QL Reserve League: S2, R5 (Some Love for the early exiters), Chaser 3 (write about Marlene McKinnon during a Christmas break spent at Hogwarts) [optional prompts: (word) frostbite, (word) bag

QL Book Club: (title) Charm and Stolen Hearts

Quidditch Supplies: (dialogue) "Why are you so irritable today?"

WC. 1071

Charm and Stolen Hearts

Marlene was one of the few Gryffindors who'd elected to remain at Hogwarts over Christmas, and it wasn't for pleasant reasons. As much as she would have loved to have gone home and spent the holiday with her family, her workload had built up over the past few weeks and she had found herself horribly behind.

She was a studious student, usually found in the library with Lily Evans studying until late into the evening to keep on top of anything. But since October, Lily had been going to the library by herself and Marlene had found herself otherwise… preoccupied.

And to her annoyance, her distraction had elected to stay at Hogwarts as well.

"Morning, Marly. You're up early." Sirius Black slid into the seat next to her, lifting the books she had stacked on them and placing them on the table. "How's things?"

Marlene scowled. "They were fine until you showed up. Can't you see I'm trying to study?"

Sirius stared blankly at her, as if she'd spoken an entirely different language. Then, he said, "But it's the holidays."

"Yeah, and I'm studying!" Marlene snapped.

"But why?"

"Because," Marlene said, "I have fallen behind. You want to know why I've fallen behind?" She glared at Sirius, while he nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Because of you, Sirius Black!"

"Me?" Sirius asked. "Why me? Why are you so irritable today?"

Marlene felt her anger resolve at his tone. He sounded genuinely confused, and even looked slightly hurt. She sighed, throwing her quill onto the table, shaking her head.

"It's not your fault," she said. "You've just been a distraction for me, that's all. I was once quite studious, and then… you came along."

A mischievous look suddenly appeared on Sirius' face, and with a swipe of his hand her books slid across the table and onto the floor. He arched an eyebrow at her, suggestive and rather tempting, had they not been in the Gryffindor common room where anyone could walk down.

Despite her earlier frustration, Marlene laughed. "This is exactly what I'm talking about, you dolt."

"I can't help it if you find me too attractive to do your work," Sirius said innocently, now on the floor to pick up her books he'd just knocked off. "You need to be able to control yourself more."

"Ha, ha," Marlene said, rolling her eyes. "Well, now that you're here, why don't you make yourself useful?"

"Anything," Sirius said, beaming. His smile then faltered. "Er, within reason, though."

Marlene smirked. "Is it reasonable to ask for your help with my Transfiguration homework? You're clever enough to do it, you just choose to act dumb sometimes."

"I do not!" Sirius replied in mock offence.

Marlene arched an eyebrow, but Sirius refused to back down from his stance.

"Transfiguration just happens to be a subject I am naturally gifted at. What do you need help with?"

"What do you know about Animagi?"

Sirius snorted. "Loads." He opened her Transfiguration textbook and flicked to the chapter about transforming into animals.

For the next half an hour, Sirius sat with her and genuinely seemed interested in helping her with the essay that had been due right before the Christmas break. He had been right when he said he knew a lot. In fact, he gave her many detailed facts about the process of becoming an Animagus, she wondered if someone in his family was one.

Midday came around and by that time, Marlene's eyes were sore and her stomach growled.

"That means lunch, I think," Sirius said with a light chuckle. "You're basically done with that anyway." He snapped the book closed and rolled up her parchment with the almost finished essay.

Together, they made their way down to the Great Hall for lunch. In the whole school, there were ten students in total, so they were forced to dine with three Slytherins, three Ravenclaws and two Hufflepuffs.

After they'd eaten, Marlene had plans to go back and finish some more of her homework, but before they even reached the staircase, Sirius caught up to her and spun her around and kissed her so hard on the mouth that she stumbled back a few steps.

"Sirius," she groaned, pushing against his chest. "I can't -"

"You can," Sirius said. "You just won't." His arms fell loosely to his side, looking at her with a disappointed expression. "Come on, just one hour? Outside, we can go for a walk, or -"

"I'll get frostbite," Marlene said. "I'm hardly dressed for this weather."

A flicker of hope flashed across Sirius' face. "Well, what are you waiting for then? Go on, go get dressed!" He spun her around and nudged her towards the staircase.

Marlene laughed as he continued to shuffle her up, his hand against her back. He followed her all the way to the Fat Lady and through the portrait hole, watching to make sure she didn't have a change of heart.

"You're not going to follow me up the girls' staircase, are you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Believe me," Sirius said, his face taking on a glazed expression, "I would love to. But -" and now his face took on a darker look, "- boys can't."

"Can't?" Marlene asked, frowning.

Sirius nodded, looking very disappointed. "A spell of some kind. It's as if they don't trust us! And, might I add, very much double standards! Girls are allowed up the boys' staircase."

Marlene couldn't help but smile. He was cute when he pouted. "I'll be back in a moment." She stuffed all of her books into her bag that still sat by the table, and carried them upstairs. She put on a coat, beanie and gloves and hurried back downstairs where Sirius was still waiting. When he spotted her, his face broke into a wide grin.

"You just look splendid!"

Marlene blushed. It was comments like that that had kept her from completing all her homework these past weeks.

As they made their way back down the corridor together, Marlene couldn't help but cast a sideways glance at him. She smiled. He may have distracted her from all of her work, and he may have been the cause of her frustration that morning, but she couldn't deny that he was incredibly charming. Irresistible, even.

And, to her horror (and joy) she realised, as they walked out the doors and into the snowy grounds, he had well and truly stolen her heart.

I hope you enjoyed this! I can't remember the last time I wrote this pairing haha. It's been a while.