when it gets too cold and noisy; {Lily}

[Marlene McKinnon]

It was really peaceful right then. Most of the students were still having their dinner, and those who were done would have probably trudged back to their dorms. Only a few number of students like herself were still having their nose buried deep into the books. Even then, Marlene felt like as if she had the library all to herself.

She had skipped dessert to make her way to the library, promising Lily that she’d meet her here. For some reason, Marlene couldn’t sit in the Great Hall that particular evening – everyone was extra noisy. Perhaps because it was getting colder and colder by the day? Was that why the chatter was getting louder? Whatever the reason, Marlene was having troubles trying to eat in such a loud atmosphere. She was too accustomed to having a quiet surrounding. Which was why her skipping dinner has become something she does quite often, and her friends knew it well.

Besides, she still hasn’t done her revision for that day. And she had had Ancient Runes that day – Merlin knew she had a hard times deciphering those runes. One day without revising her Ancient Runes and she’d cease to get the grades she was getting so far, and that was not acceptable. No, she needed to keep her grades up. She needed to do that in order to be better than her sister.

Marlene bit her lip. There it was again. That thought. That obsession.

She shook her head to clear her mind, and took a deep breath. ”No Marlene, do not think such things. She’s your sister. STOP OBSESSING!” she thought to herself, forcing herself to calm down. She was revising Ancient Runes to improve her weak subject, that was all. Yes, that was all.

Having convinced herself enough, her eyes went back to the thick book that was seated before her, and once again, she started murmuring in a low voice whatever she was reading. Occasionally, she glanced up at the large, wooden grandfather clock that was ticking away slowly. Where was Lily? She was supposed to meet her here. Or did she suddenly have any prefect duties? Marlene chuckled to herself. Knowing her friend, she would’ve taken it upon herself to make sure everything is prim and proper before leaving the Great Hall.

Marlene had known the redhead since their first year, and she knew that Lily was probably one of the very few who could still be around her and not get bored. Marlene thought that she was the most boring person she herself knew, and was somehow surprised every time Lily still willingly hung out with her. Plus, the two of them were good study partners.

Ah, maybe Lily could help her with her Ancient Runes that evening.
Content with the prospect that she might have some kind of help that day, she continued reading, patiently waiting for her friend while trying to let the confusing Runes sink into her brain.

[LILY NICOLE EVANS]

[atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; height: 600px; background-image: url(http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii541/amberellamae/things/15.jpg); padding: 20px; border-radius: 60px,bTable][cs=2] let her sing if it eases all her pain
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style,border: 0px solid 525252;]	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][rs=7][atrb=width,350px,true][atrb=height,400px,true][atrb=style, vertical-align: top;background-color: #e3e3e3; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;] There wasn't really time for this. Lily had stayed during dinner to finish eating with the knowledge that Marlene was going to meet her in the Library. The red-headed girl had rushed through her meal because she didn't want Marlene to wait for her too long, but she also didn't want to study on an empty stomach. In all fairness, she wasn't really late. They had agreed to meet after dinner and dinner was still happening. Lily just wasn't eating anymore. Instead she was standing in the common room with a first year boy who either had a massive crush on her or who just naturally asked a lot of questions and blushed a lot. Or maybe he was just intimidated, though Lily didn't know how she could be intimidating to anyone unless they only knew her because she was a Prefect or they knew she was in the Slug Club. Lily didn't particularly like being in the Slug Club, but she had to admit that she'd been honored by the invitation and so she'd just had to take part. Professor Slughorn only chose students he thought had potential (or money) to join. Patience. That's probably why she'd been made a prefect in her fifth year. She wasn't perfect, things got under her skin and she held grudges. She was a talented witch and she wasn't afraid to stand up for people or herself. But when it came to helping others out, Lily usually didn't think twice. Not only that but she wanted to see the good in everyone so standing there, listening to a first year ask questions that he'd probably already asked, wasn't a difficult thing for her if she had the time for it. But she was already wondering if Marlene would think something happened to her and come searching. She was still in her school uniform, her bag slung over her shoulder casually but she started looking out the window more and more trying to gauge how long she'd been standing there. Finally the boy seemed to be done but didn't know how to leave. Lily gave him a smile and headed for the portrait door. “I've got to go. If you have anymore questions just let me know.” She waved and headed out, practically running to the library. By the time she got there she had to stop at the door and take a few deep breaths before entering. Looking around, it didn't take her long to notice the girl she'd come to see sitting by herself. Still panting a little from the run, Lily sat down, pulling a text book out of her bag. “Hey, sorry. Got held up in the common room. First year.” Her voice sounded a little annoyed but anyone who knew her would know she didn't mind helping out. “Anyway, I brought my books and we should be able to find anything else we need here. I was thinking about checking out some Defense Against the Dark Arts books before we go. Just for practice.”
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: e3e3e3; border-radius: 10px;] WORDS: 508 TAG: marlene OUTFIT: hogwarts uniform NOTES: --- - - - - - CREDIT: I made this thing so don't steal please.

[Marlene McKinnon]

Marlene had been so focused on her book that when a still slightly panting Lily sat down before her, she jumped a little, causing her to accidentally elbow a stack of books next to her to the floor. Loudly.

"SHH!" came the sharp shush from Madam Pince, and Marlene gave a small apologetic smile to the librarian. Whom she was pretty afraid of - the woman could really make you nervous.

"Lily!" she greeted her friend with a smile, slowly levitating the fallen books to the table. "Take a few deep breathes," she chuckled, referring to her still panting a little. "First year, huh? For a few minutes, I actually thought Potter was holding you up with a new poem or something..." Marlene teased her, a small smirking forming on her face. It was honestly amusing to see the interaction between Lily and James sometimes, and it was even more amusing to tease her with that.

"Yes, Defence Against the Dark Arts book sound good. But I really need help with Ancient Runes now. You know, today's lesson? Exactly what was the Professor talking about?!" she asked Lily as softly as she could, confusion panic written clearly across her face. Confusion, because obviously, she wasn't understanding it. Panic...well, that's an automatic response from her when she doesn't get something. Panic that she wouldn't be able to do better than her sister.

Marlene flipped to the Runes chapter that their Professor had taught them that day, and immediately pointed the specific paragraph that she did not understand.

ooc: ugh, sorry it's so short.

[LILY NICOLE EVANS]

[atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; height: 600px; background-image: url(http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii541/amberellamae/things/15.jpg); padding: 20px; border-radius: 60px,bTable][cs=2] let her sing if it eases all her pain
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style,border: 0px solid 525252;]	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][rs=7][atrb=width,350px,true][atrb=height,400px,true][atrb=style, vertical-align: top;background-color: #e3e3e3; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;] Lily hadn't meant to scare her friend. As soon as Marlene knocked the books over Lily regretted not giving more warning when she showed up. She felt even worse when Marlene received a rather harsh shush sound from the librarian. She gave her friend and the librarian an apologetic smile. It was partly her fault that the things were knocked over. She didn't even think about possibly startling Marlene, though she probably should have. Marlene had probably expected her a while ago and probably hadn't been paying much attention to anyone who was showing up. Well, Lily never claimed to be perfect. She put her bag on the table and started pulling out more school necessities, frowning a little when she pulled out her favorite quill and realized it would probably need replaced soon. The ink bottle was only about one-fourth of the way full too. It looked like she was going to have to make a trip to Hogsmeade the next time they got a weekend out. She sighed and made a mental note to add ink and a quill to her shopping list. The red-head took a few long, deep breaths and felt her chest loosen up. Lily gave a snort at the idea of James Potter reciting a poem to her. “Right. Like a poem from James would keep me from studying.” She shook her head, knowing that her friends liked to give her a hard time about the boy. Usually it was all in good fun, but Potter was really persistent and sometimes it was just annoying. “You know he might not be all that bad if he just settled down and grew up a little bit.” James wasn't all bad. He stood up for his friends and she respected Remus enough to think that he wouldn't hang around with Potter if he thought the kid was off. James was just a little immature sometimes. Ancient Runes was a great subject, but it took a bit of deciphering a lot of the time. Lily looked through her stack of books and pulled out her copy of Advanced Rune Translation. She looked at the paragraph in question and turned to a page in her Translation guide to the same page. She hadn't had trouble understanding the lesson, but she did need a refresher. “Well we were talking about the different kinds of magic associated with Runes, but it was mostly theory...” She let her eyes skim over the words and the various symbols on the side of the page.
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: e3e3e3; border-radius: 10px;] WORDS: 425 TAG: marlene OUTFIT: hogwarts uniform NOTES: I don't know a lot about Ancient Runes, so I sort of BSed it. - - - - - CREDIT: I made this thing so don't steal please.

[Marlene McKinnon]

Marlene saw Lilly giving her an apologetic smile and waved it off – it wasn’t like as if her friend had done it on purpose. Marlene was just too jumpy for her own good at times. She has been trying to be more alert of her surrounding these days, but obviously, she was failing. She was never usually too alert, unless she was duelling – it was almost impossible to be not alert while fighting. Carelessness would only mean an injury, and Marlene was not someone who fancied a night spent at the Hospital Wing. Who does?

While Lily read the part of the page she was pointing at, Marlene absent-mindedly began biting the end of her quill, her eyes travelling to the door of the library and then back to the book. Everyone would’ve had their dinner by then, and would be retiring to their respective common rooms or dorms. Maybe Remus would walk into the library for a quiet reading time before going to bed? Marlene sighed, forcing her eyes to remain on the book as they tried to wander to the entrance of the library again. There was no point trying to look for someone she had feelings for and still had not done anything about it.

Lily’s comment about James woke Marlene up from her daydreams, and made her laugh silently. “Aww, come on, you’re bound to be at least a little flattered that that boy is still coming after you after so many years. You’ve got to admire his persistence,” Marlene told the redhead truthfully. It was true that even she found James annoying, because he simply never stopped trying even after Lily had made it pretty clear that she wasn’t interested in dating him. But it was still both amusing and endearing to watch him keep going. And for some odd reason, Marlene had a feeling that he wasn’t going to stop till Lily finally agrees one day.

That day didn’t seem to be nearing, but hey, if Potter can keep trying, then she can just wait and see what happens.

And then they were back on the topic of Ancient Runes, and Marlene forced herself to pay her full attention to Lily. She made a face when Lily mentioned that it was mostly theory. “Exactly. I’m having troubles with just the theory now – Merlin knows how I’m going to suffer when Professor finally reaches the practical for this chapter,” she sighed, feeling a little more demoralized. “This seems to be quite an important chapter. If I don’t understand this, I think it’s safe to say I’d mess up the exams...” she realised aloud, a horrified expression replacing the confused one on her face.

No, she cannot, under any circumstances, fall back. Her good grades were the only thing that made her feel alright about herself. If she loses that too, she didn’t even want to think about the damage it might do to her already terrible insecurity issues.

ooc: that's alright, even i don't really know much so i'm planning to do that too.

[LILY NICOLE EVANS]

[atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; height: 600px; background-image: url(http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii541/amberellamae/things/15.jpg); padding: 20px; border-radius: 60px,bTable][cs=2] let her sing if it eases all her pain
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style,border: 0px solid 525252;]	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][rs=7][atrb=width,350px,true][atrb=height,400px,true][atrb=style, vertical-align: top;background-color: #e3e3e3; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;] Lily hadn't thought much about how she felt when James came on to her. But she was thinking about it now. “Actually, he hadn't really been asking me out much, or at all. Or talking to me for that matter, Not this year. It's kind of weird.” Saying out loud was a little different than just thinking it. Lily thought that if she said it to someone then she would feel better. Maybe someone could tell her it wasn't weird. Instead she felt like she should have just left it alone. Potter had probably just moved on. It struck Lily with surprise that she wasn't sure how she felt about that. She hadn't been flattered by Potter's constant need to ask her out, but she had gotten used to it. She didn't know if she really liked James, but she didn't dislike him either. He had admirable qualities, such as sticking up for his friends. He was loyal and brave. Those were things Lily could get used to in a guy. But he'd stopped asking her out. She didn't know if she'd say yes if he asked her again, but she didn't have the same confidence she used to when turning him down. The red-headed sixth year gave a shrug. “I'm sure you'll be fine in Ancient Runes. We'll probably just do a lot of translating for the practical part. I mean, I don't know how else they'd incorporate that, if we even have a practical portion. NEWTs aren't until next year so I wouldn't expect anything too incredibly serious.” That was a little easy for Lily to say, though. She studied enough that she rarely had any trouble on exams. Studying just came naturally to her and she was known to study some of the same things over and over just to make sure she understood the information. “Anyway, if theory is what we're learning now, that's what we need to be focused on. We'll worry about the practical stuff when the professor goes over it.” Again, easy for Lily to say. In most of her classes she'd already come at least fairly close to being able to complete the practical stuff even before the lesson. She studied so much and tried the spells in the book before class started. She couldn't exactly do that with Runes though, it was just a bunch of translations. There was history there and they could be used in spells, but more or less it felt like most of it was just memorizing symbols. It was interesting to be sure, and definitely informative, but she couldn't see a modern-day wizard using them too much. Again, Lily looked at her friend and put on a sympathizing expression, taking on a comforting tone in her voice. “Hey, I'm sure you'll be fine on the exams. We just need to get some studying done. Maybe we'll make flash cards. I saw my sister do that once when we were little. We can label things in the common room in the symbols so we get used to reading them.” She gave her friend a smile, hoping that this would be a good way to help out.
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: e3e3e3; border-radius: 10px;] WORDS: 533 TAG: marlene OUTFIT: hogwarts uniform NOTES: --- - - - - - CREDIT: I made this thing so don't steal please.