Hey thank you all so much for the reviews! I seriously appreciate it like! I must admit however that when I didn't get reviews for a couple days I thought that I scared you off or offended you in some way! But now that ye reviewed my paranoia has ceased! Lol. This chapter some of ye may not like or enjoy but I feel that it is essential. So please don't be discouraged because the one after it will exceptional I promise! So go and get reading and please review either way! Thanks! Chat 2 ya later dudes!

A few weeks later when all the commotion of Sirius and Sharinas engagement had died down, the preparations for the wedding and engagement party began. The day was Thursday August 10th. The engagement party was arranged for this coming Saturday so James and Remus agreed to organise the drink situation with Madam Rosemerta whilst Lily, Karina, Isabelle and Andromeda would sort out the food. Now all that was left to sort out was a wedding date which is what Sirius and Sharina were doing outside. Sirius and Sharina were sitting at the picnic table beside each other with a quill and a parchment each, writing down details that they agreed on including a mutual wedding date. However, the date still had to be decided. Whenever one of them would suggest a date, the other would dismiss it.

……"August 30th?" Sirius suggested.

"Well…..that only gives us a little more than two weeks Sirius."

"Okay…..how about September seventh?"

"A little more than four weeks Sirius?"

"Well how much time do you need love?" Sirius asked smirking and throwing down the quill as he continued….."I mean I thought we agreed that we didn't want a long, drawn out engagement!"

"Well ya we did Sirius but we need to give people sufficient notice you know? How about September 30th?"

"Seven weeks?" Sirius exclaimed.

"Well ya." Sirius rolled his eyes and looked in the other direction. Sharina placed a hand on his shoulder and said……

"Look Sirius we still have a lot to arrange you know? We have catering, the suits for the groomsmen and the dresses for the bridesmaid and me, the cake…..with seven weeks it will give us sufficient time to organise all of that. And the invitations too so….please be practical Sirius."

Sirius looked her in the eyes and smiled. He covered his hand with hers as he said……

"Okay Shar. Whatever you want darling." Sirius then clasped her hand and kissed it. They both smiled at each other before Sharina said……

"Plus with seven weeks we can make sure that our families will be able to attend….."

Sirius turned away from Sharina as he dropped her hand abruptly. His blood ran cold as it left his face. Sharina looked at him with concern evident in her eyes. Sirius eventually said…..

"My family are not coming to the wedding Sharina."

"Well okay Sirius if that's what you want….."

"It is what I want."

"I just thought that…..well you know sometimes weddings can bring people together. Even families can bond so maybe……"

Sirius rose abruptly from the table as he walked towards the house. Sharina looked after him quizzically before she ran after him. She caught him and stood in front of him as she placed her hands on his chest. Sirius looked at her in a way she had never seen before. Sirius eyes bore through her skull with violent, invisible rays of evident hatred. They just starred at each other for a few minutes before Sharina said….

"Sirius I am sorry for bringing up the past okay?"

"Okay." Sirius said gravely.

"So can you please come back to the table so we can decide on a date….." Sirius shook his head.

"I need to think." Sirius replied hoarsely.

Sharina stood back from as she looked at him. Sirius had his head bowed but he looked up a few seconds later as he said….

"I need to think Sharina okay?"

"About us?" She asked restraining tears from falling down her face by biting her lip.

"About……everything….." Sirius looked at her before opening the door and entering the house leaving a very upset Sharina outside. As soon as the back door clicked, Sharina allowed her tears to come running down her face as she ran back to the table and buried her head on her arms.

A few minutes later James and Remus emerged from the house laughing. Almost immediately they saw Sharina at the table so after looking quizzically at each other they ran over to her and seated themselves beside her. Remus placed a hand on her shoulder. Sharina raised her head and saw Remus warm smiling face gazing at her. With that she lunged herself into his arms. Remus enveloped her securely and attempted to soothe her by whispering "Shh" and stroking her hair. Both he and James smiled sadly at each other. After a few minutes Sharina calmed down as she looked up and reciprocated Remus smile. Remus released his grip on her as James offered her his handkerchief. She accepted it gratefully.

"So what happened?" Remus asked gently.

"We had a fight." Sharina replied drying her eyes.

"What was it about Shari?"

"Thanks James." She said handing him back the handkerchief.

"No problem love. So what did our Sirius do?"

"Well …… Sirius and I were trying to decide on a date for the wedding. We came up with a couple but neither of us agreed on a mutual one so…I suggested September 30th. Sirius wasn't too keen but I said it would make sense to have it then if we wanted to give our families sufficient notice……"

"Oh no. You didn't……" James started.

"Didn't what?"

"Mention his family?" Remus said.

"Well not outright…."

"But you did suggest it right?"

"Well ya James but…"

"Uh uh. No buts where Sirius family are concerned." James said looking gravely at her.

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't Sirius tell you about his family?"

"We never really spoke about it Remus. But whenever I brought it up….he always cut me off or changed the subject. I just assumed he had fights with them…."

"Well he did but as Remus will tell you….it was far much worse than that."

"Eh James, shouldn't we let Sirius tell her?"

"Remus, Sirius didn't even tell us until fifth year. And even then it was like extracting teeth!"

Remus just shrugged and looked at James anxiously as he quirked one eyebrow and looked at the ground.

"Don't worry Moony, I can handle Sirius. Well you see Sharina, Sirius and his family never got along because of their morals."

"What morals?"

"Sirius hates the dark arts. His family are supporters of Voldemort and when Sirius opinionated his views about this….his family disowned him."

"Disowned him!" Sharina exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah. His father would curse him, hex him and sometimes physically beat him. His parents never approved of his friendship with Remus or me because our families were supporters of the light. He moved in with my parents and I when he was sixteen….."

"Ya he did tell me that before. I'm just so scared that I have ruined everything James."

"Oh come here." James said throwing his arm around her shoulder as he brought her close to him. She leant her head against his chest as he caressed her arm.

"You know Shari we have known Sirius since he was eleven years old. We went through everything together. First detention, first kiss, first girlfriend….. And never have we seen him as happy as he is with you. Isn't that right Remus?"

"Ya mate spot on. Sirius loves you so much Sharina that a silly dispute like this wont change how he feels. Granted he did mess you about in fourth year but I am telling you now that what he feels how he acts….it is real. Sirius is a very genuine guy. Hot tempered at times but genuine. Nothing has changed Sharina. You must believe that."

"So what do you guys suggest I do?"

"Nothing." James said but when Sharina looked perplexed he continued…..

"Remus and I will take care of Sirius." James unwound his arm from around her shoulder as he said……

"Come on Remus lets go!"

With a few more smiles exchanged, James and Remus left Sharina to sort out their friend.

As they entered the kitchen they called out for him but got no response. After checking the sitting room and study they ran upstairs and as they approached Sirius bedroom, knocked loudly on the door.

They waited for a couple of minutes but got no answer. James faced Remus who just shrugged so James pulled down on the brass handle as he barged into the room. They found Sirius stretched length ways on his king-sized bed with his hands behind his head starring at the ceiling. He turned to face his friends but turned his head away again within seconds.

"Sirius mate what's all this about?" James asked swinging his hands in the air and dropping them at his side abruptly. They got no answer. So James continued.

"We were just talking to your fiancé who by the way is hysterical over your actions! I just thought you might like to know."

Sirius continued to stare at the ceiling.

"Oh and incase you care, Remus managed to console her which by the way should be your job mate!"

After a few more minutes of continued graveyard silence, James shouted…..

"Well aren't ya gona say something?"

James then stormed over to his Sirius bedside and continued ranting at his friend.

"Now look Sirius, I don't know what the bloody hell has gotten into you alright? But Remus and I were on our way to see Rose about drinks for your engagement party. As you know there was a change of plan so could you please let us know if there is any need to go to the broomsticks mate?" After another dead reply, James temper got the better of him as he said……

"Sirius for god sake would ya answer me! I thought you were over all your family issues."

"I'm not." Sirius said quietly.

"You're not what?" James asked abruptly.

"I'm not over my family issues."

"Well could you let us know when you are so we can start arranging your engagement party!"

Sirius stared hard at him before Remus stepped forward. He placed a hand on James shoulder signalling for him to stop. James took the hint as he went and stood over by the door. Remus sat down at the end of Sirius bed. Sirius just starred at him emotionless.

"Sirius, Sharina is really hurt by what you did mate. She had no clue just how bad things were between you and your family."

"Did you tell her?" Sirius asked coldly.

"Well ya. We had to."

"Why?"

"Well because we know how painful it is for you. Even though it happened a long time ago……the memories are deeply rooted in your mind. You might try and forget about them. You may even disown your family but you can never escape the traumatic experiences you endured. I know how it feels mate. Every time I try and forget about my sinister past, I am reminded about it every single month. I cannot escape it no matter how hard I try, just like you."

"It's a different situation Remus." Sirius said bleakly.

"How is it different from yours?"

I don't turn into a monster every month….." Remus smiled a little at this but Sirius didn't notice, he was still starring at the ceiling as he continued……"Instead I am haunted every night by him. At least you get a chance to recover, I don't."

"What? Sirius you have nightmares every night about your father?" Sirius nodded. At this point James rushed over and sat at the foot of Sirius bed as he looked at Remus anxiously who continued…..

"Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"Would it have made a difference? You can't help me. Nobody can."

"A psychiatrist can."

Sirius smirked before saying…..

"I am not going to a shrink James."

"Have you had them all your life?" James asked.

"Since I was five. I lied. I don't have them every night. The older I get the more irregular they become. Now-a-days the most I get them is twice a week. You see I am getting better you guys!" Sirius said this looking up at his friends and showing the first true smile since 30 minutes ago. James and Remus looked at each other anxiously before James said…

"Sirius mate….."

"I am not going to a shrink James." Sirius said raising his head up a little to speak directly into his friends face.

"I wasn't going to say that. What I was going to say is that I am sorry for shouting at you and being so….heartless." Sirius just shook his head before sitting upright on the bed and saying…..

Forget it mate coz I have. You were right about one thing though…."

"Only one thing?" James asked which them all snigger.

"I should not have treated Sharina the way I did. If I didn't tell her the full story how could I possibly expect her to know? Do you think that shell ever forgive me?" Sirius asked as he sat up on the side of his bed.

"I imagine so since she was convinced you would call off the wedding." Remus said.

"WHAT! Sirius exclaimed. He then rubbed his face tiredly and sighed. "Oh god." He muttered.

"Why the bloody hell would she think I would do something so rash? I love her way too much to hurt her!"

"Well mate I think you probably did that already!" James said glumly.

"What am I going to do?"

"If I were you I would start grovelling and hope it works. Praying is always a good option too Pads!"

"As sarcastic as you are James, I reckon its my only option at this stage. Sharina is not the type of girl who can be bought. Is she still outside?"

"She was thirty minutes ago but she is either in with Lily or gone home. My bet is that she's in with Lils. Go get her champ!"

"Ya thanks Prongs. Moony cheers for your help too. I will talk to ye later when Ill hopefully be the bearer of good news."

With that Sirius rose from the bed and went to the door.

"Oh Sirius?" Remus called.

"Ya Remus what is it mate?"

"If you ever need to talk about what you go through at night, we are both here for you mate."

"Thanks Remus. I know ye are. Later guys!"

"Do you think that I have lost him forever Lils? I couldn't bare it!"

"Oh no of course not….Sirius!"

Sirius walked into the kitchen and smiled at Lily.

"Hey Lils. Could I borrow Shari for a second?"

"Ya of course." She smiled at him. Sharina looked at him and he smiled before saying…

"Shari darling could we speak outside please?"

"Okay Sirius." With that she got up and Sirius held the door open for her as she stepped out. Sirius winked at Lily and mouthed "thanks." Before letting himself out.

Sharina stood at the division of the two houses with her face stern and arms crossed. Sirius smiled but she did not.

"Shari I am so sorry for treating you the way I did. You did not deserve it darling."

"Thank you Sirius for stating the obvious."

"Look I know that my behaviour can be called unforgivable but you have to believe me when I say that I am truly sorry for upsetting you. You know I love you right?"

"I used to Sirius. But the way you treated me….I am not so sure of anything anymore."

"What? Oh now hold up darling….you must be sure of that……"

Sharina turned and walked away from Sirius. He ran after her and caught her by the wrist as he spun her around to face him. She had tears brewing in her eyes and some streaming down her face. Sirius brushed them away gently with his thumb. He offered her his hand and she reluctantly accepted it as Sirius guided her over to the bench. They both sat next to one another. After a few minutes of silence Sirius said…."Look Shari I know that I should have told you about my family situation long before now. But I just couldn't handle them….I cant handle thinking about them let alone discussing them……."

"I understand." Sharina said quaintly.

"You do?" Sirius asked surprised that she was suddenly so forgiving.

"Well then why…..why are you all bent out of shape?"

"Sirius you are the one who is "bent out of shape!"…..you are the one who shut down and wouldn't say a word, you are the one who stormed off……."

"Okay okay I get it!" Sirius said gesturing for her to calm down with his hands.

"Do you? Do you really? You really hurt me you know Sirius!"

"I know I did. So please just tell me what I can do to make things right between us. I will do anything for you darling."

"Anything?" Sharina asked.

"Yes anything Shari."

"Come here." She said beckoning him with her finger and smiling at him.

Sirius came closer smiling at her. As soon as he least expected it, she slapped Sirius across the face."

"Oww! Girl that really hurt!" Sirius roared as he massaged his face.

"Now you know how it feels!" Sharina whispered as she got up and walked towards the road.

"Oh ha ha very funny……hey where are you going?" Sirius shouted after her as he jumped off the bench and tore after her. As he reached her, he turned her around to face him.

"I never said that I forgave you Sirius." She said shortly.

"What? You belted me across the face! Don't you think that I have been hurt enough?"

"What! Sirius why is everything always about you?"

"Sharina…please don't do this. What we have is something that only comes around once in a lifetime. I am not prepared to through all that away. I love you and I know you love me too. I know I hurt you today darling but if you give me another chance I promise you that I will spend the rest of my life caring for you, protecting you and loving you. So please…..please give me another chance Sharina…..please?" Sirius at this point was clutching her shoulders tightly and his eyes were filled with desperation. Sharina searched Sirius face looking for the truth. She had never seen Sirius so hurt or heard him plead for anything so much. The emotion portrayed on his face was heart rendering. She knew that Sirius never meant to hurt her and that what he said was the truth. After a few moments of silence, Sharina relented and said…..

"Sirius…I do love you….so much. I can't see myself without you so….I forgive you."

Sirius eyes lit up as he smiled heartedly at her. "Really?" Sharina nodded before Sirius hugged her tightly. James and Sirius emerged from the house and saw the reconciliation in front of them.

"Well glad that's over." James whispered to Remus.

"Too true mate. So are we going to the broomsticks then?"

"Yes sir. Let's go."

James and Remus apparated to The Three Broomsticks while Sirius and Sharina remained oblivious to anyone or anything around them.

Well what do ye think? Hope it was satisfactory and if it wasn't well I promise you that 24 will be more

Than satisfactory! Talk 2 ya!