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we might just get away with this
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"One," Lily spied, nodding her head to a boy across the common room.
Marlene raised her eyebrow and studied him. He was average, with auburn hair and a witty smile, but Marlene shook her head. "Nope. Too normal."
Lily laughed. "Too normal? What kind of person do you want?"
"I don't know," Marlene mused. "Someone.. different! Stands out from a crowd, and knows how to have fun! What about you guys?" She wiggled her brows at Celeste and Lily. Alice fought back her smile. She was already seeing Frank Longbottom.
"I want someone who understands and has common ground with me. And... is fun but respectful," Celeste decided. "And pretty eyes."
"I want someone who is kind and sweet, but not completely boring," Lily sighed, glancing at another boy who just entered through the portrait hole. "Two."
Alice laughed aloud, shaking her head. "That's Remus!"
"Exactly," Lily agreed.
"Pass, obviously," Marlene giggled. She spied around at the people present in the room, a grin crawling over her face. "Three." She nodded her head slightly and James and Sirius who sat concentrated in a game of chess.
Lily and Celeste nearly choked.
"No," Celeste guffawed as Lily cried out, "Absolutely not!"
"Sirius and James have an ego larger than America," Lily retorted.
"Well then," Marlene turned to Celeste. "What's your reason?"
Red bloomed in her cheeks. "James is more of the friend type, and Sirius is downright irritating and arrogant. I would hate to date him, much less marry."
"You've thought this through already," Alice grinned.
"I mean, yes, because-" The other three girls burst into laughter, while Celeste flung pillows at them, embarrassed, red blooming in her cheeks. "Hear me out," she chortled, rolling her eyes. "I've known him since I was a toddler. And as old wizarding families require - usually sacred 28 - arranged marriages."
Lily's attention snapped to her at once. "You have an arranged marriage," she said lowly. "With Black?"
Celeste nodded timidly.
"You poor thing!" Lily cried, springing forward to hug her. "With Black of all people!"
"At least he's not terrible looking," Marlene said plainly. "Wouldn't you agree?"
"Marlene!" Lily scolded, looking bewildered.
"Don't Marlene me," she snorted. "I'm being honest."
Sirius and James jumped startled at the sudden shout of laugher from across the common room. They were wildly amused by the sight unfolded. Lily looked absolutely grief-stricken, fighting back her urge to grin. Alice, Celeste, and Marlene roared with laughter, clutching their sides. When they finally settled down, they glanced at one another before bursting into another round.
"How do you reckon I'm going to catch Celeste's attention?" Sirius wondered aloud. "She's angry with me right now."
"Angry?" James snorted. "What did you do to her?"
"We got into an fight a few days ago," Sirius shrugged. "And she won't spare a glance at me unless someone else is around."
"Well what did you fight about?" James implored. "Just fix it. C'mon, let go over." Hoisting Sirius from his seat, he dragged him over to the girls.
Facing the girls, Sirius instantly yanked his arm back.
Marlene looked at the two boys expectantly. Lily glanced at Celeste, seeing her look away.
"Evans!" James greeted cheerfully. "Don't worry about me, Sirius here would like a word with Celeste."
The poised girl stiffened, looking up at them.
"Alone," James clarified.
Celeste awkwardly rose and followed Sirius away to the corner of the room. There was a beat of silence between them as she shifted uncomfortably under his piercing stare.
Sirius shifted nervously. "Look, I'm really sorry. I'm just going to get to my point. I'm willing to... try again, if you're okay with that."
She stared, uncertainty glancing around. "Is this one of your pranks, Black? Because it's not funny."
"No!" Sirius said, a bit too loudly. He twisted his fingers. "It's just... I don't think you're all that horrible."
"Gee, thanks," she mumbled. "Are you being serious?"
The faintest smirk brewed on his lips. "I am, considering it is my name."
A laugh slipped out from her, and then the smallest smile appeared across her lips. "I see how it is then. Sure, I guess. We can try again."
Sirius finally smiled. A true, genuine smile. "Let's take it slowly, this time."
AUTHOR'S NOTE
jdshfkhjdfh this was really horribly written and short. i promise the good stuff is coming!!
