They lay breathless wrapped in each other's arms. It had been another close call today, but thankfully nothing that needed a healer. Not even St. Mungos was safe anymore.
"My folks should be all moved in now." Marlene said. "I promised to stop by and check on them this evening."
"Ok, James asked to talk with me. Are you ok to check on them while I do that and then I'll meet you back here?"
"Yeah, then we can go over tomorrow's mission." Marlene smiled. "I think we should take the motorcycle out tonight after everything."
"Best idea you've had yet." Sirius leaned down and kissed her.
"I love you Sirius." She breathed.
"I love you too Marls."
Sirius sat on the sofa with James.
"He thinks you three are in that much danger?"
"Yeah, we're not sure yet if we want to do a Fidelis Charm, but if we do, I want you to be the Secret Keeper."
"Sure Prongs. I'm here for you if you guys decide to do this."
James smiled and clasped Sirius on the shoulder. "I knew I could count on you! How're Marlene and the rest of the Order?"
"Alright. We've had to move Marlene's family and Do's family into safe houses, and amp up the Weasley's wards. Our numbers are thinning almost as fast as the aurors'. If this prophecy is correct, we'll just have to hold out long enough for Harry to lead us all to victory."
James chuckled. "I'd really rather you all kill off Voldemort before that's necessary. I don't know how much stock I put in the prophecy, but as long as Voldemort puts any store in it I've got to keep Harry and Lily safe."
Just then, Marlene's black bear patronous came rushing through the window. "Sirius! They've found us! We're surrounded! Hurry!"
Sirius went running for the back door. Patronous' weren't instant, and he knew how far away that message had travelled; he didn't have much time.
"Alert the Order Prongs!" Sirius yelled as he burst through the back door and apparated to the safe house. Hoping against hope that the wards were still intact he apparated outside of them, about a quarter mile away, and as he turned towards the home his worst fear faced him.
The Dark Mark shined bright above the safe home which was burning in green flames, smoke rising high. Without thinking Sirius ran to the house and into the flames.
Marlene and her family lay on opposite sides of the front room lifeless, and Sirius pushed down the horror as he realized they had made her watch as they destroyed her parents and sister. His hope not quiet dead, he grabbed Marlene's body from the flames and rushed out of the house.
Dropping to the grass in front of the house Sirius cradled Marlene's body to him. "Marlene!" He screamed, maybe she'd hear him, maybe she'd come back. "Marls! Please!"
His throat constricted and his chest tightened as her form remained limp. "Marls." He whispered. "Marls, we're going to take the bike out tonight, remember. You love the bike. I was going to get you one for Christmas and we were going to fix it to fly too. So we could travel when this is all over. Remember? You wanted to feel what it was like to sit in the ocean and know it could swallow you in an instant."
His face soaked in his tears; he brought his lips to her forehead ignoring that it lacked its usual warmth. "Don't let me be the one to survive." He begged quietly. "Please Marls."
Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder. "Sirius," Emmeline said. "Sirius let her go."
"No!" He screamed holding Marlene's body tighter to him.
"Sirius she's gone. You need to let her go."
Sirius shook as the grief overcame him, holding Marlene's limp form as close to him as he could. They didn't understand, it was supposed to be him. She was stronger. She could survive. He couldn't, he wasn't supposed to.
"Kingsley you'll need to get James." Emmeline said turning away from Sirius.
"That's not entirely wise Emmeline." He replied dubiously.
"I know, but that's our best bet to get him out of here. I was in their year at school. James and Sirius are more brothers than most siblings I know. Trust me Kingsley, we need James."
Kingsley sighed and then apparated away.
Sirius sobbed. His whole world had collapsed around him. Nothing made sense. Marlene was gone and he was alone. He wasn't meant to survive. He had everyone against him.
"I'm sorry Marls." He whispered. "They came for you because of me. I should have protected you. I should have come with you. I should have been here."
"Sirius," Emmeline said comfortingly. "Sirius this isn't your fault. They're coming at all of us. If you'd been here we would have lost you too."
"Maybe that's what I want!" He roared at her. "I'm at peace with death! It's living I can't handle! I was supposed to die! They were supposed to come after me! I'm the blood traitor!"
"Sirius," Emmeline moved to hug him but he pushed her away as the truth of his own words crushed him like a ton of bricks. He couldn't breathe and the sobbing came so fast that he started to feel light headed.
And then James was there. He crouched down in front of him and put his hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Pads. Let her go."
Sirius sobbed harder. "No!" He gasped out. "Prongs, no!"
"She's gone Pads. Let her go." And then Dorcas and Emmeline were gently lifting Marlene from his arms and James was pulling him to stand.
"James, I'll take you and Sirius back to your home. Emmeline when I get back we're all going to check on Dorcas' family. I want to make sure this is an isolated attack."
Do's face took on a worried look.
James took a firm hold on his brother and apparated them to his back yard, Kingsley right behind him.
"We'll be in touch." Kingsley promised before apparating away.
James led Sirius into the house and onto the couch. "James what happened?" Lily said coming down the stairs. One look at Sirius gave her the answer. She flew down to Sirius and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh Sirius!" She cried.
And Sirius collapsed into her embrace, howling in anguished grief. Marlene was gone, and Sirius felt that the world had ended.