14th of July 1997.
“Up you get Pads!” James was clapping his hands and drawing open the curtains. James didn’t seem to age, he still had the same black hair, brown eyes and caramel complexion. He was humming happily as he walked around the room. “It’s Moony’s big day!”Peter burst in, grinning broadly. Sirius knew conjoined rooms weren’t a good idea.
Remus poked his head through the door joining the two rooms, “Come on Padfoot! I’m getting married today,”
‘Oh yes, he’s getting married’ Sirius thought bitterly.
Sirius got up slowly and got ready, the wedding wasn’t until four, and Tonks said they didn’t have to get ready until two, though she and the bridesmaids started getting ready at six in the morning.
Harry burst in the door, his carrot-topped friend Ron Weasley in his wake. “Dad we can’t find Mum!”
“We told you yesterday that she’s in a room with your aunts,” James grinned. “Don’t bug them, they’ll be busy,”
“But Rose says it’s an emergency!” Harry urged.
“Tell Rose to come here,” James replied.
“Okay,” Harry nodded. “ROSE!” He roared down the hall.
“Not like that! You know what, just walk down to her and Ginny’s room and tell her calmly that her mother is in Aunt Mary’s room,”
Harry stalked off down the corridor.
As Sirius was brushing his teeth, he looked in the mirror. How was he Sirius Fucking Black, the only one of his friends that wasn’t married or in a serious relationship. Marls had Dorcas, Mary was married to Michael, James was married with two kids even Peter had a girlfriend for Merlin’s sake, and Remus. Remus was getting married, his Remus. And it wasn’t to Sirius. Sirius wanted to scream. Remus Lupin was marrying his cousin! He detested Nymphadora for it.
***
He looked through his suitcase for the only thing that could comfort him. The jumper Remus had bought him for his twentieth birthday. He loved that jumper. It reminded him of happier times, before the fight. Before he made the biggest mistake of his life. It was a miracle Remus was still his friend.
He ate breakfast and joked as usual, but a piece of him was slowly dying.
Remus’s sister Aurelia came down with her son Sam. Sam was ring bearer and Aurelia’s daughter Cindy was flower girl. Sam loved Sirius and Sirius loved Sam. He was a blonde six year old with a mighty temper, he was a fair-haired Sirius.
“Hello Siwus!” Sam smiled, he couldn’t pronounce Sirius’s name properly. It was adorable.
“Well hello there Sam, don’t you have get ready for your uncle’s wedding, what are you again?” Sirius smiled.
“I’m the wing bearweh!” Sam beamed. Aurelia glared at Sirius, she still hated him for that mistake he made sixteen years ago.
“Sirius is right,” Aurelia said sternly. “We have to go give you a bath Sam,” she grabbed his hand and stalked off.
Sirius tried to continue as he had before but every time he saw Aurelia it reminded him of his biggest slip up.
***
At one they decided to all start preparing themselves for the wedding. Sirius had a quick cry in the shower, no one was allowed to see him cry. He would have given the world for Remus to love him. This was torture. He had to stand next Moony on the altar and not bawl his eyes out, it seemed an impossible task.
Sirius thought he looked weird in a suit, this was his third time being a groomsman and second time being best man, but for some reason he looked odd. Maybe it was because it was Remus’s wedding he was getting ready for, and his brain refused to process that. However uncomfortable he felt he couldn’t let it show. This was Remus and Nymphadora’s day and he didn’t want to ruin it.
“Let’s go!” James was standing at the door waiting for him.
Marlene drove them to the chapel as only Nymphadora, her bridesmaids and her father would be arriving in the car Remus had hired.
Mary and Lily were extremely bitter that they hadn’t been chose as bridesmaids. They kept gossiping about Nymphadora, Sirius remembered all the times it had been like this in school. The girls gossiping, James playing chess with Peter and Sirius would lie on the couch with his head on Remus’s lap.
“We’re here,” Marlene smiled. The girls went in while James, Sirius and Peter were escorted to a side room where they would wait until they were called.
The room was empty except for a few chairs and a mirror. Remus was sitting in one of the chairs, his head in his hands. He looked up as they entered his face was white as a ghost. “What if this isn’t the right decision!” Remus burst out the second they walked in. “What if I’m not meant to be with Nymphadora?”
Sirius knew what to do, James had been the same before his own wedding, seventeen years ago. “Don’t worry Moony it’ll be fine! She’s perfect for you!” He said this with much bitterness and jealousy, Sirius wished that Moony still thought he was perfect for him. He’d give anything for that realisation.
***
It was time, Sirius was paired with the maid of honour, Jessica Harlow. She was tall, slim and blonde with a shapely figure. Sirius walked down the aisle before Remus. Sirius thought he looked foolish walking down the aisle with this woman. Remus looked godly as he walked. He walked with his mother, Hope had requested it. She looked simply radiant beside her son.
As Tonks walked down everyone was transfixed on her, they all rose for her procession. Sirius couldn't help notice Remus didn't look very happy as he saw his future wife walking towards him. A little voice in Sirius's head said, "He doesn't love her! He still loves you,". Remus stopped loving him years ago, he was being delusional.
"Dearly beloved," Fleamont began, "We are gathered here today to join Remus John Lupin and Nymphadora Vulpecula Tonks in holy matrimony,"
Sirius held back laughter. Vulpecula? What were Ted and Andy thinking?.
The ceremony ploughed onwards. When Fleamont asked if anyone objected Sirius felt the strongest urge to scream, "I object! He belongs with me!" But he fought it. When Remus said I do Sirius felt a tear run down his cheek. He wasn't the only one crying, Ted Tonks was bawling his eyes out. Although they were each crying for wildly different reasons.
"By the power vested in me by the church and by man I now pronounce you, husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride!" Fleamont declared happily.
Sirius felt an intense urge to punch someone. He had seen the couple kiss before, but this kiss symbolised that Remus would never be his again.
***
Once the ceremony concluded and people made their way to the reception, Sirius went to the bathroom and cried his eyes out in a stall. Remus was gone. Gone. Sirius would never feel Remus's arms around him again. He cried and cried until he felt as thought there were no tears left. He heard the door open. "Sirius?" It was Marlene. She had come to look for him.
"I'm in the end stall Marls," He sighed. He opened the door of the stall and she hugged him. "He's gone," Sirius croaked.
"He's not dead darling," Marlene peered up at him.
"He might as well be," Sirius loved Marlene with all his heart, she was so kind and caring. "I'd prefer that to him being married to Nymphadora," Sirius always called her that, because she hated it. Sirius loved making her angry. It was his little revenge.
"Come on, you have to make your speech in five minutes." Marlene hugged him again.
He walked out of the bathroom with his head held high. He'd make a shit speech to piss Remus off and Make sure to highlight that Nymphadora was Sirius's cousin. Little cousin.
"Ladies and gentleman, I'm the best man," Sirius began. "I'd like to make a short speech. I've known since Remus he was eleven, that scrawny boy with mousy brown hair. Always reading. I'm so happy that he's found the love of his life. I've known Nymphadora since she was born, as has Remus. In fact I think he went to the hospital with me after she was born. I would have never guessed that my favourite little cousin and my best friend would fall in love. Well, a round of applause for Mr. and Mrs. Lupin!" Sirius smiled graciously and sat down, It was Jessica's turn for a speech. She blabbed on and on about Nymphadora, hardly said a word about Remus. She was quite pretty really, and she seemed tipsy.
He chatted to anyone that would listen, Harry, Dorcas, The Weasleys.
Sirius couldn't help notice that Rose seemed quite taken by George Weasley, they were dancing and laughing.
"Hello Sirius," Aurelia came and sat next to him. "How are you?"
"Are you talking to me?" Sirius raised and eyebrow.
"No I'm talking to the fucking plant," She rolled her eyes.
"Well in that case I'm fucking amazing!" He replied sarcastically.
"You look good in a suit," She ran her hand down his front. Oh fuck no! No chance.
"You have two kids Aurelia," Sirius reminded her.
"I know," She smirked. "Oh come on Sirius, live a little!"
"Might I remind you I dated your brother." Her hand came to rest on his thigh. "And you hate me."
"I don't hate you, and Remus married your cousin. So sleep with his sister to get even," She winked at him.
"Go away." Sirius pushed her hand away.
"Your no fun!" She smirked. "If you change your mind come find me!" She walked off.
That woman had no shame.
***
Nymphadora was dancing with her grandmother and grandfather, Garth and Helen Tonks. Remus was dancing with his mother, he watched Remus dance. It was quite entertaining. Remus was a great dancer. Or maybe Sirius liked to watch him move.
The song ended and everyone sat down. A more upbeat song started and Remus took Nymphadora’s hand and kissed her passionately. Sirius’s bitterness and jealousy came flooding back.
He watched Remus dancing with Nymphadora, burning with jealousy. Fuck being a decent person. Sirius was going to cause some form of scene. He’d faint of fake a seizure. Anything for Remus to stop looking at Nymphadora like that! That was the look he’d reserved for Sirius!
Sirius waited and waited for the reception to be over. He danced with Mary and Marls, but Merlin did he want to be dancing with Remus.
Finally at three in the morning the reception ended. Sirius fell into bed, weeping. “He’s gone,” Sirius croaked. He was truly alone.