Don't Let Me Fall ~ A Marauders Era Fic ~ Marlene X OC

Chapter 21

WORDS: 1803

"Your future is important, especially in these... dire times. Your time at Hogwarts is almost over, and I would like to know if you've thought over your plans for when you do graduate.".

Samantha was sat infront of her Head Of House, it was early in the morning and there was nothing more she wanted than to get this over with. She had spent the night with Marlene but couldn't help but feel there was something off, a wall that wasnt there days earlier. 

She wouldn't lie, it irked her.

"Well, Professor.. I've thought a bit about it, but I'm sure you wont like the answer." Sam replied, she felt small infront of McGonagall, like a child again.

McGonagall looked up form the papers in her hands, her glasses slipped slightly as she let out a sigh. "Ms. Riteen, do tell me.. Is your plans to involve yourself in the war?" She asked carefully. "Its hardly involving myself when I'm already a target, simply fighting back.".

She watched as McGonagall put the papers down, resting her elbows on her desk, her head bowed. She didn't look like how she usually did, instead she seemed worn and tired. Sam guessed she wasnt the only young student who wanted to jump into the battle and couldn't help but feel bad for McGonagall.

"Ms. Riteen, the future is uncertain. The war could very well be over soon." Samantha could hear the hopelessness in her words, and she knew neither believed them, "Is there anything else you have considered?"

"Well, I think I would like to be a Professor." She admitted, "I always did enjoy helping other students, it seems like the logical career for me."

"Lovely.." McGonagall said quietly, writing down Sams answer, "You may go now, Ms. Riteen." she said waving her hand tiredly. Samantha hurried to grab her bag, she had arithmancy next with Lily and could not get another detention for being late.

Just as she was leaving she heard what shed been dreading, "Ms. Riteen, the Headmaster wants to see you after your last class.". 

She was so close, but she never had been lucky.

"Ok, thank you Professor." She said nodding, rushing out of the office.

She still hadn't figured out what she had done that would warrant a talk with the Professor and couldn't help but worry. Halfway to Arithmancy she had ran into Remus, who was on his way to Ancient Runes. "Hey Sam." He greeted. "Lupin." She nodded, "Hey, weird question. Does Marlene seem a bit.. off to you?". Remus looked at her, his amber eyes a bit widened "Yeah.. Sirius has been acting weird too, I don't get it. You think its about the dance thing?"

"Is it? I don't see why they would be upset, its not like we aren't all going to be together the whole night." Sam said confused, is something so trivial really what Marlene had been upset about? "I don't know, Sam. You know Sirius is still mad about first year?" Remus laughed.

"You have got to be joking me!" She laughed with him, throwing her hands up, "We were 11, for godsake!". "I don't know why Marlene is.. off, but for Sirius I think hes just sad maybe? With the war, with us not being able to.. be us. I don't think hes use to it." Remus confided, "I thought about talking to James or Lily about this but, I don't think they would get it."

"Your probably right, about the Sirius thing. Its probably the same with Marls, they've always been pretty open about well.. most things and now they cant really be. I'll talk too her about it, I just wish it were different, it doesn't feel fair."

"It isn't fair, but.. It'll change, one day." Remus said, stopping at the end of a corridor that separated the twos path. "Yeah, one day Remus. Thanks for talking with me." Sam smiled, stopping. "Of course, I'm here if you need me Sam, see you at lunch?".