Blackinnon one-shot -I had so much fun writing this. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!

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"McKinnon!"

Marlene immediately recognized his voice - she had known him for ten years, how could she miss it? The Ministry hall was crowded, hundreds of witches and wizards were leaving their job to go back home to their families after a day of work. Marlene was too, even if no one was waiting for her at home. She lived in a flat in muggle London, a place that she was able to afford thanks to her family's generous support. It was a small place, but pretty, ideal for a single person or a couple at maximum.

"Sirius, you scared me!" She greeted him with a warm smile, and they hugged quickly before following the flood of people exiting the magical building. "What are you doing in here?" She asked with curiosity. Last time she checked, Sirius worked in a pub near his bachelor pad to afford the monthly rent, waiting to understand what the bloody hell he was supposed to do with his life now that school was over. It was a surprise, really, seeing him there.

"Well…" he began, almost shyly, as they approached the magical elevators. "I signed up for the Auror training."

"What!" Marlene was beaming with excitement. "That's freaking amazing, Sirius! I'm so happy for you" She really was - she knew that being an Auror was Sirius' dream job: he was born to be a fighter. Not only was he an incredibly skilled wizard, but he was one of the most energetic and fearless men she knew, one that could not stand still and watch as everyone around him was in action. Maybe he had to work a little on his impulsiveness, but she had always thought that he would be perfect for the job. And there he was, fulfilling his dream and finally ignoring his fear of being judged by the department for being a Black. Who the hell cared about a surname anyway, one that didn't even belong to him?

"Thanks, Marls" He was smiling. "How's work?"

"Pretty good, I like it"

"Look at us…," he said, with a funny look, "living alone and acting like adults"

"You sure don't act like an adult half of the time!" Said she, making him laugh.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. But listen, doesn't it weird you out how different life is?"

She knew what he meant. Leaving Hogwarts had been extremely hard for her at first. She had spent seven years in that place, surrounded by people she was lucky enough to call family by now. When they graduated she was terrified of losing her best friends, but here they were: all together still, regularly catching up at their places' or at the Lucky Cauldron's. Not much had changed, just their living situation and the fact that she had her own bathroom to shit in peace now - that, she had to convey, was nice.

"It does, sometimes, but I'm getting used to it." She looked at him, trying to understand what he was thinking. "I thought it far worse, growing up and having responsibilities and all, but it's kind of nice, isn't it?"

"I guess so"

They remained in silence as they entered one of the elevators. Marlene pressed the floor number and turned around again, facing him.

"Are you ready for the big day, then?" She could hardly contain her smile while asking. Lily and James' wedding was up in two weeks, and she was thrilled. Not to mention that she was Lily's maid of honour, and helping organise the wedding had been her job for the last few months. Mostly, she couldn't wait to partake in her friends' big day, one that she predicted years ago while everyone else thought it improbable, impossible even. She had always known that her friends were made for each other, even if Lily would gag at the sight of him for the first five years of their acquaintance.

"Of course. Prongs' biggest life goal!"

She chuckled. That was definitely true.

"Everything ready? Your speech, your suit and all?"

"I've been thinking about the ways I will embarrass James on his wedding day for years now, I'm born ready" he answered, eyeing her with amusement. "I still have to buy something to wear, though…"

"What?"

"What?" He asked, confused.

Marlene smacked him on the back. "The wedding's in two weeks, you moron!"

He rolled his eyes. "I'll get it soon, don't worry about it."

"We'll get it now."

"Now?"

"Yes, Black, now" she stated, the two of them exiting the elevator.

"I had planned to go home and have a peaceful wank, you know?"

The blonde woman looked at him, shaking her head, but didn't say anything. Choosing to ignore the comment, she took his arm and led him towards the fireplaces, where wizards and witches disappeared one after one thanks to the power of enchanted flames. Sirius sighed but made no resistance, there was no arguing with her. Marlene McKinnon always got what she wanted, in a way or another. He had never been able to refuse her something, anyway.

"I didn't think the matter was so important. Why, have you bought your dress months ago?"

"Of course I did."

"How is it?" He watched her in a strange way, making her feel almost self-conscious.

"Why does it matter?"

"I need something to think about for my wa-"

She interrupted his phrase by smacking him on the arm again, this time harder. "You're fucking disgusting" she exclaimed, trying not to laugh. He was smiling mischievously - teasing her was by far his favourite thing in the world, after her of course, but she didn't need to know that.

"Come on, you moron, let's go shopping"

.

"I hate this"

Marlene rolled her eyes, even if he couldn't see it. He was annoying the hell out of her. Buying clothes for a toddler would have been ten times easier. She was sat on a chair just outside, patiently waiting for him to choose what to wear for the Potters' wedding. "Stop complaining and come out!"

He did as he was told and opened the white curtain of the fitting room, revealing the suit Marlene had chosen for him.

"It's hideous. It reminds me of the clothes my mother used to make me wear when I was a child. And it's fucking uncomfortable, too."

He was looking at himself in the mirror just behind Marlene. The woman thanked God for that. Seeing him dressed up, looking so smart, had made her something stir inside, and she was sure she was blushing like a little girl. Fuck.

"Well… you certainly look smart" Marlene said. She hadn't meant to sound so shy, but she had certainly failed as she saw him look down at her and meet her gaze. She expected a grin or a teasing look, but Sirius didn't do that, he didn't make a joke out of her, like he did to every other girls who desired him. He just made a little smile, looking as shy and unconscious as she felt at that moment.

"I'll buy this if you like it" he said, a sweetness in his voice tone that not everyone was lucky enough to hear from him. The blonde girl nodded and tried to find her humour back. "You have my blessing, Black"

After he had changed back in his normal clothes, he paid for the suit and followed Marlene outside the shop.

"Thanks, Marls. I would have probably turned up in jeans if you didn't come to help!"

"I know. I know you" she winked at him. They stayed there for a few seconds, observing each other. She was so pretty, he thought, with her long, strawberry blonde hair falling on her shoulders, her blue eyes glimpsing in the sun. That afternoon together had been so nice, it was rare for the two of them to spend some time alone, as they were always surrounded by their friends. Sirius missed Hogwarts for that exact reason: at school they used to smoke together on the Astronomy Tower, a habit they had developed over the years and which had been really painful for him to give up. He missed her, he missed talking to her, being able to be close to the girl he loved so much, even if it scared him.

He was about to ask her if she wanted to drink something together, when she looked at her watch. "I should go, I need to work a bit tonight."

"Oh, okay…" He nodded, trying not to look as disappointed as he felt. "Thanks again… have a good night, then!"

"See you, best man!" She said goodbye to him, kissing him on the cheek. Then she turned and disappeared through the streets of London, leaving behind an incredibly fucked Sirius Black. Oh, he was in trouble...