𝕿𝖗𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖗 - ʳᵉᵍᵘˡᵘˢ ᵇˡᵃᶜᵏ

Chapter 25: The Avalanche

[ January 28th, 1978 ]

FOR THE first time in what seemed like forever, Theona would be partying on a Saturday. While often, the parties at Hogwarts happened regardless of the day of the week, Lily Evans's friends knew her too well. She would reproach the idea of drinking in her honour on a school night. So, two days before her eighteenth, they were scouring Hogsmeade for supplies.

They would be hosting in Ravenclaw Tower, to avoid the surprise being ruined for Lily. Theona was in charge of basically everything, given her actually being in the house. She'd chosen all the decorations (green and pink streamers and solo cups and anything of the sort, Lily's favourite colours), she'd decided on all the snacks (pumpkin pasties in abundance, Lily's favourite treat), and most importantly she'd gotten the booze from Xenophilius (everything and anything, Lily didn't care as long as it got her drunk). She very much enjoyed party planning; especially since it only reaffirmed how well she knew her friend.

     "Do you think we should go with Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans or Fizzing Whizzbees?" Marlene asked, holding up the boxes.

"Whizzbees, remember Lily doesn't trust Bertie's ever since she got that garbage flavoured one," Theona hummed, filling her basket with sugar quills. She'd been smart enough to keep it in the crook of her elbow this time around.

"Theona, do you memorize every little fact about us?" Dorcas asked fondly, helping Marlene grab some Fizzing Whizzbees.

"I try my best to," Theona answered earnestly, "like Marlene prefers movies to books and you, Dorcas, don't eat meals, you usually snack throughout the day."

"I don't know if I should be impressed or creeped out," Dorcas snorted, twisting the emerald stud in her nose. It had been her Christmas gift from Theona, and she was ecstatic to see her wearing it.

     "I feel loved, personally," Marlene grinned, sloppily kissing Theona's cheek.

     Theona flushed, "it's nothing special, really just habitual at this point."

     "It's cute." Dorcas complimented, grabbing the basket from Theona's arm and leading them up to the front counter.

     It was just them three in Honeyduke's—Mary was off buying herself an outfit for the evening's festivities. Theona was happy to spend some alone time with Dorcas and Marlene, as she hadn't ever done it before. She'd been an honorary member of the Marauder's and Co. for almost five months now, but she still often felt like an outsider. With each moment with her friends, she found herself getting closer and closer to belonging.

     She dwelled on her friendships a lot these days. They were halfway through the year, and in a few months time the majority of her friends would be graduating. She'd still have Pandora, Sybill, Regulus, and hopefully Evan come next year, but that didn't make the idea of saying goodbye any easier. Every night before bed, she found herself pleading with the universe that they would not forget her. A ritualistic prayer that the only home she had would not evict her.

     "Say Theona, I've been meaning to ask," Dorcas started, as the trio left the sweets shop, "why was Savannah Perez so friendly with you at the beginning of the month?"

"Oh, that," Theona uttered, the question taking her by surprise, "I don't know, to be honest. She saved my ass from Regulus on halloween and then we never really talked again. We're acquainted, I guess you could say."