/𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒\ [𝒔. 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌]

𝟓.𝟙.𝟣

"my life has been nothing but a failure." ~ Claude Monet

~july 1975~

Artemis carefully rearranged the flowers on the mantle of her mother's living room for at least the third time that day. The house was buzzing with activity, everyone making last minute preparations before the wedding began. Most of the guests had arrived already, but Jane was trying to keep things low-key. It was to be a small ceremony in the back garden, close friends and family only.

The doorbell rang and Artemis let go of the flowers and turned to sweep into the foyer, careful not to ruin the hairstyle her mum's friend from work, Darlene, had done so carefully. She took a deep breath before opening the door, mentally preparing herself to meet another friend of Jane's or Alfie's she'd never seen before, or some family member she didn't even know existed. But when she opened the door, it was neither of the two. Remus was standing on the doorstep in a crisp suit, his hair carefully styled so it wouldn't stick up in the messy way it usually did. He was holding a bouquet of light pink flowers, the exact shade of Artemis's dress. "Remus!" she cried, and threw her arms around him.

"Hey!" he laughed, hugging her back. "You look beautiful." He meant it. Even without the frilly, pale pink summer dress and the fancy hairstyle that fell strategically over her bare shoulders, Artemis looked lively and bright, the summer sunlight illuminating her face in lovely shades.

She kissed him on the cheek and then let him go, straightening her dress. "Thanks, you do too. And are those for me?" she cried excitedly, reaching out for the flowers.

Remus handed them over with a rueful smile. "I went off of the picture from the catalog you gave me, I was hoping they would match..."

"They're perfect," sighed Artemis, burying her face in the flowers to smell them. "Come on, I want you to meet my mum."

She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the house, up to the room where her mother was getting her hair styled and her makeup done by friends from work and cousins Artemis didn't know. Jane turned to her daughter when she entered and smiled, her makeup done to perfection. "Artie, how do I look? Is the lipstick too much?"

"You look fantastic," said Artemis enthusiastically. "-And Mum, this is Remus. He's the friend from school..."

"Oh, yes!" Jane said, standing up so her snow white dress fluttered around her legs, the skirt flowing all the way to the floor. "Artie's told me so much about you, Remus, I'm glad you could make it." She pulled Remus into a hug, which he awkwardly returned. "Especially since her brother... Percy... couldn't-"

"Oh, Mum, don't cry," Artemis said quickly, taking a tissue one of the bridesmaids offered up and dabbing at her mother's cheek. "Stop it, Percy doesn't deserve to be here, he's an assho- a terrible person," she corrected herself.