chapter sixteen
Christmas break came around, and they were all spending the week following Christmas at The Potters. It had been an under-stimulating holiday up until that point for Marigold, to say the least. Her father didn’t take any time off, which he absolutely could’ve as a senior in his field. Any time her mother spent at home was eaten up asleep on the couch or locked away in her room, inaccessible to her children.
Alexander sat on her bed as she packed, excited to catch up. Even though they went to school together, and were relatively close in age, they were both so busy with their own friends. Even more so now, that they both have a secret to confide one another in.
“I’m dating William,” Alexander blurted out. Marigold’s eyes raised from her suitcase.
“Okay…” She drew out the word, not shocked so much at the news as she was at the admission. “I’m glad you told me, thanks Alexander,”
“I had to tell someone, get it off my chest,” His matching green eyes darted from her to the burning incense on her vanity, to the photos on her walls.
“I bet, how long ago did it start?” She sat down next to him on the bed now.
“Halfway through the semester, you remember when we won the quidditch match against Slytherin?”
“Of course, you were amazing out on the pitch, one might even recall your quintessential role in our victory,” She laughed, nodding.
“Well at the after-party your friends hosted after everyone else had left and gone to bed, he and I stayed down in the common room. And well…he kissed me.” Alexander fidgeted with his hands.
“Do you go on dates?” She inquired.
“Yes, to Hogsmeade every chance, but we have to be really careful,” He smiled.
“Will you tell mum and dad?”
“Not yet, I’m not sure I know how. For one, I barely see them, and I’m not sure they’d react…you won’t say anything will you?” A pained expression came back to his features.
“Oh god, I’ve got my own skeletons in the closet, don’t worry!” She shook her head eagerly. “You know who you should tell? In your own way and pace of course, is yia-yia and pappous,”
He knew who she was talking about, their paternal grandparents had died in a motor accident before either of them was born, and sadly became a mere distant concept for the siblings. She was talking about their magic grandparents, the ones in Greece that had become a haven for them growing up.
When London was too gloomy or cold-emotionally and physically-they could use Floo powder to the fireplace in their grandparent's small but cute hillside home. There they could spend days basking in the sunshine, they could surf with the local kids their age, or sailing with their grandfather. They could walk the bright streets with their grandmother, judging and gossiping with other old ladies in their native tongue.
They were increasingly grouchy and set in their old ways as their ages increased, but they loved the children. They were spoiled with compliments, gifts from the local markets, and sweet fruit, and occasionally reprimanded for being messy or disciplined for embarrassing public behavior. Overall, they were pretty forward-thinking and progressive, albeit stubborn.
“I will, this summer,” He hummed in agreement. “I’ve got to go pack myself, William’s mother has invited me to spend the rest of the holiday after the 28th with them out in Gloucestershire county,”
“Have you met her before?”
“No, but William tells me a lot about her, he’s muggle-born as you know. She’s raised him as a single mum, his dad left before he was admitted to Hogwarts. I think it’s hard for her, you know, her son gone so much of the year? She sounds like a really warm soul,” Alexander indulged, sitting back against the headboard.
“I hope you have a great time doing, well, whatever it is they do out there,” She joked, earning a pillow thrown at her.
“What’s your secret? You said you’ve got your own skeletons in the closet?” He intrigued.
“I’m sleeping with Remus Lupin and Sirius Black,” She sighed dreamily, hugging the pillow to her chest in a fit of feminine joy.
“Well, everyone’s got their own theory as to which one you were screwing, I just didn’t know it was both of them,” Alexander gasped scandalously. “Wow, it’s like you’re sleeping with both the sun and the moon!”
“Which one did you think?” She raised a suspicious eyebrow but pondered his comment about the sun and the moon.
“I don’t gossip about my own sister like that!” He jousted, before adding, “William thought it was Lupin and that Black was just an obnoxious flirt,”
“Curious,” She laughed.
“How many know?”
“Only you, my dormmates, and the marauders themselves,”
“I think if you told mum and dad their minds would explode,” Alexander chuckled. “Yia-Yia and Poppous might call you chic for that, or they might scorn you for not giving a nice Mediterranean man a chance,”
“I don’t think mum and dad realize either of us could have romantic lives, but we must confess to the grandparents soon, wouldn’t that be a laugh?”
“I think I’ll write mum and dad in a letter sometime while I’m far away at Hogwarts, maybe in a year or so if things are still going well,” Alexander shrugged.
“Let me know if you do, I’ll owl them about my own situation shortly after. It’ll lessen the blow for you if they react negatively,” She tried to comfort him once more with a hand on his shoulder.
“Oh yeah, imagine that! Living your lofty life with children finally out from underfoot, being middle-aged and miserable to others, then finding out you have a gay son, and bam! Immediately after, before you can write back any slurs, your daughter comes out as a slut!” Alexander laughed jolly.
“Hey! I’m not a slut!” Her mouth dropped open at the harmless insult, slapping his shoulder with the same hand she just had rested on it affectionately.
“You’re right, you’re right, my apologies,” He stood, ceasing his laughter and wiping a tear from his eyes. “But I’m never looking at Black and Lupin the same way again,”
“That’s fine, I won’t either,” She smirked.
“Gross!” He wailed, faking a shiver and turning her door handle to exit. He paused just outside the doorway, leaning his head back in the room. “I love you, sis, thanks for being so cool!”
“Thank you for being the best brother, I love you too,” She hummed fondly and her door clicked shut.
Not three hours later had she arrived at the Potter's residence via Floo powder in the fireplace. As she stepped out, she couldn’t help but smile to herself. It was warm and inviting, their large home. Cast in a soothing gold light from the many lamps scattered around their living room, books littered every surface, and large paintings hung from the walls depicting beautiful renaissance art. It looked lived-in but well-loved, and smelt like something was baking in another room.
“Marigold’s here!” James’ head popped out from around a corner, grinning, and disappeared just as swiftly as it came.
She heard shuffling and laughter, and helped herself further into the space, setting her bag down and curious to find out who had already arrived. Much to her surprise, the entire group had already made it in, and they all rushed at her like it had been months instead of weeks since they’d been united.
Lily hugged her first, cutting in front of Remus playfully. She greeted them all, but saved her boys for last, first hugging and kissing Remus before he passed her to Sirius. That’s when Mr. and Mrs. Potter entered, finding the teenagers in a huddle, Sirius with his arms around Marigold. Marlene leaned a head on Peter’s shoulder, who looked uncertain about what to do. Dorcas and Lily held hands, James’ arm wrapped around Remus.
“Hello, you must be the Marigold! Sirius sings so highly of you,” Euphemia beamed, stealing her from Sirius’ grasp.
“It's so lovely to meet you, Mrs. Potter, thank you for having us!” Marigold charmed.
“You’re even more lovely than he describes, and call me Euphemia!” The old lady cooed, holding her at an arm’s distance to admire her.
“She did the same thing to Lily,” James rolled his eyes.
“Do you two go together as well?” Euphemia’s eyes found where Marlene stood close to Peter.
“No!” He deflected before she could answer.
“Not yet,” Marlene added after.
“Hm, shame because we only have two guest rooms,” She tisked with her tongue. “Peter you mind bunking with James then if Lily doesn’t? Sirius, would you like Marigold with you? Then you two beautiful girls can have one room, and Remus-oh well I guess Peter can’t stay with James then, you’d be lonely-“ Euphemia’s eccentrics and motherly tone made a couple of them giggle.
“You’d better put Remus in with Marigold and Sirius, at it like rabbits those two!” James teased.
Marigold and Remus turned to look at him in shock and disbelief, maybe this was just the family dynamic, but god it was embarrassing for them. Sirius just smiled proudly and quipped,
“Yeah,”
“Real intellectual boys,” Lily scoffed.
“Well, you’re leaving for your camping trip pretty early anyways, huh Jamie? How about your mother buts out of it, and you kids go eat those cookies?” Mr. Potter entered, snapping the newspaper in front of him. He gave a friendly smile to them all and continued through the house. “Hello newcomers, I won’t invade your privacy, I promise,”
“Fleamont, dear!” Mrs. Potter floated after him lovingly.
“Your parents are amazing!” Marigold huffed.
“I know, I’m lucky,” James agreed, leading them to the kitchen.
“They’re incredible truly, not just for taking me in, but for everything!” Sirius gushed.
They’d spent the rest of the day entertaining Euphemia with tales and gossip of Hogwarts, Fleamont sat in a recliner in the corner, listening just as fondly but not as vocally. They’d taken supper there in that cozy living room, sitting anywhere they could squeeze to devour their homemade meal.
Marigold sat between her boys with her knees tucked into her chest on a loveseat, Peter on the floor next to them. James and Lily sat on the couch with Euphemia, and Dorcas and Marlene sat on another recliner. Their hottest topic was their classmates’ relationships, discussing Frank and Alice, and Malfoy and Sirius’ cousin Narcissa.
“What about you dear Remus?” Euphemia called to Remus, and he sat up a little straighter.
“No, no, I’m a lycanthrope,” He blushed, shaking his head. Marigold placed a hand on his knee lovingly.
“Nothing wrong with that,” Fleamont defended.
“Well, you know, it’s just complicated I mean,” He raised his eyes from the girl’s hand to Euphemia.
“Actually I have some good news,” Dorcas announced, giddy. “I’ve decided its hopeless to pine over Kasson any longer, he’ll get betrothed to some prissy princess and I’d get left in the dust anyways,”
“This is good news?” Euphemia looked confused between James and Lily for clarification.
“I’ve set my eyes on someone new!” Dorcas beamed, and Marlene hugged her.
“Oh tell us who already!”
“Can they guess who it is?” Euphemia urged.
“I don’t think they’ll be able to!”
“Are they in our year?” Lily called out.
“No, a year above,”
“A Gryffindor?”
“Yes,”
“Mary McDonald?!” Marlene gasped, realizing her friend’s hints.
“One and the same,” Dorcas giggled.
“How did you know, Mars?” Marigold asked, excitement in her voice.
“I saw you two talking one night in the common room after dinner, and I thought, how odd, I didn’t know they were friends! She was totally staring at you during one of our parties, then Mary gave you a little slip of paper when we boarded the train home from Hogwarts, and I didn’t really jump to conclusions then…but that was her address for owls wasn’t it?” Marlene explained the web of clues.
“How delightful!” Euphemia smiled proudly.
“It’s just a crush for now,” Dorcas shrugged, and Marigold’s heart swelled for her.
After her talk earlier with Alexander, it was so comforting to see Dorcas discuss a same-sex crush out loud and proud for her large friend group, and some parents even! The crush must have been deep, with the way Dorcas had fessed up so certain and confident, not entirely characteristic of the brunette. She hoped Alexander would find the same kind of security.
“You sound positively love-stricken, Dors!” Lily cheered.
“Let us know what you want from us in terms of wingmen…or women,” James chuckled.
“Oh, I want to fall in love now!” Marlene sighed dreamily.
“Peter?” Sirius teased with a prod of his foot.
“Don’t drag me into this!” Peter shook his head.
“Boys are so simple-minded at this age,” Euphemia giggled with Lily next to her.
“Come on Euphie, off to bed for us, you kids get some rest before your journey!” Fleamont stood slowly, his age only now showing itself. Euphemia raised herself as well, and they helped each other down the hall to the master bedroom.
A few moments passed in euphoric emotion.
“I’m really happy for you, Dorcas, I hope things go splendidly,” Marigold said.
“You better introduce her to us formally as your girlfriend soon!” Remus included.
“Enough about my love life, I’ll start to get bashful,” Dorcas laughed.
“Come on, let’s show them what we really do for fun around here!” James grinned wickedly at Sirius.
“I’ll get my stash, we’ll meet you up there!” He lept up, pulling Remus and Marigold by their hands.
With that the group of eight teenagers hurried up the staircase in a single file line, Lily whispering over her shoulder at Dorcas, Sirius still holding Marigold’s hand, Remus trying not to laugh when James almost slipped in his quick ascent, Peter actually letting out a snicker, and Marlene jokingly scolding him.
Remus and Marigold turned right as the others turned left, following Sirius into what was formally his room now, the others’ into James’. You could still tell it had once been an unoccupied guest room, the queen bed adorned in nondescript white sheets and a blanket. Though Sirius’ items he’d managed to run away with were littered around the space as he was too excited for the company to clean, it held simple pieces of furniture. The wardrobe was old and made of the same oak as the bed frame, the nightstand a small vintage table, the same kind of amber-lit lamp sitting on top as there were downstairs. The walls remained bare, spare some photos Sirius had only recently tacked up. There were two windows on either side of the bed, one facing East showing the starry night, the other facing West with a perfect view of the waning moon.
Marigold collapsed onto the bed, breathing in the scent of Sirius on it, like smoke and foreign Palo Santo cologne, and a hint of his favorite lemon drop hard candies. Remus laid down on his side close to her, allowing his scent of chocolate, old books, and patchouli body spray to grace her senses.
Marigold took a deep breath in through her nose and wondered if she brewed some Amortia as they had in potions the fourth year, would she smell a mix of the two?
“What do I smell like?” She asked them, Sirius rummaging through the wardrobe for his weed, Remus watching him with amusement.
“What?” Remus looked down at her, a smile already in place.
“Yeah, what do I smell like?” She repeated, sitting up on her elbow and playing with the drawstrings of Remus’ brown hoodie, the one he’d let her wear a month ago.
“Like you,” Sirius joked, his back still turned.
“Come on, what specifically? My lotion, my favorite drink? Weed?” She rolled her eyes.
“Alright… well, let’s see,” Remus contemplated.
“The neroli perfume your grandmother makes you,” Sirius smiled over his shoulder at her, after a moment of thought.
“The lavender bar soap you wash your hair with,” Remus included. “And…”
Sirius must have found his treasure, as he spun around quickly, items in hand to speak in unison with Remus.
“Your vanilla lip balm.”
“Hm, I must smell delightful,” She was pleased with their answers, falling back against the bed, smirking to herself.
She hoped that’s what they would smell taking a whiff from Amortia.
“You certainly smell good enough to eat,” Remus chuckled, lowering his face to kiss the ticklish spot between her neck and collarbones he had recently discovered.
“Remy!” She shrieked, writhing to escape his teasing.
“Come along, the others are waiting on us, honestly you two are the rabbits James spoke of!” He fake disciplined.
“You’re right, we can come back in here afterward and get into our own mischief,” Remus pulled away, helping Marigold to sit up.
“You want to learn to roll this time?” Sirius asked an innocent enough question, but with enough inflection in his tone that they all knew what he was offering; a repeat of their night in the astronomy tower.
“You convinced me, I’m up,” She stood, shutting the door behind her as they crossed the threshold to James’ room.