Chapter 15: Mr. and Mrs. James Potter
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Whenever dawn turns to night,
And all the dreams sing their song,
In the daylight forever,
To you I belong.
-To You I Belong by B*Witched.
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"Rise and shine sleepy head!" Lily groaned as the blankets were pulled from her and the lights were turned on. She squinted against the light, and saw Alice standing at the window of her room, pulling back the curtains. It was still pitch black outside. Lily made a face, and put her arm over her face to shade her eyes.
"What time is it?" Lily said groggily.
"Four-thirty."
"You've gotta be frickin' kidding me."
"Nope, come on, time to get up." Lily sat up, grabbed her blankets and fell back on to her bed, covering her head.
"Come on Lily. Get up."
"Bite me."
"Come on, I thought you were a morning person?"
"No no, see morning starts at like six-thirty, sevenish, more closer to eight. Not at frickin' four-thirty a.m. It's still dark outside!"
"You're getting married today, Lily Elizabeth Evans, so get out of bed!"
"My wedding's not till six this evening, Alice Marie Haysing…Longbottom. So shoo."
"You've got a lot of stuff to do today before your wedding." Alice said, starting to tug at the blankets from the foot of Lily's bed.
"I'll do it later." Alice was silent, then she had a sudden thought.
"Lily, quick, there's a fire!" Lily grabbed her wand and muttered a spell. The next thing Alice saw was a marshmallow on a stick held by Lily from under the blankets. Alice let out a sigh of exasperation and threw up her hands. Lily laughed.
"Did you really think that would work?" Alice left the room, shutting the door with a thud. Lily smiled under the blankets, and with a flick of her wand, the ceiling light was turned off. She set her wand back on the table by her bed and curled back into the fetal position, hugging her extra pillow like she had before Alice woke her, smiling victoriously. She was about to drop off to sleep when the door to her room banged open, and Lily's eyes snapped open. She muttered,
"What the…?" She was cut off by the blankets being roughly pulled from the bed. Lily shut her eyes as the cold morning chill hit her body once again. She slowly opened one eye, then the other, and saw Alice and Remus standing at the foot of her bed, identical serious looks on their faces. Lily smiled slightly.
"Needed reinforcements, Alice?"
"Yes, and if you don't get up, we'll use force. And if that doesn't work, I have more reinforcements if needed."
"Like who?"
"Sirius and Frank." Lily laughed.
"Ooh, I'm scared."
"Are you going to get up, Miss Evans? Or do we have to use force?" Remus asked.
"What do you think? It's quarter to five in the morning. You couldn't do anything to me, cuz' you can't hurt me in anyway, cuz' I have to be able to walk down the aisle at six this evening." Lily stuck her tongue out and curled tighter into a ball. She felt someone grab her ankle, and hold onto it in a tight grip. Lily's eyes widened, she knew without looking that it was Remus who had a hold of her ankle, and she knew exactly what he was about to do. She looked at him; the worried look etched into her face.
"You wouldn't."
"Really? You think so? You don't want to try me." Lily glared at him.
"See, it's a known fact that Lily Evans is extremely ticklish, and can't stand to be tickled. She has her future husband to thank for divulging that information," Remus said to Alice, with the air of a person explaining that two and two make four. Lily kicked, trying to get away, but the grip on her ankle was too strong. She sighed.
"Fine. I'm up." Remus let go of her ankle and Lily slowly rolled out of bed. Alice smiled at Remus as he went to the door to leave.
"Thank you for your help, Remus."
"You're welcome." He left and the door shut with a click. Lily slipped her glasses on and summoned her brush to her. With a huge yawn, she began to run the brush through her long, dark red locks. When she had gotten all the tangles out of her hair, she flicked her wand and her pajamas were in a pile by her bed, and she was dressed in navy blue robes with a baby blue tank top and khakis underneath. She grabbed a hair tie, and brushed her hair up into a ponytail, and wrapped the tie around her hair. With another flick of her wand, her make up was done for the day. When she finished, she looked at Alice, who was watching Lily's whole process of getting ready.
"So, what are all the things I have to do today that is so important that I had to be threatened to be tickled so I'll get out of bed at five in the morning?"
"Since you've insisted on getting your hair done the muggle way, you have to get that done, you have your dress to pick up, we have bridesmaid's dresses to get…"
"You were supposed to get those before today, Alice."
"I know, I know. But you've got a sister of yours to see too. That might be a long visit." Lily snorted.
"Long visit? Ever since Mum and Dad died, she hasn't said a thing to me, at all. `Course, she never really has since I went to Hogwarts."
"She's just jealous."
"You think so?"
"Yep. You have a simpler life…to an extent." Alice added when Lily gave her a disbelieving look.
"Simpler life…right. It's much better to be able to do things faster and better and have a evil wizard after you."
"I said to an extent, Lily." They were silent for a while, then Alice said,
"Lily, are you sure you want to do this?"
"What?"
"Marry James."
"Why would you think I wouldn't?"
"Well, because You-Know-Who will be after you."
"Alice, nobody's safe right now. And I'm not going to leave James just to save my own skin for a little longer than I might if I marry him."
"Aren't you scared though, you're at a higher risk of getting killed, `specially if you have kids."
"Yes. I am scared. I'm scared of Voldemort, yes." Alice flinched at the name.
"But you know what scares me more?"
"What?"
"That this love I have for James, it's so strong that the threat of being killed isn't even an issue. That I'd rather be at risk and be with James than to be safe and be without him." Alice smiled and nodded in agreement, but neither one said another word on the subject.
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"I can't believe I'm meeting you here today."
"Well, believe it or not, here we are dear sister." Alice had arranged a meeting between Lily and Petunia, so Lily could try and get her sister to come to her wedding. They were meeting at the Leaky Cauldron, a place where Petunia couldn't believe she was at.
"What did you want to talk to me about? Tell me so I can get back to my life and my husband, and I don't have to risk being seen with you by my neighbors and friends."
"Well, Petunia, I'll get straight to the point, because I totally agree with you, we both have better things to do than talk with each other, don't we?" Petunia gave her sister a short nod.
"What I wanted to talk to you about was this. I'm getting married today…"
"I know, I got the invitation."
"Ok, and I figured you wouldn't go, but…"
"Very good, little freak. You figured right."
"Ok, will you stop frickin' interrupting me?" Petunia pursed her lips, giving her sister a look of loathing.
"Why won't you go?"
"Why would I go? I don't want to, for one thing, Vernon would kill me if I even suggested it, and I don't want to spend time around your lot."
"But you are my sister, and the only biological family I have left. It'd be nice if you could at least come to the ceremony."
"The only way we're connected is by DNA, Lily. I don't even consider you my sister. You're just a member of my family who killed my parents."
"For the last time, I did not kill them, Petunia."
"You just as well did. You weren't a real daughter to them."
"Well, I loved them too," Lily said coldly, "Don't you dare give me any shit about not being a daughter to them."
"You weren't even there when they died…"
"Neither were you."
"You should've been there, to keep that…thing…whatever his name is…"
"Voldemort?"
"Whatever. Him from killing them."
"How the hell was I supposed to know he'd be after them…"
"You knew he was after you…"
"I did not. I had no idea."
"You know, how are you going to raise kids, when you don't even understand the concept of being a daughter in the first place?"
"You know, I'll feel sorry your son or daughter when you have it. I mean, if it looks like you, it'll be horse-faced and nosy, and if it look like your great lump of a husband, it won't even be able to walk, only waddle!" Petunia glared a deadly glare at her sister. She stood up and said, trying to sound calm, as they were already attracting attention in the diner,
"I hope that dark wizard kills you and your pathetic fiancé. And when he does, I'll laugh. If you have kids, they'll be thrown into the streets or some orphanage, and I'll be damned if I take them in." Lily stood up too and said coldly,
"Believe me, you'll be the last person I send my kids to live with."
"Thank God, because I wouldn't be caught dead raising little freaks like you." Lily didn't care how much attention they were attracting, she slapped her sister across the face anyway.
"If I ever see you again, Petunia, it'll be too soon."
"I hope you burn in hell when you get killed. You and your fiancé." Lily got so mad that she pulled her wand out and pointed it at her sister.
"Keep talking, Petunia, and you'll get there first." Petunia looked around, everyone around them in the pub stood up, watching the scene, some with their wands out, ready to come to the aid of the two women. Though they were more inclined to help Lily than Petunia. Without another word, Petunia calmly left the pub, and disappeared down the street. Lily went outside to the back to the wall where the entrance to Diagon Ally was waiting to be opened. As soon as she got outside, Lily burst into tears. She couldn't believe her sister was so cruel. She leaned against the wall and slid down it until she reached the ground. She sat there sobbing for what seemed like hours, until she heard someone come outside.
"Miss Evans? Are you alright?" It was Tom the bartender.
"Yes, Tom, I'm fine. Or I will be."
"You're sure? You don't want to summon someone?"
"I'm fine, seriously, I am."
"Ok. Let me know if you need anything." He went back inside, and Lily stood up, still wiping tears away. She tapped the brick that opened the wall into Diagon Ally, and slowly the bricks moved away. She went to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor where Alice was waiting for her, shopping bags at her feet. When Lily reached her friend, Alice looked up, lowered her milkshake and seeing Lily crying, said,
"Didn't go well?"
"I told you it wouldn't."
"I thought that you should have family there."
"I don't claim that bitch as my family. And I don't want her there tonight."
"What did she say?"
"She was blaming me for my parents' deaths, and telling me that she hopes I die and go to hell."
"I'm sorry, Lily."
"Yeah, well, I'll put it behind me, hopefully I never have to see her again."
"There you go. Look forward to it."
"Yep, I do. But anyways, to the dress shop to pick up my robes?"
"Yep, let's go."
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That evening, just before the wedding was about to start, Alice was helping Lily get ready for the biggest event of her life. Lily's hair was expertly done, her make up was done, and her dress was simply gorgeous. She stood on a stool in front of a mirror, arms straight out like she was going to fly, while Alice was doing some last minute hemming spells.
"Ok, you're all done. Lily, you look positively beautiful."
"Really?"
"Yes, you do." Lily grinned, wrinkling her nose.
"I do, don't I?" She laughed, and Alice laughed with her. Lily spun on the stool, and her dress flowed in a circle around her.
"Ok, ok, stop. James isn't here to catch you if you fall. And I can't guarantee I'll catch you either." Lily looked closely at her friend and saw that she didn't look the same bright and cheery like that she usually was.
"Are you ok, Alice, you've been looking peaky all day."
"Just, I haven't been really feeling the best today, that's all."
"Liar, you're hiding something from me. What is it?"
"Nothing, I'll tell you later, like when you get back from your honeymoon or something."
"No, tell me now."
"No, this is your day, I don't want to ruin it."
"But I wanna know. Please?" Lily said, sticking her bottom lip out and giving Alice puppy dog eyes.
"Ok, I'll tell you after the ceremony, can you wait that long?"
"I guess."
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"Nervous?"
"What do you think?"
"I wouldn't know, I've never been married before."
"Yes, I am nervous."
"You've got nothing to be nervous about, Prongs. Lily is here, she's getting ready, and you're almost ready, and soon you'll be a married man in no time at all."
"Ok, that did nothing for my nerves, Sirius."
"Ok, I'll try again. You don't have to worry, this'll be over in no time at all, and you and Lily can have the rest of the night for yourselves, to do whatever you please."
"Again, that does nothing."
"Hey, I thought they were pretty good words." Remus smacked his friend on the back of the head and said,
"You're an idiot, Padfoot, just stop with the advice for now." He turned to James, stood in front of him and straightened his tie, and said,
"Everything'll be fine, James, trust me." From the chair that he had taken refuge in, Sirius said,
"You know, I dated this one girl…"
"What else is new?"
"And," Sirius went on saying, as though James hadn't said anything, "she said her sister was getting married, and she, at the last minute, I mean coming to the `do you take this man' part, backed out. When the minister asked do you take so and so in blah blah blah, she said she couldn't marry him. That she didn't love him as much as she thought she did." James looked at Sirius with a worried look on his face. Remus gave Sirius a "what the hell are you doing" look, and Sirius said quickly,
"But I don't think the same thing'll happen to you."
"Padfoot, you suck at the advice, just shut up now, before you say something else stupid." James was staring at the floor, and Remus said,
"James, look at me. Listen to me, Lily loves you. She wouldn't be marrying you if she didn't. And you'll get married, live a long and happy life, and have lots of little Prongs running around, and you and Lily can raise them in whatever crazy way you see fit." James laughed.
"Thanks Moony."
"You ready now? Nerves all better?"
"A little."
"Ready to get married to the woman you've loved since the day you met her?" James nodded.
"Yes. More than anything. You know, if you had told me at eleven that I would one day be marrying Lily, I'd have said you were crazy."
"We all figured this day would happen."
"But you're ready now?" James nodded. Remus turned to Sirius and said,
"Then, Sirius let us go get the bride."
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Lily's other bridesmaids came in, their footsteps being trailed by Sirius. Sirius was more concerned with the bridesmaids than he did where he was going and almost ran into the doorframe. Remus came in soon after Sirius, and had to elbow Sirius in the ribs to bring his attention to the bride. Remus said,
"You look beautiful, Lily. You ready?" Lily took a deep breath.
"Yes. Ready to give me away?"
"Yep. Let's go." He offered his arm to Lily, and Sirius offered his arm on her other side. She linked her arms in both, and the bridesmaids and maid of honor left the room. Sirius made the move to follow them, but was held back by Lily.
"You can hit on them later." Sirius flashed a grin.
"Oh I will. I can guarantee you that."
"Wait till after the ceremony. Oh and Sirius, don't break their hearts."
"Well, that I can't guarantee. I'm just a natural born heartbreaker." Lily rolled her eyes.
"Behave, at least till the reception."
"I will, I promise. You have my word." Lily leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you again for giving me away." She leaned over on the other side and kissed Remus on the cheek.
"Both of you." Sirius smiled.
"Happy to do it, Lils."
"And honored." With that said, the three of them left the room.
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Lily, Sirius and Remus entered the sanctuary, where upon coming in, the guests at the wedding stood. James stood up at the front with the minister, in black dress robes, hair standing out all over the place like it always did. He smiled when he saw Lily, he had never seen her so beautiful. Her hair was up in spiral curls in a bunch at the back of her head towards the top, with some curls hanging out of the bun. A few curls framed her face, and her chandelier earrings glittered in the light. Her dress robes were the most beautiful thing about her. It had a train that trailed two feet behind her. The V-neckline went just low enough that it wasn't too revealing, and was embroidered in baby blue. (A/n: For those of you who have seen the Two Towers, it's kinda like the white dress that Eowyn wore when she's outside watching Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli come up to Edoras. *sigh* Legolas is hott) Lily had a nervous smile on her face; but she never broke eye contact with James. It seemed like an eternity for her to reach the front, but she finally did, and James took both of her hands in his, and he guided her up a couple stairs and she turned so she was facing him. Lily's mind was off in another world and she didn't hear a word that was said until she heard Sirius say,
"We take responsibility for these two, and are giving them away to each other." He grinned, and he and Remus took their places next to James.
"Do you, Lily Elizabeth Evans, take James Michael Potter to be your lawful wedded husband, to love, honor and cherish, in sickness and health, for better or worse, till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Do you, James Michael Potter, take Lily Elizabeth Evans to be your lawful wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and health, for better or worse, till death do you part?"
"I do." Lily smiled, happy tears brimming her eyes. Both Lily and James turned and took the rings from their maid of honor and best man; Lily's from Alice, James' from Sirius. They placed the rings on each other's fingers. Lily looked at hers and silently gasped. It was a beautiful ring. She had never worn an engagement ring, why, she wasn't really sure, and it was the first time she saw this ring. It had an emerald in the center with diamonds on each side on a gold band. She looked up at James and smiled, and he returned the smile.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, James." James grinned and kissed his wife. When they pulled away, the minister said,
"Ladies and gentlemen, witches and wizards, I give to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. James Potter." Everyone applauded loudly. James and Lily walked arm in arm out of the church, and when they came out, all of a sudden it started pouring. James quickly took out his wand and muttered a spell so they wouldn't get wet. Lily laughed and looked up at the sky, and said over the commotion of everyone following them out of the church,
"Dreary day, isn't it?" James pulled her close and said to her so only she could hear,
"You've heard that muggle song, 'Holes in the Floor Heaven', haven't you?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, the rain is like tears. My mum and dad, your mum and dad, and Isabelle are up in heaven, shedding happy tears for us." Lily's eyes welled up with tears and she smiled. She kissed James and said,
"Thank you. You're right."
"Ready to go dance the night away?"
"Heck yeah." Lily said grinning, her nose wrinkling. They apparated just outside of the place where the reception was. James held the door open for his wife and said,
"After you, Mrs. Potter."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter."
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A/n: *Sniff, sniff* (wipes away tear) second to last chapter, people, I'm so sad. I loved writing this!! I hope you enjoyed reading it. Ok, y'all, I have the next chapter written already(actually this whole story was written before I started posting), and I'm holding it hostage. To get it, you have to review!!! Thank you to all who have reviewed, I love you all!!
Husker_fan_2006
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