A/N: I went on a bit of a writing frenzy and pounded out 4 chapters in a couple of days. Normally I wait a week to post but I was just too excited to share so you're getting this one a bit early! Elis.n - I'm not quite sure a 'fight' will happen with Natasha but I think I'll appease you in the coming chapters (I'm so sorry but you'll have to wait until Chapter 19 for direct Natasha conflict!). There will be more on the Order - I'm trying to get them through seventh year and then it'll take off a bit more. I wanted to introduce it gradually but it makes more sense that they wouldn't be as involved in it until they are out of Hogwarts. It will play a very central role in Parts 3 and 4 of the series. You will definitely get another moment with Sirius - actually I think it has been one of my more favorite moments to write because he's going to reveal some interesting secrets (Chapter 20!). Once again, thanks so much for your review! You'reafanHarry - I'm so glad that you enjoy my story that much! I also love to hear that you're young and love reading - reading is such an amazing thing and more people should enjoy it. I do have two children; ages 2.5 and 1. I started writing fanfiction about twelve years ago, when I was fifteen or sixteen years old. I won't tell you how old I am now but since you like to do math you can figure it out ;) Harry Potter is a part of my childhood/adolescence and writing is something i'm very passionate about. I would love to one day write my own novel but until then I thrive on doing this. Plus - I feel like I have such an amazing idea for this story and it's going to take me forever to finally reveal it which means more chapters for you! You will definitely get to see why James/Sirius don't like Patrick but you're going to have to be a bit patient for that reveal. I peeked over at that story and I think i'll definitely take some time to read it eventually. I try to stay away from reading too much fanfiction because I like to use my own ideas and not be too influenced by what other people are doing. But it looks good so I think I might have to check it out. Once again thank you for your wonderful and lengthy review! Thank you to my awesome readers and reviewers: Elis.n, You'reafanHarry, tealoverx and my guest reviewers.

Chapter Sixteen

"She's horrendous," Marlene cried out before slamming her textbooks onto the table in the common room with more force than was necessary. "How am I supposed to do well in this class when my partner constantly makes snide remarks at me all of the time?"

"You remember who I'm paired up with, right?" Lily asked her skeptically.

"Yes, but you're you," Marlene shot her a doubtful look. "You could be paired up with a first year and still end up with the top potion in class. At least you don't have to worry about whether or not a Slytherin is going to hinder your chance at passing N.E.W.T.s."

Lily didn't say anything which was just fine with Marlene. They had just commenced the first full week since Marlene had been paired up with Natasha and she was merely looking to let off steam. She was beginning to rethink her initial optimism that being paired up with Natasha wasn't the end of the world. And if Marlene hadn't been happy about the pairing, it was nothing to how Natasha reacted about the arrangement.

"She's been an absolute nightmare," Marlene continued. "Nothing I do is ever right. She's constantly belittling me and pushing me out of the way. I might as well just not bother showing up to class anymore."

"Don't be ridiculous," Lily was apathetic. "You're not going to skip out on class because you and Natasha don't like each other."

"Loathe is a more appropriate term."

"Either way, you're going to grin and bear it for the next few weeks until we move on to new partners. Surely you can find a way to make it work until then."

Lily didn't budge on her lack of sympathy. As Marlene had been complaining about it all week she supposed that Lily was bound to tire of it eventually. However, her indifference on the subject caused Marlene to scowl.

"Don't look at me like that," Lily shot her a look. "You know that I'm just trying to be supportive in the most practical way possible."

Marlene didn't reply. Lily's way of handling things was quite different than Marlene's and she struggled to understand the way Lily's brain worked sometimes. Still, her advice was concrete even if Marlene was hesitant to admit it. Eventually her frustration died out and she opened the textbook in front of her to start working on her Charms essay.

She didn't expect to see Sirius that evening; it was the night of the full moon and the boys had 'Marauder business' to tend to. Marlene had learned that Lily was in fact aware that the boys were illegal animagus. Instead of being angry or disappointed, like Marlene expected her to react, Lily seemed mildly impressed that they had been able to pull off such a feat. She didn't even ask them any questions after they departed at the commencement of Charms class that afternoon, which surprised Marlene even more.

"What do you think the boys are up to all the evenings when they sneak out?" Marlene wondered out loud. She had asked Sirius numerous times but he never did give her a straight answer. "Apart from this particular evening of course."

Lily glanced up from her paper and looked contemplative. "I don't really know," she finally said, "I've sort of learned to stop asking questions that I don't want the answer to."

"Fair enough," Marlene said. Lily went back to her essay but Marlene wasn't interested in pursuing her own.

"Professor Dumbledore approved our request for the Valentine's Day dance," Lily said absently from behind her textbook a little while later. She hadn't brought up the subject all week and Marlene was ashamed to admit hat she had forgotten about it entirely.

"Oh," she said simply.

"You don't sound very excited?" Lily glanced up with a questioning look. "I thought you'd be jumping for any opportunity to spend more time with Sirius."

"Really?" she asked skeptically. "Are you sure that it isn't you that's jumping for opportunities?" Despite the fact that she remained quiet, Lily's face reddened confirming Marlene's suspicions. "Of course this was about you and James all along. Lily Evans, you romantic you!"

"So what if that played a small part in it?" Lily said under her breath with an unconvincing shrug. "James isn't really the overly romantic type; I figured the opportunity would give him a bit of a push in the right direction."

Marlene was shaking with silent laughter. After all the years that James had fruitlessly pursued Lily's affection, it was surprising to learn that he was lagging in the romance department.

"Stop laughing," Lily said with irritation. "It's not funny."

"Sorry," Marlene said breathlessly. "You're right, it's not. I just find it a bit ironic that after all this time it's you pursuing efforts with him."

Lily bit her lip and looked down into her book. "It wasn't my only intention. Of course I still think that the students here need something to look forward to. What better opportunity?"

"You're right," Marlene smiled. "I am thrilled that you found someone that makes you happy, Lily. Even if it is James Potter."

"Says the girl dating Sirius Black," Lily smirked. "I envy the two of you, you know."

"Me?" Marlene was slightly shocked. She had spent the majority of her years at Hogwarts admiring Lily in every possible way. It was difficult to imagine the roles being reversed.

"Yes," she said, "the way that he looks at you is impossibly magnetic. I've spent a great deal of time watching the two of you interact with one another; he makes you smile in ways I've never seen. Plus, he's always so affectionate towards you – and no, I don't mean the 'Frank and Alice' kind of affectionate. It's easy to see why you fell in love with him."

"Do you love James?" Marlene lowered her voice so as not to be overheard. It was pretty pointless as there were hardly any students in the common room, let alone within earshot, but she didn't want to take any chances.

"I think I'm starting to," Lily's face flushed again and she looked nervous. "It's all happening so quickly but I just don't know how he feels."

Suddenly, Lily's desire to fabricate a notoriously celebrated holiday of love and affection made a bit more sense to Marlene. She assumed that Lily was hoping to get James to profess his love to her. Of course, anyone that had a set of eyes could tell that James had been in love with her for years. "You know, you don't need a big dance and frilly dresses to get James to tell you how he feels," she decided to go with her gut and see whether or not her assessment was correct.

"I know that," Lily looked guilty. "I'd be lying if I said another way would be easier. How did you ever get the courage to tell Sirius?"

Marlene was quiet for a moment as her mind raced back to the day when she had uttered those three words for the first time. It wasn't exactly a memory that she relished because everything else about that day she wished she could forget. She had never told Lily when she had finally told Sirius how she felt so she couldn't blame Lily for asking. It didn't make her next words any easier, however. "I told him in Hogsmeade. Right after I saw him and Natasha kissing and right before –" she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

"Oh Marlene," Lily's eyes had grown wide. "I didn't know, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine," she lied. She could feel her body tensing instinctively at the thoughts that had entered her mind. "Really, it brings us back to the conversation we were having when I first arrived," she said with a bitter laugh, "how horrible Natasha is."

Lily smiled half-heartedly; she was willing to roll with Marlene's attempt at deflecting the awkwardness of the conversation. "Well if she watches the two of you just as much as I do, it's not hard to see why she's so awful to you. She must be so incredibly jealous."

Tuesday morning rolled around quickly. Notice's for Lily's Valentine's Day dance had been posted the day prior and it seemed that that's all anyone could be heard talking about. It appeared that Lily's assumption that the student's needed something to look forward too had been correct. But then again, when was Lily Evans ever wrong?

It wasn't the foremost thought in Marlene's mind, however. She had progressively retracted herself from social gatherings and conversations since she and Lily had discussed her and James' relationship. She knew that her withdrawal wasn't subconscious either; she was purposefully avoiding putting herself into situations that required her to actually make an effort.

Of course it was noticed. She had to shrug off both Lily and Sirius a couple of times over the weekend when they asked her what was wrong. Apart from classes on Monday, she hadn't seen either of them once. Lily was too busy getting things ready for the dance and Sirius wasn't permitted in the girl's dormitory – something she took full advantage of.

But as she opened her eyes and allowed them to adjust to the steady stream of sunlight that was beginning to peak in through the curtains around her bed she felt the sudden nauseating feeling of dread she had been waiting for. Today was the day - the day that her parents had died one year prior.

It took her a bit longer than usual to roll out of bed but when she did she was surprised to discover that she had woken before Lily. She wasted no time taking advantage of it and quietly got herself dressed and ready for the day before slipping out of the room before anyone else had stirred. The common room was also quiet. There were a few students mingling around the tables but none that she knew by name.

Instead of hovering around in the common room like she once might have she took a sharp turn towards the portrait hole and exited. The hallways were bare as most students were likely still in their dormitories getting ready for the day. She didn't mind the silence though. It was quite peaceful and allowed her to reflect quietly on all the thoughts that she had been pushing aside over time.

She knew that she had spent a great deal of time with Sirius after their deaths but they hadn't ever really talked all that much about it. Marlene had felt very passionate in those early days about pushing her feelings aside and avoiding any discussion that might force her to talk about them. Today wasn't any exception to this and she was grateful for the serenity that the empty corridors offered her.

As she walked along the fourth floor corridor she caught sight of the familiar mirror she had once admired back in sixth year. Upon inspection, the only thing different about the mirror now was the battered reflection of a broken girl looking back at her with lifeless, hollowed eyes. It was a bit startling at first. Marlene hardly recognized the girl staring back at her. She brushed her hair out of her face and stared willingly into the image, trying to recall when she had changed so much.

Despite the fact that she had finally packed on a few pounds since her time spent in St. Mungo's, Marlene was still skinny enough that her uniform hung unflattering around her frame. Her eyes were sunken and she looked permanently tired. Perhaps there had been a time when she could have been considered attractive but it was hard for her to imagine how Sirius could see it because she was most certainly not anymore.

She caught sight of movement in her peripheral and turned her head to notice a couple of other students beginning to wander through the corridor behind her. She knew that it wouldn't be long before the hall was filled with students making their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Her stomach knotted at the thought of the intrusion into her tranquility and she quickly hurried away from the mirror and off in search of privacy.

Her feet seemed to know where to take her, even if her mind wasn't registering where it was she was headed. The familiar room that she had met James, Remus and Lily in at the beginning of the year was just as dusty and untouched as it had been the last time she had stepped inside. In fact, due to its current state she wouldn't have been surprised to learn that they had actually been the last occupants within it.

It was after the door had clicked shut behind her and the ominous feeling of solitude settled over her that Marlene's body slumped against the door and slid to the ground. It had been an awfully long time since she had last allowed her emotions to overpower her and she didn't even attempt to wipe the tears that started flowing freely down her face.

It had been an extremely difficult year. Losing her parents had felt like an unsettling dream and somehow she had finally awoken from it with the realization that it hadn't been one at all. While she had Lily and Sirius to help her cope through it all, it still didn't seem like enough to heal the large hole that seemed to reside within her. She doubted that she would ever overcome the emptiness within.

First her parents murders and then Hogsmeade; surely there was a way to overcome it all without subjecting herself to memory modification and sleeping potions. Her brain hurt even trying to comprehend the possible solutions so she willed herself to continue concentrating on the source of her pain instead.

The most surprising emotion that overcame her was anger. Logically she knew that it wasn't her mother and fathers fault they had been killed but she couldn't help feeling angry that they had been absent and would be absent for some of the most important moments in her life. She felt resentful that she had been subjected to life in Godric's Hollow, away from the comfort of the familiarity of her childhood home and forced into a life that she wouldn't have otherwise chosen. Angry at how, as a result of their absence, Uncle Tom had treated her like a child. Subjecting her and Sirius's relationship to ridiculous nonsensical rules instead of taking the time to get to know him better. Her mother would have never been like that with Sirius and the thought only drove her madness further.

The guilt swept in quite quickly after that. The logical subconscious part of her brain that told her she was being unreasonable only caused her to cry even harder. Once she accepted the fact that she had no right to blame her family and friends for what had happened, her anger turned to the murderous fiends that were the direct source of her emotional turmoil.

She didn't know who had killed Molly and Dave McKinnon but the embedded image of Sirius's cousin, Bellatrix, played over again in her mind like a silent film stuck on repeat. First the black shoes emerging from the smoke and then the twisted smile and fanatic glint in her eye as she attempted to give Marlene the same fate as her dead parents. Instead of shuddering at the memory and pushing it aside, she allowed her anger to continue to grow until it bubbled over. She forced her clenched fist into the stone floor beneath her coupled with a frenzied cry. Despite that the wetness of blood had begun trickling down her hand, Marlene couldn't feel any pain. Instead, she watched the redness of her blood with intrigue much like she had that day in Hogsmeade. She felt the smile reach across her face before her brain even had the chance to register that it had happened.

And then there were other things plaguing her mind; the recurring nightmares had somehow managed to consume her sense of security and sleep was no longer a welcome entity in her life. She had been walking around in a façade for the past year, unsure of who she was going to be and who she had already become as a result of these life events. The reflection she had observed earlier had shown her a glimpse of the answer and she was horrified to discover how broken she had truly become.

She drew her knees up into her chest and planted her face into them. The echoed sobs seemed to subside slightly from around the room but she could still feel her body convulsing and knew that she wasn't quite ready to calm down. It was an odd sensation to release her pent up emotions but she felt much better allowing herself to cry freely out in the open.

Time seemed to move slowly while she was in the room. She didn't know how long she had barricaded herself against the door but eventually her mind moved past the haunted memories and consciously became aware that she had been there an awfully long time. The pain in her knuckles had begun to throb unwillingly causing the first realization that she had snapped out of whatever trance she had engrossed herself in.

She couldn't help but think about the questions she would face from her friends about her whereabouts. She knew that her absence was not going to go unnoticed, especially after her strange behavior over the past few days. She was first and foremost surprised that Sirius hadn't come looking for her. After the surprise had washed away she felt a wave of gratitude that he hadn't. She had needed the time to think and reflect on things she had become accustomed to pushing aside without the pressure of revealing these feelings to someone she wasn't sure would completely understand. Could Sirius understand what she was going through? He had admitted to her that he was still dealing with things from Hogsmeade too but she couldn't be certain he could empathize in the way that she needed.

After she had made sure that the tears had stopped flowing she wiped at her eyes with her sleeve and then pulled herself to standing. Her legs were a little wobbly and she had to brace herself against the door for a few seconds before she was sure she was stable enough to start walking. As she moved through the hallways towards the Transfiguration classroom it was apparent by the students around her that she had only missed out on breakfast. Her eyes hesitated on the girl's lavatory only mere seconds before she realized that she didn't care what she looked like. Instead, she kept walking.

Her friends were already inside the classroom when she arrived. She ignored the questioning look that Sirius shot her as she settled into the chair behind him and beside Lily.

"Marlene, you look terrible! Where in Merlin's name have you been?" Lily asked with a hint of annoyance. It was evident to Marlene that she was getting fed up with her odd behavior. Marlene only ignored her. She was spared any further interrogation as Professor McGonagall swept into the room and called the class to order. Lily resentfully turned her attention to the front of the room but Marlene could see her sneak sideways glances back at her every so often.

"As many of you will remember back in fifth year students were offered career advice to prepare you for upcoming N.E.W.T.s." Professor McGonagall was pacing at the front of the classroom. Marlene found the movement to be mesmerizing. "Many of you will be required to begin applying for training programs for your chosen career in the nearing months. Over the next week you will be scheduled in for another session with your head of house to discuss the necessary next steps in your education."

Marlene sat up a little straighter while trying to listen to the Professors words. James and Sirius were sitting in front of her and they were whispering loudly, making it difficult to hear. "Would you two be quiet?" she hissed a little firmer than normal. Sirius looked surprised at her outburst but James merely mouthed the words 'sorry' before lowering his voice to continue whatever conversation he had been having prior to the interruption.

Marlene furrowed her brows but diverted her attention back to the front of the class. James and Sirius might already know what the future held for them career wise, but Marlene was still contemplating entrance into a competitive program that required minute attention to detail. Her attention span was already lacking that morning and she needed to make sure she could hear every possible word of what their Professor was saying.

That attention span only diminished as class dragged on. Marlene struggled with paying attention to anything else Professor McGonagall said. Instead, her mind wandered back to the memories she had been absorbed in prior to class which only caused her more frustration when she was unable to successfully carry out the practical portion of their Transfiguration assignment.

Even with Sirius's help the year prior, Marlene was still dreadful at Transfiguration. They had managed to figure out her difficultly in comprehending the material was largely due to her lack of concentration; something that she was indeed lacking today. Eventually she gave up trying and resorted to the notion that she would need to find some other time to work on it.

She darted for the front of the room as quickly as she could at the conclusion of class. She was not prepared to get another lecture from Lily and she was in no mood to offer any sort of explanation to anyone else. Unfortunately, her getaway was interrupted when a boy stepped into her pathway just outside the door and the two ran straight into each other. Marlene's book bag went flying to the right and the boy's body flew backwards to the ground.

"Watch where you're going," he cried out, rubbing his forehead from a point of contact with Marlene.

"Maybe you shouldn't get in my way," Marlene snapped. It was quite unlike her.

"You ran into me," he sneered back.

Marlene could feel her anger rising again. She had been so set on avoiding conversation with anyone as she was afraid she might snap. It took all of her will power to divert her attention towards the books that lay scattered on the ground at her feet.

"You ok?" Sirius was at her side, attempting to help clean up the mess. His chivalry only made Marlene feel more resentful for the intrusion.

"I'm fine," she snapped back. She glanced up to see that Lily and James were standing a few feet away looking at her apprehensively.

"What happened to your hand?" James was the next to brave a question. His eyes were lingering on the bloody knuckles of Marlene's outstretched hand as she grabbed the last textbook by her feet. She quickly shoved it into her bag and turned on her heel to move away from them without an answer.

And when she turned, her eyes passed over the group of Slytherin students that had formed around the boy she had bumped into. Snape and the other seventh year's were there but there were a few others that Marlene did not recognize that were obviously from other years. Her eyes settled back on the young boy she had knocked over. He was around fifteen or sixteen if she were to guess. His black hair and glinting eyes pulled a memory from her mind unwillingly and she stared at him. She had never met Sirius's brother before but the striking resemblance he had to both Sirius and Bellatrix was a dead giveaway that she was looking at Regulus Black.

"Got a problem, McKinnon?" Avery sneered at her. Her gawking had definitely not gone unnoticed, even if it had been mere seconds. "Maybe you should watch where you're going next time."

"Get lost Avery," Sirius called over her shoulder. Marlene could feel her shoulder's tense up; she didn't need him to rescue her. She had already deduced after Hogsmeade that she was no longer going to be portrayed as a weakling. She was tired of everyone treating her in such a way.

"Ooh you need your pathetic boyfriend to pick your battles, do you?" he laughed again and was joined in by a chorus of laughter from the other Slytherin's. Regulus was still looking at her with pointed irritation but he smirked at Avery's comment. He clearly didn't care that it was his own brother that was being insulted.

"Of course not you manky git," Marlene snapped back. The outburst startled even her but it was nothing in comparison to the shock her response omitted from the subjects of her anger. "I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself. As a matter of fact, I do have a problem with the lot of you thinking that you own the bloody place." She turned her attention to Regulus, "why don't you watch where you're going, Black."

"I'd watch my mouth if I were you," Snape stepped in with his usual annoying drawl. Marlene cringed at the irritating sound of his voice.

"Or what, Snivellus? You're going to drown me with the grease from your hair?" she threatened.

"Marlene," Lily's voice was directly behind her; warning.

"Back off Lily," she uttered quietly. She could feel Lily's hand on her shoulder but she did not remove eye contact with Snape.

"You'd better listen to your friend, Mudblood," Avery said to Lily followed by a narcissistic laugh. "You know what they do to Mudblood scum like you these days, right? Soon the walls of Hogwarts and Dumbledore won't protect you from your fate."

"I think that is enough," James said loudly before stepping in between the two groups of students. He was looking pointedly between each of the Slytherin's before his eyes settled back on Marlene. He did not look impressed which seemed quite hypocritical of him considering he used to live for moments such as this.

"Don't you dare threaten my friend," she ignored James, raised her voice and took a step forward. She could feel her face growing hot from anger and the generous smirk that Avery flashed at her only confirmed that this was the type of response he had been looking for. Sirius moved forward too; his wand was steadily at his side, waiting for a moment's notice to attack. Some of the Slytherin student's had mirrored his movement and it seemed that a large crowd had gathered around the two groups to watch the events unfold.

"Of course I haven't forgotten about you," Avery said simply, eyes once again focused on Marlene. "You'll die with your Mudblood friend too. Just like your Mum and Dad. By the way, Bellatrix sends her regards to you and Sirius."

Sirius had moved forwards towards him but Marlene was quicker. She pushed passed the two boys, shoving Sirius out of her way as she lunged forward at Avery. His facial expression faltered momentarily before she lost sight of him; her enclosed fist had drawn back and she had plummeted it straight into his nose. A sickening crack echoed through the hallway of bones breaking but she drew her fist back and drove it back in a second time. He omitted a rather loud and painful cry which only drove her further into him. Avery's body had stumbled backwards from the weight of Marlene's body being thrust at him and the two of them tumbled over onto the stone floor beneath.

"You have no right. Don't you ever talk about my Mum and Dad again you slimy piece of filth!" she screamed as she took a third swing at him. A pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders and roughly attempted to yank her off of the boy. She was stronger than she realized though and she swung her arm up and behind her, making contact with whoever it was that was trying to pull her away. They momentarily let her go and she scrambled to claw one last time at Avery, her nails digging into the side of his face and dragging diagonally through the smeared blood that was pouring from his nose. A second attempt at removing her proved successful when the arms of two students lept forward to pull her from Avery's beaten body.

"Miss McKinnon," Professor McGonagall's voice met her ears but she was still seething from anger that she didn't care what sort of trouble she was in. However, the interruption was enough to cause Marlene to finally become aware of her surroundings. Avery was still lying on the ground in a daze with blood streaming down his face and staining his clothes. His Slytherin entourage was gathered around him, half were attending to his wounds while the other half were looking at Marlene with complete stupor. James and Remus were still holding her arms back while Lily and Sirius were staring at her with complete shock a few feet away. Sirius was holding a hand to his eye but she could see the redness from where her own hand had made contact with his face – he must have been the first to try to pull her away.

"Get Mr. Avery to the hospital wing right now," Professor McGonagall directed the Slytherin's before she rounded on Marlene. "And you," she was looking sternly at Marlene, "back into my classroom immediately. As for the rest of you, disperse! There is nothing left to see here."

"Professor – " Lily's voice seemed to have an edge to it.

"Miss McKinnon will join the lot of you later," Professor McGonagall said sharply. "Move along. Now."

Marlene caught Lily's eye before she turned to head into the classroom. She was looking at Marlene funny, as though trying to figure out what had triggered such a reaction but Marlene offered nothing back in response. She could hear the shuffling of feet moving through the hallway which only became muffled as McGonagall closed the door behind her.

"Have a seat," she said tensely and Marlene complied. Her Professor was looking at her wearily from behind her spectacles and she sighed loudly before continuing. "I did not expect this sort of behavior from you, Miss McKinnon."

"I'm not going to apologize," Marlene said quickly. Normally she wouldn't have the audacity to utter such words to her superior but she still didn't care much about what punishment awaited her. Avery had had it coming; she could only hope that she had broken his nose, something she would never be regretful of.

"I'm not immune to the reasoning behind such emotional responses," McGonagall continued, "but it does not give you the right to injure another student."

"He insulted my parents," Marlene said hotly, "and he threatened Lily's life. He deserved it."

McGonagall pursed her lips in contemplation but her face seemed to relax slightly. "I understand that you are having a difficult time right now Marlene. The pressures of N.E.W.T.s coupled with the events over the course of the past year are surely weighing heavily on your shoulders. While I am sympathetic to your situation, you and I both know that you cannot go around getting into fights with other students. I think detention for the next two week's will be sufficient enough. And twenty house points from Gryffindor."

"Yes, Professor," Marlene said begrudgingly. She knew that she was lucky enough that she hadn't been punished more severely. When it was clear that McGonagall was finished, she pulled herself from the chair she had been sitting in and made a quick exit for the door.

"One last thing Miss McKinnon," her voice rang out as Marlene's hands grazed the door handle. "I know that today of all days is an exceptionally difficult day for you. Should you need to take the rest of the day off I will excuse you from your afternoon classes. You have some very concerned friends; perhaps they would be able to offer you some exceptional comfort should you decide to let them."

"Thanks Professor," Marlene said quietly without turning around. She could feel the familiar prick of tears beginning to well in the corners of her eyes.

"And please get Madam Pomfrey to look at your hand. I'd be able to see the damage from here even without my glasses on."

Lily was waiting for her outside the classroom when she emerged. Despite Professor McGonagall's instructions to move along, it appeared that she had not paid them any attention. Her facial features relaxed significantly as she caught sight of Marlene.

"Are you okay?" she asked timidly.

"I'll be fine," Marlene said quietly. "I should probably head to the hospital wing to get my hand looked at."

She had chanced a glance down at her hand. It had been the same one she had smashed into the floor earlier that morning that she had used to attack Avery. It was covered in a mixture of dry and fresh blood and her knuckles were already beginning to form an unattractive purple hue from bruising.

"I'll go with you," Lily said, "the Slytherin's are probably still there with Avery. I wouldn't want a retaliation to happen."

"You heard what they said about you," Marlene sounded bitter. "You think that you and I would really stop them if they wanted to hurt us?"

"I'm pretty sure you can take care of yourself," Lily said with mild amusement. "Let them try."

The boys had not stuck around after. Marlene didn't bother wasting the energy of asking Lily why and Lily didn't offer any sort of explanation until they had reached earshot of the chatter omitting from the Great Hall.

"You should probably talk to Sirius sooner rather than later," Lily said suddenly. "He's beginning to get all moody again. As much as I admire your relationship at times, the two of you really have some communication issues to iron out."

"I know," Marlene sighed but she just couldn't bring herself to tell Lily what was on her mind. Lily was a good sport about it and didn't ask. Marlene was grateful that her friend was respectful enough not to pry even if she did continue shooting questioning gazes every so often as if hoping Marlene might change her mind.

But of course, she didn't.