Another chapter uploaded. I hope you enjoy. I own practically nothing “Tonight my head is spinning,
I need something to pick me up,
I've tried but nothing is working,
I won't stop, I won't say I've had enough,”
- Break, Three Days Grace
The next couple of days, I occupied my time with homework, reading my father’s journals, which were really interesting, and drilling Potter and Black on the Quidditch signals. My father’s journals gave me so much insight to how my father was during his time at Hogwarts. To my surprise he seemed a lot like me. He got into trouble like me, he was a seeker like me, he got O’s in his classes like me, well except for Charms, and he even wrote our Y’s the same, but funny enough he had a deep hatred for my mom, Gaea Steels. He seemed to be genuinely annoyed by her and even his handwriting became sloppier whenever he mentioned her as if he were trying to get past the topic. Never once did I get the impression they were in love. My mom was even dating Orion Black, Sirius and Regulus’ father and my dad’s best mate. But other than that I felt more closely connected to my father then I have been in a long time, but I was slowly disconnecting from my friends.
Lily had been actively been doing her prefect duties, which involved doing rounds around the school practically every night. Now she is even taking on first and second years for tutoring. Saph had been nowhere to be seen at all. I barely see her in class and if it weren’t for the fact she slept in our dorm, I would have thought she was dead. Tuesday afternoon before I was about to head to Quidditch practice, I had enough and decided to act on it.
“Saph, Lily, get your asses down in the common room now!” I called in our dorm, which occupied all our dorm mates, before heading down stairs. I sat on the couch with my arms and legs crossed as they came down stairs. They sat in the arm chairs across from me, confused.
“Yes? You have called us for an important meeting, I believe?” Lily asked sarcastically as she too crossed her arms.
“Cancel your plans for tonight.” I said simply.
“Why?” Saph asked confused.
“I request I see my friends; that’s why!” I shouted. “Thank you. I expect you to be ready when I come back from Quidditch practice in about an hour or two, it really depends.” I said getting up, collecting my duffel bag, and head out the common room.
I walked through the castle and toward the pitch with my duffel bag securely under my arm. I collected my broom and went to the guys’ changing room. They were all dress and looked at me when I entered, still in my regular clothes.
“Why aren’t you dressed?” Russ asked me as he eyed my clothes.
“May I become Regina today?” I asked in a serious, no bullshit voice. Adam howled with laughter, Abraham, and Seth tried to hide theirs and Russ just smiled. I looked over and Potter and Black to see they had confused frowns.
“Why, of course you can.” Russ said grinning ear to ear.
“Who is Regina?” Black asked confused, which made Adam laugh even more.
“What? You don’t even know your own sister?” I asked dumbfounded, my face completely arranged in a confused look.
“I don’t have a sister.” He argued; standing up, ready to fight.
“Yes you do. Her name is Regina. How could you forget?” I said laughing while leaving the guys’ locker room and went into mine, next door. I opened the duffel bag and pulled out a set of Regulus’ old green and silver Quidditch robes that I had shrunk to fit me. I pulled them on and went to the mirror.
When I was little, people always thought I could pass as one of the Black children if it weren’t for my eyes. I pulled out my wand and charmed my blue green ones, into the same stormy grey color Regulus’ eyes once were and Sirius’ are currently. I now looked as if I were either one of the Black brothers in girl form or their sister. I turned around and grabbed my broom.
I exited the locker room, grinning mischievously. Russ and the others were in the air, talking. I clambered onto my broom and shot straight for Potter without a second thought. He just managed to dodge me as I barreled past him. I crackled loudly as I flipped around, changing directions and charged at Adam, who was ready for me.
“No one can stop me, Regina Black!” I laughed loudly and obnoxiously with as much arrogance as I could, as I flew high in the air and dove back down. I barreled for Black. He saw me last minute and moved, right before I rammed him.
I looked at his face and I could see, even him trying not to laugh at me. Come on people, I’m a fucking riot. My enemies can’t help but laugh!
Russ blew his whistle for us all of us to huddle in a circle. Everyone head for him, except me who just flew lazily above his head, circling from above. I yawned loudly so he could hear me and I knew he was going to regret his decision fast. My new goal at the moment was to annoy Russ as much as possible, which I am very good at when I set my mind to it.
“Come on, Nikki. Come down.” Russ called above his head at me. I didn’t answer. I’m not Nikki Raven Redwood; I’m Regina Hamal Black. Regina being the female version of Regulus’ name, Hamal named after the brightest star in the Ares constellation, and Black being the last name of the robes I am wearing. I have to go with the theme of all the Black family names anyways. “Nikki!” Russ called again more annoyed and frustrated then before and I tried to hide my grin.
“Her name is Regina, remember. She is not going to answer to anything different.” Adam said laughing and shaking his head at me.
“Fine.” Russ sighed in defeat to Adam before addressing me with another sigh but in annoyance. “Regina?”
“What you, filthy muggle-loving, Gryffindor dirt?” I asked in my pure blood mania voice. I checked Black’s expression but he seemed unfazed about my reference to his family and their choices. Better not take it too far; I rather not fight over family issues with Black... again.
“Come on, we need to practice.” Russ said in a parental voice. He sounded desperate because knowing me, I would almost never listen and I knew I wasn’t going to for this. I was having way too much fun anyways.
“What? Why would I help you, nasty Gryffindor’s win, when we Slytherins need all the help we can get?” I asked in my most snobby voice and smirking like I said something clever. Most Slytherins do that even if they were being plain stupid. If you ever need an example, look at Adam Mulciber.
“Ha, ha, very funny, now come on.” Russ said getting annoyed even more by the second. He was balancing the Quaffle in one hand and the other one was holding a piece of paper he was about to shove in his pocket. It’s time to have some real fun.
I dove down from my height above and snatched the Quaffle and Russ’ paper from him and preceded to the goal hoops, scoring a goal. I stuffed the sheet of paper in my pocket grinning. I love causing trouble.
I caught the Quaffle again and went for another shot but Adam came and blocked the hoops. He threw the blocked Quaffle to Potter who then raced around the field and back to shoot. I flew after him and attempted to grab the Quaffle but a Bludger flew in my way.
“Watch it, Mudblood.” I called over to Abraham who had launched the Bludger at me. I knew he wouldn’t really purposely try to hit me.
I know it seems mean to use these derogatory names that I hate so much and are against, but I find it necessary. For people like Seth and Abraham, while they are smart and some of the nicest people you could meet, Slytherin scum will stop at nothing to break them. I try to toughen them up so they become immune to these names on the pitch, off the pitch they can beat the shit out of anyone and I encourage that, heck I would join them if there wasn’t an 80 percent chance I would be beaten into a little puddle since I was about half the size of anyone in the school.
I searched for the Quaffle again to find Russ had it. I flew at him and was right behind him. “Hey, half-blood scum!” I called before doing the same move I used on Quill on Saturday, by jumping on the tail end of his broom. Russ didn’t fly off but he did drop the Quaffle and I snatched it underneath him.
I flew toward the goal when Black and Potter appeared at my sides. “Hey, blood traitors, as much as I would love to try and hex you, but probably miserably fail, I’m going to shoot a half ass attempt at scoring and fail like I do at everything.” I said with a bright grin and threw to Quaffle with my eyes closed. “Did I score?” I asked as I heard it hit the metal of one of the hoops and laughing from Potter, Adam and surprisingly Black. He sounded like he did when we were little. It was an effortless laugh, one that used to make me so happy. Maybe Quidditch practice won’t be as painful as I thought.
When I opened my eyes again, a Bludger flew straight at me and hit me right in the stomach then I fell to the ground from where I previously was, thirty feet above. I hit the ground hard, my broom still in hand. I got up, wincing at the pain in my left arm, that I might have twisted, and my back, that just got the wind knocked out of it, as I got onto the broom again and flew into the air. Turning or maneuvering on the broom sent shots of pain through my body but I ignored them. I’d deal with them later.
“Oh shit, Nikki, are you okay?” Seth asked as he flew toward me and went to help me up and apologize.
“Mudblood, don’t help me. Let me die because I am too proud for any human help.” I said laughing and throwing him a wink before flying off again, trying not to wince at the pain. I heard him laugh nervously as I flew for the Quaffle that just got passed from Potter to Black.
“Hey, Blood traitor brother!” I called to him in my best impression at Regulus’ voice. I looked at Black as he gave me the finger without looking at me and was still flying for the goal. I used my seeker speed and zoomed past him and in front of him. I blocked his path, making him hurtle over me and still go the hoop. He went to score but Adam blocked the Quaffle’s path as Black jumped out of the way of a Bludger sent by Abraham.
A whistle sounded from Russ in the middle of the pitch, ending practice short. Everyone flew toward him and I lazily followed. I circled above them again like a vulture in the desert sky scavenging for food. Suddenly Russ shot forward and tried to knock me down.
I dodged him and flew low to the ground, around the perimeter of the field with Russ in tow. Eventually Russ grabbed the tail end of my broom and jerked it upward. I was flung from the speeding broom and for the second time today, knocked to the ground. This time it hurt less than the last for the fact I was closer to the ground. I tried to sit up but winced at the pain in my back and stayed down.
Not that I had much of a choice as Russ then jumped off his broom and onto me. We wrestled for a few seconds until I was sitting of him chest with one of his shoe laces tying his hands above his head and the other tied around his ankles. My back hurt even more then before but I pushed it out of my mind, I would deal with it later.
“Don’t mess with, Regina Black.” I simply said as the rest of the team flew down and watched Russ struggle and me laugh my most evil sounding laugh. Black and Potter had this look on their face like they just saw Voldemort Apparate on the Quidditch pitch; sadly for me, Lily’s voice ruined that image, ‘You can’t Apparate or Disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds.’
“Dude, not again.” Abraham tried to restrain from laughing.
“At least this time she didn’t tie him to the Quidditch hoop poll, like last time.” Seth commented, grinning. “That took forever to get undone.”
“Or stuff his mouth with grass.” Adam added in, remembering the wrestling match Adam and I had last year when I forced a fist full of grass in his mouth after I had pinned him to the ground. I’m sure these guys could beat me if it weren’t for the fact that they didn’t want to ‘hurt’ little tiny fifth year Nikki.
“True.” Abraham and Seth said in unison with a shiver.
“So, now what do we do?” Potter asked confused.
“Well as apart of tradition. When Nikki dresses like Regina, we kind of have to force her to change back. Trust me; you do not want Nikki as Regina all day long, it’s a living Hell.” Adam said in a weary voice. “Plus it really bad luck for anyone involved, including her and she is already a disease without the bad luck.”
“How do we get her to change?” Black asked amused by the entire situation.
“Well we wrestle her but we don’t want to end up like Russ.” Seth said backing away. I could see he was getting scared, like he should. I mean Merlin, I have skills, plus I am a fucking riot as I mentioned previously.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Black and Potter share a look with the Sora cousins and Adam and in a second they all jumped me. We fought for a few minutes, my back hurting more and more as I strained to win the fight, but it was futile. I had my hands restrained by Black and each foot held down by one of the Sora cousins within minutes of the fight beginning. Potter and Adam were untying Russ.
“Let me go.” I growled. “I’ll tell my head of house, Professor Slughorn.” I threaten. I tried to squirm out of their grasped but ended up hurting myself more in the process.
“Nice try, Regina or Nikki. Man I don’t know what to call you!” Russ said getting up and knelling next to me. “Now give me my photo.”
“Whatever you muggle-lover.” I hissed but only earned a sharp slap on the head.
“Nikki.” Russ warned me. “Stop it now.”
“But…” I started to say but Russ shook his head.
“Abraham, Seth and Sirius, will let you go, when you decide to be Nikki again.” Adam stated with his arms crossed. He had a black eye forming from where I punched him.
“Fine.” I mumbled, but they didn’t let go.
“And say sorry to anyone, you hurt.” Russ said, mock glaring at me. I could tell he was smirking. Like I would want to apologize to anyone, especially Black and Potter.
“Fine! Sorry Adam for punching you in the face. Abraham I’m sorry I scratched your arm. Seth, I am sorry I kicked you in the gut twice. Russ, I am sorry about tying you up with your shoe laces and sitting on your stomach.” I said sincerely then insincerely I said, “Sorry Potter for cracking your glasses, stomping on your foot, and slapping your face a couple of times. Black, sorry from biting your arm while breaking some skin, by the way your blood got into my mouth so I hope you don’t have any diseases. Also sorry for punching you in the gut, scratching your face and kicking you in the balls. There I think I got everything.”
“You did all that in the couple of seconds it took to restrain you?” Russ asked awe-struck. I just nodded my head. “Okay let her go.” He mumbled. I felt the grip on my arms and legs loosen and I got up. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the picture, I looked at it then back a Russ. It was of a sixth year Hufflepuff in her underwear. “That picture will not be spoken of.” He said as he snatched it out of my hands. Merlin knows I want to forget it.
“I’m going to change.” I told Russ before retreating into the girl’s locker room. There were now four more lockers inside. Two belonged to the new beaters on the Hufflepuff team and the other two belonged to Ravenclaw’s new keeper and chaser.
I pulled out a change of clothes; a black tank top, black shorts and red converse. I let my hair back down and ran my fingers through it. I put away my broom, and Regina Black’s Quidditch clothes went back into the duffle bag. I fixed my locket to make sure it was still in place.
Once finished I ran out of the locker room and said my goodbyes to most of the team. I dashed toward the castle and burst through the Entrance Hall doors. I sprinted up all the stairs and hallways until I made it back to the common room. Once inside I leaped over to the couch that contained Lily and Saph and I laid on their laps with the duffle bag discarded on the floor.
“Hello.” I said nonchalantly.
“Um, do you mind?” Lily asked in a mock annoyed voice.
“No, I guess not.” I said with a shrug, not moving. “Well are you two ready?” I asked.
“Ready for what?” Saph asked.
“For fun.” I said mischievously. I climbed from the couch with Lily and Saph in tow. I grabbed my duffle back as I pulled them up into the dorm and locked the door behind me. Once again I discarded the duffle bag to the corner of the room as I then ran over to Saph’s truck and found a dark purple tank top and a pair of jean shorts. I went to the next bed over, Lilly’s, and found a forest green tank top and dark jean shorts. I thrust the clothes at Lily and Saph and ordered them to change. Once they changed, the real fun would begin. “Are you to ready now?” I asked once they finished.
“Yes, just for what?” Lily asked nervously as she fidgeted with the edge of her shirt. I don’t see why though, I have never forced them to do anything thing too horrible except sneak into the Slytherin common room a couple of times, or that one time I forced them into the heart of the Forbidden Forest, oh and when I was at Lily’s house we snuck out and took the Nightbus to Saph’s house where I made them each drink a bottle of Firewhiskey, which they both threw up; other than that, nothing.
“Oh you’ll see.” I grinned and exited the now unlocked door, and headed to the Commons. They followed behind and we realized no one was down there. “Everyone must be at dinner.” I said as my tummy started to growl. “Let’s head to the kitchens first. I’m hungry. Besides I don’t want to spend any time with losers, well except you two.” I winked.
“When are you never hungry?” Lily mumbled and I ignored her. Hypocrite your stomach is growling too, I can hear it. I know I can.
We walked down to the kitchens where after we tickled the pear on the portrait of fruit, met a bunch of little house elf faces ready to serve us. Their big eyes looked at us eagerly.
“Can I have a burger, fries, and a chocolate shake, to go?” I asked eager for some food. The house elf in a cup cozy nodded his head and ran to look for it.
“Nikki, where do you think we are, McDonalds?” Saph asked laughing. Then a house elf in an upside down flour sack came up to her. “Oh, may I have a fruit salad and a bottle of water, to go?” Then the house elf nodded her head and ran the same direction mine went.
Another house elf in some kind of towel wrap came to Lily. “Oh, um, can I have a chicken wrap with some lettuce and tomato? Oh and can I have an orange soda?” The house elf ran back.
“Okay, I am sure both of those items, are on the McDonalds menu as well or at least they should be.” I stated, crossing my arms and rolled my eyes.
“Whatever.” They said in unison. Our food came in a nice picnic basket, which I took, and we left before more food could be thrown our way.
I lead them outside and sat underneath one of the many trees by the Black Lake. I passed them their food, and we ate in silence as we watched the sun sink behind the castle and the moon rise over Hogsmeade.
“You look different today, Nikki.” Saph said breaking the peaceful silence.
“Do I?” I asked confused. “I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary.” I commented back.
“Yeah Saph, your right, she does look weird.” Lily said in awe. “I noticed that too. Maybe you did something different with your hair?”
“Nope, nothing has changed.” I said still confused.
“Now it’s going to bother me all night.” Lily said searching for the imperfect that is making me look different.
“It’s my goal to do that on a regular basis anyways.” I remarked with a laugh. They both rolled their eyes.
“How was Quidditch practice?” Saph asked as she took another sip of water.
“Fun, I hurt my back a little bit but I think it’s just bruising.” I told them as I rubbed my back gently.
“How did you do that?” Lily asked worried.
“I fell off my broom twice.” I told them casually as if I were talking about the weather.
“Do you break any bones?” Saph asked worried.
“Nah, I’m fine.” I told them waving it off.
“Maybe we should go inside.” Lily said worried.
“Well, before we do, let’s swim!” I yelped as I jumped up. I yanked off my black jean shorts and shoes and jumped into the Black Lake, with my wand clutched in hand. Once in the water I lit it and put it by the shore, as a light source. I looked back to see Lily and Saph make no move. “Let’s try that again.” I said climbing out dripping wet. “Let’s swim!” I yelped again.
“What about the giant squid?” Saph asked concerned.
“Jamie? She isn’t going to hurt you.” I corrected. Lily started to laugh and Saph looked confused.
“Jamie?” Saph asked amused.
“Yeah! It’s the female version of James Potter, and Lily reckons that they look alike.” I laughed. “Plus we know Lily would rather date the Squid then him, so I think it’s fitting.”
“How do you know it’s a female?” Saph asked concerned.
“You just know.” Lily and I said together. I pulled them both up to their feet and they too stripped their jean shorts off and pulled their shoes off as well.
“Let’s try this again.” I said turning them towards the lake. “Let’s swim!” I yelped and all three of us jumped in the lake.
After a few minutes of getting use to the water, we all floated on our backs next to each other.
“What if we get caught?” Lily said breaking the silence.
“Who is going to tell on us? No one is even out here.” I said flailing my arms and legs, splashing them both.
Suddenly a rustle came from the bushes. I popped my head out of the water and cocked my head to the side like a cat does. I swam toward the bush and pushed aside some of the branches and leaves. I thought I saw a foot but a second later it was gone. Suspiciously I swam back to my friends. Every now and then I would look back at the bush.
Once back over to them, I convinced them to help me find Jamie. We looked for about five minutes, each taking turns diving. The third time Saph came up she had green seaweed in her hair.
“Saph, you got a little something in your hair.” I laughed. Her hands viscously searched her head, flinging the seaweed at me. I picked it up to find it sticky. “Damn, Peeves would love this, let’s get some more for him.” I announced as I dove in again.
About ten minutes later we had about a couple pounds of seaweed in our picnic basket. We took turns swimming around and talking about everything and anything.
Eventually I came up with another brilliant idea. Over the Black Lake was a ledge. It was about ten or fifteen feet high from the surface. It was perfect for jumping.
“I have a brilliant plan!” I announced again.
“What now?” Lily mockingly moaned.
“Well if you’re going to be like that I’m not telling.” I stated crossing my arms.
“Just tell us.” Saph ordered and I obliged.
“See that ledge over there?” I asked pointing it out. They nodded their heads. “Let’s jump from it. It would be fun.” I insisted.
“You sure it’s safe?” Saph asked cautiously.
“Let’s find out.” I told them. I climbed out of the water and ran for the ledge. Without a second thought I jumped off and plunged back into the water. Once I surfaced I swam back over to my friends. “That was amazing! You both have to try it.” I informed them. “It feels like your stomach is going to fly out of your body!”
We all got out of the water. Lily was first to jump and Saph waited for Lily to swim out of the way. Saph jumped and I heard another noise from that same bush as before. I crept over to it. I could have sworn I heard breathing. I picked up a rock and threw it into the bush and I heard a yelp of pain.
I picked up another one but Potter crawled out holding his head. “Ow, you pegged me in the head.” He whispered quietly.
“I wouldn’t have if you weren’t creeping.” I announced in a hush tone. In the background I heard Lily and Saph call my name. “Just a minute! I answered back to them, and then turned back to Potter. “Are you hiding with your little friends?” I sneered.
“No.” Potter said quickly.
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I just threw this in there.” I said gesturing to the rock in my hand. Before Potter could answer I threw the rock and I heard another yelp in pain. This time the other three emerged, Black rubbing his neck which was red. “What the hell?” I asked. “I checked the bush, how were you hiding?” I asked confused.
“Maybe your blind.” Pettigrew offered.
“Like all four of you are going to be if you don’t tell me.” I threatened but this just made Black laugh.
“How? You don’t have your wand or anything to protect you. Heck you’re not even fully dressed.” He laughed pointing to my clothes which were my underwear, bra and a thin black tank top which was soaked.
This time it was my turn to laugh even though blood was rushing to my cheeks. “Maybe you should pay more attention to your wand then my outfit.” I said waving his wand that I had snatched when he was climbing out of the bush. His smile dropped and he glared at me.
“Give me, my wand.” He hissed through clenched teeth.
“Explain.” I ordered and I held his wand between my two fingers as I studied the design.
“I have this.” Potter announced as he pulled out a cloak from his pocket. He flung it over himself and disappeared.
“You have an Invisibility Cloak?” I asked in amazement. “And I good quality one at that.”
“You know about them?” Lupin asked surprised.
“Sure, my Godfather confiscates fake ones that strangle people like once a week. They are still trying to find the guy that makes them though.” I shrugged.
“Now give me my wand back Redwood.” Black growled.
“Not yet.” I hissed. I turned to Potter. “Why are you four here?” I asked though I already knew the answer.
“Lily.” Potter mumbled almost incoherently.
I rolled my eyes but then I heard Lily call my name again. “I’ll be there in a second, just wait.” I called to her. I turned back to the Marauders that had leaves in their hand. I threw Black his wand which he caught confused. “Leave and I won’t bust you.” I warned them. Potter threw the cloak over Pettigrew, Lupin and himself, and it looked nearly impossible for all of them to fit and even then, Black still had to fit. Before he got in I reminded him, “Remember, you still owe me.”
“I know, just tell me what you want when you think of something.” He said in disgust as he walked under the cloak and turned completely invisible.
I walked to the ledge and jumped back into the water. When I surfaced I met Lily and Saph.
“What took you so long?” Saph asked.
“I thought I heard something, turned out to be a bunch of rats.” I lied skillfully and they bought it, Saph more than Lily.
The rest of the time we swam, laughed, and talked. Once it seemed too late to continue, we climbed out of the water. We changed back into our shorts and packed up everything. Wands in our hands, we walked back up to the school.
On your way to the kitchen Peeves came.
“Why hello, my pretties.” Peeves crackled joyously.
“Hey Peeves!” I called up to him. He flew down so he was face to face with me.
“Redwood!” He exclaimed before engulfing me in a hug, lifting me a few feet off the ground and dropped me lightly on the ground again. “What are you, three pretties, doing out of bed?” He asked with an evil smirk.
“We went swimming.” I told him grinning.
“Ooh! Did you bring me anything to give to Filch?” He asked, his eyes glowing mischievously.
“Actually, yes!” I recalled and opened the picnic bag and pulled out a bunch of seaweed, we collected from the bottom of the Black Lake.
“Ooh! Filch and Mrs. Norris, will love it! I’ll make sure I put this safely in his office. By the way the third floor corridor is filled with dungbombs.” He crackled taking it before flying off.
“I still don’t see how your friends with Peeves.” Saph said shaking her head once he flew out of sight.
“It’s a gift.” I simply stated then winked. “Or I just have mad skills, but it’s probably both.” Lily rolled her eyes and Saph laughed.
After dropping off the picnic basket with the elves and receiving some oh so delicious cookies we made our way back the Common room. McGonagall was just turning the corner on the fifth floor when she saw us.
She was wearing a night gown and a robe thrown over it. Her hair was in a loose bun and she looked almost embarrassed to see us.
“Mrs. Redwood, Mrs. Monroe, and Mrs. Evans, why are you three soaking wet and at this hour?” She exclaimed with her eyes flashing.
“That would be my fault.” I said. I can’t let Lily and Saph get in trouble for my idea. “I forced them to take a little swim.”
“Where?” McGonagall shrieked appalled.
“In the Black lake.” I mumbled as I twisted a wet piece of hair as more water dripped on the floor.
“Mrs. Redwood, one night’s detention tomorrow night, and Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Monroe, I hope to see you two take this as a warning. I don’t want you two ruining your records like your friend here.” She said before walking off shaking her head in disapproval.
“Thank Nikki.” Saph and Lily said together again. Merlin it’s getting creepy that they keep doing that. It’s almost like they share a brain.
“It’s not a problem. I was getting worried that I didn’t have a detention in a while. I think I was having withdrawals. I need that strict discipline.” I shrugged before walking back to the common room. Inside the Marauders sat together in a circle. The popped their heads up at our arrival.
“Lily Flower! You’re wet!” James exclaimed in mock surprise as he ran over to Lily and, I think, tried to dry her with a hug. Lily stepped back dodging him.
“Don’t you even think about it.” She hissed and he recoiled slightly.
“So why are you three wet?” Lupin asked with mock confusion and I smirked.
“Went swimming in the Black Lake.” Saph said in a regular
conversational voice making Lily gasped and I started clapping and cheering. “Oh stop it Nikki.” She said slapping me and turning red in the face.
“So why do you have leaves in your hair?’ I said pointing to all four of them, who had crumpled leaves in their hair from when they had hid in the bushes, Black had the most. I decided to act stupid for their benefit.
“Leaf fight?” Pettigrew said in the form of a question and Black pounced on him and I think tried to smother him with a pillow.
“Great now my OCD is going to kick in.” Lily mumbled and Saph nodded her head as they both started to pick the leaves out of Lupin’s hair and neatly stack them into a pile.
“What about me?” Potter moaned, hoping for some of Lily’s attention.
“Have Nikki do it.” Lily snapped back. By now I was sitting in one of the many arm chairs. Potter jumped on my lap and tilted his head down.
“Not going to happen.” I told him as I pushed him onto the floor with a thump.
“Please?” He begged as he shook my foot.
“No.” I told him as Saph and Lily finished up Lupin and Saph went to Potter to relieve him and Lily went to Pettigrew, who was hiding behind the couch from Black, who sat down on the floor by my feet, next to Potter. “So how did you really get the leaves in your hair?” I asked again with a smirk as I picked one out of Black’s locks. He cringed at my touch while I looked at it then threw it back in his hair carelessly.
“Wormtail told you. We had a leaf fight.” Potter said in a confident voice and eyed me to stop.
“Sure ya did.” And I left it at that. I started to play with a lock of my hair by flinging the water as far as I could, which happened to be on Black’s and Potter’s heads.
“Watch it Redwood!” Black growled at me.
“Ooh, I’m scared.” I crackled, much like Peeves. I didn’t notice as he and Potter grabbed my legs and then pulled me onto the floor between them.
Black pounced on me and in a matter of seconds he was holding my hands above my head and sitting on my belly. I was thrashing underneath him and trying to escape but he was way strong her then me and had the advantage. The more a thrashed the more my back began to hurt again. I’m going to need to have someone look at that. “Still need pay back from earlier.” Black growled and Potter laughed. Little bits of leaves fell from Black’s head on to mine as I thrashed and wiggled even though it was painful.
“Um, how about this, Hell no! What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.” I barked as I tried to bite his arms, which were just out of my reach.
“What is going on down here?” Russ called from the base of the stairs. I awkwardly wiggled out from underneath Black and ran for Russ. I hid behind him and he looked down at me not as amused as I thought he would be. “Are you going to tell me what happened?” He asked.
“Nope!” I yelped as Lily and Saph came to my rescue.
“Come on Nikki, we need to get ready for bed. It’s already eleven o’clock and we have classes tomorrow and you have detention.” Lily said winking at me and yanked me up the stairs to the dorm.
“Wait, you got detention?” Russ called from the stairs but I ignored him.
Once in the dorm we all started to laugh.
“We need nights like that more often.” Saph exclaimed. “Minus the part of your detention though. I’ll take a shower first.” Saph said going into the bathroom.
“I told you this many times before; I am a fucking riot!” I yelped as I sunk onto the floor by my bed. I winced as I fell back on the floor.
“Nikki, there are leaves in your hair, or I guess little bits of leaves.” Lily laughed as she pulled them out of my hair, sitting next to me.
“It’s probably from Black.” I growled and at this Miranda stood up with her arms crossed. Behind her was Marlene. “Can I help you?” I asked as she turned towards me.
“What this about you and Sirius?” She hissed.
“Um none of your business.” I told her, rolling my eyes.
“Stay away from him. He is mine.” She growled possessively.
“Does he know you have this unhealthy and obsessive claim to him, because I am pretty sure that is a turn off.” I told her and Lily pulled my hair gentle, telling me to stop.
“Does he know you’re shagging his brother?” Marlene hissed from behind.
“Well one, I don’t think he cares either way and two, I am not shacking it up with Regulus.” I laughed.
“You can’t just be friends with guys and not be interested in them.” Miranda said, nodding her head as if this were common sense.
“Wow then I must be shacking up with Seth and Abraham Sora, Russ Langton, Adam Nestley, Regulus Black, Severus Snape and probably others.” I replied sarcastically.
“That’s because you’re a whore.” Marlene chimed in stupidly. I would have laughed if I wasn’t so annoyed because of how hypocritical they were being.
“Takes one, to know one.” Lily hissed next to me, taking me by surprise. She is never one to get into my fights with the she-devils.
“What’s that Evans?” Marlene sneered.
“Just shut the fuck up, McKinnon!” Lily screamed at this point, extremely annoyed by Marlene.
“Holy Dumbledore shit!” I yelped. “Did you just fucking cuss?” I asked smiling in awe, ignoring my two angry dorm mates.
“Nice word choice, ‘Holy Dumbledore shit’, and yeah I kind of did.” Lily said smiling.
“I am so proud of you!” I cheered.
“That’s great, you two are having a moment, but we aren’t done.” Miranda snapped.
“Do we really need to finish this?” I asked in pain. I just wanted her to leave me alone.
“Yeah, because only one of us can have him.” Miranda told me stupidly.
“You can have him! I really don’t want him.” I yelped in frustration.
“What about your lip lock thing?” Mary asked from her bed suddenly.
“Oh fuck it; I was trying to piss you off. In case you didn’t notice I enjoy it quite a lot.” I yelled aggravated.
“I’m sure.” She hissed before lunging at me with her talons out.
We wrestled on the floor and I could feel her scratch my face and arms the more I tried to hold her back. I got a few kick and punches in but she was ruthless. A few times she bashed my back against the floor and I winced and thought I heard it crack.
After a few minutes of trying, Mary and Marlene managed to get Miranda off me. Saph had gone to get McGonagall and Lily was tending to my face which had been cut up by Miranda’s claws. I could feel the blood dribbled down my face. When I looked at Miranda all she had was a few bruises from where I punched her and blood under her nails. My blood.
Five minutes later, McGonagall entered. I had never seen her so anger. She is probably pissed with all my drama she has had to deal with today. “What in Godric’s name happened?” She asked with her eyes flashing in rage. Hell I would be mad too. Wait, I am mad!
“Miranda attacked Nikki.” Lily said in my defense.
“Is that true?” McGonagall looked over at Miranda who was red in the face.
“I was provoked.” Miranda pleaded but McGonagall turned and looked at me.
“I doubt you were entirely innocent, Mrs. Redwood.” McGonagall said glaring at me. She looked frustrated; especially since this is the fifth time today she has had to yell at me, once this morning in the Great Hall, twice in her class, earlier in the hall where I got detention and now.
“I did have an argument with her but I didn’t try to fight with her. I was playing defense.” I responded as Saph handed me a cloth. I pressed it to my stinging face. When I removed it I saw a lot more blood then I expected.
“Well, it better not happen ever again, Mrs. Craft, because if it does you will head straight to the Headmaster’s office. Fighting is very serious at this school.” McGonagall warned before turning toward me. “You should head down to the hospital wing and get those looked at. I expect no more trouble from you for the rest of the week or I might just suspend you from Quidditch.” She then left the room.
I turned to look at Miranda but she just glared at me before heading into the bathroom, probably to clean her nails. I looked at Lily who helped me up. She walked me down to the hospital wing while Saph stayed in the room.
About an hour later my face but fixed up except for a giant scratch that would go away in about a week. It was from my left eye brow over to my nose, crossing of my eye. Poppy, the nurse in the hospital wing fixed up my back that I had brutally bruised and banged up.
I don’t know what I would do without Poppy. I got in enough injuries over the year and she always fixed me up. Of course she, like McGonagall, could only stand so much of me but she was really nice. Plus she never asked too many questions.
When we got back into our dorm room everyone was asleep and the lights were off. Lily and I changed into our PJ’s with the light from our wands and that when Lily looked over at my face and gasped.
“What?” I asked nervously as I pawed at whatever might be on my face.
“I know why you looked differently today and why you have had so much bad luck.” Lily whispered back to me. “Your eyes are grey.”
“Shit I’m still Regina Hamal Black.” I gasped as I went into the bathroom with Lily in tow. I looked at my face and sure enough stormy cloud eyes were staring back at me. I took my wand and changed them back. I looked at Lily for approval and she nodded her head. Together we both let out a sigh of relief. Fuck you Regina!
We left the bathroom, climbed into our respective beds and before I faded into my nightmarish dream world I thought, ‘I’m never going to be Regina again.’ Hello, another chapter completed!
Here is a question for everyone(i insist on answering it:p)! Who is your favourite and least favourite character?
Again thanks for reading and i hope you continue to :)
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