"Wow, James, finally tying the knot, eh?" Sirius sighed, "I can hardly believe it,"
"Hmm, I know, incredible isn't it? Only a couple of years ago we were all still in school…" Remus mused.
"You'll still be in the Order, won't you James? And you'll still be around, right? We'll see you often, won't we?" Peter asked anxiously.
James laughed, "Peter, just because I'm getting married, doesn't mean I'm disappearing from the face of the Earth!"
"And be quiet about the Order. You never know who your friends are and I can guarantee not all of these people are on our side…" Remus whispered, darkly.
The four friends sat at a table near the door. Lily was off being admired over and after Stell had come and draped herself over Sirius for a few minutes most of the girls who had been sitting around admiring and swooning over him had disappeared. "Sorry," Stella had whispered into his ear, with a wink, as she got up again, "I just didn't want them getting too close… You know, look but not touch,"
Now the marauders were alone at last, laughing and joking around just as they had back in school. Suddenly, someone behind them cleared their throat loudly, James turned to see Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling, accompanied by a very sentimental-looking Minerva McGonagall.
"I'm afraid we both will have to be leaving now," Dumbledore said, "After all, Hogwarts needs someone to keep an eye on it… Now that the marauders are gone it seems that new applicants for the job of mischief-maker in chief are taking full advantage of the situation to exploit their talents and qualifications,"
Sirius laughed, "But no one's even coming close to filling the space we left, are they?"
"I should hope not," Dumbledore said matter of factly.
"Lovely ceremony, James. Really, I was almost brought to tears… Imagine, James Potter! Getting married!" Professor McGonagall said, blowing her nose into a small lace handkerchief. "Well, I hope to be seeing you again. Good bye now!" With that the two former teachers vanished with a simultaneous pop.
"Good, old, Dumbledore… Nothing will ever go too wrong while he's around," James said, smiling at the spot where his old professor had been.
It had, in fact, been a beautiful wedding. The sun couldn't have been shining more brightly and the sky couldn't have been a clearer blue. The bride had been thoroughly appreciated. Her dress was stunning and her auburn hair cascaded beautifully down her back. Now she stood with Alice Longbottom, one of her best friends, who had just recently been married to Frank Longbottom, another Order member.
"I suppose we'd better start dancing… Everyone's waiting for Lily and me," James said, staring out over his wedding guests, most of whom appeared to be done eating.
"Oh, come on! I'd only just started eating and if you dance, Stell's going to want me to, too!" Sirius groaned. James laughed and clapped his friend on the back.
"Hey, mate, this is my wedding! You can eat later!" He stood and approached his beautiful bride, motioning to the band in the corner to start up something more lively. With a flick of his wand, James pushed the tables closest to the dance floor back a few feet. With a grin, he offered Lilly his hand, which she graciously took.
The three remaining marauders watched in silence for a few seconds. "Think you'll ever get married?" Sirius asked his friends quietly.
"Maybe…" Remus said, a bit sadly, "But my… er, condition might make it difficult… What about you?"
"I don't know. I like being young and carefree," he said with a small laugh, "but maybe someday… if I find the right person." He gave an almost unnoticeable, involuntary glance toward the table where Stell and Alice stood.
"I don't think I could ever get married," Peter said in a squeaky voice, "I'd be too afraid to ask anyone…" Remus and Sirius rolled their eyes over his head.
"Hey, you! Come dance with me!" Stella called. Sirius winked at Remus and flashed an exasperated smile, before wandering off after her.
Soon all the marauders were on the floor, although Peter's partners seemed to abandon him fairly quickly as their toes almost immediately became too sore from being trodden on to dance anymore. The four school friends danced the rest of the evening away, celebrating what they had no idea would be one of their last carefree nights.
A/N: Yay! Another chapter! And it took me less than a week to update! Reviews would be greatly appreciated!