Harry Potter Isekai - Marauders Era

Chapter 10: Real

Chapter 10

Marlene's POV

It was a peaceful day when a yell for me was heard down the hall. I wonder who that is.... (notice my sarcasm)

"MCKINNON! MCKINNON!" I sighed. Why does he have to scream every single time? I look towards the sound as I see James running full speed towards me. "GUESS WHAT?! GUESS WHAT?! YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!"

"Well, only one way to find out: you tell me, sir. What is it?" I said, aspirated.

"My Lily Flower and Snape are no more! I'm going to ask her today! I-" I pointed at him sharply as he announced the shocking news to me.

"You! What did you do?! You better have not-"

"I didn't do anything! I swear! I only heard moments ago myself! Something about Snape befriending a group of Slytherins and Lily doesn't approve. Snape doesn't care so they're fighting and they broke up!" He explained excitedly.

Snape befriending people from his house. Why is that bad? I thought about it for a second and a thought hit me: Death Eaters! I have to check on Regulus!

I stood up immediately and started towards the Slytherin's dormitories when an arm pulled me back, "Wait, where are you going? McKinnon, I'm about to ask Lily, you have to help me."

"Potter, not now. I have to go." I shook his arms off and started to run before I stopped. I turned around and shouted, "Don't ask her yet! It's too early!" before going to look for Regulus.

It took a while but when I finally found my friend, he was with a group of his housemates. "Reggie!" I breathed heavily from the run. He turned to look at me with a dumbfounded look. I pulled him away and started towards the courtyard, not even caring about the falling snow outside.

"Marlene McKinnon, what are you do-" He spoke irritatedly but I didn't let him finish.

"Are you ok? Did they get to you? Did they force you? Don't do it! No matter what, don't join them! You are better than that! You-" "Marlene-" "have a choice. I'll protect you, we'll" "Marlene! Will-" "all fight for you. Just-" "MCKINNON!" I stopped in surprise at his outburst as I continued to breathe heavily, eyes tearing up from all my emotions and fear.

He paused before he opened his mouth, "I didn't join."

"What?"

"I promise." He started again with a small smile, "I didn't join." My body slumped down from the relief. Regulus grabs me before I fall completely onto the ground. He chuckled, "I swear, you worry for no reason."

Tears flowed down from my eyes. "I do not. I worry just enough." I argued, making him chuckle even more.

"Thank you." I looked up at Regulus. Despite being a year younger, he has grown taller than me already.

"For what?"

"Thank you for worrying. You're the first." I looked at him closely. His eyes are moist and slightly wet. "You worried then too."

Sensing my confusion, he continued, "When I was 6 years old, Ma, Sirius and I were out shopping. Ma, being... well, Ma, pushed Sirius into me when he said something. We both fell. You came." My eyes widen at the memory spoken. "I used to hate it, you know. Being stared at whenever someone saw us. I hated the stares – they were either judging us or pitied us. You did neither of those things. You worried but your eyes showed this understanding. I thought you understood and experienced the same thing. When I found out it was the opposite, I felt betrayed. I felt like you lied to me somehow, but then I came here and you still seeked me out. Thank you Lena." A tear escaped his eyes.

I jumped into him and squeezed him tightly in a hug – something I'm sure he's unfamiliar with. After a bit, I feel arms around me as well. I keep thinking of my plan to save my parents and my plan included befriending this child – using him to get the locket that will be in his possession one day. How could I be so stupid and insensitive? This child is real. He's more than a book character. He's my friend. I can't see them the same way as I did when I entered this world. Like my new parents, Reggie is a part of my family now. He's precious to me – just like Dora, Barty, and even James. I have to protect him. I have to.

____________________________________________________

After saying goodbye to Reggie, I started to walk back to the Ravenclaw tower. Curfew is approaching quickly as other students are scrambling to get back to their dormitories as well.

"Did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"James Potter asked Lily Evans out." I stopped my tracks, overhearing the gossip between two Gryffindor students.

"When doesn't he?"

"No, I mean, he officially asked her out after the break up."

"Already? She JUST broke up with that Slytherin boy though."

"Yeah, he got rejected."

"Obviously..." I stopped listening and stopped heading back to the tower and turned my heels to sprint. These boys are all making me work today.

I looked everywhere: the library, the great hall, the courtyard, empty classrooms – he's nowhere to be seen. Maybe he went back to the Gryffindor tower? No, he wouldn't. Not after a rejection. He wouldn't have gone to Hogsmeade, would he? I don't know the shortcuts and secret passages, I can't get to him. I groaned as I lightly pulled my hair from frustration. I paused and decided to try one more place.

As I ran up the astronomy tower, I noticed a shadow sitting with the balcony entrance open. I sighed in relief when I confirmed it was James.

"Hey." I softly spoke up, prompting him to look towards me. "I'm sorry."

He chuckled dryly, "You always apologize even when it has nothing to do with you." He shook his head, "I would have said that I should have listened to you but asking her tonight really opened my eyes."

"Yeah? How so?" I slowly approached and kneeled down in front of the boy.

"You should have seen her, McKinnon." He started as he looked past me and into the distance, "she and Snape were still glancing at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. When I asked her, she looked straight at HIM and for a second, it seemed like she was ready to say 'yes,' but then she looked broken. I looked back at him – just for a second – and I saw why she broke. He ignored her; gave her the cold shoulders, like he didn't care. She said 'no' to me after that."

"How did that open your eyes?"

"I realized, no matter what, she'll never look at me like she looks at him. She'll never look at me the way I look at her." The curfew bell rang as he looked up at the moon, snow falling softly onto his small curled up body.

I carefully leaned forward and held him in my arms. He freezes. "You can cry." I whispered.

"I don't need to cry, McKinnon."

"I won't judge. I promise." I continued, ignoring his comment and squeezed him a little more firmly. Soon, I felt light shaking as quivering arms snaked around my body. I didn't say anything. I didn't need to and he didn't need me to.

All he needed was a safe space and I was just glad to give it to him.