I woke up to the sound of something pecking. A repeated tap of some sort hitting a glass. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I sat myself up on the bed. Glancing around, I noticed Sirius wasn't in the bed anymore. The tapping up once more, coming from the window. Looking over I chuckled at seeing Hedwig pecking, a letter in his beak. Climbing out of the bed, I allowed the owl into the room. "Hey Hedwig, let's see what you got there." Pulling the letter out of his beak, I handed him a treat from a bowl on the dresser. Opening the letter, I grinned at recognizing my mother's handwriting. The letter was short and rather odd really, but I was just glad to know she was safe and unharmed. Grabbing my shoes, I slipped them on and headed downstairs. Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I could hear voices. Leaning closer to the source, I made out Sirius and Remus's voice. Popping my head into the living room, I watched them quietly.

"Remus, they cannot do that." Sirius whispered/yelled. "I am not going to force her in marrying me after what she went through. We have other graver things to handle."

"They will not budge. You need to wed."

Sirius scoffed. "She isn't even a Guant! Her father is Severus, the contract is void."

"The contract was signed before the knowledge of her heritage. In the eyes of the ministry, she is the daughter of Theodore and Marie Guant. Severus never claimed the child, therefore to them he is no one."

"Why are they so bloody bent on making this happen?" Sirius was confused. There had been so many other contracts broken, without any issues. Yet with them, they wouldn't even give them a second extend.

Remus raised a brow. "You really have to ask? The last of the Black."

Sirius groaned, making his way over to the window. His eyes scanning the fields in front of him. "What am I supposed to tell her. Get dressed we are getting married. Never mind the fact that you were kidnapped and attacked."

"That's a start." I laughed at catching the look of surprise on their faces. "I would have expected it to be worded differently, with a few flowers and candies, but that works too."

Remus made a gesture with his hands, aiming at the kitchen. "I will make myself busy in the empty kitchen. Sirius let me know when you two are done." Not waiting for either of us to reply, he rushed out of the room.

"Right because he can't hear us being 6 feet away." I chuckled at the glare Remus gave me. "I was joking!"

"How are you feeling?" Sirius asked.

With a slight groan, I dropped onto the couch. "I am fine, a little tired that's all."

His eyes flickered to my arm, holding his hand out to me. "Let me see." Grabbing my arm gently, he examined the marking. "How is it?"

I shrugged trying not to look at the damn thing. "It doesn't hurt anymore I know that much."

"Athena, about the wedding-"

I was quick to cut him off. "It's fine Sirius." Seeing the look, he gave me, I pulled him onto the couch beside me. "We have no choice, but to get this done and over with. I just hate the thought of having something happen again."

"We will only have immediate family and friends." Sirius stated. "Is there anything special you want or need?"

Glancing up at him, I smiled at the slight twinkle in his eyes. He was really cute when he showed this hidden side of his. I have noticed not many witnesses this side, with the exception of Remus. Even with Harry, he had some trouble. Cupping his jaw, I studied him for a moment. He was never what I had imagined as my fiancé. I guess I was one of the luckiest. "No, but I would like to be the one to tell Harry and the others, about what happened. They need to know."

"Of course, tonight?"

I nodded, suddenly getting nauseous. "Y-yeah, the sooner the better." Jumping from the couch, I rushed to the restroom, gagging into the toilet. I threw nothing, but stomach acid, causing my throat to burn. Hearing Sirius call my name, I quickly shut the door close. I really didn't want him seeing me hugging the toilet. "Give me a minute!"

"I will grab you a cup of water." I listened to his retreating footsteps. Placing my ear against the wall, caught some of his conversation with Remus. "Hand me a glass would you Remus."

"Athena okay?"

"Yes, some nausea is all."

"You think it's the mark?"

"In a part, yes. It will only get harder, but I am hopeful she will pull through."

"What about the wedding?"

"She wants to continue. I will speak to her again when she is ready."

"Just remember, if you two want to stay within the deadline, it has to be no later than tomorrow."

"I know Remus. No later than tomorrow."

"Listen I know this is just as hard, but you are not alone."

"Thank you, old friend." There was a sound like patting. My guess was they hugged. "Let me go check on Athena."

"That woman has you wrapped around her finger." Remus laughed.

"Says the man, that checks in with his wife every ten minutes."

"Why don't you go give Athena her water."

With a deep chuckle, he made his way to the restroom. "Athena?" He knocked softly on the door. "Love?"

"Yeah, one sec." Splashing cold water on my face. Staring at myself in the mirror, I noticed a black line going up my neck. Tracing my finger over it, it suddenly disappeared. "What the hell is that?" Taking a deep breath, I pulled the door open, bumping into Sirius. "Sirius!" The poor wizard was drenched in what used to be my cup of water. Hiding my laugh behind my hand, I handed him a towel. "You okay?"

Remus popped his head in from the kitchen, a brow slightly raised. "Thought I smelled wet dog."

"Piss off." Sirius growled, patting himself down with the towel.

I laughed, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the bathroom. "Stay here, I'll grab you a new shirt." Before he could protest, I was running up the stairs. "Professor!"

"Yes?!"

"Where are his clothes?!"

"He doesn't have any here!"

"Why the bloody not?!"

"Because I was too busy carrying you here."

I jumped around to find a half-naked Sirius standing at the door. "I hate when you do that."

Sirius chuckled, tossing his wet clothes on the bed. Waving his wand at his clothes, a gush of air blew over the shirts. "There, dried." Sitting down on the bed, he looked up at me with a smirk. "But, I am not." He held the towel out for me, daring me to refuse. "I can always have Remus do it."

"Like hell, I will!" Remus yelled.

Snatching the towel from him, I gently began patting him down. The man wasn't even wet! "Sirius?"

"Hmm?"

I tossed the towel at his face. "You aren't even wet!" Before I could get away, his hand reached out, grabbing ahold of my arm. "Sirius!" Giving a tug, he pulled me into his arms and onto the bed. I fell on top, his arms wrapped around my waist. "That was not funny."

Sirius hummed, pushing my hair away from my face. "It was pretty funny."

The moment something enlightened within me. A small flame, slowly enraging by the second. Leaning down, I brushed my lips over his. The kiss was meant to be a simple peck, but this man had other ideas. As I pulled back, his hand grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me in closer. Holding me in place, we deepen the kiss. His free hand slipped underneath my shirt. His hands leaving a fire trail as they made their way up and down my back. The need to breathe became too much, but that wasn't going to stop him. While I gathered my breath, he moved towards my neck. Kissing and biting the sensitive skin.

"Molly finds you two like this and the poor woman will have a fit." We both jumped at the sudden appearance of Remus. Sirius growled, reaching for the towel and throwing it at Remus. "Down boy." Remus laughed, dodging the pillow. "Just wanted to remind you that you are not yet married. And to let you know Molly and the kids just arrived."

True to his words, Molly's voice echoed through the house. "Sirius, you better not be bothering Athena!"

I swear that woman was a mother to everyone. "Mum! Sirius is bothering me!" The look of betraying on his face had me rolling off him in laughter. "Better run."

"Sirius Black!"

"I will get payback for that." Pulling me in for a hard kiss, he grabbed his shirt and ran out of the room. "Bloody woman."

"I heard that!" I yelled, throwing a pillow at his back. Turning my gaze to Remus, I frowned at his grin. "What?"

"It's been so long since I have seen him so, himself." Remus said. "With everything that has happened and what's to come, he has rarely smiled."

"He does with Harry and you all the time." I said.

Remus shook his head, talking a seat beside me. "With us it's different. He laughs so we don't worry. But with you it's different. He is genuinely happy." He paused for a moment. "He's found his safe heaven."

"His what?"

Remus grinned. "When we were kids we had a goal in life. We promised each other we would find our safe haven. A place where we could be ourselves. No matter of the good or ugly side. I guess he found it in you."

"Sirius I swear to Merlin th-" Molly paused at my door, holding a wooden spoon ready for impact. "Oh, Remus." She glanced around the room, doing a quick sweep. "Where is that wizard?"

I pointed out the door. "Mum, be nice. He's in the guest room I believe."

"I am always nice." She turned to leave, only to turn back at us. "Remus, May I remind you she needs rest."

"Right." Remus squeezed himself past the smaller woman. "I will be in the kitchen."

Seriously? The man was a werewolf and he still feared Molly. Sirius was an amazing wizard and has survived lots of horrible things, and still ran at the mention of Molly. Got to love the woman. "Mum, are Harry and the others here?"

"Yes, they are outside." She replied. "Would you like me to call them up?"

I shook my head no, grabbing my jacket. "I'll go. I need to speak with them."

"Take it easy Athena, you haven't even eaten yet." Molly scolded me. "I will have supper ready in a jiffy." She took off, most likely in search of Sirius. That poor man.

Stepping outside, I was hit by a light breeze. It felt nice, the air was clear. I could hear the laughing from the twins. The arguing of Hermione and Ron. Going around back, I found them gathered by the lake. Ron was trying to balance himself on a log. "I am so tempted in pushing you into the water right now." Of course, Ron was startled, falling into the water. "And with no magic!"

"Athena!" Hermione and Ginny rushed towards me, tackling me into their arms.

"Mum said you were still resting." Ginny said.

I chuckled, making my way towards the others. "If it were up to her, I would be in bed for the rest of the year."

"How you sneak out?" Harry asked.

"She is chasing Sirius right now." I chuckled, taking a seat on one of the logs. Seeing Ron crawl out of the water, I couldn't help but giggle. "Bit wet Ron?"

"Piss off." Rim grumbled, dropping to the ground with a squishy noise.

"Athena?" Harry shared a look with the others, debating in what I knew he wanted to ask.

I nodded to myself, picking at the grass. "You want to know what happened." They all nodded. "Alright, I am going to say this as short as I can. No interruption or questions until after I am done." Again all I got were nods. Taking in a deep breath, I let it all out. "Turns out I am not Theodore's daughter. My actual father gave me to Voldemort as a show of his loyalty." Wow, that was short. I knew the questions were coming, in one, two-

"What?"

"Who's your father?"

"Gave to Voldemort!"

"I am going to kill whoever it is!"

"Stop!" I jumped to my feet, running a hand through my hair. "I-I don't know who my father is. Just know what he did." I don't know why I didn't just tell them. Maybe it was because even I didn't want to believe it. Maybe if I didn't say it out loud, it wasn't real. "There is one more thing."

"What is it?" Harry asked.

I slowly pulled the sleeve of my jacket up, revealing the mark to them. "I was marked as one of his."

"Bloody hell!" Hermione gasped, grabbing my arm. She didn't dare touch it, just hovered over it. "Why?"

"To claim me as one of his followers." I whispered, looking towards Harry. "Harry?"

"Do-does it hurt?" He wouldn't look at it or me for that matter.

I pulled my sleeve back down, shaking my head. "Not anymore. We are working to find a way of getting rid of it. Professor Lupus and Sirius said it will take time. In the meantime, I will keep it hidden." A dark mood clouded over us. Neither of us speaking. "I'm sorry, I tried to fight them off, but-"

"Don't." Harry whispered. "I know what feeling helpless is like. There is nothing you can you do, especially outnumbered." Harry took my hand in his, giving me a squeeze. "We will help you. You have been there for all of us, we will be there for you." The other nodded in agreement.

"Thank you." How did I get so lucky with them?

Hermione leaped forward, linking her arm with mine. "Now, onto a happier subject. The wedding."

"'Minoe." I groaned.

"Mum said we were going to do a small one." Ginny said. "Just us."

I was actually thankful for that. "Yes, hopefully nothing happens this time around. Speaking of which did everyone make it out alright? My brother and his family?"

"Yes." Ron replied. "Your brother got injured, but is fine."

"I will write to him later tonight." I felt guilty, only now remembering about my brother and the guest. "Well, it seems the wedding has been moved to tomorrow." We all jumped at the sudden sound of a loud crash, followed by a growl.

"Bloody hell Molly that hurt!" Sirius yelled, stumbling out of the house. "Have you gone mad!"

"That is if I still have a fiancé." We all rushed to the front of the house. The sight before us was not what we had imagined.

"That was just a warning Black!" Molly yelled, wielding the wooden spoon above her head. "It is too soon!"

"There is nothing I can do! The deadline is tomorrow and they will not extend it!" Sirius ducked the spoon she threw at his head. "Will you stop throwing things!"

"You should be grateful I don't hex you!" Molly growled.

Seeing her reach for her wand, I quickly jumped in front of Sirius. "Whoa, mum!" I held my hands out in front of me, hoping she would stop. "What is going on?"

Molly looked like a raging dragon. "This-this man expects you two, to be married tomorrow! Tomorrow!"

"We have no choice!" Sirius yelled. "If we don't, we will both be stripped of our magic. And seeing how things have been going, I seriously doubt that would be a good thing." I had my back against his chest, stopping him from getting any closer to Molly. "This is our choice, no one else!"

"Ove-"

"Enough!" I yelled, placing a hand on his chest. "Both of you." Sirius nodded, taking a few steps back. Molly humphed, crossing her arms. "l understand everything is moving fast mum, but this is the only way. We can not afford to lose our magic right now. Please, I need you two to get along, at least until after the wedding." I swear these two were worse than Harry and Ron. "Molly, I will get married to him. And I want you there by side."

After a few seconds, she gave in. "Alright. Ginny and Hermione come help me." Giving the man one last glare, she ushered the other two into the house.

"Sirius, can I speak with you?" Harry asked.

Sirius gave my head a quick kiss, walking off with Sirius. Ron and the twins took off inside, planning something between them. I decided a walk was in order. Walking through the fields, I cleared my mind. Focused on nothing, but the now. Feeling the breeze rush past me, lifting my hair with it. I listened to the surrounding noise. It was peaceful. Reaching the top of the hill, I laid down on my back. The bright Blue sky high up in the air. Not a cloud in sight.

"Athena!" Sirius called.

I didn't feel like going inside. "What?!"

"She's here!" Harry appeared beside me, taking a seat. "Mind some company?"

"Yours never." I could see the questions and thoughts swimming around in his mind. "You alright Harry?"

He nodded, picking at the grass. "Yeah, you?"

"I am alright."

We stayed there long after the sun had hidden behind the mountains. The moon now hung high and proud with the raven night. The stars were brighter than usual. I don't remember when, but at some point I allowed myself to be pulled in by the darkness.