Summer 2002

"How are you holding up?", Remus asked his best friend as he got his son ready.

"I refuse to cry until the ceremony", Sirius said firmly. "I will not cry until the ceremony."

"Good luck with that, I nearly lost it this morning when she called."

Darcy had stayed at the Burrow overnight so Molly, Hermione, and Ginny could help her get ready.

"I don't think I've ever seen her so happy", Sirius sighed. "Merlin, I'm not going to survive today."

"Yes, we will. It's going to be hard, but we can do it."

The wedding was going to be held at a small church outside of London. Sirius and Remus arrived early and found Molly bustling around.

"Oh, there you two are", she smiled. "Darcy's almost ready, Hermione is finishing her hair right now. You can go see her, if you'd like."

"Thank you for everything, Molly", Remus told her. "You've been wonderful throughout this whole thing."

"Oh, don't mention it. Darcy is one of my children as well."

Molly pointed them in the direction of the dressing area and the two of them made their way there. Sirius knocked on the door.

"Who is it?", Ginny called.

"Us", he replied.

"Hold on, one second."

The door opened and Ginny smiled at them in her burgundy bridesmaid dress.

"You look beautiful, Ginny", Remus told her.

"Thanks, but wait until you see the bride."

"We're back here!", Hermione shouted.

They walked back and froze when they saw her.

Darcy turned when she heard them and smiled wider than they had ever seen.

"Hi", she said. Hermione clipped her veil into place and quietly slipped out.

"Wow", Sirius breathed. "Bloody hell, I'm trying not to cry until the ceremony, kid."

"Don't, Ginny just did my makeup and if you cry I'll cry."

Remus was shaking his head fondly. "Padfoot, what happened to that four-year-old we brought home a few years ago? How did this happen?"

"I have no idea but I don't like it."

Darcy rolled her eyes, still smiling, as she walked over to them. "She had two people who didn't give up on her, that's how this happened. I wouldn't be here if–" She trailed off and began fanning her face with her hands. "Ugh, I can't say that right now."

"Yeah, please don't."

Remus chuckled. "Can we do anything for you?"

"Can you tell me that being scared is normal and it doesn't make me a bad person?", Darcy asked nervously.

"Your father was terrified on their wedding day", Sirius assured her. "It is normal and you are in no way a bad person."

"Okay, thanks." She unconsciously reached up to run her hand through her hair but stopped herself. "Where's Teddy?"

"Andromeda is bringing him later", Remus replied. "I'm going to go see if I can make myself useful somewhere." He kissed Darcy's cheek and squeezed her hand before leaving.

Darcy walked back to the mirror she had been in front of all morning. Sirius stood beside the mirror.

"I was anticipating you looking like Lily", he commented.

"Do I not?"

"You always do, but all I can see on your face right now is James. That big, stupid smile, like you just drank a love potion. He looked like that everytime he looked at your mother."

Darcy smiled even wider at that, then it faded slightly. "I wish they were here."

"Me too, love. Your father would be bawling right now. I'm in competition with myself to see if I can hold it together longer than he would have."

"I cried when I put my dress on", she told him. "Because I'm happy and overwhelmed, but also because I wish Mum was here to help me get ready."

Sirius moved to her side and put an arm around her. Darcy rested her cheek against his chest.

"Look at us", he chuckled softly. "Moony was right, how did we get here?"

"I don't know", Darcy replied. "But I'm glad we did."

"So am I. I have something to ask you."

"What?"

"How many times can I call you ladybug during my speech?"

"One", Darcy said definitively.

"I think I planned for at least four."

"I will call security."

"Security. You mean Bill and Charlie? I can take them."

"Bill, Charlie, and Ginny."

"Alright, I'll compromise with you. Three times."

"One."

"Two?"

Darcy held his gaze in the mirror. "Fine. Two and that's it."

"I knew I could get you to budge." Sirius kissed the side of her head. "Alright, I should probably go and see if anyone needs help. I'm so happy for you, love."

"Thanks." Darcy accepted another hug before she watched her godfather leave the room. She glanced back at the mirror and imagined, not for the first time that morning, her mother standing behind her, fixing her veil and smoothing her dress. She imagined Neville's mother being there as well, also helping her get ready. Maybe they would joke about how they always knew Darcy and Neville would get together.

There was a knock on the door before Mrs. Weasley entered. She put a hand on her chest.

"My goodness, Darcy, you look beautiful."

"Thank you", she replied. Suddenly her urge to cry was getting harder to fight.

Mrs. Weasley walked up behind her and smoothed her dress down.

"Thank you for everything", Darcy said. "Not just today, but...everything."

"Oh, love, you don't need to thank me", Molly waved her off.

"Yes, I do. I wouldn't be the person I am without you. My parents would really appreciate all you've done for me."

Mrs. Weasley took a steadying breath. "It has been my pleasure to watch you grow up into this beautiful young lady. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, you know."

Darcy smiled. "I do. Thank you for letting me be part of your family."

"Give me a hug, love." Molly wrapped her arms around her. "It has been our pleasure to have you."

They pulled away, both of them laughing slightly with moisture in their eyes. Molly patted her cheek gently before walking away to look for something.

Darcy looked back at herself in the mirror, and, as if she was looking into the Mirror of Erised, saw her parents standing behind her, smiling just as widely as she was.

I love you both, she mouthed.