Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The song "Dancing Through Life" is from Wicked and I do not own it in any way.

Desperado
Chapter Five: Dancing Through Life

No need to tough it
When you can slough it off as I do
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
It's just life
So keep dancing through

"I can't believe you didn't even last six months," Lily grinned, glancing at her reflection in a large mirror hanging in the sitting room of her house she shared with James.

"You know, Lily, for being so dead set on getting us together, you're pretty quick to judge."

"It's what I'm here for."

"It's not like I'm with him or anything," Marly replied, crossing her legs and watching her best friend from across the room. "We haven't kissed or shagged or anything of the like."

"You're taking him to a Quidditch game," Lily met Marly's eyes through her reflection in the mirror, trying to give her stick straight hair some volume. "If that isn't dating, I don't know what is."

"In Marly's defence, she's also taking us to this game," James spoke up, striding into the room from the kitchen, a cup of tea in his hand. "I don't believe she's dating us - unless something happened and I didn't realize it."

"Good point, James," Marly nodded, ignoring the second half of his statement.

"However, that doesn't excuse how excited he's been for this all week," James turned on her, sitting down in the loveseat next to Marly.

"He's a huge Cannons fan," Marly said simply. It was Sirius's birthday and the three were preparing to meet him at the Quidditch pitch for the Holyhead Harpies and Chudley Cannons match as Marly had promised.

"And how do you know that?" Lily asked, abandoning her efforts and sitting down next to James.

"Because I actually listen when people talk, you toerag," Marly huffed.

"I think someone is getting a little shirty," James said under his breath to Lily, as though Marly couldn't hear him.

"I'm beginning to pick up on that as well," Lily replied out of the side of her mouth.

"You two are unbelievable," Marly huffed.

"Oh, Marly, don't be upset," Lily laughed, shooting her a smile.

"I won't be upset if you both admit that there are no romantic feelings between Sirius and me," Marly crossed her arms.

"See, that would be a lie," James shrugged. "I know for a fact that Sirius has more than platonic feelings regarding you."

"Really?" Marly asked in spite of herself.

James only smiled in his annoying James fashion, so Marly made a face at him. An awkward silence fell upon them and was broken when their Grandfather clock chimed six times.

"All right," James announced, finishing his tea and getting to his feet. "Padfoot should be there by now."

"When did you tell him we'd be meeting him?" Marly asked, getting to her feet and straightening her robes down her front.

"Half past five," James replied, striding across the sitting room and into the kitchen.

"What?" Marly asked. "But, then he'll have been there ages ago!"

"You obviously haven't experienced Padfoot's punctuality," James called out of the kitchen, the teacup tinkling as he set it in the sink. "Believe me; I've known him for nearly ten years."

"It's true," Lily nodded. "I think most of the detentions he had in Hogwarts were actually because he was late for the original."

"I'll make note of that," Marly replied, unable to keep a smile off her face.

"You will, will you?" Lily asked, her eyes dancing.

"Yes," Marly replied shortly. "Honestly, Lily, someday I'm going to - "

"I think now would be a good time to go, don't you think?" James interrupted before Marly could describe exactly what she was going to do to Lily.

"Good as any," Lily smiled and the three Apparated to the Quidditch pitch.

"There he is," James said, stepping out of the Apparating area as more people began to appear. "How good am I?"

"Where?" Marly asked, looking around the crowd. "I don't - "

"You're looking the wrong way," James smirked, crossing his arms and looking up into the sky.

"Is he on a broom?" Marly asked, shading her eyes with her hand. Her jaw dropped. "Is that a flying motorbike?"

"He always has to make an entrance," James huffed as Sirius landed a few yards away from them, rolling to a stop just in front.

"Lily, why didn't you tell me he has a motorbike?" Marly asked, her eyes still wide in shock.

"Why would I have?" Lily asked, raising an eyebrow. "It doesn't exactly come up in casual conversation."

"Well, you've told me everything else about him," Marly rolled her eyes, watching as James and Sirius hugged each other like brothers.

"I have not," Lily denied, walking forward and hugging Sirius much like James had. "How was the ride, Sirius?"

"Beautiful," Sirius grinned, pulling his helmet off his head and shaking his hair to rid himself of helmet hair. "In case you haven't noticed, the weather is spectacular today."

"I had," Lily smiled, then noticed that Sirius was looking past her to Marly.

"Hi," Sirius said with an uncharacteristic shyness to his voice.

"Happy birthday," Marly replied, pulling her hair behind her ear. "Er, nice bike."

"Thanks," Sirius grinned, looking at it. "She's my pride and joy."

"Marly, didn't you break up with that one guy - what was his name, Edmund? - because he bought a motorbike?" Lily asked, batting her eyelashes innocently.

"I didn't break up with him because he bought the bike," Marly gave Lily a sceptical look. "I broke up with him because he was using the bike to find women that weren't me."

"Well, I thought you didn't like motorbikes," Lily continued, obviously not relenting.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Lily."

"I think it's time we caught some Quidditch, aye?" James put in, steering Lily around and lowering his voice. "Do you want them to get together or not?"

Ignoring them, Marly walked next to Sirius and joined the queue to the pitch. Giving him a smile, she asked, "Are you excited?"

"Yes," Sirius nodded fervently. "I haven't seen the Cannons play in ages."

"You do know that your free tickets are from the Harpies, though," Marly smirked. "You can't go cheering on the opposite team."

"Not to worry," Sirius returned her smirk. "I'll be a closet Cannons fan tonight."

"It'll be our little secret," Marly nodded.

"That was bloody brilliant!" Sirius repeated for the umpteenth time that night, his eyes still aglow from the Quidditch game, despite that it had ended nearly an hour earlier. The Harpies had managed a narrow victory, much to Sirius's dislike. However, that didn't soften his amazement at the live professional Quidditch. "And Anna - that dive you did was amazing."

"Thanks," Anna blushed, glancing away.

"Oh, don't even begin to pretend you're modest," Marly spoke up, giving her sister a grin. "You've been stealing dad's broom since you learned to walk."

"Yeah, to get away from you," Anna shot back, elbowing her good-naturedly.

"And, Sheila," Sirius breathed, turning to address their other friend. "It makes me proud to know that I was a Beater alongside you back at Hogwarts."

"Anything to please you, Sirius," Sheila replied with a smile.

"I'd hate to do this, but James and I need to be going," Lily spoke up, glancing at her fiancé. "I have an early shift tomorrow and I'd like to get at least a few hours of sleep."

"That doesn't mean I have to go home," James whined, giving Lily an annoyed look.

"Yes, it does," Lily replied, turning to look him square in the eye. "It's only ten o'clock right now and I don't have to be in to work until seven."

"Your point?" James asked.

"I said a few hours of sleep."

"Lily and I have to be going," James said hastily, giving a grin to the others.

"We have to go anyways," Anna spoke up, jerking her head at Sheila. "We're late for the post-game meeting as it is."

"See you lot later," Sheila nodded before the two hurried back to the stadium.

The remaining four began to walk over to Apparating area, which was right where Sirius had parked his bike. As they were walking, Sirius pulled a Muggle lighter out of his pocket and began playing with it.

"Oh, Sirius," Lily said in a near scolding voice. "Do you still smoke?"

"Maybe," Sirius replied, raising an eyebrow. "Is that a problem, Miss Evans?"

"Not for me," Lily shook her head. "However, Marly doesn't like it when people smoke."

"Lily!" Marly exclaimed, giving her best friend a scandalous look.

"What?"

"Will you cut that out?" Lily asked innocently.

"You keep putting words into my mouth," Marly huffed, looking away.

"I do not," Lily protested, her mouth falling open. "James, have I been putting words into Marly's mouth?"

"I'm afraid you have, love," James said in a tone that suggested he might be regretting telling the truth.

They came to a stop and Lily and James stepped into the Apparating area. Marly was still glowering at Lily, but James chose to ignore it.

"We'll see you two later," James sighed, giving Marly an apologetic look.

"Bye," Sirius replied, holding up a hand in retreat.

"She makes me so mad sometimes," Marly sulked.

"Well, she's gone now," Sirius gave a grin. "Personally, I don't have to be home any time soon. Would you like to catch something to eat with me?"

"You want to spend your birthday with little old me?" Marly asked, thoughts of Lily leaving her almost instantly. "How sweet."

"Yes, well, everyone else was busy," Sirius shot back, busying himself with his motorbike. "I know a great place maybe a few minutes away from here."

"Sounds spectacular," Marly nodded.

"Here," Sirius said, waving his wand and drawing a helmet out of thin air.

"You're joking," Marly replied, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to ride that?"

"So, you don't like motorbikes," Sirius said pointedly.

"What - oh," Marly acknowledged, remembering the conversation from earlier. "Lily doesn't know what she's talking about. I've never ridden on one before - a flying one on top of it."

"Yeah, there aren't many flying ones," Sirius replied, smiling fondly at his bike. "Put this on."

"Isn't it breaking a whole score of laws?" Marly asked, not taking the helmet.

"No, I bought it from a Wizarding company," Sirius shook his head. "Completely legal."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Take this."

Marly heaved a great sigh before putting the helmet on. "I'd much rather Apparate, you know."

"You don't know where we're going," Sirius replied, following her in suit with his own helmet. "You'd probably splinch and I wouldn't want to have to find your random body parts around the countryside."

"Excuse me," Marly replied indignantly, not wanting to know how ridiculous her hair looked sticking out from under the helmet. "I've been Apparating since I was thirteen."

"Well, excuse me, then."

"My mum was pretty upset when she found out," Marly noted, watching Sirius get on the bike and tentatively approaching it.

"You need to get on," Sirius replied, noticing her hesitation.

"What if I fall off?" Marly asked.

"I won't let you fall."

Marly took a deep breath and quickly scrambled onto the bike. She wrapped her arms around Sirius's stomach.

"Breathing is always a helpful thing in everyday life," Sirius said pointedly.

"Sorry," Marly apologized, letting up on her grip slightly.

"Not a problem," Sirius replied, turning the motor over and revving the engine. He raised his voice and added, "I don't mind."

"…and there he was - just outside her room," Sirius finished, his voice highly dramatic. "The ghost of the man and his dog, his umbrella balanced on his shoulder."

Marly stared at Sirius in disbelief, her mouth lax.

"What?" Sirius asked, looking hurt.

"That was the worst scary story I've ever heard," Marly replied, shaking her head.

"I'd like to hear a better one," Sirius crossed his arms as the two began their tenth lap around the park across from Marly's flat.

"Any would be better than that," Marly shook her head again.

"Okay, my turn," Sirius changed the subject, furrowing his brow. "Why does Lily put words into your mouth?"

"Because she's bloody controlling," Marly replied instantly.

"I could have told you that," Sirius replied with a snort. "Have you seen what she did to Prongs?"

Marly let out a laugh, then sighed. "It's not just Lily, though. Remus and Anna can be that way sometimes as well. I used to be quite the goody-two-shoes growing up, in case you never caught on when I was continuously putting you into detention - "

"Thanks for that, by the way."

"Builds character," Marly replied, then continued. "But in the years since I've been out of Hogwarts, I've been trying desperately to change my image and become more me. I like the real me and wish that people wouldn't make it so hard for me to bust out. I'm really a low maintenance kind of person and enjoy dancing through life and living it one day at a time. I'm sick of hiding behind my books and insecurities."

"You? Insecure?" Sirius asked in disbelief.

"You didn't know me very well during Hogwarts," Marly pointed out, her eyes wide as she shook her head slowly. "I was about twenty pounds heavier than I am now, had these enormously horrible glasses, and my hair was worse than it is now. Plus, I was smart."

"Oh, never a good combination," Sirius chuckled.

"Exactly. I hid behind my grades and was afraid that if anyone actually got to know me they'd think that my whole personality was a complete façade. Now, however, I'm tired of everyone thinking that I'm exactly the way I was when I was seventeen."

"Honestly, I feel the same way sometimes," Sirius nodded, uncrossing his arms and letting them swing at his sides. "While I'm still as amazingly mischievous as I was in Hogwarts, I'm not nearly as much of a womanizer as I was."

"That's good to hear," Marly smirked. "One of my roommates was completely smitten with you. I swear, she cried at least once a week because you didn't look at her right."

"Yeah," Sirius gave Marly a sheepish grin, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm not exactly proud of who I was a few years ago."

"Looks like we're both trying to achieve the same thing," Marly pointed out.

"Well, we can help each other, then," Sirius nodded. "Merlin knows Prongs would never let me hear the end of it."

"All right, my turn," Marly interrupted the conversation, completely steering it off course. "I've been meaning to ask you - why do you lot call each other those nicknames?"

"What?" Sirius asked, looking surprised.

"Well, Remus is Moony," Marly started, working it out in her head. "But, that one's obvious since he's a werewolf and all. Then James is Prongs and Peter is something about a tail - "

"Wormtail," Sirius supplied.

"Yeah, that," Marly nodded. "And you're, what, Padfoot?"

"That's right."

"I don't get it," Marly replied simply. "Aren't nicknames supposed to be relating to you in some way?"

Sirius hesitated, glancing at Marly, then away again. He swallowed hard, unsure if he should give up the game or tell her the truth.

"You do realize that you now need to say something completely off the wall or I won't believe you," Marly said after a few moments silence on Sirius's part.

"Well, fine," Sirius sighed. "You have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Sure," Marly nodded, smirking as Sirius came to a stop and glanced around as though someone would be in the deserted park at midnight.

"When we found out about Moony's problem, Prongs and I decided that we needed to do something to help him since we're his friends and all," Sirius launched into the story, a smile playing on his face as he recalled. "By our third year we'd figured it out - we'd become Animagi."

Marly let out an impressed gasp. "Are you serious? How old were you when you managed that?"

"Fifteen," Sirius nodded, a grin breaking on his face. "Honestly, I couldn't believe that we'd managed it, but James and I really are pretty talented when it comes to magic."

"I think I saw a little ego on your robes," Marly joked.

"Anyways, I turn into this huge black dog," Sirius continued. "I'll show you sometime."

"Oh, I get it," Marly nodded. "Padfoot."

"Yes, and James turns into a stag and Peter a rat."

"That is terribly impressive," Marly smiled at him, an awestruck look on her face. "I mean, I've always thought about how great it would be to be an Animagus, but I haven't had the time to actually go through the Ministry and studying the magic."

"Well, we didn't exactly go through the Ministry," Sirius replied coyly.

"Somehow I didn't think they'd approve a bunch of thirteen-year-olds," Marly let out a laugh, beginning to walk toward her flat with Sirius next to her.

"You have to swear you won't tell anyone, of course," Sirius said seriously.

"Of course," Marly nodded, meeting his eye. "Besides, who am I going to tell? Remus?"

"Somehow I think he knows," Sirius shrugged. "One more question before I take off, though."

"What might that be?"

"If you were an Animagus, what do you think your animal form would be?"

Marly thought for a moment before saying, "Probably something dreadfully useless like a fish of some sort. What do you think?"

"Is that your question?"

"Sure."

"I'll bet you're a penguin," Sirius joked, coming to a stop in front of his bike.

"Oh, that would be wonderful," Marly nodded. "What with the plethora of icebergs in England."

They stood awkwardly for a few moments before Sirius said, "Well, you should Floo me if you can't sleep."

Marly laughed before saying, "All right."

"Or, you know, if you wake up in the middle of night from thoughts of me."

"Of course."

"Or if you see the sketchy ghost with the dog and umbrella."

"Don't worry, I will."

"I'll Apparate right over and kick his arse if he shows up at your flat."

"You'd save me from the undead? How chivalrous."

"You know I would," Sirius gave Marly a cocky grin. "Thank you for a wonderful birthday."

"My pleasure," Marly gave him a smile. "Good night."

As Marly walked toward her flat, she fumbled in her robe pocket looking for her keys. She noticed that the flat was dark, meaning Remus hadn't come home yet. With a disappointed sigh, she pushed the key through the lock and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Sirius standing next to her.

"Bloody hell, Sirius," Marly breathed, her heart beating rapidly for more than one reason.

"I forgot something," Sirius replied as Marly turned to face him, the key hanging out of the lock lazily.

"What's that?"

Before Marly could say anything else, Sirius bent down and let his lips graze hers for a moment. Then, without thinking, Marly lifted herself onto her toes to meet him, returning the kiss. Before it could last too long, though, Marly backed away.

"Oh, Sirius, I can't do this."

"What? Why?"

"I know it's dumb, but that stupid bet I made with Lily and the others - "

Sirius interrupted her with a loud laugh. "Honestly?"

"I know it seems daft," Marly sighed, playing with the end of a clump of her hair sheepishly and not meeting his eyes. "It's just - I want to prove her wrong for once."

Sirius nodded, his eyes still amused. "I understand."

"Do you really?" Marly asked, biting her lip. "I don't want you to think I don't feel the same way about you because, honestly, I do."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Sirius smiled, folding his arms and leaning against the doorframe of Marly's flat. "Don't worry - I'll wait for you."

"Is that a promise?" Marly asked as a sceptical eyebrow rose.

"Marauder's honour," Sirius replied, raising his right hand in front of him.

"Oh, well, in that case," Marly smiled. They were silent for a few seconds before Marly said, "You know, we don't have to be together in order for you to kiss me once more."

"Think so?"

"Pretty sure."

"I can deal with that."

Author's Note: My friend and I had the very same conversation I had Marly and Sirius have about what our Animagus might be. Well, my brother thinks he'd be a penguin..but that was brought up. We have a whole list of crappy animals. We're awesome like that. Anyways, thanks so much for reading and please let me know what you think!