Lucius had been worried about doing this, he was not sure today was the best time, but he had. They had been dating for over a month now, and since they were both invited to come, it made sense they came as a couple. Sirius had been on him to date since he was single, and he knew the man would have been happy for him. His son, Harry, Remus and Severus would be happy as well, but the identity of his date would be a shock to them all.
He looked at Charlie, who he knew the boys had met at the cup, but he hadn't. Charlie was the older brother of two of their closest friends, and was only eight years older than the boys, but he was falling for him. Charlie was brash and brave, had the twin's humour and Malfoy worthy charm, working for the ministry now.
Lucius nodded."He picked me up in the bar over a month ago."
Charlie elbowed him in the ribs."I bought the old man a drink, it was he who called it a date, and insisted on a second."
The twins and their family were shocked to see them, but because of the twins, the old family feud had ended. The fact that Charlie was closer to Draco and Harry in age, then to Lucius, added to the mixed emotions from the red heads. The twins were giving their big brother the two thumbs up, and even Draco seemed to be taking it well. He was shocked, Lucius had expected no less considering Charlie, but he was relieved to see both boys seemed to take it well.
Draco finally found his tongue again."He is a bit young, but I guess it is cool. You know how happy I want you."
Lucius took his son into his arms and kissed him on the head. "We have only been dating for a time but he does. I am relieved you are okay with all of this."
It was a shock, but Draco could be happy for his dad, his dad had always done all he could to make Draco happy. His dad had been stuck in a loveless marriage for so long, and when he was free of it, he had been focussed on an old love. Draco looked at Harry's Uncle and Severus and was happy his dad had not been chosen, Severus and hid dad were not meant to be. They would have both been miserable in the end, clinging to an old love, when Severus had found love else where.
Lucius turned to his nephew, even if his main concern was for Draco; he loved Harry as a son as well. He had not been certain about using today to come out about his relationship, as the day was meant to be about Sirius. Harry was quicker though to be smiling at the two.
He hugged his Uncle."I know dad took you out all the time and wanted you to date. He would be as happy as I am. I think he might be a bit shocked at the choice."
Lucius laughed. "I was not going to accept the drink, or kiss him but had some inspiration. I knew he would have approved."
Lucius was not the only worried one; he wasn't the only one who had not told his family about his new boyfriend. He had only come out of the closet recently to his family, though his family had told him they had suspected for some time, but he never brought one home. His parents were extremely open minded, well it was common in their world, but he knew they wanted to see him married with kids. He could see that one day with Lucius perhaps, but he was in no rush to settle down.
Molly and Arthur had been watching, first Draco and Harry, and then their other kids with Charlie. They had been friendly with Lucius because their sons and his were friends and the twins spent time at the manor, but this was different.
Charlie finally had to know and looked to his parents."Mum and Dad?"
Molly hugged her son finally."As long as he makes you happy, we will support you Charlie."
Arthur was a bit more wary, it was hard to see his son with a man closer to him in age than his son, but he agreed with his wife. They were reminded the two were only dating and for a short time, but they knew their son well enough. If Charlie and Lucius had risked coming out here, it was not simple casual dating; they saw more of a future.
Fred looked at Draco." You know this could make us your Uncles one day."
Draco smirked at his friend."I might have to rethink mu blessing of this relationship.'
For the first time all of the tension was cut, and every one in the area were laughing in ease. They went back to the rides and food, Lucius had not intended to ruin the day for them, reminded of why they had been there. Lucius and Charlie had no idea if they would marry one day, they were not looking any where near that far, but they were happy their families could support them in it. Charlie was young, and Lucius had not been single too long, and neither of them were in any rush at all.
Lucius whispered into his ear. "You can stop looking like you're facing a horntail, we are both still breathing."
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Christmas time found the entire Weasley family invited to the manor, but the two youngest had opted to remain at school. They had not been at the park but they heard about Charlie and Lucius, and had never liked Draco and Harry. Molly and Arthur weren't sure, but they came for Christmas Eve dinner, to support their son. Their son had never been one to date the same person for more than a few weeks, and had now been dating since early fall. They knew even if Charlie kept saying it was just dating, that their son had never been so serious about someone before, and it would be more.
It was Severus and Remus who would be taking the next step first, Severus asking Harry for his blessing in the end of January to propose. Harry knew they had only been dating for a short time, but he loved the two of them together, and he knew his Uncle would be so happy. Severus more than had Harry's blessing to propose.
Remus was confused the weekend before Valentine's when Harry appeared in his classroom with a bouquet of roses. "You shouldn't have?'
Harry handed his Uncle the flowers. "Severus asked me to bring them to you. He was sorry he had to be away."
Though the holiday was not till next week, most people would celebrate it on the weekend, but Severus had been asked to speak at a conference. They would both be expected to help at the Valentine dance, but Remus swore he understood. He had never had any one to celebrate it with, and didn't mind celebrating next weekend, he had assured Severus. He had to admit the flowers were a nice surprise.
Remus kissed his nephew on the head." You know when you are old like us, you will not mind missing one holiday so much."
Harry shook his head."I hope I never become so old then. Oh I almost forgot, Hagrid wanted to see you, something about your class next week."
Since the groundskeeper was the one who cared for the animals at school, Remus and Hagrid often worked closely together on projects. He wasn't sure what this was about, but he headed down onto the grounds in search of Hagrid, who he found in the garden by his hut. Remus was surprised when Hagrid told him he had found a breeder for some of the worms they spoke of for class, but was unable to head himself. Remus assured him he was not busy, and could head to the spot.
Remus was starting to wonder if something was up, but he had no idea what, not until he arrived at the address he had been given. He was on the edge of a Scottish loch though he had no idea which one, and all he could see other then some farms on the other side, was ruins of what looked to be an old tower.
He looked around him."Hagrid must have wrote it down long."
Severus' voice surprised him from behind. "He didn't."
Remus turned around to find Severus coming out from the ruins, and he was amazed, realizing this had all been a romantic set up. He was not sure why the location, but he would have been happy in Knockturn, to be there with Severus. He had not been all that honest when he told the boys he didn't mind Severus gone this weekend.
Severus kissed him tenderly." You didn't think I would really be away this weekend did you?'
Remus smiled but looked around."Where are we?"
Severus uncovered a picnic and explained he had found this place years ago when he had needed some plants for potions. He hated borrowing from Horace, and he hadn't had much when he was an assistant, so he had picked as much of his own as he could. He had actually done some 'manual labour' for the farmer, and bought the small ruins, and repaired it enough for a room to dry herbs and a small lab. He had used the place before Horace retired, when he needed to escape away to a lab on his own.
He handed Remus some wine."I thought we would spend the weekend at your cottage, but thought to share this place with you."
Remus knew the lab part had not been used since his pardon but Severus still collected herbs."Thank you for sharing this place with me."
Severus knew Lucius would have taken for some fancy dinner and maybe a trip and he was using Remus' home, but this suited the two of them so much better. He could see how much the picnic and location meant to Remus, and the tears when a favourite song to them both, began to play. Severus helped Remus to his feet, and the two of them danced to the music as the sun was setting and painting the sky.
Severus shocked him when he dropped to one knee. "Remus you have been beyond loyal, stood by me. You are my best friend and love of my life. Marry me."
Remus could not believe the words but he nodded. "Yes."
Severus slid a simple but perfect ring on him, and standing up he drew the man into his arms for a long warm kiss. The were broken apart by clapping, and Remus was surprised to find the boys had been brought by Lucius and Charlie. He took Harry into his arms, who was so happy for him, and was even fine with Lucius.
Lucius clapped Severus in a hug. "I hope you know I am so happy for you. I know this is how it is meant to be."
Severus laughed and looked to Charlie."Maybe you will have your own proposal to plan soon."
Lucius reminded him while he and Charlie had dated for less then two months shorter, Remus and Severus had been part of each other for much longer. He was not opposed to the idea of marriage and perhaps even kids, but down the road. For now he was still convincing Charlie to move in with him.
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When Draco returned home that summer there were a lot of changes, including Harry and his Uncle were not living there. They opted to spend the summer at their own home, though Harry was at the manor almost every day, or Draco came to him. Draco found Charlie had moved in with his dad, and he knew the two would likely consider a wedding not too far down the road, and was happy for them. He and Harry had spent time at the Burrow before and more now, and as odd as it seemed to think, Draco could see being part of it. In truth he was distantly, both Arthur and Molly were kin to his former mother.
Harry faced his dad's home for the first time since he died, his last step to moving on. It had been hard but he needed it, but the summer had other happiness. A few weeks before his birthday, he walked Remus down the aisle, and acted as witness, when he married Severus. Draco had served as best ma for Severus. They were wed on the school grounds, Albus happy to allow it and marry them too, and even Horace was among the guests, as well as Lucius.
Harry hugged his Uncle when the ceremony was done. "I am so happy for the two of you. You know my parents and my dad were with you today."
Severus hugged him as well. "Both in spirit and in you."
Severus and James never had a chance to make peace, but Lily had been a sister, and he and Sirius even made peace. Lucius had understood not being asked to be best man, but he was happy to be here for his brother, and gave him two gifts. One was the honeymoon, and the second was a pendant, which had belonged to Abraxas, but Lucius knew his dad would have wanted Severus to have. Having Lucius and Draco there, Severus felt in part like he had the man he considered his dad, with him.
The reception was out doors like the ceremony, a casual lunch out by the lake, like the proposal, the men had wanted simple. It was far from the society wedding Lucius endured, but he hoped if him and Charlie wed, it would be more like this.
Harry and Draco joined in for the second dance. Harry kissed his boyfriend on the lips. "I want something small and romantic like this when we wed."
Draco smiled and returned the kiss."I would like that, but I was thinking about the beach."
They both knew their hearts, and there was no doubt that they would be married. They knew they wanted three kids, and they could even picture their wedding. They were young, only about to enter fifth year, but they knew their future. Lucius heard them, and made a comment their better not be talking eloping.
Draco smirked a his dad. "No, don't worry we will wait till done school. Besides we need to marry you off first."