"Yes… I am Marlo." She still looked a little shocked because of her discovery. How could all of this be? How could any of it be true? She just didn't understand. She'd always been told magic wasn't real.

"I am Minerva McGonagall, Head Mistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Well you've just shown up on our books as a magical student. And as I've heard your powers must've just awakened with your wolfside. We would like to instruct you at Hogwarts, but it seems you've missed 6 years of classes. So I've brought you a tutor. His name is Remus Lupin. He's a werewolf just like you. Not only will he help you with your work, but he will also teach you some pointers for being a werewolf."

The man came forward and shook her hand. "All this will be, as long as your parents say it is fine."

Suddenly a loud thud of the swinging doors startled them. "I demand to see my daughter this INSTANT!" A large woman with a dominating presence flung herself through it.

"MY BABY!" She threw her arms around poor girl's neck and held her close. Swaying back and forth Marlo felt herself begin to get sick. Her smell of laundry detergent and homemade food was strong. She'd never realized that her mother had a specific smell.

A soft spoken man with a gentle, yet once-wild look about him, came in. A navy suit jacked graced his large shoulders. Her father held a black hat with a gold band around it in his right hand. He went over to Marlo and hugged her lightly. He smelled like chewing tobacco and hard work. Odd mixture, but very comforting. "What's wrong with her?"

Her father's hazel eyes, and dark hair that accented them, seemed to look over Serena. He seemed concerned for his only daughter. Serena smiled. "I think it's time you told your daughter the truth Mr. DeMarcus. She's old enough to know. Plus… She's discovered what she is."

William, her father, grimaced. "Marlo, honey… I have a confession to make. You aren't our daughter. We adopted you. Your parents left you on our doorstep when you were a new born. We brought you in and raised you like you were our own."

Marlo looked shocked. "Oh my God!" She began to sob into her knees that she'd pulled up to her chest. "Why didn't you tell me before?" It was all too much for her to take at once.

"Although… She wasn't really yours to adopt. I was her godfather. A very good friend of mine was your mother. I was to take you if your parents didn't. They didn't find themselves fit to raise you so they left you on somebody's doorstep. It was during the first reign of the dark lord and I was much too busy to take you. Now I see that you need me. Every day of my life I regret taking you. I have been alone my whole life and if I had taken you then, maybe I would've been happier." Remus smiled lightly at her parents, "I would like to adopt her."

"NO! I won't have you adopt my baby girl." The woman looked appalled.

"Well at least let me tutor her in her new ways."

"What new ways?" Her pushy mother, Kristy, insisted.

"She is a werewolf."

Her parents looked shocked. "How come we never saw her change?"

Remus went into a long explaination. All Marlo really heard was "Full moon….. Blah blah blah…. Wolf…. Blah blah blah…. Change…. Blah blah blah…." She still had her head buried in her knees. Her parents were too busy to pay her any heed. She began to cry softly. Remus came forward and rubbed her back.

"Hush now." Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, he slid onto the bed next to her. Kristy's brow furrowed.

Marlo leaned on him and buried her face into his chest. His scent was sweet. A unique one that she found most enjoyable. Remus held her close. He felt something he'd felt once before…. For a person long ago…. No that was insanity.

Soon her tears were gone. Kristy looked at Serena who had just been standing there listening the whole time. "Is she okay to go home?"

"Yes she is."

"C'mon Marlo… Get your things. We're taking you home then."

"You can't. What if she changes again? I need to teach her how to control herself. She might hurt you guys… Or herself." Remus was still holding her.

"You people are crazy! There is no such thing as magic or werewolves!" Kristy said as though they were curse words. "Get your things, Marlo. We are leaving."

"B-But--"

"No buts! Just get your things."

Marlo pulled away from Remus and got her jacket off the bedpost. "You don't understand I am a were--"

"Stop with this nonsense, Marlo. You are not a child. These people are insane, and you will not ruin your life by being around people of such a caliber."

"MOM! YOU DON'T GET IT DO YOU!?"

"DO NOT YELL AT ME! I WILL NOT HAVE YOU BEING DISRESPECTFUL! WE ARE GOING HOME AND WE WILL NOT SPEAK OF THIS INSIDENT AGAIN!"

Marlo began to cry and followed her parents out. "YOU ALWAYS RUIN THINGS FOR ME!"

They ignored her. She turned to look at Remus. He sat there helpless. There was nothing he could do. Marlo felt her anger rise, but she bit it back.

Her father insisted that he forgot his hat and ran back inside as they got out to the rental car. He got back with a favorite hat, and they drove off toward the airport.

Author's note: Wowzers… I liked this chapter quite a bit. It kind of voices the frustrations that my mother and I have with each other. I updated this one, but I haven't gotten around to doing the other. Guilty grin Sorry guys and gals. Another day! Possibly up by Sunday. I've got to go help out theatre Saturday to ready them for their next play. sigh so much work and only three weeks to do it in. Maybe I'll get a part if I do my job well though. sigh even more Ah well…

3 Marlo