Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the wonderful wizarding world and all credit must be given to Ms. JK Rowling, however, anything unrecognisable is of my own creation.
Chapter 12: Bellatrix Black's Wedding
It's Rodolphus and Bellatrix's wedding this afternoon, which I'm supposed to be attending with Sirius: though, right now, Sirius is locked in his room and refuses to come out. Dorea is attempting to reason with him.
'Sirius Black! You're being stubborn!' Sirius yelled back a response.
'I'm not going!' Dorea responded in a calm manner, but you could hear the sternness laced throughout her tone.
'You're a Black, you have to attend... and even if you sulk in there all day, I'm still taking Hermione to the wedding.' Sirius's door opened as Dorea finished: Sirius spoke.
'You can't! I...' Sirius froze, noticing me for the first time. I'm dressed in the black cocktail dress that Dorea brought me, during the Christmas holidays: and I'd let her loose on my hair and makeup. I'm undecided about my appearance. I'm certain the black lipstick doesn't suit me, but I could probably get used to the 1920s style makeup, and I quite liked the messy/out of control curls. I looked like the sort of girl that would be dating a member of the Black family. I watched Sirius open his mouth, before closing it again: he opened and closed his mouth a few more times, but never spoke. I laughed.
'Something wrong, Siri?' I noticed that Sirius pinched his wrist, before managing to speak.
'Damn...' I laughed again: Dorea spoke.
'Come on, hun... please, prove to everyone that you're not ashamed of who you are.' Sirius then disappeared into his bedroom again, before reappearing fifteen minutes later, wearing his Black family robes. I smiled as Sirius offered me his arm.
'Lets go show you off, beautiful.' I flushed red. I'm sure it was Dorea's plan, but we looked perfect together: we left James speechless as we walked down the staircase. Charlus took pictures, as James managed to speak.
'Bloody hell, you two!' Sirius chuckled.
'Mynee looks stunning, doesn't she, Prongs?' James smirked, but nodded.
'Yeah... she's going to give your mother a heart attack looking like that.' I was now bright red again, as Sirius wrapped his arm around my waist.
The wedding is taking place on the Lestrange Estate, which is a gothic style mansion set in extensive grounds. Dorea lead the way up the long drive towards the house, with Charlus on her arm: there where many witches and wizards apparating in and making their way to the house. I followed behind Dorea and Charlus, between James and Sirius, clutching to Sirius's arm: James spoke.
'There's lots of important people on the guest list.' Sirius agreed.
'Yeah, I thought that would be the case... the Black's like a good chance to show off.' James chuckled.
'So, that explains your tendency for making a spectacle.' I laughed.
'... and you forgot to mention his constant need for attention, and...' Sirius interrupted at this point.
'Hey! It isn't 'tease-a-Sirius day'!' I giggled, kissing Sirius on the cheek.
'Sorry, love... you and that ego are perfect, just the way you are.' Sirius smiled, kissing me again, though as he did, we reached the house where a suited man greeted Dorea. Dorea informed this suited man that we where guests of the bride, and then he led us through to a room, which was decorated for the wedding ceremony. Bellatrix's wedding theme is black and cream Elizabethan renaissance, so the kind of theme I assumed she'd choose for her wedding. I spotted Sirius's parents as we walked to our seats: Sirius saw them too, and threw them a massive smug grin, whilst placing his arm around my waist. I took the seat beside Sirius, noticing that Walburga Black was still watching me with a shocked and irritated expression. I whispered to Sirius.
'Your mother doesn't look happy.' Sirius kissed me.
'Don't worry, she won't make a scene in front of everyone… and Andromeda is here, so I'm not the only black sheep.' I followed Sirius's line of sight to find Andromeda Tonks a few rows in front of us. The music then started, which signaled the beginning of the ceremony: everyone stood up and Bellatrix entered. Bellatrix's wedding dress is very grand: but I expected no less. The dress itself is mostly lace, and the train must've been at least 6 foot: it's of the style that I'm used to seeing Bellatrix in. Bellatrix, on the other hand, looked completely different: youthful and happy, she obviously hasn't been pulled too far into the Dark Arts yet. Narcissa walked down the aisle behind Bellatrix, wearing a dark green bridesmaids dress; she waved at Lucius Malfoy, as the bridal party reached the altar. Bellatrix's father then passed Bellatrix's hand over to Rodolphus, Narcissa took Bellatrix's bouquet, and the officiant invited us to sit down.
The ceremony was very long, and I could tell Sirius was bored, because he started fidgeting. I'd put my hand on his knee in the middle of the ceremony and hissed at him.
'Stop fidgeting!' Sirius mouthed back at me.
'Boring.' I sighed. After the ceremony we were ushered into an extravagant ballroom for a cocktail hour, where Dorea and Charlus mingled, leaving me, Sirius, and James to fend for ourselves. I was surprised when guests stopped to talk to Sirius. I guess he was right; none of the Black family would make a scene on such a big occasion with the whole of the wizarding world watching. I did however feel that I was always ignored, which was fine by me. It wasn't until Andromeda appeared that someone spoke to me.
'I didn't expect to see you here today.' Sirius smiled.
'I could say the same about you.' Andromeda chuckled.
'Cissy insisted, I'm sure Bell would rather I wasn't here to meet her new family.' Sirius smirked.
'Well… Bellatrix has always been, erm, traditional.' He then proceeded to introduce me. 'This is Hermione Granger, I don't think you've met before.' Andromeda shook my hand.
'It's lovely to meet you, Hermione. I've heard all about you.' I smiled.
'Thanks, it's nice to meet you too.' Sirius continued the conversation.
'No Nymphadora today?' Andromeda laughed.
'No. I was going to bring her, but the little madam wouldn't wear her dress: plus she's been stuck in front of Ted's new telly contraption all week.' Andromeda and Sirius spoke for the remainder of the cocktail hour, and then photos were taken. I somehow ended up in the Black family group photo, which Sirius said would probably be on the front page of the Prophet tomorrow. I was stood in front of Sirius with his arms around me, near the front to the far left. Everyone was then moved to a room, which was set up for the wedding banquet. I'd been written on the seating plan as Master. S.O. Black's date: though, the worst part was that Sirius and I weren't seated with the Potters, we'd been seated with Sirius's parents. Sirius led me over to the table where his parents were seated with a bit of a smug grin.
'Afternoon father… mother, are you well on this fine afternoon?' Neither Walburga nor Orion acknowledged Sirius, as he pulled my chair out for me. I could see Walburga was struggling to hold her tongue, whereas Orion seemed much more in control of his disapproval. Sirius, therefore, turned his attention to Regulus. 'Excited about returning to Hogwarts, Reg?' I watched Regulus open his mouth to answer Sirius, but then closed it again as Walburga glared at him. Sirius chuckled, though, he didn't speak to his family again.
Sirius and I survived the banquet without causing a scene, and moved on to the wedding reception, which was being held in the ballroom. The food at the banquet had been exceptional, though, after 7 courses I don't think I could eat another bite. I'm not even sure I'm going to be able to dance: I'm so stuffed. Bellatrix and Rodolphus had the first dance, which was a traditional waltz, and then guests began to join them. Sirius pulled me from my seat, leading me to the dance floor. I didn't protest, and allowed Sirius to twirl me into his arms. I smiled.
'Remind me to tell Walburga, that she's raised a perfect pureblood... just a shame he's fallen in love with a muggleborn.' Sirius smirked.
'You can't choose whom you fall in love with: something my family has never understood... and I enjoy dancing with the muggleborn, she knows that.' I giggled, kissing Sirius, though as I did we were interrupted by a rather boisterous voice.
'Sirius, my boy!' A middle-aged wizard appeared, walking towards us: Sirius let go of my waist, turning to face the wizard.
'Uncle Alphard.' I noticed Sirius smile as he saw his uncle. I watched Sirius hold out his hand, obviously to shake his uncles hand; though, Alphard pulled Sirius into a brisk hug.
'Good to see you, my boy.' Alphard then looked towards me. 'This your muggle bird then? She's a stunner, son... much better looking than that skinny banshee Wally wanted you to marry.' Sirius straightened out his robes, once Alphard had let go, before introducing me.
'Uncle, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione's a muggle born... Hermione, this is my Uncle Alphard.' I smiled; though, when I did Alphard hugged me. I glanced towards Sirius, who just mouthed back, 'Sorry. He's mad.' Alphard then let go of me, and turned back to Sirius. I watched his eyes scan over Sirius, before speaking.
'Heard you did well in your OWLs.' Sirius nodded. 'That's my boy... drinks on me next time you visit. The little muggleborn can come too, if she likes.' Sirius took hold of my hand at this point, whilst continuing the conversation with his Uncle.
'You heard about what happened then, I presume?' Alphard nodded.
'Yep, Wally'd told me 'bout the arrangement with the Notts family. You're of age soon, son... and oldest male heir to the family name, you know what that means.' Sirius rolled his eyes, as Alphard continued. 'I told your mother, that you wouldn't be best pleased... and I defended you; the Notts' eldest daughter is definitely not well suited for you, too submissive. Perhaps, she'd've worked for Regulus, but you need a woman who can put her foot down: else the family's reputation will be in real trouble.' I smirked, as Alphard commented on Sirius's sometimes ludicrous ideas and his need for a little control in his life. Alphard glanced towards me as I smirked. 'The young witch agrees with me?' I nodded.
'Your nephew has some impractical ideas sometimes.' Alphard laughed: Sirius dropped my hand and folded his arms.
'Mynee, you're supposed to be on my side!' Sirius then pouted, and as he did Alphard spoke.
'Do me the honor of a dance, my fair lady?' I was surprised by Alphard's request, and glanced towards Sirius who was wearing an expression, which said I shouldn't accept the offer. Alphard noticed this look on his nephew's face. 'Oh, come on, Sirius, lad. One dance won't kill her.' Sirius sighed.
'Fine, but you have to promise to behave.' Alphard spoke.
'Merlin's honor, my boy.' Sirius sighed again, whilst Alphard took my hand and his other hand fell onto my waist.
Sirius left the dance floor, but stayed within earshot as I danced with his Uncle Alphard. Alphard spoke first, as we danced. 'I'd been told that you're a sharp, well-rounded, delightful young witch... and here I find, you're stunningly beautiful as well: my nephew must be onto something with this whole rebellious attitude he's decided to adopt.' I flushed a light shade of pink, as Alphard spoke: he chuckled. 'Sirius is listening: I shan't compliment you anymore, or he'll come take you away from me... so, anything you wish to know?' I thought for a moment about Alphard's question, before speaking.
'What was Sirius like as a child?' Alphard laughed.
'He was an absolute terror, especially when his magic came through... he tormented poor Moggs.' I spoke at this point.
'Who's Moggs?' Alphard grinned.
'He's a house elf I used to have, who wasn't too fond of Sirius, probably because as a baby, Sirius pulled his ears a lot.' Alphard told me many more childhood stories about Sirius: and when we'd finished dancing, he walked me over to where Sirius was waiting. 'It's been a pleasure, Miss. Granger, thanks for the dance.' Alphard then looked towards Sirius. '... and you, I never said this, but witches like Miss. Granger don't come along everyday, don't screw it up.' Alphard then ruffled Sirius's hair and walked off: Sirius stood there seemingly speechless. I think that's as close to a compliment, as I am ever going to get, from a member of Sirius's family.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Thought about splitting it across two, but I'm already a chapter more than I'd planned, so you've got it all at once. Remember to leave me a review, and the next chapter will be getting back to Hogwarts. Love RoxannetheLaugh x.
