Chapter 13
"What changed with you guys to the point that you're avoiding him?" Lily appeared so upset and surprised all in one that she couldn't even manage to sit down on the train.
Marlene ignored her gaze and looked out the window, willing the view to distract her.
"Well?"
Marlene sighed and turned to look at Lily, "It got…weird."
Lily's frown turned into a knowing smile, "Oh my God. You have feelings for him." Marlene avoided eye contact with Lily. "You do! I knew this would happen!"
"You don't need to rub it in."
Lily took a seat next to Marlene with a comforting hand on her back. "This isn't a bad thing Marls."
"Are you kidding me? I have feelings for Sirius Black of all people and you're telling me this isn't a bad thing?"
"Oh come on Marls, he hasn't touched another girl since you came into the picture."
Marlene scoffed and stood up, "As soon as he realises that he means more to me than I do to him, he'll be on top of another girl before I can say 'Dumbledore'."
"Marlene you know that's not true." Lily kept trying to catch Marlene's eyes but the blonde avoided her gaze like the plague. "Why don't you give him a chance?"
"I rather not get my hopes up thanks." She then turned to Lily with a withering look, "And let's not forget that I have a date with Jordan now."
"You don't believe me that Sirius is interested in you than just watch how he takes the news you're going on a date with Jordan Davies."
"Oh my goodness, this is the worst idea you've ever had Lily. I cannot use Jordan!"
"You're not using Jordan. Maybe you'll actually enjoy getting to know Jordan!"
The compartment door opened and Sirius walked in. Both girls froze at their new company.
"What's wrong with you two?"
"Sirius!"
He raised an eyebrow, "Surprised to see me?"
"Um, no I just, I was just about to come to your compartment actually!"
"Sorry I should've waited."
Lily piped up from behind Marlene, "I'm going to go and say hey to everyone else don't worry guys. I'll see you later." Lily looked like she couldn't have scampered out of there any quicker.
Once Lily had left, Sirius did not waste any time to envelop Marlene in his arms and kiss her hard. Marlene couldn't even kiss him back, her mind swarming with thoughts.
Sirius pulled away from Marlene, "You alright Marls?"
She smiled weakly at him, "Yeah, I'm just so tired."
Sirius grinned back at her, "Come on let's go join the others."
"Have you told Sirius?"
Lily grabbed Marlene's wrist on the way back from the dining hall after dinner that night.
"No, I haven't had the chance."
"Oh my Godric. You spent most of Christmas break with him and you haven't told him! Mary was right, you need to tell him sooner rather than later. Are you ever going to tell him?"
"Well I wouldn't have to tell him anything if you hadn't accepted Jordan's date for me!"
Lily looked up at Marlene's obvious face of displeasure, "Would you have said yes?"
"No!"
"I think that says a lot."
"Lily you got me into this mess and now I have to get myself out. So if you don't mind I would really prefer some actual help right now." Marlene and Lily stopped to give the Fat Lady the password for the common room.
The Gryffindor common room on the first day back was always in full swing. Someone always managed to coerce the house elves into supplying jugs of butter beer and the air was filled with loud sounds of laughter. James and Peter walked out carrying two jugs of butter beer each, their faces sporting wide grins.
"And what are you two doing?" Lily had her hands on her hips.
"We're going up to our dormitory." Peter said.
"Wanna come?" James winked.
"Sure thing!" Lily said.
Marlene wasn't sure who was more surprised, herself or James.
James recovered quickly, "Well alright we've got the drinks don't you two worry about a thing. Just bring your pretty faces." James and Peter chuckled with mischief.
"We'll see you two ladies later. Don't be late now Lily flower." James grinned at Lily before prancing off.
Lily groaned under her breath, "That boy will be the death of me."
"Oi!"
Marlene turned to see whose voice had hissed at her. Slouching against a painting in the hallway, hidden in the dark. His face only visible once he had walked into the light.
"Sirius what are you doing? I thought we were going to your dorm?"
"I was. And I assumed you were too. But here you are slouching off somewhere." Sirius had a small grin, "And where were you going?"
"To the kitchens. I didn't eat much during dinner."
"I have a better idea." He took Marlene's hand in his and pulled her down the dimly lit hallway.
The corridors during the first night back did not have many students. Most were rushing off to their common rooms, excited to get back into things. The only few people were mostly prefects, who tended to turn a blind eye to extra bodies in the hallways on the first night. Mostly because the prefects were occupying broom closets themselves.
"Are you taking me away to have your way with me?"
"Ooh don't tempt me McKinnon."
As they approached the seventh floor, Marlene knew where they were going. "Sirius?"
"Yes love."
"You want to study on the first night back?"
"Bloody hell you gone barmy Marley? Course not! Just want some privacy."
Sirius paced in front of the wall three times before the intricate pattern of the door surfaced on the granite. Soon enough the door was fully visible and Sirius pushed it open.
The room no longer had it's usual study room set up that Marlene was used to. This time the room was a rather cozy living room. The fireplace had a warm fire brewing, with a plush red couch alongside a coffee table where a small bowl of mash potatoes and two warm drinks sat. In one corner of the room there was an empty Christmas tree with boxes surrounding it. The Gryffindor dark scarlet colour red all over the walls.
"Oh Merlin Sirius what is this?" Marlene stood in awe at the room.
Sirius gently led her in, "You said you missed decorating the Christmas tree. I know Christmas is over but I thought it'd be nice for you to decorate one." He grinned widely at her.
Marlene could not stop herself from throwing her arms around him and kissing him hard on the mouth. For a moment Sirius wobbled at the surprise of Marlene throwing herself on him. He soon steadied himself and caught her by the waist and kissed her back. Marlene peppered his face with kisses, "I can't believe you did this!"
"Now who's trying to have their way with me?" Sirius winked theatrically at Marlene. She blushed, giving him a wide smile.
"I just, I…I love this so much thank you Sirius." She whispered, drawing him in for a soft kiss. "And I love that you got me a dish of mash potatoes!"
"Bloody hell woman I know you love your mash."
"It is by far the best side dish ever."
Marlene and Sirius sat on the couch. Marlene eating her mash potatoes, drinking her hot chocolate whilst Sirius sipped at his coffee. Marlene could not help but look at Sirius whilst he sipped his coffee. His unruly hair covered most of his eyes but she could still see his cloudy grey eyes between his strands of hair. Marlene was not sure that she could ever get used to looking at them. And when he smiled, she was sure they shone.
Sirius noticed her staring and kicked her softly with his foot. "Oi what you staring at McKinnon?"
"Your pretty face."
"Stop trying to seduce me."
She let out a laugh, "I don't need to seduce you."
Sirius set his cup down and reached her to Marlene's hips, his lips searching for hers, "I hate it when you're right." He murmured against them.
He tasted of bitter coffee. His soft lips brushing callously against hers, the roughness of his stubble rubbing against her chin. His tongue explored the inside of her mouth. She was drinking in Sirius as if she were dying of thirst; haphazardly and all at once. But no matter how hard she kissed in, she could not forget Jordan Davies date.
She pulled away from Sirius. He leaned against her forehead. Marlene opened her mouth to say something but she could not will herself to speak or the words to come out. She pressed her lips close to the point that they hurt.
Sirius spoke before she could, "Let's go decorate this tree before I lose my bloody mind." He muttered pulling Marlene off the sofa.
The boxes by the tall Christmas tree were filled with different Christmas ornaments. From baubles, stockings to a nutcracker. Decorating the Christmas tree with Sirius felt like she had been decorating Christmas trees with him all her life. For a moment Marlene forgot that she was in The Room of Requirements. Digging through the paper that lined the boxes, Marlene pulled out a wooden plaque.
"Oh my Goodness Sirius."
Sirius stepped off the ladder to look at what Marlene was marvelling at. Glancing over her shoulder Sirius laughed in shock, "Bloody Merlin and all the Founders."
The wooden plaque was detailed with little sprigs of mistletoe and written out in cursive said 'Black and McKinnon Household'.
"I think it would look perfect by the fireplace." Sirius said after a moment. Marlene's heart soared and she couldn't keep the warm smile of her face as she went to put it above the now dying fire.
"It's like we're living together." Sirius commented.
"Would that be so bad?" Marlene blurted.
He paused, looking at the ornament he was holding. "No, no it wouldn't."
Marlene stared at the ground, biting her lip.
Lying on the couch with Sirius Black sleeping on her lap was what Marlene decided was her favourite Christmas activity. Complimentary of the room, a soft Christmas tune was playing as the once crackling fire was now dying down, quietly snapping every once and a while. The Christmas tree was fully decorated, lights strung up and the star on the tree. Sirius had finished the rest of his coffee and had dozed off with his head in Marlene's lap. Marlene was desperately trying to stop her eyelids from fluttering shut. Between sipping her hot chocolate and running her fingers through Sirius' hair, this was the most relaxed she had felt since the Christmas Ball.
The Christmas Ball. What did he want? Was he always this friendly? Could his feelings have changed?
And more importantly, why should I care?
Marlene wasn't sure what she was feeling but she couldn't bear the thought of not ever having Sirius around. As a friend, as a snogging partner, as a boyfriend - she didn't know what. But when Sirius laughed, her heart soared and she wasn't sure why.
Except Jordan Davies was now in the picture. Marlene didn't even want him in the picture. She wasn't sure if she could get out of this date with Jordan and ensure Sirius didn't find out. She had to tell him.
Her watch read eight thirty and she knew they would be missed if they didn't go back. She gently rubbed Sirius' arm.
"Sirius."
He made a bedraggled noise in his throat and then rolled over to hug Marlene around her waist. "Sirius babe you have to get up."
He finally opened his eyes and groaned, "Why?"
"The others will be expecting us and we don't want a professor catching us going back to the common rooms."
Sirius rubbed his eyes and leant up to give Marlene a haste kiss. "I don't want to leave our little Christmas living room."
Marlene pulled him back up to her to give him a longer kiss. "The room will remember."