THE VEIL
Chapter 11
10th May 1979 - To Have and To Hold
"Sirius! What are you doing here?" Lily had opened the front door of her parents' house, her hair in rollers and a kimono dressing gown wrapped around her. Sirius was standing at the entrance dressed in tailored dress robes, holding a large box.
"Your flowers were ready so I brought them over."
He pushed past her walking into the house setting the box on the kitchen counter. Lily following behind, "Why didn't Remus bring them? He was supposed to bring them!"
"Relax Evans! Moony and Prongs were too busy arguing about which way to tie their cravats. I volunteered to bring them, leaving Wormtail to referee." Sirius explained. Lily looked him up and down, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Then why is your cravat tied? Aren't they supposed to be tied to match?"
Sirius grinned at her, "Because I told them I'd strangle them with theirs if they tried to tell me how tie mine. Hey Marly, looking good" Smiling to Marlene who walked in, also in a dressing gown, her hair and makeup already done. She'd come out to drag her bride back into her room to finish her hair and makeup. She grinned in greeting, "Wanna' trade, groom for bride?"
Sirius chuckled. "That would mean, Moony and Wormtail too, or no deal Marls."
Marlene crinkled her nose, "Pass, come on Lils, I need to get the rollers out of your hair."
Lily ignored her as she pulled out really bad looking, hand-made flowers. She rounded on Sirius, "Black, What the hell are these?"
"Yeah, I also had to tell you that the florist apparently went out of business and sent you this." He began backing out of the kitchen slowly, Marlene covering her mouth to try and stop her giggles.
"WHAT!" Lily screamed as Sirius began backing out of the house Lily stormed after him screamed "SIRIUS BLACK WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE FLORIST IS OUT OF BUSINESS? IT'S MY FUCKING WEDDING DAY!"
Sirius put his hands up in surrender, wincing. "Evans, I'm just the messenger. I'm merely the bearer of bad news, so to speak." He pleaded. He had made it outside, bowing and disapparating at the same time.
As Sirius disapparated a soft wind in Lily's room whispered through, fluttering her veil. It danced past the wedding dress and blew harder. Hermione tumbled out of the wardrobe. She looked around the room, unsure where she was. She started at the sounds outside and looked out the window. She recognised Lily and Marlene. Hermione turned back to the wardrobe and realised what day it was. The day Lily Evans marries James Potter. Turning away from the dress and veil, she walked out of the room to find Lily.
"SIRIUS BLACK YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!" She screamed. But Sirius was already gone. Marlene went out to try and calm the raging bride and led her back inside.
"This cannot be happening." Lily fumed, "This cannot be happening"
Marlene shut the front door and guided Lily back towards the bedroom.
"It's my wedding day and I have no – Hermione!" Lily gasped, both girls stopped in surprise as Hermione emerged from the bedroom. Hermione smiled timidly at them. Lily and Marlene had both learned about Hermione after her last visit, about how she has been appearing and disappearing as Sirius grew up. Both found the notion incredibly romantic. Lily threw her arms around the girl holding her. "I am so, so glad you're here." Hermione didn't quite know what to say, hugging her back. She looked over to Marlene raised an eyebrow at her. Marlene shrugged mouthed "Bridezilla".
The house phone rang and Marlene sprang up to go answer it. As she grew up in a wizarding family they didn't use them. Lily and Hermione however were both well versed in telephones, coming from muggle backgrounds. They stood watching Marlene on the phone and saw her face fall, from what the other person was saying; "Alright, I'll tell her. Oh and also we apparently don't have bouquets… Yes, they sent us what seems like wads of toilet paper stuck to pipe cleaners... yes still three… OK great!... No don't worry… OK, Mrs Evans…. Bye!" Marlene hung up the phone and turned to face the two girls.
"I have good news and bad news, and a great idea." She announced grabbing both girls by the hand dragging them into Lily's room to help finish preparing the bride. "The bad news is that your mum said that Petunia is not coming. The good news is your mum will sort something out regarding bouquets"
Lily's parents had already left for the church. Being muggles meant that they needed extra time to get there, and as the church was three hours away needed as much time to get there. They promised Lily that they would go and see Petunia, Lily's sister to try and convince her to come to her sister's wedding. Petunia apparently refused. Lily and Marlene were to apparate at the appropriate time to meet Lily's father outside the church to walk her down the aisle.
"Tuney is not coming to my wedding? My own sister is not coming to my wedding!" Lily began to tear up. It was her sister's final rejection. Hermione put an arm around Lily. Marlene however, was looking at her smirking. Lily was watching her best friend. "Out with it Marls, what's your bright idea?"
Marlene grinned deviously. "Hermione will be your second bridesmaid."
Lily's eyes lit up and looked pleadingly at Hermione, "That is a perfect idea! Please, please say you will?"
Hermione kindly smiled at Lily, unable to say no "Of course, I'd be honoured to."
Marlene clapped her hands. "Excellent! Now Lily, sit your ass down so I can finish getting you ready." She ordered as she dashed out of the room grabbing the other bridesmaid's dress and accessories from Petunia's old bedroom, handing it to Hermione. Marlene moved back over to Lily, and began pulling the rollers out of her hair. Hermione, looked at the dress, it was a 1950's inspired tea dress in navy blue, The shoes and belt were a bright red. Hanging the dress next to Marlene's matching one she settled on the bed watching the blonde witch transform Lily's hair and face into a smiling, blushing bride.
It was a site to behold. Marlene was extremely good at what she did with makeup and magic. In short order Lily was ready to get dressed. Lily stood and took Hermione's hands, sitting her down in her place. Marlene had gone behind a screen in the corner to put her dress on.
"Seeing as his royal pain in the ass doesn't know you are here." Lily said as she looked over Hermione's shoulder in the mirror smirking. "You are getting the Marly Makeover treatment so we can surprise the hell out of him." Hermione looked in amusement through the mirror, "The Marly Makeover treatment?"
Marlene came out from behind the screen in her navy blue dress that went to her knees, smirking, "I'm famous for it and we need to make it hard for Sirius to know it's you. Trust me Hermione. You are not going to regret it."
"I don't have a choice in this do I?" Marlene grinned at her through the mirror and shook her head. When Marlene was done Hermione almost didn't recognise herself in the mirror. Marlene had managed to straighten her untameable curls, magic holding the effect in place. It was pulled up into a high sleek ponytail, held high on her head with a matching red hair clip, covering the elastic. Her eyes were dark outlined and smoky, the blush on her cheeks highlighting her cheekbones, subtly changing the angles on her face and a dark red lipstick finished the look.
Lily came out from behind the screen in her dress. She looked ephemeral, in a white satin and the lace tea dress, the belt, and shoes a navy that matched the bridesmaids dresses. Marlene stepped behind to make sure the dress was done up and picked up the veil setting it amongst her red curls. Lily looked at Hermione and smiled. "Best get changed. We need to be there soon."
Hermione's gathered the garments and got changed behind the screen. Lily and Marlene looked her up and down. "If he actually looks at your face Hermione, he is not going to know." Lily said Hermione looked and felt like someone out of Grease the movie, which happened to be Lily's favourite movie.
"Well Marly's Makeovers is a success yet again." Marlene said smugly, "10 sickles it will take him until she makes it all the way down the aisle before he realises."
Lily grinned, "You're on. Only he will notice after I have made it down the aisle and the ceremony has started."
They looked at Hermione, who replied, "Remus will work it out first, at which point they will place their own bets on it between them." She smiled deviously and the girls laughed. "Ready?" She asked both of them who nodded, taking Marlene's outstretched hands and apparated all three to the church.
Remus was waiting outside when they appeared to greet the bride, and her bridesmaids, three bunches of bright yellow tulips in his arms. Striding over he looked them all up and down appreciatively, until Marlene slapped him on the head scowling, "Hey, eyes on me, if you want to ogle someone."
"Ow! Hey I can't help it you all absolutely stunning. Though, I thought your mum said your sister was a no show?" he asked handing out the bouquets to each of them, focusing on Hermione. She counted to five in her head when she saw Remus's eyes widen in recognition. She smirked and winked, putting a finger to her lips briefly.
Remus grinned and winked back, "Better go and let James know. Sirius said you were distraught over the flower debacle." He said.
"I do not do distraught," Lily sniffed. "I do happy and screaming mad. But not distraught."
Remus walked inside and spoke to Lily's parents letting them know she arrived, and hurried to the nervous groom, grinning, "I have good news and great news."
James looked at him waiting, not quite sure he would be able to talk. Remus sighed, "The girls are here. And Lily magicked a replacement bridesmaid up."
Sirius pulled out a silver flask and took a swig before shoving into James shaking hands, "well that is the good news; what is the great news?"
Remus grinned, "She is better bloody looking than her bitch of a sister."
"Only one replacement bridesmaid?" Peter asked. He looked extremely uncomfortable in the dress robes that they made him wear. Not happy that he was again dateless. But he had no choice. Lily had only wanted two bridesmaids. James insisted on all three of his best mates stand with him, as they had done in school together, and out of school with the Order of the Phoenix. Sirius handed the flask to Peter, trying to cheer him up. "Buck up, Wormtail. There is likely to be some lovely waitresses at the reception." Peter took a swig, not feeling any better at all, and handed it to Remus.
"So do we know who this bridesmaid is?" Sirius asked Remus who grinned and shook his head as he drank.
"It would ruin the surprise if I told you. But to make it interesting, the first one to figure out Lily's mystery bridesmaid gets first dance with her. If she gets to the alter and none of you figure it out, I get first dance. Deal?"
The other three looked between each other weighing up the bet. James said, "Lils would kill me if I went ahead with this. And win."
Grinning, "Guess it's not too early to find more ways to annoy her. I'm in."
Sirius taking back the flask tipped it up sighing realising it was empty, "You know I'm in. Let's not pretend otherwise."
Peter, now with the potential of having his night become better, even if it was for one dance grinned "I'm in."
The music started and the doors opened. Marlene appeared at the entrance and walked slowly down the aisle, smiling at the small crowd of close friends and family. When Marlene reached the boys she smirked at Remus, "Do they know yet?"
Remus shook his head returning the smirk, "Bets on who guesses who it is first."
"Damn it! Lily and I just lost 10 sickles." All four turned and looked at Marlene in shock. She grinned and winked at them, "What? Thought you were the only ones betting?"
She turned and looked down the aisle as Hermione walked slowly through the door, whispering to them, "Eyes up front soldiers."
The boys all turned to the door. Marlene snickered as James, Sirius and Peter all swore under their breath. She caught Remus eye, "What's the bet?"
Sirius answered without taking his eyes off the bridesmaid walking slowly towards them, "Simple. Guess who she is, we get first dance with her. Remus gets first dance if we don't"
James face tinged pink knowing he was checking out someone other than his bride. Marlene pouted, "What no bets for me?"
Sirius grinned and winked at Marlene, "No, your Moony's prize if one of us beats him." Marlene rolled her eyes at him, chuckling.
Hermione made it to the steps, and tripped on the last one. Four pairs of hands reached for her, Sirius catching her. Her shoe had fallen off and Sirius reached down grabbing it kneeling in front of her. "Milady, if I may?" She looked down at him smiling, her hand on his shoulder balancing, offered her foot to him as he placed the shoe back on, and then looked up at her, brown staring into grey. She counted three seconds when his face lit up as if all his birthdays came at once. "Well hello Princess, aren't you are cheeky surprise." Hermione grinned and Sirius escorted her to stand next to Marlene, kissing her hand before returning to his place.
The music changed and the doors opened to the bride and her father. The afternoon light shining through, outlining Lily as if she were encased by a halo. James exhaled heavily at the site of Lily, the girl he had fallen in love with over and over for nearly eight years, began walking down the aisle towards him. At the sound of James's heavy sigh, Sirius dragged his eyes off the Hermione, and looked up to seeing Lily.
"Prongs old son, you are one lucky man. Evans looks dazzling," he whispered to his friend squeezing his shoulder, James grinned, not taking his eyes off his beautiful bride.
The ceremony was performed by a Ministry Officiant, who was more than happy to include elements of both magical and muggle ceremonies. Sirius nearly forgot his role with the rings as he kept staring at Hermione, until Lily hissed, "Goddammit Black, the rings!"
"Calm yourself Evans, I've got them!" he hissed back. The crowd in the front row chuckled, hearing the argument. They exchanged vows, and then the minister announced that James could now kiss the bride. James swept her into his arms dramatically, leaned down and kissed her fiercely, everyone cheering at the spectacle. When they pulled away Lily was blushed grinning from ear to ear.
Hermione smiled warmly at the newlyweds, joining in the applause. James so achingly like Harry; was grinning from ear to ear, unable to take his eyes off his new wife. Marlene and Sirius were the first to congratulate the couple, and then it was Hermione and Remus's turns. Then the rest of the guest slowly moved up to congratulate them, Sirius grabbed her hand, pulling her away from the crowd, into his arms.
"Oh, how I missed you." He leaned in capturing her lips, kissing her until she was breathless and continued until she was gasping, only pulling away when Lily's voice cut through as she yelled, "SIRIUS BLACK, HANDS OFF MY BRIDESMAID!"
Sirius groaned into her mouth and stood Hermione back up again.
"Evans, I can't help it if your Bridesmaid is my girlfriend." He retorted walking them both back over to the group.
Hermione, raised an eyebrow at him, "Girlfriend huh?" she moved to stand next to Marlene, her smirk blossoming to a full smile.
The reception was held in a little Italian restaurant, down the road. It was the first place that James had taken Lily out on an official date and the owner was more than happy to host their celebrations, with so much food, and drinks. There was even a duke box set up in the corner. Overall the day was absolutely lovely. James eyes kept following his wife around the room, and Lily constantly glancing back to him, beaming each time their eyes connected. The bridal waltz came on and James led his bride out onto the floor, began their dance, laughing and kissing each other, both blissfully happy.
Remus and Sirius stood to take the girls on the dance floor. Remus grinned at Sirius, "You technically lost." He held out his hand to Hermione. Hermione side glanced at Marlene, who was already standing to Sirius's outstretched hand. The groomsmen leading the bridesmaid's onto the floor joined the dancing newlyweds. Remus spun her and they began a slow waltz, "Sirius is a lucky man Hermione. Shame he lost the bet." He smirked. Hermione laughed. "Well I'm 20 sickles up for mine. What was your bet?"
Remus smile broadened, "Dancing with you. First dance. What was yours?"
Hermione gave him her most devilish smile, "My bet was that you'd figure it out, then bet on which of the other three worked it out." Remus whistled low. "Those were some big odds, how did you know?"
Hermione winked and laughed, "Call it witches instinct. Well as winners shall we go spend my winnings on a drink?"
Remus danced them to the bar, and got them drinks, toasting their glasses. "To winners and friends!" They took a sip and watched the people dancing. Hermione noticed that Peter was sitting alone. She had begun to feel a little apprehensive towards him, knowing what was to come. And with tonight, the marriage of Lily and James Potter, one of the most talked about events that led up to their deaths, she was almost afraid to speak to him.
Hermione had begun to feel that her presence and actions in the past were solidifying the memories and past that she knew and read about. Small actions and large ones it seemed no matter what she did or didn't do sent shockwaves through her core that she was making the history, Harry's history, and she absolutely dreaded the outcome. In the grey of the veil, all she had for company were the what ifs and what may haves if she wasn't there.
Remus watched her, sipping his drink quietly, she was an enigma. She would laugh and joke with them and then something would be said and she would quieten, her face would go blank as if she were watching a film reel of something. He saw that she would do it frequently around James, and when she started drinking would always seem to call him Harry. However he noticed more and more when Peter was around her face would change to utter despondency before she took back control of herself. He had so many questions he wanted to ask her, like who was Harry, how did she know each of them so well and not at all, and where did she come from. He knew Sirius was completely obsessed with her. He acted the ladies' man, but his heart was hers, long before he reached Hogwarts.
The man himself moved towards them Marlene on his arm. She was glowing from their dance. Sirius, having grown up in one of the strictest of households was required to learn dance, as well as musical instruments. He said he'd never missed one, as it was the only enjoyable thing he took from the harshness of his childhood. He even taught them to dance well enough, so they would embarrass themselves when they occasionally went to muggle dance clubs and socials.
Marlene grabbed his drink and tossed it back, grinning.
"Thanks Remy." He chuckled as she practically dragged him out onto the dance floor, where they began dancing close together. Hermione watched smiling into her glass, finishing her own off.
"May I have this dance?" A hand appeared in front of Hermione, as Sirius bowed before her. She smiled up into those mercurial eyes. "I thought you'd never ask."
He led her onto the dance floor and they took positions. Sirius raised a brow, "You know how to dance?" mildly surprised.
"My parents were the local champions of ballroom dance; they showed me a few things." She explained, her cheeks dimpling.
"You continue to surprise me Princess. But do you know Tango?" he asked her with his heart stopping smile, which broadened as she nodded.
He let go of her hand briefly to pull out his wand, changing the music, to many guests dismay. Marlene being the loudest, "Black quit showing off!"
Lily shushed her, and moved off the floor. She'd seen Sirius dance before, it was always something to behold.
The music started, Latin beats filled the room and Sirius looked down at Hermione grinning, "Ready?" He didn't give her a chance to reply as he spun her away across the now vacant dance floor. As she spun Sirius flicked his wand and Hermione's dress glittered with tiny rhinestones, one side of her skirt split, revealing the suspenders holding her stocking up, the skirt of the dress tapered to a high-low look from where the split was.
Hermione was now standing on the opposite side of the dance floor, Sirius on the other. They gazed at each other, their eyes smouldering. The people around them faded out as the Latin music picked up and began sensually stepping towards one another, stalking each other across the floor until they met, hands coming together, Sirius's left hand on her waist, Hermione's other hand holding a handful of her skirt. Their feet in unison began moving across the room Hermione's head facing away, their feet moving quickly turning in a circle. He dipped her, pulling her against him quickly. She looked at him and his gazed scorched with intensity. She twisted down his body slowly, tauntingly to the rhythm of the music, her legs sliding between his in a near perfect split. Holding her hands he stepped around her legs spinning her on the ground, and then pulling her up so fast she flew into the air.
He caught her, his hands on her hips and slid her slowly down his body, their eyes not breaking contact from the other. Their eyes lit with fire. They moved around the floor in sync, their passion fuelling their moves. The end of the song closed and he dipped her holding her with one arm around her waist, caressing her cheek. Both were breathing hard. For a long moment they remained like that before he pulled her into a deep and fiery kiss. Both were completely oblivious to the cheering applause in the room.
Pulling her back to her feet he twirled her and they bowed to the audience before striding off the dance floor pulling her along. "Sirius, where are we going?" She said in surprise as he practically dragged her out the door. Pulling her close she saw his eyes were like molten silver.
"My place," he answered in a husky voice, apparating them away.
Remus and James chuckled together as they watched their friend depart, knowing that their tango would continue. Marlene next to him was fanning her face. "That was the steamiest thing I have ever seen."
Lily and the other's raised their glasses, "Cheers to Hermione and Sirius, showing the sex without the sex!"
They drank, Peter staring off asked aloud "Was Hermione wearing red panties?"
All four choked and sprayed there drinks. "Right now I doubt it." Remus wheezed, sending them all into fits of laughter around the table.
The only things that Hermione was still wearing was the garter belt and stockings as she was draped across Sirius, both panting hard. They had made it to the bedroom this time, only because Sirius apparated them directly in. The bed however did not hold up to their exertions.
"Your parent's showed you how to tango?" Sirius asked, softly caressing her back, Hermione hummed at the feeling.
"No," she said sleepily, "I went to lessons for those. My parents supported anything I had an interest in outside of books."
Sirius chuckled beneath her as she drifted into slumber.
Sirius awoke to the bed empty again. The sunlight was streaming in to the ruins of the bed. He needed to start using strengthening charms, he thought as he searched through the mess for a pair of boxers. He made his way downstairs yawning, stopping halfway and sniffed the air. In the kitchen was Hermione, dressed in his shirt stocking still on, flipping pancakes, dancing around the kitchen to the music played through the portable radio he had. Sirius was blown away. Thanking the fates, that he had nearly a whole day with her already and she was still here. He stepped into the kitchen, taking her hand and twirling her around dancing as they prepared breakfast.
Hermione sat on the counter as she ate hers, unable to remove the smile from her face as she ate; Sirius leant against the wall opposite, unable to take his eyes off her. An owl flew through the kitchen window, with a parcel and a note to Hermione. Setting down her plate she opened the letter,
Dear Hermione,
I figured you may need these back if Sirius was anything to watch last night. Merlin's beard you both can dance!
Tell Sirius to stop stealing your undies!
Love,
Marly.
P.S. Peter saw your knickers. Jokes on him, Remus got to see mine!
Hermione opened the parcel and her jeans, boots, top and jacket were inside, plus another small brown bag. She silently thanked the blonde witch. She was an absolute angel.
"I'm going for a shower," She gathered her things and went to walk out being stopped by a large muscled arm, barring her way.
"You can come too; you need one as much as me." She wrinkled her nose at him.
"Cheeky little witch!" he growled and he chased her playfully upstairs, Hermione squealing and giggling.
They spent the day out together, the weather sunny and bright. She rode pinion on the back of the motorcycle; only on the proviso he kept it on the ground. He took her to a park and they walked around, Sirius bought them ice creams. Hermione told him about her growing up in the muggle world, and subjects she studied at school. He was surprised when she told him about the time turner she had used for class. She deliberately left out information that could be detrimental, sticking to safer subjects, like classes, what she wanted to do when she left, how old she was after using the time-turner for the majority of a school year.
It was sunset; Sirius had taken her to a lookout to end their perfect day together. The sky was alit with blazes of colour, yet neither was watching Mother Nature's display. Sirius, arms around her, kissed her as her back leaned against the railing. The sun sank lower and the clouds sky was awash in golds, and Sirius whispered softly in her ear, watching as her face lit up. The whispering wrapped around them, he leaned in kissing her fiercely, she moaned against him. The suns final rays disappeared and so too did Hermione.
"Please don't leave me waiting long, Princess." Sirius whispered into the darkness.