𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 | 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁

The first thing Cherry does the next day at the Great Hall is sit next to Dorcas. She plasters a hesitant, hopeful sort of tint to her smile, hopefully obvious enough for Dorcas to notice.

"H— Hi, Dorcas."

"Cherry," Dorcas says curtly.

Cherry sighs, looking down ashamedly. Taking a deep breath, she starts her fake apology. "You're right. I was being swayed by Black and Rosier. Watching that whole Marauders-Snape-Evans thing made me realize that, but I was too embarrassed to say so. It weighed on me all break, though.

". . . I had a falling out with my parents," Cherry adds, after a slight pause. "I felt so guilty I had to say something. I'm really sorry, Dorcas. I should've listened to you."

Cherry is surprised by how much truth she is hearing in her statement, but she thinks nothing of it. In any case, she is Marked now, and to change sides is paramount to suicide. And for all her anger and hurt, she doesn't want to die.

Mudbloods are lesser, they should accept their place in society, Cherry. They deserve it— you should not pity them.

"I heard from Marlene that you had been kicked out," Dorcas admits, finally looking at Cherry. The latter was glad that her latest 'scandal' (which had obviously been staged) had made its rounds through the Wizarding community. "I know it must be hard, being estranged from your family, but Cherry, you have to know. It's not fair to judge someone based on their parents' magic or lack of. If I were to have done that to you, we wouldn't be friends, Sorting be damned!"

"I know that now," Cherry sighs, averting her eyes. "I really am sorry."

Dorcas looks at her, gaze full of pity. "Don't do it again, and we're fine," she decides. "Anyway, I heard that Sirius has been kicked out, too. They must really be pushing for this 'pruning' of families."

Cherry lets out a small smile. Her plan did work, after all. Dorcas really is too trusting.

•——————•°•✿•°•——————•

The next day, Cherry walks down to Charms with Dorcas, who is taking it as she wants to work with the Department of Mysteries as a researcher and spell inventor. It is one of the few classes Hufflepuff has with Gryffindor, this year. For some odd reason, Dumbledore paired up Slytherin and Gryffindor—the two houses that hated each other—the most.

"C'mon," Dorcas grins, practically dragging Cherry. "You've got to meet Marlene, Mary and Lily!" Catching sight of Cherry's frown at the mention of the redhead, Dorcas sighs. "I know you don't like Lily, but I promise you, she isn't as as snobbish and stuck-up as she comes off."

Cherry frowns, but starts to pull her own weight. "Alright..."

Dorcas beams and practically runs over to where the three Gryffindors are sitting, so Cherry reluctantly picks up her pace.

It's 9 am, how are you so energetic?!

"Lils, Mary, Marls! I have someone for you to meet," Dorcas exclaims happily, plopping down into the seat behind the three girls, who turn to look at them. "This is Cherry Parkinson!"

Cherry gives them a small nod as she settles in her seat, trying not to show her disdain. "Pleasure"

Macdonald snorts, "Oh, you sound so posh!"

"Just because you've never had to face a governess—" McKinnon starts.

"Ignore them," Evans says with a very put-upon sigh, moving to sit on the other side of Cherry. "It's nice to meet you, too."