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Followers and Favorite-ers; you all are absolutely wonderful. DeadDelta, Lastdashite, frieda, Calimocho, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, guest, dixiw326, Ghostwriter1864, Kaleigh Windelynn, and Raven that flies at night; thank you to the moon and back for leaving a few words for the story.
"They seem awfully close…" Sirius mumbled into Hermione's ear as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her hair as she leaned back into the embrace.
"Yea, well they are dating… in some form or fashion," Hermione tried not to chuckle as they peeked through the doorway.
Even after the good night's sleep, Regulus was still unstable. Color had come back to his face and his breathing was a bit more regular, but Hermione was reluctant to move him to the hospital wing until Poppy deemed his brain bruising gone.
"We do need to move him soon… his House will grow suspicious if he's gone for too long. And the hospital would be the easiest explanation for his sudden disappearance last night," Sirius whispered so that the pair in Hermione's bedroom wouldn't overhear.
The blonde witch in his arms sighed heavily and closed her eyes, "I know, I know. Madame Pomfrey's already set up the dividers around one of her beds and McGonagall sent Slughorn word that Regulus is in hospital. I'm sure there are rumors already circulating that Reg was involved in some crazy broom accident or he went into the Forbidden Forest or something ridiculous. But I told them to just allow the rumors to run rampant; better the rumors circulate than the truth."
The eldest Black brother shifted rather uncomfortably, "What if someone goes and tries to see him? What if my mother and father get word of Reg being hurt?"
"Slughorn has probably already informed them, but Poppy said that she explicitly instructed him to state that no visitors will be allowed until tomorrow evening. That way he can recover in peace and we can watch over him a bit," Hermione glanced over her shoulder and watched a little relief flash over her boyfriend's face.
Sirius nodded his head and smiled appreciatively, "Good plan; as always, Blondie."
Hermione smiled at the use of her nickname.
"Well, after Regulus is moved we will have to help Marlene make a fuss about seeing him. Make sure it's known that she was here… it would be strange if she wasn't and we don't want anyone investigating their relationship," Hermione suggested as she turned in Sirius's arms so that she was now facing the wizard.
"I'm not sure if that's going to really be an issue," a playful smile pulled at the edges of Sirius's lips.
Hermione shook her head and pointed a finger sternly against his chest as she spoke, "You leave them alone, Sirius Black. Whatever that is is far too new for them to understand yet, and if you force them to analyze it now everything could fall apart before it ever gets a chance to solidify into something meaningful."
His smirk faltered, "But… but she might be… she could be a reason for Reg to fight, to try to change his future."
"I know," Hermione bit her cheek to keep her emotions in check, "But she's at risk too. Let them enjoy a little bit of time together before we remind Reg of the future… and have to tell Marlene about hers as well."
"How are you feeling?" Marlene sat on the edge of the chair and leaned her elbow on the bed next to him.
Regulus was stationed on the left side of the bed and had to remain lying down so that he could easily ice the side of his skull. He was annoyed beyond belief that he wasn't suppose to move; but even more bothered that his memories were being inconsistent at best. "I feel alright; a bit cold I guess," he gestured to the ice-pack that Poppy had charmed to never melt, "How long do I have to keep icing my ear?"
A brief look of worry crossed Marlene's face, "Oh…" Poppy had explained to them all that while Regulus's brain was repairing itself, there were going to be slight issues with his short term memory, "Madame Pomfrey prescribed that you alternate every hour; one hour with the cold press, one hour without. And then continue doing that until the diagnostic test comes back clear of any swelling or busing."
Regulus scrunched up his face in frustration, "And how long have I had this one on for?"
Marlene offered a small smile, but she wasn't sure how convincing it was, "Only fifteen minutes, I'm afraid."
"How many times have I asked you that so far?" Regulus attempted to chuckle, but the movement of his body caused his head to ache. He winced as he touched his temple.
"Would you please stop saying that? It's not even that funny of a joke," Marlene reached over and readjusted the cold compress.
He knew that he had made the joke before, but by Marlene's reaction he must have said it more than just a few times. Regulus closed his eyes and tried to count how many times he had made the silly reference but he could only recall two separate attempts at the same joke...
The frustration was pushed aside... all Regulus could feel now was helplessness.
"...I'm so sorry Marlene… you don't have to sit here and tend to me like this," he turned his head slowly away from the witch.
"Are you kidding?" Marlene scoffed rather loudly, "There's no way I'm leaving you while you're in this state. What a ridiculous notion…"
She began pulling at the bed sheets and duvet to make sure that Regulus was covered as much as possible. Marlene kept her head bowed down as she did this so that he wouldn't see the anxious expression that she now wore. She couldn't stand to see him like this...
"Marlene…" Regulus reached out and stilled her busy hands, "I'm alright, I promise."
She sighed and nodded her head, "I realize that. It's… it's just different seeing the aftermath of torture firsthand, instead of just hearing about it from others. You never think it's going to happen to you or someone you know, and when it does it's shocking weather you've been through it before or not. I know better... I knew what I was getting into when I joined the Order… I thought I'd seen worse-case scenarios..."
Regulus saw a flurry of emotions cross the witch's face, but they were gone so quickly he wasn't completely sure if he had really seen it or just imagined it with his unreliable mind.
Marlene was quiet for some time after that comment.
Regulus only spoke up when he realized that he was still holding onto her hand, "Why did you join the Order?" His voice was a bit higher than normal, and he quickly cleared his throat to adjust his vocal cords.
"You don't want to know about that."
He noticed that her whole body stiffened at the question, even though her voice remained steady. Regulus squeezed her hand, "What if I do? You're my friend and something is obviously bothering you. It could help to talk about it…"
Something pulled up at the edge of Marlene's mouth, "What if you don't remember anything after I've told you?"
"Well, even better for you than; you can use me for council at least twice or three times," Regulus smirked, "And it's a bit hypocritical that you can make such jokes when you just asked me not to do so."
Regulus felt his chest loosen as Marlene smiled brightly, "Don't let that bother you, I'm sure you'll forget I said that in an hour or two."
Marlene laughed lightly as Regulus smiled at her.
"Do you really want to know?" the laughter had died down but there was still the remnants of a grin in place.
He was almost positive that the cheery expression would disappear as soon as she began to answer, but Regulus's curiosity seemed to get the better of him, "Yes."
The witch took a deep breathe, "Where to start…" She shifted in the chair and leaned back. The hold that Regulus had on her hand slipped, but Marlene needed to concentrate and he seemed to be distracting for her. "I've mentioned before that I have two brothers, right?"
Regulus nodded.
"Well, I didn't tell you the whole truth… I don't like talking about it, sometimes I have this insane notion that if I don't talk about it it won't be real. Like it's all some horrific nightmare that I just need to wake up from…" Marlene glanced up at the wizard in the bed, he was looking at her with a curious expression, "I don't really have two brothers; mean I used to have two brothers but… but my older brother Jonathan passed away last year."
"Was… was he ill?" Regulus's curiosity had immediately turned to anger against himself. He hadn't meant to bring up such a painful subject for his friend.
Marlene smiled sadly, "No, he was an early member of the Order. Jon was killed during a mission by a Death Eater."
Regulus's jaw fell open as his mind tried to process the words that had just been spoken, "But… but how could…"
"How could I be so crazy as to volunteer for the Order as well?" A strange look of defiance crossed Marlene's face, "My family questions that as well, but I see it as honoring Jon. You know, doing some good in the world no matter how difficult it might be; just like he was trying to do as well."
"But I thought your family was in the Order too?" Regulus still didn't understand why she would put herself in harm's way when she clearly understood how dangerous this whole thing was.
Marlene nodded, "Yes, my father and my Uncle are both in the Order still. Father doesn't take missions much anymore. He usually just collects intelligence and keeps everyone else organized. But my uncle is still a fully active member… he tried desperately to talk me out of joining, but my father knew that I couldn't be swayed."
"Why couldn't you be swayed to stay away from all of this?" Regulus was beginning to feel lost in all this new information.
"Because… I promised myself that I would find out who killed Jonathan. So when you walked into the Order meeting this summer; brother of Sirius Black, Amelia McGonagall attesting to your loyalty… I knew I had to help you. I knew that your mission was what I needed to be a part of," Marlene locked eyes with Regulus and tried to convey how much this operation meant to her.
Regulus wasn't sure what to think though. He realized that there was still so much to learn about Marlene.
After a few beats of silence, Regulus finally spoke, "I have to say, I do feel a bit used."
Instead of denying anything, Marlene decided to smile and face it head on, "I'm sorry that my reasoning to help you were a bit selfish, and not completely noble as you had originally thought."
"So, you really think you can find who killed your brother?"
"Yes," Marlene's voice was stern and unyielding.
"Even while playing happy couple with a current Death Eater?" Regulus forced his tone to be light, but he was suddenly very conscious of his current situation.
"You're not really one of them…" Marlene stood and carefully sat herself on the bed, so as not to jostle Regulus's head too much. She took his left arm and rolled up the sleeve so that the Dark Mark was clearly visible. She ran her fingers along the vial brand before looking at her friend again, "This thing is really just one of your masks; something to hide yourself behind so that you can survive. It's something to protect you while you gather information for the light side. The Mark doesn't make you a Death Eater, Regulus."
"What does make someone a Death Eater then?"
Marlene frowned at the shakiness of Regulus's voice, "The pleasure they take in completing their dark deeds."
Regulus and Marlene talked for a few more hours before it was time to leave for an Order meeting. Sirius was to escorted her to the meeting while Hermione decided to stay behind and looked after Regulus.
"It's not as though I ever get any real missions," Hermione sighed heavily and folded up one of the extra blankets that had been left on the floor after their unintentional sleep over in the sitting room.
"But Lily and James miss you. They've hardly seen you since the whole accidental kidnapping fiasco. And I know that Remus and Peter wouldn't mind visiting with you more as well," Sirius pulled Hermione's hand until she was close enough to engulf in a hug, "Not that I'm complaining about the alone time that I get to have with you, but our friends miss you, Love."
Hermione nodded her head, "I know… and I miss them all as well. But there are things to prepare for, siblings to save, futures to change… people to inform. And I do have a job here that I'm trying to keep."
Sirius pulled back with a look of shock, "Are you planning on telling Peter soon? And Lily and James?" He leaned forward again and whispered, "Are you going to let Marlene know where you're really from as well?"
"I… I think I have to," Hermione looked up at Sirius to gauge his feelings toward the idea of letting more people know about her secret.
He nodded his head, "Alright. Do you have an idea of when you will be telling all these people?"
"After Lily and James's wedding," Hermione stated in a tone that was meant to be authoritative, but her voice had cracked at the word 'wedding.'
Sirius smiled and pressed his lips gently to hers, "I think that's a very good idea. You'll let me know if you need any help?"
Hermione nodded with an appreciative grin, "Always."
Loved all the reviews, thank you so much! We will just have to see what the future brings fro Marlene and Regulus. =)
And no, she's not quite jealous of Hermione, because she didn't realize that was what Reg was saying. Marlene knows her as Amelia after all.
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***Reviews are absolutely wonderful...
Always,
Misha
Ps. Check out the other stories by me: 'Begin Again' (which is now complete!), 'The Bookworm and The Prankster' and 'Penelope Jackson: The Lightning Thief.'