In This Life
50th chapter can you believe it? I think this might be my longest story ever! :D any way's I hope you are enjoying it. Onwards!
Chapter 50
Preparing For The Big Day
Alice was driving everyone around her completely crazy, well except her co-conspirators, Rosalie and Esme. Severus had taken to turning his mobile phone on silent and disappearing down his lab every waken moment. He had taken all he could from the gushing blood thirsty females, of course considering they were speaking about vampires that didn't sound right. Sirius was more patient, and was able to stand the girls giggling and suggestions a lot longer than Severus could. Remus though was able to talk them out of their most ridiculous suggestions. It was a small private wedding they were having, with only close immediate family. Since it was a magical ceremony they were having, it had to be. Despite the fact it was a magical ceremony they were having it in a Muggle church. So that it would be legal in both worlds.
Severus stirred the potion in front of him, thinking of just the other day there when Harry told them. He wasn't a stupid man; he realized Edward had learned somehow that marrying Harry would stop any of Dumbledore's ideas working. At least the one where Dumbledore tried to control him, as his slave, a long forgotten spell that Dumbledore had somehow resurrected. They had the nerve to call it a bonding, when one of them would have hardly any will of their own. Don't get him wrong, he knew Edward loved Harry, more than anything else in the world. He had never known that kind of unconditional love and he was touched to know it truly existed. He was more worried about Harry finding out and resenting Edward for it. Doing something for all the wrong reasons wasn't something Harry would want. He sometimes wondered if Harry suspected what Edward was up to. He really didn't mean to put a dampener on the event, so he was concentrating on stopping himself from thinking about it. Leah was coming as his date, she obviously knew about magic. He was taking it very slowly with her; they mostly just spoke about their life and experiences. He had told her everything about him, about his abysmal childhood to his Death Eater days, and it was a very refreshing thing - Leah didn't seem to mind. Although Severus was beginning to think it had something to do with the Imprinting. No normal person could possibly react like that; then again he supposed…she wasn't normal either. She had killed Vampires that went onto her land; those vampires were innocent of being in the wrong place in the wrong time. 'Innocent' was a funny word, vampires couldn't help their condition, and for most part it wasn't something they willingly wanted. They just wanted to live, just like everyone else, it wasn't just a human trait it was a trait that all creatures had. The will to survive, the drive to keep going. Whether they be human, vampire, wizard, witch etc.
Severus shook of his wandering thoughts; he turned the fire off and continued stirring the potion. Alice would no doubt be down in half an hour, dragging him off to get his suit; he had suffered through getting measured for the damn thing. At least it was black though, that was Severus' only consolation. Sirius had a blue suit and Remus had a grey suit, they had murmured about bringing colour to his pale face. They were one to talk; really the Cullen's were completely pale. In fact as stunning as Edward looked in his brand new Armani suit, it was black and it really, really focused your attention on how pale he was. Hissing in pain, he realized he'd accidentally let his hand touch the top of the cauldron. Growling at the fact he had made such a newbie mistake, he finished the potion with quick efficiency. Keeping his mind brutally forced on the task in front of him.
Now Severus was no seer, but knew that any second Alice would drag him from the Dungeon's so quickly bottled up his potions. Leaving them on the rack to cool down by the window, just as he had placed them there the door opened and Alice's cheeky petite face was poking into his sanctuary. Alice was stepping over a lot of boundaries and he'd be glad when it stopped. Normally he wasn't tight lipped about how he felt, but this was Harry's week, and he wasn't about to spoil it.
"You ready to collect your suit?" grinned Alice happily and hyperly.
Severus breathed deeply through his nostrils, calming himself down before he said something he'd not regret. "Yes," he finally managed to reply gritting his teeth lightly unable to help himself as he seethed in silence.
Alice stepped back an unsure look on her face, then it went blank for a few minutes before she replied "I can get it and just bring it back here…" she trailed off. In her vision Edward had spoke to her, told her to back off and calm down. Basically in his own way telling her he was pissing everyone off, during his wedding bliss no less. It made her feel horrible, that's not what she had meant to do, she just wanted to help.
Severus wanted to roll his eyes, now he felt guilty, you could never win. Now months ago it wouldn't have bothered him, in fact it would have amused him. The only amusement he got out of life was teaching the students they weren't always going to get what they wanted and life was a bitch. Life would slap you when you were already down. Now he was feeling things he hadn't allowed himself to feel in such a long time. Happiness, content, friendship, amusement, guilt and love.
"I'm coming," Severus said exasperated.
"Yay," grinned Alice happily.
Severus didn't refrain from rolling his eyes that time.
-0
Everyone was inside the store, waiting for their turn to try on their suits, it was a good job it was such a bleak day. Otherwise the wizards would have had to pick them all up themselves. Thankfully there hadn't been any screw ups; the suits fitted them all perfectly.
"You look so grown up Harry," said Sirius smiling at the teenager. It was true; with the suit on he looked years older, and much more mature. The suit was green, which had surprised them all greatly - Harry hadn't attended Hogwarts though. So he didn't understand or care about colours, didn't care about green verses red or Slytherin versus Gryffindor.
"Really?" asked Harry grinning in happiness. He had been worried that Edward wanted to do this because of Dumbledore's interference. However he didn't care anymore, this was his and Edwards' big day, and nothing was going to get in the way of that - not even Dumbledore's schemes.
"Yes," agreed Severus staring at Harry in pride.
"Thanks," said Harry flushing red in embarrassment. It had been a long time since he had been complimented on his appearance. Especially by anyone he concerned a parent, Isaac and Hilda were hardly going to do such a thing.
"I think you are dead sexy," whispered Edward seductively into his ear. Coming up behind his mate, almost breathless at the sight of him in his suit. He wrapped his arms around him, touching his bare hands, relishing the rush of warmth he always felt when he had skin on skin contact with his mate.
This caused Esme, Rosalie and Alice to giggle behind their hands again, and Emmett to gag in feigned disgust. Jasper and Carlisle just smiled in amusement. The wizards came to the conclusion that they really didn't want to know what had been whispered. Harry had turned a very amusing shade of red. Edward smirked in satisfaction having got the reaction he obviously wanted from his mate.
"Har, har," said Harry sarcastically slapping Edward in admonishing on the arm, very lightly knowing if he did it hard - he'd only be hurting himself.
Edward merely smirked in amusement, tomorrow was the big day, and he'd be married. After all those years of being alone, he could barely believe he was about to be married. Harry hadn't even blinked about his past, he hadn't cared at all. That alone had meant more to him than anything his family had said over the years. That mostly they didn't care, just glad to have him back of course this had been just Esme and Carlisle. It had been before Rosalie was turned and the rest of the coven made an appearance. You know what? Edward wouldn't change a thing. It just made him love and appreciate Harry all the more, having known what it was like to be alone for so long. He hadn't been lucky like Rosalie, she found her mate very quickly. He couldn't say Carlisle or Jasper were lucky though, they had waited along time for their mates too. It's probably why they were so grateful for their own mates and so possessive too.
Carlisle paid for the suits as they continued talking and having a good time, they had all chipped in. Sirius, Draco and Remus had all chipped in for the decorations for the party, and the function room, which Alice was dressing up for them. The function was for more people than that would attend the wedding; Muggles they knew were invited to attend. Severus had paid for the rings, and the Cullen's had pretty much paid for everything else - not accepting no for an answer. Food, church, the Minister, and of course the clothes the majority of which being suits. Only a few people had dresses on, Esme, Rosalie, Alice, Leah and Angela.
Of course being invited to the actual wedding, Draco had no choice but to actually tell her about whom and what he was. Draco must have told her the right way, because she had been very accepting of it even if she didn't understand. Unfortunately being a Muggle she could never truly understand magic and what it could do. Her parents couldn't go to the wedding, but they were invited to the after party.
"Are you hungry?" asked Edward once they left the tailors.
"Actually I am," said Harry.
"I'm meeting Angela for lunch," said Draco.
"Go and get your girl then," said Severus wryly, teenagers he couldn't help but think. Although to be honest he was glad Draco had found someone. His poor godson had been through hell and back, especially after falling for a Muggle born. Someone Lucius didn't approve off, the second he had been able to he had killed her. It had devastated Draco, it didn't help that he was already different before that. Eric had seriously hurt him multiple times and gotten away with it each and every time. Dumbledore covering up for him, and Severus had been unable to do anything.
"Are you forgetting something Sev?" asked Harry a teasing look on his face.
Severus frowned in confusion.
"Leah's coming over…" Harry trailed off.
"That's not today…is it?" asked Severus his eyes widening slightly.
"Yes," said Edward.
"Damn, I best get going too," said Severus. "I'll see you all back at the Manor." he said curtly, nodding his head he fished for his car keys before he was gone.
"That was odd, Severus never usually forgets anything, if anything he's on time, to the exact minute all the time." said Draco curiously.
"The amount of time he's spending in the dungeons probably doesn't help matters," sniggered Harry. Severus wasn't used to so much social interacting; the poor guy had spent ten years or so in voluntary solitary confinement in his dungeons. Not waning to get close to anyone, for fear of being discovered as a Death Eater or them being killed because of him. In general he just feared being hurt like he had with Lily all those years ago, that he didn't interact with anyone for fear of it happening again. Things were changing very rapidly, it was only natural for him to try and pull away. The only problem with that was none of them was about to let him.
Draco's phone beeped, grabbing it he opened his message and groaned "I really have to go guys, I'll see you later." he said before leaving.
"Looks like it's just us then," said Harry not at all daunted.
Alice and Rosalie were giggling again.
"Okay…what have you done now?" asked Harry peeking around Edward to see the first at the back of his soon to be husband.
"Oh nothing…" said Rosalie innocently, "Just gave Leah a makeover, I'm pretty sure Severus will calm down tomorrow." she grinned saucily.
"Don't go down that road," warned Remus dangerously. "Severus isn't that kind of person. He's very, very private. With good reason I must admit, so please don't say anything to him." things had been strained between himself and Harry, but it hadn't lasted long, with them all caught up in the happiness of the upcoming nuptials. Remus had of course apologized, and they both decided to sweep it under the rug and never mention it again.
"Rosalie and the others will of course respect his wishes," warned Carlisle, knowing just how bad all his children could get with the double meanings and sexual innuendos. They were extremely rude to each other, and he let it slip - he let them have all the happiness he could. Which admittedly wasn't a lot on Edward's part until recently. But they did love winding each other up a lot, when they can hear everything what could one expect. He knew though what it was like to want your affairs kept secret; it's why he and Esme always had the others leave when they wanted a night to themselves.
"Of course," said Rosalie contritely.
"Come on let's get something to eat…I can hear stomachs rumbling," said Esme, and that's one thing she didn't like. She seemed to hate the thought of anyone being hungry, either that or she just loved over cooking. This time she wouldn't be cooking though.
Harry groaned as he sunk into his bath, it had been an extremely long day; he'd hardly had any sleep the night before either. During lunch everyone had gossiped constantly, either about the rumours of their 'marriage' or their engagement seeing the rings, why none of them were eating other than himself, Sirius and Remus. After that they'd gone back to the Cullen's giving Severus as much privacy as possible for whatever he may or may not be doing. Then Draco, Sirius, Remus and Severus all went out to celebrate Harry's 'Stag do' the Cullen's had a stag do of their own, Emmett, Jasper and Edward of course, no doubt involved some grizzly bears.
Harry's stag do involved drinking in the Manor, too much drinking in fact. Since Harry was technically British first and foremost, they decided to let him drink - he was off age over there anyway. They'd got into a lewd game of truth and dare. Tomorrow, well today he supposed, it was well passed midnight, he'd be married. He'd be Harry James Potter Anderson Cunningham Black Snape-Cullen. He'd been adopted many times, although the Potter and Cunningham name he could do without, they'd never loved him. The other names all held a special place in his heart. He wondered what he'd do without them; they had helped him when he was at his lowest. A sigh left his lips once more as he washed his hair; he forced himself to stop thinking about it. He couldn't predict the future, that was Alice's job, but he did know he'd follow Edward to hell and back. So be it if he did it missing Sirius, Draco and Severus.
Butterflies made themselves known deep in his stomach, he was nervous, this caused Harry to clumsily make his way out of the bath. Maybe it hadn't been the best idea, to have a bath while extremely drunk. Nevertheless he managed to spell himself dry and crawl into his bed - he was in a drink induced slumber before his head hit the pillow.
Edward on the other hand played melodies all night, knowing tomorrow would be prefect, because Alice would have seen if it wasn't. Tomorrow his mate would be his and he couldn't wait. Harry would be a Cullen, forever. The harsher he played the piano more memories came spilling forth. The first time they met, the first time he realized he loved him, then when he found out Harry knew, finally reunited with him, finding out the whole magical truth, and then asking Harry to marry him. He refused to dwell on the fact he had left Harry, his lover was here, and he had to stop dwelling on his mistakes. He was getting married; it was time to look to his very good future. It was odd staying in the house again; he had been staying at Harry's for so long every night. He had to force himself to stay, and not go and check upon his mate, it was bad luck. He had argued that was bride and grooms but Alice had not even blinked before stating she didn't care and he wasn't going.
Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough, he smirked Esme's island, and a month of blissful peace and quiet for their honeymoon.
ARE YOU GETTING ALERTS FOR THE STORY GUYS? sooo next chapter the marriage will they be attacked? by Dumbledore? Voldemort? the Spy in Dumbledore's Order? or will that happen after their honeymoon? will harry be attacked and nearly die causing him to be turned or will he turn out of love for Edward? wanting to be the same age as him? R&R PLEASE!
