The Biggest Sacrifice

Late March 1979 (Marlene POV)

The ceiling of her flat wasn’t interesting but it had caught her attention regardless as it had many times throughout the last few days, or weeks.

It was better than looking at the rest of her room, better than listening to the sounds of whatever Regulus was doing in the kitchen, and sometimes better than looking down at the small bump on her stomach that could have easily just been a bit of bloating or extra weight at this point.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want kids or didn’t like them in any way, or had hoped that this would happen at some point in the future with Regulus, when the war would be long over and they would all be free and happier.

Not when she was nineteen, living in a small flat with her best friend, her boyfriend eighteen and assumed dead, when she was an Auror and a member of the Order and about to be forced into hiding by her closest friends. And sure, this could have all been easily avoided by getting rid of the baby and pretending nothing happened.

But...but this was her baby and no matter how complicated it was, it was half her and half Regulus. A miracle in a war that she didn’t want to let go of. It would make life harder, for everyone but she wouldn’t regret it.

She just wasn’t quite ready to let go of her old life and sign herself up for not being able to do anything just yet.

A bang sounded from the kitchen, followed by a hiss. Marlene climbed out of bed, honestly surprised that Hermione wasn’t there scolding him or grumbling about him taking over their flat. Marlene wasn’t sure whether it came from an actual place of annoyance or whether Hermione just did it out of some sort of weird caring manner.

“Morning.” Regulus said with a soft smile as he noticed her coming into the kitchen while he plated slightly burnt toast. “Hungry?”

“More like dying for a coffee.”

“Well, you can’t have that but I did ask Hermione to pick some tea that you can drink.” As if to prove a point he shoved a mug towards her with a wide grin and a vial of potions from his pyjama pocket.

Marlene took them, setting the mug down and quickly downing the potion before frowning, the taste was disgusting but it was good for the baby according to Lily. “And by make, you mean forced – where is she anyway?”

“She said she had to go out and that was all she told me.”

Things with Hermione were complicated, not that they tried to make them that way but because it was hard to look at your best friend the same when they had just told you they were partially from the future, after she had just passed out from some potion she drank on some weird mission with your boyfriend, and had Marlene confess she was pregnant.

Marlene had always thought the day she got pregnant there would be happiness and cheers, excitement about it but any excitement was dull and wrapped in a blanket of worry. Because the father of her baby was a deatheater, a secret boyfriend and was now ‘dead’. There so many complications and things going on that it was hard to celebrate what this moment was.

Two teens from opposite sides having a baby in the middle of the war. Like some kind of Romeo and Juliet shit.

“Did you manage to sleep last night?” Regulus asked suddenly, eyeing her up and down like he did when he was concerned.

“A bit.”

“Sleep is important, Mar, for you and the baby.”

“I know.” Marlene sighed out as she tried her best not to roll her eyes in the face of his concern.

Regulus gave her a look, one she had seen too many times since he started staying here and they each other more often. “I’m not trying to pressure you – it’s just...you’re still out there, during a war and you’re worried and I -”

“We’re about to have no income, we have no savings, no family apart from my friends, who are out there looking for somewhere safe for us and are about to be hidden from everything, of course I’m worried.” Marlene said softly, blinking away teary eyes. “I never wanted to sit on the backseat, Reg.”

She wanted to be out there fighting for the things she believed in, to help save people and keep the ones she loved safe. She hadn’t even been out of school for a year yet, she had dedicated herself to Auror training and the Order, and now she was about to be taken out of it.

Regulus understood, he always did, gripping her face gently in his hands. “I know you didn’t, but we have more important things to think about now.” He looked down at her stomach. “And there are ways we can help, a safe house for your friends to stay, we can help Lily with healing – what?” He asked as she smiled slightly.

“You keep saying we and I’m pretty sure you just called Lily her actual name instead of Evans.” Marlene admitted, her chest filled with a warmth and her eyes feeling more moist than before. Her stupid hormones once again nearly getting the better of her.

“Yes, well, someone taught me that my parents opinions and beliefs were complete shite, so…”

“She sounds very wise.”

“As reluctant as I am to agree, I do have to admit that Hermione is very wise.” Regulus teased as he let go of her and offered that smirk that she loved and hated so much.

“Dick.” Marlene scoffed out before she frowned. “There’s a meeting today.”

“You should tell them you won’t be able to do missions any more.” Regulus whispered, sighing into his cup of coffee.

“I know.”

“Mar, it’s not forever, you’ll be able to go back to the Aurors and maybe the Order will still exist…”

“Not when there is a kid that will need looking after.” Marlene cut him off. And it wasn’t like she hated her child, it was the opposite, but the idea of giving everything up – of living a different life than she planned was hard to let go of.

Regulus narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “Lucky then that I will be at home and fully capable of looking after our child.”

“How modern of you.”

…

The problem with working with the Order was there was no time to talk when you were being sent out the moment your foot passed the door. A rush of commands and orders shouted at you, and a location written onto a piece of parchment and shoved into your hand.

Today was one of those days, and Marlene didn’t have a say before someone was tugging her along for a side apparation before she could even shout at them to be careful. Her body stumbled as she landed and her hands moved to her midsection in fear, letting out a sigh of relief that only lasted two seconds before she was aware of the spells and chaos going on around her.

There was a part of her, one the other part worried about, that had grown numb to the bodies and seconds away from death. This was her life for the minute, she was trained for this and this was her job as an Auror.

So, she didn’t hesitate to jump into spells, aiming at those in dark hoods and feeling relief that she knew Regulus was no longer under one of those, but was at home waiting for her.

She wondered if he had felt his dark mark sting and burn, being called, if his tongue still felt tied from all those old meetings and missions that he hadn’t been allowed to talk about. Or if his ‘death’ had given him freedom from all of that.

A spell flew past her shoulder, forcing her to spin on her heel with her wand up as a Deatheater came rushing towards her with their wand held high. Marlene kept her own raised, but it wasn’t needed, a jet of light flew past her and sent the death eater flying backwards.

“You’re not supposed to be here.” Grey eyes and a tense jaw greeted her, along with another spell aimed at someone else. “Why are you here?”

“I didn’t get a chance to tell them before someone was grabbing me and pulling me along.” Marlene tried to explain in between sending off her own spells.

“Who?”

“I wasn’t exactly paying attention.”

“That’s great, Marly – exactly what you should be doing in a war.” Sirius snapped, pulling her aside and flicking his wand. He was talented, good and thorough, there was no doubt in her mind that he was capable of duelling even the most talented deatheaters.

Yet, it was annoying and she couldn’t help but glare at him as she shook of his hand. “Is now really the time to scold me about this?”

“I don’t see a better time.” He grunted out as she turned to glare at him.

He pulled her aside, sending up a shield and then a spell at the attacker before anything could hit her before sending her his own glare.

And that was how it continued, him blocking her, pulling her along as gently as he could and moving her out of the way, like some loyal dog herding her. Which, in some ways, is what Sirius Black was, loyal to the bone and annoyingly stubborn everywhere else.

He liked to be right, wanted it so bad and he made mistakes, but he was protecting her and her unborn child because he cared. Despite the comments, what happened the year before and the disappointment, he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

It wasn’t obvious or suffocating, but he was there, and he was making sure she was safe.

…

Her bones and muscles ached by the time Sirius dragged her along to the Order house, having made her a portkey and given her a stern look about apparating. Then he was dragging her inside, as gently as he could, and all but forcing her to stand before Dumbledore and Moody.

For some reason she hadn’t expected the door to come nearly flying off the hinges and for one incredibly pissed off Hermione Potter to come storming in.

“Miss Potter -”

“Are you an idiot?” Hermione snarled as she stood before Marlene, eyes burning like the hottest fire and teeth glinting like razors as Marlene blinked at her.

“Mi’.” Sirius mummered but she barely cast him a glance.

“Want to tell me why I had to hear from Benjy that he saw you out there tonight?” Hermione snapped ferociously and Marlene gulped.

Growing up, Marlene had learnt two vital things from her family; as a girl she would be worth less than her brothers, and that you had to be able to look out for yourself. Thus, Marlene had grown up making sure she knew how to take care of herself, how to give herself some worth in case she was to be married off to some old man.

Obviously, she had managed to get out of that life, had been accepted by the Potter’s and cared for, but the feeling of knowing what she could do was never taken away from her. It gave her confidence and lowered her fears.

Marlene was more than capable of defending herself, so long as it wasn’t against Hermione fucking Potter.

Because while Marlene was many things, Hermione was like a burning inferno wrapped in a cloak of more fire. She was powerful, intelligent and she had the knowledge of the fucking future in her head. And Marlene was wise enough to know that if her friend wanted to duel then Marlene didn’t stand a fucking chance, even less so when Hermione was as pissed as she was.

“Miss Potter, Miss McKinnon was sent out -”

“I’m not asking you.” Hermione snarled as she sent a quick glare to Dumbledore who tensed his jaw while Moody blinked in shock. Hermione didn’t seem to care, or if she did then it was hidden behind her many walls as she turned back to glare at Marlene.

“I wasn’t given a chance to explain.”

“Someone took her out there before she knew what was happening.” Sirius explained for her, the fire in him seeming to have died down as he looked at Hermione.

“And who the fuck was that?” Hermione snapped as Marlene shook her head and Sirius sighed.

“Miss Potter, while you may not care for my opinion, I do care for your language.” Dumbledore said with his own sigh as Hermione turned to face him, still pissed off it seemed.

“Well I’d care if you stopped sending us out there blind and unprepared – how many people did we loose tonight? What if Marlene had been one of them?” Hermione all but shouted and Marlene blinked in shock while Sirius let out a sarcastic chuckle.

Marlene wasn’t shocked because Hermione was defending her, much like Sirius and James, Hermione was fiercely loyal, but that she would face off against the headmaster, a powerful wizard like she was with a snarl and a glare so full of dislike. And the fact that Sirius seemed more amused than anything, like he didn’t think this was anything out of the ordinary.

“Miss McKinnon is a strong fighter and an Auror, she is able to take of herself.” Dumbledore spoke back with a measured voice but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

“I know that!”

“Then what is the problem, girl?” Moody grumbled out before Hermione seemed to calm, sending a side glance to Marlene.

“I’m pregnant.”

It was so silent a pin could be heard dropping to the floor, the quiet breaths could be heard – Marlene was sure her beating heart could be heard if they listened carefully enough.

Hermione and Sirius shifted, almost blocking her from view and any hints of amusement gone as they stared at Dumbledore who blinked. The headmaster looked frustrated as his eyes flickered over them all, like he couldn’t quite figure out what he wanted to.

Marlene met his eyes nervously, frowning when she felt like something was trying to probe it’s way into her brain before she blinked and looked away, pushing up the defences Regulus had forced her to learn. Dumbledore was looking for something and clearly wasn’t going to get it.

“The father?” He asked instead, a hint of annoyance in his tone, eyes flickering to Sirius.

“No one important.”

“But someone we know?”

“I hardly see why it matters, Albus.” Moody cut in, limping forward slightly and looking Marlene up and down. “Should have told us sooner, McKinnon.” He glared at her like he always had for the past few weeks.

“The Healer recommended waiting until I was 12 weeks.” Marlene muttered, looking away.

“You’re an Auror, putting yourself at risk is the job, so you tell us as soon as you know and we take you off – put you on desk duty.” Moody explained as though it was obvious and Marlene gulped slightly. She knew he was right, but she had hardly wanted to believe it herself.

“Actually, Sir, we were thinking it would be better for Marlene to go into hiding.” Hermione said, stepping forward and looking at Moody.

“Hermione -”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s not safe for anyone in her situation to be out there, but if the wrong people find out about it then she’s even more of a walking target than she already is.” Hermione explained with a raised eyebrow, like it was obvious and like that was the only reason.

“I’d still help here though, Lily offered to train me with some basic Healer things so I would be able to help out.” Marlene stammered to get out before Hermione could say anything else or anyone else could make choices for her.

“Another ‘Healer’ is always welcome but for now consider yourself on leave from work for the next year, and taking some time off from the Order for the next few weeks.” Moody said as Dumbledore sighed but nodded his head in agreement.

“Sir…”

“You’re dismissed, McKinnon – head on home.” Moody pushed a pouch into her hand and gestured towards the fireplace, her feet moving her there as her mouth dropped open in shock while Moody beckoned Sirius and Hermione back. “As for you two…”

…

She was still partially in shock when she stepped out of the floo in her home, blinking wide eyes to see Regulus sat on the sofa, no shirt on and a bowl of cereal in his hands. He looked so young, and she would figure him for just another eighteen year old if she couldn’t see the mark on his forearm that stood out against his pale skin.

“When did you first tell me you loved me?”

“Astronomy tower.”

“What secret did you tell me in the same place?”

“I’m bisexual.”

Regulus lowered his wand and relaxed back into the chair as Marlene sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. “You ok?”

“Do you still feel it when he calls them?”

Regulus’ mouth dropped open and he turned pale, looking down at his arm and back at her, and for a second she thought he might not answer but then he gulped, placing the cereal on the coffee table and muttered in a low voice. “Every time.”

“So, you felt it tonight?” Marlene couldn’t stop herself from asking as she moved to sit in the armchair while he watched her.

“Yeah, and I’m guessing it was an attack since you’ve coming home looking like that.” He eyed her up and down and Marlene looked down at her hands which were dirty and covered in small scratches.

“And you can’t say no?”

“Not unless you’re dead, have a death-wish, or are pretending to be dead – it’s all death related.” Regulus tried to joke but it fell flat as he tilted his head and looked at her with a frown that made him seem older. “Marlene, why did you -”

“I didn’t get a chance to…I told them afterwards and I’ve been given leave from both.” Marlene sighed as she leaned her head against the back of the headrest.

“Good...well, I’m glad you’re alright.” He muttered, she could hear him as he stood up, feel his long fingers brushing her hair from her face as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “Why don’t you go take a shower and get some rest – I’ll make you some dinner and a tea?” She couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face.

“Better make it for four.”

“What?”

The door opened and Marlene looked up as Sirius and Hermione stepped inside like some united front, standing shoulder to shoulder and their wands raised as Marlene rolled her eyes.

“I already did it and you saw me looking like this not half an hour ago so put them down and shut the door.” Marlene snapped as she gestured to herself, the pair watching her warily. “Merlin, the pair of you weren’t even this close when you were shagging.”

Sirius smirked slightly and Hermione rolled her eyes as she shut the door behind her while Regulus eyed them warily. “We should ask them something.”

“Alright...what date did the pair of you first bump uglies, and make sure to say it together.” Marlene said with an evil smirk as Hermione and Sirius both gave her an unimpressed look.

“Christmas Eve 1976.”

“And the last time?”

“Maybe January last year….I don’t know?” Sirius laughed out as Hermione rolled her eyes and moved further into the room while Marlene sighed dramatically.

“I don’t need telling off.” She muttered like a small child pouting, hand resting on the small bump of her belly as she avoided Regulus’ eyes and glared at her friends as they moved forward.

“Then you shouldn’t have decided to be an idiot.” Hermione snapped, but the anger that had been there before had died down some. Instead it seemed to have been replaced by annoyance.

“I didn’t – look they know now, I’m stepping back – I’m going into hiding, I’m doing everything you asked so can you just lay off, please.” Marlene sighed out, looking towards the floor as Sirius shook his head and sat himself fown.

“Mar, you can’t just -”

“Merlin, it really is like some blast to the past right now – never thought I’d see the day you two stood together as some united front.” It was snarky and slightly uncalled for as she sent them both a sneer.

“Stop trying to find something else to focus on.” Hermione snapped as she sat herself down on the floor besides the coffee table. “Marly, what you did was stupid and it could have ended really badly.” As opposed to any other time they were out there.

“But it didn’t and it’s over.”

“Marlene.”

“And why are you suddenly being more mature?” Marlene snapped as she looked at Sirius. It wasn’t that she hated this new found maturity he seemed to have found after a couple of years of being a tantrum throwing idiot, but it was different.

Sirius looked at her and for a second she thought she might have offended him but instead he just sighed and clasped his hands. “There’s a war going on and none of us know if we are going to make it out to the other side, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be careful.” He sounded older. “Mar, you have so much more to think about than just yourself.”

“Thought you didn’t care.” She wasn’t sure why she was being like this, defence and picking at them for some kind of fight that they seemed uninterested in partaking in.

“That baby you’re carrying is my niece or nephew, a family member I’ll actually like – and I’m not going to let you be stupid about it, nor am I going to let either of you do this alone.” He blushed slightly, looking away.

Marlene let the warmth from his words settle over her, pushing away the annoyance and anger she felt as she offered him a small smile. “That’s...oddly sweet of you.”

She clearly wasn’t the only one who thought so. Hermione was frowning at Sirius like she wasn’t sure what to make of his words. They all knew of his family, even his relationship with Regulus who seemed misty eyed at the confession. Yet, Hermione, she looked at him like it was conflicated.

Like she was conflicted about whatever she was feeling. Like she wasn’t sure if she was still angry at him or if she was proud – or maybe something else.

The flat seemed silent as no one knew what to say and Marlene couldn’t help but wonder why half her friends were emotionally stunted and incapable of speaking to each other about their issues.

A thought for another day.

Instead of thinking about it, she clapped her hands and pushed herself up from the armchair. “As much fun as this has been, I just fought in a battle and I’m growing a child so I’m going to go to bed now.”

Regulus nodded, reaching out to rub her arm and offering her a small smile. “I’ll make you some tea and join you in a while.”

Hermione gagged as Marlene raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend. “And I’m going to get a drink and come back when I’m sure the pair of you have gone to sleep.” She pushed herself up from the floor and made her way to the door before stopping and looking at Sirius. “You coming or are you going to listen to the pair of them?”

“We’re not going to -” Marlene began but cut herself off as Sirius scrambled from the sofa to chase after Hermione, or to get away from them. “Don’t come back too late!” She shouted before the door closed with a bang, rolling her eyes and looking to Regulus.

His bright blue eyes were alive with mischief as he shook his head, standing up from the sofa and ushering her towards what had become their bedroom in the past few weeks. Something she wasn’t too mad at.

…

Hermione's POV.

Hermione wasn’t a big drinker, she enjoyed some every now and then, and there had been parties and times at pubs she had downed a few, but it wasn’t something she did frequently with work and the Order. Wasn’t like she could stumble into the DoM smelling like she’d bathed in ale, or into a meeting with the Order.

But tonight she didn’t care. The glasses were lining up rapidly in front of her, and the frown still rested on her face as she scoffed at Marlene.

“She really has no sense of self-preservation in the slightest.” Hermione muttered, barely looking at Sirius where he sat next to her at the bar. “I mean, it’s reckless and stupid – she should have hexed the guy who grabbed her or she should have told them earlier...I mean, have you met anyone so reckless?”

Silver eyes met brown, and he looked more amused than anything as he sipped his beer. “Yeah, I have...Potter, meet kettle or in this case McKinnon.”

“It’s pot, arsehole.”

“Same difference.” Sirius shrugged as Hermione rolled her eyes. “We’re all a bit reckless, and I’m pissed at her, for sure, but she’s fine and she isn’t going to do it again.” How he had calmed down so fast was almost annoying to Hermione.

“What is this?”

“What’s what?”

“This new thing you’re doing where you act like you are now.” Hermione explained with a frown. “What happened to the bloke who throw tantrums because I wouldn’t tell him my secret?” Was she a little tipsy? Maybe. But was she more curious than anything? Yes.

Sirius seemed amused again, raising an eyebrow. “I was an idiot who hadn’t had to grow up yet.” His smile dropped and Hermione wished it would come back and light up his face again. “This war...fuck, it’s messed up and the things we’ve seen...it’s just...”

“Yeah.”

There was nothing that needed to be said. Hermione understood, they had to grow up and fight even when they didn’t want to, but a part of her wished he could have behaved like this a year ago when they were together and she needed him. Still, better late than never.

“Do you ever think abut having kids?” Sirius asked suddenly as Hermione coughed on her drink and turned to look at him. “In the future.” He added when he saw her panicked look.

“I was going to say...you have to be having sex to get pregnant, which I am not.” Hermione smirked as Sirius coughed on his own drink.

“I didn’t ask!” He all but whined, frowning at her.

“I thought friends shared these things.”

Sirius looked at her as she smirked, like he wasn’t sure whether to tell her to stay quiet or to be happy that she had called him a friend. Hermione couldn’t help the softer smile that spread across her face, because she could do this.

He had proved that he was a friend, that he knew what he did in the past was wrong. And maybe they would never be close and she wouldn’t be sharing personal secrets with him, but she could do this teasing and drinking together without it meaning anything else.

“We don’t have to be those sort of friends.” He finally muttered over his cheeks, but there was a brightness to his eyes that was nice to see.

“What? You mean you don’t want to hear about my tragic sex life?” She teased as he scoffed and shook his head.

“Shockingly, no, I am not someone you gossip with over tea.” And the silent part of him being her ex boyfriend who didn’t want or need to know what she was doing. Hermione wouldn’t call him on that.

“Shame, you could be.” She sighed instead and gave him a sweet smile.

Sirius shot her an annoyed look. “I will hex you.”

“I’d like to see you try, Black.” Hermione laughed out as she downed the rest of her drink. “You’d be on your arse before you could even pull out your wand.” She teased as he raised an eyebrow.

“Wouldn’t be the first time, you always were eager to – ow!” The smirk was knocked off his face as her foot connected with his shin. “Fucking hell, Kitten!” He hissed out as he reached down to rub his shin.

“Don’t bring that shit up or I’ll do something worse.”

“Kinky.” Sirius smirked before holding up his hands. “Alright, I’m just messing with you.” His eyes flickered and something told her he wasn’t but she wasn’t going to bring it up.

“You’re insufferable.” She said instead, rolling her eyes and trying not to show the small smile on her face.

“You love it.”

Maybe he wasn’t exactly wrong but it was different, or it felt different. There would always be a part of her that belonged to him, that would make things harder than they needed to be or that made her wonder what if in the dead of night.

But she didn’t spend her time focusing on what Sirius wanted any more or how to chase him around, and he didn’t seem to be focusing on himself or how to be an indecisive little shit. They were growing and changing.

“Another round?” Hermione asked, part of her hoping he would agree and the other hoping he would leave, but then he gave her that smile.

“Why not?”

Bright eyes and grins, like the past hadn’t happened, like things hadn’t changed too much. It had, but just for a little while they could pretend it hadn’t.

...

April 1979

The cottage was perfect.

Nestled in a quieter part of the countryside, far from prying eyes and yet close enough to a town that they could get supplies from if they needed. And protected from the world so that no one but seven people and the baby on the way would even be able to enter.

It had taken a while to find. Hermione, James and Sirius had spent the limited time they had between everything looking for some place they could use to protect their friends while Lily and Remus had studied spells to maximise protection.

Not even their parents knew. They only knew Marlene was stepping down for personal reasons and they might not see her as much. It had caused tears and long hugs, but they were aware of more and more people sinking away into the night and hiding themselves. They had done it for Andy, Ted and Dora, and their children would do it for Marlene, and Regulus.

“You’re the secret keeper?” Marlene asked where she stood beside Hermione, looking at the cottage with teary eyes as Regulus stood beside her holding the piece of paper that turned into ashes in his hand.

“No, I’m just the bank apparently.” Hermione snorted out, rolling her eyes and pushing the gate open. “Sirius is, wanted to protect his family.” Hermione explained lowly, as the three of them made their way inside.

Sirius had refused to allow anyone else to step up. He had taken the charm and told the rest of them. It was his family, his choice and Hermione could respect and understand that more than anyone.

“What happens if he…” Regulus didn’t need to finish his question because she understood.

“Then the six of us become secret keepers, but the case that happens and someone lets something slip, there are also blood wards around the house tied to all of us which would give you enough time to get away should anything happen.” It probably wasn’t what they wanted to hear, but it was the best they could do.

Hermione could only hope it was enough because she wasn’t going loose Marlene. Marlene had stuck by her, had been her best friend since they were nearly twelve, and she would be damned if she would put the girl who had grown into something more like a sister in danger.

Merlin, she would miss her. No more Marlene in their flat, just Hermione and an empty room that smelt faintly of Marlene’s perfume. It would be empty and Hermione was already planning on spending many nights with a glass of wine just to ease the emptiness.

Marlene nodded, pushing open the door and stepping inside while Hermione and Regulus followed behind. The group had tried to create something comforting while leaving enough room for Regulus and Marlene to make it their own.

Lily grinned as the three of them stepped into the living room, gesturing to the tea and cakes on the table while James, Sirius and Remus lounged on the sofas, standing up quickly.

“You’re here!” James cried, throwing his arms in the air and grinning.

Marlene grinned back, opening her mouth to say something when Regulus moved forward and towards Sirius, standing before his taller brother who watched him warily, before he was throwing his skinny arms around Sirius and pulling him in for a hug.

“Oh.”

“Thank you.” Regulus muttered to Sirius who patted his back, seeming unsure but not pulling away until Regulus did to look at the rest of them. “To all of you, for everything you’ve done.”

“Yeah...er...it’s cool.” James said with a nervous laugh, eyes a bit wider than usual as he looked around the room and put on an equally nervous smile. “It’s what we do, you know.” He added a bit softer as Marlene sniffled and Regulus moved back to her side to pull her into a side hug.

“First time in my life I get to just be Regulus, not Regulus Black heir and deathteater– just me with no family legacy or expectations.” Regulus spoke suddenly as he looked around the room. “Who knew dying would open so many possibilities.” His eyes were wide with wonder.

“Yeah, well unless you really want to die you still have to stay in the house.” Sirius said, clapping a hand on Regulus’ shoulder. “But if either of you need anything then just let me know.”

“Think all of you have done enough for us without having to empty your vaults.” Marlene whispered while Hermione smirked.

Her vault might be slightly lighter, but she still had enough money and would continue to have enough money to last lifetimes without working, not to mention the family vault. It was the same for James, and thus Lily too. Money wasn’t an issue. And what was money if you couldn’t buy your friends a place for them to live?

“I make enough, plus I have enough money left from Uncle Alphard’s vault that spending a bit on you two isn’t going to cause me to go broke.” Sirius explained with a shrug of his shoulders. “Plus, with Reggie ‘dead’, I’m pretty sure I’m the heir again, so…”

“How’d you figure that?” Remus asked with a small snort.

“No other Black for the money to go to.” Sirius sighed as he fell back into the sofa, picking up one of Lily’s cakes as he did so and shoving it into his mouth.

“Except your deranged cousins.” Lily scoffed out, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Women aren’t allowed to claim heirdom of their houses unless there is no one else for everything to go to and even then most houses fall into the dust.” Sirius explained as Regulus nodded in agreement, sitting himself down softly and reaching for his own cake.

Lily didn’t bat an eye but Regulus watched her carefully, as though he thought she would tell him to stop, remind him of who made them. That he was eating something a Muggleborn had made, but she didn’t, only offered him a small smile when he hummed in approval.

“So, if we had a daughter…” Marlene began as Lily handed her a tea that looked nothing like the rest of them, her face scrunching up as she sipped it.

“Wouldn’t mean shit, even less so since she would be a ‘bastard’ and you’re a bloodtraitor.” Sirius said around a mouth full of food.

“Told you we should get married.” Regulus said before he looked to Lily again. “These are really good.” He said as he took another bite of cake.

“Thank you.”

“I’m not marrying you because I’m pregnant.” Marlene interrupted but there was a happy little smile on her face and her icy eyes were softer.

“It’s why most people get married.”

“Shut up, Sirius.”

…

Marlene loved the cottage it seemed, and she was more than happy to head to the kitchen to cook for everyone, shooing Lily out of the way before she could touch anything. Hermione watched her as she did so, a small smile on her face as she set up the dining room table and listened to her friend hum.

There was never any way that Marlene was going to be a traditional mum, she refused to get married, she wanted a career and she was having a baby at nineteen, but she seemed softer. Not just in the way she looked, her slight bump hidden under a baggy jumper, her face free of makeup and her cheeks seeming a bit more rounded, hiding the normal sternness of her features.

It was a contrast to the month before, like Marlene was making peace with what was happening and she would be ok with it. Or she was doing her best to be ok with it.

“Dinner!” And there she was, shouting for the world to hear with that sharp edge to her voice that matched her smirk as she dumped a pot on the table and sat herself down.

Marlene didn’t wait for the rest to join her as she piled some food on her plate, barely even looked up as the rest sat down around her at the cramped table.

“Are we serving ourselves?” James asked as Hermione reached into the pot and dished her own dinner up.

“Do I look like your mum or Poppy?” Marlene snapped around her food, shaking her head as James sent her a look.

“Alright then.”

Dinner was eaten in somewhat silence, simple comments about the days and the house, nothing too serious or exciting. Marlene was a decent cook, so it didn’t take too much effort to focus on the food before them.

Nor to clean their plates of their meal and sit back in their chairs with a sigh.

“I’m not cleaning up.” Marlene muttered as she patted her stomach gentle.

“Of course not, love, I will.” Regulus spoke as he stood up from the table, grabbing the plates and placing a kiss on her head before heading towards the kitchen area and waving his wand at the sink and the dishes.

“Aw, how sweet, think he’d come clean my flat if I asked?” Sirius asked as he sipped his drink with a smirk while Marlene gave him a dirty look.

“The best cleaner in the world wouldn’t be able clean your place.” Marlene chuckled out as Sirius sent her a glare.

“That’s not fair, Remus manages.”

“And you’ll have to manage yourself...for a while.” Remus spoke as everyone turned to look at him while he swirled his wine in his glass, staring at the liquid as it stained the edges of the crystal before he downed it in one gulp.

“You better not be moving out, Moony.” Sirius cried dramatically, holding a hand to his heart as Remus snorted and shook his head. There was something there in the edge of his eyes that made the lot of them stop. Something Sirius. “Moony…”

“I’m just going to...I need to do something in the bedroom.” Regulus spoke suddenly, drying his hands on a tea towel and moving through the house without a second glance.

Remus licked his lips, silent as they listened to Regulus move through the house, the sound of a door softly closing and then Remus was sighing. “Dumbledore is sending me on a mission.”

“What?”

“Where?”

“Why?”

“He’s sending you to talk to the werewolves, isn’t he?” Hermione asked before she could stop herself as Remus looked at her, his light green eyes so conflicted and she was taken back to that moment in the library nearly a year ago – fresh out of school and into the Order.

He had seemed so lost then, unsure of what his place was and maybe he still was in a way. He looked away, sighing before he spoke. “He thinks I might be able to get them on our side or at least sway them from Voldemort.”

“You can’t, Remus.” Hermione whispered, someone spoke her name but she kept her focus on Remus, ignoring the rest of them. “We went over this before and I told it wouldn’t work.”

“And I told you I would still say yes.”

“What is wrong with you?” Hermione hissed before she could stop herself. “You have us here, you have Edith – we could get you a house, hide you away and keep you safe -”

“I don’t want to be safe!” Remus snapped back, slapping a hand on the table, everyone jumping. “I don’t want to be locked away! I want to be useful!” His voice was louder as he glared at her.

“You’re already useful – just because Dumbledore tells you you’re not unless you are doing what he asks doesn’t mean he is right.” Hermione snarled, trying to her voice at a reasonable level. “You’re useful here, with us.”

“I know, but I have to do this.” He wasn’t shouting but his eyes were burning and his lip was still curled as he regarded her.

“You don’t have to do anything.”

“But I want to, I want to play my part and feel like I’m doing more than reading books in hopes it might help.” He waved his arms around in frustration and Hermione could understand it, the rest of them had been out there and even Lily had, but Remus was held back most of the time.

“They’re not going to join us, Remus.” Hermione tried to be softer, to make him understand even though she knew he already did.

“I have to try.” Remus muttered as Hermione clicked her tongue.“Mi’ -”

“Then you come back, you promise us that you’ll come back.” Remus opened his mouth and closed it while Hermione dug around in her little pouch bag before pulling out the thing she was looking for and dumping it on the table. “This is how you come back – how any of you come back, when you’re tired, when you need out or just because you want to come home.”

“Are we supposed to buy a ticket with the knightbus with this?” Sirius asked with a small laugh as he picked up a galleon and turned it over in his hands.

“It’s a communication galleon, the numbers correspond with codes that mean different things, like I’m fine or I need help.” Hermione explained, pushing the rest towards the others, and placing one in front of Regulus’ empty seat. “It’s also a one way portkey, you say the passcode and it will bring you to Potter Manor from anywhere in Wizarding Britain.”

There was silence as the five of them looked at her, each holding a galleon and with awe in their eyes that she felt uncomfortable looking at.

Sirius was the first to break the silence, giving her a wide smirk and flicking the coin through his fingers. “You’re amazing.”

“Thanks.” Hermione muttered back before she looked to Remus. “This is the only way you can go and the only way I know you’ll be safe.”

“Thank you.”

…

Late April 1979

The muggle pub was busier than usual, unaware of the four magical beings that sat in their presence pouting over their drinks and picking over the bowl of chips that they had ordered. Well, only two of them seemed to be pouting, the other two were watching them as they sipped their drinks and waited for one of them to speak.

It didn’t take long, Hermione wasn’t going to crack, she was more than content to sit in silence and pout like a child, but Sirius would because he wasn’t capable of being silent for more than five minutes.

Especially when he had a drink.

“This sucks.”

“Are me and James not good company?” Lily asked as she sipped her drink and raised her eyebrows at Sirius who scoffed.

“No, you’re great, but you’re not Moony.” There was a slight pout to his lips that made Hermione smile slightly as she sipped her own drink while James gasped dramatically and in offence, glaring at Sirius.

“What can Moony do that we can’t?”

“Be the perfect Wingman.”

“I could be a good Wingman – I’ll be the perfect Wingman...who here has caught your eye?” James asked as he looked around the pub that was mainly filled with older men after work, though there were a few younger people in there.

“No one.” Sirius sighed out. “It was just a thought.”

“Then why are you complaining?” James asked, pushing his glasses up his nose and turning back to look at Sirius in confusion.

“Because I miss my friend and flatmate, you cold heartless man child.” Sirius snapped before he downed the rest of his drink and slammed the glass on the table, smacking his lips together and gesturing to the barman for another.

James was pouting, it seemed everyone was pouting these days. “I miss him too.”

“You don’t act like it.”

“You don’t know what I do at night.”

“Boys, that’s enough.” Lily interrupted before Sirius could say anything else, holding up her hands and shaking her head. “We all miss Remus, but he wouldn’t want us to be sat here pouting about it – and neither would Marlene.”

“Hm.”

“Hermione.”

“Be nice to hear from them both.” Hermione finally said as she swirled her beer around in her glass, staring at the flatness of it before pushing it away.

“I’m sure Remus is busy and you can go check on Mar at any time.” Lily spoke as though she was talking to a child who needed reminding of something, and not like Hermione was a few months away from being twenty and officially out of the teen era.

“Don’t want to disturb her.” She muttered, leaning back in her chair.

Sirius snorted, nodding at the barman as the pints were placed before them, reaching for one and taking a sip before giving Hermione a knowing smirk. “Plus, don’t want to drive yourself towards finishing the fifth bottle of wine this week.”

“Shut up.” Hermione bit out, rolling her eyes.

“Wait...wait – are you two drinking together?” Lily asked suddenly, her eyes twinkling as James narrowed his eyes at Hermione.

“We’re all drinking together, Lil’.” Sirius commented as he gestured to the table and widened his eyes, shaking his head and taking another sip of his drink.

“You know what I mean.”

Hermione did, and honestly she didn’t want to respond but she knew the couple wouldn’t be happy until they got their answers so she spoke. “We’re friends, and we live close to each other – it’s only us in our homes, so yes sometimes we have dinner and drinks together.”

“Makes life a little less lonely.” Sirius added in agreement.

It wasn’t like it was every night, their schedules were different, but there had been a few times when finishing work that they had come across each other and it seemed ridiculous to go home alone when they lived a block away from one another.

Then there was dinner, local Muggle food that they both sat and ate on the benches outside, and then it was wanting a drink and heading to the local pub. Then it was eating at the others apartment with a bottle of wine and talking.

Hermione could see how it was confusing for Lily and James, but it wasn’t anything more than two friends catching up and trying to avoid seeing how empty their flats had become.

“You know what else might make life a little less lonely?” Lily asked suddenly before continuing.“Someone to share it with, like a flatmate.” She smirked as Hermione narrowed her eyes. “You know, I know two people whose flatmates recently had to leave and they could do with some company.”

“We’re not going to live together, Lil’.” Hermione answered, rolling her eyes and reaching for some of the chips as Sirius laughed slightly.

“That would be weird.” He said with a small laugh. “I mean, we’re good, but imagine bringing back someone and explaining that you live with your ex.” Hermione nodded in agreement, though she didn’t really want to think about that.

“Not to mention the feelings.” James said suddenly.

“What feelings?” Hermione asked as she stilled and glared at James.

“The confusing ones you two have for each other.” He pointed out, rolling his eyes at them as Sirius shifted in his seat and Hermione pursed her lips. “Try and deny it, but it’s there.”

“I mean, sure, I’m always going to care about Hermione but we’re just friends now, that’s it.” Sirius explained but he didn’t meet her eyes and she wasn’t sure if she wanted him to. It was confusing, everything felt confusing these days.

“If you say so.”

“We do so drop it.” Hermione snapped, sipping her drinking and glaring at her brother as he gave her a little smirk.