Tested In Fire

Dedicated to Maria, the original Remus/Anna fan, who desperately wanted this to happen. Thanks to her, you have this chapter quickly and with a great deal of fluff to top it off.

Chapter 26: Finally!

Sirius fidgeted with the collar of his new dress robes. He had never expected to be the one to give away his sister, and he was really starting to feel the pressure.

Harry looked up from his Quidditch Quality Magazine and struggled to hide his laughter.

"Nervous?"

"I'm not nervous," Sirius muttered. "I just don't like dress robes, that's all. They always make me feel like a pig."

Harry couldn't hold it back any longer. "Would it help any if I told you that you looked like one?"

Sirius glared, and then relaxed when he saw that Harry was kidding. "Well, the ladies like it, and I'm all about pleasing the ladies."

"Yeah, right," Harry snorted.

"You don't believe me? Oh, the stories I could tell. James and Remus and I, we were all handsome young men at one time."

"I'm sure you were. At one time."

Sirius chose to ignore him. "We'd go around breaking hearts. That was before we all buckled down to our respective girlfriends, you know. Two out of the three of us tied the knot with their Hogwarts sweethearts. You don't get much more romantic than that."

Harry raised his eyebrows, glanced over Sirius more carefully. "You look terrible."

"Thanks, mate."

"No, I'm serious," Harry grinned at the inadvertent pun. "Sorry. Have you been sleeping well?"

"That's my question. No fair switching roles without notifying me first."

The two laughed, and then Harry's face grew serious. He forced himself to say something he'd been feeling, but never had the courage to say out loud. "Sirius, you're all I've got left now, okay? Take care of yourself."

"I'm trying. You know, I asked Elizabeth to wait for me."

Harry looked up, his eyes clear. "Your girlfriend? The one who died?"

"That's right. Do you know what she did?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I don't, as I was never there."

Sirius continued as though Harry had never opened his mouth. "She ran off with some bloody reporter from The Daily Prophet. Can you imagine that?"

Harry said nothing, just stared at his folded hands.

"I can, if you can't. I've got nothing to offer anyone, and... Oh, for Merlin's sake! You're sixteen bloody years old!"

Harry raised his face, and his eyes were a mixture of pain and mirth. "I think I understand, Sirius."

"You would," Sirius mumbled. "You Potters always understand."

Harry smirked. "What can I say? It's good genes."

"My sister is getting married."

"Yes, she is. In about ten minutes."

"I suppose you're suggesting I pull myself together?"

"It wouldn't hurt. Go see her. I'm sure she needs you to reassure her nothing awful is going to happen. Remember to tell her how beautiful she looks. Ginny really stressed that. Apparently it's important."

Sirius chuckled. "You're already licked, young man. Already licked."

"I can't possibly be. We've only been dating a month."

"Believe what you want to believe. Listen, I'll go take care of Anna, you take care of Remus. All right?"

"All right. But I don't really know what to say to someone who's getting married."

"Well, there isn't exactly a handbook, you know."

"There should be," Harry mumbled.

"Oh, I agree."

Then they both took off in their separate directions.

**

The wedding was being held at Lupin Lodge, the Lupin family home, which featured an extensive garden in the back. A magical dome kept it beautiful year-round, and Anna thought it was simply one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Harry and Sirius were staying in one of the guest rooms at the Lodge, which Remus had just inherited from his parents, and so were Anna and Remus. At least, they were until the honeymoon. Then Harry and Sirius would be alone in the house until the holiday was over.

Anna was worrying about that, and a great many other things, when her brother walked in.

"Anna! You look gorgeous!"

Turning around swiftly, she was caught up in her brother's arms.

"Oh, Sirius, you've got to stop me from crying."

"Why would you be crying?"

"Because I'm terribly happy, but I'm just so worried that something is going to go wrong to spoil it all."

"That's nonsense. The universe isn't out to get you."

"No, but Voldemort is."

"Need I remind you that Voldemort doesn't know about this party? There's no way he can crash it."

"What about spies, and rumors, and Sirius, what if they get through the security and..."

"Ssssh. It will be fine."

Anna blinked. Lily had just said that to her a few hours ago.

"The moon's rising," she whispered, and pointed at the silver that had decided to make its appearance that night. "You know, I can never decide whether to despise it, or the disease that tears Remus apart so."

"I think it's healthy to hate both," Sirius said with a grin.

"Sirius, I love Remus."

"I hope so. You're marrying the poor bloke. Don't start crying on me."

"I can't help it. I love you so much. Have I told you lately how wonderful it is to have you back again?"

"No. It's always nice to hear it."

"Consider it said. Now, tell me what you think."

"I think the rising rate of Butterbeer is a very serious concern."

"Sirius! Be... never mind. Tell me what you think of my robes. I made them myself."

Sirius made a motion with his finger, and obligingly, she twirled around for him to get a better look.

They were white, and clingy, but they made his sister look like a goddess.

"You don't look much like my little sister any more."

"That change occurred quite a few years back, actually."

"No. You glow now. You didn't used to glow."

"I think it's this whole being in love thing."

"That could be it."

Then the two, brother and sister, smiled at each other.

"Do you know what this means, Anna?"

"What does it mean, Sirius?"

"It means I'm going to be related to Remus. He'll be my brother-in-law. My certified brother."

Anna laughed. "I guess it does mean that. The poor dear."

"Did you tell him about crazy Aunt Ida? We don't want him scared off, you know, but it's only fair to tell him about any genetic defaults that we may be carrying around..."

"Aunt Ida was related to us by marriage."

"Hereditary diseases are infectious."

"It wasn't a disease, she wasn't crazy, and her only problem was acne."

"Into her sixties!"

Anna hooted. "Thank you, Sirius."

"For what?"

"For making me laugh."

"Well, sister, let's go get you married."

**

The officiator of the ceremony was an old friend of the now deceased Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, and he looked as if he might be a thousand years old. He spoke to Remus in a dry, monotone voice, and then waved his wand for the entrance of the bride.

Wizarding weddings were different than the Muggle weddings Harry had seen on the television set. For one thing, they all stood in a circle, wands held at the side. It was a small wedding, so every person present at the wedding could stand in the circle. At larger weddings, Harry was told, only the family members and very close friends would be allowed to join.

One thing that was similar to the Muggle tradition was the entrance of the bride. It wasn't necessarily a procession, as she had no attendants. Sirius linked his arm with hers and presented her to Remus with a smile on his face.

"Today," Mr. Drusedel, the officiator, said, "we are celebrating the joining to of two people who are very dear to our hearts, Anna Black, and Remus Lupin. Their love was begun in school, and now becomes more sacred than any other union they may have entered previously. This is not, however, the climax of their lives. There is more time for them to enjoy each other. Instead, Anna and Remus, think of this as a new beginning."

Harry choked back a laugh as Sirius crossed his eyes at him from across the circle.

"As is tradition, we will exchange rings now."

Sirius wiggled his ears. Harry snorted.

"Do you have the rings, Mr. Black?"

"What? Excuse me?"

"The rings, please."

A look of confusion passed over Sirius's face, and he patted the pockets of his dress robes. "I know they're in here somewhere," he mumbled.

"I have them," Harry said, and handed them to Mr. Drusedel.

Sirius narrowed his eyes. Harry shrugged.

"Place the ring on Remus's finger, Anna, and answer a few questions. Anna Black, do you accept Remus Lupin as your lawful wedded husband?"

"I do."

"Are you fully aware of the health status of Mr. Lupin and the profession which he has chosen?"

"I am."

"Remus, place the ring on Anna's finger and answer a few questions. Remus Lupin, do you accept Anna Black as your lawful wedded wife?"

"I do."

"Are you fully aware of the health status of Ms. Black and the profession which she has chosen?"

"I am."

Mr. Drusedel smiled. "Does anyone here have any objection to the full magical bonding of these two people in holy matrimony?"

Harry and Sirius shook their heads.

"Touch your wands at the tips and repeat after me. I, Anna Black..."

"I, Anna Black..."

"Do solemnly swear to love and honor you all the days of my life."

"Do solemnly swear to love and honor you all the days of my life."

"In sickness and health."

"In sickness and health."

"For better or worse."

"For better or worse."

"Until death do us part."

"Until death do us part."

Anna and Remus beamed at each other, and tears filled Anna's eyes and Remus repeated the same thing.

"Fate has brought you together, love has bonded you, and magic will seal the bond. You both are fully aware of the spell I'm about to cast?"

"Yes."

"Since the beginning of time as we know it, witches and wizards have bonded together in this way. In light of your love, faithfulness and respect to and for each other, I have agreed to cast the spell.

"I have known Remus all my life, and recall Anna from the first time Remus brought her home to meet his parents. I have been qualified by the Ministry of Magic and the couple present here to cast the spell. Extend your hands towards each other and join them."

Anna and Remus both felt the familiar tingle as they gripped each other's hand.

"Semper Fidelis." A green glow came from Mr. Drusedel's wand, casting shadows, and blinding Harry and Sirius for a moment.

Harry had been told that this spell bonded two people's auras so that their magical energies were tied together. He guessed that it worked, because all Remus and Anna could see was each other. Tears flowed from Anna's eyes, and Remus beamed.

Sirius tried to subtly wipe the moisture from his eyes, but Harry didn't see him, because he was trying to do the same.

"By the power vested in me by the Ministry of Magic, I pronounce you husband and wife. Go forth and be happy, for heaven's sake."

Remus and Anna waited.

"Well, I assumed you knew what was going to happen next. You can kiss her."

Harry was frankly surprised to hear any sort of emotion coming out of the monotonous old man. Remus and Anna, however, didn't hear him. They were clinging to each other happily.

"Come on, you two. Let's go get fall-down drunk," Sirius suggested merrily.

"We can't with Harry here," Anna said. "Besides, I'm not entirely sure I want Remus to be fall-down drunk on our wedding night."

"No, I don't suppose you do," Sirius conceded mournfully.

"I meant what I said, you know. Be happy," Mr. Drusedel said forcefully. "I've got to go, but the wife sends her regards and wishes you well."

Harry grinned. "Congratulations, you two."

"You're staying with us this summer," Anna informed him. "None of this Dursley nonsense. We want to have you around, if Dumbledore will approve it."

Harry's smile faded just a bit. "We'll see what Voldemort's up to."

Sirius shook his head. "We're not talking about this tonight. This is a celebration. We can worry about him afterwards."

"You're right," Anna said. "Let's go. I've made dinner, then Remus and I will take off."

"Why stay for dinner at all?" Sirius wanted to know.

"Because it's polite, Sirius," Remus said patiently.

Sirius snorted. "I don't think I'd stick around long on my wedding night, old chum."

"Who said anything about staying long?"

As they entered the Lodge, Anna began to issue orders.

"All right, you two. Harry, will you grab the plates, dear? They're in the second cabinet on the right."

The dinner was nice, Harry would later remember, but what was even better was the feeling of family that was coursing through his system. He felt loved, and wanted.

Remus and Anna left shortly after they had eaten their fill, and left the dishes to Harry and Sirius.

"We'll see you all when you get back from the honeymoon," Sirius said, kissing Anna's cheeks and shaking Remus's hand.

"Thanks for inviting me," Harry muttered, suddenly feeling shy.

"Well, of course we wanted you here," Anna laughed, then saw the shocked look on Harry's face. Not for the first time, she felt an urge to punch the Dursleys. "I meant what I said about summer holiday."

"All right," Harry said with a grin.

"Good-bye!" Anna called.

"Don't mess up the house, Sirius! Be careful, don't do anything stupid!" Remus was still issuing orders as they Apparated away.

Suddenly, Harry and Sirius were very alone, but they didn't stay that way for long.

Hedwig knocked on the window, and Sirius went over and opened it for her. There was a letter from Dumbledore attached to it.

Harry and Sirius,

There's been an attack at The Burrow. No casualties, except for the family owl, whose heart gave out from the shock. The family was away.

DO NOT return to the school at this time, as that would alert the Death Eaters to your true location. I'm taking a risk in even contacting you, so follow the original plan. Give my best to Anna and Remus.

Professor Dumbledore