mary black

He huffed as he watched the other walk away. “That is absolute nonsense and I won’t stand for it.” he said dramatically before a wide smile appeared on his lips. “You should totally demand presents too, especially when you see my brother or my cousins. Oh, it will piss off Cissa so much.” he said gleefully. 

“Babe,” Mary shot him a look, rolling her eyes fondly at her husband. “Oh no, I’m luckily Regulus and Andromeda actually like me. At least, I think they do, and I don’t fancy getting on the bad side of Cissa. She’s kind of terrifying,” Mary pointed out, shaking her head. “Besides, am I not enough for you?” She teased.

“That’s probably a good thing.” Regulus laughed along with her, sipping at his own drink as she started thanking him for coming to the ceremony. “Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it.” He was just glad Sirius told him… he’d never expected to be asked to be best man, but he’d been more than happy to accept.

“Definitely a good thing,” She mused, before grinning at him. “Good. Look, I know we’ve not talked much, and I know your parents don’t approve of me, but you’re family to me now, Reg. So if you need anything, don’t hesitate to come find me, yeah?”

“I guess I just didn’t put two and two together.” Kasia admitted with a small chuckle. “Though in my defense, I’m already tipsy.” She paused, reaching for the bottle she asked for. “What’s the point of marrying if you don’t get at least half of the school piss drunk, right? …. Kidding, of course.”

“Dress didn’t give it away?” She teased with a laugh. “Understandable. Oh, no, why do you think we had a wedding reception at the school and invited everyone? Didn’t expect some people to turn up, but it’s certainly amusing what the prospect of free booze brings.”

Marlene couldn’t help but roll her eyes – it was playful though, and she was happy for her friend. “That is no excuse, you have all your life to stare at him.” she said teasingly. “I was saying congratulations and asking you if you wanted to dance. But if you’d rather just drool at your husband, I’ll find another partner.” 

“Yeah, but he’s hot,” She teased back with a laugh. “Oh, no, screw my husband, you owe me a dance Mckinnon,” Mary joked, one hand hitching up the skirt of her dress as she held the other out to Marlene. “Let’s go dance.”

“Any time I stare at him, I swear his eyes are throwing daggers back at me,” Lorcan said before throwing a smirk at her. “Or when I stare at you for that matter. But I can’t help it, you are absolutely beautiful.” He would have normally placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead or hand, but he restraint himself as he didn’t want to face any wrath from Sirius — especially today, he would be extra nice for him. He had been invited by Mary, but he was sure her new husband wasn’t fond of him being here at their wedding celebration. So he was on his best behaviour — staying three feet away Mary as he talked to her.

“Yeah I’m genuinely surprised he hasn’t divorced me for inviting you,” Mary laughed, shaking her head. “I appreciate the compliment, Lorcan, but you might want to make sure my husband doesn’t here. Believe it or not, I actually like you, and don’t want to see my Husband go to jail anytime soon.” She mused, rolling her eyes fondly. “Thank you, for coming though. It means a lot.”

Regulus hadn’t said much to Mary before he realized that she wasn’t paying attention. Curious, he turned his head to face what she was looking at, only for his eyes to land on his brother. He let out a laugh under his breath and crossed his arms, deciding that it was worth it just to wait… and thankfully, it didn’t take her too long.

“No, you’re fine.” He told her with a chuckle, clearly amused. “Although, you two will have forever to stare at each other now, so… good luck with that.” He teased, very obviously kidding by the expression on his face.

“You know, I think I can put up with staring at him for the rest of my life,” Mary teased back with a laugh. “Wouldn’t have married him if I couldn’t.” Mary took a sip of her drink, fully turning to face the other. “Thank you, for coming to the ceremony. I know it meant a lot to Sirius, and me.”

Whoever had approached Mary and attempted to chat with her, James quickly shooed them away so he could have alone time with Mary. He hadn’t fully seen her or gotten to talk to her one-on-one since the wedding, as several others had been talking to her in congradulations. “Sister-in-law!” he shouted in greeting as he scooped up Mary in a huge hug. A smile had been on his face non-stop, his happiness clear for two of his close friends. “I am so proud to finally call you family,” he told her for the fifth time that day.

Mary laughed as James shoo’ed the other way, grinning as she turned towards him. “Brother-in-law,” She countered, wrapping her arms tightly around him as yet another laugh escaped her lips. “Thank you, for the fifth time. But honestly, I’m so happy we’re family now, officially. Couldn’t think of anyone else I’d rather have as a brother,” She beamed up at him.

“Yeah, uh — congratulations.” Kasia blurted out, realizing that she was speaking to the bride when her eyes zoomed in on the white wedding dress. “I was just asking whether I can drink this.” She jerked her chin towards the champagne bottle. “I ran out of mine fifteen minutes ago.”

“Thanks,” Mary laughed, “Take it you didn’t realise I was the Bride?” She mused, before nodding. “Yeah sure, drink what you want. That’s what these fancy ass receptions are for right? Getting pissed?”

Lily Evans was beaming. Her best friend got married to the love of her life, something that seemed nearly impossible few weeks ago, now became a reality. It made her wondered whether a similar happy ending waited for her too. 

“Oh really, here I thought you fancied the hot bartender.” Lily joked, linking her arm with Mary’s and leaning her head on her shoulder. “I’m so happy for you, babe.”

“Hmm, nope. My husband is the only man I’ve got eyes for,” Mary laughed, her smile growing at the use of the word husband. The word felt unusual from her lips, but it felt right. “Thank you, and thank you for being my Maid of Honour. I don’t think there’s anyone else in the world I’d rather have had with me.”

Florence wasn’t sure why she showed up, it’s not like she really talked to either of them, and for the past two months, she slowly started feeling like she prefered being away from people. But she still found herself at the party anyway. “I was just saying I’m happy for you.” She said, words falling rather flat, before she bit her lips for a moment. “And I’m sorry I kissed your boyfriend. Well, husband now.”

Mary stilled for a moment as Florence, before shrugging her shoulders with a grin. “Don’t sweat it. You didn’t know, I can’t blame you for that,” She admitted. “I’m not mad. I mean I was, but you didn’t know he wasn’t single, so, all water under the bridge. You all good, though?”

“–I get it, Mary. Have to stop myself from checking out his arse now,” Clydeane teased, obviously joking. Sirius was… attractive, but not quite her type. Mary could have him. Her cheeks were already a soft red from the alcohol she’d been drinking, and she reached for her friend’s hand, squeezing it. “You two are good together, but I’m still a little heartbroken you’re leaving me behind. We’re no longer the broke girls. You’re rich.”

“I’m more offended it’s his arse your checking out and not mine,” Mary teased back with a laugh. The smile never left her lips as she squeezed her friends hand back. “Thanks, Deanie. I’d never leave you behind -- besides, I’m pretty sure he’s disowned now, that’s not exactly wealthy. Wouldn’t have him any other way though.”

Spotting Mary not too far, Sturgis couldn’t help the playful smirk that made its way on his face. It felt like an oddly familiar situation - although the roles were now inversed -, and he just made his way over, not even saying anything. He just wanted to see how long it’d take her until she noticed him. But seeing as she wasn’t reacting, he cleared his throat instead. “Nothing, really. I was just admiring how smitten you look.” He teased, pressing on smitten. “It was a beautiful wedding, by the way. Thank you for having me. Maybe I’ll invite you to mine as well.”

“Oh, how the tables have turned, am I right?” Mary teased with a grin. “Thank you, not a lot of time to put it together but Vivian and Claire are forces to be reckoned with,” The girl laughed, “Besides, Stu, you’re one of my closest friends. There’s no one I’d rather have at my side more.” She told him honestly, placing a hand on his shoulder. However, at his last comment, she arched her eyebrows. “Oh? You playing to join me in the marriage club sooner rather than later there, Stuey?” She teased.

rita had spent the worse half of break at st. mungos. upon returning home from a day out, she’d returned home to find the wedding invitation clutched between her fathers fingers, and a look only she could recognize. it had taken all of ten seconds for her to convince her baby sister to play outside, and for her to admit to her father that she hadn’t even wanted to marry a man. the rest of the night was a blur.

when she awoke in st. mungo’s, her hair was shorter than sirus’s. “if you want to be a boy so much, let me help you,” her father had growled as he’d taken a scissor to her blonde locks whilst pressing rita against a door. of course he’d misunderstood; and rita didn’t expect anything less from him.

but she missed her hair. 

besides that, all that was left to show for it was a healing scar above her eyebrow and a few bruises easy to shield with make up. but her anger was all too visible as she made her way through the great hall, and the only people she could blame were the stars of the show. 

drunk, disorderly, and pissed off, rita ignored the looks she was getting, before she marched right up to mary mac-…black, wand drawn before setting the tip right to mary’s throat. “give me one good reason not to do it,” she growled, voice cold, shaking, and obvious that she’d been crying.

She’d not realised it was Rita until the wand was at her throat. Mary blinked twice, the grin fading from her face as she noticed the other’s state. “Holy shit, Skeeter,” She gasped, eyes wide in horror. In the days leading up to their wedding -- Mary had not stopped to think what might happen to Rita, not that she had any idea what the other’s family had been like.  

“I never wanted this to happen, you know that.” Mary spoke calmly, not blinking as she held the other’s gaze. She didn’t have her wand with her, but luckily the girl grew up in a rough enough muggle neighbourhood that she could probably disarm the girl before she could cast anything. She was close enough anyway. “You’re not dumb enough to do anything in front of a whole room full of witnesses, Rita, so put your fucking wand away.”

rita fell silent, just playing with her fingers as she looked down at her lap. “he’s a right foul dick,” rita spoke honestly, nothing but contempt for the boy in her voice. “i already told you. no. not everybody has the happy, loving life you seem to, macdonald,” rita growled.

“Wait, who?” Mary furrowed her brows, before letting out a sigh. “You’re right, I’m lucky to have my father and my brother, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy Skeeter. Me being who I am, made my own family a target. You don’t see me throwing my toys out of the pram because of it,” She shook her head standing to her feet, “I was trying to help, but if you don’t want it, I’m going to go.”

Mary chewed on her bottom lip as she paced back and forth, having just changed into her dress. The ceremony would be staring soon, and to say she was nervous, would be an understatement. Mary loved Sirius, and she knew she was making the right decision -- but it didn’t calm her nerves much.

Hearing a knock at the door, she startled, before instantly relaxing when she saw Lily, a grin slipping onto her lips. “I still can’t believe we’re doing this? We’re insane, right? I mean, I’m gonna do it anyway, because I love him and I want him to be my husband, but we’re insane right?” Mary rambled.