Break
Mary said, “It’ll only be a couple of weeks, Lily, no big deal.”
Lily, with the most sorrowful look, replied, “Easy for you to say, you haven’t got a sister who's gone completely nuts. Not one reply?”
Mary sighed, “Yeah, but aren’t you excited to see your mum and dad? You’re always talking about ‘em and how much you miss ‘em and how Hogwarts just isn’t quite home without your parents.”
Lily groaned, “Ok, ok, we get it. And you know how excited I am to see my mum and dad. Don’t make this about them when you know it’s her I’m worried over.”
Marlene said with a grin, “Can’t you just hex her or something?”
Lily gasped,“Or something? What are you suggesting? And besides, underage magic isn’t allowed.”
“Pfft,” Marlene replied, “No one actually follows those rules.”
“Rules?” Lily added, red in the face, “They’re laws, real ways to get in trouble.”
“People definitely follow those rules, Marlene,” Dorcas interjected.
“Ok, ok, maybe people do get into a bit of trouble. But, the point is, you can’t just take it. Uh, fight the power, or however the saying goes,” Marlene conceded.
“I wouldn’t call Tuney the power, but you’re right. I should, but I just want to have a nice, calm break with no fighting or magic or anything potentially controversial. Oh– and plenty of gifts.”
The four girls were sitting on their beds while conversing, or rather, arguing. Dorcas and Marlene on Marlene’s bed, and Lily and Mary on Mary’s. Lily and Dorcas’ were too far out of the way, and neither of the other girls minded much.
Mary wrapped her arms around Lily, “You’ll get a whole bunch of gifts, I’m sure. I mean you really are quite spoiled.”
Lily took a pillow and thumped it on Mary’s head, “Hey!”
Through giggles, Mary replied to the sudden commotion with an, “Ok, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Dorcas turned to look at Marlene’s reaction, but instead she caught her dashing off to join the fight.
“We have to leave in the morning,” Dorcas tried to say.
“You know, there’s no point in trying to be a voice of reason when the rest of us haven’t got any!” Marlene shouted through laughter right before thumping her own pillow on Dorcas.
“I’m tired of all these false claims! I have reason!” Lily returned with a hit to Marlene’s side.
Dorcas hit Marlene’s face with her pillow and said, “I’m anything but reasonable when it comes to you lot anyway!”
What ensued was what Dorcas thought to be at least an hour of defending themselves with pillows. Lily even utilized her bedding at one point as some sort of whip, but Marlene called her a cheater. Lily just thumped her with a pillow and refused to acknowledge the obviously traitorous comment.
***
Somehow, by morning, they were all ready to go.
“You sure you have everything, Marls?” Dorcas questioned.
“Yes, you’ve asked about five hundred times already, I have all my things packed and ready,” she replied.
“Ok,” Dorcas conceded with a bit of skepticism.
“Come on, we’ll miss the train if you two don’t stop bickering over Marlene hypothetically leaving something behind!” Lily interjected.
The four picked up their luggage and made their way down the stairs. From there they made the trek out to the train.
Upon finding a carriage Marlene asked, “So, you planning to run off with Sni- Snape?”
Lily seemed to ignore Marlene’s fumbling of words and just replied, “No, I’ll see him plenty back in Cokeworth. This is the last we’ll be together for two entire weeks!”
“Aww,” Mary began, “I didn’t realize you cared so much!”
Lily rolled her eyes, “I let you borrow my History of Magic notes practically everyday, so none of that!”
Everyone took their seats in the previously empty carriage.
Mary rubbed her chin as if contemplating, “I suppose actions do speak louder than words.”
“I say endearing things all the time,” Lily contested.
“Like?” Marlene jumped in.
“Well, I, I,” Lily stumbled on her words.
“Maybe they have a point,” Dorcas added.
Lily grinned, “Well if you didn’t already know, I’d like you all to know I love you all very much.”
“I love you too, Evans,” came from a boy’s voice.
The girls snapped their necks around to see James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter crowded around the door to their carriage.
“That wasn’t directed at you,” Lily groaned.
“It will be one day though, one day,” James replied.
“Keep dreaming,” Mary snorted.
“Oi, that’s not very nice. I’m just a young lad confessing my desires and–”
Marlene interjected, “I’ll stop you right there. Why are you blocking the aisle?”
“We just wanted to say goodbye to you ladies,” Sirius said.
“There are no devious intentions involved,” Remus promised.
They allowed the other four to come into their carriage– just for a moment.
“I’ll see you after break, and write if you’d like,” Lily told Remus, “Oh, here’s my address. You know how to use muggle post, right?”
“Yes,” Remus replied before being pulled into a brief hug by Lily.
Dorcas felt obliged to, so she gave him a hug as well. She really wasn’t much of a hugging person.
On their way out, Dorcas heard James whining, “Could I see that parchment Lily gave you?”
“No,” Remus replied.
“You got a hug, least you can do is hand over the address!”
“Mate, I don’t think he plans on budging,” Peter said.
“Figure they know we can hear them?” Mary asked.
“No, they’re boys,” Lily replied.
“Loud,” Dorcas added.
“And stupid,” Marlene finished.
When they got to platform 9 ¾ the girls separated ways with many hugs. Dorcas supposed maybe she just didn’t like hugging boys– probably something to do with the romantic implications from her peers.
***
On Christmas morning, Dorcas woke up bright and early. Unfortunately, her parents were on a bit of a different schedule. At ten in the morning they finally came down to the kitchen to see Dorcas starting on breakfast.
“What are you making?” her mother asked.
“Muffins, blueberry,” Dorcas replied.
“Need any help?” her father then questioned.
“If you’d like them to be done within the hour,” Dorcas said.
With her father’s help, Dorcas was able to make quick work of the meal. Afterwards, it was finally time for presents.
“You should open yours first, mum,” Dorcas pleaded.
“Ok, calm down,” she answered.
In what looked like an honest attempt at a neatly wrapped box, she found a pair of earrings with purple gems dangling from them.
“Did you make these yourself?” June asked.
Dorcas nodded.
“They’re beautiful!”
Dorcas started, “Which is why I was thinking I should get my ears pierced, you know, to perfect my skill.”
“Maybe,” her mum replied, while glancing at her father.
“Maybe,” he said as well.
Dorcas grinned, so June said, “Ok, open yours now.”
First came a bunch of books, wizarding and muggle. A few articles of clothing. Then, a pair of bright red rain boots.
“We thought you might like them, for when it rains,” her father suggested.
“They’re quite bright, but-”
Her mother continued, “You like to be prepared, so we just thought maybe you’d like some shoes to wear when you think it’s going to storm.”
“I was going to say I love them, thank you,” Dorcas grinned.
Back in her room, an owl pecked at the window. She let it in and it dropped a couple of letters onto her desk before flying off.
The first was from Lily.
Dear Dorcas,
Marlene sent me a letter and let me borrow her family’s owl. He’s quite cute actually! Over the summer I’ll have to look into getting one of my own.
How has your Christmas gone? Mine was amazing, and I did get plenty of presents! The only shadow on my break has been Tuney. She’s just dreadful, but at least she tries to refrain from it in front of mum. She’s quite particular about those things. I wonder if getting an owl would make Petunia furious? If so, I must!
Sev has been a bit of a downer lately, but nothing I can’t handle. I think he’s still a bit sour over our different house placements.
See you soon!
With love,
Lily
The second came from Marlene.
Dear Dorcas,
How has your break been going? I’ve been having a blast with no assignments! I’m sure you’ve been reading loads anyway. I swear, you and Lily have no idea what real fun is. I can’t believe I’ve never asked, but are you good at quidditch? Wouldn’t it be marvelous if we tried out together next year? I’m hoping for beater, but I just want a spot on the team and I’ll only be a second year, so I’m trying to be open minded.
Anyways, have a great rest of your break, I’m excited to see you back on Hogwarts Express!
Yours,
Marlene
Dorcas rather liked Marlene’s sendoff, and wondered briefly if she used the same one for everyone. Instead, she got to writing.
Dear Lily,
You should definitely get an owl, they’re so useful!
As expected, I got a bunch of books for Christmas and a few other things as well. My mum even said I might be able to get my ears pierced! It’s just a maybe right now, but I think it’ll happen.
Sorry about Severus and Petunia, hopefully it’ll get better before break ends. If not, then at least you’re rid of Petunia and have more time to smooth things over with Severus at Hogwarts.
Love,
Dorcas
Dear Mary,
I haven’t heard from you yet but I hope you’re doing well! My break has gone pretty nicely so far. It’s a bit boring here all alone, but I like the peace too. You and Marlene are plenty loud enough!
I can’t wait to see you, also feel free to use my owl to send a letter back or to the others!
Love,
Dorcas
Dear Marlene,
My break has been great! And books are fun- me and Lily will fight you on this! I am definitely not trying out for the quidditch team in the fall. What if you fall off your broom mid-air? My head is already spinning with the dangerous possibilities.
I am also extremely excited to see you at the station!
Love,
Yours,
Dorcas