Play the Game ✔️

I'll be True to You - Part Two

Sirius and Liesel's hands were still bound together and she lifted up her hands to Dumbledore as he loosened the knots and freed their hands. Liesel moved back as Sirius moved closer to his father. He took a knee and looked up into his father's eyes...they were opened and he felt a tear leave his, as he realized that his father had witnessed him assuming control of his House...It was the only reason why he had ventured away from number 12 Grimmauld Place.

Lyall nudged John and covertly motioned toward Laurie with his eyes. John's gaze fell upon his distraught wife and he swallowed hard as he watched former classmates and even Dumbledore crowd around her. He stroked Sirius' hair gently as the young man craned his neck up to him. "I'm sorry," John said.

He moved through the crowd and took his wife's hands in his and she all but fell into him. "I'm sorry Love...I really am."

"Take me to him," she whispered; John nodded.

John circled her with one arm and took her free hand in his and he led her through the crowd and finally beside Sirius. Sensing that someone other than his bride was beside him, he looked to his right and then upward to see her gazing upon his father's lifeless body.  "Laurie," he whispered. "How well did you know my father?"

"Oh, she knew him My Lord," Walburga spat. "In the Biblical sense even!"

Sirius and Regulus both looked to their mother and witnessed the knives in her eyes.

"How could she not! First love and all!"

"Now's not the time," John said, trying to lessen any embarrassment for either family.

"You do not command me, Moody!"

"You are all too correct Walburga, I don't. He does," he replied pointing toward Sirius.

Laurie reached out and was unable to touch the man's hand, so Sirius put his arm around her and scooted over to make room. She placed her hand over his and cried out softly. "He's still so warm," she whispered finally, causing Walburga to hiss.

"Shut up mother before I have you removed," Sirius warned quietly.

Walburga looked away and huffed. Finally, she stood. "You won't have to. I'm leaving! Congratulations on your handfasting, Sirius," she spat and made her way through the crowd. She barely curtsied as she shot knives from her eyes toward her new daughter-in-law. "Lady Black," she said curtly. She turned on her heel and quickly left the Great Hall.

Sirius' eyes met with his brother's and motioned toward the woman storming from the large room. "Reggie, I'll make sure you get some time," he said.

Regulus smiled and nodded. "Thank you," he replied and his face lost all expression as he looked toward the back of the room and make his way through the crowd toward his mother.

Liesel stood and circled her arms around her father's waist. "I'm sorry Daddy."

"Thanks Pet," John said kissing her brow. "Sirius, lets move him to a more quiet and secure area, alright?" He helped his new son-in-law up to his feet and then crouched down next to his wife. "Come on now, Laurie," he said gently. "We need to move him to a private place."

Laurie nodded, but refused to release the man's hand. Liesel moved in to take her mother by her waist. "Come on, Mom. Please? People are staring at you. Especially the Black hoard." She looked up toward one of her new relation. "Don't you have something else to look at?"

"No, my Lady," one of the new relation.

"Where are you taking Lord Orion," Bellatrix le Strange asked reverently.

"No idea," Sirius whispered to himself.

"Feel free to use my office," Professor Slughorn said. "I don't wish to seem indelicate you see, but It's still chilly enough in there, should help with the...you know..."

Sirius nodded and several of the Black-family men moved to circle around the body of the former Head of House and Sirius levitated him toward the entrance to the Great Hall. Liesel merely held on to her mother.

"Welcome to married life Darling...your place is with him now," Laurie said, her voice giving out, finishing in a whisper.

"But Mom!"

"No. Go. Now. People are watching..." she whispered.

Liesel released her mother's hand and trotted up behind Sirius and moved through the men and walked by his side on the right. "Wrong side, my Lady," Sirius paternal grandfather Arcturus whispered gently as he took her arm and gently led her to Sirius' left.

"Thanks Grand Pa," Sirius whispered.

"Of course Sirius." The elderly man smiled, his eyes brimming at the sight of his son being transported by his grandson from the room.

"Why the left side, Mister Black," Liesel whispered. "I thought I was supposed to go on the right?"

"Sirius is right-handed you see," the man said pointing as Sirius clasped her hand in his, brought it to his lips and kissed it, keeping his eyes on his father's body.

"We don't always follow protocol my dear," Pollux, Sirius' other grandfather said. "Especially when Sirius is involved. It's just easier that way."

"Oh." Finally Liesel giggled.

"Besides, I get to take the arm of the lovely bride," Arcturus said.

"Only because you got to her first," Pollux grumbled.

"You both take the axiom of dirty old man to a whole new level," Sirius groaned quietly.

"Thank you, my Lord," they both replied brazenly.

"Don't mention it."

Liesel stared ahead at the tip of Sirius' wand, watching the atmospheric ripples of energy as they moved to surround the body of Orion Black. And she realized that while the body was  flanked for protection, she too was flanked and the would bet Sirius' fortune that neither of Sirius' grandfathers were as fragile as they seemed.