It was now time to board the train almost two weeks later. The four of them boarded the train and sat in their usual compartment.

"Well, that was an eventful year." Jaq said.

"It was." Marnie said petting Nixie's fur.

"And next year we have our O. , so I'm going to write up with some schedules for us."

"Really, you know they're going to end up in the trash, Atticus."

The boy shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

A few minutes later, the sweet trolley pulled up to the compartment. They bought their respective favourite sweets and continued chatting.

Around 6pm, they arrived at King's Cross. They walked off the train and went to find their respective parents.

"Mar!" Marley yelled running to greet her sister.

"Hey Marley."

Madison joined them and greeted her sister. As they finished their greetings their parents joined them.

"How was the rest of your school year?" Martin asked his daughters.

The two of them began telling their father about the rest of their school year. They apparated back to their house.

Marnie let Nixie free, she jumped on the bed and found her usual spot. She began unpacking then she was called down for a late dinner. Their traditional return from Hogwarts meal was sausage rolls and beans. She loved her dad's sausage rolls. The family served their plates and began eating.

"So, what do you have planned for the summer?" Maureen asked her daughters.

"Atticus is writing up schedules for studying for our O. , the summer is going to be full of studying."

"That's what you get when your best friend is a nerd but also little bit of a control freak." Madison teased.

"Haven't you said that Hermione is the same way that you observed with Harry and Ron?"

"Yeah, she is."

Martin said. "I have an apprentice coming in a few days."

"So, I'm not good enough to be your apprentice anymore, I'm hurt dad," Marnie teased.

"It's a special favour for a friend of mine."

"Who is that?"

"Your mum."

Marnie said. "Maureen is my mum not the one who abandoned me when I was three."

"Sweetie, she had a reason not a good reason but she'll explain."

Marnie said evenly. "There's no good reason to abandon your daughter then begin contacting her again by the time she's six and already attached to her stepmother!"

"Sweetie -" Martin tried.

Marnie finished her dinner, excused herself from the table and walked to her room. She flopped on her bed scaring Nixie.

"Sorry, girl."

The cat jumped back on the bed and rubbed against her owner for some attention. Marnie picked her up and pet her.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Her stepmum walked in.

"Hey mum."

She smiled at her stepdaughter. "I know you don't want to reconnect with your biological mum."

"I don't."

"Your biological mum and dad raised you until you were three. I was glad to help raise you along with your dad. You became as much my daughter as Madison and Marley."

"I know."

Maureen said. "Just give her a chance. I know she really did love you."

Marnie sighed. "Alright, I'll give her a chance."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Her dad walked in with a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk. Marnie's favourite.

"I brought a peace offering," he chuckled holding out the plate towards out of his daughter.

Marnie took a cookie, dipped it the milk and stuffed it in her mouth.

"Are you feeling better?"

Marnie hugged her dad in response.

"I can understand your hesitation, sweetie."

Marnie nodded. "I'll give her a chance."

"That's my girl."