Chapter 21
Chp 21
Dear Prongs,
I miss you lot loads already! The dinner wasn’t a total disaster, but it certainly wasn’t a party. Narcissa and Bellatrix were there, do you remember them from school? I don’t think anyone particularly liked me, but I must have passed the test because they have arranged the wedding at the house in two weeks! I wish you all could be there terribly, but we can celebrate together back at Hogwarts.
When can we meet in person?
X
-Batty
——————————————————————Dear Rory,
Wow! That’s quite fast, but I’m happy for you both.
Gutted that I can’t be there to see you both though.
I can meet you as soon as you like, you can even come round here. I’ll ask mum to keep the floo open.
P.S. Sirius found out about the wedding, he’s honestly lost his head a bit. I’ve been trying to calm him down, even Peter has been coming around but he’s a right mess at the moment.
We all miss you loads.
Thinking of you.
-Prongs
——————————————————————Dearest Reggie,
Do you think you can get free of the house before the wedding? I need to see you.
Yours,
Rory
——————————————————————
I told you nothing good would happen from that dinner but did you listen? No! And now they’ve caught you. I’m begging you to see this for the trap it is, why do you think this is being rushed? It can’t be a coincidence; they want Reg married off quickly. Why?
It must have something to do with the war, did you learn anything? Did they say anything?
James says I should leave it alone but I can’t; because I know if the roles were reversed you wouldn’t stop fighting for me. I love you. I love Reg. I’m still holding out hope you will realize this is a mistake. I’ll be here when you do.
-Sirius
——————————————————————
The floo powder was soft in her hand. Fine grains slipped between her fingers and onto the floor, she could feel the grit beneath her nails.
It had been an honest effort to dissuade Pandora from coming along, but in the end her sister won, arguing that she could keep Sirius occupied so that Aurora could speak to James in private. As that was the goal of this visit, Rory had grudgingly agreed to let Dora join.
Scrunching her eyes closed, she throws the handful of powder at her feet.
Buckling at the middle, she coughs through the sound of Pandoras arrival close at her heels. Dust settling around them; they take in the Potters warm, empty kitchen for a moment; turning at the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Oh! Girls! I thought I heard you poof on in. Would you like some tea? I’ve got these lovely lemon biscuits, or I could do toast or eggs?”
Auroras head whirls from the arrival and onslaught of questions.
“No thanks, Effie. We are here on official business. Where are James and Sirius?” Pandora asks. Aurora is grateful for her sister taking charge, as she is still too queasy to speak.
“Understood. The boys are in the yard.” Effie supplies cheerily.
Pandora leads the way out of the house to the large back garden. Scanning the greenery, Aurora worries they aren’t there until she spots them, twin dots zooming across a cloudless blue sky.
“James! Sirius!” Pandora hollers. The boys stall in the sky for a moment, before shooting to the ground. James lands first, Sirius following close behind. The boys effortlessly dismount, leaping into a run. As one, they accost Rory, slamming into tight hugs and a flurry of questions.
“Woah slow down!” She implores, head spinning. She turns to Sirius first, facing him squarely, stern faced.
“I won’t hear it from you. The wedding is happening. End of discussion.”
Sirius frowns, crossing his arms across his chest petulantly, but says nothing.
“Good.” Aurora nods. “Jamie, let’s talk inside, privately.” James follows her diligently, however confused.
“Hey! What about me?” Sirius whines.
“Stay out here with Pandora! Won’t be long.” Aurora promises. Sirius pouts, but stays put.
“Good doggie.” Pandora croons, patting his head. Sirius growls and goes to bite her hand, but misses as Pandora pulls away quickly, giggling.
“I thought you said the dinner went well? What’s going on?” James asks, closing the door to his bedroom. Ignoring the comforts of the now familiar red velvet and gold drapes and four poster bed, Aurora gets right to it.
“It’s about the wedding. And you. Us.” She stutters, struggling to remember the speech she had laid out.
“I just want it to be official, the three of us. Before the wedding.”
“Ok…” James replies warily, “what were you thinking?”
“A ring.”
—————————————————————
Regulus agreed to meet them in the woods near Grimmauld Place. They would be far enough away from the manor to avoid detection, but close enough should Regulus be needed. The moon was high, glowing brightly behind the few clouds that drifted past.
A light rustling was the only indication of his arrival, but it was enough.
James and Rory turn towards the sound as Regulus steps into the light. She is about to let go of James’s hand, which she had been holding the whole time, when Regulus surges forward. Wrapping his arms around them both, an arm around either neck, he presses into them. James pulls him in with the arm not holding her hand and holds them both close.
“I’ve missed you both.” Regulus groans into the crook of Rory’s neck.
“Has something happened?” Aurora asks, alarmed by his candor.
“Not yet, but something is coming. I can feel it, the whole family is on edge and they keep having these meetings.”
“What kind of meetings?” James asks.
Regulus sighs “I don’t want to talk about this. I just want to be with you.”
Aurora can feel James struggle against the urge to ask another question, he nods, relenting.
Eventually they sink to the forest floor, soft moss and summer grass make a bed for them as they pile onto one another.
They are looking at the night sky through the trees when James speaks up.
“We have something for you.”
She had almost forgotten the whole point of this rendezvous, carried away by the excitement and comfort of their trio. They sit up, James pulling a small box out of his pocket and handing it to Regulus.
“What’s this?” Regulus asks, sounding amused.
“Open it” Aurora urges. He pops the box open and stares for a moment.
“A ring?”
“Not just any ring!” Rory pulls out her wand, “Lumos. Look closer, James tinkered with it.”
“Simple charms” James shrugs modestly, “it was Rory’s idea.”
“I wanted James to be included, since he can’t be a part of the wedding, these are like our vows.” Rory beams.
By the light of her wand, Regulus examines the ring, finding the latch and jumping slightly as little panels open with a soft pop. Within the space of the band revealed by the panels, as well as on the back of the panels were parchment slips containing love notes from both James and Rory. Gingerly and with utmost care, Regulus pulls on the parchment, allowing it to unfurl, revealing their hand-written sentiments.
Regulus shakes his head, lower lip wobbling. With sad eyes he looks to James.
“It’s wonderful, but I can’t accept this before I’ve apologized. James I’m so sorry, you deserve better-“
Brow furrowed, James leans forward, mouth open to object. Regulus pushes against his chest lightly “Please just let me do this.”
James rocks back on his heels, relenting for the moment.
“I feel like I’ve been stringing you along. You’ve only ever tried to do the right thing and I’ve only made it harder. I’ve lied and obscured and hurt you both. I know I haven’t been… good. Our situation isn’t ideal, but I’d ask you both all the same. I don’t want to live without you.”
His starlit eyes dance between James and Rory.
Finally, James takes Regulus hands in his, looking deeply into his eyes.
“You won’t have to. You have me.”
“You have us both!” Aurora chirps, throwing herself upon the boys.
“You have me too, Batty.” James kisses her, both of them smiling.
“So. Put it on?” Rory turns to Regulus, eyeing him expectantly.
Regulus grins, furtively dipping his chin as he pulls the ring over his right hand fourth finger.
Rory squeals softly and, throwing her arms around Regulus’s neck, she covers his face in a meteor shower of burning kisses.
James watches them for a moment, eyes shining as he beams down at them, before Rory reaches out a hand and yanks him by the arm down into their laps. Regulus runs his hands through James mess of hair, James’s eyes flutter closed as a contented hum passes his lips. Aurora slips her hand in his, fiddling with his fingers in her odd way. James rubs soothing circles, Rory sighs, slumping a head on Regulus shoulder.
“I wish we could stay here like this forever.” Aurora admits, yearning.
“But then you wouldn’t be married!” James reminds her, eyes still closed. Rory shakes her head.
“The ceremony is for everybody else. Tonight is for us. To me, tonight is what counts us as married.” Blush blooms on her cheeks like jasmine in the moonlight.
The stars align and drift apart over them as the moon floats across the sky. They are happy. The sun rises.