Chapter 11
Marlene now walked alone down the halls towards the Transfiruration classroom. She decided to take a different turns than usual, admiring the architecture of the castle. She always appreaciated the beauty of the castle. As she walked she heard silent fast breaths form one of the corners behind a statue. They belonged to a boy wih a Gryffindor uniform. He had his head burried in his knees.
"Hey, are you alright" She approached him carefully, like if he was a wild animal. "Do you need any help?"
There was no answer. It seemed as though the boy was in distress.
"Hey," she tried a bit louder and pulled out her wand. "I'm going to touch you, alright?"
She kneeled in front of him and took him by his hair, trying to see his face. To her surprise, the face was familiar...
"Holy shit Sirius is that you?!"
"No piss off." the boy growled.
"Don't try me! I would recognize that face anywhere! You look horrible"
Sirius looked at her with surprise and recognition in his eyes as he lifted his head from his knees. His usually confident and mischievous demeanor was replaced with a haunted and pained expression. He looked disheveled and exhausted, as if he had been through a lot.
"Sirius, what happened?" she asked softly, lowering her wand and reaching out a hand to touch his arm gently. "You can talk to me, you know."
Sirius twitched and looked at her for a moment, his grey eyes searching her face. He seemed as though he got scared by her touch. Finally, he seemed to relent, and he let out a heavy sigh.
"Fuck," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's nothing. It's just... I've ran away form home, and I remembered something awful, what happened after that. It's fine now, thank you for snapping me out of it."
Sirius wiped his tears. This is exactly what she meant when said he always seem to be hiding something. He shared something and nothing at the same time. It did't however make her feel any less sad for her friend. "I'm so sorry, Sirius," she said softly, squeezing his arm gently. "Hey, you know you can always talk to me. I know you probably won't. But you can..."
Sirius looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and sadness. He didn't say anything, but the slight nod he gave her spoke volumes. Marlene sat down beside him, offering a comforting presence. She put her head on his shoulder. But didn't push him to talk further, she knew him well-enough not to do that, but she stayed by his side, providing him with a sense of support and understanding.
"Hey~ I know this is probably the last thing you care about right now. But we are late to class."
Sirius chuckled, greatfull for the distraction. "Yeah, you are right."
They stood up starting to make their way to class. "Oh, by the way... I told Mary." she said with a guitly expression.
"Yeah, whatever. It's cool. I never told anyone, not even James. But Mary is cool, she won't make a big deal out of it. " concluded Sirius.
"But I think someone else might, I'm worried someone might have heard while I was telling her." Marlene felt really bad since Sirius didn't even tell James and they seem... unseperable.
Sirius grinned. "Actually, that wouldn't be so bad either." his eyes sparkled.
"Are you sure?" Marlene hesitated.
"I mean as long as you don't mind-" Sirius's mood changed 180 for the better. "I got a plan... let me ask you something- as long as you agree, what do you think of- -"
"You are positively mad, Sirius." laughed Marlene. "but sure, whatever I'm down. It sounds like your fight."
"It sure as hell his, you are just helping me start it." smirked Sirius, giving Marlene a gentle punch.