Title: Can't, or Won't?

Pairing: Sirius, Marlene

Song: Please Remember Me, Tim McGraw

Words: 383

"You're beautiful, you know that?"

Marlene turned around to see Sirius Black standing in the rain behind her, motorcycle helmet in hand.

"And you're a charmer, Sirius," she replied, grinning. "But thank you."

"And the way you are, is just so…" he trailed off, gazing at the Forbidden Forest.

"I'll take that as a complement too, I guess," Marlene smiled. "Are you feeling alright? This isn't like you."

"So… Marlene," he finished. "You're so smart, and determined to make a different, to fight Voldemort, it's inspiring to be around. You make me want to be a better person."

Marlene's cheeks turned red, and it wasn't from the cold. She took a couple steps closer to her fellow seventh year, until they were only inches apart.

"That's the nicest thing I think I've ever heard you say about anyone besides James, Sirius," she said softly.

"Please don't take this the wrong way," he said, staring into her blue eyes. She took a step back.

"That sentence never leads to anything good," she said, suddenly feeling a little queasy.

"You deserve someone like you. Someone who is as good as you are, and will take care of you and protect you in a way that I can't."

Marlene felt her eyes fill with tears.

"Can't, or won't?" she asked quietly.

"Can't," he muttered as he filled the gap between them. Before she knew it, he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back.

"I've always liked you, Marlene," Sirius said after he finally pulled away from her. "Even when I was shagging other girls, I always liked you the best."

"I've liked you ever since you hexed Brady McLaggen when he tried to kiss me under the mistletoe," she giggled through her tears.

"Bloody git," Sirius smiled. He took her hands in his, squeezing them. "Will you promise me something, though?"

She nodded, sniffling. Later she would tell him it was simply from the cold, but that wasn't the case at all.

"Please remember me," he said quietly, cupping her face in his hand.

"Always," she whispered, pressing her hand on top of his. With one last glance, he pulled away, leaving her standing alone outside of King's Cross Station.