I Siriusly Can't Get Over You || A Sequel To ISDU

M
I stand at Alice's pensive in the empty girls dormitory, my hand holding Marlene's memory shaking slightly.
I carefully unstopped the bottle and tipped the contents in, the liquid swirling and bubbling slightly before becoming so still like glass.
the image of Marlene and Sirius surfaces and I lean in, almost touching it.

"did you mean it." her voice is tight and hurt.
"Marlene I swear nothing is going on between me and Mars," sirius says pleadingly. "please, please believe me."
"but do you love her?" Marlene's voice breaks. "do you love her or do you love me."
Sirius stares at a spot just above Marlene's shoulder, swallowing hard.
"just answer the question."
"i think you already know," he says so quietly it's only barely audible.
"i just want to hear it from you." marlene is crying soft tears now, rolling gently down her round rosy cheeks.
"it's not that I don't love you marls," sirius says. "i just-- I've been in love with Mars for so long."
there is silence so heavy that I wait for Marlene to collapse under the weight.
"then why ask me out." Marlene's voice is ragged and breathless.
"because I wanted to prove I could," sirius whispers.
Marlene stares blankly at sirius, heart breaking.
"and I know Mars doesn't like me, and I thought this would help me get over her."
Marlene softens ever so slightly.
"you idiot."
Sirius looks taken aback.
"what?"
"you absolute idiot. of course Mars likes you. she has for years. how can you miss it. she just thought you liked me."
Sirius's eyes widen and Marlene smiles sadly.
"she loves you."
"she loves me?" mumbles Sirius.
"yes dummy."
Sirius's face lifts and he can't help but smile. he turns to the door, then pauses.
"Marlene I'm so sorry."
"I know." she says, tears pouring in earnest.
"I should have never got you caught up in this stupid bet."
"what?"
"nothing, it's nothi--"

the memory ends abruptly, but I know the rest. I sit there, shocked, a mix of emotions. Marlene walks in after a few moments.
"he cares about you Mars. he always has." there are soft tears in her eyes, my own feel itchy.
"why?" I ask. "why."
"because you're amazing."
"but so are you," I counter, rubbing my eye.
she gives a half smile. "we don't always get to choose who we love. but even if we did, he'd choose you over and over again." she wraps me in a hug and kisses my cheek. "go talk to him."

a/n:
...hi. I promise that I'll finish this story. I owe you guys. the support is overwhelming. idk why y'all keep reading this trash. but thank u. thank u for all voting and being patient (four fckin years 😅) ily guys