A/N: The story timeline is getting into more tragic territory starting at the end of this chapter and then continuing into the upcoming chapters. This is canon-divergence fic, but it still takes place during the height of the 1st war against Voldemort. Of course, I really enjoy writing humor and romantic fluff, but the plot marches on. I promise that the tone of the story will not change drastically and it won't suddenly turn into angst-fic or anything. You can count on more duck related humor ahead!


Though she was staying with Sirius for her spring holiday, Marlene had decided to ask her eldest sister to pick her up so they could have a visit before she got distracted with Sirius and whatever might await her in the following week. She hadn't told Elaine any of this, but she figured that she would. She came to Elaine for advice on private matters more often than she did Grace, who was too perfect to relate to, or their mum who was… mum.

"Lanie I'm in love." Marlene spoke in monotone to the ceiling, while sitting opposite her eldest sister on a sofa in her sister's home.

"Right. Yes. I heard that you're staying with Sirius this holiday."

"Who told you?"

"Who didn't tell me is the easier question to answer. Everyone talks, Marls. Lucan was the first on the scene. Then Edgar told me Sirius looked a suspiciously happy at the last meeting and that lead him to inquire . Grace even spoke with me about it, and you know she isn't a gossip. She was concerned."

Marlene rolled her eyes. Of course her siblings had a network of spies. That's the way the McKinnons operated. Grace's continued concern was particularly egregious to Marlene

"Grace is always concerned. She should have been the eldest. She's such a mother hen… and Edgar keeps tabs?"

"Edgar has eyes everywhere. Edgar knows all and sees all and will hex the life out of anyone who hurts his littlest sister. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

Elaine collapsed into laughter at Mad-Eye Moody's catch phrase. Over time Edgar had taken up a lot of Mad-Eye's sayings. They were as close as father and son, thus Mad-Eye was a constant in the Bones family's life. Though she loved him dearly, Elaine wouldn't pass up an opportunity to laugh at him. That was more of a Mckinnon family trait.

"You see… this is why I don't go around telling people Edgar Bones is my brother in law."

"Not because you're ashamed of his grey beard? Because he thinks it makes him look old. I think it's rather sexy."

Marlene very secretly thought it was sweet that her sister and brother-in-law were still so obviously in love after 10 years together. Edgar was getting quite long in the tooth though. He'd been no spring chicken, 36 years old and already a well respected auror, when he met 19 year old Elaine. They were married before Marlene had even started at Hogwarts.

"He is old. And you're gross."

"Are you the only one who gets to be gross?"

"Well in this case Sirius is actually very attractive. I mean you've seen him. It's scientific fact! And I'm in love with him. And it's weird."

She didn't quite know how to bring up the burning questions in her head. Discussing sex with her sister was always going to be awkward, even if Elaine was the lesser of the awkward evils.

"Ok you had me until that last part. It's weird? I thought we were talking about your boyfriend, not some sort of disease. You just made a face like it was… germy."

"Not germy. Just a little scary. It's getting pretty intense, and tonight might be quite a… momentous occasion... since I'm staying there and all…"

"You've slept with him before, surely?" Elaine looked confused.

Marlene was also a bit confused as to why her sister thought so. Elaine knew very well that her one and only sexual encounter ended (before it really even began) in vomiting, and that she was in no rush to attempt that again. In fact it had been the straw that broke the camel's back in her ill-fated relationship with Reginald Cattermole.

"Nope. Well. Not like that."

"Please elaborate. I need to know if I owe Grace money or not."

Marlene made an irritated noise. She could have gone her whole life without telling anyone about the night in question. And it didn't quell her irritation one bit that her sisters had a running bet on the matter.

"Lainie, I didn't tell anyone about it at the time and you can't tell a soul. It was back in August when he got the news that you-know-who had his brother murdered. He left almost immediately but I went by to check on him and…"

"You grief-shagged Sirius Black?"

"No! It wasn't like that."

"What was it like, exactly?"

"I went by to check and see he was ok and see if there was anyone he wanted me to contact for him. He was already really sad and drunk when I got there. I just wanted to help. Or at least just show him that he didn't have to bare it alone. He tries to bare everything alone. Still does."

"Ah, the classic male fear of talking about feelings. Annoying. It's why I couldn't stomach wizards my own age. Edgar was past that by the time we met."

"Right because Edgar is ancient… But anyway, back to this past summer, Sirius got drunker and told me he liked my freckles because they were like confetti thrown in celebration of my face. I brought him to his bed and he asked me to stay and I did but there was no grief-shagging."

"Was there any other sort of shagging? Because… the freckles thing. That's a pretty good line."

"None whatsoever. I just slept there. The whole relationship thus far has been a complete dirth of any sort of shagging."

"Wow. I need to reorient my concept of the world. I was pretty sure you guys had been at it since August. And then in over Christmas…You guys were gross. So… uhh... Did you get contraceptive potion? I'm sure Grace would be better at brewing it, but that would involve talking to Grace about this so… I can go over it with you, or even get some from the potioneer if you're too embarrassed."

"I've been on it since January. Twins run in the family and all…"

"Are you saying that my beautiful children could be used as an advertisement for contraceptive potion?" She asked in a pointedly irritated tone.

"Not at all! I love the twins. I just.. You know…"

"Kidding… though if they'd earn us a few galleons, I'd encourage it. Those hellions need to start pulling their own weight round here."

Marlene laughed. Elaine could say just about anything with a stoney serious face and it was unfailingly hilarious.

"Do you think I'll get sick? I'm worried I'm… allergic…to the act… or something."

"You're not allergic to sexual intercouse Marlene. You're being ridiculous."

She cringed at her sister's use of very technical terminology. It reminded her of when Grace gave her the talk before 1st year. All those scientific labeled images were scarred into her brain forever.

"Well there was that time!" Marlene reminded.

"You weren't into that guy. It was as plain as day. You know what else is as plain as day? How disgustingly in love you and Sirius are. It'll be fine."

"I really hope so…Thanks Lainie. Have I mentioned today that I'm really glad you're my sister?"

"You might have but I'm happy for you to do so again."

Elaine pulled her baby sister into a tight hug.


Marlene's deep brown eyes were wider than usual, and fixed on the ceiling of Sirius's bedroom. She needed a moment to find her bearings. Sirius, on the other hand, was completely focused on Marlene. He rolled onto his side and started playing absentmindedly with one of her curls.

"Are you alright, little duck? Was that… ok? Did it… hurt, or anything?"

Marlene did not yet have a firm hold on use of language. Her face cycled through roughly 20 different emotions while she attempted to form a reply. Sirius was trying not to laugh. But she was really cute and it took a lot of effort.

"I'm… definitely alright. Is it… meant to be like that? Every time? Wow."

"Well if you want to try something else we will. There aren't any hard and fast rules about what it's meant to be or anything."

"No. Nononono… I just meant… It was a lot better than I was expecting. Now I don't know how I'll ever do anything else… can we go again?" She smiled mischievously.

"Soon. But you were expecting that I'd be terrible in bed? I am wounded."

He gestured dramatically as if he had been stabbed in the heart. She started giggling. She felt unusually giggly. He interrupted her giggles with a sweet kiss. She could feel him smiling through it. She always loved that. She always loved him.

"I didn't think you'd be bad. I just thought I might get sick or something. I could have been allergic to shagging…that was not a problem."

"Well I'm awfully glad there was no allergic reaction…but you suspected you'd get sick? Why?"

Marlene realized she hadn't told him the embarrassing tale of her sort of first time. From now on she'd count this as her first time. This was much less… nauseating. And much more loving and sweet. She didn't think she could fall anymore in love with him than she already was, but somehow she kept proving herself wrong.

Sweet Merlin he is gorgeous. Did I really just shag the hottest wizard this side of the channel? Me?

She got distracted for a moment, as she had a real tendency to do, even when she wasn't in bed with the extremely handsome extremely naked wizard she'd dreamed about for an embarrassingly long time. But after a moment she remembered that she had to explain this disgusting and awkward thing she'd blurted out.

"Well the one time before, the one I said I wasn't sure if it counted or not, the reason it came to an abrupt end as soon as it began is because I got sick."

Sirius couldn't help but laugh, and Marlene followed suit. That was something they could manage to do in almost every scenario, and apparently this was no different.

"Wow. You really do not paint a flattering image of this Cattermole fellow. I guess I should be glad he didn't set some sort of extremely high standard for me, but, you got sick? That's awful!"

"Yeah. It was pretty awful. But this wasn't like that. This was… intense. There was a moment that I thought I might cry. Would you laugh at me if I started crying in bed?"

"Maybe. But I'd make it up to you."

She only rolled her eyes in response.

Sirius wasn't the best at talking about his feelings. But he had them in droves when it came to Marlene. He didn't know how to say it because it was weird and he hated talking about things but he was just as floored with the experience as Marlene had been. He didn't know that the feelings would make it more enjoyable. In fact he'd worried they'd make it less so, with all the fear and panic that still lurked in the background every step of the way. But that didn't end up being the case at all.

He thought maybe he was getting to a place where things could be pleasant. He pulled Marlene into his arms and held her close. This was actually very pleasant. He could get used to this.

"I do know what you mean. Not that I'm going to cry… but it was… there are so many feelings and it wouldn't be entirely irrational to leak some of them out of your face. I have no idea what to do with all these feelings. It's… strange."

"You're strange." She teased.

"You love me."

He started trailing loving kisses down her neck again. This was going to become addictive, she could tell.

"Guilty." She replied before meeting his mouth with her own.


My Dearest Sirius,

I'll cut right to the chase: I think we should move in together when I finish out NEWTs in June. I could move into your current flat if you think that suits. I'd also be happy to look for another place if you'd prefer or of course, if you don't find the idea of sharing a residence with me, you could tell me to get fucked. The problem with that is that getting fucked is just what brought this on. I'd really like to do as much of that as possible as often as possible and I'm sure the opportunities would be harder to come by if I'm still living with my mum and dad. So really this is all your fault. Let me know how you'd like to proceed.

My dorm mates have all been increasingly annoyed with my recent mood swings. I suppose I'm the only one to blame for that. Sometimes I'm just so happy I could burst and other times I find myself crying in my bed at night because I miss you. I guess this is all a little conspicuous and my fellow 7th year Hufflepuffs have more than reason enough to think I'm being dramatic. I would roll my eyes at me if I were them.

I imagine my sister Grace is crying in her bed at night as well. Though her reasons are more weighty than mine. Her girlfriend Missy, who you will remember from our family Christmas (otherwise known day of the many duck puns), has returned to France. They had a big fight over it I'm told. Missy felt, after Wendy's disappearance, it was getting too unsafe here, and wanted Grace to come with her to France. Grace refused to leave because she's committed to the fight and will be a certified Healer in only a month. She felt The Order needs her more than Missy.

I don't know what to make of anything anymore. Grace and Gawain are both suffering in their own ways. I feel guilty for being so happy. I wish we lived in a better world where I could fully enjoy being young and in love.

That said, I still enjoy it a great deal and I miss you so much I could scream. I can't wait to see you (naked) again.

It should go without saying that if you show this letter to anyone I'll hex your hair off. Don't make me do that Sirius. I love your hair.

I love you more than YOU love your hair and that is truly saying something,

-Your Marlene


It wasn't the first time Sirius read a Prophet article about the murder of someone he knew. It never got easier to see the words there in cold unfeeling ink.

"Bones Family Slaughtered"

It talked about Edgar's career as an Auror and about the 7 Death Eaters dead on the scene. But it didn't mention the twins' little smiles on Christmas when they saw their train set. It didn't mention that Elaine was more than just someone's wife.

Marlene was meant to take NEWTs in 3 weeks. Now she could hardly sleep for fear of the nightmares. Images that she'd never really seen haunted her. Often they were of her little niece and nephews lifeless bodies, or her sister and brother in law fighting and killing but being overpowered, and the Dark Mark over their home. Voldemort killed them to send a message. He killed babies just to send a message...

Sirius brought Marlene back to his flat after the last of the guests left the memorial held at her family home. She was exhausted with grief and needed to get away from the thick of it. Seeing her parents in that state was too hard.

She was intent on going back to Hogwarts the following Monday. She felt that she had to see it through, and besides that wanted to focus on just about anything other than the pain of grieving.

"Are you going to go back home later on? Do you want me to bring you on the bike?"

"Will you let me drive?"

That was Marlene's way of saying that she wanted to stay. She'd always wanted to drive the bike, but Sirius had yet to teach her how. She was sure he wouldn't agree to it tonight of all nights. Someday though, she'd drive that thing.

"You don't know how to to drive."

"How hard could it be?"

Marlene shrugged casually, to which Sirius replied by rolling his eyes. He knew that underneath all that hair and sweet disposition she was just as much of a rebel as he was, but it didn't change his overwhelming compulsion to protect her. He didn't want her taking risks. He felt that letting her take any risks now, when she was hurting so much, would be especially unwise.

"You aren't driving."

"Ok then I guess I'm staying."

"What's the plan when you finish out NEWTs?"

"You can teach me to drive your motorbike."

"...no… and also I meant to ask if you'd still like to move in here? I'd not blame you if you changed your mind after all this."

"I haven't changed my mind."

Sirius felt a rush of relief pass through him. He chided himself for the selfishness, but everything seemed more urgent now, with the war getting worse and the loss of the Elaine and her family. He didn't want to waste time that he could be spending with Marlene. It was harder to say goodbye to her every time she returned to school. He was glad this was the last time for a long time. He may have cringed only 3 years ago when James and Lily had started their life together straight out of school. "When you know, you know" hadn't made any sense to him at the time. But now he'd gone and proven James right. He wouldn't remind him of that of course… He still had some amount of pride left.

"I'm glad you haven't changed your mind, little duck."

"Well, when I live here I'll have plenty of opportunities to wear you down about the bike."

He knew she was deflecting from discussing anything serious. It was too painful to talk about the loss her family was grieving and the pain of watching her parents like that. She'd go on about the motorbike almost as if things were normal, but her voice had lost the sunny quality it once held. Sirius wanted to help her desperately. He had no idea what he was doing, but he'd felt that way since they day they'd met and it didn't stop him from falling so in love with her that it was painful to see her like this. He'd do his best.

"I want to be here for you. You know that right? You've been listening to my… stuff… for nearly a year now and I can listen too you know. I worry about you going back to school. You shouldn't have to deal with this alone."

"I'm not alone."

She leaned her whole body into him and wrapped her thin arms around his shoulders. He kissed the top of her head, before picking her up and bringing her to bed.