Wasting Time

41

Christmas was quiet. It was just the four of us, and the memory of Fleamont's death a year earlier hung over us, but Euphemia did everything she could to give us a happy Christmas. And she did.

And then New Year's Eve came. James came running into mine and Sirius's room early that morning. He jumped on the bed, waking us up.

"Marly, Padfoot, it's your engagement party! Get the fuck up!" He shouted excitedly. I groaned in response.

"James, language!" Euphemia called from the kitchen.

"Sorry mum!"

I kicked my legs, causing James to fall off the bed.

"It's nine in the morning James, Jesus Christ," I moaned.

"It's your engagement party! And it's New Year's Eve!"

"I wasn't aware that my engagement party was taking place at nine o clock in the morning, you prat."

"You're ruining the best part of my day, Prongs," Sirius finally spoke.

"Why in gods name is the morning your favorite part of the day?" I asked, rolling over to look at the boys. My boys.

"I like when you just wake up, before you remember that you hate the world. But James here is reminding you with all the jumping and the screaming."

I smiled softly at him and kissed his cheek.

"You're getting soft on me, Black."

He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Soft on you? Never."

"I'm right here, Padfoot!" James said, groaning in disgust.

"Yeah, and we'd rather you weren't," Sirius pointed out.

***
The evening came quickly, as Euphemia and I spent the day preparing. Lily had arrived in the early afternoon and the rest arrived after dinner. Mary, Em, and Dorcas were all looking around, a little confused. They were expecting a small gathering, just the nine of us, and instead saw the house decorated and enough food to feed a small army.

"This is a little more than I was expecting," Mary said as they approached us. "Are you having a party?"

"Well, we are having a bit of a celebration," I said, turning a piece of hair behind my ear.

"What are we —oh my god!" Mary squealed as she saw the ring.

I smiled widely and the other two girls' eyes lit up as they noticed. All three of them bounced on me, wrapping me in a little group hug. I gave in an joined in the squealing for a moment, showing them the ring. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sirius smiling at me fondly as I recounted the proposal.

"That's so romantic, Marls!" Dorcas gushed.

Emmeline nudged Sirius with her elbow. "I didn't know you had it in you, Black. Good job."

I turned to Lily. "You'll be my maid of honour, won't you?"

"Of course I will, Mar!" She looked elated. I couldn't stop smiling either.

"I can't believe our little Hurricane Marlene is settling down," Mary said fondly. Her eyes looked a little teary.

I whipped my head around, looking at the boys and the other girls.

"What? You so do not call me that!"

Sirius was trying not to laugh and avoiding my eye while the others didn't hold back, all breaking out in laughter.