But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'll only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes to you
Someone to close his heart
Someone to die for you and more

(Bob Dylan, 1964)

The streetlights dimly lit the sloping rooftops of Diagon Alley. Apart from the few stray cats only one dark clad man could be seen wandering the streets. The slight stagger in his step gave away his previous engagement of the evening.

-Sirius POV-

He could have just apparated back home yet he utterly enjoyed seeing the place empty. A complete opposite to the usually crammed narrow streets smelling of fudge, ice cream, leather and polish. Tonight had been another night of drinking with Remus and anticipating the right time to return home. "Home". What an exploited word. He could barely remember referring to Grimmauld Place as home. Hogwarts had been his first "home" and later the Potter Mansion, after 5th year when Mr. and Miss Potter kindly took him in after he turned his back on his deranged pureblood family that is. He had been so eager to fill the void that would be there after leaving Hogwarts with a home of his own and where did it get him? Now he was dreading to return back to his flat in London, not wanting to deal with what would await him there. Who would await him there. In all honesty he missed school. The time with his best mate back when he still was the carefree, disengaged Quidditch Capitain and Marauder extraordinaire. And back when their sole concern was on how to top off the last prank on the Slytherin common room. Since they had left school and James and Lilly had gotten their own place he sometimes felt as if he was intruding their personal space and happiness. He was happy for his best mate and secretly longed for something equal. Someone equal . Moving in with Marlene or rather inviting her to stay with him at the London apartment he had bought from Uncle Alphard's inheritance had been his shot at creating a new home. It felt right or at least he liked to tell himself so. Lilly and Marlene had been inseparable since third year and being with her and doing things as a couple together with Lilly and James made him feel less of a bystander. And Marlene, oh Marlene. Their relationship had been nothing if not intense in every sense of the word. He was sure if he could make it last with one girl she would be the one. She would keep him in line. He loved how Marly could be caring and sweet yet at the same time argue with a fiery passion and get her way. Her calculating ways and Independence drew him in. But lately all of this seemed to fade. Sirius was on the verge of realizing what he had been dreading for so long. Failure. Failing to make her happy . Failing to realize what he truly wanted and worst of all failing to be true to himself. He didn't know what would be worse seeing the disappointed face of Marlene or finally admitting to losing his hopes of a brighter future. His safety. The fuel that kept him going in these difficult times of war dawning on them. Tonight he would put an end to their relationship and being the excuse of a boyfriend he was lately. Tomorrow Marlene would be free to meet someone new who would render her happy. He would be free to meet someone new. Maybe he already had.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the aspects or characters you already recognise. Credits to JKR.