August 7, 1978

Althea laid sprawled on the bed, flipping through a Muggle wedding magazine that Remus had managed to gain possession of. She had been more than pleased, that he had spent nearly every day at her apartment with her and that Dumbledore hadn't sent him on any more missions. It had caused her to relax, and it made her more than pleased because it meant that they could start planning the details of their wedding. Remus padded into the bedroom, tawny locks still disheveled and messy and lacking a shirt – not that Althea was going to complain – whilst carrying a tray of breakfast food.

"Breakfast in bed?" Althea raised her brows. "You spoil me, Remmy."

He smiled, setting the tray carefully in her lap before crawling into bed beside her. "You've been tense, lately, Thea. I've noticed, so I decided to do something to ease that." He stole a strawberry off of the plate, "Besides, I'm hungry too."

"The sentiment is appreciated," Althea informed him dryly, continuing to flick through the magazine in between small bites of the food that he had prepared. "Have you talked with James or Sirius, lately?"

"No," Remus shook his head. "They've been busy with Auror training, you know that. They haven't had much time for anything, much less Lily."

Althea winced, "She owled me?"

"No. She owled me," Remus corrected, his lips tugging down into a frown. "It surprised me too, Althea. I would think that she would want to talk to you, when it concerns her relationship with James. However, she mostly complained, and then asked my advice on how to effectively get revenge since she feels like he's ignoring her."

Althea sighed, "I tried to tell her that that's not the case. The war has just made things so hectic."

"It is a lesson that evidently didn't stick."

"Clearly," Althea snapped, flipping another page in the magazine. "We're thinking winter, right? For the wedding?"

"Yes, I believe that was the plan," Remus answered peering over her shoulder. "Unless of course, you'd rather do it in the spring when it isn't so cold."

Althea shook her head, "We can use magic, Remus. I'm sure that the cold is of no consequence to a winter wedding." She sat the magazine down in her lap, taking a sip of orange juice. "I've always loved winter and snow, so a winter wedding is perfect, don't you think?"

"Of course," Remus murmured, lips brushing against the exposed skin of her shoulder. "I think that red and gold should somehow be incorporated, otherwise there will be no end of grief from James and Sirius. Although, they are not solely the reason. I would like to somehow incorporate Gryffindor in to our wedding, since that was our House."

"I'm fine with that Remus," Althea assured him. "You don't have to be hesitant with giving your opinion on wedding details, you know. This is your wedding too."

"I'm aware," Remus answered sounding the slightest bit amused. "But weddings are a big thing for girls, aren't they?"

Althea shrugged, "I suppose. I was never one of those girls who spent hours planning out her wedding, when she was little. Actually, this is the first time in my life that I've ever considered wedding details."

Remus made a sound of acknowledgment, but didn't verbally answer, something that was fine with Althea. The quiet was welcome, because it allowed her to concentrate a little better. That didn't mean she didn't want to converse with Remus, she did. But she also recognized that heavy thoughts were weighing on his mind, so the lull in conversation was something that Remus needed more than she did. While he had told her that everything went fine concerning the mission that he did with Gideon and Fabian, she couldn't help but feel that he wasn't telling her the complete truth.

She didn't press for answers. When he was ready to tell her, he would, she knew that. And if he didn't, she knew that Dumbledore would have answers for her if she asked. That was only if she could get in contact with the elusive Hogwarts Headmaster, something that would be increasingly difficult as the new school term would be starting in a manner of days. As she had said many times over the summer, it was strange not heading back to Hogwarts. Over course, she was happy that she had graduated but that didn't take away how alien this feeling was to her right now. Usually, at this time she would be in Diagon Alley looking for her school books and school robes, with the Marauders and Lily. But now, she was at home looking through wedding magazines and she wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts for a long time. If ever. It was virtually unheard of for Hogwarts alumni to return to the school, but that didn't mean it had never happened before. It was just rare.

Althea sighed, finishing the toast and looked back down at the magazine. She wondered if she should deliver the invitations to the wedding to the professors in person. Would that even be proper? She dismissed the thought. It didn't matter if it was proper or not, some of the professors she would like to be able to call her acquaintances if not her friends. Maybe, she'd give the invitations to Dumbledore, of course knowing the Headmaster he'd somehow try to find a way for her to deliver them herself.

Remus shifted at her side, "Thea, are you aware that James has plans to propose to Lily soon?"

"Really?" She asked feeling gleeful. "How do you know? And what brought this on?"

"James told me because he was seeking advice on how to propose, after seeing me propose to you," Remus told her. "It wasn't like he could ask Sirius for advice, Thea. I brought up this subject because I wondered what is going to happen after, to us and them. I'm also curious about the guest list, I suppose. It wouldn't be wise, to have such a big wedding, considering the circumstances."

Althea frowned. "I suppose you're right," she conceded. "Then, who would we invite? Obviously, Lily, James, and Sirius. Dumbledore, too probably."

"Not Peter?" Remus asked, with a small frown.

The frown on Althea's face deepened, and she shook her head. "I know that he's your friend, Remmy, but something about him rubs me the wrong way and makes me uncomfortable. If you really want him there, I won't protest, but I would prefer if he wouldn't be there."

Remus sighed, "It's fine Althea. James and Sirius are going to be there, so I suppose there is no need for Peter to be there as well. Besides, he'd end up eating all of the food while we are preoccupied." That drew a smile to Althea's face and he nuzzled at her neck, pleased that he had made her relax. "Lily, James, Sirius, Dumbledore, and perhaps our parents."

"Of course, our parents are coming," Althea told Remus. "Well, your parents. Mine, I believe will be staying safely in America with my siblings." Althea glanced at Remus, "James and Sirius will be able to come, right? Their Auror training won't interfere, will it?"

"I'm sure it won't, however we do still need to decide on a date," he reminded her.

Althea nodded and the two lapsed into silence once more. Talking about mundane things like weddings was odd, given that the wizarding world was filled with tension and danger, but Althea didn't find it as odd as perhaps she would have, if she wasn't the one getting married. It was illogical to be contemplating marriage, but at the same it wasn't. They didn't know if they would live to see the next day, and it made all the sense in the world to be with your partner in every way that you could when your life was filled with uncertainties. Althea shook off the thoughts. It wasn't right for her to dwell on them now, and there was no use in focusing on the dire circumstances surrounding them.

She sighed, curling into Remus her eyes still roving the pages of the magazine. None of the dresses were sticking out to her, and it was a thought that caused her some irritation. Althea sighed, flipping another one of the pages while Remus's fingers idly stroked her upper arm as they laid back in bed.

"How long until Dumbledore asks you to go on another mission?" Althea asked.

"I don't know," Remus shrugged. "Things are not progressing as well in the other countries as Dumbledore had hoped, and the werewolves are not being as amicable as one would wish. It would perhaps, be more dangerous for me if I were to go back on a mission, but that is up to the discretion of Dumbledore. He's the only one who has any sort of strategy when it comes to defeating You-Know-Who."

"Yeah," Althea smiled wryly, "because James and Sirius, would charge headfirst into a battle and likely get killed." She sighed, "Although that thought isn't one that I'm all too willing to entertain."

"I agree." A pause and then, "Do you know if Dumbledore will be sending you on missions any time soon?"

"No. In fact, he hasn't had me or Lily do too much. It's probably because we are at risk more than the rest of you, since as far as anyone is concerned we're both Muggle-borns." Althea smiled, "Although, if word got out I was a half-blood, or a little bit more than that, but that is neither here nor there I suppose. Perhaps, because of Allegra Malfoy they already know." Althea shrugged, "In the end, it doesn't matter, does it? I think Dumbledore knows that I wouldn't be of much use."

"That is a lie, and you know it. You were exceptional at Hogwarts, and he'd be a fool to not utilize your skills," Remus scolded her gently but his tone lacked any real bite. "I'm a half-blood as well, Althea. That is not the reason that Dumbledore isn't having you help."

"It doesn't matter," Althea managed a smile. "I'm not cut out for war. Not like the rest of you are."

"Althea," it came out as a sigh.

She just smiled, and quickly changed the subject, "You know, if I'm picking out wedding dresses, you probably shouldn't be here."

Remus quirked a brow, understanding what she was trying to do but not fighting her on it. "Don't you want me here?" he teased, a smirk pulling at his lips.

She smiled, relaxing once registered that he wasn't going to press the subject. "Hm…"

Remus pushed her down onto the bed, the tray falling from her lap and clattering onto the floor. Her smile widened and she giggled a little but it was quickly swallowed by his mouth as he claimed her lips with his. The magazine laid forgotten on her lap as he hovered over her. Althea wound her arms around Remus's neck, pulling him closer to her.

She wished that every day could be like this.