Chapter 65

Under the light of falling stars

"Does it hurt? That cut?", questioned Sirius gently holding Blaze's scarred hand.

"Absolutely not!", she laughed, "You worry too much, Sirius. I am quite alright. In fact, I was planning to make this reckless bore of a honeymoon a tad bit better for you."

"That is not necessary. It is incredibly dangerous to step outside this sun house. And you are terribly reckless. Getting either of us killed would hardly make this trip any better.", smirked Sirius.

Blaze slowly lifted his chin, "Must I remind you, who you are? You are Sirius Black. The Sirius Black. Since when did you start fearing a mad pack of foolish wolves. You were the fearless, carefree, wild-haired boy…I fell in love with. You are the brave man I've married. You are not afraid of anything."

Hearing this, Sirius gave out a dim chuckle and accepted Blaze's extended hand. They slowly slid out of the sun house and stood in a forest clearing. It was hard to make out much of their surrounding because the darkness of nightfall had veiled the forest, the only possible sight was the dim moonlight which failed to fall on the forest floor and several trees silhouetted against it.

A bitter, cold blast of wind hit their faces as the Apparition took place, followed by a breeze that smelled like rain and burning flowers. Sirius landed firmly onto his feet whereas, Blaze stumbled very slightly. They were standing before a hill which was also veiled in darkness but it felt different. He had been to several cold places before but this place felt unusual. It felt cold yet warm, something like ice on fire. Yes, that is what it felt like. He could feel warmth creeping all around him, "What is this place?", he asked slipping his hand out of his wife's and slithering it unto her waist.

"It not this place. It is the one beyond it. Commonly known as the 'Cursed land of fantasies' but my grandfather and me, we call it 'The Death's Heaven'. It is an incredibly special place.", explained Blaze as they strolled on the hill. Sirius could feel the frozen soil under his boots, "Grandfather said that a tiny plant grew from a single teardrop that was shed by death itself when it parted from its beloved. I have always felt a special attachment to this place…perhaps it is because mother used to love strolling around here when she was carrying me."

"Hmm…I never knew that death had the ability to love anything, at all. Never mind, loving so fiercely. Then again, one should never underestimate Love, for it can reside within the heart of saints and sinners alike. Its passion burns brighter than any fire and its retribution colder than Hell.", preached the handsome wizard halting his steps as they stood before a colossal, blank dome of crystal. The crystal shone brightly enough to make it seem like the sun itself, however, it incredible light failed to pass through a humongous wall of heavy wards erected before it.

"Now", said Blaze turning towards a speechless Sirius, "Sirius, do you mind if I close your eyes for a moment?"

However, Sirius gave no response

"Sirius?", she called out again shaking him.

"It's marvellous… this heaven of Death", he murmured.

"Death's Heaven. Yes, it is indeed marvellous but not as much as what we are here for. Now, if you don't mind. Can you close your eyes shut for a while?"

Sirius grabbed both her hands and placed them over his eyes, " I assumed that this manner of formality would not be required after marriage. Isn't that why people get married? To be able to touch each other without any hesitance.", said, Sirius. He could hear Blaze laugh behind him, "As you say", she whispered making an idiot grin creep on his face. Slowly, very slowly she walked him on what sounded like shards of glass, but he did not mind it. He had fallen into this bottomless lake called Love so deep that now he didn't mind walking straight through the gates of Hell…if she was with him.

A sense of usual warmth crept all around him. It smelled of rain and of burning flowers…It felt strangely peaceful…Sirius hadn't felt this peaceful in years now. The peace he felt when Mrs Potter used to sit between James and him and sing to them. As if he were one of her own. The wave of comfort that washed over him when he embraced Harry after thirteen long years. There was silence. A silence one would describe as of deaths. "Here", whispered Blaze, carefully moving her hands from over his eyes.

Sirius turned to face her but could see nothing. Pitch black, dark as death yet peaceful. There was no available source of light except a tiny ball of brilliant flames that flew from Blaze's finger to dance between the two.

He could see the tiny specks of crimson in her sharp, hazel eyes. One would easily confuse them with tiny orbs of fire, which would be an excellent match for someone who burned so brilliantly bright. People often compared her with fire for she burned in a similar fashion, perhaps he was the only one who looked at her as if she was the only star in his whisper of darkness. Here mere presence would suffice for all the light his gloom ever required.

"Look at the sky", she requested staring up, with the slightest hint of a smile on her face.

Sirius raised his head to witness the most gorgeous scene his eye ever beheld. The entire dome was covered with tiny drops of light, stars were scattered everywhere his eyes wandered, "Make a wish", she murmured raising her hands up, "Make as many wishes as you want. These stars…each and every one of them and every single bit of it…belongs to you. Nobody but you, just like me."

Sirius wanted to say something but chose to follow his wife. He closed his eyes and asked for a lifetime with her, for all the happiness that they deserved to have, for Harry to be able to accept them as his very own family as they had accepted him as their own, for Harry to live the happiest life and for Remus to find love but most of all he wished to get back every single fragment of bliss that his loved ones have lost through the years. "All done", he smiled opening eyes, to see Blaze staring at him so intently, "Didn't you ask for anything?", he asked.

"I did", she glowed, "I wished for all of your wishes to come true."

Saying that her hands fell and so did all the stars. Light showered over them just like snow, slowly and beautifully. Blaze slowly wrapped her slender hands around him, resting her head on his shoulder. They moved slowly, swaying side to side gently. Sirius buried his face in her hair, inhale the aroma of burning flowers. His scarred fingers leisurely slithering along her back to the neck, then over her collarbones.

"Blaze, I know…I am no more the boy you fell in love with.", he whispered in a broken murmur, "And am not happy…or wild, anymore. That black hair has faded…and every inch of my body is scarred with the marks of my past. But, I would willingly gamble away my life for yours. My love hasn't changed, or faded, slightly scarred it might be but it's stronger than ever."

"You are…and will always be the boy I fell in love with. And I love with all the recklessness and age and every single scar on your body. Besides, the salt and pepper…compliments your blue eyes. Nobody is perfect.", replied Blaze in a haze.

12 hours later,

"Wake…Wake up…Sirius! Are you dead? SIRIUS! Wake up, please.", the voice rang all around Sirius as he opened his eyes in the complete darkness, cold clinging to his body which was undeniably bare, except for the thick cover wrapped around his waist. "Stop yelling, I am still alive.", he said moving frantically to grabbing anything or anyone around him. "What time is it?", he questioned stumbling unto a pile of clothes.

"I have no idea. But we can find out once you get dressed and step out. It seems so the someone is trying to break the wards around the dome.", replied Blaze still in darkness.

"Bloody hell!", exclaimed Sirius as they managed to exit the dome. The area it seemed was surrounded by a crowd of familiar faces. The Order members stood all around with their wands raised high, several different types of sparks shooting towards the dome.

"Sirius", exhaled Remus stumbling towards them with several gashes on his body. But Blaze grabbed his arms first, "Remus…you look terrible. What happened?"

"It wasn't even full moon last night. I am quite certain it wasn't. This is something else.", assessed Sirius getting back to his proper senses.

"Is Harry alright? REMUS SAY SOMETHING!", roared Blaze shaking the werewolf.

"The group of death eaters attacked Hogsmeade.", sighed the werewolf, "Harry and some of his friends were there present nearby and they attained some injuries."

"A few minor injuries, as per Madam Pomphrey. Nothing serious, my dear.", said Albus walking towards them.

Blaze nodded guiltily. "Tonks", questioned Sirius sternly, "Name all the Death Eaters present in during the attack?"

"The Carrow siblings, Antonin Dolohov, Fenrir Greyback and few young werewolves, along with a couple of vampires. And…Peter Pettigrew.", reported Tonks, however, before she could finish Blaze flew into a blind rage and stormed off towards the manor.

"I must go with her.", announced Remus getting hold of everyone's attention.

"I should come too."

"No Sirius, you must take care of the other Death Eaters. This is a life and death situation and I don't think she can survive another loss.", answered the humble wizard, racing off behind Blaze.