to Petunia and Vernon. "It was so lovely to meet you both, and I really do hope you take
to heart what I've said."
She left the Muggles in Padfoot's capable paws, and made her way over to the
newlyweds, holding the bouquet of flowers out to Lily. "Padfoot brought these to me."
"Did he now?" Lily asked with a smirk, not looking surprised at all. "How funny. I
was just telling Sirius that there's a Muggle tradition that whoever gets the bride's bouquet
is the next woman to be married. Strange that my flowers just up and disappeared right
after I told that story."
Mia folded her arms and glared at her new sister.
James put his arm around Mia. "Oh, give them a break. They just want us all to be
one big, happy family. Minus the Muggles."
Lily laughed and sighed. "What was I thinking? Inviting them here?"
"Were you thinking that they'd get peed on?" James asked.
A loud scream echoed around the marquee, and everyone turned to see Vernon
Dursley attempting to shield his screaming wife away from the lifted back leg of the shaggy
black dog.
"Have I ever mentioned that your sister does not take too well to subtlety?" Sirius
asked James with a smirk on his face as they walked through the halls of the manor.
James levitated a large trunk in front of them, filled with what Sirius presumed was
clothing and other assorted items one would need for a honeymoon. "Mate, you dropped
a dog-slobber-covered bouquet of flowers in her lap. What did you expect her to do?"
"I'm not good with words." Sirius sighed and nervously fingered the silver chain
around his neck. "She knows it, too."
"Get it over with, mate," James insisted. "Trust me on this one. The longer you hold
off, the worse you're making it on yourself."
"What does it feel like?" Sirius asked.
"What's that?"
"Being bonded."
James snorted in amusement. "You and Mia are already bonded, Pads."