This was the year the two talked. Granted, they didn't say anything much to each other, and it was completely devoid of any meaning, but that wasn't the point. The point was that they talked, and that the words spoken held a sort of comradeship that convinced the other that nothing would ever happen to break their bond.

Sirius and Marlene, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, shared two classes, Herbology and Potions. Of course, they sat at opposite ends of the room in each one, avoiding eye contact. It was too small an environment for them to openly gaze at one another as they did in the Great Hall at mealtimes. But they were both all too aware of each others' presence. They worked through their second-year assessments and classwork in silence, much to the delight of Professor Blindarch and Professor Slughorn. They were both afraid of speaking out and making a fool of themselves in front of the other, for they both meant more to each other than they realised.

The first time they touched was in Potions. Professor Slughorn had announced that they would be doing a Calming Draught, usually only attempted by third year students, and the first student to finish would win fifty house points for their house, so long as their potion was perfect. An excited murmur broke out among the class, rising into a full onslaught of delighted babble about how excelled their class was, how they would be the one to win the points, how they would be the best second year potions student ever. Professor Slughorn had to shoot several firecrackers out of his wand to make the class quieten down.

The class was instructed to go to the supply closet one by one, and collect the necessary ingredients. Sirius, egged on by his friends, jumped up and shoved over the person making their way to the supply closet, to gather all the ingredients for him and his friends, so that they could start early, and one of them could win the fifty points. He bounded over to the cupboard, sending chairs and cauldrons flying, splattering Xenophilius Lovegood in boiling water, and sending him careening off into a corner to put a salve on his burnt skin.

He also knocked over one other person, which he would regret sorely in a few years time. Marlene McKinnon was shuffling back from the closet, taking tiny steps, careful not to drop anything off the overflowing pile of ingredients gathered up in her arms. A heavy, dark-haired mass barged into her, sending her crashing to the ground, her armful of potions ingredients flying to the wall beside her. A handful of gooseberries splattered, leaving tiny purple stains dotting the damp stone.

Sirius gaped in horror at what he had done. He could feel the eyes of his friends on his back, waiting to see what he would to- kick her, laugh and move on, or do the unthinkable and help her. Marlene McKinnon, the friendless one. This was what Sirius would become too, if he helped her. You did not talk to Marlene McKinnon if you wanted to keep your place as the top dog among the second year Gryffindors. Sirius knew this, and he stood, frozen, his eyes locked on the figure curled on the ground at his feet. His mind broiled like storm clouds, as he went through hundreds, thousands, of possible things he could do. But in the end, he did the only thing he could do. Step over her, laugh, and collect the ingredients for his friends.

Marlene McKinnon was left lying on the ground. After several minutes, when nobody helped her up, Professor Slughorn cast a disapproving gaze over the class, and walked over to help her himself. Hoisting her up over one shoulder, he motioned to Peter Pettigrew, and told him to take her up the hospital wing immediately. A small bundle of fluxweed leaves had been caught under her chin when it hit the ground, and the juice had begun leaking out of the bruises, burning into her skin without her noticing.

As Peter carried her out of the dungeon, struggling under her weight, Marlene's eyes found Sirius', and once again, they were filled with reproach. To his dismay, Sirius could see the fire in her eyes dim slightly, as she disappeared through the door.

She returned to the class with twenty minutes left, and to everyone's surprise, especially Sirius', she whipped up the Calming Draught within the time left, with three minutes to spare. She did it all without a word to anyone, and a look on her face so ferocious and concentrated that nobody dared disturb her.

She ended up winning the fifty points.

Later that year, during Herbology, Professor Blindarch assigned each of them partners, as the rest of the year's Herbology lessons would be devoted to determining which of the two could care for Abyssinian Shrivelfigs better. Whoever cared for them better get three extra credit points on their yearly Herbology exam later that year.

"Sirius Black, and James Potter." The two boys grinned at each other.

"Marlene McKinnon and Xenophilius Lovegood." Marlene winced. Xenophilius smirked.

They began their work, potting the Shrivelfigs. The whole class was focused entirely on this one assignment. Everyone wanted to get those three credit points.

Halfway through the lesson, a mild disaster struck. Sirius and James, messing around under the table with their wands, accidentally cracked heads, jerking the two boys into each other. James' wand merely stabbed the pot their shrivelfig was planted in, sending a small, yet steady stream of dirt falling to the ground. However, Sirius' wand hit the edge of the table, ricocheted off, and let off a loud bang, accompanied by a cloud of acrid grey-green smoke. Mortified, he looked up to see the rest of the class staring, except for Marlene. She was still focusing intently on her Shrivelfig. A wave of relief washed over him, and he turned to find James' skin turning a nasty grey colour, similar to the smoke hanging around his head.

Peter Pettigrew was told to take him to the hospital wing again, and Sirius was put in a group with Marlene and Xenophilius.

They worked in silence, but Marlene and Sirius continued to trade looks, Marlene's apprehensive and critical, Sirius' apologetic. But when their hands brushed, neither of them missed the tiny, yet enormous spark of electricity between them.

When James came back, Xenophilius begged to go with him instead of Marlene. Hurt flashed through her eyes, but Sirius gathered all his courage together, and took a hold of her hand, comforting, reassuring. I won't reject you.

She looked up at him, with her dancing black eyes, a small fire flaring up in each, bigger than before, and smiled. It was the most beautiful thing Sirius had ever seen.

At the end of the lesson, they grinned sheepishly at each other, both aware of the fact that despite having such a strong connection for almost two years now, neither of them had spoken to each other.

Sirius, his heart tight and pounding, his stomach twisting, he opened his mouth to speak.

"See you."

Her eyes widened, and her smile, if possible became even more beautiful than before.

"Bye, Sirius."

It was only the beginning.