"WHERE WERE YOU THE WHOLE NIGHT?!" Marlene's mother's voice bloomed across the house. Marlene had her eyes on the floor, she was expecting something like this the second she walked in and noticed her younger brother's expressions. "WERE YOU WITH HIM?"
Now that made Marlene look up, "Sirius?" she raised her right eyebrow, tilting her head to the left.
"You were with him, weren't you?" Mrs McKinnon looked at Marlene in disbelief.
"Yes," Marlene replied in a curt voice.
"How dare you! After I forbade you – how could you?! Do you realise you put your whole family in danger?" Mrs McKinnon asked Marlene, her brows furrowed together.
"How? He is not a death eater," Marlene spoke from between her teeth, trying to keep her calm.
"Yet," Mrs McKinnon replied in an identical tone.
"Yet? He is never going to be a death eater, he has joined Professor Dumbledore," Marlene's voice two octaves higher without her realising.
"He is a Black!"
"Mum! He is not like his family!"
"Yes he isn't, but is a part of that family, do you think family let's go of their relatives that easily?"
"He has nothing to do with his family."
"No, but they have everything to do with him!"
"ENOUGH!" Mr McKinnon shouted, getting up from the couch, "Go to your room – NOW!"
Taking a deep breath, Marlene turned on her heels, but her father's voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"You are never seeing him again," her father spoke calmly.
"How are you going to stop that from happening once we are back at Hogwarts?" Marlene turned around in an instant to face her father.
"We'll not let you go back in that case," Mrs McKinnon told Marlene.
"I'll run away then," it wasn't Sirius she was fighting for; she was fighting for her freedom and what was right. If they had judged Sirius correctly and still found something wrong in him, she would have accepted it, but they had made up their mind long before she had told them about him and it pained her. They were too quick to judge and based on what? His surname? Their freedom was already stolen because of the war, they will forever be a generation with no youth because adults decided to fight and now adults were trying to dictate what little freedom they had left? How was that right or fair?
"Are you rebelling?" Mr McKinnon's protruding eyes and flaring nostrils showed the extent of his anger as he stepped close to Marlene.
Marlene straightened up her back, "Don't cage me if you don't want me to rebel," she replied before turning on her heels and walking out of the room with a composed exterior; but on the inside rage boiled in the pit of her stomach.
"What happened when I was gone?" Marlene asked, closing the door of Elias's room.
"Hello to you to," Elias looked up from the book he was reading in his bed. As Marlene sat down on the edge of her brother's bed, he closed the book and put it aside, straightening up.
"Were you at Sirius's house?" Elias asked, earning a nod from Marlene. "I thought so," he replied with no hint of surprise.
"What happened when I was gone?" Marlene repeated her question.
"Anger at first – mum and dad were fuming, they weren't sure where you were going, they suspected you would follow Sirius, but then they thought you would just return in a few hours. When it was around 3 am and you hadn't returned, anger turned to worry – they wondered if you had died," Elias spoke in a low voice.
"They didn't seem too worried about right now," Marlene rolled her eyes.
"They were going to send letters to your friends, asking if you were with one of them, but Tom reminded them it was Christmas, we shouldn't worry them, in case you weren't there and wait till morning," Elias continued, and Marlene had a hint of guilt for making her family worry about her and that too on Christmas! "I assured them if you didn't return by afternoon, I would go look for you myself, but you returned just in time."
"I am sorry, for making everyone worry," Marlene mumbled, looking at her hands resting in her lap.
"If it makes you feel better, Tom and I weren't worried," Elias's voice was soft and it made Marlene look up. The warm smile on her brother's face made tears gather on the brim of her eyes.
"You weren't?" she asked, quickly wiping the tears away, before looking away once again.
"No, we know you can take care of yourself, and we knew you were with Sirius, he isn't a bad guy, he would protect you just in case you couldn't protect yourself – like all those times," Elias scooted closer to Marlene. Taking her hand in his own, Elias made Marlene look up. "What I don't like is that no one wished you Christmas since you came home – Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Marlene choked out in a weak voice, before tears started threatening to spill out once again. "I am sorry, do you really think we are in danger because of my choice?"
"You don't actually believe that, right?" Elias asked seriously, his face twisted in a grimace. "They don't have the right to pin this on you, the day our mother decided to marry our father and give birth to half-blood children, we were marked."
"But they didn't know there would be a war breaking out because of blood purity," Marlene shook her head.
"They married for love, if they have the right to fall in love and stick by their choice, so do their children; and if they are so scared, why didn't they separate? Hide our blood status?" Elias spoke from between his teeth, Marlene knew Elias hated when Marlene cried, he had always been very protective of her ever since she was a baby.
"Elias!" Marlene exclaimed, why should their parents separate? It was ridiculous to give war so much power over yourself.
"Because they love each other, right? Even though they know it isn't actually your choice but theirs that has put us in this situation. If mother had married a wizard – continuing her pure blood line and father had married a muggle – away from this world, it would have been perfect for everyone," Elias spoke bitterly, wiping away Marlene's tears with his index finger.
"We wouldn't have been born," Marlene let out a dry chuckle.
"Well then, not perfect for everyone," Elias smirked, making Marlene tilt her head to the left in confusion. "It would've been bad for Sirius," Elias added, making Marlene laugh as heat slowly raised up to her ears.
"Listen to me Marlene, this isn't your fault, it is hypocritical of them to mix blood lines for love and then expect you to stay away from a person you love because they are scared, and if I have to, I am not scared to say it to their face," Elias spoke in a firm manner, earning a frown from Marlene.
"Don't say anything to them, it will upset them," Marlene mumbled in a low voice.
"I am not going to sit around and watch you cry next time they shout on you unnecessarily," Elias quickly wrapped his arm around Marlene's shoulder, embracing her in a hug, that Marlene gladly returned with a grin on her face, even though tears strained her cheeks.
It was 31st December 1976 when Marlene and Sirius met again, away from the prying eyes of everyone. Marlene had sneaked out of her house to meet Sirius. Strictly speaking, it wasn't sneaking out, she might have lied by omission when she told her family that she was going to spend her new year with her friends. Indeed, she spent the morning of 31st December with her friends but by nightfall, she was standing in front of Sirius's house.
Quickly pulling her inside, Sirius shut the door with a grin. "You weren't joking when you said you were going to spend your New Year with me?" Sirius asked, smiling from ear to ear.
"Why would I joke about it? And it has been awfully long since I met you last time," Marlene replied, looking at him from under her lashes, something that always made Sirius's heart skip a beat.
"Has it? We only met on Christmas," Sirius jested, trying to tuck away his smile.
"I guess I should leave then," Marlene narrowed her eyes, frowning at his words. Did he not miss her as much as she missed him?
Before she could move a muscle, Sirius cupped her cheeks in his hands and planted a soft kiss on her lips, as her hand rested on his wrists. "I can't let you go love," Sirius whispered against her lips, their eyes still closed.
"Why not?" Marlene whispered back, a small smile forming on her lip. She felt Sirius's thumb drawing small circles on her right cheek and she knew he was looking at her now.
"I love you," just like that – those three words made Marlene's breath hitch in her throat and send her heart in a frenzy. She often wondered how those words whenever left Sirius's lips had such effect on her.
She opened her eyes and carefully studied his grey orbs, unable to hide her smile anymore, "I love you too," she replied.
Sirius's lips found Marlene's in no time, pressing her against the front door. Sirius's right hand moved from her cheek to her shoulder, travelling down her arm and resting on her waist, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
"Tell me you aren't leaving me early in the morning," Sirius asked her between their kisses.
"I am not," Marlene assured him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Good, because it feels awfully empty without you," Sirius nodded, before pressing his lips to Marlene's once again.
Marlene couldn't believe what was in front of her eyes. Sirius had moved the furniture of his drawing room to the corner, creating a huge open space in front of the fireplace and laid out a blanket, with pillows, the room was dark except the ceiling which was filled with stars.
"I know you love lying under the sky, and since I cannot take you out for stargazing, I bought it to you," Sirius grinned, sitting down on the blanket. He patted the place next to him for Marlene to join.
"This is so beautiful and thoughtful of you," Marlene said, awestruck at the sight in front of her.
"Come here, I will show you the star I was named after," Sirius said, his eyes lighting up with child-like innocence.
Marlene quickly made her way next to Sirius, and sat down next to him. Sirius wrapped his arm around Marlene's shoulders and Marlene rested her head on his shoulder, scooting as close to each other as possible, their eyes turned towards the night sky above.
Sirius pointed towards the star he was name after, explaining Marlene about the Dog Star and how it is impossible to miss once it is visible especially during February evenings.
"It's the brightest star," Marlene breathed, looking at the star in an awe.
"It is," Sirius nodded, smiling as he looked down to study her expressions.
"Just like you," Marlene's words caught Sirius off guard, turning his cheeks a light shade of pink, and Marlene's gaze on his face immediately afterwards didn't help his case. Sirius was glad for the darkness around them, as Marlene quickly turned towards the night sky without noticing the slight blush on Sirius's cheeks.
Sirius's eyes kept flickering towards the clock, and as soon as the seconds hand reached 10, he jumped excitedly. "It's going to be 12 a.m." Sirius pointed towards the clock, making Marlene chuckle.
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Sirius pressed his lips against Marlene and fireworks went off, both outside Sirius's apartment and in the false sky Sirius had created, startling Marlene before she smiled against the kiss, further deepening it.
"Happy New Year," Sirius breathed, breaking away from the kiss.
"Happy New Year," Marlene wrapped her arms around Sirius's neck, and Sirius pulled her closer in his warm embrace by wrapping his arms around her waist.
The two laid under the sky watching the spectacular firework show, but every once in a while, Sirius would steal glances of Marlene's face. Her excited laughter was a music to his ears, the light of the fireworks danced on her face, making her eyes shine even more brightly, if it was possible.
When the fireworks ended, Marlene turned to face Sirius and he did the same. Their eyes never leaving each other's eyes, the smile never fading from their lips. Marlene broke the silence first, "Thank you, this was the best New Year."
"I wish one day when everything is safe, I can take you out to watch the fireworks for real," Sirius whispered.
"What is the first thing you want to do when it is safe again?" Marlene asked, her curiosity got the best of her.
"Me?" Sirius paused briefly, "I want to see all my loved ones and their families safe, and happy."
"But what about for yourself?" Marlene asked, intertwining her fingers with Sirius's fingers.
"Isn't that for myself?" Sirius questioned back confused.
Marlene's smile slowly grew wider, how could anyone believe that Sirius could hurt another soul? He was happy in watching others happy. He didn't think of himself first, didn't have any ambitions.
"I guess it is," Marlene agreed, how was she lucky enough to find someone like Sirius? And not just find him, but lucky enough that he fell in love with her.
"What do you want to do?" Sirius asked, moving closer to Marlene.
'Show my parents that you are nothing like they imagined,' Marlene thought, but pushed the bitter thought away instantly.
"Stay with you without hiding," she answered after a long pause. The only sound in the room was their breathing and the clock ticking.
"I would love that," Sirius said, the smile disappeared from their lips.
"Do you think that is possible?" Marlene asked, voicing her fears about being separated from Sirius for the first time.
"I'll make it possible, even if it isn't," Sirius answered, pushing the lock of hair out of Marlene's eye.
"How?" Marlene's voice was barely a whisper. She wondered if Sirius could hear the desperation in her voice.
"Is it too early to say that I see my future with you?" Sirius asked after a pause. It made Marlene gasp. Was he really referring to what she was thinking?
"I do too," Marlene admitted, looking at their intertwined fingers. "Can we actually be together?"
"Would you want to be with me?" Sirius asked, giving Marlene's hand a light squeeze.
"Why wouldn't I?" even though Marlene had asked that question, she knew the answer very well. Sirius knew what people thought of him because of his last name. There was a long silence, all Marlene could do was look at the way Sirius avoided her gaze. She waited for him to speak, contemplating if she should draw his attention towards herself with something as small as giving his hand a light squeeze.
"Thank you," Sirius breathed, finally looking at Marlene.
"What for?" Marlene's brows furrowed together, her hand resting on Sirius's cheek.
"For not looking at me as Sirius Black," Sirius melted under Marlene's touch, moving in closer, he pulled her head onto his chest, entangling his fingers in her blonde tresses. "For believing in me."
Marlene wrapped her hands around Sirius's torso, pressing her cheek on his chest. "Sirius or Sirius Black or Padfoot," the use of his nickname made Sirius chuckle, "you are same for me, someone who helped me and saved me on countless occasions."
"Can I tell you something?" Sirius whispered; Marlene could hear his heart thumping loudly as she hummed in response.
"My biggest fear is to be told "He is just like his family"" Sirius said, wrapping his arms tightly around Marlene's shoulders.
"I hate that this war has stolen our innocence from us and replaced it with fears we cannot even fathom," Marlene replied, looking up at Sirius who was staring at the ceiling. "It's hard, being put in a position such as yours, but once the war is over, everyone would understand that they were wrong to judge you so quickly."
"Will it be over?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"It sounds like a futile dream now."
"It's not; no season can last forever, neither can happiness nor sadness."
"What if even after everything is won, we actually lose everything?"
"Are you talking about sacrifices? – losing friends?"
"Isn't that bad?"
"I know I wouldn't mind dying if it meant that my loved ones would be happy after the war is over."
"Dying isn't the problem – living is."
"You don't want to be left alone?"
"Do you want to be?"
"No."
"I don't want anyone I love getting hurt and so far, no one has but that seems like we've been lucky so far, and luck can only favour us for so long," the haunting look in Sirius's eyes scared Marlene. He couldn't lose hope – not now!
"I know it's dreadful, every day we wait for bad news to arrive. It's like walking on egg shells, but Sirius, we'll win this war, we have to. It's either surviving or dying," Marlene told him firmly, drawing his attention to herself.
"As long as I get to hold you like this, knowing you are safe and sound, I am ready to fight for survival," Sirius pressed his lips to the crown of Marlene's head.
"Even if – you don't get to hold me like this – fight for survival," Marlene could already feel Sirius pulling away from her.
"Don't talk like that!" Sirius cried, letting go of Marlene and sitting up, making her sit up as well. His brows creased together and lips pressed in a straight line.
"The truth is anyone can die any minute now, but those who don't must survive to end this war," Marlene said, a frown forming on her lips. The last thing she wanted was to make Sirius upset or fight with him.
"Not you," Sirius replied in a child-like manner. His fingers lingered on Marlene's wrist before holding her wrist firmly and pulling her in for a warm embrace.
"Not us," Marlene agreed, resting her head on his chest once more and closing her eyes, as her hands slowly wrapped around his torso.
The light from the sun danced in the living room, where Sirius and Marlene were sleeping in each other's embrace. As soon as the sunlight landed on Marlene's face, she let out a groan and covered her eyes with her hands. Feeling Sirius's arm around her waist, she couldn't help but smile. Removing her hands from her eyes, she slowly opened her eyes and met Sirius's peaceful face. She resisted the urge to trace the freckles on his skin, or to plant a small kiss on his lips, letting her eyes study his handsome features.
"Staring is rude, you know," Sirius's voice made Marlene jump, a small smirk forming on Sirius's lips, he kept his eyes closed.
"I wasn't staring," Marlene lied, averting her eyes from his face.
He pulled her closer to himself in an effortless manner, making Marlene's heart skip a beat. "Lying is wrong," Sirius said, pressing a kiss on her forehead, without opening his eyes.
"How long have you been up?" Marlene asked, trying to calm her erratic heart.
"I am still not up," Sirius replied, letting out a contended sigh.
"How do I wake you up then?" Marlene asked, trying to contain a smile of her own.
"I like the sound of that, to be honest, I have a lot of ideas, but all of them would end in only one way," Sirius jested, making Marlene gasp.
"Sirius!" she lightly hit him on his shoulder, making Sirius chuckle.
"What? I was talking about breakfast, what were you thinking?" Sirius asked, trying to sound innocent. It made Marlene roll her eyes.
"Alright then," Marlene replied, slipping out of his embrace and standing up. Sirius's eyes flung open in an instant, and he groaned loudly.
"Where are you going? I miss your warmth," Sirius complained, holding out his hands for Marlene to come back.
"You said breakfast would wake you up, I would make you breakfast," Marlene shrugged, turning around to head to the kitchen.
"I don't want breakfast," Sirius said in a loud voice before whispering, "Not that kind at least."
"I heard that," Marlene replied from the kitchen.
"Then come back," Sirius huffed, sitting up, trying to smooth out his bed hair by running his long fingers in his hair.
"No," Marlene replied and Sirius could hear utensils being pulled out from cupboards. He groaned and got up from the floor where they had spent the night and with quick strides made his way to the kitchen.
Marlene was searching for something in the cupboards when Sirius snaked his arms around her waist, making her jump.
"Don't scare me like that!" Marlene scolded him, without turning around, she hoped to wiggle out of his embrace.
"How is holding my girlfriend scaring her?" Sirius asked, pressing his lips to the side of her head.
"You sneaked up on me," Marlene replied, continuing her exploration for whatever it was she was searching.
"What are you looking for love?" Sirius asked her, resting his chin on her shoulder, looking at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Uh – pan," Marlene told him, clearly distracted by his antics. Sirius enjoyed watching her struggle to keep her concentration.
"What are you making?" Sirius asked, pressing a kiss on her shoulder.
"I was – uh – thinking bacon, eggs and toast," Marlene answered, stopping her exploration.
"Give me a minute," Sirius's arms disappeared and Marlene could hear him exiting the kitchen. It didn't even give her the time to recompose herself before Sirius returned with a wand and a grin.
'Of course,' she thought to herself, as she watched Sirius wave his wand and the utensils started dancing out of the cupboards along with the ingridents by themselves.
Sirius placed the wand on the small dining table and quickly walked up to Marlene. Placing his hands on her waist, he pulled her closer.
"Now that breakfast is sorted, give me your attention," Sirius said, a small frown forming on his lips.
"You always have my attention," Marlene replied, creasing his cheek delicately. Their eyes never leaving each other's eyes.
"Good," Sirius mumbled, wrapping his arm around Marlene's waist and lifting her off the floor. Marlene let out a squeal as Sirius placed her on the counter top, standing in between her legs.
"When we finish Hogwarts –" Sirius started, his grin grew bigger as Marlene ran her hands in his hair, "Can you come over like this all the time?"
"Of course," Marlene nodded, before she could stop herself, she placed a small kiss on the corner of Sirius's lips.
"I can't wait to spend more time with you," Sirius said, cupping Marlene's cheeks, drawing small circles on her fair skin with his thumb.
Marlene wrapped her arms around Sirius's neck and pulled him in for a kiss and the world fell away. Her kiss was slow and soft, and Sirius wondered if she was actually teasing him – hot and demanding. Before he could deepen the kiss, Marlene pulled away, leaving Sirius hanging in the moment.
"Let me at least make us tea," she pushed him away and her landed gracefully on the floor.
'What?' Sirius's mind screamed; Marlene couldn't be serious? By the look on her face, Sirius could tell she was teasing him. The way she tried to hide the smirk forming on her lips when she noticed Sirius all hot and bothered.
Before she could move further away, Sirius pulled Marlene back, his hands gripped her waist tightly. Brushing his lips against hers, he spoke in a low voice, "You cannot do that and not expect there to be consequences love."
"Sirius," Marlene whispered, prolonging each letter as if to savour them. Her fingertips dancing on his forearm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in her wake. "Quite honestly, I was hoping for the consequences."
Her words alone seduced all his senses and Sirius could not think straight anymore. Sirius hardly gave Marlene a chance to think, before slamming his lips to hers, knocking out the wind from her lungs. His tongue gazed her lips, demanding access and as soon as he was granted access, he delved inside her mouth. A low moan erupted at the back of Marlene's throat, and Sirius hands ventured over her curves.