Throughout the summer before second year, then second year itself, Marcus Meadowes grew ill. So ill, in fact, that he was eventually taken to St. Mungo's, where he spent Christmas. Two days before the start of winter break, one of the healers sent a letter, dictated by Marcus, that Dorcas would not be able to return home for Christmas. If she were to find a friend or teacher willing to bring her to St. Mungo's, however, she could visit her father for a few hours.

Dorcas received this letter at breakfast, and the St. Mungo's owl nearly dropped it into her tea. After reading the letter, she pushed her cereal away, no longer hungry, and laid her head down on the table. Marlene instinctively rubbed Dorcas's back. Lily and Emmeline exchanged confused looks and looked on with concern.

"Cas, what's wrong?" asked Marlene.

"Da's getting worse," Dorcas mumbled.

Marlene, Lily, and Emmeline all sighed. Amelia sat down opposite Marlene and Dorcas, between Lily and Emmeline.

"What's wrong?" Amelia whispered.

"Her dad," Marlene replied with a sad shake of her head.

"Oh," Amelia sighed.

"I have to stay here over Christmas, and I can't see Da unless I can get a teacher to take me."

"Come stay with me," said Marlene, like it was obvious.

Dorcas sat up quickly, then rubbed the back of her neck when it snapped with her sudden movement.

"Stay with you?" Dorcas asked. "Really, Marley?"

"'Course, Cas. Mum always makes enough food to last until New Years, and my brothers would love another soul to torture. Plus," she lightly poked Dorcas's side, "I've been telling them about you for over a year, and they only met you briefly over the summer. I'll write Mum today and tell her I'm bringing a friend. And my parents can bring you to see your dad."

Dorcas threw her arms around Marlene's neck. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Marley, oh my goodness, thank you."

"It's no problem, Cas." When Dorcas let go of Marlene, Marlene stood and ran a hand through her wavy hair. "I'm going to write them now, actually. I'll see you later."

Dorcas sighed happily, gazing after Marlene as she left, before returning her eyes to her own breakfast and Amelia. Amelia raised her eyebrows at Dorcas.

Dorcas took a bite of her cereal, then met Amelia's eyes. "What?" she asked.

Amelia smiled and shook her head. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."


another short chapter, but the next one is longer, and it's christmas! maybe i should have started posting this when i could have posted the christmas chapter at christmas, instead of in august, but oh well *shrugs*