"we're doing the annual starchase, but we can't find a star!" dorcas complained.
marlene answered without thinking. "you just have"
in which dorcas
chases marlene.
literally.
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DORCAS MEADOWES WASN'T a coward. The furthest thing from it. She was a proud Gryffindor, proud of her house, of her skin, of her sport, of her sexuality. She was stubborn to the point of it being a flaw, and berated herself if on a rare occasion she backed down from a challenge. Anyone that called her a coward would've been scrutinised by everyone who heard it, if they'd dared to say it aloud.
So why couldn't she tell her friend she fancied her massively.
She fancied her pale skin, she fancied her curious, intent green eyes, she fancied her hippie wardrobe, she fancied her obsession with the muggle band fleetwood mac, she fancied the way her face screwed up when she concentrated. She'd fancied her at the age of 13. She'd awakened her love for women. She'd been the catalyst that had her kissing the few gay girls and straight girls that liked attention.
She hastily redressed herself, looking over at her latest conquest, Druella Rosier. Who was deeply closeted, and had no intention of coming out. And was also a huge bitch, but beggers can't be choosers.
"If you tell anyone-" Druella began her usual threat. Dorcas, well versed in the Slytherin's aggressive pleas for her to keep quiet rolled her eyes.
"That you're secretly a raging lesbian you'll kill me, I know." Dorcas smirked, the expression widening with the anger on Rosier's face.
"This is serious, Meadowes!" Rosier hissed, her face morphed into a scowl that didn't quite reach her desperation filled eyes.
"Look, Druella, I was closeted once too. I get it." Dorcas told her, her voice genuine and kind, an unusual occurrence. Druella looked pleasantly surprised, her expression softening for a few moments, before realising who she was supposed to be.
"You can leave now." Druella commanded coldly. Dorcas internally shook her head. What did she expect? She was screwing a bitchy closet-case. A few kind words aren't going to turn her into a proud lesbian.
Dorcas used the disillusionment charm on herself and pulled down the wards Druella had erected. She had to admit, the girl had some good charms work, a subject she herself had never had much time for.
She carefully navigated the Slytherin common room after leaving Druella's dorm, cautious not to bump into anyone and alert them of her presence. She squeezed out of the common room and when she was a decent distance away, she disillusioned herself.
Her head was clouded with confusion. She'd been sleeping with Rosier for a while, two months maybe? She didn't have any real feelings towards the girl, she was an incredible bigot, but she wanted stability. She wanted a girl she could show off and parade as her girlfriend, without having to tiptoe around other people because of them being ashamed. Dorcas knew Druella was never going to come out. Her family were notorious dark magic users who wanted an heir. She felt pity for her, knowing she'd be trapped in a loveless relationship, an arranged marriage, but what could she do about it?
Frustrated, she made her way back to her own common room. She stopped in front of the Fat Lady and muttered the password, her voice ridden with emotional strain.
"Kelpie." The portrait swung open and she nimbly climbed through. She made her way over to her favourite armchair, the one closest to the fire. When she reached it, she was peeved to find a first year sat in it. Not deterred by the 11 year old boy, she continued her march towards her seat.
"Scram." she said grumpily. Like most young Gryffindors, he was either terrified or in awe of her. He apologised profusely and jumped out of the seat, and then ran for it.
Dorcas pulled out a packet of ciggies, her favourite muggle invention, modified magically so that they were filled with a harmless substance instead of tobacco. She lit it with her wand tip, lifting it to her lips and taking her first drag. She immediately sighed as she was overcome with relief. Smoking felt so good. Technically, it was prohibited on Hogwarts grounds, but the Gryffindors tended to unanimously agree on ignoring the rule.
As if by magic, the girl that had been plaguing her mind plonked herself into the seat next to her. She greeted her with a lazy two-finger salute.
"Cass, I've just come across a crying first year claiming you threatened him." Marlene sighed in exasperation.
"He was in my seat." she shrugged off casually. She knew Marlene wouldn't be happy with this reasoning, but she was too exhausted to come up with a half decent one.
"Cass, you can't go around threatening 11 year olds." Marlene started. Dorcas could sense a lecture coming on, so she cut her off swiftly.
"Why not?" she asked, sounding offended.
"Because-" Marlene began, about to list all the reasons, but then she thought better of it. "You're smoking." she observed.
"Clearly." she drawled, swinging her legs up to pull them both over the side of the armchair, so the fire was now roaring behind her back. "Want one?" she offered. She was joking, knowing full well Marlene was about to tell her off.
"You're not meant to smoke. Not so publicly anyway." Marlene cautioned, gesturing at all the people around her, including the younger years who were looking at Dorcas with admiration.
"Get off my ass Marls. I've had a rough night." she groaned annoyedly. She didn't like to be so rude to her friend, but her head was swimming.
"What's wrong?" Marlene asked kindly. Her heart ached. She was being her usual brash self and she didn't care. She only cared that she was troubled. Then she realised she couldn't possibly tell Marlene why her night had been so rough. She imagined the situation. "Oh it was rough because the very thought of you drives me mad." So she lied.
"We're doing the annual star chase. But we can't find a star." she complained. It wasn't a complete lie.It was the Gryffindor quidditch team's turn to host the annual star chase. And they hadn't been able to find a star. She expected Marlene to ask her what the starchase was. She'd never been a quidditch enthusiast, and only showed up to Gryffindor games to support Dorcas. But she answered so quickly. She could tell Marlene didn't think before answering.
