Moonlight

Chapter Nine

February 14th 1976

For weeks the Hogwarts students had gotten secret love letters. Everyone talked about theirs. They compared, guessed, and asked around. Eventually, new couples formed around Lilith. Couples she saw coming and couples she never expected.

Valentine's Day was a weird time. They all got more attention. A guy was currently flirting with Pandora. She was oblivious as hell. She thought he was just being nice.

Barty was in his element. He was probably making out with some girl right now. Lilith didn't judge. He was objectively attractive and charming. He should have fun before the girl realizes it was just a few kisses and then bye-bye.

Dorcas was gone as well. She'd disappeared after lunch.

Lilith was standing in between Regulus and Evan. They were waiting for Dora to go to class. Lilith could see in the corner of her eyes that two or three guys debated on talking to her. She realized they must be scared or shy because of the two boys being constantly around her.

She could understand them. Lilith didn't want a date for today, she'd mentioned this to Evan and Reggie. They didn't let anyone near her. Regulus scared them off just by looking and Evan commented without shame.

"You know, I can deny them myself. The word no does exist," she told them again. They didn't react.

"Sorry to keep you waiting guys," Dora came over after what felt like an eternity. "Why do you look like Lil's bodyguards?"

"Yes, why do you?" the blonde questioned. The boys snapped awake turning slightly pink.

They hadn't realized.

The final class of the day was about to start. Potions. And Dorcas was there. Lilith's face lit up.

"Hey partner," Dorcas greeted her flashing her a smile.

"Hey, where have you been?" Lilith couldn't hide her curiosity. And for the first time in her life, Lilith saw her blush. Dorcas Meadowes blushed.

"I was outside with some friends," she admitted. Lilith took a closer look at her friend. "Miss Meadowes, are you lying to me?" she accused her in a high-pitched voice.

"Okay, I can't take it anymore! I have to tell somebody, but not here. After class." Lilith felt the excitement. A secret.

"There is someone, isn't there?"

"After class," Dorcas repeated. Right then, Professor Slughorn entered the classroom. He gave them a few instructions for a new potion before he let them brew it. He didn't tell them what exactly they were brewing. It was a tradition on Valentine's Day.

"Whoever guesses right, earns 30 points for their house."

Dorcas and Lilith began to work. Dorcas was separating leaves when Lilith began to whisper behind her. "Is it someone I know?"

"Lilith," Dorcas said in an annoyed voice, yet she was smiling at her friend's curiosity. "Okay, sorry." Lilith held her hands up in defense. She continued to smash the bananas. "So, it is," Lilith remarked.

Dorcas only rolled her eyes while adding the leaves to the other ingredients. "But not someone close to us, that's obvious."

"You could be the new Sherlock, Lils."

"I'd prefer Moriarty, honestly. And I haven't solved the case yet." Dorcas giggled at that. Of course, her friend would prefer the morally grey detective. "Do you want to continue rather than I tell you?"

"Yes, absolutely." Dorcas shrugged. "But don't let the others know. I want to tell them when I want to." Lilith nodded, her eyes glinting with excitement.