A/N: So just so you know, I have been working on chapters and doing research, and I apologize that it's taken a while. So, a little deviation from the rotation: while working on this chapter, I was also working on the next chapter in Family Matters, so that will be out soon. After that (fingers crossed) Essence. More at the end.


Chapter 23: The Black Wedding

"Good morning, Molly," Sandi smiled as she came in the door to the Burrow's kitchen. Molly could see she looked a bit anxious and uneasy.

"Good morning, dear," Molly smiled back not wanting to add to it. Sandi looked away distractedly at the table.

"Ah, Arthur, I'm glad I caught you," Sandi jabbered nervously.

"Morning, Sandi," Arthur nodded. He let her sit down before turning a curious look to her. "What can I do for you?"

"I…uh…want to ask you…a…favor," she stammered out. Sandi looked down as if her hands were more interesting than the conversation she was trying to have.

"You have but to ask," Arthur assured her.

"Well…you see…Sirius and I were talking…and…we…um…realized that…" she paused taking a deep breath. "Merlin, this harder than I thought…"

"Sandi," Arthur placed a comforting hand on her arm, "Just ask. If it's something I can help you with, you know I will."

Sandi sighed heavily. "I wanted to ask you since my father is…no longer around…if you would…consent to…give me away?"

"I would be more than honored," Arthur smiled as he stood, pulling Sandi into a comforting hug.

"Thank you," Sandi swallowed her emotions back. Sandi turned to a smiling Molly. She took another deep breath. "Molly, would you…"

"Oh, of course, dear," Molly smiled crushing Sandi in a hug. "I would be remiss if I denied you a stand-in mother-of-the-bride."

"Thank you," Sandi choked out. "You have no idea what it means to me."

"You're quite welcome," Molly smiled. "Now, do have your party lined up? Venue? Anything I can help with?"

"The venue is taken care of," Sandi nodded. "I may need some help with convincing who I want as my bridesmaid."

"Ah," Molly nodded knowingly. "I take it you haven't asked her yet?"

"Or the groomsman," lamented Sandi with a grimace. "They haven't exactly been around my place much lately. I think I may have upset Ginny with my insistence to plan hers when she's told me repeatedly, they are already doing so, and in no uncertain terms, their way."

"Morning," Harry brightly called from the stairs. His smile drooped a little as he saw Sandi standing by the table.

"Good morning, Harry dear," Molly chirped. "Tea's on the table. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."

"Morning, Aunt Sandi," Harry nodded with less emotion. Sandi sighed. She was correct, they were still upset with her.

"Harry, please," Sandi almost begged, "I'm sorry. I should have listened to you and Ginny about you already having your plans started. I just wanted you to have more options in planning, honestly."

"I understand," Harry replied, holding up a hand to stop her response. "But…it's not me you need to beg forgiveness from."

Sandi sighed again, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Is she listening?"

"Yes," Harry commented, pointedly turning to pour tea for them.

"Ginny, please," appealed Sandi, to the back of Harry's head. "I'm sorry. I just want your bonding day to be as perfect as mine is shaping up to be."

"Then listen to me next time you pull out your plans," frowned Ginny as she crossed her arms at the bottom of the stairs. Sandi jumped as she spun around to face the irritated looking young redhead. "We've been over this before. All I want is a little understanding that Harry and I are planning our bonding the way we want it. And we have most of that plan already made, revised, and set. All I ask is that everyone remembers that, and stops pushing other things onto us that they think we will like."

"I will," Sandi promised. "Tell you what: how about we sit down and go over your plans at some point after the wedding, so I know where I can offer you help? That way I don't upset you again."

Ginny considered her for a moment, sharing a look with Harry. With a slight nod, Ginny turned back to Sandi, looking a lot calmer. "Alright."

"Good," Sandi breathed in relief. "Now, the next hurdle."

Harry looked at her with a raised eyebrow as Ginny slid into the seat beside him, rubbing her hand across his back. Ginny turned back to Sandi with a questioning look of her own. Their intense looks made Sandi falter for a moment. She knew the clothing requirements of the positions were not going to be received very well. Neither Harry or Ginny liked wearing formal attire. This was going to be worse than asking Arthur to give her away. Sandi swallowed and wished again Sirius had not had to leave for the Ministry so early that morning, or that Prue or Remus were conspicuously not available to be there.

"Um…" Sandi started. She paused again as Ginny's look intensified even more. "Ginny, I would…like you to…uh…erm…that is if you agree…to…um…"

"Agree to what, exactly?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

"Just say it, Aunt Sandi," Harry encouraged as his green eyes flashed in annoyance at her stuttering question.

Sandi took a deep breath. "Ginny, I would like you…to be…my bridesmaid."

"Excuse me?" Ginny asked with renewed irritation. "As in dress-wearing, standing in front, walking down the aisle bridesmaid?"

"Yes," Sandi answered weakly. "We have the perfect escort for you if he agrees," she added quickly.

"And just who would that be?" Ginny ground out.

"Harry, of course," Sandi answered.

"Oh," Ginny blinked.

"Did you really think we would try to split you two up, even for the wedding?" Sandi asked indignantly. "We know better. Prue and Remus, on the other hand, we have no qualms about."

Ginny giggled. "Is this a way to find out who she's been seeing?"

"Oh, I think we know who," Sandi smiled slyly, "it's more getting her to admit it."

"Ah, Professor Burke," Harry and Ginny cooed as they leaned on each other holding their hands to their hearts much to the amusement of the adults.

"And Remus?" asked Arthur as Molly set the food on the table.

"Getting him to actually commit to a real relationship with Dora," Sandi huffed. "I swear that man is as stubborn as a hippogriff!"

"In Moony's defense, feeble as it may be," Harry commented, "he doesn't want to hurt her with his furry side."

"We all understand that," Sandi nodded. "But she doesn't care about that. She cares about him."

"I say he needs a good swift kick to straighten himself out," Molly interjected with an edge to her voice that told them she meant every word.

"I couldn't agree more," Sandi nodded. "Oh, and let Ron, Percy, and the twins know they are encouraged to have a plus one, but not required."

"Ron with a date," Ginny laughed almost falling out of her chair. Harry almost choked on a bite of eggs as he tried not to laugh.

Ron walked in with a confused face. Ginny took one look at Ron's face and did fall out of her chair laughing, followed shortly by Harry.

"Did I miss something?" asked a bewildered Ron.

"You…date…wedding…" Harry wheezed out between laughs. Ron's face paled, only adding to their laughter.

"A…d…da…date? As…as in…gi…girl…wi…with…me?" Ron stuttered out. Sandi nodded. Ron's eyes bulged before he fled the kitchen.

Fred and George walked in looking back at the fleeing Ron in confusion. They turned to Harry and Ginny still giggling as they helped each other off the floor. George raised his right eyebrow, Fred his left.

"What did you tell Ron?" Fred asked.

"He's encouraged to have a date for the wedding," Molly answered with a wave of her hand as she returned to the stove for more platters of food.

"Brilliant!" George and Fred smiled.

"And so are you," Arthur smiled at the twins.

"We…?" Fred asked wide-eyed.

"Us…?" George asked with a tremble in his voice.

Ginny rolled her eyes at them. "Get over yourselves."

"Two words," Harry stated. "Angelina, Alicia."

"Done," Fred shrugged.

"Double done," shrugged George as they sat down.

"You already asked them, didn't you?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

"Maybe," they shrugged. Ginny turned her intense gaze on them. The twins squirmed in their chairs. Harry looked up at the twins from over his teacup.

"Alright…" Fred broke first.

"Yes, we did," George added.

"Thought so," Ginny nodded.

Percy entered the kitchen with a confused look. "Why is Ron hiding in his room?"

"We need dates for the wedding," Fred chuckled.

"And you know Ron," George grinned.

"Afraid of girls!" they chimed together.

"Ah!" Percy nodded. "In that case, I was correct in asking Penelope to join me."

Ginny looked at Harry with an evil grin. Harry grinned at her with the same smirk.

"We didn't do it!" the twins hurried out.

"Not you," Harry frowned at them.

"Ron," Ginny added. "Sandi, knowing Ron, there is zero chance of him asking a girl to the wedding."

"However," Harry went on for her. "We happen to know he has a crush on two girls."

"Oh, do tell," George leaned forward.

"Who are they?" Fred's eyes lit up like glittering candles.

"Hermione and Susan," Ginny answered.

"Invite them both," Fred caught on.

"And put Ronniekins in the pressure cooker!" George grinned.

"Merlin, help us," Sandi groaned. "That's all we need is the four of you conspiring against us." She paused, thinking about their words, a smile creasing her face. "But you're right. Write their names down for me and the invites will go out as soon as I get back home."


Harry stood looking out the small window in the chapel in Godric's Hollow. Sirius, Remus, and Harry were in one of the back rooms getting ready for the wedding of Sirius and Sandi, but that was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment. The room had a window that looked out at the graveyard beside the church. He could plainly see his parents' graves from where he stood. Harry's emotions were in turmoil. One minute he was happy for Sirius and Sandi, the next he was thinking of his parents. A tear rolled down his cheek in one of the low moments.

Ginny kept sending comforting and calming thoughts to Harry from the other side of the building, but it just wasn't helping much.

'If I could get away from Sandi and Prue, I would. You know that,' Ginny told him.

'I know,' Harry took a deep breath. 'It wouldn't be as bad if I couldn't see them from here.'

'I know, love,' Ginny wrapped him in a mental hug.

Harry was brought out of his conversation with Ginny as two hands were placed gently on his shoulders. He turned, seeing Sirius looking out the window.

"I know, Prongslet," Sirius sniffed. "I wish they were here, too. Believe me, I do. But as Sandi told me when she suggested it, 'having it here, they are here physically and in our hearts'."

Harry only nodded. His throat was too constricted at the moment to speak. Sirius smiled sadly, pulling Harry into a hug. Soon, Remus was joining them. Each of them knew how hard being here was for the others. They took comfort in knowing they were not alone in the pain on such a joyous day. Ginny felt Harry's shift in emotions and added another mental hug for him.

'Sandi and Prue are the same way,' Ginny told him. 'I feel your emotional swings, love. Concentrate on the here and now. We all wish they were here. But Pads is right, and so was Sandi. They are here, just not the way we all wish they were.'

'Love you, Gin,' Harry thought back with a mental hug to her.

'Love you, too,' Ginny sent back with a mental warm smile.

"I take the girls are in the same way?" Sirius asked as Harry's eyes unglazed.

"Yeah," Harry answered with a small smile. There was a knock on the door before either adult could reply.

"It's time," Bill called as he stuck his head in the door.


Harry stood with Remus waiting for Prue and Ginny to come out of their changing room. Arthur and Molly had gone in a few minutes before to let them know it was time. Molly opened the door with a wide grin as she came out. She stopped by Harry, smoothing out the collar of his dress robes. She gave him a warm, motherly smile before patting his cheek with a gentle hand. As she left, the door opened to reveal Ginny.

Harry's breath caught in his throat as he stared at her. Ginny smiled at his awestruck look. Harry took a shuddering breath as Ginny approached. Her red hair was in an elaborate French Twist down her back except for two locks that were curled hanging loosely on either side of her face. She wore her Magical headband with a white lily on the right side. Her rose gold colored dress was a modest ankle-length A-line cut with three layers of chiffon for the skirt. She had a gold sash belt around her waist with a single layer chiffon stretch bodice overlay. The two three-quarter-inch straps were set off with a gold bow on each shoulder. The whole look took Harry's breath away.

"You have to breath, love," Ginny joked with a smug smile.

"You look gorgeous," Harry finally got out.

"Thank you," Ginny smiled. She flicked her eyes over Harry. He was in a simple set of black dress robes with a gold-colored bowtie and vest with red buttons. The jacket had a thin edge of gold piping along the collar. "You look very handsome yourself."

"Thanks, love," Harry smiled as he offered her his arm. Ginny grinned as she took it.

As the soft music started to play, Harry and Ginny walked slowly out into the auditorium of the chapel. Harry glanced around the crowd, seeing many familiar faces. Quite a few of their professors were there, including McGonagall, Sprout, Burke, and Flitwick. Several students from their year at Hogwarts, like Susan Bones, Neville, Draco, Hannah, and Hermione. Luna and her father were just behind the Weasleys. Harry mentally nudged Ginny as his eyes fell on Ron. He was sandwiched between Susan and Hermione looking exceedingly uncomfortable. Ginny laughed through their bond trying not to laugh out loud at her brother.

Ginny spotted two unfamiliar girls sitting next to Bill and Charlie. Both of the young women looked to be her oldest brothers' current girlfriends. With a slight push of her Magic, Ginny was able to read their auras. She huffed inwardly. Neither of them had any real commitment in mind for her brothers. Bill caught her eye as if knew what she was up to. He gave her a small shake of his head and a slight warning look. Ginny just gave him a smug smile in return with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Harry and Ginny separated as they reached the front, each turning as they took their places. Harry finally took in the decorations of the chapel. Red and golden yellow rose were scattered around with white lilies in small bunches. The streamers matched the flowers as they wove around the arch and ends of the pews. A large cluster of flowers with a large red bow was on the center of the arch. Harry had to admit, Sirius and Sandi had chosen their colors well.

Prue and Remus came down the aisle next. Remus was in similar dress robes, but he had a dark red vest and tie with gold buttons. Prue was in a matching but a slightly darker shade of dress as Ginny. Harry watched as Remus made eye contact with Dora, who was seated next to Professor Burke. Harry had to chuckle inwardly at the look on his professor's face as he stared at Prue. Harry also saw the look Prue shared with him as she and Remus neared and passed Dora and Burke.

'Oh, just wait for the reception!' Ginny giggled in his head.

'This is gonna be brilliant!' Harry chuckled back. 'No way out this time!'

The music changed, ending their mental conversation. Sirius stepped up on the step to take his position as the bridal march began. Arthur and Sandi appeared at the end of the aisle. Arthur smiled proudly at Sandi just before they started down the center of the pews.

Harry heard Sirius gasped slightly as Sandi come into view. Her cream-colored dress had a straight cut corset-style bodice that ended with a shallow V at the waist. The skirt was floor length with a layer of sheer chiffon with embroidered white lilies from the bottom to the knees. The top was covered with the same sheer that came up to her neck and flowed over her shoulders as oversized sleeves. Her brown hair was in a layered twist that covered her ears, flowing down her back.

Arthur placed a kiss on Sandi's cheek before placing her hand in Sirius'. He took his seat next to Molly, who was wiping her eyes.

"Dearly beloved witches and wizards…" the officiant began.


After the wedding, the guests gathered at the Burrow for the reception. A large tent had been set up for the dinner in the back garden. The family and friends of the new Lord and Lady Black were even more raucous than the normal dinners around the Weasley table. There was loud laughter and conversations from all the tables. Sirius and Sandi were greeting their guests as Prue and Professor Burke kept sharing looks. A fact that did not escape the notice of Harry and Ginny. Prue felt eyes on her, turning to look at the smug look on Harry's face. She knew she had been caught.

"Come on, Aunt Prue," Harry grinned as Prue blushed and squirmed in her chair beside him at the front table. "Just admit it!"

"No," Prue breathed out. "I won't admit anything."

"Aunt Prue," Ginny leaned over Harry's shoulder, "let me put it this way: admit it, or he doesn't get an invitation to our bonding and he won't be your plus one."

"You…you…" Prue's head shot up as she sputtered. Ginny raised an eyebrow with a smug smile on her face. Harry had the exact same look on his face. Prue huffed, narrowing her eyes. "And I thought the twins were bad at blackmail!"

"So, is that a yes?" Harry asked.

"Only if you keep it quiet for now," sighed Prue. "We want to wait for a little…more…stability…at Hogwarts before we go public."

"With the old man gone, that shouldn't be too long," Harry grinned triumphantly.

"Just…just don't tell…Sandi," Prue pleaded.

"Why?" Ginny asked curiously. "Why are you hiding it from her? And the rest of us for that matter?"

"Randy…" Prue paused as she considered her words. "He wants to earn your trust the right way by getting to know you, not just because of me. He has skills and things that might be helpful someday."

"Alright," Harry nodded as he glanced at Burke who was looking a little concerned by the shrewd look from Ginny. "We'll work on it."

Remus stood, tapping his goblet for attention as Sirius and Sandi returned to their seats at the center of the front table. He waited as the crowd quieted before he cleared his throat. He flashed Sirius a playful smile. Sirius groaned, knowing he was about to be embarrassed.

"As Best Man, it falls to me to make the first toast," Remus began. "I have known Sirius longer than most of you here, with the exception of Andi, of course." He paused as the crowd chuckled. Andi raised her goblet a little higher with a nod.

"When I first met him," Remus continued, "he was an eleven-year-old first year going to Hogwarts. And an immature git, as our dear late friend, Lily Potter loved to point out." Remus paused for the crowd to quiet again after another good chuckle. "Yes, I was one of them, but let's face it, James and Sirius were the ones she referred to mostly."

"Remus," Sirius warned lightly as the guest laughed more.

"Sandi on the other hand," Remus continued unabashed, "being my cousin on my father's side, we have known each other since we were younger. She, too, had some rather…scathing remarks about our antics in school. I believe the phrase was 'blithering ignoramuses who could drive Peeves barmy'." The crowd laughed outright at that. Sandi blushed, covering her face with a hand.

"Yes, I'll admit, we had fun. We had a few laughs. But two things were clear to me from the off. James Potter was head over arse in love with Lily Evans, and Sirius was quite taken with Sandi. It took years listening to James and Sirius about those two for the ladies to actually take notice of them. Although, they probably didn't help their case much with all the pranks."

"You were in on them, too," Sirius defended himself with a smile.

"That may be," Remus grinned, making Sirius squirm a little. "But I wasn't doing them to impress girls." Remus raised his eyebrows to Sirius as the crowd laughed at their banter. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes! In sixth year, things changed. Sandi developed a crush on my dear friend here, and the rest they say is history. Although, James was a little lost puppy for a little while without his sidekick here."

The crowd chuckled again. Remus raised his goblet further. "So, I toast old friends not here. And dear friends that are like family that really are family now. To James and Lily!" Remus paused as the crowd joined in his silent salute. "And to Sirius and Sandi, I wish you nothing but happiness."

"Cheers!" came the response from the crowd.

Prue stood as Remus took his seat. She gave Sandi a smile and wink before she started. "It has been my honor to be the sister to the bride all her life. I remember the day these two met as well. I was starting my fourth year when Sandi started Hogwarts.

"I took one look at the young Sirius Black and thought to myself, 'Yup, there's a troublemaker'!" She paused as the audience laughed. Sirius groaned with a sigh. Prue looked at him. "Tell me, I'm wrong."

"My only defense is I was eleven," Sirius shook his head.

"Well, my dear sister was smitten with Sirius' looks, even then. She just wanted him to grow up a little." Prue had to pause for the laughter to die down again. "But he did…sort of." Laughter rang out again, much to the chagrin of Sirius. "Some of you know that I was missing for several years. But thanks to Dora and Sirius, I'm not there anymore. For that alone, I will always be grateful to my new brother-in-law. Sandi never gave up hope of one day finding me. And I never gave up hope of being found.

"So, I say this from the bottom of my heart, thank you both. Sandi, you have always been there for me. I will gladly return the favor…to both of you. I wish you nothing but joy, happiness, and love for the rest of your days. To Sirius and Sandi!"

As the audience echoed the toast, Sirius and Sandi both stood, pulling Prue into a tight hug. Remus joined them as the crowd applauded cheerfully. Remus motioned them over to the dancefloor as soft music began to play. Sirius and Sandi shared the first dance alone before the crowd joined them led by a smirking Harry and confused looking Ginny.

Harry started moving to the rhythm of the music, leading Ginny in a waltz. Ginny looked at him in surprise. "You've been hiding this, haven't you?"

"I like giving you surprises," Harry shrugged.

"Well, this one is a welcome one," smiled Ginny. "You dance splendidly, love."

"Why thank you," grinned Harry. "We'll have to thank Aunt Prue for this, though."

"Speaking of which," Ginny motioned with her chin over Harry's shoulder. Harry turned them so he was facing the way Ginny had been looking. Across the dancefloor, Prue and Professor Burke were dancing quite close and trying to blend in behind the other people. Harry grinned knowing they had more fodder for blackmail as Prue and Burke shared a quick kiss.


Sirius and Sandi looked around at their guests on the dancefloor as they took a break after a long time dancing. Sandi pointed out Harry and Ginny dancing sweetly, lost in their own little world. Sirius smiled knowing the two of them were more than happy to share such a great time together. Sirius spotted Prue and Randle Burke trying to hide as they danced. Sandi gave Sirius a triumphant smile as she knew now, they had all been correct about those two. Sirius chuckled as he pointed out Ron awkwardly dancing with Susan Bones, who was beet red but smiling.

Turning slightly, Sirius noticed Molly and Arthur dancing in one corner. Then Sirius realized he hadn't seen Remus in quite a while. Sandi looked at him with a mirrored look of confusion and suspicion.

"Where's Remus and Dora?" Sandi voiced his question for him. Before Sirius could answer, the music stopped for a second allowing them to hear voices on the other side of the tent wall. Sirius raised an eyebrow, tilting his head for Sandi to follow him.

They rounded the back corner of the tent from the side entrance they had left from. Sirius' eyes grew wide as he looked at his younger cousin sitting on his best friend's lap, snogging like they were going to die in the next few hours. Sirius fought the laugh that was threatening to give them away. Sandi, however, didn't. Dora and Remus looked up in surprised shock as the bride and groom lost their struggle not to laugh. Both Remus and Dora were a great imitation of Weasley red.

"Soooo," Sandi smiled, drawing out the word. "What have we here?"

"Snog session…" Dora gulped. She looked at Remus, who nodded with a sigh. "…with…my…new…boyfriend…"

Sirius let out a loud barking laugh. "What took you so long, Moony?"


Inside, Harry and Ginny finally took a break to sit with some of their friends. They were both flushed and breathing slightly heavily. Draco nodded as Harry sat next to him.

"How's your night going?" Harry asked with a smile.

"Not as well as yours," Draco answered, receiving a swat from Hannah. "Not that mine hasn't been enjoyable."

"Better," Hannah frowned as Harry and Ginny laughed. Neville and Luna joined them with a sour-looking Hermione.

"Don't ask," Neville pleaded quietly. Harry noticed Ron was still on the dancefloor with Susan. He nodded at Neville in understanding.

"Um…Draco?" Luna asked as she stared at something in the far corner of the tent.

"Yes, Luna?"

Luna didn't answer, just pointed. The rest of them turned to see what had captured her attention. At a table on the other side of the tent, sitting alone together, were Xeno Lovegood and Narcissa Black. Draco coughed the sip of punch he had been taking. His mother and Luna's father looked to be in deep discussion about something and comparing what looked like pictures.

"Wonder what that's about?" Draco asked, turning to Luna.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Luna shrugged.

"Is there something I should know?" Hannah asked a bit cross.

"It's not like that, Hannah," Draco frowned slightly. "There's something they haven't told us."

"And we have always felt some kind of connection," Luna added.

"Hannah," Harry spoke up quickly. She turned with a slightly angry face. "It's not the same kind of connection as Ginny and I have."

"It's more like what I have with Bill or Charlie," Ginny added quickly.

"You don't think…?" Hannah let the question hang as she looked over at the other table again.

"We don't know," Draco told her as he took her hand. Hannah turned back to him, then looked at Luna. "But we want to find out."

"I understand," Hannah nodded, squeezing his hand slightly.


A/N: Well, now. Has the plot thickened? Or are more questions remaining? Oh, and have I forgotten something? Oh, wait...the Horcruxes! A few answers next chapter, and a few more questions. As always, thanks for the R/Rs.