CHAPTER 21

Lily sat up in bed, and looked around herself, smiling.

She'd been staying at her muggle home for almost ages now. She'd lost track of time. Andrea's wedding had passed in a blur. It was nice, knowing that she could just get a temporary job for the time being and other than that, just relax.

Her eyes fell on the schoolbag in the corner of the room. Ever since she'd been staying home, she'd neglected anything to do with the wizarding world. Her textbooks stayed shut, her wand staying unused, her potion ingredients had been thrown out in fear of them going off. On her desk, there was a stack of letters about a foot high from her friends. She had received one from each of them each day not to mention general post anyway. She couldn't find the heart to throw them away yet she didn't want to open them.

Her owl, Autumn, hooted loudly, and swooped in in the window, clutching a thinner envelope in her beak. Lily frowned, surely her mates wouldn't have had time to send anything yet. Her heart almost stopped when she saw the handwriting. The misshapen yet elegantly scribed letters could only belong to one person; Marlene.

Lily backed away from the letter nervously. She couldn't bear to open the letter yet she knew that under the pressure, she would crack and do it anyway. Probably. Panicking, she ran to the bathroom and ran herself a shower.

Submerged under the water, she tried to think logically. What could Marlene possibly be writing about? Was she returning to Hogwarts? It seemed unlikely, yet so likely at the same time. Marlene had trouble sticking to anything, like the job of an unspeakable, yet Lily knew she wouldn't want to return to Hogwarts. Marlene hated the awkwardness that came with everything. And then there was the whole situation with James.

Petunia hadn't shut up about it, and Lily was too excited that her sister was acting nicely to say anything that might offend her. Urgh. James. What was she going to do? Everything was so complicated. She blushed, suddenly, realising she was thinking about James Potter, in the shower!

In all fairness, she was reluctant to go back to Hogwarts. It made her feel ashamed to think like that as she had felt happiness there many times with her friends and in lessons. Lily enjoyed blossoming rainbow bubbles from her wand and brewing Felix Felicis for Professor Slughorn who had promised to give it to her children should they ever come to Hogwarts.

It was a strange thought, that she, Lily Evans, would ever have children. Let alone that they should go to Hogwarts. Truth be told, she wasn't sure that she wanted to go back. Life was so much simpler at home and she was enjoyed her family's company, Petunia's especially. Plus, she knew that if she went back, Petunia would despise her. Maybe it would be simplier to stay inside the muggle world.

Lily got out of the shower, brushed her hair and her teeth, then went to get dressed. It was frosty morning, although it was to be expected as it was in December. Getting dressed into her waitress clothing, she grabbed a stack of toast from the breakfast table, waved goodbye to her family and walked to the cafe she worked at.

The cafe was already open when Lily got there, and buzzing. Lily's co-worker; Maddie, had baked some gingerbread cookies so the cafe was full of people.

'Morning Lily!' Maddie grinned, offering Lily and gingerbread man, who declined.

'Morning.' Lily mumbled, how was Maddie such a morning person? 'No thanks, I'm not hungry.'

'Okay,' Maddie shrugs, her fingers whizzing over the coffee machine buttons. 'But take one if you do get hungry.'

'Thanks.' Lily grinned back, Maddie's smile was infectious, before striding over to the table at the back where a girl sat, hunched over.

'Hi! Can I take your order?' Lily offered chirpily. The girl lifted her head. 'Wait-Marlene?'

'Can I get a coffee?' She croaked.

'S-sure.' Lily stammered, almost dropping the mug and jug of hot coffee in her hands. 'On the house.'

'Thank you.' Marlene whispered, her eyes filling with tears, but that wasn't what bothered Lily.

Marlene had deteriorated-or so to speak. She'd lost weight she couldn't afford to loose. Her clothes were someone baggy in odd places, giving her an odd look. She was hunched over, but it looked like it was out of habit, one she hadn't had before. Her skin was pale, very pale. It had an almost greying effect. She'd also cut her hair short, it was now in a bob, although the ends were split and it had several purple streaks in it. As she picked up the coffee from Lily, her hands shook so badly. Lily sat down next to her.

'Marlene.' She leaned over towards her ill friend. 'What's going on? What happened to you? Why are you here?'

For a moment, she didn't answer.

'I had to ask you something.'

'Right?' Lily prompted, slightly rudely.

'Can you apologise to Frank and Alice that I won't be at their wedding?'

'What?' Lily sucked in her breath, anxiously. 'Marlene you have to be there.'

'No I can't.' Marlene whispered. 'They won't want me there, not after what I've done.'

'Sweetie,' Lily brushed a strand of hair off of her face. 'Alice and Frank won't care what you've done. They will want you there.'

'No they won't. Plus it will be awkward to see every one else.' Marlene's voice was hoarse, and her eyes were slightly red around the rim, not to mention they were purple and blue underneath.

'Everyone or just someone?' Lily asked, suspiciously. 'Is there one person there you don't want to see?'

Marlene took a shaky breath, then nodded.

'Sweetie who is it? Is it James? Remus? Alice?'

She shook her head slowly.

'It's not for the reason you think it is.' She whispered. 'I can't go back because he'll make me want to stay.'

'Who?' Lily breathed in, nervously.

Marlene shuddered. 'It's Black.'

Lily was stunned. 'But why will he make you want to go back?' Lily asked, already knowing the answer.

'Because I love him Lily.' Marlene whispered, fresh tears pouring down her cheeks.

Lily froze. This comversation sounded familier to the one she and James had had. It was too close, too soon. Wiping her own eyes slightly, she took a deep breath and continued.

'For how long?' She asked, smiling slightly.

'Since the start of seventh year.' She giggled slightly, although it faded off quickly. 'That's why I can't go back.'

And suddenly, Lily understood. That's why James had never backed off, because it was too late. He was just doing everything he could to make sure that he didn't lose her. In the same way that Marlene knew she couldn't go back because she wouldn't want to lose Sirius.

'Lily?' Marlene looked at her, worridly. 'You okay?'

'You're asking me?' Lily chuckled softly. 'I'm fine, but what about you?'

'I don't know.' Marlene shuddered. 'I've not been sleeping, or eating that much.' Another tear escaped her eye. 'They show us things Lily. Unimaginable horrors and the likes. I physically can't sleep. All night I'm plagued by them.'

Lily hugged her there and then. She felt like crying herself, yet she knew that Marlene's mind had been made.

'You could always back out?' She muttered. 'No one would think any less of you.'

'No.' Marlene shook her head. 'Despite the problems, I'm enjoyed this job.' Behind her eyes, she really did mean it. 'It's nice to be near my parents every day. And where we work isn't all that bad. I know so many things, Lily. About the students of hogwarts, the teachers. Everyone.'

'Anything about me?' Lily smiled. She didn't mean to be nosy but she had to.

The effect on Marlene was instantaneous. Her face crumpled in pain and fresh tears sprung from her eyes. 'Lily. Prophecies are weird things. Sometimes, you know when they're going to be true, and that they can't be helped.'

'What's that supposed to mean?' Lily asked, shaking.

'I saw some stuff.'

'Oh no.'

Marlene nodded. 'I can't specifically tell you. But if you guess I may confirm it.'

'You saw me die?'

Marlene looked at her, confirming her suspicions.

Lily felt like crying herself.

'Just three questions.'

'Okay?'

'Was I happy?'

'Yes.' Marlene nodded. 'More so than I've ever seen you.'

'Was I in a relationship?' Lily asked, trying not to cry, biting her lip.

'Yes.' Marlene bowed her head.

'Do I know him already?' Lily asked, her eyes lighting up excitedly.

'Maybe.' Marlene smiled sadly. Lily couldn't see the answers in her eyes.

'Did...d-did I have any children?' Lily's voice cracked, but she forced herself to look Marlene in the eye.

'That's more that three questions.' Marlene laughed sadly. 'I'm breaking the wizarding law here. I could end up tortured by the ministry, or in Azkaban.'

'I do don't I?' She grinned slightly. 'And it's fine, you don't have to answer any more.'

'I would answer every question for you Lily, although at another time, I have to go now.' Marlene smiled sadly.

'Where to?' Lily asked, worried.

'To go and get some sleep.' Marlene smiled, standing up and wrapping her coat around her bony shoulders. 'And Lily?'

'Yes?' Lily picked up her empty coffee cup.

'The wedding is tomorrow, so can you give Frank and Alice this?'

Lily panicked, the wedding was tomorrow. She'd lost track of time. 'Of course Marly.' She smiled sadly. 'Anything.'

And with that, Marlene kissed her on the cheek and hurried out of the coffee shop leaving Lily mentally packing up her things in her head.

A/N: Sorry it's been so long, I've been busy editing my other story on fictionpress. Have a great day! :)