Cold Feet

"Stand still, Prongs!" Remus said – again – for the fiftieth time today. He sighed as he attacked the bow again. Damn these Muggle weddings, this would be so much simpler if they were allowed to use magic today.

"Still, right," James said, swallowing hard, running his hands through his hair, taking deep breaths to calm down. Then he moved again. Remus sighed as the bow slipped out of his grip.

"Prongs! Do you want to get married today or don't you?" he snapped irritably.

"What do you mean by that? Don't you think I want to?" James asked, a hint of panic in his voice. Sirius sniggered from his place in on the window ledge, sipping contently on his beer.

"Of course you do, I know you do," Remus assured his friend, ignoring Sirius. "But you have to be still if you want to make it there on time."

"How do you know that?" Sirius said lazily. "He might have changed his mind. Maybe he doesn't want to marry her anymore."

"Padfoot!" Remus barked. "Will you keep your mouth shut!"

"No, Remus, he might be right. I mean what am I doing? This is forever, and we're so young, and what if I change my mind, what if she…"

"See what you did!" Remus scolded, looking angrily at Sirius who only laughed and took another sip of the beer.

"…I will never be able to shag another woman as long as I live!" James went on in panic.

"Prongs, you haven't shagged other women for years. It's not like this would make a difference," Remus said, unable to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"But he could, Moony. That's a difference. When he marries her that will be it – for life," Sirius interjected happily.

"Sirius if you don't shut up soon I will personally come over there and beat you until you beg for mercy!" Remus threatened. Sirius sniggered.

"Is that a promise?" he hissed suggestively, knowing that James was to busy fretting over his own problem to listen. Remus sighed and rolled his eyes, turning back towards James.

"Merlin, I can't believe I'm doing this. What if it's only a big mistake? What if I'll meet someone else next week, what if I–"

"Prongs, you have fancied Lily since you were fifteen, you're not going to change your mind, now be a good boy and let Remus tie that ruddy bow-tie for you. Or better yet, let us just use magic and have it over with!" Sirius said.

"No! We cannot use magic! There're Muggles at the wedding, we cannot use magic in front of Muggles," James rambled.

"I don't see any Muggles in this room, do you? Come on, Prongs, lets use magic just for this, it's taking forever!" Sirius said tiredly.

"NO! I promised Lily we wouldn't use magic today! Remus, promise me you won't use magic," James said, panicking again.

"I promise! Now sit down and be still so I can tie this thing."

James nodded, running his hands through his hair again, amazingly enough managing to sit reasonably still.

"Moony?" James said nervously. Remus hummed in response, frowning over the bow. "I don't remember what I should say. I don't remember what I should do. I…what if I…I'll screw up! She'll leave me! I'll screw up and she'll leave me!"

"No she won't," Remus said, grateful when Sirius got up and grabbed James' head to hold him still. "And you'll remember," he continued, finally able to sit back and admire his work. It was a darn good looking tied bow, if you asked him!

"I will?" James asked.

"Of course you will, mate," Sirius said, patting him on the shoulder.

"We'll be right there, Prongs," Remus said almost lifting James up from the chair beckoning him towards the door. "And it's 'I do'. That's all you really need to remember. The vicar will give you the rest," he continued as he pushed him outside the room and walked him towards thechapel.

"I do?"

"Just like that," Remus ensured him.

"Sounding good, there," Sirius encouraged.

"I do." James said with grin, taking another deep breath before heading inside.