The Guardian

-1Disclamer- I still don’t own it… but I’d like to.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Chapter 19
Marrying a Mutt
Sirius was pacing the kitchen at the Burrow, Rhiannon had only been gone a half hour but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was happening to her. So he paced, up and down in front of Snape and Remus. He could hear Harry and the other teens outside, tried to concentrate on their voices to take his mind off the woman they were waiting for but someone would say her name and his thoughts would return to the same loop of horrible scenarios.
“Calm down Sirius. She’ll be okay.” Molly tried to get him to sit down but he couldn’t be still so he paced until everyone was dizzy. Sirius shook his head at her and rubbed at his shoulder, it had started bothering him a few moments ago for no reason, so he chalked it up to stress.
They were holding the meeting until Rhiannon got there. Kingsley and Tonks were talking quietly in the corner with Dumbledore, while Molly and McGonagall discussed transfiguring household items. Everyone was getting restless with the wait, glancing at the clock on the wall then following Sirius as he paced. The teens were coming in, clattering up the wooden steps to the kitchen and arguing loudly about where something should have gone outside, when Rhiannon suddenly appeared right next to Sirius, making Molly jump with surprise.
Sirius glared at her, noticing she looked a bit pale, but relatively unharmed. Her chest was heaving apparently in anger as she had her bottom lip held tightly between her teeth. Sirius reached out and touched her hand feeling instantly better that she wasn’t bleeding this time and was in fact still standing.
“Fix my shoulder.” She spoke through gritted teeth in a voice that bordered on a hiss.
“What did she say?” Molly rushed to her side.
Sirius ran his hand up her right arm from elbow to shoulder, stopping when she groaned in pain. He could feel the odd angle that the bone was in and rolled his own shoulder in response. He’d dislocated his shoulder enough times playing Quidditch with James and Remus to recognize the injury in someone else.
“Right here?” He asked looking around the room. It could be rather painful to fix her shoulder and wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream or cry in front of everyone.
“Yes just put it back.” She cried.
“Oh dear.” Molly figured out what was about to happen. “Fred, George. Come over here.” She motioned to the twins; they were about the same height as her, which would make it easier to hold her. They crossed the room, looking wearily at Rhiannon. “Hold her here.” She wrapped Fred’s arm over the shoulder that was dislocated and across her chest. “George, you help Sirius.” The boys did as they were told.
“Ready Rhi?” Sirius asked grasping her arm just above the elbow and pulling it out straight then directing George on where to hold and how to pull. He was glad Molly had got the twins to help. He didn’t think he would be able to hurt Rhiannon, even if it was to help her.
“Yes.”
Sirius nodded to the boys and pulled her arm, impressed when she only whimpered. There was a sickening pop as the joint went back into place. Everyone in the room hissed in sympathy. But Sirius watched as her face turned green for a second before she took a deep steadying breath.
“Better?” He asked.
“Yes. Much. Thank you.”
“What happened?” Molly asked pressing her gently into a chair and placing a cup of whisky laced tea into her left hand.
“Thanks” Rhiannon drank deeply from the cup and nodded at the group surrounding her before answering Molly’s question. “Lucius found out how Draco lost his voice.”
“You didn’t give it back to him?” Remus yelled coming quickly out of the chair he‘d just dropped back into.
“Yes, but he hasn’t found it yet.” She defended. “I gave it back, but he can’t get it back until he learns when to talk and when to listen. I’ll admit it wasn’t the best idea to place that charm on it but it was all I could do to help him at the time.” She glared.
“What happened to Draco’s voice?” Tonks asked from across the room.
“I took it from him a few weeks ago when he said some less than flattering things.” Rhiannon sat her empty tea cup down and rubbed at her tender shoulder. Most of the room grinned including Dumbledore who quickly sobered.
“Miss Hades, Severus and Sirius have told me about the events of the last few weeks, I hope that you have thought over Hermione’s suggestion.” Dumbledore stood up, crossed the room and touched her injured shoulder. She felt some heat then the pain was gone.
She smiled up at the wizard, “Yes I have thought about it. And discussed it and argued about it. I’ve made a decision.” She looked to where Sirius stood just behind Dumbledore and asked with her eyes what she couldn’t say out loud. He nodded quickly a large smile lighting his features.
“Do you do marriage rights Albus?” She asked.
The man smiled in his absent way “Why yes my dear, I do. Who may I ask who is the lucky man?”
“Sirius Black.” She looked at the man and smirked.
“You can’t be serious!” Molly yelled while everyone else just laughed.
“I am. I suppose we should get it done as soon as a license can be acquired.” Rhiannon looked to Remus and Snape, grinning when she saw Remus pocket a handful of coins and Snape glaring darkly.
Sirius knelt down at her side and kissed her hard, smiling when her eyes darkened and glazed over. He‘d never even given marriage a thought and although it may be just for show, or even just for a short while he planned on enjoying the experience. The room grew quiet around them as everyone caught onto the sizzle of magic in the air around the couple.
“The biggest problem is how does one obtain a license to marry a man that is technically dead?” Tonks asked drawing everyone’s attention.
“The only way to get a license is to apply for one from the ministry, but then everyone would know Sirius is alive and we’d have to arrest him and send him back to Azkaban.” Kingsley added. Both Aurors looked like they’d swallowed a slug.
Rhiannon refused to allow that to happen, she’d been into Azkaban a few times. She’d felt cold for days after, the Dementors having sucked all the warmth from her body. She hated the beings; they were the opposite of everything she was. They were created to destroy one’s soul without regard to who the person was during life. She didn’t want to see Sirius go back there.
“No, I won’t let it happen.” She spoke up now. “Maybe we can go to the states. Get married there. I know some people that could maybe pull a few strings and give us a license that way.” She looked at Sirius who appeared to have just thought of the tiny snag in their plan.
“Or you could marry one of the others?” Molly suggested. Rhiannon turned to her, looked into her eyes and was surprised to find worry there. The woman worried about Sirius’s sanity, about his grasp on reality. “You could marry one of my boys. Fred or George would be willing!” she shoved the pair forward.
“Oi mum! If you want us out of the house just say so.” Fred yelped, and George nodded his agreement.
“No Molly, they are just boys.” Rhiannon shook her head.
“Then Percy. Marry Percy.” Molly nodded as if that was the final answer.
Rhiannon had seen Percy Weasley once and had taken an instant disliking to the boy he was so stiff and unyielding. Not to mention a kiss ass.
“No Molly.” Rhiannon snapped, “I will not marry Percy either. I’m closest in age to Bill but even he’s younger than me.”
“Oh he’d be happy to help you.” Molly grinned.
Rhiannon dropped her head onto the table in front of her, smacking her forehead against the wood a few times. When she looked up everyone was staring at her.
“Now Molly, listen closely. I will not marry one of your sons. I am going to marry Sirius if we have to hold an Auror or two at wand point to get the license. Your Boys will all marry in their own time if you’d just stop nagging.” There were gasps of appreciation from Ron and the twins at that. “And Sirius Black is just as sane as I am so you can stop worrying about that too.”
Molly stood with her mouth hanging open looking more than a bit like a fish in an aquarium for a moment before she spoke. “So all my children will get married?”
“Yes eventually if you stop nagging them.” Rhiannon glanced at Sirius who she saw, much like the rest of the order members, was barely suppressing a laugh.
Sirius leaned down to her side and whispered, “How do you know that?”
“I don’t. I’m guessing. Bill would have married right after school but Molly drove him nuts.”
Sirius nodded. He was rather surprised that he’d never met Rhiannon before. They seemed to know most of the same people.
“As nice of a diversion as that was, we still need to figure this out.” Dumbledore interrupted, his voice full of authority.
“Well I offer myself for the holding an Auror at wand point idea.” Tonks called out.
“I wasn’t Serious!” Rhiannon giggled at the woman’s obvious excitement.
“But it may not be a bad idea.” Snape mused. “We’d need someone a bit higher up than you Tonks.”
“Aw gee thanks Snape.” Tonks glared at him to which the dark wizard only smirked back.
They started arguing over whom best to use as a hostage much to Rhiannon’s amusement until a resounding pop drew everyone’s attention to the counter, where two black wrapped boxes and a large envelope appeared.
“The Elders.” Rhiannon sighed rising to gather the items. The first box was small, about the size of ring box, and light. The second was larger and when she shook it she could hear something metallic rattling inside. Sirius took the envelope from her, easily loosening the seal to pull the contents out.
He grinned and held the papers out to her. “Well would you look at that. We can stop arguing now.”
“What do you have there Mr. Black?” Dumbledore asked eyeing the papers
“Marriage license.” Sirius handed it over to Dumbledore. “And terms?” He raised an eyebrow.
“What kind of terms?” Rhiannon tried to read over his shoulder but was too short to actually see anything.
“We must be married with in twenty-four hours. We have to…” Sirius winked at her “We’ve already done that one. I have to go with you every time you are summoned. We have to reside within the same house for a year. And we have to sign this.” He held out the list of terms, Rhiannon noticed the large gap between the last demand and the lines for signatures.
“More will appear before everything is done with.” She shook her head. “The Elders do love to meddle with people’s personal lives.” She reached into the envelope Sirius held out to her and pulled out a quill. She signed her name with a quick flourish then passed the quill to him after he signed it the parchment rolled up with a snap and disappeared.
“When would you like to be married?” Dumbledore asked.
“Tomorrow.” Rhiannon answered at the same time Sirius answered “Now.”
“Sirius,” She turned to the man. “We don’t have anything here; I refuse to be married in an outfit Lucius touched.”
“Well I’m sure you can find something to wear.” He grinned at her.
“Sirius!” She glared until he leaned down and kissed her. Rhiannon felt giddy when he did that, tingles ran all across her skin and her heartbeat started racing. She put a hand on his chest intending to push him away but she felt his heart instead, the wild racing under her palm that matched her own. So he felt the same things as she did.
Sirius felt the moment she gave up on the argument and relaxed into his arms. He had meant only to get her to agree to marry him right now but was distracted by the little sighs she was making in the back of her throat. She sounded like a kitten purring he mused. The sound of Dumbledore clearing his throat made him pull away from her.
“Have we come to a decision?” He asked, eyes sparkling merrily at the pair.
“We’ll be married in an hour.” He looked down, grinning at Rhiannon’s bemused smile.
“Fine you win this time.” She sighed, “But that wont work every time you want something.”
Sirius gave her a little wink and turned her around.
“Hey that box is open.” He pointed at the smaller of the two boxes.
Rhiannon picked it up, dumping the contents into her hand. Two smaller boxes fell out. One marked with a large ‘R’ the other an ‘S’. She picked up one and tried to open it, unsuccessfully then handed it off to Sirius.
She picked up the other and looked at it. The lid popped open instantly, revealing a thick silver band. Sirius looked up when his box opened at the same time.
“Oi, they really want us married.” He smiled and held out a thinner silver band for her to see.
“Guess so.” She nodded back.
“Well what are you two dunderheads waiting for?” Snape rolled his eyes, “You best get this done before someone else dies or Lucius decides just dislocating your shoulder wasn’t enough punishment.”
“Hmm Severus is correct. We should try and hurry.” Dumbledore urged them on.
“Come on. I have a dress that might work for you.” Ginny grinned at Rhiannon.
“Oh yes, we have to get you ready, only an hour. Heavens.” Molly tugged her from Sirius’s grasp and out of the room followed closely by every other female present.
“Well I suppose this will have to be your stag party then.” Remus pulled a bottle of Firewhisky out of the cabinet and poured everyone a glass.
“You too boys.” Sirius grinned and handed the younger boys glasses with significantly less in them. “We have to toast me on catching the best girl around.”
“Poor girl; doesn’t know what we pawned off on her.” Remus grinned cheekily but was truly happy for the two.
“And she thought Lucius was a pain in the arse.” Snape glared into his drink. “What a pity.”
Sirius just grinned at the two men and glanced down at the set of rings he was still holding, they needed something.

Meanwhile upstairs Rhiannon was in the middle of the giggling women as Ginny threw dresses and jumpers out of her closet mumbling about each item as she went.
“Ginvera, you haven’t even worn this jumper that your aunt sent you.” Molly held up a garish pink jumper with kittens rolling all around the bottom.
“Mum, I never will.” She pulled a light blue dress out and held it up. “Here we go. It might be a bit small but I’m sure we can do something with it.”
Rhiannon grinned at the girl, the dress was pretty. She waved her hand at the dress changing this and that then slipped it on. “Well?”
“Nope not yet.” McGonagall shook her head. “Keep trying.”
Rhiannon glanced at the mirror the dress wasn’t quiet right, they spent a few minutes glancing through magazines and making small changes until the dress was perfect. She felt beautiful in it, and when she looked into the mirror was surprised to see her eyes picked up and reflected the color.
“Here you’ll need this.” Luna had been sitting quietly in the coroner as usual working hard on something and now held out a ring of blue forget-me-nots. “Like the Muggles say, something borrowed something blue.” She nodded towards the dress
“You still need something old and something new!” Hermione jumped off Ginny’s bed where she’d sat down and rummaged through her trunk. She pulled out two small combs “Here’s the something new.” She held them out; still pinned to the cardboard they were bought on. “My mum bought them for me, but these things just get tangled in my hair. I never use them.”
“Thank you Hermione.” Rhiannon took them and quickly twisted them into her hair.
“Ten minutes left. Are you ready?” Tonks asked her colorful hair shifting between bubble gum pink and purple.
“I suppose. I never thought I’d get married. And it’s not like I had a whole bunch of time to think about it.”
She glanced down at the ring she had shoved on her thumb; it was such a plain ring.
She waved her hand, conjuring one of her green vials. It would be perfect. While everyone fussed around her, changing clothes and putting on make-up she smashed the tiny bottle, picking out a few small pieces.
“What are you doing dear?” McGonagall asked watching as Rhiannon yanked one of the coins off her anklet and sat it together with the ring and glass shards.
“Fixing Sirius’s ring. It’s too plain, not at all like him.”
“You can say that again. Not a plain bone in that boy’s body.” The older witch shook her head, her lips pinched into a frown. “I could go another hundred years with out having another pupil like Sirius Black. Always in trouble that one. How he survived I’ll never know.”
“But you loved every minute of having him as a student.” Rhiannon saw the truth behind the other woman’s eyes.
“Yes, just as I loved having James, Lily and Remus as students. They kept things… alive during a time when it could have been very bad.”
“Oh well isn’t that lovely.” Molly peered over her shoulder at the ring. The thick silver band now had a thinner gold band running around the middle with small emeralds embedded on wither side.
“It’s perfect for the boy.” McGonagall smiled down at Rhiannon.
“Come on now, time’s up.” Tonks pulled open the door just as Remus raised his hand to knock.
“Ladies.” He dipped his head, and grinned at them. “I’m here to escort you downstairs.”
The women all giggled happily, trooping out of the tiny room.
“Remus, can I talk to you a moment?” Rhiannon asked holding him back.
“Of course my love.” He sat down next to her on Ginny’s bed, and waited while Rhiannon sorted through what she wanted to say.
Her thoughts seemed to disappear for a moment as she looked at her first love. She would always remember this moment, she thought with a sad grin. “Does it bother you that I’m marrying Sirius?”
Remus looked surprised; he could see the uncertainty in her pale eyes, “Rhi, love. I was the one who first suggested him remember? Sirius is like a brother to me and you like a sister…” He wrinkled his nose in obvious disgust, “Wait that’s like saying your marrying your brother. Let me start over.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple. “I am thrilled, beyond my wildest dreams that you and Sirius are marrying.”
“You’re not hurt that I wouldn’t marry you?”
He gave a bark of laughter, “No, I’m a smart man if nothing else. We would have been miserable together. I know that and you know that.”
Rhiannon relaxed visibly, she had been a bit worried about how Remus would react. To tell the truth, that had been one of the things that kept her from agreeing to marry Sirius right off. Men were strange and even though she and Remus weren’t together anymore he may have had problems seeing her with his best friend.
“Now, there is a very nervous mutt downstairs waiting for you.” Remus stood up, holding his hand out for her. “Are you ready to become an old married witch?”


Sirius was watching the garden door anxiously, wondering if it was possible to get cold feet in only an hour. Everyone else had come out and was seated at the large picnic table the children had set up earlier. The twins had done a spectacular job of charming butterflies and dragonflies to flutter around a pretty little arbor that groaned under the weight of hundreds of blue forget-me-nots. Sirius glanced back at Dumbledore who stood waiting behind him.
“If you screw up, I’ll marry her.” Snape hissed drawing his attention back to the door. He couldn’t breathe, his heart twisted suddenly when he saw her. Rhiannon stood on the small porch, Remus behind her. She wore a long dress of the softest blue. The neckline was low, the skirt long, tangling around her ankles. Her hair was twisted up, pinned away from her face and circled with a blue halo. She walked towards him, a smile tugging at her full lips.
Sirius didn’t hear the ceremony; just spoke when he was told to. Later he knew he would regret not listening at least a bit but now he could pull his attention from the dancing eyes gazing back at him.
Rhiannon was paying about as much attention to Dumbledore as Sirius; she couldn’t believe how good he looked. His hair was pulled back and he was wearing all black. He’d buttoned an extra button in difference to the formal activities which made her smile at the effort. His gray eyes were fathomless, like one of the lochs scattered all over Scotland. She wondered what secrets he held in their depths and couldn’t wait to find out.
They exchanged rings and laughed when they realized they’d both had the same idea as Sirius slid a silver band with on her finger along with an engagement ring of silver gold and emerald.
“It was my family crest,” he whispered, his smooth voice sounding nervous, “I don’t think anyone would mind if I made some changes to it.”
She did something then that even Remus had never seen as magic swirled around the two in a rush of blue and red… she cried. Not great heaving sobs like some brides, just a few tears that slid down her cheeks and Sirius wiped away with the rough pad of his thumb.
When the time came to kiss the bride he did so happily, bending her back in a dip and kissing her senseless. The ringing applause of the order members broke them apart.
“I now introduce Mr. and Mrs. Sirius Black. Dumbledore raised his wand and the forget-me-not’s petals rained down on them.
Hugs and pats of congratulations abounded as did food that Rhiannon suspected Dumbledore got from Hogwarts kitchens.
“Um Rhiannon.” Harry had waited until she was alone, in the kitchen to approach her.
“Hullo Harry.” She made the mistake of looking into his big green eyes. Fear and nervousness almost overwhelmed her. She found she loved this boy because after he’d been thorough and still feeling unsure of himself. She panicked some realizing she’d just married his godfather and never considered what the boy felt. “You okay?” She looked at the adorable mess of his hair and almost smiled knowing he wouldn’t like being thought of as adorable. He was fifteen and so grown up, no he’d hate being thought of as adorable.
“I…” He started but snapped his mouth shut then shook his head, turning to rejoin the party.
“Harry?” She waited until he turned back to face her. “Does it bother you that I married Sirius?” He meant so much to Sirius; she could see that every time they saw each other, the way Sirius watched him.
“No it doesn’t bother me. Sirius is happy. I’ve only really seen him smile, you know in his eyes that one time. Just before…well you know. But I saw it again today, when you said your vows. It was there in his eyes.” He sounded so old, fifteen going on a hundred. She shook her head at the thought.
“Live with us next summer?” She asked.
“I couldn’t.” Harry shook his head but she saw the flicker in his eyes.
“Yes you could. I wont take no for an answer. Asking was just a nice way of telling.” She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around the boy’s shoulders, having to stretch to do that as he was already taller than her. SHe smoothed his hair in a burst of motherly instinct and adjusted his glasses, “Besides, you make Sirius happy too; you don’t see the smiles he gets when you willingly hug him.”
She felt something tingle along her spine, a memory and a promise she’d made years ago warring with her desire to be truthful with the boy. She opened her mouth to speak but Sirius burst through the door eyes dancing and a laugh in his voice.
“Stealing my girl Harry? Hum you take after me I suppose.” He wrapped them both in a bone crushing hug.
“Nope just talking.” Harry smiled back.
“Important? Hope not because there are presents and Molly says I can’t open them unless you are there my beautiful wife.” He turned those big puppy dog eyes on her.
“Presents? From who? No one knew we were getting married.” She shook her head but had an idea just who may have sent something. Sirius dragged them back outside, to the table where a small stack of gifts sat next to a small cake.
On the top was a squishy package which Sirius tore into with the glee of a child. There was a large afghan from the Weasley’s. A long slender box from Dumbledore turned out to be a muggle letter opener, “Never know when you’ll need one.” He shrugged.
“Here,” Remus held out a large flat gift wrapped in plain brown paper. “This came a couple minutes ago. With this.” He held out a small ink bottle and painters quill.
“Athena.” Rhiannon took the bottle, of course she would know, had probably seen this years ago being the Seer she was.
“Athena?” Something flashed in Sirius’s eyes but was gone quickly. “Wonder what she sent.” He tugged the paper off the package revealing a half finished painting they could see Hogwarts, the black lake and the womping willow. In the middle was a gap of only white next to the figures of Rhiannon and Sirius looking just as they did at that moment. A piece of parchment fluttered in the light breeze. ’One more piece, just a few to go until it’s complete. All in due time’ the straight letters spelled out.
“Now why would someone send you a half finished painting?” Ron asked glaring at the thing.
“Dunderhead.” Snape rolled his eyes at him, even Molly and Arthur shook their heads.
“Paintings are like stories Ronald.” Hermione reached out to touch the blank canvas “Obviously something else happens in the story.”
Rhiannon and Sirius both glanced at Harry then caught each other and looked away at the last box on the table. The one from the elders. Rhiannon picked it up and shook it, looking for something to occupy her hands. It rattled so she opened it and stared confused at the contents.
“What is it?” Sirius asked looking over her shoulder.
“Is there something,” she searched for the right word to use in front of mixed company and settled on “personal, you’d like to tell me?” She held up one of the two objects in the box, a pure white dog collar. It was thick and leathery, with a silver tag hanging from it. The other was the blackest of blacks, with a stone tag.
Snape started coughing, apparently to hide his amusement as everyone else started giggling.
“Rhi, I thought you knew, aren’t you supposed to you know, be really good at Legimancy?” Sirius asked ignoring everyone else.
“Well yes.” She defended, “But I try not to look if I don’t have to.” She glanced back at the collars. “What does that have to do with these?”
“I believe you have just been shown how Sirius is supposed to accompany you.” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled.
“I’m an unregistered Animagus.” Sirius ducked his head.
“What?” She was confused, surely that would be something she would have seen in the teens memories.
In the blink of an eye Sirius disappeared a large calf sized black dog appearing in his place. He had paws the size of plates and Sirius’ big gray eyes. The teens all rushed forward to pet him as if he was an old friend they hadn’t seen in a while.
“Huh… well that explains the wet dog smell.” Rhiannon stared at the dog when it butted her hip with its snout. “And why Snape calls you mutt.” She scratched his head, well this was defiantly different. She was a married witch with a half mutt for a husband. She wondered with a bemused smile what else could possibly change today.