All credit for this magical world goes to Jo Rowling

Marlene had just awoke from a nap when Lily was brought into the infirmary and everything turned to complete chaos. She thought back to the night before when she'd last spoken to Lily. The redhead hadn't mentioned that she was going to do anything that might result in a hospital visit.

As an unconscious Lily was put on the bed next to Marlene, it had been vacated no less than an hour earlier by Mandy Matthews; she finally took into account what Lily was wearing. Quidditch gear; Lily had been playing Quidditch.

"What happened?" Marlene asked as Remus Lupin, also clad in Quidditch apparel, came into the room.

"Bludger," the Gryffindor said grimacing. "You should have seen her though Marley, she was amazing." A big grin appeared on Remus' face, and Marlene couldn't remember for the life of her the last time he'd smiled so wide.

Next came in Dorcas Meadowes and Connor, the keeper, come to think of it Marlene had no idea what his last name was. At the sight of them, even though he was still quite ill, James Potter nearly jumped out of his bed.

"Meadowes, Connor, give me the play by play, did we win? Who did you con into playing?" James clearly hadn't seen Lily yet.

"The Ferris twins," Dorcas began, "they're actually not too shabby. Wes only missed the one bludger, although he'll probably hate himself for it to his grave."

"Did anyone get hit?" James asked stupidly.

Remus and Dorcas stepped out of the way to reveal Lily. Everyone then turned their attention to the ginger but Marlene kept her eyes on James. Although he covered it up quickly, for a moment nothing but fear played out on his face.

He still loved her; was all Marlene could think.

"What are you wearing Goody?" Everyone turned to see Sirius out of bed staring across the infirmary at Shaw who had just arrived with the Ferris twins. "Please tell me you didn't lose us the match. I mean no offence but you're not exactly cut out for Quidditch."

"Think fast Black," was all Shaw said in response as a shining gold object flew from out of her hand and into Sirius'.

His jaw was left hanging as nearly the whole infirmary burst out in cheers. They were after all a large portion of Gryffindor.

"Shaw Hale," James said walking towards the girl after the cheers had quieted. "You caught the freaking snitch." He shrugged, "I don't know what else to say."

Sirius now turned his attention to Remus. "Merlin no, please tell me I didn't miss Moony on a broom."

"Sirius, James!" An excited Peter Pettigrew burst in through the door. "You'll never guess what happened in the Quidditch match!"

"Remus made a fool of himself, Lily got knocked off her broom and Shaw caught the snitch?" Sirius asked, smirking.

"How did—" at that moment Peter realized what he'd walked into.

"Lucky guess," Sirius replied, patting his friend on the back.

"Just for the record I didn't make a fool of myself." Dorcas opened her mouth to say something but instead just rolled her eyes at Remus' comment.

"All of you," began the new matron as she finished with her previous patient, "OUT."

Joining in with the group James and Sirius tried their best to make it out the door but failed miserably.

"Potter, Black, back into bed, NOW."

Hanging their heads they obeyed, for once, without complaint. After nightfall however, they returned.

As far as Marlene could tell everyone else was asleep. She had almost been but a squeak in her bed had kept her awake.

"What are you two idiots up to?" Marlene hissed.

"Coming to hang out with you obviously McKinnon." James replied as he squished in one side of her bed and Sirius squished in the other.

It was the closest she'd been to Sirius since the breakup Marlene realized. Yet somehow it wasn't terribly awkward… except in the usual James and Sirius way of course.

"We heard Poppy saying Lily would probably be awake in a few hours. It's been a few hours." Sirius whispered in her ear.

"Who's Poppy?"

"Poppy Pomfrey, the healer? Pretty bird, tight bun, scary eyes, about your height."

Marlene rolled her eyes at Sirius. "I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to call teachers by their first names."

Sirius shrugged. "Last time I checked she didn't teach any classes."

"Besides," James added, "that's never stopped you with any of the other teachers."

Sirius nodded. "True, very true, I do just love how it gets on Minerva's nerves."

Marlene couldn't stop herself from letting out a loud laugh. Surprisingly she only woke up one person.

"Marley?" Lily whispered through the dark.

Instantly the boys and Marlene were out of her bed and standing next to Lily's. "Lil how are you feeling?" James asked speaking in a soothing voice as he knelt down next to her.

"James what are you doing here?" She asked beginning to sit up. "Did I—" she shuddered, "I fell of the stupid broom didn't I?"

"That's what we've been told. I don't believe it though; I'm willing to bet a galleon that Remus pushed you." Sirius said taking a seat by Lily's feet.

"He couldn't even stay on his own broom Sirius, how do you reckon he could push me and not end up in worse shape himself?"

"You've got solid logic Lilium I'll give you that. Although you have been unconscious for four hours, your head's probably a bit messed up."

"Do you remember the game?" Marlene butted in.

Lily nodded, a huge smile growing on her face. "It was wonderful Mar; I wouldn't take it back for the world."

"That's good and all," Sirius began, "but I still feel gipped that that witch wouldn't let us play."

James chuckled from his new spot sitting beside Lily. "You do realize that's really not an insult, she is a witch."

"I've been in here a long time Potter; it messes with a bloke's head."

The conversation progressed from there, but overall it stayed sweet and innocent; two characteristics not commonly used in the lives of teenagers. The boys finally fell quiet when they realized Lily was asleep. It was cute really; even Sirius cared a great deal for the redhead.

At some point Marlene had made it back into her own bed and when James' eyes finally closed she moved over and patted the spot next to her for Sirius. They'd probably get in trouble in the morning but she wanted nothing more than to be close to him tonight.

"Don't lead a guy on McKinnon."

She smiled. "Just don't expect anything, and then you can't be led on Black."

A/N

MF – Hale are you crying?

SH – Maybe… it's just I can feel the end coming and I don't know what to expect.

MF – No one ever knows what to expect, that's part of what makes life worth living.

I don't think I've updated this fast since the early days. The reason I'm back here in only a few days is because Shaw is right, the end is near. There are still quite a few chapters left but on my side of things everything is coming to a close. I've started thinking of this story has having three main chapters, sixth year, seventh year, and life after Hogwarts. Really I guess there is still a third left but it'll mostly likely become a really depressing elongated ending that hopefully some of you aren't disappointed in. In other news, I forgot to tell you guys that I went to see Fantastic Beasts on opening night! I snuck some Bertie Bott's into the theatre and nearly died while eating a sausage flavoured one. I definitely don't recommend trying it. The movie was great though, please don't hate me for saying this but I think Queenie is my favourite character out of the whole Harry Potter universe. Although in all honesty, Charlie Weasley will permanently hold a special place in my heart as the forgotten Weasley.

Have a thrilling day/week/month/year/life because the Gilmore Girls revival is coming out in two days

Shaelynn