Disclaimer: We all know how these work, I acknowledge that J.K. Rowlings, Warner Bros. and Scholastic own Harry Potter and all other characters and settings from cannon, and I get to write whatever I please and even add in characters of my own as long as I don't get any money. The no money sucks but there you go, at least I don't get lawyers knocking on my door. Addendum: If you recognize a name of a character from elsewhere it isn't mine.

Sirius' Savior

Chapter 30 Planning the Wedding part 1

Sirius sighed as he entered the guest bedroom at Nic's condo, Beth's eyes met his "Long day?"

"Yeah."

"Anything I can do?"

"Dunno. I'm just worried about Harry. Have you noticed? By seven he's lethargic, no appetite. I mean he gets hungry, but halfway through a meal he stops eating. He doesn't sleep well and the headaches he's been getting. He was too warm as I tucked him in, I'm afraid tomorrow he'll be running a fever. It reminds me of when he was a baby and we were on the run. I don't know if it's the curse in his scar or if it's depression because of what happened on Bali or if it's just a cold, or possibly all three.

"And now this school... He really wants to go. He's even been pushing to be more than a day student, he says it'll be good practice for Hogwarts. I was a little too frank with the school counselor. Which translates into me needing to find a mediwitch or wizard that also has muggle world credentials that is willing to take an above average oath about secrecy for Harry's protection.

"Then there's you and the baby. If this baby is magic then I need to be feeding you wizarding energy which means I emit and that's bad for Harry. And our wedding. I'm just struggling to know what's best right now."

"Tell me about the school."

"It's got a challenging curriculum, it's probably about three levels more challenging than his school in Bali. But he was top of his class there and he sometimes seemed to coast despite being two grades up, so the challenge is probably a good thing. The dorms would probably be okay because they have someone available on each floor. I think what concerns me the most is Harry is going to be two years younger than his room mates and he's never been...but he has. When I was on my trip and when I was in the hospital... They have just about any sport that Harry's ever expressed an interest in. They have football, water polo, fencing, archery, gymnastics, swimming, diving, rowing and more besides. They have a school paper and yearbook where his photography could be recognized. They even have an orchestra he could play cello with."

"Any security concerns?"

"A couple but I could easily put together ward stones like we had around the house in Bali and I could find a room or two to create as panic rooms for him to take care of the magical and I could make some suggestions to tighten the rest up. I need to find Harry a new sensei, he's going to have to get better to the point he's the weapon because the school has a no weapons policy meaning he won't be able to carry his sais."

"Technically he shouldn't carry them now; they would be considered a concealed weapon. He would need a permit. While such permits can be obtained by adults, I doubt Harry could get one.

How about tomorrow morning we talk the security team. Winry can give us names of some healers. Rachel may be able to give us names of martial arts instructors. We can talk with Harry a little more before making a final decision on the school. What else is on the agenda tomorrow?"

"I meet with Bonnie Barnes and we talk venue for the wedding. We're with her through lunch tomorrow. So we'll meet you at the Blue Duck Tavern at lunch. Harry said something yesterday about the lace of your gown having fleur de lis in it I was thinking we could have that be a reoccurring pattern in the wedding." When Beth nodded her agreement he continued. "I also want your opinion on an idea. I transfigured this. I thought if you liked it I could make more." He handed her an invitation type card.

The card's exterior was dark chocolate color card stock it had a half circle catch cut that was covered by a gold fleur de lis where it overlapped. She opened it. It was lined with a delicate pearl essence blue paper that had cross hatching and fleur de lis in a slightly darker but still light blue. In the center was a four by six heavier cream parchment that displayed a coat of arms and over the coat of arms was a vellum sheet that in chocolate brown ink was an invitation to their wedding. The parchment and the vellum were attached to the card's exterior by a delicate gold organza ribbon. Beth fingered the card, "Is the coat of arms yours?"

"Yes, do you like it?"

"If this was what you had in mind no wonder you disliked all the ones at the stationary store. This is perfect."

Sirius smiled. "Let's get to bed, you and our little one need your rest."

Bonnie smiled as Sirius and Harry greeted her at her office. "Good morning. How are you?"

"Good." was Sirius' answer.

Harry gave a very lackluster "Okay."

"Harry's a little under the weather, but he wanted to be here. Last week you said you would look into venues what did you find out?"

"Well I have good and bad news. The bad news is I was right ninety-five percent of my preferred venues are booked solid. The good is that yesterday my favorite cater called to tell me he suddenly had an opening the fourteenth the bride found her fiance in bed with another woman and canceled the wedding. Rob told me her reception site was the Galleria at Lafayette which means it certainly has enough space but that site lacks a certain elegance that I think you and Beth are looking for. That said, Rob can offer us another option he has an exclusive contract with the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore which also has enough space and I suspect would be more to your liking but it has it's limitations it's only available after 5 p.m. As far as wedding sites there's three choices the one the bride that canceled her wedding was going to use Grace Chapel, which I think has restrictions you and Beth wouldn't like, there's the lighthouse garden by pier 5 in downtown Baltimore which would involve renting a tent but has space enough for all your guest list and then the final option which frankly is my favorite but also has limitations. Duchess of Pintail, she's a 124' yacht, and get this she berths at pier 5, which we could use if one hundred thirty five guests or fewer commit to coming. She would not be available for long, there's an evening dinner cruise so we would have to be done and clear of the boat by six. My vision is this we do the wedding on a leaving at three thirty cruise, while post wedding pictures and what not are being done on the boat cruise we offer cocktails and horsd'ovuers. We come back to the pier have limos to take the guests the ten or so blocks to the museum where we have dinner and dancing. What do you think?"

"Possible, I definitely like the yacht idea. I'd like to see the places you've mentioned. What do you think Harry?"

Harry nodded. The three of them went out to Sirius' car and headed to Baltimore. Sirius drove so Bonnie could take notes and read the reminders she had written for herself.

"So how did shopping for the dress go?" Bonnie asked. "And did you all decide on a wedding party? And have you contacted a pre-marital counselor yet?"

"Beth found a dress. It has fleur de lis lace medallions all over it. She looks gorgeous in it." Harry said.

"Harry was shopping with Beth, Lia, and Maryanne while I dealt with some business. Beth said she and Lia would make final decisions on the bridesmaid dresses and flower girl dresses on Friday. Harry hand her the wedding party list. The counselor is expecting us Thursday evening for the first of four sessions apparently we're supposed to take an inventory? Anyway. We stopped and looked at invitations didn't really like any thing so I transfigured some paper and came up with something. Beth likes it will it do?"

Harry handed Bonnie the invitation Sirius had created.

Bonnie looked at the transfigured invitation. This was why she loved working with magicals they could come up with the most unique things. "Definitely. What's the coat of arms about?"

"It's mine. I'm technically His Grace, Duc de Sable, Count of Montange Noire, Viscount of Black, Baron of Blackmoor, Margrave of Vale de Sable Foret and those are just the titles I remember there are at least four others. It's mostly a lot of responsibility and annoyance. Hence my habit of keeping things casual. But I figure using the coat of arms is appropriate in this instance."

Bonnie nodded. "I've checked with reputable the DJ's I know they're booked. Which means live music, I have a couple of choices there. I was thinking for the wedding itself there's a young couple that play cello and guitar that I think would be a good fit for the wedding. I still need to check with the bands that play the kinds of music you mentioned on your surveys for the reception. Have you thought about your officiant?"

"We've asked Silverton Richards, and he's agreed. Beth is going to ask a friend of hers to sing and I've asked a cousin of mine to do the readings."

"I'm impressed. You've not only taken care of your assignments you're ahead. I still haven't found a photographer. The former bride had good taste for video but crap taste for a photographer. I booked the video guy. I'm still looking for a photographer. I wasn't impressed with her choice of florist either but I talked to a friend of mine and she is only doing two other weddings that day, both of them pretty small and early, therefore she's willing to do yours as well. I'm going to suggest that we reserve a block of rooms at several hotels in downtown Baltimore. You've mentioned fleur de lis and your invitation has one on the cover and again the liner paper has them is this sometime you'd like to see carried through the whole wedding?"

"Yes."

"Okay I'll keep that in mind."

It was half an hour before they reached the inner harbor area of Baltimore. Bonnie took them to the Inner Harbor first. She showed them the lighthouse garden and got them a quick tour of the Duchess of Pintail they then met with Henrietta Bloggs who was a coordinator for the Pier 5 hotel. Bonnie, Henrietta and Sirius worked out most of tentative contract that got them exactly what Sirius and Beth wanted. Sirius handed Henrietta a deposit. He also went ahead and reserved and paid for several rooms in two of the three hotels for the weekend of the wedding Henrietta reserved blocks of ten rooms in each of the three harbor hotels. Sirius made plans for the rehearsal dinner and plans for some surprises for everyone that was in the wedding party.

Meanwhile Bonnie phoned her friend Rob so they could look at the museum. At the museum Sirius walked around the space and a smile slowly spread across his face. Rob had brought menus and a general contract for them to go through. Sirius thanked him and said he'd contact him by Thursday with a deposit. Sirius checked his watch, "If we're going to meet Beth on time we need to leave."

On the drive to D.C. Bonnie looked at the invitation Sirius had given her. "Is this the wording you and Beth want for the invitations?"

"I don't know. We'll ask Beth at lunch."

"Okay. We'll need enclosures Reception cards, RSVPs. Are you going with a buffet or plated dinner at the reception?"

"Plated with choice of four entrees."

"That's going to get pricey."

"What did I say my budget was? So far the figures I've tallied aren't even close to brushing that so I'd rather do a dinner choice even if it means I pay the price of the most expensive meal for every plate."

"Okay which means the RSVP card will need to list menu choices."

"Bonnie, it occurs to me that I didn't see a list of wines that Harbor Magic uses. I find that anymore I am very picky about wines. That happens when you own one of the worlds finest and largest wineries. I will obviously need to negotiate the use of my personal wine cellar for the wedding and the rehearsal. Oh and we'll need to make sure for the toasts Beth and I and any children are given sparkling cider not champagne. More details I guess."

"You let me worry about most those details, that's what you are paying me for. I'll make sure Henrietta and Rob fax me a wine list. You seem to be making choices right and left what things do you want to leave to me and what things should we both consult Beth on?"

"I don't know I want to consult Beth on the look flowers and décor. But not the menu she's proven to me she's as happy eating a hot dog from a stand on the street as she is eating caviar. I'm not that flexible myself."

Bonnie couldn't help but grin at his comment."Okay. I guess I'll go through in order Invitations, check we know you're going to transfigure the lot after we decide on wording which we're consulting with Beth on. Is the guest list definite? Announcements, how many? model after the invitations? List to send to. Reception cards. RSVP enclosures including listing menu choices. Wedding programs? Reception menu cards? Printed napkins? Matchbooks?"

"I'll transfigure the lot once we decide on all of it. I'm certain of my side of the guest list. Most of my family is dead or are not people I want to associate with, the exceptions are already on the list. That's an area to coordinate with Beth. Once I've had a chance to go through the menu from Uptown Catering we'll be able to do the RSVP cards. Is a menu card needed? Wedding program? I'm not familiar with what that is. Printed napkins? maybe cocktail napkins. Matchbooks no. And I suppose my next question is do we need a Reception card if we provide transportation to the reception."

"Thanks that reminds me Transportation and Valet Parking. Parking for the guests in downtown Baltimore can be a challenge. Sites, check. Caterer, check. Wedding party, check. Officiant, check. Counseling, check. Musicians, in process. Videographer, check. Photographer, in process. Florist, check. Rehearsal in progress. Rooms for out of town guests, check. Bride's attire check. Groom's attire? Wedding Party attire?"

"I'll arrange to get an appropriate coat, vest and ascot. I have the rest of the tuxedo. Harry's due for a tuxedo since he's out of his old one. I'll see to Remus, Indra and make sure Nic has a jacket to match. Bridesmaids are in Beth and Lia's capable hands. Beth's taking care of the flower girls too. Maryanne found her dress last weekend."

"So wedding party attire is a check at least mostly. Honeymoon?"

"Beth wants to wait until the end of the trimester and do a family trip to Florida."

"Okay. Gifts for attendants?"

"Attire and I've got some other ideas as well."

"Gift registry?"

"Not yet."

"Wedding rings?"

"I've got Beth's. I had the jeweler that made her engagement ring, make it before I left Palau."

"Okay I'll ask Beth that question. Gift for Beth?"

"I'll be thinking about it."

"Gifts for her parents?"

"Okay, another for my list. What's typical?"

"A nice picture in a frame. Cake? Uptown makes some but they don't offer a ton of choice when it comes to flavors or decoration."

"Beth and I will look at the list and discuss. If we need to we'll look."

"What's left is flowers and décor, which we need to get Beth in on. I have to say Sirius, when you hired me I had nightmares; but this is one of the easiest weddings I've every been involved with."

"Why is that do you think?"

"You and Beth seem to trust my judgement, you aren't afraid of making choices. This morning for example I showed you the sites I had in mind and you looked at them and approved them like that."Bonnie snapped her fingers. "Oh I almost forgot favors. What do you and Beth want to do for wedding favors?"

"No clue."

"Okay when you and Beth come in to make décor choices. I'll have some catalogs to look at. Harry's being awfully quiet."Bonnie tried to twist to see Harry.

"He's been a sleep since we got on the highway."

"How goes the great school hunt?"

"Found. He'll be going to the Stuart-Cavanaugh Academy. We're heading there after lunch."

"And the house hunt?"

"Stymied, we found a temporary place house and cat sitting for one of Beth's co-workers. The wedding, a school for Harry, and trying to find a doctor for Harry take precedence."

"Doctor?'

"Harry has a very unique condition that requires a combination of magic and muggle medicine to treat. His doctor on Bali died in an accident just before we came to the states. I need to find a doctor that has a similar background to treat him here. Bonnie do you mind if I do any transfiguration that's required for the wedding at your office. I don't like doing magic around Harry."

"No problem."

Fifteen minutes later they pulled into a parking place two blocks from the Blue Duck Tavern. They got there to find Beth had beat them there by five minutes. After ordering lunch Bonnie talked to Beth about everything they got done that morning, "so the next things I need for you two to decide is a list of flowers you'd like Connie and I can come up with designs but we need a start point."

"What flowers are easiest to get in February?"

"Roses obviously unfortunately they come at a premium price too.. Orchids, Jasmine, stephanotis."

"Orchids and Jasmine definitely." Sirius said.

"White lilies, white roses, white snapdragons, no calla lilies I hate calla lilies." Beth said.

"Change of Heart roses." Sirius smiled and said looking at Beth.

Beth blushed.

Bonnie got the feeling she was missing something. She looked at Harry to see him smirking at the two adults. He saw the look on her face. "Ignore them. They'll be lost in each other for a couple of minutes. I've seen the pictures of the bridesmaid dresses Beth was looking at getting. Lia's is going to be brown with a blue band under her.." he gestured to the area where a woman's breasts were. When he saw her look of comprehension he continued. "The others will be in blue, their dresses have hems that are around their knees in front but to the floor in back. The dresses all look similar they're strapless with an.. empire waist. The flower girl dresses are blue but have a brown band at the waist. I was thinking that the guys should have this blue paisley vest I saw at a tuxedo store. It will look cool in pictures. Anyway the flowers should mostly be white Beth's bouquet should be the only one with the change of heart roses the other bouquets should only have pinks from the orchids, also there's a variety of orchid it's really little but it has brown petals those would be good too." Just as he finished the other adults shook themselves free of whatever memory had hold of them, and the waitress brought their lunches.

Bonnie snickered Harry had once again proven he was a pretty sharp kid. Since she now had a start point for Connie she moved on to hammering out the wording for the invitations, the announcements, and all other paper goods that would be part of the wedding. Bonnie made a Thursday four thirty appointment to meet Beth at the dress shop to see the dress before it went to the castle until the wedding. And they made a Friday morning appointment to go over décor.