Why? Because of Them. *Marauder's Era*

Chapter 33: Disbelief

I saw smirks coming from the Marauders and stares from others. People gossiped about me, but this time, for a different reason. I decided to start a conversation with my friends.

"So what's new?" I asked Lily and Opal. They were still speechless.

"W-w-why?" Lily stammered.

"Why? Why what?" I laughed at her loss of words.

"Why are you...so...different?" Opal gestured at my clothes. I burst out in laughter.

"She's been spending TOO much time with the Marauders." Lily said. I gasped in mock hurt.

"So, are we still going to the Black Lake tomorrow?" Opal asked, changing the subject away from what would probably be a scary sight of me acting hurt.

"Definitely." I confirmed, smiling. "I can't wait!"

"Oh thank Merlin. I thought you were going to be with the boys again." Lily sighed in relief. I barked out a laugh.

"Calm down, Lils. I have time for you two." I pointed to them.

"Uh...Saph...?" Lily pointed behind me. I raised an eyebrow and turned around. I saw Tom Riddle accompanied by Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, and Regulus Black.

"May I help you?" I scoffed. When did I become such a....an Angel Vare? I shook it off, returning to reality and looking at the four boys.

"As a matter of fact," Riddle began coldly, "you can help us with something."

"And what might that be?" I asked, waiting for an answer impatiently. I looked at Severus. He changed, looking more cold by the second. He became different since when we were friends. Same appearance, different personality.

"Come with us, please." Riddle held out his hand, trying to be polite. I felt something so wrong about him...evil.

"Tell me what you need." I growled. "Then I may go." He looked defeated and I smirked. About to turn back around, I was stopped by an icy cold hand on my wrist. I glared at Riddle. "Yes?" I asked in annoyance. As all this was happening, my best friends (Lily, Opal, and the Marauders) watched the scene unfold. He stood there in silence. I stood up out of my seat. "If you want something, just tell me or leave. me. alone." I growled. He pushed me closer to him. "What are you doing?" I asked, nervous to hear my own voice. He grinned, looking at Sirius, who's hands were clenched into fists, and at me, then back to Sirius, and back to me. Before I could catch on, he crashed his icy lips into mine. I pushed on his chest forcefully, trying to push him away. I heard his friends cheer him on. Even Severus. I managed to break us apart, leaving him with a knowing smirk and me with the most horrified expression I thought possible. Realizing I can do something about it, my knee collided with his crotch. He doubled over in pain, a breath escaping him. I leaned down.

"Don't ever. EVER. Do that again." I whispered evilly. "Got it, Riddle?" He nodded, groaning in pain. I stood up, looked back to the Gryffindor table and saw - the Marauders are nowhere to be found. I glanced at Lily and Opal, who caught on quickly. With a final glare at Riddle, the three of us stormed out of the Great Hall. I muttered the password to the Fat Lady and walked in to the Common Room. Opal opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when she saw the Marauders huddled around a fist-clenching Sirius.

"Hey," I waved awkwardly.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT, SAPPHIRE?" Sirius bellowed.

"What do you mean by 'that'?" I asked innocently, making air quotes around 'that'. He glared at me. I felt myself shrinking at the frightening sight of him. "You left before you saw what I did." I explained, nervously.