Hey again :) Next Chapter! This is Sirius' first memory of Marlene, during the Sorting in first year. The rest of the story will be memories of Marlene during the years that Sirius has known her. There will be occasional fluff in some, but not right away. Please enjoy :) xx
First Impressions
The Sorting was about to begin. McGonagall had lined the first years up at the front of the Great Hall. Sirius knew he was going to be called early, something he regretted as an unpleasantly large knot tightened in his stomach. He tried to distract himself by thinking of the candles dripping wax on the students, but could not even manage to smile. The new group of students all looked ready to faint – indeed Peter appeared as though he was about to bolt from the hall. McGonagall had placed a stool in front of them on which an old, ragged black hat sat limply. Older students stared at the hat intently as though expecting it to break out in dance. Suddenly, a rip near the hat's rim opened and, to Sirius' astonishment, began to sing! Sirius almost fell over in surprise. He was too awestruck to listen properly to the song when before he knew it, McGonagall was calling "Avery, Romulus," up to the stool. A thin, fair-haired boy sauntered up to the platform and sat on the stool, giving the crowd a confident grin. As soon as the hat touched his ears, the hat cried; "SLYTHERIN!" and Avery headed over to the table on the far right where he was welcomed by Lucius Malfoy, a shiny Prefect badge glinting on his chest. Sirius eyed the Slytherin table with disdain. Narcissa was filing her fingernails, not even bothering to look up at the Sorting. The huge boy Sirius recognised as Crabbe was flexing his knuckles menacingly. Sirius scowled at the lot of them; they were a miserable bunch.
Sirius took this time to observe his classmates. The red-haired girl from the train was looking slightly pale and whispering to herself; while her companion, Snivellus, was attempting a cool reserve. Next to James was the girl with blonde pigtails, her round face red with anxiety. Behind him were the two boys who had shared the boat with Snivellus, one being the boy Sirius had tipped into the Black Lake; still dripping wet and huddled in Hagrid's moleskin coat. And to his right were two girls, a tall blonde and a stout brunette. The blonde caught his eye and Sirius was amazed that she didn't swoon. Instead, she gave him a quick, calculating glance and then returned her gaze to the sorting.
Andromeada caught his eye and winked at him for support; something he deeply appreciated.
"Black, Sirius!" called McGonagall and James gave Sirius an encouraging nudge as he made his way to the front. All went dark as the hat fell over his eyes. Sirius tried not to act frightened, for Andy had told him that the hat could read minds.
"That, I can," whispered an ancient voice in Sirius' head. "A Black, eh? Interesting. I should put you right in with the rest of your family."
Sirius' heart dropped. Of course, he was going to be put in Slytherin. It was foolish of him to hope otherwise. He just hoped James would remain his friend.
"But," interjected the hat. "Should you be in Slytherin? Hmm, let's see shall we? Very cunning, I see, though sometimes deceitful... a fine brain, perhaps lacking in ambition and drive to succeed... fiercely loyal... hmm... noble... a hard worker, when you want to be of course... reckless... brave... How interesting... I guess there is only one place to put you... GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius' heart soared as McGonagall removed the hat from his head, enabling him to see the cheering Gryffindors, whooping and clapping happily. James gave Sirius a huge grin as he leapt from the stool and ran to the Gryffindor table, where he was slapped on the back affectionately. A quick glance at the Slytherin table made Sirius laugh; they were all staring at him in complete shock (Cissy looking deeply disturbed). But amid them all was Andromeada, cheering louder than any of the Gryffindors as her young cousin was Sorted into the House that he deserved. Sirius was elated at her approval and sat down eagerly to watch the rest of the Sorting.
The Sorting went by fairly quickly. There had been three new additions to Gryffindor house; Lily Evans, the proud red haired girl with startling green eyes; Remus Lupin, the shy brown haired boy who constantly hunched his shoulders and Mary MacDonald, a bubbly rosy cheeked girl with her brown hair pulled into a pony-tail. But it was the girl who was called next that caught Sirius' eye.
"McKinnon, Marlene!" called McGonagall. The blonde girl who Sirius had been staring at before the Sorting. As she turned to sit down, Sirius noticed the fierce scowl upon her face. Her fair eyebrows were knitted together and her piercing eyes were narrowed in frustration. Sirius watched her intently, finding her fascinating. What could possibly cause her to frown?
"GRYFFINDOR!" cried the hat. Marlene rose from the stool, looking vaguely indifferent and proceeded to the Gryffindor table. She took her seat next to Mary and began playing with the ends of her long blonde hair, looking bored. Sirius summoned his charm and winked at her.
"Hey McKinnon, what'cha frowning for?"
"What?" she snapped, looking up from her empty plate and glaring at him.
"Come on, let's face it," Sirius smirked. "How could you possibly be frowning when you get to look at this…" he gestured to himself and waggled his eyebrows at her.
Marlene eyed him with disdain and raised her eyebrows. "Don't make me sick," she said coolly, rolling her eyes.
Sirius merely shrugged, trying to act indifferent. But he couldn't help but shoot curious glances at her. Her cool haughtiness was intriguing. More than that, however, was the colour of her eyes. Sirius was fixated by them. Their colour was peculiar; not quite green, not quite blue and there were small flecks of silver flecked amongst the colour.
He didn't know why she was constantly frowning, or why she appeared so bored. But there was one thing Sirius Black knew for certain. Marlene McKinnon was unlike any girl he had ever met.
Ahh... Sirius and his big head. Gotta love him :) Please review :) xx
