fun fact: i didn't proofread this :)) sorry if there are extreme mistakes, as I changed things in this chapter a lot. Review if you want to, even if it's just to criticize :3

Sirius POV

"You look positively enchanting."

I rolled my eyes at hearing James compliment Lily – again – as we all sat down at the end of the Potters' large dining table. Lily did, of course, look nice. Her green dress was classy, something James would normally find disappointing on any other girl. I noticed Remus glancing at Marley, who chose to wear a white lace sleeveless blouse and a pale blue skirt with a dark belt rather than a dress. Katie had gone into great detail about her outfit . . . to the point where it made me a bit uncomfortable. Apparently she took great pride in it, as she had picked it out.

"Thanks, Potter," Lily repeated to the boy next to her for the fourth time. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were out on an auror trip at the moment, so rather than cooking for ourselves, we called the girls over. We would've burned the house down, anyway.

"You look nice as well, Katie," he added, looking over her scarlet dress from over the table.

"Don't neglect Marley," Katie scolded.

I looked over to the brunette in question, noticing a bit of makeup on her. Just a tiny bit; you could barely tell. She did look slightly uncomfortable after James complimented Katie, and even more so after Katie chastised him. I could tell that she didn't want to be here – at the table, at least.

"Marley looks fetching," Remus said from my right, offering the shy girl across from him a smile. She gave a small, grateful one in return, but it didn't quite meet her eyes. I wondered what her life is like. I'm not entirely sure where that thought came from, but it's occurred to me that I knew almost nothing about her. I never even tried to shag her, since she was Lily's and Katie's friend. Her eyes looked old and wise, as if they've seen a thousand battles. A lot like Remus'.

"Good," Katie grinned, satisfied. "So, dig in everyone!"

I practically inhaled all of the food.

"James, close your mouth while you chew."

"Oh gosh, sorry Katie! Here, let me clean that up- . . ."

"James!"

Exasperated, Marley was the one who ended up siphoning pumpkin juice from Katie's hair that evening – a lovely pastime.

"Let's play Quidditch," I offered as we all stood up from the table. A flick from Lily's wand had the dishes floating off to the kitchen to clean themselves.

"It's storming," Lily pointed out.

"That's never stopped us before."

"It's stopping us."

I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Whose idea was it to invite them again?"

"Yours," Remus said, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's go to the living room," Katie offers, leading us into the aforementioned room. The fire blazed warmly and the plush furniture looked extremely comfortable. Lily and Remus decided to play a game of Wizard's Chess while Katie and James began a round of Exploding Snap. I shrugged and headed over to Marley, who sat alone on the couch, observing them.

"Hey," I said, glancing at her.

She looked at me, confused, but she didn't complain. "Hi."

"We've never officially met . . . I'm Sirius Black," I said, though it's obvious she knew that and I have no idea why I made a big show out of it.

A small, amused smile played her lips and she nodded. "Marlene McKinnon. Call me Marley."

I leaned back in the slightly uncomfortable silence, watching Remus let Lily win. "Err . . . Do you play Quidditch?"

She nodded, eyes on the game as well. "I was alternate Seeker last year, but I never played."

"I didn't see you at tryouts," I muttered.

She shrugged. "Most people don't really see me."

I took time to mull over what she'd just said, my head tilted slightly. "That's a shame."

She shrugged again, smoothing her skirt down. "How long have you lived with James?"

"Since fourth year."

"Is it okay if I ask why?" I nodded, so she continued. "Why?"

"My family consists of arseholes and lunatics."

She nodded vaguely, and I could tell that she wanted to say something. I decided not to push it, though, as this is the most the two of us have talked in a sitting.

"Tell me about yours."

"What?" Her chocolate eyes regarded me, baffled.

"You don't have to," I said, blinking.

"Thanks, I just . . . not today. I've just met you."

I nodded in understanding, though curiosity itched inside of me.

Marley, Katie, and Lily decided to stay at the Potter house until Mr. and Mrs. Potter got back, which should be in less than a week. You know, to make sure we didn't die. As we walked into the living room, I spotted a mane of fiery red plummeting toward the ground. I scratched my head and headed over to the redhead, looking down at her. "You okay, Lily?"

"My head hurts," she complained, one hand touching the side of said body part gingerly.

"Come sit on the couch," Remus offered. She did so, stumbling slightly then curling up into a tight ball, clutching her pajama pants. As James got some ice, I sat down next to her.

"Where are Katie and Marley?"

"At Katie's house getting some more clothes and stuff," Lily responded, gratefully accepting the towel-wrapped bundle James handed her. "Thanks, Potter."

He nodded. "Why aren't you with them, then?"

"They figured that at least one of us should be here in order to make sure none of you die. I vouched for Remus being able to keep you two in one piece, but they decided to leave me here."

Remus chuckled. "I appreciate the thought."

She nodded. "I – I can make some eggs and bacon and toast, if you guys want. Pancakes?"

"Lily, you're holding an ice pack to your head after taking a spectacular fall to the ground that gymnasts would give a ten," I said. "We'll cook."

Her eyes widened in alarm. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Well, Remus and James will cook."

The four of us moved into the kitchen. Remus entrusted me to get the ingredients, while him and James turned on the stove, neither of them used to magically cooking. Lily sat at the island, happily taking the water I gave her and watching us in interest.

We finished up just as the other two arrived.

"Honey, I'm home!" Katie yelled as she walked into the house – well, manor – followed by an amused Marley.

"We have some news," Marley said.

"What is it?" Remus asked, standing a bit straighter. Lily, too, has bright eyes, signaling that she was not informed of this.

"We get to visit Adrienne for her birthday next week," Katie said, her face splitting into a wide smile. "But we need to go get gifts for her. How's Diagon Alley in . . . half an hour?"

A rush of excitement swelled up within me, and I could feel mostly everyone's eyes on me. "Sure."

As we all departed to get ready, Remus fell into step beside me. "Excited?"

"Yeah," I said, shrugging casually. "It's only been a month, though."

"Odds are we won't see her at all next year," he put in.

I shrugged again.