Chapter 11

The Hogwarts express was pressed full of eager students who were desperate to get away from their school work for a while to celebrate Christmas. Marlene pushed her way through the corridors to try and find her friends' carriage. She stumbled into the carriage where Mary, Dorcas and Lily sat waiting for her. She had to admit, it was nice to have some alone time to themselves.

"It' packed full of people out there!" Marlene gasped out. "Are we sure Hogwarts even has that many students?"

"Beats me." Lily shrugged.

Mary on the other hand was wasting no time, "Marls sit, Dorcas and I haven't gotten all the details from you about Sirius yet." Mary said with a cunning smirk.

Marlene couldn't help but blush but recovered quickly, "Not my fault you were preoccupied with Elaine."

Mary smiled widely, "Not my fault she's got a wicked tongue."

"T.M.I." Dorcas said, cringing whilst everyone laughed. "But do tell Marlene."

Marlene shrugged, "Not much to tell. His tongue's quite wicked too." She said with a smirk.

"Please." Lily said with a disturbed look, "Enough tongue references." Marlene laughed.

"I know what you're all going to say," Marlene said, "That you're surprised that I of all people are in this predicament with Sirius but he's not bad. He can be quite nice to be around sometimes."

"We figured you would tell us in your own time." Mary said to which Marlene smiled at her gratefully.

"Marls, you're not developing feelings for him are you?" Lily asked.

There was a bit of a silence before Marlene could talk again, "I don't know" She answered truthfully. "I'm still trying to figure that out."

"He is quite different around you Marls," Dorcas pointed out, "Remus said he hasn't touched another girl since before you.

"Don't." Marlene said wincing, "I rather not get my hopes up. Sirius is a great guy but we've never had that talk before."

Dorcas, Lily and Mary nodded worriedly at her. "What's going on with you two?" Marlene asked Lily and Dorcas trying to change the subject.

Dorcas smiled widely, "Remus is great. He's…perfect."

"Oh my god how lovingly disgusting," Lily said.

"You can't talk!" Mary said, "You and James Potter have been looking rather chummy recently."

Lily blushed, "We're just friends." She said quickly, "I have to admit he is not as bad as I thought he was going to be. I enjoy his company."

"Look at you three," Mary said cheekily, "All shacked up."

The compartment door opened and closed. "Hi ladies," Jordan Davies had worked in.

Lily perked up at the sight of him. A smirk was beginning to form on her face. "Hi Jordan, how are you?"

"I'm alright Lily," He said whilst looking at Marlene. "You guys excited for break?"

"Thoroughly." Dorcas said. "You got any big plans?"

"We go down to the South of France to visit my family during Christmas."

"Wow that should be fun. I'm jealous."

This was all well and nice but Marlene wished they would just cut the small talk.

Jordan nodded with a laugh. "Yeah look, I was actually wondering if Marlene I could ask you something."

Marlene straightened from a slouched position, "Um yeah sure what's up?"

"There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up after the Christmas Break."

"Oh yup there is." Marlene cringed inwardly at herself. Please don't ask me what I think you're going to ask me.

"I was just wondering if you'd like to go with me? Like on a date?" He finished.

Before she could answer, Lily piped up. "Of course she would!" Marlene turned to look at her friend with wide eyes.

"Really?" Asked Jordan.

"Yeah! She'd love too!" Lily continued.

When they both turned to look at her, Marlene could only nod awkwardly. "Yeah, it'll be fun."

Jordan looked pleased with himself. "Awesome! Enjoy your break." He came round to give Marlene a hug. She put one arm around him whilst the other was limp by her side. He smiled at her before walking out of the compartment.

Marlene turned to Lily, "Oh my Merlin what the hell have you done!"

Lily shrugged, "What? You want to know how Sirius feels, you will now. Just wait until he hears about this date."

"No!" The three girls looked surprised at their friend's outburst, "I can't tell Sirius. Not yet. Lily I can't believe you did that. I would've said no!"

"Marls," Mary began, "You should tell Sirius sooner rather than later."

A knock on the compartment door took all the girls off guard. Marlene peered through the reflective glass and saw Sirius who was smiling. He opened the compartment door and stuck his head in, "I don't mean to interrupt ladies but I'd really like to borrow Marlene." He asked.

Lily waved her hand dismissively, "Go on we were done with her anyways."

Marlene gave her friend an uneasy look but followed Sirius out the door. He grabbed her hand softly and pulled her to an empty compartment where he then proceeded to wrap his arms around Marlene and lift her up slightly.

"Hello," He said with a smile and kissed her softly, "How you doing?"

"I'm fine."

He looked at her with a puzzled look. "Hey you alright? You sound a bit off."

She nodded, "Yeah I'm totally fine." She said feigning a smile. "You excited for Christmas?" She asked. She saw Sirius' face drop and she winced in realisation, "Sorry I know you don't want to go back. Slip of the mind."

Sirius shook his head, "its fine." He put Marlene down and went to sit down where Marlene followed in suit, sitting on his lap. "Are you excited for Christmas?"

Marlene nodded, "I am! I always miss putting up the Christmas tree though."

"Why?"

"By the time we're home for Christmas my parents have always put it up. I haven't put it up since before Hogwarts. I miss doing it so much."

"We've almost graduated now."

Marlene narrowed her eyes at Sirius and pointed a finger at him accusingly. "Don't change the subject, I know you're dreading going back to your parents. I'M dreading you going back to your parents!"

"It's only for a week anyways. I'll be at James' for Christmas so I'll see you in the night." He reminded. Marlene lit up as she remembered. Every year, the Potter's held a Christmas Party for all their family friends.

"James took everything between us pretty well." Marlene said.

"I have a feeling a red-head had something to do with it." Sirius pointed out.

"She's a bit of a miracle worker." Marlene laughed.

"I liked having you be my dirty little secret." Sirius confessed with a smirk.

"Have I lost all appeal now that I'm out in the open?" Marlene shot back.

"Never." Sirius said smirking kissing her smack on her lips. Marlene giggled against his mouth. She lay down on the compartment seats, pulling him with her as he gladly compiled. Marlene thought she was going to die if he stopped kissing her, especially when he started kissing her neck and collarbones. Marlene bit her lip to stop herself from letting out a whine when he moved down her blouse to start giving her a hickey very close to the edge of her bra.

"Don't bite your lip." Sirius growled. Marlene compiled and began to kiss Sirius' collarbones, his neck, the spot behind his ears and began to drag her fingernails lightly over his chest. This time Sirius couldn't help but let out a groan and he quickly pulled Marlene back up to his lips to continue to kiss her.

But Marlene could not help but remember at the back of her head, her impending date with Jordan Davies.

"I'll miss you Marley." Sirius whispered from behind her. She was just stepping off the train when he appeared out of nowhere behind her. She had left him to go back to her friends some time ago.

She spun around with a light smile on her face wrapping her arms around his neck, "I'll miss you too." He gave her waist a quick but tight squeeze before kissing her cheek and going off to meet his family. Marlene watched as Sirius walked over to a haggard woman with a stern look on her face. She looked angry about something. Sirius' little brother Regulus stood a bit back with an unreadable expression on his face. His father stood with him. A tall and slender man. He had a gaunt look about his face and looked rather solemn. Marlene sighed and willed herself to look away so she stopped feeling scared for Sirius. She walked over to her family instead.

"Mum! Dad!" She squealed as she saw her parents. Her dad was the first to spot her and scooped her up into his arms.

"My little Marlene!" he said with an air of pride to his voice. He put her down and looked at her, "Not so little anymore are you? Sixth year!"

"Yes Gerald we get it she's growing up." Her mother said shoving her father aside to give Marlene a hug herself. "Hi baby! How have you been?" She asked

"I'm good! I've missed you guys so much!" Marlene said excitedly.

"Let's not dawdle." Her mother said, "Your siblings are already home."

Once they apparated home, Marlene was immediately bombarded with the smell of baking and with a babble of voices.

"MARLENE!" She heard. Her older brothers Tommy and David shouted. Her older sister Suzie stood by the side, less noisy but still with a grin.

"Hi!" Marlene said happily. David reached her first and was the first to mess up her hair and give her a hug.

"Good to see you baby sis!" Suzie said giving her sister a big hug. Marlene smiled back at her. She loved her house in the Christmas time. The very large Christmas tree sat in the corner next to the fire place. The fire was on and the smell of Christmas cookies enveloped the air. The warmth of the house hit Marlene as soon as she walked in. She was happy

It was late at night and Marlene had been sat in her room reading when a call from her floo came through. It had been several days since she had been home and she had gotten used to the quiet and solitude of her own home compared to the Gryffindor common room.

"Marlene!" Her fireplace crackled.

Marlene jumped from where she sat on her bed. She was wearing an oversized Quidditch jumper and tights. She was comfortable and ready to go to bed and wondered who on earth that could be and why an owl couldn't do. Her face crinkled in concern as she threw off her covers to go see who that was. After peering a while, she made out the undeniably familiar glasses. "James?"

"Marlene is that you?" He asked.

"Yes it's me. What's wrong James? Are you alright?" She asked in a worried tone.

"I'm fine. Sirius is here. Can you come over?" He asked.

Marlene froze, "James, what happened to Sirius? Is he alright?"

"He's safe. Something happened with his family can you please come here? I think he would like to see you." He all but begged.

Marlene nodded and then realised James couldn't see her. "I'll come now." She said and ended the call. Marlene quickly threw her thick dressing gown on and ran downstairs to write a note saying she had gone to the Potter's. She sped back upstairs with some floo powder and ran into her fireplace. "Potter house!" She said and she was quickly transported to the Potter's living room.

She ducked out of it quickly. "Marls!" James called from the sofa. He too looked like he was ready for bed, however concern was laced throughout all of his features.

"James what happened?" Marlene asked quickly.

"Sirius got into some fight with his family. It was bad. Worse than usual." James answered.

"I got disowned." A voice called from the bottom of the stairs.

Marlene turned to see a ragged looking Sirius. He was wearing his black leather jacket and jeans but his face was sporting a bruised eye. He was wearing a small smile but it didn't meet his eyes.

Marlene's eyes widened, "Sirius!" She breathed out in a worried voice before running over to hug him tightly. Sirius hugged her back just as tightly giving her a squeeze. The two of them didn't let go for a moment. Marlene was scared if she let go of him he'd break into pieces. When she did step away from him she looked up to look properly at his face. His eye was bruised and turning slightly red. It was obvious that it was a fresh bruise. Marlene moved her thumb to gently brush his face "What happened?" She asked.

"I'll leave you two alone." James said moving to go up to his room.

"No it's okay we'll go to my room so I don't wake your parents." Sirius said pulling Marlene up the stairs slowly.

The Potter house wasn't huge but it was larger than most. Definitely larger than hers. At the current moment however, Marlene was cursing the large house and how she had to follow Sirius through all the hallways to find out what had happened. When they finally got to his room, Marlene sat on the bed.

"Put the covers around you." Sirius said, "You're freezing cold."

"I'm hardly the one who you should be worried about." She picked up a cloth from his bedside table, making her way to the bathroom to damp it. "Get into bed." She commanded. Sirius took off his jacket and obeyed. Marlene soon got in and began to press the cloth around his eye. Sirius winced but pulled the covers so Marlene could be warmer. After a brief moment Marlene whispered, "What happened?"

"I can't believe James called you over so late." Sirius commented.

"Stop diverting my attention." Marlene said. Sirius turned away so he didn't have to meet her gaze. Marlene pulled his chin towards her, "Hey, what happened?"

Sirius didn't meet her gaze but continued on, "We had a family dinner with all my cousins and other relatives tonight. Usually I bite my tongue but I snapped tonight." He met her gaze finally, "I just couldn't stand it. They were all so adamant on this pure blood shit that I couldn't tolerate anymore. And I exploded."

Sirius was sat at the large circular dinner table at Grimmauld Place. He was rather out of view hidden behind the absurdly large glass of flowers sat on the lazy susan. His brother Regulus sat next to him, something he was rarely thankful for. His brother and him didn't speak much these days and it was better than talking to his other cousins. The tightness of his shirt collar was digging into his throat and he silently cursed the pure-blood culture for the need to be well dressed. He was concentrating really hard on eating his potatoes in a refined fashion when his dear cousin's Bellatrix voice sounded, "Sirius, was that Marlene McKinnon I saw you with on the platform?"

Sirius looked up and glared at her but didn't say anything.

"McKinnon!" His mother's voice boomed over the table. Sirius had to pinch himself to not wince at the pitch of her voice.

"She comes from a pureblood family." His Uncle Cygnus said with an air of approval.

His mother scoffed, "I don't care if her blood is pure enough to drink like wine. Blood traitors they are. That whole family."

Uncle Cygnus nodded in agreement, "They'd be well accepted by The Dark Lord if it weren't for their muggle mania."

Sirius clenched his knife tightly as his mother continued to speak, "And that horrible figure. Not good for child-bearing that's for sure."

Sirius dropped his knife with a clank to his plate, "Enough." He all but shouted. The table of heads all turned to look at Sirius. Sirius was gritting his teeth and his eyes blazed with anger.

Bellatrix smiled a cruel smile, "Has Sirius got a little crush?"

"Bella stop." Andromeda hissed at her sister.

Bellatrix ignored her and continued on, "Are you in love with the blood traitor Siri?" She asked in a sickly voice that made his skin crawl. "You know you've dirtied yourself when you shagged…"

She hadn't been able to finish when Sirius stood up and threw his dinner plate, food and all at her. "SHUT UP. DON'T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT." His eyes were blazing and his hair that once sat nicely in one place, was a floppy mess with unruly strands coming out.

Bellatrix dodged the plate and merely smiled. Somewhere in the background, Sirius could hear the sound of anger coming from his parents but it didn't register. "Have you been sleeping with the blood traitor Sirius?"

Sirius didn't even know what he was picking up at this point but everything in his reach was being thrown at his cousin. "Unfortunate you've lowered yourself to such low ranks." Sirius was close to throwing his knife at his cousin but before he could even process it in his mind to pick it up, his angry father was close enough for Sirius to hear.

"Sirius Black! You imbecile! How dare you!" Sirius winced as his father yelled and dragged him from the room.

His father didn't yell. That was his mother's job. His father dragged him down the corridor into an empty room. "What the hell were you doing?" His screamed.

"Nothing!" Sirius yelled back, "Bella started it."

"How childish. I don't need you to reiterate that your cousin is still an immature child." His father retorted "I am asking why you are defending a worthless blood traitor?"

"She's not worthless!" Sirius screamed. "She's purer than Bellatrix or anyone in this bloody family will ever be!"

The slap that connected with Sirius' cheek silenced even the dining hall.

Sirius looked back up at his father with indignation. His father was fuming. Both the Black men had eye's screaming of anger and fury. Sirius was just sporting a red cheek. "Fuck you." He said simply.

It took only a millisecond for his father's fist to reach contact with his eye. Sirius almost had a bewildered look on his face but recovered after a moment. "You are no son of mine." He spat at Sirius. In that moment, the thread that Sirius had yet to cut, had frayed and the rope had snapped. Sirius glared at his father and left the room with a resounding slam of a door. He ran up to his room and began to frantically shove half of his belongings into his chest. Within the hour Sirius was out the door.

"I don't want to talk about it Mar."

"Sirius"

"Please…it was bound to happen."

The air outside the window whistled as it furiously swept through the air. The fire crackled loudly from time to time. But all Marlene could concentrate on was the furrowing of Sirius' forehead and the dazed look in his eyes.

"Sirius." She pleaded in her voice.

"Marlene can you stay here tonight with me?"

Marlene caressed his face gently with her hand. She silently pushed him down gently and lay on his shaking chest without another word.