Clear | Sirius Black

Seventy-One

The past always comes back to haunt you

Monroe

We were back in London. Back at Grimmauld Place. The kids would be starting their sixth year at Hogwarts in a few days. They would be going back to schooling knowing that two of their best friends could be deatheaters. They would be returning with a new friend as well.

"How are the kids adjusting to having Baylor with them? I saw Harry and Ron enjoying their time with him." James asked while pouring Lily another cup of coffee.

Sirius scooted his chair closer to mine and rest his arm on the back of my chair, "They are doing better than we thought. Jaden and Baylor clicked well from being family, I guess. The twins were a bit resistant at first, but they are best friends now. Draco seems to be enjoying having another bleached blonde boy around."

Lily smiled softly, "I think that Baylor is a wonderful kid. He has treated all of the kids here with complete kindness for being a pureblood. He's interested in books just like Jaden and Hermione are. He's a prefect fit for them all."

I sipped my coffee and looked out the kitchen door to see the kids coming down the stairs. They were all laughing about something Rigel had said. It had been a while since I had seen the kids all smile like this.

Rotanev came around and gave Sirius and I, both a kiss on the check, "We were all wondering if we could go out and explore London for a few hours. We will be very careful. Baylor has never gotten to explore London before, and Rigel and I haven't explored it in forever."

Sirius let out a chuckle, "Yes, you may go. Be back by lunch, though. Don't separate unless you have too, but make sure you always have a buddy. Remember, no magic!"

The kids ran off yelling "Got it!" as they left. Regulus came down the stairs as the kids were running back up the main level. He took James fresh cup of coffee out of his hands and started to drink it.

Remus let out a snort of amusement, while James rolled his eyes and stole Remus'. It was just us here. Molly and Arthur were coming to take the kids to school when it came time. We have gotten on better terms since the Order had started back.

Looking around, I could see who all was here. James, Sirius, Lily, Remus, Regulus, and myself. It felt like we were back at Hogwarts and eating breakfast together in the common room. Now, we are here watching our kids grow up together.

Lily reached over and touched my hand, "You know, it's okay to miss her. She was a big part of our lives. I miss her everyday."

I locked eyes with Lily and put on a faint smile, "I just wished we had more time with her. Marlene was the light of the group. She was everything to all of us. She was Marlene. She was our roommate all of our Hogwarts years. Now, she's not here. She was only an aunt for a year. The kids don't even remember her."

Regulus sat on the other side of me, leaving be between the two Black brothers. He sat his cup on the table, "She was the best dancer out of any of you. She danced with me at Monroe and Sirius' wedding to help me piss of Bellatrix. She never had a dull moment."

Remus sat down beside James, "Marlene was my friend when no one else would be. She was there for me when I needed her the most. She loved like no other and the bravest person I knew. I know she didn't go down without a fight."

Sirius couldn't hold back his grin, "I remember when Marlene and I would fight over who could be married to Monroe. Or when she and Lily would make notes for Monroe and I every morning about liking each other. Marlene McKinnon was-She was everything none of us could ever be."