The Marauders: Year One (female)

4. I Know What You Are

"Lillian, don't do it!" Patrick yelled.

But Lillian had leapt off the swing as it swung up to the highest point, and flown into the air. He launched himself upwards with a great shout of laughter, and instead of thumping to the ground and injuring himself, he'd soared to the ground gracefully, like a leaf in the breeze. His long, red hair flew out behind him, rippling in the wind. He knew Patrick was jealous of his powers.

"Mummy told you not to!"

The blonde boy brought his swing to a halt by digging his sandals into the ground.

"Mummy said you weren't allowed, Lillian!"

"But I'm fine," said Lillian, still giggling. "Pat, look at this. Watch what I can do."

Patrick's eyes swept the playground, to make sure they were alone. Lillian plucked a blossom from the ground. Patrick watched reluctantly, grudgingly curious. Lillian waited until Patrick was right beside him, and then closed and opened his palm. The flower opened and closed like a venus fly trap.

"Stop it!" shrieked Patrick shrilly.

"It's not hurting you," frowned Lillian, but he closed his hand on the blossom and threw it back to the ground.

"It's not right," said Patrick, but his eyes found the fallen blossom, and lingered on it. "How do you do it?"

"It's obvious, isn't it?"

Lillian started as a shabby girl stepped out from behind the bush she'd taken the flower from. Her long black hair was dirty, she looked unkempt, and her clothes were odd and mismatched.

Patrick let out an exclamation of surprise, and ran away, but Lillian stayed where he was, staring at the girl.

"What's obvious?"

"I know what you are."

"What do you mean?"

"You're...you're a wizard."

"That's not a very nice thing to say to somebody!"

Lillian felt deeply offended, and strutted back towards his brother. He knew he was odd, but he certainly wasn't a wizard. The sheer cheek of it!

"No!" exclaimed the girl desperately.

Both brothers regarded him uneasily, holding onto the swing posts.

"You are. You are a wizard. I've been watching you for a while. But there's nothing wrong with that. My mum's a witch, and I'm one, too."

Patrick chucked nastily. "Witch! I know who you are. You're that Snape girl! They live down Spinner's End by the river," he said, his tone making it clear that he did not approve of this address. "Why have you been spying on us?"

"Haven't been spying," she replied, hot and uncomfortable and dirty-haired in the bright sunlight. "Wouldn't spy on you, anyway," she added spitefully, "you're a Muggle."

Patrick did not know what Severa was saying to him, but the tone she used with him made the gist of what she was saying clear. Lillian felt offended on his behalf.

"Lillian, come on, we're leaving!" Lillian followed at once, shooting Severa a dirty look.

Lillian dashed after his older brother, who was running from the park angrily.

'Patrick!' he called. 'Patrick -- wait!'

Patrick wheeled around to face him angrily. His fists were clenched, and there were tears in his eyes. 'Freak!' he hissed viciously.