'Look, just keep still, will you? How am I supposed to tie this thing if you're hopping about all over the place?'

James restrained his fidgeting long enough for Sirius to finish his tie, then returned to pacing the room. His friends watched him impassively. Finally, Remus said,

'For goodness' sake, Prongs, calm down! It's only your wedding day!'

James' eyebrows almost took off.

'Only my wedding day, he says! For crying out loud, Mooney! What if she changes her mind? What if I change my mind? What if -'

A hand caught him firmly around the mouth.

'Shut up,' Sirius told him. 'Lily won't change her mind and neither will you. So shut up, sit down, and calm down.'

James did so, thanking his lucky stars for Sirius. Hagrid poked his head around the door. His big face was beaming with excitement.

'She's here,' he rumbled, grinning at James' pale face.

Remus and Peter lifted up the reluctant bridegroom, and brushed off his coat. As they slipped out to take their places in the throng outside, Sirius pinned a flower in James' buttonhole, patting his friend's cheek gently.

'You'll be fine.'

They stepped out onto the dais. James nearly fainted away at the sight of his Lily. She was radiant in that way all brides are, her hand resting lightly on Dumbledore's arm. A simple white robe, and a short veil covering her hair, made her the most beautiful woman James had ever seen. She smiled uncertainly at him, as they took their places before Dumbledore, who would be taking the service. James squeezed her hand, noticing how she was shaking. Looking down, he saw how frightened she looked.

'You're not backing out on me, are you?' he whispered out of the corner of his mouth. She smiled self-consciously.

'Don't be ridiculous.'

Dumbledore coughed, drawing their attention back to the task at hand. With a grin, he produced the rings, and they made their vows, before all those who loved them.



*



Sirius rose, and tapped quietly on his glass with a fork. Of course, no one noticed, so he levitated everyone else's forks and tapped on their glasses, too. When the laughter died down, every eye was on him.

'D'you know, for some ridiculous reason, I have to make a speech now,' he said, drawing smiles from those present. 'But I don't really think I need to say anything. Everything I could say is sitting right next to me. Look at them. They're not even listening.'

Lily and James looked up guiltily, prompting scattered laughter.

'But,' Sirius continued, a serious tone in his voice, 'there is one thing that must be said. You all know that our gathering today is not complete. Four people who've done the most to shape the couple sitting beside me were not allowed to come. Their lives were tragically cut short earlier this year. I know I'm supposed to toast the bride and groom, but there are plenty of people here to do that. I would like to toast Harold and Josephine Evans, and Ellen and Henry Potter.'

He raised his glass.

'To absent friends.'

Lily rose and hugged Sirius, her eyes brimming with tears.

'Thank you, Si,' she whispered. He smiled.

'Pleasure, Lil.'

Before the mood could get too down, Remus rose, tapping his glass.

'Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the groom supposed to say a few words?'

James looked panicky as everyone began to call for a speech. He was pulled up, and stood, blushing.

'My wife and I,' he began, then stopped. 'Actually, that's all I wanted to say.'

They laughed, sharing the joke. James plunged on.

'We wanted to thank you all for coming, and for the support you've all given us over the last year. It's been a busy one, hasn't it? We fought Voldemort, sat our N.E.W.T's and left Hogwarts. But most importantly, I found Lily. And I can't tell you how happy I am that she's sat beside me today.'

To their surprise, Frank stood up. He raised his glass.

'Lily and James!'