"I'm going to kill him! That arrogant son of a—" Sirius's voice came as a livid stream of profanities.

It was the first noise I heard through the fog clouding my head, feeling just like the time I fell out of the tree in the backyard and mum forbid our feet from leaving the ground for a month. My consciousness was doing its best to reach out and reprimand Sirius for planning to commit what sounded like level one murder. If someone didn't thwart him then he was going to get himself expelled, or worse. Murder was definitely a one-way ticket to Azkaban, though my body remained achingly still.

"Sirius, calm down. You'll get us kicked out and wake up Addie. She lost a lot of blood and doesn't need to fret over you when she wakes up!" Fern's voice carried from close by, easing my effort for waking.

Immediately, as I let go of my effort, I drifted back into the inky depths of sleep.

When I did finally wake, it took me a long time to orient myself in the darkened room. It took several moments before I could finally identify that I was back in my own back at the manor. My vision came into focus, finding it bizarre to notice Sirius and James both sitting idly at my bedside, looking as if they hadn't slept in a bed in several days.

When I tried calling out, it simply came out as a crackly moan, feeling my throat was too dry to speak. It still worked to cause a stir, James jolting into consciousness as if zapped by a jinx.

"Addie!" James jumped from his seat, startling Sirius in his frantic stumbling to get to my bedside.

"Ly…" Sirius's voice was much softer with sleep than it had been in my foggy dreams, though his eyes were just as frantic as James'.

Opening my mouth to speak felt like I had swallowed a handful of porcupine quills. How did I get here in this state? Not to mention missing the entire train ride and having no memory of returning home. I wanted to remember everything about James and Sirius' final year...

Snape—

That bastard.

James already took off, shouting for my parents while Sirius leaned forward as if he didn't quite believe I was actually conscious in front of him.

"What did Snape hit me with?" I finally asked, beyond furious as tears welled in my eyes, humiliation and hurt thrumming through my aching body.

Sirius looked ill, misreading my distress for pain than humiliation.

"Darling, don't strain yourself. Mum will bring the medicine," Sirius said so softly, making me shake my head with more effort than it should ever take.

Sirius wasn't able to provide any information before the rest of the Potters entered in all their raucous glory. Thankfully my head didn't hurt, though I realised what Sirius must have been talking about because my arms felt like led at my sides and my chest ached more than any bludger hit I had ever taken.

"Addie! Thank Merlin you're awake. We were just having some tea in the parlour, don't think we had left you!" I had never seen my mother look so frantic, used to her careful doting instead.

Not even when I had broken my leg from that tree fall had she ever looked more than lightly shocked followed by her even discipline. It was terrifying, seeing my mother who was mounting the war against Death Eaters, look so helpless.

My father beside her looked ruffled, more like he did whenever he worked on a stagnant case for weeks on end until he would finally catch the criminal.

From her steady hands, I accepted the medicine from my mother and felt another wave of annoyance when I realised it included a sedative. My eyes grew impossibly heavier, and I wasn't able to demand any of the answers swirling around in my head.

Eventually after weeks of unbearable bedrest and mounting frustration, I was able to pry the information out of each person, dad explaining that he had paid for a healer to transfer me to the manor where I could be more comfortable once the school closed for the holidays. Mum, with sparkling tears in her eyes, explained that for the first few days the bleeding would start-and-stop at alarmingly random times, the healer my parents hired finally able to concoct a powerful blood replicating draught that was able to coagulate my wounds to start to heal. James admitted, in livid anger, that since the school year had already been completed, Snape still graduated and fled before anyone from the Auror office could interrogate him. Lily also visited more and more, though she looked sad whenever Snape's name was expressed with anger and disgust.

I was happy then for the welcomed distraction that my brother and Lily had decided to get married by the end of the summer. It was a hasty decision, surprisingly Lily's idea first, but everyone was ecstatic to plan something so romantic, a much-needed distraction.

Over the summer, Sirius was surprisingly levelheaded, helping me with my rehabilitation and never leaving my side when it could be helped. I knew he must be planning some sort of vendetta with James, but I appreciated that my injury wasn't the focus once I was healthy enough to get out of bed again. Maybe it helped that Sirius snook into my bedroom most nights, holding me so carefully my heart ached in such a foreign way I chalked it up to Snape's curse the first time it happened.

Blythe would later tell me how much of an idiot I really was, with that same smirk that reminded me how normal life was supposed to feel like when the world wasn't ending.

XX

"Addie, where did I put the rings?" I awoke to the sound of James banging frantically at my bedroom door.

If I didn't want to ring his neck every time he was so obnoxious, I would realise how much I was going to miss my brother's constant presence in my life. With my trunk packed in the corner and a pair of house keys set somewhere in James' bedroom, soon there would be no more children running rampant in Potter Manor.

Stirring beside me distracted my wandering thoughts, Sirius's arm draping over me, carefully lower to avoid any of the scar tissue before pulling me closer.

"Bloody git, he gave me the rings last night," Sirius murmured, his voice sounding more like a growl in his sleepy state.

My laughter was cut off by another round of obnoxious pounding and suddenly I wasn't feeling so nostalgic for James' antics, especially so early in the morning.

"I think Sirius has them, Jamie," I called out, immediately distracted by soft, stubbly kisses on my shoulder.

A pause before a third round of knocking, this time rattling the hinge on the door.

"Sirius! Get out here, you bastard, I need help with my handkerchief, and I cannot handle thinking of you shacking up with my sister today," James lamented before stomping footsteps could be heard retreating back towards my brother's bedroom.

Sirius didn't appear to be in a rush getting up, although we both knew James' notoriously poor patience would be at an all-time low today; best not to push our luck.

"Your brother is a git," Sirius mumbled, sitting up regardless because Sirius couldn't deny my brother anything.

"True, his friends are an absolute nightmare too," I deadpanned, earning another growl into my shoulder followed by a devouring kiss.

Whatever reservations I may have had about dating or having feelings for James' best mate had quickly dissipated in the wake of everything that happened last year. I was sure we weren't fooling anyone with our sleeping arrangements either, especially if James had finally figured it out.

"Need any help before James demands my full attention?" he asked more seriously, his gray eyes giving away his lingering anxiety from the days when I couldn't dress myself.

I shook my head with an easing smile.

"I should go find Lily and see what she needs anyway. I guess I'll see you at the altar then?" I joked, watching Sirius heat up at the insinuation.

"Dammit, Ly. You're definitely going to be the end of me," Sirius grumbled, finally standing up and grabbing the dress shirt he had worn the day before, left crumpled on the floor.

I watched on with a vindicated smile as Sirius made himself presentable before coming over again to lean over for one final kiss.

"One day, Ly. I'll make you a Black yet," Sirius winked, turning the tables as he sauntered out of the room, leaving me breathless.

It wasn't like I hadn't been thinking about it while I went through Witch Weekly Weddings with Lily or helping James pick out his dressrobes from Madame Malkin's. The world we lived in was so unpredictable and I knew that the one I needed beside me was one Sirius Black. It didn't have to be now like my brother swore after the girl of his dreams when she mentioned the very idea, especially since I still had one more year at Hogwarts, but then all bets were off. Actually, I think Max and Blythe had a running bet amongst our friends, much to my chagrin.

Despite the sun still hiding beneath the horizon, I pried myself out of bed, pulling on my usual trackpants and last year's quidditch jersey before venturing out to go find Lily. As hopeful as this wedding had become, a much-needed distraction, there were definitely hang ups that had cropped up leading to today.

First, Lily's sister was not coming. We received her RVSP months ago and it had taken time for Lily to come to terms that her sister really couldn't look past her being a witch. Second, some of our friends, including Elodie were also not coming due to the increased risks towards muggle borns. Despite Lily's own status, many others were going into hiding and were not able to attend.

My own injuries ached at the thought. I did not regret taking the curse for James and would do it again and again, but it widened my eyes as to how far the Death Eaters were willing to go, including inventing their own curses to limit the chances of being able to be cured.

Despite all that, my mother worked hard with Garrick to turn the manor into a fairy tale setting, Lily a rose in the centre of it all as the hours leading to the ceremony carried on with only mild chaos.

Her white dress was beautiful, paired with pearls my mother had given her as a family heirloom. Zelene also arrived in time to tie her red hair into an intricate knot with white lilies artfully wound in.

Lily had also chosen my dress, a golden dress-gown that reached my ankles with white heels I had needed lots of practice walking in so not to reinjure myself while walking down the aisle. Sirius had laughed at me during the many rehearsals until I threatened to let him go stag to which he promised he wouldn't leave my side. Alice Fortescue was the only other member of the bridal party who would be paired up with Remus down the aisle. That left Peter to finish off the groomsmen.

"You look stunning, Adeline," my father mentioned while Lily was having a moment with her parents who had made it.

He looked at me with relief, my recovery starkly apparent when I was all dressed up and not needing someone by my side to keep me upright. Though having any space from Sirius these days, who had catered to my every whim these past weeks, felt hallow in a way where I was more than apprehensive to go off the school in a few short days.

"Thanks, dad," I smiled fondly at him, letting our shared relief and joy carry out before we stepped outside towards the gardens where James was waiting.

"Wow," I had never heard him sound so taken aback, Sirius Black usually always in control of his overflowing ego.

Turning towards the monosyllable that had sounded more like a wheeze, it was satisfying to see the imfamous playboy looking so unsure of himself.

Lots of lines and teasing came to mind, but I couldn't help standing there watching him watch me. How his eyes surveyed the shimmering dress from the off the shoulder sweetheart line, down the A-line past my hips all the way to my ankles and then the precarious glimmering heels.

A smirk played on his lips and suddenly I realized I was staring just as intently, taking in his natural curls and clean-shaven face clear of the stubble that had started to fill in since the end of term. His dress robes were deep burgundy, a colour everyone knew suited Sirius and James from their days zipping around the quidditch pitch. Instead of billowy team uniforms, Sirius' dress robes were fitted rather nicely to his frame, his dress shirt white and unbuttoned at his sternum which immediately drew my eye. Glancing over, a flash of gold from his front pocket showed a golden handkerchief, matching those colours for the two ex-Gryffindor bachelors.

"See something you like, Ly?"

Obviously the mutual staring brought Sirius back to his familiar bravado, but the awe still struck those grey eyes, turning them almost silver.

What Sirius always failed to remember is that he had met his match, and foolishly decided to enter a relationship with said person.

"Only deciding if this is something I want for myself," the thrill of watching that signature smirk fall from grace was satisfying every time.

"Is this—" Sirius was cut off at the sound of the music cueing for us to walk down the aisle.

To his credit, Sirius fell in step, clasping my arm to keep me close as we entered the gardens artfully decorated by my mother and Lily.

"One day, love. It'll be us," Sirius whispered halfway down the aisle, his wits once again catching up with him, bringing up the topic from this morning.

It would have been annoying if I knew he wasn't being genuine, those gray eyes watching me when we reached the alter, showing the promise that one day, it would be our turn.

James scowled, pointing a sharp look at Sirius before turning to me in exasperation. It surprisingly filled me with a sort of melancholy that this normal between the three of us, our banter and constant pushing of boundaries was coming to an end. There were no memories I had without James; those lonely days of James' first year long purged from my memory. The before and after Sirius had entered our lives is also hazy, his presence securing us as a trio that rivalled that of the Marauder foursome.

The music changed, her presence drawing everyone's eyes, and immediately my melancholy was replaced by sheer joy. Lily was perfect, a witch never to be messed with and could match James' antics with her pointed temper. But she was also fiercely loving and wicked fun. She added to our family, rounding out my brother and a much-needed female presence after having to deal with the Black and Potter duo for years.

The ceremony was as beautiful as to be expected, Lily glowing in her white wedding gown covered in embroidered rose-shaped lace, and sleeves that leaved at her hands to cover the tops. Her veil was sheer which did nothing to hide her red hair braided intricately at the top of her head.

I did notice the golden shoes peeking out from under her dress, to match James' handkerchief. They were Gryffindors through and through.

"So, what had Sirius looking all love struck during the ceremony?" Blythe asked after dinner, having led the two of us into the maze on the property that Garrick still kept up as part of his gardening regimen.

Leave it Blythe to notice a drop in Sirius' demeanor. The two of them shared a weird dynamic I still couldn't quite explain after their years of being beaters together.

"Well— I think we proposed to each other," I answered honestly, shrugging away the giddiness I still was hesitant to show in front of my best friend.

Her laugh was knowing, as judgmental as it was accepting.

"Only you would propose in the middle of your brother's wedding," she finally replied.

"How do you know it wasn't Sirius?" I asked, only mildly offended at the assumption.

But Blythe knew me better, and her look told me so.

"Because my best friend always goes for what she wants the exact moment she realizes she wants it. So, I really shouldn't be surprised that you realized it in the middle of a wedding, though I can imagine James wasn't too thrilled," Blythe said, her speculation of James knowing maybe more accurate based on the scowl that managed to cross his face during his own wedding.

James had been waiting for this day since his first day at Hogwarts and he still managed to look disgusted just before Lily stepped out and his mind turned to mush.

"I believe Remus owes me some galleons," Blythe announced, affectively changing the topic and earning a scowl.

"Should I be surprised my best friend had bets on my relationship?" I retorted, Blythe smirking back.

"Just so long as you're happy, Addie," Blythe turned more serious, ignoring my question to replace it with the brevity of the world we lived in, echoed in the pained expression behind her kind words.

We continued along the garden; the moon safely split in half in the sky. The call of the party brought us back, neither of us the type to let the weight of the world keep us from a celebration.

James was the first to catch sight of our return from the garden, grabbing onto my arm to bring me towards the dance floor where the rest of the Gryffindors were making a spectacle.

Relatives and family friends filtered out as the evening waned on, the party slowly thinning out until our parents announced their retirement for the night. It left our group of friends to wander out into the garden to stargaze, reminiscing from our days taking Astronomy that turned into goading for Sirius to name the constellations of all his crazy relatives.

"I guess this'll be the last bash for a while," Zelene commented wistfully after Sirius snarled that there was no way he would ever name his children after some damn stars.

It was bound to come up, with half of us set off for school in a couple days and the others off into the real world. I couldn't help leaning further back into Sirius's embrace as we sat on the grass with the others, Sirius tightening his hold in response.

"Well, Evans and I will have a house to have you all over," James replied, earning a scowl from his wife.

"That's Potter to you!" the rest of us laughed at that, a smile spreading across my face eagerly at my sister-in-law.

"You hear that world?! She's Lily Potter!" James shouted upwards, the laughter around us growing at his outburst.

"I officially hand him off to you, Lil," Sirius declared, as if Lily hadn't thought of that fact until after she married my idiot brother.

"Some would argue that you yourself are also dating a Potter, and one much more capable of getting away with things than her counterpart," Remus pointed out, my turn to scowl at how this conversation had turned against Potters.

"The better Potter, most would say," I countered, earning another tightened grip from Sirius, lingering on his embrace to kiss the side of my hair which had come down since Zelene magicked it up this morning.

It all felt so normal, the teasing and taunts, not to mention the alcohol shared between them and the music going on from the tent at the edge of the garden echoing into the night. We all knew in the morning the spell would break, not to mention by the end of the week we would be separated in a more permanent way than ever before, so we sat out together until the stars faded away.