/𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒\ [𝒔. 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌]

𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

𝟖𝟏𝟗 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬

"Lily, love, hold still," said Marlene, tossing her long hair over one shoulder and giving Lily an exasperated look in the mirror.

Lily stopped fidgeting, but caught Artemis's eye in her reflection and sighed. Artemis chuckled. "Unless you want your makeup to look like Rita Skeeter's at your wedding, I'd stay still."

"I know, I know," said Lily. "I'm just excited."

"Awww, cute," said Marlene. "Now stay still."

"Art, did you see Rita's eyeshadow when she was reporting on that attack in Bristol?" asked Mary, adjusting her dress in a mirror across the room.

Artemis moved to help her fix the straps of her dress. "Yeah, I did. Really didn't fit the mood of what she was covering."

"No war talk on my wedding day," Lily called over her shoulder.

"Stay still!" cried Marlene.

Artemis flipped the record on the record player and took Mary's hands, slow dancing her around the room. "Practicing for Sirius?" Mary asked, giggling.

"I don't need practice," Artemis said in a falsely haughty tone. "Aside from the bride and groom, Sirius and I have got to be the best dancers in the room."

"I dunno, Art," said Lily, "You might have James and I beat too."

Marlene sat back on her heels to admire her handiwork. "Done," she said.

Artemis let go of Mary and swept over to pull Lily out of her seat. "You and James are great dancers- taught by the best."

"You gave us one lesson and it ended in you and Sirius making out."

Marlene snorted. "Well, that's love for you."

"And what about you, Marly?" asked Lily.

"What about me?"

Artemis and Lily exchanged a knowing smile. "Looking for anyone in particular at the wedding?"

Marlene looked away, but Mary was the one who spoke up. "Just so you lot know, apparently Gideon Prewett caught Dorcas snogging Hestia Jones the other day-"

"Yeah, we all knew about that," said Artemis. "Honestly, I think they make a good couple. They make sense."

"And I'm not still hung up on Dorcas," Marlene said, laughing. "Mary, really," she said, catching Mary's look of disbelief, "I've got my eyes on... someone else."

Mary took Marlene's hands, swaying absentmindedly to the music. "Who?"

"Emmeline Vance," Artemis and Lily said simultaneously, then dissolved into giggles.

Mary's mouth formed an O. "Ahhhh," she said at last.

There was a light knock on the door and Remus poked his head in. "You all look nice," he said with a warm smile. "Ceremony's about to start."