𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒 . poly!remus lupin , sirius black [ REWRITING ]

x. choosing is overrated

˗ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐍 ˗
❝ choosing is overrated. ❞

THE HALLOWEEN FEAST was as action-packed and food-filled as usual. Tables were covered with endless amounts of food and treats, and it was a wonder how all of it got finished each year. There were pumpkins big enough for three full grown adults to sit on, and live bats flying around near the ceiling. And then there was also the troupe of dancing skeletons organised by Dumbledore.

For once, Dominique didn't feel annoyed by the boys' presence as she sat at the Slytherin table, able to have a conversation with Rosier, Mulciber, Lestrange and Avery without wanting to insult them. Regulus sat to her right, and Severus to her left. But of course, such things only lasted so long.

   "-And I'm getting my mark this Christmas." Mulciber's words caught her off guard, causing her to furrow her eyebrows and tune in to the conversation and stop her own with Regulus.

   "What was that?" Dominique asked, eating some carrot cake, unsure if she had heard him correctly. Mulciber smirked and leaned forward so that only their group could hear him.

   "My dark mark, I'm getting it this Christmas. They say I'm old enough, and this is my last year in this shithole, after all," Mulciber explained, tapping his wrist. Dominique was always good at keeping a poker face, but she couldn't help the look of astonishment on her face as she leaned away from him.

   "This Christmas? A dark mark?" Dominique repeated. "Shit, Mulciber, you can't just say that out loud like that."

   "Why not? In a few years time, we'll be on top. And we can say and do whatever the fuck we want," Mulciber defended. "And all those mudbloods and half breeds will know their place once and for all."

Dominique subtly swallowed her nerves, and suddenly the carrot cake wasn't as appetising as it had once been. She felt nauseous. Placing down her fork, she let her eyes wonder over the hall. She caught Remus' eye, and he frowned. She realised she was finding it harder to hide how she felt, and quickly averted her eyes. She felt easy to read in that moment, and hated it. It made her feel more anxious than she already was. 

   "Don't worry, Nott. Maybe the Dark Lord will spare those mudbloods and traitors you've been hanging around lately," Rosier chuckled. "Or perhaps not. Who knows?"

Dominique felt her face turning hot, her fingers curling into fists as she narrowed her eyes. Regulus placed a hand on top of her own, but she quickly brushed it off, signalling that she didn't need or want help.

   "What did you say to me, you cretin?" Dominique snapped, gathering the attention of those sitting nearby. 

She was uncertain about what exactly she was upset about. Mulciber pointing out that she had in fact been hanging around a "less desirable" crowd, and therefore she hadn't been as discrete as she had thought. Or that he had insulted the crowd in question using such derogatory names. Perhaps both. She also didn't know that the four Gryffindor boys were watching the growing tension too, sitting on the table next to theirs but still unable to hear what the argument was about. When Rosier didn't respond, a hint of fear in his eyes, Dominique leaned closer to him. "Go on, come out with it. What the fuck did you say?"