I will love you for all time.

James said this to Lily as they left that night for the Order mission. Just in case, he always said. Lily never thought just in case would happen. Until she saw James die with her own eyes, the green light from Lucius Malfoy's wand causing his body to hit the floor.

Lily would have died then and there – with the distraction of her boyfriend's death , a Death Eater aimed a deadly curse at her – but Sirius saw and started dueling him before it could happen.

Sirius was killed in the duel.

Lily fell into depression soon after. Life just wasn't worth living anymore.

But there was Remus. He helped her – he picked her up when all had gone to hell and back, brought her out of the dark pit her life had fallen into, and brought her up to see the light.

That's when she fell in love with him, and he with her.

Now, a mere six months after the dreadful day, Remus would be her husband.

Lily had never felt happier.

"Do you, Remus Lupin, take Lily Evans to be your wife? If so, answer I do."

"I do," Remus replied, eyes never leaving Lily's face.

"Do you, Lily Evans, take Remus Lupin to be your husband? If so, answer I do."

"I do," Lily whispered. For once, her face was free of the tears of the past, only filled with the joy of the day.

"You may kiss the bride."

Lily and Remus's lips met for only a moment before they broke apart. Lily glanced about the room as Remus took her arm – Peter was smiling encouragingly at them from Remus's right, as he had been the best man. Alice and Marlene were beaming at her. She saw Minerva McGonagall and Horace Slughorn, her former professors, smiling happily at them. She saw Remus's mother, the only one of their parents that was still alive, crying tears of joy.

For once, none of it mattered. All that mattered is that Remus's hand was curved around hers, and that she'd never be lonely again. Not so long as she had Remus.

She would never forget James, of course. James had been her first love, the first person to ever make her feel that way. But she knew that wherever James was, he'd be happy she found true love in his absence.

At least, she hoped he did.

Remus couldn't take it all in. He was getting married to the most beautiful, courageous, wonderful person he'd ever known. He didn't deserve it.

He tried not to fall for her, he really did. What would James say? He'd be furious.

James is dead, he constantly had to remind himself. He's not coming back, and neither is Sirius.

Still, it didn't stop the guilt.

And there was the fact that he was a werewolf. But Lily didn't care – it was the most blissful feeling, knowing she loved him unconditionally.

But he was still guilty – marrying his best friend's girlfriend.

And it was the best feeling, being with her.

But when he kissed her, he forgot about all his worries. All that mattered was Lily.

I will love you for all time, was engraved on Lily's wedding ring.