Here is the second chapter of "Legally Binding"… To "roadside author" the disclaimer actually did credit the movie. In case you missed it, I've underlined it: Disclaimer: This story is based on the "Harry Potter" universe as well as the movie "Life as we know it". What this means is, I quite literally own nothing. A wealthy British woman owns the characters anda large movie company owns the majority of the plot. Sorry for any confusion that might have been caused.

Anyways, on to the next installment:

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May 2010 (Remus and Sirius are 22)

Remus couldn't help but smile on a day like today. The sun was high and bright, the birds were singing in the trees and all the flowers were in bloom. Somewhere off in the distance the band could be heard warming up. Remus drew in a deep breath of the spring air and exhaled. His job as Lilly's "Maid" of Honor, as she affectionately called him, drew to a close today. She was locked away in her room, screaming at the seamstress to make a few last minute alterations to her dress, and Remus had taken that as his cue to leave. He was now standing with his back to the walls of Lilly and James' house, where everyone was getting ready for the impeding wedding, just enjoying the peace and quiet of spring, far from the insane bustle of the final preparations. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the cool stone.

A loud bang disturbed his peace and he nearly jumped out of his skin as the door beside him flew open. A man in a crisp dark suit came hurtling through the doorway and slammed it behind him leaning heavily on the polished wood. He was panting like a madman. Remus examined him and it was with sinking heart he realized who he was staring at. Sirius Black, the bane of his existence and James' best man, had yet to notice Remus and he used the time to attempt to sneak away and around the side of the house.

"Lupin?"

A deep voice stopped him in his tracks and he froze with a cringing expression on his face as he realized he had been discovered. Trust Black to ruin his day. Sirius chuckled deep in his chest.

"What are you doing here?"

Remus looked at him like he was impressively thick.

"My best friend is getting married."

"Oh, yeah, same."

They stood staring at each other awkwardly for a moment. Remus shook himself visibly and turned towards the door Sirius had fled through.

"I better get back; Lilly might need me to dispose of the body of the seamstress"

Remus chuckled nervously as Sirius stepped aside.

"…See you later Lupin."

Remus scowled at the empty hallway, his back to Sirius.

"Yeah. See you."

Remus started the walk down the hallway, heading towards the closed door from which Lilly's panicked voice could still be heard.

"Oh and Lupin" Sirius called after him. "Watch out for Lilly's sister. I swear she doesn't understand the word 'no' - Crazy broad."

Remus smirked and laughed quietly under his breath. He had met Petunia and didn't envy Sirius for having to deal with her. Luckily he fell somewhere in the realm of "flamingly homosexual" and was therefore safe from her wrath. For that he was infinitely thankful.

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Although Remus was more than happy to be a part of Lilly and James' wedding, he was more than slightly uncomfortable with the situation he was currently in. He had been standing at the makeshift altar for thirty minutes in the beating sun, as the entire wedding party waited for a suddenly violently ill Lilly. Everyone was getting restless, shifting in their seats and murmuring impatiently. Sirius was currently squirming under the lustful gaze of Petunia Evans, looking anywhere but her face. His eyes caught Remus's and Remus couldn't help but notice that as much as he disliked the other man, he was bloody gorgeous. He almost felt bad for Sirius, his dislike for Lilly's sister almost outweighing his dislike for Sirius. Almost. He sent a teasing look Sirius' way. Sirius scowled at him, pouting like a small child. Remus laughed gently under his breath before he realized exactly what was going on. He schooled his features into a mask of indifference and reminded himself of exactly how much of an arse Sirius Black was.

The band started playing the wedding march and Lilly could be seen walking through the flowered archway at the end of the aisle. Every head in the room turned to watch the radiantly beautiful Lilly Evans walk up grass that was littered in flower petals. She was blushing lightly at the look in James' eyes and it was painfully obvious how deeply in love they were. Had Remus been straight he probably would have fallen a little bit in love with Lilly in that moment and as it was he couldn't help but feel a little jealousy at the way the couple looked at each other. She approached the altar and took her rightful place beside James.

Remus felt the heavy weight of a stare playing across his face and he shivered slightly against the feeling. It was unnerving. He looked up, his eyes immediately meeting Sirius' across the couple being joined in marriage. Sirius was unashamedly staring at him. Remus looked away embarrassedly, focusing his attention back on the Lilly and James.

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The entire bridal party was lined up in the blooming, fragrant gardens at the Potter manor in an impossibly straight line. They all stood stalk still with an eccentric photographer gesturing and screaming French expletives at them. Remus couldn't help but be amused at the entire situation, allowing the gleeful feeling of spring to seep into his entire being. That was until the angry Frenchman was yelling and gesturing for Sirius and Remus to stand beside each other to "even the photo out".

Sirius Black sauntered up to Remus and slid in beside him, a cocky smirk playing across his face. Remus huffed indignantly, shooting a pleading look at Lilly. She just laughed and rolled her eyes, which translated into "suck it up Remus". The photographer snapped what must have been thousands of photos, Wizarding and muggle alike. During the last photo, Remus felt Sirius shift closer and place a hand firmly on his arse, squeezing it roughly in his large, calloused palm. Remus's eyes flew open in embarrassment and he felt his face flare red as the final click of the shutter could be heard. Sirius slid away from him and disappeared into the crowd.

Lilly caught his eye and walked towards him, enveloping him in a gentle hug. She smiled knowingly at him.

"What's gotten into you Remus?" she smirked. "You look like you've just been felt up by Black."

Remus scowled darkly at her and she gasped in surprise and then dissolved into laughter.

"Oh my god! You have! Remus you filthy minx you."

Remus pouted.

"Lilly" he whined, "You know I hate that guy."

She smiled gently at him.

"I know darling, but James likes him" Lilly screwed up her face in distaste "and he's, I -loathe to admit - not that bad."

Remus looked at her like she had grown a second head and she laughed, wrapping a slender arm around his waist.

"I love you Remus."

"I know Lil. I love you too"

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Remus sat, half concealed in the dark as he watched the couples sway gently to the soft music. Lilly and James were off in the crowd, expressing their thanks to everyone who had come, and receiving well wishes. Remus took a deep swig of the firewhisky in his tumbler and sighed almost inaudibly. He would never admit it out loud, but he was lonely. More than anything he wanted a family of his own, someone to love him like James loved Lilly. He wanted the promise of something more. Someone who accepted him for who he was; werewolf and all.

The quiet rustling of fabric and the slosh of liquid in a glass alerted Remus to someone approaching him. Black materialized out of the darkness, standing beside the table. He watched the couples sway for a moment, pensive.

"It's almost sad isn't it?" he said softly.

"What is?" Remus murmured back, curious.

"Being on the outside looking in" He replied slowly, rolling his words around in his mouth. "Watching everyone being happy, and knowing you're alone."

Remus looked up at Sirius, who was swaying unsteadily on his feet, a sad look in his eyes. He was hard to hate like this.

"That doesn't exactly sound like you…Are you drunk Black?" Remus asked quietly and without the usual barbs.

"Just a little" Sirius breathed.

"Go home Black" Remus said tiredly.

"I don't really know where that is." He whispered; quiet enough that he wouldn't have been heard by a normal wizard. It was hard to see his face in this light but Remus knew that his eyes were shining with unshed tears. He felt a pang of sadness in his heart for Sirius, maybe the only one here who understood how he felt.

"Goodnight Black."

"Yeah. Goodnight."