Thanks to the two reviewers so far :)
A crash from the adjoining room made Remus wince as he sat at the dinner table trying to ignore the argument going on and focus on the day's headlines. Not that they made for a more pleasant alternative these days:
Family of 3 Found Dead in Surrey, Suspected Death Eater Involvement
Disappearance of Ministry Worker Now Being Treated As Murder Investigation
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Gains-
Remus's hand jerked suddenly, sending tea spilling over his old threadbare jumper as another crash echoed loudly through the small dining room. Dabbing at the stain, he swore as Sirius's voice could clearly be heard and rolled his eyes.
"Dammit, Marlene!" came the muffled yell, "Stop acting like-"
"Like what, Sirius?" the new voice, female this time, demanded, "I thought you liked it when things threw themselves at you!"
Another crash.
"I said I was sorry! What more do you want me to say?"
The door slammed open and Remus immediately turned his attentions back to the newspaper and tried to look casual as the furious blonde witch stormed out and headed for the door. Less than a moment later, Sirius charged out after her just as the front door slammed shut. The distant shouting began again in earnest.
"Stay away from me, Sirius!"
"Come off it, Marlene, we both know you're going to show up off your face tonight begging for a break-up shag!"
The unmistakeable noise of her palm making sharp contact with his face could be heard even from outside, causing Remus to wince again. As true as it may be, that comment had hit a little too close to home.
"Go to hell!" she yelled.
"No need with you around!" Sirius retorted.
With a sigh, Remus slammed his paper down on the table and marched to the front door, still lying wide open.
"Would you two mind taking this somewhere I won't need to listen to it?" he requested icily. The regret set in approximately… 7 seconds after he'd opened his mouth when Marlene, a woman with whom he normally got on well with, turned slowly and fixed that terrifying glare on him.
"So sorry to interrupt your breakfast, Remus," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "I know it must just be killing you inside to see that Sirius is single again."
He felt himself freeze. Sirius turned to look at him with that quizzical expression and his brain kicked into action. This particular action was to turn, and storm back into the house leaving them staring after his retreating back.
A couple of minutes later, Sirius walked back into the kitchen where Remus sat fuming, the Daily Prophet clenched in his fists.
"Sorry about that, Moony," he said, rubbing the back of his head uncomfortably, "She's got a special way about her when she's angry, eh?"
"Hmm."
A heavy pause settled in the room.
"Probably shouldn't have said that thing about… you know," he continued awkwardly.
Remus glanced at him, noticing the clear red handprint on his right cheek, "Probably not."
"It was true though," he replied defensively.
"Most likely why she got so upset about it," Remus observed, and felt that cold feeling settle in his stomach again as another heavy silence settled between them.