Happy weekend to all!
Thank yous to all who Followed and Favorited last chapter. And to my loyal reviewers; aira nabihah, ghzowy, guest, GhostWriter1964, Guest, Kaleigh Windelynn, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, and Raven that flies at night.. thank you from the bottom of my heart for your extra time!
Regulus's confession about his feelings had been questioned and quickly confirmed before hugging him tightly and sending him home.
Sirius knew that his brother was most likely in enough trouble with their mother for disappearing the night of the party. He didn't want Regulus to have to suffer for another day missing.
Hermione stood at the sink, slowly washing the tea mugs the muggle way. It was an old habit that she had picked up from her mother; using the chore of doing the dishes as a kind of quiet time for contemplation. She wasn't quite sure what to make of the new development. Hermione knew very little about Regulus in her timeline and she knew even less about Marlene. The idea that her actions of bringing Regulus into the Order could have been a trigger for this did leave her feeling a bit nauseated as she thought about the affect it would have on the current time, "Do you think he'll be alright?"
"Of course," Sirius answered without even a second thought, "Reg is clever… he was always good at finding loopholes. And he is a Slytherin. They're supposed to be cunning and bend people to their will a lot, right?"
Hermione frowned, "I'm fairly certain that this wasn't exactly planned or how he wanted things to go."
"Well, I'm fairly certain that he didn't know what he wanted until Marlene kissed him. But he can be almost as stubborn as me when he comes to a decision," Sirius stepped behind Hermione and placed a hand on each of her hips, "Maybe she will be the reason Reg wakes up and actively tries to help us change the future for him as well."
"And what if he's right? What if we can't change things for him... but we can help Marlene survive instead?" Hermione's voice was soft and monotone as she still went over every possible outcome in her head.
Sirius tucked his chin over her shoulder, "I thought we agreed on no negative thoughts over future outcomes."
"But it's your brother… it's Regulus… I want so much to save him, but I know nothing about what happened to him," Hermione sighed and put down the cup that she had been scrubbing for the last few minutes.
"Doesn't matter. We'll manage," Sirius brushed his lips over her ear, "We'll figure it out together."
"New Year's Party?"
"Yes, the Potter's New Years Party. Food, drinks… lots of well dressed people… I believe you were my date last year," Sirius beamed at Hermione as she rolled her eyes and playfully slapped his arm with the fancy invitation that had just received.
"It just… it seems a bit calis to have a huge celebration right after two Order members were ambushed and badly hurt and a small muggle village was attacked just a day after Boxing day," Hermione had sneaked down to the tiny village every day to get a few muggle newspapers. She had bought The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian everyday, and had even picked up the Mirror once or twice if she saw a suspicious story that could be magically influenced, and compared the stories to The Daily Prophet.
Hermione had found a story in The Guardian that stated a small village right outside of Poole had supposedly been destroyed by a terrible lightning storm. No one had died but many had been injured, and no one interviewed had a clear recollection for what had happened. The Daily Prophet had been no help at all until Hermione had closed the paper in frustration and noticed a small blurb on the last page of the wizarding paper. The little article said that an unnamed village in the West Country had been ransacked by a group of ruffians wearing masks and dark cloaks, but they obviously had no affiliation with He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named because they had left everyone alive, "... or maybe they were just sloshed and wanted to play with the muggles…"
Sirius had looked over at his girlfriend with concern until he had read the article for himself, "He probably doesn't want a lot of attention right now… only reason they would have such restraint... False sense of security."
"But then, what happened to the Prewett brothers?" Hermione asked as she sipped her tea and silently debated which way her boyfriend was going to answer; humor, undersell or head on…
Apparently it was a combination of all three.
"If you had heard the stories I'm heard about the Prewett Brothers... you wouldn't be questioning this," Sirius chuckled lightly, "Those two cause havoc wherever they step, so it's natural that they would attract the attention of someone dangerous eventually. They're too bright to go into something like that completely unprepared, but they probably didn't realize that the barkeep was being paid off by the Death Eaters as well; no one did! But I am glad they're going to be fine, the world would be a drearier place without them."
"So you mentioned something about there still being a New Year's party?"
Sirius nodded excitedly, "I think it's exactly what we all need right now. It sounds like Edmund and Flora are closing rank though. James mentioned that it's going to be a bit smaller, only family and extremely close friends this year. Starting a bit later, and its not going to be as formal as the previous years; apparently I don't have to wear dress robes. Though I have already been promised severe consequences if I don't at least appear respectable."
"I'm assuming that was Mrs. Potter's words, not your own?"
"Of course. Flora will have my head if I show up in my motorbike jacket… though now that I think on it, I would love to see her reaction," a wicked smile crossed his face.
"Let's not aggravate the poor woman. She's been so kind to both of us," Hermione gently reminded the man seated next to her. She wasn't completely thrilled about the party, there was still a strange feeling in her gut about it, but for the woman that showed Sirius what caring parents could actually be like… Hermione would do almost anything.
Hermione was shocked… happy, but truly surprised, "You're doing what?!"
"Getting married. It starts in about thirty minutes in fact," Lily handed her friend a pearl necklace, "Do you mind helping me with this?"
The blonde witch fumbled with the clasp at first, but was able to thread the hook after the third try. When they had first arrived at Potter Manor, everyone had been ushered into the ballroom for a cocktails and h'ordeuvres. Nothing had been very suspicious except the fact that a butler had stood guard by the door of the garden and would not allow anyone to exit. Then, an hour before midnight the Marauders and their dates had been corralled into the library to explain what was really going on. "You and James are getting married… right now?"
"Yes. We've scheduled it so that the minister will conduct the ceremony just in time for us to kiss at midnight as husband and wife. New Year, new life," Lily explained as her mother came into the room toting a rather long garment bag.
"I thought you were planning on getting married this summer?" Hermione asked, still a bit confused.
Lily sighed and shrugged, "We were… but with the suspicious activities from the Death Eaters, we weren't sure how much longer this 'peaceful' time would be. I actually suggested the idea originally as a joke, but the more I thought about it and the more reports I went over for the order about muggle attacks and then the Prewett boys… it didn't seem like a silly idea anymore. Our peace isn't going to last for very much longer and I would rather not be fussing over the details of a wedding while I have to run an Order mission."
"Oh, don't you dare, Lily. You can make it sound as logical as you like, but it was still a ridiculous idea," Mrs. Evans chuckled as she held out the long white dress for her daughter to step into, "planning a completely new wedding is not exactly an easy task either."
Hermione held onto Lily's hands as she tried to remain balanced.
Philippa stood beside them with a broad smile as she held onto the bouquets, "It is rather romantic though. Getting married at exactly midnight; marking your newly married life at the same time a whole new year is beginning."
"And being surrounded by such wonderful people doesn't hurt either," Lily offered Peter's girlfriend a welcoming smile, "Only one person really missing…" The bride's gaze suddenly fell from the mirror and Hermione could see a real sadness sagging her friend's shoulders.
Mrs. Evans finished buttoning the back of the dress and came to stand next to her younger daughter, "No matter what your sister says, she will always love you. Petunia has just lost her way a little…"
Lily smiled tightly. She said nothing, but did raise her head and swallowed thickly before allowing the dazzling smile to return to her face, "Well, do you think it will matter that the bridesmaids and groomsmen aren't even?"
"Do you really think anyone will even notice us when they see you?" Hermione felt a little tear cling to the edge of her eye.
Lily had a simple, cream colored, satin dress. There were no eccentric embroidery, frilly lace or puffy sleeves. It had a simple a-line cut with a matching cream ribbon tied into a delicate bow at her waist and off the shoulder sleeves that allowed Lily's cascading auburn hair be on full display. Her deep red hair was curled and pinned back on one side with a little jeweled comb that Mrs. Potter had given to the bride. And she wore little pearl drop earrings, borrowed from Mrs. Evans.
Lily Evans was truly a sight to behold.
The redhead gently touched the heirloom comb, "You really think I look alright? You're not just trying to placate me and keep me from panicking?"
Hermione smiled brightly, "You look beautiful."
"And the extra groomsman? I hate leaving Remus to walk by himself," Lily wasn't exactly hysteric, but she seemed to need reassurance.
"I really doubt anyone will mind, but I'll walk with Remus if it will make you feel better," Hermione made sure to use a serious but soothing voice even though her comment was a bit silly.
Philippa snorted, "Not sure if leaving Sirius alone would be the best idea though. He might try to steal away James."
Lily and Hermione burst out laughing at the comment, "Yes… you fit in perfectly..."
"But just to be on the safe side," Hermione helped Lily dab her eyes, "I will walk with both Remus and Sirius. Don't worry about a thing; I'll keep them in line."
The ceremony was out in the gardens. A rather strong warming charm had been set around the area again and floating white lanterns threw a soft glow around the small group of attendees seated on bright white folding chairs.
Immediate family and very close friends from Hogwarts and the Order surrounded the couple in unconditional love as they witnessed the joining of James and Lily as husband and wife.
It was the quintessential fairy-tale wedding. From the goofy grin that James wore when Lily began her walk down the aisle on the arm of her father, to the midnight kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Potter that had come complete with actual fireworks courtesy of the other Marauders; everything was perfect.
The reception was held in the ballroom, which had been made over by the Potter elves and the hired help. They had transformed the room into a winter wonderland, complete with enchanted snow that drifted down from the ceiling but dissolved about a foot above any of the guests. The food was delicious, the cake was too pretty to even consider eating, and the music was heavenly.
Hermione tried desperately to commit every detail to memory.
But even as she thought about sharing the memory with her messy haired best friend, a new list of responsibilities and duties began to form in her mind.
An uncomfortable weight settled on Hermione's chest and she began to take shallow breathes.
Sirius noticed her discomfort, "What is it, Blondie?"
She tried to hide her anxiety as she met his gaze, "Nothing… I'm fine. Just emotional, but I believe I'm allowed... They are very dear friends after all." He didn't look convinced of her answer, "Will you dance with me? Take my mind off of my overactive emotions?"
He offered his hand and led Hermione from their table to the edge of the dance floor. Sirius placed a hand at the small of her back and began to lead the way around the ballroom.
Hermione felt a strange fog come over her; like her brain had something obstructing its processing. Sirius pulled her closer to his chest and moved in slow circles as she regained her footing. His fingers traced her spin in an attempt to calm her and he held Hermione's left hand flush against his chest, "What's happened, Hermione?"
Sirius's breath tickled as he whispered into her ear. This was all too familiar… but it was even different from the second dream had been, "Just coming to terms with the fact that I will have to really address a lot of future things now… Have to tell Peter and James about where I'm really from, tell them some unpleasant things about the future… It's not exactly an exciting prospect."
"No," Sirius pulled back slightly so that he could observe her, "There's something else too. What is it?"
Did he... did he know that Hermione had dreamed this moment at least twice before? That this moment had haunted her when her destiny of staying or leaving appeared to have changed? She shook her head, "Nothing else, I'm just… I'm glad I was here to see this."
Sirius spared a small smile, "This is going to make me sound selfish and awful, but I'm glad you haven't found a way back yet. I know you will have to return before you get too sick, but I… I'm glad I get to keep you a while longer."
Hermione placed her hand on her boyfriend's cheek. Even with everything that was going to happen in the near future, she wanted to make sure this moment stayed clear in her mind. And despite yet another different response from Sirius, Hermione still knew what her next line was, "I'm glad too, Sirius."
James and Peter will finally be told the whole truth, Regulus and Marlene will need to figure things out, and Hermione will have some new symptoms to handle.
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Misha
Ps. Check out the other stories by me: 'Begin Again' (which is now complete!), 'The Bookworm and The Prankster' and 'Penelope Jackson: The Lightning Thief.'