Unlikely Allies,

Chapter 26

The next week passed in utter and complete normality. It was bliss. Marlene reveled in the normality of being surrounded by her friends, having no visions, and just thinking about school work. Regulus and Severus didn't so much as glance her way, and when she wasn't having fleeting thoughts of Rabbit Lestrange, she could almost forget about the insane twists her life and the lives of some of those around her had taken. Regulus approached her Saturday at the end of breakfast. Wordlessly he passed her a note, then walked away. The interaction was short, but this didn't mean people didn't comment. Sirius's suspicious look from where he sat several chairs down the Gryffindor table beside James, spoke volumes as did Regulus's return hostile glare. Marlene pretended not to notice either. She'd made herself clear to Sirius during their last exchange, and she didn't owe Regulus Black more than she'd already given his fitness. She decided to step outside the Great Hall to read whatever Regulus had given her in private. As she rose, Dorcas muttered something to Lily who waggled her brows at Marlene. "We're trying very hard you know," Lily said.

Marlene frowned. "What?"

"To believe you that you aren't doing something nefarious with Regulus Black."

Marlene laughed, shaking her head. "He's taken, and not by me. I swear it on anything you like."

"Because if you're ashamed to be with someone, that's pretty messed up," Dorcas said with a frown.

Marlene nodded. "I agree. If I were with Black, I may be a bit ashamed because he's a git, but I can't imagine why I'd want to be with him." She shuddered. "The idea is genuinely disturbing."

"So it's necessary secrets," Lily said flatly and Marlene nodded. Well, she didn't know if she was lying or not at this point, having no idea what was in the letter. She did feel a stab of guilt at the sudden worry in Lily's green eyes. "Is everything okay," she asked and Marlene nodded hastily.

"Yes. I promise. You're good. If you follow the plan, things should be perfect," she hastened to assure. Telling the truth felt great. She hurried out into the hall before anyone could ask her anything else. She was eager to see what was in Regulus's note. It was short and to the point, saying that while they were still meeting, it would be later in the evening around eleven at the Hogshead. The Lestranges had a family event come up that would delay them a bit. Marlene thought it was thoughtful of them to have Regulus let her know if that had been the case.

She tossed the parchment into the air. She muttered a charm and watched as it disintegrated. It was a neat little trick her sister had taught her a few years back for disposing of unwanted paper. It sure beat the barbaric Muggle paper shredders that she'd learned of in Muggle studies. "We're going to Hogsmeade now, are you coming?" Dorcas spoke from behind her. There was no reason not to hang with her friends in Hogsmeade for the day, Marlene decided, turning to Dorcas with a smile.

"Yep, I just need a few minutes to get ready." She'd be seeing Rabbit later, so she wanted to look her best.

Dorcas sighed. "How long is a few minutes? I want to get going, and everyone will leave me if I wait on you." Marlene scowled. "But I'll still wait," Dorcas added hastily before Marlene could reply.

Marlene's rising annoyance softened, and she smiled at her best friend. "I can do it in ten minutes. Fifteen tops."

Dorcas pretended to think, gazing consideringly at the ceiling for several seconds before chuckling. "Fine." She followed Marlene back to their dorm, bemoaning their upcoming History Of Magic test as they walked.

"I'll help you study," Marlene promised. "We'll do it tomorrow." She found History Of Magic rather easy and even interesting.

"Really? You're a peach," Dorcas breathed gratefully. Marlene hastily changed into a floor length green velvet dress that she usually wore for the holidays. It hugged her figure and made her feel pretty without being too revealing. If she said she didn't associate it with Rabbit Lestrange's having formerly been in Slytherin, she'd be lying.

"You're all dressed up," Dorcas observed. She quirked a curious brow at Marlene, who was hastily brushing out her long dark hair.

"I just wanted to escape school clothes for a day is all," she said. Well that was true, just not entirely so. "I'm all ready to go. And see? It didn't take that long at all."

"True," Dorcas agreed with a chuckle. "Now let's hurry. Perhaps we can catch up with everyone else!" They rushed from the Gryffindor girls dorm and out of the castle. Though they tore across the grounds, they didn't catch up with everyone else until they arrived in Hogsmeade. Lily, James, Mary, Peter, Remus, and a few others were loitering about, deciding where to go first. "I wanted to look for a few books," Remus was saying.

"But I'm still hungry," James grumbled. "I want ice cream so bad right now."

Mary, Dorcas, Lily and Peter chimed in with their various ideas without truly bothering to listen to one another. Marlene made no comment, as she didn't really care what they did. She was just glad to be out and about in generally good spirits with nothing particularly worrisome happening. She was content to let everyone else decide where to go and in what order. She had no particular place to be until she met everyone at the Hog's Head at eleven that night. They ended up going for ice cream first, and Marlene got a cone though she wasn't really hungry. Being surrounded by all the delicious flavors was just too tempting, though. She got a double scoop of strawberries in cream, and it was delightful. After that, they went to the book store. Lily browsed a bit, but Remus was the one who really wanted to go. Once they were there, Marlene was sucked in by a new rack of books on protections, hexes and curses. Remus was riveted by books on magical transportation for some reason. By the time Marlene selected three books, one on hexes and two on defensive charms,, Remus showed no signs of being done.

"We'll go to the joke shop, then meet you back here, Mooney," James called and Remus made some distracted sound of acknowledgement without looking up. "I think I'll keep looking around here too," Marlene said. She wasn't particularly in the mood for the joke shop. Dorcas sighed, but left with the others without objection. Remus left Marlene alone to browse, which was appreciated. She took the extra time to look over what was stocked in way of divining. Though there was quite a lot from tomes on tarot to scrolls on ancient rune casting, nothing clicked for her. In a way, this was a relief. Her scrying ability was causing enough stress as it was without adding more into the mix.

On the other hand, if she had more tools to work with, every one may be safer, herself included. She sighed, willfully pushing away the worry that rose at that thought. It was groundless for the moment, so there was no reason to give it attention. Sure there was the very real and dangerous shadow of Voldemortness looming, but as there was no direct plan being made yet, there was likewise nothing direct to fear either.

She was bored before everyone returned from the joke shop, so she paid for her books, then went out side to read. Settling down on a bench not far from the shop, she opened the top book on the stack in her bag, but couldn't focus. Instead she wondered what Rabbit was doing and what sort of day he was having...and stupidly if he thought of her at all.

Stupidly because she knew who he was. He was Rabastan Lestrange, the wild rabbit who was not trying to be tied down to any girl. She'd known this and didn't even mind so why these stupid thoughts? Not only did she not mind, she preferred it, because like him, she only wanted a bit of fun with no ties. "Got you!" The voice spoke just as the hand came down hard on Marlene's right shoulder. She let out a shriek and nearly jumped out of her skin. Though she wasn't normally the type to react in such a way, she didn't expect to be grabbed right in front of a shop in the light of day where everyone could see. "God, I didn't mean to scare you," the voice said, then giggled. Marlene felt her heart drop as she let out a sigh of relief and turned to glare at Dorcas.

"You scared the hell out of me!"

"Obviously," Dorcas said, laughing again. "I really didn't expect to get you that good. I guess just being in the joke shop inspired me."

Marlene made a disgruntled sound as she stood, sliding her unread book back into the bag. By then everyone else had caught up to Dorcas, and James was sticking his head into the book store to call for Remus.

"Where to next," Marlene asked, glancing around at everyone.

"We can rest at the Hog's Head for a bit," James said. "I could use a spot of lunch."

"You're hungry already," Lily asked, laughing incredulously.

"Just a very little," James defended, laughing too. It only took ten more minutes to pry Remus from the book store. To Marlene's surprise, when he at last exited, he only carried one book. When they entered the Hog's Head, she heard someone call her name. Turning, she nearly started to see the three Lestranges seated at the bar.

"Our aunt caught a stomach virus thing, so it was called off," Bellatrix called. She sat with Rodolphus's arm draped carelessly over her shoulders. Rabastan sat to Rodolphus's other side, and met Marlene's eyes with a very rabbit like look of startled surprise. When his gaze moved to her friends, he gave a slight shrug and rose from his bar stool to walk out the door without glancing back. Rodolphus followed, leaving Bellatrix standing with an oddly hesitant look on her face.

Rabastan had given Marlene the opportunity to walk away with her school friends without interaction. Considering the risks everyone was facing, that may be wise. Still something on his face had indicated another reason. The tightening around his mouth made Marlene wonder if he feared she believed herself too good to be seen with him or something? Who the fuck knew? At least Bellatrix had waited around to bloody find out. Strolling over to the older witch without looking at Dorcas and the others, Marlene arched her brows. "What was that about," she murmured, nodding in the direction in which Rabastan and Rodolphus had gone.

Bellatrix shrugged, tossing back her hair. "Who the hell knows?" Her lips twitched."If I knew I'd tell you. You didn't bring your guitar," she complained.

"I know," Marlene said regretfully. "I didn't want to lug it around all day."

"Hm."Somehow Bellatrix managed to insert disgruntlement and disappointment into one short sound. "What are you doing now?"

Marlene shrugged. "What are you doing?" she shot the question back out of curiosity, and to give herself time to think. Wouldn't it be nice if people could just make choices without worrying about life altering repercussions? She didn't care if her school friends liked it or not if she hung with the Lestranges. She cared if word got back to Voldemort somehow. None of her friends took tea with him on the daily or anything, but the grapevine had convoluted and subtle ways of carrying news, and she was insightful enough to be well aware of that. If she got Voldemort's attention, there would be problems for all. However, Bellatrix had seen her and spoken. Marlene hadn't wanted to hurt the other woman's feelings by snubbing her, so now what was done, was done.

"I guess finding a party like we always do," Bellatrix said with a chuckle. "We were checking out the area in case you were about first, and here you are. If you want to come along, you're welcome and if not..." At last Bellatrix flicked a glance to the group of Hogwarts students who filled up the other end of the bar from where they stood. Though James was already ordering food, everyone, including him, watched Marlene talking to Bellatrix. "If you already have plans, that's fine. We'll meet up later or whatever."

Marlene shrugged. "I'm here now and you're here, so let's find a party." She found herself smiling on the end of that sentence, because if it involved the Lestranges, it was sure to be memorable. And that was why she'd wanted to get with Rabbit, wasn't it? To have fun. So she was going to do that. "Just let me tell everyone that I'm going," she said, before turning to her school friends. "My evening plans turned up early, so I'll see you lot back at school." There. That hadn't been so hard. It had even come out smoothly and casually, which was the best way, really. It's exactly how she'd have said it if Voldemort weren't involved at all. Everyone gaped at her in wordless shock. Everyone except for Peter, who looked oddly impressed.