𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐄 ☆ Sirius Black ✔️ *slowly editing*

CH 7 - Purple mess and rainbow feathers

The morning sun pours its gentle warmth into the greenhouse, painting a golden hue across my face as I wait for class to start.

Marlene perches beside me on one of the tables, deep in recounting her disastrous weekend date with Gareth, who took her to Madam Puddifoot's. Her expression alone is enough to make me wince.

"I couldn't bring myself to tell him I hated it," she groans. "It was awful—truly, truly horrific."

"The place or him?" I inquire, my fingers dancing lightly over the leaves of a nearby plant.

Marlene ponders for a moment. "Both, I suppose. All he wanted to talk about was Quidditch. A bit of warning would've been nice."

I raise an eyebrow in playful defence. "Not as if we were ever close, Marls."

In mock despair, Marlene dramatically flops backward onto the table. "Why are boys so thick?"

"You're one to complain. Did you already forget that you forced me to spend my Saturday with three of them," I remind her, a smirk tugging at my lips.

Marlene shoots me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's fine," I admit. "I actually had a good time."

Before she can respond, a sharp voice calls, "Miss Davies, do not touch that plant!"

Professor Sprout comes rushing towards me, but it's too late.

The plant I'd been absentmindedly fiddling with moments earlier suddenly lets out an ominous shlurp and seizes me, dousing me in a spectacular spray of shimmering purple liquid. Purple liquid splatters across my robes and the table, leaving a vibrant, shimmering mess.

My eyes widen in surprise as the plant's grip tightens.

"Merlin's beard!" Marlene exclaims, scrambling to her feet. "Ellie, are you alright?"

Professor Sprout hurries over, waving her wand to coax the plant into releasing its hold. With a few deft flicks, the plant finally relents, retracting its tendrils.

"There now, dear. Just a little enthusiasm, that's all," Professor Sprout says, her eyes twinkling.

I carefully stand up, examining the extent of the colourful stains on my robes. "Enthusiasm?"

"You should be grateful it's only a juvenile specimen," she muses. "An adult would've left you covered in boils."

I grimace. "That's... comforting."

Sprout claps her hands together. "You'd best go get cleaned up. Off you go."

With a sigh, I gather my things, shoot Marlene a farewell wave, and make my way to the nearest bathroom, hoping the stains come out.

ϟ

The bathroom is quiet when I push open the heavy door, the scent of soap and damp stone thick in the air. I make for the sinks, rolling up my sleeves, when the door creaks behind me.

I glance over my shoulder—and freeze.

Dorcas Meadows.

She steps inside, slow and deliberate, her expression unreadable. But her eyes—they're sharp, wary, searching for something she's already decided she'll find.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice is clipped.

I huff a quiet laugh. "It's a bathroom. Take a wild guess."

Dorcas doesn't so much as blink. "You think you can just worm your way back in, don't you?"

I turn off the tap, realising she won't leave me alone, and shake the water from my hands as I face her properly. "Back in where, exactly?"