Marlene was waiting for me when I got off of the train. She gave me a big hug, acting as if she hadn't seen me in years.

I saw Regulus across the platform, quickly being ushered away by his mother and father. He gave me a quick glance before disappearing.

We disapparated home, landing softly in the front yard of the house.

Our family has never been 'rich', but we've always been pretty comfortable. A three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-story house in the suburbs of Bristol, England.

When we reached the front door, we were greeted by our mum.

"Oh my darling daughters!" She exclaimed. She hugged both of us before ushering us inside and out of the snow.

Her blonde hair was tied back into a low bun, blue eyes bright as we followed her into the kitchen.

"I feel like I haven't seen either of you in forever, I've been so busy at work."

She was right. My mum works as a nurse for St Mungo's, and has been overworked with war-related injuries and illnesses. I hadn't seen my parents since the morning I left for Hogwarts, and I had only sent an owl once every few weeks.

"Meredith, how is Hogwarts?" Mum asked, filling a kettle with water.

"It's good," I replied. "I've been busy with quidditch and patrols, but I don't mind it."

"Oh, tell her who you have to patrol with!" Marlene teased.

I rolled my eyes, "Regulus Black, he's Head Boy."

My mum frowned. "Really? That's an odd choice."

I shrugged, "Not really. He does really well in school."

"I just mean because of his family," Mum continued. "I would think that they would've thought of that."

"I'm not sure, but there hasn't really been any issues with him."

My mum smiled. "And what about you? Do you have a boyfriend? A girlfriend?"

I shook my head, "No, I'm too busy for that."

Marlene stifled a laugh, and I gave her a dirty look in response.

"Marlene, will Dorcas be coming over sometime during the holiday?"

My sister nodded. "She was going to stay from Boxing Day to New Years, if that's alright?"

"Of course, dear!" Mum replied. "Your father and I absolutely love Dorcas."

"Great," Marlene said. "She's in Wales with her family for Christmas."

The kettle started whistling, and my mum took it off of the burner, pouring it into three different mugs.

Both of my parents are wizards, my mum a half-blood and my dad a muggleborn, but they didn't want to raise their kids strictly in the wizarding world. Hence, why we live in a normal muggle neighborhood.

"Your father should be home from work at six, but you never know these days," Mum explained. "There's been so many cases, sometimes he comes home and goes straight to bed."

Marlene furrowed her brows. "I'm not surprised, there's a lot of people being arrested and tried for everything that's happening."

Our dad works for the Wizengamot at the Ministry, and has been working even more than usual since the war started brewing.

My mum handed me a mug, then Marlene. I peered into my tea, thinking.

"What's wrong, Mer?" Marlene asked.

I shook my head, "Oh nothing, I'm just exhausted. I had a patrol last night, and it completely wrecks your sleep schedule."

In reality, I was replaying last night's events in my head, over, and over, and over again. It still made no sense to me. Why did I willingly almost have sex with Regulus Black? No idea, I must be going completely mental.

- - - - -

Dad got home when we were half-way through dinner. He looked absolutely exhausted and overworked, but still put on a smile when he saw us.

"Ah, my favorite girls are here!" He exclaimed, taking turns hugging all of us.

"Hi dad," I said, standing on my tiptoes to hug him.

He ruffled my hair, "You look older, Meredith."

I smiled and shrugged, "I'm still seventeen."

He hugged Marlene next.

"I missed you the last time that you came to visit, Ministry-"

Marlene cut him off, "Ministry work, yeah I know."

He kissed our mum on the forehead, "And my beautiful, Lydia."

"Hello William, take a seat, I'll get you a plate."

She got up from the table to make him a plate of food as he sat down with a sigh.

"Meredith, how's school?" He asked, setting his briefcase to the side.

I cut into my steak as I spoke. "It's good, painfully boring sometimes," I said.

"You just miss having me around everyday," Marlene suggested with a grin.

I rolled my eyes, "Yes, that's probably part of it."

The four of us sat and ate dinner for the better part of an hour, acting like everything was perfectly normal, before going our separate ways.

Mum stayed to clean up the kitchen, Dad went upstairs to go to bed, and Marlene practically dragged me upstairs to talk.

We sat criss-crossed on my bed in my childhood room, which looked the same.

Pale pink walls, bright white furniture, sheer curtains, and a twin-sized bed with pink bedding and an abundance of pillows. Various posters and pictures were hung on the walls. A picture of Marlene and me on vacation in Italy, a Fleetwood Mac poster, various pictures of Maggie, Emmeline, Jack, Samuel, Thomas, and I.

"You should redecorate," Marlene suggested, looking around my room.

I frowned, "Why? I still like it."

"Pale pink walls?"

"It looks pretty," I suggested.

Marlene rolled her eyes at me.

"We haven't gotten to properly talk for awhile, how are you?" Marlene questioned.

I raised an eyebrow, "I'm good."

"Really?"

"Yes," I answered, "Why?"

Marlene shrugged, "I don't know, I just figured that things might be starting to get bad at Hogwarts, especially with the Slytherin's."

"They're not all Death Eaters."

"I know," Marlene said, "But some of them are, and most of them have parents who are."

I frowned, "They're not causing me any trouble, if that's what you're asking."

"None of them?"

"None of them," I echoed.

Marlene stared at me, "What about Regulus Black?"

My entire body tensed at the mention of him. I was only hoping that Marlene hadn't noticed.

"He's slightly annoying sometimes, but nothing bad," I answered slowly, making sure to keep my voice even.

Marlene sighed, "Just be careful, please. I don't know what's going on between you two-"

"Nothing's going on between us," I interrupted, silently cursing my body language for failing me.

My sister sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "Okay," She said, "I won't ask, just please be safe. You never really know people these days."

I nodded, "I know, and I am, I'm being safe."

Marlene gave me a hug. "Good, because I don't know what I'd do without you, Mer."

She stood up and went for the door. "Goodnight, little sis," Marlene teased, smiling like she hadn't just brought up the idea of me in grave danger.

"Goodnight, Marls."