So this is the next chapter. I will try to not make them being in the present for a long time, unless of course something important has happened. Thanks~
Chapter 3: The start of a new relationship
"It was our last train ride going to Hogwarts," Hestia commented, not even having to ask what occurred during it.
"Were my parents always…" Harry trailed off trying to come up with a god verb to describe his parents.
"Head strong, at each others throat, completely in love with each other?" Hestia suggested grinning widely as she brushed away her tears.
"Yes that," Harry nodded his focus completely on Hestia and no one else.
"Yes, always," She nodded. "They dimmed it down after they got together but still their fights were legend. We all celebrated when the sexual tension between those two finally disappeared!"
"They seem like very interesting people," Hermione voiced amused. "Harry sure had Lily's temper."
"Hey!" Harry called defensively making the group of people laugh at him.
"Believe me you didn't want to be on the receiving end of Lily Evans-opps sorry Potter's temper," Hestia giggled remembering all the times that she had been scolded by Lily for her forgetfulness, especially with her homework.
"I know," Ginny agreed. "She just yelled at James. Now that was funny to witness."
"It may seem funny now but putting up with their arguments for six years drove the rest of us insane," Hestia sighed. "Mar and Sirius were about to lock them in a closet until they came out as a couple. Then again Mar and Sirius' plans have never worked out well."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked raising an eyebrow.
"Oh you know," Hestia shrugged. "Sirius and Marlene's plans, ideas, whatever you want to call them somehow always managed to blow up in their faces. Much to the amusement of the rest of us."
"He probably did something stupid," Ron shrugged not noticing the glare Harry sent him for bad mouthing his god father.
Harry thought a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yeah you're probably right. Padfoot would be the one to ruin it."
"He was," Hestia nodded eagerly. "But you'll have to watch the memories to realize what he did horribly wrong."
"Alright," Harry looked at her skeptically. Then noticing that they were back at the Burrow he looked around. "Where are Mr. and Mrs. Weasley?"
"Mr. Weasley had to go to work for something while Molly is in the kitchen making dinner," Hestia explained getting off of the couch where she had been lounging to walk to the Pensieve. "I believe you will have enough time to look at the next memory, that is if you want to."
"Yes," Harry instantly said.
"I see you're eager," Hestia laughed grabbing the vials off of the couch that they had been sitting on.
With accurate speed Hestia used her wand to coax each different memory out and place them into the right vials. The four teens watched her shocked as she moved with confidence that wasn't there early. Then bottling her own memory into another empty vial she watched in awe as the vial turned a sweet yellow color, bright and happy like she was.
"How did you move that fast?" Ron questioned, mouth agape in shock.
"What?" Hestia paused in the process of corking the cork on the vial.
"You moved really quickly right now," Ginny pointed at all the vials, that safety held all of their owners memories. "Much faster than when you were putting the memories into the Pensieve."
"With more confidence," Hermione added in with agreement.
"Oh well," Hestia blushed. "I feel better about coming here now."
"What do you mean?" Harry questioned.
Hestia explained looking down at the vials that held her dearest friends memories. "When Lily's letter asked me to come here to show you the memories I didn't want to. I didn't want you to think that I had been hiding them from you until now. I didn't want to have to face the pain that was so clearly etched on your face. But now. Now that I see that you are benefiting greatly from seeing your family in person I feel great knowing that I'm helping. Even if it is just putting the memories into the Pensieve. As long as you are happy then that makes me feel like I have done some good."
"Thank you," Harry's voice was hoarse. "You don't know how much it means to me to be able to see them. I never got…"
"To know them?" Hestia guessed smiling sadly at his slight nod. "Well they loved you dearly, more than their own lives. They wouldn't stop talking about you. They drove us crazy with their stories about you. You were the best thing in their lives, nothing could ever change that fact."
Ginny rested a hand on Harry's shoulder as he tried to brush away his tears before anyone saw them. Ron smiled sadly at his friend while Hermione sniffled beside him. Hestia didn't say anything else as she proceeded to put in the next couple of memories, grateful for the distraction that made her focus on that instead of her dead friends.
Hestia once again put her wand to her head, closing her eyes as the pain come from taking out the memory. If the others can do it so can I, Hestia thought determined. She placed it into the now full Pensieve, watching as it mixed itself with the other memories. Becoming one with them.
"There now its set," Hestia informed them smiling slightly at the black haired boy who looked so much like his father. "Anytime you are ready you can go."
Harry made eye contact with all of his friends, then with a group nod they dipped their fingers back into the Pensieve wondering what was going to happen next.
Before they realized what had happened and feel the sickness the rose in their stomachs they were outside of the amazing Hogwarts castle. Looking around they noticed the carriages being pulled by the beautiful dark skeleton horse-like, Thestrals.
"We must have been gone a few hours if the students have already arrived at Hogwrarts," Hermione muttered looking up at the grand castle that in their time was still being rebuilt from the battle.
"Where are they?" Harry questioned looking around hurriedly, trying to catch a glimpse of his parents and their friends.
"Calm down Harry," Ginny smiled at her boyfriend who was currently acting like an impatient little kid. "They will be here soon."
"Yeah mate," Ron grinned at his friend. "We'll be able to find them. Especially with how loud your mom yells. She could give my mom a run for her money."
Harry was about to argue but knew it would be useless. "My mom does have a temper doesn't she?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You just figured that out?"
"No I was-"
"They're right there!" Ginny hurriedly cut in pointing to the last two carriages that just pulled out showing the red headed Lily in her robes as she stepped out.
Lily gazed up at the magnificent castle in front of her. Taking a deep breath of the fresh clean air, she was filled with happiness and sadness. This was her last year at Hogwarts. Her final year.
Marlene followed after Lily jumping over a muddy puddle that had been left over by last nights rain. Marlene seeing that Lily had unshed tears in her eyes quickly went over to her friend. Resting a gently pale hand on the other girls shoulder Marlene leaned toward her to whisper softly.
"Don't cry Lily Flower," She whispered lightly not wanting to let the others know what they were talking about. "We still have all year to see Hogwarts. Its not the end."
"Yet," Lily corrected, her voice thick with tears. "Yet, Mar, yet. In a year we will have to leave and never return. Never. Unless there is some emergency, but other than that we will never come back here."
"That's part of growing up," Marlene pointing out. "We cant stay here all the time just because this is the safest loveliest place on the whole planet."
"I'm worried about leaving here," Lily confessed. "What are we going to do without Hogwarts? How can we protect ourselves from You-Know-Who. We wont have Professor Dumbledore to protect us anymore. It will all rely on us, ourselves. And lets face it! We aren't strong enough to fight off You-Know-Who!"
"Lily shush," Marlene ordered. "We wont have to fight off him. You-Know-Who wont go after little fishes like us. Just to make sure you should probably not cause attention to yourself after we graduate. You are a Muggle born so even if you lay low his follows will be watching you more than the rest of us."
"Exactly," Lily hissed. "I'm a mud-blood, to them I'm nothing more than disgusting filth!"
"Why to I suspect that we aren't only talking about You-Know-Who and his follows anymore?" Marlene questioned a frown obvious on her face. She glanced behind her to see Hestia and Dorcas standing next to the Marauders, all of their eyes were on them.
"Whatever," Lily shrugged trying not to let her best friend see how much what that bastard said got to her.
"He was wrong Lily," Marlene told her as Lily pulled out of her grasp. "You are braver, stronger, sweeter, smarter, and completely better than any of them. They mean nothing, the matter little in this world. People like you make life worth living."
Lily shook her head. "I'm not worth anything, believe me. I'm just a normal single girl nothing more than that."
"Are you sure?" Marlene got a smirk on her beautiful heart shaped face. "Because I know a cute guy back there who is insane about you. You cant be nothing. Especially when he has been in love with you for 2 years now."
Lily looked behind Marlene to see the group of people waiting for them to move. Lily blushed crimson red when she saw James' with that silly puppy dog look on his face. Lily turned attention back to her friend who was having a difficult time controlling her laughter.
"Can we go?" Lily begged turning her back on them before marching towards the castle ignoring the giggling Marlene.
"I didn't hear you deny it Lily!" Marlene called to the retreating Lily. Lily turned sharply around, glaring at her friend before walking quickly away. Marlene busted out laughing hard making the others look at her curious. "Go, go on."
"Are you sure?" Dorcas bit her lower lip concerned about Marlene laughing so much.
"Yes," Marlene gasped for air. "I just need to calm down before I go back in there."
"What was it that you two were talking about?" Hestia asked interested.
Marlene shook her head. "I'll tell you later. Now go on before you miss dinner."
They started to trudge their way up toward the castle talking to each other about the opening ceremony and how small the first years would be this year. The only person who was left next to Marlene was Sirius, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. They remained silent until the last of Marlene's giggles ended.
"Are we supposed to stay with them?" Ron asked into the awkward silent that settled between Marlene and Sirius.
"I believe so," Hermione muttered watching them closely to see how they interacted with each other. "Otherwise we would have been pulled into another scene."
"Something important is going to happen here," Harry muttered watching the younger, more brighter and carefree version of his godfather.
"So…" Marlene trailed off awkwardly.
"Did you think about what I asked you at the end of last year?" Sirius questioned surprisingly serious. His stormy grey eyes focused on one of the bright lit windows of the castle.
"Yes I did," Marlene muttered with equal seriousness. "I don't think it would work out Sirius. Me being your girlfriend just wouldn't be the best thing. We're too different. I'm quiet, you're loud. We're opposites."
"That doesn't mean that we wouldn't work out," Sirius tightly said through clenched teeth.
"I don't understand you Sirius," Marlene whispered into the cold night looking at the profile of him since he wouldn't turn around to look at her. "You could have any girl in all of Hogwarts but you want me-"
"Aw cute!" Hermione giggled making the boys look at her oddly. "What!"
"Nothing, nothing," They both instantly said backing off of the love struck girl.
"I want you no one else," Sirius agreed turning his icy glance onto her. The instant their eyes met his glare turned soft and warm, full of love. "I don't care about any other girl. I've never felt like this before Mar. I want you, I need you more than anything else. Yet you wont give me the chance."
"Because this is a faze Sirius," Marlene shook her head, sending her long midnight hair flying around her. "You only want me because I wont bend over easily like all the other whores here. You don't mean what you say-"
"Of course I mean it!" Sirius nearly yelled at her but she still held her ground, not even flinching like most girls would. "Don't tell me what I do and do not mean! How would you know! You only think you know how the real me is!"
"Sirius calm down," She ordered in a soft voice. "Its true that I may not know you, but I do know that you arent the relationship type of guy. This-with us-"
She gestured at the both of them. "-would be a relationship. Not friends with benefits, not a one night stand, not a week girlfriend, not on again off again. This would be a real relationship. Are you ready for that?"
Sirius thought about it for a second. "Yes. With you, yes I am."
"Saying it and meaning it are different things Sirius," Marlene whispered seeing the complete seriousness in his eyes. "Do you honestly want to be my boyfriend? That means no other girls, none what so ever."
"Yes I want to be your boyfriend," Sirius nodded his eyes blazing that he spoke the truth.
Marlene bit her lower lip in thought. "If you cheat on me even once I swear it will be over."
"Is that a yes then?" Sirius grinned brightly.
Marlene sighed. "Merlin help me but yes that is a yes."
"Good," Sirius grinned widely instantly pulling her into his warm safe arms. Kissing her quickly on her sweet lips Sirius spun her around before setting her back on the ground.
"Sirius," Marlene laughed grabbing his arms to stop herself from falling over since her balance has never been the greatest.
"Sorry was that a little to forward?" Sirius bark like laugh filled her ears.
"Somewhat," Marlene nodded. "You just startled me. I want to take this relationship slower if that's alright."
"That's fine," Sirius nodded taking her hand into his. His hand completely engulfed her small one. "Why do you want to do that?"
"So you can back out early," Marlene calmly told him. "That way I wont feel as bad as if you had done it when we we're way closer."
"I wont back out," Sirius hissed angry that she thought that he was the type to back out of relationships, then again he had always been like that until now.
"Still if you should," Marlene smiled sadly pulling on his head to signal that they should start walking before they got to the Great Hall too late.
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, basking in the fact that they were together. Marlene was having some doubts though. Her mind was whirling around thinking about their friends, other girls, and if this relationship could really work out. Sirius glanced over at his girlfriend concerned.
"Whats up?" He softly asked as they approached the Great Hall.
"I don't think we should tell anyone about our relationship right now," Marlene blurted out hurriedly.
"Why not?" Sirius demanded hurt etching his handsome face.
"It would be better if everyone got used to the idea of us being together," Marlene explained slowly taking back her hand. "Not to just spring it on them and hope that they understand. Plus if James and Lily are ever going to get together this wont help their chances."
"You dating Lily's enemy might not be the best thing," Sirius agreed frowning at the lost contact between him and Marlene. "We can keep it a secret for a while, but that doesn't mean you can go cheating on me now."
"I should be the one saying that to you," Marlene laughed as they entered the crowded Great Hall.
Instantly all eyes were on the late students. Sirius grinned at all the attention he was getting, loving that almost all of the girls' were drooling over him. Marlene blushed embarrassed and hurried down the table to sit near her friends while Sirius moved to sit where the Marauders had sat for the past six years.
"Where were you?" Hestia questioned curious.
"Outside trying to calm down my laughter," Marlene admitted, feeling weird to be lying somewhat to her friends.
"Oh thanks for the moral support Mar," Lily hissed across from her.
"You're welcome," She smiled back sweetly.
"Why was Sirius with you?" Dorcas raised an eyebrow as a light blush ascended Marlene's cheeks. "What were you two doing?"
"Wait-Black was with you?" Lily demanded her voice getting hard from talking about the people in the school that she hated the most.
"Yes he was," Marlene prayed that her voice wouldn't shake under Lily's glare.
"What were you two doing?" Lily demanded, the other Gryffindor students around them had stopped talking and turned toward Marlene wondering if she was his new girlfriend.
"Which she is," Ginny pointed out sitting down on an empty sit near the group of girls.
"Talking about you and Potter," Marlene innocently blinked her long eyelashes.
"What were you talking about that had to do with Potter and myself?" Lily growled hating to have to put herself in the same sentence as James.
"Ooh," Hestia giggled. "Lily are you and James a couple now? Why didn't you tell us?"
Chatter spread out as soon as Hestia said that sentence. Hogwarts students always loved new gossip. Lily's eyes went wide. "No we are not! We will never be!"
"Okay Lily," Marlene calmed her down. "We know. Hestia was just teasing you. Black and I were only talking about what was going to happen considering that you two are the Heads this year."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Lily arched up her eyebrow angrily.
"Nothing dear," Marlene assured her.
"Marlene-" Lily started, her voice laced with authority.
That's when Dumbledore decided to stand up and give his usual speech. Informing them that they should be extra careful now that You-Know-Who has been killing victims greedily, like he couldn't get enough of death and destruction.
"He couldn't," Harry agreed, eyes on his now dead Headmaster.
Everyone in the group was paying attention to Professor Dumbledore. Not even one of the Slytherins whispered to another during his speech. As soon as Dumbledore sat down everyone's voice broke out at once. Everyone was trying to talk to their friends or laughing at some joke someone had told. Most of the girls' attention was on the Marauders. Mainly Sirius and James.
Marlene looked up from eating her food quickly. Looking down the Gryffindor table she noticed a blonde girl a year below them making a disgustingly flirty face at Sirius. Sirius didn't notice it since his eyes were glued on Marlene and all the guys who were eyeing her. They eyes met between all the chaos surrounding them. Sirius flashed a dazzling smile while Marlene rolled her eyes at him before turning her attention back to her food and friends.
"Why is Black staring at you like a little lost puppy?" Lily questioned noticing the glance that the new couple just shared. Hestia and Dorcas were too lost in their conversation to hear what the two were talking about.
"Who knows," Marlene shrugged hoping that Lily would pass it up as nothing.
"Oh Merlin," Lily whispered her eyes going wide. "Please don't tell me that Black has set his sight on you being one of his many girlfriends."
"No," Marlene shook her head. That's because I'm already his girlfriend, Marlene muttered in her head.
"Then why are you two looking at each other?" Lily questioned curious and disgust both in her voice.
"We just came to the agreement that we would try to remain civil to each other this year," Marlene smiled slightly. "Its not good to have enemies, is it Lily?"
"No its not," She agreed her eyes trailing toward the Slytherin table, all of whose students were glaring at their loud happy classmates. "Sometimes there are enemies that you have to have, that you cant control."
"Yes there are," Marlene nodded, feeling sad for her friend. "But there are those enemies that don't have to be. Like James Potter."
"What do you know?" Lily demanded her head whipping around to look at her friend worried.
"I know a lot," Marlene lied knowing that Lily was hiding something from her.
"Please don't be angry," Lily whispered lowly. So lowly that Marlene had to lean in to hear everything that she was saying. "Potter said that he had changed and that I was being rude to only base my assumptions on him from how he acted in the past. Some how I managed to agree to give him a second chance."
"Aw Lily!" Marlene reached across the crowded table to hug her best friend tightly.
"That's not the worst part of it," Lily obviously didn't see how happy Marlene was that Lily was finally be kind to her soul mate. "Potter made a deal that if I win that I could hex me all that I wanted…but if I somehow miraculously lost the deal then I would have to go out with him."
"Lily! Why didn't you tell me!" Marlene gasped shocked looking down at the table to glare at James and Sirius who stopped laughing the moment her evil glare was fixed on them. Marlene completely forgot that she was dating Sirius at that moment. "Stupid Potter! Making a scummy deal like that! How dare he! I'll make him take it back!"
"Don't worry about it Mar," Lily smiled at her friend's over protectiveness. "I will win this deal. That I am positive of."
Then the four were sucked out of the memory, not getting to see how Marlene reacted to that sentence or how Sirius was going to manage having a secret girlfriend.
Sorry! I wasn't planning on having them date right away but the timing seemed right. Does that make any sense? Plus this can cause much more chaos in the future. Yay! Drama!