For Camp Potter (Fireworks Show week 2: SiriusMarlene)
"Stop."
Sirius raises his brows. "I haven't done anything," he says defensively, lifting his hands upward, palms out as if to show Marlene that he comes in peace.
She scrunches her nose, a hint of a smirk playing at her lips. "Really? That's a first," Marlene laughs, turning her attention to the punch bowl and filling her glass. "Aren't you always getting into something, Black?"
Sirius snorts. At first, he doesn't say anything. He watches and Lily and James as they share yet another dance. Sirius sighs. It seems strange that seeing his best mate dancing with his wife on their wedding could stir a sudden yearning inside him, a desire for something he never knew that he wanted. And yet, here he is.
"I wasn't always getting into something," he huffs after several moments pass.
Marleen shrugs as she moves to the snacks. Obviously she has already lost interest in their conversation. Sirius pretends that he isn't offended, but it stings more than he'd like to admit.
"I approached you for a reason, you know," he says, following her along.
Marlene groans. "To annoy me?" she guesses.
Sirius grabs a small, triangular bit of sandwich and nibbles it. "To ask you to dance, actually," he says between bites. "I didn't just come here for the food."
"I assumed you were here to support your friends."
He waves a dismissive hand. "That's a given. But food and dance are the happy little bonuses," he laughs, holding out a hand. "What do you say, McKinnon? One dance?"
She purses her lips, her eyes narrowing slightly. Sirius studies her, barely daring to breathe. He's always been so cool and confident, but there is something about her that makes him feel as though he might melt into a puddle.
After what feels like an eternity, Marlene takes his hand. "One dance," she says. "I mean it."
…
He feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to find Lily smiling apologetically. "Sorry, Sirius, but the band is ready to pack up," she says.
"What? But we've just started!" he groans.
Lily looks between him and Marlene, shaking her head in amusement. "You've been dancing for an hour," she says. "Time to wrap it. James and I have a honeymoon to get to."
"Seriously, Padfoot, I have been waiting for the honeymoon since I was eleven. Come on, mate!" James calls. "Lily and I have to… Well, I'm very excited."
"James!" Lily snaps, her cheeks glowing red.
Sirius turns to Marlene. "So much for one dance," he laughs. "I guess we'd better go."
"I could set up the radio at my place," she suggests quietly. "We could dance some more."
Sirius feels a tickle in his chest. He's always fancied Marlene, but he's never been able to really show it until now. She's always brushed him off like an annoying bug, so it takes several seconds for him to realize that isn't imaging it, that she's really asked him to leave with her.
"Lily, Prongs, enjoy your honeymoon," he says with a salute before linking his arm in Marlene's. "Now, Marlene, may I have another hundred dances?"
She laughs. "You can have as many as you'd like."