𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒- Marlene McKinnon

𝐗𝐈𝐈.

𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑: 𝐗𝐈𝐈.

March 26th, 1978

It's the first year Mathilda has spent the Easter holiday at Hogwarts. She wakes up on Easter Sunday to find a collection of gifts, from her parents, from Rabastan, even from Evan and Aster. Severus is the only one in the common room when she makes her way down that morning, absently flipping through the pages of a potions textbook.

"Morning, Sev," Mathilda notes. "Happy Easter."

He gives a sharp nod in response, turning to the next page.

She lays her pile of sweets on the coffee table. "You can go ahead and have some if you'd like. I'm not much in the mood for them at the moment. If there's first years that have ve stayed behind, do tell them they're more than welcome to have some, as well."

"Of course," he answers, still not looking at her. "Thanks, Thilda."

The Great Hall feels desolate, the tables scattered with a few students who stayed behind for the holiday. Mathilda spots Marlene, Remus, and Peter sitting at the Gryffindor table, along with a few younger students.

A choice presents itself; join the smattering of Slytherins at her table, or join her friends, join Marlene, at the Gryffindor table?

Slowly, deliberately, she takes a step closer, smiling despite herself when Marlene's eyes lift to meet hers. She raises a lean, tan arm and waves Mathilda forward.

That settles the matter.

Mathilda offers a smile as she settles across from them. "Morning," she greets.

Remus looks exhausted, leaning into his palm, stirring his spoon absently around a bowl of porridge. There's a thin, silvery scar across his nose, trailing from the corner of his eye to his cheek. Mathilda is quite certain it's new, and she has to remind herself there was a full moon only two nights prior.

"I'm surprised you stayed," Marlene notes. "You never have before."

"My parents were busy," Mathilda answers. "Father's been quite overworked in the Ministry."