Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot line, the rest of it, aside from the unfamiliar, belongs to JK Rowling.

A/N: This is a Harry/Sirius Slash story, mixed in with a Lily & James come back to life (later in the story). It's timed to after Hogwarts & Voldemort's defeat. I'm thrilled at the response this is getting, and hope you all continue to like it. Keep reading!

Responses to Reviews:

Richan: Yes, I recommended your story - it's made me crave Harry/Remus stories. I absolutely LOVE that pair, of course I love this one too, so you know, whatever works I guess. Anyway - your first review - The whole Sally- Anne thing is something Harry freely admits he should have kept at a friend level. He briefly thought in the first chapter about it, that he'd married her in a blind attempt to deny his feelings for Sirius. I won't really mention much of that, though she and little Jasmine are mentioned in this chapter. Your second review - I'm glad someone else agrees with me on the little Harry replica's - they're too cute not to write! And your third review - thanks for the catch on Ron's little girl - Aubrie's age, I fixed it with this update and a few other quirks in the last chapter. And the whole bed thing, the way I look at it - they have all these built up emotions and desires having wanted one another all those years and being denied access! So I figure they have massive loads of pent up frustration that they needed to release, it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it was a lovely morning wake up call that the writer wanted to read at all, nothing to do with that at all! :::grins innocently::: Anyway, thanks for reading & reviewing!

To everyone who reads any of my stories: I'm SO sorry this has taken so long to get out! Anyway, I've got a good start on the next two chapters for this one, and several of my other stories will be updated within the week. Hope I don't disappoint too many of you, but I do plan on finishing each and every one of my stories - don't worry!

Everyone else I'm forgetting - thank you for reading my story and I'm glad everyone that's reviewed so far enjoys it hope you all keep reading!

Review please!

(Try to keep negative comments to yourself unless they're constructive criticism please!)

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After the War
Chapter Four: The Ceremony

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Harry stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his robes one last time before turning to Draco and Ron an asking, "Well? How do I look?"

Draco grinned and said, "You look wonderful Harry."

Ron nodded and said, "Let's get out there before Hermione comes in here and starts hexing us for not 'being on schedule' again."

Harry shook his head slightly and asked, "Shouldn't you be more afraid of Annette?"

Ron shook his head fiercely and explained, "Annette would just toss one of the twins to me and make me sleep on the couch tonight for not helping her with the kids."

Harry smiled at the thought, Annette had given birth to twins, Rebecca and Rachel, only two weeks earlier, and Ron often found himself strapped with both Chester and Aubrie while Annette dealt with the younger two. They were all still waiting for Athena to have her baby, as Annette had delivered early and Athena was already three days late for her delivery due date.

Draco sighed and said, "Let's go you two. Damn Gryffindors."

Harry snorted and replied, "Don't try to fool us Draco, you rather like that we're Gryffindors instead of Slytherins. How much longer until the ceremony starts?"

Ron replied simply, "I think they're waiting for us to start it Harry."

Harry frowned and turned back to look at the mirror again, re-examining his appearance. He was wearing Emerald green robes that had a light sparkle to them, trimmed in gold and silver with silver fastenings. His hair was untidy as ever, but with a controlled look about it thanks to an hour of Draco attempting to do something with it for him, and looked rather nice.

Harry, Ron and Draco made their way towards the Great Hall, where everyone was waiting for them. Harry and Sirius had both been insistent that since Albus Dumbledore couldn't perform the ceremony himself, at the very least a portrait of him should be present, and the ceremony would be in Hogwarts. Argus Filch had placed a few rather large frames so that other portraits could watch the ceremony as well, and all the ghosts had picked various locations in the room to watch the ceremony from.

Ron and Draco were wearing emerald green robes slightly less fancy than Harry's robes and would be standing beside him during the ceremony. Annette, Athena and their kids would be sitting in the first row, with Hermione, Arto and Aila. Once they made it to the side door where Harry, Draco and Ron would enter, Draco peeked his head inside to see if they were ready for them yet.

Sirius, Remus and Orion Black were standing, waiting patiently for them in the front of the room with the Minister, Mundungus Fletcher. Sirius was wearing navy blue robes, trimmed in gold and silver with gold fastenings, his hair pulled back with a black leather tie at the base of his neck. Remus and Orion were wearing the same robes as Ron and Draco, only in navy blue.

Mundungus waved him in slightly, and Draco nodded, before turning to Ron and Harry. Draco smiled and asked, "Well, Potter, ready to get married?"

Harry smiled and said, "Let's go in there then."

Ron and Draco walked in first, followed by Harry. They'd decided against any sort of traditional start, merely starting as soon as Harry, Sirius and the people standing beside them arrived in front of Mundungus. Once they entered, the music picked up a bit more. Sirius looked over as they entered and grinned the moment he saw Harry, who was smiling back somewhat shyly.

Mundungus smiled at Harry and Sirius as they took their places next to one another and then started the ceremony. Smiling widely at every one present, Mundungus said, "Welcome Wizards and Witches, Portraits and Ghosts, and of course, those few reporters in the back that won't leave our dear friends alone. We are here today to witness the joining of two remarkable souls, who have been through more than their fair share of grief, yet managed to find happiness with one another."

Mundungus paused slightly and then said, "Of course, these two men, Sirius Daniel Black and Harry James Potter, are here today with their closest friends, and family, to become both married, and bonded husbands. Bonding of course is a Wizarding Tradition that dates back centuries, joining a couple's magical reserves, linking their minds, and binding their souls together. Before we begin, are there any objections?"

Mundungus waited half a second and then continued, "Wonderful! No objections, then I ask everyone to participate as asked. I will start with the blessings from the attendants, who are Orion Black, brother to Sirius, Remus Lupin-Snape, friend to Sirius, Ronald Weasley, friend to Harry, and Draco Malfoy, friend to Harry. Orion, Remus, Ronald and Draco, will you agree to bless this bonding and marriage between Harry James and Sirius Daniel Potter?"

Orion, Remus, Ron and Draco raised their wands together and pointed them at Harry and Sirius before saying, "We will."

Mundungus smiled and said, "Sirius, Harry, please face one another and join hands."

Harry and Sirius both turned to one another and smiled. Harry put his hands in Sirius's, barely resisting the urge to just pull Sirius into the side room and shag him senseless. Sirius was of course in a similar state, but managed to hold on for the sheer hope that the ceremony would be over soon, and then they would be off on their weeklong honeymoon to Paris, France.

Mundungus nodded in approval and then said, "Orion and Draco, if you would tie their hands with the bonding ropes."

Orion and Draco both moved to one side of the joined hands and wove the ropes over Harry's right arm and Sirius's left arm, before binding their joined arms to Harry's left arm and Sirius's right arm. Mundungus nodded in approval before saying, "Remus and Orion please stand on either side of Sirius, Draco and Ronald on either side of Harry, and place all four of your wands over the binding cords."

Remus, Orion, Draco and Ron moved into their positions, and chanted in ancient Latin along with Mundungus, as they chanted the binding ropes seemed to melt into Harry and Sirius's arms. Harry felt a warmth flow through him, and then into Sirius, Sirius felt the warmth, and then felt it go to Harry. Once it was back within Harry, Harry felt it share itself between both of them, and Sirius felt himself receive half of the warmth within the two.

Harry didn't realize that what he'd felt just then was his magic intertwining and sharing itself equally with Sirius, though Sirius knew what had happened and smiled at the young man about to become his husband. Shortly after the warmth became less noticeable and Mundungus announced, "The bonding ceremony is complete with the disappearance of the bonds. Remus, Orion, Draco and Ronald, please return to your original standing places."

The four men moved, putting away their wands as they did. Mundungus smiled and said, "Now, may I have the rings?"

Remus handed Mundungus Harry's wedding band, while Ron handed Mundungus Sirius's wedding band. Mundungus nodded at both men before giving Sirius's to Harry, and Harry's to Sirius. Nodding once more, Mundungus started by saying, "We will now proceed with the giving, and receiving of the vows. Sirius Daniel, do you take Harry James Potter to be your bonded and lawfully wedded husband?"

Sirius was grinning as he replied quite clearly, "I do."

Mundungus turned slightly and asked, "And do you, Harry James Potter, take Sirius Daniel to be your bonded and lawfully wedded husband?"

Harry smiled shyly at Sirius, looking him in the eyes as he answered, "I do."

Mundungus's eyes seemed to twinkle slightly as he said, "Sirius, place the ring on Harry's finger and repeat after me. I, Sirius Daniel, take thee Harry James Potter, to be my husband."

Sirius stared right back into Harry's slightly watering eyes as he repeated, "I, Sirius Daniel, take thee Harry James Potter, to be my husband."

Mundungus continued, "To have, and to hold, to comfort and to cherish, in sickness and in health, from now until the end of time."

Sirius slipped the band onto Harry's ring finger as he dutifully repeated, smiling slightly at Harry, "To have, and to hold, to comfort and to cherish, in sickness and in health, from now until the end of time."

Mundungus nodded at Sirius and turned slightly towards Harry before saying, "Harry, place the ring on Sirius's finger and repeat after me. I, Harry James Potter, take thee Sirius Daniel, to be my husband."

Harry slipped Sirius's ring onto Sirius's finger as he repeated, "I, Harry James Potter, take thee Sirius Daniel, to be my husband."

Mundungus grinned slightly at the young man as he finished by saying, "To have, and to hold, to comfort and to cherish, in sickness and in health, from now until the end of time."

Harry repeated, staring deeply into Sirius's eyes, smiling and barely keeping himself from crying, "To have, and to hold, to comfort and to cherish, in sickness and in health, from now until the end of time."

Mundungus grinned at the couple, stepping back a step, waved his wand in the form of an ancient rune that symbolized 'good luck for a long, loving marriage' and said, "Then I now pronounce you to be legally bonded husbands. Congratulations Sirius, and Harry, you may seal your new marriage with a kiss."

Before Mundungus had even finished the word 'seal', Harry and Sirius were lip-locked, with their arms wrapped around one another and as close as they could possibly be without it looking overly pornographic. The entire hall burst into sparks from the ends of wands, cheers and claps from their friends and family.

Finally they pulled apart slightly, but remained in one another's arms. Mundungus motioned for quiet before announcing, "Ladies and Gentlemen, it's my pleasure to announce Misters Harry and Sirius Potter, for the first time in hopefully many, many years to come!"

Everyone clapped once more, and then quieted down a bit. Mundungus smiled at the crowd and announced, "Now, Headmistress McGonagall has personally seen to the reception, which will be held outside beside the lake, meals courtesy of the Hogwarts House Elves, and Mr. Potters' personal elves of course. Everyone is invited to stick around, eat, drink and of course, to dance."

Music started up this time, which people took as their cue to leave and make their way towards the rather large reception just outside near the lake. Sirius wrapped his arms around Harry and they smiled as people congratulated them, both overwhelmed and very, very happy.

The group of people gathered made their way over to the area where the reception was going to be held, and Harry couldn't help but feel that his wedding seemed to represent a 'Who's who in the Wizarding World' event. Though it was hardly his fault that he and Sirius had so many famous, or at the very least influential friends, and family.

Sirius seemed to be thinking the same thing as he shook Viktor Krum's hand, who was congratulating them both and wishing them a long and happy marriage. Harry smiled at his friend, the two had become quite close with one another and Fleur after the Tri-Wizard tournament, and often still posed together for various Charity events as well as getting together once a year, just the three of them, on the day of the third task.

They would meet at Cedric's grave, with Cedric's parents, and whomever else was there, and afterwards would have lunch with the Diggorys, before spending the afternoon enjoying company and catching up, then meeting with spouses/significant others for dinner. Viktor's wife, Natasha, was standing next to him, and couldn't exactly shake hands as she was holding their now ten-month-old twins, Nadia and Maya.

And then came a rather difficult congratulations, both to give and receive, Sally-Anne's parents Derek and Melissa Perks. Melissa smiled a rather watery smile before pulling Harry into a hug and saying quietly, "Sally- Anne would have wanted you to move on, and I hope you're happy, you are happy aren't you dear?"

Harry smiled back and nodded before saying, "Yes, I am, thank you Melissa. Derek, Melissa, thank you for coming today. How is everyone?"

Derek grinned slightly and said, "Well, Nate and Amelia are expecting again. The rest of their lot isn't happy about it mind you, but the kids will adjust I'm sure."

Harry suddenly felt a great pity for his nieces and nephews, as he still thought of them at least. Amelia, Sally-Anne's sister, already had six children with her husband Nate Addams. Melissa chuckled slightly and then said, "Yes, they are a bit upset aren't they? I do think Byron and Natalie are here with little Jacob and Anna. I'm not quite sure though, we sat with the Grangers. Lovely people, especially for Muggles."

Harry nodded and smiled, Byron and Natalie had been a bit more supportive than Nate and Amelia had been. Amelia didn't say it, but it was understood that she blamed Harry for Sally-Anne and Jasmine's deaths. After saying one last congratulations, Melissa and Derek made their way over to the tables where the party was about to begin.

Shortly thereafter the food had been served, Sirius and Harry had danced their first dance as husbands, and the party was quickly underway. Sirius was talking with Mundungus Fletcher and Mundungus's wife, Amy, while Harry was standing on the other end of the room next to Draco, who was holding his half-asleep daughter.

Harry looked around as he'd heard someone say his name, only to find one of his new brother-in-laws, Orion Black, making his way over to him. Orion was a year younger than Sirius, but married with two children. His wife, Lindsey, was five years younger than Orion, and their children Dominic and Margaret were just to start Hogwarts in a few months.

Harry smiled back and said, "Hello Orion, having a good time?"

Orion grinned slightly before saying, "Of course I am! Say - Cassiopeia and her lot want a nice big family picture. It's been a while since the entire Black Family was in the same country, let alone within shouting distance of one another."

Harry wanted to die, his one sister in law, Cassiopeia Hallesby was unbearable. She made him like Rita Skeeter - something he thought impossible at one time. Cassiopeia had four children with her husband David, Mark was in his fifth year at Hogwarts, Whitney was in her third year, Martha was a first year, and Anthony had two years to wait before he started Hogwarts. Cassiopeia herself was nearly seven years younger than Sirius, while David was two years older than Cassiopeia.

Smiling though, and trying not to think of ways to murder Cassiopeia and make it look like a Rogue Death Eater, Harry nodded and said, "Alright, I suppose she's talked Castor and Sirius into this as well?"

Orion's nose wrinkled slightly and then he said, "Well, that's the thing, we were hoping you could talk Sirius into it."

Draco snickered and said, "Well Harry, welcome to why I'm thrilled to be an only child."

Harry rolled his eyes before saying, "Do shut up Draco, your own children will be like this one day."

Draco snorted and said, "Athena would hex them before they could blink if she knew."

Orion snorted at that and replied, "You think our Mum didn't try? She told Cassiopeia to leave Sirius and Harry alone - after all it is their wedding. She's still peeved Da' wasn't around to know Sirius was innocent, let alone lucky enough to bag the Wizarding World's savior."

Harry pursed his lips and scolded Orion, "You know Sirius doesn't like talking about your Dad, and that I don't like being referred to that way."

Orion chuckled slightly and said, "I know, I was just teasing a bit. Anyway, go get your husband, I'll go grab my wife and kids, hopefully by then Cassiopeia will have her lot rounded up, and Mum's already waiting with Castor and Jason and their kids and grandkids over by the entrance to the school."

Harry rolled his eyes but nodded and walked off towards Sirius, interrupting his new husbands conversation with the Minister. Harry smiled and said, "I do apologize Minister, but I have to steal my husband away for a moment - family photo you know. Andromeda has absolutely insisted all of her children stand together for a photo since everyone's here tonight."

Mundungus chuckled and said, "Of course, of course. I'm sure she wishes Daren, Lily and James were here too. I'm sure all three would be happy for the both of you though. Congratulations again."

Sirius and Harry nodded their thanks, said goodbye to both Mundungus and Amy before they made their way over to Sirius's gathering relatives. Andromeda was shouting about orders, getting everyone into their perfect locations on the stairs. Cassiopeia, David, Mark, Whitney, Martha and Anthony were standing together on one side, while Orion, Lindsey, Dominic and Margaret stood just in front of them.

On the other side of the stairs was Castor and Jason Black-Hughes, both being five years older than Sirius. They'd married young, and had four children, all of which were married and had children of their own. Sirius had to point out who was who, Melody, Carlos, Angela (6) and Bradley (2) Rivera stood just next to Castor, as Melody was the oldest child from their marriage.

In front of them stood Daren and Maria Black-Hughes, holding their one year old, Brigitte. Next to them stood Sarah and Michael Reid, each holding one of their two-year-old twins Hannah and Heather. And next to them was Rebecca and Stanley Jenkins, holding two year old Ariel and one year old Alan.

Harry suspected he'd never see half of Castor and Jason's children in the same room again - they all lived in different countries and Harry still wasn't sure how they managed to figure out Christmas arrangements. He wished he could say the same for Cassiopeia, but doubted his sister-in-law would let him isolate himself from her. Andromeda saw them standing there and beamed before saying, "Wonderful! Now, come stand right here in the middle, and I'll stand next to Castor and Cassiopeia, just behind the two of you. Harry, you stand next to Orion, and Sirius, you stand next to Daren."

Both Sirius and Harry exchanged a glance before moving to do just as she said, of course the photo shoot only took twenty minutes, but they were sick of smiling by the end of it. Once they'd finished with the family photo, Sirius pulled Harry aside and kissed the younger Wizard until they had to pull apart, for nothing else but to be able to breathe.

Harry smiled at his husband before whispering, "I love you Paddy."

Sirius grinned slightly before whispering back, "I love you too Gryff."

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