I don't own Harry Potter, just having a little fun. I promise to put them back later on.
Well I hope you enjoy this chapter. It was one of the hard ones to write and I hope that you like it all. Sorry for the long while between updates RL is always in the way with me. I am so sorry. Thank you for the wonderful reviews!
Enjoy!
Chapter Thirty-Six
Severus was eight months pregnant, and he was finally getting married. He had demanded and pleaded with Sirius to have a small wedding and to have it before the baby was born. The had decided it would be happening at Hogwarts, since it was the summer holidays, and the 17th of August seamed like the perfect day to have the wedding.
Sirius had been given a full pardon at last, as Wormtail had been questioned and the truth could no longer be denied, and the fact the Fudge was out of a job and waiting until he would be tried, but because he was once the Minister, he was allowed to go free, and was not in custody, yet.
Sirius and Severus had decided on a traditional Wizard Wedding, with a Priest and Priestess, though they had to find substitutes for the Mother and Father. Albus had stepped into the role as Father of the Severus, and Molly Weasley had gladly accepted the role as Mother of Sirius.
It was two hours before the ceremony and Albus and Molly were out by the lake getting the area ready. Molly was setting up the alter ready to be used, on the raised platform that Albus had already created, she covered the alter with an embroidered cloth and set the God and Goddess candle upon it. She placed a candle in each of the four cardinal directions. To the west she placed the wedding chalice, to the east Cord, to the north the rings, and to the south a Unity candle.
While Albus scattered soft cushions around the floor for guests to sit on. Making sure that they would be between the inner Circle and the Outer Circle. Sakura and Evan were spending the day with Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, they had both jumped at the chance to see them and look after them. They were going to be taken care of by Hermione and Ron during the ceremony.
The High Priest and Priestess arrived to begin the casting of the inner circle. The main wedding party, Severus, Sirius, Harry, Remus, Draco, Arthur, Molly and Albus, were all to join in with the casting, to add strength to the inner circle, the outer circle had been cast earlier in the day by Albus and Molly.
The Priest and Priestess went to the raised platform and kneeled in front of the alter, each carried a bowl of something, along with an incense burner. The lit the burner, and set it on the alter in the middle.
The Priestess put the bowl of water on the alter, she delicately placed the point of her straight edge Athame in the water and said strongly, "I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, that thou cast out from thee all impurities and uncleanliness of the world of phantasm; in the names of the Lord and Lady." She took out her Athame and took the bowl in her hands.
The Priest then places a bowl of salt onto the alter, placing the tip of his jagged Athame into the salt, then he said with conviction, "Blessings be upon this Creature of Salt; let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hence from, and let all good enter herein; wherefore so I bless thee, that thou mayest aid me, in the names of the Lord and Lady."
After he had finished, he took the bowl of salt and poured it into the bowl of water. The Priest then stood up and joined the others out side where the barrier would be between the inner and outer circles. She placed the bowl on the alter, filled with salt water, and took up her wand.
The Priestess stood and drew her wand around her starting from the east and going around clockwise to the north, leaving a gap between north and east, as she did so she said softly, her voice lilting a little, "I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou behest a meeting place of love and joy and truth; a shield against all wickedness and evil; a boundary between men and the realms of the Mighty Ones; a rampart and protection that shall preserve and contain the power that we shall raise within thee. Wherefore do I bless thee and consecrate thee, in the names of the Lord and Lady."
She then lowered her wand and went over to where the others were waiting to come into the inner circle. She went to the Priest and allows him entry with a kiss, whispering, "Blessed be."
The priest then turned and took Albus by the hand, placing a kiss on his check, then whispering, "Blessed be."
One by one the wedding party were allowed entry with a kiss and a whispered Blessed Be, with Molly being last to enter. The Priestess the finished closing the Circle when all were within. She went over to the alter and picked up the bowl of salt water and handed it to Remus. He took the bowl, and starting in the east went around the Circle, sprinkling the water as he went.
As he went he spoke softly, "Black spirits and white, Red spirits and grey, Harken to the rune I say. Four points of the Circle, weave the spell, East, South, West, North, your tale tell. East is for break of day, South is white for the noontide hour, In the West is twilight grey, And North is black, for the place of power. Three times round the Circle's cast. Great ones, spirits from the past, Witness it and guard it fast." he then went to each member of the wedding party and sprinkled them one by one, he then sprinkled the Priestess last, and she took the bowl and sprinkled him.
The priestess smiled at him in thanks and then turned to Molly, she gave the motherly witch the incense burner to take around the circle.
Molly took the burner and went around the circle saying, "Black spirits and white, Red spirits and grey, Harken to the rune I say. Four points of the Circle, weave the spell, East, South, West, North, your tale tell. East is for break of day, South is white for the noontide hour, In the West is twilight grey, And North is black, for the place of power. Three times round the Circle's cast. Great ones, spirits from the past, Witness it and guard it fast."
As Molly finished going around the Circle, the Priestess gave Arthur a candle to take around. All the while he was doing so he was smiling as he said, "Black spirits and white, Red spirits and grey, Harken to the rune I say. Four points of the Circle, weave the spell, East, South, West, North, your tale tell. East is for break of day, South is white for the noontide hour, In the West is twilight grey, And North is black, for the place of power. Three times round the Circle's cast. Great ones, spirits from the past, Witness it and guard it fast."
The candle, burner and bowl of salt water was back on the alter and the three rejoined the rest of the wedding party. All of them took up their Athame's and faced to the east.
As one they chanted, "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air; I do summon, stir, and call you up to witness our rites and to guard the Circle." As they finished the Priestess drew, with the tip of her Athame, the invocation pentagram for Air.
They then turned to the south and said, "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, ye Lords of Fire; I do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our rites and to guard the Circle." The priestess drew the invocation pentagram of Fire this time.
They then faced west, and again as one they spoke, "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, ye Lords of Water, ye Lords of Death and Initiation; I do summon, stir, and call you up, to witness our rites and to guard the Circle." Once again the Priestess drew the invocation pentagram of Water.
Facing north, they said, "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, ye Lords of Earth, Boreas thou gentle guardian of the Northern Portals; thou powerful God and gentle Goddess; we do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our rites and to guard the Circle." She then drew the last, the invocation pentagram of Earth.
The Circle casting was complete.
The Priest and Priestess went over to the alter and faced north, "Lord and Lady, I invite you to please be present at this Rite of Marriage, So Mote it Be."
"So mote it be," the rest of the party said softly. With those words the God and Goddess candle lit brightly.
The group was wearing loose white trousers, with Molly wearing a flowing white skirt. All wore a version of a poets shirt, with the ruffles at the front. Molly was wearing a lose blouse, with long overflowing sleeves. None wore robes yet, but would be soon as they were about to be handed out. They had been placed in plain paper behind the alter, ready for the Priest and Priestess to give out.
The Priest and Priestess went and picked up the packages for Sirius and Severus.
The Priestess went over to Sirius and said, "You have robes of Gold, you are the sun, the day."
The Priest then went over to Severus and said with a smile, "You have robes of Silver, you are the moon, the night."
After handing them over, the Priest and Priestess said together, "you are night and day, with out one the is no other."
Sirius put of his robe as Severus did the same, they then each picked up a wreath.
Sirius went first and said as he placed the wreath on Severus head, "This is White Heather and Lily of the Valley, signifying that you have made my life complete and you have returned my happiness to me."
Severus smiled and said as he placed his own wreath of Sirius head, "I to have made one of White Heather and Lily of the Valley, signifying that you have made my life complete and returned my happiness to me."
The Priestess then went and picked up another packages, "Harry, you have robes of blue, bringing to the relationship of your friends, Health, Peace and Understanding."
The Priest picked up another and said softly, "Draco, you have robes of black, bringing to the relationship of your friends, Wisdom, Pure Love and Success."
"Remus, you have robes of green, bringing to the relationship of your friends, Luck, Prosperity and Growth." The Priestess said with a happy smile as she handed over the plainly wrapped robe.
"Arthur, you have robes of red, brining to the relationship of your friends, Passion, Fertility and Courage." The Priest then said.
The Priestess then picked up the last package she would be giving out, "Molly, as substitute mother of Sirius, your robes are pink, bringing Unity, Romance and Happiness to your sons relationship."
The Priest then picked up the very last package and said smiling once again, "Albus, as substitute father of Severus, your robes are purple, bringing Power Sentimentality and Healing to your sons relationship."
After they had all put their robes on the other guests to the wedding started to arrive. They entered the outer circle, all finding a cushion to sit on while they witnessed the wedding. Colin Creevey had been asked to take the pictures of the wedding whenever he wanted. The rest of the wedding party sat down on the white cushions within the inner circle.
The Priest and Priestess stood on the raised dais and faced the crowed before them.
The Priest took a step forwards and said loud and clear, "As friends and family of Severus and Sirius, we welcome you here today. Come join the celebration of this, the most mystical of unions between a man and a man."
The Priestess then stepped forwards and said with a strong clear voice, "For that which is truly eternal is a binding of life and love. It is more than just flesh to flesh, it is mind to mind, feeling to feeling, soul to soul, in this world and the next. Sirius and Severus ask you to celebrate this joyous uniting with them now.
"There are many elements that make up a marriage, let them be called forth." The Priest said as he indicated the four attendants to go and do their part in the wedding.
Harry, Remus, Draco and Arthur went to their corresponding areas by the table.
Harry spoke first in a clear voice. "I am north, the symbol of earth. Know and remember that this is the element of law, of endurance, of the understanding which can not be shaken. I bring to your wedding the power of steadfastness." He then walked to the north point of the Circle.
Draco went next saying with a gentle smile, "I am East, the symbol of Air. Know and remember that this is the element of life, of intelligence, of the inspiration that moves us onward. I bring to your wedding the power of mind." Draco then walked to the east and stood facing the alter in the middle of the Circle.
Remus was next, "I am South, the symbol of fire. Know and remember that this is the element of light, of energy, of the vigour, which runs through our veins. I bring to you wedding the power of will." He said as he then walked to the south point and stood facing inwards.
Then it was Arthur, "I am west, the symbol of water. Know and remember that this is the power of love, of growth, of the fruitfulness of the earth. I bring to your wedding the power of desire." Then stood in the west, three meters from the circle's center.
Sirius, Severus, Molly and Albus, were still seated on their cushions, watching with smiling eyes as the four attendants did the Quarter rites.
"These two who are joined in love now have the desire to make their bond a matter of record, so that all the world and the society in which they live may witness it, and lend to them the support of their hearts and minds." The Priest said after the four had finished.
The Priestess smiled, "For the thoughts which arise in the hearts of us all are not mere fantasies, but real things; and each person who witnesses this marriage creates a part of the structure which strengthens the bond between these two who love each other."
"And so in token that this, your marriage, is not just a casual joining, I ask that some member of your family speak for you." The Priest then said as he looked to Molly and Albus to continue.
"I, Albus, speaking as the father of the groom, declare that Sirius shall henceforth be welcomed into the community of our family and friends. May our love and welcome strengthen the bond between them." Albus said with a welcoming smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
"So Mote It Be," the Priest and Priestess said as one.
"I, Molly, speaking as the mother of the groom, declare that Severus shall henceforth be welcomed into the community of our family and friends. May our love and welcome strengthen the bond between them." She said in that welcoming motherly voice.
"So Mote It Be," they said once again as one.
Harry, Remus, Draco, Arthur, Molly and Albus were let outside the circle and sat down on their waiting cushions.
Sirius and Severus move up to the dais as the Priest and Priestess stood behind the alter. Sirius and Severus picked up the God and Goddess candle that were burning brightly and stood facing one another.
"Thou art Goddess," Sirius said with a happy smile.
"Thou art God," Severus said with a small contented smile on his face.
"Your separate lives are symbolized by the separate candles you now bear. As you join their flames to make one flame, know that at that moment you are willingly joining your lives forever. Is This what you wish?"
"I do," Sirius said with a large grin making its way onto his face.
Severus smile became larger as he said, "I do,"
"Then so Be it," the priestess said softly.
As one Sirius and Severus lit the Unity Candle that was at the south point on the alter, as the wick lit, they smiled once again at one another and replaced the God and Goddess candles in their respective holders. The Priest then took up the cord and with the Priestess they moved to the front on the alter, between the couple and the alter front.
The Priest held the cord aloft a little and said, "Likewise, this cord is a symbol of the lives you have chosen to lead together. It has been woven, by your own hands, to symbolize the intertwining of your lives. Up until this moment you have been separate in thought, word and action. As these cords are tied together, your lives become intertwined."
Sirius and Severus joined and crossed their hands. The Priest took one end of the cord, while the Priestess took the other and tied it around Sirius and Severus' wrists.
When they finished, the Priestess said, "As the right hand is to the left hand, may you be forever one, sharing in all things, at home and abroad, in love and loyalty for all time to come."
The Priestess went to Sirius and said, "Sirius, repeat after me: By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, In the name of the God and Goddess. I, Sirius, take thee, Severus, To my hand, my heart, and my spirit."
Sirius nodded and said, "By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, In the name of the God and Goddess. I, Sirius, take thee, Severus, To my hand, my heart, and my spirit."
The Priest faced Severus and said, "Severus, repeat after me: By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, In the name of the God and Goddess. I, Severus, take thee, Sirius, To my hand, my heart, and my spirit."
Severus smiled, "By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, In the name of the God and Goddess. I, Severus, take thee, Sirius, To my hand, my heart, and my spirit."
"But you cannot always be physically joined," the Priestess said as she removed the cord from their wrist without untying it, "and therefore the exchange of rings is one of the deepest symbols of a marriage. It is a constant reminder, a shared touch between a man and a woman. The circle is a symbol of the eternal. To give a ring to someone you love is to say that your love has no beginning and no end." She gave the two their rings and watched as they placed them one each other and then continued, "This bond I draw between you: that though you are parted in mind or in body, there will be a call in the core of you, one to the other, that nothing and no one else will answer to. By the secrets of earth and water is this bond woven - unbreakable, irrevocable; by the laws that created fire and wind this call is set in you, in life and beyond life. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones; as time passes, remember..." she left off.
The Priest took up her words and finished, "Like stones should your love be firm. Like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage; let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Have Prescience with one another, for storms will come, but they pass quickly."
The Priestess the said joyfully, "Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened make you uneasy for the Goddess and God are with you always. Ever love, help and respect each other and then know truly that you are one in the eyes of the Gods. May the blessings of the Lord and the Lady be with you now and always, Blessed Be!"
There was one last thing to do, and that as the drinking from the chalice. It was filled with Mead. Sirius and Severus took up their Athame's and placed them together, and as one their stirred the chalice of mead. And they drank together. Sirius took up the chalice and went over to Arthur and let his drink from it, he then passed it to Draco who took a drink, then it was given to Remus, who also drank some mead from the chalice. Remus gave the chalice to Harry to drink a little and he then took the chalice and placed it back onto the alter.
As one the Priest and Priestess smiled at all gathered and proclaimed, ""By the power of the God and Goddess, We now declare that you are husband and husband. May you be joined in heart as you are in law. I bid you exchange a kiss. May you be one forever."
It was then time to close the Circle, the Priestess took up her Athame and went to the East, and said as she drew the banishing pentagram of Air, "Guardians of the East, Powers of Air, we thank you for joining in our circle and we ask for your blessing as you depart may there be peace between us now and forever. Blessed be." She then went to the south and said as she drew the banishing pentagram of Fire, "Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire, we thank you for joining in our circle and we ask for your blessing as you depart may there be peace between us now and forever. Blessed be." The at the west she drew the banishing pentagram of Water, "Guardians of the West, Powers of Water, we thank you for joining in our circle and we ask for your blessing as you depart may there be peace between us now and forever. Blessed be." Then she went to the north to do the last and drew the banishing pentagram of Earth and said one final time, "Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth, we thank you for joining in our circle and we ask for your blessing as you depart may there be peace between us now and forever. Blessed be."
She then raised her Athame to the sky and then lowered it down to the earth below her and said strongly, "The circle is open, but unbroken, may the peace of the Goddess go in your hearts, merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again. Blessed be."
"Blessed be," everyone else said together.
The wedding party, and the guests made their way to the Great Hall where the reception was to take place.
Well, there is the epic chapter, lol. I hope that you will review and tell me what you all think of it all? I want to know what you all think of the Wedding Ceremony, a lot of research went into it and I just hope I did it true justice. Please tell me if I got it right?