Disclaimer: As clear as the sky on a sunny day, I ain't owning this.

Written for Battleships, the Seasons Inspired Challenge, Long Haul V.

Prompt: Wedding, rub their hands to make them feel warm

Word count: 1527

The snow cascaded down onto the soft white ground as charms were spoken and chairs were sprung up in the area. An arch marked the entrance to the aisle, creepers and dainty little flowers being woven in and out of the shrubbery on it. A small stage was being dusted ready for the bride, groom and priest. Guests began trickling in on time and started taking their seats, even as they stared, amazed at the quaint mix of Muggle and Wizarding influences on the momentous wedding. A band played soft music, and it was the very picture of serenity...on the outside.

Inside the bride's quarters, it was a moment of pure panic.

"Marlene, would you please be a dear and see if that pompous arse of your friend has cut his horrendous mane or not? Betsy, I cannot find my veil! And where is Remus?! He told me he would get me my something borrowed! I can't find the bouquet – this thing is ruined!" cried Lily, her face reddening with the effort it was taking her to strap into her wedding dress and shout out orders at the same time.

Secretly, she thanked her stars that Marlene and Sirius had broken up peaceably and were now on relations that seemed to be those of friends with benefits, but it wasn't her part to interfere if they were happy with the arrangement. It would have been a huge soup if either James or she had had to refrain from calling a best friend to their wedding. Hearing a knock on the door, she flung aside her dress and skidded to the door, poking her head out to welcome her mother, a sigh of relief escaping her.

"Lily, what are you doing?" her mother asked, bewildered, as she saw her younger daughter in her slip and slacks.

"Mum, I can't find anything, it's all wrong," bawled Lily, as her mother coughed sternly, making her stop mid-wail.

Raising an eyebrow, her mother began, "Look around you, will you? Your bridesmaids are ready, your wedding dress is beautiful, your veil is tossed on the bed under the bouquet you must be searching for, am I right? Calm down, Lily. It's all okay."

Inhaling deeply, Lily nodded and quickly slipped into her dress, turning her back to her mother as the older woman zipped it up. Every lady in the room breathed a small sigh of relief as the momentary raging bulldozer had subsided in the bride, and went about with their preparations.

"Mum? Is Nia coming?" Lily whispered softly, her head bent low as she fiddled with the hem of her dress.

Mrs Evans breathed heavily, gazing at her daughter in the mirror. Braiding her auburn waves into a thick braid, she explained slowly, "Well Lily, you see, Petunia has to go to a function at Vernon's house. It's probably a birthday or some such thing, you know."

A small frown marred Lily's forehead as she nodded quietly. She had had a feeling that Petunia would not come to her wedding, but there was a small part of her that half-hoped that despite her misguided insecurities about magic and the Wizarding world, Petunia would cheerily rush in to support her baby sister through one of the most important phases of her life. Lily knew, in spite of her mother's repeated reassurances, that there was probably no function at the house. Petunia hated her. Come to think of it, Lily though sadly, Petunia hadn't even invited her to even see Vernon, leave alone be at the wedding a year ago. It didn't come as a surprise, but it still ached her just as bad.

A soft knock sounded and Remus slipped a package under the door. Bending down, Lily picked it up and opened it to find a small bracelet with dainty pearls and silver engravings. A note was attached to the packing which read:

Dear Lily,

This is a little something from James's mother. She doesn't want to see you before the wedding – some big old fancy rule, I tell you, these stupid traditions. Anyhow, cheers, you big old Fireball. See you at the aisle!

Sirius

P.S.: Sorry Lily, he snatched the paper from me. I hope this finds you in the calmest of minds. If not, please calm down; everything looks perfect outside.

Much love,

Remus

Sniffling back a tear, Lily slipped on the bracelet, turned to hug her mother and stood still as Marlene, her maid of honour, adjusted the veil on her head. Soon enough, everyone stepped back and looked at the lady.

Shakily taking a deep breath, Lily announced, "I'm ready."

=o0o=

It's almost done. There is no looking back. This is final, thought James to himself as he stood on the stage next to the Magical Wedding Minister-in-command, who had also very graciously allowed himself to be ordained as a priest according to the Muggle traditions. He cast a glance at the bridesmaids, looking excited and sentimental at the same time.

He then looked back to his friends behind him, varying expressions on each of them. Peter had a faraway look on his face, seemingly preoccupied with something as he chewed the inside of his cheek. Remus was looking around at the decorations, a watchful eye on the cake and the children scampering around it. Sirius was a kaleidoscope of emotions: irritation when his hair fluffed up with a gust of wind, puzzlement when he began scratching at his cuff-sleeve, adoration when he leant to the side and blew a kiss at Marlene on the other side and primarily anticipation, raising himself on the ball of his foot every so often.

This is too much, James panicked wildly, his eyes widening as he felt trapped in the tuxedo he was wearing. He turned to Sirius and whispered, "Can't do it."

Frowning, Sirius asked quietly, "Can't do what?"

"This. It's intimidating. You know how vastly contrasting our ideas are; we used to fight all the time in Hogwarts too. There's no amiable break-up after this, Snuffles. It's a divorce," blabbered James, his voice shaking with every word.

Sirius snapped his head up to gaze piercingly at James. The latter had to shift his sight from the grey ones of his best man and swallow, aware of Sirius's clenched fist and shaking shoulders. It was a few seconds that had passed when Sirius began in a controlled voice.

"Look, I know you're nervous. This is a huge thing, I admit. But mate, you have something which most guys like me yearn to have. You have a lovely life to look forward to, a great job, and most of all, an amazing lady to share it with. I will personally slap you in front of all these people if you dare even think of abandoning Lily now. What would you rather have, a thrilling one-night with every other woman, or a steady set of lazily enjoyable nights with the one woman?" Sirius paused, looking at his best friend with a penetrating sight.

Just then, the band began playing the song and everyone stood up, craning their necks to see the young bride. The two men turned simultaneously to face the aisle, at the end of which Lily had just taken the turn.

James's heart literally skipped a beat.

A pristine white gown covered her slim frame, cinching in softly at the waist, with her thick auburn waves having been braided and twisted up to form a high bun that sat beautifully above her sparkly white veil. Her dress had long lace sleeves that reached her delicate wrist, and the rest of the dress was made from a thick velvety material that formed in a V-shaped cut along the neckline. The same lacy material on her arms covered the rest of her chest, reaching the base of her neck,/A transclucent material covered the rest of her chest, reaching the base of her neck, while precious, white gems were woven into every inch of the figure-flattering dress which gave off an aura of radiance.

She looked beautiful. James extended his hand to help her up the stairs, surprised to find her hands icy-cold. Gently cupping her hand with both of his, he quickly rubbed her dainty one between his, a soft smile on his lips as she shivered despite the probable Warming Charms she had cast on herself. It was when she finally turned to face him and looked into his eyes with a shaky smile, pulling her hand out of his that he truly noticed her.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, which kept straying over to the place where their families sat, unmistakably zeroing in on the spot where they had kept a seat for Petunia. In her tense moments, her freckles had always stood out, and they now dotted her shoulders and she involuntarily rubbed her nose. A few strands of her hair escaped the meticulously tied bun and framed her face, which was lowered toward the snowy ground. He could now see the slightest smudge of her eyeliner, now a bit runny with her tears and the quivering of her chin. James rephrased his thoughts mentally – she looked perfectly ethereal.

Just like that, in that very moment, James knew that he utterly and completely loved Lily.

There was a soft smile on his face when the Minister coughed and asked, "Shall we begin?"

Turning to cast a grateful look at a surprised Sirius, James stood straight, looked into Lily's eyes and replied, "I'm ready."

And in that sentence, both of them realised that they were now ready, for all eternity to come.

A/N:

Here you go, folks. The newest installment to Tales! Thanks to all reviews, follows and favourites. Thanks to Ella, for her insightful suggestions on Lily's wedding dress.

Thoughts and reviews are highly appreciated.

Love,

Ana