Marlene had expected the weeks to be difficult. She'd expected endless interrogation from her father, and for her mother to storm out of the room in some irrational fit of anger. She was prepared for her sister Margaret's underhanded comments and Megan's digs at her looks. Her brothers would make snide remarks about her grades and the classes she took. She was ready for all types of McKinnon madness when she brought Sirius home for the holidays, but she hadn't properly readied herself for, well, herself.

The whole family had a track record. For the past three generations, every McKinnon had been a Ravenclaw. They prided themselves on their record, even going as far as to decorate their house in blues and silver. They weren't outwardly blood-purists, but Marlene could tell. Anyone could tell. So when Marlene was sorted into Gryffindor, her whole family was in a flurry. Especially since her two best friends Lily Evans and Mary MacDonald were muggleborn, and she was known to spend horrid amounts of time with Sirius Black.

Her family never had anything against Sirius for the beginnings of their relationship, but in fifth year when he moved in with the Potters, they found that disgraceful. They made Marlene promise to stop speaking with him, but she refused. Soon enough, they began to find 'nice purebloods' for her to date. She ignored their wishes purposefully dating other people to spite them. She dated muggleborns and blood traitors, anyone that would piss off her mother.

But then, just before break, Sirius found out why she had went from a docile quiet girl, to shagging anything that moved. Lord knows he never judged her, but he was worried when she let slip she wasn't being very safe about it. She told him everything, all of the pressure her parents were putting on her. He offered to spend the holiday with her, and she accepted.

The first day back went well enough; her parents seemed passive enough to Sirius' presence. They didn't ignore him, but they weren't particularly welcoming either. Her sisters spent their time trying not to stare at his obvious good looks. Her father made small conversation about quidditch, never delving into politics more than a passing remark about the 'bloody state of things'. Her mother just plain ignored both of them, choosing to spend her time preparing dinner for the night.

"So Sirius, where do you live?" Megan asked, pushing absently at the food on her plate.

"With the Potters." He answered diligently.

"And where do they live?" Margaret replied.

"They have a few houses." Marlene cut in, effectively silencing her sister.

Mr. McKinnon spoke up. "What do you plan to do with your life, after Hogwarts?"

"I don't know exactly." Sirius shrugged. "But I want to do something in the war."

Mr. McKinnon hummed his approval. "And how do you feel about the war?"

"I think You-Know-Who needs to be stopped," He ground his teeth together. "Blood doesn't matter anymore than hair color."

"You're serious?"

"That's my name."

Her family was speechless. Marlene, for one, was proud of how Sirius had finished the conversation without blowing up. She guessed it was a testament to how much he really was there for her. There was a brief fluttering in her chest that she chose to ignore. The rest of the meal was eaten in near to complete silence.

After the meal, everyone went to get ready for bed. Marlene took the opportunity to show Sirius where he'd be sleeping. The room was small-ish, and had belonged to her grandmother before she'd died the previous year. Marlene rocked on her heels as Sirius tossed his bag onto the bed.

"Thank you for dinner." She said.

"Shouldn't that be the other way 'round?" Sirius grinned, plopping down on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah, well, you handled my family." Marlene laughed. "So I'm thanking you instead."

"You're welcome, McKinnon."

"You should probably call me by my first name," She observed. "You know, since this is a houseful of McKinnons."

"Alright, Marlene." He dragged out.

"Goodnight, Black." She laughed, turning to leave.

"What? No good night kiss?" Sirius raised his arms mockingly. Marlene laughed again, kissing her knuckles and lightly punching Sirius in the arm. He grunted upon impact. "You're going to kill me, Mar."

"See you in the morning," She called, using her wand to shut the door behind her.

Once back in her room and changed into her pajamas, Marlene decided to write to Lily. She knew her friend was dealing with her sister's wedding, and that was probably more strenuous than a tense family dinner.

Lily, she wrote. How's Hell going? Because it's burning me alive here. I wish I was back at Hogwarts, I really do. My mother has been awful with Sirius, ignoring him and being overly snide. I think she and Petunia would get along well. Send help, I don't think I can survive a whole holiday, even with Sirius's help.

She stopped writing at the knock on her door. "Come in,"

Her mother stepped in, carefully shutting the door behind her to not make any noise. "Marlene," She greeted, taking a seat on her daughter's bed. "May I speak with you?"

"Well you're here already." Marlene put the quill down.

"It's about him." Mrs. McKinnon frowned, obviously referring to Sirius.

"What about him?"

"You two aren't," She hesitated. "Having sex are you?"

Marlene was stunned, but then she snapped an indifferent mask on. "So what if we are."

"I expected better from you!" Her mother exclaimed, quietly. "To only engage in such activities with someone respectable-"

"Sirius is respectable." Marlene growled. "I respect him."

"You aren't even courting-"

"Maybe we are!" She burst out, without thinking. Oh good Godric, what had she just said?

"You're dating Sirius Black!" Her mother looked gob smacked.

No backing out now. "Yes."

Her mother remained silently gaping at her.

"Now please, get out of my room." Marlene demanded, and her mother obeyed. She left the room in stunned silence. And once again Marlene was last minute replayed in her head.

What the fuck had she done?

A/N- Hello! So I thought I'd try my hand at a fake!dating fic because they're my favorites, and really, why not? Plus there is a shocking lack of blackinnon in the world.

Tell me what you think of it!

To Zoe, xx