Harry Potter Isekai - Marauders Era

Chapter 4: Diversion

Chapter 4

Marlene's POV

As soon as I got onto the train, I looked for my best friend, Pandora. As soon as we regrouped, we found an empty compartment to lounge in. It was nice with just the two of us for quite some time until the compartment doors opened and a pretty girl with red hair pokes her head in to ask, "Hello, could my friend and I join you two?" Bright green eyes... Lily Potter – or as of right now, Evans.

"Yes, of course. Please, do join us." Pandora answers for the both of us.

"Thank you!" She and her friend – whom I'm assuming is Snape enters, "My name is Lily, Lily Evans. This is Severus Snape."

I smiled pleasantly, "I'm Marlene McKinnon and this is my friend, Pandora Lestrange. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure!" Lily exclaimed once more while Severus nods in response.

"So are you two excited to be sorted into a house?" Pandora asks as Lily and Severus wince ever so slightly. They must have just gone through with this conversation with the Marauders. That's probably why they're here with us now.

"I don't care what house. I just want to continue to be friends with Sev and learn a whole lot." Lily says confidently. That's a true Gryffindor right there.

"If you have a goal in mind, no matter the obstacle, you can achieve," Pandora says with a slight twinkle in her eyes, "I am interested in Ravenclaw. Ravenclaws only focus on certain things. They don't care too much about house rivalry. It's nice to stay on the sidelines. Right, Marlene?" She looks right at me.

"Yes. That would be nice." I reply vaguely as I glance over the two best friends sitting beside one another. "Are you two okay?" I asked carefully.

"Yes," Lily smiled softly as if in appreciation, "Thanks for asking."

The rest of the train ride was pleasant. The four of us had more in common than meets the eye. Lily values academia and seems to be now keen on learning more about the Ravenclaw house. Severus, although quiet for the most part, chimed in once in a while when appropriate. There's hope and innocence in his eyes as a child. I wish there was something I can do to laminate that however he is a Slytherin, through and through. He will be in the Dark Lord's radar whether I like it or not. What if I can change Lily's path to not leave her childhood friend behind? Will that change his fate?

_________________________Time Skip________________________
We wait to enter the great halls together. I feel a tap on my right shoulder and look back. "I knew I'd see you again! Marlene!" An older than before Sirius exclaimed as he gave me a hug.

"Sirius? Hi! So we are in the same year! How have you been? Everything good?" I asked in good natured.

"The same. You know?" He gave me a sly raised eyebrow before we both laughed.

"Now that you're here though, I hope it is better." I smiled softly hoping he would understand.

"Thanks Lena. I don't know why, but I feel like you understand."

"Lena?" I tilted my head to the side hearing the nickname.

"Yeah! Lena! It's cute!" He said as I blushed from the compliment. Before I could say anything in return, Professor McGonagal stepped into the hallway and announced our entrance.

We walk through the great halls and I am absolutely starstruck. It is even better than the movies or the novels can ever paint. The ceilings are beautiful and everything in the room seems so enchanting.

We stop and wait to be called and get sorted.

"Lily Evans." Lily walks up to the stool with the sorting hat on top. She sits down slowly and silence fills the room before the sorting hat announces, "Gryffindor!" Surprise, surprise.

"Severus Snape." Severus take the seat after Lily and we all waited, "Slytherin!" So everything is the same as the original.

"Sirius Black," Sirius smirks as he heads towards the stool. After a little time, the sorting hat exclaims, "Gryffindor!" Cheers were made but not after a short silence from shock. I guess that's to be expected.

"Pandora Lestrange," Pandora squeezes my hand before she goes up to the sorting hat. It was almost instantly called out when the hat was placed on her head, "Ravenclaw." Another silence ensues. I hope that doesn't mean something bad for her with the Lestrange family.

"Marlene McKinnon." This is it. This is the moment. I thought to myself as I crept my way toward the sorting hat. I sat down cautiously as the professor places the hat on my head. Suddenly I hear a voice in my head.

"Ah, interesting mind you got there. You've been through quite a bit."

"You can hear all of my thoughts? Even.... My past?" I worried as I thought towards the hat, hoping he would hear me.

"Why, of course! I haven't seen one of you in a while."

One of me? There's more of me?

"It's not often but there are occurrences once in a while. Let's get down to business now, shall we? Hmm, you have a good mind there, very innovative, always problem solving. Great for Ravenclaw. You have a resolve, don't you? You have the courage and bravery to be sorted into Gryffindor. You can achieve great things. Now the question is: which is the best path for you?"

I don't know which I want. I just know wherever I go, I want to do all that I can to protect my family. But I also want a peaceful life.

"Then it's got to be... Ravenclaw!" I've deviated from the original Marlene McKinnon. If I can move in secret, I can change my parents' fates. I know I can.

I sat next to Pandora at the Ravenclaw table as the rest of the first years get sorted into their houses. It is the same as the original series. James, Remus, Peter, and even Mary McDonald got sorted into their original houses as well. Our paths are no longer crossed. Or so I thought.