𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲 , marlene mckinnon

𝐱𝐱𝐯𝐢. Old friend

" protection that costs more than living "

Charlotte Adler celebrated her 20th birthday in hiding with Marlene Mckinnon. Sure, hiding in plain sight was the only move they can ever make but it was most memorable in Charlotte's mind. For she got scolded severely for not telling Marlene sooner of the golden day she can finally say she has lived and survived for a whole two decades in this world.

It wasn't entirely as sad as you may think. Marlene wanted something to happen and she made it so. Forcing Charlotte to escape to somewhere only they knew, enjoying the moment of the day as if it wasn't complete chaos in their reality. For now, and only now, they were complete and that was enough.

As far as gestures go, Marlene knew that what she did wasn't enough for Charlotte's birthday of all events. And as much as Charlotte assured her that her being there sufficed the lonely ages, it would never be enough for Marlene wanted to properly celebrate with friends. Perhaps they would achieve a time where she can introduce Charlotte to her parents, imagined her little sister (laura mckinnon) happily meeting her.

For now, they cannot do that for the danger it puts them all.

"charlotte, it's happening. Lily's almost due but she's afraid everything would go wrong. I'm asking a lot but can you come with Marlene? It would help calm her down." The Stag Patronus resided comfort under Charlotte's palm who touches the top of its head and under the moonlight. "Oh, and it's James if you don't know. We'll be in my parents' manor, just until I find a place secure enough to raise our son."

Bringing the cigarette back on her lip, Charlotte watches the Stag quickly leave, leaving traces of blue magic on its trail that Muggles would see but are currently asleep to do so. She is anything but daft. Charlotte could see that Marlene misses her friends and family everyday since she decided her own fate by joining her.

The least Charlotte could do is return the favor.

"Charlotte, where are you taking me?" Marlene finally questions after Charlotte asked her to put on a coat and bring her wand.

"Don't you trust me?" Charlotte playfully grins as that's what she's always been doing nowadays. To mask her fear with humor. Doesn't everyone? Perhaps it was Marlene who influenced that on her. To be able to have a laugh despite the world burning behind them.

"Right now? I'm not so sure." Marlene deadpans but not seriously, tying her boots carefully incase she needs to run to god knows where.

"Well, that wounds me."

"I will wound you if you don't tell me what's going on." Marlene scowls lightly, standing upright and approaching Charlotte who was waiting for her to finish, can't help but smile lowly by that adorable threat. "Well?" She continues, didn't let down even when Charlotte was looking at her, unfazed and undeniably yet effortlessly attractive.

Charlotte gave in, "Lily's due tomorrow, James is asking us to come. She's nervous everything would go terribly."

"Wait, that's tomorrow?" Was the first thing Marlene said, frowning. Confirming with a silent nod, Charlotte tips her head down slyly. "And you're willing to go? What happened to hiding, then?" She remarks, calculating gaze.

"Well, that was before your best friend is scared about something she can't prevent. And if there is anything to go wrong, I'll be there." Charlotte pushes herself off the wall to stand more properly, reaching out her palm for Marlene to hold. "We both will." Charlotte purposely left out the bit where she's doing this for Marlene.

"Is it possible to admire you even more, Adler?" Marlene grins, placing her hand over Charlotte's and let their slim fingers interlock securely with no gap.

Charlotte rolls her eyes, "Let's go, James is waiting for us." As Charlotte left feeling a bit flushed, Marlene did knowing she was the cause.

The Potter manor was the last thing Charlotte expected James and Lily would be. Considering it was pretty much deserted due to its late owners, Fleamont and Euphemia, nobody dared to approach it as painful yet happy memory spreads in their minds. Especially yo James who couldn't bare to stay but has to and endure all sort of emotions to help his wife through birth.

As they were in front of the doors, Charlotte glances at Marlene who held a blank stare around the entrance. "You okay?" Charlotte asks, concern.

"Yeah, I just..." Marlene shook her head, looking away from the golden engraved plate on the door that says Potter. "All of us would go here every summer and throw parties while Fleamont and Euphemia were on their own vacation for the week. It's unsettling that it was only three years ago." Charlotte wouldn't know as three years ago, she spent her entirety of the summer reading books and practicing spells without a wand.

Loudly knocking on the door, Charlotte and Marlene waits together until they hear footsteps come close. It wasn't long until the door cracks open, the small chain between the gap preventing it from opening all the way for security measures.

"Hm. What is my favorite color?" James questions with an arched eyebrow, his eye barely peeking outside to the two females.

"James, do you think I'd care enough to know?" Marlene counters, irritated.

"And if I had to guess, it's red. You Gryffindors only know one color." Charlotte answers blatantly, shrugging slightly.

"Okay, you passed." James grins and closes the door momentarily to unlock the lock. Charlotte and Marlene share a look before it finally opens. "Keep in mind, Lily's in our room but she's—"

Before he could say, Marlene let herself inside and hugs him longingly, surprising the Potter whose arms hung shockingly by the impact between them. Charlotte kept a hidden smile and closed the door on her way in, locking it and muttering a counter spell so no one can jinx it open, as hard as they try.

"I'm perplexed." James states, rubbing Marlene's back.

"And you ruined it." Marlene steps back into Charlotte's side who watches amusingly from the side. "What? Didn't miss me?" She smiles and it felt like it's been a long time since Charlotte sees her genuine and carefree.

"Well, you did cause such a ruse when you decided to follow Charlotte." James points out then grins widely. "Not that I'm judging either of you, love does work fantastically in time of need."

Charlotte rolls her eyes, "Where's Lily?" It made James laugh and Marlene to smile discreetly.

"Upstairs. Come and follow me."