Summary: Sylvia North marries Sirius Black, becoming Sylvia Black. Sirius adopts James and Jade and they become James and Jade North-Black. Peter Pettigrew escapes from Azkaban in August and dementors are stationed at Hogwarts. The third year of Hogwarts begins for the 'twins'.

Lady Alianne and Elspeth would like to dedicate this fic to ejm12, who came up with the title (We only changed rat to rodent). Thanks also goes to Knight25, mumihp, and oxymoron8, who also came up suggestions for titles or part of one.

Disclaimer for entire fic: We do not own Harry Potter. The wonderful author J.K. Rowling does.

James straightened his dark green and silver dress robes and unsuccessfully tried to flatten his hair. The wedding was due to start in an hour and he was having second thoughts about his role as one of the best men. The wedding rehearsal had gone well the day before, but now that the actual wedding was about to take place, he wasn't sure if he'd do well. Although all he had to was walk down the aisle with Hermione and then stand near the groom while the vows were being said, he was afraid that he might mess up, What if he tripped while walking down the aisle? Or caused Hermione to trip?

There was a knock on the door and Remus poked his head in the room. "Are you ready, James? We have to go to the church." Sylvia and Sirius had decided to hold the ceremony in a wizarding church, with the reception at hall rented out for wizarding weddings.

"Okay," said James, making one last attempt to flatten his hair before following Remus.

At the church, James, Remus, and Mr. Granger were in a room with Sirius. The groom was exceptionally nervous and kept pacing around. James had read about a wedding in a book and the groom had been nervous and afraid that he wasn't good enough for the bride. Sirius was exactly like that. He hadn't been that way at the rehearsal, or at his bachelor party after. But now that the actual wedding was about to start, he was a bundle of nerves.

"Calm down, Padfoot," said Remus.

"You're not the one getting married, Moony," retorted Sirius.

"It'll be all right, Sirius," said Mr. Granger. "I remember my wedding with Emilia. I was nervous too, but then when I saw her walking down the aisle, I knew without a doubt that I couldn't give her up, even if I wasn't good enough for her. We said our vows and when the vicar pronounced us husband and wife was the happiest moment of my life."

"You'll be fine," said James. "Mum wouldn't have agreed to marry you if she thought you weren't good enough for her."

In another room, Jade, Hermione, Mrs. Granger, and Cait were with Sylvia. The bride looked radiant in her white wedding gown and lace veil. "Mum, I know it's late to ask, but you do have on 'something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue', right?" asked Jade, suddenly remembering.

Sylvia nodded. "My earrings are old. Actually, I wore them at my wedding to your father. And my wedding dress is new."

"And I've lent your mother my pearl necklace," said Mrs. Granger, smiling.

"As for something blue, my bracelet is made of sapphires," finished Sylvia.

Mrs. Granger turned to Cait. "Remember, Cait, you're to go down the aisle first and scatter the rose petals in your basket. And don't walk too fast. All right, dear?"

Cait nodded solemnly. "I won't forget, Mrs. Granger." Her phase of always asking questions had passed somewhat. While she still asked questions, she didn't ask as many, and rarely thought of more to ask when they were answered. For example, she had asked why she had to throw flower petals, but when told that it was what a flower girl did, she didn't ask why flower girls had to do that and not something else.

Minutes passed and then Sirius went to wait at his place at the altar. Music began playing on the piano and Cait walked down the aisle, scattering flower petals. Mr. and Mrs. Granger went down the aisle a few counts after that. Remus and Jade followed after that, and a few counts later were James and Hermione. After that, the Wedding March played and Sylvia walked down the aisle. She looked absolutely lovely.

James privately hoped that if he ever got married, his bride would be as beautiful and wonderful as his mother. His gaze fell on Susan Bones, who was sitting in the third row with her aunt and parents, for a second. Perhaps it was the wedding that was going on, for James was struck by how beautiful Susan was and felt his cheeks turn crimson. He quickly turned his thoughts back on his mother and Sirius, who were now about to say their vows.

Sylvia and Sirius had written their own vows, rather than repeat the standard vows of being together 'for richer or poorer, in sickness and health' and all the rest. Sylvia began first. "Sirius Orion Black, I think I must have fallen in love with you not long after you came into my life and I discovered you were innocent. Something about you reminded me of my first husband. You are a sweet, funny, and wonderful person, and I would gladly spend the rest of my life with you, no matter what happens. Nothing will part me from you except death, and even then, we will be reunited in Heaven. I love you more than life itself and I hope that I will be a wonderful life partner to you." Her voice shook at the end and there were tears in her eyes.

Sirius swallowed and then said his vows. "Sylvia Bethany Bradshaw North, you are the first woman I have truly loved in more than a sisterly or friend way. At Hogwarts, I never paid much attention to you, but eleven years in Azkaban matured me. I fell in love with you after you proved my innocence and never wanted to be with any else. You are sweet, kind, and caring, and helped me heal, along with your two children and Remus. I am honored that you would accept me as your life partner, even though you are so much better than me." He paused for a moment as his voice broke and tears came to his eyes. After he managed to compose himself somewhat, he finished, "I will never leave you except in death, and we will be reunited in Heaven. I love you more than anyone else on Earth and as we begin our life together, I hope we will be happy."

Jade, Hermione, and Mrs. Granger wiped away tears and James spotted Mrs. Weasley and Aunt Nicole crying into their handkerchiefs. James felt that the vows were touching, though he wasn't crying.

After moment of silence, the minister asked, "Sylvia Bethany Bradshaw North, do you take Sirius Orion Black to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," responded Sylvia firmly and in a clear voice.

"Sirius Orion Black, do you take Sylvia Bethany Bradshaw North to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," answered Sirius quietly.

"Rings, please." Remus pulled out two gold wedding bands from his pocker and handed them to the bride and groom. Sirius slipped one on Sylvia's ring finger and Sylvia slipped the other on Sirius's.

The minister continued, "By the power vested in me, I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Sirius lifted the front part of the veil and kissed Sylvia. Fred and George wolf-whistled. Several others clapped. James felt slightly disgusted at having to watch, but he was also happy.

The reception was held half an hour later at the nearby hall. James supposed that it was decorated very nicely, though as boy, he didn't really care too much about flower arrangements and things like that. He sat at a table with his sister and friends and enjoyed the food and drink. The adults made toasts. James and Jade even made one themselves.

The two stood up after Remus had made a toast and said, "We hope that our mother and new father have a wonderful life. We know they're happy together and we're happy for them too." There were claps and then everyone drank the toast.

The food was followed by dancing. Sirius and Sylvia stepped out onto the dance floor and began tbe first dance. Other couples soon joined them. James first asked Jade, because he felt most comfortable asking her, but she just gave him a look. "I'm not dancing the first dance with my brother. Go ask Hermione or Susan. Or Ginny or Luna." With that, she grabbed Neville's hand and dragged him to the dance floor.

James swallowed then worked up the courage to ask Susan. Fortunately, his mother had taught him how to dance, so he didn't make a fool of himself or stepped on Susan's toes. After that, he danced with Hermione, Ginny, and Luna. Finally he danced with his mother, while Jade danced with Sirius.

After several dances, Sirius and Sylvia cut the wedding cake. After the cake, Sylvia stood on a chair and asked all unmarried women and girls to gather behind her. She tossed her bouquet of white roses over her shoulder. There was some shoving among the unmarried females, but seconds later, Nymphadora Tonks, daughter of Sirius's cousin, caught the bouquet. That meant she would be the next bride. Sirius then threw the garter to the group of unmarried men and boys and Remus caught it. James turned to Ron (who was standing next to him), and asked in a whisper, "Does this mean that Remus and Tonks will marry each other?"

Ron shrugged. "Who knows? It could happen."

After the wedding, Sirius did a spell that basically meant he adopted James and Jade. The 'twins' then decided to go by the last name of "North-Black", because they wanted to take their new father's last name. The two then went to Grimmauld Place with their relatives to look after them. Sylvia and Sirius then took an International Portkey to Paris, France, the first of their stops on their honeymoon. (They planned to spend three weeks on the continent, spending a week each in France, Austria, and Italy and a fourth week in China.)

Authors' Note: The wedding took place on July 5th. Sirius and Sylvia Black will be back in August, a couple of days after Wormtail escapes. Lady Alianne wrote the wedding vow for Sirius and Elspeth wrote the one for Sylvia. We don't know who great or romantic-sounding they are, because this is our first attempt at writing vows. We hope you like it.