Written for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Creative Collection
Character - Sirius, Paired Character - Marlene, Prompt - "I don't think you understand just how important you are to me."

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Media Studies
Task 11 - Beetlejuice - Write about a haunting (no canon ghosts

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Jewel Challenge
Labradorite - Necklace: Write a fic using the supernatural genre.

Ready For It

Pairing: Sirius/Marlene

AU where the first war ended before Harry was born

xXx

Sirius knew when Marlene died before he was told. He felt it. The Order mission hadn't gone well; there was only one causality, but unfortunately, it was one of the few people that Sirius loved.

His life felt empty with the knowledge that Marlene's light had left the world.

The first time he felt like he wasn't alone, despite the fact he couldn't see anyone, was the night after her funeral. He brushed it off as wishful thinking.

The second time he felt like he wasn't alone was the night he came home from the hospital after Harry Potter was welcomed into the world. He had been happy that Harry would be raised in a war-free zone. It made him think about the feeling a little bit harder. It could have been a coincidence, but he wasn't sure.

The third time the feeling washed over him was when he babysat Harry for the first time.

When he got home, sure in his knowledge that someone was there with him even if he couldn't see anyone, he questioned into the air, "Hello?"

A ghostly figure flickered into existence. "Sorry, I'm still learning how to be a ghost."

"Marlene? Why are you here? Why didn't you move on after you…" Sirius trailed off, finding himself unable to say the word 'died.'

Marlene's face was screwed into concentration, obviously finding it difficult to stay visible. "I don't think you understand just how important you are to me. I couldn't leave you."

"But isn't being a ghost lonely? Don't you want to move on?"

"What I want is to be with you until you're ready."

"Ready for what?"

Marlene didn't answer; she simply smiled mysteriously.

X

Sirius stared at her. "Don't you get bored with watching me sleep?"

"Never," she promised.

"I get that. I could watch you forever."

"Go to sleep," she ordered.

"I wish I could touch you," Sirius softly admitted as his eyes closed and he fell asleep. He never noticed Marlene's pained expression.

X

The ninth month anniversary of Marlene's death came. James and Remus both visited him, but he made sure they knew their presences were unwelcomed.

Marlene stayed by his side the whole day.

"Do you think we would have been married by now?" he asked.

Marlene didn't have to think about it. "Yes."

"We would have planned for at least two kids."

"Definitely," she agreed.

Sirius laid down and stared at the ceiling."It's not fair."

Marlene hovered near him, not for the first time wishing she could touch.

X

Almost nine months after her death, Marlene followed Sirius on his date, invisible to all. Sirius probably knew she was there, though.

She wished she could give him some privacy. Maybe then the date would be going better. Unfortunately, the rules of ghostliness were very clear. The ghost could not leave his/her anchor, the thing that bound him or her to the mortal world, until he or she was ready to move onto the afterlife. And Marlene's anchor was Sirius. A living person wasn't a common anchor, but it was known to happen.

She saw his disinterest in everything his date said. He wasn't receptive to Dorcas' advances at all.

It broke Marlene's heart.

After Dorcas was dropped off at home, Sirius declining her invitation to go inside, he and Marlene went back to his home.

"It was an awful date," he said with an air of finality.

"Maybe because you knew I was there, and you felt guilty," Marlene tried.

Sirius shook his head. "I'm not ready."

"Yet, but you will be." Marlene was sure of it. It was only a matter of time.

X

Just thirteen months after her death, Marlene found herself studying Sirius' facial expression as he looked at the front page of the Daily Prophet where a picture of Amelia was displayed. "Amelia Bones is very pretty," Marlene knowingly said.

Sirius blushed. "Maybe."

"She's also kind and has a strong belief in justice. Kind of like someone else I know."

He shrugged. "Maybe."

Marlene easily read his expression. "It's okay to move on with your life. I won't be hurt or angry."

"If I do, you'll go, won't you?"

Marlene knew he'd figure it out. "Yes because you'll be ready to say goodbye." She paused. "Are you ready?"

"I think so, but…"

"It's okay to be scared. You're dealing with the unknown when it comes to pursuing a relationship with Amelia, but you'll be fine."

"I love you, Marlene. I'll never forget you."

Marlene smiled as she began to flicker out of existence. "I love you too."

She was scared as well, but she knew she'd be okay. And Sirius would be able to find happiness with Amelia or some other woman because he was ready now. He had finally let go of Marlene's memory.

Everything would be okay.

(word count: 806)