A/N: Time for take two, I think.
Vicis Obduco: Prologue
When James Potter gets married, it isn't raining.
The skies are a clear, beautiful blue. In London, where it's usually raining. Even the gods have bestowed their gift on the couple.
The Church is jam-packed with friends and family. The crème de la crème of the Wizarding World is here: there sits the Minister of Magic, and Albus Dumbledore, and someone would swear later on that the infamous Nicholas Flamel was here, too. If you were for the Light, and you were important, you were here today.
Naturally, protection is at maximum. Undercover Aurors are spaced around the Church, watching carefully, the protective wards have been cast, and on a hidden alcove, Mad-Eyed Moody keeps watch.
And – the Church is beautiful. The theme is silver and blue. Calla lilies in vases litter the carpeted aisle; the ceiling is enchanted to look like the night sky; the musicians, an entire orchestra. No expense has been spared for this wedding that has been labeled the wedding of the century.
The Bridal March starts to play, and the doors to the Church open. Everyone stands up, and all heads turn to see the bride. She is resplendent in her custom-made gown, looking more beautiful than she ever has in her life. Her blonde hair is done up in a chignon, sapphires on her neck, ears and wrist, blue eyes sparkling happily, the dress simply flows and hugs her frame in all the right places. She looks gorgeous.
The groom looks at her, and smiles softly. Even though everyone else cannot take their eyes off the bride, his eyes wander over to a small entrance at the very back of the Church.
There is a stick thin woman with red hair standing there. She had not been standing there a few minutes ago. It seems as if she has appeared out of thin air. She wears simple clothes: jeans, and a plain black sweater, with no jewelry except for the silver watch that gleams on her wrist. She is pale, too pale, and is leaning on the wall. Her green eyes look at the bride in what seems to be amusement, and just then, her eyes wander over to the groom.
Their eyes lock.
She gives him a rueful smile, and he almost finds himself grinning back. The woman pushes herself off the wall and dusts off her hands, before taking one more look at the bride. She is halfway down the aisle, and no one has noticed their little exchange. The groom looks at her one more time and nods a small, imperceptible nod, and the woman did the same. Then she is gone.
James Potter watches as Lily Evans disappeared from his life yet again, before turning to look at his bride.
It is time to move on.