CHAPTER 14 Marlene stepped off the train, and onto the familiar platform nine and three quarters. She looked around, typical. Her parents weren't there, but James' were, and that was almost the same thing. Almost. She ran over to them and gave them a hug, James following with both their suitcases. 'Honestly Mar! You could at least carry your own!' 'Well you're always bragging about how you're so strong so I'd've thought you would've wanted to prove it!' He stuck his tongue out. 'Helllo James dear!' Jo Potter hugged her son tightly. 'I literally swear you've grown another inch, in a month!' 'Well what did you expect me to do mum?' He grinned cheekily. 'Shrink?' 'Don't be rude to your mother James!' Adam Potter made his way over to them, laughing. 'But yeah I thought you were supposed to be smart Jo!' 'Hey!' Both Adam and James laughed. 'Well at least I've got you Marly!' Jo put her arm around Marlene, laughing. 'Cos' I've got you babe!' Jo and Marlene sang together. 'Oh god, the women are singing again dad,' James covered his ears. 'Run for your lives!' Adam mocked. 'But seriously guys, great to have you back.' He hugged both Marlene and James again in turn. 'Where's Sirius?' Jo looked around. 'Isn't he coming?' 'Oh he's going to,' James frowned. 'But he got an owl from his mother, asking him to come home for a couple of days. Apparently his uncle died, but I think he was a death eatet so Sirius doesn't want to but he's paying his respects you know?' He took two cokes off his mum and handed one to Marlene, who immediatey took a sip. 'Of course, and while he's there they'll probably try to replace his death eater position with Sirius,' Adam added darkly. 'But on a lighter subject, I take it he'll be joining us at some point.' 'Yep!' James grinned. 'He's coming down on either Sunday or Monday, when Marls parents are coming up.' Marlene spat her drink out. 'Whaaat?' 'Dammit James! It was supposed to be a surprise?' Adam facepalmed. 'My parents are going to Spain?' 'Just like your mother James, can't keep a secret to save your life.' He shook his head. 'Woah, that's harse I didn't know it was a secret-' 'Hello? Are mum and dad really going?' '-Hey! What are you talking about, I can keep a secret just fine Adam!' Jo snapped. 'And sorry dear, but yes. It was supposed to be a surprise,' she narrowed her eyes at James. 'But your parents took three days off from the order to come and spend a few days in Spain with us. They're staying in a apartment with me and Adam and then you and James will have a smaller one to yourselves.' 'I have to stay in a room with Marlene?' James stuck his tounge out. 'Hey, hey, feelings?' Marlene laughed. 'But don't worry James, we can stay up later and drink firewhiskey and butterbeer and have parties and-' 'There will be nothing of the sorts!' Adam laughed, although it sounded like he was only half joking. 'Yes da-ad.' Marlene rolled her eyes. 'So shall we go?' Jo asked. 'The nightbus comes down in three minutes.' 'Hang on,' both James and Marlene said, running off. 'Bye mate!' James clapped Remus on the back and waved to Peter. 'What happened to Sirius?' 'His parents dragged him off already? Happy days yeah?' 'Ah well. But send me an owl on full moon yeah?' 'Keep your voice down!' Remus glared at him. 'But yeah mate, I will do! Take care!' Marlene meanwhile was giving her goodbyes to Alice and Mary. 'See you in a week babe!' Alice grinned. 'Send me owls yeah?' 'Of course!' Marlene grinned. 'Only at evening send me owls,' Mary smiled. 'The muggles might find it strange if a owl comes flying past a whale with an envelope. Bye!' And with that, her and Alice left with their parents, leaving Marlene with Lily. 'So,' Marlene looked at the floor. 'See you in a week.' 'Yeah.' 'I just want you to know Lily,' she looked her directly in the eye. 'I value our friendship more than anything and I've thought about everything. And, to be honest, I still don't know but...' 'Mail me when you figure it out,' Lily smiled slightly, waving as she walked off. Leaving Marlene to drag her feet back to the Potters. 'Ready to go to Spain Marly?' Adam smiled at his god-daughter. 'I guess.' She replied, glumly. 'Cheer up Marlyyyyyy,' laughed Jo. 'We're going to Spain.' 'LAS VEGAS BABY!' Marlene yelled. 'Wrong place Marlene,' James muttered, ignoring the stares from the wizards at the station. 'What? Not my fault, I heard a muggle say it once on that telly thing?' 'Sweetie you really need to look at more maps,' Jo shook her head. 'We'll get you one for your birthday,' Adam laughed. 'Come on lets go!' And with that, Jo grabbed James' hand and Adam Marlene's and they apparated to the Potter mansion. Now the description that Alice and Mary gave of the Potter mansion, to be honest, was an understatement. From the front, it looked simply like a big, white house. Probably of a rich couple, bigger than most and extremely well kept. The house was huge, white and stood behind a lawn of cherry trees. There were others, such as banana, and apples because Jo Potter was very fond of muggle smoothies, made by house elves who could do it without the hassle of a smoothie maker. There was a path, well, more a driveway really, that lead up to the front door, which spread out into a kind of crazy paving patio. There was a fold up table and chairs that house elves were sitting on, drinking lemonade and eating cookies. To anybody who knew them, it was a well known fact that the Potter's hired multicultural house elves, and although they didn't pay them, had built a basement just for them which inbuilt showers, bedrooms and living areas. As soon as they saw Mr and Mrs Potter, the elves stood up and bowed slightly. 'Master Adam-' '-Mistress Joanna-' '-Master James-' '-Miss Marlene-' They all chorused a hellos and clumsily stumbled back to the table, fetching four clean glasses and pouring out lemonade, as well as handing out some cookies which appeared on a plate. 'Thank you Wendy, Sabrina, Lea. Have you fetched the suitcases down from our rooms?' Jo asked, smiling, taking a sip from her lemonade. 'Of course Mistress Joanna,' a small elf squeaked. 'Good good, what about a case for Marlene?' 'Miss Marlene has been provided for!' Sabrina grinned toothily, snapping her fingers as four large suitcases and four rucksacks appeared on the driveway next to Adam. 'Brilliant, right on scheduele. Please can you perform the spells Lea?' 'Yes Master Adam!' Lea chuckled and muttered something under her breath. Now Marlene had seen this before, but it never ceased to amaze her. As soon as the spell was complete, the house turned a dullish grey colour, and shrunk. To the size of a very small council house. With grimy windows, a peeling paint door and window pains worn right down. Nobody would've guessed it was secretly the home of one of the most famous and rich wizarding families in England. The only thing that remained was the door mat, althought that had also changed shape and become more faded. 'Thank you Lea!' Jo smiled at the little elf, who blushed. 'M y pleasure, mistress Joanna! Now you should hurry to your holiday apartments, you don't want to be late.' 'Of course, remember, protective spells everywhere, there's more food in the pantry if you run out and there's always more money in the jar under the sink if you need any essentials! Now hurry along!' And with that, the three elves scuttled towards the doormat, lifted it up as well as a loose paving stone, and jumped down a chute. 'Such kind creatures,' Jo laughed. 'Now let's go to Spain.' 'But what about Hannah?' Marlene asked suddenly, aren't we supposed to be having lunch with her.' 'You didn't tell her?' Adam frowned. 'Oh yeah,' James awkwardly looked at the floor. 'Hannah's Spanish.' And that was the last thing I heard, before Jo grabbed my arm, and we disappeared with a crack. Hi guys! So that is chapter 14? (I can't count that well XD). Not even kidding, I had such a freak out earlier because I logged onto the wrong account on the laptop where only 8 chapters of the story were. I've got quite a number of followers and favourites now so thank you very much! It means a lot that that many of you read my shocking stories. Chapter 15 will be up probably Friday night because I am off on holiday next Saturday so when I come back there will be 2 new chapters for you! Stay special! ;) :) xoxo