#marlenexirius

He was rolling his eyes as Marlene went over the top once again convincing Lily about James’ qualities as they sat at the Gryffindor table for dinner. Sirius swears the blonde doesn’t know this thing called subtlety, the red-haired girl looks at her bestfriend amusedly though. “How much did Potter even pay you to say all of these, Marls?” The head girl chuckled with a shake of her head. Marlene pouted. “What? I just think it will be nice for you to actually give James a chance, it has been seven years after all, Lils!” The other beater of the Gryffindor team argued. “McKinnon, honestly, I think Evans could have said yes all those years ago, quit it.” Both the witches looked at the raven-haired wizard with a look of surprise, even Remus and Peter whipped their heads at Sirius.

The blonde’s expression changed from surprised to annoyance. “Aren’t you supposed to back up your best mate on this?” She challenged but all Sirius did was shrug. “They’re both old enough to make decisions for themselves.” Soon, James Potter himself took a seat next to Sirius, fresh from shower. The Gryffindor Quidditch captain always takes his time during days that they have practice and comes in late. “What are we talking about?” The headboy asked. “Nothing…” Lily answered off handedly and focused on her plate, avoiding James’ eyes. Sirius immediately changed the subject to other things and the evening went on as usual. The rest of the students all filed out the Great Hall going in different directions as the dinner comes to a close. “Are you coming?” Lily asked Marlene as Mary and Dorcas were already standing up. The blonde remained seated as if taking her sweet time finishing her treacle tart. “Nah, I’ll see you all up in the tower.” The redhead looked at the blonde with suspicion but didn’t say anything else. “Okay…See you later then.” 

The marauders are usually the last ones to leave the Gryffindor table as well and Marlene has been giving Sirius dirty looks the whole evening. “Stop glaring at me.” The animagus told her as he finally took a seat next to her, now that her friends are no longer around, his back leaning back on the table. “I think it’s time for us to be going too…” Remus said standing up and looking around the almost empty Great Hall. “You guys go on ahead. Blondie here needs some one on one.” Sirius said with a mischievous grin which earned him another glare from the lioness. “You two had been spending way too much time together lately.” James mused but stood up as well ready to go with Remus and Peter. “Catch you later, Pads.” Sirius just nodded at his friends and focused his attention on Marlene again. 

“What the fuck was that, Black?” the witch snarled as soon as their friends are all gone. “What?” he asked innocently. “We agreed we will speed things up for those two already.” She huffed. “Your tactic is clearly not working, I suggest we do the opposite and let Lily realize what she has been missing by acting nonchalant about it.” Sirius stated. The suggestion made sense but Marlene had doubts about it, afterall, she was very much into this little project they started a few weeks ago. Sure, it started with just some drunken conversation about how better it will be if James and Lily will just get on with it and snog already, that way they won’t have to watch them throwing each other those looks of longing. They also agreed that if the two actually started dating maybe it will help James relax on the pitch too which will be beneficial for both of them. Being both beaters of the team, they’re the most extensively worked during practice.

However, during those weeks that they have conspired to bring the two closer, Marlene had sensed something changing in her too. Sirius Black had always been gorgeous, everyone with two working eyes can see that but she never really paid that much attention, he was afterall never settled down and flirts as much as he can especially if it works on his favor. He was just a friend, a housemate, and her partner at the pitch. But the more she looks at his stormy eyes and the way he leans in to whisper another sneaky plan to get their bestfriends together, Marlene finds herself having butterflies fluttering in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t even want to acknowledge it. He is Sirius bloody Black for merlin’s sake. But then, no one has control on how they’d feel right? “So, are you saying we should stop then with this?” Marlene asked. 

“That’s not what I said, what i said is we should change our plan of attack.” Sirius said with mirth in those grey orbs as he meet her blue ones. As much as she hated to admit it, there was relief she felt deep inside. This means she still has an excuse to spend time with him and that alone made her smile. “Okay, fine…let’s do it your way, but if this fails, we’ll do it my way again, yeah?” She told him, her usual bossy tone apparent. Sirius chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, yeah, whatever, McKinnon. We already know your plans don’t work.” He teased and she hit his arm playfully which made the wizard laugh. What she didn’t know was Sirius had already let go of this notion that they can even get those two together. Lily can be very stubborn even though everyone can already see her softening up to James. The once Black heir was just continuing the pretense so that he can actually spend more time with Marlene. The girl never gave him the time of the day in the past. Always treating him as just another bloke she conversed with, to say that she had friendzoned him was an understatement and he had been wondering for years why. When they came up with this plan, Sirius saw the chance to actually get close and somehow learn why she never seem to even look at him with interest. Not that it’s the only reason why she caught his eye too. Marlene has always been a looker, but she also has the wit and that athleticism that she puts to good use in quidditch that just renders anyone spellbound including him.