DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO HARRY POTTER OR ANY CHARACTERS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ANNELISE BLACK.

CHAPTER ONE: KISS INTERUPTED

The Summer of 1978

Annelise Black couldn't believe that she was here. It had not been so long ago that Lily Evans-soon to be Potter- would and could not even have a rational conversation with James Christopher Potter. Annelise placed the veil, delicately edged with crystals, atop her best friend's head of brilliant, red hair. Looking in the mirror, she had to admit that Lily was quite possibly the most beautiful bride she had ever seen in her life. Her dress was long and flowing with a cream coloured sash cinching her already tiny waist and a sweetheart neckline that exposed just enough of the smooth white skin of her neck. James Potter was a lucky man and Annelise had a feeling that her surrogate brother looked just as happy wherever he was getting ready with Sirius right now.

Lily smiled nervously at Annelise, "Well, what do you think?"

"I think that James is going to faint when he sees how ravishing you look," Annelise assured her, "Either that of he'll spontaneously combust in anticipation of ravishing you."

Lily gaped, "Annelise!"

"What? You know it's true," Annelise laughed, "And besides, any red blooded male would be thinking the exact same thing if they saw you in this dress."

Lily rolled her eyes, "Oh please. I was so tempted to pick out an awful bridesmaid dress for you so that you wouldn't outshine me. You're a Black for god's sake."

Annelise laughed, "Well today is your day Lily and trust me no one is going to be looking at me. Just take a look in the mirror. You are absolutely stunning and I adore your dress. I might just have to steal it for when I get hitched."

Lily quirked an eyebrow, "So Remus asked you did he?"

Annelise rolled her eyes, "Lily how many times do I have to tell you that Remus and I are just friends?"

"At least another dozen because I see the way he looks at you and trust me, Remus is in love with you and has been for a very long time," Lily said, "I think you should just tell him how you feel. You two have so much sexual tension that it's ridiculous."

Annelise shook her head, "He's not in love with me, Lil. Come on. What on earth could he possibly see in me? He probably thinks of me as Sirius' little sister and nothing more."

Lily just smiled knowingly, "You know I seem to remember that you once told me that I would marry James even though at the time I was absolutely appalled. So now it's my turn. One of these days, Miss Annelise Mallory Black, you and Remus are going to end up just like me and James- blissfully happy and admittedly in love."

Annelise glanced over at the mirror and brushed a stray black hair back from her clear blue eyes. She was definitely attractive and truth be told she looked like a Black. Her alluring good looks had always been what called attention to her in school even though she had been much more academically inclined then her older brother, Sirius. She was a good height for a girl and slim, the soft, shimmering fabric of her pale peach bridesmaid dress clinging to her curves in just the right places. She found herself thinking that she was glad she could pull off the flesh coloured pumps since Remus was so tall, before mentally slapping herself in the forehead. She touched up the gloss that had started to fade and took out her wand to cast a last minute charm on her hair so that it fell in perfect waves down her back. Turning for inspection, Lily smiled in approval.

"You look beautiful," Lily said, "And now I think it's time to get this show on the road. Could you grab the bouquets? I think Alice had them in the kitchen."

Annelise nodded, "Yea, one sec."

She exited the room, shutting the door behind her. James and Lily were getting married at the Potter family estate and it had been beautifully outfitted. Outside the trees and been decorated with floating candles and twinkling lights. The garden had been beautifully transformed and some garden fairies had even taken up residence nearby and their pixie dust could be seen floating upon the breeze. Turning the corner, she took the stairs two at a time as she saw through the window that many of the guests if not all of them were seated already. As she hit the last step, her heel slipped off the edge and she tumbled forward only to be caught by the strong, warm arms of Remus Lupin.

Annelise looked up into his happy eyes and tried not to sigh. She couldn't deny that Lily was right on one account. She still felt the same way about Remus that she had since she was just a first year. He grinned down at her and all too soon he put her back on her feet, keeping a hand of both shoulders to steady her. He looked utterly dashing in his suit and Annelise found herself imaging it was their day.

Breaking her from her reverie, Remus said, "You should be more careful. I wouldn't want you getting hurt and you know that Lily would kill you if you wrecked your dress already."

"Thanks for catching me," Annelise said, trying not to look to dazzled- she groaned inwardly at how much of a love struck teenager she could be in his presence.

"It's my pleasure," Remus said, looking her up and down before adding, "You look... exquisite."

She could feel a blush rising on her cheeks and said softly, "You don't look too bad yourself."

Annelise wished that she could know what he was thinking just this once. He was staring at her in a way that almost made her believe what Lily had said. They fell into a silence that many people would have thought awkward but neither one of them seemed to notice. She bit her lip hesitantly as his eyes gazed into hers. She could feel her knees getting weaker by the second; the only thing keeping her upright was his hands holding her. Subconsciously, she moved closer to him and he took a step into her, one hand running down her arm to hold her hand. As he took hold of her hand, still staring intensely into her eyes, he pulled her so that they were practically nose to nose. For a moment she thought that he was going to kiss her but he pulled her hand up to his mouth and delicately touched his lips to the back of it, lingering for longer than he should have. Her breath hitched and she closed her eyes. He let go of her hand and she placed it on his shoulder. This was it- the moment of truth. He cupped the side of her face gently and tilted her chin up. They were so close, pressed up against each other. His hot breath gave her goose bumps and he leant towards her so that his lips were no further than a centimetre or two from hers. Just as their lips brushed each other someone barged in through the door.

"Remus! What the bloody hell is taking you so..." Sirius called, freezing as his sister and Remus broke away from each other.

There was a moment of awkward silence and then another. Sirius fiddled with his tie and ran his fingers through his perpetually messy hair before clearing his throat. He shot an incredibly older brother style look at Annelise before turning to Remus.

"Uhm," Sirius said awkwardly, "Mate? What the bleeding cow are you doing with my sister?"

Annelise stuttered, "We, we were just..."

Remus cut in, "Sirius, what did you need?"

"James wanted you to go make sure Lily is ready. Dumbledore's arrived to officiate," Sirius said.

Remus nodded, "Right."

Annelise was left alone with Sirius and felt the need to cut the tension in the air, "There's nothing to talk about Sirius. Nothing happened."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, "James wants to talk to you."

Annelise left as Sirius muttered, "It sure didn't look like nothing."

Annelise walked down the hallway and knocked on the door to James' room. She had spent many a summer here- and Christmas' too for that matter. Mr. and Mrs. Potter's home had always been Sirius' and Annelise' as well. Annelise, who had been even younger than Sirius when they left home, had even come to refer to the Potter's as Mum and Dad. It was the only loving home they had ever known. Both children had always wished they had been born a Potter- being a Black had so many negative connotations and not to mention some seriously insane cousins. The only sane family member they seemed to have was Andromeda Tonks who had also been blasted off of the family tree all those years ago. Annelise had visited her quite a few times. She had stayed at the Three Broomsticks for almost a year before she finally moved in with her husband Ted, who just so happened to be a muggle-born.

"Come on in," James called.

Annelise opened the door and stepped inside, "Hey James. What did you want to speak to me about?"

James smiled and patted the spot beside him on the bed, "Come here sis."

Annelise smiled and sat down, "You look very handsome. Lily's a lucky girl."

James shook his head, "No, I'm the lucky one."

"Alright, let's not get into this debate again," Annelise laughed.

"Oh Anna, you know I win our arguments," James teased, "What's the point in even trying?"

Annelise rolled her eyes, a habit she had picked up from Sirius, "Well? What did you need? You're not going to have an older brother talk are you because you know that I'm supposed to be giving you the sister talk right now?"

James grinned, "Oh I definitely want to hear this "sister talk"."

"Alright then. As Maid of Honour, younger surrogate sister to the Groom and best friend of the Bride, I have to tell you that if you ever hurt Lily I will kill you... and snap your Nimbus 1900. Now that that formality is out of the way I just wanted to say that I wish you and Lily every happiness. You two are perfect for each other and even though it took you guys a while to get your act together you did it and now you two are getting married. You have been one of the best older brother's that I could have had the good fortune of having- don't tell Sirius that. I know that the last year has been hard on you. I know that Mum and Dad would have loved to be here and they would have been so proud of the man you have become. I know that wherever they are up in heaven right now they are watching," Annelise said.

James looked a little teary although he would never show it, "Anna, you know what? You are definitely my favourite sibling. Don't tell Sirius. And thanks. I know that the last year has been hard on you too. My parents always considered you and Sirius part of the family and I hope that when your big day comes around I'll get to be there for you on their behalf."

Annelise looked close to tears and enveloped James in a hug, "I better go. I have to grab the bouquets and get you hitched."

"Alright," James smiled, "Before you go though... How's Lily?"

Annelise laughed happily, "She is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

James grinned like a fool, "I meant is she nervous?"

Annelise shook her head, "She has no reason to be. She's marrying you. You're all she's ever wanted."