A/N:
Hi everyone!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Waiters carried around little silver trays of canapes and champagne, effortlessly mingling amongst the hundred and fifty guests gathered at the beautiful park just outside of Cokeworth. Guests murmured the usual phrases; how beautiful the bride had been, how lovely the ceremony was, how many tissues they'd gone through during the vows. Petunia held court, for once the centre of all attention, radiant and beautiful and exuding an unparalleled joy. Even Vernon was being somewhat personable, avoiding the sticky subject of Grunnings (something guaranteed to bore the wedding guests to death - at least those of whom didn't work there), and praising Petunia instead. Lily, after doing the duty rounds as the bride's sister, had claimed a delicate table near the makeshift dancefloor, occasional bursts of laughter coming from Alice and Marlene. It was a beautiful day in England, the sun shining down as if the very spring air was blessing the day and the union that it had seen cemented.
Rose drifted around the edges, feeling very much like the spectre at the feast. Now that the wedding was over and done with, more than ever she felt that divide separating herself from the normal life she had lived before everything. So she kept to the outskirts and watched that life happen around her. She watched her parents shuffle around on the dance floor, she watched Petunia shine with happiness, she watched James watch Lily (which was every bit as pathetic as that sounded), she watched people she vaguely knew enjoy a peaceful life free of the stresses which she could already feel beginning to weigh on her. She had tried so hard to let herself feel the happiness she knew she felt for Petunia, but something- something deep in the recesses of her mind niggled at her. There was something, that little voice said, something that was off, something that was wrong. Whether it was here in Cokeworth, in wizarding London with the attempted recruitment they expected was happening, or whether it was something else, something they hadn't yet realised, Rose didn't know. All she knew was that this feeling was sounding the red alert in her mind, and Petunia's wedding reception wasn't interesting enough to keep her from dwelling upon it.
A flicker of motion caught Rose's eye. Remus, looking particularly handsome in his black suit, had just approached the gazebo where James had set up camp not long after they all had arrived. James tilted his head a little, wordlessly questioning Remus, who sighed and shook his head in the negative. Rose frowned, wondering what could make them both act so worried, especially when James was clearly enjoying his favourite pastime of happy Lily watching. Still, Peter was apparently enjoying himself. The rat animagus had been caught up in conversation with Eleanor and Thomas for the past half hour, and waiters with the cheesy nibbles seemed to make regular passes in their area. Much like that little red alert voice, her Marauder senses were telling her that she was missing something. Something important. And, the thing was, she wasn't an idiot - she knew that Remus and James were probably looking for her, but she just couldn't face them right now. One look at her and they'd be able to read her like a book. They'd know something was bothering her immediately.
"So this is where you've been hiding yourself" a silky voice drawled, it's owner leaning casually against the nearest tree trunk. "Charming."
Rose internally cursed herself. How could she have forgotten to keep an eye on Sirius? And now, he was here, in her hiding place, and he'd want to talk about it. Rose was not in the mood to talk about what was niggling at her. Not even if it would undoubtedly help in the long run. Nevertheless, she wasn't going to let a little thing like being caught avoiding everyone give him the advantage.
"It is actually, yes" she replied primly, turning her gaze away from the festivities. Her little hideout was in the small hollow at the edge of the reception area, hidden behind some trees and with really a lovely little seat arranged out of the roots. Sirius smirked at her, seemingly very proud of himself for finding her.
"Are we going to talk about it now, or later?" Sirius asked, tone light enough that she couldn't even bristle at being discovered so quickly. She flicked her eyes up to meet his, briefly allowing the mass of conflicting feelings and worries to shine through. "Hey" he said, crouching down in front of her. "It'll be okay, whatever it is." He took her hand and kissed it. "Sweetheart, do you want to talk now?"
"No" she said, shaking her head emphatically. "I want to be able to enjoy Tuney's wedding, Merlin knows it'll be the last time we're ever civil towards each other."
Sirius smiled again, those wonderful grey eyes softened with love. "Then, come with me. Whatever else happens, you know we'll all deal with it together: you, me, Moony, Wormtail, and even Prongs, when he stops making doe-eyes at your sister." That got the affect Sirius wanted and Rose laughed, allowing him to pull her to her feet. Before she could slip back towards the party, Sirius wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her back to his chest. He kissed her once, as slowly and lovingly as possible. "I love you. I don't think I told you yet today, nor that you look beautiful. Outshone the bride, you did."
Rose slapped Sirius' chest lightly, blushing. "Oh shut up" she laughed, wondering at the way he could cheer up even her weirdest moods. He just raised an eyebrow, impatiently waiting. "Yes, yes. I love you too."
"Where the bloody hell have you been?" Remus growled, folding his arms across his newly creased shirt.
Rose smiled winningly, smoothing down her dress as she took a seat on one of the wooden gazebo benches. "A lady never tells, Remus Lupin."
"Don't play that trick with us" James interrupted, trying (and failing) to make it look like he hadn't been just staring at Lily. "Pads couldn't find you either."
"I never said I was with Siri" Rose replied just to be irritating. She had a reputation to uphold after all.
"Ah, but Sirius is with you, not off committing homicide" Remus smirked, gleefully shooting holes in her excuses.
"A gentleman wouldn't have asked" Rose rebutted, enjoying the way that Remus' green eyes (even though they looked darker than they were) danced at the playful argument.
"I'm not a gentleman."
"No" Rose sighed mournfully. "That much is true."
"I'm a gentleman" Sirius interjected, flashing a winning smile all around.
"Only when it suits you" James scoffed, sprawling back on his seat. "Which is very rarely, mate."
"Perhaps" Sirius conceded, utterly unphased. "But nor do I reenact Rear Window all the time with poor Evans." Remus snickered, apparently getting that particular reference, while James flipped Sirius the finger.
"I'm not starting at Evans" he sniffed, all offended dignity. "And I thank you not to accuse me of it."
"Oh Jamie" Rose sighed, honestly despairing. It was actually as if James believed what he was saying, the incredible moron that he was.
Hazel eyes snapped behind John Lennon glasses. "What?!"
Rose sighed again, shaking her head - which really didn't feel right with her hair piled up on her head. "You're an idiot, but we love you anyway." Sirius coughed pointedly, a mischievous feeling coming upon her. "Of course" she agreed. "And I love you as well, Remmy." Sirius tried on a glare, but his eyes were smiling and his lips twitching far too much to make the expression believable. "I don't know, Siri" a kiss pressed to her cheek. "You know I do. Always." James and Remus gagged, but there was no change there. It was her Marauders - far more like home than anything that currently surrounded them.
The Marauders (minus Peter who was still chatting with Thomas and Eleanor) were still gathered in the gazebo, mocking the carefree - and occasionally awful - attempts to dance and/or get people to dance that was the main pastime at the reception at that point. "My Uncle Charlus dances better than that when he's had half a bottle too much Odgen's" James chortled, flapping his hand towards where one of Vernon's friends was unsuccessfully attempting to do what Rose imagined might be the Hustle across the dancefloor.
"What in Godric's name?" Remus gaped, Peter being dragged by Eleanor out to do much the same thing.
"Poor, poor Pete" Rose laughed, clutching at her sides. "Oh, I hope the photographer is getting all this."
"Dumbles. Pensieve" Sirius gasped, almost bent double from the force of his laughter. Peter had two left feet, which wasn't helping his uncoordinated efforts in the Hustle.
"Oh this is gold" James managed to force out between gales. "I'm so glad we got dragged along."
"Have you considered being supportive of your friend?" Jim wondered drolly, appearing in the gazebo while they were distracted.
"Jim wants us to be supportive, Prongs" Sirius smirked, a wicked glint in his eyes.
James looked equally gleeful. "Then supportive we shall be, Jim."
The Marauders shared a look, identical mischevious smirks appearing on their faces. At James's slight nod, they yelled out as one: "You can teach monkeys to dance better than that!"
Jim shook his head, failing at keeping the laughter out of his eyes. "Okay, comedians, time to come join the party."
"But Daddy" Rose said innocently, all wide eyes and butter-wouldn't-melt smile. "We already joined the party. This is just the after party, Marauder only. But, you can stay if you like."
"Nice try, little star" Jim smiled, crossing his arms. "The cake hasn't been cut, nobody's got so drunk they've flashed their underwear, and Petunia and Vernon are still here. So, the party is still on going."
Before Remus could even begin to form his reply to this, James interrupted. "Don't get your wand in a knot, Moony, we're going."
"Before or after Christmas?" Remus wondered, as casually as breathing. James flipped him off and led the procession back to the party proper. There, much to Jim's silent dismay, they claimed a table, sat down and resumed heckling Peter on the dancefloor. But at least they were at the party.
Ten minutes later, and at least partially to stop the embarrassment of the guests attempting to demonstrate their (lack of) actual dance moves, the music returned to the slower love ballads perfectly suited to slow dancing. For some reason - and Merlin only knew why, unless he'd shared it with Arthur - Eleanor was still dancing with Peter, the two seeming in deep conversation while they swayed from side to side to some old Frank Sinatra ballad. Not too far away and equally as inexplicably, Thomas was dancing with a redhead (his mother looking like she didn't approve, but she approved of very little) and looking far happier than Rose could ever remember seeing him. It was like he was finally, unashamedly himself. Rose could've help but smile, the look suited him, as did the redhead by his side.
Back at the Marauders table, things were following their usual patterns. Remus tried vainly to talk sense into Sirius (currently pelting grapes in the general direction of Vernon's sister Marge - and really the less said about her the better, horrible woman) and miserably failing. Rose sat back and watched much as she had earlier, only feeling much better about things now that she had been somewhat reassured. And James? James was being James. That is to say, sitting slumped forward with his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands, staring hopelessly at Lily. Every now and then, although it was unlikely the stag animagus was actually aware, little forlorn sighs escaped his lips. If she was honest, James was sounding rather like Rose always imagined Eeyore would. Rose endured this moping for as long as she thought anyone really could (about fifteen minutes - and she defied saints to be able to stand it longer), then spun in her chair to face the lovestruck moron. Her ruby painted lips parted, but a slight pressure on her wrist stopped her. Sirius stroked his fingers over her wrist, glancing at James and shaking his head. And, really, if that was how Sirius wanted to play it then fine. He did know James better than her, after all, and it was highly likely that the aforementioned lovestruck moron had said something about Lily to Sirius that he would never imagine saying to Rose - being as she was both a woman and Lily's twin sister. She might have had to jinx him on principle. Still, it appeared that there were limits to even Sirius Black's patience with his best mate.
"For Merlin's sake, Prongs" Sirius groaned, quietly at the end of his tether. "Stop gawking at the poor girl and ask her to dance. Your chances are admittedly low, but if you keep mooning at her I'm going to have to hex you."
"Seconded" Remus agreed, happily chewing on the grapes Sirius had reluctantly discarded.
James scowled at them both, determinedly not looking in Lily's direction - which was hard as he had chosen the table with the best view of Lily's. "I can't ask Evans to dance" he said, glaring as if this much should be perfectly self evident.
"Of course you can" Sirius grinned. "Buck up, man. You have no problem badgering the poor woman to go out with you, just modify the question a bit."
"Yeah" Remus agreed, flicking a grape at Marge as she waddled past.
Sirius tossed him a smirk and continued as if Remus hadn't unhelpfully interjected. "It's simple, mate. Instead of saying 'Evans will you go out with me?', try saying 'would you care to dance, Evans?', and then casually slip into the conversation how beautiful you think she is."
"If you're feeling particularly bold, you might even call her Lily" Rose added, rolling her eyes at the morons she was surrounded with. "Jamie" she touched his forearm. "I know you're not completely useless, you have gone on dates and successfully gotten girls to talk to you. Just stop trying to impress her and simply ask." A beat. "And if she says no, well how much dignity do you really have left to lose by now?" Remus choked on a grape, a chuckling Sirius reaching over to clap him half-heartedly on the back.
James favoured her with another Potter-glare - lots of effort but no real effect - and slumped down with his head in his hands. "How do you ask a goddess to dance?"
Sirius rolled his eyes audibly. "Easily, mate. Watch." Sirius got out of his chair, took Rose's hand and bowed over it. "Rosebud?"
"Siri" Rose replied, feeling her cheeks heat as his antics attracted attention. They couldn't not, he was Sirius Black, easily the most handsome man in attendance at the wedding, of course people were going to watch him.
"Would you do me the honour of dancing with me?" Sirius asked, not for a second breaking intense eye contact.
"You're a kook" she giggled, accepting without the words.
"True, but a kook hung up on romance with you" Sirius replied, flicking a triumphant grin over his shoulder at James.
Sirius chose his moment perfectly, Sinatra replaced with Dean Martin's You Belong To Me. There wasn't really a need to dance per say, so they followed Peter's lead, swaying side to side on the temporary wooden dancefloor. Sirius looked particularly handsome today (not that he didn't every day), dressed as he was in a immaculate grey suit almost the exact shade as his eyes. Rose wasn't unaware that a lot of the women in attendance were staring at him, but that no longer worried her as it might have. Sirius had, persistently, chosen her, and their relationship was as strong as they could ask it to be, given their circumstances. She met his gaze, smiling easily. "Thank you." There was so many things that she was thanking him for - loving her, choosing her, coming to this wedding with her, finding her earlier, always being there - but Sirius didn't even need to ask.
"Always, Rosebud." His eyes sparkled, dipping her as the song finished. Sinatra was quickly replaced with something smooth and jazzy Rose didn't know (she was a Bowie girl and always had been), Sirius not even faultering in their steps.
"Has Prongs pulled his finger out yet?" Rose wondered, not optimistic. For all his Gryffindor talents, James could be a tad reluctant to make a move when he didn't want to.
"He's hopeless" Sirius groaned, spinning them around to get a good look at James. "Hasn't moved an inch, the git."
"Give him credit, he is terrified of Lily's rejection" Rose chided, frowning at Peter over Sirius' shoulder. The resident rat animagus was blushing brightly, seemingly quite enchanted with Rose's lovely cousin.
"Pete gonna pull?" Sirius drawled, managing to make the crass question sound good. Then again, he could make the phone book sound interesting, infuriating man.
"Not with my cousin, he's not" Rose replied, sending a grin over at Eleanor. "She's got a boyfriend back home, Lily said. Nice bloke, apparently, little possessive - you know the type."
"I have no idea what you're talking about" Sirius gasped, tightening his hold on her waist. "And even if I did, you really couldn't blame me. You're gorgeous and always have been, sweetheart."
"And like Jamie, you need glasses Siri" Rose smirked, a flash of light pink catching her eye. "Is that James with Lily?"
Sirius flicked his gaze over her shoulder, silent laughter appearing in his eyes. "Nope. He got beat to it." He paused, voice getting positively wicked. "By your Dad."
"Dad hates dancing" Rose frowned, Sirius holding on too tight for her to be able to turn around. "Even Mum can hardly get him to do it at the formal events they have to go to."
"Maybe the wedding is making him sentimental" Sirius offered, far too elegant to shrug in this situation. "Or, your mum made him do it."
"Or he's showing Prongs how it's done" Peter suggested, waltzing past with Eleanor.
Sirius snorted, lips forming a gorgeous smile. "Quite possibly, Pete" he allowed, incling his head at Eleanor. "Miss Williams."
"Mr Black" Eleanor replied, sounding uncannily like a younger McGonagall. "Have fun you two, I'm having to run interference for Thomas." She smiled warmly. "Fortunately Peter here offered to step up and help."
"Very gallant of you" Sirius teased, while Peter blushed.
"The sorting hat clearly had its reasons" he mumbled, nodding in farewell as the music swept them onwards again.
Sirius moved them to the edge of the dance floor as the final notes of the song faded away. The look in his eyes was one of glee, so he was clearly planning on heckling poor James some more. Not that Rose could really blame him, heckling James in situations like these was practically a Marauder sport, and only James ever lost. He bent down and kissed her hand, nodding ever so slightly behind her. Rose frowned at him and turned, seeing her father hug Lily not a meter from her. Lily shook her head infinitesimally, smiling at whatever their father was saying. Jim walked Lily over to where Sirius had waited by the edge of the tables, somehow executing a perfect switch - Rose for Lily.
"Hello, Rosie."
"Dad" Rose replied warily, wondering what exactly was going on with her father. "It's a good party, isn't it?"
"Petunia did well" Jim agreed, smiling at the bride - still holding court at the largest table with Vernon. His hazel eyes turned back to her, warmth glittering in the familiar depths. "Your mother will kill me if I don't dance with you too."
"It's okay, Daddy" she grinned. "Like you, I don't dance."
"You were just dancing with Sirius" Jim reminded her, amused and tolerant.
"That's Siri." Rose rolled her eyes. "I don't think anyone ever actually says no to him."
Jim smiled, and if Rose really didn't know better she would say that it was sad and wistful. Jim's next words proved that she didn't, in fact, know better. "Just remember something for me" he said, tone exactly as his smile had been. "I loved you first."
Rose smiled, tears prickling her eyes. "I know, Daddy." Jim smiled again, glancing towards the dance floor, where - miracle of miracles (Rose would have thought it was Christmas if it wasn't spring) - James was actually following Lily out onto the floor.
"This I have got to see close up" Jim smirked, the expression only a little tight. "Rosie?"
"It's a Marauder's duty" Rose agreed, accepting her father's hand. Sirius and Remus waved to catch her eye, chuckling as they nodded obviously towards their comrade on the dance floor.
"You know" Jim began, that sad-wistful smile still on his face. "Your mother and my wedding wasn't like this fuss. We had a quiet church ceremony, then a small reception at your grandparents and then we were off to Paris for a week, and that was that." He glanced over to where Violet was gallantly being escorted around the dancefloor by Sirius. "Twenty years. I wouldn't change a thing." His eyes roved from Violet to Petunia and paused on the beaming bride. "Petunia will be happy. She's chosen what she wants, and Vernon will treasure her, and give her all she wants in his own way - even if we all think she could have chosen someone less boring." Rose giggled a little at that - conversations with Jim often went like this when emotions were involved. "Lily, on the other hand" Jim conceded, deliberately not looking at where she was dancing with James. "I don't think she knows what she wants, or if she does then she doesn't realise it. Don't worry about her, though, she'll be just fine."
"Trust me, Dad" Rose grinned, memories racing through her head. "Lily can take care of herself."
"Not what I meant, Flower" Jim replied, staring straight at her. It was a little uncomfortable, the way he was looking at her. Well, perhaps not uncomfortable but definitely worrying. "And you, my little star, my troublemaker with the face of an Angel - you'll do just fine too." Rose opened and closed her mouth, unsure how to respond, but it seemed she didn't have to. Jim wasn't finished talking yet. "Your friends, I've never met anyone like them. The way you all stand by each other, go into hell for one another. Peter is perhaps a little quiet, but he is a good lad - loyal and true. James, I like, despite the fact that he's mad about Lily - and yes that is obvious. He's grown up a lot in this last year, you all have. I know you'll all follow him into hell, but he'll lead you back again, so I'll only worry about your safety not your choices."
"Daddy?" Rose questioned, utterly lost.
Jim smiled warmly, all traces of sadness gone. "Just your old man's observations. Now hush and let me finish." Rose mimed zipping her lip and revelled in the laugh that generated. "Remus is far too intelligent for his own good, and has a guilt complex too big for his own good. But he'd rather die than hurt anyone, and he's got the biggest heart I've ever seen." Jim paused and glanced back over towards Violet and Sirius. "I don't know about Sirius Black, though" Jim teased, his natural affection for Sirius belying his words. "He pretends he's not, but he's a good lad too. Loyal, honest. And he loves you, which is the biggest commendation. He gave up everything for his beliefs, which is easier said than done, and from what I've gathered he's the complete opposite of his family." Another pause, heavier with meaning. "You chose well with him, Rose. Don't let anyone mess it up, okay?"
"Such faith in me, Dad" Rose deadpanned, consciously moving away from the uncustomary conversation. "Now, how much of a berk is James being?"
"No more than usual" Jim replied, letting it go. Within a couple more steps, he smiled again and this one was his usual smile. "Switch?" Rose was spun around and she laughed in surprise. Jim had maneuvered it so that they were beside Sirius and Violet, and then had switched them without Rose noticing.
"Hi Siri" she bubbled, deliberately ignoring the conversation she'd just had. "When's dinner? I'm starving."
Sirius raised an eyebrow but let her weirdness pass, his grey eyes flickering towards the high table where James was escorting Lily. "I think dinner is about to be served, Rosebud" Sirius mused, beginning to lead her over there himself. "If you're going to stab anyone with a fork, make sure they deserve it. And let Moony, Prongs or I know first - we'll cause a distraction for you."
"And that is why I love you" Rose said, glad her higher heels (Lily had refused to let her wear her platform boots under the skirt of her dress) levelled their heights somewhat. She kissed Sirius on the cheek, completely missing the scandalised look Marge shot her - undoubtedly there would be some discussion of Petunia's wayward sister during their future boring family dinners - and took her seat at the very end of the table beside Lily.
The chicken (Rose's choice because there was no way she was eating steak with Vernon or fish under any circumstances) was delicious, perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was, frankly, the only good thing about the meal. Marge's booming laugh interrupted the flow of the conversation Rose was having with Lily, every cannon blast testing Rose's will not to stand up and hex the rude woman silent, International Statute of Secrets be damned. Lily saw her hand twitch threateningly towards her wand, emerald eyes widening in alarm. She visibly looked around for something distracting, a surprised snicker escaping her lips. "Your friends are balmy" Lily smiled, fortunately able to finish the sentence without one of Marge's interruptions. Rose felt her brows draw together, morbid curiosity directing her gaze towards her admittedly insane friends. Over at the Marauders table, they were finding new ways to ignore parents' warnings not to play with their food. Peter had two carrot sticks emerging from under his top lip, which he was using to attack Remus' shoulder. Remus at first glance looked to be the only innocent party of the lot - an impression which, just like at Hogwarts, was entirely misleading. As Rose watched, Remus casually poked at James with his fork, smirking widely at the curse James clearly uttered. Really, that boy needed his mouth washing out with Mrs Scours mess remover. Speaking of James, he and Sirius were engaged in a gripping duel with their knives, left hands held aloft as their knives clashed. Rose felt a pang deep in her chest. She wanted to be over there, having fun where she belonged, heckling James and Sirius and helping Remus as he graduated to flinging bread and potato at the combatants.
"Two sore thumbs, that's what we are" Rose commented, seeing that oh so familiar spark of discomfort within her twin. Lily didn't feel that she belonged up here either - they both had outgrown Cokeworth in their own ways, Rose by starting the fight and finding her future with the Marauders, and Lily by finding her true place, her true calling within the wizarding world.
"But well dressed thumbs" Lily agreed, raising her glass in a silent toast. "We've eaten, so it'll just be the speeches then we can move on."
"Merlin" Rose groaned, resisting the temptation to hide her head in her hands. The speeches. She couldn't handle that. All those people (largely all of whom hated her) staring up here, glancing at her for her reaction. It would be like being a bug under a microscope. She shuddered. Awful. Jim leaned back in his chair, deliberately catching their gaze. He jerked his head back, clearly telling them to make a break for it. And well, who were they to refuse the invitation? As one (they were nigh identical twins after all), they rose from the table and muttered a vague excuse about powdering their noses, then hightailed it out of there. At the very least, they could buy a few minutes of escape from the microscope.
Rose prided herself on being in control of herself for the most part, but her father's speech - predictably filled with a father's love in the way that only a father of the bride speech could be - sent her hurrying back to the ladies room to repair the damage to Alice's amazing makeup work. Her mind still on the way Jim had spoken - as if he were saying a permanent kind of farewell to Petunia, instructing Vernon to take care of her and treat her well - Rose wasn't paying attention the way a Marauder, seeker and mischief maker ought to. She bumped, unfortunately quite literally, into Marge and couldn't flee because the damage had already been done. The only way Rose knew how to describe Marge Dursley was as a female version of her brother; round, piggy-eyed, and possessing the same double chin and background hostility that categorised her brother when absent from Petunia. Rose wouldn't quite go as far as to say she'd rather spend time in Bellatrix Lestrange's company, but it was close. Very close.
Marge's large hand had wrapped around Rose's forearm (undoubtedly out of instinct as Marge was incapable of niceness), Rose in prime position to see the way her eyes widened in confusion. It wasn't until too late, far too late, that Rose understood why. Marge had hold of Rose's right arm - the arm that bore the memento of Bellatrix's attentions, all of which were - while not always noticable in the light - still raised enough that they were clearly able to be felt in contrast to the otherwise smooth skin of her arm. Vainly, she tried to pull her arm away, but Marge was strong. Too strong for Rose, whose strength came from spells not physicality. Those cold eyes travelled from the barely restrained discomfort (not fear, it took a lot to scare Rose, especially after torture) in Rose's eyes, to the now visible scars on her arm.
"Mudblood" Marge read, voice booming for all they were relatively hidden near the caterer's marquees. "What in God's name?!"
Rose flinched at the volume and the word read out in such a cold voice, yanking her arm back towards her chest. Fortunately, Marge was shocked enough by her discovery that her grip weakened, allowing Rose that small victory. "It's nothing in God's name" she snapped, reminding herself of the expulsion and possible Azkaban sentence that would follow shortly on the heels of any hexing she could employ.
Marge hissed, possibly at Rose's tone, more likely just in general hatred, a mistrustful expression covering her piggy countenance. "Vernon said Petunia's sisters were educated away from ordinary people, but I never thought-"
"What?" Rose demanded, hackles raising at the slur to Lily. Marge could say whatever she liked about Rose, she was a big girl and a Marauder and she could handle herself, but to attack her twin - her sweet, innocent, entirely wonderful Lily - well that was crossing the Rubicon into dangerous territory.
"Incurably insane" Marge muttered, causing several birds to flee to safety.
Possibly that might have been it. Rose wasn't hopeful, but it might have just possibly ended there. Unfortunately, Rose was proved correct in her theory that the universe hated her (and possibly all muggle born witches and wizards - although she couldn't be sure), by the giggling pair that came around the corner. Rose glanced over, following Marge's suddenly triumphant gaze, and her heart sank. The hot burning in her chest was replaced with a cold, roiling sense of nausea. Vernon and Petunia had clearly decided to sneak away from the reception for a few minutes (in another situation, Rose was certain that would have given her nightmares for the foreseeable future), both stopping dead at the sight of them. Something of the situation must have been clear in Rose's ashen countenance and Marge's triumphant one, Petunia actually taking a step closer towards them.
"Rosie?" she questioned, a name she hadn't called her since before Hogwarts. "What's going on?"
"What's going on?!" Marge shouted, and if they weren't able to be able to be heard from the party, they were now. "What's going on, Petunia, is that I have discovered your sister's horrific secret!" Petunia blanched, eyes snapping in horror to Rose. It was all she could do to shake her head slightly, telling her sister that particular family secret remained buried. "Look!" Marge snatched Rose's wrist, yanking her arm out so that both Vernon and Petunia could see the scars Rose hadn't been ashamed of until right that second. Petunia winced, her helpless gaze falling to the ground. Vernon, on the other hand, shared a cold smile with Marge. It was as if their worst suspicions had been confirmed.
"Self harm?" Vernon tutted, using a superior tone of voice that wouldn't have been out of place with Lucius Malfoy and the Black family. "And what exactly is 'mudblood'?"
"What does it sound like?" Rose demanded, her scorn losing all heat and all volume. The only thing she wanted now was for the ground to open up and swallow her. The cruciatus hadn't been this excruciating.
"We're the ones asking you!" Marge cried gleefully, eyes manic. "You're the one who carved this disgusting word into your arm!"
"I didn't" Rose whispered, unable to make herself speak louder. If she did, she feared she'd throw up, which she'd do if it hadn't felt like she'd been hit with the jelly legs jinx. She couldn't move, she couldn't think. Her only slight consolation was that Petunia looked like she felt the same. And poor Tuney, torn between two worlds - her old family and her new life with her new one. With possibly the last of her Gryffindor courage, Rose met Petunia's confused, torn gaze and closed her eyes for a long beat - wordlessly telling Petunia to disavow this, to disavow her for her own good.
"It's disgusting" Marge boomed, cheeks flushed with alcohol and vindictive triumph. "Criminal. Disfiguring yourself like that, then not even having the decency to cover it up. And at your own sister's wedding!" Beady eyes shot towards Petunia. "I wouldn't stand for it! Not that it's your fault, Petunia dear, it's bad blood that does it. Bad blood will out, isn't that right Vernon?"
Vernon nodded mutely, seemingly oblivious to the fact that his sister was causing a scene at his wedding.
"What's going on here?" James asked, tone deceptively calm as he strode around the corner, her father at his side. Marge's eyes lit up again, yanking Rose's arm out far too fast and far too hard in the vague direction of her friend and her father. Pain raced down her arm, but Rose was past feeling it. Two pairs of strangely alike hazel eyes dropped to her arm, horrified understanding dawning.
"I'll thank you to unhand my daughter" Jim growled, jaw hard and expression unrelenting. James's hand twitched towards his pocket, the raw fury in his eyes dangerous. Marge dropped her arm like it was on fire, Rose stumbling a little as Marge was no longer essentially holding her up. Jim caught her easily, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Even in the familiar gesture, Rose felt the tension that coiled around her father, the anger and the concern. "James" he called, not glancing away from the Dursley's. "Can you take Rose back to the party, please? I'll clear up the misunderstanding here."
James had escorted her back to the - thankfully secluded - Marauder table before Rose realised that a) James was essentially holding her up right, and b) that she was shaking from head to toe. With that impeccable sense that all Marauders had, Sirius turned towards them, the laughter dying in his grey eyes at the sight of them. He was on his feet at once, wrapping Rose tight in his arms as she crumpled against his chest. He rubbed gently at her shaking arms and back, the demand for answers practically burning in the air around them. "Marge Dursley" James said, the same raw fury still burning in his voice. "Thought it would be a good idea to show her arm to everyone."
Remus growled dangerously, the snarl of a werewolf echoing and carrying in the air. "Where'd you leave the body? And is there anything left for me?"
Rose allowed herself one brief moment to wallow in Sirius' quiet strength, and another to imagine the Marauders going off and defending her honour - it warmed her in the way she didn't think anything could right now. She sniffled and pulled back, hugging her arms to her chest like a child.
"Jim's still over there" James was saying, the kind of bloodthirstiness in his voice he only got for people he despised. "We could-"
"Do nothing" Rose said, injecting as much strength and calm into her voice as she could. "This is my sister's wedding. We don't get along anymore, but she's still my sister and she didn't do anything wrong a few minutes ago. Tuney deserves better than a family feud starting at her wedding." She locked her eyes, red rimmed as they were, on each of her friends, silently asking them to respect her wishes on this. "Just let it go. Dad will deal with it, and not cause the scene you lot will." She rubbed her arms again, as of doing so could erase what had just happened. "Please." It was Sirius she directed the last to. Overprotective, wonderful Sirius, who had just wrapped her in his suit jacket. He nodded, jaw clenched but eyes understanding. Who could understand better than he? With his family the way it was, and his relationship with Regulus as it was. He understood but, like Remus and James and Peter, he didn't like it.
(What Rose didn't know, was that it wasn't just Jim battling in her corner. Petunia interrupted Marge's predictable attack on her by simply saying "she's my sister" and walking back to the party, forcing Vernon to hurry in her wake.)
"Do you want to leave?" Sirius asked, the Marauders ready to leave at her slightest nod.
Rose shook her head sadly. "I won't leave Tuney's wedding like this. Otherwise, it'll always be what she remembers about me and it. I want to remember the wedding for how beautiful and happy Tuney looked, these ridiculous dresses, that guy murdering the hustle on the dancefloor." Sirius managed a slight smile, pulling her back to rest against his chest.
"Lily's watching us" Peter remarked, even as Petunia and Vernon retook their seats among their friends.
"She's my twin" Rose shrugged. "Twins can tell things."
"I'll go" Peter sighed, volunteering even though it was obvious that it was the last thing he wanted to do.
"Let James go" Rose said, brightening at a slight rush of mischief that rushed through her. "She'll believe him when he says I'm okay - and I am, Jamie. And he can defend her from Marge if she tries to start anything with her." James, predictably, looked torn between his twin needs to protect. "Go" she groaned, shooing him with the overlarge sleeves of Sirius' jacket. "I already have an overprotective knight in tailored armour, go be Lily's and stop annoying me."
James flicked a glance at Sirius, bowing deeply and just a little sarcastically - a Marauder special. "As my lady Astra wishes."
"Oh sod off, Prongs" Rose smirked, grabbing a glass from a passing waiter. She raised it in toast as Lily watched her, winking perhaps a little too exuberantly as James hastened to join her.
Sirius waited all of ten seconds to turn and frown at Rose in concern. "Are you sure-"
"Yes, Siri" Rose interrupted, not wanting to get into it now or possibly ever. She tossed back the disgustingly bubbly champagne (what she wouldn't have given for a nice butterbeer) and impulsively shrugged out of Sirius' jacket. If Bellatrix Black Lestrange hadn't made her ashamed of herself, Marge Dursley would not either. Her scars weren't anything to be ashamed of; they were the proof that she (and her Marauders) had fought and sacrificed already to defeat the dark forces that were - perhaps even as they celebrated here - marshalling to end everything they held most dear. Rose straightened her back and squared her shoulders; Marge Dursley was an abhorrent muggle bully, but Rose had faced much worse than her and intended on doing so in the future. With a strengthening smirk, she grabbed Remus and Sirius by the hands. "C'mon you two, I want to dance."
"What?" Remus squeaked, gesturing helplessly to the carefully hidden speakers playing something that sounded disgustingly disco. "Now?!"
"No" Rose grinned, bouncing a little. "Now" she said, buoyed by the familiar beat that replaced the awful disco wailing.
They gathered in the centre of the dance floor - James and Lily, Remus and Peter, Sirius and Rose, Alice and Marlene, Thomas and the redhead (who Rose really needed to get the name of sometime). It wasn't a time for serious conversation or reflection, it was just simple fun the likes of which weddings should create. They bounced, spun, giggled like maniacs, threw their arms in the air, and yelled out random lyrics. There was something unique in the energy that surrounded them, threaded through them. Rose felt it, crackling like static along her skin, sinking into her pores, filling her with the kind of joyful buzz that had hitherto only come from a really successful prank. She was caught up in it, swept along in the wave of emotions of the moment - too simple and yet too complicated to relate.
At some point (now several songs in to the compromise between their taste and Petunia's, which was apparently Elton John), Rose found herself dancing with Remus (Sirius swinging Alice around the floor) and loving every minute of it. There wasn't a trace of a cloud in his green eyes, sparkling and swirling happily. "This" he said, not needing to raise his voice to be heard. "Is why it is worth it. The fear, the pain, the unending fight."
"This simple feeling?" Rose quoted, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Yes" Remus agreed, perhaps a little sadly. His words effectively serving to break the spell that had enthralled them. The clouds had gathered again in his eyes, Remus' empathetic tendencies drawing out the worries Rose had felt before. "Hold onto it while you can" he advised, both unconsciously slipping away from the revels. "I don't know what, and I don't know when, Rosie" Remus breathed, dark and serious. "Something is coming."
As ever, thank you for reading.
Have a very happy holiday, and please review if you can.