A/N:  Sorry updates are so slow.  I'm currently juggling 5 ½ fics, one of which is going to be a trilogy, and this one is the only one that is *anywhere* near winding down.  So I'm just writing a little bit on each one every night, although that's kind of weird since they're all completely different.  The theme song is "One Last Breath", by Creed.

Disclaimer:  I claim the plot, the Dream World, Violet Potter, Dru Lupin, Serpentin Snape, and Emrys Weasley.  Everything else has "Property of Rowling" stamped all over it.

One Last Breath, by Creed

Please come now I think I'm falling
I'm holding to all I think is safe
It seems I found the road to nowhere
And I'm trying to escape
I yelled back when I heard thunder
But I'm down to one last breath
And with it let me say
Let me say
 
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
That maybe six feet
Ain't so far down
 
I'm looking down now that it's over
Reflecting on all of my mistakes
I thought I found the road to somewhere
Somewhere in His grace
I cried out heaven save me
But I'm down to one last breath
And with it let me say
Let me say
 
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
That maybe six feet
Ain't so far down
 
Sad eyes follow me
But I still believe there's something left for me
So please come stay with me
'Cause I still believe there's something left for you and me
For you and me 
For you and me
 
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking

Chapter 4:  On the Edge

            "Lily, I told you; I will not stand for my son to drink any obscure potions!  We don't know what they will do!" James yelled in frustration.

            "I would like for Harry to grow into a young man.  If Voldemort kills us, he won't stand a chance against him unless he drinks this potion!" Lily cried.

            "He'll not be drinking it," James said again, standing his ground.

            "You are such a thick-headed ass!" screamed Lily and ran up the stairs.

            Two minutes later she showed back up with a pillow and blanket, which she threw at him.

            "Guess I'm sleeping on the couch then," he grumbled to himself as Lily ran back up the stairs.

            He lay down and stared at the ceiling.  Sometimes it was really hard to live with Lily.  She *always* had to get her way; she was the same as she had been when they were enemies in school.

            He knew he loved Lily, but it sometimes just wasn't enough.  With that thought, James went to sleep.

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            When he opened his eyes, he was sitting in a chair in a green field, surrounded by a large group of people.  His wife was sitting beside him.

            He looked up and saw Harry, all grown-up, and wearing a suit.  Standing beside him in identical suits were three of his best friends, Ron Weasley, his husband Draco Malfoy, and Violet's fiancé, Serpentin Snape.

            He blinked twice and remembered that it was the day of his son's marriage to Dru Lupin.  He stood up as Dru began walking down the aisle.  She was wearing a beautiful white dress and a crown of flowers had been placed on her head.  Her long sand-colored hair was flowing freely in the wind and her cerulean eyes were bright with tears of joy.  Remus and Sirius were on either side of their daughter, smiling as tears threatened to roll down their cheeks.  Dru was the perfect picture of classic beauty.

            As she stepped up to the altar, Sirius and Remus each kissed her cheek, hugged Harry, and sat down.

            Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, then began speaking.

            "We are gathered today to witness an extraordinary event, the merging of two lives into one.  The bride and groom will now say their vows."

            Harry looked deep into Dru's eyes and said, "Druantia Lupin… all my life you have been there for me, through thick and thing.  You have always been my best friend.  I couldn't ask for a more beautiful and loving wife.  I cannot wait to share my life with you.

            Dru smiled, and continued with her vows.

            "Harry, you are my soulmate.  Even when I was just a little girl I knew you were my Prince Charming.  Life can throw whatever it likes at us… You'll still be the one in my heart.  I want to grow old with you, to share in all the love and laughter, as well as heartache and pain."

            Fudge hen held up his hands and asked, "Harold James Potter, do you take this witch to be your magically wedded wife, to have and to hold, for all eternity, ending only in death?"

            Harry answered, "I do."

            Fudge continued, "Druantia Remona-Sirina Lupin, do you take this wizard to be your magically wedded husband, to have and to hold, for all eternity, ending only in death?"

            Dru yelled, "Hell yeah!"

            Everybody burst into laughter and Ron Weasley's three-year-old son, Emrys, presented the rings.

            Once the laughter died down and the bride and groom were wearing their rings, Fudge said, "Then by the power invested in me, I pronounce you wizard and wife.  You may kiss the bride."

            Harry kissed his new wife and Lily squeezed James' hand with tears of happiness in her eyes.

            Half an hour later, they were all gathered at the reception.  There was music and dancing going.  Dru and Harry were laughing and smiling.  Ron, his husband, and their son were trying to waltz all together.  Violet and Serpentin were smiling secret smiles, anticipating their own special day.

            James sighed.  Lately he had been feeling completely frustrated.  The end was drawing near and he could feel it.  It was as if Death was clutching at his throat while taunting him with what could have been, so that that any happiness he could possibly feel was hollow.

            Ron stopped dancing to make a toast, his freckled face red with heat and joy.

            "Today, one of my best friends got married!  Marriage can be a long journey.  Long, but rewarding," he said, picking up Emrys.  "I never knew when I first met Draco that I had met the love of my life, or that I would know the joy of having my own little… monster."

            He laughed, ruffled Emrys' strawberry blonde hair, and continued, "But now I know.  I only hope that Harry and Dru find all the happiness in their marriage that I have found in mine.  Slainte!"

            //Slainte…// James thought.  //It all started with Slainte…//

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            James woke up, the images of his son's wedding still playing through his head.

            As far as he knew, Peter was still nowhere to be seen and it was obvious that Peter was either a traitor, or had been killed. 

            There was now only one week left until Halloween.