Black as Night (Sirius Black)

Epilogue: Dancing in the Moonlight

Chapter Title "Dancing in the Moonlight" by King Harvest

I posted this update the same time as Chapter 26– "Wonderwall"— a two-chapter update to finish the work! Make sure you read the "Wonderwall" chapter before this one!
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The ceremony official beamed at the two couples standing before him, his brown eyes twinkling nearly as much as the glistening silver robes that trailed behind him in the moonlight of the Grimmauld Place garden. He was one of the oldest wizards Sirius had ever laid eyes on, even older than Dumbledore had been when he died.

The official was only brought out of retirement to handle the current onslaught of wartime wedding ceremonies. It was just like it had been before, during the First War; James and Lily's wedding had been one of those kinds— the kind that happens with the sense of urgency that only came with not knowing when one's current moment could be their last. That drive to experience all the love and ecstasy one could and condense it into the smallest amount of time possible. Sirius seemed to have always had that drive, likely because his whole life had been shaped in some way by war.

He had been sufficiently hesitant this time, though. A wedding in the wizarding world wasn't only the performance of magical rites, but it also meant record of such rites on file with the Ministry of Magic. Such a record involving Sirius's name meant publicity, which meant divulging the truth to Harry, and risking his life against Death Eaters eager to finish the job they thought they had already finished at the Department of Mysteries well over a year ago.

"I trust him, Pads," Remus had told him with a smile and a pat on the shoulder. He was speaking of the cheerful wizard-priest standing before them now in the garden of Grimmauld Place, his wrinkled hands animated as he read the obligatory history of magical marriage rites.

"He visited me when I was a boy, shortly after I was attacked," Remus had explained. "He did an incantation and meditation with me, to help me remember the person I was within, even when I became a monster on the outside. There's a warmth to him— a genuineness, and an understanding. When I heard he had come out of retirement I knew I wanted him to officiate for me and Tonks, and I inquired about the degree to which he was permitted to exercise discretion in his Ministerial duties. Turns out they technically have one year to file the paperwork documenting when marriage rites are performed, according to the governing statute. It seems likely he might 'misplace' yours and Colleen's, in the hustle and bustle of all the ceremonies he's been performing lately. But I'm sure it will turn up before a year has passed."

Remus had given Sirius a wink, and the two wizards had agreed to bring their brides to Grimmauld Place on the 7th of July for a private garden ceremony. Rhiannon and Severus agreed to be witnesses and to sit with Ben, and it was Remus's turn to be wary. The wolf was still uneasy about spending so much time with Dumbledore's murderer and Lord Voldemort's daughter, but the secret of Sirius's existence left them with few choices for witnesses. And the six of them were in an alliance now, after all.

"Remus, Nymphadora, we will welcome you into the bonds of matrimony first," the official declared cheerfully. May I have the rings, please?"

Sirius stepped forward with their gold bands and placed a kiss on the cheeks of both his cousin and best friend before rejoining Colleen on the garden bench. In all his years suffering in his childhood home, in Azkaban, and on the run, he had never dared to dream of his heart feeling this full. It just showed that no matter how dark Voldemort fought to make the world, the light would shine through, more beautiful than ever.

Sirius glanced at Colleen as she listened to Tonks and Remus repeat the sacred vow, seeing her lips move ever so slightly as if she were practicing and trying to remember them for her own turn coming up. Sirius squeezed her hand with a wink. Her eyes turned dreamy as the official waved his wand over the couple's entwined hands, sending a twisted vine of wispy blue forget-me-nots around their forearms.