Between Coffee And Cigarettes

-6-

The first month flew by so quickly and Lenny found herself drowning in schoolwork. She was never a bad student, but she was not the best either. Other as Sirius and James, who did absolutely nothing and still got the best grades almost everywhere, she had to work hard to accomplish a good outcome. Lenny couldn't deny it that she was envious of the two. 

Her stress level rapidly increased and she found herself desperate lost. Lily tried to help her where she could, but she couldn't do the work for Lenny. She didn't want that and Lily refused to do it either. Because this was their last year the amount of work and studies was almost unbearable. The only time when all of them just could let go was when they were out on the weekends. The group of them snuck out to the Three Broomsticks and would always bring a good mood in there. After two bottles of Firewhiskey, they shared, their alcohol level was already so high, that they would feel absolutely no shame about doing anything they wanted. That was the time when Remus or Lily would play muggle music and create a space to dance in the middle of the room. Rosmerta always acted like she wouldn't tolerate their little silliness, but she secretly was thankful for them all, because these were the nights were the most customers would come in.

Lenny made her way through the dancing crowd to one of the tables to take another shot of something with alcohol in it. At that point she didn't really care what it was, as long as it made her relax and forget the stress she carried on her shoulders. As she stood in front of the table, she saw Peter and James sitting there, both looking rather bored.

"What's up with you two?", she yelled, trying to drown out the music and the crowd. "It's just", James began, "I'm not really in the mood", his gaze fixed on someone. As Lenny followed his eyes, they landed on Lily talking with some older dude. "You know what Jamsie?", she lalled while pouring another shot, "don't be upset. Look at her... sure she's smiling, but.... ha! there! did you saw it?"

James just looked at her questioning if she had gone mad. "What? What should I have seen? You know that I  can see the dude she's talking to.", James said, one eyebrow raised at Lenny. She just rolled her eyes at his blindness. How can boys be so stupid? she would never understand. "She looked at you... while she was talking to the other guy."

"And...?", James still didn't get it. So she sat beside him, leaning against his shoulder, as she felt her body going numb. "James, really?...When you talk to Lily, are you looking at other girls too?", she yawned. Jeez, maybe she had a bit too much, she couldn't feel anything. Or it was just her tiredness mixed with the alcohol. "Well, no", James pulled her out of her thoughts, "but....", his eyes suddenly widened at the realization. "So what should I do now?", he asked Lenny. She didn't answer. "Lenny?", he shook his shoulder, but she didn't do anything. "Lenny!", James exclaimed a second time, looking at her dead looking body. He grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her roughly. Still no reaction. "Shit", he muttered to himself. He laid her on arm around his neck so that he could get her out of there. "Wormtail, take the other one. She needs fresh air". Peter did as he was told, worry in his eyes. As they dragged Lenny out, Sirius saw them. It took him a minute until he realized what was going on, but then he sprinted, as fast as it was possible, through the crowd, after the two boys dragging Lenny's body.

"Lenny, wake up!", Sirius lightly slapped her on the cheek, as soon as they were outside. Still no reaction. "James, get Lily!", he commanded, "She knows what to do. And you", he turned towards Peter, "get something cold, a soaked cloth or something like that. And water!" Both of the boys quickly ran inside again, fulfilling their task. James was the first to return with Lily on his side. "Oh god!", the redhead shrieked in shock, but collected herself again and then said, with a professionality: "Lay her on the ground and pick up her legs. Water! We need water!" "Already on its way", said James lowly. 

After five minutes, Lenny finally opened her eyes again. She looked at the faces of her friends and quickly realized, what had happened. "Wanna get another shot?", she joked, but nobody laughed. "Come. I take you home", Sirius said half in relief, half in exhaustion. "We all should go", Lily said, "It's already quite late, or early, and we all probably should get some sleep. They all nodded in agreement and soon Marlene, Alice and Remus were dragged out of the Three Broomsticks and the group began to walk to the castle, Sirius and James still supporting Lenny.

The rest of the night was awful. She was puking until her throat was sore from her stomach acid. Marlene held her hair back, most of the time and soon Lenny's stomach was so empty that she eventually went to bed, completely exhausted. Shiva snuggled under her blanket and she was happy about the heat, the cat gave her. After a while she drifted into sleep, swearing that she will never drink, ever, again.