The Other Malfoy {Marauders Era}

She's Awake

     The next morning, Sirius went straight to the hospital wing and was greeted with a happy sight- Aquila was up and talking quietly with Madam Pomfrey. Upon noticing him, she gave a bright smile in his direction, which he happily returned.

     "Aquila! I'm so happy you're okay! Everyone was so worried... I'm so sorry I forced you to go to tryouts. I didn't realize Simmons would try anything. I-" Sirius was interrupted by Aquila's chuckle.

     "Sirius, you have nothing to apologize for- you did nothing wrong. It was Simmons' fault. If anything, when I see him, he's going to have Hell to pay. He can't expect me to just forgive him, after all." She said with a mischievous smile. Sirius laughed at the thought of Aquila cornering Simmons once she was free to go.

     "Hell yeah he does." He agreed. Aquila smiled again and thanked Madam Pomfrey.

     "Sirius, are the others up yet? I need to see them," she asked the boy.

     "I dunno- I came straight here after I woke up." Sirius shrugged. Aquila furrowed her brows in thought.

     "Okay. I say we surprise them at breakfast." She decided, and Sirius laughed at her decision.

     "All right," he agreed. Aquila smiled again and turned back to Madam Pomfrey.

     "Am I free to go? You said I'm all good now, that I just need to take it easy," Aquila asked the older woman. Madam Pomfrey smiled.

     "Yes, you're free. Go, meet your friends," she relented. Aquila gave yet another dazzling smile.

     "Thank you so much, Madam!" She said brightly and grabbed Sirius by his wrist and dragged him to the Great Hall. Sirius chuckled at her antics- usually, he was the one doing the dragging, though Sirius had to admit that he had missed Aquila dearly. She was his best friend after all- they were closer than James and him- and that's saying something. Walking in, it took no time at all for Lily to spot them and tackle Aquila in a hug, pushing her to the ground with a loud oomph.

     "Can't-breathe-Lily!" Aquila wheezed, and Lily immediately let go and gave an apologetic smile.

     "Sorry! I'm just glad that you're all right," she said and helped her back up. James and Remus came running over, albeit a little out of breath.

     "Aquila! I'm so glad you're okay. Everyone was so worried." James said, and gave her a small hug, which Aquila happily returned.

     "I know- Sirius told me," she said with a glance at the boy, who turned away, ignoring the blush growing on his cheeks.

     "Hey, Aquila. I'm sure everyone's going to say it today, but I'm glad your better," Remus said with a light laugh. Aquila gave him a smile and ruffled his hair.

     "Don't go getting soft on me now Lupin," she teased but pulled him into a hug. Remus rolled his eyes but hugged back anyway. By now, a few others murmured their happiness that she was back and Aquila gave a smile as a way of saying thanks. She was led to the table by her friends, and she happily scarfed down everything that was served. She was quite hungry, haven't eaten since the accident. She had just taken a big mouthful of food when Sirius chuckled and shook his head at her.

     "What?" She demanded eyes narrowed.

     "Nothing," Sirius insisted, hands in front of him in surrender. Aquila was about to ask something but just then Briccan Simmons walked in and grabbed everyone's attention. Lily narrowed her eyes and had to be held back by James, while Sirius and Remus glowered at him. Aquila, who was perhaps the most furious of them all, stood up and dragged him out the door.

     "What the bloody Hell were you thinking, Simmons, pulling a stunt like that? You better give me a good explanation before I hex you," she said lowly and darkly, her happiness from before completely gone. Briccan gulped- he seemed to be doing that a lot lately- and looked at his shoes. "Answer me, Simmons!"

     "I-I..." he mumbled, obviously scared. His mumbling only made Aquila more furious. She grabbed him by the collar of his robes, shoving him against the wall.

     "What was that?" She growled. Briccan was visibly pale now and was sweating. Even though she was livid and terrifying, he couldn't help the thought of how close he was to getting in Malfoy's good graces. She's grown up since first year when she was the scared Beauxbatons transfer. No longer the shy and quiet girl. Despite his better judgment, Briccan smirked and placed a hand on her cheek.

     "Well now, if you wanted me alone you could've asked." He said flirtatiously, regretted it at once when he saw her eyes darken even more. She shoved his hand away released his coller, though her glare intensified.

     "Speak to me like that again and I'll be sure to hit you where the sun doesn't shine next time," she said through clenched teeth. If it was even possible, Briccan paled even more and crawled away. Aquila calmed down and walked back into the Great Hall, where her friends were apprehensive.

     "Don't worry, I don't think he'll bother us again," she said brightly. Lily sent a glance to James, and he looked worried.

     "W-what did you do?" He timidly asked. Aquila shrugged.

     "I tried talking with him but he wouldn't talk. And then, he had the audacity to flirt with me! I can't believe him! He knocks me off my broom, in an attempt to get into Malfoy's good graces, and he has the nerve to flirt with me while he's being confronted! I just can't believe how he was ever allowed into this school..." she shook her head after her rant, and Sirius looked livid, but James and Lily raised an eyebrow.

      "And?" Lily inquired, and Aquila sunk within herself.

     "I may have threatened him... because he flirted with me..." she mumbled. James broke into a grin, Lily scowled, Remus raised his eyebrow, and Sirius laughed.

     "Aquila!" Lily admonished. "You can't just go around threatening people because they flirt with you!"

     "Oh yes, I can! He knocked me off my broom, Lily! He deserved much worse!" Aquila exploded.

     "You threatened him! You can't do that! Aquila, he may be awful and manipulative, but that doesn't mean you go around threatening people!" Lily argued. Aquila sighed, not wanting to fight with her friend.

     "I know, but that doesn't mean I regret it," she retorted and went back to her meal. Sirius glanced at James, who glanced at Remus, who looked between the two girls, obviously confused as to what had just happened. Aquila wasn't one to give up an argument so easily, but they shrugged it off. They were just glad that she was okay, even if she did just threaten someone.