Chapter 38: Updates and News

Martyn

Thought I'd write and give you a small update about what's happened over the past few weeks. First things first, we won the cup! Final year and we've done it, I can tell you James is over the moon. I'm so happy and also glad it's over, playing Quidditch and studying for your NEWTs is not a task I recommend doing every year.

I can't wait for the graduation dinner. I've being doing a lot of thinking lately, and I suppose hanging around with Regulus helps as well (although he's currently not talking to me because I accidentally broke his nose as I elbowed him out of the way in a desperate attempt to catch the Snitch), anyway, as I was saying, thinking about what you said, and I wish to hear more and I'm presuming that's partly what this dinner is about. It is going to be just us right? I don't fancy writing my thoughts into this letter, in case it gets intercepted.

I also wish to take you up on the offer to stay in the house, I'll pay rent if you want me to, however my one concern is Alecto Carrow, I was at the house the other day, getting a few notes for my revision for NEWTs and I noticed that my drawers had been searched. I have now locked my room, with a couple of spells and wards, but I'm not sure how adapt Alecto is at Dark Magic and if she'll be able to break them. I assuming it is Alecto as she has a key, although it could be anyone. It's your house and I don't mind what you do with it and who you invite. But my room, is my room, you don't see James or Lily riffling through your drawers (okay so James is a bad example, but we were seven and I won three Sickles for that bet,) so could you please tell your friends to leave my room alone? Thanks.

There isn't anything else to say really, only that I look forward to seeing you after graduation, let me know the time and date and also which restaurant and I'll be there.

Marlene

Marlene put down her pen, and re-read what she had written. With Sirius' approval she had taken Dumbledore's task to heart and started early. The early bird catches the worm; was a favourite saying of Lily's and it came to mind now as Marlene folded the letter and put it in an already addressed envelope. She'll post it in the morning before Double Potions. Looking around the deserted common room, she checked her watch. 02.54, the fire had long since died and everyone else had retired to bed well before midnight. Stretching and stifling a yawn, Marlene contemplated on which dormitory she would go to before finally settling on her own.

It was getting to that stage where she just wanted school to finish, Quidditch was over, all that was left was a long road of studying till their NEWTs. She wanted school to finish so she could completely focus on getting into the Ministry of Magic and helping out the Order. She was getting restless and she knew everyone else felt the same.

Pushing open her dormitory door, she saw that she had the room to herself, both Mary and Rebecca were probably with their respective others.

She had a long day tomorrow, although she only really had four different subjects, all of them were hard going. Arithmancy, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration were all theory based in preparation for their NEWTs, Potions however was self study, perfecting their projects that counted as 60% of their final grade. Setting her alarm clock for just after six, she turned out all the lights and she was a sleep before her head hit the pillow.

The week had zoomed by and before long it was Saturday again and the 7th year Gryffindors were getting ready for a day in the village. James and Sirius had snuck down to the kitchens early that morning and had arranged for the house-elves to make them up a picnic.

Marlene had managed to convince Lily to put down her books and dress appropriately for the rare May sunshine, although Marlene did have to threaten to throw her sun cream off the top of the tower if she took any longer.

"I'm a red head, I burn easily!" Lily had complained when Marlene finally managed to drag her into the entrance hall – she was still applying cream to her nose.

"I'm Scottish, you don't see me getting worried." Marlene stated, stepping out into the sun and stretching out her arms.

James laughed and after Lily had shot jealous looks at her friend the six of them walked to the gates along with the other students, heading for Hogsmeade.

James and Sirius led the way, ignoring anyone who wanted to speak to them or congratulate them on their win the previous week. Marlene knew roughly where they were heading, seen as she'd lived in the village for at least fourteen years. However when they walked passed her house and further up the mountain, to a small stile, she looked almost as bemused as Lily.

"Over the stile, then a half an hour walk up the mountain." James said as he helped Lily over the stile.

"Up the mountain?" she squeaked looking up at it, then down at her flip-flops.

Remus laughed and with a wave of his wand, had transfigured Lily's flip-flops into a pair of Wellington boots.

Marlene cracked up, "Oh please," she gasped, doubled over with laughter. "Why don't you just transform James, and give her a lift?"

James raised an eyebrow. "What about you?"

Marlene shrugged, "Sirius is big enough, I'll ride him."

Five pairs of eyes looked at her and when Marlene realised what she had said she turned a shade of red, bright enough to rival Lily's hair.

"Erm... yeah... up the mountain then?" She stammered, before setting off up the mountain at a brisk walk.

Sirius had gone red as well, but instead of catching up with Marlene, stayed behind everyone else, which left Remus, Peter, James and Lily chuckling in the middle.

Up the mountain they walked, and all of them even the Quidditch players struggled with the climb. At last however they reached a pile of rocks with a narrow fissure. James and Sirius indicated to a flat patch where they set down their bags and conjured picnic blankets and pillows for everyone to collapse on.

Marlene, although still embarrassed managed to meet everyone's eye as she handed out plates and cups. Lily, however couldn't stop smiling whenever she caught Marlene's eye which made Marlene blush again.

"You're looking rather red Marl, sure you don't want to borrow some of my sun cream?" Lily teased as she helped her self to some salad.

Marlene just stuck her tongue out and set about opening some bottles of butterbeer.

After lunch, Remus and Lily fell into old habits, and brought out some books that had escaped Marlene's watchful gaze and started testing each other in preparation for their exams. Peter tried to participate but ended up getting all the questions wrong, and just listening to Remus and Lily fire answers at each other. James, Sirius and Marlene were discussing Dumbledore and Voldemort.

"To be honest, I could just quit school right now and help full time, I'm that desperate to do something." James said quietly so as Lily couldn't hear him.

Sirius nodded in agreement and lay down on the blanket, narrowly missing a sharp rock. "I hate being trapped, not able to help. It's not like we're going to need our NEWTs, working for the Order is a full-time job."

"What happened when Voldemort's gone and the Order gets disbanded?" Marlene asked. "Just thinking about the future," she added when James looked at her curiously.

Sirius shrugged, "Who knows? We might not even be here. . . But ah.. I suppose I could work in the ministry. . . . just for some extra cash. . . ." he added when he saw Marlene's angry look.

"Nice save, mate," James muttered when Marlene had turned around to swat a fly off some éclairs.

"We're all of age, and have been for a year. I'm just getting. . ."

"Broody?" Lily interupted giving her boyfriend a small look that seemed to say finish your exams or you'll have to answer to me.

"Broody?" Marlene asked puzzled, "Isn't that a term used for woman who are getting ready to settle down? I think restless, is more apt term for Mr. Potter over here."

"Broody fits as well, think of the Order as a child, James wants it so badly he'd do anything for it. Women give up careers for children, James is willing to give up his education for the sake of a war."

"You make it sound like we're joining the RAF." Remus commented and Lily burst out laughing.

The pure-bloods among them gave them blank stares but Lily and Remus ignored them. If they wanted to know what the RAF was, they could look it up.

James looked at his watch. "We should head back down. It'll be dark soon and we have duties tonight," he said, standing up and stretching.

The others nodded in agreement and everyone helped to tidy up. However with wands and magic, it only took two seconds.

The trip back down the mountain was easier than the walk up, it only took them fifteen minutes. As they passed, her house, Marlene had the strangest desire to look up at her bedroom window. There, looking down at them, as though he was waiting for them to pass, was Martyn. As soon as he caught Marlene's eye he Disapparated and Apparated in front of them causing Peter to squeal in fright and hide behind Sirius. Who was glad for the distraction, because he looked ready to fight the older wizard.

"Marl, James, I've been trying to get hold of you. I've been up to the castle and everything."

Marlene kept her face passive whilst James stood protectively in front of Lily and raised an eyebrow.

"What's up?" he asked, giving Martyn a small glare.

"It's your father." Martyn said, holding us his hands in a gesture of a truce.

James let go of Lily's arm – he had grabbed it when Martyn had Apparated in front of them. "What?" he asked, slightly stunned by the bluntness of Martyn answer.

"The healer's don't think he'll make it though the night. They sent me to get you."

"Why have you been with Charlus?" Sirius asked, still angry. He wasn't too sure about the man that wanted to convert his girlfriend over to the other side.

Martyn turned to Marlene, his palms spread wide, to show he wasn't armed. "Marl, you know Charlus is like a second father to us. I've been updating James via owl, about how his father is doing. I knew what with NEWTs and Quidditch James couldn't have time off, so I've been with Charlus, but I'm afraid. . . ."

"Sirius, it's fine. Martyn's been doing me a favour." James said stepping towards Martyn. "Lily, Remus, Peter, Sirius tell Dumbledore we won't be long, we don't have time to seek permission. Marl come with me, please."

Marlene nodded and walked over to her brother and James. James looked over at Lily.

"Lils, I am so sorry, I would love to have you there but Marl..."

Lily shook her head. "Don't explain, I understand. I'll let the Professors know." She gave them a reassuring smile. "Everything is going to be OK. I love you." She added giving him a small hug and a kiss, before turning and heading back into the village, Remus and Peter behind her.

"Be careful," Sirius said to them both. "We're thinking of you." Marlene nodded and hugged him goodbye, waving as he hurried down the path to catch up with the others.

James was in shock. Lily had said the L word, he however didn't have time to process it before Martyn was pulling them off the road and telling them the Apparation point closest to St. Mungo's.

A/N: I apologise for the lateness (again) but this is going to be a double whammy, I'm determined to start writing the next chapter now and post them together. I also apologise for the random innuendo in the middle of the story, it just had to be said :D

I've had such a huge writers block for this chapter. I didn't want to write the Quidditch final in as I think it distracts from the main story line, I apologise now if people wanted it in, but there are more pressing matters like Charlus. The letter at the beginning has been written for ages but even as I write this awfully long A/N I still haven't come up with a name for the chapter...

Best go, Pizza is getting cold and chapter 39 awaits :D

Naomi