I'll Be Your Soldier

Blood Brothers

Mary's POV
My whole dorm was up by 7 in the morning. Today is the Hogsmeade trip and 4 out of 5 of us have dates.
"I can't believe you guys are leaving me alone. What happened to sisterhood?" Lily whined as she put on a green sweater.
"We're not leaving you completely alone, Hestia is free and so is Dorcas. You can go hang out with them." Em said.
"Yeah, but it's not the same. They're closer to their own housemates."
"You always have Peter and James."
"Oh joy."
"We'll all be back here tonight to hangout. James wants to have a roof party." Marlene said as she pulled her curtain open to reveal her wearing a hunter green tunic, black skinny jeans, black combat boots, and a black leather jacket.
"Well, aren't you dressed to the nines?!" Lily teased.
"Oh shut it, Evans. At least I have a date. I'm starting to think you're sneaking around with James you've been so celibate lately."
"Gross, Marls. I'm gonna go eat breakfast with the Ravenclaws. My real friends." Marls stuck her tongue out at Lily as she left and the rest of us giggled at the two best friends. The four of us headed downstairs shortly after her and joined the boys in the Great Hall for breakfast. I smiled to myself as I watched Sirius stare at Marls in awe as she ate. Remus and I are going on a double date with those two, to ease the pressure. We're gonna go to The Three Broomsticks and hangout. It'll be great, I hope. Remus is nervous about Sirius being nervous about impressing Marls, which could lead to God knows what happening.
Emma's POV
Slytherin dormitories are cold, dank, and dark, just like my soul. Well that sounded stereotypical. The truth is, Slytherins have much more fun than Gryffindors, we just don't get caught. Traitor Black thinks he's had so many conquests when Rabastan has got double. Not to mention Alecto's amount of suitors would make McKinnon's head spin. She's a wild one though, that Carrow. She's more for experimenting than settling down. As for me, well, let's just say right now Ian and I have an arrangement. We can screw as many people as we like, as long as it isn't anyone... how you say... questionable. We still want to keep the Vanity and Avery names held in high prestige. Our parents don't need to know anything more than Ian and I are going to be married at a respectable age. I took my time getting out of bed this morning, one stockinged foot at a time, as they say. Lucinda and Alecto, being the annoying Sixth Years they are, were smoking in the bathroom when I finally entered.
"Isn't it a little early for that? Especially in a place with no windows?" I asked as I stripped.
"It's never too early. Besides, they'll just assume the smoke is from you showering." Lucinda said as Alecto blew out a huge puff, looking too relaxed for that cigarette to not be laced with something.
"You high already, Al?"
"Not... purposely. Luc took my last cigarette so I Accio'd my brother's pack... and knowing him it's of... questionable descent. Oh well." Al said and collapsed into a fit of coughs, smiling as she bent over.
"The two of you are going to get yellow teeth if you keep that up. That's why I've cut back, only half a pack a day at most. I've got to keep Avery interested for the rest of my life and yellow teeth simply won't do." Al looked me up and down and smiled.
"Don't worry doll, you don't need any teeth with a body like that. If Avery doesn't appreciate it then I'll help you teach him a lesson."
"Don't make me take a cold shower, Al. I'll see you two in a bit. Gotta cleanup for Hogsmeade. Avery and I are meeting with his older sister and her husband to discuss married life. If only she knew what we really do, it would make her pretty little head spin." I stepped into the shower and began to clean myself. I know what you're thinking. That Emma Vanity should really think about her sexual orientation before getting married. That's a lie though. Yeah, experimenting with Al is fun, but at the end of the day the idea of sharing every intimate detail of my life with her makes me anxious. Besides, Mother and Father would not have it. The whole point of marrying Ian is to keep my family's blood pure, you can't do that when you have to adopt the next generation. I like Ian. We understand each other. Once my shower is over I use my wand to dry my hair and straighten it. I then do my makeup, classy and natural looking for Jasmine Avery Parkinson's benefit. Quite the opposite of my normal routine which requires lots of black eyeliner. I enter my dorm and change into the outfit Narcissa picked out. I don't know what's proper, Narcissa lives for proper. Black sheer tights, modest black heels, a loose short sleeved grey sweater dress that goes all the way down to my knees, and a grey headband.
"You look great, Emma." Capella stated as she fixed her top.
"I look like an old lady, but thanks for the sentiment." I replied as I grabbed my wand and put it into the handbag Talitha loaned me and tossed it over my shoulder. Al and Luc walked in and glared at Capella, Narcissa, Talitha, Florence, and I.
"You whores ready yet?" Al whined.
"Don't say that word. Besides, who are you calling a whore?" Florence asked as she rolled her eyes at the two standing in the doorway.
"It's a term of endearment, love. We'd just like to get to breakfast before we're 30." Luc explained. Al's eyes fell on me.
"E, you look simply horrid. A regular McGonagall in training." Al remarked.
"Oh shut it, Al. Your brother would probably still get hard if I wore a hundred layers of clothes." I snarled as she approached me.
"Don't mention my brother, doll. Now, can we please go to breakfast?"
"Sure. I'm ready."
"Lovely." She turned around and sauntered over to Luc, smacking Talitha's arse as she passed.
"Grand tush you got there, Denkers. Use it the next time you try and fail to flirt with Rabby. You're welcome." She hooked arms with Luc and they left, Florence, Capella, and I following as Narcissa hurried a scandalized Talitha.
"Honestly, E, you've had that Denkers under your wing since your First Year. You'd think she'd have learned by now how being a decent looking Slytherin works." Al moaned.
"She's more of a long term girl, like Narcissa." I reminded.
"Not to mention she has her poor heart set on Rabby and he just won't play. Won't even string her along, which I guess is him trying to be a decent human being." Luc explained.
"Too bad he couldn't treat you that well, huh Luc?" Al teased.
"We're not talking about that, we all agreed, remember?" Luc growled through teeth clenched into a sinister smile. Al may be the extrovert of those two, but when Luc orders something be done everyone, even Al, instantly obeys. Luc isn't afraid to be unforgivable, if you know what I mean.
"Yes, yes, of course. Must've slipped my mind." Capella let out a big breath as we silently entered the Great Hall. We didn't get ten feet before Pallas walked up to us.
"I'm taking Capella, we've gotta talk." He said to Al.
"Excuse me, no we don't." Capella said.
"Yes we do, you're mad at me, and that's gotta change."
"At least let me eat."
"Nah, no time. You don't need it anyway." Pallas took Capella's wrist and dragged her away as Al continued to walk.
"That Pallas is such a gentleman, ain't he?" Florence spat.
"What's got your panties in a twist? This time?" Al asked.
"The way Capella just lets Pallas treat her like that is disgraceful. She's a strong woman, she needs to stand up for herself and-"
"Now you've done it, Al. She's gonna carry on about how we shouldn't let guys walk all over us." I whined.
"Well you shouldn't."
"We don't care about what the guys think they're doing. Let them think they have control and then, when they least expect it, take it away. That's my motto." Al said as she plopped down on the bench next to her brother.
"What's your motto? Screw everything that breathes?" Rabastan taunted as I made Mulciber move over so I could sit next to Ian, who was too busy reading The Daily Prophet to notice my and the others' arrival at the table.
"No, that would mean I'd screw you, and even I have more class than that."
"You didn't on Halloween."
"You mean when I was drunk and on God knows what? Oh yeah, big accomplishment." Narcissa and Talitha finally joined us as I plopped a bunch of scrambled eggs on my plate. The discussion turned to Hogsmeade plans. Lucius, Rabastan, and Narcissa are meeting up with Bella and Rodolphus, Mulciber, Amycus, and Snape are gonna get stuff I'm not at liberty to talk about, Pallas and Regulus are gonna spend their allowance at Honeydukes, Crabbe and Goyle are going to get new brooms, and the rest of the girls are having a girls' day. When breakfast came to an end, Ian still hadn't looked up from The Daily Prophet, resulting in me tearing it out of his hands.
"Oi!! I'm dressed like this for you, you know? The least you could do is acknowledge I'm here." I remarked.
"Sorry Vanity, I was distracted." He stated.
"By what?"
"Page 3." I flipped to page 3 and my eyes fell upon Sarafina Blanca's newest roast. That's really all she does with her column, roasts random people for no real reason at all. Today she chose Hypnos Avery, Ian's dad. Skimming through the article, I could see nothing of substance, but being in one of her articles is enough to make our families go crazy.
"Are you worried about his reputation?" I asked, handing him back the newspaper.
"No, everyone of importance knows Sarafina Blanca is a fake. I just think she better watch out. You never know what could happen if my wand accidentally slips..." He smirked at me as he finished his piece of toast.
"That's attractive. You should make threats more often."
"Well I'm sure you'll hear a lot from Jasmine today, so try not to have the urge to screw my sister. That's not in the arrangement."
"Oh please, I'd screw Traitor Black before I'd screw her. She's-"
"Don't say bad things about my sister, Vanity. We've talked about this."
"Yeah, but you've known me long enough to know I can't keep my mouth shut."
"You can with Jasmine. She's family."
"I guess so." We quickly left, the others having abandoned us already, and waited for Dumbledore to let us go to Hogsmeade. Once he finally let us go, Ian and I were gone in a flash. I want to get this over with as soon as possible.
Remus's POV
Seeing Emma Vanity and Ian Avery enter The Three Broomsticks only makes me more nervous about Padfoot doing something stupid. They sit down at a table with a couple who seem to think they're better than this place. Not a shocker, anyone who's friends with Emma Vanity and Ian Avery think they're better than everyone. Padfoot is distracted, thank goodness, by whatever Marlene is saying. The double date goes well and Mary and I stay as the other two go, never noticing the Slytherins in the corner.
"Well that went well. Except for the part where you were totally distracted half the time. What's wrong, Remus?" Mary asked.
"I was worried we were about to be in the middle of a duel. Ian Avery and Emma Vanity are here." I replied. Mary looked over to their table, where Emma looked like she was about to kill someone and Ian just seemed uncomfortable.
"Remus, just because Emma and Ian are in the same room as us doesn't mean that a fight is going to breakout. They seem to be doing something important, so let's stop staring at them."
"You're right, sorry."
"I know."
Emma's POV
Blah, blah, blah. That's all I hear coming out of Jasmine's mouth. Blah, blah, blah... Father is so upset. Blah, blah, blah... Ian sit up straight. Blah, blah, blah... Emma you must not chug your drink, it's unladylike. Blah, blah, blah... your wedding is going to be in late summer, the year to be determined. Blah, blah, blah... your friends should really dress more presentable or else you'll have to stop associating with them. Blah, blah... what? I look around and see that Al, Luc, and the rest of the girls (sans Narcissa) sitting down in the corner booth. Oh how I wish I was sitting with them, Capella taking my normal spot.
"There's nothing wrong with my friends. Our friends, actually. Ian hangs out with them too. Right?" I said, so sweetly it could've been mistaken as menacing. Correction. Should've been mistaken as menacing. Ian leaned back in his chair, trying to make his sister think he isn't afraid of me. He is, I know he is. He should be. I'm not a Slytherin just because I'm sexy.
"Yes, we all hangout together. Even Narcissa enjoys their company, Jasmine. You like Narcissa." Ian said. Jasmine seemed satisfied with that. Her husband looked at his watch and his eyes bulged.
"We have to go, Jasmine. We said we'd be at your parents by 2." He said, the first thing he said all day. I don't even know his name, just that his voice is mega deep. Jasmine nodded, pulled Ian's cheek like she did when we first arrived, sniffed haughtily at me, and walked away without another word, her husband following. I turned to Ian once they were gone and glared.
"That was horrible." I stated.
"Cut the crap, Vanity. You zoned out the whole time. I was the one who actually had to listen. She's going straight to my mum to give her a report on us, you know. Lucky for you, Jasmine droned on for so long she probably didn't notice you didn't say a word until the girls walked in." Ian retorted.
"Well, someone has a temper today."
"I just want it to be break." I fished around in my bag and took out a Galleon. I tossed it to Ian and he caught it.
"Why don't you go buy yourself something pretty? I'm gonna join the girls." Before I could stand up, Ian leaned over and snogged me. My eyes widened as he pulled away, but kept his lips practically still on my own.
"My sister is watching us through the window. Mother must want proof that we're warming up to each other." He whispered. I raised an eyebrow and snogged him, this time much deeper than Ian's simple peck. I pulled away when I needed air, which wasn't for a long time since I'm pretty good at snogging and so is Ian. I turned around and saw Jasmine was gone, her glittery robes disappearing behind her. I turned back to Ian and pecked his lips again.
"Gotta make it believable, right Avery?" I asked, his face still showing signs of shock. I stood up without waiting for an answer and walked over to the booth the girls are in, Al whistling as Capella and Florence got up so I could sit down in my normal spot.
"That Avery is a great kisser, E. You're lucky he's your fiancé. I almost attacked Daddy when he tried to set me up with Goyle this summer." Al gushed as Luc handed me a compact mirror so I could fix my makeup.
"Goyle? He's disgusting. I honestly don't even know why we associate ourselves with guys like him and Crabbe." Capella remarked as I gave Luc her mirror back.
"They're Lucius's friends. Apparently the Malfoys, Crabbes, and Goyles go back centuries. According to Narcissa, at least." Talitha mentions.
"So your father is perfectly fine with you being without a suitor at your age? I mean, I'm all for no arranged marriages, but it seems odd that your family is okay with it." Florence asked.
"Actually, I have many suitors. So many that Daddy wants me to choose my fiancé. He's not thrilled with how long I'm taking, but I'm his little princess so he lets it slide. Besides, Mum is too busy planning Amycus's marriage to the Greengrass girl to worry about another one." Al explained.
"Amycus and Cynthia? Poor lad, he's not gonna get any with that one." Luc said.
"Well, you could always be his thing on the side, Luc. I wouldn't mind."
"You're disgusting, Al. Not every comment I make about someone's sex life means I want to have sex with them."
"Does in my book."
"Al, we could be talking about bunnies and you'd turn it into an innuendo."
"In a few years, when E and Ian are married, they will be going at it like bunnies." I roll my eyes at Al as she pushes her cheek out with her tongue, causing Talitha to quickly change the subject to her opinion on our Transfiguration homework from McGonagall that no one has done.
Marlene's POV
The moment I'm back at Hogwarts, Lily is dragging me into an empty corridor. She pushes me up against the wall and I chuckle at her serious expression.
"You know, Black and I were just in this exact position in the alley outside The Three Broomsticks." I commented and she made a barf noise as she removed her hands from my shoulders.
"Too much information, Marls. Way too much information." Lily remarked as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"Is there a reason you brought me here?"
"Right. Yes, there is. Marls?"
"Yes?"
"Are you ready for the best news ever?"
"Um... I guess. I mean, it depends-"
"Just say yes."
"Okay then. Yes."
"I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!!" Lily yelled at the top of her lungs as she jumped up and down.
"You what?" I asked as she quickly calmed down.
"Well, I have a date with Benjy Fenwick who I spent the whole day with since you ditched me and I'm very excited, too excited. He's just a guy, Lily."
"Lily, that's great."
"I know!! I'm so happy!!"
"I didn't even know you had a crush on Benjy."
"Well, I didn't, but after spending the whole day together I realized that he is the sweetest and one of the smartest people I know and he asked me out and I said yes." She giggled as we went to the Great Hall for dinner. Lily told the rest of the girls as we ate, with all the guys eavesdropping. Afterwards we all snuck up to the roof with some drinks, snacks, and an enchanted radio.
Lily's POV
The sun has yet to set, it was a beautiful day today. Peter is in charge of the radio and decides on some jazz, oddly enough, and Alice and Frank and Remus and Mary couple dance as the rest of us sway along to the beat, conversing with each other. We stay like that for a while. Em tries to get Peter to change the music to something more mainstream, Black, Marls, and Potter animatedly discuss Quidditch, and I watch the two couples dance, a Butterbeer in my hand. I take a sip as the sun begins to set and we all slowly progress to the edge of the roof. We sit in a clump, watching the sun set over the castle. Mary holds Remus's hand, Alice leans on Frank, Peter clutches the radio close to his chest from his spot next to Remus, I sit in between him and Potter (not complaining so I wouldn't ruin the moment), Em next to him, and Marls sits on Black's lap, her head resting on his shoulder as he plays with her hair. It's a cute sight, the two "badass" people being all sweet. We're all silent for once.
"I overheard my mum talking about something called the Order of the Phoenix. It's run by Dumbledore, suppose to be his version of the Death Eaters. I'm to join up the moment I graduate. Had a meeting with Dumbledore and McGonagall about it already. I never really thought about becoming an Auror, but desperate times call for desperate measures." Frank said, finally breaking the silence.
"I had Aurors following me around constantly during the summer. My family has been targeted. 5 out of 6 of us are Aurors and I intend to become one, so the Death Eaters want all McKinnons gone. My brothers and my parents are already members of the Order, my sister wants to complete Auror training first. I'll join when I graduate." Marls says quietly, but we all can hear her.
"Alice, Mary, and I were followed one time in Muggle London. We suspect it was a Death Eater, trying to get rid of a Blood Traitor and a Mud... you know. I'm not sure what I think when it comes to joining the Order. I'm good at dueling, yes, but I never wanted it to be my whole life." Em explains. A long silence follows.
"My father's death was ruled heart failure from a long battle with cancer. My mum though, she says that the doctors suspected something more intentional than that, but she didn't want to know. She said when I turn 18 I could go and ask myself, but I don't think I will." James said.
"She what? You never told me this." Marls said as Potter stared at his hands.
"It's not something I want to talk about, but everyone seems to be offering up some piece of theirselves so I thought I should contribute."
"James, you have to find out-"
"Marls, let it be." I found myself saying.
"Evans is defending me?" Potter joked.
"Yes. If you would stop being an arse for more than 30 seconds you'd realize I'm a very loyal person to the ones I love. Not like you're someone I'll ever love."
"Oh would you two stop ruining everything for a change." Alice teased.
"The two of you can bicker later. This is a nice moment." Remus added.
"Sorry." I said. We were silent again until Black spoke up.
"Well, in the spirit of sharing, my mother wants me to be Female Carrow's fiancé. Says it's either marriage or the old boot. So naturally, this is the time I decide to start my first real relationship." Black said. Marls and I exchange a look. She doesn't seem shocked. Marls shrugs and Potter dramatically gasps.
"You mean you don't want to marry Alecto I'll Screw Whoever I Want Carrow?" Potter asks.
"Really not the time, Potter." I state. We're all silent again.
"I'm scared." Peter squeaks.
"Me too, Peter." Mary admits.
"Let's make a pact. At the end of Seventh, when we've all graduated, we will all join the Order, together. No backing out." Potter says.
"I'm good with that." Black states, Frank and Marls agreeing.
"If Frank is joining, then I will too." Alice adds.
"Em?" Potter asks.
"I don't know." Em replies.
"Moony?"
"Prongs, you're insane, thinking about this at 15. We have our whole lives ahead of us." Remus reminds.
"It's incredibly dangerous. I don't want any of you to get hurt when you don't have to." Mary states.
"It's about more than us, Mary. It's about all the people Voldemort wants dead. He wants more than half of the Wizarding population dead because of their blood type. Are any of you really going to sit here and do nothing with someone like him running around?" Potter asks.
"No, we're not. I don't want to die. I don't want to be murdered because I'm a Muggleborn. I don't want to help Voldemort along by sitting still. I'll join." I say, filled with a sudden fire to see Voldemort crumble to ashes.
"Me too. I never felt more scared than when Alice, Mary, and I were being followed. I don't ever want to feel that way again." Em mentions.
"Wormtail?" Potter asks.
"Okay. I'll join." Peter answers. It doesn't take much to persuade Mary and Remus to join as well after that. The ten of us continue to stare at the sun as it finally disappears.
"I'm still scared." Peter whispers.
"Me too." Mary whispers.