Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the world of Harry Potter.
A/N: Hello, lovelies! Sorry this has been such a long time in the making. I really appreciate all of the support for Thursdays and was very inspired to continue writing the trilogy I planned out so long ago. I'm not going to promise set updates but I will try to post at least twice a month if not more. I do have the story and chapter outlines done, but I'm only halfway done with the writing. Be patient! I would really love to hear your input in some much appreciated reviews.

Also, I have tried to include back story so that this story can stand alone. There will be some things you may not get if you haven't read the first part, but I am willing to address your questions if you do not wish to read back.

And lastly, I'm dedicating my first chapter to the YouTube user stormyignorance. They made a lovely video that fits Thursdays like a glove. Please search YouTube for Sirius & Marlene || Patronus.

Enjoy.

1978

Her bare feet sunk into the wet earth as the sun appeared from behind a cloud bank. She couldn't remember seeing it all summer, and like many other things associated with James Potter and Lily Evans, everything was falling perfectly into place. It wasn't too warm, with just the right amount of breeze pulling a long loose ringlet over her thin shoulder. Guests were arriving promptly and on time, even Sirius Black had shown up clean shaven, hair combed. Marlene took a deep breath as she turned a rose around and around between her palms, trying desperately to focus on the tiny painful digs from its multiple thorns.

"The bride is requesting her Maid of Honor."

Marlene's shoulders drew up as she glanced over them at her eldest brother, Marc. As an Auror he'd received his highest marks in tracking and concealment, and as a brother he was just as good. She'd barely seen him since June, with the wizarding war demanding all of his time. She'd almost expected to see him on duty, but he'd retired his purple robes for some nicer, less worn, dress ones. He seemed at ease for an event that was practically begging to be ruined by death eaters or Voldemort himself. She turned around and hid the rose at her side, her fist closing around it as she reached at Marc's collar to straighten his perfectly straight bow tie.

"Marlene?"

She sighed and let her hand drop to her hip. "I'm not her Maid of Honor – for the last time."

"Lily Evans is your best friend –"

Marlene lifted the rose and pushed it into his hand. "And Sirius Black is the Best Man."

If Marc followed her back to the Potter's house, she didn't hear him. She collected her shoes from the steps of the back deck as she raced up them and past a pacing Alice. Her fiery cousin was fast on her heel as Marlene joined the bride in the sitting room.

"Christ, Marlene, where the hell were you?" Alice snapped as Marlene drew her wand from the length of her little black dress and cleaned her feet.

"How late are we?" Lily asked as Mrs. Potter handed Lily her bouquet of flowers.

"Not at all, dear, you're just fine," Mrs. Potter smiled, tired lines etching her aged features.

"It's not just as fine – I had to call Marc and God knows where you'd gotten off to or with whom," Alice snapped hotly, rearing up onto her toes to match height with Marlene. "This is Lily's wedding and we've got enough to be worrying about –"

"– Than rather or not I want to play bridesmaid," Marlene snapped back with incredulity. "And then you think I've got the nerve to be wondering around with – with –"

"Sirius," Alice enunciated, her eyebrows drawing into a deep angry V.

"Now girls –" Mrs. Potter began with an exasperated sigh.

"Oi, are you birds doing this or not?" Sirius quipped from the door jamb; he stood leaning against it, his arms folded. Marlene's face burned hot as her teeth gnashed together and she glanced at Lily for help.

Lily wasn't moving, however. In fact, Marlene had the feeling that the red head was fast on her way to a nervous breakdown. Alice grabbed up the thin chiffon of her summer dress and practically leapt to Lily's side. Marlene stared at the floor as Alice began to repeatedly apologize to Lily; she winced when Alice shot her one last fiery look. When finally Marlene had felt Sirius' eyes leave her, she glanced toward the doorway, glad to see him gone. Lily was running through a long list of worries in a frantic whisper behind her.

"Okay, calm down," Marlene said at last. Marlene took a deep breath. "Where are my flowers?" she toned.

Lily's shoulder's drooped and she dropped her shaking hands, bouquet and all, to her caving stomach. "You really will?" she asked in a strangled whisper. Marlene hadn't even entirely nodded her head before Lily had thrown her arms over Marlene's shoulders.

Lily leapt away from her, her hands flying to the bodice of her dress. "Oh! I've just now thought of it," she half cried as she began to wring her hands together. Marlene and Alice exchanged a short look before Lily leapt into explanation. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. I've completely forgotten," she finished as she dragged her hands over face.

"You're mind? What are you on about, Lily?" Marlene asked as Alice glowered at the side of Marlene's head.

"It's just tradition-superstition," Lily said. "My mum says it wards away infertility and – and – now I'm going to be barren."

Marlene was positive Lily was on her way to an emotional breakdown. It was bad enough the red head's mother had fallen too ill to travel across England to Lily's wedding. Lily hadn't even mentioned her sister. Marlene glanced at Alice for help but she looked as hopeless as Lily.

"Well Lily," Mrs. Potter said smartly. "Your dress is new, so now let's see."

"What color is your garter?" Alice asked.

Lily's face screwed around as her cheeks burned red. "It's white."

"Lucky we're magic, then," Marlene said, ducking low to rip Lily's dress up. She tapped her wand to the garter, smiling in relief as it turned ice blue.

Alice and Mrs. Potter were glancing around the room for the other two objects. Marlene frowned as she glanced out the front window. They were running a bit behind then, and if they didn't think fast then Lily was going to miss her sunset ceremony. Marlene closed her eyes and pressed her heavy hair from her shoulders as she thought.

"Do you have any old jewelry, Mrs. Potter?" Alice asked, lighting up. Lily took a breath of relief.

Marlene grabbed her clutch without thinking. She popped it open before Mrs. Potter could answer. Her fingers pressed against cold goblin gold as she realized herself and her friends staring around at her. Without much room for backing out, she tugged the tiny bracelet free from a tangle of hair ties. Alice and Lily recognized Sirius' old Christmas gift immediately.

"Oh, Marlene," Lily said happily as Marlene hooked the bracelet around Lily's wrist. "It's perfect."

"It is goblin made, so it's probably fairly old," Marlene said as she turned the bracelet around Lily's tiny wrist and caught the little golden heart. She took a deep breath and looked away from it. "I put it in my purse a while ago – I'd almost forgotten about."

"I'm sure you did," Alice muttered under her breath, her arms folded across her breasts.

"It's beautiful, Marlene," Mrs. Potter said to Marlene's reddening blush.

Lily finished marveling the bracelet and gave Marlene a tight hug. Marlene jerked her foot away from Alice who was attempting to slip a heel on it with the excuse that they had to hurry. It was only seconds before the tall brunette was being heralded onto the back deck, a bouquet of lilies in hand. She hadn't a moment to object as she was left alone with Sirius. Lily stood back behind them, giving them a private moment to collect themselves.

"And here I thought Lily was against dark magic." Sirius smirked as he held out his elbow and wedding music began to play in the distance. They watched Alice rush to her seat as Sirius leaned over and muttered in Marlene's ear, "Had I known Imperius was on the table..." Marlene offered him a glare and he burst into bark like laughter. "Never could take a joke."

"How are you at taking heels to the foot?"

"Guess she didn't tell you to behave," Sirius teased as they started their decent down the floral lined path to the ceremony.

"Just stop talking to me."

"Come on, Legs –"

Marlene jerked her arm away from him and reached for her wand. His hand closed around her wrist to stop her before he could properly see it coming. The smack resounded even over the music, staining Sirius' cheek as red as Marlene's. She thought she heard Alice groan in the distance. Her chest was heaving as he arched an eyebrow at her. A second of silence passed before he once again offered her his elbow, and after a second of harried thought, she reluctantly took it.

When they turned onto the lily covered aisle, everyone's eyes were upon them. Marlene purposely avoided looking toward her brother's, although she was sure all of them had their dark narrowed eyes on Sirius. James was offering Sirius an amused yet muted smile as Marlene jerked her arm away from Sirius' side. The music changed key to something more melodic, and Marlene, with the rest of those in attendance, turned her entire attention unto the bride.

Not even Remus Lupin's patch-less dress robes and clean healthy appearance could take away from the woman on his arm. Her hair burnt golden red in the setting sun; her skin was tinted with just the right amount of pink-red blush. Instead of the music directing her, Lily seemed to direct the music. Half way down the aisle, Lily seemed to grow confident of her nervous footing. For the first time, her doe-shaped eyes turned upon her waiting husband. Lily's blooming smile was only matched by the sudden pinking of her cheeks and the brightest shine in her emerald eyes. It was as if everyone was suddenly bound by a love that would never – could never be matched. For a brief, heart clenching moment, all there was in the world were James and Lily.

Marlene nearly forgot to step forward and take Lily's flowers. They kissed the other on the cheek and Marlene couldn't help it. "You look beautiful, Lils," she whispered before stepping back to her place. She shyly bowed her head as Remus handed Lily off to his best friend. As weddings went, James' and Lily's carried on fairly quickly after that.

James fumbled nervously through all of his vows before with a frustrated sigh he confessed, "I love you, Lily Evans. I've only ever loved you. I will only ever love you. I mean I can muck this up all day or – " Lily leant forward and kissed him, cutting him off effectively to everyone's relief but for the Marauders, who were completely enjoying James' inability to perform well in front of Lily-for-the-last-time Evans.

The pastor cleared his throat and for good measure added, "Not yet."

Lily practically fell over as she leapt away from James in guilty embarrassment. The wedding guests broke into muted laughter as the pastor smiled Lily's shame away. James however, could not stop stupidly grinning at his unbelievable luck. Sirius shook his head as the pastor finished his piece. Before Marlene knew it Lily was taking her flowers back, forever leaving Marlene behind as she began her life with her new best friend, dodging rice and rushing back down the aisle, laughing with her husband.

"Pictures," Alice shouted to Marlene's extreme annoyance.

To keep with the theme, Marc appeared – as annoying as Alice – to help Marlene over the days-damp earth in her towering heals. "Almost done," he urged supportively as Lily waved her over for a photo. Almost done didn't come for two hours, and even then, as Marlene took her seat two away from Sirius, she knew it was far from over.

Peter gave the first toast, to Marlene's surprise. While at first he seemed to stutter over his words in a predictably painful fashion, he eventually seemed to manage a decent speech, cheered on by his three infamous friends. Marlene's cheeks heated at Alice as she kicked Marlene beneath the table; the Maid of Honor reluctantly drew her hands together to add into Peter's deafening applause. Remus was next and then Alice; Marlene even shared a bit. Sirius rounded up the toasts with his usual humor, except Marlene managed to force herself into ignoring him. She did not laugh, and she wouldn't have clapped either, if she hadn't been sure that her ankle was already bruised from the first time Alice had kicked her.

Just before Lily and James left to prepare for their first dance as husband and wife, Marlene managed to slip away from her host as Maid of Honor. She was not going to dance with Sirius; she did not even feel the need to verbally announce it. She was half way around the dance floor, on the other side of the walls of lattice and lilies and fairies, when his hand circled gently around hers.

"One dance and you can ignore me for the rest of forever."

Marlene's finger's wrapped absently around his as she contemplated his offer. Her heart was thrumming in her chest as she offered him his first glimpse of her muted left over feelings. His grey eyes searched out her crystal blue ones as he dropped his head to catch sight of her crumbling resolve. It had taken her the better part of two months to stop tirelessly missing him. It was funny what two seconds could do to some well-practiced determination.

"For Lily and James," he added, subtly arching a single dark eyebrow.

Marlene sighed and glanced down at their hands. "One dance and you will ignore me for the rest of forever, Sirius, okay?"

Sirius didn't answer her for a beat. "Okay," he agreed with a tiny smirk.

She didn't have time to be surprised. Sirius swept her out onto the dance floor within seconds. They twirled around Lily and James, adding to Marlene's overpowering nausea. And still, as much as she hated to admit it, dancing with Sirius was effortless. It was as easy and as natural as sleeping. She laid her head on his shoulder as the song came to an end, trying to ignore the thud-thud-thud of her pulse in her ears. She breathed in the familiar smell of his cologne and then she was doomed.

"Once more," he breathed in her ear.

"You're a liar," she said back weakly. She didn't lift her head as her eyebrows pulled together and she stared in her defeat at the muscle twining through Sirius' neck.

"You're not surprised," he muttered smartly as he spun her away from him. More dancers had begun to crowd onto the dance floor, illuminated only by the crescent moon and the fairies that lit the night sky above them. Marlene refused her duel feelings of irritation and nostalgia as he pulled her back to his chest. Marlene refused to feel anything, let alone the way his hand held hers. And then when the music shifted again, Sirius pulled her hip closer to his. Their twirling and swaying slowed so that there was no other distraction from how completely and scarily easy it was for them to pretend as if nothing had ever changed.

She could feel his heart beating; his anxiety always drove her own. Sirius Black was suave, he had charm down to an art, and he had not once ever batted an eyelash at a challenge. Marlene lifted her head and met his patient stare while they turned in time and swayed with the music. The world seemed to fall away from them, all of her anxieties with it. She could not remember in that moment, why she could not love Sirius Black. She could taste the mint on his breath as she looked down her eyelashes at his lips, remembering the way they felt and fit perfectly against her own. Her breath caught in her throat as Sirius dropped her into a dip, swiftly supporting her weight as his chest lowered to hers. Their eyes locked as Marlene took a breath, and it was like that – that his lips brushed over hers for the first time in months. She'd only closed her eyes for a second when something seemed to go wrong; it was only tradition.

Sirius' hold slackened so much that his hand slipped from the arch of her back and she crashed back to reality with a sharp pain in her bottom. Everything happened so fast that by the time she could understand what was going on, Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, was standing feet away from her and separating one of her brothers and Sirius. Marlene's ears seemed to be temporarily out of work as she noticed her old head of house, looking as a disapproving as ever, where Dumbledore had seemingly left her. Marlene blinked up at Marc as he helped her from the dance floor and to her shaky legs.

"Are you alright?" he asked sincerely, his eyes sweeping her frame for injuries.

Marlene's face burned red with embarrassment while Dumbledore diverted everyone's attention and motioned for the band to start playing again. Sirius and Michael had both disappeared along with a lot less of the dancers than Marlene knew her overactive imagination had settled on. Marc led her through a crowded crop of tables and wedding goers, to a table in the very back. Her youngest brother Max was talking animatedly to his girlfriend, Amelia Bones, and their other brother, Maize. Marlene sat down stiffly aside an Auror clad Maize and didn't, at first, hear Marc addressing them.

"Marlene," Marc repeated, looking concerned for the third time that evening. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Did she trip over her clown feet again, brother?" Maize teased. Marlene socked him in the shoulder to Max's amusement.

Marc seemed to relax at Marlene's return to reality. "I've got to return to the ministry with Maize and Michael. Can I trust you to apparate home with Max when you're ready to leave?"

"Do I really need a babysitter? I could walk myself," Max said to Marc's raised eyebrow. He quickly turned into himself, his cheeks burning as red as Marlene's.

"Ah, don't mind little Max, Marc, he's just trying to impress Miss Amelia, here."

Marc smirked. "Well I'm sure Miss Amelia here, will be escorted home as well."

"Yes, sir," Amelia nodded politely. Marlene snorted at the Ravenclaw's use of sir.

"You can call me Marc, Amelia."

"Yes, Marc," Amelia said, her ears burning bright red. Maize snickered at the glare Max defiantly offered Marc.

"Don't you know, Amy, it makes him feel old when you call him sir," Maize explained, grinning.

Amelia shifted in her seat, her entire face glowing crimson. Max was glowering at Maize then. "You should treat a young woman with respect, Maize. Her name is Amelia, unless you've been invited otherwise," he scolded.

Maize shrugged and stretched his arms out. "Let's get this party going then, shall we?"

A brief flicker of exhaustion colored Marc's features before he nodded in conclusion. Maize stood up and saluted Amelia, who nearly disappeared into her chair and beneath the table. Marlene watched on with her elbow on the table, her chin resting dutifully on the heel of her palm.

"Elbow," Marc said, drawing her attention. Marlene dropped her arm off the table and straightened in her seat. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before adding, "Do I need to have any sort of discussion with you before I leave?" Alternatively, stay the hell away from Sirius Black if you ever want to see your friends or have a social life again, Marlene thought.

"I wasn't thinking, Marc," she began lazily.

He waved away the weak apology, frowning. "Try to use your head the rest of the evening, will you?"

Marlene nodded and Marc glanced once more around the table before disappearing after Maize. Marlene looked back at Max, realizing he was staring at her. Amelia looked mildly curious and more at ease in the absence of the older brothers.

"What did you do?" Max asked curiously.

"Shouldn't you two be off snogging somewhere?"

"I should be going, Max. Edgar didn't want to stay very long," Amelia offered politely.

"Let me walk you," Max said, jumping up as Amelia stood to pull her chair away. Marlene sat back in her chair and folded her arms with a sigh. Her younger brother was better at managing his love life than she was.

"I'm sorry about earlier," Alice said, literally appearing out of nowhere.

"Jesus, Alice," Marlene said as Alice bounced into the empty seat aside her.

"I suppose after this you won't want to attend any more weddings."

"None with Sirius Black," Marlene muttered, staring at the pristine white table cloth.

Alice threw her arm over the back of her chair. "Frank and I would like to set a date, and I'll probably be needing a Maid of Honor."

"Ask Lily to be your Maid of Honor," Marlene said, guessing the trajectory of Alice's conversation.

"Or I'll just ask you again later, when the threat of being kicked out of my flat is looming over your head."

Marlene sighed. "I'm not sure Marc is going to let me move out; he did turn out to be serious about the summer." The only time Marlene had been allowed out was for the Quidditch World Cup and wedding planning.

"I know – if it weren't for Lily we wouldn't have seen each other at all," Alice pouted as she caught a glass of refilling wine and took a sip of it. Her earlier rift with Marlene seemed forgotten. "I'm sure he'll loosen up."

"Yeah," Marlene said sarcastically with a sardonic look. "Anyways," Marlene said. "It doesn't make any sense to move in for what – when will you and Frank be getting married?"

Alice's features drooped. "Oh yeah…"

"Don't worry about it," Marlene said as Max returned to the table. "We'll talk about it later. I've got to take Max home."

"We can stay," Max said obliviously.

"I think Marc wanted us to head home," Marlene said, giving Max a pointed look.

"Just make sure you say goodbye to Lily and James," Alice called after them as they began to weave their way away from the dinner and decorations.

Max half jogged to reach her long strides. "What was that about?" he asked as she slipped off her shoes and started for the tall grass and long walk that separated her childhood home from James'. "Hey Marlene, Marc said to apparate," Max added as an afterthought.

"He probably thought it would be later," Marlene said nonchalantly, parting a glade of grass and picking her footing carefully as she started through the muddy field.

"Lumos," she heard Max mutter behind her.

"Someone's feeling rebellious," Marlene snorted.

Her underage brother replied smartly, "Well you weren't going to do it and one of us has to be smart about it. Besides, there's so much magic around us…Remember when we were younger, Maize would teach us spells at solstice and let us use his wand?"

"If I remember, Maize also used to surpass me in getting into trouble as well." Marlene picked blindly through the glass. She could see their home in the far off distance. "Can't you do nonverbal magic yet, anyway?"

"Not all of us are savants like you and Marc."

Marlene smirked at him over her shoulder. "Must suck." She stuck her tongue out in a way that would have made Marc sigh in irritation.

Max rolled his eyes instead. "Why don't you tell me more from your summer dungeon, then?"

"Very funny," Marlene said, faking a loud laugh and then glaring over her shoulder at him. "Keep it up and you'll be joining me, you little rule breaker you."

She could hear Max's amusement in his voice as he asked, "Do you think Marc really grounded you forever?"

"Is Amelia totally enthralled with Maize?"

"She was just embarrassed," Max said defensively.

"Please, I've never met a girl who isn't instantly in love with Maize or Marc."

"Just shut it, Marlene. Why do you always have to be so negative? Amelia isn't like other girls, you know; she's smart and she wouldn't be so fickle as to fall in love with charm alone. Maize is really good at yanking people's legs and Marc's like a parent now. You know he's technically the heir of the McKinnon name, and people really respect that, and you'd do well to –"

"Shut up, Max," Marlene snapped. They'd slowed down to a moderate walk in Max's ranting. Marlene shivered as a cold gust of wind tore through the grass and whipped her hair over her shoulders. "I was just taking the Mickey you berk."

"It isn't polite to talk about Amelia like that, is all," Max said, raising his wand a little higher to better light their path. Max had started to say something but just as his wand light touched the ground some ten feet away from them, Marlene was sure she saw the grass tilt sideways.

"Shut up," she said, throwing her arm in front of him.

"Don't be –"

"Shut up, Max," Marlene hissed as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up in warning. "Nox," she whispered, closing her hand over the tip of Max's wand. Max had frozen up behind her. It only took Marlene a moment to realize how dark it was without the light of Max's wand to guide them. She glanced up at the suddenly starless sky, her stomach turning in anxiety.

"Maybe it was just a jack rabbit," Max whispered.

"Maybe," a mocking voice whispered before the field before them went up in flames and laughter sounded from seemingly every direction.

"Apparate, Max," Marlene shouted as she drew her wand from her dress.

"I can't," Max said as Marlene came to the same realization. "They've set up anti-apparation wards."

"I can't," the mocking voice returned before the scattering laughter sounded again.

Marlene dropped her shoes on the ground and grabbed Max's hand. She saw the first flash of light out of the corner of her eye. Max shouted 'Protego' seconds after she'd thrown up her own shield behind them. Marlene couldn't tell where the cackling laughter was coming from or how many death eaters there were. She started to feel lightheaded the harder they ran; she mistook her hunger pangs for what was really happening. It wasn't until a dementor swooped down upon them that she understood how much danger they were really in.

"Expecto Patronum," Max shouted from what sounded like really far away.

A blast of white light burned her retinas before Max appeared again beside her. His arm looped around her waist. Dots spotted her vision as he pulled her back into a run, a cold sweat broke out at the back of her neck. Marlene could faintly hear a woman laughing; it didn't sound like it was coming from her surroundings but from within her own head. A flash of purple sent both of them tumbling. Marlene tightened her hand around her wand as her head collided with a large rock protruding out of the grass.

"Marlene," she heard Max say once or twice. She reached her hand up to her forehead, touching it to a wet-sticky-something oozing from her eyebrow. She rolled onto her back, wincing in pain as her shoulder started to burn as if it were on fire. "It's always my fucking shoulder," she swore into the night, squeezing her eyes shut as she forced her body into a sitting position. She glanced around for Max but she couldn't see him. Shouting came to her from far away. She dizzily pressed off from the ground and to her feet. She took two stumbling steps left only to break a twig loudly-clear in half. She shone the light from her wand over it, her spinning head coming to a throbbing stop as she recognized Max's wand.

"Hey," Marlene screamed into the night without a second thought. Her voice echoed around the starless sky. She started running. "Max," she screamed, pressing her aching body into a hard sprint toward the house. She stumbled to a stop as it was suddenly illuminated against the night sky, fire licking up its expansive side. She broke free from the grass just as it appeared, a large hanging skull painted right over the stars. She couldn't hear anything over her panic, as she stood frozen in front of the only place she'd ever known as home, tears streaking silently over her dirtied, blood stained cheeks. She knew Max must be inside, burning alive. A scream ripped so viscerally through the night that it nearly deafened her. Her ears rang as she took a breath and it cut off. While she would have gladly accepted death in that moment, she threw up a shield charm just before a blast of red hit her squarely in the back. She turned blackened revenge focused eyes upon her assailant and raised her wand.

"Oh, is the sister sad that we killed her baby brother?" one of the death eaters called mockingly. It was the same one that had been mocking her in the field.

"It better had been worth it," Marlene growled in response.

The other two death eaters started laughing at the third's side. Their laughter was only cut short by the numerous cracks in the distance and around them. One by one they began to disappear until it was only Marlene and her assailant facing off. She was sure the flash of green was the last thing she'd ever see, the sound of someone disapparating the last thing she'd ever hear. It was faster than she'd ever imagined; the world caved in around her, vacuuming her into nonexistence.