Gryffindor Tower was unusually quiet for the weekend. Allegra sat quietly near the roaring fire, ignoring the howling wind beyond the window and the many students passing through the Common Room. Instead, she focused on her self-given mission: discovering what the Marauders were up to. So dedicated to her task, she'd opted to skip the latest Hogsmeade trip. If only to save the awkwardness of another reminder of her lonely school life at Hogwarts and lack of friends.
Surrounding the determined third-year muggle-born were plenty of books from the library, ranging from spellbooks that looked similar to those she'd seen James reading to potion books of all stages that looked somewhat similar to those Remus and Sirius had in their possession at different points since returning to for another school year. In addition to the many books were parchment pieces, a quill, ink, and Isolde's diary.
Secretly, Allegra had hoped her sister knew something about the Marauder's mysterious plan and had written about it. After all, Isolde was not only friends with the group of boys in question but also wrote in her daily diary, always with a detailed account of what had occurred during the day. Although the older Smith twin would never admit it, she also hoped to discover her sister's secrets, if only so she could weaponize them in the future and use them to get what she wanted, even if that came with the devastating consequence of tearing Isolde and her little friend group apart.
"What are you doing?" came the squeaky voice; Allegra instantly recognized Peter Pettigrew coming from the portrait hole. Instantly, Allegra grabbed Isolde's glitter-decorated diary and stashed it away before Peter could see what it was and question why she had it in the first place. Much to Allegra's annoyance, the voices of James, Sirius, and Remus could be heard, which only sparked concern for Allegra, as it would mean the girls would be back soon, too.
Quickly, the judgmental muggle-born swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She'd been so sure she would have plenty of time to clean up her mess in the dormitories and hide the evidence of her rummaging she'd left the mess too late. Even with the cold and snow, she was sure the girls would spend several hours at the Three Broomsticks and nosing around the shops.
"Careful there (Y/N)," spoke Sirius as (Y/N) toppled down the step from the portrait door. Although his cheeks soon began to heat up again, he'd caught her, a somewhat familiar thing to happen since returning for the third year, as was his mind going blank when (Y/N) was around. As was the norm, (Y/N) thanked him, flashing him her famous innocent grin, before grabbing his hand and pulling him over to their shared friends, once again oblivious to the effects she had on him.
When the pair joined the combined group, the conversation shifted to the upcoming Quidditch match, Slytherin vs the reigning Quidditch cup holders, Ravenclaw. Isolde had offered to take the things Marlene and (Y/N) had brought in Hogsmeade up to their dorm. Neither of the girls noticed when Allegra's concern grew on hearing that one of them was going to the dorm. Since Allegra had neglected to tidy up after her misdeeds, the shared dorm looked like a tornado had rampaged through it.
The neat bunks of Isolde, (Y/N), Lily, and Marlene had been ruckled up, the blankets tossed to the side, the mattress flipped and lopsided, and all the pillows were pilled near the heater. She'd gone through their trunks, too, so clothes and other personal belongings were scattered across the room. Wrappers from the sweet box (Y/N) had were everywhere, and certain items each girl had that Allegra declared she wanted were hidden in Allegra's desk. Even the plushy toys hadn't escaped Allegra, especially the one that belonged to Isolde, which had been torn apart with malice.
"So Legs, wotcha been doing while we've all been nosing around Hogsmeade?" asked James, noticing the half-empty bottle of butterbeer at Allegra's side. Immediately, the judgemental girl tried to act like nothing was out of the ordinary, instead hiding behind the Magic for Beginners Spell Book. At least trying to act like she'd spent the time productively by catching up on the things she had neglected since attending the school.
"Don't call me that," harshly retorted Allegra, anger painted across her features as she glared at James to get rid of him faster and ward him away from repeating the stupid nickname. "I'm trying to bring my witchy skills up to the expected standard, perhaps surpass the stupid expectations professors set for me," she lied, hoping he wouldn't ask the obvious questions floating through his thick head.
For a moment, Allegra allowed her mind to wander to Isolde again. How much her resentment for her twin sister had grown since they had begun attending the school, since finding out they were witches. Whereas Allegra struggled to cast spells and brew potions, Isolde thrived. She could pick up new spells with little trouble, castling them effortlessly by the time term ended. She loved potions, often managing to brew them without something spectacularly blowing up, and most annoying to Allegra, Isolde had already found her group of friends, people she gelled with and had become like family.
"(Y/N), Marlene!" called Isolde from the walkway above the Common Room, "Have either of you seen my diary?" asked the muggle-born witch, concern growing in her eyes and beginning to paint itself on her features. For a second, her eyes darted to Allegra, suspecting her sister had not only taken things that didn't belong to her again but trashed the shared dormitories while they were at Hogsmeade. Another way she was being a constant nightmare to those she had silently branded her enemies. "You might want to come check if anything is missing; our dorm looks like a whirlwind of destruction hit it. Except for Allegra's bunk, that's as messy as it normally is."
Marlene and (Y/N) quickly glanced at each other before darting up the stone spiral staircase, concern flooding both. The pair would have questioned who would have rummaged through their things, taken items, and destroyed others, but both knew the answer deep down. Isolde, however, never left her spot on the walkway above. Instead, she watched her twin closely as if telling her she knew what she'd done while the others were visiting Hogsmeade.
"Expecto Patronum," excitedly chanted Allegra, swishing her wand around. Her voice was louder than needed, her eyes of judgment cast down to the book resting in her lap. Of four boys to turn their attention to her, only Peter looked at her accusingly; although Allegra was sure the other three Marauders suspected her of something, they were just better at hiding it.
"Isn't that advanced magic?" questioned Peter. Looking at Remus, James, and Sirius, he knew all three were just as determined to master the powerful charm as (Y/N) was the year prior. Remus nodded in response, although confusion had since written across his features, mostly likely caused by determining why Allegra would attempt the spell in question when she could barely cast simple spells. "So, it wouldn't be in the Magic for Beginners Spell Book?" Peter inquired, noticing when Allegra had fallen into silence and now acted like she was reading through another book. Once again, Remus shook his head with a wordless response.
"Sirius, have you asked your girlfriend if she would help us?" questioned James, nearly as loudly as Allegra had pretended to cast the Patronus charm moments before—all to cover as Peter whispered something to Remus. The taller, more intelligent wizard soon looked at Allegra with suspicion glimmering through his blue orbs. "Sorry, my mistake. Have you asked your future girlfriend if she would help us?" James corrected, his voice loud enough to attract the attention of those coming and going and make Sirius freeze in horror as he tried to think of a quick way to disappear.
"Sirius has a girlfriend?" questioned Isolde from the walkway above, curiosity getting the better of her as she tried to think who the lucky girl was or who was unlucky, depending on the point of view. Just like many, she could rule out the Slytherin girls; Sirius had often made his hatred for the house known, even when his family was traditionally sorted into the house. Soon enough, Marlene and (Y/N) appeared on either side of her, just in time to hear Sirius and James's mixed answers to Isolde. James had confidently shouted yes while his eyes landed on (Y/N); Sirius denied such an accusation; he was a third year, after all, and still had no interest in dating ... yet.
"(Y/N), would you mind brewing the potion, please?" asked Rems as he walked back to the table from the fire, tightly holding on to Isolde's glitter-decorated diary. He subtly nodded toward Allegra, which was all Isolde needed to understand and likely (Y/N) and Marlene to understand what had happened in the shared dorm. "These three have tried over the months with no success. Sirius has been the closest. Peter sent all three of them to the hospital wing for a week, and James' attempt caused the ground-shaking bang that rocked the school a few weeks back," explained Remus when the three girls came back down to the Common Room, where he slid the diary back to its owner. (Y/N) stifled a chuckle, where, as Marlene glanced between the three with unspoke amusement.
"Bet Filch wasn't amused with that mess," voiced Marlene, as a bout of laughter escaped Isolde; at the same time, (Y/N) agreed to help the group of boys brew the unidentified potion they had been trying and failing to brew with some interesting results correctly. "Got to admit, though, I'm curious about Sirius' attempt?"
"That ear-ringing bang was you? What in the name of magic were you trying to do?" shouted Allegra, to ensure her questions were heard by everyone else and make herself impossible to ignore. Subtly, she reached under the armchair where she'd hidden Isolde's diary, trying her hardest to act as if nothing was wrong when she couldn't find it. Her attention turned to the pile of books, hoping she'd put it in, only to find the ordinarily dull books she had gathered from the library.
"Brew a potion," sarcastically replied James, a slight grin across his lips as he spoke the obvious.
"You can't be serious?" Allegra responded her irritation on clear display.
"You're right, he's Sirius?" laughed James, as he pointed over to Sirius sitting opposite him, clearly not paying any attention to the interactions. Although he laughed upon hearing the comment, he no doubt remembered what (Y/N) had said to him the previous year in History of Magic.
"What potion were you trying to make?" asked the muggle-born, as if she was interrogating a criminal rather than talking to a housemate. Anger and annoyance soon painted on her features, as if she wanted to be anywhere but there or to try and brew the potion herself if only to prove she could do it and prove everyone with such low expectations of her wrong.
"Trying to recreate (Y/N)'s banger from last year?"Marlene guessed with a soft chuckle, although she knew he'd make it more potent. They could ask (Y/N) for the recipes if they wanted to try it themselves.
"That disaster was last month. It's why my poor broom was on fire," James chuckled.
"That explains why you were smoking on the Quidditch Pitch," voiced (Y/N). Peter close by choked on his pumpkin juice, the same pumpkin juice he had suspiciously eyed before drinking if only to ensure it hadn't been spiked with anything.
"No, really, what potion was it?" asked Allegra again, quickly losing her patience at repeating the question; after all, they should be falling at her feet to give her anything she wanted. "I want to try and make it myself if only to show those stupid haters and droning professors they were wrong to underestimate me," she added, displaying just how tired she was of fellow students patronizing her and the professors congratulating her as if she had done something extraordinary when she managed to master something a first year could do.
"It's in one of the advanced potion-making books," squeaked Peter, as if to get rid of Allegra quicker. After all, he'd been on the receiving end of her temper tantrums before and had no desire to be so again. "I can't remember the potion's name; it began with an M, I think," he added, terrified of her reaction if she didn't get an answer or like the one she did get.
"So, who's Sirius' girlfriend?" asked Marlene, changing the subject when it became clear that the trio of James, Sirius, and Peter weren't comfortable sharing what they were up to. Remus, too, had displayed his unwillingness to speak about what the boys were up to and what they needed (Y/N)'s help with.
Once again, Sirius' cheeks began to turn a light shade of pink as he considered his personal life; although he wasn't surprised, James and his big gob often drew attention where one didn't want it. Quickly, Sirius picked up the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, if only to hide behind it and watch the pictures move.
"Future girlfriend," corrected James, reaching to snatch the Daily Prophet away, if only so Sirius could see (Y/N) was none the wiser. If anything, she was blind to the obvious, perhaps more in the dark than someone walking through the forbidden forest at night.
"More like a crush," teased Remus.
"Coming from the other idiot in denial," threw Sirius, chuckling as Remus repeated his earlier actions, snatching the Daily Prophet from James just to hide behind it.
"Aw! Who are the lucky ones?" asked Isolde sweetly, "Anyone we know?"
"Isn't anyone gonna ask if I have a crush on anyone?" asked James, at least believing no one had noticed his almost constant pining for Lily.
"Besides your reflection?" voiced Sirius with quick succession, effortlessly dodging the playful punch James threw at him, although he'd got caught with the kick to the shins.
"Lily," worded (Y/N), Marlene and Isolde simultaneously, each chuckling shortly thereafter if only to see the horror that passed off James' features even more so as he questioned how blatant he'd been.
"Told you," replied Peter with a bright smile at being proven right. Lily entered the Common Room shortly after as if by magic, waving to the group, reluctantly including James and Sirius. Nonetheless, she had a smile on her lips, and her eyes sparkled brightly; she'd enjoyed the extra time she'd spent with Severus. Her smile dimmed upon hearing of the mess waiting for her in the dorm and the task of determining if anything was missing.
"So, who's going to Valentine's dance this year?" asked Allegra, curious if she asked one of the three she secretly harbored a crush on if they would agree to go with her or reject her as the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin boys had last year. Although she was at least thankful the former two had been polite with their rejection.
As expected, Allegra overlooked Christmas festivities. Instead, she remained determined to ignore the celebrations altogether, even more so when she knew she and Isolde would stay at the castle that year. Their parents had decided to go on that vacation they'd spent years talking about. Even worse, Allegra's favorite aunt had declined to allow her to stay for the holidays, citing that she couldn't handle the constant tantrums and entitlement as an excuse.
"I doubt if anyone would trust us Marauders or (Y/N) after last year's fiasco," spoke Peter after a long, awkward silence. The Common Room had a strange feeling that only seemed more prominent now that the Head Boy and Girl weren't there, nor were the Prefects to help keep order.
"You mean after the prank war took over?" asked Lily, choosing to join the combined group rather than face the task of tidying up after Allegra again; she dreaded finding out what had been taken this time and the process to get the missing items back. The last time, McGonagall had to intervene, as Allegra had intentionally ignored both the prefects and Head boy and girl, going as far as to claim the items were hers even when it was clear they weren't.
A small bout of laughter escaped the group upon recalling the pandemonium at the Valentine's dance. (Y/N) had been quicker than the Marauders and Severus. James, as expected, had started the chaos by jinxing Severus, only for (Y/N) to catch with a modified Pumpkin Head Charm. She'd caught Peter with a reversed bubble head charm, whereas Remus and Sirius had been caught with the tickling charm. Despite Severus' best attempts to escape the rampage, he'd been caught with the laughing charm. Although it had all been in good fun, like many, Severus had become weary of (Y/N), especially after discovering her Metamorphic abilities and her association with the Marauders.
"Am I still on his beware list?" asked (Y/N) with genuine curiosity. She was aware that the potions and spell wizard was weary of her; most that had been caught in the prank crossfire were, but even so, she had noticed Severus never wasted a chance to avoid her. Lily soon nodded to the question, confirming (Y/N) was still on the list. However, he didn't hold anything against her; if anything, she remained on the list because of the constant mischief he so often walked into.
"I envy him," admitted Allegra, "He is smart and talented and doesn't have to share his entire school experience with you, and your constant weirdness," she added with bitterness. Once again, she recalled the last time she'd been paired with Severus; he was quiet and ignored her for the most part unless she needed help with something or he was correcting her on the potion she was trying to make. "Yeah, I'm still here; you can't get rid of me that easily. "Now, if you excuse me, I have more important things to do."
"Like trying to find my diary again?" voiced Isolde, feeling as the awkwardness quickly returned, and the room fell silent. If she was describing it; she'd say it was like all the life and fun had been sucked out of the room, like a Dementor was nearby. "Or finding out what the Marauders are up to this time?" she added, turning her attention to her twin, frozen to her spot, a bony hand tangled in her hair from where she would have thrown it over her shoulder.
The twins were soon exchanging glares. It was no secret their sisterly relationship had broken down more since the new school year had begun. Allegra had begun to torment people more openly, none more so than Isolde. Their bond as twins was nonexistent now. Instead, their relationship resembled that of rivals, a nemesis with little to nothing in common but attending the same school.
"Did I say this is the most awkward thing I've had to experience," commented James, looking back and forth between the Smith twins. "And I lost me trousers in the middle of a crowded corridor," he added, shaking his head to rid himself of the horror and embarrassment. The cheeky laughter from those around him brought a smile and helped to erase the tension. Alllegra on the other hand, soon stomped off to the shared dorm, wishing she could lock the door and prevent her four roommates from entering, only quietly worded insults left her lips as she climbed the spiral stairs, insults that were downed out by the laughter of those she hated so much.
