Chapter Text
June 1976
The Defence exam had just elapsed, obvious by the varying levels of relief seen in the fifth year’s faces, enjoying the sun and unwillingly revising for transfiguration the following day. Noel’s revision wasn’t unwilling, because what else were she to do, with only some books to entertain herself? Still she sat outside, for the weather was enchanting Hogwarts to look just like a scene out of a brilliant summers day in an awfully wealthy estate, like Pemberly when Elizabeth came to visit, or torture herself to the fact that she had no company after five years at boarding school. Nobody wanted to talk to her, and she could lie to herself and say she didn’t want to talk to them, but she knew that it was a farce, to stop her from writing anything bordering on depressing to her sisters or have those emotions upset her any more than they already have.
The perfect Gryffindor girls were lounging in their perfectly pressed and rolled and fitted uniform. Marlene McKinnon was snogging Davey Gudgeon senseless under a tree, his bandaged eye making him even more enticing apparently. While Lily Evans and Mary McDonald had the tact to look embarrassed for their friend. They had shucked their socks and shoes and dipped their feet in the still cool water, squealing when a three eyed fish or something with tentacles brushed past. Lily Evans wasn’t disgusting when she allowed her feet to cavort with the Giant Squid, no she was daring and darling, her pale skin blossoming with freckles and her emerald eyes crinkling with laughter, auburn hair cascading down her back and legs for days.
Noel could truly understand why James Potter asked her out at least twice a term for the last three years. She was a lovely girl, the sort of girl that you couldn’t even hate. Lily could murder and she’d be forgiven, she was worthy of the most popular boy in the schools affection. Perfect, virginal Saint Lily. Noel tried not to scowl when she caught her staring and waved her over, long limbs stretching as she grinned at the bench she was sitting on.
Noel made her way over, tucking her curls behind her ear and shifting from leg to leg to gather her books. She started contact so she couldn’t begrudge Evans for inviting her over. Due to her apparent friendlessness, Noel had become something of a project for Saint Lily, who could not help but try save every person who’s reputation within the school was beyond repair. But Noel would be no Severus Snape just so Evans could feel better about herself. Still, a small part of her wanted someone to talk to, and Noel really wanted to discuss the exam.
“Are you studying already?” Lily frowned after Noel gave her and Mary short nods. Marlene hated her and Mary seemingly had no opinion on her presence, only speaking to Noel when Lily was there.
Noel collapsed ungracefully on the grass, lying on her elbow as she replied. “The exams tomorrow and I’m not a procrastinator.”.
“Well I am.” She sighed, blowing her red hair out of her face. “Defence was lovely. Everything you reckoned to come up was there. Are you a seer, Joyce?”
Noel snorted, rolling her eyes. “No, I just figured that the only topic they haven’t used in the last five years would definitely come up.”
Mary smiled. “You Ravenclaws are something else.”
“Is that a covert way of calling me a swot?”
“Well, would she be lying?” Marlene replied drily, bored of snogging Gudgeon. “Maybe if you put in as much effort in your friends as you do studying, then Mary wouldn’t be subtly making fun of you.”
Mary raised her arms up in defence. “I wasn’t making fun!”
“Don’t insult her intelligence.” Marlene snapped, eyeing Noel in bemusement. “She’s a Ravenclaw, remember?”
Lily’s hair flew up in her outrage, saying some choice words that thoroughly chastised Marlene, but Noel was already on her feet and packing up her things. “Noel, wait don’t go! Marlene’s in a terrible mood because of her boy toy-”
“I know when I’m not wanted.” Noel blushed furiously, the back of her calves itching whenever she was embarrassed, “and-”
But she too was cut off, a crowd forming around one of the more isolated trees. Noel looked away and found that Lily & Co were already gone, her status more as Lily Evans than prefect making way for her through the throng of students. Noel edged closer, seeing the faces of Potter and Black and feeling ill. She knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of their bullying - pranks - called by teachers who were fond of their heritage and excellence in class.
She couldn’t stomach watching as Severus Snape was ridiculed yet again, unable to stop thinking about the satisfaction in Potters gang’s faces, the sheer desperation on Snape’s and the righteous anger of Evan’s as she made her way back to the castle, the images circling her head like a carousel.