Disclaimer-I don't own Harry Potter

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The Invitation

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To Rigel, Cassiopeia, Regulus, and Sirius Black,

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Theodore Tonks and Andromeda Black to be celebrated on January 24th, 1975, at the Church of St. Mungo at the stroke of 3 PM.

"Hey, tell Andy I said congrats," James said, handing the invitation back to Sirius.

"Dear old mother chucked it," Sirius said. "Said she wouldn't go to "some abominable union between filth and a blood traitor". Said the kids Andy has won't be related to her in any way. Blasted her name of the family tree, too. Nice mum I've got, eh?" He grinned.

"Perfectly lovely in every way," Remus said, returning the grin. "What else'd she say?"

"Said I was not to go to a blood traitor wedding or she'd chuck me out of the house again. I told her that wasn't such a bad thing. She went into another rant about how Regulus is so perfect and wouldn't dare go to a Mudblood wedding and why couldn't the shame of her flesh be more like Regulus and how I broke her heart every single day that I was friends with a blood traitor like James Potter. Sorry, mate, don't know how she managed to drag your name in there."

James shrugged.

"So what did you do?" Peter asked, staring at Sirius.

"Well, I eventually got so mad at her that I told her to bug off and that I was going to Andy's wedding and if she didn't like it she could—but I won't get into that." He grinned again. "So guess what she did."

"What?" the boys asked as one.

"Exactly what she threatened. She chucked me out of the house. So Regulus is an only child again."

"What?!" Remus shouted. "Sirius, were have you been living?"

"Moved in with my Uncle Alphard," Sirius said, shrugging. "Dear old mother keeps sending him threatening messages of disowning him, but I don't think he minds much. Says if she does he'll move to Japan and change his name to Hotohori. He's got a long-distance girlfriend over there, anyway. When he does, I'll just move into my own place. Sorry, Prongs, don't want to impose on your mum and dad like this summer."

"You shouldn't be talking about leaving the Blacks like that, Sirius," a sinister, female voice said.

"What is it now, Narcissa?" Sirius sighed, impatiently.

A girl with completely blonde hair in a ponytail, dark brown eyes, and very pale skin had entered the compartment.

"Aunt Cassiopeia's right. Andromeda is a fool and a blood traitor, and I'm not going to her wedding, either."

"Too bad," Sirius said. "Would've give you the perfect chance to bring and show off your new boyfriend. Tell me, 'Cissa, which one is it this month? I mean, last month was Goyle, month before was Crabbe, before that was Nott. I'm losing track." He forged an innocent, curious smile.

Narcissa seemed too angry for words. She turned abruptly and stomped out of the compartment, slamming the door.

"Nice one, Padfoot," James said.

"Why, thank you, Prongs," Sirius said, smiling.

"I can't believe she won't go to her own sister's wedding," Remus said, shaking his head.

"Well, she would have the stronger side by not going," Peter murmured.

"Well, she's just a stuck-up git, so let's please forget her," Sirius said, turning to face James. "So, Prongs—"

"Owl," Remus said.

"Huh?" the other three asked.

"Owl post," Remus elaborated, gesturing to the window. An owl was trying to keep up with the fast-moving train.

Peter unlatched the window and let the exhausted owl flop in. He picked up the letter from where the owl had dropped it when it had fallen to the floor.

"It's for Sirius," he said, reading the envelope. "Looks like Andromeda's handwriting."

"Lemmee see that." Sirius took the letter from Peter's hand. "Yep, that's Andy all right." He tore open the letter and skimmed it. The ink was blotchy and the actual paper had tear stains on it.

"It says, -Sirius, it's Andy. No one's coming to my wedding. Your mother wrote to tell me that I was a traitorous fool and how dare I send an invitation to her. My family refuses to come, even my parents. My wedding is going to be absolutely empty aside from Ted's folks.

So, I need a favor. Sirius, please come to my wedding. You don't have to tell your mother. You can bring guests if you like, and your guests can have guests. Please bring James, Remus, and Peter, my marauders. I've already sent Lily an invite. It should get there tomorrow.

Also, I have a humungous thing to ask you. I want you to give me away. I don't want to walk down the aisle alone and seeing as my father isn't coming, who better to ask than my favorite cousin?

Don't send my owl back with your reply right away. He's old; he needs a break. Narcissa took my owl when I left home to move in with Ted.

Lots of love,

Andy" he looked up. "I wondered why Narcissa was flaunting that owl. She has that ugly old cat, Deneb." He put the letter aside and starting digging in his bookbag for some paper and quill and ink.

"She shouldn't worry about me. I'll go, and I'll send a letter describing every little detail about it to my mother if I feel like it. How about you guys?"

"'Course I'm coming," James said. "I'll just ask my parents."

"It depends on whether or not June 24th is a Full Moon," Remus said. "But I'll go if it's not. You, Wormtail?"

He looked uncomfortable. "I don't know- - -"

"Look, if Narcissa gives you a hard time, I'll shove her head up—"

The compartment door slid open, and the figure in the door made James practically start drooling over himself.

Lily Evans, tall, curly brown hair with lots of natural red highlights, and bright green eyes that could stare into your soul, it seemed. She was looking mad as hornets now.

"Darn, I thought this car was empty!" she yelled, exasperated. "Sirius, your cousin is in a bad mood and she is taking it out on all us "Mudblood and blood traitor scum" in the other compartments."

"Shudder to think what it'll be like when she makes Molly Caleb mad," Sirius said laughingly, thinking of his cousin-in-law Molly Caleb with a temper to match her bright red, wavy hair. A single insult courtesy of Narcissa would warrant him sending his cousin home in a cardboard box.

"You can hide out in here, if you like," James said, all at once playing the gentlemen.

"Mudblood! I'm not through with you yet!" an angry voice yelled.

Lily swore under her breath.

"Here, get on the couch. We'll pile some stuff on you."

Resigned, Lily curled into a ball on the couch. James reached into his bookbag and yanked out the Invisibility Cloak.

"James, don't!" Remus said sharply.

He ignored them all and spread the Cloak over Lily, who disappeared under it.

The door slammed open. "Have you seen Lily Evans?"

"Nope, sorry, 'Cissa," Sirius said.

Narcissa grunted and slammed the door. James yanked the cloak off Lily.

Lily sat up. "Okay, Potter, I know she's not stupid enough to fall for that, and that's saying a lot," Lily said, accusingly.

"What? I just saved your butt, Miss Evans. You should be thanking me."

"What was that thing you put on me? Potter, do you have an Invisibility Cloak? 'Cause if you did, those are illegal in school—"

"Evans, Evans," James said, shaking his head mournfully. "You do realize that we can use this?"

"What?"

"Well, we're Head Boy and Girl, aren't we? Sneaking around busting people will be a lot easier if they can't see us."

"But- - -"

"Think on it, Lils," James said. He ignored her snarl of "don't call me "Lils"" and continued. "Imagine, for instance, Narcissa is causing some trouble. Wouldn't you just love to bust her, and she never saw it coming?"

Lily was about to say something, but stopped. She seemed to contemplate what he had said. Then, slowly but surely, a grin began to form on her face.

"That would be nice," she said dreamily. "All right, Potter, I can be just as devious as you. But I'm watching you. One step outta line with that cloak and I'll haul your butt into the headmaster's office. What's that?" She pointed to the letter next to Sirius.

"That, dear, is an invitation," James said.

She made a face at him. "For what?"

"Andy's getting married to Ted Tonks in June," Remus said.

"What?! Andy's getting married?!" Lily squealed. She and Andromeda had gotten along great when the older girl was still at Hogwarts. Andy had played the big sister to all of them. "Darn, she doesn't know where I live. I guess if I'm invited, I'll have to wait till breakfast tomorrow to get one."

"Yeah, Andy said that she would," Remus said.

"So, how are things going in that lovely little house of yours?" James asked playfully.

"Petunia's being a stupid git, and she's all bubble-headed because some fat guy is asking her out. Some Vernon Dursely or something like that." Lily waved it away. "He's ugly as sin and I shudder to think what would happen if he sat on some poor dog."

James snickered.

"And how about you, Mr. Potter?"

"Sirius stayed over the entire summer," James said.

Lily cocked her eyebrows. "Really? James, Sirius, is there something you wanna tell us?"

"Shut up." James pushed her shoulder.

"Make me." She pushed him back.

"I will." And he pushed her again.

"Oh, yeah?" She, once again, pushed him.

"Stop flirting, you two," Sirius said.

"We're not flirting!" Lily yelled.

"Oh!" James moaned dramatically, pressing a hand to his heart. "You cut me deep, Lily Evans!"

"Oh, shut up, Potter." Lily crossed her arms. "So anyway, about Andy's wedding. If I'm gonna have to put up with Narcissa for the day, I at least don't wanna sit with her."

"Narcissa's not coming."

"What?! Andy's her sister!"

"She's marrying a Muggle-born. That makes her trash on the street," Sirius said.

"That little- - -"

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Me: This is the story of James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and Lily Evans.

The year is 1974. This is their 7th and final year at Hogwarts.

You have now entered the twilight zone.

James: O_O What was that?

Me: A humorous interlude.

Sirius: It wasn't very funny.

Me: Shut up. *Punches him* Please review!