Chapter Text
(Y/N) (L/N) HAS ACHIEVED:
Astronomy: O
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Divination: E
Herbology: O
History of Magic: O
Potions: O
Transfiguration: O
Your eyes traced the OWLS results several times, to make sure that it was not a dream. The realization did not hit you as hard as you wanted it, so you pinched your wrist.
“So? How are they?” Lily’s voice carefully asked as she noticed your silence. You only sighed as you breathed heavily and gazed at your reflection. Your hair was messy, your face was breaking out and your outfit that did not quite fit you right—it was just like how you looked like during Hogwarts. Perhaps this is why you were nicknamed: Nerdy Nutter.
“(Y/N)?” Lily called, you clutched the phone closer to your ear as you answered her question “I did well, almost too well” you twirled the phone cord as you evaluated your physical appearance, for the first time in a while.
You were not someone that cared about what you looked like—not because you did not want to be perceived as feminine or pretty, you loved wearing dresses and loved looking at the color pink. But because you did not have the time to do so and it was only last night that you figured out that people can form opinions about you, that others can perceive you as well.
“I got all O’s I’m so happy, this means I’m overqualified for the healer’s examination!” Lily said, you can hear her faintly brush her hair as she talked to you.
Then you remembered the way your mother and your sister talked about Lily last night, they said that she combined beauty and brains. Unlike you, who could only focus on one thing, and you could not do it well. It was proven by the way you got an E on one subject, meanwhile the stunning Lily got an O on all and she combined beauty with it.
“I’m gonna get a boyfriend” you announced.
Lily stopped speaking, and you heard her hairbrush fall flat on her dresser. It clanks, and then Lily voice came to you “that was unexpected, why?”
You breathed in harshly and glared at your reflection that you did not like at all.
You explained, “My sister’s wedding is going to be on June, and I need a plus one.”
“Oh! Well, you still have about eleven months to find yourself a plus one, and if you do not find one you can ask our favorite marauder!” she joyfully teased.
“I don’t even know why they call themselves the marauders, it’s such a childish name!” you hissed into the phone, as you leaned closer to the mirror and took your tweezers and began to pluck out some of your eyebrows.
Lily giggled, before calming down as she asked “but why the sudden thought of a boyfriend? Did your mother and sister say something?”
She knew you too well, almost too well.
You recalled their upsetting words during last night’s dinner, it started with you happily munching on Shepheard’s pie only for you to toss your fork on the ceramic plate the second your sister and your mother started jabbing your appearance.
Which is why you woke up today very irritated about it all, after you frowned all night and thought of plans to prove to them that you can be seen as pretty too. That someone else would find you so pretty and lovable that you would invite them to your sister’s wedding.
Thus, the idea of a boyfriend originated in your head.
“They paired against me and made me feel like an ugly toad, and it doesn’t matter anymore” you said and dropped your tweezer on your vanity. “Do you want to talk about it?” Lily gently asked.
“No, but I’m going to be a new woman.”
You heard Lily sigh, so you added “and when we get back to Hogwarts you will see a completely different woman and I will go on lots of dates.”
“I don’t think you would want someone to love you for your looks only” Lily advised, you can hear her resuming brushing her hair and the sound of her sister Petunia entering their shared room.
“Whatever, Lils, I have to go I have lots of shopping and a great makeover to do” you said as you glanced at your wall clock. She giggled, and said a quick “Fine, I will talk to you later.”
“Bye” you said and returned your phone to its original place on the wall.
Finally, you pushed the stack of books off your desk. They all thumped quietly on the floor, and it did hurt your feelings a little, considering those books had everything you loved, but your vengeance was too great that you quickly forgot about them all.
You were going to get prettier; you were going to go on lots of dates and get a boyfriend that you were going to flaunt to your judgmental family.
Then you placed the stack of fashion and beauty magazines on the space that was once occupied by your educational books. Now, instead of memorizing and studying the educational books you were going to study the magazines.
With one sharp exhale and furrowed eyebrows, you opened the first magazine.
“Your skirt is way too short” your mother commented when you stepped off the doorstep, “what is wrong with the pair of jeans we got last year?” she asked once again and unlocked the car. You ignored her words as you followed her into the car.
She commented under her breath, but loud enough for you to hear “you look like a prostitute.”
When you sat down, your skirt rolled up and you pulled it down and focused your eyes to gaze outside the window. You heard your mother sigh, but she rolled the car out of the driveway silently and you two began the journey to King’s Cross station with your heart thumping inside your ribcage.
Two months passed since your conversation with Lily, which meant Two months passed since your fiasco with your mother and sister. The one where they were being cruel to you, under the excuse of being honest and worried about you.
Two months passed since you replaced your books with magazines as you hoped it would get you a boyfriend, and a boyfriend would get you the respect you wanted from your family. Now instead of long-sleeved blouses that did not fit you right, or jeans that were frumpy and trainers that lost their colors. Now you were clad in short skirts, and in off shoulder blouses and high heeled platforms.
The real test for you right now was the way everyone at school would take your change because it is the place where you would find your future boyfriend. The person that must solve all the issues with your family.
Too deep in your thoughts, you did not realize you were at King’s Cross station, only when your mother cleared her throat that it made you wake up from it all.
Quickly, you exited the car as you pulled out your trunks, which happened to be more than two this year. Your mother helped you place your luggage on a trolley. Then she cleared her throat once again, before awkwardly patting your shoulder in an uncomfortable goodbye.
“I’m gonna be late” You did not humor her with a smile as you quickly pushed the trolley inside the station. She did not follow you, from the corner of your eyes you saw her get inside the car and revved it outside its parking spot.
Now, you were sixteen and this year would be the year you finally glow at school—not because of your grades but rather your killer popularity. You stood right by platform nine, as you were a little anxious about getting inside platform nine and three quarters.
You were anxious about going inside, you were stressed about the thoughts the students were going to make about you once they see you. Then you pulled down on your short skirt and wondered if you should have listened to your mother.
But again, you did not think there was anything wrong with your look this morning. Neither your short skirt, or your styled hair or your blouse. There was nothing wrong with them in your opinion, but also, it was your opinions that made your family lose their respect for you.
“You look so pretty!”
Startled, you turned to look at the girl with fiery red hair and bright green eyes, medium height, and an overweight figure. She looked stunning, she proved to you that you did not have to be tall and skinny to look good wearing bell bottom jeans.
“Thank you Lils, you look pretty as well” you complimented her sincerely.
“Alright, can we get inside now?”
You nodded as you pushed your heavy trolley through platform nine and platform ten.
Finally, your world switched and the subtle energy in King’s Cross station switched to the crowded platform nine and three quarters. You clutched on the handles of the trolley, feeling the looks of people around you.
It made you nervous, but you kept your head up high as you busied yourself with pushing the trolley to the place where they load the luggage onto the train. “Look at her” you heard some girls behind you. “Who is she?” you heard someone ask.
You braced yourself as you took your purse, no with nothing to do with your hands you tucked your hair behind your ear as you followed Lily inside the train. Despite the crowd in platform nine and three quarters, people made way for you when they noticed you.
Except you were not used to the excessive attention and it made your face burn.
Finally, the hustle and bustle of the platform was not as loud when you entered the train. Lily glanced at you once but did not speak when she saw your rigid features.
You felt a firm hand on your naked shoulder, it made you shake a little as you turned around to face a tall blonde girl with curly locks appeared with a teasing smile, you bounced form your place “Marlene!” you called.
“If it isn’t my favorite girl, you look absolutely gorgeous!” she complimented, it gave you a burst of confidence as you thanked her and complimented her back. As you were walking without looking at where you were going, you slammed onto Lily’s back.
She stopped walking and said, “get out of my face.”
You peeked to look at who she was talking to, it was James Potter, having a silly smile on his face as he said, “My Lily flower, how have you been?”
“James the corridor is narrow, so get back to your compartment and bother Lily sometime else” Marlene said. You leaned on your footsteps and rested your hand on Lily’s back to look at James, “yeah, Lily is really annoyed today, now is not a suitable time.”
The boy furrowed his eyebrows, you prepared yourself to hear a witty response from him. Although you were surprised to hear a “Who the hell are you?”
Your lips parted and froze in shock, you may have not been close friends with James Potter but you two were in the same house. You were in the same year and shared all your classes together, for the last five years. Actually, you were a victim to many of his pranks.
“(Y/N)!” it was not James that realized it was you.
Then James was pushed out of the way, and Sirius Black appeared from the compartment next to the two of you. “It’s nerdy nutter!” Sirius pointed at you. It made you gulp as you were under the spotlight of the many students that were behind Marlene and in front of James, even the ones inside the compartments that turned their heads to look at who they thought was a new face.
“You changed your…your…Everything!” James loudly said, now realizing it was you.
Similar murmurs and hissed whispers of “she looks better” around you made you lift up your face with more gained confidence, you looked at Sirius silently as you greeted awkwardly with a wave “Hi James, Hi Sirius.”
“Anyways, just get out of my face, we need to get to our compartment” Lily demanded and pushed through her way between Sirius and James to allow you and her to pass. As you turned to look at the compartment Sirius came out from, your gaze fell on Remus Lupin.
Who like the usual, looked handsome as he was looking at you. This time, he had deeper scars across his face that made him look tougher, and even more good-looking. You could not stop your smile as you flashed him a smile, as you waved at him while you walked past Sirius.
Remus has been your crush since first year, not an obsessive crush but someone you found your eyes would drop on him in crowded places. Also, during fifth year you two would study for your OWLs together. He was the sweetest and nicest boy you ever met.
You hoped that perhaps this year you would get close to him, and he would take your first kiss and all the rest of your firsts. And just maybe you would take him to your sister’s wedding so you could show him off to them. He would twirl you in your stunning dress and you would get the respect your family did not give you.
Although all your thoughts took an abrupt stop when Sirius Black stepped in your line of vision, as he quickly snatched your hat off your head. “Who are you looking at?” he said and raised your hat over your height so you cannot reach it.
“Why are you so annoying?” you commented, as you tried to take it from him.
Marlene laughed as she walked from behind you and away from the scene. Now leaving you with Sirius that refused to give you back your hat, he continued chuckling as you were on your toes and tried to get the hat from him.
“Give it back!” you demanded.
“Get it yourself!” he joked.
Right by the time you almost managed to run your fingers with the hat, he lifted it further away from you as the train started moving forward. You lost your footing and your balance, he gasped, and you did not mind him as you finally managed to catch your hat that fell from his hands—as his hands were on your waist so he could balance you before you fall.
You glared at him as you squabbled angrily “You’re so annoying.”
Before he could respond, you walked away, not before glancing at Remus that was watching the exchange between you and Sirius with an amused expression. Your face burned as you fixed your hair before you placed your hat once again over your head.
Then you entered the compartment you saw Marlene and Lily enter.
“Took you long enough to get here” A girl said, she had styled box braids and lovely dark skin, Mary.
“Sirius Black is so annoying” you quickly commented, as you grinned and sat next to Mary, then all your friends gazed back at you with teasing smiles. “Why are you looking at me like that?” you asked.
“Well, Lily told us about your plan, and we just want to let you know we will help you” Dorcas explained excitedly.
“We all know you like Lupin, but I don’t mind helping you get over your one-sided crush” Lily said with a singular nod.
Marlene beamed, as her attention was on the compartment door “Actually, I don’t think it’s a one-sided crush” she said, your eyes followed to where she poured all her attention and before your head can form thoughts you saw the annoying marauders outside the door, sauntering confidently and before James can open the door.
You noticed Remus looking at you, he was smiling at you.
Remus Lupin was looking and smiling at no one else but you, the realization made you stiff as you bit your lower lip and tried to stop your smile.
“Hello Evans!” James greeted, before he looked around your compartment as he added “and the rest.”
Dorcas rolled her eyes “Honestly that is just so rude.”
James big head hid Remus as he walked past the compartment, which only made you frown as you sighed and sulked into yourself.
The sound of your Alarm awakened you from your dreamless slumber. Your first class starts in three hours, and you specifically started this routine every day just so you can perfect your looks every day. Without wasting another second, you slipped out of your bed, all the girls stirred quietly in their sleep from the sound of your alarm.
You walked inside the shared bathroom and watched your reflection as you stripped yourself from your sleeping gown. From the small window in the bathroom, you saw the crescent shaped moon hidden behind thick clouds right before you shut the curtains on the window.
As you lathered your loofah your thoughts drifted to the previous day, you shared many looks and smiles with Remus. You bit your smile as you relived the moments again.
Remus was not someone that would give his attention to anyone easily, and the fact that he gave you his attention multiple times yesterday made your heart swell up with hopes. Even during the feast, you two shared couple flirty smiles that made you giggle inside the shower like a crazy person.
As you shaved your legs, you wondered if he would also look at you in your school uniform. You did alter your uniform to fit your body better, you made the skirt shorter and the shirt tighter as well as your blazer—which were all against the dress code but if you avoided Professor McGonagall, or sweet talked her she might just let you go.
After all, you were a very outstanding student.
You did not outwardly have a conversation with Remus, but you were planning to talk with him clearly this morning as you play with your hair. Hopefully, this will send him signals that you were dying to send since your first year in Hogwarts.
As you brushed your hair you watched your reflection, now you were clad in your altered uniform, and you looked ready for the day. By the time you finished everything, Lily was knocking on the door as she was grunting lazily for you to get out.
That it has been over an hour.
With a swish of your wand, you organized the excessive body and hair care containers. You exited the bathroom, “why are you up? I thought we were the lazy ones in this room” you heard Marlene say from her bed.
“I’m a new woman, now I wake up three hours before class to get ready” you half joked, as you pulled down your tight blazer before you plopped on your bed and slipped on your socks. Dorcas entered the bathroom with Lily as the red-haired girl was brushing her teeth.
Dorcas said “Marlene, you should be like (Y/N) you don’t want to be stuck in detention again.”
The two girls were arguing, and they soon were joined by Mary that was waiting for the two girls to finish.
Your thoughts were infiltrated with the thoughts of your new and future boyfriend, you wondered how long it would take you before a boy asks you out. You wanted to go on many dates because it means that it would get you a boyfriend quicker. Once you wore your pretty shoes that were slightly uncomfortable, but too pretty you turned a blind eye to it, you exited the room as you waved at the girls.
The common room was not as energetic as it usually is, classes start in an hour, so it was not as crowded as it usually was. You did not fail to notice Remus exiting the common room, so you sped up your walking and pushed the door as well as the portrait, you can hear James loud voice behind you.
But you ignored it all and rushed to the tall boy with your charms book hugged close to your chest. Your heels clicked against the concrete, and before the moving stairs can change directions, you bounced on the step before it can move.
Now, you were standing next to Remus Lupin. It was exceedingly difficult for you to hide your smile and excitement no matter how hard you tried, “good morning, Remus!” you happily greeted. He turned to look at you, then his features turned soft with a smile across his face, before he can greet you back.
James also managed to catch the step before the stairs can move. He was next to you, “Oh hey nerdy nutter!”
“Just say (Y/N)” you hiss.
“No! Your nick name fits you well!”
“I swear if you don’t stop it, I’m literally going to push you down the stairs” you threatened.
“See?! Therefore, you are called that, you are a nerd and you’re completely nuts!” James said as he laughed, you raised your hand to hit him on his humongous head but stopped in your tracks when you recalled Remus was watching the exchange.
Your hand came down to hold your books to your chest, and you ignored James as you followed Remus down the stairs to the great hall. “How were your OWLs results, (Y/N)?” you heard Remus ask you, so you sped up your footsteps and answered, “they were good, how were your results?”
“I got an O on everything” he said, and you smiled happily as you two entered the great hall.
“I’m glad, I remember you mentioned once you wanted to become a teacher” you said.
“Ugh, a teacher, I’m gonna be an auror” you heard James complain, you rolled your eyes but ignored him again.
You tucked your hair behind your ear and hoped that Remus would find you pretty. Now that you were more confident, you sat next to Remus and you felt proud, because before your makeover you would have scurried to the back of the table and away from Remus.
Right before you can sip on your tea, you were surprised to find Bertram Aubrey tapping on your shoulder. He shared so many of your classes in the last five years, that you recalled him being quiet and smart. You did not talk much with him to form strong opinions about him, so you did not understand why he was standing in front of you.
“Hi” he greeted with a shy smile, and a flustered look.
“Hello” you greeted back, setting your cup on the table as you stared up at Bertram. “So…uhm” you heard him say, “you’re very beautiful.”
You could not stop your bright grin; you tucked your hair behind your ear and hoped he would find you even prettier now “Thank you.”
Bertram cleared his throat, as he looked down at you “So, would you like to go on a date with me? This Saturday.”
If you sipped on your tea, then you would have choked on it. Your first date happened much quicker than you thought, and you were asked in front of your crush that was not actually your crush.
Now that you were casted a single ray of attention from a boy, you completely forgot about the boy you convinced yourself you had a crush on this morning. Now, Bertram Aubrey in his slicked dark hair was your crush.
“So, what do you say?” he asked again, noticing your silence and your unyielding features.
You stood up, “a date? With you? Just us?” you asked.
He awkwardly chuckled, “isn’t that the definition of a date?”
“Oh…” you said, as you clinched your fist so your nails can indent on your skin just to make sure this is not a dream. It hurt, and so it was not a dream. “Yes, I would like to go on a date with you.”
Bertram face lightened up, as he did a silent gesture of punching the air in happiness “okay, so Saturday, I will talk to you later” he said whilst shyly waving at you and turning to return to his house table. You can see his friends cheering him on and teasing him.
Your eyes were stuck to the floor as you timidly turned around and came face to face with Lily, she teasingly played with her eyebrows before linking your arms together and brought you away from the now complete marauders—Sirius and Peter arrived.
“You already got a date! That is so good! Bertram is such a good boy” Lily encouraged you, making you giggle into your sleeve as you continuously hit her arm once you two sat down. Few seats away from Remus and the rest, but still close enough that you can hear Sirius and James witty comments.
“A good boy? He must be a dog” James commented as Sirius chuckled, though Sirius suddenly stopped as if he realized something and punched James’ arm. “That is rude! Do not be mean to dogs” Sirius objected.
You played with the edge of your sleeves, from time to time you would look up at your future boyfriend; Bertram and would glance back at Lily to find her throwing teasing looks your way.
“Tell me nerdy nutter” you heard Sirius talk. “Is this your first ever date?”
“Ignore him” Lily told you, and you listened to her advice as you scooted on the edge of the bench and asked, “what should I wear?”
“Clown shoes, and a clown costume” Sirius said, making James and Peter laugh as Remus simply looked away and hid his smile.
Angrily, you turned to face him with a glare “it may be my first date but at least I’m not the school’s assigned whore!”
Then it all went silent, and you shut your lips as you carefully watched him—your words were disrespectful and crossed a line. Still, you did not apologize as Sirius tightened his eyes at you “that was unnecessarily rude.”
You turned your head to the side to look at Lily, she was frowning with her usual concern that made you feel insane “What? He started it, and it’s not like I lied” you excused yourself, as you looked away and bit tiny pieces of the toasted sourdough bread.
Marlene blonde locks slapped the side of your face, as she sat on the spot separating you from the marauders. “Whatever is happening, I’m on (Y/N)’s side” she joked with a smile, making Lily roll her eyes as Marlene and Dorcas joined the table.
“Also, I have great news for you our nerdy nutter” Marlene said—it made Sirius and James next to your group wheeze at the nickname.
Slapping her arm as you sulked on your seat, just when you thought this year was going to be different. You still got called: nerdy nutter, the nickname that made you lose your nerves many times. You still got unwanted attention from the irritating Sirius Black, which is already a big loss in your dictionary.
Marlene casually said, “McGonagall told me to tell you that you have detention.”
“When and why?” you said, frowning.
“Because of your uniform, and it’s on Saturday.”
Your features froze, and the toasted bread you were nibbling on slipped through your fingers with shock. The only thing you can hear was Lily gentle tutting, and stupid Sirius Black laughing as he pointed at you while slapping the table.
It drove you insane. You clawed your hands on the air as you let one loud and frustrated scream.
What a terrific way to start the school year, and an even better way to slow down your plan of finding a boyfriend.