Breaking Black (A Sirius Black Love Story)

Chapter 81

The day after we left Hogwarts, James sent a Patronus message announcing he bought his own house and would soon be moving in. He didn't mention Lily moving in, since we weren't supposed to know they were engaged yet, but I assumed she was. The Patronus messages became Sirius and James' preferred way of contacting each other. After two days of stags bursting into the house nearly every five minutes and disrupting any wedding planning Sirius and I tried to do, I made Sirius give James my enchanted mirror so Sirius could see James whenever he missed him, which was quite frequent. I didn't need the mirror anymore because Sirius and I were always together.

James invited us to his house for the first time since he moved in. He said it was a party of sorts and he added that he had 'big news.' We all knew the news was about their engagement, but we acted like we didn't know when we arrived at the party. Remus and Marlene seemed to be on the same page, but Peter pulled me aside to ask why he still couldn't tell James congratulations.

James' house was a cute, two story house in a city near Sirius' house. After Marlene and Remus and Peter arrived a few minutes after Sirius and I did, they gave us a tour. James kept proudly mentioning how the many rooms could fit a Quidditch team of children while Lily followed him around, mouthing that he was crazy. Finally, when we were all seated in their living room with drinks, Lily and James stood in front of the fireplace, ready to make their announcement. James was bouncing on the balls of his feet as if he'd just won the Quidditch World Cup.

"We're engaged!" James and Lily chorused at the same time. James grabbed Lily's face and kissed her sweetly as we cheered for them. Lily seemed to swoon in his arms and my heart skipped a beat at how perfect they were. It took them nearly two weeks to finally share the news, but we acted like we were surprised.

"Really? I had no idea! Congratulations," Remus smiled. He'd actually been placing bets already on whether James would ask him or Sirius to be his best man.

"Way to steal my thunder," Sirius joked while touching his glass of Firewhisky to James'. "But congrats, mate. It's about time!"

"We didn't want to draw attention away from your wedding," Lily apologized and grabbed my hand. I took her hand in mine to finally admire the ring which she'd been hiding. "I promise we didn't intend it this way!"

"I did," James muttered to Sirius, devilish grin on his face.

"I have news too," I stated and slowly stood up from the couch. Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"You do?"

"Yes, I haven't told you yet," I informed. Everyone looked at me expectantly. "I got the news today. I am officially a Ministry employee! They received my N.E.W.T. scores early and offered me a job today!"

"Really? What are you doing there?" Marlene asked. I knew she was interested in working for the Ministry too.

"I'll be working in the Improper Use of Magic Office. They loved me when I job shadowed there last summer. At first, I'll be an assistant to Mafalda Hopkirk," I squeaked. Everyone knew Mafalda Hopkirk was the assistant to the head of the Improper Use of Magic Office. I was basically an assistant to the assistant. Sirius seemed to notice this and smirked. "But as soon as I work for her for a few months they'll place me in a more specified job. Which also means a pay raise!"

"I'm proud of you, babe," Sirius beamed and kissed me on the cheek.

"To James and Lily!" Remus announced and held up his glass. "And to Lexi's new job!"

Everyone toasted to the couple and my employment and took a swig of their drinks. Peter looked a little upset and lonely with the group of three happy couples. He silently drank his drink alone at the table. I fell back onto the couch and nestled myself under Sirius' warm arm, taking a slow sip of my drink.