Author's Note: Sorry I'm a day late with this. I've been ill and writing has been a challenge. Hopefully I'll be able to do more this week. Thanks so much to everyone who is reading and reviewing. MNF

Chapter 21:

Friends

Junie stretched as she awoke, finding herself used to the warmth of the body next to hers. She even appreciated how the stubble which grew around Sirius' moustache and trim beard grazed across her back when she moved. What surprised her was the cool scrape of metal and gemstones as her hand ghosted over her face.

It was still there. The ring. That masterpiece of a ring.

Engaged.

Star names. Sirius on his knees.

The thoughts all finally coalesced into a singular idea – Juniper Elizabeth Meadows would marry Viscount Sirius Black, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. She hadn't intended for her sigh to be audible, yet it was, and it earned her a loving caress across her midsection and her fiancé, in all his strong morning attention, to pull himself taught with her back.

"Good morning," he whispered. "How are you this morning? Do you need anything for pain or –." Junie twisted herself, so they were facing and silenced his worries with a kiss.

"I am soaring right now from how elated I am," she said when the kiss was through. "We are going to be married. We made love. You are the only man who will ever know me that way, and I think it's perfect." Junie was high on endorphins and wasn't embarrassed at how girlish she was being. Sirius' brow curved inward, and he looked at Junie, almost apologetic.

"I wish it were the same for me," he told her quietly. "If we'd found each other when we were younger, if The Source had given me you then…I'm sorry, my dearest." Junie pulled his head to her chest and held him there.

"I'm not," she said gently and in a whisper. "Everything which had been is prologue, the present, and the future belong to us. We author the story now, and last night was perfection. It is going to be quite difficult to eclipse." Sirius looked up at her and grinned. How had he not seen her for what she always was?

"That sounds like a challenge, Professor Meadows," he said as his hand slid across her belly. "What time do you need to be at Hogwarts?"

"I don't," she grinned mischievously. "My seventh years would be happier to have a study session anyway."

"You should not have told me that," Sirius grinned, and he slid under the covers and worked some special magic for just the two newly engaged lovers.

Three hours later, Sirius found himself at the Ministry for Magic, entering his office suite. His professional assistant, Madeline Knotworthy (verses his personal assistant, Davis Hawkins, who worked mostly out of Grimmauld Place), was awaiting him at the private Floo entrance.

"Good morning, Madeline, is there a problem?" Sirius asked the woman as he was carefully brushing the soot off his grey pinstripe suit. He was determined to bring the Wizarding world into a better fashion if it took him his entire ten-year appointment to accomplish it.

"The former Chief Warlock has been here since before eight wanting to speak with you. I told him I didn't expect you until nine-thirty at the earliest, but he was adamant he'd stay," Madeline explained.

"It's fine," Sirius informed her. "Why don't you bring him back and then have the new office assistant, er, what's his name again?"

"Wallace, sir, I'll have him prepare your tea tray. Oh, and I did get your message this morning about arranging a press release. When you're ready for it to be released, let me know. Congratulations, sir."

"Thank you," Sirius said very warmly. "We want to tell our families and friends first, so it will be a few days still."

"Your secret is safe with me," Madeline said with a wink and then turned toward the front of the suite where the waiting area was. Sirius turned toward the rear and went into his office. He hung his grey cape on the coat and umbrella tree behind the door and checked himself in the mirror. He liked the way the robin-egg-blue of the shirt made his eyes look less stormy and more inviting. He then schooled his features for what was undoubtedly going to be a tense and terse meeting. As a last-minute thought, he fired a Patronus to James, hoping that he could come to serve as a back-up if he were in the building. He also wanted to invite his two best mates to lunch to share the good news. Sometime after twelve, he'd Floo call Harry and Ginny to speak with them as well. They'd not appreciate his call before then. He'd send his cousin, Andromeda, a letter via owl regarding his upcoming nuptials, but as a courtesy more than anything. They only saw one another a few times a year. Tonight, he and Junie were taking her father out to dinner to tell him.

Sirius had just rounded his desk and was about to sit down when Madeline showed Albus Dumbledore into the office. Sirius went back around his desk and shook hands with his predecessor.

"Good Morning, Albus; what brings you in today?" Sirius asked as he directed the older gentleman to the small seating group across the room. The pair settled into the comfortably padded chairs, and the tea service was brought in. Once each had their cuppa, Albus spoke.

"Did Juniper help you decorate your office?"

"No, actually it was Ginny Potter," Sirius said warmly. "The young woman has an eye for colour and design. Had her career as a professional Quidditch player not worked out, she could have set up a little shop helping folks like me who can't tell you what they like but know for certain what they don't like."

"Should I ever feel the need to change my décor, I will keep that in mind," Albus said over his teacup. He was feeling a bit unsettled by the changes he saw. Why would the younger man not want to keep the room the imposing fortress he'd had? "I am here in my official capacity as a High Mage, Sirius. Have you discussed the significance of your relationship with Juniper? Is she prepared to help you bridge the divide between the magical and Muggle worlds?"

Sirius took a long pull of his tea and then set his cup down on the low table in front of him. "I will be honest, Albus, Junie thought I was mad when I suggested the foretelling of our relationship. She's like many of the Muggle-born or raised and considers Divination a distraction or some other such frippery. She trusts the more tangible arts, like Potions, Astronomy, and Charms. There are rules that govern them. I think convincing her that we are mystical in any way will be a struggle. Additionally, you've not provided enough evidence that even I feel comfortable, and I believe some can see into the future with alacrity."

Albus looked crestfallen and had opened his mouth to speak when a knock was heard at the door. Sirius called for the person to enter, cognizant the only person who would be knocking was James. Madeline would keep all others out until Albus had left, and even then, there were only a handful of people who would arrive unannounced. James entered the room wearing a black suit, similar in styling to Sirius', with a finely tailored waistcoat in a black and yellow paisley pattern. A pale-yellow shirt and yellow tie a few shades darker completed his outfit.

"Albus," James said, walking to the seating area, "don't get up on my account." Albus hadn't begun to move, instead irked that his meeting with Sirius had been interrupted. "Morning, Sirius."

"Morning, James. Albus and I were discussing my difficulties in getting Junie to see us as some foretold couple who would play an important part in reuniting the magical and non-magical world."

"You told James?" Albus asked incredulously. "Of course, you did," the older man said bitterly.

"Albus, you never told me it was a secret," Sirius answered calmly. "If I have any hope of Junie believing me, it will only be because Lily and Marlene believe in the prophecy. James and Remus needed to know because none of us like to keep secrets. Secrets can tear relationships apart." The last remark was pointed, and the speaker knew it. When he'd taken over as Chief Warlock, Sirius became aware of just how much Albus kept to himself.

"Yes, yes, I can see what you are saying," the former Chief Warlock said with a dejected tone.

"Now, as for our bridging the divide, so to speak, yesterday I opened a new library in Nottingham. A Muggle library. It's the sort of thing I suppose I need to be seen doing. Junie came with me, and I have to say she was a hit among the ladies at the reception. She will make a brilliant Viscountess one day," Sirius said with a gleam in his eye that caught James' attention.

"Very good," Albus said, regaining some of his earlier enthusiasm. "I take it your outfits are a nod to your changing positions as well?"

"To be honest, sir, they're just easier to move in," James said. "I've always preferred trousers to those long skirts of traditional robes. The wind whips up between the legs, and it's quite unpleasant. Lily has quite enjoyed taking me shopping too. Harry even wore a suit yesterday for a press conference with his team, and it was quite the hit. He made the front page of the sporting section."

"Well, I suppose that I should be happy some progress is being made toward this goal; it's just not what I would have…never mind all that," Albus said.

"Albus, the reality is that until I can give Junie something substantial and credible, she's going to continue to laugh at the idea. I can't really blame her either, as I've never heard of this prophecy, and I have family members who take great stock in such things."

"It hinges on her, Sirius, not you. Your family would have written off the child born to a Muggle woman and a near-Squib level wizard. It is her understanding of both worlds which will make the reunification possible," Albus explained.

"She's an extraordinary woman, I will give you that, but Junie isn't a politician. Oh, she is the perfect complement to me, but I am the one who will be seen by the public. I knew how my life would look if I took this posting; Junie will stand by me, but she will not enjoy being fodder for anyone. Bring me something I can use to make her see, then we can discuss making my heart-bound something other than the quiet teacher she is." Sirius was firm enough at the end to ensure this topic had ended.

They moved on to other topics, like having the titled be more visible to their Muggle neighbours, but it would be up to the individuals to determine how comfortable they were in these actions. After discussing some legislation for the Wizengamot, Albus left feeling useless and conflicted. Sirius shut the door behind him and sighed loudly. He shrugged his shoulders at his best mate and loosened his tie. He then sent a Patronus off to Moony, asking him to join them as soon as possible. Sirius was itching to tell his friends he was getting married.

Later that afternoon, Lily, Marlene, and Junie were sitting in the lounge at Grimmauld Place, enjoying a glass of wine, when the hostess tapped her finger with her wand and her engagement ring became visible. Both women squealed in unison.

"He asked? You said yes?" Marlene blurted out before nearly tackling Junie. It was a good thing she'd put her wine glass down already.

"Of course, I said yes," Junie replied happily. "It was so romantic. He took me to his home in Nottingham. Have either of you ever seen it?"

"Congratulations, Junie," Lily said warmly when she had her turn to hug her friend. "I'm glad nothing I said made you consider not accepting his proposal. And yes, I've seen the monstrosity. He took James and me out there once. You don't plan on living there?"

"Goodness, no," Junie said, screwing her face up in disgust. "If it were only the old part of the house, I might consider it, but that addition on the back is ridiculous."

"So, tell us how he proposed?" Marlene said, and Junie began to recount the day for them. When she ended the story, the two others looked at her, and they simultaneously came to an understanding.

"You finally had sex!" Marlene all but yelled out. "So, was it amazing?"

"I can't believe you're asking me that!" Junie said in disbelief. "I hate to bring it up, but you've slept with him."

"Yeah, but it doesn't count," Marlene said. "We were fumbling sixteen-year-olds who hadn't a clue what we were doing, and it was over in a flash. I doubt that is an issue with him now."

"Well, it wasn't over in a flash, and like everything else with Sirius, he was very attentive."

"I'm so glad you're happy," Lily said. "You deserve your happiness, so does Sirius."

"Thanks, Lils." The three women were on the long sofa, Junie in the middle, and she laid her head on her friend's shoulder. Talk then turned to the wedding itself, which Junie hadn't honestly thought about. She was sure of one thing; she didn't want to wait long. She was ready to be Sirius' wife and possibly the mother of his children.