Two Lonely Monsters (Marauders fanfic) Book 2

18- An Engagement Like No Other

Sara had become quite happy with her busy life; full of fighting Death Eaters, and spending time with family and friends.
She thought that nothing in her life, was going to change for a few years, until her transformations became worse. And that didn't appear to be happening any time soon.
Her normal life, was perfect in her eyes, and she prayed that it would never change.
However, all Sara's hopes for an unchanging life, were shattered when she returned home from visiting John, one evening. And she had her senses assaulted, by the overwhelming smell of flowers.

Her house was lit up by hundreds of floating candles, and littered with rose petals, that Sara struggled not to step on, as she entered through the front door.
As she followed the petals through the building, she came across Remus kneeling on the floor, inside a heart shape, made out of little chocolates.
"Remus. What are you-?" Started Sara.
"I've been thinking for a long time, about how I wanted to do this. I wanted it to be perfect. And I wanted it to be special" interupted Remus.
He removed a small red box from his pocket, and lifted it towards Sara. After taking a deep breath, he flicked open the box, revealing a gold ring, with a small diamond in the centre of it.

Sara gasped, and took a small step back in fear, away from the box.
"Remus. I- I...".
"I know you once said that you never thought you would ever get married, or have kids. But I want you to spend the rest of your life with me, how ever long that may be. And this, kind of makes it official... It's a sign of love, and committment... And I love you Sara Burne... So, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Asked Remus.
Sara looked back at that ring, before looking into Remus's pleading eyes.
"Remus, I love you. But I don't want you to waste your life pining for me, after I'm gone" she said quietly.
"I was always going to miss you Sara. This doesn't change that. I love you, and I want everyone to know that. I don't want to have to keep introducing you, as my girlfriend... I want you to be my wife".

Rather cautiously, Sara took a step towards Remus, and looked closely at the ring. The gem was small, but Sara didn't mind, as she knew how little money the pair of them had, and she knew it was the thought that counted.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sara questioned.
"I am... But if you don't want you marry me. Then I won't force you" sighed Remus.
"I love you Remus. And I want you to be happy, forever, even if I'm not there. But if this is something you want to do, with me. Then I will oblige... I would be honored to be your wife Mr Lupin".
Remus smiled, removed the ring, and then placed it onto Sara's wedding finger. He then stood to his feet, and threw his arms around Sara, as he kissed her passionetly on the lips.

"Are you O.K?" Asked Remus, as he pulled away from Sara, noticing the tears that were now falling down her cheeks.
"I'm fine" replied Sara, quickly wiping away the tears.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm just- I mean, I never thought that something like this would ever happen to me. I never imagined myself becomming someone's fiancè. So I guess that I'm just really happy, hence the tears"
"Good. I'm glad that you are happy... Do you like the rose petals?".
Sara chuckled.
"Yes, I love what you've done with the place".
Remus smiled, and pressed his lips once more, against Sara's, as the pair embraced, holding each other tighter than ever before.

Several days later, the Order of the Phoenix were all gathered at their Headquarters, to celebrate Sara and Remus's engagement. It was the first time all of those involved, were actually in the same place, at one time.
Mary had offered to babysit all the children, who's parents were at that party. As she was not a member of the Order, so she wouldn't be attending.
Sara and her close friends, had all met up the day after Remus's proposal, so that she could reveal her engagement to those she cared most about, first.
The Marauders were over the moon, that their best friends were finally getting married, after years of dating. And Sara's old room mates, were nothing but supportive.
James had then arranged a party at the Headquarters, so that all of the Order could celebrate Sara's engagement, together.

"Alright everyone, thanks for coming. We are all here to celebrate the engagement of two of my very good friends. So I hope you will all join me in raising a glass to them, while I take a picture, to capture the moment" announced James.
He flicked his wand, causing a camera to set itself up on a nearby table, as everyone in the room shuffled into a clump, in the centre of the room.
Sara placed her arm through Remus's, as they placed themselves in the middle of the front row, beside the rest of the Marauders.
She smiled as she watched Hagrid make his way to the back row, so that he wasn't in front of anyone.

Once everyone was in position, James flicked his wand once more, causing the camera to take several pictures, as the group raised their glasses, to make a toast to Sara and Remus's engagement.
After the photo had been taken, everyone dispersed, and continued talking to those they had been in coversation with, before the photo.
"Didn't know you were into photography" admitted Sara, as her and Remus approached James, who was placing his camera back into its case.
"Yeah, well I've been taking a lot of photos recently, trying to capture everything Harry does on camera. He is growing up so fast, and I don't want to miss any stage in his development" replied James.

"He must be nearly one now, right?" Questioned Sara, even though she knew exactly how old Harry was.
"Yep. It definately doesn't feel like a year" admitted James.
"I know what you mean. It feels like only yesterday I was by Lily's side, as she pushed him into the world"
"It's scary how quickly time goes... Anyway, I'll leave you two alone, while I go and rejoin my wife- Oh! Wait, here, take this. It makes sense that you get to see the photo first, before I copy it for all those in the Order".
Sara took the picture from James, before he left her and Remus, to go and stand by Lily, who was on the other side of the room, in conversation with Alice and Frank.

Sara smiled as she looked down at all the happy faces on the photo in front of her.
"So many happy faces on here" she mumbled.
Remus nodded, and kissed her cheek, as he looked over her shoulder at the photo.
"Yes... Though I notice that Albus and Aberforth are standing as far away from each other, as humanly possible" commented Remus.
"Hmm. Dumbledore never talks about what happened between him and his brother. But from what Sirius says about him and Regulus, I know that siblings don't always get along"
"That's true".

"Wormtail also isn't smiling in the picture. Which is a shame" sighed Sara.
"Yes, he's been awfully down lately" agreed Remus.
"Well, we'll just have to find a way to cheer him up"
"Now who's becoming the optimist"
"Ha ha, very funny... Come on, lets go and join him and Sirius".
Remus nodded, as Sara placed the photo inside her pocket, before taking hold of her fiancè's arm, and walking across the room, by his side.