Raindrops on Roses

The aroma of freshly ground coffee wafted heavily throughout the Great Hall with an underlying smell of freshly baked patisseries. Asher often found himself sat just watching the world go by. It had always had a calming effect on him. He was an observer by nature, always preferring to stand back in the shadows unnoticed. It probably had something to do with his upbringing and his brothers. They had always seemed to steal the limelight no matter what Asher did to try and impress his parents. In the end, he gave up trying. It was the same with people, it was easier to just watch and observe rather than participate in the conversation. Staring down at the thick ceramic mug, he noticed the steam that had risen from it when he had first placed it down on the table had disappeared hinting at how long he had been there for.

Marlene sat a few seats down from Asher pulling apart the danish that she had chosen for her breakfast, it was what she did whenever she had a lot on her mind and didn’t know what to do with her hands. Glancing around the hall, she noticed that Hufflepuff was in a world of his own which caught her curiosity and wondered what had him so distracted. Picking up a small piece she gently threw it in his direction to gain his attention. 

Her head tilted to the side slightly in a questioning pose. “Regarding what?” She asked, voice gentle and genuinely curious. The Gyffindor looked somewhat distressed, if Andromeda were to put a word to it, and she wondered if there was anything she could do to assist.

“About possibly being able to tutor me?” The fact that Andromeda seemed to have no idea what she was talking about made Marlene more nervous.

Andromeda sat on the grass, thoroughly invested in whatever book she was reading, with a blanket beneath her. It was becoming increasingly colder as Summer turned to Autumn, and there was already evidence of the leaves falling from trees – she could see only a few from where she was sat, but it was telling all the same. So, the raven-haired Slytherin was soaking up the last of the summer sun. However much someone could soak up with the confines of the Hogwarts school uniform, anyway. 

The crunching sound of one of the unfortunate leaves that had begun to litter the ground was what alerted Andromeda to the presence of another. Prior to this, she’d barely heard them approach. Looking up, she offered the individual a small smile, their figure looming as the sun beamed behind them, darkening their features if only slightly. It took a moment for Andromeda to fully take in the individual as a result. “Is there something you needed?” She said, the smile remaining on her lips, and without looking back down she folded the corner of the page she was on and closed the book.

“I was wondering if McGonagall has had chance to talk to you yet?” Marlene questioned nervously as she looked at the ground and picked at her cuticles, suddenly feeling awkward over the conversation. The gryffindor had always hated asking for help.

Suddenly, James’ face went from one filled with laughter, to one that was entirely serious. “Don’t even joke about that, McKinnion.” He warned, though he was over exaggerating just a little. “Or I’ll have to run you to the infirmary myself.” 

“It’s not so funny now is it, James?” Marlene tilted her head to the side as she stared at him with an over exaggerated innocent smile. “You know what Madam Pomfrey is like, she might insist I have to miss the next game.”

“I suppose it shouldn’t.” James shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t be amused by it each and every time.” A small laugh left his lips. “Right, pumpkin juice.” He nodded, sending a quick wink in her direction. 

“Oh you carry on being amused, I might just have managed to hurt myself enough to not turn up to next practice.” Marlene faked a wince as if she needed to lean down and rub her ankle. “Actually, it does rather sting.”

Mary was walking past the stairs when she noticed her friend stumble, her breath hitched as she stepped forward to try and stop Marlene from injuring herself. Luckily the female was able to regain her footing. Trying to stifle a laugh now she knew her friend was okay, Mary shook her head. “Oh my gosh Marls, and I thought I was supposed to be the clumsy one in this group. Are you okay?” She asked a grin on her face. “Y’know, you could have had the decency to actually fall, you’ve made my friend in shining armor duties redundant.”

“You’ll never be redundant in my eyes Mare! You’ll always be my hero” Marlene grinned as she finally managed to gain her balance. “Though you’ll be even more of my hero if you help me make sure those stupid boys never hear about it. I’ll never live it down otherwise.” She pouted at the thought of the Marauders and their teasing. “If the natural balance can be restored and you go back to being the clumsy one, my life will be made much easier. I honestly don’t know what has gotten into me lately.”

Mary wasn’t sure why exactly she had stopped doing her homework, well– actually she did. Apparently, her friend had never played Jenga before and well, Mary couldn’t exactly accept that so she had insisted she showed them how to play. Although it had turned out to be more like giant Jenga and they had to improvise with books, not that it mattered much it worked pretty much the same and the pair were having fun. All of a sudden Mary felt arms wrap around her midsection as her feet left the ground. A small squeak left her lips. “Hey! Put me down, I can reach just fine thank you very much!” She shouted laughing as she began to try and swat their hands away. 

“Aw but Mare-Bare, it’s so much fun!” Marlene teased as she stepped away from the bookshelf and span her around laughing. “Besides, you know how easily I get bored.” Of course it had nothing to do with Marlene’s competitive streak and with the fact that it looked as if Mary might just beat him at this stupid game. Not having the strength to hold her friend up any longer, Marlene felt her legs give way underneath her.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one, Marls.” He said between the laughter that filled the space around them. “I’ll have that look on your face on repeat for days.” He walked further up the stairs before speaking again. “How much fire whsikey do you have in there?” He joked. 

“Oh hush James, my clumsiness should be nothing new to you.” Marlene rolled her eyes as her cheeks began to take a rosy colour to them. “It’s pumpkin juice, I’ll have you know.” She looked down at her robes and noticed the remnants of her drink. “Or rather, it was.” 

Regulus followed the girl’s gaze toward Filch, then smirked. He had noticed, though he had just chosen not to step in. Where would be the fun in helping to get rid of the entertainment? “It’s nothing exciting. Just a text book from my Potions class.” Regulus admitted with a shrug, closing the book and folding his hands in his lap. “What did the nation’s favourite spook do this time?” He raised a brow.

“Seriously? And that’s interesting enough to keep you from not watching the pure entertainment that is happening in front of you?” Marlene stared at the youngest Black, baffled. “I’m surprised you can’t smell it from here. It looks like he has managed to leave a foul smelling something in one of the classrooms.”

“You honestly woke me up— it’s a good thing i like you.” Daisy signed with a minimal smile, tucking the loose strands of hair that fell across her face behind her ear.

“Well it’s about time you get up, don’t you think? You’re going to miss class.” Marlene checked her watch once more, hoping that she wouldn’t have to deal with McGonagall’s wrath.

“M’Sorry, can I help you?” Regulus looked up from the book he held in his lap and toward the figure before him. “Come on, you’ve disturbed me now. Lets get this social encounter over with already.” 

“I was only wondering what book you were reading? It seems to have managed to keep your attention to miss all the commotion.” Marlene questioned as her eyes drifted back to where Filch was waving his fist angrily at Peeves.