Author's note: I apologize for the long wait. Darn writer's block! We're getting down to the end of the story. I believe that there will be at least two to three chapters left. My goal is to be finished by the time HBP comes out. Hopefully, I can do that. Special thanks to Curt for the beta---thank you, thank you, thank you.
The song in this chapter is really one of my favorites and I thought it really fit Sirius and Eva. It's really a lovely song !
Chapter 23
Into the Mystic
We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic
And when that fog horn blows I will be coming home
And when that fog horn blows I want to hear it
I don't have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
Then magnificently we will float into the mystic
And when that fog horn blows you know I will be coming home
And when that fog horn whistle blows I got to hear it
I don't have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And together we will float into the mystic
(Van Morrison, Into the Mystic)
Ron couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this way around a girl-so unsure of himself, so unsteady. He usually was the one in control spouting off lines and oozing wit and charm. But none of that would work with a witch like Luna Lovegood.
She wasn't the type to fall for his lines. It was almost as if she could see right through him. All of the bullshit he used with the other girls wasn't going to work with Luna. So, for most of the evening, words failed him when he was around her. For the first time he could remember, he was himself. He wasn't trying to be someone he wasn't and she seemed to like him despite all that.
Just as Hermione had, Luna fit in quite well with his family. They all took to her as if she was one of their own. She'd laughed heartily at Fred and George's jokes. She even regaled Arthur with tales of the Muggle things she had seen in her travels-to which Arthur made her promise to bring some artifacts she had collected when she visited next. Ron's numerous nieces and nephews were crazy about her as well. After dinner, Luna had their undivided attention and taught them how to make butterbeer cork necklaces. The elder Weasleys watched in amazement as their usually boisterous children sat in rapt attention listening to Luna's instructions.
Ron even pitched in to help despite the fact that he didn't have a creative or artistic bone in his body. While he didn't usually like it when people laughed at him, he didn't mind around Luna. He even joined in with self-deprecating remarks.
"So," Ron said when they were alone. "I guess I didn't do that bad for my first time, eh?"
Luna looked at the necklace around his neck and laughed. "You did fine. I just wouldn't quit my day job if I were you."
Ron laughed. "Yeah, couldn't you just see the headlines in the papers? 'Star Quidditch Player Quits; Pursuing Career as Jeweler'. I'd never hear the end of it."
"Well," Luna said throwing the leftover corks into a basket. "As long as it makes you happy, why would you care what other people think?"
With a shrug, Ron got off the floor and sat down on the sofa. "I don't know. I never really thought about it..."
"If you ask me, you care far too much about what other people think," Luna said softly. "At one point, you have to ask yourself, 'Am I living my life for me or for someone else?'"
"It's easy for you," Ron argued. "You've never cared-going around like a mad thing wearing those necklaces and those wonky earrings and that lion hat at school. I never could have done that. My friends would have taken the piss..." Luna stared at him. "I'm sorry," he said wondering what his problem was. Here he was trying to impress this girl and all he seemed to be doing was sticking his foot in his mouth. "I really..."
Luna waved a hand. "It's okay, Ronald. I knew what people said about me, and I won't lie to you, it wasn't nice to have them make fun of me and what I wore and what I did. But, you know what I realized?" Ron shook his head. "I realized that I didn't have to change who I was and what I enjoyed just to fit into the mould of what people thought was normal," Luna replied. "You know I've always hated that word-normal. What's normal to some people is strange to others."
"I really was horrible to you when we were at school," he said quietly. "I apologize."
Luna smiled. "It's okay. That was years ago. What's done is done and you can't change that. You can only move forward, right?"
"Right," Ron said with a relieved sigh. He helped Luna collect the rest of the corks and clean up the sitting room. Although he wasn't saying anything, his mind was going a mile a minute. He liked her-really liked her. He wanted to ask her out, but he had no idea how to do it without sounding like a complete jackass. In fact, he couldn't remember feeling this nervous about asking a girl out since that fourth year Yule Ball.
"All right, Ronald?" Luna's sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hmm?" he asked. "Oh. Aye, I'm fine."
"Okay," she said watching in amusement as he started to fidget in front of her. Ron figured he was turning every shade of red in the book under her gaze. Deciding to be a man and just do it, he cleared his throat.
"Um, Luna?" he asked his voice unsteady.
"Yes?"
"Well, I was just wondering," he said nervously. "If you weren't doing anything and I wasn't doing anything, perhaps we could grab a bite together. You know, you and me in a restaurant...eating."
"Isn't that what people usually do in a restaurant?" Luna asked teasingly.
"Yes," Ron said wondering why this was so difficult. "Well, what I meant was-or what I'm trying to do, Luna, is ask you if you might fancy going out for dinner some night with me?"
Luna's expression was infuriatingly unreadable.
"Or lunch," Ron suggested. "Maybe even breakfast? It's up to you. I'm good for anything..."
"I'm-I'm not so sure that would be a good idea, Ronald."
He certainly hadn't expected to hear that. This was the same girl who'd fancied him all those years in school, wasn't it? This was the very same girl who he'd talked to all evening and who he thought had been flirting with him.
"Oh," Ron said with a frown. "Are you seeing someone then?"
She shook her head. "No, it's not that. And it's not that I don't want to, but I just don't think it's a good idea, Ronald."
"What is it then?" he asked.
"Ginny mentioned what happened with Hermione," Luna said quietly. "And you're on the rebound..."
Ron's face fell and he nodded in defeat. He should have known.
"I'm not saying that to hurt you," she said touching his arm. "It's just that I don't think now is the time for you to go jumping into a new relationship."
His first impulse was to tell her she was wrong. That it wasn't too soon, but deep down he knew she was right. He had a feeling the fact that he had a problem with infidelity was also contributing to her decision. He didn't voice this concern to her because he knew that any mention of his past would get him all defensive and would only make him look worse. His past was killing any sort of future he could have with Luna.
Luna grabbed her bag from beside the couch and said something about it being late and that she should go. Before Ron could stop himself, he reached out for her. When he caught her hand, she looked at him, slightly startled. The look of surprise reminded Ron of the Luna he'd known when they were in Hogwarts.
"Luna?" he asked. "I really want to get to know you. And maybe it is too soon for me to get involved with anyone, but at the very least, couldn't you and I be friends?"
The surprise slowly ebbed from her face and shifted to the same unreadable expression she'd worn before. For an awful moment, he thought she was going to turn him down for friendship as well but her face broke into a beautiful smile.
"I'd like that," she said softly.
Ron practically beamed at her. "I won't let you down, Luna. I promise." For once, Ronald Bilius Weasley discovered the sincerity in his words.
****** ************ ************** ***************
Harry looked at his old, trusted friend-one of the last remaining links he had to his parents-and tried to comprehend what Lupin had just told him.
"You...you were in love with my mother?" he asked. "Did my father know? Was this before or after she and Dad were married?"
Lupin held up a hand. "In answer to your questions, Harry-yes, I was in love with your mother, no, your father didn't know, and it was before they were married."
"I still don't understand though," Harry said quietly. "Were you running around with my mother behind Dad's back or..." His voice trailed off. For the life of him, he couldn't understand why Lupin deemed it necessary to tell him this now.
"Perhaps I should explain," Lupin offered and Harry let out a weak laugh.
"You think?"
For a few moments, Lupin was silent as he collected his thoughts. Harry leaned back against the deck railing, pondering what this all meant.
"Your mother was the first person, other than Dumbledore, to find out about me," Lupin finally began. He chuckled as he remembered Lily confronting him one morning in the common room. "She noticed that I'd be out of classes for a few days and then return with scratches on my face, looking very much worse for the wear. She was very well-read, your mother. She never missed anything, Harry. It was one of her most infuriating and most endearing qualities. You couldn't get anything past her if you tried."
Harry smiled. Everyone had told him that about his mother.
"And I was so embarrassed someone had figured out my secret," Lupin continued, "that was what I was most afraid of-people finding out what I really was, then I'd be shunned and treated like some freak of nature. But your mother, bless her, she promised me that she wouldn't tell a soul. She volunteered to help me anyway she could." Lupin smiled. "She even checked out a bunch of books from the library and we'd sit in the common room just going over them and having a laugh."
Lupin smiled wistfully as he recalled the memory. "Up until then, I'd been so terrified that someone was going to find out my secret. But it was so great to have someone to talk to and she never treated me differently, Harry. She treated me the same as she always had. She sincerely wanted to help and be my friend. I'd never met anyone like her."
"Sirius and James would take the piss whenever they saw us chatting in the common room or in the library," Lupin continued. "And they'd tease me about spending time with mad Lily Evans. I told them, in no uncertain terms, did I like Evans like that; she and I were just friends."
"Lily would just tell them to bugger off and leave us alone," Lupin said. "Despite how immature and insufferable she thought they were, Lily said I really should let them know about my true nature. Well, I told her that I couldn't do that. I said that I'd lose their friendship if I did and I didn't really want to spend the rest of my time at Hogwarts with no friends, thank you very much."
There was something Harry had always wondered. He, of course, knew how James, Sirius and Peter mastered the spells to become Animagi because of Lupin's condition. But he'd never asked how Lupin's friends initially reacted to finding this out. Harry thought it must have been quite the shock, to say the least. It wasn't everyday that you found out your best mate was a werewolf.
"Well, your mother told me that I was being really silly and stupid," he said with a laugh. "And that if my mates were truly good friends, they'd understand and wouldn't care one way or the other about what I was. But she couldn't understand why I'd be friends with someone as arrogant and self-centered as James Potter."
"She took my hand and said that no matter what happened with James, Sirius and Peter that I'd still have one friend," Lupin said softly. "I think that was the first time I felt something more for her than friendship. She was there for me at a time when no one else was, Harry. She had a way of seeing the beauty in someone even when that person couldn't see it in themselves. With her, I didn't feel different."
"When I did finally tell them," Lupin continued, not wanting to make Harry uncomfortable,
"They were more than a little wary at first. Peter, especially. He was convinced that I was going to transform in the middle of the night and gobble him up while he slept."
"I wish you had," Harry interjected dryly.
"Well, if I'd known then what I know now," Lupin said with a weak smile. "But your father and Sirius were really curious. They asked me all sorts of questions about when it happened and why...if Dumbledore knew. I told them everything I could. They listened and didn't hurl insults at me or tell me they never wanted to see me again."
"Mum was right," Harry said quietly.
Lupin grinned. "Yes, she was. She always loved to be right. She told me that I should always listen to her because
she would never steer me wrong."
Lupin leaned back in his chair and sighed. "My feelings for her grew after that. She and I were made prefects a couple of years later. We had to spend a lot of time together in meetings and patrolling the grounds. We talked about anything and everything on our walks. James started teasing her unmercifully after that. He seemed to really enjoy getting a rise out of her. I kept trying to get him to back off, but he wouldn't listen. He said he was just trying to have a go with Evans and that he wasn't doing any harm."
"I didn't know that he fancied your mum," Lupin said. "And if he knew I did, he certainly never let on. When she and I were together on rounds, she talked about James mostly. She'd complain to me about how he would bother her and make drive her mad. She said, 'Just once I'd like to put James Potter in his place!'"
"You were in the middle," Harry commented.
Lupin nodded. "Right smack dab in the middle between the girl I fancied and my best mate. But I just let them both say what they had to say and that was that. I didn't try to convince them otherwise, you know? And then James started asking her if she wanted to go to Hogsmeade with him or if she wanted to take a walk with him after lunch..."
"Well, Lily told him she'd rather walk with a blast-ended Skrewt than spend any time with him," Lupin said with a chuckle. "Looking back on it now, I should have asked her to go to Hogsmeade or to take a walk with me as well, but I was so cautious. I thought she'd tell me to go jump in the lake."
"And did you?" Harry asked. "Ever ask her out?"
"I wanted to very much and very nearly did so many times," Lupin replied. "I thought my salvation had come when Dumbledore announced there'd be a Spring Ball one year. Despite the fact that I couldn't dance to save my life, I saw this as my opportunity to finally ask her out. Well, I hemmed and hawed on it for days. I'm sure she thought I'd gone completely mad."
Harry laughed. He knew all too well how nerve-wracking it could be to ask a girl out. It certainly took every ounce of bravery and courage one could muster.
"So I knew that after everyone went to sleep, your mother used to go downstairs and read in front of the fire. I
thought that I'd sneak down there myself and just do it-just ask her."
"And...?"
"And I snuck downstairs...it was the strangest thing. I could hear her voice, her laughter. I couldn't imagine who she could be talking to. Imagine my surprise when I peeked out from behind the wall to see her sitting on the sofa with James," Lupin shook his head. "I'd never seen them when they weren't at each other's throats, you know? So it was a big shock to see them talking and being so nice with each other."
"I wonder what changed," Harry thought out loud.
"Your mother always fancied your father," Lupin replied. "And I think your father finally learned that the arrogant act wasn't working so well with her. He changed his demeanor around her and she finally got to see him as more than an arrogant berk who was always out to impress her or show off."
"It couldn't have been easy to see them like that," Harry said sympathetically.
Lupin nodded. "It wasn't. And it was even harder to watch as he kissed her. I pinched my arm about a hundred times to make sure I wasn't dreaming."
"But you and my dad remained friends, right?"
"Yes," Lupin replied quietly. "But I didn't talk to him or Lily for days after I'd seen that. I kept to myself. I must have spent every spare moment I had in the library."
"What made you change your mind?"
Lupin looked thoughtfully at him. "Well, as much as it pained me to see them together, I couldn't deny the fact that the two of them made each other happy. You could see it in your mother's eyes. You could see it in how your father talked about her. How was I going to compete with that? So, I asked myself if I wanted to be bitter and lose two good friends or if I wanted to try and move on."
"You chose to move on," Harry said, now seeing what Lupin was getting at.
"And maybe Ron can do the same..." Lupin said giving him a grin, "with time."
Harry sat down trying to grasp what Lupin had just told him and wondering if Ron would ever be able to let this go.
"Sirius and I were wrong to interfere," Lupin said. "And I should have known better...what with my experience in the past. But I've always had a blind spot where you were concerned. It was unfair to do what we did to Ron. I hope someday he will be able to forgive us-to forgive you and Hermione. I know he's done some things that are unforgivable as well. Maybe he'll see that, Harry."
Harry nodded, but didn't meet Lupin's gaze.
"I should probably go on to bed," Lupin said getting to his feet. "We have a big day tomorrow."
When Harry didn't respond, Lupin just patted him on the back and started back to the guest house.
"Remus?"
He turned around. "Yes, Harry?"
"Thanks."
*********** ************** *****************
Hermione set her bags down just inside the foyer of the guest house and thought of taking a nice, relaxing bubble bath before getting to bed. She wasn't expecting to see Harry until the next morning. As far as she knew, he was off with Sirius and Lupin for that wild stag party he'd teased her about.
She stretched her arms over her head and as she did so was surprised to see that the patio door was open. Hermione wondered if Harry must have left it open before the blokes left for the party. With a sigh she crossed the room to close the door when she saw Harry standing on the patio with his back to her.
A grin spread across her face and the exhaustion she'd felt from moving out of her office drifted away as she looked at her boyfriend.
She still couldn't believe they were really engaged. It's too good to be true, she thought to herself. A year ago at this time, I didn't even know him. And now, I can't picture my life without Harry...
Hermione stepped out onto the patio and wrapped her arms around his middle, resting her head on his back.
"Come on, Maureen," he said without turning around. "We can't. My fiancée is arriving any minute now."
Hermione hit him hard on the shoulder. "You are so not funny."
Harry turned around rubbing his shoulder. "Ow! Hermione, come on, I was only kidding. I knew it was you the entire time."
"Yes, well..." she said glaring at him. "That was not funny, Potter."
"Sorry," he said reaching for her. "I missed you..."
"And I missed you," she said looping her arms around his neck and kissing him softly. When they pulled apart a few moments later, he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Did you get your office sorted?"
Hermione nodded. "Everything is packed away and waiting to be shipped to Hogwarts."
"Now we just have to pack up the flat," Harry said smiling at her. "And I promise not to leave you for that one."
"You had a good excuse," Hermione said, "Sirius' last night as a bachelor." She raised an eyebrow at him. "Wait a minute! Harry, what are you still doing here? You were going to have one last wild night on the town right?"
"We were," Harry explained. "But Sirius is afraid of what his wife-to-be would do if she found out he was getting pissed in a bar while scantily clad women danced for him."
"Ahhh," Hermione said nodding in understanding. "I like the way Eva thinks. Remind me to compare notes with her."
Harry chuckled. "Maybe that's not such a great idea."
Hermione smiled. "Well, we have a few months before we have to think about all that. You still have time to change your mind and decide you don't want to marry that daft girl you barged in on while she was taking a shower..."
"How many times do I have to tell you that was an accident?" Harry asked her pretending to be affronted. "I didn't know you were going to be here. I was just being a good little neighbor by bringing you fresh towels and things. Imagine my surprise when this crazy witch points her wand at me-"
"It was quite pervy of you," Hermione teased. "And what do you mean 'crazy witch'?"
"I meant that in the best way possible," Harry answered impishly.
Hermione giggled. "You did, did you? Well, you're going to be stuck with this crazy witch for the rest of your life. Do you think you can handle that?"
Harry pretended to mull the question over while Hermione glared at him.
"Yeah, I think I can handle that," Harry said leaning in and kissing her. He snaked his arms around her waist and walked her backwards into the house.
"Mmmm," Hermione said in between kisses. "So is this better than some stag party?"
Harry grinned and picked her up. "Without a doubt."
********** *************** *******************
On the day of the wedding, Sirius decided to come clean with his friends on Great Abaco. Since Harry's anonymity was no longer an issue, he figured it was time to tell his longtime buddies the truth about who he was. He wasn't going to tell them about being a wizard, of course. Knowing some of the blokes on the island, they'd probably think he'd caught too much sun or had one too many cocktails.
So after speaking with Harry about it, Sirius decided to tell his mates on the island his real identity. He just hoped that it went better than he expected.
Café Oceana was open for breakfast but would be closing early for the wedding. Eva had left the restaurant in the capable hands of Maureen and her assistant chef. She was spending the morning relaxing with Hermione at one of the posh hotel spas on the island. And although she said she didn't believe in superstitions, she wasn't about to take any chances on the wedding she had been waiting her entire life for as she told him last night.
Sirius walked into the restaurant and smiled when he saw some of the regulars----Carl, Bradley, and Keegan. Those blokes were his best mates on the island. He'd lost count of the number of times they'd gone fishing together or stayed up all hours of the night playing poker and getting pissed.
"Benjamin!" Keegan said when he saw Sirius. "What are you doing here? I'm surprised Eva doesn't have you locked away until the wedding…"
"Oh come off it," Bradley said with a chuckle. "Ben's not going anywhere. Eva's got him good and whipped."
"Shut it," Sirius said sitting down at the table. Maureen didn't even have to ask what he wanted. She poured him a cup of coffee and said she'd have his scrambled eggs, sausage and toast out in a few minutes.
Sirius reached for her hand. "Mo, can you stay here for a moment? There's something I need to tell you too."
"Sure," Maureen said taking a seat.
"What's going on?" Carl asked. "Everything alright?"
"Well, I hope so," Sirius said giving them a slight smile. "There's something I need to tell you guys. I know that we've all known each other for quite some time. We've been through a lot together. And I wish I could have told you this sooner; I should have told you sooner."
Carl and Keegan exchanged confused looks with Bradley and Maureen just looked bored.
"See," Sirius said. "I'm not who you think I am…"
"You're not the biggest ass on the island?" Keegan joked.
Sirius glared at him. "No, that would be you."
"What's with the cryptic crap, Ben?" Bradley asked. "You're holding up breakfast, you know?"
Maureen nodded. "Yeah, I need to check on my tables, Ben."
"Speaking of which do you think you could get me some more bacon?" Bradley asked Maureen.
"I thought your doctor told you that you should watch your cholesterol," Maureen chastised him. "Bonnie told me that I shouldn't let you eat anything but the fruit plate."
Bradley groaned. "Mo, come on. Be a pal. Just give me a couple of slices and I won't tell Bonnie if you won't tell my doctor."
"For the love of Pete!" Sirius exclaimed hitting his fist on the table. "Would you lot listen to me? My name isn't Ben Thatcher . It's Sirius Black."
Bradley, Keegan, Maureen and Carl looked at him as if he'd just lost his marbles.
"Serious?" Maureen finally asked. "That doesn't really sound like a name Ben. That sounds more like a color. You know like I painted my nails with Serious Black…"
Sirius put his head in his hands. "Maureen, love. My name is Sirius. That is S-I-R-I-U-S Black."
No one spoke.
"I didn't mean to tell you like this," Sirius said apologetically. "I should have told you long ago, but the thing is…"
Carl held a hand up. "So your name is Sirius. Big deal."
"Big deal?" Sirius asked flummoxed.
Carl shrugged. "Yeah. Big deal. Sirius. Ben. Doesn't matter to me. You're still the worst card player on the island. Doesn't matter what your name is."
"It doesn't?" Sirius asked completely gobsmacked.
Maureen nodded. "You look more like a Sirius than a Ben anyway."
"I don't get it," Sirius said shaking his head. "Don't you want to know why?
"Not particularly," Keegan said thoughtfully. "We're all here for some reason or the other aren't we? I mean, I came here after I retired. Bradley's hiding out from his ex-wives. Carl…well, Carl's Carl. And Maureen…sweetheart, why are YOU here?"
"That's kind of personal," Maureen said playing with the strings on her apron.
"Of course," Keegan said nodding. "I apologize…"
"Well, I went on a cruise right after my high school graduation," Maureen interjected. A dreamy expression came over her face. "And I fell head over heels in love with the porter on the ship-his name was Scott. I had never seen anyone like him. You know he was really exotic looking and I thought the sun rose and set where he walked."
"Oh," Keegan said.
"Yeah," Maureen said sadly. "Well, I tried to get on with the cruise line, but they didn't have anything available. The next thing I knew Scott was leaving for school and I was stuck here. I could have gone home, but I wanted to start over. And I did that here."
Maureen grinned at Sirius. "And you did too."
Sirius nodded. "That I did."
********** *************** *****************
Eva Montague looked absolutely radiant as she waited just inside the beach house. She peeked out behind the curtains to see a number of her friends and family sitting on the wooden chairs just along the beach. It wasn't a large wedding by any stretch of the imagination. There were only around 30 or 40 guests but Eva and Sirius hadn't wanted anything extravagant. They didn't need something like that. Their wedding was going to reflect their personality---simple, but with a twist.
In just a few moments, she'd walk down that long aisle toward the man of her dreams; the one she'd waited her entire life for.
"You look really beautiful Eva," Hermione said smiling at her friend. The bride wore a beautiful white floor-length dress with spaghetti straps and a chapel length train. She'd decided to go barefoot being as it was a beach wedding and she'd styled her hair in a chignon with tendrils framing her face.
As her maid of honor, Hermione wore a light blue floor length dress with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline. Hermione wore her hair down and with a simple charm she insured that her hair wouldn't be a bird's nest by the end of the ceremony.
Eva smiled back. "Thanks Hermione."
"Are you nervous?"
Eva shook her head. "No, I've never been more ready for something in my entire life."
Hermione peeked out the window and saw Sirius and Harry now standing at the end of the aisle with the minister. Sirius wore a nice khaki colored suit and he'd even got a nice haircut for the ceremony. Hermione's eyes traveled to her fiancée who was wearing stone-colored khaki trousers and a white dress shirt. He was nudging Sirius in the side and said something that made his godfather laugh.
"It's time," Hermione said handing Eva her bouquet of Calla lilies.
"Let's get this show on the road," Eva said beaming at Hermione. Hermione slid open the door and she slowly made her way down the steps and then down the aisle. Her eyes were trained on Harry's and she couldn't stop the huge smile from spreading across her face. In just a few months, they'd be taking this step too.
Sirius winked at her as she took her place just to the left of the altar. Eva's son Chris walked his mother down the aisle. He had been the best thing to come out of her first marriage. And it did her heart good to know that her son and Sirius got along so well. Chris pecked his mother on the cheek and shook Sirius' hand before taking his seat beside Maureen.
"We are gathered here today in the presence of friends and family to unite Eva and Sirius in marriage," the minister began. Hermione caught Harry's eye and smiled back at him. She then gave him a look that told him that he should be listening to the minister and not watching her, but his eyes didn't leave hers.
"Sirius and Eva have decided to say their own vows," the minister continued. "Sirius…"
Sirius nodded and clasped Eva's hands in his. "I'm not the most eloquent bloke in the world so you'll have to forgive me for that."
Eva and the guests chuckled.
"But I'm told that's part of my charm," Sirius said with a wink at his girlfriend. "But the truth is that when I came here a few years back, I was looking to start over. I was looking to find a place that I belonged; to find a home. I found all of that and so much more with you, Eva. I don't know what I did to deserve a woman like you, but I promise I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you have made me. I love you with all my heart."
Eva beamed at him wanting to kiss him right then and there, but she knew it was now her turn. She didn't know how she could top what he'd just said, but she was going to try.
"I wasn't counting on you," she said. "I didn't think I would ever open my heart to anyone else again. I'd built these walls around my heart so I wouldn't get hurt again. But a few years back, you walked into my life and I knew that nothing would ever be the same again. Slowly, I let those walls down and let you into my heart and into my soul. Everyday with you has been a gift, Sirius. You make me laugh; you make me so very happy. Because of you, I believe in second chances. I love you with all my heart."
Sirius grinned at her and then they made their vows to love, honor and cherish each other the rest of their lives. They exchanged rings and the minister finally pronounced them husband and wife.
"Sirius, you may kiss your…"
But the minister never finished his sentence. Sirius had waited long enough and now that it was official, he kissed his wife soundly on the lips.
"My little rule breaker," Eva joked when they pulled apart.
The minister smiled. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Sirius and Eva Black."
************** ************** *********************
With the formality of the ceremony out of the way, the bride and groom set about having a good time celebrating their marriage with their friends and family. Keegan was in charge of the music and although Harry had his doubts, the man was playing some good music. Eva's friends at Café Oceana had catered the event and everyone was either eating or dancing or talking. And it must be noted that Eva's son Chris was apparently Maureen's next victim. She'd latched onto him from the moment he'd arrived and they'd been inseparable ever since. Hermione had teased Harry unmercifully about it and he'd pretended to be morally offended that he could be forgotten so easily.
"She's probably just trying to make you jealous," Hermione said grinning at her fiancé.
Harry looked over on the dance floor where Maureen was dancing with Chris. Even though the song was a fast one, the two of them were slow dancing and completely oblivious to the fact that anyone else was around them.
"Yeah something tells me I could walk over there starkers and she wouldn't bat an eyelash," Harry said dryly.
"Now there's an idea," Hermione said taking a sip of her champagne.
Harry saw Eva and Sirius dance past he and Hermione and his godfather joked that Harry should get his arse on the floor
and dance with his girl.
"Do you want to?" Harry asked turning to face Hermione.
"Do I want to what?" she asked innocently.
"Dance?"
Hermione pretended to mull this over. "I thought you'd never ask."
Harry walked around the table and took her hand. "I don't do this for everyone, you know."
"I know."
"Don't tell everyone," he said leading her onto the dance floor. "I have a reputation to protect."
"I wouldn't dream of it," she said as the song that Keegan was currently playing came to an end. In his
deepest voice he spoke into a microphone and announced that he was going to slow things down a bit with one of his best
friend's favorite songs.
"To Sirius and Eva!" Keegan announced.
"To Sirius and Eva!" the crowd echoed heartily.
Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" began to play. Hermione smiled. Eva had told her earlier that this song was their song and she hoped that her new husband remembered to have Keegan play it.
Harry pulled Hermione close. "You really did look beautiful today," he whispered in her ear.
"Thanks," she said softly resting her head on his chest as they swayed to the music.
They were silent for a few moments as they danced and Harry looked over and saw Lupin talking with Nymphadora Tonks who had apparated in for the ceremony. He'd never known Lupin to date much and he wondered how much that had to do with his unrequited love for Lily. Perhaps Tonks could be the one. The two of them had been thick as thieves since she'd arrived. But Harry wasn't about to try matchmaking and from the looks of things it didn't seem as if Lupin needed any help.
"Everything okay?" Hermione asked looking up at him.
Harry smiled down at her. "Yes." He leaned down and softly kissed her. "Everything's perfect."