Well hello there, sorry for the long break, but school has been an absolute tit. Here it is, another loverly chapter. You know by now, which characters I own, all others are the intellectual property of the wonderful J.K. Rowling.
In Motion
Christmas 1981
"What are you doing for Christmas?" Nancy asks as she waits in the sitting room for Gwen to come out with a tea tray. Gideon and Finneas are in a playpen babbling to each other, shrieking occasionally from excitement.
Gwen comes in and sets the tray down on the table. "Oh, erm, well, tomorrow, all of our mates from school are going to be here. Christmas day, I think all we do is eat, actually. Lunch will be here, but the dinner extravaganza is always at my sister's, though. She won't have it any other way, even if she has seven children."
"Seven?" Nancy nearly chokes on her tea.
"Oh yes, and my brother Fabian and his family will be there, Sirius' cousin Andromeda and her family, it'll be fun as always." Gwen says with a grin. "Anyway, what are you doing for the holiday?"
"Far fewer people at our holiday, but it will be family all the same." Nancy replies. "Speaking of family, yours are gorgeous." She says looking at still photographs on the mantlepiece, courtesy of a few handy spells, of Gwen with her brothers and Molly, Sirius with Andromeda and Tonks, and of course the largest photograph of Gwen, Sirius and their twins. "Your boys took after Sirius."
"They did." Gwen replies. "That's why once that lot is potty trained, we're going to try for a girl, maybe my genes will get better luck. Sirius actually wanted a daughter, I was content with just boys. Though I won't mind buying dolls for her."
Sirius opens the front door, tossing his tie into the nearby rubbish bin. "Remind me to take off my tie before riding my bike. The end justfrayed before I even got to the end of the road."
"You're looking smart." Nancy says smiling nervously as Gwen gets up to take Sirius' coat.
"And you wore your helmet, did you not?" Gwen asks, looking up at Sirius as she smoothes his oxford shirt. She runs a hand through obviously windswept hair. Sirius kisses her instead of answering. "Wear the helmet next time."
"I had to do a presentation today." Sirius says, and he winks at Gwen, knowing that the explanation is true, but not quite so.
---
The traditional Marauders Christmas eve goes off without a hitch. Sirius wakes up the next morning with a splitting headache and hears clanging and swearing in the kitchen. He opens the drawer of the bedside table, searching vainly for hangover tonic. "Bugger."
He heads down the stairs with his eyes closed, hoping to make it alive. "You're finally up, thank god." Gwen already sounds exasperated.
"Why are you yelling?" Sirius groans as he stops and stands in the middle of the kitchen. "Where are the boys?"
"With Gideon, who's out getting some last minute groceries." Gwen answers. "This Christmas lunch is going to be my end, Sirius."
"I'll help...just...tonic." Sirius mutters, wincing at the sound of silverware clanging on plates. Gwen shoves a small bottle into his hand and he gratefully drinks it. "That would've been something awful to be hungover when all the nephews arrive."
"Set the table will you?" Sirius obliges and quietly the two set up for Christmas lunch. "You need a shower, love."
"Do I look that awful?" He grins weakly, putting his arm around her as they survey their work.
"Just take the line. I want to get in the shower with you, you idiot." Gwen grins, kissing his cheek.
At the Christmas lunch, Bill sits with Ron on his lap, Percy next to him both reading through Gwen's copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard to their youngest brother. Fred and George choose their Uncle Gideon and their father as their new wrestling objects. Charlie is with Dora playing a game of wizarding chess that is going heavily in his favour.
Sirius finds himself having a rather enjoyable time trying to outdo his brother, and cousin-in-law in making colourful bubbles come from his wand, all the while entertaining his sons.
Molly sighs exasperatedly, bouncing Ginny gently in her lap. "Moll, we're as good as married." Fabian groans, and he takes Sandra's hand. This conversation keeps Gwen, Andromeda and Lucy at the table. "She loves me, I love her back. We make pretty babies, that's that."
Molly sputters and finally manages to say, "But it's the proper thing to do!" She insists.
This time it's Sandra who replies, grinning slyly, "Proper girls don't go for Fabian Prewett, Molly."
A smug smile spreads across Fabian's face and looks at Molly and says, "See?"
"Thanks for thinking highly of me, though." Sandra laughs, winking at Molly.
That night, after finally finishing the cleaning, Sirius sits in front of the fireplace with Gwen, her head resting on his shoulder. "Nice of Lucy and Regulus to come, wasn't it, love?" Gwen asks, as Sirius takes a sip of his brandy.
"They looked like a pair of scared deer for the first five minutes." Gwen laughs, as she takes his hand. "But Lucy seemed to enjoy herself, hit it off with little Evey right away."
"Andy and Ted always enjoy themselves, and I think your little nephew may have a thing for Dora." Sirius pokes Gwen's side. "Can you gingers just not get enough of the Black family?"
"Oh stop thinking so highly of yourself." She kisses him gently on the lips. "Ergh, never liked the taste of brandy."
"Sorry." He grins. "You know, I think Evelyn might get that sister she was asking for." Gwen sits up and faces him and before she can even ask, Sirius continues, "Yeah, I watched her water all the plants with her champagne all evening."
"'Prettybabies' he said." Gwen echoes her brother. "That cheeky bastard."
---
Sirius' shirt is untucked. Gwen however is looking quite put together in her green dress. They are at a restaurant waiting for Regulus, Lucy, her parents, her maid of honor, and the person Sirius is dreading, Walburga. "I really don't understand why I have to be here."
"You're my reminder." Sirius mutters as he sees them all enter the secluded room. He notes with a bitter grin, that his mother is dressed in all of her usual fineries. "Mother."
Regulus interjects with, "Catherine, Richard, this is my brother Sirius, and his wife Gwen. Sirius is my best man." There is an exchanging of hellos and handshakes.
"Fix your shirt." Walburga snaps. And this is where Sirius knows that he will hate himself for agreeing to meet at this luncheon.
Hours go on and Sirius feels ill from hearing his mother yammer on and on about her illustrious family. All he knows is that he is to go for a robe fitting with Regulus and whomever else he's chosen to be groomsmen. The house elves will take care of everything else.
Once Gwen and Sirius are back in their bedroom, in the safe distance that is Swansea, he sighs exasperatedly as he and Gwen get out of their formal clothes. "She loves to brag."
"Who?" Gwen asks, trying to reach desperately for the zipper of her dress. "Unzip me?"
"Gladly." Sirius laughs. "And who else but my mother? Did you hear? They're having the bloody thing catered by some tit of a chef who claims to be 'the best in England.' Load of bollocks if you ask me." Sirius continues on his rant, still half dressed.
"All done?" She asks once Sirius finally calms down.
"Yeah, I- when did I get in out of those stupid clothes?" Sirius asks looking at the heap of clothes.
"I'll be honest Sirius, we could've shagged and you wouldn't have noticed." Gwen says with amusement. "No, you would've noticed that."
"I would've." Sirius says, following her downstairs into their living room. "Did you notice how nice she was being to you?"
"You only said it about ten times." Gwen replies, preparing some tea. "And I don't see the harm in having her come over to meet her grandsons. I mean, what is she going to do?"
"I don't know, clutch them in her steely talons and whisk them away to indoctrinate them about pureblood superiority?" Sirius asks in a voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I'll hex her myself." Gwen replies, "I know a few good ones, I mean, Ido know a few Aurors." Sirius grins and twirls his wand. "So, you won't mind that she'll be at Gid and Finn's birthday party?"
---
24 February 1982
Sirius did mind. But Gwen convinces him, through several ways, that it will be good for their sons. The birthday party itself is family and close friends and considering how large Molly's family is, it's already rambunctious before the addition of Tonks, Evelyn, and Harry.
"Looks like they're getting along well." James grins looking into the play pen as Harry and Ron are sitting next to each other.
"They're more playing next to each other." Sirius says holding little Gideon. "And did you see that coming? I honestly didn't expect Finneas to throw that cake frosting after he blew out his candle."
"Looks like a promising Chaser." James grins.
"It was excellent." Sirius snorts. "Finn never starts anything, well at least until now."
"Basically, you're excited because your legacy is secure in both your sons?" Remus asks.
"As if you'd have it any other way." Peter adds. "So all aspects of your legacy, Padfoot?"
"No, I don't think my boys will have issues with attention, or their mum." Sirius shrugs. He looks at all of his friends staring at him, mouths agape. "Why are you all looking like flobberworms?"
"It was insightful, 'sall." Peter says with wide eyes.
"We have to talk to a therapist every three months because of the 'intense nature of our work.'" Sirius explains with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"I think you should've started sooner." Remus jokes. "Saved us a headache."
"A headache?" James grins. Sirius rolls his eyes and slyly pulls out his wand, immediately turning his best mate's hair turquoise.
Gwen comes back downstairs with Finn, both of them in different outfits than when the party started. "Is she here yet?"
"No. Maybe she got lost? Maybe she decided not to come." Sirius says excitedly.
In reality, Walburga and Regulus are up the road. "It is just going to be one sickening Gryffindor affair. Full of mudbloods and blood traitors. Scarlet and Gold vomited up."
"Mother, if you don't want to meet your grandsons properly we can always go back home." Regulus sighs.
Walburga holds her head high and walks ahead of Regulus. Once she reaches the door, she straightens her coat and rings the bell. Gwen answers the door and after letting them in, Walburga takes several moments to process what she sees. Children. Lots of children, none of them quiet.
"Walburga...er… have a seat." Gwen says, shooing Charlie and Tonks off of the sofa.
Sirius comes into the room holding Finneas upside down. "Mother." He gently sets Finn onto the sofa and sets him right. "This one's Finneas. Of our two, he's the nicer one."
"The nicer one?" Walburga asks.
"The one that doesn't take after him, personality wise." Regulus explains. "Separately, that is. Last time he and Gideon thought it would be funny to hide my shoes."
"Itwas funny, Reg." Sirius grins. He looks at Finneas who is studying Walburga earnestly. "Finn, this is your… Gran." He looks up at his mother, seeking approval. "Go on, say 'hi' Finn."
"Hi." The one-year-old replies. He scrambles onto her lap, something Walburga doesn't expect. "Nan."
"Oh, I see that you've met Finneas." Gwen says, carrying Gideon. "This is his brother Gideon. Gideon, this is your grandmother." She sets him down. "Go on, Finn has already said hello." Gideon looks at his twin and after some hesitation he goes closer to this stranger. "Say 'hi' Gid."
"Hi?"
---
"You know, for raising two boys, your mum had no idea on how to behave around one year olds." Gwen says as they go through the presents.
"Mum,raising boys?" Sirius laughs incredulously as he inspects the toy broomsticks James gave to Gideon and Finneas. "That's a laugh."
"Shedid raise you, right?"
"The two things my mother did was birth me, and then berate me for all of my life in that house. She didn't raise me, I had a nursemaid." Sirius says bitterly. "And then we had a nanny."
"Well she didn't eat them."
"What?" Sirius asks, mildly confused.
"Your mother, she didn't eat the children." Gwen answers matter-of-factly. "Heretofore she is not a complete monster, and she thinks that Wales has a certain stench so it looks as though she won't be coming back."
"But she'll send for us. Or for them, at least." Sirius finishes.
"Well you're the father, put your leg up and piss on her fire hydrant." Gwen says without pause.
"God, I love you." Sirius says grinning.
---
"I bloody love the country." Sirius says breathing in the fresh air as he stands in their back garden. "Spring, excellent."
"They didn't want to take their nap. I think they liked their brooms too much." Gwen says with a half-grin.
"I hope I'm not interrupting." A voice came from behind the two. They turn and see Remus grinning at them. "Door was open. You should lock that, you know."
"Hello, Auror." Sirius says, extending his hand. "I'm not quite sure we've met. I'm Sirius Black."
"Oh you're a tit." Remus rolls his eyes. "Anyway, so why have you invited me over?"
"Because we are going to Mrs. Next-Door's."
"Jones. She's Nancy Jones." Gwen answers. "Sirius is playing matchmaker."
That afternoon, Remus doesn't even realise that he has been chatting the finer points of Arthurian Legend for nearly two hours. "How do you know all this, Megan?"
Megan, Nancy's elder daughter, is a recent graduate from Cambridge. "I dabbled in that literature."
"Isn't it fascinating?" Remus asks. Sirius looks smugly at Gwen who smiles back and looks fondly at Remus and Megan.
---
"Moony really likes her." Sirius says as Gwen tries to get an extra five minutes of shut eye. The boys, however, climb about in their bed, making this futile. "He's going to see her next weekend."
Gwen looks at Sirius blearily. "You are talking about Remus Lupin, right?"
"I am."
"The same, ouch, Finn," She stops when Finn crawls over her leg. "The same Remus Lupin that said he'd wait for marriage to shag a girl?"
"Well maybe the act, but we don't really want to discuss how far our dear Moony has gone with a girl, unless you're a perv." Sirius laughs. "And if you, my dear Gwen, are a perv, then there's a lot of things we need to talk about."
"Your father's mad." Gwen says, pulling Gideon close to her. "Be glad that you're not an inbred idiot like your dad, eh?"
"I'm simply sharing the good news that Remus isn't considering a lifetime in the monastery, not that there's anything wrong with that. Nor is he a poof, nothing wrong with that either, though that could explain-"
"Oh stop being such a git." Gwen says leaning over to kiss him properly. "Where are they going?"
"British National Museum." Sirius says rolling his eyes. "But seeing as they're both dry as a desert, they'll probably love it." He sees the stern look in Gwen's eyes. "Oh, right, you… museum. Ha."
"Do change their nappies." Gwen says disdainfully as she gets out of bed.
----
"I hated this place, growing up." Sirius says as he and Gwen walk from the outdoor Apparation point to the estate owned by Cygnus Black. "And it's so bleeding hot. Crushed velvet in the spring?" He irritably picks at a loose thread on his sleeve.
"Posh." Gwen smirks.
"You're lucky because you don't have to be in the stupid wedding." Sirius mutters, as he looks at Gwen, quite comfortable in a lavender coloured dress. "And sorry for having to bring you so early, but, you know… I'm a part of this oddly enough."
"Does this mean I have the pleasure of mingling with your relatives, all of whom hate my brothers?" Gwen asks smiling with fake pleasantness.
"If any of them are horrible-"
"I can handle myself." Gwen says as they reach the front door.
Sirius is whisked away to help Regulus for his wedding leaving Gwen in the foyer. She steps forward to examine an ornate sculpture. "Doubt they had anything even remotely that extravagant in...where was it you grew up? Wales?"
Gwen knows the sound of that voice and turns to see Narcissa Malfoy staring haughtily back at her. "Do you hear that Narcissa? It's the sound of empty cells in Azkaban echoing with loneliness. They're just dying to be filled and I'm sure that you don't want that, do you?"
"Just like your stupid husband. Picking fights." Narcissa says raising her head higher. She is easily half a head taller than Gwen.
"Me, picking fights?" Gwen asks. "Last I checked, you picked a fight with me when I was but a third year, and you were on the losing end of it. Rough going for a fifth year Slytherin."
"Ladies, ladies, if you do any more arguing you'll take away from the bride's day." The drawling voice of her husband floats in from behind Gwen.
"I don't even know why I'm speaking to this, person." Narcissa sniffs.
"She's just as pureblood as you or I, darling." Lucius says as though Gwen isn't in the room.
"She's just feeling raw because my brothers offed her nutter of a sister." Gwen says with a cocky grin. Narcissa does not answer but her lips press so tightly together that they form a thin line across her face.
"Such pleasantries on a wedding day. How common." Lucius sneers and the two leave with a forced flourish.
Gwen nearly sits in the back when Walburga takes her by the arm and forces her to sit in the front row. Next to her. "You are a Black. Your husband is best man. You cannot slink off in the back." Gwen doesn't argue, mainly out of fear. After Sirius processes in, he looks at Gwen with amusement, and winks at her as he adjusts his robe, revealing that he changed the emerald coloured satin to a scarlet colour.
The ceremony itself is long, embellished, and boring. Sirius makes a note to take the mickey out of Gwen for nearly falling asleep in the front row at a wedding. As the official continues through the ceremony, Sirius thinks back to all the times he's had to stand this long. 'Queuing up for that Zeppelin concert with Prongs, detention for the pumpkin thing, detention for turning Stebbins' head into a great cantaloupe…'
"I declare you bonded for life." The official finally says and, with restraint, Regulus kisses his bride.
"The only thing that I like about this reception is that there is plenty of liquor." Gwen replies sipping on her second glass of champagne as they sit at their table. "This makes me even happier that the twins are on regular milk now."
"Yes well, drunken toddlers would also be enjoyable, but you...don't want that." Sirius replies sheepishly. "How was sitting next to my dear mother?"
"Not that bad. Could have been worse." Gwen answers. "She could have seated me next to Narcissa."
"Ah."
"Seems she forgot that I gave her fish lips." Gwen says mischievously, and Sirius raises his brows in delight. "Yet another reason we're compatible? I think so."
"Sirius." Regulus returns to the table after mingling with persons his mother called 'highly important to our success'. "I saw the wardrobe adjustment you made at the last second. I was worried about what you would do."
"I wrote his best man speech." Gwen grins. "Which is why it was tasteful despite the current situation."
"What, that half our relatives are dead or in Azkaban because of Sirius, or your brothers?" Regulus deadpans. "Surely you must be joking."
"Oh shut up and go snog your bride, Reg. Have many sons so that mother can leave us the hell alone." Sirius laughs. "And, honestly, if the house elves can take care of it all, can we just leave?"
"I will take full responsibility for your actions." Regulus nods.
"Really?" Sirius asks with surprise.
"No, I'll just say you got ridiculously hammered and had to be escorted off the premises. Mother would probably prefer that."
"Well what we did in Uncle Cygnus' study would probably get us kicked out, anyway." Sirius grins smugly. Regulus looks back and forth between the two, Gwen's face completely impassive whilst Sirius' is smug when he helps his wife up out of her chair.
"At least the ink on the parchment was dry before we got there." Gwen says as the two slink off, hands intertwined and smiling slyly at the other.
"Where are they off to?" Lucy asks, sidling up next to Regulus.
"Not Uncle Cygnus' study." Regulus replies. "They've already been there."