By the time Sirius reluctantly allowed Regulus to drag him off to the aristocratic lions' den, the ballroom had brightened with fairy light and laughter. The music drifted on a charming, steady rhythm as if nothing important had shifted but I could feel the change. It left only the three of us now: me, Lily, and Severus.
We sat at a table just to the side of the main celebration, far enough that conversation could drift quietly, undisturbed by the clink of glasses or the swirling chatter of Ministry officials. Severus watched the bride and groom a joyful Mr. and Mrs. Black dancing under the enchanted lanterns.
"So," I began, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Are we ever going to get the full story? One minute you disappear, and the next you're Sirius Black's cousin?"
Lily nodded, eyes shining with curiosity. "We didn't see you for weeks, Severus. And now—boom you've got a whole new family tree."
Severus let out a long sigh. "It wasn't some grand announcement. It just... happened. It started with a dinner. "
"Well," Severus said slowly, "during dessert. My grandmother brought in lemon tart."
"You're allergic to lemon," I said immediately.
"So is Alphard," Severus added, giving her a pointed look. " fi. My grandfather raised an eyebrow and said something like, 'Oh, Severus is also allergic'"
"Oh," Petunia breathed.
"I saw the way Alphard looked at my mum after that," Severus said. "It was like something clicked. He got very quiet. They both did. A little later, I went to check on my mom and... I overheard them talking"
"You eavesdropped?" I asked, grinning.
Severus didn't deny it. "I couldn't help it. That's when I heard it Mum and Alphard were... together. When they were at Hogwarts. Properly together. In love. But...
He trailed off, face unreadable for a moment.
"But what?" Petunia prompted gently.
"But his parents didn't approve," Severus said. "They didn't want him with someone like my mum—even though we're pure-blood, the Princes aren't part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. They said she wasn't 'important' enough."
Lily scowled. "Typical."
" She didn't tell him she was pregnant. She ran away from home after he thought she was abandoned . Alone. Eventually, she met Tobias."
"And the rest is history," I finished softly.
There was a long silence around the table. The music swirled in the background, couples danced, and the laughter of children echoed near the fountain. But here, in our small corner of the wedding, everything felt hushed and important.
Petunia blinked, processing it all. Then, dry as ever, she said, "Well. I hope your next family dinner doesn't come with a plot twist."
Severus laughed . "I wouldn't count on it."
Lily smiled. "Honestly, Sev, your life could be a whole movie."
I grinned. "No, it's too long and dramatic for a movie. It'd have to be a series. With yearly cliffhangers and Recurring trauma,"
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"There you are," Eileen Prince said warmly as she approached, Alphard beside her. Her eyes landed on the three of us. "Are you enjoying yourselves?"
"Very much," I said. "My parents send their regards and are sorry they couldn't attend."
Eileen waved a hand with a gentle smile. "It's fine. This was all rather sudden. Your presence here means a lot to us."
Severus stood up and cleared his throat. ",Dad... these are my friends. Petunia Evans, and her sister, Lily."
Alphard looked to Petunia with a curious gleam in his eye. "So you must be Petunia."
I blinked in surprise. "Er... yes?"
Eileen laughed under her breath. "Oh, Alphard."
Severus groaned softly. "Dad, stop."
But Alphard only chuckled and extended his hand. "It's lovely to meet you. I've heard a lot. Thank you... all of you... for being there for Severus. He needed that more than he lets on."
Lily shook his hand, smiling. "We're lucky to have him."
Eileen nodded, eyes misty for a moment, then touched Alphard's arm. "Come along, dear. We should make our rounds."
With warm goodbyes, they slipped away into the crowd.
A beat passed.
Then Sirius reappeared with drink in hand.
Severus frowned. "Why are you back?"
Sirius smirked. "So we could get some cousin bonding time, obviously. And might I remind you—I am the most sane person in that family. Except Andromeda. So you should be nice to me."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "This is what sane looks like?"
Sirius grinned wider. "Oh, you have no idea what you're in for, cousin."
We all burst out laughing again, our voices rising with the hum of the party. The air smelled like lilacs and cake, the music swept into another waltz, and for just a moment, everything was exactly as it should be: a summer evening wrapped in gold and laughter, beginnings and second chances interwoven like old magic.
Sirius held out one of the bottles. "Peace offering. Fizzy apple soda. I even opened it for you, cousin."
Severus stared at it warily, then took it with a sigh. "What do you want now?" he narrowed his eyes, but took the bottle. "You're trying to butter me up."
"Of course I am," he said with a mock-bow. "We're practically family now, aren't we? Besides, if I'm going to be stuck with you at holidays, I might as well be on your good side."
"That depends," Severus muttered, "on whether you plan on ever shutting up."
Sirius grinned. "No promises."
He flopped down beside Petunia with the ease of someone born to be insufferable. "So tell me," he said, turning to her and Lily, "what's life like when you're not at Hogwarts? What do Muggles even learn in school?"
Lily perked up. "Maths, literature, science... normal things."
Sirius smirked. "So no magical creatures jumping out of cauldrons. No cursed staircases. No Peeves?"
"Just exams and homework," Lily replied, sipping her drink.
"And parents who care if you pass," Petunia added softly.
Sirius quieted for a second, eyes flicking toward the twinkling fairy lights above. "That part sounds nice."
There was a beat of unexpected silence, not heavy, but thoughtful. Then Petunia nudged him with her elbow. "And who raised you, exactly? You don't strike me as someone who did a lot of rule-following at home."
Sirius snorted. "My parents? Let's just say they were more interested in family portraits than actual parenting. The walls in our house speak more kindly than they do. I swear, the house-elf got more affection."
Severus made a face. "That explains so much."
"But I turned out amazing," Sirius said, flicking imaginary dust off his shoulder.
"And so humble," Lily muttered.
He ignored her and turned back to Petunia with a gleam in his eye. "You know, when we have children, I want them raised exactly like you. Polite, clever, a little bit terrifying..."
Lily choked on her drink. "What?!"
Severus nearly dropped his soda. He turned to Sirius, eyes wide with horror. "What in Merlin's name is wrong with you?"
I blinked at him, horrified. "What the hell—where did that thought come from?"
Sirius burst out laughing, utterly unfazed. "I had a dream, alright? You and me—we were older, very successful we a had a daughter. We named her Cassiopeia. She had your hair and my charm."
Petunia looked like she wasn't sure whether to hex him or laugh. "You dreamed we had a child?"
"Yep!" Sirius beamed. "She called me 'Papa' and bullied all the neighborhood boys. Total menace. I was so proud."
Lily finally stopped coughing long enough to laugh. "Cassiopeia Black... that poor child."
Severus scowled. "You have deeply disturbing dreams."
Sirius grinned wider. "The Black family does have a history of Seers, you know. Maybe I'm one. Maybe I'm seeing the future."
Severus stared at him flatly. "That's not a vision. That's a delusion. I can assure you."
"I'm just saying," Sirius said, reclining back against the bench like a prince, "when little Cassie shows up in ten years, don't say I didn't warn you."
Petunia shook her head, cheeks flushed with both embarrassment and laughter. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Thank you," Sirius said proudly.
"You're welcome," she muttered.
The fireflies danced overhead, flickering like tiny stars. The music drifted into a slower tune now, the kind that made you sway without realizing. Laughter echoed from the other side of the garden. Someone dropped a plate, and someone else burst into giggles.
"I think I need a walk before Sirius starts planning our second child," Petunia said, standing quickly.
Lily smirked. "I vote we encourage his storytelling. I want to hear about Cassiopeia's Hogwarts years."
Sirius pointed at her approvingly. "She's sorted into Gryffindor, of course. Brave, bold, and beautiful like her mother."
Petunia looked back at him, one eyebrow raised. "You're lucky I don't know any hair-loss jinxes yet."
And with that, the four of them strolled off together into the warm, golden night, their laughter mingling with the music, their steps in rhythm with the soft earth. The stars began to peek out over the treetops, and above them, the lilac sky gave way to a sky full of summer promise.
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