Prompt: 10. "You came back." / "I promised, didn't I?"
SNEAK PEEK 3:
(...)
"You're really real, aren't you? How can you be here?" Sirius asked, clearing his throat as the words stumbled and came to a hoarse halt, before continuing, "I dreamt of you." And this time, he was the one tracing her features with a barely there graze of his fingers. "Again and again. Sometimes I'd see you when I was awake, but it never lasted long and I was always afraid I'd never see you again." He buried his face on her neck, breathing her in and clenching his fingers in her hair.
Marlene tightened her hold on him, pulling him impossibly closer. "I made you a promise, didn't I? I'm always coming back for you."
Marlene and Sirius are working to get James and Lily together, but there might be some other benefits waiting in the shadows. Blackinnon Muggle AU.
For the amazing HazzaP! I hope you enjoy this little story! Love you, darling!
(This is 1970s muggle au mostly because I wanted Marlene to have a fringed leather jacket, and I was feeling self-serving.)
Penumbra
Marlene slid into the booth and frowned when Lily sat across from her.
"What are you doing?"
Lily looked toward the restaurant door before looking down at the table. "Trying to take your advice?"
"Oh my gosh, really?" Marlene almost bounced in her seat.
"Well don't make it weird!" Lily hissed. "For all you know one of our other friends might end up sitting next to me."
"It's just us tonight, remember? Everyone bailed except you, me, James and Sirius. And don't worry, I'll make sure Sirius gives the two of you plenty of space."
"Please don't be obvious about it!" Lily looked back at the door as James and Sirius walked in.
"Trust me, Lils."
"What's Lily trusting you with?" James laughed as he and Sirius approached their booth.
"The pizza order," Marlene stood up. "Black, help a girl out and carry drinks?"
Sirius gave her an amused smile. "Always a pleasure to help a lady, McKinnon."
"Brilliant," she snagged his leather jacket by the arm and tugged him away.
"To give you the heads up," Sirius' hand slid across her waist, his fingers dipping just beneath her leather jacket. "I'm going to make James sit next to Lily."
"Great minds, Black," Marlene let him think her smile was only for his plan lining up with hers and not for the way his fingers lit her up like a Christmas tree. She definitely needed to find someone to keep touching her like that at some point, but tonight was about Lily and James. Then she could look into finding Mr. Right, or even just Mr. Right Now. Why should Lily be the only one enjoying herself? "I will be pulling us away for the same reason."
"No one I'd rather work with." They came to the queue to order and Sirius looped one of her loose curls around his finger. "Are you opposed to leaving early if the occasion arises?"
Marlene smirked up at him. "If it gets Lily and James together then I'll leave with you right now."
"Patience, Marls," he dropped the curl and stepped back. "Keep your wits about you, yeah? They might need an extra push here or there."
"Same to you," she pulled her wallet from the pocket in her jacket.
"I've got this one," Sirius pushed her hand into her chest. "In celebration of James and Lily figuring themselves out."
"Let me pitch in," Marlene opened her wallet and handed him two tenners. "They haven't figured themselves out yet."
"Are you a betting woman?" He swatted her bills away, snagging the fringe of her leather jacket in the process.
"Are you really this juvenile?"
"If James and Lily aren't cozying up and wishing for us to bail in the next hour then I'll take your twenty quid."
"Betting means that you would give me twenty quid if it takes more than one hour." She bit her lip and grinned at him.
"I believe it does." He stepped closer, linking their pinkies together. "So, Marls, do we have a bet?"
"Is it really a bet if I want you to win?" She curled her fingers so the backs of their hands were pressed against each other.
"You were going to pitch in for the food and drinks anyway." He leant closer and Marlene had to focus on breathing. It had definitely been too long. She needed to get out and have a good snog as soon as Lily and James were safely off on the road to happily ever after. Her body was suggesting dangerous things with someone she was friends with first and foremost.
"You have yourself a deal."
Sirius' smirk went softer as he smiled down at her and she felt her breathing grow shallow.
"Are you two ready to order?"
Sirius turned from her, breaking the contact of their hands, and Marlene barely managed to keep from gasping as he moved to the cashier. "Alright McKinnon, what're we ordering?"
Marlene forced herself to laugh and join him at the counter. They placed their order and took their drinks and a stack of plates back to their booth.
Where both Marlene and Sirius nearly murdered their best friends.
"James, you are in my seat." She glared at him.
"What?" James' hand went straight for his hair. "I thought you'd like to sit next to Lily."
"Come on, James, don't rile McKinnon up. Just move so I can set these drinks down." Sirius gave an annoyed huff and Marlene bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
"Er, right," James stood and looked at Lily. "I guess we're sharing this side of the booth tonight."
Lily gave him a soft smile. "I don't mind."
Marlene helped Sirius set down the drinks and shared an eye roll with him. She really didn't want to win their bet. She wanted to stop hearing Lily pine for a man that obviously wanted her.
"What pizza did you order?" Lily asked once everyone was settled.
"Anchovies and pineapple," Marlene teased.
"And don't forget the green olives," Sirius smirked.
"Why do we put up with these two?" James looked at Lily.
She laughed and leant closer to him. "I don't know but we should definitely unionize and go on strike."
"I completely agree," James slung his arm around Lily's shoulders and Lily wasted no time in scooting closer to him. "We are on strike as best friends until you get us good pizza toppings."
Marlene could hardly keep from bouncing. "I guess we'll have to make due." She smirked at Sirius.
He winked at her. "If they're unionizing aren't we supposed to come down hard? Fire them for lack of work or something like that?"
"That sounds like effort," Marlene pouted. "Can't we just let them strike until they're bored of it?"
Sirius' hand bumped the side of her thigh and he leant close again. "Brilliant. We'll just wait them out."
He was so close. Marlene could see the different shades of gray in his eyes, the way his midnight hair fell perfectly around his face, and smell the leather of his jacket mixing with her own. She wanted to be closer. She wanted to see what would happen. She was never good at thinking before acting. And before she had really processed it, she was sliding her hand against his.
Sirius' eyes darkened, the gray fading away to black. His hand shifted to hers, fingers intertwining and grasping hers in an almost possessive way. Marlene felt her breath leave her entirely.
"We can wait." James brought her attention back from the feeling of Sirius' hand wrapped around hers and the way it made her want to feel his hand against more of her skin. "Pizza toppings are no light matter."
Sirius didn't let go of her hand as he turned back to James. "I think we could come to agreeable terms, but it might cut into your benefits."
"What does that even mean?" Lily laughed.
"He's trying to use his posh vocabulary to confuse us." James faux whispered. "Don't worry, I speak BS as well as he does." He turned back to Sirius. "You know that cutting benefits will only turn us to explore other options. You could lose everything because you weren't willing to work together on this."
Marlene scoffed and Sirius squeezed her hand.
"But you're assuming that we don't have other options lined up. Marlene and I are desirable people. There are always openings."
Marlene's heart skipped a beat at him calling her desirable.
"You wouldn't make it two weeks without us." Lily laughed.
"Yes," James nodded, "Lily's right. You rely on us too much to lose us. We demand fair pizza toppings."
Marlene leant closer to Sirius and faux whispered. "Is this the part where we laugh at them and tell them we're teasing?"
"Don't ruin the fun, Marls." He squeezed her hand. "Jamesie and I are enjoying making fun of our upbringings."
"Have fun then," Marlene grinned and looked back at Lily. "So how was your day?"
Lily bit her lip and glanced at James who was now pressed completely against her side. "It's going pretty good. What about you?"
Marlene forced her eyes to stay on her friend and not mimic the glance at the man sitting next to her. "Good, I snuck out of work early."
"I think the girls are tired of the game." James sighed.
"Eh, I get bored when you're not in top form anyway." Sirius shrugged and sat back.
James sputtered but Marlene didn't give it much notice. She was too focused on Sirius' thumb as it slid against hers.
She looked up at him, hoping to decipher what was happening between them. Sirius winked at her but his attention focused on their friends.
"What's on the pizza then?" Lily asked. "And please don't tease this time."
Marlene chuckled and tried to keep her mind on the conversation and less on what was or wasn't happening between her and Sirius. "The one the four of us like, but everyone else has something against it; pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and black olives."
"That's the only benefit of everyone bailing tonight." James chuckled. "We get the pizza we like."
As if summoned by magic, their number was called and Sirius let go of her hand. "I shall return with food."
Marlene watched him go, knowing that there was no reason she should follow him. They'd only ordered one pizza, she had brought the plates with their drinks, and so Sirius needed no help. But for a reason Marlene wasn't ready to think about, she wanted to follow him.
And when he returned with pizza and sat back down, he didn't grab her hand again. That brought up more feelings that Marlene really didn't want to try and think about. Sirius was her friend. And while she was very capable of looking at him and pointing out all the reasons girls fell at his feet, she didn't know if she wanted to give into her body and be one of them.
The conversation continued though as if Marlene wasn't struggling to decide if these feelings surrounding Sirius were worth pursuing. So she did her best to keep pushing James and Lily together while trying to enjoy her dinner. They'd been at the restaurant forty-five minutes when Sirius tapped her knee with his.
"I'm grabbing a refill," Sirius lifted his cup. "Hand them over."
"I'll help you." Marlene didn't miss a beat as she picked up hers and Lily's cups.
"You got them last time." Lily protested.
"Did you hear something?" Sirius grinned at Marlene as she scooted out of the booth.
"Not a thing," Marlene laughed and followed him as Lily shouted after them. Something about being obnoxious.
Sirius moved to rest against the wall as they waited and jerked his head, beckoning her to join him.
"I think it's going well."
"Me too," Marlene smiled up at him, "James hasn't let her out from under his arm for most of the evening."
"Ready to bail after we finish the pizza?"
"Really?"
"Did you bring Lily?"
"No, she drove this time."
"Perfect, because James rode the tube and I came on my bike. He and Lily can go home together and I'll drive you home."
"Lily and I live together." Marlene pointed out. "It doesn't make sense for me to go home with you. How are we going to pull this off?"
"Marls, you're brilliant!" Sirius grinned.
"What?"
"You said it didn't make sense for you to come home with me, instead of me to take you home. That's the answer! You come home with me." His eyes were bright and his grin filled his face.
"Wait," Marlene shook her head while pushing away the pesky feelings that there might be something there between her and Sirius if he wanted to take her home. "Are we going to make it look like we're hooking up?"
He stopped looking at her as he stepped up to the counter and set down the drinks. "Exactly. It's the perfect reason for them to be left on their own."
"We'd have to sell them pretty hard on it." Marlene set down her and Lily's drinks and glanced back at where James and Lily were cozying up on the booth.
"Not that hard."
Marlene gasped as Sirius stepped up against her, one hand coming to rest on her hip, the other gently tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. His gray eyes were nearly black as he looked down at her, and Marlene felt herself instinctively step into him, bringing her hand up to his chest to steady herself. He smirked and bent down to whisper in her ear.
"See? We've got this, Marls."
She couldn't think. He was too close. She was enveloped by Sirius, his touch, his scent, the way his breath wafted down her neck from her ear. "And what do we tell them tomorrow?"
"We'll talk about that after we're sure James and Lily are stuck going home together." His lips brushed against the shell of her ear and Marlene felt the sensation from her ear all the way down her spine.
"Are you sure you're just not trying to get out of our bet?"
He chuckled, his breath tickling her neck. "You know I never would have taken your money."
She did. She wouldn't have taken his either. Probably.
"So we're making James and Lily think we're hooking up?"
"And we'll go from there," the hand that had brushed away her hair ran the length of her arm, slipping along her hand before he intertwined their fingers.
Marlene would be lying if she didn't admit she liked the possibilities that existed in the phrase 'go from there.'
"Let's get these drinks and then get out of here." His fingers squeezed her waist, and Marlene gripped his leather jacket in her hand.
"Sirius-"
"Come on," he cut her off, pulling away and picking up their drinks. "We've got this, Marls."
So she followed him. What else was she going to do? Marlene tried to reason with her warring emotions. Pointing out that Sirius could very well be Mr. Right Now. It would be fun, and if it didn't go anywhere, then they'd laugh about it and just be friends. After all, it wasn't until he'd run his hand along her waist that she'd actually thought that way about him. She pushed away the voice that told her she'd more than once admitted that if she were going to hook up with any of their friends she would choose Sirius, including when he'd been within earshot.
Whatever. They'd be fine. She'd be fine. It was going to be fine.
Then they sat down and Sirius slung his arm casually over her shoulders. Marlene looked up at him and he winked as he smirked down at her.
"Hey."
Well, if they were putting on a show for James and Lily, Marlene figured she might as well make it a good one.
"Hey." She pushed up against him, bringing her back flush with his chest.
Then she turned back to the budding couple across the table.
James' eyebrows were creased down towards his nose while Lily's mouth was slightly agape.
Marlene gave them a pleasant smile and picked up her drink.
"Lily, did you drive?" Sirius shifted his arm around her shoulders to be able to slide his finger under Marlene's necklace, the choker sliding up with the action.
Marlene made a point of breathing out slowly.
"Er, yes." Lily managed to pick her jaw up from the table. Marlene bit her lip. She was sure that Lily thought this all her doing, that she was leading Sirius along with no intention of following through.
But Marlene was quickly realizing as Sirius wound her up that she had every intent of following through.
"You two alright?" James' brow furrowed further.
Marlene smirked. "Smashing, James."
Sirius bent low to whisper against her ear. "Are you ready to bail?"
She turned, her lips so close to his cheek she could feel his five o'clock shadow against her face. "I am if you are."
"More than." He pulled her closer and looked over at James and Lily. "Have fun you two. We'll see you later."
"Seriously?" James sputtered again.
"It's just Sirius, mate." Sirius laughed. "Make sure he gets home, Lily. I don't want to hear he took the tube home."
Marlene winked at Lily, who was gaping at her again, and let Sirius pull them away and out the door.
Sirius kept her pressed against him as they approached his bike.
"Now," he stopped them to lean back against his bike and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him so that she stood between his legs. "I'm going to tell you to call the next shot."
Marlene let her arms come to rest around his neck, loosely linking her fingers under his hair. Her heart was hammering but she was relishing the feel of being this close to him. "The next shot for what?"
"You and me." He leant in and Marlene thought he was going to kiss her but instead he rested his forehead against hers.
"So this is what you meant by we'll go from there?" She gave into desire and leant closer, bringing her nose to nuzzle along his, their lips now mere centimeters apart.
His grip on her waist tightened and she had to take a half a step forward, leaving absolutely no space between her hips and his. "What do you say, Marls?"
"Are you willing to let this be something?" She shifted to let her lips brush his as she spoke.
"I'm planning on it, McKinnon."
She could feel his smirk against her and deliberately licked her lips, the barest taste of pizza still there as her tongue brushed him. The sound that he responded with was guttural, primal, and she bit her lip as her stomach tightened.
"Me too," Marlene murmured before finally, deliberately, bringing her lips to his.
Sirius wasted no time in deepening the kiss, sliding his tongue against hers while pushing his hands under her leather jacket. Marlene matched him, pushing her hands into his hair, sighing at its softness, pressing more of her against him, savoring this moment where she and Sirius crossed the line from friends to something different, something more, something decidedly better.
"Come on," Sirius slowed their pace, "My flat is far more comfortable than balancing against my bike."
"The bike is sexy, Black." Marlene pulled his bottom lip between her teeth. "Don't underestimate her."
She felt Sirius' chuckle against her chest more than she heard it. "Not to worry, love, I'll make sure you don't miss her too much." He pulled away and climbed on, jerking his head for Marlene to follow suit.
Marlene pulled herself flush against him once she was on, and smiled when she felt Sirius' hand wrap around hers over his middle and give it a firm squeeze.
She hasn't realized how good it could feel, moving a friendship forward like this, but as Sirius pushed off and they started down the road toward his flat, Marlene didn't regret any of the evening.
And she didn't regret it in the morning either when Sirius woke her with soft kisses against her neck and shoulders. She didn't regret it when Lily was shocked that her going home with Sirius ended up not just being a plot to get Lily and James alone. She didn't regret it when they realized they'd been together for a year. And she didn't regret it while sitting next to Sirius at James and Lily's wedding as the maid of honor and Sirius the best man.
"Ready for your big speech?" Marlene slid her fingers against his palm before interlacing their fingers as they waited for the plates to be cleared.
"Of course, I've been ready since the first day James met Lils." He let go of her hand to trace her shoulder along the off the shoulder sleeve of her dress. "And I should tell you before I give it, I'd been planning to try and sweep you off your feet the night they figured themselves out."
Marlene blinked. "What?"
Sirius kissed her. "You'd been driving me mad. It just worked out that James and Lily could be pushed in the same night. But I was bloody determined, love."
Marlene kissed him, pulling her fingers through his hair as she laughed. "I'm glad you did. I love you."
"I love you too." Sirius ran a hand along her knee, his fingers caressing the skin exposed by the cut off her dress. Marlene caught his hand and interlaced their fingers. They had the entire night ahead of them.
"Why are you telling me this now?"
Sirius' smirk hit his lips with lightning speed. "Couldn't have you finding out in my speech could I?"
He kissed her cheek and then stood and held up his glass as he started his toast to James and Lily. He followed that immediately with his proposal to her.
Marlene didn't think she could be any happier as he slid the ring on her finger and kissed her with abandon.
‘The Lieutenant Colonel would like you to report to him immediately.’
‘Now?’
‘Yes Captain.’
‘He didn’t appear to mention what this is about, did he?’
‘No, Captain. They appeared to be discussing some form of classified information.’
‘Alright, thank you, Private. I shall be along in a moment,’ Captain Sirius Black sighed as he placed down the tin bowl containing his supper. He made a face at the jeers from his unit.
‘Are you being reprimanded for your womanising attempts again, Captain,’ a particularly confident, redheaded Private jested with him. Sirius gave him a swift smack upside the head with his cap.
‘Watch that mouth of yours, Private Prewett,’ Sirius smirked, placing his cap on his head, adjusting his hair as he did so. ‘You’re mother wouldn’t thank me for sending you back home with a dishonourable discharge.’
The jeers were redirected as Sirius left the group, heading for the small wooden hut where his Lieutenant Colonel was temporarily based, a small oil lamp flickering from behind the trunks. They had to be careful. Upon nightfall, almost no lights were allowed other than the Colonel’s, not in this neck of France.
‘Colonel,’ he announced respectfully as he stooped his tall figure to step into the cabin, shutting the makeshift door behind him before straightening up. His first glace into the small space resulted in his shock.
A blonde woman turned around to meet his gaze. Sirius’ first note of her was that she was pretty. Incredibly so.
Her sapphire jewels met his stormy hues as she glanced back for a moment to register who walked in. Sirius scanned her, noticing that she was wearing a darker shade of khaki than he. She had several medal ribbons stitched on, one evidently showing the medal of honour which made him frown with confusion. She was oddly wearing trousers instead of a skirt and the same boots as himself, but that did not take away from her beautifulness as her curls tumbled neatly from below her dark-coloured tam hat.
‘Captain Black, I am glad of your swiftness as always,’ the Colonel rewarded, finalising his signature on a letter and standing up to bear witness to the two young people before him. Sirius had now lined up next to the blonde woman, shooting her another sideways glance. She hadn’t looked at him since but stared straight ahead.
‘Aiming to please, as always, Colonel,’ Sirius charmed.
‘Let me introduce you, Captain to Agent and Lieutenant Marlene McKinnon,’ the Colonel smiled. He was a good man, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Sirius’ best friend’s parents were friendly with him, and Sirius was glad when he was assigned under his command.
‘Agent?’ Sirius muttered under his breath in question. She must have clearly heard him, for her eyes darted to the side rapidly.
‘McKinnon has agreed upon being called Lieutenant while under our command,’ Shacklebolt informed. ‘She will be joining your tank squadron, Captain.’
‘Excuse me?’ Sirius uttered out in response at the preposterous announcement. ‘Colonel, I do not understand.’
‘To speak plainly, Captain, we are short on medical staff. Lieutenant McKinnon up until this point has been working with the British Secret Service but has been repositioned as a medical officer until another one can be sourced or moved up from training. Until further, Lieutenant McKinnon will be residing with us, under the instructions of the General himself,’ the Colonel expanded.
‘But, Colonel,’ Sirius refrained the impulse to scoff, ‘it is all men in my unit, as in all the other ones. Surely this is most improper.’
He could feel a glare burning into the side of his head.
‘I questioned this too, Captain, but the General has assured me that this is our best option. Lieutenant McKinnon has more than sufficient enough training, and we want our boys to all stay safe, don’t we? She is performing her duty to her country just as you and I. I have placed her in your sub-unit as I believe you will show the ropes in a most timely fashion. I also trust that you will be able to keep your men in line around Lieutenant McKinnon,’ Shacklebolt tipped his head to observe Sirius over his glasses.
‘That shall most definitely be the least of your worries, Lieutenant Colonel, I assure you,’ Marlene spoke for the first time since Sirius arrived, her calm exterior the opposite of Sirius’ bewilderment.
‘Well, there we go!’ Shacklebolt cheered, sitting back down in his chair. ‘Lieutenant, we shall be setting off at dawn due East to Germany, I’m sure Captain Black will happily fill you in on the further instructions. Well, off you go then, and make sure to help Lieutenant McKinnon with her bags, Captain. Let us ensure that we always command ourselves in a gentlemanly manner.’
‘Of course, Colonel,’ Sirius nodded curtly.
‘Oh, and Lieutenant McKinnon!’ the Colonel shouted out before they could both step out. ‘Keep my boys safe from those Nazi bastards.’
‘I will do, Colonel,’ Marlene confirmed, shutting the rickety door behind her, leaving herself and Sirius in only each other’s company.
‘Well, where are your bags, then?’ Sirius broke the silence, looking around him for any rucksacks.
‘It’s alright,’ Marlene addressed him, grabbing a small duffel from its pressed up position on the hut. ‘I’ll carry it.’
‘Very well,’ Sirius grimaced and lifted and arm in gesture. ‘This way to our unit, Lieutenant. And please address me as “Captain” once we reach our squadron. I’d rather not be on the end of ridicule.’
‘Are you often on the end of ridicule often, Captain,’ Marlene asked, somewhat sardonically. Darkness was beginning to claim the light amongst the trees, but Sirius could swear he saw her smirk as the headed towards the sound of laughter and smell of bonfire. He didn’t like it.
‘I request respect,’ he replied sourly. ‘We head East tomorrow, as the Colonel said. We don’t know how many Germans we may encounter along the way, so we must be on constant alert. We rise at dawn. Have you eaten yet?’
‘No.’
‘I’m sure we can get Longbottom to whip us something extra for you,’ Sirius monologued.
‘I’m not hungry, Captain. It’s been a long trip. I would rather have some tea and go to sleep,’ Marlene replied stiffly. ‘Is there anywhere I could take a shower here?’
‘Unfortunately not. There should be a lake at our next campsite we’ll be able to wash in. We do have some flannels if you’d like to do some simple cleaning.’
‘I’ll survive,’ Marlene replied aimlessly.
Sirius sighed softly. ‘Is that a bit of a Scottish accent I hear?’
‘My dad is Scottish. Mum’s Polish,’ Marlene replied shortly.
‘Oh. I apologise,’ Sirius backtracked, cursing himself silently. He managed to resist the urge to wince at her heritage.
‘Don’t. It’s not your fault,’ Marlene answered, somewhat bitterly.
They reached the campsite, where the young men surrounded the fire, chatting away. Sirius grimaced at the size of the flames, knowing they would have to put them out before night encompassed them.
The chatter died down as Sirius whistled for attention. Their eyes all fell on Marlene, who placed her heavy duffel on the forest floor, watching the eyes flit between herself and Sirius.
‘This is Lieutenant Marlene McKinnon,’ Sirius announced to the group. ‘She shall be joining us until further notice as a medical officer. I expect you all to be the utmost gentlemen your mother all like to think you are and respect Lieutenant McKinnon at all times. If I catch even a whiff of indiscretion of lewd behaviour, I will court martial you quicker than you can say “Nazi.” Do I make myself clear?’
‘Yes, Captain!’ the boys chorused.
‘Good! Private Longbottom, make Lieutenant McKinnon some tea!’ Sirius ordered.
‘Yes, Captain,’ a defined voice replied as Sirius and Marlene joined the seating of the campfire.
Marlene instantly began heating up her cold hands at the campfire, barely registering someone moving to sit next to her.
‘Marlene?’ a voice which she would recognise day or night wafted into her eardrums, arising her vibrance.
‘Lewis Fortescue!’ she cheered in response, throwing her arms over the young, dark haired man’s shoulders in joy, his arms squeezing around her ribs in response. ‘I didn’t realise you were in this regiment, your sister did not tell me!’
‘I got transferred about a month ago. How is everyone back home, how’s Alice?’ Lewis asked. He was the younger brother of one of Marlene’s best friends in the world, Alice Fortescue. They were friends from school, and Marlene still regularly kept in contact with her, despite her distance from London. Alice was volunteering as an army nurse in Dover.
‘Alice is doing well from what I remember last, have you not received her letters?’
‘I haven’t been back to any base for months. I don’t know anything from back home, I just pray everyday that everyone is still alive. I’m glad they’re not in London,’ Lewis replied, somewhat sadly. Marlene rubbed his bicep in attempted comfort. The London bombings were particularly awful as of late, with Alice’s parents moving to Dover to stay with their daughter for the time being.
‘I will tell you everything I know from back home. Why haven’t you been given any time off?’ Marlene asked.
‘I should be asking you that, Agent McKinnon?’ Lewis smirked as Marlene shushed him aggressively. ‘What are you doing on the bloody battlefield.’
‘I’d have to sell you to the Germans if I told you that,’ Marlene whispered in response. ‘Don’t mention that to anyone, will you? I think only Black knows.’
‘That’s Captain Black to you, Marls, he won’t stand for any different. And I’m not an ignoramus, McKinnon,’ Lewis rolled his eyes. ‘Besides, I get why they sent you. I think you’re the only woman who could deal with a regiment full of men.’
‘That I’m yet to find out,’ Marlene breathed, smiling up at a boy who she could only assume was Longbottom as he approached her with a metal cup of tea. ‘Thank you.’
‘Lieutenant McKinnon, this is Private Frank Longbottom, one of the best men in our unit. He’s saved my arse more than a few times,’ Lewis stood up, patting Frank proudly on the shoulder. Frank grinned down to her.
‘Lovely to meet you, Private,’ Marlene nodded to him.
‘Please, call me Frank. I’ve gotten more than sick of hearing formal addresses a thousand times a day,’ Frank chuckled.
‘Those titles are there for a reason, Private Longbottom,’ Sirius joined the conversation, the boys standing up straighter for him.
‘Yes, Captain,’ they chorused. Sirius smiled to them.
‘Get off to bed now. It’s a big day tomorrow, I need you all well rested and alert,’ Sirius ordered. The two boys saluted him and ran off after the rest of the pack. Marlene too, stood up, her steaming mug of tea in her hand.
‘Wait a moment, Lieutenant McKinnon. I’d like to converse,’ Sirius stopped her. ‘Let’s sit down.’
She accompanied him on the wooden bench apprehensively, taking a sip of the tea. In truth she was exhausted, she wouldn’t have spoken to anyone this night if it weren’t for her friendship with Lewis.
‘How do you know Fortescue?’ Sirius asked, admiring how Marlene’s hair twinkled in the firelight.
‘I thought that our titles are there for a reason, Captain,’ Marlene snarked in response. Sirius frowned.
‘Have I done something to offend you, Lieutenant?’ he asked confrontationally. He didn’t appreciate the tone in which she was addressing him with.
‘You don’t make for a very good impression, Captain. I don’t appreciate someone determining whether or not I am capable of something because of my sex,’ she answered his question harshly, causing Sirius to scoff.
‘I apologise for my previous misdemeanour, but I can guarantee you are unaware of what war is truly like. I am not going to question your position as an Agent, but you were awarded your Lieutenancy for medical reasons. You see wounded soldiers, but not the bullets that shoot them,’ Sirius stated indignantly.
Marlene smirked. ‘Well, you have managed answered your own question, Captain. You have no idea what I’ve seen as an Agent. Therefore I think your expectations of what I have and have not been witnessed to are succumbed of your own prejudices. Your initial impression of me was transparent. I have been exposed to more pain and horror than you could possibly imagine. I could annihilate a whole squadron of Germans with one loaded gun. Do not underestimate me.’
‘Awfully confident, aren’t you,’ Sirius growled, but Marlene did not miss the note of wonder in his voice.
‘History dictates I have the right to be.’
Marlene threw the last dregs of her tea into the fire and stood up, brushing the creases out of her uniform.
‘I’ll give your gun tomorrow. For protection,’ Sirius informed her, also standing up. He was a good few feet taller than her. He liked the difference.
She turned around to stare at him defiantly.
‘You believe MI5 sent me to war without my own weapons?’ she questioned rhetorically. Sirius smirked down to her.
‘You don’t have to convince me any further, Lieutenant. I think I have understood that you can handle yourself. That doesn’t stop me from protecting each and every man in my unit. You now belong to my unit, hence, you’re my responsibility,’ Sirius informed.
‘I don’t need anyone look after me, Captain,’ Marlene pressed further. Sirius stepped closer to her until she was almost entirely underneath him.
As much as the blonde hated to admit it, the Captain was annoyingly handsome. It was clear her was also aware of this reality.
‘Maybe because you’ve never had anyone look after you before,’ Sirius pondered, coming across exceptionally condescending to the girl below him. ‘Have you got a man, waiting for you to return. Fingering rosary beads in hope he is able to see you again?’
His voice was husky as he moved his face closer to hers. Marlene swallowed, trying not to hitch her voice in her throat.
‘I do not see how that is any of your concern,’ she managed to stifle out. Her irritation grew as he smirked down to her.
‘That means no,’ Sirius deduced, stepping away slowly. ‘Goodnight, Lieutenant McKinnon,’ he tipped his cap to her and began walking away. ‘Your tent is the first on the left!’
He was taking a moment to just look at her. Today had been crazy, he felt like they had barely had any time together. Today was supposed to be for them but they both knew it was more for Mia… and Lily. He couldn’t believe they had made it here. Well sort of, he knew she was the person he would marry after she dropped him off on his doorstep the night they first met. He thought back to that night.
Marlene and Lily had been sharing a townhouse on the east side for about 3 months now. It wasn’t in the best area so they were getting a steal on the rent. Marlene's older brother Michael had gotten married this past weekend so she hadn’t been back to the house for about a week. Lily figured if Marlene wasn’t going to be home she would take the week to go visit her parents. So no-one had been home for the past week and admittedly Marlene was a little spooked coming back to an empty house late at night. She had a load of things to bring in so she supposed going in through the basement garage around the back of the house would be best to make multiple trips.
Marlene had hyped herself up on the drive back.
What was scary about three stories and plenty of rooms for murders to hide in?? She entered into the pitch black basement, why didn't this room have any window?
Marlene made her way up the stairs to turn off the alarm system. She typed in the code but the system displayed an error code. Error code? What does that mean? Has the alarm not been working for the past week? She was beginning to work herself into a state.
Okay her friend Mary lived like 10 minutes away, she would just call her and Mary would come over and they could search the house and it would be fine.
The phone was ringing. Marlene was standing by the door in case she needed to make a run for it. She could feel her lip starting to bleed from the tugging with the teeth.
“Hi! You’ve reached Mary! Sorry I can’t answer but I’ll get back to you when I feel like it!”
Marlene released a growl “Dammit Mary!!”
Okay now who could I call…
Marlene dialed her brother Mark's number. He had left to come back to the city a little after her but maybe he would be back by now.
“Hey Mars Bars! Whats up?”
“MARK!” She released a breath, thank god “Are you back yet?”
“No, hit bad traffic on the one. There was a bad wreck. Felt like I was sitting there for hours. Worst part was I really need the lo-”
“Mark!”
“Geez, what?”
Marlene just made whining sound
“Spit it out Mars”
“I think someone is in my house” She said it in a rushed whisper
“What”
He really didn’t sound concerned for her safety!
“I said I think there's someone in my house…”
Marlene was scared of the dark until she was 16 so he probably assumed she was being dramatic….and maybe she was
“Marlene, you’re probably fine. I’m sure you’ve just freaked yourself out. Where is Lily?”
“She won’t be home until tomorrow!!”
“Okay why don’t you call M-”
“I already called Mary! She didn’t answer! And the longer I stay here, the more time the murder is plotting how to kill me!!”
“Okay, calm down, you nutter.” She could practically hear his eyes roll “Where are you right now?”
“By the front door but I came in from the annoyingly creepy basement and the alarm system said there was an error!! An error Mark!!”
“Okay fine, why don’t you search the house with me on the phone with you? You just have the two bedroom upstairs left”
“Oh yes, because when I get attacked, you’ll be so much help!”
“Well-”
“No, you’re right. I can do this. I am an independent woman. I’ll just get a knife and then search the house, it’ll be empty and I'll be fine!”
Marlene went into the kitchen, she pulled open the drawer. There wasn't a knife. She shuffled the contents and they didn’t even own a stake knife. Curse Lily for convincing her to go vegetarian for the new year.
She pulled open the next drawer hoping to find some kind of weapon. Marlene grabbed the ice cream scoop. It had a metal head and was the closest thing she had to a mallet.
“Okay Mark, I’m gonna go up.”
Just gonna go up, turn on all the lights and it won’t be scary
Marlene looked up the narrow staircase. It was pitch black. Marlene flicked the stair light. It didn’t turn on. It. didn’t. turn. on.
Marlene released another whine
“Marlene? What's wrong?” She appreciated that he at least sounded slightly concerned
“The light won’t turn on!!” She was flipping the switch frantically now but no change.
Marlene steeled herself. She could still do this.
“Okay, I’m just going to sprint up and turn on the hall light and it will be fine.”
“It will be because you’re being over dramatic” Marlene was going to kill him the next time she saw him. If she made it through the night that is.
Marlene took the stairs two at a time. She reached the landing and went to switch but she stopped. She could see a light coming from the crack in her door. Her T.V. in her room was on? Why was her t.v. on? She had left early in the morning last week. It wouldn’t have been on ever in the morning.
“Fuck” She whispered and was running down the stairs
“Marlene?” She didn’t stop, she was getting to her car and getting out of this house. “Marlene!”
“SHH!!” She knew it was ridiculous to tell him to be quite but the murder couldn’t know she knew he was in the house.
Marlene made it safely to the car and pulled out of the garage.
“My TV was on!! I know I turned it off before I left! Murder! Mark! Oh shit! I forgot to reset the alarm! Now if they run out we’ll never know!”
Marlene drove her car around to the front of the house. She parked a little down the street, for her impromptu stake-out.
“Okay kid, now what are you gonna do?”
“I don’t know!!” Marlene hated how whiny her voice sounded. Objectively she knew she was probably being over cautious but that didn’t stop her body from shaking.
“Why don’t you drive to Mum and Da’s?”
The thought had certainly crossed her mind. Her parents only lived 50 minutes away. It was a do-able drive. But the thing was she had only been living on her own for the past few months, and her parents constantly treated her like she was a child. They also constantly nagged her about the safety of her neighborhood. Marlene couldn’t go running home now after giving them dozens of speeches about how she could handle herself.
She had to find another way out of this mess. One she probably created in her own head.
Okay Marlene, think. Who do you know that lives nearby??
There was only one person who came to mind. James.
Lily had met James on a dating app. They had only been on 5 dates over the past couple months. Things were still very new and casual. But as it turned out, James lived two streets over from them. You could walk, you know on a nice daylight hour, not when its pitch black and you’re a girl, and you’re pretty sure theres a murder hiding in your house. Marlene had only met James twice in passing but he seemed nice enough. And he had told Lily he wanted to score some roommate points with Marlene so he was her best option.
“I figured it out, got to go Mark!”
“Wait! Marlene call me when you’re saf-”
Marlene had already hung up the phone. She had a plan and she could finally catch up on her much missed sleep from this past week.
Marlene drove over to James house. Although when she got there she realized there was one issue. James lived in a duplex, meaning it was two houses connected on one side. Marlene was unsure of which side James lived on.
Marlene made her way onto the porch. She decided she would take her best guess. Marlene gave a slight knock on one door. She could see the feet of two people but they didn’t answer.
She had felt more confident about the other door anyway. Marlene walked to the next door. She knocked much harder this time. There was barking from behind the door.
The door swung open.
Well that was not James.
No standing on the other side of the door was a very handsome man. A very shirtless handsome man. He had long black hair, a very well toned body and was wearing nothing but sweatpants.
“Hello?”
Oh. How long had she been staring….
“Hi!” Oh Merlin, was that as loud to him as it sounded to her. “Is James home?”
“Um no.. I think he’s out playing ball.”
Marlene out a defeated “Oh.” Well now what?
The man behind the door was still staring at her. Particularly the ice cream scoop she had in her hand.
Oh what if he thought she was Lily? Oh god what if he thought she was another random girl?
“I’m Marlene! Lily’s roommate!”
Handsome rugged boy just quirked an eyebrow at her.
“Lily? She’s been on a few dates with James…”
Now he seemed to have a spark of recognition
“...Oh yeah, James had mentioned he had been seeing someone.”
“Right. Well that's Lily! My roommate!” Marlene could feel the manic smile on her face.
James had mentioned he had a roommate, said he was a nice guy. And there was still a chance there was a murder in her house.
“Sooo anway… We live a couple streets over! And I think there's someone in my house.” Why was she using her hands so much… “So I came over hoping to find James to see if he would come over and search the house with me!” He was still just staring. “So..would you mind doing it?”
He stayed quiet for a minute.
“What's with the ice cream scoop?”
“Oh.” Marlene looked down at the scoop in her hand. “It's the only weapon I could find. I thought maybe I could bludgeon someone with it” and then she proceeded to show the motion. God why wasn’t he wearing a shirt. Marlene could see the corners of his quirk up. He was holding in a laugh.
Marlene found herself holding in a laugh, she looked to the sky biting her lip, “Look are you going to come over and search my house for a murderer or not.”
The boy smiled, it was sly and cocky, and she noted he had stubble sprinkling his face.
“Sure, why don’t you come in while I grab a shirt.” he exited to the room around the hall.
Marlene stepped inside. She looked around the room and she spotted a big fluffy black dog sitting at the base of the stairs. She knelt down to pet the dog. James had mentioned his roommate had a dog.
“I’m Sirius by the way!”
Marlene jumped.
“And that's snuffles”
Now it was Marlene’s turn to hold in a laugh, “Snuffles?”
“I adopted him with the name.”
“Ah, gotcha..” She was still trying not to giggle, “I’m Marlene.”
“Well Marlene should we go catch a murder?”
Marlene gave Snuffles one last pet and headed out to the car.
The pair climbed into her car.
“So what made you think there was someone in the house?”
“Okay well no one‘s been home for a week so it’s been empty which means anybody could’ve come in but then I decided to enter from the basement downstairs, which is pitch black and so spooky! But I did it anyway because you know I’m an independent woman so I ran upstairs to turn off the alarm so I turned off the alarm but then it said that there was an error and I was like yeah that’s a little weird but not a big deal right? I called a friend but they didn’t answer so I called my brother but he’s out of town but he says he’ll stay on the phone with me while I go and look and of course the only weapon I have in my freaking house is an ice cream scoop! Anyway, then I go upstairs and the light won’t turn on! The light! so now I’m looking up at a pitch black hallway. But I steel myself because I’m brave so I run up the stairs and I get up to the landing and I can see that my TV is on and I know I turned off my TV because I left really early in the morning! So my TV would’ve never been on in the first place so after that point I’m like fuck I’m out of here so run down the stairs and then I have to run back through the basement to get my car and I have no one who lives around here so then I was like who lives nearby and then I thought about James so I figured sure I’ve only met him twice but hey he’s the next best thing and he seem nice enough and I figured he would get a laugh out of it so I go over to your house– which I accidentally went to your neighbors house so that was a little odd and then I came to you and here you are so now here we are!”
Marlene barely took two breaths giving him the details of her night so far. At this point she couldn’t tell if she was shaking from the potential murder or the fact that she was making a fool of herself in front of a ridiculously hot guy
Marlene parked the car in front of her house and turned to look at Sirius. He was just looking at her.
“So you asked his roommate, who you’ve never met, a stranger- to come into your house alone with you?”
“I figured better a random man from outside then finding a room to man inside” and if you’re physique says anything about you, I know you can handle a murderer
“Um, thanks?”
Oh god.. Did she just say that out loud??
Marlene was quick to unbuckle and hop out of the car “well we have a murderer to catch!”
Sirius hopped out behind her; he was chuckling at her embarrassment. He followed her up the porch, “Well ready to catch a murder?”
Marlene took a deep breath and unlocked the door and then proceeded to go in holding the ice cream scoop like a gun.
Sirius just shook his head and stepped in following her. He knew he would follow her for the rest of his life.
Now here he was watching her on their wedding day. They did search the whole house and nobody turned out to be there. She did seem to just work herself into a state. Marlene woke up the next morning with the text from an unknown number it read:
“Hope you don’t mind. I asked James to get your number from Lilly for me. I just wanted to make sure you made it through the night.” The rest was history.
Except I have it as them sneaking within the castle
Note: I have this following Day 2 Prompt: Overheard.
Unwell
Marlene ran her hand over her eyes and through her hair. She and Lily had been searching through all the books she had grabbed from the library. Flipping through the pages, they had tried to find any clue to what could be causing Professor Agata Garcia’s illness. The Defense Against the Dark Arts position was infamous for being a one-year position, but Marlene knew there had to be a tangible reason for the illness instead of a cursed countdown to the end of the year. They had searched through rune patterns, hexes, cursed objects, magical ailments, and nothing seemed to align perfectly with the symptoms.
The illness had started at the beginning of the new year. Professor Agata’s energy had been low, but it had been brushed off as exhaustion from returning to work after the Christmas break. And then when a few weeks went past, the low energy had been assumed to be caused by the time of the year where it was cold and dark, except it continued and worsened. Her initial visits to Madam Pomphrey that had helped her then turned to visits at St. Mungos. Each visit, the Healers couldn’t detect the cause for her symptoms and with no reason to stay she left.
Now in mid-April, she was staying overnight at St. Mungos after Marlene had found her unconscious at her office door. Over the year, Marlene had been assisting Professor Agata with a project to create stronger shield charms, and that day, she had an idea about looking into research on magical creatures that were resistant to spells to see if they could find anything to incorporate into the charms. She had gone to the office intending to discuss the idea, and instead she had gone to St. Mungos to describe what she had seen to the Healers.
She slid back in her chair to stare at the Common Room ceiling. Light was streaking across it. It was getting close to sunset. It had been a nice day so everyone had been outside, and soon they would start coming back in. Lily had left a while ago to make sure the younger students didn’t stay out too late – “I don’t want them getting detention from Filch just for enjoying the weather too long.” Lily said rolling her eyes – and Marlene was left alone with stacks of books.
“I now see why your bag was so heavy. You could have used an Undetectable Extension Charm on it.”
Marlene turned her attention to Sirius as he took a seat next to her, tilting it so it was balanced on its back two legs. “I might have taken out the whole library if I used that charm. At least, I have an amount that I can reasonably read through.” She straightened in her chair. “I have to figure out what is making Professor Agata ill.”
“Do you think someone is intentionally making her ill?”
“I can’t think of anyone I know or anyone she has said. But, if she gets better when she is away from Hogwarts then I don’t think it is a normal disease. Why would she get better when she is away and instantly get worse when she is back? I was hoping to see something in the books, but I’m not. I think…I think I need to look in her office. You don’t have to come with me.”
“Nah, I’m going too.”
She checked to see that she had the keys to Professor Agata’s office in her pocket, and then they headed through the castle to her office. It was almost dark with only a faint light stretching across the halls. She unlocked the door and headed inside before closing it.
Lighting the candles and torches, they began to look around. Sirius waved his wand using non-verbal detection spells to check for any cursed or hidden objects. She searched the desk to see if she saw any items or letters that might hint to clues to what was happening to Professor Agata.
It was getting late, and they hadn’t found anything when they heard footsteps walking down the hall. Sirius noxed the lights and they stayed silent. Night had settled, and it was after curfew. The room was pitch black, the moon and stars didn’t offer any light. Marlene dreaded someone bursting through the door, but the footsteps continued down the hall.
After a few moments waiting to see if the footsteps would come back, but before they could start searching again, they heard a noise behind them. They both turned around and saw a faint glow coming from the bedroom. The room was silent again, but the glow lingered, casting an eerie light along the floor.
They slowly tiptoed forward. Closer to the door, they heard it again and it sounded like wings flapping.
Marlene opened the bedroom door, and on the wall, they observed the source of the faint glow. Uncertain of what it was, she cautiously walked in followed by Sirius. Staring at it longer, she realized that the glow was a ghostly outline of what looked to be a bat. It was transparent enough for her to see the wall it clung to.
“What is-“ Marlene’s question was cut off as the creature shot off the wall.
“Verdimillious!” Sirius shot green sparks at the creature that drove it back hitting it against the wall.
“Incarcerous!” Marlene captured the creature, binding it with ropes to hold it against the wall.
The faint glow that had filled the room went out. Sirius lit the room with his wand, and Marlene blinked a few times before her eyes adjusted. She saw Sirius inspecting it.
It was no longer transparent, glowing, or invisible. It had ash gray fur, pointed ears, a flat face, and a round mouth. It looked similar to a vampire bat. She hadn’t thought that a creature was the cause of Professor Agata’s illness, but this creature had to have done it. No one had known it was there.
“It’s knocked out but breathing.” Sirius looked back at her.
Marlene nodded, “Go get Professor McGonagall. I’ll stay here to watch it.”
He left, and the second he was gone, she wished he was back, that he’d hurry faster. Alone in the room, she waited with the creature.
It didn’t stir.
She heard footsteps but didn’t turn away from the creature until they had entered.
Sirius had brought Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Kettleburn.
“I see you have found the cause of Professor Garcia’s illness.” Professor Dumbledore remarked.
“I think so…I don’t even know what it is.”
“It is a Coma Bat. Uncommon and very difficult to detect. Unless unconscious, like it is now, it is always in a state of wakefulness and observation and remains invisible. There is no known spell to make this creature visible when it does not want to be so. Only in the dark, does it glow. It most likely was not aware of your presence in the office when you were hiding in the dark. Otherwise, it might have remained hidden.”
A chill ran down Marlene’s spine, “What was it doing to Professor Agata?”
“The Coma Bat feeds on a person’s life. It drains the person until they die. In the past, this creature’s victims would simply become bedridden in their home and remain for it to continue feeding. Professor Garcia though has left numerous times to regain her strength, and now she can continue her recovery with no setbacks thanks to you.”
While Professor Dumbledore had been talking, Professor Kettleburn had removed the creature from the wall and placed it in a bag and proceeded to leave. “I’ll be taking this to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
“It has been a long day for both of you. Now off to your dormitories and get some rest. Professor Garcia is doing much better, and I think that she would be glad to have a visit from you Miss McKinnon.”
Marlene smiled and followed Professor McGonagall and Sirius back to Gryffindor Tower.
Note: This story was inspired by “El Almohadón de Plumas” (“The Feather Pillow”) by Horacio Quiroga that I read in Spanish class, back when I was in school. I used behindthename.com website for the professor’s first name and then used a popular last name in Spain.
We've come to the end of this story, my friends. I'll be off next week but I've got two more stories that will go up starting April 18th. Have a blessed Holy Week!
Heist
Chapter 4 - The Important Things
"Sirius, what in Merlin's name?"
No answer.
She huffed and held out her wand. "Accio jacket."
Nothing.
She looked around for Sirius but he stayed hidden under the cloak. Marlene was about to curse him when she heard a quiet bark. Were the Slytherins keeping dogs? Then something pulled on her pant leg.
A black dog stuck out from James' cloak.
She gasped. "Where did you learn how to do that?"
The dog, apparently Sirius, barked again and pulled her over to a trunk. He sat next to it and nuzzled the lock with his nose.
"You've got so much explaining to do." Marlene pulled her wand. "Alohomora." The trunk clicked open and there lay her jacket. She gasped and pulled it to her chest before quickly slipping it on.
"I'll explain later." Sirius stood next to her now. "Tweedle Dumb is on her way." He wrapped the cloak around them and levitated them back above the floor.
Marlene hissed and hugged his waist again. She hated the feeling of someone making her float above the ground, but while with anyone else she would have insisted they set her down, with Sirius she felt the instinctive desire to cling to him.
His arm wrapped around her waist pulling her closer, and Marlene resisted the sudden urge to bury her head in his neck. She'd already fabricated an excuse once on this crazy rescue mission, and that was quite enough.
Enough to fuel her dreams for weeks, months, years more likely.
"Grab the door." Sirius moved them to the door and Marlene waved her wand for them to slip out and then quickly closed it in time for Tweedle Dumb to turn the corridor.
Marlene gripped her wand, trying to decide what curse she wanted to use as revenge.
Then Alecto fell straight back against the floor.
"Didn't want her to get away." Sirius whispered next to her ear.
"I was trying to think of what to use." Marlene frowned.
"And I've bought you time." Sirius' hand rubbed against her back. "See no reason not to trust me."
His hand on her back had Marlene struggling to think of anything other than how close they were, let alone what she'd like to do to Tweedle Dumb. "In my defense, I've learned my lesson."
"I'll take that as a compliment then."
Sirius' lips brushed her ear again and Marlene leant closer, relishing the contact. "Maybe we just leave her, and find someplace to celebrate?"
"Done."
Sirius moved them, careful to avoid Tweedle Dumb so she wouldn't see them floating in the air. He maneuvered them at breakneck speed back to the Slytherin's common room and didn't wait for someone to let them out. He waved the door open and closed behind them before pulling them behind a tapestry and then through a secret passage.
And finally, finally, he threw the cloak off of them, pressed her against the wall behind her, and brought his lips to hers.
Marlene thought maybe she'd died.
Her brain stopped and she was consumed by the feeling of her hands in Sirius' hair, his lips on her neck, their bodies pressed so closely against each other she wasn't certain where one of them stopped and the other began.
"Merlin, I've wanted to do this for ages." He kissed up her neck.
"What stopped you?" She used her hold on his hair to pull him back to her lips, kissing him till he pulled back just far enough to answer.
"You're you, McKinnon. I'm not screwing you around."
Marlene smirked. "Am I the one to finally conquer the great Sirius Black?"
Sirius bit her lip and she melted into him. "Depends on if I'm the one to conquer the great Marlene McKinnon?"
"I mean, you did get me back my jacket before Tweedle Dumb shredded it."
He hummed against her lips as she ran her black fingernails along his scalp. "See, I come with all sorts of benefits."
"Do those benefits improve from here?"
"If you're mine, those benefits never stop improving." Sirius slipped his hand up from her waist.
She pressed up on her toes and pulled herself closer to speak against his ear. "Then I want a preview of what I have to look forward to."
Sirius sat across from Marlene McKinnon in a dingy café that was still open at this late hour.
She was a sight to be sure, her golden curls soaking wet and plastered to her head, her dress was probably a deep blue when dry but currently it looked as though it'd been drug through a lake and the color was nearly black. Her makeup must have been waterproof though because her ice blue eyes still popped with the golden shimmer surrounding them and her lips still pulled him in with their blood red color.
Then she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and Sirius' brain jumped back to memories from so long ago he’d nearly forgotten them.
“So, how was uni in Germany?”
“Alright, I managed to do well enough.” Sirius toyed with his mug. “How was uni in Ireland?”
Marlene stiffened and looked away.
“Not good?”
She didn’t answer and Sirius hated how he couldn’t read her as easily as he had before they both left the country.
“Marls, I have no clue what’s bothering you, so can you at least give me a hint?”
Marlene blinked, and the rigidness in her posture melted for a moment. Sirius capitalized on that moment of softness.
“Come on, Marls, it’s me.”
Her eyes returned to his and he was shocked at the pain he saw there. “I never went.”
“What?” That didn’t make sense. They’d both been wanting to get out of dreary old England and both came from families that had the funds to get them out, granted his family would have preferred him dead but they weren’t the family that paid for him to go to school, Uncle Alphard had seen to that.
"I never went."
"But, James never said anything-"
"I threatened him not to." Marlene sighed and looked down at her mug. "No one but James and Lily knew."
Sirius couldn't help staring. His mind had gone blank. "Why?"
"Mum got sick," she shrugged. "I couldn't leave Dad and Catherine to look after her on their own."
"Is she alright?" Sirius felt his blood run cold.
"Yeah, the cancer is in remission, has been for two years, and the doctors think she'll be fine."
Sirius let out a long, shaky breath. "I'm really, really glad to hear that."
Finally she smiled at him. "I'm really, really glad to be able to say that."
He chuckled and resisted the urge to reach out and take her hand. "So what had you in the streets of London without an umbrella this evening?"
Her face fell.
Sirius briefly wondered if it was a date gone wrong. The thought soured his stomach.
"You might call it a business opportunity gone wrong." Her shoulders slumped and she stared back down at her drink.
Sirius tried to stamp down his relief at it not being a date. "What kind of business?"
"I was at a party where agencies look for potential new models."
Sirius opened his mouth but no sound came out. What happened in the six years he'd been gone? The Marlene he thought he'd sent to Ireland would have never pursued modeling. She wanted to be behind the camera, finding the perfect lighting, making him pull over on the side of the road because she had to get the perfect shot, obsessed with this lense and that film type. She was never interested in being the subject of a photograph.
"Yeah," she shook her head. "I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I was wrong."
Sirius' brain finally started turning gears again. "Wait, how did that lead to you on the pavement in the pouring rain?"
"I made a scene and ran."
"Why did you make a scene?"
"Because one of the agents decided he didn't need to keep his hands to himself."
Marlene had said it so easily, almost flippantly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
