"What?" said Remus shaking his head he could not believe his ears, he knew Sirius' family was vile but this was whole different thing.

"Oh, Sirius" Lily cried as she no longer even attempted to hold back her tears. Sirius felt a soft hand on his, and her turned to look at Marlene. Her tears had all dried up and she was now gazing at him with a look that clearly said "I'm here for you." That was Marlene for you. She could be in a deep depression, but as soon as someone she cared about needed her, she was there strong and dependable.

There was a dead silence everyone was waiting for James' reaction. His face had turned to stone, but his hands shook as he tried to take a sip of tea. He had to put it down for it threatened to spill all over his lap. He looked at his friend with hard hazel eyes and asked quietly " What are you going to do then?"

"I ..." "Should we maybe go someplace a little quieter to discuss this," Remus interjected.

"No, it is not as if I haven't always made it clear where I stand. I've refused every letter they sent me. I fight with you guys, and I'm not going to let some bully with a superiority complex frighten me away from my beliefs,"

"Sirius for you choosing our side of the war means death. I'm not letting you make this decision," James whisper angrily. As Remus waved his wand casting a silencing charm over there table to prevent anyone from over hearing their conversation.

"Won't let me James, you have no right to decide this for me!"

"You're a Black Sirius, not just that you're the Black heir siding against Voldemort, his followers and your family. They will have to make an example of the pure-blood who defected!"

"I am more aware of the consequences of my action then you James, and it doesn't change a god damn thing!" Sirius yelled angrily.

"Enough both of you! James you can't ask this of Sirius as hard as it might be to accept his decision is the right one," Lily stated as calmly as she could muster. In truth she was just as worried about Sirius as James. He had become like a brother to her since she began dating James, and the thought of him being in danger made her sick to her stomach.

"But, he could pretend. I don't care I just want you alive, Sirius please!" James begged.

"James, you haven't seen Voldemort yet. He's strong, really strong, and I don't think you would be able to fake it, I know your worried but I can't," Sirius said softly. "Please understand" James nodded a defeated look in his eye, it was an argument he knew he couldn't win.

"Lets go for a walk calm our nerves," suggested Remus. They all nodded, and walked out the backdoor of the pub and into the street of Diagon ally. It was at least still well populated, people felt safer in large groups so major congregational areas held a sense of security. Remus had been right the fresh air made everyone feel better. The sky was still grey, but it had warmed up slightly.

Only a trained eye, could tell that the people walking the cobblestone street were on edge. Witches in long billowy cloaks seemed to have a tighter hold on their children's hands then usual. People seemed to be eyeing each other warily, and walking in abnormally large groups, and all seemed to have one hand on their wands.

They watched as a group of four eleven year old boys stood in a small group on the side of the road whispering to each other excitedly. James, Sirius, and Remus gave each other a slight smirk despite of themselves. All three men drifted silently in day dreams of a much simpler time. Sirius felt Marlene slip her small hand into his, and the group walked over to a bench to sit. James cuddled up to Lily, and Sirius pulled Marlene closer to him.

"Either of you seen Peter lately?" Sirius asked.

" Yeah, he got that job at the Ministry it keeps him busy, but he really seems to love it," supplied Remus.

"Good for him, I just wish he was around more. Its times like this where you need your friends by your side," James stated simply.

" I know, but this job has done wonders for his self-esteem. Besides he said he will be at dinner on Saturday night,"

" Good, I'm starting to miss the little guy," yawned Sirius.

"Get some sleep tonight Padfoot, you're going to need it for Auror training tomorrow."

"Don't worry your pretty little head Prongs, I'll be ready."

Lily looked down at her wrist watch and said "James we better get going we have to go see Mr. Baker about the house,"

"Yeah, see you guys later" said James

"I better go too" said Remus

As their three friends walked away Marlene turned to face Sirius "We need to talk about this"

" I was wondering how long it would take you?" he chuckled.

" I understand your decision Sirius and don't get me wrong I fully support you every step of the way. I just need to know how your feeling about the situation, and what I can do o make it better?"

" I don't really know how I feel, this whole situation with my family has been so fucked up that ... I knew this was going to happen. I just couldn't ..." he paused not willing to say the words.

"Accept it" she supplied, as he hung his head in embarrassment. He knew what his family was like why then did he insist on believing that they could change.

" You love them Sirius, despite it all you love them. And wanting to see the best in people you care about isn't a crime." she said taking his hand in hers.

"No but it is stupid, and naivety like that is going to get you killed in war,"

"Don't give up hope, maybe once this war if it really comes to that they will see,"

"No, its too late to think anything can change them,"

"Oh, Sirius," she sighed. He wheeled around on her "Don't you dare pity me," he growled.

" And there you go again, why do you think that everyone who cares about you does it out of pity? Do you really see that little of your worth?" Marlene stated calmly her bright blue eyes gazed intently into his.

" Why do you do this? Why do you have to question and analyze every little thing I do. Yes! Marlene I don't see my worth, and how could I? I'm a Black! Marlene don't you get that I'm worth nothing. I come from one of the most vile, nasty, horrible, families ever. People like the Greengrasses are worth ten of me," he whispered angrily as she pulled him into an alcove and cast a silencing spell.

" No, Sirius you are worth something you are surrounded by people who love and care about you. Why can't you see what we do? I can accept that you choose to publicly side against Voldemort. But I will not accept this death sentence that you have given yourself in order to atone for their sins. That is not your responsibility, and I refuse to you let you go around thinking it is" She yelled ferociously.

" I'm sorry this whole thing is just so fucked up ..." he stuttered as the tears began to role down his face. She pulled him into a hug and whispered. " I know it hurts, but you'll get through this you just need to let us in. You can't do this alone no one can."