CHAPTER FIFTEEN

When battle of Hogwarts had finally arrived, a day steeped in preparation and filled with anticipation. They had all suffered losses but were determined to emerge victorious.

The Marauders and their wives, with the exception of Evanie Lupin who was preparing for the birth of their first child, stood together, their resolve hardened by the challenges they had faced.

James glanced at his two best friends, his expression serious but tinged with a hint of irony. "You know," he said, "I always thought if we ever came back to Hogwarts, it would be for a reunion or something, but a battle? I never saw that coming."

Sirius leaned against the stairwell with a nostalgic smile, a laugh escaping his lips as he reminisced, "Ah, the good old days. Coming to school, stirring up mischief, and living life to the fullest. Except, of course, for that one fun night dedicated to our favourite werewolf."

Remus let out a sarcastic huff, feigning indignation. "Yeah, the agonizing fun of those nights," he said wryly.

James leaned forward past Sirius, a smirk playing on his lips as he chimed in, "Back in the day, I would have never guessed that we would be joking about those nights. Look at us now, reminiscing and all."

The jesting continued, each man quick to offer a clever retort.

"It's because his wife would have his head if he did," Sirius teased, earning a narrowing of Remus's eyes in response.

"Right, as if I'm the only one who listens to my wife," Remus retorted. "Last I remembered, you two share the same level of obedience when it comes to your own."

Both James and Sirius responded in unison, their voices melding together in defence.

"I do not / No way!"

A new voice cut through the conversation as Lily entered the scene, her smirk betraying amusement. The guys turned to her, their expressions shifting into a mix of surprise and resignation.

"I have to agree," she said, her arms folded across her chest. "It's not just you, but it goes for Ezekiel, too."

James chuckled, a playful smirk on his face. "Ah, right, Well, you two did just recently get engagd"

Then, shifting his gaze to Remus, he asked a question that caught everyone's attention.

"Wait," James said, his tone filled with curiosity and intrigue. "Does that mean you guys are going to be in-laws?"

Silence hung in the air as everyone waited for an answer. James' question had created a ripple of facepalms.

And on cue, Tabitha's voice cut through the air, her tone tinged with amusement and a hint of resignation, "It's not as complicated as you might think," she said, shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

James's gaze turned back to his wife, his smile widening. "I was wondering where you had disappeared to," he admitted.

Tabitha rolled her eyes at him, a playful smirk on her lips. "Right, while everyone is hard at work cleaning up the mess, you three are just sitting here reminiscing about the past."

Sirius' challenge hung in the air, a playful taunt at the use of the nickname, "Can you blame us, Tabi?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips as he addressed her with a nickname that seemed to change each time.

It was an ongoing game, with various endearing pet names like "T-Dog," "Taboo," "Bitty," "Itsy Bitsy," and more, all of which he seemed determined to keep cycling through indefinitely.

With a grumble and her arms folded, Tabitha addressed Sirius in a playful but irritated manner. "After we finish cleaning up, you can sit down and reminisce like the old men you are," she reprimanded.

James couldn't help but laugh, and Tabitha elbowed him in the stomach for his amusement.

"Be thankful for the time while you're young," Kaia added as she stepped into the conversation, her arms on her hips. "Seriously," she echoed, casting a narrow gaze at her husband, who promptly raised his hand and mimicked zipping his mouth shut at wanting to add to her final word.

Sirius playfully whined, "Come on, My Love, you're only a couple of years older."

Kaia sighed in response, threatening him. "If you don't get up your arse, Sirius Black, I will consider shaving your he--" Before she could finish her sentence, Sirius had already sprung to his feet, hastily walking over to her.

"Duty calls!" he declared, his voice filled with enthusiasm, as he hurried away from the group, leaving them all to watch with amusement.

Kaia watched after her husband with a smile, who was standing nearby but a bit ahead, patiently waiting by a pillar.

"I was hoping my threat might lose its sting by now," she remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice as they worked together to repair the damaged walls and columns.

"Love, I take my hair very seriously," Sirius confessed, a playful smile on his lips.

Kaia chuckled, lowering her wand and focusing her attention on him. "I know it might seem irrelevant right now, but there's something I wanted to talk to you about that we discussed a few months ago."

"Kaia, we don't need to talk about it if you're feeling uneasy," he reassured gently.

She shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I've taken the test at St. Mungo's."

He widened his eyes in surprise, his expression filled with relief. "And...?" he prompted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"The spell worked. The danger rate has significantly decreased, and it's safe for us to try again," she explained, placing a hand on her stomach.

"Really?" he asked incredulously.

"I want to try again if you are willing," she concluded, her gaze meeting his.

He immediately cut her off, placing a hand on her cheek. "Don't even think I'd hesitate for a second," he affirmed, his voice filled with sincerity.

"I'm always willing, and I'm ready," he repeated, his voice firm and steady.

She smiled the fear and uncertainty that had weighed on her shoulders lifting at his unwavering commitment.

He pressed gentle kisses on her forehead, slowly trailing them down to her eyelids, her nose, and then her lips.

Sirius and Kaia had experienced the devastating loss of their first child, and the aftermath had been a source of considerable heartache for them.

With the assistance of Lily, who served as a Head Nurse at St. Mungo's, Kaia had sought procedures to facilitate her body's adaptation to pregnancy.

"My love, I'll be by your side every step of the way," he murmured gently, pressing a tender kiss on her hand.

"I know you will," she replied, a soft smile on her lips.

Sirius chuckled, reminiscing about the past.

"I remember when I ran away like an idiot when I first asked you out on a date," he admitted, a mixture of chagrin and affection in his voice.

"I lost so much hope and I just never thought I'd have the courage to ask again," he confessed, a hint of vulnerability in his tone. "But by some miracle, you ended up asking me out instead."

"It was the best thing I could ever have asked for," he continued, a warm smile playing on his lips.

Kaia chuckled, adding her own reminiscence. "Well, I do have to admit, it was pretty hilarious to see everyone's reaction when we went on so many dates. And it still makes me laugh, thinking about it even now."

A soft smile graced his lips as he traced his thumb gently over her cheek, moving down to her lips, and the memory of that moment came back to him.

"I believe the best part of all this was the first time I heard your laugh and saw that beautiful smile," he said tenderly.

"Who would have imagined that the 'Paramour of Hogwarts' would manage to break down that shell of yours?" she mused aloud.

He raised an eyebrow, joining her in laughter. "A Paramour, really? Where exactly did that rumour even come from?"

Sirius chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "It doesn't matter where it came from, as long as you're the one who stole my heart in the end," he said, pulling her closer.

He tightened his arms around her, feeling a surge of love and contentment. "I love you, Kaia Black," he repeated, his voice filled with tenderness and warmth.

She reciprocated his sentiment, her voice brimming with love. "And I love you, Sirius Black," she whispered, snuggling even closer to him.