Okay so I think this is a good place to note that there are going to be (and have been) certain elements that are not strictly canon. Bellatrix being at Hogwarts with the Marauders, and the absence of Marlene McKinnon etc, to name a few. I'll try to keep things authentic and not too OOC (from what we know of these characters, anyway), but as a warning - there are events coming that are supposed to have happened earlier on, in fifth year or so. You'll know it when you read it. But thanks for sticking with this story despite the dodgy details :)
And you guys are all awesome for reviewing!
Chapter 28
"Who's got the bouquet?" Petunia said shrilly.
Lily rolled her eyes.
"It's on the table, honey," said Mrs Evans.
"What about the flower basket, where's the flower basket?"
"On the table as well. Don't worry, dear, everything's taken care of," reassured their mother. "Today's your big day, just relax. Enjoy it."
That was easier said than done. Her sister had been anxious all day; even Lily felt on-edge about the impending ceremony. It had been a long day of photographs, make up, and painful hair stylings (Lily's long hair was wound in a bun so tight her head hurt), and with only half an hour to go before the wedding Lily was exhausted. Petunia's maid of honour, herself, her mother, and Petunia were in a small back room of the church the Dursley's had hired.
"You look gorgeous, Tunes," said Margaret, Petunia's best friend and maid of honour. Margaret was the opposite of Petunia in looks - short, plump, with white-blonde hair - but no one had ever reminded Lily more of her sister than Margaret Perkins; the whole day she had only addressed Lily when it was absolutely necessary, and even then only with a disdainful look or snarky remark. Obviously Petunia had told her all sorts of horrible things Lily had put the Evans family through. Lily didn't mind - not as much as she'd used to when Petunia would tell her friends stories about her crazy younger sister. It meant she didn't have to try and make small talk with her.
"Thanks, Margie," said Petunia, smiling.
Come to think of it, Margaret had said more to Lily today than Petunia had since the disastrous dinner with the Dursleys. When father and son had walked out of that stupid fancy restaurant Magnum, Petunia had unleashed a string of profanity under her breath at her, while their mother carried on an awkward conversation with Catherine Dursley. When Vernon Dursley and his father had returned, fake smiles plastered and ended the dinner without even ordering a second course, Petunia had ceased talking to Lily. The day after, Vernon had told Petunia his father highly disapproved of 'unstable' Lily as a bridesmaid (or even as a wedding guest at all). Petunia had immediately reassured him that Lily would not be attending. Lily hated to admit it, but it had hurt that her sister would so readily shun her at her own wedding. Hurt, but not surprised. Their mother, however, had made such a fuss ("She is your sister, Petunia Marie Evans!") that Lily was restored to her place in the bridal party. Petunia had not said two words to her since then, but Lily did not mind this golden silence one bit.
Later on, her mother had told her that Petunia had revealed to Vernon Lily's true condition - that she was a witch, not an arsonist. Vernon had taken the news surprisingly well, Lily thought, considering the wedding was still on.
Lily watched as her mother fussed over the tulle skirt of Petunia's puffy white dress. Mrs Evans was still distraught that her daughters were not talking, she could tell, but Lily had already apologised and if her sister would not accept that then she did not have anything more to say to her, either.
"Don't you think this is crooked?" asked Petunia, both arms up and adjusting the veil perched on her head.
"Stop touching it," said her mother, slapping her hand away. "Here, let me..."
Lily started adjusting the straps of her own gown, the horrible, salmon-pink creation that was Petunia's petty jab at her sister. Margaret was wearing a similar one, although her blonde hair did not clash quite as horribly with the dress as much as Lily's fiery red.
"It's perfect," said Mrs Evans, stepping back from Petunia.
Lily sat down at the small table, her feet already starting to ache in the high heels her mother had insisted would look best in this dress. She considered gulping down the rest of the glass of red wine Grandma Babs had left on the table, and even brought it closer to her, before reconsidering. The champagne she had downed at the family toast just before had gone straight to her head, and teetering into the hall full of people probably wouldn't be the best look. Suddenly she felt a pang of longing to see James, and smiled sadly.
"Margaret, dear," said Mrs Evans. "Would you mind giving us a moment? I'd like to talk to my daughters before we go in, it won't be long."
Lily groaned inwardly. Here comes another Intervention.
As Margaret left, Mrs Evans came towards the table where Lily was sitting, waving Petunia over as well. Petunia huffed and pulled up the heavy skirt of the wedding dress and gingerly made her way across the small room as if she were walking down the aisle already.
"Girls," said their mother. Despite the makeup and her groomed hair, Lily thought her mother had never looked older or more tired. "I love you both so very much, you know that. But I need you to get along, just for this one day at least. You'll regret it if you don't-" she ignored Petunia's scoff "-It should be a wonderful, happy day, Petunia, I don't want you looking back and all you can remember is being angry at your sister."
"It's not my fault she tries to ruin everything in my life," blurted Petunia.
Lily bit her lip, but stayed silent. This morning she had made a pact with her mother, out of earshot of Petunia, that she would behave herself and not agitate her sister more than she already was. It was very important that this wedding go smoothly, especially with the Dursleys already on edge, her mother had told her. But Petunia was making sticking to that pact incredibly hard.
"Lily has already apologised for what happened at dinner," said Mrs Evans. "And she can't help the way she is, Petunia, you know that. Now I want both of you to hug."
"What?" said both sisters in unison.
"I want you to hug," repeated Mrs Evans firmly. "You'll feel better about each other afterwards."
Lily suspected her mother used this tactic with her primary school class. It may work on ten year olds, but no amount of hugging would erase the harsh words the two sisters had exchanged over the years.
"Go on, I'm waiting," said her mother when neither girl moved.
"This is ridiculous," said Petunia, shaking her head. "I am not hugging the freak."
"Petunia!" exclaimed her mother. "Please. Not today."
"She's always been your favourite," said Petunia, and Lily could hear so much bitterness in that one short sentence.
"Petunia, stop it," said Mrs Evans. She clasped her hands together, and Lily was horrified to see tears welling up in her mother's eyes. "All we have is family. Family is most important. Without family, we have nothing."
"Mum," began Lily, but her mother shushed her.
"When your father and I are gone," continued Mrs Evans, "All you'll have is each other. I need you two to look out for one another. That's all I ask. So please, just hug before we go out there. If not for yourselves then for me. You just can't go out there the way it is now."
Lily looked up from her seat and met Petunia's eyes, and both girls nodded. She rose from the chair as her sister approached her. The hug was the most awkward experience of Lily's life; she was on tip-toe to match the height of her taller sister, and their arms were around each other but their torsos were bent forward and barely touching. When they drew back, Lily looked over at her mother to find her gazing lovingly at her daughters, eyes shining with tears.
"Oh, mum," said Lily, and reached over the table to clasp her mother's hand and give it a squeeze.
As her mother started drawing both her daughters into another family hug, Lily's elbow knocked something over on the table, and a lance of horror went through her as she heard the shattering of glass on the tiled floor.
Petunia shrieked.
The hem of the wedding dress was soaked with wine, the red stark against the pure white of the fabric. Petunia was shrieking, and her mother was dabbing furiously at the stain with a paper towel.
"You!" said Petunia, and her eyes were seething with hatred as she looked at Lily. "You did this on purpose!"
Lily was shaking her head. "I'm sorry," was all she could say.
Mrs Evans had run off to go soak a kitchen towel in water, and Lily and Petunia were left alone in the room.
"You. Ruin. Everything," hissed Petunia, eyes narrowed. But Lily could see her eyes watering and tears starting to flow down her cheeks. "It's all ruined. My dress, and ah! My make up is going- what- what the hell are you doing?"
Petunia started to back away when Lily pulled out her wand.
"Don't you dare, you freak! Put that away!" Petunia was crying, and her make up was running, but she had never put as much hate into her voice as she did at that moment.
"I can clean it up. It's a simple spell-" began Lily.
"Put it away!"
"It'll only-"
"No!"
"-take a second, and-"
"I said, no!" Petunia shrieked. She was sobbing now, and Lily felt distressed, having only ever seen her sister cry a handful of times.
Lily closed the distance between them before her sister could back away further, and gripped her by the shoulders. Before Petunia could say anything, Lily looked her in the eyes and said softly, "Tuney."
It was her sister's childhood name, and represented a time when they played for hours on end in the fields by Spinner's End. Lily had not used that name in six years.
"Tuney," she repeated. "Trust me."
Petunia regarded her through watery eyes, expression anxious. Under all the anger and the worry, however, Lily could see one overpowering emotion - fear.
"Trust me."
Petunia nodded slowly. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and waited, as if she were going to be executed.
Lily raised her wand and muttered the incantation as quietly as she could. The pinkish stain shrank rapidly until it was no more; Petunia's mascara that had tracked black marks down her face disappeared, and even the veil on her head adjusted itself from its crooked angle.
"There," said Lily.
Petunia's eyes flew open, and Lily could see the shock and wonder on her face as she lifted the spotless dress, and swished the skirt from side to side to check. Lily was sad to see she was still full of apprehension, as if her dress would burst into flames any moment.
Lily was just about to break the silence when Margaret poked her head into the room and said, "Everything okay in here?"
The transformation of Petunia took a split second; shock melted into a look of contempt at Lily standing so close, and she began to back away from her. "Yes, can you go see where my mother is?"
Margaret's head bobbed back out.
Lily turned away from her sister, the rare moment of sincerity over. An uncomfortable silence descended, broken by their mother bursting into the room, armed with three wet tea towels and a tray of water.
"Now go sit at the table, Petunia, let's try-"
"It's okay, mum. It's gone," said Petunia.
Mrs Evans blinked. "What do you mean it's gone? You mean- oh..." Her voice trailed away as she saw the immaculate white of the dress. She looked over at Lily questioningly, and Lily nodded. Lily could almost hear her mother's sharp intake of air, and then she broke into a wide grin that Lily could not help but echo with a small smile of her own. Petunia did not seem to share their enthusiasm in this advance of her tolerance to Lily's 'freakishness', and simply scowled while adjusting her dress again.
"It's almost time, girls," said Mrs Evans. "Lily, go find Margaret and take your place at the front."
Lily nodded, and for a split second her eyes locked with Petunia. She did not say anything; no last words of encouragement, no profession of love sisterly love - it was much too late for such false niceties now - she simply nodded at her, and went to find the maid of honour.
xxxxxxxxxx
"You smell divine."
Lily pulled away slightly, trying not to cringe as Barry Dursley, Vernon's creep of a cousin, leaned in to her on the dance floor and whispered this compliment in her ear.
"Thank you," said Lily stiffly.
She was regretting ever accepting this dance with him. The tall, slightly overweight man had been nice enough when he had come over to her in the hired hall the reception was being held at; had asked her with an arm outstretched and a courteous little bow. Lily had accepted with a small smile, not wanting to offend, and this was how he started the conversation.
"You look nothing like your sister," Barry commented.
Lily looked up at him and his brown hair, small watery blue eyes, and thin moustache; considering they were only cousins, the resemblance to Vernon was striking. "I get that a lot," said Lily.
"The ceremony was really somethin', huh?"
"Yes, it was."
Lily had no further comment - she had been staring blankly into the small bouquet of tulips she was holding for most of the ceremony. Petunia and Vernon's vows had reached her ears as if from a distance, and the priest droning on and on had not exactly helped her alertness. The kiss between bride and groom had been short and chaste, and Lily had clapped along just as enthusiastically as the crowd - albeit for a different reason; her sister would no longer be living at home - and followed her family to the reception in the hired hall down the road from the church.
Barry Dursley chuckled. "Not much of a talker, are you?"
Lily just smiled blandly at him. They swayed slowly to the music - Lily was not much of a dancer, but her partner seemed to be leading them quite capably on his own. She was concentrating too much on not stepping on his feet to make any real effort in conversation.
The hall was full of people, only a handful of which Lily recognised, either on the dance floor or chatting at the round tables set around the room. She spotted her rather tipsy father and mother dancing (Mr Evans had surprisingly good rhythm) and Petunia, looking as fragile as a bird wrapped in Vernon Dursley's enormous arms.
"I really have to get back now," said Lily, starting to pull away from Barry.
"Woah, why the rush? The song's not even over yet," he said, pulling her back against him, closer than she had been before. Ugh. Lily felt his hand on the small of her back travel down towards her bottom, and instinctively shoved him away from her.
"Creep," she muttered darkly as she stalked away from him.
Lily did not turn around to see his reaction, but she noticed a few people around them glancing at her as she passed after this exchange. She did her best to ignore the stares and made her way towards the front of the hall where Lily's family had been allocated a table. Grandma Babs and Aunt Maggie - undoubtedly her two most favourite relatives - were still there where she had left them to go dance with Barry 'Creep' Dursley.
Grandma Babs cackled as she approached. "So that handsome young man wasn't your type, Lily dear?"
"No, Grandma, he wasn't," she said with a wry smile.
"He's a Dursley?" said Aunt Maggie.
Aunt Maggie wasn't technically her Aunt; she was her mother's cousin, but being Grandma Babs' primary caregiver meant that she had always been at their family gatherings ever since Lily could remember, acting as Grandma Babs' legs and pushing her wheelchair wherever she wanted to go. Aunt Maggie wasn't married but she had never once expressed if that affected her or not; she was always too busy talking about her myriad of adopted cats she had at home, and showing off pictures of them.
"Definitely a Dursley," said Lily, in answer to Aunt Maggie's question.
"What a shame," said Aunt Maggie. "The handsome ones are always lacking in personality."
Lily snorted. Barry Dursley was definitely not 'handsome' by anyone's standards - with the exception of Aunt Maggie, evidently. Although Lily would have to disagree with her statement; with a smile she realised James Potter was handsome, and no one could deny that he was lacking personality. Lily desperately wished he were here.
"My, my, who is that?" said Grandma Babs in her gravelly smokers voice, looking past Lily.
Lily turned and her heart skipped a beat. She blinked, thinking she must be imagining, or drunk. Coming towards her across the dance floor was James Potter. He was dressed in a canary yellow suit, complete with matching tie, and wearing that adorable lopsided grin she had come to love.
"What...?" Lily started, standing up. She couldn't help the huge silly smile that was beginning to form.
"Surprise," said James.
Then he let out a laugh as Lily threw her arms around him and squeezed him in a tight hug around his neck. When she pulled away, Grandma Babs and Aunt Maggie were looking at them expectantly, amusement playing on their faces.
"Grandma Babs, Aunt Maggie - this is James. My, um... boyfriend."
This was the first time Lily had said 'boyfriend' out loud when describing who James was to her. At Hogwarts it had not been necessary to introduce him to anyone - news of the infamous couple had spread like wildfire, and at the breakfast after the Hogsmeade trip the Great Hall had even burst into applause as they walked in together.
"Nice to meet you," said James, shaking each of their hands in turn.
"What were you saying about the handsome ones, Maggie?" said Grandma Babs.
Aunt Maggie shushed her, waving her hands. "Pleasure to meet you, James. Do you go to school with Lily?"
James glanced over to Lily before he answered, and she gave him a small nod. Although her relatives didn't know about her 'freakiness', they were aware she attended a boarding school in Scotland. Which was, essentially, the truth.
"Who's this, Lily?" said Lily's mother as she came up behind them.
"Mum, this is James."
"Her boyfriend," said Grandma Babs.
"Oh!" said Mrs Evans, looking a bit stunned as they shook hands. Lily had never introduced any boy to her parents before. Then she seemed to get a hold of herself and said, "Lily never told me you were coming! We could have saved you a seat for the dinner."
"Lily didn't know," said James. "I hope I'm not intruding."
"Nonsense," assured her mother. "You're most welcome to stay. I think we still have some food left, I'll go ask the caterers-"
"Mum, it's ok! James was just about to ask me to dance, weren't you?" Lily interrupted hurriedly. She could see Petunia glaring over at them from the other side of the hall, and whispering something in Vernon's ear. No doubt her sister had spotted James' bright yellow suit (why on earth was he wearing that, anyway?) from across the hall.
"Wh-? Er, yes," said James. "Dance."
"Oh, okay, dear. You're most welcome to some food later on, James," said Mrs Evans as Lily dragged him onto the dance floor.
"I didn't know you were so keen on dancing," chuckled James.
"I'm not," said Lily, and kissed him before he could say any more. She really had missed him.
James was grinning when they pulled away. "Careful, I don't want your parents to think I'm taking advantage of their baby girl."
Lily snorted. "Take advantage all you want. My mum's probably ecstatic that I've finally found someone of the opposite gender that I actually like."
James laughed and twirled her around on the dance floor in response.
"Why are you here? And how did you know where it was?" asked Lily, in the nicest way possible. She did not remember inviting him, nor telling him about the venue.
"Alice told me," said James. "And as for why - don't you remember your letter? Be careful what you wish for."
"Oh." She smiled, and kissed him again. "And what are you wearing?"
"You like it?" said James as he looked down at his flamboyant suit. "I picked it myself. You know, because it's only appropriate that I dress as a Muggle to your sister's wedding."
Lily laughed, and James smiled mildly along with her, clearly not cottoning on to the fact that Muggles generally did not wear bright yellow suits except maybe on a rather camp night out in town. But he looked so pleased with himself she did not have the heart to tell him this.
Looking over his shoulder, Lily saw the vast figure of Vernon Dursley walking determinedly towards them, with Petunia trailing behind. "Brace yourself," Lily muttered.
James turned just in time to face Vernon and his walrus moustache.
"Vernon. Petunia," said Lily, before either party could say anything. "This is my boyfriend James."
"Hello," said James, sticking out his hand in greeting.
Vernon looked down at it, and over his yellow suit, with a clear look of disdain. James did not seem to be affected in the slightest, and neither his outstretched hand nor his smile wavered.
"Lily, can we have a word?" said Petunia, determinedly not making eye contact with James. James was now slowly lowering his hand, and Lily bristled at Vernon's outright rudeness.
"What is it?" said Lily.
"Alone?" Petunia insisted.
"I think I'm good here."
Petunia huffed. "Is this a friend from school?"
"Yes."
"Well, he can't be here."
"Petunia!" Lily snapped. She could feel her face get warm with indignation at her sister's undisguised contempt.
"No one invited him," continued Petunia. Vernon remained silent, but it was clear from his expression (as if he'd just sniffed a spot of dung on his shoe) that he had a thing or two to say to James, too.
"He's here with me," said Lily firmly.
"Lily-" started James, but Lily held up a hand.
"No, James, it's ok, you didn't do anything wrong. Petunia's just being Petunia-"
"What's going on here?" said Mrs Evans.
Lily hadn't wanted to get her mother involved in this, but she was silently glad that she was was intervening - Petunia would never listen to Lily herself.
"Lily was just introducing me to her friend," said Petunia.
Lily glared at her sister.
"James is here as Lily's partner, Petunia, so I expect you to treat him as a guest," said their mother, giving Petunia a stern look.
Petunia was quiet for a moment, before turning and marching away, leaving Vernon standing awkwardly on the dance floor with his in-laws and a wizard.
Then Mr Evans appeared beside his wife. "Have another dance with me," he said, wrapping his arms around Mrs Evans from behind.
Her mother giggled like a schoolgirl. "Alright, alright. Now you all behave," she said, before going off with Mr Evans.
"Well then," began Vernon, looking between Lily and James.
"Well," Lily said.
"James is a rather ordinary name," Vernon commented. No doubt the only logical name for a wizard in Vernon Dursley's book was 'Gandalf'.
"Yes," James said. "Vernon? I've never heard that one before."
Vernon visibly bristled at the implication that he was in some way out of the ordinary. "What is it that you said you did again?" He said it with an air of smugness, as if he knew the answer would be a pathetic one.
"I'm still a student," said James. "But after I graduate I plan to become an Auror - er... A person who hunts Dark wizards."
Vernon's eyes widened, as if James had said he wanted to become a wood nymph after graduation.
"And what is it that you do, Vernon?" said James, before Vernon could collect himself.
Lily could tell this conversation would not end well. The pair of them reminded her of two peacocks each showing off their plumed tails, and whoever's was the biggest and brightest would win.
"I work at Grunnings, my father's drill company," said Vernon proudly. "I suppose your lot couldn't have proper jobs, though, could they. Come to think of it they couldn't even be on the benefit either - what sort of currency would you have?" He twisted the end of his moustache as he said this, and chuckled.
"Actually there's Gringotts, it's an underground banking system. My parents keep their savings in solid gold bricks there."
Vernon looked hesitant, not knowing whether to believe James or not. Lily didn't doubt it, though; the Potter family fortune was legendary at Hogwarts.
"So I suppose you drive a decent car?" Vernon sneered.
"Oh, she's a beauty. Smooth wood - mahogany. Dragon-hide seat and polished steel handle, state-of-the-art balancing Charms, totally aerodynamic..."
Lily could tell Vernon was getting angry - his great ruddy face was starting to turn a purply colour, and his ears were burning red.
"James," she said, putting a hand on his arm.
James glanced down at her, a dangerous twinkle in his eye. Lily gave him a reproachful look before addressing Vernon. "We best be off now. I'm staying at James' for the rest of the break, he only came to pick me up."
Vernon just grunted, and Lily hurriedly dragged James away.
"You're staying at mine?" said James, the excitement clear in his voice.
"Well we're sure as hell not staying with my parents," said Lily. Her mother would undoubtedly be an endless source of embarrassment, with everything from showing him baby photos to telling anecdotes of her childhood.
James grinned. "Great. Mum'll be happy, she's been bugging me about you for ages now..."
"Oh?" said Lily, raising her brows.
"Yeah, you know, because I talk about this annoying girl that I have in my year all the time."
Lily laughed and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Let me just go tell my parents," she said.
Before she could leave, however, James drew her into another kiss so warm and sincere that Lily melted with happiness.
Note: the conversation topics between Vernon and James has been adapted from JK Rowlings account of their first meeting (from Pottermore).
Hope you enjoyed this chapter despite the unbearably fluffy ending :)
