"I didn't kiss Sirius," Marlene wasn't lying. There lips had barely touched when Sirius backed off, it couldn't be counted as a kiss. She was upset at first, but remembering the state Sirius was in that day, she tried to understand his point of view.
"Marlene be honest with us, do you like Sirius?" Mary asked, scooting across her bed towards Marlene. To be honest, Marlene would've said yes if things hadn't gotten this awkward; but right now, she wasn't sure.
"I don't hate him," Marlene shrugged, looking at her friends. That was true, she understood that Sirius was probably too stressed about something and she wasn't going to hold that against him.
"But – what is with this rumour going around?" Alice let out a sigh. She was the first one to hear it from her boyfriend Frank Longbottom and couldn't believe her ears. She had instantly rushed back and here they were, sitting and talking about it.
"Sirius and I were at the Sundial Garden, that's true," Marlene confirmed. Her friends exchanged glances and then looked back at Marlene.
"But we didn't kiss," she completed by telling them the half-truth.
"Let's just get to the class, if Marlene says she didn't kiss Sirius then that is the truth," Lily stated, a small smile forming on her lips as she looked at Marlene.
The girls got up from their beds, picking up the books on their nightstands, they headed out to Slughorn's class.
Alice wanted to sit with Frank in the class, it was obvious but she didn't want to leave Lily alone. "Sit with Frank," Lily encouraged her, pushing her towards her boyfriend.
Alice shyly took the empty seat next to Frank, it made Marlene smile. Now, if only Lily would accept her growing fondness for James, Marlene would be beyond happy to see both her friends happy.
Just then, James, Remus and Peter entered the class; Marlene looked at Lily from the corner of her eyes and she noticed how Lily instantly started looking at the closed book on her desk rather than the new arrivals as they took their seats in the row adjacent to Lily.
Peter sat down with a fellow Gryffindor student Richard Wood, with whom Frank usually sat, James sat beside Lily in the row on her left and Remus sat down with James. When Lily finally looked up from her book and her gaze met James; James winked at Lily with a smirk, making both Mary and Marlene snort, who were watching the exchange from behind Lily.
They looked at each other and Mary put her finger on lips as a signal for Marlene to supress her smile, her own shoulders shaking as she desperately tried to control her own laughter.
The class grew significantly quieter when Professor Slughorn entered the class. "Good Morning Professor," Marlene spoke in unison with the rest of the class.
"Good Morning students," Professor Slughorn replied cheerfully as he walked to his desk.
Marlene noticed Sirius's absence from the class and wondered if he was alright. But her mind was immediately put to rest when he dashed his way into the class, only to stop when he looked his friends had not saved a seat for him like always. His face immediately dropped. The whispers in the class grew louder, Marlene could see people pointing towards Sirius and she immediately felt sympathetic towards him.
"Take a seat Mr Black," Professor Slughorn gestured towards the seat next to Lily. It was the only seat that was empty in the whole classroom.
Reluctantly, Sirius took his seat besides Lily and mumbled a low "Hello Evans."
"Black," Lily replied with a nod and then turned to look at Professor Slughorn, who was arranging his books on his desk.
"What happened to these four? Especially Black and Potter, they were inseparable," Penelope Gibbs, a Ravenclaw student whispered in a low voice. Marlene sighed loudly; the whole school was talking about the Marauders.
"What do you think? He is from the House of Black, he must have done something, everyone knows which side that family has chosen," Margaret Edgecombe spat out.
"I heard he was getting married to one of his cousins when he leaves Hogwarts," Penelope's words earned a gasp from her friend, and Marlene eyes instantly drifted towards Sirius. Getting married? Was that the explanation for everything? It can't be! But even then, she felt her throat tighten.
"That shows, no matter how much he tries to hide it, he is just as into blood purity as his family and to think he fooled everyone around," Marlene wanted to turn around and ask them to shut their mouth, that even if Sirius was indeed getting married to as they claimed, it was none of their business.
"Poor Marlene, I heard she stood up for him when Anne tried to warn her," Penelope's voice was barely audible now. Marlene felt Mary's gaze on her and she tried to put away the anger boiling inside of her. Clearly Mary could hear the gossip too.
"He is devious, he hides behind all his charm but underneath he is just heartless."
"He is a Black after all. They use their good looks and charm to get what they want." Marlene's eyes drifted towards Sirius and watching him sit there, with his shoulders slouched, as he scribbled away in his parchment, trying to block out the gossip; she felt her heart drop to her stomach.
"Silence!" Professor Slughorn finally silenced the whole class. Once the class grew silent, he spoke once again.
"Today we will be working in pairs to brew a very powerful and highly dangerous potion," Professor Slughorn looked pleased with himself as he turned around to the blackboard and wrote in his clear handwriting 'Amortentia'.
"Does anyone know what it smells like?" he turned towards the class. Lily's hand immediately shot up and Professor Slughorn smiled.
"Miss Evans?" he encouraged Lily to speak.
"It smells different for everyone Professor, based on what that person likes," Lily answered.
"Correct,5 points to Gryffindor," Professor Slughorn added gleefully.
"Now, I will write down the ingredients before we start brewing the potion, and remember the pair who brews it first and correctly, I have a surprise waiting for them," the class started chatting excitedly as Professor Slughorn turned towards the board and started writing down Amortentia's characteristics and ingridents, that the students copied down in their parchment.
"This is why I like Slughorn's class, he always makes things interesting," Mary spoke with a smile.
"I agree, and with the little challenges, no one can get bored in his class," Marlene agreed. Lily turned to look at her friends and grinned as she nodded before turning back to copy from the blackboard.
The brewing started 15 minutes later, when Professor Slughorn had explained the characteristics and ingridents of the potion and given a green signal to brew the potion. He walked around the class to check the student's progress and help those who needed help.
"Yes, add it now," Lily instructed Sirius, who followed her instruction immediately, adding the last ingrident on the list. They smiled at each other as the distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen became visible and the spiral steams started to rise from the potion.
"It's done!" Sirius grinned at Lily, who nodded with a grin of her own.
"Professor!" two voices were heard at the same time – all students looked up to the voices – one belonged to Lily Evans and the other belonged to James Potter.
"They even completed their potions together," Mary whispered to Marlene, making Marlene chuckle.
"Two pairs are done! How wonderful! 5 points to each student," Professor Slughorn remarked happily, walking up to the pairs, sitting side by side.
"We'll wait a little while to let other students complete," he told the four of them, earning a nod, before he walked away.
Sirius and Lily sat as far away from the potion as they possibly could. Neither of them wanting to acknowledge the smell of the potion, because they knew all too well why they smelt what they did. James and Remus on the other hand were excitedly talking about what smelt in low whispers.
Once all the students were done, a few of whom failed, Professor Slughorn once again walked up to the two pairs who had completed the potion. "Mr Potter," he turned towards James and Remus first.
"Why don't you tell us what it smells like to you?" he continued, both Sirius and Lily froze. Their faces turned pale and eyes widened as far as they could. That was the surprise? To them it was more like a punishment!
James sniffed the potion once again as if to double check what he smelt and the whole class grew quiet, all eyes turned towards James who was grinning wide.
"It smells like broomstick handle – I guess you can say wood, the rain and –" his eyes turned slightly towards Lily and Marlene could no longer keep her smile off of her face, watching both Lily and James excitedly.
"Lilies," James spoke confidently with a smile. The whole class erupted in a roar of laughter, except James, Lily and Sirius. It was too obvious why he smelt Lilies, that was exactly what Lily smelt like!
"As if we needed another confirmation that Potter likes Lily," Mary laughed, making Marlene laugh harder. Lily's face was probably a bright shade of red, she turned her face away from James.
"Mr Lupin, what does it smell like to you?" Professor Slughorn tried to keep his face as neutral as possible, but he was failing miserably.
The class grew silent once again, and waited for Remus to speak.
"Chocolate, trees and old books," Remus's voice was barely a whisper, but Sirius couldn't help smile at his friend's description of Amortentia. He felt happy knowing that he knew exactly what his friend would smell.
"As you can see, Amortentia smells different to everyone. If we ask Miss Evans and Mr Black here – it would smell different to them," Professor Slughorn started.
"Isn't that right?" he turned to the two frozen students.
"Yes, it does," Sirius answered with a nod.
"What does it smell like Black?" a student from the back of the classroom shouted.
"That is for me to know and you to keep wondering," Sirius turned around to respond to the student. Just as he was turning back around, his eyes met Marlene's and Marlene could feel her heart skip a beat before she looked down.
"What does it smell like to you?" Mary asked Marlene curiously, and Marlene felt her ears heating up again.
"Home," she lied in a mumble. It wasn't exactly a lie; just half-truth, that she had been telling a lot today. It did smell like home, but it also smelt like musk and pinewood and she knew why she smelt that. Her eyes instantly looked at Sirius and then she looked away.
"What does it smell like to you?" she asked Mary.
"Apple pie, ink and roses," Mary replied with a grin.
"I bet it smells like Frank for Alice," Marlene jested, both the girls turning around to see Frank and Alice chattering and laughing.
"Lily what does it smell like for you?" Mary poked Lily in the back, making Lily turn around slowly.
"Old books and cherries," Lily stammered, making Mary and Marlene exchange glances. Marlene was sure Lily was hiding the scent, just like she was. Lily was terrible at hiding things, her face gave it away, just like right now.
Sitting alone in the dormitory, Sirius could finally no longer take it. His friends were making a conscious effort at avoiding him. If his friends wanted him out of their hair, he would ask Professor McGonagall to change his dormitory. That way, his friends wouldn't have to stay out the whole while he was there and only come back to sleep once he had stepped out to sleep in the common room. After everything they had done for him and after his mistake, the least he could do for them was give them some peace of mind and stay out of their way to make it easier for them.
He needed to explain them his side though. He needed them to know that it was an accident and he would never betray his friends. But, every time he would try to talk to his friends, they would walk away without as much as a glance in his direction. So, he decided to apologize in another way. He didn't know if it would work though, he was never good with apologizes or stating his feelings.
He had bought Remus's favourite chocolates, James's favourite jelly slugs and Peter's favourite Bertie Bott's every flavour beans. He wrote three letters for them and explicitly mentioned that these weren't bribes to earn their apology, because he knew his mistake was unforgivable. He just wanted to do something good before getting out of their way. He explained why he did what he did, and that no explanation was ever enough for his actions. He specifically apologized to Remus for his actions and thanked all his friends, especially James, for everything they had done for him. He explained that he would leave the dormitory, so they can return to their usual routine in the dormitory and not disrupt it because of him.
Leaving the letters on their specific beds, he turned to throw a last glance at the dormitory of the four of them and felt the lump returning at the back of his throat. He shut the door behind himself and walked down the spiral staircase. His feet felt as heavy as lid but he continued to walk past his friends and out of the common room.
Peter had returned to room to get his transfiguration book when he noticed something strange in the room. All of Sirius's belongings were packed and there was a rolled parchment and his favourite Bertie Bott's every flavour bean on Peter's bed. He picked up the parchment with curious eyes and opened it carefully. He instantly recognized Sirius's handwriting. Scanning through the letter, his heart dropped to his stomach. The last thing Peter wanted was for his friends to stop being friends! With Sirius leaving the dormitories, he realised that his friends were drifting apart rather than forgiving each other.
He left the parchment on the bed and rushed downstairs where his other two friends were doing their homework, almost tumbling on his way. Without raising much alarm, he whispered to his friends, "Come quickly, you need to see this!"
James and Remus quickly shut their books and followed Peter back to their dormitory. "Look! Sirius has left us all apology letters on our bed; read it!" He exclaimed, pointing towards James and Remus's bed.
"No, I don't want to read it," Remus replied stubbornly, turning around to walk out again.
Peter put himself against the door, stopping Remus to reach out for it. "Read it Moony!" his voice was wobbly but stern.
"What's gotten into you Wormtail?" James mumbled, picking up Sirius's letter from his bed. Remus also reluctantly picked up Sirius's letter and with a bored look on his face, he read the letter.
When Peter saw Remus and James's eyes widen, he spoke again, "He is actually leaving the dormitory, his things are packed!"
"Marauders can't be the same without Sirius, we are best friends! If what Padfoot did is wrong, which he is, we all know how cunning Snivellus is! And – Padfoot only got involved because he was trying to keep Snivellus's large nose out of Moony's business. We didn't even ask him about the mission, 5 wizards died because of that explosion, he could have been one of those 5!" Peter exclaimed, his voice was wobbly and he walked up to his friends.
Remus angrily threw the parchment back on his bed and once again turned towards the door. His fists were clenched as tightly as his jaw.
"Where are you going?" James asked Remus.
"To get Padfoot back here," he spoke from between his teeth, yanking the door open, he jogged down the staircase as fast as he could.
Sirius was about to turn the Serpentine corridor that would lead him to McGonagall's office when his path was blocked by four Slytherin students. Sirius wasn't in the mood to engage with them, and tried to walk past them but was immediately halted because of the lack of space.
"Mind moving to a side?" Sirius asked, his eyes lazily scanned their faces.
"Black, we heard you left your home during the summer?" Avery asked, stepping closer to Sirius.
"And that's any of your business because?" Sirius spat back, his hand already on his wand that rested in the pocket of his robe.
"We're just here to warn you Black, people are choosing sides, you might as well choose wisely," Avery continued in a low voice.
"I already have, not that it is any of your concern," Sirius responded firmly.
"You know what happens to blood traitors right?" Avery probably wanted to sound threatening but Sirius rolled his eyes. He wasn't any threat, given what he had done only a few days ago, Sirius was prepared for him.
"Sod off Avery!" Sirius said, his wand out of the pocket of his robe.
"You will be the first one to die Black!" Avery spat at him from between his teeth.
"And you dream it's going to be you, who kills me?" Sirius asked mockingly, sneering at Avery's words.
"How bloody difficult is it going to be?" Avery looked at his friends with a smirk.
"Pick up your wand then, let's see how bloody difficult it will be," Sirius raised one of his eyebrows and pointed his wand towards Avery.
Avery and his friends immediately drew their wands at Sirius and Avery spoke mockingly, "Look around yourself Black, you are alone. Where are your three friends now?"
"I think the two of us can handle you by ourselves," Sirius's head immediately turned around at the familiar voice. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Remus with his wand pointing towards Avery.
He walked up to stand beside Sirius and Sirius felt his throat tighten. His eyes carefully studied Remus's angry features as he towered over Avery and his friends, who took a step back.
"Now, turn around and walk back to where you came from," Remus spoke from between his teeth.
"Or else?" Avery's friends were already backing up, anticipating the arrival of James and Peter as well.
A red light hit Avery square in the chest, he flew across the corridor and hit the wall, slumping against it. His friends quickly rushed to Avery's rescue, who was already sitting up. Sirius knew it was the same spell Avery had used on him, only Remus knew how to control the intensity of the charm as expected from him.
"That is for what you did to Sirius a few days ago," Remus said, he took Sirius's wrist in his hand and dragged Sirius behind himself towards the Gryffindor tower.
All eyes turned towards Sirius and Remus in the common room, as Remus practically dragged Sirius to their dormitory. Marlene smiled to herself, 'At least he made up with his friends' she thought, turning back to her homework.
Remus shoved Sirius inside their dormitory and closed the door behind himself. Sirius met with the angry faces of his friends and he averted his eyes to the floor.
"You were leaving?" James asked in disbelief, his hands crossed in front of his chest.
"Yes, in his dreams," Remus pulled out his wand and with a flick of his wand, all of Sirius's belonging started unpacking, going back to their designated place.
"Remus –" Sirius looked around the room as his belongings started getting arranged.
"I thought it was Moony," Remus spoke from between his teeth and Sirius could feel tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
"You cannot leave! We can't even stay angry at you?" James exclaimed; his brows creased together.
"You can for as long as you want," Sirius mumbled, looking down at his feet.
Remus walked up to his bed and picked up the chocolates Sirius had left him. Walking back to Sirius, he took Sirius's hand and placed the chocolates in his empty hands. Bewildered, Sirius looked up at Remus.
"I don't want chocolates Padfoot, I want my friend," Remus said calmly. Before Sirius could avert his eyes again, tears spilled from his eyes and down his cheeks and he quickly hid his face in the crook of his elbow.
James and Peter exchanged glances, tears at the brim of their eyes but they smiled before moving towards the two boys standing in the middle of the room. James and Peter draped their hands around each other and pulling the other two boys in an embrace.
"I am sorry!" Sirius cried, while the three boys held him in their embrace.