Chapter Thirty-nine: Marauders, meet the Oscar After-Party

"James, that was unnecessary!" whispered Lily rather invectively. But everyone around her told her to quiet down, because Liv Ullmann was making her way onto the stage.

"Now, I believe I have the most unenviable position tonight, because these are five very talented and handsome men who have been nominated for Best Actor! We have Woody Allen for Annie Hall, Richard Burton for Equus, Marcello Mastroianni for Una Giornata Particulare, Rufus Scrimgeour for Peter's Struggle, and John Travolta for Saturday Night Fever…"

No one would have believed it if they hadn't seen it, but Sirius was actually completely white for the ten seconds after the nominees were announced.

"And the Oscar goes to Rufus Scrimgeour for Peter's Struggle!"

Sirius shakily stood up. This was a real Oscar. Even if it weren't his face, it was his voice that had won something. He didn't need to be an American or a Muggle to understand that this was a big deal. A very big deal.

"Honestly everyone, for the first time in my life, I have no idea what to say. I'd like to thank everyone all over again, but in a bigger and better way. I'd like to thank my Professors for making sure my head isn't full of fluff, and all that jazz. I'd like to thank Jimsie and Rumsie for being superb roommates, because it's not easy being green. And the SBFC, but especially Amy Moran, because she's going to make one hell of a professional chaser some day! And of course, my dear Luhrmalleen Delaware, I'm not going to call you by that stupid name anymore, thank you for putting up with me and being gorgeous all the time."

The hall filled with thunderous applause as the musical cue tried to cut Sirius off, but failed. Louise Fletcher quickly rushed up to the stage the moment that Sirius had stepped off.

"Let's hear it for the ladies! The nominees for Best Actress are: Diane Keaton for Annie Hall, Marsha Mason for the Goodbye Girl, Jane Fonda for Julia, Anne Bancroft for The Turning Point, and Shirley Maclaine for The Turning Point. And, the Oscar goes to Diane Keaton!"

Diane came up and said a few words, but it was slowly getting closer and closer to the grand finale. It was now Remus' turn to become a ghastly white color. Norman Mailer took her place on the stage.

"The nominees for Best Original Screenplay are: Woody Allen for Annie Hall, Neil Simon for The Goodbye Girl, Robert Benton for The Late Show, Rome Lycan for Peter's Struggle, and George Lucas for Star Wars. And, the Oscar goes to…surprise…Rome Lycan for Peter's Struggle!"

Remus fainted. James went up and took the award, and said very little. Sasha was vainly trying to revive him before he missed anything else important. Lily muttered something about Award Shows being way too stressful for the ordinary person. Jeanne Moreau walked up to the stage –

"The nominees for Best Director are: Woody Allen for Annie Hall, Steven Spielberg for Close Encounters, Fred Zinneman for Julia, Rome Lycan for Peter's Struggle, and George Lucas for Star Wars. And the Oscar goes to…Rome Lycan for Peter's Struggle…I hope he's woken up by now!"

Sure enough, Remus had been revived. He walked slowly to the stage on shaky legs. He glanced at Sasha, who gave him a nod of support.

"Well, never in my wildest dreams did I expect this to happen. Actually, never in my wildest dreams did I expect to make a film. But here I am, and here we are, with Oscar. I'd like to thank everyone, because without you all, this could have never happened."

It was barely a split-second after a frail and stumbling Remus had left the stage when Jack Nicholson pounced up to take his place. His booming voice was a stark contrast to Remus' tone, and the words filled the halls –

"The nominees for Best Picture are: Charles H. Joffe for Annie Hall, Ray Stark for The Goodbye Girl, Rome Lycan and Jimsie Potts for Peter's Struggle, Gary Kurtz for Star Wars, and Herbert Ross for The Turning Point. And the Oscar goes to…this must be a record or something…Peter's Struggle!"

Sirius jumped out of his seat and wolf-whistled, Lily stood up and began dancing with Sasha, Gerald – who was bored because he knew it was going to happen – did something rather unexpected. He took James' place with Remus. They looked exactly the same, so very few people noticed. James and Gerald shared a look, James understood, and sat down. Remus and Gerald accepted the awards, and Gerald took the microphone.

"Hello everyone – I'm not Jimsie, I'm his cousin, Gerald. But I'm going to take this opportunity to say – Harold Foxtrot Delaware, will you marry me?"

Gerald had knelt down by this time, but Harold could barely see him, with tears streaming down her face. Her sister had the great presence of mind to give her a healthy push –

"Oh Gerald, of course I'll marry you!"

And that was that. It was possibly the first time in the history of the Oscars that someone had proposed as an acceptance speech. It was also the first time (and the last) that a single film won twelve Oscars.

--

"Budge up you fiends, its after-party time!" shrieked Sirius, who had unearthed a ghastly disco outfit from somewhere. His ordinarily stunning appearance was marred by the flashy white suit that he had donned.

"Sirius, what in Merlin are you wearing?" asked Lummy, barely able to contain her laughter. However, to be fair, Lummy was no longer in her angelic gown, but in a very 80's hair scrunchie- wide necked shirt get-up.

"Don't Muggles wear this rubbish?"

"Not anymore, love."

Sirius gave an annoyed snort, and waved his wand over himself. He was transformed into a punk rocker, eye-make-up smeared across his handsome face, his black hair too long and lank, his clothes artfully tattered. He surveyed his appearance in a mirror he had just conjured.

"My hair looks like Snivelly's"

"Don't worry about it, the rest of you looks gorgeous, gorgeous," joked Lummy, who was having fun charming Lily's clothes.

When they were all ready, they piled into a limousine and headed off to the nearest Marriott After-Party. When the group walked in, it appeared very tame and boring, but as soon as Sirius entered, everything changed. Lummy wasn't sure where he had acquired the rock star attitude, but he sauntered in amidst a cloud of blue and pink smoke while shouting,"East Los Angeles loves – I've got a tune for you."

His key-tar appeared at his fingertips (the Muggles watching this blamed their alcohol intake), and he began strumming maniacally.

"I want you to want me…I need you to need me…I'd love you to love me…I'm begging you…"

The song that Sirius had burst into was called "I want you to want me" by Cheap Trick, and it appeared to have hit the spot. The party guests began dancing wildly, and Lummy beamed in appreciation for her boyfriend. Lily, who had somehow learned to break-dance, waved her wand to put a different, more "hip-hop" beat on the song. Pretty soon, she was twirling around on her head, challenging the different party guests.

"Did you know she could do that?" Harold asked of James.

"Not until right now," replied James, looking somewhat scarred.