Next morning:

I was awakened by something being dropped on me. Looking down at myself, I was meet by two bright yellow eyes. Sitting up in a rush, I picked up the little fluff ball. "Hello, where did you come from?" It was a little dire wolf pup. His coat was all black, with some brown mixed in. Placing him on my chest, he fought to get up to my neck. Hearing the door squeak open, Hermione and Harry walked in. "What's going on?"

"You like him?" Hermione asked.

The pup gave me a ticklish sensation, as he attempted to bite my ear. "I love him, but where did he come from? Dire wolfs are not easy to come by."

Harry took a seat on the bed. "I know how much loosing Slytherin hurt you. I spoke with Sirius and he was able to get ahold of him. He is out wedding present, from all of us." The pup bounced over to him, nibbling on his hand.

"What's his name?"

Hermione shrugged. "Doesn't have one."

Grabbing the wolf, I studied him. He had a devilish look in his eyes. Kind of reminded me of Sirius. "Black."

Harry raised a brow. "Black?"

I nodded. "He will be named Black."

Hermione laughed, picking the pup to her eye level. "Black it is." Handing him over to Harry, she ushered them both out. "Alright, get in the shower. We are running behind once again."

"It's barely 9am!" I hid my face under the pillow, groaning loudly. "Let me sleep for at least another hour."

"Are you insane!" She pulled the covers off me, followed by the pillow. "Everything is almost set up. Sirius is on his way, from what his letter said. Everyone is arriving. We are just waiting on the priest and you." She grabbed my arm, pulling me up and off the bed. "I will throw you into the tub and pour cold water on you."

"I am the bride, isn't it expected I arrive late?" Hermione gave me her infamous glare. "Alright, alright." Dragging my feet into the bathroom, I shut the door and jumped into the shower. We had decided on going with a simple white dress. My last one got ruined, and I didn't feel like getting it fixed. Besides it would be my luck if the dress was bad luck now. Slipping into the dress, I sat down in front of the mirror. If today goes as planned, I will be Athena Black. "Hmm, has a nice ring to it. Athena Black."

"If you are done day dreaming, can we get a move on?" Hermione walked into the room, standing just behind my chair. "Everyone is here and waiting on you."

"Almost done." I grabbed my bag, pulling out a few items. Hermione helped me with my hair, putting it up in a bunch. After a few minutes, we were finally done. Making our way down to the yard, I stopped at the door. Hermione left to take her place at the front. I could see Sirius dressed in an all black tuxedo, waiting for me to appear. The little guest consisted of, the order, Remus family and a few class mates. My mother had not shown, not that I blamed her really. And well my father, he was gone for good from my life. Both of them. But that made me realize, I had no one to walk me down the aisle. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, just as a hand grabbed my arm.

"You didn't think I was going to let you walk down the aisle alone, did you?" David stood beside me, dressed in a white suit to match my dress. "What sort of brother would I be?"

"A lousy one." I jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Thank you."

David pulled back, cupping my face. He leaned forward, giving me peck on my cheek. "I will always be there for you. No matter what." He ran his thumb under my eyes, wiping the tears. "Let's get you walking, I still need to threaten that 'fiancé' of yours." Hooking my arm in his, we began our walk. David let go of my arm once we arrived at the front. Giving me a kiss on the head, he turned towards Sirius. "I am a very nice guy; some even say I can be a sweetheart. But if I hear or even catch wind, that you hurt my sister. Made her cry. Made her upset in the least, I will hunt you down like a three headed dog." I swear my brother can be very dramatic.

I could see Sirius holding back his smirk, as he nodded. "You have my word." With one last glare directed at Sirius, he made his way back to sit by his wife. "Charming, your brother."

"Mother always said we were alike." I whispered.

Sirius chuckled. "I am in for a wild ride."

"Yes. You. Are."

Remus leaned towards us, pointing a finger at the priest. "Will you two pay attention."

We looked up to see the man staring at us patiently. "Shall we begin?"

"Sorry."

I actually zoned out as he spoke about love and union. Did he not know why we were getting married? Hearing him say the words 'Till death do you apart.' is morbid to me. I want the fairy tale. I want "and they lived happily ever after." What's wrong with that? Why start a life of love by thinking about death? I choose to believe that my husband is my soulmate, that we will always be together in this life and beyond. Doesn't love endure forever? Well then again, we aren't in love and this isn't a fairy tale.

"Ms. Gaunt?"

"Ye-oh?" I looked up to see the man holding his wand up. Sirius had his arm stretched out, waiting for me. "Sorry." Holding my arm out, I placed the back of my hand against Sirius. Suddenly my nerves were activated. There was no going back.

"With this tie, you will now be husband and wife." A black and red light emitted from his wand, wrapping itself around both our wrist, running up out arms. "A tie no man shall break. A tie no magic itself will ever be able to break." The lace tightens around our arms, sinking into us. It wasn't painful or uncomfortable, it actually felt soothing. The light sunk into our skin, tying us for a moment, then allowing us to separate our hands. "You can kiss your wife Black."

"Right." Turning to face me, he took a step forward. Raising his hand towards my cheek, he leaned forward kissing me lightly on the lips. It wasn't long or passionate. It was simply a peck. And for that I was actually thankful. As everyone clapped, he leaned into my ear. "You alright?"

"Yeah."

The night went as you would have expected it to. Everyone ate, danced and had fun. The troubles to come were on no one's mind. Hermione had asked if Krum could come, which I had no problem with. And who at the moment was very busy dancing with. Ron on the other hand wouldn't stop glaring at the couple. I swear that boy's neck vein was popping. Harry was on the side talking with Ginny, who at the moment was trying to convince him to a dance. 'Yeah, good luck with that.' Sirius was speaking in hushed voices with Remus and Madeye. I was currently dancing slowly with my brother. The night was almost done and if I was being honest, I was scared. I hadn't spoken to Sirius about my worries or fears of what was to come tonight. I knew he expected something, I mean it was our wedding night.

"I can hear the wheels in your head moving." David whispered. "What's on your mind?"

"A lot of things, but this particular thought is not one I would like to share." Looking up at him, I chuckled at the look of offense on him. "Trust me, I rather not traumatize my brother."

David frowned, thinking for a moment, until his eyes widen and his mouth gasped. "Oh-eww-Athena!"

"I didn't say anything!" I laughed. "What is that dirty mind thinking?"

David gagged, shaking his head clear. "I never want to think or talk about that!"

"Athena!" Ginny came running to me, grabbing my arm.

"What?"

"David, I am sorry, but I am in need of your sister." Ginny grinned, pulling me away. "I will bring her back in one piece."

David raised his hand, stepping back. "She married Black, not me. Give her back to him."

I slapped him on the shoulder. "Now that's just rude."

"I have dealt with you all my life, you're someone else's problem now." He yelled after my departure.

Ginny stopped me from responding back at him, dragging me out to the lake. Some other girl I didn't know was there. "What are we doing here?"

"We wanted to check up on you." Ginny said.

I frowned, not sure what she was check up on. "What do you mean? I am fine."

"We just wanted to make sure you were okay." The girl said. "You know, with what is going to happen tonight."

I am sorry what? "Who are you?" I glanced from Ginny to the girl. "And nothing is happening tonight. At least not if I am ready."

Ginny quickly raised her hands, calming me down. Or trying. "It is your wedding night Athena."

"So?" What was up with her? "That doesn't mean anything. Yes, I am now his wife and carry the Black name, but that doesn't mean I am doing anything I don't want to."

"Don't your panties in a bunch. But, what kind of wife will not keep her husband happy, especially on their wedding night." The girl scoffed.

"Again, who are you?!" I was losing the very little patients I had for this girl. "You have no idea what my life has been like. Nor the reason behind my marriage. Now I care for Sirius and I will do everything to keep him happy, so don't you dare come at me." As I was turning around to leave, a hand reached out and pulled my arm. A loud gasp following.

"Vicky!" Ginny yelled, followed by a gasp of her own.

I snatched my arm back, noticing the mark on my arm was visible. "Bloody hell."

"Yo-you are a death eater." Vicky accused, stepping a back in fear. "You're a death eater!"

"Athena?" Ginny gapped my arm and then back at me. "Are you?"

"No!"

"Like hell you're not!" Vicky yelled. "That is the death eaters mark! You are one of his followers!"

"I am no one's followers!" This girl was about to be turned into a bloody pig. "Don't ever repeat those words to me!"

"But you have his mark." Ginny whispered, she too stepped away.

"Athena?"

I was starting to hate my own name! Looking at the person calling me, I spotted Hermione, Harry and Ron making their way over. "What?"

Hermione frowned, looking from me to the others. "You okay?"

"Yeah, fine."

Ron approached Ginny, grabbing her by the arm. "What did you do?"

"Not-"

"She is death eater!" Vicky yelled.

I was so close to punching this girl. "I am not!"

"She is not a death eater!" Harry growled.

"Then why does she carry their mark?!"

I had, had enough. "You know what, I have no reason to explain anything to you. I am going to get some air away from you two." Walking away from them, I was finally able to breath. That girl was hanging form my last nerve. Taking a seat on a log, I stared out into the tall grass field. It was peaceful really. The grass swayed from side to side, as the wind blew by. It was soothing.

"Mind some company?"

I looked up to see Sirius standing beside me. "Of course not."

Taking a seat, he exhaled softly. "So, want to tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, just taking some air." I replied.

Sirius chuckled. "May I remind you about the threat your brother made?"

I couldn't help, but laugh. "It's nothing you did Sirius. I have been hoping to keep the whole mark thing a secret. Avoid the students from finding out."

"But?"

"But that's not going to happen." I was so screwed. "I just had a little argument with a girl, who I know will end up telling everyone she knows."

Sirius shrugged, picking up a small stick from the ground. "Let them think what they want Athena. Those that are important to you know the truth and will be here for you. The rest, well they can bloody well go to hell." I don't know how, but this man was getting too well at reading me. "But that isn't all that's bothering you."

"I hate when you do that." I wasn't sure how to tell him, but I needed to. How do you tell your new husband, you are not ready to have sex. On your wedding night, none the less. "Sirius, I-I-" Just out with it Athena! "I-uhh-I have never-" ugh! "I am a virgin!" I kept my eyes on the ground, not daring to look up at him. "A-and I don't think I am ready to sleep with anyone. I know it's our wedding night and you are probably expecting for us to-" I was stopped by his lips on mine. I could taste the fire whiskey on his tongue. As he pulled away, I moaned softly.

"Athena I am not expecting anything tonight." Sirius whispered. "I knew you were untouched; your father made a point in making sure I knew. I am not going to rush you into anything you are not ready for." Grabbing my chin, he made me look up at him. "I will go at your pace. Not to mention, you are only 17 Athena."

"Right." Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank you, Sirius."