Sirius couldn't shake the feeling, as he went about his mission, that something was going to go horribly wrong soon. It seemed like things were too good to be true, apart from the war and the traitor and the fact that his friends were being hunted. Marley was pregnant, and had finally agreed to marry him… life didn't go well for Sirius Black. It was the number one rule. Something was bound to fuck it up, if it wasn't going to be him then it was going to be something else.

Disillusioned and hiding round the corner of a house, Sirius poked his head around. Gideon and Fabian were at their station across the garden, Gideon crouched under a table, Fabian lounging in the chair beside it, both disillusioned. Peter, in his rat form, lurked under the bushes, unknown to everyone, and was watching everything.

Crack. The first Death Eater had appeared, not wearing a mask. Long blonde hair and an arrogant air about him told Sirius that it was Lucius Malfoy.

Crack. The next one arrived. Bellatrix. Sirius' blood boiled with rage.

He felt a hand on his arm, and he turned to see Emmeline Vance and Dorcas behind him. Doe shook her head warningly. Emmeline waved at Gideon, who waved back cheerily.

"Don't fuck this up, Black," Doe hissed at him. "We've already lost Caradoc and Drew this month."

"And she's responsible for both!" Sirius replied heatedly.

"Actually Moody's information says it was Travers who killed McKinnon," Emmeline corrected him.

Crack. Snape. Crack. A man with a goatee that Sirius didn't recognise. Crack. Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix's husband, and his brother, Rabastan.

"Where's the spy?" Bellatrix asked sharply.

"Not here, evidently," Snape replied sarcastically.

"Fuck," Doe swore under her breath. "This mission was for nothing."

Sirius held his hand out to silence her. They might still be able to find out who it was by listening to their conversation.

"The Dark Lord grows impatient," Bellatrix began. "He's decided which child the prophecy refers to."

Fabian sat up a little straighter in his seat, and Gideon pulled out his wand, just in case.

"The Potter boy. We have to discover where they're hiding. Find them at all costs, then return to the Dark Lord. They belong to him."

"Let's go," Doe insisted, tugging at Sirius' arm, knowing him far too well.

"I'll kill them all," Sirius hissed as she dragged him away.

"That's a suicide mission," she said flatly, once they were far enough away to speak clearly.

"That's my family they're talking about," Sirius said heatedly as they disapparated. The gates of Hogwarts formed around them, and Doe sent her patronus, a sparrow, flying up to the castle. The gates clanged as they opened, and the pair of them hurried up towards the castle, still disillusioned.

"Chocolate cake," Doe whispered at the statue that guarded the headmaster's office on the third floor once they'd arrived.

"Is he running out of ideas for passwords?" Sirius asked, momentarily amused.

"Enter," the headmaster called out before they'd even knocked.

Marley entered their flat that had been empty for a week. Lily had just been to see her in the hospital under James' invisibility cloak, and told her that they were to go permanently into hiding now. Butters looked up from his bed, a betrayed and mournful look in his eyes.

"Sorry baby," Marley whispered, leaning down to stroke him. "We're here now."

Sirius dropped down beside her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, we are."

Marley bit her lip and turned to him, wondering how best to put what she was thinking.

"What?" he frowned.

"First thing after we're done killing the bastard that's after our best friends, I will marry you," Marley vowed. "Just make sure you survive the war. And James and Lily and Harry too. I'm not getting married without them."

"Ok," Sirius agreed. "Just promise me that you'll take care of our baby girl while she's living inside you."

"Girl?" Marley raised an eyebrow. "It's too soon to be able to tell, you idiot."

"I know," Sirius grinned. "But I always wanted one of each. A girl first, so I can beat up any blokes she brings home. She'll have your golden hair and my smouldering good looks."

Marley shoved him. "And your arrogance too, no doubt."

"And then a boy a few years later. I can teach him how to fly and the best pranks to pull, and you'll make damn sure he treats girls with respect."

"While you've planned out our entire lives, I suppose you've picked out names?" Marley asked, half sarcastic, half exasperated at his continued enthusiasm with which he went through life.

"Andie for a girl," Sirius said immediately. "After Andromeda. Andie Lily. And James for a boy, Jamie. Jamie Remus Peter."

"I don't suppose I get a say," Marley rolled her eyes.

"Nope," Sirius grinned, giving her a light peck on the lips, his eyes lit up at the thought of their future. "Although what are your ideas?"

"Drew for a boy," Marley said immediately. "Drew James. And I like Jessica or Cassandra for a girl. Jess or Cassie for short. Or Alice. Alice Lily maybe? I don't know."

"I like Alice Lily Black," Sirius smiled. "Alice Lily Black and Harry James Potter. They go well, don't you think?"

Marley's smile faded. "We have to keep them safe."

Sirius nodded, looking unusually grave. "They're the most important people in life my life after you."

Marley shook her head. "No. James is the most important person to you. Without him, you wouldn't be who you are. If I die, you'll be ok because you'll still have James. If James dies and I live… you'll die too."

"No," Sirius began to interrupt her, but she shushed him.

"It's ok, Sirius," she smiled. "James means so much to us all. Besides, you definitely love me more than you love Lily."

"Don't let her hear you say that," he grinned back at her.