Chapter 7:

"Happy Birthday!" we yelled at the top of our lungs, making the sleeping girl jump out in surprise.

"What? No," she drawled, covering her face with her pillow.

We laughed and I jumped into Marlene's bed. Lily, Mary, Alice and Dorcas followed. I had to admit the bed was definitely not big enough to fit six grown girls but we managed somehow.

"Come on! You're seventeen, you can finally do magic outside Hogwarts!" I said excitedly.

"And there's the party tonight," Mary added.

"And all the presents," Lily said in a sing-song voice.

At this, Marlene lifted her head and peered at us from a curtain of light-blonde hair. We smiled broadly at her but once she saw we didn't have presents with us she covered her face again and tried to keep sleeping.

"Come on, McKinnon, we got up early to surprise you!" Dorcas complained.

"It's my birthday, Meadowes; I can sleep in if I want to." Marlene huffed.

With that, Marlene McKinnon turned her back to us and went back to sleep. We sighed and looked at each other. Dorcas was frowning angrily at the back of Marlene's head, while Alice simply rolled her eyes and got up to leave. Well, there go two of us. My gaze drifted to the other two: Mary wasn't even in the bed anymore and Lily was shooting me a look.

"Do the thing," she whispered to me.

"No way." I shook my head.

Last time had freaked me out, there was no way I was doing that again. But Lily insisted so I gave up, as always. Shaking Marlene's shoulder, I said:
"Okay, I'll read your palm and tell you everyone's presents before you open them so you'll know when to fake excitement."

Marlene immediately sat up, a big smile on her face, and threw herself at me in a can't-breathe-let-go-now kind of hug.

"Thank you, that's all I wanted. But you can only tell me the thing of the presents, don't read my hand. I don't want you to tell when I'll die or something." Marlene gushed.

Lily and I laughed and shook our heads at her.

After Marlene got dressed, we went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. It was Saturday and, even though we were at the end of November and it had snowed a little in the last couple of days, today's weather was perfect. As soon as Marlene entered the place, the entire Gryffindor table and some members of the other houses jumped up and yelled:

"Happy Birthday!"

Marlene laughed. Sirius and James lifted their wands and conjured big letters in the sky with shining colours that said 'Happy 17th birthday, Marlene!' then Remus made fireworks come out of his wands and they surrounded the entire place. Confetti fell down from the ceiling. We all looked up, amazed, as we laughed.

"And here's your present," Sirius said.

He gave her a big box with a laced ribbon on the top. She took it and glanced at me; I rolled my eyes, a smile in my face, and closed them. I opened my eyes again and nodded at Marlene. She opened the box to reveal a beautiful portable camera. It wasn't one of those big things every family owned, it was actually perfect for going around and snapping pictures of everything and anything. I had always, ever since I found out those were created, wanted one.

"Oh, my God, thank you so much, Sirius!" she exclaimed.

Putting the box aside, she put her arms around a smiling Sirius Black and kissed him. No, scratch that. They weren't kissing, they were snogging each other like there was no tomorrow. Right in front of me. I frowned at the weird feeling in my stomach and moved along the table. I sat down next to Remus and in front of Peter and Dorcas. Most of the tables, except for the Slytherin table, were empty because almost everyone was all huddled together around Marlene to congratulate her but I wasn't paying attention to her anymore. I grabbed the cereal and poured it down on my bowl before adding some yogurt angrily. Remus, Dorcas and Peter looked at me curiously but I ignored them. Then, Lily sat down next to me, her present for Marlene on the table. I glanced at the wrapped gift before putting a spoonful of cereal, still angry, although I didn't know why.

"So you got her those high heels she wanted, huh?" I asked.

"Yes," Lily replied, surprised over the fact that I had once again guessed what the gift was.

"Great, maybe now she'll stop stealing things of mine," I said bitterly as I took another spoonful.

"What?" Peter asked me.

I looked up, not even realizing what I had said and quickly shook my head. "Nothing."

Remus sent me a look and so did Lily but I ignored them, focusing on my breakfast instead. We'd talk later, we always did. After everyone was finished congratulating Marlene, she, Sirius and James made their way over to our section of the table and sat down. James sat down next to Lily, usually she'd scowl and look at him funny but this time she seemed to enjoy his company. I tried not to smile. Marlene and Sirius sat across James and the conversation started. I didn't pay attention at all. Suddenly, Lily nudged my arm and I looked up at her.

"Pay attention or they'll notice you're acting weird," she whispered in my ear.

She was right, what the hell was wrong with me? The problem was that, at the moment, I didn't know. I tried to involve myself into the conversation, it took a while but I was able to do it eventually.

"So, Mere, where's my present?" Marlene asked me.

"I don't know... I think I might have lost it—or mailed it home by accident." I teased.

She gaped at me for a second before pouting at Sirius. He laughed and shook his head at me. I didn't return the smile. Tension filled the air around all of us again. That seemed to happen a lot lately, although we hadn't figured out why.

"Marlene!" Alice called as she walked up to us. "Here's your present, I'm late for something but I'll see you tonight!" she gave her a wrapped present and ran off.

I looked at the badly wrapped present and sighed. Marlene looked at me hopefully.

"Pity," I said as I got up from the table. "You already have it."

With that comment and the weird satisfaction of seeing Marlene's face fall, I walked out of the Great Hall.

After a lot of wandering around, I found myself sitting below this huge beech tree at the shore of the black lake. It was kind of our tree; at the end of each term or on a lazy Sunday we would all head down here and hang out, play with grass, sometimes even take a dip at the lake. I had my legs up and my arms around them, my chin resting on my knees as I looked at the mass of water in front of me. Every once in a while, the giant squid would make a short-termed appearance. I sighed, turning my head to the side so I could see the marvellous castle of Hogwarts in all its glory. There was something wrong with me and I had to fix it before tonight's party, which was in exactly seven hours.

"Hey, that seat taken?" Lily's voice reached me.

I lifted my head to see Lily and Remus standing to my other side, a small smile on their faces, although Remus' was a little sad. I motioned with my hand for them to sit and so they did.

"What's going on, Mere?" Remus asked me.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I put my head back on my knees, my hair facing them.

I heard Remus sigh loudly but he didn't comment. I thought that was it. I'd finally have my peace and try to come to terms with what I had discovered on my own. But I was wrong, very wrong.

"You're hardly ever mean to any of us. You're never mean to Marlene, to Sirius, yes, everyday, but never Marlene. So obviously something is going on." Lily protested.

I groaned and sat up straight. I ran a hand through my short hair, the bobby pins I had put on so it wouldn't fall on my face falling to the grass as I did so.

"I—I don't know, okay? It's just that every bloody time I see them together I just feel like—BLAHGH!" I made a sound as I moved my hands so it looked like I was strangling someone.

"Are you jealous?" Remus asked, shocked.

"No!" I said quickly. Lily and Remus shared a look, clearly not believing me. "No, guys, I'm not jealous. But Marlene is blonde, like me, she has the exact same sense of fashion as me, reads the same things I read and... And he acts around her in the same way he acted around me." I finished lamely.

Lily moved over to me and put a hand on my arm, comfortably. She met my eyes and I saw nothing but clear understanding in them. She didn't judge me or anything, she understood why I was acting the way I was.

"I don't get it. I thought you were over him." Remus frowned.

"I am, trust me. I mean, it did take me six months but I am over him. But—I'm being stupid, all right? I had never seen him with a serious girlfriend and her being my best friend was a low blow but I'll be fine—and now I'm ranting, I'm sorry," I said as I passed another hand through my hair.

"Well, at least you know how he feels every time he sees you with Fabian..." Remus muttered.

That made perfect sense. It would explain his odd behaviour. I couldn't believe this. I nodded slowly, guilt filling me. I had been shoving it on his face and now I knew why he looked so uncomfortable. Karma was a bitch. My eyes started to blur with tears but I managed to contain them.

"If it makes you feel better, all of us rooted for you two. We don't really like Marlene as his girlfriend that much." Remus tried to cheer me up, which did the exact opposite.

"Thank you, I suppose." I laughed, although it soon turned into tears.

"Oh, sweetheart, come here. We're sorry." Lily consoled me as she hugged me. Remus soon joined, suddenly freaked out about having a tearful girl near him.

"No, no, it's fine, really." I sniffed. Wiping my face with the back of my hands, I stood up and looked down at them. "Let's go, I still have to decide what to wear for tonight's party."

They got up and we started to walk up to the main entrance of the castle. Halfway up to the Gryffindor castle, Remus parted ways with us and left to find something in the kitchen, most likely tonight's food. We kept on walking, talking about school projects when suddenly Lily stopped me and grabbed me into an empty classroom. I gasped and turned to look at her like she had grown a second head.

"All right, what are you going to do about this?" Lily demanded. "I know you didn't say anything because Remus was there."

"What do you mean?" I asked, going to the professor's desk and sat on it.

"About Fabian!" Lily exclaimed, pacing back and forth in front of me. "Listen, I love you, okay? And because of that I have to tell you this: Sirius is the love of your life, Meredith. So you go into that castle tonight and get him back!"

I gaped openly at her. What was she talking about? I was not getting Sirius Black back. First, because I did not steal my friends' boyfriends, and second, because I did not like Sirius in any way.

"Lily... no."

"Yes."

"No! And don't say yes again. Sure, I haven't loved anyone again but that's because I haven't even tried. I am now and I'm not breaking up with Fabian." I elaborated.

Lily turned to me, a disappointed look on her face. Her arms fell to her sides as she looked at me closely, waiting for any sigh that suggested I was lying.

"You're not?" she asked me. I shook my head. "And you really fancy him? Like you see yourself falling for him?"

"Yes, can you understand that?" I asked her.

She sat down next to me. "Yeah, I suppose. I mean, as long as you're happy." I could hear the saddened tone in her voice perfectly. I sighed and got up, pulling her with me.

"Let's go," I told her as we walked out of the classroom. "Can I borrow that blouse you have that's so pretty?"

"Sure, as long as I can borrow your skirt." She laughed. And with that I decided what to wear.

I walked through the crowd, trying hard not to stumble into anyone. I had decided to wear Lily's shirt and some high-waisted light blue pants. Lily was chatting away with Alice animatedly; James, Remus and Peter were talking and laughing, Mary was with Dorcas and Charlie by the table that was full of food and drinks, while Sirius and Marlene were near the fire. I avoided them at all costs. The portrait hole was open so everyone could come in. The party took up the entire Gryffindor common room and two near corridors and everyone was invited, no matter what house they were in. Although most of everyone inside the common room were Gryffindors. In the centre of the room was what I considered to be the greatest mistake ever made: karaoke. The songs were chosen by magic so you had to sing whatever it was that came up. A recipe for disaster. None other than Emilia Greene was singing a song terribly off key, I cringed as I looked at her and accidental walked into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said.

"Don't worry about it." The girl shook her head. With a start, I realized it was Regina. I smiled.

"Regina, hi! How are you?"

"I'm fine, great actually, although Potions is kicking my ass." She nodded, laughing a little. I laughed along.

"Yeah, well, that happens. I haven't seen you in weeks, did Marlene invite you?" I asked her, truly curious.

Regina looked behind my shoulder; I turned my head and saw that she was watching Marlene and Sirius. Marlene was laughing at something another guy had said but Sirius looked slightly bored. I looked back at Regina.

"No, actually, Lily did." She shook her head. "I can't believe he's dating her. I always thought... never mind." She shook her head, looking at me weirdly.

"Yeah, that's been a common topic around here." I nodded but frowned when a familiar tune and voice reached my ears.

I twirled around in my place so I could face the little make-up stage. Marlene was up there, singing, perfectly may I add, our song. She not only dated my ex, she was singing him my song. I looked around to notice that our entire group was looking at me, trying to decipher whether I was going to combust or not. I wasn't sure yet.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," I muttered.

This was on purpose. She was doing this to get back at me for what happen this morning, I knew it.

"Something wrong?" Regina asked me worriedly.

"No, I—excuse me," I told her before walking toward our group.

Everyone had gathered together the moment Marlene got on stage. Sirius was still sitting near the fire, completely uncomfortable. Good, stay that way.

"Meredith..." Dorcas started.

"No, shut it. She's a bitch, what kind of person does that?" I asked them all. No one answered.

The song ended pretty soon and Quintus Perry, a seventh year Gryffindor, took the microphone away from her. Everyone started to clap but I was seething.

"Well, that was very good; another clap for the birthday girl, please!" Quintus explained. Everyone clapped again excitedly, Marlene laughed. "Now, I don't think there's anyone here who can do better." Quintus teased the crowd.

"I can," I called out, making the place go silent.

Marlene looked over to me; I narrowed my eyes at her. She rolled her eyes and looked away.

"Very well, come up here," Quintus said, looking between me and Marlene nervously.

Once I stood on the stage, music started to fill the air. I frowned. I hated this song and it wasn't even magical.

"This is a muggle song," I voiced my thoughts.

"Yes, it is. Is that a problem?" Marlene asked me innocently.

"None," I snapped. "Now get off of my stage."

She did as told and Quintus took a step aside, suddenly very nervous and confused. Everyone was, actually. Marlene and I hadn't been good friends at first, but after second year we became very close. We never fought. I looked up at the crowd to realize Sirius was standing next to James, who looked like he was about to freak out. The four marauders huddled together in a circle, talking and muttering like school girls. I rolled my eyes at them, it wasn't like I was planning a murder, I was simply singing.

"I hate you, don't leave me, I feel like I can't breathe. Just hold me, don't touch me,"

That shut them up. In fact everyone hushed each other and turned to me. Even Marlene seemed surprised to see I was actually going through with this. If I were to be honest, I even surprised myself. I hadn't sung in front of people in at least a year and a half.

"And I want you to love me but I need you to trust me, stay with me, set me free. But I can't back down, no, I can't deny, that I'm staying now cause I can't decide. Confused and scared I'm terrified of you," I sang perfectly, a frown on my face.

This song sounded oddly familiar. I had definitely heard it before but I didn't remember where. I continued throughout the song without much thought, although the words were bothering me a little bit. In fact, they were bothering Marlene as well. I didn't even dare to look at Sirius, even if my eyes kept wavering back to him. It wasn't until the last verse that I realized why the song sounded familiar.

"They forget me, don't see me. When they love me, they leave me. I admit I'm in and out of my head, don't listen to a single word I say, just hear me out before you run away. Cause I can't take this pain. I hate you, don't leave me. I hate you, please love me." I finished.

The common room erupted in applause and I smiled. Quintus took the microphone away from me and asked Marlene if she wanted to come up to the stage again.

"No, she wins." Marlene shook her head.

I jumped off stage and quickly made my way over to Lily, who was busy trying to put her wand back into her pocket.

"That wasn't fair," I said, making her jump up.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she denied although she was slowly but surely turning a bright shade of red.

"You magically chose the song. You love that song and I don't think it's a coincidence that it pretty much matched our previous conversation!" I whispered-yelled at her, hoping the marauders wouldn't hear.

"Woah, you had a conversation?" Mary asked.

"It's—it's not important," I shook my head. "What is is that you manipulated the radio so it'd play a song related to us." I finished.

Then Dorcas entered the small muttering circle. She looked at Lily's red face and at my outraged expression before turning to a worrying Mary.

"Related to whom? You and Lily?" she asked.

"No, Sirius and I!" I exclaimed, letting out a frustrated groan at how thick they were. It wasn't that hard a conversation to follow.

Silence followed my outburst and my face slowly went back to a calm expression, which soon turned into a self-conscious one. The three of them had gone quiet and were looking at me. Lily was fighting a smile while Dorcas looked confused and Mary bit her lip. What?
"What?" I voiced my thoughts.

"You called him by his name." Lily gushed as she shared a look with the other two girls.

I blinked. Of course I had called him by his name. What other thing would I call him? And that was when it struck me: ever since Sirius and I broke up, and even before that, I had called him Black, just like he had called me Potter. He had now resumed calling me by my first name in public, thanks to the library accident, but I had never called him by Sirius in front of anyone. It had simply slipped out but that little mistake had Lily believe that I was still hung up on him, which I wasn't. I still hated him, I was just a little jealous about him finally getting a serious girlfriend. I was used to him only loving me, which he didn't, of course. I looked around, worried that Marlene or one of the Marauders might have heard, but was surprised to find that Marlene was far off in one corner talking animatedly with Quintus and Alice while Sirius was nowhere to be seen and had left three Marauders looking particularly worried.

"I—you know what? I don't care. You can think whatever you want, but if you'll express your hope for us to get together, then I'll express my—"

"You want them to get back together? Oh, Merlin, so do I!" Mary interrupted.

"—my hopes for you and James to get together." I finished, ignoring Mary completely.

"Aww, yes, please. You'd make a great couple." Dorcas agreed with me, looking at Lily and pleading. I smiled at her.

"See? This is my team." I put my arm around Dorcas'. "Bye, ladies."

With that I walked away with Dorcas, pretending not to notice how Lily didn't object over the idea of her and my cousin together, like she usually did.

...

I jumped out of the portrait hole and into the corridor. Everyone turned to smile at me and congratulate me for my singing, to which I happily said you're welcome and sometime even stopped for a little chat. I wanted air, however, so that's why I walked farther down the hall and went to the right, where a secluded corridor that had a big window was. No one ever came here; so, imagine my surprised when I found none other than Evan Rosier and Sirius Black, arguing loudly. I halted on my step and watched, not understanding at all.

A/N: so, here's a chapter finally. don't worry, Marlene won't be a bitch for such a long time. I love her character. as for Meredith's behavior, everyone has known the beauty of denial, right? oh, and btw, I wanted to give you something. I like to imagine Meredith as Claire Holt but with honey brown eyes. I dont know why I told you that, I just wanted you to have a slight idea of what she was like. If you don't like her like that, feel free to tell me how you imagine her to be or keep reading while imagining her in your own way. love, me.