Part Two: Get Me to the Church on Time
"Ugh," Regulus tugged the bottom of his robe as he swung his legs. "Why did we have to get dressed now? The wedding isn't for another two hours."
"Quiet," Sirius cautioned as footsteps approached the Nursery. It wouldn't do for them to be interrupted while Regulus was whining.
"There you both are!" Mr. Black smiled as he entered the room. "I was beginning to think that you'd run off and we'd never see the two of you again."
"Was mother asking after us?" Regulus inquired as he slid off the table he had been on.
"No," Mr. Black shook his head and sat down on one of the chairs around the table. "I haven't seen your mother since yesterday. I believe that she is at your Uncle's house."
"Do we need to be there as well?" Sirius asked.
"No," Mr. Black smiled. "We're to go directly to the Malfoy estate."
"Why did we have to be ready so early then?" Regulus began to whine again. "I could still be sleeping."
Mr. Black gave his younger son a bemused glance. "We are up and dressed because your mother commands it."
Sirius gave a soft snort, drawing his father's attention. "You'd better not put your foot out of line today. I don't think I really need to remind you of why."
Sirius would have shivered if he were alone. His father didn't need to remind him of his mother's wrath. The cuts across his back, unhealed until she could be assured of his good behavior, did that all to well.
"You shouldn't have talked to that salad guy." Regulus said wisely.
"Salad guy?" Mr. Black raised an eyebrow.
"Mother called him a mushroom." Regulus told him.
Mrs. Black had indeed called James a mushroom, and had done so in front of however many people had been shopping in Flourish and Blotts at the time. It was unsurprising that Sirius punishment for the incident had been among the worst he had ever received. He had made her lose her composer in public and that was unforgivable.
"Well, 'salad guy' won't be within ten miles of Malfoy manor, so Sirius should have no problem keeping his nose clean." Mr. Black sighed. "Just no sleeping with the bridesmaids."
"Ew!" Regulus looked green. "Why would anyone want to do that?"
"Just because our cousin would never have girls prettier than her in her wedding party, that doesn't mean that they are going to be totally ugly." Sirius said mildly.
"No," Regulus scrunched up his nose. "Girls are ew."
Mr. Black looked at his son closely. "I wouldn't say that out loud when your mother is about. It isn't the sort of thing she'd understand."
"But girls have cooties." Regulus protested. "At least that is what cousin 'meda said."
"It would be best not to repeat everything your cousin says," Mr. Black sighed. "At least, not in your parent's hearing"
Sirius turned his head so neither of the others could see his surprise. His father had never warned him about his mother. Or anything else for that matter.
"But if cousin 'meda...." Regulus trailed off.
"Not everything your cousins do, or say, should be discussed openly." Mr. Black scowled. "Take your lesson from Sirius, he knows when to keep his mouth shut."
Sirius looked up at his father startled.
Mr. Black smiled. "Even if he does have horrible taste in acquaintances."
Sirius sighed.
A pale house elf appeared with a pop. "Missitress is asking that you be joining her at Malfoy Manor sirs."
"Thank you Plotky," Mr. Black stood up. He looked at his sons. "It seems we have our marching orders."
The first thing Sirius did upon arrival at Malfoy Manor was to look for Severus. He hadn't seen much of the other boy so fat this summer, but there was little chance of him missing the wedding.
"Behave," Mr. Black warned his sons before moving off to talk with some of the other gentlemen.
"Sirius?" Regulus whined.
"Yes?" Sirius had finally spotted Severus, predictably behind a pillar.
"Don't leave me," Regulus grabbed his hand.
"Are you a Black or not?" Sirius pulled away. "Shape up."
"I don't know anyone here." Regulus whimpered, he was clutching at Sirius robes.
"Are you crazy?" Sirius hissed. "You know everyone in this room. Now start acting like you belong here!"
Sirius shook off his younger brother and managed to get to Severus side with few interruptions.
"Sirius," Severus nodded.
"Severus," Sirius replied.
"Having trouble with your brother?" Severus inquired.
"Not really," Sirius brushed his sleeve. "He is just not feeling like a Black today."
"Ah," Severus shook his head. "A sad day indeed."
"Sad day?" Impetua joined them. "Aren't weddings supposed to be among the most blissfully happy days of your life?"
"I believe you are talking about your own wedding." Severus smirked. "Other people's are supposed to reduce to you tears."
"Besides," Sirius felt compelled to add. "We were talking about my brother and how he doesn't want to be a Black today."
"I can't blame him," Impetua laughed. "Who would want to be a Black."
Sirius and Severus exchanged a look. "I'll be sure to tell my mother you feel that way before she gets too involved with the wedding preparations."
"How horrid of you!" Impetua pouted. "I didn't mean it that way!"
"That is certainly how it sounded to me." Severus commented.
"You are both too horrid for words!" Impetua glared.
"Severus," She nodded.
"Sirius," She darted forward and pressed her lips to his cheek.
"I don't think red is your color," Severus mentioned after a few moments. "No matter what house you were sorted into."
Sirius felt his face regain some of its natural color.
"Look what just arrived," Severus commented. He was looking beyond his pillar, allowing his friend to regain self control. Sirius followed his gaze to see the Pettigrews arrive. "I wonder if there was ever a more simpering group of people around?"
"Pity me, for I have to live with one of them." Sirius groaned.
"Its definite then?" Severus looked uncertain. "I thought we'd be together this year."
"Maybe you should ask to be resorted," An amused voice broke in. "A Slytherin being so open in public?"
"Mr. Ketteridge," Severus bowed.
"You two need to be more careful about where you talk." Mr. Ketteridge admonished.
"Yes Uncle." Sirius could feel his cheeks heating up for the second time that day. 'How in the world could we forget ourselves like that?'
"There was a reason I was looking for you," Mr. Ketteridge mused. "I wonder what it was."
"Ahem," Someone coughed behind him.
"Ah! Yes," Mr. Ketteridge smiled. "I was bringing young Mr. Lupin to you." Mr. Ketteridge patted Sirius's head absently. "Do behave."
"I like your Uncle." Remus declared as they watched the man walk away.
"As do I," Sirius grinned. "He's taking me to the game tomorrow."
"Lucky you," Severus pouted. "I get to have tea with Ursa and mother."
"You have to get dressed up twice in a row?" Remus smiled.
Severus glared as the other boys tried to contain their laughter.
"At least I have no sisters to have tea with," Sirius leaned back against the pillar.
"You may not have a Sister," Severus drawled. "But if memory serves you do have three female cousins."
"I should hope that your memory serves you," Sirius laughed. "One of them is the reason we are here."
"Is she?" Remus raised an eyebrow. "Then why is the wedding taking forever to start."
"They might have put up a temporal portal." Severus frowned. "That could be why it feels like it is taking forever."
"That would be one way to be sure everyone could attend." Sirius agreed.
A gong sounded, and echoed through the hall.
"At least the meal should be worth the wait." Severus grinned as the three boys left to find their respective families.
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