Chapter Text
Marlene McKinnon hates Dorcas Meadows.
Her dad always tells her how “hate” is a strong word and not to be used lighty, but it’s true. Ever since Marlene has known of Dorcas' existence, the only emotions they’ve felt towards her is anger and rage.
The first time the two ever met was during the OLB finals two years ago. It was Gryffindor Lions vs. Ravenclaw Eagles and boy, was the game a tough one. Both teams played their absolute best, being head to head throughout the game and going into overtime twice. With 30 seconds left on the clock until game, Ravenclaw up by one, the other team’s point guard body checks Marlene to the ground, making them never finish their layup. The referees, blind as ever, didn’t call anything and Ravenclaw ended up winning. Since then, Marlene has resented the whole Ravenclaw team because of the loss but most importantly, she found her greatest enemy, Dorcas Meadows.
Now, on the first day of 11th grade, Marlene finds themselves walking to her second period class. They’re talking with Lily Evans, one of her best friends, when they spot none other than Sirius Black himself. At the sight of his two friends, Sirius flashes them his trademarked grin and starts walking towards them. “Sup loser,” Marlene said once he was in earshot.
“Wonderful as ever to see you, McKinnon!” he replied with an out of character cheery voice.
“Why are you so happy today? Did you guys already prank someone?” Lily asked as she rolled her eyes at his stupid smirk.
“Hello to you too, Lily. If you must know, I’m simply rather jolly to share the same classroom environment as you for this mathematics course we shall partake in.”
“Cut the fancy talk Sirius, and tell us why you’re really so happy,” replied Marlene.
“Ugh you’re no fun Marls. Truth be told, I’m just happy I won’t get bored out of my mind in this class. I thought no one I knew was in it. Peter and James both have Math last and Remus has it next semester, so I’m all alone.”
“Funny you think I’m sitting even remotely near you,” quipped Lily.
“You wound me Evans!”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” Lily said as she rolled her eyes again.
“Wow. Harsh,” he turns to Marlene, “Oh, by the way, when does your basketball season start up? Guys tryouts are this weekend and James said he wants to,” using air quotes and all, “‘Get back into shape', as if he hasn’t been practicing every day of summer.”
“Wow that soon? My tryouts are probably around the same time but I’ll have to check.”
Before Sirius could reply, the bell rang to signify the start of class.
They all walk into class together, but Lily goes to sit up in the front while Sirius and Marlene make their way to the back. She recognises a couple faces but no one they can really name. Once seated, Marlene immediately starts doodling on the desk while the teacher introduces herself. The teacher, Ms. McGonagall hands out icebreaker worksheets for them all to complete for the first fifteen minutes of class. Marlene looks up as a sharp painted fingernail hits her desk. “No writing on the desks, Ms..?”
“McKinnon.”
McGonagall seemed to consider her reply for a minute. “Is your brother Ariel McKinnon?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Well then, hopefully you’ll be less trouble than he was. Don’t fall into his footsteps.” McGonagall looks at her sternly for a few seconds before moving on to finish handing out the worksheet.
“What’s her problem?” Marlene mutters to Sirius.
“Not sure man, but whatever your brother did must’ve been bad.”
“Ugh,” she said, hitting their head on the desk, “why did my brother have to be such a bitch as a teen?”
“At least your brother was cool. Reggie's been a bitch since birth and will probably stay that way.”
“Brothers, am I right?”
They share a grin, as their mutual disdain for their siblings has always been a reason they're so close. Sirius has it much worse with his brother, as they used to be really close but grew distant as their parents wedged them apart. Marlene and her brother on the other hand, were never that close other than the occasional sibling bullying.
After a couple of minutes of silence in the class as they all fill out their worksheet, a crumpled up paper lands on Marlene’s desk. When they smooth it out, it says, “Do you know if Dorcas is playing for the Ravenclaws again?” Marlene looks up at Sirius, narrowing their eyes on him, but he only shrugs back. She quickly scrawls out an “obviously” before crumpling the paper and throwing it back.
“No notes shall be passed in my class, Ms. McKinnon and Mr. Black. Make sure to remember as next time there will be punishments.”
They both roll their eyes at the same time, then share a joking grin. Sometimes, it feels like Sirius is Marlene’s true brother.
*
Tuesday, September 7th. 12:23 pm
Wormy 😈
PETEYYY MY LOVEEE
MARLS SAVE ME
I was just about to ask you to do the same thing lol
No actually please help
My mom says she can't find my hockey stick
MY LUCKY STICK
Aren’t tryouts in like a million years
Also ew you hockey kid
Wow rude
You don't see me hating on you for your sport but I see how it is
You don't love me anymore
NEVER THINK THAT PETE YOU'RE MY ONE TRUE LOVE
Other than Euphemia but like you knew that
Ofc
We love Euphemia (more than we love James)
Real
Anyways, my stick!!
If you want I'll help you look for it after school
Thank you sm
Btw, did Remus change his number?
Yea I think so, why?
He's not answering my messages 😭
Eh might just be Remus being Remus
Fair fair fair
Aren't you with him rn?
Nah, I'm eating lunch with lils and Maryette
Wait don't you have lunch too???
COME JOIN US
NO TURNS OUT I HAVE CHEMISTRY INSTEAD AND LUNCH IS NEXT
HAHAHAAHAHAHA LOSER
It's ok I'll just ask Remus next period I think we have art together
Ew you art kids
NOW WHO'S BEING MEAN
Sorry sorry love you
Love ya too now go play with chemicals
Try not to die cause we'll miss ya
I’d never die on you McKinnon 🤭
You better not 😘
*
Tuesday, September 7th. 3:07 pm
???
MOONS PETE'S MOM JUST SAID SHE LIKES ME MORE THAN YOU
HAHAHAHSHAHAAHAH
Damn tough life for “Moons”
But um
Who is this?
Oh shit wrong number
Yep
Sorry stranger
How are you on this fine day?
I was actually doing pretty good until some stranger decided to start yelling at me over text
Hey I said sorry
Doesn't mean I accept your apology
Why are you being so mean 😭
Stranger danger
Ever heard of it?
For all I know you could be a 40 year old man who lives in his mom's basement
*gasp* how dare you assume my gender???
Sorry, sorry
A 40 year old person who lives in their mom's basement
Thank you 😌
Anyways I gtg help my friend find his lucky hockey stick
Ew hockey kids
That's what I tell him!!
Wait I didn't get your name
Never told you
Stranger Danger
Alr alr stranger who thinks I’m danger
Ttyl!!
Hope you don't!!
*
Tuesday, September 7th, 01:03
Stranger danger
Hey stranger you up?
Sadly yes
Sorry to bother you
I'm feeling a bit lonely and I didn't rly know who else to text
If you wanna go to sleep it's fine I'll leave u alone
Nono it's fine
What's up
A lot
Mostly stress of starting the new school year
Oh shit wait
R u in school
Ik stranger danger
Well if it makes you feel any better I just start grade 11
Huh, me too
:0
You told me something about yourself???
It's a miracle!!
Shut up
Omg what if we go to the same school
I go to Hogwarts Academy
I go to Durmstrang SS
Damn you go to the bougie rich private school
Well yea but I'm in by scholarship so yk 🤷
OMG WAIT STRANGER WE'RE THE SAME AGE THAT'S SO FUN
You just realized?
Stfu
Alr bye
Wait no come back
Stranger
Strangerrrr
Don't leave me 😭😭
Fine I'm back
Knew you wouldn't leave me 🤭
I'm contemplating it
:(
Anyways
Now that we know we're the same age, what's your name?
Why would I tell you?
Idk cause then I'd know who you are
How about no?
Rude
Then what am I supposed to call you??
Hm
I guessed you could call me Dory
My friends sometimes call me that
Cause you have shit memory?
Shut up
My friends mostly call me bitch
But don't call me that
Ummmm
You can call me Rapunzel
Cause when I was younger I wanted to be just like her
Long ass hair and all
That's kinda cute actually
Ik I'm just adorable
Ok you ruined it
Meanie
Oh shit it's late
Like later than it was when we started texting
Wow genius maybe that's how time works
Stfu
Anyways gn!!
I'm gonna be a zombie tomorrow holy
Honestly same
Good night Rapunzel
Nighty night Dory!!