stars | sirius black

28: The Calm Before the Storm

JUNE 30, 1978 
James Potter's backyard, 6:00 pm

BRIGHT WHITE LIGHTS WERE hung on the trees in the backyard of James Potter's childhood home. The sounds of glasses clinking and people laughing and chattering can be heard. A bright and happy atmosphere filled the air despite the dark times ahead that loomed over the wizarding world. Some would think that it was an odd choice that James and Lily would have the reception of their wedding at James' childhood home but they thought it was somewhat fitting. Celebrating the happiest day of their lives in a place that reminded James of his childhood wonder and innocence.

Sitting in one of the white round tables with a glass of water in hand was none other than the maid-of-honor, Arabella Arroway. She took a deep breath and sipped a little bit of the water and sighed, wishing she could have some of the champagne that was being served. She watched as her two bestfriends had their first dance as man and wife. She smiled when she saw how happy James and Lily were, and how absolutely in love they looked.

She jumped slightly when two hands blocked her sight of the dancing couple.

"Guess who?" someone whispered in her ear.

Arabella smirked and laughed. "Sirius."

Within seconds, Arabella saw James and Lily again as they shared a kiss on the dancefloor, clapping her hands and cheering them on as they did so.

"How did you know it was me?" Sirius asked, a pout on his face as he sat down next to her. 

"Sirius, that trick didn't work on me when we were in Hogwarts. It's definitely not going to work on me now." Arabella laughed, shaking her head and shivering slightly.

"Cold?" Sirius asked, a small smirk on his face and his eyebrow raised. Arabella vigorously nodded and Sirius chuckled, standing up and giving her his suit coat.

"Thank you, love." Arabella said gratefully, a smile on her face and turned to look at James and Lily. 

"They seem happy, don't they?" Arabella asked, not taking her eyes off of James and Lily who were still slow dancing. 

"They do. It's the happiest I've ever seen them in so long." Sirius said, agreeing with Arabella.

"Kind of funny isn't it?"

"What is Belle?" 

"That the happiest day of their lives took place in one of the darkest times in wizarding world history." Arabella said ruefully, shaking her head and pulling Sirius' coat closer to her body.

"I don't think it's funny. I think it's well timed." Sirius said, smiling and looking at the newly wedded couple.

"How so?" Arabella asked, now turning to look at Sirius. Her eyebrows were furrowed and confusion was evident on her face.

"It gives them another thing to fight for. Each other and their future. I doubt James and LIly would want to raise their child in a war-torn world, you know?" Sirius asked, smiling fondly at James and Lily. "Besides, what if something terrible happens to them in battle or something? By having it now, they wouldn't have any regrets. They get to experience this. The white dress and the feeding each other cake." 

"And the first dance and the vows." Arabella continued, smiling wistfully and looking at James and Lily as well.

"Would you want to experience all of those things, Belle?" Sirius asked nonchalantly, turning to look at Arabella.

"Of course. I remember when I was little, I always wanted to get married to a prince and we would have a cake made out of rainbows. I was pretty sure that I was going to become royalty." Arabella said, laughing at her past self. "I wasn't a very realistic person."

Sirius joined in on her laughter, imagining a younger Arabella wanting a prince for a husband. "I'm sorry, Belle. I'm not exactly royalty but I'll treat you like a princess." Sirius teased, nudging Arabella.

She rolled her eyes but laughed at Sirius antics nonetheless. "Trust me Sirius, I'll take you over any prince. You're better than royalty." Arabella said sincerely, looking at Sirius with a small smile.

"You sure you want to get married to little old me instead of a dashing prince?" Sirius asked with a pout, batting his eyelashes at her which made Arabella laugh hard.

"I'm sure, Sirius. If I didn't know better, I'd say you wouldn't want to marry-"

Arabella didn't even get a chance to finish her sentence when Sirius cut her off once he realized what she was about to say. "I do!"

It took a while for Sirius and Arabella to process the conversation they just had.

"Did we just get engaged?" Arabella asked, looking at Sirius nervously.

"I think we just did." Sirius said, laughing and rubbing the back of his head. "Wait, No! If we are going to do this, we are going to do this right."

Sirius stood up and took Arabella's hand, leading her inside the Potter house, away from all of James and Lily's wedding guests. They were in the kitchen when Sirius decided to get down on one knee.

"Sirius, what are you doing?" Arabella asked laughing.

"I promise that I am going to buy you any engagement ring you want when we get out of here." Sirius started, grinning at Arabella. "Belle, I love you so much. I have no idea what I would do without you. Seeing James and Lily earlier and seeing you in that beautiful dress made me realize that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So will you Arabella Arroway, my best friend and love of my life, marry me?"

Arabella's eyes started welling up with tears halfway through Sirius' proposal. "Yes, you absolute idiot. Yes!" She exclaimed, nodding vigorously. Sirius grinned and hugged her, lifting her slightly and spinning her around. 

Sirius put her down and gave her a peck on the lips. "I don't think this day could get any better."

"I think it could." Arabella said nervously, biting her bottom lip. "I'm pregnant."

Sirius swore his heart and breathing stopped at that very moment, he fought the urge to scream from happiness as tears started welling up in his eyes. "What? When did this happen?"

"Well, remember that one time-" Arabella started, sheepishly staring at the floor.

"I know how it happened, Belle." Sirius said, cutting her off with a laugh. "When did you find out?"

"Just a few days ago." Arabella said, smiling.

"Arabella Arroway, you just made me the happiest man in the entire world." Sirius said, lifting Arabella up and spinning her around for the second time that night.

"What is going on here?" The two turned to see none other than James, Lily, Remus, and Peter.

"We have been looking for the two of you." Remus said, looking at Sirius and Arabella with an amused expression.

"We have some news."

_____

hey guys! a little sirius/ara fluff before shit goes down. also, two chaps in one day what????

they are engaged now and they're about to have a kid!!!! baby name suggestions anyone??

we also reached 2k votes today and we are #508 in fanfic. this is so crazy! i have no idea how this happened. thank you all so much for taking the time to read, vote, and comment. i am eternally grateful for all of you and your support(:

hope you guys like this one. let me know what you think in the comments and give it a vote if you think it was worthy of one.

also, i have a james potter fanfic that i am quite proud of so give it a read as well if you've got the time. i appreciate it

lots of love and ill see ya when i see ya,
arielle