It was November 2nd 1976, día de los muertos. {Día de los Muertos is day of the dead, a Mexican holiday}She woke up at the crack of dawn before all of her dorm mates. She pleated her long blond hair in two braids and she tied them off with red ribbons. She shaded a circle around her eyes with black eyeshadow, traced her cheekbones with black, an upside down heart on her nose, and outlined her teeth bones on her lips. On both sides of her forehead she drew a colorful flower. She outlined the circles on her eyes, the heart on her nose, and above her cheekbones with colorful dots. Following her features she drew spirals in patterns alternating color.
This year it fell on a Tuesday, so she had to wait until class finished before she was excused home. Marlene was grateful that the headmaster granted her and her brothers permission to be home for the celebration. Though her brothers have all graduated she missed the train rides home together. The first time she actually knew someone on their ofrenda and remembered them, was the first year she finally felt she was able to properly experience the celebration. Marlene remembers her first year fondly, the first time she taught her friends about día de los muertos. She loves teaching others about her culture and she loves learning about other cultures.{Ofrenda is an alter that honors dead loved ones}
Marlene put on her school clothes, it would still be a while before any of her friends would be awake. So she got out her guitar and headed down to the common room. Marlene sat by the fire with her guitar and tea. She practiced quietly until more people woke up.
“Feliz día de los muertos!” James said entering the room, he was always the first person awake. He was wearing the calavera charm she had given him when they were 9.{Feliz día de los muertos means happy day of the dead, calavera is skull}
“Hola Potter.” She said, focusing on the cords of her instrument.{Hola is hello in Spanish}
“Are you going to play tonight?”
“Yeah, I finally convinced Tío to let Maria and I to do a duet!” Marlene replied excitedly.
“That’s great! Make sure you tell your Abuelita I said hi.”
“You just want her tamales.” She accused, “Go to the pitch jock!”
“Adiós!” James said as he left the room.{Adiós is goodbye in Spanish}
“Alavida!” She waved. {Alavida is goodbye in Hindi}
Mid may, 1998
A letter shot through the slot on the door and slid across the floor. It had the same red wax from all those years ago, but with a different seal. The same paper with the same ink, but different writing and a different seal. The open letter dropped to the floor. Tears rolling down her face. Even with the different writing and different seal It still carried the same horrible news. Mary was all alone.
Up to the room where no one was allowed but her she carried another picture in a frame. In the far corner of the empty room was a table. The table had 7 frames, the 8th her hand. The pictures were all different, some were from school, some were group photos with a boy's face scratched out, and most of them moved. In between the frames were candles and things that reminded her of them. There was a golden snitch, a box of chocolate frogs, a few books, a pair of flying goggles, red and gold pom poms, she had all four house ties, a red and gold scarf lined the top, and a little figurine for each of their patronus. Except for one, Lily had a flower.
Even though he was already on the table she felt this one deserved to be there too. The frame in her hand had a picture taken just weeks ago, it was from the only letter he’d sent her in the last 17 years. It was of her friend, his wife, and their son. She placed it in the only empty space and took a small figurine out of her pocket. It was a wolf. Mary placed it in front of the frame and lit the candles. The table was now full, there was no one left. She wasn’t very religious but she said the one prayer she remembered from Marlene. Though she wasn’t religious either, she was for this.
As she blew out the candles the light faded and she left the room. She closed the door behind her and just rested her head on the cold wood for a minute. Mary hoped that the ofrenda made Marlene proud. Everything she knew, she learned from Marlene. But she would never know.