Chapter 10:
Severus bared his teeth. His teeth remain crooked though not as bad it used to be. The back teeth straighten far quicker than his front teeth. From a distance, his teeth appeared straight but when one moves closer, one of Severus' front teeth was shifted to the side and there was a space between his canine teeth and his lateral incisors. Of course his muggle dentist already informed him that the one crooked teeth and the space is easily resolved by wearing his retainers during the night. His pink tongue ran over his white teeth. The braces were removed because of his wedding day and attended two treatment of teeth whitening. The treatment wasn't perfect at this time so Severus opted to lighten his teeth colors before choosing to not go back because the muggles haven't perfected the technique. Severus would rather suffered through two treatments of peroxide than drink his own urine as the Romans did. The color of his teeth improvement, no longer yellow but a lighter color and less obvious now that his lips were redder. His lips turned different in color once the color of his skin turned pale and the dead skin on his lips was scrub away.
"You might think that 'this isn't how I look'" Fleamont said as he entered the room and seeing Severus gazing at his appearance. "But this is how you always look. Once you started taking care of yourself and consuming food with the right diet, your appearance changed. The treatments did help speed things along but the way you look is because you drink water and eat fruits and vegetables."
"So a person's appearance can change just by eating the right foods?" Severus asks, meeting Fleamont eyes through the mirror.
"Yes, you are proof of that" Fleamont says, sitting on the sofa. "Euphemia tells me that you're panicking and ask me to keep you company."
Severus nodded. "Those people, the guests that are downstairs right now. I don't know any of them."
"Neither do I" Fleamont responded.
Severus blink, stun. "Then why are they here? Who invited them?"
"I suppose giving you a small brief introduction into pureblood politics should start now" Fleamont says thoughtfully. "You see, Severus, purebloods expect to receive a invitation to any event even though you, yourself, don't know them personally, it's likely that you are related to them through a past marriage. And right now, during times like this, it's best to be polite and always invite the important people."
Severus frowned. "What happens when you invite the wrong people?"
"Well, I guess that's why we have family wards. The manor will protect us and immediately kick anyone with ill intentions."
Relief filled Severus once he felt appeased that the manor will protect in the event that any of his former friends attempt to hurt him. Before Severus could continue his questions, a bell rang.
"What is that noise?"
"Oh, that's the signal. It means the guests should take a seat because the wedding is about to begin. Look" Fleamont pointed to the guests. Severus, once more, stood next to the window, staring down as the guests shuffle into their guests. Severus tense when he saw white blonde hair.
They invited Malfoy to the wedding. Of course they did because Malfoy is a pureblood. And who is he?
Behind Malfoy was an older man, his hair white blond like Lucius and his face set in a stern mask. He didn't outright sneered at the guests but remain polite. His eyes, on the other hand, were practically screaming insults at people. That must be his father.
"That's Lord Malfoy" Fleamont said from behind Severus. "If you ever meet him in person, always call him Lord Malfoy. He's a stickler for rules and will be tear you a new one if you refer to him by any other name."
Severus nodded. "Does he have a wife?"
Fleamont shook his head. "No, she died last year from Dragon Pox. It's surprising that Lord Malfoy didn't catch it since he was near her bedside but I wouldn't be surprised if he died this year from Dragon Pox."
"Oh? So that means his son would be the next Lord Malfoy then."
"Yes, his son, Lucius Malfoy would next in line. They had no other children and the young Malfoy is married to Narcissa Black."
Severus' gaze landed on Narcissa Black. He remember her from Hogwarts, a year older than him. "I didn't know Malfoy was married."
"Yeah, the wedding announcement was published last year in the spring. They had a spring wedding. Euphemia and I attended. James had other plans so he didn't go" Fleamont says.
Severus nodded again, choosing to roam around with his eyes, searching for any familiar faces. Severus blinked when he saw Mary MacDonald and Marlene McKinnon. The two females were holding hands and Mary had a small blush on her cheeks. Marlene appeared to be talking to Mary, quietly as their heads were close to one another. Severus remember the two as they friends with Lily in Hogwarts and both Gryffindors.
I didn't they were lesbians.
Severus caught another person he recognized. Avery and Mulciber. They had on black robes and kept themselves distant from the other guests. Unlike the Malfoys that chose to remain polite and converse with some of the guests, the two had twin expressions of annoyance. Mulciber, at one point, shot MacDonald a nasty smile, which made her pale real quickly. McKinnon glared at Mulciber, meeting his eyes head on she defiantly shot him a look of pure hatred.
"My wedding is going to be ruin" Severus mumbled. Fleamont didn't make any noises that he heard Severus. "Whose idea was it to place Slytherins and Gryffindors in the same place?"
Fleamont stood, smiling. "It'll be fine Severus. They won't pull anything here, especially since we have the head of the Auror department here."
Severus peeked at Fleamont. "Really?"
"Yes, he's down there right now, most likely talking with Dumbledore and the other Hogwarts professors."
Severus looked out the window again, realizing he didn't noticed the Professors and Dumbledore. Severus spotted Dumbledore sitting, chatting with an older man with dark skin.
Another bell rang and Severus felt the same nerves return full force. "It's time" Fleamont says from behind him.
Severus nodded.
"I'm sure you already remember how the wedding will go. Both you and James will take turns walking down the aisle. James will be first since you are taking his name and you will follow after him, okay?"
"Yes, I remember" Severus says tightly. His palms were sweating.
"I'll walk you down" Fleamont says, holding his arm out for Severus to hold. Severus hook his arm around Fleamont's, allowing himself to be led out of his sanctuary. Severus could see the bottom stairs and once he step onto the first floor, Severus could feel his throat tightening.
This is actually happening.
James stood at the entrance, faced away from him. Severus exhaled a deep breathe, and wipe his palms on his white robe.
Finally as Fleamont led Severus towards the entrance, James turn around. As if in a movie, everything slowed down. In that moment, James' mouth had fallen open and Severus couldn't stop his smile.
"Hello" Severus greeted when he stood in front of him. James didn't say anything and Fleamont slowly left the area, discreetly. The two men stood in silence with Severus staring at his palms and James gaping at Severus,
Severus quickly swipe his hair behind ears, chancing a glance at James. "Are you going to say anything?"
James blink. "You look amazing."
"Do I?" Severus immediately asks.
James didn't reply, holding out a hand to Severus. "Take my hand." Severus places his hand in James. James grip Severus' hand and pulled him close him to whisper into his ears, "Words fall through and always fool me. And I can't react."
Severus couldn't react either, the same feelings from that night arousing inside his body. Severus stare James, his mouth parted open. "That's the song" Severus whispers, unable to continue speaking. James smiled. "Believe it or not, I did pay attention to the wedding details."
Severus let out another breath as he says "I didn't think you were paying attention. I thought you were busy with your cases so..." Lost for words, Severus just stare at James. The anxious feelings that were building up in Severus disappeared and a unname emotion filled the empty space. Severus felt excited, his body shook and his mind clear. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, I am."
"Good" they heard as Mallory stood behind, "James you're up." James nodded. "Right, I guess this is where I go first" James says and Mallory ruins the moment by bluntly demanding, "Let go of Severus' hand or you won't be moving any time soon."
Severus blink and sure enough, the two were still holding hands. James drop Severus' hand and cleared his throat as he stood tall, ready to walk.
On cue, James could the sound of a guitar strumming and a male voice singing "I don't know you, But I want you. All the more for that, words fall through me. And always fool me. And I can't react…"
James begin walking with one glance over his shoulders to gaze at Severus, who stood at the back, his black eyes holding contact. The guitar tempo quickens and James faces all the guests.
There was white trees that surrounded the entire area. The trees were all bare, mimicking how trees look in the winter and where the sleeping buds would be, were light bulbs. As James walk, the trees lit up in gold, reflecting on everyone's faces. The guests couldn't help their reaction to seeing the trees lighting up and some guests let out a loud gasps.
James couldn't stop the smile and before he knew it, he stood at the front, next to the wizard officiator.
Severus had to actively stop his body from shivering and Mallory immediately gestured for him to move. Severus took one step, then another and he was walking down the aisle. Severus avoided meeting anyone's eyes as he kept his head held up and his face blank.
The singer sang.
Near the front, Severus lost himself in the words of the song that his mask falters and his eyes sparkled and his cheeks flushed red. Whether from the cold or from the wedding is anyone's guess.
They both face forward, the officator clearing his throat and the singer ended the song.
Severus heard his heartbeat filling his ears and the officator's mouth open as he spoke but Severus could hear nothing. James grab Severus' hands and automatically, Severus face James as he turn his body to the side. From the corner of his eye, he saw the blurred faces of the guests.
"The magical moment of when the two magical cores merge with each other and forever carry around a piece of each other's magic in your core" the officiator preached about the special moment and how permanent marriage is. Severus could care less about this part. Instead, he entertained himself by gazing at James' outfit.
James wore a black suit, similar to Severus but without the added vest. A white button shirt and black slacks and shoes. He wore a red tie, matching the red rose that was attach to Severus' suit. Severus' green tie match the green rose that was attach to James' suit. The rose had to be charmed green.
James smiled, his cheeks red and Severus could feel his fingers lightly shaking from the cold. The guest were all warm from the charms that was placed on the chairs and the trees that hung over them, keeping the cold out. Unfortunately, Severus and James stood at the front, where there was no trees hanging over them, instead they had the slowly darkening sky and some bright stars that were starting to shine.
Mallory said no warming charms until after they take the photographs, so Severus had to suffered a little in the cold. There was a little heat coming from the stage they stood on, meaning the house elves charmed the stage.
"Now, the rings will be the grounding pieces and gate that allows your magic to flow through."
Severus started as James slip the gold bang onto his finger. Severus pulled out his own gold band and slid the ring onto James' finger.
The officiator smiled. "The rings are on, now we begin the magical part." Under his breath, the officiator spoke in a long string of latin. As he spoke, the rings on their finger slowly lit up and grew brighter.
A tug in Severus' lower stomach caught his attention. Severus glance down, before he knew it, he gasps soundless as the tug pulled harder. James appeared to be experiencing the same sensations as he grunted instead and Severus watch as a wisp of smoke slowly left James' stomach. Severus glance at his stomach, watching as a grey wisp left his body as well.
The string of wisp slowly traveled to the officiator and enter his body through his stomach.
Severus couldn't hide his disbelief as he realized that his magic entered another wizard's body. While Euphemia explained to him what the officiator does, nothing could prepare Severus for this. There was beads of sweat on the officiator's forehead but he didn't falter in his Latin. The sensation of his magic leaving his body felt foreign to him and Severus didn't like the feeling.
Three minutes had pass and the wisp of smoke continue to leave his body. Severus shifted, moving his weight from one leg to the other, tired of standing here. Feeling apprehensive, Severus peek at the guests, searching for Euphemia and Fleamont. The Potter couple sat in the front, and the reactions on their face didn't pacify Severus. Euphemia held onto Fleamont's hand tight as her worried eyes met Severus'.
Some guests were murmuring among each other, glancing wary at each other. Severus deduced that the magical merging didn't last this long.
James' hand tighten around Severus, forcing Severus' attention back to James. His hazel eyes seemed to convey that it'll be fine. Severus bit one side of lips, forcing his distress emotions down.
Finally, the officiator stop his string of Latin, standing silently with his head bow as the wisp faded away. A moment of silence and the ring around Severus' finger stop glowing but the empty space inside his magical core unsettled him. He shifted uneasily.
The officiator gripped Severus and James at the same time. The emptiness in Severus soon filled, like a empty cup, the sensation of magic being pour into Severus' magical core was phenomenal.
Broken by lovelytheband (acoustic)
Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Can't help falling in love by Kina Grannis