The Marauders Unite (III)

The Calm Before The Storm

April 24, 1976

On the Hogwarts grounds at late afternoon, the beech tree hangs lazily over the shallow waters of the lake. Suddenly, SIRIUS and MARLENE appear out of nowhere, stepping out from under the Invisibility Cloak.

MARLENE: Well, Black, you sure know how to show a girl a good time. I didn't think it was possible to escape the Castle after dark, especially with Filch prowling around with that cat of his.

SIRIUS: James's Invisibility Cloak always comes in handy for things like this.

MARLENE takes ahold of the Cloak and runs her fingers through it.

MARLENE: This is a pretty amazing Cloak. Where did James get it?

SIRIUS: It's a family heirloom. He got it from his father. And he doesn't lend it to just anyone, so we've got to be pretty careful with it.

MARLENE: Reminds me of that one story from Beedle the Bard. The Tale of the three Brothers?

SIRIUS: I don't think I've heard of that one.

MARLENE: Yes, you have. The three brothers, who get the gifts from Death? The unbeatable wand, the resurrection stone, and the cloak of invisibility?

SIRIUS: Oh, yeah. But this isn't the same thing, it's just an ordinary invisibility cloak. Loads of people have them.

MARLENE: Hmm, I'm not sure!

SIRIUS: Oh, come on, Mar. This isn't some cloak from a children's fairy tale. It's not possible.

MARLENE: Anything's possible.

MARLENE lies down on the sandy shores, gazing up at the branches of the beech tree drifting in the wind.

MARLENE: So you've brought me to the infamous beech tree. The scene of many of our little excursions.

SIRIUS: (laying down next to her) It's my favorite place in the whole castle.

MARLENE: (smiling) Same.

MARLENE takes ahold of SIRIUS'S hand, who raises it to his lips and kisses it.

MARLENE: This is also my favorite part of the day. Late afternoon, just before the sun sets below the horizon? It's so serene and peaceful. I think the sun shines the brightest right before it sets, right before the day dies.

SIRIUS: That's quite a theory.

MARLENE: Oh, I'm full of them.

SIRIUS: Oh, I know. You nervous about O.W.L.s?

MARLENE: Oh, I think at this point, I've studied as much as I can. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I'm not gonna be like Remus and Lily, who study incessantly for months before the exams, even though the two of them were probably ready to take the tests before they even stepped foot in the Castle.

SIRIUS: True words were never spoken.

MARLENE: Anyway, let's not talk about school.

SIRIUS: What should we talk about?

MARLENE glances at SIRIUS before turning her body and laying on top of him, kissing him while running their hands through the sand.

MARLENE: (quietly) I love you.

SIRIUS: I love you, too.

They kiss once more just as the sun disappears over the waters.