As the weddings approached, Barbara felt her heart rip out of her chest every time it was mentioned. The couple barely had any time to figure out what the theme was, let alone could Barbara focus on the dress. She resorted to relying on her parents to figure out the wedding in its entirety– which meant that the Potters knew what their daughter's financials were.

The Potter couldn't escape her mother whenever she bugged her about spending more on their wedding. Barbara and Sirius could spend a fortune more, however they agreed that helping win the War was more important than a life achievement.

"I don't understand, dear," Mrs. Potter said to her daughter over tea, "you and Sirius work yourselves to death. You and Sirius deserve a wedding that'll be mentioned in our family for generations!"

"Mum, this isn't about wanting a fairytale wedding, this wedding is happening in the middle of a war! I need to make sure medical expenses can be covered along with–"

"– My future grandchildren's!" The older woman shrieked so loud that Barbara cringed. Are my ears bleeding!?

"Mum, no!" Barbara tried to calm the woman down before she hurt herself, "Sirius and I aren't expecting! I was going to say along with the taxes!"

She saw her mother's face fall into sorrow, making her heart break. "Oh, I'm... I'm sorry, dear. I just got a little worked up." Without another word, Mrs. Potter took her daughter's empty tea cup into the kitchen, leaving a silent Barbara to realize what her mother's dying wish was: a grandchild born to distract Barbara from death.

Barbara made sure that she and her mother left on good terms before she made her way back to her home. The walk was short; but she knew that Sirius and her needed to talk about their future.

As she approached the mahogany door, a whisp of wind blew past Barbara. It immediately left a chilling feeling which took its place in Barbara's spine. She took hold of the handle and ripped the door open with her sense of happiness completely gone.

The Royal took note of the emptiness of her home, which only meant one thing:

Sirius was on a mission.

But the feeling of distress that took ahold of Barbara wouldn't cease. She felt compelled to find him and make sure that he was okay so they could plan their future. As she continued into the living room, the young woman found the note Sirius left.

Went to see McKinnons. If I'm not back before lunch come find me.

Xx Sirius

It was well past lunch by the time Barbara found the note. Panic settled next to fear as Barbara searched their home to find Sirius. The feeling she had outside her home grew frantically and made her want to vomit.

She sprinted to the floo powder, shaking the bowl to the ground as she took a handful, and threw herself into the green fire. "The McKinnons!"

Barbara hoped to find that her panic was all in her head, that the War that took a toll on her life didn't affect one of her closest friends. But it was to no avail; the multiple wizards at the scene indicated that Barbara's bad feeling had been for no reason. The obscure scene distracted her from the Dark Mark above the house. It merely sealed the fate of the McKinnons

She felt her feet dragging her closer. The house looked as though someone scorched it. No part of the once-friendly house looked inviting anymore.

The house simply looked dead.

No one put their hand on Barbara's shoulder to stop her because they too seemed in a trance. The McKinnons were a lovely family with Marlene as the crown jewel in the Order's family. She brought innocence and laughter into every meeting and helped those in need. Marlene and her family had joined to Order to help the Muggles and Muggle-borns who didn't deserve such treatment. But Marlene didn't deserve that treatment either.

Barbara finally made her way into the house, immediately noticing the sheets on the floor upstairs. She couldn't cry due to shock; she could only stare at the sheet. The hair peeking out from under making it apparent that Barbara's dear friend was gone.

She tried to walk further into the house to inspect the damages, but her feet couldn't drag any longer. Barbara was paralysed by sorrow, shock, and fear. Her Marlene was dead, and the Death Eaters didn't indicate they were after the McKinnons at all. They were all skilled wizards but their target had been on her the whole time. Is this how I end? Are they getting closer to me by killing my friends?

Barbara tried shaking off the thought, knowing she couldn't be blamed for her friend's death. Marlene would probably whack her if she knew what Barbara was thinking. But the woman couldn't shake off the thought. It was too daunting for her to meet, staying close enough to just be noticeable in her mind but far enough to not be dealt with.

She felt the warmth of a hand around her waist guide her towards the door. The sunset's dim light couldn't take Barbara's thoughts away from her as she was guided outside by Sirius.

"I'm sorry you had to find out through my note, Love," Sirius told Barbara through a cracking voice, "I didn't think I would find them like this either. It-it's not your fault."

He wrapped her into a hug, knowing that Barbara wouldn't return the hug in her shocked state. He kissed her on the forehead and brought her in closer to his chest. Sirius believed Barbara was expecting the Death Eaters to be after her; little did they know that the Death Eaters were going to drown Barbara in unshed tears before going in for the final blow.

Sirius didn't know that Euphemia left Barbara's mind racing with questions about their future, and about children and their wedding and where their lives would take them.

But Barbara could barely speak, and snuggled into Sirius knowing that their plans would have to wait.

They needed to end the war before bringing life into the world because stopping death was more important.

חנוכה שמח or merry Christmas and happy holidays overall!!!