Book I: Birth of the Order

Chapter XVIII: A Wedding & A Funeral

(Supersize Chapter this week!)

Music Theme: Somebody to Love - Queen

Hogsmede Pub - Hogwart's Year End Party 1978...

Hogsmede's pub was packed with Hogwarts students as everyone toasted the end of the year. Tomorrow, the Hogwarts Express would part for platform nine and three-quarters for the last time for the graduates which included our Marauders.

Sirius elbowed his way to the bar where his friends, Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin sat. Remus had his head burried in his hands and Peter patted him on the back. "How's our Moony then?" Sirius asked as he leaned on the bar beside them.

"Can I go home now?" Remus asked through his hands without looking up.

"He's still a bit... moon-lagged." Peter said, trying to keep his voice down as best he could in the party.

"Oh look at you, being a good sport." Sirius smiled. "I'm proud of you for coming out after a rough night last night, Remus."

"It's ok," Remus said sighing out a yawn and looking up at them. "I didn't want my last night at Hogwarts to be alone. I got through all these years here, I may as well celebrate it. Besides. I want to be able to say Goodbye to everyone."

"I just made my rounds before I get too wasted. God forbid I'll say 'I'll miss you' to someone I loathe, like Snape. Where is he anyway? Too shy to come out and play?" Just then someone tapped him on the arm. "Oh Arista! How are you, gorgeous?" Sirius said to the younger girl behind him.

"Oh, Sirius." She blushed then spoke with slurred words, clearly drunk. "Next year is just going to be ghastly without you. You always brought so much style to Hogwarts. I say, let's have a drink together."

"I dare say you've had enough,' he said prying her hand off his arm as the two he ordered arrived.

"Don't be that way. Don't you know how much I'll miss you next year?" She rested her hand on his cheek and he grabbed it.

"I say..." he took Peter's hand and joined it with hers. "Why don't you and Pete catch up." He leaned into his friends ear and whispered. "Now's your shot, mate." He smiled back at Arista and picked up the two glasses. He'd hardly turned around when he saw Marlene standing there. "Hey," He said to her, "I was just coming back to our table with-"

"I need to talk to you," she said almost gleefully as if she had a surprise. "Come here." She shoved her hand in his front pocket to pulled him to the hallway that lead to the loo where there was more privacy and she downed her drink and said, "I'm taking you up on your offer."

"Wh- my offer?" Sirius asked confused.

"To move into your new flat with you."

"What?" Sirius blinked.

"Look I know you were only half-serious when you suggested it, but I got to thinking and why not?"

"McKinnon. Not that I'm not flattered but what happened to your plans? You were going to spend some time with your family. You were going get trained and certified as an auror."

"Who am I kidding about that-"

"Kidding? Your family is ten generations in to being dark wizard catchers. You and Frank and Alice were going to train together I thought, and no offense to them but you smoke them in charms and dueling class."

"So what?"

"So you've got... potential."

"So do you," She said, reaching up and brushing a hair from his face. "I helped Flitwick organize the charms classroom and saw the final grades on his desk. You were top of class with record breaking marks. Why do you make other people do your homework and let everyone believe you're not smart?"

"Marley-"

"It's because you don't want your destiny defined for you, right? You want to decide what you want. Well so do I." She stepped forward and rested her hand on his chest. "Well this is what I want. You are want I want."

"Marlene," He said and gently took her hand off his chest and held it. "We aren't even a couple."

"Just shag mates, is that it?" She asked as he pulled her hand away."

"No... I just... I know you're feeling conflicted because your dad just died, but you don't need to make rash decisions."

"And you don't want to be tied down... right?"

"Well, I-" He thought through it for a moment, but their intimate moment was broken by Frank Longbottom drunkly shouting the Hogwarts fight song. "Here. Let me get you another drink and we will talk about it, ok?" He grabbed her glass and she nodded, accepting the offer. She leaned against the hallway wall and waited as Sirius walked off.

Marlene stood there for what felt like an eternity. She walked back and forth, feeling a bit small about what she'd just shared with Sirius. It was a while before she realized girls had formed a queue behind her for the loo. "Sorry," she stepped out of the way and ran into Mary MacDonald.

"Marley! There you are. Godric, I love your green bell-bottoms! Frank is about to make an announcement. Come on! Oh. Where did your date go?"

"He's run off. I've been waiting for him."

"You came with Sirius right?" Mary asked hesitantly.

"Yea. Why?"

"Well, it's just that I always expected you to be with someone a bit more stable and grounded. He's just a flirt."

"You're one to talk," Marlene chuckled at her friend.

"I just saw Arista Therlow all over him at the bar."

"Because she's drunk. Trust me, MacDonald. Sirius has changed a lot. You don't see what I see in him."

"Whatever you say, Mar. All I know is men like Sirius Black don't want their freedom taken away." The girls heard cheers and Mary took Marlene's hand a pulled her into the crowd. "Come on! We are missing it."

"Alright you lot, alright!" Frank shouted completely drunk and fumbling over his words. "I know this will come as no sub-rise... no sunsize... no surprise... but Alice and I-"

"We are getting married!" Alice exclaimed before planting a kiss on her intoxicated fiance and everyone cheered. "Longbottom! Longbottom! Longbottom!"

Everyone who had brought a date joined in the romantic moment. Marlene saw Lily and James share a tender moment before she spotted Sirius near them, elbowing his way through the crowd. "Black!" She waived him over and started making her way to him. He was nearly to her but suddenly moved the other direction. Her face dropped as she saw him pull Arista away from her conversation with Peter and plant a smooch on her lips.

The crowd whislted and shouted "oooooooooo, Get in there, Black!"

It was like a car crash. All Marlene could do was watch the make-out session of her date with a 5th year. She felt all eyes on her and heard whispers, watching as James pulled Sirius away from Arista and exchange words with him quickly in the middle fo the crowd, but whatever was said did no good as Sirius just shrugged and went back to shoving his tongue in Arista's mouth.

Marlene met Lily's gaze who attempted to move towards her. "Marlene?" She called but the young Irish witch just turned, forced her way through the crowd.

"Mar," Mary MacDonald said as she had seen it all too and tried to stop her friend at the door. "Marlene wait!" But Marlene just pushed through the back door and left.

Potter Estate - November 1979...

The next morning, Marlene was pouring over Tabitha's family history book which Fleamont finally found as he knew his normal collection of books well and spotted the outcast. She walked all through the house with her nose in the pages and paused only a moment to pour herself more coffee with one hand while holding the book steady in anothe. When she entered the Study, her concentration was broken by Sirius' voice.

"Oi, McKinnon. How's this sound?" Sirius snapped his fingers from his place on the couch where he lazily reclined, his wand tucked behind his ear, and then read the words he had scribbled on his notepad. "Dear Evans, Your beauty is beyond compare wiith flaming locks of auburn hair, and I cannot compete with you... Lily."

"You can't quote Dolly Parton in your Best Man speech, Sirius,"Marlene said bluntly.

"Why not?" He asked lowering his notes. "It's a song about a red-headed hussy who is stealing my man. Lyrics fit perfectly." He gave her a mischievous smile.

"Why are you writing that anyway? The party has been cancelled."

"Yea," he tossed his notepad onto the coffee table beside him. "I figured it would keep me awake to write something and it worked."

"You still haven't gone to bed yet?"

"Nope. Been up since your lazy-ass brother went to bed." He waited for a defensive and witty remark, but none came. "You ok?"

"I'll be fine."

"I didn't ask if you 'will be' ok." They looked at each other a moment before he brought his feet off the sofa and sat up. Marlene walked over and sat beside him and set her cup of coffee on the table in front of them. "Is this about yesterday?"

"Well it certainly isn't about Kip's coffee. Although he should make it stronger on days like this." She took a breath then looked Sirius in the eye. "How are you so bloody calm this morning? How are you just able to power through and think about the wedding as if it's happening."

"Because it's better than thinking about my brother being a murderer who kidnaps my friends. I came from a fucked up family, Marlene. You said it yourself that day. I know you didn't mean to say it but its' true. So of course, the first thing I want to do after a shot of whiskey and a night of restless sleep is start thinking about the family that I do care about."

"I thought I knew my family, but everything that just happened has shown me there may be a lot I don't know. Angus, for example, was in jail for the last two months and I didn't know. Merlin only knows where my other brothers are. And all that stuff Greyback said about my father attacking a colony... how did I never know that?"

"Maybe they wanted to protect you."

"I don't need protecting. All my life, I was sheltered. For a long time I thought my brothers were the only ones who let me see the world, but now I see they were sheltering me too." She rest a hand on his knee. "Sometimes I wonder if you were the only one who ever really me be myself. You didn't make decisions for me."

"Mar." Sirius set his hand on hers. "About that... it's not entirely true. About that night last year..."

"You mean the night you're too drunk to remember? So drunk that you kissed someone else."

"Trust me, if you knew what happened that night... I just think if I told you everything it would cause a rift. Not a rift with me." The two looked at each other a long while while Marlene processed the words. "About that night," Sirius continued. "I was given a choice to be selfish or to be kind to you. I could either protect you or do what I wanted."

"And you chose selfishly, I know. I saw it. We all saw it. Well, the girl you kissed probably didn't see it so much as just feel it all over her front teeth-"

"Mar-"

"Shh, it's ok. Black." Marlene said. "I'm over it. Ok?" She pulled her hand from his fingers. "I guess i've just learned that at the end of the day, your only true advocate is yourself."

"Marley," Sirius reached up and rest his hand on her cheek. He was about to continue when she stopped him.

"Which is whyI've got to protect myself. I have to be alone for a while."

"W-what?" He leaned back and removed his hand.

"Angus and I are going to return to McKinnon Castle. After hearing what a sore spot Greyback has for us, it makes us worry about Mam living amongst those ruins by herself."

"You're leaving the Order?" Sirius asked concerned.

"No. Just the faction. I think I need to be with family now." He stared at her a long while thinking of what to say and she said. "Unless... you can think of a reason for me to stay here?"

Sirius felt as if he'd been in this moment before. He thought carefully and shook his head. "No. Family comes first. But what would I know? I'm just a runaway."

"You know more than you think," she smiled and pat his knee as she stood up and scooped the book and her coffee back up. "I better go tell Lily and James so they don't have to include us in the headcount while you all survey your options for a new place."

"Yea... I should go to bed. Moony was supposed to relieve me at 6am and it's almost 7 now."

"Maybe he's just still tired from the full moon." She said and Sirius' eyes shot up. She gave him a look. She knew? How? "I pieced it together last night. I'm not an idiot, Sirius. I know more than you think too. Don't ever assume that I can't tell when something is going on. I'm smarter than you think, and I don't like to be lied to... by anyone." She shoved through the door and left him there alone thinking of her words.

Lily crept into the guest room and found Remus and Tabitha still asleep. She smiled and tip-toed over to Remus, gently shaking him. "Rem? Rem wake up."

"Hmm? Tabs?" He opened his eyes and Lily held a finger to her lip to quiet him.

"She's still asleep. I checked on her about a dozen times through the night. I just made sure not to wake you. But if you don't want anyone else finding out about you two then I recommend you go get yourself some breakfast and let me take it from here."

Remus looked down, "There isn't an 'us two', Lily."

"Oh, don't be coy, Rem."

"No, Lils. I mean there can't be an us. You saw her arm... Greyback won't ever leave me alone. She'll get hurt."

"It's a war, Remus. People get hurt." Her eyes passed to the nightstand at Tabitha's broken wand. "So you told her about that?"

"No... she hasn't seen it yet. Just something else I've broken." He sat silently for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry you and James can't get married tomorrow. I'm sorry about the party."

Lily just shook her head. He always said 'Sorry' so much for things he had little to no control over. "Stop being so guilty all the time, Rem. See yourself the way we see you for a change. You might just like who you see. And you may tell yourself that he deserves love just as much as anyone else."

"Lily?" She heard James call and Remus sprung up and let go of Tabitha's hand just as James entered. "Oh Moony. Morning. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine now, mate."

"Good. Your mum's rung for you a bit. You may want to let her know you're ok."

"Blimey, poor mum!" He realized he'd never called her back after the panicked hang-up. He gave Lily one more look of thanks before rushing out of the room.

Lily turned and picked up her potions bag from the ground to start pulling more medicinal potions for Tabitha. "Where is the fire, Potter?" She asked recognizing his urgency.

"Marlene's found it. The prophecy they were after. He closed his eyes to try to recite from memory, "In countless times of old, a child came to be, sprung from magic, not from life, but began its family's tree. But cursed is the tree that cheats nature's rules, the greed of man corrupts all... um... hang on let me think" he snapped and remembered. "for when evil has risen to its full extent, the Delaney name shall fall."

Lily just blinked at him, "You just memorized that whole thing?!"

"Yea... why?"

"Why on earth did you bother having Remus do so much of your homework at school if you can memorize stuff that fast?"

"Because I didn't feel like doing homework," He shrugged.

"Unbelievable," she sighed and they heard Tabitha stir beside her. "Tabs? Hey you ok?

"James? Lily?" Her eyes fluttered open and she quickly looked beside her to see if Remus was still there. When she realize he was gone, she pushed herself up and groaned a bit. "Damn that hurts."

"Oh Tabitha." Lily sat down beside her. "How do you feel?"

"Like shit," she said. "I probably look the same too. All your doing, Doctor?" she asked motioning to the bandages.

"With some help from Remus."

"I know. I woke up when he was here. Is everyone else ok?"

"We all made it out ok, Tabs. But you gave us all a scare."

James walked up and leaned on the bedpost. "Can you tell us what happened?"

"Well... I was about to walk into the cafe in town and I ran into a man, a Death Eater. He grabbed me from behind and knocked me out with a hex. When I woke up, I was tied up in someone's cellar."

"Malfoy's," James told her. "Remus instantly came home and told us. What were you two doing out so late though?"

"That doesn't matter, James." Lily quickly said to avoid exposing the ongoing romance. "Go on, Tabs. Marlene said that Death Eater was after the Prophecy?"

"That and revenge," she said. "How did you all even find me?"

"Wand tracing. We found Thestral hair."

"Peter found it," Lily corrected and looked at James. "Do you know how he knew that, James? Or who he saw die?"

"I know his step-dad died as a kid. I assume it was that."

"You assume? You never asked?"

"Well... no," he admitted.

"Men." Lily muttered with an eye roll and looked back to Tabitha. "So what's this prophecy? James said Marlene found one that could be what they are looking for. It's about some family tree?"

"Yes. That's the one." Tabitha said.

"What's it mean, Delaney?" James asked.

"It means... I have to die."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Remus demanded once everyone gathered at the breakfast table later on for breakfast.

"Tabitha said the prophecy predicts the downfall of Voldemort will be around the time the Delaney name comes to an end. She's the last Delaney." James said barely touching his food.

"So what does the rest of the stuff mean then?" Marlene asked. "What's all the stuff about a tree and a curse?"

"Tabitha's family was born of magic. It's why her family name isn't included in the Sacred 28 Pureblood lines." Lily said, "She said during the early days of magic, when Druids used magic of the earth, a woman in one of the clans wanted a child but couldn't have any. She used magic to have one and named him 'Delaney.' Thus Tabitha's family tree was born of selfish magic."

"I remember learning about this," Fleamont Potter said from his seat by the window where he kept watch. "It was the very first act of using magic for selfish reasons. It influenced people to start doing the same."

"So a trail of dark Magic was born because a kid was born? I know the lady was selfish to try and trick Mother Nature, but still... one act of selfishness at the root of all evil?" Sirius scoffed.

"You look at every religion, every moment in history, every dark corner of time, Sirius, and evil can be traced back to one selfish deed. The Christians believe it was eating fruit from a forbidden tree. The Druids believe if was this act of defying nature. Even historians can pinpoint the start of wars as being caused by one person's selfishness." Mr. Potter set his pipe on his lip as he said, "To think, Tabitha's family carried that guilt around for so long."

"So that's what Olivander meant," Marlene whispered unknowingly aloud. She looked up from her coffee to see all eyes were on her. "Oh, um, Olivander said Tabs might just know a thing or two about grief. But why does she think she's going to die?"

"Because the last line of the prophecy said that when this trail of evil rises to its full extent, the Delaney name shall end. Voldemort is the full extent of evil and with Tabitha being the last descendant of her family. When she's gone, it will be an indicator of his downfall or vice versa.

"But that doesn't mean death," Remus said. "She could change her name."

"Magic lineage doesn't see it that way," Marlene said. "A witch only changes her true name when her family changes... like she gets married. Old fashioned patriarchy if you ask me."

"Then let's get Tabitha hitched!" Peter suggested. "It doesn't have to be forever, right?"

"Careful, Pettigrew," Angus warned. "Try outsmarting magical prophecies and you'll find yourself getting cursed."

"Maybe we can find a different prophecy," Lily suggested. "One that we know talks about Voldemort and how to defeat him without risking Tab's life?"

"Albus will know what to do," Angus said.

"What do you think, Peter?" Lily asked and everyone looked at the small boy.

"You heard what he thinks" Sirius joked. "He wants to make Delaney a mail-order bride."

Peter shrunk into his seat a bit and went back to eating his breakfast.

"I just want to make sure all ideas are being acknowledged, Sirius." Lily said in a mothering voice.

"Incoming," Mr. Potter said to end their conversation and opened his window as a Phoenix flew in with a scroll in his beak.

"Fawks!" James said. "Haven't seen him since the last time he was born."

Mr. Potter took the scroll out and walked it over to James. "Read it, son."

James opened the note, read through it and nodded to himself before saying. "Albus wants us all to get to the Room of Requirement tomorrow before dueling club. He will relocate us from there and assign us new missions. Dad, he has somewhere for you and Mum to go hide as well."

"Tomorrow..." Lily said.

James looked at her sad face and reached across the table, resting his hand on hers. "It's just a regular day Lily. Our wedding date will come. I promise."

It was their last night at the Potter Estate. The day had been quiet as everyone recovered from the day before. They could tell the Death Eaters were toying with them but not coming and trying to attack the Potter Estate but it wouldn't last long. James had finally finished his night-watch shift around midight when he climbed up the steps of his childhood home for what he assumed could possibly be the last time if Death Eaters had their way with the house as they did at the McKinnon's. He fell asleep beside his bride and slept soundly until a couple hours later when he felt a gentle shake on his shoulder.

"Prongs?" He heard a whisper. "Psst. Prongs? Wake up mate." James stirred a bit until he jolted awake "Hmm? Wh- what?" He sat up and saw the blurry figure of someone in front of his bed handing him his glasses. He quickly put them on and saw Peter standing there. "Pete? Wh- what? Lily-"

"Lily's fine," Petter whispered. "Come with us."

"Us?" James asked confused. He looked Peter up and down and realized he was all dressed up. "Wormtail, what's going on?"

Without saying anything else, Peter just took James by the arm and pulled him out of bed with a smile. James glanced at the clock. It was about 2 in the morning. When he stood up he realized Remus was standing near the closet. "Time to get ready, Mr. Potter." He held up Jame's suit jacket and slacks. When James realized what was happening, he grinned from ear to ear.

Outside in the hall, Sirius was waiting and fidgeting with his own outfit when he saw Kip helping Tabitha up the hall, moving very slowly but dressed in a long green dress.

"Woah! Should you be up?" He asked

"I'll manage for a bit with some help," but her face told a different story as Kip struggled to support her. "Is he up yet?" She asked.

"They're helping him change."

"Such a diva," Tabitha chuckled. "Needs an entire wedding party to dress him."

"Thank you, Kip. I've got her." Sirius took Tabitha's arm and allowed the elf to trot off down the hallway. "Just lean on me Delaney. And while you're at it, maybe make a pass at my tie? It's too bloody tight." Tabitha nodded and Sirius stood still but set his hands on her waist to hold her steady as she wobbled. "Easy now." As she fixed his tie Sirius glanced up at the cut on her head that Lily had carefully mended with her light magic and now only a small bandage remained. "I'm glad you're ok, Tabitha..."

Tabitha froze a moment, "That sounded almost genuine... You even used my first name. Don't tell me that you're starting to like me now, Black."

"You kidding?" He reached up and adjusted his tie once more for good measure. "Can't bloody stand you."

Just then the door opened and the three lads emerged. James was glowing as he saw the others all dressed up, Tabitha in her gown and Sirius in his tux. "What going on, everyone?" He asked as if he didn't already know.

"Follow us, Prongs." Sirius said and extended his arm the way one would to his date. James linked arms with him like a schoolboy and the two shuffled up the hall. Remus and Peter moved to either side of Tabitha and Remus whispered to her, "You can lean on us," extending his arm to her which she accepted. "We will go slowly."

At the base of the stairs, Euphemia Potter was waiting. James halted halfway down when he saw her and sighed. "Mum.." Sirius pulled him down the rest of the way to meet her and she put a hand on each of their cheeks.

"My boys," she muttered proudly. She looked to James and cupped his face in her hands then proceeds to kiss the top of his head the way mothers do. When she finished, she lifted her head and tears were welling up in her eyes.

"Go on then," Sirius let go of James to allow him to take his mother's arm. The proud mother escorted her son through the main hall to the back French doors where Marlene was standing.

"James Henry Potter," Mrs. Potter said, "Your bride is waiting for you. She nodded to Marlene who's full toothed smile couldn't be wider as she opened the french doors to the garden. The topiaries and trees were filled with a thousand fairy lights, the pond filled with glimmer fish. Petals from lilies lined the bath down the stone steps on to the grass and standing in the small gazebo in the center of the Garden was Lily, in her gown, beside Fleamont Potter who was smiling proudly. James stood stunned. He looked beside him as the others emerged from the house and hurried ahead, lining the pathway to the bride. Each of them took their wands out and whispered "lumos." The tips of the wands glowed to light his Path and Mrs. Potter pulled him ahead. James was speachless as he passed their friends. He hesistated only once at Sirius, as if he wanted to check to see if this was real. His friend just patted him on the back and said, "Go on, mate. She's waiting." James smiled and moved forward. Marlene was standing beside Sirius. She slipped her hand into his and gave it a proud squeeze. She knew this had been hard for him. Instead of pulling his hand out, which instinct was telling him to do, he just turned to smile at her but the moonlight and glow from the trees reflecting off her blond hair and soft expression stunned him, and he pulled his hand away, fearful of what he was feeling inside.

James' mother released him at the gazebo and gave a gentle push towards his bride before joining the others on the other side of Sirius and putting a motherly arm around him.

"Good Morning," was the first thing Lily said when James reached her and she said it with a bit of a giggle.

"Lily... what's all this," he said in awe.

"This is our wedding day, James. I just couldn't wait."

"But 2 AM?" He laughed and took her hand.

"I know... I would have sent for you sooner but I had to get Sirius to finish the lights."

"But the wedding. Your family. Our guests. All our plans."

"My only plan is to marry you, James. If the last 24 hours have shown us anything, it's that plans don't always go the way you think... and that we shouldn't waste time. My plan is to marry you. We can have a party any time, but today... today I'm becoming your wife." She grinned. "Do you have any quarrel with that?"

"I dare not!" He said.

"Good boy," Fleamont commented. "Now can we start?"

And it was in the Potter garden, that Lily and James exchanged their vows, their rings, and a kiss to become one. This incredible moment of peace and hope became a symbol for the others. It had only been two hours earlier when Mrs. Potter suggested to Lily that they go through the ceremony privately. But within the two hours, each friend came together to make this moment happen for two of the most self-less people they know. Tabitha had mustered all her strength to stand there beside the friends who had made her part of their family. Remus, who had been fighting fatigue and exhaustion all week, now stood surrounded by people who gave him life. Sirius watched his brother welcome in an old rival as a friend, and in a way it encouraged him and gave him hope that things may be better for him in the future. The McKinnon's paid the most attention to Mr. Potter, uniting two families. It made them think of the father they lost, but the family they've gained in just one year. Peter Pettigrew however grew uneasy. He felt as though the two people in front of him and those around him were strangers. He felt as though he didn't know anyone any more or have a place in their lives. Still he thought of Lily's kid words about making sure to turn your attention to other's when you're feeling isolated, so he did. They all did. They knew the days ahead would be hard. If the week had shown them anything, it was that tomorrow is not promised. The decade was drawing to a close, and they didn't know how much longer each of them had on this earth, but Lily and James knew one things... whatever came, they would face it together as one.

The tender moment in the cold garden came to a close as the new Mr. and Mrs. kissed one another and everyone, save for Tabitha who was promptly sent back to bed, adjourned to the house where they all gathered by the fireplace comfortably. "Best part of us skipping the party," Peter said, "Is none of your best men had to give speeches.

"I'll admit, that is a relief." Remus said.

"Oh, now I was excited to hear everyone give a speech," Lily said.

"Sirius wrote one," joked Marlene. She was perched on a large pillow at the foot of the sofa and picked up the notepad from where Sirius had tossed it earlier on the coffee table.

"No. I don't." He said as she shoved the notepad into his hand.

"Go on, Padfoot," James said. "Let's hear it."

"Yes," Marlene teased. "I bet it is super original."

"Speech. Speech. Speech." Peter started and everyone joined in the cheer.

"OK OK!" Sirius said, "Right well... I normally don't write. In fact most of my papers in school were written by Moony. Anyway I did write this." He lifted the notepad. "It had some jokes, pretty good ones, but I don't think I will read that. I think I'll just..." He looked across the room at everyone's face. He saw Lily and James in front of the fireplace cuddled up in each other's arms, Lily's head resting on her new husband's shoulder. Sirius tossed the notepad down and stood up, holding his brandy class up. "James Potter has been my best friend since we were 11. If I recall, we were walking by each other on Platform 9 and 3/4 when he complemented my hair. I knew then that I liked this bloke. It wasn't long after that we both met Evans. And when I say long after I mean about thirty minutes on the train ride. That being said, she's known James almost as long as me. I must admit I was worried this girl would steal my best friend. You can imagine how relieved I was when she called him a 'foul arrogant git.'"

Everyone laughs at this and Lily even looks at James and whispers, "It was true. You were."

"I know it's a bit odd to be having a wedding right now all things considered, but if there was ever a wedding to have at a time like this... it's theirs. You see, Lily and James relationship didn't have a fighting chance in our minds." He looked around to the others who all nodded in agreement as they remembered their childhood. "We didn't see it ever happening. But they did. They were able to stick together through their arguments, while dealing with their messed up friends, present company included. and through all these trials facing our world, we can learn from them. They can teach us that nothing can stand in the way of love... true love. Take care of my best friend, Evans. To the Potters"

"To the Potters!" Everyone clinked their glasses together as the clock chimed 3am. Sirius slumped back down into his seat beside Pettigrew.

"Hey, Padfoot?"

"Yea, Wormtail?"

"I know I didn't write one, but do I have to give a speech"

"Why should you?"

"Well... I'm a best man too."

"I think you're good, mate." Sirius said, assuming his friend was suffereing from stage-fright and wanted out of the responsibility, but what he didn't know that Peter did have some things to say. He had thought long and hard over all Lily had told him. But maybe Sirius was right. Why should he say anything. Nobody seemed to care if he spoke or not. "Ok then," he said and slunk back into the seat.

"Only a few more hours together," Marlene sighed.

"Let' not think of splitting up just now," James said as he remembered what Marlene had said about her and Anugs moving on. "Because right now, we are together. That's all that matters."

Sirius never went back to sleep as his thoughts raced. He stood out on the porch, still in his tux, and smoked as he watched the sun rise.

"Hey." He heard Marlene say behind him. He just pulled a pack of cigarettes out from his pocket and held them out to her. "No, they'll still kill you." She chuckled and he tucked them back into his pocket. "Surprised your tie is still on."

"Delaney tied it too damn tight."

"Or do you leave it on because it's a reminder she's ok? And that maybe she really is your friend?" She smirked and Sirius gave her a side-eye, a little unnerved with how well she'd guessed that.

"You look nice by the way," he said without taking his eyes off the horizon. "Forgot to tell you."

"Thanks... So what happened to the Dolly Parton lyrics?"

"I figured the copyright attourney would be too much of a hassle so I decided to just wing it."

"Well if that was winging it then I'm very impressed. I rarely see that side of you. " She stood beside him and watched the sun come up. "Angus and I will be heading back home after the meeting with Dumbledore."

"Yep," He exhaled some smoke. "And?"

"And I feel like I did a year ago when we spoke at the pub. I told you I didn't want to be apart from you and you... walked away. And I'm still wondering why."

Sirius looked at her now but didn't say anything.

"Earlier you said that family comes first. You said that if I knew what happened that night that there would be a rift between me and someone else. Did Angus do something, Sirius? Because if you tell me 'yes' then I'll understand that you didn't choose selfishly that night. Because now I see how you do value family in ways other people can't understand and maybe that night you knew I needed my brother. And of course that would make me mad at him. It would make me livid that he lied to me and smothered me, but at least I'll know why you did what you did and maybe..."

"Maybe?" He finally faced her.

"And Maybe Angus can go back home without me. Maybe we can start over? I just... I know you weren't drunk that night. I know you remember what you did. I want to know why you did it."

He looked at her a long while and said. "Yea. I remember. Arista Therlow. Fifth year Ravenclaw. Black hair. Bad breath. You were wearing a black sweater, your new green cords which I made a crack about because they looked too Slytherin, we were late to the party because we'd just hooked up in Filch's office, you got too drunk and told me you wanted to move in with me and instead of answering you... I made out with her instead."

"Why, Sirius?" She knew he'd remembered, but hearing him finally admit it was still somewhat of a shock.

Sirius thought a long while. He knew why. He knew his answer would cause her pain and he couldn't be the cause of it, but now he was left with two options and both would hurt her, so he chose the one that she'd recover from the easiest. "I kissed another girl..." He took a puff of smoke as he thought then blew it out. "Because I damn well wanted to. Ok?"

Marlene's jaw stiffened and she muttered, "Well, bully for that." She looked disappointed, knowing that there had to be something more but knowing she'd never hear it. She pushed by him and went inside. As she slammed the door, one of the porch stones under Sirius' feet crumbled and he stepped back, assuming it was the old house aging.

And in that moment Sirius knew, he'd killed any chance he had with Marlene McKinnon. As the sun came up he couldn't help but think through the irony that in just the few hours of the morning, he had already experienced a wedding and now... a funeral.

Knockturn Alley...

Max Forrestor sat on his sofa in his Knockturn Alley flat staring into the empty fireplace as if it was ablaze. The Delaney Legacy book sat on top of his lap. Fenrir Greyback emerged from the bedroom, stretching his arms as if he'd had the best night sleep of his life. "Oh Maxy," he said, "I'll admit, I haven't had that much fun in a long time. If only we weren't interrupted. I could have gone all the way with her."

"Will you shut up?" Max grumbled.

"Jealous? Aw you know she doesn't mean anything to me." Greyback said patting his head and Max jerked away. "Having trouble translating the book are you?"

With that, Max tossed it across the room. The book slammed against the wall and the pages flew about.

"Well someone hasn't had his morning whiskey." Greyback said and walked to Max's cabinet, helping himself to the bottle.

"It's a fake," Max muttered regarding the book just as the green embers of the floo network blazed in the fireplace and Bellatrix stepped out.

"Of course it is," she grumbled.

"Oh, here we go. Who ordered the bitch for breakfast," Greyback muttered as he took a swig out of the whiskey bottle.

Bellatrix didn't say anything. She just aimed at Max and a devils snare vine ripped from her wand towards him and teathered itself around his neck, squeezing.

"Oi!" Greyback said, setting the bottle down and walking over. He grabbed the witch by her wrist and they exchanged a long stare before he said, "Use your words, Bella."

She reluctlantly released Max who stood and tried to act unbothered by the encounter. "Bellatrix," Max coughed out. "Morning."

"They all got away?"

"Let me guess," Max said. "Your bitch of a cousin gave you a full report?"

"Of your failings? Yes, he did. I'm not surprised."

"So what, Lestrange? Come to kill me?" He chuckled.

"It's tempting but no. You're not the only one in need of redemption."

"Surely, not our little Bellatrix?" Greyback said. "Fallen in favor with your master?"

"Don't be daft. The Dark Lord has called a meeting with all of us in the coming days. He has a mission for us and this time, we will not fail him. Let those little brats of Dumbledore rest their heads easy tonight. They've all admitted they are part of his little gang now and we have no need to feel any duty to recruiting them to our cause. They've shown their colors."

"And the prophecy?" Max said, "Delaney got away before we could learn of it."

"You think that's what Voldemort was after?" She laughed. "Your pathetic brother thought he had a good lead with that one, didn't he? No. It was something else she had that The Dark Lord wanted."

"Which is?"

"Didn't tell me. But I'm not here to question him. In the meantime, we need to go find a prophecy that he is interested in... one that works in his favor. And this time, nobody will be getting away." She stood up straight and smiled coolly. "You know what they say. You want something done right. Do it yourself."

Author Note: Sorry for the double size chapter but I felt we had a lot to cover that all fit within one chapter!