Story Two: "The Wedding that Almost Wasn't"
Five finely dressed figures stood before an altar in a little church. Three figures were men; Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew to be exact. Peter paced in front of the altar, Remus stood with the two women and Sirius decided to lounge on the altar's steps. "Sirius, that's disrespectful," one of the woman, named Kristin Wright, reprimanded. Sirius merely stuck his tongue out at her.
Their outfits were fit for a wedding party. The women wore long, cream colored dresses that resembled Roman togas. Kiki, as Kristin preferred to be called, had added cream colored strips to her midnight black hair, adding a contrast to her curls. The woman standing next to her was Harmony Anderson, whose own blonde hair was also curled. Harmony had added little jewels to her hair, each catching the light. The vests of the men's jackets were also cream colored. They were prepared for a wedding, but the church seemed to say otherwise.
"I think Lily went a little overboard with the color cream," Sirius said, looking at the flowers decorating the altar. "It's everywhere."
"Sirius, we have bigger fish to fry. Lily and James are getting married in twenty minutes and no one's here," Harmony said. "Lily Evans and James Potter tie the knot and no one shows. Great."
"They probably think it is a big hoax. They're always fighting."
"Yes, Sirius, but you and I know that's their way of expressing their love," Remus said. "Besides, we've seen them in some sweet, loving position."
"And some compromising ones."
"What have you seen that we haven't?" Kiki asked, exasperated. She looked at Sirius' grin. "Never mind."
"My, my. Lily gets married and no one shows up," came a cold, feminine voice from the back. A tall woman with blonde hair stood in another cream dress. It was Lily's sister, Petunia Evans. She strolled down the aisle, flashing her gaudy engagement ring. "I assure you this isn't going to happen when Vernon and I get married."
She reached the small group. "I know you all won't pull any of your abnormal stunts since normal people will be around," Petunia announced. The small group glared at the woman, knowing she hated her sister's magical world. What she didn't know was who she was facing in this battle.
James, Sirius, Remus, Kiki and Harmony were all Aurors, trained to fight against the Dark Arts and Voldemort, the most powerful wizard terrifying the wizarding community. Lily was a healer at St. Mungo's and Peter worked in the Ministry of Magic, first as a disasterous security guard, now as a messenger for the departments. Yet they were all in the secret Order of the Phoenix, and if Petunia knew they always carried their wands on, remembered there were no witnesses, she wouldn't have been so bold.
Kiki approached Petunia. "Why do I have a feeling you're behind this somehow?" she asked. Petunia gave an evil smile, but refused to say anything. Kiki continued, "Lily was the only one with access to the invitations, so we can't blame Sirius."
"Hey!"
"So, what did you do?"
Petunia's smile grew even more. "Are you sure the guests were aware today was the big day?" she asked, cryptically. "It would be a shame if the wrong day ended up on the invitation."
Before anyone could blink, Harmony stood in front of the woman. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't hex you right now!" Harmony hissed, wand pointing at Petunia's forehead.
"You wouldn't. You could get in trouble."
"She's got a reason. Muggles tampering with wizarding mail aren't looked kindly on," Peter squeaked. Al looked at him, glad he worked in the Ministry. Except Petunia, who turned a shade of white paler than her dress.
"Harmony, don't threaten the maid of honor," James called out from the back. Harmony kept her wand pointed at Lily's sister.
"Uh, James," Kiki said, "you may not have noticed, but no one is here yet."
"I noticed. They probably all think it's another practical joke. Lily Evans marry James Potter? Remember when I proposed? She just kept laughing until she realized I was serious. Then she started crying."
"Yes, but now your dear, future sister-in-law has decided to change the date of you wedding," Harmony said, through clenched teeth.
James reached the small group. Now five equally upset Aurors stood around Petunia as she began to squirm. He too raised his wand. "What did you do?" he asked in a cold voice that no one liked. Petunia could only "meep" in response. "Do you deny that you changed the date of our wedding?" James asked. Petunia shook her head.
Remus decided to step in before his friend and girlfriend did something they all would regret. He placed his hands on their arms and lowered them. "Threatening to hex her won't solve any of our problems. We need to figure out how to rectify the situation," Remus said. Harmony and James looked at the quiet man ad then proceeded to put their wands away. When Petunia realized she was safe for now, she fled.
Kiki watched her leave. "Leave it to Remus to be the voice of reason."
"Leave it to Remus to use a big word like 'rectify.'"
"Leave it to you, Sirius, to not know what the word 'rectify' means."
"Shut up, Kiki."
"Make me, Sirius."
"Sure, how's your boyfriend, Severus Snape, doing?"
"LEAVE HIM OUT OF THIS!"
Harmony sighed and whirled around. "So, how can we fix this problem? And could someone stop them?" She looked over at two of her best friends, their argument coming close to bows.
"I can't believe Kiki agreed to go out with Severus," Remus said. "We all hated him in school and then he joins the Order and she falls for him?"
"It's not Severus joining the order that made Kiki ask him out," Harmony said, smiling at how clueless her boyfriend could be. Even James knew what Kiki was doing, surprising Harmony. "She's using Severus to make Sirius jealous." Remus' mouth made a big "O."
Peter ran behind the group of Remus, Harmony and James because Kiki and Sirius had just whipped out their wands. Remus went over to bravely stop his two friends from killing each other, Harmony watching with admiration in her eyes. James approached his fiancée's best girlfriend, saying, "May be you should go to Lily."
"And say what? Her wedding guests are late due to her jerk of a sister?"
"Well, I'm sure you can put it more diplomatically…"
"James, you don't know how nervous Lily is right now. This could push her over the edge."
"What, is she going to lock herself in the bathroom?"
"No, she did that last night."
"I was joking."
"I wasn't."
"Merlin's beard," James sighed. "If she did that last night, what would happen if she found out now?"
At that moment, Lily's voice was heard throughout the church. "WHAT?!" James fled off so he wouldn't see Lily, they already had bad luck from being friends with Sirius and didn't need anymore. Shortly after the groom left, the bride appeared at the end of the aisle. "SIRIUS BLACK, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO NOW?" she roared. Sirius, whom Remus had saved from Kiki's wrath, suddenly shrunk 12 inches and Harmony moved behind Remus.
Lily hiked up her full crème skirt and marched down the aisle, train and veil blowing in the breeze. She reached Sirius, but Kiki stopped her. She was ready to defend the man she had wanted to kill not five minutes ago. "I know when things go bad, it's normally Sirius' fault, but this isn't Lil."
"Thanks."
"Miraculously."
"Hey!"
Lily was still enraged, but believed her friend. "If Sirius didn't do it, then who did?" Lily demanded, startling Peter, who was now cowering behind, Harmony, still using Remus as her own shield. "Is someone going to tell me," Lily asked, "or am I going to hex someone?"
'Petunia did it. Besides, you made Harmony and me lock up your wand," Kiki said. Lily continued fuming.
"I see we have a bit of a problem here," came a voice from the back. The group spun around to see their old school headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, at the entrance of the chapel. With him was Mr. and Mrs. Evans, angrily staring at their blonde daughter.
"Headmaster—Albus," Lily said, correcting herself, "what do you propose we do?"
"No, worries, Lily. You focus on marrying James."
"So, what are we going to do?" asked Kiki, shortly.
Albus gave her a look. "I've already set the matter right." The all began talking at once.
"How?" (Remus)
"Why am I not surprised?" (Sirius)
"That's why you're the Headmaster." (Kiki)
"And the leader of the Order of the Phoenix." (Peter)
"So my wedding is saved?" (Do I need to tell you?)
"Yes, Lily," Albus said. "Severus is fixing everything as we speak." Albus then winked at Kiki. "He seemed eager for the job," the wizard continued, looking over the rim of his glasses.
"As long as the problem is fixed," Mr. Evans said. "Now, Petunia," apologize to your sister."
"I'm sorry I ruined you wedding to that awful boy," Petunia mumbled. Lily knew this was the best she was going to get, so she accepted that.
A half-hour after she was supposed to, Lily walked down the aisle on her father's arms. She smiled at all the shocked faces watching her. She knew they all were waiting for either James or Sirius to jump up and say "Surprise!" But that wasn't going to happen, Lily really wanted this.
She saw James standing in front of Dumbledore, Sirius' hand on his friend's shoulders. Both beamed at Lily, as did her two bridesmaids. Remus gave her a gentle, reassuring smile while Peter looked more nervous than James and Lily combined. Her maid of honor just stood there, a fake smile plastered across her face.
Mr. Evans handed James his daughter's hand, saying, "Love her always." James nodded and led Lily up. Albus smiled and cleared his throat. "Dear friends, we are here to celebrate the union of James Potter and Lily Evans…"
James and Lily laughed as they collapsed after two straight hours of dancing. The ceremony went off without a hitch, even with Bill Weasley's startled cry when he realized he wasn't carrying the real rings. (Remus was. Lily and James only trusted Sirius so much.)
But now, Sirius was getting ready to give his best man's speech. Those present from the wizarding world sat in silence, waiting for how Sirius Black would deliver the speech. Especially since he already had a few drinks. Oh yes, this was going to be interesting.
Sirius stood up, took a sip of his wine and cleared his throat. "I have known from the moment these two met they would be perfect for each other…oh wait, that's Remus and Harmony's speech when they get married." This caused an uproar at the dais among Kiki, Remus and Harmony.
"Who says they're getting married?"
"Who says you're going to be my best man?"
"Who says you're invited?"
Sirius shot them all looks. "Anyway, Lily and James…oh boy, Lily and James. Who here believed this was another one of my pranks?" Everybody who knew the Marauders raised their hands. "Alright, more hands than I expected.
"Lily and James had a rough beginning. She turned him down so many times at school. But James finally won her over with those Potter charms. And they have had those rough spots. If your favorite restaurant hides the sharp silverware, you know you have rough spots." Remus gave an conspicuous cough. "Anyway, I know they will be happy. And if you haven't killed each other by then, I hope you would consider me as your first child's godfather. You know, screw Remus and Peter, make me al of theirs!"
Harmony pulled Sirius down as Remus raised his glass. "To Lily and James, all the happiness in the world," he said, as those present stood and drank to the Potters. Sirius downed his in three seconds, timed by Kiki.
Lily then had all the unmarried women (minus Petunia. She knew she and Vernon were the next to get married) and prepared to throw the bouquet. Also crème, matching the tablecloths and napkins. And the favors. And the cake.
Lily closed her eyes and tossed her flowers over her head. When she looked back, she saw Harmony clutching the bouquet with Kiki. She saw a blush rise to Remus' cheeks, a surprised expression on Snape's face (sitting next to giggling Order members and Weasleys), and an outraged look distorting Sirius' handsome features.
The next day, the five friends and Snape wished the Potters a great honeymoon to France. "Forget about Voldemort for a while," Remus said, an arm around Harmony's waist.
"And I expect you two to be planning your double wedding with Kiki and Snape when we get back," Lily said. She and James enjoyed watching their three friends squirm, but stopped when Sirius looked ready to kill someone. 'Kiki's plan is working. Too well,' Lily thought.
James and Sirius embraced brotherly as Lily slung her arm around Kiki's shoulders. Sirius tried hard to concentrate on James. "Alright, I expect you to announce my future godson or daughter when you get back, Prongs."
"Sure, Padfoot," James said, rolling his eyes. 'But maybe Moony with be his or her godfather."
James laughed at Sirius' expression. He grabbed Lily, kissing Kiki's cheek. The two hugged Remus and Harmony, Lily kissed Sirius and the two said good-bye to Peter. They boarded their plane, all worries forgotten.