Dandelions

~60~

After the wedding, Harper felt like she had been walking on eggshells. Everything either consisted of the war and what was going on or it was about her wedding which was now in one week. "Good morning. What does the Prophet say today, darling?" Sirius greeted Harper with a kiss on the forehead before pouring himself some tea that she had so kindly made. "Morning.. Nothing new. Same old git killing the muggles and muggleborns. Per usual.." Harper grumbled as she took a bite of her toast that she'd made. Sirius sighed and rubbed his fingers over his temples, "Well to lighten the mood up, you go get your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses today! I know Lily and Marlene are going but I don't know anyone else." Harper rolled her eyes at the boy before saying, "You ask who's coming everyday, Siri. Lily, Marlene, Dorcas, and Narcissa! I'm sorry to ask, but um.. any word on Reg?" With a shrug of his shoulders, Harper got the answer she feared of. "Harper, as much as we don't want to hear it - he's not coming back."

Sirius watched the girl storm out of the room and walk upstairs to go to their bedroom. He sighed and slammed his forehead onto the table. He knew Harper was having a hard time as of lately with all the stress but it wasn't fair that she was taking it out on him. He got up and stormed into the bedroom to see her sitting on the floor in tears, "Come here.." He whispered. The two sat on the bed while he held her in his arms while she cried. "I-I don't want to believe he's gone. He was supposed to be there. He's supposed to be at the wedding and be there for when we have kids. He's supposed to be here right now!" She cried out making Sirius jump a little. He wasn't as vocal about him being upset about the disappearance of his brother as she was but he agreed fully. A knock on the door came but nobody moved to go get it, they just sat there in each others arms while Harper cried. Stomps were heard coming up the stairs causing Sirius to take his wand out and ordered Harper to do the same. It was more then once person which would mean that both would have to fight whoever entered off but was Harper really in the mindset to do so?

"Harper May Rossi!" The door swung open to show Marlene, Lily, and Dorcas all looking rather confused on why they had wands pointing at them. "Gonna use that on me, eh Black? Why aren't you dressed yet? Come on!" Marlene scolded the girl before sitting her on the bed and rummaging through her closet. Lily noticed that the girl had been crying and looked to Sirius who just shook his head no and grabbed her to follow him out of the room. She went to yell at him but he closed the door and began whispering, "She's under a lot of stress. She misses Regulus and is worried over this whole war. Especially now we have a rat in the order." The redhead let out a sigh before nodding and waving him off, "I'll make sure she has a good idea. The boys are coming over later and you can talk to them about it more since I have to help her. We'll make this wedding the best day of your guys lives."

Inside the room, Harper was pulling on a yellow and black plaid skirt along with her off the shoulder black shirt and black bootie high heels. "Sit so I can do your hair quickly. Marls just do some quick makeup so we can get out of here, she looks like she needs fresh air." Dorcas laughed before running a brush through Harper's hair. Lily walked in followed by Sirius who gave a quick kiss to his girl and telling her to have a good day. "Shoo, we need to leave soon!" Marlene said before applying some makeup to the girls eyelashes. He made a face to Marlene who returned one back before winking at Harper and walking out. "Bloody git he is" She mumbled before helping the girl up and leading her out of the house. They all apparated to Diagon Alley where they met up with Narcissa who was standing in front of this small dress store. "About time, thought you all blew me off!" Narcissa said before pulling Harper a hug then leading her inside. A tall, blue haired man was working at the counter but as soon as she spotted the girls - she ran in front of them. "Wotchar ladies, the names Brian Cresswell. Yes, Dirk Creswell's brother. Anyway, what can I do for you? Wedding, I presume?"

Lily nodded and pushed Harper forward so scowled at the girl who smiled sweetly back. "Wedding dress and bridesmaids actually. It's more of an autumn theme so.." The man nodded and grinned from ear to ear before leading the girls over to a section with these beautiful white dresses. "I'll be right over here for any questions or if you've decided!" Harper thanked him before looking over a few dresses that wasn't what she wanted, she wanted something simple yet sexy. It took exactly and hour and a half of trying on dresses until Dorcas and Narcissa called the three girls over. "Look what we've found. It's perfect!" Dorcas smiled before handing Harper the dress. Harper's jaw dropped as she was this white mermaid dress, with a lace back, yet a simple silk white on the rest. "Try it on!" Narcissa squealed before sitting on the couch and waiting for her to come out of the dressing room. Harper hurried in and changed into the dress and when she saw herself, tears formed in her eyes. "Wow.." She whispered before walking out to show all her friends who jaws also dropped. "This is the one!" Lily smiled as tears leaked down from her eyes and onto her face. "Yeah. It is." Harper smiled as her friends all cheered and admired the dress.

"You look darling! So yes to this dress?" Brian asked earning a large smile and nod in return. "Alrighty! Let's pay and then head to the bridesmaids side!" Narcissa smiled before walking up to the counter while Harper got undressed and pulled on her clothes. She walked out and Narcissa smiled, "My gift to you is I paid for the dress. Now come on, before Marlene blows a fuse." Both girls laughed before walking to the side of where all these dresses were hung. The wedding theme was autumn so Harper wasn't sure exactly what color to go for but something that looked fall. "Thanks for making me your maid of honor!" Marlene smiled to the girl before hurrying over to a rack with dark green dresses. "Well Lily gets to be yours at your wedding so. Well, when you pop the question to lovely Ms.Meadows." Marlene turned a bright red before returning to the rack of dresses. "Lily I love that one more then any I've seen." Harper gasped as she saw these orange long silky dresses that Lily was holding. "Should we try them on?" Dorcas asked, placing a hand on the girls shoulder. "Yes!"

The girls all found the dresses in their sizes before hurrying into changing rooms to try them on. Harper sat on a purple velvet couch as she waited and noticed Molly and Arthur Weasley with their son Bill walking around. She smiled at the couple who didn't notice her but were all enjoying the sunny day. "We look awesome!" Marlene gushed making Harper's attention turn back to the girls. They really did look amazing, "I don't need to hear anything else. These are your dresses." With more hollars and cheers, Harper paid for the dresses while the girls changed and out of the shop they were. "I wonder what the boy's are doing. Hopefully not burning your  house down, Harp." Dorcas snorted as she entangled hers and Marlene's hands.

These are the dresses: