Harry Potter Halloween Collection Prompt: (story title) You're Next

You're Next

"You know what this means." Lily gave Marlene a sly look. "You caught the bouquet, so you're the next one to get married."

"No way," Marlene scoffed. "I don't plan on ever getting married, not unless I find the perfect man. Which I'm sure we all know doesn't exist. You just got lucky, you found the closest thing to perfection possible."

Lily smiled fondly over at her new husband, who was talking with his friends. "I did get lucky." She looked back at Marlene, her smile never fading. "Don't judge too harshly, Marlene. You never know, what you're looking for may be right in front of you. I know from experience."

"So, you're next, huh?" Marlene and Sirius were walking back home together after the wedding. They lived quite close to one another, within a few blocks, and Marlene often found herself being escorted home by Sirius after dinner parties and holiday celebrations with their other friends.

"What?"

Sirius pointed at the bouquet, held loosely in her right hand. "You caught the bride's bouquet. That's supposed to mean you're the next one to get married, right?"

"Hmph." Marlene considered throwing the flowers down on the ground right then and there and forgetting the whole thing. "You don't really believe in something as silly as that, do you? Like I told Lily, I'm not getting married. Ever."

"So you say," Sirius countered, "but when was the last time you gave anyone a shot? Just because that last good-for-nothing you were seeing in school-"

"Corbin."

"Never could remember his name. Anyway, just because he was a womanizer of the worst kind doesn't mean we're all like that." He put an arm around her shoulders and leaned in close. "Maybe I could change your mind?"

If he had been any other guy, she would've pushed him away. But Sirius, annoying as he was sometimes, was an exception. He was one of her best friends. "Are you on that again?" She tried not to sound mean about it, but she really felt uncomfortable when Sirius started flirting with her. They were friends and that was that. There was no need to take things further, especially when Marlene had sworn off getting involved with anyone ever again. "I don't date my best friends. End of story."

"Why not?" Sirius's usual joking manner was gone, his expression and tone of voice full of sincerity.

"What does it matter to you? I thought you were just out to have fun." Which is why I'll never be in a relationship with you, Marlene thought. I've had enough of being someone's woman of the moment.

"Yeah, I have been," Sirius admitted, "but it's time I thought about settling down. Weddings kind of make you think about that stuff." He shrugged and moved away from her, putting distance between them once more. "Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like? You and me?"

Marlene blushed. She couldn't deny that several years ago, she had harbored a secret crush for Sirius, something that not even Lily knew about. He was always such a charmer in school, and he was very attractive, even in his early teen years. She'd fallen under his spell, but had been distracted by Corbin, something she still regretted, even two years after the bastard had abandoned her. "Honestly, yes," she finally answered. "But it's just a fantasy."

"It could be more," Sirius persuaded. "Come on, Mar, what have you got to lose?"

Marlene actually considered it, against her better judgment. Perhaps it was time to start thinking about the future instead of hiding from it. She still had reservations about some things, though. "Our friendship would be at stake, you know. If things ended badly..."

"It's a possibility. But how will we know if we never try?"

So, he's completely serious about this. I might regret this someday, but then again, I might regret it if I just walk away from this opportunity as well. Sighing, she said, "If you can prove to me that not all men are ridiculously stupid, then I might even consider marrying you."

Sirius's face brightened. "Challenge accepted. Start planning the wedding now, McKinnon."

I'm definitely going to regret this.

In the end, the only thing Marlene regretted was not giving Sirius a chance sooner.