DanseRusse
Chapter 6
Think it over
"You dirty rotten bastard!"
"Ms. McKinnon!" McGonagall screamed over the boos of the Gryffindors as the Slytherin Captain whacked James' head with his Beater's bat, evidently mistaking it for a Bludger.
Marlene merely danced just out of McGonagall's reach. "You had better call that a foul, Hooch! That was way out of line!"
The referee blew her whistle calling a foul and as James took the penalty shot, she hovered above Marlene. "You do the commentary McKinnon; I'll call the judge the match."
Marlene gave her an innocent smile and nodded. The game recommenced and Marlene continued with her rather biased play-by-play. "The magnificent Captain Potter with the Quaffle speeding toward the Slytherin goal posts. Seems those low and dirty moves the Slytherin teams got on display today are of no use. Gryffindor is still beating there asses into the ground." As McGonagall started to rage Marlene cut her off with a "sorry Professor."
"Potter with a neat pass to MacDonald. Quite the player MacDonald, third year, new to the team last year. His older sister is also quite the Quidditch player, lovely and single as well for those lads out there interested in a– Why you dirty little FUCKER!" Marlene screamed as the Slytherin Beater Conroy Avery slammed his bat into little Marty MacDonald's mouth.
"MS. MCKINNON!" McGonagall roared.
"I'M SORRY, PROFESSOR. I CALL THEM AS I SEE THEM!" Marlene roared back watching James call for a time out. The Gryffindor Quidditch team gathered down on the ground to see to Marty's injuries.
When the team was back in the air Marlene glanced at Avery and frowned. "He is still in the game?" she queried into the microphone. "That's the second foul in the game, Hooch! He could have knocked Marty's head off!" she yelled at the referee. Madam Hooch gave her a warning glare and Marlene went back to commentating the game.
"MacDonald back in possession of the Quaffle with a nice pass to Wood. OUCH,–Wood is pelted with a Bludger sent by that bastard Avery. Sorry Professor! Slytherin Chaser Rosier takes the Quaffle. Where the hell are you, Black? It's your job to– Ah! There you go; I knew you had it in you. Gryffindor Beater Sirius Black hits Rosier in the back of the head with a Bludger. That's the Gryffindor way! Potter now in possession of the Quaffle speeding toward the Slytherin goal po– Oh ho! Nice dive Potter! You show those Slytherin ba– sorry Professor – Potter nearing the goal. NICE DOGDE! And he SCORES!" Marlene screamed loudly.
Sirius risked a glance in Marlene's direction as James fell into his usual 'victory dance' after scoring. She had climbed up so high on the ledge to escape Professor McGonagall; she was clinging to a Gryffindor flagpole. Her giant, Gryffindor plaid, rainproof hat sat lopsided on her head and she was grinning widely as she watched the game from her perch. He smiled softly. It was good to have her commentating again. The idiotic Ravenclaw, who had taken her place after Avery's Bludger hit her, had been useless.
As the game started again Sirius tore his eyes from her and went back to the match.
"Rosier in possession of the Quaffle once again. He passes it to– NICE intercept MacDonald!" Marlene yelled cheering along with the other Gryffindors as Marty MacDonald sped toward the goal posts. "He is nearing the posts, closer, closer, closer and YES! He scores! That's 50-30 GRYFFINDOR!"
The match continued fiercely for several long minutes each team grappling for the Quaffle until– "Look there! They've spotted the Snitch! Come on, Perkins! You can do it! Elbow him in the– Hey! That's cobbing, right there, Hooch! He could have put Perkins' eye out or something!" Madam Hooch gave Marlene an eye roll; she had just been encouraging the Perkins boy to do the same thing. Marlene stuck her tongue out at the referee before continuing with her commentary. "And, they're neck and neck! Perkins slightly in the lead. Come on, Perkins! Come on! And he's got it! Perkins caught the SNITCH. GRYFFINDOR WINS!"
--
"Hey Marley! What are you drinking?" James Potter yelled over the roar of the crowd as Marlene McKinnon entered the room.
Marlene picked her way through the crowd. "Just pumpkin juice for me," she told him with a small grin perching atop a table.
"Aw, come on, Marley, have some fun with us. Seven years. Seven bloody years, and you never drink with us," James whined. "Just a little rum?"
Remus Lupin wrapped an arm around her waist already slightly tipsy. "James, mate, Marley doesn't like the stuff. Don't know why. I think it's rather smashing myself. Nothing better than a bit of red currant rum, but Marley here has her reasons and we shouldn't judge." Marlene laughed and James pouted momentarily before filling her glass with pumpkin juice.
"You won't have as much fun without it," he told her as she sipped the drink.
"James." Marlene grinned. "I can have just as much fun with alcohol as I can without."
"Too right you are, Miss McKinnon," Remus said brazenly tugging her off the table. "Help me make a fool of myself on the dance floor." With that said he dragged her by the hand out into the middle of the common room.
Stepping up beside James, Sirius grabbed a bottle of fire whiskey. "Good game today, mate," he toasted before taking a large gulp. "Where's Moony?"
James nodded out toward the middle of the room where Remus was attempting to teach Marlene how to jitterbug. "With Marlene."
Sirius blew his hair out of his eyes haughtily. "Don't know why he insists on wasting his time with her."
"Same way you don't understand why I spend time with Lily," James replied shrugging and taking a sip of Sirius' whiskey, chuckling slightly to himself as lately Sirius had been spending more time with Marlene McKinnon than Remus ever had.
Shaking his head Sirius snorted. "No, I understand your thing with Lily. You love her," he said jokingly.
James laughed. "Bit jealous that Moony spends his time with her instead of you?" Or maybe, she's spending her time with him instead of you? James mused to himself.
With a bark-like laugh Sirius took a swig of his drink. "Hell, no. Just a bit concerned her perky attitude is going to rub off on him. Couldn't handle another happy little jaybird twittering around in here."
"You know you're glad she's back to twittering," James said quietly, sipping his drink.
Sirius nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I am," he replied before taking another swig from his whiskey bottle.
"Sirius!" Lily Evans called as she left her group of friends. "Dance with me? James always steps on my toes." James huffed.
"Can't keep your woman pleased, eh Prongs?" Sirius muttered to James before striding arrogantly across the room to Lily. James just smirked.
--
Marlene McKinnon dropped onto the sofa between Sirius and Remus, curling up with her head on Remus' shoulder. "Remus, d'you have plans for Hogsmeade this weekend?" she asked closing her eyes and inhaling his spring rain scent.
Sirius suddenly felt angry without an apparent reason. He flicked his grey eyes over to Marlene as she cuddled up closer to Remus, very obviously attempting to fall asleep and the flames of anger licked up. He frowned. Why the hell would that make him angry?
"It's a full moon, Marley, why?" Remus answered simply, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and toying with her hair. He didn't bother to turn his gaze from the essay he was proofreading.
"Damn it," Marlene muttered. "Stupid lunar cycle. I wanted to borrow you."
As she fell into silent pouting Remus laid his head atop hers. "Aw, Marley, I am so sorry my lycanthropy is such a downer for you," he said dryly. Sirius rolled his eyes as Marlene nudged Remus smiling just a bit before she closed her eyes once again. "What did you need me for?" Remus asked after a moment.
"Mm," Marlene murmured forcing her eyes open. "The group Michael and Mitch had set-up for Saturday cancelled, so I'm filling in."
Remus' brow furrowed and he tossed the essay on the table beside the couch before fixing Marlene with an odd look. "You do that all the time. What do you need me for?"
Marlene blushed biting her lip and gazing at the red patterned sofa intently. "I –er– well… I didn't want to walk back up to the castle by myself."
"Oh," Remus sighed tilting her head up and kissing her forehead. "Well, Sirius will take you then."
"What?" Sirius and Marlene asked simultaneously both of their voices high-pitched with shock. "I will not," Sirius muttered and crossed his arms petulantly as Marlene childishly glared at Remus for making the suggestion, mouthing "No!"
Chuckling, Remus rolled eyes and leaned back against the couch cushions letting Marlene settle on his chest. "Fine, you'll just have to talk to Fenwick, then."
"I'll be fine on my own Remus. I just thought I'd ask if you weren't doing anything. It's not a big deal."
"Mm, okay," Remus answered, flicking his gaze to Sirius and smiling slyly at the thoughtful expression on his handsome face. Oh, yes, Sirius Black would be taking Marlene whether she wanted him to or not.
--
"Mm," Marlene sighed, breathing in the scent of pipe tobacco mingling with worn leather and the scent of an approaching thunderstorm.
"Careful, McKinnon. You keep that up someone will think your having an orgasm right here in the Potions classroom," Sirius Black scoffed, filling a vial with liquid inside their cauldron.
Marlene glanced up at him as she jotted down a quick phrase in her notes. "And who exactly would be giving me said orgasm? Surely not you?" She smirked and raised an eyebrow cheekily.
"Just so you so know, I make more of an 'hmm' when I climax, not an 'mm'. Similar, but not quite the same," she whispered conspiringly then turned back to her notes, chewing on her quill as he stared at her.
"I know that," he snapped after a moment.
Chuckling, Marlene looked up at him. "That was a bit delayed, wasn't it?" she asked and then grinned. Sirius huffed and pretended the jot something down in his notes. Smiling, Marlene nudged him with her shoulder. "I didn't mean to damage your ego, Black. I was simply trying to be friendly."
Sirius raised an eyebrow haughtily. "By suggesting, I couldn't manage to get you off? How is that 'being friendly,'" he rather hissed as he whispered over the cauldron to her the enticing scent wafting from it muddling his mind. Marlene's cheeks flushed slightly red.
Encouraged by her embarrassment, Sirius continued, "And then, and then, making fun of me for having a delayed response! Honestly, McKinnon, I am wounded. Teasing me without just cause…," he rambled off and Marlene chuckled, prodding him in the ribs with a finger earning a bark of laughter from him.
"Mr. Black! Mrs. McKinnon!"
As Marlene turned back to her notes Sirius watched her, smirking slightly. He edged closer to her and whispered softly into her hair. "McKinnon, let me take you wherever it is you're going this weekend." Marlene started at the sound of his voice and the feel on his breath tickling her neck, but Sirius held her in place with a hand at her waist. "Please?" he murmured gently kissing her neck.
A quiet hum escaped Marlene's lips as Sirius nuzzled against her placing tiny, feather-light kisses down the curve of her neck. "Yeah," she answered faintly. "Yeah, you can come."
"Good," he answered shortly, stepping away from her and packing his things. He shook his head. He had thought that scent was coming from the potion, not Marlene.
Before Marlene had a chance to realize what exactly had just happened the class was dismissed. Sirius corked a vial of potion and grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder and leaving her to pick up the mess herself.
--
"So, Lily and I–" James Potter started.
"Oooh, so it's Lily now is it?" Sirius said mockingly, grinning widely as he balanced on two legs of his chair.
James laughed. "Yeah, it's been Lily since before Christmas, Padfoot. Honestly, do you pay any attention to me?"
"What?" Sirius' jaw dropped in mock shock and his chair fell onto all four legs with a thwack. "Of course, I pay attention to you!" he shouted indignantly. "Prongs! How dare you sugg–"
At the loud noise and subsequent shouting a dark head popped up from the desk in front of them. "Flitwick back?" Marlene mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes and slipping off the desk and into her seat.
"Nah, Marley," James said lightly, smiling at her sleepily shocked expression ignoring Sirius' outraged face. He was obviously upset that Marlene was getting what he considered his attention. "Go back to sleep, he shouldn't be back for another thirty minutes. Remus knows how to keep him distracted." Marlene nodded, crawling back up onto her desk and burying her face in the sweater she had bundled up to resemble a pillow.
Turning to Sirius, James shrugged. "She's a good detention mate, you know. She sleeps the whole time. We can talk about whatever we want. And she's not like Lily's friends, who think we deserve punishment and won't let us use the charmed quills for lines."
"We could get on just as well without her," Sirius said thoughtlessly, returning to his rant.
Before he could get a word out, however, James raised a dark eyebrow. "Yeah, maybe, but we'd be starving if it wasn't for her stock of Ice Mice," he told his friend, popping one of the sweets into his mouth causing his teeth to chatter.
"True," Sirius conceded, brow furrowing. "What was I on about, Prongs?" he asked.
James pretended to think. "You were telling me about your date with McKinnon this weekend."
"Oh, right." Sirius smiled easily falling for James' ploy. "And it isn't a date, Prongs. I am merely acting as a bodyguard. She needs one you know. Little thing like he– Hey! That's not what we were talking about!"
James grinned. "I know."
"I hate you, Prongs," Sirius growled jokingly.
"I know that, too," James answered. "Now, back to Lily. She and I are–"
"Prongs?" Sirius asked thoughtfully, obviously not paying attention to what James was saying.
Sighing tiredly, James looked up at Sirius. It seemed he was never going to tell his best friend that he was introducing his girlfriend to his parents. That was a rather big step in a relationship. He needed to be comforted in the matter, but Sirius obvious had more important things to discuss. James would just have to talk to Remus about it. "Yeah?" he mumbled dejectedly.
"What do you think of Marlene?" Sirius blew his hair out of his eyes leaning back on two legs of his chair. To the outsider, Sirius would have appeared to be his usual, arrogant, superior, Black self, but to James it was only to obvious he was nervous and on edge.
James glanced at the sleeping girl and shrugged. "She's a sweet kid."
Sirius nodded. "I smelled her," he said warily.
"Did she smell nice?" James asked cheekily biting down his grin.
Throwing one of the sweets at James, Sirius muttered, "That's not what I meant."
With a hearty laugh, James rolled his eyes. "Then, what exactly did you mean?"
"The Amortentia, it smelled like her," Sirius answered not meeting James' eyes.
James choked on the mouse in his mouth. "What?" he gasped.
"Yeah," Sirius chuckled fretfully. "I had just about the same reaction."
James' eyes flicked back to Marlene curled around her makeshift pillow. "Well… mine smelled like Lily," James offered smiling hopefully, knowing that was probably the least helpful bit of information he could have given his friend.
"Great," Sirius moaned, "Just great."
Endnotes:
1) I know, it's short, rather unfulfilling, and uneventful. That's just the way things go.
2) Thanks for reading. Review if you'd like.