Marlene stared at the window curtains, gnawing away at her lip. She knew she'd have to get up at some point, but was dreading the moment. Sirius was still sound asleep and waking him would risk the... something. Some sort of indescribable something that Marlene felt building up inside of her, and she just had to get out of the damn bed! She felt herself slowly suffocating in the weight of her decision. Even though she could have sworn up and down the night before it was just meaningless sex.

But then there it was. It wasn't just meaningless sex; it was breaking their one and only rule. It was sex with someone she never planned to have sex with, and it was breaking the rule! The rule she had put in place because she didn't want sex when she was bored or angry at her family. She didn't want sex as a coping mechanism, and that's exactly what she'd made it.

Marlene groaned, dragging her hands across her face. She was a mess of dumb choices, and this one didn't even feel dumb. As if sensing her distress, Sirius' arms tightened their hold on her. Her back was pressed firmly against his abdomen, and Marlene felt something pleasant and warm flutter in her gut. And no no, no-she was not doing this.

As carefully and gently as she could, Marlene pried Sirius' arms off of her and slipped out of bed. There were clothes all over the floor, and after a good minute of trying to get her stuff together, Marlene gave up and just pulled on the first shirt she saw. Which just happened to be one of Sirius's. It was probably telling on her part, but Marlene didn't want to take it off. So she didn't.

After one last quick look around the room, and a glance at Sirius-who had rolled over onto his back, Marlene slipped into the hall and headed towards her room. The door was cracked slightly open, which meant someone was awake since Marlene knew the elves usually closed them. She pushed the door the rest of the way open, surveying the beds in the room. Lily was clearly still asleep, if the light snores emanating from the bed opposite the door was any clue. That was a relief, at least she didn't have to deal with her for another couple hours. Mary however was digging through her suitcase, wrapped in only a towel.

"Morning," Marlene whispered, slipping the rest of the way inside and shutting the door. Mary glanced up.

She quickly took in Marlene's attire and cracked a grin. "I didn't know you were a fan of muggle rock."

"Trust me I'm not." Marlene frowned, heading to her bags. She knew she packed jeans in there somewhere.

"Someone's cranky." Mary crossed her arms. "What's wrong, Marls? What happened?"

"Nothing," Marlene bit out, yanking her clothes out in frustrated handfuls. She let out an angry huff, moving to the piles she'd just removed from her bag and ripping through them. "Where are my bloody pants!"

"Marlene-jesus!" Mary ducked a sock before dropping to the floor. "What the fuck happened?"

"I...I-" She hesitated, arms frozen in the process of throwing another chunk of clothes to the floor. "I shagged him."

"Who?"

"Sirius,"

"Shit."

"Yeah."

The clothes dropped back to the floor, and Marlene gripped at her shirt-his shirt. She and Mary sat in silence for a while, Marlene thinking about what she had done and Mary just staring. Silently, Mary reached for a pair of her jeans and held them out for Marlene.

She slipped them on. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Mary shrugged.

They were quiet again.

"Do you regret it?"

"No,"

"Marlene!" Mary gasped. "Was it any good?"

"Mary!" Marlene flushed.

"Just a question." Mary grinned, leaning in. "So, was he any good?"

Marlene took a second before slowly nodding. Mary squealed, bouncing up and down on her knees. They both broke out into giggled because really it was nearly impossible to not laugh when Mary was.

"Well," Mary declared standing. "I'm going to get dressed. But then we are talking about everything that happened, and then we are going to breakfast."

True to her word, Mary dressed quickly and then ran back to Marlene. Somehow she got the whole story out of Marlene, and she was describing it and answering stupid questions. She could almost forget all the weird emotions surround it and the something. It was just boy-talk with her best mate, until James stuck his head in to tell them breakfast was happening and then presents.

Marlene turned to Mary as they stood. "Happy Christmas, Mary!"

"Happy Christmas!"

"Dibs on not waking up Lily." Marlene said in a rush, sprinting out the door and down the stairs. Mary's annoyed shouts echoed after her as she followed her nose to the kitchen, which was full of her hungry friends. It seemed like everyone was awake, but was too busy in their own food consumption to notice her walk in.

She grabbed a plate and started loading up on eggs and pancakes. She was about to move on to the syrup, when Marlene felt a pair of hands land on her hips. Whipping around, she found Sirius standing there grinning.

"Interesting top." He tugged on the front of her shirt. "Wherever did you get it?"

Marlene laughed mockingly, stepping out of his grasp. "Some dingey store in muggle London."

"Interesting."

"You've said that." She rolled her eyes, turning back to dousing her pancakes in delicious maple syrup. He was making her stomach flip and tingle, and Marlene was having none of it.

"It's interesting because..." Sirius leaned in, pressing up against her, his mouth on her ear as he spoke. "I could have sworn that was my shirt."

"Fancy that." She replied, slipping away from him again and heading to the table.

Breakfast went quickly after that, Mary and Lily joining them shortly after Marlene had sat down. They all ate rather quickly, knowing presents were after, and letting their more childish sides take over. When they'd all finished, Alice insisted on making everyone put their plates in the sink. Then finally they were all able to rush into the living room where all the presents they'd brought were piled beneath the tree.

Peter, Dorcas and Benjy were the first ones to dive in and search for their names. Soon everyone was digging around shouting names here and there, passing presents another couldn't reach. Everything was very quickly cleared from under the tree. Everything was very sweet and thought out. Everyone got something, and no one was left with nothing.

Marlene had gotten a knit scarf from Dorcas and Benjy, a book on complex Quidditch plays from James, chocolates from Remus and Peter, a mood ring magically enchanted to actually tell your mood from Alice, a necklace from Frank, ABBA's new album from Mary, and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy from Lily. It really was fantastic.

As Marlene sat there, wrapped in her new scarf and eating some of her chocolate, Sirius gently tugged her arm. She turned to him.

He leaned in. "I have something for you, too. Follow me."

She watched him stand and leave to the hallway. Looking around, making sure no one would notice, she stood and followed.

"Alright, what is it?"

"Here." He handed her a little square box wrapped in newspaper. She stared at him curiously for a moment before tentatively taking it. "Jesus, it's not a wedding proposal, McKinnon. Just open it."

"I know," She huffed. Despite logically knowing that, Marlene was delicate when unwrapping the box and her heart did catch a little when she registered it was the type jewelry was in. Then she opened it.

"It's a watch."

"Yeah,"

"You got me a watch?" Marlene looked up at Sirius, trying very hard not to cry. "Why?"

"Well, your birthday is a couple of months." Sirius shrugged. "And your family isn't the type to buy you a watch. So I figured I would, and I know it's not very expensive or fancy but-"

"Shut up."

"What?"

"Shut up. Stop talking." Conflicted feelings be damned. Marlene grabbed the front of Sirius' shirt and yanked him down so she could kiss him. His hand dropped immediately to her waist. Then he lightly pushed her away.

"They'll hear us."

Marlene shrugged moving to his neck. "That's fine."

"Marlene," He groaned.

She stopped. "Fine, then let's go somewhere they won't hear us."

Marlene watched as Sirius' pupils dilated, and she dragged him to where she knew the nearest bathroom was. It quickly escalated from there. Marlene's shirt was in the bathtub. Sirius' pants were draped over the toilet, and both of them were still shedding.

Somewhere when Sirius was kissing his way down Marlene's stomach he stopped. "What was that you said about not kissing in the loo if we're not dating?"

"Shut it, Black."

"I'm sure you only said it a few days ago."

"I hate you."

He smirked up at her. "Does this mean we're dating, McKinnon?"

"Shut up and put your mouth to better use."

And put it to better use he did.

When Marlene and Sirius reemerged from the bathroom thirty minutes later, she was sure everyone would comment on their absence. However, everybody seemed occupied with their own business; so she swiftly joined Mary and Dorcas who were drinking tea and laughing about something. Soon enough she was deeply immersed in a conversation on half-breed rights.

"All I'm saying is if they're sentient, they should have rights!" Mary said.

"I totally agree." Dorcas nodded. "The Ministry can't act like beings like, I don't know, centaurs and werewolves have a half-intelligence just because they're not fully human."

"It's reckless." Marlene agreed. "They're endangering a whole set of sub-set of people just because who they are is a little different from the norm."

Mary scoffed. "And who are they to even say what 'normal' is."

"Completely disregarding that," Dorcas continued. "Even if they were somehow, quote-unquote, less intelligent, they're still sentient beings. Treating them with any less humanity you'd treat a fellow wizard with is just...it's just inhumane!"

"Bloody Wizengamot." Mary grumbled. "It's full of musty old men who don't know a dog from an animagus."

"Cheers," Dorcas nodded, sipping her tea.

"Well," Marlene pushed herself to her feet. "I'm going for a refill. Anyone else?"

"Please," Mary smiled, holding up her cup.

Marlene grabbed it, heading to the kitchen. She mused on how she'd never been one for black tea, but it just seemed a day that would be appropriate to give it a try. It wasn't as bad as she remembered it being the last time. Maybe her tastes were changing.

"Marlene, can we talk?"

She turned around to see Lily standing in the doorway, fiddling with her jumper. "Sure."

"I'm sorry." Lily sighed. "I don't know what exactly I said last night to get you so angry with me, but I'm sorry."

She blinked. "You're apologizing?"

"Yes," Lily said. "I was really judgemental, and you were clearly in need of someone to talk to. And I completely blew it. I talked it over with James this morning, and he told me to talk to you. He's right; so here I am hoping you won't be mad at me forever?"

Marlene took a moment to look at her best friend. Hell, it had only been a morning but she missed her. "Of course I forgive you."

"Oh thank Merlin." Lily laughed, throwing her arms around Marlene. They hugged for a minute before Marlene pulled away to nudge Lily.

"So, you talked to James did you?" Marlene grinned.

"Not like that!" She blushed. "He and I are... we're-"

"In deep, agonizing love?" Marlene teased, throwing a hand against her forehead.

"No," Lily laughed. "Friends. We're friends."

"Oh, sure, yeah." Marlene nodded sarcastically.

"We are," Lily knocked her arm. "Like you and Sirius."

"I hope not like me and Sirius." Marlene shook her head. "That's not a very friendly friendship."

"What, so you kissed a couple of times." Lily shrugged. "It's not like you shagged him."

When Marlene remained silent, Lily gasped and hit her.

"Oh my god, Marlene!" She cried. "You shagged him? When?"

Marlene hesitated. "Last night?"

"Bloody hell, Mar!"

"And also five minutes ago?"

"Marlene!" Lily looked completely scandalized.

"I know!" Marlene cried. "I'm already feeling conflicted enough, please don't guilt me."

"I wasn't-" Lily frowned. "I wasn't going to guilt you."

"Oh. Good."

They stood in silence until the kettle whistling brought them both out of it.

"I need to bring this to Mary." Marlene gestured to the tea cups. She filled them and made her way out of the kitchen.

"Mar?"

She stopped.

"Do you like him?" Lily stood by the sink now, mirroring the pose she entered with.

Marlene thought about that. "Yeah, I suppose I do."

"Then go for it." Lily advised. "Whatever's conflicting you isn't more important than your happiness. If you like him, and you're sure, go for it. You two are cute."

Marlene smiled. "Thank you, Lily."

"Yeah, go drink your tea."

A/N- Wow, so hey this took a while. Hope you haven't all completely lost interest? Anyway, I'm slowly but surely moving this story to Ao3 as well-a link for that is on my profile. Thanks for reading.