Chapter 12
AN: Hope you like this chapter. Sorry if there is a delay in the next chapter my brother has tested positive to covid and as I live with him, I am a close contact, so is my mum who is immunocompromised. So far, we are both negative so I hope it stays like that.
After a night where they were up late just talking by the fire in the Gryffindor common room the seventh year Gryffindor's, including Mie who managed to sleep a few hours sleep without nightmares which for her is quite the achievement, are at breakfast together.
"I really don't see what it is necessary," Lily argues, as James is trying to convince her to come watch Quidditch practice, which is a key part of the others plan to get ready for the party, but they are running into a problem as Lily doesn't really want to go to the Quidditch practice.
"It's not necessary, but it will be a nice way for us to spend time together," James argues, telling the truth even though he has an ulterior motive.
"You'll be conducting practice, it's not really quality time," Lily argues, and the others curse Lily being so argumentative as she is making everything so much harder when they are trying to do something nice.
"Remus and I are getting dragged along too," Dorcus tells Lily, hoping that it might help. "Come on, the three of us can make it fun," Dorcus tells her friend, being prepared to pull out the big guns to get Lily to agree if she has to.
"You're getting dragged along too?" Lily asks, looking at Remus, sounding surprised.
"Unfortunately," Remus answers, sounding overdramatic.
"Oh, come on, Moon, you know you love watching me," Sirius tells his boyfriend.
"I'm pretty sure that you're the only one who likes watching you," Alice teases, not being able to resist that opening.
"Mean Ally," Sirius tells his sister, with a pout.
"I mean I get it Lil, James turns into a dictator during training, I get you not wanting to see that," Emmaline argues, while the others give her a look which says, 'you're not helping,', but Emmaline has a plan, she just hopes that James can catch on.
"I push because I want us to be our best," James argues. "And I'm at my best when you're around," James tells Lily.
"Oh my god," Mary says, rolling her eyes. "You are such a sap," Mary says, looking amused, as Lily smiles slightly.
"Okay, I'll watch practice," Lily says, James grins, and everyone continues to eat breakfast, all feeling amazed that what they planned actually worked out as they had some doubts about whether it would or not.
A little while later Mie, Mary, Alice, Amelia, Peter, walk into the empty classroom on the seventh floor where they find Severus, Isaac, Frank, Edger and a few other seventh years, all clearly in the process of getting things set up.
"We thought we would get started on getting things set up," Severus says as he notices the Gryffindors walk in, and as the Gryffindors walk in it is clear that he has taken charge of getting things ready.
"Good idea," Mie says.
"Really is, I don't know how long the others will be able to keep Lily at the Quidditch pitch," Mary admits.
"I'm gonna say not long," Frank admits as that is what he assumes.
"I'm amazed you even got her to agree to go," Isaac says, looking amused.
"It wasn't easy," Amelia tells her brother. "Which is exactly why we have to be quick,"
"We're going to need more food," Edger realises. "Peter," Edger says, looking at him, as it is well known that the Marauder's know how to get to the kitchen and get extra food.
"Sure," Peter responds.
"I can go with you if you'd like," Mie offers, as she wants a chance to have a real conversation with Peter so that she can get a read on him.
"Sure," Peter responds a level of nervousness to his voice and Amelia, Severus, and Alice figure they know why Mie wants to go with Peter.
"We won't be long," Mie says as she and Peter head out of the classroom, those who know the truth about Mie feeling a little apprehensive about how that is going to go, but they trust that Mie has a plan.
After a few minutes of walking in silence, and Mie knowing that they are still a little away from the kitchen, Mie knows that it is time to start the conversation she wants to have, but she isn't sure how to start it.
"So, you've been here a few days now," Peter says, saving Mie from needing to figure out what to say by starting the conversation. "Becoming more comfortable," Peter says, an edge to his voice, and because of that Mie realises that this is her opening, and she knows just how to use it.
"I'm trying to," Mie admits. "Honestly, it's hard for me," Mie admits, telling the truth as she thinks it is best considering the circumstances.
"What do you mean?" Peter asks confused, as he stops walking and looks at Mie.
"I am used to a…. very different way of living," Mie admits, as she stops walking to so that she can look straight at Peter. "I grew up, I lived, in a world where there was very little magic," Mie admits, combining elements of how she truly grew up and the cover story they came up with. "My Uncle would use Magic, and Dad when he came visited, but that was it, I grew up… like a muggle," Mie admits. "I struggled to make friends, and I never really felt like I fit," Mie admits, once again telling the truth as she thinks that maybe if she is open with Peter then maybe, just maybe he will be open with her and she can figure out what is really going on with him. "So, coming here, I don't know, in some ways it feels like I belong but in other ways it feels like I'll always be an outsider," Mie admits, knowing that she is potentially giving ammunition to an enemy, but it's the only way she can think to get Peter to be open with her so that she can get a better read on him which is what she needs as she wants to be able to give James a straight answer about whether she believes they can trust Peter.
"I know the feeling," Peter responds, and because of everything she knows Mie knows that he is telling the truth.
"I know I've only been around a few days, but from what I've seen you, James, Sirius, and Remus seem incredibly close," Mie says, choosing her words very carefully so that she doesn't give away knowing more than she should.
"We are," Peter confirms, smiling slightly. "But they're braver than I am, and I don't know…. It's hard being like them," Peter admits, and Mie knows that the next words she says have to be chosen very carefully as she knows where his future will lead, and this could very well be a moment that changes everything.
"You don't have to be like anyone else, you just have to do the right thing, that's all any of us can do," Mie tells Peter, not completely sure whether she has picked the right words, and also knowing she is going to dwell and debate whether she did for a while, as this could be a chance to truly change things, but if she used the wrong words then that chance will go down the drain.
"What if you don't know what the right thing is?" Peter asks Mie.
"I believe we always know what the right thing to do is, we just need the courage to admit it, the courage to do it," Mie admits. "Peter is there something you want to talk about?" Mie asks curious, gently pushing, but feeling apprehensive about pushing too hard.
"We should get to the kitchens, everyone is waiting for us," Peter says before hurrying down the stairs and as she watches him go Mie can't help but frown, feeling that that conversation didn't at all go how she was hoping it would.
About fifteen minutes later Mie and Peter have collected food from the kitchen, Mie very much wanting to talk to the elves about their rights, but she knows it wasn't the time, and the two of them are walking back into the seventh-floor classroom.
"We've got plenty of food," Peter says as they walk into the room, and he walks straight over to the table where the drinks are.
"I'll grab that off you Mie," A Ravenclaw says, taking the food Mie is holding and Alice walks over to Mie, wanting to check on her.
"You good?" Alice asks concerned.
"Not sure," Mie admits.
"Peter say something to worry you?" Alice asks concerned.
"It's more what he didn't say," Mie admits, lowering her voice, and making sure no one is close enough to hear. "I think he's closer to the person I knew than I realised," Mie admits with a frown, knowing that Alice will know what that means.
"That's not good," Alice says, honestly not sure what else to say.
"What are we doing about Music?" Edger asks curious.
"Please tell me we're not just going with Sirius's collection," Isaac says, pulling a face, as he really hopes not.
"Unless you've got something better that's all we've got," Amelia informs her brother.
"I got the records and player from the dorm before breakfast, it's behind the Firewhiskey…. which is a really bad idea," Alice realises, her eyes widening.
"No kidding, Sirius will go ballistic if something happens to his records," Frank comments, as Mary picks up the player and moves it to a place where there is less chance of a drink accidently spilling on it, while Isaac's girlfriend Kathleen moves the records as no one wants to deal with Sirius's reaction if something happens to his collection.
While their friends are getting everything ready for Lily's surprise birthday party Sirius, James, Emmaline, Marlene, and the rest of the Gryffindor team are training while Lily, Remus and Dorcus are watching.
"I cannot believe I was talked into watching this," Lily mutters, feeling annoyed.
"I'm a little surprised you were too," Dorcus admits.
"You convinced me!" Lily exclaims, looking at her friend.
"Because I didn't want Remus and I to be alone," Dorcus explains.
"Oh please," Lily says, rolling her eyes. "How long do you think they have left?" Lily asks curious, trying to get warm as it is rather cold in the bleachers.
"Hopefully not long," Remus says, looking up from his book.
"How did Sirius get you to agree?" Lily asks curious as Remus looks as disinterested as she feels.
"You don't want to know," Remus responds, causing both Lily and Dorcus to laugh.
About half an hour later Lily, Remus, Dorcus, Sirius, James, Marlene, and Emmaline are walking back up the stairs towards the seventh floor.
"Don't you want to shower?" Lily asks confused.
"Nah, I want to find the others," James comments. "It's Saturday,"
"What kind of prank are you lot planning?" Dorcus asks, playing along even though she knows exactly what is going on.
"Nothing," Sirius, Remus, and James say together.
"Yeah, I don't believe it," Marlene comments as the group get to the seventh floor and walk towards 'their' classroom.
"That's because you have trust issues," Sirius responds.
"With you lot as friends can you blame me?" Marlene asks.
"Not at all," Sirius says amused, and looking rather proud.
"And honestly, you're one to talk about trust issue," Marlene informs Sirius.
"I never said I didn't have trust issues," Sirius responds.
"Watching us wasn't so bad, was it?" James ask Lily curious, speaking over Sirius's and Marlene's bickering.
"No, it wasn't," Lily admits, as the group walk into the classroom, and as soon as they do everyone yells, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILY!"
"Happy Birthday Lils," James says, putting his arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek.
"Happy Birthday To you…." Remus starts to sing. "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Lily, Happy birthday to you," Everyone sings, joining in on with Remus, and as Mie sings along and sees how happy Lily is she can't help but feel a stab of guilt as she knows how much Harry would love to see this, how much he deserves to, and yet she is the one who gets to rather than him.
Over the next few hours, the seventh years, from all houses including Slytherin thanks to Severus being in the room, though not Avery and his friends, enjoy Lily's surprise party. In fact, the party is so well received that even ghosts have popped in, though thankfully no teachers or Filch have interrupted the celebration.
While the others are dancing, drinking, and even singing badly, Mie is sitting alone in a corner watching. While there were parties during her time at Hogwarts none of the parties she has experienced are like that, and apart from the DA she has never seen houses be unified.
"You know, it's a bad look to be sitting alone in a corner during a party," A voice says and because she is so zoned out it takes Mie a second to realise Amelia is talking to her.
"Sorry?" Mie asks confused.
"You okay?" Amelia asks concerned, as she sits down next to Mie.
"Yeah, I'm just thinking," Mie admits.
"Do you want to talk?" Amelia asks, and Mie looks hesitant. "If it helps everything is so loud no one will hear," Amelia admits, and Mie looks around the room, debating what to say.
"We never had this," Mie admits. "We always had other things to worry about, we were always on edge and waiting for the next catastrophe," Mie admits. "Fun wasn't something we had a whole lot of," Mie admits, looking around and feeling a little jealous that they never had this kind of thing in the time she is from.
"I'm sorry, you all should have had this," Amelia tells Mie. "But you know, this is your time now, Mie," Amelia reminds her. "So, I say, don't think about what could have been, enjoy what you've got now," Amelia says, standing up. "Your one of us, Mie, so have fun like we do," Amelia says, sticking out her hand for Mie to take, and after a few moments of hesitation Mie takes Amelia's hand and allows her to pull her up and lead her over to where the other seventh year girls are dancing to Sirius's, what Mie would consider, muggle classic rock records.
As she dances with the others Mie can't help but smile as she looks around and feels like she truly belongs.
After a few more hours of parting most of the seventh years are more than a little tipsy, but surprisingly they still have plenty of drinks left.
"How do we still have alcohol left?" Mie asks shocked, from where she is sitting on the couch with Sirius, Remus, Isaac, and Emmaline as she really thought they would have ran out of drinks by now.
"Your Uncle always gives us a lot, he knows how much we drink," Sirius explains.
"Of course," Mie says with a nod, understanding things a little better.
"How are they still dancing?" Emmaline asks, looking to where Marlene, Dorcus, Lily, Alice, and Amelia are all dancing together, all looking like they have so much energy despite everything.
"I have no idea," Mie admits.
"So, Mie, how are you enjoying your first Hogwarts party?" Sirius asks, as even with what he knows he is pretty sure that this is the first real party Mie is getting to be apart of.
"I'm loving it," Mie admits, smiling slightly.
"That's what I like to hear," Isaac says with a grin.
"SIRIUS!" Marlene's voice yells.
"WHAT?" Sirius yells back.
"SHOTS!" Marlene exclaims.
"Definitely," Sirius says with a grin, as he gets up and walks over to the drinks table where he meets Marlene.
"Oh great," Remus mutters, and Mie notices that Isaac and Emmaline both look worried too.
"What's wrong?" Mie asks concerned.
"Sirius and Marlene's shots are… I don't think strong does the drink justice," Remus admits.
"Under normal circumstances we would distract them until they forgot about the idea to make shots," Isaac explains.
"So why haven't you done that now?" Mie asks curious.
"Because it's a special occasion," Emmaline explains.
"Ah, right," Mie responds, and the foursome drift into silence as they just enjoy watching the others have fun.
"OKAY, OKAY, OKAY," Sirius yells as he and Marlene walk into the middle of the room, each holding a try of shots.
"What have you made us this time?" Remus asks his boyfriend as everyone gathers round.
"We call this the Lily," Marlene explains, looking at her friend.
"Is that why it's bright red?" Lily asks.
"Yep, it's also firery and punches a bigger punch than you'd expect," Sirius reveals, smiling at his friends.
"Sounds perfect," Severus says, looking amused.
"Only someone who has never had a shot created by Sirius and Marlene can say that," Alice reveals.
"Who would like the first drink?" Marlene asks, looking around the others. "Dorcus?" Marlene asks.
"Pass, I want to see someone else first," Dorcus responds, as experience tells her that no good comes from drinking shots that Sirius and Marlene make.
"You know, with Mie being the newest person to join our little group, how about she has first go," James suggests as, as much as he loves his friends, he really doesn't want to be the first person to try their newest creation.
"Really?" Mie asks, giving James an annoyed look.
"I think it's a brilliant idea," Lily says as she wants to see how someone else reacts to the shot before she has a go.
"Fine," Mie says, rolling her eyes, realising she isn't going to get away with it, and being pretty sure she is going to regret it Mie walks over and picks up a shot which she drinks. "Wow that's strong," Mie says with a cough. "Nice though," Mie admits.
"That's all I need to know," James says, picking up and shot and drinking it, others around the room doing the same thing.
Over the next few hours, the seventh years proceed to have even more, becoming more silly and to Alice's joy they all agree to take part in truth or dare. As Mie has fun with the others for the first time, since she got to the past, she finds that she is not constantly missing the people she left behind.