astronomy • marlene mckinnon

twenty seven

t.w. mentions of abuse

The Astronomy classroom was quiet except for the sound of the tapping of shoes on the floor as Astraea Black sat on one of the chairs in the classroom and bounced her right foot, an old habit she can't seem to get rid of, as she looked at the blonde standing, not far away from her, leaning against one of the walls in her classroom.

"If you have something to say, let it out already," The Slytherin spoke up, getting annoyed.

Marlene looked back at her, slightly frowned, and then pointed at her, specifically where the collar of her shirt had fallen down once more, revealing that fading bruise the blonde sixth-year had noticed not even an hour ago.

Astraea furrowed her eyebrows as her eyesight followed the Gryffindor's finger and suddenly sat up straight as she adjusted her shirt.

"And?"

"How did you get that?" Marlene raised an eyebrow, a challenging look flashing in her blue eyes.

"That's what you want to talk about?" Astraea scoffed, but the other girl didn't reply and just crossed her arms and continued to look at the Slytherin with narrowed eyes.

The raven-haired girl rolled her eyes, "I wasn't looking where I was going and walked into a door. Are you happy now?"

"That's a lie and both of us know that," Marlene snapped at the Slytherin, who rolled her eyes once more as she stood up.

"I actually don't," Astraea made a face, as she picked up her bag, heading towards the door, now terribly annoyed, and terribly determined to not let the secret stay behind the walls of number twelve, Grimmauld Place.

But really, she should have known by now that things never really go the way she wants them to go.

"I know that your parents abuse you," The blonde Gryffindor had spoken up just as the other girl had pushed down the handle, and was now frozen in her place.

She had no idea how Marlene had got to know, but if she did know, did Lily and Mary know about it too? And how did she find out? Sirius wouldn't tell her, or maybe he would, that Astraea had no idea. Or maybe one of the other marauders may have accidentally slipped it out- she knew that James knew exactly what happens inside the dark walls of their house, and the other two had a slight idea.

And if Marlene now knows, would she tell anyone? And if she does, how long would it take for the news to spread?

The Slytherin turned around, her eyes devoid of any emotion as she was met with expectant blue eyes, her jaw clenched as she spoke up, "I don't know what you're talking about it."

"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about," Marlene took a step forward, letting out a frustrated sigh, knowing that she was lying. "I'm not dumb, Astraea."

The raven-haired girl said nothing, but just rolled her eyes, an action which she seemed to be doing a lot that night.

"I know that your parents hit you, and talk shit about you to you, and just abuse you whenever you do something that is wrong according to them- when it's actually nothing at all," Marlene continued.

"You know nothing about anything that goes inside my house," Astraea hissed, moving closer as well, her deep grey eyes reflecting anger and annoyance.

"Oh, I can assure you that I do," Marlene scoffed, walking towards her as she went on speaking, "I overheard Sirius and James a few days ago alright, and I don't think Sirius would go around lying about the shit that happens in your house, there's a reason he ran away, and I just can't seem to understand why you wouldn't."