Disclaimer: Anything that rings a bell belongs to J.K Rowling

Chapter 11: The cool kids

Mary sighed and pulled at the bright green top, releasing it from her belt. Turns out that tucking it in made her hips look colossal but leaving it out defeated the purpose of the high waist trousers that were supposed to make her legs look longer.

She frowned at the mirror, her mousy brown mane frizzing up from the steam of the bathroom, why did she even bother?

She'd never look like Lily, Marlene, or Aiza. She was short and frumpy and bland and boring and…

She grumbled as she heard her name being called from beyond the door and bustled her way out.

"Did you see my scarf, the one with the lion cubs that Andy's mother got me for Christmas." She watched as Marlene flicked her wand at her own head, straightening her chestnut hair to perfection, she glanced at Mary in her mirror and her high-cheekbone face broke into a smile, "Don't you look pretty! I love the top!"

Mary bit her lip as she glanced at Marlene's outfit. It was almost the exact same thing as what she was wearing, except where Mary's top was green, Marlene's was a deep blue that brought out her eyes, and where Mary spent the last five minutes fussing with whether to tuck in the top or not, Marlene's fit carefree beneath the waist of her jeans, comforted by the fact that her slim ballerina legs could never look anything but slender.

She picked at the hem of her green top, "You lent it to Cassandra because she didn't have one to go with her red dress."

"I did! Didn't I!" Marlene chuckled, she and Cassandra Johnson were always exchanging clothes, they were both on the Gryffindor quidditch team and shared the same sense of style, sporty yet sophisticated, yet nowhere near as classy as Lily and Aiza.

As if to back up her thought the pair walked into the room, sporting bright dresses. Lily's was short and canary yellow that somehow went perfectly with her scarlet locks whilst Aiza's was floor length and wispy, white cotton that had a slit about half a thigh up that somehow made her look beach and ballroom ready all at the same time.

Lily's shock of red ponytail bounced behind her as she grabbed her red sling bag which was hanging off her bed post and turned to the room at large, "Well I'm off, Sev is waiting for me downstairs. Mary?" She glanced at Mary expectantly and the shorter girl frowned.

"What?"

"Well, aren't you coming with?" She laughed airily.

Mary's frown deepened, she'd been to Hogsmeade with Snape and Lily once before in their third year and it was horrid. Aiza had gone on a date with some fifth year and Marlene was up in the Hospital Wing from a quidditch injury leaving Mary with no other option than joining Lily and Snape and Mary would more likely do herself in than repeat the experience.

It wasn't so much that Snape didn't speak a single word to her, it was Lily bending over backwards to try and overcompensate for his rudeness. Suffice to say that it was awkward for them all.

Her frown lessened as comprehension dawned on her; they must have discussed this beforehand.

Who was going to babysit forever dateless Mary because they all had plans? Aiza was out of the question because Mulciber hated anyone in scarlet and gold, most of all Mary considering her blood status and she couldn't exactly be a third wheel to Marlene and Andy.

Mary couldn't help her smile as she spoke, "It's okay, I'm actually going with Sirius and the boys."

Technically she wasn't lying, she was indeed going with their fellow sixth year Gryffindor boys, but in truth her date of sorts would be Peter. Sirius politely made that clear when he asked her last night. The only reason she said yes was that he had asked her to do him this favour.

As a friend.

She was Sirius Black's friend!

Which is more than most girls could claim.

"Oh." Lily stated, insult marring her emerald orbs. Lily had been staying clear of the whole lot of them for the past few weeks, ever since the incident with Devon. Mary glanced at the drawn four-poster and her smile faltered with guilt and she twisted the hem of her shirt between her nervous fingers.

"It's not like that." She didn't want to hurt Lily by making it seem like she preferred the boys' company, and while she wanted the girls to see that she wasn't some pathetic sod and was actually going to Hogsmeade with the most popular group in school, she felt honesty was the best option, "It's just to fill in so Peter doesn't feel awkward."

"Well, that's ghastly for Black to insinuate that your presence would in comparison make Peter feel less awkward." Lily gasped, scandalised.

"That's not why he wants me there." Mary wondered how Lily managed to think the worst of the boys with such consistency, it was almost a talent, "He doesn't want Peter to be the seventh wheel, so I'm just joining them as a favour."

Aiza turned from the mirror; she wore her hair in a stiff black bun which made her features look sharp, "Seventh wheel?"

Mary's smile fell completely, she wasn't looking forward to this part at all, "Well… they're going as a group date. Remus is going with Evelyn O'Byrne; you know that short Hufflepuff prefect with the unkempt blonde hair, and Sirius has asked Daisy Hookum. Godric knows how he managed that because I heard that Benjy Fenwick finally gathered up the courage to ask her and she said yes but of course she must have changed her mind after Sirius asked her. Apparently, Daisy was all miffed because Sirius hadn't been paying her much attention these past few weeks and was all over Benjy to make Sirius jealous and now she's dropped the poor boy like a hot spud. Then again, it's not exactly her fault, I don't know if I could do it. Date Sirius, you know he never gives you any sort of directive that his completely in it, and apparently Daisy was fine with taking things slow but-"

"As interesting as Black's love life is, I have to go." Aiza rose in a swirl of white, "Either way, have fun." She was out the door before either of them could respond.

"Mary, you said seventh wheel?" Lily's back was to them as she leaned over and extricated her denim jacket from her trunk, "That would imply that there was originally six people going."

Mary knew what Lily was asking even though her friend thought she was being vague, "Potter's going with Cassandra."

Emerald eyes flickered to Marlene whose face flushed in defence, "I had no idea… though they did stay behind after practice last night to talk, I just thought it was about quidditch."

Lily shook her head, a superior look on her face, "I thought Cassandra was smarter than to fall for the likes of Potter. I suppose this is a good thing though."

"It is?" Mary asked, apprehensively.

"Yes. It's nice that they're doing the decent thing and officially dating rather than sneaking around indecently."

"I don't think-"

"They have, I saw proof myself, it looked like Cassandra had practically clawed a chunk of his flesh out…" Lily muttered under her breath and Mary and Marlene exchanged concerned looks. "Anyway, good for them." She laughed, that airy sound that lacked life, "I'm off. Are you sure you don't want to come along."

Mary was about to respond when she realised Lily aimed her last question to the drawn four poster, and just like for the past two weeks littered with Lily's failed attempts at getting the girl to speak, her question was answered by silence.

"I best be off too, Andy's been waiting for like half an hour, any longer and he'll ditch me to run around with Eddy and Phillip. Walk down together?"

Mary nodded and followed Marlene and Lily out of the room, not missing the determined glint in the redhead's eyes, trying, and failing to overshadow the trembling despair that threatened to grace her at the news of James Potter and his date for the day.

-x-x-x-

Her cheeks were aching from the smile on her face, but she couldn't help it, she knew her dimples were in full effect, and she didn't care for Peter's apprehensive glances.

Mary had never felt so special in her whole life.

Walking down to Hogsmeade with the three most popular boys in school, and Peter, was definitely quite the experience.

The group constantly faltered as someone or the other just had to shout hello, pat Potter's arm, or giggle a greeting at Sirius, to Daisy's discontent, which she covered well. She had that too-cool-to-care look that made her demeanour seem cold but Mary knew she was just trying to hide her jealousy at the mass of girl's that swooned up at her date.

And then there was the fact that Sirius Black was next to her, he had stayed firmly at her side all through the walk, whilst Peter dawdled on her other side. Daisy of course was on Sirius' other side but somehow it was Mary who Sirius kept speaking to.

The other four headed up the front, their conversations polite murmurs that Mary couldn't make out because of the gusty wind. Just then a strong breeze rustled Cassie's short red dress and she quickly patted it down, not before a considerable amount of her toned thighs could be exposed and Sirius' voice sputtered over his story as he stared at his friend's date in appreciation. Mary couldn't help the feeling of jealousy that churned within her.

Daisy however smiled sharply up at him, her dark brown eyes glinting in the weak sunlight, but she never voiced her disapproval, which was odd considering she was known to be loud and bossy.

"So, Pixie, where to first? Please don't tell me you're one of those girls that spends all their time in Gladrags?" Mary's smile re-emerged and Sirius was instantly forgiven his indiscretion due to three reasons, his nickname for her, his asking her for input before he even asked his own date, and the look of jealousy that finally broke on Daisy's face.

Somebody was actually jealous ofher.

"It's clear she doesn't." Daisy bit out in distaste, glancing at Mary's plain jeans and crimson shirt which she eventually opted for, but by the time Sirius turned to the girl she had a lovely smile plastered across her blushing cheeks, "Mary doesn't seem so vapid."

"Of course, darling." Sirius chuckled and moved closer to the brunette, swinging a hand around her waist, his attention completely on the girl, "Though I wouldn't mind spending my whole day in Gladrags with you, the changing rooms allow for such… adventurous opportunities."

She giggled as Mary frowned, catching Peter's dreamy look, he truly worshipped Sirius and a laugh broke from Mary when she imagined Peter using that line on some girl. When Sirius said it was suave and flirty, if Peter said it sounded like an attempt at kidnapping.

Mary's laughter died as she caught a familiar face, his blue-grey eyes glancing at their group, and she had to stop herself from smiling in greeting. As much as Regulus Black and Sirius resembled each other physically, their personas were stark contrasts of each other, and as if to reiterate that fact he remained a respectable distance away from his date, Selina Selwyn, the anorexic blonde from Ravenclaw, whilst Sirius was all over Daisy.

Regulus' eyes flickered away from his brother, and Mary glanced at Sirius wondering if he had even noticed that his brother was across the street from them or if he was too enamoured with Daisy, but Sirius' eyes remained clamped on the fifth year Gryffindor and Mary sighed.

Their party was fully on the High Street of Hogsmeade now, with shops on both sides and throngs of people pushing their way through them.

Remus turned around, his cloak flapping in the wind, "Butterbeer to warm us up a bit?"

Sirius laughed and pulled Daisy closer to his side, "I have other ideas to warm me up."

"Oh Sirius, stop!" Daisy giggled.

Mary couldn't help but agree with the girl, Cassie however found the whole thing hilarious and giggled at the pair of them. Evelyn smiled pleasantly, but Mary doubted if the girl knew any emotion besides that.

Mary didn't mind Evelyn's presence, she actually loved it. For one thing she was a dress size or two bigger than Mary, that brown sweater she was wearing made her look even pudgier and she wasn't ridiculously pretty like Cassie and Daisy, so she didn't even feel awkward in comparison.

"Yes Sirius, please stop." Eight heads swivelled around at the cool voice and Mary's smile fell as it landed on another one of Sirius' relatives.

Of course, this was drawing on conjecture from the man's dark hair and aristocratically good looks, even at his age which seemed nearer to fifty from the specks of grey in the black strands. The coldness in his face disappeared as his lips stretched into a playful smile that took a decade off his face and Sirius barked out a laugh, "Uncle Alphie."

He hugged the man, who responded in kind, ruffling his nephew's dark locks good naturedly; he nodded a greeting to the lot of them which James and Remus returned with handshakes.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, I see you're quite busy, I was just in Hogsmeade and saw a few students and realized a trip must have been scheduled today and I couldn't help coming over to see my favourite nephew." He smiled abashed, glancing behind him, "Unless of course Reg is standing right behind me in which case one of my two favourite nephews."

Sirius dismissed it with a wave, "He entered Scrivenshaft's like five minutes ago."

Mary frowned; she thought Sirius hadn't even noticed his brother.

"Anyway, I don't wish to take up much of your time. Mind a cuppa to catch up with your old uncle?"

Sirius beamed, "If you find me an old uncle then no problem. I however won't mind catching up with the handsome devil before me."

Mary couldn't help smiling, was there anyone safe from Sirius' charm?

"Meet you in Three?" Sirius nodded at the boys, and they agreed, and he hastened to follow his uncle, who remained where he was, a polite smile on his face.

"Pleasure meeting you, Miss?" His uncle greeted Daisy and Sirius spun around as if just remembering what he had forgotten.

"Oh Daisy! I won't be a moment." The smile he offered her was so convincing Mary wondered how the girl managed to not melt into a puddle on the floor. He winked and walked off, an animated look on his face that Mary was surprised to see, Sirius had always made it seem like he didn't like his family.

Remus politely gestured to Daisy and Mary to follow him as they entered the Three Broomsticks, which thankfully wasn't as full due to the time. People liked to look around first and then settle here, Mary quickly glanced about the room but found it absent of her friends.

"Well, if it isn't my favourite customers!" The young barmaid smiled at the boys with genuine affection, the badge sporting the nameRosmertastretched across her considerable bust, "Go settle yourself in and I'll bring you lot some butterbeers."

They did as they were told, choosing a large table near the front window.

Daisy had demarcated Sirius' seat with her handbag, whilst Mary and Peter squeezed into the inside of the booth. Remus and Evelyn mirrored them, with Potter sliding in next to Evelyn and Cassie sitting precariously at the edge of the long seat.

Remus frowned, and Mary knew why, it was considered more polite for the boy to sit at the end, a somewhat protective barrier, made it seem a little more intimate.

If Cassie minded, it didn't show, her dark brown skin was bright as she looped Marlene's scarf off with a slight shiver, "I've been dreading Winter, I'm such a Summer bum, I'm no use in this cold."

"I wouldn't say that." James spoke as Rosmerta brought over the drinks, "You were brilliant in that match against Ravenclaw last year and it was practically arctic conditions."

Cassie smiled politely, "I don't know about brilliant. Are you a fan of the cold James? Or do you like it hot like me?"

James shrugged, ignorant to Cassie's flirty tone, "I like to fly, period. The weather really is just unimportant when you're up there, it's like a different world."

Mary swapped a quick glance with Remus which showed they both didn't think Cassie's intention was to bring the topic to quidditch.

"Speaking of Summer, what did you get up to in the holidays Cassie?" Remus asked politely.

"Well, my brother brought over his new girlfriend so we were busy playing host to her, she's from the States, real sweetheart."

"I think I saw an article in the Prophet about that. She's the keeper from Sweetwater All-stars? They played the Kestrals last year, Richard isn't thinking about leaving the Kestrals is he? He's done a world of good for them, I see where you get your flying technique from." Potter turned to face Cassie and inadvertently blocked Evelyn from the conversation with his wide shoulders, "Have you sent out applications for Summer boot camps? I know your brother plays for the Kestrals, but I hear the arrows are looking for a seeker."

Cassie's smile faltered, she evidently didn't want to talk shop and Remus hastily changed the subject, "That's brilliant, it must be nice having a sibling. Do you have any brothers or sisters Evelyn?"

Remus asked the short girl squashed between him and James in interest and she fidgeted with the fork on the table and murmured so softly that Mary couldn't even hear her. James glanced out the window, his eyes flickering around the crowd whilst Daisy mirrored him, evidently that their interest lied elsewhere.

Mary didn't know why but she felt responsible to take over urging conversation between Potter and Cassie now that Remus was busy with Evelyn but thankfully she was saved by a booming laugh.

"James! Remus! Ah, and Cassie!"

They glanced up to see Fabian Prewett walk in and spot them easily. He was three years ahead of them and had left Hogwarts two years ago, and a familiar and friendly face. He once jinxed a Slytherin for teasing Mary in her first year, but she doubt he'd remember her. Remus and Potter made sense though, Fabian and his twin brother, Gideon, often were consultants on Sirius and the boys' pranks. And he of course knew Cassie, her brother Richard and the twins were the best of friends in school.

"Fabian!" James shook his hand enthusiastically whilst Remus waved from his spot at the inside of the booth, "How've you been doing?"

"Brilliant, just popped over the Magic Neep to grab some stuff." He gestured to the bag of groceries in his hand and Cassie beamed.

"I suppose Molly sent you, how is she doing by the way? The last time I saw her she was ready to pop."

"Well, she's popped now, hasn't she?" The smile on Fabian's face was contagious, "Last weekend. Another boy, Percy, they've named him. Not the best of names if you ask me but Arthur's mum was adamant. Mol's promised me I'll get to pick the next one."

"Another one, aren't they on three!" Cassie gasped.

"Those two would have a quidditch team if they could help it, Molly would mother the whole world if she had her way." Fabian explained to the group in general.

"My mum's the same." James added with a soft smile which seemed to surprise Cassie. James smirked and grinned often, but the smile that graced his face now was definitely rare.

Fabian's smile faltered at the look on Cassie's face and Mary felt odd looking at Fabian who was looking at Cassie who was looking at James who was now looking at the table.

"I better be going." Fabian muttered.

"Send Molly my love, yeah? And give little Percy a kiss for me!" She laughed as Fabian backed away.

He nodded, his usual grin missing and walked out the door.

Silence descended the table and Mary glanced out the window, looking for Sirius like she knew Daisy had been. Remus joined them this time but something about his look of yearning made Mary think he was singling out a dark-haired girl instead of his best friend.

Peter's stomach gave a large growl, snapping everyone out of their thoughts. Remus seemed to remember himself and turned to Evelyn to ask her if she wanted to eat.

Cassie looked expectantly at James but he was back to glancing out the window so Mary stretched her leg across the space underneath the table to kick him into action, she felt like this would be what Sirius would want, to egg James on.

"Ouch." Evelyn flinched when Mary's foot connected with her shin and she glanced up in shock at Peter, but her action had bumped James, who then jostled into Cassie who already was teetering on the edge of their seat and Mary watched in trepidation as Cassie fell off her seat.

In a show of agility James scooped his hand about her waist and had her drawn to him tightly, her long dark hair cascading behind her, her brown eyes wide with shock "Nice save Potter."

James however didn't have a witty comeback, Cassie's body was awkwardly moulded to his as she was still off the seat, the only thing supporting her was James right arm about her.

Just then there was a snap of the door closing and Mary caught a shock of red hair through the front door glass. James however was too busy trying to drag Cassie back onto the bench, this time she fitted easily as he swung an arm about her shoulders to allow for more space and security.

Mary swapped high brows with Remus; she knew this whole scenario was to make James feel more comfortable but suddenly she felt like she was being disloyal to Lily.

But Lily didn't like James?

Mary turned her attention back to the table, Evelyn had been muttering apologies for bumping into James, her cheeks a brilliant red in embarrassment when the waitress arrived to take their orders.

Daisy refused to order, glaring out the window as everyone ate, and when James and Cassie finished eating, they stood, "We're heading off to Spintwitches, anyone care to join."

Nobody did, the sporting goods store was Mary's least favourite place, but Remus and Evelyn stood as well, "I have to leave Evelyn at Madam Puddifoot's, she's meeting her friends. I'll be back in a moment." He nodded to Mary in particular, knowing that he was deserting her with none other than Peter and Daisy of all people!

Not caring to sit through the impending awkwardness Mary rose to her feet, "I'm going to the ladies. See you in a bit!"

She shuffled past Daisy who was now openly livid at Sirius' absence and darted for the door to the girl's bathroom and her salvation from having to endure watching Peter gobble down another burger and Daisy set fire to another napkin in her agitation.

-x-x-x-

The cool cotton fell across Aiza's legs as she crossed them upon each other, dangling her foot in impatience as she awaited his arrival. They had beforehand agreed to meet at this destination, a small room hidden away in the dungeons that he had introduced her to. Her stomach churned as she recalled the memory of that introduction, the discomfort of the leather armchair at her bare back, the horrid scent of his aftershave that seemed to eclipse all other smells in a room and clung to her skin for days like some horrid invisible tattoo reminding her of him… constantly.

Aiza straightened up in her seat as she saw the profile of Garrick Mulciber in the mirror in front of her and straightened her back, thinking only of Mary's words from earlier.

Remus is going with Evelyn O'Byrne.

The mirror grated open, and Garrick stepped through. She remembered her puzzlement when she had done that for the first time, thinking that it were just a normal mirror from the outside, but when stepping into the darkened room she realized that it was one of those one-way mirrors where you could see through on one side. This of course was the side invisible to the outside.

His ice blue eyes raked her skin, and he tilted his dark head in appreciation as Aiza stood, "Sweet Circe you're a sight."

Aiza openly frowned, she didn't know why he had bought her this dress neither did she know why he requested she tie her hair in a bun, with Garrick it could be a platitude of disgusting fetishes. He crossed the narrow room in a matter of two steps and before Aiza could open her mouth, he was on her, forceful and fierce as always, all tongue and spit and hands… greedy hands that left nothing sacred and with a growl she pushed him off.

He was startled, she had never resisted, not once in the past ten months and she took a deep breath, "Don't touch me."

He scoffed, "This whole hard to get act does nothing for me princess, you need not play the prude." He stepped forward and she skirted the wall.

"I've come to tell you that this is over." She clutched at her wand in her left hand, hidden by the lengthy white cotton that draped her body. He opened his mouth, and she raised her right hand, "I know full well what the circumstances of my forfeiting our arrangement are, and I stand by my word that I want none of it. Do not write to me, do not speak to me, do not deign to even alight on my presence."

He smirked, "You don't want to do this Aiza, I can ruin your pretty little life, make it crumble into pretty little pieces."

"Go ahead Garrick, do whatever you want, I do not care. I'd rather be ruined pieces on the dirt than be sullied by your filth again." She took a deep breath and walked towards the door when her back hit the wall harshly, the diamond bracelet on her wrist cutting into her flesh as he pushed her hand over her head as he pinned her to the wall behind her.

"There is no out. You are mine." He bit out, "Think, you silly bitch, think of daddy and mummy and all your little bastard friends, the mudbloods and the blood traitors, they'll know what you are and they'll hate you!"

She laughed, her eyes widening in madness, "You speak as if I care Garrick. I don't care who hates me! I care that I hate me and by Godric I'll turn my wand on myself before I let you touch me again!"

There was a flicker of something akin to concern in his blue eyes, but it disappeared in a blink, "You wouldn't. When will you learn Aiza, you're selfish… just like me."

"And when will you learn Garrick, you can't hurt me." He let go of her hand and stood back and she refrained from clutching her wounded wrist and turned to the door.

"I'd never dare hurtyouprincess." She pushed through the door without turning back to look at him, his words like ice on her skin and she clutched her wrist as she leaned against the opposite wall knowing full well, he could see her…. And she smiled.

For the first time in forever she felt free.

For the first time in forever she looked at her reflection and didn't see his stench upon her.

He was invisible.

Invisible and out of her life for good.

She took off towards the front door, her feet carrying her to where her heart knew it belonged.

Feedback as always is greatly appreciated :)

Kalina