𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒- Marlene McKinnon

𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈.

𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑: 𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈.

December 31st, 1977

The party is already in full swing when Mathilda is ushered through the portrait hole by Marlene. Scattered bottles of muggle beer that Mathilda can only assume are from Andromeda litter the floor. Over the radio, a low voice is giving the nightly news report to the sound of fireworks in the background.

"Thilda!" James says, slinging an arm around her shoulders. He's clearly drunk already, his glasses askew and his hazel eyes glinting.

"Wotcher, James," Mathilda says, trying her best to hold back giggles as she reaches to fix his glasses.

He blinks as his eyes adjust, smiling, before saying, "Thanks."

"Come on," Marlene says, pulling Mathilda further into the common room. "Let's get you a drink."

Sirius stands at the open window, blowing cigarette smoke into the dark sky. On the floor by the fire, Remus and Peter have amassed a pile of chocolate frog cards, searching for ones to add to their collections. Lily is sitting between Mary's knees, letting the other girl braid her red hair.

Dorcas is holding the last of the bottle of Dragon Barrel Brandy, sipping from it easily. She waves at Marlene and Mathilda's approach, holding out the bottle. "There isn't much left," she says. "But you liked it last time."

Mathilda nods. "Thanks," she says, taking a deep drink, savoring in the burn as it trails down her throat.

She lowers to sit across from Lily and Mary, who smile. "Happy new year, Mathilda," Lily notes.

"How was your Christmas?" Mary asks.

They must not know. No one but her, James, and Sirius know that she spent Christmas at the Potter's house, desperately searching for something that could get rid of the mark. She doesn't know what to think about the fact that they haven't told any of the others. Are they doing her a kindness, or are they biding their time, waiting to reveal that Mathilda has made some horrible mistake?

"It was all right," Mathilda says. She swallows hard, glancing between James and Sirius, who don't even seem to care. "I got to see Rabastan, which was... lovely. I saw a few... friends of mine." She picks her words carefully, not wanting to give away exactly how she spent her Christmas holiday.