A Moment of Warmth
The winter wind howled, trapped between the walls of the derelict buildings. The roof above them creaked ominously under the assault of the enraged gust. But all Marlene could hear was the rattling sound of her chattering teeth. She desperately pulled the beige cloak around her in a futile attempt to ward off the winter chill.
Marlene froze as a warm quilt enveloped her. It took her a moment to realise that it was a ridiculously large and woolly sweater. She turned and looked at her surprisingly quiet mission partner. Sirius grinned at her, his bare hands nonchalantly pressed against his body (though the goosebumps covering his pale arms betrayed his false bravado). Scowling at his cheeky smile, she turned back to pointlessly gaze at their target through the heavy snowfall.
Maybe it was the soft heartbeat against her back, maybe it was the gratitude for the sweater or maybe the chill had truly addled her mind, but at that particular moment, Marlene believed that Sirius Black wasn't as bad as she had thought. Melting in the embracing warmth, she fiddled with the stray threads of the sweater. It was, unsurprisingly, a Gryffindor red with patterns of zooming golden bludgers. The deep colours stood against the bleak and dull surroundings. They reminded her of a laughing Sirius lounging in the common room and wearing this same sweater. A small smile appeared on her pink lips.
"Thinking about me, McKinnon?" The warm husky words brushed against the nape of her neck, tingling her skin. It kindled an unknown flame at the pit of her stomach.
"You wish, Black," she scowled while fervently praying that he didn't see her blushing cheeks.
"Yes, I do." The words only fuelled the strange fire rousing inside her. The heat spread through her body. For a delirious moment, emboldened by the raging fire, she let go of her indifferent scowl. She opened her lips to speak. But at the same time, a shout reverberated through the alley.
"Bombarda!"
The trash cans beside them exploded. They were discovered. Exchanging spells and hexes with the arriving Death Eaters, they quickly fled from the scene. But that moment of cheeky grin and emboldening flame was left under the roof of the dingy pub.
Written for 5 Drabbles Competition Round 3
Pairing: Sirius/Marlene and Prompt: Sweater
Written for Blackinnon Competition
Level: Yellow (no prompts)
Written for Unusual Pairings
Pairing: Sirius/Marlene
Written for Prompts Galore Challenge
Prompt: Quilt
Written for School of Prompts
Prompt: Beige