Marlene obnoxiously knocked on the door to the Potter's quaint cottage, stepping back with a mischievous smile as she heard the scream of Lily from within telling James to, "Get the bloody door!"

She stood smugly as the front door opened, revealing a heavily disheveled James Potter, eyes droopy and hair tangled from sleep deprivation. Fatherhood had clearly taken its toll, hitting him harder than the Knight Bus on an overnight journey.

"Mckinnon, you're late," James grumbled, and Marlene pushed past him, entering the home with her usual dramatic flare.
"And you smell like baby food. Que sera sera Potter," Marlene quipped, shoving the gift bag into his hands, shrugging off her denim jacket and hanging it on the banister.

"Now, where is my adorable nephew? Is he ready to see his favourite aunt?" Marlene smiled wickedly, her red stained lips immaculate as usual.
"Well, you may need to fight for that position, Dorcas is already here," James said timidly, clearly watching for Marlene's reaction regarding the sensitive topic that was Dorcas Meadows.

Marlene felt herself stiffen instantly. Dorcas was here. Dorcas was here.
"Oh. Right," she mumbled, her once confident demeanour totally shattering as she heard the infectious laughter sound from the living room. She felt her stomach drop as she remembered all the times she had created that laughter, the sound bringing her right back to Hogwarts. Right back to late night giggles underneath the covers and rushed kisses shared in dark corners.

"I'm sorry Marley, I had no clue she would pop by today, she's just back in England on assignment," James explained, doing little to help the lump that was emerging in Marlene's throat.
"It's—it's fine. I'm over it, it was years ago," Marlene lied, straightening her posture as if she was preparing for battle.

James flashed her a meek smile and a quick nod, walking in front of her and guiding her into the living room.
"Look who finally decided to turn up, Lils," James said, his usual care-free voice easing the knot in Marlene's stomach.

The two stood at the doorway, Marlene's eyes immediately finding Dorcas.
Damnit, she looks amazing. Marlene thought bitterly, eyes scanning her ex-girlfriend.
She looked positively radiant, with her dark skin glowing and her carefully maintained afro tied up in one of her favourite head-scarves. Marlene flipped her hair, suddenly dreaming of a reality where she'd showered that morning.

"Marlene!" Dorcas said, her Scottish accent still unbearably endearing as she stood up from her seat, looking as shocked as Marlene felt—making her feel just a little bit better.

Lily was also taken aback, rocking Harry as she flashed Marlene a panicked look, "Hey Marley, Dorcas just popped in to meet Harry." Marlene nodded, walking into the room and giving Dorcas a civil smile.

"That's nice. You stayin' for long?" Marlene asked, shocking even herself with her ability to feign a calm demeanour whilst she fought every instinct to run. Oh, how she wanted to run.

"Just till tomorrow, then I'm heading up and meeting my folks in Edinburgh," Dorcas answered, her voice slightly shaky as she lowered herself back onto the sofa.
"Lovely," Marlene said with a final nod, indicating that their conversation was indeed over.

"Now, can I please hold the most handsome boy in existence?" Marlene cooed, joining Lily on the floor, eyeing baby Harry. She couldn't help but smile as she noticed just how similar he was to his father, matching brown skin and untamable curly dark hair.

"Now Marlene, I doubt you'd be able to lift me, let alone hold me," James joked, walking back into the room, juggling four cups of tea.

"Never say never, Potter," Marlene laughed, grabbing her mug, the same one she drank out of every time she was at the Potters. It was an excellently ridiculous mug which featured Sirius and Peter, hugging, with comically large boobs drawn on their bodies.

"Nice mug," Dorcas laughed, grabbing her own generic mug from James's hands, catching Marlene off-guard, again.
"Erm, thanks. Christmas gift," she replied, looking into Dorcas's eyes for the first time. The familiar brown making her stomach lurch as she repressed the nostalgic feeling of teenage-hood.

Dorcas nodded, meeting Marlene's gaze, seemingly having a similar experience as her expression twisted into a wistful one. Marlene forced herself to tear her eyes away from her ex, looking back down at Harry who was now laying on his mat, making some signature babyish gurgles.

"So Lils, tell me the truth. How badly did he ruin your vagina?" Dorcas asked, making both James and Lily burst into easy laughter.
"Oh Dorky, badly," Lily replied, launching into the tale of her labour, and how she had insisted on delivering in a Muggle hospital. Marlene happily zoned out as she picked up Harry gently, having zero interest in the story as she had actually been there.

She rocked the sleepy boy as she tried to subtly watch Dorcas, her heart welling as she saw her beautiful smile, remembering the last time she had seen her frustratingly beautiful face.

"What do you mean you want to break up?" Marlene cried, feeling her eyes fill with tears as Dorcas looked down at her fidgeting fingers. The sound of the ongoing party beneath them filling the unbearable silence. The thumping of music and the drunken singing that followed was muffled through the walls of the dormroom/

"I mean," Dorcas finally answered, "I'm moving to America Marls, this job is my dream. And it's just not practical—"
"— but I love you, Dorcas!" Marlene cried, bouncing off of the bed and standing face-to-face with Dorcas, her tears definitely ruining her makeup.

"Sometimes love just isn't enough Marlene," Dorcas said coldly, turning away and walking over to the window. Marlene scoffed loudly, wiping her tears away from her face as she turned away.

"I can't believe this, I— I can't do this," Marlene exclaimed, turning and walking out of the dorm, marching down the winding staircase that led to the common room. As Marlene heard the party getting closer and closer, she heard Dorcas's voice from the top of the stairs.

"Hey! Wait Up" she called, and Marlene stopped, gripping onto the banister to steady herself, waiting as Dorcas caught up to her, standing next to her on the staircase, panting.
"I love you Marlene, but I need to be realistic. We weren't going to last forever, you knew that."

"I didn't," Marlene sniffed, turning and seeing a sad smile emerge on Dorcas's face, a pity smile.
Marlene couldn't handle it. She shook her head and carried her descent, walking back to their graduation party with a broken heart.

"Well, it was lovely seeing you Dorky, don't let the yanks kill your soul," James joked, hugging Dorcas goodbye.
"I'll try Jamie, I'll try," She smiled, pulling away and turning to Lily.
"Bye Lils, bye beautiful Harry!" She cooed, kissing Lily then Harry on their cheeks.

"Bye Dork. See ya soon," Lily smiled, sparing Marlene a glance as she remained seated, watching Dorcas go with a silent gaze.
Marlene didn't know what she was expecting, but it wasn't Dorcas marching over to where she was sitting—enveloping her in a hug.

"Bye Marls. It was really good to see you, you look good," Dorcas said, giving Marlene the goodbye the two never got to have years before.

"You too Dork, I'm glad you're happy," Marlene said genuinely.
"I am. I really am," Dorcas said, kissing the top of Marlene's head as she stood back up, grabbing her bag and walking to the front door.

Lily, James and Marlene followed, waving her goodbye as she hopped in her car and drove away, leaving Marlene for the last time.

After the front door was closed, James and Lily turned to her, "You alright Kiddo?" James asked, and Marlene smiled, a relieved, joyful one. She felt happy that she could let go of Dorcas. She could finally move on.

"I am. I really am," Marlene reassured, walking back into the living room feeling lighter.