Disclaimer: See first few chapters for all disclaimers

Many thanks for the reviews…

Mercury Gray… I'm glad your feelings for Malificus haven't changed.

Evenstar Elanor… Thanks for the feedback. I'll try to clarify some of Lucius' motivation in an upcoming chapter. He's not controlling his brother for no reason; he really thinks it is for the best.

Chapter 5: A "B-List" Guest

"Is this a joke?" Remus Lupin held up the scroll that an owl had delivered not fifteen minutes before. Molly Weasley smiled, knowing exactly what he was talking about.

"Not according to Ron and Ginny," she said. "They said that Albus announced it on the first night of school. I'm just a wee bit surprised it is happening so soon. I mean, to get engaged in August and get married in November. Doesn't give one much time to plan." She continued to bustle around. Sulky from his confinement, Sirius Black had done little to keep his manor in tidy order, even with the House Elf that resided there.

When Molly and Arthur had arrived to meet with Remus, Sirius and Tonks about some Order of the Phoenix matters, she had been appalled and had immediately set about cleaning. Dust mops were winging their way about the manor, the dishes were being scrubbed in the sink and at least three mops were diligently scrubbing all possible places in Black Manor.

"Who's getting married?" asked Sirius as he strolled in.

"Serena and Severus. You know, Sirius, this place is an utter disaster. Clutter is one thing, but this is just filthy. I don't know how you can live like this…"

"Serena and… SEVERUS?" Sirius Black sputtered. "You've got to be bloody kidding."

"I've got an invitation right here," said Remus. He gave the scroll a lazy wave.

"I haven't gotten MY invitation." There was an insulting sneer in Sirius' voice.

"Oh, please," sighed Molly. "Sirius, dear, I don't think you'll be getting one…"

"But I'm her cousin," he retorted. Sirius was so tired of being cooped up in his manor that he would welcome going to a wedding – even if it was Severus Snape's wedding.

"Yes, you are." Molly's voice was patient, as if she were explaining something very simple to a small child. "You're also an insane murderer who escaped from Azkaban as far as everyone knows, and when you were a young man, you taunted and tormented Severus so badly I doubt your relationship could ever be repaired, and you even tried to trap him in a room with a werewolf. Even if you are Serena's very distant cousin, I hardly think you were on the 'must invite' list, Sirius."

Remus watched with a slightly wry smile as Sirius actually winced each time Molly pointed out a reason whyhe wouldn't be going to the wedding.

"She's absolutely right, and you've got no reason to sulk because you're not going. You don't like Severus and you hardly know Serena," said Tonks as she came in the room.

"And I suppose you're going, too," said Sirius.

"I'm Serena's maid of honor," the young Auror, who was now sporting electric green hair, said without a trace of smugness.

Severus Snape getting married, thought Remus. Never thought I'd live to see the day. Never thought he'd find any one to put up with that waspish temper of his and that cutting tongue. But Serena is tougher than I first gave her credit for. She's a fighter and I don't think she'll have too much trouble handling his moods.

Another thought occurred to him and Remus frowned for a moment. Good heavens, he thought, I'm happy for Severus. I'm happy that he's found someone. Never thought I'd live to see the day when I was happy for Severus Snape either.

"What are you looking so surprised for?" asked Molly.

"Nothing," said Remus with a wave of his hand. "Nothing at all."

Although many had been surprised at how quickly the date for the wedding was set, Serena and Severus were not. Neither of them had wanted to wait long and quickly decided that a mid-November date was what they wanted. They'd wait for the school's winter break at Yule to have their official honeymoon.

With the date so close, Serena found herself enthralled in wedding plans despite the fact it was going to be a small ceremony. She and Severus only had a few disagreements over details, but the biggest one had probably been the guest list. Although he would have preferred to just elope, Severus knew Serena wanted a ceremony. Finally, they came to an agreement: it would be a small ceremony. There would be no children – no students – at the ceremony. The staff from Hogwart's would be invited. Remus Lupin would be there and so would Arthur and Molly Weasley. Serena had insisted on that after the help they'd given to rescue her from the Dominatus Crystal.

Severus was an only child and his parents had passed away years ago, so he had no family to invite. Once he'd realized that a ceremony with guests was inevitable, he'd made a list of a few old school friends who he still kept in touch with. Serena was inviting a few school friends. She was also inviting her Aunt Kerry, the only member of the Castleton-Black family who hadn't disowned Serena's mother when she got pregnant.

And while she wouldn't have minded inviting her distant cousin, Sirius Black, Serena had never even mentioned the possibility to Severus. She knew very well how her future husband felt about him. Sirius was definitely a "b-list" guest. All in all, it looked as though there would be about 40 people at the ceremony and reception.

As they sat eating a quiet dinner, Serena lost herself in thought over the wedding until Severus spoke up.

"I'd like Jeremy Thorne to perform the ceremony," said Severus.

"Who's Jeremy Thorne?" asked Serena.

"After I graduated from Hogwart's I spent some time studying with the Potions Masters near Athens for six months. Jeremy was one of the teachers and the man who served as my mentor. He's a very talented man, not only is he a Potions Master, he's officiating clergy, and he's also a fully accredited barrister. We keep in touch from time to time." There was a note of admiration in his voice, and it took a lot to impress Severus Snape.

"That would be lovely," said Serena. Severus had left most of the decisions about the wedding to Serena, so she was glad to hear him say that he felt strongly about choosing the clergy for the ceremony.

"I'll send an owl in the morning. Have you had any luck finding a dress?"

"I have. Tonks and I went to a little village outside of Southampton and found a delightful little shop." They had also found a maid of honor dress for Tonks at the same shop.

Snape watched her with a raised eyebrow. "Well?"

"I don't think so," she snorted. "The groom does NOT get to see the wedding dress before the wedding!"

An hour later, Serena went to the Gryffindor Common Room. As a treat for the students, Professor McGonagall had set up a magical portal to let them all watch one of Oliver Wood's Quidditch games as part of the Puddlemere United team. Wood had graduated the year before from Hogwart's and had been recruited to the team.

The game was about half over by the time Serena arrived and Oliver wasn't doing well. He'd already let four goals happen and while Serena watched, two more got by him in quick succession.

"Come on, Wood!" she shouted at the portal. It took all her effort not to curse, but the students were there, so she bit her tongue. "Get centered on your game! You've got to focus, lad. Focus on the game!" Bloody hell, Serena thought. Oliver's forgotten how to play bloody Quidditch. Something's got his knickers twisted and he'd best get over it or he'll get pulled from the game…

"What's his problem?" asked Seamus Finnegan. "Wood's better than that!"

"Well, professional Quidditch is a lot different than Quidditch at Hogwart's," said Ginny in Oliver's defense.

"He got the note," whispered Harry so almost no one else could hear.

"He what?" whispered Hermione.

"The note. About Professor Castleton-Black getting married. I bet he got the note."

Hermione and Ron both said, 'oh,' under their breath and turned back to the screen just in time to see a despondent Oliver being ordered off the field by an incensed Puddlemere coach.

A bit of a transition chapter. I tried to fit a lot on and I'm not sure how content I am with it. But I don't want to force it to be something it isn't, so I thought it wiser to stop fussing with it. Hope you enjoy… please read/review and let me know what you think…