Note: so in canon Marlene dies in 1980, but not in this fanfic. Just letting you know.

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October 29, 1983

The cafe was full of chatter and the smell of coffee. I thumped my fingers on the table and checked my watch the fifth time in the past ten minutes. I sipped at my coffee as I waited for Daily Prophet journalist that was to meet with me. I checked my watch yet again and just then the bell of the door rang, indicating that someone has entered. I turned to see the journalist walk towards me with a smile before taking his seat across from me.

"Marlene McKinnon?" He asked. When I nodded, he continued, the smile ever present on his face. "I'm Henry Hollad of the Daily Prophet. I'm so pleased you decided to meet with me."

I nodded. "Don't make me regret it."

"Of course," Henry said, opening his notebook and taking out his pen. "If you don't mind, Ms. McKinnon, my pen is going to write for me. Shall we begin with a few questions?"

"Ask away," I told him, forcing a smile but also keeping a wary eye on the levitating pen that began to write whatever we said.

"The anniversary of James and Lily Potter's murder is in two days," Henry reminded me. "What does this make you feel?"

"Grief," I replied, taking a sip of my coffee.

"It is my understanding that you, along with two others, were close friends with Lily Potter. In fact, I also heard that you were even friends with Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Is this true?"

"It is."

"How did you react when you heard that it was Sirius Black who betrayed the Potters and then killed Peter Pettigrew?"

I let out a shaky breath. "Initially? I was in shock and in a state of disbelief. I couldn't believe Black would betray his friends like that, but then again, I supposde I don't really know him at all."

Henry nodded, apparently very interested. "Now, as it stands, you and the Werewolf are the only ones alive from your little groupf of friends. Is that correct?"

My nostrils flared. "Yes, me and Remus—not 'the werewolf'—are the only ones were know for sure are alive."

"As yes, of course," Henry said. "My apologizes. And how did you feel when Lydia Lane was captured by You-Know-Who? How did you feel when she was presumed dead?"

"I couldn't have possibly felt worse than Peter Pettigrew," I said tersely. "Is that all you'll be asking me? How I felt? Because if that is the case, then I am wasting my time."

"Again, I apologize. I ask that you bare with me." When I still glared at him, Henry added, "Please, Ms. McKinnon."

I was about to refuse and leave that cafe but something made me stay. I don't know what it was but I hated it.

"Thank you," Henry said with a smile. "Now, it seems thst everyone I talk with was shocked at Black's betrayal to the Potters. However, each of them, including you, say that you must not have known him too well if he could do this. And this leads me to my next question. John Lane had mentioned that Cerisa Kaiser and Sirius Black were something of an item back in the day. He also told me you and Kaiser were good friends. So tell me, how would she react in hearing of this betrayal."

I didn't even blink before saying, "It is my belief that she wouldn't have believed it. That she would've tried to exonerate him."

Henry nodded thoughtfully. "And forgive my repetitiveness, but concerning Kaiser's death..."

I sighed. "When that bitch Veronique killed Cerisa, I was enraged and full of immense sorrow at the same time. It is also my belief that in killing Cerisa, Veronique set in motion a whole sequence of events. Cerisa was the first to go, then Lydia, then James, then Lily, then Peter and Black is practically dead to me. I lost six friends in such a short amount of time."

"You blame Veronique Kaiser?"

"I blame her and You-Know-Who," I replied. After a moment, I added, "Will all this be published?"

Henry hesitated but nodded.

"Good," I said. "Because when Veronique Kaiser and all Death Eaters read the latest issue I want them to read my promise: they will suffer for every pain and anguish they caused. They will get everything they deserve. I promise you that."

Henry looked slightly afraid at the darkness in my voice, but I ignored him as I wished him good day and excused myself. Grabbing my bag, I left the cafe and entered the busy street of Diagon Alley. Putting on my hat, I made my way out of Diagon Alley, glancing down at my watch.

Once I reentered muggle territory, I started to look for yet another cage to meet with someone yet again. When I located and arrived at my destination, I got a table and ordered tea instead of coffee, hoping it would be appetizing enough for me to drink. When the waiter gave me my drink, I drank in silence, waiting for my next meeting.

Before I knew it, the door opened and I smiled when I saw a family of five walk towards me with smiles. The father was Jules Kaiser and his wife was Patricia. I smiled at six-year-old Eddy and ruffled his hair when he gave me a hug. When they all sat down, I smiled at the baby in Patricia's arms.

"How are you?" I asked, sipping at my tea and turning to Jules.

"I'm all right. I was originally supposed to come here alone but the kids were dying to see you again," Jules said with a smile, looking down at his three-year-old daughter.

"Why did you want to see me in the first place?" I asked.

"I finally decided to clean out the boxes filled with all of Reesa's things," Jules said, fishing into his pocket. "While doing so I found something I thought you might want to have. Ah, here we go."

Jules handed me a stack of pictures and I accepted it from him. The first picture was of our first year in Hogwarts, just the four of us—Lily, Lydia, Cerisa, and I. The next were the four of us in Hogsmeade and the others were also pictures of us during our Hogwarts years. But the last one caught my eye. It was of the eight of us—the four girls and the Marauders.

In the picture, Lily and James had their arms around each other with Remus and I on either side of them. Beside Remus were Peter and Lydia and beside me were Sirius and Cerisa. We were in muggle London. We had just graduated and we asked a muggle to take a picture for us.

I tried but I could soon no longer contain my tears. I cried because we were all so happy in our moment of complete bliss. It was the golden moment and I cried because six of those people were dead. I cried because I knew I could never be happy again as much as I was happy then.

It was the golden moment and we were the golden group of friends. But gold can break and that's exactly what happened to us.

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So that's the end!!! Thank you so much for sticking around and giving me all those reviews! I really appreciate it!

And I know this was a sad ending and I might've ended it like this completely had I not thought of an idea for a sequel. The title for the sequel will be 'The Blood-Traitor's Daughter'. I'm not sure when I'll start writing it, so watch out for that!

Like always, I love you guys and once again, thanks for reading!!!