Author's Note: Hi, welcome to posting day. I hope you enjoy the chapter. I have now posted everything I have pre-written. The story only has about five chapters left, so I'll power through and get them done. Thanks for reading and reviewing, MNF

Chapter 36:

Interviews

Monday, June 19, 2000

Ministry of Magic, Chief Warlock's Office

"I don't think you should be here," Junie said softly. "I could have done these interviews without you, or if you felt I needed assistance, James could have been here. You're not all that strong." Sirius would not let his fiancé do the interviews with the wizarding and Muggle press about their wedding alone. She was sure the wizarding interview would be more about his injury than their wedding plans, but there was no dissuading Sirius on his need to be here.

"Junie, I appreciate that you're worried, but the healer said I could do this today as long as it was all I did today. I promise I will go straight to bed when we get back. So, who is on duty with me today?" Sirius wasn't thrilled that their friends were taking turns being with the Blacks, but it was necessary, as Sirius couldn't do much for himself. Junie was feeding him as his arm was in a sling, held close to his chest. He was still re-growing tissue and skin. Healing was far slower than anyone had predicted. Lily had been in the lab for two days trying to unravel all the components of potion which was flung at Sirius.

"It's my job to worry about you," she said with devotion. "Harry and Ginny are coming over before lunch. Neither have games or practices today. Tomorrow it will be James and Lily again."

"I swear I am going to order some drawstring pants so I can go to the loo alone. What do Muggles call them? Tracksuits?"

"No, those went out in the eighties," Junie said with a laugh thinking of the matching sets old men wore. "What you want are joggers, and I can go to Marks and Spencer and pick up some for you once you're home and resting."

"Your dad has tracksuits."

"My Dad's are from the eighties. Old men wear matching sets. I'll buy you some solid-coloured joggers and even a hoodie or two, okay. You can lounge around the house in them. You can even take them on our wedding trip, just please accept the help you need for a few more days. You're dizzy from the potions. You're also quite uninhibited, which makes me worried about these interviews."

"Juniper, I speak in front of people all the time," he said with a swat of his good hand at the air. "I'm a gonna be fine."

"You just used the word 'gonna' in a sentence. I hold this is a bad idea."

Junie said down next to him on the couch, on Sirius' good side, and laid her head on his chest. She was exhausted, and there would be little time for rest in the days ahead. She'd resorted to an Invigorating Draught earlier this morning. Between her anxiety about Sirius' injury, the numerous details regarding the wedding and their trip, and what she was going to do about work since the baby would be due at the beginning of the second term, Junie could not relax and rest.

They had scrambled to put an outfit together for Sirius this morning, as the suit he was going to wear needed to be scrapped due to it not accommodating his arm sling. In the end, he went with a pair of dark grey trousers, a pale green button-down shirt, a dark grey waistcoat that had a thin green pinstripe in it, and a floral tie that coordinated with everything. His arm was in a black sling, his hand covered completely by bandages. Only the tips of his fingers were shown, and they were a hideous green-black colour.

Junie had dressed in the floral dress she'd purchased for Rosie's birthday. It wasn't what she had planned to wear; that dress had ripped along the zipper seam as she was hurrying to dress as they were running late. Lily had attempted to spell the seam closed, but the flimsy fabric of the dress continued to rip, and Junie had abandoned the idea of wearing it. Minsey had promised to look at it while they were gone today. She knew the bone-coloured dress with the embroidered flowers was in decent shape, and she had the right shoes for it.

"You're very tense," Sirius commented, and Junie struggled not to make a face at him.

"It's been a challenging few days." Sirius was unable to say anything else as the door opened and Madeline, his assistant, escorted Mr Milliander in. She left, promising to bring the tea tray in a few moments. Junie stood, keeping a hand on Sirius' shoulder for a moment to remind him to stay seated. She then shook the reporter's hand and welcomed him.

"Mr Chief Warlock," the man said, "it's good to see you." He offered his hand to Sirius, who did remain seated, and Sirius offered his good hand. "How are you feeling?" Mr Milliander sat down across from Sirius in the wing-backed chair to hear the answer.

"All things considered, well. I'm fortunate I was treated as quickly as I was, here at the Ministry by our healer corps, and for the phenomenal care I was given at St. Mungo's. Having this beautiful woman watching over me is an ideal antidote as well." Sirius looked at Junie and smiled, and she returned it freely.

"Do you have anything to say to the man who did this? What do you know about him and his politics? Will charges be pressed?" The questions were in such a rapid-fire nature Sirius couldn't think fast enough to answer.

"I'll answer the questions if you give me a chance to do so," Sirius said with his easy charm. "I know next to nothing about the man, his politics or motivations. I'm leaving all of that, as well as possible charges to the Auror department. Whatever they choose to release will be at their prerogative.

"As for others who might think terroristic violence is the way for their message to be heard, it is not. Violence will never be the way to attract my attention. I am more than willing to meet with anyone and hear their concerns and answer their questions if they but ask. Please, tell them to make an appointment with my office, starting in August, and I will make time to talk with anyone."

"That's quite magnanimous of you."

"It is my job to hear from all of my constituents. I want people to know I understand change can be frightening but what makes our magical world wonderful is that we are all different, with unique abilities. Still, we also share in the magical heritage and future of our world."

"Well said, you certain your so-called 'path to progress' is the way to proceed?"

"I believe, well really it's the Wizengamot which believes, we can move into the Twenty-First century, loosen some of the restrictions regarding our relationships with Muggles while still maintaining the International Statute of Secrecy and keeping the best parts of the wizarding lifestyle and culture."

Madeline returned and brought the tea service with her. Since it was still relatively early, the tray was laden with three kinds of scones, petite croissants, jam, butter, and clotted cream. To help, Madeline stayed and served everyone, giving Junie a squeeze of her hand before they left. Once Madeline was gone, Mr Milliander continued the interview.

"Now, Ms Meadows, how are you handling the events of this past week?" Junie chuckled.

"Honestly, it was a hectic enough of a week without the drama on Friday," she said honestly, "and I expect the week to come will be a bit chaotic, but it will be worth it when I become his wife in six days." Junie looked at Sirius with sweet devotion, and he kissed her crown.

"Your wedding appears to be the social event of the year," he said, and Junie shook her head while smiling. "Does the attention change things for you as a bride?"

"Well, having never gone through this as a bride, I would think its things are quite normal. Every bride hopes her day will be perfect, worries about tiny details, and tries to plan for every possible mishap. I feel the same. As for the social significance, I understand why there is such interest, and I hope that the accommodations we have made satisfy the public's curiosity. What matters most is I am becoming Sirius' wife, and he, my husband. When we take our vows, we will be surrounded by our families, dearest friends, and their families, and they are the ones who will be with us in the years to come. Those are the things I am most concerned with."

"You're taking the month of July away from the Ministry, correct?"

"We are," Sirius confirmed. "I believe I will need it to finish healing."

"Will you be staying in the UK or going abroad?"

"We have plans, but much will depend on what the healers say on Friday at his visit," Junie jumped in. "I own a house right on the beach; a month there in the sun wouldn't bother me a bit."

Mr Milliander went on to ask the typical questions about the wedding and reception; what Junie's colours were, who was standing up with the couple, and a bit about the food. He asked who would be officiating, but Sirius and Junie kept quiet about it. He'd have to wait for that titbit until the wedding itself. Of course, he would be there, covering the affair for The Daily Prophet. Junie wasn't happy about there being press but decided if Sirius picked which media outlets and who was representing them, it wouldn't be too bad. A friend of Harry and Ginny's from school would be the only photographer allowed in. Mr Creevey was employed by the paper, but he would also provide photos for other outlets, at a profit for himself and with the couple approving the images sold. He would also take the pictures for the couple, although if friends wanted to get candid shots, they were allowed. Marley would undoubtedly have her camera with her, and so would Rosie.

After about thirty minutes, Mr Milliander announced that he had enough for the article and thanked the couple for sitting down with him so close to their wedding day. Madeline showed him out, and when the door shut, Junie turned to her fiancée.

"This was too much for you, wasn't it?"

Sirius didn't want to answer her, but being dressed and sitting up had caused him to become quite tired and overheated. Junie had felt the sweat building up in his underarm as she sat with him. Sirius's eyes were drooping, and she became worried about getting him home safely. Thankfully, the door opened, and James and Remus walked in.

"Thank Merlin, Jesus, and any other deity who had a hand in bringing you here," she said with a relieved voice.

"It was my wife if you must know," James said with a subtle laugh. "When she saw how flustered you were this morning, she thought you might need assistance.

"Bless her," Junie said, looking as tired as Sirius. James was genuinely concerned for her welfare. "He's worn himself out." Junie put her hand to his forehead. "I think he's running a fever as well." She pulled her wand and did some basic diagnostic medical spells, and Sirius's fever was confirmed. "You're going home."

"That is why I'm here," Remus said. "Marley is at your place. Harry is going to take the boys flying, and we're spending the day with you instead. Rosie, Ginny, and Lily are going to be over this afternoon to help you finish the favours and the place cards."

"I'm so glad someone else is thinking straight. I'm a mess. Yeah, Marley!"

"It's okay, Lily said to remind you of the melt-down she had only days before our wedding, and we didn't have a nearly fatal injury to deal with," James said.

"Yes, the original bridezilla I seem to remember," Junie said offhandedly. Remus and James laughed with her.

"I need to do this interview with Junie," Sirius said. "We promised the reporter."

"No, neither of us are doing the interview. I'm going to go to Sunderland and use the phone to call Mr Highbridge, tell him that you've had an accident and you're simply unable to make it to the interview. I will then promise we will sit down with him when we return from our holiday. I will also type up a sheet with all the relevant information about our wedding, print and mail it to him so he can still draft the article. Colin can print Muggle photographs, and he will forward them the day after the wedding. I am sure that Mr Highbridge can be reasonable; he certainly seemed to be when we first met him at the opening. James, would you please accompany me to my house? I am feeling quite worn out, and the potion I took this morning seems to have worn off."

"Well, if it's the Invigorating Potion Lily made for you, I don't doubt it as she only made it half strength. She wants you to relax too. There are two of us here for this very reason."

"Thank Merlin, you're not arguing with us," Remus said. "You both can be so stubborn."

"It's why we didn't get along for thirty years," Junie said with a touch of sarcasm, and then men laughed at her.

Remus quickly Floo called Grimmauld and asked his wife to have a chair ready to put Sirius in as soon as they arrived. He would then Disapparate himself, Sirius, and the chair to the master suite where he could help his friend disrobe and get into bed. Marley would oversee plying him with appropriate potions and salves. Remus could sit with Sirius and play chess with him, if he didn't fall asleep.

James and Junie had to go to the atrium and use one of the Disapparation points to take her to the back garden of her home in Sunderland. Junie spoke with Billy Highbridge on the phone, and the man was more than understanding. When she sat down to type out the information for The Nottingham News, James was amazed to watch her fingers fly across the keys, and the words appear on her screen. He had only ever seen someone type on a typewriter, and that was his mother. She was slow, often only using one finger at a time; Junie used all of hers and quickly typed.

"How did you learn to do that?" he asked her in awe.

"I took a touch-typing class just after I graduated from Cambridge," she said. "Muggle were using typewriters at the time, but theirs are electrified. When computers came along in the eighties, I went and took a class on those as well. As new software came out, I've kept up with the advances. Did you know there is an online encyclopaedia of every law case which has been decided since the mid-sixties? I can type in a few words or the case number, and everything pops up for me if I know. So much easier than needing to go down to the legal library and research by hand."

Junie saved her document and then printed two copies. James was astounded at how quickly they came out, looking identical and so fast.

"Even with charms, it takes longer to duplicate a paper like this. Seriously, we need to figure out how to use electricity as wizards and witches," he said earnestly.

"Well, I think it has to do with magical energy disrupting the currents. If we can discover the correct insulation spell or a physical barrier, it might work. I think Harry's friend Hermione might have an idea. She was talking with Fred and George about it at dinner last week. Those two can create nearly anything someone gives them the idea for," Junie said as she put the pages of information into an envelope, sealed it, and then addressed it to Mr Highbridge at the paper. She put a stamp on it and asked James to walk with her to the post box and back. As she was locking her garden door, she turned to her friend.

"So, I need to make one more stop while we're out," she said. "Has Lily ever taken you into a Marks and Spencer?"

"She doesn't even like me going to the little market down the road from our house," he explained. "I know what they are since Harry and Ginny frequently go, but I've never been."

"Well, this will be an experience," Junie replied with hesitancy. "Please don't point at anything."

Two hours later, the pair returned to Grimmauld Place. They had three crates full of items, only five of which were Junie's – two pairs of men's joggers – one in blue and one in red, two men's hoodies, both zip-up – one in grey and one in a golden yellow and a single beach sized towel since Sirius didn't own one and Junie's were all pink or purple. She wanted to have something appropriate if they were to stay in Sunderland.

James purchased clothing for himself and his wife, including undergarments, a set of dishes that had fishes pictured on them (for what use Junie didn't even venture to guess), six bottles of wine, a hamper full of snack foods, a 'tea-time' food set, and several bags of coffee and new coffee mugs. Lily looked at the rather bizarre assortment and then looked to her friend.

"How did he pay for it all?" Lily asked as James wasn't allowed to use Muggle funds.

"I paid for it with my bank card. I'll give you the bill to reimburse me."

"Please, don't ever take him shopping with you again," Lily nearly begged, and Junie couldn't keep a straight face even as she was nodding.

"Yes! I love these," Ginny said, taking a packet of Hoola Hoops. Rosie reached in and took a bag of Walkers Cheese and Onion Crisps.

"These are so good, but Fred will eat most of the packet when I have them."

"Well, I don't doubt either of you will have issues with your dresses on Sunday, but I will refrain because I want to look perfect," Junie said before taking her items and walking up the stairs to see her husband.