Chapter 17
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An uneventful day had elapsed in the realm behind the veil. Sirius was bored out of his mind. This was worse that Azkaban. The two brats, I mean guardians of the veil, or whatever, were simply staring at him. It was as if they expected HIM to entertain them.
"Why do you keep staring at me?" Sirius finally demanded once all his patience had escaped him.
"We thought you would be more interesting." The boy responded.
"We were wrong." The girl agreed.
"What do you expect? You want me to do a mime act or something?"
"Oh no. We hate mines. They are creepy." The creepy little boy responded.
"I have a brilliant idea!" The girl turned to her twin brother and began whispering in his ear. He was nodding his head excitedly. Sirius was almost tempted to ask what they were talking about. But he decided against it. That troublesome duo had caused him enough grief.
"Okay. We know how you can entertain us for the next few days. But you can't do it by yourself." The girl told him.
"Close your eyes." The boy instructed. Sirius did so with a little bit of trepidation. Suddenly he felt a strangeness overcome his body. He felt like he was shrinking in stature and growing lighter. The burden of his hard past seemed to be lifted from his shoulders.
He heard a young man behind him. The young man was laughing at him. It was a familiar laugh. Suddenly he felt a push from behind. Sirius braced himself with his palms on the ground and opened his eyes to peer over his shoulder at the perpetrator.
He almost fell over again when he saw James Potter standing before him. It was the fifteen year old James Potter of his youth complete with roughed up hair and tossing a golden snitch around. Sirius looked at himself and noticed he was the boy from twenty years prior.
"Prongs? Is that really you?" Sirius dared to ask, lest this apparition vanish before his eyes as another cruel trick of those brats.
"Padfood, get off the ground. I haven't seen you in years and this is the greeting I get?" James joked with him.
Sirius pulled himself together and rose to his feet and embraced his long- lost brother. "James! I can't believe it's you! How is this possible? You're dead!"
James eased himself out of Sirius' death grip and tossed a glance over towards the twins. "They thought you would be more pleasant company this week if you had me around." He grinned at him.
"So what would you like to do? I'm afraid there is no Snivellous for us to do tricks on. We can play with the Snitch though." James nervously roughed up his hair some more sensing the unease of his best friend.
"Are you real? I can hardly distinguish between what is reality and what is not anymore." Sirius whispered.
"I'm as real as you are right now. You are in the realm of the fates right now. Those brats over there they are the record keepers for the afterlife of magical beings. They called in a favor, so here I am. Have you been taking good care of my boy?" James asked.
"Well, I have tried. It's been difficult seeing as I was in Azkaban for thirteen years, an escaped convict, and more recently presumed dead."
"Yes, that could prove difficult. But you always did like a challenge. We've got nearly a week together. We can do anything at all. We can manipulate this environment to suit our needs. What shall we do? You never did like playing Quidditch." James complained.
"Let's set up a beach. I think it's time we learned to surf. And then I think I would like to hit the roads and cruise on my old bike." Sirius suggested.
The twins were thoroughly entertained during this week of Sirius' stay especially now that he was reunited with James. They however, could have dealt without all the practical jokes played at their expense.
Perhaps it was a bad idea to reunite Sirius and James at the their fifteen year old mentalities.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cassiopeia had finished her Masters degree in Genetics and was currently at her apartment with her friends and family celebrating her graduation. Her adopted father and Gabriel were playing a game of Wizard's Chess that Oliver had brought over. They seemed to be enjoying it a little too much for their own good.
Poor Remus was having either the worst or the best time of his life. He was sandwiched between Tonks and Phillie on the couch that seemed too small at the moment. He was trying his best to pay attention to the both of them equally. It was proving difficult though as they both seemed to compete for his undivided focus.
There was a knock at the door. Cassiopeia rose to answer it, robbing Remus of his excuse to avoid his predicament. She had talked to him the night before. Apparently he had started seeing both Tonks and Phillie and was having major issues trying to balance. He was not familiar to being so popular with the ladies!
She opened the door and gasped at the site of who met her. Sirius Black in all his glory was back and on her doorstep. He smiled at her enjoying her beauty and causing himself to be even more charming in the process. She was overwhelmed with glee and yet she could do nothing but stand there staring at him with her mouth unhinged.
Of course Sirius used her reaction to his advantage. He swept her into his arms and met her gasping mouth with his starved lips. It was the best kiss of either of their lives. She melted in his arms and if it wasn't for the lack of Oxygen would have continued the passionate embrace. He pulled back and whispered huskily "We're eloping. Pick your maid of honor."
He then carried her bridal style into the living room to meet the ensemble. He nodded his head at everyone in greeting. Remus rose from his crowded position on the couch. "You're the best man." Sirius told him.
He looked down at Cassi. "Um..Aunt Phillie would you be my maid of honor?"
Said she-wolf nodded mutely. She stood beside Remus now. Tonks had an annoyed expression on her face and began to twist her hair around her finger angrily. Her hair went from blue, to pink, to green, to purple, and ended on fiery red.
"We'll be back in an hour." Sirius announced. Remus looked at him in a silent question. "We're apparating to Vegas." Sirius answered his unspoken inquiry. Remus nodded and grabbed hold of Phillie and the four disappeared from the apartment.
No one seemed particularly surprised by the turn of events and resumes their previous activities. That is everyone except for Gwen. "Oh my! Did you guys see that? It was like magic!" Then her gaze was directed towards Tonks with the ever changing hair colors and she began harassing her with questions about Wicca.
Tonks rolled her eyes. Remus was going to pay for this big time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The ensemble arrived at Vegas moments later and sat at the couches outside the chapel. They had agreed that Elvis would be an acceptable choice. Cassiopeia was so excited that Sirius was alright that she had latched onto him from the moment she regained her senses.
Remus was barely any more reserved. "You have so much to explain! Or are you allowed to explain it this time? This is so great. I have quite a bit to tell you as well. And Cassiopeia finished her serum!"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at his old friend. "This is very unlike you Remus. Generally you are much more calm. It's as if I came back from the dead...again."
"Black and Granger please," a voice announced before Remus could retort. The four entered the chapel and let the King run the ceremony.
"Mrs. Sirius Black." Cassiopeia muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" Sirius teased his new wife.
"When do I meet your god son?" She demanded in a very authoritative wife- like voice.
"It depends. I'd like to surprise him and now that my name is clear I can return to England." Sirius answered thoughtfully.
"Christmas break begins next week for Hogwarts. Perhaps he could spend the holiday with his godparents." Remus suggested once again in his calm manner. He was grasping Phillie's hand as they were preparing to return to the apartment.
"Where are we going to live?" Cassiopeia inquired of her new husband.
"Now that my name is clear, I'm rich. I say we go and purchase a house in the morning. I'm too tired to do it tonight." He grinned at her suggestively. "Besides, I have plans for this evening."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The four apparated back to the apartment a minute later. Most of the guests were still there. Tonks shot Remus a death stare upon his entry and he immediately dropped Phillie's hand to rescue her from Gwen. Oh how he feared that Wicca-wanna-be. He glanced at Cassi and she was laughing at him.
"It's not my fault. I didn't tell her." Cassiopeia managed to say between her laughs. Sirius smiled down at the woman in his arms. But then his attention was directed towards her father, who now loomed in front of him with a stern look on his face.
"Most men ask for the father's blessing." Gabriel told him.
Sirius swallowed hard. Why should he be nervous around this man? Oh,that's right. He's his in-law now. That's a good reason to be uncomfortable.
Gabriel noticed Sirius' unease and began laughing at him. "There was no need to elope. According to our customs, after you achieved victory at the challenge you two have been mates. Humans are so oblivious." He joked.
Cassiopeia graced her father with a death stare and he nervously glanced down upon her. "Um.take good care of my daughter. If you don't then you'll have all the werewolves in America hunt you down."
"So cousin what will you do now?" Tonks inquired. "The Ancient House of Black is head quarters for the Order. Do you intend on taking up residence there once more? The only members of the Order that know of your situation are all present in this room."
Sirius gave her a disgusted look. "I prefer to invest in some new real estate."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I love Finals!" Hermoine exclaimed to Ron and Harry. They both shot her with incredulous looks.
"So Harry what are you going to do for the holiday?" Ron asked. He felt rotten that he was unable to invite Harry home with him.
"I'm not sure. I'll find something to occupy my time." Harry grumbled.
"Well I could stay maybe!" Ron replied.
"No. It's okay. Really." Harry offered him a half-hearted smile.
Suddenly the mail came in. Two owls stopped off in front of Harry and Hermoine carrying letters from Remus Lupin.
"Why would Remus send us owls?" Harry asked outloud.
"He wants to meet us in Hogsmeade on Saturday. I had intended on going home on Friday, but I suppose I can wait until after Saturday."
"That's strange. Hey Ron, can I look at your Daily Prophet?" Harry asked.
"Sure." Ron handed over the paper and Harry read the front page and rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Good news is, the alliance with the American werewolves and 'he-who-must- not-be-named' has been terminated for reasons related to new leadership. What annoys me is this heading here." Harry pointed to the smaller article in the bottom right corner.
It read, 'Sirius Black has been cleared of all charges. He is an innocent man. Current location is thought to be in the Himalayas.'
"Well at least his name is cleared up Harry. You should be happy about that." Hermoine sympathized. She hadn't talked to any of her American connections in quite sometime. She was unsure of what had transpired and Remus refused to tell her anything. She was very interested in this meeting on Saturday.
"I guess. I'd be happy if he was alive and I could spend the holiday with the only family I have left."
"You have the Dursely's" Ron choked out.
Harry just looked at him.
"Yeah. Just don't dwell on it too much okay mate?" Ron encouraged Harry.
"Fine." Harry agreed at he rose from his seat and headed back towards his dormitory. The whole time he kept asking himself. 'What does Remus want to tell me?'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An uneventful day had elapsed in the realm behind the veil. Sirius was bored out of his mind. This was worse that Azkaban. The two brats, I mean guardians of the veil, or whatever, were simply staring at him. It was as if they expected HIM to entertain them.
"Why do you keep staring at me?" Sirius finally demanded once all his patience had escaped him.
"We thought you would be more interesting." The boy responded.
"We were wrong." The girl agreed.
"What do you expect? You want me to do a mime act or something?"
"Oh no. We hate mines. They are creepy." The creepy little boy responded.
"I have a brilliant idea!" The girl turned to her twin brother and began whispering in his ear. He was nodding his head excitedly. Sirius was almost tempted to ask what they were talking about. But he decided against it. That troublesome duo had caused him enough grief.
"Okay. We know how you can entertain us for the next few days. But you can't do it by yourself." The girl told him.
"Close your eyes." The boy instructed. Sirius did so with a little bit of trepidation. Suddenly he felt a strangeness overcome his body. He felt like he was shrinking in stature and growing lighter. The burden of his hard past seemed to be lifted from his shoulders.
He heard a young man behind him. The young man was laughing at him. It was a familiar laugh. Suddenly he felt a push from behind. Sirius braced himself with his palms on the ground and opened his eyes to peer over his shoulder at the perpetrator.
He almost fell over again when he saw James Potter standing before him. It was the fifteen year old James Potter of his youth complete with roughed up hair and tossing a golden snitch around. Sirius looked at himself and noticed he was the boy from twenty years prior.
"Prongs? Is that really you?" Sirius dared to ask, lest this apparition vanish before his eyes as another cruel trick of those brats.
"Padfood, get off the ground. I haven't seen you in years and this is the greeting I get?" James joked with him.
Sirius pulled himself together and rose to his feet and embraced his long- lost brother. "James! I can't believe it's you! How is this possible? You're dead!"
James eased himself out of Sirius' death grip and tossed a glance over towards the twins. "They thought you would be more pleasant company this week if you had me around." He grinned at him.
"So what would you like to do? I'm afraid there is no Snivellous for us to do tricks on. We can play with the Snitch though." James nervously roughed up his hair some more sensing the unease of his best friend.
"Are you real? I can hardly distinguish between what is reality and what is not anymore." Sirius whispered.
"I'm as real as you are right now. You are in the realm of the fates right now. Those brats over there they are the record keepers for the afterlife of magical beings. They called in a favor, so here I am. Have you been taking good care of my boy?" James asked.
"Well, I have tried. It's been difficult seeing as I was in Azkaban for thirteen years, an escaped convict, and more recently presumed dead."
"Yes, that could prove difficult. But you always did like a challenge. We've got nearly a week together. We can do anything at all. We can manipulate this environment to suit our needs. What shall we do? You never did like playing Quidditch." James complained.
"Let's set up a beach. I think it's time we learned to surf. And then I think I would like to hit the roads and cruise on my old bike." Sirius suggested.
The twins were thoroughly entertained during this week of Sirius' stay especially now that he was reunited with James. They however, could have dealt without all the practical jokes played at their expense.
Perhaps it was a bad idea to reunite Sirius and James at the their fifteen year old mentalities.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cassiopeia had finished her Masters degree in Genetics and was currently at her apartment with her friends and family celebrating her graduation. Her adopted father and Gabriel were playing a game of Wizard's Chess that Oliver had brought over. They seemed to be enjoying it a little too much for their own good.
Poor Remus was having either the worst or the best time of his life. He was sandwiched between Tonks and Phillie on the couch that seemed too small at the moment. He was trying his best to pay attention to the both of them equally. It was proving difficult though as they both seemed to compete for his undivided focus.
There was a knock at the door. Cassiopeia rose to answer it, robbing Remus of his excuse to avoid his predicament. She had talked to him the night before. Apparently he had started seeing both Tonks and Phillie and was having major issues trying to balance. He was not familiar to being so popular with the ladies!
She opened the door and gasped at the site of who met her. Sirius Black in all his glory was back and on her doorstep. He smiled at her enjoying her beauty and causing himself to be even more charming in the process. She was overwhelmed with glee and yet she could do nothing but stand there staring at him with her mouth unhinged.
Of course Sirius used her reaction to his advantage. He swept her into his arms and met her gasping mouth with his starved lips. It was the best kiss of either of their lives. She melted in his arms and if it wasn't for the lack of Oxygen would have continued the passionate embrace. He pulled back and whispered huskily "We're eloping. Pick your maid of honor."
He then carried her bridal style into the living room to meet the ensemble. He nodded his head at everyone in greeting. Remus rose from his crowded position on the couch. "You're the best man." Sirius told him.
He looked down at Cassi. "Um..Aunt Phillie would you be my maid of honor?"
Said she-wolf nodded mutely. She stood beside Remus now. Tonks had an annoyed expression on her face and began to twist her hair around her finger angrily. Her hair went from blue, to pink, to green, to purple, and ended on fiery red.
"We'll be back in an hour." Sirius announced. Remus looked at him in a silent question. "We're apparating to Vegas." Sirius answered his unspoken inquiry. Remus nodded and grabbed hold of Phillie and the four disappeared from the apartment.
No one seemed particularly surprised by the turn of events and resumes their previous activities. That is everyone except for Gwen. "Oh my! Did you guys see that? It was like magic!" Then her gaze was directed towards Tonks with the ever changing hair colors and she began harassing her with questions about Wicca.
Tonks rolled her eyes. Remus was going to pay for this big time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The ensemble arrived at Vegas moments later and sat at the couches outside the chapel. They had agreed that Elvis would be an acceptable choice. Cassiopeia was so excited that Sirius was alright that she had latched onto him from the moment she regained her senses.
Remus was barely any more reserved. "You have so much to explain! Or are you allowed to explain it this time? This is so great. I have quite a bit to tell you as well. And Cassiopeia finished her serum!"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at his old friend. "This is very unlike you Remus. Generally you are much more calm. It's as if I came back from the dead...again."
"Black and Granger please," a voice announced before Remus could retort. The four entered the chapel and let the King run the ceremony.
"Mrs. Sirius Black." Cassiopeia muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" Sirius teased his new wife.
"When do I meet your god son?" She demanded in a very authoritative wife- like voice.
"It depends. I'd like to surprise him and now that my name is clear I can return to England." Sirius answered thoughtfully.
"Christmas break begins next week for Hogwarts. Perhaps he could spend the holiday with his godparents." Remus suggested once again in his calm manner. He was grasping Phillie's hand as they were preparing to return to the apartment.
"Where are we going to live?" Cassiopeia inquired of her new husband.
"Now that my name is clear, I'm rich. I say we go and purchase a house in the morning. I'm too tired to do it tonight." He grinned at her suggestively. "Besides, I have plans for this evening."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The four apparated back to the apartment a minute later. Most of the guests were still there. Tonks shot Remus a death stare upon his entry and he immediately dropped Phillie's hand to rescue her from Gwen. Oh how he feared that Wicca-wanna-be. He glanced at Cassi and she was laughing at him.
"It's not my fault. I didn't tell her." Cassiopeia managed to say between her laughs. Sirius smiled down at the woman in his arms. But then his attention was directed towards her father, who now loomed in front of him with a stern look on his face.
"Most men ask for the father's blessing." Gabriel told him.
Sirius swallowed hard. Why should he be nervous around this man? Oh,that's right. He's his in-law now. That's a good reason to be uncomfortable.
Gabriel noticed Sirius' unease and began laughing at him. "There was no need to elope. According to our customs, after you achieved victory at the challenge you two have been mates. Humans are so oblivious." He joked.
Cassiopeia graced her father with a death stare and he nervously glanced down upon her. "Um.take good care of my daughter. If you don't then you'll have all the werewolves in America hunt you down."
"So cousin what will you do now?" Tonks inquired. "The Ancient House of Black is head quarters for the Order. Do you intend on taking up residence there once more? The only members of the Order that know of your situation are all present in this room."
Sirius gave her a disgusted look. "I prefer to invest in some new real estate."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I love Finals!" Hermoine exclaimed to Ron and Harry. They both shot her with incredulous looks.
"So Harry what are you going to do for the holiday?" Ron asked. He felt rotten that he was unable to invite Harry home with him.
"I'm not sure. I'll find something to occupy my time." Harry grumbled.
"Well I could stay maybe!" Ron replied.
"No. It's okay. Really." Harry offered him a half-hearted smile.
Suddenly the mail came in. Two owls stopped off in front of Harry and Hermoine carrying letters from Remus Lupin.
"Why would Remus send us owls?" Harry asked outloud.
"He wants to meet us in Hogsmeade on Saturday. I had intended on going home on Friday, but I suppose I can wait until after Saturday."
"That's strange. Hey Ron, can I look at your Daily Prophet?" Harry asked.
"Sure." Ron handed over the paper and Harry read the front page and rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Good news is, the alliance with the American werewolves and 'he-who-must- not-be-named' has been terminated for reasons related to new leadership. What annoys me is this heading here." Harry pointed to the smaller article in the bottom right corner.
It read, 'Sirius Black has been cleared of all charges. He is an innocent man. Current location is thought to be in the Himalayas.'
"Well at least his name is cleared up Harry. You should be happy about that." Hermoine sympathized. She hadn't talked to any of her American connections in quite sometime. She was unsure of what had transpired and Remus refused to tell her anything. She was very interested in this meeting on Saturday.
"I guess. I'd be happy if he was alive and I could spend the holiday with the only family I have left."
"You have the Dursely's" Ron choked out.
Harry just looked at him.
"Yeah. Just don't dwell on it too much okay mate?" Ron encouraged Harry.
"Fine." Harry agreed at he rose from his seat and headed back towards his dormitory. The whole time he kept asking himself. 'What does Remus want to tell me?'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC