Awkward.
That was the only word Marlene could use to describe meeting Sirius.
Alice, Fabian and herself had met Sirius in front of Gringott's like she had promised, and the second he caught sight of Fabian Sirius grabbed Marlene and practically tried to detach his jaw and swallow her whole. Sirius told them that the rest of the Marauders were waiting for them at the Leaky Cauldron. When they arrived at the leaky cauldron, James and Lily were arguing over something concerning cabbage, they were all shocked to see Peter snogging with a sixth year Hufflepuff he had met at a Quidditch game, and Remus was sitting quietly observing the table.
During dinner Sirius had made a scene out of asking Fabian about Dorcas Meadowes, knowing that she had also dated Remus, and caused Fabian to turn red and announce to the table they had broken up only a week before. And to make matters worse, when asked why they parted, he looked at Marlene, turned the color of a cherry tomato and left to go the restroom.
It had been a complete and utter disaster.
Sirius had tried to convince the three of them to come back to James' place for firewhiskey, but they declined. Marlene didn't want to put Fabian through anymore torture, and she was rather livid with Sirius. When Alice and Fabian were both seated in Marlene's room, she turned to Fabian to apologize.
"I'm so sorry about Sirius, Fabian. He has this crazy idea that I st- That I fancy you." She forced out a laugh. So did Alice, but it sounded loud and over the top. Fabian, however, was slowly turning a dark shade of pink. Alice looked from Marlene to Fabian, and then back to Marlene.
"I'll see you tomorrow on the train. You two obviously have some things to talk about." Marlene was about to protest, but Alice waved and was gone with a pop. Fabian didn't hesitate to dive right in.
"Marlene, I don't know how to say this, but I-" He stopped, and Marlene froze. This was not happening. Oh please no, don't let this be happening. "Alice and I were talking in the car on the way over here. And she let it slip that you, uh, you fancied me last year. Is that true?"
OH NO! No, this was not happening. No, no no. "Yeah." Marlene forced out, staring at him in complete shock.
"Oh." He said, staring down at his hands. He looked up. "I don't know why you never said anything."
Was he retarded? Why would she tell him. She couldn't even speak, but she didn't have to, because Fabian had more to say.
"I've liked you since fourth year..."
Oh no.
"... And seeing you with Sirius today, well, it killed me..."
This wasn't happening.
"... And I was just wondering where you stand with him, if I have a shot..."
Marlene was going to pass out. Why did life always work out this way? Just when she was over him, just when she had found someone who would help her move on...
"Stop." She said, and he did.
Fabian Prewett was everything Marlene had ever wanted. He was handsome, funny, sweet, caring... and if he would have told her this six months ago she would have fell to her knees and thanked Merlin. But now she wasn't sure how she felt about it. She stared at him, her delicate features contorted with confusion.
"Fabian, I don't know where I stand with Sirius. And I don't know how I feel about you anymore." She didn't know what else to say.
"Then kiss me."
"What?"
"Kiss me, and if you feel nothing.. I'll never bother you about this again." He stood up and advanced towards her. She backed up.
"But Fabi-" She wasn't able to finish, for Fabian had placed a hand on her cheek and was leaning in to kiss her. When his lips finally met hers, it didn't feel right.
There was no spark, no fire or passion in his kiss. She opened her eyes, and watched him. He was kissing her with everything he had, obviously feeling something she wasn't. Something was wrong, and even thought she didn't want to admit it, she knew what it was.
He wasn't Sirius.
She pulled away, and he was gasping for breathe, and grinning like an idiot. She stared at him with a mixture of agony and pity on her face, and his face fell.
"Nothing?"
"I'm so sorry, Fabian. It's just... too late."
"He's going to hurt you."
"I know."
"Than why stay with him?"
She paused. Fabian was her best friend, so what if they happened to hit a road block, she could still tell him the truth, right? "I don't know, it just... it feels right."
"And it doesn't with me."
"It's different with you."
He nodded silently, staring down at his feet. "Well, I uh... better get home. Molly is probably worried." She could have sworn she heard his voice crack. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, and apparated with a crack.
'Shit.' was all Marlene could think before collapsing onto her bed.
Marlene couldn't remember falling asleep, but at eight o'clock Louis came in to wake her up.
"Glad there wasn't a half naked boy in your bed this time."
"Shutup."
Marlene jumped in the shower, threw on a pair of jeans and a Chudely Cannons t-shirt, threw nearly everything she owned and then some in her trunk, grabbed Wendelin and set off for Kings Cross Station. Mark dropped her off, and in a matter of minutes she was boarding the nearly empty Hogwarts Express. Ducking into the first empty compartment, she threw her trunk under the seat along with Wendelin who screeched loudly, and collapsed onto the bench seat.
Marlene hadn't had a chance to think about the night before, and having arrived ridiculously early for the train, she would probably be alone for a while and have some time to think. It was strange to consider that three months ago she wasn't anyone at all, she was just a homely little Ravenclaw in love with her popular best friend. And now, she was one Sirius Black's almost girlfriend, and said popular boy had professed he had liked her since they were fourteen.
Actually, now that she thought about it... it could be worse.
Within a half an hour the train started filling up, Alice was late as usual, but Sirius, Remus and Peter managed to find her. She was still upset with Sirius, but sick of sitting alone, so she let them stay.
"Where is Prongs?" She asked. Over the last month, she had spent so much time around the Marauders that the nicknames only seemed natural.
Sirius and Peter both grinned, and Remus sent them both disapproving looks.
"James is head boy." Sirius said. Marlene's jaw dropped.
"But Lily is-"
"Head girl, we know. James was excited as all hell, but Lily looked something between affronted and livid." Sirius finished, and Remus looked shocked at his use of the word 'affronted'.
"Wow. That's gonna make for an interesting year." Marlene said. She could think of a few other scenarios that would make for a interesting year, but wasn't about to divulge them in front of Peter and Remus. But within fifteen minutes, Remus had prefect duties, and Peter had wandered off with his girlfriend, and Sirius and Marlene were alone. But before Marlene could say anything about Fabian, Sirius leaned over and began kissing Marlene's neck. She couldn't think, and by the time he made his way to her lips, she didn't want to think about Fabian anymore.
Alice never came to the compartment Sirius and Marlene were kissing in, Marlene figured she had prefect duties. They weren't interrupted until they were fifteen minutes from Hogwarts. Neither of them even looked up when the door slid open.
"Oh my- I'm sorry." Marlene froze. She turned to see Fabian, standing awkwardly in the doorway. He looked utterly heartbroken, She could hear Gideon behind him.
"Is that Marlene and Sirius! Holy hell, you weren't lying!" He said, Sirius laughed. Fabian was still staring down at both of them.
"I just came to tell the both of you were nearly at school, and you might want to change into your robes. I'll see you at the feast, Marlene." And he backed up, and out into the hallway. Gideon poked his head in and waved, Sirius waved back and Marlene smiled awkwardly. He left and they were alone again.
"What was that about?" Sirius asked Marlene.
"Oh, Fabian just sort of has a problem with you and I being together. It's no big deal, ju-"
"He fancies you, doesn't he." Sirius said bluntly.
"A bit, yeah." She said.
"I knew it!"
Marlene spent the rest of the way there listening to Sirius rant about Fabian and his crush on Marlene. She had never been happier to see Alice poke her head in the compartment.
"Hey lovebirds, time to get off the train." She said with a smile, and Marlene sent her a glare. Sirius, Marlene, Alice and Frank caught up with the rest of the marauders outside by the carriages. Within five minutes the group was seated in the great hall, The Marauders, Frank and Gideon all at the Gryffindor table, and Alice, Fabian and Marlene at the Ravenclaw table. They all went through the motions; The sorting, School announcements, and finally, the feast.
Marlene was happily eating a large plate of potatoes and avoiding Fabian's sideways glances when Alice elbowed her, and pointed to one of their fellow Ravenclaws, Tabitha Marsh. She was glaring at Marlene with a look that could put out a fire.
"Yes, Tabitha?" Alice said, her voice acidic.
"Marlene, is it true that your Sirius Black's girlfriend?" She asked, her voice just as icy as Alice's had been.
Everyone in the immediate area went silent, and Marlene glanced over at the Gryffindor table to see Sirius was also frozen, watching the Ravenclaw table intently.
"Yes, what's it to you?" Marlene said, raising her eyebrows. Tabitha scoffed and turned back to her friend, animatedly discussing the new gossip. Marlene glanced up to see Sirius grinning wider than she had ever seen. Fabian hung his head so slow, that his head was nearly laying in his dinner plate.
What had she done.
XX0XX
A/N: Finally the summer is over! The end of this chapter was a little all over the place, Im aware. If anyone is confused by my horrible transitions, tell me and I'll attempt to get better. Next chapter will be JUICY so watch out for that. Hope you liked it! Thanks for the reviews!
Pix.
