Of The Solstice

The Prank p.1

I am very aware of the plot hole about the prank, I had to go back and re-read to fix this.

Three days later-

I still felt extremely groggy from the effects of the curse, I sat up in my bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Lily perked up from her book and let out a sigh of relief. "How are you feeling Cali?" she asked softly.

I groaned "I feel like actual shit." I stood up and slung my sleep shirt off onto the floor and pulling on some grey sweatpants.

Lily gasped "Calista what on earth is on your arm?" She rose out of her bed and quickly grabbed my arm before I could stop her or explain. She examined the dark mark but ran her hand over the scars that lined it. 

"Lilly I- "I began to say, but she quickly interrupted me. "Cali, I knew about the mark, James—may have told me on accident. But it looks like you've tried to cut off your arm!" she exclaimed.

I wrapped my arms around her, "I didn't tell you because I didn't know how you'd react." I said softly.

She chuckled, "I can't be mad about something you had no choice over." We both let go of the embrace, I grabbed a Gryffindor sweater and threw it on.

"Thank you, Lily, please just don't mention it to anyone." I said, "I'll be having a chat with James now, if you don't mind." I said bending over to grab my bag and heading towards the door.

"Go easy on him," she laughed and sat back down to enjoy her book.

~

I walked into the common room, finding James and Sirius sitting on a window seat together talking, I approached them with my arms crossed. "James Potter!" I said loudly to get his attention.

Sirius nudged James and cocked his head towards me, "What did you do?" Sirius snickered.

I reached the two, shoving myself in between them. "James decided to tell Lily about my" I paused and took a deep breath. "Problem."

Sirius leaned on his knees giving James a scowl. "Prongs what the fuck?"

James rubbed his face "Bugs, it was an accident, shit. was she mad? I'm sorry." He began to franticly apologize, seemingly going on forever. A smile grew on my face, wider and wider every time the word 'sorry' came from him. He finally looked at me, and he gave me a playful punch. "You arsehole!" he shouts, Sirius and I burst into laughter with him.

"I take it she wasn't mad?" He said after we all stopped laughing.

"She was madder that I tried to in her words 'Cut my arm off'" I let out a soft snort.

Sirius furrowed his brows. "I'm sorry, what?" his voice was laced with concern. "Let me see!" he demanded.

"You've already seen it dingus." I said nudging him. "Is Remus already at the shack?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah, he's been there since last night" James said quietly.

I looked at Sirius "And we aren't going to have any surprise visitors, right Padfoot?" I said with my teeth clenched. We sat in silence for a few moments before James chimed in. "Right Pads?" he also asked.

"I told him I was only messing with him, and NOT to go to the shack." He paused "If he still comes, I can't do anything about it."

I let out a huff and got up. "He better not show up" I said sternly. "I'm going to the lake, Come with me?" asked Sirius.

"I'll catch up with you, we are going to take Remus some lunch." Sirius said, while the two got up.

I walked around the rock and saw Regulus sitting on the other side. He looked up at me and greeted me with a nod. "Well, hello Calista," he said, patting the ground beside him. "It's a nice day. I figured you'd come here eventually."

I sat down beside him, bringing my knees to my chest. "Why did you need to wait for me?" I asked softly.

Regulus shrugged, his expression calm. "Well, you've given the Dark Lord something to talk about for the next century. So, I take it that Evan made you meet him," he said, very nonchalantly.

"Yeah." I said shortly. I leaned my head against the rock waiting for Reggie to say something else.

He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close, "He said that he had never seen anyone else work so tirelessly to get rid of the dark mark," he paused, "He tortured Evan, for a whole day" he finally let out. e

I perked my head up "What do you mean tortured him?" I asked.

"At the last meeting he took Evan to another room, while we all sat and had to listen to his screams." Reggie sighed. "I know he's done things to you, but I've never seen- "he paused. "I've never seen his discipline someone like that."

"He deserves it." I said coldly.

"Are you doing okay?" he asked as he squeezed my shoulder.

"I still feel like shit, but nothing hurts anymore." I said leaning my head back on the rock.

Reggie quickly turned to me, "That means he only did it for show," he said taking a breath, "You'd probably still be in the hospital wing had he meant to hurt you."

"That's reassuring" I said sarcastically.

As we sat, listening to the soft waves of the black lake. He kept an arm around me, keeping me warm from the cold breeze that kept picking up. Approaching footsteps broke the peaceful silence that surrounded us, Reg quickly took his arm from behind me as the footsteps quickened.

Sirius popped out from behind the rock, his wand drawn and pointed straight at Reggie. When he realized it was his brother he let out a breath, "Holy fuck Reggie, I almost blew you up." He let out another breath and sat down beside me.

Reggie got to his feet and brushed off his robe. "Well, I suppose I'll be going then," he said.

"Thank you, Reg," I said, leaning my head on Sirius.

Reggie nodded and walked off, his footsteps slowly fading away. Sirius wrapped his arm around my waist pulling me to him.

"Does he know?" I asked quietly.

Sirius shook his head, "I haven't told him, but I'm sure he knows." He said just as quiet. "He knows we are dating though," he added

I pursed my lips. "Severus better not show up tonight," I said sternly.

Sirius let out a huff. "James is taking care of it. I feel bad, I thought it would be funny to see the look on Snivs' face when he came face to face with a werewolf," he said.

"Well, it's not, it's cruel," I said shortly, turning my body to face him.

He leaned over and gave a quick peck on my lips, then leaned back against the rock. "I still haven't, uh, told him about the prank," he said quietly.

"Sirius Orion Black!" I said loudly. "You need to tell him!" I pleaded.

He looked at me, scratching the back of his head. "I know, I know. I've just been putting it off, but I'll talk to him before the night is over, I promise."

"You better." I said, my tone still not changing.