"So how was your summer?" Amelia asked Emmeline, now that Dorcas had fallen asleep (goodness knows how, with all the noise on the train), Marlene had left to track down the sweets trolley again, and Lily was off with Snape.
"Well, Mum took us to that cottage in Wales for a month and a half," Emmeline replied. "While we were there, I managed to corner Dorcas and talk to her about the, er… McKinnon Dilemma."
"And…" Amelia prompted.
"I think I might have her convinced that it wouldn't be the end of the world if she told Marlene how she feels."
"Good!" Amelia grinned, then shrunk back when Dorcas stirred. Dorcas didn't wake, so Amelia and Emmeline resumed their conversation.
"Now," Emmeline concluded, "the question is when to get Dorcas to tell Marlene, and how will Marlene react?"
"How will Marlene react to what?" Marlene asked as she slid the door open with a half eaten Pumpkin Pasty in one hand.
Amelia and Emmeline jumped, startled, but Amelia was quick to recover. "How will Marlene react to any awful pranks Potter and Black pull this year? "
"Ugh, Marlene will punch Black in the throat if he comes near her, that's what Marlene will do," Marlene replied. "We're about to begin our fourth year, and I still haven't punched him. I think I need a medal." Amelia and Emmeline sighed with relief as Marlene, not suspecting a thing, sat down beside Dorcas.
Marlene pulled a chocolate frog from the pocket of her jacket and carefully placed it in Dorcas's lap, so as not to wake her. She pushed a strand of Dorcas's hair behind her ear and smiled fondly.
Amelia and Emmeline exchanged a look that said, Marlene will react perfectly.
Another short chapter, I'm sorry! Hope you liked it anyway. The next chapter is rewarding after this short chapter, I promise ;)
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