Chapter Seven

After The Fact

The rest of the meal seemed to fly by, even the desert. After dinner Harry and Serena were asked to stay, but to discuss things like marriage, locations, honeymoons, and things that made Harry worried that he had not thought this out far enough. Especially when he heard the statement that worried him most.

"Of course you two will come to the wedding. The children would love to have you." Sam said, smiling warmly.

"Oh, um, well, uh, Sam, ugh, you know, um, Remus?" Harry said, looking for help.

"Sam, your parents might not feel comfortable in the places Harry and Serena might choose as their wedding place." Remus said, and Harry knew he was willing what he was trying to say to get to Sam.

"Oh, Remus really." Sam said, sounding like this was a big joke. "My parents knew Lily personally, do you really think they didn't know her son was a wizard?"

Harry's jaw fell open. "They knew, and no one said anything." Harry said, stunned. "We worked for hours to make this house muggle friendly, when we could have just left it alone?"

"I knew, Harry. Sam told me." Serena said. "She was just so happy you were trying to make the evening perfect that she didn't want to stop your planning."

"You knew?" Harry said. "That's it weddings off!" He added in a child like voice.

"Oh shut it, Harry." Serena said cheerfully. "You know you can't get rid of me that easily."

"I feel like an idiot." Harry said.

"What's new?" Serena countered.

"Sod off." Harry said laughing.

"Enough." Remus said, then looked at Sam. "You could have told me you know."

"Remus, you met them at Lily's welcome home party. You should have remembered." Sam said.

"I met them." Remus said questioningly.

"Of course you did, I introduced you." Sam said.

"Suddenly, I don't feel so bad." Harry said happily.

"Moony's never been the sharpest tool though, Harry." Serena said.

"Still, he didn't know either." Harry said. "That's enough for me."

"Moony?" Allen asked.

"She shouldnae said tha'." Harry said, imitating Hagrid.

"Its a nickname Remus had as a teenager." Serena explained easily. "His friends all had nicknames, and could become animals, like we can."

"Yup, I'm Snuffles myself." Harry said calmly, trying to fix the issue. "Too bad Moony here is more than a little bad at transforming. Can't even really do it nowadays."

"But we can!" Serena said happily. "Show 'em Snuffles, Harry."

Harry nodded and transformed. Both of the older people gasped at the sight of the panther. He walked easily to Sam and Remus, purring as he rubbed against Sam's leg. Laughing she pet his head, and he licked her hand.

"Stop flirting with our godmother to be, you git!" Serena said, laughing. Harry quickly walked over to Serena, jumping one the sofa, he rested his head in her lap. "That's better. Panthers really are wonderful creatures if trained right." She said while petting Harry. He purred affectionately before changing back.

"Moony was a huge dog, used to howl at the moon all the time." Harry said, smiling. "So he became Moony." Remus had a grateful look in his eyes.

"I see." Allen said, still a bit thrown off by seeing someone turn into an animal.

"Sorry sir, didn't mean to scare you." Harry said.

"No, no, I just thought the name Snuffles would be associated with an animal that would look a bit more tame." Allen said.

"No, the tame one is Padfoot here." Harry said, smiling at Serena.

"Children, stop showing off." Remus said casually. "Next thing you know, we'll have everyone changed and in the living room."

This was the worst thing that could have been said. A moment later a phoenix flew down the stairs, accompanied by a stag and a large dog. These were soon accompanied by a panther and a white wolf. Remus laughed, shaking his head again. Sam just looked at them all amazed.

"These cannot be all the children." Sam said seriously.

"No, Neville hasn't managed it yet." Remus said. "You may as well come down now too, Neville."

Neville came downstairs shyly. "Sorry, Remus. I tried to stop them, but they are just so quick."

"Easily fixed." Remus said. "Snuffles, Padfoot, Red, Firelight, Bambi, Humans, now!"

All five changed instantly, smiling at Remus happily. "What, you don't like our trick?" Serena asked. "I always thought you were proud of us."

"I am, to find five people who learned so easily, when most wizards can't come close. However, our guests are quite unaccustomed to such things as this." Remus said. "Tomorrow night, we can all play like we did during school, but tonight be civilized please?"

Harry smiled, knowing tomorrow night was the first night of the full moon. "Ok, Moony. I guess we can be normal now. We have been perfectly muggle all through dinner." He said.

"Oh dear, look at the time" Allen said, looking at his watch. Harry saw that it was almost eleven by his watch. "We must be going."

"I'm sorry if we worried you sir." Harry said apologetically.

"No, It is nothing like that." Debra said, smiling warmly. "We have an early morning tomorrow, so we really should be going."

"I'll walk you out." Sam said. As they left the room Harry looked at Remus.

"Is she staying here?" He asked.

"Yes, she is. Is that a problem?" Remus asked.

"Not to me, but what about tomorrow night?" Harry asked.

"Tomorrow night we will all be staying in the basement. Plenty of room to play around." Remus said, then looked at Neville. "I'm sorry, Neville, but you will have to stay away from the basement the next three nights."

"I understand sir." Neville said. "I can stay and keep Sam company."

"Thanks, Nev." Harry said. "Next time you'll be able to come with us."

"I'll be counting on it." Neville said.

"Just pray you don't splinch yourself." Harry said. "Remus is the only one of us who knows how to fix that."

"Good, Harry. Make him nervous." Ginny said. "He's gonna splinch himself for sure now."

The next three days were rather interesting. The five Marauders spent their nights with Remus, playing around in the rather large basement. Tag was out of the question because they didn't have enough room, and they couldn't go beyond the basement because of Moony's fear of attacking people. They managed to all have a wonderful time anyway.

"I can't wait till we're back at Hogwarts." Serena said. "I miss having that wide open space to roam as a wolf."

"I miss tag." Harry said, smiling at Remus. "Next time be careful though. You almost bit me last time."

"Sorry, Harry. I got lost in the hunt that night." Remus said smiling back at him.

"You sound like you've done this a lot." Sam said to Harry. "Is it really safe for all of you to be with him at that time."

"He's harmless to us." Serena said. "What they're talking about is a game we play when we are at the Shrieking Shack."

"Yeah, its just tag really." Harry said. "Although, as animals we can move faster. Remus just got too excited one day. Stopped well before he bit me really, but the breathe! Ugh, dreadful thing."

Sam laughed. "At least I know you will have good company with you on those nights. I always worried that some hunter would kill you or something." She said.

"Its not so easy to kill old Moony as that." Harry said. "So long as he stays away from our necklaces and Serena's one ring, he should be more than fine."

"That's good to know." Sam said, smiling at Harry.

"Sam, I'm not sure if this is the right time to talk about this, but what are you going to do with all of us going to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.

"He hasn't told you?" Sam asked, referring to Remus. Harry shook his head. "Well I'm coming with him of course. After all I do have two weddings to start preparation for."

"Three!" Hermione said. "I haven't a clue as to what to do."

Harry looked shocked. "Wow, never thought I'd see it. Mione doesn't know something." He said, "I think that in itself requires celebration." Everyone but Hermione laughed at this.

"Harry, did you tell him?" Serena asked.

Harry smiled. "Of course. Said he'd be there in spirit." He said, laughing at the end.

"Like he has a choice on that." Serena said, laughing with him.

"Well, Harry, are you ready for school?" Remus asked.

"Not really." Harry said. "I have a bad feeling about this year."

"Of course you do mate, your getting married!" Ron said, and was quickly hit by Hermione. "I mean, we're getting married." This only got him another hit. "What I mean is, it's just cold feet and all." Ron got hit again. "I give up!"

"I know what you mean Ron, have no worries." Harry said, smiling. "That's not exactly what I mean though."

"What do you mean?" Serena asked.

"It was too quiet last year." Harry said. "I know that should be a good thing, but to not have Voldemort attacking at all times only means that he is thinking up something big. I'm just worried I'm going to be in the center of it, like usual."

"Well, you do have six people right here more than ready to fight beside you." Remus said firmly. The other five agreed.

"Seven." Sam said. Harry's eyes opened wide.

"No!" Harry said a bit too loudly. "Sam, if you want to help me, promise me that you will hide anytime you see any of us fighting against Death Eaters."

"Why?" Sam asked.

"Because they will torture you, cause you more pain than you could even think of, and then they will kill you just because you are a muggle." Serena said.

"But you seven are going to fight these people?" Sam said. "Why would you be any safer than me?"

"Because three of us can do this." Harry said walking to the middle of the kitchen. "Serena, you know what to do."

Serena sent a hail of spells at Harry, who stayed shielded the entire time. "And three of the others could probably do it if they had a wand. Remus is one of the strongest wizards I know, only surpassed by Dumbledore himself." Harry said.

"And you Harry." Remus said.

"Yeah but I have to be strong enough to beat Voldemort. Prophecy and all, so I don't count." Harry said, smiling. "Is that a good enough reason Sam? We can't protect you and ourselves and keep on fighting. Our first job is to protect everyone we can, and you are one of them."

"I understand, Harry." Sam said, smiling at him. "You remind me of Lily when you start talking about responsible things."

"Besides, Sam," Serena said cheerfully. "We are going to run you ragged with wedding preparations."

"Wedding preparations?" They heard a voice from the hallway. "Who's getting married?"

The children looked up with eyes wide. Mrs. Weasley was standing directly behind them. All turned to Remus in unison, suddenly fearing for their very lives. Remus started laughing as he looked at Harry, who had a look of someone who was just about to face Voldemort.

"Well, Molly, quite a few of us really." Remus said.

"Us?" Molly asked, looking at Sam. Her eyes brightened. "Oh congratulations, Remus! About time you have a woman around the house!" She said, causing Harry to laugh. "Wait, you said quite a few. Who else?"

Remus looked at Harry, giving him an 'It's your funeral' look. Four very scared teenagers raised their hands. "WHAT! When was all this decided?" She asked heatedly.

"Well, it was all Harry's idea really." Ron said.

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione shouted, both for different reasons.

"Harry! Explain yourself immediately!" Mrs. Weasley yelled.

"Well, you see, I, um, well I sort of, ugh well, what I mean is," Harry began.

Serena shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Honestly Harry, you can face Death Eaters by the hundreds, look you-know-who in the eyes and laugh, but Molly Weasley tells you to speak and you loose all knowledge of how to do so." She said, then smiled at Mrs. Weasley. "Harry asked me to marry him the night before the full moon, and I accepted. However, Ron proposed all on his own to Hermione, who also happily, or dumbly depending on the sight of her, accepted as well."

"When did everyone decide this?" Mrs. Weasley said angrily. "I suppose next it'll be those two are getting married too!" She pointed to Neville and Ginny. Neville face grew determined.

Tell me you're not doing this just to start the row worse. Harry thought to him.

No, I was going to ask for her Mum and Dads permission first. Proper and all you know. Don't look like I'll get it though.

Alright, you want to repeat after me or you going to say your own stuff?

I'll take all the help I can get.

Harry nodded, waved his hand under the table.

Ok, here goes nothing. Follow me and Ron's footsteps and do what we did. When Neville was on one knee looking at Ginny.

Ginny, I know we haven't been together a long time, but I've never been as happy as I am with you.

"Ginny, I know we haven't been together a long time, but I've never been as happy as I am with you."

I know this is bad timing, but I wanted to do this with at least one of your parents present.

"I know this is bad timing, but I wanted to do this with at least one of your parents present."

Ginny, I love you more than anything in this world. Will you marry me?

"Ginny, I love you more than anything in this world. Will you marry me?"

Suckering another poor fool into marriage huh? Serena thought to Harry.

Nah, it was their ideas, just needed the right words. I'm a right charmer, going on four proposals and still not out of words for you.

I do love you, but you are a big headed one.

I know.

Ginny had started speaking. "Neville, I don't know what to say." She said, a few tears escaping her eyes.

"It is customary to say yes if you want to, and no if you don't." Harry said lazily, sighing. "Kids today." He smiled.

"Oh, right, sorry Neville." Ginny said blushing, looking at Harry. She smiled at him and nodded. Then looked to Neville. "Yes Neville, I will marry you."

Thanks Harry. Neville thought.

Anytime, anytime. Harry thought.

"It appears you were right, Molly dear." Serena said smiling. "Sam, you will be busy now, won't you. You've got four to deal with."

"Hm, maybe a joint ceremony." Sam said, smiling at Serena. "Marry you all together."

"I don't get to be the center of attention when I get married?" Harry said, sounding appalled.

"You wouldn't have been anyway." Serena said. "I'm the important one that day."

"Oh, right. Forgot about that bit." Harry said, then grinned at her. "Then does that mean I'm not needed at the ceremony? I could go get a drink with the guys, and you four could get us all married proper."

"Shut it, Harry." Serena said, smiling. "You will be there. I'll have no thoughts of you being anywhere else."

"Alright, if I simply must be there." Harry joked.

"Congratulations, Neville. You've got a good girl there." Remus said, smiling.

"Yeah, you can take my word on that too!" Harry said smiling.

"Harry!" Ginny said.

"Oops, sorry Gin. I know nothing of Ginny, she was always a very proper girl, never did anything out of sorts." Harry said in a diplomatic way. "Never even gave a poor bloke a kiss."

"You children leave for two months, come back speaking of marriage, and you think it is just going to be permitted?" Mrs. Weasley shouted. "Who do you think will handle this? Who will pay for it all? Who will arrange it? It certainly won't be me!"

"I'll pay." Harry said.

"So will I." Serena said, taking his hand.

"I'll help all three of you plan, but you will have to tell me about magical things." Sam said smiling. "Don't know a thing about some of the stuff you guys talk about."

"Think Dumbledore would marry you all too?" Harry asked.

"What do you mean Harry? We haven't asked him to marry us yet!" Serena said, laughing at him.

"I did, asked him before summer actually. He said he'd be honored to marry the two of us." Harry said smiling.

"You little sneak!" Serena said. "How long have you been planning this?"

"Since before me and Dumbledore dueled after finals." Harry said.

"Wow, and that lame proposal was the first you thought up?" Serena said.

"You know me, never plan too much. Get an idea and play it by ear." Harry said.

"Well, for on the spot words, you get full marks." Serena said.

"I don't believe this!" Mrs. Weasley shouted. "Where do you get these idea into your heads! None of you are getting married!"

"I don't need permission." Harry said. "I'm of age now." He smiled. "Moony, you mind if I marry Serena?"

"Not at all, Harry. Been expecting it since your birthday, when you bought that other ring." Remus said smiling.

"Harry what was that for anyway?" Serena asked. "I know its silver so you must have done something to it."

"I completely forgot about that." Harry said exasperated. "Think about wanting to be in the bedroom." Serena suddenly disappeared.

"What the hell?" Remus said.

"OH MY GOD! THAT'S BLOODY BRILLIANT!" Serena shouted from upstairs. She reappeared next to Harry. "That was amazing."

"You said to get you something amazing." Harry said, smiling.

"Well, you succeeded. Even if it was just a ring, it was wonderful." Serena said. "So I can get married, and so can Harry. Remus is obviously getting married." She looked brightly at Sam and held her arms out. "MUMMY!" Everyone laughed, except Mrs. Weasley.

"Well, my children are certainly not getting married. I won't hear of it!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, still angry.

"Mum, I'll be of age soon." Ron said. "Can't really stop me then. Gin will be of age next year. No real point trying to stop us, we'll just wait till we're of age and do it anyway."

Mrs. Weasley pointed at Serena. "This is all your fault! All of them were proper children till you came around! Why didn't you just stay away like he told you too!" She shouted.

"ENOUGH!" Remus shouted. "You will not talk to her that way." He said, his voice becoming grim.

"Really Remus, a woman her age, running around with just a young boy! She should be ashamed!" Mrs. Weasley said. Suddenly things started shattering all through the kitchen. She looked up to see Harry glaring at her.

"Say something else, and I will be in Azkaban." Harry said icily. "You will not speak to or about Serena that way, now apologize." When she didn't respond immediately Harry stared hard at her as more things started to break. "NOW!" He yelled.

"I'm sorry, Serena." Mrs. Weasley said, now clearly horrified.

"Leave." Harry said simply. Mrs. Weasley apparated immediately. Harry calmed instantly, falling back into his chair. "I swear, the nerve of some people." He said, smiling again.

"Harry, how did you do that?" Sam asked.

"Magic, same way I do everything else. A lot harder to keep from attacking someone than to attack them though." Harry said calmly, then looked to Ron and Ginny. "Sorry about threatening your Mum and all."

"Forgiven." Ron said. "She was being a right prat about the whole thing."

"I mean honestly, telling us we couldn't get married, she forbid it!" Ginny said. "She didn't approve of us disappearing either, but it didn't stop us then. Why would it now that we've seen freedom?"

"We've gotta figure out how to fix all this." Harry said. "Get her too accept it all, and still allow you two your freedom. Any ideas?"

"Yup." Serena said. "You talk to her."

"Me?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, she listens to you." Serena said. "She doesn't even listen to Moony but she listens to you."

"Any other ideas?" Harry asked. "You know, one I might live through."

"She's right, Harry." Ron said.

"Agreed." The four others said, looking at Harry.

"Fine. You win, Serena." Harry said, smiling slightly at her. "You always win."

"Then why did you fight?" Serena asked cheerfully.

"Couldn't hurt to try to win." Harry said.

"True. So, when are you leaving?" Serena asked.

"Give it some time. Maybe Mr. Weasley could have a positive influence on her." Harry said.

Harry decided the all important talk to get Mrs. Weasley to accept her children's decisions would have to wait until the weekend, when everyone's parents would be in the same place. Harry had come to the decision that even though they were no longer staying in their flat, that promise to them should still be kept.

Harry also notified the entire Order to be there as well, as all four couples decided it would be the best day to announce their marriages. Remus, Harry, Serena, and Hermione were all enlarging the kitchen and making it seem more cheerful a place to be in, while the others were cleaning rooms so that whoever would be staying would have a place to sleep. Dobby and Winky took their cues from everyone else, and began converting rooms that seemed to hold nothing important into bedrooms.

When everyone was finally happy with the house, the teenagers converting a part of it to look like their apartment, the adults trying to make them all stop rummaging through the things in the house, everyone started to relax. It was Saturday and everyone seemed more than a little nervous about how everyone was going to accept these announcements.

While Serena and Harry sat in their room, avoiding everyone for a while and just talking idly about anything they felt like at any moment, Dobby appeared and smiled at them both and bowed deeply. They both smiled at him when they saw that he was holding what looked like a journal in his hands.

"Harry sir, Serena miss, I is finding something in one of the new bedrooms. I is thinking you is having better luck than Dobby in finding out whether it is being important sir, miss." Dobby said, laying the book on their bed. "I is leaving now, Winky is making lunch and it is being ready soon."

"Thanks, Dobby." Harry said. "We will be down shortly." Dobby nodded and disappeared.

Serena picked up the book and looked at it. It didn't seem to be important, but as soon as she tried to open it she found out why Dobby had brought it to them. The book wouldn't open. Serena looked at the book quizzically, and tried again. Still it wouldn't open. She handed it to Harry to look at, and he opened the book easily. He smiled at her as she frowned and pouted.

"Getting weak, are you, Black?" Harry said jokingly.

"Shut up. What does it say?" Serena asked.

Looking at the book, Harry laughed quickly.

Messr. Padfoot thinks that though you are close to a Marauder, you are not quite one of those who wrote this.

Messr. Prongs agrees, thinking that if you know the password to enter this it may be easier for you to see what this really is.

Messr. Moony agrees with the first two, though thinks it a mistake to use a name of a flower as a password.

Messr. Prongs would like to remind Mr. Moony that it was not the flower that the password was given.

Messr. Padfoot would like to comment on the sheer stupidity of allowing Messr. Moony to coax Messr. Prongs into giving an easy hint to opening the greatest book of all!

Messr. Moony would like to remind them both that for one to be able to open this book, they would have to be one of us or our descendants. Only then can our secrets be revealed to the next line of Marauders.

Messr. Padfoot is now annoyed and says to say the damned password before Messr. Moony's secret is revealed!

Serena looked at it and started laughing as well. Harry easily tapped his wand to the book. "Lily." He said.

Messrs. Moony, Padfoot and Prongs welcome the newest Marauders to the Marauders Spellbook. Please enter the names of those entering into our footsteps.

Harry smiled at Serena. "We should wait until we know what to call Nev." Harry said.

"We should not tell Moony, though." Serena said. "He might get worried if he knew we found this. Put it in the trunk, we can tell the others on the way to school, Since Neville won't become an animagus until then.

"Sounds good to me. Lets get to lunch, I'm suddenly starving." Harry said, now extremely interested in this new book.