Wasting Time

38

The next few weeks passed peacefully, for the most part. Regardless, I was on edge. My rage had been simmering below the surface since the incident by the lake, and it was bound to boil over eventually.

Which it did. I walked into potions class late a month after the incident and noticed the slytherins, specifically Snape, Mulciber, and Avery, casting looks at my friends and whispering. I rolled my eyes and gritted my teeth but ignored it.

"Nice of you to join us, Miss McKinnon," Professor Slughorn said as I entered the room. I put on my most charming smile before answering. Slughorn had always liked me, in part for my skill, in part for my heritage, and in (large) part for my friendship with Lily. This often meant I could get away with anything.

"Sorry, Professor. I was helping Dirk Cresswell with his potions homework, you know how first years can struggle sometimes," I replied, still smiling widely. He laughed and nodded.

"Yes, I'm sure you were. Please have a seat."

I took my seat between Lily and Sirius and set to reading the instructions on the board.

"Were you really helping Dirk with his homework?" Lily whispered. I laughed.

"Oh god no. I slept in."

Sirius laughed and shook his head while Lily began to lecture me. I ignored her for the most part, working on my potion and keeping my ears tuned to the boys across the room. I was going to ignore them. I really did have every intention of ignoring them. The middle of potions class with their head of house was not the place to make a scene. But they seemed to be arguing, and then I heard Lily's name.

My friends had been expecting an outburst, and an outburst was what they got. I stood up without even thinking, reaching for my wand. Sirius, however, grabbed my arm without even looking up. He couldn't stop me from yelling though.

"If any of you come anywhere near her I will end you! Just because Dumbledore won't do anything about you little deatheater wannabes doesn't mean I won't! And I don't know if you remember, but I'm a better witch than you, I'm a better dueller. And you best remember that, since the only reason you aren't still in the hospital wing after you attacked us last month is because I'm also a better person than you!"

Sirius looked up at me, visibly impressed. He was still holding onto my arm to make sure I didn't hex them then and there. Lily looked horrified and James was trying to stifle a laugh. Remus just shook his head and continued working, while everyone else in the room continued to stare at me. Slughorn looked torn. I was one of his favorite students but I had, to his knowledge, just verbally assaulted other students without provocation.

"Miss McKinnon," he said harshly. "I must ask you to leave my classroom right now and see me for detention tonight. Would anyone like to join her?"

Sirius stood up, threw his books off the table, looked directly at Snape, and said "Motherfuckers."

James and I were both unable to hold in our laughter at this, thought Lily still looked scandalized. Slughorn just sighed. He must have expected it.

"Alright, Mr Black. But you will come to my office tonight, while Miss McKinnon will serve her detention here, in the classroom. Is that clear?"

We both nodded before walking out of the classroom. I started to walk away quickly, the adrenaline still running, but Sirius grabbed my arm and stopped me.