Sunday, August 28, 1972.
At six o'clock in the evening, James and Sirius stood in front of the large white tent, set up in the extensive park of Alphard's house. They were waiting for the guests, and both of them already had their robes on.
James tried to do his hair as well as he could for the special occasion. His hair was very difficult to comb, but he had it much better than normal.
The two boys were holding a seating plan in their hands to help the guests find their seats. It had been an hour since a crew of waiters had arrived, attired in white robes, and an orchestra whose members wore gold jackets.
"It's hot. I should have asked for a short-sleeved tunic," Sirius said as he used the seating plan as a fan.
"Yeah, but it's not that fancy," nodded James, who was also using the seating plan as a fan.
"When I get married, I won't put together something so elaborate and fancy. Everyone will be able to dress as they please, and if I'm lucky, I'll marry a witch with muggle parents so my mother won't attend the wedding," said Sirius with a grimace.
"If you do, your mother will remove you from the Black family tree. Don't you mind?" asked James with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't mind. I'll do whatever I damn well please," replied Sirius bravely. Ever since he saw his cousin do it he took more courage. Besides, he was already at a rebellious age, and being with his uncle Alphard made him not want to obey his mother.
"That's the way to talk," James said with a slight smile.
Marrying among such a small group of purebloods is not good. Inbreeding is a practice where someone marries and has children with someone who is of their own family, particularly among cousins. It is a common practice for the more fanatical elitist pureblood families such as the Blacks, the Lestranges, the Notts, and a few others.
For example, Sirius' parents Orion and Walburga Black, were second cousins. If this continued over time it could bring not very positive side effects. So, it was a good thing that Sirius planned to marry a muggle witch who would have no relation in his family tree.
"Get ready, they're coming," James said, interrupting Sirius as he noticed some people in flashy, multicolored dresses. They were slowly appearing.
After a few minutes, a line had formed and snaked through the garden towards the tent. James and Sirius politely and orderly gave people directions so they could find their seats.
James remembered Alphard saying that not many people would be coming, as the Andromeda Family would be mostly absent, but he was almost certain that there were over a hundred people.
There were many young friends of the bride and groom who attended Hogwarts together, even some boys recognized James and Sirius from Hogwarts. They were the younger brothers of the bride and groom's friends, who were currently attending Hogwarts with them.
James gave directions to an old man named Phineas Black II was a bit deaf and had wrinkles all over him. Sirius then told him that Phineas was almost 100 years old and was disowned by the family for supporting Muggle's rights and removed from the Black family tree. He was another rare Black specimen.
He also told him that Phineas had four brothers, all of whom died. One of them was Sirius Black II. He died before Sirius was born and so he was named Sirius Black III.
"You should name your son Sirius Black IV," James joked, and Sirius tapped his shoulder.
The wedding was attended by pureblood wizards as well as half-bloods and muggle-borns, even some muggles who were from Edward's family came.
After attending to Mr. Septimus Weasley and Mrs. Cedrella Weasley and their children, James saw his parents and his aunt and uncle.
"They look beautiful!" said Euphemia, who was wearing an elegant lilac-colored dress with heeled shoes. Dorea wore a cyan-colored dress and wore her hair up. His father and uncle were also wearing very elegant robes of black and gold lines.
"Didn't Oliver come?" asked James after greeting everyone.
"No. The party will last late into the night. We left him with his grandmother," replied Dorea in a calm tone.
James told them where their seats were, and the Potters entered the tent, "Damn. The line is endless," complained Sirius, who already wanted to get in and get something to eat.
After 20 minutes of giving directions and waving to many people, James and Sirius entered the tent. They sat in the front row next to the Potters. Andromeda had been very generous in giving them such good seats.
There was an atmosphere of anticipation in the tent, and now and then a nervous chuckle broke the general murmur. The music sounded, apparently coming from the golden balloons, and everyone fell silent.
Edward and his best friend, who was his best man, stood at the front of the tent, both dressed in luxurious robes.
After a few seconds through the entrance of the tent, Alphard and Andromeda appeared and advanced down the aisle. Usually, her father should accompany her at this time, but Andromeda considered Alphard more like her father.
Alphard looked like a completely different person. His hair was combed back properly. His beard was gone. It was very rare to see him without a beard. His look was serious, and he had a slight smile. In addition, he was wearing a very elegant tunic with golden tints.
Many women sighed with desire at the sight of Alphard's appearance. Sirius had a surprised look on his face as if he was seeing someone else. He never thought to see his uncle looking so dashing.
'That's the person who drank Whiskey and smoked at the same time when it was two o'clock in the afternoon?' thought James as he adjusted his glasses.
If Sirius was Alphard's favorite nephew, it was obvious that Andromeda would be his favorite niece. He even thought of her as a daughter, since like Sirius she spent a lot of time at his house, bringing friends over, telling them about her problems with her parents, etc.
The one who got most of the looks was Andromeda wearing a white dress that radiated a silvery glow, and her bearing was very elegant and dignified.
Andromeda arrived at Edward's side, who looked at her with a beaming smile, "Ladies and gentlemen..." said a lilting voice that belonged to a short, short-haired wizard.
"Today we are gathered to celebrate the union of two noble souls..." as he began his emotional speech.
"I therefore pronounce you joined together for life."
Within minutes, everyone was already up from their seats. Chairs were grouped around small tables with white tablecloths and a glittering dance floor was formed.
Then waiters appeared everywhere. Some carry silver trays with pumpkin juice, butterbeer, and fire whiskey. Others carried various plates of food on their trays.
"We have to go congratulate them!" said Euphemia, trying to catch a glimpse of Andromeda and Edward, who had disappeared amidst a crowd of guests who had come over to wish them happiness.
"There'll be time for that..." muttered Sirius as he watched everyone leave towards the newly formed couple.
"Let's get something to eat. I'm starving," said Sirius, as James grabbed two glasses of butterbeer, and they started looking for a table.
They both sat down at a table near the corner of the tent. They didn't want to be too close to the dance floor. Grabbing food from trays and with drinks in hand, they began their feast.
"This is the best part of the parties," Sirius said as he ate elegantly, but at an incredible speed. James nodded without speaking, as he preferred to eat the delicious food they had prepared well in advance.
As they ate, the orchestra began to play a waltz. The bride and groom were the first to head to the dance floor, seconded by loud applause. After a while, more couples began to join the dance floor.
James' parents, Uncle Charlus and Aunt Dorea, Alphard with a blonde woman neither James nor Sirius knew. The dance floor was filled with couples both young and old.
James and Sirius were among the few still sitting at their tables as loners, but considering their age it was normal.
"Tsch. I don't know what fun they see in dancing," Sirius said with a disapproving look on his face as he watched everyone and ate at the same time.
"Agree. They just move their bodies. I don't see the fun in it," said James who had the same look on his face as Sirius.
Sirius as the eldest son of House Black, had learned to dance. However, he never liked it. James in this life never had to learn to dance, but like Edward Rothschild he did, because at high society parties, he had to know how to dance, but it was an activity that never amused him even though he did it very well like almost everything else.