word count: 614


"You know, I never thought they'd actually do it."

Sirius looks to his side, smiling when he sees Marlene next to him. She doesn't seem to pay him any mind, and, truth be told, if not for the hint of a smile on her lips, he might assume it's completely accidental that she's stopped beside him at all. Perhaps she might have stopped to chat with Peter, or Frank, or any other number of ladies and gentlemen attending the small, cozy wedding. But she has chosen Sirius, and it's a bit hard not to notice that she's standing just a touch closer than actually necessary.

"And why's that?" he asks.

Marlene chuckles, watching as James and Lily share yet another dance as husband and wife. "Because she's so independent. Never thought she would actually decide she wanted to let someone in."

He turns, and the sight of her nearly takes his breath away. Marlene has always been pretty, but she is absolutely stunning tonight. Gold thread is woven through her dark braids, and her maroon dress clings to her body in all the right places. Sirius opens his mouth to tell her something beautiful, something poetic. Instead, he says, "You're sort of independent too."

Marlene snorts, dark eyes rolling. She reaches up, affectionately patting his cheek. "Yes, I am. Very observant, Sirius," she says playfully.

He clears his throat, a heated blush flooding his cheeks. It's ridiculous that someone can make him blush, but Marlene really is special. Not many others could ever have this effect on him. "You're beautiful," he tells her. "You know that, right?"

There's a twinkle in her eyes, and the faintest pink creeps into her olive skin. Her lips twitch, and she takes him by the hand. "Dance with me." And the way she says it tells him that it is not a request, not something he can refuse.

Sirius finds himself on the dance floor, holding her close. He swallows dryly. There is a war going on, and he should not be thinking about the future. Not beyond how he will survive, what he can do to help others. Thinking about himself, about the things he wants and the life he would love to build… It doesn't seem right.

But when Marlene is close like this, he starts to have a little bit of faith in the future. It doesn't feel like such a scary, threatening thing when she's holding him close. Maybe they could do something beautiful, even in the middle of all the fighting and chaos. James and Lily are, after all. Shouldn't he be able to know that same beauty?

"So, Miss Independent," he murmurs, pulling her in a little closer, "I know you don't need anyone by your side. But…?"

He doesn't even know how to ask. It's almost funny. James would think it's absolutely hilarious that Sirius, notorious for his big mouth that never stops, would find himself speechless now.

"I think you and I could be absolutely brilliant," she says.

Sirius leans in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'd like the chance to find out."

And as they dance, he feels like a weight has been lifted. There is a lightness he hasn't felt in years, a reminder that there can be beautiful things in this ugly world. Maybe things are not the way planned for them to be, and the present is still a warzone with no promise of escape. But now, as Marlene holds him closer and they seem to lose themselves in the music until the rest of the world begins to fade away, Sirius thinks that maybe, just maybe, there can be great things to come.