Marlene took a seat next to Lily and Alice as Slughorn entered the classroom and instructed them to take out their books.

"Today we're looking at..." Slughorn started talking about a bunch of potions and antidotes in words Marlene said was "too smart for her".

As Slughorn launched into the lesson, Marlene scanned the whole class for Sirius, but he wasn't there. Maybe he wasn't taking NEWT Potions. 

"Nevermind," thought Marlene, rolling her eyes as she saw two very recognizable idiots (James and Sirius) throwing themselves through the door and panting.

"Sorry we're late, Professor," panted James.

"Not to worry, my boy, not to worry." Slughorn waved this off idly as James and Sirius moved to take their seats. "Actually, Mr Black," added Slughorn. "Would you mind sniffing this potion and telling the class what it smells like to help with a demonstration?"

Sirius nodded and walked up to the cauldron. He sniffed it, his nose twitching slightly.

"I smell apple strudel, cinnamon, and-" Sirius broke off with a confused look.

Marlene was just as confused as Sirius. She turned to Lily. "What's that potion?"

Lily giggled quietly. "It's Amortentia, Marlene."

Marlene blushed so hard that she looked like a tomato in human form. That explained the scent of wet dog she smelled around the whole room.

"Mr Black?" asked Slughorn again kindly. "What else did you say you smelled in the potion?"

Sirius sniffed it again. "It smells like someone threw Essence of Marlene in there."

The whole class burst out in laughter.

"What's so funny?" asked Sirius, confused.

He caught Marlene's eyes and noticed she was mouthing something to him. "Amortentia."

Sirius' mouth made an 'o' shape as he blushed even harder than Marlene.

"Looks like someone has eyes for Miss McKinnon," said Slughorn, winking at Sirius as he went to sit at his seat next to James, who was still roaring with laughter.

The news spread across the school like wildfire.

"You'd think people would have something other to talk about other than us," sighed Marlene, sitting in the library next to Sirius.

"Why wouldn't they talk about us?" smirked Sirius. "We're the best and most awesomest couple ever."

"True," shrugged Marlene. "Half is correct, actually. I'm the awesome one." She grabbed her bag and books and started for the door of the library.

"I hate you," yelped Sirius at her.

"You know you love me!" Marlene yelped back, but immediately realized what she had said. "Oh."

"Marlene-" Sirius said quickly.

"Gotta head to Charms for our pop quiz. See ya. Bye." And Marlene just zipped out of the library without another word to add to the awkward situation.

A/n: I love writing cliffhangers just to annoy my readers :)

That's how much I love you all- so thank you so much for more than 200 reads on this book! 

Sending lots of love from the frosty and icy coast of California,

Jui Weasley