Chapter Twelve: The Winter of Our Discontent

"The pies," Lily said. "Definitely the pies."

"Mum's mince pies are pretty wicked," Marlene agreed, "but they're nowhere near as good as Dad's turkey!"

Lily licked her lips exaggeratedly. "Did you have to remind me?"

The two girls were standing outside King's Cross Station, waiting for Marlene's father to pick them up. Somehow their conversation had degenerated into a giggly argument about the highlights of Christmas food. Something warm and carefree was bubbling inside Lily, and she realised that it was happiness. There was no Potter, no Sirius – in fact, nothing to worry about for two whole weeks.

The McKinnons' battered Ford Thunderbird rolled up. "He's here!" Marlene exclaimed. Lily started forward with her.

"Good afternoon, Mr McKinnon!"

She smiled dazzlingly at him. She had known Marlene's parents for years, and they had always been friendly towards her. She moved to shake his hand after Marlene had hugged him.

She didn't expect the sudden tightening of his jaw as he took in her outstretched arm. He made no move to greet her.

She frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Ignoring her completely, he turned to his daughter. "I thought I told you that bitch wasn't setting foot in our house?"

Lily gasped, taking a step backward. Surely – surely – he hadn't just said what she thought he'd said?

Marlene threw Lily a glance, then turned pleading eyes to her father. "Dad, I explained it to you. Lily isn't like the others. She's not even in Slytherin, for crying out loud –"

"Lies!" he snarled. "You're so blinded by loyalty, you don't see the revulsion I do when she looks at you!"

"Hey!" said Lily, stung into speaking. "What revulsion? She's my best friend! What is wrong with you?"

Once again he ignored her. "I hate to see this happening, Marlene. Best we turn her away now before she poisons you any further."

"Dad!" Marlene roared. "That is enough! We can't turn Lily away."

He eyed her, then he said flatly, "Your mother won't be happy." But he turned away to open the boot.

Lily wondered if she was in shock. Faint tears prickled her wide, horrified eyes. What had happened that he could have turned against her like that? He had known her since she was five years old!

"Marlene," she murmured. "What... what happened?"

Marlene shot her a brief look of apology. "I'll explain later," she said softly. "I'm sorry about this. I didn't think he'd be that bad."

"You don't have to be sorry for anything," Lily told her. Resentment flared inside her, although she tried to stamp it down. Mr McKinnon had known her for so long. Did he truly think of her as a bitch not worthy of setting foot in his home? Why?

But deep inside, she feared that she already knew the answer.

The ride home had been tense and silent with hostility.

Lily looked out of the window at passing buildings, illuminated by the sporadic streetlights. She was aware of Marlene's eyes on her, but tried to avoid looking at her. She did not think she would be able to handle seeing the look in her eyes. When they pulled up outside Marlene's house she was the first person out of the car.

Mr McKinnon unlocked the boot and handed her her trunk without looking at her. Before, he would have carried it in for her. She stood on the doorstep and rang the bell, suddenly detachedly eager to see whatever look of hatred Mrs McKinnon would throw at her.

The door opened a few moments later.

Lily heard the indrawn little breath and smiled grimly at her, trying to make it as wide and fake as possible.

"Hello," she said. "Do you mind letting me in? If it's not too much trouble, of course. It's rather cold out here."

Although she had expected it, it still hurt when Mrs McKinnon seemed to deliberate on it for a few seconds before standing aside. Lily lumbered inside with the trunk in her arms.

"Dinner's on the table," she said quietly when Marlene and her father had entered too. The four of them filed into the dining room. Lily stopped, hovering, when she saw that only three places had been set.

Silently Mrs McKinnon placed a plate in front of her. Dinner was eaten quickly and quietly, after which her husband stood up and pushed in his chair.

"Go to bed now. No talking."

Lily followed Marlene upstairs. This sudden change in manner was such a big difference to how they had treated her before, making it hard for it to sink in. Neither Marlene nor she said a word as they brushed their teeth and changed into their pyjamas.

Marlene slid under the covers, but Lily stood hovering by the bed. "I want answers," she said bluntly.

Marlene sighed. "I know you do. It's just... it's a little hard to stomach the fact that my own parents are capable of being as biased as everyone else."

Lily gingerly joined her under the blanket. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... it's basically reverse discrimination, isn't it? My parents have always known what family you come from. It's just never featured largely in our lives. Then they read the newspaper article about Rookwood." Her voice was tired. "Believe it or not, a lot of people have realised who Rookwood's accomplices were. They know a Black was probably involved. Or if not that, your sister Bellatrix is gaining notoriety as one of the most ruthless of the Dark Lord's followers. Lucius Malfoy is making a name for himself too. Whichever way you look at it, the Blacks are deeply involved with the enemy, and that's a fact my parents have just woken up to."

"Oh," Lily said throatily. She stared down at her pale, almost translucent hand, fingers splayed on Marlene's forehead. Blue veins wrapped around her wrist. So many things came down to blood, didn't it? She hadn't chosen to be born with Black blood. Hadn't chosen to come from a family infamous throughout the wizarding world for their vices and viciousness.

And yet, had she been given the option of trading in the House of Black for another family… she could not imagine taking it.

Marlene went on, "My father is a half-blood. My mother is a Muggleborn. They know exactly how weak our lineage, and they're scared of it."

"They don't need to be scared," Lily said fiercely. "I would never hurt you."

She gave her a faint smile. "They aren't scared of you hurting me, Lily. You may be a Black, but in their hearts they know they have nothing to fear from you. No, what they're truly afraid of is the fact that the Dark Lord is rising. And when he reaches the top, there will be no hope left for us anywhere."

Lily bit her lip. She had grown up hearing the name of the Dark Lord on her family's lips, intellectually known what he stood for and what he wanted. But he had never seemed to be quite real to her. Nothing he had done had ever affected her.

Now, looking at the anxiety that Marlene strove to conceal, Lily realised how narrow-minded and self-centred she had been. What were Potter and Sirius, compared to this? She never had to fear for her life when with them. She had always been secure in the knowledge that either her sisters or her blood would protect her.

But not everybody was as lucky, and she was sickened to think of how complacent she had been.

"No, Marlene," she said. Her voice was made harsh by a mixture of self-loathing and anger. "That isn't right. You shouldn't have to live like that, constantly looking over your shoulder."

Marlene shrugged. "There's nothing either of us can do about it. Why worry?"

"You're wrong," she said. "I'm a Black. I should be able to use that to protect you, damn it! At least then my blood will have done some good!"

She started pacing. Marlene watched her, eyelids drooping.

"Come to bed, Lily," she said exhaustedly. "That's enough for tonight."

Acknowledging the truth of what she had said, Lily climbed into the double bed beside her.

Her fingers twisted at her pendant. But still, in spite of everything, and all the terrible things she had learnt, she could not bring herself to take it off just yet.

AN: Happy Sunday! I'll be back tonight :)

Baking Update: I realise this isn't a personal baking update, but it is a sort of baking update... we ordered a chocolate fudge cake online from a family friend of ours, and I CANNOT WAIT haha. It has been way too long since I had one of those.

Shruthi, I forgot to add last time - I hope your project report writing is going well!