The first time she touches him, she's eleven and annoyed. He's turned her hair green because he thinks she belongs in Slytherin.

She slaps him, the sound of the impact echoing in the quiet, empty hall. No one catches her, sees his pain, sees her awe as a flower blossoms on his face. Not an actual flower, of course, but an imprint.

Sirius Black has a small pink flower on his cheek and Marlene McKinnon is the one who gives it to him.


The next time, Marlene's twelve and upset. He's hexed her to spew curses all day long, earning her several detentions and point deductions — the teachers, once they figure out who is the culprit, revoke the detentions but not the points — because the amount of points he loses are equal to the points she would've lost, so the teachers take mercy on Gryffindor's already low point totals.

She retaliates by cursing him bald — his distressed wail reverberates through Gryffindor and he comes storming into the Great Hall, wearing a hoodie. He marches to the Gryffindor table, particularly where the girls are sitting, chatting away.

"McKinnon." His angry voice is what causes her to turn around. "What the hell is this?" He points to his head.

"What is what?" she asks innocently.

"Don't play dumb," he snaps, ripping back his hood. "This!"

The hall falls silent. Hundreds of eyes are trained on Sirius's bald head, waiting for someone to break the quiet.

Marlene, or anyone for that matter, has not seen Sirius blush before, but his face rapidly reddens, turning a blotchy scarlet.

And then, as one, the hall bursts into uproar. Some (mainly girls) moan mournfully, the others laugh. James and Peter are doubled over, wheezing, and Remus is chuckling.

Sirius glares at Marlene. "This isn't over," he warns her.

"Ooo, I'm so scared," she says sarcastically. "Bring it on, Black."

He grabs her shoulder, hissing into her ear, "Oh I will."

A little tingle shoots up her arm as he releases her and stalks out of the hall, muttering furiously under his breath.

Marlene, meanwhile, pulls up her sleeve. There's a flower on her shoulder, small and pink, identical to the one on Sirius's cheek.


True to his word, he got her back. He puts enchanted snakes in her bed — how he got into the girls' dorms is a mystery, but he's a Marauder — but he manages to do it, giving Marlene a near heart attack. Naturally, her first instinct is to seek vengeance.

She and the girls — Lily is more than willing to help, because of her grudge against James — plan to prank all of the Marauders, researching in the library under the pretenses of studying, and concoct a perfect scheme to give them their comeuppance.

The plan is executed the very next day. The Marauders — none of them are spared — wake up in girls' bodies. Or more like, they've been transformed into girls.

"Hullo, Black," Marlene says as the boys — girls — march down the stairs, dressed in boys' clothes. "Or should I say — Siriella?"

All four of the Marauders have identical scowls on their faces, while the girls have identical smirks.

"Shut up, McKinnon," Sirius hisses.

"That's not very nice." It's Lily who speaks, pouting. "Shouldn't you be kind to your own mankind? Or should I say womankind?"

Marlene snorts.

"Oh, it's so on now," James says, glaring at Lily, who doesn't hesitate to glare at him right back.

"Bring it," the four girls voice in unison.

If looks could kill, Marlene, Lily, Alice, and Dorcas would've been medical marvels.

"You're done, McKinnon," Sirius hisses as he passes by, glaring venomously at her. Marlene merely tosses her hair back and smiles sweetly.

"Why don't you look in a mirror and say it?" she retorts. "Because you don't seem to have any shortage of those."

Sirius's face purples and he doesn't reply, stomping out of the common room behind his mates.

Marlene smiles evilly. She's ready.


672 words

Romance Awareness - A touch from your soulmate will leave an imprint. (Colour, symbol, name for example)