AN- this is back to close to 11 pages per chapter.
THANK YOU to affectedmangoO a dedicated reviewer who helped restore my confidence in this fic.
An apology, writer's block and a busy schedule make a nasty combination
PLEASE R and R
Harry noticed Remus and Sirius's rather sweaty palms. "Well come on in." Hermione said, with her hands on her hips. "As I understand it we have some planning to do."
"Planning." Harry and Ron said, looking at each other.
Hermione gave Harry a look that demonstrated her exasperation. "Of course planning, what were you planning to do? Just go down there and tell them. NO one does that. For no relationship. Telling friends takes planning. Making sure you don't say the wrong thing and annoy people."
She gave a half-glance to Sirius to see if he would say anything, but found him listening intently. "So lead on, Master planner." Sirius said.
"Actually, I think I have a plan." Harry said.
"Speak now." Sirius commanded.
"All right, I am expecting almost the entire order for dinner tonight." Harry said.
"Yeah, mom is as well. She went straight to the kitchen after we stopped cleaning." Ron said.
"So," Harry continued. "Casual as anything at dinner, I will say I have some good news. My godfather has decided, finally, to settle down. Everyone will start getting nervous, thinking you have been sneaking out and what-not. Then, I will say, to Remus Lupin."
"But Harry, you are going to have to keep your temper in check. People are going to react in different ways. Just because people are shocked doesn't mean they don't support Sirius and Remus. It just means they are surprised." Hermione said. Then she looked at everyone. "We are all going to have to keep our tempers in check. Deal with what comes coolly and naturally."
"Agreed." Everyone chorused. "Stage one, of telling everyone about our love."
"Love, who is in love." Fred and George said coming in.
Remus decided to practice what he had preached. "Sirius and I."
"Congratulations." Fred and George said, without missing a beat.
Everyone in the room smiled. It was little things like this that showed Fred and George's true characters.
"When are you telling everyone." Fred asked without preamble.
"Tonight at dinner." Ron told them.
"Cool." George said.
"We came up to tell Ron, Hermione, and Harry that a lot of the order is assembling."
"Ah." Harry said. He knew what they were implying, it is time to eavesdrop. "We will join you soon."
But they never got the chance as Molly called them for dinner. "Here goes." Harry said, looking at everyone.
He reached over and squeezed Remus and Sirius's hands. "It will be okay." He whispered. "If not, I will see to the Order for you." Harry said, repeating what Sirius had told him about the hearing.
Sirius laughed, recognizing the words.
"It is so nice to hear you laugh, Padfoot." Remus murmured.
Sirius hugged Remus.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione went downstairs and sat down at the dinner table, purposely putting Harry on the inside so he could sit by Remus and Sirius, and the trio would have a good view of almost everyone. (The table was very big and broad tonight as so many people were coming.)
Harry sat down at the dinner table, served himself some food, noticed that the table was almost full and opened his mouth. But Hermione put her hand on Harry's arm to stop him from talking. He looked at her, puzzled. Wait a bit. She mouthed.
Harry was puzzled but agreeable. He knew that Hermione was better at sensing the moods of people and right time to spring things. So he waited until she nodded to him. Harry stood up. He took a deep breath. He noticed that everyone had gotten quiet, seeing him get up. Casual, Harry, casual! Don't act like you expect them to react badly. "I have an announcement to make. My godfather, Sirius Black, has decided to settle down and someone else has been crazy enough to accept. So, in addition to getting ready for school I have a ceremony to plan. A ceremony for Sirius Black and Remus Lupin." Harry forced himself to smile broadly. He, taking Hermione's advice, didn't start clapping. He didn't want to pronounce the silence as everyone else absorbed the information.
No one knew that Remus and Sirius were even in love so this step to marriage was like a jolt to two levels. Then there was the added shock of Remus's and Sirius's sexual preference being males. No one knew that either.
Harry knew he was trying to calm himself. He counted the seconds. One-two-three-four. Nymphadora Tonks recovered first. "Congrats, Siri. Remus." She got up and hugged her cousin and cousin-to-be.
Then Kingsley walked around, with congratulations. Then, somewhat surprisingly came Mundungus Fletcher and Bill Weasley. Dung hugged Sirius and slapped Remus on the back. "Why you rascals, hiding this from 's all." Bill stuck with generic congratulations, then adding. "Let me go owl Charlie. He'd be very unhappy not to know ." Then he added, "and yes mum I will be careful." Before Molly could say anything.
Rather quickly after Bill came Arthur Weasley. He shook hands with the couple. "Thank you for trusting us." Arthur said, quietly to the couple.
Sirius and Remus beamed at the man. Arthur Weasley was a loyal friend. But after Arthur Weasley there was an embarrassed silence. In this silence most members of the Order looked down at the ground rather then each other. Harry sat down and put one hand over Sirius and Remus's clasped ones. Feeling the desperation, and tension in the hands of those he loved, his anger started to heighten to levels it rarely was. He felt his magical energy rise.
Sirius felt through his contact with his godson's hand that he was getting angry. A quick look at Remus saw that he had caught it too. Remus urgently looked at Sirius. Sirius pulled Harry towards him. "No. Don't get yourself into more trouble with the Ministry. You need to go back to Hogwarts. Calm yourself. Calm." Sirius whispered urgently.
Harry took deep breaths, but it really wasn't working. Wasn't the Order working to try to infuse love and friendship back in the Wizarding world? Wasn't the Order working to try and stop Prejudice? If so, then why weren't they practicing what they preached? If this is what the Order really is like, hypocrites, that I am glad I am not a member.
Just as Harry was about to ignore Sirius, Remus, Ron, and Hermione's pleading glances and give everyone else a piece of his mind the door swung open and Professor Dumbledore walked in, his eyes twinkling albeit exhaustedly.
"What did I miss." He asked, still avoiding Harry's eyes.
"Sirius and Remus are getting 'married'." Harry said, knowing he had to tell Dumbledore, but a bit worried about his reaction and annoyed that Dumbledore wouldn't meet his eyes.
The twinkle in Dumbledore grew. "Congratulations." Dumbledore said, and came over to give Sirius and Remus hugs. "One of the greatest things love is. Especially to find love in a time of darkness. Your love symbolizes what this order stands for, for darkness can be fought only with love, friendship, and trust."
Harry let out a breath. Professor Dumbledore may not be my favorite person right now, but he definitely just renewed my confidence in the Order and its goals.
Harry saw that Sirius was thinking the same thing. Harry smiled at Sirius who had given Professor Dumbledore an effusive hug.
"So, what are your plans." Dumbledore asked the couple, a bit uncharacteristically.
"We, we hadn't gotten that far yet." Remus said, Remus and Sirius quickly talked with their eyes," We would like to know, though, if you would Officiate."
"Why I would be honored." Dumbledore said. "A miraculous and wonderous thing Marriages are."
"Harry has consented to plan the entire thing." Sirius said, rather wickedly, knowing that Harry had agreed to no such thing.
Remus reached over to whack Sirius. "No pressure, Harry. Honestly." He said.
Harry opened his mouth to say that he, if Ron and Hermione would help him, would have no problems. But before he could Sirius recovered and picked up a plate to hit Remus. But Remus had anticipated the move and had quickly moved his chair back so Sirius hit air. Sirius scowled at Remus who grinned. Harry, Fred, and George laughed as Sirius chased Remus around the long table. Dung Fletcher wanted to help Sirius so he reached out and grabbed for Remus as he passed, but ended up grabbing Sirius instead, which allowed Remus to reach the other side of the table. Dung quickly let go and Sirius went in pursuit again but the game was over.
"No, seriously, Remus, it is no problem." Harry said, still grinning. "On one condition, though."
"What." Remus and Sirius asked in unison.
"Ron and Hermione help me. I will need someone who knows the ins and outs of the wizarding world, and someone who is a master planner."
"Ask them." Sirius said.
Hermione blushed. "I would love to."
"No duh, mate." Ron said as Harry and Hermione turned to him.
Harry beamed. "Well, we had better get started."
"Sirius, Remus, what are your plans for telling the rest of the Order? Or would you like me to take care of it." Professor Dumbledore asked.
Sirius and Remus looked at each other and talked with their eyes. Both of them would've loved to push the responsibility off on Professor Dumbledore, but they knew it wouldn't be fair. But they also knew having Professor Dumbledore give his blessing would add a lot to the cause. The Order was comprised of a good number of people who supported Dumbledore so if he supported them…
"Well," Remus said at last, "what about this, Harry, Ron, Hermione, listen up as well, if the invitations were sent just before the next Order meeting, then at it you announce your support in whatever way you think best."
"Professor Lupin" Hermione said hesitantly.
"Remus." Remus said, firmly, then she gestured at her to continue.
"I think it may be better if maybe w-someone, I am not saying this just so we can see who is in the Order, we will see most of the people who are invited at the wedding, hands out the invitations just before the meeting, and then Professor Dumbledore shows his support. Because otherwise people will talk, and the people who are loudest will be the ones who are against it."
"Which may sway those in the middle." Remus said, slowly, seeing the wisdom in her words. He looked at Sirius who nodded.
Then Remus looked at Professor Dumbledore. He just smiled enigmatically. "This is your arena, not mine."
"All right, well, the plan Hermione came up with sounds good." Remus said.
"When is the next Order meeting." Harry asked.
"Two weeks."
"Two weeks." Hermione yelped. "We have an entire wedding to plan for the entire Order of the Phoenix and family members of Order members in two weeks, when two of the planners don't even know the inns and outs of the wizarding world."
Harry and Ron turned together and comforted Hermione for a second. "We can do it." Harry said.
"Okay, Professor Dumbledore, when will you be around." Ron asked. "Or would Owling be a better method."
When Hermione and Harry gave him a perplexed look he said. "Each officiator has a different style, and we have to coordinate with that style, order different kinds of flowers, etc." He got defensive seeing their surprised look. "I have been to weddings before, you know."
"No, we weren't surprised at you, I was just annoyed at myself for not catching it." Hermione said quickly. "After all, I have been to weddings before too."
Ron looked a bit suspicious but gave in. Professor Dumbledore waited along the sidelines until the matter was discussed. "Unfortunately, my schedule is so that I will not be able to make it in person very often. So instead, I will owl you my plans and what I will need." Dumbledore looked at his watch, which was spinning madly. "Alas, I have already spent longer here then I should have." Without waiting for anything more, Dumbledore bid everyone farewell, congratulated Remus and Sirius again, then left. After Dumbledore left, Hermione said to the boys. "Let's start."
Harry looked at Ron who shrugged. So Harry, Ron, and Hermione, went upstairs to Harry and Ron's room to start the planning.
Remus excused himself then closed the locks behind Professor Dumbledore. "We have something quite important to discuss." Molly Weasley said, without preamble coming up to the couple when Remus returned.
"What." Remus asked, doing his best to keep panic out of his voice.
"What you two want for a wedding present?"
Remus and Sirius cracked up, they had both gotten a little worried. Molly was someone they really wanted on their side in all of this. Partially because of the strain it would cause on everyone if she weren't. The Weasleys and Harry had a good relationship, and neither Sirius nor Remus wanted it tarnished because of them. They did not want Harry to have to choose whom he was going to love. Even if Sirius and Remus knew that he would choose them.
Remus let Sirius speak on this. This might be a good time for Sirius and Molly to grow to appreciate and care for one another. Sirius considered this for a moment, after realizing that Remus wanted him to answer, then choosing his words carefully, "We would like two things. First of all, your blessings. Secondly, for you to care for our godson as you have been doing. Treating him like your son."
Remus closed his eyes in appreciation. How can he be both so dense and so sensitive at the same time? How can Sirius come up with the best things to say?
Remus opened his eyes in time to see Molly beam. He also saw, though, Sirius start to speak again. Remus tensed again, he knew that sometimes Sirius would say something wonderful then completely mess it up by saying something horrible.
Sirius looked at Molly seriously. "By saying this, I do not mean that you are always right about how to care for Harry. But I am saying that your heart is in the right place and I appreciate that."
Remus let out the breath he had been holding. "Thank you." Molly said again. "And I guess, I should say the same. Your heart is in the right place. Usually." Molly whispered the last word so that only Remus heard it.
Remus smiled at Molly, ignoring the last word. Sirius and Molly had made a good first step an important first step. Molly yawned. "Forgive me. It has been a long day and I am on duty first thing tomorrow. Tonks was just called for an emergency Aurors meeting and I am the only one." She said, responding to their looks of surprise. Molly had been on 'cleaning headquarters duty' for the summer, rarely doing outside missions and she was never scheduled for duty in the daytime. "Speaking of which, R, um, Sirius, would you watch the kids for tomorrow while I am on duty. Just make sure that they all… oh, you know what to do! If you want to give them a break to plan the wedding, I won't hold it against you."
That was step two. Initiated by Molly. Interesting.
"Of course. Maybe we will tackle doxies, and let Ron, Hermione, Harry, and myself take a few hours off to join Remus and plan the wedding." Sirius said.
"Sounds good." Molly yawned again. "I will have lunch ready and it will be in my room so that Kreacher can't get to it."
"And I will order him to not go near a platter of food charmed with the letter M above it." Sirius said. "Excuse me and I will go do that."
"I am going to bed anyways." Molly said, and then she changed her mind. "Or I will make lunch, let me see."
Sirius went to find Kreacher. "Do NOT go near food charmed with the letter above it. Do nothing to such food."
Kreacher bowed deeply. "Your wish is my command." "You sad sad master, broke the mistress's heart you did."
Sirius's face darkened. "Enough." He roared. "Go to your room, den, sleeping place."
Kreacher bowed and left.
Sirius met Remus in Harry's room. "All right." Harry said. "We have ordered some wedding books to get some order forms. Tonks has said that she will go to Diagon alley and see what she finds."
"I will talk to Professor Dumbledore about letting the three of you go to Diagon Alley." Remus said.
"That would be rather helpful." Hermione said. "As, if nothing else, the invitations need to be ordered SOON."
"Wait a minute." Harry said, an idea striking him. "Fred and George."
"What about my brothers." Ron asked, confused.
"They are of age wizards who have a talent for such things. Maybe Fred and George could charm parchment to be cool invitations."
"How would we trust them not to prank." Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. "Most people would laugh, and we'd make sure Fred and George's signature was very visible so they knew it was them. But, I don't think they will, as they know these will get back to their mother. Plus, I think they want the wedding to be beautiful too much."
Harry looked at Ron, who said. "Brilliant, mate." Then they looked at Hermione, who sighed.
"I will go get them." Remus said.
"This also saves us some money." Ron said. "I mean, they can't charge as much as professional invitation-makers."
"Speaking of which." Hermione said. "What exactly is our budget."
"Money is not of any concern. The Black Vaults are full. If nothing else, we'll sell some stuff to Dung. He has been eying the silver." Sirius said.
"Wicked." Ron said.
Remus was back with the twins in a few. "So, we have a proposition for you. We'd like to hire you to make up invitations for us."
"What design." Fred asked, suspiciously.
"We will trust you to make beautiful cards, and not prank." Sirius said, chiming in. "Jokes, maybe harmless ones, but no pranks."
Fred and George looked at each other. "Fine." They said.
Then the group haggled the price down. "We will give you the count… soon." Remus said, giving Sirius a 'let's go look'. "We have to show the list to Dumbledore." Remus groaned. "How are we going to do this quickly and efficiently? He himself said that he would be too busy to stop by too often, but we can't owl him the list."