Arcane [Sirius Black]

Chapter 19 - Hide and Seek

* * *

ALICE had led the girls to the room. Hidden behind a dusty tapestry of navy and gold, the snug but decorated space seemed the perfect spot to host a Halloween celebration of sorts. Though not longing to be wild or extravagant, Marlene thought the night perfect for a few bonding activities.

They should have guessed that Marlene's idea of a bonding activity was a large bottle of elderflower wine and a heaping load of chocolate.

So now they sat, bottle near empty and stomachs aching with sweets, chattering away amongst the sofa and armchairs.

From boys to classes to pets to siblings and back to boys again, they relished in their collective giggles that sprung from the rare relaxation. Diana, however, was really beginning to curse herself for her lightweight tendencies. Her experiences with drinking — though limited — were growing, and her trend for a quick descent into tipsiness was now incredibly apparent.

It was lucky Marlene only had the one bottle, for if she had more, she was sure Lily would be shoving it down her throat in hopes to hear another unrestrained bark of laughter from her mouth. Although, It was a rather large supply as it was...

"So, tell me how you found this room again, Alice?" Marlene asked, grinning from ear to ear as she leaned forward toward the now blushing girl.

"I didn't say," Alice murmured.

"Oh?" Marlene lifted her eyebrows, "Whyever not?"

"I heard about it from Frank is all..."

"Heard about it...or shown it?"

"Heard!"

"All I'm saying is I wouldn't judge if...say you and Longbottom had gotten a little more acquainted on this here couch!" Marlene said, patting the spot next to her with a smirk.

"Marlene!" Alice exclaimed, blushing impossibly harder.

"What?" Marlene shrugged, "I just wanted to know!"

"I haven't done anything like that!"

"And if she had," interjected Mary from Marlene's side, "I wouldn't want to hear about it while I was sitting in the very spot."

Marlene chuckled. "Nothing to be afraid of, Mare-bear. It is but human nature."

"Not at this age it isn't."

"Nuh-uh," Marlene shook her head, "Especially at this age, it is."

"What are we even talking about?" Lily mumbled from the armchair, head leaning sleepily against the back.

"We're talking about sex!" Diana exclaimed from her spot on the floor beside Lily before shutting her mouth and widening her eyes at her own bluntness. She certainly didn't mean to say that.

"May I petition for Diana to drink all the time?" Marlene asked wistfully, once her laughter had subsided.

"No!" Lily said, "That's horrible; an encouragement for some very bad behaviour."

"On second thought, let's just make it a petition for Lily to never drink again."

"Aw, but I love her little sleepy face," cooed Mary, standing to sit on the edge of the armchair and pinching Lily's cheek with her hand. Lily tried to move away but giggled nonetheless.

"Anyway," Marlene said, pulling her attention from the play-fighting girls, "On the subject, I think we should play a game."

"What sort of game?" Alice asked, the uncomfortable look on her face proving her expectant of something risque or embarrassing.