Harry Potter Isekai - Marauders Era

Chapter 17: Deserving Happiness

Chapter 17

James's POV

I fell for Marlene McKinnon. I became certain after the Malfoy wedding this past summer. Marlene looked beautiful in her red dress. I never knew how much I would enjoy seeing her adorn the Gryffindor colors. Our dance was a dream; there was nothing else in the world that mattered, just her and me. I will never forget her captivating eyes and smile as we swayed to the music of the wind.

My mission this school year is to completely capture Marlene's heart and make her my girlfriend. There's no way she doesn't harbor feelings for us with the way she looked back at me that night.

I went to look for the sweet Ravenclaw as soon as I entered the Hogwarts Express. Of course I found her in a compartment with her friends. They all stop their conversations and look up as I knock a couple of times and open the compartment door.

"Hey Marlene."

She gives me a shy smile. "Potter."

"Do you have a moment?"

I've started to notice that Marlene has a habit of tilting her cute head to one side when she's confused, curious or thinking. "Sure." She stands up elegantly and heads out of the compartment.

We stand to the side of her compartment to get a little privacy as we converse.

"Um.. how was the rest of your summer?" I nervously run my hands through my hair.

She pauses for a moment before she bursts into a cute fit of giggles. "Really Potter, is that why you asked for a moment?"

I blushed. I haven't planned this well. I was just in a hurry to see her again.

"I- uh- I just- missed you." She once told me honesty is the way to go. Marlene blushes beautifully at my confession.

"Oh. Uh, thanks." She looks around nervously. "I'll see you at school." Marlene scrambles back into the compartment and leaves me standing stupidly in the hall by myself.

What just happened? Did she leave me? I thought she liked me too. Did I read her wrong?

Marlene's POV

I reentered the compartment where my friends were situated. My heart is still beating heavily as I feel my face heat up. I didn't know how to react. I didn't expect him to be so forward. I'm half embarrassed of my own reaction, or lack of, and half taken aback. James is showing interest in me beyond friendship. That's bad. He's supposed to be with Lily. If I play along, I'd be stealing another woman's man. I'd be the other woman.

I took a deep breath before finally noticing there's complete silence around me. I look up to see all of my mates looking at me. "What?"

"What happened to you?" Barty questioned making me think back to what James had said once more, prompting me to blush harder.

"Nothing." I said all too quickly.

"Uh huh, yeah, and I'm not a Slytherin." Reggie retorted with amusement in his eyes. "What did Potter want?" He smirked towards me teasingly. Does he know something? I look at Barty and Dora to see their eyes twinkle as well. Do they all know something?

"I-" I sighed, "I think he likes me."

"Is that bad?" Dora asked, tilting her head to one side dreamily.

"I-I don't know."

Reggie sighed as he closed his eyes, "Why are you hesitant? Don't make me regret getting punched for you."