Dry My Tears

by

XxTheLadyInRedxX

A.N. There's a couple of things I'd like to clear up. 1. I am in no way J.K. Rowling and this story is in no way real. It is something I made up and thought would be fun to write. It's for entertainment purposes. 2. They are in their seventh year and all seventeen. 3. My portrayal of Sirius was only intended for this story. I wasn't trying to assume that he was actually like this. 4. I can't help but emphasize on the point that this story is what it is: a story! And yes sometimes it makes no sense, I admit that. But that's because it's something I do when I have time and I feel like writing something. This story was intended for laughs, I know recently it's been a bit dramatic. I guess it's been mirroring my current situations in life. But, bringing me to another point, I am done with the sad stuff and am focusing more on humor and romance. So get ready for some funnies and some ooh la la moments. IMPORTANT: I've decided that Elizabeth is five months pregnant. Sorry if it seemed a bit confusing in some parts. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask me. Hope you guys enjoy it. I think this one's a long one, so woo! Here's chapter 20..

-x-x-x-

"Let's go," called Mrs. Walker as she walked into the living room. "We're going to be late."

"Don't worry, mom," said Elizabeth. "I'll make sure they get there."

Mrs. Walker nodded, a melancholy expression on her face. Taking a step away from her daughter, wand in hand, she suddenly turned on the spot and apparated.

"Hurry up," called Elizabeth, hoping they could hear her call.

"They'll be out in a minute. James got his finger stuck in his tie," explained Sirius as he walked into the room.

Elizabeth was quiet as she watched him stand in front of her. Somehow she'd never seen Sirius in respectable attire. He had traded his jeans for dress pants and his regular worn out T-shirts for a white button down and a thin black tie. Instead of a leather jacket, he held his robes in one hand and his wand in the other.

"You alright?" he asked as he watched her eye him.

"Yeah," she said, quickly turning away, hoping he didn't catch the color burn in her cheeks. "Let's just go, we're going to be late."

-x-x-x-

She didn't cry.

Not when they arrived at the cemetery.

Not when she saw them carry out the coffin.

Not when she saw her children break down in tears.

Not when his body descended six feet under the ground...

But after they all said what they needed to say

After the goodbyes were finished

After the grieving was over

After they decided it was time to go home

After there was no one left but her...

She stayed back and let the tear slide down her cheek and onto the dirt where he lay fast asleep.

"I'm sorry!" she cried out.

And as she fell to the floor, sobbing with regret, she felt her husband's arms wrap around her and whisper, "I know."

And with a blink of an eye, he was gone.

-x-x-x-

"Let us raise a glass," said Mrs. Walker, a glass of firewhiskey in hand. "To Vincent Walker. A loving father, a compassionate friend - and an incredible husband."

"To Vincent," they said in unison, raising them and then taking a drink.

"You okay mom?" whispered Elizabeth as she caught a glimpse of her mother.

"Yes sweetie, I'm fine," she said with a watery smile, putting a hand to her daughter's shoulder. "I need to go check on your Grandmother Rosemary."

Elizabeth nodded as she stared out across her living room full of people. Somehow, even in the midst of a crowd, she felt so alone.

"How are you handling it?"

Elizabeth turned around to see Sirius giving her a comforting smile.

"I guess the way someone should be handling something like this," she sighed. "I'm just trying to get through it. I know, we'll have to move on eventually so-"

"I'm really sorry about all this, Lizzy," he said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

"Yeah," she whispered, staring into his eyes, "me too."

"How did they make these cookies so moist," Remus could be heard in the background, stuffing a cookie in his face.

"It's an old Walker family recipe," said an old woman with big red-rimmed glasses.

"It's delicious," said Remus, a bit uncomfortable when she smiled at him, revealing a mouth full of all gums.

"Don't be so silly, Lily," James was heard yelling at the corner of the table. "I very well know when I ve had too much!"

Lily shook her head disapprovingly as James downed another glass of firewhiskey. Peter watched him hesitantly from his other side.

"Do you think I should go say hi to your great grandmother?" Kris whispered frantically to Reid, as they stood next to the kitchen door. "I mean, it would be rude not to. But it would be more awkward to meet her for the first time at a funeral."

Reid shook with laughter as she swatted him on the shoulder.

"Quit that," she scolded.

"I'm sorry, Kris," he said, giving her a small smile.

Mrs. Walker could be heard in the kitchen.

"Why must you always do this!" said Mrs. Walker angrily. "I understood when we were married, but even after your son and I got divorced, you would always have something to say."

"All I said my dear was that there wasn t enough herbs on the chicken," said Grandmother Rosemary smugly.

"I don't even know why I bother, you horrible little woman!" said Mrs. Walker, frustrated.

"How polite," said Grandmother Rosemary sharply. "I always told Vincent he could have had someone with more class."

"Ugh!" groaned Mrs. Walker angrily.

Sirius and Elizabeth laughed as they heard Mrs. Walker's frustrated tone.

"I never get tired of that," said Sirius, shaking his head. "Merlin, how do women stand their mother-in-laws? It's awful."

"Yeah," she said, looking around the room. "I was always glad I'd never have that problem."

"Why's that?" he asked, smiling.

Elizabeth snorted.

"Because you hate your-"

"BINGO!" James yelled across the room, throwing cookies at Elizabeth's Great Aunt Sylvia.

Lily, eyes widened at the realization that everyone in the room was looking at them, quickly tried to escape the scene.

"Lily, where are you going!" yelled James, running after her. "Wait! We didn't pin the tail on the dinosaur yet."

Sirius chuckled and turned to Elizabeth who was suddenly thankful for James outburst.

"What were you saying?" asked Sirius.

"Never mind," she said, trying to fake a smile and drink the rest of her Pumpkin Juice.

-x-x-x-

Three hours later...

"Wasn't your mom suspicious when you insisted on drinking Pumpkin Juice," asked Lily, who had finally escaped from James drunken chase.

"I think she was too busy trying to make the perfect chicken," shrugged Elizabeth, who was staring across the room at Sirius.

"He's unbelievable, isn't he?" asked Lily.

"Who?" asked Elizabeth, still staring at the young boy.

"Sirius," said Lily. "He's been chatting up your entire family for the last three hours. He even got a chuckle out of your bitter Great Uncle Marlon."

"Hm," said Elizabeth.

"You have to admit," said Lily with a smile. "The guy knows what he's doing."

"What?" asked Elizabeth, finally turning away from Sirius and looking at Lily. "Shouldn't you be babysitting your boyfriend!"

Lily rolled her eyes as she spotted Remus across the room, trying to escape an old woman with big red-rimmed glasses.

"No, really. I'm fine," he said, his eyes widening as the old woman brought a spoon full of some orange goop closer to his mouth.

"Don't worry, dear," she said. "It's only been in my purse for three months. It's still good."

"Help," Remus mouthed to Peter, who was frantically trying to look for something to distract the old woman.

Kris and Reid, who had found their way closer to his great grandmother, were now fighting quietly.

"Do you want to meet her or not!" he whispered.

"I do," she said, nodding her head.

"Alright, great grandmo-"

"I change my mind," she said, putting a hand over his mouth and walking back to the end of the room, where she proceeded to drink his cup of firewhiskey.

Grandmother Rosemary, who had one too many drinks, was now talking to Mrs. Walker in the dining room.

"I always told Vincent you were a good girl you know," she said, smiling at her daughter-in-law. "So pretty! I wish I had a girl as pretty as you!"

"Thanks, mom!" Vincent's sister said as she heard her mother's conversation.

"Oh, hush!" said Grandmother Rosemary, shaking a hand at her.

"Wait," said Lily, suddenly alarmed. "Where's James?"

"I think this calls for another toast!" yelled a drunken James in the middle of the room. "To the baby!"

James rose his glass and grinned at everyone. Elizabeth, who's eyes were now so wide, she resembled the portrait of the owl she was standing next to, dug her nails into Lily s shoulder.

"Stop him!" she whispered angrily.

Sirius, who was now pushing through members of Elizabeth's family, quickly rushed towards James. But it was too late-

"Where's the expectant mother?" he said, putting a hand above his eyes as if he was searching the crowd. "Stand up, Elizabe-"

Sirius suddenly side-tackled James to the floor.

"I think I'm going to faint," said Elizabeth, as the whole room turned to look at her.

"I knew it!" Grandmother Rosemary declared. "A tramp, just like her mother."

-x-x-x-

"I thought I'd find you here," said Sirius as he walked into the kitchen. "Why'd you run off?"

"You mean after my mother threw her drink at Grandmother Rosemary's face?" she asked, folding a kitchen towel. "I don't know, I guess it got a little boring."

Sirius laughed and shook his head.

"Hey," he said. "Everyone else was very supportive. Despite having dessert thrown in her face, your Aunt Sylvia was generous enough to offer a check for the expenses."

"So now I'm a charity case for my family?" she asked, turning to look at him.

"Don't say that," he said, shaking his head. "You know that's not what she meant. She's just trying to help. And so are the rest of your family."

Sirius paused for a moment.

"Except maybe Grandmother Rosemary," he said. "But I doubt you'll get money from her after your mother kicked her in the shin."

"What?" asked Elizabeth.

"Oh," said Sirius. "She must have done that after you left."

"Great," she said, putting a hand to her head. "My family's gone crazy."

"At least you have a family that cares about you," he suggested, shrugging his shoulders.

Elizabeth turned to look at him sadly.

"Oh, Sirius," she said. "I didn't mean it like that."

"It's alright," he said, shaking his head. "It doesn't bother me."

Elizabeth frowned and put down the towel. After a moment, she looked up at him.

"If it makes you feel better," she said, trying to refrain from laughing. "My family might actually like you better than me."

Sirius chuckled.

"Well, at least I have that," he said.

"Thanks," Elizabeth said. "I couldn't get through today without you."

"I know," he said, grinning.

Elizabeth picked up the towel and threw it at him.

"Arrogant prat," she teased.

"Alright, alright," he said, laughing.

Taking a moment to watch her, Sirius gave a genuine smile.

"You know I'm always here for you," he said. "Now, I have to go inside and assure your grandmother that you're not a whore."

"Good luck," she called as he left the room.

Elizabeth shook her head and turned around to find her a woman smiling at her.

"Great Grandmother Willow, I didn't see you there," she said, startled.

"He's the father?" she asked, pointing at the door.

Elizabeth nodded slowly.

"Lucky," she said, shaking her head and leaving the room.

Taken aback by the old woman's words, Elizabeth tried hard not to laugh.

-x-x-x-

Finally gaining the courage to face her mother, Elizabeth took a breath and entered the dining room.

"Well there she is," smiled Mrs. Walker.

Lily and her mom had been talking in the corner when they saw her.

"Hey, mom," she said with a sad smile.

"Lily was just telling me about how charming James is," said Mrs. Walker with a smile.

"I promise, usually he's more - sober," she said, looking around to see if he had gotten into more trouble.

Mrs. Walker laughed and turned to Elizabeth.

"Where's Grandmother Rosemary?" asked Elizabeth.

"Putting an icepack on her shin," explained Mrs. Walker, taking a sip from her drink.

"Don't you think you've had enough, mom?" asked Elizabeth, hesitantly.

"With the day I've been having, I've had too little," said Mrs. Walker, shaking her head and putting her glass down.

"Right," she said, slowly. "I was going to tell you about the baby, mom, I swear. But I just thought after what happened with dad and you were already upset and I just - I didn't want to-"

"Elizabeth," said Mrs. Walker, putting a hand up to gesture for her to stop talking. "Elizabeth, it's okay."

Mrs. Walker nodded her head.

"I understand," she explained. "It wasn't the right time."

"Yeah," said Elizabeth, shocked at her mother's calm nature.

"What I don't understand, however, is why you couldn't tell me earlier," she said, looking a bit disappointed.

Elizabeth felt her heart break in two as she watched the look her mother gave her.

"I -" she started. "I was scared."

"Scared?" asked Mrs. Walker, confused. "Oh, sweetie, you should never be scared to tell me anything."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I was scared to tell you because - I thought I would disappoint you."

"Well sweetie, a child out of wedlock isn't exactly a Christmas present," said Mrs. Walker. "But, I mean-"

"Mom!" said Elizabeth, trying to explain. "The dad is Sirius."

Mrs. Walker looked confused again.

"And?" she asked.

"And?" it was Elizabeth's turn to be confused. "And - I don't know - it's crazy! I mean I can't be having a baby! I -"

"Elizabeth," said Mrs. Walker, grabbing her daughter's hand to calm her down. "Elizabeth, breathe. Listen, we're all going to be here for you. You don't need to worry about it."

"I know," Elizabeth said, sadly. "But-"

"No," said Mrs. Walker, shaking her head. "The only thing I regret is that your father won't be here to see that beautiful child when the time comes."

Elizabeth smiled and gave her mother a hug.

"Thanks, mom," she said.

"Anytime, Elizabeth," she said. "So, how many months are you anyway?"

"Five," said Elizabeth.

"Five!" Mrs. Walker pulled away from her daughter and looked at her lack of a belly. "You're kidding me!"

"She's not," said Lily bitterly.

"Well aren't you your mother's daughter," she said, brightly. "I was seven months pregnant with Reid before I had a baby bump."

"Seven months!" shouted Lily, eyes widening with anger.

She slowly walked away while mumbling, "I'm going to puff up like a blowfish."

-x-x-x-

"Okay, it's your turn, Moooony," slurred James.

"James, I told you I don't want to play," said Remus, who finally escaped from the old woman.

"But its tic tac toe! With cookies!" exclaimed James, surprised.

"Ugh," groaned Remus, trying not to look at the cookies anymore.

"Pleaseeee, Remus. Please, please, please!" whined James.

"Fine," snapped Remus, placing a cookie on one of the squares James had made out of forks.

"Ooh," said James, eyeing the cookie. "That's a good one. Now, how am I gonna beat that."

James stared down at the table, squinting at the cookies.

"Damn," he said. "This one's a thinker."

"What are you two up to?" asked Sirius as he passed by them.

"Playing chutes and ladders, Padss," said James, excitedly, causing Remus to slam his head onto the table and mumble something. "Wanna play? Remus is no fun!"

Remus pulled his head up off the table and glared at James. Resisting himself from strangling his friend, he regretfully stuffed a cookie in his mouth. Sirius chuckled as he started to walk away.

"Sorry, Prongs. I need to check up on Elizabeth," he said. "Have you seen her?"

"Oh yeah," nodded James. "She's on the roof with the gnomes."

"Brilliant!" laughed Sirius, walking into the kitchen as Remus stuffed another cookie into his mouth.

Looking around, Sirius continued to walk from room to room looking for the young brunette. Upon walking into the living room, he spotted Mrs. Walker, staring and an old grandfather clock.

"Oh, sorry," Sirius mumbled as he motioned to leave the room, feeling as though he'd intruded into her alone time.

"No, no," said Mrs. Walker waving her hand and putting her glass of fire whiskey down. "Please, come."

"I was just looking for Elizabeth," he explained as he walked closer to her.

"She went off to her room," Mrs. Walker smiled sadly. "Is something wrong?"

"No," said Sirius, confused. "I just wanted to see if she was alright."

Mrs. Walker stared at the young boy for a few minutes before sighing.

"Sirius, I'd like to have a talk with you," she said.

"Of course," he said, watching her with confusion.

"Now that you and Elizabeth are - having a baby - I'd like to give you some parental advice," she said.

"Alright," he nodded.

Mrs. Walker stopped and thought about how she'd explain it.

"It's important that a child has both their parents," she started.

"I know, that's why I m going to be here for her and the baby-"

"No," she said, shaking her head. She paused and took a breath before continuing. "There's a difference between having a mom and dad and having a mom and a dad - who comes to visit."

Sirius looked down, confused.

"Sirius, I love you," she said, watching the young boy in admiration. "You're like a second son to me. Which is why I think you're the only man my little Elizabeth will ever love."

Sirius looked up, watching her with awe.

"She loves you, Sirius. No matter how much she denies it. She knows she does and always will," she stated with a sad smile. "And you - you're in the same rut as she is."

Tears began forming in her eyes as the soon-to-be-grandmother watched Sirius with care.

"Please, take it from someone whose been there. You don't want to give away the one that you love. It would be the biggest regret of your life," she said, her tears spilling down her eyes.

Sirius's gaze followed hers, as she stared at the picture of a young Mr. Walker laughing.

"Don't let her go, Sirius," she said, wiping a tear away. "I don't want you to have to go through that pain."

Staring at the woman with sorrow, Sirius walked closer and wrapped his arms around Elizabeth's mother. Keeping a firm grasp around his head, she kissed his forehead and began to cry.

"You've been more of a mother to me than my own," he said, feeling tears of his own form.

"You're a good boy, Sirius," she said. "It's a shame she didn't see it. But it's her loss."

"Thank you," he said, closing his eyes as the tears dried on his skin.

-x-x-x-

"Elizabeth," he said, knocking on the door. "Elizabeth."

He opened the door and walked inside, hopeful and encouraged. Elizabeth turned to look at him, a strange look in her eyes. Coming closer to her, Sirius reached out for her hands and squeezed them.

"Elizabeth, I just had a talk with your mom and I think we should-"

But before he could continue, she quickly leaned over and kissed him.

-x-x-x-

A.N. Muahahahah, that's chapter 20 =] Please review and make my day!