A/N - Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers, I have six, well five but yey :) Still don't have a Beta, will get one as soon as I can. I was going to have this chapter up a lot earlier then I decided to change the ending a bit so I hope you enjoy.

I DONT OWN HARRY POTTER

Side note, in the title pronounce Marley like Merely. I want to use names for every chapter title but its quite hard, Sirius works for a lot of them but using James, Peter, Remus, Frank, Alice, Sonya, or Marley is kind of hard. So if you have any ideas for Chapter names either review with them or P.M me, I will give credit to you if I end up using it. :)

Chapter 3:

Marley Friends

June 26, 1968

Marlene Mary- Anne McKinnon

"So boy, do you have a name?" She asked with a bright smile.

"Sirius," He said and Marlene huffed.

"Yes, I am serious, it would be rude to not ask for your name." Marlene huffed but the boy just grinned.

"You're not Sirius, I am." The boy laughed inwardly. He had never been in the position to use any of the jokes he had created with his name before. And she seemed to like playing, so this was in a great position to have some fun in his opinion.

"I am too serious how would you know if I am joking," Marlene ordered with a huff making the game all that more enjoyable.

"We can't both be Sirius you know." He smiled.

"Of course I know that, two people can never be... Wait what? Never mind, tell me your name." Marlene said a slight ordering tone in her voice. It was after all how most adults she knew get information out of children. It should work the same way right.

"I already have." The grin coming back and Marlene was getting more irritated with every second.

"No you haven't," She accused her voice slightly desperate.

"Yes I have, you just weren't paying attention." Sirius smiled and the girl seemed to think about that.

"Fine then tell me again." She said and the eight year old almost jumped out of his skin with glee. This was more than just fun, this was awesome.

"Sirius," He said just loud enough to be heard.

"Merlin yes I am SERIOUS! Just tell me your name!" Marlene was yelling now.

"I already have, twice now." He said, unable to keep his chuckles, because boys did not giggle, out of his tone.

"No you haven't!" Marlene responded almost immediately.

"Okay, fine, I am sorry. It is Sirius, Sirius Orion Black, nice to meet your acquaintance" He said with a boy and then he couldn't hold back the laughter that fell from the girl's expression of utter shock. He doubled over on the ground laughing and kicking his feet.

"Your, your name is Sirius. Your parent's named you Sirius. You are serious right now," Marlene said in disbelief of the boy's name. His antics did not faze her however; she did grow up around James Potter and Peter Pettigrew. She had already come to the conclusion that boys were merely curious.

"Yes I am Sirius, right now, I was yesterday, and I will be tomorrow as well." He said his smile broadening as he stood up.

"You are a git," Marlene sighed to that Sirius just grinned back and Marlene found herself smiling as well as she reached out a hand. Sirius seemed quite confused at the gesture, "Marlene Mary-Anne McKinnon," She said after a few moments Sirius just smiled. He held out his hand as well, and despite being on separate sides of the small lake the two acted as if their hands met and shook them.

"I didn't know any kids lived around here," She added as an afterthought.

"I don't," came the reply from the boy. "I am staying with my Uncle over the summer," he explained more thoroughly making Marlene nod. This boy was quite different, he looked like the boy from tea but he seemed a lot more courteous.

"Oh, that must be fun. I don't have any Uncle's. Do your parent's work often?" Marlene asked, because she knew that is why she was brought up by her governess. Her father was always otherwise occupied. Maybe this boy was brought up by his Uncle because his parents were busy.

"Um not really," Sirius said the lie evident in his voice. Neither of his Parent's worked, they had never gone. They were Black's and Black's don't work. They sit on boards and take care of investments; they do not ever have jobs. He looked around becoming more than slightly uncomfortable about the situation around him.

How would he explain he was shipped off to his Uncle's because he couldn't behave. He knew the surname McKinnon as it had come up when his father talked about the incompetent Blood-traitor Ministry officials. Longbottom, McKinnon, Moody, Potter, Prewett, Weasley and a few others were constant sources of the man's rants.

"Oh are they staying with your Uncle too?" Was Marlene's next question, Sirius blushed and though it was hidden to the girl due to the distance between them turned his face away to hide it further.

"No, it's just me." Sirius said wishing the girl would stop with her questioning.

"Oh, well is it a big house? With large staircases and secret hiding places and doors that lead to more doors, and carpet walls and and and..." Marlene was running out of things to describe what she felt a big house should look like.

"Yeah," Sirius said looking up.

"Have you explored it all yet?" Marlene's eyes lit up.

"No I only just got here and I've been flying mostly. Except today, I went too high yesterday so I got my broom taken away for a whole week." Sirius explained and that spewed a whole new conversation on punishments the children felt unnecessary or rules that were a bit over killed. Marlene led the conversation with Sirius just nodding along and adding in comments here and there. It was there their friendship was born.

June 28, 1968

Frank Longbottom

If Frank Longbottom heard his mother speak one more time on the honor he would bring the family if sorted into Gryffindor the eleven year old was sure he would get physically ill. Even if he thought that the Gryffindor house sounded like the best of the four houses. He had no desire to hear his Mother talk about it anymore. It had been the main discussion at least once a week since May when he had gotten his letter and the boy was quite sick of it.

He, at the moment, was reading over his D.A.D.A book shut up in his room hoping his mother did not call for him until dinner. The Black's were coming over for dinner and Frank was convinced it would be less than enjoyable. He had gotten a letter a few Sirius a few days ago depicting the fact he was to be shipped off to his Uncle's house. Though the eight year old tried to cover it with a vocabulary larger than most eight year olds use Frank knew right off the bat his young friend was less than happy about the fact his parent's apparently did not want him.

He often wondered why his own Parents tried to make nice with the Black family. The only good one of the lot was Sirius and he was not the only one who thought so. His parents constantly complained about the elder Black's yet once every four months they came but always smiled at Sirius saying that he and Andromeda were the only sane ones. Frank would agree, but Andromeda was female and Frank was at the age where questioned the sanity of the entire female gender.

Frank wondered if despite being shipped off Sirius would still come to dinner or if he would stay at his Uncle's and miss it. He hoped it was the second for as much as he missed his little friend he knew that the boy would probably spill something, or trip on something or burp, or slurp instead of sip and he really hated when the older Black's got mad at him for such silly stuff. It really wasn't his fault, you see Frank Longbottom was sure he had Sirius all figured out. The boy was under so much pressure to do good he focused on one thing and messed everything else up. That and the fact his head moved a bit too quickly for his body.

For example, Sirius, having not wanted to put too much sugar in his mother's tea last time that they had dinner so he made sure he counted it exactly and it was perfect. He was so concerned about the sugar however he had not thought of how close the cup was next to the teapot. To which he hit and broke upon turning to give his mother her tea.

Frank was sure if the boy had less pressure on everything he did he would fare better in most if not all instances like that. But he doubted he could ever suggest that to the Black's.

"Frankie!" He heard and let out a slight groan. Of course he would not be able to hide. That would be much too easy.

"Frank Dear, Come here, I just remembered something about my days at Hogwarts," Came another call.

"Coming Mother," He called tucking his book away with a sigh. He hoped that whoever this mysterious Uncle was of Sirius' that the boy was having more fun this summer than he was at the present.

Marlene Mary - Anne McKinnon

Ryan?" Marlene said as she entered the now familiar clearing. Each day after tea Marlene would escape out to the gardens and run to meet with her newest friend having just met him about two weeks ago. Today she had packed Peter's very favorite of her books to give to the other boy. After all, Peter was a boy so it would make sense that Sirius would like it too. So with her copy of The Chronicles of Prydain 'Book of Three' she took off to meet her new friend. Yesterday she learned that her new friend had never read a story book. Never having read a storybook was a horrid thing in Marlene's opinion. What did one due to pass rainy days or days when you are not permitted to go outside without the help of storybooks? Sirius was bringing a 'surprise' it was something he said was most important and that he loved as much as he got the impression that Marlene loved her storybooks.

"Here Mary-Anne," Sirius called a little ways away from their spot and further down the river. Marlene moved to catch up with her new friend.

"Do you see that tree over there?" Sirius called pointing about fifteen or sixteen yards ahead of where they stood where a tree was bridged over the small river that had separated the two's previous conversations. Marlene nodded slowly.

"Race you there?" He said and Marlene started running as fast as she could. "Hey no fair, I never said go!" Sirius said chasing after her; though due to his older age and longer legs it was Sirius who reached the big stones that lead up to the fallen tree first. The rocks were of different sizes some reached his ankle, but some were slightly higher than his waist. He rose quickly until his foot slipped and he scrambled to keep on. He was so close to the ground the only thing he would have hurt would have been his pride but it still taught him a lesson. As he proceeded to climb up he noticed Marlene was at the tree already.

He reached the tree and began to make his way over the rushing river. It was not very deep as the children could see the rocks under the surface but it was somewhat loud and quite brackish. It was a lot different than the calm river where they usually played. Sirius ran over the tree branch and gave the girl a hug. Marlene returned the hug and smiled neither child seeing the small surge of magic or noticing the magical energy that coursed through them as the wards surrounding the Black property and the McKinnon property. They did not acknowledge the undeniable pull on their magic as the simple want to be in each other's presence did that.

Marlene moved back to her side of the clearing where they sat on two rocks that were just about the same size as they played gobstones and skipped some little rocks right at the water's edge. Then Sirius brought out two packets of candy. One of every flavored jelly beans and the other of pepper imps, as he handed Marlene jelly beans she held up the book for him.

Sirius watched his young acquaintance as she found a more comfortable rock to curl up on as well and pulled out her own record. He slid down on a rock a few away and did the same. Reaching every now and again for a pepper imp trying to concentrate on reading which at the present moment he found very difficult.

Marlene reached blindly to find the every flavored candy her hand dipping into a box she blindly put the candy in her mouth. She swallowed three at a time with a gulp figuring out when she was younger if you only ate one jelly bean at a time there was no chance of having only one nasty flavor in your mouth. There was no way someone got ear wax twice in one handful. She then coughed and blew out a few sputtered breaths of fire. Sirius turned to see what was wrong but couldn't keep his laughter when he watched his new friend spitting out fire. She gave up after a few minutes and used her hands to try and void herself of the pepper imps as Sirius was no help seeing as he was only expressing joy. Marlene bounced from her spot on the log on the rock on top of her new friend she then began to slam her small fist lightly against his chest as he couldn't stop laughing.

Soon Sirius sobered up enough to wiggle from Marlene's grasp. He reached for the pepper imps and swallowed one as fast as he could before he blew smoke back in the girls face. Marlene used her arms as smoke swatters coughing up the small amount of smoke she inhaled. She lunged for the box that Sirius moved out of her reach the last second. They circled each other warily before Marlene stopped and crossed her arms.

"Why would I those stupid candies anyway. They are quite discussing you know. " She said with a huff as she crossed her arms. Sirius just smiled grabbing a handful and stuffing them in his mouth in the hopes of getting the girl squeal. Marlene waited until Sirius eyes closed from the heat of the pepper imps he just placed in his mouth and lunged forward to take them from him. Sirius opened his eyes to see his hands empty and complained some falling out of his mouth.

"Hey no fair," Sirius complained as Marlene began to jump on the tree over the lake. Marlene ran quickly her feet moving with little accuracy. It was like walking on the railing of bridges she mused. Sirius laughed as he ran after her. She looked back at him with a come and get me smile as she took quick steps. She did not count on the tree having a knot. Her toe hit and she slipped straddling the tree and ripping her tights to shreds. She landed slightly pitched to one side causing her leg to slip from one side as she scrambled to stay on the log. The yelp of fear soon turned to a yelp of pain and made Sirius move all that much faster to get to her.

Sirius Orion Black

"Mary- Annie" He called moving to help.

"Ryan help," She called though screams, her one leg kicking trying to pull herself higher on the leg, Her other foot had slipped between two rocks and as she wiggled to free it only succeeded in making it become quite bewildered. Sirius got on his knees and grabbed her arms. Marlene tried to claw her way up his back. Sirius hissed as her slight nails dug into his skin.

"I got you, I got you Mary." He said and her spastic hands slowed down slightly and instead of scratched gripped. Sirius let one hand out as leverage and pulled up quickly only thinking of making the cries stop. Marlene however only screamed louder as two pops were heard.

"Mistress Marlene!" Came the distressed cry that Sirius knew belonged to a house elf. It was one of the four McKinnon household elves. The youngest named Baby. A name which Marlene bestowed on the elf at the tender age of 10 months when her vocabulary was no more than ball, baby, Dada, and mama. The elf looked at the end of the tree and looked upon the two kids with concern. Marlene was back on the tree but crying in Sirius arms due to the pain she felt. Sirius seemed quite confused.

"Can you get an adult?" Sirius asked the elf with an awkward call over his shoulder. A pop told him the house elf did just that. He turned back to try and console Marlene when another pop was heard.

"What in, Bloody hell, Marlene dear are you alright." A shaken woman asked as she readjusted herself. She had always hated being popped by House elf magic and found the situation much worse when not given adequate time to prepare for said popping.

"My foot," Marlene whimpered out. The woman walked up onto the tree branch and behind Sirius back taking note of the two books and candy placed within the crevices of the rocks before holding her hands out to the petite seven year old girl. With the help of both other people Marlene scrambled to her feet before being picked up by the woman.

"Is her leg broken?" The boy asked concern evident in his voice as the woman climbed back over the tree to the other side, she turned to face the unnamed boy.

"I doubt that, what is your name?" She asked looking down her nose at him for the sole reason Marlene's head was rested on her chest and she was quite agitated by this point.

"Sirius Orion Black," The boy responded in a trained tone.

"Black, You live nearby." She asked with an annoyed tone.

"No Ma'am, I am staying with my uncle over the summer." The little boy answered.

"Hum, Baby bring young Mister Black back to the manner I shall follow his uncle from there. TOPEKA," She said and another house elf appeared. With a wayward glance Sirius took the house elf's hand, he landed in the middle of a large room facing a huge staircase where a pale, slightly plump, blonde boy paused.

"What happened to Marley?" Came the boys distressed voice and Sirius turned his head away.

"She will be fine Peter, floo Mrs. Potter, ask her to come over and check Marlene's foot. Also tell Migney to get you boys some hot chocolate while you wait." The woman said turning to face him. Marlene was still sobbing into her shoulder, the boy, Peter nodded ran through the foyer to the nearest fireplace Sirius following quickly

"Perlington Place," Peter said after throwing the needed floo powder before sticking his head in with a yell of Mrs. Potter. Sirius just stood slightly stricken he tried to piece together the recent events. He now knew he probably should not have tugged so hard. This entire thing was more than likely his fault. Moments passed and a flushed looking woman came through the floo and up the stairs bringing with her a brown haired boy that seemed to be glaring at him. Sirius looked away finding his fingers exceedingly entertaining in that moment.

"Who is he Petey?" The boy snarled a glare in Sirius' direction.

"I don't know, a friend of Marley's most likely. Mum told me to have Migney make some hot chocolate though so come on." The blonde boy said as he turned. James followed reluctantly with a pointed look at Sirius who gulped in response. He stood frozen for a few seconds before the blonde boy; Petey popped his head backwards into the room.

"Are you coming or not, it may be a while." About a half hour later Sirius had gone almost nowhere on his drink and the two boys near him had taken to playing exploding snap to give the time. The off handed explosions made Sirius jump but never enough to spill his hot chocolate, which at this point was more lukewarm. He was waiting for the explosion that he knew was soon coming berating himself for hurting his new friend. He would never pull quickly again, ever. He heard footsteps and looked up to see the woman from before, he guessed this must be Marlene's mother and another woman who James moved over to bug in a way that made Sirius guess that she was his mother.

"Peter take James and go see Marlene please." The first woman waved off the boys.

"Jamie you shall be staying the night I will have your bags delivered." Both high fived each other and ran off.

"Sirius Black yes," The then addressed him; Sirius nodded and looked up at the woman. "I first would like to thank you for asking Baby to get the help of an adult. That was very smart thinking. Can you tell me what happened?" Her voice was calm and Sirius bypassed the question by asking one of his own.

"You're not angry?" Sirius said with a raised eyebrow.

"Should I be?" The woman countered back.

"Well yes, I mean, I did something wrong I shouldn't have pulled so hard. We were just playing and then she slipped I tried to help but I just hurt her." Sirius explained quickly.

"Would you normally get in trouble?" The second woman asked.

"Yes," Was the short answer. "My parents would be extremely cross."

"Walburga and Orion are your parents if I am not mistaken right." The second woman stated as she rested a hand on the boys shoulder.

"Yes, Ma'am, Do you know them?" He asked quite stupidly. His parents constantly attended gatherings, and the woman carried the air of a pureblood. His parents undoubtedly knew her. He remembered the other woman, who he guess was Peter and Marlene's mother had used a surname when she asked the blonde boy to floo call her. But the name evaded him.

"Yes, I know Walburga and Orion quite well." She said in a tone that made Sirius question if she liked his parents or not. "And you are staying with Alphie for the summer, yes?"

"Alphie Ma'am," Sirius questioned.

"Alphard, Alphie same difference, He is the only Black who lives anywhere around here. I will go talk to him, you don't mind if I use the floo yes." She said confusing the eight year old all the more.

"Go ahead it will save me a trip, now Sirius I have a few questions,"

"But your not mad."

"No, I am not. Now, did you tell Marlene to run on the tree so fast she tripped?" The woman asked. Sirius shook his head as an answer, "Did you know that her foot was stuck?" Sirius shook his head no again and the woman's hand moved making him flinch ever so slightly. His parents were never one to spare the rod so to speak. It was never horrible but on quite a few occasions Sirius had been slapped or spanked. He rather have that to groundings or lectures because it was quicker but still protected himself. The hand landed lightly on his cheek and pulled his face so his eyes met hers.

"Did you hurt her on purpose?" The answer once again was no, "Would you do it again?" Sirius sighed and looked down before a light tug on his chin had him looking in the eyes of the woman before him.

"No Ma'am." He sighed.

"Then we do not have much of an issue. Marlene knows fairly well not to be running around on the bridges and tree trunks the girl harms herself more times than not when she decides to do so. I do however have a problem with how far in the property you meet. The wards there are slightly weaker than those closer and safety is a major concern. So if your Uncle agrees I would like to move the meetings you to have to one of the manners or closer grounds. Baby is an over protective house elf and because of such is always very close to Marlene I shudder to think what would have happened if she had not shown up. Now why don't you run along and talk to Marlene ask Peter or James where the room is and I will floo your uncle." Sirius nodded and moved up the staircase.

"Is you being the young Mister who is helping Miss Marlene?" The elf asked.

"Yes, um what is your name." He said not used to talking to elves.

"I is being Baby, Mister is hero he is, saving Miss Marlene he is. Forever grateful to him Baby is. Mister is a good boy he is." The elf said and he raised an eyebrow at that. Sirius was far from a good boy. He was a nuisance to Kreacher and the other house elves and he knew it.

"Um, do you know where I am going?" He asked the small over happy elf.

"Yes Baby knows, follow me young Mister." The elf said and Sirius just shrugged as he followed along.

A/N - So three of the four Marauder's have met. YEY GO MARAUDERS. I am unsure if I will add Remus in there any earlier than Hogwarts age, what do you all think?

Please review There's a box for it and everything.