Disclaimer – I don't own them, wish I did at times but hey a girl can dream. Anything you recognize belongs to J.K. Rowlings anything you don't is mine. Also the wedding tradition/blood ritual is from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander.
Author's note – Just as a reminder italics mean Cian is speaking, Bold means Isolda, Bold and Italic means Nadia and … before and after the typing with no quotation marks means a Phoenix. No hurting me because it is short…I am not all that great at this type of thing. Forgive any unbelievable aspects of romance you see in the story, I have only what I have read to draw upon and that isn't always a good thing in my case. Questions, comments, confusion let me know in either a review or an email at web_chick_18@hotmail.com. If you email me I'll get back to you ASAP. Okies, it is choice time since I am finally posting this chapter I need ideas on what you the readers would like to see happen next: 1, happily ever after and such or 2, the resurfacing of an evil of some sort. Let me know. Thanks =) For links to a picture of the dress, the flowers and the ring see my bio…they wouldn't show when I tried so I'm improvising.
Chapter 19Christmas Eve dawned bright and clear with the sun reflecting off the snow and lake. The castle was shockingly quiet as Kalila woke, allowing her time to think and her nerves to form a ball in the pit of her stomach. As she sat up she had to admit, with some amusement, that brides should not be given time to think on their wedding day. Sighing Kalila go out of bed and wandered down to her living room, plopping down in one of the chairs flanking the fireplace with a sigh. Not knowing what else to do she summoned a book, a romance novel, and started reading to pass the time until she could start getting ready. There were still hours to go until the wedding at dusk. She finished the novel with just enough time to grab a quick shower and snack before it was time to get dressed.
While her hair was still wet she braided it into a crown around her head, weaving heather, in shades of whit and purple, sweat peas, in white and pink, and wind flowers in purple and blue in to the braid. Giving her a crown of flowers to attach her light veil to. Next she put on her slip and then slipped her dress on. She couldn't help but smile as the dress settled around her, the yards of satin fabric comfortable in weight. Next came the cream colored belt that hung straight down after tightening; then came the shoes, resembling ballet slippers. Done she walked back down to the living room and was ambushed by Herimone, Lana, her friend from the ministry, and Ginny with their make up bags. Sighing she sat in the indicated chair, settling her "train" so it didn't wrinkle. The ambushers couldn't help but smile at her attitude; they were done quickly and finished by fastening a Sapphire and Diamond necklace 'round her neck. As Kalila stood she admired each of her bridesmaids, each radiant; Herimone in pale purple with purple heather and white sweet peas in her hair; Lana in pale blue with blue windflowers and white sweet peas in her hair; and Ginny in pale pink with pink windflowers and white sweet peas in her hair.
They walked outside together to just outside the site of the wedding guests where each picked up their bouquet. The two Hell Hound youngsters went first followed by Ginny and Severus, then Lana and Harry and then finally Herimone and Sirius. Upon reaching the alter they separated, bridesmaids to the left and groomsmen to the right. Hearing the first strains of music she made sure the small porcelain horseshoe attached to her bouquet was turned up, for luck, and then started down the aisle on queue, the sound of soft bells following her.
Remus couldn't take his eyes off of Kalila as she started down the aisle, time stretched into eternity as she walked but yet she was by his side all too soon. His eyes devoured her as she stood by him her form clad in the white satin of her gown with it's squared off the shoulder neck line and draping sleeves trimming in cream to match her belt. Her hair shining in the last rays of dusk and the light of the scattered candles; the flowers a vivid contrast to her black hair; her blue eyes were bright as they met and held his gaze, pushing the sound of the ceremony out of his head. It took Dumbledore two tries to get their attention when it came time for the vows. Startled Remus began:
"The wind will blow, rain will fall and together we shall be.
In front of friends who witness this, I join my life with thee.
This ring is a symbol of how we feel, wear it and always know of my love.
Till death do part us physically, my place is at your side."
Finished he slipped the white gold Claddagh ring with its sapphire heart over the knuckle of her left ring finger where it fight perfectly against her engagement ring. Delighting in her look of shock.
"The sun will rise, it will set and together we shall be.
In front of friends who witness this, I join my life with thee.
This ring is a symbol of how we feel, wear it and always know of my love.
Till the world does end and we do part, at you side I stand."
She then slipped a white gold band, engraved with Celtic knots over the knuckle of his left ring finger, smiling with joy. Together they said the last bit of the vow:
"From dusk till dawn, day upon day, from the Beginning till the end I am yours."
A unfamiliar woman in a blue rove then stepped up beside Dumbledore and took Remus' right hand and used a knife to make a cut deep enough to bleed across his wrist, she then took Kalila's right wrist and did the same, swiftly pressing their wrists together and binding them with a strip of white linen. Then together they said another vow:
"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.
I give ye my Body, that we two might be one.
I give ye my spirit, 'til our life shall be done."
Then their wrists were unbound, a healing charm said and they were married. Bells of all tones rang as the newly married couple kissed. As they did a diamond of light shot up into the night sky, anchored at the corners by Cian, Isolda, Nadia and an unfamiliar Hell Hound. Breaking apart from their kiss, Kalila and Remus smiled and walked down the aisle smiling.
The reception was held in the Great Hall where there was food, Celtic music, food and dancing. The celebration went on past midnight but Kalila and Remus snuck off long before that to begin their Honeymoon in the Isles.
They had a blissful week in the Isles, hardly leaving Kalila's room or the adjoining garden. Both were partially depressed at having to return to Hogworts that Saturday and leave behind their peaceful days together. They arrived only hours before the Hogworts Express and were met by the rest of the Hogworts' staff who escorted them to their new suite of rooms, near Gryffindor tower. They ushered the happy couple inside and then left to meet the returning students. Smiling Kalila and Remus made their way to the bedroom and spent the rest of the day in peace.
