The Reader

Disclaimer: JKR is a much better writer. And I don't own the Wizard of Oz, Battlestar Galactica, Sunshine, The Lord of the Rings, or anything else I may reference. (This list is gonna get seriously long if I have to keep mentioning every one.)

Rating: T again.

Summary: See prologue.

Chapter 37: A Series of Cliche Events

"I want my bike back," Sirius complained.

"Too late!" I said. "You gave it to Hagrid fair and square."

We had just apparated to the Weasleys and were strolling down the short path from their front gate. The Burrow looked like an odd collection of different parts of different kinds of houses thrown together, and the rubble that littered their front yard only enhanced that effect.

"I didn't think I'd need it anymore!" Sirius argued. "I put a lot of good spellwork into that bike, you know."

I reached up to kiss him quickly. "You'll just have to start over with a new one. Or you could get a Muggle car. I could teach you how to drive it." I grinned mischievously. "That way you'd be legal."

"No, thank you," he said. "I'll take my chances with the Muggle police."

We had arrived at the Weasleys' front door. Sirius knocked lightly.

"Who is it?" called a frantic voice.

"It's just us, Molly," said Sirius almost irritably. "You were expecting us, remember?"

The door opened to reveal Molly, looking a bit flustered.. "I'm sorry. I'm just a bit jumpy is all."

"Molly!" came a shout, and Arthur appeared behind her. "Did you even check to make sure they are who they say they are?"

I rolled my eyes. This routine, while in some ways important, was getting old.

"Arthur, I don't have a question for them," said Molly, looking worried.

Behind them, Remus stood up.

"Hello, Moony," Sirius said. "Think you could let us in?"

Remus cleared his throat, looked at Arthur and Molly. "May I?"

They moved aside, and Remus stepped up to the door. I expected him to ask Sirius the question, but it was me he turned to.

"What does ammortentia smell like to you?" he asked calmly.

"The ocean, the air after it rains, a library, and...well, you know," I replied.

Remus moved aside to let us in. "It's them," he told the Weasleys.

"Shouldn't we question Sirius too?" Arthur asked as we passed him.

"Jasmine," said Sirius before anyone could say anything.

Remus raised his eyebrows. "Still?"

"Well, I haven't checked lately," said Sirius, "but I imagine so."

"Happy birthday, Harry!" I said lightly as I spotted him sitting near the end of the Weasleys' long kitchen table. Ron and Hermione were beside him. Ginny stood behind them, working at the sink on some task her mother had no doubt assigned her. Beside her, a young woman leaned against the counter, a woman who was probably more beautiful than anyone I had ever seen. Bill stood with his arm around her. Mad-Eye was also seated at the table.

I gave him a nod as I passed, moving to sit by Harry. "Moody."

"Thrace," he said, inclining his head.

"Black," said Sirius.

I watched as Harry leaned back and folded his hands behind his head, grinning. He was enjoying this.

Remus sat down next to me with a small sigh. "Are you trying to be cheeky, Sirius?"

"Not at all," said Sirius. "I just think if he insists on calling her by her surname, he should at least get it right."

The room went still as everyone tried to process exactly what he had said. Molly stood at the stove with a wooden spoon suspended above a pot, and Remus had turned to stare at me in shock.

Apparently Harry got tired of the lack of reaction, because he leaned across the table toward me and asked, "Can I see it?"

I held out my left hand so he could see the slender silver band that encircled the third finger.

Harry frowned up at Sirius. "It's not very impressive."

Sirius scowled. "She didn't want anything showy."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, something big and bright that catches the eye, perfect for when I'm fighting Death Eaters."

I noted Mad-Eye gave a little impressed nod as I said this, but he didn't say anything.

"You..." Molly was trying to say. "You got..."

"You actually talked him into getting married?" Remus asked, jerking his thumb incredulously at Sirius.

"It was his idea!" I said.

"When did this happen?" Remus demanded.

Sirius came over to sit on my other side. "This morning."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrugged. There was really no way to explain that. It just hadn't seemed reasonable to involve everyone, to pull them away from all the other things they had to do.

"Well, congratulations!" Arthur exclaimed, and that seemed to snap everyone out of their astonishment. A chorus of well-wishing followed, and one complaint from Fleur, who seemed to think it indecent to hold a wedding and not have anyone attend.

Ron was the only one looking sour.

"What's your problem?" Hermione asked. "You should be happy for them!"

"Says you!" said Ron. "I just lost a bet with Fred and George!"

Sirius howled with laughter.

"You what?" shrilled Molly.

Ron realized his mistake and promptly shut his mouth. It was probably too late for him, but the party would temporarily delay any questions about his gambling.

Harry had been the only one in on the plan, which Sirius had informed him of a week before. We had apparated to the little church in Godric's Hollow for a very quick ceremony, then, to complete our trip, paid a visit to the little churchyard there. It seemed right that Lily and James should still, in some way, be witnesses.

Of course, the real reason we were gathered that day was to celebrate Harry's birthday, and the celebrating soon turned back to that event. I was fine with this. I had not wanted a big deal made out of my wedding. As far as I was concerned, it was the actual marriage that was more important.

Remus pulled me aside later in the evening, and we walked out into the garden together.

"What happened?" he asked. "When did...?"

"Right after the Department of Mysteries," I told him quietly. I didn't really like to talk about that night. I would always think back in horror on what might have happened, only to be sharply reminded of the strangeness of what had happened. I had stopped questioning it, had stowed the images and knowledge that had once dominated my view of the world deep in the back of my brain.

Remus shook his head. "I can't believe it– not that you– don't take that the wrong way. It's just that Sirius actually got married. You said it was his idea?"

I nodded. "He told me he wanted to be a good example for Harry, and that...and that he didn't want anyone else."

Remus broke out into a smile. It enhanced the lines in his face, made him look older. He hugged me with one arm and leaned across to plant a soft kiss on my temple. "He's gotten smarter. I'm very happy for you, Tumnus."

"That's 'Mrs. Greek God' now," I told him loftily. "And don't you forget it."

Remus laughed and guided me back into the warm kitchen, where all our friends were gathered. No– they were more than friends. In a strange way, we were all connected, all family. The Order was like the Burrow, I decided, with the Weasleys at its center, it pulled in all the rest of us misfits.