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𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀'𝐒 birth parents had been in her dreams more than ever since her third year, it was horrible. She was continually having nightmares about them, their death, and Fenir Greyback going to her bed at night, while unarmed.

Suddenly, Marina woke up to find an already dressed Hermione and Ginny next to her bed.

"I'm worried about her. She was almost crying in her sleep last night." Hermione whispered, Marina was too tired to hear.

"Don't talk to her about it. I'll talk to her when she's ready to talk." Ginny said. "Mornin sis. You better get ready now, Mum's saying we're going to miss the train. "

Marina stood from her bed. "Alright then. Wonder which lunatic we're having as a teacher this year."

"Will you try to be positive? Maybe we'll have a teacher like Lupin again." Hermione smiled.

Marina smiled too. "Of course my dearest Granger. Maybe we'll get a acromantula as a professor!"

"WILL YOU LOT GET DOWN HERE NOW, PLEASE!"

Molly bellowed and Hermione jumped as though scalded and hurried out of the room. Marina was used to her mother's voice as she ran down the stairs to see Ron and Harry with their trunks. Along with the twins and Ginny, who were all arm wrestling each other.

"Good morning." Harry smiled.

"Hello to you as well Haroldine." Marina smirked.

"Haroldine?"

"It's your female name. If you were a girl, you'd be one that would have to go buy a personality." Marina explained.

Harry laughed. "Does Ron have one

No. I just don't like you so much that I consider you a girl with no personality." Marina said with sarcasm.

"Oh Marina, your so sweet and feminine." Harry joked.

"Right back at you twit."

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𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 the station they lingered casually beside the barrier between platforms nine and ten until the coast was clear, then each of them leaned against it in turn and fell easily through onto plat- form nine and three quarters, where the Hogwarts Express stood belching sooty steam over a platform packed with departing students and their families. She couldn't wait for another year with Pav and Lav.

I hope the others make it in time," said Mrs. Weasley anxiously, staring behind her at the wrought-iron arch spanning the platform, through which new arrivals would come.

"Nice dog, Harry!" called Lee. "Talk to me later Marina?"

Toula scolded the black dog as he barked at Lee.

"Shut up Lee!" Marina shouted at him. Making Lee shrug.

"Oh good," said Mrs. Weasley, sounding relieved, "here's Alastor with the luggage, look "

A porter's cap pulled low over his mismatched eyes, Moody came limping through the archway pushing a cart full of their trunks.

"All okay," he muttered to Mrs. Weasley and Tonks. "Don't think we were followed "

Seconds later, Mr. Weasley emerged onto the platform with Ron and Hermione. They had almost unloaded Moody's luggage cart when Fred, George, and Ginny turned up with Lupin.

"No trouble?" growled Moody. "Nothing," said Lupin.

"I'll still be reporting Sturgis to Dumbledore," said Moody. "That's the second time he's not turned up in a week. Getting as unreliable as Mundungus."

"Well, look after yourselves," said Lupin, shaking hands all round. He reached Marina last and gave her a clap on the shoulder. "You too, Marina. Be careful. Try not to give McGongall a heart attack."

"I told you I'm an angelic." Marina winked.

"Yeah right, keep your head down and your eyes peeled," said Moody, shaking everyone's hand too. "And don't forget, all of you – careful what you put in writing. If in doubt, don't put it in a letter at all."

"It's been great meeting all of you," said Tonks, hugging Hermione, Marina, and Ginny. "We'll see you soon, I expect."

"I'm gonna miss your pig snorts Tonks." Marina sighed.

A warning whistle sounded; the students still on the platform started hurrying onto the train.

"Quick, quick," said Mrs. Weasley distractedly, hugging them at random and catching Harry twice. "Write... Be good Marina... If you've forgotten anything we'll send it on... Onto the train, now, hurry..."

For one brief moment, the great black dog reared onto its hind legs and placed its front paws on Harry's shoulders, but Toula shoved Harry away toward the train door hissing, "For heaven's sake act more like a dog, Sirius!"

"See you!" Harry called out of the open window as the train began to move, while Ron, Marina, Hermione, and Ginny waved beside him.

The figures of Tonks, Lupin, Moody, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley shrank rapidly but the black dog was bounding alongside the window, wagging its tail; blurred people on the platform were laughing to see it chasing the train.

Marina laughed as well then went to go find Pavarti and Lavender, who were already in their usual compartment.

"Marina! It's only been a few weeks since we've seen you and I swear you get more pretty each time!" Lavender rambled as she attacked Marina with a hug.

Pavarti as well joined the hug. After a few minutes, the girls sat down.

"Y'know I've decided to eat more chicken this year. In Teen Witch it says the new ideal body is to be like Cindy Crawford. And she's just...gorgeous!" Lavender said as she showed her magazine.

"Lav, you don't need to be taller. Your fine just the way you are. You aren't Cindy Crawford, your Lavender Brown." Marina smiled. Making Lavender's spirits uplift.

Pavarti's stomach rumbled. "Blimey I'm starving."

"But you just said had lunch before you came to the platform." Lavender wondered.

Pavarti stood up. "I know, but...mama needs her food. I'm getting some sweets. Lavender you want a pumpkin pastry and Marina you want a Cauldron Cake."

"Wait...how did you know I wanted that? You didn't ask me yet." Marina questioned.

Pavarti gulped. "Uh... I guess I just know you two well enough. Anyways I should go get the good stuff before someone hogs it all."

After Pavarti returned with a handful of sweets, the three girls played some Muggle games Lavender had thought of.

"Okay! Newt Scamander or Oliver Wood?" Lavender asked.

"Wood is like my brother, and Newt Scamander isn't that good looking." Marina shrugged.

Pavarti slammed closed her divination book. "Don't be stupid, Newt Scamander was just gorgeous back in his day. My grandmother told me."

"Well who doesn't love hearing about hot wizards from the twentieth century from their grand mummy." Marina cackled. Pavarti and Lavender joined in as well.

"I'm going to check on Neville. I told him I was going to meet up with him in a compartment at the front." Marina said.

" We should finish these sweets or are you two too full?." Pavarti said.

"I'm too full." Lavender groaned.

"Well I'll finish them. No sweets shall be left behind!"

Even Benny, Marina's bowtruckle, joined in to nibble on a sweet with Pavarti.

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𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 stopped, all students left Hogsmade Station and were now making there way down to Hogwarts. And for Marina and the rest of the fifth years, it was by carriage.

"What the hell is that?" Marina spat, referring to the black horrible horses that most students ignored.

"What?" Pavarti asked confused.

"The huge horses pulling the carriages you blonker." Marina shrieked.

"Marina...there's nothing pulling the carriages." Lavender whispered worriedly.

"Cmon let's get in." Pavarti suggested as they walked up to a carriage to join.

"Get in quickly, I'm starving." Ron groaned as Pavarti, Lavender, and Marina were about to join Luna, Harold, Hermione, and Ronniekins in the carriage.

The three sat in the carriage as the carriage started to move.

"Oi Potter." Marina whispered in Harry's ear. Making him turn quickly to her.

"Yes?"

"Can you...erm...see the horse things?"

Harry smiled. "You can see them too?"

"Pav and Lav can't. I wonder why." Marina mumbled.

"Maybe we can find out together sometime." Harry said. "In the library or something."

"Like...a date?"

Harry went bright red. "Um...well...if you want to be a date...we can."

Marina looked to him, then kicked his shin hard.

"Well I guess I'm taking that as a no." Harry mumbled.