Chapter 4 - The Article

On her way to breakfast on Monday morning, Marinette found Alya waiting for her near the doors to the Great Hall. Her best friend was clutching a roll of parchment in her hands, looking troubled.

'Hey, Alya. What've you got there?'

'Marinette – you've chosen a good day not to be late for once.'

Marinette ignored Alya's jibe at her usual tardiness and pointed to the paper in her hands. 'What is that?'

'It's today's Daily Prophet.' Alya wasn't meeting her eyes. 'You really ought to read it before going in there.' She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder towards the Great Hall, from which smells of delicious food wafted. Marinette's mouth watered; however she knew that breakfast would have to wait.

'Alya…what aren't you telling me?'

'There may or may not be an article about Adrien.'

'So? That's nothing new.' Marinette knew she wasn't getting the full picture here. She held out her hand and Alya handed over the paper, looking apprehensive. Something was clearly the matter. Knowing that she'd rather find out than stay in the dark, she unfurled the paper and began to read.

Romance at Hogwarts?

It's been five months since teen heartthrob Adrien Agreste swapped modelling and photoshoots for homework and timetables, and he seems to have already found a girlfriend, writes Nadja Chamack, chief reporter of the Daily Prophet. On Saturday, keen-eyed fans saw him enter and leave the Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade with a girl, and the pair were last spotted running away hand-in-hand. The girl in question has since been identified as muggle-born Marinette Dupain-Cheng, one of Adrien's fellow fifth-year students. Nobody knows where the pair ended up but they are believed to have spent the afternoon in each other's company before returning to Hogwarts together. But who is the mysterious Marinette? We asked some of Hogwarts' students and staff to find out more.

'What any of my students get up to on the weekends is their business, as long as they aren't breaking any school rules. I refuse to comment further.' – Caline Bustier, Charms Professor and Adrien's Head of House

'Dupain-Cheng!? She can't possibly be Adrien's girlfriend, because he's dating me! We've been best friends since we were toddlers, we were always going to end up falling in love.' – Chloe Bourgeois, daughter of Minister for Magic Andre Bourgeois

'Marinette is a mighty fine Quidditch player. I'll be surprised if she doesn't make it big as a professional Chaser.' - Anarka Couffaine, Flying instructor at Hogwarts

'Marinette's so lovely! She and Adrien are made for each other, they'd be a perfect couple!' – Rose Lavillant, one of Adrien's classmates

'Adrien and Marinette are both excellent students, predicted to achieve top grades in their O.W.L.s. Marinette is also an exceptional Chaser and prefect. That is all I can say about them.' – Professor D. Damocles, Headmaster of Hogwarts

A little more digging revealed that Marinette is indeed a very keen Quidditch player. In fact, Miss Dupain-Cheng is the youngest muggle-born student ever to become a Chaser at Hogwarts, having joined the Gryffindor team at the beginning of her second year. So what is going on between this pair, and what attracted Adrien to Marinette? Was it her Quidditch prowess or her status as a school prefect that drew him in? Or perhaps, if Chloe is telling the truth, Adrien has multiple girlfriends? Stay tuned for more information.

'Multiple girlfriends?' Marinette spat in disgust. She could handle people saying negative things about her, but about Adrien? Over her dead body. 'Who is this Nadja Chamack anyway? What does she know about anything?'

'She writes bogus articles about people to try and keep her readers interested,' Alya told her. 'It's a load of rubbish. When I'm chief reporter of the Daily Prophet, I'll write about things that are actually worthwhile. Important things like endangered magical creatures, what's going on at the Ministry, dark wizard sightings. Stuff that people actually need to know, not garbage like this that belongs in a gossip magazine.'

'That's my BFF,' said Marinette, slinging an arm round her shoulder. She snorted with laughter. 'To think they interviewed our teachers about our love lives. Even Headmaster Damocles! Talk about embarrassing!'

'Talk about desperate, interviewing Chloe,' laughed Alya.

'You're just jealous!' said a snooty voice that they'd recognise anywhere. They rolled their eyes at each other.

'What do you want.' Alya said monotonously as they turned to face their nemesis.

'To know what Dupain-Cheng was doing with my Adrien in Hogsmeade on Saturday,' Chloe fumed.

'None of your business,' Alya told her.

'Adrien doesn't belong to anyone,' declared Marinette, 'Especially you. Everyone knows by now that you're not his girlfriend, so give it up already.'

'That's why you need to back off, baker-girl,' Chloe threatened, taking a step closer. 'If nobody else puts you in your place, I will.'

'Oh yeah? And what are you going to do?' Alya retaliated.

'Everything all right, mateys?' Professor Couffaine had appeared, and beneath her kind exterior was a firm undertone which told them they were close to getting in trouble if they kept arguing.

'Yes, Professor,' said Marinette, not taking her narrowed eyes off Chloe. 'We're just going to breakfast.'

'Hurry along, then. You don't want to be late for your first class.'

She disappeared off towards the teachers' table and Chloe threw Marinette one last look of poison before following. Marinette was about to make for the Gryffindor table when Alya grabbed her arm.

'We don't have to go in there. Want to raid the kitchens instead?'

Marinette hesitated. That did sound tempting. But she shook her head.

'No. If people are going to gossip, hiding away will only prolong that. Besides…' She couldn't deny that there was a certain excitement…a certain thrill that came with knowing that people would be talking about her and Adrien. 'I've done nothing wrong.'

'That's my girl. Come on, then. I'm starving.'

Adrien.

I am deeply concerned to read in the news that you are dating a muggle-born girl by the name of Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I sincerely hope this is not true and that you know better than that. You have the Agreste name to uphold, after all. Do not make me regret the decision to send you to school instead of continuing your lessons with Nathalie.

Signed,

Your Father

'Everything okay, dude?' Nino's voice stirred Adrien out of his thoughts.

'Huh? Oh, yes, Nino. Everything's fine.' Adrien crumpled the letter up and stuffed it into his pocket. Everything was not fine, but he would tell Nino when they had a bit more privacy. The breakfast table wasn't the place, especially when people were already gossiping about him and Marinette. 'Thanks, Nooroo. Here you are.' He took out some owl treats and gave them to the owl perched on the table in front of him, who nuzzled his hand affectionately before flapping his wings and taking off.

Nino still knew that something was worrying him.

'Everything's not fine, is it?'

'Well…' Adrien pushed his toast around his plate with his fork. For once, his appetite had deserted him. 'Do you think she's okay? Marinette, I mean.'

'You'd have to ask her. But Marinette's tough. She's used to people talking about her, what with Quidditch and all.'

'She's used to people talking about her at school. But the entire Wizarding World reads the Daily Prophet. Now they'll all know her name and it's because of me.' Adrien shook his head. 'I really want to know if she's all right.'

'Well, how about you ask her now?' Adrien looked up and followed Nino's eyes to where Marinette and Alya had just walked in. Marinette's head was held high, a look of calm defiance on her face. He watched as the two friends nodded before parting ways, and heaved a sigh of relief as Marinette seated herself down at the Gryffindor table and started helping herself to croissants and jam as if nothing was wrong.

'She seems okay,' Adrien observed, his nerves ebbing a little. 'But I'll feel better when I've talked with her.'

'I'll talk with Alya, too,' Nino promised him. 'She'll give me the low-down.'

'Thanks, Nino. I appreciate it.' Adrien glanced in Marinette's direction and she looked up at just the right moment. They shared a shy smile. Adrien jerked his head towards the Entrance Hall, hinting that they should talk there when breakfast was over. Marinette smiled and nodded.

The rest of breakfast seemed to last forever. Adrien bolted his food, which was difficult with the stress building inside him, told Nino he would see him in class and power-walked out of the Great Hall. He watched Marinette say goodbye to her Gryffindor friends and do the same. She hurried over to him and then stopped to catch her breath.

'Adrien. Hey.'

'Marinette.' Adrien placed his hands firmly on her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. 'Are you okay? Have you seen the article?'

'Yes and yes. I'm fine, Adrien. You don't have to worry about me. I mean, I appreciate it, don't get me wrong…'

'Thank goodness. I'd hate for you to be made to feel uncomfortable. And all because of me.'

'Hey. It's not your fault people have nothing better to talk about.'

'I feel terrible though. This is what I meant when I said that unwanted attention is the price that comes with being my friend.'

'And I told you – I'm not scared. I don't have to worry about what my parents will think because they don't read the Daily Prophet. They can spread rumours that I'm your girlfriend…but I've been called much worse. Mostly by Chloe.'

'Speaking of which…' Adrien frowned. 'I need to have words with Chloe. She needs to stop telling people she's my girlfriend. I hate dishonesty.'

'Me too.' A look of disgust crossed Marinette's face. 'The nerve of that reporter, suggesting you have multiple girlfriends when you don't even have one. It's disgusting.'

'It is.' Adrien sighed. 'Next time I see Nadja, I'll set her straight about that.'

'Nadja? You know her?' Marinette supposed she shouldn't be surprised that Adrien was on first-name terms with the reporter. 'That's even worse. Anyone who has met you should know better.'

'I don't think she really thinks those things. She's under pressure from her bosses to write something entertaining.'

'But it's not true.'

Adrien shrugged.

'That's life in the spotlight.'

'Still. You don't deserve that, Adrien. You're so nice and sweet. I mean...' Her cheeks bloomed with colour. 'I mean…uh…' A change of subject was in order. Luckily, there was something she had to do…although she didn't want to do it.

'I should, er, probably give this back.' She took his scarf out of her bag.

'Oh…me too! I've still got yours.' He pulled out her Gryffindor hat and scarf. 'I guess we…forgot to swap back.'

'Yes. Absolutely. It completely slipped my mind.'

'Mine too.'

They eyed each other up, each unsure if the other was being truthful. Then, very reluctantly, they swapped back their clothes.

'Um, there you go.'

Their hands brushed together.

'I'll hold you to that promise of making me a hat like yours.' Adrien winked. So much for a change of subject that wouldn't get her all flustered.

Just then, Alya and Nino walked out of the Great Hall together.

'Did you know that Alya wants to be chief reporter of the Daily Prophet when she's older?' Marinette asked. He looked at her curiously.

'Um, no, I didn't. That's kinda cool.'

'Yeah. She says she wants to write the truth about people.'

Adrien smiled.

'Actually, that doesn't surprise me at all. Maybe one day she'll write the truth about us.'

'…Us?'

'Yeah. You and me.'

Marinette gulped at the way his green eyes bore into her.

'You…and me?'

'Mmm-hmm.'

Marinette's brain seemed to have stopped working.

'I…uh…right…yeah. Well…oh dear, I'm late for class! Bye!'

She made a dash for it. Adrien chuckled. She was so adorable.

That evening, Marinette settled herself at a table in the library and opened The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5. She knew it was going to be hard to get any studying done, what with all the excitement with a certain very handsome blond, but she had to at least try. She had a mountain of homework to get through.

After about an hour of quill scratching against parchment, she had what was shaping up to be a fine essay for Charms class. She was sure Professor Bustier would give her at least an Exceeds Expectations. She was rounding off the conclusion when, inevitably, distraction occurred.

'Is someone…crying?' she whispered to herself. Straining her ears in the quiet library, she was sure she could hear muffled sniffles and whimpers. She glanced around to see who could be making the noise. There were a few clusters of older students, but none of them seemed to be crying. Also, nobody seemed to be showing any concern about who was making the noises, too absorbed in their whispered discussions to have noticed. Frowning curiously, she got up and followed the sound.

It seemed to be coming from the other side of one of the bookshelves. Marinette tiptoed over to it and pulled one of the books out, hoping against hope that her clumsiness wouldn't betray her now. Luckily it didn't, and she peeked through the gap. Seated at a desk was a little girl, who was gulping down tears and wiping her nose on the sleeves of her Hogwarts robes. She must have been a first or second-year. Marinette thought she looked a bit like a younger Alya. The desk was covered in scrunched-up paper. Marinette's heart lurched. She felt so sorry for the poor child that even all thoughts of Adrien were driven out of her mind. Poor thing, she thought. I have to help her.

She quickly bundled up her essay and belongings into her bag and made her way round the bookshelf to the little girl's desk. She hesitated, then gently cleared her throat.

'Hi there.'

The girl looked up. Her eyes were red and puffy.

'Who are you?' she sniffed.

'I'm Marinette. Would you like to tell me what's wrong?'

The girl looked at her curiously.

'M-Marinette? But then you're…' She shook her head. 'Doesn't matter.'

Marinette wondered what the girl meant. She probably recognised her name from Nadja Chamack's article – people had been talking about nothing else all day. Oh, well. She wasn't going to let herself worry about that now.

'If you tell me, I can probably help,' she said in her kindest voice. 'I'm a prefect, you know. It's what I do.'

'B-b-but…' The girl's eyes fell on the red-and-gold badge glinting on her robes. 'I'm in Ravenclaw. I've n-never met you.'

'Doesn't matter. A prefect's job is to help anyone in need. Now…' Marinette gestured to the desk covered in scrunched-up pieces of parchment. 'What's all this about, then?'

'Transfiguration homework. I can't get it right and it's due tomorrow. Professor Mendeleiev is gonna be so mad.'

'Hey, that's not true. Professor Mendeleiev can seem scary, but she's really quite approachable and she's all right once you get to know her.' Tears were still streaming down the girl's cheeks. Marinette decided she'd better help her stop crying before going any further. She knew she'd seen a box of tissues on the librarian's desk, which had been vacant while she'd been studying. She took out her wand, flicked it, and whispered 'Accio tissues'. A few moments later the box zoomed into her hand.

'There you are.'

The girl blinked in surprise.

'Won't you get in trouble?'

Marinette shrugged.

'Maybe. But that's not for you to worry about.' She held out the box of tissues and the girl took a fistful. She wiped her teary eyes and blew her runny nose.

'Better?'

'Better.'

'Good. Now, what's the homework about? What do you have to do?'

The girl sniffed.

'I have to practise Switching Spells. And then I have to write a bit about them. But so far it hasn't worked for me.'

'Ah, well that's not so bad.'

'I'm going to make a fool of myself in front of the whole class. Everyone will laugh.'

'Not if I have anything to say about it.' Marinette noticed two rather odd-looking items on the desk. One was box-shaped with a thick layer of grey fur. The other looked like a jewellery box – metal with little coloured jewels – except it was rat-shaped.

'I'm guessing these are the two items you are trying to switch? A rat and a jewellery box?'

The girl nodded miserably.

'The rat's mine – her name's Mullo. As you can see…the switch didn't quite work out.'

'Well, not to worry. The first thing we'll do is fix this.' She took out her wand again. 'Reparifarge.'

The items transformed before their very eyes. The box lost its fur and regained its metallic jewelled surface, and the rat became a normal rat once more. The girl stroked its head.

'Sorry, Mullo. I'll get it right eventually.' The rat nuzzled her fingers with its whiskers.

'That's good,' Marinette encouraged. 'The animal needs to trust you and feel comfortable with you. It's not easy transfiguring an animal that's trying to make a run for it.'

'Can you show me how you do a Switching Spell?' the girl asked.

'Of course.' Marinette pointed her wand at the rat and jewellery box. 'Shifus modus.'

The rat and jewellery box instantly swapped and changed into each other. The girl's eyes widened in awe.

'Wow. That looked so perfect.'

'Thanks. Now you have a go.'

The girl hesitated.

'It'll be fine. Just give it a try, and if it doesn't work, we'll just try again.'

'Okay.' She took a deep breath. 'Shifus modus.'

Nothing happened.

'Shifus modus,' she repeated, slightly louder.

This time, the result was similar to before – the items began to transform into each other and got stuck halfway. The girl facepalmed.

'Ugh. Not again.'

Marinette frowned thoughtfully.

'Hmm…your pronunciation sounds okay. Can you show me again so I can watch your wand movement? That might be it.'

She shrugged.

'Okay.'

After three more unsuccessful attempts, Marinette had decided what was the matter.

'I don't see anything wrong with your technique at all. So, I think the only problem is…you don't believe in yourself.'

The girl blinked her big hazel-brown eyes in surprise.

'That's all?'

'Think about it. What do you expect to happen when you cast the spell?'

She frowned.

'That I mess it up again.'

Marinette slapped the desk, not caring about making too much noise in the library.

'There you go. If you expect yourself to fail, you will. But if you believe you can really do it, you will.' She leaned in closer. 'I'll let you into a secret. I used to have the same problem.'

The girl's eyes widened.

'Really?'

'Yeah. I'm muggle-born, you see. When I first came to Hogwarts, I had people like Chloe telling me I wasn't a real witch. And for a while, I believed it. And so, when I tried casting spells I expected nothing to happen because I was afraid they'd made some sort of mistake letting me in here. But with the help of my friends Alya and Socqueline, and the teachers, I started to believe in myself. And I think you can too.'

'That…that sort of makes sense.'

'So…ready to try again?'

'Yes. This time, I'll try and believe I can do it.' She pointed her wand once more at the rat and the jewellery box. 'Shifus Modus.'

This time, the two objects very nearly transformed into each other. The jewellery box had whiskers and the rat had a tiny jewel on its nose.

'Hey, that was better!' The girl's face lit up. 'I was so close!'

'Totally! That was much better.' Marinette smiled, before removing the spell once more. 'You said you'd try to believe. You think this time you can really believe you can do it?'

'I can. Shifus Modus!'

The rat and jewellery box transformed perfectly into each other.

'I did it!' she exclaimed, and then looked nervously around, remembering that they were supposed to be quiet. Then she caught Marinette's eye and they both giggled.

'Well done! That was awesome! I would suggest you do it again but I think poor Mullo's had enough for one day.'

'I think you're right.' The girl slipped the rat into her pocket. 'I'll give her lots of cheese when I get my to my dorm.'

Marinette realised she was still missing one vital piece of information.

'I never asked you what your name is,' she said. The girl smiled.

'It's Manon.'

'Well, Manon, I'm sure you'll be just fine tomorrow. You can show Professor Mendeleiev just how great you are at Switching Spells.'

'Thanks to you. You're a lifesaver, Marinette.'

'No problem. I'm glad I could help.'

When Marinette had said goodbye to Manon, gathered up her own things and begun to head for the door, she found her way blocked by Veronique, the school librarian, who was looking stern.

'Miss Dupain-Cheng. You made more noise than I would have liked and you stole my tissues. However…' Her eyes softened as Marinette opened her mouth to apologise, then closed it again. 'You did it to help a student in need. Ten points to Gryffindor.'

'Oh…thank you!' Marinette gushed.

'I will be informing your Head of House of your good deeds. Just be sure not to take items from my desk again without asking first.'

'Yes, of course. I understand.'

'Now be on your way.'

Marinette practically skipped out of the room and back to Gryffindor Tower. Perhaps, if things didn't work out as a professional Quidditch player or a wizard fashion designer, she would have a home at Hogwarts as a teacher.

February soon arrived.

And one morning, it brought another surprise. When the fifth-years had taken their seats in Transfiguration, Marinette and Alya together as usual, there was an interruption in the form of another teacher bursting into the room.

'Fifth-year students, don't be blue, for I have got some news for you!' she sang.

Everyone stared, intrigued.

'Good morning, Professor Nightingale,' Professor Mendeleiev said stiffly. 'I trust that this announcement won't take up too much of our valuable time?'

Professor Nightingale just laughed.

'I tell you and then I'll go away. I'm planning an event for Valentine's Day!'

This, of course, produced a mixed bag of reactions. Some students groaned or rolled their eyes. Others frowned curiously. Marinette, however, sat bolt upright, exchanging a delighted glance with Alya.

'Very well. Tell us all about it, then.' Professor Mendeleiev sounded like she wanted this over with as soon as possible.

'It'll be a day full of love, laughs, and fun! You can send a gift, there's lots to be done. A card or some flowers, chocolates too! Signed or anonymous, it's up to you!'

Signed or anonymous…Marinette thought to herself. Hmmm…

'Is that all?' Professor Mendeleiev asked. She didn't look too hopeful.

'One more thing, then I'll leave you be. You need to send your Valentines to me. On February 13th, by the end of the day, then I'll send them on their way.' Professor Nightingale danced around the room as she spoke, stopping by each desk. Marinette and Alya giggled when it was their turn.

'Indeed. I'm sure we're all very excited about that,' said Professor Mendeleiev in a robotic voice. 'Well, if that's all…'

'Yes. I now need to go and keep spreading the word. I hope to soon see some of you lovebirds!' She twirled and spun out of the door, leaving behind a trail of magical sparkles.

As soon as they were set to work practising their spells, it took about half a second for Alya and Marinette to begin gossiping about Valentine's Day.

'How exciting is that?' Alya declared, her eyes sparkling. 'I love Professor Nightingale.'

'Me too,' said Marinette. 'Part of me wishes I'd taken Divination just so I could have classes with her.'

'Same here. Although I could never deal with gazing into a crystal ball. I prefer real-life facts.'

'That's true. You'd go crazy after one lesson. Not to mention the rhyming would drive you round the bend.'

'Uh, totally.'

'Sooooo…' Marinette elbowed her best friend playfully. 'Are you going to send something super-sweet to Nino?'

'You bet I am, girl. But hey, Nino and I are old news. Don't you try to distract me from the Erumpent in the room.'

'Which is?' Marinette's grin gave away that she knew the answer.

'What are you going to send to Hot Stuff? It's high time you confessed those feelings of yours.'

'Well…I like the sound of the anonymous card thing. I could send something to Adrien and he won't even have to know it's from me!'

Alya put her hands on her hips. She did not look impressed.

'And what would be the point of that?'

'If he doesn't like it, he never needs to know that I sent it!'

'You do realise half the student body is going to send Valentines to Adrien? But I'm willing to bet there's only one person he's going to want one from. You!'

'But whenever I do try to confess, something goes wrong,' Marinette pointed out. 'It's best if he doesn't know, at least not to start with. If he loves it, I'll come clean, I promise.'

Alya considered her with narrowed eyes.

'Pinkie swear?'

'Pinkie swear!'

They linked their little fingers and shook on it. Then Professor Mendeleiev glanced their way with a frown, and they hastily drew their wands, opened their textbooks, and got to work.

Marinette flopped back on her bed, which currently resembled Manon's desk when it had been covered in scrunched-up paper. Who knew it would be this hard to write a love poem?

She knew that something short and sweet would do the trick. Adrien didn't need to know all the details of her love for him, like the fact that she wanted to marry him and have three kids and a Puffskein. That would just creep him out, especially since he wouldn't know who had sent it. It really didn't have to be this complicated. And yet nothing she'd written so far had felt right.

'Whoa…what happened here?' Alix and Ondine had entered and were looking in confusion at the balls of parchment strewn all over Marinette's bed.

'Looks like one of your books exploded, Marinette,' said Alix.

'Struggling with homework?' Ondine asked.

Marinette shook her head miserably.

'No. I'm trying to write a love poem for Valentine's Day next week. But I'm not very good at it.'

'Oooh, okay.' Ondine came and sat on the bed, while Alix hung back. 'I can help if you like.'

'If I had a crush on someone,' Alix told them, 'I wouldn't bother with a cheesy poem. I'd just tell them I liked them. But…I know that's not your strong point, Marinette.'

'No,' agreed Ondine, 'But an anonymous Valentine poem is much more romantic than that. The element of mystery makes it super exciting! Plus it gives you an out if the person doesn't like it.'

'I'm so glad you agree!' Marinette beamed. Alix still didn't look convinced.

'Adrien knows you well enough by now to guess that it's from you,' she pointed out. 'And I'm guessing you sent him a Christmas card this year?'

'Well, Alya and I think that enough people will send Adrien Valentines that he won't know which is from me. And what does a Christmas card have to do with it?'

'He'll know your handwriting. You'd better get someone else to do it. Someone Adrien doesn't know very well.'

'Gosh, you're right! Will you do it, Ondine?'

'Of course I will. But first we need to actually write this poem!' Ondine declared.

'I'll leave you guys to it,' Alix told them, shaking her head fondly before leaving the room. Marinette and Ondine had a little giggle.

'Do you mind if I have a look at what you've done already?'

Marinette sighed.

'Go on. You might as well.'

Ondine reached for one of the scrunched-up pieces of paper and unfolded it.

'Hmm…this is all very romantic, but do you really want to tell Adrien that you have three suns in your heart? He might not know what that means. I don't know what that means.'

'Yeah, you're right. I need to stick to things that make sense. Maybe simple is the way to go.'

'Exactly! That always works for me and Kim. Get straight to the point of what you're saying. Like you said, Adrien will probably get lots of Valentines. So yours needs to stand out, get his attention.'

'Did I hear something about Adrien and Valentines?'

Socqueline poked her head around the doorway. She'd clearly been on her way to her own dormitory when she'd caught a snippet of their conversation.

'Yep,' said Ondine. 'Marinette's writing a love poem.'

'Oooh, how exciting.' Socqueline scurried over and dropped onto the bed beside them. Then she noticed the mess. 'Oh…yikes. I guess you're not having too much luck.'

'I've been overthinking it,' Marinette decided. 'Ondine's right, I need to get to the point.'

'Okay…' Socqueline scratched her head. 'Think about all the things you love about Adrien and the way you feel about him. And then channel Professor Nightingale and make it rhyme!'

'Hmm…I love his hair and his eyes. And I can't help but wonder what he wants. What it is exactly that would make him truly happy. A better relationship with his dad? Going on a date with me? I just want to know.'

'Awww.' Socqueline clapped her hands excitedly. 'That sounds adorable. If you end up dating Adrien, will you introduce me? I'm a huge fan. Not as big as you, clearly...' She grinned as she glanced upwards at the many pictures of Adrien pinned to Marinette's four-poster. 'But I'd like to meet him.'

'Of course, Socqueline. You've done so much for me over the years. It would be the least I could do.' They hugged. Ondine smiled.

'Adrien is pretty cool. So, are you feeling more confident about the poem now?'

'Yes.' Marinette planted her hands on her hips. 'I'm ready to write it.'

'We'll leave you to it then. And when you're ready, I'll copy it out for you.'

After more giggles, Socqueline and Ondine left Marinette with her parchment and quill. She dipped the tip into the inkpot on her nightstand and began to write…