Disclaimer: The only thing that belongs to me is the original story and OCs; all property rights go to JK Rowling, the goddess herself.

Summer 1978

"Lily love, you're married!" Marlene exclaimed as Lily threw her arms around her friend's neck and tightly held her.

Marlene responded by gently picking her up and spun her around once before placing her back on the solid ground. Their harmonious laughter filled the air and Lily's sparkling emerald eyes danced with joy.

There was no doubt that Lily Evans was a stunning woman with her thick dark red hair cascading across her exposed petite shoulders and face flushing from the summer heat. But today Marlene thought she looked otherworldly, like a celestial goddess with a great arse.

"Mars Bars! I can't believe it. Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday were we mucking about in the dorms painting each other's nails and complaining about Transfiguration," Lily replied, nearly bursting with giddiness.

"Well considering we were doing just that not more than a month or two ago, it might as well have been yesterday. You two moved quite fast, don't you think? Are you sure James didn't slip you amortentia when no one was looking?" Marlene replied airily as her mate lightly slapped her arm.

"But oh Mars, look how beautiful everything is. I couldn't have dreamed for a more gorgeous day," she choked out between a new set of happy tears.

"I know I said this a millions times being the sap that I am, but I'm so happy for you and James, Lils. Really. To have the kind of love you two share, especially during a time like this…It's kind of miracle, isn't it?" Marlene responded wistfully as she pulled the other girl into her chest and held her until she stopped crying.

"Oh, and I suppose I should thank you for making me a bridesmaid even though I would have hated you forever if you didn't. We weren't friends for seven years just for kicks, you know. It was all so I could wear a pretty dress," Marlene jokingly added in lighter voice.

"Oh God," Lily replied with a giggle as they separated from the hug. Soon both of the girls were laughing again. "Ahh we've had some times, haven't we?"

"Knock it off, Lils. We're eighteen, not old crones. Yet anyways. I bet you'll still look gorgeous when you turn a hundred, you secret veela you."

"Of course she'll still be beautiful—She's the most beautiful woman in the whole world! And she's my wife!" James bellowed loudly like a boastful child as he waltzed across from the other side of the outdoor reception tent.

He slipped his arm around Lily's waist and greeted her with a quick peck. For once in his life his thick black hair was relatively neatly combed, but his hazel eyes were twinkling with good humor as usual. His grin was quite literally overtaking his face as he gazed into his wife's eyes. He shifted his look and settled them on the woman in front of him.

"But you could claim the runner-up prize, Marley. You sure clean up nice. I'm not used to seeing you out of your Quidditch uniform or without clumps of mud stuck in your lion's mane...You should do what you did to it today all the time," James teased and brushed a long, sleek blonde lock away from Marlene's face.

"You really want to talk about messy hair, James? You? I'm surprised you managed to control that creature you call your hair," she laughed as James' hand instinctively came up to muss his hair. Fortunately Lily swatted his hand before he could touch it and he replied with a wide goofy grin.

"Heeey! It's not that bad, Marley. It looks quite wicked, if I may say so myself," he shot back easily as he prepared to badger his friend for the next couple minutes as they often did.

"Alright, alright. I'll go easy on you today, Cap. But only because I love Lils so much," she playfully teased.

"Please, you love me," James replied slyly.

"I did before you made the team run weekly suicides. My body still hurts from those by the way." Marlene exaggeratedly rubbed her back while pulling a face.

"Yes because those were so terrible. They only helped us to win the bloody cup," he smartly retorted.

"I thought we won because of your 'expert leadership skills and incontestably infectious passion,'" she shot back with air-quotes, calling back his winning speech.

"Oh, so you agree?" James quipped smugly. He raised an eyebrow.

"I can't believe you married this one. He's exhausting." Marlene turned to Lily while pointing at him. "Good luck, Lils," she added, faking a sigh.

"The only way I exhaust her is when we—"

"OK, I've heard enough," Marlene cut in and raised both hands up in defeat," I really don't need or want to hear about my friend and surrogate brother shagging." She screwed up her nose in mock disgust.

James laughed loudly as Lily gave a lazy smile, her face tinged slightly pink.

"We all know you're no saint, Marley, "James nonchalantly commented. "No need to act bashful now. The things I've seen you and Parsons do after we won matches..." Now he screwed up his face in genuine disgust.

"I have to agree with James, Mars. I knew all those years of reading Witch Weekly would corrupt you. But to be honest you were always a bit of a minx," Lily added with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Marlene mouthed "traitor" and Lily shrugged in response.

"Bad egg, that one," James added easily and gave the tall blonde a wink.

"Sod off, the lot of you. Two against one isn't fair," she pouted before her mates broke into a fit of laughter. "It's just because it's you guys, " she continued. "It feels dirty. Like putting a bra on a Virgin Mary statue. It's just wrong."

"Who's a virgin?" James asked enthusiastically, perking his head up with a new burst of vigor.

"I see all of those years of Muggle's Studies paid off well," Marlene replied wryly.

"Of course they did, they helped me win Lily's heart!" He kissed the top of his wife's head and held her closer.

"I have to say James, that was all you," Lily replied lovingly and looked into her husband's eyes with serious intent.

James pulled her into a kiss that slowly deepened as Marlene stood on the side watching awkwardly. Marlene wondered if they would continue and shag right there in front of her if she didn't speak up.

Deciding that she wasn't nearly curious or drunk enough to wait and find out, she excused herself.

"Right well, I'll be going now...Hopefully to find my boyfriend so I can snog someone too—Ideally in front of a friend to make them feel uncomfortable as possible," Marlene spoke up and turned to leave.

"See you later then, Mars?" Lily asked breathlessly while fixing her now tossed red locks.

"More like see you next week. I know what you kids are up to," she replied smugly with a knowing look.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is our cue to leave!" James announced as he swept his wife up into his well-muscled arms and whist her away bridal style. "Bye bye Marley, come by and visit over the summer. Just owl beforehand."

"Make good decisions you two! Shag where your relatives can't find you!" Marlene called out and waved her friends goodbye.

James' warm laugh floated in the steamy summer air and Marlene could have sworn she heard Lily fail to stifle her giggles.

"Naughty girl," Marlene whispered, smirking into the wine glass she haphazardly picked up from an empty dinning table.

She glanced across the outdoor reception tent and took in the sights once more. James and Lily decided on a small, intimate wedding considering the fact that the War was still raging on. It was in their good interest to keep things a bit quiet, as broadcasting the marriage between a "blood-traitor" and muggle-born wizard during these times was considerably dangerous.

Despite the fact that it was modest in size, the wedding itself was bloody gorgeous. It was held outdoors near James' mansion and it was obvious that a lot of effort was put into the whole shebang.

They decided to go for a clean, cozy feel. The hall was lined with rows of tables that reminded Marlene of the dining hall at Hogwarts. But instead of being decorated with scraps of food left over by the first years, they were ornamented with ivory silverware and neat piles of sunflowers. James tried to convince Lily to chose—what else—lilies but sunflowers were her favorite flower strangely enough. The wooden ceiling was woven with ivy and lights that were charmed to twinkle like far away stars.

Marlene thought it was very mystical looking and strangely touching.

After she let the moment pass, she downed the rest of her drink and casually glided towards the small crowds of people either chatting boisterously or attempting to dance in the middle of the hall. Even though she already spent the entire day doing just that, she was always up for messing around with her friends and having the most fun she possibly could.

There wouldn't be a lot of time for that kind of stuff in auror training, she thought glumly.

She spotted a few of friends- Mary Macdonald and Hestia Jones, among others. She attempted to close the distance between her and the dance floor, but tripped over her long legs and fell rather dramatically. Maybe she was drunker than she thought, she mused while trying to regain balance. Unfortunately the coupling of gracelessness and four-inch heels on her tall frame made it quite difficult. The alcohol didn't help much either. Not a bit. She heard her friends guffawing loudly over the music as they continued to dance sloppily.

"Seems like you need a hand, love?" She heard a deep voice whisper into her hair as a man helped her up onto stubbornly resisting feet "...or perhaps a new pair of legs?" The voiced added with amusement as she began to regain her footing.

The man's arms were strong around her waist and Marlene couldn't help notice that he smelled absolutely heavenly—Like fresh woods and spice.

"How about my dignity?" She retorted, laughing at her situation.

She finally lifted her head up and locked eyes with her mystery savior. Despite her foggy mind, she immediately recognized him. There was only person who owned that pair of mischievous grey eyes.

He replied with a smirk and walked her over to a nearby chair. She lightly placed her hand on his upper-arm for support. "Let's find you a seat first. I may be incredibly handsome and supremely talented, but I'm not a miracle worker for Merlin's sake," he teased lightheartedly.

"Good ol' Gryffindor chivalry. Thanks, Black. But I'm really not that drunk. Really," Marlene replied as she plopped down in the seat.

Her eyes still locked on Sirius Black. She couldn't suppress her grin as she quickly raked her eyes over him. He looked just as handsome as always, maybe even more so with his expertly fitted tux and his styled sleek black hair nearly touching his broad shoulders.

...Not that Marlene noticed. She had a boyfriend—A smart and fairly handsome one to boot. But there was a reason why girls fell to his feet; very few people in this world were quite as magnetic.

"Oh no, that was just an interpretive dance gone south. The firewhiskey was aiding in your balance no doubt," he replied wryly and took the opposing seat. "You're ok though? Nothing twisted or broken I hope," he quickly added as his face contorted into concern and scanned her for obvious wounds.

Marlene tried to push all her impure thoughts filling her traitorous head. Despite his presumed arrogance he was very sincere and surprisingly sweet, she thought. And he's so fit. Bad Marlene, she mentally scolded herself before replying.

"I'm fine, but I have a feeling that those lot will never let me forget about it," she watched as Hestia gave Mary a piggyback ride through the crowd.

She couldn't help but let out a small laugh. She sure knew how to pick her mates.

"At least you're not hurt, " he replied genuinely, "It was quite a tumble and I'd feel personally responsible. You know, considering I'm best man and I'm in charge of guest safety—Especially the bridesmaids," he said with faux authority as he waggled his eyebrows.

"Speaking of your dubious reputation…Shouldn't you be swinging from a chandelier shirtless or having a threesome in the fondue fountain by now? The party's almost over...I expected more from you, Black," Marlene joked, giving him an easy smile.

Sirius let out a noisy bark-like laugh and his eyes were shining with something she couldn't necessarily pin point.

Marlene beamed back. She made Sirius Black laugh, she thought joyfully. And then she wanted to slap herself. Why was she so happy about that? She was always funny and witty—Why did she care if some bloke thought so too? But that's the thing wasn't it. He wasn't some bloke; he was Sirius Black. Fuck. She hoped that this was the firewhiskey talking.

"You might not be too far off the mark in your suspicions, Marlene, but you shouldn't believe everything you hear. Otherwise you'd think I was a selfish playboy wanker, which you really shouldn't as it's completely untrue, " he quickly added, "and I'd think you were a clean-cut Quidditch obsessed prude," he finished smartly.

Marlene laughed. No one ever called her clean cut or prude. She might have liked Quidditch a little more than normal, but with James Potter as her now former captain it was hard not to be brainwashed by his fervent interest.

"How do you know I'm not?" Marlene asked questioningly, noticing his use of her first name.

"Hmm, true. We don't know each other, do we? This is the first time we've really had a conversation...Wonder why," he said and leant back on the legs of his chair as he stroked his strong jaw, "Maybe it's because you always hung around with Lily and Emmeline Vance in the common room. And those two are quite the riot, aren't they?"

"Hey, Lily is fun!" Marlene replied hotly in defense of her mate.

Sirius raised a doubtful eyebrow.

"When she wants to be," she muttered with defeat as she slumped into her chair.

"I noticed you didn't defend Vance. Isn't she your best mate?"

"Yeah, but…" Marlene trailed off.

Emmy was difficult to describe, especially to someone who didn't know her. There was a reason she had few friends and it wasn't because she was painfully shy or horrible. Emmy was just…complex. An ice queen with a warm heart underneath, but you had to get past the scary badass bitch shell. And very few people other than Marlene and Lily had done so. "She's brill, you just have to get to know her," she finished lamely.

Sirius frowned and looked like he wanted to say something, but caught it before it came out.

"Besides I can't always hang out with those nutters," she pointed to Mary and Hestia who were both dancing provocatively around a very uncomfortable Peter Pettigrew, "As much as I love them. If I didn't have Lily to tell me to be more responsible or Em to tell me to get my shit together, then I'd probably be lying naked in a bush in the Forbidden Forest," she replied honestly.

"You're a bit wild, you know? It's…surprising," Sirius said nonchalantly as his eyes swept across her legs subtly. She didn't even notice.

"Ooh, yes. I'm such a rebel with my cliché career choice as an auror, totally common love of Quidditch, and steady Hufflepuff boyfriend," she replied, rolling her eyes with a smile.

Sirius laughed. "Surely there's more than meets the surface," he shot back.

"Of course! But it's like that for everyone, isn't it?"

But she secretly liked the idea of someone as enigmatic as Sirius Black thinking she was wild and rebellious.

In actuality she was planning on spending the rest of the weekend sifting through bins at her favorite record shop and then eating her weight in ice cream.

"I suppose, but some people are more fascinating than others in all honesty. Who would have thought that perfect little Marlene McKinnon was one of them?" Sirius asked to himself.

"'Perfect little Marlene McKinnon'? That was my reputation at Hogwarts?" Marlene said with her jaw slack.

She was not that popular, but well liked by most she supposed. But perfect wasn't the word she or anyone would use to describe herself.

"Good marks—," Sirius began listing off.

Marlene openly scoffed at this. She was great at Defense and Charms for sure, but she barely scrapped by with E's in Transfiguration and Potions. If Lily and Emmy didn't lock her in her room every night to study for those subjects there's no doubt she would have gotten A's or lower and therefore denied auror acceptance. And other than Herbology she was fairly mediocre at the rest of the subjects. And Herbology was well...Herbology.

He ignored her and continued. "Quidditch chaser, Lily Evans' friend, dated the same bloke all through her years, hardly in detention—Or at least in mine, I would have remembered," he winked. "Turns out you're a bit of a fox."

Marlene burst out into laugher at that and Sirius joined her.

"Well you never were arsed enough to get to know me, I guess...Can't say that I ever tried to get to know more about you but that was because the Marauders reputations kind of proceed themselves," she replied, gesturing her hands.

Sirius thought about this for a moment and raised an eyebrow.

"Was that an invitation?"

"To what?" Marlene asked confused.

"To get to know more about you."

"And why would you want to do that?"

They shared a brief silence as Sirius drew her in with a gaze. She wanted to look away, but it was like he paralyzed her.

It was a bit unnerving, but mostly sexy.

"I don't know. You seem interesting enough," he casually replied, breaking eye contact and looking into the crowd.

Remus Lupin was now trying to pull poor Peter out of Mary and Hestia's grasp. But when Mary began to dance with Remus instead he soon abandoned his half-hearted efforts and pulled her close to him.

Sirius let out a bark-like laugh. "Good going mate!" He shouted supportively as Remus smiled back lazily.

Interesting enough for what, she thought but didn't dare to ask.

To befriend? No this was Sirius Black. Maybe to snog or shag. But he denied being a playboy, didn't he? That's rich. He's never had a serious girlfriend in his life. Everyone in Hogwarts knew that. Sirius Black didn't date; he went through girls faster than underwear. He wasn't a right wanker to them or disrespectful, from what she heard. He just liked casual flings.

Marlene really wanted to continue talking to Sirius. He was bloody gorgeous and charming and actually very nice. It was fun and easy to banter with him to her surprise. He had her feel comfortable and made her laugh. And gave her a feeling in her stomach that she wasn't quite sure if she liked—But it was getting late. She starting to feel sleepy and she hadn't caught up with Alec all night.

So she begrudgingly excused herself.

"I need to get going, Sirius...Not that you haven't been lovely. It's just that Alec probably thinks I've died choking on my own vomit."

"Alec?" He questioned as his brow furrowed and his mind searched to identify the name. "Oh…oh. Alec Parsons—The Hufflepuff boyfriend I presume?" He asked knowingly.

"Yep," she replied surely.

Marlene managed to get to her feet with the help of Sirius. She smiled secretly to herself when she noticed that he was still an inch or two taller than her in her massive heels. Not a lot of guys could make that claim.

"So that's why," Sirius muttered to himself as if making a grand realization.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing," he said evasively. "You're a laugh, Marlene...Let's talk again sometime, yeah? Maybe wear less lethal shoes next time, though," he replied cheekily as he and Remus exchanged smiles over the crowd. "Looks like my mate has more girls than he can handle and Wormy, er Peter, might need some help too. Though I'm doubtful that anyone could save that helpless bloke. Merlin knows I've tried," he sighed.

"Mar Mar dance with us!" Mary practically yelled as she caught sight of her friend. " I miss your beautiful face and your boobs!" She laughed as Marlene raised her eyebrow in confusion. Her mates were beyond pissed.

"Yeah Mars, c'mon! Plus you're the only girl big enough to give me a piggy back ride! I need my Amazon sista! Wait—Oh my God, I love this song" Hestia joined in noisily, slurring over her words. She grabbed Peter's shoulder and began to spin in violent circles.

"Now these friends of yours I like," Sirius commented with amusement as he eyed Hestia with great interest.

"I'll bet," Marlene quietly muttered under her breath.

"Don't worry Marlene, you're still my number one girl" He replied casually and winked at her.

He dove into the crowd, clapping Remus and Peter on the back and began animatedly chatting with them. He caught Hestia's arm and pulled her in. Then they began to dance together.

Marlene watched them briefly and then began scanning the crowd for Alec.

But her mind was clouded with thoughts about Sirius and the conversation they just had. She could see how dangerous that type of charm he had was now that she was free from its grasp. Her thoughts began reeling again before the feeling of an arm draping around her shoulders interrupted them.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Mar," Alec said stiffly. "I saw you talking to Black for a bit," he said with his voice dripping of disapproval. "What was that all about?"

"Not much. He helped me when I tripped and we just started chatting. Turns out Sirius is a decent bloke," Marlene replied absently.

"Sirius?" Alec raised an eyebrow.

"Oh c'mon, Alec. He's Sirius bloody Black."

"Exactly."

"He's a bit of a lothario, but he's not interested in a girl like me."

"What do you mean?—You're brilliant. Did he say that? What a wanker," Alec replied hotly as his anger surged. He began searching for Sirius in the crowd.

Marlene gave a resigned laugh.

"I meant he doesn't go for girls with boyfriends. He's not like that...He's good—Nice really."

"Why are you defending him? You don't even know him," he replied sourly.

"I don't know, " Marlene sighed." He's James' friend for a reason...Look Alec, I'm tired. Could you help take me home? I'm not sure if I can apparate myself. I'm sort of drunk in case you haven't noticed."

"You're obviously pissed and therefore can't think properly. That's why your defending Black," Alec continued.

Marlene frowned. "You're starting to annoy me. I talked to the guy once and I'll probably never see him ever again. Just let it go already...Merlin's sake," Marlene replied acidly.

"Hey," Alec grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a kiss. She returned it unenthusiastically. "Don't be mad. I don't know why you dragged me to this thing in the first place—I don't even know anyone. Let's leave...Looks like Potter has." He added nastily.

"How dare he! On his own wedding night!—The git," she replied dripping with sarcasm.

She knew it was the wrong thing to say, but frankly she was fed up with Alec at that point. All they did lately was argue and the only way to end it was when she gave in to his belligerence. Enough was enough.

"You're such a bitch sometimes," Alec said scathingly.

"Oh so before I was brilliant and now I'm a bitch because I called you out on your shit. Don't talk down on my friends, Alec."

"He's not even your friend, Mar—He was your Quidditch captain...None of these people are your friends. I'm the only one who can stand you and only some times at that."

"Don't. You. Fucking. Dare," Marlene spat out venomously. "Don't!" She said pointing her finger into his blazing blue eyes. "I have friends, lots of them—Including James. Who the fuck do you think you are? Because I don't even know anymore. What happened to the guy who did sweet things and was always good to me? Because I loved that guy...This guy," she gestured wildly in front of him "I can't fucking stand. All you want to do is fight and bitch all the goddamn time. It's exhausting and it makes me miserable. I don't know why I put up with YOU anymore. I keep hoping that you'll change back into who you used to be before you became this stupid bloody wanker—But you don't."

She started out strong, but slowly lost her resolve by the end.

She hated being an emotional person, but she couldn't help it. Tears were streaming down her face and she surely attracted the attention of some of the guests. She was still pissed off at him for what he said, but she was sadder about the fact that the only relationship she ever had was crumbling. And there was nothing she could do about it.

"Let's go, Mar. People are staring," Alec said in a low voice and escorted her out of the tent.

She turned around and caught the eyes of some recognizable faces. Mary and Hestia looked shaken, having never seen their friend truly angry and were clutching each other as if wondering what to do. Remus looked upset with quiet anger radiating from his eyes whereas Peter looked fairly uninterested in the whole ordeal.

Sirius looked absolutely livid.

She turned forward and took a deep breath. The air was much cooler than it was inside the tent and she sighed in contentment.

"I don't want to talk about it right now. Just please take me home," she said softly.

And with that they apparated away into the night.

AN:

Hey!

This is my first time writing fanfic or publishing my writing so any and all reviews are obviously greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading btw. Has anyone told you that you look lovely today? Cuz you do.

Sirius will be a bit OOC because let's be honest, Sirius/Motorbike is the only true canon ship. In this fic he is more emotionally mature (or maturing, at least) but I've tried to do justice in keeping his character basically the same. As much as I love Solo!Sirius, I think the concept of him trying to wrestle romantic love is really fun to play around with hence this story.

I hope you enjoy, and thanks again for giving it a go.