Cause and Effect

Chapter Seven:

Honeymoon Dreams and Planning

Hermione sighed in the arms of her husband as Severus carried her up the stairs after locking and warding the house. It was amazing how much they had gone though, yet they were still together. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder as she took in the quiet and the steady rhythm of her husband's beating heart.

"Do you know how happy and complete you have made me, Mrs. Snape?"

Hermione sighed. This was the best of life for her. And now, her husband and daughter would not be harmed. "As happy and complete as I am?"

When he stopped before a pair of double doors, Hermione looked up into her husband's dark eyes. Once they were dull, cold, unfeeling, and guarded. Now, for her, they were hot, sparkling, filled with longing and joy, and beautiful.

Severus looked years younger – no decades! Had she really done this to him? He smiled as the doors opened. "Welcome home, Mrs. Snape."

Tears fell from Hermione's eyes as she smiled at the happiness in her husband's face. This was their home, she had her only love holding her, and she was carrying his child. "Thank you my husband … my only one."

Severus smiled as he sat her down so that Hermione was standing on the floor in front of him. He could see that she had yet to look at their room, or see how the doors opened. Would it cause problems?

Once she was on her feet, Hermione gasped at the beauty surrounding her. Her eyes went wide with the same wonder Severus prayed that their daughter would have at Christmas.

Candles floating about the place lit the room with a warm and welcoming glow. There was a fire lit in the fireplace center of the wall to her right that crackled and seemingly cheered their entrance. On either side of the fireplace were two tall and full bookshelves that stretched from floor to ceiling! And above the mantle piece was a beautiful painting.

It was a Muggle painting of their manor from the view of their shared dream! By the tree, was Severus with his arms wrapped around a relaxed Hermione. Her eyes were closed and she was leaning back into his embrace. "Severus, who painted this?"

"I did." He slowly muttered. There was disappointment in his voice. "If you would rather a different painting …"

Hermione turned and pulled him close to her again. "No! I was just curious how anyone could have gotten the scene so perfect. You are a wonderful painter. How long did you work on this?"

"Since the first night we began to plan our summer break here. While it seemed I would loose you, I spent all of my free time working hard on it. I believed that if I could get it finished and showed it to you, that you would be saved – that I would not loose you to death. Then, when you were safe, I slowed down and took time to put in details I was going to leave out. I finished it last week and hung it there when I came in to get the manor ready for its new Lady."

Hermione was fighting a losing battle to keep the tears out of her eyes. None could ever tell her that this man did not love her now. "I love it, and I love you, my Severus."

Then she noticed a familiar figure trying to sneak out of the room. "Winky?"

"Welcome home Lady Snape! Winky comes to take good care of Lady." The little house elf stuttered.

What shocked Hermione more was the fact that the elf was wearing a full outfit! Dobby poked his head around the door and was fully clothed as well! "I don't understand."

Wrapping his arms around his wife, Severus comforted Hermione as he explained. "I asked them to be our house elves during the times we are here, along with six other elves. My only rule is that they are not our property, and would be given clothes along with their freedom. This way they could choose to continue to work for us or move on if they saw fit to. This way you have more time for the baby, can finish your studies, and be a full Lady as well."

"And all of you agreed?" Hermione softly asked, as the other six elves came forward while the Lord had been explaining the situation. Hermione recognized them all. Holly, Alta, Espe, Dezo, Inek, and Renzo – all Hogwarts elves.

Dobby took a step forward. "Yes, Lady. Dobby worry about Lady Hermione. Knows old Malfoy will make most terrible trouble. Dobby wants to be here to help … if Dobby can."

Smiling, Hermione knelt down and hugged the elf – not caring the other seven were mortified by her actions. "I know you will Dobby. After all, Harry told me what you did to Malfoy when he discovered that Harry had freed you."

Hearing his chuckle, Hermione stood and embraced Severus with a smile on her face. Then looked over in time to see that the elves had left and shut the doors. The couple was alone.

Instead of making a wild night of their honeymoon, Severus was gentle and took his time with Hermione. With each touch and thrust, their souls slowly united and their memories were shared. By the time he emptied him self into his already expecting wife, their secrets were shared and both knew the other better than before. There was also a new trust created and a new bond forged. For once they had a new twist in their lives that didn't start because of the Malfoys trying to destroy the couple.

After over an hour, Severus collapsed onto his side of the bed and drew his new wife into his arms. After all his worrying, fighting to keep his love alive, and the wedding – he was fighting to keep his eyes open. He was fully at peace for the first time in too long. Holding his wife and daughter so close calmed and healed his broken soul. To hear her adorations in her voice as Hermione spoke of her love for him, that gave Severus back all that the hurt, grief, pain, and loneliness of his years before her had stolen from him.

Hermione was exhausted from the wedding, the love making, and the growing babe in her belly. Life had come full circle for the young witch. Most of her youth was filled with loneliness and pain, and then she met Ron and Harry. She had a grand life once they became her friends, and they always made her feel needed. Yet, she was merely a sister to them both.

Then she saw Severus for more than an overbearing Professor. She saw him as a hero and one of the many victims who refused to let the Dark Lord win. Then Severus loved her, and they were forced together to create their baby. Now she was whole, because she no longer feared being alone – her loving husband would see to that, she was sure.

To feel her husband holding her so close calmed her into sleep with only a quick admission from both of their love for the other. Neither knew that there was a certain little girl influencing them into sleep.

***

Draco however was being drawn from his sleep by his father's calls. "Draco come along. We need to have a talk."

"Yes father."

Draco hated being dragged not only from his sleep, but from his warm bed as well. With a yawn, he yanked on his dressing gown and slid on his slippers before leaving to follow his father downstairs.

Entering the drawing room, Draco was greeted by a sight. A thin, tall, black haired woman with sharp features that were similar to Snape and his father was standing there eyeing him over. A woman he had not seen since about three years before he started at Hogwarts. "Well, cousin Adribelle. It has been a long time."

"Charming little Draco. How is my sweet dragon?" Adribelle smirked with a dangerous fire burning in her eyes.

That fire Draco knew from experience to avoid and fear. The woman had some plan up her sleeve. "As fine as I can be given I am disgraced and will never attain my Wizarding License."

Adribelle smirked and lit her eyes even darker as she sauntered over to her nephew. "Well, we will just have to fix that my dragon. First shall we all have a drink?"

Draco was near terrified. Whatever his cousin's plan was, it was no good and he was the keystone of it for certain. He took the goblet offered by his smirking father warily. Something wasn't right. That as the last thing he could remember – a gray haze enveloped the rest.

***

Hermione opened her eyes to find herself in that familiar darkness. She couldn't help smirking at this when she felt his strong arms wrap around her from behind. "Couldn't get enough of me, huh my beloved husband?"

"I didn't do this my love."

That stunned Hermione. "If you didn't … then who did, Severus?"

He still looked the decades younger she had seen when he had been carrying her. His smile lit her from within. "Love, who else could?"

Before Hermione could say a word, the 'who else' answered in a happy squeal. "Mummy! Daddy!"

"Natasha Kismet Snape! Come here you!" Hermione chuckled as their baby girl rushed and jumped into her arms. Standing up she clutched her daughter close and breathed in the little girl's scent. "Did you wish for mummy and daddy again baby?"

"Yep!" She giggled as she beamed. "Me do good daddy?"

Severus chuckled as he wrapped his arms around his wife and daughter. "I am very proud of you my beautiful and powerful daughter. But you know you can't do this all the time, the drain will hurt you if you try."

Natasha sniffed as a tear came to her eyes. "Sorry daddy. Me go."

Hermione would have none of that. "Natasha, daddy and I are just worried baby. You do this too much, and you will get hurt. Now promise to only do this when you think we need to see you."

"Promise mummy." But the girl still had tears in her eyes and was silently looking at her mother's shoulder.

Severus understood immediately that, for some reason that was beyond his comprehension, this girl held his views and words highly. Since he was the one to reprimand her, he alone could set it right with her. "We want you to be healthy and happy when you are born baby girl. I can't see my life without you and your mother in it – and I don't want to try. I'll take care of mummy, but you have to promise to take care of yourself – that is until we can take care of you after you are born."

"Promise daddy." Natasha blinked away and rubbed her eyes free of tears, then smiled. Severus could see that she was forcing it. Then he realized he had yet to touch her in any way outside of holding her and Hermione.

Gently he kissed his little girl's forehead and smiled. It had worked! The real smile that lit her eyes and his heart, just as her mother's always had, was back and had brought along her giggles for good measure.

Severus had never felt so whole in his life. Looking into the eyes of his wife, he could see that Hermione felt the same. She beamed up at him with the glow only expecting mothers held. "So, where do we three go tonight?"

"Hmm, seeing as I chose last night, it is your turn Mrs. Snape."

Tears prickled her eyes happily at that. "I love it when you call me that. Tell you what, baby girl gets to pick tonight."

"Yay! Wanna go to school mummy! Wanna go to school daddy!" Natasha squealed out.

A heartbeat later the scene became one of a Hogwarts night in the winter. Natasha wriggled her way to the ground and twirled around as snowflakes fell from the sky. She squealed and giggled, to the delight of her amazed parents.

The castle was lit up and the couple could see people coming out of the main doors. From his hut near the Dark Forest, walked a confused Hagrid with Fang beside him. "Hello there Professor Snape … Mrs. Snape. I thought the two of you were off on yer holiday?"

Hermione instantly understood. Remembering her new mother's warning, Hermione smirked at her daughter. "Baby girl, did you bring everyone into this dream?"

"Almost mummy. Grammy Heather and Pappy Tom aren't asleep." Natasha beamed.

This stunned Rhiannon. "Is this my precious new granddaughter?"

"Grammy Rhi!!" Natasha squealed before running to leapt in her grandmother's open arms. A quick hug, and Rhiannon was holding the child where she could memorize every aspect of her face.

Dylan smiled with a tear in his eye. "She is a beautiful girl, children. And more powerful than any of us dared to imagine she would be."

"Pappy Dylan! Huggie!" Natasha ordered while thrusting her arms towards the old man demandingly clutching and opening her tiny hands.

Hermione felt tears in her eyes at how like little Stasia her unborn daughter was. Dylan smiled on the girl he took into his arms. "Very much like her father at this age. How did you pull this many people into one shared dream, child?"

"I wanted come to school with mummy and daddy. Not school without people, pappy Dylan!" Natasha sighed as if it had been obvious to all.

"I understand why, but how did you do it?" Dylan prodded slightly.

"I wished it, and it so." Natasha looked so innocent, until she saw Harry. "Uncle Harry! Piggyback! Piggyback! Piggyback!"

Hermione doubled over with laughter as her daughter thrusted both tiny fists demandingly at the-boy-who-lived. Severus smirked with a wicked grin as Harry settled the little girl on his back. "Now this is a sight I would have paid many galleons to see – Potter as our daughter's pony."

Natasha huffed at her father. "Daddy! That not nice!"

Hermione glared at her husband. "I agree. Severus, please behave. You are her role model too you know."

Severus would have snapped at his wife for embarrassing him like this in public, but then he realized that she would break down or explode at him. Neither was particularly interesting to him at the moment. Hermione curled into his arms and smiled up with tears in her eyes. How could he have forgotten about the link between their souls he had created what seemed like forever before, as well as the fact that the link was felt both ways?

~Severus …~

He shook his head, wearing his normal cold face. ~It will just take me time to learn to banter in public as we do alone my love.~

~Still, if you're having any second thoughts about …~

How could she think he would trade even a moment of his life with her? Then again, he wasn't being very supportive now. He whispered into her ear, "so long as love lasts, Hermione. And my love for you hasn't even begun to cool nor fade."

That brought out her smile. Then they both watched as their little girl grabbed Harry's eyes under his glasses. Hermione wished that she could take a picture of it!

Harry groaned. "I can't see little bit."

"Not supposed to."

Hermione chuckled as she relaxed completely in her husband's arms. Looking over at her parents, Natasha grinned. Yes they were still in love. "I got surprise for you. But you can't look yet."

Those who were looking at the gate saw a mist come in. It stopped a few feet from Harry, and everyone wondered what this little girl was up to. "First to make things better for you with the people who think you could ever be bad."

Natasha released Harry's eyes and smiled as he let her down. She ran to her parents with a smirk on her lips that put all of her father's to shame. Just as her father scooped her into his arms a person could be seen coming through the mists. All eyes, except for Natasha's, opened wide.

"Hey Harry!" It was Cedric Diggory!

"Cedric! Is it you?" Harry couldn't wrap his mind around the idea that the boy he had watched die at Voldemort's rebirth was standing there before him. A heartbeat later, both men were in the other's embrace and Harry couldn't hold back his tears. He had failed this man and yet no blame was being slapped in his face?

Smiling, Cedric was grateful to finally do what he had wanted since his death their fourth year. "Harry, my death wasn't your fault. You did all you could to save me, and even carried my body back after I had died rather than leaving it in that forsaken cemetery. No one has the right to call you a murder, because you are a hero. You have been since you were one, and will be all of your days. I'm glad we were partnered together for Hogwarts, or I might not have been as lucky as your friends and had missed out on the greatest of adventures."

"You'd still be alive though." Harry still bitterly hated himself, because he had lived yet again – while Cedric died.

Smiling, Cedric shook his head. "Harry, it was my time to go."

Harry felt so much weight lift from his shoulders at that moment. Then more lifted as Cedric continued on. "I was only worried about you. That was mostly why I cried out. Now a little advice from one on the outside looking in?"

Cedric whispered something into Harry's ear and both men smiled. Once Harry nodded, Cedric went to talk to Cho and her newest boyfriend (as she and Michael Corner were once again broke up) in private.

Harry beamed at his future favorite adopted niece, and was stunned when she smirked so much like her father back at him. "Not done yet, uncle Harry."

Another figure came through the mists, and Harry swore to himself that his heart stopped beating. "Sirius? Is it really you?"

"Who else would have this mug on?" Black beamed as Harry.

Severus whispered into his wife's ear, "I certainly wouldn't."

"Severus! Please behave, love. Besides I prefer the mug you have on." Hermione smirked at the obvious heat in her husband's eyes at that.

Harry hadn't paid any attention; he had his arms wrapped around his godfather and was letting lose his grief and pain. "I'm so sorry."

Sirius pulled Harry away so he could look at the young man's green eyes. "My death was NOT your fault, Harry. Bellatrix is the one who killed me. I'm glad my body fell into the archway."

"But, I'll bet we could have …" Harry started to argue, but Sirius interrupted. "The Death Eaters could have just as easily taken me and give my body over to the Dark Lord. Harry he isn't completely gone. I don't know who, but one of the Death Eaters willing gave him part of their body like Quirrel did."

That frightened everyone. Natasha grinned. "Uncle Harry will get rid of him for me. Right uncle Harry? You won't let nasty old Moldie-Voldie take me?"

"Never cherub-girl. And I love that nickname for him you made up." Harry's eyes were still sparkling with tears as Sirius walked over to Severus and Hermione.

"Hermione, take care of this old batty git. After all, he's been through enough – especially from James and I."

Tears were in her eyes as Hermione hugged the now healthier Black. "Will you stop making fun of my husband, Sirius? And thanks for the warning."

Sirius nodded before going to Severus and the child in his arms. Smiling on Natasha, Sirius winked. "And you kido, thanks for this time with my friends and godson."

"You're welcome uncle Snuffles." Natasha beamed as she sent everyone into chuckles with that.

Looking at his one time enemy, Sirius sighed and stuck out his hand. "I know we have never been on friendly terms, but I have seen for myself what you have done to keep my godson safe. Thank you, Severus."

For a moment, Severus maintained his frozen cold stare on the man who had tortured him all his years as a Hogwarts student. That is until Natasha shifted in his arms. He would not teach his daughter to hate or refuse to forgive. Taking Black's hand the pair shook. For once the past would be that to Severus – the past. "I owed Lily that much, since I wasn't able to spare her and Potter their deaths."

"Still you should be thanked, Severus. You, along with living with my wife's family, taught my son not to hurt others, a lesson I should have learned long ago." That voice!

Harry turned to see a man he had only seen in pictures, the mirror of Erised, and is nightmares of the night he lost his family and innocence – James Harry Potter, his father! "Dad?"

With a beaming smile, James pulled and held his son tight to him. All had tears in their eyes at the sight. Hermione smiled and kissed her daughter before snuggling close to her husband. Severus could not hold the past against the man – after all, James had died guarding his son's life … as Severus knew he would do for his own wife and daughter.

The pair locked eyes, and the past was left behind them. James mouthed out 'thank you', to which Severus nodded. James returned to holding his sobbing son. "I am so proud of you, Harry. You are so much more than your mother and I ever dreamed you would become."

"I love you dad. I have missed you so much!" Harry choked out into James' shoulder between his sobs.

"Your mother and I have always watched over you, and we love you too son." James soothingly whispered.

A new figure came into the dream through the mists. "When do I get to hold our son James?"

"Mum?" Harry's eyes nearly popped out of his head at that.

Severus and Albus both were also stunned. She smiled at them in turn, but it was Severus she spoke to first. "Thank you Severus. I doubt our little boy would have survived his first year if it hadn't been for you. And without your little girl, James and I wouldn't have this dream to give him a memory of us."

Severus didn't trust his voice for that moment; it was becoming more difficult to hold his cold face. Lily went over and hugged him and whispered, "They really are sorry for the past, Severus. Please let it all go."

Then she gave Natasha a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you little one. This will be a dream my son will never forget."

"You're welcome aunt Lily."

Then she hugged Hermione tight. "Thank you for always being there for my son. Without you too, I know he would have died in his first year. And you are one of the few who have never questioned my Harry. That is why he holds you as one of his few dearest friends."

Hermione blushed and hugged the woman back. "Without Harry, I doubt I would have had any friends, adventures, or would even have my husband and daughter."

Lily smiled and nodded, then turned to smirk at her husband. "Now, I have given you extra time with Harry, James. My turn."

"Better give your mum a hug, Harry. Don't want to see her angry, I know." James smirked after giving his son another squeeze.

"James." Lily growled in warning.

Harry chuckled through his tears as he wrapped his arms around his mother. The woman who had not only given him life, but gave up her own for him as well. Everything about her he took in, as he had with his father and Sirius before.

Lily Potter was a little shorter than him. Her hair and body were soft and tender in his embrace and face. Harry easily smelled her night blooming jasmine perfume. And she was so warm. He felt her embrace, unlike the first time he ever saw her and James in the mirror of Erised when she laid a hand on his shoulder yet was not really there to do it.

"Mum."

Lily smiled with tears in her eyes. "I missed you more my baby boy. And don't worry about my callous sister and her family. They will be getting their just reward for all the years of abuse they gave you all too soon."

Harry tightened his hold on his mother at that. She had seen all he had been through and would give back more than he had suffered; of this Harry James Potter was sure.

For several hours they all played with cherub-girl (as her godfather Harry dubbed her), the Marauders (minus one mind you) talked with Severus about what few pleasant times they all had as students, Harry got to visit with his godfather and got to know his parents, and then an event only this dream would provide.

Sirius and Remus spent a large portion of the night alone in one another's company, only to announce to the group that they were in love. Instead of the hate and mockery they feared, the couple found they were loved and supported.

In the blink of an eye, Natasha changed the room from a holiday party atmosphere to the grandest holiday wedding any gathered would have imagined!

The falling snowflakes truly looked like crystals as they reflected the light in their fall and shimmered with different ranges of rainbows in the branches of each flake. There were holiday candles giving off the scents of pine and apple-cinnamon floating above them all. The trees were covered with kissing doves, bells, and bound rings.

At the end where the teachers normally sat was a beautiful arch that was laced and covered with ivy and holly. In the center of this arch was the alter, which was festively dressed. The rest was similar to Severus and Hermione's wedding only for the much smaller group gathered.

Sirius smiled at Natasha and knelt to meet her eye level sitting on her father's lap. "Cherub-girl, did you know I was going to propose to Remus?"

Natasha smiled and nodded. "Yep, and you know what else I know we can't say uncle Snuffles. So, I want you two to have your dream the way you both want it. Tada!"

Everyone grinned as Remus joined his love in kneeling next to Severus to see Natasha eye-to-eye. "Thank you little one. You don't know how much this means to me."

"Yes I do. And wait till you wake up! And … oops, almost said too much!" Natasha beamed as she giggled.

When Remus looked over at him, Sirius shook his head. "Not my place to tell, love. Besides, if I spill then it won't happen. But, I promise you will love it."

The couple stood, and Black smiled happily for the first time in far too long. "Shall we my dearest Remus?"

Lupin himself was beaming with happy tears in his eyes. "Yes Sirius."

Sirius smiled at their old Head Master. "Albus, would you do the honors?"

The old man smiled with a twinkle in his eye. He had a vague sense of what was to come about with these two – and that the couple was nowhere near the end of their journey together. "With pleasure, Sirius."

After the couple took a few moments to discuss the ceremony with Albus, Sirius spoke with James and Harry. Yet Remus had someone special to stand by him in this in mind. "Severus?"

The Potions Master was blatantly in shock. This couldn't mean what he suspected. "Yes, Lupin?"

"You have done a lot for me over the years, and I am more grateful than any words could express. But I was hoping that you could do me one more favor." Remus was nervous. What if the guy said no?

Severus could feel what was being asked, and with the sad pout his daughter was giving him he doubted that he would be able to say no. "How can I be of service?"

"Stand by me as one of my Best Men?" Remus was scared now. The friendship he had been able to forge with Severus was weak and tentative at the best of terms. Had he just pushed it too far?

Natasha leaned back into her father's embrace and looked up at him, hoping he would help. Severus then knew there would be few times he would say no to this girl, and even then it would be a hard fought battle to do so. Yet, he would have it no other way.

Looking back up at Remus, he saw the fear in the other man's eyes. They had not been friends in their youth, but at least this man Severus knew now he indeed could call his friend. "Very well, Lupin. Why should my Hermione and I be the only ones happy tonight?"

Remus was stunned! Severus had agreed! Shaking the man's had, Remus didn't know what to say, but a head movement told him that nothing further needed to be said. Hermione certainly had an effect on her husband, along with Cherub-girl as well.

A few minutes later, all of the guests were seated. Harry and his father stood next to Sirius. Beside Rebus were Severus and Arthur Weasley. Natasha sat in her mother's lap and beamed a big smile at her father. And now all was right with the world.

Albus smiled at his former students and how they all had changed since their beginnings at Hogwarts so long before. Even if this were only a dream and this ceremony did not count outside of the group gathered, it felt right. "We stand before this company, on this beautiful and certainly magical night, to witness the joining of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.

"The joining of two people normally comes in life until the couple is separated by death. Yet, for Remus and Sirius, life came in the way of their relationship many times and death tore them apart before they could commit themselves to each other. With the aid of the Great Wizards, Lord and Lady, and a certain little girl who had to have an evening at school long before her eleventh year," at this Albus' eyes were twinkling brighter than ever before and all were chuckling at the blushing shy Natasha. "That cruel wrong is at last being set right."

Albus had always felt torn for this pair because there was so much left unsaid and undone. Now he was proud to be standing here binding them in the only way there seemed to be left. "You stand before this company and before the Gods, seeking to become one with each other. You have entered into this union with open eyes and full hearts. If either of you, or anyone present here today, know of any reason why these vows should not be made, speak now."

It really didn't need to be said, but he said it anyway. The room was silent until Albus continued on with the ceremony by looking at Remus. "What is your name?"

"Remus Dillon Lupin."

Albus smiled at the firmness in stance and how high both men held their heads. "And what is your desire?"

Remus smiled with tears in his eyes. This was the day he never dared hope to enjoy. Remus decided that Severus' daughter was going to be spoilt by him for the rest of his days for this night. "To join with he whom I love."

Albus turned to the second groom and smiled. Black had all of his pride and was standing tall this night. "Sirius, will you have this man to be your partner, to live together in marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, for as long as love may last?"

"I will." Sirius was so grateful to be able to say those two words before his love. Even if he knew what was going to come, this special night meant the world to him.

Severus wore a vague smile during this. He remembered that once he doubted he would ever be bond to another, yet he now had his wife – Hermione. And yet this marriage would not be legal (even if Lupin already held all of Black's estate – due to the younger Potter's insistence that it was not his own), nor would Lupin ever wake in the arms of his intended as Severus enjoyed every morning since Beltane. For the first time in his life, Severus felt pity in his heart for the pair – and knew he would always be grateful for having his beloved with him in life.

Albus turned to Sirius and winked. "What is your name?"

"Sirius Caleb Achilles Black"

"And what is your desire?"

Sirius looked into the eyes of his only love and found his home. "To join with he whom I love."

Albus smiled and turned to Sirius' chosen one. "Remus, will you have this man to be your partner, to live together in marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, for as long as love may last?"

Remus smiled and took a breath. Finally he could say it to Sirius somewhere other than his fantasies. "I will."

Albus turned to all who were gathered for this ceremony that none of the couple's enemies could interfere in. "Will all of you, present here and witnessing these vows, assist and support these two people in their union?"

All said in unison "I will." Yet, Natasha had a grin so sneaky that it had to be a combination of both her parents' own. Something was going to happen – the only question was when.

Sirius repeated after Albus his vow, which was modified. "I, Sirius, do ask you, Remus, to be my partner in marriage of souls. I ask that you accept my strengths and my faults as I promise to accept yours; I promise my strength and love in your times of need. I bring you, with best intention, my love, my understanding, all that I have and all that I am. Though the veil between life and death will separate us, know that all your joys and sorrows, happiness and pain, satisfaction and loneliness will never be yours alone. My soul will be with you and I will never leave you."


Remus felt the tears that had been stinging his eyes fall with this. Even if the veil held them apart in touch, in spirit he and Sirius would never be apart. When Albus smiled at him, Remus had to swallow and take a breath to steady his voice. "I accept all you give me and all that you ask of me, Sirius."

Hermione had tears coming down her face as well. Natasha got a handkerchief out of the pocket of her party dress and wiped her mother's tears away. Hermione smiled and kissed the top of her child's head as she watched the ceremony unfold. Severus had seen the interaction and was at a peace he had never dared dreamed existed.

Albus led Remus through his vow. "My love, now do I make my promises to you. I promise to share laughter in times of joy and wonder; to share tears when sorrow touches our lives; to share my dreams and hopes, that our love and minds may grow; to share compassion and understanding during times of frustration and anger; to share all that I have, and all that I am, for as long as love shall last."

"I accept your promises, Remus. And I give you the same, for as long as love shall last." Sirius felt a lump in his throat form. This was the man he would watch over and care for so long as he himself was wanted. It felt good to finally have another to lean on when times became hard. And time would become just that shortly, hard.

Albus took two rings from the alter and spoke words in blessing he suspected would bring fruit eventually. "These rings, a token of your love for one another, serve as a reminder that all in life is a cycle; all comes to pass and passes away and comes to pass again. By the exchange of these tokens of your love for one another, so are your lives interlaced. What one experiences, so shall the other; as honesty and love build, so will your bond strengthen and grow."

Placing the other man's rings in the palm of one's hand, Albus smiled on Remus as he led him through the exchange. "This ring I give to you is a symbol of our love, and of the promises I have spoken to you on this day."

Once the ring was on Sirius' left finger, it sized itself to fit him. He simply let his tears flow as he smiled at his only one. "I shall wear this ring as a symbol of our love, being always mindful of the vows we have spoken on this day."

Albus simply remained silent as the couple continued on. Sirius looked on the ring in his hand and smiled. "This ring I give to you is a symbol of our love, and of the promises I have spoken to you on this day."

Remus had never been as happy as the moment the ring slid onto his own finger and sized to him. Even if this was all a dream, and this band along with its compatriot was in the dresser by his bed in the real world, he would have this memory for life. "I shall wear this ring as a symbol of our love, being always mindful of the vows we have spoken on this day."

The two men joined their hands and Albus tightly bound their hands with a cord. As each of the Best Men each tied a knot in the cord, the charmed a spell of blessing for the couple in hopes that they would be reunited in life soon. Albus rested his hands on the cord and smiled "By this cord you are thus bound to your vow. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last."

The cord shimmered and vanished into the couple. One would begin to wonder if not something moving in a new path. If their binding was forbidden due to the death of one, then the cord should have remained to be untied. A strange and curious happening to say the least.

"Lord and Lady … Great Wizards, in Your sight have these people promised themselves to one another, made vows before You and these people. Bless them in their new life together." Albus spoke in the voice he only used in deep reverence to any (and that stood to be a very, very few in either world).

Looking on the couple, he smiled and found a new sense of what was happening – along with the peace of mind and heart the changing news brought. This change was shared with his wife, Minerva, and she too smiled. It had been so long since such justice happened.

Albus winked to each man and grinned. "By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of love, by the Seas of fortune and the strength of the Earth do I bless this union. I do believe there is an age old act you each wouldn't mind performing to seal this ceremony."

Everyone chuckled as watches came out. Sirius had a hungry look in his eyes, but Remus' pleaded to save it for later. Padfoot had never been able to deny his Moony's pleading look since they first became a couple in their fifth year.

Each clutched the other as their lips locked together as if this would be their last moments together. Arms wrapped around and fingers became entangled in locks of hair. After a three-minute eternity, they broke apart to the cheers and applauses of all.

Albus knew that evil would not win with the love in this group. He turned the men and smiled. "I am honored to now present Sirius Black and Remus Lupin-Black."

There were more cheers before the group broke down into a party atmosphere once again. Part way through the happy couple slipped off after Sirius hugged Harry one last time, seeing the young man no longer blamed himself for deaths he could have stopped.

Harry stayed with his parents for most of the time, and by his side was Ginny Weasley. Everyone wondered about that, but Cedric was smiling every time he glanced at the pair. What could he have said to Harry?

Yet all good things do come to an end. All said their goodbyes, embraced, and let the tears flow. Severus had finally let go of his old hatreds, Harry released his grief and got to know his parents, and Cedric seemed to be put at peace.

Natasha hugged her parents tight, sighed, and drifted of to sleep in their arms – vanishing from sight. One by one the rest either returned past the veil or woke.

***

Remus woke alone in his bed. In his dreams he had been honeymooning with Sirius. He could still feel and smell and even taste the man. The opposite side of the bed … hold on! When did his transfigure the bed from a single to a Queen size? The pillow, bedclothes, and mattress showed that someone had lain on that side extremely recently. It was also warm and smelled of … Merlin's beard … it smelled of Sirius!

Gods, Remus missed that man. It hurt to be without him. But he was grateful to have the wedding of his dreams clearly as if it happened not long before.

Looking at his hand, Remus gasped with tears in his eyes. The ring! The very ring Sirius slid on his hand in the dream … it was on his finger. Remus could feel the spell that only meant a binding … a legal binding! Remus was a married man … but how?

He was a little tender as her twisted around to search the drawer. The box he kept the rings in. Both were missing.

Getting up, cleaned, and dressed, Remus rushed as quickly as his sore body would let him. It felt as if he really had been with Sirius for the first time in so long the night before! Was he going out of his mind?

"Hershey Kisses!" He cried out to make the gargoyle move.

Instead of waiting and then climbing the stairs, he rode them to the top. He was sore and couldn't imagine walking up the stairs in his current condition. Knocking on the door he walked in.

"Good morning Remus! How does it feel to be a married man now?" The twinkle in Albus' eyes was obvious.

Merlin! It had really happened? "Albus, the rings. Mine is on my hand and the other …"

"Now sits on Sirius' hand." Albus calmly finished Remus' thought.

Happy, aching, and hurting at the same time, Remus gingerly sat in the seat the Head Master offered. "How?"

"A very powerful and special young lady it would seem. Look at this I was owled."

Albus gave the papers to Remus, who read the in shock. First was a marriage license dated two days before Sirius' death! And then there was a letter.

Dear Albus,

I cannot explain how this happened, but your werewolf professor Lupin is the husband of the former criminal Sirius Black! I was given this license and could not believe my eyes. Why was I not informed about this? And why has he not come forward as Black's husband since the man has been cleared of all charges?

Cornelius Fudge

Minister of Magic

Remus had tears in his eyes. The ceremony had been legal! He was Sirius' husband!

It was all so much that the man broke down. Yes, he was a widower. Yet, now at least he was not a dead man's lover only.

Albus tenderly hugged the man and let Remus cry in grief and joy.

***

Draco woke groggily. What had been in that goblet?

The first sense was the smell of sex. He had been a virgin, despite what Granger said.

Then there was pain. Oh, Merlin the pain was burning in his back and arse. He felt sick.

But the sight of his favorite little seven-year-old cousin tied down and weeping, with a look of terror as she looked at him, broke his heart. She was rumpled, bloody, and had obviously been used. "Jackie?"

The girl tried to get away from him. Then he noticed blood on him. Oh no, he had been the one to use her! NO!

Draco got sick off the side of the bed and was near tears. He had raped his little cousin and didn't remember a thing.

"Poor baby not feeling well?"

That voice was dripping with sarcasm. And now it was a voice he hated. She used him, she and his father both used him to rape the child – but why? "I hate you Adribelle!"

"Like I care. No, we just needed to soil you good enough for the second potion to kick in."

Draco panicked. He had to avoid eating or drinking anything here. "I won't take it!"

"Boy, you took it the same time as the lust enhancer last night. The same time only more powerful than the pitiful one you slipped into your teacher and his whore's juice last Beltane. You've been played your entire life kid. Now who should take care of who he makes friends with?" Adribelle kissed his cheek, but Draco couldn't move … couldn't fight … he was frozen in place!

He heard the door open to his left. "Oh uncle … Draco is awake and the second potion is going strong."

"Good. Now the master will be able to slip into that damn school and replace the girl, taking her body, birthright, and powers in one swoop." Lucius smirked as he went over and battered and raped his own son.

Once Draco was shattered completely and had none sense of self left, another took his place in his body. With a smirk, the evil broke the potion's effects. "And Lord Voldemort lives once again. However, he still has his will, damn. It is only in pieces now. The sooner that brat is born, the better. At least for now I can enjoy what your son disbelieved he played with. Leave us, Lucius. Assure me of the delivery of the mudblood's wedding gift."

Bowing Malfoy smirked. "Yes, my Master."

As he and Adribelle shut the door the little girl screamed, as she became the Dark Lord's plaything.

***

The Grangers panted and groaned as they raced along. Surrounding them were men in black hooded robes wearing silver masks. None of them spoke only prodded the couple to keep moving swiftly through the woods.

One moment they had been in the cars relaxed from a wonderful celebration of their daughter's marriage, then next the brakes failed and a fire in the back started from nothing at all. It had to be those Death Eaters they had been warned about.

They hit the metal barrier and started off the cliff, and then they were on the road watching their car explode and crash onto the beach below. Four tall figures yanked them up and started them running without saying a word.

Heather tripped and coughed. Tom pulled her into his embrace. "Please, we need to rest!"

"Not here. Carry her." One of the masked figures snapped.

Gingerly her took his wife into his arms and traipsed along as best as her could. At least she could rest for a time in his arms before going on her own again.

Happy New Year all! I hope you find this somewhat pleasing. I got the wedding off of