Marlene shook her head.
"You made me look like an idiot" she sighed, clearly upset by what had happened. "Why do you care so much what they all think?".
"You've seen how they all are" Sirius responded.
"James doesn't care, you all rip into him about Lily but it doesn't stop him" Marlene returned.
"I'm not James" Sirius growled. "I asked you out and you said no before" he pointed out.
"Because of how you were Sirius" Marlene explained.
Sirius frowned in confusion so Marlene continued. "Before this year you had a different girl every week" she pointed out. "I didn't want to just be another one of your conquests".
Sirius nodded his understanding.
"You're different this year" the girl began again. "I've always liked you Sirius but I refuse to be just another name to you, I have more respect for myself than that" she finished firmly.
"I know" Sirius acknowledged. "But you wouldn't have been" he sighed.
Marlene looked at him through narrowed eyes, willing him to continue this time.
"I really like you" he admitted. "And not just because you're beautiful but just, well, everything about you" he concluded simply. "I always liked you but I never thought you would agree to go out with me but when all the girls I did ask out agreed I got cocky and thought you would too". Marlene laughed causing the boy to flush.
"That's what makes me different to them" she explained. "There's a lot more to you than what you show Sirius and what you did yesterday proved that to me more than anything else could have".
"What do you mean?" Sirius asked.
"You didn't even think about what could have happened to you and you stepped right in front of me and defended me without even thinking about it, I think that means something".
Sirius sighed once more and nodded.
"I really like you, more than I thought I could ever like anyone else" he admitted. "You're fun to be around and you don't take everything too seriously, I really like that".
"It's hard to take things too seriously around you" Marlene replied with a smile. "You just seem to make everything less horrible than it is, even yesterday I felt safe when you were there". Sirius smiled at the words and snorted in amusement.
"Does that mean you will let me take you on a date then?" he asked nervously.
It was Marlene's turn to smile and she did so as she nodded.
"No more Hogsmeade though, so when?" she questioned.
Sirius frowned in thought before standing and pulling the girl from her seat gently.
"How about right now?" he offered.
"At school?" Marlene replied with a raised eyebrow.
Sirius nodded.
"I know a nice place we can go" he explained as he began leading her from the library. "I'm not even dressed up" the girl protested, though she was smiling at the antics of the boy who was clearly set on taking her on a date immediately.
"You look perfect as always" Sirius answered dismissively causing the girl to blush as he led her towards their first destination.
(BREAK)
Harry was the first to enter the dormitory that night, exhausted by the events of the weekend and needing sleep. He had sent the remainder of the day in the room of requirement putting work into the family magic that he was still becoming accustomed to, a magic that he wanted to perfect along with his continually developing abilities with his wand.
He chuckled at the memory of Sirius and Marlene returning hand in hand from whatever they had been doing during their time together. The boy had been rather coy and had only told them that he had taken her to the kitchens and the lake but Harry was pleased that Sirius was clearly happy with the development. He had a glint in his eye that he had only ever seen when they were pulling pranks or when he had spent time with the man before he had come here and he was talking about his times with the Marauders in fondness.
He pulled back the curtains of his four poster and found himself frowning immediately as he spotted a white envelope on his pillow, addressed to him in an unfamiliar scrawl.
He drew his wand and waved it over the parchment several times, scanning for anything that could cause him harm. After he was satisfied that the missive was spell free he removed the note within, sat on the edge of the bed and began to read.
To Mr. Harry Potter, Firstly I offer you both my apologies and utter most respect. Had I known that you would be present at Hogsmeade I would have instructed my men to cause yourself and your friends no harm and for their actions I am truly sorry.
I resect you for defending your friends in the manner you did and hold no ill will towards you for the death of those that represented it me. It was not my intention to cause harm to any of those in the village but to only demonstrate that our citizens are not safe under the current regime. My men met resistance and acted as they saw fit for which I again apologise, there was to be no casualties.
I find myself disappointed in their actions deeply and fear that because of them we may have reached an impasse, an impasse I hope to overcome with a gesture on my part. As we share a talent I am sure that you will appreciate what I have to offer and that is a sanctuary within the castle that only you will be able to access, a place of your own that even Dumbledore himself cannot reach for only those with the gift that we share have the ability.
You will find many wondrous things there if you choose to accept my gift and investigate the place in question. I now a keen mind such as yours would appreciate it merely for the knowledge you will gain.
I hope that we can move beyond the grievances we have thus far caused each other and for the time being settle on a truce of sorts. I can see that it would serve neither of us any purpose to create a feud between ourselves and further harm the others intentions in our lives. You have my word that neither I nor my men will attempt to cause yourself, your family and friends any harm should you offer me the same sentiment.
I eagerly await your reply and sincerely hope you consider this offer with due care, for to ignore it could mean unnecessary repercussions for you and those you hold in your heart.
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.
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