Chapter 12
"Good morning love."
Marlene woke to light sunshine filtering in through the half-drawn blinds. The cold December air hit her and she shrivelled up only to feel a pair of hands hold her firmly to his chest and plant a kiss to her cheek. She forced her eyes to open to see a smiling Sirius looking at her.
"Sirius!" She startled awake forgetting for a brief moment everything that had happened that night.
"Settle down princess, you're alright."
"How's your eye?"
Sirius touched it absentmindedly, as if he too had forgotten last night's events. He winced as he touched it too hard and Marlene swatted his hand away and stroked the bruise lightly.
"You make it feel so pretty." He whispered moving to kiss her neck.
"Sirius."
"Marlene."
"I'm being serious are you okay?"
There was a small pause and Marlene's heart clenched at the silence.
"I am." She smiled at him and kissed him lightly. "Waking up to a gorgeous bird in my bed doesn't hurt either."
"You're such a cocky bastard."
He let out a loud bark-like laugh that Marlene loved to hear. He cupped her face and brought her in for a wet kiss.
"Oi oi settle down!" James walked in sleepily but with a cheeky grin.
"Why must you ruin my fun Prongs."
"Just thought I would make sure you got out of here before my parents realised you slept in his bed." James said with a pointed look. "Which I am slightly hurt by. Usually Padfoot cuddles with me but you seem to have cheered him up."
Marlene rolled her eyes.
"Aw Jamesy! Come here!" James proceeded to barrel over to the bed, knocking Marlene over in the process.
"I can tell when I'm not wanted." She muttered standing and walking over to the fireplace whilst James and Sirius hugged. Marlene thought they resembled puppies.
"Wait no come back and kiss me." Sirius pushed James aside to get up and walk over to Marlene.
Marlene beamed and stuck her tongue out at James who looked at her with awe. "I have been replaced." Under his facade James smiled gratefully at Marlene and mouthed a 'thank you' in her direction.
Sirius ignored him and walked over to Marlene. Wrapping his arms around her he pressed a delicate kiss to her temple. "I'll see you at the Christmas Ball." He said into her forehead.
Marlene let out a muffled yes into his chest. "Take care of your eye please." She said into his chest. He pulled her chin up to give her a hard kiss to her lips. He kissed her for a moment longer before letting her go and pushing her toward the fireplace.
"I'll be fine, I'll see you soon." He said
The Christmas Ball at the Potter's came soon enough. Although to Marlene it felt like it wouldn't ever come. Her hands were sore from the letters she was writing to Sirius. Before she could put her quill down, came another one from him and her nimble fingers pulled open the seal before his owl could leave.
Arriving at the Potter's house Christmas night, Marlene felt a tingling sensation on her fingertips and a swilling feeling in her belly. And she pushed away any thoughts that this could be because of Sirius Black.
"Marlene!"
Marlene spun around to see James with his parents. James wore a dress shirt and jacket with the buttons half undone but he still managed to look presentable. "Merry Christmas James!"
"Happy Christmas Marley" James' parents were like second parents to Marlene. There were countless holidays between the two families and even more memories.
"Hi Auntie Euphemia! Happy Christmas and thank you for inviting us!" Marlene went to hug her and then greet James' father. Her barrel of brothers and sisters followed her.
"The banquets just started. Go on in!" Mr. Potter invited.
Sirius first saw Marlene after she trailed in after her family. Looking at Marlene, Sirius wasn't sure if he would be able to form any words. Her dark green dress was cut off at her shoulders and floated down to her feet. She was so alluring in the most modest way possible and Sirius wasn't sure a Slytherin colour had ever looked that good on anyone. He began to gulp his pumpkin juice in hopes that it would free him of his dry throat.
"Mate will you calm down." Remus muttered to him nudging his side. "It's just Marlene."
Sirius couldn't see just Marlene.
Sweet Merlin, she's so fucking beautiful. A bloody angel.
He wanted to yell at Remus for not telling him sooner that she was so beautiful, so gorgeous. Sirius looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.
Remus smiled, quite amused at his mate who was gaping at their pretty friend.
Marlene spotted them and walked over with a smile. "Hi boys. Merry Christmas!"
Remus hugged her first, giving his friend a few seconds to compose himself. "Ello' Marlene Merry Christmas to you too!"
"Merry Christmas Sirius." Marlene stood in front of Sirius, fiddling with her fingers behind her back and biting her lip.
Sirius grabbed her hand and dragged her away from Remus. "Marlene you are beautiful."
"Sirius." She rolled her eyes.
"No I'm not lying. Merlin, you're gorgeous." He kissed her cheek softly.
She smiled, "You look rather handsome yourself."
"Come dance with me." He softly pulled her towards the dance floor.
"Just one dance." She grinned at him.
"Now don't act as if you don't want to dance with me McKinnon." He said with a wink.
"I do! I'm just not very good at ballroom dancing." She admitted.
"Step on my shoes quick." Sirius moved her hand to his shoulder, put his hand to her waist and gripped her other hand softly in his other.
Marlene compiled, moving the tips of her toes on his shoes. "I'm going to ruin your shoes!"
He shrugged. "They're just shoes. Follow my lead okay?"
Gripping Marlene tightly. He manoeuvred the two of them around the dance floor effortlessly. His steps rapidly in time with the quickly paced waltz music. Marlene followed his step as he danced, her shoes planted firmly on his as he waltzed her around the floor.
"How on earth did you learn to dance like this?"
"Pureblood family rules. You must know how to dance like an aristocrat by the age of eleven." He replied.
"You're the best dancer I've ever danced with."
"My mother did something right."
James and Remus stood further off to the side watching the exchange between the two with amused glances.
"How long do you think until he realises?" James asked.
"I give it a month tops." Remus replied.
"James, Remus!" A voice called. They turned and realised the voice came from Marlene's older brother, Oliver. "Come here." He beckoned them over with a wave. Her two other brothers Tommy and David stood by him.
"Merry Christmas boys." Remus well-wished.
"Merry Christmas." Oliver said hastily. "Is that Sirius Black my sister is dancing with?"
"Oh yeah."
Oliver exchanged a raised eyebrows with almost an impressed expression in his eyes, with his brothers. "Did my sister tame Sirius Black?"
James grinned. "He doesn't even know it yet."
Towards the end of the night, the dancing still in full swing, Sirius led Marlene outside towards the garden. The night sky was empty apart from the stars. The cold winter air, swirled around them, prompting Sirius to dart back inside and grab a blanket to wrap around Marlene's bare shoulders. The two of them trailed down the path. The rose bushes had a frosty glaze that twinkled in the moonlight. Sirius and Marlene approached a bench where they sat.
"Why are we here Sirius?"
Sirius brushed away a strand of her curly blonde hair that came out from her up do when they were dancing. "I actually got you a Christmas present."
Marlene blushed under the soft moonlight. "Sirius, you didn't have to."
"I really wanted to." He paused, "I've never bought a girl a present before."
She couldn't help but smirk, "Yeah?" Sirius nodded slightly sheepishly before kissing her cheek and sliding over the small wrapped package. Marlene picked it up with her nimble fingers and unwrapped it delicately.
"Stop trying to save the wrapping." He huffed.
The Christmas wrapping revealed a small box. Marlene lifted the lid which revealed a delicate charm bracelet with a small silver owl on the end of the chain.
"I thought that because we first snogged during O.W.L.'s, you'd appreciate the symbol." Sirius had a small smile on his face. "For your first charm." He gently picked up her arm and clipped the charm bracelet on to wrist. The owl charm winking at her every other couple seconds.
Marlene laughed at the charm, "It's perfect, it reminds me of you."
"I'm glad you like it." His voice was closer than before. His lips very close to her cheeks. He turned her cheek and kissed her softly.
Marlene felt dizzy.
Did boys that were just meant to be friends get girls gifts like this? Is he just trying to get into my pants? Merlin's beard is he just trying to get into my pants? Is that it? No, we're friends over anything, he wouldn't. Merlin, I could kiss him all day.
She pulled away unwillingly, "I got you something too."
He raised an eyebrow, "Really? Is it more snogging?" The last part of his sentence muffled against her neck.
"Sirius." She half whined and moaned.
He kept kissing all around her neck, "Where's my present?"
"It's at my house, it's too big to bring to a Ball. Come, let's go and get it."
McKinnon Manor was dimly lit, with only the embers of the fire providing light. Sirius followed Marlene and her giant gown out of the fire place. Strands of her hair that was once tucked into a bun, had now unravelled around her face. She went to the Christmas tree and picked up a giant present, wrapped somewhat messily.
"I would've thought you were the perfect wrapping kind of girl McKinnon."
She narrowed her eyes, "It's a bulky gift."
"I'm going to unwrap it anyways love. Hand it over!" Marlene tossed him the gift and he began to rip into it quickly, Marlene looking at him intently, searching his face for emotion. The torn wrapping paper revealed a new leather jacket. And embroided 'S' was sewed in to the back part of the jacket. Sirius let out a cross between a gasp and a chuckle. "This is perfect."
Marlene ran a hand through his unruly hair, "I thought seeing as if all you look at in Muggle stores are motorcycles, this would suit the motorcycle you'll buy."
"How did you know I want a motorcycle?"
Marlene gave him a look, "You look at motorcycles like you look at women."
He let out a roar of laughter and brought her too him for a kiss. Muffled against his lips Sirius sighed in content, "Marlene McKinnon you are fucking something else."
Marlene hoped he would kiss her until she had swollen lips and not enough air.