Splinters

Chapter 13

"My Uncle Alphard, one of my few connections to my . . . my family, wrote to me. He asked about my life, my friends, and you. When I told him I was planning to propose to you, he insisted on giving me part of my inheritance soon. He has no children and was recently burned off the Black Family Tapestry," Sirius said. 

     Penelope rested against his shoulder; her eyes closed as she listened to Sirius. "Your Uncle Alphard is a good man," she whispered. A hand rested on her lower back. 

     "He is who I admired growing up. It wasn't until I started Hogwarts that I realized that I was like him, meaning that we went against the family ideals." 

     "The first invitation we send out is to your uncle." Penelope looked up at her love. The sun rested behind his head, causing Penelope to squint in annoyance. "Then my grandfather and father along with the boys." 

     The lake was beautiful as the sun glinted off the surface. It was as if nature could tell a happy moment was breaking out of a time of fear and hatred in the world. Mermaids and mermen alike splashed at the surface for but a moment to glance at the couple who visited the Black Lake so often. 

     "What are we going to do after Hogwarts?" Penelope asked. 

     Sirius gave her an odd look. "You said you were going to be a wandmaker under your grandfather. Nothing's really interested me yet. Have you suddenly changed your mind?" 

     "I meant you and I. Is the wedding going to happen right away? Or are we going to wait for some bit? Are we going to move in together?" Penelope rambled on. 

     "We have the war going on. Either we do it once we graduate or we wait until the war is over," Sirius said. 

     "But who knows when the war will be over. It could stretch on for years. Our time could be up before the war is finished. Or if you die before me, I could fall into a state like my father's. Where there is no sense of time, a swift fall into the abyss of the human mind-"

     "But that is not what will happen because we will stay together. If one of us dies, then we will continue on until we see each other again in the afterlife," Sirius whispered. He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. 

     "Are you two going to kiss? Because if you do, then we're going to leave," James's voice rang out. 

     A loud smack followed by a yell caused the couple to look over at their friends. "Thanks, Remus," Penelope laughed.

     The boy shrugged and put his book back in his bag. "Excuse me, that hurt!" James shrieked. He fell to the ground, rolling around as his four friends stared.

     "Is he okay?" Peter asked.

     Sirius slid off the large rock and stood next to the dramatic wizard. "I'll give you something to cry about!"

     While Sirius and James rolled around on the grass, the other three began to walk towards the castle. Penelope showed off her ring proudly to Remus and Peter who could barely stop bouncing with joy.

     "In a part of our brains, we were worried he would mess it up. But we had faith in him too," Remus said.

     "We know Sirius honestly loves you. I would have to be blind to not see it," Peter added.

     "James is the blind one. That's why he wears glasses," Penelope laughed.

     Remus held the bridge of his nose. "Penny, you wear glasses too."

     Flushing red, Penelope turned away from her friends. "And Remus does not wear glasses," she huffed.

     Pounding footsteps sounded in the nearly empty corridor as James and Sirius appeared from around the corner. They sped past the open windows and past the group.

     Peter soon followed them after a quick look at his watch. "It's lunch," Remus sighed. "Time to feed the children."

     The group sat in the crowded Great Hall as students ate copious amounts of food, Peter, James, and Sirius included. "Grabbed you some rolls," Sirius said. He tossed Penelope two fresh rolls, not year touched by any but the house-elves and Sirius.

     "Thanks, love."

     Penelope piled food onto her plate and looked around at her friends. They had become like family so quickly. To see them nearly finished with their seventh year was something Penelope though would never happen.

     "Miss Olivander," a voice greeted her. Professor McGonagall stood by the table, holding a letter in her hand.

     "May I speak with you in private?"

     Following the Deputy Headmistress, Penelope shot a worried glance at Sirius. He went to get up from the bench but Remus pulled him down.

     Remus whispered something in his ear, causing Sirius to clench his fists but soon accept waiting. "Come along, Miss Olivander."

     Professor McGonagall's office was quite large. Not as expansive as Professor Dumbledore's, but a decent size. "Take a seat. Now, I have a letter from your father."

     "My father?" Penelope asked. "He hasn't been responsive for years."

     Instead of saying anything, Professor McGonagall handed the small letter to Penelope.

     Dear Penny,

I'm sorry. My time in this world has been nothing but heartbreak and despair. Instead of forcing you and your grandfather to take care of me, I am going to take care of myself. Goodbye for now, as I will visit when the time is right. It is my need to learn how to live without your . . . mother. Just know that I am here for you now. You can have your father back instead of a broken man.

Love,
     Your Father