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 34 The Wedding

Sirius waited impatiently with a customs representative in the international port key point on February 11, 1989. Remus was the first of his guests to arrive. He was bringing the wine from the winery's cellars. He had given the custom agent a bill of lading to cross verify and claim the wine so he could give him a check for the duties on the wine. But he wanted to see his friend more than anything. Suddenly Remus appeared. The customs agent stepped forward "Passport? Got anything to declare?"

Remus set the box he was holding down enlarged it, handed the agent his passport and said "I have this wine which I believe is expected."

"Indeed here's the bill of lading." Sirius handed it to the agent. He turned to his friend, "Moony" and engulfed him in a hug.

"Padfoot." Remus couldn't believe how good that hug felt. Until he reflected that no one had voluntarily touched him since the October when James and Lily died. He swallowed hard. "So where's the bride to be."

"Beth wound up having to work today so she could have tomorrow and Monday off."

"And Harry?"

"He's at school until this evening, but he's going to be around tomorrow to help entertain guests and allow all you Brits a gander. I've missed you."

Remus looked at his friend. "Now that I'm not blaming you, I have missed you too. Up until Amelia showed me that memory I held on to my anger it was my only defense against the loneliness."

The customs agent stepped over to them. "Everything seems to be in order, if you would sign here Mr. Black and do you have the duty payment with you or will you be...Very good." He said as Sirius handed him a check. "Now as per the presidents request, Mr. Lupin here is your passport and your separate sheet of visa and customs stamps you will need to keep both your passport and the sheet with you until you return to France."

"Thank you."

"If you gentlemen would please step back the next portkey is about to arrive."

Sirius picked up the re-shrunken wine and moved it to the side. The next portkey was the one from Britain. Moments later Andromeda and Ted, Nymphadora, Amelia, Susan and Grimjaw all appeared. The customs agent did his thing and once all of them had been dealt with he asked them to move aside for another portkey. Sirius hugged Andie and she responded by sobbing a little into his shoulder. Grimjaw gave Sirius a semi-scary grin and shook his hand goblin style. Amelia raised an eyebrow as Sirius moved around using his cane and she observed the new scars but she used his handshake to pull him into a small hug before introducing him to Susan. The next portkey arrived depositing an older wizarding couple.

Sirius once again stepped forward this time he gave a respectful bow before the older gentleman pulled him into a hug. While the witch looked on smiling.

Sirius grabbed the box again and said, "I've got a limo waiting it will take all of us to the hotel. I perform introductions and fill everyone in at once. Grim do you mind activating your glamour." Five minutes later once everyone was in the limo he spoke again. "Okay I'm going to start with the gentleman in the glamour. Grimjaw Trollslayer goblin in charge of the Black and Potter accounts with Gringott's, next to you is Indra Budiono, Secretary of Security in the Magical Republic of Indonesia my friend and former boss, and his wife Harjandi. Next is my cousin and her family Andromeda and Ted Tonks and their daughter Nympha-"

"Just Tonks if you please." she said as she blushed and her hair turned pink.

"Then comes Amelia Bones Deputy chief Auror with the British Department of Magical law enforcement, and her niece Susan. Finally is Remus Lupin a friend since Hogwarts and frequent co-conspirator. Most of you know each other, but all of you have something in common you you have blessed me with your friendship and honored me by coming to my wedding. I hope you all have fun and enjoy the wedding. I got rooms for you at the Admiral Fell Inn which is where or is close to where most stuff is going on. Oh and I should mention muggles are prevalent so magic is mostly a don't."

"When do I get to see Harry?" Susan asked.

"Harry is at school until I pick him up at five thirty he had to take a test today so he could take tomorrow off. Instead of being at school tomorrow he's going to show you and some of the other guests around Baltimore." Sirius smiled as he answered her. "I know only Remus, Indra and Tonks are actually part of the wedding but Beth and I've included all of you in all the pre-wedding plans I put the information in your rooms at the Hotel so I wouldn't have to remember it all."

"Still forgetful huh Padfoot?"

"I'm not forgetful, I just have ADD."

"What's that?" Tonks and Susan asked.

"A, attention, D, deficit, D, disorder and what that means is I have a hard time paying attention to stuff unless it interests me."

"Oh."

"Likely excuse." Andromeda said snickering. "Is there really such a thing?"

"Andie would I lie?"

Remus snorted with an amused twinkle in his eye.

That evening they had dinner and met the Bride to be and her family and the rest of the wedding party. Harry was there and deftly played host to the youngsters of the group. The British contingent watched him closely. Sirius had arranged that just his guests would meet and have breakfast the next morning with him Beth and Harry.

At ten the next day the ladies were having a bridal shower for Beth at Lia's condo, while the guys were taking the children 10 and under to the children's museum. At four they would have the rehearsal followed by the rehearsal dinner. Then Saturday the ladies were having a bachelorette party/ spa day. While the guys and the kids made a visit to the National Aquarium where they were going on a guided tour and followed by sail around the Chesapeake Bay. Sunday around eleven the ladies of the wedding were gathering to get ready together and have brunch. The men planned to gather at one. On the wedding day all the wedding party were confused when a shoe box was delivered to each person. They opened them inside were converse sneakers every pair was in the individual's shoe size and all of them were light blue sides with a brown tongue and heel stripe. They came with a simple instruction. For at the reception. When Beth saw them she started laughing, Lia, Cassidy, and Rosa just looked at her.

Lia asked "IS this a joke?"

"A bit," Beth answered. "But which would you rather wear for hours the heels or the sneakers?"

"Sneakers," they all answered.

"Beth is Sirius always this generous? I mean the attire including the jewelry, the faux fur wraps, the shoes,purses, and the dresses and the monogram jewelry rolls and makeup pouches." Rosa asked.

"Sirius is very generous and very rich but he gave you all that because he figured that as short of notice as you all got you would be stressing your budgets just to get here. He didn't want this to be a hardship just a joy to share with us. Besides if you feel guilty about it you can plan to make it up to us in five months when our triplets are born."

"Oh my god! You're pregnant!"

"Yes and if Harry hadn't found this dress it would be obvious!" Beth snickered at their looks of shock this was exactly the sort of wedding day she had always wanted full of friends and laughs. Maryanne came over.

"Triplets?" she whispered.

"Uh-hun." Beth smiled at her mother whose eyes glistened. "No crying you need to look perfect for the pictures."

Sirius carefully checked the circle he cast on the rug that would be sealed when Beth joined him in front of their guests. He checked the candles in the candelabra, he had made each one himself using certain rituals to bring health, good fortune, happiness, joy, peace, contentment, prosperity to the marriage. He had included several small but potent bits of magic that were subtle enough that the wizards and witches in the audience would know he was proud to marry Beth despite her squib status, and the muggles would be none the wiser. He was glad that they were only going to have one hundred and thirty two guests. He liked the idea of getting married on the water. And he hoped the surprise for getting to the reception went over well. Bonnie had definitely earned her pay. Everything on the Duchess of Pintail looked perfect. Bonnie planed to apparate to the Bride's room she was coordinating with the caterers at the museum right up until three thirty. Silverton came over "Nervous?"

"Not at all."

"That's a good sign. I like the magic you've included nice and subtle. The muggles won't notice a thing and the wizarding kind will definitely get the message."

Remus came up to them. "Beth's here we cast off in fifteen. Doing okay Padfoot?"

"Never better." Then Sirius smiled in that second he was thrown back to James' wedding day to Lily. Except that day it was him asking "Doing okay Prongs?" And James answering never better.

Indra looked at the carpet that marked the center front of the room "What is this design?"

"My coat of arms."

"Interesting. How do you feel?"

"Expectant, excited, happy. Ready to start but I know I have to wait until Beth's right here. He smiled as various people were ushered to their seats by Beth's many Brothers only Nic was spared. Sirius wondered where Nic was. "Isn't Nic supposed to be here?"

"I think he's up with the bride."

"Probably trying to talk her out of settling for an old dog like you." Remus joked.

"Ain't gonna happen Moony."

"I should hope not." Indra intoned solemnly.

Sirius listened to the cellist and guitar player and watched as Harry tried to both watch them closely but stay out of the way. He beckoned him over. "You got the rings?" It was unusual that the ring bearer actually carried the rings but he and Beth both agreed Harry would because he was trust worthy.

"They're tied to the pillow and before you ask it's safely under the eye of Maryanne she's going to bring it down to me when we're about to start. I just came down to listen to the music."

"How does the cocktail lounge upstairs look?"

"Fabulous. There's half dozen cocktail tables with white fleur de lis cloths tied with sashes like the chairs here and they have alternating Tea lights and bud vases There are six more waiting out on the deck that they'll move in back at the back on the ceremony is over. The bar-tendering staff is moaning over the wine you brought or rather a couple of them are. They've got the flutes ready to be poured for the toasts."

"Thanks, kiddo."

"Remus?"

"Yes Harry?"

"You've got your toast together right?"

"Yes." He grinned mischievously at Sirius. "I've got my toast or is that roast, ready."

The room was getting quite full it appeared most if not all the guests had arrived. Sirius felt the throb of the ships engines. "We're getting underway. You'd better scoot. Beth, Bonnie and Maryanne will be looking for you and if you see Nic tell him to get his tuckus down here." Harry nodded as he left.

Remus smirked at Sirius, "Tuckus?"

"Maryanne's euphemism for butt, however considering the company and surroundings." Sirius mumbled; he smiled as Beth's security detail came in and took their seats they were acting as internal security while six others acted as external elsewhere on the boat. It had taken Sirius and Roy about two weeks of dancing around and evaluating each other come to an accord. They wanted the same thing a healthy happy and safe Beth and Sirius had come up with ways for that to happen that made it very easy for her detail. Nic appeared, he was snickering.

"About time you showed up. What so funny?" Remus said.

"Harry passing on Sirius' message verbatim, in front of my mother."

Five minutes later, Beth's brother Fredrick walked her great aunt to her seat. Andrew then walked Andie to her seat , while Benjamin walked Tonks. Finally Michael walked Maryanne to her seat. The music began the bridal party processional and with it started some of the most magical hours of Sirius' life. An hour later everyone had gathered for the toasts.

Roderick started off. "I propose a toast to Beth, my lovely daughter that I wish was still small enough for me to cosset, and to Sirius, the first man to see Beth's true value and inspire her to reach out for what she wants, may your joys be many, your hardships be few, and your love never ending. Salut."

After everyone drank Remus stood. "Most of you have never met me I'm Remus Lupin. I've known the man next to me since we were eleven. I was shocked when Padfoot here called and asked me to be his best man. I wondered what woman would have the old dog. Having gone to school with him I was surprised he'd found a woman that could get him to be serious, who would put up with the endless puns and pranks, and could end his rakish ways. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I met Beth. We had a good friend that met his Waterloo when we were eleven, James spent everyday of that first year and every year after trying to get Lily's attention any attention and he tried to woo her as a young boy would, by being a nuisance. It only took him most of six years to figure out how to win her, it's a shame he's no longer with us. I never thought I see the day when Padfoot here was smarter than James but here we are a mere four months and two weeks since he met her and he's got a ring on her finger. James would be envious. J.G. Holland said the most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman's heart. Beth, Sirius here's wishing you a house full of sunshine, hearts full of cheer, a love that grows deeper each day of the year." Several cries of hear, hear were heard as the guests drank again.

Sirius then spoke, " Benjamin Disraeli said, "We are born for love, it is the principle of existence and its only end." I met Beth and was attracted, then as I got to know her better it rapidly became apparent to me I needed this magnificent woman in my life. So I thank all those male idiots out there that were kind enough to leave her out there so this old dog could learn a new trick and gain my personal principle of existence. And I thank you Beth for making me the happiest man on the planet earth." He sipped. "I'd also like to thank Beth's parents Roderick and Maryanne for giving me the benefit of the doubt." The crowd laughed.

Lia grinned as everyone finished drinking after Sirius' toast to Beth and her parents. "I guess this means I'm up. I've known the bride since out freshman year at University of Minnesota. She drove me nuts. Her heart was so big so generous and caring. But she was such a whimp, a pushover, a Daddy's girl. She was intelligent and caring but she was so, not involved on a deeper level. She had men panting after her but she was totally oblivious to them. IF they tried to force her to see them she would freeze them out. But back at the end of November she comes home from a vacation; and suddenly she's the firecracker I always knew was there waiting to be lit. I said to myself something's different maybe she met someone. Then she shows me this huge rock on her finger. Yep definitely a man. Suddenly she's fighting for what she wants her life to be. So Beth, Sirius here are my wishes for you. May you have enough; enough hardship to keep you strong, enough joy to keep you happy, enough sorrow that you always appreciate the good in your lives; enough money that you never know want, enough surprises and action that you never get bored, enough quiet that you know inner peace; and enough love to last you a lifetime."

"Enough!"

Maryanne smiled, "Beth, my firstborn, I have a small bit of wisdom to share with you and Sirius. Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

"Thanks Mom. They say that a measure of one's life is the company they surround themselves with. Looking around this room, I can see that my life is truly blessed. I want to thank all of you for being part of our special day, but even more importantly, thank you for being part of our lives. Our days are so much more rich because of your presence. To all of you!" Beth sipped then collected her thoughts for a moment before speaking. "Sirius when I met you little did I know it would change my life forever but it has, you have. I relish the adventure you've brought to my life I look forward to our life to come."

Sirius looked at Beth and smiled, then he looked out at their guests. "Beth and I have one more very special toast to make,"

Beth took over, "there is a person here that made all of this, and I do mean all of this, possible."

"I was going along living a half life oblivious to what all life had to offer."

"And I was just walking on a beach as Lia says half asleep when I meet this singular small person. Harry come up here."

Harry blushing a brilliant scarlet came forward.

"I would like to raise a toast to my godson, Harry. With out his matchmaking and pranking I would have continued to be a lonely miserable dog. To Harry!"

"To Harry!"

The remainder of the day was one long and happy party, Beth shed happy tears at the romantic carriage ride from Pier 5 to the Walters Art Museum. She was astonished that Sirius had decided on horse and carriage transportation for the entire group. They were in a small carriage. The wedding party and her family followed in two slightly larger carriages. They enjoyed a twenty minute carriage ride through the water front and it's surrounding historic district. After them, surreys carried the remainder of their guests on a forty minute tour. Sirius had also carefully set it up so spells on the various carriages and the provided lap blankets kept everyone warm and cozy for the entire carriage ride. When the wedding party got to the Walters, the photographers finished up the pictures of the wedding party and they even took some fun shots after everyone changed into their sneakers.

After the dinner they move to the area where the cake was set up. Sirius got a good look and let out one of his trademark barking laughs. The cake had the fountain surrounded by six pillars he had wanted, and the monogram cake topper with flowers that Beth had chosen. But there between the layers was a set of four pillars and in between them was a groom on a motorcycle that looked a lot like him and a bride sitting sidesaddle that looked a lot like Beth and on the back of the bike was a Just married sign and some trailer cans on strings tied to the rear fender. He looked towards Bonnie who was wearing an uncertain look, so he looked down near him at Harry who was sporting a wide grin.

He reached out and tousled his godson's already messy hair, "Marauder."

"Takes one to know one." was his godson's cheeky response. Harry looked at Beth, "How do you like your cake?"

"How did you? You weren't even there when we ordered the cake."

"Not telling. Quit taking so long, I want some cake and you two have to have yours first."

Many of the guests heard the by play and laughed. But Sirius and Beth cut the cake fed each other a bit politely despite some chants of smash it from some of their friends. And after a bit the dancing started. Sirius dance the first and the last dances with Beth but his leg felt strained after their first dance and he knew if he wanted the last he couldn't dance any of the others. Harry's eyes were looking a little glazed by the time the reception ended at ten but he was still awake when Remus took him back to the Hotel for the night so Sirius and Beth could have privacy.