A/N This chapter is a bit short and all over the place but I wanted to do a bit of a catch up as well as introduce the Lily and a couple of other characters.

Trigger Warnings: anger, arguments, talk about a break up

Andromeda sat next to Rabastan and Alecto Carrow in the Great Hall, staring at all the food on the tables. She and Alecto were talking about their summers while everyone began to stuff their faces. Rabastan had filled his plate and Narcissa, who sat across from her, was beginning to scoop piles of food onto hers, all the while giving smirks and playful smiles to Lucius Malfoy.

"You're going to eat all that?" Lucius asked, from his spot next to her.

"Don't be foolish. Why else would it be on my plate?" She said giving him a wink. Lucius smirked and leaned over to whisper in her ear. Regulus smiled at them, sitting next to Lucius with Barty Crouch on his other side. He picked up his cup and took a sip of water.

"But save some room for dessert," Lucius whispered. Regulus spit out his drink.

Rabastan gave Andromeda a light shove with his shoulder.

"You eating?" He asked between chewing. Andromeda was tapping her fingers mindlessly on the table when Rabastan returned her to her thoughts.

"Hm?"

Rabastan reached over and put his hand over hers, preventing her from continuing to tap her fingers on the table.

"I asked if you were eating. What are you doing?" He asked with sternness in his voice. Andromeda shoved his hand off of hers and put her hands in her lap, turning to Rabastan.

"I'm just a bit tired. I don't know," she said looking at the table.

Rabastan shrugged his shoulders. "Well more for me," he said adding more food to his plate. He turned to Andromeda and noticed her distressed expression. He swallowed before taking her hand in his and leaning into her.

"I'm sorry darling, it's just-it's been a long day," he leaned over to place a kiss on Andromeda's cheek but she twisted away from him.

"What is your problem?" He demanded, staring at her. Andromeda could feel her body shaking as she continued her stare at the table, not bothering to look at him.

"I'm just tired, Rabastan." For some reason he was in an incredibly bad mood today and Andromeda wasn't sure why. She hoped he would snap out of it soon.

Rabastan ignored her and muttered something incoherent under his breath.

"Andy..are you sure you're alright?" Asked Narcissa, biting her lip and looking from her to Rabastan. Andromeda nodded.

"I'm fine," she said shifting her focus to her lap. Regulus peaked over from his seat next to Lucius and looked at Narcissa.

"What's wrong?" He asked poking her on the hand. Narcissa turned to him and shook her head from side to side.

"It's nothing Reggie," she said giving him a look. Regulus looked between Andromeda and Rabastan and shrugged his shoulders before returning to his plate. He swallowed and turned to the seat on the opposite side, tapping Barty on the shoulder.

"Hey-hey it was nice to see you..you know.." he stammered, feeling his breath bitch. Barty turned to face him with a grin on his face, his dark hair scattered in all directions.

"Yeah, it was nice," Barty replied, giving a light laugh and meeting his eyes. Regulus drew in a breath and gave a small smile.

--

"I hate him. Did you see what he just did, Moony?" Sirius asked staring at Rabastan Lestrange from a few tables over.

"I didn't see him do anything but I may have missed something," Remus said taking a bite of the food on his plate.

James let out a light laugh.

"Relax, Pads. They're just acting like every other couple around here. Besides we have the map and the cloak, you can check on her later. Why don't you eat," he said pushing a plate full of chicken towards Sirius. Sirius glanced at the plate of chicken before putting some on his plate and then returning his gaze to the Slytherin table.

"Ugh, I've eaten too much," Peter said, wiping his face off with his napkin.

James looked at him in shock and put down his fork. "What are you talking about, we're just getting started!" He said, giving Peter a kick under the table.

"Not all of us can handle as much as you can, James," Peter said loudly looking around the table. James smirked and looked up, hoping Lily Evans had heard Peter's comment but she seemed to be engaged in an intense conversation with Marlene McKinnon.

Sirius looked over at Marlene and Lily talked and turned to James with a sigh.

"That can't be good," he said. "Marley probably does not have good things to tell her about us after what happened between us over the summer," Sirius admitted.

"S'not your fault things weren't working out between the two of you," Remus added, looking at Sirius. Sirius turned his attention back over at Marlene. She looked much different than when he had seen her last. Her hair was much shorter and she was wearing her makeup differently. She also had bright feather earrings dangling from her ears. She looked much more lively and happy. They had dated off and on throughout the last year until Sirius finally decided to break it off early in the summer. He had sneaked out to Hogsmeade and met up with James, Peter and Remus and they had rehearsed the scene before Sirius put it into action. She took it well, but Sirius was sure it wouldn't be overly helpful in James' conquest to win over Lily.

Sirius sighed and dug into his plate.

--

After about an hour, the Great Hall began to filter out leaving students to return to their dorms. Students could be heard greeting each other and chatting as they roamed the halls.

"As if James Potter could impress me," Lily snickered, throwing her red hair over her shoulder. "Honestly Marlene, Dorcas has made you a hopeless romantic," she said smiling. They were heading towards the common room after leaving the feast. Both of them walked at a quick pace, wanting a chance to sit back down and relax after the long day that they had had.

Marlene rolled her eyes and continued to walk down the halls of Hogwarts with Lily, waving to the portraits and greeting them happily. She swept her hand through her short dark hair and smirked at Lily.

"She has not," Marlene said, trying to hide the wide smile that was spreading across her face. Lily laughed and shook her head.

"Where is Dorcas?" Lily asked, knitting her eyebrows.

Marlene sighed. "She's exhausted. She left the feast earlier and went to bed. I'll check in her after but I know she just wanted some time alone".

Lily paused. "She's alright though?"

"Yeah. Just a long day for her you know lots of..family troubles," she said looking down. Lily nodded and returned her gaze to the ground.

"Hey! Girls!" Called a voice from behind them. Lily and Marlene turned around to see Frank Longbottom running up to them.

Marlene smiled. "Well, well, we'll if it isn't Mr.Head boy himself?" She said giving him a playful poke on the shoulder. Frank gave a small chuckle.

"Look, I just wanted to let you know the password is bowtruckle. Don't be wandering around too late or I'll have to write you up," he said with a whisper before running past them.

"Oh I'm terrified," mocked Marlene, watching him run past them. They both waited a couple of minutes before he was out of sight.

"You haven't talked to Severus at all have you?" Marlene asked, sucking in a breath. Lily bit her bottom lip and crinkled her nose.

"No. You don't think I'm being too harsh with him do you?" She asked, looking at Marlene with bright green eyes. Marlene shook her head.

"Not at all. If it were me I wouldn't be talking to him again and..." Marlene paused, looking at Lily's face, "..but anyways, you can't be so hard on yourself, Lils,"she finished.

Lily let out a breath and shrugged her shoulders.

"I suppose. But we all make mistakes, Marley," she said, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I just need time," she added. Marlene looked at her.

"For the record, you're too nice, Lily Evans," she said, raising her eyebrows.

"I know. I'm trying to work on it, you know be a little more stern with others, I suppose,"she admitted giving a smirk.

"Have you been starting with Potter?"

Lily smirked.

--

A/N

Okay so just to confirm, Marlene and Sirius dated last year and broke up over the summer. Marlene is now with Dorcas and I will leave it at that as to not spoil anything.

Also want to add- I know Snape can be a touchy subject. I am planning on exploring different sides of Snape and I just wanted to make note that what Marlene said is her opinion and not necessarily mine.