A/N: Hello again, thank you for the reviews- please keep them coming!
I'm dedicating this chapter to my good friend, PatronusIsAMockingJay, because this chapter will undoubtedly make her smile c;

Chapter 27
Or,
Of Chastity, The Tango and Traitors.

Valentine's Day hadn't been long over, when Marlene returned to the Common Room. It was about 2 o clock in the morning, but Lily and James were still curled up together on the love seat in the corner; by the looks of it, he was reading to her as she drifted asleep in his arms. Cute, Marlene thought as she slipped soundlessly through the portrait hole.

Despite the fact Lily was curled up in James' arms, after probably having a remarkable day, she still was a prefect and would be quick to reprimand Marlene if she saw her sneaking into the common room, 4 hours after curfew, wearing no shoes.

Making a face of determination, Marlene tiptoed past the loved-up pair and successfully made it up the stairs which lead to the dormitories. Sighing, she shifted her shoes from one hand to the other, so she could hold onto the railing to guide herself up the stairs- after spending the rest of the day- and night- with Gideon, Marlene ended up consuming her body weight in Firewhiskey and various other Prewett concoctions that made her very unsteady on her feet.

A low, throaty chuckle rang up the stairs as Marlene wobbled up. She didn't need to turn around to know who it belonged to, but she did, anyway.

"Morning, Sirius." She said from the top of the staircase, "What are you doing lurking on the staircase?"

"I could ask you the same." He retorted, climbing a few of the stairs so he could see her.

"I'm not lurking. I'm walking."

"Walking?" Sirius scoffed, "Is that what they call it?"

She stuck her tongue out childishly and collapsed down on the stairs, "I have something for you." She said, remembering the letter.

"Oh?" He asked hopefully, "What is it? Your chastity?"

"Chastity?" Marlene laughed loudly, "Where the hell did you learn that word?"

"Oh, fuck off." He said, although he was smiling. He approached her cautiously and seeing him move toward her, Marlene moved her shoes so he could sit down.

"No, this is serious.." She said, handing him the letter, "I hope you don't mind, I gave it to Dumbledore after finding it first, to make sure it was safe for you, but it is."

"A letter?" He frowned, "Who is it from? My mother?"

"No," She shook her head, "Isabelle."

Sirius froze, and then threw it down the stairs. With a sigh, Marlene wobbled down the stairs and picked it up, handing it back to him, "You need to read it, Sirius."

"I can't…" He whispered.

Marlene frowned and looked at Sirius as she took a seat next to him again. Looking at him properly, Marlene couldn't ever remember a time she'd seen him like this before; his face had paled ever so slightly, and his hands were shaking. He was scared. He was scared about what he might find inside.

"I'll read it for you," She offered, taking the letter out of his hands. She let her hand, warm in comparison to his, brush across his hand- it was a fleeting, comforting moment, but Sirius then realised Marlene cared.

"Thank you."

"Sirius, if you're reading this now, it means two things. 1) That you're alive, and despite my actions, I do honestly care about that. 2) That I've left Hogwarts, and I probably won't be back." Marlene stopped reading to glance at Sirius; he was staring ahead with a cold, frosty gaze. Shivering, she continued,

"I'm writing to tell you what I did and why. Not because I think you care, I know you don't, but still. You deserve to know. I love you, Sirius. You'll not have noticed because you're in love with somebody else. Right now, you don't think you are, or maybe I'm making you realise as you read this, but you're in love with somebody. The perfect somebody, mind you, you'll really make a brilliant team one day. But I loved you and that made it easy for me to target you, and I did. I slipped a love potion into your drink, but my plan went wrong, I failed. And I will pay for that, but I guess I deserve it.

I want you to know this, though: I only did what I did to you for two reasons. The first, and most important, is that my family are still alive; they weren't murdered that awful night in France, but captured, and I had the chance to get them back in trade for you- which I took at the drop of a hat; imagine being able to have your family, happy, together, again. The second, but definitely not less important, is simply because I wanted revenge as you didn't love me. I should have maybe targeted the person you do love, so you'd have me, but I didn't.
Again, I'm sorry. With love, Izzy."

Marlene was sober by the time she'd finished reading the letter. She folded it back up and slipped it into its envelope, before slipping it into the pocket of Sirius' jacket.

His face was paler, his hands still shaking, and Marlene felt her stomach turn just thinking about what must be going through his mind. She slipped her hand into his and squeezed comfortingly, trying to stop them shaking.

"She loved me." Sirius said after a few minutes silence. He sounded hurt.

"You don't hurt the people you love." Marlene said, shaking your head.

Sirius glanced at her, "Don't you?"

"You're not supposed to, anyway." She corrected herself.

"We're always hurting the ones we love. Isabelle just proved that. Lily and James have been proving it for years, I'm proving-" He cut himself sharply, taking a deep breath.

"You're proving it how?" She asked, not missing a thing.

"I don't love." He said sternly, not looking at her.

She touched his face softly, making him face her, "I don't believe that for a second, Black."

"Then, don't." He shrugged, looking at her properly for the first time that night. She looked beautiful, not like she normally didn't, but there was something behind her eyes. Behind her façade of happiness, there was longing. He frowned.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing," He shook his head and grinned lazily, "So, whatcha been up to today? Thinking about how we could have been having such a good time?"

"No, I spent an hour in the hospital wing and then-"

Sirius cut her off, "The wing? Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Gideon fell down the stairs."

"Oh. You were with him." He said, his face falling.

She frowned, not missing his expression, "Yeah, we went and trashed-"

Once again, Sirius cut her off, "I don't want to hear it."

"Why? What's wrong, Sirius?"

"You honestly don't care, do you?" He asked harshly, looking up at her.

"About what?"

"Me."

"You? Of course I care about you Sirius!" She defended loudly, "I nearly broke when I misheard a conversation between Lily and James. I thought you were dead. And I nearly broke. I missed you like hell when you were away, and as soon as I found out about Isabelle, I wanted to hunt down the bitch and kill her. So don't you tell me that I don't care about you, you blind prat."

"Then why are you gallivanting with Prewett, huh? Why him?"

"I…We're just friends. And frankly, given my relationship status, I think I have every right to 'gallivant' with whoever I wish."

"Fine, you're right." He said stiffly.

"Sirius, can you be honest with me for a minute?"

He hesitated, and then nodded.

"Why do you care so much that I was out with Gideon?"

"Because," Sirius started, then he stopped. Why did he care? It wasn't as if he was dating Marlene- he'd never dated a girl in his entire life, but Marlene seemed to be different. She challenged him. She refused him. He'd chase her around, practically beg her and yet she'd still refuse- why?

"Why?" Marlene promted, frowning at Sirius' silence.

"Because I don't like the idea of you with him."

"Why?"

"Because you'd rather be with Gideon than with me."

"That's not true," Marlene said, shaking her head.

"Then why do you constantly turn me down, McKinnon?"

"Because I don't want you to use me."

"Use you?"

"Yes." She replied with a nod, "You've never dated, granted, nor have I- but still. You go around, using girls for sex, and then you dump them when you get bored or somebody better comes along. But what you don't realise is, those girls have actually fallen for you.."

"How do they fall so easy? I never show signs of falling for them!" He defended hotly.

"It's easier to fall in love, than it is to forget about love." Marlene replied quietly, turning her head toward the bottom of the stairs; this way, she could pretend to be checking they were still alone.

"Are you in love with somebody Marlene?" Sirius asked watching her.

She shook her head, a smile forming on her face, "No. Not yet."

"Isabelle said I was in love with somebody…"

"Are you?" Marlene asked, finally facing him again.

"I think I'm close to being in love with somebody."

"Lucky girl." She said, rising from the stone cold steps as she removed her hand from Sirius'. Her feet weren't hurting as much anymore, so she slipped her shoes on and headed up the stairs.

Within a second, Sirius was behind her, "Where are you going?"

"Bed. And no, you can't join me." She said, as if reading his mind.

He pouted mockingly, "Not even to talk?"

"Like you want to talk."

"To you, I do."

She looked at him- looked down at him, as she was standing a couple of steps above him. It was as if she were trying to read him- was he just joking so she'd invite him up? It wasn't as if she minded, really. But she wasn't going to give in.

The silence stretched between them. Their eyes were locked on each others. Not blinking. Not moving. Nothing. Just staring at each other. Silently searching for something, a sign, a hint, anything.

After what seemed like hours, Marlene bent forward and pressed her lips against his. He immediately returned her kiss, pushing her gently against the wall. His hand snaked around her waist to secure her in place while they kissed. The kiss was soft, almost loving, whereas all their previous embraces had been desperate, fierce and passionate.

A giggle filled the silence, but if was not from Marlene. The pair didn't break their kiss; they didn't show any signs of hearing anybody else on the staircase. They were in their own world; it was just them, finally showing some feelings for each other- feelings that didn't just stem from adolescent needs.

However, they weren't alone. They weren't in their tiny world. Lily, James and Remus (Who'd darted out of the dorm upon hearing Lily and James stumble up the stairs) were standing at the bottom of the staircase, watching the pair intently. They were all thinking the same: Marlene and Sirius kissing each other in the stairway, at a suspiciously late time, could not end well. It could not end well at all.

Isabelle lay in a pool of her own blood, but she was alive. Luckily, she was alive. The man, Voldemort, had spared her this time. Isabelle wished he hadn't spared her. She now owed him, not like she didn't owe him anyway, but she owed him ever more and it was harder to get away. She wasn't entirely sure whether she wanted to stay, working for the Dark Lord, or whether she wanted to escape and get out of this horrendous mess she'd gotten herself into.

But she had to fight for her family.

Footsteps filled the eerie silence and Isabelle managed to lift herself off the floor into a sitting position, with the wall helping her look the tiniest bit graceful.

"The girl is no use to us, My Lord."

"She has the ability to get the boy."

"There are other people who could do that, too."

"Like who?"

"He has a brother, does he not?"

"The Blacks are hardly a tight-knit family, are they?"

"I'm sure they'll still have a connection, and you know they'd do anything to get rid of the rebellious Black."

"And, the older Black boy, he's going to fall for it? The reason I want him is for his skill, his talent- he seems unable to love, heartless, I can mould that."

"You're wrong." Isabelle shouted from her room.

Both men entered the room and Voldemort approached her, "I'm wrong?"

"Sirius can love. And he won't fall for that stupid plan."

Voldemort looked intrigued, while the other man scowled, "Have you got a better idea?"

"He won't let me anywhere near him, so I'm no use, but there's somebody who would see me once more. Somebody he'd come running for once he found out they were with me."

"So, what did you do yesterday?" Lily asked Marlene as they tried to stay awake in History of Magic.

"Nothing you'd approve of." Marlene replied with a smirk, doodling on her parchment using Lily's quill.

"I'll surprise you."

She laughed, "I trashed Filch's office and set up some traps."

Lily's eyes widened, then she asked casually, "Who did you do that with? Sirius?"

Marlene laughed again, "Sirius? No. I was with Gideon."

"Gideon?"

She looked at Lily, "Are you asking me who he is, or are you shocked that I was with him?"

"The last one."

"Why is it so surprising? He's a lovely guy."

"How do you know him?"

"Mason introduced us." She replied with a small shrug, "And I recognise him from Ravenclaw. There's nothing to be surprised about."

"I just thought you'd have been with Sirius."

Marlene turned and narrowed her eyes, "Alright, Ginger, give it up. What are you trying to say?"

"I saw you and him kissing last night."

She groaned, "I should have known."

"What? What is so bad about that? Are you two dating?"

"No, we're not dating."

"Why?"

"Stop asking so many questions."

"No."

"Lily."

"Marlene." Lily mimicked, "No, come on, be serious here, Marls. What's going on between you two?"

"I..I don't know." She sighed, "Last night before you saw us kissing, we talked, but I still don't know."

"What did you talk about?"

"Sirius made a comment about me being with Gideon yesterday." Marlene explained, while Lily waggled her eyebrows. Before Marlene continued, she hit Lily with her quill, "And he thinks I'd rather be with Gid, than him, but I told him that I wouldn't, and…"

"And?"

She shrugged, "He asked me if I loved anybody, and I asked him the same."

"And?"

"I said no, not yet, and he said he was close to falling in love." She said quietly, looking at Lily with an expectant expression.

"Did he say who?"

"No."

"So, you're not dating him?"

"No, I'm not dating Sirius Black."

"Do you want to date him?"

"Yeah, I do." She admitted with a small sigh.

Lily was about to say something, when Remus nudged her accidentally and her attention was otherwise occupied.

"Remus Lupin." She said, jabbing him with her quill, "Just the man I'm looking for."

"Don't let James hear you saying that," He teased, then became serious, "What do you need?"

"Your brains."

"I'm afraid I'm using them."

"I'll let you keep them," She laughed softly, "No. I need you to help me with something important, that cannot be messed up."

"What is it?"

"We need to get Marlene and Sirius on a date."

As Remus and Lily shared the same timetable, they were able to set up the date for Sirius and Marlene once they'd finished in Charms class.

"Do you think this will work?" Remus asked Lily, cleaning a desk in an old classroom.

"They just need to talk and work things out." Lily explained, setting up candles on the desk Remus was in the middle of cleaning.

They'd found an empty classroom on the 7th floor and Lily said it would do, considering it probably wouldn't be wise to use the Room of Requirement- they wanted it to be a surprise for them.

Once everything had been set up- not too romantically, this was Sirius and Marlene- Lily and Remus headed back to the common room to make sure everything went to plan.

Remus was, obviously, in charge of making sure Sirius was there, and Lily had to get Marlene there too. And it all had to be done, without either of them getting suspicious.

It didn't take Remus much work to get Sirius to the empty classroom on the seventh floor. He enrolled Sirius and Peter in a quick game of truth or dare, and dared Sirius to dress up in his best suit, and run along to the empty classroom and tango with Peeves.

Lily, however, had it a lot harder. Marlene was already dressed nicely, her make-up and hair were immaculate, but Lily didn't have a valid reason to get Marlene along to an empty classroom.

"Marls, will you run along to the classroom and grab my book, please? I left it." Lily tried, pleading with her eyes.

"No, I can't be bothered."

"Marlene, please."

"What book is it?"

"My transfiguration one."

"Well, that's a lie, because I've nicked that to do my essay. So, cough up, why do you want me along there?"

She sighed, "I don't know, Dumbledore asked me to tell you." She drawled sarcastically, but Marlene missed the sarcasm and jumped up.

"God, Lils, you could have just said!"

"I thought you'd think I was lying!"

"No! Don't be daft! Okay, I'll see you later." She smiled quickly and ran toward the spare classroom.

"Marlene!" A voice called. It was James. "Marls, wait-"

"James, I don't have time!"

"I have a letter for you; I picked it up while in the library."

"James, I don't have time."

"It looks like is from Isabelle."

That stopped Marlene dead in her tracks. She turned and grabbed the letter from James' hand, who rolled his eyes and wandered into the Gryffindor Common Room.

Marlene,
I know that you, of all people, will hate my guts and want revenge- as well as an explanation- for what I've done.
I'm giving you the chance. I'd like to say goodbye to my good friend. If you do one last thing for me, let it be this: Meet me by my house as soon as you get this.

With love, Isabelle.

Marlene dropped the letter and didn't look back as she sprinted down the staircase, heading toward the grounds.

Sirius burst through the door of the seventh floor empty classroom with a grin on his face. It dropped suddenly with shock, as he realised he'd just walked into the middle of a date.

Curiosity taking over, he walked toward the table and picked up the note that was addressed to him and Marlene.

Good Evening Sirius and Marlene, before you two start freaking out, just sit down and have a glass of wine. Enjoy each other's company.

Sirius smiled and took a seat, waiting for Marlene to arrive.

Only she never turned up.

Sirius blew out the candle that was burning and made his way out of the classroom- after he trashed any sign of romance he possibly could. How could he be so stupid? Why did he think Marlene would turn up? He'd sworn to himself he wouldn't fall, and here he was falling for somebody, who was only going to hurt him.

Storming along the corridor, Sirius yanked of his tie and messed up his hair. He hated the fact he'd fallen for some stupid game, he'd be embarrassed himself and deep down, he was hurt.

Upon seeing some parchment on the floor near the common room, Sirius let curiosity get the better of him for the second time that night. And then rage took over, as well as fear. Marlene had gone to Isabelle.

I should have maybe targeted the person you do love, so you'd have me, but I didn't.

He crumpled the letter and shoved it in his pocket, then took off running down the staircase, pushing anybody and everybody out of his way.

Marlene apparated on the driveway to Isabelle's summer home. She made her way up to the front door and knocked, her wand in her hand- she wasn't taking any chances.

"Marlene," Isabelle greeted when the door opened; her face was black and blue, Marlene gasped with shock, "I know, don't look as good as I usually do. Come in."

"So, you owe me an-" Marlene started, cutting off when she heard the crack of apparation. Frowning, she turned to Isabelle. "Who else is here?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Isabelle smiled cruelly and then walked closer to Marlene, who took a step back, "I can't believe you actually came."

"Don't be so ridiculous, Isabelle. Of course I came. You knew I would."

"Why, though?"

"Because I want to know why exactly you tried to kill Sirius."

Isabelle winced, "I didn't try to kill him."

"Funny how he nearly died then, isn't it?"

Isabelle glared and her eyes flashed with anger, "Listen here, Marlene, I love Sirius."

"Yeah, I know."

This took Isabelle by surprise. "How? How do you know that?"

"Funny you ask," Marlene smirked, "He couldn't bear to read your letter by himself, so he had me do it."

Isabelle looked outraged; she took another step forward and smacked Marlene across the face. "How dare you do this to me."

Marlene winced with surprise and shock, "Me do this to you? Sirius nearly died because of you!"

"And you don't even love him!" She spat in response, lifting her hand to slap her again. This time, Marlene was ready, and she blocked her hand.

"You're just bitter than he doesn't love you, that he's falling for somebody else!"

"You'll only break his heart."

"What?" Marlene said, blinking, "What are you talking about?"

"You can't see it?" She laughed, "It's you that he wants, he doesn't give a fuck about me, he never had and he never will-"

"Wel, obviously, you nearly killed him."

With a frustrated scream, Isabelle lashed out at Marlene. The hit was so strong; Marlene was slumped to the floor with a yelp. Upon hearing that, a strong, hard faced man, entered the room and looked at Isabelle who nodded.

"She's all yours."

"And the boy?" The man asked his voice low and harsh.

"He'll be here, just handle her."

"Who'll be here?" Marlene asked, after recovering from the shock and pain.

"I think you know the answer to that, Marlene."

"Not Sirius. Please. Not Sirius." Marlene begged, her eyes wide with fear.

"Oh, I was wrong. Maybe you do feel something for him after all." She grinned, "Shame."

"No, Isabelle, please!" Marlene shouted, jumping to her feet with a wince. Isabelle looked, for one second, as if she wanted to help Marlene- she looked as if she were seeing her friend in pain, and she was.

But it only lasted a second. A flash of light sent Marlene flying across the living room and she screamed in pain as the Death Eater tortured her. It wasn't as if he were looking for information, he'd just been ordered by the boss- and Isabelle- to torture the blood traitor.

He bent down and grinned in Marlene's face, which was contorted in pain. He brought out and silver knife and ran it along her cheek, then brought it down to her collarbone, which was exposed due to her vest top, and etched the 'blood traitor' into her flesh.

Isabelle was sat on the steps, watching Brax- the Death Eater Voldemort had enrolled to stay with Isabelle- carve Marlene like she was a pumpkin on Halloween. Marlene was doing well though. She occasionally yelped or winced in pain, but she did not once scream- she wasn't giving them the satisfaction.

Marlene lent up and headbutted Brax, he yelled with shock, more than pain, but it was enough for Marlene to scramble up to her feet. Her white top was stained with blood, her face stained with tears, but she headed for Isabelle.

"Brax." Isabelle managed to say before Marlene dived for Isabelle. Both girls were screaming, fists and feet were flying, as the scrapped.

"Sirius will be here, he'll come for you, and then you'll never see him again." Isabelle was tormenting, while Marlene slapped her face to shut her up.

"I can't believe you'd do this to us," Marlene was hissing, "You say you love him, yet you'd let this happen to him?"

"Yeah, well, she was always a bitch." A voice said from the doorway. Both girls, and even Brax, recognised it immediately.

"Sirius." Marlene said, jumping to her feet and running toward him. Brax cut her off and grabbed her by the hair, swinging her away from him.

Isabelle sat up, her hair wild from the scrap, "Sirius..I.."

"Don't even say anything. You tell that beast to let Marlene go. Now." He demanded, his eyes storming over.

Isabelle looked at him for a minute then sighed, "Brax, you can let her go now. We've got him."

Brax dropped Marlene to the floor and approached Sirius. He rolled his eyes and a smirk formed on his face. Marlene, who was watching as she climbed to her feet, wondered what the hell Sirius could be smirking about.

"You can come the easy way, or the hard way, Black." Brax growled, cracking his knuckles.

"Actually, I don't think I'll be coming at all." Sirius replied, brushing a hair of his eye. He glanced quickly at Marlene to make sure she was okay, and then fixed his gaze back on Brax.

"I don't think he'll be going anywhere, either." Mason McKinnon growled, stepping into the summer house.

Isabelle and Brax both looked at each other, and with a quick nod from both of them, they apparated away.

"Marls!" Sirius shouted, running to her and picking her up off her feet, "Why the hell did you come here without telling anybody?!"

"Oh God, Sirius, don't give me that lecture." She rolled her eyes but smiled, hugging him tightly to her, "Please don't drop me."

"I'm not letting you go." He said, sighing with relief as he realise she was okay. "You're bleeding." He noted, observing her blood stained shirt.

Marlene shrugged the vest over the etching Brax had made, "It's nothing."

"Marlene," Mason said from the doorway, "You never do anything like that again, okay? You're lucky Sirius found that letter."

"I know." She looked down, "Can we just go back to Hogwarts now?"

Mason nodded and Sirius apparated them back. They walked side by side, up to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey was waiting for them.

"Well, well, well. You Gryffindor's are nothing but trouble for me." The healer tutted, directing Marlene to a bed.

Sirius grinned and Marlene laughed softly, sitting down on the bed while Madam Pomfrey tended to her wounds. She gasped upon seeing the mark Brax had made, but upon seeing Marlene's face, said nothing and just gave her a bandage.

"Thank you for coming to get me." She said after a while to Sirius.

"Well, what else was I going to do?" He shrugged, "I didn't want her to hurt you."

"Looks like it was you they were after."

"I know," He rubbed his forehead, "Probably because I'm so good looking."

She laughed, "Definitely." Then, she frowned, "Why are you wearing a suit?"

"Oh, erm, it's a long story actually."

"I have time." She smiled.

He rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed. Marlene moved along and Sirius climbed beside her. "Well, Remus decided he wanted to play a game of truth or dare, so naturally, I picked dare. He told me to dress in my best suit and go along to that empty classroom on the seventh floor to tango with Peeves."

"The empty classroom?" She frowned, "The old Transfiguration room?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing, it's just Lily told me Dumbledore wanted to see me in there."

"Ah, yes. It was all a ruse. Lily and Remus had set up a date for us."

"Oh." She laughed and shook her head, "Do you, urm, want to go?"

"We can't. I kinda trashed the place when you didn't turn up." He grinned sheepishly.

She rolled her eyes in response and rested her head on his shoulder, "Sirius?"

"Mmmhmm?"

"Why did you come for me?"

"Because Isabelle said she was going to hurt the one that I love." He whispered, looking down at her.

She swallowed and looked up at him. She smiled and pecked him on the lips and he grinned down at her.

"Sirius?" She asked after a while.

"Yes, Marlene?"

"Are we dating?"

He grinned, "Do you want to date me?"

"Yes." She smiled.

"Then we're dating."

A/N: Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaase review!