Chapter 14

"Wow," James breathed as Holly walked into the living room in a floor length, blood orange, satin gown which had a halter neck top and waves of flowing material; it hugged her slender figure and tapered from below the hips trailing a little on the floor behind her as she walked. She smiled coyly at his complement and held out a thin gold bracelet to him which he fastened slowly feeling completely transfixed by her.

"You scrub up quite well yourself," she giggled back straightening up the black bow tie of his dress robes before leaning over to pick up the matching cloak she had; James took it from her hands and draped it over her shoulders fastening the golden braids around her neck and then kissing her gently. Her hair was twisted up at the back of her head in a soft knot and a few stray tendrils hung down around her face which was made up with a trace amount of make up enhancing her features.

"Wait," he said as she took his hand and walked over to the fireplace, "you're not quite ready yet," he added tugging gently on the hand she had put in his and making her swing back around.

"Why?" she asked curiously.

"Orchideous," he whispered pointing his wand forward and a small spray of yellow and orange flowers appeared from the end of his wand which he turned into a pretty corsage; Holly smiled at him as he fastened it to her dress and with a whispered thank you she turned to walk them to the fireplace again.

"James," she giggled as he stood resolutely on the spot and made her turn back again, "we'll be late," she chided softly.

"I'm allowed to be," he whispered, "it's my party! And you're still not ready!"

"What is it now?" she asked with a curious look as he tugged her forwards and placed another kiss on her lips.

"You need this," he replied when they pulled apart and from his pocket he produced the charred box containing the ring he had given her four days ago in St Mungos. They had not mentioned their engagement since returning to the flat and Holly had simply decided to wait until he was ready to announce it. She had known all along that James did not make commitments, or never had before and though he had convinced her that he wanted it she was still not sure he was ready to tell everyone else that he did. The box popped open and Holly once again gazed down on the beautiful golden stone which shimmered on the thin yellow gold band.

"Are...are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied with a smile, "I hid you once and regret it dearly and I feel like I'm hiding you again, I want to the world to know that I'm marrying you and I want them to know tonight!" She smiled at him as he slid the thin band onto her finger again and she gazed down at it, still completely in awe of what it represented, not just the ring itself but the stone shining brightly on it. "Now, you're ready," he chuckled taking her left hand in his and guiding her towards the fire with his other hand on the base of her back. He released her long enough for them to floo to the Ministry and then he grasped her hand in his again as they headed from the atrium to the vast ballroom on the third floor where all Ministry occasions were held.

They were a little late and by the time they walked in most of the guests were already there, Holly spotted James' parents stood with Lily, Raulph and Vernon who was holding drinks for himself and his girlfriend. After nodding at a few other people James pulled Holly in their direction and they smiled as the couple approached. Holly braced herself for their reaction to the engagement and smiled as they reached them waiting for her fiancé to hold up the hand he held in his but he did nothing of the sort. James greeted his family but kept the ring on her hand covered by his tight hold and even when his sister held her arms open to Holly he did not release her fingers so she could hug her back. Feeling confused again Holly walked with him as they moved to greet more guests but did not ask him why he was still hiding the ring, her mind started to think he was still not ready to tell people even if he had convinced her that he wanted it but Holly decided she would leave it for the time being. She was ready to discuss anything, no matter what the answer might be but as they greeted more and more people and he still did not tell anyone the news she started to feel a little worried again.

After half an hour a gong sounded and everyone took to their seats at the round tables set up around a huge parquet dance floor; James nodded at a few people he had not yet spoken to but still held onto Holly's hand as he walked to the front of the room where Terence Beerney was stood on a high podium smiling widely and waiting for everyone to sit down. Eventually he stood up and pointed his wand at his throat while whispering, "Sonorus." His voice was instantly magnified and everyone fell into silence as he began speaking, "Welcome everyone to this special event held in honour of James Sirius Potter, the youngest auror to be promoted to senior since his father before him but one who is no less deserving of the post. James showed his true colours in the battle at the Ministry a few months ago and earned this early promotion for himself while fighting alongside his father to bring down a dark and dangerous wizard who had been on the run since the downfall of he who will still not be named. He has proven himself time and again by taking on dangerous missions and coming out triumphant in most cases and I personally feel that this promotion has been a long time coming, I look forward to working with James for many years to come, and so without further ado may I ask you all to raise your glasses and toast a prosperous and talented auror. James Sirius Potter," he added holding up the glass he held in his own hand and looking over to his protégé who finally let go of Holly's hand.

"Wait right here," he whispered as he moved to take the podium from his boss who shook his hand vigorously before stepping down. Repeating the sonorous charm James magnified his own voice and began to speak clearly, "Thank you Terence for your kind words and thank you everyone else for coming to this wonderful ball in my honour. Most of you know I am not the kind of man who likes to be in the limelight," he chuckled as people from around the room jeered at his comment and laughed as they knew perfectly well that James loved to be the centre of attention. "Well not always," he added with a chuckle glaring at some of his colleagues and family who had whispered the remarks, "but tonight I am; and not just because of my promotion," he continued. "I am glad you are all here to support me in this and appreciate all your well wishes for my future at the Ministry but I am hoping you will also give me well wishes for other reasons this evening," he went on as a few curious glances were cast his way.

He glanced across at Holly then and grinned as she realised what he meant and she smiled encouragement back at him before he went on, "A few days ago I did something that most people may find very strange coming from me, but it was something that I wanted more than anything in the world and now I want to share it with everyone who I respect and love. On Monday," he continued taking a deep breath, "I asked Holly to marry me," he said with a wide smile at her, "and she said yes," he finished turning back to the congregation some of whom were wearing very shocked looks on their faces. He held out a hand in Holly's direction and she walked over to him feeling embarrassed but happy to be the centre of attention and as she reached him he pulled her close and gave her a long kiss which caused many wolf whistles around the room. She was bright red when they pulled apart and hid her face in James' shoulder as he turned to smile at the now cheering and clapping group of people in front of them. When she finally lifted her head to look at them she saw many smiling faces but none shone brighter than James' parents and grandparents and she knew she was in for an obscene amount of hugs.

As they took to their own seats amid the rounds of congratulations and handshakes blocking their path waiter witches came out from behind a tall gold plated door and started to serve a meal from beneath huge domed serving platters. They were sitting with James' parents, grandparents, siblings and their partners who were all ecstatic about the news and as predicted gave both Holy and James multitudes of hugs before they were able to sit down and eat their meal. They had decided earlier in the week to keep quiet about the baby for a while as it was still early days and only Ginny and Harry knew about it at present so their was no mention of it other than when Molly asked how long it might be before she got another great grandchild.

After eating a four course dinner all the guests were entertained by a band playing both traditional and contemporary music including some Celestina Warbeck hits which Molly dragged Arthur up to dance to and as it was the tune Holly had been singing in the kitchen when James had returned from his earlier mission he stood up and offered her his hand too. She took it with a coy smile and allowed him to sweep her slowly across the parquee floor. "You were worried again tonight weren't you?" he whispered into her ear in a gentle tone.

"What...?" she stuttered.

"It's okay Holly, you thought I might be hiding the ring again when I wouldn't let your hand go, I could see it in your face."

"I...I..."

"Darling, I know and it's okay, I haven't exactly been the most open and honest when it came to our relationship and other people and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you what I was planning but I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone, even you," he smiled looking into her eyes and kissing her softly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered guiltily but he only kissed her again and tried to push away that guilt. They continued to sway away to the music and James occasionally dropped her over his arm making her smile brilliantly as her eyes dazzled with love; from their table the rest of his family watched with wide smiles on their faces, they had never expected James to be the settle down type but they were so happy that he had.

They danced intermittently and talked to people who were still offering their congratulations as the night passed by, drinks were flowing and the music played as everyone had a good time in honour of James and not only his promotion but his engagement too. It was close to midnight when people began to leave but though she was tired Holly knew she would stay as long as James wanted her to, which would be a while from now. He left her with his mother for a while as he saw some of the guests out of the hall and to the atrium where they flooed back home; he was a little drunk but had purposely tried to take it steady all night as he was sympathetic to Holly being unable to drink while he could.

After walking Dominique down to the floo network he turned and sauntered slowly back up to the ballroom alone thinking over the whole evening; it had been perfect, just as he had pictured it and he was over the moon that he had told everyone his good news at last. The corridor on the third floor was deserted and he could hear his footsteps echoing along the hall as he walked slowly back to the golden doors at the end of it; he was almost there when a noise caught his attention and suddenly a hand reached out from a darkened doorway and dragged him into it. He smiled and leaned down expecting it to be Holly but stopped and looked closely when he smelled a familiar perfume that he knew did not belong to her. "James," said a slurred voice as a pair of lips leaned up and placed themselves onto his.