February 3, 1979

She sat next to Remus and Peter, a few rows back from the front. Lights twinkled everywhere and the sun shone through the stained-glass windows of the small chapel. It was a small ceremony, not even fifty people in attendance, but it was perfect.

An elderly witch in front of them turned around and nodded approvingly. The feathers on her flamboyant hat bobbed up and down with the movement.

"Good to see you've settled down, yourself Mr. Lupin." She nodded at Remus and Calandra, then fixed her gaze on Peter. "And Peter, dear, why didn't you bring along your young lady friend?"

Calandra and Remus shared an amused glance, then set their sights on Peter.

"Yeah, Pete." Remus said elbowing his friend. "Where's the pretty little healer you've been going on about?"

"I still haven't gotten a chance to meet her!" Calandra said, giving Remus a wink.

Peter scowled at them and lifted his head to the witch in front of them.

"I…err.. decided to come by myself. Didn't want to bother anyone." He said evasively.

"Oh no, dear!" the lady said, adjusting her hat. "Weddings are no bother. I daresay your young witch might get some ideas of her own."

She gave Calandra a pointed look and winked at Remus. Calandra bit her lip to keep from laughing. Remus covered up a laugh with a cough and nodded seriously. Peter blushed furiously and scowled at his friends again. Remus linked his arm through Calandra's and leant forward to the lady.

"You know," he said, conversationally. "I think you're absolutely right. Sometimes a wedding is just the nudge a bloke needs in the right direction."

"Quite right, dear." the older witch patted his arm. "Peter, you just listen to Remus here next time."

Peter rolled his eyes.

"I don't see a ring, though, dear." The lady peered at Calandra's hand.

"Oh, I'm sure you will soon." Remus said in a stage whisper and smiled at the woman.

The witch gave her nose a tweak and glanced back up to the front of the chapel. She sighed and shook her head.

"Now, if only that Sirius Black would settle down." She shook her head. "I'd hoped young Potter would curb a few of his wilder tendencies since meeting Lily. But I don't think there's a witch alive that could tame that one, though."

Remus glanced down at Calandra.

"I don't know. He may just surprise us all."

...

February 3, 1979

She swayed to the music and sipped her champagne, gazing at the group of people under the tent. It was a beautiful ceremony, small and intimate. James and Lily seemed to glow the entire time, completely wrapped up in one another.

She looked up at the table where they sat. Lily was leaning over James to say something to Sirius and he laughed. He was so handsome, especially so today; clad in dress robes and happy for his best mate. She'd not seen him this lighthearted in some time.

"He's a sight for sore eyes, isn't he dear?"

Calandra looked beside her to find Euphemia Potter smiling up at her. The witch had on robes of deep red. They were quite simple but made her look like royalty. She wore a strand of pearls around her neck. It was so different from the attire she'd seen on witches at the formal events she'd attended with her father, with witches and wizards draped in robes of heavy embroidery and dripping in jewels. But Euphemia had such a grace about her, she seemed more elegant than all the other witches combined.

Euphemia nodded up towards the main table. Calandra followed her gaze. James and Sirius had their heads close together now, talking quietly to each other. Lily was smiling at someone congratulating them.

"Yes, James is looking quite handsome today. It's different seeing him in anything other than school robes or quidditch gear. He cleans up nicely." Calandra smiled.

"Ahh, James does look quite spiffy, but I was talking about another wizard. One who's hair doesn't resemble a Puffskein." Euphemia's eyes twinkled at her.

"I can't imagine Sirius not looking handsome." Calandra said with a smile.

Euphemia nodded and gazed up at the table. Calandra just watched the witch beside of her. Euphemia had more lines on her face than the first time Calandra had met her. Worry had left its mark on her, but she looked radiant right now. Her eyes misty as she looked on.

Calandra knew that she was watching James and Sirius; reliving some scene in her mind as she drank them in. Euphemia stood there, a smile on her lips and her hand held to her chest. Calandra felt like she was watching something very personal but couldn't look away. So much love radiated from the older woman.

Calandra found herself suddenly throwing her arms around the woman. Euphemia seemed a bit surprised but returned the embrace sincerely. The two stood like that for some time, Calandra clinging to the older woman trying to pour everything she felt into that hug. She finally pulled away with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said wiping her face. "I just….Thank you. For everything."

Euphemia put her palm to Calandra's cheek.

"I should be thanking you." Euphemia said.

"I can't imagine what for." Calandra said with a shaky laugh.

"For making him so happy. For giving him love, while expecting nothing in return. I can probably count on one hand the number of people who have extended that courtesy to him."

Calandra smiled at the woman.

"I often wondered if Sirius would ever allow himself to love someone. If he'd ever find someone he could be that vulnerable with, after all he'd been through. The minute I saw him looking at you on that train platform, I knew."

Euphemia stroked Calandra's cheek. "I knew I wouldn't have to worry about that anymore."

The two stepped back from each other and Euphemia set her drink down and reached for Calandra. She held the young witch's hands in hers and squeezed them.

"All I want for my sons is their happiness. Sirius has found that with you. The two of you have our full blessing when the time comes."

Calandra couldn't say anything. She just nodded. She looked back up to the table and found his eyes watching her. She smiled and watched him light up. She saw her whole future in those beautiful grey eyes.

...

February 3, 1979

"Would you like to dance?" she looked up to find James holding out a hand.

No one seemed to want to leave the festivities, the celebration had lasted well into the evening and Calandra was getting a bit tired, but it was his wedding day and she'd never refuse him a simple dance.

"Of course." She smiled.

"To what do I owe this honor? I thought dances with the bridegroom were reserved for mothers and the bride." she asked as he guided her onto the dance floor.

He smiled as they settled into the dance.

"I figure I owe you one for all the times you dragged me around on the dance floor." He said easily.

She looked at him. He looked so like the boy she'd seen that first day she'd gone to school, charming mustaches to all the paintings in the corridor by the great hall. He smiled down at her and pushed his glasses up his nose.

"I'm happy for you," she said. "You finally did it, Prongs."

"Yeah," he said glancing towards his wife. "Who would've ever thought?"

She snorted. "Oh, please. We all knew you fancied each other. You didn't try to hide it, but she did. We heard nothing but James Potter this and James Potter that nonstop since fourth year."

He raised his eyebrows and his face broke out in a grin.

"You're off the hook on getting a wedding gift, Cals." He said, sending her spinning. "That right there can be my gift."

Calandra laughed. "It's a fine thing, you telling me that now. When the gift is already wrapped and on the table."

The song flowed into a slower one and she stepped back, letting him go so he could go find his wife, but James stepped forward.

"One more dance, then I'll leave you alone." He said.

"Sure." she said in surprise.

They swayed to the music for a moment, comfortable in the silence, then he broke it.

"He's really gone for you." James said. "You know that, right?"

Calandra looked up to find his eyes boring into hers. She nodded.

"I know he's stubborn, and haughty, and compulsive, and intense, and everything in between." James said. "But, damn it all, if he isn't the best person I've ever met."

She didn't say anything. He looked down at her and she saw that his eyes were wet.

"He's my brother, Cals." He said, softly. "The best friend I've ever had."

"I love him." She said.

"I know." He replied. "He loves you, too. More than you'll ever know. Just remember that when he does something incredibly stupid."

"I'll remember that." she said with a smile.

"Oi! Prongs, stop making eyes at my date!" Sirius's voice came from behind her. "Do I need to you remind you that you're married, mate?"

James laughed and bowed theatrically to Calandra. He smiled and looked between the two people standing in front of him. He flung an arm around each of them and said a bit unbelievingly, "I'm married!"

"I think I'm going to go dance with my wife."

Sirius gave him a friendly shove and turned toward Calandra.

She shot him a smirk and he grinned.

"May I have this dance?" he held out a hand to her and she laid her fingers on his.

He grabbed her and pulled her to him, causing her to laugh. They swayed and twirled to the music for a bit. Calandra rested her head on his shoulder and felt his arm tighten around her waist. His cheek pressed against the top of her head and she relaxed into him, relishing in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Well, well, well." Sirius said as a new song started to play. "Would you listen at that."

Calandra smiled up at him as they swirled to the music of the song they played all the time.

"You look lovely tonight." he murmured against her hair.

She pulled back and looked at him.

"Funny that," she said with a smile. "I was thinking the same about you."

He pursed his lips and said, "I was going for roguishly handsome. I think it fits my personality better, don't you?"

"Hmm," she looked toward the sky as if in thought. "I don't think roguishly handsome quite suites you. It's usually reserved for those with a bit of a wild streak isn't it?"

"Are you calling me tame, White?" he asked, a grin playing at the corner of his lips.

"You've a huge penchant for trouble, you drive an unbelievably dangerous vehicle-that you illegally charmed. You have gobs of tattoos that most people, magical and muggle alike, do not find appropriate, and you're an incorrigible flirt." She listed. "All in all, quite tame don't you think?"

"Quite tame," he agreed. "I'll have to remedy that tonight."

"How so?" Calandra asked.

"Dance the night away, get absolutely drunk with my best friend, go home with the prettiest witch here, and charm the knickers right off her." He rattled off.

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"In fact, I've already got a pretty good start on that list." Sirius said, spinning her around.

"Dancing…..check."

He lifted a glass of champagne off a floating tray and downed it.

"Getting a bit smashed….check."

He ran a hand down her back and leaned close.

"What do you say, White?" he whispered. "Think I've got a shot with the prettiest witch here?"

She breathed him in and gave him a long look.

"Euphemia's already taken, Sirius. Besides, I think she rather looks at you like a son."

Calandra felt him smile against her neck. "I was talking about the prettiest witch in the under thirty category, Cals."

He smiled down at her and she tiptoed up and whispered in his ear.

"In that case I think you can mark another item off your list."

His brows furrowed for a split second then he tilted his head back, roaring with laughter. She'd give anything in the world if she could just live in that moment forever. Seeing him happy and carefree and full of light.