Chapter 2 : Marriage.

"A good marriage is at least 80 good luck in finding the right person at the right time. The rest is trust."

Hermione stood between the two men of her life : the one she loved, and the one she was about to marry. It sounded odd to her. She had not one man, but two. A week ago, that thought first crossed her mind and now it was going to be a reality.

--

"Remus…" She whispered to her lover. Remus was laying on the bed while she was sitting. He got up in a seated position and nodded to let her know she had his full attention. "I…" She couldn't say it. It was too weird.

"What is it, love?" He whispered so tenderly in her ear.

"Are you sure you are ok with this?" Her voice was small and it broke his heart.

He knew how worried she was, how scared she was. "Yes…" Was all he answered before kissing her tenderly on her mouth. His lips were soft. When they broke apart, she jokingly said :

"Well, I have two men in my life, just to myself!" But as soon as the words left her lips, it felt wrong.

Remus simply laughed at her comment. "Aren't you a lucky witch?" He whispered before nibbling her ear.

--

She sighed at the memory which made Remus turn to look at her. She simply shook her head as if to say nothing was wrong and smiled for reassurance. He smiled back and looked straight ahead. They were walking into the Ministry to have her legally married to ex-convict, notorious Sirius Black.

Meanwhile, she was cheating on her soon-to-be husband with his best mate, the man she loved, Remus Lupin and he was ok with it. She shook her head at those thoughts. This was definitely the weirdest situation she would ever be in, and one she never considered would happen in her whole life.

"Well, we're almost there!" Sirius said softly trying to reassure her. She simply nodded.

How could he be so calm? She never thought he would be this calm. He was about to marry his best mate's girlfriend, give up his bachelor life, and live a life with a bossy bookworm for the next months, maybe even years. How could he take it so well? She wasn't sure if he was Sirius Black anymore. Notorious sex-god, sex-lover Sirius Black. It made no sense to her. He was about to be sentenced to a life without sex. She prayed this law wouldn't last. It was unfair to him. But he never seemed to be bothered by it.

--

Hermione entered the kitchen and saw Sirius drinking on a last glass of fire whiskey. His hair was tousled and she could tell he was enjoying his bachelor life as much as he could. She bit her lower lip.

"Sirius…." She said softy. He lifted his head and their eyes met. She opened her mouth to say something but shut it immediately a few seconds later.

"Hermione?" His voice held concern. "Are you alright ?"

How could he ask this? She should be the one worrying about him. She nodded.

"Are you sure? Did Remus and you have a fight?" His eyes widened at the fear of maybe something happened. He was finally seeing Remus happy with love, he didn't want that to stop.

"No!" She suddenly found her voice. "I am worried about you…" She whispered.

He smirked. "Why is that?"

"Because you are giving up your bachelor life, your …" She paused and took a deep breath. "Your sex life for me…'" She whispered the ending.

He got up and walked around the table. He pulled Hermione into a tight hug, something she hadn't expected. "It's ok. I am happy to do this for Remus." There was a hint of sadness in his voice, Hermione wanted to say something but she heard him continue. "It's ok! Don't worry about me!" He pulled her back and smiled down at her.

His thumb rubbed her nose slightly and she smiled. "Thank you!" She said again as she hugged him tightly.

"Not a problem!" He chuckled against her hair.

--

The memory that flooded her mind, she never really understood, and she tried not to understand but it was difficult. He assured her many times that this is something he was happy to do this, but somehow she wasn't convinced. Something was off. She tried to push the thought aside as they arrived at destination.

"Ready?" Sirius asked smiling. She nodded again without saying anything. He sighed and looked at Remus for help but his best mate simply smiled. "Hermione." He said placing two hands on her arms. "Everything will be alright." Sirius said confidently and looking straight into her eyes.

"Yes, of course." She said lamely trying to sound she was convinced.

When Remus picked up her voice and anxiety, he turned to face her and whispered : "I will be alright. You will be alright. And Sirius will be alright. Try not to worry too much about the details, it will only make it more difficult on you." He finished in a soothing voice.

She felt herself relax and nodded. She looked at the two of them and smiled. They returned a genuine smile and they were on their way.

As they arrived at the desk, there was a young lady sitting there. She seemed annoyed and bored all the same. Hermione observed her. She was really beautiful : blonde, silky hair, deep green-forest eyes, pale skin. When Sirius spoke to her, she looked up and she put on a flirtiest smile. Her eyelashes batted at him, and for some reason, Hermione felt jealous.

Sirius indicated he was here to get married and pulled Hermione forward. Her whole body was against him and she felt herself blushing a bit. She felt sad that this wasn't Remus. The young lady at the desk looked at Hermione with a raised eyebrow. She didn't seem convinced that Sirius, all-good-sexy-looking Sirius Black was about to marry that.

"Miss?" He called as she turned to him. "Did you not hear me? I am here to get married!" He said again a bit annoyed.

"Very well, Mr. Black! Take a seat, we will call you as soon as possible."

He nodded, and the three of them took a seat. Sirius held Hermione's hand. He had to convince them it was real. She felt Remus stiffen next to her and she looked up to his. His amber eyes were flashing of anger, but he seemed to try to remain in control. When he looked at her, her chocolate-brown eyes were full of sadness and sorrow. Suddenly, Remus relaxed. He know this was to protect Hermione, but his possessiveness got the better of him.

They sat in silence until they heard someone call Sirius. He squeezed Hermione's hand and they got up. Remus followed them. He was going to be witness, of course. They took a seat in a small office. The man sitting in front of them was rather chubby looking, brown hair with flecks of grey, his square glasses falling slightly off his nose. He looked at them curiously but proceeded with the arrangements.

"So, I hear you are here to be wed, Mr. Black?" He began in a neutral tone. His voice was low though.

"Yes…" Sirius answered simply while giving a small smile to Hermione.

"I see…" He paused. "Are you sure it is wise for you to marry a muggle-born?" He asked carefully, he didn't want to create any problems.

Hermione stiffened at his comment. She knew this was about to be brought up. She was about to taint the pureblooded family, even without giving him children.

"Of course, it is." Sirius said a bit annoyed. "I …" He paused and took a deep breath. "I love, Miss Granger and I wish to be married to her." He said. His voice was hoarse.

"Hmm… I see." The man wasn't convinced. "Do you know the rules entitled to this marriage?"

"Yes." He simply answered.

"You do realize you must live together, expect visits for proof that this marriage is not a hoax, and…" He paused looking at Hermione intensely which made her feel uncomfortable. "Have children." He finished.

Hermione's eyes widened. She instinctively turned to Remus seeking his comfort but he remained motionless. The man noticed her reaction but she merely lowered her head and did as Remus : be motionless.

"Children, huh?!" Sirius was actually finding the situation hilarious suddenly. "No need to worry. I am well equipped."

The man cleared his throat clearly the effect he wanted to create on Sirius did not work. Sirius cast a glance at Remus from the corner of his eye, and saw his jaw clench. He knew Remus was trying to remain calm. Ever since he marked Hermione as his mate, he had been very possessive of the young lady.

"You must know that you must procreate in the next six months." The man continued.

"As I said, no worries." Sirius said smugly, trying to get this over with. They would worry about these details later.

"Miss Granger?" Hermione lifted her head and looked at him. "Are you able to have children?"

Suddenly Hermione felt anger boil inside of her. How dare he assume she couldn't.

"Of course, I can!" She snapped looking at him angrily.

Sirius and Remus let out a chuckle. Her obvious anger had calmed Remus down, and scared the poor man in front of her. She crossed her legs and arms across her chest muttering something along the lines of stupid-bloody-ministry. Remus and Sirius heard her though and both laughed wholeheartedly. Realizing she may had been a bit too loud, she blushed and mumbled a sorry. They didn't think she needed to excuse herself and let her know.

"So, can we get this over with?" Sirius eventually said.

The man nodded and began filling out the paper work. As he asked his questions, he realized that Hermione was still a student at Hogwarts. She was in her seventh year, head girl, and had her own room.

"This changes things a bit." The man said softly. "If she is still a student, she must finish school before having any children." She breathed a sigh of relief. "However, once graduated, she must be pregnant within six months." He said looking at her.

"That's fine!" She simply answered. That still gave her four months until graduation, and six months to get pregnant. Maybe within the ten months, the law would be repealed. "I didn't want my pregnancy to interfere with my studies." She explained.

"Why, yes of course!" He paused and asked. "Where will you live?"

"Oh! We figured she could live at Hogwarts during the week, obviously, and on the week end come home to me." Sirius interjected throwing a paper at him. "This is the contract of the house we own. It belonged to my family. It's a nice place outside of London."

The man simply nodded and finished the paper work. Sirius signed his name. Hermione observed the graceful signature. Never had she witnessed beautiful writing, at the exception of Remus's elegant writing, she felt her signature would ruin the paper. However, she took the quill and signed her name. Remus signed below as witness, and it was now official : Hermione Granger was now Hermione Black.

They left the Ministry rather quickly. They made their way to Grimmauld Place. Hermione asked him about the place his parents owned and Sirius explained what the house was. He would show it to her, to them in the next few days. He explained his thought that Remus and himself would live at Grimmauld Place when she was at Hogwarts, and live with her on the week end at the family house. Remus was happy to feel included, and Sirius told him that while he married Hermione, he respected the fact they were in love and didn't want them to be separated. Remus was grateful of that.

"So we agree then? On Sunday we will go visit the house and make it a bit home-y like?" Sirius said smiling at the couple.

They nodded. And Sirius walked out of their bedroom. Once the door closed behind, he sighed. Marriage was definitely more complicated than he expected.

A/N : Thanks for the reviews guys! Keep them coming! I love them!