Wasting Time

19

Before we knew it, we were on the train back to Hogwarts. Sirius and I were both very hungover, and thus not particularly in the mood to catch up with everyone. We sat with our heads together while everyone around us chattered.

Halfway into the journey, our compartment door slid open. Everyone fell silent as we looked up. To everyone's surprise, a red-eyed Fabian Pruitt stood in the doorway.

"Hey, er, could I talk to you Marlene?" He asked quietly. His voice was hoarse, like he had been doing a lot of crying. I nodded and stood up. I brushed my hand through Sirius's hair quickly when I felt him tense and then I left the compartment.

I spent the rest of the ride in an empty compartment with Fabian. I was the only person he felt comfortable enough talking about Gideon with. Well, the only one who had been through the same thing. When the train pulled into the station, I pulled Fabian into a hug and went back to my friends compartment. When I walked in, I saw Sirius with his jaw clenched and James and Remus talking to him as though they were soothing him.

"What's going on?" I asked carefully as I entered. James shot me a warning look and I took a careful step forward. "Sirius?"

"Nothings going on," he replied shortly. Lily caught my eye and mouthed "lying" at me.

"Sirius, for the love of god just tell me what the fuck is going on." At this, everyone else stood and began to gather their luggage, taking this as their cue to leave. Once everyone was gone, Sirius looked up at me.

"Fabian Pruitt, that's what's going on." I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"He's trying to get you back McKinnon. He told me when we got together that he'd get you back and now he's trying it." I almost scoffed at this, but I managed to hold my tongue.

"That was a long time ago Sirius. He just needs someone to talk to. His brother just died."

"Why you?"

"I don't know. Because he knows me. Because I've been through that same thing. I don't know, Sirius."

"And you really had to be alone with him for the whole train ride?" He made to push past me to the door but I got in front of him to stop him. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I looked up at him.

"Nothing is going on Sirius. I love you. I promise, if he tried anything, you will be the first person to know. But that's not what's happening here. He just needs someone. Okay?" He sighed and, for the first time since I came back into the compartment, he relaxed.

"Okay."

"Great, now could you grab my luggage for me?" He chuckled and grabbed my bag, carrying them out to the carriage along with his own.

Later that evening, I was alone in the common room. Sirius had just gone to bed and I was reading the latest daily profit by the fire. Late nights in the common room were the only quiet time I ever really got, so I always took advantage of being the last one up. My quiet was soon interrupted by Fabian Pruitt coming down the stairs. He looked like he had been crying.

"I thought I might find you down here Marlene. I know how you like your quiet nights in the common room." He walked over and sat next to me on the sofa.

"How are you feeling Fabian?"

"I've been better."

He leaned his head onto my shoulder and I brushed my fingers through his hair comfortingly. We weren't like that for long before I heard another set of footsteps coming down from the boys dormitories. I looked up to see Sirius, his jaw clenched and eyes wild, turning away from us and heading back up the stairs. I jumped up from the couch and chased after him.

"Sirius! Sirius, come on, stop and talk to me! Nothing was going on! For the love of Christ Sirius!" I called after him, and eventually I was pounding on the boys door, waiting for him to come out. The door opened a crack, but it was James who stuck his head out.

"Look Marly, i think you should come back later."

"Nothing was going on James! He was upset about his brother for the love of Christ!"

"I know. But he's very upset right now. Talk to him tomorrow, okay? I'll calm him down."

"James —" I started to protest but he cut me off.

"I know Marly. But I'm serious. Go to bed."

I sighed, knowing that this was a losing battle, and walked slowly to my dorm.

I slept fretfully that night, not really sleeping at all. I was vaguely aware of someone leaving the common room late that night, but I tried to sleep through the sound of footsteps.

As soon as I woke the next morning, I went to find Sirius. I knew he would be down by the lake, likely with a bottle, so I headed there straight away.

I approached him quietly and sat down beside him. He was refusing to look at me. This whole situation felt very familiar.

"Sirius, I need you to know nothing happened last night."

"McKinnon —"

"No. Let me finish. I was reading the Prophet alone, like I always do. He came down, and he was crying. He sat next to me, okay? I was just comforting a friend. That's all. I need you to believe me, because it's the truth and because I love you." He finally looked at me. His face was tight, and his eyes were full of pain.

"I know that now. But Marlene, I need to tell you something."