Chapter 2

Isabelle looked at the large crowd massed around the gravesite. The deaths of the Potters shocked the wizarding community, and catalyzed the conflict against the Dark Wizard who called himself Voldemort. She shuddered at the name. The new Minister of Magic, John Thompson, promised to fight the Dark Lord and his followers by any means necessary, which gained the enthusiastic support of the wizarding world. He, along with the rest of the senior Ministers, stood at the front of the crowd, off to one side.

Lily stood to her left, the picture of dignity and strength. Although overcome with grief herself, she managed to control her emotions enough to support James and Regina. Isabelle admired her sister greatly, and wished that she were half as brave as her sister was. She sighed, biting her lip and forcing bad memories out of her head.

Glassy-eyed, James stood in stony silence as the minister conducted the service, with one arm around his sister. She took the news particularly hard, just as Sirius had predicted. After crying his heart out at Hogwarts, he got himself together before meeting the rest of the family in Hogsmeade to make funeral arrangements.

The service ended, and the family filed past the two coffins to say a final goodbye before the cemetery staff lowered them into the ground. Last in line, Isabelle lingered for a moment, unnoticed by everyone else.

"Gráim thú, Mummy P. Slán agus beannacht leat. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam," she whispered softly, kissing her fingers and placing them on the coffin. (I love you, Mummy P. Goodbye and blessings be with you. May you rest in peace.)

"Sirius, I think I'm going to take a quick walk, ok? I need to clear my head a little."

He gave Regina an understanding look. She had done nothing but beat herself up for days, blaming herself for the attack. No matter what Sirius said, nothing convinced her that it wasn't her fault.

"Sure, no problem."

"Thank you," she said, grateful that he didn't ask questions.

She walked towards an undeveloped part of the cemetery, which was a nature walk of sorts. A hand reached out from behind an abnormally large tree, pulling her behind it. She gasped loudly, which the hooded stranger muffled instantly.

"Shhh," the stranger hissed, pulling down the hood of his cloak.

"Severus?" she said, partially in shock.

Other than in her dreams, she hadn't seen him for almost three years now. He pulled her into an incredibly passionate embrace, and to her dismay, all her old feelings rushed back, as if they had never been separated at all. She couldn't pull away from him, kissing him for what seemed like an eternity.

"Regina, I'm so sorry. I know I should've stayed away," he whispered into her hair. Oh, how he missed being with her! If possible, his hatred for Sirius grew even more intense.

"I'm glad you're here. I've missed you so much; you have no idea."

"I think I do," he said gently, looking into her beautiful blue eyes.

"How have you been?" she asked sincerely, knowing whom he worked for.

"Oh, trying to stay out of trouble," he replied honestly. "Please believe me that I had no idea Voldemort planned an attack on your parents. You know I would've warned you if I did."

"Of course I believe you Severus. Which is exactly why Voldemort didn't tell you about the attack, I'm sure."

He smiled, relieved. "Congratulations on your company being such a success."

"Thank you. All that dreaming and planning – it's so amazing to see it actually work," she replied, animatedly waiving her hands. He caught her left hand, looking at the stunning engagement ring on her finger.

"Quite a step up from the ring I remember you wearing."

"You mean this one?" She pulled out a chain from around her neck, showing him the gold filigree wedding band he bought for her with every last cent that he had. His jaw dropped.

"I couldn't imagine that your new fiancé," he spat the last word, "would take too kindly to you wearing that."

"What he doesn't know, doesn't hurt him," Regina replied, looking him squarely in the eyes. She sighed. "I can't wish away my love for you, Severus. But, we'd be fooling ourselves to think that we could get back together."

"I see. Black's a lucky man, then." For now, he thought, narrowing his eyes. One day, Sirius' luck was bound to run out, and oh, how he hoped he would be around when it did.

"He really loves me, and he's a good man, even though I know you can't stand him," she said, her eyes begging for him to understand.

"But, do you love him?" Severus held his breath for the answer. She nodded.

"I do, even though I might love someone else as well," she said, leaning her head against the tree trunk. "He really deserves someone who can love him completely, and I just can't. Not yet, anyway."

What he deserves is punch in the face and perhaps a nice long stay in Azkaban for good measure, Severus thought sourly. For starters.

"I really need to get back to my family. It was wonderful seeing you again," she said, kissing him goodbye.

"Regina, I--" his voice failed him, as she smiled sadly, and walked away.

~~~~~

Isabelle pulled her hat tightly around her ears to prevent an ear infection, which she was prone to getting, especially this time of year. And with exams coming up, she really couldn't afford to miss any more school, although she was indefinitely excused from classes. She had spent the past ten minutes looking for Sirius, who snuck off somewhere, finally finding him standing in front of an ornately carved headstone.

"A Sirius? Ciamar a tha sibh? (Sirius, how are you?)" she asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. Isabelle had a habit of always turning up when he was at his weakest and most vulnerable, the poor child.

"Tha gu math, tapadh leat. Ciamar a tha thu fien? (Fine, thanks. How are you yourself?)" he replied, pulling off her hat and ruffling her hair. She gave him a nasty look.

"Gle fhuar (Very cold)," she snapped.

He smiled at the look on her face, and pointed to the headstone. "Seo an mathair agam. (This is my mother.)"

"Oh. Juliana Alexandra Marina Piedra Delgado de Black. Su nombre es muy largo! (Her name is very long!)" she exclaimed.

"A bheil Spainis agaibh? (Do you speak Spanish?)" Sirius asked in amazement.

She shrugged. "Tha, beagan. (Yes, a little.)"

"Impresionante. (Impressive.)"

"Muchas gracias. Tha mi ag ionnsachadh. (Thank you. I'm learning.)" She shook her head violently. "Too many languages are cluttering my head! Maybe I should stick to English."

He laughed, despite the grim circumstances. "Yeah, this is reminding me of when I first taught you English, and you were mixing up the two languages all the time. Kept me on my toes, though."

"Yeah, well, being able to communicate is a good thing." The look of harsh fury on her face directly contrasted with her light tone of voice. "No offense, but why is your mum's name a kilometer long?"

Sirius laughed harder. "That's the short version. We Spanish have about a million names – I doubt half of them would've fit on this headstone."

"Do you know the long version of your name, then?"

"No, because I never use it. No one does, except Abuela when she's angry. Nothing like having about five minutes worth of names being shouted at you. I swear, that's as bad as the punishment."

Isabelle snickered, as Regina walked up behind them, unnoticed. She watched them laughing and joking, as Sirius imitated his grandmother's accent while telling stories from his holidays in Spain as a child. A pang of jealousy hit her as she leaned against a tree – he had never talked about his mother's family with anyone other than her before.

Suddenly, they became blurry, as if in a dream. Regina blinked, trying to clear her head. She inherited from her mother was the ability to See into the future, although she couldn't control where and when the visions happened. Luckily, she had only had a few visions, not even enough to count on one hand. This was really not a good time to have a vision, she kept telling herself as their voices got farther and farther away.

She closed her eyes as scenery whirred around her, until she landed on the ground with a soft thump. Rubbing her temples, she opened her eyes in amazement. Somehow, she had traveled to Central Park in New York City. A tall woman, about thirty years old, walked past her aimlessly, stopping at a particularly fragrant flowerbed.

"Mama! Mama, where are you?" a frightened little voice called out.

"Olivia, I'm right here," her mother answered, scooping the little girl into her arms. "If you had been paying attention instead of picking the flowers, you would have seen me walk over here."

"I'm sorry, but the flowers were so pretty," she apologized, holding out a fistful of wildflowers.

"Daisies," the older woman mused, tucking a couple flowers into her daughter's flaming red curls. "They were Mum's favorite flower, or at least that's what Isabelle tells me."

Could she mean me? Regina thought wildly. Daisies have always been my favorite flower. Is this woman my daughter?

She walked closer to the pair, who were now seated on a large coat, and studied them carefully. The mother turned to face her, looking down the path. Regina gasped – she had Sirius' eyes. They were completely unmistakable; grey with small brown and green flecks in the sun. Otherwise, it was like looking at an older version of herself, which was quite bizarre. Except this woman had much lighter hair.

The little girl put her head on her mother's shoulder, weaving a necklace out of buttercups. Regina kneeled in front of them to get a better look at her family – hers and Sirius'. She smiled. They had a daughter, and a granddaughter. After dealing with so much loss over the past few days, it was refreshing to see the future.

"Are we meeting Papa here?"

"No, your Papa's in court today, arguing in front of the Second Circuit. And, when he's done, we're going to go out to dinner. Just the three of us. Well, four," she said with a grin. She crossed her fingers. "Hopefully, things will go well in that bloody Muggle court today, so I can tell him the news."

Regina sat limply, amazed. Another baby? Before she had time to process the information, a blur flashed past her, flopping down on the ground.

"Sorry I'm late," a teenage voice said, without a trace of an apology.

"Uh-huh. I see that smile on your face. What have you been doing?"

"Promise not to tell the 'rents? I mean, swear, Hermione."

Hermione -- good luck, Regina thought, musing over her choice of names for her daughter. The teenage girl sat up, stretching like a cat. From the profile, she looked exactly like old pictures of Sirius' mum, with glossy dark hair streaked with mahogany highlights, and olive skin. Do I have two daughters? she wondered curiously.

"Have you been doing bad things, Meggie?" Olivia asked seriously.

"No," she replied with a wicked grin. "You haven't sworn not to tell yet. I'm not going to tell until you do."

"Fine. I swear, even though I already regret it."

"I was snogging Stephen Parker in his dorm room," she said in a stage whisper.

"Please tell me you're joking," Hermione pleaded. "Papa's going to kill you when he finds out. If you're lucky."

"Which is precisely why he won't find out. Oh, come on, you're almost as bad as Saint Nick." Meggie turned around and rolled her eyes.

Regina's heart caught in her throat. Those eyes – they weren't Sirius' grey, or her blue – they were a different color entirely. This couldn't be, she thought hysterically, it just couldn't. But, here was the proof, sitting right in front of her.

She stood up, and slowly backed away. This wasn't the future at all, she told herself. There's no need to panic, because this is just a nightmare, a bad dream. She closed her eyes and concentrated on going back to the reality. Horrible as it was, at least things made some sense.

~~~~~


Lily walked into the kitchen, reading Isabelle's latest letter. She ruffled James' hair as she walked past him to the stove, and poured herself a steaming mug of water. After dropping a liberal amount of tealeaves into the mug and letting it steep, she sat down at the table.

"How's Isabelle?" he asked, not looking up from his plate.

"And I quote," she waved the letter dramatically, "'Is it Christmas yet? I swear, Lily, the professors here know nothing but work, work, work. And Mme. Bordeaux isn't much better.' Let me see…she goes on about the Halloween banquet. She also devotes a lot of space to this Bill Weasley."

"Weasley?" James looked up, puzzled. "Is he related to the Arthur Weasley who works for the Ministry?"

"His son, I think."

He smiled. "Real nice family. So, is he her boyfriend, or what?"

"According to Isabelle, everyone thinks that they're dating, but they're not. They're 'just friends'."

"Right," he said slowly.

"That's what I say, too. I'm so glad she's having a good time at school, though. Even if she does get into trouble constantly."

"When does the train come in for the holidays?"

Lily looked down at the letter. "Friday, at two. I'm going to pick her up, and then go for a girly shopping day with Gina. Wedding stuff."

James made a face. "Sorry, still getting used to the idea."

"What idea?" Lily asked with a wicked grin. "The one that your best friend's hooking up with your sister?"

"Yeah, that one. Let's think about this, shall we? We're talking about Sirius, here, who's been with practically every girl on planet earth. I know, because he and Remus used to brag constantly about what they've done with whom."

"So?" she shrugged. "He adores Gina. Everyone can see that, and I don't see how the past has anything to do with now."

"You're missing the point here."

"Which is?"

"That's my sister, and best friend or not, I'll kill him if he hurts her. Especially now."

"Aren't you being a little dramatic, James?" she asked sensibly.

"Yeah, maybe," he admitted. "I just worry about her, that's all. She's been hiding in Milan since the funeral, and she's working herself to death."

"Well, they'll be here next week, and hopefully for good. At least that's what Isabelle writes, but I'm not sure if that's wishful thinking or not."

"Kind of sad that we get our information from your twelve-year-old sister," he laughed.

"Pretty much," she agreed.

~~~~~


"Superman, would you please hurry up!" Isabelle shouted up the staircase to the boys' dormitory. She waited for a minute, tapping her foot impatiently. "The train's going to leave any minute!"

"I'm coming, Impatient One," he called back down.

"Not fast enough," she answered.

Bill thundered down the stairs to the landing, holding a large knapsack. "I would've been ready earlier, except somebody wanted to go walking around the lake last night at three in the morning. So, I overslept."

"Well," she huffed, "forgive me for bothering you."

He rolled his eyes. "Just don't expect me to be cheery on two hours sleep. Besides, we're not going to miss the train. Shoot, they'd probably hold it for us."

"Probably would, since we're going to the social event of the century and all," Isabelle said in a snooty voice.

"Don't remind me. Mum only had about a yard and a half of instructions on how to behave at the wedding. She acts like I'm a heathen or something."

"Well, you are. Which is exactly why we get along perfectly. Except for this nerdy look thing – still working on fixing that." She giggled at the look on his face.

"Some girls like the nerd look, thank you very much."

"Like who? Ali? She likes any guy, just as long as he's breathing."

"No, not her. I would tell you, but you're being a prat."

"Suit yourself."

She shrugged, and boarded the Hogwarts Express for London, grateful that Bill was going with her to Dover. For some reason, she felt a little put out over Christmas, and was actually a little glad to go back to school. Mostly to get away from the wedding frenzy. But now, it was the Easter holidays, and Sirius was getting married. And she didn't like that idea one little bit.

~~~~~


"Lily, why is it that I can coordinate a fashion show that thousands of people come to and be fine, but I'm scared to death of a wedding with a hundred guests?"

"Because it's your wedding," she laughed. "I almost passed out in the kitchen five minutes before my wedding started."

"You're kidding?" Regina turned around, wide-eyed.

"'Fraid not. That's the problem of walking down the aisle by yourself. No one to hold onto when you feel like you're going to faint.

" She sighed, slipping into her wedding gown. "I wish Mum and Daddy were here."

"Me, too," Lily agreed sadly, buttoning up the back of the dress.

"Mum would've had a fit that we changed the date from June to April, I bet."

"Yeah, and that you picked yellow as a wedding color."

"I like yellow! It's cheerful."

"It's a bold color best confined to buttercups and the sun, which has no place at a solemn occasion that I'm paying for," Lily said, in a perfect imitation of Mummy P. They dissolved in a fit of giggles.

James knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," Gina answered, laughing hysterically.

"What's so funny?" The puzzled look on his face only made them laugh harder.

"It's one of those things that you'd have to be here to understand," Lily managed to choke out, wiping away tears. "How's Sirius?"

"Other than fainting a half hour ago, and cutting his head wide open, just fine," James answered seriously.

"What?!?" Gina and Lily gasped together.

"Just kidding," he said with a devilish grin. "Shoot, you're lucky he's conscious enough to marry you, after the party we threw him last night."

"I can only imagine," his sister frowned.

"No, you can't. Picture this." James began giving a detailed description of last night's bachelor party, or at least what he could remember of it. Isabelle quietly slipped in the room, and listened, amazed.

"Remus did not do that," Lily interrupted, shocked.

"He sure did." James looked at his watch. "Well, let me go see what they're up to. The two of you are trying to kill me with this double duty thing."

"If we wanted to kill you, we'd have done it much sooner, brother dear."

He made a skeptical face. "I'll see you in five minutes or so, ok?" They nodded, as he left the room.

"Well, Isabelle, ready to roll?"

She nodded hesitatingly, and stomped down the staircase. Lily gave her best friend a quick hug before joining Isabelle downstairs, sincerely hoping that this marriage would last. In a way, she wished Regina would talk to her about Severus, since she knew anyway. But, then she would feel guilty for not telling James. And, she agreed with her friend that he would not take the news well, so maybe things were better off as they were.

James passed her on the staircase on the way to his sister's bedroom. He paused in the doorway, watching her adjust her veil for at least the fifth time. "You look beautiful, Regina."

"Thank you," she replied, a little teary-eyed. He walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, studying her in the full-length mirror.

"Does he make you happy?" he asked earnestly.

"He does."

"Well," he said, offering her his arm, "I must say that of all his girlfriends, you are by far the best one."

She snorted. "I should certainly hope so."

"I know so, but I'm just a little prejudiced. I love you, sis."

"Oh, James," she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "I love you, too."

They looked at each other, and smiled as they headed outside. Regina barely heard the music as they walked towards the guests seated around "her" tree in the backyard, on the edge of the cliffs. She wanted to marry Sirius under the tree where he first told her that he loved her, and he was all too happy to comply. He didn't care if she wanted to get married in scuba gear three hundred feet under the English Channel – all that mattered is that she loved him and wanted to be with him.

Isabelle got a sinking feeling as James and Regina walked down the aisle. Why did she have to be so pretty? And, why did Sirius have to look so lovesick and happy? Most of all, why was she so upset by this whole thing? The last question gnawed at her as the priest began the wedding.

Despite her sudden sadness, she smiled briefly; remembering when Sirius' grandmother found out that her only grandson was getting married in a non-Catholic ceremony. Abuela had a royal fit, and Isabelle desperately wished that she could speak Spanish better so that she could understand what she was yelling. Whatever it was, Sirius caved in almost immediately, or at least appeared to. He simply got a priest to perform the same ceremony they were going to use anyway, hoping that Abuela didn't speak enough English to know the difference. She did, but was satisfied with the compromise.

"We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Regina Potter and Sirius Black. Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Regina and Sirius have come here today to be joined as one in marriage." The priest paused.

"Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own free will and if she has her family's blessing. Regina, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?"

"Yes, it is true," she answered softly, but confidently.

"Whose blessings accompany you?"

"She is accompanied by all her family's blessings. From those of us present, and those who are missing. My parents loved you like a son, and I know they would've loved to be the first to welcome you to the family. Be good to her, brother," James said. He choked up as he kissed his sister on the cheek and clapped Sirius on the back after taking his place as best man.

The priest blinked, surprised. "They're keeping you busy, huh?"

"Yeah, with me, they get two for the price of one," James joked. Gina gave him an evil look, even though she snickered with the rest of the guests.

The priest smiled at her and Sirius. "Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say." Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...

Like a stone should your love be firm; like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.

Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.

Sirius, I have not the right to bind you to Regina, only you have this right. If it is your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand."

"It is my wish," he said, giving her a crooked smile as he nervously dropped the ring into her hand.

"Regina, if it is your wish for Sirius to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger," the priest continued.

Isabelle's heart sank as she smiled and slid the platinum wedding band on his finger.

"Regina, I have not the right to bind you to Sirius, only you have this right. If it is your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand."

"It is my wish." Her smile broadened.

"Sirius, if it is your wish for Regina to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger."

With trembling fingers, he managed to get the ring on her equally shaking hand. Isabelle's heart began to ache, as he looked deep into her eyes to say his vows.

"I, Sirius, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take you Regina to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire you and be desired by you, to possess you, and to be possessed by you, without sin or shame, for none can exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change you in any way. I shall respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself."

Tears welled up in Isabelle's eyes at the heartfelt way he spoke those words, and spilled over when he looked at Regina with tears in his eyes as she said her vows. Isabelle sniffled into her lace handkerchief as the priest stepped back, and another official began the handfasting ceremony. Every time the official draped a cord across their joined hands, she wanted to scream. The official tied the knot, and the priest pronounced them married. As the newly married couple kissed passionately, Isabelle's heart broke, never to be quite the same.

~~~~~


"Isabelle?"

"Hmmm?" She sat alone, in a corner, sulking as the happy couple danced.

"Are you all right?"

"No, Bill, I'm not all right," she snapped. "And, I'll never, ever be all right."

Her lower lip trembled. He looked at her, concerned. "What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing," she huffed, as Sirius walked up to them. She tried to look happy, for his sake.

"Hey, Bill, do you mind if I steal your date for a dance?" he asked.

"Not at all," he replied, trying to act cool in front of Isabelle's family. Their fame was a bit intimidating, even though she insisted that they were normal, perfectly irritating people.

"Congratulations," she said, impressing herself with how cheerful that sounded.

"Thanks," he beamed. "So, what's going on with you and Mr. Weasley over there?"

She laughed wryly. "Bill? Nothing."

"Oh, come on, you know you can tell me anything. Do you at least fancy him?" he asked while they danced.

"I'm afraid my heart belongs to someone else entirely," she admitted. Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Do I know him?"

"You just might."

"Will you tell me about this mystery man?"

"One day, I hope. Not today, though," she squealed, ducking a mountain of silly string that Remus dumped all over them. Their conversation was soon forgotten in what became a massive prank war. Isabelle would've had the time of her life, if she could get the fact that Sirius was married out of her head.

~~~~~

Well, it's been a while since I've updated...sorry 'bout that! Thanks for reviewing, Star and Nao!

BTW, all chappie titles are thanks to Naomi. Thanks! *grins*