dungbombs and dances (s.b)

04 - lils?

"Bloody hell!"

Any sort of bravado that Luette could have felt earlier on had long vanished, replaced by a sinking sensation of dread. Hiding in a stuffy broom closet certainly did not make things better, but there was an unforseen problem - she was stuck. As in... hanging-upside-down kind of stuck.

Her valiant efforts to unhook her cloak from the hanger-looking object above her were futile. She would instantly pick rotting in there for the rest of eternity over the inevitable humiliation she was sure to feel when a senior or two discovered her during their nightly rendezvous. Come to think of it, exactly how long had she been in here? Potions had definitely ended long ago. She could feel blood rushing into her head as she struggled helplessly against the stupid hanger, the incessant ticking of an imaginary clock ringing loudly in her ears.

Exhaustion soon gave way, and the girl dangled limply in the air. She realised miserably that this must be how people must have felt to be under the levicorpus hex. Why did a first-year spellbook contain such inexplicable torture? She started to count sheep, hazily wondering if Pandora or any of the Hufflepuffs had noticed her prolonged absence. Surely the kind and loyal cinnamon rolls wouldn't abandon her just because she called out blood racism, would they? WOULD THEY-

Her vision was full of purple spots as blinding sunlight hit her face full-on. "What the hell?" She groaned, quickly blocking her fried corneas with her left hand.

"No, the real question is, how in tarnation did you get yourself into that position?!"

A flash of red, and Luette tumbled to the floor with a soft thud. "I don't even know myself..." She muttered and lifted her gaze to her savior. The flaming locks that licked and lapped in the gentle breeze like a crackling fire was unmistakable. "If it isn't my favourite Gryffindor, Evans!"

Lily Evans frowned heavily at the girl lying pathetically on the floor. Her jade green eyes were unusually dull, and the red surrounding them made it plain that she had been crying a few moments ago. "Get up, you lazy excuse of a sloth," she grumbled, crossing her arms as Luette got to her feet, dusting off her cloak. They strolled through the hallway, receiving many strange glances from passing students.

"You did something, Lysander? Why's everyone looking at us like that?" The normally bouncy redhead bowed her head, downcast. Even her hair looked limp and sad.

"Guess the entire school knows by now, except you," Luette forced a smile that came off more as a grimace as the duo came to a halt at one of the many fountains near the quidditch pitch.

"But seriously, what?"

"Oh yeah, my potion exploded and burned down the entire dungeon." Lily let out a snort, arching her eyebrows. Luette made a face and sighed. "Maybe, just maybe, this moronic good-for-nothing stood up for herself, and now the entire Slytherin house has a target on her back. Yep." She shrugged nonchalantly as Lily's jaw dropped.

"Are you sure you're a Hufflepuff?"

"Do you have something against them or something?" Luette huffed in annoyance. Was she supposed to be doubting even the Sorting Hat's decision now?

Lily was silent for a few moments. "I'd have to agree with you, though. The vendetta against us muggleborns is simply atrocious!!" Her cheeks were flushed with anger, and her eyes had a faraway look, as if she was remembering a particularly unpleasant incident.

"Something happened with Snape again?"

The redhead wrinkled her forehead distastefully. "I dunno... How do I explain it? I think we're... drifting," She finished sadly.

Luette had mixed feelings. She so wished for Lily to take off her rose-colored glasses and see Severus Snape in his true light; he was bad news. Very bad news. Her sense of judgement was being clouded over by the fact that they had been best friends for a long time.

She phrased her answer carefully, trying to tread on the girl's emotions as gently as possible.

"It's only inevitable that Snape found new friends in Slytherin, Lils. It's not your fault at all, far from that. In fact, neither of you are in the wrong here. It's just that, well, friendships come and go as more time passes, and sometimes you can't do anything about it except cry. But it seems that Snape has made his decision to prioritize his friendship with Avery and Mulciber over yours, and as your concerned friend, I'm warning you that staying by his side will only get you hurt. But, keep in mind that this very cool Hufflepuff over here will always be here for you. No matter what. And of course, I'll be more than happy to beat up that greasy git right away, just say the word!"

Lily couldn't suppress a watery smile as color returned to her pale cheeks. It was at times like these where she wondered what she did to deserve such an incredibly awesome Hufflepuff confidant.

"...Why try to get the greasy git back when I could have you, Lysander?"

Everyone knew that the infuriatingly collected Hufflepuff never blushed. However, the pink tinge on her tan skin was undeniable as she gazed in horror at the smirking redhead.

"W-w-wait, that's my line! I'm the flirt here, not you!! Wh-" Even the poor girl herself could not fathom the fact that she was stuttering. Hell would freeze over and Snape's hair would be free of all greasiness before Luette Lysander stopped being annoyingly smooth for one moment.

Lily only winked innocently. "I guess our dynamics are changing now."