Chapter Forty: A Family Reunion

Sirius and Lummy were planning a nice getaway for their friends, because going to California was just too stressful. Actually, Sirius had just discovered and was now recovering.

"Look, Lummers, I can see the hotel room itself. This is like magic. Why don't we use these?"

"Because, Sirius, we don't need them."

"But Lummers, I've never stayed in a hotel."

Sirius looked like the pleading puppy he sometimes was.

"Come on Lummy, I want to go!"

Lummy smirked. It was pretty often that her adorable boyfriend sounded like a small child. It was one of his more charming traits.

"Now, Sirius, we just don't have the time to do something like this. Lily has to train for her St. Mungo's position, you and James have to get cracking on those Auror applications, Harold has to act as a lobbyist, and I have to set up my circus troupe."

"But Lummy, I don't want to be an Auror. What about my personality suggests 'dark wizard catcher'? I mean, sure, I'm good at magic, and I'm clever, but my entire bloody family are dark wizards! I'm not supposed to do this!"

"Sirius, you know that you do want to do this…"

Lummy and Sirius were saved from having their first "serious" argument by the mailman. An invitation had arrived for "Mesdames Luhrmalleen and Pearly Puff Delaware, esq."

"What's that?"

Lummy opened it, and read:

You are cordially invited to the:

FAMILY REUNION. Everyone's coming, don't be left out.

To be held at the residence of Elder Benjy and Aunt Maia, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Please respondez as soon as possible.

"Well, apparently, we're all going to family reunion."

"Are we?"

"Well, I am, and you are future family."

"Who says?"

"I do, Padfoot."

Sirius scowled, but ran off to tell everyone else. The reunion was to take place in two days, so there was really no need to RSVP. Apparently, Elder Benjy and Aunt Maia had some magical hold over their relatives.

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"But I wanted to take those silver teacups. Otherwise Gerald can't drink his tea," protested Harold, tugging at her bag.

"Harold, I don't drink tea."

"Well, that's funny."

"No, it's really not."

"James, I wanted another pair of shoes to take. You know, to go with my business casual outfit," suggested Lily, kicking her fiancé.

"Lily, we're not going to the Ministry – we're going to West Virginia. They don't even have business casual there. They don't have business anything."

"Well, you are a stereotypical wizard, and that's that, James Finckelstein."

"Well, Lily Araminta Evans, I don't appreciate…"

"That's not my middle name, you oaf."

Gerald, who really didn't require the Sight to see the argument that was forthcoming, quickly piled everyone into the car. It was a Lexus LS.

"Where did we get this sweet ride, sugar daddy?" asked Sirius, emulating the movies he had seen due to Remus' unhealthy obsession with Muggle Media.

"NBC sent it to us as a thank you present. You know, for punching Joan Rivers."

"Fascinating," replied Sirius, and sat in the driver's seat.

"Excuse me, Mr. I actually only drive a broomstick. The only thing you drive is that Nimbus, and your crazy motorcycle. I, on the other hand, am licensed to operate this machinery," replied Lummy with a superior smile.

Harold, Lily, and Sasha all laughed.

"Actually, Lummers, that last time you drove a car…it, uh, died. I am the only one who has an American driver's license, and hasn't been in six accidents," answered Harold, throwing a look at Gerald, who, for once in his life, looked rather sheepish.

"Well then, ROAD TRIP, my luvas!" shrieked Sirius, dragging Lummy into the car. Remus, Sasha, Gerald, Lily, and James followed suit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Several hours and several rounds of Sirius singing "What would you do with a drunken sailor" before they arrive in Morgantown.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They soon settled in, and the first other family member they saw was…

Mr. Tom Marvolo Riddle. Esq.