Ah You have been too good to me for some magnificent reviews.

To the person who got my Gary Oldman reference! you are awesome.

Please note again these last chapters I am writing are not Beta checked. I am checking them on my own.

But as I am human - not going to be as well done as previously.

Thank you!

XOXO

Natstar

SHATTER ME

Chapter 27

Leaving Hogwarts was uneventful as they reached the outside gate and apparated directly to the courtyard at the Terrace House in Coventry. They were greeted by Tonks and Remus, who had been notified by Dumbledore and were assigned as extra protection. They were also the only two people that Hermione was most likely willing to tolerate as her moods changed.

"Well Hermione, I have to say, you not only have beaten the twins but also the marauders for getting suspended for a prank." Remus said smirking, reminding Hermione that the seemingly innocent man had also cunningly engineered the time based sticking charms on the corridors so long ago. He gave her a brief hug welcoming them back to the Terrace House.

"Maybe you could give him a dose to truly know female hormones." Tonks grouched, as she hugged Hermione as well.

"You do realise it wasn't a prank so much as a curse in anger." Hermione replied wryly.

"Hermione, of all the bad things that we did to Snape, no one had even thought to give him menopause. Or be successful in trying at least." Remus said. Hermione just shook her head and flicked her wand so her trunk flew ahead of her as she climbed the stairs to her home. She smiled as she remembered that Christmas she was gifted with the key.

She remembered the first night she was here. Her birthday and Sirius insisting that she have the master bedroom. At the time, because of her memory loss she wondered why all the clothes in the closet seemed to have fit her perfectly. Tonks followed her upstairs taking her arm.

"I hope you don't mind. I was kind of using your room to store something I didn't want Remus to see." Tonks whispered, "Come, I am dying to show someone"

She practically dragged Hermione the rest of the way to her bedroom. Tonks let go and walked straight to the giant walk in wardrobe. Hermione heard something crash and fall and Tonks cursing slightly before she emerged clutching a large clothing bag.

With magic they opened it and out of it came a beautiful pale pink lace gown. Surprisingly feminine compared to Tonks usual dress. She also pulled out a pair of strappy heels in a bolder pink that went well with the dress.

"Oh Tonks, that is stunning! You are going to blow Remus away." Hermione pointed her wand letting the dress seemingly appear on an invisible dummy to see the dress and train as it would on Tonks.

"When is the big day?" She asked as they watched the dress and shoes move around the room as if on a catwalk modelling for them.

"Well, now that you and Sirius have even more time, we are thinking of moving the ceremony forwards," She smirked at Hermione.

"It wasn't by choice!" Hermione huffed, and pointed the wand for the dress to fly back into its bag and return to the wardrobe out of sight from Sirius and Remus.

"Well, whatever the reason, you are here. And Remus is adamant to have Sirius as best man." Tonks gave Hermione a knowing look that it was the same for Sirius for Remus to be his best man. Both girls grinned.

"However, as I am currently short on available female friends, because my office is full of wizards, I was rather hoping you would be my maid of honour?"

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, "I- I don't know what to say!"

"Well I hope it is 'yes' at least." Tonks grinned at Hermione.

"Of course! I'd be honoured. And I have the perfect dress!" Hermione dashed into the wardrobe and pulled out the dress she had received from Bill and Fleur. The two then proceeded to go through Hermione's wardrobe in search of shoes to match it, as well as something to wear for the wedding night.

"Hermione I can't." Tonks said, looking dubiously at the negligee Hermione handed to her.

"Yes, you can. I have apparently twelve others to wear and the tags are still on all of them. And either you have them or Ginny is going to use them." Hermione said, standing up and putting the clothes into a bag for Tonks, closing the argument.

"They are going to make his eyes pop." Tonks sniggered.

"I do believe that is what they are intended for." Hermione smirked. Tonks groaned and walked out of the wardrobe shaking her head.

"Come on, we better make sure that our boys are not trying to do anything dangerous." They made their way downstairs and wrinkled their noses as they entered the kitchen.

"What is that awful smell?" Tonks pinched her nose as they seemed to have caught the two older males in the middle of something. The something that they were up to was them trying and abysmally failing at cooking dinner.

"Remus, I love you, but what have I said about trying to cook in the kitchen?" She chided him.

Remus put his hands up and backed away from the stove, "I am wholly blaming Padfoot on this one."

"Coward." Sirius growled as Hermione vanished the contents in the pot and cast a series of cleaning charms to clean the mess they had made. She began opening cupboards and the fridge pulling out ingredients and floating them over to the bench.

"I don't suppose you are making your wonderful pancakes?" Sirius asked hopefully as he backed out of the kitchen. Hermione merely paused long enough to send a glare his way, causing all three of them to exit the kitchen quickly and leave Hermione to put dinner together, with a lot of banging and slamming.

"Is it me or does her mood shift incredibly fast?" Remus asked as they settled in the refuge of the library.

"They change faster." Sirius answered darkly, "Madam Pomfrey believes it may be because she is displaced out of time."

Tonks let out a low whistle, "I am glad I'm just getting the morning sickness – What?" She glared at Remus as he began coughing to cover the snort that escaped him. She stood up and stormed back out to the kitchen muttering, "Men." As soon as she left the room both began chuckling.

"You realise it's going to be hell for both of us with two pregnant witches in the same household" Remus mused as they settled back in their chairs.

"I'm still convinced that Lily was worse." Sirius scratched his chin in thought.

"The food?" Remus asked, thinking back to the dreaded sandwiches, particularly the one he was forced to make: Liver, blueberry jam, Swiss cheese, and marshmallows, grilled.

Sirius shook his head, "No Hermione has already eaten worse. No, Lily was always more hysterical."

Remus snorted. "She also had four men badgering and worrying after her the entire time."

They lapsed into silence their minds on the past and their futures; trying very hard not to think about the delicious scents that were wafting in from the kitchen.

"Surely they won't get mad at us for setting the table?" Remus suggested after his stomach rumbled loudly enough for both of them to hear.

"As long as we set it exactly as they request and probably not mention the alcohol we have in our drinks, we may even get to eat dinner." Sirius smirked as they both stood and made their way back towards the kitchen to offer their witches their humble services.

VVWVV

The next few days were spent busily preparing for the wedding for Tonks and Remus. As the date had been moved forward the guests were limited in being able to attend. There was also a matter of accommodating guests within a secret location. It was decided that it seemed that Grimmauld Place was the best suited venue for the event. As soon as it was decided Tonks sent for her mother and father who took charge of ensuring the catering and guests coming.

Remus and Sirius handled the accommodations and transport and Hermione offered to decorate the drawing room so it would be appropriate for the festivities. Tonks had been slightly dubious in how Hermione could turn the room to something spectacular but Hermione just smiled warmly and locked the doors on everyone until the big day.

The morning of the wedding Remus and Sirius found the door of the drawing room ajar. Both already dressed and anticipating their first guests entered the room slowly and stood in awe at the sight they beheld. The room was not just decorated. It had been transformed and now resembled something akin to the gardens of Versailles, complete with fountains and a pond.

"Just when I think I know what she is capable of, she does something like this." Sirius said softly as his eyes sought out the love of his life putting the finishing touches on the archway at the other end of the room.

"Padfoot, how the hell did she do all of this?" Remus asked staring in wonder.

"Oh good, you're here at last." Hermione smiled as she made her way over to them, between the tables and statues. She was already dressed and made up for the ceremony, courtesy of Fleur's arrival to help with the bride.

"I hope you and Dora like it. I couldn't think of anything to get you. I hope it's enough." Hermione said nervously. She squeaked as Remus pulled her into a tight hug.

"As wedding gifts go, this is more than either me or Dora could have wanted. Thanks Hermione." He kissed her cheek and released her. Hermione, now blushing, smiled back.

"Better go see if the first guests are here." Remus said leaving Sirius and Hermione alone.

"Some very fine spell work Miss Granger." Sirius said drawing her close to him, as he walked around to inspect her decorations appreciatively.

"Why thank you Mr Black." Her cheeks dimpling in amusement, "I hope you don't mind what I did?"

Sirius stopped them under the arch and turning her to face him. "Mind about giving my dearest friend and my cousin a beautiful setting for their special day? No Princess, I don't mind in the least. And it is more than what anyone will expect, especially for this room." He kissed her tenderly, growling as she pulled away from him.

"Good" she grinned. She practically skipped towards the door.

"Princess?" Sirius's voice stopped her. "How long will these charms last?"

Sirius watched as she tilted her head in thought, "If I did it right, until midnight. If not, it will either be permanent or flood the entire house." She said seriously, though her eyes were dancing with amusement as she continued to back out of the room, leaving Sirius standing trying to decide if he wanted to strangle her or kiss her again.

Remus returned five minutes later to find Sirius pacing up and down the aisle using every swear word he knew existed. He was currently swearing in fluent French, having already exhausted the English vocabulary.

"I did warn you not to ask about the charms." Remus leaned against a decorative pillar.

"She is going to kill me. Either with her brilliance, or, the stress of her brilliance" Sirius growled at his friend, and relayed what she told him.

"Well to be fair those fairy lights she cast at your party only lasted on the roof for three weeks." Remus said chortling. Sirius glared at his friend and said something in French. Remus's understanding was a little rusty but the gasp behind him from Fleur meant it was clearly unsavoury. Though Remus suspected the gasp may have been for the display of the room than Sirius's remark.

Any further thoughts on this disappeared as more guests filed in and took seats at the tables around the room, commenting appreciatively on the room's transformation. Bill and Fleur were followed in with the Twins and their respective fiancé's, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Mad-eye Moody, and to Sirius's surprise, Molly and Arthur Weasley. Last to enter was Andromeda Tonks who paused in the doorway in surprise.

"Sirius, you didn't have to go to such efforts." She said, as she took his arm so he could lead her to the front table.

"This was not my doing. You will need to thank Hermione for this." Sirius growled softly. Andromeda laughed.

"Oh, my dear boy, if she has you on your toes now. Just wait till it's your turn for her to walk down the aisle."

"Well, lucky for you, you don't have to wait long." Sirius grinned as he bowed slightly and returned to stand next to his best friend waiting for the music to start.

"Now I know how James felt on his wedding day." Remus said heavily. Sirius chuckled and shoved something into his hands. Remus looked down at the flask and then glared at Sirius. Sirius merely shrugged and put his hand out to take it back. Remus pulled it close to him suddenly not willing to part with the liquid courage. He took a long drink and handed it back to Sirius who kept his face neutral despite the chuckles in the audience, and by the officiant that Sirius had hired to perform the ceremony.

Chatter subsided as the sound of music wafted in the air, the doors finally opening to Dora and her father, Ted Tonks walking down the aisle with Hermione following behind holding her train.

Aside from a hiss of disproval from Molly upon seeing Hermione, the ceremony proceeded without incident. At least until it came to the rings.
Sirius, for his part did remember to produce them but Remus looked at them confused.

"Padfoot, you gave me the wrong rings." Remus whispered.

"No I didn't." Sirius answered softly nodding to the officiant to proceed.

"Sirius, they are the wrong rings!" Remus's whispers were audible through the room.

"Sweetheart it's fine." Dora said impatiently.

"No it's not. I got gold rings. These are-"

"Platinum" Sirius said smirking.

"What?" Remus near yelled at his best friend and best man.

"Oh really, Remus. Now is not the time!" Dora took the rings from his hand and nodded to the officiant who continued on with the vows as Remus sputtered.

"And now I pronounce you Husband and Wife." The officiant announced. Dora didn't wait for Remus and pulled him in for a kiss distracting him completely, as the small crowd cheered.

As the newly weds were congratulated the ceremony moved seamlessly into the reception and Hermione disappeared into the kitchen to assist with the food and drinks with the enthusiastic help of Dobby who was on loan for the day and more reluctant help from Kreacher.

The Twins, for their part ensured that their mother was kept well clear of Sirius, and especially Hermione. The celebrations were almost at a close when Hermione found herself face to face with Arthur Weasley.

"Oh, hello Mr Weasley. It's lovely to see you." Hermione smiled warmly at Mr Weasley. Her smile faltered when he didn't return it.

"Hermione. A private word, if I may?" He asked, gesturing to the doorway. His voice was courteous but, as Hermione took in his frown and glanced past him to see Molly watching; she understood. Hermione crossed her arms, her gaze back on the man before her.

"Mr Weasley, if this is about what I think it is, it is neither yours nor Mrs Weasley's business, whatsoever." She said coolly, not moving, "Especially when neither you nor she have all the facts."

"And, what facts would they be exactly?" Mr Weasley asked quietly, "Because as far as we can see, it looks like you are being taken advantage of."

Hermione's brow rose. "Taken advantage of? Like how Ron tried to take advantage of me? Or are you referring to the Howler's your wife so kindly thought to send to both myself and Sirius? Was I perhaps mistaken, for the vulgarity she explicitly stated to be genuine concern?" Her icy tones reflected by the sudden drop in temperature in the room.

Everyone looked around in surprise to find the source of the change. Remus appeared next to Hermione. "Everything ok Arthur? Hermione?"

Mr Weasley looked between them his face now showing distaste. "So, you, Remus, believe it is perfectly fine for Black to sully a girls reputation?"

"Arthur, we have been through this. There is more going on than you know or are allowed to know." Remus said calmly despite snow now falling heavily from the ceiling.

"I don't care what crackpot story that they came up with. It does not excuse the responsibility for a grown man like Black to fornicate with someone as young and foolish as Hermione."

Lightning cracked through the room. The ceiling above now resembled storm clouds. Mr Weasley looked next to Remus to glare at Hermione. She was like a statue in her rage. Her eyes glittered dangerously.

"What eez going on 'ere?" Fleur asked, rubbing her arms shivering. "'Ermione, eez everyzing okay?"

"Fleur would you kindly escort Hermione upstairs? Mr Weasley is just leaving" Remus said coolly.

"Meester Weasley I 'ope zat you are not making trouble? Your wife's 'owlers were seemply dreadful!" Fleur chided her soon to be father in law.

Remus felt their anger and stepped forwards whispering softly, "Say your next words very carefully Arthur."

The Weasley patriarch looked sharply at Remus, his face grew even redder. "Are you threatening me?"

"Arthur, this is not the time or place. You and Molly should go."

Arthur looked at Hermione. Her face a cold mask of fury. He shivered. Next to him Fleur stood defensive beside Hermione, he knew was a result of Molly's attempts to break up her eldest from the French girl. A hand on his shoulder pulled him back.

"Dad, as honourable you believe your intentions are, you and mum both need to stop meddling in anyone's lives. Mine and Fleur's as well as Sirius's and Hermione's and especially Percy and his boyfriend. We are all old enough to make our own choices on who to love."

It was difficult to tell whether his face was red in anger, embarrassment or shame. He seemed to rock on the balls on his feet before coming to a decision. He stepped back and nodded once to Remus turning to take Molly by her arm and leading her from the room full of spectators. Unfortunately, Arthur did not steer her from the room fast enough as Molly's voice sounded on the stairs just beyond.

"You are going to let that sleaze bag Black continue to make a harlot out of her Arthur?"

The stillness in the room was palpable. Remus whipped around and found only Fleur standing there. Her Veela heritage showed through as her anger bubbled over. "Merlins beard!" Remus muttered as he followed the blonde stalking towards the hall and stairway as a huge crash sounded.

"Hermione!" Sirius's voice shouted. Someone else shouted. There was another crash and the house shook. A final loud crack, this time from apparating and then silence descended. No one noticed the snow had stopped.

Remus was the first to the door and stopped short as the landing was no longer there. The stairs beyond had disappeared between the floor the drawing room was and the landing below. Dust settled below and he could see there was a shield charm, clearly having prevented further destruction.

Molly and Arthur looked around wide eyed at the destruction. The shield charm around them dropped, making them turn. Sirius stood two steps above them staring imperiously down at them. Hermione and Fleur were nowhere in sight. Sirius's face was an impassive mask, yet his eyes were the only tell for the depth of fury he was holding back.

"I do believe you both have well and truly exhausted your welcome here." His autocratic voice was deceptively calm. Both flinched back from him. He stared impassively back at them waiting.

Arthur collected himself before Molly and took her arm directing her down the stairs, without a backwards glance. They only made it three steps before Molly stopped and turned back to Sirius, finally finding her voice.

"Your dalliance with that girl changed her for the worse!" Arthur tried to pull her away but Molly shrugged him off, drawing herself up.

"You should be ashamed! Ruining her reputation! Sullying her prospects! Taking her future! Your whoring ways have made her dangerous!"

"MADAM!" Sirius's voice cut her off, as did his wand now pointing directly at her.

"Get the hell out of my house, and do not ever darken my doorstep again. You are no longer welcome to my hearth and home!" The words once said seemed to draw a wind only Molly could feel the buffeted her lifting her and drawing her towards the front door.

The guests watched from behind Remus, who now had an arm around his wife, gasped watching as the magic in the house forced the guest no longer welcome on her way. Arthur followed, trudging down the stairs, shoulders hunched in defeat. The front door waited until Arthur had crossed the threshold out the front door before slamming in their faces. Its boom echoed.

Sirius pointed his wand at the destruction and the stairway rebuilt itself in short order around him as he ascended the stairs. He continued past disappearing into a room upstairs and slamming the door; leaving Remus and Dora to handle the remaining guests who had quickly recovered begun to gossip and debate what the most controversial wedding mishap they had seen.

VVWVV