Written for the Marathon Competition (Second Mile: Alice and Marlene)
"Well? What's so important that you've moved our weekly lunch date up to Monday?" Marlene asks curiously, nibbling her sandwich.
Alice feels a flutter in her stomach from the excitement. She grins and reaches over, gripping Marlene's hands. "I'm pregnant," she says.
Marlene drops her sandwich, mirroring Alice's grin. She lets out a squeal, squeezing her friend's hands. "That's great news! Have you picked out names yet?"
"Neville, for a boy. And Frank likes Beth for a girl," Alice answers.
She wishes that she could keep the excited air going. But she's reminded that there's a more important reason for asking Marlene to lunch. She swallows dryly. "Things are getting dark, though," she says, her voice shaking.
She doesn't like to think about it. She wishes she could bury her head in the sand and pretend that everything is perfect. But Death Eater attacks are becoming more common. Their fight is turning to war.
"You're my best friend, Mar. Frank adores you, too. I wanted to ask… I want you to be godmother," Alice continues, picking apart her sandwich nervously. "If anything happens to us, we want you to raise our child. We can't think of anyone we'd trust more."
Marlene is silent for several moments. Alice imagines that it's quite a lot to take in. They've all come to terms with the fact that not everyone will make it out of this alive, but that doesn't mean that it's something any of them want to think about. "You're sure?"
"More sure than anything," Alice assures her.
Marlene nods. "I'm sure there won't be any reason for me to raise Neville or Beth," she says. "But yes. I would love to be that sweet baby's godmother."
Alice smiles, satisfied. She had felt awkward bringing it up. But with times so uncertain, she has to know that her child will be cared for, regardless. "Thank you. I know it must be difficult, but-"
"You're like my sister. Anything for you," Marlene says. "But don't worry. I'll bet you anything that years from now, we'll both be crying when he or she gets their Hogwarts letter."
Alice smiles. It seems like such an impossible dream right now. But Marlene sounds so sure, and she lets herself believe.