:I do not own any of the charachters of this story (other than Anastasia). They all belong to J.K.Rowling. Otherwise someone else would've fallen through the veil in the Order of the Pheonix.:

Chapter 12: Betrothed Outcasts

"So, how do you intend to get married now," Anastasia asked. It had been a week and a half since she and Sirius escaped, "I doubt if it's even legal to marry a dog!"

Sirius smirked slightly and said, "Don't worry Anya. We're going to get married. Whatever it takes." He sat on the bed and rested his chin in his hands. He closed his eyes pensively. Anastasia crept up behind him, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed his cheek.

"What are you thinking about," she asked.

Sirius' eyes shifted back towards Anastasia and he smiled mischievously. A usual sign that he was up to something, "I'll be back!" he cried, standing up quickly.

"What?" Anastasia asked, "Where are you going?"

Sirius kissed her lips and said, "Don't worry about that. I'll see you later."

"Be careful!" Anastasia called after him as he changed into his Animagus form. She stood in the center of the room, gnawing away at her fingernails. What if Sirius was caught? "No," she thought to herself, "no one but me and him knows he's an Animagus." In the end, she decided to think nothing of it and go downstairs to help Madame Rosmerta in the bar. Ever since she and Sirius had arrived at The Three Broomsticks, they had been made temporary employees. Anastasia was a waitress, taking orders and bring people their drinks. Sirius was made sure that students from Hogwarts behaved (in which he failed abysmally) and dragging out customers who had had to much to drink.

All throughout that day, Anastasia was a nervous wreck over Sirius. Her hands were shaking so madly that she dropped just about everything she held.

"Now really!" Madame Rosmerta said as Anastasia shattered her eighth butterbeer bottle that day, "What's the matter with you, dear?"

"Oh," Anastasia said nervously, "I guess I'm just a little…uh…jumpy."

"Well, if you don't calm down, we're going to run of drinks pretty soon!" But Sirius hadn't shown up all day, so more drinks smashed on the floor. By 9:30 that night, the floor of The Three Broomsticks was sticky with spilt drinks and glitter with shards of broken glass. Madame Rosmerta had her head in her hands, "I'm going to bed," she sighed wearily,
Anastasia, would you close up shop tonight?"

"Sure thing, Rosmerta." Anastasia said. And so, Madame Rosmerta made her way up the stairs to her room. Anastasia took out her wand, cleared her throat and said, "Scourgify," and the entire bar was instantly cleaned. Her hands, still shaking with nerves, dropped the wand and it clattered to the floor. As she bent down to pick it up, she heard the tinkle of a bell that let her know that a customer had entered. "We're closed!" Anastasia shouted.

"Okay, I'll just come back tomorrow." Anastasia stood bolt upright and saw Sirius with a wide grin on his face and laden with shopping bag.

"Oh, thank goodness! Sirius, you're all right!" Anastasia yelled as she jumped clean over the counter and kissed Sirius zealously.

"Wow," Sirius said, thoroughly bewildered, "I should go out more often!"

"No, you shouldn't," Anastasia shrieked, "I've been worried like hell! Where did go?"

Sirius laughed heartily and said, "Shopping!" He scooped Anastasia in his arms and smiled grandly. Anastasia was shocked.

"Sirius, wha-?"

"Shh," Sirius said placing his lips to Anastasia's forehead, "Let's go upstairs, I have a surprise!" Her ran all the way to their room with Anastasia still in his arms. When they reached their bedroom, Sirius dropped Anastasia softly on their bed and handed her one of the shopping bags, "Here, you take this. I'm going into the next room." Sirius flashed a smile, ran to the other room, and closed the door behind him. Anastasia, absolutely amazed at Sirius' behavior, opened her bag and took out a large white package tied in a red ribbon. She pulled on the ribbon and took the top off the box.

Anastasia had to clamp her hand to her mouth to prevent herself from shouting, but he face was still red. Inside the package was a white beaded dress, white stiletto heels, white arm length gloves, a hair pin decorated with a white rose, a gorgeous diamond necklace, and a mask made up of white dove feathers.

"Oh God," Anastasia murmured, "it's the same outfit from…"

"…the masquerade."

Anastasia wheeled around and felt a strange sensation build up inside her chest that she hadn't felt in over 5 years.

Sirius was leaning against the threshold of the door in a white linen shirt, black trousers, black shoes; he was wrapped in a long black silk cloak, the right side of his face completely hidden by a white mask.

The Phantom of Hogwarts had returned.

"Sirius…" Anastasia gasped.

"Shhhh," Sirius said wildly, pushing a finger to her lips, his eyes darting around madly, "I'm 'The Phantom' remember?"

Anastasia laughed and said stubbornly, "Sirius, what's going on? What's all this for?"

Sirius took Anastasia's hand and kissed each on of her fingers slowly. He looked her dead in the eye and said in his most old-fashioned voice, "At long last, my dear, tomorrow, we are to be wed!"

Anastasia blinked and stared at Sirius as though he were joking, "Did you say wed?" She asked faintly. Sirius nodded vigorously, "Tomorrow?" Anastasia said.

"Yeah!" Sirius shouted excitedly.

Anastasia still gawked at Sirius still not daring to believe what he was saying, "Are you serious?"

"As serious as my name!" he responded.

Anastasia screamed with delight and threw herself at him, "Oh Sirius! We're getting MARRIED! Aaaah! Oh my gosh! How did you…"

"I went to this nice little church in Kenilworth," Anastasia's mouth dropped open in horror, "But don't worry," Sirius said hastily, "they had no clue who I was. I just asked if they would be able to marry us tomorrow, they said yes, and in the morning, we'll be walking down the aisle together!"

Anastasia was still flabbergasted, "And we're going to get married in the same clothes we wore to masquerade 5 years ago?"

"Good thing too," Sirius said, "that way we won't be so recognizable."

Anastasia stared down at her dress, "I cannot believe you got the SAME outfit!"

Sirius put a hand his chin thoughtfully and said, "There's something missing though."

"What?"

"Ah, I know," Sirius bent low over the remaining shopping bag and pulled out a white wedding veil; it's headband was decorated with white roses. Anastasia's eyes glazed over as Sirius placed the veil on her head like a crown. He whispered in her ear, "You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

"Can't have been to many weddings have you?" Anastasia sniffled.

Sirius gave his bark-like laugh and said, "Come on, this is my last evening as a free man and I don't intend to waste it."

"What are you gonna do?" Anastasia giggled as she knelt upon the bedspread.

"Well," Sirius said, shooting a glance at her, his mask clearly visible, "Let's say that The Phantom plans to entertain tonight by performing some….magic tricks!"

Anastasia rolled her eyes and scoffed under her breath, "Magic tricks!"

"Yes, magic tricks!" Sirius said defiantly, "Observe!" From within his cloak, Sirius pulled out two roses. One white and one red. He tossed the white rose to Anastasia, who caught it, and placed the red rose in between his teeth. He snapped his fingers and a pair of castanets appeared on each of his hands. Anastasia stared at Sirius in utter shock.

"When did he learn to do that? And what is he doing?" For Sirius began to dance around the room while playing the castanets. "Oh, Lord," Anastasia thought, "My husband-to-be has lost it!" When Sirius finished his dance, Anastasia applauded, he gave a long sweeping bow and threw the other rose for Anastasia to catch.

"For my next trick…"

"Oh, no!"

"Oh, yes! I'm going to need the help of my beautiful assistant!"

"Oh, no!"

"Oh, yes! Now, lie down and put your hands over your head."

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

Anastasia groaned and did as Sirius said. She tilted her head up slightly so she could see what he was doing, "Now what?" she asked.

"Observe again!" Sirius said. He snapped his fingers and in his left hand appeared a pair of silver handcuffs. Anastasia cocked an eyebrow and stared at Sirius in bewilderment. What was he going to do with those? He snapped his fingers again and the handcuffs disappeared. They were now on Anastasia's wrists. The chain of the cuffs was wrapped around one of the metal bars of the bedstead. She tried to escape but the handcuffs were locked. She looked at Sirius, who was standing by the window, with a key held precariously in his hands.

"Sirius…" Anastasia said fearfully. His hand was getting closer and closer towards the open window, "Sirius, no!" Too late. The key fell from Sirius' hands to the ground below.

"Whoops!" he said, mockingly. Sirius clicked off the lights, his silhouette turned toward her with a smirk on his face, "And now, for the main attraction!"

"OH NO!"

"OH YES!

Sirius ran at Anastasia who screamed with mirth, and the two of them had their wedding night a little bit early!

: Short yes, I know. But I needed to put SOMETHING! After all, I'm grounded from my computer at home (don't ask) So I either have to use the computers at school or in the public library. Until I have full use of my home computer, It's going to take a longer time for chapters to come up, but I WILL NOT FAIL! Oh and that last bit was for my beeyotch for life, Asia, who for some reason has a pair of silver handcuffs and frankly a bit frightened at just how they may come of use to her! O.o

Keep reviewing, guys!

Luv always from hpluva2000: