AN: So I'm back with a new story, this one about James! While you don't have to read Teddy's Story for this to make sense, you'd probably be better off if you did. Half the characters in the first chapter are introduced within it, though only appear sparingly afterwards. If you can't be arsed, just power on through :) - S

Chapter 1 - James Likes Weddings

The sun shone brightly over the Burrow, as people bustled about in the garden, numerous Weasley cousins were anxiously ushering guests into seats within the white tent.

Upstairs, witches fretted over hair, make-up, last minute dress adjustments, shoes and a thousand and one other concerns. Downstairs, two twenty four year old wizards, one seventeen year old and one sixteen year old, were quite relaxed in deep purple dress robes. Well, three were.

"Fucking Merlin, I hate these bloody dress robes. I pleaded with you, 'Teddy, lets wear suits, it'll be awesome' but no, some pretty blonde witch bats her eyelashes at you and your all sewn up on stupid shitty dress robes all of a sudden. You have totally and utterly sold-out, bollock face."

James glanced at Teddy, who was grinning ever wider as the tirade came to an end.

Mike Williams had been Teddy Lupin's best (male) friend since they had met on the Hogwarts Express some thirteen years ago. Tall, very well built and with a mouth like a sewer, some variation of this conversation had been going since mid-morning. He appeared to be going through some form of the 5 stages of grief over being forced to wear dress robes, though it did appear that despite progression past bargaining (offering Teddy something akin to a year of his salary) and depression (sitting moodily in the corner, repeatedly asking when the bar opened), he always reverted to some sort of swear-heavy anger.

"Are you done?" Teddy smirked, Mike shook his head in a defeated manner, sighed, then nodded. "I believe we just reached acceptance."

Teddy Lupin himself was the man of the hour. After dating Victoire Weasley for five years, and being in deep denial about his feelings for her long before that, they were ready to tie the knot and it was to be the grandest of occasions. As a Metamorphamagous, Teddy could change his complete appearance at will, but today he was himself, his 'natural' state, with dark eyes and sandy brown hair.

"Ah mate, you've been moaning all morning. Glad you finally got over it." James quipped.

James Potter was the tallest member of the Potter family, overtaking his Dad at age 15 and now stuck somewhere around 6'1" tall. He didn't think he particularly looked like either his Mum or Dad, describing himself more as some sort of vague Potter/Weasley hybrid. His hair was the Weasley red of his Mum and sister, but poked up in that unmistakeable Potter manner that afflicted his Dad and brother. He had thankfully dodged the Potter bad eyesight, and was a more solid build like his Uncle's George and Charlie.

Mike glowered at James, "Sod off, *Jamie*." Teddy, James and Albus gave a feminine 'ooooh' and clutched invisible handbags. "Wankers, the lot of you."

"And here I thought I was the supposed to be the one getting all stressed out on my big day?" Teddy pointed out nonchalantly.

"Yeah, because you're so nervous that Icky Vicky isn't going to show up, despite the fact she's been in love with you since before I was even born!" Al taunted. Teddy thumped him on the arm playfully.

Albus 'Al' Potter was the double of his father, right down to the eyes. Despite a near constant taunting by his elder brother about being sorted into Slytherin, Al had been made a Gryffindor five years previously, along with his cousin Rose, and, perhaps more surprisingly, his now best friend Scorpius Malfoy.

They laughed, and continued with some gentle ribbing of the groom, until there was a knock on the Burrows kitchen door, before opening and three tall heads with black hair who filed in one by one.

"Alright butty! How's it going in here?" Rhoddy Edwards said, announcing his presence in his sing-song Welsh accent. Rhoddy was the eldest of the Edwards siblings, and a former classmate of Teddy and Mike's, the first Slytherin Head Boy since before the War. Tall, broad, with a very Celtic black hair and blue eyes, he was a rather well known socialite within the Wizarding world. The Edwards family were the owners of Holyhead Harpies along with several other large assets and Rhoddy was usually found in the society pages of the Daily Prophet with some glamorous witch or another dangling off his arm.

"Hey Rhod." Teddy said, standing up to shake his friends hand, "Glad you could come mate."

The large Welshman waved at the Potter siblings before turning his eyes to Mike. "Bloody Merlin, what'd you dose Williams with to get him into dress robes? Mikey, alright or what, butt?"

Mike grumbled, but was grinning broadly as he went over to greet his friends as Rhoddy's siblings slipped away from the older Wizards.

"Alright Jimbo, looking sharp mate." said Andy Edwards in his calm, measured tones.

Unlike his older brother, Andy (actually called Anuerin, but always referred to as Andy) was quite skinny and slightly built. He wore rectangular black glasses and kept his black hair into a very short, highly regimented crop. Andy had met James on the train some six years ago, and now with his cousin Freddie was one of James' closest friends. Of the three, Andy was the most measured and calm, who brought 'a hundred generations of family Slytherin cunning, and my own spark of Gryffindor boldness' to the group, and was generally regarded as the true brains of the operation.

James grinned at his friend, and shook his hand, before turning to greet his twin sister, Gwen. James' hand froze mid-air as he realised that she was wearing a *dress*.

Gwenllian 'Gwen' Edwards was also a Gryffindor, and probably James' closet female friend, coming somewhat in a package with Andy. Tall and thin like her brother, with a porcelain complexion and pin straight, long, jet black hair, it was fair to say that Gwen was a rather attractive girl. Until she opened her mouth. Brash, sarcastic and borderline abusive half the time, James had the previous year seen her reduce a Seventh Year Hufflepuff who kept pestering her to tears. Generally regarded as 'one of the boys' by the trio, it was quite odd to see her being in any way feminine, but as she was wearing a strapless dark red dress, this caused a slight malfunction in James' brain.

"Oh for fucks sake Potter, stop staring. Yes it's a dress, yes I have breasts, get over it."

And with the real Gwen returning in force, James was brought back to reality with a bump.

"Ah, Gwenllian, always the charmer." He grinned at her, as she screwed up his use of her full name.

"I do wonder if you boys forget that I'm a girl sometimes. I think Freddie nearly had a heart attack when I said hello." She sighed, sounding rather exasperated with the lot of them, "I should get some female friends."

"And that would last exactly how long before you hexed someone's hair off?" Andy quipped, bopping his sister playfully on the arm. "I for one am glad that none of my reprobate friends actually acknowledge you're a girl."

"I dunno," James said, sliding up to Gwen, "I think I'm seeing you in a whole new light Gwen, dearest."

"Fuck off."

"Or not."

The impending argument was headed off by the appearance of Louis, Victoire's younger brother and Head Usher, who had been wrangling people into chairs.

"Good to see you guys hard at work in here." He said, rolling his eyes, "I believe, Mr Lupin, that it is time."

Teddy let out a breath, and made his way out into the garden, his entourage in tow. James gave Gwen and Andy a little salute goodbye, and followed the rest of the grooms party out into the bright August sunshine.

The ceremony, even from James' cynical male perspective, had been rather good. Victoire had, of course, looked more than beautiful, with the ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from her when she was around Teddy being particularly bright as she had locked eyes with him as she entered. Uncle Bill looked like he couldn't quite believe what he was doing, walking his daughter down the aisle, while the usually more stoic and tomboy-ish Dominique had looked beautifully elegant in her own dress, and James could have sworn he'd seen her dabbing her eyes. He was even forced to admit that his little sister Lily, the youngest of the bridesmaids, had looked particularly pretty. He and Al would have to keep an eye on her around the boys this evening (and possibly, the rest of the year).

As was typical at Wizarding weddings, after Teddy and Victoire had been bonded for life, the presiding Wizard had transformed the room from the neat rows of the ceremony, to a series of tables for the reception and speeches.

There had finally been proper tears from Dominique as she gushed over the couple, Mike managed to not swear too much whilst recounting some rather embarrassing tales about Teddy and Victoire, and Uncle Bill coerced Teddy into turning his hair red as he officially became part of the Weasley family. His Dad was never one for big speeches and public speaking, but had become quite emotional when speaking of Teddy's absent parents and his hope that he had been an adequate substitute here today. Teddy had been so moved, he had leapt to his feet and embraced him tightly.

As the couple had swayed through their first dance, James had managed to snag a dance with Mike's long-term girlfriend, Chloe, a Muggle with very short choppy black hair. They spoke briefly about the difference between Muggle and Wizarding weddings, and laughed quite heartily at Mike, who was dancing with Dominique in a manner that bare no relation to the tempo or style of music being played, whilst holding a pint of beer in each hand.

As the second song began to pipe up, James headed off in the direction of the bar himself. He found his brother, who, not being one for dancing, had also slunk off in that direction and was talking to a very pretty witch from his year. Not willing to be upstaged by Al, James quickly acquired himself a pint from the magical bar and headed over to introduce himself.

"You old enough to be drinking that?" James said, leering over Al from behind, making him jump slightly.

Al quickly settled himself, giving James a slightly distasteful look. "Yes thanks." He said, then rolled his eyes at his older brother, who was grinning in a lazy manner at his companion. Al sighed in a dejected manner. "Penny Jones, my idiot older brother, James. James, Penny."

James offered his hand to her, and when she placed hers in his, he bowed slightly and kissed it. "A pleasure." He said, smoothly, and Penny giggled.

She was dressed in what James could tell was a very expensive black dress, that hung to her curves in a very flattering manner. Her blonde hair was just past her shoulders, with a gentle wavy curl and behind a pair of designer glasses, she had very deep green eyes.

"Nice to meet you James." She said, in a refined accent, "I cannot believe we have never been introduced, I have been doing Potions with Albus for several years now."

"Really?" James giving his brother a knowing look, "Well, any friend of Al's is a friend of mine. Can I get you a drink, Penny?"

"Oh, that would be lovely!" she said, with a dazzling smile, "You never told me your brother was so charming Albus."

"Like you didn't know that..." Al muttered, but James suspected only he heard as he headed to the magical bar once more, returning with a glass of white wine, handing it to Penny who appeared to be talking rapidly to an increasingly disinterested Albus, who quickly made his excuses and crossed the room to where a slightly irritated Rose Weasley was staring longingly at Teddy, whilst blissfully unaware of the sappy look Scorpius Malfoy was giving her.

James and Penny continued chatting through their drinks, and then over a couple more. James learnt that she was a Slytherin, somewhat of a rarity as she was Muggleborn too. She enjoyed Muggle pop music more than Wizarding, which she found to be archaic, and didn't really read. Other from stated facts, it was plainly clear she was one hell of a flirt, touching James' arm playfully and batting her eyelashes at him in a somewhat sultry manner. Three drinks in, and James was hardly much better himself if he was honest.

"I must go powder my nose." Penny said, placing her hand on James upper arm, then raising up onto her tip-toes to kiss him on the cheek. "Don't go anywhere, handsome."

He watched her go, four inch heels clicking on the floor as she made her way to the bathrooms. He was perfectly aware that he had a very sly grin appearing on his face.

"Seen what you're up too, you dirty Crupp!" came the voice of Freddie Weasley, as he grabbed James from behind and placed him in a headlock.

Freddie Weasley was a month older than James, and this distinction apparently made him in charge. He was shorter than James by several inches, but a much more solid build, with black hair he kept in cornrows for now, but was apparently planning to upgrade to dreadlocks in the future. James was trying to convince him to just wear his hair as a massive afro, but he was yet to be convinced.

James shook him off and turned to greet his cousin, who was accompanied by Andy and Gwen, the latter of whom had a rather sour look on her face.

"Enjoying yourself over here, are you?" Andy said, smirking, "Who's that you've been chatting up for the last hour?"

"Penny Jones." Gwen almost spat, before James could answer, "She's an awful bint from Slytherin."

James frowned slightly, "She seemed alright to me. What's your problem?"

"Oh, I'm sure she's fine to *you* James, but that doesn't stop her from being a stuck-up slag to the rest of us." Gwen retorted, "I'm not sure how that airhead held your attention for so long anyway."

Rising to the bait, James tried a time-tested method to get Gwen to shut up about any girl she didn't like. "Jealous, Edwards?"

Gwen called him something quite unpleasant, while Andy and Freddie rolled their eyes. In nearly seven years of friendship, Gwen still always fell for this tactic.

Before the scene descended into a full on blazing row, the click of heels and an increased level of scowling on Gwen's part indicated that Penny had returned.

"I'm back." She said, running her hand from James' shoulders down to his lower back in a teasing manner and smiled at his friends. "Hello, everybody."

James duly introduced Penny to Freddie, Andy and finally to Gwen, who was polite through gritted teeth.

The conversation didn't flow quite as well after that point. Penny couldn't particularly keep up with the banter which had been honed through years of friendship, and often when she did attempt to break in, she was met with some sort of sarcastic remark from Gwen. It seemed rather like a power-play on her part, stamping her authority as the alpha female of the group.

Freddie eventually broke off from the group when he spotted his sister Roxanne dancing rather closely to a wizard he didn't like the look of, and James was summoned to speak with the bride and groom, leaving a rather awkward looking Penny to stand talking to Gwen and Andy.

After formally greeting the bride and groom as Mr and Mrs Lupin (which, no matter how many times she had heard it today, appeared to make Victoire glow the brightest James had ever seen her), James had been dragged into a corner for a 'boys drink' with Teddy, Mike and Louis while Victoire was accosted by various gushing female cousins.

"So Jimbo," said a rather drunken Mike, "had my eye on you."

"Yeah, me too." Louis added, apparently not much better himself. "That blonde one, isn't that Stevie Jones' little sister?"

"Definitely is." Teddy said, looking wistful, "Ah Jonesy, he was thick as two short planks but a nice chap none the less; I think Victoire literally carried him through Charms. He's here somewhere, she must have come with him."

James said nothing, feeling a little bit like this was going to lead into an interrogation.

"Silent treatment?" Mike said, "Yep, he's up to no good there, for sure."

Louis grinned, "Good lad. She's quite fit."

"And 16 years old Louis, you pervert." said Teddy, pulling a face.

"Maybe for you old fuckers." Louis retorted. "Maybe she likes an older man. I should give it a crack."

"Shut up Louis." James said, feeling a little bit protective. "She's not like that." All of the older boys pulled a face at him, and James realised they'd tricked him. "Bastards."

"Ah, so he is on it. What's her name then James?" Teddy said, eyes twinkling slightly.

"I'm not talking about this with you three."

"Why not Jimbo?" Mike said, standing up, and flopping down next to James and pulling him into a one armed grapple by his shoulders, "We are wise to the ways of the ladies, and can offer you advice."

James snorted a laugh, pointing to each of them in turn. "Teddy, just got married to a girl who has been in love with him since she could stand up. Mike, dating a girl for the last five years, after having been best friends with her until he left for Hogwarts. Louis, has a Veela ancestor. Come on boys, not exactly a knowledge bank here, the only one of you who isn't in a long-term relationship has a genetic advantage."

They all laughed at him, and Teddy said, shaking his head, "Say's the guy who's surname is *Potter*, so no excuses."

"Penny Jones, she's in Al's year at school, a Slytherin and... well, that's about it, unless you want me to list her favourite bands or something, they're all Muggle ones as she's Muggleborn. Anyway, she's nice."

Teddy and Mike glanced at each other.

"Isn't this a Rhoddy Rule?" Mike asked.

Teddy nodded, "Twelve, I believe. Think we should tell him?"

"Might be for his own good."

Louis and James just stared at the pair of them incredulously as they continued to talk in code to each other about number 3's versus number 8's. James broke their silence first.

"What the fuck are you two on about?"

Teddy and Mike jumped out of their little world.

"Ah, they don't know the Rhoddy Rules. I think these boys need an education, they are important life lessons."

Teddy lent back in his chair, taking a big sip of his beer before speaking. "Rhoddy Rules are sweeping, rather judgemental statements that Rhoddy Edwards makes about women. I can never remember them all, or what the proper numbers are, I think number four is always give a ginger a chance, and I'm fairly certain number seven is never date a girl who'll let you into the, er, most notorious of body cavities on a first shag." That made Louis laugh, and nod an affirmative. "They are based on his rather extensive list of conquests, and very rarely proved wrong. Number twelve is never trust a Muggleborn Slytherin."

James screwed his face up, especially after being taught from a young age that judging someone on their so-called 'blood status' was wrong.

"Don't pull that face, it's not what it sounds like. Rhoddy is as liberal as the rest of us, but the Sorting Hat isn't. Even though it may not be a big deal any more, fact of the matter is Muggleborn Slytherin's are still rarer than rocking horse shit. The part of the hat that allows entry in still prefers those with more 'pure' blood, so by that reasoning, a Muggleborn Slytherin must be, by default, *incredibly* cunning and ambitious."

"This all sounds like bollocks to me." James said.

Teddy shrugged, "Bollocks it may be, so take it with a pinch of salt. Though, Rhoddy Rules are usually quite reliable."

James frowned again, "So, you think I should bin Penny off, even though I just met her, because she's a Muggleborn Slytherin? Whatever Teddy, that's the most retarded thing I've ever head."

"Hey, just be careful dude." Teddy said, sounding rather apologetic as James stood up to go somewhere else, "Sorry man, that probably came over a bit rude. Come on, don't storm off in a mood, I'll buy you a drink."

James laughed, "Good save, big brother. Mine's a pint."

"A man after my own heart."

As the evening began to wind down, James, buoyed by a little Dutch courage, made a beeline towards Penny.

"Hey." He said, and she smiled at him prettily, "Sorry, got caught up in some family stuff."

"Well, you are an usher James, I didn't expect you to be at my beck and call all evening." She ran her index finger down his arm slowly, squeezing his hand gently when she reached it, "Even if I would have liked you to be."

James was suddenly feeling very confident. "Would you like to take a walk outside? It's a nice night."

"I'd love too." Penny replied, and James took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers and walking towards the exit.

They didn't speak as they made their way outside, making their way past a rather amused looking Scorpius Malfoy who was dancing with his sister Lily, he didn't hear much of their conversation, but caught her saying "...don't worry Scorp, she'll wake up one of these days...". Mike, who had probably drunk as much as the rest of the wedding party put together at this point, had someone else's tie round his head, and was dancing up a storm with several girls, which included Chloe, Gwen and Dominique. James was slightly impressed with his ability to remain upright.

Just as they passed the drawn back flaps which formed the way out of the giant marquee, they passed Freddie, Albus, Andy and an empty bottle of Firewhiskey. They all cheered in a drunken manner as they saw him pass, and Al fell backwards off his chair.

"My brother clearly cannot handle his drink." James said as they stepped into the cool summer evening.

Penny giggled softly and squeezed his hand. "Your brother is such a sweetheart, I swear I'd have failed my OWLs if it wasn't for him."

"It's part of the Potter genetics," James said, spinning round so he was walking backwards in front of her, "saving damsels in distress, it's what we do."

She giggled again, and James twirled her. "It must be pretty amazing, being related to all these big heroes."

James shrugged, "They don't really like to talk about the War, not more than you'll read in a history book anyway. It's 25 years since it finished next year, but it's still pretty personal."

"I guess so." Penny said, putting an arm round his waist and pulling herself close to him, "Still, it's all over now."

"Yeah it is." James replied, "Glad it wasn't me. I don't think I could have done what Dad did."

Penny stopped, and cupped his face with her free hand. "I'm sure you could James. I've seen you around school, you're a pretty amazing guy." She blushed slightly, "It's one of the reasons I begged my brother to bring me tonight, so I could meet you."

"Really?" James asked, somewhat taken aback.

"Yes." She moved closer, releasing her hands and wrapping her arms round his neck. "I've been admiring you from afar, so to speak. You're so popular and everything, it's very attractive to me."

Penny tilted her head up, and placed a kiss on James' lips, starting slowly, then building up into something more intense. It was quite clear she was a very good kisser.

Several minutes passed before they broke apart. Penny was flushed, and her deep red lipstick was a little smeared.

James managed to muster a "Wow" but not much else.

She smiled at him prettily again, "I'm going away tomorrow, on holiday, and I won't be back until the start of school. I hope we can continue this where we left off."

"Sure." James breathed, still rather stunned from the kiss.

Penny leaned in again, to give him a proper goodbye.