Hardly Working
Disclaimer- JKR's world, not mine... Sadly
"But you haven't contributed much to that project," Lily said matter-of-factly, not looking up from her Potions essay.
"That doesn't mean she has to be mean about it!" Marlene cried in reply. "I care about my marks as much as the next person, but we can't all be Ravenclaws."
Lily was doing her best to hide a smirk. She was used to her friend's academic grumblings. Marly began pacing and gesticulating- she did not even realize Lily wasn't paying attention and continued to rant.
"It's not like it's my entire fault. Our free periods don't line up, I can't skip Quidditch practices, and she won't miss Gobstones club. I've done work- it's not my fault that Ms. High-and-Mighty doesn't think its good enough!
"I don't even know why Professor Sprout has us working with Arithmancy anyway! Looking at the height and tentacles of a Devil's Snare has nothing to do with numerology!" With that, Marlene dropped into a chair with a huff.
"How would you know? You don't take Arithmancy," Lily point out, emphasizing the statement by pointing her quill at Marlene.
"That's my point!" Marly replied vehemently. "How am I supposed to help with this complicated number crap if I don't know what it means?! And now Fletcher is getting on my case because I'm supposed to be working on stuff I've never heard of!" Marlene put her elbows on the table, rested her chin in her hands, and continued in an uncharacteristically weak voice. "It's depressing. And it has my stomach in knots. I want to tell her to shove off, but I also don't want to make the situation worse."
Lily bent under the table and pulled her knapsack onto her lap. She opened the flap and rifled through it. Lily's hand reappeared with a chocolate frog, which she slid across the table.
"It may not solve your problem, but it'll help," Lily said with a reassuring smile. Marlene gave her best friend a grateful smile in return. Upon opening the box, the frog jumped out, but Marlene caught it before it leapt off the table. She took a bite and closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of chocolate melting in her mouth.
"You have no idea how much I needed this, Lils. Thanks! Want a bite?" Marlene held the headless frog across the table. Lily giggled and shook her head.
"It's from Potter, so you were going to get it anyway. Who's on the card?"
Looking in the box, Marlene read, "Cliodne. You want her? She's pretty rare." Lily reached out and took the card, knowing that Marly would probably throw it out as she didn't collect the cards.
"I thought you and James were on good terms now," Marly commented, then ate a frog leg.
Eyeing Marly, Lily gave a cautious reply, "We are. But that doesn't mean he's allowed to give me chocolate. You're not going to tell him, are you?"
Marlene let out a mirthful laugh. "Are you kidding? I'm drowning in homework I can't understand and a partner who's a prat. If you're going to hand it off every time, I'm not going to jeopardize free chocolate!"
A/N- In this one-shot, Marlene is kinda sorta maybe a lot reflecting one sector of my academic life at the moment. Ergo, this was my catharsis. Sorry it's short. Also, I'm placing this near the end of 6th year (which is where I think James and Lily began their friendship, which blossomed into romance the next year). Reviews would make me happy, although writing this has lightened my mood a bit.