Sirius
I knew I was fidgeting like a nervous wreck even before my own brother grabbed my arm and gave me a small smile. It was, on some level, reassuring to know my first night back in public society wouldn’t be spent alone or with our parents. He seemed to understand my nervousness and quickly moved to take my hand before we started to walk closer to the ballroom doors.
“Do I look alright? Are you sure it’s not too much?” I mumbled from under my mask. Unlike the other two nights of the ball where my mask covered the lower half of my face, the one I wore on the first night only covered my eyes. It was a black dog, same as my Animagus form. I had to fumble with it a few times to make sure everything was right.
“Merlin, you may be more nervous than Remus. You look fine brother, the center of the ball, people would be stupid to think you were anything but perfect.” He hooked his arm under mine and started to signal to any guard that was listening or paying any attention to open the doors to the ballroom for us to be announced.
“His Majesty King Regulus Potter and Sir Sirius Black.” The servant announced to the rather packed ballroom. I froze as I saw a few dozen families stop and turn to look at us. Regulus squeezed my hand before he started to guide me down the steps where Remus and James waited for us, both adorned with smiles.
“You look absolutely stunning Seren” Remus quickly took my hand in his and the smile on his face never wavered, in fact I think it only got stronger. “Care to join me on the dance floor? I think it’s customary for the hosts to dance at least once.”
“I think I would like that, yes.” I did a small bow to James, who in turn lifted his stag mask to shoot me a smile just before he yanked his husband away to where I could see Lily was smiling at her idiots. Remus followed where I was looking and gave a small chuckle before he started to guide me onto the ballroom floor. The crowd settled in a small murmur as people talked about me and wondered aloud who I was.
“Don’t pay them any attention, vultures, most of them, pay attention to me. Focus on me and no one else.” He moved his free hand to hold the small of my back before he turned me to fully face him. He was wearing a brown wolf mask, with a bit of gray undertones, and it suited him well. Contrary to most of the masks just doing a simple job, his made him more intimidating and gave off more power than even Regulus, who had a damn black cat mask.
I let him guide me into a long and winding waltz, around a minute into the dance we had properly circled the rooms’ allotted dancing space at least four times, long steps and wide spins allowing us to over ground in a more timely manner than the average slow dances that rotated the room at least one or twice per song. I let out a startled laugh when at one point he dipped me before rigging my body in a way where while tilted I was able to turn with him to right myself.
“So, the big bad wolf knows how to dance? I’m rather shocked based on the fact you’re always using that cane.” I hummed after a few more moments of not talking and just allowing myself to be twisted in all directions as the song required. He let out a huff but I could see the smile under his mask.
“I’m rather shocked how well of a dancer you seem to be, I guess you were taught well when it comes to a waltz. As for my cane, I’m sure I’ll be in excruciating pain later. I want to give you this.” He twisted a bit so we were standing side by side before he moved back to spin me into his arms before the long strides into yet another loop around the room began.
“You’ve given me plenty, wouldn’t want your Grace to be in pain because he had to dance with me. I’m not important enough in that regard.” I gave him a smile, letting myself slip back. I stole a glance at his face. His mask was large, his eyes were golden underneath and I could have sworn it was a trick of the light, but they were intense and unyielding. The mask cut right above his jaw, his beard making the thick brown and gray fur seem like it never ended, just morphed into his face. The muzzle of the wolf covered the upper half of his mouth and nose and had long, almost sharp teeth jutting out over his mouth, hence the struggle to see him smile at points.
“Trust me and all my words when I say, I would give you the sky and the stars, and even the galaxy if you asked me to. I’ve never felt so highly of someone in this regard, please be patient with me, but be aware I mean every word of it.” He guided me through another motion where I was able to pivot and hook onto his arm into another dip.
“That’s a pretty high bargain my Grace. You really want to hold yourself to that high of a price, for me?” I moved my hand that was on his back onto the back of his neck. He gave me another award winning smile before he tugged me up and closer. I paused for a second, our faces were a few inches apart and both of us were breathing a bit heavily.
“You think so low of me Seren.” The song ended and we pulled away from each other. I bowed to him and vice versa, a small smile on both of our faces I was sure. “Then again I think so highly of you and I’m sure you don’t think that highly of yourself.”
“Spot on my Grace.” He extended his arm for me, a gesture I quickly accepted. He started to guide me over to the thrones which were placed on top of a staircase that led up from both sides onto a small balcony. I followed him up the steps slowly as the attendants quickly swarmed the floor for the next dance.
“You both looked amazing.” Lily smiled as she let baby Harry wave at us. She was in a beautiful green dress adorned with a golden sash, her hair was dressed up into a bun that allowed her doe mask to blend beautifully to her face. I quickly picked up my nephew and drew him into a tight hug, earning an earful of giggling. “Oh yes, he missed his uncle Padfoot.”
“It’s okay Lil’s I’ve missed him too, look at you Harry, you’re getting so big!” I shifted the baby onto my hip. I honestly didn’t care if my suit was ruined or getting messy from holding the one year old, I was happy. The feeling was egged on by the fact Remus had moved so his hand was on my back.
“And what about me? I’m highly offended here Sirius.” James faked a wound as he rested his hand over his heart. I raised my eyebrow towards the King Consort. He was on the other side of Regulus and rather enjoying his own dramatics. He simply shrugged in response.
“James, I quite literally just saw you whisk my brother away from the floor nearly four minutes ago. Not much to miss, besides I have a miniature version of you right here, and he is by far more adorable.” I allowed myself to lean more into Remus’s hold. He lifted his mask so that he could get closer to my nephew and started to make funny faces.
“In my defense Remus had asked you to dance, I wasn’t just going to stand there with an audience and ask how you’ve been. Which by all means was a beautiful dance.” James grew quiet as Regulus reached out and took his hand.
“Thank you James, and I’ve been doing well. Teddy is learning more words, and scaring the ever loving crap out of us when he decides he really likes running.” I kissed Harry’s nose before passing him over to Remus to hold. He quickly went from uncle to father mode and lifted the baby into his arms and tried to get Harry to hold his hand.
“Oh that’s utterly terrifying. Harry hasn’t been running, but when he does it typically follows up with a nurse or nanny running to us in a frantic stupor claiming the baby is missing. Normally, and we have no clue how, but Harry always knows which room we are in and just toddles into it a few minutes before them. They get very scared when they see Reggie holding our son like nothing is wrong.” Lily confides.
“Oh if Teddy’s running it’s because he wants to get away from his Papa. Loves his Paddy, but I swear he thinks because I have to use a cane he can get away from me. Infuriating honestly.” Remus huffed beside me, I tilted my head to see that he was looking at me with a soft smile.
“Speaking of Teddy, where is the petit chiot? He wasn’t with Étoile and I when we were getting ready.” Regulus kissed his husband’s hand, the older of the two turning a bright red. Regulus wasn’t very public with his affection so they must have had something going on privately.
“Had him turn into a puppy, he has more energy as one, and let him run around my bedroom while I got ready. He’s out like a light in his crib.” Remus remarked. He really knows how to play his own child into being the perfect baby at points.
“He can turn into a pup? How’d you two manage that so early? Merlin knows if Bambi here had that skill we’d be abusing it.” Lily asked, sitting forward on her throne. She had lifted her mask up and I smiled as her eyes sparkled with joy.
“We learned about three weeks ago that he really loves Padfoot. So much so that when he saw me turn into Padfoot he decided he wanted to play with me as a puppy himself. Oh he’s such a cute little guy, little brown wolf puppy, tucks under Padfoot rather perfectly. Great for cuddles.” I ruffled Harry’s hair, his bright green eyes opening wider as he realized he had both his uncle's attention.
“Oh he’s a little brown wolf? How adorable.” James rejoined the conversation. I felt Remus stiffen next to me and watched as Regulus shot his husband a glare. I was left very out of the loop as suddenly the whole conversation stopped. I figured I said something wrong and removed myself from Remus’s side.
“I think I’m going to circle the ballroom, maybe find a nice guy to dance with. Can’t stay single forever you know.” I joked before turning on my heels and quickly removing myself from any situation I had accidentally created.