How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you're on your own)
No, I get by with a little help from my friends

-The Beatles-

Remus knew that he had done a lot of things in his life that he wished he could take back. One person that had taken the most from him was undoubtedly Marlene. So when he hadn't seen her around James or Sirius and he noticed Dorcas was looking for her, he decided to go looking for her. Honestly, he didn't think he'd find her. In their time together a lot of the little details about her fell through the cracks, but he did find her and when he did he was glad because she looked like she could use a friend.

She was in the Quidditch stands at the very top by herself. Wrapped in a thick emerald sweater Remus knew was Lily's, Marlene huddled her knees into her chest crying against the cold December weather as she did.

"You shouldn't be out here by yourself." He muttered, his hands in his pockets as he strolled up the aisle to where she was.

"No one ever leaves me alone." She said furiously, not looking at him. "It's infuriating. I'm not a child."

"We know that," He said pushing his short brown hair out of his face.

She frowned, her blue eyes full of remorseful tears. "I'm sorry…I'm not trying to snap at you."

"You have a right to be upset Mar." He told her softly as he sat down a few inches away from her. "No one expects you to just shake off what happened."

"I know that…"

Remus heard the hesitation in her voice. "Then who's bothering you?"

"No one." She lied crisply before deciding to just ask what was bothering her. "I just…is Sirius mad at me?"

"Not that I know of."

"I went to go thank him for helping take care of me and he wasn't there. And every time he sees me enter a room for the past two days he immediately leaves…I don't know why…. And I'm really not excited that I have to go back to class tomorrow."

Remus considered himself for a second before tentatively putting his arm around her hunched tense shoulders. "It will be fine. Lily and I already talked about it and if anyone says anything she will punch them again."

"Wait? What? What do you mean again?" Marlene wondered in confusion.

"She didn't tell you?" Remus grinned proudly, "She socked Jason Locke in the face."

Marlene's sadness vanished as shock took over her face. "She did what?!"

"He was saying some things he shouldn't have been and she punched him."

"I can't…I can't believe that." Marlene laughed under her breath.

"Believe it. I was there. I thought I was going to have to punch him too." He admitted, watching his breath disappear.

"Thank you Remus." She said her eyes tearing up again, this time for a different reason. "I really do appreciate what you did."

"Its not-"

She shook her head her hand reaching for his. "No, it is something. You didn't have to come with them."

"Mar," He said giving her a meaningful look. "No matter what's happened between us…I'd never let anyone hurt you."

A few tears slipped down her cheeks. His grip on her shoulder tightened as she curled around into his chest, her head slipping into the crook of his neck. This was familiar to her, not in a bad way or sexual way, but in a comfortable way. She didn't worry he'd kiss her or that she shouldn't cry in front of him. Instead she just let him stroke her blond hair like he used to, and mumble comforting things into her hairline.

Most of the time Marlene couldn't remember specific moments or seconds when things shifted in her life. It's hard to actually pinpoint a second when something hits you in a way it never has before, but for her and Remus this was one of them. All the resentment and hate she felt for him in the past few months didn't vanish or suddenly not matter. It just came to the point where she felt like if she didn't let it all go she would just hate Remus forever, and Marlene really didn't want to waste all the energy on someone who clearly cared about her. It just wasn't worth it anymore. Marlene instead leaned on her friend and cried, not holding anything back anymore.

Remus leaned back against the steel post of the Quidditch stands and rubbed her back. It took Marlene a few minutes to calm down, but when she did, she wiped her face and set her features. She had to be tougher than this. If she went back and everyone saw how broken and battered she was than she would only be giving them what they wanted. They wanted to see her break, and Lily was right, she had to fight back and show them they couldn't break her. It was just so much easier to assume she could do it than actually daring to it. This was the kind of moment she wished she were more like Lily and Dorcas. Dorcas would never be afraid to stand up to people that had harmed her; in fact it would be her first instinct to attack them. Lily would not let a word they said get to her. She would insist on going everywhere by herself as a sign that she didn't need anyone to defend her or support because she fully supported herself. And Marlene envied that.

Marlene wasn't like that, but she knew the time for being nice and walking away was over. She just didn't think she had it in her to go full force at anyone. Looking at Remus's concerned face she decided to change the subject. Frankly she was sick of talking and thinking about what happened. She needed to think about something else.

"So what was with James when I woke up? He looked upset about something other than …you know."

"I think he got into a spat with Lily."

She furrowed her eyebrows, her nose pink from the cold and crying. "What's new about that?"

"Well," He began with odd look on his face, "They actually were becoming friends."

"Really? What set it off this time? Did say something wrong or did she overreact?"

Remus grinned knowingly. "Probably both."

Marlene rolled her eyes. "I wish they both would quit being so stupid."

"Ah, but they won't," Remus said hugging her into him. "You know that better than anyone."

"Or," She said a small impish smile growing on her lips. "We could plot to get them together."

"Oh no…no no no no no. I'm not getting involved in that." He announced with a dry laugh, his hands raised as he stood up.

Marlene scoffed trailing after him. "Come on! You know you want to help me! You know they'd be adorable together!"

"I'm not getting in between them."

"Look," She hesitated for a second before looping her arm through his. "If you needed help I'd help you."

Remus continued walking but gave her a confused look. "You'd set me up with someone?"

"Yes I would." She nodded sincerely, sticking to her new stance hard. "I think we've come far enough to be above all the other stuff."

"That's very nice of you," He smiled earnestly, "but I think I'm better of single."

Marlene gave him a look. "You forgot to add a 'for now,' at the end of that."

Remus shook his head in dismay.

"Remus, you need to learn to trust other people. There is a girl out there who you like and will like you back with all of your baggage. You just have to stop hating yourself so much."

He smiled warmly and hugged her into his side. "Thanks Mar."

"Careful," She winced. "I still have a few bruises."

"You've had worse. Remember last year your entire left side was covered in bruises from a bludger attack?"

"True, BUT you know you want to help me get James and Lily together."

Remus let out an overdramatic sigh as they began to work through the two feet of snow. "You aren't going to give up until I say yes are you? What happened to the girl who let me make my own choices?"

"She died an old spinster." Marlene muttered tugging her sweater closer to her.

"You should have worn a coat." He said rubbing her back quickly as if that would make her any warmer.

"It wasn't as cold when I went out there besides we're almost in now."

He frowned as they began hiking up the steps. "Are you sure you can handle going back tomorrow? No one would think anything less of you if you waited a bit you know."

"I have to go anyway. Pushing it off won't make it any better." She shrugged.

Remus smiled amusedly. "And that's why you want a project like setting up your two best friends…"

"Are you in?" She asked, excitement creeping into her voice as they began going up the steps.

"Fine…but only because I have nothing better to do."

"How's tutoring Peter going?" She grimaced. "Is it getting better?"

"Worse actually," Remus admitted, his amber eyes flickering with annoyance. "He's been so distracted and he says it's because he's not getting it, but I think it's something else."

Marlene looked up at him thoughtfully. "What did he say he wanted to do when he went in for his meeting last year?"

"I haven't the foggiest. I don't think he has the slightest clue what he wants to do for a career. Then again a lot of people weren't sure. I mean I think only you and Amelia Bones knew what you wanted to do."

"Well I've always wanted to be a Healer so it's a bit of no brainer, and I could totally see Amelia running something in the ministry. I bet she'll be the head of a department in no time, mark my words." Marlene declared pointing at Remus. "What did the rest of you say?"

Remus rolled his bottom lip over her teeth pensively before saying, "I think James and Sirius both said Auror, though I don't know if they'll actually pursue it. I said the same because…well I couldn't think anything else." He made a face, "Watch I'll end up a shabby poor teacher."

"I'm sure you'd love it though." She nudged him with an encouraging smile. "You love helping other people and it would be good for you."

"No one in their right mind would hire me." Remus muttered with a frown.

"Remus, you're an idiot. You are smart, dedicated. You would be fantastic in any field. Quit being a wanker." Marlene snapped shoving him into the side of the staircase.

He laughed and ruffled her braided hair.

"Oy! I just made Lily do my hair! Don't mess it up." She laughed back as they drifted back into the Gryffindor common room.

James was sprawled out across the couch, deep in self-pity, his black hair pointed in every direction and his glasses were sitting on the table. Sirius seemed to be trying to give him a pep talk, he was leaning from the loveseat, his posture was perfectly relaxed, his elegant black hair falling into his bright eyes as he spoke. That stopped as soon as he looked up and saw Marlene. His whole body became tense, and he rose to his feet.

"I have a snog fest to get to. You alright mate?"

"It's fine. I'm just going to die alone is all…" James sighed melodramatically, putting one of his hands to his forehead. "But have fun."

Sirius let out a low bark like laugh and walked past Remus and Marlene adjusting the collar of his leather jacket as he strutted out of the common room.

"You two aren't back together are you?" James said with a note of disappointment his eyes scrunched up as he saw they had less between them than usual.

Marlene laughed at the uncomfortable look on Remus's face. "No, we aren't. Just friends."

"Good, because I've had enough of you dating," James announced gesturing for her to lie with him and with a bewildered laugh she did. "I think you should be pitiful and single with me Mar. So we can be sad and pathetic together."

Adjusting so James could cuddle on her Marlene asked. "What about Remus? He's single."

"Yes but Remus always refuses to cuddle with me." James pouted at Remus teasingly.

Remus scoffed and sat down across from them popping a piece of chocolate into his mouth. "Last time you said I was boney."

"You are boney," Marlene said to Remus. "It's really hard to cuddle into the bit of fat you do have on you. Especially since you stay tense the whole time."

James nodded in agreement, settling on Marlene's chest as he wrapped his arms around her stomach. "He's also very twitchy."

"Well then you two should be glad that I do not wish to cuddle with either one of you." Remus retorted.

Marlene snorted, as she absentmindedly ran her hands through James hair. "Now he's all put off James."

James sat up to give Remus a sincere look. "Remus, if you want to work on your intimacy issues-"

"I will ask everyone else before I ask either one of you." Remus chuckled smacking him on the shoulder.

"We would be a great help." James pouted defiantly as he laid back down on Marlene.

"I know right?" Marlene grinned down at him.

Remus leaned back in the loveseat, his arms folded on his chest and asked, "Prongs you're having a Christmas party this year right?"

"It's tradition." James murmured simply.

"You gonna bring a date?" Marlene questioned impishly.

Remus sent her a dirty look. "I believe we just discussed this."

"Not to my satisfaction."

"And you two had the nerve to give me a look when I asked if there was something going on between you two." James mocked him earning a smack on the back from Marlene.

Marlene shrugged, "I just want all of you to be happy for Christmas."

"Well that's not going to happen." James groaned.

"Okay," She began shortly, "What happened with Lily?"

"I was an arse and she used it as an excuse to stop being friends with me."

Remus said, "Well it is her MO, whenever things get complicated she finds an excuse to pull out."

"She doesn't do that with you two." James noted.

"She doesn't have sexual tension with us." Marlene reasoned easily.

"Yes but everyone has sexual tension with me." James said feigning a sexy pose.

Remus busted out in laughter, "You've been spending too much time with Padfoot."

"Yeah, I don't know what's with him lately." James mentioned furrowing his eyebrows thoughtfully. "He seems fine, but then every once in a while he gets this look on his face…I dunno."

"Is it about his family?" Marlene asked wrapping her arms around James like he was her child.

"I don't think so, but I don't know what else it would be." James said unsurely. "How is Prewett doing by the way?"

Marlene took a minute, her face sinking. "She's doing what she can. I just think it's hardest because her and Mary did everything together and she has to look at her empty bed every night before she goes to sleep."

Neither James nor Remus said anything for a few minutes, because they both had and idea of how that would feel. Yes Marlene had come back and everything was back to the way it was, but the two of them still understood what it felt like for those few days where they weren't sure they'd ever see her again. Wordlessly, James interlocked his fingers with Marlene's as he full body hugged her. Marlene didn't mind or say anything. She knew why he was doing it and appreciated the gesture.

"Are you guys checking on her?"

"It's mostly Lily," Marlene admitted guiltily, "She's the best at comforting people."

Remus made a sound that was a mixture of a snort and laugh. "It's funny, because I think she always thinks she's rubbish at it."

"Well that's Lily for you. She never has seen herself clearly." Marlene ruffled James's hair, "So what's your next plan Potter? Are you going to rearrange the stars in the great hall to spell, 'wanna go out with me Evans?'"

James smirked, "Stay tuned McKinnon. We have Quidditch practice tomorrow, so sometime before then I shall do…something."

"Well if you need-" Marlene stopped as she saw Remus urgently shake his head at her. "Good luck then."

Lost in his own thoughts James looked off into the distance and didn't see the silent conversation going on between Remus and Marlene. Soon James drifted asleep on Marlene. Every once in a while he would snort in his sleep, squeeze Marlene tighter to him and fall into another dream.

"So what was that about?" Marlene said to Remus almost inaudibly.

"If we're going to do this," Remus pointed aggressively to James. "He can't know, because he will ruin it."

"Ooh. I like that idea." She cooed excitedly before giggling at James. "He's like a very tall ten year old."

Remus yawned in agreement before standing up. "I'm heading to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You're going to leave me with this oaf?" Marlene whinnied.

"Can't you lift him?"

"He's like a hundred pounds, but it's all dead scrawny weight."

Remus paused and poked James in the back of the head. "Let's go to bed Prongs. Come on."

"Cuddle?" James teased his eyes still closed.

"No you dope." Remus scoffed walking off.

James dragged himself off Marlene, promptly kissed her on the forehead and sighed. "He tries to fight it but he can't deny himself for much longer."

"Good luck with that."

Dorcas woke up early for school. Every morning she woke up exactly an hour and a half before she needed to be somewhere, but when she heard Lily shuffling around the room, she knew she wouldn't be asleep for much longer. She opened one large brown eye in disgust and resentment much like an old man would feel about children roaming around on his lawn.

"Lily," She growled unattractively, her limbs half hanging off the bed. "What the bloody hell are you doing?"

Lily bounced over to her. "I brought breakfast here so we could all eat together before going to class."

"And so Alice and Marlene wouldn't have to face everyone immediately," Dorcas nodded approvingly. "That's nice of you…"

"Are you going to get up?" Lily laughed lightly, her bright smile cheerful.

"Nope, I have ten minutes before I become me." She croaked, her body scrunching up her body like reptile.

"Okay! Well I'll go wake up Marlene then!" Lily informed her, dashing across the room.

"Too fucking perky." Dorcas mumbled darkly before falling back onto her pillow.

"Morning Lily," Marlene yawed sleepily cuddling into her pillow.

"I brought breakfast, what do you want?" Lily questioned gesturing a table in the middle of the room filled with pancakes, eggs and a variety of breakfast foods.

Marlene grabbed Lily's arm and tugged on it until Lily replaced her body pillow. "I want... to sleep Lily."

Lily laughed as Marlene's long arms and legs fell on top of her. "You have to wake up soon anyway."

"Yes, and I want to enjoy those last few marvelous minutes in a comfortable silence."

An annoying repetitive piercing sound filled the room and Marlene groaned loudly. "Noooo."

"See?" Lily grinned squishing Marlene's cheeks. "You have to get up…and brush your teeth."

"But I'm sooo comfy."

"Too bad!" Lily lifted Marlene up into a sitting position and went to go check on Alice.

From across the room Dorcas's dark eyes locked with Marlene's light ones. Marlene's hair was askew and her nightshirt was hiked up much higher than it should be. Dorcas on the other had still had some remains of the previous days make-up, which was currently crusting up around her eyes. Without words, at the same exact time, they thought it was going to be a very long day. And they were right.