Aftermaths, Part 22

by Geri ([email protected])

Rating: Mostly PG-13, but NC-17 for overall story

Pairing: Snape/Lupin, Theodore/Blaise

Warning: AU; events that occurred at the end of Order of the Phoenix were significantly altered from the book.

Sequel to: Always, Summer Vacation, For Old Time's Sake, Three's a Crowd, Return of the Raven, Phoenix Reborn, and Phoenix Rising.

Summary: The various characters deal with the aftermath of the war, and Snape and Lupin try to build a family together with Theodore and Dylan. However, some people are unable to let go of the past...

Author's note: {} Indicates character's unspoken thoughts.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Hob, who belongs to William Mayne; no money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
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Fortunately, the rest of the day went off without a hitch. The guests began arriving; there was quite a large crowd: Branwen's fellow teachers at Hogwarts, Molly's older sons Charlie, Bill, and Percy (the latter two brought Fleur and Penny as their dates), Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, some old Gryffindor classmates of Sirius's, and all the members of the Order of the Phoenix.

"You should keep an eye on Mundungus Fletcher, Black," Snape muttered to Sirius. "You don't want him running off with the silverware."

"I'm not worried about him," Sirius said cheerfully. "If he's stupid enough to risk stealing from a family of demons and Dark Wizards, then on his own head be it. Branwen tells me that her ancestors were quite adept with curses, and that misfortune tends to befall anyone who takes something from Blackmore Manor that doesn't belong to him."

"In that case," Snape said with a evil grin, "perhaps I'll encourage him to steal the silverware!"

Lupin chuckled to himself softly, enjoying the sight of his lover and his best friend conversing with each other in an almost friendly manner after years of being mortal enemies.

Mad-Eye Moody's magical blue eye began spinning when it caught sight of the black flowers. "This place reeks of Dark Magic," he growled. "I don't know why they had to have the wedding at the Blackmore estate."

"Calm down, Alastor," Lupin said in a soothing tone. "It's just for one afternoon, and you know that Branwen is no Dark Wizard, despite her heritage."

Moody grunted irritably. "Where did these flowers come from?" he asked suspiciously. "They have a very strange aura about them."

"Er...a gift from a family member," Lupin said evasively. "Perhaps it's better if we don't go into more detail than that."

Moody heaved a sigh, looking even more annoyed. "I wouldn't do this for anyone but Branwen," he grumbled.

"You're a good friend, Alastor," Lupin said placatingly, patting him on the shoulder.

"Just tell young Black that he'd better take good care of her, or he'll answer to me," Moody growled. Lupin just grinned and didn't bother reminding him that Branwen was more than capable of keeping Sirius in line by herself.

Branwen's aunt, uncle, and cousins attended the wedding, somewhat to Sirius's surprise. He knew that she still had some living relatives on her mother's side, but this was the first time that he had met them.

"Aunt Emer!" Branwen cried out when she saw them.

"Oh, my little Branwen, it's so good to see you," said a woman who looked much like the portrait of Fiona Blackmore in the library, although of course she was much older and her blonde hair was turning to gray. Sirius repressed a smile at hearing someone refer to the formidable Professor Blackmore as "little Branwen". Emer embraced her niece and held her tightly, tears running down her face. "For fifteen years we thought you were dead!"

"I'm so sorry that I couldn't send you word sooner, but..."

"I understand," Emer said, wiping away her tears. "It was some sort of Order business, wasn't it? You couldn't let the Death Eaters know that you were still alive."

"Something like that," Branwen said, then changed the subject. "This is my fiance, Sirius."

"My, what a handsome young man!" Emer said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"I like her already," Sirius said to Branwen with a grin. He was introduced to Branwen's uncle, Colm, who seemed to be a quiet, good-natured man, and to Branwen's assorted cousins, some of whom she had not met before, since they had been born while she was in exile.

"And this is my granddaughter Slaine," Emer finished, introducing the last cousin, a dark-haired young girl who stared at Branwen with wide eyes filled with awe and a little apprehension. "She'll be entering Hogwarts in the fall."

"I look forward to seeing you there," Branwen said with a smile, and the girl ducked behind her grandmother.

"She's a little shy," Emer said apologetically.

"It's all right," Branwen said, then after a brief pause said, "I see that Grandfather and Grandmother decided not to come."

Emer sighed, "I tried to convince them, but you know stubborn they are. They still--"

"Blame Father for Mother's death," Branwen finished.

She sounded more resigned than sad, but it still made Sirius angry. "Why does everyone blame your dad for that when he was killed, too? And besides, none of that is your fault!"

"Never mind, Siri," Branwen said, kissing him on the cheek. "Family members don't always get along, as you well know." She smiled sincerely at her aunt, uncle, and cousins. "I'm just glad that you decided to come."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, my dear!" Emer said, embracing her again. "Oh, your mother would be so proud if she could see you today!"

Branwen and Sirius had decided on a civil ceremony, since neither of them was particularly religious; the Minister of Magic himself conducted the ceremony, grinning from ear to ear. Molly was the maid of honor, and Tonks and Narcissa were bridesmaids, while Lupin was Sirius's best man, and Harry and Draco were groomsmen. The boys didn't look thrilled to be in each other's company, but they carried out their duties without arguing or making a fuss--Harry didn't want to ruin his godfather's wedding, and neither of them were stupid enough to risk angering Professor Blackmore. Dumbledore gave the bride away in place of her late father, and she looked beautiful in her antique gown and veil of black lace. Molly was still a little aggrieved by the sight of the black gown, but her expression softened a little when she saw the look on Sirius's face as his bride walked towards him: his face was filled with joy and awe, and it was clear that no one else in the world existed for him at that moment. Branwen recited her vows in a steady voice, while Sirius's voice trembled a little when it was his turn. They slipped their rings onto each other's fingers, Arthur beamed at them as he said, "You may kiss the bride," and Sirius gently lifted the veil back from her face and kissed his bride as the assembled crowd burst into cheers and applause. Lupin brushed a few tears from his eyes, and he wasn't the only one. Molly was openly weeping, saying to a concerned Tonks, "It's all right, dear, I always cry at weddings," and Dumbledore removed his glasses as Professor McGonagall handed him a handkerchief.

"Thank you, Minerva," he said, dabbing at his eyes with it. "It's so nice to see two of our students finding happiness together, isn't it?"

"More than two, I think," McGonagall replied with amusement, glancing at Lupin and Snape. "You could have told me about Remus and Severus earlier, Albus."

"Ah, but would you have believed me if you hadn't seen it with your own eyes?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling with merriment once more.

"Probably not," she admitted. "And you're right, it is nice to attend such a joyous occasion after the many losses we have suffered."

After the ceremony, the festivities began. There was a bountiful feast prepared by Hob, with champagne for the adults and sparkling cider for the children. And Molly had baked a magnificent four-tiered wedding cake, topped off not with bride and groom dolls, but with a spun-sugar white dove and black raven. Branwen burst out laughing when she saw it, and Bane cawed appreciatively.

"Which one is supposed to be you and which is me?" Sirius asked, grinning. "Am I the delicate little white dove?"

"They should probably both be black," Branwen laughed, "considering that you're a Black and I'm a Blackmore." She took out her wand and the white dove was soon black to match its mate.

Molly shook her head and sighed, "Ah well, you can't change a tiger's stripes, I suppose. Or in this case, the color of a raven's feathers."

"She's a bit...er...eccentric," Arthur said, slipping an arm around his wife. "But she has a good heart, and she cares about her students."

"So now that the Professor is married," Ron mused out loud, "would that make her a Black-Blackmore?"

"If you'd studied wizarding genealogy," Draco said in a superior tone, "you would know that the Blackmore women never take their husbands' names. The title is passed down matrilineally, from mother to daughter."

Ron was about to take offense, but was somewhat pacified when he saw Narcissa give her son a reproving look. "I bet Mrs. Black won't like that," he said with a grin, thinking of the bad-tempered portrait in Sirius's house.

"She'll be livid," agreed Harry with a grin.

"I don't see that it makes much difference," Hermione said. "I mean, 'Black' is already part of Professor Blackmore's name, after all."

"I don't think Mrs. Black will see it quite that way," Harry said.

Sirius and Branwen cut the cake together, and he hesitated slightly as he lifted the piece up to her lips. "If you smash that in my face, you'll be sleeping alone tonight," she warned.

"I wouldn't dream of it, my dear," Sirius assured her; he hadn't seriously been considering it, not wanting to risk spending his wedding night as a toad. He gave her an innocent smile and fed her the cake, polite as you please.

After the meal, there was dancing. Branwen danced first with her new husband, then with her uncle, Dumbledore, Moody, Arthur, Lupin, Hagrid, Snape, and just about every other male guest there--or so it seemed to Sirius.

"When do I get to dance with my bride again?" Sirius complained as he danced with Narcissa.

"Probably not till the very end of the party, cousin dear," Narcissa laughed. "It's a traditional game of sorts, to try and keep the bride and groom apart."

"Seems like a stupid tradition," he grumbled.

"I think it's intended to help build up...ah...anticipation for the wedding night," Narcissa said slyly.

Sirius blushed. "Are you really my prim and proper cousin Narcissa, or are you an impostor in disguise?" Maybe Tonks was playing a joke on him, but no, there she was dancing with Kingsley.

Narcissa laughed girlishly, looking more like the student she had been at Hogwarts than
the mother of a teenage boy. "Just because I know how to behave properly in society doesn't make me a prig, Sirius. No Slytherin could ever be considered prim, I assure you."

"I suppose not," Sirius agreed with a laugh.

Hagrid danced just once with Branwen, careful to hold her at a proper and respectful distance, mindful of Bane's suspicious stare, and perhaps also mindful of the way his date, Madame Maxime, was watching him.

Snape danced with her next. "Are you happy, Branwen?" he asked.

"Very," she replied with a smile. "And you?"

"You know I am," he said gruffly. "Despite the fact that the werewolf takes a distinct pleasure in embarrassing me in public whenever he can. And by the way, thanks ever so much for suggesting to Lupin that we baby-sit Potter while you're gone."

"You're welcome, Severus," Branwen replied sweetly.

"I still say you could have sent him to the Weasleys," Snape grumbled.

"I could have," Branwen admitted, "but I want the Gryffindors and Slytherins to learn how to get along with each other."

Snape's black eyes filled with comprehension. "So it's all part of your plot to foster cooperation between the Houses! I should have guessed."

"Yes, that was the main reason, but Molly really is busy with Percy's wedding, and besides, I think Harry would enjoy spending some time with Remus, and vice versa." Branwen gave her former student a stern look. "I know you still hold a grudge against James and that you don't like Harry, but Remus still cares about them, you know."

"I know, I know," Snape muttered. "I won't try to force him to choose between his friends and me again. I did let him invite Potter to Dylan's and Theodore's birthday party, didn't I? Besides, you'd think you could stop playing teacher and lecturing me on your wedding day at least."

"But this is my last chance to do so for two weeks," Branwen laughed, kissing him on the cheek.

"Hmmph," Snape snorted.

Meanwhile, Harry danced with Ginny, and Dylan danced with Hermione. Ron watched, feeling a little left out until Fleur asked him to dance while Bill was dancing with his mother, and cheered up slightly. Draco danced with his mother several times, although he did take one turn with Tonks, and actually seemed to be enjoying himself. Being a dutiful nephew, Dylan reluctantly left Hermione's side to dance with his Aunt Goewin. While he was dancing with her, he watched Weasley go up and ask Hermione to dance, and he frowned a little. His aunt smiled at him and said, "Don't worry, it's clear that your young lady has eyes only for you. But her friends are important to her, too, and you'll have to accept that if you don't want to drive her away."

"I know," Dylan sighed. "I'm trying. I guess we'll all be learning to get along with each other, since we'll be living in the same house for two weeks." He was pleased to be able to spend time with Hermione, but he wasn't sure what it would be like sharing such close quarters with the two Gryffindor boys.

"Everything will work out," Goewin assured him. After the song ended, she went to dance with Sirius, and Hermione was still dancing with Weasley. He saw Professor Blackmore standing alone and unpartnered for the first time since the dancing had begun, and he hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and walked up to her.

He bowed to her and said, "May I have the honor of a dance, Professor?"

She raised her eyebrows, then laughed and said, "Like father, like son, I see! Of course, Dylan, I would be delighted." Dylan took pleasure in the looks of shock on Potter's and Weasley's faces as he waltzed with the demonic Professor Blackmore. "You are much more like your mother in demeanor," she told him, "but every now and then I see a bit of Evan in you."

"Most people would see that as a bad thing," Dylan said.

"That's not the way I meant it," Branwen replied. "Evan had his good points, too. For a time I feared that you might repeat your father's mistakes, but I'm glad to say that you proved me wrong."

"That's thanks to Professor Snape," Dylan said solemnly.

"I know," Branwen said softly. "You're one of the few people other than Remus to have enough insight to see below the surface, to the man Severus really is."

Dylan wasn't sure how to reply to that. "He's...been good to me," Dylan finally said. "So has Professor Lupin."

They danced in silence for the rest of the song, then Branwen said, "I'm glad that you're such a serious and studious boy, but remember, there's nothing wrong with a little irreverence." She kissed him on the cheek, then added with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, "But just a little, mind you, or you'll be scrubbing bedpans like your father did!"

"My lady," Dylan said with fervent sincerity despite the charming grin he gave her, "I would never want to do anything to anger you!" He bowed to her again and lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her fingertips in a courtly manner.

Branwen laughed and curtsied to him. "That's just the right amount of irreverence, Mr. Rosier!"

"Is your nephew flirting with my wife?" Sirius indignantly asked Goewin.

"Surely you're not jealous of a sixteen-year old boy," she teased.

"Maybe just a little," Sirius said, only half-jokingly, "when he has the charm and silver tongue of his father!" Then he determinedly walked over to claim a dance with his bride, tradition be damned.

Dylan graciously ceded the Professor to him, then went to the table where his great-uncle was sitting, holding baby Ariana on his lap. "Here, Uncle Math, let me watch Ari so you can dance with Aunt Goewin."

"Thank you, Dylan," Math said, and got up to join his wife. Theo, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny all came over to Dylan's table.

"You like to live dangerously, I see," Theodore said dryly. "Trying to uphold your dad's reputation?"

"I think you're nuts!" Ron said, looking a little awed. "I can't believe you had the nerve to ask her to dance! Weren't you afraid she'd turn you into a toad?"

"Oh, don't be silly!" Hermione said. "She wouldn't turn someone into a toad over that!"

"I was more afraid that Sirius might turn you into a toad," Harry said with a grin. "Did you see the look on his face?"

"It's not really a good idea to make a powerful wizard jealous," Theodore cautioned. "Even if he is a Gryffindor, the Blacks have a long history as Dark Wizards."

Dylan laughed. "I remember that Sirius told me he was jealous of my dad for asking Professor Blackmore to dance at the Yule Ball back when they were students at Hogwarts. He claimed it was just because the entire school was so impressed with Dad's audacity, and it didn't have anything to do with Professor Blackmore herself. He swore that he could never think of her romantically, that she was just too scary, but now I think maybe he was protesting a little too much."

"You think he liked her even back then?" Harry asked, sounding stunned. "But he and my dad didn't like her because she gave them detention a lot and they thought she favored the Slytherins. He says they argued a lot when they were Aurors, and they used to fight all the time when they were both living at Grimmauld Place while they were still in hiding. I was shocked when they decided to get married!"

Dylan shook his head, looking amused. "Don't you know that when two people fight a lot it can be a sign of romantic tension, Potter? Look at Snape and Lupin; everyone thought they hated each other. My mother and father thought they hated each other, too, when Professor Blackmore forced them to work on that Summoning project together. My mother said that the first time they kissed, they were in the middle of arguing about their project. She used to say that sometimes the heat of anger can disguise the heat of passion."

Harry's face turned bright red; Dylan's words were remarkably similar to Sirius's comments about arguments adding spice to a relationship, and what Blackmore had said about anger sometimes turning into passion. How come Dylan had so much more experience about these things when he was a year younger than Harry? Well, the Slytherin boy did have a reputation as a ladies' man, or at least, all the girls seemed to fawn over him.

Ron also looked flustered. "You talked about stuff like that with your MUM?!" he asked incredulously.

"Sure," Dylan replied carelessly, laughing at the expression on Weasley's face. Well, he couldn't really picture Mrs. Weasley discussing love and passion with her children! "She talked a lot about how she and my dad met. I never knew my father, so I loved hearing those stories about him."

He looked a little wistful then, and Hermione reached out and held his hand. Ron sighed inwardly; he did feel a little sorry for Rosier, who was now an orphan, but there was no shortage of girls willing to comfort him. Ron had enjoyed dancing with Hermione and Fleur, but it wasn't as fun as it could have been, since neither girl was interested in him. He thought he had come to terms with the fact that Hermione only liked him as a friend, but it was one thing to accept it when she wasn't dating anyone else, and another thing entirely when he had to watch her dance and hold hands with Rosier. And now he'd have to watch them moon over each other for the next two weeks. Ron sighed again.

Meanwhile, Hermione and Ginny cooed and fussed over little Ariana, more than happy to help Dylan baby-sit while her parents danced. In fact, when Math and Goewin returned, the girls cheerfully told them to "go dance and enjoy the party! We'll watch Ariana for you. She's so adorable!"

"That's very kind of you," Goewin said with a smile. "Ari's a good baby, but it's nice to have a break once in awhile."

"We'll baby-sit for you anytime!" Ginny declared.

"I'll remember that," Goewin laughed, and she and her husband went off to dance some more.

"What makes girls go so gaga over babies and puppies?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged. "Beats me. I can't figure women out. Isn't it obvious, from the way I botched things with Cho?"

"Well, you've still done better than me," Ron pointed out gloomily. "I've never even had a girlfriend."

"Well, that girl Luna likes you..."

Ron made a face. "Oh, that's very comforting!"

Harry watched Dylan laugh with Ginny and Hermione as he bounced his baby cousin on his knee. "Maybe we should ask Rosier for pointers."

"Ask a younger student, and a Slytherin at that, for advice with women?" Ron asked indignantly.

Harry shrugged. "Well, he's obviously a lot more successful with women than we are."

Ron just scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. What was galling was that the idea was almost tempting. He looked over and saw Theodore Nott leaning back in his chair watching all of them with a slightly distasteful but oddly detached look on his face, as if none of this particularly concerned or interested him.

"Hey, Nott," Ron said hesitantly.

"What?" Theodore asked warily.

"Don't you ever get tired of being in Rosier's shadow? Of having to compete with him for all the girls?"

To Ron's confusion, Nott suddenly smiled, looking very amused, and said, "Not really. I'm used to playing second fiddle to Draco, anyway." He smirked and added, "Besides, it doesn't look like Dylan's going to be competing with anyone much longer, now does it? Except perhaps you..."

Ron clenched his fists, and Harry quickly patted him on the shoulder and said, "Take it easy, Ron, don't let him get to you. Come on, don't start a scene at Professor Blackmore's wedding!"

It was more the thought of an irate Blackmore than Harry's soothing tone of voice that caused Ron to get his temper under control. He forced himself to unclench his hands and muttered, "That's what I get for trying to be chummy with a Slytherin."

"We'll have to learn to get along with them if Hermione is going to be friends with Dylan," Harry said, although he didn't like the idea much better than Ron did. "Just ignore him; he's only trying to bait you. Besides, Nott doesn't have a girlfriend, either, so it's not like he has anymore luck with women than we do."

Theodore overheard that last remark and almost fell out of his chair laughing as the other children stared at him.

Ginny, Hermione, and Dylan hadn't heard any of that last exchange and were even more confused than Ron and Harry. "What's the matter with him?" Ginny asked.

"I have no idea," Dylan replied. "Perhaps someone spiked the cider. You haven't been in the champagne, have you, Theo?"

Theodore shook his head, still choking with laughter. "I'll tell you about it later, Dylan. Your new Gryffindor friends have such quaint notions."

The girls stared at him in bewilderment, while Harry and Ron suspected that they had just been insulted even if they didn't know exactly how or why. "Slytherins," Ron muttered, shaking his head.

From a few tables away, Lupin said, "The kids seem to be having a good time."

"I suppose," Snape said skeptically as he watched Potter and Weasley glare at a laughing Theodore.

"It was such a beautiful ceremony," Lupin continued.

"I suppose," Snape repeated.

"Care to dance?" Lupin asked with a mischievous smile.

Snape groaned, "Oh please, Lupin! Wasn't it bad enough that you kissed me in front of the entire school?"

"Well, you did call me an exhibitionist!" Lupin laughed.

"That's because you are," Snape grumbled. "Please, Lupin, let's not make a scene at Branwen's wedding. This is supposed to be the bride's big day, after all."

Lupin didn't think that the bride would mind if they made a scene, but he said agreeably, "All right, but you owe me a dance in private later when we get home."

"Agreed," Snape said, feeling relieved that Lupin had given in so easily. He was so relieved, in fact, that he didn't even object when Lupin leaned against him, resting his head on Snape's shoulder.

Lupin just grinned and snuggled closer, since that had been his intent all along. Severus would have objected if he'd simply snuggled up to him, but faced with a choice between a snuggle and a dance, he eagerly accepted the lesser of two evils. He was gradually training the Potions Master to become accustomed to these little public displays of affection, and who knew? Maybe someday Severus would even feel comfortable with dancing in public. Lupin pressed his face against his lover's shoulder to hide his grin, which would instantly have made Severus suspicious if he had seen it, because it was as sly and devious as any Slytherin's.

When the party was over and Sirius and Branwen were ready to depart for their honeymoon, they climbed aboard Buckbeak, who had been festively bedecked for the occasion: white and green ribbons had been tied onto his saddle and bridle, and he was wearing a huge wreath around his neck made of ivy and white roses. The wreath, unfortunately, was looking a little bedraggled, because the Hippogriff had gotten bored and started munching on the flowers. From his perch on Branwen's shoulder, Bane eyed Buckbeak warily, as if he were afraid the bigger animal might make a mouthful out of him, although Snape privately thought that in a fight between the raven and the Hippogriff, he'd put his money on Bane.

"So where are you going for your honeymoon, Padfoot?" Lupin asked.

"I'm going to show Branwen some of the places I hid out at while I was a fugitive," Sirius replied cheerfully.

"Oh, that sounds very romantic," Snape said sarcastically.

"Don't knock it till you've tried it, Snape," Sirius said with a grin. "I'll have you know that one of the places I stayed at was a lovely little tropical island."

"It sounds wonderful, Padfoot," Lupin laughed. "Have a good time, and send us a postcard!"

"See you in two weeks!" Sirius called out as Buckbeak took off. He and Branwen waved to their guests, who waved back until they flew out of sight.

The Weasleys stayed behind to help Hob, Lupin, Snape, and the children clean up. Lupin packed up the leftover food, which was enough to provide them with meals for the next couple of days, and Snape packed up some of the mysterious black and white flowers that Branwen's "grandfather" had sent. As they prepared to leave, Molly hugged and kissed Ginny and Ron, who squirmed with embarrassment.

"Aw, Mum!" Ron protested.

"Don't 'aw, mum' me!" Molly said sternly. "You two be good now, and listen to Remus and Severus."

"Yes, Mum," Ginny said obediently.

"Yes, Mum," sighed Ron. "We're not little kids anymore, you know!"

"You'll always be my little boy," Molly replied, kissing him again. Ron turned red as he heard Dylan and Theodore snicker, but if he had looked at them more closely, he would have seen that they looked more wistful than mocking.

Lupin noticed, however, and he placed a gentle hand on each boy's shoulder, then said, "Well, shall we go home?"

Snape and the boys exchanged looks; they didn't really consider Grimmauld Place "home," but they nodded and followed Lupin into the Manor to take the Floo back to their temporary home.

 

Part 23