I really hope you enjoy this chapter... It's got a few of our favourite hogwarts students in it...

Chapter 4:

Marlene was spending a few weeks with her grandmother as both her parents were working. Her parents were unspeakables and so she knew very little about what they did at the ministry. She did know however, that the hours were ridiculously long. Marlene was sat in the living room reading a novel. Her grandmother had encouraged her to use her time wisely, insisting that she read for at least an hour each day. Marlene found it rather tedious. There was a knock at the front door and Marlene could hear her grandmother's house elf speaking to someone on the front step, "Please come in Mrs Potter."

Marlene turned over the corner of her book and placed it on the table next to her, glancing up at her grandmother who was sewing by magic whilst reading the paper. "Mrs Potter is here, mistress." The house elf said to the aged woman.

"Oh lovely. Do let her in won't you." The old woman smiled.

Mrs Potter made her way into the room, followed closely by her son, James. "My dear, it's so good to see you!"

"Thank you Dorea," she smiled, "you are always so kind."

"How is your family? Your son and his wife?" Dorea asked as she took a seat. James chose to sit next to Marlene.

The adults delved into conversation whilst the two twelve year olds smiled at one another, "you have no idea how much I miss Hogwarts." Marlene whispered.

"I can only imagine!" James laughed, "fancy a walk?"

"oh, I'd love one," Marlene turned towards her grandmother, "Gran, excuse me, me and James were thinking we would go for a walk. Is that ok?"

"Yes of course dear. Just be careful."

James and Marlene made their way outside. "Have you heard much from the others?" James asked.

"Not much. Lily is bored stiff – just like me – but it won't last. She's going to France for a week. She wrote me this morning to ask if I wanted to spend a weekend at hers when she gets back."

"That will be nice," James smiled, "I bet you miss them. I can't believe how much I miss the marauders."

"Yeah, I do. It'll be good to see them." Marlene smiled. "Have you heard much from the boys?"

"Not loads. Sirius is at home with his family. He doesn't sound too happy. I think him and Regulus, his brother, are fighting."

"It must be really hard for him coming from a family of Slytherins."

"Yep. Sucks." James sighed. "Are you bored staying with your gran? When we walked in you looked like you were dying of boredom."

"A bit. To be honest, it really is killing me!" James laughed in response. "Thanks James! You could at least be kind about it."

"Kind? Well, I don't live to far away. Ten minute walk at most. Come visit. Any time you like." James smiled. "Is that kind enough?" He winked at the pretty girl.

"Thanks James, but don't go getting any ideas!"

"Oh Marlene, I could never!" He replied, barely keeping his laughter in. "I think Sirius would murder me."

"How do you mean?" Marlene asked, frowning slightly.

"Only that I think he might have a soft spot for you," James said.

"No he doesn't. He's always got some girl or other on his arm," Marlene laughed, "he'd never be interested in me as anything more than friends."

"I wouldn't be so sure." James smiled.

They began to make their way back to the house. They joked about the different pranks the marauders had pulled over the last year and came up with some ideas for their second year. "Do you have any predictions of what will happen in the next year?" James asked.

"I – I don't know," Marlene bit her lip, thinking, "well – Lily will hate you."

"That's a given," James laughed.

"Sirius will have at least ten girlfriends. Alice and Frank will be as cute as ever. You will end up going out with that second year… what was her name?"

"Do you mean Rachael?" James asked.

"Yeah. She's pretty," Marlene commented. "She likes you, which is more than we can say for Lily."

"Why does everyone presume that I like Evans?" James asked angrily.

"You do try and erm, get her attention A LOT!" Marlene replied.

"Maybe, I'll write to Rachael and ask her to be my girlfriend."

"What, just to stop the gossip?" Marlene laughed.

"Maybe…"

When they arrived back at the house, Mrs Potter was ready to go. "Ah, good. You are back. Did you enjoy your walk?"

"Very much," Marlene answered.

"Mother, could Marlene maybe come round for dinner tonight. She could see Mippy. I'm sure she'd love to see a baby house elf." He turned to Mrs McKinnon, "he's so adorable."

"If it is okay with your grandmother, then Marlene of course you are welcome." Mrs Potter smiled.

"Gran?" Marlene asked, excitedly.

"Yes. Yes. Go. Have fun." Mrs McKinnon laughed.

Remus was sat with his mother at the dinner table. It was a full moon so Mrs Lupin was feeling particularly anxious. "Are you sure you will be okay in the forest?"

"Mother, of course I will. It's where I've been hiding out on the full moon ever since I was bitten. Why would it change now?"

"Only because the shack in Hogsmeade, well you could go there if you prefer." In the forest behind their home was a small house with only one room. There was some broken furniture inside that Remus had chewed on timeless times during his transformations. He occasionally would escape the house and roam the forest but no one was ever hurt because the Lupins lived in the middle of nowhere and had placed multiple enchantments around the forest to keep people away from it and one or two to keep him in during his transformation. It was perfectly safe.

"No mother. I will stay." Remus smiled.

Mrs Lupin smiled sadly.

A few hours later, Remus took his potion and made his way to the small house at the centre of the forest. His mother stood at the doorway, watching her son enter the wood, a tear rolling down her cheek. Harry wanted to embrace the woman. Help her in some way but there was absolutely nothing he could do. Instead he watched as she paced the house until the early hours, listening for the tiniest sound from the forest. She pottered, trying desperately to distract herself. She failed. Eventually, she sat in a chair by the fire and fell into a restless sleep. She waited for her son to return to her.

So any comments? Please review.

Next chapter...

Alice and Frank...