Hey everyone, I hardly have time to write anymore so you'll have to put up with some pretty short ones for awhile, I'm really sorry! Hopefully you enjoy this break from the morbid :D thanks to all that read and to my wonderful reviewers i love you guys, you're my little rays of sunshine! Huge thanks to;
Cjas, AuntLynnie, The-Ruby-Butterfly, shroomy-eyes, M333gan, DelightfulSmiles, supacrazyhazey, Ash, XXJAMESLILYXX, mediwitch3, Psychokillerhoney, Adorkably Adorkable, Lizzi1990, Jenny129, merann, VampyreGirl23, hello-goodbye146, Opa12, The DA is dressed to the nines, hptwilightlvr, hpdreamer500, XxIloveHarryPotterxX, ravenclawLupin11.
xxxx
JAMES
"James, I need you! Help!"
I ran towards the yell of distress to find Sirius with his hair fluffy and unkempt, mouth pulled up into a pout.
"My hair won't sit right!"
I sighed and exited the room to go and find the muggle hair gel I'd been using to attempt to tame my own unruly locks. Sirius was my best friend in the whole world, but sometimes I swore he was like my little brother, actually make that sister.
I was chuckling to myself as I walked back in, hands slick with gel.
"What is that stuff?" Sirius asked suspiciously.
"Dude, shut up and come here," I replied, roughly running my hands through his hair so he still had his favourite messy look, just minus the fluff.
"Alright princess, you're done," I tell him.
He immediately turns to the mirror and whoops in delight. "Yes! You rock man, Carla is totally going to jump me looking like this!"
I shake my head. "It's always about sex with you,"
Sirius puts his hand to his chest in mock outrage. "I resent that! I am actually a very big fan of cuddling!"
I grin. "I know, isn't that why I refuse to sleep in the same room as you?"
Sirius blows me a raspberry and then turns back to the mirror. I leave just as he starts to try out different poses. Definitely more like a little sister.
I walk into the living area to find Frank pacing relentlessly up and down.
"Trying to lose some last minute pounds before the ceremony?" I asked.
Frank looked up at me and shook his head, trying to rid himself of the daze he was in.
"You're getting married mate, this isn't a funeral, trust me, I've been to enough to know the difference,"
Frank nods slowly. "I'm getting married..."
Then a big grin starts to spread across his face. "I'm getting married! High five!"
I laugh and clap my hand against his. "How does it feel man?"
He exhales a big breath. "How about I get back to you on that?"
"Sounds good to me."
"You guys ready? If you're not careful you're going to be late and that's the bride's job, don't ever take on a bride's job, that's a hell of a way to start a marriage," Remus tells us as he pokes his head in the room.
I clasp Franks shoulder. "You ready? Soon you get to officially be a 'we' and you share your name."
Frank beams broadly, standing up straight. "Yeah, let's go!"
He practically bounds out of the room, following Remus and it's up to me as usual to get Sirius in order.
"Oi Princess, we're leaving now with or without you, if you want there to be any chance of being jumped you gotta leave now!"
Sirius came running out of the room at full pelt.
"Told you it was about sex!" I called as I jogged after him.
"I just want the cuddles!" he yelled back and I had to try and force myself not to laugh so I could still run after him.
*
Whoa everything looked so beautiful. They had really gone all out but in the simplest of ways. I stood behind Frank's brother, with Remus and Sirius behind me, waiting for Alice's big entrance. The decorations were silver and gold lights, sculptures that moved and smiled at the guests. There were rich golden roses draped over chairs and hanging from gold posts. The sun was beginning to set and I truly felt like I was in a dream.
The traditional wedding march woke me from my thoughts and I looked up to see a pretty flower girl with hair that seemed to keep changing skip down the isle sprinkling silver dust that transformed into beautiful stars that flew above us and twinkled brightly, the little girl walked past us, staring at Remus before giggling and taking her place. By the time I had finished staring at the flower girl and the weird look that had crossed Remus's face the little boy carrying the rings had already taken his place and Alice's cousin was walking down the isle slowly, looking like she was concentrating very hard on not falling over. Violet came next and Remus stood taller, never taking his eyes off her as she made her way down, giving him a wide grin before stopping finally. Next was Carla, I could feel Sirius stiffen and I was almost tempted to hand him a bible or something to help cover himself up and remind him where his priorities were, although I had to admit she did look beautiful with her hair in soft waves around her face and wearing the silver, flowing dress all the brides maids wore that hugged their curves in all the right places. I gave Sirius a nudge as he'd taken a step towards her to keep him in place, Carla having noticed this winked at Sirius, sending a silent promise for later. I looked up again and there was Lily, my girl, looking like she belonged in a fairy tale or in a temple where millions of mortals could worship her. Her red hair was in curls around her face like Carla's and the dress looked so phenomenal on her, it was created to fit her perfectly and the silver brought out the green in her eyes until they looked like they were artificial they were that beautiful. I silently sent Alice a thank you for not putting her bride's maids in ugly dresses. Lily caught me staring at her and she smiled at me broadly.
Wow she mouthed to me with a subtle nod in my direction. I grinned back. wow yourself.
With a final smile she took her place behind Carla and tuned to see Alice.
Alice appeared with her dad on her arm actually looking like some kind of angel. Her dress was white and seemed to shimmer as she moved so she gave the appearance of glowing, through the light veil I could see that her hair had been pinned up with silver and diamond clips holding it in place and a few curls being let out. I turned to Frank and he had tears in his eyes. I could relate, if I ever got to marry Lily I would be crying freely, some things are just too beautiful a dream for you to ever really hope for.
Alice finally made her way to Frank, her smile could have been seen from miles away. In the old tradition Alice's dad took her hand and placed it in Frank's before embracing them both.
Together they turned to the front where Dumbledore was minister.
The whole ceremony was kind of a blur for me because all I could do was stare at Lily Evans and imagine what it would be like to be the ones standing at the front with all of our loved ones around watching us take the last step in giving ourselves whole to each other. What I wouldn't give to have that dream become reality. I already knew that this was the girl I would spend the rest of my life with, I just needed to wait until she realised she felt the same.
I looked into her sparkling green eyes again and grinned. I could be patient.
As far as vows went, they had decided to keep to the universal ones except instead of 'until death do us part' they had requested it be changed to 'as long as we both shall live' which was the only dark reminder on this beautiful day that the world was anything less than perfect for this beautiful union before us.
I tore my eyes away from Lily to focus on Alice and Frank again.
"If anyone should have any reason why these two should not be joined forever as one for the rest of their remaining lives , please speak now, or forever hold your peace,"
When silence was his only answer Dumbledore grinned brightly. "Wonderful! Then it is with pleasure that I pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride!"
"Thank god!" Frank sighed and practically ripped Alice's veil off to press his lips firmly against hers with such enthusiasm Alice was lifted off her feet.
Everyone burst out laughing, Sirius thumped my back with a big grin on his face. "That's my boy!"
I looked around at all the guests, their faces alight with joy, celebration and hope. What a perfect day, in such an imperfect world.
I looked back to Alice and Frank who were still lip locked, I smiled and stepped forward to tap Frank on the shoulder.
"As charming as this is mate, we didn't come here for the preview of the honeymoon,"
Frank pulls away and gives me an embarrassed grin. "Sorry mate, got lost in the moment."
I put an arm around each of their shoulders. "No worries, Mrs Longbottom does look particularly beautiful this evening."
Frank's face was filled with pride. "Mrs Longbottom...man that sounds good doesn't it?"
Alice pecked him on the cheek. "It really does."
"Ready to party?" Sirius asked as he bounded over.
Lily and Carla made their way over and I pulled Lily into my arms. "Hell yes!"
Lily grinned at each of us in turn. "You guys, we are the party!"
LILY
Wow, I had always thought that I would never get married, but the wedding certainly was tempting me towards the whole 'we' 'us' 'sharing a last name' thing. I can't believe how emotional I'm getting but after everything bad that's occurred lately, having something so purely sweet and beautiful has just really, really hit a nerve. This was going to be a rare delight, not a common occurance.
I looked around at my friends; Sirius was feeding Carla, Frank was trying to make a champagne fountain for Alice, Remus and Violet were whispering with their heads together and James was smiling broadly at me, rubbing my back in slow comforting circles. How many of us were going to survive this? How many of us would make it to the next wedding? God, what I wouldn't give to just live in this moment forever.
"What's the matter bright eyes?" James asked in a teasing voice. "Something has got your attention and I'm willing to fight to the death so I keep you to myself."
I smiled at him warmly . "I'm just wondering when you and Sirius are going to make it official."
James barked out a laugh and squeaked my nose. "Never going to let that down are you?"
"Let what down?" Sirius asked.
"Lily thinks we're in love," James explained.
Sirius's jaw dropped. "Thinks she thinks we're in love!"
Uh oh, maybe I'd gone too far this time.
"James, we are in love!"
I giggle and smack James arm as he hits his head against the table a couple times. "Told you!"
James turns his head towards Sirius. "Nice one idiot, how are you going to score now you got the girls thinking we're gay?"
The smile left Sirius face immediately and he turned to Carla pleadingly. "Babe, that's not true is it? You know you're the only one for me."
Carla pretends to ponder this. "Hmm I don't know, you guys looked pretty cozy in bed together that morning..."
"Nothing happened!" James and Sirius snapped at the same time and me and Carla burst out laughing.
"You're missing the toasts," Remus hissed at us. "Alice's dad is almost done, and aren't you meant to be speaking Lily?"
This time I felt the smile leave my face. Damn. I hated public speaking. Pushing my fear aside I turned my attention to Alice's dad.
"...and I just wanted to say that my life is now complete, I have lived to see the day that my baby girl has found someone to take care of her. I couldn't be more proud of Frank and Alice and I hope that they too can one day experience the joy of watching the person they love more than anything in the world grow into a beautiful, accomplished young being. It is written: when children find true love, parents find true joy. Here's to your joy and ours, from this day forward."
I raise my glass along with everyone else. Hear, hear indeed!
I then listen to Frank's mum who gives a blunt speech on marriage and how hard you have to work for it but how she thinks Alice is the perfect woman for her son and couldn't be more proud of his choice. Then Frank's brother got up, a mischievous smile on his face.
"My brother here had the worst luck with women for as long as I can remember or maybe all the girls he chased had better taste! I remember the first year he met Alice, he wrote an owl to me and mum and said 'I've found her, I've found the girl for me, and she actually thinks I'm cute and funny, all I have to do is not screw it up and maybe I'll invite you to the wedding!' I scoffed at this, especially once I saw how gorgeous Alice is, but true to Frank's words, Alice is the perfect woman and threw the poor sap a bone and gave him her heart in return for dance lessons so she could keep her feet. So, I would like everyone to raise their glasses, Here's to the groom, a man who keeps his head though he loses his heart."
I raised my glass again and then panic flooded my system as I realised it was my turn, and they were now calling my name. Taking a big swig from my glass, I took a deep breath and then made my way to the stage.
"Hello," I began. "Tonight we're here to celebrate the love of Frank and Alice, and I was asked if I could come up with a little something, I tried for weeks to find the right words but none seemed to come, but then I remembered my favourite poem that I'm going to read tonight that describes these two perfectly, it's a muggle poet by the name of E. called 'My heart',
'I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart. I am never without it, anywhere you go, I go my dear; and whatever is done by only me, is your doing my darling.
I fear no fate, for you are my fate, my sweet. I want no world, for beautiful, you are my world, my true. You are whatever a moon has always meant, and whatever a sun will always sing is you.
Here is the deepest secret that nobody knows, here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than a soul can hope or mind can hide. And this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart.
I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart.'"
I stopped and saw everyone watching me intently, some people smiling, some people crying. I felt I was about to burst into tears myself so I quickly wrapped it up. I turned to Alice and Frank and spoke directly to them for my parting words.
" My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years your love for each other will deepen and grow, that years from now you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least. To Alice and Frank!"
Alice, tears in her eyes blew me a kiss and Frank beamed at me. I nodded and tried to head back to the table without falling over. I slipped into my chair quickly and James pressed his lips against my ear.
"Beautiful Evans, you made Sirius cry,"
I looked over and sure enough Sirius was wiping at his eyes as he insisted he had an eye lash stuck in them.
I smirked at him and leant back into James' warmth. "I wish everyday was like this,"
James kissed my cheek tenderly. "I bet Alice's parents don't, you'd send them bankrupt in a week!"
I chuckled quietly as we watched Alice and Frank head to the center for their first dance as husband and wife.
"They look so happy don't they?" Remus whispered.
Violet nodded. "They really do, and so they should, it's meant to be the happiest day of your life."
"How are the other days meant to compare then?" Remus asked.
Violet pecked him on the cheek. "That's what they're going to spend every day of their life trying to achieve, at least now they have something to compare their happiness too."
My back was cold and I realised James was no longer behind me. I turned around in panic to find out where he had gone, but when I turned to the front again his familiar tanned hand was in front of me.
"May I have this dance Miss Evans?"
I placed my hand in his, enjoying the warmth and comfort it provided. "You may."
We clung to each others body close, just slowly rotating on the spot, too wrapped up in each others company it was easy to forget there was anyone else around.
"Have I told you how breath takingly beautiful you look this evening?"
I smiled into his shoulder. "Vaguely."
"Well, let me put it this way, I am ready to start a new religion 'Lilyism' which is pretty much me, just worshipping you."
I giggled. "You look good too Potter,"
We continued to move slowly, pressed tightly against each other and when I let my eyes stray from his beautiful face I noticed we were now joined by dozens of couples.
"Can you hear that?" James suddenly whispered and my insides went cold as I strained my ears to listen for the incoming danger. However, there was nothing.
"I don't hear anything," I whisper back.
"Exactly! Brilliant idea to get married at Hogwarts, no better way to ensure a smooth, danger free wedding. In fact, when we get married, this is where I would like it to be."
I stiffened. "When we get married?"
James pressed his lips into my hair. "Yes Evans, because whether you have realised it or not, I am completely and utterly in love with you and I refuse to spend the rest of my life without you by my side."
"We're so young," I replied. "I'm not ready to be married yet,"
"I didn't mean tomorrow Evans, when you're ready we'll get married, I'm prepared to wait."
I smiled cheekily. "What if I'm not ready until we're eighty?"
"I'll be thrilled we lived that long and I will push your wheel chair down the isle myself. If we're only married for a day Evans, it will be the best day of my life and I will die with no regrets."
"I do love you," I whispered back.
"I know," he replied. "That's why I have faith it will be before we're eighty."
"Really?"
"Yup, I got my sights set on sixty five," he joked.
I giggled and tilted my face up for a kiss.
We broke apart when I felt someone tugging at the bottom of my dress, I looked down to see Frank's little cousin staring up at me.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked, shyly.
I smiled and turned to James.
"I knew this day would come, how can I possibly compare to you Artie? Take care of my girl."
Little Artie grinned up at James. "Watch how it's done," he replied with his slight lisp.
James laughed as I let the little six year old lead me onto the dance floor.
"You're really pretty," he told me earnestly.
I chuckled and pinched his cheeks. "You're quite the charmer aren't you?"
"Is James your husband like Frank is Alice's?"
I looked over at James who had the flower girl on his shoulders and was spinning her around to the beat as she giggled wildly. H e was as close at perfect as anyone was ever going to get.
"One day," I replied to Artie. "One day he will be."
