Chapter 28: Catching up
The whole time Marlene listened to Rick’s story, her mouth hung open in stunned silence. Had it been physically possible, her jaw might have met the floor though her crossed arms and widened eyes kept her rooted in reality. For once, the usually quick witted and talkative blonde witch was completely, utterly speechless.
“Then I got my parents’ permission to invite you and Lily for the last week of holidays but since I knew you were not anywhere in Britain I didn’t send you a letter about it.”
“We convinced my parents to let me stay at the manor when we had lunch there and here we are.”
“...”
It took their pureblood friend a moment to digest everything she had heard, her mind visibly ticking through each shocking revelation with a kind of stunned reverence. It wasn’t every day one learned their best friend was secretly the heir to one of the most powerful families in Wizarding Britain. Of course, her first reaction had been as dramatic and perfectly Marlene as expected, equal parts hilarity and horror, with just enough sass to remind everyone she was still her irrepressible self.
“Potter is going to be so pissed!”
The couple snorted. They knew Marlene so well.
“I can’t believe that all this time you were the missing Potter heir!”
“Shhh!” Rick put his hand on her mouth to quiet her. “It’s a secret. At least until after I graduate. Only Lily, you and Professor McGonagall know. I’ll tell Amelia soon and I’d like for it to stay that way. So please, Mar, no shouting.”
She nodded slowly in understanding and agreement and Rick pulled back his hands.
“I’m just so happy for you!” her enthusiasm had apparently not faltered one bit and she hugged him again. “Oh, you liked that, huh?”
She pulled back with a proud, amused smirk, her eyes flicking downward just for a heartbeat before locking onto his again sparkling with mischief. She didn’t need to say a word; her expression alone teased loud enough. Rick, catching the look, immediately braced for impact.
“No comment.” was all Rick said with a neutral voice and face. It couldn’t be helped. Not when Marlene had crushed her big breasts against his chest.
“Someone sure is a big boy.”
“Marlene!”
Lily rose from her seat in a flash and theatrically pulled her friend away from her boyfriend, her tone dripping with faux outrage. Had Marlene been able to see Lily’s face, she would’ve spotted the grin tugging at her lips and the glint of something playfully wicked in her eyes. From Rick’s vantage point, however, he saw it all and it made him wonder if Lily’s mischief wasn’t just about teasing, but curiosity too. A curiosity not unlike what she had once shown toward Amelia.
“I’m just teasing him, Lils!”
“That’s too much! And highly inappropriate to begin with.”
“You’re no fun!”
Rick said nothing, though a faint, amused smirk tugged at his lips. He couldn’t help the mental snort at Lily’s words, not after what she’d confessed the day before and certainly not after what had transpired between them barely an hour earlier in this very spot. The contrast between her current indignation and their recent intimacy was deliciously ironic.
“I’m plenty of fun! I just don’t need to behave like some easy slut!”
*Gasp* “You take that back! I’m only acting like this because it’s Rick!”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” the boy in question interjected.
“That you’re safe!”
“Is that so?”
Wanting to tease her back a bit, Rick stood smoothly from his seat and stepped into Marlene’s space with the confidence of someone perfectly aware of the effect he was having. She was lounging casually against the back of her seat when Rick placed one hand near her head for balance, leaning in until his lips hovered just above hers. The tension between them crackled with part mischief, part daring challenge.
“Are you sure?” he whispered sultrily while his free hand landed on her hips and began to move up toward her breasts. Marlene was like a deer caught by highlights and began breathing roughly. When his fingers reached the bottom of her chest. He put his mouth near her ear.
“I’m a lion, remember? An apex predator.”
He kissed her cheek, his lips brushing just at the corner of hers a touch that lingered with far more weight than a casual gesture. When he pulled back and returned to his seat, Marlene remained frozen, her face blooming with color and her thoughts spinning so fast she couldn’t tell right from left, up from down, or what decade she was in.
“That’s what you get when you go too far, Mar.” Lily giggled as she poked her friend in the ribs with her finger.
“What was that?!”
““What?””
“Since when…” Marlene waved her hand up and down at Rick, not finding the correct words to verbalize what she had in mind.
“Why? Interested?”
“N-no!” Her denial was immediate but her blush persisted. “I can’t believe you did that!”
“Me neither to be honest. I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”
“Well, not too much I hope. One extravert in the group is enough.” Lily commented.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“That it wouldn’t be right for either Lily or me to take your place as the outgoing one. The simple thought is so wrong.” Rick explained.
“Exactly!”
“I hate you!”
Marlene let out a theatrical huff of mock indignation, prompting Lily to throw an arm around her shoulders in a one sided, sisterly hug. Rick, not wanting to be left out of the impromptu comfort sandwich, scooted over and took the empty spot on Marlene’s other side, settling in with a smirk and a conspiratorial sparkle in his eyes.
“Come on, you know we love you.” Rick said.
“And you know you love us. We’ve been a trio ever since we took the train in our first year, we’ll always be a trio for the rest of our lives.”
“And if you really like to tease me like you did then…” He looked at Lily who nodded her permission. “It’s fine. Just not in public.” he added and buried his head in the crook of her neck, Lily doing the same on the other side.
“FINE! I take it back! I love you guys!” the blonde shouted, throwing her arms up in the air in surrender. “And I’ll tease you if I want, whether you allow it or not!”
The secret couple chuckled and kissed her cheeks. “Good because without you, our life wouldn’t be the same.” Rick confessed genuinely.
“Of course it wouldn’t! Without me, you’d be lost in your books and Lily would chain you down on the ground! She would also burn out for good at the next final exams.”
Everyone laughed at that because it was probably true. The atmosphere lightened further as they broke out a deck of Muggle cards, diving into a series of lighthearted games. Old Maid was strictly off limits Marlene had developed a dramatic vendetta against the game after two years of humiliating losses, and her refusal to ever play it again had become a running joke. The others humored her, though not without a few cheeky jabs. Just as Lily threw down a winning hand, she checked the time and casually remarked that it was nearly time for their meeting, prompting a confused blink from Marlene.
“Prefects meeting.” Rick replied as he stood up and searched for his badge inside his school bag.”
“Here.” he caught the badge that Lily tossed him. “You forgot it this morning so I took it with me.
“Why am I not surprised you two made prefect?”
“Because we were the best candidates. The best after me would be Lupin and the best after Lily would be you. Do you see Potter, Black or Pettigrew as a prefect?”
Marle gave them a shake of the head. “Except in my nightmares, no.”
“There you have it.”
They pinned their badges on their sweaters, the polished metal catching the compartment’s light with a quiet sense of pride. With a grin and an exaggerated salute, Marlene followed after them, her steps light but her presence unmistakably loyal, as always. Wherever her friends went, she’d never be far behind.
“I’m going to look around and greet people. See you when you get back!” She left towards the front of the train.
Rick and Lily continued down the corridor, heading straight for the prefects’ compartment a room that practically announced itself with the oversized, ornate sign above the door. Rick opened it with a smooth gesture and, ever the gentleman, gestured for Lily to enter first before following her in. What greeted them inside was something out of a comedy sketch: Amelia Bones and Frank Longbottom seated across from each other like dueling monarchs, their postures composed but their glares locked in a silent, simmering challenge that suggested the first words exchanged would be verbal hexes.
“I don’t know if the headmaster is smart or an idiot for choosing them as the Head Girl and the Head Boy.”
“Rick! Don’t talk about Professor Dumbledore like that!” Lily chastised him. “You’re right though.”
““Ha. Ha.””
“Well at least they’re in sync.”
The chuckles that escaped Lily’s and Rick’s lips were met with two synchronized, razor sharp glares, Amelia's eyes narrowing like a hawk spotting prey, while Frank’s brow furrowed with dramatic indignation. It was the kind of twin death stare that could have silenced Peeves mid prank, and Rick immediately second guessed his life choices.
“Come on! Are you really going to spend your last year as rivals? What about after Hogwarts? Will it keep on into the Auror program?”
Amelia sighed and relented. “You’re right, Rick. We need to learn how to put our rivalry aside. Especially since it could be dangerous on the field if we ever team up together.”
“True. But after so many years… It’s difficult.” Frank commented.
“Maybe that’s partly why the Headmaster put you two in a position where you need to work together. That or he’s trying his hand at matchmaking.”
Both seventh year students snorted at Lily’s joke. That was so inconceivable it was funny.
“Not like you’re ugly, Amelia, but I’m very happy with Alice. We even got her father to agree to a betrothal contract last month.”
“Really? That’s great news Frank! I’m happy for both of you.”
“See, I told you they would tie the knot before their twenties.” Lily said as she looked at Rick.
“That you did. I admit my defeat oh great love guru Lily Evans.”
The older students burst out laughing Rick’s theatrical surrender and Lily’s triumphant smirk were just too much. She basked in the moment like a queen accepting her matchmaking crown, all while Rick exaggerated a groan as if suffering a mortal wound to his pride. The whole exchange was so over the top it could have been scripted, and yet it felt entirely, hilariously genuine.
“How about you Amelia? Is your father still mad?”
“He is, unfortunately.” The sigh she let out was full of emotions. “But I have the whole family behind me on this so it’s alright. Mother has been giving him the cold shoulder as of late and Edgar and Robert threatened to kill any suitor my father would choose. So it’s mostly good. We just… don’t talk.”
Playing the ignorant, Lily entered the conversation. “You broke your contract? That’s great! Who was the lucky guy?”
Rick bumped Lily from the side with a subtle nudge, slipping around her with a half smirk before settling beside Frank, who looked more than ready to hear Amelia’s answer. Meanwhile, Amelia maintained her impeccable composure, her face unreadable, her posture perfect but she didn’t glance Rick’s way, not even once. That, more than anything, told him just how carefully she was controlling herself.
“I don’t kiss and tell, Lily.”
“Whoever that guy is, I hope he’s safe.”
“He is, Frank. My brothers want to shake his hand for helping me out-”
“Probably crushing it too since you’re their baby sister.”
“That too.” Amelia said with a grin. “My father wants to sue him for gold as if I was some sort of prize with a monetary value.” she said in distaste. “As for my former betrothed… Well, he’s not pleased one bit. He feels humiliated and wants the name of the guy. Apparently he was quite infatuated with me.”
“Considering he’s from a minor house, I doubt he’ll get what he wants.”
“You never know, Rick. But as long as I don’t spill the beans-”
“Which you will never do.” remarked Frank.
“Everything is fine.” she replied with a knowing smile.
Before another conversation could start prefects began to arrive one after another. When everyone was present, Amelia took the lead and began to teach or remind everyone of their duties. Frank began taking notes of everyone’s disponibilities and with Amelia’s help quickly devised a schedule for everyone. Rick and Lily had been lucky to be paired together for their patrol route and time. Though both were sure it was forced luck and their friends made it happen.
Since it was tradition for the new prefects to gather the first years at Hogsmeade station for Hagrid and then guide them to their common room after the welcoming feast, the secret couple mentally prepared themselves for their baptism by fire. When the meeting ended, Rick invited Amelia to their compartment to reveal who he was. Lily whispered to her he should also tell the Hufflepuff that she knew about them but no more. At least not after they told Marlene. The redhead left them alone to talk and find her blonde best friend. It was Amelia who opened the talk.
“You really don’t have to worry about my father or Blishwick.”
“I know and I don’t. Even if they knew my name. I can pay your father if he insists and Blishwick is of a lower status than I am.”
“What are you talking about?” A frown marred her face now. As far as she knew Rick was a knutless muggle born orphan. He would be in trouble if his name was known.
“I did an inheritance test at the beginning of Summer.”
“You… How did you get the money? Wait, who cares?! What did it say?”
“I’m not Rick Wald. My real name is Corvus Matthew Potter.”
“...”
“...”
“MORGANA’S TITS! Are you kidding me?!”
“Nope.” he popped the ‘p’.
“Heir Potter. You’re the missing heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Merlin.” she said absentmindedly.
“Yep.” again he popped the ‘p’. “I… live with my parents now and… well since I’m an heir and all…”
“You told them.”
“I did. Neither you or I are in trouble. Dad has no problem paying your father if he wants reparation. Mom on the other hand… She’s mad that you… ‘took her baby boy’s innocence’.”
He had been bracing for laughter, maybe a snort or a teasing jab but instead, he saw Amelia’s face lose all color, her expression shifting in an instant from bemusement to wide eyed alarm. Fear etched itself into every line of her features, turning her usual steel composure into something brittle and shaken.
“What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?! What’s wrong?! Your mother is Dorea Potter née Black! That’s what’s wrong!”
“I know mom fought in the war and nearly wiped the floor with Grindelwald but she’s not that bad. She won’t curse you or anything. She may bluff that she would but she won’t. Not when I think of you as my big sister... She knows I wouldn’t forgive her if she did and that’s the last thing she wants. She will thank you for taking care of me for years though. Really, you don’t have to worry about her, I swear!”
Amelia looked at him for a long, searching moment, then finally let out a slow breath, the tension in her shoulders visibly easing as if she’d been holding it for far too long. Her posture softened, and for the first time since the conversation began, she looked at him not with alarm or disbelief but with quiet, resolute acceptance.
“Lily knows by the way. She kind of… found out and I just couldn’t lie to her.”
“I wondered for a moment back there but… it’s fine, she’s not the kind of person to talk.”
“As for me being heir, beside you and well... My parents, only Lily, Marlene and Professor McGonagall know.”
“And you want it to stay that way.”
“Preferably. Until I decide to reveal it at least, so probably not before my graduation.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. Not from me.”
“I know. That’s why I told you in the first place,” he told her with a smile.
“Any more revelations you’d like to share while you’re at it?”
“Hm… Not right now, no.” which was true. He didn’t want to share his relationship with Lily and knowing his girlfriend’s inclination, the possibility of having a threesome with Amelia at the moment.
With the heavy stuff dealt with, Rick began to talk about her Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test or commonly referred as Newt. It was the final exams whose importance was of the highest order. Many jobs were not available if you didn’t have specific NEWTs under your belt. In case of becoming Auror, a student needed five Newts to be accepted in the program. One in each of the five core projects.
Amelia was also taking care of the magical creatures, since Auror were sometimes tasked to deal with them. When she asked what Rick was aiming for his OWL (Ordinarily Wizarding Level), she wasn’t surprised when he told her ‘all of them’. After all, you couldn’t study a subject at NEWT level if you didn’t get your OWL in the same subject.
Some professors were even harsher and didn’t accept students who got their OWLs but not without an EE or an O. For example, neither Professor McGonagall nor Professor Slughorn accepted students in sixth year if they didn’t get an EE at the minimum at their subject. In Rick’s opinion it was fair, Transfiguration and Potions were two of the most dangerous subjects taught in school. If you didn’t get an EE at it then you either didn’t have the talent or didn’t take the class seriously.
Their conversation was cut short when the door to the compartment opened violently and a fuming Lily with foam and bubbles in her hair got inside. One look at an equally fuming Marlene who entered behind her told Rick everything he needed to know. He turned to Amelia and mouthed ‘Potter’. He was surprised and a bit worried that Lily wasn’t screaming for Potter’s head like she usually did when the git and his friends went too far.
No, this time she was shaking, clearly ready to blow, tears of rage forming at the corner of her eyes. Quickly he pulled out his wand and removed everything on her hair then pulled her towards him. She fought back and tried to get away but he overpowered her and sat her down in his lap. Summoning his comb from his school bag he began to do her hair while massaging her back with his free hand.
She stopped fighting and took a few minutes more to calm down. Once she did, she got out of his lap and laid his head on his leg. Something Marlene did too on his other side. He gave a look at Amelia who had watched silently until now and shrugged his shoulders.
“Sorry, Amy. I don’t have a third leg for you.”
“It’s fine. I’m good anyway.” she replied with a smile and stood up from her seat.
“See you at breakfast tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
And with that she left the compartment. Rick used his wand to lock the door and soundproof the roof. He didn’t say a single word and let his hands slide through the hair of two most important people in his life. There was no point in talking, he knew they wouldn’t tell him what happened. For the both of them to be that furious, once again Potter must have run his mouth about him.
“I was so close to rubbing it in his arshole’s face that he wasn’t… URGH!” Marlene exclaimed in displeasure and anger.
Lily thought along the same lines but not quite. While her friend was talking about Rick being the heir, she had in mind to tell the bane of her existence that Rick had fucked her good right in the train a few hours earlier because he was the better man and that in fact Potter wasn’t a man but just a childish, sad and pathetic little boy and that she’d prefered to be passed around by the entirety of slytherin male population than to even think of agreeing to ever go on a date with him.
“Don’t stop!” / “Who told you to stop?!”
Marlene and Lily shouted respectively when Rick stopped his hands from moving. Obediently, he continued his ministrations until Amelia knocked on the door to tell them to dress up. By that time both girls had calmed down considerably and were just faking being upset, enjoying being pampered as much as they could.
Rick got out of the compartment to let them change then they did the same. With their badge prominently in display, Lily and Rick went to do their duties while Marlene waited for them at the carriages.
After the welcoming feast, Lily led the whooping sixteen first year who had joined Gryffindor while Rick closed the march. They stayed with the firsties all the while Professor Mcgonagall told them about the rules of the common room and the additional rules on the wall. Afterwards Lily guided the girls and Rick the boys to their respective dorms, answering most questions the eleven years old had. The ones they didn’t were because it was up to the new students to find the answers themselves as per tradition. Once done with their duties, Rick checked his room and was relieved to find out he wouldn’t have to share it with any or the four other boys of his year. Going back down to the common room he found no one but Lily sitting on a couch.
“5th floor, first room to the right.” he whispered in her ear as he sat down next to her but not too close in case someone got down and saw them.
“Same but to the left. It’s not like there are any girls other than Marlene and I, anyway, you wouldn’t have gotten lost..”
They were the only girls who had joined Gryffindor in their year left. One had perished with her family on the Winter Break during their first year while they were exploring Romania and one had transferred to Ilvermorny when her family moved to America in the summer before second year. 1971 had been a small year for Gryffindor, only gaining nine students of which only seven were left. Far from the sixteen of this year. To be fair their year had few students overall with only 83 while this year had almost double that number.
“I thought of something while escorting the babies.” he said as he pulled from his pocket his map.
“Don’t call them that!”
“Have you looked at them? They totally are.”
“Whatever. What is it?”
He laid the map open on both their laps and tapped it with his wand. Immediately, dots appeared all over the map with names next to it. Lily’s eyes grew wide when she saw that.
“Not only will we be able to be the best prefects around but-”
“We can check where to go and be careful with our time together.” she whispered back in amazement. She looked up at him and kissed him quickly from the brilliant idea.
“I need to add some charms on it so no one else but us can use it. Of course, the room is our safest bet and it doesn’t show on the map.”
“That’d be better, yes. I can do it if you want.”
“Sure.” he folded the map and gave it to her. “Safer with you than with me anyway. With Potter and all. Although… I’m pretty sure they’re doing their own map too.”
“That’s not good.” she said with worry.
“Definitely not. So again: the room. If I can put my hands on theirs I may be able to modify it slightly so we don’t appear on it. Or better yet. Confiscate it and destroy it if we catch them during one of our patrols.”
“Good idea.”
They shared one last lingering kiss slow, tender, and full of silent promises. A soft brush of lips that held none of the urgency from earlier, only a warm reassurance that even amid secrets, chaos, and whispered strategies, their bond remained unshaken. With quiet smiles, they parted ways and disappeared into their respective dorms, the map tucked safely away and the night finally drawing to a close.