The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Patron Saint of Orphans

Marlene McKinnon stepped onto the second floor of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Her heart was heavy as she pulled along her girlfriend. Dorcas held two dresses in one hand, her head down. The ward was quiet, there weren't many patients. Euphemia and Fleamont were the top priority. Their room had the wall now made of glass as if they were some sort of animals at the zoo. The only difference between zoo animals and the couple was that the couple was watching the outside. The staff had put together this lovely last-minute wedding scene. Dorcas almost cried when she saw everything. Especially when she greeted her best friend's parents. Thank God Marlene was there. They entered the floor's bathroom handing the other two girls their dresses.

"Thank you so much." Lily hugged her friends, and Renee replicated her actions. The ladies got ready fairly fast. Their hair and makeup were already finished.

"Ready?" Ren shared a look with the bride, who nodded nervously. A wedding was supposed to have a well-laid plan. Lily almost had the whole thing prepared out; it was her forte. Right now, they were improvising an event, it only took them an hour and a half to get it together. Sure, magic had a lot to do with it but Lily was most appreciative of her friends. They had banded together and made everything beautiful.

"Start us off, Renny." She whispered, pulling on a fake smile. Evans didn't mind the fact that her family wasn't there. She would do anything to ensure that her parents-in-law got to see them be wed. It meant so much to her fiancé.

Renee walked out of the bathroom giving Peter a nod. She held the white lily and apple blossom bouquet loosely at her belly. White Lily—My love is pure. Apple blossom—I prefer you before all. Something Renee could relate to in her relationship or ex-relationship. They never had time to talk about it.

Dorcas followed her closely. Then Marlene, who was the Maid of Honor. The Bridal party and Groomsmen stood in front of Euphemia and Fleamont's window, all awaiting the arrival of the bride. James shared a look with the blond man by the bathroom door. Usually, St. Mungo's forbids Muggles from entering the hospital unless affected by a magical malady; however, James had bribed them greatly. The astonishment on Lily's face told him it was worth it.

Tears were shed, maybe too many. Not only did the lot of them witness one of the most amazing things life has to offer but they all had to think of the harshest things. Neither elder Potter passed, but Mia took a turn for the worst. She was vomiting more than usual and the green tinge to her skin erupted into a purple and green rash. Usually by now with Dragon Pox cases like these, they would be dead. Monty still looked rather healthy, apart from his sunken eyes and green skin. They most likely won't make it to the new year. Which was approaching fast. November was, so far, a mixed-up month in consideration of emotions. Sirius hadn't even done anything for his nineteenth birthday. The group didn't realize that James and Lily got married on Halloween until Peter pointed it out.

✿

December 24th had a Potter Tradition to it. The family of four would wander to Godric's Hollow and watch the Christmas lights turn on. However, now the Potter's were an acclaimed family of eleven and they were sitting around the second floor of St. Mungo's. Regulus Black stayed close to Renee. Knowing she needed it. Although the woman had moved back into 'Ren and Rem's' they still weren't as close as they had been. Renee had an overwhelming thought that Remus would leave again. And Remus was scared that he wasn't what she needed right now.

"I got you something, Ren." The Black whispered, pulling a gift from his sachet that sat on the ground. He handed her the neatly wrapped box, not saying anything else. She slowly unwrapped it, still looking at the boy next to her in awe. Taking the lid off the box her facial expression changed from that to confused. It seemed to be a book of religion. Something Renee had never even thought about. Still, she pulled on a smile placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Reg. I'll read it later." Regulus laughed, making Renny confused once again. It was a hysterical laughter that made her laugh as well.

"You're sweet, Renny. You don't have to read the book."

"Then what am I supposed to do with it?"

"Sirius and I owe you our lives, Ren. He ran to your family because of your brother but you helped and continue to help lift his spirits all the same." The Slytherin grabbed her hand, but she still wasn't following.

"You don't owe me anything—Sirius however, owes me a new table. Damn, idiot damaged it last week." She muttered, staring at their hands. It had been a funny incident; Remus had been away for the full moon and Sirius was keeping her company. As a dog. A mut with no care for others' property decided to chew on the legs. So much so that he nearly ripped the thing from under it. Renee walked in—startled, to see him covered in the stew that was atop the table. One of the best things to ever come from the past two months. Apart from Remus caving and buying her a kitten for Christmas. He had given it to her a week before. One of the ones Renee helped deliver at the Magical Menagerie.

"Exactly what I'm saying. You give for nothing. Just like Hedwig of Silesia, Patron Saint of orphans. You took us in and helped us. Sirius is the happiest he's ever been, as am I. Though Hedwig allegedly took in Muggleborn's. You take in stray Purebloods. You are my person Ren. My Hedwig—I don't know what I'd do without you." Crying wasn't something Renee was good at stopping. She tried though, quickly wiping away the tears that streamed against her will.

"Oh, Reg! I love you, you're my person too. I'm glad I can be there for you. I don't want you to ever feel like I can't." They stood from the chairs, not hesitating to embrace each other.

"Not to break up this moment you two are having, but, Dad's selling Sleekeazy's." James put his arm over Renee after she backed out of Reg's arms. Sleakeazy's Hair Potion had been in the family since before James and Renee were born. Helped the couple live more lavishly. They were never short of money. However, before they became Aurors, Monty had created the potion in hopes of not only keeping his hair in check but also helping with the Manor's upkeep. It had done quite well. Now a famous hair potion had even made it across the ocean in America. Monty had gotten several offers for the company, which included three sole factories in Europe. He shut down each of the offers.

"Oh, why?"

"He's afraid the Ministry will try and get their hands on it after..." James pushed up his glasses.

"Oh. Well, I guess it's the best option. I don't know how to manage a company and I don't suppose you do." Her twin nodded, twisting her hair on his finger.

"You need a haircut." She really did.