Chapter 34 At Last

You are cordially invited to the long awaited wedding of

Alastor William Moody

and

Bettina Amelia Sprout

Three o'clock in the afternoon

June Twenty-First, Nineteen Hundred Ninety Seven

at Windy Corner

Reception will follow.

(Floo Access will only be allowed between two and ten p.m.)

The weather on day of the wedding was beautiful, Remus joked that Tabby wouldn't have stood for it any other way. The final preparations had gone smoothly and guests had started arriving right at 2 pm.

Harry walked into the kitchen where The Guardians were standing. He and Remus were escorting Tabby down the aisle. Professor Sprout stood next to her sister, she was Maid of Honor. Cassius, wearing a black dress robe, was holding on to Remus' hand, Harry noticed his knuckles were white.

"Ready, Tabby?" Remus asked smiling down at her.

Tabby nodded. She looked lovely in her white dress robe. Flowers had been braided into her salt and pepper hair.

"You need to take your place now." Remus told Cassius. "Remember what we talked about?" Cassius nodded. "I love you." Cassius walked off quickly after giving Harry a small smile.

Harry and Remus stood on either side of Tabby and walked out of the house. Professor Sprout started down the aisle. Harry, Tabby and Remus followed, a few steps behind. Harry could see Gramps and Cassius standing under the canopy by the Minister. After he and Remus did their part, they sat down next to Clara, Stevens and Draco.

Tabby's soft clear voice carried over the yard.

"You cannot possess me for I belong to myself, but while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give. I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night and the eyes into which I smile in the morning. I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup. I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine. I shall honor you above all others.

"This is my wedding vow to you. This is the marriage of equals."

Harry watched as a tear streaked down Moody's scarred face as he gazed lovingly at Tabby. He looked over at Remus and Clara who were both crying too. Harry looped his arm through his Papa's and leaned on his shoulder as he listened to Moody's gruff voice repeat the same vows.

"In front of their family and their friends, with the power given to me, I bind these two people together. Alastor and Bettina Moody."

Moody stepped forward and kissed Tabby. As the newlyweds walked back down the aisle, the guests erupted in cheers led by Clara, who somehow managed to jump up on her chair, and Remus.

The reception was a raucous affair. Harry had never been at such a big party. There were Sprouts and Moodys. Every auror who had ever worked with Moody or Tabby had come. Most of the faculty of Hogwarts was there, as well as some high ranking Ministry officials. Neville and his grandmother were there in addition to Hermione and all the Weasleys. They sat down for full tea at 4.

Cassius had changed out of his dress robes immediately following the ceremony. He sat down next to Remus at the table and immediately twined their fingers together and pressed the length of his arm against his mate's. Harry smiled as he noticed everyone had a soft expression on their face when they looked at his parents. Clara, Stevens, Tabby, Moody, Cassius, Remus, Draco, Harry and Professor Sprout were all at one table. Tabby and Moody were full of smiles as they ate. After they were done, they got up to visit with all their guests.

"More water, Clara?" Cassius asked as he lifted the water pitcher.

"Thank you, Cass." Clara held out her glass to be filled.

"Did you get enough to eat?"

"Yes, I did, thank you."

"Not content with your wife?" Stevens said, pulling Clara's chair nearer to his and further from Cassius's.

"She's got a baby inside." Cassius said slowly.

"I know." Stevens replied equally slowly.

"Well, I read the baby has to get everything from the mother and so Clara has to make sure she gets enough food and water."

"You're letting him read about pregnancies?" Stevens glared at Remus. "I knew it!"

"Clara gave him the book! Don't blame me!"

"He was asking too many questions I didn't know the answer to." Clara said defensively as Stevens turned to her.

"You know too much knowledge and Cassie is a dangerous thing."

"If you're done eating, go find Ron and Hermione. And please rescue poor Neville." Remus rubbed Harry's shoulder affectionately. Harry looked over at where Neville was sitting with his grandmother and several retired aurors. He looked uncomfortable and scared.

"All right. See you later." Harry stood. "Come on, Draco." Draco excused himself and followed Harry to find his friends.

"Everyone, can I have your attention?" Clara's magically amplified voice rang out across the yard. She was standing on the low platform where the band was set up. Her emerald green dress robes set off her red hair beautifully. "Thank you. We're going to go the toasts and then the cake. And I can tell you, I've been waiting all day for this – Tabby made the cake herself." There was an excited murmur through the crowd since Tabby was famous for her baking. "Cass." Clara beckoned to him. He looked over at Remus who smiled reassuringly. He walked over to where Clara was standing.

"Um…Well, this is a toast to Moody and Tabby." Cassius ran his hand through his hair, "I spent a lot of time thinking about what I was going to say…and a lot of time practicing so I wouldn't forget what I was going to say." There was a ripple of gentle laughter. "Other than the two of them, I think I was the most excited person about this day. I couldn't sleep at all last night. I think I asked Remus what time it was about every hour."

"More like every other minute." Remus muttered to Harry who snickered. In fact, the whole household, including Clara and Stevens who had stayed over, had been up at 5 am because no one could sleep, not even Draco. They'd had an early breakfast and played Chinese checkers to pass the time.

"Moody has been my hero since I was a little boy because he was never afraid of anything. I used to keep the articles in the Daily Prophet about him in a scrapbook…and if anyone tells me they weren't true, I'll jinx you." Cassius smiled as many of the aurors laughed.

"He's the reason I wanted to be an auror, because I wanted to be just like him…and he…he means…a lot to me. I love him. I want him to be as happy as I am. I know he will be because he's marrying one of the best witches in the world. Um... Tabby has been the closest thing to a mother I've ever had and…um…" Cassius ducked his head for a moment, Harry glanced at Tabby and Moody who both had tears in their eyes. "I'm just glad I finally was able to get them back together – with Harry's help. So, here's to true love, to Rule 91, to Alastor and his lovely wife Bettina."

"Alastor and Bettina." The crowd chorused loudly. Tabby and Moody smiled at each other.

"What's Rule 91?" Draco asked quietly.

"Never give up." Harry said promptly, he'd memorized the Auror Rules after receiving them for his birthday the previous year. It was the last rule in the book. Remus smiled.

Cassius walked over to where Moody and Tabby were seated and knelt between them. Tabby threw her arms around his neck and kissed his face. Harry could see her saying something but he couldn't hear it.

Remus sniffed.

"Need a hug?" Harry threw his arms around his Papa.

"Yes, I do. The three most emotionally guarded people I know and they're all crying." Remus wiped another tear off his cheek.

Moody was hugging Cassius tightly, muttering in his ear. "Never knew you had a scrapbook."

"Like I was going to tell you when I met you, I was bloody terrified."

"Couldn't tell."

"I still have it in the attic."

"Oh, my boy." Moody thumped Cassius on the shoulder before Cassius slipped away back to Remus who hugged him tightly.

"That was wonderful." Remus murmured into Cassius' ear.

"I didn't do it like I practiced."

"Didn't matter. It was perfect."

"And did you watch me?" Cassius separated from Remus.

"You know I did, what else would I have been watching?"

"So? You said if I didn't chew my fingers from when the guests arrived through the toast you'd fmmph." Cassius was cut off by Remus's hand landing over his mouth.

Harry started to laugh followed by Draco who realized by the blush creeping over Remus's face what his uncle had been about to say.

"I had no idea you were so fixated on that. So you'll remember when I said it would happen?" Cassius nodded. "And you're not going to talk about this in front of Harry and Draco again, right?" Cassius nodded and Remus removed his hand. When he looked back over at Harry and Draco they were watching intently as Professor Sprout moved towards the platform.

"Many of you are old enough to remember parties that Bette and Alastor threw when they lived together here, before the dark times. By Merlin's blessing, thanks to people standing here tonight, those times are over." The crowd cheered. "And now we are again at one of their parties. The best sort of party. When two people stand in front of their little corner of the world and declare their love for each other. They have waited many years. But their love has never faltered." The crowd cheered. "Not even when they were both too stubborn to admit it. And so I raise my glass to my beloved sister and to my new brother and to their love. To Bette and Alastor."

"Bette and Alastor!" The crowd yelled.

The cake was cut and magically distributed. Harry noticed his parents slipping away into the house while everyone else sat down to savor the delicious cake.

"Please make sure it's locked." Remus said as they entered their bedroom. He said a quick spell and heavy curtains blocked the windows. The reception was on the other side of the house but still…he was taking no chances. He looked around the room.

"Should I check under the bed as well?" Cassius laughed. "Just in case some guest thought we might come up to have sex and wanted to watch us so they've been hiding out for the past three hours?" Remus crossed his arms and glared. "Remus, I've had a ward on this room all day." Remus walked over to the bed and started pulling off his robes while stepping out of his shoes.

"You'll need to be naked too, you know." Remus pulled off the shirt, pants and socks he was wearing under the robes.

"Yeah." Cassius answered walking towards the bed. "I didn't really think we'd be doing this."

"I did."

"You did? I thought you only said it because you knew it wouldn't happen." Cassius pulled off his boots.

"I had faith in you." Remus knelt on the bed and reached for Cassius. "Now, I want some of that cake so you better get on this bed naked soon or…"

Cassius pulled off his shirt and pants and was laying next to Remus naked a moment later.

"This is your reward…what do you want?" Remus laid down on top of Cassius.

"You." Cassius whispered as Remus' tongue swirled around his ear.

Harry was talking with Tonks when he noticed his parents walking back towards the reception. Cassius had his left arm around Remus' shoulder and their right hands were twined together. Cassius had just kissed Remus' temple when Tonks gasped.

"They did not!"

"They did." Harry smiled. Stevens walked over and started talking to Cassius. Harry knew they were planning on setting off fireworks soon. Since the sunset was so late they were going to do a charm to make the sky dark early since floo access would be cut off about the time it would really get dark. They both nodded then Stevens went back over to talk to Hagrid and Cassius started taking Remus around the reception to meet all the aurors.

"I can't believe they did that…in the middle of the reception."

"Yeah, I think I win the award for "Randiest Parents." Harry laughed as he took a drink of his butterbeer.

"You never know, a few firewhiskeys and Molly and Arthur might try to challenge that." Tonks laughed as Harry spit out a mouthful of butterbeer.

After setting the charm to make the sky dark, Stevens and Cassius set off fireworks. The aurors – especially those trained by Moody himself - jumped every time a firework exploded causing Harry to laugh.

Remus sat down next to Harry. "I don't think I could remember another name unless I had a memory strengthening charm."

"Dad introduced you to everyone?" Harry smiled

"Yes – and the amazing thing is he remembered everyone's name! Even aurors who retired when he was in training." Remus smiled. "And almost every one of them looked like this" Remus dropped his jaw and looked amazed "when he told them I was his mate. Aurors – none of them believe anything in the Daily Prophet, bunch of conspiracy junkies, the lot of them."

Harry laughed. "Must be nice, though, not to have to hide it anymore."

"It is nice…actually, thanks for reminding me…it means, I can do this: Cassius – put that down." Remus shouted across the yard to where Cassius had been about to pick up another butterbeer. Cassius' face flushed as Stevens started laughing next to him "He's had eight already – and he loves to play with fire."

"Stevens – you drop that as well!!" Clara yelled to her husband, who also blushed, as she waddled towards Harry and Remus. "Honestly, you'd think they were little boys the way they act." She lowered herself slowly into the chair next to Remus. The three of them watched as Cassius and Stevens slunk away from the drinks table, whispering to each other. "Remus – I have to say our party has been a resounding success."

"I think so as well." Remus nodded, surveying the scene proudly.

"Not that I want to do it again anytime soon." Clara rubbed her belly.

"Shouldn't have to until Harry gets married."

"Elope! Harry! Elope!" Clara stage-whispered causing Harry to laugh.

"How's baby holding up?" Remus asked as Clara continued to rub her belly.

"Very well. Cassius gave me an amazingly noxious tasting potion earlier which actually is helping. My back doesn't hurt and I have definition around my ankles for the first time in months."

"Cass will be thrilled."

"Honestly, I had no idea he'd go so nutters about the whole pregnancy thing."

"Apparently he lectured Stevens yesterday about labor and delivery. He was horrified that Stevens would do that to you."

Clara laughed. "He does realize all babies are made this way?"

"I don't know." Remus sighed affectionately. "You're the only pregnant woman he's ever been emotionally invested in, it's like you're the first woman to ever give birth."

They all laughed. There was a sudden whoosh and a great firework exploded above the glen. The band started a new song, a muggle song from the big band era.

"My favorite!" Clara said excitedly. "Help me up, we're dancing."

"By we, I assume you mean you and the baby?" Remus asked as he stood and helped Clara up from the chair.

"No, I mean you, me, Harry and the baby." Clara said with a smile. "Come on."

"But I don't dance." Harry protested as he was dragged out onto the dance area.

"Don't anger the pregnant woman." Remus said, moving out of Clara's reach as she tried to swat him.

"Clara!" Cassius appeared suddenly behind Harry causing Harry to jump.

"What?"

"I can't believe you're going to dance with someone other than me."

"Well, where were you?" Clara put her hands on her hips and glared up at Cassius.

"Blame your husband." Cassius extended his hands to Clara and they started to swing dance. For being pregnant, Clara was light on her feet, probably aided by the potion, and Cassius easily swung her around.

"Your dad and Clara, they're the next Fred and Ginger. Now. Here are the steps." Remus said, trying to teach them to Harry. Tabby came up then and took over from Remus. Harry felt a little awkward at first but gradually could get his steps to match the rhythm of the music. He felt very proud when he twirled Tabby around and didn't trip over his own feet.

"Minerva? May I have this dance?" Remus asked Professor McGonagall. She nodded and they started to dance too.

The dance floor got crowded as more couples joined in: Bill and Fleur, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Charlie and Tonks, the twins were dancing with two beautiful auror witches. Dumbledore and Professor Sprout, Kingsley and his wife, Tessen and his wife, Bartleby and an auror named Hill were dancing together too. Ginny had grabbed Draco and she was trying to watch Clara and Cassius and do the steps. Whenever Harry looked over at the two of them, Draco was looking down at Ginny with an unreadable expression on his face and was standing in one place letting Ginny dance around him. Since Ginny had control of his arms, she didn't seem to mind. Hermione and Ron were dancing too. It looked to Harry like they were dancing to an entirely different song and having loads of fun.

"Mad-eye."

"Aloysius."

"Shall we dance?" Stevens asked formally, making a small bow.

"Never."

"Good." Stevens nodded, smiling.

"Unless you're feeling very left out."

"Oh, no. Never was much of a dancer."

"Everyone looks like they're having fun." Hagrid said from Moody's other side.

"Ach…they're all acting. Dancing is bloody torture." Stevens took a swig of his butterbeer, after making sure Clara wasn't looking.

At nine, Moody and Tabby – or as they were now rechristened by their family at Windy Corner – Gramps and Grams left for their honeymoon. The party continued for several hours with the last guest Apparating just before midnight.

The vows are modified from those written by Morgan Llywelyn. Email me if you want the link.