In Another Life...

3

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A stag, a wolf, a dog, a werewolf, and a rat were all crammed into the shrieking shack. On a full moon.

The three canines fought in a playful manner while the stag sat off to the side with a rat on his antlers.

Bones, a mostly sandy wolf with black ears and gray eyes, went after Padfoot because she could. He went after her in self defense.

When Moony thought they went a little too far, he growled and set them in their place. Most of the time they went right back into it, like they wouldn't have the chance to fight again.

Inevitably, they got tired of fighting and decided to call a truce for the next month. Bones went and curled up at Prongs side and almost instantly fell asleep.

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As the morning sun began to rise, Ascella woke up to something, or rather, someone falling on her. "Ouch." She grumbled.
"Sorry!" Peter squeaked, but didn't move. "Peter." She said lowly. "Yeah?"

"Could you maybe, I don't know, get off of me so I can breathe? Your tailbone is digging into my spine."
"Sorry Ascella." He whispered, finally moving. "Its all good mate, just try not to make it a habit."

"Oi! Shut it, will you? I'm trying to get my beauty sleep." Sirius called from the other side of the room. "For what beauty?" Ascella questioned, sitting up and stretching her back out.

Sirius scoffed. "The beauty that's right here." He said, gesturing for his face, as if it was the most obvious thing.
"I don't see it."
"You wouldn't recognize beauty even if it bit you on the arse."
"And you would?"
"Yes!"
"How?"
"I've got the looks and the arse in the family."
"Absolutely not."
"What? You think you have the better genetics?" Sirius questioned.

"I know I do."
"Yeah, and I'm the Minister of Magic." He scoffed. "You're not denying it." Ascella challenged.

"I'll kill you both if you don't shut it." Remus groaned. "Sirius, go cuddle your boyfriend. He seems rather lonely at the moment."

"He's not—"
"Is that lie really going to come out of your mouth?" James questioned half asleep.

Ascella chuckled. "Now that you're all up, I'll see you lads in a bit. Promised the girls I'd spend time with them today — starts with breakfast."

"You're just going to wake us up, then wake us up and leave?" Sirius gaped at his cousin. Ascella thought for a moment before finally nodding. "Seems about right to me. I'd start heading back to the castle if I were you, it's a Hogsmeade weekend after all."

"Good riddance!" Sirius called.

"We're coming... eventually." Remus said, finally sitting up.
Ascella stood and her joints popped— a result of laying on the floor all night. She left a kiss on James's forehead and bid goodbye to half of her friends.

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"Morning ladies!" Ascella greeted as she slid into her spot next to Marlene, across from Lily and Alice. "Merlin, Ella! Where have you been? You weren't in bed this morning."

"I was with the guys all night, Marls." Ascella responded as Peter entered, heading straight for her, while James and Sirius stood by the door. "No Remus?" Alice asked with a frown, noting how he was nowhere to be seen. Ascella shook her head.
"He isn't feeling well, unfortunately." She responded smoothly and Lily gave her a knowing look.

"Ascella!" Peter called, gaining her attention. "Yes, Peter?"
"James told me to tell you, to meet him by the Black lake at 6 pm and that you'd know the spot he was talking about."
"What?"
"James— Ascella, please don't make me repeat it." Peter whined. "No, I heard what you said, but why?"

"He didn't say..."
"Alright then... tell him I'll be there."

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"Ella, come try these on!" Marlene called. Ascella looked up from the rack she was at, seeing a mound of clothes in Lily's arms as well as a grinning Marlene.

"You're absolutely mental if you think I'm going to try all of that on." Ascella stated as Lily dropped the pile of jeans, dresses, and tops into her arms. The firey redhead quirked an eyebrow at her friend.

"Fine then we're mental, but you can bet your beautiful arse that you're trying on all of these outfits, and you're going to like it, Ascella Seren Black!.. Show us what you end up liking." Lily huffed, placing her hands on her hips like an exasperated mum.

"Lily —I don't know your middle name— Evans, what has gotten into you? You're so bossy today." Ascella responded while she walked towards the changing rooms.
"We're trying to make it up to you, for missing your birthday."
"Lils, I told you it was fine. I spent the holidays with the Potter's, Sirius, Andi, Ted, and Dora. Together, they put together a small party, and it was rather nice. I enjoyed the party even though it was just the 8 of us."

"I know, but we were invited and hate that we weren't there for it." Marlene stated, leaning against the wall. "Don't argue, just put something on. I suggest you hurry, princess. Its 20 'til 6."

Ascella sighed and stepped out of the changing room. She was wearing the same boots and tights that she had wore to Hogsmeade that morning, before they'd snuck off to muggle London.
Instead of her ripped jeans above them, a black leather mini skirt was in its place. In place of her AC/DC t-shirt and leather jacket was a plain burgundy off the shoulder long sleeve shirt, tucked into the skirt.

Lily and Marlene gasped. "Merlin, Ella! If you weren't with Potter, I'd go on a date with you instead."

Lily nodded profusely. "Honestly, I thought I was straight... I may be reconsidering because of you."
"What Evans is trying to say without absolutely malfunctioning, you're hot. Like extremely hot— I'm talking surface of the sun hot!"

Ascella laughed. "So I'm gathering we should get this one for me?"
"Definitely!" The other girls agree at the same time. "Gather your clothes but don't change back, we're low on time as it is. Rory will scan them, help get the tags off, and give you a bag for your other clothes."