Ok. So I really suck. I'm so sorry for taking so long to update. Work has been crazy busy... and it never ends. :( Anyway I really hope you like this chapter - I know any sappy girls out there will. It's a real girly emotional one (sorry guys).

Chapter 21:

I Promise

The Christmas break descended upon the Gryffindor fifth years quickly. They were all returning home for the holiday to see their parents. The Gryffindors took a compartment on the train to themselves. About half way there the compartment door opened to reveal Carmelita, James' girlfriend. She grinned at James as she settled herself next to him in the already full compartment. "I'm so excited about the wedding," Carmelita commented with a giggle.

"It should be good," James agreed.

"Who are you taking Sirius?" Carmelita asked kindly.

Sirius grinned, "er… Marlene is coming with me."

"As friends?" Carmelita asked.

"No. It's a date," Marlene replied.

"Oh," Carmelita didn't look too impressed. "That's nice. Has anyone bought a dress yet?"

The rest of the train journey was pretty uneventful but when the train stopped the entire compartment got a shock when Snape entered, "Lily, do you need a hand with your things?"

James and Sirius scoffed, "If she did we'd be more than willing to help her out. She doesn't need your greasy hands all over her stuff."

Lily glared at the boys before levitating her trunk and following her best friend out of the compartment, "I don't know why you put up with them Lil."

"Me neither," Lily muttered.

Christmas day was very different at the Potter house this year. Sirius was present as always but presents had been opened the night before so that the family would have time to prepare for the wedding. A large marquee had been erected in the middle of the grounds and beautiful blue ribbons were adorning everything. Everything seemed to sparkle in the winter sun. The ground was covered in a heavy layer of snow and Mrs Potter couldn't help but wonder how her adopted daughter would be able to get down the aisle wearing heals in the snow without getting her dress covered. James grinned at his mother, "quit worrying."

Mrs Potter held her son closely before making her way over to Xenophilius' parents to introduce herself as adoptive mother of the bride. James and Carmelita sat on the second row next to James' parents whilst the other marauders sat a few rows back. Carmelita looked momentarily disgruntled when she saw Sirius and Marlene happily laughing together. James didn't notice though as the music changed and the guests quickly found their seats. James grinned when he saw Xenophilius Lovegood take his place at the front. He looked nervous yet eccentric. He was wearing the strangest dressrobes James had ever seen. The guests all stood to their feet as the bridesmaids began to make their way down the aisle. Doreen and Cynthia looked beautiful in their blue dresses. When the girls reached the front all eyes turned to the back once more anticipating the arrival of the bride. Dorian walked arm in arm with his sister nervously. She looked amazing, truly radiant. Several girls sighed as she passed them. She was stunning.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the official at the front began. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls…"

"The couple decided to write their own vows. It is rather unorthodox but I gave them my consent when I read what they wanted to share. It was rather moving. Xenophilius if you could say your vows…"

"Nancy, from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life. Your beauty, heart and mind inspire me to be the best person I can be. I promise to love you for eternity, respecting you, honouring you, being faithful to you, and sharing my life with you. I love you. And when I tell you I love you, this is what I mean: you are the one for whom I have waited. You have brought me more peace and steadiness than I have ever known. Your ready smile, your deep convictions, your passion and compassion, your beauty, your laughter, your sense of adventure, your intelligence, your wisdom, your faith, your courage, your kindness overwhelm me. I promise to give you the world. I promise to love you so much that you will never feel alone again. I promise to provide for you, your family and our children. I promise to be everything you need and to never leave your side. I promise to be yours and only yours."

By the time Xenophilius had finished both his mother and Mrs Potter were crying heavily and his bride had a tear rolling down her cheek. He quickly wiped it away in a loving gesture.

"Nancy, if you would…" the official spoke quietly.

"Standing here with you now is exactly where I was always meant to end up. Nothing has ever felt so right. With every beat of my heart I love you. I do pledge my life to you – I want to grow old by your side. I want to give you my forever. I promise to care for you, to love you, to protect you, to adore you. No one will ever be able to replace you in my heart. I will strive to give you the best of myself, while accepting you the way you are. I promise to never hide myself from you but rather to share my inner most fears and feelings, secrets and dreams with you. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give and all that I am, in the only way I know how – completely and forever."

Nancy was crying in earnest now yet she still managed to look radiant. The official cleared his throat, even he was welling up, "Do you, Xenophilius Lovegood, take Nancy Nora Jackson to be your lawful, magical wife for forever more?"

"I do."

"And do you, Nancy Nora Jackson, take Xenophilius Lovegood as your lawful, magical husband for forever more?"

"I do."

"Then I declare you bonded for all eternity."

The official wizard waved his hand high over the heads of Xenophilius and Nancy and a shower of silver stars fell upon them, spiralling around their now entwined figures. "Ladies and gentlemen! If you would please stand and welcome the new Mr and Mrs Xenophilius Lovegood."

Everyone stood as the couple began to make their way down the aisle together. There was a rush of applause. The official quickly waved his wand once more and the chairs vanished as the marquee was transformed to make room for dancing. James led Carmelita over to his friends. "Should we grab a table?"

"Sure," Sirius grinned.

All the girls had tears in their eyes as they nodded. The band had begun to play and so the group of friends watched as Nancy and Xenophilius danced the first dance. They really did look amazingly happy.

Please review - it makes me happy...