epiphany, james potter

2.

Three girls made their way to a carriage, Lyla Estelle Black, Lily Evans, and Marlene Mckinnon. The trio were hurled over in laughter at something one of them said.

Suddenly three loud voices are heard behind the girls. "Lyla!" Sirius ran over to her, "My dearest sister!" He wraps an arm around her, "Can me and the boys sit with you three ladies?"

Lyla rolls her eyes, "Why can't you sit with someone else?"

Lily giggles, "It's fine Lyla!" She eyes James with a little smile.

"The only carriage left is one with Snivellus." James makes a gagging noise, "Otherwise we obviously wouldn't want to sit with you Black."

Remus hits his shoulder with a scoff, "Be nice!"

"Yeah James, can't have my sister and my best friend fighting!" Sirius laughs.

Lyla just shakes her head and makes her way to the carriage, walking with Marlene and Remus while Lily, James, and Sirius talk loudly.

The six of them fall into a comfortable silence, occasional chatter.

Lyla sat between Marlene and James, smushed between the group of friends.

She couldn't wait to get out of the congested carriage, and when it stopped, she hopped over everyone to get out.

The six eventually broke into their designated groups again, and the girls made their way into the great hall to eat as much as they could.

They went over to their usual spots at the table, nothing changing.

Lyla could almost feel the stress radiating over the students in her year, 4th year. Lyla could barely stand another year at this stupid school, for some it was their home, for her it was misery.

Grimmwauld Place wasn't her home either, she didn't necessarily have a home. For Sirius Hogwarts was his home, and Regulus did just fine at Grimmwauld Place.

"Lyla are you even listening?!" Lily suddenly shouts into her face, "Have you heard anything i've said?"

"Uh yeah." Lyla rubs her eyes in exhaustion.

"What's wrong with you lately Black?" Marlene smiles in confusion and slight concern, "Have you had trouble sleeping again?"

Lyla huffs, she regrets telling Marlene about her troubles with sleeping in third year, "I'm fine Mar, just a late night last night."

"Look if you ever need to stay with me during break, you know you can." Marlene places a hand on Lyla's shoulder, earning a scowl from the girl.

"Marlene please save me the pitying looks and stop talking about it." Lyla let's put a laugh and earns a glare in return.

"I'm serious Lyla." Marlene shakes her head at Lyla's joking.

"Actually that would be me." Sirius comes over to take a seat next to Lyla, "I'm Sirius." He laughs at his own joke.

James and Remus come over soon after and take a seat by Marlene and Lily.

"So James, I heard you guys are throwing a back to school party tonight?" She giggles and her face turns red even looking at him.

It was obvious she liked him, which was amusing and put Lyla into disbelief, because how could anyone ever like James?

"Yup and you three are invited, even you Black." James adds the last part on with a sarcastic smirk.

"I don't want to go to your lame ass party anyway Potter." Lyla snarks back while leaning forward to grab the mashed potatoes.

"You're going." Lily and Marlene say at the same time rolling their eyes.

Lyla just huffs, Sirius laughs and Remus rolls his eyes.

Lyla gets up from her seat still tired, "Well if i have to go then i'm taking a power nap beforehand."

"Bye Lyla!" Remus calls out.