EPILOGUE

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the face of this company to join together this witch and this wizard in matrimony," began the tall, regal wizard with a smile.

The bride and groom held hands, staring into each other's eyes, completely lost in their love and in the moment. Molly Weasley was softly crying with happiness in the front row, and Hagrid was sniffling on Madame Maxime's shoulder near the back.

"I knew these two were destined to be together the moment I laid eyes on them. It is only fitting that they marry here, in the presence of their family and friends," the officiant continued. "May I have the rings please?"

Ron's fingers trembled as he felt in his pocket, dropping the ring on the ground in his nervousness, but Sirius picked it up and gave Harry a wink as he passed it to him, a beautiful piece of jewelry with diamonds encircling the band. Hermione grinned broadly and bit her lip as she passed a plain gold ring to Ginny.

"Now, Harry, repeat after me. I, Harry . . ."

"I, Harry . . ."

It had been six months since Sirius returned from the Veil, and he had never been happier. When Harry had asked him to be a groomsman in his wedding, Sirius's heart felt like it would leap out of his chest. Now, as Harry recited his vows to his beautiful redheaded bride, Sirius glanced up to the sky, hoping that his best friend was watching from beyond. He could remember James and Lily's wedding like it was yesterday, and it was like he got to watch it all over again.

The last six months had been a welcome reprieve. He'd spent about half of it in bed with Hermione, and the other half learning what it was to be a free wizard in the world. The feel of sunlight on his face, the bustle of Diagon Alley, a cold, foamy beer served at a pub: things that he would never take for granted again, and he got to experience them all with Hermione by his side. He got to get to know Harry as an adult, and while he found so many things about him that were like James, Harry was his own man, shaped by his life with his aunt and uncle, with the Weasleys, with Hermione, and with Remus. Sirius half felt like he was living in a dream. Surely life couldn't just be easy? Kissing Hermione whenever he wanted to, taking her out for expensive dinners, seeing Harry any time he liked? It was so unfamiliar. Sirius felt like he'd spent his entire life fighting battles: against his parents, against the Slytherins, against Voldemort, and worst of all, against cruel twists of fate.

Now only one battle remained. Sirius gulped thickly as Hermione led him toward her parents. The Grangers were a well-matched couple. Mrs. Granger was of middling height with short, curly hair and glasses. Mr. Granger was about Sirius's height, with a slight build and a warm smile. They looked to be in their late forties, perhaps less than a decade older than Sirius was supposed to be. He thanked Merlin that the Veil had essentially frozen him in time a few years, for he suspected Mr. Granger would have a much less friendly expression on his face were Sirius only 7 or 8 years his junior.

"Mum, Dad, this is Sirius," said Hermione brightly.

He clasped Mr. Granger's hand, and then took Mrs. Granger's gently.

"We've heard so much about you," said Mrs. Granger in a lilting voice.

"Only good things, I hope," said Sirius, with a rogue grin.

"Of course," she said reassuringly.

Hermione's parents made pleasant companions to chat with. They inquired all about his time in the past with their daughter, listening attentively to the funny stories and heartfelt moments.

"To think, our Hermione was alive and well at Hogwarts while we were planning our wedding," marveled Mr. Granger.

After dinner, once Harry and Ginny had their first dance, Sirius led Hermione to the dance floor. After a few raucous dances, a slower song began to play, and Sirius pulled Hermione close. She tucked her head onto his shoulder. He held one of her hands in his and placed the other at the small of her back, resting his head on the top of hers.

"I love you," he whispered.

The evening wore on. Hermione shared a dance with Harry, with Ron, with Remus. Sirius sat back at his table, watching her wild curls as she twirled. Exhausted and panting, she finally rejoined him, taking his arm and fanning herself with her hand.

"Come on, Hermione! She's tossing the bouquet!" said Parvati Patil excitedly, grabbing Hermione's arm, and Hermione, still catching her breath, was dragged to her feet.

Hermione handed her champagne to Sirius as she was pulled away. He watched her stand in the crowd of anxious girls, and when Ginny tossed the bouquet of red and yellow flowers, she jumped in the air to try and catch it.

"I GOT IT!" shrieked Parvati, who was jumping up and down madly.

Hermione shrugged and smirked at Sirius as she walked back to her seat. She gave him a kiss on the cheek as she sat down.

"Guess we're not getting married," Hermione said absently, feigning disinterest.

"Oh, don't you think you can get away with that," he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her sensually. "You're next. I don't care what that bouquet says."

She blushed and smiled.

"You know, there's something about weddings. Makes me want to drag you into that closet and have my way with you," he continued.

"Sirius!" she said reproachfully, but he saw a grin twitching at the corners of her mouth.

"Oh, come on, let an old man have some fun," he joked.

The wedding reception was beginning to die down. Harry looked wildly overwhelmed by the sheer number of cousins stopping by his table to give him and Ginny their well wishes. Sirius clapped his godson's shoulder and gave Ginny a hug that lifted her off her feet, spinning her around once before setting her back down. Hermione hugged her parents before they left. As the crowd began to thin, Sirius saw Madame Maxime, unsteady on her feet and a champagne coupe in her hand, sloshing liquid onto the dance floor. Fleur was trying to get her to sit down, but she was having none of that.

"Oh, I wish to make a toast!" she said in a thick French accent. "To Harry Potter, who defeated my dear Fleur Weasel in the Triwizard Tournament!"

"Weasley, Madame! Weasley!" Fleur replied angrily.

"Yes, of course," Madame Maxine said, and downed the rest of her champagne.

Hermione had her hand over her mouth to stifle giggles.

That night, after the reception, Hermione and Sirius returned to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. It was much emptier now that it was no longer being used as the primary headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. Hermione and Sirius had taken up residence in the primary suite once it had been thoroughly cleaned and the various portraits of his ancestors had been removed from the walls. Hermione was peeling herself out of the burgundy bridesmaid dress, not noticing at first that Sirius was laying on the bed watching her intently. One her dress was pooled on the floor, she looked over at him and saw him staring.

"Yes, Mister Black?" she asked, brown eyes warm and sparkling.

"Just watching you," he replied simply.

She crawled into bed next to him and lay on her back, and he gently traced her jawline with the tip of his finger.

"Did you mean it, Sirius?" she asked quietly.

"That I wanted to drag you into a broom closet? You bet," he said with a smirk.

"That's not what I meant," she replied, grinning. "Did you mean it when you said I'm next?"

"Of course I did, love," he replied, planting gentle kisses along her collar bone.

"You did?" she asked.

"Yea. We'll have to if we want to have children without raising any eyebrows," he said, continuing his kisses onto her neck and chest.

"Children?" she said suspiciously.

"I am the last of the Blacks, you know," he replied nonchalantly. "Got to keep the family name. We'll need to have three or four."

"Three or four?" she replied.

"Definitely," he said, kissing his way down to her stomach. "Sirius Jr., James, Remus, and Harry."

"What if one's a girl?" Hermione asked.

"Harriet," said Sirius, and he paused thoughtfully. "Sirius could actually go either way."

Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled him up so that she could see his face. He kissed her lightly on the lips and rolled onto his back, pulling her up next to him. She rested her head on his chest, absently tracing the outlines of his tattoos and scars.

"I wonder what would have happened if I had never gone back," she said, thinking aloud.

"I wonder what would have happened if someone else had found you screaming in the hall instead of me," he replied with a smirk.

"Oh yea. Sorry about that," she replied bashfully.

"It was worth it, love," Sirius said, kissing her head. "It was worth it."

THE END.