Home Again
Today is September 1st, 1974, three years since Marlene first arrived at Hogwarts, two years since she first made the quiddich team with Sirius and James as a beater, and one year since her first Hogsmeade trip with her friends. Marlene is sitting in the train with James, Peter, Mary and Lily when Sirius finds them.
"HEY BITCHES!" Sirius says.
"Nice to see you too Sirius," James says. A few minutes later Remus enters. He's wearing a leather jacket, jeans and Dr. Martins. This is out of character for him. Marlene looks at Sirius and notices how hard the boy is blushing. After knowing him for three years, Marlene has never seen him like this.
"SO... how was you're summer Moony?" Peter asks, scared.
"Good," Remus replies flatly. He pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, takes one and lights it. Marlene has seen her brother smoke, he calls them fags, she has tried one before, and wants to ask moony for one, but thinks that would be rude.
"Since when do you smoke?" James asks.
"Doesn't matter," Remus says.
Marlene decides to change the subject, "Hey, guys, over the summer I found this band called the Eagles!" she says. James and Peter groan, she's already told them a lot about her obsession with the band.
"Oh yeah, I've heard of them," Lily says, "Their American right?"
"Yeah, I love their music so much. I got some records to play!" Marlene says, exited.
"She wouldn't stop talking about them!" Peter says, annoyed.
"Whats wrong with that?" Marlene asks disappointedly.
"Nothing, but that's all you wanted to talk about, it got a little boring," James says.
"Oh," Marlene says, very sad.
•••
Most of the train ride she was silent, but in her mind, she was nervous. She was worrying her friends don't like her anymore? Does she talk too much for them? Was talking about her interests annoying? Was Marlene just annoying? Almost the entire train ride these were her thoughts. Worry on repeat. She thought about asking Remus for a cigarette. From what she heard (from Carl) they relieve stress.
In the middle of her thoughts, James asks, "Do you think Moony's ok?"
"I don't know James! Why don't you ask him!" Marlene snaps back.
"Well Marley, he can't know we're worried!" James exclaims.
"Why not?" She shouts back.
"Because, what if he gets mad, what if he doesn't like us anymore?" James says, saddened, and suddenly Marlene feels bad.