For the next two days, Marina avoided everyone. Aside from going to class, studying and helping Harry with his Runes homework, the only thing she was doing was freaking out.
After Bellatrix' lovely message, Remus had contacted her Dad and Marina had translated the lunatic's gibberish for them.
Given her father's incarceration, his grandfather Arcturus – who had been very displeased with his son and daughter-in-law – had left everything to Marina: the family fortune, the Black House in London and his very own Gringotts vault.
She had signed most of it over to her Dad after he'd been released but Black House was still hers in name. Due to the family protection spells, no one could enter without permission from the owner.
Bellatrix was after the private family library; in it were several books with dark spells. Marina had been surprised the Ministry hadn't seized most of it, given the law's restrictions on what could be passed down and what couldn't. It had been Mad-Eye who'd explained that it was entirely possible that her grandparents, Orion and Walburga, had made it so that no one outside the family could even see the contents in that room. Either way, she had spent a few weeks browsing through the stuff and then vowed never to set foot in that dungeon of a Death Eater cave ever again.
She remembered the book Bella wanted clearly. It described a ritual to return someone to the living – using the foulest magic there was. If she'd thought it possible, Marina would have destroyed that book, but mostly they had protective spells against that.
Consequently, one could only assume that Bella had found her master somewhere and was planning on bringing him back. That was one of the reasons why Harry, Marina and Neville now had a round-the-clock protective detail. The aurors assigned to protecting the school now also took turns protecting them. Personally, she thought it was a waste of time.
"Keeping you alive is hardly a waste of time," Elias argued when she told him as much.
"The two day deadline is up and nothing happened, Elias. And how exactly do you think she could possibly get past the wards? Dumbledore and Mad-Eye both reinforced them."
"She has help."
Marina was impressed with the choke-hold the man had on his emotions. She could barely detect the underlying fear in that statement.
"He is in no condition to be a threat right now. I'm more concerned with what they're after – tell me your boss posted aurors around Grimmauld Place."
"Sirius made sure he did," Elias grinned.
"Good. Then, for the time being, the only thing I'm worried are my O.W.L.s – is it against the rules for you to quiz me while on duty?"
"Technically, yes. Practically, who's going to find out?"
Marina squeezed his hand, careful that no one saw it, and blocked out the curious students around.
"Okay. Potion ingredients and their uses. Go."
December 18th 1993
"Aren't you supposed to be off today?" Marina asked David as he relieved his colleague from bodyguard duty. "It's the Hogsmeade weekend."
"All the more reason to keep an eye on you."
"It's been over a month and nothing has happened", she grumbled.
Someone must have heard her prayers because as often as possible, it was David or Elias playing her shadow.
"Doesn't mean it won't," he replied sternly – but his eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Yes, I'm cranky. But you try having someone tail you almost 24/7 and see how you like it."
"I'm that bad company, am I?" he teased and slung an arm around her shoulders as they walked out the castle.
"Not you – just the others. And isn't this against protocol?" Marina added with a shrug, moving his arm a bit.
"Not as long as I'm doing my job."
She leaned against him and they walked down the path in silence. Carmen was already up ahead with some of her Ravenclaw friends and the Weasley twins had whisked away Marina's other friends pretty early – Zonko's would be empty by the end of the day.
"Who's on Harry today?" she asked, well aware that she was a hypocrite. Her brother didn't like his shadow any more than she did, but she was very relieved he had it.
"Talbot," David answered, squeezing her lightly. "Mad-Eye and your Dad helped hand-pick us all, you know. They're good."
"No offence to you and your colleagues, David, but Harry has a habit of letting trouble find him. If he thinks, even for a second, that he can help someone..."
"Relax," David ordered. "We got this. Besides, aren't you two going home for Christmas?"
As if he'd flipped a switch, Marina's mood instantly improved, just as they reached the village.
"Yes. Dad's first Christmas out and Harry's first Christmas at a real home."
"There you have it. Your house is warded a dozen times."
"Duly noted," she replied dryly. "What about you? Home for Christmas?"
"Of course," he answered smoothly but she could sense his anxiety spike and huffed a laugh.
"Let me guess: Laura wants you to bring Jenna."
The two of them entered the Three Broomsticks and shook off the chill. As per usual, Madame Rosmerta had plenty to do; the place was full.
"To be honest, I don't think I will," David finally replied and Rosmerta waved at them to let them know she'd bring their butterbeers.
"Too early?" Marina tried very hard to ignore the stares and 'd think they would all have become used to her constant shadows but no such luck. She remained the number one gossip. The only upside was that Harry and Neville were spared that since everyone was so focused on her.
"Well, that and Jenna doesn't want to come."
Marina raised her eyebrows at that one. His family meant everything to David.
"Maybe she thinks it's too early," she suggested and nodded at Rosmerta in thanks as two butterbeers settled in front of them. Mentally though, she figured it was a bad sign; she might only have caught onto David's feelings a few months ago, but according to Ty he'd been seeing Jenna for almost a year. Or not...
"Hard to imagine, given that we've been dating since Hogwarts," David grumbled and Marina almost choked on her sip of drink.
"Three years? You've been seeing her for three years and no one knew?"
The man had the grace to look appropriately sheepish.
"On and off. No one asked," he shrugged. "They all just assumed I was too busy."
"Oh for Merlin's sake," Marina moaned quietly. "Don't tell Laura that. Hell, don't tell your sisters that. They'll skin you on principle."
"That's why we agreed not to tell anybody," someone said behind her and she winced. Didn't take a genius to guess who it was.
"Jenna-," David started but the woman must have gestured for him to stop or something because he didn't even start apologising.
Marina didn't turn around or stand up – the last thing they needed was to draw attention. Apparently, Jenna agreed because she sat down next to her boyfriend without a fuss.
"Jenna Hastings," she introduced herself, doing an admirable job of tampering her irritation.
"Marina Black," she replied and shook the woman's hand. "Nice to meet you."
Except right that minute, it wasn't. Marina had never been particularly vain – why would she be? She didn't spend hours in front of the mirror, trying to master grooming spells. She had let Dromeda pick out most her wardrobe, for crying out loud, because fashion hadn't really mattered either; up until last year when she had become that creature called teenager.
But sitting there, Marina felt awfully... inadequate. Jenna Hastings was, simply put, gorgeous. Her perfectly fitting dragon hide clothes punctuated her hour-glass figure and, despite her reddened cheeks from the cold, you could see her skin was flawless. Even her golden blonde hair was perfect underneath her winter cap.
And here Marina was in her comfortable jeans and duelling league sweater. Someone stun her now.
"I thought you were in Brazil," David said after a moment and took Jenna's hand.
"Someone beat me to it," Jenna answered with a smile and leaned in to kiss him lightly.
Marina frowned into the table. Something was very off about Jenna's emotions – she didn't sense a woman in love. Woefully without experience as she was, she would sooner swallow Polyjuice Potion de Snape before she said anything but... …
Or maybe she was just so used to Bianca and her new love that she was overstimulated. Maybe that's what love felt like after three years.
Yes, well, she didn't believe that either. Jupiter and Laura didn't sense like this and neither did Ted and Dromeda.
Still, she was so not sticking her nose in there.
"Sorry," Jenna said once those two tore their eyes off each other. "It's just been a while."
"No problem – I'd give you some privacy but unfortunately..."
"I'm assigned to keep her alive and Marina takes issue with that," David finished with a smirk.
Marina harrumphed and leaned back, crossing her arms.
"At this point I almost wish she'd make her move and get it over with. Waiting is worse."
"Just focus on your O.W.L.s and leave her to us," David suggested.
"Easier said than done. Besides, except for Potions and History of Magic, there is nothing left to do except pay attention in class. That's where my photographic memory comes in handy," she added and pulled out her studying schedule to show him.
Monday
8.00 – 9.00 breakfast
9.10 – 11.45 classes
12.00 – 1.00 lunch
1.10 – 3.45 classes
4.00 – 5.15 Astronomy
5.30 – 6.30 dinner
7.00 – 8.00 History of Magic
Tuesday
8.00 – 9.00 breakfast
9.10 – 11.45 classes
12.00 – 1.00 lunch
1.10 – 3.45 classes
4.00 – 5.15 Potions
5.30 – 6.30 dinner
7.00 – 8.00 Defence Against the Dark Arts
Wednesday
8.00 – 9.00 breakfast
9.10 – 11.45 classes
12.00 – 1.00 lunch
1.10 – 3.45 classes
4.00 – 5.15 Charms
5.30 – 6.30 dinner
7.00 – 8.00 Ancient Runes
Thursday
8.00 – 9.00 breakfast
9.10 – 11.45 classes
12.00 – 1.00 lunch
1.10 – 3.45 classes
4.00 – 5.15 History of Magic
5.30 – 6.30 dinner
0.00 – 1.45 class
Friday
8.00 – 9.00 breakfast
9.10 – 11.45 classes
12.00 – 1.00 lunch
1.10 – 3.45 classes
4.00 – 5.15 Herbology
5.30 – 6.30 dinner
7.00 – 8.00 Potions
Saturday
8.00 – 9.00 breakfast
9.15 – 2.00 Duelling League
2.10 – 3.00 extracurricular
5.30 – 6.30 dinner
7.00 – 8.00 Charms
8.00 – 9.00 Defence Against the Dark Arts
9.00 – 10.00 Ancient Runes
10.00 – 11. 00 Astronomy
Sunday
8.00 – 9.00 breakfast
12.00 – 1.00 lunch
1.00 – 1.45 Divination
1.45 – 3.15 Potions
3.15 – 4.00 Transfiguration
4.00 – 5.30 Charms
5.30 – 6.30 dinner
7.00 – 8.00 Care of Magical Creatures
8.00 – 9.00 Herbology
"You can't keep that up all year," David told her once he was done gaping.
"I'll have to try. Besides, Carmen came up with it so it should be fine."
"How so? It looks pretty stuffed."
"I'm not gone every Saturday – not yet anyway. And if I don't win my Junior League Cup duel in February, it's mute anyway. Plus, the Quidditch weekends..."
The first had, of course, been a disaster of epic proportions that had ended with Harry's broomstick in pieces. Marina had never seen him so dejected during the school year.
"Either way, the theory won't be a problem," Marina sighed and took another sip. "Since I literally can't forget anything – at least not for a few years – it will be a breeze. Practical is the issue."
"You can cast anything," David disagreed. "There isn't a spell yet you haven't managed."
"Except the Patronus. Hopefully that will change soon. But it's Charms I'm worried about. And, of course, Potions. The only upside is that Snape won't be grading me."
"Elias can help you with that."
Marina snorted a laugh.
"You're not trainees anymore, David. He's working. Besides, there is only so much tutoring he can do. At some point I'll just have to get a sense for brewing."
"What about Runes?"
"Better than ever," she grinned. "Tutoring Harry in it helps me almost as much as him."
"I thought he took Divination?"
"Oh he did. And all it took was Trelawney to go and predict his death in three lessons in a row and he went to McGonagall to switch. He's pretty good at Runes, actually."
"Why not Arithmancy?" asked Jenna. "It's useful for a lot of jobs."
"I don't think he's thinking that far ahead yet. He took Care of Magical Creatures because he's interested and Divination because he thought it would be easy to pass. And I think he went for Runes because now he has three people to help him out if need be. But I don't think he'll need it. Another session or two and he'll be caught up enough to do it without tutoring."
That was probably more information than the woman had bargained for but Marina tended to babble when she was talking about Harry.
"Three people?" David asked, smiling. His feelings always turned all warm and fuzzy when it became obvious that she was in big-sister mode.
"Hermione, me and Dad – he had an Outstanding." Good thing too. Some dark magic traps were ancient and therefore written in runes.
"How is your father?" Jenna asked, sounding sympathetic. Sounding, but not feeling. Marina was guessing David hadn't told his girlfriend about her empathy – otherwise she would probably try and tamper down the resentment Marina was sensing.
"Getting better every day," she replied anyway. "Especially since he got his job back. That one I will never understand."
"You want to become an auror," David mused.
"Yes, but I didn't spend twelve years in Azkaban after the people who were supposed to have my back put me there."
David opened his mouth, presumably to assure her somehow, but frowned instead. He reached into his coat pocket – and pulled out his spinning, whistling sneakoscope.
"Must be broken," Jenna commented after all three of them had scanned the room, hands on their wands. Nothing seemed out of place.
"Or reacting to the twins," Marina grumbled as she saw them outside. "Merlin knows some of their pranks can be dangerous."
"Don't tell them that, it encourages them," Ron said and Marina turned to see the trio emergre from the crowd.
"I know," she told Ron. "So how is your Hogsmeade trip?"
"Great," Harry assured her – but she didn't miss the quick look at his shadow. Talbot was very discreet. If she hand't known he was there, she wouldn't have seen him.
"You were at Honeydukes yet?"
"No, we were saving it for last," Hermione said. "Otherwise we'd have to carry stuff around the whole time." She seemed uncharacteristically quiet.
"Oh by the way:," Ron said with a broad grin. "Your Dad told mine about your duel. We're all coming."
"How?" Marina demanded incredulously. "It's on the 5th of February. In the middle of school."
"Well," David hedged and grinned when she glared at him. "Between both our fathers and Mr Weasley, they managed to wrangle permission from the Ministry, the Board of Govenors and Dumbledore. Everyone on the list who wants to go can go."
"Lovely. So I'll have a bigger audience when I lose."
"I take offence at that," David said. "We trained you well; you won't lose." Marina smiled.
"How are you possibly going to manage that?" she asked anyway. "Everyone who leaves Hogwarts will need protection. Those three here, the twins, Ginny, your sister, your brother... the Ministry can't possibly spare that many aurors."
"I don't think there is anything they'll deny Sirius anytime soon," David said. "Fudge is still scrambling to look good – and one word from you or Sirius against him would ruin that."
It was only when they all got up and moving, to go to Honeydukes and then back to the castle, that Marina realised that everyone had seemingly forgotten that Jenna was there – including David. Something was definitely wrong with them. Merry Christmas.
Christmas Day, 1993
Marina woke up to the smell of breakfast. Who would have thought a wizard, raised in a pure-blood hell, would know how to cook. And so well too.
She took a moment to settle. It was the first night she'd spent in her brand-new bedroom. It was about twice as big as her space in the girls' dormitory. The floor was ashwood, so a lot brighter than she was used to. Curtains in scarlet red and gold covered her two windows, marking this a Gryffindor's space – along with the drapes in the same colours that hung off her four-poster bed.
Sitting up in said bed, her back was to the windows and she was facing the door – which was covered in her coats and jackets. On the left wall, same side as the bed, was her rather big closet; that must have been Dromeda's input.
To the right, directly underneath one of the windows, was her desk. On it was her very on wireless.
The right wall of the room, however, was covered in photos – her Dad must've gotten them from the Notts; except for one part of it, which was covered by the Duelling League emblem: two wands crossed, one white, one black, on silver background with golden sparks shooting out of the tips.
Simple but straightfoward.
The emblem was right above another door and Marina still couldn't believe wher it led. Her idiot father had bought a house where everyone had his or her own bathroom. Even the guestroom, where Remus was currently staying, had one.
Hers was completely sea-green – bathtub and walk-in shower and all, themed as an underwater paradise.
It must have cost him a fortune.
She proceeded to get up, take a shower and check if Harry was up yet. His room was opposite hers – though her walls were soundproof. Marina highly suspected that Dromeda had warned her Dad about her habit of listening to rather loud music. She knocked, but didn't get an answer. Braving her luck, she opened the door.
Harry's room had the same layout as her own. On the right was his closet and further in the rather giant four-poster bed. Scarlet and gold curtains hung off of it as well, and the window curtains even sported the Gryffindor lion – as did the wall on the left. Under the left window was a desk too and the wireless on it was cranked up, spouting Quidditch results.
Harry had been thrilled to finally have a means to catch up, and stay caught up, on wizarding events.
A Quidditch-themed carpet covered most of the hardwood floor.
Just then, Harry exited his bathroom with his hair still wet. From where she stood, she could see it had a Golden Snitch theme. Her father was a goof.
"Ready for breakfast?" she asked and pointed her wand to turn of WWN (Wizarding Wireless Network).
"Do you cook?" Harry asked her as he put on his glasses and they made for downstairs.
"The muggle way I can do – thanks to Ted. But I could never figure out the household spells. It drives Dromeda nuts that Dora and I can't even do our laundry," Marina said sheepisshly as they entered the kitchen.
"I could never do that either," her Dad said, his back still turned.
The last four months had worked wonders. Between regular meals and being able to go outside, her father looked like his old self again. Even the haunted look in his eyes had diminished somewhat, thanks to the sessions with Teresa that Dromeda had continued to force him to. Now he was going voluntarily.
The kitchen table was decked out with fried and scrambled eggs, lots and lots of bacon, pancakes, cornflakes, cereal and fruit. He'd even bought pumpkin juice for Harry and orange juice for her.
"You don't have to imitate Hogwarts, you know," she said dryly.
"Turning burns a lot of calories," he shrugged and dug in. So he still turned into Padfoot a lot.
"Yes, I know," she agreed. "The full moon is Wednesday."
It would be the first time she joined Remus during the transformation. There was just the small matter of telling him that.
"I've talked to Molly – they're happy to have Harry that night and the one after," her Dad informed them while shoveling another load of bacon. Marina hurried to get herself a portion – she was pretty sure she was the only person ever to eat bacon wrapped in pancakes.
"And Marina is going to Ted and Dromeda, I presume?" Remus asked as he entered the kitchen and made straight fo the fruit. For a werewolf he was little of a carnivore.
"Well... no."
He stopped short, the piece of grapefruit halfway in the air, and fixed her with the look.
"We've had this argument before. You're not staying anywhere near me during a full moon."
Bracing herself for his reaction, she took a gulp of juice before she replied.
"That was before I became an animagus."
The second piece of grapefruit actually fell out of his hand as he gaped at her, slack-jawed.
"You did what?" Remus asked, completely flabberghasted. Marina had never seen him like that.
"I started the summer after my fourth year – under McGonagall's supervision."
Harry, apparently aware that this signified some sort of issue, kept eating and switching his eyes from one person to the next as if tracing a snitch . He'd get whiplash if he kept that up.
Remus just kept staring, a painful mix of gratitude and outrage rising in him. Also, a healthy dose of disbelief.
So Marina stood, took a step back – and turned.
The transformation itself wasn't painful, exactly. It just felt really weird as her body changed so drastically. Her bones shrunk, her skin along with it, and her hands and feet turned into claws. Even more odd though was when fur burst out of her pores – it was such an alien feeling she'd almost gone mental the first few times. Her tongue roughened, her eyes changed focus as her pupils became slits, and her hearing got better. Of course, during all this she also shrunk down considerably, losing two feet of her already small frame. And last but not least her back crouched until she was standing on four limbs instead of two.
Once the process was done, she lifted her right forepaw and rubbed her nose. A feline nose was always better than a human one and it made her want to sneeze.
Then she leapt back up her chair, sat back on her haunches and looked up at the lot of them.
Harry looked gobsmacked and fascinated at the same time and reached over to pet her slowly, as if afraid she'd bite. Someone needed to tell him that her mind was still human.
Remus stared at her unblinkingly, but with a sheen of tears in his eyes.
And her Dad looked impossibly pround, beaming from one ear to the other. Then he reached over and patted Remus on the back, feeling all mushy.
"Merry Christmas, Moony."