Christmas was a special time, a time to spend with family and friends, and it was even more special this year because Sirius had turned 17. He could legally do magic outside Hogwarts, and considered of age. On top of that, because of his Uncle Alphard's generosity of leaving him a large inheritance after his death, Sirius was financially independent to the point where he had bought himself a small cottage in Wickham, Hampshire.
It made Mr and Mrs Potter upset when Sirius informed them the first day of their Christmas holiday that he had bought a cottage and was moving there the next day.
"I'll be here for Christmas," Sirius promised a frowning Mrs Potter.
"Why can't you just stay for Christmas? You can go to your new house after Christmas," Mrs Potter's voice was low, she took Sirius's hands in her own.
"Yes Sirius, why can't you?" James asked, a smug smile formed on his lips. He knew why Sirius was not going to be there on 24th.
Sirius shot him a death glare, and then turned towards a confused Mrs Potter. Though he had no idea if it would hurt her feelings more if he told her the real reason for his absence.
"I'll tell you mum," James got up from the couch, taking his mother's wrist in his hands, he turned her around.
"Sirius is all grown up now, he had a –" James started, Sirius's eyes widened and he instinctively covered James's mouth from behind.
"I'll tell her myself!" he exclaimed, as James struggled under his grasp.
"Tell me what?" Mrs Potter asked, confused with the two boys fighting in her drawing room.
"Mum, I have a girlfriend, and she invited me to meet her family for tea in the evening on 24th," Sirius let out in one go, finally letting go of James.
"Girlfriend?!" Mrs Potter's eyes stretched as far as they could, she placed her right-hand right under her neck on her chest.
"Yes, and I am sorry but I will be back here early morning on Christmas," Sirius assured her, his eyes pleading and brows creased together.
"No, that's okay, but what is her name?" Mrs Potter guided Sirius towards the couch and sat down with him.
"Marlene McKinnon," Sirius could not keep the smile away from his lips. He had only seen Marlene a few hours ago, and he already missed her.
"Is she in your year?" Mrs Potter asked in an excited manner. Her face mirrored Sirius's happiness, and she couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.
"Yes, she is Lily's best friend and roommate," Sirius now looked at James with a grin, before turning back to Mrs Potter.
"Oh! How lovely!" she cried, clapping her hands together, "Why don't you invite her over after Christmas to meet us?"
"You want to meet her?" Sirius breathed; he could feel a small lump at the back of his throat.
"Why wouldn't I? She is my son's girlfriend, I reckon I have the right to meet her," Mrs Potter spoke in a calm voice, patting Sirius's cheek lightly before dropping her hand on her lap.
"I'd ask her when I go over on 24th. I can go, right?" Sirius asked, earning a nod from Mrs Potter.
"Now, if you aren't here by 7 a.m. in the morning on Christmas day, I can assure you I won't be talking to you till next Christmas," James threatened Sirius, standing behind Sirius and keeping his hands on Sirius's shoulder.
"I will be here by 7 a.m. don't worry about it," Sirius promised James with a smile.
"I should tell Fleamont as soon as he is back from the town square," Mrs Potter sounded as excited as a child, making Sirius and James chuckle.
"You must meet him first!" Marlene cried for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"He is a Black, we don't need an association like that," her mother shook her head.
"He is nothing like his family, I can assure you that," Marlene mumbled in a stern voice.
"You ought to know better than that! That family is poison," Mrs McKinnon waved her hand in the air as if swatting away a fly.
"He has helped me several times in school," Marlene huffed, crossing her hands in front of her chest.
"How long has this been going on?" Mr McKinnon asked, taking his place next to his wife.
"Are you really going to judge him before you meet him?" Marlene asked in disbelief.
"There is nothing more to know about him," Mrs McKinnon responded without looking in Marlene's direction.
"Please!" Marlene cried, hot tears burning the brim of her eyes.
"There is a war going on Marlene, do you think we should invite someone whose family is perhaps the most fanatic supporter of the war inside our house? Even if he isn't like his family, do you think his family would support this?" her mother gestured towards Marlene, a scowl on her face.
"He doesn't live with his family," Marlene threw her hands in the air.
"You can't remove the blood of your blood family!"
"Family doesn't end in blood!"
"No, but it starts with blood!"
"Enough!" Mr McKinnon's voice bloomed across the room. He glared at Marlene and then at his wife, "He can come over."
"But –" Mrs McKinnon started, her face red with fury.
Mr McKinnon raised his hand to motion her to stay quiet, "I said he can come over, if we don't think he is safe for Marlene, he isn't going to stay around after that."
Marlene could feel anger boiling in the pit of her stomach, biting on her lower lip hard, she decided to stay mum. She was certain that once they met Sirius, they could understand that he was not dangerous or anything like his family!
"Can we agree to that?" Mr McKinnon turned towards Marlene, and she gave him a single nod, he then looked at his wife, who mirrored Marlene's action.
"Off to bed then, we have a long day tomorrow and even longer the next day," Mr McKinnon mumbled, looking at Marlene.
"Good night," she mumbled back, jumping up from the couch and with quick steps she walked out of the drawing room. As soon as she turned to the hallway on the first floor towards her bedroom, she noticed her brothers standing in the hallway.
"What? Are you going to lecture me too?" she raised her eyebrows, turning the doorknob of her bedroom door and walking inside, her brothers followed suit.
Elias, her older brother, was lean and almost two heads taller than her. He spoke first while their younger brother, Thomas, or Tom as they preferred calling him, shut to door as quietly as possible. "You have a boyfriend from one of the oldest families of Wizards in England," Marlene could hear the Bulgarian accent slipping.
"That sounds impressive if you ask me," Tom shrugged, sitting on Marlene's bed.
"It's not a bad thing," Marlene shook her head.
"No one is saying it's a bad thing – at least not the two of us, but you have no idea how mum almost fainted when you told her about Sirius Black," Elias looked proud, a happy smirk on his face.
"How do you know that?" Marlene questioned; her brows furrowed together.
"The day you sent the letter, I wrote one to him," Tom replied, gesturing towards Elias.
"The look on her face must be priceless," Elias chuckled, making Marlene snort. Mrs McKinnon always liked things under control and this was precisely the opposite of it.
"Oh, I assure you, it was," Tom nodded, letting out a sigh as if remembering the exact moment.
"Don't be rude to him when he is here," Marlene crossed her arms in front of her chest, glaring at her brothers.
"What do we get out of it?" Elias asked, raising his eyebrows with a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"Why do you need something? It's common courtesy," Marlene looked at him in disgust.
"I don't know Mary, it looks like a weak offer," Elias shook his head, making Tom chuckle.
"I will hit you if you are rude to him," Marlene huffed.
"I'll hit you back," Elias replied nonchalantly.
"You prick," Marlene mumbled from between her teeth.
"We won't be rude, just tell us honestly, how bad is he?" Tom asked, scooting closer to the edge of the bed where Marlene was standing.
"He is not bad at all, I don't reckon he even knew how to swear before he came to Hogwarts," Marlene admitted.
"Why?" Tom asked, a bit puzzled.
"He is from the Black family," Marlene answered in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Sheltered by his family, no friends outside the house elves and his siblings and cousins," Elias told Tom before turning to Marlene, "Proper lad, eh?" he smirked.
"Oh, don't even think about targeting him as one of your victims," Marlene chuckled, Sirius was hardly a target – a prankster suited him better.
"Worried about him?" Tom asked, looking at Elias mischievously.
"Not at all, he is a proper prankster," Marlene replied earnestly, "You can ask him about his pranks when he is here."
"I already like him," Elias grinned, making Marlene take a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry, we will be polite," Tom assured her, Elias nodded in agreement and Marlene finally broke into a smile.
It was 4 O'clock on 24th December 1976, Sirius stood outside Marlene's home, which reminded him of his own birth house, but her home looked livelier, with its white walls and surrounding gardens. He knocked the door twice, and took a deep breath, while waiting for the door to open. His hands secured in a firm grasp around the bouquet of flower and the bottle of wine.
The door opened and his eyes instantly met the happy blue orbs he had been missing ever since he last saw them.
"Sirius," Marlene grinned, before pressing a soft kiss on his lips, making Sirius's heart skip a beat.
"Hello," he smiled nervously, and followed Marlene inside the house and was immediately engulfed in the warmth of the brightly lit house.
"My parents are in the drawing room, come," Marlene led him from the foyer to the grand drawing room, where he noticed two young boys standing near the fireplace, smiling, and a couple, getting up from the couch they were sitting on.
"Mr McKinnon it's a pleasure to meet you," Sirius shook hands with the moustached man who walked up to him with an extended hand.
"Sirius Black?" he asked, making Marlene roll her eyes, 'As if you don't already know his name,' she thought.
"Yes sir," he gave Mr McKinnon a small smile, and extended the wine towards him, "I hope you enjoy wine sir."
"Oh, thank you very much," Mr McKinnon smiled in a courteous manner, making Marlene and Sirius ease up a little.
Sirius turned towards Mrs McKinnon, who had extended her hand, and he couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance between the mother and daughter. "Mrs McKinnon thank you for having me over, you have a lovely home" Sirius complimented with a smile, before offering her the bouquet.
"Thank you, Sirius," she smiled, and then gestured towards the couch, "Please make yourself comfortable."
Sirius gave a small nod and a tight smile, turning towards her brothers.
"Come Marlene, help me find a vase for these lovely flowers," Mrs McKinnon put her hand on the small of Marlene's back, leading her to what Sirius assumed was the kitchen.
"Can you afford this? I mean as a student," Mr McKinnon asked, looking up from the wine, making both Marlene and Sirius freeze.
"Dad," Elias injected politely, walking up to Sirius, he extended his hand towards him, "I am Elias, Marlene's older brother."
Sirius was glad for the interruption, he shook hands with Elias and spoke, "Pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine," Elias replied, and the two lads dropped their hands to their sides.
"This is Thomas, our younger brother," Elias introduced the shorter fellow, who shook hands with Sirius and mumbled a small hello.
"Let's sit down," Elias looked at his father, who had placed the wine bottle on the drawing room table and sat down on the couch; followed by Sirius, Elias and Tom joining him.
"Are you in Marlene's year?" Mr McKinnon asked, his lips set in a straight line.
"Yes sir," Sirius nodded. He already felt a shiver run down his spine, the ticking clock and unwelcoming energy reminded him of 12 Grimmauld Place. But surely, he was only being too paranoid, after all why would Marlene's parents be unwelcoming? Though he just couldn't let go of the eerie feeling.
Sirius could finally breathe easily when Marlene returned with her mother, a tray in her hands, that she placed on the table, her mother putting the tray with tea cakes and bite sized sandwiches. Pouring in tea in the fine china, she handed the first one to her father, and then to her mother, followed by Sirius, Elias and then Thomas. Lastly, she took one for herself and sat down beside her younger brother.
"So, Sirius where do you live?" Mrs McKinnon asked, taking a sip of her tea.
"I recently bought a place of my own, in Wickham, Hampshire," Sirius replied with a smile.
"At seventeen?" Mr McKinnon couldn't hide the shock in his voice, "Must've been your family inheritance." The smile faded from Sirius's face.
"Dad," Marlene spoke in a low voice from between her teeth.
"My uncle passed away three months ago, he had great fondness for me and passed me a part of his fortune," Sirius answered, taking a sip of his tea.
"What about your parents?" Mrs McKinnon asked, picking up the plate of tea cakes and offering it to Sirius, who took one.
"My family and I aren't on – talking terms," Sirius tried to put it as politely as he could, eating the tea cake in quick bites.
"We've heard your family disowned you?" Mrs McKinnon's question made Marlene's face burn up in embarrassment. She looked at Sirius, who had frozen in his place.
"Mom, don't," Elias put his cup and saucer on the table, and looked at his mother sternly.
"It's alright," Sirius gave a brief smile to Elias and turned towards Mrs McKinnon, "Yes they have." It wasn't a hidden fact, almost every wizard knew what a disgrace the noble house of Black considered Sirius.
"Why is that?" Mrs McKinnon asked, and Marlene groaned loudly.
Sirius gave her a smile – a smile that said 'It's okay', "Their ideologies and mine, don't match on many things. I could never accept their perspective of things and they couldn't accept mine. Co-existing with people who were okay with war required an amount of patience I do not possess, so I left home, last year and I haven't looked back since."
That seemed to put a lock on everyone's lips, who could only stare at Sirius. Sirius, on the other hand, though he seemed totally at ease on the outside, could feel his heart beating inside his chest erratically. He tried to maintain his poise and the questions finally diverted to lighter topics like Hogwarts and Drumstrang.
"Let me help," Sirius took the tray from Mrs McKinnon, who was cleaning up the drawing room with Marlene.
"Thank you," Mrs McKinnon replied with a polite smile, and Sirius followed Marlene to the kitchen.
He noticed a house elf, cleaning the dishes quietly, his ragged clothes, almost too huge for his tiny body. He wondered why was he not summoned to clean up the drawing room, like his mother would summon Kreacher. But then he remembered, this family seemed nothing like his mother, and probably treated their house elf with more dignity than his family.
"Wookey," Marlene turned towards the house elf, who immediately looked at her with his wide eyes. "Go get other dishes from the drawing room – and take some time while you are there," she ordered the house elf.
"Yes," Wookey stumbled out of the kitchen slowly, glancing at Sirius on his way out.
Marlene placed the tray in her hand on the kitchen counter and Sirius mirrored her actions. Noticing how she wouldn't even meet his gaze, Sirius frowned. "Are you okay?" he asked her.
"No – I am so sorry," Marlene's voice was wobbly, she placed her hands on her waist, looking at her feet.
"What are you sorry for?" Sirius's brows furrowed together.
"Their behaviour," Marlene jerked her head in the direction of the drawing room.
"You don't have to apologize; with the war going on, their suspiciousness is understandable, my family has, after all, earned their reputation," Sirius assured her.
"But you're nothing like them," Marlene argued.
"And you know it – for now that's all that matters," Sirius smiled.
Wookey returned with tea cups and saucers clattering in the tray in his hand. His eyes kept drifting towards Sirius and then Marlene.
"Look away Wookey," Marlene ordered, making him turn away at once.
It made Sirius chuckle, and his smiling eyes met Marlene's and for a moment, they forgot where they were standing, inching closer together, their eyes on each other.
"Sirius," Mr McKinnon's voice made them jump, as they both took a step back. Sirius at once turned towards Mr McKinnon.
"Come, let's take a walk in the garden," Mr McKinnon shot a warning glare at Marlene who was ready to follow them, but she didn't.
Cold wind blew violently as Mr McKinnon sat down on the white patio chair and opened a silver cigarette case. Pulling out a cigarette he turned towards Sirius.
"Do you smoke?" he spoke in a low voice, holding out the cigarette towards Sirius.
"No sir," Sirius shook his head and then silence fell upon them as Mr McKinnon lit his cigarette.
Pulling it away, he looked straight ahead and spoke in a low voice, "How dare you? Bringing war to my home with you."
Sirius couldn't understand the sudden turn of the conversation and froze in his place. His heart skipped a beat and his mouth went dry.
"She is my daughter. Do you think it is wise for a father to approve a choice like yourself for their daughter? She has her whole life ahead of her, and associating with you only puts her in danger," Mr McKinnon said, putting the cigarette between his lips again.
"Sir, I –" Sirius started, clenching his fists by his side tightly, but he was interrupted by Mr McKinnon.
"She is stubborn, but if you care for as she states you do, stay away from her," he spoke nonchalantly.
"Sir, because I care for her, I can assure you she will never be harmed," Sirius replied.
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Mr McKinnon's eyes widened, his jaw clenched tightly and he finally looked at Sirius. It made Sirius's heart drop to his stomach and his words got stuck in his throat.
"I am not a wizard, but I wouldn't need magic next time I catch you and her together." Mr McKinnon threatened Sirius, and though Sirius wasn't least bit terrified, he stayed mum out of respect. "I believe you would have what is called the Floo network in your house," Mr McKinnon stood up from the chair and put his cigarette in the ashtray.
"I want you to leave, you can use the fireplace in our house," he stood with his chest puffed out in front of Sirius.
Clenching his jaw tightly, Sirius spoke as politely as he could manage, "Thank you sir, but I can manage on my own."
"It's not because of any inconvenience caused to you, I need to know you are nowhere near my family," Mr McKinnon opened the glass doors, Sirius following him reluctantly.
"Is everything alright?" Marlene asked, her features washed with worry when she noticed Sirius's dejected expressions.
"Yes, Mr Black was just leaving," Mr McKinnon turned towards his daughter.
"What? Why?! What did you say to him?" Marlene asked, her brows creased together and she frantically looked between Sirius and her father.
"What did he say to you?" Marlene demanded, walking up to Sirius.
"Nothing, I should leave, it's getting late," Sirius assured Marlene, but he couldn't keep his voice even.
"WOOKEY!" Mr McKinnon shouted, the impatience in his voice was evident.
"Tell me!" Marlene pleaded; Sirius's heart clenched when he noticed the tears forming at the brim of her eyes.
"Nothing, I'll see you at Hogwarts," Sirius sighed, he looked at Mrs McKinnon, who didn't spare any glance in his direction and then at her brothers, who looked at him apologetically.
He suddenly felt just as hated as he felt back at home and he couldn't wait to get out. The dull ache returned to the back of his head as he tried to keep the tears to form in his eyes.
"Master?" Wookey's stubby legs jogged as fast as they could manage.
"Take Mr Black to the landing fireplace, he will use the Floo network," Mr McKinnon ordered in a stern voice.
Wookey turned towards Sirius, and Sirius threw a last glance at Marlene. Forcing a smile, he followed Wookey, his head hanging low.
"Wait Sirius!" Marlene exclaimed, but her father caught her by her arm. She turned her head, glaring at her father.
"What did you say?" she spoke from between her teeth.
"I don't think he is the right one for you," Mr McKinnon replied, his grasp firm on her hand.
"How could you?! You disrespected him when he was nothing but respectful towards you," the tears spilled from her eyes and rolled down her pink cheeks.
When Wookey returned to the drawing room and quietly made his way to the kitchen, Mr McKinnon let go of Marlene's hand.
"He isn't safe," he told her, shaking his head.
"Safe?! Dad, it's a war, no one is safe!" Marlene spoke in a matter-of-fact voice.
"It will be safer without him around you," Mrs McKinnon injected promptly.
"Do you remember when Professor McGonagall wrote to you about what happened with Mary and me? What Mulciber did?" Marlene's voice cracked, as tears streamed down faster.
When neither of her parents replied she continued, "YOU DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL SAFE! YOU ONLY CAME TO CHECK ON ME ONCE – ONCE! HE DID! HE'S BEEN LOOKING OUT FOR ME EVER SINCE!"
"TONE YOUNG LADY!" Her mother pointed out.
Letting out an angry scream, Marlene darted towards the landing, her fists clenched to her sides, angry tears didn't seem to stop.
"Where do you think you are going?" Mrs McKinnon asked, following her, hot on her heels.
"Floo network," she spoke from between her teeth.
"I forbid you!" Mrs McKinnon spat out, her wand already in her hand as she darted past Marlene, blocking the fireplace.
Marlene's eyes widened as she stared at her mother, her chest raising and falling rapidly, and her teeth clenched so hard, it hurt her jaw. She spun around, and darted towards the main door. Before anyone could catch her, she yanked it opened and stepped out in the cold weather, the snow started falling.
"MARLENE!"
"MARLENE COME BACK HERE!" She could hear her parents shouting, but that only made her run faster.
It was snowing hard, Marlene had barely worn anything warm, she was thankful for the few pounds in her pocket that helped her take the train to Wickham. By the time she had found Sirius's house, she was shivering as if her soul was ready to jump out of her body anytime and her teeth were chattering.
She knocked on Sirius's door, wrapping her arms around herself, she waited.
When Sirius opened the door, Marlene couldn't look him in the eyes, too ashamed to even think what he must've felt like at her house. Her eyes stayed on the ground and she tried to gather the courage to speak anything, but the cold seemed to have frozen her mouth and she was at her wits' end.