humiliated me and Simona. I was thinking we should approach him whilst he's by himself, hang him upside down and show his boxers to everyone. That'll show him," James said maliciously.
"Yeah, I bet he wears black boxers too," Sirius agreed laughing slightly.
"Probably. Although the thought has never crossed my mind," Remus said with a confused expression.
Simona stopped herself from saying anything. She didn't like that idea, she thought that a couple of strategically placed dungbombs would be enough.
"Why don't we throw dungbombs at him?" Simona postulated.
"That's weak. We need something to really show him up. I think we should go along with James' idea," Sirius said, batting his hand whilst James scoffed at Simona's suggestion.
Simona remained quiet whilst Sirius and James began to formulate the plan. Her resolve slowly began to crumble, James and Sirius' plan to her went too far but not wanting to upset her friends she decided to stay out of it and instead read and discussed Remus' book.
When James and Sirius had finished talking Simona decided to join in.
"What happened after I left?" Simona asked, curious as to what happened at the Yule Ball.
"Not a lot really. Snivellus and Lily were together for the rest of the night. There are rumours that they're dating each other now," Sirius said with distaste. Simona saw James' face knit itself into a frown. Simona felt her heart drop but showed no outward change of emotion.
"I see," Simona replied simply.
"Where's Peter?" Simona asked after a moment's silence.
"Detention. He took the wrap for me and James charming some chicken wings to attack Snivellus," Sirius replied. Simona chuckled. The image of chicken pelting themselves at a horrified Severus amused her.
Christmas passed without much happening. Simona had received some clothes and a warm letter from her adopted parents. She had also gotten a book from Remus, some products from Zonkos from James and a rare Deep Purple EP from Sirius. Simona had not gotten anything from Severus, nor had she given him anything. The two had not spoken to each other since the Yule Ball. Severus and Lily were still dating and seemed happy, much to Simona and James's displeasure. Simona and her roommates remained on uneasy terms but received a couple of packages from Honeydukes from Vicky as an apology.
All 5th years were sitting practise O.W.L. examinations. Simona was sat in the Great Hall, a couple of seats in front of Severus in their mock Defence Against the Dark Arts exam. They were almost three-quarters of the way through the exam and Simona scribbled the answers furiously down on her sheet of parchment. She had revised thoroughly during the holidays and because she had become close to the Marauders, Remus in particular she had found out about his lycanthropy. She almost squealed with happiness when she saw a question that asked her to identify five signs of a typical werewolf.
When the full time had elapsed she finished the last question just in time.
"Quills down please!" Squeaked new Charms Professor, Professor Flitwick. "That means you too Stebbins! Please remain seated while I collect your parchment! Accio!'
Over a hundred rolls of parchment zoomed into the air and into Professor Flitwick's outstretched arms, knocking him backwards off his feet. Simona and several other students chortled in amusement as they watched the minute Professor climb rather pitifully back onto his desk.
After the students were dismissed by a very red-faced Professor Simona caught up with Sirius, James, Remus and Peter.
"Did you like question ten, Moony?" asked Sirius as they emerged into the Entrance Hall.
"Loved it," said Lupin briskly. "Give five signs that identify the werewolf. Excellent question,"
"D'you think you managed to get all the signs?" said James in tones of mock concern.
"Think I did," said Lupin seriously as they joined the crowd thronging around the front doors eager to get out into the sunlit grounds "One: he's sitting on my chair. Two: he's wearing my clothes. Three: his name's Remus Lupin."
All but Peter chortled loudly as they made their way down to a beech tree on the edge of the lake. Chatting happily as they walked.
The five sat talking for a while, after Sirius complained of being bored their plan seemed like it was going to start.
"This'll liven you up Padfoot," said James quietly. "Look who it is…"
Sirius' head turned. He became very still, like a dog that has scented a rabbit.
"Excellent," he said softly. "Snivellus."
AN; So I hope you enjoyed the chapter guys, the last one will be up in the next two or so days.. The sequel will follow soon after. Thank you so much for the amazing support this Fanfiction has gotten. This story means a lot to me- it's the first ever FF I have written. Please read and review- I'd like to know your thoughts!