Lady Stardust

0.12 Winter Begins

December 7

Ariene had given in, in a way. She gave in to her schoolwork, which she was now easily completing without defacing it with disturbing doodles, and she had given in to liking Hogwarts and had given in to what her mom wanted her to be. Ariene hated it, but it was the truth. And, even more true, Ariene very much enjoyed her life. She ignored the stubborn, rebellious voice in her head, combatting it with the things her mother would disapprove of. First of all, Ariene was dating a girl. Second of all, Ariene still smoked and drank. Third, she still was at Hogwarts, which was a huge rebellious step in her family. Ariene tried her best to respond vaguely to her mom's letters, afraid of sharing too much. As far as her mom knew, Ariene was totally in love with Sirius. Not that Ariene said so, but her mom only listened to what she wanted to hear, creating a bearable image of Ariene.

"Who are you writing to?" Marlene asked, looking over Ariene's shoulder.

"Just my Mum."

"Does she know about me?" Marlene asked. Ariene scoffed.

"No, I'm still alive." She said, sarcastically. Marlene froze. Ariene turned to see Marlene's pale, stunned expression. "I'm kidding! Just kidding." Ariene said, reassuring.

"Oh, okay. Phew, right?" Marlene wiped her head theatrically.

"Yeah, I don't think I'll tell her, though," Ariene said, turning back to her letter.

"What? Why not?" Marlene asked. Ariene turned back to Marlene.

"Oh, let's not get into it. Are you up for a walk around the grounds?" Ariene asked. Marlene smiled and nodded. Ariene got up and paused the record player before leaving the dorm, hand in hand with Marlene. The letter stayed on the dorm desk, half-written, the ink still wet.

***

"Hi girls! You don't happen to have a fag, do you?" Mary asked, breathless. Ariene jumped back from Marlene and shook her head. Mary looked at her dubiously.

"I don't. I quit." Ariene explained.

"Again?" Mary asked, giggling to herself. Ariene rolled her eyes.

"Ask Remus. Why are you so out of breath, anyway?" Marlene said.

"Oh, I had to get away from the boys. They ran into Barty, the little creep. It's brutal over there." Mary explained. Ariene raised her eyebrows.

"They what? I'm going over there. Where were they?"

"By the stairs, I believe. I wouldn't if I were you." Mary said. Ariene winked at Marlene and ran off towards the staircases. She got halfway there before running into Snape, of all people.

"Watch where you're going, you reject," He spat, straightening his robes. Ariene scoffed.

"Go wash your hair, Snivellus." She said, running off. She got to the staircases, and sure enough, James, Remus, and Peter were standing off Mulciber and Barty Crouch.

"What the hell is going on?" She asked, a little out of breath.

"Oh look! The Beauxbatons bitch is here!" Barty chuckled darkly.

"Oh look! You got the piss out of your pants!" Ariene said. Barty turned purple with anger.

"Pardon?" James asked, amused.

"Oh, Sirius didn't tell you? Barty had a little accident back in octo-"

"Silencio!" Barty yelled, pointing his wand at her. Ariene sent the hex and his wand flying down the stairs.

"Oh, a bit of a butterfingers, are you?" Ariene smirked at him. She looked to the other one a second too late. He hit her hard in the temple. What the fuck? Ariene stumbled back, getting dizzy. There was yelling and she saw Remus tackle Mulciber before she fell and saw nothing.