The Slytherin Transfer

27: "The answer you're looking for is soap."

The incident with Malfoy doesn't spread across the school like usual gossip does, and I suspect that's because he doesn't want anyone to know that I took him down. The Slytherins have backed off, though I know it won't last long, and it leaves me freedom to focus on school, and my Ordinary Wizarding Levels, which I've been a little distracted from this year. If I want to be an Auror, I need a minimum of five N.E.W.T's of at least Exceeds Expectations, so I'll need to get excellent grades this year if I want to continue in these subjects.

I've been avoiding Sirius as best as I can, because while I made the proposition to keep any feelings separate for the sake of our friendship, it doesn't make it any easier to deny all that has built up over the break. I thought he felt it too, but based off his response to me telling him we could never be anything, I understand now that he doesn't even care.

So I sit in the library with Lily and Marlene, listening to them jabber on about this ball they want to plan (Marlene won Lily over) while we work on our Transfiguration essays. I remain mostly quiet as I work, a lot on my mind and my main source of distraction being my homework. A group of Hufflepuffs sit one table over, giggling as they catch glimpses of some boy who is looking for a book nearby. My hand flies across my parchment, finishing my final paragraph before slamming down my quill in triumph.

"Done," I say in relief, shaking out my cramped hand as Lily and Marlene stare at me in shock.

"You're finished?" The latter of the two gapes, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear and pulling my paper towards her, "I'm not even done my first page."

"No kidding." I roll my eyes, snatching my work and putting it in my bag, "you're too busy fantasizing about this Spring Ball."

"Not fantasizing, planning," Marlene corrects, "I got the okay from McGonagall yesterday. It's happening."

I groan, "Are you serious? That's the last thing that any of us need."

"Stop being such a buzz kill, Cass," Marlene retorts, "it'll be fun. We'll all dress up and boys can ask us."

"Oh, no." Lily puts her face in her hands, her red hair hanging in a curtain around her face, "James is gonna be such a pain."

"You say that as if he isn't already," I say, leaning back in my chair and stretching as I examine the room, my eyes curiously landing on the guy that the Hufflepuffs are gawking over. He's got glasses and blond hair, a knowing smile on his face as he so clearly pretends to be looking for books, obviously liking the attention. Him and the drooling girls all look to be in third year.

"I wonder who'll ask me," says Marlene, her head in her hand and her eyes raising to the ceiling in a dreamy fashion before she suddenly turns to me, "Do you think Marcus will? I mean, I know he's your ex-boyfriend, Cass, but really. I still can't believe you broke it off with him. He is so handsome."

"He's all yours," I grumble, "at least you'll be willing to have sex with him."

"Another thing I can't believe. Passing up the opportunity to hook up with a smoking seventh year. The things he knows," she says, shaking her head slightly as if his extensive knowledge on making love is really so hard to wrap her head around.

"I think Cass made the right decision," Lily says, "I wouldn't want to be with someone if I had feelings for another guy."

I frown at this, and so does Marlene, "what do you mean, feelings for another guy?"

"Oh, come off it," she says, looking between us both, "You and Sirius didn't exactly hide your emotions, did you?"

"He was dating Marlene, Lil," I say, though I do feel nervous at her words. Marlene just scoffs.